Just One Simple Question

If your life could be changed by someone asking you just one simple question, wouldn’t you want them to ask? Last summer, in June we began looking for a house to rent in the Twin Cities Minnesota area. We honestly had no idea where to look, or even begin looking. We kept having this feeling that we should try emailing the leaders of the different LDS (mormon) congregations in the area (we call them Bishops) to see if they knew of anyone who was trying to sell their house, or had a rental available. We were thrilled and a excited about the response.

Just one simple question.

One of the Bishops quickly responded with an enthusiastic “Yes!” and told us about the property that had just recently, as in a couple days prior to our email, become available. We got ahold of the landlord and everything just sort of fell into place. It was THE perfect place for us. Before we knew it, September was here and we were moving in. The only thing we really knew about our neighborhood was that our neighbors to the left were incredibly nice and very welcoming, and that our neighbors on the right spoke spanish. We would hear them speak spanish all the time which of course sparked our interest because both Logan and I served spanish speaking missions for the LDS church, he in Venezuela, and I in Arizona.

Winter soon came which meant everyone was inside a lot more. It gets bitter cold here in Minnesota. For the first time in our married life we have a garage (which is amazing by the way), so our morning looks like this: open the garage, start the car, get in the car 10 minutes later, leave the garage, shut the garage door, go wherever we need to go, come home, open the garage, park the car, turn it off, walk inside and shut the garage door. There’s really not much communication with our neighbors during the winter months. However, no matter how hard I tried to avoid it Aiden would always ask, “can we go play outside now mom?”

Just one simple question.

My little boy has such a big heart for the outdoors and I never want that to change. So, of course as soon as the sun came out and it was semi warm enough to be outside, we were outside. Little Aiden and I were outside all the time while baby Elsie took a nap. We’d clean the yard, practice riding his big boy bike, check the mail, eat lunch together on the front porch step, and color on the concrete driveway. In our colored chalk we would write, “WE LOVE SUNSHINE!” And it’s true! It makes such a difference in our lives! Light brings happiness. 🙂

One day while weeding our little side garden our spanish speaking neighbors came out to take care of their dog. There were two sisters ages 15 and 13. They spoke english as well, so I asked them how they were doing, what their names were and just a little about their family. It was great to talk to them and get to know them a little bit. Before I knew it I asked if they would like to help me pull some weeds. They said, “Sure! We’d love to!”

Just one simple question.

I soon found out that they were from Equador and were living with their Dad. They said that their Dad was struggling right now and was looking for some goodness in his life. My heart swelled as I thought about all the goodness I have experienced because of the gospel of Jesus Christ which is such a huge part of my life. I ached to think that he was struggling because he didn’t have the hope that comes from his Savior. I asked if they had a church that they attended or if they have ever had people come and talk to them about Jesus Christ. They said he had just recently started going to church every Sunday to try and find some hope and faith and occasionally people would stop by.

A few days later I saw their Dad in the front lawn. I had just gotten back from the gym and I’m sure I didn’t look too awesome, but my heart was full of excitement and I felt like I needed to talk to him. My mouth opened. Spanish words came rumbling out (I need to practice more that’s for sure) and I said, “Hi, I met your daughters the other day and they said you were having a rough time lately. Would you like to have some people come by and teach you a little more about Jesus Christ?”  With no hesitation AT ALL he said, “Yes! I would love that. Does this Wednesday at 3:00 sound good?” I was amazed, surprised and excited about his answer. “Of course!” I said, “that sounds great!” Then I said, “I’m Shanell by the way, nice to meet you.” Haha.

Just one simple question.

What happened next blew me away. Two young men, missionaries from the church would come by and meet either in our home or the neighbors and teach about the gospel of Jesus Christ. How he has a plan for each of us, and if we come unto him, we can find hope in our very own journey. Lightbulbs were going off left and right as he learned about the importance of the Savior. He would ask the perfect questions, find answers on his own, and be enlightened with each visit. There were struggles along the way, bumps to get over, but when the time came he was ready to give an answer to the question, “will you follow the example of your Savior and be baptized in his name?” His answer: “Yes. I will.”

Just one simple question.

July 25, 2015 11:00 a.m. our next door neighbor was baptized. It was such a perfect day. His smile was HUGE, his family was excited and have plans to soon join him in a couple of weeks. His testimony is sure. It is real. I cried as I listened to him speak about the hope he has found in the gospel and how grateful he was for his new neighbor who on one random day decided to ask him just one simple question, “would you like to have some people come by and teach you a little more about Jesus Christ?” He had been waiting for that question. He might not have known it then, but now he’s certain and full of hope.

Just one simple question.

What if we wouldn’t have asked the Bishops about housing? What if we would have brushed off the opportunity to rent this house? What if Aiden didn’t pressure me into going outside so often? What if I ignored the two teenage girls taking care of their dog over my shoulder? What if I didn’t ask if they wanted to help pull some weeds? What if I would have decided that taking a shower right after the gym was more important than speaking with my neighbor in the front lawn?

Miracles are waiting to happen. Lives are waiting to be changed. Maybe we could all ask a little more often just one simple question, “Lord, where can I help?”

If you have ever wondered about the LDS church or “mormons” click these links for more information and direction on our beliefs. Also, never be scared to approach your “mormon” friends and ask them to help you understand. 🙂 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormon.org