4/29

Well friends and family here's the latest and last from North Pole:

I'm leaving Fairbanks tomorrow morning and flying into Anchorage and then driving into Wasilla where I will serve in Settlers Bay! I've heard nothing but good things about the area!

Earlier this week Elder Hawkins and I went back to Mike, the guy that gave me the gold tie clip and the silver money clip. Well...he told me that I need to go visit a lady named Amanda Gray who lives in Settlers Bay. This is surprising, since that was before I knew I was going to Settlers Bay, so he pretty much predicted that I was going to Settlers Bay!

This week has been a amazing, I feel like it's been hyper focused on families and why in the Church of Jesus Christ they are so important. Most people we meet when they ask a question about our Faith they usually ask something along the lines of why families are so important, or they say they appreciate the focus we put on family. Usually, my answer is "yeah its pretty cool" or that "families are important because its how a child is best supported and can best learn and grow while being able to feel how much our Father in Heaven loves us." Which is a good answer. However, this week I've come to realize that really... it's because in our Church we believe that a family can be sealed for all eternity through the power of the priesthood. And that principal connects all our doctrine and is the reason for all of what we do in our Church. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father put us in families and I know that families are forever.

Love and miss you ALL!

Elder Hubbard

Sidenote from Me...I hope his next companion is better at taking pictures! 🤣🤣🤣 I would love to have a few more of people.

4/22

This Easter week was just incredible! I studied the life of Christ each morning and what he did each day this week leading up to His Resurrection on Sunday, from Him going into Jerusalem, Cleansing the temple, Teaching, The Passover and Suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, then His Trial, Crucifixion, and burial on Friday and then He lied in the tomb until Sunday when He was Resurrected. I feel closer to Him than I have ever been before as I studied and put my soul focus on what is so important about Jesus Christ's last week of life here on Earth. And this scripture yesterday hit me so hard, "1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." If Christ had not rised, we would not see our loved ones again, I would never see my family again. And I would die and not be reunited with my body. But He did rise! I just can't help but feel overwhelming joy to really know what it meant for Him to be resurrected! 

Saturday and Sunday were the best! It was so cool because everyone Elder Hawkins and I met was happy that it as Easter and we ended up having the coolest conversations about Christ with those we met! 

Also, last week we were driving down the road and some crazy Alaskan dropped their trailer and just kept driving! So Elder Hawkins pulled over and we got out to move the trailer to the side of the road. Well a guy named Connor hopped out of his house and came and helped us with it because he had seen it too. Well we got to talkin after he helped us. He is super cool, and he moved here with his from North Dakota and is in his early 20s. He is into tricking out cars and rebuilding them and he showed us a rat rod that he made out of a mustang! It was sweeet! Well he invited us to his bonfires that he has on Sundays and I'm super excited to go to one! 

But I have been having the most amazing time here in North Pole Alaska growing closer to Jesus Christ and making friendships. These interactions have helped me to realize who I am and who I can be! 

Elder Hubbard 

Excuse my random pictures haha! 

4/19

Super cool week, Elder Hawkins came to Tuesday morning and he came with me to the North Pole area! He's a farmin cowboy from Weizer, Idaho. He has only been out on a mission for 5 months and I've been out 3, so we are just out here trying to figure out how to do this missionary work. He's already like a best friend which has been a blast. His favorite thing to do missionary work wise is go door to door! He just makes all interactions with people so Christ centered and natural that it opens the door for some amazing conversations with tons of people. One example would be a guy named Mike, Elder Hawkins just seemed to be able to connect right away and really so did I. The three of us talked for about an hour and a half. Mike had a life full of stories about how what you do know will come back for good or for bad. And well we bonded pretty well and he looked at my tie and told me that he had something for me. He went inside and came back out with a gold tie clip and a Sterling silver money holder. I really tried to refuse but he was so insistent, I just couldn't believe that he would do something so kind for nothing in return and for knowing me for such a short period of time. 

Our Heavenly Father has some beautiful and precious gifts for us, here on earth and especially in heaven. I can not do enough to repay Him. But I sure will try. As my Faith has increased in Him I have seen his hand in all that I see, do, hear, say, just in every aspect of life. I know that as we increase our faith by praying, reading the Scriptures, and love and serve the people around us we will be blessed with gifts Heavenly Father already has prepared for us, they are ready to be given if we but have Faith. In a world so chaotic, I do not believe in coincidences, to me it all points to divine intervention by a loving Father. 

Elder Hubbard 

4/1

Less writing since we can all call now.  Here are some picts he sent 

2/25

Jake sent this: 

We were able to talk to him briefly yesterday. He is doing well, and said unequivocally that he is very, very happy. We miss his unbelievable goodness in our daily lives and home, but are grateful for his service and love for the people of Alaska. 

Much love!

Mama Hubbard

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Jacob Hubbard <jacob.hubbard@missionary.org>
Date: Mon, Feb 25, 2019, 5:58 PM
Subject: Ice Championships!
To: Heather Hubbard <5hubbardsmom@gmail.com>

I just am adjusting to the new schedule, didnt get a  weekly out, I love you 

Here are some cool ice sculptures 

2/11

My purpose in serving a mission and being up here serving the people of Alaska has begun to sink in. 

We recite every morning, "Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ through Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End." 

I love this statement because we are not here to convert people to our church but to help and invite others to come closer to our savior Jesus Christ. 

An example of this, this week is we were visiting an old Lutheran guy in his small, smoke filled shack. His name is William and he believed that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are the same person. We asked him if we could show him that in the Bible it explains they are separate. He said sure. 

 I flipped to Matthew 3:13- 17.

But before we read it we explained the Holy Ghost testifies of the Father and of truth. And we prayed for the Holy Ghost which is also called the Spirit of God to be with us. And read:

13 ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Elder Lott's response was to invite him to pray about it and ask our Father in Heaven of these things are true. 

I bore testimony that the Holy Ghost was with us for I felt the love of our Heavenly Father fill the room and my body. William then replied with a well of course I believe they are separate people. We invited him to church, so he can learn more truth through the Holy Ghost. Very cool experience.

We also taught The Restoration of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ to Erlinda Nikamoto. There was a catch tho, we didn't teach and she speaks very little English. She is from the Philippines and speaks Tagalog. So we have her a Book of Mormon in Tagalog and we video called an Elder down in Juneau who is from the Philippines who was able to help and invite her to come to a knowledge of a part of the Fullness of the Gospel.

 It was so cool to read revelation given to Joseph Smith that he recorded when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was just in a very small part of Kirkland, Ohio in 1833.

D&C 90:11

For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Elder Lott and I gave each other haircuts!! And we didn't do too bad! 

2/4

The Northern Lights were out three nights in a row this week! It was the coolest thing ever! They were only green but missionaries 2 hours east saw pink and yellow! Ive been told the Northern Lights come out usual when there is big temperature swings like there has beam this week, it's ranged from -20 to 15°. My dad sent me pictures of back home and how much it snowed down there! That's so crazy. 

Elder Lott taught me how to make Shepherds pie this week so that was very cool. Elder Lott made enchiladas! We also experimented with pulled pork by putting doctor pepper in to soften the pork.. It was a success!! So good! I've gained 5 pounds so far on my mission :) 

This week I am grateful for not only the cleansing power of Jesus Christ but also the strengthening power he has. As I partook of the sacrament yesterday, I felt cleansed washed away of my mistakes. but with that came the strength to have my thoughts be turned to others the entire day. For I have been focusing my efforts on improving my selflessness. I know that through the strength I have received from partaking of the sacrament I can be more selfless. And it's helped me not focus on my problems which has been a true blessing! 

I know that you all too can receive strength through our Brother, and Savior the lord Jesus Christ. If you just have Faith in him.

From the Prophet Moroni in The Book of Mormon 

Moroni 7:33

 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me

Jesus loves you, I love you 

-Elder Hubbard 

1/28

What a week!! 

I went on exchanges again with my other zone leader Elder Johnson. He's an awesome guy, he just was so good about helping me to realize how well I am doing for how little experience I have. For dinner that night we had received a deep frier. So naturally I made fish and chips! It was bomb. After we ate we went to find more people who we could bring closer to christ and well we ended up getting chased by some dogs that were loose. But no need to worry we were able to get away and get to the car in time haha.

Also something interesting about the culture here is everyone has sleds and snow machines, not snow mobiles. If you say snow mobile you are identified as what they call chikako or new to Alaska. Natives came up with the term chikako when Americans came up from Chicago to build roads up here and they couldn't pronounce Chicago haha. So I'm a chikako.

I'm so thankful for all that I'm learning up here in Alaska. The people are absolutely crazy, and really lost in addiction and the things of the world, they are hard to like let alone love. But the Lord has blessed me with a extended capacity to love all those who I come in to contact with, for I know what God has planned for them and I know that he loves them for we are all his children. 

Pray to him and you will find the same everlasting love. 

Love you all!

Elder Hubbard 

Sorry I didn't take any pics this week haha.

1/14

I tried Muktaq this week! Pretty wild haha it's whale blubber and whale skin. I thought it was good but no one else did haha. It's like sushi! But with a little bit of a different vibe. I also did the boiling water and steam thing in -45° haha but the video wouldn't send in the email format.  

I was able to teach an agnostic guy and that was cool because he truly wanted to know how he could obtain Faith in Christ I asked him what would have to happen in order for him to believe in Christ. It caused him to ponder for a long time. He couldn't answer the question, so he then asked me what it would take for me to not believe. My answer to that question is nothing can for I felt the love that God has for me rush through every bone of my body as i pray, read the scriptures ans serve his children and I could never deny that feeling of love so nothing can shake my Faith. 

If anyone has questions about the church or Jesus Christ's gospel please ask me them! 

1/7

Hey everyone!!

I can say that I've never been colder than this week ever in my life haha. One day I looked at the weather back home and it was like an 80 degree difference! So crazy. I saw my first moose up here, there are not a lot because it's so cold. Also in my cabin the pipes have froze for the water and the pipes to drain water also froze so we are working on getting those fixed, thankfully my bishop, bishop Connolly owns a construction company up here and said he'd be able to fix it. I am very grateful. This week we taught Ernest and Angelina, Ernest is the best because he has a ton of questions and we will just go and answer his questions, such a blessing. They both desire to get baptized. 

Tracting has been super successful because almost everyone lets us in because it's so cold. And hopefully my geeky never ending smile helps haha.

I know that the Lord will deliver us from all manner of afflictions and as long as we turn to him he will bless us for our trials.  

Well I hope everyone has a fantastic week! 

Elder Hubbard

12/31

Hey everyone!

 It's crazy to think it's already 2019.. I remember when they announced the change to 2 hour church and thinking I would be in Alaska during that time and thinking it was an eternity away. But it came way quicker than expected, probably and honestly because of how much fun I am having talking, meeting and serving more people a day then ever in my life. 

Here's a scripture that helped me this week. 

2 nepbi 20:27 And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

Reading this I realized as I have turned to our heavenly father for guidance and thanked him for all he gives I have found my burden to be lifted and joy to come out of hardship, that's why i would say serving a mission has been so fun.

A funny thing this week was that we knocked on a gentlemans door and by first glance he proceeded to tell us to go away. He closed the door and opened the door immediately back open and told us to repent or we will go to help haha. 

The temperature has gotten 50° warmer here in North Pole haha. We went from -25 last week to 25 this week. I never thought I would say 25° is warm and well I'm not, but there is definitely difference. ;)

Send me recent events and sports updates!

God bless!!

Elder Hubbard

12/24

I don't have any time really today cuz I struggled to get everyone on my email list back on, so I'm just replying. 

This week has been amazing! We baptized a guy named Anthony Miller, he is awesome! My companion is elder Lott he's been out in Alaska for 16 months. He is super cool! We have a lot of food and candy and have been giving it out to people we visit with a light the world message. 

I'm in North Pole Alaska! So there is a Santa Claus house and everything! Super cold it got down To -25 lol nostrils freeze super fast haha. Merry Christmas love you all and remember what Christmas is all about Luke 2 is the story! 

Elder Hubbard

12/15

Zone Leader has kept me busy! I have gotten to make a ton of assignments and go to leadership meetings to help out others in the zone. I have gotten to meet all 48 members in the zone! Lots of people have gotten sick and as zone leader they asked me to administer unto them and give them blessings, I gave 5 blessings this week for healing and it has been incredible to watch Heavenly Father bless and love his children.  

So last week if ya read I mentioned I had a pretty difficult week. Mostly because looking back I wasn't being completely obedient, in regards to reading my scriptures by myself and with my companion. When I read with Elder Carroll he just seams to be able to answer any questions I have about what we are reading and it has been such a blessing. I love the scriptures, and especially the Book of Mormon because of how I become closer to Christ as I read his words. Being zone leader this week has been a blessing because I have become closer with everyone around me. We started to read scriptures as a big group of like 20 in the residence hall and its incredible how long we can spend talking about one verse of scripture because it resinates to every single one of us differently and we all have different experiences, those discussions build my faith in Christ and we can all feel love from him.  I love this scripture in John 15:11, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

This week I have a been reading of Jesus Christ and his magnificent example to all of his children. I have never been more joyful in my life.

God bless!

Elder Hubbard