Roses through the thorns?

June 5, 2012

Dear Familia,

Patience pays off. This week was another difficult one. It seems that this will be the case for quite some time. But I can't even TELL you the many miracles that we have seen amidst those trials. There is a less-active woman in our ward who has not been back to church since she was 16 years old. She remembers a few things, but has had no interest in coming back for quite some time. Her mother is an active member of our ward and we know her well. We met her by going to the monthly relief society activities. Her mother enlisted her to help out and she (being the kind daughter that she is) agreed. I introduced myself to her my first week in the area. We continued to see her at activities and eventually one day I just said, "We are coming to your house!" She looked at me and assumed that I was joking but said that it would be okay. We came by and went inside and talked with her about her life and the experiences she’s had. Without disclosing too much, she has had a rough life. But despite it all she is the most incredible person on the planet. She is filled with this charity for others that is just indescribable. I can't describe the way I love her. At the end of our meeting I asked if it would be okay if we came back. She tilted her head and gave me a sly look saying, "We'll see. If I'm here I guess." Then we eventually came by again. And again. Every time she looks me in the eye I see something in her. Like I know her so completely. I can't describe it. But on our last meeting we prayed and talked and at the end I asked when would be a good time to come back. She said, "Give me two weeks." And so we did and, as a matter of fact, due to extenuating circumstances... we weren't able to make it at two weeks and went by a little after that. We were walking down this long country street in the hot sun and we see her outside pruning the roses. We waved and she stood there and said, "Where have you been?!?!" My heart swelled in my chest. She said, "I have been worried you weren't going to come! Where were you!?!?!" We got to talking and I can just see the change in her. She has made tremendously hard steps in her life and she is just such an incredible example to me. We came inside and got a drink of water and she said, "It’s like... every time you talk, you say something I need to hear. I don't have to tell you my problems or even what’s going on in my life. I just know that, if you come, something you will say will help me." I thought for a minute about what a miracle that is. I am so humbled to be able to feel the spirit in my life. We told her that it isn't us that is doing it. She smiled knowingly and gave me that favorite sly look. I'm telling you right now. She is my life-long friend. She is one of those people I will NEVER forget. She is such a good example to me of humility and love. Both lessons that I am learning a LOT about lately. I love you guys so much and am so thankful for all you sacrifices to let me be here and serve. I love you from the bottom of my heart!

Love,

Sister Mitchell