It all started 2 Sundays ago when Justin told me I looked like a sister missionary on our way out the door to church.I was wearing a navy top, white skirt, and these shoes. I don't know what exactly it was about it that made me look missionary-ish but I felt it and knew he was right. But it was too late to change!
He had fun calling me Sister Hollobaugh the drive there and as we were walking in the church-house. He was sure one of the sister missionaries was going to ask me where I got my outfit.
In Relief Society, Sister Alvey (one of the sister missionaries) asked me where I got my shoes.
Target.
Recently?
At least a year ago.
Oh man I could not stop laughing.
Then we had the Elders over for dinner. I was telling Elder Post from Utah how cool I thought it was that Gina, who gave our Relief Society lesson that day, told us she hands out pass-along cards everywhere she goes. She just got baptized 6 months ago and is so excited about the Gospel she wants to share it. She said she gets lots of funny looks but if it even makes 1 person out of every 10 smile it's worth it.
So then Elder Post from Utah challenged ME to hand out some pass along cards. I told him to start me out with a couple. He gave me nine. Nine is not a couple.
This is an example of a pass along card:
Front BackSaturday we had a cute Primary activity where all the kids were shown the video clip from The Rescuers... at the beginning when the little girl throws her message in the bottle out into the ocean. The bottle stayed afloat trough all different waters, whether they were calm or stormy. It was related to our testimonies and how they help us stay afloat during the calm and stormy waters of our lives. The kids were given their own little bottles with clever removeable bottoms (and also plastic). So cute.
Sunday Justin & I gave our "farewell" talks in Sacrament Meeting about personal testimonies. I got to use that analogy.
Sunday Elder Post asked me how the pass along cards are coming along. I hadn't given out one.
I have fears:
Rejection.
That someone might think I'm only their friend cause I want them to come to church with me (I wouldn't do that).
That someone might think I'd stop being their friend if they don't want to come to church with me (I wouldn't do that either).
And funny looks.
Sunday in Relief Society I asked Sister Alvey what size shoe she wears and if she'd like my size 7 1/2 shoes she admired the week before. Apparently she has boats for feet so she couldn't accept them. BUT her companion could! I'm supporting the ward missionary effort in my own way.
Monday we went to the beach for family night. We put a copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World in a bottle, along with A PASS ALONG CARD (#1). We each wrote one statement about our testimony.
Justin: I know that my Redeemer lives.Shauna: I know that my family will be together forever.
Owen: Heavenly Father hears my prayers (he was halfway asleep on the drive out there so I may have put those words in his mouth).
Drew: Follow the Prophet (he was singing the chorus of that song).
The bottle is a Yoohoo chocolate milk bottle we bought on the way since Owen didn't want to part with his cool one from the Primary activity. We rinsed it out and air dried it. I hope the smell doesn't scare off whoever opens it.
Justin threw it off the end of the Pier and we watched it drift toward the shore for a little bit. But not too long cause it was real windy and cold.
I'm going to laugh if:
A) It is found today (we wrote the date on the paper so whoever finds it knows how long it's been floating).
B) Someone we know finds it.
C) Whoever opens it is scared off by the Yoohoo smell.
D) When it's found nobody opens it because they think it's litter.
We did say a prayer that whoever finds it be interested in finding out more about our church, and if not that it makes them smile.
I can't wait to find out what happens with our bottle some day.
