Happy, happy, happy:)

November 3, 2014

Whoever thought of missions is crazy. Who in their right mind would leave everything they know and love for 18 months or 2 years to meet strangers on the street and in various places to tell them about God and Jesus Christ and get turned away time and time again?  Well, God thought of it, and I'm more convinced than ever that missions weren't just made up but truly inspired by him. Because though sometimes it's hard to walk in the cold in skirts, or figure how to answer the concerns of people who are way older than me with much more life experience, or tell people God loves them when they tell us to get off of their property, when someone does decide to listen and starts to see changes in their life through the atonement of Jesus Christ, it makes every minute worth it. every. single. minute. There is no joy like the joy you feel when bringing others to Christ. And I was lucky enough this week to witness two of heavenly father's precious daughters enter the waters of baptism.

​First on Saturday was Rhyan. OH Rhyan... When she saw us at the Halloween party this past week she put her basket of toys down that she always has with her, scremed "girls!" and proceeded to pull us in for a group hug and give us each a slobbery kiss on the cheek before we even saw it coming. She is quite the character. Her baptism was very special and her confirmation even more so. Her mom bore a powerful testimony in Sacrament meeting the next day and as she came down from the stand Rhyan loudly said "Oh BROTHER" due to her mom's emotions. She can only handle someone talking for so long even when it's her mom pouring her heart out but that's what makes her Rhyan! It's been a joy to get to know her family and soon we'll get to go to the temple together! P.S. She isn't making gang signs, she was holding up a finger for how many pictures we had taken so we could "get it over with".

Just one hour later was Godereva's baptism! We finally found out the real spelling of her name.. some things have just been lost in translation, literally. I feel so blessed to have met Godereva and her family and I know that it wasn't coincidence that I've been able to work with them! I told them we will be connected for our whole lives and we are family:) Probably the most powerful part of her baptismal service was when Ines's mom (the girl who translates for us) prayed in Godereva's native tongue at the end. The spirit knows no language, you can just feel it. It must have been really special for her to see her friend accept the same gospel that has blessed her and her family so much since they were baptized in Ethiopia 2 years ago.Godereva's family fed us dinner on Halloween night, if anyone doesn't know what fufu is go find an African to make it for you and you will have a forever friend. It's kind of a playdo-type bread made from kasava flour, you can also make it from plantain or yams. I will insert a picture:) We also got African on Friday from a family in one of our wards- the dad is from Ghana and the mom is from Tonga. The funny thing is that I always wanted to go to Tonga or Africa and God sent me to both. Oh the irony:) He truly knows the desires of our hearts.

​fufu!

Lastly I just want to leave you with my testimony of Jesus Christ. I know he lives, I know he is our perfect exemplar, and I know that though it doesn't always seem logical or plausible, He really does extend light to the entire world, every single day. Just like the sun:) That's all I have for this week. Keep living the lives you live, trying to become a little bit better, just a little, every single day:)

Love,

Sister Pearson