You Just Never Know!

In our past life we have on occasion hosted some cruises for LDS Travel.

Earlier in the week we got a call from them to say they had a group that would be docking

in Liverpool on Thursday.

We invited them to the MTC and offered to step on their bus and show them the Church History Sites in and around Preston

And so......

they showed up today in a very large motorcoach......bigger than usual with a very UPTIGHT driver. Though he was local, the narrow roads were challenging to him and he was not able to maneuver the bus to some of the areas we often visit.

We sensed that he was a bit uptight, a bit on edge, and not a bit happy about being with us.

As we prepared to return to the MTC, someone asked if we would share the story of how we met

and so.................

we gave a quick abbreviated version, ending with our love of the missionary work we were now engaged in.

When we arrived at the MTC, we invited the group in and asked the missionaries to come in and sing for them.

As the bus was unloading Richard made a point of thanking the driver

and then.......

this uptight, unhappy driver opened the flood gates and told him that he had been deeply touched by the experience we had shared. He said that he recently lost his wife and was in despair and could not believe the kind of peace that we seem to have and that he had felt the entire day.

And so...................

Richard gave his one minute version of the apostacy and restoration. He told him it was the spirit he was feeling and invited him to join us in the MTC for a brief meeting. He jumped at the chance and joined with us.

This missionaries sang the combo version of "Sisters in Zion and Army of Helaman". (I might say that we have a group that is so talented that their music simply knocks your socks off). After they sang President asked an elder from Slovania to come forward and bear his testimony. There was not a dry eye including this crusty bus driver!

Just looking at the missionaries is a sight that stirs the soul and fills you with such love. And then to hear them sing almost transcends you into another atmosphere.

It turned out to be such a wonderful day and I think a very memorable experience for all those who were here.

And the codgy bus driver asked if he could learn more, gave us all his information, said he is anxious to meet with us again....

In short, he thinks we are amazing!!!!

What he doesn't realize (yet) is that the Lord put him on that bus today.

This is not about us, it is about the spirit directing this work!

And to think we can be a part of it!!!!

Sometimes it overwhelms me and I simply say, "Why me?"