Opening Doors

As part of my mission I get to volunteer down in Old Town San Diego. Not at the Mormon Battalion, but down the street at Old Town State Park. I get to dress up in Pioneer clothes from the 1800's & talk about museums from 10:30-3:30 twice a week. And yes, I get to wear my name-tag. 

The workers in Old Town ask questions & have already expressed their excitement & appreciation for having us down at the park serving along side them. And though the dress can be a pain in the butt it's become one of my favorite parts of my mission. 

Today while I was down in Old Town I had quite the experience. Near the end of my shift a couple came in to tour the museum I was in. We started chatting away & the gentleman noticed my name-tag & asked where I was from. I had the wonderful opportunity to explain that I don't live far, & that I get to serve a different type of mission. I get to do a service mission where I stay at home & serve as opposed to going abroad & proselytizing. 

They asked about my schooling & I mentioned my degree. They told me that they were baptist & that God told them that they couldn't have children, but they were able to turn that around & help teenagers & high schoolers because of it. They have found a great love for that age group & love serving them & making them feel loved. They also love traveling & that's how they ended up here, in Southern California. 

They continued to ask questions about my mission & they church. I answered letting them know that I was also where I was because God told me no once. And sometimes Him telling us no is a beautiful thing, because He's keeping us safe helping us in other ways. 

Since they were done with the park I then pointed them towards the Mormon Battalion saying that they might enjoy that as well if they had a little extra time to spare. They brought up the amazing trials us as members of the church went through just to get to Utah & even California & how amazing it would be to recreate it. I then mentioned how most wards do pioneer treks with the youth & that they could easily reach out to a ward nearby & they would happily let them participate. 

They walked through the rest of the museum & then they were on their way. 

I have thought about this experience most of the day now. The wife told me that they were about to leave when all of a sudden they saw the museum I was in & decided to check it out before they left. I even made them run late to their next stop by talking to them. I've heard many times while on my mission that service opens the door to the other missionaries in the field. 

By me doing what I'm doing, I'm helping soften the hearts of those around me. By you helping with groceries or even smiling to someone on the street, you are softening their heart so when those missionaries knock on their door, maybe they will be ready this time. 

Now I'm not saying this baptist couple is going to all of a sudden get baptized, but there was a reason they saw my museum. Maybe I just needed someone to talk to & they had a willing ear. Maybe they needed someone to talk to them. Maybe they needed to hear a little bit about the gospel to push them closer, to prepare them more. 

All I know is that with continued service we can open doors. We can prepare those who we don't think would be ready for the gospel. People see your light & they see your example. They want to know what makes you who you are. 

This couple definitely brightened my day & I hope I brightened theirs. 

#LIGHTtheWORLD