In April 2010 on a Saturday at about 1pm, 2 missionaries, Elder Akers and Elder Beeston showed up at our door. I was working outside that day when they approached. Something made me stop and talk to them. I suggested that they should knock on the door and speak to my wife. Dawn welcomed them in and I stayed outside and continued to work. About 30-45 minutes later they came out and Dawn said I hope you don’t mind that I invited them back. Again my response was positive. So the journey began.
During the weeks after their initial visit we had them over several times. I questioned everything, wanting to disprove the Book of Mormon. But the more we learned in lessons and at Church, my heart softened. Dawn came to her revelation much sooner. She was baptized on the 4th of July 2010.
Prior to the baptism we had the missionaries over, it was Elder Beeston’s last visit to our home; he was being transferred. They decided to share with us the story of how they were led to us.
They began by telling us the process of how they plan their schedules and appointments and how they block time. They also shared that they had a pretty long dry spell finding people to teach so they decided to fast and pray for the spirit to guide them to someone. They start the schedule planning session with a prayer asking Heavenly Father to lead them to people who need the Gospel. So they prayed and the first sign they got was Carolina Ave., then they got Saturday at 1pm. Then they received another revelation that the Father would be working outside in the yard (they wrote all their notes down as they went) the next sign they received was there would be a family of 5 at this home and they would discuss the Plan of Salvation. To wrap it all up the last sign which would verify to them that this was true; was that the house would have a chain link fence. The interesting thing to me was the accuracy of this revelation.
The window of opportunity on that day was so small. 1 o’clock was the perfect time as Dawn had just gotten home at 12:30 and was leaving at around 2. The missionaries also had a meeting that morning and had to leave before lunch was served to make the appointment. We are a family of 5 and I was working outside, Dawn had spoke with them that day about the Plan of Salvation in an answer to her question to them; “So why are we here, what is the point?” And yes we do have a chain link fence. The amazing thing was how special this revelation was to them (and now us) and the meekness and humility of these two young men, not to share this with us too soon or for that matter tell anyone else how their revelation was so accurate and real.
Prior to the baptism we had the missionaries over, it was Elder Beeston’s last visit to our home; he was being transferred. They decided to share with us the story of how they were led to us.
They began by telling us the process of how they plan their schedules and appointments and how they block time. They also shared that they had a pretty long dry spell finding people to teach so they decided to fast and pray for the spirit to guide them to someone. They start the schedule planning session with a prayer asking Heavenly Father to lead them to people who need the Gospel. So they prayed and the first sign they got was Carolina Ave., then they got Saturday at 1pm. Then they received another revelation that the Father would be working outside in the yard (they wrote all their notes down as they went) the next sign they received was there would be a family of 5 at this home and they would discuss the Plan of Salvation. To wrap it all up the last sign which would verify to them that this was true; was that the house would have a chain link fence. The interesting thing to me was the accuracy of this revelation.
The window of opportunity on that day was so small. 1 o’clock was the perfect time as Dawn had just gotten home at 12:30 and was leaving at around 2. The missionaries also had a meeting that morning and had to leave before lunch was served to make the appointment. We are a family of 5 and I was working outside, Dawn had spoke with them that day about the Plan of Salvation in an answer to her question to them; “So why are we here, what is the point?” And yes we do have a chain link fence. The amazing thing was how special this revelation was to them (and now us) and the meekness and humility of these two young men, not to share this with us too soon or for that matter tell anyone else how their revelation was so accurate and real.
Dawn and I had spoke about her decision to convert and where I was at. We talked about how she had not been happy at our previous Church and how she wanted more. I shared that I had felt the same. She also shared that she had been praying and searching for an answer. In the weeks to come up to Dawn’s baptism I prayed daily for an answer that this Church was true. I reflected on the words in the Book of Moroni Chapter 10 verse 4 through 5 “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”
A bit of background our first two children Tyler and Jonah had passed away. Tyler was 5 months old (1993) and Jonah (1997) was a year old when he passed. I shared this story with President Sikahema (Counselor in the Cherry Hill, NJ Stake Presidency). His insight was that our 2 perfect children were instrumental in our conversion. They want their parents and their family to be in the Celestial Kingdom united with them. As friend of mine put it like this, the Holy Spirit was the conduit to facilitate;
1. Our Boys desires,
2. Dawn’s Prayers and mine
3. And finally the Missionaries Prayers and eventual revelation to call on our home
Since my baptism, I have baptized my 3 children (daughter Hannah the week after mine, my daughter Emma in October 2010 and my son Ian when he turned 8, February 2011. I became an Elder in April 2011, Endowed in August 2011 (Manhattan Temple) and sealed to my family in DC Temple by President Earl C. Tingey (the most powerful Spiritual Experience ever). I have been called as a Ward Missionary, Elder’s Quorum Secretary and currently I serve as an Assistant Stake Clerk/Director of Communication on the Stake Presidency Team. My wife is a Girls Achievement Leader and Ward Welfare Specialist. My daughter Hannah is President of the Mia Maids.
My family has been so blessed. We love the work, we love our Church family, we love the Gospel and how the Atonement has worked (and is working) in our lives. I am so grateful for all that Heavenly Father has given us. We love sharing our story and hope it touches someones life and brings them closer to the truth.
~ Matt Schuda ~
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I am also convinced that the missionaries are lead by those on the other side. Congrats to you and your beautiful family.
Love this. I have a friend living in “Joisey.” Will have to ask her if she’s anywhere near you.
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s amazing to read that the Lord guided His servants to find you, and you were prepared to receive His words. *hugs*
What a happy ending! We lived in the Cherry Hill Mission about 15 years ago, and knew Pres. Vai Sikahema. How wonderful your story is!! Thank you.
That was an amazing story!!! I loved it 🙂
So powerful! Thank you for sharing. I’m grateful for missionaries who are in-tune!
Hugs to the Schuda family! With my youngest now serving a mission in South Korea, I was especially touched by how “your” missionaries were led to you.