Monday, April 24, 2017

18 Months....????????

April 24, 2017

Hello family and friends!!

Another great week has come and gone. Wow. I can hardly believe how fast time is going. My subject line is true: I hit my 18 month mark last week. That is so weird to me. It feels like I have been here maybe like 6 months.

This week was so great. It was kind of a blurr. So, I will try my best to remember what happened!!

I had my last Zone Training this week. It was so good!! At the end, the Zone Leaders asked me to come up and bear my testimony, and that was a little heart wrenching and weird, but, all is well. I made it through!

We had a cool miracle this week! Sister Willmore and I were out trying to find people to teach, and we saw this man smoking in his garage. We went over and talked to him, asked him how he was doing, and he said "'Great! I've got my whiskey!" Then, he held up his two liter bottle of whiskey. It was pretty funny! His friend came outside and offered us a beer, and we of course said "no thank you!" Usually in those situations, the spirit would tell us to leave, but it did the opposite. It was weird. We started talking to those guys some more, and stated our purpose. Then, they actually started to ask some very sincere questions. We ended up teaching them the full restoration, and it was a really cool lesson. At the end of the lesson, we were able to give them each a copy of The Book of Mormon, and they committed to read it. One of the guys looked at us and said "Well, ladies, you did one thing today.. You made me believe in angles." It was so sweet. Then they both started saying that we were glowing, and it was such a cool experience. It wasn't in a "creepy old man" way, it was more in an "adorable dad" way. So sweet. We are so glad that we talked to them.

We have been spending sooo much time finding, and not even finding anyone. So, it has been a little discouraging. But, we actually found a couple of potential investigators yesterday!!!! It was a miracle!! We were in a pretty nice neighborhood, and we met two very nice families who said we could come back. So, please keep Nicole and Ashley in your prayers!

Sister Willmore and I volunteered at the food bank again today. It was so much fun! Other than that, I don't really know what to share about this week! But, I am so grateful for the gospel. I know with all of my heart that it is true. I know that this is Christ's original church, and that it has been restored in its fullness. I love the gospel, and I love being a servant of God, and a Representative of Jesus Christ.

Love,
Sister Missy Hutchison


18 months....?? Our last month picture!!


love them!!


Nebrasquad.. Like old times!!


Zone Training! 




God Bless America


I tried "Runza". I am now a true Nebraskan. I had heart-burn all night and Sister Willmore literally had the "runssaa". Worth it, though. 


yum

Monday, April 17, 2017

Post-Easter email

April 17, 2017

Hello Fam and Friends!!

It's Monday again? Goodness, time needs to slow down!! It is all going by way too fast!!

It was another wonderful week this week in Nebraska! It was pretty productive, so that's always good!! I will try my best to remember what I did.

Last Monday, I forgot to tell you that Sister Willmore and I used our Preparation Day time to volunteer at a food bank! Oh my gosh, it was so fun! It was also very sad to see such poor people with hungry children. But, it was very rewarding being able to give them food and smile/talk with them. I loved it. Sister Willmore and I are going to do that every week now!

We still have been doing A LOT of finding.. It gets kind of discouraging with how much time we spend finding, but how many people we don't find, but that is  okay. WE HAVEN'T LOST FAITH AND HOPE :) We know that God is preparing His children for us!! Patience is definitely a Christ-like attribute that I have learned to develop.

Although we haven't had much luck in our area, we have still been able to see miracles serving at the Trail Center. I was able to online chat with a certain gentleman, and he originally started chatting with me to talk about The Bible. After a little while, I taught him about The Book of Mormon, and he wanted one! He told me about how he believes God has been preparing him in his life to receive His gospel. It was neat! I was able to teach him the restoration and he agreed to meet with local missionaries (he's from Canada). Another chat I had was another gentleman who came on asking very obserd questions about how mormons date, haha (it is so funny to hear the world's perception about Mormons). He was sincere, though! He opened up, telling me how he came from a very broken family, and he can feel the love that Mormon families have for each other. He kept telling me how he wanted that love in his life. I was able to testify of the importance of the family, and he agreed to meet with local missionaries, as well (he's from England). Even though we aren't seeing much success in our area, we still are fulfilling our purpose! That is all that matters :)

I had an intense tour this week! As soon as I got on shift, I took over another sister's tour. The 20 year old son was a recent convert, but the mom and grandparents weren't members. At the end of the tour, there is a replica of the Salt Lake temple, and the Spirit told me to testify of eternal families. So, I did! Awe man... I got attacked!! They kept saying things like, "So, are you saying since we're not members that we're not a family??" and they kept building off of each other and the member didn't say anything! I was on this tour alone, so I didn't have a companion to back me up. So, I said a prayer in my heart during them saying terrible things to me, asking Heavenly Father what I should do. I got the impression to simply testify of The Book of Mormon. I cut them off, held my Book of Mormon to the square, and said "I was raised in the church, and my knowledge is still not perfect. But, what I do know is that The Book of Mormon is true." Then I explained that it's the keystone of our religion, and that they can come to know that it's true for themselves. It went completely silence. In the midst of the silence, the mom said "well, then I have to get myself one of those." I gave her a copy, and the rest of the tour kept on walking, but the mom stayed behind. I was able to explain to her a little bit more about The Book of Mormon. I asked her if she had a faith in Christ, and she just looked at me with tears in her eyes and completely opened up to me. She told me how she had a 5 year old son pass away, and it really had shaken her faith. I was able to read a little bit of Moroni 8 with her, about how little children are perfect. I always have had a little table of contents in my copy of The Book of Mormon that has questions of the soul, and where to find the answers in the Book of Mormon, but I knew she needed it more than I did. I gave that to her, and she was grateful. I invited her to be baptized, and she said that she would. It was an amazing experience. I truly was able to witness the spirit changing someones heart! There is so much power behind short and simple testimonies.

My Easter was wonderful!! Sister Willmore and I woke up with a beautiful sunrise lighting up our room :) then, we made some pancakes and eggs. It was delicious! Church was great, as well. It was so spiritual and every single talk was so inspired!! Then, a cute family in our ward fed us Easter dinner. It was SO GOOD. The kids in the family were so cute. They made us an easter basket out of paper and staples. Then, they took their own candy from their baskets and filled it! It was so sweet and thoughtful! The parents said it was all the kids idea :)

I have such an overwhelming love for my Savior. I know that He is Risen. I know that He has such an individual love for each of us. I love being a representative of Him, and being able to testify of what I know to be true. I am grateful for my mission, and how it changes me every day. I pray that we will all serve the Lord, and let a mighty change wrought in our hearts.

I love you all! Have a fantastic week!!

Love,
Sister Missy Hutchison


Us and Sister Levicki! She is such a sweet woman in our ward.


This couple came into the Trail Center! They are the Chidesters :) After talking, we realized that we are related! My Grandma Darlene is Brother Chidester's cousin! Crazy coincidence!


The Clay St. Apartment complex family


The Dannenbergs and our cute Easter basket that they made us :) 


Our Easter Breakfast. Sister Willmore and I are starting a new breakfast business. 


Easter Dresses!!


Nebraska Sunsets! 

Monday, April 10, 2017

The Start of the Last Transfer!!

April 10, 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

What's up?? Another week has come and gone! So crazy! It was kind of a wild week, though. First of all, SISTER WILLMORE AND I SURVIVED TRANSFERS!! I wish someone would have been filming us when we got the phone call, we freaked out because we were so happy. So, I guess it's official: Walnut Creek is my last area and Sister Willmore is my last companion! I cannot even believe that I am in my last transfer, but I am so excited to see what this transfer brings. :)

Like I said, this week was kind of wild. The beginning of it kind of dragged because all we were basically doing was cleaning and having an anticipation about transfers.The rest of the week was kind of  a blurr! I will do my best to remember :)

Sister Willmore and I did a lot of finding this week! We have knocked on SO MANY DOORS. We did find one potential woman! Her name is Erica, and we told her that our message could bring peace into her life. She told us that was exactly what she needed right now, and went on telling us that it was the 1 year anniversary of her grandpa's death. She said her family was having a hard time, and so we should come back and share our message with her whole family. We gladly accepted that offer! We are excited to go back and see them.

We did some service for a cute family we are working with, the Dodd family! They are so sweet, and we help on their farm (Yes, I did farm work). After we were done, Mrs. Dodd gave us a dozen farm fresh eggs and tomato soup which was made from home-grown tomatoes. Best food ever!

Saturdy was an interesting day of itself. We met this man that was totally rejecting us, and then as we walked away we heard a huge shaddering sound. We turned around and saw that his giant glass bottle of liquor fell out of his trunk and shaddered everywhere, and he was just cussing. I hope that was a sign for him, haha. Our dinner appointment on Saturday was funny, too. We were STARVING and we got to our dinner appointment and discovered that all that was made was mini chocolate muffins and like 3 apple slices. Sister Willmore and I couldn't help but laugh afterwards. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining; I'm grateful for the food! It was just hilarious because she basically said "I was too lazy to cook." #Nutrition

Satuday night was the adult session of Stake Conference! It was awesome! Our Stake President gave a supr bold talk. He basically said that if we are unwilling about our callings, than we don't love God. BOOM.It was powerful. On the drive home some guys kept riding our tails and driving next to us making kissy faces and practically jumping out the window trying to get us to talk to them. It was interesting being hit on.. Haven't experienced that in a while haha!!

We had our official Stake Conference yesterday, and it was SO GOOD. Every talk was about showing God that we love him, and realizing our divine potential. It was probably the best Stake Conference I have eer been to. :) We were sitting next to a cute woman in our ward, and her little boy kept holding my hand and kissing my cheek. He even said "Sister Hutchison, I love you!" It was precious!

All in all, it was a good week! I am so excited for Easter next Sunday. I love being able to reflect on our Savior's life and His Atonement for us. I know that He lives. I know that because He was resurrected, we ALL will be resurrected one day. It doesn't matter what we have done in life, who we are, or where we are, we ALL will be able to receive that gift. It is incredible :) He is risen, and He is risen today and forever. I love my Savior. I am so grateful to be a representative of Him at this time. If you haven't already, PLEASE watch the new Easter Initiative on mormon.org. I can promise you will feel peace, and feel closer to your Savior. :) Have a wonderful week!!!!

"1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Matthew 28: 1-6

Love,

Sister Hutchison

Sis. Willmore and I found a nice open field :) We love Nebraska!!


"the hills are alive.."


kind of the same as 1


Easter Initiative #PrinceOfPeace


Wendy's can't be promising forever families....


Sister Willmore and I made a commercial this week... If you have ever seen the "Get the London Look" commercials, you'd understand. HAHA.. This is what happens when you keep us together one more transfer. 

Monday, April 3, 2017

Spring has Sprung!

April 3, 2017

Hey Family and Friends!

Wow, what a wonderful week it has been!! I honestly don't remember much of it because it went by so quickly, but I will do my best!

It was a super rainy week! Spring has officially sprung here in Nebraska. Our week consisted of a lot of "finding". We didn't have a lot of luck, but that is okay! It always cracks me up when people open the door, see us soaking wet and say "Wow, girls. You look freezing! You shouldn't be outside! Stay warm!" Like, LET US IN. Haha, it's okay :) We are doing our best to find people to teach, so I know the Lord has some good things planned ahead of us.:)

I had an awesome personal study this week about "conversion". I wasn't sure what I wanted to study that day, so I prayed and flipped open the Bible Dictionary  and that word was on the page I flipped on. As I studied conversion more deeply, I discovered that in order to be truly converted, you must be actively exercising the Doctrine of Christ in your life. As we  do these things, is allows our hearts to change, and our faith will become a knowledge.

I LOVED GENERAL CONFERENCE. I think it was the best conference I have ever listened to. I felt like every single talk was for me! A couple of my favorite talks were the ones by President Nelson, and Elder Holland. President Nelson's talk was all about the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We have to be exercising Christ's Atonement daily. It is only through His Atonement that we can be healed and have true happiness. I love how he mentioned that the event of the Atonement doesn't save us, but it was the sacrifice of the Savior; we must ALWAYS recognize that. Elder Holland's talk was about being confident in who you are, and being confident in others, as well. This gospel is all about progression!! We must not discriminate, but we must love. :) His comparison with needing "all of the voices in God's choir" was awesome! Each of us has a divine potential, and has the ability to change. I loved his quote when he said, "Come as you are, but don't plan to stay as you are.."

Obviously, there were more amazing talks. I will send you a copy of my study journal if you want to know what I thought of the rest of them haha :) But I am so grateful for the gospel in my life. I am so grateful to live in a dispensation with modern prophets and apostles. As Sister Willmore and I were on our way to watch conference with a member, we saw all of the cars that surrounded us and felt so sad that none of them knew that a Prophet of God was speaking that day. I am so grateful to be on a mission, and to constantly be strengthening my testimony by trying to help others gain one. I love sharing the gospel. It is my life, and nothing brings  a greater happiness. :)

Transfers are this week. Sister Willmore and I feel like we are probably getting transferred, so we will see how it goes. I can't believe I will be starting my last transfer in a few days. Crazy!! Anyways, I love you all. Thanks for the support and love. Have a fantastic week.:)

Love,

Sister Missy Hutchison


we didn't take a lot of pics this week.. So.. This is me currently and Sister Willmore intently emailing. 


Some of the fav sistas