Update from Ashley's Mom

Hi all,
    Ashley could not write this week because she is at the hospital with her companion who broke her ankle.   The sweet ward member who sent the pictures of Ashley and her companion with the swords is also keeping me updated on the situation.  Sister Totau is doing well but will be using a wheelchair and walker for a while.  Kristy also shared the following with me:
      "Sis Mitchell took the opportunity of this unfortunate event to pass along a Book of Mormon to one of the paramedics who came to help Sis Totau last night, and another book went to an orderly who was taking Sis Totau to surgery!  The orderly even got the first "discussion" last night and came back again today to tell the sisters that he has been reading the book they gave him.  Another lady came in to Sis Totau's room today and a discussion started about the gospel.  So this has been a very good missionary opportunity for both of them!  A hard way to go about it, but the Lord has his ways and is very mindful of his sweet, humble servants. :)"

This was taken by a ward member last week.

   

Library Miracle

Dear Family,

         A few weeks ago we had some spare time in between one of our meetings and church. It was only about 15 minutes and we could have just stayed at the church but we decided to go knock on some doors. We drove around for a bit until we finally picked one. We started at a random house in the middle of the street and that is where we found him. He opened the door and came outside to talk with us almost as if he had known us for years. He isn't going to his church right now because of back pain and financial problems. He talked of his Catholic upbringing and his search for something more. Something that felt "right." We talked for quite some time, but it was so apparent to me how this man’s life-long questions could be answered in the message we had to share. How incredible!?!?! I was nervous. I knew that we had been sent there for a reason and I didn't want to say the wrong thing. I am going to be totally honest with you and say I just BLABBERED my brains out. I talked too fast.... I rattled through information.... it was just all-out horrible. Going home that day I thought about him, a LOT. I thought... how could I have messed up so badly. He needs this. He needs to know that Christ's gospel has been restored to the earth. A week later we went back. I found myself praying constantly that I would know what to say and that I could shut my mouth long enough to really listen to this man. And so I did. We had an incredible conversation. He had read over the material we left him and found it hard to believe that a man could receive an answer to his prayer in that way. I felt such a deep concern for him and for the loneliness he has felt in his life. We sat on his doorstep and it’s almost impossible to describe the things I felt while we talked with him. But, even after all that, we asked him if he would be interested in meeting with us. Nothing. No. Nadda. I walked away wondering what I could have done better. Why is it that I

cannot communicate to him the peace and comfort that comes through our message!?!?! He said it himself; he said he wants to have that peace.

         But I did something wrong. There must be something I could do more! So here I am now, at the library. We had to come earlier because I have an interview with President Weston today. I made a reservation last minute and got computer #7. I come to sit down and write to my favorite family in the world and who is sitting next to me?... He is! It is incredible the way that Heavenly Father works. I am a normal person. I like music and a good laugh. I do normal things. I eat, I play, and I do crazy things. But I have a Heavenly Father who, even amongst all my craziness, is INVOLVED in my life. I just set up an appointment to come by in a couple weeks to see him. I love this work! We had an investigator we picked up ( a brother & sister) come to church with us this week and then we have a lesson with another man this next Wednesday.

         A family in our ward made my week this week! It is hard, as a 22-year-old young little thing.... to fully explain to the adults in our ward the importance of being a good neighbor and a good friend. You have the opportunity to be an answer to prayer and an expression of God's love for those around you. So this family, The Fores, had a young couple move in just down the street. They went over with treats to welcome them to the neighborhood and ended up offering to show them around. Sister Fore took the young wife around town and they became fast friends. They moved from Georgia and didn't know anyone in the neighborhood. Then... a week later.... they signed up to have us over for dinner! We had such a pleasant meal and we were able to share a message that really touched them. Are they new investigators? No. Are they ready to be? No. But it is through the example and constant and consistent love and friendship of the members that the desire begins to grow in them. I LOVE THE FORES! I only hope that kind of sincere love can rub off on the rest of our members. I love you all and hope you have a great week! You have been in my prayers and I miss you lots.

LOVE YOUR GUTS!,

Sister Mitchell

Little Miracles

Dear Family,

       Wow. I can't even tell you what an amazing week this has been! Dad's

comments about praying for answers EXACTLY aligns with some of my

experiences this week. He was talking about being in tune with the Spirit and mentioned how we plead for this or that in our prayers.  He shared how he had found it best to ask what Heavenly Father wanted for that situation without the pretense of what we want.

       I have felt lately that all of what used to be my "strengths" have become my weaknesses. It’s exhausting because I have felt, (when it comes to my positive qualities), that I am starting "from scratch." After watching conference, (which was AMAZING by the way...) I really felt I received answers to my prayers. I can see the positive in starting over and building my life, my missionary work, and my success around HIS plan and the way HE would have it be. I feel a greater confidence in myself this week and I am excited to get back to work.  In fact, on my way over to the library today we saw an old Indian woman walking by herself. We gave a friendly wave, she stared at us, acted like she recognized us and then came hobbling across the street towards us. When she got to us, all I did was smile and say hello. I told her we were missionaries and she just put her hand on my face and with the sweetest smile started talking to me in Punjabi. She talked with us for quite some time and it took me a while before I understood her meaning. She pointed to my tag and then up towards the sky. She wanted us to pray for her. I am just SO humbled to be able to serve. It has blessed my life in so many ways and it is incredible to be able to feel the spirit more fully in my life.

       I'm not sure if you remember the little boy I talked about...  He is 9 years old, and his father died in a car accident several years ago. We have been teaching him for a few weeks now and I honestly walk out of that house with my jaw on the floor. This little boy has SO much faith and such an honest desire to be close to his Heavenly Father. Last week we challenged him to watch conference and he had committed to do so. This is a difficult thing for him to accomplish. He doesn't have cable and his mother is not active in the church. But on Sunday we went to the Antelope Stake Center to watch conference and after it was all over I hear this little voice say, "MICHELLE! MICHELLE!" (His version of my name) There he was, all dressed up. He stayed for the WHOLE thing! I am just amazed at the influence this one little boy has both on my life and on those around him. There are kids in the neighborhood that talk about him and he invites ALL of them to meet with the missionaries. If only our members could be more like him. Paul sees what is good, and wants so desperately to share it. Just yesterday we sat on a porch with two 7-year-old boys and talked about forgiveness while we wielded huge nerf water guns.

       Our biggest focus now is FINDING. Nothing happens in missionary work       until we find someone to teach. I really can't explain the feeling I have right now... but I feel like there is someone out there waiting. We talk to SO many people in a day’s time and find so many people that need the gospel in their lives but are not yet ready to accept it. I know there are people out there that wonder how they can relieve those feelings of guilt that come so naturally from our everyday lives. In the next five weeks we will be devoting ALL our time to finding that one person. I know there are people out there like this young boy. People that have a desire to know truth but honestly don't know where to find it. Thanks for all your love and support.

       OH! Crazy funny random story. So... the mission office is in my area. I go in there all the time to pick up my mail or if the workers there need us for something. Anyways...I went into the office yesterday to help Sister Pietz sort the mail and she came and gave me a big hug and said that it was from, "SHEILA JARVIS!" Haha. I guess they were on their way to Chico. (Sister Garfield got transferred there and it’s just a little further up north) and they wanted to stop in and say hi! Obviously, it wasn't allowed but it still made my day! Dang it! That would have been crazy if I was there at the same time! So say hi to my Shiela and Mitch for me. I love those babes.

       Well I hope all is well with you! You guys are awesome! When I heard the conference talk that mentioned writing to missionaries... I thought of you. They said that communication with "your missionary" should not be just an email, but something that they can hold in their hands, ponder and treasure. I have printed out your emails many times and done just that. I am so thankful for your loving advice and inspiration. I am so so so SO lucky to have the best parents in world. I love you!

Love,

Sister Mitchell