Sister Ahn, Janae's new companion.
Saying goodbye to Sister Trent
わたしは、イエス・キリストがみなさんを愛しているとしています。かれは、神様の 計画の中で 中心的です。本当に、イエス・キリストにようて、亡くなった後でも、わたしたちの家族と永遠に暮らすことができるとしています。(I know that Jesus Christ loves everyone. He is the center of God plan. Through him, even after death, our families can be together forever.) (or something close to that, haha)
Thank you for sending pictures of Jare and Lys! They look so happy together. :) I'm glad you were able to see Mama Jensen and Josh too! That's so great! :)
Well, this week has been an adventure for sure! There are so many new changes happening in my life, in our Koiwa ward, and in our mission. It's been a difficult week for me, but I have really been able to see the Lord's hand in my life as I've tried my best to carry on and work diligently. I can honestly say that saying goodbye to Sister Trent has been one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. She is the missionary I want to become someday, and I really miss her. She has taught me things that I could never explain with words. She is such an amazing missionary. I will be forever grateful to her. Saying goodbye to people is so difficult! I can't imagine how hard it will be when finishing my mission. There are so many people here in this area that I connect with and love. We received a new bishop in the ward, and I think he will be really great! President Budge will be leaving us soon, and on the 1st of July we will be meeting our new mission president, President Nagano. My new companion and I are having a hard time adjusting to all of our new circumstances right now, but I'm having faith that everything will be okay. :)
This week, we were able to teach our two young adult investigators (Megumi and Minami chan) . They are progressing so well! We are going to invite them to be baptized tonight and we are really excited for them! They are both so prepared. :) They are best friends and I think it is amazing that they are investigating the church together. They both love the Book of Mormon, and they love coming to church. The ward loves them too, which is so good because they have lots of fellow shippers. :) This week, we had a really powerful lesson with them about the Plan Of Salvation. It was the night before sister Trent left, and it was an amazing experience. Sister Trent and I both bore powerful testimonies about the reality of life after death by testifying of God's love and the experiences we have had. I told them about the four teenagers who were killed in a car crash in our little town, and about how after that happened I really had to know whether or not the plan of salvation was true. We talked about prayer and how to receive answers to our prayers. At the the end of the lesson, one of them prayed for the first time ever (Minami chan). It was a powerful prayer. The spirit was so strong and we were able to see them feel it and know it for themselves. They are such good friends to us. This week, (Megumi chan) only one of them could come to church, and I was so grateful that she came. She is the sweetest girl ever, and I love her so much. She has become one of my best friends, and she has helped me so much this week as I've struggled with all of these new changes. They are both amazing!
We went over the baptismal interview questions, with the family that we are teaching, last night. There are a few things that need to happen before they can be baptized, but they are getting close and they are making amazing progress! I love them so much. They've also been such a help to me this week. It's amazing to feel the love and friendship of the people I have met here in Koiwa. Even though things are a little bit difficult right now, I know I have so many people around me who love and care about me. I'm so blessed. :)
I've been kinda sick this week, and it's probably just my body adjusting to all of the changes and stress, but I'm alright. God is really taking good care of me. A few days ago, I woke up in a huge panic and felt so much anxiety and stress. It was one of those moments that everything just felt wrong, but reason couldn't say why. I prayed to feel peace and God's love for me in that moment. I prayed sincerely asking God for help. After I opened my eyes, a scripture phrase popped into my mind...."Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?" ...At the time, I didn't know it was a scripture phrase, but I then I looked it up and found the scripture. ((Mormon 5:21, 23))
21 And also the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for them.
23 Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?
As I read the scripture, my mind and heart was filled with the most amazing peace. My tears turned into tears of joy, and I was able to carry on through that day. It's amazing to me how the Lord uses the small and simple things, such as a scripture, to help us in such big ways. If God has the power at the snap of his fingers to roll the earth together as a scroll, he certainly can do something as simple as comfort one of his daughters. I wouldn't want to be in anyone else's hands. This scripture really helped me to put things into perspective. I was also comforted by music as I thought about a special song. The morning sister Trent and I traveled to the Honbu, we got up an hour early so that we could go play music together at the church before saying goodbye to each other. Our whole time together as companions, we always wanted to write a song for our investigators on the piano with words, but we never had time. Although we had only played it once or twice through, we were able to make a song together. We recorded it, and if I didn't want you to hear sister Trent's amazing voice so bad, I probably wouldn't show it to you because the piano part is kind of a mess in the recording. However, I do want you all to hear her voice, so I will. :) I will attach it so that you can hear it. we definitely had God's help during this hour of practice together. Anyway, this song has been in my head all week, and I'm beginning to think that the words were written just for me because it has helped me so much this week. Sister Trent knew all along I'm sure. :) I love her so much. I'm excited to be good friends with her after my mission too. :) She is so special.
This next upcoming week, we have zone conference and I'm excited to hear from President and Sister Budge once more before they leave. Lately they have been talking a lot about emergency response actions because there have been some bigger earthquakes here lately. They are having us practice emergency calls and actions every week now. Our new mission president is coming soon too! President Nagano is Nehongin and so if his wife! I think it will be really neat to have a new mission president. I will miss president and sister Budge though. It really has been a week of 'goodbyes' and new 'hellos,' but I think that is a big part of missionary life. I can't wait to see everyone who I have met after this life. The joy of meeting and knowing these people is way worth the pain of saying goodbye to them. I don't know what I would do without their influence in my life.
This gospel is true. I know that more and more every single day that I am here. God does hear and answer our prayers, and not only that, but he allows us to learn and struggle under his watchful eye and caring tender touch, so that we can one day be perfect as He is perfect. The Book of Mormon has real power in it. I truly do feel that power, and it gives me strength everyday to face whatever comes my way. How could a book have so much power if it were not true and given through the gift and power of God? It is true. Every single page bears witness that Jesus is the Christ. He is The Savior of world. He is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He is the Prince of peace. As a representative of Jesus Christ, I testify that He lives. His Atonement is real. We can be forgiven and strengthened every single moment of all of our lives if we choose to be, and it is through His power that we are able to do these things. He speaks peace to our souls and in Him we can find true happiness. I love Him so much, and I am so grateful to be His missionary. We truly owe Him everything we are, and ever will be. I love Him so much.
I love all of you so much. :) thank you for everything you are.
Love always,
愛しています！
Sister Hubbard xoxo
ハバード姉妹
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