12. Perfect set up

So for all of you that know me I had a Valentine's sale for my Mary Kay business and called all my previous customers to tell them about it. I called my neighbor, and she said that she would like to come over and look at a catalog. A few days later she came over and we visited in my living room while she looked over the catalog. Then she asked me what the picture was of that hangs in our front room. I told her that it was one of our churches temples, the one in Manti. I talked a little about it, that Matt's uncle had actually drawn it with colored pencil, that we had been married in the Salt Lake Temple, but that this one had particular meaning, and on, and on. And just talked about it for a second.

K - Matt and I just barely logged on and ordered tickets for the Draper openhouse and I asked him to get 1 extra ticket because I wanted to invite her. So when she asked this question I thought "wow, could I ask for a better opportunity than this?" So I had to take advantage of it.

(It's funny to me though that even in those moments that are just right, my mind still hesitates, "I don't want to offend her", and I wonder if I really dare ask? Fortunately that feeling is getting weaker the more that I put myself out there, but I don't know, I just find it strange how we work, that we can pray for these opportunities, know that they are happening right now, and still hesitate to take advantage of them. Oh well, I guess that's all part of the natural man right?)

So anyway, I was planning on inviting her to the open house and wondered how I would bring it up. So I knew that when she asked me about this picture of the temple in my own house, that it was my perfect opportunity. So I asked. I asked if she had heard of the open house that was going on for the Draper Temple? She said that she had heard about it on t.v. but hadn't gone.
I told her that Matt and I were planning on taking Audrey through to see it and wondered if she wanted to come with us? She didn't even hesitate to say yes. It was almost like she had seen it on t.v. and wanted to go, but didn't know how to go by herself and that she wanted me to ask her. It was great. So we are going on my birthday. What a great gift for my birthday to share the joy of the temple with my husband and daughter, and one of my non-member friends. I am really excited and hope that it will be one of the greatest experiences of her life.

My advice: I've said it before, I'll say it again.... Take advantage of those little opportunities! Sometimes they are so small, but if you are looking for them , you will recognize them.

What will I do next: I'm going to get Audrey and my friend excited to go to the temple open house! And I'm going to keep praying for missionary opportunities. I mean, look at me, I've been praying for missionary opportunities since the bishop asked us bishopric wives to start preparing for our talk just over 3 months ago. And I have had more experiences in that short time than years before, combined. It's amazing how much Heavenly Father wants us to have those opportunities. He's just waiting for us to ask.

11. January 22

Well I invited my neighbor over for family night. She seemed happy to come and grateful to able to ask some questions. She declined dinner (I don't know why, that would be the main reason I would go. hehe.) but came over afterwards. We sang Jesus wants me for a sun beam! and prayed and then Matt gave the lesson by Pres Uchdorf from the Jan Friend. We talked a bit then sang I am a child of God, said a closing prayer and then the kids went upstairs to play and we were able to have a nice discussion. She asked lots of questions. And like the time before, it was just strange to me. I know what I believe, and not a ton of what others do, and it is just surprising some of the questions that they have that I just take for granted that I know. I would never think to ask some of the questions.
She of course asked about the whole polygamy thing and Matt simply explained that it is not practiced anymore, and hasn't been for over a hundred years. He said that we don't know why Joseph Smith was asked to live the law but we know that it was asked of him by God. And then Matt said something that I had never thought of before. He said that he didn't know why Joseph Smith was asked to live the law of polygamy. However , he said that Joseph had been curious as to why ancient prophets had lived the law, and asked God why they had. God answered Joseph's prayer and told him the reason that those prophets were commanded to live polygamy. So because Joseph knew the answer of why polygamy was practiced he was then commanded to live it for a time.
I never thought of it that way before, that he had asked why prophets of old had been asked to live it, he was given the knowledge, and then command himself because he knew. I thought that was interesting, and isn't it so much like life? That when we gain new understanding in this church we are held more accountable, and required to live that way. Especially once we understand why we are supposed to do certain things. I don't know about you, but I'm going to stop asking "why polygamy?" :) hehe.
I doubt that my friend thought the same things I did, but I hope Matt's answer sufficed. We talked about a lot of great topics and she thanked us for having her over. It was a great evening and I was so grateful for the experience. Especially when I ended up having to give my talk in sacrament meeting that sunday! Talk about cutting it close.

My Advice: Same as before

What will I do next: See if she wants to come again.