Happy New Year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Ahhh I do believe I'm a tad dorkier than your average missionary, but please love me through it. I love New Year goals! Sadly, my goals from last year were a bit of a stretch with deciding to go on a mission. BUT my theme that I had picked for the year matched beautifully with my 2013 experience. My theme had been:

"I want my life to radiate what happens when God has a person's heart at His full control, when every event or circumstance is simply another avenue to know Him better and show forth His glory."-Elbie Harris

From Jerusalem to coming on a mission, I have truly learned how to give Heavenly Father more of my heart. I've got a long way to go, but this year really did help me become closer to who I want to be. I love it. Have you set some lovely new goals for 2014? You really really should. Think about it, you have a limited amount of New Years left-make it worth it =)

GUESS WHAT? Last week we decided that we were going to find a family of four that wanted to go to the temple. WE FOUND 'EM. Oh the joy the gospel brings. The father is Italian and very family oriented, and the mother is Filipino and darling. With faith and specific prayers, I have been learning how much Heavenly Father really does answer us. It just brings me so much happiness. This week we are praying to find someone who we can find, teach, and baptize in three weeks. How incredible would it be to watch someone transform so quickly with the gospel!? 

CHRISTMAS WAS LOVELY. We went to breakfast with an investigator. Dropped off Peppermint kisses to a less active sister in the hospital. Gave a gift to a less active sister who told us she finally believes the Book of Mormon is true! Ate Christmas lunch with darling Robin and her family who is getting baptized in January. Raced to eat Christmas dinner with a Muslim family (that sentence cracks me up). And ended the evening at a member's home to Skype our families. It was truly a wonderful day. (So sorry for the fragment sentences!)

I love you all. I love this gospel. Enjoy the random pictures =)

Sister Hutchins

Happy (almost) Christmas [w/ pictures!!]

Happy Christmas darling family and friends!

Do y'all wanna hear the cutest Christmas story in the world? Of course you do! So our apartments have been under construction recently. The past two weeks they've been painting like crazy and one of these painters is our good buddy. I don't quite recall how we all became such good friends, but we absolutely adore Ron. After a week or two of just talking as we walked in and out of our apartment, he told us he felt God was telling him he should talk to us. (Good sign right?) The next day we left Christmas sugar cookies on his car with a note. The next day, he left a poinsettia on our doorstep (NEVER have flowers made my heart melt more than at that moment). And then the day following that we asked him if he wanted to hear our message about Jesus Christ. His response was my favorite. "Well, thank you. I've been waiting for that invitation." Now isn't that the best kind of missionary work? Friendship established first, a dash of service, bring in a dose of Christmas cheer, and then BAM start teaching! I LOVE IT. And I love Ron. And I love how happy everyone is at Christmas time. 

Here's my short and sweet Christmas message for you! Never have I felt so privileged to be out serving a mission as I have during this lovely season. As everyone is turning to our Savior as we celebrate His birth, I have felt such gratitude to be serving Him this Christmas. There really is nothing better I could be doing. I hope you each have a magical Christmas. And I pray you'll ponder what you are giving back to your Savior this wonderful time of year. I love you all and am praying like crazy for you. Happy Christmas!

Sister Hutchins

p.s. This week my companion and I are determined to find a family of four that want to go to the temple. We're excited. Throw in a few extra prayers for us. We know that lovely family is out there - and we are going to be led to their door. 

 My lovely MTC district....6 months later at your mission-wide Christmas =) Love them. Can't believe it's been so long!

 The darling and incredible Sister Craig. I love our mission mom! And of course the lovely Sister Hibpshman =)

I LOVE MY NEW SKIRTS. I mean, don't you want to read the Book of Mormon now? And thanks for the decorations!!! Our apartment is oh so homey!

200+ Days of Craziness

Oh my word, where to begin? That is always the question. Well, hey, guess what? I've hit 200 days on the mission. CRAZY.

Let me start by telling a little story. One day, I got called to play the piano for the mission-wide Christmas devotional. I happily agreed, glad to have an excuse to spend time on the piano. But then came the day of the performance...and the elder I was accompanying walked into the room I was practicing and asked what song I was playing. I laughed and told him he was funny. Sadly, it wasn't funny at all. Long story short, I had learned the wrong song. I had one hour to practice the new one...it was 8 pages and had 3 key changes, and 5 sharps. I was not excited to say the least haha. But strangely enough, I learned one of the biggest lessons of my life through this experience. Hopefully, I can make this make sense. 

With the song I originally practiced, I had been able to control how well I knew it and have it go my way in a sense. In other words, I could make sure it went well relying upon myself. When the songs switched, my plans were ruined and all I could do was pray that God would help me through it. As I sat at that piano with shaking hands and a mountain of a piece to play in front of me, I played relying upon my Savior. It was NO longer according to my plan, but Heavenly Father's plan. So often, I try with all my might to make plans and be in control, but God has a plan and sometimes I get in the way of it. God has a plan, and if I rely upon Him and let Him take the lead in my life, things may not turn out perfectly (just like the actual performance haha), but He will be able to use me as a tool in His hands to bring the Spirit and touch other people's lives. And really that is entirely what I want...to be able to let God touch the lives of all those I meet and love and serve. (And as a side bonus, we actually managed to pull that piece off and the Spirit didn't leave the room...no matter how many wrong notes I plunked out haha) Anyway, thank goodness for epiphanies right when you need them. I am so grateful to me serving and working my hardest to let God take the lead. It really is an incredible thing when you can feel that you are following His path for you.

And let the side notes begin!

1. One of our investigators who is getting baptized this week, quit smoking...but here's the catch...Somehow as I was throwing out her cigarettes, I found myself offering to do this with her. I told her I would stop drinking caffeinated sodas and we'd push through together. So ladies and gents, she has smoked her last cigarette and I drank my last Diet Pepsi. They say you come home from your mission a little bit different right? Haha I am so grateful to be able to do this with darling Sister Lemon. She's a gem.

2. We're currently teaching the most golden investigator I have ever met. He's incredible. And to give you an even better picture of it all-he's 47, black, has gold teeth, and has quite the history in prison. And yet I can honestly say he is the most pure-hearted man I have ever met. It makes my heart so happy. I love that change is so possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

3. The Muslim man we are (kind of) teaching, woke up late and shaved so fast he cut his face twice so he could get to church. Don't ask me why this little tid bit makes me nearly die with happiness.

4. The word's "Always remember Him" in the Sacrament prayers...are my absolute favorite. I'm trying best to let Christ be apart of each bit of my day and I have seriously never been so happy in my life. You should try it. There really is nothing more divine than letting your Savior in.

Over and Out,
Sister Hutchins

Busy as Ever and LOVING IT

Hello Dear World, 

Every week you learn a lot on the mission. Sometimes, I selfishly was a bit of a reprieve, and it seems that God then teaches me EVEN more. Let me tell you all about what I've learned this week.

1. Studying diligence and then truly becoming diligent is amazing and exhausting and lovely. My mind is constantly running. I honestly can't stop. I'm writing thank you's while we're eating lunch, getting out of bed to write down to do's and people's names that I can't get out of my head, and praying with any free moment I have. I went to take a 20 minute nap last week on P-day...I ended up laying there praying for the people we were seeing that night and finally receiving an answer to what we could teach one of our investigators. So the lesson here...JUST DON'T STOP. There's no time to waste. And I can nap in a year anyway haha.


2. I no longer remember famous people's names,  bands, movies, TV shows. People are now constantly saying, "You've been out too long, but Vine is..." Strangely enough, it makes me heart happy to know I'm out of the loop. I'm officially a missionary.


3. There's a HUGE difference between praying, and praying with real faith and desire and SHOOT. My companion doesn't spend as much time emailing as I do....so I have to run. BUT I LOVE YOU ALL. But side note: HAROON CAME TO CHURCH (that Muslim man I told you about). I've never been so shocked in my whole life. I want to cry and dance and run all at once. God's work is pushing forward.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS SEASON =)

P.S. If you could share my miracle blog on your Facebook walls that would be greatly appreciated! That's the only way it's going to be seen by the world =) LOVE YOU ALL.

Hello "Real" World!!

Hello Dear World!

Have I told you that when I talk about my life back home I refer to it as the "real world?" My companion just rolls her eyes and keeps asking me when I'm going to realize I'm in the real world haha. But I swear, this style of life is not quite real. It's divine.

I've got a random list of things to share today. Hope it's not too scattered.

1. We're kind of teaching a Muslim family. But only kind of. The family isn't too interested, but the father is. After literally FORCE FEEDING us more delicious food than I have ever consumed at one time (it's been a week and I'm still full) the husband/father walked us out to our car in the rain and said, "I love Jesus Christ. Please keep coming back and trying. We'll soften their hearts over time." My jaw almost hit the pavement. This man kept referring to us as angels. I'm still so grateful we chose to knock doors in his neighborhood. Even if it takes years for his family to open up to the gospel.

2. I've decided that the scriptures are like journals written by men of God. If we truly are recording our spiritual experiences in our personal journals...those entries become personal scriptures for us. I've found so much guidance in reading back over my journals and in writing in them each night. Please please please tell me you all have journals. I love them.

3. I have had SO many experiences on my mission that always stun me. I've probably said, "Whelp, I never saw that happening on my mission" 12 million times. But here's the strangest one yet. Yesterday, I carried an investigator's Hispanic, hemmoraging grandmother to our car and raced her to the hospital. Yes, I know that broke mission rules. No, I do not care. And yes, I'm definitely grateful that part of mission routine is working out in the morning. Usually we're saving souls. Occasionally, we're saving lives. Thank goodness God places us in specific places for a reason.

4. I had another epiphany moment during our Fast and Testimony meeting yesterday. If I leave nothing else on this earth when I die, I want to leave my testimony of Jesus Christ. Thank goodness I have all this precious time to share with everyone I meet my witness and sure knowledge that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I really do have the best job in the world. 

5. NELL CAME TO CHURCH YESTERDAY. The most darling 35 year old blind, less active member came to church. I am still doing happy dances. We've been meeting with her for a while now. She said she'd come once, but ONLY once. By the end of Fast and Testimony meeting she was apologizing for having to leave before Sunday School and promising to stay longer NEXT TIME. I do believe EVERY single testimony shared that morning was shared specifically for her. Oh how grateful I am for the spirit witnessing to her that church is where she needs to be after 14 years of not going. I LOVE IT.

And I love you! Have an incredible week. And Smile! Someone sacrificed Himself for your happiness.

Sister Hutchins

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

So I do believe a gratitude list is in order! Today I am grateful for:

1. Cheesy, spiritual, lovely, supportive emails and friends that make me tear up. It's official...I'm becoming a crier. I don't care who knows it-I love you all.

2. Finding a family to teach this week! They are incredible. They are from Afghanistan, Muslim, and have incredible faith. We are going there tonight for a Family Home Evening. We're praying and fasting for them to see the truth and happiness we have to share!

3. New, clean, beautiful planners to decorate, scribble in, and eventually destroy...because without fail my planner always finds a puddle before the end of transfers.

4. Scarves I bought in Jerusalem. Thanks for inspiring me to buy them Hanny.

5. Panera. Sister Hibpshman and I had a companionship thanksgiving meal there yesterday. It was magical. Thanks for the gift card madre!

6. Music. How I've found so many answers to prayers through music lately is beyond me, but I am SO grateful for the power of it.

7. I AM STAYING IN TIMUQUANA FOR ANOTHER TRANSFER. Woot woot woot woot. I wasn't ready to leave these people. And there are quite a few that would be like starting a good book and then setting it down...if I were to have been transferred. Hallelujah for President Craig's start to having missionaries serving in an area for 6-9 months.

8. I'm strangely grateful for the excitement of new technology coming our way. Rumor is....we may be getting ours in JANUARY. What?!?

9. My Savior Jesus Christ. Words cannot express my appreciation, love, and awe at all He has done for me.

10. YOU. Yep, I said it. I love you. Thanks for being in my life darling friends and family. HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

P.S. Funny quote for the week that we are still embarrassingly giggling over: "Oh my word, I haven't been this nervous since I had to tell a boy I liked him." Oh the joys of some pressure-filled phone calls with investigators. Thank goodness we're on missions.

Jesus Christ Lives

Dear world!

We had Zone Conference this week...I like to see it as spiritual missionary boot camp. In the space of 8 hours, 2323489 things are addressed and sometimes you feel a bit chastised. The spirit inspires you again and again with how you could be doing missionary work better in your area, and by the time you are walking out the door, you can't really handle how many notes you took and how ready you are to get to work again. Before we left though, we had time for 5 "one minute short and powerful testimonies" as President Craig calls them. I didn't even realize I was standing to speak, until I was doing just that. And this is about what I said with that quality minute:

 If there is one thing I have learned on my mission, it is this: Jesus Christ lives and nothing else matters. When you're overwhelmed, or sad, or happy, or in any stage of life...the only thing that really matters is that Jesus Christ lives. He loves me and I love Him. And with this sure knowledge, we can overcome and master anything that is places in our path. I know with all my heart that this gospel is true. Joseph Smith is a prophet. And the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN.

And here are a few fun side notes for you....

1. I FOUND CINNAMON PINECONES. And for those of you who know me well...that definitely inspired an ecstatic giggle in Walmart...which is saying a lot because I still detest Walmart.

2. I'm so excited for Thanksgiving!!! I thought it would be a bit sad not being home, but I'm strangely excited. We've got two meals planned, one with the darling recent convert Holliday and another with our mission mama's family...I have a feeling this is going to be like that scene in Gilmore Girls..."And eat and eat and eat and eat and eat." I may be transferred the day before Thanksgiving though. That would be a tiny bit sad. 

3. It's starting to get cold. So we may be venturing to the mall to find me a jacket. I'm a little afraid of stepping into a mall. It's been a while.

4. When we knock doors...we seem to not find new investigators...but instead, less active members that aren't on the roster and have been forgotten. This is the 3rd time. One of them is so darling, but every time we call her...her ringback tone is Hunter Hayes "I Want Crazy" and it nearly kills me to not sing along. Press Forward
Saints though as Jen would say.

LOVE YOU ALL. HAPPY ALMOST THANKSGIVING.

So, so busy!

Jenessa is too busy to write a blog email this week. She's posting to wonderful miracle blog and to her zone's blog today, but she sends her love and asks for prayers for her sweet companion whose grandpa is not expected to make it through surgery this week.

-Jaclyn

Happy Dances and Lovely Stories

Oh my word. You know those truly lovely morning ones? I'm having one. I don't know how y'all did it, but somehow each of you wrote a particularly funny email. I was laughing hysterically over and over again. My companion is getting a bit nervous for me. Poor girl haha.

I have so many lovely stories to share with you this week. The first being that this whole miracle blog (whenyoubelieveingod.blogspot.com) is turning out to be a miracle! Junius (Miracle Post #2) is sharing my blog with everyone he talks to and is starting to soften his heart to what we believe! Nothing would make me happier than seeing that darling black baptist man sitting in church this Sunday. Fingers crossed.

Lovely Story #2: Robin agreed to get baptized!!! As well as two other investigators. You should get up and do a happy dance right this very instant. Oh how lovely this work truly is. If you want to start praying she'll be able to switch her work schedule, it would be much appreciated!

Lovely Story #3: Remember that seriously offended less active sister we met my second week here? She's officially re-activated. And we may start teaching her very Catholic boyfriend in the very near future. Anyone else just like grinning from ear to ear right now? Good-me too!

Lovely Story #4: The very first less active sister I met in this ward initially wanted us to take her name off the church record. Now...10 weeks later, she's asking us if she can have visiting teachers again. HALLELUJAH. God truly softens hearts.

Lovely Story #5: I was meant to go to Jerusalem. A woman we've been teaching and serving texted us yesterday saying that she is ready to give up. In other words, she's been contemplating suicide. Immediately, Sister Hibpshman and I got on our knees and prayed for guidance. We went over to see this darling woman hoping we could help. She stayed laying in her bed, and we sat cross legged on the floor of her bedroom talking with her. We began a lesson talking about how so often we only focus on the part of the Atonement that covers our sins, but Christ's suffering in Gethsemane covered SO much more than that. I then felt inspired to tell her about my experience in the literal garden of Gethsemane 6 months ago. I testified of the reality of our Savior and how I knew that He knows exactly how she is feeling. I pulled out the olive leaves I have pressed in my scriptures that the gardener gave us from the garden and pulled off a leaf. I told her that in the moments she doubted, all she needed to do was hold on to that leaf. Jesus Christ lived and died for each one of us. He is real. He knows her. That leaf can be a reminder for her. As she held that leaf, tears fell down her face. We sang a few hymns to her just like we did in the Garden of Gethsemane when I was there and just let that beautiful spirit fill the room. We then handed her a Book of Mormon, testifying to her that in our darkest moments...this book gives us the strength to carry on. She finally opened up and agreed to read it. And guess what? That olive tree leaf is now her book mark in that Book of Mormon. Oh my word...I love this woman. I love our Savior Jesus Christ and the hope He gives each one of us. And I love that I can share these incredible experiences in Jerusalem with other people and help them feel of the reality of Jesus Christ.

Lovely Story #6: I lost my voice this week! And let me tell you...when I got up to bear my testimony in Sacrament meeting this week...it was pretty hysterical. Fingers crossed this nasty cold goes away. But for now, my voice is pretty entertaining. Strangely enough, I think people feel pity for us and listen a little bit longer when we talk to them. I mean, come on. We got 3 new investigators in one day yesterday. 2134th happy dance of the week.

I LOVE YOU. And hey, today's my 160th day on the mission. Talk about CRAZY. Have a lovely day.

Sister Hutchins

Dearest fam bam...how would you feel about adopting 4 more sisters? Lovely. I love these darling sister friends. So glad we could all be reunited at Zone Conference this week!

Lots of Love, Pie, and Pictures

Dear World, 

I'm just going to rant today about how much I love Timuquana? Sound good? Lovely. I LOVE this ward. I LOVE this area. I LOVE these people. We had a Harvest Hoedown ward activity this past week and it was so much fun. From insane apple bobbing contests, to mortifying pie-eating contests (yes, I was bullied into participating), to country music line dancing...it was lovely. And after bonding all the more that night, we returned the very next day ready to speak on our missionary efforts to get this ward motivated to participate in member missionary work. It was delightful. We're working toward getting everyone involved in inviting their friends and family to hear more about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love it and I love them. Miracles are coming with these darling members I can feel it.

Elder Johnson won without a doubt. He's a stud.

I love my bishop and his wife. They are much too cute. 

Now, I have got to share a lovely miracle of my week. About a week or two ago we had an hour left in our night. We both strangely felt led to a specific street. And door after door was not the friendliest. Then suddenly we were at a door of a man that seemed semi-interested. We marked him as a potential and didn't really think anything of it. A week later, we call as he had asked and this is what this darling man said, "You two truly showed up like angels at my door. I've been searching and then BAM. There you were. You must know God to go out declaring His name." We've started teaching him and and he's so ready to learn more. I LOVE when the long days produce miracles you don't see until weeks later. Tender mercies are all around us.

Sorry this is short and sweet...I've got to get working on my miracles blog before we head out to find a pumpkin patch. I LOVE FALL. And I love you all. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the gospel.

Sister Hutchins

[Sidenote: if you have not seen Jenessa's video on her sister missionary Facebook page, go watch the pie eating contest. Jenessa is very funny.]

Tears, Fire, and Prayers

Dear World,

I don't quite know where to start with this week. The past transfer starting out white-washing here in Timuquana started slow. We felt like we were walking in circles, slowly we started walking in a pretty purposeful direction, and then before we knew it...we were sprinting down that path. This past week, we hit a wall and got a little banged up. But ladies and gents, we climbed that wall this week and are safely on the other side. 

To make a long story rather short, my darling companion started contemplating going home this week. The focus of the week quickly became less about missionary work and much more about her. The time we spent talking, fasting, pondering, praying, crying, and hugging each other this week is something I actually am so grateful for. I have never prayed so fervently or intently or sincerely for another person. And now that it is all said and done, guess what? Darling Sister Hibpshman is staying. She is a gem and I am oh so grateful that God answers prayers.

Can I tell you about our favorite moment of the week? We were at a breaking point...one where both of our emotions were all over the place and we could not focus on the lesson we were going to teach. So, we decided we needed to help ourselves before we could help another. We drove to our favorite park, found a place along the water to sit and dangle our feet, and we sang hymns for a solid hour as the sun went down. In the midst of her defeated confusion, and my fear that I wasn't going to be able to help my companion, the spirit came and calmed us down so quickly and powerfully. It was truly a moment of perfection. 

Now, are you ready for the scariest moment of my life? At 3:30 in the morning...banging began all around our apartment building. All we could hear was people screaming "Fire." We grabbed our shoes, the keys, and the phone and ran out the door. The 4 story building they were building right behind ours was completely engulfed in flames. All we could do was stare for a moment, but as the flames got bigger and the wind picked up, we decided that leaving would be our best option. We jumped in our car and left. Little did we know that we wouldn't be allowed to come back for hours. So where did we go in our panicky mindset? Right back to that lovely park. And we walked the deserted bridge wondering if our building had caught fire too. Somehow we ended up laying down in the middle of bridge (Hello Notebook) laughing hysterically. Don't worry, once we were allowed back into our complex...our building was perfectly fine and no one was hurt. The next day we drove past a bonfire and both cringed. I do not think I am ever going to enjoy sitting near a campfire ever again.

Last, but not least...I need your help. All of you. Every single one of you reading this. I'm starting a blog. A blog that I've prayed about for a solid month now. Please be watching for it on Facebook. I'm collecting miracles from everyone I can....members, investigators, random people I meet. We are going to show the world that God's hand is in every day for each and every person. What I need from you...is a miracle. Please email/facebook message me, no matter how short, a recent miracle in your life where you saw God's hand in your life. It could be simple, it could be life changing. Anything-I want it. And if you feel so inspired....share my blog on your facebook walls. Help me gather miracles from everyone you know. That will sure make getting to 1000 in a year a whole lot easier =)

Email me at: jenessah@myldsmail.net

I love you all so much. I've never been so grateful for my Savior. In the moments I felt like giving up, He was there. Prayer is truly a beautiful thing and when we hit our breaking points, God is going to take us by the hand and make it possible for us to continue on. This work is truly the best work in the world. Thank goodness I'm still at the beginning of my mission because I have so much more that I want to give my Savior.

Sister Hutchins

A Day in the Life (with pictures!)

Dear world,

I don't know what happened, but I've officially hit a pace on the mission that is exhilarating and entirely exhausting all the same time. I've never been so busy and oh so happy in my life. I don't know how we suddenly have so many people to see, but it is the most incredible thing. I thought I'd give you a sneak peak into one of my days....ready?

GOOD MORNING. 

6:15-Roll out of bed. Companionship prayer. Personal prayer. Brush teeth, wash face, ponytail up, shoes on.

6:30-Run laps around our apartment complex. Feels oh so good. Almost chilly weather.

6:55-Back inside stretching. Throw in a few push ups and some planks for good measure. Daydream of running half-marathon with Jaclyn. 

7:00-Shower. Oatmeal. Get ready. Memorize scripture. Get organized for the day. All while listening to EFY music. 

8:00-Personal Study. This is definitely the best hour of the day. This week, I'm studying the questions of the soul answered in the Book of Mormon in Preach my Gospel, reading the New Testament all the way through, and studying for specific lessons we teach each day. Oh and of course still going through General Conference notes. LOVE IT.

9:00-Companionship Study. We go over what we've learned in personal study and make more detailed lesson plans. Usually we do LOTS of training, but today we role played one of our lessons with a less active, who I call Marilyn Monroe, all about the Atonement. The spirit was amazing. I love role playing for lessons. It is the best prep.

10:30-Wrap up Companionship study early. Pray. Grab all of our stuff and literally run out the door.

10:45-I get to play the lovely piano as prelude to our district meeting. This seriously makes me so happy I can't really handle it.

11:10-District meeting begins. Stellar spirit every time. We learn more about Golden Hour...our ultimate focus on baptism and practice doing invitation role plays. And we even took a district picture. Yes, it's already the end of transfer #3. CRAZY.

12:50-The Normandy Sisters give us cookie dough as a thank you for always taking care of them (They are sadly always sick. I don't quite know how they manage it.) I love Sister Sullivan and Sister Martinez.

1:10-Lunch time back at our apartment. Hello frozen burritos, fresh mandarin oranges, and cookie dough of course. All while reading the awesome October Ensign.

2:00-Facebook time in the public library across the street. Lesson with a potential investigator back fires. He starts sending me all sorts of links so anti-Mormon websites....Please please please go to Mormon.org for your facts about what we believe. 

3:00-Harvest blessing (remember that mighty prayer I described way back when?) with a potential investigator who lives in our apartment complex. She felt the spirit before we even prayed with her. SO COOL. (Since this day...we've actually started teaching her. I have never taught such a golden investigator!! I love BENITA!)

3:30-Go over to serve a different potential investigator. Oh my word. This poor woman has had two brain surgeries recently and is currently suffering from seizures. Her whole life has flipped upside down. We helped clean her apartment for a little while. I helped darling Cynthia bandage something...long story short, I can't believe I had the ability to stomach it all. God was definitely with me. As I was doctoring her, she broke down into tears wondering why God had saved her to keep on living. The spirit was so strong in that room as I began talking to her. I don't even really know what came out, but by the end we were all crying and holding hands as we prayed together. She wants to come to church with us this Sunday. I don't know if I've ever felt God's love for someone so strong as in that moment.

4:20-Wipe up the tears (thanks for the tissues Allyson) and run to the car to our next appointment.

4:30-Marilyn Monroe time. OH MY GOODNESS. After never having been able to say she felt forgiven, she said that after we prayed the last time we were with her (another golden Harvest Blessing) she felt that weight begin to disappear. She's grasping the Atonement! She wants to work toward the temple now. She is finally ready. I love this woman. And as we left...she stuffed the most delicious meal into our hands.

5:45-Naturally we didn't have time to eat that delicious meal, so we stuffed down some fast food (I love diet coke) and raced on.

6:20-EPIPHANY. We took that delicious food and gave it to Cynthia, the woman who had suffered through two brain surgeries and hadn't been able to stand long enough to cook homemade food for herself or her daughter in months. Thank you Heavenly Father.

6:45-GOLDEN HOUR BEGINS (This is a new mission goal...an hour dedicated solely to finding) begins. We try to contact a few referrals but no one is home...so we just begin walking and talking to each person we see. After an hour in that apartment complex we've got 5 return appointments and a lovely new investigator. I love GOLDEN HOUR. And just get a kick out of the names for me...Dewanna, Kesha, Detria, and Donna. I love it all. Don't ask me how we only talk to women. Men are never outside!

7:50-Drive to contact a different referral. Not home. We're about to leave, though we have NO back ups because we've already exhausted the rest of our plans for the night, and I feel a third prompting to knock on the door in front of us. I hop out of the car, drag confused Sister Hibpshman along with me. And BAM. Suddenly we're teaching the entire first lesson to Roynesha and Tyrone (Yes Ryan I know you're jealous that's actually his name). This darling brother and sister (21 and 19) were so curious about what we had to share. We're so excited to keep teaching them. And Tyrone sings gospel music beautifully. Hello Sister Act 2.

9:20. RACE HOME. Beaming with joy at our night. NEW INVESTIGATORS BABY.

9:32-Walk in late. Feel a little bad. Instantly kneel to begin planning with prayer as we drop out bags. Giggle with excitement at reaching so many of our goals. God is great.

10:00-End planning with prayer again. Begin filling out teaching records and potential investigator forms.

10:15-Hurriedly organize a few things, get ready for bed and kneel to have bedtime companionship prayer.

10:33-My personal prayer time in the other room. Hello favorite part of the day. Scribble for a bit in my prayer journal.

10:45-Walk back into bed room. Sister Hibpshman and I tell each other what we love about each other (it's a companionship tradition...be jealous) and talk excitedly about our love for this work and the miracles we saw ALL day long. We finally realize how late it is.

11:00-OUT LIKE A LIGHT. Exhaustion sets in. I seriously love bedtime on the mission. Sleep is so vital.

Side note: Holliday got baptized this SUNDAY! She is a gem and the spirit in the room was incredible. She has taught me so much. I love when people we are so new to the gospel are the one's teaching us. She is literally glowing with the joy of the gospel every time we see her. She gets confirmed this week! I love this work so much. I do happy dances all day. And I love you all. So so so much. This church is so true and is truly the source of my happiness. I wish I could somehow shout it out to the whole wide world.

Sister Hutchins

p.s. I just finished my 20th week on the mission. Out of 80. I'm a little freaked out this is going by so fast.

p.p.s. It's starting to feel like fall! And I found my first fall leaf! There are maybe two trees that actually are turning colors in all of florida...but we found one of them!

p.p.p.s. Zone P-day bowling...is quite fun. Especially when playing with my mission mom and my mission daughter. Please appreciate the family picture.

Hello Dear World (with pictures!)

Hello Dear World!

This week has been quite the roller coaster. I had the flu for 6 days and it was not the most enjoyable thing. I finally had to cave and stay inside for a day. After that LONG day I wasn't feeling any better, but I couldn't waste another day inside. It just killed me to waste that time. So I am a firm believer in Tylenol Cold and Flu. In case any of you were wondering-It's magic. And now that I am feeling better, I can honestly say...being fully health that y on the mission is the biggest blessing. I've been breaking into happy dances all weekend about feeling better. I think my companion thinks I'm crazy. I asked her to describe me in one word....She said stubborn...especially after this past week. Poor girl is probably stuck with me another transfer. We'll find out next week! I sure do hope we stay together in this area. I'm falling in love with Timuquana.

Can I just rant to you all about my love for General Conference? I can honestly say that this past weekend was the best Conference weekend I have ever had the privilege to watch. By the time the Saturday session I had 14 questions I wanted to find answers to (I need a lot of guidance apparently haha. I had no clue I had so many questions!). Some were personal questions, and lots more were about the people I am currently teaching and serving. By the end of Saturday I had 13 of the 14 answered. I came with 11 more questions on Sunday...and found answers to all of them. Oh my word, God is so ready to provide us with answers if we truly listen. I am so grateful for a prophet on the earth today. His guidance and direction is an incredible blessing in my life.

By the way, I had another one of those perfect moments. When we sang "Called to Serve" on Sunday during the afternoon session, it hit me how much has changed in a year since the announcement last October about the ages of sister missionaries. I am oh so grateful for the prophet and the revelation he received that enabled me to serve right now. It's divine. I know this is exactly where God needs me to be and it is such a beautiful thing to have that knowledge.

By the way, the offended Less Active sister we've been working with sent us the best text in the world. "Hi sisters. I am watching conference. Thank you for all you do." Picture like 30 more happy dances when we read that one.

Alrighty, I love you all. I am so ready to get out there and share the gospel this week...especially now that I am feeling better. Thanks for all being such a constant support for me in my life. I love this work oh so much.

Sister Hutchins

 We went down to Ortega River for a P-day picnic with the Normandy Sisters. It was a perfect afternoon.

 I still love light posts oh so much.

And I couldn't help but share this one with the world. It made my companion and I laugh on the ground for much too long one night.

Hello World...dog bites, cool breezes, awkward prayers, and more!!

Hello World!

This has been one crazy week of 'firsts'. Are you ready for the list? Be prepared to laugh and shake your head a bit in disbelief.

1. I've finally be bitten by a dog. Yep. Picture Serious Black from Harry Potter as a dog....and he bit my leg. Luckily, there was no blood. Just a lovely bruise. 

2. We woke up at midnight to the police banging on our door. Yes, the police. Don't worry. We aren't felons. Scariest moment yet on the mission though.

3. Our washer flooded...and we live in the second floor of our apartment complex. So naturally, the water seeped into the man's apartment that lives below us. Apology note already delivered. (That was why the police were banging on our door weirdly enough. Just wanted to leave y'all in suspense for a bit haha).

4. I found out that one of my favorite skirts has quite a large whole in it, while very much out in public. Shaking your head yet?

5. I've officially been pulled over in Florida. WOOT WOOT. Don't worry I wasn't doing anything like speeding (I promise Jen). Our bike rack apparently blocks our registration tag...which is illegal. And I was wearing my seat belt under my arm. Thankfully he was nice and only gave us a warning. 

6. My ankles were swollen for 4 days. FIRE ANTS ARE THE WORST. I seriously had pregnant woman ankles. (I just wanted to be like you Jewelsie. Just kidding. Love you forever sister friend.)

Okay are you ready for the good 'firsts'? Because this week has actually been one of my absolute favorites of my mission so far.

7. I felt my first cool breeze in four months. Never felt anything more divine in my life.

8. We set a goal with our mission president to find 5 new investigators this week. Now, we only reached 4, but that is still the most I have ever found in one week so I'm pretty jazzed about it. My favorite new investigator moment was on Tuesday night. We had 20 minutes before our next appointment. I looked at Sister Hibpshman and told her that I really felt that God had given us 20 minutes to find our first new investigator. Little did I know how true that was. We knocked a few doors near a referral and then started talking to a man outside his home. He was definitely prepared by God. LOVE IT. My companion and I got back in the car nearly in tears...it was such a powerful experience. 

9. All my life I've been a little bugged about all the time girls waste getting ready every morning. I've officially found a solution. I now memorize a scripture a day while getting ready. It's great. No longer am I wasting all that precious time. I realize this is a rather large nerd/dork alert. But please love me anyway. 

10. As missionaries/representatives of Christ...part of this lovely calling means we can give Harvest Blessings. They are basically blessings on people's home/families....or just really mighty prayers. We did one of these with a less active sister who I will call Marilyn Monroe. (Seriously, I wish you all could meet her.) After the prayer my companion and I felt the spirit SO strongly. She didn't feel a thing. It was a little discouraging, so you can imagine our surprise when she walked into church on Sunday. After Sacrament meeting, she grabbed my arm and said, "Your prayer worked!" She went on to say that everything she had specifically asked us to include in that mighty prayer, had started happening. Most importantly, she woke up that very morning with the desire to go to church after not having the feeling in years. Yes yes, I may have started tearing up telling my companion about that afterwards. Oh my word, I love how powerful prayer is. By the way, the other seriously offended less active sister came to ALL of church today and even made a cake for the potluck afterward. Sure, she's still wearing her cross necklace, but she agreed to open back up her Book of Mormon this week. LOVE IT. Oh and did we mention she met with the bishop this week as well? Oh and is going to watch conference with us this weekend? I LOVE THIS WORK.

And lastly, I want to share the quote I've shared with what seems like every person we have taught this week for one reason or another. "Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of the prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference."-Max Lucado. Oh how true I know this to be. I seriously cannot get enough of this incredible work. I am stunned beyond words at how much I am not doing this work at all. I'm finally better grasping the idea that I am just a tool in His hands. He is performing the miracles, I just am doing my best to not get in the way of them. Hope you all are having a lovely day.

Sister Hutchins

p.s. If you have any friends or family you think would be interested in the gospel....I can teach them over facebook now. And would love love love to do it =)