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
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