Sharing the gospel with my neighbor

I've been trying to sell my house longer than I thought I would be. Maybe this is one of the reasons I'm still here.



I saw my neighbor crying one day as we picked our kids up from school. She usually waves and seems to be a very happy person. When I saw her the spirit whispered to check on her and ask if she was okay. I felt silly because I really don't know her and felt like maybe it was really none of my business. I went over to her house anyway, after I dropped off the kids, and ended up inviting her to go to church with me!! That's not something I regularly do. I should though. I have this treasure that I know is true, I should share it more often. She told me no but a relative of hers that's in our ward asked her a couple of days later and she agreed.
Sunday morning I called to see if she needed anything and invited her over for dinner after church. She couldn't do dinner but told me she would meet me at the church!!! She came to sacrament and left afterwards because her kids were tired and hungry.


This is the letter I'm giving to her today.

Dear Brigitte,

I would like to invite you to come with me to a dinner and World Wide broadcast on Saturday the 27th at 5:30 pm. It is for the women of my church. We eat as a group and then listen to women speak on matters of the heart- ways to be happier, be more like the Savior and so on. (There is a sample of what you would hear enclosed.) It's always a treat for me to go; I leave the kids home with their dad and get to be around women that I love as well as be inspired. Anyway, I could help you get a good and responsible babysitter if you'd like to come.

You've been on my mind a lot lately. I want to share with you some of my thoughts. My mother was a beautiful, kind woman. She lived her life in a Christ like way. She served all those around her and reached out in her own quiet way to neighbors, family, and friends.

After she died, I felt closer to my Heavenly Father than ever before. In my heart I have wondered how I could be a better friend, sister, mother, and neighbor-in ways that really matter. I worry about so many things that take up so much time that I don't allow time to serve and reach out to many people. I guess I get "wrapped up in my own little world."

Since I was a little girl I've been taught that I have a Father in Heaven. He loves me like my father on earth loves me, but with a more perfect love of course. I lived with Him before I was born. He knows me; he knows all I'm capable of. I know that we on this earth are brothers and sisters. I am his daughter and so are you. I believe this with all of my heart.

My faith is strong. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. If I didn't know what I know my life would be empty and without purpose. In my life I count so many blessings because of the way I live and believe. I feel that I have a treasure in my life, this gospel. It's dear to my heart and very difficult to share with others, because it's who I am and I fear the rejection of something I love and hold so dear. I hope that I have not come across as pushy. The day I saw you crying, I wondered about you, about your life, your joys, your heartaches. I wondered if you have peace in your heart and really believe in something much bigger and better than what we have here. Do you know that we can be with our families forever?

You've always been so friendly to me, you and smile and wave and say hi. When you drove by and you were in tears I felt and heard a prompting to do what my mother would've done. Reach out and forget my own worries. As we work our way through life our Father in Heaven is very aware of us. He has the power to fix all of our heartaches, but then we wouldn't need him. He hopes that we feel His love through our neighbors, sisters, children, parents, friends...

I felt loved by Him more than ever while my mom was dying and afterwords as well. I continue to feel His love as I go to Him in prayer and try to do as he would have me do. I hope you feel His love through me and see that I am sincere in sharing something so precious to me. Thank you for coming to church, you were very brave to do something different and you are a very good mother. I can see how much you love your children. It is not any easy job, especially when you are doing it all by yourself. I think you are a courageous woman to be so far away from your home in Germany, working hard for your family, and being a good mother to your children. I hope that my friendship can be like a little piece of home to you.

Love,

Your friend Kim

I enclosed:

Mothers Who Know by Julie B. Beck