Week 29

 Dinner with president and wife in Sado! :)

So, this lady gave us all of these edible flowers. Yep! We ate them. Not too bad, haha.

 I ate blow fish this week. Haha, it was pretty good! Yes, they were licensed and I am still alive. ;)

 Beautiful Sato!

Dear family, 

Vacation sounds like it was a blast! Thanks for telling me all about your adventures on the beach. It sounds like everyone had a wonderful time. :) Whenever I read your emails all I can think about is how blessed we are as a family. I'm so grateful for all of you and for your love and prayers. I feel like even though I'm half way across the world that our relationship as a family has become stronger. 

Well, I really don't now where to start with this email. We've seen so many miracles this week and have experienced so many wonderful things. I'm so amazed at the Lords hand in missionary work, and I'm so grateful to be here in Sado to witness it all.

As a mission, we've started looking to Christmas and setting goals and seeking revelation for what God would have us do for the Jolly season. Similar to other missions, we would like to see a 'White Christmas.' We've made a goal as the Niigata zone to see two baptisms/companionship before Christmas. We all feel really good about this goal and have been fasting and praying to know what we can do to accomplish the Lord's will. Anyway, with all of this happening, I am feeling really excited for Christmas and I think I might be catching the Christmas spirit early this year. :)

Sister Alder and I met an older woman this past week. We explained who we were as missionaries and she invited us into her home. We knelt down at her little table and began to speak with her. This lady, Yamada San, asked us if she could play some music for us using this little instrument that I had never seen before. We agreed and she began singing and playing this bell like instrument. The music was beautiful. I really felt the Spirit as she showed us a part of her heart while playing. While she was singing, I listened carefully to the words that she was singing to see how much I could understand. As I listened, I picked out a rhythm that sounded a little bit like Silent Night. Suddenly, I realized I had received revelation and I reach for my small hymn book in my bag. I opened it to Silent night and asked Yamada San if we could now sing for her. She agreed. Sister Alder and I proceeded to sing Silent Night in Japanese. As we sang, tears filled here eyes and she began to sing with us. It was such a beautiful experience. The room filled with peace and I felt the presence of angels singing as I listened. We concluded singing, and I asked her  if she knew what the song was about. We were able to testify the Savior Jesus Christ and share our testimonies with her. She thanked us for coming over. We left feeling so uplifted and good inside. This woman was probably close to 90 years old, and although she couldn't understand our message very well, she did understand the music and the Spirit that was felt while singing. Such an amazing experience for us to be apart of. :)

This past Tuesday, we had exchanges with the sister training leaders and we saw so many miracles! I was with Sister Lacey and it was so amazing. We've always had a secret wish to be companions, and so it was really neat to spend just one day dendouing together. She's such a good friend to me and I don't think it was by chance that we were finally put into the same zone. Such a tender mercy for me. :) I wish I could tell you more about our day together,  I think I only have time to share a few more things. We had planned to visit Ediku Chan (one of our new investigators) that night and talk to her about baptism. As the day went on, we felt very strongly that we needed to re-exchange so that sister Alder and I could teach Ediku Chan together. Because our original plan was not to be together for the lesson, sister Alder and I didn't have a lot of time to plan for the lesson. We were a little nervous to go into it unprepared. As we road our bikes to her house in the dark, I was praying so hard that it would all go okay and that we would be able to speak to her about baptism and that the Spirit would be strong. After arriving and praying together, I felt impressed to turn to a scripture. We read it before walking up to the door. We read 2 Timothy 1:7-8 

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

After reading it, I felt the Spirit fill my heart and I felt like God had taken the wheel. We walked up the stairs to her apartment building and rang the door bell. She opened the door, and after greeting us, told us that she had read all of the plan of salvation pamphlet that we had given her before. She said that she had one question for us. As she turned to the page to where she had found the question, she asked us, "バプテスマとわ何ですか?" (What is baptism?)We were speechless! I felt like I was in shock for the next 10 minutes. Had she really just brought up e very thing that we prayed so hard to be able to talk to her about? It's was amazing. Such a miracle. We were able to talk to her about baptism and invite her to be baptized. Yesterday she came to church for the first time and she felt the Spirit strong. I weep when I think of the wonders the Lord has been able to work in her life. She prayed for the first time this past week, asking God if everything she had been taught was true. It was so powerful, and I am certain that she will be part of our beautiful white Christmas. We've grown so close these past couple of days, and I feel like I've known her forever. She is the sweetest person ever! :) she is a 20 year old college student who is training to become a nurse. Right now, she is living in Sado for school. The Members in the branch love her and have fellow shipped her so well. We are truly so so blessed. My heart is so full. 

We've really been able to see the Lord's hand working in Sado. I continue to see the little branch here as a ward someday and think of how wonderful it would be for them to have a new church building and to see baptisms this Christmas. If it's God's will, I know it will happen. I love the branch members here so much, and it is so easy to work hard for them everyday. This past weekend, we had president and sister Nagano come to Sado! Sister Alder and I spent the whole day with Sister Nagano dendouing. It was an experience I will never forget. Sister Nagano is an amazing missionary. She served a mission when she was our age, shortly after being baptized a year or two previously. Her parents both said they would disown her if she went on a mission. She went anyway, and saw almost unheard of success in her mission. It was amazing to learn from her all day long and to talk with her. She reminds me so much of Grandma Tess. I couldn't stop taking that as we talked together throughout the day. :) so special. We had interviews with them to weekend as well, and as I spoke to both of them, We received a lot of revelation together. I'm excited to see how our new plans will effect our little island very soon. They came to church yesterday and it was special to have them there. As branch members, we sang for them. Every week after church, we all sing and practice a song together. It's called, "I'll find you my friend" -I think, haha. It's different in Japanese. Anyway, I recently learned the song on the piano so that they don't have to listen to the recording while singing, and it has changed my whole perspective on the work here in Sado. I want to share the lyrics with you all. (English) As You read the lyrics to the song, I want to you picture this little branch of 13 members. There are 4 kids under 12 and a bunch of adults. Everyone in the Branch works so hard to invite their friends to church and to share the gospel. These are the lyrics: 

There was this place called the preexistence, 

Where we lived with our friends so dear, 

A counsel was called and plans were made, 

Free agency is why we're here, 

Our savior said, "please find my lost sheep, and teach them and bring them home." 

I promised my Savior I'd find them, and teach them the way to go. 

I'll go and find you my friend. I'll help you. Our savior's plan is the way. 

Please accept me when I find you, and we'll be back with him someday.

Remember the worth of souls is great in the light and the sight of God 

Look and search and teach His sheep to find the iron rod 

My time has come to teach the gospel, 

There are souls out there who are gold. 

The gospel of Jesus Christ rolls forth and this is what they need to be told, 

and if your joy be great with one soul you have taught and brought unto me,

How great will your heart be exalted, to bring many unto me. 

I'll go and find you my friend. I'll help you. Our savior's plan is the way.

Please accept me when I find you, and we'll be back with him someday.

Remember the worth of souls is great in the light and the sight of God. 

Look and search, and teach his sheep to find the iron rod.

I'll find you there my friend

Before coming on my mission, I always wondered who I may have promised to find and help before this earth life. Now that I've been out for close to 10 months, I think of all the people I've met on my mission and feel the Spirit whisper that they are the people I promised to help. I think of all of the people from before my mission-my friends, family, random people I said hello to or did something for- all of them. Each encounter was not by mistake. It is all apart of our Heavenly Fathers plan. There are no mistakes or chances. God knows who our friends are and where we need to be to help them. He knows us personally and sees the big picture. We are all his Children, and thus brothers and sisters. He loved us all enough to send His perfect, beloved, son Jesus Christ to help us and save us so that we could return to His presence someday. We could never do it by ourselves. I'm so grateful for to gospel and for the way it can expand our hearts and our capacity to love people. I know to church is true and that God is mindful of each of us. His love is always there. I love you all so much! You're always in my prayers. 

I hope you have a wonderful week! 

Love always, 

Sister Hubbard 

Week 28

 The girls we met on the street and gave book of Mormons too. They are referrals for the Niigata Sisters! On my left is sister Yonaha and sister Barbosa- we dendoed together while waiting for our new companions to arrive.

Birthday miracle lady- funny story, I didn't realize I had a picture of her until I was going through my pictures. I caught her in one while I was taking pictures on the boat. Pretty neat miracle. :) 

So, another funny story- before my companion came over and started talking with us, (birthday miracle) she took a panorama of us- how she saw us, haha. So funny! Sister Hubbard in action. 

 The Ferry we take to get to the mainland

 Sister Parker made these for me for breakfast! She's so sweet. :)

This is in Niigata- one of the big soccer stadiums- sorry you can't see it very well. 

Dearest Family, 

Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes! I had a wonderful week, and the 15th was especially wonderful. :) thank you for the Facebook posts and for all of the notes, and letters. I love you all so much. I'm kind of sad that I only get to have one birthday on my mission because the 15th was so full of miracles! 

Okay, so I will tell you a little bit about my new companion! Her name is sister Alder. She is from Utah, but has lived in a million different places, including Guam! (So cool right?!) she is probably one of the sweetest people I have ever met and is really easy going. She is an amazing missionary and she has a lot of faith. We've already seen so many miracles together. I'm cutting her hair tonight! Haha! I'm going to get really good at cutting hair I think, haha. 

Oh, and to answer a question about my last companion- sister Horito was in Sado for 3 transfers which is pretty futsu (usual) for sister Missionaries. 

I think I had one of the best birthday's ever! Let me tell you all about it. So, as I mentioned before, the 15th was my first full day together with sister Alder and we had a zone meeting in the morning. After the meeting we had to get on the boat to travel back to Sado. We saw the most amazing miracle on the boat! It was sister Alder's first time on the boat and so we both went up to the top platform to watch the launch off together. While being on the platform, I noticed a lady standing a few meters away from us who was looking at the scenery. She was probably in her late 40's. I felt a strong impression that we needed to talk with her, and so I began talking with her. Our conversation was pretty casual at first, but she eventually asked why we were going to Sado. We told her that we lived there, and then surprised, she said, "ええ! ビックリした! -Saying she was surprised..(most people are as we are pretty much the only gaijin (foreigners) in Sado) She asked us what we were doing in Sado and we were able to share our testimonies and reasons for coming to Japan. This discussion led to her asking about what we teach people everyday. As we explained, she responded with a question. She asked, "when you first begin teaching people, how do you do it?"(Japanese) She seemed to be a little bit surprised to hear that some Japanese people believed in God and Jesus Christ. When I heard her ask the question, I searched her eyes to see if she was sincere. I really wasn't sure what to say to her in Japanese, but as I looked, I felt a warm peace come over me. I smiled and told her that we always begin by teaching people how to pray. I explained that by learning how to pray, people can know for themselves whether or not God exists and who He is. I told her that I had always been taught about God from my parents, but that it wasn't until I prayed that I knew He loved and cared about me. As I shared about the first time I sincerely prayed to God, I notice her eyes fixed on mine. I promised her that God was aware of her and that she could know for herself of His love and existence. Her eyes glanced to the side of the boat. She looked back at me, tears in her eyes, and nodded her head silently saying yes. I will never forget her smiling face as she said slowly, "ありがとう" .." Arigatou"... "Thank you," first in Japanese twice and then once in English. We were able to teach this woman about the Book of Mormon and offered her one. She gratefully excepted it and promised that she would read it and pray about it. She tried to pay us in gratitude, but we told her we couldn't accept money.( It is a big part of the culture in Japan to give gifts to each other, especially when one has done a huge favor for someone else.) Realizing that she couldn't pay us, she came back about a half hour later with a big bag full of goodies for us. She thanked us once again and we parted. My heart just collapsed for this woman. I love her so much and I hope I can meet her again someday. She lived in Niigata and said that she felt uncomfortable about meeting with the sisters in Niigata, but asked us if she could have our number and promised to study and go to church. This was such an amazing miracle! This was everything that I wanted for my birthday. God really does answer our prayers and listen to the desires of our hearts. He knows everything and it amazes me everyday to see how His hand is in our lives and in the lives of others.

So, do you all remember my investigator in Koiwa named Kouno San? She was baptized yesterday In the Koiwa Ward! I was able to talk to her on the phone and she sounded so happy. Her whole conversion process was such a miracle from the beginning and I can't tell you all how much it means to me to see her take this next step in her life. She is so wonderful. :) God really led her to us and I wish I could retell everything that had led up until this point, but I don't think I have time for that. Such an amazing miracle though! :) 

Well, back home it sounds like there have been a lot of new changes happening in our family. I guess we will all see what's in store in the next chapter of life. It will probably begin soon. :) I would have loved to be there for your testimonies mom and dad. I can picture it in my mind pretty well though. Your testimonies are both so radiant. I still remember times in my life very vividly of you two bearing your testimonies. What a beautiful experience. It sounds like the new bishopric will be wonderful. Also, I hope you all have fun on your trip! You're all going on an airplane! Wow! I bet the little boys are so excited. I love hearing about their new little kitten ;) it also sounds like Jameson and Jarom are kicking butt at soccer! Way to be! You two are your sister's little brothers for sure. ;) haha. I'm so proud of them! 

To answer another question, there aren't too many traditional local foods here. This time of the year, there are lots of persimmons which are so delicious! They are pretty famous in Niigata. The rice here also is very well known. There's lots of fish- they dry them on racks all over the island and so most of the time this place smells like fish. だからThere is way good sushi here! One of my new favorite foods is raw fish! Who would've thought? I certainly didn't... It's way good though. :) 美味しいです! 

This week in dendou, sister Alder and I found 2 new solid investigators in Sado, so that was a huge miracle! We received a referral from one of sister Alder's past areas and we went and visited the woman the other day. I think we will be able to teach her soon which is really exciting! We are going to try and invite one of our investigators to be baptized this next week! Her name is Ediku Chan (I think I mentioned her last week maybe? Week before?) We are really excited about her. She is so sensitive to the Spirit and we think that she is so prepared. 

This next week we have exchanges with sister Yonaha and Sister Lacey from Sanjo. They are our sister Training leaders. I will be with sister Lacey and I am way excited because she was in my MTC district and we came to Japan together. I think we will see a lot of miracles! So excited! 

Also, president Nagano and shimai are coming to Sado this next weekend to interview us and visit our branch. I'm way excited for them to be here too!

Okay, I think I have time to share one last cool experience. So, in Niigata, after sister Horito got on her bus, sister Yonaha and I went to the train station to pick up sister Barbosa. The three of us dendoed together the rest of that day and we saw so many miracles together! We met about 6 girls who were walking on the street and had a really good conversation with them. We were able to give them all Book of Mormon's and direct them to the Niigata shimaitachi (sisters). They were so excited to receive book of Mormons and we read a few verses with them right on the street. I shared Mosiah 4:9 with them: 

9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

After sharing the scripture, the mood in around us changed and we told them that they could all know and feel God's love through reading the Book of Mormon and meeting with the Sister missionaries. We were a little bit surprised when they said that they wanted to know more about the Book of Mormon and said they would be willing to meet with the Niigata sisters. So amazing! The Lord is really pouring His Spirit out on Japan and there are so many prepared people. This week, I've met so many people who have wondered about the reality of God or a supreme creator. As we have shared our simple testimonies with them, they've been able to feel God's love through us. It's an amazing feeling to be able to have the Lord work through me as a missionary. Being a missionary is the most amazing thing I've ever done. I wish I could tell you about everything that happens in the week. God's hand is in our lives. I don't always understand how things happen all the time, or how things are able to work out the way they are, but with the peaceful feeling in my heart, I'm left thinking that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us and knows us. I testify of the love God has for us. It is there. It has the power to change human nature and is the most powerful force in the world. I'm so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and for His love and grace. I'm just so happy. :) 

Thanks again for all the wonderful birthday wishes! 

Love always, 

Sister Hubbard xoxo

Week 27

Dear Family, 

Well, it's been a week full of amazing miracles! I'm not sure where to start with everything. God is really blessing our little Sado island. Sister Horito and I have probably biked close to 70km this past week, and as a result were able to see a lot of the pretty nature here. I feel like I am serving in one of the most beautiful places in the world! The nature here is so breathtaking. There is something so special about serving in a nature filled place. There is definitely a different Spirit to be felt as I love biking on the coast and through all of the beautiful nature. The rice fields are almost all harvested now, and this past week we were able to help someone with their harvesting! It was a really neat experience, and even though the people we served weren't interested in learning about the gospel, we felt really good about helping them. The people here harvest the rice, both by hand and by machine. It's really neat to see people in their rice hats going to work in the rice fields. So neat! I don't know how I'm ever going to leave this place, haha. It's beginning to get a little bit chilly here, but the sun is still shining bright and so Sister Hubbard is a happy camper. :)

Anyway, this past week we had exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders- Sister Yonaha and Sister Howe. I had the opportunity to dendou with Sister Yonaha who is nihongin and doesn't know English. It was so neat for me to be able to be with a Japanese companion all day, speaking Japanese! So fun! We saw so many miracles together! A few days before the exchange, sister Horito and I found a young woman named Ediku Ito San who seemed to have quite a bit of interest in our message. She is a really cute 22yr old college student who lives in Sado by herself. Anyway, sister Yonaha and I felt like we should go and visit her while we were on exchanges. Sister Horito and I were able to give her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet the past time we had met with her, and so our plan was to follow up with that a little bit and see if she had read it. We found out that she had only read a little bit of it, but that she wanted to read the rest of it but had been busy with school lately. Sister Yonaha and I began to simply explain the plan of Salvation to her- how we lived with Heavenly Father before this life, and how we will return to live with him after this life. While we were talking, I felt impressed to share about the car accident that happened in Magrath just after my 16th birthday and about how four of my friends were killed in the accident. The spirit was really strong. What I didn't know then was that her mother had passed away close to a year previously. She had tears in her eyes as we taught her, and I couldn't help but think of how wonderful it must have been for her to hear that she would be able to see her mother again someday. It was such a wonderful experience. I think she really connected with Yonaha Shimai. Everything really does happen for a reason and God's timing is always perfect. I learned so much from Yonaha shimai on exchanges, and I'm so grateful that we were able to share this special experience with her. I'm exciting to continue to teach Ito San as she has all of a sudden become so special to me. There is something special that happens when we are able to learn in the Spirit of the Lord together. It was such a neat experience. As we both walked away from the house, we shared with each other how we both felt that she was so prepared and how we felt we were speaking God's words at her genkan. So amazing! 

We are watching conference this week and I am so excited! Thanks for helping be excited about it and for sharing your favorite talks and insights. I always learn so much from you all. :) 

So, to let you know what happened with the Philippine lady we met last week! Her name is Lovelia (isn't that pretty?) and we were able to see her yesterday! It wasn't quite what we were expecting as she told us that she had left the Christian church and stopped believing in God. We were pretty shocked to hear that as she asked us to come over on the phone last week. We were truly led to her by and through the Spirit and so we are not going to give up on her though! 

We marked a bunch of scriptures that testify powerfully about God and left her another note with a Tagalog Book of Mormon. She's special and she needs the gospel in her life! ... She just doesn't know it yet, haha. She really is a sweet mother though and we were able to meet her neighbors who are also Philippingin which was really neat. I guess we will see what happens with her as time goes on. God works in mysterious ways. 

President and Sister Nagano are coming to visit Sado from the 23-25 and so we are really excited for that! I think they will have some really specific instruction for us and the Sado branch  when they speak to us. I'm excited to hear from the both and to be interviewed by them. Something I really admire about both of them is how strongly United they are. They do everything together and they know all of the missionaries so so well. I feel very close with both of them and so I'm so excited to have them come to the island. :) 

I can't help but think that there is something wonderful about to happen here in Sado. I feel it so strongly and it gives me so much motivation to work hard everyday. We just have to trust in God's timing and follow the Spirit. I know that as we do our best to do the things that we have been asked to do that we are given extra power and strength to do them. Then, with the Lord's help, we are able to do things and work miracles by His Spirit. In doctrine covenants 138:17 it says: 

17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

Sometimes in our lives, we reach a point where we feel like the road we were walking on has disappeared, or that we have lost our way somehow. These times are always difficult, but I've heard before that sometimes we have to struggle in the dark for a little while before we become humble enough to recognize the light for what it truly is, and forever will be. I love this scripture because it directs us to simply do everything we can, and then "stand still and see the salvation of God." God promises to make up the difference when we try our best to do His will. God can multiply our efforts by hundreds and thousands. He really doesn't need missionaries to further His work, but He allows us to serve Him because we have desires to and it is such a blessing to be able to feel His love through this work. This Gospel is true. It is the Lord's restored church and it is back on the earth with its fullness and power. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and he did see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is true, and was translated by the gift and power of God. We can feel God's love through reading that sacred book and receive direction by living by its principles. Just like in other dispensations of time, we have have a living prophet who leads and guides us today in the church. Jesus Christ is the Savior and redeemer of the world. He has redeemed us from Sin and made it possible for us to return to our Heavenly Father. We, by ourselves, could never return to God's presence because we are imperfect and always make mistakes. The fact the He, Jesus Christ, would suffer and die for me, an imperfect person, is beyond all of my understanding.. But because he did, I know I am greatly loved and that I can truly return to my Heavenly Father. I can't express my gratitude enough for my Savior Jesus Christ. 

Love always, 

Sister Hubbard 

 Sister Horito at the end of a path we took on the island

 A sweet girl in their branch...half philippingin

 Some curry Sister Hubbard ate last week

 Sister Hubbard and Sister Horito "heart attacked their branch president and his wife :)

 Sado pictures

In Sado, the beaches are so pretty 

Week 26 on the island of Sado

 Sister Horito and Sister Hubbard...boat ride to zone conference on the main island...silly girls...happy they have a sense of humor and are having fun!

 Some recent converts in Sado

 On boat ride eating Onigiri (rice ball stuff, Janae's is wrapped in seaweed and Sister Horito's is not)

 Being silly for us on their boat ride to zone conference and back

 The church building they attend in Sado. If they are able to get 20 people to church every week, they can get a new building..it's one of their goals...

 Sado

 Zone P-Day

 Example of some of the Sado Bin language used on the island...she said her dad could understand..(Daryn could read some of it)

 They are harvesting rice right now on the island..she said it smells so good!

 Zone Conference last week

 Eating Onigiri on the boat

 Some beautiful pictures of Sado

 Sister Hubbard and Sister Horito ride bikes to their appointments

Picture with President Whiting

Here is a short letter Janae's companion sent to me this week:

Hello sister hubbards mom!
This is sister hubbards companion, Horito shimai! :D I just wanted to
write you and tell you how great your daughter is. She really is the
best! I'm almost done with my mission and to be honest, sometimes I
am so tired but sister Hubbard does not let me slow down for a minute.
She is so awesome and such a great example to me. I really look up to
her so much. Her love for others is so contagious. The branch here
loves her so much. (She's so easy to love) she talks so much about
your family and so now someday I just need to meet all of you because
you all sound so great and funny! And I heard that Jarom and Jameson
are really smart. They have taught me a lot too... Sister Hubbard will
tell me something really cool and I ask where she learned it and she
says from them. Haha!
Anyway,you are all great I'm excited to meet you all someday! Have. A
great week and I LOVE YOUR DAUGHTER SO SO MUCH SHE'S SO GREAT AND HAS
THE CUTEST HEAD EVER!
Love, sister Horito

Here is Sister Hubbard's letter this week:

Dear family, 

Thank you for your letters! I loved reading about Jarom's new little kitten ;) ... Mom, it sounds like you have had a change of heart as far as cats and kittens are concerned.  あぶないでよ, haha. I'm sure Jameson and Jarom are so happy you are letting them keep the kitten in the green house. Sounds like an adventure to me! :)

Well, can you all believe that I am almost at my half way mark?? I can't! The thought of it really scares me... My mission is going way too fast! I'm praying hard that they will announce that Sisters can extend to two years at General conference coming soon, haha. Wouldn't that be wonderful? I guess we'll see what happens! I think it will be really neat to see who is called as new Apostles soon. So exciting! 

Well, I have some exciting news!! Do you all remember the family who I would always talk about in Koiwa that we were teaching? They were baptized yesterday in the Koiwa Ward!! I was able to skype with them a little bit and it was so special. :) I will send pictures. It warmed my heart so much to see them before they were baptized. They were glowing with God's love and light and it was so special. You really can't explain these experiences with words and I'm learning that more and more as I am here. The fruits of the gospel are so beautiful in every way. 

We saw some really cool miracles on Sado this past week! Sister Horito and I have been trying to do everything we can to be more open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We have already seen so much success as we have tried to give ourselves more to the Lord and act in faith. 

On Saturday, we met with the Makise fufu (senior missionaries for Niigata stake) and visited some of people in our area book who live father away because the Makise's have a car. We were able to meet with an investigator that the sisters haven't met with for a long time, which was a big miracle! After we had finished dendouing with them, we decided to walk home from our previous destination and try and find some prepared people. We felt impressed to stop at an apartment building on our way back. As we approached the building, we noticed a mother who seemed to be really busy working in her house. She had been taking boxes up to her apparent and it sounded like she had a lot of unpacking to do. Sister Horito and I both felt like this was a huge opportunity for us to try and help her. After praying, being as excited as we were, we rushed to go and ask her if we could help her! She told us that she didn't need any help and that she was busy... We could hardly believe our ears! It looked like she had so much to do and we really felt like the Lord had prepared her for us, yet she was refusing to let us help. We decided to write her a note and tell her what we were thinking. In the note, we wrote about how we felt. We said we felt that God wanted us to stop at her house and talk with her. Some of the note was in English because this woman was from the Philippines. We wrote our number on the card and Left it in her mail box. While leaving the apartment, we felt at peace about what had happened and went on our way. The next morning, we were a little bit surprised when she called us! She asked us if we were the ones who wrote the note to her. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude and we were able to set up an appointment with her for next Sunday. We are hoping that we can begin to teach her and her family really soon. Such a Miracle. :) 

We have a young girl named Eri Chan who we have befriended and are working with. Her family used to be progressing investigators and then something happened between one of our members and their family which has made the situation very difficult. Eri chan loves meeting with us and would like to join our church, but her parents will not allow her to be baptized. It's really sad, but we still enjoy meeting with her and hearing her young testimony. I think she will be a huge influence on her family someday as she continues to push forward and learn about the Gospel. 

We were able to find some new investigators this past week, which was such an amazing blessing! God is really helping us in this area. I think there are some big things ahead for our little branch of 13 members. :) I'm excited for the opportunity to continue to love and serve them. They are all so amazing! Some of them live close to 2 hours away from the church on the other side of the island, yet they come to church every single week. Another member picks up an older member who lives on the opposite side of the island as he does, and drives miles in the opposite direction so that this member can come so church. Outstanding! They are all so amazing. 

Because there are only 13 members in the branch, the missionaries teach Gospel Principles class and speak all the time in sacrament meeting. I spoke last week and it was so fun. :) 

No one can play the piano on the ward, and so I have been playing for sacrament meeting since I got here. There are a couple of people in the Ward who want to learn how to play the piano and so I think I will be teaching some of them. So exciting! :) 

So, I realized last week that I haven't told you much about sister Horito. She is from Las Vegas, and is really awesome! She is on her 10th transfer and is so fun all the time. She is a go-getter and is a fabulous missionary! She is very sensitive to the Spirit, and I am so blessed to have her. We have seen a lot of really neat things together, and I'm sure we will continue to see the many miracles God has in store for this beautiful Island. :) 

Alright, back to some of our investigators...We are teaching a woman named Yamada San who just decided that she would like to be baptized! Because she just had a baby, we do not have a date for her yet, but as she recovers we are hoping to set a date with her. She's really awesome and her baby is so cute!! I think I've said it before, but Asian children are my new favorite! I love them so much! They are just the cutest! Today, on our way to the church, there were all of these little kids playing at a park. As we passed by, one of them said to the others-"Eigo no hito iru!!!" They all yelled "hallo" (There is no"L" sound in Japanese so is sounds like "harro" )  in their little Japanese accents, haha. So cute! They were all probably around 4-5 years old and their mothers just laughed as we passed by waving. 

We met some more Nichiren this week and were able to teach them again. I've learned that in order to understand where they are coming from, that I need to know their culture and religion a little better. So, I've been studying a lot of Buddhism lately. I remembered a lot about Buddhism from being in seminary and studying about different world religions. Shout out to brother Blackwell! I'm really grateful that I was able to learn about the Buddhist faith before my mission as it has helped me so much being here in Japan. I still have lots to learn though...

It's amazing to me how many similarities there are between our faiths. It's made me wonder more about the great apostasy and how things became so mixed up, resulting in so many other faiths with similar doctrine and beliefs. The figure worshipped as "Buddha" , and the story behind how he became Buddha is so similar to Jesus Christ's life's story which is so amazing to me! Studying their faith has given me greater respect for their culture and has also helped me to strengthen my own testimony in Jesus Christ. I can't really describe how neat this experience has been, but it's been really really cool. 

I feel like my Japanese has really picked up again this transfer! I always find myself saying things I've never said before, and I am so grateful for the gift of tongues. It is so real! It's was real before, but now that I have experienced it, it is so so real to me. I'm so grateful for the Lord's tender mercies and for His love. He really does know us personally and allows us to struggle and learn so that we can grow, but then strengthens us along the way. :) He's always there. I've started reading the Book of Mormon in Japanese this transfer and its really fun! I've heard before that if you read the whole Book of Mormon in another language that you can become perapera in that language. (Speak that language fluently)  頑張りたいです. Even though I can't speak perfectly all the time, I've really learned that our mouths can be filled as we trust in God. I've experienced this time and time again. It's amazing! 

Anyway, I'm out of time! I love you all so much. Thank you for everything! 

Love always,  

Sister Hubbard