This one is a do-over.John moved to Alaska in the 4th grade. Both my twin sister and I took a liking to him right away. We went all through high school together. We weren't really friends but we weren't really acquaintances either having grown up together. (This picture is of him in high school)
Back in 1996 my sister Traci had just returned home from serving a mission for our church in Venezuela. When she talked about her experiences I was jealous of her selfless service to others and the opportunity she had to share that which she believed deeply in. I felt like I had missed out on an opportunity although I had no regrets about my choice to get married. I wanted to experience what she had felt the 18 months she was in Venezuela so I prayed for a missionary experience. Just so you know Heavenly Father answers prayers! I started running into John around town. I hadn't seen him since high school which was 5 years earlier and I felt like I was supposed to invite him to a missionary fireside. Seriously was embarrassed by that thought. We weren’t friends, hadn't seen each other for years and I was supposed to out of the blue talk to him about something like that. I started to panic!
That night I prayed to make sure this is what Heavenly Father wanted me to do. I was reading Doctrine and Covenants at the time and my next chapter that night happened to be D&C 18. The worth of souls chapter and how great shall be your joy if you bring but one soul unto Christ. Darn it, now I had no choice but to follow through. Seriously I was a mess. I had no idea what to say but I called him up with my heart about to jump out of my chest. My opening line after telling him who I was was, "I know this may seem a little bizarre but would you like to. . ." Worst conversation starter ever!!! It was horrible. He politely declined. Wouldn't you? The missionaries told me there was another fireside and I should try again. But I just couldn't bring myself to do. I was too embarrassed.
That night I prayed to make sure this is what Heavenly Father wanted me to do. I was reading Doctrine and Covenants at the time and my next chapter that night happened to be D&C 18. The worth of souls chapter and how great shall be your joy if you bring but one soul unto Christ. Darn it, now I had no choice but to follow through. Seriously I was a mess. I had no idea what to say but I called him up with my heart about to jump out of my chest. My opening line after telling him who I was was, "I know this may seem a little bizarre but would you like to. . ." Worst conversation starter ever!!! It was horrible. He politely declined. Wouldn't you? The missionaries told me there was another fireside and I should try again. But I just couldn't bring myself to do. I was too embarrassed.
That day has always haunted me so I am grateful today that I got my chance to redeem myself. No phone call this time. I mailed him a Book of Mormon.
*Update-my next door neighbor (from Dec 1) thanked me for the card and Book of Mormon today.
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