Janae's companion
Janae with sister trainer leaders
Dear Family,
It's been another speedy week! I can't believe it's already P-day again. It's crazy!
So many wonderful things have happened this week! It's so hard to narrow everything down. I'll try and tell you all of the highlights though.
Last week, I went to the temple and did Sealings with my two companions. It was a really neat experience. It was really powerful to be there to witness everything that goes on during these covenants. It made me really excited to make those covenants someday.
Today, my roommates and I are all doing a session together, and I'm really looking forward to it. The temple is always a highlight of my week.
Yesterday, I had a really off day. Everything was just going wrong! I'm not sure what it was, but I really struggled in all of my language classes and had a really hard time thinking in Japanese. -Well, more so than usual, haha. It was a really trying day. One of my sensei's were gone all week, (I have 3 language teachers) and he returned last night. He was obviously listening to the spirit, because he shared something with everyone that completely made my day. He usually just teaches another Japanese Grammar principle, but he came into class and began talking about his mission in Japan. He served in Tokyo, and he showed us one of the things he was shown in the Mission field. There is a talk called "a child, and a disciple" by Elder Eyring in the 2003 General conference. in the talk, Elder Eyring prophecies about the people in Japan and how God will soften the hearts of the people in his time and purposes. It is a wonderful talk. For times sake, I won't tell you all of the prophecies he said about Japan and the missionary work there, but as I listened to the talk, I began to feel great impressions from the spirit. I know God needs me to be there, and that I have been called to help fulfil these prophecies. I would like you to read the Talk as a family, and commit to do what Elder Eyring Says to do. This would be a great Family home evening activity. This talk has influenced me so much, and I hope I will someday be able to live up to what Elder Eyring describes as a good member missionary.
PLEASE READ THIS TALK. IT'S AMAZING! After our Teacher, Brother Olson, shared the talk with us, I once again felt the Lord's strengthening me, and a reassurance that I am indeed called to speak this difficult language. I know God will help me speak it. Something this talk has helped me realize is that we are all called to bless those around us, and there are others who are meant to bless us too. God prepares us to bless others, and as we look for those people everyday and find them, we are doing the Lord's will.
TRC teaching was really great again this week! We teach members of the Church who speak Japanese and teach them in Japanese. This week, our assignment was to teach a 40 minute lesson. We had two members who were native Japanese Speakers. My testimony of "The Lord Filling your mouth" has really grown from this experience...
My companion, Sister Chapman and I, (Sister Leung-wo wasn't with us yet) had planned to teach about God's help in our lives. We planned to use the Mormon message of Hugh B. Brown and the currant bush, and to encourage and lift those we would be teaching to look to their trials as a blessing. To instead say to the Lord, "Thank you for loving me enough to cut me down," -just as in the mormon message.
After we had watched the movie, I felt a deep impression to share an experience. I was really scared to though, because we hadn't planned it and I was sure I wouldn't be able to form all of the sentences I wanted to say in Japanese. I struggled for a moment, but then followed through. I'm so glad I did.
I began telling these two members of the night of my sixteenth birthday, and how four of my friends had been killed in a car crash. I talked about how sad and difficult it was for me. As I spoke, the words were there. The spirit was strong, and I was able to bare strong testimony of God's love and peace. It not only amazed me, and taught me that God is there to help me with Japanese when I need him to be, but the people we taught were both in tears. I'm not sure exactly what they said afterwards, but I could tell their hearts had been touched. Sister Chapman then committed them to trust in the will of God. This was definitely a highlight of my week.
I have a really hard time explaining the things that happen here in words, because the truth is, the things I've witnessed here have been so profound that I don't have words to say them. It's really difficult to write them. I hope you all feel the spirit of what I do write though. There is a real power that is felt in the MTC. It's God's power, and It amazes me everyday. I'm so excited for Jianna and Josh to come here in the upcoming years. Being a missionary is by far the best thing I've ever experienced. It's the most difficult thing, but it's the most amazing thing.
Every Sunday, we listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's "Music and the Spoken word" for relief society. It's amazing! It's one of my favourite things about Sunday. It's a live broadcast from Salt Lake, and I really enjoy it. The Music is beautiful.
This tuesday's devotional was really good! AS a choir, we sang the song, "Consider the Lilies." I love this song so much. The words are so beautiful and it was really neat to sing again with 500 ish people all together. In the Book of mormon in 3rd Nephi, the Savior talks to his Disciples before leaving the people. In chapter 13:25-32, He speaks of the birds in the sky, and the flowers on the earth and how God takes care of them. Because he takes care of them, He will continue to take care of us. We don't need to worry about what might happen in our lives, because he will continue to watch over us and provide for us. I know this is true. I feel it everyday that I'm here.
Some Nehogene came to the MTC this week, and they are so fun to talk to! I try and practice my Japanese with them in casual Conversation. It's not always successful, but it's a lot of fun! We are good friends. :)
I only have a few more weeks until I leave for Japan, and I'm so excited to be there!
I hope you've all had a good week! My prayers are always with you.
I love getting mail from you guys. Thank you so much for all of your love.
I love you all forever,
Sister Janae Hubbard
