Teachin' and Preachin' in the Panera Bathroom 💁

Hey Y'all. 🤓

Wow, okay first I forgot to tell you the most hilarious thing ever that happened two weeks again but I totally forgot to tell you about it!!

Sister Hyer and I were just going tracting or something. There were two teenagers that had pulled up along this curb and one ran inside to go get something. Well I turned around to see them pull up and then I turned back to the door. All of a sudden I hear sister Hyer say "oh no sister sister look!" I turn around just in time to see this teen back the car up like 20 mph into a fire hydrant. HAH wow 😳 it was crazy! Haha poor guy. Blessing though because the car was totally fine! Wow. Well you don't see that everyday! 

Interviews went SO WELL with President! He is awesome. I love President Huntsman. He is called of God and an inspired man. I love sister Huntsman! She is the sweetest ever. They are both amazing people who care so much about each individual missionary. Love em. We were asked to share a repentance scripture with President in interviews and I shared Alma 22:16-18. Those truly have become some of my favorite verses in the Book of Mormon. "And I will give away all my sins to know thee." So beautiful. Such a beautiful story of repenting and turning towards God too!

THEOOO! Is doing well! He didn't get baptized this week but he is inching closer to baptism everyday. He truly is changing! I'm so grateful for the opportunity I've had to watch him progress and grow. It's changed me. The Lord's hand is in all things! It's so cool to see a sliver of that in someone's else's life. Also he called us his friends this week so BONUS! If you knew Theo, you would understand that he doesn't call any missionaries his friends so I would count that as compliment 😎

GUYS. I HAVE GOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT CARLOS PREACHING IT AT THE GROCERY STORE!! Carlos took us to Subway this week. The day before he texted us saying, "sisters I just have such a strong desire to share the gospel right now!" So the next day at Subway, he proceeded to tell us that after he sent that text to us, he... went to the grocery store and started walking around to find someone to talk to about God. He met a woman who gladly had a conversation with him about God and she ended up being his neighbor! Woah. I was so impressed that Carlos just went out and started preaching it. GO CARLOS! He is preparing to get the priesthood next Sunday. He is a rockstar. I look up to him a lot.

Also, I met this man on the street who was from Somalia! Pretty sure he had pink eye but that's beside the point. He was very kind, and after he told us all about his beliefs he asked us who we believed Jesus Christ to be. I said we believed him to be the Son of God and he shut that down real quick. "You are FALSE!" He said. Well, sorry but not sorry dude but I ain't backing down on that one.

WOW also MIRACLE this week. We went to a return appt we had scheduled with a man named Johnny. Knocked on his door once. No answer. Twice. No answer. Three times. And his daughter answered! We explained who we were and she let us in. We sat down in this apartment with the most humble soft spoken girl. Her name is Destiny. Basically, I have never met someone so prepared in my life. She understood and accepted the priesthood. She was so happy to receive a Book of Mormon. She accepted a baptismal date for February 25th. And she said the most sincere humble grateful prayer at the end of the lesson. My heart wanted to burst. Kneeling down at the end of that lesson, I was filled with so much gratitude to be a missionary. It's times like those that make every absolutely difficult thing about a mission completely worth it. 

Went to Panera this week! We walked into the bathroom when this girl was walking out. I had the strongest impression to give her our card. So I did! Her name is Meleah! She was so happy and nice and so we started talking. We found out she had went to an LDS church with a friend a week and half ago and she said she would want to come check out the singles ward! Woot woot!  Unfortunately she didn't make it yesterday, but we did give her a Book of Mormon and taught her a little bit about it. So there we were - just teaching in the Panera bathroom. That doesn't happen everyday either! Haha miracles! We are hoping and praying she gets back to us so we can come teach her. She seemed so open to learning. Lesson learned- never ignore a prompting, even in the Panera bathroom. Ya just never know what could happen! :) 

We had exchanges with the Brambleton sisters this WEEK and I was with Sister Van Drimmelen! CUTEST sister ever. I look up to her a ton. She taught me so much. She talked to me a lot about how she really wants to focus and remember to "be a Christlike missionary and not just do missionary things." - PMG. Well after that whole exchange, I just had such a desire to change and become so much better! It made me think "am I truly becoming more like the Savior in everything that I do? Am I focused on Him in this work?" I think often times it's easy for me to forget the real reason why I'm out here. To serve the Lord. It's His work, not mine. I'm here to be an instrument in His hands. As we focus on the Savior in our daily lives and strive to become more like Him, we will have the Spirit with us. We will not get caught up with distractions or things of the world. I know the Savior lives and He is so invested in our lives. He truly does know us, I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

LOVE LOVE LOVE,

SISTER HYMAS :)

Moroni 8:16- boldly declare the truths of the gospel. Don't be afraid!Enos 1:27- SO beautifully written. Such a fan of that verse.

Tripod of Focus

Yoda and Princess Leia??

"Uhh, do you know if he will be out soon?" - Awkward Sister Hymas

Afternoon folks!!

It's literally raining cats and dogs over here. Thank goodness for waterproof clothing! Blessings. We just got done shopping. THIS WEEK THOUGH. I cannot even tell you how amazing it was. The ups and the downs!!

Well Carlos took us to Taco Bell on Monday for dinner. That's always fun! Carlos is doing so so awesome. He is preparing himself to receive the priesthood soon. Makes me so proud :') He came to Theo's lesson yesterday and was testifying to him of Jesus Christ and the Atonement, it was just so beautiful to watch! And then afterwards, Carlos gave Theo a big ol' hug. It was a tender moment. I just love these investigators and recent converts. I love em!! Rhiannon is doing so well. Have I told you about her yet? I can't remember. She was basically an atheist 6 months again,  now is starting to believe in God. her faith is growing and its so cool to watch her progress! definitely one of the biggest highlights of my mission. She started from zero on the religious spectrum and now is working her way up day by day as she keeps commitments. this week in our lesson she said her first prayer out loud in front of us.... and wow. I will remember that forever. so honest and sincere. so innocent. It was such a rewarding moment.

THEOOOOO. Oh Theo. hahah Theo rocks. I'm so proud of him. He truly is changing and growing each time we see him. His scheduled baptismal date is on Thursday, and if it needs to get pushed back thats okay. What's really neat is he has a desire to change, he is working through the repentance process with some things in his life right now, and I know he will get baptized one day. He even said it too. Theo also has a rock solid testimony of the gospel. He has been meeting with missionaries for two years and has grown a ton since. I am grateful for the chance i have been given to learn from him. Also his favorite thing to say: "Dude." hahaha.

One day this week, we were driving past a hotel when sister Hyer saw this lady in the front parking lot taking pictures of plants. She flipped around and we went to go talk to her. So glad we did!! Because we met the sweetest Chinese lady ever! Her name is Heyue and barelyspoke English. She is on a tour of the US. Between her broken English and our hand actions, we had a good chat with her :) Haha we got some pictures with her by some nice plants. Haha. She got our number and she gave us her number and we became friends she said. Such a sweet lady.

AWKWARD SISTER HYMAS MOMENT of the week. Get ready for this one folks. We met a super nice man named Om, originally from India. He let us in his home and his maid served us water. They are such sweet people! We taught him the first few points of the restoration, and he agreed to have us come back the next day. As we were leaving his sweet wife Rita said, "you bring good vibes into our home! We are privileged to have you here." Well because Om isn't YSA age, we had to pass him to the Elders. We go back the next night with the trio set of elders and they bring a member. So there are 6 of us standing on his porch and I am the closet to the door. I knock. His son answers.
Him: "oh hello, sorry we are in the middle of dinner right now, can we help you?
"Me: "we are here for Om! Is he available?"
Him: "He is in the bathroom right now"
Everyone else: "oh okay!"(We are making small talk for a few moments and then it got extremely quiet and awkward and since I was closest to the door and right there talking to his son I felt forced to talk and didn't know what to say... SOO..)
Me: "do you know if he will be out soon? Or..? Uhh..."
WOW. SO MUCH AWKWARDNESS. Hahahaah his son kinda just looked at me, then said "let me go see." The elders start busting a gut. Sister Hyer did too. The member probs thought I was crazy. It may not have sounded like an awkward story. But lemme tell ya, you could definitely feel the awkwardness. Classic Sister Hymas. Om eventually came out and it was all well!! The elders went back the next day and taught him. Om is such a sweet man. Grateful to have met him. 

The sweetest member named Minhoru came out with us one evening this week! She is from Peru and debating on whether she wants to serve a mission or not. We street contacted some people and taught a few lessons. Something so cool she said after we had talked to one guy was, "that's was so different, it was like there was a light as you were talking to him about the gospel" or something like that. That really strengthened my testimony of the message we share. The true gospel and church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. I know that it's true and I know that it will bring a light into your life like nothing else can. Jesus Christ is the light. I know He lives. I know God lives. He and His son are good. They love us. If life seems to get ya down and your not feeling too happy, read Alma 26:27-37. Or just read it anyway because it's so good!! I was feeling down this morning but after reading that I felt so much better. The spirit truly touched my heart. The Lord is on our side. God is good! He knows all things. He is powerful and loving. He is merciful. Alma 26:11-12. "I will boast of my God....for in His strength I can do all things." Remember that.

I love you all so much. Your emails light up my day, I am forever grateful for every single one. You have no idea the impact they have on me.

Love you so much!!

Xoxoxo,

Sister Hymas

General Authorities visit DC South 😱

Happy Monday!! :)

We went to the temple today instead because it was open for the holiday! Wow it was so good. We went with the Senior couple and Stefanie. I love the temple. It brings so much peace into our lives. I know it's the Lord's house. I am so grateful for the Holy sanctuariesGod provide for us to feel His love and learn more about His plan. It's so beautiful. Also, you won't believe this. Actually you probably will because I'm so klutzy. I slipped down the stairs in the temple. HAHA I was like "wow only me and my mother would do that." (It's so true.) Love ya MA!! Good thing sister Hyer was the only one around to witness it. Her face screamed pure shock hahah.

The general authorities came and spoke at our mission conference and it was... AMAZING. I cannot even tell you how strong I felt the spirit when they bore powerful testimony of the Savior and His restored Gospel. Elder Ballard, Elder Rasband, Elder Gong, and 3 other members of the 70 all came to our mission. It was like a historic event! After that meeting I felt the strong desire to just CHANGE! I am so thankful for these humble servants of the Lord. Also, we got a mission picture with them all, I'll send it to ya when I get it! On our way from the gym to the chapel, I got to shake Elder Ballard's hand! HE IS THE CUTEST LIL MAN! I thought he would be taller? But he was cracking jokes the whole time it was so funny.

Sunday, Elder Ballard, Elder Rasband and Elder Gong all spoke at the new YSA stake conference, which I get to attend because I'm serving in a YSA Ward. Well, we get there and guess what. We see Elder Rasband going down the escalator to the big room where the conference was. (We met in the Marriott Marquis) I was like "sister! That's  Elder Rasband!" Totes was. So we ran quickly after him. He got to the doors and some people approached him and were talking with him. The whole time I was just thinking "I've got to go say hi and tell him he was my uncles mission president!" So I finally went up to him after these people were done and said "hi!... you were my uncles mission president!" And his eyes got big and he said "really! Who?" I told him Brandon McKinney and he said "ohh Elder McKinney! He was a good elder..." and talked about him for a minute! He said all good things about him :) then he turned to someone and said "hey! Let's snap a picture and send it to him!" (We take pic) "send that to my Elder McKinney!" Hahah he loves you Brandon! It was so cool to make that connection. Heavenly Father totally provided a way for that to happen. What a tender mercy!! It was so surreal. 

Then we went to go sit down and Elder Gong came up to Sister Hyer and me and started talking with us. Haha general authorities were just poppin out of nowhere! Haha. It was so cool that we got to meet so many of them! They truly are called of God. They didn't even have to say anything, you could just feel it while you were in their presence. Those were some pretty big highlights of the week. Also, Theo is on date for January 26th! Please pray that he will be blessed with the courage and strength to overcome anything that stands in his way of baptism. Theo is so prepared. He is just working through some things. He has met with the missionaries for two years and it's been so cool to see his progression since I've been here.

We had exchanges with Goose Creek and I was with Sister Nenneman! It was a hoot, God led us to 5 new investigators which they were each HUGE MIRACLES! It all started with talking with the first man we saw in this neighborhood we pulled into, getting his mail. Not much time to explain each story but moral of the story is.... TALK TO EVERYONE! Our mission had a goal to find 500 new investigators before the general authorities came and we reached that goal! Our zone had a goal to find 100 new gators before they came and we got 108 (I think)! It was so amazing. I know God blessed us as we were striving to be more obedient and follow the spirit. It's so cool to see myself grow each day when I push myself to become better. It's easy to stay at a standstill and in your comfort zone. I've learned though, that ya don't grow or become better by staying in your comfort zone. I know I'm pushing myself to be better when I feel awkward or my heart is beating super fast because I'm so nervous to do something, or running after someone to give them a card.... etc. It'sall SO worth it. I know God can bless us with the strength to do hard things. I know through His son, we are able to change and become better. We are able to reach the full potential our Father in Heaven sees in us.

Sorry it's short today!! My fingers can't type fast enough, there is always so much more to talk about and stories to tell but I guess you'll have to wait to hear them when I get home! Speaking of that...I found out my release date is September 6th. (YAY!!) That's so crazy. I only have 5 transfers left or something like that.

Never forget how much God loves you. And never forget to HELP OTHERS and remember how much God loves them. I just love you all with my whole heart.

SENDING ALL MY LOVE,

Sister Hymas :)

Wow. Virginia is Freezing.

SERIOUSLY IT'S SSO COLD HERE! Wow they weren't kidding when they said it gets super cold with the humidity. Yeah. I've never been so cold in my life! Haha 3 pairs of tights here we go! I'm trying that this week. Also, Virginia weather is super bipolar. It's supposed to be 60 on Wednesday. Say wha? 

Due to some new rules, My emailing time will be 1 hour so I apologize in advance if I don't get to respond to all of you. Just know how much I love you each SO MUCH and am so grateful for you and all the support you give me. 

We had MLC and Zone conference this week! Sister Hyer and I trained at zone conference on using our area books effectively and efficiently, and on planning. It was fun! President introduced our new goal for this year which is 365 people baptized this year!! Thinking about baptism EVERY SINGLE DAY. I'm so excited. In order to reach that goaI, we had to raise the bar on obedience. We talked about rules in the white handbook and clarified things. It makes me so excited because I just want to be so much better. I know blessings come every single time when we choose to be obedient. I want to become a consecrated missionary. I just want to be the BEST I can! Through the Savior, we can reach our full potential. Also, I love president and know he is an inspired man. I won't be surprised if he is called to be an apostle one day. Speaking of apostles, 2 apostles and a member of the 70 are coming to speak to the new YSA stake on Sunday and they are visiting our mission on Saturday! THAT LIKE NEVER HAPPENS! I'm so excited!! It's Elder Ballard, Elder Rasband and Elder Gong. I want to tell Elder Rasband that uncle Barbados was in in his mission when he was pres! Is that right?

We found a new investigator named Rubin this week! It was really cool because the spirit was totally nagging at my heart to go knock on this door that I saw a man walk into from like a mile away, and we were about to pull out of the complex... BUT ALWAYS FOLLOW THE SPIRIT! So I did. We knocked, met Rubin, he is awesome! He seems really interested too. The same day, we met a lady named Laney who kept telling us we were angels! She was like, "wow I really look up to you. You two are angels. I can see the halos!!" :')

We had a Skype lesson with Julio this week, and he explained how he just feels this restlessness to read the Book of Mormon! I was thinking the whole time "wow totally the spirit" haha. He was the one that wasn't about reading the scriptures and now he really wants to read and find out for himself if it's true! We invited him to be baptized on Feb. 4th and he said he would pray about it. Pray for him please! 

Carlos is on FIRE! That recent convert fire is real. He is always telling us how he tries to talk with his coworkers about God. He called us Sunday morning to tell us he wanted to invite his Jewish friend to church, he was like, "I want to invite my friend to church. But she said she is Jewish. What do I say?" Haha go Carlos. I really look up to him and his faith.

We had a pass off lesson with the ham/cat sisters for a girl named Lauren! Who came to church yesterday too by the way! MIRACLES!! She is amazing. The lesson was a little rocky at first, but once we started getting into the restoration the spirit just gradually got stronger and stronger and was so strong when we got to the first vision. I recited it and felt the Spirit so present. I just KNOW with my whole heart that Joseph did see God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. I know God lives. I know Christ lives. I know this is Christ's restored church and gospel and I am so grateful for that knowledge. It has influenced me and everything that I am. I am forever grateful.

Bishop Janzen was released on Sunday because he is the stake pres now. A new bishopric was called. They are awesome too! But so sad to see bishop Janzen leave. He has been a really big and good influence to me. I'm so grateful for his loving example and his family.

Funny story: today we went to Walmart and while we were checking out we met a very happy old man! He reminded me of grandpa hymas! Haha so full of life! His name was Joe. He was with his wife Victoria. I shook his hand and introduced myself, and he said, "That's a firm handshake from a woman! That tells me your glad to meet me!... my old football coach said, if you're going to shake someone's hand, shake it like you're glad to meet them." 

He was so awesome. I just had to tell you dad! I knew you would be proud :) he proceeded to tell us that he had talked with missionaries before and even had the same light the world pass along card we gave him! Haha. He told us all about how he and his wife had known each other since high school and he still loves her so much. He said that God has blessed him with so many wonderful things and the first one starting with his wife, Victoria. My heart just melted. True love right there! So cute.

I know this gospel is true. I am so humbled to be a missionary. I have never been so humbled and grateful in my life. We are truly God's children and He loves us. I know He loves us so much. That is the greatest eternal truth. It is true. I know families can be together forever by being sealed by God's priesthood authority in His holy temples. I love the temple. I love you family! I LOVE the Savior and His gospel. It's all true.

Wow. I'm just so grateful,

I love you all so much.

Xoxox,

Sister Hymas

P.S. My p day next week will be on Wednesday because we are going to the temple. I am so excited!! A temple trip is very much needed. My heart is yearning for it.

 

Miracles & Blessings Galore- Also... HAPPY 9 Months! 😱

I have zero words to describe how amazing this week was.

ONE- SISTER HYER AND I ARE STAYING TOGETHER ANOTHER TRANSFER!! We survived transfers, oh my goodness you should've seen the happy dance we did when we found out she wasn't getting transferred, so much happiness :')

TWO- I hit my nine months this week! Say WHAA? Half way done?! That flew. Kind of. Haha just kidding it really does fly. I can't believe it. Also, the nine month pictures I took are quite atrocious, viewer discretion is advised. :)

THREE- happy 2017!! That's weird. A new year brings new adventures! I'm so excited to see what will happen the rest of the year out here in Beautiful Virginia! :)

Last p day we had a zone activity and had a white elephant gift exchange. The rules were you had to bring something from your apartment! HAHAHAHA... sister Hyer and I brought a little girl bike we found by the dumpster. We got a back massager in return. Wow, I felt bad after we got that gift. Ha The sisters who got the bike laughed so it's okay! We had a miracle that night when we found a super sweet lady name Emily, and met her two daughters. She shared a story about her mother having a stroke and it was so hard on her so she went to the church everyday and poured out her heart to God and begged Him to help her mother. She said it was a miracle and her mother got better. Emily was crying as she told her story, it just touched my heart. We gave her a Book of Mormon and testified she would feel peace as she read. It was amazing. We haven't been able to see her since. She had to cancel out last appointment. Also, Tori and Madison Hooper fed us that night. We ate THE BEST salad I've had in my life. Just fun fact for ya. Haha.

Tuesday we had a lesson with Sarah. Due to some things that have happened, she was having a really hard time. Long story short, that lesson was full of The Spirit and testimonies were born of how much God loves us. I bore my testimony of how much God loves His children and loves her, and SURPRISE! I actually cried. The first time in a long time. The spirit just overwhelmed all of me, I couldn't help it. I know God loves His children and is very much aware of what we go through. We had our last district meeting of the transfer. It was a blast serving with these missionaries! They are amazing. And also the pictures we took are so awkward haha I look weird. Had a lesson with Daniel, it was awesome! By the end of the lesson, he really wanted to read the Book of a Mormon and learn more. He wants to talk with his brother who is a member about it all before he meets again. Later that night, we had an AMAZING lesson with outer New gator Julio. Julio is a referral from recent convert Luis, Luis moved back to Peru. Anyway, we met Julio and his whole family! They are from Mexico. Turns out, they were taught by the missionaries 8 years ago or so and they have a picture of one of the past elders framed in their house! When we left, the mom gave us homemade pupusas and talk about- MM MM GOOD. WOW I just love that family!! They are so awesome. 

Wednesday I met our investigator Maria, who sister Hyer met on exchanges. Maria didn't answer, but her roommate Jane did. We were talking with Jane, when Maria and her boyfriend came outside and were headed to the store. They were about to leave when Steven, her boyfriend, turned around started talking with us. Well he started preaching about all these things and I kind lost track of what he was saying I just got super confused. Haha I was trying to focus and not zone out, but sometimes it happens. Oops. All the while sister Hyer and I are standing there on Maria's porch with Jane just like "uhh..?" Hahah. He started talking about resurrection and Lazarus, and then he finally had to go. He was getting back in the car, and I ran to give him a pamphlet about the plan of salvation. While I was doing so, Jane said to sister Hyer "I know what he's talking about with that Lazarus stuff. I've died three times and come back to life. Also, I can read people's thoughts." Sister Hyer was like "uhmmm..' hahah then we left. It was quite the interesting experience! We left thinking "what in the world just happened." It felt like a million strange things happened at once.

Thursday was transfers, BUT no one got transferred, hallelujah!! I was so grateful!!! I still am so grateful. We 'heart attacked' one of our members and the whole time I had anxiety because I was so nervous someone was going to catch us! Haha just like when I would have to ask or answer someone back to a school dance, yeah definitely like that. Mother you know how nervous I get. Haha. Anyway, we were running away when the members DAD, who works for like the CIA flipped on the porch lights and opened the door (my heart dropped and I almost booked it, even though it wasn't like we committed a crime or anything haha) and in a whispering/yell "oh, sisters! Did you ring the door bell?!" Hahah. He was so concerned that he didn't hear us knock. It was the sweetest thing. We were like "no! We just left some notes for your son!" And then we ran away. Haha almost scary moment.

Friday we worked at the TVC one last time! It was amazing. I love the temple and the visitors center, it was an amazing experience to be able to work there. So many prepared people come there! Wow it's amazing. We had a lesson with Theo on Saturday about repentance and asking for forgiveness. He is doing well. He is getting closer to baptism! We are going to try to get him on date soon. Pray for him please! Carlos is doing wonderful! He taught us the restoration yesterday in our lesson. He gives super solid comments in church classes, he came to a lesson with Julio and was testifying of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon when he struggled with that for awhile before his baptism, and he is sharing the gospel with his friends! HE IS ON FIRE! Go Carlos! These people here amaze me so much.

Sunday was SO MIRACULOUS! 5 investigators came to church. Theo, Ashlynn, Julio and Aron and Ariel! Wow it was amazing! That was the most to come to church my whole mission. God is so good!!! Also, I've learned so much as I've applied the 'helping' strategy that Elder Bennett really emphasized on when he came and visited our mission. He laid out the difference of HELPING someone receive the gospel and HOPING they do. Our purpose as missionaries is to HELP people receive the restored gospel. Really trying to do everything you can to help them keep their commitments (reading, praying, coming to church, etc.) It's been a miracle worker! And God is so good. I'm so grateful to be a missionary! There is no greater satisfaction than sharing the gospel and being an instrument in His hands. I know this gospel is true, and I know this is Gods work. He is at the head.

Have a Brillo week!! (Shoutout to rach, "jessie j is from London!" Hahah :))

Love,
Sister Hymas :)

P.s. Guess what, your not going to believe this. 2 apostles and a member form the 70 are coming to our stake and mission in a few weeks! I AM SO PUMPED!!