Week 4

Hey!

    So I'm finally in Tucson, Arizona. And I've actually been here for about a week in the actual field. It has been an adventure. I've already had sooo many things happen. One of them: completely wrecking my bike and crashing into the ground because I didn't wanna hit an ugly Chihuahua. The dog ran up to us and my companion was on the other side of me, I couldn't move out of the way, so I slammed on brakes completely and I flew in the air, legs and all. It was terrible. But the only positive thing I got out of it was that I had a good story to write home, so I figured I had to mention it.

    So Saturday we went to a meeting and listened to Carole M. Stephans (Relief Society 1st counselor), Jean A. Stevens (Primary 1st counselor) and Bonnie L. Oscarson (Young women president) speak. Then after we met them and took pictures with them! It was amazing, and tomorrow we're gonna hear from Elder Malm(?) of the Seventy...not sure if that's how to even spell it. Which is super exciting! 

    I already got into a deep argument/conversation about the church. This feller was talking about the trinity. Well from out of no where, I started throwing up doctrine and he didn't really know how to respond. My companion didn't say much at the time. But I was feeling pretty good about it. But I mean never did I get mad or anything, I was just telling facts. But also, we asked at the end if we could say a closing prayer and he said we could if, after that, he could pray for us. So we agreed and he started saying how for 6 years he was sick, had all kinds of stuff wrong with him and then one day him and his family prayed for him to be healed and three days later he was. So he said since then he's been going around praying for people to be healed and he said he's been healing them.

    I never realized just how much I talk about my family until I got here, that usually is the only thing I talk about if I ain't talking about the gospel. Everyone says I seem to be really close with my family. Haha they just don't even know!

    Anyways, I am loving it!! and I love getting letters, like LOVE IT. If I don't write back, it's not that I don't wanna talk, it's just I forget, but hopefuly I aint forgot anybody. PLEASE feel free to write me, that way I can feel a little bit of Georgia! Oh and also there is an Elder from my ward here that is also from Georgia, just about 5 hours north of me. He has no accent. And everyone loves mine. The zone leaders said they should write down the meetings and let me just read it! They said more people would be willing to listen! Haha I love it. Anyways see ya in a week! :)

 

      Sister Mizell

    Listi's MTC District at the Provo Temple.

Week 3: Finally made it to Arizona!

Hey!! I'm here in Tucson, Arizona. I haven't even made it to my apartment, but we are headed there after we leave the library. It is very different here. The desert is a depressing place, I feel like. I'm hoping I'll get use to it. I miss the green trees and the grass. There is basically no grass.

 I'm rather nervous, to say the least. Every time I get on here I realize I have no time hardly to email everyone. Like no way, but I do read them all!

I'm on a bike mission in my first area. I have a lesson to teach tonight. This is my first lesson I'll teach to an investigator. It's intimidating. The sisters back home made it look so easy. I hope that as I study I'll be able to get my words out better. I am hoping I can catch on fast and teach the lessons. That's my main struggle as of right now. I have been REALLY hard on myself.

Thanks for the photos...Ashlee Morris!

I think that it is pretty obvious that Heavenly Father is trying to tell me something, because numerous people have come up to me and told me stuff about myself that they didn't know. (The Holy Ghost is real) Of course I already knew that, but I now know just how much he can help me in my life. I can tell you this, I've never felt the Holy Ghost so strong in my life. Never did I know of just how amazing it is. I could go on and on about it, but you wouldn't wanna hear about all that. 



I am really just ready to get these next two transfers out of the way, so that I can not be so worried and be more confident in myself. It's different because the missionaries back home make it look so easy, like way easier than it actually is. Or maybe I just have a hard time explaining things, I don't know. I guess I'll find out in the next few weeks and let y'all know.

The same day Elder Dallin H. Oaks came to Douglas, was the same day his daughter, Jenny Oaks Baker came to the MTC. How cool is that? I know really cool!

Anyways, I saw a quote on the Mormon Messages by Thomas S. Monson and I loved it, he said, "Dare to be a Mormon, dare to stand alone, dare to have a purpose firm, dare to make it known." Now just imagine that in his great, stern voice. I loved it. I also loved the quote Elder Young told me. I repeat it as often as I can, or when I may be down about something. "I do tough things, I am first to do tough things, I do tough things first, I love being a missionary, I am a finisher." And that has helped me A LOT.

 Anyways, I love y'all!!!

Sister Mizell

Week 2

   Everyone, 

    The MTC is great. It's sooo spiritual. You wouldn't believe how strong the spirit can really be. They have dedicated the grounds, so that's why. 

    I thought I knew a little bit coming into the MTC, I was wrong. Terribly wrong. So I am in a district with 4 companionships. Two sets of Sisters and two sets of Elders. I stay in a Residence with the sisters, so we have all gotten really close. We spend about nine hours a day in classroom, so we've all got really close as a district. They are super great too. My companion is super nice, but i think the main thing that I am still having to get use to is having someone with me 24/7. Her name is Sister Walter and she is from Illinois and she is also going to the same mission as me. My entire district is, actually. Which is cool. In all we have about 22 missionaries heading out to Tucson when I leave for the mission field.

    It's has been good. I'm not gonna lie, the first three days were hard! Like I struggled. Everyone said, just wait til sunday it will get better. I heard that phrase like a million times. Personally, I didn't see how sunday could be any different than any other day, but let me tell ya, they were right! Oh my goodness, Sunday was amazing. We got to partake of the sacrament and walk to the temple. I loved it. We got to hear from the MTC administrator. HE DID SUPER GOOD. So ever since Sunday everything has been flying by. We watched "The Character of Christ" and oh my goodness it was great, it's by David A. Bednar. Have you heard it? We are going sunday and watching it again. Tuesday we had devotional and David F. Evans spoke, of the seventy. Once again, I loved it. The cafeteria isn't terrible, it's very clean. I just don't care for much of the food.  

     I'm super blessed to be here, and i know that it's not going to be easy, but I also know that there are people that i need to meet, so that they can come to know the gospel. I feel like it's such a blessing to be in this church. I realize that some people don't know Heavenly Father and my heart truly goes out to them. Makes me really want to just tear up, because i have never really just sat and thought about it. Even people in the church don't realize how blessed they are. And not only that, but yesterday we got the chance walk down one of the halls and just look at the pictures of Jesus Christ. And one picture just stuck out to me! He was being took down basically right before he was crucified. And his face was so sad. I mean at any point he could have said, "no." He could have not did it. And people take the love that he has for us for granted, and obviously I'm not perfect, but I feel like I'm getting better. As I grow more of an understanding, I'm so thankful that I decided to serve. I'm so thankful that for my Savior and for my Heavenly Father. I'm so thankful to know that families can be together forever. This brings so much joy to my heart. 

     Also, August 18th on Monday morning at 4:30 we get up and head to Arizona. I'm super nervous, but ready to get there. Right now I'm doing laundry...THANK GOODNESS.

     But a little later my district is heading over to the temple. Exciting, right?! Anyways I am doing good. Everyone back home is in my prayers. Please feel free to write me first or email me first. I actually forget to write very easily. It's not that I'm avoiding anybody, I'm just rather busy. I love y'all.

         Sister Mizell

Week 1: At the MTC

    Well our girl is gone! Yesterday at 1:07pm (Mountain Time) Listi Mizell entered the MTC to become known as Sister Mizell for the next chunk of her life. True to her nature, she did so without a tear or smile, simply rolled her bags forward with an escort. 

    Any day now we should be able to hear from her- we are not sure when her first Personal Day is. So, anyone who wishes to write (which she will appreciate so much!) catch up with her at:

        Listi.mizell@myldsmail.net

    Lastly, this note was scribbled down from one Sunday, and it mirrors our family's feelings: "We give things that are important to us to the gospel." We have given up such a special girl to The Lord, to fulfill His purposes, please join us in praying for her happiness, safety and success! 

     &Don't worry, every post from here on out will be from Listi herself! :)