You Never Know The Difference You Will Make!

Dear Family,

         It was so great to talk to you on Christmas! It was quite different to have an audience and I felt I couldn't really say a lot of the things I would have liked to had the circumstances been different. So sorry! But on a better note, this week has been incredible! Can I please just be a missionary for the rest of my life!?!?! Life as a full-time missionary is just awesome! I can't really even describe it, but I have NEVER been happier to wake up at 6:30 every day in my LIFE!

         As you know, this is my third area now. I have served in Loomis, Rio Linda, and now Auburn. All of those areas had their different challenges and successes. But in each, I feel like the common lesson that was learned was to "love deeply." President Ezra Taft Benson said, "I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy." Thanks for teaching me to work hard Dad! Because... that quote has been so true for me on my mission. When I am diligent, regardless of what outward success I may see, I feel deep love for the people I serve and it fills me up. Sister Siemens and I have been trying our best to be diligent and to give "everything we got!" This week we got a phone call from a man and his wife. He said... "I'm not sure if you’re the ones, but we live right by the Sister Missionaries and they always smile and wave at us. We were wondering if there is any way we could get someone to come to our home. We would like to become members of your church." Okay now. Just take one minute to think about what my reaction might have been...... if Alicia said, "Jumping up and down obnoxiously and fist pumping in the air," then she was right! We met with them Saturday night and they said they had gone on vacation to Salt Lake City and visited the temple there. When they recounted the feeling of peace they felt, I felt a warm feeling come over me and I felt so much gratitude in my heart for the way the Lord works in the lives of others. We committed them to come to church the next morning and they will be getting baptized in a month from now. They are the all-time sweetest couple in the WORLD! The wife loves photography and her husband paints and wears a cabby hat. Is it too soon to say I am in love with them?  They came to church on Sunday and he said this was the second time he has worn a tie in his LIFE! (The first being at his wedding) THEN, as if it couldn't get any better, a man walks into our sacrament meeting. In Auburn we have quite a few people who are homeless and there is program where different churches will put them up for a few nights at a time so they are not on the streets. This man was a part of the program for only a short time now since he lost his house. He looks at me and said, "I know you!" I'll be honest it took me a minute. I smiled, shook his hand and said, "how?" He said that a year ago I had gone through his checkout line while he was working at Walmart. My jaw, yet again, dropped to the floor. HOW COULD HE

STIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLL remember me!?!?!??! He said that I gave him a pass-along card and said, "exactly what he needed to hear that day." He is working on finding a job right now and will be coming back to church next week.

         We never know the influence we may have on people. We must seek to draw close to the spirit, to be sincere, and to love all those around us and he will be able to use us for GREAT things! I love you all and hope all is well at home! Because of the shortened time in the MTC they have shortened our missions by a week out here and changed the transfers to 5 weeks. I got my "trunky" call this week and they are booking me a flight for February 19th into the PHX airport. I love you all! Keep working hard!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

Merry Christmas!--Written Dec. 24th, 2012

Dear Family,

         I wish so badly that I could have you all here with me. I LOVE the Christmas season! Yesterday at church I gave a talk on, "The True Meaning of Christmas." One of our investigators had told us that they weren't able to come because they had to work. But half way through my talk I looked up to see her looking back at me from the hallway and I almost lost it. The reason why my mission means so much to me is because of the love I feel for others. The true meaning of Christmas is in the name, Jesus Christ. We always talk about loving the, "Spirit of Christmas." But why is it that everyone is so different around this time of year. How could a whole nation of people all of a sudden be"in a different mood.”  It's because they are remembering Christ. As I have tried to remember Christ more in my life I can see how His love seeps into my heart and begins to change me. I feel like I see others more clearly. I am quicker to forgive. I love deeply. My days have purpose and meaning. I am so grateful for Christ in my life and for the wonderful opportunity that I have to serve Him. I have never been more grateful for the opportunity that I have to bare His name on my chest and to witness of Him. He is so loving and so patient. He truly is the Son of God. I know that He lives and that He loves us unconditionally. I wish that your Christmas is filled with the "Christmas Spirit; The spirit of Christ." I love you all and hope that you have a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for all the love, support and letters! You truly are the best family that anyone could ever ask for! I hope that Alicia is still as eager to wake up Christmas morning as I always was. Don't think for a second that I have grown out of that! If I could call you at 5 in the morning to wake you up I would! But, in all seriousness, I really can't wait to talk to you tomorrow! I love you! Pass my love along to all of my old companions and friends and ward members! I miss them all and wish them a Merry Christmas! I love you!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

Tis The Season!--Written Dec. 17, 2012

Dear Family,

        Remember how I used to be directionally challenged? Well, that is STILL the case. I drag poor Sister Siemens through all these windy back roads out in the sticks and just pretend like I know where I am going. I miss having Sister Elliott say, "Turn left Sister Mitchell. Turn right. Turn around. Slow down." But although we have been lost quite frequently, we are having a BLAST! Just a few days ago we went to go visit a member of our ward. The "Lucs." The husband is a member of the church from Vietnam. And his wife is Buddhist from Vietnam as well. When I met her, she looked like she could be Chinese, but since I knew Brother Luc was from Vietnam I just assumed she was Vietnamese. But guess what!?!? Her family is Chinese! She speaks both Mandarin and Cantonese. I chatted a little bit with her and found out, very quickly, that anything I used to be able to say in Chinese.... I no longer can! But it was still fun to chat with her.  I am amazed by this woman and her positivity. She is the cutest. Their son is 9 years old and he hasn't been baptized yet. He is a child genius and we are hoping to be spending more time in that home. We have been busing getting ready for the two baptisms we will be having at the beginning of January. Angelina is a little bit closer to our age so it’s been fun to meet with her as frequently as we do. She is always cooking us food or taking us out to eat somewhere. She is like the nicest girl on the planet! I always feel bad because she has a car, school and rent to pay. But she is just such a good example to me of giving freely. Heather has two little girls that she brings to church with her every

week and will be baptized the following week. We are so excited for the both of them and I feel like I learn so much from each of them every week.

          It is such a wonderful time of year to be a missionary. I wish I could explain it. But I love bearing my testimony of Jesus Christ. It's almost like I can feel it bubble to the surface. I am so thankful for my Savior. I know that He lives and I am so thankful for the many gifts that His life has brought into mine. I love Him and I feel daily of His love for me and for others. I hope you all really enjoy this season and the light of Christ that we allow into our lives. It's so evident in the way we treat one another and all we do to lift those around us. I love you guys! Have a very Merry Christmas!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

His True Nature--Written Dec. 10, 2012

Dear Family,

       This opportunity to serve a mission has strengthened my testimony that God has a plan for each and every one of us. How sad would life be if we were just stuck as the person we were yesterday? The person who made mistakes, who misspoke and hurt someone’s feelings. The person who has regrets. Life would be empty without the opportunity to change our very natures. So we are given opportunities. Most of the time they are difficult, or may seem to be more than we could possible handle. But each experience, if we allow it, is molding us into the person the Lord would have us be. Someone who is humble, teachable, loving and kind. I have seen SO many times on my mission how the companions I have had, the people that we meet, or even the leaders in our congregation were put in my path to help me grow. I have been so grateful for that growth. I can't even put into words the gratitude I feel when I think of the way these experiences have changed my heart.

        Why then, when we are in the middle of one of the "difficult experiences" that inspire growth, do we begin to doubt and to say "why me?" I have seen that a lot lately in the lives of so many we meet with. Our investigators, the members, ward leaders. They all eventually begin to ask "why." And, I know I am by no means an expert, but it has been something I have studied a lot lately. I have reached the conclusion that when we ask,” why", it is usually because we have lost sight of or misunderstood the nature of God. Some of us were raised in different homes with different types of families. Some may have a different idea of what "love" is. Maybe love to them requires a price you must pay. Or that there is a "limit" on the amount of times you can make mistakes before the giver of the love just says, "that’s enough." So when we loose sight of His true nature, how do we really know? How can we know Him? How when we feel so bad and so down and ask "why me" so many times... how can we remember Him and feel of His unconditional and unending love for us? For me this week the answer has been to read from the Book of Mormon. As I do that, I begin to better understand His nature. I begin to see more clearly how my trials are for my benefit and that they are not given to me out of revenge but out of deepened love and a vision of the future and what I can become. I love the Lord. I am thankful for His involvement in my life. I have seen so many times this week why Sister Siemens and I are to be companions. I love her so much. This gospel is such a blessing in my life. To be able to change, to love more deeply, and even to be able to forgive myself when I fall short of expectations. Do you think that ever ends? Do you think there will ever be a time where I NEVER fall short of expectations? Life is hard but it is incredible and I am SOOOOOOOO thankful for the opportunity I have to serve. We had our Christmas Brunch this week and it was fun to be together with all the ward. We have an incredible ward! I hope all goes well for you guys and that all the preparations for parties and stuff go well. Mom, do you at least make Alicia help you with that stuff? Who am I kidding? I know you too well... you do it ALL on your own. Don't wear yourself out Mom. I love you too much.

Love,    Sister Mitchell                                                     

You Can't Always Get What You Want; You Get What You Need!--Written Dec. 3, 2012

Dear Family,

          It's transfer day!  We were totally shocked! I have been with each companion for two transfers each and now Sister Elliott is breaking the cycle! She is getting transferred to Citrus Heights; Woodside Ward to be with Sister Fonua. I will really miss her. We have learned so much about humility from each other that we COULD NOT have learned anywhere else. Haha. I will be getting another missionary that I have been PRAYING to serve with. She was trained by Sister Adamson and even went to the same single's ward as Sister Garfield back in Utah. Her name is Sister Siemens! I am so excited to be serving with her. I think I always knew I would. I have a feeling she will most likely be my last companion. So it should be great!

         This week was incredible. One of the people we meet with is dating a guy in our ward. Every time we see her I feel like I learn something new from her. She is 19 and has been through a lot in her life that most 19 year olds haven't. Every time we talk with her I just feel so much love for this girl. She is sarcastic and hilarious and always keeps us on our toes. We have a lot of fun together. But every time we have

a discussion with her, she always says something that makes me smile. I can't quite explain it but I feel like I understand her in a way no one else does. I'm pretty sure she sees it too but I find that I learn a lot about myself each time we meet. Mom, I'm sorry I'm so stubborn! I promise I will listen to you now! Haha. But all joking aside, it has been so incredible to know this girl and to be able to spend so much

time with her. When we were planning what to talk about with her this past week, baptism kept coming to mind. We would frequently push the thought away thinking logically, that it would not be something that she would be interested in at this point. Later that week we ate dinner with her and her boyfriend and afterwards she said she had something to tell us. We were sharing a message with her and Mosiah 18 just kept blaring in my mind over and over but I just kept thinking, "No! I can't share that..." Well. I won't make that mistake again because after we were done... she looked at us with my favorite smirky smile and said, "So... I hope it's okay with you guys but I was thinking a lot lately and... I want to get baptized!" My jaw dropped to the floor and I promised myself I would never ignore a prompting like that again. Her baptismal date is January 12th and we are so excited for her!

              The subject that has been weighing heavily on my mind lately is what it means to be "truly sincere." There are so many activities that we participate in during our lives that if they lack a depth of sincerity they will loose all meaning. In this life it is easy to get discouraged and for everyday tasks to seem "mundane." But we can bring depth to any activity by the WAY we look at people. Do we look at that grumpy man on the steet and think, "Geez what's wrong with THAT guy?" Or do we soften our own hearts? Do we see the deeper issue? Are we curious why he would react in such a way. I know my thoughts are jumbled. But I think it is good to be curious about others, if we are sincere. I always try to remember what Cyd taught me. She always gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. As we do this, as we try to avoid justifying our frustrations but seek to justify our unconditional love for others; we will be filled with joy. We must always seek to lift others higher

than ourselves! (Which, for those of you that know me well, is easier said then done.) But that is my goal this Christmas season--to see others the way that our Heavenly Father sees them. To never write someone off because they are mean or rude but to love them regardless. I love the ones that are hard to love! It is the most rewarding call in the world.

         Everything else has been super awesome! It has been great to be out here for another Christmas season! There are so many members of the ward that I have not yet written back and for that I deeply apologize. Will you let them all know how much I appreciate them? I got another letter from Sister Hammond the other day and it made me cry to think about how consistently she has reached out to me and supported me while I'm out here. We have such incredible members in our ward! Are the missionaries in our ward working hard? How about the High Priest Group Leader? If he isn't, let me know and I will whip him into shape. Haha. I love you guys and hope you have a great time setting up the tree listening to bee-bop-Christmas music. Play it extra loud for me! I love you! Be expecting to hear about some more crazy miracles in Auburn these next few weeks! I love your guuuuts!

Love,

Sister Mitchell        

The Perfect Exemplar.

Dear Family,

         It’s hard to know even where to start! We had a great week! I have felt a little more myself this week than I have in a loooooooong time. President Weston always talks about the "pace we choose to run." Well, I know you haven't been out here with me. But even though I face challenges sometimes and have hard days like everyone does, the "pace at which I choose to run" is always pretty fast. I don't want to slow down for a single second. I just, I know how important it is! I have seen the blessings that come if we truly do "give our all."

         Ever since I came to Auburn I have wanted to just plow forward, but kept hitting stumbling blocks of "tradition" and "the way it’s always been." It has been a battle with myself to truly and deeply appreciate the work that has been done here but still be able to lift. I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and His example. I don't think it would be possible to know how to be a friend, parent, teacher, companion or leader if we weren't able to read and feel of the love He had for those He served. He truly is the perfect "exemplar." He was able to lift all those around Him. His intentions were always made clear by the love in His eyes and His vision of the purpose of this life. When words of correction were given it was with wisdom and an eye of futurity. This week I feel I have come to understand better the reasons why He lifts those around them. When I say I felt more like myself this week; I felt like we spent less time in the car and more time talking to people! When we did this I could feeeeeeeeeeeel the difference in my day. The experiences you have in a day when you move aimlessly from appointment to appointment could NEVER be matched by the way you feel when you get to look into the eyes of God’s children and truly know them. Know their fears and their worries. Know their hearts. And then be able to sooth those worries and those cares. There is nothing that fills you up more! I guess I just battled with myself these past few weeks. Every time I tried to move at the pace that I knew the Lord would have me run, I felt like I was stepping on toes or that I was "breaking tradition." But I have felt strongly this week that when I choose to run at that fast pace with positivity and a smile on my face, no matter the opposition I face... the love that I feel is contagious. My companion and the ward will begin to feel of the joy that comes from working hard and from truly giving our all. Sister Elliott and I are doing great and this week we even found TWO new investigators! We were talking to a man on the street who was blowing leaves on the side of the road. He put it on low so that he could blow our skirts off of us and when he did that we approached him and started talking to him. He had the motor running on his back so we had to speak loudly but even through the loud noise, the spirit was felt. We went back to visit him this week and caught him while he had family over. As we talked with him and his grandson, (who also lives in our area), about the gospel... he mentioned that he has a family member that just joined our church. His name, drum roll please..... is JERRY CREASON! (One of our recent converts that I sent you a picture of last week!) Then get this... Brother Creason had been thinking about giving Manuel a Book of Mormon. We had NO CLUE that this random man on the street whom we could have easily walked by was someone that a member of our ward had been praying for. It just goes to show how involved the Lord is in this work. He loves His children so deeply that He will remind each of us to act. WE are the ones that have the choice whether we want to be involved in this wonderful work or not. It is such a blessing to be tools in His hands to be able to lift and help His children. I love you guys so much and keep forgetting to wish you a Happy Late Anniversary! Thanks for all of your uplifting and encouraging letters. I really am doing great and loving life! I am so thankful to be a missionary! I miss you guys lots, but I will be having a talk with President Weston in the hopes that maybe he can at least let me extend for two more years? ... Do you think he will go for it? I love you guys to death! Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Thank you so much for all you do for me!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

There Can Be Miracles; If You Believe!

Dear Family,

         This week was incredible! Sorry I didn't get a long email sent out last

The missionary that changed my life,
Sister Withers,  came back for a visit

week. But the crazy-cool experiences have been piling up. I love it here in Auburn--the people are incredible. Our area is so big that we really have to plan well in order to reach the amount of people we would like to each day. We have had the opportunity to talk to so many incredible people. Sister Elliott and I have really been trying to sacrifice and one of the ways that has been tangible is in our planning. Each night we really try to seek the Spirit’s guidance in knowing where it is that we should be.  I have tried doing missionary work "my way" before, and it doesn't quite work nearly as well as when we are consistently reliant on the Lord..   It is a lesson that is far too

easy for me to forget. I get so focused on doing "SO MUCH" that I forget to do the "right" thing at the "right" time. One cool experience we had with that principle this week was when we went to go see an inactive member.  She hasn't been active in the church since she was about 16 years old. She is married to a non-member and has two young boys that are living. Her oldest son died unexpectedly several years ago and it was really difficult for them. Sister Elliott had told me that missionaries had been out there before and the door was slammed in their face. She related a few other interactions members of the ward had with this family... but regardless of what we knew about them, we felt prompted to go. And so we did. Their house was WAY out on the other side of our area about 45 minutes out. It was pouring rain, our tire was flat, one headlight was out in the car and the odds just seemed to be very much against us.  Upon our arrival, we saw a car pulling out of the long driveway and so we had to back out so he could get out. When he saw us he rolled down the window to see if we were lost, only to find out it was the husband! He leaned up against our car, (once he saw that we were missionaries), and said, "How can I say this?..." I gave him a knowing smirk and asked, "Are you trying to figure out how to tell us you’re not interested in a nice way?" He looked at me with a smile and we were instant friends. And guess what Dad?!?! He works as a lab tech. We talked for quite some time in the rain until I had mascara running down my cheeks, haha. But the

consensus was that nobody wants someone to "force" them to believe something. Over the years, the feeling he got was that visits from the missionaries meant they wanted you to come to church! We talked about his belief in God and why it is important to him and shared the experience of loosing his son and the pain he still feels. As we talked, not about the church, but about the comfort that comes through prayer... he looked towards the house and said, "You better go in there and see my wife." We did so and had one of the most incredible experiences ever.  She had tried coming to church before when her son was born and got the feeling that people were telling her, "since she wasn't sealed to her husband she was a "bad" person." So many people feel as if others consider them to be bad. I know there are very few people that speak to others with malicious intent within the church.  But... unfortunately... we sometimes lack the full depth of the charity and compassion we should feel for others. Instead of saying, "They put themselves into this situation," our first reaction should be one of love and compassion companied with prayer. If we gave each other the benefit of the doubt—and instead of saying this is your "last chance," we said, "I will always be here for you,"--hearts would soften, people would change. We will now be meeting in that home once a week for a family home evening. I am so grateful to be a member of this church and to be able to see others through His eyes.     

Ericka and her children

               This week was made a thousand times better because I ended it by going to Ericka’s baptism back in Dry Creek on Saturday. President Weston gave me permission to go back and it was one of the most spiritual experiences on my mission. Ericka came over to Sister Rupp and I and said, "You know...I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you two." I sat watching her son Dylan as Ericka bore her testimony.

She is the most incredible example to me. She is like Alma, wanting 

to "Shout it from the Rooftops." Be expecting a visit from her once I am

home. This girl is FOREVER apart of my life and I am so happy I got to

The sisters I taught from Dry Creek

be there for this start of her journey. As I sat there with her, looking at Dylan, I knew that Ericka and her little family are going to do great things! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you know how grateful I am for you and for the love and support I constantly receive from you. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! It truly is the best calling in the world! I love you all!

Love,  
Sister Mitchell

Reunited with Bishop & Sister
Wyllie from Dry Creek

I'm Running out of Titles. Written Nov. 13, 2012

Dear Family,

I only have five minutes left so this is going to be a short one. This week I had the opportunity to serve on exchanges with Sister Rupp. She came here to Auburn to be with me and Sister Elliott went down to be with Sister Tittle in Dry Creek. I found out that Sister Tittle

Mi companero; Hermana Elliott

(Sydney) is actually friends with Cyd Allbee!?!?! Small world right?

Welcome to Auburn!

This week went really well; we are really focusing on finding people to teach.  One of our investigators is married to a less-active member of the church and she is AWESOME!  She has four young kids and brought them to church on Sunday for the Primary program. I am always amazed every time she is in our gospel principles class because her understanding of the gospel is so deep and she just feels comfortable jumping right in. She talks so openly about how following the Savior blesses her in her life and it just makes everybody around her feel so good! Man, I really ran out of time fast but I do love you so much and hope that you have a great week!

Love,
Sister Mitchell

Bro. Creason, he is a recent convert
and is teaching us all about Bees!
He is the funniest man on the planet
and always has some kind of
new hobby like olive making,
canning, pie baking, marine biologist...
you name it, he's done it!

Bill & Norma
They are neighbors of ours
and she made me a blanket!

Believe in Your Purpose!

Dear Family,

         Things are incredible here in Auburn. I have been thinking a lot about our purpose as missionaries. We are to, "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End." So frequently missionaries get discouraged. We talk with a lot of people in a day’s time. Many might be busy or uninterested. They see us walking down the street and some may avert their eyes or try not to walk to close for fear that we might talk to them. I think for most, it’s just a fear of the unknown. Most assume that we might engage them in religious discussion. Call me crazy... but I have never thought of it as a "religious discussion." I have always felt, since being here, just this overwhelming love for all of God's children. It’s a beautiful day, you’re out for a walk, and you then have the opportunity to truly listen to these people; to hear about their lives and then to be able to boost and strengthen them. When you care for someone sincerely, you want to take away their trials and hardships and you want for them to feel peace. I am thankful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for all that he has done for us in this life... that healing balm. So many missionaries get so discouraged when someone slams a door or says an unkind word. So they turn back into their shells. They break down our purpose to just the first line to read, "Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ." They begin to think they can only do a "little" good. It saddens me to see discouragement or to see these missionaries, who have been called of God, loose sight of what we have been called to do. We are to increase our capacities, to strengthen our spirituality, and to be consistently striving to reach more people and help them to feel of His love. A particular part of our purpose has stood out to me recently. We found three new investigators this week whereas there have not been many for a long time. I keep wondering. What is the difference? Why are we finding people that are ready? I think it comes in the very next line, "by HELPING THEM RECEIVE." People may not recognize that they have a need in their life. They may not know that they need the peace that comes from forgiveness. But if we believe in them. If we can help them to open their hearts, make them think, ask the right questions, then we will be able to sit down with them in later years as they tearfully thank us for believing in them. I loveeeeeeeeeee being a missionary! We are working hard to find people to teach. I love the ward and the Bishop! Our Ward Mission Leader, Brother Godfrey, used to own a dojo.

         Things are just awesome! Thanks so much for your support and love and for all you do. I am still serving as an exchange sister and guess who President Weston assigned me to exchange with (even though they are really far away)!?!?!?.... THE DRY CREEK SISTERS! I am so excited to see Sister Rupp and Sister Tittle and learn from them. I love you all!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

Fall in Auburn! written Oct. 29, 2012

Dear Familia,

           Greetings from Auburn. This place is BEAUTIFUL! I love it here already. Sister Elliott is an incredible companion and I love her to death. She reminds me a bit of Alicia at times but then at others...she is completely different. She likes to dance, and sing, play piano, and tell me I sing off key... What does a "key" even mean? Haha. We get along great and have been moving the work forward at an incredible speed. We don't have any investigators. But have met some incredible people this week.

          Sister Rupp and I waited as long as we possibly could to show up at the mission office on Tuesday to transfer companions. After I had said goodbye to her and pulled away with Sister Elliott, I just kept wondering if I could really do this. If I could really leave the people I have come to love and still be able to connect with the people there in Auburn. Sister Elliott and I went straight to our dinner appointment and on our way, we passed this one spot at the top of the hill. Everything in Auburn is a hill. There is no flat land. There are TONS of trees and breath taking scenary. I remembered this particular spot very clearly. Exactly a year ago I had been on exchanges with Sister Carter and she had pulled over at the top of this hill so that I could take a picture. I didn't remember it until this very moment... but when I stood at the top of that hill with Sister Carter, I thought to myself, "I'm going to serve here." Later that night I looked back in my journal and I had written that same thing down. I hadn't thought about that at all but I just felt like everything was going to be okay. I know this is where I am supposed to be. I still remember sitting in church with Cyd's family the Sunday before going into the MTC and the closing hymn was, "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go." The same stands true. I will go wherever it is He would have me go.

         I know we don't need that kind of "proof" to know that things are right. But I feel like Heavenly Father has really blessed me with several "reminders" that he is aware of me and wants me to feel of His love. That very same night I was looking through the area book and found a name that the Bishop had JUST given them the week before to go contact. It was a move-in from Loomis. Her name was Sally High. She was a woman I was teaching in Loomis and our investigator, Rhonda, used to go and do service for her once a week. We went to visit Sister High and she told us that Rhonda still comes to see her once a month! Then... as if that wasn't enough... the very next day we went to a members home and something about her voice was so familiar to me. I couldn't put my finger on it until I finally asked and she is the sister to Lisa Ellis. Lisa was one of my FAVORITE people from Loomis. She hasn't been to church since she was about 11 or 12. I always felt such a close connection with her. The day before I left Loomis she said a prayer and the spirit was so strong. You could tell that she felt of His love for her. And THEN if that wasn't enough... on Sunday at church there was a young couple with a baby, Brother and Sister Madsen who were giving a talk. She looked SO familiar to me and she later approached me. We were in the same ward down in Tucson! Small world! 

         This change has been hard, but the period of time we have to serve the Lord with everything we have is so limited and I don't want to waste a single second. There are... a lot of changes that need to be made here? So poor Sister Elliott is newer to the mission and I think I am wearing her out a little bit. But she is a trooper and I am so thankful for how diligent and willing to work she is. When I first got here I was asking questions about the area and the people and her response to one of my questions was, "Yeah... your going to find that here in Auburn, we don't really teach. We more just visit and try to spread a little good." A piece of my sunk in my stomach. There are soooooooo many things that can be done here. We can do whatever the Lord asks us to. The next day we had a few spare minutes before our Harvest Festival at the church. We were just going to wait there but decided to go knock some doors when we met Susan. Susan is friends with a member of the church who is... not so active. When we got there she almost shut the door in our face until her dog came running out to greet us. We got to talking and eventually we were inside her house teaching the first lesson. Her love for the Savior and her honest desire to want to follow Him was so refreshing. She said that she has always thought of her body as a "temple" and it didn't make sense that people would cuss, or drink or spend their free time damaging themselves. She said she has always felt this way but has never felt like she could "fit in" anywhere. When we got out of that lesson Sister Elliott looked at me with big eyes and an open jaw and said, "I haven't taught like that since the MTC!" I had to giggle a little bit to myself. We always undercut ourselves with low goals and expectations. I love this talk called "O ye that embark." The Lord really does help us do more if we are ready to do it. I love it here in Auburn and am so happy to have the greatest family in the world! Keep us in your prayers while we find!

Love You,

Sister Mitchell

The Final Countdown

Dear Family,

         We got our transfer call last night. The good news is that Sister Rupp is staying in the area as Senior Companion with one of my other favorite Sisters, Sister Tittle! In the weeks leading up to this I have had a mix of feelings. The more part of those feelings being worry. We had dinner with a member last night and it was difficult to keep myself together. Over dinner she said something along the lines of, "Discouragement looks down, worry looks side-to-side, but faith looks up." We just picked up a new investigator this past week. She is 26 years old and has two kids. She is the most prepared person I have EVER met. She has made a lot of mistakes in her life but walked into her bedroom the other day to see her 7-year-old son praying. It touched her so much to know that her little son, whom she has never taught to pray, would so humbly turn to Him. She is a hilarious person! In our first lesson before we could even get a few sentences out she would say, "Well is there anything I can read about that in "this" book?" She had committed herself to read about 5 chapters in the Book of Mormon by the time we were done and then asked, "So when can I see you next?" She is so eager to have this in her life and to have access to that peace and comfort that comes through the Atonement. In our very next lesson she returned to us and had found the www.lds.org page and had been highlighting the Book of Mormon and reading up on things. She was so excited and rattled off her experience with prayer. She said, at the beginning she found it hard to believe that God could really forgive us for the bad things that we've done. But as she prayed she said she didn't understand it but she started to cry and felt a loving feeling come over her. I wish you could hear the way she describes it. All I did was sit there with the BIGGEST grin on my face. I really couldn't say a word. I just. Ah! Then she said. Oh! And I read about baptism! Can I get baptized? The answer, of coarse, was yes and she will be baptized on November 17th at 6:00pm. She was sad when we told her that Sister Ripplinger and I would be leaving. I was so thankful that I got to be here for Scott & Cindy's baptism! And Muang’s too! It was one busy day. But nothing could feel better than standing with Sister Rupp at the top of those stairs. Muang's sister Yian and a few of her other family members came to the baptism. Muang was so excited. We showed up at her house a couple of hours before the baptism to make sure everything was still okay and she was already all dressed with a little backpack of stuff just pacing back and forth. Her Sister, like I think I have said before, is a convert as of last March. When she came in and saw her Sister all dressed in white she started to cry and had to leave the room. She wants this so badly for her family. Right after the baptism we gave Yian some time to bare her testimony. She talked about how her whole life she had felt this hole. Like something was missing. As she bore her testimony I felt so strongly of my Savior’s love for these people. Muang was so happy. Her simple testimony and faith in the Savior will always have an impact on my life.

         As I said last week Cindy and Scott have had some trials come into their life lately. This past week was a rough one. We all knelt together for a prayer and she began to calm. Then when we walked past the font to the changing room she began to feel a little "uneasy." She doesn't like water and so that had a great deal to do with it. I walked into the changing room with her and we sat for a minute, just the two of us. She looked at me and said, "You know that you’re special right?" The spirit was so strong as I bore her my testimony. The minute that I spoke the words, "Your Heavenly Father is aware of you...” I felt a feeling I could never describe. And she felt it too. It is such a blessing to feel of God’s love for others. It has been such a blessing to be with her from the very beginning and to see the way the Spirit has touched her and softened her. I can see her serving others and what a strength she will be to this ward. Then. yesterday for their confirmations, Sister Rupp and I sang "I need thee every hour" in Tongan with the Tupou family. Brother Solomon even came to church to see us!

         So... you might be curious as to where I am going! I will be serving in Auburn! My new companion’s name is Sister Elliot. She has been out for two transfers. Things are going great. Just doing a lot of packing and then Sister Rupp and I are going to go to the Temple together. I have been having a really hard time knowing that I am leaving Dry Creek. But mostly, leaving my companion. I will openly admit that she is the missionary that changed my mission, and my life. She has taught me so much about the person that I want to be. I can't even describe to you how much she has changed me. President Weston knows me far too well. He knew this would be hard. But of all the places for me to end my mission... Auburn just fits. I will never forget the people I have met here in Dry Creek. They have become my family and I am so thankful that their numbers and their strength continue to grow. I look back on my first day here and my heart is just full to have seen the changes and the growth that I have been able to witness. Thank you so much for all you do for me! I love you dearly!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

Don't Make Me Leave!--written October 15

Dear Family,

         We picked up our third companion! She is the most incredible missionary ever! Her name is Sister Ripplinger and she is from

Driggs Idaho. She was called to serve in the Nauvoo mission but will be here for six months. Man she is just READY to go! She is such a hard worker. I have been thankful for that because we are SO busy. Busy in the best way. The couple we are teaching are doing great. They are both still set for this Saturday, and Muang's baptism will be then as well. It will be quite the frantic week with all the new investigators we have now too.

         With all these incredible changes happening in the lives of those we have been teaching... I have been reflecting a lot on deterrents that get in our way when we are trying to do what is right. I have seen MANY of them in one family’s way. In fact, one of them was in our lesson with them just last night. The process of conversion is not easy. It takes faith and work. But if we hang onto those tender feelings that we have felt... we can overcome doubt and disbelief. I see the wife do that every day. When we teach a gospel principle, the first reaction is always questioning why. "Why would we do that? That doesn't make sense?" Then we see her heart soften as she listens to the Spirit. The Spirit will help us to better understand our Heavenly Father and His purpose. Muang and her family are the best. We asked Muang the other day how she has felt that living the gospel has changed her life. She said in her sweet simple words, "Because I feel clean now. I don't have to worry." We asked her if there was anyone else she knows that needs to feel that feeling in their life and after she sat there for a while she said, "I will go find someone!" I chuckled and just couldn't even put into words how grateful I am to see this gospel changing lives. I see it spread like wildfire to the ward and to family members and friends. Visibly everyone around me is being lifted and strengthened.

         We had Gabriel and Melody at church for the first time yesterday and my heart just swelled to see them walk through that door. I was looking around the chapel to see who all was there. We had Gary who we met a month ago on the side of the street. Muang. The Tupou's. Ronnie & Eric. Ericka. Scott & Cindy. My eyes kept darting around the room and I just felt this overwhelming peace. We had kind of a rough week. It’s been a difficult transition from Sister Rupp and I having a third member of our companionship and transfers looming over our head. But Sister Rupp leaned over to me and said..."Do you remember what you said to me on my first Sunday here?" I... being the very forgetful person that I am... did not. But she smiled knowingly and said, "You told me that by the end of our companionship these pews would be filled." Looking around all the pews were filled with people that we have been teaching and I just got the biggest smile ever. It was such a good feeling to sit there with Sister Rupp and to look back knowing that we have done all we can. The Dry Creek Ward will forever be my favorite. I am so thankful for this opportunity to be here and see miracles. In fact! One quick miracle before I go. A while ago, we were teaching a woman who was no longer active in the church. This was when Bishop Culp was our Bishop and he invited us to her funeral. There they taught the Plan of Salvation and we went by a few times after she died to check up on her husband but were told not to come back. The other day on exchanges we were planning for the next day and his name came to my mind. We went to his house the next day and my jaw dropped to the floor when he saw us and immediately said, "Come in." He is hurting and questioning and needs the peace that comes from the atonement. We taught him the plan of salvation yesterday. I knew him before... but there was something different about him. I know I was supposed to be there that day. Even just for him to see a familiar face. He will now be able to find that "peace" that is so foreign to him. He goes to her gravesite every day wondering if he will see her again. I love this gospel! I love being here! Next time you hear from me you will know what’s happening with transfers! I love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

Trio Companionship? Written Oct. 8, 2012

Dear Mom & Dad & Alicia,

         Well, Sister Rupp and I just got news this morning that we will be picking up a new companion in two days from now! There are two Sisters coming to our mission a little early before transfers. One is serving in Nauvoo and the other in Temple Square. We will have one of them with us for the next two weeks until transfers. We will be in a trio companionship. (This will be interesting) I am excited! But the implication is that... once the transfer call comes... I will be leaving and this new Sister will be Sister Rupp’s new companion. (Although we are not positive) I still have several exchanges to go on with other Sisters in our mission and the realization I am coming to is that I will not be seeing Sister Rupp much in what is most certainly our last two weeks together. We have three baptisms coming up. All of them are on the 20th. The couple we have been teaching will be baptized in two weeks from now. And Muang will be on the same day as well. She has been ready for a long time but we were trying to wait for her sister, Yain, to be able to come up and be there. Everything else in Dry Creek is INCREDIBLE! I am loving being so busy and watching lives change. I wish that I could tell you that I am not stressed and worried and wondering where I will be going next... but that would be false. I am stressed. I am worried. I hope that this next companion will take good care of Sister Rupp. There could be no one better for Dry Creek then Sister Rupp. I can see how much these people have been prepared for her to be here and have never been more sure that the Lord is in charge of this work.

         Conference was INCREDIBLE! It’s amazing how Heavenly Father knows us and knows what we need to hear. We brought one of our investigators to conference one session and before we watched it we talked to her about how, when we come to Conference to hear the Prophet speak, we can come prepared with questions of the soul. Things that we have thought about, pondered, and even asked in prayers. We told her that if she wrote down her questions, that throughout the Conference they would be answered. She has a sarcastic sense of humor and always cracks me up. But

her reply was, "Well what kind of questions Sister Mitchell?!?" I smiled and gave a few examples. "Is the Book of Mormon True?" "Is Thomas S.

Monson a Prophet of God?" "Are the things that the missionaries are teaching me true." Her face began to be more serious as she looked at me, with tears in her eyes and said, "But I know those things are true. Why would I need to ask?" She talked about her prayers and how she always receives this peaceful and comforting feeling when she prays about the things she has learned from us that day. I knew that she was growing and changing and that the Spirit was working with her. But I can't tell you the peace that came over me to hear her say, "I KNOW that it’s true." I love this gospel and am so thankful to be apart of it and to experience the peace that comes from the Spirit. I love you guys so much and am so thankful to be out here. Keep me in your prayers. These next couple weeks before transfers, although I am optimistic, will be difficult. Sister Rupp is my favorite companion. I love her. I want so badly for her to be successful and to feel of her Heavenly Father’s love for her. I have been blessed with so many incredible companions, but this one, there is just something different about her. I feel so invested in her success and in the experiences she has on her mission. I know that we were both supposed to learn something from each other. I feel as if I am a different person after knowing and serving with her. So, I will fight my every instinct and simply put my trust in the Lord that, whatever is meant to happen, will happen. I love you guys sooooooo

much and am so thankful for all that you do for me! Have an awesome week!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

Prepared People written Oct. 2, 2012

Dear Mitchell Family,

         I get way too excited when I sit down to write you about my week. There are a million things flowing through my mind. The couple we are teaching are doing fabulously. It has been difficult with their schedules to meet with them as much as we would like to.  But we have seen them both grow so much and they are both such an incredible example to me. Amy is doing awesome! We went over the other day because she was sick this past week and I’m not exactly sure how it happened but I may or may not have spontaneously invited them over to The Klippel’s house for dinner this next Friday. (We were not previously invited to their home for dinner but promptly contacted them afterwards to see if that would be okay) Sister Klippel is our Relief Society President (Formerly Sister “Mitchell”) and Brother Klippel is our version of Brother Gregson in our ward.  Anyways… I had to chuckle when I hung my head down sheepishly to invite ourselves over for dinner. I definitely know the people in this ward very well.

It is such a blessing to have members of the ward we can call on in that way. The people here in Dry Creek are such incredible examples. ANYONE should want to be baptized into the Dry Creek ward. They truly have become my family.

         We had exchanges this week so it was hectic. I don’t like being away from Sister Rupp or from the area but, like I have said before, miracles always happen and my love for all the Sisters in the mission really grows. There are a lot of them that struggle and get discouraged, but when they are included in my prayers I am able to feel more deeply of their Heavenly Father’s love for them. On one of our exchanges we had a lesson with the two sisters I spoke about earlier. This was only our second lesson so we had planned to teach the Restoration. As we were studying for them… it became apparent that we should instead teach the Plan of Salvation. These two sisters really are looking for a purpose in their life and it is such a comfort to me to know that we have what they are looking for.  They were sad that Sister Rupp was not there, they like her A LOT! But as we got to the part when we were talking about the veil, one of them got this knowing look in her eyes. She asked, “so is it possible that we could recognize, even in a dream, these things we knew before?” She has told us that the things we teach seem “familiar” to her. I feel my testimony grow every time we teach them. She wants to know her purpose; she wants to know where she came from and what the point of all this suffering is. There was a moment, when we were talking about our life on earth and about baptism where I noticed that face again. She had this look like… a smile she couldn’t quite hold back. We invited her, this woman who has never been to a church or prayed to God before, to be baptized. She talked about the warm feeling she felt when we said that word and we were able to identify it as the Spirit. I feel so blessed to know these two and to be here in Dry Creek at this time. My testimony is strengthened every day just in knowing that there are others out there that are searching. They need the peace that comes from knowing that God knows them. That He exists. That He loves them! I miss you guys and love you with everything I have. You’re the best family that anyone could ask for! Thanks for all that you do! I love you!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

Good Examples

Dear Family,

         This week was incredible! I know I have said it before but I am SO overwhelmed with the miracles we are seeing in this area. This week we met two sisters that are about in their 40’s.  They are the two sweetest people on the planet. One of the sisters had been a college student in the class of a member of our church. He was such a good example to her and had so much faith in her that she felt like she was "important." She decided to become a teacher. She said when she talks with him and his wife she always feels this "good" feeling come over her. During our meeting with them they were able to feel again that same "good" feeling and to recognize where it was coming from. Neither of them have ever attended a church before or even prayed. We talked about God and His love for them. I could feel it so strongly for them. There was a moment in the lesson when we asked one of them why she allowed us to come into her home and what her expectations were regarding our visit. She thought for a while and then said simply... "I feel like something is missing in my life." After a little while longer she told us that she always wanted to know, "What her purpose was in life?" It was such a special experience to see someone who has wondered that question for so long and then be able to sit with her and be able to promise her that she WILL know. That she WILL feel of the love her Heavenly Father has for her and that she WILL come to know what purpose He has for her on this earth.

         We have SO many other new people we are teaching. Just yesterday we got a call from the other Sister Missionaries in my old area in Loomis and they said that a woman came to their ward. She is a mother of two and is coworkers with a member of the church. She came with her and the missionaries gave her a book of Mormon  She is excited to have us come by to meet with her family. She said that, "for a long time now I have been wondering why my friend (LDS coworker) was so happy and I am interested to learn how I can have that in my life." It just goes to show that no matter who we are or where we go, we have an opportunity to let the light of Christ shine through us. Our examples are always watched and we should never miss an opportunity to lift another. The miracles we are seeing here in Dry Creek wouldn't have happened without the positive examples of members of the church!

         The Chinese family we have been teaching have allowed Muang to get baptized! She has been coming to church every week for the last 5 months or so. Then they have a sister that lives in her neighborhood that we are now teaching. Oh! And we had a lesson with just the wife of one couple this week. Her husband is only interested in “religious conversation.” When I first got here, Sister Totau and I decided that it would be best not to meet with him. But just as we were about to leave... we saw his wife. She kept her head down and walked as quickly as she could to the back room. I'm almost out of time. But we felt prompted that she was someone we needed to talk to. After SEVERAL attempts to meet with her, we have begun to teach her the lessons. And this week, at the close of our lesson, she knelt and said one of the most BEAUTIFUL prayers I could ever think of. But included in her prayer she said, "Thank you for the relentless persistence of Sister Mitchell." I had to smirk a little bit during the prayer. I'm glad it was at least said in a loving way. Haha. I will be relentlessly persistent as long as it means that these people, that I love so much, will be able to experience the peace that comes from the gospel. I love this work! It is INCREDIBLE the miracles we are seeing here! I LOVE IT SOOOOOOO MUCH! I love you guys and am excited to hear about the family that just got baptized! Have an awesome week! You are forever in my prayers.

Love,

Sister Mitchell