Nov. 6, 2017

ou can either complain that the roses have thorns or thank God that the thorns have roses."

Dear Family,

Whatsup y'all?! Its been a grandiose week full of adventures up here in the beautiful watac land. We've had so many miracles I don't know where to start. One super cool thing is that it snowed yesterday. Suupperr beautiful. I loved it!


My son (figurative son, mom, that's mission lingo, so don't flip out) had his first birthday in this mission this morning, so I got to give him one of my ties, and the Spanish translator that my dad (again my figurative dad, the missionary who trained me) gave to me as a parting gift. He was very pleased.

We had five potential baptism candidates come to church this past sunday, (WOOT) because their parents are finally getting reactivated.
None of the ones we are teaching showed up:/ but that's okay. tengo las ganas!

we were out knocking yesterday and knocked into a war veteran. he shared some of his beliefs about God, and about Aliens, and told us he loved talking with us. This past week we also taught a man who has had a rough history. He was on the streets by age 10, after bouncing around in foster homes. He joined a gang just so that he could get by. He has some interesting beliefs about God, because of his unique experiences. My companion and I learned a lot from him and the spirit was very strong in our 2 hour plus conversation. Whether or not he gets baptized I don't know. But he taught me some powerful lessons, the first and foremost that God loved jesus Christ his son. We also should never be too quick to judge a person ; we don't know where they've been or what is going on in their lives.

God knows. And the first thing he tells us is that we need to love one another. So maybe we should take his advice.

Well, I love serving here in the watac and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Everyday I learn so much, not just about missionary work, but about who I am and that I have eternal worth. That God loves me. And that his plan really is a plan of happiness. and that it really is for everybody. And he never gives up on us, we just have to keep loving him. And it really does all work out.

Inspiration for this week:
Alma 34:41:

40 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them;

41 But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.

Love you all!

Sincerely Elder Hakala