"Yes Ma'am." - John. (Aka the sweetest 80 yr old fella you'll ever meet.)

It's a bit gloomy outside. No more sunshine and warmth. Super sad. Haha anyway...

HELLOO!!! :) Happy Monday! Wow crazy it's Monday already. We had exchanges this week with the Ham/cat sisters!!! It was Sister Woolston's birthday so we decked out the apt and surprised her when we got home at the end of the night. We had ice cream sundaes andcookies. So loaded in sugar it was not okay ahaha. I woke up super tired the next day! I love sister Woolston. She came out with me. She is a ray of sunshine and just so happy! I love her to pieces. We defs went to Carolina Bros too. SOO good. We met the sweetest old man named John! He was just out on the porch enjoying the nice weather. We started talking to him. Turns out he is the most Christlike person and gives rides to people that don't have transportation to different places. We taught part of the Restoration and to everything we said the whole conversation he was so polite and would say, "yes ma'am. Yes ma'am... Yes ma'am.... mm hmm.. Yes ma'am." Wow I love him! He was so cute!

We went on a blitz with the Leesburg sisters this week too! And Sister West and I got caught in a rainstorm!! It was crazy!! And it wasn't just rainy. It was WINDY. and cold. And I forgot my coat and rain jacket so I was just a frozen Sista hymas. Haha. And the wind was blowing our skirts up the wazoo! We were two Sister Marilyn Monroes. That night Sister Moore and I went and knocked on this guy's door. A dude opened up and looked disappointed. We started talking with him and turns out he wasn't really religious and not super interested at all. Like 2 min later a pizza guy walks up behind us and gives the guy a pizza and soda. hahaha Then I realized why he was so disappointed. Because it was the sister missionaries at the door and not the pizza guy. Sorry dude. Haha so funny.

OKAY. We met the sweetest Indian couple! The wife's name was Lizzie, and the husband's name was something super cool but I forgot how to say it. Anyway, he was deaf. Sis Moore knows sign language and she was signing with him back and forth. Lizzie told us she had a stack of Books of Mormon in her apt so she showed us! We ended up staying for a bit and showing a video about Jesus Christ and talked about the temple. They thought it was absolutely beautiful and they want to go visit now. The husband also wanted to take a picture so we spent like 5 min trying to set up a self timer on a camera and get it just right so we could have a picture together on their camera. They were so sweet. Plus they had super strong faith. Lizzie is a survivor of breast cancer and the most positive happy person. I was amazed. Her husband is a stellar artist and paints and draws pictures like Picasso.

Sis Moore and I had quite an interesting experience. It went like this:Knocked on a random door. Older man with a scruffy look opened the door.  
Me- "Hi! We're the sister missionaries!..."
Him- (tone changes) "oh heyy.. you want to come back in like a half hour? I gotta take my dog out... I'm not super into all this but you two are attractive so I'll talk to you." 
Me- "uhh... ha-ha...Okay... here's a pamphlet..." peace out brotha.

Remember Nina? She was the pregnant woman me and sister Moore found the first day we were together!! We had to pass her to the Ashburn elders because she's not YSA BUT GUESS WHAT!! One, she had her twins! Two, she's on date for April 15th!! Wow, when I found out I just cheered up! I love her! She is so prepared and asking and I feel so blessed that God led us to her. I often wonder what happens to all these people that we find and pass. Maybe one day in heaven we will all have one big happy family reunion haha.

We were checking on members that bishop asked us to go see and on the way we met a sister that served in Rach's mission! Sister Clarissa Gregory! It was crazy. The first thing she asked when she opened the door was if I had a relative that served in London England. I was like: UH YES!! It made me super happy to meet someone that knew Rach. :) miss ya Sista.

We met an Arabic woman who, long story short, speaks little English but took a Book of Mormon in Arabic and said we could come back on a Friday. She was really scared to take the Book because she didn't know anything about it and wasn't sure if it was okay to read... she wanted to ask the leader of her Egyptian church to see if it was okay and true... well I had the opportunity to bear my testimony to her that the only way she's going to know if it's true is by reading and praying about it herself. And that goes for all of us. No one can tell us if the Book of Mormon is true or not, unless we ourselves read it. Ponder it. And pray about it. I know the Book of Mormon is true. And it changes lives.

I love you all with my whole heart. And quite frankly, miss you a ton!! Have a stellar week. :)

Love love love,

Sister Hymas

Puppy apparently loved Syd's ear

I know the Book of Mormon is true.

Okay.... it's literally like 70 degrees outside right now. Is it even February?? Haha seriously! It's so beautiful! It's been like that most of the week! Talk about... MAJOR BLESSINGS!! It makes finding even more fun :)

This week was a whirlwind! Monday we went on an adventure. We went to a grocery store called Global Foods. Now you can imagine what's there... food from all over! I walked in and felt like I was in another country. All the people in there were from all over, and they just stared at us. I felt like I was an animal at the zoo. Pretty sure they were thinking... "uhh what are two white girls doing here." Just getting our shopping done!! Haha so we shopped for food at the global market. It was cool. There were live fish and fish laying on ice. Chip bags in some foreign language. Huge pieces of I don't know what, but I think it was a fruit? It was very different haha. 

Tuesday we had exchanges with the sweet Brambleton sisters who I love so much! I was with Sister Jackman, and she is brand new in the field. You wouldn't know it though! She rocks! She has wanted to serve a mission her whole life and now she's here. She is so positive and a go-get-er missionary I love it! We had a fun time. Plus, 'twas Valentine's Day on Tuesday! So guess what I did...? Made heart shaped pancakes for breakfast. Aw yeah. Can't get much better than that. Hahah MA, I knew you'd be proud! Anyway, that evening we met this super cool guy. His wife is a member but she wasn't there at the time. But we started talking to him and found out he's been an atheist, but has a desire to believe in God. I shared some scriptures from Alma 32.  He showed us some pictures from his life.... he was an intense military man (I'll just say that because I don't know if it's appropriate to say what exactly he did in the military.) and met like all the presidents! I was in awe. He was so sincere and such a kind guy! The people you meet out here, wow. They amaze me. 

We had zone conference on Thursday and that's always amazing. Love the Huntsmans. LOVE EM! Also, sister Moore and I trained and only had a day in advance to plan for it SOO I felt like it was all over, but people said it was good so oh well. :) Heavenly Father took the reigns. 

We had two blitzes on Saturday which was so fun! I loved it! In the afternoon we went to Ham/Cat which is basically fields and fields and little patches of suburban neighborhoods. It's beautiful too. Reminds me of good ol Bristow! I was with sis Marlowe! She is also a brand new missionary in the field! I admire her sincerity in bearing her testimony and sharing the gospel. She is the cutest I love her. On our way to that blitz, we saw a car on the side of the road and Sister Moore said she had always wanted to pull over and help someone ... so we did! Haha turns out their car ran out of gas. They asked if no one was able to come get them, if we could take them to a gas station and unfortunately we can't because mission car rules... so we're like "well, we actually can't do that..." bummer. We weren't much help there. So sorry! But we did share the gospel with em! They were probably disappointed... but an Uber driver came to get them so all is well. :) That night, we blitzed it in Leesburg with the Leesburg sisters! I was with Sister Trembath. She is awesome. She is one of the first sisters who came up to me at a stake conference when I first arrived in the mission. We had a fun time and found a lady who used to feed the elders and had never met sisters before! The sisters are going to stop by! Wahoo! MIRACLES! It was an awesome day. I JUST LOVE THESE SISTERS THEY ARE AMAZING! I learn so much from them and am so thankful to serve as sister training leader right now.

Holly is so amazing. She is literally an angel!! She is so prepared. She has a passionate desire to learn about the gospel and be baptized. I look up to her so much. Her parents won't let her make a decision like that until she's 18, which is in July. Prayers that she will stay strong until then! She is such an angel, she made DELISH sugar cookies for us and gave them to us at our lesson. How sweet is that? Harge, a potential investigator, came to stake conference a few Sundays ago. We called him and invited him to come to institute on Thursday. When we did, he expressed that he wanted to bring bottled water for everyone on Sunday so that they wouldn't have to use the drinking fountain. He asked if he should bring 300 water bottles and we were like... uhh?! That's so kind of you! We invited him to bring some to institute instead. And he did! He lined em right on a table in the back. He was so nice. Go Harge.

I just have to express my love for the Book of Mormon. I know that it's true. There are so many sources and people out there that deny the fact that it's true and twist truths found within the Book into lies. I know that anyone who sincerely reads the Book of Mormon andprays with faith in the name of Jesus Christ, with real intent, to know if it's true, will receive an answer through the power of the Holy Ghost. "And by the power of the Holy Ghost, you may know the truth of all things." Moroni 10:5. I have received my answer many times over the course of my mission and life. The Book is true. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and through the power of God, he translated the gold plates into which is now known as the Book of Mormon. If you haven't read it, do it. As you read, apply the principles you learn.Your life will change. You will come closer to God. I can promise you that. The fullness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ is found within its pages. The Gospel changes lives. I am who I am today because of the Savior and His gospel. I am forever grateful for it in my life. I'm so humbled to share this beautiful message with others everyday. It's changed me, and I couldn't be more grateful for that. I love you! Enjoy everyday. Life is a beautiful thing. :)

LOVE,Sister Hymas

GO READ 3 Nephi 11:15- the Savior knows us individually. One by one, he let the people come and feel the prints in His hands and feet. One by one, they came to know Him. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. And as we read it, we, one by one, come closer to the Savior. WE come to know HIM.

I Will Go & Do

TRANSFER WEEK***
Sad day.

Sister Hyer got transferred to the Centreville 2nd Ward on Thursday. Sad day so bittersweet. I'm so thankful for her! Love her to pieces. Time for a new phase of the mish! Nephi said it best, "I will go and do the thing the Lord commands." Amen Nephi, Amen. Sister Moore ishere now and she's killin it! Went to high school with her. She so sweet. And a hard worker. Gonna be a fun time!! 

Carlos went to the temple this week!!!! And he passed the sacrament yesterday for the first time!! Wow I just tear up watching him do all these amazing things! It was such a neat experience. Kennedy, Stephen, Giovanni, Chris, and the Johnsons all came to support him. We were all in the baptismal font area when he did baptisms. It was quite, peaceful and the spirit was so strong. Carlos walked into the font humbly, and he was nervous. But it all went so well! My heart just burned with gratitude and tears filled my eyes. All in that moment,memories of Carlos' lessons when I first got to the area all went flashing by. It was so amazing to think back on his progression in the gospel and to see him there in the temple. Such a rewarding and amazing experience. This work IS TRUE. Don't need to tell me twice. I know this is God's work and it's true.

We had an amazing plan of salvation lesson with Holly!! She is so humble and so prepared. She accepted a baptismal date for March 11th!! Then she came to church yesterday and loved it. I just want to be bffs with her, she is the sweetest ever! She kind of reminds me of sweet Mikelle!! She is so awesome and I am so grateful for these amazing members who go out and share the gospel with their friends. It just amazes me. I want to be such a better member missionary. So much better.

Random moment: yesterday we went to go check on an investigator. It was night time and pretty dark outside. We got out of the car and all of a sudden I see this man, with a headlight, carrying a treadmill down a hill. It was so random. He was a nice fella. Haha.
Embarrassing moment: same night as the treadmill guy. We went and checked on a referral. Knock on the door, guy was super not interested, I turn around. Take a step. And another. And BOOM. my heel catches the edge of the step and I ALMOST fall flat on my face BUT I caught myself. That's right I caught myself everyone. (Applause). Thank you, thank you. I stuck it like a champ.

It's been a crazy week to say the least. I struggled this week. My testimony of God truly knowing us individually has grown a ton. I am so thankful for the tender mercies God pours on us daily. It's not too hard too see the miracles that He gives us when we have gratitude inour hearts for the gospel, and His Son Jesus Christ. Trials do come, and when they come, we must not falter in our faith. I know by studying the scriptures and pleading with God on our knees, we are blessed with incredible strength to do what the Lord has commanded. 1 Nephi 3:7- "... I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." The Lord provides a way for us do His work. Trust Him, have gratitude,and keep pressing forward.

Love,Xoxoxo
Sister Sydney Hymas
P.S. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! 😍❤️️

What Happens When You Give Sister Hymas Lemonade?... 🍋

HELLO!! The sun is brightly shining over here in the good ol VA!! It's the first time I haven't worn tights in two transfers and my legs are looking not so tan hahaha need to shed some rays on em. Anyway, I don't know if winter will ever come! It's seriously such a beautiful
day. BLESSINGS. 

Went on exchanges this week with Sister Woolston!! LOVE HER! She came out with me, and is so fun. We will be going home the same time! We talked to this one man who was such a hoot. He kept calling the Book of Mormon the 'Book of Norman' or at least that's what it sounded like...me: oh! So you've read the Book of Mormon before?Him: Book of Norman?Me: no, the Book of MORMON?Him: oh yeah the Book of Norman!Haha. It was a fun conversation. He was super kind.

Saturday was a FUNNN DAY!! Kennedy, one of the ward missionaries, came out with us all day for her mini mission! She came to our apt in the morning and brought us chicken minis from Chick Fil A! Fun fact: it was the first chicken minis I've ever had. Even though I worked at Chick Fil A. Haha. We had a lesson with a girl named Holly, which a member in our ward Travis, has been sharing the gospel with her! He invited us over for lunch on Saturday and we got to know her and have a lesson. Well let me tell ya... SHE IS AN ANGEL! And SO PREPARED. She came with a list of questions. She told us her life story and it was amazing to see how the Lord has been preparing her throughout her whole life to receive the gospel! At the end of the Restoration lesson, we asked her if she had been praying about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and she said yes. She then started crying and she said she has received answers. She totally knows it's true! It was so amazing and my heart was just melting hearing her testimony. Unfortunately, Her parents aren't really about it. It's hard for her to come to church and things because of it. She seemed pretty determined to be baptized though, it's just a matter of time. My testimony was strengthened tenfold after meeting her. SHE IS A MIRACLE!! I know that there are prepared people out there. The field is white and ready to harvest. 

Okay well EMBARRASSING story of the week, and it happened during the most wonderful lesson with Holly! So Travis and his parents made this delicious lunch for us. We all sat down and we're eating, talking about Holly's life and having a wonderful time. There was lemonade (and you know me, always go for the lemonade haha) so I poured myself a big glass! There was also this super good pasta salad, so I grabbed the bowl and dished myself some. As I was putting the bowl back, I knocked over my huge glass of cold lemonade and it went EVERYWHERE. All over the nicely set table, and through the cracks in the table.Down onto the hardwood floor. Oh the delicious, cold, lemonade went all over the ground. My heart dropped I felt terrible! Everyone quickly grabbed paper towels and we all cleaned it up. Okay we all sit back down and are having a great time again. At this point I'm prettythirsty, so I decide to pour myself only half a glass of lemonade and keep a close eye on it so it doesn't get knocked over onto the floor again. Well, there's that's super good pasta salad and I was craving it so I grabbed the bowl, dished myself some, and went to go put itback. The bowl caught the glass AGAIN and (its like I watched this all happen in slow motion) spilled my glass of lemonade all onto the table, floor, and ALSO the mini cupcakes this time. Wow. In my mind "did that seriously just happen again." WHAT A KLUTZZZ!! I couldn't have been more sorry or embarrassed. Sister Hyer and Kennedy were laughing so hard, hahaha. Then Travis mom came down from upstairs and mopped up the lemonade under the table. We get it all cleaned up, from that point on I ate no more pasta. The important thing is, Holly's lesson afterward was super amazing, so all is well :) I know I make you proud mother.

We had a lesson with Julio on Saturday when he was in town, and his cute mother brought out juice and fruit during the lesson and on our way out to our dinner appt. she invited us to eat with them! We couldn't, so she gave us a ton of Mexican food to go. She is the mosthumble, sweet lady! I had to get a pic with her. 

Yesterday was amazing! Carlos received the priesthood, and that made my heart so happy. He is so righteous and doing so well!! God is so good in letting me watch him progress. He also spoke at the NARMF that night and bore powerful testimony of God's love and how we need to share the gospel with everyone! He sounded like an inspirational speaker preachin it up there on the pulpit. Go Carlos! P.S. Sister Torgersen came up to me afterwards and gave me a big hug! Wow I LOVE HER!! I miss them! They go home at the end of this month.

Theo is doing well! Inching closer to baptism each day. He has come a long way and it's been pretty amazing to watch him progress as well. We made more sugar cookies this week because Theo asked us to bring him more, so we did. I'll send the video of his reaction. Hahah so funny. (Kyle, Theo went to Riverton high school around the same time you did. Will you look in your yearbook for him? Theo Ortiz. You would have been a senior I think.)

SAD NEWS: this week we found out about transfers. Sister Hyer is leaving to go open up a new area in Centerville! The Hy-Hy's are being split up. I love sister Hyer, and I have learned a million things from her. I'm forever grateful for the time we had to serve together. The last two transfers have been a DREAM! But time for change. That's what stinks sometimes about the mission is constant change. However, I know that change brings growth. And... fun news!! My new companion is Sister Moore! I TOTALLY WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH HER! Crazy right?! Small world, small world.

I am so grateful to serve in Dulles for another transfer! I love these people and this place so much. I'm so thankful to be a missionary. I was reminded more than once by the Spirit yesterday, to be more grateful. Don't forget to thank Heavenly Father for the countlessblessings He has given us. Gratitude brings humility. Gratitude allows you to recognize the love God has for you. Having an attitude of gratitude allows us to become more like the Savior.

Love you SO much!!Count your blessings!
XOXOXOXSISTER HYMAS :)

A few more pics Syd sent this week...(better quality pics with Elder Rasband)

A nice man from Ukraine