Good Examples

Dear Family,

         This week was incredible! I know I have said it before but I am SO overwhelmed with the miracles we are seeing in this area. This week we met two sisters that are about in their 40’s.  They are the two sweetest people on the planet. One of the sisters had been a college student in the class of a member of our church. He was such a good example to her and had so much faith in her that she felt like she was "important." She decided to become a teacher. She said when she talks with him and his wife she always feels this "good" feeling come over her. During our meeting with them they were able to feel again that same "good" feeling and to recognize where it was coming from. Neither of them have ever attended a church before or even prayed. We talked about God and His love for them. I could feel it so strongly for them. There was a moment in the lesson when we asked one of them why she allowed us to come into her home and what her expectations were regarding our visit. She thought for a while and then said simply... "I feel like something is missing in my life." After a little while longer she told us that she always wanted to know, "What her purpose was in life?" It was such a special experience to see someone who has wondered that question for so long and then be able to sit with her and be able to promise her that she WILL know. That she WILL feel of the love her Heavenly Father has for her and that she WILL come to know what purpose He has for her on this earth.

         We have SO many other new people we are teaching. Just yesterday we got a call from the other Sister Missionaries in my old area in Loomis and they said that a woman came to their ward. She is a mother of two and is coworkers with a member of the church. She came with her and the missionaries gave her a book of Mormon  She is excited to have us come by to meet with her family. She said that, "for a long time now I have been wondering why my friend (LDS coworker) was so happy and I am interested to learn how I can have that in my life." It just goes to show that no matter who we are or where we go, we have an opportunity to let the light of Christ shine through us. Our examples are always watched and we should never miss an opportunity to lift another. The miracles we are seeing here in Dry Creek wouldn't have happened without the positive examples of members of the church!

         The Chinese family we have been teaching have allowed Muang to get baptized! She has been coming to church every week for the last 5 months or so. Then they have a sister that lives in her neighborhood that we are now teaching. Oh! And we had a lesson with just the wife of one couple this week. Her husband is only interested in “religious conversation.” When I first got here, Sister Totau and I decided that it would be best not to meet with him. But just as we were about to leave... we saw his wife. She kept her head down and walked as quickly as she could to the back room. I'm almost out of time. But we felt prompted that she was someone we needed to talk to. After SEVERAL attempts to meet with her, we have begun to teach her the lessons. And this week, at the close of our lesson, she knelt and said one of the most BEAUTIFUL prayers I could ever think of. But included in her prayer she said, "Thank you for the relentless persistence of Sister Mitchell." I had to smirk a little bit during the prayer. I'm glad it was at least said in a loving way. Haha. I will be relentlessly persistent as long as it means that these people, that I love so much, will be able to experience the peace that comes from the gospel. I love this work! It is INCREDIBLE the miracles we are seeing here! I LOVE IT SOOOOOOO MUCH! I love you guys and am excited to hear about the family that just got baptized! Have an awesome week! You are forever in my prayers.

Love,

Sister Mitchell

Can Ye Tell?

 Dear Mom, Dad & Alicia,

         This week was a busy one! We housed the missionaries that went home and then also went the very next day to pick the new ones up! The early mornings and heart-wrenching goodbyes have been somewhat draining to say the least. The three Sisters that went home were such good examples to me. I just wish that I could live up to the examples that they have set. Things are as busy as ever and I sometimes wish there were fewer meetings that keep me away from both my area and my companion. But I know that the Lord knows what He is doing and I am thankful for this opportunity to serve!

         The couple we have been teaching came to church again this week and it has just been so incredible to watch them grow. You come to love these people so much and when you see them go through trials and hardships, you want nothing more than to find a "solution" for them. Without fail, the "solution" is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We hear the term almost daily. But if we are truly LIVING the Gospel, if we exercise faith and repent daily, we will FEEL of His power and comfort. Missionaries have

such a special opportunity to watch this process. It is a daily reminder of the changes I need to be making in my life. There have been many times in the lessons that I have had words come to my mind and said things in a way I would not have normally. I feel God's love for them. I am so excited for them! They have plans to be baptized on October 13th. There is a lot that needs to happen between now and then. But I know that there is strength in the Atonement and they will receive the grace they need to be able to prepare for baptism.

         We also had an Elder’s Quorum Barbeque this last week. We have a new Elder’s Quorum President and he is AWESOME! I have such a greater respect for the leaders in the church. It is so much more than planning and organizing. A leader spends so much time on their knees praying for the discernment they need to help these people. President Dunnaway did such a great job and we were able to bring out this couple and another family we have been working with. They have been married for 10 years and both have teenage kids from previous marriages. The husband is always so frustrated that there are so many different churches out there and wishes that there would just be ONE so that everyone would stop fighting. He is a little bit hilarious and always is saying something crazy. His wife however, used to hide in the back from us. If she had to walk by the living room, she would look down at the floor and try to walk as quickly as possible without making eye contact. But, knowing me, I'm sure you all know what’s coming. I'm not sure if I half ran to catch her or just kinda hollered after her... but somehow by the end we were talking about life. She is, hands down, one of the most prepared people I have ever met. We taught the first lesson and felt prompted to instead teach about the Atonement. her eyes were just glued on us.  Afterwards I was feeling a little nervous seeing as she hadn't said much. But she approached us in private with tears in her eyes. When she came to the Barbeque she met the members and in conversation it came up that, "Sister Ashley" (she refuses to call me by my last name), always seems to show up just when she needs it. This is a family I have been working with since the beginning. But it is such a blessing to see her grow. I didn't have much time to write about it but... my favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon is Alma 26. It’s a reminder to me that we don't always know the impact or influence we have made on another. It’s the reason why we give our all. Why we love with our WHOLE hearts and give absolutely everything we have so that when we look back on our missions and on our lives we can say..."How great a reason have we to rejoice! For could we have known when we started that God would have granted unto us such great blessings!?!?!?!?" I love you guys so much! I am so sorry that I am a neglectful daughter. I look back on the fact that it’s been like a year I have been on my mission and I have very rarely written hand-written letters. But is it enough of an excuse to say that I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE THIS WORK! I love the Lord! I can't wait to send home my journals and you can read all about it! We love you! (Sister Rupp and I)

Love,

Sister Mitchell

Seriously?!?!

Dear Family,

         I get to stay in Dry Creek for another transfer! (I am now officially the Sister who has been in the Dry Creek ward for the longest amount of time...) As you can see from the email you received from my dearest companion Sister Rupp, I have neglected you yet again to write a long letter to President Weston. I realize I need to be better about sorting out my priorities. I really do love you!!!! I promise! But it’s ridiculous how wrapped up in this work I am. I love it! The other missionaries shake their heads at Sister Rupp and I.  They wonder how it was ever possible that the two of us could really have been put together as companions. But we don't fight it. At least we keep them laughing right? I know this church is true. There is no

other message that brings a greater happiness and joy in your life. There are just too many good things in this life to hang your head down for it. Look up! Live it up! And enjoy every moment we get to spend here with so many incredible people around us. We love this work and are soooooooooo excited to continue to see miracles together! I love you all!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

***P.S. You may include Sister Rupp's email on the blog if you would like...

From "Ruppell" (Rupp and Mitchell combined)

Dearest family

         I am writing to you as Ruppell (one heart and mind with one purpose).  I (sister Mitchell) am writing a VERY long president's letter as usual and I (Sister Rupp) am taking over because my (again Sister Rupp) president's letter's are never quite so long leaving me more time to write "The Fam."  To be fair I don't have to report on exchanges so she had good reason...

         Our week was great.  We are excited to inform you that Ruppell will be together another transfer at least (hopefully more).  We are very excited and glad we got to avoid that tearful (yes, there probably would have been more tear stained letters had that happened) transfer call.  Really we are excited to work hard for at least one more transfer!! =)

         I just asked her what she usually writes home about and well...quite frankly I will be disregarding everything she just said to me.  We have had the coolest experience with our investigators.  I'm not sure what she has told you about them, but they are awesome.  Teaching a family is the BEST!!  We had two great lessons with them this week and they came to church together for the first time.  Church couldn't have been better.  The husband has been before and he was grand.  I heard through the grapevine that he shared his conversion story in priesthood so that was cool.  The wife enjoyed church as well.  She said it wasn't what she expected, but she is eager to come next week.  She loved that the people were loving and "approachable."  We are very excited about how great the ward was at welcoming them.  The Dry Creek ward really is the best. 

         I (sister Mitchell) had exchanges twice (yes I had to leave my dear companion sister Rupp in Dry Creek all by her lonesome).  Working with Sister Williams was great.  She is the most patient and loving missionary.  I feel that I have learned a lot from her.

          As you know...Sister Mitchell planned quite the bday surprise for me.  It was honestly the best BDAY anyone could ask for.  She is very clever...and sneaky.  I was quite shocked!!  Really thank you so much!!  I had a wonderful birthday.  Sister Mitchell is an amazing companion.  She gets frustrated with the fact that I try very hard to not let her know that I enjoy being her companion...a little bit.  She wanted me to make sure I let you know that...  Really though, I feel very blessed to be able to serve with her.  I know you already know it, but you have a wonderful daughter.  Thanks!!  And thanks for the birthday surprises.  You guys are the best.  Hope you have a wonderful week!!  We (Ruppell-one heart and mind with one purpose) love you!!

Sisters Ruppell...

Not Enough Time in the Day!

Dear Family,

         This week has been busy and full of incredible experiences. Our area is really picking up and it’s impossible to describe the growth that we have seen here in Dry Creek. Our Ward Council is INCREDIBLE and they are doing so many things to lift and strengthen and reach out. We told the Ward Council about a family we met and had been teaching and our High Priest Group Leader spoke up and told us that he was related to them! So it’s been great to have him involved so that they can ask him questions and they have an automatic support system. Our investigators are progressing really well and our days are always packed with the kind of work that just fills you up! I love it! Life couldn't be better!

         This past week I have been reflecting a lot on how often we let the things that are, "out of our control," bog us down and discourage us. It’s interesting how life is all about balance. If we commit ourselves FULLY to something, it is difficult to not be disappointed when the end goal is not achieved or we don't see the success we would have liked to. Is there a way to put all your effort, heart and soul into something without being disappointed? Is the solution to just withdraw? To have "less" passion or "less" excitement? Our Relief Society President is one of the most incredible people I have ever met. I have met a lot of women in the church who know how to take on "a lot." But what I find so incredible about her is not merely the amount of things she gets done... but the "way" she gets it done. It’s apparent in the way she talks to the sisters in the ward that she prays for them and reads from her scriptures diligently to learn how she can better strengthen them. I can't explain it, but there is power and love behind her words because she is LIVING the gospel. We always joke that I am going to be just like her someday because her maiden name is "Mitchell!"

         I have noticed that I have a tendency to sometimes bite off more than I can chew. I want to see ALL of our investigators and stop by with this and do that and extra extra extra. I have struggled when people describe the word "peace," wondering if I will ever feel it as consistently as they do. I stress and worry because I care right? Well in reading about humility in preach my gospel, a certain phrase stood out to me. It’s something like, "You will be confident that you can do whatever the Lord requires of you." Two things stand out. Confidence. And "What the LORD requires." It has been a great reminder this week that instead of being stressed and worried about all that I "didn't" do.... I can have confidence when I lean on the Lord and trust Him. I also took solace in knowing that it’s what the "LORD" expects of me... not all the crazy hard expectations I put on myself. I may want to see all 164 less-active members on our ward list in the short 15 spare minutes we may have.... but what does the Lord want me to accomplish this week? This was a crazy ramble of thoughts but I really am so very thankful for my mission. I am so thankful to be doing his work and to be serving with Sister Rupp. She is THE BEST! I have had so many experiences where I just KNOW we were meant to be companions. I have so much to learn from her. Do you think that mission companions were picked before this life? Well. I don't mean to make this email forever long but we had the COOLEST experience this week with one of our investigators. He has a business partner who just got baptized and invited him to come. While he was there, he felt the spirit really strongly and decided that he should check this out a little more. He started going to church with this friend and the missionaries over there gave us his number. We tried to setup an appointment with him several times but it was difficult because he had told us that his wife was NOT interested in "becoming a Mormon." We had a first lesson with him and I'm not entirely sure why but we committed him to at least introduce us to his wife. He was hesitant and said he would think about it. We fasted and prayed for them. Then we received a phone call this week from him setting up a time for us to come by. When we met her at first she looked...not so happy to see us? But by the end of the lesson she was in tears. We committed them to pray together as a family and then that next day we (Sister Adamson and I) took them on a chapel tour. It is just so incredible to see how the spirit works in the lives of these people. I love this gospel! I know the church is true and I am so thankful to have such a supportive and incredible family! I love you guys!

Love,

Sister Mitchell