New Families!

Dear Familia,

         The weeks are going by far too quickly! Sister Totau and I are doing

amazing here in Dry Creek. We met a woman this week who is a single mom with 7 kids and she is pregnant with her 8th. She works two jobs and you can imagine the stress that can come from that kind of life. When we first met with her...her head hung down low. She looked at the ground most of the time and when I asked her how she was she said, "As good as I'm gunna get." Something sinks in my chest every time I hear that. Mostly because I know that it CAN get better.  We had a lesson with her on Sunday and we had planned to teach something but ended up just talking for a little while about her life and the bad things that had happened to her. We were out of time but decided to have a prayer before we left. When we raised our heads from that prayer she was crying. She said she couldn't explain the way she felt but that she had never felt it before. It warms my heart to know that the spirit can speak to someone through any source. If it were left up to me, in all my imperfections, to do this work...there would NEVER be success. But as we rely on the spirit to testify of truth, even of the smallest things, miracles happen. There has been sooooooo many times where a baby is crying or we are teaching a lesson on a doorstep to someone blaring crazy profanity packed rap music that I just find myself praying that the spirit will touch them. That they will feel that feeling that’s been missing in their lives. I'm not sure if I told you about them last week or not but we also met a man with a wife and 4 kids. He is one big dude.  He was wearing this devils angel shirt and was out in his front yard when we came by.  We were on our way somewhere and so I reasoned with myself that we could keep on walking. When I had always passed by his house a little boy held my hand. He is about 4 years old and has autism. He grabbed a pamphlet from my hand about the "Plan of Salvation." His Dad walked over to tell him to leave us alone and we got talking. Come to find out...he had just had a stroke 5 months ago and was out of work.  It scared him to think he would leave his kids all alone. We taught about the Plan of Salvation and the strength that comes into your life through having that comfort. We are now meeting with his family and I am so excited!

         I am almost out of time but just remember how much I love you. Things are going great here and I am LOVING this area and the ward. There is still LOTS of work to do and I'll be honest, sometimes it’s a little

overwhelming...but I know this is where I am supposed to be. There are

members in this ward that I just...I don't know how to describe it.  But I am excited to be here and to share my testimony and to learn all I can. The mission office address that you have...is in my area. We actually pick up our mail from there so there would be no need to send it to a separate address. I love you soooooooooooo much! Have a great week! Oh! And from now on I will be emailing on Tuesdays instead of Mondays. The libraries in Rio Linda are closed on Mondays so all the missionaries in this area email on Tuesday. So we solved the problem Mammacita! Keep it real!

Love,

Sister Mitchell!

New Missionaries

Hello Mi Familia,

Sister Totau and Sister Mitchell
at a member's home for dinner.

         Wow. I have been horrible about emailing on time each week. But it’s good because it means I'm busy! This area is sooooooooooooo amazing!!!!! We picked up 5 new investigators this week. Dry Creek is the most incredible place on the planet (not exaggerating) and I can't even describe how much I've learned since I got here. I loved Dad's email about the joy that comes from living by Faith. It’s so incredibly true. There are SO many things that intellectually, I understood. They made sense and I believed. I believed that God loved me and that He knew me. But when trials come along... we're given an opportunity to either build on or rely on that knowledge, or to push it from our mind. I have seen the miracles that can happen by continuing to walk IN faith. You know... I hear all those phrases all the time. "Walk in faith." Its amazing how much things change when they aren't just words anymore. When you literally can feel yourself walking IN faith. When a thought comes to your mind, you follow it. You don't fear. You don't doubt. You just DO it! You know? I can't really explain it as eloquently as I would like to. But I have just seen so many blessings and I have seen how Heavenly Father really will lead you to those that are suffering if you will listen to Him at every turn.

Now does that mean I don't doubt and I don't fear!?!?! NO WAY! Haha. You all know me well enough to know that it might take a while for me to learn that lesson. But little by little I find myself being more bold and talking to more people. This week was crazy because "real" transfers happened. There are two other Sisters in our Zone and one "Sister Barker" got transferred to Loomis 3rd and "Sister Withers" is staying. AND TRAINING! So Sister Withers stayed with us for a day once Sister Barker left. Sister Withers is a babe. She is my favorite and I know serving around her in the Antelope Zone is going to be awesome. She actually knows one of the girls I was with in China (Shelby Lish) and her older brother was a best friend with Logan Hager when they were in Idaho! Small world right? Anyways. I got a call from President on Tuesday saying that he needed Sister Totau and I to help him out with something. He is trying something new with the new missionaries that come out. Usually. We meet our trainers right away that day and then they take us home with them. But President wanted to give them an opportunity get right to work. Sister Totau and I picked up Sister Love and Sister Barnhill and took them out on the town. We were to just go to a place with a lot of people and "OYM." (Open Your Mouth) They were so nervous but it was fun to get the opportunity to spend some time with them on their first day here. I was with Sister Love and she was awesome. We went to a shopping center and ended up running into a man that was in the Air Force. When he saw us he grinned from ear-to-ear and after we talked for a while we came to find out he had served with some Mormons. He said that he had been in several tough situations with them and even got emotional when he mentioned that they had a "deep love for their country and for their God." He kept looking at me and kept saying, "Have I met you before." It was the weirdest feeling. I felt like I knew him too. We picked him up as an investigator. (Sister Love has been here for only 2 hours and now has picked up a new investigator… Woot Woot!) We are planning to go see him next week!

          Well Family... Thanks so much for the Valentine’s Day package! That was the sweetest present of all time! Those poor members of the Twelve Oaks First Ward that had to pretend like they loved me... Haha. I miss our ward sooooooo much! Everyone is growing up so fast! I almost literally had a heart attack when I saw baby Jude! HE IS HUGE! Ah! Tell everyone to stop growing up. I love you guys and hope you have an awesome week! Congrats on the job offer Leesh! When it comes to chocolates, you’re a pro!

Love,

Sister Lose (Tongan Word for Rose)

'Ofa Atu!

Dear Family,

         Okay I have to tell you, there really is no better way to do missionary work than with a Tongan companion! I have been with her for only five days and she has already taught me so much. She has this amazing faith and humility that makes it impossible to not feel the Spirit. We have seen miracles this week!

          We live with our Ward Mission Leader. Brother and Sister Heaps. They are the sweetest family and do so much to help us out. Every morning before we start our routine, we meet with them to say a family prayer. It has been such an amazing way to start the day to pray with our Ward Mission Leader for guidance to find those that are searching. This area is SO much bigger than Loomis. Dry Creek has 6 HUGE areas and in Loomis we had 3 little ones. Without going into too much detail, the work in this area has been.....struggling? We are going to need to work really hard to gain back the trust of the Bishop, Ward Members, and even our Ward Mission Leader. Brother Heaps gave Sister Totau and I a wonderful compliment the other day. He said that it has been a long time since he has felt the spirit in his home the way that he does now with Sister Totau and I. He is such a sweet man and serves so diligently. Missionary work is close to his heart and he is grateful to see that it is also close to ours. I want to strive every day to live up to what he said. To be the kind of missionary that brings that spirit and comfort just by being in the home. I am so very grateful for this gospel and for that tangible peace that comes into your life as you live it and as you reach out to others in unselfish love.

          This area is a much more humble people than those I have previously served. There are many who are without homes or that grew up amidst unsafe situations. I love these people already. You just can't understand it! I just do. When I get down on my knees each night to pray for these people... I feel an overwhelming love for them. I see hope where they may think there is none. I am sooooooooooooooooo excited to be serving here in Dry Creek. It is going to be A LOT of work. But I am excited. Sister Totau and I have been fasting for miracles and I know we are about to see them soon.

          In fact... one of them happened already! This week we had no scheduled appointments so Sister Totau helped me get a little acquainted with the area and we made a list of all of the people we needed to focus on. We found out we have 164 less-active members of our ward. So we got to work. We went out and several doors later...no one had answered. So on that last door, we decided to do something a little different. We just took a walk. As we were walking down the street we saw a group of people and they called us over, "Hey Girls, come tell us what you do." It was a mini-van full of Jehovah Witness members. They were stopped on the street talking to a woman in front of her house. (Who, by the way, had the same shoes as me...) We walked over and had a short discussion. The woman they were talking to seemed a bit overwhelmed and uncomfortable. She was an American woman and looked like she was about 26 years old. The Jehovah Witness man for some reason pointed out that she spoke Chinese. We began to have a conversation (in mandarin) and I used words that I never thought I knew before. She too had spent a year down in Shenzhen and speaks mandarin fluently. The spirit was so strong and we bore testimony of the restoration. The look on her face was curious to me. I felt like I knew her somehow. We went back to see her and now have an appointment to come by next week. That, to me, is just proof that we should never be afraid. If we are honest and humble and speak from our heart, no harm can come to us. I'll be honest.... "Ashley" would never just walk up to a group full of Jehovah Witnesses and bear her testimony of the restoration! That’s scary! But the more I learn about the gospel and the comfort it brings to me. The easier it is to share. I was grateful that we did because I know, no matter what, this young woman needed to hear it. I am so grateful for this gospel and so INCREDIBLY EXCITED to be serving in the Dry Creek ward. It’s going to be awesome!

         Thanks again for all you do and for your support. It means the world to me. On Sunday we were teaching about Missionary Work in church and someone asked me a question. "What was something your parents did that gave you the desire to serve a mission." I didn't have to think twice before I said, " They worked hard, they loved the people they served, and they NEVER forgot about them. To this day my parents still talk about those wonderful people that forever changed their lives." I am so grateful for you two. If you get a chance... I would love if both of you could send me one of your favorite pictures from your mission that I could tape on the wall above my desk. I love you guys! Sometimes when I am having a rough day I just think of Dad doing that weird "tongue-biting fist pump" think every time he gets my email. (Like you said in your letter) Haha. It always makes me laugh and makes me happy to know I have parents that are cheering for us back at home. Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Palangi

Transferred and Heartbroken!

Hey Family,

         Okay okay Mom... I'm sorry I didn't write on Monday but I got transferred! We got a call from President Weston on Monday morning and I had to pack, say goodbye and be at the mission office by 4:00 on Tuesday. A Temple Square Sister from Zambia arrived today so they had to switch a few of us early. My heart literally broke in half when I had to say goodbye to all of these people I have come to love soooooo much here in Loomis. The saddest part being, because it was so unexpected, I didn't get to see everyone!  But they will forever hold a place in my heart. I am so incredibly grateful for the time I got to spend there and for the success that Sister Garfield is now seeing. We have three people that will be getting baptized in the next two months.  It is AMAZING the changes these people have made in their lives and the way they just physically change. I mean, I look at them and they are just bright. They have this inner happiness and peace that is visible. It was such an amazing experience to be there to watch that change take place in their lives. Sister Williams (who was in the MTC with me) is taking my place and if I had to pick someone to take care of my area, it would be her. It was so incredibly hard to leave. But one of the amazing things about being on a mission is knowing that you are in exactly the right place at exactly the right time.

         So where are you transferred to Sister Mitchell!?!?!? Well, I will start by saying---When Sister Adamson left Loomis and all the members were asking where she was off to, a sigh of relief would come followed by an, "At least your not going to Rio Linda!!!!" Well Mom and Dad....... I'm in Rio Linda! Haha. I am serving more specifically in Dry Creek. It was amusing to go around saying my goodbyes and at every house I would get the same response after I would say where I was going. A grimace followed by an apology or advice to stay in doors after dark. Apparently Rio Linda has somewhat of a bad reputation. But I have been grinning from ear to ear ever since I got the call. Rio Linda is going to be AWESOME! I am so excited to get working. Oh! And I am even MORE excited because guess who my companion is!?!?! SISTER TOTAU! From TONGA! She is the coolest missionary in the mission, hands down. She only has two transfers left on her mission but these are about to be the best two transfers of MY LIFE!!!!

         So all is well with me and I am excited to get to work. It was sooooooo good to hear from the both of you. Sounds like things are going good at the house! It fills me up to hear from you and I hope you know I always take your advice. It somehow always seems to exactly align with my challenges or struggles that week. You guys rock! Thank you for all you do for me. OH! And Mammacita! I got your package and those were THE BEST SKIRTS EVER! Seriously. Everything was soooooooooo cute! Thank you so much! And as far as your questions go. Yes! I did get to meet my "Sister." Her name is Sister Siemens. She was actually in the same ward as Sister Garfield back at home in Utah. Small world! She is really nice. We have had to go to the mission office a lot to help drop off sisters and pick up new companions etc. so I have seen Sister Adamson a bunch and it’s always a delight. She is a ROCKSTAR up in Yuba City and is a training machine. One day I hope to grow up and be just like her. Well, it’s my first day in a new area and so I better make it a good one. Thanks again for everything. I love you to death!

Love,

Sister Ashley (Half-Tongan) Mitchell

Rain? January 23, 2012

Hola Mi Familia!,

         Gung hei fat choy! (Happy Chinese New Year!) I ate my cereal with chopsticks this morning to celebrate. It is raining like CRAZY up here! I am loving it!  Things have been really really good. Sometimes I can't even believe how blessed we are to be here in Loomis. It really is the BEST place on earth!!! The people are friendly and compassionate and they take their time to help one another. It’s unreal. 

          It has been such a wonderful opportunity to see people change their lives so completely. We meet with this family in the ward once a week. The Father is dying of cancer and doesn't have much longer left. They have 4 kids, 2 still at home.  The Dad used to be inactive for several years and has really turned his life around. This family are excellent missionaries and, even in this time of trial, have been sharing the gospel with their friends. Their neighbor is now one of our investigators. He comes to church every week and always says his eyes start "leakin" when he walks in the door. He is a little rough around the edges and makes comments in Sunday school that are sometimes unexpected. But it’s amusing and he is really trying to "turn the page." (As he calls it) He is an alcoholic of 50 years now and we had a lesson last week on the word of wisdom. We talked about being clean and how important it is to take care of the body that God has given us. He committed to keep the Word of Wisdom and also committed to BAPTISM! We have not set a date yet but will soon. It’s going to take a lot of faith and hard work. But the look in his eyes when we told him that all of his sins could be wiped away was priceless. It seems foreign to him to think he could be "forgiven." It is so important to share what we know. To never assume it’s "common knowledge" or that we would be "bothering" someone by sharing our beliefs. This man struggled this week. It wasn't easy, and he made mistakes. But he is trying. I love what President Monson said in the last Ensign about courage. (The one Dad sent me) He said that, "courage is required to take those first initial steps toward your desired goal. But even GREATER courage is required when one falls and must make an additional attempt to succeed." I have fallen so many times in my life that I could probably never count. People often admire those people who seem to "ALWAYS" be perfect. "They are ALWAYS so nice, or ALWAYS so patient." In our lives sometimes it’s hard to ALWAYS be something. We mess up. We make mistakes. We set goals and sometimes fail to achieve them. But to me, I admire the people that keep going. The people that recognize their flaws and shortcomings and still get back up. I have had to, just like our investigator, continue to get back up. But I have seen blessings from it and a greater strength and resolve that comes into my life. 

I love you all soooooooooo much! I loved your letter this week about the cannery. You have NO idea how important it is to just... share! You know? I am so proud of you Mom! Dad. Your email titles are one of my favorite parts of the week...."Skype Hangover, Football Scores...." Usually it’s all my companion can see when I print them out so she probably thinks your nuts. But that’s okay right? Haha. I love you guys. Thanks for all the advice and support! Keep it real and be sure to celebrate Chinese New Year for me and send me pics!

Love,

Sister Mitchell