Johnson City AND Watauga!

He found the Tin Man!!

(This was his nickname growing up)

Buenos!

We've had a great week here in Johnson City! It's been a little crazy trying to figure out how to run both areas in JC and Watauga, but we're getting it figured out. This week we also went on a lot of exchanges. We had exchanges at the start of the week with the AP's, so it was fun to spend the day in Knoxville. Later in the week we also went on exchanges with the elders from Marion, VA, and it was lots of fun. We are teaching quite a few people in JC's area. One of them is this lady named E, and she is so solid. She is on date to be baptized on June 17th, and we are super excited for her. We were able to start going over the commandments with her this week. We were kinda bummed that she didn't come to church this week (she told us she'd be out of town), but then she told us all about how she went to church in Kentucky, and brought some of her family with her! She is pretty awesome.

On Sunday night we had a general Stake Priesthood meeting, and it was awesome. The talks were all great, especially the stake president's. But the part I was excited about is that we sustained three new people from the Watauga ward to receive the Melchizedek priesthood! The first was C, an 87 year-old recent convert. The second was J, who is also a recent convert, but he just turned 18 and is planning on going on a mission! The third was Bro. U, who I translate for every week during the temple prep class. It was so incredible to see all of them being advanced in the priesthood, and now all of them are elders! It was so cool.

My ponderizer this week comes from Alma 5:57 "And now I say unto you, all you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good shepherd, come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things..." During his talk in Stake Priesthood meeting, the Stake President talked about how we need to avoid the things of the world, especially pornography. Satan will whisper many lies to us about the things of the world. He will skillfully deceive us if we are not careful. We must learn how to live in the world without indulging in its sinful practices. As Alma taught, be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things. I hope y'all have a great week! 

Love,
Elder Mitchell