Happy Dances, Sister Richardson, and Being a Trainer

Hey Y'all,

Can I just tell you all how much I love mission life? It just gets better and better with every passing week. I could almost tear up about it right now as I'm typing I am so happy. My happiest moment of the week was actually just a phone call. A woman walked into the church about a month ago and asked the bishop how she could learn more. He gave her our number and got her number as well. Long story short, we have been calling for weeks. She's always at work, or on vacation, and the few times she has answered she always says she will call us back. We were about to give up contacting her, but I just knew we had to try one last time. So yesterday my darling new companion and trainee, Sister Richardson, took the lead and called. And guess what? WE HAVE A TEACHING APPOINTMENT WITH SHARON THIS TUESDAY. I just could do so many happy dances about that. What kind of woman is bold enough to just walk into a church building and almost demand that she learn more from the bishop? I will have to keep y'all posted next week.

OH AND GUESS WHAT? I actually knew my trainee before meeting her on the day of transfers!! Is that crazy or what? Sister Richardson is one of my best friend's, Jen Joslin, old college roommate. When I was in England, she came to visit Jen and I got to meet her. How great is that? Anyway, I could not have been blessed with a better trainee. She is so on top of it and ready to work. I feel like I haven't taught her a thing...she is teaching me! I feel so blessed and I know that we are both here together for a reason. I know this is going to sound weird, but I officially feel like a missionary. You know how sometimes it takes a little while to realize you are a year older and actually say that age? Well, that has been happening with my mission. It's now natural to bring up the gospel with everyone I meet. It's natural to say that my name is Sister Hutchins and not Jenessa. The routine now seems like an easy thing to do. I love it oh so much. As it's all been becoming more and more normal, I have just become more and more grateful to be a missionary. As I've been helping others draw closer to Christ, they've been helping me draw closer as well. It has been an incredible thing to be apart of.

Oh and here are a few quality side notes for y'all:
1. My newest pet peeve is smeared writing in my copy of Preach My Gospel. It is driving me insane.
2. It's my mission two month anniversary today. Party. Sister Richardson and I are celebrating by going to Chick-Fil-A. Basically because we've been craving it like crazy. And after moving for hours and hours this week, we feel we deserve it haha.
3. New Southern Catch Phrase: "I'm down like four flat tires." (Aka when you are in agreement with someone else about doing something.)
4. Favorite thing to say currently before walking into an intimidating situation or before any teaching appointment: "GATOR DONE." Oh y'all are just going to laugh so hard at me when I get home. Can't wait.

5. New address: 1028 Park Place, St. Mary's GA, 31558
(Such a blessing to have moved. Our apartment is lovely. Shout out to all the darling ward members who helped.)
6. If I have any advice for the week it is this: go read "The Power of the Everyday Missionary." by Clayton Christensen. It is absolutely incredible and changes you perspective on missionary work completely. You will love it. Though mission rules are pretty strict about what we read, our mission president has okayed it with our Area 70 to read this. And now he has in turn asked every bishop and stake president to read it as well. Ladies and Gents-GO READ IT. 

I LOVE YOU ALL. SO SO SO MUCH. See you in 16 months.

Sister Hutchins

 The question of the day was "What do you need to throw away?" Sister Wood and I died laughing. Clearly someone knew we needed to throw out that demolished watermelon.

Goodbye darling Sister Wood. I heart my mission madre.

 End of the transfer District picture. SO excited that we are getting another set of sisters in our district to even out the scene.

My new companion Sister Richardson! My MTC companion and I are training sisters who were MTC companions as well. We thought it was pretty darn cute. 

Following Promptings - Southern Style

Hey Y'all, 

Mission life does not get boring that is for sure. Transfers are tomorrow and oh my word am I getting excited and nervous and ecstatic and freaked out and a whole lot more of who know's what. I am staying in my area in the Kingsland Ward. We were expecting this, but I am so grateful for that. I just don't know how I would say goodbye to these incredible people just yet. I will be moving apartments though. The apartments we are currently living in are not in the best area anymore. We hope to be moving this week closer to the church (Woot woot-less miles baby). It will be a bit of a bummer being so distracted for the work with moving and all, but as this ward is now referring to me as the "organization freak"....I'm sure it will be fun.

We had a lesson at the beginning of this week that would make anyone's jaw drop. By the end of it, darling Grace was telling us that the baptismal date we had sent the lesson before wasn't soon enough (we can't move it up though because we are waiting for her kids to get home from Canada). I seriously didn't know how to respond for probably a little too long. Sister Wood and I did happy dances all the way home. We addressed serious concerns she had had the last time we had met with her and the spirit was so strong her normally stubborn self agreed that everything we were telling her made sense. I just love love love how powerful the spirit was. Sister Wood and I had been praying and studying and asking past bishops in our ward how to address her particular concerns, but it wasn't our explanation that helped her realize the truth....it truly was the spirit in the room. I love it so much. (Side Note: Grace has been talking to me in Arabic some more. But this time in Sudanese Arabic. 3rd dialect baby. Can't wait to get back to school and start learning it again.)

At a dinner appointment with an investigator and his member wife (the incredible Stebbins fam) I was set to teach the entire lesson because I had made a deal with Brother Stebbins. If I taught an entire lesson alone, he would say the prayers...which is saying something if you knew him. In the end, he only said one of the prayers, but it was the best lesson experience I've had my entire mission. Brother Stebbins has set three baptismal dates now and each one has fallen through. It's been quite the heart breaking journey for his wife and all the missionaries that have worked with him. After I taught my lesson, I knew nothing had gotten through to him. His wife had done all the talking and got more and more excited about the temple, but Brother Stebbins was sitting silently. The spirit kept telling me I needed to be bold and figure out where he was at. So, I looked at the clock telling me we were already late to making it back home on time and I listened to the spirit instead. I started asking him questions and he finally opened up after weeks of praying to know where his testimony is at. We spent the next hour and a half asking questions, answering questions, testifying about the power of prayer. Long story short, we finally know what has been holding him up for so long. We have finally figured out what it is that we need to work on with him, and though the road is long and maybe getting a little bit longer than we had previously anticipated, I know with all my heart that we are one step closer to getting him to been sealed to his darling wife in the Orlando temple next year. I love love love the power of the spirit. It's incredible.

Alright, if you didn't guess already, this week has been one big testimony builder about the power of the Holy Ghost and the miracles it provides. I have found so much peace with having the Spirit as my companion on my mission, especially as I start training tomorrow. I don't know a lot. I haven't taught everything. I do not have experience like many of the other trainers. But, I also know that I'm not alone in training this new sister. The Holy Ghost is the most powerful teacher and if I trust in Him, it is all going to be okay. What a blessing that is. In the mission world, I am 6 years old (6 weeks old) and pregnant (about to train...aka be a mother). It's been quite fun saying that. I love you all. So so so much. Sorry I'm such a gushy writer, but please love me anyway. Have an amazing week. And please please please, follow the promptings of the spirit.

Side note: Sorry about no pictures again. I keep getting the bad library computers. Next week hopefully!

Howdy Y'all

Howdy Y'all. (Okay you're right...too far.)

[Re-do]

Hey Y'all,

I hope life has been treating you all so incredibly well. I have news to share that made my jaw drop farther than it ever has. Near unhinging actually. I've been called to train this coming transfer. Usually the training program is 12 weeks long, but my mission president called and he has asked some of the 6 week sisters to stop and start training. It is intimidating that is for sure, but thankfully, this weight isn't solely on me. With the spirit to rely on, somehow this will all work out. I don't think I've stopped praying since I got that phone call.

 

I have a mission mantra that I don't think I've shared with y'all yet. I stole President Hinckley's and then added a twist if that is allowed. "Forget yourself and go to work, loving one by one." Ahhh I love it so much. And it has truly been such a blessing to constantly remind myself of my purpose. I talk with so many people every single day. Some people are receptive, some are not. But I know with all my heart, that every single one is a child of God and has so much worth. I love that and as a missionary, I have been able to feel the divine love Heavenly Father has for each and every person I talk to. As I have forgotten myself and truly tried to dedicate every thought and every action to helping others come to Christ, I have really never been happier.

Miracles on P-day are truly my favorite. Last week, we went to a recent convert's Sweet 16. And oh my word, we were reminded of the awkwardness of teenage years. (I love that I get to say that now that I'm 20 haha). Anyway, while there we started talking with the mother's friend and out of no where, Shanda just started telling us all the good experiences she has had with the Mormons she knows. And suddenly right then and there, with Black Eyed Peas Boom Boom Pow playing in the background, Sister Wood and I were teaching her the first lesson. It was incredible. She is so ready to receive the gospel. I am so excited for her.

Another day this week we were doing service for our ward mission leader. He has a giant garden and we went over to pick string beans. Within 20 minutes, the pouring rain stopped us, but Brother Adams decided we should go talk to his neighbor who he thought could be interested in the gospel. One hour later we were walking out of her home having taught the first three lessons.. It was that same kind of awe-inspired feeling we felt after teaching Shanda. So many people are looking for peace and answers and God....and here I have such a privilege to be ready to share that happiness at any moment. I am so grateful for that.

All right, ladies and gents that's all the time I have today, love you all. And remember-love, peace, and chicken grease.

Sister Hutchins

p.s. I have a confession...When my companion is in the shower, I listen to Christmas music. It's July. So I'm right on time.

p.p.s. This week we went to go visit a less active member and he had written on his glass door in black marker, "Dear Mormons, Do not knock on my door. Do not ring my door bell. Thanks." That, plus the large barking dog had us turning around pretty darn quickly. And yes, laughing hysterically. Not sure if that was the proper reaction, but that's what came out of us.

p.p.p.s. I mowed my first lawn this week. After years of being the weeder in the family, I finally stepped it up. I am much too proud of myself for that.

p.p.p.p.s. Challenge for the week....go make a mormon.org profile. They are incredibly powerful and so helpful for sharing the gospel. Who knows, I may just read it and share your testimony with one of my investigators. So seriously-go do it. I will love you even more if that is possible =)

p.p.p.p.p.s. 2 dinners in one night is more painful that Thanksgiving. Oh my word....Hoping that never happens again. I LOVE YOU. Too many p.s.'s? Impossible. 

Hey Y'all

Hey Y'all, 

(Birthday festivities in the morning...another package and six letters came later that day!)

Hope your week has been lovely. I walked outside this morning, and it felt like sunshine in the West. I can't explain it, but it was oh so lovely and maybe almost a dry heat (Not quite). Anyway, I really just wanted to thank you all for the love and the wonderful birthday shout outs I got this past week. My jaw dropped when we opened the mail box haha. Best day ever, from darling letters to yummy English candy, to flowers from my darling pops. It was all divine. And during that day I got to make three birthday wishes-I know...it's like a dream come true. During Zone P-day, all the missionaries put some candles on a quality pb&j for me. Then, at the darling Stebbins' dinner later that night, Shaun had made me a cake and everything. (Fingers crossed he gets baptized on the 20th!!!). And last, but not least, I made another wish at 11:11 (I know I was up too late...I'm working on it!). I hope it's not too demanding to make 3 wishes, but I'm 20 now. Hopefully that's allowed. And don't worry, all three are safely recorded in my journal. I LOVE BIRTHDAYS. Thanks again. Someday soon I will have time to write you all. It may take me centuries, but I will get there. 

(Thanks for the flowers papa!)

This week was a big week because we finally got to meet our new mission president! Oh my word, President and Sister Craig are incredible. I have truly never been so excited about missionary work, especially as they were talking about all the coming changes. In the coming months, planners and area books are out. And technology will be replacing it. Missions will become much more service oriented (justserve.org) and tracting will be completely phased out. Church doors are going to be open all day and we will be giving church tours and teaching people inside the church if we can. There is so much more-this really is just a taste, but this work really is of God. I absolutely love it. My favorite quote that they shared was from Elder Oaks I believe. "This the most remarkable era of the church, rivaled only by the First Vision, the coming of the Book of Mormon, and the Priesthood being restored to all worthy males. This class of 2013 will be known for marking one of the greatest events in history..." No pressure there right? Just joking, I'm so excited. We have work to do-that is for sure. 

Are you ready for some random side notes? I sure do hope so. First off, Storm warnings are real. Like, Hunter Hayes' Storm Warning song is a real thing! Maybe I should have processed this sooner, but we get texts for storms, floods, tropical storms, all of the above. I know y'all in the West are jealous. Second, we were visiting a darling family that we are hoping will become progressing investigators soon and I was such a weirdo. Here is this darling pregnant woman who already has two kids and she is due in a month. I think I snapped into sister mode because she reminds me so much of my Julinanners. We were talking to her as she is cleaning her kitchen and she had to bend down to clean her refrigerator better and I grabbed the rag from her and just started cleaning for her. Everyone was laughing. I probably should get to know people a little better before I get so comfortable with them as I'm like kneeling on the ground scrubbing in a skirt...Maybe not though...we gave them a Book of Mormon and a Family: Proclamation to the World before we left. Ahhh I just love them so much. Fingers crossed. Third, I finally ate Chicken and Dumplins on the Fourth of July. Yes, you read that right. No "g" at the end of dumplings-that is not how they do it. It was interesting...not sure if I'm a huge fan, but an experience nonetheless!

(Saint Marys' waterway - love it!)

And for my spiritual side note, I have been loving the Book of Mormon. I have been highlighting each "all" and "fulfill" I see. I know that sounds random, but I have gained such a strong testimony of how complete the gospel is. It is everything and it is for everyone. It applies to all aspects of life, all people, and can fill any empty space in your life. I love love love how complete and truly fulfilling coming closer to our Savior is.

(Where I study each morning. :) )

Hope y'alls fourth of July was divine. And as one of my favorite recent converts always says, "Jam tight and jelly up." Confused? You really should vacation in the South sometime. 

Love you all forever,

Sister Hutchins

 (Woodbine, Georgia - middle of nowhere. :) )

Welcoming in 20, Sister Missionary Style

Dear World, 

There is always so much to share, I never know where to start. Weeks seriously flash by, but SO much happens in each day that I swear these days have to be longer than 24 hours. 

This week in general has been pretty slow. We started out needing to take our car into the shop so we biked for the first 4 days and oh my word. Never have I been more grateful to have a car in my life than when we got it back on Thursday. Our area is so huge that biking took up most of the day and we really couldn't get very much done. And I'm not going to elaborate much, but this Southern humidity and bikes is NOT a good combo. I've got nice tan lines though (Seriously, I said tan lines haha. And my watch tan line is pretty snazzy). Side note: Madre, remember those bike shorts I complained about for all those weeks? They are the biggest blessing (Wind + skirt = Immensely grateful for bike shorts). Once we got the car bike, my poor companion got pretty sick. She went through two tissue boxes in 12 hours-I think that has to be a record. But God's hand is really in everything. We still got to witness some miracles =)

Miracle #1: I think I've mentioned her before, but we are teaching an older woman named Rachel. She has seriously been changing and it has been incredible to watch. We still have a long way to go, but we invited her to our weekly class at the church on Wednesday nights where we teach recent converts, ward missionaries, and investigators a lesson with the elders in our ward. And a half hour late, in walks lovely, and as dramatic as ever, Rachel. My companion and I were teaching and as she walked in, we both felt the need to completely switch the direction of the lesson. We taught the Plan of Salvation and the testimonies and comments of others in the class added to the spirit felt so strongly as Rachel finally processed what seeing her late husband again in the next life would mean. Ahhhh it was wonderful. One of our bolder members was there and told her about how we don't use the cross as a symbol in our church and Rachel cutely slipped her necklace inside her shirt. Oh my word I love this woman. Can't wait to continue teaching her. Fingers crossed she can switch her schedule up a bit and make it to church sometime soon.

Miracle #2: My ward had their first Ward Outreach night and oh my word, it was divine. The idea is to have two nights a month where ward members come and divide into twos and threes and go visit members of the ward-whether they be less actives, recent converts, or visiting teaching lists and such. I can't tell you incredible it was. The missionaries split up as well (first time I left my trainers side haha). Afterward, everyone discussed the miracles and experiences they had. In two hours my ward accomplished what usually takes missionaries alone two days to do. And it is SO much more powerful for members to love and reach out to fellow members. I am so excited to see how this continues. Some less actives even showed up to church yesterday because members had visited them! I love how inspired our bishop is. 

Miracle #3: I may have ranted about this before, but my testimony has been growing so much in regard to how incredible and powerful the priesthood is, from witnessing a blessing in the hospital this week to a darling girl who is not a member (yet haha) to sharing the first vision and the power of God's hand on the earth. And of course, the topic was the Priesthood in Sacrament yesterday. And of course, the speaker didn't show. Are you thinking what my bishop was thinking? Yep, I was called upon to speak. And luckily the priesthood has been on my mind so much, that speaking on the spot wasn't nearly as freaky as it should have been. So what's the count? Two on the spot talks so far and I've been out a month? (I spoke in the MTC...my branch president picks on two missionaries each week. I had like a 5% chance of being called. Naturally haha.) Oh goody-bet there are many to come. 

Miracle #4: Though our baptism fell through this week because of his work schedule flipping to a night schedule, a miracle still did happen with him and his darling wife. Sister Stebbins has been a less active member for quite a long time now, but as her husband has been getting the lessons she has been coming back to church and gaining such an incredible testimony alongside her husband. While her husband was working the night shift this past weekend on base, someone tried to break into her house. She instantly knew she needed to turn on all of the lights in her home and get upstairs. The robber left. Sadly, shooting and robbing another house. As darling Sister Stebbins was telling us this story she stopped, looked us in the eye and said, "I know it was the spirit that told me to turn those lights on. I'm so grateful for it." Oh my word, how incredible it is to watch others recognize the spirit and the hand of god in their life. I adore this couple and am actually going over there tonight for my birthday dinner. They live a couple streets over from us-they are our neighbor family =) Fingers crossed in the midst of their new decision to move as quickly as possible that Brother Stebbins can get baptized before my companion gets transferred.

I LOVE YOU ALL. I love this gospel. And I love that I'm a representative for Christ in Kingsland Georgia.

20 year old Sister Hutchins
(I'm suddenly breaking out like a teenager though-uh oh haha.)