Happiness has been on my mind lately. Why am I so happy all the time despite the little frustrations and trials I go through, and why are so many people depressed in situations that others would grow from? It all depends on your perspective, and your coping mechanisms. Some turn to drugs, money etc., and some turn to God. though God gives us experiences in this life so that we can eventually become as He is and be able to independently make the same decisions he himself would make (see Helaman 10:4-5), in this life we absolutely need his help! And the way we gain access to that help is through the Savior and his atoning sacrifice. It is the only pure way to find lasting healing and joy and peace. And as I turn to him everyday and seek fervently for the spirit, I become happier, more calm and peaceful, but still with the urgent voice whispering to me that I need to work to spread this peace to others. There is no one that has sunk too low that the atonement cannot help them. It is our choice to accept or reject the savior and his restored gospel, but once we have it, we find it is the anchor of hope and everything good in life. food for thought for the week. Happiness is attainable, but the world's happiness is not the eternal joy God wants to provide for us.
Anywho, it has been a wonderful and sunny week and except for wednesday. I think when it's rainy and cold I become over positive to avoid letting the weather get me down and end up having an even better day than the sunny ones! I got to be on exchanges with a brand new missionary and I felt a little bit like I was training so that was fun. I'm getting really good at australian and peruvian accents thanks to Sister West and Sister Aguilar. Sister West and I have a little too much fun together- she brings out the sarcasm in me which I need to keep in check sometimes;) She's hilarious. Arturo is doing really well, he is very impressed by the lifestyle we live as missionaries. A member picked him up with us to drive to a chapel for a lesson and when he got in he said "so have you 3 been hanging out for a while?" which led into a conversation about the missionary schedule and how we can't ever just "hang out" because we're on the Lord's time! Before we dropped him he turned to us and said "I just want you two to know that you are changing lives. what you're doing out here is something people need, and I just want to say thanks." We took him to see what a baptism is like the next morning and he came with some guys from the ward who have befriended him. It was really good for him and the spirit was so strong. You can just feel the difference when something is performed by priesthood authority from God. We are still teaching Channa and he has committed to baptism for May 31st- happy birthday to Ben! That will be the biggest birthday present ever. He told us that he is a "believer" when we asked him what his thoughts were about Jesus Christ. His response to what he thinks the purpose of his life is was "I just want to make enough money to take care of my mom and brother. And then I want to serve. You guys are so close to God and I just want to spend the rest of my life searching for God!" He has so much faith having come from a hindu background.
Funny comments from a new guy we found to teach this week:
(After flipping through the Book of Mormon for the first time) "Jacob... I think I'll start in that book, I have a friend named Jacob! Moroni... is that like Macaroni? And Index.... well I don't think I've ever met anyone named index but if I ever have a son maybe I could name him that!"
Oh the little joys life brings:)
Life is good, the sun is shining, and the gospel is true!
Love,
Sister Pearson
Pictures: Fun to reconnect with Jen who I met in Provo right before my freshman year!
2) you can't really tell but my mission president wears a size 16 and his 8th grade son a size 15!!!
3) HUGE hot cakes at the cutest cafe where someone kindly and anonymously paid for our meal!
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