Okay, this may prove to be a long journal entry as there is a lengthy back story. But the first story has to do mostly with me. First, I am sick and have been for a few days. The doctor told me that it was a good thing that I came when I did because I have enough congestion and mucus that I was show very early signs of pneumonia. I have had pneumonia four other times and even though I have been vaccinated for it, I was told that I am still at high risk for developing pneumonia again. So, I was given a prescription and sent on my way. So, I have been feeling crappy for a while.
Now, way is this story important? Read the rest of the post and you will see why.
I am going to tell you the story of my friend K (I will not give his full name). Back in 2008 he met a girl, whom we will call M. In early 2009, these two started dating and became really close friends! In fact, K wanted to marry this girl. She introduced him to the church and he gladly went (mostly for her though). After a few months, things between them just didn't work out and K though this was his sign from God that he should not join the church. Due to his heartbreak, he packed away all his church books and continue on with his life. Then, something exciting happened! K flew out to Utah in October of 2009 for business purposes (he is a young author...young being 21). He had a presentation to do in Payson on Saturday and a book signing on Monday. M's older sister Valerie and I decided this was the right time to bring him back to where he was before his heartbreak. He came with us to church and then we went to temple square. The next day he was at Temple Square the whole day. When he left Utah that Tuesday night, he was "practically ready to be baptised within the month," and happy to move forward yet again with investigating the church. Then, in November, his ex-girlfriend, M got engaged and this upset K to the point were he decided pursuing the church since he still felt as though his feelings for M were part of the reason he was interested in the church anyways. After about a month hiatus I decided it was time to start sending his spiritual quotes, messages and scriptures to highlight and ponder. Interestingly enough, he was feeling extremely depressed that week and decided to pull out his scriptures and read some "happy verses" as he likes to call them. Then he say my message to him. This started at the beginning of December. Since then we have been messaging back and forth daily about life and about the Gospel. He told me he is never happy unless his going to church and reading his scriptures, but that he felt he would not be ready to join until late 2010 or early 2011. I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't earlier, but I could tell God was working on K and working on my patience.
Now, back to the story of me being sick. I was walking out of the doctor's office feeling yucky. I looked at my phone to check the date and time and noticed I had a text message from facebook stating that I had a message from K. I went to Walmart to fill my prescription and went home as fast as I could to check the message. This is what it said:
"Subject: hello there!
Guess who's getting baptized on March 6? :)
That Book Of Mormon you gave me is covered with highlights and notes. It's really important to me now, so thanks for sharing it with me when I was in SLC. Reading that has been a big part of my life and in deciding to (finally!) join the church.
--K"
I was so excited and felt so much better on the inside. I went from being sick and feeling crappy to being sick. and feeling better about everything! I had to personally call him and congradulate him. During the phone call he thanked me and said I was "an amazing friend" and wanted to personally invite me to his baptism. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend due to a performance that night. However, we are making plans to get together.
Happy! But sick!
Kristen
