Mom and Dad,
Since yesterday
was President's Day, if you sent something via DearElder.com I won't
get it until this evening. I got Dad's e-mail, but I haven't gotten
anything from Mom. That's okay though. Things are going great here in
the MTC. My birthday was great, and I had a good day. Thank you for
the package, and tell everyone who included things thank you for me.
I've been so busy and I'm not sure if I'll be able to write a letter to
say thank you to everyone. The weather has been growing ever sunnier
and warmer, it's such a pleasant change. It's crazy to think that
including this week I've got 3 weeks left of my stay in the MTC. As
much as I love the MTC, I do wish to get into the field and helping
people come closer to Christ. But I don't get annoyed about it because I
remember that even though I have been assigned to labor in Japan, the
Lord has called me first and foremost to be a missionary. That means I
am to do whatever the Lord wants me to do and do my best to represent
Jesus Christ and work my hardest wherever I am.
This week I read an amazing talk titled, "The Fourth
Missionary" by Laurence E. Corbridge. If you're able to find it, Dad,
or have heard of it already, I think it would be so great to share with
the young men. For that matter, I think it's a great talk to share with
anyone. It talks about how there are four main categories of
missionaries, the differences between them, and why they turn out the
way they do. It has really helped me to put into perspective what I
want to become not just as a missionary, but as a child of God working
for eternal progression.
The Ni Hon Go is coming along well. I'm able to
communicate better and better every day. Teaching and explaining the
Gospel in Ni Hon Go is improving. I can't fully express everything I
want to, but that will come with time and practice I'm sure. It is
truly the Lord's work that I am called to do, and as such I must study
and learn the Japanese that the Lord wants me to. I read this week in
Preach My Gospel chapter 7 about language study. In the chapter there's
a quote by Elder Holland (I think it's on page 128) about how we need
to hold onto the abilities that the Lord has helped us gain. After our
missions we need to keep practicing our mission language. He says
something along the lines that the Lord has invested much in us, and may
have use of those abilities later. So I'm just curious, how do you
think your Ni Hon Go is, Dad? How is Jason's Chinese? (Craig probably
doesn't have to worry so much about his Canadian.) It might be worth
considering and praying about if a little language study would be good
for you to hold on to the abilities that God has blessed you with while
you were serving Him full-time.
I don't think I need or want anything. Thank you so
much for your support. Dad, I've gained a few pounds. I think I weigh
146 now, compared to about 142 when I entered the MTC. I've been
running nearly a 20min 5K twice a week, running stairs one day,
stationary biking another, and I do an upper body workout on another
day. I feel fantastic. Eternally tired, but fantastic!
I love you so much!
-Elder Hutchings
