2/8/16

2/8/16

2-1-16
Our PDay wasn't very eventful. But that's okay! We went to the apartment, cleaned and caught up on some sleep. For dinner, we got to eat at the Tingen's. The husband (Pete) into a member, so we taught him the Restoration. He's so quiet that it's hard to understand what he's thinking. We also, went to go teach a couple that E. Siebers got really close to. He got to say goodbye to them so he was happy about that.

2-2-16
A member took us out to lunch at a Mexican restaurant which was really good! We then went finding for awhile and couldn't find anyone... We came across a couple who was outside and the wife had just gotten out of prison! 😳 they were nice people though! For dinner, a member dropped off some Sonic for us.
After we ate, we went to see Sis. Smother's and her kids. We shared out testimonies of Joseph Smith and decisions to serve a mission. We also got to teach Vanessa which was awesome! We brought a member who was taking it way off subject... Vanessa started to lose interest when that happened, so I said a quick prayer. I was able to bring the lesson back as I really paid attention and listened to the Spirit. We discerned her concerns and then got her to pray at the end of the lesson!

2-3-16
Transfers! Bro. Haney took us to Columbia in this morning. Transfers are done differently now. We all just meet in the chapel, say an opening prayer and then they pair us up and tell us where we are going. E. Siebers went to a small branch in Georgetown. I am now with Elder Rose. He's from Cedar City UT. He is a nice guy and is excited about missionary work. When we got back to Hartsville, it started to rain. We were still able to teach quite a bit of people even though it poured on us.

2-4-16
For E. Rose's first full day, it rained all day. I kept him excited about going out in it so that he doesn't feel discouraged already. We met some more nice people. I feel like a lot of them just felt bad that we were out in the rain. We were able to teach Rosa who is on date and she still wants to get baptized! While we were out tracting, we walked up to a house with a Prius covered in Bernie Sanders bumper stickers. Along with signs covered in the front yard. She answered the door and said that she was "too busy trying to elect Bernie Sanders for President." Haha then she proceeded to compare him to Jesus!..
"Bernie Sanders doesn't judge anyone and supports gays like Jesus would." Haha We taught four lessons today! After dinner, we went to help Sis.
Smother's move stuff out of her house because of the divorce. She was very grateful we helped. Her 16 year old son is less active and I would like to get him going to church again. He's a really nice kid!

2-5-16
I took E. Rose to the ghetto today! He wasn't too excited. We also got a member out to teach with us for a lesson. Frank took us out to lunch to meet the new missionary. Then after dinner, we were heading to our planned area but I got prompts to go and visit Ryan. We haven't seen him or been able to contact him in awhile. It was in the opposite way, but I decided to listen to the prompting. He was there! We taught him and he's going to try and come to church this Sunday if he's feeling better.

2-6-16
We did some service for an old couple by raking leaves for them. We had to leave for a teaching appointment all the way across town. When we got there, he wasn't even home. I was not happy because we rushed over there thinking we were going to be late. We made that special trip up there just for him. We decided to see a couple potential investigators in that area since we were there. We went to one who had a friend over. We taught the friend and were able to put him on date.
E. Rose is struggling with speaking up and knowing what to say. I just told him to rely on the Spirit and be confident! We are just going to have to keep practicing. He's just been feeling bad because I've been doing all the talking. We also met a 90 year old man who served in WWII! He was telling us some stories about it. Haha We we left there, we went to dinner at an Italian place. I recognized a less active member in there. I heard that he doesn't really like missionaries... We went to go pay and they told us that the less active member had already paid for out meal. We thanked him and talked to him for a little bit. It was such a nice thing. Today, I was feeling pretty discouraged so it meant a lot to me. Heavenly Father will send tender mercies our way like that, as long as we are doing what we're supposed to be doing and put our trust in Him.

2-7-16
Juwan came to church! The less active member who paid for our meal yesterday came as well! They both sat next to us. I talked to the LA member and he said that his family doesn't like Mormons. So come to find out that he wants to be active, but his family holds him back.
Pretty sad. The Lillian's had us over for dinner and then we went over to the Harvey's while the Super Bowl was going on. They filled us up with all kinds of snacks. Then, we sat and talked to them for awhile.
They are a young couple and I get along with them so well!

-Elder Mitchell

2/1/16

1-25-16

After we finished our studies and writing our family, an older couple (the Edwards) took us to a chines buffet for lunch! Then, they took us to Walmart so we could get groceries. We cleaned up the apartment and the went to go and teach a young couple with kids. It went well! We also got to see Patti and Dave tonight. We talked about prophets. To end the night, we went over to see the Harvey's. They're a young couple from church. I get along with them really well. Bro. Harvey is a dentist and they're my favorite! He invited us over for the Super Bowl for snacks! I enjoy visiting them. 

1-26-16

We got to do some service for an old couple today. We raked their yard because the lady has been in the hospital. Their grand daughter is a member, so she told us to go and see how they're doing. They had a lot more leaves than I expected. We just showed up and got to work! Th nice thing is that the city will go through neighborhoods and pick up piles of leaves for the people. All you have to do is put the piles by the road! So we just showed up and got to work! The man was so grateful because he said that he's been worrying about that for weeks. 

We had three member present lessons today so that was awesome! We were going to see Juwan, but he canceled due to some family issues. We had a member come out with us tonight who is a senior at Hartsville. He is questioning serving a mission, so we talked to him about how awesome it is! He played football, so we had a little bit in common. He looked up my highlight film and watched it. Haha

We were able to take him to go teach Ryan. They kind of know eachother from school. Just different friend groups! The lesson went really well and he is preparing to be baptized on Feb. 20th!

1-27-16

Today was a lot of tracting. We met some cool people along the way! We also, saw the biggest dog I've seen in my life! His head was up to my shoulders. After dinner, we went over to see Sis. Smothers and her kids. They're going through quite a bit right now, so they always love when we stop by. 

1-28-16

The Florence and Charleston stakes met in Sumter today for a meeting. Elder Nielson from the seventy came with his wife and they spoke! He is such an awesome speaker. We all got to go up and shake his hand and talk to him for a bit. He was surprised when he heard I was from Kansas. Haha

Elder Nielson really focused on the redeeming and enabling power of the Atonement. He also talked about how vital companion unity is. We are all on the same team, so why should we criticize them? He said; "Diversity is needed to teach the diversity of the people in SC."

I started reading a book called "More than a Tattooed Mormon" and I can not put it down. It's so good! I'm already halfway done with it. A member let us borrow it, but it's about a young lady who becomes converted to the gospel. The book isn't mainly about her, but the person reading it. For dinner, we went over to the Thompson's. They're such an awesome family. 

1-29-16

We got to do some service for Patti & Dave after lunch. We helped them rearrange their living room. We moved the TV, so we had to go to the basement and drill another hole for the cable to go through the carpet. I was rubbing my arms against insulation trying to drill the hole and my arms started itching SO bad because of the fiber glass. When I itched them, it felt like I had a million little splinters in my arms. It gets better... A member picked us up to go to Cheraw for a baptismal interview, so I didn't have any time to wash my arms off. By then, the fiber glass was in my sleeves too and it was too late. It was miserable! Then, Bro. Edwards took us out to eat at a Japanese steakhouse, so food kept my mind off of it for awhile. At around 7pm, we got back so I could finally shower! I got dressed again and then went to visit the bishop. He is really working on getting members involved in missionary work- specifically less actives. Elder Nielson refers to part member families as the "goldmine." It's true! They already know a little bit about the church and have automatic fellow shippers. I'm excited to see how involved the ward is going to get. 

1-30-16

Today was a really good day! We got Daniel out with us to teach a lesson and then his mom took us out to eat with them. Soo I have some news... President Turner called me this morning and I'm going to be having a son already. He assigned me to be a trainer this Wednesday for a brand new missionary (my first son). He said that this is what the Lord has called me to do. When he called he asked; "So are you ready for an adventure Elder Mitchell?" I'm pretty nervous because I'm still learning myself, but I had a good trainer. I'm also excited because it shows that the Lord is expecting quite a bit from me right now. It is also good that I get to stay in Hartsville. I'm just going to put my trust in the Lord and I know he will help me!

Tonight, we had an awesome lesson with Ryan again. The Spirit took control over the lesson and we were just the mouthpieces. We taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We asked if he had, has the chance to pray about baptism and if the church is true. He said that he did last night and felt really good about it! He said that it felt like something "pinched his heart," he felt "calm" and "warm!" He is an awesome kid and is steadily progressing. Im going to ask E. Siebers for a blessing so I'm not so nervous about training. The Spirit has been nudging me all day to ask for one. I just asked him and he said he was literally, just thinking about asking me if I needed one. Haha!

PS: reply just to my email instead of E. Siebers email since he will not be my companion anymore!! 

I love you! 

-Elder Mitchell

1/25/16

1-19-16

It was 18° is morning! It didn't warm up very much during the day either. We went ghetto stomping for a little while. I felt this prompting to turn down this one street. It wasn't even in the direction we were supposed to be heading. We came across this young lady sitting outside on her porch. We stopped to talk to her and she's really nice! She let us sit down and teach her. Her name is Tianna and she's awesome. I could tell she felt the Spirit while we were talking to her because she started tearing up. We set a date with her to be baptized! She seemed really excited to go through with it. I told her that we are going to have to come back and teach her a little more before she can. She said, "so when am I gonna see y'all again?"

We went over to Sis. Catoe's for dinner again. She signs up to feed us a lot because she likes having us over! She makes awesome food and I love seeing her funny dog "Chewie."

After dinner, we went to a member's house and shared a message with them. We invited them to hand out a BoM to a friend and then forgot to give one to handout! Haha so we will have to drop it by sometime.

 

1-20-16

We had a live worldwide broadcast for all the missionaries and it was awesome! The theme was, "Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts." Neil L. Anderson, David A. Bednar, L. Whitney Clayton, Dallin H. Oaks and a few other people spoke. Elder Oaks was so bold! He told us to be confident with extending our commitments.

After the broadcast, we got to go eat at a really good Chinese buffet! Then, we went on exchanges and I went to Cheraw. This time, I got to go with E. Webb. He is a really neat guy and I can relate to him a lot. He's from Oregon and played football a little in highschool. He knows I like the Oregon Ducks, so he gave me a Ducks sweatshirt! We stayed up late talking about all kinds of things. Haha which led to us being really tired, but that's okay! We taught a couple people including someone I met last time I was there. We got him to pray and he's going to read the BoM.

 

1-21-16

An 80 year old man (Bro. Moles) picked us up to end exchanges and on our way back, he got pulled over. He's pretty much deaf, so he kept asking the officer to repeat himself. He also, talks really loud in general and even louder when he's nervous. The officer said, "just because you can't hear me, you don't need to yell. I can hear just fine." Then tempers quickly escalated and the cop got mad, left the ticket and drove off. Haha I felt bad, but it was pretty funny. Bro. Moles pulled over into a gas station and really had to go to the bathroom so he went to tell the cop while he was writing the ticket up and the cop thought he was going to run away or something!

When we got back, we saw a friend of Frank's and he showed us a brand new pistol that he won in a raffle. It's a Smith & Wesson .380 compact pistol. It's such a nice gun and he wanted to sell it. He wants to sell it for really cheap too... I wish I could get it so bad! Haha

We visited a couple members and tracked for a bit. We met a couple and taught them!  Then, we went over to the Solomon's. Bro. Solomon was being hilarious. He always cracks me up!

 

1-22-16

Today was freezing! It was hailing and there was ice on the trees and roads. We went out for a bit after lunch, but then decided it wasn't safe because of the roads. SC drivers are crazy! And to them, a little bit of snow is a huge deal. All the schools and stores shut down. Everyone rushes into the grocery stores and stocks up on milk and eggs. Haha so we stopped by Bro. Haney's and helped him install a toilet instead! After he took us home, we made cookies and planned for tomorrow. It's supposed to snow tonight, so we will see if it actually does. It was really cold today because it rained and was also freezing rain.

 

1-23-16

It was so cold to be biking today! It snowed a little this morning. We knocked into a middle aged couple and they were really awesome! The husband was basically, teaching the lesson for us! It was pretty accurate, so the lesson went well. On our way back into town from where we were, we stopped at the church. Some members dropped off dinner for us! Then, we went by Sis. Catoe's and taught her son's girlfriend. We also, saw the Greenburg's (members) and talked to them about prayer. They gave us snacks to take home. All in all, it's been a pretty good day! We were able to set up a couple appointments for tomorrow. Now, I'm listening to Hank Smith speak while I'm trying to thaw out!

 

1-24-16

Church was really good today. A young guy spoke on having a Christ-centered home. He is a convert and joined just about 8 months before he served a mission! He talked about how we are all in orbit and need gravitational pull. The gravitational pull we need is towards the gospel. That's the strongest pull as well. We should also not let any other things pull us away from that. It was a really good talk, but I can't explain it as well!

After church, we went over to have lunch with some members. Then, we stopped by a less active couple. We got the husband to open up a little which was awesome because he wouldn't answer anything we asked him last time.

Towards the end of the night, we decided to stop by a former investigator. We ended up having an awesome lesson with him. We helped him learn how to recognize the Spirit. We shared Alma 32:28 and that seemed to help him. He told us that he felt something last time we met with him and felt it again tonight! He is really searching, so I hope he follows through with the commitments we left with him. We committed him to pray for an answer on baptism, Joseph Smith and the BoM. We also asked him to read from Enos!

 

I love you!

-Elder Mitchell

1/18/16 Pics

1/18/16

1-12-16
Today we had DDM and I was asked to give a training talk on
"Diligence." I related it to football of course! I enjoyed preparing
it and it turned out pretty good. After that, we went on exchanges
with the Cheraw Elders. I went to Cheraw with E. Griffin. We taught
some pretty interesting people. We went to go see a former
investigator of theirs, but she wasn't there. Her brother happened to
be there instead, so we taught him. We set a date for him to be
baptized! Then, we went and taught a less active lady named Sis.
Manning. I saw her a couple times before when I went to Cheraw so she
was happy to see me again. She got a really cute puppy named King, so
I had to hold it. Before we left, she made us take a case of Pepsi and
boxes of Little Debbie snacks. Then, we went to a part member family's
house and taught them. We set a date for the 12 year old daughter to
be baptized! We went to "Hwy 55" for dinner and had some burgers. We
decided to travel to the ghetto and teach a guy named Julie (Hoo-Lee).
A friend of his named "New York" sat in on the lesson as well.
Supposedly, Julie is the gang leader of the Bloods in Cheraw. It was
interesting... But he's a nice guy!

1-13-16
We did a lot of tracting today. We are really using faith as a power
to find some new investigators who have been prepared by Heavenly
Father to teach. We are in the midst of a trial, so that means
something good is going to happen soon! Other than that, we got to
teach a guy named Timmons with Bro. Haney. We taught a good lesson and
I really felt the spirit, but it's hard for people to change... He
texted us after and wants to stick with his church. A lady from the
ward dropped off gift cards to a restaurant/buffet called "Shoney's."
So we had some steaks! After dinner we went back to tracting until we
went over to see the Solomons. Sis. Solomon set up an appointment for
us to teach someone she knows next week! She's awesome.

1-14-16
The trial continues... It rained all day today. It was sprinkling,
then it would pour. We went up to see someone who lives in the ghetto.
His house was just wooden he inside. So it was basically, just the
skeleton of the house. We met in the first room and talked to a guy
about the Restoration. While we were teaching him, people came in and
he got up and went to the next room covered by a piece of plywood.
It's official, we were teaching a drug deal... Haha! His phone would
ring while we were teaching him and they were asking to come by and
pick some "stuff" up. It was pretty awkward! After that lesson, we
quickly left and tracked some other places. Sis. Catoe had us over for
dinner and she made huge hamburgers and fries. We shared a message
with her and her less active son. Her son's girlfriend was there too.
She seemed interested so we talked about the BoM and gave her one to
read!

1-15-16
It was an interesting day... We saw another drug deal happen in front
of us while we were tracting. The police need to just give us badges!
We taught a few lessons today including a guy that said that he
doesn't believe a God that is so loving would send people to a place
called "hell." This was perfect to lead into the Plan of Salvation!

1-16-16
We went to go teach a kid named Jewan. He's a big kid actually. Haha
he played on the Defensive Line for the highschool team. He's a senior
this year. We brought Daniel Thompson with us since he likes going out
teaching with us. We taught Jewan the Gospel of Jesus Christ and
invited him to church tomorrow! I hope he comes because it's going to
be a good session! There is a special broadcast for just the southeast
region tomorrow. I'm excited to see who is speaking! We also, went and
visited with Patti and Dave. It's their anniversary today! Dave always
cracks me up. We went over the Restoration with them and invited them
to pray about what we taught them.

1-17-16
Jewan came to church! I was really happy and he seemed to enjoy it.
-even though half the stuff the speakers in the broadcast said was way
over his head. Elder Ronald A. Rasband and Robert D. Hales spoke! It
was really good. Elder Rasband talked about temples and the importance
of going to them. Robert D. Hales is looking so old... He was in a
wheelchair and it looked like he had to get brain surgery. He had a
long cut across the top of his head. It was really sad to see how old
he has gotten. It's amazing that even how old they are, when he
testifies, you can still feel the spirit strongly. When he would tell
stories, he would stutter and sometimes slur his words, but when he
testified of the things he was talking about... His voice was very
clear and spiritual. We went over to see Bro. Thompson who's in the
bishopric after church. We shared a message with him and invited him
to do some missionary work with his friends!
For dinner, a family from the ward brought us fresh Wendy's. 😂 I
turned to E. Siebers and said; "I'm not even going to ask." Then, we
went to Sis. Thompson's (the Thompsons are divorced) and shared a
message with her and the kids! They're all so excited and willing to
do missionary work! She took a picture of us and all of her kids.
Tomorrow for P-day, Frank is going to take us shopping and then we are
going to play basketball at the church with some young men from the
ward! They don't have school because of MLK day. They take this
holiday pretty seriously out here! Haha

I love you!

-Elder Mitchell

1/12/16