Miracles, Deliciousness, Facebook, and Twinners (w/ pictures!)

I absolutely loved March 12th. It felt like my birthday of the mission. Reading miracle after miracle, hearing my ward share their testimonies on Sunday about the event and it's influence, and just realizing for the millionth time how much God's hand is in our lives was stunning. I am SO grateful for your help and participation. If you could have been in my spot and seen how far a simple status event could go, you would be equally stunned. I love online missionary work. In just a matter of days, this event, aka all the people who participated, touched more people that even live in the county I serve in. God is so good!

Happy St. Patty's day!!!! Normally I kind of giggle at the companionships that color coordinate, but today...we color-coordinated and somehow it turned into a twinner day. I love it a little too much. Companionship unity for the win.

Ready for our perfect moment of the week? We were eating dinner at the Starlings and Stephen walks in with the most decadent desserts in the world. I wish this picture did them justice. I feel a bit selfish going over to see the Starling family now...it's like an hour of spending time with my real family. I adore them more than is even healthy. And one of their sons is getting baptized now too! Hallelujah. And their 17 year old daughter is already talking about her mission. Goodness gracious. I love it. I love it. I love it.

Oh and can I tell you my miracle story through this miracle blog!?!? One night last transfer, we knocked on a door and the family who answered was NOT interested. We told them about the miracles blog and asked if we could share one of their miracle stories. They let us in =) A half hour later we were friends over facebook and chatting away like we'd known each other for years. About three weeks later, the mom of the family sees a post of mine on facebook and asks what I meant about a forever family sealed in the temple. A week later, we were at her home teaching her all about it! The next morning (this happened this week) on facebook I had a message from her all about how she was up all night tossing and turning about what it would mean to her if her family was sealed in the temple. The many miracles that are coming through this blog are almost too much for me to handle. I love how God can work so powerfully through the small things.

Hope all is well on the other side of the country! I might maybe may be turning into a small town girl. I love Lake Butler!


Sister Hutchins

Tidbits and Hairy Business (w/ Picture!)

Hello World! We're officially past halfway and immersed back in the work again. Oh how I love this life. I can't wait to do missionary work for the rest of my life.

Favorite Tidbits of the Week:

This March 12th Miracle Status Event is my favorite thing in the whole world. The more I pray for divine inspiration about online missionary work, the more ideas come. And no matter how many ideas crash and burn, God knows we're trying our hardest. I have a really good feeling about things to come.

I HEART MY SISTERS. Lake City Zone. Is it weird that we all wore blue? Hope not...we planned it for our picture. Gotta love sister unity =) Zone meetings are my favorite.

We taught a youth Sunday school class this week and challenged the youth to hand out a Book of Mormon to someone in the next two weeks. These youth are STUDS.

Personal Revelatory moments are about the best moments in the whole world. I could spend hours of my knees if we had the time. I've never before realized how much Heavenly Father has been trying to answer my prayers all my life...and I just haven't been paying enough attention.

Have I told you my companion is an almost Olympian? She won the National Lugeing Competition in 2003 at 13 years old!! Not only that, but she's a college soccer player. Aka...we are exercising fanatics each morning. We wake up at 6...not even 6:30 and get to work. P-days are plank days....Even laughing hurts. I LOVE it. And sometimes I have to pray a little extra hard each morning when we wake up that I'll survive.

Sorry this email is a bit scattered, I'm multi-tasking on Facebook and trying to get the word out about this Miracle Event still. If you haven't joined it already....you should! And you should invite your friends!! LOVE IT. And I sure LOVE you.

https://www.facebook.com/events/817563478259782/?ref=br_tf

p.s. Did I ever tell you I finally got a haircut? But not just any kind of hair cut...but an 8 dollar one? Let's just say it wasn't the best decision of my life. I have layers that are....I don't even have the word for it....not the cutest. I'll be letting those bad boys grow out-that's for sure. Fingers crossed my hair looks a little bit more normal in 9 months haha. Common sense lesson for the week: Don't ever get your hair cut at a place named Hairy Business. No matter how much it makes you laugh.

BEST BLOG EMAIL EVER, but really!! (w/ GREAT pictures!!)

 

 Are you ready for the darling, STARLING miracle?

First off, you must know that Lake Butler is Zion. I've decided. Everyone knows, loves, and reaches out to one another in this perfect little town. As a missionary, I feel like all I do is sit back and watch God's miracles pour out upon these incredible families.

The darling, Starling family miracle all began when member missionary work lessons hit the scene in October with dear Sister Call. The Bishop's family jumped on board with these lessons and who would appear in their radar, but the Starling family who had JUST posted a Facebook status that they were looking for a new church to attend.

Fast forward 4 months, include a few friendly chatting visits with the sister missionaries and quite a few invitations to come to church and various activities (though they kept falling through) from the bishop's family, and then came February....the month of ALL things lovely and wonderful. God's timing is powerful and finally everything aligned to bring the Starlings, the bishop's family, and my companion and I altogether for the first lesson. It was without a doubt the most powerful 90 minute lesson that I have ever been apart of. With the Bishop and his wife testifying alongside our lesson, Ganeene and Stephen were already blown away and recognized truth. The next night we finished the first lesson and invited the parents to be baptized. Ganeene nearly died with excitement about setting a solid date to be baptized on. She told us she felt so strongly that God had been leading her whole life to this very moment. And Stephen, the rock of faith in the family, told us he was excited to hold the Priesthood. When they came to church that week, after a perfectly timed church tour the day prior, they felt so at home. They loved it, and their 5 kids fit right on in.

Over the following two weeks, two of their daughters, decided to be baptized as well. A whirlwind of lessons began to catch their two daughters up. Every activity days event and mutual activity was attended too. And you can bet even before Ganeene was baptized, she was raising her hand in Relief Society and sharing her testimony.

This past weekend, 4 of the 7 were baptized. Two are not yet baptismal age, and their 15 year old son is currently taking the discussions with the elders (we made him nervous haha). I can honestly tell you that the past two days of baptisms and confirmations, and even Stephen receiving the Priesthood, have been the single most incredible days of my life. I have never been so happy. I do not believe more happiness could be possible. The opportunity to love, share my testimony, and then help this family take one step toward their ultimate goal of being an eternal family has been the privilege of a life-time.

My three PERFECT moments (it's been REALLY hard to narrow this down) are the following:

1. Ganeene sharing her testimony at her baptism....she told her whole conversion story and then began sharing her belief and gratitude in having a prophet on the earth today. Hearing her testimony, that just three weeks ago I was testifying ALL about to her, was mind blowing.

2. After the family was confirmed (took nearly half of Sacrament meeting) they were asked to stand for the ward to welcome them in. It was almost too much for me to handle watching this family I have grown to LOVE with my whole heart, stand and see each and every hand in that chapel nearly SHOOT into the air. 

3. I don't know how God could be so kind, but by the grace of God...we were able to slip in and see Stephen be ordained to the office of a Priest. As we slipped in the furthest door in the chapel, just before the ordination began...Stephen caught our eyes and gave us his perfect finger wave. And in that moment, it hit me that we helped this family get here. God used Sister Call, Sister Cline, and me to help bring this absolutely darling family to the gospel. Heads up-I've never cried out of such pure joy SO MUCH in my life. 

Missionary work truly is the best work in the WHOLE wide world. I could live this life forever.

p.s. March 4th is my exact half way mark on the mission. HAPPY HUMP DAY!!

Current Thoughts and Loves (w/ pictures!!)

This is going to be one of those weekly blogs in which SO much has happened that I won't even know where to begin or what to say. From transfers, to new gators (what we call investigators in Florida-don't you LOVE it?), to miracles up the wazoo, to the fact that I actually say "Y'all" now (officially), to the most spirit filled days of my mission thus far...there's getting to be too much to share. Here's the update anyway-

Currently Praying for: our dear sisters we are serving this transfer. We've been praying and praying about how to best serve them over the next 6 weeks and REVELATION has been coming. We've decided what sisters out here need the most...is a whole lotta love. Can't even wait to step it up with some of these new ideas and goals.

Currently Grateful for: Sister Call. I will never be able to express what an answer to prayer she was for me. Especially at this point on my mission. She helped me become so much more of the person I want to be. Fam bam....just be ready for me to talk about her for the rest of my life.

Currently Looking forward to: THE STARLING'S BAPTISM THIS SATURDAY. Yes, that darling family is getting baptized. Well, 4 of the 7 so far. Miracles are ABOUNDING. Just get ready for next week's post...it's going to be the detailed story of their conversion. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK.

Currently Stunned that: A year ago tomorrow, I was opening my call to Jacksonville Florida...and now look where I am! Me + a trainer + Lake Butler = the mission life. I never would have guessed it, but I honestly couldn't be happier to be right here, right now. 

p.s. Brother Rusty Shout Out-Just in case you are SOMEHOW reading this too- I adore you and your wife. Thanks for being our home away from home.

Faith, Fuzzy Socks, and Miracles

Do you ever feel like I'm the happiest, dorkiest missionary around? I sure do hope so. Because that's the most true statement. I'm literally one of those crazy missionaries that when the alarm goes off, I'm happy to get up and pray and exercise. Fingers crossed my new companion doesn't get too annoyed with me come transfers tomorrow! Anyway, let me tell you why I'm OH so happy ALL the time!

1. We've started teaching a family. Of 7. Yep, you read that right. It's been a long time coming, but the miracles have started rolling out this week. We've taught them 4 days out of the week. I have literally never been a part of a more spiritual teaching experience than the lessons we have with them. The parents and one of the daughters have baptismal dates. And do you want to know how this miracle all came to be? Because the bishop and his family began praying for missionary experiences. MEMBER missionary work is truly the only way to do missionary work. Imagine a lesson with an incredibly prepared family with the bishop and his family adding their testimony in as well? BEST THING EVER. How could I not be overflowing with happiness?

2. I have had the AMAZING blessing and privilege of having Sister Call by my side for 42 days. Within these 6 weeks, Sister Call has without a doubt become one of my best friends. She's my favorite. And I officially have started talking like her. This ward is getting a kick out of it.

3. The letters I got this week were direct answers to prayer. I don't think people writing from home realize the worth of a letter and the impact it can have on missionaries...or at least on me. Thanks for the love and for listening to the spirit.

4. I got to play the piano a whole LOT this week. This rather large, active ward.....had no pianists for, not one, but TWO funerals, Sacrament meeting, and Relief Society.

5. Though Florida is much more FROZEN than anyone ever cared to share with me before I got here, Sister Call and I have found a solution. Fuzzy socks that we tuck our sweats into at night. LOVE IT. Dork alert. 

6. My blog is opening more doors to teaching opportunities not just in Africa...but in LAKE BUTLER. Even better-people we can teach in person =) By the way, if any of you would want to pin this attached picture on pinterest with a link to my blog (whenyoubelieveingod.blogspot.com ) I would be FOREVER grateful. A gem of a recent convert in New York made it for my blog. 

7. MY NEPHEW, HUGH STEPHEN MUNSON, WAS BORN ON VALENTINE'S DAY. BEST DAY EVER. Can't wait to meet the little guy. 

8. Something clicked this week. I'm finally grasping what faith is and it is my favorite thing in the whole world. Miracles are literally abounding. Not because of some huge change in our missionary work, but because I finally full-heartedly believe miracles will happen each day. And they do. I love it. And I love you. Faith is the best thing in the world.

Love, Sister Hutchins

Missionary Life = A Happy Groundhog Day (w/ such cute pictures!!)

Happy Groundhog Day! A week late!! Sometimes, I feel like my life is on repeat every P-day when I sit down at the library computers to send out emails to family and friends. I still can't decide if I hate or love that movie. ANYWAY....

This week was incredible and exhausting! Two 24 hour trade offs, a zone conference, a BAPTISM, a sick companion, and all sorts of other things all piled into 7 days. Sometimes I wonder how we get everything done. Thank you Heavenly Father. I've randomly decided to go on rather detailed explanation of trade-offs because I LOVE them. Ready? 

So each transfer as Sister Training Leaders we go on 24 hour trade offs with each set of sisters in our zone. Basically we switch companions for a day and a night and it's all sorts of great. The night before we trade off, Sister Call and I pray about which sister we are both meant to go with and what area we are supposed to be in-aka who is serving in which area for those 24 hours. And without fail, the spirit guides us in that decision and off we go.

Our whole purpose as STLs is to lead, lift, and love these darling missionaries. So for 24 hours, I am praying all day for help in what Heavenly Father needs me to be saying and doing to best help these sisters. I can't quite express to you how much I adore trade offs. Nothing is more spiritually strengthening and draining all at once. If there's one thing I know, it's this: God loves His sister missionaries. He guides me so clearly on these trade offs. He'll prompt me to ask a question about something I wouldn't even guess could be a struggle for a sister and suddenly she's opening up and asking for help. He'll prompt me a little extra in relation to missionary work and miracles just pour out in our work. Sisters always feel like they learn so much from us, and I always have to stop them and say, "WHOA. Can I just tell you how much YOU have taught me?"

I feel so BLESSED to go out with these INCREDIBLE missionaries and learn from their examples. I feel like it's all so backwards. I'm supposed to be leading them and I just walk away stunned at how much God can answer their prayers and mine all at once. There's something spectacular about God being able to work through us. I'm so grateful for this chance I have to be serving in this capacity. I'm learning SO much more about how to rely on the Spirit.

I LOVE YOU. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY. 

p.s. Dear Vineyard 5th ward in Orem, Utah: I don't know who you are or how you know me, but THANK YOU for the lovely Plan of Salvation kit. I've always wanted one. I seriously am stunned to have had some random ward answer that little prayer.

p.p.s. I've started teaching a few people in Kenya of all places over Facebook. All because of my blog!! Who knew?! I love it. Miracles happen...even over the internet!

p.p.p.s. Sister Call got a training call. I'm sinking into a mini depression at the thought of her leaving me. She's going to Timuquana-BEST PLACE EVER remember? Second to Lake Butler ahem. So heads up- Pday is on Tuesday next week fam bam!

p.p.p.p.s. 9 year old MACY got baptized!!!! Woot woot. And even more of her less active family has been coming to church recently because of it. It's seriously inspiring to see how one child can bless a family.

p.p.p.p.p.s. We are teaching that family of 7 tonight officially at the Bishop's house. BEST FAMILY HOME EVENING EVER.

Who's-its and What-it's Galore (w/ Nessa's favorite picture EVER)

I don't even know how to describe this week. I'm just going to send some brief who's-its and what's-its and y'all can just laugh at me.

1. This is my FAVORITE picture in the whole world. Just picture this....being a little sister missionary in an ER in Gainesville with your Ward Mission Leader as your doctor. OH GOODNESS. Luckily enough, with some medicine-I am all in the clear. Being sick as a missionary is the pits as my madre would say.

2. Remember Brannon who just got baptized?? We started teaching his mama! And she has agreed to be baptized as well. There is nothing like teaching a 40 year old woman and then her son just starts bearing his testimony to her in the middle of the lesson. The spirit in that room was incredible. I love families accepting the gospel all together!!!

3. I've found my theme for 2014. There's a talk titled "Consecrated Missionary" by Tad R. Callister (aka one of my absolute favorites) and it has changed my whole perspective. I want nothing more than to be a consecrated missionary. Hallelujah for a dear friend who sent me that talk. It was a direct answer to prayer.

4. Macy is getting baptized this Thursday! She's the daughter of a less active mom we've been working with. As we've been teaching her daughter it's been incredible to see the mom remember her testimony and begin growing as well! These children are just being examples to their parents every where we go in Lake Butler. I LOVE IT.

5. JULIANN IS HAVING A BABY ANY DAY NOW. Just as a fun side note. It makes me do a little happy dance every time I think about it.

6. I was going to wait til I hit number 8, but we're running out of time. I HIT MY 8 MONTH MARK. Which means my 9 month mark is next...which means I'm almost HALF WAY. Holy cow, I have a whole lot more I need to learn and do. SIde note: There is no February 29th this year...so my half way point doesn't really exist. Strange.

7. I love missionary work with all my heart. It's the hardest, most exhausting work in the world. But strangely enough, at the end of each day, I'm happier than I ever have been and more and more confident that I am exactly where God needs me to be. I love giving everything I have to my Savior.

8. I LOVE YOU ALL. HAVE A MARVELOUS FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY.