Knock, Knock . . .

I hate answering the door. Especially when I don't know who it is, and when I am not expecting anyone. More than 90% of the time it is a solicitor trying to pedal their product. I NEVER BUY. EVER. So really, don't bother with our house, I will just say, "Sorry, I'm not interested." I mean I am REALLY not interested! Please go away, sales-people.

I was in the middle of some work I do to help Charles, I was on a roll, moving fast, and then I heard, "KNOCK, KNOCK!" I had to decide whether or not to answer (there have been quite a few packages dropped off lately, and I happily answer the door for packages!). I thought I better check.

*You must understand our street gets A LOT of solicitors, it is crazy and annoying!

I slowly opened the door and saw two familiar nicely dressed ladies, in long black jackets. They had hair done, make-up applied, and they looked lovely and very kind. They had little pamphlets in hand, ready to share. Their lovely appearance caused me to remember how I looked. I had been freezing all day so I was sporting baggy black sweats, Charles' gray over-sized long-sleeve shirt, my make-up was smeared from the day before, and my hair was in a messy pony. I looked terrible. Really terrible. Ridiculously terrible. Have I no pride?

The nice ladies were Jehovah's Witnesses -- very common missionaries around our parts, because our neighbors are members. These particular ladies were back for a second round, because I accepted their material the first time, out of respect. I greatly respect and appreciate our neighbors (who are Jehovah's Witnesses) and their beliefs, they are the BEST kind of people. I have a lot I could learn from them. We live side-by-side in harmony with our different beliefs, and we look after each other. They are the kindest people. They even wanted to cut down a huge barrier of bushes between our house, so we were not blocked off from each other. How cute is that? Now instead of a huge bush-barrier, there is a beautiful flower garden that divides our yards. It is kind of symbolic.

Anyhow, I was SO embarrassed in front of these formal ladies. I was not setting a very good example of my faith by the way I appeared -- sloppy and unkempt. The T.V. was on (playing a squawking Donald Duck) and William was in their line-of-sight, intensely playing the Nintendo DS. My house was not clean, it did not smell good (I normally have a candle going), and I just felt so sheepish standing in front of these ladies who were so well put-together -- while I was at my very worst. I am telling you, nasty. I was gross.

The ladies knew that I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (they had been here before), and discussing religion in my condition of mega-sloppy seemed so uncomfortable to me. I was ashamed, really. They were kind, they offered me more reading material, and being the nice person I am -- I took it. I sure hope I am not getting their hopes up -- because I am afraid I will never stray from my faith, and the faith of my ancestors. I would cease to exist without the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am nothing without it. It is my life. It is who I am. Converting me to another faith is an impossibility. Sorry nice ladies.

I suppose I should not take their material, maybe someone else would want it? But I am too nice to decline. However, after sifting through some of their pages, it just makes me that much more grateful for what I know. I am so grateful to have the complete truth, and not just little pieces of it. It is in my very nature to want to know everything. I am a question-asker, a truth-seeker, a deep-thinker. Nothing but the whole-truth would satisfy my appetite for knowledge and light. I am so very grateful to have the fullness of the Gospel of Christ, I would never have peace any other way!

However, I LOVE those of other faiths. I love it when people believe in something. I love it when people believe in God and Jesus Christ. I love to see people of other faiths living good clean lives, of righteousness, and joy. It makes me happy. There is something special when people have faith, when people believe.

I wish I could have been a better example to these good ladies. I hate to think of them walking away, not having a good impression of members of the LDS church -- because of my slothfulness of appearance. I hope, somehow, they could see past my baggy sweatpants and dripping mascara . . . I hope that my "light within" was able to shine past my poor physical presentation. I tried to be extra smiley, kind, and polite -- maybe they didn't notice my messiness? Not likely, but I can hope! :-)

They said they would like to come back again sometime . . . maybe it is time to start pulling myself together during the day, just in case! I guess you never really know who might be knocking on that door . . . and when you will make your first and lasting impression! I tell you what, I felt ashamed all day. I can do better than frump.