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