Missionary Moments

This story actually begins months and months ago (Dec?) when our neighbor boys invited some non-member friends and their dad on a scout outing to shoot guns in the desert. These boys then attended the overnight teacher/priest snow activity in January.

About a month or so ago, Matt got a phone call from the ward mission leader saying that this family would be attending church this particular Sunday. We sat on the same bench in sacrament meeting, separated by the ward mission leader's family. Their daughter walked the investigator's daughter down the bench in front of us and out the door, when Brooklyn leans over to me and says, "I think that was Katie!!!" I asked, "Who's Katie?" Brooklyn said, "A girl in my school class." When they came back in to the chapel, Brooklyn confirmed that it was INDEED Katie and the two girls proceed to hug when she passes back by us on the bench. After sacrament meeting was over, we encouraged Brooklyn to take Katie with her to Primary and make her feel welcome. They were ecstatic to see each other there!!!!

We took this as a teaching opportunity for Brooklyn to help her understand missionary work a little more fully. We were able to visit Katie in her home as well as have her over to our house a couple times. We reminded Brooklyn that it was so important that she be a good example and just by being a friend, we can be a missionary. :)

Katie's family, including her three older brothers (two of whom had attended the aforementioned YM outings) and mom, began taking the discussions from the missionaries. Today, Katie and two of her brothers were baptized as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They will be confirmed tomorrow in sacrament meeting and Matt will able to perform that ordinance for the oldest brother, Adam, who is "officially" one of his priests now. It was a joyous occasion and we're hoping to see the other brother and mom (and possibly even dad some day) follow suit in the months to come.

Brooklyn w/ Katie on her baptism day ~ 2/20/10

Matt and our neighbors Amy, Jordan and Garrett Bowes (on the far right side)

with the Kimball family (Adam in middle back, Michael in front and Katie in front)

Brooklyn and Katie are now in separate Primary classes because Katie is older than Brooklyn. But I'm so glad that we were able to help give their family a piece of that foundation for joining the church. I hope they are happy with their decision to be baptized and that they feel welcomed with open arms.