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December 02, 2005
First Meeting for the Memorial Fund
Hello extended family! I wanted to write an update since it has been quite some time. Our family is doing well. God is continuing to be faithful. Just a few updates: Suzanne has accepted a new job that is more in line with what her degree is for, it's way more flexible in terms of work schedule, and she is remaining in Atlanta. This is a huge blessing for her, and she is so grateful to you for continuing to hold her up in prayer. Jonathan and I are adjusting well in Los Angeles... spending time at a church that has been very present throughout our entire journey (even though they had never met my brother), and we feel loved on and supported, even on the west coast! My parents are doing well through the holidays. My mom has just finished a book (well, she's read about 7 of them through this process!) that has really helped her in processing through the last 4 months. She is emotionally healthy, which makes me so enormously happy! My sister is working hard in Atlanta, living with wonderful roommates, and still praying for direction as to the next step. She's very excited to be in Atlanta.
God is faithful!
Now, to let you know about The Rick Pearson Memorial Fund. We just finished our first conference call a couple of hours ago, and we are SO excited to let you know what we are going to be able to do this year.
1. We will be sponsoring one or more international students from such possible place as Brazil, South Africa, the Phillippines, etc. to attend the Passion Conference in Nashville, January 2-5. Please be praying for this opportunity. How amazing to think the impact this could have on their lives and, in turn, their friends, community...country!
2. We are going to be able to sponsor high school students in the Louisiana area affected by hurricane Katrina to go to summer camp at Bigstuf camps in Panama City, FL. Almost an entire church youth group will have the chance to be at camp! Pray for maximum kingdom impact as these students will have an opportunity to experience God in an amazing way!
3. We are going to be continuing to sponsor the 2 children that Rick supported through Compassion International. Suzanne is going to keep up with the correspondence with the children. We are excited to be able to continue to pour into these lives.
4. We are going to be able to fulfill a commitment that Rick made to Mountain Lake for their building fund. It's extremely exciting to be able to do something that Rick specifically committed to do, and to be able to do this for his church that he loved and championed so much!
ALL of this can happen because of the funds that have been raised so far for the Fund! It is AMAZING how generous you all have been! We are excited to keep this legacy going, too. We will update the website soon to let you know other fundraising opportunities, including when the next annual benefit concert will be for next year.
I cannot express how grateful we are. You all are part of this. You are why we can impact, literally, the world. Your generosity is beyond words. Thank God for His Body. You are a perfect picture.
Thank you.
Candi Pearson Shelton
Posted by Rick at December 2, 2005 12:30 PM
Comments
You are in my thoughts and prayers throughout this holiday season. You have been such a blessing to me over the past few months-I'm continually touched by your family through this website. It's so awesome to see all that has been done with the money that has been raised, thank you for letting us all know. God Bless you all, and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
With Love, Jessica
Posted by: Jessica Brown at December 2, 2005 05:08 PM
Candi, family, and friends-
That is so wonderful. That just shows how many lives Rick continues to touch even from Heaven. I am so happy that you all are doing well. Not a day goes by that you are not on our minds. I keep Rick's picture on our refrigerator and listen to the CD often. Thank you for giving us that gift of Rick's voice that we can hold onto forever. Thank you for the updates. Through everything you do, it just shows how much you love and want to serve God. Thank you for modeling the way for us.
Love and God bless-Shannon
Posted by: Shannon Brown at December 3, 2005 08:20 AM
Candi,
Thank you for not forgetting about us, and still keeping us all posted. I am so happy to hear of all the great things that are still being done by Rick. Im very glad to hear that things are working out for Suzanne. I hope Haley finds her direction soon, I know God has put her here for a special reason. I am so glad to know Elaine & Billy are doing good. I saw them a couple of Sundays ago, it was so great to see them. I miss them. Through the whole process with Rick I had something to do everyday (log onto this sight and check on everyone) Now I still find myself at times feeling lost as to what to do.I miss you all and I am grateful to still be being included in your family's life! Please know that you all are still in our thoughts & prayers especially during this Christmas Season which we will experience much JOY & sadness.
I Love you all and Wish you peace and comfort as you all settle into new lives.
Kim Mathews
Posted by: Kim Mathews at December 5, 2005 09:04 AM
I love you all and am continually praying for you, lovely lady, and the rest of the family.
Posted by: Laura at December 5, 2005 07:29 PM
I thank our Father for the ability to suffer and grow with you and your family. You are all so very precious to us. Our hearts and doors are always open to our eternal family. I want to say thank you so very much for letting Rick's memory stay with us ... being a reminder to us of a life that was dedicated to serving our Father. He modeled the way in our eyes and hearts .. and your family continues to do so.
Posted by: Gerry at December 7, 2005 07:33 AM
Candi,
I am so thankful that you continue to update us through this website. Everytime I miss Rick I just listen to my CD. I am so thankful that God allowed him to record those songs. They are such an inspiration to me daily to stay focused on what's important.
I purchased some of Rick's CD's at the concert in October and sent them all to my unsaved family. I was very scared to send "church" music to my "unchurched" family for in the past this kind of thing would have offended them. I want you to know that several of my family members have been very moved by the CD. My aunt was playing it for her entire family during Thanksgiving dinner. My grandma went out and bought a new CD player just to listen to it. My husband's eighty year old father and mother have been listening to it constantly. Great things are happening to people who have not stepped foot into church in decades. I think it is just so beautiful that Rick's life is still impacting others today. I hope this encourages you as you all endure this season!
Please keep us posted of future events. We would love to participate again. Also, we love to hear how all of you are doing. You are always on our hearts and in our prayers!
God Bless you all! May He keep you in His sweet embrace during this Holiday season!
Love,
Rachael
Posted by: Rachael Garosi at December 9, 2005 12:51 PM
Thank you Heavenly Father for making this possible! Such a blessing, and it is so nice to hear how good everyone is doing:) Prayers proceed!
Posted by: Jane Turpin at December 10, 2005 11:53 AM
Candi,
Merry Christmas from one who is so touched that you keep us informed of all that is going on with the Pearson family. You all are so much in my thoughts this holiday season. Rick's spirit lives through is his foundation and that is so comforting and awesome. What an impact he is still having on so many! We will keep you in our prayers always. And again, thank you for your updates. Alot of us are still reading them, even though not as many replys are being posted. We are still hungry for all the news you have to give us.
Posted by: Diane at December 11, 2005 01:46 PM
Rick's "We Win" CD has been helping so much throughout my first year of college. God is so amazing! Rick's version of "Come Thy Fount" is the best ever and it never gets old!
-Trent
Posted by: Trent Hope at December 19, 2005 10:26 PM
Merry Christmas dear ones!
It is great to hear the you are doing "well". I will continue to check back regularly to see how things are going. Call on us if you need us. You remain in our thoughts and prayers!
Buckets of love,
Pam Majerus
Posted by: Pam at December 21, 2005 06:20 PM
im so excited to know that the ministries rick supported are going to be blessed by him even after his departure. i love you and your family and think about you often. I pray that the holiday season is filled with joyful memories of rick and his echoing life.
Posted by: b at December 22, 2005 10:17 PM
I WILL PRAY FOR ALL OF YOU OVER THE HOLIDAYS
Posted by: AMBER at December 23, 2005 06:12 PM
I continue to check the blogs...I still have the web address as a short cut on my desktop. I love you all and continue to pray for each of you daily. God is good and He always provides! Keep us posted! Love TMcDonald
Posted by: Tracey White McDonald at December 28, 2005 10:01 PM
Candi,
This is great news! You and your family are constantly in my thoughts and prayers! I'm so glad for an update on everyone. How awesome that God is using Rick's life even as he is in His very presence! You are an amazing encouragment and inspiration to so many.....myself in particular!
Posted by: Melanie at January 2, 2006 10:45 AM