week 1

HELLO!
 All I can say is W-O-W. Just kidding, I have lots to say. To begin with, I just want everyone to know that choosing to serve a mission is the best decision I have ever made in my life, up until this point. The work is SO IMPORTANT. I feel incredibly grateful that I have the opportunity to join the laborers in the Lord's Vineyard. In case you are wondering, I love it here! The people are so great, and the experiences are one of a kind, but the spirit here is priceless. I'm in a district of 2 sets of Elders and two sets of Sisters. That's eight crazy kids, all 22 and under trying to transform into missionaries. We get a little insane. All jokes aside though, I knew from the minute I walked into my classroom and met them that we would all be friends forever. We act like we've known each other for years, and that's because we probably did in Heaven. I've known them for 7 (?) days now, and I already consider them family. We are all serving in Columbus Ohio, so we don't have to say goodbye. How blessed can I get? So a little run down on my homies: Sister Humphries: My companion. She's 22, the oldest of the group, and from Enterprise Utah. She likes Hunt'n, fish'n, and camp'n. You'll hear more later. Sister Wolfe: From Nebraska, my fav to joke around with. So sassy, so spiritual. Sister Corbett: The definition of angel, but with a killer testimony! 19, from South Jordan. Elder Winkler: Kurt Winkler who went to Mountain View. He's our district leader, but still laughs, occasionally..... Elder Pytlawkowsky (pit.la.kohv.skee.): From Mesa Arizona, he's a goofball who keeps everybody relaxed. Elder Miller: Sassy. Sassy. Sassy. He bears an incredibly strong testimony. Elder Barton: My favorite Elder. He's 18 and from Provo. He's incredibly funny and sort of shy. Not to mention really cute for an Elder, if I wasn't a Sister. Haha! Real talk now: This has been hard. I am so grateful for that. Me and my companion have had an interesting few days. The 3rd day into my mission my companion pulled a muscle in the back of her knee, and had to walk on crutches. I spent a total of 3 hours in the MTC clinic. Hours are so precious here. My companion has also wanted to go home everyday we've been here. I'm determined to help her stay. She's a wonderful person, with one of the purest hearts I've ever met. But she struggles with studying, and doesn't feel confident teaching doctrine, or speaking up in lessons much at all. I know I'm her companion for a reason. I just hope I can help he the way she needs it. I have learned to teach, and to be patient like never before. So, the most shocking and incredible thing I've learned: I love. Everyone! So can you! So should you. Strangers, family, friends, enemies; they're all children of God. I had my 1st and 2nd TRC, or lesson with an actor-member/potential-legit-non-member, and I love her. Her name is Carol. She has recently learned from the Holy Ghost and through our invitation to pray, that she is wanted. She is important. Heavenly Father wants nothing more than to have her coma back home to live with him some day. I have had the pleasure of rediscovering this with Carol. I can feel HF's love for her every time I think of her. I love her with all my heart. It's a beautiful thing, my friends. I wish I could say I miss music, TV, Home, Hanging out and whatever, but to be honest, I don't. All I do anymore is crave scripture study and worry over what my investigator's need. I have never been more happy, even though I've never been more frustrated. I have found passion in doing the Lord's work. Do me a favor? Read Matt 29:19. Commit to sacrifice just a little more time, energy, or thought into serving the lord today. I can testify that you will not regret, miss, or forsake it. Instead you'll find love, desire, and joy. I know I have. Next week I'll be in Ohio! LOVE YOU! Sister Mitchell