Fourth Area: Coffs Harbor

Sept. 3, 2017:  It's been a good week in Coff's Harbour. its the end of transfers and I found out I will be training a new missionary. The members here are pretty excited for that. One member said they are going to have us over to have green food! So I'll know more next week, and I can send a picture of what he looks like.

I Finished reading Jesus the Christ this week. It took me so long! (and I only understood half of it) but I learned a lot. One thing I learned was about Peter. He was really willing and ready in his heart, but his flesh was weak (see Matt 26:41) As we know, Peter told Jesus that even if he had to die with Jesus, he wouldn't deny him (Matt 26:35), yet he denied knowing him 3 times (Matt 26:69-75). Later in the New Testament, We read of Peter Boldly testifying of the risen Lord in many places, including in front of the chief priests and rulers of the Jews (who conspired to kill him even as they had Jesus) (Acts 4) What was it that changed Peter from a willing but weak man to a Bold and Fearless Witness of the Savior? It was his Testimony of The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It didn't matter to him anymore what happened to his body, because he knew that The Lord had Broken the bands of Death, for Himself and for us all. Peter knew that the end didn't come at death, but an even better life to come if he would but keep the faith. So it must be with us. If we can have a firm testimony of The Resurrection of the Savior, We too can be Bold and Fearless, and secure for ourselves Happiness in the Fold and Kingdom of the Good Shepherd when He comes again. (see Acts 1:10-11)

I love you! Hope you have a good week, and let me know if you learn anything more about this subject please! I want to learn more about becoming BOLD AND FEARLESS

Love,

Elder Mitchell

August 27, 2017: 
Dear Mom,

I cut my own hair yesterday. It was fun, my companion had to help a bit with the back. It looks OK. I wrote you another letter this week and I sent a picture too. I was wanting to share something I learned this week:

I was riding my bike when my companion rode up behind me and told me that my tire was bent. I looked down and sure enough it was wobbling in a weird way. I told him it would be alright tho and we kept going. we had a long day of riding bikes ahead of us and we had just left the flat. It wasn't too bad at first, but the longer we rode the more I noticed how hard it was to pedal. The tire seemed to be getting more and more bent the longer I rode. But we were already too far from the flat to go get the car. by the time night came it was almost impossible to keep going, and we were still pretty far from the flat and we had an appointment to go to. I was so sore! But I didn't have a choice so we kept riding, and I was putting all of my weight into the pedals just to keep the bike rolling. We made it to the appointment and back home afterwards) and as I lay exhausted on my bed I thought of the spiritually debilitating effects sin can have on us. A little sin can seem like it wont be a big deal, but if we dont get it fixed(repent) it could turn into a bigger problem until one day it stops our progress completely. The bike tract to eternal life is a steep uphill track, difficult for even the best of riders with bikes in perfect working condition. Luckily there are bike repair shops all around us. sometimes we just have a flat tire that we can fix ourselves. We just need to go to the shop and use their Air Pump (think Sacrament) and Sometimes Our tires are all bent out of shape, like mine was, and we need an experienced bike mechanic to help us (think Bishop). Sometimes we foolishly think that problem "will be alright," as I did. We ride up the hill trying to make it LOOK like nothing is wrong, but inside it is beating us down. We know something is wrong, but we can't admit it, thinking that stopping to go to the repair shop will cost us our position in the "race" The fact is that we are not in a "race" to the top, but should be hoping to see the great view that awaits us at the top. The view will be the same for all who reach the top, the first and the last will both be equally impressed at the beauty of the landscape. BUT YOU CAN"T GET TO THE TOP WITH A BROKEN BIKE. 

I really enjoy the work here. The views from the headlands are really nice too. We found another family this week. We now have 2 young families investigating (Amber and Jason dropped us tho, or we'd have 3) But they haven't came to church yet. I hope you have a good week mom, I love you. Please share my parable with the family (please edit it and make it more presentable, you can add anything you like, make it sound good!)

Love you Momma, I miss you all the time.

Kai

August 24, 2017:  A Facebook Message from Sister Lorraine Johnson: 

August 16, 2017:  A photo from Sister Lorraine Johnson:

Elder Mitchell was transferred to Coffs Harbor.  It is rumored to be one of the most beautiful places in the mission and a favorite spot of President Checketts.  Elder Mitchell is very excited to be serving with Elder Jang from South Korea.  They both just want to work hard and be obedient.

The branch at Coffs Harbor. 

Third Area: Doonside

Elder Mitchell served with Elder Alonzo in the area of Doonside.  The ward is the Bungarribee Ward.  Bishop Parsons shared several photos with us.  Elder Mitchell did not write much during this time.  I will share what I know.

Apparently on splits here.

From Bishop Parsons:  Hi Sister Mitchell. I am the Bishop of Bungarribee Ward where your son is currently serving. He is an outstanding missionary and we currently have eight baptisms projected over the coming months. Thought you may appreciate this photo which I took last evening.

From Wefa (Sister T):  G'Day Kelli, Thank you for accepting my friend request.  My name is Wefa & your beautiful son Elder Mitchell is in our ward (Bungarribbee).  My husband & I took our 4 missionaries out to dinner tonight (late Easter celebration) and I promised him I'd send you some photos.

The Amazing thing is he was at Provo MTC same time as our son who is currently serving in South Korea.  Also whilst at the MTC our son found out that your son was going to serve here in Sydney, Australia & gave him a list of helpful family names if he were ever to come out this way.  I had goosebumps because he still had the note with him!  And I recognised my son's writing!  I was just so Happy because there was a connection already.  I can't wait to email our missionary next week & tell him about it!  There's a photo of the note below: 

May 7, 2017: I have a new companion!

Hi everybody. Sorry I don't write emails anymore, but my mom is making a blog of my mission. Just an update:

I am still in Hebersham Stake in the Bungarribee ward. I am still gaining weight! I have a new companion, Elder Spooner. He is from Hastings New Zealand. He is a really good missionary and he wants to work super hard! We are going to see some awesome miracles while we are together. We have a couple people we are trying to help prepare for baptism, but nothing is set in stone yet. They really like what they are learning from us tho, So I am excited for them.

If anyone is struggling with anything, I just want to give you my witness that the Book of Mormon and The Gospel of Jesus Christ will help you with anything... ANYTHING... you are going through. if you don't know what to do for work, turn to the scripture and to your Father in Heaven. You WILL get an answer. I know he hears and answers prayers. I love you all, Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Mitchell

Elder Mitchell with his new trainee, Elder Spooner. 

June 4th, 2017: 

This week has been pretty good. Evander came to church with his dad and little brother, and Arden(La) and Derek(investifator) came as well. There was I think 6 people at church that we have been working with I went on trade offs this week with my district leader, ELder Gualco. That was on Friday. we had dinner appointments on Monday, Thursday and Friday. On Thursday we had lebaneese food which was really good! We did a lot of tracting, Elder spooner likes it. I don't as much but its still ok, as long as we are doing something. WOrking with the members is a lot more effective though.  Have the missionaries over to your house more, They can really help you learn how to be better missionaries. That's our goal in our ward right now. we want to get the whole ward talking to their friends about the gosopel so we can tach their friends. I think that the biggest hold up members have is that they just don't know how. so our plan is to teach members how to be missionaries!

My companion really likes basketball, so this week for finding on Saturday, we went to a basketball court and asked people if we could play with them. Everyone we asked said yes!! everyone!!!!!! I think they thought we were pretty weird for playing in our white shirts and ties and pants. It was really fun( and really hot!) We met this really friendly guy named cris and we ended up playing 2 on 2 with another guy that was there teaching his son how to play basketball! I was on Cris's team and My companion was on the other guys team. I forgot his name. We got to talk a little bit about what we do as missionaries, and they said they would be back at the court nxt Saturday. It was a good way to let the community see us doing something good. And It was fun!

We also met this older Fella named Wally this week while tracting. He was very willing to talk with us. He told us about how he hates religion because it is just a social club and they never answer his questions. He told us some of his Questions. Every single question he had is answered perfectly by the Plan of Salvation. My companion and I both felt the spirit urging us to not leave his door step until we had set up an appointment with him. I can testify that we have the answers to some of life's greatest questions, because we have the Plan of Salvation and also because we have the Book of Mormon. As I was writing this email Wally called to confirm our appointment! We are meeting him tomorrow. Ill let yous know how it goes!!! I love you all!! I challenge you to find an opportunity to share the plan of salvation with someone! email me how it goes!!! Have a great week!!

love,

Elder Mitchell

June 25th, 2017:

This week was super fast, we taught wally the restoration, we taught Evander about tithing, and we taught Chris about the Plan of Salvation. All of the lessons went well. wally Said "you guys say this in a way that makes it believable" and I said "that's because its true" He is just a really sincere old man and wants to be happy. He just needs to have more faith to try the things we teach him about.

Evander told us after the lesson "I don't feel scared about baptism anymore, I just want to do it" so we set the date for the 22 of July, but Evander said, what about the 8th or the 15th? We told him to pray about which day is best and this week on Tuesday he is going to tell us what the date is!!!!

Chris was supposed to meet with us on Saturday, but when we went to his house he wasn't home, but he texted us later in the day and said "sorry I missed you today, see you at church tomorrow" the next day about 15 minutes before church started he texted us saying "I'm still in bed so I cant make it to church today." I wanted to say "well, get out of bed and come to church," but what I actually said was "its ok if you are late, we are saving you a seat." he said ok and came to church. it was kind of funny. but he said he really liked church and the people he met, so he will be back next week. We taught him the plan of salvation after sacrament by the way. he said it all makes sense even though he had never heard that before.

after church we had a musical fireside which Arden and Derek came to!!! Derek is going to New Zealand for 2 weeks tho so he'll miss out on church.

We also have been inviting an old Tongan guy we met a couple weeks ago to church, he doesn't speak the best English (good thing I speak Tongan.....or not dang it) so its kind of hard. well we found out yesterday that he has been coming to church, just not to our church. so we are going to try to straighten that out this week. But at least he is going to church when we invite him!!!

I hope you all have the best week ever! If you are not having a good week, then read your scriptures and pray a little more, and ask Heavenly Father to help you see what you are supposed to learn from your experience! I promise that you will be able to overcome anything and everything if you more fully put your trust in the Lord and His Gospel. Love you heaps!

Elder Mitchell

July 16th, 2017: