Sister Ash Mitch's Mission: Pictures from Loomis and the MTC!

Hola Mi Familia,

It feels like I was just here! Do the weeks go by just as quickly for you as they do for me?!?!?! That’s so good to hear that Bob Lee is back at home! He has been on my mind a lot this week. Go see him for me will ya? Hopefully he can make a full recovery. I was sad to hear the illnesses in our extended family. Man do I love our family! We really are sooooooo incredibly blessed to have all of these Aunts and Uncles who care so much about what’s going on in our crazy little lives!!!! (It also helps that the Mitchell's are just flat out hilarious by nature...) Be sure to let them know that my prayers are with them and that I love them very very very VERY much!!!!

Well, ironically, this week I have been thinking a lot about trials. Trials that come as the result of others, ones we've brought upon ourselves, and then those trials that are just a part of life. Why do we have them? Why do they come along at the exact time that they do? Why is it always when we are worried and stressed and lonely that THEN is the time for our next big trial? Why can't they come when we are at our very best and ready to face it?!?!?! I find myself often times thinking, "SERIOUSLY!?!?!, NOW?!?!?!" I have come to the conclusion that we just don't know yet. Our Heavenly Father knows where we are going. He knows the challenges we must face and there is a man who felt the pain and the trials that we must go through in the process.

We were teaching one of our less-active members one evening and ended up in the kitchen doing her dishes. One of her friends came over to visit and we got to talking. She is going through a hard time right now. She recently lost her husband and has a son that has a lot of struggles. She is having some financial problems because a realtor had dealt with her unjustly and man... the list just went on and on. We had not planned to share a message. But Sister Adamson gave me that look that I know all to well what it means. I grabbed my scriptures and we read in 2nd Nephi about Hope. We talked about the Atonement and about how Jesus Christ has given us an opportunity to lay those things at his feet. To bring relief, comfort and peace into our lives. There are some STRONG people out there. People that think they can handle it on their own. They can take the abuse they can deal with the pain. To be honest, I thought I was one of them. I have felt beaten, I have felt alone, but I also have thought that I could handle it on my own. That I could find things that would make me happy despite my pain. You know! All those things we do to ignore it. The Yoga, the chocolate, the eating out with friends. They are all good things! (Well maybe not the chocolate...) But there is a better way. There is a way out of the storm! The Atonement was no small thing. He paid our debt for us. And how do we pay him back? By utilizing His Atonement every day in our lives. By not allowing ourselves to suffer when all we have to do is get down on our knees to bring that peace. It was really cool to meet with this woman. She is one cool lady and actually came to church with us this week! Sister Adamson and I were asked by Brother Rackham to teach Gospel Principles. What was the lesson on?... The Atonement. It was such a great opportunity to teach. All of the members of the class are the people that we meet with regularly each week. One man, (recently re-activated member from Tucson Arizona) bore his testimony in a way only he could. He brings life to the words "heart felt." I love this gospel. I love the joy it’s brought into my life and the opportunity I have to continue to serve people.

Thanks so much for getting a book ready for Zane! I really love that family! Zane will demand that we sit by him each week and I accept every time! It may have something to do with the fact that he may or may not bring snacks each week...... Haha. Is it bad that I'm a missionary and I still eat cheerios in church? Well. I LOVE the Ensign and Friend idea. I can't think of any other families at this point that would like them but boy would that be PERFECT for the Savery's!!!!! They are so eager to re-learn things! It’s so cute! I can't remember any of the other questions you asked me but if I ever forget to answer one just be sure to write it to me again and be like, "YO! Ashley! Get your act together and communicate with your parentals!" I'm just as forgetful as always. But I still love you like crazy and can't wait to hear from you! (Sister Adamson got her letter and she TOTALLY called me on it!) She said..."You just told your mom to write me because I haven't been getting any mail!" I denied it but she saw right through me... I asked her why and she said, "Because I did the same thing to MY trainer just 2 months ago!!!!!!" Hahahaha. Sister Adamson and I are the same person sometimes. It's ridiculous. The ward keeps fighting over having us over for dinner. As Megan Schmitt describes it. (14 year old awesome basketball player from the ward) "We love you guys because you’re BOTH crazy!!! Usually we only get one crazy one and one quiet one... but your BOTH insane!!!" I'm not entirely sure it was a compliment. But Sister A and I try our best to make this whole "missionary deal" look gooooood! Keep it real! I love you all!

Love,

Sista Mitchell!!!!