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.