That's what I LOVE about my church!

Sisters,

What a great day we had to learn, worship and feel the spirit together.  I absolutely loved the testimonies that were born and for the spirit that I felt exude from each of you.  Both those who shared experiences of Woman’s Conference and other’s who bore testimony of Sisterhood and the gospel of Jesus Christ, THANK YOU!

This week in Relief Society we had the privilege to have a combined meeting with the Priesthod as we were reminded how to be a member missionary’s . Sometimes we make it seem so much harder than it actually is.  Wade Whiting taught with such zeal for the gospel and the work that you couldn’t help but catch the fire! (Of course I am partial because he has been like family to me for 20 years now and I have always loved his contagious testimony!)

He gave us tools on how to open our mouths and just be us, not try to set up the situation perfectly. His teachings reminded me of lessons I learned as a missionary in Columbus Ohio.  They were so poignant to me that I still think about it with EVERY missionary type experience I have to this day!

Elder Kikuchi of the 70 came through my mission and met with us as missionaries to do some training and introduce a new tracking approach to us.  While he spoke he shared recent (as of 2000) statistics of the church with us.  He said that the church has found that on average it takes a non- member 7 experiences with hearing about our church to let the missionaries in their door.  Hearing about the church could be through just hearing about “mormons”, hearing a commercial or radio spot, seeing a pamphlet or book, having neighbors who are, having a friend who may be, being invited to an activity or class at church or in a members home etc. 

He challenged us that every time that we open our mouths and even just mention who we are, or what church we belong, we are puling off a number!  It might be that as missionaries we would knock on a door and Sally behind the door has heard about our church in 3 different ways and you might pull off that #4.  Or you may meet someone in the grocery store and get into a casual conversation with them and they have never seen nor heard about anything to do about our church and so #1 peels off.  But what about that time that you open your mouth to a neighbor and it is lucky #7 and they inquire and want to know more!

When he taught this to us it was an Ah ha moment for me!  I totally got it!  Why is it that we are so afraid to share something that we are so much apart of?!  Something that has blessed our lives and made us better people?! 

If we remember it as simple as “I will help get them one step closer to letting those missionaries in their door and pull off a number” how much easier than is it for us to share tidbits about the church. 

Wade offered us a great way to start into those conversations and I have personally used this time and time again and it works! It is not offensive and is a subtle way to share your feelings about the church with anyone from stranger to family. 

When having a conversation with someone about a particular topic, work in the words, “That is what I love about my church” as you talk about things that would relate to why we do what we do!  I promise you that it works!  It gets easier and easier the more you practice and you have more and more opportunities open up to you as you put it into practice.  It is as simple as that!

One thing that I like about my church is the close association that I have with all you women.  How great is it that we get to meet together often, that we have support in ways of visiting teachers, activities and great neighbors!  Thank you for being apart of my life.  I am a better person for knowing and associating with each of you, if only everyone in Gilbert was so blessed!

Have a great week!  Keep those lights shining before men!  I am going to Utah to surprise my Mom for Mother’s Day, but I will send you the announcements from Utah next week!  You are wonderful and are loved so much, don’t forget it!