Hey Family!
I am not going to give you all my address here because first off, I still do not know it. Second of all, the mission has asked that all mail be sent to the mission office. I have a few letters from people that have showed up in Mesa. Mailing things to the mission office will help prevent this issue in the future. It is not that I want this all to be a secret, but it is just easier that way!
I am going to start off by telling you all the thing that will probably scare the junk out of mom. On Wednesday night, I thought I was going to die. We went to an appointment with an investigator named Joaquin that has a date. He asked us if we could come back in half an hour, we of course agreed. We got in the car and drove to knock on the doors of some formers. As we got back in the car to go back to Joaquin, a Chevy Malibu with like 100% tint on the windows pulled up and blocked us in our parking space. The window rolled down and a scruffy white guy asks us to come over to his window. More out of fear than anything, I complied and went to speak with him. Luckily, he told us he was an undercover cop for Scottsdale PD and he requested our help in a sting they were about to do. Yeah, well, we agreed. He told us to go knock the door of this one house. He showed us a picture of the guy he wanted us to look for in the house. This criminal looked like Satan Reincarnate. So, my adrenaline was running, we knocked the door, and a blond lady answered. I did just as any door approach, but my companion was so scared he was speechless. We saw no sign of the guy. As we walk back to our car we both get the impression that our car is going to be gone. The cop never showed us a badge. Well, we walk the corner and the car and cop are still there. We tell the cop we saw no sign. For some reason I felt like I needed to take down the "cop's" plates. I did. He drove off and Elder Scherbel and I got into the car. Right when I put the key in the ignition, something told me not to. The inside of the car smelled like unlit fireworks, we had no idea why. We both felt prompted to get out and walk. We did. I got the number to Scottsdale PD headquarters and called in the plates. The car was not registered to an officer.....then I gave the address of the criminals house to the lady on the phone. Thank goodness, it checked out and there was indeed and officer in the area. He was just new and did not follow the proper procedure for asking citizen's help...I am alive and happy!
The best part of this week was on Thursday. Right after district meeting I felt terrible, but we felt as though we should go visit a potential investigator. His name is Carlos Jaimes. The little detail of it all is that he is mute. Communication is so vital in teaching, and with him we have to ask really good questions so that he understands and so that we know what he is thinking. It took a lot of effort, but we had an INCREDIBLE lesson with him. At the end, I extended the baptismal invitation. I was not planning on doing it at all. After all, I had never met the guy, not had he ever been taught. Well, he accepted it with the most powerful smile and nod I have ever seen. Then, Elder Sherbel extended a date; his smile got even bigger. Carlos was prepared and his health condition humbled him. I felt such pure love flowing through me towards him as we taught it was just incredible. It is so easy to feel the Spirit when we teach humble people.
We have this less active family we are working with. La Familia Delgado (Dos). They are the 2nd delgado family in the ward. They have never been inactive, but never active completely. Well, we felt like we should ask them to be the ones to give Carlos Jaimes and his wife a ride to Church. For the first time in over a year, the entire Delgado family was at Church. It is amazing to see the blessings that come to people as they help in missionary work. Our goal for the Delgado family is the temple, of course. If they remain active, they can be sealed in August I believe. They are the only members in my entire area, and they live in Tempe. All of the members are in Phoenix. Literally.
I also found out there is a woman in my branch who served in Venezuela in the 80's. She was not sure which years. Were there sisters in your mission, Dad? I still have no set opinion on sisters.
The Zoo was fun last week, but all of the animals were asleep. No joke. We had a great time and all, but I think the time could have been better spent. I would still say that the Oregon Zoo is better, for sure. The only cool thing that the Phoenix Zoo has is a condor. Those birds are amazing.
I am not going golfing any time soon. I remembered I am left handed and unfortuantely, there is not a single left handed golfer in the Arcadia ward. It is ok though, I am sure I would cause shame to fall upon an elite member of the Phoenician Golf Club.
I am so pumped for you all to be able to go over to Israel, I indeed will be jealous, but I will just read more of Jesus the Christ to feel like I am there. To Maddy and Will, do not take this trip for granted. There are only an handful of people that can say that they have stepped foot and walked where Christ and His apostles walked. It is a sacred, beatiful place, that is rich in History. If I ever get the chance, I plan to go there in the future.
Your cruise for next year sounds awesome, too. I figure with me out of the picture, these trips are 20% more affordable. That is a lot. A Sister from Honduras just went home last week or so and a new sister from Belize just got here. Those are two countries I would love to visit. Look for Elders in Honduras, half of my MTC Zone went there. In Belize, look for Elder Arrington. He is in the San Salvador West Mission, which covers Belize.
I love you all so much and pray/fast for you! I hope you all get better and I hope it warms up there. It is in the 80's daily now, which I think is PERFECT. I am loving the weather. We climbd Camelback this morning, and it was great. Coincidentally, all of the Visitors' Center Sisters were climbing it, too. It was fun to have so many missionaries up top. I will have to send you all pictures sometime soon!
Well, I love you. I love hearing from you all. Sorry I cannot be more detailed and personal, but time is not something of abundance on a mission! You're the best!
Elder Pearson
Posted By Maddy
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