Sister Mitzi Gates // Week Twenty-Eight // "Weekly Email!!"

Hello family! This was another great week. Every week that goes by I

think I can't learn anymore, but I always do. I am loving Lebanon just

as much as my other areas! For this week some things that happened was

we did service at the fair, and we get to clean like these super old

houses from like the early 1900's. I loved it! There's great history

there. I look some pictures of it. Sometimes I think I was born in the

wrong era! Haha but we also has some great opportunities to tract this

week. We actually had success! We taught a couple other lessons, front

porch, restoration lessons! It was great. We'll try them again this

week and see how that all goes. Pray for them!

We are also working with this part member family. The dad, Charles is

a member. But his wife, Tina and daughter, Miles are not. EVERYBODY

says "I've already been BAPTIZED before, why don't my baptisms count?"

Then we have to explain the priesthood authority. That's the one thing

that is hard for people to get out here. But we're working hard with

them! They love clear out in the sticks, for a faithful member comes

with us each week. It's great!

Also an update on Josh. We didn't have much time this week so we went

over and read Alma 44 with him. That's about Moroni's soldier scalping

Zarahemnahs head. He loved it! Haha he loves war stories so that was

perfect. He is progressing, but slowly. Right now he believes that all

churches are right, there isn't "one true church". That is changing

slowly!

We also had this AMAZING spiritual dinner with this sister in the

ward, Sister Forson. Her husband had died a couple years ago and she

remarried and she is the most grateful person I have ever met. She

just opened up and told us everything! She is so close to the spirit.

She was crying, I was crying. Her husband was at work and she just

vented to us! He other husband who passed away was there with us and

you could totally feel him, I told her that and it was so spiritual.

It's so amazing how we as missionaries can testify and feel the spirit

so close. It's amazing! She bore her testimony yesterday saying how

that spirit carried her for days! These are times when being a

missionary is the greatest thing ever.

Benjji & Ernie my favorite old people. We go visit them once a week

and I love it more than they do. Both their spouses have passed and

they are in a care center. This time we came over they showed us all

their old scrapbooks and books they have written. I could listen to

their stories for hours! Love them.

Also every first Saturday of the month the young women get together

and play volleyball. There was a couple nonmembers there, so that was

great! One actually came to church the next day! Wahoo!

After we went and helped Deb, a recent convert clean her bus. Hahah

that was interesting! Why we wore skirts? I don't know. We got soaked

and we crawled around all over the bus. I don't think I have a germ

problem after that. It's getting humid as well! But it was so fun.

Then we had dinner with another Debbie, she is an investigator and

lives by the Spanish elders. So they joined us for dinner and they

said that was the best lesson they have had with her yet! I shared

ether 12:27. That's one of my favorite scriptures ever! The spirit is

so strong with so many missionaries. Especially when we all bore our

testimonies! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.

Then on Sunday the Leon's son, Andrew got his Eagle Scout award. They

have a lot of non member and less active family members. So they

invited us over for dinner. It was great! We talked to them all, super

nice, but kind of wild! I EVEN GOT TO HOLD AN 11 DAY OLD BABY!! I

almost cried because it reminded me of Tori and Kambree. Heavenly

Father was for sure feeling that hole in my heart up. Tender mercies!

But then we helped them make cookies and get ready for the award

ceremony! It was great. I hope Kaleb and Ryker are working hard on

getting theirs! This kid was only 15 and got it. I also became good

friends with all the crazy family that came in, so that was good. Haha

Then we met with bishop after and went over the ward list. He is a

cowboy. You know those dark black pants grandpa Isom would wear?

They're like wranglers? Yeah bishop wears that and his boots and not

even a normal white shirt, one like grandpa would wear! Haha it's

awesome! I love this ward.

Sorry I wrote so much this week! I feel like a lot happened. This was

another great week of reading the Book of Mormon. SUCH AN AMAZING

BOOK. I even read it on my down time. I don't like to read! That book

has so much power to it. I hope you all read it personally and with

your family. I just can't even explain how much that book has helped

me on my mission. I don't think I'll ever be ready to come home from

my mission..... I already tear up about leaving the people! Ah! I love

it. I hope you all have a great week! I love you guys:)



This was at the Leon's! We helped frost cookies for Andrews Eagle Scout award. This is the Elders and Meranda!‏





The 11 day old baby.... BEST DAY EVER! My heart was filled in this moment!! AWH! So excited for Tori:)‏







We cleaned a bus... In our skirts. Funniest day ever!! Haha I love service!‏



This is Benjji and Ernie. Ernie was holding my hand in this picture!! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! I could talk to them for hours! <3‏





This is Benjji! She makes these cool pictures.... This was her and her husband when they got married! She's awesome! Love her.











So obsessed with this era. I love this!‏



So... There's wild bamboo that grows in Lebanon! Who would of thought?‏




There is street called tater peeler..... Yes please!‏