8/13/17- See you soon!

Hello Everyone!

It's kind of crazy that this will probably be my last missionary group email... I will be finishing my mission August 22nd (next Tuesday) and speaking the following Sunday (August 27th at 9 am) at the church on Val Vista and Adobe in Mesa for those who would like to come.

This week was pretty average here in Citrus Ridge. We were finally able to get in contact with a sister who hasn't been to church in years, and she was excited to see us! They have been meaning to come back, but haven't because of some health and work challenges. Hopefully we'll get to meet with her again this week. 

We were also able to meet with a family Sister Jensen had worked with, but I hadn't met yet. The father wants so badly to help his daughter have more direction in her life. When we first got there, she was a little rough around the edges with us, but as we talked about God's love for her and reminded her that she is a child of God, her countenance changed. It was special to feel that difference in their home.

In other news- Patrick (in Venice) was baptized! I got a letter from him this week letting me know he would be "baptized and Mormonized" on the 12th. I was excited to get a picture from Sister Alder, who forwarded it from a member there. I'm so happy for him!

I am grateful for the things my mission has taught me, most of which I did not expect. A scripture I am sure I have shared here before, I'd like to share again: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). I know He has strengthened me to do His work here, to invite others to come unto Him. I know that His church and His gospel are true.

I'll see you all soon!

Love,

Sister Brittany Hunt

7/31/17

Hello Everyone!

This week was a bit of a blur, but there were a few good highlights!

Tuesday we had zone conference. We talked about the Book of Mormon and practiced answering questions and helping others by using passages from the Book of Mormon. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and the direction it has given me and my family. I know that it is the word of God. 

Also at zone conference, each of the missionaries who will be returning this transfer shared their testimonies. I was able to reflect as I shared that I know that this gospel is true, that Christ really did come to the earth and suffer for each of us so we can change our lives and find peace. I know that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ spoke to Joseph Smith and brought back the church Christ established during his ministry, and that they called Joseph Smith to be a prophet. 

Another big highlight this week - Susan was baptized! Since I just transferred in, I didn't get a chance to work with her long before her baptism, but it was special to see her faith in following the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized. The confirmation was especially good for her, and she said she felt chills run through her as she received the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Yesterday I gave a talk in church about the importance of personal testimony. I referenced the story of Paul, writing from prison, encouraging the early saints to  stay faithful, as it would be increasingly more important that they have personal testimonies (Philippians 2:12). I also referenced the story of Nephi, and the story of Moroni, who both had to rely on their testimony of Christ to continue in faith through difficulties (1 Nephi 2:16, Moroni 1:2-4). I echoed our prophet, President Monson's challenge, and I'll share it with each of you as well: "If you do not have a firm testimony of these things [knowing that the Book of Mormon is true], do that which is necessary to obtain one." Taking on this challenge has blessed my life.

In other news, I've been working on some return preparations. There are a lot of goals to set and things to finish. It's been an adventure. 

Hope you're all doing well!

Love,

Sister Brittany Hunt

7/17/17

Hello Everyone!

It's been a crazy last few weeks! We had zone activity day a few weeks
ago, then it was 4th of July, then Sister Alder went home. So I've
been busy!

Sister Alder was an awesome companion and I miss her, but she is going
to do great things at home! Sister Felt and Sister Swanson (past
companions) also went home this transfer. They've each been great
examples to me.

With Sister Alder going home, I assumed I would be staying in Venice
and receiving a new companion. Instead, Venice closed this transfer
and I transferred up to Citrus Ridge (in Davenport) which is the exact
opposite corner of the mission. Sister Felt's companion (Sister
Saunders) and I packed up the whole Venice apartment, transitioned all
the people we were teaching to the nearest missionaries, and got on
the road in about a day and a half. That was a miracle! Sister
Saunders is a saint.

My new companion here in Citrus Ridge is Sister Jensen! She is from
Utah and we are guessing she will finish her mission here since she
goes home 2 transfers after me. She's been sick this week, so we've
mostly been inside.

Today we went shopping with some members. They are so nice and take
the missionaries every week to save miles.

Since Sister Jensen has been under the weather, I've had some
additional study time this week. My favorite was the insight I gained
in Moroni. He is the last one from his civilization, and yet he holds
on to hope and teaches future generations about the Holy Ghost, or
Comforter, which must have been a great strength to him.

I hope you are all doing well! Feel free to email :)

Love,
Sister Brittany Hunt

(Pictures: Sister Alder and I on a "Sisters" bench, Sister Saunders is the redhead that helped me pack up, Sister Jensen is my new companion)

6/19/17

Hello Everyone!

The highlight of this week is that we went as a zone to the temple! It was awesome. We drove up to Sarasota Wednesday night to stay with Sister Felt and Sister Saunders, then got up at 4 the next morning to get ready and drive to Lakeland. From there, we drove with some other missionaries to Orlando, past Disney World (little do they know the real happiest place on earth is a few more miles down the road). Lots of driving, but it was a good day! I love the peace that we can feel in the temple, and even on the temple grounds. Afterward, we drove back to an area that is a little closer to Orlando and had zone conference. The focus of the conference was on obedience, and how if we want to ask for the Lord's blessings, we have to be doing what He asks of us. 

We spent the rest of the day driving back and stopped with the Sarasota sisters at a barbecue to get dinner. While we were in line, we were able to talk to a couple people about our message to the world as missionaries. It was really fun! 

We've had some good clouds and sunsets, and a few more storms. The area has been needing more rain, so it's been good.

Have a great week!

Sister Brittany Hunt 

Brighton's Baptism!

Hello Everyone!

This week started out a little slow, but it was a great weekend! All week the clouds couldn't decide if they wanted to rain or not. As a result, we didn't bike much and stayed close to the car just in case. The area has been needing the rain though, so we're not complaining. 

Highlight of the week: Brighton was baptized and confirmed! Her baptism was really special. Her mom and sister are working on coming back to church. Her mom was very emotional. Though she has been away from the church for so long, she always knew it was true, and we knew it was a day she had been waiting for. There was a really good turnout, with almost all of the young women there to support Brighton. 

I gave a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost, which Brighton received at confirmation yesterday. I shared these scriptures from 2 Nephi 31: "(17) Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. (18) And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive." I  know that the path Brighton set herself on at baptism will lead her to her Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ. I also know that she has a loving Heavenly Father who provided the Holy Ghost to help her on that path.

We had three of our investigators there for the baptism. Someone jokingly told one (Patrick) that it would be his turn next week. He told us he didn't know if he'd be ready next week, but that he was looking forward to his own baptism. He's hoping to be baptized next month, so we're excited to help him with that goal.

After the baptism, Sister Alder and I had a little pancake party to celebrate.

I'm grateful for the tender mercies we've seen this week. I hope you all are doing well!

Love,

Sister Brittany Hunt

5/5/41

Hello Everyone!

We had a lot of cancelled appointments this week, so we knocked on doors a lot. We are working on finding new ways to meet people. The ward members here do great missionary work, so we've been visiting with more of them to help them in their missionary work.

Brighton had her interview this week! We are so excited for her to be baptized this Saturday. She has developed a testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel on the earth, and it has been so fun to watch her and her family progress. 

Patrick, the man we met on Memorial Day, came to church. He had a great experience, and set a return appointment. We're excited to start teaching him!

We got a ward mission leader this week! And his wife was called as a ward missionary. They moved in recently and are ready to get working. It'll be fun to work with them.

We're having a hard time believing it's already June again. May went way too fast.

Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Brittany Hunt 

5/30/17

Hello Everyone! 

It's been a pretty good week! We got transfer news yesterday and Sister Alder and I will be staying here in Venice another transfer. Which means we'll both be here for Brighton's baptism!

Tuesday we went to visit a member who is working on coming back to church. We often meet on Tuesdays, and she's a little further north than we usually drive because of our mile allotment. We got there, and she didn't come to the door. We gave her a call, but she had left her phone out (so we were closer than she was). Finally, I said a quick silent prayer on the doorstep that the dog would bark so we could keep the appointment and not have to drive all the way back. Just then, the dog barked and came running out, followed by the sister we came to visit. Prayers are answered! It was a good visit, and we'll be going back tonight.

Wednesday and Thursday we had an exchange, and I was up in Sarasota with Sister Felt. I've now been in 3 areas with her (which is all of her areas). We read the Book of Mormon with some of the young women in the ward. We promised each of them that they could receive an answer to a question they had been pondering while we read. Each started with a prayer. Two of the three were a little more hesitant, but accepted the challenge. They each picked where they wanted to read (one randomly opened, one used the index, and one picked a chapter from a book she liked). I watched as each, no matter the question, was able to find her answer. It built my faith that the Book of Mormon answers questions, and our Heavenly Father answers prayers. 

Memorial day was great yesterday! We tried contacting on Venice Island, where more people would be out for the holiday. We met a nice older veteran, Patrick, who had met with missionaries years ago, and had been meaning to go to church but never did. We talked with him about the importance of the family and how God designed families in order to bless us. He said he'd come to church and meet with us again this week.

I hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Sister Brittany Hunt