Hey!

Hey Family,

I am so glad you all enjoyed your time in Israel. That is truly a trip to envy. It is the only thing you have done while on my mission that I feel like I would have enjoyed being there a lot, but while you all had an excellent week in Israel, we had an excellent week here in Scottsdale. It was my best week as of yet!

On Monday as I said, we spoke with President Ellsworth. The mission goal is a minimum of one baptism per month. We were not on track with that, but President assured us that we could do it. Elder Scherbel and I spent the entire afternoon pondering over who is the one prepared for March. Then, I realized that the prepared person was there right in front of us -- Carlos Jaimes.

He is the Mute man who is probably one of the best conduits for the Spirit that I have ever met. He loves the Gospel and wants to come to anything Church related that we can get him to. He love it all! He and his wife, Cristina, came to church yesterday. They loved it and Cristina appears to be having more interest in the Gospel. A lot of this is coming from the fact that the Delgado family has been so great in giving them rides to Church, etc. So, we spoke with Carlos and he told us that he wants to be baptized this Thursday. We asked his wife's permission, he said yes. The only thing that could hold him back is that his parents (whom he lives with) are wanting him to wait longer. While we do not need parent permission seeing as he is 28, we love having family support and a presence at his baptism. We have a crazy few days ahead of us in order to get his baptismal service to happen, but we will do it!

Our week started off rather slow. We had one lesson on Monday and one lesson on Tuesday. I am grateful that we got to teach some, but I just like having busy days! Our lesson on Monday was with Victor Carillo, the big man with a deep voice. We passed by because another appointment near by fell through. We knocked his door, but the lights were off. They immidiately turned on and he answered. He told us he was busy, but right as we were walking off, he told us to come back, he had time. We went inside and we could just feel that something was wrong. He sat in silence for a while and then spoke. He told us he originally did not let us in because he was ashamed. He had just been smoking pot to take away the pain in his leg and he is now an addict. He told us to come back because he said he felt like God told him to call after us. We sat down, taught him about the Word of Wisdom and the Atonement, then ended with an oil blessing. It was a very sweet spiritual experience -- something I am sure that I will rememberv my whole mission. The power of the Atonement is incredible, and you all got to walk where it took place.

Tuesday I was on exchanges and was on bike in Phoenix. Phoenix is still the same. There is a lot of poverty, and not too many nice people. We taught a couple lessons on the street, but not a lot panned out. I am always grateful however for the chance to bear testimony. I always want to give the Spirit a chance to work wonders.

Wednesday was a CRAZY day. We taught Victor again. He is doing a lot better, has not smoked and has less pain! We taught him on daily study and fasting and seemed really interested in the idea of the fast with fast offering, he said it seemed very charitable. It was another good lesson. We then taught Veronica, the woman with 7 kids, it was chaos, but I felt the spirit at moments. We then taught Carlos Jaimes, and I already explained what happened there.

Thursday Elder Lake (the biggest Ute fan ever...) came with us for the day because his companion is district leader and went on exchanges. We had what I consider the worst lesson ever. Elder Scherbel described it well. It felt like she sprayed Spirit-Remover all over the apartment -- Liliana that is. She is the sister of Veronica. We walked in and bad stuff was on TV. Then, during the opening prayer she got us and walked out. Then, she answered her phone, etc. IT was awful. We then headed to Tempe and taught two lessons with New investigtors. Cristina (16) and Juan/Maria who live near by. They were kind of pressed for time, so we did not go too in depth on either lesson. We ended by teaching Cinthia and Paola about King Benjamin's Discourse. It is quickly becoming my favorite passage of scripture ever. I want to be everything that King Benjamin teaches. Paola needs to apply some of it, too. That way, her parents will see the change in her and allow her to be baptized. Her and he mother have an AWFUL relationship.

Friday was weekly planning. We began with an apartment inventory. Elder Nuku (Tongan) got tired of us speaking sarcastically. Elder Harper and I are kind of the same person, so it is tough, but we are doing it to help him. Sarcasm is kind of bad. We got most planning done, but not all. It got pushed off until saturday/sunday. We finished it though. We then taught Victor again, the catholic in him really shined as we taught about not bowing down to idols and keeping the Sabbath day holy. It was rough. We then had a good, quick visit with Carlos Jaimes.

Saturday was kind of rough, but good.

We ended the week with a mission fast for spiritual guidance an blessings to find the prepared people and the member relations with missionaries to increase. It was a good sunday, but a hard fast. We had more people at Church than ever, 4! It feels good to be making progress in the area!

It was just a good week overall. I felt happy, excited, and I am having a baptism this week! I am just excited to take part in this and to continue to be here! Next email, I will be telling you if Elder Scherbel is staying or going.

I love you all! I hope to hear from you all soon. Maddy, I love getting your letters. I look forward to the pictures. That chicken Will likes sounded really good. Just be sure to send more details after!

I love you family! You're in my thoughts and prayers. Have a great week!

Con Amor,

Elder Pearson



(posted by Maddy)