Why is missionary work so hard?

We have some next door neighbors that we love. They're some of the best Christians you'll ever meet. Their denomination is Baptist, though they only want to be identified as Christian and they've recently been "church shopping" because they're unhappy with how their congregation is feeling more like business and less like worship.

These people are really the salt of the earth. Very family oriented, and they sincerely live Jesus' teachings.

So of course we've been looking for the opportunity to share the Gospel with them. We're friends, we have mutual respect for each other, and we talk about religion now and then. But I've been waiting to really jump in and open my mouth.

The Twin Falls Temple open house starts next week. I know they have family there, and I know they're probably curious about the Temple. For our fifth Sunday combined lesson, the missionaries talked to us about opening our mouths, and about inviting people to the open house. Until now I haven't felt that it's the right time for our neighbors, but the spirit I felt at that meeting was awesome! My heart was leaping and I KNEW it was their time. I even shed a few little tears of excitement for them. I couldn't wait to come home and invite them.

I came home and chickened out.

I almost went Tuesday, and noticed that her mom was visiting. And chickened out.

This morning she called and asked to borrow some flour. I went over and we had pleasant conversation, and with a prayer in my heart I jumped in and did it. I handed her an invitation, told her that this is a special and unusual opportunity, and I knew they had family in Twin, so I wanted to offer it to them. She was very warm and receptive.

Then it came. I was braced for it. "I have a question about your temples." What was she going to ask about? I knew she'd gotten, and rejected, a lot of anti-Mormon literature. I told her I'd be happy to answer, but I was nervous.

"My husband noticed that the temples always face East. Why is that?"

I paraphrased the scripture about Christ returning from the East, and she nodded knowingly. The Spirit was there. She thought that might have been the answer. I expanded that those East doors are reserved for Him, and we don't use them. She loved that.

I hope they go. I pray for further guidance.