A Marvelous Work and a Wonder

Buenos!!

Well this is it, the last email! I can't believe my mission is at it's end. So crazy. I hope y'all had a good 4th of July. We ended up having four meal appointments haha. We had a ward pancake breakfast in the morning, then had lunch with some non members, and then had two dinners with different members. We got stuffed, but we had a lot of fun. This week we also met our new mission president, President Pickett, at MLC in Knoxville. He is going to be a great mission president, he is already talking about how we can bring the mission to new levels of faith and diligence. I know there are more great things here to come in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission!

My final ponderizer this week is my favorite scripture, Isaiah 29:13-14 "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." I cannot even begin to describe how much these last two years have meant. It has been frustrating, challenging, and it has pushed my patience and faith to new levels. But I have grown so much. I know that God has answered my prayers, and He has placed me where I need to be. I've met people that have made such an impact on my life. I feel more converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I have come to know my Savior so much more. This truly is the work of the Lord, and it is a marvelous work and a wonder. I love Tennessee, and a part of my heart will always stay here in the Bible Belt. Rocky Top will always be home sweet home to me! I love y'all so much, and I will see you on Thursday!!

Love,

Elder Mitchell 

For his last p-day they took a hike

in the hills overlooking Johnson City

With their buddy, the Indian

His last MLC meeting

The last district meeting

Saying goodbye to some members

One final sleeping pic!

The (2nd to) Last Melon

Buenos!

Wow, this week was so good! Things are going great here in Johnson City! Our recent convert E is still doing really good. We were able to have her back in the family history center this week, and she absolutely loves learning more about her ancestors. She is so solid! Also, this week we said goodbye to President Griffin, and President Pickett arrived. It was hard to say goodbye to President Griffin, I have just come to love him so much, and I've learned so much from him. On Thursday, we went down to Knoxville, and I was able to have my departing interview with President. It was pretty emotional, and I definitely cried a lot haha. One of the main things we talked about of course was my change from Nashville to Knoxville. After looking back over my mission, I know that that change was inspired. If I had never come to Knoxville, I wouldn't ever have served in Dalton, or Lenoir City, or Johnson City. I never would've served with the companions that I had, or met any of the incredible people that I've taught. I couldn't imagine my mission without all of that. I know that God has an individual plan of happiness for all of us, and He will put us where we need to be.

Recently we have been working and praying hard to find more families that we can introduce to the gospel, and this week the Lord blessed two families! First this week, we met the H family. We saw the son playing basketball outside, so we asked if we could play with him, which was a ton of fun. As we were playing, the mom came out and started asking us questions, and pretty soon the dad came out and we were able to teach them about the Restoration! They invited us back to come play some more ball with their kids, and to teach them more about the Book of Mormon. The other family was a different H family. They are a Jamaican family, and the mom, C was an old Bible referral that we saw in the areabook. We went by and contacted them and had one of the most solid Restoration lessons with them. C told us that even though she's been Christian her whole life, she's been looking for something more. She said she already believes that Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ, and that if she prayed about it she would get baptized! Plus, her two girls really want to come to church. We are super stoked about both families, and so thankful that the Lord is blessing our area!

My ponderizer this week is Moroni 10:32 "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." The invitation to come unto Christ is an invitation to learn of Him and become as He is. It is an invitation to give up the things of the world, and to love God. When we love God and have desires to serve Him, He will bless us with power (grace) to resist the world and put off the natural man. It is through the grace of God that we are changed to become perfect in Christ. I hope y'all have a great week!

Love,

Elder Mitchell

Departing interview with Pres. Griffin