I have just finished reading the book! And I have an experience about how I was courageous like I’ve never been before!

It was recommended to us by our son who is a full-time missionary right now. We have had a desire to participate in missionary work along with our son. However, all of the excuses were there! I was always concerned about offending someone or having them feel like I was only their friend while I was trying to convert them.

While reading this book, I came to the realization that people choose how they will respond. My responsibility is to offer them an opportunity to learn more. That I can do!

Our experience is still in process. We have a neighbor who has been actively participating in the church on and off for the past 20 years. We and our children have learned much as we have watched their blessings increase and decrease and direct correlation to their activity in the Church. Our hearts have ached for them as we have watched them struggle. There have been situations arise over the years where we have been told to mind our own business. So helping them over the years has been uncomfortable for us.

After reading this book, I came to the realization that we were trying to do it on our own and not with the help of the Lord. The minute we started to pray for help from the Lord, the missionaries were invited into their home, and our neighbors were willing to have their daughter be baptized.

But there were still communication struggles with with the missionaries. As we communicated with the missionaries, we realized that our ward’s Primary Program was coming up. The daughter who was going to be baptized loves to sing, so that presented a great opportunity to set a baptism date. In encouraging her to do that, I found out the daughter needed a dress. I found a dress and took it over. Her mother was touched by the gesture. I made sure they knew all about the rehearsal for the primary program. I worried whether they would show up for the rehearsal. In doing so, I realized that I needed to pray for Heavenly Father’s help. I had done all I thought of to do and now it was up to Him. I knew He could open their hearts, so that is what I prayed for. I was pleasantly surprised when they showed up to the practice!

After the practice, my doubts started to come again! I worried whether they would show up on Sunday for the program. The mother and daughter showed up on Saturday, and I knew it was important for the dad to show up for the program. He was the key player. So I prayed that the family would have a desire to come to the program, especially the father. Again, I was pleasantly surprised that they all came! I knew that it was an answer to prayer. It was very clear that this was so when the missionaries said to the father, “It is nice to meet you.” Apparently he had not been in on any of the contact the missionaries had with the mother and daughter.

After sacrament meeting, I invited them to go to Sunday School and Relief Society and Priesthood meetings. They turned me down. I felt a bit deflated but was still grateful they had come to sacrament meeting! Several people in the ward came to welcome them which was wonderful.

The week after, they did not come. The full-time missionaries followed up.

The next week was General Conference. We continued praying for them that somehow their hearts would be softened and opened.

On Sunday afternoon after the last session, we were outside and could hear the neighbor listening to the Tabernacle Choir and he was singing along. He noticed us listening and came out to talk. He told us about some big struggles they were having in their family and started to cry. He asked why he was so weak against temptation.

I have NOT been a person who has a lot of courage when talking to someone. But I felt prompted to tell him that I knew why he was weak. I explained to him that some of his choices were letting Satan have control over his life. I suggested to him strongly that he should let his frustration assist him in making the necessary changes. To my surprise, he looked me in the eye and said, “You are right!”

I asked him if you would like a blessing. He said that he really would. So we immediately brought him into our home and my husband gave him a blessing. He cried and cried some more. We set some goals. We offered our help in achieving those goals and gave him a hug and told him we love him and his family.

We are waiting and praying for the continuation of this experience.

Through this experience we have come to realize how important it is to remember to include the Lord in our missionary efforts.

Thank you so much for helping us to feel like missionary work is doable. We are truly motivated and excited to help build the kingdom!

-Anon.