The time has come!!

Oliver is 6 months old today. He will be spending his first Christmas with us!

Just wanted to let everyone know that we will be talking to Tyler tomorrow. Aaron made a test call today to make sure we could get through. We will be talking to him from the sister's house that he lives over the top of. We are all very excited. Aaron, Lynze and Oliver surprised us by showing up last night instead of tonight. Mark and Bree surprised us by showing up tonight instead of in the morning. Tyler has been gone for six months. It's been a long six months and a short six months. Those mom's who have had son's on mission will understand what I am saying. Merry Christmas to all!

19 Diciembre 2011

Hey family!
It`s almost Christmas! This week we aren`t going to be able to work too much. We have a Christmas activity for the mission on Wednesday and Saturday is another p-day which means on Monday won`t be.
This week went by too fast to remember. The longer I am in Topilejo the faster the weeks go by. Transfers are in a week now and I will find out what is going to happen on Sunday.
On Tuesday a Jehovah`s Witness wanted to pick a fight with us. That is always kind of funny. He told us how he is chosen and better than every one else. He also said that we didn`t know that our church was true. Even though he didn`t listen and I doubt it made a difference in his life, I bore my testimony to him, and it made a difference in my life. I know without a doubt that this is the Restored church of Jesus Christ and I when I told him that I felt it in every part of me. I would tell anybody in the world that Jesus is the Christ and that is church is on the earth today because He loves us.  That night we taught the family of our friend who is inactive. They are all members and really good people. I think it was the best lesson that we have ever taught together. The Spirit was there the whole time and a lot of love too. I love the feeling I get after good lessons.
On Thursday Elder Garza came to Topilejo for intercambios. He is from the place where Tommy is going on his mission. And says it would be less dangerous and more relaxed there. Haha. We went to the offices to pick up my package! Thank you so much. I love getting packages from home. The best part were the pictures. I think I have about 1000 pictures of baby Oliver. Haha. He is such a good looking dude. When we got back Elder Garza and I taught this lady who live in England for like 7 years. She has an english accent and everything. She was studying for her doctorate. She is really nice and I hope things keep going good with her.  She told us how she felt that she wanted something but didn`t know what. We taught her about how Christ is the bread of life and she felt the Spirit.  We also taught a lady who`s brother just died and doesn`t know anything about the Plan of Salvation. She was so happy to hear God`s plan for us. We have so many good investigators! They just won`t come to Church.
On Friday we had a branch Christmas party. I had to sing with the priesthood holders. It was a lot of fun and we had a ton of investigators and references come. The food was pretty good too. They make a Christmas drink here like wassail but it has about 20 different kinds of fruit in it. It was so good.  I can officially say that I can eat almost any kind of spicy food and it wouldn`t face me. If food doesn`t have chile here than it doesn`t have any flavor. Probably still can`t eat that Asian viatnamese spicy food though. Bummer.
So this letter is really short but that is all I got.  And sorry I don`t have any new pictures. I have watched Joy to the World about 50 times this month. It still doesn`t feel like Christmas because it is not cold and I am not at home. How is BYU basketball doing? I can`t wait to talk to you this week! It will be so good. I hope I don`t cry...Haha. I love you and miss you and ton!
Love,
Elder Hubbard

We will be talking to Tyler on Saturday morning. We are all so excited! I cry every time I think about talking to him. I will have to try to keep myself under control! He has been gone six months on Thursday. It really has gone pretty quickly (most days anyway)!  Merry Christmas to all!

More Hub Pictures~

 What a handsome missionary!! Notice the poinsettia's?

A LEGO Nativity!

I found these pictures in my email this evening. What a GREAT surprise!!

12 Deciembre 2011

Hey family!

This was another good week in Mexico City. Time doesn`t really feel like it exists here. It still feels like it`s June and no time has passed in my mission. Topilejo is getting better but it`s seems like we haven`t been able to make any progress in the last couple of weeks. We have taught good lessons and found new people but we can`t seem to get them to go to church. I don`t know what we should do differently.

On Tuesday we were teaching Juana, Mauro`s aunt about the Restoration. It was going pretty rough and very effective. Then I said a prayer in my head to help us get better and help her feel our message. It got way better almost instantly. I think she felt the Spirit and committed to baptism on the 17th. But she didn`t come to church yesterday so that will have to change. She has only came one time. My stomach started feeling weird on Tuesday and I still don`t think it is back to normal. I ate salsa verde I think that messed it up. Mexico is rough on the stomach.

On Thursday we taught Mauro`s parents. His dad can`t read and his mom has already prayed and feels that the Church is right. When people can`t read we have to explain very simpily with pictures and we will use videos this week too. So the thing is they have to get married so they are going to talk about it and we are going back this week. Mauro`s dad looks way different than the first time I saw him. There is more light in his face and in his eyes. It`s the weirdest thing.  We also had a really good lesson with a lady named Alejandra. Ale-alejandra.  She told us about how she doesn`t think the cross is right to wear and worship because Christ died there. Her son was so pumped when we told them that Christ is going to come again. Haha. I love so many people here.  Then we found an old investigator that has already read the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. He knows and believes them but we asked them to pray to know if they are true and if he should be baptized. I think he could be bishop here one day.

On Friday we went to the temple! I love that place more than any other place in the world. I was walking up the stairs inside and felt just a relief come over me. It is so peaceful, I love it.  It was so beautiful too, inside and outside. Presidente Chàvez went with us and his wife along with like 70 missionaries. Elder Herman and Elder Reid were there too. It was a little different having it all in spanish but I understood all of it and went through for a guy from Spain born in 1660. Afterwards we took pictures and went to the temple store. I bought a bible for Mauro but on the metro some guy started begging me for it and I gave it to him and took his name and direction.  When we got back to Topi Town we taught Alvaro and Taide-the parents of the huge family. We taught them about how we can tell something is good if it has good fruits. We talked about the Book of Mormon and they are  going to read and pray about it. Alvaro went to church yesterday and for the first time ever our branch did well in fellowshipping them. I hope thinks go good with them this week.

On Saturday we taught a guy named Fransisco about the Word of Wisdom. He is the one who had open heart surgery and wants to get baptized. He said I used to be an alcohilic but I quit because of my pride. I used to smoke 20 cigarrettes a day but I quit because I my lungs started working. I used to drink tea but I quit because it makes my blood too thin. I used to drink 5 cups of coffee a day but I quit because I had to have heart surgery. Haha. He knows all the hard ships of not taking care of his body but now will see the blessings the Lord will give him by taking care of it. I am suprised he is still alive.  That night we were at Paula and Irais`s house when everything started moving. It wasn`t a ton because Topilejo is up high but there was definitely a temblor. I guess it was like 6.4 in some parts of Mexico City.  We heard the music stop during it next door and then start again right after, like nothing happened. The world will be in for a wake up call when Christ comes again.

This morning we went to a huge mall called Perisur. I found a backpack finally but no pillow. We went to walmart too for some shampoo. Thanks for all of your letters. I miss everyone a ton. I love you all and Merry Christmas!

Love,

Elder Hubbard

Merry Christmas from the Hubbard's!! What's going on with us.....

Tyler finished up his first year at BYU. He absolutely loved it. He received his mission call to serve in the Mexico City South Mission. He entered the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah on June 22. He has been in a small town called Topelijo since August 22. He is having a fantastic time. 

Shayla graduated with her Associates of Science Degree in Nursing in April. She passed her Registered Nurse licensing Exam in May and worked at a nursing home in Fallon for the summer. She returned to BYU-Idaho in September where she is finishing her Bachelors degree and will graduate in April 2012.

Mark and Bree were married on August 7 at Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno. We are very happy to have her in our family. Mark is finishing up his PhD. He will hopefully graduate in May. Bree is working on her Master’s degree. They work in the same lab at UNR.

Aaron, Lynze and Oliver are still living in Las Vegas. On June 23 our sweet Oliver Samuel entered this world. Aaron is still working for Outdoor Promotions as the director of sales and marketing and is starting graduate school in January at UNLV. Lynze loves being a stay at home mom!!

Sam and Shelly are still working at the junior high and are still adjusting to having no children at home. Shelly had to have her appendix out the end of March. That was not a lot of fun. We started serving in the Reno Temple on Saturday mornings and absolutely love our time there. Life is good! We are richly blessed by the Lord. We are grateful for our sweet little family.

La Cuidad de Mexico

Angel de Independencia

Today we went downtown. This is called the Angel de Independencia. It is right in the middle of everything. We went to Wendy`s for lunch. Thank you. I also bought ties with my missionaries from the chinese people. So cheap. Haha.  I found Elder McAllister from my district in the MTC there. He is in the West mission. It was so good to see him. Love ya.

Hey family!!!

How`s life? It`s already December! That`s nuts.  I have been in Topilejo since August. Since Shayla`s birthday. By now I am guessing the 4th addition of her Christmas list has already been given to mom and dad. Hahaha. Love you sis;) Some people have Christmas lights up here now and I have seen some other Christmas trees. It still feels like it`s the middle of summer. My face is so burnt and I had a sun spot on my hand that finally went away after a month. But don`t worry, I put sunscreen on every day.  Monday and Tuesday we had to leave our heater on all day with the door shut because it was freezing at night. But the sun still burns. It`s so weird.
On Monday night Elder Leyva and I taught the rest of the district in our meeting about having the faith to find people to teach and helping them.  The district meetings and the meetings with the zone leaders on Sunday nights are some of the best things about the mission.
On Tuesday Hermano Carlos went with us all day and we got a ton of lessons with a member present which is always good. Hermana Angeles` grandson was in a coma with chicken pox so we prayed and fasted for him. He got better but he is still in the hospital. (We live in Hermana Angeles` house.) He is a cute little kids like six years old. We were all pretty worried for him. 
In Mèxico, people have to have water brought to their house in big trucks called Pipas. They just unload the water into big tanks under the houses. On Wednesday, the drivers all thought they were funny and decided to go on strike. So nobody gets water! We saw like 60 year old ladies carrying two five gallon buckets each of water up the huge hills in Topilejo. Elder Leyva and I helped them and contacted them too.  The old ladies here are beasts. But the strike is over now so its all good. 
On Thursday we had to go to Correos de Mèxico to get my package! Thank you so much. Elder Leyva really likes his shirt and he loved Kristi`s jerkey. Tell her thank you.  I love the package though, definitely good to have some candy not covered in chili powder. Haha.  That night we taught Alvaro and Taide and their 5 sons and one daughter. It was our second lesson with them and we taught the Restoration. They accepted it really well. I hope they get baptized. It would help our branch out a ton.  Right now they are praying to know if Josè Smith was a prophet.  We also taught the boy`s we just baptized that night with their mom. We gave her a Book of Mormon and some reading to do.
Yesterday we didn`t have any investigators come to church. I was bummed! We went to pick them up and we didn`t find any. It was stake conference in San Pedro so that might have had a lot to do with it. Lazy bums. Presidente Chàvez was there and talked. I love that guy. His talk was straight power too.  He could be the best teacher I have ever met.  Then last night after the meeting with the zone leaders we watched the Christmas devotional. We watched the first part in spanish and the second part in english.  I miss the Christmas devotional at home with the family, the pellet stove, and cookies and hot chocolate.  Oh well.  Their talks were all great. I am so glad I get to spread the message of Christ with the people here and tell them that He lives, and loves them, and wants them to be healed of all their problems.  I liked how President Monson said, "Become more interested in people more than in things." I have prayed so much while I have been here to love the people and little by little I feel my love increase. The pure love of Christ is what makes people happy to live and we need to feel it for everyone.
For Christmas here some people believe in Santa Claus and other people have the Tres Magos. They are like the three kings and supposedly bring presents to the kids.  The family downstairs wants to do a gift exchange and I drew a 12 year old named Christian.  I don`t know what to get him.  You will have to call me at Christmas or Christmas Eve at our house. We can`t skype or anything cool like that. Our mission president is pretty strict if you haven`t noticed. We can`t even drink coke!  That would be enough to send some people home. Haha.
Alright that`s all she wrote for this week. We are going to the centro now to find some 30 peso ties. I had a dream I got robbed by two little kids last night so let`s hope that doesn`t happen. Haha. Actually I threw my cell phone in one of the kids face and ran from them. Anyways...awkward. I love you!
Elder Hubbard