Noellll Noellll (December 15, 2014)

Hey. :)

So we go to see this family. They don't answer, but their neighbor is outside. He is working on his car or something and his weird midget manly dog is running around. The dog's name is Buddy. Sister Flamm and I start up a conversation. Buddy is friendly and sniffing us. He was paying extra attention to Sister Flamm's boot... sniffing it extra long. When all the sudden (I saw it in slow motion) he lifts his leg and pees right on Sister Flamm's leg and boot. Priceless. I was dying.

Thought I'd start with the funny story this time. I seriously couldn't even breathe. The man embarrassingly offered a paper towel which by the time he went to go get, completely forgot and left us there with nothing except Sister Flamm's peed on boot. Missions are great. :)

Miracles are abounding. The end of my mission is a gem. Heavenly Father is trying to make me miss it or something because life is so good right now.

OH! I forgot to inform you about Sister Flamm. She's 19-years-old and from St. Anthony Idaho. She's been in the mission field for 9 months and likes photography. She's super sweet and friendly and we basically laugh all the time. She's great.

MIRACLE STORY THAT I FOUND OUT TODAY!

So S. Sonasi and I were riding our bikes around a few months ago in Pioneer Valley when we ran into a couple Kirby vacuum salesmen taking a 10 minute break. We talked to them and we got one of the guy's contact info so missionaries could go visit. The other guy was a little reluctant at first, but explained to us about his life and how his mom had just passed the year before and whatnot. We testified about how the gospel of Jesus Christ could help him. He ended up giving us his information so missionaries could go see him! Fast forward to now. Some elders at choir practice today came up to me and asked if I had contacted the Kirby vacuum salespeople a while back. They have been teaching him and he's committed to being baptized! :D That is SOOO SWEET! I seriously was smiling so big when I found that out. Tender mercy from the Lord, say what?!?! :) SO cool. One of the elders is actually from Wrightwood. Haha:)

We got to see a Community Christmas Concert. Totally reminded me of the one we have back at home. Don't know if that happened already or not, but you should go see it. :)

I'm just limping away over here. Things are going good. I don't really have to much to say and it's weird. Hmmm. Yeah.

Man I like this video.

http://www.mormonchannel.org/christmas-videos?v=2919740155001

Again going with the "What shall we give?" to the Savior this Christmas. I am soooo grateful that I get to spend two Christmas seasons out on my mission. It's such a blessing and honor to serve the one who gave us the reason for the season. I get to testify of Him constantly and remember His importance in my life and in the lives of everyone who has ever lived or will ever live. I know that it is through Him that we will have true peace and happiness and eventually eternal life with Him and our Father in Heaven. :)

I love you all. I know you have challenges. Maybe some that feel insurmountable at the moment. Finances. Family. School. Work. Relationships. Problems are inevitable. It's what we do with them that make the difference. I have been really working on giving it all to the Savior. Letting Him have all of our worries and fears. I promise that as we pray sincerely and let God know about our struggles, we will be made strong enough to bear them because Christ has already done it all.

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

Love,

Sister Pearson :)

Wonderful Week (December 9, 2014)

Jooooy toooo the worldddd the Lordddd hass comeee! :)

Went on two exchanges this week.

#1 was with Sister Muir who went home yesterday. As soon as we got on the freeway this crazy car flew by us, cut us off, and blew through a traffic sign. It was so surreal. I was like "Man, this guy is craz..." *CRASH* We called 911. Hope the guy is alright. Also at night we were planning for the next day and we had training on there... Sister Muir was a little tired and asked, "Who is train?" "Uhhhhh...." Haha:) She's great. She's served an awesome mission.

#2 was with Sister WEBB! :) I went to Eatonville. Oh my gosh. Eatonville is like a foreign mission. We were like cascading down mudslides and walking through dark towns at night talking to drunks. It was so sweet. It's this old town place and it includes the boon docks. It's in the middle of nowhere and the roads are all long. We were just strolling through this dark, creepy little town. It was sweet. Oh and it was even better because there is a lady in their ward who's name is literally Kelsey Jean Jellibean. Sister Jellibean. Glorious. Sister Webb has grown sooo much it's awesome to see her in action. I love her so much! :) It was like good ol' times being back with her. So fun... especially us hiding our laughs during our dinner appointment as I had to scrape some nasty black stuff and strange liquid off of the fork that I had to use. Lovely.

So I got surgery on my toe. And guess who the doctor was? The Bishop of Silvercreek. We're basically besties now. No big deal.

We had an awesome training on the doctrine of the family. Families are essential to God's plan. I know that through the Restored gospel our families can be eternal. :) What a gift.

We had stake conference this week. Elder Call from the Quorum of the 70's spoke. Super powerful. He said that our trials are means to know the Savior. They are opportunities for us to get to know Him better. That is SO true. I have struggled out here more than anything in my entire whopping 20 years of life. And I feel closer to my Savior than ever before. The struggle is real... important. It is the means by which we gain a stronger testimony and dependence on the Savior and His Atonement. Try it out. :) Turn to Him instead of away when you're feeling frustrated or mad or overwhelmed (like me yesterday) or sad. I promise it will leave you with peace and a stronger resilience to endure the next challenge placed on your path.

Bible video of a collage of Christ's life. Let's use God's gift to us:

http://www.mormonchannel.org/bible-videos?v=1971667015001

We are working with so many amazing people. :) I'm so thankful. I get choked up thinking that I only have 6 weeks left on this adventure of a life-time. I'm so grateful for the choice I made to come out here... even at moments it's hard to feel that way.

SISTER RUSHTON WAS BAPTIZED AND CONFIRMED A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS ON SUNDAY! :) She is soooo wonderful. She teaches me soooo much! :) She is such a miracle. After Stake conference she looked at me and said with glossy eyes, "What an amazing day." She knew that on that day she would be cleansed of her sins and enter into a binding promise with God. She will never regret that choice. She's in the gate and on the way to eternal life. So awesome.

Soooo we kind of had a water fight the other night. I sprayed Sister Ballard with my water bottle in the car and she took revenge when we got into the house.... then I saw a cup with water and nailed Sister Goodman. I was pleasantly met with another splash of water smacking me in the back of the head from Sister Goodman. Ha. Fun.

 

Sad news. Sister Ballard and Goodman will be leaving me today. Seriously it's the worst. I love these sisters sooooooo much. I have learned SO much from them. Things that will help me for eternity. Funny how bonded you can get with people.... so yeah. I'm here in Pioneer Valley and Silvercreek. With Sister Flamm... who I'm super stoked to be comps with. Don't know her well yet, but I can tell she's awesome! :) I'm a little overwhelmed about having the two wards, but the Lord will compensate for my lack. Haha. I can count on that.

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

Love you,

Sister Pearson :)