The Perfect Exemplar.

Dear Family,

         It’s hard to know even where to start! We had a great week! I have felt a little more myself this week than I have in a loooooooong time. President Weston always talks about the "pace we choose to run." Well, I know you haven't been out here with me. But even though I face challenges sometimes and have hard days like everyone does, the "pace at which I choose to run" is always pretty fast. I don't want to slow down for a single second. I just, I know how important it is! I have seen the blessings that come if we truly do "give our all."

         Ever since I came to Auburn I have wanted to just plow forward, but kept hitting stumbling blocks of "tradition" and "the way it’s always been." It has been a battle with myself to truly and deeply appreciate the work that has been done here but still be able to lift. I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and His example. I don't think it would be possible to know how to be a friend, parent, teacher, companion or leader if we weren't able to read and feel of the love He had for those He served. He truly is the perfect "exemplar." He was able to lift all those around Him. His intentions were always made clear by the love in His eyes and His vision of the purpose of this life. When words of correction were given it was with wisdom and an eye of futurity. This week I feel I have come to understand better the reasons why He lifts those around them. When I say I felt more like myself this week; I felt like we spent less time in the car and more time talking to people! When we did this I could feeeeeeeeeeeel the difference in my day. The experiences you have in a day when you move aimlessly from appointment to appointment could NEVER be matched by the way you feel when you get to look into the eyes of God’s children and truly know them. Know their fears and their worries. Know their hearts. And then be able to sooth those worries and those cares. There is nothing that fills you up more! I guess I just battled with myself these past few weeks. Every time I tried to move at the pace that I knew the Lord would have me run, I felt like I was stepping on toes or that I was "breaking tradition." But I have felt strongly this week that when I choose to run at that fast pace with positivity and a smile on my face, no matter the opposition I face... the love that I feel is contagious. My companion and the ward will begin to feel of the joy that comes from working hard and from truly giving our all. Sister Elliott and I are doing great and this week we even found TWO new investigators! We were talking to a man on the street who was blowing leaves on the side of the road. He put it on low so that he could blow our skirts off of us and when he did that we approached him and started talking to him. He had the motor running on his back so we had to speak loudly but even through the loud noise, the spirit was felt. We went back to visit him this week and caught him while he had family over. As we talked with him and his grandson, (who also lives in our area), about the gospel... he mentioned that he has a family member that just joined our church. His name, drum roll please..... is JERRY CREASON! (One of our recent converts that I sent you a picture of last week!) Then get this... Brother Creason had been thinking about giving Manuel a Book of Mormon. We had NO CLUE that this random man on the street whom we could have easily walked by was someone that a member of our ward had been praying for. It just goes to show how involved the Lord is in this work. He loves His children so deeply that He will remind each of us to act. WE are the ones that have the choice whether we want to be involved in this wonderful work or not. It is such a blessing to be tools in His hands to be able to lift and help His children. I love you guys so much and keep forgetting to wish you a Happy Late Anniversary! Thanks for all of your uplifting and encouraging letters. I really am doing great and loving life! I am so thankful to be a missionary! I miss you guys lots, but I will be having a talk with President Weston in the hopes that maybe he can at least let me extend for two more years? ... Do you think he will go for it? I love you guys to death! Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Thank you so much for all you do for me!

Love,

Sister Mitchell