One Small Fish in the Great Salt Lake: The miracle of Repentance

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:)

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