Teaching is the greatest thing...

Hi Mom! 

Gosh, first off the mini family vacation to St. George looked like a blast!  I can't wait to get home and do all those fun things again. I was having a hard time occupying my thoughts with missionary related things so I decided that every time I think or hear about something that I want to do when I am off my mission I just right it down in my little notebook.  I am calling it my “bucket list” but some of the things I don't think I'll get done for a long, long time. 

Tell the family I wish I could have been there.  I also wish you could have been here but I guess we are both winning in different ways.  That's so great you got to see “Meet the Mormons”.  It really is a great film.  I felt proud to be a member after I watched it.  It made me feel like we don't have anything to hide, but rather a lot to share. 

This week I think was the fastest of all the weeks I have had.  Gosh, it seems like I was just here writing emails yesterday.  We are doing really great down here in the great Pacoima city!  Ha-ha I am excited for Halloween in Pacoima.  Stuff is always going down on normal days, a crazy holiday like Halloween should be just nuts. Good thing we have a curfew.  Also thanks so much for the package.  My comp saw it and said, "Wow your mom loves you a lot."  I have to agree with him.  It was so creative and thoughtful, can't wait to go through all thirteen days. Thanks!

I have been working on perfecting some my lesson plans.  I have liked looking back at past teaching experiences.  I have been able to see the changes in my teaching abilities. I am using more scriptures; I am able to express my thoughts clear about doctrine and encourage bolder commitments from investigators.  I love it all.  Teaching is the greatest thing you can do as a missionary.  I think that's because Christ did it the most.  But, I don't remember reading anything about him knocking doors, but then again I haven't read the whole New Testament…working on it though. 

Spanish has been going great.  I have a growing desire to go to Spain.  I think that would be really, really awesome. I would like to just go around and study the culture, see a bull fight and try and pick up the accent.  Bucket Listing it...

Our investigators are great!  Also Paquito came to church yesterday!  Finally…but I am sad to report he took a member’s daughter and our investigator’s daughter down to the liquor story to by Cheetos when he should have been in primary.  I am very disappointed with him for that.  But we are finally teaching his mother with his sister.  Slowly, we are weeding out the tension in that house and replacing it with the light of Christ and the Book of Mormon.  I probably won't see the fruits of my labors but I am blessed to have the vision of what the future may hold.  It's all a work in progress and as long as you’re moving forward its good...No matter how long it takes. 

We have baptized 4 people so far as a zone and have 4 more in line.  That will be the highest baptism rate in a long time.  We are excited and happy to see others come unto Christ…especially when I feel we have done a lot of work as a zone leadership to help.  We are happy campers. 

We also have a lot of other great investigators progressing: A family who is preparing to be baptized in November, two teenage girls who are best friends and fighting against poverty and social pressures to find a better future, as well as a sister of our recent convert family who wants to hear the gospel.  She came to church too…so great…all so great. 

I was reading my patriarchal blessing the other day and I feel really good about where I am in my life.  There is nothing found in my blessing that I am not fulfilling or preparing to fulfill.  A little is said about my Spanish opportunities so I think I am going to have to keep pushing hard with that. 

I miss you mom.  I hope you know that I pray for you every night.  I ask God to bless you so you can find help in your calling as my Mother.  I am so grateful that calling never has a release. 

Con carino

Elder Bagley 

AWESOME old Book of Mormon I found in the library.

Leaf proselyting

Being a little artsy while doing my laundry

The religious section at the library

The view from our balcony

Lots of stuff going on

Que Tal?

Hi Mom.  Sounds like you are doing great!  Thanks again for the emails.  It'd be weird having a Mom that didn't write every week.  I hope no one has to go through that.

This week was a crazy one!  Lots of stuff going on.  But that's about the same as the last year of my life so what's new?

SO this week was full of exchanges. We had 3 exchanges, 1 blitz and companion study with another companionships. I like exchanges because I get to teach and learn at the same time.  But three in a week is just nuts.  I got ran into the ground pretty quick.  Elder Stark and I have spent more time apart than together.  On the exchanges I was focusing really hard on controlling revelation, especially revelation that is personal or sacred.  I feel blessed to have the mind that I do and my ability to learn is often times quicker than others, if I put my will to it.  But my self control is just garbage.  So if you put two and two together it can get kind of messy and I can be a little overbearing.  Before my mission the lesson of "time and place for everything" was never learned. Ha-ha in my schooling, dating, play, and work I just never really learned that.  Even now I struggle with it.  So I had all the other missionaries help me with it.  They taught me and all gave me great suggestions on our exchanges.  It was a humbling experience hearing about your mistakes all week long.  I love it but it was heavy too.

We did some really great teaching and finding this week as well.  “Finding” has been really pressing on my mind lately and I have gained a new testimony in my desire to “find” as well.  I am more calm, confident and powerful when I contact people in the street.  I care about how they are doing and have an easier time seeing their point of view.  I love it a lot but, I really think planning needs to have a bigger role in my work.  We are working super hard we just need to start working inspired.  We need to find the time to “find” ha-ha.

Yesterday, was a tough one. We got a call from our investigator during the day and she asked us to come to the hospital--her son had tried to kill himself and she wanted us to be there for him.  After we hung up the phone we immediately knelt down, prayed and asked what it was we should do, say, and feel in order to help this family.  I was really humbled at the trust this mom had in two 20 year old kids to say the least.  Her son almost took his life but, she had full confidence that we could help him.  Where else is that kind of trust put in youth like us?  This work is not only true but, it inspires those around us to test it.  Call us!  See if what we've been given and know is true, can't bless your family.  We didn't give it a second thought.  There was no doubt in my mind that we could help. It was more how and when.  I am grateful the Lords trust me as his servant, because it’s a great feeling to truly represent him, stand in his place, and say what he would say. I like that a lot.

I was reading the other day and found this in 2 Nephi 1:15 (by the way Nephi and Isaiah are my favorite prophets. I love them both) “But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love."  I love the contrast between "hell" and "arms of his love". It was inspired that you mentioned hugging and Christ’s arms in your letter because I have been very much affected by this verse.  I can't wait for that day to hug you and tell you the stories and experiences I have had.  But I also have even greater desire for that finally day.  When I will get to hug and then talk to him.  Just to enjoy his love and share my life with him.  Hopefully we will have a lot in common. Hopefully it we be more "I am glad that" and fewer "I wish that" moments.

I love you Mom. I'm quite lucky to be your son…quite lucky in deed.

Elder Bagley

Showing my artist side

Huge passole--Before

--After

Drying clothes

Playing croquet on p-day

Definitely loved Conference!

Yup, I definitely loved conference as well.  My mind is just stirred and stirred with new and direct revelation. Conference is better than Christmas. This week was a wonderful one; I went to the temple, held a ZTM and watched conference. All in a week! Oh how great it was!

This week was a crazy one but I loved it. My body has never been this tired but my mind is running a thousand miles per hour. Unfortunately my hand does write that fast. I am having a hard time capturing all that I am experiencing…If you can find a cheap digital recorder that would be a greatly appreciated gift. I don't know if it's reasonable. I really want to record my own testimony of Jose Smith and listen to it in my own voice. It might add a new level to my work. Let me know.

The temple was stunning. It was the most revealing and powerful session yet.  I came with stirrings in my heart and left with questions abounding.  I love how I can go there thinking I know what I need to learn or what would be just so perfect for this or that problem--and then the Lord teaches me in such a different, better direction.  I am stimulated by visuals but in the temple learning environment I just take off.  I could not soak it up enough.  I even received a lot of great direction for my future decisions and potential.  I love to see the temple--but I love going in it even more.

ZTM was wonderful…one of the best yet.  We had an amazing abundance of the spirit and I really felt the truthfulness of the words.  I feel so lucky to be in higher authority position as a missionary.  Often times the questions and concerns of the people under my stewardship really carry me to the places I need to be.  I can't talk too much about it all without using up all my time so on to the next.

Conference was incredible.  It really had a solemn, serious feel to it.  Pres. Monson was direct and precise in the priesthood session.  A lot of themes were repeated between sessions.  I feel the Lord just needs us to be a little bit more of a tighter ship.  Less lose screws and planks and stronger sails and ropes.  I know I have been feeling that call before now.  Conference just put my thoughts into beautiful testimony and doctrine.  I loved it.

OK Now the saddest note of the day. This is from President Hall.

“…On a separate note, I have some disappointing news.  I received a call from the Missionary Department that they have decided to postpone the rollout of iPads to our mission.  It appears that there were some missionaries in another mission who decided not to follow the rules for the use of the mobile devices and used them inappropriately.  The Missionary Department has decided to hold off on providing additional missions with mobile devices until they can review the situation and determine an appropriate path forward.  Like you, Sister Hall and I are quite disappointed.  May I just say like Alma did to his son Corianton in Alma 41:10, “Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.”  Especially when someone else’s wickedness impacts my happiness!  Elders and Sisters, “O be wise; what can I say more?” (Jacob 6:12).”

WOOF!  I am bummed but I know we'll get them when we need them. When the Lord knows we need them.

I feel like this week was the week that I needed to get going faithfully for the rest of my mission.  We have been having a lot of new lessons and have found 5 new investigators this past week.  Our work is increasing--we just need to keep the quality of teaching on the same line of progression.  I love you Mom.  I am grateful for the kind of “home teacher” you were to me.  I feel like growing up in our home I found a lot more support and guidance then I could have anywhere else.  I love you.

Elder Bagley

Until next week!

Early morning skyline view from the temple

Outside the temple

This is Damien, he's a HOOT!

I got pooped on my a bird!

FHE at the Bishop's house

iPads are finally coming...maybe

Madre

It's so good to hear from you!  Even to see the little bit of Spanish you know.  It's sounding great.  I had never heard "te echo de menos" before but I thought it out and I think it means I miss you, right?  Anyways I always love your emails.

I feel for the Jensen family.  I can't imagine what kind of terror that could have brought to their family.  I will be praying for them. 

I am happy to hear about how the lesson went on Isaiah!  I have really loved pondering his teachings found in 2 Nephi. There is a lot there about the gathering of Israel and the Restoration of the Gospel.  Isaiah knows missionary work. 

This week was a great one!  Next week is pretty packed.  We have stuff going on every day.  But we'll get to that later. 

Transfers went great.  We still have our same district leaders staying with us so I won't lose the relationships I have made with them.  I am anxious and excited to counsel together and see what the Lord would have us do for the next 6 weeks.  As a zone leader anything we want to do, and do well, we work through the district leaders.  I love it. 

We now have 7 out of the 11 companionships training new missionaries.  We are the biggest training zone in the mission.  We even had a new area open up in Santa Clarita.  All is well.  We have lost focus on “finding” but it won't take much to get back on track with that. 

We had a surprise mission conference (English, Spanish, Korean and ASL) this week.  We recieved some instruction from Elder Uchtdorf's words to the new mission presidents (which they never release to the public unless instructed) as well as we got the chance to watch the new movie “Meet the Mormons”. I don't know how it goes down in Utah but you need to make it a date night or something.  It was really great.  I learned a lot and felt so proud to be a member of this church. 

ALSO big, big news on the iPad's.  President got a call from headquarters and they said we are getting mobile devices this month!  I AM SO EXCITED.  BUT even bigger news is they want to use our mission for a pilot program for the new Iphone 6+.  We aren't 100% sure which device we will be getting but either way it was great to finally get some new news about it all. 

So for next week here is what it's looking like:

Monday: Half a preparation day, take the Car to the dealer (it got recalled...), FHE

Tuesday: Going to the temple to make up for my birthday :) :) :)

Wednesday: MLC

Thursday: Weekly and ZTM Planning

Friday: ZTM and 2 District leader meetings, plus splits with the Assistants

Sat: #ldsconf

Sun:#ldsconf and zone baptism

We are going to have a pretty crazy week to say the least. 

Mom, I really think something is missing from my work.  I have really been pondering and praying about it a lot.  I just don't think I am where the Lord needs me in terms of commitment and sanctification…which is hard to grasp because I am doing well.  I feel like a successful missionary I just need help getting to the next level.  It's not a matter of running faster than I have strength but maybe just trying to get the most out of this next year.  What more can I sacrifice? What more does the Lord need from me?  What lack I yet?  I found that one thing I can do to be a little better tool in the Lord’s hands is to sacrifice my native language.  I haven't spoken any English this past week.  I have loved every minute of it.  I have fallen madly in love with Spanish.  I love speaking it and thinking it and dreaming it.  It is the language of heaven.  Germans have the language of engineering, French-food, Italian-love, but Spanish is the language of heaven. 

I am also excited to see what kind of guidance I can get from my temple visit tomorrow.  Nothing makes me as happy as the temple does. 

Long story short I feel a little blocked.  I feel like I progressed so fast (maybe too fast) and now I am letting all those fruits slip by.  I need to reevaluate and see what the Lord needs me to do better.  I love this work Mom, I truly love it. 

I hope you are well.  I hope you are progressing in some capacity.  You sound well.  I am so proud of you and what you are doing back home.  I am glad we're doing this together. Te amo 

Te echo de menos

Verdad y fiel 

Elder Bagley 

Not a bunch of changes

Madre! 

So far your Spanish is sounding great!  Keep it up and we can start doing these emails in Spanish ;)

I am so jealous you got to go to the temple dedication!  That sounds like such a great opportunity.  I miss the temple a lot. I am thinking about asking President to see if he'll let me go next week.  I never did end up going for my birthday. 

So not a bunch of changes this transfer, I am staying one more round here in Pacoima with the always cheerful Elder Stark. He is great Elder and we are gonna see a lot of great stuff this move. One of which being a re-dedication to speaking only Spanish.  I have been fluent in the language for a while now which you think would be a good thing but it makes it really easy to just stop stretching yourself.  I can communicate fine but I want to take it too the next level.  I think this is the push my Spanish needs.  I am excited.  Spanish has become a part of who I am.  I forget how blessed I am sometimes to be speaking it. 

The zone is doing well.  Not a lot of changes but just enough to keep things fresh.  This morning we went and took the new missionaries out contacting for their first day in the field.  It was a cool experience to have.  I forgot what kind of things I use to worry about when I was that young in the mission.  I feel like the big snakes in the book Verde.  Actually, that would be a perfect way to describe it just a little less pessimistic.

Good luck with Isaiah!  Ha-ha he is a very powerful profeta but he has hidden all the revelation underneath symbolism and poetry.  See what the brethren have to say about how to teach Isaiah.  He is who Christ has quoted the most.  I think that means he's probably pretty important. 

This week has been a pretty relaxed one.  We had a really great exchange this week.  I love exchanges.  I love studying for someone else and then teaching and training them on what I feel the Lord would have me tell them. 

We are still waiting for iPads.  I swear they are never going to come.  I am losing faith. We used a member’s the other night to teach la santa cena and it was amazing!  They are such powerful tools for good.  I need one asap. 

Saddest news of my life…Paquito has stopped coming to church.  We just have had the hardest time coming up with ways to keep the ward involved and interested in him.  I mean he is a 9 year with ADD and with a 15 year old understanding of the Gospel.  Of course primary is going to be boring...IDK.  We are still praying and working at what needs to happen to keep him active.  I do NOT want to have recent convert go inactive in less than a transfer.  That needs to stop. Thanks for all your prayers. 

I have really loved reading John 14:30-31.  The Saviors words bring me so much peace.  He is about to perform the atonement and is already talking as if Satan "the prince of this world" has been conquered.  We've won.  There is no fight in that.  The only fight is in how many we can bring with us.  How complete do we really want our eternal family to be?  I love the Lord.  I love the way he speaks and teaches me.  He is so kind and understanding even though I am full of mistakes.  Praying to find his help has been such a pleasure this past year and I am excited to do the same for the next year of my mission.

Thanks mom! I love you a lot. Ya tu sabes. 

Elder Bagley 

P-day Volley ball

Hump day shirt is a win. Such a keeper.

Harry hasn't got anything on Elder Stark

LA traffic

Mini mission with Paquito...It was a lot of fun to get him out and testifying! 

HAPPY HUMP DAY!

Madre!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I loved the Hump Day package so much.  Honestly, I can't get over how great it was, so thoughtful.  The shirt is hilarious.  I think it's a new favorite.  Plus thanks for putting all that hard work into getting the pictures from everyone.  I miss them all so much.  Seeing them was such a tender mercy.  I don't know what I did to deserve a Mom like you.

Second thing on the list of things to mention…I'm sorry last week was so hectic with writing.  Emailing was short and I didn't have time for hand written letters.  I hope you forgive me.  The reason is that time flies so fast around here and I don’t have any free time.  Something is always going on.  I love it but it's just crazy.

That's so cool you're taking Spanish!  I can't wait to see how much you know when I get home.  That's a whole year of practice!  But don't worry if you need some tutoring I got your back.

You and Dad should study Chapter 10 of Preach My Gospel.  That will take your Sunday school class to the next level.  Honestly it's the greatest.  I wish I could sit in on one of your classes.  I am sure you are a great teacher :)

This past week was really, really nuts.  We had Elder Carlson come and get a tour of the mission.  I learned a lot from the insights he shared with us.  He is a simple man and not what you would expect from a "5 star general".  He was very casual and friendly.  We all thought he was going to throw down the law but he didn't.  He really just loved us and helped us on our way.  I don't think I will be able to explain all he taught us but at the end of the day it was great!

Unfortunately, our work took a hit this week.  With all the meetings and what not we didn't get a bunch of time with our investigators.  Everyone is doing ok though.  Paquito (Fransisco) is going through some post baptism blues but he is hanging in there.  Cinthia (Fransisco's sister) is progressing super well and really changing who she is.  I am just praying she can keep it up so she and Paquito can support each other.

We found a really cool family this week from a member referral (those are always great) and they are wonderful. They came to a Stake activity we had called Dia de la Hispanidad. There was food, dances from different countries and a lot of Latinos :) It was so fun. Today is actually Mexican Independence day.  Last year I was watching la grita and the dance of the machetes in Mexico...I miss that place ha-ha. I don't know if people do a lot up here for it but down there people shoot a lot of guns in the air...here's hoping that's not the case here in “Northern Mexico”. 

Making tamales for dia de la Hispanidad

Dia de la Hispanidad at the Stake Center

Transfers are next week.  I am about due for a change.  I don't see myself staying in Pacoima much longer but who knows.  The Lord knows pretty well what needs to happen.  I have learned to really like change out here on my mission.  Sometimes I think a little too much.  I am kind of itching for a new feel.

I love you Mom!  Things are going so well over here.  I feel like I am becoming the missionary that God has been hoping for this whole time.  I don't feel a year older but hey I guess the next one is suppose to fly by even faster.  Please let everyone know I love them and I am grateful for the Hump Day Pictures.  Love you!

Elder Bagley

I thought you might want to see some of the love we sent to Elder Bagley for Hump day!

"Woof, Woof guess what day it is!" Love, Rogan

Alexis and Andrew

Brandon, Danna and Sabrina

Brett sending wishes from the office

Hampton family

Kali and Joselyn

Lauren

Auntie Linda

The Marsh family

Papa and Nana

Elder Thackeray serving in the Ireland/Scotland mission complete with Kilt

Grandma and Grandpa from sunny St. George

Shauna up at Alta

Caldwell family (Mitch's YM leader)

Lisa, Brady, Owen, Carson and Jace sharing the love!

Sorrela Marsh serving in Italy

We got sick...

Sorry about the Labor Day stuff.  It's a drag for me too.  But this week was a crazy one as always so buckle up.

First off--we got sick.  Basically my whole zone did.  It was just a head cold flu kind of thing but it was a bummer.  It really puts a damper on things.  We didn't have to spend time inside but we did take it easy and tired to rest up.  I'm still kind of getting over the cough and head congestion but all is well.  

Madie sent me her farewell talk and it sounded great!  I think she will make a stunning missionary.  It must run in the family.  I also heard my friend Jesse got his call to Peru.  I am going to have so many people to speak Spanish with it will be great :)

This week our investigators took a hard hit.  Almost all of them had some big changes in their life.  Hopefully we will be able to help them get along alright.

Cinthia is doing great.  She has had a lot of hard things happen in her life but her faith is growing.  Her boyfriend might be moving in with her which isn't chill.  Hopefully we won't have to work with that but hey.

Kevin was born in Honduras.  He speaks only Spanish.  Sadly his mom had problems with immigration and they moved to Texas.  It was hard to hear.  It happens sometimes.  At least he has his Libro de Mormon.

Anthony and Kimberly are great.  We love them both a lot.  Sadly this week they got kicked out and are in-between trying to decide what to do…shame on me for thinking that everything was going to glide smoothly to baptism.  Woof! They were a member referral which is always the greatest.  They are a young couple who are really mature and have amazing chemistry.  They want to get married but it might not be for a while.

Francisco (number 2) dropped off the map.  So that's hard.

It's crazy to think I am about to hit my year mark...Hopefully I am a better tool than I was last September.  Everyone says the last year flies by even faster.  Hopefully that's not the case.  I really like being a missionary.  I have very little to worry about and life is very simple and rewarding.  I'm sure when the time comes though I'll be ready to start being Mitchell again.  Love you Mom.  Thanks for all your help.

Elder Bagley

OH MY GOSH.  I almost forgot.  Grandma sent me a letter that had a letter from her, pictures of dad as a missionary, and a letter dad sent to her when he was in Italy.  Mom it was the coolest thing.  Seriously I will cherish it forever.  If you have anything like that I'd love to see it.  Love you!  Talk to grandma about it.

Watermelon with chille and lime...so good!

Our new pad!