Faith, Friendship, and QA Temple Bags: A Story by Carol Lee

We love hearing how our bags bless lives in the temple, on a mission, or in everyday discipleship. The following heartfelt story was written by my dear friend and fellow convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Carol Lee. Her experience reminded me of the quiet power of faith, friendship, and the Holy Ghost. I'm humbled and grateful to share it with you.

Finding Faith Away from Home

Many years ago, I left Utah to attend school in another state. I was one of only a few people who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I was the only convert in that small group. It was hard to be away from my family. I missed them every day but I knew I needed to do this.

Right before graduation, someone approached me and said, “There’s something different about you. You look different and act differently than everyone here.” I was surprised at this comment. It was true that I didn’t drink and swear. It was true that I was dressed more conservatively (than even most of the members of our religion who were there). It was also true that my conversations about faith didn’t veer away from our values and truths. 

I thought about this comment for a long time. I looked differently, I realized, because of the Holy Ghost. That was one of the highest compliments I’ve ever been paid.

Who we are and how we act—it shows on our skin. We do look different even though someone might not know why. It’s because we are different. We want to be different. We choose to be so. We are the light on a hill.

The Mission Behind QA Bags

QA Bags has amazing products that can show our beliefs and even spark conversations. When I first held my Temple Bag, I wept. What a beautiful way to show who I am. And a beautiful way to show I love the temple. 

And there are lots of cool things about these QA Bags. Not only are they beautiful and support a good cause (helping those who have autism), but I love my bag for other reasons. Here’s one. The owner of this business is a woman. Her name is Isabella. She’s from Hong Kong and she’s a convert to the church, too. 

When you speak to Isabella, you know she’s different. The Holy Ghost is evident in her life and in her words. She wants to please God. She wants to help others. She works hard and believes in her family, her son, this mission, and these products.

In fact, long before starting this company, she made a baptismal blanket for every child baptized in her ward. She made blankets for eleven years and she made each one by hand. And guess what? You can find these blankets on the QA Bags website! She still embroiders every one. They are personalized and make a perfect gift for that newly baptized friend.

Everything made by QA is first designed by Isabella. I love this! She makes sure she’s producing the best products, something she believes in. They are well-made and, I believe, will last for years. And there are great features included in these bags. For example, you can hang the temple bag on the hook on the locker door in the temple. The bag stays open for dressing and undressing. It’s convenient and easy to use.

Each QA bag is well-thought out. For example, they all have at least one zippered pocket and they each have a key ring. All the products are water- and stain-resistant. The missionary bags have a place for water bottles and well as copies of the Book of Mormon.  

Sharing the Gospel Without Saying a Word

But maybe this is the most important thing I’ve learned about QA Bags. This business is a way for Isabella to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. According to her mission statement, this is a way she can serve God. It’s a way for her to be a missionary of the restored Gospel. 

QA Bags are a perfect missionary statement. I would have loved one when I served my mission just a few years after my baptism. It would have spoken for me and at that time I was so shy the thought of door approaches scared me. (By the way, I did get over that while serving God!) 

My temple bag was a gift and I plan on gifting bags to those I love. Every time I buy something from QA Bags, and it goes out to a missionary or newly baptized person or a child in Primary, that person now has the opportunity to talk about why they have this merchandise. They can share their testimonies. 

They can say, “I believe in a living prophet and President Nelson said, ‘Think celestial.’” They can explain what the Plan of Salvation is. They can explain what “hear Him” means.  

Isabella has changed my life for the good. I’m so glad to know her. And the way we act, the way we think, the way we love God shows without us ever saying a word. I’m so glad about that, too.

- Carol Lee

Thank you, Carol, for allowing us to share your story. If you have also had a meaningful experience with your QA Bag, we’d love to hear it. Please email us your story at qabags24@gmail.com.