Week 54

Dear family,

I can't express how excited I was to read all of your letters this
week! I loved hearing about everything and all the miracles you have
been seeing in our little town. A huge shout out to my best friend
Camille who just returned home from her Mission in Toronto! I know she
must have done a wonderful job on her talk, and I am so happy to hear
that you were able to go to the airport and get her. She is just
shining. :) I can't believe it has already been a year and a half for
her. Another shout out to Jaelynn Jones because I know she is happier
than anyone to finally have Camille home! So many blessings. It was
neat to hear about the family history stories and stuff too. Thanks
for sharing mom. :) I think the work that is being done on the other
side is so much more than we realize. There are so many missionaries
there!

Our emergency action plans are pretty direct and we have to do drills
and emergency practice calls every transfer in the case there is a big
earthquake again here in Tokyo. There is a huge telephone game that
happens every transfer as we practice in case of emergencies. It's
pretty awesome! Each apartment also has a ton of emergency supplies
and every missionary always has to carry enough money to travel to the
Honbu in the event that we have to gather there. Nothing too special,
but we are safe and will continue to be safe because the Lord really
does protect us missionaries. I can't tell you how many times I have
felt that protection. He really is with us. It amazes me how concerned
the people are here about others when earthquakes happen here in
Japan. Everyone is always praying for those who are effected by the
earthquakes. It's a neat experience to see people who don't always
claim to believe in God, suddenly experiment and pray hoping God
really is there in their time of need. Super cool.

I can't begin to describe the amazing miracles we have witnessed this
past week! I'm just so grateful to be here in Japan. God is really
pouring out His spirit upon the people here. He loves them so much and
has blessed me with such a deep love for them. Our Mission is a
changed mission and there are amazing things happening all over the
place. Amazing things have happened here since conference.

Sister Simpson and I had 3 very similar experiences this past week as
we were walking in downtown Tokyo. Generally speaking, our area is
pretty big, but because we serve in a gaijin ward as well as a
Japanese ward, our boundaries go throughout most of Tokyo if we are
looking for foreigners. This past week, in downtown Tokyo, we set out
to go find people who speak English. We came to this complex called,
"Sakura house," and had the weirdest feeling that we needed to stop
there and wait. It was a crazy feeling. It shot all the way through me
and Sister Simpson as we both halted to a stop. It was a very real,
almost tangible feeling that we needed to wait for something, but we
both had no idea what it was. After about 5 minutes of this, stopping
everyone who came our way, we decided to pray to know what we should
do. After praying, we still felt impressed to wait at this spot. It
was the craziest thing! Anyway, as we waited, we saw a blonde woman
walking towards us from down the street. As we turned to look at her,
we both felt a feeling of peace and a strong desire to talk with her.
As she came closer, I remember smiling at her and to our great
surprise, she ended up speaking with us first. The first thing that
came out of her mouth was, "I feel like I have met you before... Do
you live here in Sakura house?"
After explaining what we were doing in the area, the tone of her voice
changed and she began to be a little bit emotional. We could tell by
the expression on her face that she was still trying to figure out who
we were and why we were so familiar to her. She had to run because she
was going to be late, but we quickly handed her a pamphlet and she ran
away yelling "thanks" down the sidewalk. It was such an amazing
experience! Of course, we were a little bit disappointed in the fact
that we couldn't get her number or anything, but we truly believe that
the Lord led us to her and that she needed our help at that time. God
is with us as we go to work everyday. On this day, I felt Him so
close. Missionary work is amazing.
To be short, there were two other people in Tokyo who we met who asked
us if we had met before. We felt a strange familiarity with them as
well and it brought me to tears to think that I really am in the right
place and that no matter what I do, the Lord is with me. He is
directing this work.

A few scriptures from D&C 29:
2 Who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens
under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble
themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer.

4 Verily, I say unto you that ye are chosen out of the world to
declare my gospel with the sound of rejoicing, as with the voice of a
trump.

5 Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your
advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you the
kingdom.

6 And, as it is written--Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being
united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive.

Our investigator, J-----, has quite the story! She is originally from
Bolivia, but is here in Japan because she is in charge of the Bolivian
embassy. She is so busy! Well, everyone here in Tokyo is busy, but she
is especially busy! Sometimes she works close to 17 hour days, and yet
she still reads the Book of Mormon and meets with us when she can.
It's amazing to me. J------ watched conference with us last week and
she loved it! Long story short, she felt the Spirit strong as the
apostles and prophets were speaking and felt that our church was true.
She had been struggling with an answer for a little while, but all of
her questions were answered at general conference. This past weekend,
she told us that she wanted to be baptized with tears in her eyes
saying that she knew by the power of the Holy Ghost that what the
prophets said was true.  She is planning to be baptized on the 14th of
May. We are so excited for her! :) God was so gracious to answer her
prayers. He loves her so much.

D&C 29:7 And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine
elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;

On our way home from church yesterday, we met a 20 year old girl named
Miki K------ on the street! She was carrying a long kendo stick and was
on her way home when we stopped and talked with her. She asked us what
we do as missionaries and we told her that we study with people so
that they can find truth for themselves, explaining that many people
are confused by how many different religions there are. We explained
that through prayer she could know for herself what is right and true.
She said she would love to meet with us. Such a wonderful miracle!! We
are excited for her! :)
She actually called us today to confirm the appointment she made with
us yesterday and told us she was excited to learn more about our
church. Just another tender mercy of the Lord. We as missionaries as
so imperfect, yet the Lord is able to use us to further His work. I
think this is the real miracle. God is really pouring out His
blessings upon our mission. There are so many miracles happening
everywhere. I'm so grateful to be a missionary here in Tokyo.

We were riding our bikes to a less active members house this past week
and were waiting at a stoplight when we saw a woman who looked like
she was from the Philippines. There were cars between us and although
she was on the other side of the road, I felt impressed to call out to
her. I yelled across the busy road and she turned and with a big smile
on her face told us that she would wait by the convenience store so
that we could talk with her. A few minutes later, we finally made it
over to her and she asked us what we wanted. We told her we were
missionaries and that we would like to share a special message with
her. We walked into the convenience store and began to teach her on a
little eating table situated in the store. Her name was Teresa (as in
Mother Teresa because she was the nicest and coolest person ever!
Hehe... She actually was named after mother Teresa though. ;) )
She told us right away that she wanted to continue to meet with us and
she gave us her phone number asking us to call her again so that we
could meet. Such a huge miracle!

In my scripture study lately, I had been reading in Ether. This
morning, what stood out to me is how many times it says the prophets
were sent into the land, but the people rejected them. God gave the
Jaredites so many chances to receive the gospel, but they rejected the
prophets each time, refused to repent, and eventually were destroyed.
I think we are living in a similar world today. If there is anything
we can learn from the Book of Mormon, it is the importance of
listening to the prophets. We see this in many many instances in the
Book of Mormon. Those who obey the prophets are always safe. They know
the signs, what to watch out for, and how to overcome the evils around
them. In this past conference, we received revelation and impressions
from our leaders. Let's make sure we are following their direction and
the impressions we received from the Spirit. I know what they said is
true.

D&C 29:10 For the hour is nigh, and that which was spoken by mine
apostles must be fulfilled; for as they spoke so shall it come to
pass;

God is so merciful and He loves you all so much. We are so blessed to
live in this time preparatory to the second coming of Christ. I love
this gospel. I know it is true. Let's share the gospel while the world
still stands. It is the most important work one can ever do. I know
Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He lives and is with us in
this work.
I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Love always,

Sister Hubbard