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