I hope everyone has had an amazing week cause mine was. Getting to teach the gospel 7 days a week to people all over in LeCanto is just awesome. Even though the area is really spread out we are starting to find people and it's so exciting. This last week one of our daily goals was to try and contact one of the medial referrals and others that have been contacted before in the past but wasn't followed up on. We had about 10 that we have contacted and going to teach them a lesson this week or starting next week.
Also I got do my first exchanges with the Elders in Bellview. It was good but was a little difficult cause it wasn't as productive as I wanted it to be. We still got to teach a couple of new members which was good.
The LeCanto ward is really stepping up and doing all they can to bring back the less actives and getting member referrals to us. The members are great but it's a very small ward so is a little hard the first week but we'remaking progress.
I'm so grateful to be here and know that this is where I'm supposed to be. I know that the Lord has called me to the Orlando mission for a reason. One awesome Conference Message I found as I was doing my studying was given by Elder Renlund. When he was talking to his brother about him becoming one of the new apostles he felt very inadequate. This is was his brother said,
"You need to know that the Lord hasn’t called you because of anything you have done. In your case, it is probably in spite of what you have done. The Lord has called you for what He needs to do through you, and that will happen only if you do it His way.”
I know without a doubt that it wasn't just meant for Elder Renlund but to all of us who feel at times that we aren't qualified for the job but WE ARE! He also says that when something wonderful happens in a missionary’s service when he or she realizes that the calling is not
about him or her; rather, it is about the Lord, His work, and Heavenly Father’s children. It is his work and that's the only way us as missionaries with be successful.
He then gives the story of him operating on a young man named Chad. As they are doing all they can to save his life they finally realize that he was to far gone and declared him dead. although sad and disappointed, he maintained a professional attitude. He thought to himself, “Chad has had good care. He has had many more years of life than he otherwise would have had.” That emotional distance soon shattered as his parents came into the emergency room bay and saw their deceased son lying on a stretcher. In that moment he saw Chad through his mother and fathers eyes. He saw the great hopes and expectations they had for him, the desire that he would live a little longer and get a little better. The emotional were unbearable to hold back. Ironically the reversed roles and the act of kindness he will never forget, as Chad's parents comforted him. I now realize that in the Church, to effectively serve others we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s eyes. Only then can we begin to comprehend the true worth of a soul. Only then can we sense the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. Only then can we sense the Savior’s caring concern for them. We cannot completely fulfill our covenant obligation to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort unless we see them through God’s eyes. This expanded perspective will open our hearts to the disappointments, fears, and heartaches of others. But Heavenly Father will aid and comfort us, just as Chad’s parents comforted him years ago.
I'm so grateful for the time I have to serve and I am doing all I can to see those through Gods eyes. He knows them and loves them and wants them to return to Him. Us as missionaries are the only way for them to know and to gain that knowledge. I know that He will guide me to find those that are ready. As we come to have the spirit in our hearts He will guide all of us as full-time missionary or not he will guide us to those that are in need of help, comfort, love, and peace.
I love you all and hope you have a fabulous week.
#begoodanddontdobadthings
Elder Pearson
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