The LAST One

I really cannot fathom that this is the end. I had another one of those perfect moments, and this was definitely one of the most perfect of all perfect moments. Yes, those exist. =)

Last night someone I taught from my last area in Mandarin took us out to dinner. Nate, Kylee, Sister Hendricks, and I had the most delicious subs and the best conversation/lesson over dinner. About halfway through, Nate shared that he finally had decided to be baptized. My heart just about died with happiness, but WAIT...it gets better. Nate explained that he is being baptized in Utah....in the beginning of January. Meaning by the grace of God, I'll be able to go. As he shared his stories and experiences of the past year, tears came to Nate's eyes. I found myself opening up Alma 32 thanking Nate for the incredible faith he has had for quite some time. 

And it wasn't until later when I got into the car with my darling companion that it all hit me. I've been feeling anxious about not completing all that God had asked me to do on my mission. I've been praying about it for weeks now, and over dinner with Nate, the sweetest Spirit seemed to fill out corner of the sandwich shop. I felt as if Heavenly Father had put His hand on my shoulder and told me, "See? Do you finally see? You've done exactly what I needed you to do." Perfectly enough, the goals I had set for my mission...they've been met. But that's not what really matters. What matters, is that we try, try some more, and then continue to try our very best. Though I didn't have a whole lot to give, I did give my all. And with the two mites that I put in, Heavenly Father was able to perform miracles. I couldn't be more grateful for the past 18 months. They've been the hardest, happiest, most exhausting, motivating, blessed months of my life. 

I hope y'all know how grateful I have been for each of you and your support and prayers. They mean more than you will ever know. I know with all my heart that the fullness of the gospel has been restored to the earth. Jesus Christ lives and loves us. The Book of Mormon has provided the answer to hundreds of my prayers. And Heavenly Father really does have a unique and detailed plan for each of us and our families-a plan for our personal happiness. Oh I love it so much.

I'll be SEEING y'all soon. LOVE YOU FOREVER.

Sister Hutchins

P.S. I would LOVE nothing more than to see you on Sunday, December 28th, at 9:00 at my homecoming. The address is 655 Old Orchard Drive Danville, CA.

P.P.S. Jaclyn, your 12 days of christmas letters really are the cutest thing in the entire world. I had to take the stereotypical missionary mailbox photo...even if our mailbox is hideous.

P.P.P.S. This is an old photo, but Nate and Kylee are the cute couple on the right! They get married in March =)

A Scrapbook of Moments

This week's email is going to be a bit more of a scrapbook of moments are pieced together. I must be getting sentimental or something. I've begun taking photos nearly everyday.

After nightly planning on Tuesday, I ripped open my letter not really paying attention, only to realize it was from the mission office and they were giving me information about going home next week. I burst into tears and my sweet companion couldn't stop giggling at how quickly I went from happy about mail, to throwing the letter across the room.  Don't worry though, the next day my district had Mission president interviews and President Craig very sincerely told me that somehow Heavenly Father would help me to begin to let go of my mission in the coming weeks. And true to his word, that letting go process began a few days later at the temple. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING. On this lovely holiday, we ate one meal at 3:00 and another dinner at 5:00. It was painful to say the least, but it was also all sorts of fun. The Elders in our ward came with us to both meals and it felt like quite the party. Sister Bridegan went to culinary school. I don't know if I've ever tasted better rolls and fruit tarts in my life. Happy Thanksgiving to us indeed =)

I LOVE THE TEMPLE. I was able to go to the temple for my last transfer on Friday and it was, quite possibly, a perfect day. Not only was I surrounded by some of my favorite people, but SO many answers to prayer came as well in that gorgeous temple. I've been really pondering this biggest mission lesson learned lately....I had decided last week that it really all came back to Heavenly Father's incredible love for us. The last question asked that day in a sealing room of the temple of President Tilton was, "What is the biggest lesson you've learned as a temple president?" He replied, "I have come to understand SO much more the love that Heavenly Father has for each and every one of us." There was an incredible Spirit in that room. It's like everything I'm learning is coming together perfectly as my mission wraps up.

For five beautiful hours of driving to and from Orlando, I sat beside one of my past companions. It was a tender mercy from the Lord to have her by my side all day. Sister Cline is one of those companions that was a rock for me right when I needed her. She always talks about how she never received a confirmation to serve a mission...she just kept waking up every night for two weeks thinking about a mission. I told her it was because I was praying for Heavenly Father to help me out on my mission during those months. And He gave me her. I prayed her to Jacksonville.  I'm so grateful for her. 

I always write about perfect moments in my journal...moments that aren't really picture moments because they are sacred, or spiritual, or whatever the word may be. But Sister Richardson (past companion in Kingsland) captured this perfect moment at the temple when I didn't realize it. While everyone was taking 5 million photos, I got to walk away from the world (still within sight ad sound-don't you worry), and have this quiet, simple confirmation that I'm still on the right path. Everything really is in God's perfect timing. Heavenly Father really has been answering all of my prayers. I'll be ready to come home next week. I no longer doubt that. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER HENDRICKS. She's an adult with me now. We had quite the party that day. 

I'm more than a little excited to be back in California NEXT WEEK. WOOT WOOT. Is it legal to take pictures with other people's license plates?

Alright, that's it for me. LOVE YOU ALL. And guess what?! Only one more of these blog emails home. Woot woot. 

Sister Hutchins