Mormons, Mormons Everywhere

I was at work on yesterday, putting go-backs away, when a customer stopped me to ask a question. I was happy to oblige. I couldn't tell you what she originally wanted, but I lifted my right hand up to scratch my chin as I thought about the location of her desired items. And she cut me off. She said, "is that a CTR ring?!" Indeed, it was a CTR ring on my right hand. And we started talking about what wards we each respectively go to. Our wards actually meet in the same building! She goes to the Northridge family ward! And she asked me to tell her my conversion story, so I gave her the short version. We had a nice little chat for over ten minutes. She's a sweet lady! I'm glad I met her! I'll probably see her around the building in passing.

I love this Church. There are members from all walks of life and all over the world. I love that the Church is the same no matter where you attend. It's a safe place to get away from the world. It's a place of spiritual refuge. The Spirit is felt the same in every church building. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father truly guided this church, and that He is at the Helm of that "old ship Zion." I would be so lost without His direction; I know I have been before.

David, one of my mom's exes who has grown to be like a father-figure to me, keeps trying to convince me to move to Utah. He says I'll love it (because of all the Mormons there. haha! As if there aren't any here! We're everywhere!). And I'm sure I would. When I went to the Ogden temple open house, I definitely fell in love with the scenery I saw along the way. And Utah just has a different aura than the other states I've seen. It doesn't seem, I hope some people don't take this the wrong way, as "worldly" as other places. I think it's kind of cool. But I just get this feeling, and I could be very wrong, that the leaders of the Church don't want all non-Utah Mormons to be flooding to Utah. I feel like rather than have the world think that Utah is the "Mormon state," they'd prefer to make the "Mormon presence" stronger throughout the world. I think they would rather have us stay put, and help "build the kingdom" where we are now. But I could be wrong. And I'm not completely against the idea of moving there; I'm just not sure I'm ready for it now. Only time will tell. :)

Open the Door

Just to set the record straight, this actually happened last week, December 7th to the 11th. I've been meaning to post about it for days, but I just hadn't gotten around to it. 

Yeah, so, last Sunday it hit me that right around this time last year was when the Elders knocked on my door. I've mentioned a few times throughout my blogposts that I had no desire to hear from them. While I prayed for guidance prior to meeting them, I wasn't sure I was ready or willing to make the changes that I knew faith required of me. So, when I saw them through the blinds, I rolled my eyes, and almost didn't even open the door. But I was raised better than that, so I decided to be polite, and just hear them out. Something prompted me to let them in, and, as "they" say, the rest is history. 

Last Sunday, when I realized that a whole year had passed, I felt the urge to share my testimony. I wasn't aware of this, but Elder Sharp was in the foyer at the time, and was able to hear it. Later, he told me he was grateful to have heard it and to have played a part in my conversion, if only a small part. 

After the three-hour blocks, we had our Break-The-Fast ward luncheon thing. One the Sisters' new investigators was there. His name is Andres, he's really nice. He seems like a solid investigator! I have a good feeling about this one, but then, what do I know? Haha I'm just a convert!

Anyway, after Break the Fast, Gilbert and I hung out at the church for a bit. He wanted help preparing for his seminary lesson. And I had a feeling I should stay and help him. 

A short while later, we heard a knock on the door. I think neither of us felt like answering, but then I heard another knock. So, I went to answer it, and there was this young guy there who said he ha to do a project for his class on a religion and was curious in the "Mormon Church." My first instinct was to refer him to the missionaries, and that's only because I don't known enough to be giving out information like that. I've finished the Book of Mormon, and I have a testimony of it, and Joseph Smith, and the Church, but I don't think that is what he was looking for. I went to go get Gilbert for help. The guy introduced himself as Travis, and told us that he was "an adult now," and he figured it was time for him to find a religion. He also mentioned that his mom was Mormon at one point before converting to Catholicism. So, we gave him a tour of the building; Gilbert gave him a mini-lesson on the Plan of Salvation, and we started telling him other aspects of the Church, some of which are not the best to mention the first time around. :\ that was mostly my fault, but then again, I was nervous. After a while, it startet to seem like his interest was caused less by his project and more by actual curiosity. And he had stuck around for so long, too. It seemed like he might be an actually investigator. He exchanged numbers with Gilbert, and asked to be invited to our church services and activites. He took the Sisters' number. The whole thing was incredible! I totally was not expecting it (I'll finish this story in a bit. I like to tell things in chronological order).

After that, Gilbert and I rushed to the stake center for the Rebroadcast of the Christmas Devotional. Mostly missionaries were there. So, we told the Sisternaries about it, and they were so excited! I told Sister Bishop that I was kind of funny that a year after I opened the door the Elders even though I kinda of didn't want to, I open a door at church (even though I kind of didn't feel like getting up) to a guy who might become an investigator! So, Sister Bishop was like, "That's it! Now you always have to open the door!" Haha! It made me think about taking the opportunities that are given to us! 

And I saw both Elder Sharp and Elder Hansen, so we had to get a picture to commemorate the anniversary of meeting them! 

Monday night, for FHE, the ward went up to Santa Clarita to this little neighborhood that goes all out with the lights. They call it "Wakefield Wonderland." It was really pretty! And then I unexpectedly ran into Sister Hacker! It was pretty funny. We looked at each other for half a second before recognizing each other, and then I totally screamed in excitement. Literally, like a little girl! I have never been that type of girl before, but now I'm screaming of joy all the time! It started when I joined the church. Haha what is also funny is that on the way there I was kind of hoping I would either run into her or Sister Olsen. Around the time I ran into Sister Hacker, some of the ward ran into Sister Olsen. I only saw her sticking out of the truck she was in as she was heading out. She was yelling, yeah, she's a funny gal. Haha. 

The Sisternaries invited me to teach Travis last Tuesday, and also last Thursday. On Tuesday, it still seemed like it was just for the project. But the Spirit was so strong on Thursday. I was sure he was genuinely interested. Besides, his project was due Wednesday. If he was only interested in the church for his project, I don't think he would've bothered meeting them again after it was due. Unfortunately, he didn't end up going to church this past Sunday. And he probably isn't interested anymore, if he ever was at all. And it's disappointing the way it turned out, but at least he "opened the door" enough to have an opinion on our Church. And that's all we're really asking of people, to pray and ponder whether this gospel is right for them. Only God knows if he actually prayed about it. But whatever happened, much like Elder Sharp, I'm grateful to have played a part in his short investigation. :)

Apostles: Living Witnesses of Jesus Christ

Today was totally awesome! And also kind of sad. We had our ward Christmas program, and it was pretty good. I could tell they all put a lot of thought and hard work into it. I was blown away by some of the performances, and some of the testimonies.
But it was also Sister Bishop's last Sunday on her mission. She goes home Wednesday. I could feel myself trying to avoid her as soon as I pulled in to the church parking lot. It's kind of a habit of mine; I distance myself from people whom I know are leaving (or I'll leave), and I'm going to miss. I guess in my mind, I justify this with the thought I won't miss them as much, but that is seldom the case. I miss people pretty bad regardless.

After the sacrament meeting, we had desserts as a ward. And, no surprise here, Bishop Patton asked us all to sing Hymn 152, "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again." At this point, we had better just memorize the song because it has become quite evident that we will be singing it to anyone he gets attached to in the ward. Haha. He's a great Bishop. But I could barely make it through the song. My eyes started tearing up. Sometimes I don't realize how much of an impact someone has had on me until the very last moment. I'm gonna miss her.
And the Yangs. Brother Yang just got called to be the Bishop of the Tarzana family ward! So, we sang Hymn 152 not only to Sister Bishop, but to them as well. Sister Yang is one of my favorite people, and I know I'll see her around every now and then, but I'm going to miss her still. Brother Yang, well, I don't know him very well. He's a quite man, but when he does talk, he's a funny guy. I wish I had gotten to know him a little better.

Anyway, I went home for about an hour.

Then I went to the Spanish stake center in Van Nuys. Elder Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve was there to give a fireside to the youth of the Church. Us, YSA, were later invited to come. It was good. I learned a lot from him. But I was excited to see another side of him. I've only ever seen him during conference talks, and I felt like I didn't know much about him. Bu through the firseide, I was able to do that, and now I see him for what he is: a man, with imperfections and flaws like the rest of us, but a man called of God, a man who is a living witness of Christ. A man who has been called to lead and edify us, and I can testify that he did just that. My outlook on the man has changed immensely. I'm grateful for the opportunity we were given there. I'm grateful that we were invited, and that I was able to learn from and of him, and that I got to shake his hand! What a sweet man he is, and his wife is, as well.

After that fireside, Gilbert and I, in separate cars, went to the Granada Hills stake center for the Stake sing along. We got there at the same time, and it had just started. There was a pretty good turn-out. Both pairs of the Northridge 1st missionaries were there, as was Elder Burgess, the guy who baptized my younger sister. I sat next to Sister Raty, and when Gilbert went to the bathroom, she asked me if we were together. Awkward! But she told me the only reason she thought that was because we had been together the week before as well when we came to the Christmas devotional. Haha. But I set her straight. We're just friends who just happened to spend the majority of two Sundays in a row together. He's like a brother, or a cousin, to me. I could never see him like that. But her comment made me laugh. Anyway, this program was my favorite thing! I'm usually not a fan of singing, but after the first non-sing-along performance, the whole congregation started clapping. I was so confused. Mormons usually don't clap at Church things. But this time, it was allowed! If I hadn't already met Elder Anderson, this probably would've made my week! I am a big fan of clapping when I approve of/like something! Sometimes, it is so hard to hold myself back at Church. But, for once, it was allowed. So, because I was so overjoyed about the clapping, I actually sang almost every sing-along song off the top of my lungs! It was a joyous occasion for me!