I'm writing this in the calm before the storm! Today will be a busy, but greatly spritual day. We have two baptisms to attend! The first at 10a is a mom and three kids. The dad was already a member, just not active. Though they are not in our Ward, one of the girls is in Jake's class at school. He asked if we could attend to show our support. Really how cool is that?
We have our second at 5pm...this one is incredibly personal and close to the heart. Dave & Mylynda Dougherty. Dee's neighbors. Nine years ago, when they moved in to Highlands Ranch, Denise brought over a plate of cookies. They returned goodies a bit later and a friendship began. At first they were leary, Denise and Cal were Mormon after all! I love that part of the story. Mylynda couldn't help herself. Knowing Denise like I do, I can't imagine anyone could.
Over the years their friendship grew and their discussions deepened. Eventually discussions would turn to spiritual things. Dave & Mylynda are devoutly Christian. Both attended schools of ministry to become Missionaries in their faith. Dave studied to be a youth pastor. Good people with service hearts. But over the years, it was obvious they were searching; there was still some void.
Dave & Mylynda found their house down the way a few years ago. Two doors down a house was for sale. They told Dee & Cal about the house. It was a large house with a full-sized basement. The Burris bunch is a large family. Mom, Dad, and six kiddos all at home at the time. They didn't necessarily need to move. They were pretty set where they were. But they came, and looked, and prayed, and felt inspired to buy it. They had no idea why, they just knew they should. They did. Clearly inspiration we are thankful they headed.
About 2 1/2 years ago, they invited us to bowl with the Dougherty's. We did and from the first moment we adored them. They are funny, sincere, and comfortable to be around. Like we'd known them forever. Gosh we had fun that night. We came back to the Burris' house and talked and talked and talked. Again, it eventually turned to spiritual things. Dave was searching. I had just met him and I could tell he was feeling a void. The things he described that were lacking in his church(es) I knew he would find in ours. And I knew he would recognize the Truth in it because of his training and background and FAITH in Christ.
They were fascinated with Frank and his story. Here we were, married, happily, for a decade at the time and I was an active member of the Church and Frank...was not. He attended for first hour on Sunday, attended Church social functions in general, and supported the kids. He even held a calling in the boy scout program through our Ward. But he didn't feel a personal void. And we were happy together, and compromising in this area making it work. Frank wasn't being pressured by anyone. He was being allowed his own journey to find his Faith. He had made many great friends along the way who were happy to answer questions and just as happy to catch a movie with him. That night I believe the Dougherty's gained a new level of respect for our Church and the way we recognize Free Agency.
When they left that night, I turned to Cal and Dee and said, "one day, they'll come to our Church. And Dave will be the one to lead his family there." I felt the words come out, strong, definite. I had no doubt.
Fast forward a few years. When Frank was baptized in March of this year, the Dougherty's attended. They celebrated our joy with us. It was wonderful and we were deeply touched. During that time the Missionaries who were working with our family, Elder Kozak & Elder Paxman were around ALOT. Our Missionaries are usually between 19-21 and they are paired with one other companion...every six weeks they have the possibility of a transfer to another area within the mission district. Kozak was with us in Castle Rock for NINE months. That's just unheard of, or atleast it was. A few companions later, he was paired with Elder Hogg. A man (okay, he's 20, and feels more like my kid {gasp}, but a man none-the-less) from the Bayou. He's reserved (until you get to really know him). When you get to know him you realize he's smarter than the average pup. I mean really, really smart. And whitty. He speaks slowly with a little rumble to his voice.
We have come to have a testimony that the Lord places the right Elders in the path of people who are searching. Paxman and Kozak were perfect for Frank. They had wicked good senses of humor. Paxman will forever be thought of as the Emeril of Missionary work...BAM as he threw down card after card illustrating the Plan of Salvation. Together they carried the most wonderful Spirit with them. For Mylynda it was Elder Hogg.
Elder Kozak and Hogg had the opportunity to meet the Dougherty's by the shear volume of time we had them over at the Burris' home. One day they decided to go over to the Dougherty's to say "hi" on their own. Tension. Not for them, but for us and the Burris'. When you share your faith and you love your friends you feel a built-in protection for them. We didn't want them offended. Probably why the boys went on their own. :) They weren't offended. No doors slammed. Hogg reminded Mylynda of her dad. From the south, the slow drawl. Peaceful and powerful eyes. I tell ya...again...testimony strengthening of the Lord's timing.
After a while the Doughtery's and Burris bunch invited the missionaries to their game night. They had a ton of fun. Over time the Doughtery's softened further. Dave's mom got sick. Another woman with deep faith. She accepted a blessing. And felt the comfort of their Priesthood station. Soon after Dave and Mylynda decided to take "discussions" which is just a fancy way of saying they asked to learn more about the Church and the faith formally, by talking with the men who did nothing but serve in missionary capacity for 2 years of their life. The first few they were joined only by Cal & Dee. The fourth one Frank and I were invited to join...then Jake got sick and only I could attend. It was a tough discussion...pretty deep things were discussed. As friends of an investigator again, I felt my protective nature surface. No matter what the outcome of their decision we all loved them and in the end we wanted them to know -- whatever their decision we loved them for them...and we respected that they took the time to learn more about what we believe.
There was some time in between that lesson and the next. A week or so ago, they decided the decision was too grand, causing too much termoil in their lives. They were done with discussions. Denise was determined to make sure they understood this didn't alter their friendship. We prayed and fasted for them and on their behalf. So many, many people in the Ward were doing the same. Wednesday, Dave called to his Father in Heaven in prayer. Really, I think he was just looking for peace, which he assumed would come when he decided not to continue on a path that led to our Faith. But that decision did just the opposite. Finally in prayer he found his answer. Move forward.
On Sunday, after Cal's ordination as Bishop we enjoyed dinner with Dave & Mylynda and our myriad of kids over at the Burris' home. We laughed and celebrated. Such a good time. Later that evening, Dave called us adults into the family room...the kids magically stayed downstairs in the basement, oddly quiet for them! And Dave bore his Testimony of what he had learned and the answers he was given. Mylynda just beamed. Peace. That's what I found on their faces, in their countenance. Peace and joy. They were ready to be baptized. Cal said hands down...that trumped being called as Bishop. We teased later that night that he "peaked" on his first day...we can't imagine how he'd top it!
Such an amazing journey. Dave & Mylynda had their last lesson on Wednesday, their interview on Thursday and today is THE day. Living the life I live with my husband and children walking in Faith, no one His plan for our lives is more joy than I can EVER manage to get down in words. Knowing the joy that awaits Dave & Mylynda's family is about making me burst at the seams! Again...my heart is full! I can only imagine that its not nearly as full as theirs are, though!
