In Feb. 2002, I was living in a one bedroom apartment in Huber Heights, OH. I had noticed that two doors down lived some young guys that always seemed to be dressed up nice. I thought it was a bit weird that two guys lived in a one bedroom apt. but I didn’t know anything about them.
As I was walking over to our mailboxes one day, they were walking along beside me. One began to talk to me about what I did for a living. When he found out that I was a music teacher, he got very excited and talked music with me for awhile. I remember saying “no one but another musician would that excited about a music teacher.” He was a drummer. We talked a lot and I found out they were missionaries but the only thing I knew about the church was those TV commercials they show in the summer about ordering a Book of Mormon 🙂
After a few more times talking outside of our apartments, a new elder moved into the apartment with Elder Hasselblad (the drummer). Elder Theobald had been out on his mission for about 6 months and asked if he could “practice his discussions” with me. I agreed; thinking I was doing him a favor. But I told them “don’t be disappointed when you don’t convert me. I already have a religion.”
They gave me the Book of Mormon at the beginning of April. I got through half of 1st Nephi and felt that it “read like scripture”. I feasted upon it….FEASTED! I finished the Book of Mormon in 3 weeks, reading it during lunch hour at work and late into the night.
One night I woke the missionaries up at 1am with a question. Elder Theobald told me to call back in the morning and we would talk. As he hung up, his companion said “she’s feasting you idiot! call her back right now!” He did and we talked for over an hour about scripture.
On April 16, 2002 they dared me to give up drinking tea. I gave them my entire brand new box of 100 Lipton teabags and quit cold turkey, never having a cup of tea again. At the beginning of May, I asked if they had anything else for me to read. They gave me the Doctrine and Covenants. I finished it in 5 weeks. At this point I’d been given all the discussions (the third one was given 3 times-for various reasons, another story for another day).
I knew the Book of Mormon was true…to me it was scripture; I never doubted that. But I knew that joining the church would kill my family. They would disown me and I would be alone. The missionaries prayed for their hearts to be softened, in particular my grandparents. A week later one of my grandmas passed away. The missionaries feared it was from their prayers! However, it was actually my other grandma who wouldn’t care if I joined the church 🙂 They felt a little silly later.
In July, the missionaries asked me to attend the broadcast of the Pioneer Celebration. I agreed to but when it came time to leave for it, I told them that I felt uneasy and maybe it wasn’t a good idea to go. Elder Brown told me “that sometimes something feels different and we think it’s a ‘bad’ different. But that doesn’t mean it is. It’s just different–maybe even good different.”
I went to that broadcast and as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir opened it with The Spirit of God, I began to cry with so much emotion. I leaned over to Elder Theobald and said “I HAVE to be baptized”. He looked at me with wide eyes and said “Why?” It was almost comical. But I told him that if I didn’t do it, I would be disobeying God.
Less than two weeks later on August 3, 2002, I was baptized by Elder Theobald. My baptism was attended by the Bishop, his wife and their RM son, eight missionaries and one other convert member of the ward (Penny DeFino). We sang three hymns, had the baptism, sang another three hymns and ended it. I told my parents one week later what I’d done. My father threw me out of his house and told me he didn’t love me. He didn’t speak to me for a week. Six months later, he finally told my grandparents and I was disowned from them as well.
My beloved missionaries were out on various appointments the night I told my parents. Four of the missionaries were instructed by the Spirit to go to Greta’s and check on her. They found me on my front steps crying my eyes out. And they sat with me, never hugging me but Theobald sat next to me on the step and touched his shoulder to mine. That was our way of comforting one another when we knew we were not allowed to hug each other 🙂 I even had two other missionaries call me on the phone that night b/c they knew something had happened.
Less than a month later, Elder Theobald was sent home b/c of an illness. I know with 100% surety that he came to Ohio for me. Did he have other baptisms? Yes, I know he did. But he was here for me. The Lord sent him to me, to be my comfort, my angel, my friend who brought to me a knowledge that I didn’t know I’d lost.
Eventually with time, my parents welcomed me back into their lives….as did my grandparents. It took time and once my missionaries began to be transferred out, I had lonely moments. But I wrote to all of them and still keep in touch with 7 or 8 of them on Facebook.
There are things I would tell you about being a missionary:
1) You never know how talking to someone (even going to the mailbox) will affect their lives.
2) You don’t know the measure of one soul (one baptism led to a celestial marriage and the births of four children born in the covenant including one who will be baptized on his mother’s 11th baptism anniversary).
3) Never believe that the Father is not watching you and wishing you good works. He is and though it may not feel like it, there is a purpose.
4) You are loved….always….once you touch a soul, they will forever remember and love you.
I love my Elders (and there were more than two) with all my heart. They are my brothers, my boys; we took care of each other but they brought me something that made my life DIVINE. I know that this church is true. My conversion story is still taking place. I still learn truths. I’m still converted to little bits of the Gospel every day.
I still celebrate my “Rebirth-day” as I like to call it every year. Last year for my tenth anniversary, I had a party and one of my elders flew in to celebrate with me. I have been disowned, lost family and friends, been persecuted through my work and my social life. But I will not denounce this Gospel. The Lord called me back into the fold and I intend to stay in it. I give you this testimony, In the Name of My Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
~ Greta Eber ~
http://www.middleagedmormonman.com/home/ LDS commentary satire humor mormon humorist religion
Love you Greta! You’re such an example to me… and I’m proud to be your sis-in-law!
Amazing!! You are right! You are not alone…. there are thousands of us who love you as brothers and sisters in the gospel! Thanks for sharing your great story!
Greta…you know I love you! You are an inspiration to all you know you.
Hugs to Greta! My fumble fingers keep typing Great, but perhaps that’s no mistake at all.
Thank you for sharing your story, Greta! I, too, was disowned by my father because of my faith. He never welcomed me back, but that’s okay. I know I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. *hugs*
Thank you for sharing your powerful story and testimony Greta! I am sending it to my missionary son.
Hugs. What a beautiful story of faith and persistence. Thank you.
Wonderful!! When it’s true and you know it, there is no going back, despite what others may do or say. I am so happy you shared your story!
A great big hug for you Greta! I love your story! My youngest son is serving a mission in Oregon and I can tell you that you surely impacted those elders’ lives as much as they did yours.
Hugs Greta! I will send your notes about being a missionary to my son! Thanks!