December 8, 2014
The title this week can be attributed to the short but powerful testimony shared by our 9 yr. old recent convert in sacrament meeting yesterday. If you don't know what tithing is, little Chase would suggest you invite some missionaries over to explain it real quick. At least he payed attention in class, right? :)
I really can't move on before I brag about my opportunity to meet Esther- Godelive's auntie who just came from Africa and is LITERALLY one hundred years old.
It's amazing how you can step inside a house in this town and feel like you've left the country.
She doesn't speak any English but kept patting my stomach and telling me "you look great" in her language.
Speaking of Africans, we had a miracle with Claudine (the girl on the left) on Sunday! The night before she had committed to coming to church and sharing her testimony but when we went to class with Godelive she said none of the girls came. We walked over to their apartment and found out Claudine hadn't gotten ready on time and fe;t bad going late. We told her it was fine and we would wait for her to get ready. As sad as it is when people don't make it to church on their own, it is one of my favorite things to go and walk with people to church, it makes me feel like I'm really helping my brothers and sisters here on earth! Sharing the gospel is not about pulling or convincing or forcing but about gently leading people back to the voice of their master, Jesus Christ, and loving them into the church. Claudine was really nervous to get up in front of the whole congregation but Sister Johnson and I promised to go up their with her. She got up and courageously stated this testimony: "I know the church is true. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet. the young women is perfect." Of course it made me cry instantly. She has a strong testimony of the gospel and is just praying about baptism still. She wants to do it but is afraid of offending her catholic ancestors. She and her mom feel the spirit more strongly than anyone I know so before long Claudine will figure out God's will for her.
The last part of my week I'd like to share has been on my mind for days. We had a lesson with a 12 yr. old who has recently gotten involved in boy scouts. His mom thinks church is good for him and sits in on the lessons though her first language is Spanish and she doesn't think she would ever change from being catholic. she opened up to us and started crying as she asked if it's too late for her son who is 17 and atheist to come back and regain faith. She feels like a failure as a mother because she has let the business of life get in the way of teaching her children about God. I testified to her that God gives us second and 3rd and 4th chances etc. to repent and as long as she makes the changes she needs to now to put God first, she can trust that her son will be in God's hands. It made me think a lot about the role of parents in our lives and how crucial their examples are. As long as parents do everything in their power to lead their children to stay on the right path, no matter what decisions their kids make they can have peace of mind knowing they have done all they can. We cannot control the agency of others, but we can influence with all our might to help others see what is good and right! I'll include one of my favorite scriptures that always gives me hope even when we only have a few seconds to converse with someone before they reject our message:
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. Moroni 7:16.
I know that all my parents have taught me is just and good and having experimented on their words in my own life, I know that they are true principles. God loved us enough to send His only begotten son to the earth, he also loved us enough to give us commandments. How grateful I am for a sure path to follow that gives us safety, peace, and security in this life. I love my mission, I love this season, and I love the Lord! Let his light fill you each and every day:)
P.S. for anyone who is dying to give me Christmas present- I would invite you to 1) read the Book of Mormon whether or not you've read it before and 2) have the missionaries over to share a message about our savior regardless of your current beliefs. That is the greatest gift I could ever receive!
Love,
Sister Pearson
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