Today we ran into one of our neighbors on the complex park. This neighbor is very sweet and nice, with one little girl 3 years old that Madi loves. Madi has gone for walks with them and spent some time at their home. Well, this evening she said, "You know, I know something about your family that you don't know about me."
That seemed kind of cryptic. She went on to explain that she knows we are Mormon, but we don't know that she grew up in the church. That she still has a testimony. That she has never stopped believing in the gospel. She has taught Young Women, Primary, her mother has taught seminary for 11 years. But she married her high school sweet heart she has known since she was 13 and he is not a member. Has no interest at this point. You get the idea.
It was a bit of a shocker. Madi's eyes were as big as dinner plates!
Apparently, she moved in about the same time as we did. The missionaries helped her. They told her another member family was moving in as well and offered to introduce us. She declined and said she would figure it out on her own. She went on to explain that when she met Madison with her friends, who are close neighbors of this woman, she just knew. She could tell she was different than all of them, that she radiated light, that she could tell she respected her parents and had love in her home. So now she has been watching us from afar knowing that we are members and she is too, albeit inactive.
She apologized profusely for not telling us earlier. She has wanted too for a long time. Today Madi told her we are moving away and she suddenly realized she had wasted her opportunities for 2 years, and now we are going to be gone. She seriously needs someone to help her come back to church. And now I feel like I have not been able to help her. That is my own fault. Maybe I could have been more outgoing and receptive to the Spirit.
But, now we know. I will invite her to come to church the last couple of weeks we are here. I will pass her name along to the ward. They will find her. She will make it back. And maybe her husband will be inspired too.
Live what you believe. You never know who just might be watching you...
Wow, this is exciting. Sad that you just connected now but exciting just the same. Can you email me her name and contact info? I know that the Bishop would like to get in touch with her and welcome to her to the ward etc.
ReplyDelete