Monday, September 30, 2013 - Week 38

Mom and Dad,

I got the package, beef jerky and all, no problems. Thank you so much for all of the goodies! It's all delicious and I appreciate it all so much!

It's been an excellent week. The weather has been nice - not too hot during the day and the nights are nice and cool. We've been working hard and having tons of fun! I come home every night feeling exhausted and tired but so happy with what I'm doing. We've been focusing a lot on not over-thinking things and just working. I've been trying hard to simply rely on the Lord and just work. As it says in D&C 123:17 just cheerfully do all things which lie your power and see the salvation of God. Likewise in 2 Nephi 25:23, grace will make up for all that we can not do after we have done our best. That grace and salvation are undoubtedly referring to the matchless and infinite power of Christ's Atonement. As we have been focusing on just doing all we can with a smile, we've seen the Lord's hand, help, and guidance making up for everything we are unable to do.

We were blessed to have a new investigator this past week. He is about our age, and has a lot of questions about all of the things we have to offer. I feel very much that as we've begun to rely on the Lord more, He is beginning to trust us more with those He has prepared to hear His gospel.

It's going to be October tomorrow! How the time flies! I'm pretty excited for General Conference coming up. It'll be on the 12th and 13th for us here. I am looking forward to hearing the words of Monson Daikancho (President) and the Shitotachi (Apostles)

Thank you so much for all of your love, support, and prayers.

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, September 23, 2013 - Week 37

Mom and Dad,

Tyler Randolph's farewell?! Wow that's so exciting to hear that he'll be headed out! Glad to hear the weather has been good in Utah. It's been absolutely beautiful here this past week. Blue skies, the days are still a bit on the hot side, but the evenings feel fantastic. I'm also glad to hear that Grandma Ingrid is doing okay. I loved seeing pictures of the farm - I miss the farm so much! I've adjusted to and don't mind living and being in the city and all but I really miss the quiet and calm that you can get on the farm.

It's been an excellent week. Like I said, the weather has been absolutely splendid. The typhoon last week cleared things up and it made for some really pretty sunsets. We went to a park by a river on Tuesday evening to dendo (missionary work) and the park was pretty thrashed. The tennis court was a small pond, and the port-a-potties were all tipped on their sides or completely over. One of the people we talked to said the water got up to 3 meters, and it was apparent by the destruction.

We've been working so hard this last week, and the Lord has been blessing us. We were able to get one new investigator this last week, and we've found some solid potentials too. Dendo is so much fun and there are so many crazy and amazing things that happen every day. I feel like the language is coming more and more every day. I'm learning so much and I'm having so much fun!

Thanks for sending another package! I just got a package from Grandma Hutchings yesterday and am pleased to say that goodies are plentiful and I am well fed. I feel very blessed with good health and I haven't been having any health problems or anything - my joints all feel fine and my feet are giving me no issues.

I'm excited to go into another week in the Lord's service! I love you!

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, September 16, 2013 - Week 36

Mom and Dad,

Crazy to hear about how much rain you've been getting in Utah. Things have been mostly sunny this last week, but they haven't been as ridiculously hot as before. We had a typhoon move in yesterday so it rained all of yesterday and the wind was blowing way hard this morning. The clouds have broken up for today, but it's still windy. Fun to hear about the Homecoming game and the band and to see the pictures. Glad to hear everything went okay with Grandma Ingrid as well. I'm sorry to hear about Brother O'Brien. Nathan Anderson and Miranda Porter are engaged? What splendid news!

About the package, I'd love some Nutella. I am able to buy it occassionally, but only from the Honbu (mission home), which I normally don't go to the Honbu that often. Other than that, I'm not in any particular need or want of anything right now. Will Sister Hansen's dad be taking it with him then sending it in Japan? If that's the case, the Mission Office requests that it is sent through the Japan Postal Service. If it's sent through the Japan Postal Service they can forward it for free.

This last week has been excellent. As we have been striving to be completely obedient in all that we do to the instructions the Lord has revealed to us through our leaders we have been greatly blessed. We've been able to find many more potential investigators, and we have 4 appointments set up for this upcoming with with PIs. Beyond that, 2 other potentials said they will try to come to church this Sunday. We're excited to move into this week and keep working hard and doing all we can to follow the Lord's will. The mission goal that we have right now is to have 1 baptism in every zone every week. Everyone in the mission is working hard and putting forth greater faith and effort, and it's been amazing to see the results.

Things are going well between Elder Baldwin and I. We're working hard and loving it! My district is doing all right - we're all struggling a bit with finding new investigators. Elder Baldwin and I are working hard to receive blessings and help from the Lord so that we can see success. After that, I hope my district will try and follow the example that we set. I feel like that's a critical part of leadership in any organization - example. The only way that I can expect to uplift and help my district is if I am in good standings myself.

Another fun thing that I got to go to this last week was District Leader Council. It was fun to talk to all of the other District Leaders in the mission and receive some training from Zinke Kaicho and the Assistants.

I'm happy and healthy and I love being a missionary!

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Me by the church

Some Engrish from a notebook I bought at the Dollar Store

grocery store right next to the apartment

This is what I see when I look out the front door.

River by the church grows when it's rainy!

I love my mission so much. Can't you tell?

Monday, September 9, 2013 - Week 35

Mom and Dad,

Isn't it crazy to think that on January 9th I entered the MTC? I just realized that when I looked at the date on the computer screen. It's crazy to think of how quickly time passes! It's so fun to hear about everything that's been going on. Park City sounds like it was a good time all around. Also good to hear that things are cooling for you, they've been cooling down here too. We've had a bit of a rainy week last week, and it's felt really nice.

That's awesome that you had a chance to see Sachi! I'm glad to hear she's doing well. Do you know where she's going to school in Japan? And do you happen to know where her mom and brother are living? I'm just curious because I kind of get where things are in Japan now. If you wouldn't mind asking Carla French for me, I would appreciate. Splendid to hear that Elder French is well! Way awesome that he's losing some weight too.

I'm sorry that I haven't been sending that many pictures. We're not supposed to take pictures while we're proselyting, so I kind of just forget a lot of the time to take pictures of the area and what not. I'll take some today and send them next week.

I do know Josh Harding! I heard from someone a little while ago that he got his call to Fukuoka. Josh Harding and I were friends in elementary school, and he was also in one of my classes when I was at UVU last year.

Work this last week has been a bit slow - in that not a lot of the people we've been talking to on the streets are making the transition into becoming investigators, and a lot of our current investigators are kind of doing so so. I'm not going to lie, I kind of felt like I was slipping into a grind, too. I feel like I started to just go through the motions of missionary life. But, this last Friday we had a really good Zone Training Meeting where a new mission goal was introduced, and Elder Baldwin and I are dedicated to working for it. Beyond just the goal, we were reminded about all of the steps that it takes and will take to fulfill any goal. If we don't hit the smaller objectives and get the foundational and basic tasks done and in order, the higher and greater things won't be accomplished. As a companionship we're going to work harder to really focus on making sure we're doing all we can to be 100% obedient to not just the mission rules, but to all of the training and instruction we've received. By doing so we know we will qualify for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and only through the Holy Ghost can we know what the Lord wants us to do. That's really the only way to be an effective servant of the Lord. After you know what the Lord specifically desires you to do, then so long as you have faith that the Lord will help, then the Lord will grant you His help and power to fulfill what He has instructed.

I'm happy and healthy and super pumped for this next week. I'm finding great joy in the work I'm involved in, and I'm ever grateful to you for all of the support you give to me.

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, September 2, 2013 - Week 34

Hi Mom and Dad,

 

Things around here have been a bit cooler as of late.  We've been getting some rain the past few days and it's felt pretty nice.

 

This last week has been fun and a great one!  One of our Zone Leaders last transfer became one of the Assistants to the President this transfer, as such he had to go to the Honbu last Monday.  Because of that we worked with the other Zone Leader, Elder Kato, as a san-nin (3 some) this past week.  We ended up going to his area, Senri, and working there from Tuesday to Friday morning.  It was a lot of fun working with him, and it was an excellent experience getting to learn from him.

 

The sister who was going to be baptized this last Sunday didn't end up being able to make it through.  We weren't able to arrange for her to get a baptismal interview (with the Zone Leaders since I'm District Leader) and she still doesn't feel ready.  We're hopefully going to meet with her again this week and we plan to set a baptismal date with her that she is committed to.

 

Things are going well in this area otherwise.  We're focusing a lot on finding new investigators right now, because a lot of our other investigators are not really investigating.  The language is coming along bit by bit.  The sister's area in our district became a Yon-nin (4 some) and one of the new sisters to the area is Nihonjin, so hopefully having her around will help out with the language too.  I am enjoying the work I'm doing.  There are so many experiences I have - from crazy and drunk people on the street, to tender mercies of the Lord I see all around - so everyday is enjoyable and an incredible learning opportunity.  Elder Baldwin is doing incredible, and he is for sure on track to be training in the next transfer or two.

 

I'm in good health and I'm definitely having fun!  Thanks again for the package!  Cinnamon gum o taberu no wa hisashiburi desu! (long time since I've had cinnamon gum)

 

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, August 26, 2013 - Week 33

Dear Mom and Dad,

Crazy to think that it's been another transfer already! Amazing how quickly 6 weeks can go by. I am still District Leader in Takatsuki and I'm still training Elder Baldwin. Just so you know, I ran into Elder Lewis at the Honbu (mission home) when I picked up Elder Baldwin at the beginning of last transfer. They are the same doki (group)

Costco this last week was good. It's about 30 minutes away by train, and then a 15 minute walk from the train station from there. I bought bagels, a couple of big bags of Quaker granola, a block of cheddar cheese, and a large jar of peanut butter for the Sisters in the district. The prices were all right, obviously the things which were imported were a bit more expensive, but some of the bulk Japanese foods were well priced. It was just like a regular old Costco - except prices were in Yen and such. I was even able to get a big slice of greasy American style pepperoni pizza for lunch.

Thank you so much for the package! I appreciate all of the goodies - the protein, pistachios, crasins, Rice Crispies, the nature valley bars - thank you so much!

Things have been going all right this last week. The sister who has a baptismal date for this upcoming Sunday is still doing well. She doesn't personally feel like she's ready to be baptized. She has had no problems accepting the commandments, and she really desires to know what we teach is true. We feel very much that she truly is ready and able to be baptized, but we are going to help her this week to strengthen her faith to take that next step of receiving baptism.

We found a new investigator this last week. He's a bit of an older fellow and he's very hard to understand. His speaking isn't clear at all - he half mumbles everything. But, he has honest desires to learn more about spiritual things. We're just going to ganbaru to understand what he says, and do all we can to help him. It should be fun!

Had a bit of an interesting experience while housing the other day. We found a Japanese lady who was Christian, and she was the type who thought she's already been saved. She thought it was great that we were teaching people about Christianity, but after we shared a little about the message of the Restoration with her she wasn't all that interested. She was nice enough, but it was really strange contacting somebody Christian. I walked away feeling that that's what dendo in more Christian countries might be like.

I'm healthy and happy as of now, and I can't see any reason why that would change any time soon. Things are really going well. Thank you so much for your love and support.

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, August 19, 2013 - Week 32

Dear Mom and Dad,

It's been another good week. A bit of a slower week by way of finding and teaching, but good nonetheless. We have had quite a few of our investigators who have simply not been contacting us. We haven't been able to meet with them, so we've had more time for finding and other activities. It's still been very, very hot this last week. But, the evenings have started cooling down just a bit more, hopefully the days will start to follow.

Though this last week was a bit slower in general, we had a way good lesson with our Yakusokusha. It made the rest of the week's worth it to have that lesson go right. She's on track to be baptized soon, and it's really mostly a matter of helping her realize that she's ready and able to make that promise with God through baptism.

Just FYI, I got Marisa's letter last Saturday, tell her thanks and I'll try to write her back as soon as I can!

Mom, Elder Baldwin is from around Rexburg, Idaho, sorry for forgetting to answer your question.

Sorry this is a shorter e-mail, Elder Baldwin and I went to Costco with a member today and so we had to move e-mail to the afternoon and time is running short.

I love you and I am eagerly anticipating receiving the package!

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, August 12, 2013 - Week 31

Mom and Dad,

Wow, Grandmas' birthdays already! Happy birthday Grandma Ingrid and Grandma Hutchings! And Elder Landon Swenson returned?! Goodness how the time flies!

Things are still good here in Japan. It's still way hot though! This last week we had a good bummer of a day when two of the people who had committed to baptism with the previous missionaries both said that they don't have any desire to receive baptism. One of them we had only met for the first time that day, so it was a bit understandable how things could change over about a month since he last met with missionaries. But the other one we had met a few times before, and he straight up said he wanted to stop meeting with us. It was very saddening, but we haven't become discouraged or frustrated. We understand that as missionaries all we can do is prepare, teach, invite, help, and pray. People still have their ability to choose.

We had Zone Conferences this last week, and it was great! We received some good training from Zinke Kaicho (President) and from the Assistants to the President. It's crazy just how many new missionaries are coming into this mission! Right now we have about 100 missionaries who are 4th transfer (6 months in field) or below, and that number is going to keep growing. There's been a lot of emphasis on making sure that everyone is trained properly and ready to take on more responsibility with less in field experience.

Being a District Leader and a Trainer is still a bit hectic for me, but I've got a better hold of what my responsibilities are and how to fulfill them. This last week I was blessed with opportunities to fulfill my role as a Priesthood leader. A couple of the Sisters in my district asked for a priesthood blessing, and so it was my privilege and honor to be a part of ministering to them. Beyond that, I had the opportunity to provide a priesthood blessing to one of their investigators. He has been having some problems with overcoming temptation regarding the Word of Wisdom, as well as recognizing answers to prayers. Ministering priesthood blessings to others has been a great blessing to me, and has reminded me of the great responsibility I have to remain worthy.

Last preparation day we went into Osaka and rode this big ferris wheel on top of a shopping mall. I'll send some pictures of that as well as some pictures of the apartment.

I love you and I'm grateful for all of your support and prayers.

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Sister Gomez & Elder Hutchings.  Sister Gomez is from Hawaii and is good friends with Auntie Laurie

Ferris wheel at the shopping mall in Osaka

Elder Hutchings in the gondola of the Ferris wheel

Osaka (view from the Ferris wheel)

Kitchen in Elder Hutchings' apartment

Monday, August 5, 2013 - Week 30

Mom and Dad,

Oh my goodness it's August! Crazy how the time flies! It's been nothing but hot, hot, hot here in Takatsuki. I don't have a clue when the temperatures will start to die down, but it doesn't seem to be coming any time soon. There was a super crazy rainstorm we got caught in this last week. We both got soaked, but it was a nice break from the heat.

Marisa is on the Drill Team?! Wow! That's great! Tell her congratulations for me!

It's been a way good week! We've been working very hard and doing our best. We've been met with a lot of success this last week. We've had 2 people become new investigators here, found a good few potential investigators, and had another one of our investigators accept the commitment to be baptized. It's always an exciting thing when one of God's children makes the commitment to enter into the path that leads to Eternal Life. But, it also means that there's a lot more preparation, fasting, and prayer on our part to help them prepare to receive that ordinance and make a promise with their Heavenly Father.

If there's one thing I've come to realize more and learned more this past week it's just how vital planning is. With all of the crazy busyness of being a missionary there are tons of things to do, places to go, people to call, etc. When we take a little time to carefully plan and prepare, we show the Lord our desire to do things right and well, and He blesses us to be able to handle the responsibilities He's given us.

I'm sorry, I still haven't taken any pictures. I've been really bad at that up to date. I'm not sure if I'll be getting much better at it...but I'll try!

In terms of the package, I can't really think of anything else I want or need. Recently I haven't had any problems with allergies, but it might not be a bad idea to have some Zyrtec just in case. I can't honestly think of anything I really need at the moment, but like I said before, if I think of anything, I'll let you know next e-mail (if you haven't already sent the package by then).

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, July 29, 2013 - Week 29

Mom and Dad,

It's great to hear about the 24th of July fun! The pictures of Mimi destroying her cake are adorable! Thank you for sending them.

This week has been great. Way humid and hot, but great. It's still been a bit hectic in my head figuring out the new area, the investigators' situations, and getting to know the ward, but it's been fun anyway. We've been blessed this past week to find a few good potential investigators. 

One young man we met last week was able to meet with us last Friday and he seems to have interest in our message. He said he'd come to church, and even though he didn't, we are still hopeful that he can meet again and that he can be a solid investigator.

Last week as we were on our way back from a lesson with an investigator, Elder Baldwin had the thought to go house a row of houses on the street. We stopped and parked our bikes and walked across the crosswalk. As we were walking to the houses we stopped an older man to talk with him. It turns out he has a background in Christianity and likes to speak English. We talked with him about what we believe about God and a bit about the message we have to offer. He thought highly of us for working in the heat to help people learn about God and wanted to meet with us. He called us today and said he'll be coming to Eikaiwa (English Class) this Wednesday, we're really excited to meet with him again!

I have yet to take pictures of the apartment or anything really. Sorry...I'll make sure to get some pictures this week and send them with next week's e-mail.

Hey Mom, you mentioned you might be sending a package. To be honest, I can't think of anything that I need, but I would love some cinnamon flavored gum. There is absolutely no cinnamon flavored anything here - it kind of makes me sad. If you could send me some Big Red or something, I would be in heaven. If I think of anything I need that would be nice to have you send, I'll let you know, but as of now just some gum would be nice.

Thank you so much!

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, July 22, 2013 - Week 28

Mom and Dad,

I'll be completely honest, it's been a bit of a tough week. Whitewashing, training, and being a District Leader is all very new to me. There are a lot of new things that I have to learn how to do and that I'm experiencing. It's been difficult. But I ever take comfort in knowing that my Heavenly Father is by my side every step of the way, and will help me so long as I am humble and seek His guidance.

Takatsuki is a nice area. The apartment is huge! There's a study room, a sleeping room, and a tatami room. The church building is also huge! It's actually a stake center, so there's a gym, a full chapel, and two levels of classrooms. It's a building shared by the Takatsuki and Ibaraki wards. The members in Takatsuki are very kind. The Bishop is young, fun, and very helpful. And the Ward Mission Leader is also way nice and dedicated. Whitewashing has been crazy. I don't know the area or any of the investigators. Also I'm not exactly pera-pera (fluent) in Japanese, so communicating with the Members and stuff has been a bit crazy and stuff. But that's life right now!

My companion/trainee's name is Elder Baldwin. He's from Idaho and he's an incredibly solid missionary. He has a lot of desire to serve and a lot of dendo (missionary)  fire. He's a real muscly guy too, he's going to be playing football for BYU when he returns. We've been getting along fine and working our best these past few days.

The way transfers normally work is that we get our transfer calls on Monday, and we don't transfer areas until Thursday or Friday (depending on how the flights of the incoming and returning missionaries are. We have to have everything packed on Monday, and we send our luggage through a shipping service.

Being a District Leader has been all right so far. My district is just my companion and I, and Sisters in Ibaraki. It's all been going all right. The biggest frustration/difficulty in all of this new stuff has been whitewashing. I've been reporting to my Zone Leaders about investigators I know nothing about and things like that. I think in a little more time things will settle down a bit and I'll have a little time to think. Right now my head has been going crazy and in about 12 different directions all at once. But, because the Lord has called me to do the things which I have to do, He'll provide a way.

Oh, I almost forgot. On top of all the craziness, I kind of sprained my ankle last Saturday at a volleyball activity. I jumped up to tap the ball over the net (which worked and was the winning point of the match) but I landed on my right foot sideways. I've been icing it and keeping it elevated at night. One of the Ibaraki Sisters lent me her ankle brace which has been helping. It wasn't really a bad sprain, no bruising or anything, and it's been been a lot better today, so I'm not too concerned with it. If it gets any worse, I'll definitely go to the hospital, but if it's not necessary, I'd rather go out and do some limp dendo.

I love you and I'm grateful for your support and prayers!

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

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Monday, July 15, 2013 - Week 27

Mom and Dad,

So today was transfer announcements! It's crazy to think that this last transfer has ended already. 6 weeks can sure go quick. I'm going to be transferring to Takatsuki (in Osaka) and I'm also going to be Training and a District Leader. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little nervous about transferring and all of the new responsibilities I'll have as a District Leader and a Trainer (especially because I'm only in my 4th transfer right now!). But, I believe so long as I trust in God, He will help me rise to fulfill my callings.

Great to hear about all of the missionary comings and goings. Wow, Josh Randolph returned? Time flies! Matt is going to the MTC on Wednesday? Holy Cow! Ganbatte Matt Stevens!

This week has been all right. It's been hot hot hot. Very humid and very hot. But dendo has still been great. On Saturday we went to go teach an investigator who lives pretty far away, and on the other side of a small...mountain? There's a good sized hill standing in between the city where we are and where he lives. Biking up and over it in a white shirt and slacks was very hot. But it's a small thing to do in order to help one of God's children feel His love and come closer to Him.

I gave another talk in church yesterday. It went all right. I feel like my language learning is coming along pretty well. Having Ogasawara Choro as my companion has helped me a lot. I feel like my comprehension has greatly improved from the beginning of the transfer.

I'm really doing all right. Besides a bit of jitter in my gut about the upcoming changes that will come with transfers, I'm really enjoying what I'm doing and health wise I'm doing fine.

I appreciate your prayers and all of your support and love.

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, July 8, 2018 - Week 26

Mom and Dad,

Genki desu!

It seems like the weeks are going by faster and faster.  Last Friday we had a Zone Training Meeting.  After the meeting ended, one of the Shimai in the zone pointed out that even though it was the 5th, due to the time difference it would have been the 4th of July in America.  I didn't even think about the 4th of July when it was the 4th of July in Japan.  It's crazy to think that it came so quick!  It sounds like the usual party at Grandma Hutchings' was good.

It's been really rainy and crazy here this last week.  Still very, very mushi atsui.  Some days it's absolutely poured for hours, and there's been plenty of thundering and lightning.  Yesterday was pretty weird - we came back to the apartment for dinner and nothing was going on outside.  All at once it started downpouring with thunder and lightning.  Then after about 10-15 minutes it settled down.  After another 15 minutes or so it suddenly started pouring and raging again.  Then things cleared up and there was a rainbow, and not too long later it started up again.  I was told that rainy season is supposed to end in mid July, so I hope that's not too far away.

It's been bit of a slower week with work.  We've been working hard despite the weather, but a lot of our investigators cancelled appointments because of the weather.  We're still trying our best to keep a good attitude and serve as effectively as we can despite the circumstances.

We had a weird experience on Friday.  During Zone Training Meeting we received a phone call from a man who said he knew one of the missionaries who used to serve here (we remembered the missionary's name from the teaching records) and wanted to meet with us that evening.  We weren't really sure what to think - we didn't know if it was a former investigator or a potential investigator from a while ago.  We went to the church building and he walked up shortly after we had arrived.  It turns out he was an inactive member who was baptized 30 years ago.  He wanted us to send a woman's watch, some stamps, 1962 American quarter, and an Indonesian coin to the missionary who baptized him.  He gave us those items and then left.  We were left scratching our heads and not really sure what to think.  We're still not really sure what to do with the stuff because he only gave us the old missionary's first name.  Sometimes, really weird things happen when you're a missionary.

In any event, I'm doing well.  It's been difficult sleeping at night because of the heat and humidity, but it really hasn't been too much of a problem.

Thank you for all of your love and support!

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, July 1, 2013 - Week 25

Hi Mom and Dad!

Oh man, camping sounds like it was so much fun! Nice to hear that you got to escape from the heat for a little while. It's still hot and humid here and that probably won't be changing for at least a couple of months. I don't know what the temperature is, but it definitely feels really hot. There are plenty of bugs and mosquitoes, and there's really not much we can do about it when we're out dendo-ing, but thankfully it's more controllable in the apartment.

Sounds like the Japanese culture night was fun and you ate plenty of good food. Not too surprised to hear that the natto was unpopular. I eat it pretty much every day, but even my Japanese companion I'm with right now rather dislikes the stuff. Dad, to answer your questions, we are sleeping on futons. Our sleeping room has tatami mats and our closets and the doors to the study room and sleeping room have sliding doors. In our apartment there is a good old western style flush toilet. In some places there are "squatters" but for the most part western style flush toilets are what you'll find just about everywhere. The bathing room has a bath tub and a little spot to shower to the side of it. The showers in all of the apartments I've been to are a shower head that you hold which is on the end of a hose. We typically eat in the apartment - at most we go out to eat once a week (that probably depends on the companion your with). In the apartment we make udon, yakisoba, miso soup, cha-han, curry - just simple stuff.

Things have been going well this week! We had a very good experience this last Wednesday. On Tuesday evening after we prayed I felt that we should cross the river and go to an area not too far to the South. I didn't feel like we should go to any particular place, but we both decided we should follow that impression. On Wednesday when we went out it was pouring rain and there was almost nobody on the streets, so we decided to go housing. We picked an apartment building and started knocking on doors. The whole top floor kekko-ed us. We went down to the next floor and started knocking again. When we had almost finished all of the doors, a potential investigator that I met on the 2nd of June came walking up the stairs. We both had no idea where he lived before we went there, but he lived in one of the apartments we had just tried. For all of the month we had been calling him trying to meet with him, but our schedule and his had never allowed for us to meet. He invited us into his apartment, we had a great lesson with him and came to find out that he has really been searching for something more in his life and he wants to change himself. I know that the Lord led us to meet with him. We followed the Spirit and guidance we had received, and the Lord guided us and made up the rest. It's amazing to be a missionary and be blessed to have experiences like that.

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, June 24, 2013 - Week 24

Mom and Dad,

I'm glad to hear you had a nice birthday, Mom. I apologize for failing to wish you a happy birthday. So...Happy Birthday! Dad, It's good to hear that Ragnar went well. I'm envious that you got to go do it, I really enjoyed running the Ragnar. It's great to hear that you will be going camping soon. I sure miss all of the fun activities that come in the summer. Even so, I love being a missionary!

That's very exciting to hear that Marisa will be receiving her Patriarchal Blessing soon. It's proven to be an invaluable source of strength, guidance, and comfort for me as a missionary. I've been able to learn more personally of what the Lord expects of me as a missionary as I've repeatedly read and pondered it.

It's been rainy a bit cooler these past couple of days, but I don't know how long it will last. Elder Ogasawara says Hokkaido is definitely not as hot as Kochi. He says even though the winters get to be pretty nasty, the summers in Hokkaido are very nice. He's on his seventh transfer right now, so he's been out for nearly 1 year. It's been different being with a Ni Hon Jin companion. We're not able to talk and communicate as easily, but we're getting along just fine and we're working hard.

On Saturday we attended a the wedding of a member at the church. It was kind of weird being a missionary at a wedding. Especially at the reception right after, I just kind of felt different being at a wedding reception with music playing and food and all of that. It was a good experience though.

Finding this last week has been okay. We were able to meet with an investigator (I may have mentioned about him before) who recently returned to Kochi after having to go to a place around Tokyo for work. He was gone for about 2 months and he said he wasn't able to meet with the missionaries in that area. I was a little concerned that after so long his desire may have dropped or he may have forgotten the things that he had been taught before, but that was not the case. He actually contacted us to meet, and he remembered things well and still has desires to improve himself. He's still not entirely sure if he believes in God or if the things we've taught him are true, but he has a desire to know if they are and he said if he receives a confirmation that they are true that he will receive baptism.

We had a great lesson yesterday with a lady, and she accepted the invitation to be baptized. The baptismal goal date we set is in July. She seems to just be honestly looking for what is true, so we feel quite good about her potential to receive baptism.

What advice would I give to Matt Stevens? I think it would be good for him to be prepared for the fact that Japanese is backwards from English. I've found beyond speaking and thinking, listening in particular is a different ball game because you don't really know if the whole sentence is in negative or past tense until the end of the sentence. Also, something you'll probably hear a lot is that as a missionary you should be yourself. I wholeheartedly agree with that, but, it's different at first being yourself in another language that you're trying to learn. Something that I've found quite helpful is that when I'm with other missionaries who can speak English, using Japanese words in normal English conversation and listening to them do it too. Japanenglish has helped me to get a better feel for which Japanese words are more "me"...if that makes any sense. Sorry, that's about all I can come up with advice-wise right now.

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, June 17, 2013 - Week 23

Mom and Dad,

Things have been good here. It's been so much fun working with Elder Ogasawara. It's been quite trying on both of our parts language wise - but we're both helping each other to improve. The work is going well here. We've been focusing a bit more on finding right now. Last week 1 of our investigators dropped us, and we dropped another one of our investigators. Also, lately, quite a few of our investigators haven't been replying to e-mails and phone calls, so we haven't been able to meet with them. We've had a lot of time for finding, and we've been really praying for the Lord's guidance in helping us know where to look for those who are prepared to receive the Gospel. He's granted us a little success as tonight we have an appointment with a man we met on the street. We're hoping and faithful that we will continue to have success in finding.

I think it's still technically rainy season right now, but I'm not sure. It absolutely poured on Saturday. It's getting so hot and humid here that it almost doesn't make a difference if I wear a raincoat and rain pants - if the rain doesn't soak me then my sweat nearly does. It's getting to the time of year where it's just hot and humid and uncomfortable. I think it's still technically rainy season right now. One of the Eikaiwa students told me that rainy season came a bit early this year and I've also been told it lasts about a month, so I'm under the impression it should be coming to an end soon. We've had a sunny day or two lately. It's warmer under the sun, but it's nice because it's not quite as humid.

Yesterday after church we went out to Nankoku Shi to try and visit a former investigator. We ended up getting lost because it's way rural. We probably rode our bikes at least 20 kilometers yesterday in the humidity and heat. It was hot and tiring, but the physical discomfort is a small thing in the cause of truth and the salvation of souls.

Health wise I'm doing fine. During April and most of May I had some allergies. My eyes and the roof of my mouth would be itchy, and I would sneeze. As of late I've been doing all right. Asthma wise I haven't had any problems. All of the biking and activity hasn't bothered me at all. My joints and feet are doing fine, and I'm doing all right in general.

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

P.S. Elder Ogasawara is from Hokkaido. I don't remember where precisely.

Also, last week because we went to Matsuyama on Monday we went to Matsuyama castle. I'll send you some pictures. The picture with this message is of Elder Ogasawara, which I took of him when he wasn't looking. Haha!

Elder Ogasawara

The castle - on a hill/mountain

Ogasawara Choro and I banging on a door.

A panoramic shot from up in the castle grounds

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 - Week 22

Mom and Dad,

Sounds like the trek was fun! I'm glad that everything went over well and nobody got seriously injured or anything like that!

It's been a crazy week!

Last week as I explained I was working in Kakogawa. It was a great experience. Myself a third transfer missionary and Elder Casper a 4th working together were able to accomplish plenty of good things in the area. Your level of experience truly doesn't matter if you rely on the Lord!

As you may have noticed I didn't e-mail on Monday. My new companion Elder Ogasawara is District Leader and as such he needed to attend District Leader Council. Since DLC is only for district leaders, he had to get together with the other district leader in the zone and head to Kobe. The way it all worked out, we had no time on Monday for preparation day things and I ended up working in Imabari area with a completely new trainee missionary from Monday evening and through yesterday. Seeing as he just got to Japan this last week, he had little knowledge of how to navigate the area (and I had none) so it was a fun little bit of dendo. Anyway, it was a really good experience for me to learn how to navigate and lead out in planning and in dendo situations. Again, the level of experience makes little difference in how much you can accomplish if you rely on the Lord - we were still able to find some potential investigators and we taught a lesson.

I just got back to Kochi this morning. Had to get up at 5:00 in order to catch the train to the area to where we were meeting up with our companions.

It's been a crazy lately! But, it's been way fun! We're taking just a little time now for some Preparation Day things. I need to keep this e-mail a bit shorter. Sorry I don't have time to share anymore.

Thanks again for the package. Thank you for your love and support. I love you all very much!

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, June 3, 2013 - Week 21

Mom and Dad,

Wow that's so crazy exciting! There is so much going on at home. Oh my goodness Brent and Annie are married! I forgot that the wedding would be at the first part of June! That's so crazy! Tell Brent and Annie congratulations for me! That's way exciting to hear about Amanda Campbell and Spencer Stewart getting their mission calls! I'm glad to hear that the hay hauling went well and that it all got done. I'm way jealous that you're going to be going on the trek. I'm excited to hear about your experiences and how everything goes.

I got the package! Thank you so much for the shirts and for the candy and granola bars! Also thanks for the razors, toothbrushes, and toothpaste! It's so nice to not have to worry about buying those things for awhile. It's getting warmer everyday, and rainy season is definitely in swing. It's always cloudy and it's been raining everyday for the past week.

It's been a great week. This past week Elder Day and I went again to Uwajima so he could do baptismal interviews. The man in Uwajima who was baptized on Mother's Day has two young daughters (ages 9 and 13) who at first weren't sure about the church, but after they noticed the changes in their father they decided to hear more about the Gospel and wanted to be baptized. They were both baptized this last Saturday. Besides that, we had a meal with members both Saturday and Sunday evenings - the members here are pretty sad that Elder Day is returning to America. Both of those shokuji's were way good. At one we did a yaki-niku (I think that's what it's called). There was a big frying pan type thing in the center of the table and various meats and vegetables all around that everyone could cook and eat at their pleasure. Tabesugitta! (ate too much)

This morning we received transfer calls! I'm going to be remaining in Kochi, and I'll have a Ni Hon Jin companion! His name is Elder Ogasawara. I'm so excited! It's going to be difficult I'm sure and communication between us will be more difficult, but I know it's going to immensely benefit my language abilities. It's going to be an unusual week for me because Elder Day is returning. There's going to be no room at the Honbu (we're getting 30 or so new missionaries this transfer, 18 of which are shimai I hear!), so I'm going to be going to the Honbu with Elder Day tonight then I'll be going to Kakogawa. I'll be working with Elder Casper (he was my senpai in the MTC) in Kakogawa until Friday. On Friday (transfers day) I'll probably be going to Okayama to meet up with my new companion, then going back to Kochi. It's exciting and admittedly a little scary going into a new transfer with a new companion. I'll be the area senpai, so I'll be expected to lead around the area and things like that. It will definitely be a bit trying for me, but I know that I have a loving Heavenly Father who is ever willing to help and strengthen me. Something I've learned is that God didn't send us to this Earth to fail - and as long as you do your very best and follow His guidance, He won't let you fail. Success in this life may not come how or when you want it, but so long as you are faithful to Him the ultimate success of receiving Eternal Life can be attained.

Thank you so much for all of your love, prayers and support. Good luck with the Trek!

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday May 27, 2013 - Week 20

Mom and Dad,

I know I say it every week, but it's great to hear that everything at home is well.  I'm glad to hear that Marisa made it to the end of the school year and has got a chance to work and chill.  Oh man, I'm missing the hay haul!  That bums me out a little, not going to lie.  I loved hauling hay...but, the field is white all ready to harvest and that's certainly apparent by the number of missionaries heading out to dendo!  It's so exciting to hear about everyone who's leaving for missions (even more exciting to hear about folks headed to the Kobe, Japan mission!).  Crazy that Aunty Laurie, Paul, and Spencer did all of the shopping in one day, but I'm glad to hear that all is well with them.

This past week was awesome!  Like I probably mentioned last week, there was a taikai in Okayama with Elder Aoyagi (2nd quorum of the Seventy I'm pretty sure) this last Wednesday.  Unexpectedly, I was called Monday night and informed that I was going to have an interview with him.  Besides all of the Zone Leaders, a few missionaries were chosen to have an interview with him.  I'm not sure if Zinke Kaicho chose them or what, but I was one of the lucky few!  Wednesday morning before the taikai started I was able to meet with him for a little bit.  I was the last scheduled to be interviewed, and since the interview before me went long I was only able to meet with him for about 2 minutes, but it was an awesome two minutes!  He welcomed me into the room, asked me where I was from, and then simply asked me if I had any questions for him.  I wasn't sure what to say, so I asked, "What do you think is the most important thing about being a missionary?"  It's interesting because he said many of the same things that he said throughout the day during the taikai, but the way he said them, and some of the extra things he included when he was talking to me, addressed some personal questions and things I have been thinking a lot about lately.  I felt the Spirit as he spoke, and I felt the love of my Heavenly Father as I felt that He was teaching me through one of His special servants.  Whether or not he realized it, in the space of 2 minutes Elder Aoyagi followed the Spirit and helped me feel God's love and receive personal revelation.  After that, he gave me a hug and then I went to the chapel with the other missionaries.  It was an amazing experience, and I'm so glad to have had that opportunity.

Just this last Saturday, Elder Day and I went on a run to Nankoku Shi.  Nankoku is an inaka (rural) place outside of Kochi Shi.  It is an absolutely beautiful place and was such a good day, but it was also quite a bike ride!  We went to visit one of our investigators, a few former investigators, and we totsuzened the Branch President.  We navigate via a map on our cell phone, and it tells us how far away our destination is straight as the crow flies from where we currently (sadly, it doesn't have turn by turn directions).  Getting from the shinai (main city center) in Kochi to the area our investigator lives was about 6km straight as the crow flies.  From there going between the former investigators' places was about anwhere from 4-6km or so each.  Then to the Branch President's place, then back to the shinai where our apartment is.  Considering that we weren't traveling straight as the crow flies, and that we got lost once or twice, we definitely got in some good exercise!  Dendo is the best!

Things are getting warmer and warmer here.  It's going to be getting into rainy season very soon from what I understand.  It makes me really appreciate all of the Scout camps and activities I went on - I know for sure that being wet, hot, tired and uncomfortable is survivable.  Thankfully, as a missionary I get to shower everyday, so no worries! 

Thank you for all of your love and support.

Love,

Elder Kyle Hutchings

Monday, May 20, 2013 - Week 19

Mom and Dad,

Oh my goodness! Ally and Justin are speaking next Sunday!? Wow! When do they enter the MTC? It's so exciting to think that they are getting ready to head out in the service of the Lord. Dendo is the best and they'll be amazing missionaries! This last week during weekly planning session as Elder Day and I were setting this weeks goals I had some time to think about my progress so far. It's amazing to me to see the changes in myself and all the things the Lord has taught me. It's even more amazing to me to think of how much I've grown when I consider that I've been thinking about other people way more now than I ever have in my life.

It's been another good week! This last week seemed to go by especially quick. We've been keeping busy as always. I'm really excited for this week! We're going to Okayama for a taikai with Elder Aoyagi. I'm sure it will be an amazing chance to learn a lot!

Just yesterday one of our newer investigator's came to church. He's a humble and quiet old man in his 60's. He feels bad when we meet with him because he doesn't understand everything (and we've just been discussing Heavenly Father and prayer with him as simply as possible). He came to church and sacrament meeting was good for him. In Priesthood, however, the poor man was in for it. The brother in the branch who taught the lesson used to work in the temple and has an incredibly deep doctrinal understanding. He taught a super deep lesson on eternal marriages and ordinances and exaltation. I'm pretty sure even if I could have understood the Japanese, I wouldn't have been able to understand what he was saying. Not so great for our investigator. Afterward we were talking with our investigator and he said, "I'm not sure if I'll keep coming to church. I just don't get anything." Thankfully though, we were able to help him understand that learning these things takes time, prayer, and study. He's still willing to meet with us, and he'll probably come to church next week.

In terms of our newest yakusokusha, things have been going pretty well. She's still really determined to receive baptism. We were going to move her baptismal date to this Sunday, but she didn't come to church or meet with us yesterday - she totsuzen cancelled on both. Had she been able to meet with us yesterday, we felt she could have been prepared for baptism this Sunday. As much as we want her to enter into the gate of Baptism on the 26th, we know that she needs to be prepared before she makes a covenant with Heavenly Father. The most important thing is her conversion and salvation, not us seeing a baptism.

Mom and Dad, thank you so much for all you do for me. Thank you for telling me that you are proud of me. It really means so much to me - now more than ever - to have your approval, support, and encouragement. Thanks for sending a package too! I am very much looking forward to it!

Love,
Elder Kyle Hutchings

P.S. That spider was chilling out in the bike parking area of one our investigator's apartment building. I took a picture of it yesterday.