Address Update as of 11/18/2014- Short Term Address

Mary got transferred to be with sister whose companion was put in the hospital. They are holding a fast sometime today or tomorrow for the sweet sister. Mary does not know how long she will be there, but until further notice, her address is:
Sister Mary Mitchell
530 Jefferson St.
Greenfield, Ohio 45123

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful

Hello Again.

Let's get this out of the way now: The weather. We are expected to get four inches of snow today, but it is still coming down. Tomorrow's low is going to be 7 degrees. There are not enough tights in the world to make this a comfortable winter, but missions were never about comfort anyway.

Monday: We ran around all day being super crazy busy, so it didn't feel like much of a rest day. We got our hair cut and I talked to this super nice lady from South Africa. At the end of the night we had the greatest first lesson with June and her wonderful family that I mentioned last week! I still can't believe how golden of a referral they are, and that they were referred by Gahanna. Who knew that I had such specific reasons to be in Ohio, of all places? 

Tuesday: We did quite a bit of contacting in Downtown. It was pretty unsuccessful. I have never met so many people who are willing to just openly smoke weed on the streets either. Always an adventure. We had Mcdonalds for dinner and then went to ward council. It is my first time attending since I've been on my mission, so that was refreshing. 

Wednesday: Zone Conference in Galloway. We were there from 9:00 am until 4:30. It was quite the experience. We sang "Children Holding Hands around the World" and it was only the tiniest bit awko because my companions stopped singing halfway through the sisters verse so I had a micro solo. Sorry President! we had dinner with an awesome family. They fed us split pea soup. Did you know that is actually pretty tasty. The things I've learned in Ohio. Go figure!

Thursday: I literally can't remember a thing.

Friday: Weekly Planning took a century and then we totally forgot about an appointment we had and tracted instead. Time to repent!

Saturday: Stressed out about finding a ride for someone who ended up not being able to come to church as soon as we made arrangements. Sigh. 

Sunday: It was cold and dark, and we ran through a bunch of wet leaves.

So basically, it is great to be a missionary here in Ohio, even when it is tough. I've been studying the life of Jesus Christ, and I can't believe how much I didn't understand who He was and what He went through. He is so remarkable and magnificent, but relatable and loving too. He did all he could to set a straight path for us to follow, so that we could become what our potential is. Because He loves us. Everyday I try to follow that path even more closely, and I am so grateful for the patience and mercy Our Father in Heaven has for me as I stumble. Every second is worth it. 

Love you all 

Sister Mitchell

 ....4 days later...

No Time!

Loved ones,

I miss ya. I love Ohio. Do I say that enough? Because I do love it. I can't imagine serving anywhere else. 

 I'm out of time, but this is the highlight of my week, that I shared with my President:  

Marble Cliff 2 has seen it's own share of small miracles. God is so good. Sometimes I forget how much He knows and is preparing for me, before I can even comprehend it. There is a family being taught in Gahanna. I began teaching them with Sister Loder, and we grew very close. They are pretty busy, so a little flaky, but their desire is high. Yesterday the sisters in Gahanna went over and taught the second half of the Restoration. Rebecca (the mom) had her sister June over, so she listened in. By the end of the lesson both women were crying. June, the sister, wants to learn more and felt the spirit so strongly. It makes perfect sense to her why we would need a restoration. The wonderful Gahanna sisters said that they would love to send sisters over. June has some anxiety, but to her relief, Rebecca could vouch for the sisters because she already knew them. June lives in our area! Rebecca knew me, and encouraged June to listen! How great a blessing! I am so grateful that God has trusted me with this opportunity to help His children.

Love you!

Sister Mitchell

Mary's NEW ADDRESS as of 11/4/2014

Sister Mary Mitchell
3406 C Wilson Woods Dr.
Columbus, Ohio 43204

Write and Send her up :)

Searching for a Gallbladder in the Heart of Heart of Hearts...

So all I can remember about Monday and Tuesday is that we had the best correlation of my life at the Godle's, and that we had a blast taking a youth out with us all day Tuesday.

Then came Transfer Call Wednesday. We get the call in Payless that I am leaving and Sister Loder is staying. Sad, but not surprised. It was a bitter sweet experience. 

I don't know what I was expecting to hear at the transfer meeting on Thursday, but I know that I was dumbfounded when they said "In Marble Cliff 2, Sisters Baldridge and Stewart will be staying. They will also be receiving a third companion Sister Mitchell."

Well this was unexpected...

I have been transferred to Columbus Ohio, and I couldn't be more excited.

Our area consists of 4 main sections:

Upper Arlington: SO RITZY. Like, super Posh. There are houses with moats out here... Wo unto the rich?

Grandview: OSU College housing. We only get teach some of the people we find here, the others go to the Campus missionaries. 

DOWNTOWN: YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT! I love Downtown! We can just walk down the street, contacting. It's a blast. 

German Village: A Historic Preservation from the 19th century. Google it. I'm in paradise

South Side: The ghetto I've always dreamed of. 

There are a lot of reasons that this is just the craziest thing to happen to me on my mission. 

This area was opened last August, and then shut down in June. It was then opened again in late July. One of my companions, Sister Baldridge had already served here, when the area was opened last Aug, for 7 1/2 months. She got put back in last transfer for the second time. Then her companion went home, so Sister Stewart was put in 3 weeks ago. Both of them go home next transfer, in December. President told them that he put them together so that he could close the area when both Sisters went home... but here I am.  

President Daines doesn't like trios and said that he would do all he could to avoid them at all costs. 

But here I am. 

*Sister Daines approached us after transfers and told us that Pres. pondered a lot on who could handle a trio, because there were uneven sisters, and picked us.* *Trios are hard for missionaries.*

Sister Stewart was delayed 6 weeks in starting her mission, because she had to have emergency surgery to remove her gallbladder. So, she technically shouldn't be here this transfer, but is. 

We figure since it such a weird decision to stick the three of us in an area that should be closed, that the Spirit MUST have made it. So we are searching for Sister Stewart's "Gallbladder Miracle."

I am anxious to see why I was needed here. 

I love my mission. I know that my Father in Heaven has a plan for me. He has one for you too. Follow it, and you'll find more happiness than you can imagine.

Love ya! 

Sister Mitchell. 

Mary's NEW comps in her Trio :) 

The last door she knocked with Sister Loder in Blacklick. 

Her sweet Gahanna Girls

First day in Columbus

Change of Seasons

Things are wrapping up quickly as ever here in Gahanna as ANOTHER transfer comes to a close. Oh dear... 

Monday: Wasn't P-day. You'll see why... Had dinner with a cute member family. They had a beginners piano book, so their 8 year old girl and I messed around until dinner was ready. She determined I am a prodigy. No biggs.

Tuesday: P-day, TEMPLE DAY. being able to go through for a session was such a Tender Mercy. The week before we went had been the worst week of my mission. I had never wanted to be in the House of the Lord more. And Because God is SO good, he sent another tender mercy my way. On the previous Saturday we were able to attend the sealing of a less-active family that sister Loder reactivated. The first live sealing for Sister L. What a great one. I am 1000000% more appreciative of the temple now that my use is limited. The Columbus Temple is gorgeous, and you can literally be in the presence of God there! 

Wednesday: District Meeting where we talked about our five fold purpose: to find, teach, baptize, retain, and reactivate. We discussed how we can more fully fulfill all of these responsibilities each day. Later we met a really cool kid named K who is searching for truth. Jackpot! We discussed the Plan of Salvation with him and he asked how he could learn more... good things. 

Thursday: A great "Come to Jesus" lesson with Dan (literally). We asked him if he would follow Jesus Christ if he knew that He had more in store for him. After he said yes, we testified of the truth of that. Dan "is certain" (his own words) that the BOM is true, but doesn't understand priesthood or a prophet. After 4 months of meeting with him he finally committed and came to church this week, with his daughter!!!!!! Oh Dan...

Friday: Service and dinner with our lovely family the H's. It is such a blessing to know them.

Saturday: Took Kelly to a Less-active lesson and her and Sister G just hit it off! Being a friend to those who need it is truly a Christlike task. Please, watch for those who you could help. Finished the night with Stake Conference. President and Sister Daines spoke, along with Elder Gerard of the seventy. The theme was Hastening the Work. every person there left more inspired to join in the cause of Salvation. I love it!

Sunday: More conference, and other random stuff. 

On Wednesday I will find out whether or not Gahanna will get to keep me any longer than 6 months!

Here is a C.S. Lewis quote that I stole from another inspiring Sister. I thought it went well with this weeks theme. 

It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendours. [C. S. Lewis,The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses

Love you all

Sister Mitchell

Hey Hey Party Peeps!

This week was just how we like them, quick and busy! 

Monday: We biked to the library for the first time, and then went discount warehouse shopping. #goodday

Tuesday: Started off our day with another first: A lesson with a Jewish family! They are so incredibly smart. I love it. We met the wife a week or two ago while we were walking out from our apartment complex to a lesson. I had my quad open, trying to find a scripture, and she stopped me to comment on my "big dictionary." That started a lovely conversation, we talked about how she used to see missionaries in California all the time. It ended in her inviting us to come meet her family whenever we pleased! That my friends, is scripture power. Flash forward to Tuesday and our lesson with them: they are some of the friendliest people I know. The husband said he'd read the BOM. We have high hopes. 

Wednesday: We had our monthly Zone Training Meeting. It was a little lengthy, but super inspirational! We role-played pamphlet teaching as a zone, and it was powerful. Later that day we went up to the wonderful Pataskala for the first time in a long time. Oh, I love the cruze. We ended the night with a correlation meeting. Hooray!

Thursday: All I remember was having a dinner with a new family in the ward, the Holley's. They are too fun! 5 boys and 1 girl. Felt like home!

Friday: The H's took us out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory for Sister Loder's 40th Birthday. I had Pumpkin Pecan cheesecake... oooh fall.

That evening we met an adorable teenage girl who is really good friends with one of the Young Women in our ward! That is such a blessing! We can't wait to start teaching her. The Spirit whispers that this is going to be a good one... 

Saturday: Saturday, Service day! My favorite! In the morning we had a lesson at Starbucks (not desirable) and had a great conversation with Mark about the Restoration over Caramel Apple Cider (desirable). We practiced pamphlet teaching, and Sister Loder and I both felt really good about it. In the afternoon we helped put on a Halloween party for disabled adults at a member's home. It was just the festive fix I needed, although now we are swimming in candy. Saturday night was AMAZING! All six missionaries in our ward did a service project with the, one and only, Godles. We split wood! That's right. Full lumberjack status, except we used a really fancy splitting machine that was super fun. The people we helped out are Catholic/Jewish and are SO PREPARED. We had a inspired conversation about prayer and a foundation in Christ. I'm sure we will be teaching them very soon.

Sunday: Sister Loder's (actual) birthday. Wonderful times, my friends.

I love you all so very much.

I have been working on being more grateful, and it just makes me so happy. So thank you all. Your love and support mean the world to me. :)

Sister Mitchell