You Never Know The Difference You Will Make!

Dear Family,

         It was so great to talk to you on Christmas! It was quite different to have an audience and I felt I couldn't really say a lot of the things I would have liked to had the circumstances been different. So sorry! But on a better note, this week has been incredible! Can I please just be a missionary for the rest of my life!?!?! Life as a full-time missionary is just awesome! I can't really even describe it, but I have NEVER been happier to wake up at 6:30 every day in my LIFE!

         As you know, this is my third area now. I have served in Loomis, Rio Linda, and now Auburn. All of those areas had their different challenges and successes. But in each, I feel like the common lesson that was learned was to "love deeply." President Ezra Taft Benson said, "I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy." Thanks for teaching me to work hard Dad! Because... that quote has been so true for me on my mission. When I am diligent, regardless of what outward success I may see, I feel deep love for the people I serve and it fills me up. Sister Siemens and I have been trying our best to be diligent and to give "everything we got!" This week we got a phone call from a man and his wife. He said... "I'm not sure if you’re the ones, but we live right by the Sister Missionaries and they always smile and wave at us. We were wondering if there is any way we could get someone to come to our home. We would like to become members of your church." Okay now. Just take one minute to think about what my reaction might have been...... if Alicia said, "Jumping up and down obnoxiously and fist pumping in the air," then she was right! We met with them Saturday night and they said they had gone on vacation to Salt Lake City and visited the temple there. When they recounted the feeling of peace they felt, I felt a warm feeling come over me and I felt so much gratitude in my heart for the way the Lord works in the lives of others. We committed them to come to church the next morning and they will be getting baptized in a month from now. They are the all-time sweetest couple in the WORLD! The wife loves photography and her husband paints and wears a cabby hat. Is it too soon to say I am in love with them?  They came to church on Sunday and he said this was the second time he has worn a tie in his LIFE! (The first being at his wedding) THEN, as if it couldn't get any better, a man walks into our sacrament meeting. In Auburn we have quite a few people who are homeless and there is program where different churches will put them up for a few nights at a time so they are not on the streets. This man was a part of the program for only a short time now since he lost his house. He looks at me and said, "I know you!" I'll be honest it took me a minute. I smiled, shook his hand and said, "how?" He said that a year ago I had gone through his checkout line while he was working at Walmart. My jaw, yet again, dropped to the floor. HOW COULD HE

STIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLL remember me!?!?!??! He said that I gave him a pass-along card and said, "exactly what he needed to hear that day." He is working on finding a job right now and will be coming back to church next week.

         We never know the influence we may have on people. We must seek to draw close to the spirit, to be sincere, and to love all those around us and he will be able to use us for GREAT things! I love you all and hope all is well at home! Because of the shortened time in the MTC they have shortened our missions by a week out here and changed the transfers to 5 weeks. I got my "trunky" call this week and they are booking me a flight for February 19th into the PHX airport. I love you all! Keep working hard!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

Merry Christmas!--Written Dec. 24th, 2012

Dear Family,

         I wish so badly that I could have you all here with me. I LOVE the Christmas season! Yesterday at church I gave a talk on, "The True Meaning of Christmas." One of our investigators had told us that they weren't able to come because they had to work. But half way through my talk I looked up to see her looking back at me from the hallway and I almost lost it. The reason why my mission means so much to me is because of the love I feel for others. The true meaning of Christmas is in the name, Jesus Christ. We always talk about loving the, "Spirit of Christmas." But why is it that everyone is so different around this time of year. How could a whole nation of people all of a sudden be"in a different mood.”  It's because they are remembering Christ. As I have tried to remember Christ more in my life I can see how His love seeps into my heart and begins to change me. I feel like I see others more clearly. I am quicker to forgive. I love deeply. My days have purpose and meaning. I am so grateful for Christ in my life and for the wonderful opportunity that I have to serve Him. I have never been more grateful for the opportunity that I have to bare His name on my chest and to witness of Him. He is so loving and so patient. He truly is the Son of God. I know that He lives and that He loves us unconditionally. I wish that your Christmas is filled with the "Christmas Spirit; The spirit of Christ." I love you all and hope that you have a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for all the love, support and letters! You truly are the best family that anyone could ever ask for! I hope that Alicia is still as eager to wake up Christmas morning as I always was. Don't think for a second that I have grown out of that! If I could call you at 5 in the morning to wake you up I would! But, in all seriousness, I really can't wait to talk to you tomorrow! I love you! Pass my love along to all of my old companions and friends and ward members! I miss them all and wish them a Merry Christmas! I love you!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

Tis The Season!--Written Dec. 17, 2012

Dear Family,

        Remember how I used to be directionally challenged? Well, that is STILL the case. I drag poor Sister Siemens through all these windy back roads out in the sticks and just pretend like I know where I am going. I miss having Sister Elliott say, "Turn left Sister Mitchell. Turn right. Turn around. Slow down." But although we have been lost quite frequently, we are having a BLAST! Just a few days ago we went to go visit a member of our ward. The "Lucs." The husband is a member of the church from Vietnam. And his wife is Buddhist from Vietnam as well. When I met her, she looked like she could be Chinese, but since I knew Brother Luc was from Vietnam I just assumed she was Vietnamese. But guess what!?!? Her family is Chinese! She speaks both Mandarin and Cantonese. I chatted a little bit with her and found out, very quickly, that anything I used to be able to say in Chinese.... I no longer can! But it was still fun to chat with her.  I am amazed by this woman and her positivity. She is the cutest. Their son is 9 years old and he hasn't been baptized yet. He is a child genius and we are hoping to be spending more time in that home. We have been busing getting ready for the two baptisms we will be having at the beginning of January. Angelina is a little bit closer to our age so it’s been fun to meet with her as frequently as we do. She is always cooking us food or taking us out to eat somewhere. She is like the nicest girl on the planet! I always feel bad because she has a car, school and rent to pay. But she is just such a good example to me of giving freely. Heather has two little girls that she brings to church with her every

week and will be baptized the following week. We are so excited for the both of them and I feel like I learn so much from each of them every week.

          It is such a wonderful time of year to be a missionary. I wish I could explain it. But I love bearing my testimony of Jesus Christ. It's almost like I can feel it bubble to the surface. I am so thankful for my Savior. I know that He lives and I am so thankful for the many gifts that His life has brought into mine. I love Him and I feel daily of His love for me and for others. I hope you all really enjoy this season and the light of Christ that we allow into our lives. It's so evident in the way we treat one another and all we do to lift those around us. I love you guys! Have a very Merry Christmas!

Love,

Sister Mitchell

His True Nature--Written Dec. 10, 2012

Dear Family,

       This opportunity to serve a mission has strengthened my testimony that God has a plan for each and every one of us. How sad would life be if we were just stuck as the person we were yesterday? The person who made mistakes, who misspoke and hurt someone’s feelings. The person who has regrets. Life would be empty without the opportunity to change our very natures. So we are given opportunities. Most of the time they are difficult, or may seem to be more than we could possible handle. But each experience, if we allow it, is molding us into the person the Lord would have us be. Someone who is humble, teachable, loving and kind. I have seen SO many times on my mission how the companions I have had, the people that we meet, or even the leaders in our congregation were put in my path to help me grow. I have been so grateful for that growth. I can't even put into words the gratitude I feel when I think of the way these experiences have changed my heart.

        Why then, when we are in the middle of one of the "difficult experiences" that inspire growth, do we begin to doubt and to say "why me?" I have seen that a lot lately in the lives of so many we meet with. Our investigators, the members, ward leaders. They all eventually begin to ask "why." And, I know I am by no means an expert, but it has been something I have studied a lot lately. I have reached the conclusion that when we ask,” why", it is usually because we have lost sight of or misunderstood the nature of God. Some of us were raised in different homes with different types of families. Some may have a different idea of what "love" is. Maybe love to them requires a price you must pay. Or that there is a "limit" on the amount of times you can make mistakes before the giver of the love just says, "that’s enough." So when we loose sight of His true nature, how do we really know? How can we know Him? How when we feel so bad and so down and ask "why me" so many times... how can we remember Him and feel of His unconditional and unending love for us? For me this week the answer has been to read from the Book of Mormon. As I do that, I begin to better understand His nature. I begin to see more clearly how my trials are for my benefit and that they are not given to me out of revenge but out of deepened love and a vision of the future and what I can become. I love the Lord. I am thankful for His involvement in my life. I have seen so many times this week why Sister Siemens and I are to be companions. I love her so much. This gospel is such a blessing in my life. To be able to change, to love more deeply, and even to be able to forgive myself when I fall short of expectations. Do you think that ever ends? Do you think there will ever be a time where I NEVER fall short of expectations? Life is hard but it is incredible and I am SOOOOOOOO thankful for the opportunity I have to serve. We had our Christmas Brunch this week and it was fun to be together with all the ward. We have an incredible ward! I hope all goes well for you guys and that all the preparations for parties and stuff go well. Mom, do you at least make Alicia help you with that stuff? Who am I kidding? I know you too well... you do it ALL on your own. Don't wear yourself out Mom. I love you too much.

Love,    Sister Mitchell                                                     

You Can't Always Get What You Want; You Get What You Need!--Written Dec. 3, 2012

Dear Family,

          It's transfer day!  We were totally shocked! I have been with each companion for two transfers each and now Sister Elliott is breaking the cycle! She is getting transferred to Citrus Heights; Woodside Ward to be with Sister Fonua. I will really miss her. We have learned so much about humility from each other that we COULD NOT have learned anywhere else. Haha. I will be getting another missionary that I have been PRAYING to serve with. She was trained by Sister Adamson and even went to the same single's ward as Sister Garfield back in Utah. Her name is Sister Siemens! I am so excited to be serving with her. I think I always knew I would. I have a feeling she will most likely be my last companion. So it should be great!

         This week was incredible. One of the people we meet with is dating a guy in our ward. Every time we see her I feel like I learn something new from her. She is 19 and has been through a lot in her life that most 19 year olds haven't. Every time we talk with her I just feel so much love for this girl. She is sarcastic and hilarious and always keeps us on our toes. We have a lot of fun together. But every time we have

a discussion with her, she always says something that makes me smile. I can't quite explain it but I feel like I understand her in a way no one else does. I'm pretty sure she sees it too but I find that I learn a lot about myself each time we meet. Mom, I'm sorry I'm so stubborn! I promise I will listen to you now! Haha. But all joking aside, it has been so incredible to know this girl and to be able to spend so much

time with her. When we were planning what to talk about with her this past week, baptism kept coming to mind. We would frequently push the thought away thinking logically, that it would not be something that she would be interested in at this point. Later that week we ate dinner with her and her boyfriend and afterwards she said she had something to tell us. We were sharing a message with her and Mosiah 18 just kept blaring in my mind over and over but I just kept thinking, "No! I can't share that..." Well. I won't make that mistake again because after we were done... she looked at us with my favorite smirky smile and said, "So... I hope it's okay with you guys but I was thinking a lot lately and... I want to get baptized!" My jaw dropped to the floor and I promised myself I would never ignore a prompting like that again. Her baptismal date is January 12th and we are so excited for her!

              The subject that has been weighing heavily on my mind lately is what it means to be "truly sincere." There are so many activities that we participate in during our lives that if they lack a depth of sincerity they will loose all meaning. In this life it is easy to get discouraged and for everyday tasks to seem "mundane." But we can bring depth to any activity by the WAY we look at people. Do we look at that grumpy man on the steet and think, "Geez what's wrong with THAT guy?" Or do we soften our own hearts? Do we see the deeper issue? Are we curious why he would react in such a way. I know my thoughts are jumbled. But I think it is good to be curious about others, if we are sincere. I always try to remember what Cyd taught me. She always gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. As we do this, as we try to avoid justifying our frustrations but seek to justify our unconditional love for others; we will be filled with joy. We must always seek to lift others higher

than ourselves! (Which, for those of you that know me well, is easier said then done.) But that is my goal this Christmas season--to see others the way that our Heavenly Father sees them. To never write someone off because they are mean or rude but to love them regardless. I love the ones that are hard to love! It is the most rewarding call in the world.

         Everything else has been super awesome! It has been great to be out here for another Christmas season! There are so many members of the ward that I have not yet written back and for that I deeply apologize. Will you let them all know how much I appreciate them? I got another letter from Sister Hammond the other day and it made me cry to think about how consistently she has reached out to me and supported me while I'm out here. We have such incredible members in our ward! Are the missionaries in our ward working hard? How about the High Priest Group Leader? If he isn't, let me know and I will whip him into shape. Haha. I love you guys and hope you have a great time setting up the tree listening to bee-bop-Christmas music. Play it extra loud for me! I love you! Be expecting to hear about some more crazy miracles in Auburn these next few weeks! I love your guuuuts!

Love,

Sister Mitchell