Dearest Loved ones,
12-14 hours of this week were spent in a Toyota dealership in Mesa. It was frustrating, but the greatest miracle of all was how it did not really seem to impede the Lord's work in any degree. We saw mountains of miracles and I was humbled often by my companion and by the Spirit of the Lord. One thing I really need to do is be more humble. I can be a cocky, self-centered goon at times. I am working on that one. The great thing is that I am in one of the greatest places to make this change. I am learning a ton, I think the key is just to internalize all of it.
One other characteristic that I need to develop is Chairty. I have always battles with trusting people, and when my investigators violate my trust, I have a hard time giving it back to them. I know that Christ could discern the hearts of the people at all times and in all places, but he always loved all of the people regardless of what they did to him. I am really struggling to love some people, but I pray and plead with the Lord for the blessing of Charity every day. I find my desire to follow Christ growing, and with that comes a realization of my faults. I think that is kind of illustrated by Ether 12:27.
Perhaps the saddest event of my mission happened this week. Hno. Beltran asked us to not come by any more. He told us he loves this church and wants to be baptized, he just does not want to do it alone and without the support of his wife and children. He has none of that. He knows that the members of the Church are there to support him, but he lacks the support he needs in the home. His Jehovah's Witness sister-in-law is always bringing up Russel Pearce and how he is the face of our Church. The Catholic people he lives with mock him for listening to the Book of Mormon so frequently. In his very home, what should be the 2nd most holy place on earth apart from the temple, he is mocked and scorned for choosing the right. It break my heart to not be able to see this man in the Gospel, but I really feel like I understand where he is coming from. He loves his family so much and wants to be unified. He does not want to do anything that will create contention in his family. We tried to get his wife to participate, but she says, "I am not a religious fantatic like the Mormons of the Jehovah's Wittnesses." That statement really scrambled my eggs. It is so sad how lving the Gospel as Christ asks us to is considered extremist.
The greatest miracle was the Sepulveda family! They used to live in Mesa and I have not a single idea of why the missionaries never visited them there. Their sons have gone to Church before and loved it. The parents (Mom AND Dad -- woohoo!!!) are both interested as well. They have tons and tons and tons of questions. Their 13 year old son told us the first visit that he wants to join the Church and asked us how. He also told us how he likes watching Mormon Messages on YouTube! Where on earth is this 13 year old boy from?!?! The 19 year old son plays soccer at junior college and has been to church 4 times and played soccer in the chapel numerous times. Mom and dad are great. The only obstacle currently is they live kitty-corner to a Kingdom Hall of the J.W.s. Therefore, the JW missionaries are visiting as well. This created some confusion in the first lesson when we shared the first vision. They thought that the two beings who appeared to Joseph Smith were Jehovah and Jesus Christ...yeah. We tried to clear it up, but they both committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. They want to come to Church sometime soon. I trust in the Lord that as these people keep commitments, they will come to understand the Godhead with greater clarity.
The other elders in the branch had a beautiful baptism this week. TONS of people came and the Spirit was strong. I directed the music...not even kidding. It went pretty well. We sang a beautiful hymn that I had never before heart, "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me." I like it, a lot. We had an investigator come -- the baptist wife of a member. She enjoyed and the women of the branch really reached out to her. We have taught her twice. She believes that Christ is the only one who can save us. We don't need a Church. Well, we are going to take the appraoch of teaching her simply, directly, and with a lot of testimony. This brother desires so badly that he and his wife can be sealed. We pray that the Lord helps us to be able to help this family become and eternal family.
Your trip to the beach sounded eventful and exciting. I really enjoyed the pictures a lot and could tell that you all had a good amount of fun. I am sure you made a couple of trips to that bakery in "downtown". I get chilly when it is 80 degrees now, so I think the ocean water of Long Beach would about kill me.
It is funny you made mention of me coming home. I still have more than 11 months left, so we can just keep that idea out of the focus for about 10.5 more months. I still have a lot the Lord wants me to accomplish and I am doing my best to do that. Yeah, I am not a baptism machine, but I do my best and I know I am becoming a better missionary as I serve here. I know I have success and that sometimes, people use their agency poorly. There are a lot of things in missionary work that I cannot control. I am controlling all that I can and am doing it to its fullest.
The Westview Ward huh. Odd name to me. I have learned on my mission that sometimes people are in leadership positions for reasons other than "they are the cream of the crop". I know I am a good servant of the Lord, but I have yet to be district leader, zone leader, or trainer. Would I like to do those things? Yeah, but I have no control over that and I realize that the Lord has a plan for me. I don't think I will ever become a mission legend or a well known person in the world at that, but I know that if we just do what the Lord asks of us here on this earth, we will all earn the same reward in the life to come. Whether you are High Priest Group Leader or Assistant Toilet Scrubber, you are fulfilling a divine responsibility that allows the Church of Christ to function. When I find myself aspiring to be a leader, I realize that I have some room for improvement. I know that you (dad) are a great man and a wonderful leader. You have lead so many times in the church. You have changed people's lives. I will always remember the rave reviews of your Gospel Doctrine classes. I will always remember the meeting you had for EQ in our living room. You are a leader. Sometimes, leaders are more silent than others.
I love you all so much and am so glad I hear from you weekly. Some missionaries do not have that blessing. I pray for you and hope you have a great week!
Love,
Elder Jonathan Pearson
P.S. -- I spent so much money on fast food because so often our trips to Mesa were unexpected and we had no time to prepare lunch. Also, we hardly ever ate dinner with members this week. But, just figured I would keep you posted. Love you!
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