Transfer Week

This week went by really fast. We had Zone Conference and Transfer calls. My companion is leaving me to go up north to be the Zone Leader. I am getting a new companion who is currently the Zone Leader of another Zone. Our two zones are combining. So its going to be an interesting transfer figuring out this zone merge.

Also Update on Joseph, his mom says he can be baptised, but in a year. He loves church tho, and he even participates in the Young Men's class. He is awesome and I am pretty sure he will serve a mission. He turns 18 in August.

This week we have been trying to make sure the new missionaries know all of our investigators that are in different wards now because of the boundary changes. But we did find someone I have been looking for since I left Coffs Harbour. One of the members has a friend who lives in my area and they told me to go so I can take the little boy to church. It was cool to find them. I slowly realised that they were the people I had been referred to (because we were just doing door knocking.) We got "lucky" that we found out who they were.

Thats all from the week. Love you heaps!

Rainy Week

Hey everyone. This week was pretty good. It rained a lot. We have mostly been trying to work with the people that we are working with already and that is taking most of our time (dont worry we still have time to do door knocking though) Joseph is still on date for the 7th of April. The Member we have fellow shipping him goes to school with him. She told us that while they were in the computer lab he heard him teaching his friend about the Plan of Salvation. That was the week after we taught it to him. Only one problem, his mom is opposed to him getting baptized. So our goal for this week is to get her to sign the permission form!

Other than that we dont really have much. The ward boundaries changed so the other two of our investigators who were going to get baptized are in a different ward with different missionaries now. So that was a bit sad, but its all good. Now my companion and I are working on making sure everyone knows where their new areas are and who they are supposed to be working with. Big job. Its pretty fun tho. 

But I had a lot of fun in the rain. I have a great Companion. He is a really good missionary. It is fun to work with him. We have taught the restoration together more than I have before in my whole mission put together. Its really good.

Love you heaps. Hope you have a great week

Elder Mitchell's Week

This week was pretty good, at least it ended really good. We met last week at the Book of Mormon Pop up stand a kid named Joseph. We got his phone number and told him we would schedule a time when we could meet up. So we texted him and set up a time for him to come to the church. He came and we taught him about Joseph Smith and the Restoration and he was soaking it all it. He seems really excited to learn more. It was a good lesson.

We also went to a christening of a New baby in an African Community church. It was really fun! they sing and dance and shout hallelujah. The parents told us we were there special guests. (it was at their house) (also they are our new investigators). So that was cool. Elder Moneiro and I are learning to teach together really well. Its fun working with him. 

The rest of the week was filled with finding and tradeoffs. I went on Tradeoffs with Elder Sibbett and it was really fun! its cool to see how both of us have become better missionaries over the past few months. Hes is really good. I also went on Tradeoffs with An Elder Usua from Vanuatu. He is a convert like my companion and came on his mission after 1 year of being a member. He talks to EVERYONE we see. It was really fun to work with him as well. This week we have a combined mission conference with the south mission. So I will get to see Juni Paongo. I am excited to see him! We will hear from Elder Clayton, the senior pres of the seventy. I am excited to meet him. There are going to be around 300 missionaries there so I don't know if Ill get to shake his hand, but I hope so. 

Thats all from the week. Love you heaps and hope you have a good week too.

Book of Mormon Pop Up

This week was really good. We found 5 new investigators! One of them is named Dee and she is from California. We met her on the street as we were on the way to see somebody from Brazil! So we told her what we were doing and she said she was just wasting time anyways so we offered to walk her home and tell her about the Restoration. She accepted and we did that. She understood it really well and promised to read in the Book of Mormon, 3 Ne 11. Well we went back on Thursday and she hadn't read it. So we read it with her and she really liked it! So we committed her to read from the beginning. That night we got a text from a random number asking us if they could highlight things in the book we gave them. We had no idea who it was so we called. It was Dee! she was reading the Book of Mormon and wanted to highlight stuff because it was so good! So we have to follow up with her sometime this week!

Also this week we had the Book of Mormon Pop up stand. Its just a big rectangle advertisement for the Book of Mormon. We set it up somewhere and then try to talk to everyone that walks past. Its pretty fun! We had a lot of people interested to learn more about the Book of Mormon from that. But they were all from outside of our area. It was fun tho! 

Thats all I can think of for this week! Love you hope you have a good week!

Elder Mitchell

The Week goes a little something like this:

Sorry not much time this week.

Just a quick update: We met with Kris this week and taught him the Restoration. He thought it all made sense and when we asked him to be baptized, he said, "well that would be the next step wouldn't it" He seems like he has been prepared to recieve the gospel. Hopefully He can continue to progress. 

My comp is pretty cool. We are very different from each other, but it is really fun to work with him. I hope you have a good week. Sorry for the short one, love you heaps!

 

 

Malo Soifua

Malo soifua family! (thats samoan)

This week was really good. I just want to tell you about one thing. We had a District Challenge this week where we had to talk to people and count how many Tracts we give out, and how many return appointments we get, and how many songs we sing to people (scary I know, I actually sang to people. Don't worry, nobody's ears started bleeding)

So while we were doing this we had a few miracles happen.

#1 We met a man named Chris who is from Pennsylvania. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and he was pretty excited about it. We are going to teach him the restoration on Thursday. The Miracle is that he is from America haha, but he is the nicest guy. 

#2 We knocked on a door and the guy came out to Bible Bash. He has heaps of questions perfectly phrased to throw us off. Lucky for us I had met a man a few days before who roasted me for not carrying the Holy Bible, only the Book of Mormon. He asked me why I was ashamed to carry the Bible. Anyways after talking to that man I decided I would take my bible with me every where I go (its with me now just in case you wanted to ask) So when this guy came out to bible bash I just opened my bible and invited him to show me what he was talking about. anyways his heart was softened and we answered a few of his questions with scriptures from the bible. Long story short (and it was a very long story, this guy had heaps of questions) we set up a return appointment for Thursday because he wants to do some studies on his own. Hopefully his heart stays soft and we can teach him why we needed a restoration. 

#3 We met Mike. He is a less active who we didn't know lived there (it was funny we started to teach him the plan of salvation when he opened the door and he stopped us by saying "I know.... I am a Member. Do you guys wanna come in?" So we found out that Heavenly Father had sent us to him. His Daughter just was admitted to the hospital the night before. we talked about Heavenly Father reaching out to him and he told us that is seems like every time a big trial comes up in his life, he receives a mysterious visit from the Missionaries. Anyways we committed him to read the Book of Mormon everyday so that he can have the power that the Book of Mormon brings in his life, and then he committed himself to come to church. 

in all we found 5 new investigators during the 4 hours the challenge took place. It was a great day. Oh, about singing to people... Elder Tusa taught me to sing I am a Child of God in Samoan, so that is what we sing when people say we can. This lady opens the door and immediately says shes not interested. Elder Tusa asks if there is anything we can do for her and she says no. The he says "are you sure you dont want us to sing for you" to which she replied that we can sing for her. So we sang it and then she asked for the translation. We sang it again (in english this time) and she said it was a beautiful song and asked us to write the words down for her. So even tho we didn't get to teach her anything, we still got to share the gospel with her in some small way. It was really awesome. 

Thats all for this week. Love you heaps hope this week is the best one yet. Alofa ia oe

Elder Mitchell

Photos

Last Week's Letter

OK OK OK OK SORRY I WROTE THIS LAST WEEK I PROMISE, BUT I FORGOT TO SEND IT. SO HERE IS LAST WEEKS EMAIL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Heyo this week was good

We gave our Zone a challenge for 2 days. They had to count all of the 1) Lessons they had with investigators 2)Pamphlets they gave away 3)Baptismal dates they set 4)Chapel tours they gave 5)Proselyting hours. They got points for each of these things. we counted up all of the points and we are going to give a reward to the ones with the most points. They were so awesome! the missionaries exceeded my expectations by heaps! Most of them proselyted for more than 10 hours for both days! (President asks us to pros 8 hours a day) So that was a miracle from the week.

We don't have much in our teaching pool, so we spend most of our time finding people to teach. We found Rachel this week. Her little sister, Ashley, got the cops called on her, and before they came Ashley walked up to us and asked if we were christian. She told us to visit her mum. (they were fighting and she was trying to use us against her mum hahaha) anyways we knocked on the door a few days later and Rachel answered the door. After telling her all about our rules and why we are here we invited her to listen to our message. She seemed excited to hear it but couldn't that day. So hopefully we can meet up with her soon (she is the most solid potential investigator we have so that why I mention her) 

We work with heaps of Less Actives. There is about twice as many LA as Active members in our stake. So heaps of work to be done. A lot of them are part member families as well so a lot of Baptising to do as well. 

Also I went on Trade-off with Elder Shortland from New Zealand. Long story short I got him bitten by a German Shepard. It was my fault. He is really proud of his battle wounds tho so its ok. the dog bit him 3 times on his ankle, bum, and stomach. 

So this next week we have trade-offs with the Assistants and with another District leader. I get to go to my old area Bungarribee! Brother T already has planned to have dinner with us and I am so excited to see all of the ward again! This week is probably going to go by super fast. Love you heaps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Week of Trade-offs

So there weren't actually that many trade-offs this week, but there were 2, which is more than I have ever done in one week before. I went to the city to do trade-offs with the Assistants. I was with Elder Thornton from Adelaide, and Elder Tusa was with Elder Sibbett. The assistants area is one street. The street is only about 400 metres long. One one side there is a huge shopping centre and on the other is Macquarie University. What they do all day long is walk around in circles on that street and talk to everyone they pass. The find about 40 new investigators every week. It was pretty crazy. So what we did was walk down the road, and when someone passed us we would turn around and walk with them and talk to them until we ran out of road (they were pretty quick conversations) and the goal is to get a return appointment or some contact info before the edge of the area. So that was pretty fun and we talked to so many people.

That was on Thursday, then on Friday I was on trade-offs with Elder Niesner from Canada. He is in my old area so it was fun to see some of the people I used to know. We were able to show him where a lot of the old investigators live (because someone threw everything out of the area book) I learned a lot from Elder Niesner. We also got to teach an investigator that I had met when I was in the  ward. He was not interested then (his wife and kids are all members tho) but now he is going through some hard times and he has a lot of Faith. He loves listening to the lessons. He is going to be baptised soon. Not sure when.

Other than that not much happened this week. Not that I can remember anyways. This week flew by I feel like I was just emailing yous yesterday. I hope you all have a great week love you heaps:)

Fifth Area: Hebersham

Okay, so this week was packed with Good stuff. I only have 5 minutes to write though so I will give you the watered down version and then send the details in a letter.

Elder Tusa is my new companion. He is from Lufi Lufi Samoa. He is 23 and he is so funny. He is the best missionary too. We have done so much work and He always teaches with the spirit. I hope that I can learn a lot from him in the next 5 weeks because he goes home then. This will be my first time sending some one home. (we are going to have a funeral for him)

Just two things from the week. 

1. We were on our way to a less actives house and we decided our time would be spent more wisely if we knocked doors on the way there. So we decided to knock every door with a blue car out front. The first door resulted in a nice lady telling us to come back and teach her how to have a stonger family. The next door was a family of Former investigators that apparently had been forgotten about. They were so excited to see us! So both of them were busy at the time (and both families either dont have, or hardly ever have, a man around the house, so we made a return appointment for the sisters in our ward to visit them. 

2. we felt like we should visit a less active named Dorothea. So we went and when we got there she opened the door (after like 10 minutes) and immediately Exclaimed "God does answer prayers." She then told us that she is trying to introduce her family to the gospel. Then she stopped and asked where I was from. I told her America and she said where in America. I said Close to Las Vegas and she said "you are the answer to my prayers" Her Daughter lives in Vegas and she wants missionaries to visit them and bring them to church. (she is a recent convert by the way) She came to church on sunday because she wants to be a good example and show her family that the church is good. 

Okay, That's all the time I have. Hope you all have a great week. Love you heaps!

Elder Mitchell

December 17, 2017

Hello all!

So Last week we went to a Pentecostal Church with our investigator, DJ. It was like a rock concert. I really liked it, singing songs about the Savior (even if some of the doctrines weren't completely true). I have 2 things that I learned from that  experience to share with you. First, When we first got there everyone was so nice and greeted us and said they were happy to have us there. (that could be a third thing I learned, the importance of fellow shipping new people). When we sat down and they started to pray my first thought was "wow this is really weird," and then I just felt really strongly that Heavenly Father loves these people, and they were just doing their best to get to know Him and the Saviour. We are so lucky to have the Truth about God and Jesus Christ, and Their gospel. Without it, Finding a true and beneficial relationship with Him is impossible. Joseph Smith taught that in order for any rational and intelligent being to exercise Faith in God unto life and salvation he must have three things: First, the idea that God actually exists; Second, A correct idea of His Attributes, Character, and Perfection; and third, An actual knowledge that he is living his life in accordance with God's will. (see lectures on faith, Lecture Third) Now, in saying this I do not take away from those Pentecostal Peoples' faith, rather I emphasize the blessing that we as Latter Day Saints have, "A correct Idea of His attributes Character and Perfection," and thus making our faith productive and fruitful.

The second thing I learned was the importance of the Sacrament. We didn't partake of the sacrament, or anything like it at this meeting, and although I felt good afterwards, I also felt like I had accomplished nothing. Every week when I partake of the Sacrament I make covenants with God. That is why we have church every week. There is a purpose and we accomplish something. Every single week. I really feel that recognizing the importance and purpose of the Sacrament in our daily and weekly lives is key in continued activity in the church. It is so important for me to teach my investigators about the Sacrament for them to understand repentance, and for them to continue actively in the church.

We had interviews on Saturday and President told me I am most likely getting Transferred, unless the spirit tells him otherwise between now and Transfers. I also had to give the training for 2 districts during interviews. It was fun! I was the only missionary of 12 that has been on a mission longer than 4 months! 

We were tracting this week when we met Janice and Darcy. They let us in to teach them about the restoration and afterward Janice told us that she has been looking for a church to join ever since she became a Christian (we were so excited we forgot to ask how long she has been a Christian...sorry). Anyways we gave her a book of Mormon, and she asked if there were a way for her to listen too it (the print is too small for her) and after finding out they don't have any technology at all I remembered I had found the Book of Mormon on CD and felt I should keep it. Well I found out what I needed to keep it for! She was happy that she could listen to a book that doesn't have swearing in it and that is uplifting. They asked us if they could come to church and it was all set up. Then we got a call from Darcy on Saturday night telling us his wife was in Hospital with a blood clot in her stomach and he asked if we could visit her sometime this week. I really hope everything goes well with her!

Last thing I have is this: On Sunday we were expecting at least 3 investigators to come to church. No one showed up (which means we have to cancel at least on baptism) and we were pretty sad. But then one of the members told us there was a new person outside. We went out and met Ashley, who had met missionaries in another city and has just moved to Coff's harbour and "wants to improve himself" He really wants to change and wants us to teach him how the Atonement of Jesus Christ can help him do that. I don't know what we did that made Heavenly Father want to bless us so much, but I know that this is definitely His work. None of these good things happened because of anything Elder Rex or I did. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only church on earth with all of the Authority and Covenants and Ordinances necessary to receive all that the Father hath. I am so blessed to be both a member of that church and a missionary for The Lord. I love you Heaps! I hope you have the best week ever. Happy Christmas Harry

Love Elder Mitchell

What A Crazy Week!

Ok to be honest it wasn't all that crazy, but I do have 2 funny/crazy experiences to share.

#1 So Elder Rex and I have been going to the Shopping Centre here in Coff's to do our finding. We stand between the main entrance and the car park and try to stop people to talk to them about who we are and what we are doing. Well this week we had been talking to a lot of people (its school holidays and Everyone is at the shopping centre for activities) Long story short, this massive security guard came and told us we had to leave because we aren't allowed to preach here. We were just talking to people, but we didn't want to cause any problems so we left. I felt kinda like Alma and Amulek, except I didn't get thrown in prison, only kicked off the property. Maybe well get thrown in prison next week who knows. (knock on wood)

#2 This one also has to do with the same parking garage. Elder Rex and I parked in it and went to our dinner appointment, not realizing that the upper levels closed at 8. Well we got back to the car after 8 and all of the exits and entrances were chained closed. I was at a loss, I didn't know what to do. So we drove around the parking garage for probably 10 minutes hoping that one way would be open, but to no avail. We were trapped and it was getting close to curfew. We decided that we might be able to drive the car UNDER one of the chains if Elder Rex held it up. So we picked one and he got out and lifted it. I went really slow hoping I wouldn't hear E Rex say it was too short. Well the chain dragged on the roof a bit but we made it. It was such a relief. Elder Rex and I were doing high fives all the way home. We thought that was the funniest thing. WHO GETS STUCK IN A PARKING GARAGE. 

I found this yesterday in a box one of the members gave us of missionary stuff. Hope you like it. 

 I had been taking Bible-Fu for quite a few years, since I was eight years old being trained in the School of Sunday & Seminary. Having had many good instructors and coaches, knowing some great moves and stances, my coach decided it was time for my title match. This was not a national, state, city , or even block title. It was something far more important to me and to those who knew me, for if I won this, I would be able to practice in the Celestial Dojo with the best master ever.

As I walked in to the locker room, I saw my opponent putting on his murky black karate uniform. His name was Lucifer D. Satan. He'd been around for a very long time. He was small quick, deceptively powerful, and an unbelievably chatty fighter. From the moment I walked in, he began taunting me trying to make me attack him in the locker room and get disqualified before the match even began. I kept my cool and said "I do my talking in the ring." "I do my talking in the ring," he mimicked. 

As they led us into the ring, I could see a small crowd in the top ten rows of the five hundred row stadium and could tell it was going to be a very rough crowd. As the referee went over the ground rules, some of the crowd jumped in the ring, knocked the referee out and dragged him away. As I watched helplessly, the bell rang and the devil landed a vicious blow to the head, full of hate and malice. While I lay on the ground, he swung at me with evil music left and right. This took a little out of me, but in an unprecedented move, I stood up and bore my testimony, but he slashed through with a brunette in a mini-skirt. I stumbled back and leaned heavily against the ropes, but I acted more dazed than I was and as he came in I spun and nailed him with a church hymn. He struck blindly with a fast car, but I blocked him with our dying Ford and countered him with the power of prayer. He tried hopelessly to hit with evil urges, but I side stepped with a family that cared for me greatly and gave an uppercut with the power of the Priesthood. 

He was bleeding from several places now, but as I attacked with a solid testimony of the Word of God, suddenly he side stepped and grabbed me with a boring speaker in a sleeper hold. I slid out with a good spiritual Fast and Testimony Meeting, but I was noticeably hurt. He tried to drop me with a fishing trip on Sunday, but that was his mistake, I don't fish. I began to pepper him with a few quick trips to the temple interposed with baptisms for the dead. He was on the run now, as I threw a few scriptures from The Book of Mormon. In my best to finish him off, I ran right into a sports on Sunday. I swung with a friend taping the Super Bowl for me, but I was noticeably stung and bleeding in a few places. He struck back again and again with drugs and pornography and anything he could get his hands on, but his arsenal was shrinking quickly. 

We stood back for a second. Blood was dripping from both of us. All of a sudden my inner strength swelled, and I hit him viciously with a mission call. I swiped the signature of Thomas S. Monson across his forehead and knocked him out by serving a successful and honorable mission. I knew that was not all. True enough, I had won this match, but I knew there would always be a rematch and he would be back again, only more powerful next time.

Training Again in Coffs Harbor

 Sept. 24, 2017:  These two are becoming fast and solid friends!  So happy for this!

Sept: 17, 2017:  Hey all:) Sorry Its been a while! (To be honest I just don't like writing emails, but I will repent for that...soon;)

Just have a quick story from this week. Elder Rex and I found a girl named Hannah and we went to her house to teach her. we taught her the restoration and she is super excited to come to church. I was a pretty good lesson, but I think we could have said anything and she would have been excited to learn more. Well at the end of the lesson we said good bye and she goes in for a hug and says "can I give you a hug?" Without even thinking I told her we weren't allowed and grabbed her hand out of the air and shook it. "we can shake your hand tho" I said. Then I realized how embarrassing for her that would have been cuz she turned red and ran inside without saying anything. I feel really bad haha but rules are rules. She is super excited to learn about the Gospel tho, and we are excited to teach her!

This next week is Surf Fest and we are expecting 200+ at Church. it should be fun, considering that we were pretty excited that 21 showed up last week. 

Other than that Elder Rex and I have been doing a lot of Tracting this week. We have been finding a few people a day and we are getting excited about that. Thanks for all the prayers, they are definitely  felt:) Love you all!

Elder Mitchell

Elder Mitchell is training again; this time in Coffs Harbor.  His new trainee is Elder Logan Rex from Coalville, Utah.  He's actually a nephew of Elder Mitchell's middle school math teacher, Mrs. Sheila Rex.  What a small world!  Kai loves him already!  They get along wonderfully!  

Elder Mitchell picked up Elder Rex at the Mission Home.

Elder Mitchell in the back left rear.

Elder Rex in the very front.  Somehow I knew he would be Elder Mitchell's trainee. 

New companions getting to know one another.  Rex and Mitchell are in the very back left.

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: