One Small Fish in the Great Salt Lake: Hermana!

August 18, 2014

Hola mi familia y amigos muchos! I would like to introduce you to someone very special, my new companion, Sister Tranchina! To tell you a little bit about her: She is from Morcia (pronounced Morthia), Spain and is one of the happiest, most loving missionaries I have ever met. We have had an incredibly busy week full of miracles. She has been serving for 9 months in the spanish program so it was a huge shock to get called to YSA (Young Single Adults), english speaking, and now as a sister training leader. She is a natural at all 3, and so humble. She always asks me to correct her english when she makes mistakes and is teaching me some spanish too. This week has been full of lessons and moving sisters from their apartment, bike riding (I GOT A BIKE!), and lots of role plays. We found 3 new people to teach, two of which will go to the Elders when they take over Riverside ward but they will be good for them. All 3 came to church and it was a happy happy day. It feels so good to share the gospel through bringing people to church and we can just let the experience speak for itself that the things we teach are from a true church of God. I would like to take some time to share the miracle of finding spencer, the one person we met that we will continue teaching because he lives in Rose Park. This story is proof that God is looking out for all of us and he leads people to us and us to them.

It was nearing 7 on Saturday, September 9th when we had an appointment fall through that left us with some extra time. We pulled over to the side of the road and prayed about where t go. I was on exchanges with Sister Jamison so I decided to go and stop by German, a mexican guy who has been hard to get ahold of lately but wants to learn about the gospel. On the way there, I saw 3 guys walking and had the thought to stop and talk to them. Since we were in a car I felt a little creepy and Sister Jamison confirmed that it was, but I decided to follow my impression despite the creepiness. We drove to where the boys had just turned and got out of the car. At that point they were so far ahead that we didn't want to run after them so we decided to visit a recent convert on that street. To our surprise, just as we neared they house, the boys walked into it! They happened to be high school friends of Miz, the convert and had never had missionary lessons before. We shared a quick message and none of them were interested. We walked out a little sad because it had seemed so inspired, but went on with our night. The next time we met with Miz, he said that night one of his friends texted him that he was struggling and asked if he could meet with us the following saturday. So 2 days ago we had the blessed opportunity to teach Spencer, who then came to church and is wanting to be baptized. He has had many trials in his life completely out of his control, and is very humble. Though he considered himself atheist, it is easy to see he believed in God all along, or at least wanted to. He said his favorite part about church was the hymns (no one EVER says that their first time) and he looked so happy by the end. And that's what this is all about, right? We find people who either have no happiness, some happiness, or a lot of happiness, and then we share the message that can make them happier than anything in the world, simply because it's true! When we told spencer that we had kind of followed him last week, he was touched that God had been looking out for him. Moral of the story, don't be afraid of being creeping when you know that you have a life-saving message to share. The more we invite God into our lives, the more he is able to lead us.

There is so much more I want to share but my time is up. It was hard to say goodbye to Anthony last night and I didn't get to see chad and Daniel, but I am putting them in the trusted hands of the ward and the elders and most of all, God. He will do so much more to look out for these 3 wonderful men I was blessed to work with than I ever could. I am filled with gratitude and love for the blessings this gospel has brought to my life and the lives of everyone I've been able to share it with! Mosiah 2:41

Love,

Sister Pearson