Ricks Thoughts

Dear Rick's Family - I didn't even know you guys and still don't personally, but one little prayer request last summer captured me to your family. Not a week goes by that I don't check your site and think of you and pray for you. I am amazed at how Rick touched lives that never even knew him. I have shared your story with so many and your standing through all of it has been such a testimony to others. I often wonder how Suzanne is - to have a Godly man in your life and one that has integrity and can be trusted and loves the Lord is rare. I pray for her also. God bless you all as you walk your journey through the summer. Just know that people like me who don't even know you are praying for you! Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

This is so weird that you put a journal entry in on the same day that i came to check this site...i havent been here since at least the winter..or christmas...and its really weird that you mentioned a video of Rick...because my youth group and I are once again going to bigstuf this summer in july...and a BUNCH of us have been wondering if they were going to have a memorial video for him...i am so excited to be at bigstuf...its one of the places where i feel closest to God..and of course without Rick, it's different, but nonetheless...he is an INSPIRATION..and i cannot WAIT to be in panama city to glorify God and remember Rick at the same time. HE IS AN AWESOME GUY!

God is continually with you and always will be!
With a ton of love,
Leslie

We pray for you always.

I followed this blog as everything was going on earlier this year and just got back from Big Stuf. After Stuart and Kristian spoke about Rick, and the video was showed, it was so amazing to see so many kids come to Christ because of the example Rick led. We continue to pray for your family.

You and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers often. I am blessed to have experienced being led in worship by you and by Rick.

How awesome that the kids at the Bigstuf camps are being led in worship again by Rick this year! I can only imagine how powerfully His message is coming across through the testamony of your dear brother's life and last days of his illness. I will continue to pray for the ministries Rick supported and will support them to the best of my ability. The concert is on my calendar and I plan to bring my community group.

In His grip, Tracy

Hi,
I have not written in a while to this blog however, as my son Kyle is about to visit Camp Big Stuff for the first time I can't help but think of Rick. My family was so blessed to have Rick as our Worship Leader at MLC. Kyle is so excited about this trip coming up and can't wait to see the tribute to Rick's life and work with Big Stuff. I give Rick the credit of allowing God to use him to help reach my son. It was through his cool and hip way of celebrating Christ that my son has also learned to love God with all of his heart. Rick was just the open door Kyle needed to make the greatest choice of his life here on earth. Shelley and I still find ourselves thinking of Rick often when certain songs are sang. His voice was from heaven and it's hard to except anyone else singing them. Our prayers will continue to go out to all that Rick has touched and to all, even in his passing, he will touch through organizations like Big Stuff. We love you and hope you visit MLC soon. Rick's heart still is alive and beating strong at Mountain Lake Church.

In Him,
The Collins Family

Oh how precious are the children of the most high. Dear brothers and sisters be troubled not by the pains of your flesh, for the Father is watching ... He is listening to Rick's wonderful voice sing Him praises, and He is watching your lives unfold for the work He has planned.
I love you all. You are my brothers and sisters and Dad does not want to see you upset. If you have a void Rick once filled replace it with Christ. Christ lives in me so if you need a brother ...Lean on me... I will show you the sights of the Father ... and point you in the direction of our Messiah, for His blood has washed over us all and we have been adopted into a family larger that we can fathom.

Your Spiritual Brother,

Gerry

Dear Family-
I just got back from BigStuf, and WOW!! That is all I can say. The whole time they had Rick leading worship, I cried my eyes out! He always had that smile on his face that encouraged me and others in my youth group. I really miss him and pray for your family a lot! I know it has to be really hard to go on, but through GOD all things are possible! And the one thing that really grabbed me at BigStuf was the session on Wired To Win. This is when they told us that Rick said, "If I die I win, If I live I win" and that really spoke to my heart, and now I can say the same thing, I WIN!! So just know that even though I don't know you or your family, I am going to be in constant prayer for you!

God Bless,
Katie Rogers

I just returned from Big Stuf. It was an amazing experience. The last night, Stuart Hall and Lanny talked to the 1,000+ of us about the amazing and cheerful life of Rick Pearson. Tears came to my eyes as I remembered Big Stuf in 2004. That was the first time I ever heard his amazing voice. You cannot forget a voice like that. It was really moving to have Rick lead us one last time in worship as the video played. I offer my condolences to the Pearson family. We sang a song this past week that might offer some comfort: "Oh, no you never let go through the calm and through the storm. Oh, no you never let go in every high and every low. Oh, no you never let go. Lord, you never let go of me." God is always with us. I want you all to know that Rick helped change my life by bringing me closer to Christ than I have ever been. I will never forget him.

Candi,
My youth group and I just got back from Bigstuf yesterday and I just would like to let you kow that it was a truly unforgettable week. The last night was when they talked about being Wired to Win and how Rick told everyone That if he lived through it he won, and if he died he still WON...It was one of the most amazing experiences...I've been to Bigstuf for the past 4 years and it was still just as wonderful because Rick was still there worshiping with us, but from a far better place.
God Bless you and your family...I'll be praying for ya'll!
-Danielle

Rick has been on my mind a lot recently and I guess because it was around this time last year we first learned he was sick. Candi, I am very excited about the book you are working on. I can't wait to get some copies and share it with others. Rick continues to impact so many lives, praise God. I wish I could be a fly on the wall at BigStuf! Speaking for my own family, I can say that Rick's life and death catapulted us to a whole new level in our relationships with Christ. For that I am eternally grateful!

What a mighty God we serve and what a merciful, loving Father He is as well! Glory be to God for the lives and ministries of this amazing family, the Pearsons. You have remained in my thoughts and prayers since Rick's cross of illness was placed on his shoulders by the One who knew Rick's trust, faith and love. Leaning on his Savior not on his own strength Rick carried it with such dignity, purpose and conviction that there was no doubt that God was going to do miraculous things through it all! That it would be a "win-win" situation. Not just for Rick but for every person touched by this amazing young man and family. To see these testimonies almost a year after Rick's going home is awesome! I know he would not change one moment, he would consider it worth the cost to read how it has brought so many to the foot of the Cross. That's what it was and is all about even now!
I too, like Ed Collins( hi Ed, I love you)hear certain songs and it brings me to tears. I look forward to the day I will once again look up and see and hear Rick singing "How Great is our God" and join him and all of heaven's host for eternity praising our God in heaven.
I am forever changed! Teri
Jesus, just as Your legacy lives from age to age, I know that each one of us as a believer also leaves a legacy. I thank you for the legacy of Rick that seems to reach out further and further from one changed heart to another. Passing the flame! Convict our hearts and make us bold for You so that one day when we are called home we will have made Kingdom difference here on earth like Rick and his precious family. Lord, please reach inside Elaine, Billy, Candi, Jonathon, Suzanne and Haley, giving them rest from the storm of grief, the intensity changes but the emptiness and yearning remains. Thank You for giving them all that they need for today as they continue to press toward the goal. Continue to work in and through each one of us to Your Glory. We love You, Lord! We worship and praise You for all You are and are continuing to do in the lives of people through Rick. In the precious Name of Jesus. Amen

Dear,Rick's family
I WAS AT BIG STUF LAST YEAR AND IT WAS MY FIRST YEAR GOING AND THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT RICK THAT STOOD OUT TO ME EVERY TIME HE GOT ON STAGE. IT WAS LIKE NOBODY OR NOTHING COULD STAND IN RICK'S WAY OF GOD. YOU COULD TELL IT IN HIS VOICE AND THE WAY HE LOOKED WHEN HE SANG THE SONGS. IT'S LIKE ANGELS WHERE SINGING. WELL THIS YEAR WAS DIFFERENT. RICK WAS NOT WITH US IN BODY BUT HE WAS THERE IN SPIRIT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS THE VIEDO THAT THEY SHOWED US BUT IT WAS LIKE HE WAS THERE WORSHIPPING THE GOD HE LOVES THE BEST. AS FAR AS HIS FIANCE KEEP YOUR HEAD UP TO THE SKY AND NEVER LOSE HOPE. GOD IS WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY . AS FAR AS THE FAMILY CHERISH THE GOOD TIMES AND ALWAYS REMEMBER "WE WIN"

WITH ALL MY LOVE AND PRAYERS
CANDICE JONES
BIG STUFF
2006

I just came back from the most life changing experience of my life. My best friend gave her life to christ at the "Rick Service". To tell you the truth it wasn't that sad. It was one of the happiest moments to know that Rick knew what he was wired for and that was God and he knew where he wanted to go in life or should I say where God wanted Rick to go. And Rick Pearson's life is a testimony showing that we don't know how long we have. So, we have to know God. And we have to know that God wired us for much bigger things than what we know or could even imagine. So we have have a little time to do what we are meant to do and that is to serve God with our lives in the best way possible. Rick poured out his affections to God and showed us how. And I wish I could thank him for the impact he has had on my and my loved one's. And how much I can't wait to see him again in front of the only one who brought me from life to death. God is soooooooooooooo good.
- Danielle Girardeau 14

Hello dear ones!!

There are so many times that I think about you all and pray that you are doing well. I am sure that there are still many times of hurt but I pray that they are fewer and fewer.

I listen to Rick's CD and sing with him in my car all the time. My girls often request his music when we are "running around". A fun thing happened last week when Molly was playing a Q/A game with us in the car and said, "Mommy, who is your favorite singer?" As I was trying to think of my FAVORITE, she said, "Oh I know who it is mommy! Your favorite singer is Rick Pearson." Once I started breathing again, I told her she was absolutely right!
:)

Candi, thank you for checking in. Hope to hear from you again soon!
Love,
Pam

hey candi i dont think you know me but i go to mountain lake church and i got back from big stuf the 24 or june and just hearing stuart and rodney talk about rick just made me think of since i was in tears the whole i just thought about his famialy how they are handling it so i am praying 4 u and every one will get through it!!! bunches of love Kristina

Thank you all so much for your stories. I weep over them and the others I hear. God continues to show me and the rest of the family that he has indeed answered our prayer. We begged God to be glorified in Rick through the illness he faced. Rick desperately wanted to glorify God through his "trial". While I am still in shock with God's answer to our prayer, I am totally blown away by how glorified He has become in Rick's death. Rick and I dreamed of 2006 being the year of our wedding and the beginning of our lives together. God has made 2006 the year of HIS glory in our lives. I am humbled and in awe of HIS great power and goodness. For all of you who have had your lives changed by God's glory in Rick's life, Thank you for your obedience. Your story is Rick's and ultimately Jesus's legacy. Praise be to the LORD for his sovreign plan and hope in all circumstances.

Thank you so much for your prayers. I am in need of them everyday. I plan to visit Big Stuf this weekend. I am excited and a little anxious to see what God is continuing to do with Rick's story.

Thank you again for your stories. They are comfort to all of us who are greiving.

My love,
Suzanne

To the Pearson family,

...I didn't know Rick personally...but I know of Candi from 722 and Passion. Candi and Rick both having amazing voices to which they put to use to bless the heartstrings of many. I don't know if I ever met Rick just in passing or to say hello as if he may have been a stranger walking by. If that happened I know he had a smile and was friendly.

...That is a lot of I don't know's but I would like to share what I do know. I know Rick is in Heaven and he is looking down saying "you guys have got to see this." I know he was a part of the story of God. Rick decided at a young age not to hide a talent he was gifted with...but to share it with us and so his story was God's story. I know he is thinking I wouldn't trade one nanosecond of what I am experiencing right now.

I will continue to keep your family in my prayers. Every song sung by Rick I hope gives you comfort and strength. Every song sung by Candi...I hope gives you remembrance and fortress in a mighty God.

God Bless

Adam Rush

I actually just arrived home from Big Stuf tonight. When i got home i knew i had to immediately find his blogs. Last night was an incredible/unforgettable experience. Just hearing Lanny tell the story of Ricks life made a drastic change in my life. I know that his story has impacted hundreds if not thousands of people. However last night after the message we sang and all i could do was weep and look up above and thank the 2 people i have never personally met.... Rick and God. My heart goes out to you and your family. I know that you must be so proud of Ricks accomplishments here on earth as well as the legacy that still lives on today. I am a changed person because of Rick.

Hey Candi!
Pink is still the new black btw! :) I went to visit an intern at the PCB Bigstuf camp where I heard more of Rick's story. I remember you speaking of him at Passion and how I was encouraged by your strength. I didn't make the connection until they spoke of you that he was your brother (i had a blonde moment since you both have the same last name... anyway...).

I was so thankful to be in the presence of believers and worship with Rick last Thursday. That night, July 13, 2006, I praised God for giving me strength for 11 years. My dad has been battling heart disease since I was 9 and needs a heart transplant. The past two years his condition has worsened, but the Lord is still working through my dad.

I am finding more encouragement by Rick's story and his faithfullness to the Lord through his battle. I know the Lord wanted me to hear Rick's story because the timing is so perfect it can ONLY be God!

You all are in my prayers and I thank you for sharing Rick's story. Rick is right, he won. :)

In Christ,
Amanda

Let me just start off by saying, there is no time in my mind that I can recall having SUCH a wonderful time. This is was 2nd summer at Bigstuf, and I'm so happy I came back! It just keeps getting better and better every time! This year, I came in Camp 10 (as I had last year). Go BLUE! This time, my second time, I truely felt God's presence within me. It was magical.

And my highlight of the whole trip was the 'Wired To Win' speech on Rick. I don't believe I've ever sobbed that hard. Especially over a person I had never met or seen before. That speech completely broke me down and it made me see how life is so beautiful. How one person can be filled up so much with God, that even in their darkess times, they still see the light. He saved so many people by his teachings and his faith in his times of doubt. The way Lanny and Jared talked about him made me feel like he was one of my most beloved friends.

God works in mysterious ways, and he worked through Rick to get to me. And eventhough Rick may be gone, his spirit is still here teaching many. All I can imagine is the plans he must have had. He and his soon-to-be bride. It breaks my heart. It made me sob harder to know that he had been friends with Kristian, and just last year (I think...) Kristian had been married. And then, Rick had proposed to Suzanne. To think of what great family friends and the life they could have had. Raising kids, growing old, singing God's songs. It truely lifted me up and made me want to be a better person.

I bought the CD the last day, and on the car ride back home, me and my friends sat for hours and cried about the story's told about him. He was reaching people, even when he was gone.

When Kristian sang the song 'You Never Let Go' after the sermon, I couldn't help but cry. That song fits perfectly with Rick, as did SO many other songs on the list. Those feelings, and that story will stay with me forever. Rick has shown me a new light on the subject of God. I thought I was a dedicated believer before, but now, I will make sure I am.

After dwelling on the speech, long after my friends tears had dried up, I was hit with a Godsent idea. And I truely think God asked me to do this. The story of Rick and his life needs to be spread everywhere. Not just a couple thousand people in a short summer, but to the world, to thousands! I came up with the idea of making a movie on him. He and his life, his friends, his experiances, his battle, his faith. I'm still young, still planning for which college I should go to, trying to get ready for High School, but somewhere down the road I would LOVE to make a movie on him and his story. It would be my dream to do a movie on Rick.

I was touched deeply by Jared and Lanny and everyone's sermon's and faith. I doubt anything will ever compare to my time at Bigstuf. I will never forget any of it or Rick and all he stood for. I pray for all those who knew him, loved him, heard his voice and were touched by his love. Rick changed me, and I'd never even met him.

Love,
Kaitlin

I felt priveledged to have been able to worship with Rick over many sundays and witness God's glory through his talent. And I felt privledged once again at Bigstuf this summer to be able to worship with him another time! You know God's doing something truly powerful through Rick's story when he brings tears and new hope to ones who never even knew him. He's showed me that I can never lose. I'm so thankful for that! You're all continually in my prayers.

Well i have looked for this site ever since i have left bigstuf camp and now i have found it. To all the people at bigstuf i want you to know that the video of rick singing was so awe-inspiring, it just took my breath away. Even thoug Rick wasn't in the building physicaly many people could still feel his presence. I really enjoyed the fact that Rick lived the best life for christ he could. I want his family to know that my youth group and the whole church is still praying for his family, even if it has been a little while you can never really replace the ones you love. God may have taken Rick, but he took him to a bigger and better place. Just look at all the lives that were changed because of him even mine.

We still love you Rick,
Mountain Veiw Youth and Church

Dear Candi,
Today is August 6th; my family attended North Point's early service. Thank you for your awesomely heartfelt and authentic worship leading this morning. It was difficult in some ways to hear you sing Beautiful One, only because I love to hear Rick singing it on the CD, but your voice is such a heavenly sound, and your attitude set the tone for all of us as we sent our praise to the Father.
You and your family are in my prayers. This must have been such a trying and yet incredible year for all of you, and I love you all and appreciate your sharing it with all of us.
He's not safe, but He's good.
Anne Baker

Almost exactly one year from the time Rick was admitted to the hospital, my sweet aunt has been admitted. August 4th she went into Emory with the diagnosis of Acute Leukemia. She had the bone marrow biopsy yesterday and the further diagnosis of ALL Leukemia has been made. Today the shunts are being put in and chemo is starting. This is the place I automatically returned to when I heard the news. I don't know why. Maybe I am just looking for comfort. Thanks.

Dear DS,

I am so broken hearted for your sweet aunt and your hurting family. I know what it feels like. There are absolutely no words.

All we could do was surrender our lives and Rick's life to the Almighty daily. I remember actually going there in my head, to the throne room of the Lord and laying my life. my dreams, and My Love at His feet. Through it all God continues to remind me that He is God and I am not. He is the Creator, the Almighty, the Beginning and the End. He knit us all together and knows best. Period..............Wow.

Faith is applied by believing this. By holding on to it as a life line. As our only hope. The Almighty God loves your sweet aunt. He died for and loves her more than you do. He weeps when she weeps. He came to earth so that He can personally relate with her pain. He is trustworthy and good. And that is the only truth that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt.
I hope that God faithfulness encourages you. I pray that you and your family and most especially your aunt find all of you comfort and peace in His sufficiency.

He is enough, I can personally vouch for His absolute sufficiency with a Leukemia diagnosis. I was Rick's fiance and experienced it all first hand. I still am. God is enough. Praise be to His Holy Name.

Please know that I will not stop praying for your aunt's total healing.

My love,
Suzanne