Believe in Your Purpose!

Dear Family,

         Things are incredible here in Auburn. I have been thinking a lot about our purpose as missionaries. We are to, "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End." So frequently missionaries get discouraged. We talk with a lot of people in a day’s time. Many might be busy or uninterested. They see us walking down the street and some may avert their eyes or try not to walk to close for fear that we might talk to them. I think for most, it’s just a fear of the unknown. Most assume that we might engage them in religious discussion. Call me crazy... but I have never thought of it as a "religious discussion." I have always felt, since being here, just this overwhelming love for all of God's children. It’s a beautiful day, you’re out for a walk, and you then have the opportunity to truly listen to these people; to hear about their lives and then to be able to boost and strengthen them. When you care for someone sincerely, you want to take away their trials and hardships and you want for them to feel peace. I am thankful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for all that he has done for us in this life... that healing balm. So many missionaries get so discouraged when someone slams a door or says an unkind word. So they turn back into their shells. They break down our purpose to just the first line to read, "Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ." They begin to think they can only do a "little" good. It saddens me to see discouragement or to see these missionaries, who have been called of God, loose sight of what we have been called to do. We are to increase our capacities, to strengthen our spirituality, and to be consistently striving to reach more people and help them to feel of His love. A particular part of our purpose has stood out to me recently. We found three new investigators this week whereas there have not been many for a long time. I keep wondering. What is the difference? Why are we finding people that are ready? I think it comes in the very next line, "by HELPING THEM RECEIVE." People may not recognize that they have a need in their life. They may not know that they need the peace that comes from forgiveness. But if we believe in them. If we can help them to open their hearts, make them think, ask the right questions, then we will be able to sit down with them in later years as they tearfully thank us for believing in them. I loveeeeeeeeeee being a missionary! We are working hard to find people to teach. I love the ward and the Bishop! Our Ward Mission Leader, Brother Godfrey, used to own a dojo.

         Things are just awesome! Thanks so much for your support and love and for all you do. I am still serving as an exchange sister and guess who President Weston assigned me to exchange with (even though they are really far away)!?!?!?.... THE DRY CREEK SISTERS! I am so excited to see Sister Rupp and Sister Tittle and learn from them. I love you all!

Love,

Sister Mitchell