Yesterday, Friday. At lunch I went to the Curtain shop to get some more curtains. The young girl assistant I was heading back to give the PAC to but gave it to her boss in the street was there and an older lady who served me. After doing business I gave them each the PAC and said there was something very special about the Church and they could find out more using the card. It is sometimes hard to develop the conversation into a first discussion - belief in God, Apostasy, the need for a restoration, prophets/apostles, The Book of Mormon.

Later that afternoon however, an unexpected opportunity arose to do just this. I had hired a landscape gardener to clear the overgrown garden of the flat I had recently bought. He also does our garden once a month so knows me. He is quite a talkative brother, always with a questioning and interested in learning more attitude. We were about to depart when I said I was off past Lingfield "to the Temple." "Temple?" he asked, 2now that is something different. What do you mean by 'temple'? This all led to the plan of salvation, eternal marriage, apostate religions and priesthood. He was struck by the declaration of Apostles and prophets on the earth again and revelation from God. My car was parked nearby and I had a hardback copy of The Book of Mormon there. He accepted it, I wrote 3 Nephi 8+, Moroni 10:3-5, Joseph Smith Testimony and 1 Nephi as suggested reading. He said he would read it. I invited, he accepted. For me now to follow up. Drove off feeling great! Went to the Temple and did 17 names in initiatory.

Today, Saturday shopping in Bromley, there was a range of continental stalls down the High Street. I stopped at one selling good leather belts at a fraction the price, bought one and didn't hand over a PAC. Walking on I thought I should go back when I passed that way. 30 minutes later I went up to him, no customers, and said " Hi I was prompted to come back to you and share with you this card about a special church. Would you be interested. He was and took the card and I left him reading from it.

2 Carpet fitters got a card each after their work this afternoon at the flat. They left in a hurry - it was 6 pm on a Saturday, not because of the PAC! :-)

As I write I think that more can be done to engage these folk further in these situations. My next level of progression!

The sister in the shop didn't arrive at church on Sunday. I returned to the shop today at lunchtime after three days leave, with The Book of Mormon copy prepared. We chatted - she explained that she went to her own church - habit. " I don't like going too deep into it" she says after I explain the Book of Mormon is not lost scriptures from the Bible, as she thought - that it came from a prophet family from Jerusalem at the time of the prophet Isaiah who were led to the American continent and started a 1000 year old civilisation. "It testifies of Christ, and complements the Bible." I invite and commit. "Will you read from the sections I have suggested?" She says" Well, I will read a few pages and if I don't like it I will stop." "Is it OK if I come back in a few days to see how you have got on" "Sure." At this point a customer walks in and we say goodbye.

I then go to an upholstery shop for some curtains I need. I have a joke with the shopkeeper, who then leaves and I am served by his assistant. I make the purchase and forget to offer a PAC. I walk out the shop realising this and knowing I need to go back, when the shopkeeper returns down the road. So, we acknowledge each other and I say offering him the PAC "This is the real deal church - you've got to look into it. You can get a free DVD and also there is this great website that will tell you all about it." He accepts the card and I feel OK again!!

A great day yesterday. Michael Paczensky, a convert from June 2010 and my faithful Home Teaching companion for over a year was set apart by President Baldock as a Full-time missionary serving in the Leeds England Mission for 24 months. I got to be in the setting apart Melchizedek Priesthood circle, along with Bishop Gareth Wretham, 1st Councillor Ken Walker, and Derek Rutter, who with Gill his wife took Elder Paczensky to Preston MTC today! Those of you who know Michael will know how deep he is and with a huge compassion and desire to serve. He taught me some important lessons as we served together. He will surely love many back to their Heavenly Father and the Lord and into the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Yesterday was even greater than that. My daughter Christina in Edmonton, Alberta gave birth to her second child Phoebe Josephine. It was a super quick labour and now she is still shocked that she has her perfect little girl already at home with less discomfort than she could possibly have hoped for during labour.
So as I am paying for petrol for the car yesterday morning on my way to Sidcup, I tell the cashier " I'm a granddad again today!" "Congratulations" she immediately offers feeling my happiness. "I'd like to give you this," I say, handing a PAC. It's about a very special Church that has brought me and my family great happiness, and it can give you the same. Please take time to get the DVD and study the website. Will you do this?" "OK, thanks," says she looking at the PAC with interest.

So, it's simple once you do it again and again and again until it is simple and the most natural thing to do as a member of the Lord's kingdom trying to let others know about the wonderful blessings that await them if they will but take a look in faith and hope.

On Thursday I managed to give as gifts three hard copies of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. These were to the three decorators who I had hired to decorate a flat. They had asked to do the job on Saturday and Sunday. I said I could not employ them because of my respect for the Lord's day. It looked as though they couldn't fit in with me. Then a couple of days later a phone call - they could do it Thursday and Friday! They did a great job. They knew my position. and that made it easier for me to feel they could accept such a gift with grace. I hope they read it!

Footnote. 1. I have made a Word document insert of suggested initial scriptures to read - this goes in all the Books of Mormon I give. These are 3 Nephi 11, Moroni 10:3-5, Joseph Smith Testimony, Introduction, 1 Nephi, Alma 32 and the testimonies of the 3 and 8 witnesses. Anyone have any better suggestions please do tell.
2. A tip I learned from John Smith is to buy boxes of hard back copies of The Book of Mormon. They add to the value of the message somehow. You order them direct from www.store.lds.org.

I've been passing along Pass Along Cards (PACs) for over 6 months. I estimate this will be around 70 given out, mostly at the end of shopping when the cashier hands over the change and receipt. Most smile and act curious and say "Thank you." Few reject the offer.

Friday 21 Oct 11 I am lunchtime shopping in Welling for sewing needles in preparation for a Youth Conference workshop, coincidentally developing LDS member-missionary capabilities.

The cashier is wearing a crucifix. As I hand her a PAC with the Lord exiting the tomb I say "I bet you're not wearing the crucifix for decoration. Do you go to church?" "Yes I go to a spiritualist church. What church is this?" "A very spiritual chuurch -The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." " Is that the one at Peckham?" "There is one there but there is a church along the High Street on the corner of Danson Lane." "Is there?!" I explain where it is, on the same road as the school her son attends, it turns out. I ask "How would you feel if I said that there are now Apostles of Jesus Christ on the earth directing his church?" The immediate and easy reply comes "I wouldn't be surprised!" The Spirit is present as a spirit of peace and calm. "We meet on Sunday at 10 am. Would you like to come along and see for yourself?" " Yes I will!"
We exchange names and details of exactly where. We shake hands peacefully and I leave saying "See you on Sunday."

Sunday is tomorrow (I'm writing this on Saturday). I'll let you know what happens.

I went into another shop a little later. This shop assistant recoiled at the image of the Lord and said, almost shocked, "no thanks, I'm not interested." I left it at that, leaving feeling sorry that a mature woman had got this far in her life unable to know what her specific cultural beliefs are holding her back from.

Earlier this week, when purchasing refreshment at a late night garage, the young man looked at the PAC when I asked if it was something he might be interested in and said "Well, no, but I think my father and mother would be - they are both religious." "Will you give it to them?" "Yes I will." "Thanks,. See you later." I drive off with a fervent prayer he will honour his promise and perhaps be the cause of his family's salvation.