MY WISH CAME TRUE

WISH: To open my call and have that feeling of rightness hit. 

Thank you Tel Aviv Fountain. Just that happened. 

Now let’s go back to the beginning…

As we were walking into the Jerusalem Center after a long field trip day…I saw my branch president and before processing the envelopes in his hand I was already screaming and sprinting down the hallway. The poor man didn’t even get a chance to congratulate me. I grabbed it from his hands and proceeded to jump up and down almost sing-song screaming at that point. As more and more kids entered the building the screams continued on as the news spread that my call, along with two others, had finally arrived.

 

1 hour and about 16 minutes later, I was standing in front of the entire Jeru Crew and all of our lovely service couples and professor’s families ready to open my call. That moment of crazy anticipation with all sorts of wonderful people surrounding me was one I will never forget, especially as my darling friend Lindee called me Jessica in her prayer hahaha.

Alright, are we ready? Suspenseful.

Drum roll please....

“Dear Sister Hutchins:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Florida Jacksonville Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, May 29, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language.”

Seeing Jacksonville Florida for the first time may have been the most surreal moment in my life. At first it didn’t process…and then it hit me. I had been feeling like I was going to serve in the South for a while. I had been joking with my roomie Hannah about it for weeks. I even guessed Alabama…pretty close. Little did I know how accurate that tiny inkling had been. I feel as if this picture best captures that insane happiness/surrealness/rightness…if only the darlin Lindee had made it in.

You would assume my whole mission would be in Florida….nope, not even close. This giant mission includes northern Florida, the east coast of Georgia, and the south east corner of South Carolina.  

All in all, I would say this experience was all I could have wanted. I was able to google chat with my family later and that was oh so nice. I have missed them like crazy. And now, as finals and big papers approach, I doodle in my notes about my mission all throughout class. Danger danger danger.

Fun Facts about Florida:

*State hit most by lightning

*18.8 million people

*Temperature: Low 40s to 100s. Oh baby. 

*SO MUCH RAIN. Bring on the humidy and my lovely poofy hair.

*Home to lovely alligators.

I LOVE THAT I AM GOING ON A MISSION. PTL PTL PTL PTL PTL. AND I LOVE ALL OF YOU!

Oh Happy Day

So, I’m sitting here in a strange state of exquisite happiness. I have one of my new favorite playlists going with all sorts of music I’d forgotten about. I have a diet coke in reach and after two weeks of lots and lots of water, it’s tasting all the more divine. I just finished chatting with the darling Julinanners for a solid half hour and hearing her kiddies on the other end of the line was all sorts of lovely. I have the Sisterhood of the Cam jacket on and am feeling oh so loved from my besties far away. I taught my second missionary discussion in a surprise lesson during my mission prep class this evening and though it was on the spot and rather flustering, I loved it; it felt so good to teach about the gospel. I am currently awaiting my mission call and making plans about how I am going to open it is just so real…I LOVE it. And tomorrow I’m headed to Tel Aviv to touch the Mediterranean, explore the flea market, eat yummy food, and go to a synagogue for the Purim celebration reading (of Ester story). Life is wonderful. Alright, alright…it’s time to share the more “picturesque” moments with you.

Earlier this week, we only had an hour of class (talk about the best day ever). A large group of us ventured out to the other churches dotting the Mount of Olives that we live on. First stop was the Russian Orthodox Church of the Ascension (traditionally spot where Christ is believed to have ascended to Heaven). After walking through a rather rough neighborhood, this darling church was stunning. The city noise disappeared and the crazy gorgeous flowers popped out of nowhere. I wish the Garden of Gethsemane had an olive tree garden like this. This place welcomed the spirit so much more.  (P.S. Please fall in love with that lovely door.)

Our next destination was what we casually refer to as the Golden Onion. From the city, all you can see of this Russian Orthodox Church is the strangely shaped gold tops. Seriously, they look like onions. Anyway, this is another traditional spot believed to be the birthplace of Mary Magdalene. No idea how likely that is, but still cool.  

Later this same day, we had a mock Jewish Passover Seder dinner. After our Arab culture night a few weeks ago, this was a completely different feel, but still so good. We took part in every bit of the traditional evening meal from the readings, musical numbers, and scavenger hunt, to the bitter herbs, delicious grape juice, and unleavened bread. I love gaining a better understanding of other cultures and religions. It is such a privilege to be here! Oh and yes...I was in of the musical numbers. We sang a Hebrew song. Die Ayy New is what the chorus sounded like...good luck understanding that one.

Side notes:
1. If given the option should you learn an Israeli folk dance or a traditional Arab dance? ISRAELI FOLK DANCE!! Love that we learned. No pictures….sorry!
2. Quote of the Day: “Was that a raindrop or did my tear just fall that far?” I love bonding moments on the balcony with Hannah Karina. She is all kinds of lovely.

3. New obsession: Voice memos from Jaclyn Michele. BEST THING EVER.
4. I GET MY MISSION CALL THIS WEEK. AGHHHHHHH.
5. Yes, I am working on the lighting issues with the camera I am borrowing! Promise to get better!

6. I adore you all!

7. What's coming in my blogging world: "The BEST of the Left-Over Photos Never Before Shared"/ "New Hero: My Holocaust Survivor Experience"
8. Jaclyn, I have honestly been trying to drop the word persnickety in here and couldn't find a place. It's officially my favorite word. Hope you love it. 

Let's Play Catch Up

Ready for another wiggidity wack post?
Get excited. This one is all over the place.

Welcome to the Open Air Jewish Market, home to delicious pomegranate juice, scrumptious apples, tasty pecans, and all sorts of baked goods. Be sure to come once you've become acquainted to Israel a bit...you must be ready to embrace the flies on the produce, someone else's bare hands touching everything before you eat it, and the circling birds. Thus the "open air" concept. I'm over it - SO YUMMY. 

 Hezekiah's Tunnel was oh so impressive. We trekked through the water-filled tunnel in our lovely water shoes (Thanks Madre-your water shoes from the 90's worked perfectly) and fancy-pants head-lamps. Hezekiah sure was a brilliant King of Judah. Those Assyrians didn't stand a chance without a water source outside the city walls.

The Pool of Shiloah was where Christ healed the blind man by asking him to wash the clay from his eyes and have faith to receive sight. We had an incredible devotional here. Can I just say that my list of "Waters Touched" is starting to get impressive!?

 All you need to know is that these bagels are DIVINE. 4 shekels for this giant oval and some delicious spices (that do indeed look like drugs). You will never be the same. Well, you will-but not really. Come on...bagels in the Holy Land? Holy Bagels baby. LOVE.  

While it may not be appropriate to have a phone out during Sacrament meeting, I am grateful that my darlingly rebellious friend Lindee captured this moment. I accompanied my friend Ragan during church this past Sabbath while he sang O Lord My Redeemer. It was absolutely wonderful...especially with this view, that ten-foot Steinway, and Ragan's beautiful voice. Our compliment of the day was, "That was the most incredible mistake I have ever heard." Yes yes, you read that right. Ragan coughed and that made him miss a line. I somehow managed to make up a measure and Ragan jumped back in perfectly. It was incredible. Thank goodness we were on the same page.

Hello Valentines Day. And say hello to my darling nook mate once again: Hannah Karina Jackson. I adore her. I love our dance-off study breaks, her hysterical laugh, and her talent at knowing just what to say when I'm having a "I'm going on a mission!!!" freakout. You also should know that people in Israel loved saying "Happy Valentine Day" to us everywhere we went. Valentine's Day (they didn't include the 's' in Valentine's) isn't a big holiday here, but they loved seeing how excited and decked out we were in pink. Ending the night ushering an Argentinian Jazz Concert, watching wedding ceremony fireworks at a nearby hotel, dancing in the gym, and delivering Valentines...was oh so perfect. Favorite Valentine's day ever? Oh yes. 

We went on a field trip to Yad Vashem, the Israeli Holocaust Memorial Museum. This day was indescribable, but there are two things about this museum that I absolutely loved. Yad Vashem references a verse in Isaiah in the Hebrew language. Simply put, it addresses the idea that this generation without posterity is the world's heritage. Yours, mine, and the people all around us. The Jews that suffered in the Holocaust can never be forgotten and in their memory we must strive to love those who we may view as different than ourselves. In addition to the beautiful meaning of Yad Vashem, each and every tree surrounding the museum has a plaque attached. Each tree recognizes a non-Jew who helped save Jews during the Holocaust in some way. I wish I could convey the experience we had that Sunday.

 

After being rushed out the gates at closing time the last time we visited the Temple Mount, we knew we had to return. So here it is all over again to start off our free day in the city. The Al-Asqa Mosque is also on the Temple Mount accompanying the Dome of the Rock. This mosque actually holds more meaning to Muslims than the iconic Dome. I may have tried to slip inside those doors but alas...a soldier yelled at me. It was a nice attempt. Perhaps another day. 

Playing missionary outside the Dome of the Rock. Inappropriate? Probably. But still...I AM SO EXCITED TO GO ON A MISSION. My call should be here within the next 4 days!!

We returned to the Western Wall as well. Monday mornings are famous for the Torah readings and this was the first and only Monday morning we have off this entire semester. As usual, I'm so in love with this wall and the thousands surrounding it. 

The Old City of Jerusalem is split into four quarters. We explored the Jewish Quarter and it may just be favorite quarter. I love the open, bright streets and the jewelry stores! I caved and bought an Eilat stone ring (only found in Israel/Jordan) and it is oh so gorgeous. I bought a widow's mite necklace in the Old City that day too. I'm already so in love. The necklace has such a beautiful meaning tying in with the New Testament story. LOVE. 

Though I may not love the feel of the crowded, dark, and imposing Holy Seplechure atop the place many believe Christ was crucified, it still is a necessary destination to truly capture the essence that is Jerusalem. The amount of different faiths attempting to worship in one small place is astonishing. 

 And last, but certainly not least...Falafel and Shwarma. We have definitely found the best place to buy these delicious meals for so so so cheap. SO yummy.

 

I LOVE YOU ALL. Can't believe you made it through reading this whole post. 

Officially Called to Serve

My mission papers are in. I’m going on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I feel it is the perfect time to reminisce on this strangely huge decision and tell you the story of how it all came to be. I've abridged it...but it's still much too long, so brace yourself. I won’t judge you if you skim or just scroll to the end to feel as if you read it all.  

Let's go back to September. I was writing a letter to one of my brothers and I distinctly remember an overwhelming feeling come over me that I would be going through the temple this coming year. I remember laughing at myself, shaking my head, and pushing that feeling as far away from me as I could…no way was little me getting married in a year. No way. Little did I know that God had a different plan for me.

The morning of October 6^th is one I will never forget. Though I wasn’t watching General Conference when the announcement came out from President Monson, I knew two minutes after from a phone call from my dad. The weight of making the decision to go on a mission two years sooner than I had anticipated hit so hard. There were multiple times during the course of that day that I felt inclined to throw up, cry, and maybe whip out a happy dance somewhere in the middle. And for the next few months I continued feeling that same mix of emotions as I struggled to find an answer to whether or not I should go on a mission.

From the very start of my Jerusalem program, I could not get the idea of a mission out of my mind.  Mission calls were coming for other people in my program and the itch to join them started much too quickly. The long-awaited moment of clarity hit on January 18^th. I was sitting in Sacrament meeting overlooking the gorgeous city of Jerusalem singing the sacrament hymn and suddenly it wasn’t just me singing. I felt like the girl next to me was my companion. I could see myself in some area of this vast world with a missionary tag on. Tears rolled down my face and I knew that this was it. There was no turning back. My decision was made no matter my pro-con lists or personal plans for the future. This was all in God’s hands now and I was ready to let him direct my life.

Fast Sunday came and I fasted about my availability date. I pondered what the Lord’s plan was for me: Internship? No internship? No answer came, but the strong impression to keep praying with more faith as Joseph Smith did when he was just 14-years-old gave me hope that my answer was coming.

On February 3^rd, I was sitting in my room attempting to be productive but feeling so out of it. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong til it hit all at once. I suddenly felt overwhelmed with the idea of leaving my family for 18 months. I had been ignoring that reality anytime I thought about leaving on a mission. But at that moment...I couldn’t stop it. After crying all over again (mind you-I’m not really a crier...I’ve had too any emotions these past few weeks), praying, studying the principle of faith in the scriptures, and realizing how incredibly blessed I was to have them in my life…I knew that I could serve for 18 months. I could serve to bring other families the same eternal joy that I get with my family every single day.  I’m finally learning that faith is so much more than just having a testimony. There’s an action to that faith. A leap if you will, and all you can do is rely on Heavenly Father and run into that leap. Turning back or doubting only leads you to a place you don’t want to be--falling. So I've been focusing on my Savior and striving to find the faith in my Heavenly Father’s will and I've never been happier. 

  

The following Sunday, February 9^th, I fasted once more. And the over the course of that inspirational day…I knew that I wasn’t meant to wait around to hear back from my internship. I was sitting in the sunshiny garden of the supposed tomb where Christ was resurrected and I knew. A quiet feeling of peace swept through me. I was going on a mission. And now. Goodbye internship. Hello butterflies.

The very last step to this mission process happened this morning with my Stake President interview. President Stone told me that this was the opportunity of a life time. In no other point in my life would I be able to leave behind the cares of my life and my plans for the future and completely serve the Lord. Now I am standing along side the other 15 missionaries in my program going on missions this spring. I am studying with my "companion" every other day for my missionary prep class and I am so incredibly happy. My fears are gone, my faith is getting stronger, and I am feeling so crazy blessed and excited. This is real. Oh my word. My call is coming.

Over and Out,

The Future Sister Hutchins

P.S. Special shout out to my darling parentals. Thanks for helping me out with my papers. I HEART YOU.

P.P.S. Today I signed up for the Jerusalem Half-Marathon in three weeks. Oh baby oh baby. Death is on the way. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

P.P.P.S. Thank you darling sister friends for always being my top traffic sources. Love this more than you will ever know.