Aug. 14, 2017

Dear Family,

Two days ago, Zach moved out of his girlfriend's house. Then, this past Sunday, he was baptized, and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 7 PM. He is now on the path to being a part of something that will bless his life, and the life of his future family, forevermore. I am awed to be able to have been a part of this experience, seeing him from start to finish throughout all of the lessons. He has changed so much!

Seeing his battle with the adversary has been incredibly difficult for me. Allowing others to make their own decisions is one of the hardest aspects of serving a mission. But it is the purpose of this life -- and I am so grateful for Zach and his decision to be baptized. It was his faith that pulled him through, and because of it, he is now receiving incredible blessings.

Leading up to the baptism, he knew what he had felt, and at the time he committed to be baptized, he absolutely knew it was true. But Satan started to work on him, and pushed him hard to give in, to step back, to question what he had felt. But notwithstanding the difficulty, Zach pushed forward with faith.

And now, here we are.

Zach, after an immense amount of struggle and effort, is on the path of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But we are not done with him yet. His baptism and confirmation in the church of Jesus Christ, was only the beginning. Because now, we have a new goal for Zach.

At the request of the bishop, Zach is to be ordained to office of Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood as soon as he is able. And, if everything works out, in two weeks, Zach will again be able to stand in the font. Only this time, he won't be the one being baptized. He will be the one baptizing. Emily, his soon-to-be step daughter, has turned eight, and she wants him to be the one to do it!!

I know that this message of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ penetrated deeply into Zach's heart. He is changed forevermore, and has set his hand to the plough, and I can see in his eyes every time I teach him, something special. Zach is ready to do whatever God asks him to do, no matter the cost. And it is so incredible. We are super excited for him!

I can honestly say that his baptism was one of the most spiritual experiences of my whole life. But at the same time I know that this work isn't done nor is it even close to finishing. I feel an increased sense of urgency to further the work of the Lord. The time for doing anything but what I am called to do is long past. People are ready and waiting to be baptized. And we have the power and authority to be doing it.

So that means that Elder Pike and I are gonna start right now. Yes sir, we are going to be whipping the devil everyday, so that we can help all of God's children get to the font!!!! ;)

We received a call from a woman in the ward who has received permission from her husband who is not a member to finally baptize her 10 year old daughter. So that's incredible, and we are excited about that.

We visited with Cyrus and are trying to help his parents get reactivated. The family is attending a ward function with us tonight.

We are also working with a UBC named Cohen, and there is promise of him getting baptized soon, too.

May you have a blessed week!

P.S. Thanks for the package, y'all. I love you!!!

Sincerely 

Elder Hakala