So Thankful!

Dear Mom Dad and Alicia,

         Every week when I sit down to begin to write, I find it impossible to explain all that I do, see, learn, and feel in a week. I wish I could be more eloquent in my speech or in some way describe the depth of my feelings but I am finding it impossible. I am so thankful for the Lord and for His hand both in my life, and my mission. I see so clearly as I look back just on a week that He knows EXACTLY who He wants me to be and He is not ever going to stop trying to help me get there. We have four baptisms this weekend. Two will be baptized at precisely 12:15 this Friday and one of the families we have been teaching will be baptized the following day at 4:00 pm. It has been a BUSY week. But like Dad said in his email... it’s a GOOD busy. I love it and I am so thankful to be a part of such an
incredible work.

         To answer some of your questions... I have only been the Exchange Sister for one transfer now. President Weston splits the mission in half and calls one Exchange Sister for the North and one for the South. It changes from time to time how many we exchange with but the purpose is to learn from other missionaries. We have weekly leadership meetings with the Zone Leaders and a few specialized trainings with President Weston each transfer. I LOVE exchanging with the Sisters. It is such a good opportunity for me to learn and increase my faith to find people. So now... when I go to bed I am not only worried about MY area and MY investigators...but I am also thinking about Sister Adamson and Sister Oro and Sister etc.... I really feel my heart grow as I pray for these other missionaries and their success. I have had incredible experiences on exchanges already. We ALWAYS see miracles. It has been really nice to see so much of President, but to be honest, I would rather be in my own area working. When we plan out our week each week I sometimes wish that we just HAD MORE TIME! Right now our schedule is so packed with the BEST things, (people that are progressing towards baptism), that we don't quite have all the time to do other things like community service projects, tracting, boosting the members, working with ward council, or working with part-member families. We still do all of those things, it’s just weird to schedule an appointment with someone and have to try to "squeeze" them in. But it's incredible how Heavenly Father is truly in charge of this work. As we plan our week to His will it’s incredible how we can accomplish more than I could have ever imagined possible. It’s still not easy, that’s for sure.

         It’s incredible how easy it is to be prideful. Not in a "oh I'm the best" way. But simply in a, "I can do this on my own way." There are two ways we come to a knowledge of our true dependence on our Father in Heaven. One we are COMPELLED to be humble. (Yes, that has happened to me MANY times) Or we humble ourselves. This week I have experienced the greater spirit that can come into your life as you "humble yourself." We have seen sooooooo many blesssings lately and my jaw just drops to the floor to look at how many times Heavenly Father has answered my heartfelt prayers. How could I not be humble? How could I not see His hand in all that has been done here? Every ward I go to there is a ward leader that I know I was MEANT to meet. Why? Because the Lord knows us and He loves us dearly. He truly is in charge of this work. I love you guys half to death! Thank you soooooooooooo much for the packages. You have no idea how many of them were tender mercies for me this week. I'll be honest and admit that I was having a really hard day one day. I got home, finished planning, updated the area book and with 5 minutes to spare before bed and feeling INCREDIBLY exhausted... I opened up one of my presents from you. It was the one with the lotion in it. I just sat on the floor and cried. (In a non-depressing way) More so in a..."I am so glad that I have parents that know me so well, that love me, and that truly support me and know what I am going through." Those Presidents letters from Dad

made my jaw drop to the ground as well. Are we the same person? I am so thankful for all three of you and for your testimonies. I feel like when I walk outside the sole reason I am completely in one piece is because of your prayers and your testimonies. I love you all so very much. Give the Twelve Oaks 1st Ward the biggest hug you can for me. I miss all those wonderful people!

Love,

Sister Mitchell!