Earlier this week, Wednesday afternoon, I was sitting in the living room when I heard the screen door open then heard a quiet knock, the kind of knock our friend and piano teacher Rhonda makes when she comes to the door. Half expecting it to be her, I opened the door to see a young man with slightly dark skin, maybe America Indian, maybe Hispanic.
He was selling home security systems, and I told him after about 90 seconds of his presentation that I didn't think we'd need one. He asked why, and I said, "Because I'm here most of the time."
Then I turned the conversation away from what he was selling by asking if he was from around here. He was from Utah. Told him we'd been there and told him what resort we stayed at in the mountains. Told him we visited Salt Lake City. He asked what I thought of Utah and I said, "It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there."
That could've insulted him I suppose, but he asked, "Why? Too many Mormons?" And I agreed that they do have a lot of Mormons, though honestly never got around to telling him that wasn't the reason. Turned out he's Mormon (what are the chances?) and we talked some about our different belief systems. Told him we visited the Tabernacle while we were there, then he impressed me by showing me a card that allows him entry into the Mormon Temple. They don't let just anybody in the Temple. My understanding is it's a handful of folks, which would suggest he's got some pull in the Morman faith.
We shook hands, parted ways, but I thought I'd probably see him again. I had told him how I had met with Jehovah's Witnesses for 22 months and had Bible study with them weekly in my home for about two hours. That intrigued him.
After Vacation Bible School that night, Alice came home, and I went by Domino's and ordered a pizza. While I waited for it to get ready, my cell phone rang and it was Alice, sounding a little nervous and asking when I'd be home. I told her I was waiting on my pizza, but I'd be there as soon as I could.
She said there was a man sitting on our porch and she didn't know him. I asked what he looked like. She described the Morman boy I had talked to earlier in the day. I said, "Tell him maybe I should get a security system, if strangers are gonna be making themselves at home on my porch." She relaxed after that and asked him if he wanted something. He said he was just waiting for his ride and wanted to get out of the sun. I think she told him he could use our porch for that anytime...
The following day, Thursday, I was in the laundry room loading the washer when I heard the doorbell. I opened it up and there stood the Mormon boy with a friend, someone who was on his first day on the job selling security systems.
They asked if I would fill their water bottles. I did, and we talked some. The new boy was from Seattle. They wolfed their water down, so I filled their bottles again, talked a little more, then gave the Morman boy my home phone number.
He said he'd call before he left town and see if I wanted a security system. I said I wouldn't, but that I did care about their welfare, and if they needed anything to call me.
Where I'm hoping this is headed is a Bible study this summer with him and whatever friends he wants to bring along. I've got two water bottles in the freezer right now, just in case they come back again tomorrow. I think they will...
