To start this week, as you know, I got to garden for a service project on saturday and then a random guy with a ponytail let us help him mulch while we talked to him about the gospel. success. I cannot neglect the fact that this past week was a very big one for my Dad! Not only is he one year older and wiser too, but he celebrated yet another father's day. I just want you all to know how much I love my dad and what an incredible person he is. A theme from this week of something I've been learning is that we as humans need to act rather than let life act upon us (2 Nephi 2:26). when we don't act through planning and taking extra precautions, a lot of times we get into situations we can't control and then we get frustrated at life when really we should be frustrated with ourselves for not planning well. How does this relate to my dad? Let me tell you! My dad is the kind of guy who has been saving his earnings in a bank account ever since he was 12 and had his first job. He loves to plan for trips rather than do them spur of the moment so we have time to get excited about them. He always thinks before he speaks and always has good counsel to give to me especially when I'm having a hard time. When I think of my dad, I think of someone who loves God before himself and lives for his family. Sometimes when I feel like God is far away and wonder how to really know he is there, I remember that He gave me a father to lead me and guide me in this life. God shows us he is real more often through people than through miraculous manifestations. Because my dad is close to God, I know that I can be too, and I can rely on both of them always. Dad always offers to share and likes to remind me that I am a princess. As wise as he is, he can be the goofiest person in the world and it was always normal to me when people requested for him to make animal noises at church and neighborhood parties all growing up. My dad loves life and the way that he lives it shows what his heart is like (HUGE!) I could go on and on but I will leave it at that because I think you all get the picture, my dad rocks.
On a more missionary sounding note, things are going swell and Daniel is all set to be baptized on Saturday! We had an amazing lesson with him at temple square about old testament and modern day prophets on thursday. He completely understands why we have a prophet and when we told him about President Monson he asked when he can meet him or hear him speak. Needless to say he is pumped to go to General Conference in October! We always come out of lessons with him just grinning because he is learning so much on his own. As is typical before someone makes a life changing decision to commit their lives to God, we hit a road bump on saturday (not literally). We showed up for Daniel's scheduled lesson at 3 at his apartment as usual and he wasn't there. It was so unlike him because he is very dependable and I was worried all day. At night we prayed that we'd be able to find out what was going on and then we got a call from him. Apparently he'd lost his phone and on his way to get it he got into an accident with an old lady while driving his friend's car. No one got hurt but he felt so bad about the whole thing that he didn't want to go to church the next day. We promised him that he would feel better if he went to church and he finally agreed and said he would read the Book of Mormon too. Even though he was only going to come to sacrament meeting he ended up going to all 3 hours of church on sunday! We found out that night after we had dinner at some of the member's house with Daniel that he had resolved that despite what he promised us, he wasn't going to go to church the next morning because he needed tor est. When he woke up he realized that it was his "devil mind" that was trying to convince him not to go to church and that he should go so he could get closer to "the God" because light always overcomes darkness. When he told us all this we jsut wanted to cry. He is already trying to plan out when he will go on a mission because he thinks it sounds challenging and fun. It is so true what the scriptures say that by small and simple thigns great things come to pass. What would have happened if Sister Taylor and I didn't extend such a simple invitation to learn more when we knocked on Daniel's door 3 weeks ago? All I know is that I'm oh so grateful that we did. He is going to impact so many lives.
There is an apartment of 3 guys under us who are really nice but live a very different lifestyle and party most weekends. We've taught them some short lessons just oustide on the stairs a couple of times and invited them to activities but nothing more. Before Rose Park ward on sunday, we went around to try to get a couple of people to church with the ward mission committee and the only one that was home was Karl who loves right under us. Out of all the guys, he has always seemed the most interested and after a little persisting he agreed to come to sacrament meeting! You can tell that something inside of him tells him that we're good and that church is something he needs but his lifestyle is just one of the world. We are set to teach him tonight and I'm really excited about it. We're teaching another guy under him, Eric who knows he needs to be baptized but doesn't know into which church yet. His brother Tino has stood up for the missionaries before and he knows we're gods people but doesn't think he can change. We're trying to teach him too and he's thinking about just learning with Eric. I think that once one of these guys gets baptized it will have a huge affect on all of the others, showing them that change is possible no matter what your background is!
Sorry there aren't any pictures this week, I left my camera at home:(
Life is wonderful and great and I have the best job in the world. Have a wonderful week everyone!
Love,
Sister Pearson
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