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