12/9/15

11-30-15
PDay was so much fun! The Cheraw Elders (E. Curtis and E. Griffin) and
the rest of the district got together and we put a Christmas video
together for Zone Conference. It's going to be pretty funny! It's
about meetings with the president and we do random crazy things that
go against the mission handbook. For example, one of the sisters runs
away because she doesn't want to go home. The Cheraw Elders started a
mission fight club and one pretended to sit on a motorcycle. E.
Siebers suggests that I emigrate to another country and I adopt a
puppy since we can't adopt. Haha

12-1-15
Waking up at 5am to workout was not fun. We went with a member of the
ward to workout with this fitness group called "F3" (Fellowship.
Fitness. Faith.). Everyone gets these ridiculous nicknames when
they're initiated into the group. So of course, I got the nickname of
"todo" since I'm from Kansas. At least I didn't get something like
"Bareback" from Brokeback Mountain like E. Siebers because he likes to
ride horses. Haha it was a pretty tough workout! One of the guys
working out there was the Mayor of Hartsville.
We got to teach a lot of people today. One of them was Howard which is
a guy we have on date for baptism. He is such a nice guy! He lives in
a tiny camper trailer and has to clean his clothes by heating up a
bowl of water in the microwave. My heart goes out to him. He tells us
how much he appreciates and loves us when we visit him. Before we
taught our lesson, the coolest thing happened! The Spirit prompted me
to talk about baptism and the importance of going to church. Most of
what I said did not come from me. It was really neat. When I stopped
talking, my heart just started fluttering because I knew it was the
spirit talking through me. One of the things we recite each day is a
motto from our mission president; "I love tough things, I'm the first
to do tough things, I do tough things first, I'm a finisher. I love
being a missionary." As I say this each day, it is becoming more and
more real and applicable to me. Later that evening, we got to stop and
play some basketball (ghetto ball) with these young black kids. I
didn't get much traction in my church shoes though!

12-2-15
Today was probably the biggest test of faith on my mission so far. It
rained ALL DAY today and there was no escaping it. We got cold and
soaked. We were not having any luck while we were tracting so I just
felt like we were out there for no reason. Finally, things we starting
to look up when we met the sweetest old lady named Miss Dorothy she
invite us right in and had us sit down. She already has a strong faith
in Jesus Christ. She opened up to us about all of the trials that she
has had to face in her life. Her pregnant mom and sister died in a car
wreck that she was also involved in when she was young. She's 83 now,
but her dad had shoved her underneath the dashboard just before the
wreck which saved her life. She said that later on one of her sons
died in a bad motorcycle wreck on Christmas Eve. We had a very
spiritual lesson with her and she kept saying, "I believe it!" We
committed her to baptism. It's funny because she is the sweetest old
lady, but pretty racist. Haha welcome to the south! We also met with a
really cool guy named Nathan again. He's about 16 and he felt the
spirit so strong when we talked to him that he just broke down crying
at a point. He's friends with a kid in our ward. We were all
heartbroken including him when he told us that his mom doesn't want
the BoM in her house and that he can't go to church anymore. We can't
go against what she says, so we are just praying for her heart to be
softened...

12-3-15
It was chilly and my brakes were worn all the way down in the back so
I had to ride an old bike called "Free Spirit." It was a heavy rusty
thing with only a couple working gears. The back tire wobbled so much
that I thought it could fly off any second. It was pretty tough! So we
were riding in an area where everyone had dogs and they were barking
like crazy. A really big dog got loose and started sprinting after us.
Instead of riding away, we felt prompted to just stop dead in our
tracks. So we stopped fast and started it down. I yelled at the dog in
a low voice and it just ran away! That was pretty nerve racking!
We eventually made it to Walmart so I could get brake pads. We made it
back without any lights on the bike I had and fixed "T-Rek" (my bike).
After that we were heading over to a members house to just drop in and
teach them. We got a text asking for us to give them a blessing. It
was that very same member we were heading to anyway, so it worked out!

12-4-15
Today was our ZTM (Zone Training Meeting) and it was really neat! I
got to see E. Cloward from the MTC and I get to see E. Jones and E.
Wille on Tuesday for Zone Conference! I miss those guys. At ZTM we
talked about our goal of 16 baptisms this year. So far someone got
one, so we have a ways to go. We also talked about how we should focus
on asking inspired questions.
In my personal study I was reading in 2 Nephi 33:1-2 and that is about
how we can teach people. I like how it says "unto" the hearts because
it's like we are just laying it all on the table with the spirit and
they have the choice to accept the gospel and live it. That is a
choice that people have to make for their own.
We dropped in on Howard and shared a spiritual thought with him. Then
we invited him to the ward Christmas party tomorrow. I am praying that
he comes.

12-5-15
We got to a little girl's one year old birthday party this morning.
They're a really awesome young couple in our ward that we hangout a
lot with. In fact, we are teach lessons to Hannah Weibel's (the mom)
friend at their house every week or so!
We met a lot of really cool people at the party and hopefully made
good impressions!We got a referral from church headquarters to deliver
a dvd to her, so we were able to teach her an awesome lesson. We gave
her a BoM for her to read and we are going to follow up soon.
Our ward has been preparing for this Christmas party for months and it
was tonight! The primary kids put on a little play and it was actually
really good. They were all dressed up in handmade costumes and sang. A
member from the Florence area catered for it and it was awesome
grilled chicken! Howard was able to come as well! The members were
good at introducing themselves as well. We are praying he comes to
church tomorrow!

12-6-15
Howard came to church! He stayed all three hours and I think he
enjoyed it! He felt a little self conscious because he felt
underdressed with the polo and jeans he had on. He kept saying that
his clothes aren't very clean. We reassured him that he looks great.
Those nerves went away when everyone was really nice to him. He
enjoyed listening to all the testimonies. E. Siebers and I are going
to get him some slacks, a shirt and tie for Christmas. We already have
some nice shoes that will fit him as well!
We went to a member's home and you'll never believe what we got to
eat... CRAB LEGS. They're like one of my all time favorite foods so I
was really excited to be able to break my fast with that as well.

11/16/15

11/16/15

Dad-

First I would like to apologize for not being able to talk as much at the airport. I could hardly get any words out because I was just so happy to talk to you guys. I miss you and mom so much. Another thing is that if you guys are going to send any packages, it has to be "priority mail" otherwise, they hold it until we have transfers again. Idk if you guys have my address but it is, "South Carolina Columbia Miss. 110 Oak Park Dr. STE. B Irmo, SC 29063" I love you so much dad and thank you for your letters of encouragement. 

11-9-15

11-10-15

After a long night of no sleep at all, I am on the plane heading to Georgia and then SC! I'm nervous and don't really know what all to expect, but I have been praying for reassurance. Last night, an Elder in my zone (Elder Leota) from Hawaii was talking about how he was in the Army before he ,eft and got stationed to Africa. He worked as a Minesweeper and would also, disengage warheads. He told me a little bit about his time in Africa. He was hit was shrapnel because a mine went off about 15 ft. away from him. Someone stepped on it and that someone was his cousin. He said this there was basically, no remains of him... His brother was also there and he was a sniper. The civilians would walk out there in the minefield to try and tell them to leave because they thought the field was haunted. His brother would have to snipe them before they stepped on any mines. No on in his family even knows he's on his mission including his girlfriend who is on a mission too. They just think that he is gone for work. He didn't really say why he didn't tell them, but that would be so hard. He's 23 years old and doesn't have any support while he's on his mission. Elder Jones and I were talking to him and he just started tearing up. He told us what made him to decide to go and was a parable of the rich man who refused to give up his riches. He went on to say that he has noticed at the MTC that his story isn't any better or worse than anyone else's. Everybody has their own story that is most important to them. He's such a humble and inspiring guy. 

We had to leave the MTC at 3:30 this morning, so I just stayed up talking to the Elders in my zone. I loved the MTC because of how it was a brotherhood. We all come from different backgrounds, and different parts of the country, but we are all there for the same exact purpose. To invite others to come closer to Christ. 

We eventually, landed safely in SC and our mission Pres. was there to pick us up! Him and his wife are so kind. I love them already. We are staying at the mission home tonight. There was a little orientation and pictures. Then after that, we had an amazing home cooked meal! Tomorrow we are going to the church and getting assigned to our companions and areas. I am very nervous, but I have been praying to get a good trainer for my first companion. Pres. Turner challenged us all to start the BoM over, so I am going to read it front to back. 

11-11-15

Transfer Day! All of the missionaries gathered in the church in Irmo, SC. I have been assigned to "Hartsville" which is a fairly small town. We are just riding bikes and there are a lot of hills! My trainer is Elder Hyrum Siebers. He is such an awesome guy and definantly, an answer to my prayers. He is getting ready to finish up his mission in about March. He doesn't want to go home though. Haha! We are living in a little duplex. After transfers, a couple from the Hartsville ward took us out to eat at a southern restaurant. I can tell that I am going to be fed really well here! Good thing I'm on my bike so I don't fatten up! I really like my bike! It's light and has good tires. We went out tracting the first day and my butt is already sore from the bike! It's gonna take some getting used to. Haha

11-12-15

We woke up bright and early to go running. It was pretty exhausting! Then later, we rode our bikes to the whole other side of our area to teach this guy. We had a lesson planned and rode all the way out there, but he wasn't home... He doesn't have a phone so we couldn't get ahold of him. 

I was able to finally get a Mountain Dew! I hadn't had a one since I left for the MTC. They only had caffeine free pop, so I just settled with root beer there. It was the best Mountain Dew I've ever had! Haha

The weather here has been so nice during the day, but it gets really chilly at night when we are riding our bikes. We probably rode about 25 miles just today. We were tracting pretty much all day and my butt is killing me! I'm very hesitant to put that "deep blue" stuff on there because it's more towards the grown area...

11-13-15

Today has been one of those days where things just don't go the way you quite want them to. We had a member go out with us this morning, but all the people we planned to visit weren't home. It hurt our pride a little. Haha Oh! And people like to honk and flip us off. We just smile and wave! One thing I have noticed about Hartsville is that it's mainly old people and they have their minds set on religion already. It's a pretty tough area! *Challenge accepted* We were eating at a family owned diner and saw on the TV about the terrorist attacks in London. That is so sad... We have kept them in our prayers. I feel like I am so disconnected from the world! But that isn't always a bad thing. 

11-15-15

Today I got to go to sacrament meeting and meet all the awesome people in the ward! There are about 200 people in the ward. We taught a guy last night who was on something and completely out of it. It was interesting to say the least! He was a really nice guy and he opened up to us. He seemed pretty interested in the church. He really needs some direction in his life. His mom was murdered (shot in the head) when he was 13 and he found her. He doesn't know his real dad either. He's had a rough life and my heart goes out to him. There are some really nice neighborhoods and then a couple blocks down, it'll go straight to ghetto. Yesterday we met a couple guys who live in a couple tiny trailers. They were in the same area. We said prayers with both of them before we left. 

We went to a family's house from the ward and they made really good pasta! I shared 2 Nephi 31:19-20 with them before we left. 

11/10/15

 With his mission president, President Judd A. Turner and his wife. They sent these pictures to Mom and Dad when their district arrived.

11/10/15

11/10/15

Kaylee and Roger-
I leave tomorrow morning for SC! I was really glad you emailed me
because I had forgotten your email... Your kids are the cutest! I miss
you all so much. Tell them I love them and I love you too! I can't
wait to get out in the field, but I hope I don't gain a bunch of
weight... Haha!
11-3-15-
Richard J. Maynes from the Seventy came and spoke to us. The topic was
over missionary work and the history of it. He talked about Joseph
Smith was once an investigator as well. The first companionship of the
church was Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Bro. Maynes used the
analogy that we need to overfill our "pool" of investigators. Some
missionaries just fill their pool and only babysit that pool and the
people in it. Another thing he said was that you should have a
companionship that is "on fire." This can only occur when we are
worthy of the spirit and sensitive to the promptings. Lastly, he told
us that our faith should outweigh our fear. That is applicable to
everything! After the devotional, we all went to our classroom and
shared our favorite parts from the devotional with a couple from our
branch presidency. It was so moving. Pres. Ricks said; "Dig your roots
so deep that Satan himself can't dig you out."
So I must admit... I was exposed to some tie-trading, and I came out
very successful! My trades included two ties for only one of mine.

11-4-15-
I heard a moving story during this Elder's testimony. There were these
two friends in the Premortal life. One was really happy because he
gets to go down to Earth and be born into a church with a loving
family. His other friend was sad, so he asked him why. The friend
explained that the family he is going to be born into, aren't members.
So the first friend promised him that he was going to find him on
Earth and teach him the gospel. My friend is somewhere in SC.
We had to teach three "investigators" and they went well except one.
The guy talked the whole time and didn't even let us get a lesson in.
We were pretty discouraged after that. We taught another lesson later
and it was amazing! We got him to commit to baptism and set a date! We
also got him to say the closing prayer and placed a BoM! The spirit
was so strong. Our companionship was "on fire" at the time. I have
been able to grow such a strong bond with Elder Jones and Elder Wille.
We joke around with eachother, but we can also be really spiritual
when it matters. I love them!

11-5-15-
We had an EIGHT HOUR SESSION of class for our "In-Field Orientation."
Our only breaks were for lunch and dinner... It was pretty rough, but
I learned so much! I am honestly, just so ready to go out in the
field. I have been extremely trunky these past couple of days. But it
is worth giving up two years from my family, for other families to be
together for eternity.

11-6-15-
Bro. McGinn (one of my teachers) is a little skinny guy who is only 22
years old! He was in the MTC when Dane was. He is very smart and kind.
Sis. Draney is such a sweetheart. She always says; "I love you and I
like you Elders and Sisters!" Not only have they helped my testimony
grow, but they have been great friends to all of us. Our branch Pres.
Bertasso told us that we need to trust in the Lord and be an
instrument in his hands. This will stick with my throughout my whole
mission.
Moses 7:62

11-7-15-
It was our last day in class with Bro. McGinn and it was pretty sad.
I'm gonna miss him and his lessons. We related a lot. I keep thinking
about how much mom would love to sit in on our classes. I have been
setting goals for myself while I'm in the field. I like D&C 4:5-7
because it talks about all the characteristics a missionary should
have. Elder Jones said that we are always thinking about Heavenly
Father's companionship with us, but what is our companionship with
him? We have to have a lose companionship with Heavenly Father because
we are good enough without him. Have a companionship that is beyond
just friendship. I have started packing for SC. I am excited, but also
very nervous. I am praying for a good first companion to help train
me!

11-8-15-
This Sunday was such an amazing day! We had a devotional preparing us
to leave for the field. I felt bad for some people in there because
they were here at the MTC for six to nine weeks. There was an Elder
that is going to Canada and he had to learn Mandarin AND French. He
was only here for six weeks!
We had another devotional later tonight with all of the missionaries.
A guy named Richard Heaton spoke. He brought his son with down
syndrome and they had matching ties. Haha! He ran around with the
microphone and handed it to random people. Bro. Heaton trains mission
presidents, in charge of the food for the MTC, and a couple other
duties. He served his mission in Japan! He taught us ways to handle
stress and help out your companions. Before that meeting at lunch, we
met an older guy who works at the MTC and he got us seats reserved in
the very front row in the middle! They were the best seats in the
whole place.
Sis. Draney wrote us all personally, really sweet notes! It boosted my
self esteem a lot.

11-9-15-
Today we got to go to the temple and I focused on learning something
new while I was. There and it was so spiritual. I am getting ready to
go and do some laundry now, so I have to go now.
I love you! 💙
     -Elder Mitchell

11/9/15

11-3-15-
Richard J. Maynes from the Seventy came and spoke to us. The topic was
over missionary work and the history of it. He talked about Joseph
Smith was once an investigator as well. The first companionship of the
church was Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Bro. Maynes used the
analogy that we need to overfill our "pool" of investigators. Some
missionaries just fill their pool and only babysit that pool and the
people in it. Another thing he said was that you should have a
companionship that is "on fire." This can only occur when we are
worthy of the spirit and sensitive to the promptings. Lastly, he told
us that our faith should outweigh our fear. That is applicable to
everything! After the devotional, we all went to our classroom and
shared our favorite parts from the devotional with a couple from our
branch presidency. It was so moving. Pres. Ricks said; "Dig your roots
so deep that Satan himself can't dig you out."
So I must admit... I was exposed to some tie-trading, and I came out
very successful! My trades included two ties for only one of mine.

11-4-15-
I heard a moving story during this Elder's testimony. There were these
two friends in the Premortal life. One was really happy because he
gets to go down to Earth and be born into a church with a loving
family. His other friend was sad, so he asked him why. The friend
explained that the family he is going to be born into, aren't members.
So the first friend promised him that he was going to find him on
Earth and teach him the gospel. My friend is somewhere in SC.
We had to teach three "investigators" and they went well except one.
The guy talked the whole time and didn't even let us get a lesson in.
We were pretty discouraged after that. We taught another lesson later
and it was amazing! We got him to commit to baptism and set a date! We
also got him to say the closing prayer and placed a BoM! The spirit
was so strong. Our companionship was "on fire" at the time. I have
been able to grow such a strong bond with Elder Jones and Elder Wille.
We joke around with eachother, but we can also be really spiritual
when it matters. I love them!

11-5-15-
We had an EIGHT HOUR SESSION of class for our "In-Field Orientation."
Our only breaks were for lunch and dinner... It was pretty rough, but
I learned so much! I am honestly, just so ready to go out in the
field. I have been extremely trunky these past couple of days. But it
is worth giving up two years from my family, for other families to be
together for eternity.

11-6-15-
Bro. McGinn (one of my teachers) is a little skinny guy who is only 22
years old! He was in the MTC when Dane was. He is very smart and kind.
Sis. Draney is such a sweetheart. She always says; "I love you and I
like you Elders and Sisters!" Not only have they helped my testimony
grow, but they have been great friends to all of us. Our branch Pres.
Bertasso told us that we need to trust in the Lord and be an
instrument in his hands. This will stick with my throughout my whole
mission.
Moses 7:62

11-7-15-
It was our last day in class with Bro. McGinn and it was pretty sad.
I'm gonna miss him and his lessons. We related a lot. I keep thinking
about how much mom would love to sit in on our classes. I have been
setting goals for myself while I'm in the field. I like D&C 4:5-7
because it talks about all the characteristics a missionary should
have. Elder Jones said that we are always thinking about Heavenly
Father's companionship with us, but what is our companionship with
him? We have to have a lose companionship with Heavenly Father because
we are good enough without him. Have a companionship that is beyond
just friendship. I have started packing for SC. I am excited, but also
very nervous. I am praying for a good first companion to help train
me!

11-8-15-
This Sunday was such an amazing day! We had a devotional preparing us
to leave for the field. I felt bad for some people in there because
they were here at the MTC for six to nine weeks. There was an Elder
that is going to Canada and he had to learn Mandarin AND French. He
was only here for six weeks!
We had another devotional later tonight with all of the missionaries.
A guy named Richard Heaton spoke. He brought his son with down
syndrome and they had matching ties. Haha! He ran around with the
microphone and handed it to random people. Bro. Heaton trains mission
presidents, in charge of the food for the MTC, and a couple other
duties. He served his mission in Japan! He taught us ways to handle
stress and help out your companions. Before that meeting at lunch, we
met an older guy who works at the MTC and he got us seats reserved in
the very front row in the middle! They were the best seats in the
whole place.
Sis. Draney wrote us all personally, really sweet notes! It boosted my
self esteem a lot.

11-9-15-
Today we got to go to the temple and I focused on learning something
new while I was. There and it was so spiritual. I am getting ready to
go and do some laundry now, so I have to go now.
I love you! 💙
     -Elder Mitchell