for something

My dear sorority sister Claire is one of my closest friends here.  She is amazing. I suppose we do all the normal college girlfriend activities: watch soaps together, eat out, go tanning. We like to have long talks. Just about whatever, mostly about our childhood and how these stories and peoples of our past have shaped and molded us into the women we are today.

We talked about Church for the first real time tonight. She has been asking about visiting one Sunday for a while and she wants to come tomorrow. "I want to go to church with you." I am so excited to bring a friend and introduce her to all my church buddies. And I hope it can be the experience she wants it to be-

As we spoke she said to me, "you just have such a sense of peace and joy that radiates from you." It is apparent how everyone can recognize the spirit, and how much peace the gospel really gives.  It is not a joke.  It is all "for real." I know it, and obviously others around me do, too. She was worried about life after death, and I frankly told her what I believe. It was such a bold moment for me... not knowing what her reaction would be (the whole concept of "spirit children" is hard to get your mind around when you hear it for the first time!) Not phased, she asked, "do you believe in guardian angels?" We talked about that, and then I said it as simply as I could: "before I got baptized I really just saw it all in black and white, and then after everything spiritually speaking was in color."

She then told me, "you're the only person who I really believe when they say that there's life after this, and if I was dying and my mom couldn't be with me- you would be the person I would want at my side because you would really comfort me and tell me it would be fine and I would believe it." And so then I cried a little bit, because that was such a nice thing to say (and you know I am not the crying type.)

I love her so much, and I just want to be a good friend. I know that I have been a missionary, mostly subconsciously, and that really amazes me.  Talk about something to be grateful for!

And I knew God needed me here for something!

Comments

[Lisa Brown]

What an amazing experience. Isn't it wonderful to be right where the Lord needs you to be at a specific moment?

[Cindy]

That's really awesome, Katie. You're such a great example!

[Brianna]

It is so, so cool to have a friend like that.

[Teresa]

How sweet of you to share such a touching little moment- You are lucky to have a good friends like that- as is she is to have you. Let us know how Sunday goes :}

[Heather]

That made me get a little teary. What an amazing moment.

[shan]

that is just awesome, Katie. What a totally sweet, special moment & conversation to share with a close friend. To be able to share those things that you know & believe with someone you care about has to be one of the greatest & most fulfilling feelings.

And it's amazing to think about the way that we are examples everyday, without even knowing it (or really trying).

[Shannon]

Wow Katie, what a special moment for you AND Claire. I have to say, I have often pictured you serving a mission. I think you would be an amazingly charasmatic and charming sister missionary. You are good with people, and comfortable with sharing your thoughts, and I think people would be drawn to you and want to hear your message. But what you're doing now in your sorority is missionary work all in itself, too :) Way to be.