January 19, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
Sunday, January 18, 2015
18 Months (January 12)
Hello! :)
Man. This past week has been so good. Miracles abound.
Like it says in the subject.... I hit my 18 months on Saturday. Pretty wild.
Everyday I'm realizing how lucky I am. Ah. It's too great.
Anyways.... we went on two exchanges this week.
ONE. I was with a brand new missionary in her area. S. Parsons. It was crazy to see someone that was where I was 18 months ago. It helped me realize how much I've changed. How much I've let my mission change me. So grateful. They serve in a Young Single Adult ward which seems like a ton of fun.... looks like I'll never experience that. Haha. Oh well. There are a lot of new members there. So cool to see young adults sharing the gospel. So powerful.
TWO. A surprise exchange. AKA a gift from heaven. S. Ballard got to come back over here and go on an exchange with me! It was the BEST! I love her so much. I can't even begin to list all of the things she has taught me and helped me learn. We had an awesome lesson with a lady named Toya. Funny how Heavenly Father orchestrates everything. I met Toya in October walking her dog and met her again last week and set up an appointment. Just so happens we get into her house on Saturday and she tells us at the end how it's been rough because her cousin passed away and the funeral was that same day! We didn't have a clue... but guess who did? God. It has been way too sweet seeing His hand in everything. That lesson was so powerful. I felt the Spirit so strong.
Sadly, I don't have many funny things because the week flew by. You'll be proud to know S. Flamm and I survived Jillian Michael's 4th week. I feel proud. Haha. Realized I'm in love with protein shakes. Thanks to S. Flamm's lovely little shake maker.
Great moment:
We were having a lesson with Gaby and Sergio. We were talking about being missionaries and how we are instruments in the Lord's hands. Bro. Sorensen asked Sergio what his favorite instrument was.... (I guess he was searching for something like a banjo or a guitar or something.) Sergio responded, pointing at us "Well, the sisters..." Haha! It was the best. Talk about making someone feel good. :) I love them.
I LOVE THE MEMBERS. Seriously, going into SO many homes and feeling how much they serve the Lord and are trying their best and teaching their kids. Ah, it feels so good. I'm so grateful for all of the wonderful people I've been able to meet and observe.
Quote I heard this week:
"Happiness is decided ahead of time." Our circumstances don't determine our happiness. We do. It is our conscious decision to be happy. I'm not sure I've ever really realized that or not. Maybe a little. But now I understand that so much more. Made me think of this scripture...
2 Nephi 2:27
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
So what's it going to be today? This week? This month? Liberty and eternal life? Yes, please! :) It's through Christ. It's so true. Sometimes I feel really happy when circumstances say I shouldn't be and other times I'm sad and upset when the events happening are ones that would usually make someone happy. I choose. Are we really happy? If not, we can assess the situation and access Christ's power and choose to be happy! :) What a blessing. Life has wayyyy to many rough spots to let them all make us unhappy. Let's give it a try.
These past 18 months have been the best things for me. The hardest, but the best. I have learned, experienced, and witnessed so many things! :) I know that God lives and loves us. I know He hears and answers our prayers. He sent His Son to earth to provide a way back home through His atoning sacrifice. Christ established a church here when He called his Apostles and gave them power to teach and baptize. After Christ and the Apostle's death His church was lost and distorted. The power was gone. I know that that same power and His church have been restored to the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith. We have evidence that it's true--- the Book of Mormon! I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God along with the Bible. We all get to pray to know if it's true. God loves us and will answer. I am so blessed that I have had this chance to share this truth full-time with all of my brothers and sisters out here in the Washington Federal Way mission. :) I feel at peace with the service I've given and know that the Lord has truly blessed me. Life really is good.
Although I am not nearly as good of a missionary as Paul was, I feel his words are fitting:
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
This is the last time I'll be doing it the Federal Way.
See you soon.
Love,
Sister Pearson :)
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