Happy belated Fourth my dear family and friends!
This week was essentially a party for Sister Garner and I. Missionary work is often missionary fun, and I just love it.
Monday we had a wonderful Zone funday at the bowling alley and I got to see Elder Seth Taylor! I can't believe that all three of us missionaries from the Orem Stake are in the same zone here in Ohio! #Werepresent #mitklinglor5evar. Later that night we had an FHE with the Crouse/Johnstons, the Whitehall Elders, and Kim's family. We taught an FHE on how to have FHE and then played pictionary. All around it was a successful night!
On Wednesday we had a specialized training where we met the new President Daines and his family. They seem to be awesome people. Sister Daines has a very cool conversion story, and a strong passion for missionary work because of it. We sat in zones and waited while each new missionary took turns going up and shaking their hands. It took forever and a half, but it was nice because we got to spend time with our new zone. I really like everyone I've met. It's going to be a great transfer.
Thursday we had a good day of finding and a spectacular lesson with Kim. We are working on concentrating our prayer and fasting efforts on Kim and John. John has been out of town all week, but we are already seeing miracles with Kim and her family. The Lord is so eager to bless and help us, he's just waiting for us to use our agency and ask. So ask!
Friday was terrific! We got to spend the day celebrating America weekly planning and then at a Cookout at the Goudies. The Goudies are amazing people, and they just have the funnest backyard ever! They're the kind of couple who has always been missionaries, and always will be. We saw one firework set off and it was a beautiful thing!
Saturday, all of the 7 missionaries in our ward spent some time doing a little yard work at our bishop's house, and then we all had breakfast together! Bishop does this thing he calls a Pancake Challenge. It's basically a fight to see if who can last longer: Bishop making batter, or people eating pancakes. Bishop is an old pro and had never been beaten before. But as he put it, "it took 7 missionaries and a backstabbing wife (she joined our team) to take him down." In reality he had enough supplies to keep going for hours, he just conceded because the Elders were making themselves sick. #blessalloftheirhearts.
After that we went to.... THE ZOO!!!!! Columbus Zoo has been called the best in the country. We live about thirty minutes away from it, so I thought I'd never get clearance to go. To our surprise when Kim invited us to go with her and her family, President allowed it! Hooray. The tigers were AWESOME. The tiger is certainly my spirit animal.
Sunday we experienced a tender mercy from our Father in Heaven. In the past year or so that Kim has been taking lessons from the missionaries, she's never really enjoyed church because it's so different from the Baptists. It's generally a little bit of a struggle to get her there, and enjoy it. This week we prayed, fasted, followed up, prayed, and prayed again to have Kim and her family to church on Sunday. We even offered breakfast Sunday morning. So we show up at their door at 8:00 am on Sunday with things to make French Toast. We knocked a few times and no one answered. Finally, Kim's 13 year old daughter came to the door and told us they were all asleep. We were worried that'd be the end. But with the help of Brother H we got not only Bro H and his son, but also Kim and two of her daughters to church. The best part?! They enjoyed it this time! Despite all the differences, they found truth in the things being taught. I am so grateful for the influence that God has over us, when we allow that influence to work on us. I am so grateful for the power that the gospel; has to change people. The power to soften Kim's hearts, and to make me strong in faith.
I love you all. I know that the influence you have as Latter Day Saints is more than you know. You are disciples of Christ, I hope none of us forget that.
Sister Mitchell
P.s. I'm still (mostly) the same old me, so here are some music suggestions:
Ye Elders of Israel by The Lower Lights - My current mission anthem
How Deep the Father's Love for Us by Mercy River - Potentially the most beautiful lyrics I've ever heard
Pics with Sister Garner at the Johnston wedding a few weeks ago:
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