I have been overwhelmed this week with how deeply I care for the people here in this area. They are special to me and I want so badly to see them find the joy in their life that they have been seeking. Sister Totau and I were in the neighborhood and felt that we should go visit a lady in our ward who has not been to church in several years. She has a husband who is not a member of the church. We got there and she came outside to greet us. I don't know her that well or know entirely too much about her life. (We
have only caught each other in passing one or two times) But we shared a tearful conversation about God's love for us and how deeply He cares about us and wants to hear from us NO MATTER what trials we face. I never was one to give hugs the way that Sheila does. But the more I come to love these people the more I want to just run around like a crazy person hugging everyone I meet!
But even better than a hug is the teaching and accepting of Christ's Restored Gospel. What is His gospel!?!? We hear that all the time. It consists of so much and so how can I, in my short little time here, bring such a big message to so many people? It’s daunting to think of sometimes. I always wish there was more I could be doing. But my heart is full today and I know that as my love for these people grows, my desire to share my testimony of a living God that knows us and that wants us to have a real and lasting relationship with Him grows. I am so thankful to be here and so thankful for a ward that loved and nurtured me in my youth. I have realized how truly important it is to have members of a ward that will not only fully fulfill their callings as Home and Visiting Teachers but that will go beyond their duties and follow the promptings of the spirit with love. I could make you a list
right now of the people that helped me to be the person I am today. I am so grateful for a family and ward family that cared enough to
include me and teach me and to share their testimonies with me. I have felt the strength of those many things I've learned and you have no idea how often I pull from the love that I have felt there. I hope that every ward I serve in can learn to have the kind of love I
experienced in the Twelve Oaks First Ward.
On exchanges a few weeks ago with Sister Love we found a woman and taught her the message of the Restoration. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she was excited to know that it was "Another Testament of Jesus Christ." She told us that she would be able to feel the spirit if that truly was a book of God. We left it, and our testimonies with her as we left. I was hopeful that when we came back she would have felt that same peaceful feeling that I get when I read the book. But... Sister Totau and I went back this week and she opened the door to return "our book." Something sunk in my stomach. We talked for a little while longer. But I have found myself asking this question a lot this week. "How could you not feel the spirit in this book?" I thought my part was done. She had the book! Now all she had to do was read and pray to her Heavenly Father to know of its truth! I have been thinking a lot about preparedness. The Savior teaches of the parable of "The Sowers," in the Bible. He talks of the soil and how some seeds are thrown to places where the conditions are just not yet suitable. Does it mean that they will never be? No. Is it bad sometimes that I am excited to come home and be a Visiting Teacher? Not in a trunky, "I want to go home" way. But in a, "WOW! I am amazed at how much of people’s success in the gospel is reliant on a Visiting and Home teacher." Without a Visiting and Home Teacher that TRULY and
DEEPLY cares for those they are called to serve...people get lost. I
have a testimony of this gospel and of the power of prayer. I know
that when I pray the Lord hears me and that he cares deeply for me. I know that if we pray to him in our weaknesses, he will make them strengths.
I love you. I am so thankful for all that you do. Please know that you are in my prayers. I was thinking the other day about the Smith family and what an influence they have had in my life just from one little comment at girl’s camp. I love our ward. I love our stake! I love my sweet adorable family that goes to Disneyland without me! Have a fabulous week my loves.
Love,
Sister Mitchell
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