Hugs from Strangers (August 18)

Hello! :)

Here are the next two articles from the News Paper:

No one is past saving:

http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/news/269423011.html

Missionaries go beyond the bike:

http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/news/270369411.html

We have had some really great experiences this past week contacting people on the streets in neighborhoods and such. It is pretty incredible that when you really pray in faith miracles can happen. 

It rained this week. And it felt good.

We helped someone wash his van and Sister Sonasi and I ended up getting into a small water fight...

We had exchanges with our Sister Training Leaders. I got to go to Sumner for a day. It's a cute town with little shops and stuff.

At a member's home for dinner the most awkward comment ever was made. 

Win for the most uncomfortable moment ever:

We were walking past a group of pre-teen/teen girls who S. Sonasi and S. Muir talked to the day before. And one of them runs over and gives me a hug... and NEVER LETS GO. They were trying to be goofy or funny or something. But all I could think about was the smell of this girl and her sticky arms wrapped around me... and how they got there. I looked over and low and behold the other people were recording it on an iPhone and an iPad. The girl then ran over to S. Sonasi, but S. Sonasi literally ran away. The girl came back to me, but I told her to stop. We started walking down the street and were like 100 yards away when the girl comes back and starts walking with us. I asked her what her name was and she replied "John" and when I asked her how old she was she said "35." Getting a little annoyed. I walked over and asked some older teen if she knew the girl. The girl got embarrassed and left. So don't be surprised if you see us on YouTube. 

We had a missionary devotional last night and man was it great. Brother Brandenburg spoke and bore his testimony about how he's a Southern Baptist gone Mormon. I always feel the Spirit so strong at those meetings... especially when I'm part of the choir because I get to look down at the audience and literally SEE the results of this great work that I get to be a part of. Our Heavenly Father loves ALL of us. And to see hundreds of people who have come to know and feel of that love and the truth of His Restored Gospel. AH! You can't even put into words how amazing it is.

This week I have been really trying hard on strengthening my faith in the Savior. As I've prayed more earnestly and studied the scriptures and gone about my day I have been able to feel the strength that comes from our faith in Christ. It helps us to be more like him and follow His example. This is a powerful video that shows clips from Christ's life that show some of the different attributes that he has:

http://www.mormonchannel.org/youth-theme-2013?v=2816242068001

I know that as we try to emulate the attributes of Christ we are blessed with peace and happiness.

Let me know what's going on in your life! :)

LOVE YOU ALL!
Until next time, I'll be doing it the Federal Way!

Love,

Sister Pearson

13 Months and Counting (August 11)

None of the funny things that happened last week seem like they'll be that good typed out so I don't know what to write today...

I guess I'll just write some random stuff...

Sister Sonasi asked a guy if she could touch his hair... awkward. Haha.

Someone who's door we've only knocked on twice in the past 7 weeks left us a HUGE sign half as big as their door saying "I WORK NIGHTS AND SLEEP IN THE DAY. STOP KNOCKING ON MY DOOR!" Hahaha! We felt so special.

I used a super nice porta potty next to some model homes.

We asked some guy what his dream job would be and he replied, "I would make knives and axes out in the woods."

We were saying a prayer in our car before we got out. We finished and I simultaneously opened my eyes and started opening the car door only to look up and find the lady and her son staring at us. I don't know how long they had been there, but it was creepy. It didn't take long for us to find out that they were not interested.

I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting on service. Luckily I had two days warning instead of 30 minutes... although, the audience was kind of brutal. Haha.

As of yesterday I've been out 13 months! CRAZYYYY!

One of the ladies we meet with totally made a dark joke on Sister Sonasi. It was priceless.

Met two creepers this week. On the scale of 1-10 the first one was definitely a 10. I won't repeat some of the stuff he was saying to us because I don't want to relive that moment, but let's just say this is how it ended:

Him: *with eyes opened super huge and pointing his finger at me* "I am going to find you! I'm going to remember your license plate number and I'm going to find you!"

Us: Uh... okay, bye!

The other guy wasn't too bad, but I was taken a little off guard when he asked me out for coffee. I just looked at Sister Sonasi and she said, "Oh. We don't drink coffee." "Well, what about juice?" the guy responded. "Welll.... we have to stay in this little area, so we won't be able to do that. Sorry!" we replied.

People are funny.

It's going to be SUPER hot this week. Not cool. We happen to get the bike/walk days on the hottest days of the week. But I still pray in gratitude that I didn't get called to Florida or Texas or Arizona or Ecuador or anywhere hot and humid....

OH! I got to do a little bit of my Familly History and it was way sweet! I found a line on my dad's dad's side that goes clear back to 1560 in Germany! If you haven't made a FamilySearch.org account, go do it! You can discovery so many great things! And if you don't know what you're doing there is probably a family history center at a church near you that you can get help at! :) It seriously was so amazing discovering my family! :)

Probably already sent this one, but I finished the Book of Mormon for the second time since I've started my mission and I just LOVE it. I know anyone who asks in faith can receive an answer. Listen to this man and how he gained a testimony of it's truth:

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages/topics/book-of-mormon?v=1256696369001

Okay. LOVE YOU ALL!

Until next time I'll be doing it the Federal Way!

Love,

Sister Pearson :)

Happy August! (August 5)

Whoaaaa. Another month! Can you believe it?! I seriously can't. Life is crazy.

Last week was pretty eventful I guess.

The little Asain boy who asked me to be his girlfriend called me sweet-cheeks. Don't know where kids come up with this stuff, but it's hilarious.

We met an awesome 83-year-old lady named Ann gardening. She immediately gave us a tour of her backyard and house... and the thing she calls her "other house." A GIANT dollhouse that she created. Miniature stuff (I don't know if it's an old-school hobby or what). It's seriously the most detailed doll-house I've ever seen... little door knobs and door hinges and teeny tiny books that actually have stories in them and a little music room with teeny instruments and it goes on and on. It was funny. Ann is awesome. She said she grew up in Arizona and her best friend is Mormon. She let us come back to weed her yard. She also has ancient little dogs. They're like blind and crazy... if you can imagine a 17 year old chihuahua that's what it is.

We got to do some more service and help spray paint someone's wall blue. After we left we talked to a bunch of people on our way home. And not until like the 5th person did Sister Sonasi tell me my nose was all blue. Gee thanks. So that was kind of embarrassing, but whatever. Haha!

Actually met a few people who said they "LOVED MORMONS." Seriously the lady was like jumping up and down talking about how she loved living in Arizona and was wanting to move to Utah just so she could be surrounded by Mormons. Pretty neat.

An awesome Mexican family in our ward gave us Jack Fruit. Don't know if you've had it, but it's soooo weird! Find one, try it, and tell me what you think because I just can't put my finger on the flavor. They say it's like a bunch of fruit flavors combined into one... but there is something else.

When we were heading over to one of our appointments there was a girl on the phone on the other side of the street. When she saw us she immediately told the person on the phone, "Church girls! Gotta go!" and hung up. She ran over to us. Obviously having some sort of reaction to the drugs she just had and told us her whole life story and how she starting doing crazy drugs when she was in 8th grade. She kept telling us how she wanted to change her life and how much drugs had messed her up. It was so sad. :( The next day she entered into Rehab for 35 days and we hope to be able to contact her afterwards. It's funny the people God will place in your path. In all of our paths actually. Usually they're not the ones to come up to us, but if we pray to help someone in each of our days God will give us an opportunity. It's our job to act. Help someone today. :)

Kaleb was baptized and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost this weekend! What an awesome and sweet-spirited little man. He is wonderful and so selfless. It was a day he's been looking forward to for a while. :) We were lucky to teach him.

It is HOT over here. I don't care if the HD is like 110... it feels hotter here. -__- Especially on the bikes. Sister Sonasi and I are dying all the time. Haha. Sweaty smelly disasters on a mission. Haha! I don't even know if I'd talk to myself if given the opportunity. You'd think biking would slim us down or something. Nope. Instead this nasty man muscle has formed on the back of my legs. Yay. Alas, we ride on.

The Gospel is great. God's light is always there, but it's something we have to search for and work to find. AND it's in His timing that we can understand. Listen to this guys' journey of losing all hope and later finding that God really exists and has a purpose for us.

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3701964025001

Until next time, I'll be doing it the Federal Way!

Love,

Sister Pearson :)

Biking with the Mormons (July 28)

What a wonderful week! 

I might as well hit you with the best news of the week... which by this time you already know. I was able to go back to Kent to be at Sean and Lisa Brandenburg's baptism! :) What an incredible day. Seriously. I got to sing a song I wrote for them. And then Sean bore his testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. It seriously was incredible. It was a testimony to me of how true the Gospel of Jesus Christ is and how it has been restored. They radiated the joy that comes from following Christ's example. They have so much to look forward to on their journey and I'm excited to be able to see (or hear) about it. :) So great.

The rain came back for a little bit this week. It foreshadowed the rest of my mission post-August. -__-  So looking forward to it. Haha!

We had interviews with President Eaton and Sister Eaton. They are the best.

After grabbing some food from some wedding reception, we were driving home and saw a little kid literally in the middle of the road. Walking on the yellow line as cars were whizzing by him. We pulled over in the nearest open spot... which happened to be a fire station and ran out to go get him. Luring him in with a cupcake. We though he might have some mental disabilities, but we're not sure. Apparently, he and his mom got in a fight and she left him somewhere to walk home. The fire fighters came out and took him home. Feels good doing good.

It was Sister Sonasi's birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday to her! :) All I could really do was put up some birthday signs at 5:45 AM. Haha:) But it worked. Not to mention a member in our ward Jeremy made her a gourmet cake.

We had some funny times contacting people this week. We were talking to these two guys in their garage and they were pulling out jokes about everything. These 50-year-old-harley-bike-riding-type-of-guys were seriously cracking up so bad they were crying and couldn't breathe. I couldn't help but laugh because of their laughing. Oh the people you meet on a mission.

We're working on Sister Sonasi's reactions to people. Some lady was pointing and laughing at us through the window of her car and Sister Sonasi kinda shouted "BOO!" at her... yeah, working on it. She said it just came out. Haha! She's great.

Sooo. The newspaper article with me and Sister Webb in it came out! It's part 1 of 3.

http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/news/268464392.html

I have one correction to make to it... my parents are practicing Mormons. Haha. I think he got confused and meant to say I'm the only practicing of my siblings. Haha:)

Check it out! :)

We are still working with Joe and Caleb. If all goes as planned Caleb will be baptized this Saturday and then Joe next Saturday. They are seriously the best. Joe's already living it up at the single's activities haha:) It's so great to see people so excited to follow Christ. And seeing the impact in their lives as they follow God's commandments and gain a testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel. 

This is the last Prep Day before transfers next Tuesday. My bet is both Sister Sonasi and I will be staying here together for at least one more transfer. I only have 4 more after this one is done so we shall see what my mission future holds.

Have I sent this one already? Welp, sorry if I have. It talks about missionaries. A lot about foreign ones, but it applies to us team USA missionaries as well. My country is Washington. Haha;P

http://www.mormonchannel.org/introduction-to-the-church?v=2639016659001

Until next time I'll be doing it the Federal Way.

Much love,

Sister Pearson :)

OFA ATU (July 21)

Welp, things are good here in Pioneer Valley.

 

It's weird more people over here actually know where Victorville is.

 

Random things happened this week.

 

We were sitting in our car about like 3 words into a prayer when we here a bang on our car. Both of us open our eyes thinking "What's going on?" Sister Sonasi actually was thinking, "What is Sister Pearson doing during my prayer?!" and I look out my window to find a little shark-head-helmeted boy on the floor with his bike. He seriously just ran straight into our car. His little hand was waving in the air "I'm okay, I'm okay! This happens all the time!" He gets up and shows us all of his band-aids and then walks away. Luckily, the car was okay too. Just some tire marks along the bottom. Haha.

 

A little Asain 6-year-old came up to me and told me his friend wanted to date me and that I should say yes. I asked him, "How old is your friend?" He replied, "Nine." I then told him I was too old for him and he ran away.

 

We were just about to cross the street and we saw a guy who's motorcycle stopped working on the other side of the road. We got the go for the cross walk and went over to him. We ended up walking with him as he rolled it all the way over to our church and luckily some people were there who helped him get it back to his house. He told us he thought it probably happened because God was trying to tell him to go to church. We agreed. :)

 

We had a Missionary Devotional and guess who came?!?!?! Sister Webb and the Brandenburgs! I LOVE THEM!!!!! :D AND GUESS WHAT?!?!! THEY ARE GETTING BAPTIZED THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW EXCITED I AM!!!! I get to go and play a song. I don't know which one yet, but hopefully I'll figure something out.

 

Caleb the 9-year-old is getting baptized on August 2nd and Joe is getting baptized the Saturday after that. They are awesome. :) It's been so great being able to teach them.

 

So I walked up to this man who was pulled over with his van (later found out his GPS wasn't working) and he first said: "JW?" Me: "Nope." Him: "Mormon?" Me: "Yes." Then he appeared to be getting back into his car, but instead he came right up to my face like a foot away, looked me in the eyes, and proceeded to yell at me for like 5 minutes straight. All I could really say was "Alright, have a great day!" and we rode away. Haha:)

 

Ten minutes before church we got asked to teach the lesson in Gospel Principles. That was funny.

 

We had exchanges with the other sisters this week. I got to spend 24 hours back with my trainer in her area in Graham. We had lunch at some pretend-to-be-Chipotles and it was sooooo good (not as good as Chipotles, but sometimes you have to settle.)

 

Our Bishop told us about some cool Family History thing. I guess if you type in Roots FB on Google it's some thing that shows you what famous or historical people you are related to. Seemed pretty cool.

 

In Zone Meeting this last week we talked a lot about Family History. And the Spirit just hit me so strong. How often do we realize that our earthly existence would not be if it weren't for our ancestors who came before us? And as we live here we have the chance to learn about them and even more importantly, help them receive the blessings that we enjoy right now. I know that all of our loved ones who have passed on continue to live as Spirits. They have the opportunity to learn and grow. Because of the Restoration, we have knowledge about this. This video explains really clearly God's Plan for our Happiness...

http://www.mormonchannel.org/our-heavenly-fathers-plan?v=1838710831001

 

Welp, OFA ATU brothers and sisters. (It means I love you in Tongan, haha).

 

Until next time, I'll be doing it the Federal Way.

Love,

Sister Pearson :)

One Year Down (July 14)

So I was petting some dog and it jumped up on me and basically pulled my skirt off. That was embarrassing. Haha. Luckily, I don't think the owner really noticed.

 

Trying to talk to people. Here's how one conversation went:

Me: Hey! How are you? (to a two guys sitting on their porch)

Old man: Good.

Me: Great. Are you father and son?

Old man: Actually, that's my daughter. (it was obviously his son... a 45 year old man with a beard)

Me: (brushing off his last comment) Niiice. What's your favorite thing about being a dad?

Old man: When she got a boob reduction.

Me: -___-

 

He really thought he was funny. Not so much.

 

Another experience:

A lady is walking with her bike and one of those big gallon ice creams with the red handle. We stop to talk to her and as soon as we stop she drops the ice cream upside down, which was completely melted, on the dirt and it pours out everywhere. I quickly drop down trying to pick it up. I lifted the container and the ice cream was just chilling in a melted clump on the lid, so I put the container back on and try to flip it over. There was obviously a good handful of dirt in the ice cream, and after saying sorry I tried to say that the dirt would blend in with the cookies and cream. Luckily she actually wasn't that upset about it because it was a good deal. She later went on with too much detail describing her love life. Man, the mission is disturbing at times.

 

Some really nice lady talked to us forever... and wasn't interested, but she gave us some bags.

 

A member in our ward is a super good cook/baker. Sister Sonasi asked him to make cookies and we show up to find he made us homemade peanut butter cookies and rocky road. What a champ. Sister Sonasi was elated. Haha:)

 

We had to teach the Gospel Principles class this past Sunday and then go in to the Young Women's class to help. So we are meeting some more people in our ward. But it's just sooo huge.

 

I am stoked because we are teaching a Jamaican lady and she's the best. So cute.

 

Hmmmm. Well. Yup. Oh yeah, I passed my year mark. Time is flyin' by. I'm freaked out that I only have 6 months left. Crazyyyyy!

 

Family is important to all of us. A love for family is something that is naturally instilled into all of our souls. We inherited that love from our Father in Heaven because we are part of His family. He wants us to be able to continue to have our relationships even after this life. Learn why Mormons value the family so much:

http://www.mormonchannel.org/introduction-to-the-church?v=2639016673001

 

Until next time I'll be doing it the Federal Way.

Much Love,

Sister Pearson :)

Sweat and Sunburns. (July 7)

Basically all we do is sweat now. I pray in gratitude everyday that I am not serving my mission in Arizona or the east coast or anywhere hot and humid. I just couldn't take it.

 

I got super sunburned. The Lord is blessing me and not having me peel a bunch like I would back in California. We have just been walking miles and miles around. Taking secret back trails through some trees and getting lost. Adventures.

 

Sister Sonasi is hilarious. We knocked on a random door. Not out of the ordinary, the man signaled at his sign and said "Ummm, no soliciting!" We tried to talk for a little and left. As we walked away Sister Sonasi was like "Doesn't no soliciting mean no kissing? We were not kissing!" Hahaha! ;P She's great. She also has powerful prayers. We were eating at a ward member's and at the end she offered us an ice cream sandwich. S. Sonasi exclaimed "YES! We have been praying for ice cream!" I looked at her, "We?" She replied, "Oh, well maybe that was just me." Haha! And that's not the first time either. She's told me some funny experiences with her praying for food and getting it. What a champ. I love my Polynesian companion.

 

So the 4th of July was good. The people here are CRAZY with their fireworks. They do the full blown fireworks from their front lawn. So all you do is walk out on the street and you can watch like 15 different firework shows just exploding all across the city. I know where to go for the 4th now. It was crazy.

 

We have a couple great investigators right now. Joe is a 30 year old guy we are teaching. He's a roommate to one of the members in our ward. He is super excited to learn. :) And then Caleb who is a super sweet 9 year old.

 

I was able to see one of my best friends Sister Webb at a baptism on Saturday. She's great. I luh her.

 

Random fact about Puyallup: the fire hydrants are painted silver. Weird.

 

Welp. Spiritual thought for the day: God blessed us with a BEATIFUL world. Let's take care of it. Please don't spit your gum on the sidewalk and toss your Cheeto bags out the window.

http://www.mormonchannel.org/more-videos?v=3641596636001

 

LOVE YOU ALL!

Until next time I'll be doing it the Federal Way.

Love,

Sister Pearson:)

A Nickle and a Penny (June 30)

Hello Everyone,

 

So I'm in Puyallup now. Puyallup South. Basically as south as it gets in the mission. Our ward (Pioneer Valley) literally borders the Tacoma mission.

 

We are in a house. We share it with another set of sisters. The back wall of the living room is basically a bunch of windows so birds try to fly in and die. I cleaned up two of them the other day. I don't like that. We also share the car. So we get it every other day.

 

The first things that were said to me when I tried talking to people over here were "Um. You're creeping me out." and "Do I know you?" It was a lovely welcome to the new area. Haha!

 

My companion is Sister Sonasi. Tongan. From West Valley Utah. She's hilarious. I was wondering when I would get an Islander companion. It happened. Woot-woot.

 

We are in a ward that has Elders as well. Elder Christiansen and Taylor. Still getting used to double the missionaries. It's weird.

 

I noticed there were some Pearsons in the ward, so naturally we went to go meet them. They are nothing like my family. Nope. And I don't think they were actually too happy to meet me. So I probably won't see them again. Oh well, it was still fun calling them Brother and Sister Pearson.

 

We were walking around and S. Sonasi waved to someone in their car. Next thing I know I heard a whizzing sound, felt a sting on my wrist, and then heard a clink. I looked down to see a little pink circle shape on my skin. I turned around to find that the person in the car chucked a nickel and a penny at me. -__-  Seriously. Hahaha! I was cracking up. First thing thrown at me. Feelin' good. Haha. :)

 

I do miss Lake Sawyer soooo much! But I know in time I will love Pioneer Valley. We are basically aimlessly wandering around talking to people. (The street system is SO confusing!) But miracles are still happening as we try our best.

 

I am realizing how life isn't meant to be comfortable. As soon as we are comfortable, we aren't progressing. I heard it put this way... Life is like an escalator going down. We have to work to get up it and as soon as we stop moving forward, we're automatically going to go back down. So keep pushing on and keep working hard. And trust in the Lord. :) Things will work out, but they won't if we stop trying.

 

Challenges will come, but we can be at peace when we Trust in the Lord and in His timing:

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages/topics/trust-in-the-lord?v=1289877050001

 

I don't have much to say today.

Until next time I'll be doin' it the Federal Way.

 

Love,

Sister Pearson :)