Happy May!

Hello Everyone!

The last few weeks have been pretty busy, so I didn't get a chance to send out a group email. But busy is good!

 We had Zone Development Day on the 25th. We Played volleyball, then we had a meeting and a few of the missionaries from the zone were asked to bare their testimonies. One of the important things I pulled from the day is that we are each here for a reason. All of us have something we can do to help and lift those around us. Each of us has a gift that will bring someone else the light of the gospel. One of my favorite hymns lately is "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy," which talks about how Jesus Christ is the Light, but He allows us to help others as He does.

Another exciting thing that happened since my last email -- we stayed inside sick for a few days. As  a missionary, getting sick is awful because all you want to do is be outside teaching people, and all you can do is be inside thinking about it. But the thinking time was good for me. I was reading some scriptures, and I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be all in. C.S. Lewis says it best: "Give me all. I Don't want so much of your time, so much of your talents and money, and so much of your work: I want You. All of you. . . Hand it all over to me and I will make of you a new self in my image. Give me yourself and in exchange I will give you Myself. My will, shall become your will. My heart, shall become your heart." That is what I want to give the Lord, and I know that as I give the Lord all, He gives me all.

We had a bit of a miracle this last week. We were tracting (knocking on doors -- any of you who know about missionary work know that this is usually one of the least effective ways to find people who want to learn). We met a man who came close to baptism a few years ago, but he couldn't give up coffee, but he's ready to learn more and will consider being baptized! We read Alma 5:26 with him and talked about how the Lord knows we make mistakes, and we can change and become better. It was awesome.

Mothers' Day was good! We got treats from some of the ward members. And we got to call home! It was a bit stressful before the call because we were constantly thinking about how we were going to fit everything in 40 minutes. But I have a great family, and they inspired me to keep working hard and serving as best as I can.

I hope you all have a great week!

Sister Brittany Hunt

Whitewashing Odessa!

Hello Everyone!

Lots of exciting things happened this week. 

Tuesday we had a specialized sister training for all the sisters in the mission. We read from the scriptures and had a Q&A session. Right after the training, my companion and I found out that we were being transferred! We went back to our apartment, cancelled our appointments, and deep cleaned the apartment. We moved to Odessa on Wednesday! Whitewashing (when 2 missionaries come into an area) is a blast. We have to start everything from the beginning, and we've been working to find people to teach. 

Yesterday evening, Elder Anderson and Elder Zwic came to give a fireside to the Tampa stake. The closing hymn for the fireside was "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." It was a powerful reminder that our Savior lives, and because He lives, He is always there for us. 

Have a great week!

Sister Brittany Hunt

Hello Everyone!

It's been a somewhat crazy week. We helped with transfers and prepared a nearby area to whitewash. We packed our car pretty tight to get everything out of the Clearwater apartment. At transfers, we helped the new missionaries for the area to get ready to whitewash. It was really great to have an opportunity to help in a way we don't get to help every day.

On Thursday, we had a tornado in the area! Luckily, it only got us up about 15 minutes earlier than usual. We just waited it out. I don't think it was a very big one, because I haven't seen or heard of any damage.

We had three people confirmed in church yesterday. It was such a special experience. It was amazing to feel the Spirit in the chapel. They were all glowing! That evening, a woman flagged us down to pray with us after declining a few minutes earlier. The best part of being a missionary is seeing people love God and accept Jesus Christ in their lives.

Have a great week!

Sister Brittany Hunt

It's been 2 months!!!

Hello everyone!

It's been a great week! One of the highlights was General Conference. I loved having the opportunity to hear advice and encouragement from leaders. I had a lot of questions answered! I hope you all did too. 

It is so special that we have a prophet on the Earth today. We tried to share that with as many people as possible this week! We brought some of the Relief Society sisters out with us that we don't usually have the opportunity to teach with.

It's been raining a little more. We've taken it as an opportunity to learn to talk more to people in stores. Still shaky, but we're getting there!

Transfers are this week. I'll know whether I'll be leaving or staying sometime this afternoon. We also gained another companion for the next couple days! 

Pictures: Gator #3 next to one of the bayous we taught at; Sister Minson likes taking large leaf pictures haha :)

Have a great week!

Sister Brittany Hunt

Happy Easter!

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a great Easter! We had lunch with some members here who have a daughter in the MTC. They are so great. There are so many wonderful members here who take good care of the missionaries. Church was great. The choir sung some Easter hymns I hadn't heard before.

We had a lot of miracles this week. One thing that I am learning is that exact obedience brings miracles.

We met a woman and her daughter in the park on Tuesday. They weren't planning on being there, but they felt like they should go. We were able to teach them about the gospel and how it can bless their family. We hadn't planned on being in that park either, but both of us were led there because, she felt, they needed the message that we shared with them.

We've been seeing a little more wildlife with the advent of spring. Mostly mosquitos, but we did see a school (herd, group?) of dolphins at the Bayou! Lizards everywhere. It's been great.

Missionary challenge of the week: go find someone to serve! Service is a great way to learn to love others the way Christ loves us.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Brittany Hunt

Happy Easter Week!

Hello everybody!

I went on an exchange to St. Pete on Wednesday and Thursday this week. It was really fun to get another perspective on some of the things we do daily as missionaries. We were walking around a pond showing the 2 minute #Hallelujah video to people. A couple different people told us they didn't have time to watch it because they were on their breaks. It's normal for people to say don't have time because they're working or on their way to work, so this was kind of a funny surprise! Gotta stick to that break schedule.

I saw two alligators this week! We saw the back of one last Monday night, and I saw the eyes and snout of another while I was on the exchange. Apparently there are more than I thought, they're just good at hiding.

Last night, we had a lesson with a family. The father was in a lot of pain because of some physical health challenges. I felt prompted to ask if he wanted to receive a priesthood blessing. He had chills when we explained it to him. We called over a priesthood holder, and he was given the blessing. The Spirit was so strong in their home.

I decided to read about Palm Sunday from Luke 19 yesterday. I read about Zaccaeus, who climbed up a tree to be able to see Jesus. When the Savior passed by, He looked up and called Zaccaeus by name. The Savior knows each of us by name and notices our efforts to come to Him. Go and read the chapter if you get a chance!

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter and remember the sacrifice and miracle for which we celebrate.

Love,

Sister Brittany Hunt

(Pictures: Book of Mormon class in St. Pete; Sisters Morgan, Hunt, Minson, and Judkins on "St. Pete"ric's Day)

One Month!

Hello everybody!

The question I have asked my trainer more than any other question is "is this how it usually is?" ...I'm starting to think that there is no such thing as an average day.

I hit my one month mark this week! We celebrated with ice cream (twice! we were off by a day the first time).

One fun thing that happened this week was when both my companion and I got to use the languages we studied in high school. We went to go contact someone, but a deaf man answered the door, so I was able to use ASL. A little later, Sister Minson got to speak Spanish with a woman we met street contacting.

The most rewarding part of missionary work is when those you teach start to understand for themselves. We were meeting with one of our investigators, and we could tell that her whole countenance had changed since the last time. It is so incredible to see how the Spirit teaches people. Even though she is no less busy, it is clear she has more peace in her life.

Good news! I got my iPad all set up, so I have pictures! Here's one of Sister Minson and I. 

Have a great week!

Sister Brittany Hunt