October 13th, 2014

In the ward, but not of the ward

Yesterday we had a really good lesson in Relief Society on being in the world but not of the world. As missionaries we obviously are pretty protected from being 'of the world', and it really helped me to realize how amazing we really do have it! So sister Myers and I decided to apply the lesson to ourselves in a different way and this is what we came up with- In the ward, but not of the ward :) Let me tell ya, the struggle is real! Its really hard sometimes! There's a very fine line being in a singles ward with being unified with them, and being a little too unprofessional with them haha. So we now have a little friendly reminder that we aren't one of them and its not okay to just go hang out with them cause we want to :)

As I realized how protected we are from the world as missionaries, it made me think of the way I want to live my life when I come home and am thrown back into the 'real world'. I know that satan is going to work hard on me because I can feel it already! So I am making the decision now to not break the habits that are so easy to break when missionaries return home. I have learned that it truly is all about the basics! I think we sometimes think its more difficult than that, and we try to complicate everything- when really the simple daily tasks are the most important and actually vital to who we are and will become! Daily prayer & scripture study, weekly partaking of the sacrament, and going to the temple as often as we can are the things that are going to protect us from this world. Make these a priorty in your lives! Its what makes all the difference. I love this quote from Joseph Fielding Smith:

"A member of the Church once said that he could not quite understand when he paid his tithing and kept the Word of Wisdom, was prayerful, and tried to be obedient to all the commandments the Lord had given him, and yet he had to struggle to make a living; while his neighbor violated the Sabbath day, I suppose he smoked and drank; he had what the world would call a good time, he paid no attention to the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and yet he prospered.

You know, we have a great many members of the Church that ponder that over in their hearts and wonder why. Why this man seems to be blessed with all the good things of the earth—incidentally, many of the bad things that he thinks are good—and yet so many members of the Church are struggling, laboring diligently to try to make their way through the world.

The answer is a simple thing. If I sometimes, and once in a while I do, go to a football game or a baseball game or some other place of amusement, invariably I will be surrounded by men and women who are puffing on cigarets or cigars or dirty pipes. It gets very annoying, and I get a little disturbed. I will turn to Sister Smith, and I will say something to her, and she will say, “Well, now, you know what you have taught me. You are in their world. This is their world.” And that sort of brings me back to my senses. Yes, we are in their world, but we do not have to be of it.

So, as this is their world we are living in, they prosper, but, my good brethren and sisters, their world is coming to its end. …

The day will come when we will not have this world. It will be changed. We will get a better world. We will get one that is righteous, because when Christ comes, he will cleanse the earth."

A miracle happened and Ericka got baptized!! We met with her on Thursday and Friday, and she just didn't seem to be herself. We knew something was wrong and she opened up to us & told us about all of the opposition she was getting from her family. She was really struggling with it, but still wanted to go through with her baptism! So then on Saturday morning, the day of her baptism, she sent us a text saying that she couldn't go through with it anymore. Sister Myers and I were out contacting and we both just froze. Then kinda started freaking out a little bit and had no idea what to do! So we called our ward mission leader, James, and asked him what we should do. Let me tell you a little about James- that man has more faith than anyone I know. I admire that so much about him. Anyone he meets, he just assumes that they want to hear about the gospel and get baptized. And most of them actually do! So we were telling him all that was going on, and not even for one second did he think that she actually wouldn't get baptized. He told us that we needed to go talk to her and reassure her of her decision, and before we hung up the phone he was like, "alright well I'll see y'all tonight at the baptism!". If that's not some serious faith then I dont know what is! I knew we needed to stop doubting and have that same mentality as he did. So we went by Ericka's work and she came over and started talking to us, and told us that her family said that they would pretty much disown her if she got baptized. She just couldn't take it anymore so she gave up. Just the day before I had read a speech by Elder Holland called 'Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence' which talks all about the opposition and doubt that satan throws at us when making important decisions. We were able to share part of that talk with her, and help her to remember why she made the decision to be baptized and the spirit was able to testify to her of the love her HF has for her. She was just crying and told us that she knew this is what she needed to do and was instantly her happy self again! Her baptism was absolutely amazing. She came up out of the water & of course threw up the peace sign haha. She said she felt so clean and like a whole new person! After she was confirmed yesterday in sacrament meeting, she turned to everyone and said "It's official yall!" There's Ericka for ya :) Heavenly Father is already blessing her so much for her faith & diligence. Her families hearts already seem to be softened and things are better than they were before! She has an even brighter light about her, and she is setting that example for them and for those all around her! We are just so proud of her. She is way stronger than I could ever be!
I love yall so much, and I am especially grateful this week for my amazing family & friends who support me and are always there for me. Its something I have taken for granted way too much! I am such a lucky girl!
Hope yall have a great week!

xoxo sister huber

October 6th, 2014

Another blink of an eye and its Monday again!!

I am so grateful for the spiritually upliftng week that HF gave to me. It was definitely a different week than most, but one of my most favorites :) 

I'm sad to say that I wasn't even in my area all week!! Sister Myers had to hold down the fort for us, but lots of amazing things happened!

Tuesday we had MLC which is one of the most spiritual meetings in the whole world! I was with Sister Maughan for the day who is the other STL in the zone. The ZL's and us then planned zone meeting- which ended up being one of the best zone meetings I've had my whole mission! And it wasn't because of us. It was because of our AMAZING zone :) So a little history on the Cypress Zone- it has been known as the a-pos zone of the mission. Tons of disobedience, and the least successful. It's also the biggest zone out of them all. Well President came in and did what he does best and let me tell you- this zone is not that zone anymore!! I felt like we had a giant heart to heart and created the unity that its always been missing. We all set goals together for October and November and we are going to reach those goals!! We are doing a big zone fast this week, and striving to put all of our faith in the Lord so that He can help us to accomplish these things :)

We also had interviews with President this week. Us and the Zone Leaders had to present trainings during the interview sessions, which were all from chapter 8 in PMG. We talked about setting goals, planning, and accountability. Things that we are all still trying to improve ourselves in! And also very important things to master, because they will play a huge part in our lives when we return home. I seem to always forget the things I've learned on my mission and don't directly apply the exact same steps to my personal life! In my interview president was asking me about my plans for when I go home, and I told him I try not to think about it because I don't want to lose my focus here, and he stopped me and called me to repentance haha. He asked me what I've learned about the importance of planning on my mission, and then said how I need to be applying that and be planning for the next phase of my life. It freaks me out so much!! So during conference this week I was really searching for answers to how I can remain strong when I get home and continue to progress myself from the person my mission has helped me to become! I think a lot of missionaries get kinda indenial when they are about to go home & so when the time comes they have a really hard time with it, and I don't want to be that way. I want to work as hard as I can while I'm still here and know that I have accomplished everything the Lord has sent me to Houston to do, so that I can go home in confidence, and be ready & excited for whats to come :)

There's lots of work cut out for us this week! President laid down the law and is really crackin his whip haha. Can I just tell you how much I love President Mortensen? He knows how to do work! 

He told us that if we don't have a baptism date with each investigator by the second lesson, then we are wasting our time and we need to be dropping them. THE SECOND LESSON! Our mission is finding more people to teach than any other surrounding mission. But unfortuantely, thats not exactly a good thing! Because we aren't as effective when we find them. We are having to find around 10 people to get 1 baptism, where most missions when they find 10 people, get 8 baptisms. He had a conference call last night with all of the STL's and told us that the main reason for this is because we are lacking in faith and not being bold in committing people. 

So this week when we meet with each investigator we have to extend a commitment to them, and if they say no, then we have to drop them. Sister Myers and I feel really good about it though and really think that most of our investigators are ready for it! Pray for lots of miracles this week!!! 

Ericka is getting baptized on Saturday! We currently have no idea where... cause there are zero buildings available so this is going to take a miracle in itself! She loved conference yesterday and it was really good for her and strengthened her testimony of Joseph Smith and President Monson :) 

I don't think there was one talk all of conference that I didn't need to hear! For real each one of them was an answer to prayer. Jorg Klebingat's was absolutely amazing and if you didn't hear it then you have to go back and read it! I also loved loved loved Elder Scott and Elder Godoy's. I also just realized this but I think I loved them so much because they were all right to the point and tell us exactly the things that we need to be doing. I love it! 

I hope that we will all go back and study the counsel that was given to us by our dear prophets and apostles :) I know that I still have so much more to learn from their messages and as long as we follow their guidance, we will never be led astray! 

I love y'all so much and am so grateful for you!!

Have a fabulous week!!

xoxo

sister huber

taylor & her darling puppy

exchanges with Sister Stepp! Let me tell you- this girl is the sweetest girl you will ever meet. I hope one day I can be like her. Such a Christlike person :) such a great day and ended with finding a GOLDEN FAMILY for them to teach :) exchanges bring miracles!!

September 29th, 2014

I seriously wish I could tell y'all everything that happened this week because it was just TOO good! 

How many absolutely crazy investigators can one companionship have?! Cause I'm sure we have the record over here. R... the prophet, M... the communist, and A... the atheist. Just to name a few.

We had a 3 HOUR long lesson with A... this week. Kinda a mix between the restoration and plan of salvation. He is crazy smart that kid. He is a biblical history major so he was really testing our knowledge haha. At the end of the lesson he kept saying that if he believed in God that he would be a mormon. And how badly he wants to be a mormon cause he loves everyone at church and would want to raise a family in a church like ours. But that he just doesn't believe in God. But then he would talk to us about God and things that God has done like he believes in him. Its so strange. He read the Book of Mormon in an entire day! But like refuses to pray. What do you do with an investigator who loves the BOM and loves coming to church each week and wants to be baptized a mormon but just 'doesnt believe' in God?! I'm at a loss haha.

M... claimed to be atheist when we first started teaching him and look at how far he's come! 

He decided to go back to his "goth days" so thats been fun to see haha. He reps his communist attire at every lesson. He is just a one of a kind. We had to move his baptism date back because he didn't come to church yesterday! But he is really excited for the change and the new start for his life :)

R... R is pretty solid actually. He is like your dream investigator and keeps every committment you leave with him. He believes in everything that we've taught him EXCEPT the fact that there is only one prophet on the earth. He thinks that he is one. And I get really frustrated sometimes because he always has really good arguments and I just never know what to say to him! We're hoping that conference this weekend will really help him to see President Monson as God's prophet on the earth today! 

E... got up and bore her testimony at church yesterday and announced her baptism date to everyone! She is just the cutest person in the world. Her dad still calls her wife #7 whenever he talks to her, but she takes it like a champ! I am just so proud of her. We are so excited for the 11th!! :) 

BEST NEWS OF THE WEEK :):) So remember Rob? He was one of the first baptisms I had in my first area. Well- he and his wife reached out to me and told me that they are going to get sealed in the temple next month!!! Them and their 2 sweet little boys :) They invited me to come and be apart of their special day and words cannot describe my excitement! I still remember Sister Prewitt after we set Rob's baptism date, with tears in her eyes telling us how all of her dreams are finally coming true, and that she will finally be able to be sealed to her family, and be married to a worthy priesthood holder. That is what this gospel is about! Its about bringing families together eternally. And that right there, is why I LOVE being a missionary :) 

I feel each of your prayers every single day! I love you all so much and know that the Lord is watching out for each one of you! Have the best week this week! MISS Y'ALL!!!!

xoxo

sister huber 

s/o to the horne family!

exchanges :) being on a bike is the best thing ever! for real haha

September 22nd, 2014

Hey Everyone!!!

I don't think its possible for life to be as great as it is right now! Like for real. This girl is on cloud 9. And I don't even know why! Heavenly Father is TOO good to us here :) So many blessings each and every day!

President has asked us to only be on the computers for an hour now, so these emails may be getting shorter and shorter! I will do my best though :) 

AMAZING week here in H-town :)

E... set a baptism date! October 11th :) We are so excited for her!! She bore her testimony to us on Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. That girl is amazing. She has been having a lot of opposition, and her family is not pleased one bit. But she knows that its true and she isn't letting anything get in her way! I'm always so amazed at the strength of these people! 

We got 4 new investigators this week that we are really excited about! They all seem really solid :) 

T...- who we met in a parking lot back when sister loo was here. He took us to lunch this week and besides the fact it felt like a double date, it was great!

A...- the silver pines sisters tracted into him and he has been coming to the singles ward and to FHE! He says he has a list of questions for us for our next visit. We're feeling the anti vibe- but he wants to know the truth so thats a good sign! He's the nicest guy you'll ever meet. 

C...- We met him on campus and talked to him and his friend about family history. Sister myers and another sister did family history with him this week when I was on exchanges. Family history is really doing us well here! Who woulda guessed?!

X...- Tracted into him. A little flirtatious. May be meeting with us with no real interest in the gospel! Still trying to figure this guy out haha. The struggle is real sometimes! We drop tons of investigators because of this issue. Pray that president will put elders in our ward haha

A..., one of my old investigators from the woodlands moved down to our area in Katy!! We were able to meet with her this week which was so fun! 

We had stake conference yesterday, and Isaaclyn spoke at it! We had no idea because she didn't even tell us! So she just got up there and gave an amazing talk that just blew everyone away. That girl has only been baptized for 3 months and you would have thought she was a member her whole life. My recent converts are showing me up and its kinda embarrassing! President and Sister Mortensen spoke at is as well, and also the temple president and his wife. It was definitely a highlight of the week! 

Last night was the first Mission President's Fireside. President is doing them each month, every time in a different stake. He started here in the cypress stake, and there were over 300 people that came! Its an opportunity for missionaries and members to invite investigators/their non member friends & family. There was a missionary choir, musical numbers, recent convert testimonies, and a message from the mortensens. It was such an amazing experience! I think it got half of us all crying. There were definitely spirits from the other side in that room and we could feel their presence very strongly! Sister Chappell was talking to us missionaries before it started, and she said that she got a strong impression that our kids were all looking down on us and that they were there with us at that time. I don't think I would have traded that moment for the world! 

This work is true! Its the most amazing work anyone could ever be doing :) 

This gospel changes us and it should continue to change us every single day! As we receive more light into our lives, our smiles become bigger and we become happier :) Let it change you!!

Lots to look forward to this week! Not to mention we get to go see MEET THE MORMONS as a mission this week! SO stoked. 

Love you all so much!

xoxo

sister huber 

September 15th, 2014

Huddle for Jesus Christ

Awkward moment for the week: (well, theres lots of those. but we'll go with this one)

So Sister Myers and I were contacting people on campus one day, and we walk around this corner to the football team having their practice. They were the only people that direction, so we didn't know if it was awkward to turn around and walk the opposite direction or just keep walking past them. In my head I was having this conflict like, do we talk to them? Do we put our heads down and hope they don't see us? we just didnt know what to do! so we just kept walking and as we're walking past, one of the players came up to us and just started talking to us so we told him who we were and what we were doing and he turns around and calls the WHOLE TEAM over to come and listen. So here we are, 2 little innocent looking girls with skirts on and scriptures in our hands in front of this huge team of dudes. We have been encouraged lately to find through family history, so we started talking (pretty much yelling so they all could hear) about their families. About 75% of them started talking about their moms and how much they love their moms so that was pretty funny. Really cute & sweet, but so hilarious at the same time! So then at the end when we were wrapping up talking to them, one of them says, 'alright lets break with a huddle!' We all huddle and sister myers and I are just beside ourselves haha and all of a sudden they yell "JESUS CHRIST ON 3!". I hope it wasn't disrespectful to huddle for Jesus but ya know, it could be worse I guess! 

We had a leadership training with President this week, and of course it was absolutely amazing! Definitely a highlight this week. President is one of the greatest people on earth! 

He talked to us about our roles as leaders, and he talked to us about the importance of leading by example & love. Our role is to help other missionaries realize their divine nature, and he said once they understand who they really are, they will be able to reach their full potential. He also talked a lot about our humility and faith in the lord, and how we have to turn to Him to ask Him what to do and how to do it. He said our prayers are going to be longer than they've ever been before, and we will be fasting more than we have been in the past! "There are fewer things that show your knowledge of your own nothingness to the lord, than fasting". I know from my own experiences that this is so true! 

He wants us to really get involved with not just every companionship in the zone, but every missionary as individuals. He is having us get so involved that I feel like I'm over 8 areas and not just 1! But I have already learned so many lessons that I know I will need in the future. The Lord is preparing me and blessing me in SO many ways! I seriously feel so blessed by Him. 

The work is going great and as always, there is almost too much going on! But I love it and wouldn't have it any other way! Got a couple investigators who have baptism dates and pray that we can commit E... this week!!

I love you all so much! I feel your prayers every single day :)

xoxo

sister huber 

Sister Huber and Sister Myers

September 8th, 2014

Hey Everyone!!

Its been a hectic week to say the least, but also a really great one! And like always, we saw so many miracles!!

President Mortensen has called me to be a Sister Training Leader :) When he called on Monday night and talked to me about it, I literally felt a huge burden on my shoulders. I don't even know why! My stress levels probably aren't healthy for me right now haha. But I'm a stress case so what do ya do?! He has put so much stress on mission leaders, and has really been emphasizing our role and responsibilities in helping carry out this mission. We have the biggest zone in the mission, and there are 8 sister companionships that I will be over. He wants us as STL's to go on exchanges with each companionship every transfer, and also do companion studies with them at least a couple times a week & report back to him on it all! Its been so fun to be able to work so closely with other missionaries and I'm just so excited to be able to have this experience! 

My new companion is Sister Myers. Its already a great companionship :) she's seriously the cutest thing! We have a little too much fun together sometimes :) I couldn't ask for a better one! She's from South Jordan, and has been out for 11 months. Its going to be quite the trip trying to keep all of the boys in the ward away from her haha #singleswardprobs 

We have been working on the LoneStar college campus a lot recently now that school has started. We have a LDSSA club on campus that is starting next week! In the past it has been an amazing finding tool- because all of the YSA's around here go there!! So we try to spend as much time as we can up there. 

We met this girl named E... this past week. She immediately just opened up to us about her life and her upbringing, and the whole time I was just thinking this girl NEEDS the gospel. Everyone needs it. But she really NEEDS it. ya know? 

Her mom passed away when she was just 2 years old, and so her whole life its just been her and her brother, and her dad who is abusive. She doesn't really have any good friends around and she said she has just felt empty her whole life. She came to church yesterday and was just glowing :)  We were really surprised to see her open up so quickly to the ward! I like to baby my investigators a lot and make sure they are always right by us and feeling comfortable haha- but one of the members was so awesome and just took her in and so all of church yesterday we tried to not feel awkward not always being by our investigator! We are teaching her the plan of salvation tonight and feel like she's ready for a baptism date :) 

All of our male RC have the priesthood now, and have been blessing & passing the sacrament!

David passed the sacrament for his first time, and it was probably the sweetest thing I have ever seen. Instead of holding the tray by the handle with one of his hands, he had both of his hands underneath the bottom of the tray while carrying it around. He was so nervous and you could tell he was just trying to be so careful with it! It really made me stop and think though about how sacred the sacrament really is, and how we should all treat it that reverently and carefully. Its easy to get into the routine of it, and I think its easy to forget just how sacred it really is, and its true importance. I'm striving to treat the sacrament just as carefully as David did :) I will never forget that sacrament meeting!

I love you all so much! 

Trunky moment of the week: When the mission office calls you telling you they're BOOKING YOUR FLIGHT HOME! It happened. I'm kinda freaking out a little. 

I think President was inspired in knowing I needed a little extra responsibility around here to keep me going strong! haha. Dont let me get trunky y'all! Its a real thing! 

But really, I love this work more than anything in this world! And I think I'm trying to hide my real emotions because its going to take everything in me to be able to even step on that plane leaving Houston. So thats why we just dont even think about it! :)

There's just still so much to do :)

Love you!

Have the best week ever! 

xoxo sister huber

best comp ever :) miss her so much already!

me & sister lambright- Kim this is for you! show it to her sister :) we defs talk about you both all the time!

September 1st, 2014

Soooo my dear sister loo hoo is getting transferred :( we're both really sad and don't want new companions! But it was definitely time. There's been too much smooth sailin around here :) She's freaking out about having to go to a family ward haha. Whenever we go on exchanges in family wards its always so weird for us! I'm actually really glad though that I don't have to go back to that because I'm pretty sure I would go crazy! A young family came to listen to a talk in the YSA ward yesterday and hearing their crying child really threw me off. There's nothing I love more than a silent sacrament meeting :) 

Our GREAT news for the week- M... set a baptism date for himself! October 10th :) We had a really good lesson with him this week, and at the end he said the most amazing prayer I think I have EVER heard anyone give. The progress he's made is still mind blowing to us. 

We've randomly had tons of progress with some past investigators that we've dropped. I guess thats the key to getting them! N... came to institute on tuesday and loved it! She says she wants to come every week! She made some good friends there as well which is good for her :) B... out of nowhere came to church yesterday!! We haven't even talked to him in forever! It was even his birthday :) How crazy is that?! And we met with a few others as well that we had pretty much given up on, but now they wanna come back :) Miracles!!! 

And we even got some new guys to teach. I'll tell y'all about E.... E... came up to us while we were at a park teaching M.... He had a mug full of something alcoholic and was a little bit tipsy... He started taking matters into his own hands and decided that he wanted to lead the discussion himself haha. But then stopped and goes "Oh, is this his session?! (pointing at miguel) I'm sorry I'm sorry. Can I have a session? Life is just so great. its a beautiful day, I'm here with some beautiful ladies, talking about our beautiful lord and savior. What could be better than that?!" 

I'm glad most of my comps have been from outside of utah and know how to deal with drunk people because I just sit there and have no idea what to do haha. Its like a whole new world to me. Houston has taught me way more than just the gospel :) 

The good news is, E... was sober when he came to church yesterday. He actually came to church yesterday!! We've got our work cut out for us but it'll be good!

I'm so excited about this next transfer and I know that there is lots in store! 

Love you all TONS!!!

xoxo sister huber 

ps- its not allowed to send sister huber any more junk to eat! sister loo and I are having a diet competition from now til I go home :) Its been a problem having 2 poly comps in a row haha. I'm gonna need all the help I can get! #fatsistermissionaryprobs

** I got a wonderful letter from her Bishop in the YSA ward this morning and I am posting it here:

Hi Sister Horne.  It has been our fortune to have your daughter serving for a few months in our YSA ward as one of our full time missionaries.  Together with Sister Loo, 8 people have been baptized.

They are the best missionaries I have ever seen.  They are kind, thoughtful and hard working.  We have taken them a few times to Pappasitos, the best TexMex in the world, so they can enjoy fajitas.

More importantly, your daughter is an incredible person, a great reflection of her parents!  She has a wonderful glow and a sweet innocence.  She has touched our lives as well as the investigators she has befriended.

My wife and I know the sacrifice that missionaries make, along with their families.  Thank you for raising such a wonderful daughter, and for sharing her.  She has touched and will touch even more people on her mission.  She will come home having served well and helping her fellow man.  She will be more prepared for the future and the wonderful wife and mother she will be.

Thank you for your sacrifice that has been our great fortune!  :)

Best regards,
Bishop Rick Wallace

My transportation for the day :)

Beautiful Sunday evening

Top Golf with the crew!