"I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" 👣

HEY YA'LL!! I just got my hair cut! 2 inches gone. First hair cut on the mish!! Woot woot! It feels so good. Sweet Sister Young did it. She is the CUTEST! I wish you could meet her. I just love her! I love all these people so much, it's unreal.

Last Monday we had the opportunity to go to seminary at 5:50 in the mornin! It was quite the treat, it was seriously so fun! It honestly made me miss high school seminary! I loved it. We were asked to share experiences we had in high school dealing with the Holy Ghost. I shared one about the can hitting my head in 9th grade haha, and then one about my health issues and Heavenly Father strengthening me with His spirit throughout that difficult time. I completely, and unexpectedly lost it! I just started crying. For the first time in like 4 months I cried bearing my testimony! It was such a powerful experience. I really felt the Spirit and I hope the youth did too. I bore testimony of Alma 17:10, that I know God knows us and we are given certain experiences just for US. HE knows how to help us. He will send His spirit to comfort us. We are His children. Then we went shopping! Got food, that is always such a blessing on p day! Then we had dinner, contacted a referral, dropped off cookies to a less active for her birthday, and had a great day. Time just FLIES! And I was beat. Early morning seminary would be hard! 

Tuesday was so awesome. We had a wonderful district meeting! Had a healthy lunch then we served Serena all day! Haha she asked if we and the elders could help her clean out her basement and haul a LOT of stuff to her outside shed in preparation for her and Jim to move. SO, we did that from 2-5. It was super fun to be able to serve with our district! We have a ton of fun together. And Serena and Jim are such a hoot anyway, I love being with them. We had dinner with sister Kanouse and her cutest kids ever and then we had the most incredible lesson with Herman. You guys. It was amazing. The spirit filled the room. Sister Clark came with us and she was so perfect for him! She shared her conversion story and answered his questions regarding different things in the Bible.. questions I had no idea how to answer! But we were able to testify of the Book of Mormon and that he would receive an answer if he sincerely read and prayed about the Book of Mormon. He has a hard time wrapping his head around the first vision and Joseph Smith but he really is searching for the truth. He said he would be baptized if he found out it was true! During and after the lesson, it occurred to me that I am meant to be here for HERMAN. I don't know, maybe! But I feel like I am. I just love that guy. He feels like a grandfather. He is so kind, and I truly have felt a sliver of Gods love for him. I want him to get baptized so bad and go to the temple! He also said he believes God sent us just for him. We are just thinkin: GET BAPTIZED ALREADY! Haha he is so prepared Holy cow.

Wednesday was fun! We helped Serena paint her shed! Which was awesome because I have wanted to paint something on my mission and my dream finally came true! Actually, my real dream is to paint a fence on my mission. Preferably a picket fence. ;) Don't ask me why, I just really want to haha. So hopefully I'll get to do that :) then we had to go to the church to help sister lodge and sister brown with pre set up for trunk or treat. The rest of the day we went finding. We had to drop a few new investigators who weren't really interested or prepared at this time. That can be hard, but patience is a virtue. Haha at one point during the day, there was an old man who was jogging past us. I said, "hey I really want to go talk with this man while joggin beside him" two seconds later that's what I was doing Haha it was super fun! I asked how he was doing and he said "not too bad for an old fart!" Haha he was funny. He was haulin too! He was a super fast runner for an old fella. We walked up the street to contact a Spanish fellow. I tried to speak espanol but he was muy NOT interestante! Hey we tried though  that's what counts. For dinner, Sister Bennett had her FIRST tuna fish sandwich. FIRST EVER. It was amazing. And then later that night, we arm wrestled and that was her first ever arm wrestle. It was a day of firsts! And it was wonderful :)

 

Thursday we had exchangesss!! WAHHOO!! I was with Sister Walton, she is straight hilarious. I love her. She was comps with sister Frei! Sister Frei told her about me before I came to the mission. Hahah its so funny because everyone thinks I'm just like Sister Frei! That I look like her, I talk like her, I teach like her... etc. and then people find out that we pretty much grew up with her and they are always like: "NO. WAY." Haha so funny.

We went and saw a woman named Barbara with a member named Tanisha (she came out with us like all day. What a rockstar. We call her T!) Barbara is battling cancer right now, but she is so strong!! Oh my lands. She was having an amazing day when we came by. We planted flowers in her garden and laid mulch. Shared scriptures with her and talked about faith. She isn't looking to convert right now, but absolutely loves the missionaries and needs service. We were driving to our next finding destination when we see this lady talking on her phone walking along the side of the road, we all thought she looked nice. SO sister Walton pulls over into this houses driveway, and Tanisha said the prayer before we got out of the car. Hah and Tanisha is so hilarious. She prayed that the lady would listen and she wouldn't be sassy. Haha Then... we get out and talk to her. We say hi and she's all friendly and says hi back. Sister Walton was about to say we're the missionaries when all of a sudden this lady (African American lady) was like, "MM MM MMM, I'm GOOD! I've got the Holy Spirit already! Can't you TELL I'VE GOT THE HOLY SPIRIT? HM?! If y'all can't tell I've got the spirit in me already, that's a sign telling you you're in the wrong ministry! BYE!" As she walks on down the road. HAHAHAHAHA. OH MY LANDS. It was so hilarious and took us off guard. We were all like: whaaaatt....wasn't expecting that one!! We really appreciated Tanisha praying that the lady wouldn't be sassy, haha she still kinda was but it was just super funny. That night we went to a grocery store to get some food! And because we can't eat in the car, we ate right there on our trunk. MEMORIES!! Later, we were driving in the car and sister Walton was just like: "Sister. You teach like Jesus." Wow, thank you sister Walt! Haha she is so funny, but it was a huge compliment. I want to become such a better teacher everyday. There is always so much to improve!! Oh, also we were finding and our car almost got towed. We saw the tow truck pull up to another car and immediately we were like: WE OUT! Then when we were driving home, we see a herd of cop cars at the Shell gas station right by the STLs apartment, and there were cop cars all along different roads blockading them... pretty sure the Shell gas station got robbed! We were safe that night though. :)

Friday Morning comes around and of course they made a 5 star breakfast because Sister Walt loves her breakfast and they are just super nice. Hah we had French toast, eggs, and fruit! SO GOOD. During comp studies we were reading the white handbook about elders and wearing shoes and somehow we started talking about feet or something? Haha and sister Walton was like, "oh my. If I see an Elders toe, just send me home. They should always wear socks!" HAHAH so funny. The rest of the day we planned! We had a delish breakfast dinner with the Jim and Serena! Had a less active lesson with Kim, who gave us her neighbor as a referral. We contacted them and guess what! They became new investigators and it was a complete miracle! They are a young couple with a little boy. The husband seemed so interested! We are so excited to meet with them again! :) that night we had a "sass off." See video :') haha sister Walt and sister bray showed us how to sass off so we made our own HAHAHA.

Saturday we started out the morning right by going to say hi to our Hispanic amigos while checking on a few referrals. They were workin on the house where we met the other Hispanics last time! We met a guy named Ignacio and he was so awesome. He was one happy guy. I tried to speak espanol, my Spanglish was on point. Good thing he knew English pretty well haha because I was not making sense in Spanish haha. His family is in Mexico and he is over here working. He gets to see them in December. He seemed so interested in the message, we were so blessed to have talked to him. I gave him a fist bump at the end and he almost fell off the ladder! But he didn't, so all is well :) we tried talking to his friend but he wasn't too interested. We also had a SUPER AWESOME blitz with our district in The Dale City elders area. It was so sweet. It was like being in Fort B again!! We met so many kind, diverse people! We knocked one little apartment building and we're blessed to find 5 new investigators for Dale city. In 3 hours. IT WAS A MIRACULOUS DAY! I seriously just love people. God continues to allow me to feel so much love for random strangers. It's so miraculous to me. Okay but funny story! So it was SO windy that day and when we all arrived at the apartment complex for the blitz, we get out of the car and everything, and guess what. That wind was going right up my skirt! I almost had a major Marilyn Monroe moment in front of the elders nonetheless! and I would've died in embarrassment! HAHA totally reminds me of Rach on her mish!! So funny! That night we had dinner in Nokesville with the Sciavolinos and then went to stop by sister browns to pick up some stuff for trunk or treat. Well, if I hadn't told you before, sister brown lives out in the middle of nowhere in nokesville. They have wide open spaces, a large farmhouse with a wrap around deck and a porch swing. When you go there at night, it's completely dark and you can see all the stars. It's completely and utterly silent. Not much can get better than that! I AM IN LOVE. I am in love with Nokesville. I think Heavenly Father sent me here to realize how much I love it so I can live here one day!! :) not kidding. I just love this place so much. That night I opened a big ol' envelope filled with letters from the Yellow Sage primary!! :) it made my whole day!! Tears filled my eyes as I read those sweet letters and looked at the beautiful pictures. I am so grateful for the incredible amounts of love and support I have received from my family, Ward family, friends and loved ones back home. I have felt so encouraged and uplifted countless times by a thoughtful letter or email sent from someone. You all may never know how much it truly means. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 

Sunday was so good. It's always so good. I love the Bristow Ward so much. I never want to leave. We had some GOODDD ribs at the Bastians!! Did they send you pics? If so can I have them? Then we dropped off trunk or Treat invites everywhere. We talked to a kind man named Alex, the spirit totally told us to go there. We were driving away but both felt like we needed to go back and trying knocking on this certain door where a potential lived. So we did, he wasn't interested but my heart was satisfied once we tried talking with him. It's all about following the Spirit and TRYING. It reminds me of one of my favorite hymns, "I'll go where you want me to go." 

"It may not be on the mountain height

Or over the stormy sea,

It may not be at the battle’s front

My Lord will have need of me.

But if, by a still, small voice he calls

To paths that I do not know,

I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:

I’ll go where you want me to go.

I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

Over mountain or plain or sea;

I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;

I’ll be what you want me to be.

We must be sensitive to those promptings the Holy Ghost gives us. And then be humble and willing to FOLLOW THEM. Even if they are to "paths that we do not know." That is how God speaks to us. That is how we may know what to do, and where to go. That is how God gets His work done here on earth. Only if we are willing to listen and follow His spirit.

Follow Him :)

SENDING ALL MY LOVE!!

Xoxoxo

Sister Hymas :)

Loved this quote from the adjusting to missionary life handbook!

"God has a perfect plan for His imperfect children; this is the good news you carry to the world." AMEN TO THAT!

Virginia Back Country and Homemade Peach Turnovers. 🙌

Ello fellas! Hope this fall season is treating you well! :) it's gorgeous out here! The leaves are finally starting to change. And guess what! Sister B and I got invited to go to seminary this morning to share some experiences about the Holy Ghost, it was SO FUN. I MISS SEMINARY! I totally bawled while sharing my experience, it was a surprise because I haven't cried while bearing my testimony since like my first transfer (so weird, right)! It was a super spiritual moment for me. It strengthened my own testimony to share those experiences. But yeah, what I really wanted to say was we had to get up at 5:20 am. OH my lands, it was early, but sacrifice brings blessings :) it was such a great way to start this fine Monday morning :)

Monday we got rolfed again by Serena! Each time you just feel like a new woman haha your muscles feel so good afterwards! Then we basically had a chill p day. We wrote letters and emailed then went to dinner at Serena's again! Where we had a dinner lesson with Jim and Serena. Jim said he's thought about baptism. He has hang ups on Joseph Smith, word of wisdom, and doesn't understand the priesthood authority. It was a great conversation! I can feel Jim getting closer to baptism, slowly but surely. Then we heart attacked Alana's mailbox and dropped off cookies for her birthday! We sure hope they take the missionary lessons again sometime in the near future.

Tuesday we had an awesome zone training! It was great. I love the Woodbridge zone. They rock! Tuesday morning I woke up with a sore throat, hoping it would go away! But it just got worse. I felt so achy and sick by the end of the day. And I was freezing! THANK goodness for kind companions who hold your hands to warm them up 😂 sister B will be a wonderful mother! She took great care of me. After zone training we had a lesson with Sarah that fell through, but we were able to talk with neighbors and had a member present lesson with them, and God lead us to a new investigator! His name is Wayne. He just pulled up to his house as we were leaving. He has great faith and said he recognized us as Latter Day Saints. He said we are popular for our literature! "Ah-ha," we said! Haha and whipped out that Book of Mormon and testified. P.s. It's so true what cam said in his email to Jake! Just start talking to people about their dogs and whip out the Book of Mormon! It works almost every time ;) try it folks. Haha :) we talked with several people that day. Lots of friendly uninterested people. I'm so grateful people are usually kind! However, I tried to talk to a couple taking their walk and they rejected us completely, and I asked if they knew anyone else who was interested. She whipped her head back to look at me and she said "NO" with a disgusted AND unamused face. Haha "okay ma'am! Have a great walk!" It made me laugh. Then we had dinner with the sweet Lodges. Love them. They feel like my parents out here. I told them that and they just grinned and said AWW! Haha. That night we helped the activity girls make decorations for the trunk or treat. I love working with the youth! And seriously my setting apart blessing was so inspired! I've seen that come to pass many times on my mission. So so cool. Those blessings truly come from God. It's interesting I don't remember anything else from my blessing.... hmm. Let me know Family if you remember anything! I'd love to know :) muchos gracias.

We helped sister Lodge and sister Brown with preparations for trunk or treat. I didn't feel any better that day. Then we had a lesson with Wayne! He is a way kind guy. He was super happy and excited to see us! We had to have the lesson outside on his porch because the member couldn't come with us. He was running in and out of the house during the lesson to grab pictures to show us of his family, to take his brownies out of the oven... haha it was funny. He seems prepared he just is really involved with his church right now so he said he would let us know when God told him it was true. Then we went to dinner at the Hale home! Sweet little Charlotte picked roses for me and sister b. Cutest family ever. Love them! Sister hale made a super good soup that had only vegetables in it. And homemade rolls. SO GOOD. and snicker doodles! Then we went to go finding. We met a red headed Kris Kringle named Dan, who immediately wasn't interested, but he looked like Kris Kringle so #bonus. Haha he gave us a referral too! As we were walking away he asked to guess what his age was. I was thinkin, "uhhh...what's this guy trying to get at..?..." haha it was a strange and random question to ask as we were walking away.

We had district meeting! Me and sister B were sick dogs haha. We mowed the lawn. My new fave. ;) (just you get ready dad, I'm gonna be a pro when I get back;)) Sister B slept part of the day, she wasn't doing too hot. However, DayQuil really did wonders for me! I was starting to feel better. We had dinner with the sweet Buongiovanni fam. Sister Buongiovanni is a rockstar. And she also gave us really real advice about marriage! Haha and then she was talking about how it doesn't feel like 20 years ago she got back from her mission and now she's married and has a big family.. she said we are going to be saying the same thing in 20 years and how quick the time flew by. And we will remember the one time we were chatting with sister Buongiovanni in her kitchen about marriage and family while making Paninis. :) love her!! We met an awesome guy named James! We were knocking on a door who was super NOT interested, haha they were about to open the door when they saw us through their windows and started shaking their head mouthing "NO, NO NOO!" Hahah welp. "HAVE A GREAT NIGHT!" I said with a wave. While we were waiting at that door, I happened to then see a guy getting his mail and he kept looking over at us. I was hoping he would stay there so we could run after him after we talked to the lady at the door. So she finally says no, and we hurry on over to him, i'm about to say hi when he beats me to it!! He said, "y'all handing out political material?" We said "Uh no, but...." and we started talkin! He became a new investigator too. He had solid questions too. About the church, church history, Joseph Smith, where we go to church... SOLID. Going back next Wednesday! Then we met this super cool guy at 7-11, and we were paying for our gas inside and about to leave when he asked, "y'all gotta service? The Mormons right?" YEAH WE DO!! Gave him our card, he was really cool. It was a great tender mercy.

Friday we helped sister Franklin put up some of her Halloween decor! SO FUN! I love Halloween. And she does too. She had A TON of decorations. Then we planned! The "yushe" (as in usual) I don't know how to spell it haha. We had a wonderful dinner with the Young/Johnson family. They made homemade pizza and HOLY COW it was the best pizza I've ever had! Their cute little girl Kailey drew us a picture! Cutest ever! I just love little kids! They melt my heart and make me smile so big. :) sister young said she used to work with a woman from Idaho named Jalynn Hymas and her husband name is Devin Hymas. She said they used to go to bear lake all the time! I was like "huh we're probably related somehow!" Haha. Their names sounded familiar. We checked on some people. Walked the rocky roads of Nokesville. Heel clickin as we go. Then hiked up a road in the dark. The sky is GORGEOUS out here at night. I just love looking up at the sky. Saw the Oharas and went home. Did a face mask that night. My face felt so clean afterwards! I don't think I've ever done a face mask before.... wait. Maybe I have. Haha I can't remember. It's been awhile! But It was a solid day. :) Sister Bennett and I just have a hoot together. She understands me! Even when I'm weird, or don't make sense, she still gets me. Most of the time. Haha. And she is so patient! So so grateful for her. #compunity

Saturday we had the wondrous opportunity to help with the primary program practice! We just had to fill in for a few teachers. It was so fun. I seriously just love little kids. They make me so happy haha. All the sunbeams were my BFFs by the end of the 2 hr practice! Plus, it was such a tender mercy to be able to hear those sweet kids belt out their hearts singing of Heavenly Father and the Savior. It brought tears to my eyes. Then we went finding the rest of the day. We drove out to the Virginia amazon rain forest! Haha do ya remember me telling you about that weeks ago? It's like straight back country. Right on a river. It's amazing. Wish I could live there! Well we finally went back to go search for frank's house! Well while doing so, we met the kindest people! We met a guy named Lee, who gave us directions to Franks house, and we also had a lesson with him. He and his girlfriend have faith and she goes to church. He seemed so solid. He was so genuine and kindhearted. They said they would call us, but... you bet we're going back. ;) we went to go to Josephine's, but she wasn't home. We met her sweet neighbor Diane though! She was far from interested, but she gave us a referral! BLESSINGS!! And we invited her to our trunk or treat and guess what. She said she'd post it on the community Facebook page' we were like: AW YEAH! Okay but most embarrassing thing ever. We were saying bye and I called her Julia. OH MY LANDS. Sister Bennett was like... "uh sister, you just called her Julia." I said, "wait isn't that her name?" Sister B, "..no..!" Hahaha. The struggle with remembering names is REAL for me! People tell me their names and then by the end of the conversation, I completely forgot it. It's terrible. New goal. Remember names. Then we stopped by hermans, he was doing yard work. Had a quick lesson with him. Stopped by carols, she didn't answer, I felt like we should knock on her neighbors door and we almost gotten eaten alive through a fence and glass windows by what seemed like 30 viscous dogs. I think it was only 3 dogs but it defs didn't sound like it. HOWEVER... We were walking back to our car and carols garage was open and her little dogs were outside yapping at us. It was hilarious I have a video of it. Anyway, she came out and we had a lesson with her! WAHOO! God works miracles :) follow the spirit! ALWAYS ALWAYS. After the lesson, we ended up having to drop her, but hey. She is awesome and I really hope she reads those pamphlets we gave her! And the Book of Mormon. Had an awesome dinner with the crokers. Sister croker told us before we left that "we work so hard and we're so happy while doing it!" Haha she is so sweet. I love the members here! It's true that the work is what you make it. So make it fun :) it makes ya more happy. Had a lesson with their neighbor Orist, who the Crokers gave as a referral, had a lesson with the Bender fam, and contacted their neighbor they gave as a referral. We went and saw a former investigator who is so solid and she knows the gospel is true, she is just committed to her church right now. One day she'll get baptized. Hopefully, someday soon! Anyway, she expressed to us that she admires our faith and determination to go out each day no matter if it's rain, sun, snow... it shows our love for the Lord. My heart wanted to burst I thought that was the kindest thing ever. It was a solid day. A MIRACULOUS DAY!! I love God. I love the gospel. I love Christ! It's easy to get down on yourself though. Often times Satan tempts me to think discouraging thoughts, But, ya just gotta kick him out and tell him who's boss in your head. Asking for help from Heavenly Father always takes care of the problem. :)

Sunday was amazing. It was the primary program and the spirit was SO STRONG! I love sacrament meeting. I am so grateful for the sacrament. When we come prepared to take the sacrament, humbly and worthily, we allow the spirit to fill our hearts and cleanse and sanctify us. The sacrament is a huge blessing each week and the sabbath is truly a delight. I've gained such a strong testimony of what the sacrament actually is and what it represents. We had an amazing dinner with the Meiers! They cook such good food. Roast and potatoes. And HOMEMADE PEACH TURNOVERS. Best dessert I've ever had. MM MM GOOD. And plus, they live in the beautiful Nokesville! (See pics) Guys. I cannot even express how much I LOVE NOKESVILLE. like I literally want to live in Nokesville sometime in my life! Every time we are down there, I just tear up! I just love it too much. :') we also met a 80 year old woman named Rose who lives out in Nokesville and she was a former investigator. We stopped by but she was sick, so we are calling next week to come see her. She is so awesome! She lives on a farm and is the cutest woman ever. Then the rest of the evening was just finding.

Okay, Alma 31 is SO GOOD!! My new favorite chapter. Wow Alma's faithful prayer just blew my mind. He is such an incredible example! Whatta spiritual STUD. Y'all should go study it! HALLOWEEN is just around the corner, i'm so pumped! The Bristow Ward trunk or treat carnival is going to be a hoot and a holler ;) I love you guys so much. I pray for you often, each day. 

Always remember the incredible worth you have as a child of God. 

Xoxoxo

Sister Hymas :)

A Heart Full of Gratitude

First, I don't know why the font is so big in my email and I don't know how to fix it on my iPad... awkward.  Second, "HOW IN THE WORLD ARE YOU?!?!" (Elder Torgersen used to say that. I miss them so much!!) Third, it is so chilly here! I keep hearing that this winter is going to be a "nasty one mate." So let's hope I survive. :) Fourth, I just made a super good salad. #funfact and ate a Reese's peanut butter cup. Those things are my jam. Fifth, so apparently there was a hurricane that hit the east coast and we barely missed it. Talk about blessings!!! HALLELUJAH!

Monday we went thrift shopping again and I found a few skirts and some rain boots!! No more wet feet for sister hymas! While there, we met a really kind Japanese woman named Katsumi. She recognized us as sister missionaries, and noticed we were looking for long skirts. We briefly talked about the restored gospel and the gospel of Jesus Christ. She said we could have her number and the elders in the area where she lived could give her a call! She was the sweetest lady! We also met a woman named Dora, and she referred to herself as Dora the Explorer! Haha it was hilarious. I was like, "man I love that show! Used to watch it all the time growing up!" She wasn't interested, she was Pentecostal but she told me I was beautiful and God bless us. HOW SWEET IS SHE?! We wrote emails and went grocery shopping! We had an amazing dinner with Bishop Scott and his cute family. We ate taco salad! Haven't had that in awhile! Afterwards, we went to go check on a potential that lived on a main road. So.. we were trekkin on this main road tryin not to die haha it was pretty intense! There were cars flying down the road like going 50-60 mph. Or at least it seemed like it hahah. We finally got there and guess what. They didn't live there anymore, the house was empty and for sale. HAHA so much for trekkin the main road and almost dyin! Haha jk but when we got to the house, first I ran through a ton of cobwebs trying to get to the door, that should've been the first sign that no one lived there anymore haha, two, I biff it up their porch stairs going to the door, nothin new there! And three, there isn't a three. Just two. Haha. We went and visited a new family in our Ward, the Orr family and DAD. You and brother Orr are like the same! Y'all have the same interests, he lived in Montana and wants to move to Alaska and get away from people and I was like, "hey! My dad is the same way!" And he said, "I like your dad already!" Haha he said you and mom could go on a trip with them to Anchorage, Alaska so there ya go! I'm making friends for you ;) they are a hoot. Such a sweet family. Love them so much already! They had me cracking up real hard.

Tuesday was so fun! We had one awesome last district meeting. We played some catch phrase! And family, you know me when I get into catch phrase... hahaha yeah we were all laughing pretty hard. It was a good time! I loved this district. We did good work together and had a blast. We had to mow the lawn and then we had a really good lesson with Alana, Kendall and their mom Pam. Well we got half way through the plan of salvation, and we were really emphasizing baptism.. and Pam asked about the difference of baptism in the Catholic Church compared to the lds church again.. and why they needed to be baptized again, because Christ was only baptized once...we explained priesthood authority again.. her daughter Alana, even said she didn't have the choice when she was baptized in the Catholic Church when she was a baby... and long story short, Pam said they were going to take a break from the lessons. They dropped us. Super bummed and sad but that just means they aren't ready yet, and that's okay! All in God's timing. Just have to trust that. :) we went to check on Josie and her family and the husband, Chuck answered the door. He was so kind! He said they weren't interested but he will keep us in his prayers! Kindest man!! #tendermercies. We got a referral sent from church headquarters when we were mowing the lawn. When we get one of those, it texts and emails us. Well we saw the text and it gave her name, address, and a description of her. It said her name was Emma and she was looking for peace. We were like WAHHOO! We never get church referrals. So later that night I had totally forgotten about the text but we were struggling to know where we needed to be. The plans we had in didn't feel right. We prayed several different times along our way seeking direction on where we needed to be. I had forgotten to text a member back and as I was doing so, I saw the referral text! I said, "oh! We gotta go contact her!" So we go on our way to go contact her. It's already pitch black outside. We drive by her house and it's dark, but we see there is someone in a car in front of their house.. it was a young woman and we thought it was her. We didn't want to scare her and walk up in the dark, so we drove past again and we weren't sure if we should try to contact her... we were driving away from her house when I started to have this nagging at my heart that told me we needed to go back, but I still wasn't sure because it was so dark and kinda scary BUT we stopped the car. Prayed to know if we should go talk with the woman in the car. And during the prayer the words "you already know" came to my heart and mind. Immediately, we were turned around and driving back to her house. The nagging at my heart stopped. I knew we were going in the right direction. Then all of a sudden these words came to me: "she needs you." It kinda shocked me but it was so cool. I felt peaceful the whole time. We got out of the car, pitch dark, like no lights at all (hahah our whole area) grabbed sister B headlight, and started walking down her street. I had absolutely no idea what to say for some reason, but I knew we needed to talk to whoever it was. We walked up, and I yell "HELLO!" We startled her haha oops, she was smoking in her car before going inside. Her name is Tara. We started talking with her and ended up figuring out that the referral we got is actually her sister, Emma.... and Emma has a friend on a mission in New Mexico. (Later we thought that maybe her missionary friend was probably the one that sent the referral in, because usually it says on the text whether they signed up to have missionaries come or if they wanted a Book of Mormon, etc, but it never said that. Once Tara told us that, it all made sense to us! OR Maybe it wasn't her missionary friend! We may never know in this life, but it was seriously a huge miracle. God knows His children and He knows what we need.) We had a quick little lesson with Tara before she went inside, she became a new investigator! Tuesday was a MIRACLE DAY. I am so grateful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. I know if it weren't for those promptings and if we weren't to follow them, we would've never met Tara. And I KNOW we needed to meet her that night. Then we found out about transfers! And guess what! WE'RE BOTH STAYING!! WOOP WOOP! Here goes transfer number two in Bristow!  I get to spend Halloween AND my birthday with sister B! YESS.

Wednesday was straight MIRACULOUS. no joke. The night before, we got home late because we had to find out about transfers, and so we did brief planning and didn't set goals for the next day... anyway, I said the prayer before we left the house for the morning and felt like I should pray that we would find two new investigators. We started out by finding in the morning! In good ol nokesville! Met a kind elderly couple named Nancy and Larry, reminded me of Grandpa Beal's siblings! I even told em that hahah. Then we came home and had lunch. We went finding some more! Talked with real good people along the way. Updated the area book. Had a delish beef stew dinner with the Storeys! (CA-UTEST KIDS EVER!) then we went over across the street to see our good friend Rita! We met her husband, bob, and had a little lesson with them. They aren't super interested in converting (we dont think), they are Jewish, but they are super kind and loving. Rita is hilarious. She is like our neighborhood BFF haha. She said she read the plan of salvation pamphlet the same night we gave it to her, just like she said she would! Then she offered to have us over for dinner!! LIKE SAY WHA?! It was amazing. I LOVE HER! She is a cutie. Then we contacted two people we've been trying to for a million years. One of them being a former investigator, and we set a return appointment, and the other being a former as well and we got a return appointment. They became two new investigators for us because we contacted them again!! There you are folks. It was another testimony and witness to me that 1, when you follow the spirit and do what He is telling you to do, DO IT, because miracles happen. And 2, God WANTS to help us reach our goals. He wants to help us grow. He can't help us if we don't set specific goals BY THE SPIRIT, and if we don't ask for His help. Boom bada bing. Heavenly Father teaches me new things EVERY SINGLE DAY. I was seriously in awe at the miracles that we witnessed the last two days. I seriously love being a missionary. My heart is overflowing with the spirit right now! Oh and to top the day off, I GOT A LETTER FROM SISTA LANG!! It made me tear up. She is amazing and I miss her guts and I'm going to BAWL when she goes home in December! She goes home with Sister Em Frei! You gotta go to BOTH their homecomings! Sister Langford really wants to meet the Hymas clan. I love her. She taught me all I know. She brought me into the mission life and now she gonna leave me here haha jk. 

Thursday was quite the adventure lemme tell ya haha. Actually it was pretty normal, I just had some pretty embarrassing moments. We went finding the majority of the morning, and we found two Hispanic people for the hermanas! It felt good to break out my Espanol skills again. Muy Bien. ;) I have a new goal- learn more Spanish. We don't get much practice in this area! But anyway, they were really nice men. Well then we try to go contact this man, who ended up not being interested. Well we were putting all that in the Area book in his front yard when this big golden surbuban drives by so we wave like usual. I look back down at my iPad. Then I hear Sister Bennett say, "...uh...sister.." I look up and see the gold suburban stop driving and quickly back up to where we were. Immediately my heart drops and adrenaline just hits meh! I mumble, "HUH-UH, NOT TODAY!" And turn my lil hiney around and swiftly walk back up to the mans door who just rejected us. I was getting ready to pound on the door so he could save us from these men who I thought were gonna snatch us up! The man yells, "Hey! You want a card!?" And I kept thinking he was yelling "hey! You like the car?!" Or  "hey! Get in the car!" Hahah I didn't wanna find out! But then I hear him yell "I'm not the bad guy! I just work for your neighbor down the street, I'm gonna leave you this card right here...!" puts it on the trash can, and he gets back in the suburban. Haha I felt so dumb. And felt bad too! I just yelled as they were driving away, "thanks! Have a great day!!" HAHAH. So EMBARRASSING. But hey, for starters, ya don't back up and startle two young ladies like that. That's not how you advertise your lawn care business. Lesson learned. Haha. Later, we contacted a group of Hispanic men working on top of someones roof. I walk over and yell "hola!" They rattle of something back in Spanish. Having no clue what they said I turn to sister Bennett and she shrugs her shoulders, so I just yell, " muy bien!" HAHA. In my broken spanish mixed with mostly English, we started talking to a fellow named Manwell! I asked, "Cree en Jeso Christo?" He said "Si! He's a cool guy!" AMEN TO THAT BROTHA! Haha anyway he agreed to have the Spanish missionaries call him and share the message with him. It was another testimony to me that even if you don't exactly speak the other persons language, if you open your mouth God will give you the words to say. Even if they are in Span-glish! Hahah. Later we had a super delish dinner with the Beaty family and they make super good food. They made steak, Brussels sprouts (best Brussels sprout I've ever had!), rolls and homemade chocolate hazelnut ice cream. Well the Beatys eat their meat super duper rare... like bleeding rare.. sister Beaty said "we eat like carnivores." HAHA very much true! So that was the first time I've ever had really rare meat before. Just like a carnivore. My stomach handled it. :)

Friday we planned. And fasted. And had an awesome dinner with the pierce family! They live in Nokesville. AKA the prettiest boonies around. I seriously would live in those old run down cute houses! With a chunk of land. That would be awesome. :) then we went finding the rest of the evening! I can't even remember what happened.. No one really answered or was interested. But it's okay because we did all we can to share the gospel with them! I learn so much each day on how I want improve. I'm grateful we have weaknesses. It's amazing to see that when we rely on the Lord, He truly turns our weaknesses into strengths.

Saturday it poured rain. ALL DAY! YAY! I finally gotta whip out my on-clearance-7-dolla-thrift-shop-rainboots. We helped Natalie, recent convert, finish load things in a uhaul! We I'll miss her. It was pouring rain literally the whole time. I got muddy. AW YEAH. It was fun!! Then we saw sweet sister Wilson! She reminds me of my residents back at the Beehive. :') I love elderly people. They are so fun! I love talking with them. I feel like we just click! Then we had lunch and checked on people/finding the rest of the day. We had some other lessons, and Heavenly Father led us to a New investigator!! Remember Josephine? She gave us water a few weeks ago? Well, I knew she was special when we met her her! We went back to see if she had read the pamphlet... we knock in the door (knock, knockety knock!) on the third knock, a HUGE man opens the door. Like HUGE. Like Dwayne The Rock Johnson HUGE. With a deep booming voice. We start talking with him and not even a minute in, Josephine pops from behind him and was like hey!!! She was surprised to see us and that we didn't forget about her. Of course we wouldn't! She gave us water! Haha that's what we told her. We got to talking with her and this is what happened! Lesson report: "Josephine is SOLIDDD. We knocked and her husband, Gailam, opened the door! Then she popped out from behind and was surprised to see us. She thought we forgot about her. She was touched we didn't! She hasn't read the pamphlet, but she asked if we had anymore. We gave her a plan of salvation pamphlet and explained its Gods plan for all of His children. Explained briefly the gospel of Jesus Christ and if we follow those principles we can return to Heavenly Father. She shared she is busy all the time and has barely any time to read scriptures or pamphlets. She is stressed with school and work and family... we brought up the Book of Mormon. We testified that if she puts God first, that she will have time for everything else she needs to do. We shared Ether 12:27, and she loved it. She said it was so true. She wanted to save that spot in the Book! She agreed completely with the verse. We explained the Book of Mormon and shared the invite in the introduction. We invited her to read the scriptures before studying and see if that helps. She said she knows it will help and she's going to try to do it. We talked to her about church and invited her to come and to the primary program! Explained the different programs in the youth and talked about her kids getting involved... etc. She said she used to deliver to an LDS church. We also asked if we could send out our scriptures texts to her throughout the week and she said yes! SHE IS AMAZING AND NEEDS TO GET BAPTIZED!! Her whole family too!" She reminds me of the folks in fort belvoir! I just love her so much. I can see her and her husband getting baptized. I can just picture it now! I really really really hope they accept the gospel. I sure felt the spirit the first time we met her. And He was prompting me again to go back and see her. It was an amazing day! We found a new investigator, finally got to wear my rain boots, we met The Rock, I got a package from Tricia! (LOVE HER!!! She is the sweetest! She is the best.) Everyone, THE GOSPEL IS AMAZING. Sister Wilson mentioned that she doesn't know how people can make it throughout life without having faith. I literally wouldn't last a day. Life and the world is just so crazy. Faith keeps me grounded and on the Right path. Faith is so much more then believing. It's ACTING on that belief. Act on your faith, and God will bless you.

Sunday was amazing. I cannot tell you how much I love the Bristow Ward! They are truly my family! The spirit and unity in the Ward is incredible. They have a desire to do missionary work as well! Brother Meier came up to us after sacrament meeting and explained how we knocked on one of his coworkers doors a few weeks ago. His name is Russell and he used to be a pastor. I totally knew who he was talking about! We got him as a referral from one of his neighbors. Anyway, Brother Meier said every time a new set of sisters come in the Ward, they always end up knocking on Russell's door. Russell at one point and come over to the Meiers home to take the lessons a few years back, but wasn't ready to change at the time. Brother Meier said he came to his office recently, (when he had never done that before), and shared with him that we had stopped by. Brother Meier said he thinks Russell heart has been softened over time and thinks he is ready now. He said he is looking for a new church home. SO brother Meier told him, (this is my favorite part) that the next time we knock, let us in and the message will change his life (or something like that). I was thinking: YEAAAHH YOU GO BROTHER MEIER!! I was so pumped! Brother Meier wants us to give Russell a Book of Mormon with his testimony in it when we go and knock on his door! It's going to be amazing! We thanked brother Meier right before he left and then with tear filled eyes he turned and said, "no, thank you sisters for what you're doing. The light of the gospel just shines from you. It's truly amazing." I was trying not to BAWL I was so touched. That was the first huge miracle of Sunday, besides it being Sunday itself because Sunday is just amazing, I love it! The second tender mercy was when sister Buongiovanni came up to us after church and said: "You two are just beautiful. I was looking at you in sacrament and relief society and I just see this long blonde hair and your just happy and stunning! But it's not just your looks. I mean you are beautiful, but it's something more. How you smile... how you interact with each other, and with the members... You two are just beautiful and we love you! I just wanted to tell you that." I was like in tears, these members are so sweet to us. It makes me want to cry even more because these people truly are amazing examples of being missionaries all the time. They are the ones that just shine and love others like Christ loves them. They are amazing! Then that night, guess what happened. MIRACLES. Heavenly Father is so good. He led us to two new investigators, two separate occasions. Carol and Rebecca! Rebecca especially seems so prepared and ready for the gospel. Unfortunately she's going to be leaving soon till January! She said she's Christian but she's never been to church. I was like: why not?! And she said: I don't know!! Hahah I was like: well come check it out!! Hahah. She is AWESOME. Carol is too! She is pretty strong in her faith so we will see how our return appointments with them go! And we got three member referrals! These people. Man, I just love em! :') I am so so grateful.

Last night during my bed time prayer, immense joy, gratitude and the spirit overcame my heart. I am SO grateful to be here. I went to bed shedding tears of gratitude for the life God has given me and for these short 18 months I've been given to serve Him. I don't even know what it was, but my heart was just going to burst! It was just so full. I truly have never felt any greater joy in my life than I did last night. Those feelings reminded me of this quote from Russell M Nelsons talk about joy: "When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation... and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening--or not happening--in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy... For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy! That is why our missionaries leave their homes to preach His gospel. Their goal is not to increase the number of Church members. Rather, our missionaries teach and baptize to bring joy to the people of the world! Just as the Savior offers peace that “passeth all understanding,” He also offers an intensity, depth, and breadth of joy that defy human logic or mortal comprehension." That feeling that is described in that last sentence is what I felt immensely last night. I have felt levels of it throughout my mission. I have come to learn for myself that the Savior is indeed the true source of joy and peace. He is full of love and wants to heal us. He WANTS us to have JOY. I invite us all to begin right now, to turn more fully towards the Savior, build our relationship with him, rely on Him, learn His teachings, and APPLY them. As we do this, I can promise you, you WILL experience more joy in your life.

So much love! (My heart is going to burst!)

Xoxox 

Sister Hymas :)

"... If you are ever unsure what to say... speak of the Savior... This is your purpose." -Neil L. Anderson

Hebrews 11:6- Let us have Faith in God, our Heavenly Father.

Remember, have an attitude of gratitude in all you do. :) life's so much better that way.

YIPEE-KI-YAY! Happy 6 Months Sista' Hymas! 😱

ALOOOO-HAA! How y'all doing this fine October afternoon? :) hallelujah it's finally October!! I LOVE love the fall. Truly is the best time. I light a pumpkin apple spice candle every morning. It's like heaven right there on our table. :)

MONDAY WAS AMAZING!! We went shopping at Aldi AND our groceries didn't fall out of our box or bags hahaha, and we went thrift shoppin! Always so so fun :) I found one skirt. We're going back today because they had a lot of good stuff, like rain boots! So I'm going to try and get some of those. No one likes wet feet haha. But I had a cool experience at the shop! I was just looking around trying to find some dresses, when I saw this lady sitting on her walker just chillin. I started talking to her as I was searching for clothes. She was so kind! She said she was catholic and I explained I was a missionary and what we do as missionaries.... etc. well we had an amazing few minute conversation and lesson, and I gave her our card and a restoration pamphlet and she really was grateful to have it. Her daughter then came over and was kind of cold towards me. As they were walking away the mother asked the daughter if she could keep the pamphlet and that she wanted it. It was so amazing!! I KNOW that God loved her so much. I know that I was meant to meet her. I felt drawn to her and that I should talk to her. Another testimony to me that if you just open your mouth, God gives you the words to say. He will make you an instrument in His hands. Amazing experience. :') Then we emailed and had dinner that night with the Lyman family. They are the sweetest couple. All their kids except one have served or are serving missions, or going on missions and brother Lyman shared heartfelt testimony of missionary work at the end of our visit. He teared up and shared that he finds it remarkable that the Lord calls young men and women to devote a part of their life to go share the gospel all over the world. He said that if it were older adults doing it, they wouldn't be as successful. He said missionaries have a light in their eyes and share the gospel with zeal and power. He said he could see that light in our eyes. He closed with prayer and I just was holding back tears, it was so amazing and kind to hear that from someone. I know that before being a missionary I saw that light and joy from missionaries and desired to be that way. It meant the world to hear that from brother Lyman. We were able to contact a referral and have a few lessons! Then we were able to finally teach one of our new investigators that even sister Bennett had been trying to contact since she's been here! His name is Jose. He works crazy hours so it was a complete miracle we caught him! He happily let us in and we were able to teach the plan of salvation to him and testify of eternal families. Which was something so important to him because his parent passed when he was younger and it was so hard for him. We shared the Book of Mormon invitation in the intro and he really pondered those words. You could tell that the spirit was just working on him so hard! OH MY LANTA it was an UHMAZIMG lesson! I know that God placed us there so that we could meet and teach him the plan of salvation. I can't even begin to describe what an amazing experience it was. I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK!! It is THEE best work.

Tuesday was so great. We had district meeting in the elders backyard again! Haha except it was on their deck. It's so sad that our last district meeting is tomorrow. I love this district! We've had lots of fun together. From Tim tam slams to district meeting in the forest... it's been a hoot. :) we had one amazing lesson with Sarah and sister Donovan was able to come!! They are both amazing! Here's Sarah lesson report: Sarah has been pondering about the things we've shared with her, and she has thought about baptism. She says she still wants to change some things and come to a better knowledge of it, but she says she knows it will come and she will be baptized some day. We were able to teach half the plan of salvation and discuss faith in Christ, repentance, and baptism. We shared Alma 34:32-35 and talked about the purpose of life and she said those verses helped her realize she needs to start changing and repenting today because we don't have forever. She shared with us some things she is struggling with and needs to work on changing. She recognizes what she's doing and she wants to change it. We told her that is the first step in the repentance process and that she is already on her way! We invited her to read Alma 5. Sister Donavan was awesome and bore testimony all along the way and helped teach different principles. She also invited Sarah to watch General Conference. We watched the testimony of Thomas S Monson as well. She and Sister Donovan really got along well, and it was just an amazing lesson! The spirit was definitely there and we invited her to prepare for baptism on October 29th. She said she would think about it!!" Later we had another lesson with the girls! Alana and Kendall, and their mother Pam. They are all AMAZING TOO! They are so prepared and don't even know it. Like I keep thinking as they are talking, "get these people a font!" Seriously, we are gonna try and put them on date for November 5th tomorrow. I just love them so much!! Then we had an amazing dinner with sister lodge and her husband. She made us enchiladas! SO GOOD. and get this. Chocolate cake was for dessert!! MY FAVE! Blessings. For real. And then she came out with us to a lesson that fell through, but she is just such a rockstar. I call her Mama Lodge because she literally takes care of us like we are her daughters. This whole Ward shows us so much love they really feel like family. I am so blessed to serve in this Ward. I have learned so many things from the Christlike service and missionary work this Ward does each day. I am so humbled and grateful. P.S. I love looking up at the stars at night. It's like my favorite thing. Do y'all ever do that?? Sorry random, but I just did it haha.

Wednesday. Man it flew to Wednesday! Time is so weird. We were able to go contact a new investigators mother named Joanna. Lemme tell you. THAT FAMILY IS PREPARED! Holy cow, it's not even funny! Cutest family ever too. We met the dad too. They are so kind! When we stopped by, they were fixing their basement because it had just flooded that morning. Isn't that terrible?! And yet, they were still kinder than ever! We are going back next Wednesday to see Joanna again. On our way back to our car, Steve and another gent were in the front yard trying to fix the plumbing and Steve yells, "hey! Say a prayer for me! And when ya come on Wednesday, I'll be at work, but say a prayer then for me too!" Haha he is so nice! I love that family already! I hope and pray with my whole heart and soul that they will accept the gospel. Later we were doing lesson reports and syncing our iPads at the church when all of a sudden president calls us. We both look at each other like: "uhhh...!? President never calls randomly!" Haha so we answer it and he said, "Hello Sisters, I saw you found 5 new investigators last week! I just wanted to call and tell you that is so awesome, I'm so proud of you. That is five more people who have accepted the opportunity to hear about the restored gospel. .... keep up the hard work Sisters, I love you!" OH MY LANDS. Best phone call ever! I love president so much. He is the best. It meant a ton to hear that from him. I know God placed those people in our path. God really is so good. And I also know that I was sent to the DC south mission because I needed to meet President and Sister Huntsman. True fact. They don't send you to a mission, they send you to the mission President you need! I've heard that a lot and I believe it's true. Anyway, then we had a quick porch lesson with Amber because she had a sick child but she is also so prepared too! She has two kids who she wants to learn more about this message. We are so excited to teach them! I LOVE FAMILIES! I've been hoping and praying God would lead us to a family and He indeed has. Multiple families! Then we had dinner with the Hale fam, and did tracting the rest of the evening in a super nice million dollar house court! For real, they were nice houses. And ya know what we did? We knocked those bad boy doors and got rejected on every single one. But just like Uchtdorf said.... "4th floor, last door!" This one lady wasn't interested but we did teach a little lesson and she said she would accept the material we gave her! That was a huge blessing. It's so crazy how each area in the mission is so diverse and different. It could be way nice with million dollar mansions, or low income housing in some sketchier areas. Nonetheless, I've been in both areas and absolutely love it. Truth is, no matter where you are there are prepared people. We are all Gods children. He wants us all back. Also, we went to go check on a potential we found in our area book. We went to her home and knocked, and her son came out. He had a sketchy looking smile, and he stepped out onto the porch. Immediately I didn't have a good feeling and I knew the spirit was tellin me "get outta therr!!" We quickly offered a pamphlet and he invited us to stay and talk on his porch. I was like "Yeah. NOPE!" Jk Hahah I didn't say that out loud but I thought that. All was well, don't worry mom it wasn't super scary. Just kinda creepy. It's just another testimony builder for me of the Holy Ghost and I just am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost! I'd be dead meat with out Him. 

Thursday we had a planning sesh with sister lodge and sister brown (Ward missionaries) for the trunk or treat activity. The Ward mission got put in charge of it! We are gonna make it like a carnival and invite a bunch of non members that will hopefully come! Then we had lunch at sister lodges and she came to a lesson with Alana, Kendall and Pam! Here's there lesson report: "Alana said she read a little bit of the Book of Mormon and tried praying a little bit. We read 1 Nephi 1-2. They seemed to really understand it and Pam even gave insight while she was listening. Alana and Pam were really intent throughout the lesson. We talked about having faith in God even when He asks us to do hard things, like Lehi and his family leaving Jeruselum and everything they own. Pam wondered when the Book of Mormon took place and about the wilderness in Jerusalem. We also invited them to be baptized again, when they come to feel this message is true. Alana said I don't know, maybe! Pam asked how baptism in the Catholic Church compares to baptism in this church, and we retaught the priesthood authority. We invited them to pray and read the Book of Mormon, read plan of salvation pamphlet, and watch general conference. Sister lodge was awesome, she explained different parts in the Book of Mormon like when Lehi leaves Jerusalem and she shared her testimony and part of her conversion. We shared Moroni 10:3-5 and talked about if they sincerely desire to know if the message we share is true, they can read and ponder the things they read, and if they have pray with a sincere heart, with real intent and having faith in Christ, they will receive an answer by the power of the Holy Ghost." Sorry sometimes I'm just lazy to type out how the lesson went, so I just copy and paste the lesson report. It's like you were there huh?! It works right? ;) haha. Then we had super good cafe rio style dinner at the Buongiovanni fam bam household. Then we went tracting! Only one fellow answered the door and talked to us. Haha its so weird because the houses we were tracting had two doors. TWO DOORS. In two different spots on the front of the house. Like uhhh.... Confusing right? So we would go up to knock on what we think was the main door, and if they didn't answer we almost went and knocked on the other one but then realized it was covered in cobwebs... haha so I guess it's just the style of the house or somethin! Oh we also had companionship study with our STLs= SUPER FUN!! Haha I love those sisters. They are such great examples of hardworking missionaries as well as loving everyone like Christ would. We also took "sassy" pictures so enjoy ;)

Friday my morning thoughts were: HAPPY 6 MONTHS TO MEEE! Then quickly became, "wow. 1/3 of my mission is over." Bittersweet feelings. Tears filled my eyes as I heard sister Bennett share a story she read about a return missionary in comp study. And an overwhelming feeling of gratitude just filled my heart. I am truly so grateful to have these 18 months to serve as the Lords missionary. It's the greatest things I have ever had the opportunity to do! We planned all day Friday and had a few less active lessons! One with the cutest woman! Her name is sister Cooper. (Lesson report: She is the sweetest lady ever! So kind and has a lot of faith. We got to know her a little bit and then talked about general conference. We watched the general conference video with Jeffrey R. Holland testifying that if they teach by the spirit and we listen by the spirit, one of the leaders will touch on our circumstance. We will have received a little epistle of heaven and revelation sent right to us. She thought it was good and she she said she was somewhat excited. We invited her to prepare a question and listen for an answer during conference and she shared that for her, she looking for inspiration to come back to church. Not so much a question, but inspiration. She hasn't gone for so long because she has been busy with work and she said she would make excuses to why she wouldn't go on Sundays. She said now, after watching conference she doesn't have the desire to come back. But she said she does have hope. We bore testimony that there is always a way to come back, especially if she has hope. We also bore testimony of Gods love for her and her family and how we are all His children. He wants us to be happy so He asks us to do certain things, like come to church to partake of the Sacrament and read the scriptures, prayer... She really wants to come back for her kids. She wants them to have a solid foundation. It's especially hard to get them ready in the morning on Sundays and that her husband and mother in law aren't members. We invited her to come the Sunday after conference and she said she wouldn't make any promises, but she would try. SWEETEST WOMAN EVER!! Love her!) then we had dinner with the Beefelt fam and happily went tracting in their neighborhood. We met their sweet neighbors, Robert and Tammy! They were such genuine people with a strong faith in Christ. We invited everyone to watch general conference! And all the while we just got poured on! And of course I forgot to bring my raincoat. Smooth sister Hymas. Good thing we had two umbrellas in the car. It was super fun :) I love the rain.

Saturday we got to watch CONFERENCEEE!!! We watched the first session at the stake center and afterward a woman in one of the Spanish wards, made food for all the missionaries so we ate her delicious food! Then went finding and then went to the Buongiovannis for the second session. Then we had dinner and went and saw Sister benge!! But okay, It's so crazy that 6 months ago, I was watching general conference in the MTC! So weird! I was so jealous of the missionaries who got to sing in the second session! UH so jealous. They sang BEAUTIFULLY! Especially Joseph smiths first prayer. Oh my lands. Straight teary eyed Sista Hymas over here! Haha. What did y'all like about conference?! Tell me everything :) I loved all the talks. I can't pick a favorite! Saturday I really loved the talk about Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. Honestly, I didn't have a super strong testimony of Joseph Smith being a prophet, before my mission. I believed He was, but I don't think I really knew if he was. I don't think I ever had the strong confirmation he was. However, it is so true that when you go out each day sharing your testimony of what you believe to be true, it does grow! It does become stronger. I prayed sincerely throughout my mission, especially in the beginning, that Heavenly Father would help strengthen my testimony of Joseph Smith being the prophet of Restoration. Welp, He sure did!! I have had strong confirmations by the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith was indeed the prophet of the Restoration. My heart swells each time I read or hear the first vision. My heart and eyes burn as tears fill my eyes. I can testify with my whole heart, that Jospeh Smith was a prophet. He was the prophet of the restoration. He saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. And just like Craig C. Christensen said in his talk, if you struggle to know if he was a prophet or are questioning your testimony of him being a prophet, look at the fruits that came because of His willingness to do what the Lord had asked of Him: The Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. Christ's original church was restored. We now have the Book of Mormon and can receive the blessings of the temple and so much more all because Jospeh Smith was willing to be an instrument in Gods hands. I know he was a prophet. It is true that his "name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues" but no matter what, the Lords work goes forth. And because of this, "MILLIONS shall know Brother Joseph again." Amen and and amen.

Sunday we had a thanksgiving feast for lunch basically! It was pot roast, vegetables, mashed potatoes, rolls, salad... ya know, all the goods. We had it with Jim and Serena and then watched the first session with them afterwards. So so fun! I love those people. And guess what. They are moving to California like January or something. Sad day. :( then we went finding in between sessions and then went to the Clarks for the second session! LOVE THAT FAMILY. They for real crack me up hard core. They remind me of our fam! Love them! We had dinner with them too after conference- And guess what we had for dinner: the same thing as lunch! hahaha pot roast, mashed potatoes, vegetables and salad. #genconfmeals! (And this is how you gain weight on your mission my friends. Eating two thanksgiving feasts a day. Haha the members just really love us to feed us this amazing food! #sograteful) Then brother Clark is like an amazing chef and he made these gluten and lactose free (because he knows I'm lactose intolerant; so kind, love them :')) coconut bars and OH MY. THEY ARE GOODDDD. They taste like almond joys!! I'm getting the recipe from him, also I'm starting to collect recipes from members so by the end of my mission I can have all the recipes of food I loved on the mission! :) and then I won't bug you for recipes MA! And then I can say "look, told ya I can cook!" Haha :) anyway, conference was simply amazing. I'm bummed we all didn't get to hear from elder holland. But I'll probably still read the talk he gave in priesthood haha. I just LOVE the gospel! I love being a missionary. I just have no words to describe the gratitude I have for this special time in my life to draw nearer to God each day and become who He needs me to be. It's priceless to me.

I truly have loved my mission so far. 6 months came and went like a Virginian summer storm! I am so grateful to be here. I am humbled each day to have this opportunity to be an instrument in God's hands in bringing the restored gospel to those who do not have it, that they may too have "JOY." P.s. Loved that talk by Russell M. Nelson, that was another one of my favorites :) It's amazing that as we are trying our best each day to rely on the Savior, obey God's commandments, and do everything we can to share the Gospel with others, we become more converted to the Lord and His gospel ourselves. It's quite brilliant that God made it that way. 😊 

I love you people so much. I cannot express my gratitude for all the emails, letters, packages, love, prayers and support you all send to me. It makes ALL the difference. Love you so much! Thank you thank you THANK YOU for everything. 😭

LOVEE

Sister Hymas (or Hymns, Hymus, Humus, Heinz, Heyman or Hyman... all the names I'm pretty sure I've heard people call me haha. Whatever you prefer ;))

Quotes/scriptures of the week!

• "...the purpose of faith is not to change God’s will but to empower us to act on God’s will." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf (LOVED LOVED LOVEEDDD HIS TALK!)

• "We testify to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, that God not only lives, but that He speaks." -Holland. AMEN TO THAT.

• Alma 22:18- "... and I will give away all my sins to know thee..." I think that is the most beautiful line in the scriptures. Love it!