Here is one miracle that we experienced last week:
As we approached a door to knock I hurried up the three steps of the porch without noticing a small dog. Just before I got close enough to knock, the angry dog began growling and ran towards me. Bearing his teeth, I knew that he would bit me and I stood there, terrified and paralyzed, waiting for his teeth to sink into my ankle. Sister Laurente, who was behind me, came towards the dog slowly and put out her hand. Immediately, the dog calmed down and she was able to pet its head. After we left we talked about the experience and Sister Laurente told me that she, too, was sure that the dog would bit me but that as she put out her hand and touched the dog's head she thought in her mind the name "Jesus Christ" and that is when the dog calmed. We both knew that we had been protected by unseen forces.
Other news:
Some of our former progressing investigators have not been responding to our attempts to teach them this week. Josh Walker did not come to church and has not been answering our calls or calling us back. (The good news about him is that we got to teach his less active mom and his dad who is not a member this week. Also, there are many members of the ward who are going to be reaching out to Josh this week so hopefully we will be able to reach him that way.) The Macsheens did not keep their appointment. (The good news about them is that when we did actually get to see Nigel and have a mini doorstep lesson with him he said that he has been reading the Book of Mormon everyday and that he is really liking it!)
We got to teach Clara Settles (a 24 year old whose boyfriend is a less active member) again and it was beautiful lesson. As we taught about latter-day prophets and watched part of "Special Witnesses" the Spirit bore witness that they are the Lord's mouthpieces on earth today. She is so open to the Spirit and she recognizes it. Sadly, she doesn't feel quite ready to come to our ward but we hope that she will come next week. We have been able to take some team ups there from our Relief Society and that has gone really well.
One miracle this week was that we finally got to meet the Arenes family. Our bishop gave us their information and told us that they just moved into our ward boundaries but they have been attending a different ward. Bro. Javier Arenes just got remarried two weeks ago to Theresa and she has been taking the lessons in South Carolina and is set to get baptized. They have been going to the other ward, though, because Javier's 16 year old daughter has been attending that ward and does not want to change wards (her parents got divorced about a year ago and it was really messy so they are trying to keep something stable in her life). Theresa has two children still at home (two girls—Taylor is 12 and Tess is 14) and they have been less than excited about the church. (They really love their big, entertaining church). Anyway, we really connected with them. We hope that they will attend our ward. Also, Bro. Arenes has a son who just barely got home from serving a mission in the Philippines so it was really fun for Sis. Laurente (and for Sean) to be able to speak Tagolog and he is still anxious to share the gospel.
Another miracle this week was that we got into a "do not contact" member's home because her daughter's bridal shower was getting to be too overwhelming and her sister (who happens to be the Relief Society president) offered our services. I love parties and preparing for them so it was fun. Service works miracles.
I love you. Thank you for your emails, Kenzie and Ellie--I love to hear from you. And Rachel, Jenni Mae, Heather, and Mama, it was wonderful to get to hear more details of your lives. You are remarkable women. Thank you for your righteous influence on my life.
Love,
Sister Mitchell
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