Baptism for the Mitchells!

Yesterday dad, Ryan, and mom, Martha, and daughter, Elizabeth, and son, Michael Mitchell were all baptized!  Michael is the young man that was on day 5 of a 40 day fast looking for "guidance" when the Lord directed us to them.

Today, they were confirmed. They are the newest members of the Merced 1st ward and they are so excited!
 The ward has done an excellent job of  fellowshipping them.  The Primary teacher went over, visiting teacher, Bishopric, ward missionaries, Relief Society and all of us full time missionaries.  Martha can't wait to be a visiting teacher and go over to sisters' homes to teach and help them!  She just can't hardly wait.  Puts the rest of us visiting teachers to shame. Two other children that are over eight are still taking lessons and then there are two other children four and six.  They are counting the minutes until they they are old enough and  can be baptized too.

How awesome is this?!!

So Grateful

Today we were able to hear Jon over the phone trying to say he loved us so much. We are so grateful for this.  You can't get any closer to death than Jon has been this past week, and live to talk about it.  He was so sick, in both body and soul.  We are so grateful to an all-wise Heavenly Father for His intervention in Jon's behalf. And we know that Jon's life was spared to give him additional time in this life for a very good reason.
We really appreciate the family that has supported him!  We have been so happy with the love they have shown him. We are very proud of what this says about them. And they have let us be a part of it even on this mission through texts and calls and skype. 
We are especially grateful for the support and inspiration Heavenly Father has given to us through this terribly difficult and challenging time.  We know that we can trust in Him.

And by the sweat of their brow

I

Sweet potatoe harvest employs many of the Spanish people in this area in the fall.They drive over an hour to get to the field that is ready, start work by 6 am, and make minimum wage. They have to wear masks and get covered in dirt. Then they arrive home again at 6 pm and do it all over again 6 days a week. It humbles me just to see this.