Merry Christmas

How is everyone doing? This has been a fun week.

We had a kid baptized, and I got to confirm him. It was pretty cool, he's a good kid.

Transfers are tomorrow and Fairbanks is leaving. I've never met my new companion, but his name is Elder Henke and I hear he's hard to deal with and bi-polar. But it'll work out. It'll be a fun transfer :P

I'm ready for Christmas. We aren't allowed to watch movies anymore. Even though most missions are allowed to watch movies any p-day, we can't even on Christmas. So kinda bummed about that, but it'll still be an awesome Christmas.

We went to a baptism for the sisters and had to fill the font as they were starting it because whoever was in charge forgot. And a font takes about 2 hours to fill. So while they were singing and giving talks a lot of us were filling trash cans full of water and filling the font really fast. It probably wasn't as warm as they'd like, but we got it filled in time.  It was really fun.

We had mission conference this week.  That's when all the missionaries in the mission got together for a day. We had a talent show and a couple elders and I did a rap song/dance thing about the word of wisdom.  It was hilarious. We kinda winged the whole thing.

We get to teach a youth lesson every other Sunday at a members home.  We did it this week on the true meaning of Christmas and Christmas miracles.  It was a really great lesson. We talked about a guy, Ed, who we're teaching.  He's living with his his girlfriend and they each have one kid. One is 5 and one is 16 months old. He'd been looking for work when we started teaching him, found a job working on an assembly line, and just lost it because he didn't report an injury that he didn't think was an injury at first.  And he's an ex-convict, so nobody wants to hire him. He had enough money to either pay bills for the next couple months or buy Christmas for his two kids. After the youth lesson, a bunch of kids came up and were all wanting to know what they could do to help. Because of these kids, there's enough money to get them Christmas, and we've gotten hold of the president of the the company that fired Ed and he's going to see about hiring him back. Talk about a Christmas miracle. It's amazing what these kids have done. They know the true meaning of Christmas. I'm amazed at their charity and desire to help others.

This is going to be an amazing Christmas. I hope everyone has a good Christmas and remembers the true meaning of it. Helping others and being with loved ones. Best wishes for everyone.


Elder Pearson

Merry Early Christmas

For starters... sweet scripture. Everyone Check out Zacharias 5:1-2. it's at the end of the Old Testament.

This week has been amazing! For starters, about 14 missionaries went Christmas Caroling... which ended up as a big snowball fight (my first) it was so fun. And we knocked on one guy's apartment door. He didn't open the door but told us to leave. sS we started singing really loudly. The guy was constantly yelling at us through the door to shut up and go away.  It was pretty funny.  We forced some Christmas spirit into him.

Then I made my first snowman. All by myself. Fairbanks wouldn't help me, but i made it. It's huge. He was pretty good. Taller than me.  I wasn't able to make the picture cd last week[which is how we will move pictures back and forth after the memory card fiasco], but I have my camera and will make it next week.  The thing wasn't working to make the cd today.

So awesome story this week: Fairbanks and I stopped by the first person I baptized. His name is Garrett and he's a stud. He's 11 and already talking about serving his mission. He's the biggest impact I've made in Utah by far. I love the kid. but we hadn't finished our new member lessons.  So we stopped by to set up the appointment for the last lesson.  This should of taken place 6 weeks ago. But the spirit had other plans for us.

We stopped by Friday and Garrett's aunt, Jen, was there. She just moved in with them. She has a 10 year old daughter in Texas who has recently been baptized and was glad to meet us. She wanted to take the lessons to learn a little about what her daughter, sister, and nephew believe. I know that it was only because we stopped by at that time much later that we were able to set up a lesson with her.

We had our first lesson on Saturday. The spirit was really strong and she was crying. She read 3Ne 11, which we gave her Friday to read, and loved it. After the lesson she asked for a blessing because there might be cancer in her kidneys. We gave it to her and that only brought the spirit in stronger.  We saw her at church the next day and, while walking into Sacrament meeting (which is last) she told us all she wanted to be baptized... and was thinking next week. I know that when we work hard for missionary work, the Lord puts people that are prepared in our path to teach. This is what happened.

On a sad note, I want everyone to pray for Morgan Grebe, who has 32 blood clots. I know that through faith and prayer she'll overcome this adversity. Pray for her and her family. Also, pray for Jen.

For Christmas, I want letters and picture from everyone. Anyone getting this email. I'm reminded with a scripture, Alma 60:5-6 "... Yea, Great has been your neglect toward us. And now behold, we desire to know the cause of this exceedingly great neglect; yea, we desire to know the cause of your thoughtless state."

Just kidding... but not really. :P


Don't forget to pray for Morgan and Jen.

Elder Pearson

December 8, 2009

So it's cold. I'm gettin used to it though. Faribanks and I run to the high school to work out every morning and it's about 13 degrees out then.  The coldest it's been that I know of is 5 degrees. I heard it snowed 5 inches all over Texas this week. Crazy!

Word on the street is Texas barely beat Nebraska. And Alabama slaughtered Florida. Everyone up here wants TCU to play Alabama so it'll make the mtn west look better. Appearently they're impressive. It's killin me to not be watching football right now. How can they expect me to miss Texas playin for the National Championship? UGH. But it's all good.

We get to watch another movie today, cause our mission got over 200 baptisms for November. I think we're gonna end up watchin Narnia. Not my fav, but it's still a movie. Tomorrow is offically my 3 Month mark. This is flying by.

So funny stories for the week. At a ward Christmas party there was this guy that looked like an evil wizard. He wasn't dressed up or nothin, just weird. He grabbed my hand and put a zip-lock bag in it with what looked like drugs. He told me it was a home-made candy made out of potatoes... weird. Then he kept waiting till i ate one. It was wayyy sweet and disgusting. Tthe rest of the night he kept giving us food and we kept throwing it away when he wasn't looking. He was tryin to be nice. Then at Testimony mtg a lady, who's son just went on a mission to Africa, went up, and read his first email, which was just him complaining about everything. It was akwardly funny. The bishop told Fairbanks and I later that he wasn't gonna let her up there for a while.

So I gotta end with good stories. We had our baptism last Sat, which was awesome. I didn't get to baptize her, her friend did, but I did confirm her. After she got baptized, we convinced her to bear her testimony, which was a hard thing to do. As she did the spirit flooded in and she was crying. It really reafirmed my testimony about being in the right place for certain people. She was my first baptized person who I taught from the beginning. She said that if it was any other missionaries teaching her, she wouldn't of gotten to this point. It's cool that things work out that we were able to work so well with her. I know that I was sent to the Terrace for this reason.

So at the baptism, I took some pics... and left my camera at the college institute. We went back a few hours later and it wasn't there. I was pretty mad. I was not thinking many good things. I had already lost my Oakleys I bought right before the mission and my first memory card with my first 4 baptism pics got messed up. so I was not happy to lose my camera. Elder Fairbanks kept telling me I'd find it, but I wasn't hearing it. After an hour and half of pouting I remembered what's really important and went to work. After dinner that night we got a last min call from one of the ward mission leaders asking if we wanted to go to an institute Christmas program thing. After we got permission, we gladly accepted. As we were taking our seats in the large auditoriom, the man right behind me looked at me, shook my hand, and asked if I'd lost my camera. He found it and recognized me from the pics. He gave me the info to get my camera and went down to the stage. He was the music director.

Someone explain to me why the choir director was sitting in the audience right before the program, exactly in the seat before me. And how he remembered me, out of all the pics in my camera, and would spot me in the massive audience, at a thing we wern't going to be at. Explain that without the obvious true reason of God's hand in all things, little and big, in our daily lives. It really is amazing how much he cares about our little unimportant things and works things out for us. All we need is faith.

December 2, 2009

(Ryan playing laser tag on p-day)

Happy Late Thanksgiving! how was everyone's? Mine was amazing. Fairbanks and I wnt to this awesome family's house, the Dumas, that he knew from serving in the area before, at 4 am. They're not in the Terrace, but the next area over. A bunch of missionaries showed up and went into the theatre room. We watched Forever Strong. It was a pretty good movie, but it was about rugby. It's so popular in Rtah and outside the country.

Then we chilled at the house for a bit until we went to this gymnastics place and messed around there. After that we went to Thanksgiving dinner, where the Cowboys game happened to be on, and watched UP at those members home. It was hilarious. Great movie. Then we went back to the Dumas' and had dessert, talked, and watched Elf to get into the Christmas Spirit. All in all, great and tiring day.

How was everyone else's Thanksgiving? It's been a long while since we've had a baptism, but we're having one this Sat! And i'm probably dressing in white to do the actual baptism. I'm excited. The person who's gettin baptized made all the changes she needed without hesitating. She knows without a doubt it's true. And it's all because of General Conference. But ya, really exciting.

Another guy we're teaching looks like a modern day Porter Rockwell. This guy is awesome. Long black hair, tated up all over. Served like 5 years in prision. Served in the Marines and he told us all the ways he's killed people. I can't wait to baptize him, lol. He just needs to know it's all true. And he's got a dog that has a head bigger that any person. and it probably weighs about twice what  do. I love going over there.

He gave me a pretty crazy stat. He said about 51% of everyone in prision in America either grew up, or got caught in Ogden. This place is awesome.

So all the missionaries in our zone went out to Morgan to help the missionaries out and find a bunch of new investigators for them. My companion for the day (Elder Cowan) and I stopped at a member's home and they told us about everyone in the area. He told us about a 60 year old guy who hadn't gone to church since he was 8. He said if we could set up a lesson he'd take us both out for free Prime Rib. We later had to go back and inform him he owed us some food. The old guy was awesome. He had a cowboy type home and was hilarious. I'm just jealous I don't get to teach him. That's about it for this week. It's been a great week.

Those of yall who write me, keep it up. Those who don't, start.


Love ya,

Elder Pearson
 

November 24, 2009

Ryan showing his winter fashions

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope it goes well. I know it'll be amazing for me! We get to actually watch G rated Disney movies, so we're gonna start at 4 in the morning and watch movies untill dinner. Then we're goin to a big gymnastics place and planyin around in there till we go to bed. So i'm def excited. I'm still trying to think of a way to convince our mission president to let me watch the Cowboys or Longhorns on Thanksgiving, but it's very doubtful.

So funny stories... I had my first lady give me a dirty look for buying dr pepper. she actually came up all snug and was looking at my grocries and was like oh dr pepper huh? I was like ya gotta have it and started talking to her. I found out she has a 19 year old son and asked where he's serving. Turns out ms self-rightous has a son who's not exactly headed in the right direction... kinda knocked the smug off her.

We also pulled up to an appt and talked to the drunk guy. He thought we were gonna jump him. It was pretty funny.

But best part of the week was at church. This lady went up to give a talk. She started by talking about how she prepared the talk. then she just read the first line of Called to Serve and sat down. Shortest talk ever. And there was only one other speaker. I felt bad for him but he did well.

Things are goin well here. Gettin cold. Fairbanks is awesome, I'm learning a lot from him. So I go to the Hospital too much. Sat morning we were playing Dodgeball for zone sports and Elder Fairbanks totally messed up his pinkey... didn't dodge the ball. so now i've been to the ER twice and the doctor 3 times in my short stay here. He's in a soft cast for a while. It's funny watching him try to cut stuff up at dinner.

But everything happens for a reason. He's been on out here for a while and gettin ready to head home. He had some things he was worried about and was asked twice if he wanted a blessing of comfort. Both times he declined. so Sat morning he got a blessing for his pinkey by one of the Zone Leaders and it started with words of comfort. What was said was exactly what he needed to hear. Our Father in Heaven loves us so much and helps us as much as he can. When he wants us to hear something from him... we'll hear it. Even if you have to have your pinkey broken to hear it. it was truely a testimony builder.

I love being here so much. The only complaint I have is it's going by too fast. I was scared that I'd be too slow but I wanna sign up for another mission just so it'll feel like i'm gone for 2 years.. not 2 months. I know this is where I'm supposed to be and i'm learning a lot more than i'm teaching other ppl. It's the best thing to see someone's life change for the better as they feel the spirit in their lives and accept Christ in their lives. Any time I bear my testimony or read the Book of Mormon I truely feel the Holy Ghost in my life, and I want this feeling to continue for eternity. The great thing is it can, and with my family. So I encourage any members to try to read every day. Start the day off right. and anybody who isn't a member to give it a chance. I know it's the word of God and another testiment of Jesus Christ. I know God talks to prophets just like he has in the days of old. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He loves us all the same, and wants to continue to be a light in our lives. I'm just trying to help people see the light.

Yall have a great Turkey Day, Go Cowboys, and don't be afraid to write.


Elder Pearson
 

All the Texans in the Utah Ogden Mission in the actual Ogden area (before Elder Shonk went home and they lost one)

Art By Ryan

He sent a letter with a drawing.  Ryan said Aunt Laurie wanted to see a picture.  So here you go.  Art by Elder Pearson.

November 17, 2009

This week i got a new companion, Elder Fairbanks. He's awesome! we're having a real good time. He was a Zone Leader in this area a while ago, so he knows a lot of ppl. We have one kid, Abe, getting ready to go on a mission to Australia. So to prepare, he's going everywhere with us. Things r going great.

It's gotten a tad chilly again. The lowest it's been while we've been out and about that i know of is 22. There's snow everywhere. We've started teaching youth lessons. Pretty much, anyone in high school who wants to meet up at this one house and we give a 1/2 hour spiritual thought or lesson. We're gonna do it once a week. The last one was pretty good, pretty good turnout.

So last week on wed, my left foot started killing me. I couldn't walk on it. so i eventually went to the doctor and he looked at it. I guess i had a cut i didn't know about and it got all infected and what not. so it started spreading until i couldn't walk and would have gone up my leg if i didn't go to tha doctor. so i got an antibiotic shot in the butt and some pills to pop. it's doing a lot better, still looks pretty sweet.

So i sent my camera's memory card home 2 weeks ago with all my pics and videos from the MTC and my first transfer out here. Somehow on the way home in the mail, it got messed up and is of no use. So no new pictures for a while, sorry. kinda sux.... but it OK, because i know Lil things like this are Satan trying to bring ppl down and the work is too important to let that happen.

I wanna end with my testimony that Christ's true church he set up was lost, but has been completely restored. That we do have Prophets who are mouthpieces for our Father in Heaven. That God loves us all so much and give us commandments as opportunities for happiness and to show our love back to him. Already, I noticed I've started to take for granted the gift that we all have as members, the Holy Ghost. It's such a powerful thing and isn't limited by words like ppl are. It works through your feelings and tells you what's right and what we need to do. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be out here today. I'm grateful to live in a time that we have the priesthood, God's authority, here on the earth and we can strive to be like Jesus. I know we all come short, but all that's asked of us is to keep trying. To endure to the end. Then, we can look our Savior in the eyes at judgment, tell him we did what we could, and he'll embrace us with his love. I love my family for preparing me for this mission. I love ya ll for supporting me, and those of ya ll who have written me so far. I've felt God's love so much in my life and I'm here to give other's the chance to understand it in it's full potential.

Elder Pearson

November 10, 2009

Hey Everyone, how's it goin? My transfer is already over! it's crazy! Tomorrow i'm gettin a new companion, Elder Fairbanks, who appearantly is awesome! so i'm excited. I'm staying in the Washington Terrace. Now i just gotta stay another transfer after that to have a good Xmas. Because this transfer ends Dec 21st.

So good stories this week. We were eatin dinner with this one family. One of the kids asked me how long i've been out and i said 3 1/2 years. i said i signed up for 2 missions. the father asked the kids what his fav song was and all 3 of them started singing a song to the tune of Fara Zchoka. it quoted 2nd Nephi 9:34 which says "wo unto the liar who shall be thrust to Hell" it was hilarious. i got it on video. Best dinner ever. I finally had jello... about time.

We went down to the Ghetto part of our area to teach a guy for the first time. There was a Ginormous evil dog going crazy as we rode to the fence. the dog was chained to the house by the door. so we put our bikes in the yard out of reach of the dog and as we walked up to it it layed down and was happy. then it decided it wanted to play and started jumping on me and taking playful bites. only problem is it was as heavy as me and it's playful bites hurt. The thing is just lucky it didn't tear my suit. When we got to the door, the guy said we were the first ppl ever to get to the door without him in the yard. feels pretty sweet.

My last story is from sunday. we were supposed to give a talks in the 13th ward at 11:00. We realized at 10:50 we were at the wrong building and had to book it to the right one on our bikes. as we walked into sacrament meeting one of the counselors announced we were here and asked us to join them on the stage. we made an entrance. Then during my talk, i gave my goals joke i gave at my farewell talk. Which completly disses the U of Utah. At the end of sacrament the bishop went to the podeum and said it was his job to correct false docterine. and he said i had some in my talk. I got terrified. i was trying to think what i said that was contrary to our beliefs. but he was only talking about the joke. big relief. and i talked to a guy who has family in Waller. that was cool.

I sent my memory card to my mom last tuesday so there should be some new pics soon... a lotta new pics. That's about it for the email. we're teaching a lotta ppl. working really hard. and having a blast. I love bein a missonary, but i miss yall.

Elder Pearson

[mother's note - the memory card is corrupted and I am trying to see if I can recover anything.  I am sick with the thought the pictures are lost since those will include his first baptism, etc.  Stay tuned for more]

November 3, 2009

How's everyone doin? No real funny stories this week. Just pure business.

When i just got to this area they combined two areas together so my comp and i have been doing the work that 4 missionaries before us did. but they're about to split it again. so the work will be better. we'll get to know more people and help our investigatores more.

we're teaching a 12 year old and we sang her a hymn. this made her mad and she told us to come with a rap next time. so i wrote an awesome rap for her next time we stop by. i forgot it at home, but it's good.

I just learned that the Highschool in my area (ginormous btw) is the school they filmed High School Musical at. i havn't been in it. but the outside is pretty cool.

So when i heard i was going to utah for my mission, i thought i'd have jello every day. It's their state food. but to my suprise, i havn't had any jello since i came out of the MTC. 5 weeks with no jello. it's a suprise.

We're teaching a couple who aren't married, but living together. so we can't baptize them until one of those things change. we finally confronted them about it on sunday. i was scared because i doubted they'd care. we had 2 show up at their appt. and drag them to church that day. but they actually said they've been talkig a lil about it. it was cool. they're great ppl, we just need to get them motivated to attend church and wait for stuff till they're married.

i ate lunch at a place called wingers yesterday. The food was decent. but as a side dish, everyone had fries, and for some reason they gave me celery. i was mad. who put celery as a side-dish at a resturaunt? Trash.

well those are my rants and raves. how are yall? Write me! Lemme know how ur all doin. PEEACE

Ryan's Favorite Scripture

I had to ask Ryan his favorite scripture to put on a plaque at church.  I thought I would share what he chose:

2 Nephi 33:6-7

I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.
I have charity for my people. and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat.

October 27, 2009

Crazy Busy Week. But it seems every week is.

It's been snowing hard all day today. We're supposed 2 get 2 feet of snow today and tomorrow. it's perty cold. expically riding a bike down the hill at 35 mph at night when the suns's gone and there's nothin but cold wind on my face... but i wouldn't trade a second of it for anythin.

Last week, after i wrote my email, Elder Sebesta and I were knocking on doors and a big fat old guy answered the door in some whitey tighties... sick. But it was hilarious. I found a dog named Gypsy... which they stole from me. The two ppl running for mayor of our city are in the same ward. so that's pretty fun to watch.

A couple days ago we went to eat dinner. and right after dinner went to a lesson with a family. When we walked in they had dinner all set up with 2 places for us. So we had 2 pretend that we havn't eaten in forever and eat a 2nd dinner without them knowing. The funny part was the dad asked if we've ever had 2 dinners planned on the same day and we just looked at each other and were like, "it's happened once or twice." So i'm sure i'm gaining a whole bunch of weight... o well.

i got to dress in white again this week. we had 2 more baptisms. so far i've baptized 2 ppl and had 4 investigators baptized. and we have 5 more with dates. and a lot more potential. so it's pretty sweet. during a lesson i said a quote to emphasize constantly reading the scriptures. "amatures practice till they get it right, but professionals practice till they can't get it wrong." my comp, elder sebesta, destroyed it with his quote. "amatures build the ark, but professionals built the titanic... killed the spirit. but it was pretty funny.

well our ride home is here. so i gotta cut it short. yall have a good week, and b sure to write!


Elder Pearson

October 20, 2009

How is everyone doing? I'm fine thank you. It's gettin coold. Last night we were riding our bikes and it started hailing on us. it was like playing air soft and everyone is just continually shooting you from above... kinda hurt. then it turned into rain and i got soaked, then cold. but it's all good.

Also yesterday, we were talkin to this one lady in the appts and she had a mommy and daddy dog in the appt and the dad was... well at attention. i couldn't keep a straight face while we were talking to her. i also met my first guy on crack... least I'm guessing it. we stopped by this one house we're gonna start teaching at and tha wife had 2 call the husband up from another room. this guy couldn't stay focused, still, and was just sweating bullets. it was pretty funny to talk 2 him and answer his questions. we also talked to an atheist psychology major. we didn't get him to believe in God or religion, but he def didn't have his all knowing swagger when we left... it was pretty sweet.

I totally found some distant relatives in my area! Distant Linford relatives from a couple greats back. but they didn't know my Grandparents names, so I'm guessing they were pretty distant. but they were going strong in the church. so it was nice to see.

I baptized my first kid on sat. we had 2 baptisms and i did one. it was cool! we also have 5 more investigators with dates and 2 more baptisms on sat. it's a miracle they're getting baptized because the wife needs her husband's approval to get baptized and he HATES Mormons. but he finally gave it to her so we're good to go. when my mom sends me the other memory card I'll send mine and there will be a bunch of new pics on http://www.elderpearson.blogspot.com/.

How have all of yall been? i know that you have to reply in an email or a letter. so do it. i wanna know how yall have been. i miss chillin with everyone in Texas, but i wouldn't trade this for anything in the world. this is awesome! we've been so busy this week. literally not a minute to spare. we're late for everything we go to, but i wouldn't have it any other way. busy is good, just means we're bringing others unto Christ. which is def a plus. well i gotta get going, but yall take care. and write me, Elder Pearson

Ocotober 13, 2009

How's everyone doin? This week has been crazy.

So a couple hours after i emailed yall last week, my companion hit the fence sideways going down a hill at about 35 mph, did a flip in the air, and tore 3 tendons in his shoulder. so he got sent home to get surgery and recover for a bit. meanwhile, i have elder sebesta, from cali. he's been out for 4 1/2 months, but is a strong missionary. he's got the bom and bible basically memorized. he reminds me a lot of the waiter in office space though :/ o well.

So on wed i was physically sick just from bein nervous about shonk leaving and me having a pretty inexperienced companion now, and only being a missionary for a week in an area that i didn't really know and he didn't know at all. But through the power of prayer and obedience we're doing great. we got to see a kid we've been teaching get baptized. we have 7 investigators with baptism dates, 2 of which are this sat. and i'm pretty sure i get to baptize one! :)

it's been warming up a bit here, but i'm preparing for the snow :/ the people here are soo nice and help as much as they can. i'm still not used to having mountains all around me yet.

So this sunday was testimony meeting, and we went to 3 churches. so i got to bear my testimony 3 times. and one kid, bout 16 maybe, bore his and just tore into obama.... made my day. it was hilarious. things here are pretty sweet. really busy. we're always teachin and feeling the spirit. 2 nights ago, i commited a couple to get baptized, and the spirit was so strong. i told them about when i baptized my sister, allie, and she was crying afterwards and the spirit poured in. i love teaching people! i was also able to commit a member who hasn't gone to church in a couple years to go to church this sunday! it was great to hear.

How are all of yall? lemme know, hit me up. Mail is good. I'm gonna leave yall with a lil thought. We're given many commandments. When you follow one, don't think of it as a sacrafice. It's not a sacrafice to go to church, pay thithing, or be a good neighbor. It's an oppourtunity. you have the oppourtunity to show your love for your father in heaven.

News From Ryan

Ryan wanted to start with an excerpt of this talk from General Conference:



For the full talk, go to
http://www.lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference&event=Oct179&lang=english

It is the Sunday afternoon session, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.  You can scroll down to Sunday PM and then over to Elder Holland.

Now, this week from Ryan.

Startin out, just reminding everyone who dosn't want the updates to ask my mom to take their email off tha list. no hard feelings. Also, check out http://www.elderpearson.blogspot.com/.

So startin out, my Companion is Elder Shonk, who lived in my ward about 3 min away from my house in Houston.... that never happens. it's pretty sweet havin someone you know as you companion for a while. We're serving in the Washington Terrace, anyone know anyone there? We're over 2 stakes, so we're pretty busy. So this was my first week out in the mission field. It was great! we are teaching a bunch of ppl and some less active members. we have 5 ppl with baptism dates... all before i got here so not cause of me. but it's cool to have the spirit with me at all times. how are all of yall doin? for the next 2 years my address is:



Elder Pearson

2133 Washington Blvd

Ogden, UT 84401


and i expect every single person to write me. i gotta know how yall r doin.

so the great scripture for the week is Exodus 17:2 this is mainly for T-Nick and J-Gat. it literally says not to tempt the Lord... sweet stuff. well i'm in a biking part of the mission so i bought a sweet bike and decked it out with wicked awesome Texas stickers.... Gotta rep the H. Yesterday in the space of 30 min it snowed, hailed, rained, and the sun was out... only in utah.

some funny stories... Elder shonk and i were lookin for this one house last night in the dark. and we came across the freakiest street ever. it looked like someone stole a street out of disney land. bunch of weird houses, and the last one was, i'm guessin, a little person house. but the garage was like only big enough 2 fit a bike... kinda freaky. we talked to this crazy guy who told us he had an out of body experience for over a month and then woke up in a strait jacket. and this one family we had dinner at... nicest ppl, but they were so typical mormon. bunch of kids and instead of using names they called eacher sister or mother etc.. ( can you pass the bread sister?) kinda weird there. But this place is amazing and i wanna end with my testimony, or what i know to be true from earnest prayer.


I know there's nowhere else i'd rather be right now than on my mission serving the Lord. I know that our Heavenly Father really listens to our prayers and answers them. I know that any commandment is made to help us and we can recieve strength from God to keep these commandments if we ask in faith. I know that the Bible and Book of Mormon are sacred books of scripture and the word of God. They are also both a testiment of Jesus Christ. I know that without the Atonment then death would be the end. Without Christ's Atoning for our sins we wouldn't be able to live again with our Heavenly Father and our families for all eternity cause we'd all be unworthy. I know that there have been prophets throughout many times in the world and we have one now. Thomas S. Monson. I know what he says as a prophet, seer, and revelator is directly from our Father in Heaven. I know that we are all loved and and known by him and i know i love you all as well. Thanks to everyone for the support and the best of luck to everyone in whatever you want to accomplish in your lives. Don't forget to write.

Elder Pearson
 
(mother's note - remember to give Ryan your mailing address since he can't email anyone but his family - he will write back, or so he tells me)

Nothing From Ryan This Week

Ryan left the MTC on Tuesday, the 29th.  He arrived at the mission home in Ogden, Utah where he met his trainer - Elder Aaron Shonk.  For those who don't know, Elder Shonk is the other guy in our ward who is currently serving in Ogden Utah.  Strange World.  We are hoping to hear from him this week!

Here is a picture the mission president sent.  It is the picture they took of him which will be on the transfer board in President Olsen's office.  You would think the boy could smile!

Week Two

HEYY, i'm so pushed for time, so it'll be quick. i'm leaving this place on tuesday, so my address will change. i'll let yall know wat it is when i get. check out elderpearson.blogspot.com. it's a pretty cool web site :P


This place is amazing, soo spiritual. we're learning how to teach what we call the plan of salvation. i love the fact taht families are forever! it makes me feel a lot better to know i'll be with my wife and family forever! well i gotta go and try to reply to some other emails. WRITE DEAR ELDER. i'm in the provo mtc. bless you all. have a good week!

PART TWO

so on saturday a bunch of ppl, including urs truely went as close to the fence as we could to hear the byu/fl. st. game.... sad to say it was pretty quiet... and we got this fat kid on the other side of the fence keep going to his home and updating us on scores. anyone who wants to know anything at all, read James 1:5. it's such a good scripture and so true. remember to pray as much as you can to your Heavenly Father. he wants to hear yall

A Midweek Letter From Ryan

Although not P-Day, Ryan sent a letter he wanted me to share with y'all.

So today we went to a building where we call to followup with people who have ordered free Book of Mormons or Bibles from our commercials.  I called a woman whose daughter had ordered a Bible.  She was sobbing when she answered the phone.  She told me she was on the ground praying for God to show her He loved her.  She was begging him to have someone call her.

She was going through some horrible financial troubles and had been faithful to the Lord, but needed to know He was listening.  I was able to assure her that He was and I sent some missionaries to her house.  I will never know how it turns out, but I hope that she finds the truth from the missionaries.  I know that prayers are answered and Heavenly Father loves us all. 

Every day here I feel the spirit like I only have a few other times at other places.  My companion and I were teaching a member of the church as practice, and she asked us to talk about President Monson, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  By the time we were both finished her eyes were teared up and I felt it too.  Nothing brings the spirit stronger or faster than a testimony.

PIctures from the MTC

Ryan sent some pictures from the Missionary Training Center (MTC).  He seems to be not only working hard, but having fun.

This is he and his companion, Elder Fox, in front of the Missionary Training Center sign.  A must picture for all missionaries.

This is the group of four Elders going to Ogden - Fox, Pearson, Kurtz and Davis.

Ryan and his district (a group of 8 missionaries) outside the Provo Temple.

Boys will be boys.  Ryan described this as his "matrix" flip.

Also in the boys will be boys category.  This is Elder Davis, one of the Elders going to Ogden.  His mom would be so proud.

Week One

One week down at the Missionary Training Center (mtc). it's be the toughest, most overwhelming and greatest week of my life. I've learned so much and am so in tune with the Holy Ghost. Here, the days feel like weeks, but when you look back on the week it feels like a day. i only get 30 min, once a week to check and write email, which is elderpearson@myldsmail.com, and i am only supposed 2 email family. so anyone who writes back, who should be a everyone, plz put down your full address just in case i don't have time. you can also write me letters. my address is

Elder Ryan Linford Pearson
MTC Mailbox # 142
UT-OGD 0929
2005 N 900 E
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

and a third way to contact me is a website called dearelder.com. it's amazing. you write me a letter on it, and in 2 hours they print it off and have it in my mailbox like a letter. and for the next 2 weeks, it's free! so that's the best way to write me. Every day when we get letters is like Xmas, so yall send em. If you get this email, your on the foward list. which means you'll get a long email every week fowarded from my mom. if you want off it just reply and ask her to take it off. no hard feelings.

Some fun scriptures i've found are proverbs 21:19 and Genesis 4:9 for anyone who thinks weed should be leagalized, not me but i think this verse is funny. I found this kid who looks and sound exactly like mclovin. it's hilarious. Ending on a spiritual note, last night the mtc was visited by Elder Jeffrey R Holland! He's an apostle to our prophet Thomas S Monson. It was the best talk i've ever heard! He talked about missionary work and not messing your life up. The spirit was so strong in the room. but the best part of the night, i think, was when the choir sang at the beginning. It was a song i havn't heard before and a line from it was, "How many drops of blood were spilled for me?" The atonment of Jesus Christ so we can repent for our sins took place when he died on the cross as well as in the garden of gethsamane. This is where he suffered for our sins, felt any bad feeling we've ever felt, was betrayed, and most importanly, literallly bled from every pore in his body. an unimaginable sacrafice for all of us, his brothers and sisters. I started tearing up when i thought of this and wondered how much he suffered spicifically for me. I testify to yall that i know he loved us so much. this is the only reason he went through this. he know's u personally cause he went through exactly what you go through and will go through. his love for us is endless and we can show our love for him and our father in heaven by keeping his commandments and praying. Prayer is a literal phone call to GOD. and they are answered. I love you all and know this is the right thing i'm doing. Everyone keep up the good work and don't forget to write.
Missing yall,

Elder Pearson

He's Gone

[Note this is not Ryan, but his mom] A few pics of Ryan as he left today. I am guessing we should hear from him in about a week.

JGat, TNic, and Lauren came by to say goodbye.

A Fine Way to Start

Since this is a blog to document Ryan's mission, I thought the way to begin is with his farewell.  Below is the text from his talk.

I remember the first time I saw a missionary farewell talk. I had no idea who gave it or what they said, but I remember being horrified that this bishop was asking this poor guy to leave his home for 2 years. And still worse was the fact that he had to give a talk right before he left. Back then, much like today I hated speaking in front of large groups. I remember the promise I made with myself, the same promise I’m breaking right now. That I would serve a mission without hesitation. But the moment they asked me to give a farewell talk, I’d be done with it all.



Good morning brothers and sisters. My name is Ryan Pearson. For the next 2 years I will be Elder Pearson, but I might be called “get off my yard” more often. And today is all about me, so my topic should be as well. I’ve been asked to talk on faith building experiences in my life and how they’ve led to prepare me for a mission. going on a mission has always been important to me. I’ve always planned on going on a mission, getting into a good school, such as BYU, finding a wife, and becoming a millionaire. Although I don’t want to earn the money, just inherit it. But I’ve known that I would need to serve a mission first to set off the chain of events and would need a lot of faith in order to do so. I also figured if I didn’t serve a mission I might be broke, alone, and end up at the University of Utah.


Before I talk about what’s built up my faith, I’m going to give yall the most common symbol to faith, a little seed. I know this is very basic and overly used. But I believe it is very important. And some of the most basic thing r the most true. If someone gave you an apple it’s like your first spiritual testimony building experience. The apple is going to taste good, be healthy, but most importantly, give you a little seed. You take that seed and plant it. Take care of it by feeding and watering it, and making sure it gets enough sunlight. This is like going to church, reading the scriptures, and praying twice a day. If you take good care of your apple seed it will eventually grow into a strong apple tree, able to withstand storms and strong winds. Just like your faith will be strong and able to withstand temptation. But no matter how strong or old your tree is, it’s always going to need constant food, water, and sunlight. A lot of people forget this. They gain strong testimonies, stop growing them, and eventually fall away from the church. If you do everything right your apple tree will grow delicious apples that you can share for other people and hopefully they can grow their own trees. Just as you can share your testimony or use your faith to help other people grow their own faith in our Heavenly Father.


After hearing that first farewell talk long ago, I paid as much attention as I could in primary, preparing for my own mission. My favorite song was I hope they call me on a mission. I increased my testimony through prayer and Sunday school. Always using it to find little toys I’ve lost. I probably found them because they were in left obvious spots, but the strong innocent testimony of a child to find them was the answer I took. A great way to increase faith is to read the Scriptures and see how faith in others has helped them so much. But to get the fullness out of the scriptures, you must read them every day. Some people might read a lot on Sundays and say it’s good enough for the week’s reading but this dosn’t work. If I take a very long shower once a week and don’t bathe for the rest of it, I might smell really nice that one day. But for the rest of the week I’ll smell like the Tomball Ward. You need to enlighten every day with the scriptures and give your faith a chance to grow. Now that my mission is near and I actually have the melchizedek priesthood, I have really been able to see the fullness of the power of the priesthood. I have witnessed and taken part of miracles that I bear testimony to only have happened through priesthood blessings and faith.


Another big faith builder has always been the temple. Hearing about the sacrifices that were made from the first church members as Joseph Smith was commanded to build the Nauvoo Temple installs the faith they had early in that time. They gave everything they had to make it beautiful. It’s much easier to build one now. But still, every expense is paid to make the temple of the highest quality. As it should be, for it is the house of the Lord. As I’ve been in the Temple with the youth I’ve felt the spirit the strongest. And recently I went through the Temple and took out my endowments. Before, I was filled with nerve and excitement. Before, I couldn’t imagine what I would feel in the rest of the Temple, when I already felt the spirit strong surrounded by a bunch of kids. As I went through the temple, I knew it was what I should be doing, but I never had my AHAA moment I’d hoped for. I never had an overwhelming feeling from the spirit that this was the house of the Lord and this is the true church that I’ve had many times before in the temple. It didn’t take anything away from my testimony that I didn’t get that moment, but it kind of bummed me down. That night, as I laid in bed waiting to fall asleep I started to think about everyone who went through the temple with me. Family, close friends, the Bishop, and the Delamares even arranged their schedule, with a family reunion the next day, to make it. That deeply touched me as I thought about it in bed. I thought of the pure love they have readily for everyone without hesitation. And I started feeling that way for them. Then for my parents, and everyone who went to the Temple with me. I soon started feeling peace and joy when I thought about my old seminary teachers and everyone in out stake and soon, everyone I knew, whether I usually liked them or not. Now I know this is an ordinary day in the life of some people, such as President and Sister Delamare, but that moment increased my testimony more than I thought possible, and I knew that I wouldn’t of had my AH-HAA moment without that trip to the Temple.


I’ve had many moments in my life that have tested my testimony and strengthened it. But as soon as I had my own testimony, I’ve made it my goal to try to build it up in others and do some missionary work, which has mostly started in 7th grade when it consumed my name. Some of my high school friends probably have to think for a minute to tell you my first name. That’s because for the last 6 years my name, to about 85 percent of Tomball High School faculty and 96 percent of students has been Mormon. It was started as a way to make fun of me, but I kept it and turned it into a way to inform everyone I could about my people. I’ve had everything from questions about my moms and the guys on bikes to substitute teachers telling me Mormons don’t drink tea because they couldn’t make it themselves in the old days. I’ve enjoyed answering questions and correcting facts throughout high school. And I know that I will continue to enjoy it in the mission field. I’ve always thought of missionary work as kind of like hunting. You have to pick a good area, patiently wait as you find a target, and hope you don’t mess it up. But where I’m going, Ogden Utah, it’s kind of like I’ve been given a shotgun and start shooting fish in a barrel. Most of the people I tell I’m going to Ogden give a split second look of failure. Then they immediately realize this and start talking about how it is the highest baptizing mission and I’ll be treated like a rock star. Rock star or not, I’m happy I’m going to Ogden. Which, by the way, the Ogden mission is where I’ve been saying I was going to for about 3 months before I received my mission call. I’m happy to go there because it was where I was asked to go. I’ve known, a long time ago before my call that you are called specifically to a precise mission. And I know that I am going to Ogden because there are certain people who will only listen to me and it’s what I need to do. I recently found out that my family heritage is rich in the northern Utah mission. My ancestors made the trek across the united states to Utah. They helped set up Logan, Utah. And also a president of Utah State was a lot of great grandfathers ago of mine. So perhaps a reason I’m going, on top of it all, is to find some relatives of mine and help guide them back into the church. No matter what the answer is, I’ve been called there and I’ll figure out why when I’m there.


I’ve always heard the quote, “You don’t move up or down in church calls, only around.” And I use this for missions as well. Ethan Grabau, from Tomball ward is serving a mission in Sierra Leone. My uncle Steven is serving in Brazil. I know that in all three of our missions there are baptisms and teachings going on and truth being spread. The only difference in the 3 missions is the amount of Jell-O intake. Them none, and me, probably more than I’d like.


Hebrews Chapter 11, verse 1 reads: NOW afaith is the bsubstance of things choped for, the devidence of things not seen.


And Alma Chapter 32, verse 21 reads: And now as I said concerning faith—afaith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye bhope for things which are cnot seen, which are true.



These are two very similar quotes from two different books. The first from the Bible, and the second from the Book of Mormon. This shows how similar the two books are and also shows how important faith is. There are many things which cannot be proven, but are known for fact by many people. This knowledge is through faith and called a testimony.


I’d like to end my talk, brothers and sisters, with my testimony. That I know for a fact that a prayer is always answered, even if it’s not the answer you might want. That Jesus is the true son of God. That he did walk this earth thousands of years ago and he had faith enough to walk on water, raise the dead, and calm the seas. I know that faith is rewarded with blessings. When I was having a missionary interview with Bishop Mclane, he told me that both I and my family would be blessed from it. Then he told me that specifically we would be financially safe while I was on my mission. This was at a time that my dad was ending a project as a construction manager. Because of the bad economy, very few new building were being built and very good construction managers were being laid off because of lack of projects. I worried about my dad finding a new job, probably more than him or my mom. When the Bishop told me this my eyes teared up. I knew it would be fine and had full faith in it. I sent in my papers and my dad just landed a year long project transitioning some HP buildings into a Lonstar College campus less than a mile down the road. I know this was because of faith and a willingness to serve. I also have a testimony that we do have a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson. and he is directed by God to give us information. I will miss my family, my friends, and my ward. Also Tomball ward, my 2nd home. I will miss the good food and people of Texas, but I know I will shortly adapt to the foreign customs and people of Utah. I want you all to know that I feel a strong love for you all. That a week ago, the love was overwhelming. And you all have helped me shape me into the person standing here today. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen