11/20/2017 Giving Thanks, 11/6/2017 November, 10/30/2017 Snow and Windy City

11/20/2017 Giving Thanks

Hola todos

This week we focused a ton of finding new investigatores. Which meant a lot of knocking doors, and stopping by old investigators casas. We found some really cool people, and also some not as cool people... 

One family we knocked into told us to come back another day and share a lesson, we were like great we will be back! Well a few days later we were headed over to share a lesson, but as we were crossing the street they saw us coming (I made eye contact with her and everything) they quickly turned off all the lights and closed the curtains to make it look like nobody was home. We knocked the door anyways, and suprise no answer. As we were leaving I looked back and saw these two little eyes peaking through the current to see of we left. It was so funny becuase they couldve just told us they werent intrested, but decided to hide from us instead! 

We decided to just knock around the area instead when we came up to this cute little house. As we got closer we noticed there was something in the window... it was one of our pass along cards! What!? We knocked and this teenage girl comes out to talk to us. Apparently missionaries had stopped by before and they liked the picture of Jesus on the card so they put it up. She never really heard about our church so we told her a little and she invited us to come back another time. So we did and she let us come in and teach a lesson. It went so well. She even plays basketball so I got to talk to her about that for a while, it was fun. 

Overall things are well here, working hard and staying busy. Since Thanksgiving is this week I invite you all to take a moment and just give thanks for all that you have, and really appreciate the important things in life. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Con amor
Hermana Cutler

1) Always running (it was cold) 

2) left our mark 

3) I lost what are the odds to Elder Litke and I had to eat a tongue taco... wasnt the best... but he told me I would get the gift of tongues so I ate it (; 

4)  we found this cool place in the middle of a park 

5) walk in the park 

11/6/2017 November

Hola fam! I hope all is well for everyone. 

This week flew by. We were really busy running around to different appointments and doing service for people in the community. One thing we do is every tuesday we go to the public library and teach english to those who only speak spanish but need to learn english. It is so much fun because I help them with english and they help me with spanish. So its a win-win. 

This week we had exchanges again. This time the english greenie came to my area. I was so scared at first because she doesnt know any spanish, and I know only a little. But we made it through alive and was able to communicate to all those I cantacted in spanish and have a conversation with them. It was so awesome! Then we had a dinner appointment and I was able to translate back and forth for the members and Sister Valentin, it was so cool because I have been working so hard at learning Spanish and it im finally starting to notice my progress. 

All is well over here in Gurnee, I hope you all have a great week!

Con amor
Hermana Cutler

Had my first Chicago dog in Chicago 

This is sister valentin the other greenie (sorry really bad quality picture)

One of our less actives just had her big 16th birthday (usually they do it for their 15th but she couldnt last year) and she let us try on her crown

10/30/2017 Snow and the Windy City
Hola todos!

Events of this week:

We had exchanges and I went with Sister Valentin (two Greenies taking on the English area). It was fun but so cold and windy... IT SNOWED... Chicago winter is coming real quick! 

Later we got a referral from the English sisters telling us he was "a cute old man wanting to learning about Christ", well we got there and it turned out he was the pasture for his church! He then tried preaching to us and saying we were just young girls who don't know what we are talking about. So that was fun. 

We found an awesome new investigator who just moved here! We knocked his door on the coldest night of the week, so he told us to come back another day so we could teach a lesson. A few days later we came back and shared the Restoration. It went really well, the spirit was so strong... even the member that came with us was amazed! We then gave a copy of the Book of Mormon to him, and he was so excited about it. It was such a cool experience.  

Our other investigator that I talked about last week came to church again this week! His name is Manny, and he just loves learning about everything. He was answering all the questions in the classes, and was so engaged in everything that was going on. He even knows like half the ward now! Our Obispo (Bishop) is awesome he makes sure all the investigators know the members in the ward, and makes them feel welcomed. 

Hermana Lee and I have decided we are going to read the whole Libro de Mormón outloud by Christmas. We set a goal of how much we need to read a day, then throughout the day we read a little here and there. So far we are doing pretty well, plus it is really helping my Spanish. I can already see a difference.

Well I hope you all have a great week!

Con amor,
Hermana Cutler 

My mission address for those who have been asking:

800 Waukegan Rd Ste 203
Glenview IL 60025
United States

Last picture was us trying to get celestial parking... but people showed up and blocked us in. 

10/23/2017 Life in Gurnee

Hola amigos!!

Ita been a pretty busy few weeks here, all our investigators have been keeping us on our toes! One our our investigators is just the coolest guy ever, and he has the biggest heart. We brought him to church yesterday, and he just loved it, soaking everything in. After our sacrament meeting he was going up to people and introducing himself. He would tell them they would be seeing him around alot becuase he is gonna start coming more often. It was so cool to see him just love it all. It makes me so happy to be able to share this gospel with others around me, and see them light up because of it.

To answer all your questions im loving it here. My area is great, we are in a small spanish ward with 2 sets of Elders and 1 set of Hermanas (its a pretty big area) since its so big we get a car! But other areas have bikes so when I get transferred ill probably be riding a bike. In our ward most of the adults only speak spanish, but all the kids prefer english since thats what they learn in school. Overall the members are great they love us, we get fed almost every night, and they help us in whatever ways we need help. They are always ready to serve, which I love. 

The language is still coming, ive been working really hard at trying to learn it, every day it gets a little better. I understand what others are saying more than I can speak it back. It takes time, but I have witnessed that with the Lords help all things are possible. 

To close things up Hermana Lee cracks me up. For the past two weeks she has been craving a whole pizza and a whole cake, everyday after we work out she goes "heyyy you know what sounds soo good right now?" ... "a WHOLE pizza and a WHOLE cake!!" Then the rest of the day she just complains about how much she wants pizza and cake. So last saturday we finally got her the pizza and cake, she was so happy. I wish I wouldve taken a picture! 

I hope you all have a great week!
Hermana Cutler 

Pictures from last pday

Zone conference 

Hna Lee with her subway

10/16/2017 Listening to the Holy Ghost

10/16/2017

Tuesday night we got a call from the english elders with a spanish referal for us. We were like sweet, and had decided to go see them the next day. So the next day we head over and we look for this address for like half an hour! But we couldnt find it. So we called the elders and turns out they gave us the wrong address. They gave us the correct one and we finally found it! But no one answered. 


So we decided to just go knocking in the area while we were over there. Hermana asked me where I thought we should start, there was this one house on the corner that stood out to me, so I told her lets go to it. As I was walking up and about to knock we noticed this small sign that said no religious soliciting or whatever. I was like aww man, kinda sad. We walked away but had no idea where to go. So we  decided to pray for direction, and immedietly Hermana got the same feeling I had to go knock on that house! So we decided that if thats what the Lord wanted then we would!


We walked up again, and I knocked. No answer. So I knocked again. Still no answer! Hermana was then like "Hermana! It was a test!!" The Holy Ghost was testing us to see if we would listen and follow his direction, and we passed! We walked away from that house and knew exactly where we needed to go next. But the story isnt over yet! The first house we knocked on these three boys about college age came out and we started talking with them, we got to know them then explained we were missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ and how we go around teaching people about him. We then asked if they would be intrested in hearing a message and they said yes! So we taught them the restoration for the next hour!! (In english, they preferred to learn in it, most hispanic youth prefer english since theyve grown up here) they were really intreseted in our message and said we could come back (: it was so cool! 


The coolest part is that when we had said our prayer on where to go those boys drove right by us and had just gotten home. If we hadnt had gone looking for the referal and gotten sent in the wrong direction, or not listened to the Spirit then we wouldnt have met those boys and they wouldnt have heard our message! It was so amazing!!


The Lord prepares us to do the things he needs of us, He really is there and is watching over all of us constantly. I can feel his love everyday, and I can feel his love for those I teach, and those I meet. Not everyone is ready to hear the gospel, but thats okay becuase someday they will. We just have to give them a chance (: 

10/9/2017 Born In Gurnee

Hola friends,

I finally made it to Chicago this past week. Oh my gosh I LOVE it here. 

Our first day they put us on a train headed downtown towards the bean. While on the train we got to contact people, I met this awesome guy from Poland. He knew like 5 languages! It was insane. It was a cool experience to meet all these people from different countries around the world. After we went back to the mission home and they gave us Chicago deep dish pizza!! It was amazing to have real american food again, I never thought I would miss pizza so much. 

My trainers (aka my Mamá) name is Hermana Lee, and she is from... WASHINGTON!! She was converted like two years ago, and has about four months left on the mission. She is way awesome, we get along great. My first area is Gurnee 3A, and I love it the members are awesome. They feed us soooo much... There is this family with two little girls, and they love us. They always laugh at my spanish, and think I sound so funny. But the language is coming along. Slowly but surley. 

We have a senior couple that lives right across the hall from us, the Litkes, they are hilarious! We do language study with them everyday, they will feed us dinner, and on pday they take us to Costco!! They are my favorite. Elder Litke taught us how to make this Mexican drink the other day called jamaica for one of our activities...  oh man after we were done it looked like someone had died in our kitchen, jamaica juice was everywhere and it stained our counters red, it was so funny. But the activity we had was a sucess so it was all worth it.

Its been a great week and I love this opportunity I have to serve the Lord, and I cant wait  to learn lots while here in Gurnee and start this new adventure. I hope you all have a great week! 

Hermana Cutler

Pictures

Our first day downtown 

The little girls drew us a cute little picture, and made us wear witches hats for dinner

Our presentstion of washington (we even made a little gum wall)

All the new greenies and the trainers with the president 

All the new greenies

10/2/2017 Chicago

I made it to my mission!!! 

Chicago is so amazing, and BIG! We got to the airport and they immedietly put us on the train to contact on the way to the city. I met some pretty cool people! It is way different being out in the real world as a missionary with a tag on... everyone just looks at us, but they all smile and wave! 

I love my mission president and his wife! They are just so amazing, and the mission home is beautiful! Tomorrow we get our trainers, I cant wait to see my first area! 

Love you all so much. I loved being able to talk to you today, and hear your voice. Thanks for being the best parents ever! (Oh and I got your package!! Thank you so much for it, it is so awesome (: ) 

I'll tell you  more in my next email... whenever that will be... but have a great week!

Here are a few of the pictures we took from the city... I have more on my camera that ill send later (:

Love 

Hermana Cutler

10/1/2017 Last Day at the CCM--October 1-General Conference

Hermana Cutler and Hermana Page

9/27/2017 Hasta Luego Mexico

5 more days and im off to Chicago! These past six weeks have been so amazing and life changing. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to come to Mexico and learn Spanish and make some life long friends. 

I have come a long way in the language, but there is still much to be learned. Every day it gets easier, and I am able to understand what the teachers are saying to me. Through dilligent effort, and much practice I know that I will be able to communicate in Spanish. The gift of tongues is real, and God has really helped me these past few weeks.

I cant wait for my adventure in Chicago to begin, I hope you all have a wonderful week. 

Hermana Cutler 

9/20/2017 Estoy Fomoso

Hola everyone! ¿Cómo estás?

32 years ago on September 19, 1985 Mexico had a terrible earthquake that killed thousands of people, leaving the city in crumbles. Well we had another earthquake yesterday (September 19). 76 miles southeast of Mexico City in Puebla sizing at a 7.1. Southern Mexico City got hit pretty hard, over 30 buildings fell with many people loosing their lives. Here at the CCM we were in a so called "safe bubble" so we felt about a 5 where other places near got it worse. The Lord seriously blessed us and protected us from damage. The whole comedor was shaking, and everyone was in a panic to get out. At the moment it was pretty frightening, but once we got out my district decided to get down on our knees and pray for protection, and safety of others. Immedietly we could feel peace.

While we were praying someone took a picture of our district (im in the pink shirt), and its the headline picture for the Mexico earthquake on LDS Living. The missionaries that were supposed to be landing later in the afternoon were redirected to various airports around the US. But we are all safe, the Lord loves and protects his missionaries. 

Friday was Mexicos independence day, and they LOVE to party. We heard fireworks all day and throughout all hours of the night. Our teachers had to tell us not to go outside our casa because people would shoot their guns in the air in celebration and alot of times the bullets would fall into the CCM. But it was cool to be here during this time, and see them all celebrate their country. 

This week has been pretty good, learning lots and making lots of memories. I hope everyone is okay, sounds like there have been a lot of hard times in the community and around the world. Youre all in my prayers, and I hope things will start to get better soon for everyone. Just know God loves you, and is always there for you. 

Love
Hermana Cutler 

9/13/2017. Because I'm Halfway There...

I am on my 4th week at the CCM, a couple more and I get to fly to Chicago! 

We had an earthquake drill this week, the ironic part was a few hours later we had an actual earthquake. It was an 8.1 about 500 miles away, so it didn't hit Mexico City as bad. But it destroyed a ton of houses in southern Mexico. I didn't even know it happened until the next morning at gym when someone mentioned it. I thought they were joking! 

There is an Elder in my group from Soda Springs Idaho, and he is convinced the vowels in the alphabet are "A,E,I,O,U and sometimes Y and W" I have no idea where he got that from, but every day he tries to prove us wrong. It is so funny hearing his logic. 

Hope everyone has a great week! 

Hermana Cutler

9/6/2017 Temple Trip

Sunday morning I was sitting in my casa when I started thinking, "Wow, I don't really have anything to write in my email home" Heavenly Father was like "hmm lets change that". Later that day Hermana Page and I got pulled out from Relief Society and got extended a new calling. We are now the new Hermana Training leaders for our zone... definitely was not expecting that. But I know the Lord will bless us for our efforts, and it will be fun getting to know all the sisters in the zone, and meet the new missionaries each week (:

Last Wednesday we got to go to the temple for P-day (and we get to go today too) it was beautiful. The Mexico City Temple is the largest temple outside of the US. Its probably the nicest building in town, same with the CCM. The pictures on the walls were amazing, there was this one of Daniel in the Lions Den that just stood out to me. Daniel was praying to God with the lions surrounding him. Then behind him stood an angel keeping the lions calm so that Daniel could be protected and no harm would come to him. I loved this because it reminded me that Heavenly Father is watching over us at all times, keeping us safe as we serve the lord, and are obedient.

We had our first fast Sunday on the mission. We started our fast Saturday after lunch, then we broke it Sunday for lunch. Holy cow fasting for 24 hours is hard, I've never really done a full day before. But I am glad I did, it was honestly the best 24 hours in the CCM, the spirit was so strong and I felt like I was learning a ton of Spanish.

Grandma Cutler sent me this quote the first few days I was in the CMM:

"If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can't do the little things right, you will never do the big things right.

And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made — that you made — and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.

If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

I love this so much, it motivates me to make my bed first thing everyday. And every time I make my bed I think of grandma.

I always think "If God cant trust me to do the little things, then how can he trust me with the  big things."

Remember everyday is a good day (:

Love you all so much
Hermana Cutler

Word of the week: está bien (its okay) because you can literally say it after anything!
Spiritual moment: We as missionaries are not perfect, but we are worthy to wear His name, the perfect name. 

The CCM president photo bombed one of our pictures, it was pretty funny

The rest are at the temple

8/30/2017 I'm Alive!

I love Mexico, it is so amazing here. All the Latinos we meet are super nice, and everyone says "Hola Hermanas" every-time we walk by, even the non-LDS workers. We get treated so good, we get front row at every meeting, we get to cut in line when getting food, they just love the Hermanas (they love the Elders too, just not as much ;). I think the most amazing thing about the CCM is that everyone in these walls holds a current temple recommend besides the day workers for landscape, the spirit is so strong and we are really watched over and blessed. ¡Muy bueno!

I saw Elder Powell my first night after devo, it was so cool to see him here,  he only has one more week but it is nice to see a familiar face. 

I have learned more Spanish in the past week than I ever learned in french. I'm getting there but its not easy, I just have to put my trust in the Lord and have faith that I can do this, everyday its gets better and someday ill be able to teach a lesson from my heart and not my notes. They say Heavenly Father sends us to a specific place in a specific language because He knows that is the best language we will be able to share our testimony in, and teach others.  

Mexico is crazy!!! The way they drive is insane, as if there are no traffic laws. And once one car starts to honk EVERYONE starts honking, its actually kinda funny. The food here is very interesting... everything tastes so different, but its fun to try new things, I,ve just learned to not ask what it is. Then all is well (:

Sooooooo story time. Saturday we got back to our casa at about 9, super happy and proud we made it through our first week, when.... we opened our bathroom door and Hermana Page goes "What happened to our bathroom!?" I went over to look, and... A RAT runs across my feet and around our whole room!!! The rat had pooped everywhere in the bathroom and it smelt terrible. Well it tried to get out but it was too fat to fit through the door and hinge so it ran all the way back around to the bathroom. We booked it outta that room, one of the latino Hermanas heard us scream so she came to our rescue called reception and they came to kill it. We didn,t get to go back in our room until 10:10. Looking back it was the funniest thing ever! 

Oh at devo last night we sat by these latinos, they started talking to me and told me I looked  just like this Mexican singer and asked to get a picture with me, so I did and all they kept saying was "its like a dream come true" so funny!! 

Hope you all had a great week!

Hermana Cutler

Elder Powell and Me on my first day

Hemana Page and I 

8/22/2017 It feels official now

8/22

I made it to Mexico!!! My comp is going to my same mission and she just got here today too. Just FYI my Prep days are Wednesday but I don't get a prep day this week so my first real email will be next Wednesday.

The flights were good and it is awesome here, we drove by the temple and it is beautiful. We will be able to go to it twice while here at the CCM so thats awesome. There was probably around 50 missionaries on my flight. It was so cool!!! 

Please tell the wards I made it too!

Hope all is well, I will email you next week (:

Love Hermana Cutler

THE CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRISTOF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Welcome to the Illinois Chicago Mission! Sister Bingham and I are very pleased that you will be serving with us in this wonderful area and in this great mission. You will have wonderful experiences that will be both challenging and rewarding. The work here is growing significantly, and we are eager to have you share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the thousands of people that you will encounter here as we engage in the inspired work of gathering Israel with theLord’s Guidance and help (see Jacob 5:61, 71-72).
The Illinois Chicago Mission includes the city of Chicago and some suburban areas to the north and south of the City, along with a Northwest portion of Indiana. Much of the mission area is densely populated with a richness of diversity and culture. Other parts of the mission include beautiful farmlands interspersed with lakes and rivers. Several million live in the greater Chicago area, which is the 3rd largest city in the United States. The mission home is located just south of the Wilmette Stake Center and the office is located a few miles west of the mission home in Glenview Illinois.
Our missionaries serve in four different stakes which all border Lake Michigan. The local members are a great resource in the missionary effort of finding and teaching prospective members of the Church and in helping to rescue members through fellowshipping and reactivation. We have a great opportunity to serve the Lord and to help bring many souls unto Christ. We encourage you to begin praying for the members and leaders you will be serving with so that your love for them will increase.
We know you have been preparing for this call and we invite you to now prepare in the following additional ways:

1. Pray to receiver personal revelation and a confirming witness of your call from theLord’s Prophet to serve.
2. Read the Book of Mormon again and pray for a confirming witness of its truthfulness.
3. Read and study “Preach My Gospel”. You are to study this daily on your mission.
4. Your first companion in the field will be your trainer. We invite you to pray for this companionship starting now.

5. We also invite you to read the qualifications for Baptism in Doctrine and Covenants section 20:37 and in Moroni Chapter 6. Please consider how you can have a broken heart and contrite spirit as you enter the mission field to humbly serve your Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.
We promise as you take these steps to prepare, you will be richly blessed with the Spirit to guide you, which is essential in this great work. As you apply the principles taught in the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel, you will be successful in bringing many souls to Christ.
We invite you to read with your family the additional information and instructions enclosed in the attached welcome packet. You will also find included some important documents that need to be read and completed as soon as you can. These documents will need to be completed and returned to the mission office before you arrive here in order to avoid delays in being able to drive, etc.
Please call 847-904-2940 (mission office) or email to 2010593@ldschurch.org or write us if youhave any questions. When you arrive in Chicago O’Hare or Midway Airport, we will be there tomeet you. We are looking forward to your arrival, and we will be excited to meet you and have the opportunity of serving with you.
With great appreciation,
President Evan G. Bingham Illinois Chicago Mission