Week 42- May 19, 2015

Ignore the fact that this picture isn't rotated correctly, my sister can't figure it out.

    So I'm doing good, and that sounds good. I'll get right to what's happening here, so we had a training yesterday (that's why our p-day was moved to Tuesday); we were trained by Elder David F Evans, who actually spoke to us when I was in the MTC. He spoke to us about iPads, so we'll be getting them before transfers..which is in 3 weeks..so I'm pumped. I may just drive by on Wednesday and check my email, so just email me about Acey's mission call...that's how I want to find out. 

Ignore my face, I just climbed a mountain.

    It is getting hot here too! This morning, for a p-day activity, we hiked a mountain. So I've only hiked one mountain before and that was when I was in Rincon, and it was tough, but it was a pretty good time...plus it was Mount Lemmon and up there it looks Utah, so there was trees that we could get under for shade as we walked. Anyways, this mountain was a bit different. It was so HARD. I know my pace, cause of cross country, so I wasn't the last one or anything..but it gets to the point where you get on all 4s and crawl in some areas. I haven't worked out too much and I am not in shape...like at all. So it was hard to say the least, but I don't like to start something and then quit usually..so I kept going, it never really even crossed my mind to walk back. So me and my companion actually had another sister come with us on the trip, and there was 11 elders too. So we just went, well after a while I couldn't see my comp or the other sister, but I wasn't going to stop or go back and plus a tleast the elders were there if anything was to happen, so I stayed with the elders in the front, now I wasn't right up there...but I was doing pretty good to be in the shape that I'm in. So they ended up going back early and not going up, so i was companionless for a bit, but I survived. And if I'm being honest, if I had the choice, i would do it again! Well one of the elders kept saying that the top all makes it worth it...he was right. It was worth it, we literally could see all of Tucson, and Tucson ain't little. So that was cool...not gonna lie, I didn't eat breakfast before we went cause I wasn't hungry and I didn't wanna throw up, but I just drank water...well not even half way up with the 5 elders in the front I threw up like 3 days (it was just water) I mean I know you don't care about this...but I will years from now just so I can remember it, so save this message. Haha anyways an elder gave me a granola bar which helped, but once I threw up I felt so much better. So on the way down, we split up into another small group and it was me and 3 elders...well we passed this swarm of bees and the 2 elders in front of me got stung and starting running down the hilly rocks and I was so afraid they were going to hurt themselves, but they didn't. They just got stung in the face twice. But on the way down during all that I was trying to get away from the bees and I slid sown some rocks and landed on my ankle wrong, not sure what's wrong...just hurts like heck. But over all it was super fun! Well put this on my blog I reckon...ya better I mean. Love ya'll!

While on our P-Day, a Sister fell and dislocated her hip, so I held her water.

The view at the very top of the mountain.

May 25, 2015

Well it is Sunday night and I have thought about it and I figured if I go ahead and write out a letter tonight I can put way more thought into it for you. Okay, so this past week has been really good for the most part. I actually went on exchanges with our STL on Thursday.  Well it went alright, nothing crazy happened. But she comes off as being too good. She said that sometimes she just comes off that way because she is quiet and this and that and then she was saying that she just feels like she should tell the Elders or me or whoever that they are doing something wrong or whatever the case may be. So basically correct us when we aren't doing something right. Well more so the Elders. Well I basically told her that it isn't our place to, because we ALL have faults and there is always rules that we fall short of on the mission. I mean we have a million, what do you think...what matters is that we are constantly trying and constantly improving. 

And so anyway, just by myself I learned a lot and how I wanted to end my mission. So we also this past week had interviews with President Passey and we ended up getting our iPads! Literally didn't think I would ever see them on my mission. But they are so useful and helpful and it's just something Heavenly Father has put into a mans mind to create, to help hasten the work. 

Today as I took the sacrament I realized something. I realized that just because I'm a missionary, just because I'm a member of the church, just because I was born in the church doesn't mean I'm not gonna mess up constantly. I am human and that means I am imperfect, and because of that I need my Savior, Jesus Christ. That is how I put the Atonement to action. Everyday is a new beginning to start over. I am so grateful for that knowledge. I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have that 'Families can be together forever". I know my Savior lives and loves us! There is so much more than just having faith in him and expecting him to just save you. You must work! Nothing will come to you with out work! I know that Heavenly Father did in fact restore His church through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is true. I'm so grateful for that knowledge. Of these thing I humbly testify in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

I am blessed beyond measure. Alright peace out, cub scouts.

Sister Listi Mizell

"These things I do, "That families may live.""

Week 25--January 19, 2015

Hey peeps of Douglas, Georgia...who I miss so very much (But not enough to come home),

Not much has changed, except the fact that I gave a talk this past Sunday, my very first talk on the mission. I have literally never been so nervous in my entire life, I don't even no why I was nervous really. But since I'm the Senior companion, of course they made me go last! 

Haha, but it was good. My companion had 'em all laughin and when I got up there they all were listening to me closely to figure out exactly what I was sayin. I may have lost my accent to y'all, but I sure ain't lost it to them. The topic we spoke on was missionary work, of course. But I made the mistake of sayin "You have to put up with a companion 24/7." They all loved that and everybody busted out laughin, I pure had to step back from the mike and not laugh...but then I said "Excuse me, we have a wonderful opportunity to be with our companion 24/7." Fun stuff. 

So yes, Acey, to answer your question...I have had to give a talk. And have I had to bare my testimony? Well I just about imagine, I only bare it every single day all day. People probably get sick of it...but it's okay, because everytime I bare it, it grows.

 I also got to go to the Gila Valley Temple with our zone this past Thursday, I loved it. That's my second time getting to go there. And for a future reference, I got invited to go to the Gilbert Temple in April for a sealing of a recent convert and a returning member. I am sooo excited for that, because I've never been to one. :) Well I'll send pictures, and I am sooo sorry I haven't been writing. I will, I promise. It's just been super busy lately.

 Oh yeah, we had a miracle happen this past week. We went to Gospel principles class like we always do, and we had a visitor. She introduced herself and she was sayin how she has been looking for the right church to join and this and that, and we talked to her a little bit and she was real nice and open. The way church is set up, we go to sacrament last.  We went to sacrament and I spoke a little bit about being a terrible cook and trying to practice while I'm out and all that. She came up to me and said "You know, I am a chef." And she was grinning real big, then I started laughing and she told me "You could come over and I'll teach you how to cook and you can talk to me about this church." And I about fell in the floor with excitement, so tomorrow we're going over to her house and she is gonna show me how to cook something and we're gonna get her on tract to be baptized!

 Also another miracle happened. My recent convert, B. (in my last area) recently left the area and nobody knew where he was or anything and so I had the thought to ask the sisters currently serving there for the most recent number they had of his, and as I was writing my talk on Saturday night I had the thought to call him. So I did, and he actually answered the phone. I was so surprised, and I was like "B.?!?" And then I was able to talk to him and make sure he was doing good, I got his address and now I got him on track to attend the church where he currently lives. 

Okay, one more miracle, also in my last area we met someone and his name is N. He's about 30 years old. He is deaf and has to sign to communicate, but he can read lips...well it was so nice and I just had the thought to get his number also from the sisters in my last ward. So I just texted him and asked how he was doing and this and that and he ended up askin me if we could meet, and of course I was soo excited, but I calmly said "yes"...so we have an apt with him on Thursday. How amazing is that?!

So many miracles, as a goal of mine I've been working on recognizing the spirit lately, and I think I'm getting better at it. :) Well that's all for now, talk to y'all soon. :)

Sister Mizell

With my companion...Sister Moe-Tufaga

With Sister Jones

With Elders Mariluch & Purcell

With Elder Moreno

Our Generational Picture!!

With Elders Mariluch & Purcell

With Elder Shakespeare.....He's so hilarious!

With Elder Roper

Service work with Sis. Moe-Tufaga

Haha!

 How many missionaries does it take to pull the garbage cans apart? ;o)

Week 13--Oct. 27,2014

Well I'm doing good. I can't believe I only have 2 weeks and I'll be done with my second transfer...then only 11 more to go. Whattttt?

 Anyways, so last night I taught this Muslim family, so that was neat and interesting. He wants a Book of Mormon in his language (Bengali) so that's way cool. 

Also picked up 2 new investigators from Brandon (He just got baptized on October 25th). He told me and my companion he was gonna bring more nonmembers to church than us. We told him that was a great idea. He's the best member missionary ever!!! It's so great.

We taught an investigator the Restoration and the spirit was so strong, like it confirmed it to me again! So that was wonderfully amazing, especially to testify that to our investigators.

Drive thru at McDonald's

On to the funnies now...so last week I got cat called (creepy), this week I got dog called. LOL. So these teenage boys stuck their head out of this super old/ugly car and literally started barking at us...I died, it was so funny. And we got told by some old man that we were selling religion. He kept saying it over and over.

 Anyways...the people here are definitely different from the people in Georgia..I know that may be kind of hard to believe, but it's true. 

I love to hear from everyone back home. I love y'all!  Now for a few pictures :)

Pretending to be a tree-
-for a hummingbird!

A little missionary

 fun!!

Sister Mizell

Week 12---Successful week......3 Baptisms! (Oct. 20, 2014)

Well. I am back again. It's October 20 and another week goes by. Well, I got my first 3 investigators baptized, so that was special for me. 

Hahahahahaha!   I wrecked again on my bike, but it was just because I was being funny. I was seeing how low I could get my bike to go when I went in circles before it fell. And well I figured it out! LOL!

Yesterday it was raining and we had a dinner appointment with a member for and it was on the other side of our area. So of course, I pulled out my umbrella and we went on... as we biked there, we passed this one dude, and my companion was trying to contact him and he just blurted out "What's yo frans name?!" In a very flirty type voice...eww! 

Well, we kept going and we passed a bus stop with about 3 dudes and I didn't realize it, but after we left my companion was like "Sister! They were making cat noises at you!" And I was like "They were meowing at me?!?" And apparently cat noises mean like whistling and yelling and all kind of junk. So that was creepy!

Anyways, I was going to take a picture of me on my bike in the rain with my umbrella cause I looked super dumb, but I didn't wanna take my camera and let it get wet...so maybe another time. But not much has happened around here other than that!

I love getting letters from everyone. My companion said that she has never had a companion have so much support back home. I told her that I've got a big ol' family back home! Don't forget to write!! I love y'all!

Sister Mizell

Week 11--Another week.... :)

Okay. Well another week bites the dust. I've already been out for a little over 2 whole months, which is so crazy!! I do miss that place (home). But I don't plan to see it for another 16 months, can you believe that's all I have left? I mean I know it's still over a year, but I feel like Mama and Lacey JUST dropped me off.  But they always say time flies when your having fun! I have seriously grown to loveee my ward. Binghampton is great! 

I literally and seriously still wake up in the mornings and think to myself "Wow. Am I really on a mission?" Getting up at 6:30 doesn't even bother me anymore, which is definitely a good thing. I have seen so many things that use to bother me, not even bother me anymore. I can also see how a mission prepares you for marriage. That is so true. When the going gets tough the tough get going. 

Well, my teaching ability is getting better. Apparently I'm very dominant when I teach, and that's got a lot to do with my southern accent and also the fact that I'm very competitive, or so I've been told. Haha, yeah so now everybody in my ward knows that I love football. Somehow I seem to bring it up at every dinner appointment.

 We live in an apartment on the 2nd floor and I have a neighbor below us that keeps me updated on the games and what not. We'll be inside minding our own business and he'll holler "Mrs. Mizell!" (He's not  member) And then we'll discuss football.  The last time I talked to him, we talked for about 15 minutes and he said "Ya know I love talking to you about football, I've never talked to a girl about it." And he hollered "air high five"....haha I loved it! A member from the bishopric comes up to me every Sunday and tells me what happened and I love that too. Me and our Elders go back and forth about everything and people think I'm crazy....it's so funny.

Anyways, I love y'all and miss y'all. :)

Love,

Sister Mizell

COMPANIONS:  Sister Bosshardt & Sister Mizell

Being Silly

Week 10

Hey!

    I am doing the same, great! I have changed my train of thought, since the last time I wrote. I am realizing that being on a bike I have got into shape, and I have gained weight, because all my fat (the little bit of fat I have) is turning into muscle. So I told President Passey, to leave me on a bike as long as possible. (I didn't really go into detail why I wanted to though LOL) But there's that. 

    Also I am dying for some bacon brittle...so pleaseeee buy some for Granma and have her make me some and send it right on to Arizona. :) Everyone tells me I am so loved because I get mail and emails all the time. And that is probably the biggest help, all the encouragement I have back home. They said though, that the longer I am on my mission, the more my family will forget about me...that better be false. I would feel terrible. I always look forward to checking the mail everyday. 

    Anyways, How did everyone like General Conference? I was so in love with all of it, however, I wish next time they would have subtitles at the bottom so that I can hear the language! I just can't wrap my head around the fact that, today makes 2 entire months that I have been out. Wow. 

    And I just really have come to the conclusion that, EVERYONE LOVES A SOUTHERN ACCENT. And also a train load of folks think that I am from somewhere foreign. I just do not understand that whatsoever. It also helps make me stand out! For instance, some man here at the library came up to me about 30 min ago and said "You're that nice little girl with the southern accent." And then walked away, me and a few other missionaries just looked at each other, and I was trying to remember where I had seen him before. I still have no idea. 

    I just meet such funny folks. It never ceases to amaze me. So yesterday at General Conference my companion started talking to someone after a session was over. After saying several untrue things he asked me a question, "did you believe in what I said?" By this point, I realized that I had too much of Jake Mizell in me, so I said "Let me tell ya something, Sir, I have a real hard time believing what folks say, and that right there I do not believe, at all." He then asked me "Do you believe in Santa Claus?" By this point I was baffled! So I said, "yeah, I sure do! My ma and pa!"  Then he looked at me and said "So you don't believe in God? So you are a realist?" So I said, "hold on just a minute, let me tell ya something! I do believe in God, but I don't believe in Santa Claus." And he started talking about how I had to believe in Santa Claus if I believed in God....Anways, I thought that was soooo hilarious!

      I love all yallll and miss allll yalllll )

                 Sister Mizell