Laugh & Cry = ROCK STAR!

Mom I believe you told me that if I can make the congregation laugh and cry during my talk then I am a ROCK STAR! Challenge accepted....Challenge PASSED! :)

So.....I spoke in church yesterday. The spirit was so strong! There wasn't a dry eye in the room. So many people LOVED my talk...People even asked for a copy of it...It was awesome! A member from the high council pulled me aside after sacrament... as tears streamed down his face he said " I wish you were not a missionary...I just want to hug you! You are so amazing, I've known it since you stepped foot into this branch. You have a strong spirit about you...and you have the perfect sense of humor... NEVER FORGET THAT.."- Brother Josie. 

I spoke on enduring to the end which seemed fitting to come at this time...this week has been really long and one of the hardest weeks thus far on my mission. I've learned so much this past week! I've learned how important it is to seek guidance from my Heavenly Father...I've learned how important it is to "endure"...every moment...good or bad...hard or easy...I've learned how important it is to LISTEN...and how strong I actually am...but most importantly I've learned that "people are placed in my life to teach me what to do and not what to do..." - Brother Belanger. 

It's strange to think that we need people to teach us the don'ts...our church is built on the foundation of principles...to be honest, it has A LOT of rules and those rules have regulations and those have footnotes :) The "rules" are to make the choices easier, they say "hey dummy if you do this or don't do that...bad things are still probably going to happen but, maybe not as much, and if you obey, when they do, you'll be strong enough to endure." Seems easy....right? 

I've also learned that sadly so many people live in the gray...the I believe, I go to church, I pay my tithing, I pray, I am the bomb at my calling so...WHAT if I break the word of wisdom once in a while...it's not a big deal if I miss church, we are having a "family day"...I only make fun of the super weird people...I don't curse around my children...the gray....this week I've learned that we too easily make excuses as to why we do or do not do things...and as long as we have set it right inside ourselves, mistakenly we believe that it is right with the Lord. 

<Insert the people that teach us here> The people that build outer walls to their life mansions, with so much time spent on the designs for others to marvel at, such pains taken to layer the "perfect" thick enough for prying eyes not to see...those with columned, marble castles having put their all into what the world will envy and want...have neglected their being...they have left themselves, the them that IS them...empty of support and foundation...when the storms come...because they always come...there, enclosed in their creation, they will find themselves surrounded by nothing but the darkness of the gray...Those that teach us are such a blessing...there is no happiness in another's pain but, I am thankful for those who learn the lesson, feel the hurt, accept the loss and let me stand safely outside their walls...

If I can say anything to my family, my friends, to those I love...I say, live the Gospel! There is NO gray! You are either living it or you are not...do not excuse away your future, do not hide behind the appearance of a Christ filled life...the Lord knows the true and real us, be who would make our Father in Heaven proud! Live the Gospel, live it with all that you do, with all that you say, live it in each moment of every day in every aspect of your life. 

Tell Marianne & Michelle I got their gifts.YAY! Thanks! Love them! 

Tell Jane she's awesome, Thanks!

I am so blessed to have you all! Thank you so much for the love, the support and for not forgetting about me! I may be a "senior missionary" but, I still need the from home love - keep it coming!

XOXO

Sis Z

Transfer!

Attention Attention....we have an update!

Sis Redd has been transferred! I know! Oh snapdragon, right?! 

Yeah, I about passed out, we both cried!!! I thought about packing and calling it a day but...I pulled up my big girl tights and said "bring it!" On Monday I drove Sis Redd out to meet her new companion and picked up Sis Seyboldt, my new companion. Oh, did I mention 6 weeks in and I'm a trainer! That's right I'm a ROCKSTAR and you KNOW it! :)

Sis Redd and I went together like peas and carrots...my heart hurt to lose her so soon.
 

I was a little nervous to meet my new companion, what if she picks boogers and flicks them on the floor? What if she snores (louder than dad)...what if she has IBS and we have to drive everywhere with the windows down? What if she bites her toenails...mom, what if she....squeels like a baby pig when she's hungry? (HA! Inside joke)

Okay so now that my crazed rant is over....my new companion is AWESOME! She is the peanut butter to my jelly and you KNOW how I feel about peanut butter! LOVE!

On our first day together we found 4...that's right Four...F-O-U-R new investigators! If they all come on Sunday, that will double our congregation :)

Oh, I should say that Sis Seyboldt is totally normal...whewww.
 

I LOVE being a missionary!

Today I realized that I am not perfect and I will mess up, but as long as I am obedient and work hard, I have nothing to worry about! Being a trainer is exactly what I needed. 

Before Sis Redd left, she told our mission President that I was "a powerful instrument in the hands of the Lord." WOW! I was so blessed to have the honor to serve with her. 

One of our investigators is D-- he is married to an active member. We left him a Book of Mormon and he read the intro, by HIMSELF. I know that it will take a while before he enters the waters but, it's going to happen...I can feel it! I can see the gospel changing peoples lives! It's Amazing!

 

My next talk is on enduring to the end...after this week, I feel like a part of it is so appropriate...

 

In 3 Nephi 15:9 is says “Look unto me and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.” 

What powerful words....what a powerful promise, what a powerful blessing....if we but endure to the end we shall be given eternal life...

We must always stay faithful, we must always stand true, we must hold true to our faith when we feel that all of our strength is gone...for it is then that our true self shines through....we must endure each day, each week, each year....we must endure each trial until we reach the next and then we must press forward. The end is not “the” end, it is not the stopping point, it is the transition between now and whats to come...and then....once we are there at the”whats next to come”.... we must endure to the end.
 

I love you ALL and can't wait to talk to you on Christmas. Oh what a joyful time :)

Sis Z

Birthday!

I thought we would get to email about the full awesomeness of my birthday but...since email has not worked out so much for us the past two weeks, here is the hand written version.

First I was SO worried I would go into full-on melt down mode being away from y'all, on my birthday, for the first time EVER! To be totally honest...there were a few sketchy moments :)

However, since you are receiving this letter via snail mail, and not hand delivered....I survived!

The ladies at church gave me a super fabulous birthday party, with cookie cake included! It was GREAT!!

Thanks mommy for the Birthday in a Box and ALL the time and creativity that went into making my 22nd Birthday the BEST one SO far!!

(Mom, dad & the sissy's blew up 22 balloons and put her presents - cash, letters, gift cards, etc. in each balloon - she HATES popping balloons, so.....she had to pop each one to get her present out)  :)

The hand and feet prints from Piper and Sayler were the BEST gifts! I HEART them so much!

I know my Father in Heaven lives and I know that his love for me is unconditional. I know that we have a living Prophet on the earth today, that leads and guides us. I know that this is the true church and I know that I will live with my Father in Heaven again.

I am so grateful that grandma found D. L. I am thankful he prayed for an answer and was given the truth he sought, and joined grandma in the church. I am so blessed that they are your parents mom, and that they raised you as a Latter Day Saint. I am eternally grateful that I was raised in the church and that even though it was hard, that you kept going...that you took us, that you made us go even when we didn't want to.
The work is long and hard and when I fall weary in my bed at night, cold and exhausted, I thank my Heavenly Father for having blessed me with this opportunity and pray he gives us even more tomorrow.

I love you all beyond words! I know you worried mom...DON'T my birthday was Awesome!

XOXO,

 Sis Z

Dec 2nd

I can't believe I've been out for 2 months already...time flies! I really miss everyone so much!! I only have 5 more weeks of training left. Sis Redd is getting transferred in 5 weeks...we know that for sure! :(
We didn't get to go black Friday shopping BUT our Mission Leaders wife went for us, YAY! She got us black boots & knee high socks.
Yesterday (Thanksgiving Day) while teaching a lesson at an investigators home, our phone rang and is was Sis M. she is from Utah and was in town with her dad taking care of a trailer. Sis M said her dad was in need of a blessing. We called everyone in our branch and could not get a hold of anyone. So, we called the Elders from Tillamook (30 minutes away) and told them the need. They dropped what they were doing and met us, Sis M and her dad at the hotel they were staying at. The elders gave the dad a blessing...it was Amazing :)
Afterwards Sis M told us that her dads wife had recently died and they had a travel trailer they were trying to clean out...so, we told them we would love to help! We spent our Thanksgiving helping these amazing people.

As I reflect back I think...WOW what an honor to have total strangers trust in us enough to find someone to give them a blessing in their time of need. I am SO grateful for the Priesthood. I am grateful for the Elders that dropped everything to give the blessing. 
I am grateful for my family and all that you do!
I love you more than I can put into words! 

All my love!
Sis Z

* As a side note, mom and dad received a text from Sis M telling us how grateful they were for the service of these amazing missionaries and how touched they were at the strength of their spirits. To receive that on Thanksgiving was truly a blessing!

Nov 25

Transfers were today...EEKKK... Sis Redd didn't get transferred so... the dynamic duo lives on!
I've taught two lessons recently!!!!!!!!! That's right, I'm a BIG girl now!

We did service for a lady named F the other day! We moved 2 cords of wood by ourselves! Do you have any idea what a cord is? "Cord" makes it sound all sweet and small and dainty...um I don't think so! A cord is the equivalent to a heap, a bunch, a ton, an obnoxious amount of wood! Imagine moving a truck full of wood, not one of those little fake Toyota trucks, a real Ford F150 truck full....twice!
Which leads me to my lesson for the week.

Mosiah 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

As we moved this never ending pile of wood, it was hard not to notice the male family members of F, gather outside and watch Sis Redd and I preform our service. Piece by piece we moved, and stacked and our audience watched on; until near frozen and soaked through... we were finally done. I thought of DL (her grandfather) and knew how he would have handled this situation, no woman would have ever worked as men stood idly by! I thought of my dad, whom would have taken this opportunity to show these men about the importance of hard work. I thought of my mother and her quick tongue and knew that she would have the words to put these men in their preverbal place!
However, this was Sis Redd and I, and we knew that nothing would do more than to preform our service with willing hearts and smiling faces, for we were in the service of our God.

We had dinner with President Brown and his family and I think I may love them! I told them the story of the wood drama, in true Hutchens story telling fashion and we all laughed till we cried! I appreciate that our "lesson" can bring others such joy. :)

I speak in Sacrament meeting again on December 29th, I'm not even nervous...I don't know if that's a good sign, maybe I'm so in tune with the spirit, talks can't even phase me!
It's still cold, it's still wet....it's so far out of my comfort zone and I LOVE it!

I love my sissies, I love you Mom, I love you Dad, and I LOVE being a missionary!

Birthday this Week!!!! Oh Me Oh My!Love Y'all!


Sis Z

Nov 18

Howdy my fellow Z's!
This week has been awesomesauce! It has been cold and raining all week! From what I hear its only going to get colder and a lot more rain yet to come. Ummmmm....did I say I liked the cold? Because what I really meant was being hot is amazing and I totally underappreciated being dry!
Yesterday Sister Redd and I went tracting after church. We are low on miles so we had to walk.... well in the two hours we tracted...my umbrella broke, my tights were soaking wet, my hands were purple, and I was FROZEN! ---> It wasn't until we were walking in the rain that I realized how lucky I was to have a car.... moral of the story... count your blessings name them ONE by ONE :)

1. Car

2. My house lives where it NEVER rains!

3. Car

4. I have a backup umbrella

5. Car

6. I had on waterproof shoes

7. Car

8. My scriptures where protected and stayed dry

9. Car

10. Did I mention that we are car drivers...NOT bike riding missionaries....YEE HAW!

Sister Redd and I are keeping super busy...Nothing can stop us. The Branch is planning a Thanksgiving Dinner for anyone in Rockaway who doesn't have a place to go... it is going to be awesome!
Last week we had Zone Conference in Newburg, it was really fun and spiritual. I love President Samuelian and his wife.. they are incredible!

We are still working with the members to find investigators, our branch is small but, the spirit is strong.

Tell grandma we LOVE the videos!

I love being a missionary <3 I have laughed soooo much in the past month and a half !!!!  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't laugh so hard I CRY! 

Thanks for the letters and packages

 xoxo Sister Z 

Nov 13

 

Portland, OR

Temple

 

Salem, OR

Missionaries

 

Sis Z, Sis Francis & Sis Redd

 

 

Look what I have Dad :)

 

Halloween 2013

Nov 4th

Hello :)

 

WOW... this week as gone by so fast. I cant believe its already November... and that I'm about to be 22...eek I'm old.

This week as been up and down we have good days and bad days but, over all its been a pretty good week. Thanks for all the letters and packages.. I love getting mail!

It started raining on Friday and it hasn't stopped! Its really cold and wet... not really ideal weather for missionary work. Apparently it rains all the time in OR so I guess I should get use to it... ?

We tracted into a woman the other day who is now an investigator.... it was my first successful door approach and I ROCKED IT! We have a new investigator name G, he's a seventh day Adventist.... We've met with him 3 times now. He questioned everything about our church and I get so excited because we have an answer for every question! I stay up wayyyy to late studying and feasting upon the word. I would have never thought I would know the scriptures as well as I do now and I've only been out for a month! What a blessing it is to be a member of the true church! We go to the B's a lot! They are AWESOME! I love them! Yesterday was daylight savings and I'm all off. The time change is so weird.

I think you should know I'm still waiting for my fan. I have such a hard time sleeping! Sister Redd is such a great companion....she knows I can't sleep without noise so.....she writes really LOUD in her journal so I can fall asleep...NOT kidding, that's a totally serious statement! I blame D.L. (her grandfather) for this disorder :)
What a blessing she is... How did I get so lucky... :) 

 

XOXO

 

Sister Z

Oct 23rd

Hey Family!

I'm counting this as a journal entry cause I don't have time for both :(
This week has been one I will NEVER forget! My first full week in the mission field as a full-time missionary. What a wonderful experience! I love being a missionary...it's hard! It is SO hard but I Got This!
This week I, Sister Zubicki, came up with an amazing tracting approach....instead of the "knocking on doors - sharing a message"...Sis Redd and I knock on the door and ask if we can say a prayer with whomever opens the door. As of today (day 2 of the new approach) we have three new investigators!!! Our mission leader met with us today and we told him about our new approach and our success and as his eyes filled with tears he said "sisters I am so proud of you because of the two of you, amazing things are/will happen in our branch."
Today Sis Redd and I had an amazing experience! When we started tracting we approached a house, the first house for the day...Sis Redd knocked and we stood next to each other waiting for the door to open. About ten seconds later the door opened...Sis Redd said "hi we are missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and we are in the area going door to door praying for people. Is it okay if we say a prayer for you?" The lady in the door said yes (Her name is K). We folded our arms and said a prayer for her and when the prayer was finished I looked up and K's face was radiating with the light of Christ!!!There I stood speechless...knowing I needed to say something but, what should I say?....I didn't say anything! Sis Redd and I said goodbye and headed to the next house. I said Sis Redd we just missed an opportunity! She said I think you're right :(
We traveled up and down the next street and I kept thinking about K, we walked past her house half an hour later and Sis Redd said should we go back? I stopped in the middle of the street unsure of what we should do. I said a prayer...I needed to know if we should go back....as soon as I asked I got the clearest answer...YES GO BACK! Sis Redd and I knocked again and when K opened the door we said, we felt like we needed to come back...she is now one of our investigators!!!! It was then that I realized that Sis Redd and I needed to come down that street at that time....K was the only house in that entire neighborhood that opened her door and had a prayer with us that day. Our Heavenly Father had prepared her for us...we already had set plans that day and those plans did not involve us tracting anywhere near that area! I'm so grateful for the gospel and the opportunity I have to teach it. I'm grateful for the support and love of all my family and friends. I'm SO grateful for the spirit and the promptings I get.
I miss y'all very much. There are days that are hard and things that are hard (like studying 3 hours a day) :)
But when I meet people like K and get to share the gospel and see the joy that brings them, it gives me such peace and I KNOW that it's ALL worth it!

I love ALL the letters! It makes me SO Happy!
Don't stop sending them! Keep em coming!

Can't wait to see baby sister, I love her already!

XOXO

Sister Z

Oct 22nd

I always feel so rushed when we email on P-day, one hour goes by SO fast! It's so pretty here! When I got here I was so nervous. The mission President and his wife first took us to the Portland Temple...oh my beauTiful! Then we went to the mission home and ate sandwiches and grapes (I thought of the Scott children...miss them!) Then we drove an hour and a half to the beach....in the center of the beach (not where I live, in another city) there's a HUGE rock. The rock is our theme for the Salem Mission (D&C 6:34). Then President told each of us that if we build upon the rock we cannot fail, each one of us wrote our fears on a piece of paper and buried the paper in the sand is was really cool. I may do a lot of things on my mission but...I will NOT fail!
Tell Michelle Walton that I met Morgan Ellot, she's a trainer in my area but, not mine :(
How is everyone? How are my Sissys?
The days are long and fast, I need time to soak it all in...I need a nap...tell Aunt Cindee every day about 3pm I think of her!
Tell anyone who wants to write me that I love email but snail mail is the way to go! I have so little time on P-day to answer them all.

Love you with all that I am

Sister Z

Oct 21st

Hey !!!!

Its been so long since I've been able to email. I Miss Y'ALL!!!! I have been assigned to Rockaway Beach, OR... yep that's right my apartment is less than a mile from the beach its pretty sweet. Monday,Wednesday, and Friday my companion and I run on the beach. My trainer/companion is Sister Redd...she's awesome !!!! I love her! When I was first assigned to this area I had two companions.. Sister Redd and Sister Francis....but Sister Francis was waiting for her vista...she just left yesterday for Brazil (different mission then Nate). There's not a lot of members here...the branch consists of about 30 members all over the age of 40.... Sister Redd and I are determined to find families and make this branch a ward.... Yesterday at church, while having a conversation in my head.. I told myself I was bound and determined to pull a "Sister Bush on the neah-kah-nie branch"..... its going to be great... the people here are really nice... the people cant say Zubicki.... I know the refer to me as the "little black one"....hahahha

I'm a car rider no Sisters in the Salem mission ride bikes..... glory glory hallelujah...!

It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be leaving Sister White... she is serving in Bend with Sister Frampton.... I do miss her though....I know we'll serve together again.

 

From now on my P-day will be on Monday.

 

I forgot to tell you that I had to give a talk on the Book of Mormon when I was at the MTC... I used Dads story and my Bishop told me that It was the best talk his ever heard... I also forgot to tell you that I got to be a host for the new missionaries...which was really cool.

 

Did you mail me any prizes yet?

Are you still with child?

Do my sisters still remember me?

Did you mail the camera charger?

 

Things I need/want

 

-hair gel

-pens & pencils

-fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-make up bag/nail kit( I left it at home)

 

if anyone wants to send letters or packages the address is :

P.O. BOX 514 Rockaway Beach,OR 97136

 

if you want to send packages to the mission home they have to be mailed through USPS...

700 Deborah Rd Ste 260  Newberg,OR 97132

 

xoxo

Sister Z

Oct 16th

Kiarra flew out this morning from Utah to Oregon. She is officially on location! She got to call from the airport and in true "Hutchens" style we talked until the plane was boarding! She had so much to say....in just two weeks she had the air of an adult about her, she sounded so much more grown up than the girl we knew just a few weeks ago. She landed safely in Oregon and meet up with her Mission President and his wife. We are not sure yet when her P-day is but, I'm sure it won't be Friday any more, most likely Monday or Tuesday, have to wait till next week to see.

Kiarras new address is:

Sister Kiarra Tayva Zubicki
700 Deborah Road #260
Newberg, OR 97132

Oct 11th

Hey :)

This as been such a long and hard week! and the fact that I have been really tired and I have a cold isn't making it any better. Sister White and I have taught two investigators... which was really hard... yesterday we taught Alejandro. And hes hard to teach.. He likes Bible bashing which Sister White and I aren't really good at .... YET! Our teacher taught us a cool way to mark our Scriptures.. so Sister White and I will be going to get a new hard back copy of the Bible and BOM after emailing. Nothing about being a missionary is easy !! NOTHING! This is by far the hardest thing I've ever done.  But I reassure myself that If I couldn't do this I wouldn't have been called!

Today my zone did a session at the Provo Temple... It was really awesome.. I feel like I now have a spiritual boost that will get me through the next week :)
On Wednesday my District was asked to be Host for the new missionaries.. It was the coolest experience and such a honor... I got to show 3 new missionaries around the MTC :)

Okay now to say what I need/want :)

- warm socks
- another black skirt (the one I brought is to short)
- hot red candies...you know the ones I love!
- I cant find the camera charger.. did I leave it in dads car?
- The box that is on my floor with all the clothes in it. ( you should probably wait to send me this stuff until after I get to Oregon)

Things I'm dying without:)

- McDonald fries
- Taco Bell
- long hot baths
- my bed & closet
- cookies stinky blanket
- dads hugs
- moms voice
- scouts pictures and humor
- sissy's late night chats and dates

I'm really grateful for the emails, Dear Elders, letters, and packages... It keeps me going when I feel like I can't.

Miss yall and Love yall !!!!

XOXO Sister Z

Oct 7th

I should probably first say YES mom, I am getting my letters from dear elder...I'm very grateful for them! I also got the cinnamon rolls ----> my roommates and I are VERY grateful for them! Everyone in my zone was jealous I got a package...I felt so special!
Conference was amazing! Being at the MTC, as a missionary....watching conference was the greatest experience of my life thus far! (NO dad I did not get to meet Uchtdorf, no I did NOT ask, cause I'm not trying to be the weird kid in class!...sorry)
Yesterday the missionaries at the MTC got the honor of seeing a group of men from BYU who sang acapella (Pitch Perfect Style) it was awesome!
After that my zone and I went to watch a talk Elder Bednar gave on Christmas last year at the MTC. The talk was titled "The Character of Christ". In order to become like Christ we must put off the natural man. Bednar uses the example of Christ in Matthew 4......Christ fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, he was then tempted by Satan. In verse 11..."then the devil leaveth him and behold and angels came and ministered unto him" The footnote "angels" means and....now Jesus knew that John was cast into prison and he sent angels and behold, they came and ministered unto him. Christ didn't eat for 40 days and 40 nights...and HE SENT ANGELS TO MINISTER UNTO JOHN WHOM WAS IN PRISON! He wasn't worried about himself, he was worried about John and knew what he needed. The character of Christ is love, compassion and service unto others. As members of the church and sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven we should be on a pathway to Heaven! We have to be converted to him. If one of our Apostles were to fall away from the church, to teach false doctrine.....it should not affect us, if we are converted to Christ. Our testimony leads to conversion. But, testimony alone is not enough. A testimony is knowing but, true conversion is living what we know! When we apply the atonement of Christ the Lord, we can put off the natural man. Returning back to find everlasting joy and happiness. After that talk I am hoping, striving, and praying that the Greatest Convert On My Mission Is ME!
Love you like a Fat Kid loves cake!Sis Z

Oct 5th

Today is Oct 5th and it's really cold. Yesterday it was snowing, crazy huh?
We have an appointment on Monday to teach an investigator named Belinda, she was referred to us by a member. As a missionary, we rely a lot on the spirit; the spirit guides us on what to say, when and how we should say it. It's hard putting off the natural man and listening to the spirit....you know me being so natural and all :)
I find myself saying "what do I think they need" when in reality it has nothing to do with me. I'm just the voice, I listen to the spirit and then talk; I am just the messenger......it's hard but, I LOVE it!
I'm so happy I'm here! It's awesome!
I am very grateful for my letters and a family who loves me!
Sis White and I share a room with two other Sisters, it's true they pair you with who you need and who will strengthen you....I am SO paired with the right sister!
I feel like I've been here for months. The days are long and super rushed, it's crazy! Next week on P-day we get to go to through the Provo Temple and I'm all like Yee Haw, let's do it! (People here don't get Yee Haw so much, they'll learn)    ;)
I leave on the 16th for Oregon so, BE BY YOUR PHONE!
Yes I am the only "brownie" in my district....but there are other brownies at the MTC (only you mom!)

Love & miss you!

Sister Z

Oct 4th

Email received on Oct 4th........

HEYY!!!!

I'm alive and I'm happy to say that I have successfully completed my first 2 full days at the MTC. So many emotions !! It's hard... really hard.. I'm overwhelmed.. but I'm so HAPPY to be here. This place is amazing.. so amazing !!! My companion is Sister White, I love her. She gets me, she  gives me strength, she's exactly what I need. Even though its only been 2.5 days, I feel like I've known her forever!!! She's severing in Salem, she's 19 and from UT.

Later on today we are going to be giving our first discussion together, we will be teaching a man named Alejandro. He's 34 years old, two kids, married, a Catholic Priest, and he wants to know more about our church. We Sister White and I when given this assignment we were unsure of what to teach...what to say.. together we prayed... and for the first time in my whole life I received revelation... we both did.. we both looked at each other and said at the same time.. Book Of Mormon.. It was such an amazing experience. I'm having a hard time relying on the spirit...on recognizing it and listening to it.. But  I know I will get there. 

Be sure to tell Grandma that I'm not having a hard time with getting up at 630 and only having 30 mins to get ready.... and I also make my bed in the mornings.. She'll be so proud. :)

My P-day is on Friday while I'm at the MTC... I'm sure it will change when I get to OR. 

 

I just found out today that I'm the travel leader.. when we go to Salem... Travel leader means I have to make sure everyone gets to the airport, checks in, gets on the plane, and get's from the airport to the mission home... so pretty much I'm "Sister - Elder - Babysitter". I also found out today that Sister White and I are the only Sisters going to Salem on the 16th... everyone else is Elders.

 

Pray, pray often, Read the BOOK OF MORMON! My sisters need that! Teach them...teach them the fundamentals of our church.. show them... show them the importance of our gospel. Apply it... they need to know where to turn to when life is hard... and good... You have to teach them....They need this gospel just as much as they need food... this gospel is a NECESSITY...don't let them put you off or turn away...teach them, guide them, walk beside them....drag them kicking and screaming if you have it! :)

 

I miss you guys and I love you guys so much. Send me packages and prizes !!! I'm so happy to be a missionary. Give everyone a hug and kiss for me.

 

xoxo

Sister Z 

First Letter

WOW! The first day at the MTC has been REALLY overwhelming! My companion is Sis White, she's from Utah, and she's AWESOME! We are perfect for each other. When I walked through the MTC doors the spirit was radiating, it's amazing here! Love it <3!

Sis White and I are the only sisters in our district that are going to OR. There are two other sisters in our district, they are going to Las Vegas. Everyone here is really nice and super friendly, it's SO cool! There is a tree here that smells like cream soda -----> Yum!

Today after dinner (which is at 4pm...seriously!) we went into a room....there was myself, Sis White and about 60 other missionaries and we were to teach a man to "come unto Christ" it was....the biggest slice of humble pie I've ever had....but, it was tasty ;) Knowing that I don't have an answer for everything and learning to rely on the spirit is hard.

The days are so rushed and on top of that I forgot my shampoo and conditioner :(
My zone leaders are Sis Hyer and Sis Tate (they are leaving next week for Washington).
I miss you guys so much! Be stronger than ever, keep me in your prayers! Keep your relationship with the Christ strong, work on it everyday!

Love you Forever,

Sister Z

The Delivery

Dad and I drove from Arizona to Utah on Sept 30th. We meet up with Elders Wynn and Strong, they are Logan and Scott now but it's hard for us to call them that. It was dads first time to Temple Square so there was tons to see and we tried to do it all. It was a lot of fun and I so appreciated the one on one time with dad. Mom stayed home because she's nine months pregnant, Piper (my one year old sister) can only ride about 3 minutes in her car seat without coming unglued and Mikalla (the 15 year old) and Scout (the 10 year old) had end of quarter exams at school.
Dad delivered me to the MTC in Provo on October 2nd, it was extremely hard for him.....I seemed to handle it much better. Afterwards he said he has never been more grateful than he was when he found the "cry lot"....very similar to the cell phone lot at the airport but this is for departures rather than returning :)