As you may or may not know, I always cook on Sunday. I've been cooking on Sundays for the past 5 years or so. Today was extra special, because we also had our fulltime missionaries over for dinner, Sisters Becker and Halvastadt. We had Fettuccine Alfredo with Meatballs, salad, watermelons, and french bread. We also had cinnamon rolls and vanilla ice cream for dinner. As usual, it was delicious (if I do say so myself.)
During the message that Sister Becker presented to us, her companion Sister Halvastadt said something interesting about doing member missionary work. She said that the main thing to remember is what you're really sharing when you share the gospel ... and that's you. If you're living the gospel, then that's who your family, friends, and neighbors need to see. Before they even find out about your religion, it's important that they get to know you as a person and like what they see.
When I think back to when me and my brother Sebastian were fellowshipped to the gospel by our high school buddy and his family, we bonded with them before we even knew what church they belonged to. Not only were we invited to play on the church basketball team, but several times we were invited to their home for dinner and to other church and family activities. After that, introducing us to the missionaries and their church was much easier. And because we respected them and loved them, they earned our trust - and the decision to join was clear.
There are so many people all around us that we could do the same thing with; how unfortunate it would be if we let these chances to change lives pass us by due to fear. I think a lot of people's fear are based on being afraid to share what we believe; we need to leave that to our capable fulltime missionaries. To be effective member missionaries, we just need to be us and trust that the Lord will prompt us from there.