Hey Family of mine! How are you all doing?
I had a pretty bood, but exhausting week. We faced a lot of challenges, but I felt as though I grew leaps and bounds as a missionary. One thing I have struggled with to this point is boldness in declaring repentance. Too often, like the hispanic people, we want to save face rather than speak the truth. As a missionary however, I am called to boldly proclaim the truth to those who surround me here in Phoenix. I have seen too often that when one lacks in boldness, the investigators lack in success and progress towards conversion. We can not be apologetic about the gospel. It is kind of scary seeing myself putting this all in letters and words. I have never been a huge fan of Jeffery R. Holland's manner of speaking, but as I serve a mission, I realize he is so bold and emotional about the Gospel because it means so very much to him. Every day the Gospel means more and more to me. In this area there are a lot of "Christians". Their claim on the Gospel is that Christ is the way back to God. Churches can not save you, but every Church that teaches the word of God can lead us unto Christ. I've grown slightly sick of this philosophy because it is so dang confusing. I wish people would listen with the hearts instead of closing their hardened hearts. So many are still confused. So many feel like they have found the truth, yet they still have so many doubts. I know that the message we share is one of clarity and understanding. Doubts are resolved and questions are answered as we earnestly search the scriptures and seek truth. I am seeking for a magic phrase that will help people find the desire described in Alma 32:27 to just awake are arouse their faculties to at least trying the word to see if it is good. I know that if people would sit down and read with just a desire to believe, they would. The Book of Mormon is so powerful, and I love sharing it with others.
Wednesday we had a specialized spanish training for all spanish missionaries in our mission. The main focus was on the Lord's promise being fulfilled of taking the Book of Mormon and delivering it unto the Lamanites. We also treated the key importance of member participation and developing a deep love for the people. A branch preisdent from Mesa spoke and it was incedible. He spoke on the obstacles and challenges that these people face. One of them was the whole immigration issue. This man happened to be branch president in the same stake as Russel Pierce and my oh my. President Smith went off on him. He said that he has done some awful things to the hispanic members of his stake. That is really too bad. Supposedly Elder Acosta of the 70 has recently come here to asses the situation. I am not 100% sure on facts, so don't take my ward for it. More than anything, I learned that I need to love the people and do all that I can for them to help them recieve the restored gospel in their lives. President Smith gave a great idea that worked a miracle for us this week. He suggested the fact that as missionaries, we ARE representatives of Jesus Christ. He reccommended that we stake that fact to all and ask if we could bless people's homes and families with a kneeling prayer. With one particular family it worked magic.
This is the Blancas family. It is someone that Elder Howard felt like we should go talk to. He has been a potential for weeks. He has three daughters, two of baptismal age. He is a crazy, hyper guy who wants to know everything. There was never enough time to answer his questions. Well, to end our first visit on Friday, we knelt down and prayed and blessed the home. The wife and husband both felt it and invited us to come back the following day. We went back saturday with Hno. Castillo, and RM who just moved into our branch after going through a divorce. It was awesome. We taught the Restoration and it really answered a lot of Francisco's questions. They accepted a soft baptismal invitation (which says, "as the Lord answers your prayers and you come to feel that this message is true, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone holding the authority of God?"). It was a great lesson. Francisco, the husband, is a Pumas fan to the bone (Mexican soccer team). He hates Chivas (from Guadalajara, where Kawika is). So, tuesday night he is going to come to our building to play soccer with the men from our branch. The best thing, was that hno. castillo found out that Francisco and his wife will soon be getting married. ONE HGE OBSTACLE DOWN!!! YEAH! I am way excited to continue teaching them.
Ivan Martinez came to Church again. He came this time with a white shirt and tie. He loves the Gospel. He could get baptized this saturday, but as I have mentioned previously, we want his family to progress with him. We have an appointment with all of them for this thursday! Also, Ivan went with the YM to flagstaff to climb humphrey's peak. He loved it. Basically, the branch is giving him a very warm welcome and I know it will do the same with his entire family. They will be baptized eventually.
Maria Rubio bore her testimony in Church yesterday. She is converted so much. It is amazing. She is reading preach my gospel and has already referred many of her friends to the missionaries. Apparently, some in the Phoenix mission are listening. I feel so blessed to have been a witness to the conversion of that woman. It ocurred so quickly, but so powerfully. She felt the power of the priesthood and she read the Book of Mormon. She prayed, and the Spirit is changing her heart. She was called to work with Family history work. The branch is blessing her, and she is blessing the branch.
Maddy, will you graduate with Westview in two years or will it be a separate thing? I know you will survive finals and I am envious that you have so much time to work out. We get less than 30 minutes because of commute. I am running in the mornings usually and it feels great. I love it. Keep working hard. During the summer, I would reccommend that you read the Book of Mormon. Exercise, and you are 16, so you can look for a job...dont be afraid of that option. You are a hard worker.
Will, I am glad you enjoyed scout camp. It sounded awesome. I remember that one. It is where Kevin Perry almost burned down a tent if I remember right. Keep on working hard and finish school strong! Play hard this summer and keep on reading. You should read the Book of Mormon, too! I love you buddy.
Mom and Dad, I hope you have a good week. Do not bike too hard and get hurt. Let me know about the goofy engine thing. Everyone in Arizona has weedwacker motors on their bikes. Kind of like motorcylces. It just adds to the pollution. I put Mels name on the prayer roll at the Mesa temple. I pray for her and I am glad is is not malignant. I am sure you are all being taken care of by the Lord. I am so grateful for all that you do for me. I should be O.K. on socks. I am doing just dandy. One thing that could be awesome. for lunch now I just eat a cliff bar and a banana. Is there any way you could just send a Costco pack of cliff bars in the package? It would be lunch for like a month! I would be just fine with a box of letters and pictures from your family adventures in all honesty.
Well, I love you all so much! Time goes too fast. Pray for time to slow down and pray for the people in my area! I love you all a lot!
Elder Pearson
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