Xavier!?

Picture:
Jasper's Main St. at night

So, the little one finally came? WAHOO! Congratulations Shannon, Adam, Ellie and Kenzie--how exciting! How did you choose the name Xavier? [Each week at district meetings we talk about 3 investigators/families on which each companionship is focusing and then the entire district prays for that list of people and for their specific needs during that week. This week one of the new investigators for some of the elders is named Xavier, so I've already been praying for him since Monday! I sure hope the little guy keeps his commitments. :) ]

One miracle this week was that we got to see Herminia Diaz (she moved here from Odgen, UT a few months ago and had met with the missionaries a few times there) and we found out that she was truly touched by us cleaning up her house for her when she was sick. She said that no one has ever done anything that kind for her. Also, although we haven't noticed much spiritual progress (i.e. she hasn't read the Bk. of M., she has yet to come to church) she said that since she had us over for dinner her family has begun the tradition of praying together before every meal. Yea!

We've also been the recipients of many other miracles. Many times God has put us in the right place at exactly the right time. Because of where we parked in the Kroger (grocery store) parking lot we were able to meet a man who really wants to come to church and he has even been to SLC/temple square! Then, when we came back to our car who had parked right next to us and was just coming out of the store but Mario, a 26 or so yr. old man that we'd been able to teach when delivering a Lamb of God DVD to his friend. On Saturday we got to take around some mandarin (sp?) muffins and brownies to some various neighbors and friends. We ended up walking down the street to talk to some women who were having a yard sale. Despite initial hesitation, we ended up being able to teach all 3 of them and later in the week we got to do service for one of them. They also let us take all of the church clothes so now we have a closet-full for people who don't have any.

Another miracle was that we found out some connections that our friends here have to the church. We had met our neighbor named Kristi a week or so ago and she accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon. During that talk we found out that she is very close to her boss and her co-workers. We also found out that her birthday was the next day, so we "heart-attacked" her door (with scripture verses and "happy birthday"s on the multicolored hearts) to celebrate. We found out at church that her boss is Bro. Chester, a very active member of the ward! Coincidence? I think not.

Also, we've been trying to teach a 16 yr. old (Barriana) that we met at the Piggly Wiggly when we first came and we finally got to meet her mom and teach them. We found out that not only is her mother very open, but her mother's nephew is a recent convert in our branch! Right now he is doing military training out of state (so we have yet to meet him) but he will come back soon.

Lately I have felt filled with gratitude for Elder and Sister Parrish, the couple missionaries serving with us in the Ellijay Branch. Specifically, Elder Parrish's example of tender, steady, patient love for and kindness to his sweetheart has reminded me of Dad's righteous example. THANK YOU David, John, Jonathan, Adam, Brandon, and Matt for developing that same quality and blessing my life with it.

We got to play tennis last Prep. Day and today and it is SO fun! I love tennis. Another highlight was that we got to have dinner in a member's home last night (a somewhat rare occurance in our branch) and Sis. Hall (who is an angel) served homemade fresh blueberry pie a la mode with blueberries picked from her bush outside her house. YUMMY! :) I love homemade pie.

I love you all and life is going wonderfully. I have the normal little ups and downs but overall we're being blessed. We're striving to meet the mission's goal of having 15 "progressing investigators" (people whom you've taught at least 2 times and who are keeping their commitments) and it is challenging. We are being blessed to be able to find many "new investigators" but acutally helping them to progress is the hard part. Prayers for that would be a great blessing.

I LOVE YOU! Thank you for all of your love and support.

Love,
Your Sister Mitchell

P.S. I just got a letter from Grandma Tanner--thank you so much, Grandma! I love getting to read your journal entries about your interesting, full life. I love you.