Another Week

Another week has gone by in the mission. Thats another week of work I've lost. Being on the downhill half of the mission ain't fun. Nothing too crazy has happened. A lot of tracting and appointments that have fallen through. Gotta love being a missionary.

This week we met a sweet family though. The father, Bishop Katoa, played football at BYU. He played with Ty Detmer when they beat Miami and Ty got the Heisman. He's in the Tysman Rap. It was cool to talk about football a bit.

(In case you did are not familiar with the Tysman Rap)

Not too long ago someone asked me who I would want to talk to out of anyone on the earth who has lived or is living. It's a question that's asked a lot. There are a lot of people who would give anything to talk to some great leaders, scientists, or musicians of the past. But there is someone who all fail in comparison to. Someone who we actually do get the chance to talk to whenever we want. God is by far the most influential in Earth's history.

He is the inspiration of anything good that comes about. He knows everything and everyone, and loves us all. Because he loves us, Our Heavenly Father commands us to pray to him. The greatest opportunity we have, and we are asked and expected to take it. Prayer is key. I couldn't imagine my life without having a listening ear at the drop of a hat. Not only does he hear our prayers, but answers them too. He knows what's best for us and might not give us the answer we want, but we will get something. It's up to us to build a deep personal relationship with the creator of all we know. And our relationship with him is as close as we make it.

Someone told me that they were getting frustrated and disappointed with their prayers. I guess they were not as grand as expected. But the key thing about prayers is it doesn't matter how fancy we say them, or if they are done how others might. All that matters is a sincere conversation from the heart. If you do that, then the prayer is perfect.

In the Bible, James 1:5 tells us there is no stupid question in a prayer. And Galatians 5:22 tells us how we are going to get our answer. The Holy Ghost, through our feelings, will tell us what is right and answer any question we have. It's such crucial thing to have. There is someone out there who has a perfect infinite love for everyone, and wants to hear from us. Don't let how you pray discourage you from doing it. Don't let Satan ever make you think you shouldn't pray. Christ tells us to always pray unto the Father in his name. A quote I love from Brigham Young is to "pray until you feel like praying". You aren't going to get comfortable with prayer until you exercise it and build up your relationship. I have a strong belief and testimony of prayer. I've seen too many of my own prayers and others' answered to think otherwise.

Love yall. Keep in touch

Elder Pearson at Kay's Cross for information click here

http://www.utahgothic.com/tour/Kay's%20Cross.html

What A Week

Things are going pretty good in Layton. Still not as busy as we can be, but we're getting there.  The weather is cooling off a bit, which is kind of good. It's cold in the mornings.

Steve Dorman, one of our investigators, was baptized on Saturday.

He is 23, and the definition of a stud. There was not an open chair in the room when he was baptized. His mom, who hasn't gone to church in a loooong time, decided at last minute to go. And his dad, who isn't a member, went with her. It was good to finally meet them. He also had some older sisters who haven't gone in a long time go. One bore her testimony after the baptism. He also had a lot of old high school friends go. It was one of the times I've felt the spirit the strongest. He bore his testimony after and basically gave a talk. His real good friend who baptized him, Taylor, really had to change a lot lately to be able to be there for him and be able to baptize him. And now Taylor is planning on going on a mission.

We have a lesson Friday with someone and we're taking Steve along. We've go to figure out a way to get him to go on a mission. He's worked hard to get the job he has now and would be leaving a lot. But he'd be so great as a missionary. So that's next on our list with him.

Other than the awesome baptism, we've had a normal week. Just working hard and looking for people. We tracted out some apartments. When we knocked on this one door a guy, Matt, answered and looked really happy to see us. I recognized him as a drunk man I've spoken with before on the street. He said we came right in time. He had a real sick dog and has been praying for him all day, and he was going to give up in 5 minutes. He wanted us to say a prayer with him. The moment we said amen, the dog who had not eaten or gotten up in 3 days was limping around the house with his tail wagging. He ate 2 bowls of food while we were there and looked pretty happy. Not nearly as happy as Matt.

He said it was something he really needed and told us we'd seen a miracle that day. It was true. They happen because God loves us. It's great to know there is always someone looking after us and helping us with everything. No matter how big or small.

One Year Mark

Thursday is my official year mark. I'll have been in Utah for 12 months.

Elder Johnson is a typical Canadian, and reminds me a lot of Andy Bernard from the Office. His first day in the area I got a sweet family, the Godfreys to pull a prank on him with me.

The Godfrey Family with Elder Johnson and Elder Pearson

They have a daughter who I told Elder Johnson we were going to teach and prepare to get baptized. Bro. Godfrey picked us up and pretended to be Bro. Green, someone from the ward to come along with us and help us teach. We started the lesson and Bro. Green spent half the time teaching the more unique things about our church that investigators don't need to know. He went way into detail about a lot of stuff, which is a missionary's worst nightmare that we sadly face a lot.

Half-way through the lesson, Sister Godfrey, the "anti" mom got home. She yelled at us for teaching her daughter, yelled at her for having boys home without her there, and threw a fit. it was hilarious. Johnson bought every second. Definitely a memorable welcome to the area.

Last night we had a pretty cool experience. We were walking down the street when we got a text from someone we didn't know telling us to go to this house we just walked past. So we turned around and knocked on the door. It turned out to be a family who doesn't go to church anymore, but are all baptized. So we set up a lesson with them tonight. After we got out we texted the mystery person who told us about the family and thanked us. He told us that they've been fed a lot of anti-Mormon stuff and we should talk to the Bishop before going over there. So we did. He said that he and the stake president had been trying to get into the house for months, and was excited we were able to do it. So hopefully we will have a sweet lesson tonight and help this family back to church.

We also have a baptism this Saturday. Steve is getting baptized. Saying he's a golden investigator wouldn't do him the justice he deserves. He is beyond prepared. Half of me is mad nobody found him before, but I'm happy to get the chance to see him get ready for this Saturday. Teaching him has really accelerated and energized the work in the area. We have some more potential going and it's great.

I know lately I haven't had a lot of cool stories or good spiritual thoughts. It's not because I'm not having them or because I don't care any more. I love being out here. This last year my testimony has grown by leaps and bounds. I've grown more and in more ways that I ever could have any other possible way. I love being a missionary. I love being able to tell people every day what I know is true. One of the things that the devil hates the most is when people bear testimony. And I get to do it to every person I meet! I get to make him mad on a daily basis. I do know that Christ lives! He loves us enough to go through what he went through for us. Without him, life would be meaningless, but with him, its so meaningful. This church is true. I know it without a sliver of doubt. President Monson is an inspired man, and the Prophet of God. I got a ticket to the Saturday Morning session of General Conference, and I am counting down the days until I get to look at God's Mouthpiece and witness firsthand the spirit he carries with him. It's gonna be sweet.

The Jensens, Elder Brown and Elder Pearson (the Elders live in the Jensen's home)

9Th Transfer Starting

This morning we got transfer calls. I'm staying in Layton/Kaysville and greenie busting Elder Johnson from Alberta Canada. (My 2nd Canadian comp) Elder Brown is going to Clinton to serve with Elder San Ramon from the Philippines. He'll be in a different area than I was in when I served there.

This week has gone well. The Temple president for the Houston, Texas temple lives in one of the stakes I cover. It was pretty cool to get to see his home. The bulk of our teaching at the moment is still Steve, who changed his baptism date back to September 11th. Steve is a stud.

The mansion we live in has a movie theater room in it which we haven't been able to use. That changed this week when we showed Steve a DVD.  Elder Brown and I came across some copies of Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration, which is regularly shown in the Joseph Smith Building in Salt Lake. It's a powerful movie, but even more so with the big screen and surround sound. It was cool. I'm hoping to be able to continue to utilize the theater room.

Jory was baptized this Thursday.  It was a good baptism. It really helped me realize how much the spirit helps people in times of need. Jory doesn't live in the ideal home. His dad showed up to the baptism drunk, and his mom spends almost all her time at work. I'm just happy Jory was able to find a good family to go to. The Jenkins have helped him out a lot. He's always over there, and they, over time, brought him to church and introduced him to the missionaries. It was great to see him take the steps he needs and be an example to his family. He's great. And one of his friends, Ryker, was at the baptism and went to church this last Sunday. We just need to get his parent's permission to start teaching him. So we'll work on that this week.

Besides that, theres not too much to report. I'm hoping to continue to work hard and find the daily miracles the Lord puts in my path. I hope everyone is doing well. Keep in touch. Love yall


Elder Pearson

Utah, Ogden Mission