Week #39 - New mission president, exchanges, fireworks

Hello Everyone!

Another week already gone!  There is a lot of things that happened this week. I first want to express me gratitude for what a great country we have. I am so blessed to live in a country where we can believe in what we want to believe in. We wouldn't have this great country if it weren't for God's hand in all things. I am so grateful that I am able to be out here in Florida and teach people about what I believe in and help them gain a closer relationship with God and Jesus Christ. We got a new mission president, President Clark. Him and his wife are awesome. I only got to meet with them for and hour and I absolutely just love them. I am sad to see President and Sister Berry leave and I deeply enjoyed the time I had to be with them and will miss them.

I had the wonderful opportunity to go on exchanges with our Zone Leaders. I got to go with Elder Bigler in Viera. It was awesome to see him and teach with him. He was my district leader while I was in DeLand. He is such a great missionary and friend. We started the day off by helping a family move in the morning. That took a little longer than expected but we were still able to get things done. We saw a couple less active members. We had such a blast.

Today I had such and awesome experience. In the afternoon, we pulled up to a place where we get wifi so we could report on lessons on our iPads. As we were doing that, two guys pulled up next to us and one of them said hi and made a little joke and we started talking. Found out that they are members of the church. One of them said they are down here visiting family. One of them then mentioned that he got baptized while he was in the Apopka ward!! What?!? Then we started talking about who he knew and who I knew. It was upper awesome. We then talked about why he stopped going and we encouraged him to go. He said he would. The reason I share this experience is cause there is no way that it just so happened that they stopped by when we were there. This proves to me that the Lords hand is in his work. It so obvious to me that he works in these way so people with be more open with each other. So then we can help each other become better and look towards him. I can testify to all of you that God is real and that he knows what going on here on this earth and he cares. It might not seem like it at times, but he does. We must put our trust in him and follow him.

Happy 4th of July!!! Have a great week!!

Elder Pearson
Florida Orlando Mission

Week #38 - Living on the beach again

Hello Everyone!

First week of the transfer already gone!! I am so excited to be near the beach again. The part that I like the most is that it is slightly cooler on the coast which makes me happy. The Cocoa Ward is really cool as well.

During my first week in Cocoa, we saw a lot of LA (less actives). One of the less active families that I got to meet I was able to meet the other side of the family while I was serving in the New Smyrna area. He was less active while I was serving in New Smyrna but now an active member which makes me so happy! I got to meet his ex wife and her husband the day I got here which was last Tuesday. It was really cool experience to meet them. When I was reflecting on this it made me think that I might be the one that gets them back to activity.

I also got to me a RC (recent convert). He just got baptized a couple weeks ago and he is super awesome. When we got to meet with him last Friday we started the new member lessons which is just going over the same lessons we would teach before baptism but going more in depth. He was able to share a powerful testimony and I could see as the tears flowed from his eyes that he knew it was true. He was able to gain that witness that this church is true. He also is an artist. It's super cool that things he makes out of wood. I'll send some pics of it next week. We are going over this week to help him around his house.

In my personal studies this week, I was reflecting on the knowledge I have been able to gain from the Book of Mormon. It so amazing of how much I have learned in just these past 9 months. Every day my testimony is strengthened and make me more motivated to share it with others.  I want you all to know that I know the Book of Mormon is true. That no regular man could translate this record into English unless he was called by God and given the authority to do it. That man was Joseph Smith. I know he did see our Heavenly Father and the son, Jesus Christ. I am a witness that the church of Jesus Christ is hear on earth today. I love you all and are in my prayers.

 "The greatest leaders are the greatest followers. Jesus Christ is the greatest leader because He is the greatest follower--He follows His Father perfectly, in all things."    - Stephen W. Owens

Elder Pearson
Florida Orlando Mission

Week #37 - Transferred to Cocoa West!!

Hello Everyone!

Crazy things have been happening here. Last Wednesday, while we were on out way to district meeting we received a call from President Berry. He then told us that there was a lot of Elders leaving the mission than Elders coming to Florida. He then told us that they are taking us out and we are being transferred!!! What!! No way!! We got our news a lot earlier than Saturday, but we would find out till Saturday where we are going and who is our new companion. Drum Roll!! I'm going to Cocoa West!!! I'm back at the Beach!!! Wahoo!! The cool part is my new companion is Elder Armijo! He is from Arizona as well. His uncle was my baseball coach! I'm super excited.

A lot of what Elder Meyers and I have been doing is cleaning the apartment and seeing our investigators and less active members notifying them that we are leaving. It was a pretty low week of finding new people to teach. We still did work hard and did all that we can to find those that are ready for the Gospel. Their was a lot of times where literally no one would talk to us, but we didn't let that stop us. We did find a person that had requested a Book of Mormon a while back, but never got it. It was super awesome and really made my day. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she was really interested in learning more. This past six weeks, has been full of a lot of those experiences. We would find people to teach that we'd see in our area; it's super cool how God would guide us to these people and be able to share the gospel with them.

I am deeply going to miss the people that I have been able to work with and also the members in this ward. Sadly, the baptism we had set is being pushed back because she because of some family issues have come up, but we did set a date with her for July 16th. We also have been having her daughters listen when we would come by and it's been a little difficult cause she has a 3 year old so it's been tough to have her listen. Some things we have done is have her help us teach the lesson, but that only works for like 3 minutes. Being from a big family and the oldest has helped me prepare for these lessons.

This past week in my personal study I have been reading in the Book of Mormon about the story of Ammon. This is one of my favorite stories cause Ammon is a missionary and he's going to teach a group of the people called the Lamanites. They are doing bad things and he was a little nervous about teaching them but was able to be strengthen by the lord and went to work. Once they saw him the bound in and took him to the king.  King Lamoni asks him what is he doing here and Ammon tells him that he wants to live with them. The king was very puzzled by this and Ammon told him that he wants to be his servant. The king tells him to tend his sheep. As he was doing this, some men began to scatter the sheep. Ammon being a servant to the lord and knew that his job was to protect the sheep so he did by cutting off the arms of these men. A lot of the men that were with Ammon were very amazed by his strength. They then went and told the king of what happened. The king asks where
is Ammon. He was attending his chariots like he told him to do after looking after his sheep. The king was very surprised by this so he had them bring Ammon to him. This is then Ammon's opportunity to then teach King Lamoni. By the end they are talking King Lamoni believes his words and falls on his knees asking for forgiveness.

This story I have been able to liken it to me as being a missionary. At first Ammon was nervous which I can say talking to random people and knowing nothing about the person. He then was able to teach and help a group of people come unto Christ. Later on in the scriptures it talks about how this people became a very righteous people. If Ammon had not gone to teach King Lamoni then they wouldn't have been the righteous people that they would become. It shows that this work can effect generations. I am here to change lives and help people see the light of Christ. I know that this is the lords work and he his guiding his people and his missionaries to find those that are seeking him.

Love you all!! Have a great week!!

Pics will be coming!!

Elder Pearson
Florida Orlando Mission

This is our Zone.

This is our District.

   

Left:  Elder Meyers and I with Perrin.  Right:  Elder Meyers and I were able to get 

some "Flips" which is just a frozen cup with fruit in it. They are so good. 

The next group of pics below are me with the member here in Apopka. 

Week # 36 - Best Apopka p-day

Hello Everyone!

I can't believe it this is the last week of this transfer. It came way to fast. I want to tell you all about how great of a companion I have. Elder Meyers is from a little town called Lodi in California. He is a very funny, goofy, spiritual guy. It has been such a blast to be with him. I have learned a lot from him. One thing I love about Elder Meyers is that he knows his scriptures, especially the bible. He has been great about being able to back things up with the bible. We make a great team. Since transfers are coming up, here is our predictions. Both Elder Meyers and I think we are going to stay for another transfer. It would be awesome if we did.

To describe this week, I could definitely see the Lords hand in having us in the right places at the right time. It was great. There are so many examples I could tell you. On Saturday, we went to see some potentials in the bottom of our area which is part of Orlando.  As we went to their house we past by a guy that was outside doing yard work. He said hi to us and recognized us when we pulled up. He has met with missionaries in the past but has only talked with them when he would see them on the street or in the store. We talked with him and we had a very good conversation. Sadly he doesn't live in our area but we're about to get a number from him so other missionaries could meet with him. How possible is it that we run into someone that has met with missionaries in the past at the right time we would show up? This didn't just happen once. Not even 10 mins later while we were in that area we pass by a lady that Elder Isaacson and I met a while back and we got to talk to her and said a prayer with her. There were so many amazing things that happened this week. I can truly say that every place we were at today was were God needed us.

Throughout this past week, there's a scripture that I came across in my personal studies. It was in Alma 7:11-13. In this chapter, the prophet Alma is speaking and he is professing the coming of Christ and the things he will do. These 3 verses specifically talk about Christ making a way for us to return to our Heavenly Father again. The verses say this:

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

This scripture testifies to me and helps us understand what Christ really did for us. He did this for us. He did it so he can know how to succor or to help and care for his people. I know this to be true with all my heart. Knowing this doctrine is what makes me want to help others to know of this and help them to know that someone really cares about them. Jesus Christ is the son of God and put him self as a sacrifice so we can be cleansed my our mistakes. I love you all and I know that the atonement is meant for everyone no mater what mistakes they have made.

Have a fantastic week!!!

Elder Pearson
Florida Orlando Mission

Week #35 - Found a lot of gators

Hello Everybody!!

There are so many things that are happening in Apopka this week. During this week we found a lot a lot a lot of new investigators. It will be exciting to see how these investigators progress in the Gospel. The story of one of the people we found this week is super cool.  As we were going to see a potential investigator, there was a kid on the playground we were walking by that remembered us talking to his aunt. One of his friends asked us who we were. We told him who we were and what we do. He then asks us if we want to talk to his mom and we were like YES! We then talked to her about the Plan Of Salvation or Plan Of Happiness. It was awesome and we are going by this week to talk more about it.

Also one other guy we found that is super cool and we have the same last name. Thought that was super interesting. When we knocked on his door and talked to him, he was very open and really was interested in the message we shared with him. We will be seeing him tonight.

This week in my personal studies, I was reading in the Book of Mormon. I am in the book of Mosiah and the part I'm at it's talked about a prophet named Abinadi. The lord told him to tell the people to repent cause they were doing wicked things. As Abinadi was talking to the king, the one part that I love is when he starts talking about how if Jesus Christ didn't come to this earth and do what he did then we would have nothing. There would be no point to this life and we wouldn't be able to return to our Heavenly Father. But he did come and he did make it possible for us to return to our Heavenly Father and be clean from our mistakes.

I am so grateful for this knowledge I have. Having this knowledge is what has motivated me to share it with others. I know this gospel to be true by the power of the Holy Ghost. I know that others can receive that same knowledge by the same power.

I love you all and have an amazing week!!!

Elder Pearson
Florida Orlando Mission

Week #34 - By small and simple things...

Hello Everybody!!

What a busy week!! There were so many things that happened this past week. There is a lot of new people that we found that are so excited about learning the gospel. We are super excited about the things that are starting to happen in Apopka.

To start off, we got to see a guy that a member from a different ward referred us to and we finally got in touch with him. We went over the restoration but only a small part cause he didn't have a lot of time to talk at the moment. He is one that is open to learning. Later that day we had a member, Brother Flores, come with us. He is so awesome cause he comes out with us all the time. Sadly the person we were going to see couldn't meet with us, but went to stop by a couple potential gators. We got to met one potential gator and had a awesome restoration lesson; the spirit was super strong.  The other person we couldn't see so we knocked on the door across from him and taught the guy there. He doesn't go to church right now, but said he wouldn't mind going to ours. We are hoping to be able to see him this week.

ZONE CONFERENCE!!! This was such and uplifting and sad zone conference. We will start with the happy part first. There were so many great things that were brought up in the zone conference. The one thing that stood out to me the most was said by President Berry. Before all the training's were given he showed us a video of a very high commander in the military giving a speech. He talked about making a bed. That every morning they make there bed to pristine condition. Corners tucked in tightly with the blanket folded and put and the end of the bed. We then said that when you then have had a rough day you come in at night with a bed made nicely. It's all about the little things that make the difference. For example, saying our prayers morning and night. If we miss a couple here and a couple there shouldn't be a big difference, but is it taking steps closer to God? I love the scripture that President Berry shared and its in the Book of Mormon in Alma 37:6-7.

It says......"6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. 7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."

By the small and simple things that we do in our lives will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They want us to return to them but we need to make the decision now to do all we can to get there. The sad part of Zone Conference was that this was the last Conference for President Berry cause he leaves at the end of June. 😢

The rest of the week was pretty dang amazing. We then got to see a new gator we picked up last week. He is sorta familiar with the church a little. It was awesome cause we had one of the youth from the ward, Perrin; he has been coming with us regularly which is awesome. Gave a wonderful testimony of how he has been able to gain a witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Then we saw gal that Elder Jensen and I found last week. We taught the restoration and by the time we got to the first vision where Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ you could she how touched she was by the message. As Elder Meyers and I began to testify of the message we shared we could feel the strong presence of the Holy Ghost. It was definitely there and we could feel it. She told us that everything we shared is something that she has been looking for and that it also made her day hearing it. Wahoo!!

I would like you all to know that I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I have been able to gain a witness for myself by the power of the Holy Ghost. Not only by asking God but continually seeking for more understanding. As a representative of Jesus Christ, I can promise all of you that if you read the Book of Mormon and pray to ask God if it true and come to church he will give you an answer. You will only be able to get that answer if you do these things. Why would God not want us to know these things? He does want us to know, but we have to seek him out in order for him to help us to know.

I love you all and have a great week!!!

Elder Pearson
Florida Orlando Mission

Elder Meyers and I 

I got to see Elder Lawson and Elder Richards at Zone Conference. 

Week #33 - The heat is upon us!!

Hello Everybody!!

Hope you all had a wonderful week.  The heat is upon us!! It is now summer time in Florida and I'm not a big fan of it so far. Throughout the week I have been caring a rag with me everywhere to wipe my face cause it's covered in sweat. Even today as I was wiping my face with it at church members would ask me if this is my first summer in Florida. I would tell them yes and then they would have this worried look on there face and then tell me that they feel sorry for me cause it's only going to get hotter.

Anyway, this week was a pretty good and we are seeing some progression is some investigators. One in particular has been taught by the missionaries in the past and hasn't been able to progress towards baptism. Well she is now!! We have a baptismal date set for June 18!!! She is super excited and is really putting everything into learning the gospel. We are so excited for her.

On Saturday, I had the wonderful time to be on exchanges with Elder Jensen. He's such an awesome missionary and we had a blast of a time finding people to teach even though it was really hot. We biked half of the day and then headed to the bottom part of the area and saw a handful of less active members in the ward. We were able to find a lot of really cool people that we will be able to start teaching.

The thought I would like to share with all of you is a scripture in the Book of Mormon. It is in the book of Enos. To give a little back ground, Enos was a prophet and his father, Jacob, is about to pass away. Jacob gave the record to Enos; this record they kept way back then to write about there lineage and also the challenges they went through in their life. Enos didn't write a lot but he did have some powerful words. I love what Enos first talks about.  He talks about how the words that his father spoke "sunk deep" into his heart. He wanted to know if what his father spoke was true. I love what it says in verse 4. It says.....

"And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for my own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens".

In this verse, it really shows the desire that Enos had to know if what his father said was true. He wanted to know so badly that he did pray all day even when the night came he still prayed. As I have read this it has made me want to have more of a desire to learn and to know of the truths that come from the Book of Mormon and the bible and from our prophets. I can promise all of you as you gain more of the desire to know if these things are true God will answer your prayer just like he has answered mine. He loves all of us and wants to help us all we need to do is ask.

I love you all hope you have a fantastic week.

Elder Pearson
Florida Orlando Mission