Sorry for the short entry this week! I'll send pictures next week:)
Love,
Monday, October 13, 2014
Mas adventuras con m companero
Can I just say that fall weather is the best? It's been a treat to have slightly cool, sweater-weather days and see the leaves changing all around us. As soon as Sister Johnson and I get ahold of some rakes Rosepark will be leaf free before you can say "Oh no sister, we can get the elders to do it!" Girls like to serve too! I repeat, anyone who has sister missionaries serving where you live, give them service opportunities! Okay tangent over. We've had another great week full of scripture study joy, lots of speaking in church, and teaching a lot. we also met a lot more africans, some that we will start working with soon. Yay for Africa!! And African baby showers! That's a story for another day. There is a lot of work to do here and the Ward mission leaders, Bishops and members are amazing. I invite everyone to read Elder Bednar's recent address in conference (see link below) and figure out how you can apply that in your life. Godelive and her 2 daughters Emerance and Confiance came to church yesterday- sadly the other daughter was sick and the two boys weren't there, but I think despite not understanding 99% of what was said they seemed to enjoy it! Godelive is so patient. I think my heart just expands more and more with everyone new person we start teaching. We taught the restoartion to a 12 year old while he was waiting for his mom to come home the other day and I was reminded of why Christ tells us to be like little children. They are so pure and honest, unmarred by the doubt and darkness of the world. The wonderful thing is that as we live the gospel of Jesus Christ, the world doesn't have power to leave its mark on us. Just like it says in Helaman 5:12 (probably the most quoted scripture in conference ever) The devil will have no power over us if we make christ our rock and foundation. He lives, and because He lives, we can follow his ways, be like Him and "lift the hands that hopelessly hang down."
Filling up my spiritual bucket
September 6, 2014
I think our spiritual levels in life can be compared to water in a bucket. When we do things that take away from our spirit, it's like we get a hole. The bigger the hole, the more water we lose. It doesn't matter how much water is put in to the bucket because as long as it has a hole it will keep losing water. As soon as we fix the hole (or choose to live God's way and keep the commandments), we can add to the water in the bucket and become full. But then there are times like this past weekend when my spiritual bucket just wasn't big enough to receive all God was trying to give me. Every october and april our church broadcasts a worldwide conference where the prophet, his counselors, the 12 apostles and other church leaders address us ti give us spiritual guidance. It was an incredible weekend and I heard so many needed things that will direct me for my whole life. Saturday afternoon session I hit my peak and it was like walking on air. By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around, I think my bucket was spilling over and I couldn't take in any more. The good things is, I won't be thirsty for a really long time because I have plenty to ponder, pray about and then put into action! It is such a blessing to have a sure knowledge that there is still a prophet on the Earth today that receives direction from Jesus Christ on how to direct Christ's church. I know he receives revelation and I know that through him we can receive revelation for our lives. Since I just happen to be serving 15 minutes from the conference center in Salt Lake, Sister Johnson and I were blessed to be able to take the african family we're teaching to their first conference ever. They are so amazing and I love their innate sense of right and wrong. God is just so real to them, they would never doubt his existence like so many do. I think the biggest thing that stuck out to me from conference was the theme of knowing light from darkness and seeking more light. God's ways are not our ways and he's provided us a way to know more about him if we just simply ask. Darkness is all around us, we have to push through that until we find the light shining through. And that comes from those "simple" things that somehow slip our minds or don't seem as important as other priorities such as daily scripture study, prayer, family home evening, going to the temple, and attending church every sunday. We need continual enlightenment to make it through the pitfalls of life. Heavenly Father designed life to be a place of learning and growth and if we never test him we can't really get to know him or ourselves. The miracle of this week was finding a vietnamese family of 5 tot each through talking to a girl on her way home from school. She was walking with one of our ward mission leaders daughters and said we could stop by. I don't have time to write much more but we'll teach them this week and I'll send more updates next week! Never lose hope, keep seeking truth, and you will be blessed with peace and happiness in this life and the next:)
A little birthday celebration with Rhyan, a girl we teach who has autism. She is HILARIOUS. More stories to come.
I think our spiritual levels in life can be compared to water in a bucket. When we do things that take away from our spirit, it's like we get a hole. The bigger the hole, the more water we lose. It doesn't matter how much water is put in to the bucket because as long as it has a hole it will keep losing water. As soon as we fix the hole (or choose to live God's way and keep the commandments), we can add to the water in the bucket and become full. But then there are times like this past weekend when my spiritual bucket just wasn't big enough to receive all God was trying to give me. Every october and april our church broadcasts a worldwide conference where the prophet, his counselors, the 12 apostles and other church leaders address us ti give us spiritual guidance. It was an incredible weekend and I heard so many needed things that will direct me for my whole life. Saturday afternoon session I hit my peak and it was like walking on air. By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around, I think my bucket was spilling over and I couldn't take in any more. The good things is, I won't be thirsty for a really long time because I have plenty to ponder, pray about and then put into action! It is such a blessing to have a sure knowledge that there is still a prophet on the Earth today that receives direction from Jesus Christ on how to direct Christ's church. I know he receives revelation and I know that through him we can receive revelation for our lives. Since I just happen to be serving 15 minutes from the conference center in Salt Lake, Sister Johnson and I were blessed to be able to take the african family we're teaching to their first conference ever. They are so amazing and I love their innate sense of right and wrong. God is just so real to them, they would never doubt his existence like so many do. I think the biggest thing that stuck out to me from conference was the theme of knowing light from darkness and seeking more light. God's ways are not our ways and he's provided us a way to know more about him if we just simply ask. Darkness is all around us, we have to push through that until we find the light shining through. And that comes from those "simple" things that somehow slip our minds or don't seem as important as other priorities such as daily scripture study, prayer, family home evening, going to the temple, and attending church every sunday. We need continual enlightenment to make it through the pitfalls of life. Heavenly Father designed life to be a place of learning and growth and if we never test him we can't really get to know him or ourselves. The miracle of this week was finding a vietnamese family of 5 tot each through talking to a girl on her way home from school. She was walking with one of our ward mission leaders daughters and said we could stop by. I don't have time to write much more but we'll teach them this week and I'll send more updates next week! Never lose hope, keep seeking truth, and you will be blessed with peace and happiness in this life and the next:)
Love,
Sister Pearson
A little birthday celebration with Rhyan, a girl we teach who has autism. She is HILARIOUS. More stories to come.
Week of African miracles - (and a white boy too!)
September 29, 2014
So it's day one for Sister Johnson and me in our new area, Rosepark Northpoint stake. We ask the bishop who we should go see and immediately he directs us to a catholic family from the congo who he and one of his counselors stumbled upon while looking for someone else. Not knowing many members in the area, we take Ines Bugingo a member from the Rosepark YSA that lives in my new area whose family is in one of my new wards and came from Ethiopia 3 months ago. When we knocked on Godelive's (the mom) door, she let us in immediately. We quickly figured out she spoke little english but Ines, whose mom goes to English classes with Godelive, jsut so happened to speak the same obscure language as the family. We taught the restoration and after reading Joseph Smith's account of the first vision, Ines asked if she should translate that part. I told her just to ask Godelive how she felt. She said "When someone ushers the word of God, you just get that feeling". A couple of nights later we went back and taught her 5 children who speak enlish better. Now they are praying about baptism for this month!
So it's day one for Sister Johnson and me in our new area, Rosepark Northpoint stake. We ask the bishop who we should go see and immediately he directs us to a catholic family from the congo who he and one of his counselors stumbled upon while looking for someone else. Not knowing many members in the area, we take Ines Bugingo a member from the Rosepark YSA that lives in my new area whose family is in one of my new wards and came from Ethiopia 3 months ago. When we knocked on Godelive's (the mom) door, she let us in immediately. We quickly figured out she spoke little english but Ines, whose mom goes to English classes with Godelive, jsut so happened to speak the same obscure language as the family. We taught the restoration and after reading Joseph Smith's account of the first vision, Ines asked if she should translate that part. I told her just to ask Godelive how she felt. She said "When someone ushers the word of God, you just get that feeling". A couple of nights later we went back and taught her 5 children who speak enlish better. Now they are praying about baptism for this month!
The next miracle was wednesday night when we went to the young men's activity and did a Q and A about missions. Many of the boys who had doubts brought up their concerns and we did our best to answer them. On sunday, one boy got up and said "before this week I had never thought of going on a mission, I would even discourage those who talked about serving. I also was questioning whether or not I wanted to be a part of this church. Afer the activity and feeling the spirit that the sister missionaries brought, I know that I need to be a member of this church and serve a mission". The spirit was so powerful as he shared that. It was one of those miracles that had nothing to do with us, and we had no idea this boy's situation. But God did, and we were blessed to be the instruments through which he gave a struggling young man a much needed answer. I know that as we go about being the best we can be and sharing what we know, God will use us to perform these little miracles that in the long run will be big. I love serving around youth and can't wait to get more involved with them!
Last miracle really wuick: we taught a muslim family of 11 last night! They let us in immediately; we had met the girls on the street a couple of days before when they were on their way home from school. They don't speak english but the daughter translated and they said though they are striong in their beliefs, they liked our message and want to try coming to church. It will be hard because they're so strong in their religion, but I know that God sent us to them for a reason!
Keep looking for the little miracles this week:)
Love,
Sister Pearson
Eating fruit and horse- and crying A LOT!
September 22, 2014
Malolele! This week has been full of miracles and learning experiences and now a little sadness as I just found out I'm getting transferred from the YSA stake to RosePark North Stake. The funny thing is, I don't even have to change apartments, just rooms and companions, and I'll be covering the same area just with the family wards instead of young peoples (as Sister Tranchina calls them). I have been so so so blessed to stay in this area for almost 6 months. The relationships I've developed and experiences I've had will shape my life forever. I think overall I've really learned my purpose as a missionary, which is to literally represent the Lord Jesus Christ in every situation. Working in salt lake there have been a lot of occasions where my companion and I have just stopped on the side of the street to sit down with someone in need, given them comfort and left them with a prayer. It is the best feeling in the world when you talk to someone and feel like you did what Jesus Christ wanted you to. My joy is to be a ministering angel to people here on Earth whenever I get the opportunity (which will be a lot if you keep your eyes open). The less I focus on myself, the more I can see the needs of others around me and try to best take care of them. I have a testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ, of his ministry here on Earth,, and the fact that we can continue the work he did. And as we struggle through each day with our own personal challenges, he will give us the strength we need to look outside ourselves. Helaman 5:12 I don't have time for much more than that this week but if you are struggling right now, remember that the most important thing we can ever identify ourselves as is one of God's precious children. One of the boys we teach usually answers "i don't know to most of our questions" but yesterday we asked him what he would ask God if her were here and he said he would ask Him why he is special. MY heart nearly broke in half because it was clear that he doesn't see any reason to think he's special, which is a lie because everyone is special. Everyone is loved, and when we reach out to the one who loves us most, He reaches back. Remember that this week!
I love fruit tress! This is a tongan fruit- half apple/half pear.
Tasted just like Black Beauty.
My district. Love these missionaries!
Craig!
Biked to the temple at 5:30 on our last day together!! I LOVE this hermana more than anything. she is the happiest, most loving and sincere person I've ever met. I will be sad not to serve with her anymore!
Malolele! This week has been full of miracles and learning experiences and now a little sadness as I just found out I'm getting transferred from the YSA stake to RosePark North Stake. The funny thing is, I don't even have to change apartments, just rooms and companions, and I'll be covering the same area just with the family wards instead of young peoples (as Sister Tranchina calls them). I have been so so so blessed to stay in this area for almost 6 months. The relationships I've developed and experiences I've had will shape my life forever. I think overall I've really learned my purpose as a missionary, which is to literally represent the Lord Jesus Christ in every situation. Working in salt lake there have been a lot of occasions where my companion and I have just stopped on the side of the street to sit down with someone in need, given them comfort and left them with a prayer. It is the best feeling in the world when you talk to someone and feel like you did what Jesus Christ wanted you to. My joy is to be a ministering angel to people here on Earth whenever I get the opportunity (which will be a lot if you keep your eyes open). The less I focus on myself, the more I can see the needs of others around me and try to best take care of them. I have a testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ, of his ministry here on Earth,, and the fact that we can continue the work he did. And as we struggle through each day with our own personal challenges, he will give us the strength we need to look outside ourselves. Helaman 5:12 I don't have time for much more than that this week but if you are struggling right now, remember that the most important thing we can ever identify ourselves as is one of God's precious children. One of the boys we teach usually answers "i don't know to most of our questions" but yesterday we asked him what he would ask God if her were here and he said he would ask Him why he is special. MY heart nearly broke in half because it was clear that he doesn't see any reason to think he's special, which is a lie because everyone is special. Everyone is loved, and when we reach out to the one who loves us most, He reaches back. Remember that this week!
Love,
Sister Pearson
P.S. I'm crying a lot because I can't bear to leave these people, but I'm excited for what this new area will bring!!
Tongan exchanges! If I could say one thing to these 3 it would be OFATU!
I love fruit tress! This is a tongan fruit- half apple/half pear.
Tasted just like Black Beauty.
My district. Love these missionaries!
Craig!
Biked to the temple at 5:30 on our last day together!! I LOVE this hermana more than anything. she is the happiest, most loving and sincere person I've ever met. I will be sad not to serve with her anymore!
The miracle of Repentance - The Saviors gift to us
This week I would like to talk about repentance and what a true miracle it is. In 1 Nephi 10:18 it talks about how "the way" has been prepared before the foundation of the world, that way being repentance through Jesus Christ's atonement. It is an honor to be a literal representative of Jesus Christ, to look people in the eye and tell them I KNOW there is a way for them to get back, to be clean, to change. We taught a boy that the Spanish elders found for us last night- he has been very humbled by a recent incident where he made a mistake that he regrets. He doesn't know a lot about God but he knows he wants relief from his sins. Before we even finished inviting him to follow Christ's example by being baptized he was nodding yes. We all feel guilt and shame and we all want to be relieved of it.Too often, people don't know that there is a way out of it so they suppress the guilty feelings or just live with them and accept there is no other way. but there IS another way. Repentance through the Holy one of Israel, the only perfect person to ever walk this Earth- it's always there for us! One member told me of an experience where she read the entire book of Mormon in a week and after had one split second where she felt hope that she could actually escape her sins through repentance, and though it was fleeting, that one split second led her to make good decision for years. It is not a shameful thing, it is a beautiful opportunity to become clean! We all sin everyday, it's inevitable, but as long as we stay close to the only true source of light in this world, Jesus Christ, we can have the hope for a better life now and in the world to come:)
Marty and Darius!!
Did I already send this picture? Oh well, I love My african friends!
I also want to express my immense gratitude for the amazing members I get to serve with and around. Sunday is one of my favorite days because we get to go to 4 different wards and hear the powerful testimonies of people from all walks of life. Yet, despite all of our differences, it feels like home, and these people feel like family. That's the beautiful thing about this church, no matter where you go in the world, you have a home away from home and you have a family. Hermana Tranchina has been sick this week but she never complains. She is such a wonderful example to me of someone who loves deeply and wants to do good 24/7. All of my companions are like sisters to me, but especially Sister Tranchina! Cross your fingers we don't get separated next week. Nevertheless, let the Lord's will be done!
Miracle of this week: we got to attend 2 baptisms: the first one for Marty and Darius, roommates that Sister Taylor and I taught once and passed off to the Elders, and then Jo, a hippie kid from Alaska who we met at a hostel right before we transferred from Riverside! It is such a blessing to see how we all have a hand in this work:)
P.S. We took Chad to the temple this week!!! He's doing amazing.
Have a splendid week, don't forget to smile:)
Love,
Sister Pearson
Love these people!
Meet Jo.
Marty and Darius!!
Did I already send this picture? Oh well, I love My african friends!
Wild Week
September 8, 2014
Wow, this week has just been a whirlwind! It has been wonderful and most definitely full of wonders. Because my thoughts are so scattered and my mind is so full of information (sometimes It's so overloaded that I forget people's names from pre-mission life) I'm going to share as much as I can with a few pictures. They're worth a 1,000 words, aren't they?
Labor day brunch with our new and oh-so-amazing Capitol hill ward! Meet Kasy. She is pretty much part of our companionship at this point. Sometimes you just know immediately when God has placed people in your lives:)
Peaches and apples and grapes are my summer obsession in Utah. Why don't we grow fruit in OHIO?!!! This is at the Wilson's house, they're an amazing senior couple in the area and they live at the base of ensign peak.
Making cookies to deliver to our hardworking bishops!! I am so impressed and inspired by the leadership we get to work with. Every Bishop I've been able to work with has such a heart to serve God and sets the example for their ward of someone who serves because they love Jesus Christ.
To top the week off we were able to take Irvin and Matthew, a new guy we're teaching from California, to the regional Stake conference at the conference center. The whole meeting was focused on families and the spirit was so powerful!
Wow, this week has just been a whirlwind! It has been wonderful and most definitely full of wonders. Because my thoughts are so scattered and my mind is so full of information (sometimes It's so overloaded that I forget people's names from pre-mission life) I'm going to share as much as I can with a few pictures. They're worth a 1,000 words, aren't they?
Labor day brunch with our new and oh-so-amazing Capitol hill ward! Meet Kasy. She is pretty much part of our companionship at this point. Sometimes you just know immediately when God has placed people in your lives:)
Peaches and apples and grapes are my summer obsession in Utah. Why don't we grow fruit in OHIO?!!! This is at the Wilson's house, they're an amazing senior couple in the area and they live at the base of ensign peak.
Making cookies to deliver to our hardworking bishops!! I am so impressed and inspired by the leadership we get to work with. Every Bishop I've been able to work with has such a heart to serve God and sets the example for their ward of someone who serves because they love Jesus Christ.
To top the week off we were able to take Irvin and Matthew, a new guy we're teaching from California, to the regional Stake conference at the conference center. The whole meeting was focused on families and the spirit was so powerful!
I think to sum up this week I just want to bear my testimony on love. It is love that fuels the work of God here on Earth. It's love from our Heavenly Father that put us here in the Earth place. Love from our Savior Jesus Christ makes it so we can overcome ALL things and become true sons and daughters of God. And it is love that wakes me up each and every morning and keeps me from sleeping some nights because I am so overwhelmed by the miracles God has allowed me to take part in. My heart is full and God is so gracious. He knows us inside and out. I am a witness of this!
Love,
Sister Pearson
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