Hey Family,
Not really a whole ton has happen in the last few days. The baptism on Christmas was 100% incredible. I felt the spirit so strongly as did everyone in the room. It turned out to be probably my favorite Christmas I have ever had. I felt love all day and I really became a lot more grateful for all of the many things I have in my life.
I would also like to say that last week was by far our best week we have had in our area. We had members at all lessons except for 4 and our investigators progressed a lot. We found like 14 new investigators which was EPIC! We taught many great lessons filled with the Spirit.
We got a new Ward Mission Leader who is just awesome. He stood up on Sunday and got men to committ to coming to to lessons with us this week! He also is getting English classes starting up. That should help us change things for the better. We should have a lot more people coming to this and getting us some more new investigators.
This next sunday Church starts at 2pm. This should get a lot more investigators there because they will not be able to sleep through church. This is the #1 problem that we face besides men not wanting to marry their baby's mother.
My favorite story of the week was yesterday actually. We have an investigator, Jocabed. She has not quite gotten the answer she is looking for yet. Well, I think we can say she had not gotten it. BUT! Yesterday we went to teach her and one of her friends, Perla, was there. We taught a spur of the moment lesson 1 (restoration) and Jocabed actually assisted us in teaching the restoration. I think it all finally made sense in her head once she was testifying of how the Book of Mormon has blessed her and her family. I love stories such as this because we can so readily view the power of the words in the Book of Mormon. It changes peoples lives.
I would just say that the mission is fantastic. Every day is different, new, and amazing. I love being here so much. Just as the power of the Gospel is changing other people's lives, it is changing mine! The Gospel is true and I know that from the effect it has had on me!
One thing that I think could help you all as a familt that I wish we would have done is read just a chapter or so a day as a family. There is a power in that I have seen here that I think would have helped me a lot had I been doing that when I was younger. Can you all do that for me? Just like 10 minutes a day? If you do, I promise things will get better in every aspect. You will worry less, be less stressed, feel closer in love and the Spirit will be of an even greater strenth in the home! It is something I am going to try and do with my family when I have one...not any time soon!
This saturday we have another full p-day because hispanics party like rockstars on new years. I am going to take my first and probably only nap of 2011! I am healthy and losing weight. I am eating well, but I am always tired because we ride bike 24/7/365. I love it though! I feel happier and more outgoing than ever before in my life. I am finally starting to kind of break out of that shell I had around me for such a long time. I am starting to enjoy talking to everyone. A mission is a good thing!
My new years goals are to finish the Book of Mormon 4 times throughout the course of the year, and to real the old and new testments once, at least! The scriptures are coming to life for me and I love them! Maybe more than I love you all, nah.
But really, I love you all! It was great talking to you and Keegan. He really has changed. He is going to serve a mission, I know it. It is the best thing he could ever do and it will change his life like it is changing mine! I am glad to have a mom and dad who set examples for me and serving a mission!
And mom, HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY! At least you are not going to be going over the hill while I am on my mission like dad! He is going to be 51 when I get back! Maddy will be 17! and Will will be 12! Wow! But really mom, I love you. I am so grateful for you and I hope you have the best birthday. Eat some cake, and just do whatever you please! I love you all, especially mom!
I gotta run!
Con amor,
Elder Jonathan Pearson
P.S. - Tell grandpa John I am trying to find a mexican license plate for him. Thanks!
Posted By Maddy
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Christmas week!
Buenos Dias Familia Mia!
Como estan? Espero que esten bien y que esten listos para hablar me en el sabado. Estoy animado para llamarles!
But seriously, we are going over to the Black Family's home on Saturday morning. We will be going there around 9am in the morning. There are 4 of us elders going so I am going to let the other 3 call first because they all live further east than you all. Elder Hernandez has to call his family in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico right at 9am. Elder Williams is going to call his family in Montgomery, Alabama at 10am, Elder Biddle is calling his family at 11am (Billings, Montana), and I am going last around noon to call you all. So, at around 11am your time I should be calling. You should all be done with presents and such by then and be ready to chat. I sure hope so! I have a ton to tell you all and it will be great to hear your voices. I too want to save some for the call, but I will write enough to keep your minds turned on while you read!
Saturday night at 7pm Anthony Cruz is getting baptized. He is the boy in the picture that was sent to you by Hna. Cruz. He is 12 and the only remaining member of his family that needs baptism. His dad was going to baptize him, but he does not feel quite prepared so Anthony asked me to do it instead. It was my goal to never get my baptismal clothes wet, but hey, I guess I have to do it sometime, so why not on Christmas?!?! I think a ton of people should be there at the baptism. The ward is finally catching on to the missionary spirit. It is getting exciting. The Liahona 4th ward once was the center of missionary work in Arizona. It kind of died off due to a number of somewhat lazy and apostate missionaries. They used to have 70+ baptisms a year, but right now it is at less than 20 this year. However, with Anthony we will have had a baptism every weekend in the ward for 6 weeks! I really want to be a part of turning this ward around and making it the powerhouse it once was. I want to get this area EXPLODING with so many investigators that they have to split the area. With the pace we are going, it is not too far off.
Yesterday is a prime example of how awesome things are going in our ward now. We are expected to teach 20 lessons every 7 days. This works out to roughly 3 a day. Yesterday we taught 5 lessons. The mission average is 7 out of 20 lessons a week with a member present at the lesson. Yesterday all 5 were with a member. Today we have another 4 investigator lessons planned, all with member presents. By 2 days into the week we will have half of all of our lessons for the week with members at all of them!! WOOOO-HOOOO! I seriously love teaching with members. Many believe they have weak and inadequate testimonies. IT shocks them when in lesson they begin to bear testimony and realize just how strong their testimony really is. It has helped a lot of less actives to come out and teach with us. They are now way active and have even more powerful testimonies. I hope to have out area to 30 lessons a week by the time I leave here, which I sure hope is not soon. I want to stay here as long as possible. I love it.
Maddy and Will! With your two weeks off, you should all have a ton of time to help mom out in the house! Just kidding, kind of. I hope you all get to go snowboarding a few times during break. I talked to a few people here at the temple from Flagstaff and they said it is a great winter up there. Who is faster now? Maddy or Will? I think it would be Maddy. She was really getting good by the end of last year. You should all convince dad to take my board out and strap it on for a day! I think you could all have a lot of fun with that! OH! And you all never told me what you wanted for Christmas!
I mailed off a priority mail package last Friday so it should be getting there soon! When you get it, you can open it. I have presents in there for all of you (They are wrapped). DON'T OPEN THEM (the separate gifts) UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!! There is also a present for Grandma and Grandpa John in it. I think Grandpa John is going to get a few giggles out of it. I found it in a dried up canal. There are a few things that are not really presents. You can look through my old planners and dad can use the bike tubes I had from my stolen bike. The presents I all got you are pretty neat I think. The ones for you, Will and Maddy, are pretty relevant to yourselves and stuff that will happen kind of soon in life. I got one big present for all of the family. I hope you love it. It is for FHE and such and I love the stuff in it! Mom, the one wrapped in red construction paper is kind of a birthday/christmas present! I should be getting you a card though before your birthday, the tough part is that we do not have P-day again until new years after Christmas. Yeah, a long time.
Other than that, I am reading the Book of Mormon for the 3rd time on my mission now. I love the Story of the Tree of Life so much more now. When I read it I could not stop and so many thoughts and ideas came to mind. I could easily apply it all to myself and to each of my investigators. When you read the Book of Mormon with a true desire to gain inspiration, it is 20x more exciting. Every page is great, even the Isaiah chapters. I am in the middle of those right now. Chapter 18 I think of 2nd Nefi --- err Nephi. Those really are quite the brain twister. I really am trying hard to glean something from all of it. It is tough, but I am learning a ton of new things about the Gospel.
We set two baptismal dates last week in one day. One with Jocabed, and one with Maria Aragon. Jocabed has come to Church for the last two consecutive weeks and she is really growing to love it. She is getting swarmed by the women every week which is AWESOME! I really think she will be way ready by the date we set of January the 8th. She was pentecostal and for a while we were going to drop her. She believed in the gift of tongues....but the crazy one where you speak nonexistant languages. Now, she really understands what the Holy Ghost is. It is great.
With Maria, she set an Hastaqui with her boyfriend. He has until Feb. 5th to marry her or she is moving out and getting baptized.
Moises and Graciela are STILL waiting on her birth certificate. They are more than ready to be baptized. They read the Book of Mormon as a couple and pray as a couple every night. I doubt many lifelong members do that. I want their papers to show up this week sooooooooooooo badly! Then, we could have a wedding and all on Christmas, too!
Well, I need to be going. I love you all so much. I am going to be calling you all around 11am YOUR TIME on Saturday. Give or take half an hour. I am way pumped to have all of those toy cars to give the little spanish kids. They are going to love Hermano Pearson. Hahahhahaha. I love you all and I hope this week is 100% excellent for you all. Matta's is in fact in my district! So, I should be able to go there. I will need to get President Ellsworth's permission to go! But I will try!
Con mi Amor,
Elder Pearson
(posted by Maddy)
Como estan? Espero que esten bien y que esten listos para hablar me en el sabado. Estoy animado para llamarles!
But seriously, we are going over to the Black Family's home on Saturday morning. We will be going there around 9am in the morning. There are 4 of us elders going so I am going to let the other 3 call first because they all live further east than you all. Elder Hernandez has to call his family in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico right at 9am. Elder Williams is going to call his family in Montgomery, Alabama at 10am, Elder Biddle is calling his family at 11am (Billings, Montana), and I am going last around noon to call you all. So, at around 11am your time I should be calling. You should all be done with presents and such by then and be ready to chat. I sure hope so! I have a ton to tell you all and it will be great to hear your voices. I too want to save some for the call, but I will write enough to keep your minds turned on while you read!
Saturday night at 7pm Anthony Cruz is getting baptized. He is the boy in the picture that was sent to you by Hna. Cruz. He is 12 and the only remaining member of his family that needs baptism. His dad was going to baptize him, but he does not feel quite prepared so Anthony asked me to do it instead. It was my goal to never get my baptismal clothes wet, but hey, I guess I have to do it sometime, so why not on Christmas?!?! I think a ton of people should be there at the baptism. The ward is finally catching on to the missionary spirit. It is getting exciting. The Liahona 4th ward once was the center of missionary work in Arizona. It kind of died off due to a number of somewhat lazy and apostate missionaries. They used to have 70+ baptisms a year, but right now it is at less than 20 this year. However, with Anthony we will have had a baptism every weekend in the ward for 6 weeks! I really want to be a part of turning this ward around and making it the powerhouse it once was. I want to get this area EXPLODING with so many investigators that they have to split the area. With the pace we are going, it is not too far off.
Yesterday is a prime example of how awesome things are going in our ward now. We are expected to teach 20 lessons every 7 days. This works out to roughly 3 a day. Yesterday we taught 5 lessons. The mission average is 7 out of 20 lessons a week with a member present at the lesson. Yesterday all 5 were with a member. Today we have another 4 investigator lessons planned, all with member presents. By 2 days into the week we will have half of all of our lessons for the week with members at all of them!! WOOOO-HOOOO! I seriously love teaching with members. Many believe they have weak and inadequate testimonies. IT shocks them when in lesson they begin to bear testimony and realize just how strong their testimony really is. It has helped a lot of less actives to come out and teach with us. They are now way active and have even more powerful testimonies. I hope to have out area to 30 lessons a week by the time I leave here, which I sure hope is not soon. I want to stay here as long as possible. I love it.
Maddy and Will! With your two weeks off, you should all have a ton of time to help mom out in the house! Just kidding, kind of. I hope you all get to go snowboarding a few times during break. I talked to a few people here at the temple from Flagstaff and they said it is a great winter up there. Who is faster now? Maddy or Will? I think it would be Maddy. She was really getting good by the end of last year. You should all convince dad to take my board out and strap it on for a day! I think you could all have a lot of fun with that! OH! And you all never told me what you wanted for Christmas!
I mailed off a priority mail package last Friday so it should be getting there soon! When you get it, you can open it. I have presents in there for all of you (They are wrapped). DON'T OPEN THEM (the separate gifts) UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!! There is also a present for Grandma and Grandpa John in it. I think Grandpa John is going to get a few giggles out of it. I found it in a dried up canal. There are a few things that are not really presents. You can look through my old planners and dad can use the bike tubes I had from my stolen bike. The presents I all got you are pretty neat I think. The ones for you, Will and Maddy, are pretty relevant to yourselves and stuff that will happen kind of soon in life. I got one big present for all of the family. I hope you love it. It is for FHE and such and I love the stuff in it! Mom, the one wrapped in red construction paper is kind of a birthday/christmas present! I should be getting you a card though before your birthday, the tough part is that we do not have P-day again until new years after Christmas. Yeah, a long time.
Other than that, I am reading the Book of Mormon for the 3rd time on my mission now. I love the Story of the Tree of Life so much more now. When I read it I could not stop and so many thoughts and ideas came to mind. I could easily apply it all to myself and to each of my investigators. When you read the Book of Mormon with a true desire to gain inspiration, it is 20x more exciting. Every page is great, even the Isaiah chapters. I am in the middle of those right now. Chapter 18 I think of 2nd Nefi --- err Nephi. Those really are quite the brain twister. I really am trying hard to glean something from all of it. It is tough, but I am learning a ton of new things about the Gospel.
We set two baptismal dates last week in one day. One with Jocabed, and one with Maria Aragon. Jocabed has come to Church for the last two consecutive weeks and she is really growing to love it. She is getting swarmed by the women every week which is AWESOME! I really think she will be way ready by the date we set of January the 8th. She was pentecostal and for a while we were going to drop her. She believed in the gift of tongues....but the crazy one where you speak nonexistant languages. Now, she really understands what the Holy Ghost is. It is great.
With Maria, she set an Hastaqui with her boyfriend. He has until Feb. 5th to marry her or she is moving out and getting baptized.
Moises and Graciela are STILL waiting on her birth certificate. They are more than ready to be baptized. They read the Book of Mormon as a couple and pray as a couple every night. I doubt many lifelong members do that. I want their papers to show up this week sooooooooooooo badly! Then, we could have a wedding and all on Christmas, too!
Well, I need to be going. I love you all so much. I am going to be calling you all around 11am YOUR TIME on Saturday. Give or take half an hour. I am way pumped to have all of those toy cars to give the little spanish kids. They are going to love Hermano Pearson. Hahahhahaha. I love you all and I hope this week is 100% excellent for you all. Matta's is in fact in my district! So, I should be able to go there. I will need to get President Ellsworth's permission to go! But I will try!
Con mi Amor,
Elder Pearson
(posted by Maddy)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Family of Mine!
Dearest Family,
Thanks for all of the warm and loving emails. Especially the one with the picture of Maddy and Will up at the mountain. The mailman accidentally put a ski magazine in our mailbox and wow, was that a temptation or what! It makes me happy that you are all able to be enjoying yourselves during this time of year. While I miss you all, I know I need to be here and I really am happier here than I ever have been before in my life. Every day is good. Even the worst of days on the mission have really bright, shiny moments.
I got your package last thursday and it is sitting under our "Chrsitmas Tree". It is just a little electronic fiber optic doo-dad that looks like a little pine tree that lights up. It is pretty cool. It is enough to make me feel like it is Christmas time. I found some wrapping paper in a closet so I wrapped up the package and it is under the tree. Elder Williams got a stocking full of snacks. It was meant to be a christmas package but he did not know. So we are eating it all.
I will indeed be busy on Christmas. We are eating at an American Family in our ward's house. Brother and Sister Black. They are pretty old, like in their 80's. BUT! They love missionaries and they said we could use their phones to call home. We are headed there at 9am on Christmas morning, so I will probably call late morning to early afternoon. I will let you know more specifically as it gets closer. We still have like two more weeks! It sounds like we should have about an hour of talk time on Christmas. I figure that should be plenty. You should invite Mel and Grandma, and Grandpa, and everyone else over. It will be almost like I am there.
Plans are still in place for the three baptisms on Christmas Day! I am way excited. We will probably do them later in the evening. It will pretty much be the most incredible Christmas I have ever had. I am way, way, way more excited for Christmas this year than I ever have been before.
This past Sunday, we had a baptism! It was the little girl named Estrella. She turns 10 this week. She has been ready forever, it has just been a matter of getting permission from her mom. Her mom finally signed and Estrella is now a member! Her dad, Emilio, was so jealous of her he started to cry. He really wants to be baptized. But, he is in the process of dropping smoking and his wife, Luz, is married to another man in Mexico. They need to get that fixed before he can get baptized. He wants it so bad though. It breaks my heart to see him being held back by legalities, but hey, it is the Lord's Commandment. The Mom Luz is going to start coming to Church again, the Women of the ward really fellowshipped her well at the baptism. I pray she makes a turn in Faith.
I worked Christmas lights again last week. It was fun, but there was almost no one there. It was kind of like a desert. The nice part was is that I had a lot of peacful time in which I could think and really focus on the Spirit there at the temple. It was great. Christmas lights really is nuts. We have recieved 20 or so refferals because of lights and we get 1-2 more every day.
Will asked how many people I am teaching. People we teach frequently is about 10 families. People we teach overall is about 35-40. It keeps us really busy on our bikes. Just to name them all, to see if I can. We have Emilio, Moises, Graciela, Santo, Emilio, Jocabed, Guadalupe, Isabel, Martin, Angel, Dina, Diana, Fernando, Benjamin, Bernancio, Katy, Grabriel, Alejandra, Rick, Juan, Miguel, Jose, Rosario, Maria, Alvaro, Anthony...and many, many more. The named ones are just the primary bunch we see a few times every week.
A lot of miracles happened in the last week. We have a lot of investigators who read and pray, but can't seem to get to Church. One of such is Jocabed. She is the Sister-in-law of one of our members. She is in her 30's and has one little girl, Leilani. She was raised pentecostal, speaking in tongues and all. Well, she came to Church on Sunday and though it was different, she really loved it. She really, really like Relief Society and it made a huge difference. She decided to finally pray about the Book of Mormon and she said she knows it is ture because god keeps making her want to read it. She said now she is looking for her answer about Joseph Smith. I am sure that will come quickly. Then, it will just be a matter of a paper and an interview and she is the newest member of the Liahona 4th ward.
Last week we had a lot of success in having members come out and help up. Every lesson with a member is like 5 without. They can put a name and a face to the Church who does not wear a nametag such as myself. We taught 24 lessons which is the most I have ever taught in a week thus far. Even though my bikes was stolen and other chaos, it was an awesome week! I have tons more I could tell you all, but I have ton to do today.
We have cleaning inspections tomorrow and the cleaning inspection missionary couple are CRAZY! My apartment has had missionaries in it for 12 years. You can imagine how dirty it is.
I love you all so much and I thank you for supporting me every step of the way. I am loving every minute of my mission and I am blessing the lives of others with the help of you, and most importantly, the help of out Heavenly Father. I know you are all being blessed back home and I am excited to talk to you all relatively soon. Let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you all from afar. I will do whatever is possible!
Also, Maddy, congrats on Personal Progress. Duty to God is one of the many opportunities I looked over. You are a hard worker that I am proud to call my sister. The scariest thing to me right now is that in 6 months you will be driving....BY YOURSELF! You are growing up way, way too quick.
I love you and you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Your Son/Bro
Elder Jonathan Pearson
(posted by Maddy)
Thanks for all of the warm and loving emails. Especially the one with the picture of Maddy and Will up at the mountain. The mailman accidentally put a ski magazine in our mailbox and wow, was that a temptation or what! It makes me happy that you are all able to be enjoying yourselves during this time of year. While I miss you all, I know I need to be here and I really am happier here than I ever have been before in my life. Every day is good. Even the worst of days on the mission have really bright, shiny moments.
I got your package last thursday and it is sitting under our "Chrsitmas Tree". It is just a little electronic fiber optic doo-dad that looks like a little pine tree that lights up. It is pretty cool. It is enough to make me feel like it is Christmas time. I found some wrapping paper in a closet so I wrapped up the package and it is under the tree. Elder Williams got a stocking full of snacks. It was meant to be a christmas package but he did not know. So we are eating it all.
I will indeed be busy on Christmas. We are eating at an American Family in our ward's house. Brother and Sister Black. They are pretty old, like in their 80's. BUT! They love missionaries and they said we could use their phones to call home. We are headed there at 9am on Christmas morning, so I will probably call late morning to early afternoon. I will let you know more specifically as it gets closer. We still have like two more weeks! It sounds like we should have about an hour of talk time on Christmas. I figure that should be plenty. You should invite Mel and Grandma, and Grandpa, and everyone else over. It will be almost like I am there.
Plans are still in place for the three baptisms on Christmas Day! I am way excited. We will probably do them later in the evening. It will pretty much be the most incredible Christmas I have ever had. I am way, way, way more excited for Christmas this year than I ever have been before.
This past Sunday, we had a baptism! It was the little girl named Estrella. She turns 10 this week. She has been ready forever, it has just been a matter of getting permission from her mom. Her mom finally signed and Estrella is now a member! Her dad, Emilio, was so jealous of her he started to cry. He really wants to be baptized. But, he is in the process of dropping smoking and his wife, Luz, is married to another man in Mexico. They need to get that fixed before he can get baptized. He wants it so bad though. It breaks my heart to see him being held back by legalities, but hey, it is the Lord's Commandment. The Mom Luz is going to start coming to Church again, the Women of the ward really fellowshipped her well at the baptism. I pray she makes a turn in Faith.
I worked Christmas lights again last week. It was fun, but there was almost no one there. It was kind of like a desert. The nice part was is that I had a lot of peacful time in which I could think and really focus on the Spirit there at the temple. It was great. Christmas lights really is nuts. We have recieved 20 or so refferals because of lights and we get 1-2 more every day.
Will asked how many people I am teaching. People we teach frequently is about 10 families. People we teach overall is about 35-40. It keeps us really busy on our bikes. Just to name them all, to see if I can. We have Emilio, Moises, Graciela, Santo, Emilio, Jocabed, Guadalupe, Isabel, Martin, Angel, Dina, Diana, Fernando, Benjamin, Bernancio, Katy, Grabriel, Alejandra, Rick, Juan, Miguel, Jose, Rosario, Maria, Alvaro, Anthony...and many, many more. The named ones are just the primary bunch we see a few times every week.
A lot of miracles happened in the last week. We have a lot of investigators who read and pray, but can't seem to get to Church. One of such is Jocabed. She is the Sister-in-law of one of our members. She is in her 30's and has one little girl, Leilani. She was raised pentecostal, speaking in tongues and all. Well, she came to Church on Sunday and though it was different, she really loved it. She really, really like Relief Society and it made a huge difference. She decided to finally pray about the Book of Mormon and she said she knows it is ture because god keeps making her want to read it. She said now she is looking for her answer about Joseph Smith. I am sure that will come quickly. Then, it will just be a matter of a paper and an interview and she is the newest member of the Liahona 4th ward.
Last week we had a lot of success in having members come out and help up. Every lesson with a member is like 5 without. They can put a name and a face to the Church who does not wear a nametag such as myself. We taught 24 lessons which is the most I have ever taught in a week thus far. Even though my bikes was stolen and other chaos, it was an awesome week! I have tons more I could tell you all, but I have ton to do today.
We have cleaning inspections tomorrow and the cleaning inspection missionary couple are CRAZY! My apartment has had missionaries in it for 12 years. You can imagine how dirty it is.
I love you all so much and I thank you for supporting me every step of the way. I am loving every minute of my mission and I am blessing the lives of others with the help of you, and most importantly, the help of out Heavenly Father. I know you are all being blessed back home and I am excited to talk to you all relatively soon. Let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you all from afar. I will do whatever is possible!
Also, Maddy, congrats on Personal Progress. Duty to God is one of the many opportunities I looked over. You are a hard worker that I am proud to call my sister. The scariest thing to me right now is that in 6 months you will be driving....BY YOURSELF! You are growing up way, way too quick.
I love you and you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Your Son/Bro
Elder Jonathan Pearson
(posted by Maddy)
News of the week!
Hey Fam!
I am indeed quite jealous of you all and your snowy adventures. It has been really cold and dark here. Some days it almost feels like I am in Oregon. It is alright though, I know the mountains will still be there two winters from now. As for the hot wax, I do it about every 5-6th time that I go to the mountain. It also depends on which wax you are using on the skis/boards. The higher quality, flourinated wax holds up longer and is faster.
We have a baptism coming up this Sunday. It is a little girl named Estrella (Star) who has been ready for a long time, her mom would just not sign the sheet until she was behaving a little better. She did such and now we have a baptism this week! WOOOOT! It has been a long time coming. Her dad is progressing and I believe that soon he will be entering the waters of baptism, too.
Moises and Graciela still have not recieved Graciela's birth certificate. They are awaiting that and we are planning on doing the wedding/baptism on Christmas day. So, we should have a total of three baptisms on Christmas. With talking to you, a wedding, and a 3 baptisms, this will assuredly be the best Christmas I have ever had. Nothing makes me happier than seeing lives change. Something sad did happen yesterday with Moises and Graciela. She was 2.5 months pregnant, but she lost the baby yesterday. She fasted on Sunday and I really hope that that did not have anything to do with the misscarriage.
The Mesa Temple pageant is indeed at easter time. This time is year is just all of the lights, and then every night a choir performs for about an hour on a stage right in front of the temple. It is a pretty powerful performance most of the time. We spent 3-4 nights there in the last week.
Thanks for keeping me up to date with all of the other missionaries. Any idea how Sawyer is doing in the Carribean? I would love to hear an update on him. I am really glad to be here in Mesa. There is an incredible member support system here that I doubt is in any other mission outside of Utah. In fact, I am 100% sure of that. Why you may be asking? Well, do I have a story for you all.
Satuday night we went to teach two brothers, Angel and Martin. They are 19 and 25 respectively and work as axmen at a tree cutting company. There boss is a member in an english ward, but he served in Chile 40 years ago. We met Hno. King (boss) over at there house on Ingram Street. This is by far the roughest part of Mesa. There are shootings and robberies that happen there nightly. I hate being on this street at night. Well, out appointment was at 8pm, well after dark. We show up, lock up our bikes to the chain link fence pole, and head on in to teach. We teach and INCREDIBLE lesson. They really grasped why we needed a Restoration and why they needed to read the Book of Mormon. They committed to reading and praying. Next step is getting them to Church. We were so excited after the lesson. We left the house laughing and smiling. Then, Brother King chatted with us for a while. Then he asked, "So, where's you put your bikes?"...............yeah. Well, I turned around and looked at the pole where we had locked the bikes. They were gone. The had yanked to fence pole out of the ground and clipped the chain link fence. Both of our bikes were stolen. Gone. I was furious. I still am a little furious. I had no idea what we were going to do. That was like $500 worth of my stuff, GONE!
Well, the miracle of mesa is that the next day at Church Bro. King asked around about getting us some bikes to use in the meantime. The Elders Quorum President of his ward said he had a bike he never used sitting in his garage. Brand new, never ridden. He gave it to me. A Trek 820 ST. I mean, it is nothing incredible fancy, but it is a Trek so it is of pretty admirable quality. I have a bike. The issue is that it has awful tires. I popped both already in one day. I am going to a bike store later today to buy a set of higher quality tires and thicker tubes. A terrible situation was covered by a miracle. I could have been set back $100's of dollars. But, a member pulled through and Elder Williams and I once again have bikes. It does amaze me how desperate those thieves were that they essentially took down a fence for the bikes. Angel and Martin said people have often stolen their washer and dryer out of their DEADBOLTED shed in the back of their house. Ingram is just the worst street in Mesa. It would take a steel cage to not have a bike taken I guess...but all is well now!
I am in the process of trying to catch up on writing everyone that has written me.
My greatest joy of the last week comes in the form of that we had members in 14 of 21 lessons! 67% with members present is so good! It helps our investigators out so much. One thing you could do is ask the elders when you could go out and teach with them. It really does not hurt your image in the community, it helps it. It also helps to accomplish the three needs of every recent convert. A friend, and assignment, and the nourishment of the good word of God. Do those things and be a part of those things as much as you can! The best members that come out to teach with us are all of those who have kids on missions. They rock!
Overall this last week was incredibly humbling. I prayed daily that the Lord would bless me with patience and humility. As my bike was stolen, I can honestly say that the Lord blessed me with that trial. I could have just given up and called it quits when a ton of my money just went missing. I could have just quit trying. But, every time those thoughts crossed my mind, the Spirit inspired me of how to cope with my challenge. Right when I noticed the bike was stolen, I felt a really strange sense of peace and comfort. I knew everything was going to be ok. Sure enough, the Holy Ghost was bearing wittness to me that I was going to be taken care of. My testimony of the Gospel has quadrupled while I have been here in the field. I know that when we try out absolute best every day to keep the commandments, the Lord watches over us just as you (Mom & Dad) did to me as I grew up. As I have been here on the mission, I have seen a few of my bad habits simply disappear as my desire to serve the Lord has grown. I guess you figure I am 25% done with the mission by now (Maddy said that...) and I think I am finally starting to understand the purpose to all of this. I am more easily recognizing the guidance of the Holy Ghost in my life. Some things that I merely once believe, I now know with a firmness of mind. I love my mission more than anything else. I know that regardless of where one is sent on their mission, they are going to enjoy it.
I love you all so much. I pray for you. I fast for you. You are always in my heart and mind, but you are only on my mind when it is breakfast, lunch, or bedtime. All the other time is for the Lord and for God's children. You are in my prayers!
With all my love,
Elder Jonathan Pearson
PS - I do not have any idea how the phone call home works. None at all! I will let you all know as soon as I do! Oh, and I met an RM in my ward who just got home from the Portland Mission, Spanish Speaking. He said the TV Hwy Spanish branch is huge and that I need to attend that ward after my mission. I will for sure!
(Posted By Maddy)
I am indeed quite jealous of you all and your snowy adventures. It has been really cold and dark here. Some days it almost feels like I am in Oregon. It is alright though, I know the mountains will still be there two winters from now. As for the hot wax, I do it about every 5-6th time that I go to the mountain. It also depends on which wax you are using on the skis/boards. The higher quality, flourinated wax holds up longer and is faster.
We have a baptism coming up this Sunday. It is a little girl named Estrella (Star) who has been ready for a long time, her mom would just not sign the sheet until she was behaving a little better. She did such and now we have a baptism this week! WOOOOT! It has been a long time coming. Her dad is progressing and I believe that soon he will be entering the waters of baptism, too.
Moises and Graciela still have not recieved Graciela's birth certificate. They are awaiting that and we are planning on doing the wedding/baptism on Christmas day. So, we should have a total of three baptisms on Christmas. With talking to you, a wedding, and a 3 baptisms, this will assuredly be the best Christmas I have ever had. Nothing makes me happier than seeing lives change. Something sad did happen yesterday with Moises and Graciela. She was 2.5 months pregnant, but she lost the baby yesterday. She fasted on Sunday and I really hope that that did not have anything to do with the misscarriage.
The Mesa Temple pageant is indeed at easter time. This time is year is just all of the lights, and then every night a choir performs for about an hour on a stage right in front of the temple. It is a pretty powerful performance most of the time. We spent 3-4 nights there in the last week.
Thanks for keeping me up to date with all of the other missionaries. Any idea how Sawyer is doing in the Carribean? I would love to hear an update on him. I am really glad to be here in Mesa. There is an incredible member support system here that I doubt is in any other mission outside of Utah. In fact, I am 100% sure of that. Why you may be asking? Well, do I have a story for you all.
Satuday night we went to teach two brothers, Angel and Martin. They are 19 and 25 respectively and work as axmen at a tree cutting company. There boss is a member in an english ward, but he served in Chile 40 years ago. We met Hno. King (boss) over at there house on Ingram Street. This is by far the roughest part of Mesa. There are shootings and robberies that happen there nightly. I hate being on this street at night. Well, out appointment was at 8pm, well after dark. We show up, lock up our bikes to the chain link fence pole, and head on in to teach. We teach and INCREDIBLE lesson. They really grasped why we needed a Restoration and why they needed to read the Book of Mormon. They committed to reading and praying. Next step is getting them to Church. We were so excited after the lesson. We left the house laughing and smiling. Then, Brother King chatted with us for a while. Then he asked, "So, where's you put your bikes?"...............yeah. Well, I turned around and looked at the pole where we had locked the bikes. They were gone. The had yanked to fence pole out of the ground and clipped the chain link fence. Both of our bikes were stolen. Gone. I was furious. I still am a little furious. I had no idea what we were going to do. That was like $500 worth of my stuff, GONE!
Well, the miracle of mesa is that the next day at Church Bro. King asked around about getting us some bikes to use in the meantime. The Elders Quorum President of his ward said he had a bike he never used sitting in his garage. Brand new, never ridden. He gave it to me. A Trek 820 ST. I mean, it is nothing incredible fancy, but it is a Trek so it is of pretty admirable quality. I have a bike. The issue is that it has awful tires. I popped both already in one day. I am going to a bike store later today to buy a set of higher quality tires and thicker tubes. A terrible situation was covered by a miracle. I could have been set back $100's of dollars. But, a member pulled through and Elder Williams and I once again have bikes. It does amaze me how desperate those thieves were that they essentially took down a fence for the bikes. Angel and Martin said people have often stolen their washer and dryer out of their DEADBOLTED shed in the back of their house. Ingram is just the worst street in Mesa. It would take a steel cage to not have a bike taken I guess...but all is well now!
I am in the process of trying to catch up on writing everyone that has written me.
My greatest joy of the last week comes in the form of that we had members in 14 of 21 lessons! 67% with members present is so good! It helps our investigators out so much. One thing you could do is ask the elders when you could go out and teach with them. It really does not hurt your image in the community, it helps it. It also helps to accomplish the three needs of every recent convert. A friend, and assignment, and the nourishment of the good word of God. Do those things and be a part of those things as much as you can! The best members that come out to teach with us are all of those who have kids on missions. They rock!
Overall this last week was incredibly humbling. I prayed daily that the Lord would bless me with patience and humility. As my bike was stolen, I can honestly say that the Lord blessed me with that trial. I could have just given up and called it quits when a ton of my money just went missing. I could have just quit trying. But, every time those thoughts crossed my mind, the Spirit inspired me of how to cope with my challenge. Right when I noticed the bike was stolen, I felt a really strange sense of peace and comfort. I knew everything was going to be ok. Sure enough, the Holy Ghost was bearing wittness to me that I was going to be taken care of. My testimony of the Gospel has quadrupled while I have been here in the field. I know that when we try out absolute best every day to keep the commandments, the Lord watches over us just as you (Mom & Dad) did to me as I grew up. As I have been here on the mission, I have seen a few of my bad habits simply disappear as my desire to serve the Lord has grown. I guess you figure I am 25% done with the mission by now (Maddy said that...) and I think I am finally starting to understand the purpose to all of this. I am more easily recognizing the guidance of the Holy Ghost in my life. Some things that I merely once believe, I now know with a firmness of mind. I love my mission more than anything else. I know that regardless of where one is sent on their mission, they are going to enjoy it.
I love you all so much. I pray for you. I fast for you. You are always in my heart and mind, but you are only on my mind when it is breakfast, lunch, or bedtime. All the other time is for the Lord and for God's children. You are in my prayers!
With all my love,
Elder Jonathan Pearson
PS - I do not have any idea how the phone call home works. None at all! I will let you all know as soon as I do! Oh, and I met an RM in my ward who just got home from the Portland Mission, Spanish Speaking. He said the TV Hwy Spanish branch is huge and that I need to attend that ward after my mission. I will for sure!
(Posted By Maddy)
RE: 2
Hey Mom!
Now, don't be hassling too many people to write me. I really don't have time to write back so it is tough when people write because I feel bad for not writing back.
Moises and Graciela are still waiting...but in the meantime they are helping us to fellowship and begin teaching Graciela's brother, Santo. He is very intelligent and taught himself how to speak english. He is currently out of working and just looking for some light in a time of darkness. I am excited to help him out and get him feeling God's love.
My experience of the week would definitely have to be last night! I worked Christmas lights at the temple for the very first time and it was INCREDIBLE!!!!!! It is like playing on the home court. Almost all of the hispanics I talked to were kind, accepting, and willing to have missionaries over! I talked to one family at the end who is having a hard time in life. Mom, Dad, and Daughter all just lost their jobs and 4 other kids live at home. The mother was really open with me and told me about all the stresses of life and how she loved the lights because she felt a peace there at the temple she had never felt for a very long time. I did my very best to help her understand that she can have that peace all of the time by doing just a few simple things and making just a few changes. Her countanance changed immediately and what was a rather blank face, decided to crack a smile for a moment. I felt so much love for this lady that I do not know. I am starting to know what charity feels like. I am starting to be able to love people I do not even know and it feels INCREDIBLE! The worst part is loving some of these people, and then having them get anti-ed and tell us to never come back. It is kind of heart breaking.
Also, the Despain's were at the Christmas Light's last night! They snuck up on me and said hello. We chatted for a while and it was just really cool to see some familiar faces.
I also met an RM who served in Antofogasta Chile and was companions with Elder Nielsen. I think it was Cam, not Casey. I am not sure though. You can tell them that one of their sons companions said he is doing well and having a lot of success!
Thanksgiving was great. I like Mexican Stuffing way better than American Stuffing. I have no idea what is in it, but I like it, a lot. A mission is expanding my food horizons. I even get excited to eat salads now. I hate dressing though. I like oil and vinegar! Hahaha.
I love being here and this is for 100% sure the best thing I have ever done. Don't every worry about me. I am healthy, strong, and I have plenty to do/eat.
Well, I gotta go!
(Posted By Maddy)
Now, don't be hassling too many people to write me. I really don't have time to write back so it is tough when people write because I feel bad for not writing back.
Moises and Graciela are still waiting...but in the meantime they are helping us to fellowship and begin teaching Graciela's brother, Santo. He is very intelligent and taught himself how to speak english. He is currently out of working and just looking for some light in a time of darkness. I am excited to help him out and get him feeling God's love.
My experience of the week would definitely have to be last night! I worked Christmas lights at the temple for the very first time and it was INCREDIBLE!!!!!! It is like playing on the home court. Almost all of the hispanics I talked to were kind, accepting, and willing to have missionaries over! I talked to one family at the end who is having a hard time in life. Mom, Dad, and Daughter all just lost their jobs and 4 other kids live at home. The mother was really open with me and told me about all the stresses of life and how she loved the lights because she felt a peace there at the temple she had never felt for a very long time. I did my very best to help her understand that she can have that peace all of the time by doing just a few simple things and making just a few changes. Her countanance changed immediately and what was a rather blank face, decided to crack a smile for a moment. I felt so much love for this lady that I do not know. I am starting to know what charity feels like. I am starting to be able to love people I do not even know and it feels INCREDIBLE! The worst part is loving some of these people, and then having them get anti-ed and tell us to never come back. It is kind of heart breaking.
Also, the Despain's were at the Christmas Light's last night! They snuck up on me and said hello. We chatted for a while and it was just really cool to see some familiar faces.
I also met an RM who served in Antofogasta Chile and was companions with Elder Nielsen. I think it was Cam, not Casey. I am not sure though. You can tell them that one of their sons companions said he is doing well and having a lot of success!
Thanksgiving was great. I like Mexican Stuffing way better than American Stuffing. I have no idea what is in it, but I like it, a lot. A mission is expanding my food horizons. I even get excited to eat salads now. I hate dressing though. I like oil and vinegar! Hahaha.
I love being here and this is for 100% sure the best thing I have ever done. Don't every worry about me. I am healthy, strong, and I have plenty to do/eat.
Well, I gotta go!
(Posted By Maddy)
RE:
Hey!
Interesting story about the Wedding and Baptisms...they did not happen. Moises, the husband, is a citizen of the states, but his wife, Graciela, is an illegal. In order to purchase the license she needs her birth certificate. She is having it mailed up here from Vera Cruz, Mexico so that could be taking a couple more weeks! We may just end up having the baptism and wedding on Christmas...everything there has been put on hold for the time being. The best thing of all is that they are not down on themselves and their testimonies have not been too shaken. Moises said he thinks this stumbling block is just a test God has put in his way to make him even stronger for when he gets baptized. That has got to be the best attitude of a person I have ever heard of.
Apart from that, I really do not have any interesting stories from the last week. My companion and I kind of hit a rough spot because of my interpertations of the rules and such. My take is a lot more rigid than is his own. This created some sense of disunity between us and overall it just made me a lot more tensed up about teaching with him. We had a great week with nearly 20 lessons, he just gets to a point every now and than where he gets lazy and sick and does not really want to push forward in faith. I have gained multiple witnesses of working through the hard times with faith and a smile always puts miracles in your path.
Perhaps the best example of this comes from a lesson Sunday Night. We ate dinner with some members down near the temple. The wife had cooked enchiladas and at first appearance they looked, smelled, and tasted fresh as could be. However, when I asked for one more enchilada, I saw that they had been reheated in a microwave. I got a really nervous feeling that I was about to get sick. Well, we finished up, sang them a song, and said a prayer. We hopped on our bikes and turned north to go to an appointment that we really did not expect to go through. Well, as we rode past my apartment, I felt really awful. Satan was trying all that he could to get me to just give up. Well, I also felt this feeling that I just kept on trucking and working hard through the pain, I would be fine. I told this to Elder Williams and he said we should go in, but I insisted on pedaling all the way to our appointment, no matter how slow I had to go. We got there about 10 minutes late, but we got there. To our surprise, Javier was there but asked if we could come back in about 10 minutes. We agreed of course. We were riding around the trailer park just talking to a lot of people and then one of our members came outside! She is the YW President, Hna. Castillo. Well, we just felt so inclined and asked her to come to the lesson with us. She came with us and Javier was ready to learn, along with 5 of his 6 kids!!! We taught them all in their humble little trailer in a real rough part of town, but the spirit was there. Though I wanted to give up and take a break, I knew that Javier needed us to be there. If I would have given in to the desires of my body, we probably would never have another chance to teach him again. However, I pushed through and the Lord blessed us because of it. We taught a great lesson and we have a HUGE family that is progressing now and I really think they will get baptized! The Lord blesses us when we drop our shoulders and push through the nitty and the gritty.
Apart from this, another highlight of the week was yesterday. I went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders. I was with Elder Morgan and Elder Williams was with Elder Hawkins. I went over into the Zone Leader's Area. I had a lot of questions on the rules and such and there is no one better to ask than a leader. He gave me one simple piece of advice. "If you would not do it with President Ellsworth there, you should just not do it." This piece of advice was simple but profound. It has already changed my language of conversation, train of though, and diligence in working. My biggest fear I am going to have to overcome is sprouting from having to correct Elder Williams. He is a great guy, but he likes to find loop-holes.
I too will miss you all over the next couple of weeks, but if you really think about it, less than 5 weeks from today we will have an hour to talk over the phone. That will be the sweetest present we all can recieve, love and kind words. I will continue to fast and pray for you mom, so that you can be happier, healthier, and just all around better. I really reccommend that you read all of the conference talks. They are FANTASTIC. I have felt the spirit so strongly while reading them. Richard G. Scott's Talk on Character really helped me. The same goes for President Uchtdorf on the Basics.
Elder Jonathan Pearson
(posted by Maddy)
Interesting story about the Wedding and Baptisms...they did not happen. Moises, the husband, is a citizen of the states, but his wife, Graciela, is an illegal. In order to purchase the license she needs her birth certificate. She is having it mailed up here from Vera Cruz, Mexico so that could be taking a couple more weeks! We may just end up having the baptism and wedding on Christmas...everything there has been put on hold for the time being. The best thing of all is that they are not down on themselves and their testimonies have not been too shaken. Moises said he thinks this stumbling block is just a test God has put in his way to make him even stronger for when he gets baptized. That has got to be the best attitude of a person I have ever heard of.
Apart from that, I really do not have any interesting stories from the last week. My companion and I kind of hit a rough spot because of my interpertations of the rules and such. My take is a lot more rigid than is his own. This created some sense of disunity between us and overall it just made me a lot more tensed up about teaching with him. We had a great week with nearly 20 lessons, he just gets to a point every now and than where he gets lazy and sick and does not really want to push forward in faith. I have gained multiple witnesses of working through the hard times with faith and a smile always puts miracles in your path.
Perhaps the best example of this comes from a lesson Sunday Night. We ate dinner with some members down near the temple. The wife had cooked enchiladas and at first appearance they looked, smelled, and tasted fresh as could be. However, when I asked for one more enchilada, I saw that they had been reheated in a microwave. I got a really nervous feeling that I was about to get sick. Well, we finished up, sang them a song, and said a prayer. We hopped on our bikes and turned north to go to an appointment that we really did not expect to go through. Well, as we rode past my apartment, I felt really awful. Satan was trying all that he could to get me to just give up. Well, I also felt this feeling that I just kept on trucking and working hard through the pain, I would be fine. I told this to Elder Williams and he said we should go in, but I insisted on pedaling all the way to our appointment, no matter how slow I had to go. We got there about 10 minutes late, but we got there. To our surprise, Javier was there but asked if we could come back in about 10 minutes. We agreed of course. We were riding around the trailer park just talking to a lot of people and then one of our members came outside! She is the YW President, Hna. Castillo. Well, we just felt so inclined and asked her to come to the lesson with us. She came with us and Javier was ready to learn, along with 5 of his 6 kids!!! We taught them all in their humble little trailer in a real rough part of town, but the spirit was there. Though I wanted to give up and take a break, I knew that Javier needed us to be there. If I would have given in to the desires of my body, we probably would never have another chance to teach him again. However, I pushed through and the Lord blessed us because of it. We taught a great lesson and we have a HUGE family that is progressing now and I really think they will get baptized! The Lord blesses us when we drop our shoulders and push through the nitty and the gritty.
Apart from this, another highlight of the week was yesterday. I went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders. I was with Elder Morgan and Elder Williams was with Elder Hawkins. I went over into the Zone Leader's Area. I had a lot of questions on the rules and such and there is no one better to ask than a leader. He gave me one simple piece of advice. "If you would not do it with President Ellsworth there, you should just not do it." This piece of advice was simple but profound. It has already changed my language of conversation, train of though, and diligence in working. My biggest fear I am going to have to overcome is sprouting from having to correct Elder Williams. He is a great guy, but he likes to find loop-holes.
I too will miss you all over the next couple of weeks, but if you really think about it, less than 5 weeks from today we will have an hour to talk over the phone. That will be the sweetest present we all can recieve, love and kind words. I will continue to fast and pray for you mom, so that you can be happier, healthier, and just all around better. I really reccommend that you read all of the conference talks. They are FANTASTIC. I have felt the spirit so strongly while reading them. Richard G. Scott's Talk on Character really helped me. The same goes for President Uchtdorf on the Basics.
Elder Jonathan Pearson
(posted by Maddy)
Mesa is Awsome!
Hola Familia Mia!
Today is November 16th and it is 80 degrees out at 10am. Where am I at in the world? Clearly the desert because I froze last night. Haha, well, I am loving the weather. It has not even settled in that I am nearing the Christmas Season. I am used to cold and wet and snowboarding signifying the approach of the holidays. Here, the only clue I have is that slowly the temple grounds are being laced with lights of many colors. I am getting WAY excited for temple lights because on New Years Eve, the missionaries of the Phoenix and Mesa missions all get together to sing in a missionary choir. I know this next transfer is probably the last for Blake Davis so I am hoping to see him there at the temple lights sometime. I also hope to see Tyler Oliver and I think Derek Wood should be out in the field now, no? It would be so awesome to have a bethany ward/cedar mill stake missionary reunion at the temple! My companion and I are going to try and be at the temple every night with an investigator. The spirit on the temple grounds is so strong. I wuss up and usually end up crying by the time I leave every time.
As for the Family that sent you the email with the picture, they are the Cruz Family. Mom, Alizia, goes by Dora. Then you have dad, who is a truck driver looking for more steady work, and three kids named Samira, Alondra, and Anthony. Every one is a member in the family except for Anthony, the 12 year old boy. Elder Williams and I are in the process of teaching and preparing him to be baptized so that his family can be sealed. During weekly planning last week, Elder Williams and I felt inspired to set a date with Anthony for December the 25th. He was hesitant when we told him, but we know he will be ready by then. He knows everything is true and all, but he can not grasp that sin is sin whether you are baptized or not. We are planning on teaching him about how once you are baptized you recieve the Holy Ghost, which can be a help and a guide to keep you from falling into sin. His hold back is that when he turns 21, he wants to be able to drink...he thinks it is cool. It ultimately comes down to a matter of he has terribly awful friends as his influences.
Apart from this, this saturday two of our investigators are being married and baptized! They are so ready it is nuts. We went to the temple with them one last time as investigators sunday night and it was so exciting to tell them that in one year, they could be inside as an entire family and sealed for all eternity. The Husband, Moises, really grasped this and he wants nothing more. He is going to be a powerful member of the Church. The wife is still learning, but her entire countanance has changed since we began teaching her. She is happy, she talks, she reads, and best of all she makes us tamales! She has cooked us tons of food and she is good at it. The only issue is that she LOOOOOOVES spice. I always suffer in the bathroom the day after eating her food. I love it though!
For turkey day, a single lady (wealthy as all get out) has offered to feed all of the missionaries in our zone. So, it sounds like I should be getting a fairly traditional thanksgiving here. Probably just mass production style. This will be good because mexican thanksgiving is pretty rediculous from what I hear. They don't eat turkey, they don't eat pie. They have some drink that is baiscally like a bean smoothie. I hope I can avoid that one. I have not grown to like beans quite that much yet! You can all rest assured, I will be well fed and quite comfortable on thanksgiving day! Also, we start Christmas lights that day! YEAH! (If you can not tell, I am way excited...)
Stake conference was EXCELLENT! The Presiding Bishop, Sister Thompson (Gen. Relief Society), Elder Cook, and President Monson spoke. All of our investigators, recent converts, and life long members loved President Monson's talk. He spoke on serving others regardless of economic status, race, belief, habits, etc. I think this message was well needed for the members of my ward. Member retention in the Liahona 4th ward is pretty poor. Of 38 baptized last year, 17 are still active. 7 of those just moved to New Mexico. Home Teaching is below 25% and yeah, I could go on. I think that this was a sincere kick in the pants to our members and I have faith that things are about to change!
Sister Thompson's talk was fantastic, too! She spoke on the need of the Book of Mormon and how one is able to gain their own personal testimony of it's truthfulness. For our investigators, this was pure GOLD! One investigator, Guadalupe was really effected by this I think.
We taught a lesson with her last night and we read from Moroni Chapter(s) 7 and 10. Essentially, we are guiding her along the path to know that the Book of Mormon is from God. She loves the Book, but she just needs an answer before being baptized. She also will need to marry her husband or leave him. I would kind of hope for the latter because he is abusive and a drunk. There is a divorced, single man in our ward who is a recent convert to the Church. Armando Lopez. Elder Williams and I think they should pair up, but that is not our job as missionaries so we will allow Guadalupe to make her own decisions in that respect!
Dad! That one investigator I wanted to drop, Rick, came to Stake Conference and he love, love, loved it! We taught him also yesterday and he is actually progressing now! He said he loves the feeling of our church and he has an earnest desire to know if the Book of Mormon is true. He says, "The hardest thing for me to swallow right now is the story of Mr. Smith (Joseph Smith). Before I make any promises I need to gain a belief in what happened with him." When he said this, I just smiled. He is finally realizing what he needs to do to be able to find more happiness in life and more faith in Christ. We re-taught him the restoration and it actually made sense to him this time. He is a man of details so to explain the apostasy we had to teach him the whole history of the Catholic Church coming to power thtough constantine and such and then the reformation breaking ground for the restoration. Teaching in such depth really strengthened my testimony of the restoration. It is so clear that the world was being prepared for it. It is SO CLEAR!
All I heard from was my loyal and dear mother this week! Also from Grandma Sharon. I hope the rest of you are all doing well and enjoying yourselves. Know that I miss you and love you. Also, know that my mission is changing me as a person. Daily I find new faults and weaknesses that I am forced to improve. This mission is the greatest blessing ever to me, and I know that it is blessing you all as well! I love you and pray for you. Be happy, be safe, have fun, and go snowboarding for me! I miss you, but I don't want this to end! I NEED to be here!
With all my love,
Elder Jonathan Alma Pearson
(posted By Maddy)
Today is November 16th and it is 80 degrees out at 10am. Where am I at in the world? Clearly the desert because I froze last night. Haha, well, I am loving the weather. It has not even settled in that I am nearing the Christmas Season. I am used to cold and wet and snowboarding signifying the approach of the holidays. Here, the only clue I have is that slowly the temple grounds are being laced with lights of many colors. I am getting WAY excited for temple lights because on New Years Eve, the missionaries of the Phoenix and Mesa missions all get together to sing in a missionary choir. I know this next transfer is probably the last for Blake Davis so I am hoping to see him there at the temple lights sometime. I also hope to see Tyler Oliver and I think Derek Wood should be out in the field now, no? It would be so awesome to have a bethany ward/cedar mill stake missionary reunion at the temple! My companion and I are going to try and be at the temple every night with an investigator. The spirit on the temple grounds is so strong. I wuss up and usually end up crying by the time I leave every time.
As for the Family that sent you the email with the picture, they are the Cruz Family. Mom, Alizia, goes by Dora. Then you have dad, who is a truck driver looking for more steady work, and three kids named Samira, Alondra, and Anthony. Every one is a member in the family except for Anthony, the 12 year old boy. Elder Williams and I are in the process of teaching and preparing him to be baptized so that his family can be sealed. During weekly planning last week, Elder Williams and I felt inspired to set a date with Anthony for December the 25th. He was hesitant when we told him, but we know he will be ready by then. He knows everything is true and all, but he can not grasp that sin is sin whether you are baptized or not. We are planning on teaching him about how once you are baptized you recieve the Holy Ghost, which can be a help and a guide to keep you from falling into sin. His hold back is that when he turns 21, he wants to be able to drink...he thinks it is cool. It ultimately comes down to a matter of he has terribly awful friends as his influences.
Apart from this, this saturday two of our investigators are being married and baptized! They are so ready it is nuts. We went to the temple with them one last time as investigators sunday night and it was so exciting to tell them that in one year, they could be inside as an entire family and sealed for all eternity. The Husband, Moises, really grasped this and he wants nothing more. He is going to be a powerful member of the Church. The wife is still learning, but her entire countanance has changed since we began teaching her. She is happy, she talks, she reads, and best of all she makes us tamales! She has cooked us tons of food and she is good at it. The only issue is that she LOOOOOOVES spice. I always suffer in the bathroom the day after eating her food. I love it though!
For turkey day, a single lady (wealthy as all get out) has offered to feed all of the missionaries in our zone. So, it sounds like I should be getting a fairly traditional thanksgiving here. Probably just mass production style. This will be good because mexican thanksgiving is pretty rediculous from what I hear. They don't eat turkey, they don't eat pie. They have some drink that is baiscally like a bean smoothie. I hope I can avoid that one. I have not grown to like beans quite that much yet! You can all rest assured, I will be well fed and quite comfortable on thanksgiving day! Also, we start Christmas lights that day! YEAH! (If you can not tell, I am way excited...)
Stake conference was EXCELLENT! The Presiding Bishop, Sister Thompson (Gen. Relief Society), Elder Cook, and President Monson spoke. All of our investigators, recent converts, and life long members loved President Monson's talk. He spoke on serving others regardless of economic status, race, belief, habits, etc. I think this message was well needed for the members of my ward. Member retention in the Liahona 4th ward is pretty poor. Of 38 baptized last year, 17 are still active. 7 of those just moved to New Mexico. Home Teaching is below 25% and yeah, I could go on. I think that this was a sincere kick in the pants to our members and I have faith that things are about to change!
Sister Thompson's talk was fantastic, too! She spoke on the need of the Book of Mormon and how one is able to gain their own personal testimony of it's truthfulness. For our investigators, this was pure GOLD! One investigator, Guadalupe was really effected by this I think.
We taught a lesson with her last night and we read from Moroni Chapter(s) 7 and 10. Essentially, we are guiding her along the path to know that the Book of Mormon is from God. She loves the Book, but she just needs an answer before being baptized. She also will need to marry her husband or leave him. I would kind of hope for the latter because he is abusive and a drunk. There is a divorced, single man in our ward who is a recent convert to the Church. Armando Lopez. Elder Williams and I think they should pair up, but that is not our job as missionaries so we will allow Guadalupe to make her own decisions in that respect!
Dad! That one investigator I wanted to drop, Rick, came to Stake Conference and he love, love, loved it! We taught him also yesterday and he is actually progressing now! He said he loves the feeling of our church and he has an earnest desire to know if the Book of Mormon is true. He says, "The hardest thing for me to swallow right now is the story of Mr. Smith (Joseph Smith). Before I make any promises I need to gain a belief in what happened with him." When he said this, I just smiled. He is finally realizing what he needs to do to be able to find more happiness in life and more faith in Christ. We re-taught him the restoration and it actually made sense to him this time. He is a man of details so to explain the apostasy we had to teach him the whole history of the Catholic Church coming to power thtough constantine and such and then the reformation breaking ground for the restoration. Teaching in such depth really strengthened my testimony of the restoration. It is so clear that the world was being prepared for it. It is SO CLEAR!
All I heard from was my loyal and dear mother this week! Also from Grandma Sharon. I hope the rest of you are all doing well and enjoying yourselves. Know that I miss you and love you. Also, know that my mission is changing me as a person. Daily I find new faults and weaknesses that I am forced to improve. This mission is the greatest blessing ever to me, and I know that it is blessing you all as well! I love you and pray for you. Be happy, be safe, have fun, and go snowboarding for me! I miss you, but I don't want this to end! I NEED to be here!
With all my love,
Elder Jonathan Alma Pearson
(posted By Maddy)
Saturday, November 13, 2010
1/6 of mission done...
It is funny that you mention sister Ladd and Rodio. They both used to serve in my ward that I am in now and I met them for the first time last week when Elder Evans came. They both are way nice and all speak great spanish. VC Sisters have a special spirit about them. They are really good with people and have really specialized and strong testimonies.
I wish I could see the Ocean right now, but that desire is slowly fading as I become more and more lost in the work. I love the people here more every week and my testimony grows by the minute. I know the ocean will still be there in two years. And hey, I just hit 4 months out, which is 1/6 of my mission. I hate to say it, but two years is gonna sneak up quick.
Today my zone did a session in the temple here in Mesa. On the way out I ran into an RM from Boise who had come back here to help in the sealing of a recent convert. He ended his mission in the Farmington Mission and started it in the Phoenix Mission. He knows Kess Garrity well (because he was AP) and he knew Blake Davis from the Phoenix mission. Small world out here in Mesa.
That Quote from Elder Holland you sent comes from his talk, "The Miracle of a Mission". I reccomend that you read it. After the quote you sent me he follows by saying something along the lines of, "Salvation should not be easy. Why? The road to salvation always leads through Gethsemane. It has to be hard because we need just a small taste of what Christ suffered."
This quote reminded me of a lesson I taught last night. We were teaching La Familia Silens (Ecuadorian). They are a family of 5, but their oldest son left home and is very anti. We were doing this as part of Elder L. Tom Perry's challenge to have all missionaries teach the members all three lessons. As mother, father, brother, and sister all sat listening to the restoration message, the brother asked, "I know families can be together forever, but what happens to a family if one person did not make it? The family would not really be together". The only answer my companion and I could come up with was that there is always a second chance, and that is because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Though their brother/son may be far from on the path, he does have the chance and ability to come back. The Spirit filled that room like I had never felt before. No one had a dry eye in the room. The mother felt assured that someday, her own prodigal son would come home. The fact that I could take part in this is humbling. I love the savior because of the power of the Atonement.
I am so glad that our family can be together forever. I am so glad I get to spend forever with you, Mom. I will never do anything to put that in jeopardy. I love you mom!
Elder Pearson
(posted By Maddy)
I wish I could see the Ocean right now, but that desire is slowly fading as I become more and more lost in the work. I love the people here more every week and my testimony grows by the minute. I know the ocean will still be there in two years. And hey, I just hit 4 months out, which is 1/6 of my mission. I hate to say it, but two years is gonna sneak up quick.
Today my zone did a session in the temple here in Mesa. On the way out I ran into an RM from Boise who had come back here to help in the sealing of a recent convert. He ended his mission in the Farmington Mission and started it in the Phoenix Mission. He knows Kess Garrity well (because he was AP) and he knew Blake Davis from the Phoenix mission. Small world out here in Mesa.
That Quote from Elder Holland you sent comes from his talk, "The Miracle of a Mission". I reccomend that you read it. After the quote you sent me he follows by saying something along the lines of, "Salvation should not be easy. Why? The road to salvation always leads through Gethsemane. It has to be hard because we need just a small taste of what Christ suffered."
This quote reminded me of a lesson I taught last night. We were teaching La Familia Silens (Ecuadorian). They are a family of 5, but their oldest son left home and is very anti. We were doing this as part of Elder L. Tom Perry's challenge to have all missionaries teach the members all three lessons. As mother, father, brother, and sister all sat listening to the restoration message, the brother asked, "I know families can be together forever, but what happens to a family if one person did not make it? The family would not really be together". The only answer my companion and I could come up with was that there is always a second chance, and that is because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Though their brother/son may be far from on the path, he does have the chance and ability to come back. The Spirit filled that room like I had never felt before. No one had a dry eye in the room. The mother felt assured that someday, her own prodigal son would come home. The fact that I could take part in this is humbling. I love the savior because of the power of the Atonement.
I am so glad that our family can be together forever. I am so glad I get to spend forever with you, Mom. I will never do anything to put that in jeopardy. I love you mom!
Elder Pearson
(posted By Maddy)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Hey Family!
What is up?!?!
This last week was hectic, but INCREDIBLE! We met every one of our goals at the least and exceeded many. We taught 5-6 lessons and day and set two baptismal/wedding dates! Moises and Graciela are officially getting married and baptized on November 20th. Moises told us at church that he bought her a ring and it is at the jewelers being sized! They are so excited for this and it is making me even more excited! They asked us at church if we would meet them at the temple again to teach them and walk around. Having investigators set lessons with us is awesome! I know that someone is really into the gospel when they want to go to the temple get married and set up appointments! AHHH! It is awesome. I love them so much. And, we reminded them that in a year, them and their son could enter the temple and be sealed. Graciela, who is usually fairly quiet, was glowing with excitment and could not quit talking about a year from now! They are absolutely incredible.
We also are teaching a young woman named Guadalupe. She is single and living on her own with her two daughters. She is catholic by tradition but really does not like the catholic church. She keep every committment we leave with her and the next time we teach her we are most assuredly inviting her to be baptized. She loves reading the Book of Mormon and she understands almost everything that she reads. The only struggle is getting her to church. Whenever she is going to be late, she will not come because of embarassment of walking in late. We are working with her on that.
This week was crazy because for 5 days we had Elder Biddle with us. He was in the MTC with me and he spent 5 days with myself and Elder Williams. Why you ask? Well, his companion/trainer/district leader does not have a good history in the mission of obedience nor respect. This transfer, his companion was assigned to once again train a new missionary. Elder Biddle's companion did not really like Elder Biddle a whole ton because Elder Biddle is 100% obedient. He got on his trainer's case when he slept in and broke rules, which I think is perfectly acceptable. Therefore, Elder Reid, Elder Biddle's companion, decided that we needed to have an exchange for a day. This turned into 2, then 4, then 5 days. This is 100% against mission rules and guidlines and therfore we called the zone leaders (Elder Morgan and Elder Hawkins). They in turn called President Ellsworth. To make a very long story short, Elder Reid was emergency transfered out of the area to be companions with the zone leaders in phoenix.
This crazy event just reminded me of how grateful I am for the two good companions that I have had. Elder Williams and I are like peanut butter and jelly together. We just work and we do our job well. Some people like us a lot, other people do not want to have anything to do with us. None the less, we teach, we find, and we set baptismal dates! The Lord is blessing us a lot and I am so glad for this.
I am not perfect as a missionary but evey day I am working hard to try and be just a little bit better and a lot more effective. I know that in due time, our area is going to be full of great investigators who are all going to be baptized and come to know and love Jesus Christ. As I see people do this, I just forget the rest of the world and what is going on. I am starting once again to love my investigators. I am starting to think about them all the time as if they were family.
One other thing I love about Elder Williams is that we have FANTASTIC companionship studies. We update the area book, we talk about out investigators, and even better we pray a lot about them. When Elder Holland came at the MTC, he said one thing all missionaries need to improve is their companionship study. With Elder Williams, I am definitely doing this. I am learning so much from him. Miracles are going to happen this transfer and the next because of our companionship. We really are doing well together.
OH! One other short story. There is this man Benjamin, I think I told you about him. He is almost 70 and living alone. He was baptized 12 years ago and went inactive ten years ago. He came to church on Sunday. He got there and some of the same people that were in the ward 12 years ago were still there. These people all came up and talked to him and welcomed him and showed him love. Benjamin rarely if ever smiles when we are there talking and teaching him. When these few sisters came and talked with him for just 10 or so mintutes, his smiles was huge and radiating. I could not help but shed a tear or two. I love him so much and feel so bad for him. Seeing him happy and smiling in church makes me soooooo happy! He reminds me of how lonely Grandma Pearson is so I wrote her a letter last week! I hope she recieves it and smiles just as Benjamin did.
Also, Elder Evans of the 1st quorum of the 70 came yesterday. It was fantastic. We focused on how to become more effective teachers and how to follow the spirit. They are making an appendix to Preach My Gosepl that is focused on making teaching more effective and personal for our investigators. One thing he also told us...If every member does their daily scripture study with Preach My Gospel and the Book of Mormon, missionary would would be 3 time more successful because members would know how to lightly approach their friends about the gospel. So family, that is my challenge to you. This week especially, I would like you all to focus on Chapter 4, How to Recognize the Spirit. That is probably my favorite chapter. Also, Mom and Dad, you both work around the youth some. Elder Evans said that the youth of the church often give the most effective and prepared people as refferals. It would really help the missionaries if you asked the young men and women more often to bring a friend to an activity or to invite missionaries over to their house to be taught. Elder Evans said that is lesson are taught to investigators in a member's home, baptism is 20x (he said it is proven by studies...?) more likely to happen. Also, if you can get someone to church 4 weeks in a row, 4 times out of 5 they will be baptized.
It was a good week. It was a hard week. I loved last week. I learned so much and had countless great experiences. I hope you will continue to be blessed and guided by Heavenly Father. I pray for you always because outside of the mission, you are the most important people to me in the world! I love you all so much.
Sincerely,
Elder Jonathan Pearson
(posted by Maddy)
This last week was hectic, but INCREDIBLE! We met every one of our goals at the least and exceeded many. We taught 5-6 lessons and day and set two baptismal/wedding dates! Moises and Graciela are officially getting married and baptized on November 20th. Moises told us at church that he bought her a ring and it is at the jewelers being sized! They are so excited for this and it is making me even more excited! They asked us at church if we would meet them at the temple again to teach them and walk around. Having investigators set lessons with us is awesome! I know that someone is really into the gospel when they want to go to the temple get married and set up appointments! AHHH! It is awesome. I love them so much. And, we reminded them that in a year, them and their son could enter the temple and be sealed. Graciela, who is usually fairly quiet, was glowing with excitment and could not quit talking about a year from now! They are absolutely incredible.
We also are teaching a young woman named Guadalupe. She is single and living on her own with her two daughters. She is catholic by tradition but really does not like the catholic church. She keep every committment we leave with her and the next time we teach her we are most assuredly inviting her to be baptized. She loves reading the Book of Mormon and she understands almost everything that she reads. The only struggle is getting her to church. Whenever she is going to be late, she will not come because of embarassment of walking in late. We are working with her on that.
This week was crazy because for 5 days we had Elder Biddle with us. He was in the MTC with me and he spent 5 days with myself and Elder Williams. Why you ask? Well, his companion/trainer/district leader does not have a good history in the mission of obedience nor respect. This transfer, his companion was assigned to once again train a new missionary. Elder Biddle's companion did not really like Elder Biddle a whole ton because Elder Biddle is 100% obedient. He got on his trainer's case when he slept in and broke rules, which I think is perfectly acceptable. Therefore, Elder Reid, Elder Biddle's companion, decided that we needed to have an exchange for a day. This turned into 2, then 4, then 5 days. This is 100% against mission rules and guidlines and therfore we called the zone leaders (Elder Morgan and Elder Hawkins). They in turn called President Ellsworth. To make a very long story short, Elder Reid was emergency transfered out of the area to be companions with the zone leaders in phoenix.
This crazy event just reminded me of how grateful I am for the two good companions that I have had. Elder Williams and I are like peanut butter and jelly together. We just work and we do our job well. Some people like us a lot, other people do not want to have anything to do with us. None the less, we teach, we find, and we set baptismal dates! The Lord is blessing us a lot and I am so glad for this.
I am not perfect as a missionary but evey day I am working hard to try and be just a little bit better and a lot more effective. I know that in due time, our area is going to be full of great investigators who are all going to be baptized and come to know and love Jesus Christ. As I see people do this, I just forget the rest of the world and what is going on. I am starting once again to love my investigators. I am starting to think about them all the time as if they were family.
One other thing I love about Elder Williams is that we have FANTASTIC companionship studies. We update the area book, we talk about out investigators, and even better we pray a lot about them. When Elder Holland came at the MTC, he said one thing all missionaries need to improve is their companionship study. With Elder Williams, I am definitely doing this. I am learning so much from him. Miracles are going to happen this transfer and the next because of our companionship. We really are doing well together.
OH! One other short story. There is this man Benjamin, I think I told you about him. He is almost 70 and living alone. He was baptized 12 years ago and went inactive ten years ago. He came to church on Sunday. He got there and some of the same people that were in the ward 12 years ago were still there. These people all came up and talked to him and welcomed him and showed him love. Benjamin rarely if ever smiles when we are there talking and teaching him. When these few sisters came and talked with him for just 10 or so mintutes, his smiles was huge and radiating. I could not help but shed a tear or two. I love him so much and feel so bad for him. Seeing him happy and smiling in church makes me soooooo happy! He reminds me of how lonely Grandma Pearson is so I wrote her a letter last week! I hope she recieves it and smiles just as Benjamin did.
Also, Elder Evans of the 1st quorum of the 70 came yesterday. It was fantastic. We focused on how to become more effective teachers and how to follow the spirit. They are making an appendix to Preach My Gosepl that is focused on making teaching more effective and personal for our investigators. One thing he also told us...If every member does their daily scripture study with Preach My Gospel and the Book of Mormon, missionary would would be 3 time more successful because members would know how to lightly approach their friends about the gospel. So family, that is my challenge to you. This week especially, I would like you all to focus on Chapter 4, How to Recognize the Spirit. That is probably my favorite chapter. Also, Mom and Dad, you both work around the youth some. Elder Evans said that the youth of the church often give the most effective and prepared people as refferals. It would really help the missionaries if you asked the young men and women more often to bring a friend to an activity or to invite missionaries over to their house to be taught. Elder Evans said that is lesson are taught to investigators in a member's home, baptism is 20x (he said it is proven by studies...?) more likely to happen. Also, if you can get someone to church 4 weeks in a row, 4 times out of 5 they will be baptized.
It was a good week. It was a hard week. I loved last week. I learned so much and had countless great experiences. I hope you will continue to be blessed and guided by Heavenly Father. I pray for you always because outside of the mission, you are the most important people to me in the world! I love you all so much.
Sincerely,
Elder Jonathan Pearson
(posted by Maddy)
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Week 2 in Mesa!
Hey family!
It is hard to believe and say that today officially began week two here in the new area. I emailed you all last week and pressed send. My email said that it went through but I guess that for some odd reason it did not. I pray that it made it through this time. If it did not, I am going to have to call the mission office and see what they can do about getting me a new email address. It would be sad if I lost all of the old emails though! My language study consisted of writing you all a letter in pure spanish so that should be coming in the mail here pretty soon. I hope dad still has the ability of translating it so that you can understand what it is that I was telling you all about.
If not, I am going to kind of recap here in this email.
Over the course of the last week, I have done a ton. I have not even come close to meeting all of the members of the ward here in Mesa. The Ward's name is the Liahona 4th ward. It has 300-400 members and they are all pretty active. This list of less actives that we recieve every week is actually quite short. I would say that it is about 20 members or so that are inactive. Not too shabby for a ward with hundreds of members.
My favorite experience is the last week occurred on Sunday Evening. We had an appointment with a couple who are some progressing investigators. The husband has wanted to be baptized for a while now, but it is only just recently that the wife has become involved in the Church. Their names are Moises & Graciela. They are in their late twenties and though they call eachother husband and wife, the reason Moises cannot be baptized is because he and Graciela are not actually married. The miracle of this all is that as of recent the two of them told the Elder's here before me that they just decided to get married. Also, both of them want to be baptized. So, we might get to do a wedd-ism here in the next few weeks! The reason that this was my favorite lesson of the week is because of where we did it. We did it here in Mesa at the Temple! We took a nice long walk around the temple and talked about what goes on inside the temple. They had their 1 year old son, Moises Jr., with them and they asked if he could come in. In return, I asked, "well, do you want him to live with you forever?" The mother answered, "Of Course!". I told her that was the answer to her question as well. I could really see them digesting everything they heard and saw. I wish we could teach every lesson on the temple grounds. The spirit is so strong there and everytime I walk around it everything just slows down and makes more sense.
After the lesson outside the temple, we went next door to the visitor's center. There is a man named Emilio and he has two daughters -- Estrella & Flor. We met the three of them in the visitors center. We watched "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" with them and I do not know why, but this time was especially strong for me. Something I have really been desiring and searching for as of late is a firmer more profound testimony of the First Vision. While watching the part where he was praying, I just was filled with peace and warmth to the point where I could not fight the Spirit and just started crying like a small child. The one daughter, Estrella, said to me when she saw a tear, "why does that make you sad?" It was hard to have he understand that in reality it made me oh so happy. After studying and praying and doing many other things to recieve a firmer knowledge of the veracity of the first vision, it finally came. It was not on my schedule, but on the Lord's. Part of "ask and recieve" is "seeking to find". I can now say with 100% of my heart that I know of a sureity that God and Jesus Christ appeared and spoke with Joseph. I believed it before, but I know it now.
Being at the temple is for sure my favorite place to be here on the mission. In some regards, I was somewhat disappointed when I got the news that I would be being transferred to Mesa. Phoenix was hectic, exciting, and fast paced. My area in Phoenix was gigantic. Here in Mesa on the other hand, everything is calm, easy-going, and quiet. My area is about 8 blocks by 8 blocks. It is mostly trailer parks and apartments and it is chock full of people who speak only spanish. Once again I have been blessed by being placed here in a great and alive part of the mission. The work is like wildfire here. We teach 3-4 lessons a day and I meet someone new daily. Cars always honk and people always wave. As a missionary here in the city of Mesa, you feel a lot more welcome and accepted than in Phoenix. Yeah, I can not say I live on the most dangerous street in Phoenix, but I can say I am surrounded by some of the kindest and loving people I have every met.
Here is my address by the way:
Elder Jonathan Pearson
1233 N Mesa Drive #1078
Mesa, AZ 85201
I am healthy, I am losing weight being on bike, and most important of all is the fact that I am loving the work. There are a lot of people to teach here who are ready to hear the message. There are a lot of members who are more than willing to help us out. Plus, every meal I have eaten here has been AWESOME! Probably way fattening though. I love Mole. It is a chocolate chili sauce that goes over grilled chicken and rice. It is the best. Mom, you should try to learn how to cook it for sure. Oh, and here is something that I think will blow all of your worlds apart. I love beans, and I love onions. Onions make my sweat smell awful, but I feel so good after eating them. The best part of all, with eating all of these veggies and such, my acid reflux is slowly decreasing in strength. I still take me pills, so do not worry mom! I am taking great care of myself. I work out hard every morning and I refuse to eat anything that comes out of a freezer. Chicken, beans, and rice are every lunch, and some days dinner, too!
Elder Williams is a great companion. I think my biggest struggle with him is he is too fun! It can be kind of hard to keep up with him and follow him in a lesson. He is really great in teaching kids and there are ton of kids that we are teaching. That is a gift he has for sure. Well, that and being able to get people to listen. I still have not gotten to hear his full conversion story, but it is good. I love him and I hope I stay with him for a few transfers. We are going to have some miracles happen here shortly, this I am sure of. He has only been out 2 transfers more than myself, so we are both kind of young when it comes to being missionaries.
Now, for the frustrating story of the week! There is this man named Rick. He is 59 and very stubborn. He speaks English, and he refuses to speak with sister missionaries because they are not people of wisdom to him. Also, he thinks women don't know the Bible. We have taught him twice in the last week. His big hangup is that he is SURE without a doubt that in Genesis 1 and 2 is tells us that there were people outside of the Garden of Eden before God placed Adam and Eve there. We never get anywhere in lessons because he says he needs to understand every page in the Bible before he takes on the Book of Mormon. He told us flat out he will not read the Book of Mormon until he understands the Bible. We have spent countless hours teaching him and testifying to him. I want to drop him because he flat out said he wants to find a church that agrees with what he believes. He is firm and hard hearted. But, for some unknown reason Elder Williams will not let us drop him. One thing we were taught in the MTC is that Satan will place people in our paths who will let us in the teach them, but they will not progress at all. Satan places these people in out paths so that we can not find those who are waiting and ready. I feel like rick is one of these distractors.
Well, I have limited computer time now, so my emails will probably be a little shorter while I am here. I have to use a library and such so I am limited to one hour. I wish I had more so I could write about every lesson I have had and about every person I have met. But, that is not the way it is.
I love you my family. I hope you all are seeing blessings in your own lives from my service here. I would love for you all to tell me about any of these if you have seen them because President Ellsworth said a good way to see if you are doing what is right is to ask your family if they are being blessed. If they are not, you need to work harder. I feel like I am doing my best -- I am pooped every day. I try talking to everyone. I just hope my hard work is blessing the people here that I love, as well as all of you back home whom I love. I pray for you every day. I think of you when I fast. Every 10 year old boy I meet that bounces off the wall reminds me of Will -- one's name is guillermo (William). Every teenage girl I teach reminds me of maddy. One man in the ward, Hno. Posos, reminded me of Dad. One woman, Hna. Mora, reminds me of mom. I love you and miss you, but I love it here and I need to be here. Keep me in your prayers!
With all my love,
Elder Jonathan Pearson
(Posted By Maddy)
It is hard to believe and say that today officially began week two here in the new area. I emailed you all last week and pressed send. My email said that it went through but I guess that for some odd reason it did not. I pray that it made it through this time. If it did not, I am going to have to call the mission office and see what they can do about getting me a new email address. It would be sad if I lost all of the old emails though! My language study consisted of writing you all a letter in pure spanish so that should be coming in the mail here pretty soon. I hope dad still has the ability of translating it so that you can understand what it is that I was telling you all about.
If not, I am going to kind of recap here in this email.
Over the course of the last week, I have done a ton. I have not even come close to meeting all of the members of the ward here in Mesa. The Ward's name is the Liahona 4th ward. It has 300-400 members and they are all pretty active. This list of less actives that we recieve every week is actually quite short. I would say that it is about 20 members or so that are inactive. Not too shabby for a ward with hundreds of members.
My favorite experience is the last week occurred on Sunday Evening. We had an appointment with a couple who are some progressing investigators. The husband has wanted to be baptized for a while now, but it is only just recently that the wife has become involved in the Church. Their names are Moises & Graciela. They are in their late twenties and though they call eachother husband and wife, the reason Moises cannot be baptized is because he and Graciela are not actually married. The miracle of this all is that as of recent the two of them told the Elder's here before me that they just decided to get married. Also, both of them want to be baptized. So, we might get to do a wedd-ism here in the next few weeks! The reason that this was my favorite lesson of the week is because of where we did it. We did it here in Mesa at the Temple! We took a nice long walk around the temple and talked about what goes on inside the temple. They had their 1 year old son, Moises Jr., with them and they asked if he could come in. In return, I asked, "well, do you want him to live with you forever?" The mother answered, "Of Course!". I told her that was the answer to her question as well. I could really see them digesting everything they heard and saw. I wish we could teach every lesson on the temple grounds. The spirit is so strong there and everytime I walk around it everything just slows down and makes more sense.
After the lesson outside the temple, we went next door to the visitor's center. There is a man named Emilio and he has two daughters -- Estrella & Flor. We met the three of them in the visitors center. We watched "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" with them and I do not know why, but this time was especially strong for me. Something I have really been desiring and searching for as of late is a firmer more profound testimony of the First Vision. While watching the part where he was praying, I just was filled with peace and warmth to the point where I could not fight the Spirit and just started crying like a small child. The one daughter, Estrella, said to me when she saw a tear, "why does that make you sad?" It was hard to have he understand that in reality it made me oh so happy. After studying and praying and doing many other things to recieve a firmer knowledge of the veracity of the first vision, it finally came. It was not on my schedule, but on the Lord's. Part of "ask and recieve" is "seeking to find". I can now say with 100% of my heart that I know of a sureity that God and Jesus Christ appeared and spoke with Joseph. I believed it before, but I know it now.
Being at the temple is for sure my favorite place to be here on the mission. In some regards, I was somewhat disappointed when I got the news that I would be being transferred to Mesa. Phoenix was hectic, exciting, and fast paced. My area in Phoenix was gigantic. Here in Mesa on the other hand, everything is calm, easy-going, and quiet. My area is about 8 blocks by 8 blocks. It is mostly trailer parks and apartments and it is chock full of people who speak only spanish. Once again I have been blessed by being placed here in a great and alive part of the mission. The work is like wildfire here. We teach 3-4 lessons a day and I meet someone new daily. Cars always honk and people always wave. As a missionary here in the city of Mesa, you feel a lot more welcome and accepted than in Phoenix. Yeah, I can not say I live on the most dangerous street in Phoenix, but I can say I am surrounded by some of the kindest and loving people I have every met.
Here is my address by the way:
Elder Jonathan Pearson
1233 N Mesa Drive #1078
Mesa, AZ 85201
I am healthy, I am losing weight being on bike, and most important of all is the fact that I am loving the work. There are a lot of people to teach here who are ready to hear the message. There are a lot of members who are more than willing to help us out. Plus, every meal I have eaten here has been AWESOME! Probably way fattening though. I love Mole. It is a chocolate chili sauce that goes over grilled chicken and rice. It is the best. Mom, you should try to learn how to cook it for sure. Oh, and here is something that I think will blow all of your worlds apart. I love beans, and I love onions. Onions make my sweat smell awful, but I feel so good after eating them. The best part of all, with eating all of these veggies and such, my acid reflux is slowly decreasing in strength. I still take me pills, so do not worry mom! I am taking great care of myself. I work out hard every morning and I refuse to eat anything that comes out of a freezer. Chicken, beans, and rice are every lunch, and some days dinner, too!
Elder Williams is a great companion. I think my biggest struggle with him is he is too fun! It can be kind of hard to keep up with him and follow him in a lesson. He is really great in teaching kids and there are ton of kids that we are teaching. That is a gift he has for sure. Well, that and being able to get people to listen. I still have not gotten to hear his full conversion story, but it is good. I love him and I hope I stay with him for a few transfers. We are going to have some miracles happen here shortly, this I am sure of. He has only been out 2 transfers more than myself, so we are both kind of young when it comes to being missionaries.
Now, for the frustrating story of the week! There is this man named Rick. He is 59 and very stubborn. He speaks English, and he refuses to speak with sister missionaries because they are not people of wisdom to him. Also, he thinks women don't know the Bible. We have taught him twice in the last week. His big hangup is that he is SURE without a doubt that in Genesis 1 and 2 is tells us that there were people outside of the Garden of Eden before God placed Adam and Eve there. We never get anywhere in lessons because he says he needs to understand every page in the Bible before he takes on the Book of Mormon. He told us flat out he will not read the Book of Mormon until he understands the Bible. We have spent countless hours teaching him and testifying to him. I want to drop him because he flat out said he wants to find a church that agrees with what he believes. He is firm and hard hearted. But, for some unknown reason Elder Williams will not let us drop him. One thing we were taught in the MTC is that Satan will place people in our paths who will let us in the teach them, but they will not progress at all. Satan places these people in out paths so that we can not find those who are waiting and ready. I feel like rick is one of these distractors.
Well, I have limited computer time now, so my emails will probably be a little shorter while I am here. I have to use a library and such so I am limited to one hour. I wish I had more so I could write about every lesson I have had and about every person I have met. But, that is not the way it is.
I love you my family. I hope you all are seeing blessings in your own lives from my service here. I would love for you all to tell me about any of these if you have seen them because President Ellsworth said a good way to see if you are doing what is right is to ask your family if they are being blessed. If they are not, you need to work harder. I feel like I am doing my best -- I am pooped every day. I try talking to everyone. I just hope my hard work is blessing the people here that I love, as well as all of you back home whom I love. I pray for you every day. I think of you when I fast. Every 10 year old boy I meet that bounces off the wall reminds me of Will -- one's name is guillermo (William). Every teenage girl I teach reminds me of maddy. One man in the ward, Hno. Posos, reminded me of Dad. One woman, Hna. Mora, reminds me of mom. I love you and miss you, but I love it here and I need to be here. Keep me in your prayers!
With all my love,
Elder Jonathan Pearson
(Posted By Maddy)
Transfers week...
Today was Transfers!
The AP's are a little bit scatter brained and changed p-day to today for no real fantastic reason. But! I am still alive and here. Saturday night I got the shock of being told I was the one being transferred. Normally they keep missionaries with their trainers for two transfers, I was not so lucky. However, I am excited to now be in the Maricopa Stake in Mesa. I am in a Spanish WARD!!!! With over 300 active members and 9 missionaries serving within ward boundaries. This area is the heart of Spanish Work in the Mission so I am really excited.
My new companions name is Elder Williams. He is from Montgomery, Alabama and has the southern accent and all. I am way excited to be companions with him because he is almost as new as I am at being a missionary. He is a convert to the Church. He was in college to be a Pentecostal Pastor when he met the missionaries and was eventually baptized. He has been disowned by his family and he really seems to have a great story behind his coversion. I have not really had time to hear it as we just met up at the mission office a few hours ago in Scottsdale. This is his 3rd transfer, my 2nd. We are not too far apart. We are a very, VERY green companionship. Miracles are going to happen though, I am sure of that.
I was preparing all last week to take over the area back there in Phoenix. I was taking control of the area book and all. But, President Ellsworth threw us a curveball and transferred me out here. I had a great last week. We taught a ton of lessons and found some former investigators that finally found a desire to keep some committments. That was a really sweet experience.
One girl's name was Natalie, she was being taught by the Elders about 5 months ago, but they dropped her because she would never go to church. She utterly refused. But, Elder Hainsworth saw her and decided that he needed to go and talk to her. We spoke with her and found out her history with the missionaries. She told us she had read since she last met with them, and she got an answer to her prayers as to whether or not the Book of Mormon was true. Sure enough, she felt the Spirit testify to her of its truthfulness. I am sad that I will not get to be there to see her progress and eventually get baptized.
As for Celso, an even greater miracle just happened a few days after my last email. We went to teach him on thursday evening, but he was not there. His wife invited us in because she felt bad that he was not there for his appointment. Celso had discussed with his wife, Leyda, about how he is going to be getting baptized. She told us about how this made her interested in our message, because her husband was supposedly not too religious prior to speaking with us. She told us to teach her something. We settled on teaching a 15 minute lesson two. We did so and it could not have been a more perfect lesson. Her mother back in Acapulco died last year and just a few moths ago she had a miscarriage in the 3rd trimester. When she found out her little girl was not bound to hell, she was overwhelmingly happy. We continued to finish the lesson. At the end, we committed her to baptism. She said there is nothing she wants more right now. She has a son, Axel, who is 7, a daughter, Sara, who is 5, and another son, Lorenzo, who is 3. We have a family! A FAMILY! I had been praying for that in every personal prayer the whole transfer. I wanted that more than nothing else. And miraculously with the help of Heavenly Father, I saw my prayer answered.
The most incredible thing is to see all of my progressing investigators being blessed. Celso had no work before he began being taught. Sandra had not a penny to her name before being taught. Elivra was sick and depressed before being taught. Now, Elvira is one of the happiest, most outgoing people I have ever know. Her testimony is blossoming into something very powerful and filled with great joy. Celso and Sandra both got jobs within the last week and they are working so much they have hardly enough time to meet with us. All of these people are being blessed because they are taking the steps of repentance through keeping their committments. I love my mission because of the miracles I see every day.
I went to the Temple with our recent converts, Daniel and Isabel. It was their first time there. They could not have loved it more. After we watched the "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" movie, they asked if they could take a private walk around the temple. They did so. They told us they plan on being inside as soon as possible to be sealed. It truly is incredible to see families making the proper steps towards eternal glory.
I spent the last few days saying goodbye to my many new friends I had made in the Camelback 1st branch. I love them, every one of them. I am pretty sure they will remember me too because I have a really easy name to remember. They just call me, "Person" like, "Persona" without the A. I am going to miss a lot of them. Hno. Curay, the ward mission leader from Peru, he is a great man that has the most incredible family in the world. Pres. Alvarado is as bold a branch president as I have ever seen. La Familia Curiel is just outright awesome. Raul Curiel is a handyman at an apartment complex. Every person he helps there essentially turns into a refferal and at least one lesson. I am going to miss Pheonix a lot. I love the people and their way of life.
Although, I am way, way pumped to be here in Mesa. It has a more homey feel here. I feel like everyone is just taking it easy and living life here. I have my frist appointment here in a few hours to go and teach a 13 year old girl with a date, and her parents. I am excited to see how the new dynamic with Elder Williams goes. We are both pretty even Spanish wise and we both are pretty laid back. I love Elder Hainsworth and I am so grateful for all he taught me, but, I think Elder Williams and I will get along just great. Our apartment is HUGE! We live about 10 minutes from the temple and all. It is good. Plus, my Companion is a convert. That is missionary GOLD!!!! Oh yeah, and it is a bike area. So, I outfitted my bike with some Specialized Armadillo tires and slime tubes. I am not getting a single flat this transfer. I am way excited to do this. I will have lots of stories by next tuesday for sure. And hey, look at it this way, you will all hear from me in less than a week now.
I love you my family. I have been praying for each of you specifically every day. I know it will all work out with chemistry maddy. Maybe it is going to teach you patience and diligence. Just drop your shoulder and run on through. Dad, I pray for you to be safe on your bike every day. It is fairly risky and all. Mom, I pray that you will not have so much pain and all and I pray for you to find happiness in the little things in life. And Will, I pray for you to grow up and be ready to get the priesthood here in a year or so. You are gonna be a little man by the time I get home. Now is the time to start making the right decisions and following the commandments. Maddy, you are going to be a woman by the time I get home. Life is at it's hardest when we are in High School. I grew up a lot there and I learned to be my own person. Keep on keeping on!
I love you all and miss you a ton. I appreciate your prayers and support. I also appreciate the prayers and support of everyone else. I know I would not be having such luck and success were it not for all that I have been taught my whole life. Keep on being the ones I love and life will only get better!
I love you all!
Elder Jonathan Alma Pearson
(posted by Maddy)
The AP's are a little bit scatter brained and changed p-day to today for no real fantastic reason. But! I am still alive and here. Saturday night I got the shock of being told I was the one being transferred. Normally they keep missionaries with their trainers for two transfers, I was not so lucky. However, I am excited to now be in the Maricopa Stake in Mesa. I am in a Spanish WARD!!!! With over 300 active members and 9 missionaries serving within ward boundaries. This area is the heart of Spanish Work in the Mission so I am really excited.
My new companions name is Elder Williams. He is from Montgomery, Alabama and has the southern accent and all. I am way excited to be companions with him because he is almost as new as I am at being a missionary. He is a convert to the Church. He was in college to be a Pentecostal Pastor when he met the missionaries and was eventually baptized. He has been disowned by his family and he really seems to have a great story behind his coversion. I have not really had time to hear it as we just met up at the mission office a few hours ago in Scottsdale. This is his 3rd transfer, my 2nd. We are not too far apart. We are a very, VERY green companionship. Miracles are going to happen though, I am sure of that.
I was preparing all last week to take over the area back there in Phoenix. I was taking control of the area book and all. But, President Ellsworth threw us a curveball and transferred me out here. I had a great last week. We taught a ton of lessons and found some former investigators that finally found a desire to keep some committments. That was a really sweet experience.
One girl's name was Natalie, she was being taught by the Elders about 5 months ago, but they dropped her because she would never go to church. She utterly refused. But, Elder Hainsworth saw her and decided that he needed to go and talk to her. We spoke with her and found out her history with the missionaries. She told us she had read since she last met with them, and she got an answer to her prayers as to whether or not the Book of Mormon was true. Sure enough, she felt the Spirit testify to her of its truthfulness. I am sad that I will not get to be there to see her progress and eventually get baptized.
As for Celso, an even greater miracle just happened a few days after my last email. We went to teach him on thursday evening, but he was not there. His wife invited us in because she felt bad that he was not there for his appointment. Celso had discussed with his wife, Leyda, about how he is going to be getting baptized. She told us about how this made her interested in our message, because her husband was supposedly not too religious prior to speaking with us. She told us to teach her something. We settled on teaching a 15 minute lesson two. We did so and it could not have been a more perfect lesson. Her mother back in Acapulco died last year and just a few moths ago she had a miscarriage in the 3rd trimester. When she found out her little girl was not bound to hell, she was overwhelmingly happy. We continued to finish the lesson. At the end, we committed her to baptism. She said there is nothing she wants more right now. She has a son, Axel, who is 7, a daughter, Sara, who is 5, and another son, Lorenzo, who is 3. We have a family! A FAMILY! I had been praying for that in every personal prayer the whole transfer. I wanted that more than nothing else. And miraculously with the help of Heavenly Father, I saw my prayer answered.
The most incredible thing is to see all of my progressing investigators being blessed. Celso had no work before he began being taught. Sandra had not a penny to her name before being taught. Elivra was sick and depressed before being taught. Now, Elvira is one of the happiest, most outgoing people I have ever know. Her testimony is blossoming into something very powerful and filled with great joy. Celso and Sandra both got jobs within the last week and they are working so much they have hardly enough time to meet with us. All of these people are being blessed because they are taking the steps of repentance through keeping their committments. I love my mission because of the miracles I see every day.
I went to the Temple with our recent converts, Daniel and Isabel. It was their first time there. They could not have loved it more. After we watched the "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" movie, they asked if they could take a private walk around the temple. They did so. They told us they plan on being inside as soon as possible to be sealed. It truly is incredible to see families making the proper steps towards eternal glory.
I spent the last few days saying goodbye to my many new friends I had made in the Camelback 1st branch. I love them, every one of them. I am pretty sure they will remember me too because I have a really easy name to remember. They just call me, "Person" like, "Persona" without the A. I am going to miss a lot of them. Hno. Curay, the ward mission leader from Peru, he is a great man that has the most incredible family in the world. Pres. Alvarado is as bold a branch president as I have ever seen. La Familia Curiel is just outright awesome. Raul Curiel is a handyman at an apartment complex. Every person he helps there essentially turns into a refferal and at least one lesson. I am going to miss Pheonix a lot. I love the people and their way of life.
Although, I am way, way pumped to be here in Mesa. It has a more homey feel here. I feel like everyone is just taking it easy and living life here. I have my frist appointment here in a few hours to go and teach a 13 year old girl with a date, and her parents. I am excited to see how the new dynamic with Elder Williams goes. We are both pretty even Spanish wise and we both are pretty laid back. I love Elder Hainsworth and I am so grateful for all he taught me, but, I think Elder Williams and I will get along just great. Our apartment is HUGE! We live about 10 minutes from the temple and all. It is good. Plus, my Companion is a convert. That is missionary GOLD!!!! Oh yeah, and it is a bike area. So, I outfitted my bike with some Specialized Armadillo tires and slime tubes. I am not getting a single flat this transfer. I am way excited to do this. I will have lots of stories by next tuesday for sure. And hey, look at it this way, you will all hear from me in less than a week now.
I love you my family. I have been praying for each of you specifically every day. I know it will all work out with chemistry maddy. Maybe it is going to teach you patience and diligence. Just drop your shoulder and run on through. Dad, I pray for you to be safe on your bike every day. It is fairly risky and all. Mom, I pray that you will not have so much pain and all and I pray for you to find happiness in the little things in life. And Will, I pray for you to grow up and be ready to get the priesthood here in a year or so. You are gonna be a little man by the time I get home. Now is the time to start making the right decisions and following the commandments. Maddy, you are going to be a woman by the time I get home. Life is at it's hardest when we are in High School. I grew up a lot there and I learned to be my own person. Keep on keeping on!
I love you all and miss you a ton. I appreciate your prayers and support. I also appreciate the prayers and support of everyone else. I know I would not be having such luck and success were it not for all that I have been taught my whole life. Keep on being the ones I love and life will only get better!
I love you all!
Elder Jonathan Alma Pearson
(posted by Maddy)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
6 weeks in Arizona!
I am having probably the best p-day of my mission so far. We got up at 4am to drive out to a mountain called CamelBack (not really a mountain.....a large hill) to hike it for the sunrise. It was steep and I wuld call it more rock climbing than I would a hike. It took me about an hour to reach the top. About 20 minutes after I got to the top, the sun began to peek over the East Mountains. I took tons of pictures. From up there, I really could see the beauty in this seemingly desolate landscape. The red rocks, the fields of cacti, the sun reflecting off of the red mountains to make a bright orange sunridse. It was really beautiful. It is something I would love to do every single p-day. I will be sure to develop and mail home the pictures here soon. Today was kind of the first time I took a lot of pictures of people in my District/Zone. It was way fun. I feel reinvigorated to keep on working so much harder. It was just a breath of fresh air to take some time out in nature. It really is beautiful here, partly because it is windy and like 75 degrees!
Other news, next tuesday is transfers. I am not 100% sure I will be staying in the PX22 district so I may be going somewhere else. Chances are however that I will stay. Currently our apartment is WAYYYY far from our area. We called the Senior Elder in charge of housing and complained about how it wastes miles. The called us on Tuesday and said they found us a new apartment and signed a contract that is right in our current proselyting area. This probably means I will be on bike next transfer (YES!!!). So, take my current address off of facebook and just put the mission home address -- that is safest.
This week we taught a lot of lessons. According to my planner, we taught about 26 lessons overall. Considering that it is usually zero lessons on p-day, we did pretty good. We are teaching four to five lessons a day. That really does make it all the better. TTI'ing (Teach, Testify, Invite) is good and all to find new people, but it is just a tad bit fruitless because all Spanish people are so nice and seem to have a fear of the word no. All of them commit to appointments, but very rarely are any of them actually there. It gets sad, but luckily there are plenty of people who will gladly take us in and let them teach.
We had a lot of really spiritual, and spirutally disappointing lessons this week. We reactivated (mas o menos) a lady that waved to us on the street and turned out to be an inactive member. We taught her by the dumpster where she was collecting plastic bottles for money. She had been offended a few years back and had really seen the ugly side of some people in the church. We explained to her how it is not the people, but the sacrament, and the covenants we make that make church so important. We made her realize that the gospel is true, but not every member chooses to live by it's principles. That is a really common problem we encounter in less actives because the branch is about 80 people, therefore there are bigger dramatic events when someone does something wrong.
Last night was perhaps the toughest night of teaching we had. Remember Jose and Elvira? Well, we brought our ward mission leader (he is Peruvian and loves the alpaca tie I have -- Hno. Curay) along to try and help us give Jose some reason and inspiration to come to church, to read, and to pray daily. We once again extended the baptismal comittment, and he did not accept. He says he wants to learn more. The truth of the fact is that he has been taught all the investigator lessons frontwards and backwards. IF he wants to learn more, he needs to come to church. With all the love and strength of speaking spanish I had, along with Elder Hainsworth and Hno. Curay, we did all we could to help him understand. We read Alma 32 about how we do not need a perfect knowledge to know it is true. Alll we need to see is good fruit come forth from it. He has seen good fruit, he has felt the spirit. He is just not willing to accept that as his answer from God. His wife is going to be baptized in 3 weeks -- she said she will irregardless of if he is ready or not.
After this we taught a lesson to another woman, Monica, with almost the same story. Her children and husband are all baptized. She has been investigating the church for over a year. She has read the Book of Mormon time after time. She has had strong spiritual experiences. She just will not take the step and be baptized. Like for real, all she would have to do is accept a date and she would be ready to take that next step tomorrow. She too however, "needs to be born". It is super frustrating. Any ideas on what to do mom or dad? We have prayed, and taught, and prayed, and fasted, but nothing. It is really sad. She is being blessed for the commandments she is living, but she just doesn't want to believe more blessings will come if she gets baptized and eventually sealed to her husband. Her Husband, Rafael, is a super strong convert. Whenever she says she will not get baptized, he just looks incredibly sad and down on life. I just hope maybe he can talk to her and express why he wants to take her to the temple.
In all of this sadness, there is a light (his name is Celso) and he shines above them all. We were not able to teach him for weeks because he did not have steady work, nor a steady schedule. We gave him the movie Finding Faith in Christ (Como Hallar la Fe en Cristo) to watch on his own. An appointment Saturday night to take some recent converts failed to go through due to the mom being sick with a killer migraine. We had nothing planned as backup because these people are the most solid converts to the church in history. Nonetheless, it fell through and we had no backup plan. Elder Hainsworth and I figured we would go give Celso one last chance to be taught. We went over to his home on 32nd St. and Virginia Rd. From a distance we saw him sitting in his house on the computer. FINALLY, we were going to have the chance to teach him again. Herein lays the miracle of the week. He had watched Finding Faith in Christ -- twice. He loved it. He felt the Spirit. He told us, "Yo mire como fue bautizado El Senor. Pienso que yo tengo que bautizarme en la misma manera come Jesucristo!". (I saw how the Lord was baptized. I think I have to be baptized how he was.) This was honestly the happiest moment of my mission thus far. The Spirit had truly spoken to the heart of Celso and he followed the answers that his Heavenly Father gave him. He is being baptized on November 6th. I pray that I am here to see that life changing day. He is coming to church. He reads whenever possible. He always prays. As a result of his obedience, he now has a more secure job. His family is healthy and happy. The next step is just teaching all of them. I love my mission because of humble, loving people like Celso.
As for you all, Dad, I am glad you do not have cancer. It is terrible. A man that was being taught just died from prostate cancer. I am glad you are biking and getting healthy. I love you for the example you set. Mom, I am glad you got to go to Utah to spend some time with my good ol' cousins. I love you so much. A mom is one thing we need on a mission. Maddy, I am proud to have a sister that can fill in most of the way for mom when she is not around. Will, I am proud to have a brother that loves me and tries his best to help my dear mom out. I am truly proud of you all and to call you my family. I am doing and will continue to do all that I can to assure we will be together forever as a family. My testimony of eternal families has exploded here. Like it says in Alma 37, (I think...some chapter around there) doing what is right and living the commandments is really easy. We as humans are the ones who make it hard.
I love you with all the love I have. My love grows for you, and all of the people in the world every day on a mission. Be sure that you too are trying to increase your love every day!
I love you!
Elder Jonathan Pearson
Sorry everybody that I took to so long to post letters. I did not know which one's he was wanting me to post. But I will try to get them up weekly from now on.
(Posted By maddy)
Other news, next tuesday is transfers. I am not 100% sure I will be staying in the PX22 district so I may be going somewhere else. Chances are however that I will stay. Currently our apartment is WAYYYY far from our area. We called the Senior Elder in charge of housing and complained about how it wastes miles. The called us on Tuesday and said they found us a new apartment and signed a contract that is right in our current proselyting area. This probably means I will be on bike next transfer (YES!!!). So, take my current address off of facebook and just put the mission home address -- that is safest.
This week we taught a lot of lessons. According to my planner, we taught about 26 lessons overall. Considering that it is usually zero lessons on p-day, we did pretty good. We are teaching four to five lessons a day. That really does make it all the better. TTI'ing (Teach, Testify, Invite) is good and all to find new people, but it is just a tad bit fruitless because all Spanish people are so nice and seem to have a fear of the word no. All of them commit to appointments, but very rarely are any of them actually there. It gets sad, but luckily there are plenty of people who will gladly take us in and let them teach.
We had a lot of really spiritual, and spirutally disappointing lessons this week. We reactivated (mas o menos) a lady that waved to us on the street and turned out to be an inactive member. We taught her by the dumpster where she was collecting plastic bottles for money. She had been offended a few years back and had really seen the ugly side of some people in the church. We explained to her how it is not the people, but the sacrament, and the covenants we make that make church so important. We made her realize that the gospel is true, but not every member chooses to live by it's principles. That is a really common problem we encounter in less actives because the branch is about 80 people, therefore there are bigger dramatic events when someone does something wrong.
Last night was perhaps the toughest night of teaching we had. Remember Jose and Elvira? Well, we brought our ward mission leader (he is Peruvian and loves the alpaca tie I have -- Hno. Curay) along to try and help us give Jose some reason and inspiration to come to church, to read, and to pray daily. We once again extended the baptismal comittment, and he did not accept. He says he wants to learn more. The truth of the fact is that he has been taught all the investigator lessons frontwards and backwards. IF he wants to learn more, he needs to come to church. With all the love and strength of speaking spanish I had, along with Elder Hainsworth and Hno. Curay, we did all we could to help him understand. We read Alma 32 about how we do not need a perfect knowledge to know it is true. Alll we need to see is good fruit come forth from it. He has seen good fruit, he has felt the spirit. He is just not willing to accept that as his answer from God. His wife is going to be baptized in 3 weeks -- she said she will irregardless of if he is ready or not.
After this we taught a lesson to another woman, Monica, with almost the same story. Her children and husband are all baptized. She has been investigating the church for over a year. She has read the Book of Mormon time after time. She has had strong spiritual experiences. She just will not take the step and be baptized. Like for real, all she would have to do is accept a date and she would be ready to take that next step tomorrow. She too however, "needs to be born". It is super frustrating. Any ideas on what to do mom or dad? We have prayed, and taught, and prayed, and fasted, but nothing. It is really sad. She is being blessed for the commandments she is living, but she just doesn't want to believe more blessings will come if she gets baptized and eventually sealed to her husband. Her Husband, Rafael, is a super strong convert. Whenever she says she will not get baptized, he just looks incredibly sad and down on life. I just hope maybe he can talk to her and express why he wants to take her to the temple.
In all of this sadness, there is a light (his name is Celso) and he shines above them all. We were not able to teach him for weeks because he did not have steady work, nor a steady schedule. We gave him the movie Finding Faith in Christ (Como Hallar la Fe en Cristo) to watch on his own. An appointment Saturday night to take some recent converts failed to go through due to the mom being sick with a killer migraine. We had nothing planned as backup because these people are the most solid converts to the church in history. Nonetheless, it fell through and we had no backup plan. Elder Hainsworth and I figured we would go give Celso one last chance to be taught. We went over to his home on 32nd St. and Virginia Rd. From a distance we saw him sitting in his house on the computer. FINALLY, we were going to have the chance to teach him again. Herein lays the miracle of the week. He had watched Finding Faith in Christ -- twice. He loved it. He felt the Spirit. He told us, "Yo mire como fue bautizado El Senor. Pienso que yo tengo que bautizarme en la misma manera come Jesucristo!". (I saw how the Lord was baptized. I think I have to be baptized how he was.) This was honestly the happiest moment of my mission thus far. The Spirit had truly spoken to the heart of Celso and he followed the answers that his Heavenly Father gave him. He is being baptized on November 6th. I pray that I am here to see that life changing day. He is coming to church. He reads whenever possible. He always prays. As a result of his obedience, he now has a more secure job. His family is healthy and happy. The next step is just teaching all of them. I love my mission because of humble, loving people like Celso.
As for you all, Dad, I am glad you do not have cancer. It is terrible. A man that was being taught just died from prostate cancer. I am glad you are biking and getting healthy. I love you for the example you set. Mom, I am glad you got to go to Utah to spend some time with my good ol' cousins. I love you so much. A mom is one thing we need on a mission. Maddy, I am proud to have a sister that can fill in most of the way for mom when she is not around. Will, I am proud to have a brother that loves me and tries his best to help my dear mom out. I am truly proud of you all and to call you my family. I am doing and will continue to do all that I can to assure we will be together forever as a family. My testimony of eternal families has exploded here. Like it says in Alma 37, (I think...some chapter around there) doing what is right and living the commandments is really easy. We as humans are the ones who make it hard.
I love you with all the love I have. My love grows for you, and all of the people in the world every day on a mission. Be sure that you too are trying to increase your love every day!
I love you!
Elder Jonathan Pearson
Sorry everybody that I took to so long to post letters. I did not know which one's he was wanting me to post. But I will try to get them up weekly from now on.
(Posted By maddy)
Thursday, June 24, 2010
And.....here it begins.
So, today I said my first real goodbye. It was hard to decide what to say. It was kind of surreal. It is all really happening. I just can not fathom doing this time and time again over the next week. It is pretty struggled and fairly hard to do. But, it is something I have to do.
One by one, I am going to have to give my hugs and shake hands with those who I have grown up with. It is weird to think that two years from now I will be coming back to a pretty different world than I am leaving two weeks from today. A couple of the girls I grew up with will be engaged (not for sure, but at BYU...ya know) or married. Some of the guys I thought were angelic beings will turn out to be societal failures. Some people that I thought had firm testimonies will have left the Church. My brother will be a Deacon. My sister will be going into her senior year. My mom will be in her late forties, and my dad in his late fifties. My Grandma Pearson will most likely have passed away. A couple more cousins will be married. There will be an election going on the fall after I rejoin society in all normality.
On the bright side. I will be a much stronger, more independent adult male. I will now have contributed to society. I will have an important standing in my own little piece of the world. I will have all of life ahead of me with few if any plans set in stone. I will be going into my sophomore year of college (junior if you go by # of credits...). Dating will be a for real thing. I will be discovering what I will do the rest of my life. No pressure on me?!?!
Oh well! The next two years will be life changing and that is an understatement. I am so looking forward to AZ. I am ready for heat...kind of. I am ready to teach. I am ready to learn. I am just straight up PUMPED! I want to buy my bike. I want to ride my bike. I want to go out and do something productive!
Also, I am 19 in a couple of days here if anyone was wondering.
Just a couple of thoughts to think about....
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Shoulda used the down pillow...
Wow. Today has been one for the record books -- not necessarily a record worth celebrating either. I sweat the the waking up on the wrong side of the bed thing is for real. I normally wake up pretty much against the wall. Today I woke up hanging off of my bed as far from the wall as possible while still being on my bed. Coincidentally, today was probably the most lame day I have had since being home from college. So, whoever this colloquial excuse may come from is most certainly right to some degree.
no one will know
when seasons cease to change and…
how far we've gone
how far we're going
it's the here and the now
and the love for the sound
of the moments that keep us moving
waves crash along
the battered, lonely lighthouse
tomorrow she's gone
and if not, someday somehow
are these hands a waste
well this side of mortality is
scaring me to death
to death
don't think about it at all
just keep your head low
and don't think about it all
soldier on, soldier on
keep your heart close to the ground
soldier on, soldier on, keep your heart
close to the ground
don't think about it all
just keep your head low
don't think about it
at all
yeah, will you take me tonight
yeah, will you take me tonight
yeah, will you take me tonight
ooooh... tonight
soldier on
soldier on
keep your heart
close to the ground"
While there is no need of elaborate detailing of the day's proceedings, let's just say that pretty much everything could have gone better. A few examples from today include: could have woken up on time, could have eaten breakfast, could have worn better shoes so my back would not be screaming after only 30 minutes of work, could have filled up on gas earlier so I could have not paid 2.99 for a gallon. The list simply continues on and on. I don't want to run the risk of darkening anyone's perfect day though...
So along with this I wish to tie in the subject of selflessness. It may be seemingly random, but I assure you that in my own head it makes perfect sense. Why do I wish to address this topic? Well, it is because frankly I see too much of it in the world every day. People cut me off on the freeway, people take for themselves what is most definitely someone else's. It just sickens me that so many people, including myself, are so fond of ourselves that we just ignore the others around us. I usually have such high hopes for mankind, but today, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
Today I looked at life in a much different life than usual and oh my goodness had it been awful. I have seen pretty much everything in a much darker light. I much more easily found the bad out there than the good. Usually it is the other way around. To those of you who are pessimistic, I am so very sorry for you. If I lived every day like this I would be far more miserable than I am. My recommendation to the world? BE OPTIMISTIC and ALWAYS hope for the best. Today I have not done that for some reason and I hate life. I really wish I could express the cause of the verbally, but I that would only be selfish and ruin some other person's day.
I wish I had something bright and uplifting to say to the world via the blog, but I do not. Sad thing. Well, lemme give it a shot....
"Every so often we have a bad day in life. They come unexpectedly and cause upheaval and conflict. But, having a bad day every now and then only makes the really good days seem even better." -- Jonathan Pearson (we will see if it catches on...)
That is most definitely true. Saturday morning I plan on hiking Saddle Mtn. I invited friends to come along but I am planning on no one coming at the moment. I plan to hike up alone, at my own pace, surrounding myself with the world as God created it. I plan to make the short hike. Then, at the top, I plan on sitting or standing and taking it all in. I just hope there are not massive hoards of people up there early in the morning. I want to sit there and think. I want to sit there and be open to the whispers of the wind. As I sit atop a peak barely worthy of the title, Mountain, I hope to look across the land that I have called home for the last 19 year of my life. If weather is good, I can see from the coast through the gorge. Nearly every place of memory to me will be within view of my eyes. The moment will be my own.
I guess one may call it an early goodbye. I really am going to miss Oregon for two years. It has been an incredible place where I have learned about who I am. In Mesa, there will be very little chance of running across any reminder of home. No Doug Fir, no three weeks of straight rain. No Ocean. No rolling hills. No abundance of natural, untouched green. I want to climb to the tops of as many places as possible so that the immensity and beauty of home can be forever burned into my mind before I bid my farewell for two years. Shoot, I am gonna miss this place. A lot. For real.
Song of the Day -- "Solider On" by The Temper Trap (Pretty much sums up the mood of the moment)
Lyrics:
"who wants to know
all that is gold is rustingno one will know
when seasons cease to change and…
how far we've gone
how far we're going
it's the here and the now
and the love for the sound
of the moments that keep us moving
waves crash along
the battered, lonely lighthouse
tomorrow she's gone
and if not, someday somehow
are these hands a waste
well this side of mortality is
scaring me to death
to death
don't think about it at all
just keep your head low
and don't think about it all
soldier on, soldier on
keep your heart close to the ground
soldier on, soldier on, keep your heart
close to the ground
don't think about it all
just keep your head low
don't think about it
at all
yeah, will you take me tonight
yeah, will you take me tonight
yeah, will you take me tonight
ooooh... tonight
soldier on
soldier on
keep your heart
close to the ground"
So, for now I am keeping my head low and trying to not think about it...(my bad day that is, not the mission. That is all I am thinking about for now.)
Afscheid!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Epiphany Now!
So, today I had somewhat of an epiphany! I have been constantly nervous to speak Spanish with native speakers. To some degree, I still am. However, while sitting down this evening, trying on Sperry's that I cannot afford/ do not need, I had an epiphany.
I just all of the sudden felt like I am going to be fine. I will obviously struggle with speaking in proper grammar at first; however, I do know enough to get my point across regardless of proper grammar. If I speak with my heart rather than my mind, I am gonna be just plain dandy! I know those listening to me will see my trying to convey my deep, elaborate feelings through small and simple words and thoughts. This ---yes this, will make up for my lack of fluency.
As my life of normalcy and habit comes to an end here in the next couple weeks, I am having a lot more time to think and ponder. I really like it -- and hate it. With more time to think comes more epiphanies. But also at the same time I am realizing how much I have to do before I go. I constantly find myself seeing more and more chaos in my life that I need to eliminate before I leave.
Just in case anyone out there who has served a mission reads this -- can we bring pictures of home along with us? I really need some pictures of rain so that I will always know that it exists regardless of seeing it.
My mind just went 100% blank, so that's all for now folks...thanks for wasting your time on my blog!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The Countdown Begins...
In roughly three weeks, I will no longer be a part of society in the sense that I access computers daily, read the morning news, or check my facebook on a regular basis. I will be in the MTC in Provo, UT. I will be learning how to teach and communicate the message of Jesus Christ in the Spanish language.
I have been asked innumerable times if I am nervous about going on my mission. The answer? Totally nervous. The reason? I will encounter hundreds and hundreds of people every week who grew up speaking Spanish. I, a mere 19-21 year old, who has barely had a legit spanish conversation in my life will be expected to communicate effectively with them. Any other reasons? Sure. I will be very much isolated from the world. This however is not necessarily a bad thing. I will be focused and serving with a purpose. I will have plenty of people back home and there in Arizona supporting me.
Am I scared? Not at all. I know that I will have the Lord's help over the course of the next two years. I know I will be fine. I know the world will somehow manage to keep on spinning without me being an active user of Facebook and Google. I know that it will be the hardest two years of my life to this point, but I can almost say with 100% surety that it will be the best two years of my life also. I will be teaching love and truth to those I encounter.
Now, this may just end up to be where my rant becomes a bit too philosophical.
Our world is running short on many things. The most important thing that I feel is in short supply is true, unconditional love. A war of some proportion starts somewhere in the world every day. These may be wars of word or wars of weapon. Either way, they are unnecessary and only cause unneeded pain. Too often hate becomes the deciding factor in many situations.
Is it overly idealistic of me to expect hate to be conquered by love around the entire globe? Probably, but I do not care. I am going on a mission to perpetuate a message of God's love for ALL (and this does not exclude anyone, good or evil, black or white) of his children.
While my holistic impact may be small in the end, I still will have made a difference in the lives of many people. I may not turn someone from total corruption to utter perfection. BUT! I know that I can and will make people realize that there is far more good in life than they may have thought.
I, as well as nearly everyone else in the world, have had a dark moment or two in my life. I have always come out of those dark places surrounded by light. This may come in the form of a friend reaching out, a mere comfort of the heart, or by someone simply throwing a smile my way. Most importantly, I have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. When I am down, I know there is always someone there for me to talk to. That person is our Savior, Jesus.
I hope this did not come across as "holier than thou" or anything, but I guess I am experiencing a bit of a high and hopeful point in life.
Hopefully, this blog just becomes another way for me to bring joy to the lives of other whom I may or may not know....
I have been asked innumerable times if I am nervous about going on my mission. The answer? Totally nervous. The reason? I will encounter hundreds and hundreds of people every week who grew up speaking Spanish. I, a mere 19-21 year old, who has barely had a legit spanish conversation in my life will be expected to communicate effectively with them. Any other reasons? Sure. I will be very much isolated from the world. This however is not necessarily a bad thing. I will be focused and serving with a purpose. I will have plenty of people back home and there in Arizona supporting me.
Am I scared? Not at all. I know that I will have the Lord's help over the course of the next two years. I know I will be fine. I know the world will somehow manage to keep on spinning without me being an active user of Facebook and Google. I know that it will be the hardest two years of my life to this point, but I can almost say with 100% surety that it will be the best two years of my life also. I will be teaching love and truth to those I encounter.
Now, this may just end up to be where my rant becomes a bit too philosophical.
Our world is running short on many things. The most important thing that I feel is in short supply is true, unconditional love. A war of some proportion starts somewhere in the world every day. These may be wars of word or wars of weapon. Either way, they are unnecessary and only cause unneeded pain. Too often hate becomes the deciding factor in many situations.
Is it overly idealistic of me to expect hate to be conquered by love around the entire globe? Probably, but I do not care. I am going on a mission to perpetuate a message of God's love for ALL (and this does not exclude anyone, good or evil, black or white) of his children.
While my holistic impact may be small in the end, I still will have made a difference in the lives of many people. I may not turn someone from total corruption to utter perfection. BUT! I know that I can and will make people realize that there is far more good in life than they may have thought.
I, as well as nearly everyone else in the world, have had a dark moment or two in my life. I have always come out of those dark places surrounded by light. This may come in the form of a friend reaching out, a mere comfort of the heart, or by someone simply throwing a smile my way. Most importantly, I have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. When I am down, I know there is always someone there for me to talk to. That person is our Savior, Jesus.
I hope this did not come across as "holier than thou" or anything, but I guess I am experiencing a bit of a high and hopeful point in life.
Hopefully, this blog just becomes another way for me to bring joy to the lives of other whom I may or may not know....
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