I love life!

PICTURE:
Stone Mtn.

Life is beautiful!
One total miracle this week is that Sister Santiago asked us if we would teach her 8 yr. old son the lessons in order to help him prepare for baptism. She is an active member of the church but her husband, Mario, is not a member and, though he occasionally accompanies her to church, is not remotely interested in learning the gospel, let alone in becoming a member. However, Mario agreed that it would be a good idea to have us teach his son, Eric, because they feel that he is not prepared to be baptized. This week we were able to teach Eric two lessons and we were blessed with ideas for creative approaches so as to keep his attention. We taught him about the gospel of Jesus Christ using pieces of paper on the floor. First we laid down "earth" and far from it the "celestial kingdom" and asked Eric to stand on "earth" and jump to the "celestial kingdom" with one leap. (Of course we set them impossibly far apart, so he had no chance.") Then we taught how it is only through Christ that we have any hope of returning to live with our Heavenly Father. We talked about how he taught us the steps that we can take throughout our lives that will make it possible for us to return, starting with faith in Jesus Christ and then on to repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. We taught each principle, one by one, allowing him to take a step or a small jump to each next part until he could finally return to our heavenly home. The next time we taught after we had dinner with the Santiagos and another family in the ward (the Romneys) and we taught about keeping the Sabbath day holy using ice cream "Sundays." Through both lessons Mario stayed and listened, though he kept a distance. We were blessed with the Spirit and the creative approaches proved effective.

Another miracle was that Melissa, Madonna Smith's 15 year old sister, told us that she wants to come to church with Madonna and to take the lessons! (Madonna is 17 yrs. old and was baptized about 1 ½ yrs. ago as the only member of the Church in her family.) I was shocked because we had talked to her about it previously and she was not interested. This week we were able to teach Melissa with Madonna and although there were some distractions in their home during the lesson, by the end the peaceful, calming feelings of the Spirit settled in our hearts. We were really excited to learn later in the week (via a text from her) that she has been reading the Book of Mormon, praying, and answering the questions that we left for her in the Restoration pamphlet. Sadly, she did not come to church this week but Madonna came again, so that was awesome.

Due to his unpredictable work schedule we have been unable to teach Josh this week, despite many attempts. Then, on Thursday his friend and elderly neighbor, Bro. Corders (who is a less active member of the Church) passed away after a long struggle with cancer. We were able to visit Sis. Corders and have a wonderful visit with her. We were also able to help her visiting teacher and the Relief Society president at the family luncheon after the funeral. I am excited to get to know Sis. Corders better—she is very much a southern woman and is hilarious. She asked Josh to be one of the pallbearers at the funeral. At the luncheon she told us, "I want to start back being active in church again and my friend Josh said he'll take me." That brought great joy to our hearts! I think that Josh has probably been saddened by the loss of Bro. Corders and that may be one reason that he has not been answering our calls. He also did not come to church this week.

We were shocked that Rockey (our Jamaican friend) not only came to church again but also brought his 15 yr. old nephew, Romario. Bro. Mitchell (a less active member) brought them again. We had not been able to teach him just because the times that we stopped by he was not home, but we left him a note, inviting him to church and he came.

Last week Bro. Giddings asked me if I would speak in church this week and assigned the talk "Temple Worship: A source of power and strength in times of need" by Elder Scott in April of this year. The powerful ideas of his talk sunk more deeply into my heart as I read, reread and studied it throughout this week. I spoke about the power we are given through covenants. I talked about the incredible peace that I have felt, despite my father's unexpected death, because of the covenants that my parents have made in the temple. I also used my mom's "trial of her faith" as an example of how staying true to covenants, despite deep doubts or unanswered questions, blesses us and our families eternally. The Spirit guided my words.

I love mission life.

Love,
Sister Mitchell

P.S. Mama and Jenni Mae--thank you SO MUCH for the overly thoughtful packages! Everything that you sent is perfect and Jenni, the prophecy is being fulfilled! :) And Megan, I LOVE you and cannot WAIT to see you! *Same for you, Michelle!