Busy, Busy, Busy

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated June 30, 2008

Dear Mom,

Well, we finished off the first week in our new area. We really have been blessed. It started out when the assistants told us the traveling Elders would be comming to help us out in our area. Now, there are two elders assigned to travel from area to area finding new investigators. So for 3 day[s] all four of us worked together in our new area. Now we've got solid appointments for the next week and a half. One of the elders is a good friend of mine who lived in the same apartment when I was in the Samoan ward. The other is a very good missionary and I learned a lot from him.

Elder Lestarge, my regular companion, is really taking to the work. He's keeping up every step of the way. We've got 3 baptisms set up for the 9th. We've got a whole lot to look forward to.

As for other things, I have no idea what address our apartment is, but the mission address is 8280 Utica Ave Rancho Cucamonga CA 91730. And I had no idea about any earthquake. We're too busy to worry about things like that. But, thanks for keeping me in mind.

But, I'm having a hard time focusing. This library is pretty noisey. But, thank you so much for the extra money. I may really end up needing it today, depending on when they top off our MSF. Thanks again for your love and letters.

Love,

Elder freeman

The Church is True

From Elder BJ Bernards, dated July 28, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

I love being a missionary! Yesterday after church when we were taking a lunch break, we listened to the new Mo-Tab [Mormon Tabernacle Choir] CD called "Called to Serve" and the songs on there rang true with my soul. It stirred me up and as we went out I felt more bold than ever and the excitement of serving the Lord and proclaiming His gospel of Love filled my soul.

to work towards his baptism at the end of We were able to see some cool miracles happen too. Mike Corte didn't come to church again so we took a new elder who leaves for Switzerland in August with us to see him and he wasn't home. So right as we were pulling away he rolls in and invites us in and before we even said a prayer, a sermon comes out of my mouth as if I had practised and practised and memorised those scriptures and worked hard to organize it, and the Spirit aided us all as we taught Mike about repentance and baptism and getting a clean new life to start over with. He seems recommitted to work towards his baptism at the end of September and were seeing him tomorrow.

We were able also to see Peggy finally after a couple of days of no contact with her and she is loving us more and listening and responding more than ever. Usually she just changes the subject or refuses to answer, but her heart is softening up and she is growing and getting answers to her prayers.

Rohit Khada gave us a scare because we weren't sure if he could get baptised because he wont leave his traditions of Hinduism behind but claims that it supports his worship of God and Jesus Christ whom he believes in and prays to. So we called Pres. Newman and he told us that he is pretty sure it comes down to who you worship and keeping the commandments so he's pretty sure that he can be baptised. But, he alled the Church Headquarters to ask them for clarification and they counseled him to call India and ask them how they deal with Hindu's there so we can give Rohit good advice for his future.

We found a family last night as we followed out in our back-up plans. As we planned the night before we felt that we needed to see Dee who we had dropped from lack of interest, who lives in our apartment complex right at 8:30. Our plans earlier in the day were all shuffled around but it it all worked together for our good and ended up being there at 8:30 and her lights were on so we knew she was home! But she didn't come to the door.

Then the thought came to me to try a door of a lady we had briefly talked to in our parking lot and she gave us a date to come back but she was sick and didn't seemed too interested other times we saw her. But we knocked on her door and she said, "come in come in! This is my husband Bob, and he'll turn off the TV and here are our daughters, and sit down sit down lets talk." So we did, and had a wonderful time as we discussed revelation and answers to prayers and the gospel blessing families and extended a commitment to read Lehi's Dream and were coming back tonight with a couple in our ward.

We're also seeing Debra Baron who is a referral from Salt Lake who we saw earlier this week and who told us that she had read the chapter we had left, loved it and wanted another one and for us to come back tonight! That same couple is coming with us.

While we were over at the bishop's house last night for dinner, their neighbor girl who is 18 burst in and said, " Oh, I'm so glad you Elders are here cause I really need to talk to you guys. You remember when you ate at our house two days ago and you asked me about my friend who might be interested? She came to me with a billion questions and I was scared and unprepared and she wants to meet with you guys next Monday night at our house!" Holy cow, that is awesome.

We also had a great lesson at the bishop's home whee we taught the Restoration which never fails to invite the sweet spirit of Christ into the room and it uplifted everyone there.

I am grateful to be a servant of the Lord and know and witness that He lives and that He guides us in our daily endeavors. I got a letter from Sydney Bently who is the girl I baptised in North Platte who said " Every were I go I can feel the Holy Ghost with me! It is so awesome and I love every day. I have never felt this happy before in my whole life! Thank you and Elder Fallon for teaching me Sooooo much!"

I shared with the bishop's family last night the conversion story of Sydney and how she received a witness of the Book of Mormon's divinity as we read together 3 Nephi 11. We were inspired of the Lord to read it with her, and the Holy Finger of the Lord reached into her sweet heart and touched it and purified it and sanctified her soul and she knew then that this is the true and living church of God upon the earth, restored by the prophet Joseph Smith.

I love you family and I love your examples of enduring to the end. Please pray for me as I strive to work hard and be diligent for the next few months of my life. I need them.

Love,

Elder Bernards

Change, Change, Change

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated July 23, 2008

Dear Mom,

How many curve balls can they throw at me in one week? First, I got a phone call on Thursday from the assistants telling me I had a package waiting for me in the mission office. Lies. It was their cute way of telling me I was being assigned to train a new missionary coming in from the MTC. So, we both knew that meant one of us getting transferred.

Then, we get the phone call on Saturday and our District leader tells us that we are both being transferred. That means we get whitewashed out and wherever I'm going with my new companion, we get whitewashed in. Several minutes go by and the phone rings again with the assistants on the other end. They tell me I'm also going to be District leader.

It all left me somewhat dazed. I didn't really know what to think or expect, I just wasn't excited about whitewashing into a new area. I had just barely been in that last area 6 weeks and they just ended up turning everything upside down on me.

Yesterday was transfer meeting, Elder Goodwin and I spent the morning packing and preparing the apartment for the new elders coming in. I was expected to be at the building where transfers were held and 2:30 for a trainers meeting, and the actual transfer meeting started at 3:00, maybe. I met my new companion before it started and got to know him a little bit. His name is Elder Lestarge from Chicago Illinois. He looks like a good missionary, soft spoken and obedient.

We ended up being transferred here to Victorville in the Green Tree Ward. I had a little experience in this area when we were working with the Samoans up here, but none of them live in this ward's boundary. Most of them are in the ward just south, so they're pretty much right across the street of where our ward ends.

Last night we got into our apartment around 5:30, the family scheduled to feed us dropped off money so we went out to Carl's Jr. It was fun. We don't have a car. We ride our bikes. I'm very out of shape.

So, after that we went and visited a couple names the other missionaries left behind and finished off the night with a trip to the ward mission leader to introduce ourselves. We talked to at least five people who saw us and thought they had talked to us before. We told them we had just got here but all missionaries look the same. I was pretty sore though by the end of the evening. It's a good time to get in shape though. It'll be the hottest part of the season pretty soon. It doesn't help that I've already run out of money on my mission card.

Nevertheless, we've got a lot to look forward to. Last night we met a guy named Ryan Freeman, of Irish decent, no relation though. He looked like he could use our help and he invited us back. We weren't sure how sober he was but we hope to go back before next week. Then, last night we called an investigator they'd been working with and got an appointment for tonight.

So, we're being taken care of and it's not quite as hard as I feared, yet. We've got good roommates and a real nice apartment. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for the letters and picture, prayers and love.

Love,

Elder Freeman

I'm in Trouble!

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated July 16, 2008

Dear Mom,

Everything is going great. It really has been a fun week. We work with so many people and they're all very different. It's like a kaleidoscope that keeps changing. There are plenty of ] friendly, open-minded people who recognize [as false]much of the misrepresentations of what we believe. Richard is one of these fine individuals whose mother or grandmother converted to the Church in her old age, and he seems frustrated when he hears ministers of other religions slinging mud. He said he wants to hear our side and he's great to talk to.

The second time we met Victor, another investigator, he invited us right in and listened intently to our message. And the end of our most recent visit his mother-in-law asked us to pray for a family member who is ill. It's a reward in itself to see people begin to trust us and recognize our pure intentions. Richard even asked me if I was living as honest and truthful as I possibly could. It was a relief to answer in the affirmative and gain his trust.

We found another lady who has a sister who converted and she was interested in finding out more. She's going through a difficult time in her life and we were able to teach her about how the Atonement blesses us and how we can find strength [through] the restored church that has been founded on Apostles and Prophets, the Savior Himself being the chief cornerstone.

On the other hand, I've been getting my share of distractions. That's why I say I'm in trouble. It's frustrating because I have so much time left, the last thing I want is my mind wandering and my diligence slacking. I try to find ways to keep focused. Days like yesterday don't help though. I had a dream that I was at college and it was exciting to start new classes and everything like that. Then I woke up and felt like a race horse who's gate never opened and I'm watching everyone speed down the track.

Then we had dinner with an amazing family. The Tualatamalelagi's. Yup, the husband is Samoan, but born in NZ and raised in the States. Guess what he does for a living? He is a Conceptual Design Artist for Major Motion Pictures. He's worked on some of the new movies coming out like The Mummy 3 and Hancock, and a bunch more. He was way cool to talk to. Then they asked what other areas I served in and I had to tell them, and they got all excited and wanted to know all about it because they're planning on taking a trip next year to Samoa.

So, I'm taking the time to get it all out right now and let you write back [and] chastise me, yada, yada, and I can refocus.

The good thing is, I love this work too much and feel so blessed to let anything else get in the way. There is so much more to do and so little time to do it. As long as I'm careful and always watch my thoughts, everything will turn out fine. Thanks for the continued love and support.

Love,

Elder Freeman

~~~~~~~~~~

Mom's reply:

Dear Sweet Son,

Perhaps my letter may be of use. not to chastise but to focus. The gospel is true, I know beyond all doubt you are doing the Lord's work, that for which you are uniquely qualified. You are doing what is right for this time in your life, but if you had no thoughts of next year, I'd expect you to be brain-dead. You are eager to step off into the great beyond. You're supposed to be. It's what young people do.

It's understandable that you feel this tug to get on with your life. Of the truth, I feel the tug for you myself and have been making enough plans for your next year that you would run away screaming if I told you. So, whenever you feel the pull, just think, Argh! My mom's got my future all planned out for me. I can't think about it!! I'll never go home! That should do the trick quite nicely.

All my love and prayers,

mom

Missionary Work is Hard~New Companion

From: Elder Andrushka Sent: July 14th, 2008

It sounds like the family had a blast! I will be there for the 2010 reunion.

Well the missionary work is hard. I have realized how the prophets felt as they went out to declare repentance and the people didn’t want to hear. I love standing in the places that I get experience and understanding of this gospel.

We had a baptism fall through this week and I felt heart broken. The work of the Lord is tough. It takes all mental, physical and spiritual day to day giving all that you have. I have come to realize through all the experiences, what kind of person I want to be.

We are still working with 2 great families that have been progressing very well.

My new companion’s name is Elder Flores M. He is awesome. He has been on his mission for 20 months. I will be learning a lot from him.

Well, love and miss all! I LOVE my FAMILY!

Elder Pearce

Great News! Family Baptism

From Elder Andrushka Sent: July 7th 2008

Well, great news!

The family that was watching TV got baptized this week. It was sad because my comp got transferred right as they decided to get baptized. It was one of the best learning experiences. I hope all my baptisms are like this. I have never felt such a strong spirit in the baptism. I knew they had the desire to be clean and a new formed family. They did everything we taught them.

Going into the baptism they were fasting. I have come to care for this family a lot. The mom got the call to be the first counselor in the Relief Society. They are an amazing family with great faith. What a great opportunity I have to be the instrument in my Father’s hands to bring them the great news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have a new comp. He has been on his mission for 20 months. It is weird going from teaching all of the sudden to learning. I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I am so grateful to be on my mission. I love every single one of you and hope that you will have fun on the trip.

Love you Mom & Dad.

A Sure Foundation

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated July 9, 2008

Dear Mom,

Things are going great. Although, it seems as if the opposition is heating up. Two days ago we had a challenging encounter. My companion and I resolved to tract a certain street. As soon as we stepped out of the car we met a gentleman who was getting ready to change his oil filter. He immediately asked if he was on our "list". We reassured him our meeting was simple coincidental and ask if he had visited with missionaries before. He said they visited him but discontinued on account of disagreements.

That should have been my first clue, but he continued to talk about what he knew about the church and said how some people viewed it as a cult. I asked him if he sympathised with that view and he said he did. That should have been my second clue.

Well, I guess I'll spare you the gory details, but when it came down to it, he was the last person we needed to talk to that day. You should know that I'm the last person who would get in a heated argument about the gospel. It means too much to me. I never argued and there were things that man said that he should have been rebuked for, but I didn't. He was so far off base he couldn't begin to fathom the significance of personal revelation. He even argued that Jesus Christ said that there would be no additional scripture after the Bible. We reminded him of course that the Bible as it exists today did not exist in the Savior's time.

He was sure to compliment our sincerity, but was very specific and deliberate when he told us that "you are wrong". He denied my personal testimony and claimed it as a preprogrammed response. Of all the things I could have said and done, I wished him well and offered free labor before leaving.

The next day I read last year's conference talk from Elder Ballard on the importance of personal revelation. Such sweet peace and comfort has entered into my heart knowing that I have built my life on the foundation that Jesus Christ Himself said would never fail. Of course it's not fun to have to test it, but it hasn't failed me yet and if hell itself should combine against me, it will all be as chaff in the wind.

I am preaching this gospel because the God of Heaven has chosen me for this work and there isn't a man alive that can tear me from it. I will continue to fear God more than man because I know this is His work. It has never been easy, but that's not going to stop me.

Thank you for all your support mom.

Love,

Elder Freeman

Steadfast and Immovable in the Gospel

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated July 2, 2008

Dear Mom,

Thanks for all your amazing letters. You never need to worry about them being too long. You're the only one who ever writes me, and my companion always wonders why I spend so little time on the computer.

Thanks for those links from uncle Alan. I'm sure they will be useful. It makes it easier for us too. I had no idea how I would be able to figure out what he was talking about. But, like you said it may not add up to much unless he is willing to humble himself and receive a witness of the Holy Ghost. I've known that for a while now, but it never ceases to amaze me how extremely vital it is.

Especially now, more than ever, it seems like we've been facing greater and greater opposition. People we've never met before will come right out directly and boldly tell us how we are wrong and teaching false doctrine. And to be honest, it can be upsetting. Many missionaries will challenge it then and there and pretty much pick a fight. I know that never accomplishes anything, and I usually just let it go and move on to the next person. But, for a while now I've wanted to be more direct and more bold, and the tricky part is not to come off over-bearing.

This morning I was reading when Alma and Amulek were teaching the people and they really laid into the people. Now I know I'm no Alma nor Amulek, but I have just as much right to defend the truth. I don't have to argue and I don't have to get angry. I just can't let people whom I've never met and don't know me to challenge my integrity as a witness of the Savior and His Church. I've also noticed the General Authorities being bolder in conference talks. I know I can follow their example and be steadfast and immovable in the Gospel I know and love. You're a great example mom and I love you very much.

Love,

Elder Freeman

I Love Teaching People

From Elder Andrushka Dated June 26, 2008

I hope you are all getting my letters.

This week has been amazing. We worked so hard to finish all our goals. We had many investigators come to church which means they are ready to be baptized.

This week we have some baptisms lined up. The work of our Heavenly Father is just rolling as the Spirit touches the people’s lives. It is humbling to be learning each day something new. It is humbling to be in the gospel. It is hard work to be working with people but the reward is each day you go to bed tired. You know you gave it all you could.

There are some times you pour your love out and the people reject it. Times like that you can understand how our Savior felt. Also our Heavenly Father showing and showing His love and many reject it. How blessed I am to be learning all these things on my mission. I love teaching people. I love exhorting. I love testifying.

I have come to know that this gospel is true. That this is His work. The families we find, the people we teach are given as responsibility to us to nurture and help them.

The Juarez family I think will be going for next week if all is well. We have to teach them with the Spirit to help them progress. I will let you know next week how all went with them.

Well, hope all is well at home. I haven’t heard much. I love each and every one of you.
Elder Pearce

Developing Our Potential

From Elder Andrushka Dated June 30, 2008

Dear Family,

As always it sounds like a lot is going on at home. From working to serving.

This week we changed the baptism. As I was thinking much about the family I had a revelation that they needed one more visit from the members. We will be inviting and setting up a visit with them. Their names are Briselda Rosario y Naydi. They are one of the most amazing families I have met in Nicaragua. As soon as we taught them, they were praying together as a family and reading what we would leave with them. They know they have so much more to learn. They participate and love church. So this week we will be talking about this Wednesday. (Setting baptism date?)

We are also preparing the Juarez family a little bit longer so they will have a true conversion.

I have really realized I am here to establish the church of Jesus Christ. The more time I serve, the more I understand in what manner my Father in Heaven wants me to carry out the work here. I have come to really love this area and the people. We have a lot of people that we are working with and coming to church. Love the mission work. I have been working harder and harder and am becoming a better servant of the Lord. I love reading Ensigns and learning about the apostles lives. I get ideas of what kind of values I want to develop in my life. The next step is to put them into action. I know that each one of our potentials is great here on earth. May we all see the potential we have. May we put into each day a little more effort into developing our values and serving more.

I love you all. (Hope that you can understand my English) My comps name is Elder Ramirez and he is a very outstanding missionary. I was blessed with such a great companion this change. With him this change has flown by. He also has gotten me to laugh a little.

Elder Pearce

Witness of the Holy Ghost

Sent by Elder Paul Freeman, dated June 25, 2008

Dear Mom,

Things are going really great. We're working like crazy. We've got the names of just about everyone who lives in this city and we're trying to contact them all. Well, that's what it feels like.

Our area book has pages and pages of people who talked to the missionaries before [ [and] showed at least some degree of interest, and my companion and I are now trying to follow up with them all. When we contact them, we try teaching them a little more and setting up a return appointment. Those who show interest are kept on the list and hopefully we have an appointment to go back. Those who aren't interested are dropped. Most of the time they're never home and when that happens we knock on their neighbors' doors and find more people to teach. It's a huge change of pace from the Samoan ward where there is virtually no teaching pool and no finding pool. The tricky part now is getting all these people to progress and keep their commitments.

One lady we started teaching is a great prospect. She told us how she had been moving around from church to church and has never really been satisfied. We set up an appointment and it turns out even her son was excited enough to remind her and help tidy up the house before we came. We had an awesome discussion and she opened up a lot and we committed her to read the Book of Mormon and come to church. Well, she never made it out to church, but we have a return appointment for tomorrow.

At the same time, we are trying to follow up with former investigators. We went to one house where the lady had studied with the missionaries before and she seemed really excited to see us. We sat down with her and her husband it started off pretty good. She asked us why we were members of our church. It was a great opportunity to bear sincere testimony. Her husband is a really nice guy and a very smooth talker. We in turn asked why she had discontinued the lessons with the missionaries. Evidently, she had concerns about Joseph Smith and how man cannot see God and live. We referenced Exodus where Moses spoke face to face with God.

Her husband politely voiced his disagreement, with further scriptural reference reconfirming man's inability to behold the face of our Creator. He also made mention of material he had found on the Internet that was incongruous with the teaching of the Church, and cited references from Brigham Young and John Taylor. Both Prophets' remarks were said to have denied the First Vision. We told him we knew of no such references but if he were to provide them we would be more than willing to investigate the matter further. He said his research was over a year ago and said he didn't have the references on hand but could provide them on a return appointment. So, we scheduled to return tomorrow.

He was more polite than most people who present anti-Mormon ideas, and kept reassuring us that he was not challenging our faith but was simply turned off by these seeming incongruities. I referred to the Book of Mathew Chapter 16 and recited the story of Peter testifying to the Savior that he knew He was the Son of God, in attempt to show this former investigator that testimony of truth does not come from the effort of reason. I tried to tell him that truth only comes from the witness of the Holy Ghost. I'll have to let you know how the rest turns out. If he is sincere and accepts the answers we give, then we can go back. If he continues to choose to believe the Internet over the power of the Holy Ghost, well, then there's no reason to go back.

In the meantime, there are plenty of people who are willing to learn more. It's a wonderful work with wonderful things happening and I'm loving every minute of it. Thank you so much, Mom, for you and Dad making this all possible. You probably will never fully realize the effects all this will have, but know that it is all possible because you are a part.

Love,

Elder Freeman

Coming Unto the Lord

From Elder BJ Bernards, dated June 23, 2008

Dear Family,

Holy Cow we just finished a great week! I am way tired so I am sorry if I sound tired this week and make it short. We had some great things happen and know that the hand of the Lord is over us. The greatest thing that happened is that an investigator called us up and said that he wants us to baptise him!! We set him a date last night and we are going to visit him every day this week and get him going to church and help him to climb the ladder.

We soft set Peggy this week. For the first time she came over to a members house to take a lesson and she received everything really well. I could see in her eyes as she listened to the Spirit that she had a great desire to be baptised and to overcome the challenges in her life right now, but she is still not ready and needs more work and we are committed to it and love her. Hopefully, we will keep on rounding up these investigators and get them solid and progressing and stretching towards baptism. I have been learning so much about doing this work that I never knew I never knew and it is great to serve around diligent and hard-working Elders.

Oh yeh. I almost forgot! I got to baptize Shannon this last week! She had such a glow in her face and a light in her eye as a few close friends gathered together to witness her big step in coming to the Lord. It was a sweet spirit to be involved in her conversion process, and I hope to stay in touch with her. Sydney Bently who is a recent convert out in North Platte wrote and told me that a bunch of her friends are taking the missionary lessons and her best friend is getting baptised in July! She says the spirit is rocking North Platte.

I got to do some baptismal interviews this week and it was such a pleasure and an honor to visit and learn about these great new members of the Lord's kingdom.

I love the gospel and love the church and love the doctrines and love the scriptures. I know that My Redeemer lives, His name is Jesus Christ, and He is my master.

Love,

Elder Bernards

Training a New Companion

From Elder Andrey Pearce May 27, 2008


I can’t believe how much is going on at home. I will miss Gramma a lot. I know I will be seeing her one day. I never thought so much would change while I am on my mission. I hope all is well at home. I will be praying for the family.

Well, this last week I got my greenie companion. I will be training him. I am so excited to be training. His name is Elder Ramirez. He is from Panama. He is a really good missionary, ready to go and learn everything.

I have been having fun finding my way around the city of Leon. My Heavenly Father just keeps on blessing me. There are days I can feel the Spirit so strong. I know He is guiding me. I am excited to see miracles in Nicaragua.

We have three main families we are working with. One we found this week and they’re really positive. They are the Juarez family. I know that we were guided to them.

We have been working with a man who’s name is Roberto. He stopped progressing. We went back to find him and found the family. They’re all excited to go to church. The mom and all the kids.

Oh, I heard an update from the Martinez family. The dad holds the priesthood and he has the responsibility of blessing the sacrament and they assist each Sunday. I am so happy to hear that they’re doing so well.

Well, the work goes on. I have come to realize it’s the work of God and we are here. I am excited to learn new things and watching the miracles of God come into this work. I love this work with all my heart.

Elder Pearce

Teaching Families

From Elder Andrey Pearce June 16, 2008

Well, well, well,

The mission work goes on this week. We had some bumps in the road. The best part of the mission is that you find how to make the best of everything and keep loving the people that you work with.

This Sunday the Juarez family didn’t go to church but we stopped by with 4 members and sang them a hymn.

Oh, we also found another family this week. As we entered their house we could feel the spirit and what an amazing family they are. As we passed by we saw this family sitting there watching TV. We turned around and went back. We entered and taught them with the spirit what a family is.

They couldn’t understand why we were there and what made us want to teach them. I know they felt the spirit and that they will progress.

The ones that I told you about who prayed and we came to the door, they went to church this week and loved it. We will be inviting them to have a goal of baptism.

This week we went down to Managua to play soccer. We had the opportunity to play with the president.

Happy Father’s Day!!! I love you Dad. I am glad to have such a father who is an example to me in all things. I couldn’t have prayed to have a better dad. I have learned so much from you. Love and miss you. The memories that I have are always doing activities with you. The time, the love that you spent on me. I am the most grateful for every second that you sacrificed for me. Love you Dad!

Gospel Foundation & Carissa

From Elder Andrey Pearce May 05, 08


Dear Family,

All is well over here. I feel a lot better. I hope that none of you are worried about me. I have come to realize to trust my Father in Heaven. He has always guided me in my life. The thing that helped me the most about Carissa is talking to my Heavenly Father about it. As always He reassures my heart that all is well.

I would like to start out with something I have come to realize in the 8 months I have been on my mission. I have to realize what I needed in life is the foundation of the gospel. In my life I have studied the gospel but not until I came out here did I start to realize what I was most missing is the foundation.
Once you have the foundation you start to put everything together,. Then you start seeing that foundation in the scriptures, in the prophets and apostles lives and you are reassured

that this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It helps me realize what this world really is and what I really need to do. I am so glad to be sharing this gospel with my brothers and sisters. The Lord has blessed my alot in the knowledge of the gospel. I can’t wait for the rest of my two years.

The work is just rolling along great. We have been working with the bishop and his counselor getting a relationship of trust so that we can work with him. They have been really great. The excitement to work here is picking up. We had a dad and his son get baptized. The dad also received the priesthood and a calling to bless the sacrament. His name is Fransisco and he is 42 years old. He has a special spirit. We could feel the spirit strong with him and the desire to change life and realize that this is the Church of Jesus Christ.

My companion has two weeks left on his mission so I am keeping the two of us working. I am so blessed that the Lord saw fit for me to serve here. I am so blessed in all that he guides me and helps me. There are days that I can feel his love around me. Like there is an army of angels walking with me. I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. I have had a reassurance of that throughout my life. I know that I am a son of God and my potential is great.

I love you all. Hope and pray that all is well at home. May we never forget our Final Destination of Exaltation.

Love,
Elder Pearce

Praying for God's Servants

From Elder Andy Pearce June 9, 08


Dear Family,

Well, I won’t write much, I don’t feel too great. I have a cold or something.

This week was amazing! I know that for our efforts we were blessed. Hermana Aurora Bautizo and Fransisco received the Melchizedic priesthood. He also got to baptize Aurora. She is excited and wants to be Mormon. Hahah! She took a friend to church that has talked to missionaries before but never progressed and is now ready to progress. We are also starting to work with Aurora and Fransisco’s other kids, Alex and his sister.

This week many mercies happened. The Juarez family went to church, got to know the bishop, so they are progressing well. We found a grandma with her daughter that has a daughter. They have been talking to missionaries in Costa Rica for awhile and also didn’t progress. We went back on Sunday to invite them and she told me that the moment we showed up she was praying to know what church is true and to send her servants. That moment we knocked on the door so she has a testimony of this church.

This ward is lighting fire with the missionary work. I hope that I have at least three more months here. We are working with 6 families. We have been guided to lots of people that have talked to missionaries before, went to church, but just didn’t progress after that. We will be working really hard.

I have been feeling a little weak for a couple of weeks so I hope I will get better health. I love you all and hope you can understand my English and my excitement for this work as it picks up.

Elder Pearce

The Blessings of Obedience

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated June 18, 2008

Dear Mom,

Everything is going really well. I'm getting adjusted to the new area and it's pretty fun. I've almost forgotten the excitement of being completely unfamiliar with an area and its people. My companion is really cool and helps a lot. We've got a lot of names of people that have been contacted before by the missionaries and we have to follow up with all of them. I guess it's a pretty big area for the regular English wards. There are a lot of less active and part member families. In fact it used to be two wards but one of them got dissolved into the other. The active members are really great though. We are trying to familiarize them with Preach My Gospel, so they can go out and find people for us to teach.

Yesterday, we had zone conference and half the time they talked about being healthy. They emphasized diet and exercise. It really is something I need to focus on. I've gained about 30 lbs since my mission and the cloths aren't fitting anymore. It'll be easier in the palangi ward I just need to focus and be determined. I've got into a habit of stuffing my face at dinners to make the people happy, but the cost was far too great. I've already been taking small steps to get back into better habits, but I've got to step up my game if I want to see any results.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear Adam's house is going up well. That's really exciting, especially considering how the economy is going. We talk to so many people who are having a hard time. It kinda makes the future look a little dim, but I've always been able to rely on the awesome examples my brothers set. Dallas and Lynda getting married is another one. We work with so many people who cant be baptized because they're not married. Maybe there's a correlation. Everyone should just get married and we should see what happens to the economy. That's just my crazy on-the-spot idea.

This transfer we're focusing on Joseph Smith and all the truths that have been restored through him to benefit all mankind. Marriage and strong family values are definitely at the top. I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful family that has exposed me to all of that. I'll always remember it, and I love being able to use that when I teach.

Thanks for everything mom.

Love,

Elder Freeman

Transfers

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated June 11, 2008

Dear Mom,

Gmail acted up today, so I revert to my back up. Hopefully you get it anyway.

So, believe it or not I've been transferred out of the Samoan Wards. It's been a pretty big change. I haven't been in a new area for over seven months and I've been used to being able to travel pretty much anywhere in the mission. But, fortunately they stuck me someplace I never been before, Ontario. My new companion's name is Elder Goodwin and he's from San Antonio. He's already been here a transfer and knows the area pretty well.

Being in a palangi ward is a lot different from being in a Samoan Ward. For one it's a lot harder to impress the palangis. All I had to do with the Samoans is chat it up a little in Samoan and they're amazed. Samoans are generally a lot more relaxed and I'm used to the culture. I know I should be used to palangi culture, but its funny how almost foreign it seems. Another funny thing, we have dinner tonight with the Freeman family. I have no idea who they are, but it sure was weird hearing my companion calling up our dinner appointment and asking for Sister Freeman. They'll get a kick out of it I'm sure.

I'm looking forward to at least two transfers here and rumor has it that they'll send me back for my last transfer. I really am excited for this last stretch. I guess President Sanchez talked to Salt Lake and they're working on getting my release date fixed, so I'll keep you updated on everything.

Thanks again Mom for all the wonderful things you do.

Love,

Elder Freeman

The Gate

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated June 4, 2008

Dear Mom,

It truly was a week to remember. We spent most of the week preparing the family for baptism. It was straight up crazy. We had to pretty much pull everything together last minute. But it all worked out and many prayers have been answered.

The service was packed. We didn't expect so many people. Some people had to sit out in the hall. I had forgotten how nerve-wracking baptisms can be, and by the end of it I was pretty spent. All the stress had got to me and I was somewhat disappointed when we went home that night. But the next day at Sacrament Meeting we got to confirm them. After that I was flying pretty high. I knew what the family did was right and everything had worked out.

We had been through quite a bit with this family. It'll be the last thing I forget about my mission. There were times where we were struggling pretty bad trying to figure what they need and what would help them the most. There were other times when the Spirit was strong as ever. Now, they are the newest members of the ward and have the greatest potential. I want to come back in a year and see how they turned out.

The Gospel is designed to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior. It is also designed to bring us closer to one another. The more people realize that, the more zealous they will be about being obedient to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. I'm more grateful than ever to know this. I can look back and see what wonderful things it has done for our family and I truly can testify to other with greater power.

Thank you mom for everything that you do. I really wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for you and Dad.

Love,

Elder Freeman

"Going for a Swim"

From Elder Paul Freeman, Dated May 28, 2008

Dear Mom,

It's been a good week. That family of 6 we've been working with had sucessful interviews yesterday and everything is set for their baptism on Saturday. It's the most exciting thing that's happend in a long time. It's the end of the transfer as well, so things will all wrap up pretty nicely. Rumor has it I will be getting transfered. I guess the office is still working on my release date. As much as I love this work and I know I'll miss it dearly, I don't think it'll work staying out an extra two months. I'll continue to follow up with President Sanchez and find out what's going on.

Thanks for the email. It wouldn't show me the pictures from Facebook. It just showed me the message and said there was other stuff it couldn't show me because it was private or something. But, it's good to hear that everything [a wedding open house] worked out all right. Everything is going just fine over here. I look forward to pounding out the last five months.

Thanks for your continued love and support.

Love,

Elder Freeman