Welcome to Life in St. Marys

Hello World!

This week I want to be simple and just write about all the things I'm grateful for. This may get carried away, but stay with me. I just feel so incredibly blessed all the time. 

I'm grateful for....
*Those moments when the sky seems to explode with water and within 5 seconds my companion and I are absolutely soaked. I have probably never laughed harder sprinting through what feels like gallons of water pouring on my head. (The thunder and lightning here is INCREDIBLE)

*Beautiful music. Jericho Road's Homeward Bound is my favorite song as of now. We listen to it every morning and it sets the tone of the day perfectly. (Side note-I'm also obsessed with Amazing Grace. Ahhh I love music.)


*Manicotti. It is positively delicious. Be proud of me Jaclyn for finally having some. Oh my word I could eat it every day.


*My mission. The church actually already owns a plot of land here in Jacksonville to build a temple on. I know with all my heart I am here to help prepare these wonderful people for their own temple finally so much closer than Orlando.


*Sister Angel, one of my ward missionaries. She is truly inspiring. I cannot adequately express the difference it makes to have members in lessons! We thought one of our investigators was falling away, but with the spirit brought in by Sister Angel, Kiisa is praying about baptism again. Her last name perfectly describes her.


*The worldwide missionary broadcast last night. It was so exciting and motivating. I have never been more excited for the next year and half of my life. Ahhh I have already witnessed so many miracles. Can't wait for more.


*Chick-Fil-A and the fact that I've never met so many people that are in love with chicken as I have in the South.

*Armadillos. Quote of the Week:" I didn't know Armadillos were real until I killed one!" (Yes, I said that in near freak out mode. I ran over a poor Armadillo. But, don't worry. I've named my bike Amy the Armadillo in honor of that creature.)


*The spirit. One woman we are teaching, Rachel, is quite possibly right out of a TV show. I can't find the words to describe her, but she talks a mile a minute and is difficult to teach to because she gets side tracked within 30 seconds of any conversation. By some miracle, the last time we went over, something was different. She was calm. She read the Book of Mormon with us. My companion and I sang her a hymn, Nearer My God To Thee, and the spirit that filled the entire room was undeniable. Now, Miss Rachel is planning on coming to church. She's praying, and we are so so so excited to keep teaching her.


*Brother Stebbin's Baptism!!! He is getting baptized and we are so happy. He is quitting smoking and is so ready to come closer to being sealed to his wife (who's already a member) a year from now. Oh my word. This couple feels like family already.


*Dogs. Bug bites. and the 18 predicted hurricanes this summer. Okay, maybe not exactly grateful, but working on it. Every family without fail...has a dog here. I have had my water bottles licked to death, my face jabbed, and my skirt torn a little bit. Fingers crossed I can start loving these animals haha.By the way...15 bug bites and counting. I think I have to whip out the bug spray tomorrow. Woot woot.


*Weddings. My ward's elders. And the hope that someday spouses will accept the gospel. 

*AK 47s. Mmmhmm, that's right. I've held one now. It was quite fun. Don't worry Madre-it wasn't loaded. I think I'm becoming a bit of a hick everyone. Don't be shocked in 18 months please.


*Really when it gets down to it, I am so grateful I made the decision to serve. I have the opportunity to share my testimony of Jesus Christ every single day. What could possibly be better? 

So dear world, I love you all so very much. And I appreciate your love and support more than you will ever know. Have a wonderful week and be excited for a much more mature sounding email next week as I will be 20. PARTY.

Pictures!!

Finally, we get a glimpse of Sister Hutchins' first few weeks as a missionary. Enjoy!

 Jenessa's MTC district in front of the Provo temple. 

Jenessa and her MTC companion, Sister Phelon

Sister Phelon and Sister Hutchins happily hugging (her words) after teaching their best lesson.

Sister Jensen (from Jenessa's MTC district) and Jenessa freaking out (though they look awfully adorable in their freak out) on the plane to Florida.

 Jenessa and her training companion, Sister Wood. 

Just in case you missed it in her longer message, Jenessa will be staying in the Jacksonville mission even after it splits. Already looking forward to next week's update from our Southern belle. Bye for now! 

Week 3 - Hello World!

Hello World! 

I'm out of the MTC and drum roll please.....staying in the Jacksonville, Florida mission even with the split happening in a few weeks! I am currently serving in Kingsland Georgia with my darling training companion Sister Wood. Rumor is, this is the area of the mission you get called to....and don't leave for quite some time. Sounds like I'll be here through Thanksgiving. Sister Wood has been on her mission for 5 and half months and she has spent all her time here in Kingsland. Don't worry, I'm loving it. 

Hysterical reality check: The South really is a whole different culture. And the people here seriously do LOVE food. And yes, they are always talking about the next big tropic storm. (Rumor, which is starting to sound like fact....the hottest summer on record is predicted for this year. It's already been 110 degrees. I know you are jealous.) And for your final reality check, the Southern accent is alive and well. I've already perfected mine. I know you all can't wait to hear it in 18 months.

Miracle of the Week: Sister Wood and I had had a rather long day, filled with lots of people not being home. Both our plan and our back up plan had fallen through and we had 15 minutes left before returning home. We decided to go smacting (street/door-to-door contacting). And we met a family of four who invited us back for tomorrow. I am oh so excited. I love them already. This is the first time this has happened for Sister Wood....we are having a panic attack party in the car. So naturally, we named our 2012 Toyota Corolla Mulan, the Smacter. And man oh man, does she live up to her name.

Side Note: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY PAPA. I love you forever. Can't tell you how many non-members laugh that we can't call home on Father's day, but we can on Mother's day. Hope your day was wonderful.

Details on the Mish: I'm currently in a car (hallelujah) but will be riding a bike as well to keep our miles under 1200 each month. The ward I am in is HUGE. It covers 26 free way exits. I am getting my bike today...and am trying to be positiive about riding it in the humidity haha. Sister Wood and I are serving with two Elders as well. Our focus right now is on less active and part member families. This ward has 600 members, but something like 450 less actives. We have been combing through those ward rosters like crazy!

I wish I had the time to express how grateful I am to be on my mission. I knew before he even called my name which trainer I was going to have when she walked into the room. And I know I'm meant to be here in Kingsland. I mean come on, one of our investigator's speaks Arabic as her first language and is reading from an Arabic Book of Mormon. AMAZING. We have a baptismal service on the 28th and our praying like crazy that that date will keep as our investigator is struggling to give up smoking. I know this is all just a whole lot of detail thrown in all over the place, but I am struggling with time. I know with all my heart that God answers prayers. It's been quite a whirl wind out here in the South these past 5 days, but I love love love it. I love this gospel and I love all of you. Have a fabulous week.

Love forever and ever, 

Sister Hutchins 

Cheers from the Salt Lake Airport

We got to talk to Jenessa today while she was waiting for her flight in Salt Lake. She is very happy and already in full missionary mode. There is still a good chance that she will be moved the Georgia Macon mission, but we will not know until she writes from the mission home in Jacksonville. As promised, we will keep you posted and provide you with an updated address as soon as Ness writes.

Jaclyn

Week One - Hello World!

Hello World!

Oh my word, when everyone tells you the days are like weeks and the weeks are like days on the mission-they were not kidding. But let me tell you, I love this place. There is something so incredibly empowering being surrounded by thousands of missionaries preparing to share the gospel along side you all around the world. Ahhh I'm so glad I decided to serve a mission.

There is much too much to tell you all, but here are a few lovely tid bits from my week.

CURRENT LOVES: I love personal study time. It has been such a blessing to have time to truly study and learn like never before. I love Captain Crunch Berry Cereal in the mornings here. I love running into people I know from Jerusalem, Cambridge, BYU, home, and everything in between. I love getting letters at the end of the day from you darling people. I love the time I get to play volleyball and run. It feels divine. I love my MTC teachers-they are incredible and have taught me so much. I love my district-8 sisters and 3 elders...they are my family here. The tides have really changed here at the MTC. Currently we are at 46% Sisters. Holla. And most of all....I love this gospel. So so so much. I am seriously just getting more and more excited to get out there. 5 days baby.

Teaching Info: My companion and I have two fake investigators and it has been an incredible experience to teach the gospel in what feels like real life situations. It's been hard, especially with one woman, but we finally got through to her. There is nothing like being led by the Spirit to what an investigator needs to here right in that moment. Ahhh the church is true. 

Missionary Catch Phrases: Never did I ever consider how difficult it would be to switch the way I speak into missionary mode. Good bye words like 'guys', 'oh my gosh', 'darling', 'shoot', 'darn it'. And hello 'Sisters', 'Elders', 'bummer', 'oh my word', what on earth?', and 'sad day.' I'm hoping I come up with some quality southern sayings once I get to Florida on Tuesday.

Companion Details: I love love love my companion. Sister Hiedi Phelon (pronounced 'feelin'-I've had some fun with that) just turned 19 and has been excited to serve a mission since she was 4 years old. You have no idea how badly I have needed her pure excitement about all things mission related this past week. I know Heavenly Father was truly aware of the type of companion I could learn and grow the most with while in the MTC and oh my word, Sister Phelon is exactly that. I adore everything about her.

I am so so so happy to be here. There is no better place for me to be and I feel that with all my heart. This has been hard, but the best kind of hard. And though I miss you all like crazy, I know that Heavenly Father needs me here. I love this gospel and had no idea how much more I had to learn,but even in this past week I know I have become that much more prepared to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with lovely Floridians. I know the church is true and I cannot wait to share it. LOVE YOU. 

p.s. Pictures to come. Left my cord at home =/ LOVE YOU ALL.

(Ryan's Instagram shot from just before Jenessa reported tothe MTC on May 29th)