[Note: Elder Pearson comes home on Monday, August 29th. He will arrive at 5:01PM on a US Air flight - which is Terminal A. If you would like to be there to welcome him home, all are welcome]
This sucks. I was pretty excited about the mission coming to an end until Monday. Then I realized all the lasts start. Last Tuesday with the last email. Last night was my last P-day eve. So we had a sleep over and didn't get to bed till 6 am. We were supposed to have a ride come at 5:45 AM to take us to the temple, but he never showed up. So we slept till 10 and started the day. We stayed up all night playing a sweet card game called Bang. So addicting!
The week has been sweet. We're still picking up a bunch of new people to start teaching. The weather is warming up a bit and all the anti-Mormon people are getting extra grouchy. I've had some temple stuff yelled out and heard a scripture in Deuteronomy 3 different times about false prophets - and the name Joseph Smith has followed the scripture every time. But it was cool.
We went on splits with a kid named Joseph. His brother's name was Hyrum. haha crazy stuff. We had a sweet mission conference on Saturday! Elder Bednar, Bishop Burton, and Elders Cherrington, Callister, and one I can't remember from Japan. It was intense. 3 1/2 hours with all these men and their wives. I learned a lot. Mostly that Elder Bednar is a really funny dude. He's a lot different when he's not in General Conference. He was having a good time calling a lot of missionaries out and slightly rebuking them. It was funny. 2 of my former companions, Daly and Waggoner got rebuked.
I've been doing well not thinking about home and after mission stuff till this weekend. Elder Bednar talked about marriage for over 1/2 an hour. Then on Sunday we had 4 Sacrament Meetings. All of them were about family and marriage. And one of them was a homecoming!
But it's all good. I'm still working hard, and making every hour count. On an unrelated note, here are some sweet scriptures y'all need to read. Job 10:20, 2 Tim 4:6-7, 2 John 1:12, and Moses 7:63.
Next I have the newly updated and completed top 25 reasons for not doing missionary work, in order. Reasons for not inviting their friends to meet with the full time missionaries. All which I have personally heard or experienced while on this mission by completely active people, with 2 exceptions:
25 "We're in Utah, everyone is LDS" - All
24 "I don't keep track of stuff like that" - Logan
23 "They moved in during the summer" - West Haven
22 "It's summer" - Brigham
21 "Our Bishop is really missionary minded" - Kaysville
20 "Someone in our ward joined the church a few year ago" - Kaysville
19 "They're all old people" - Brigham
18 "I've only lived here a few years, and haven't gotten a chance to know my neighbors yet" - Roy
17 "My kids pray for opportunities" - Brigham
16 No Excuse, whole family just left the room - Washington Terrace (Possibly not active themselves)
15 "It's no my thing" - Clinton
14 "They aren't members" - West Haven
13 "I'm on the High Council" - Logan
12 "They're letting us store stuff in their back yard and I can't afford to lose that" - Kaysville (Fairfield Ward)
11 2 reasons 1 Floor mat said Go Away 2 He had a U of U shirt on - Kaysville
10 "Our houses are on 1 acre plots and it's harder to meet your next door neighbor" - West Haven
09 "I'm not in the Relief Society presidency any more, I'm sure they'll find someone" - Perry
08 "I don't want to alienate my friends" - Kaysville
07 "They're getting active in another church" - Perry (They were inactive themselves)
06 "No offense, but I think I'm a better teacher than you" - Kaysville
05 "I wouldn't worry, he lives across the street from a church" - Kaysville (Fairfield Ward)
04 "We're good friends with them and I don't want to put that on them" - Kaysville (Fairfield Ward)
03 No Excuse, just yelled at us for knocking on their door when is said no soliciting - Kaysville (Fairfield Ward)
02 "Don't expect much, kids around here are raised not to associate with non-members" - Kaysville (Fairfield Ward)
01 "All my friends are LDS because the church says to have good friends" - Brigham
Hopefully that brought a few laughs. I worked hard to get these - lost the spirit a few times when I heard some of these. I didn't have the last one until this last week. But the Lord knew I needed a solid 25, so He provided.
In all seriousness, this mission, these past 24 months have been the greatest times of my life. Also, some of the worst. I've been scared and courageous. Alone and surrounded by loved friends. I've grown more at this time more than I will the rest of my life. And a lot more than I did before the mission. I'm still not where I need to be, but I'm on my way. And the experiences I've had and the people I've met have helped me to become better.
The gospel has filled holes in my life that things in this world would only temporarily fill. Christ's love is for everyone. I've seen it. I've been able to walk into a home, or meet someone on the street and immediately have a love for them. Even for members! It's crazy!
The friends I've made while out here, whether they be missionaries, members, or friends of other faiths, will always be there for me, and I'll be there for them. This is the exact same church that Jesus Christ established on the earth! Miracles still happen! My family and I have been part of and witnessed them. We have a living prophet. I've been fortunate enough to hear 4 of his Apostles in person while serving as a missionary (not counting General Conference) I've shaken hands with 2 of them. And even had a good chat with one. They do know Christ!
This message will help anyone. But we must let it help us first. We cannot help someone become converted past our own conversion. Read the Book of Mormon. Pray about it again and again. Seek answers as you attend church. Gain a testimony! I love y'all. Thanks for all the support!
--
Elder Pearson
Utah, Ogden Mission
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
2 Weeks Left!
So that sucks. This will be my 2nd to last email home. Next week I'll have a big long email. You'll laugh, you'll cry. It will be better than a movie. But today, it's gonna be boring.
First thing is first: Rick Perry is running for President. The man telling Texas to fast and pray for rain. I'm getting Utah pumped for this guy.
It took almost my whole mission, but I got a good jello story! Earlier this week we had dinner with an old couple. One of the side dishes was green jello with chopped almonds and shredded cheese in it. It was horrible. It still doesn't beat the jello with tuna and mayo that exists somewhere in the mission, but it was pretty bad stuff.
We got to live the Good Samaritan story. Sat night our split's car ran out of gas and died. So we pushed it to the side of the road, and he got someone to take him to the gas station to get some gas. While he was gone, the 3 of us waited by the side of the road for them to come back. While we waited, a stake party was getting out down the street. Many members of the church passed by. One even stopped, took a picture of us, and then drove off again. Finally someone stopped to see if we needed help. They were not coming back from the party. They had sleeveless shirts on and tattoos. But these were the people who acted most like Christ that day.
One more story. One of my newer excuses on the list I put out a while ago of why people won't have their friends talk to missionaries (the updated one will be on the next email) was the simple statement "she's not ready" Even though the "she" in questions went to youth conference. Even though she bore her testimony at girl's camp. And had been going to mutual. "She's not ready." I had this family who told this to us. They then told us of a family who would invite this girl. Eager to delegate, they sent us to the Meullers, who did invite Kyla. She has now had 2 lessons with us, and has a date to be baptized September 10th. "But she's not ready."
It was pretty fun telling this family all this on Sunday at church. I did it nicely and didn't offend. But this family learned what we all sometimes need to remember. It's not up to us to decide who is ready. Ed would be the least likely to be baptized, but he was. It's up to us as members to invite everyone. There's nobody that Christ wouldn't invite to be baptized. This seems a lil rebuking, but don't take it that way. Go out and be missionaries!
First thing is first: Rick Perry is running for President. The man telling Texas to fast and pray for rain. I'm getting Utah pumped for this guy.
It took almost my whole mission, but I got a good jello story! Earlier this week we had dinner with an old couple. One of the side dishes was green jello with chopped almonds and shredded cheese in it. It was horrible. It still doesn't beat the jello with tuna and mayo that exists somewhere in the mission, but it was pretty bad stuff.
We got to live the Good Samaritan story. Sat night our split's car ran out of gas and died. So we pushed it to the side of the road, and he got someone to take him to the gas station to get some gas. While he was gone, the 3 of us waited by the side of the road for them to come back. While we waited, a stake party was getting out down the street. Many members of the church passed by. One even stopped, took a picture of us, and then drove off again. Finally someone stopped to see if we needed help. They were not coming back from the party. They had sleeveless shirts on and tattoos. But these were the people who acted most like Christ that day.
One more story. One of my newer excuses on the list I put out a while ago of why people won't have their friends talk to missionaries (the updated one will be on the next email) was the simple statement "she's not ready" Even though the "she" in questions went to youth conference. Even though she bore her testimony at girl's camp. And had been going to mutual. "She's not ready." I had this family who told this to us. They then told us of a family who would invite this girl. Eager to delegate, they sent us to the Meullers, who did invite Kyla. She has now had 2 lessons with us, and has a date to be baptized September 10th. "But she's not ready."
It was pretty fun telling this family all this on Sunday at church. I did it nicely and didn't offend. But this family learned what we all sometimes need to remember. It's not up to us to decide who is ready. Ed would be the least likely to be baptized, but he was. It's up to us as members to invite everyone. There's nobody that Christ wouldn't invite to be baptized. This seems a lil rebuking, but don't take it that way. Go out and be missionaries!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
I Love My Bike!
I forgot how much I missed my bike. I just feel better when I'm not in a car all day. Elder Henthorn and Maw like it too. However, we've already taken a trip to the doctor. Elder Maw ran right into the big pole that controls the traffic lights, head first. It was some funny stuff. He's ok.
The weather is a bit warm, but nowhere close to Texas. I heard y'all have had a 30 something streak of every day over 100 degrees. That's crazy. Maybe I can bring some rain with me.
We're back to getting someone to give us rides every night because of the bikes. A few days ago, when a priest was driving us around in an old beat up car, we stopped at a red light and Elder Henthorn rolled down the window to talk to the car next to us. The guy just looked at the car and said "I'm worried if that's all my tithing money can afford!" It was pretty funny.
Being in a trio isn't too bad. A little awkward contacting people. But once everyone gets the area down, we'll be able to split up and get more work done. Should be sweet.
I had an awesome Birthday! I started it by doing some service, which is the next best thing to playing sports for missionaries. We helped distribute a big pile of rocks in flower beds. It took a while though, cause the rock pile was half sand, so we had to wash them first. After that, the family we did service with/for took us to get Bahama Mamma's at the Maverick. They are the best hot dogs I've ever had. And, they had chopped up bits of jalapeño in them. After that we did a bit of planning and then had breakfast for dinner! With a cool family. It just so happened that we didn't have dinner scheduled that night, so we were able to get one set up with this family, worked out great.
After dinner, we had a sweet lesson, and then went to a baptism. When I got to the baptism, my mom's fist boss/family friend, Pia, was there. She gave me giant cooler with cake and ice cream inside. And, of coarse, Dr Pepper.
It was a pretty sweet bday, in the middle of a pretty sweet week.
The weather is a bit warm, but nowhere close to Texas. I heard y'all have had a 30 something streak of every day over 100 degrees. That's crazy. Maybe I can bring some rain with me.
We're back to getting someone to give us rides every night because of the bikes. A few days ago, when a priest was driving us around in an old beat up car, we stopped at a red light and Elder Henthorn rolled down the window to talk to the car next to us. The guy just looked at the car and said "I'm worried if that's all my tithing money can afford!" It was pretty funny.
Being in a trio isn't too bad. A little awkward contacting people. But once everyone gets the area down, we'll be able to split up and get more work done. Should be sweet.
 |
| Elders Henthorn, Pearson and Maw - August 5, 2011 |
I had an awesome Birthday! I started it by doing some service, which is the next best thing to playing sports for missionaries. We helped distribute a big pile of rocks in flower beds. It took a while though, cause the rock pile was half sand, so we had to wash them first. After that, the family we did service with/for took us to get Bahama Mamma's at the Maverick. They are the best hot dogs I've ever had. And, they had chopped up bits of jalapeño in them. After that we did a bit of planning and then had breakfast for dinner! With a cool family. It just so happened that we didn't have dinner scheduled that night, so we were able to get one set up with this family, worked out great.
After dinner, we had a sweet lesson, and then went to a baptism. When I got to the baptism, my mom's fist boss/family friend, Pia, was there. She gave me giant cooler with cake and ice cream inside. And, of coarse, Dr Pepper.
 |
| Elder Pearson with his birthday goodies compliments of Pia Jones. |
Transfer Week
Tomorrow I start Transfer # 17. I am staying in Perry. Elder Waggoner is getting transferred out. I'll be in a trio companionship with Elders Maw and Henthorn. This will mean I will have 17 companions for my 17 transfers. It's crazy stuff.
We're losing the car, so I got my bike back. I've had a car just over 4 months, and I'll have a bike just under 20 months. Which is good. I feel more like a missionary that way. It'll be sweet to be able to bike my last month and get somewhat back into shape. It'll be interesting being in a trio. I'm planning on sending them to go teach every day and take priests out and go tracting or get members to invite nonmembers. It'll be sweet.
We had 2 baptisms this last Saturday. They were awesome!
The first was Gracie's. It was a sweet baptism, with a lunch afterward.
The second was Dylan's. If I haven't explained this kid before, he's like Cartman. As he came up out of the water he stood there for a few seconds then said "That... was awesome!" Then after he got changed the bishop gave him a journal to record his feelings from the baptism. He took it and held it over his head like he just won a trophy. It was a sweet baptism.
We've got one this Friday in the evening. It's gonna be a sweet birthday present. His name is Alex and he's a stud. This last month will be pretty cool. The trio will help me to work hard and finish like I should.
We're losing the car, so I got my bike back. I've had a car just over 4 months, and I'll have a bike just under 20 months. Which is good. I feel more like a missionary that way. It'll be sweet to be able to bike my last month and get somewhat back into shape. It'll be interesting being in a trio. I'm planning on sending them to go teach every day and take priests out and go tracting or get members to invite nonmembers. It'll be sweet.
We had 2 baptisms this last Saturday. They were awesome!
The first was Gracie's. It was a sweet baptism, with a lunch afterward.
The second was Dylan's. If I haven't explained this kid before, he's like Cartman. As he came up out of the water he stood there for a few seconds then said "That... was awesome!" Then after he got changed the bishop gave him a journal to record his feelings from the baptism. He took it and held it over his head like he just won a trophy. It was a sweet baptism.
We've got one this Friday in the evening. It's gonna be a sweet birthday present. His name is Alex and he's a stud. This last month will be pretty cool. The trio will help me to work hard and finish like I should.
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