July 2, 2018

Me and pike are working way hard this last transfer and it feels so good. From sun up to sun down we are preaching gods word and it feels good to be working so hard again. I missed knocking. Now we are among the people every day again, calling all to repentance, and it feels oh so good.

These last five I am going to put in blood sweat and tears to finish up strong.

Oh, and we are going to baptize three.

Love you all,

The man

The myth

The legend

Elder H.

May 21, 2018

Dear Family and friends,

Things are starting to feel real with only 12 weeks left til i get home. Time is slipping like sand through my fingers, and I am fighting to be present in the moment right up until the end.

This past week I got shipped off to the middle of nowhere presumably for the last time. I might move again for my last six weeks, but I don't think I will.

The area is green green green, and there's about as many cows as people. Its in a little weird town called yelm, and it consists of a few main stoplights and a whole lot of booney roads. When we knock during dinner hours we have a lot more walking between house to house than I am used to, since my last area we knocked apartment complexes all day every day. It's a culture shock for sure, with a lot more southern hospitality than the city life. (Even though I'm in Washington, haha)

This is the perfect place to finish my mission, and the way I prefer it to end honestly. It's nice to be able to start fresh again in a totally new place with new faces and new people, and turn a new page. Most of them don't know I'm going home soon, and that's the way I want it.

Im happy to just keep my head down and work till it's done. Because when it comes down to it, I'm not here because of anyone else -- I'm here because this is where the Lord called me to be. I don't need the world's recognition. That's not why I am serving a mission. (And believe me, you definitely don't get any kind of recognition for wearing your tag every day. It's a fight to the finish!)

No, I came out here because God asked me to. And even though sometimes it still feels tough when you don't feel accepted by others, the one person who has always understood and always will, is the Lord. He has our back.

So don't need to worry about anything. Trust him, and know that He is with you, and that is what matters.

As a sons and daughters of God, we don't face the world. We face Him. And therein lies the greatest comfort consolation and peace. His is the only opinion I care about, and I know it is the same with you.

The church is true, God loves each and everyone of us. Stay on the path. Choose the right. And if you do that. Nothing else matters. Hang in there, you guys!

I love you. God loves you. Stay strong. And remember that through Him all things are possible.

Have the best week!

Elder hakala

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

~Philippians 4:13

May 11, 2018

I was tempted to not talk to much about my past week up here in the watac. To pretend that everything was fine. But I felt like for whatever reason I needed to be open about it. So I really hope this can help someone else.

This week was really, really hard for me.

This week I really struggled, and had to ask for a blessing from my companions. I'm struggling to endure to the end. I am really tired. Dealing with negativity and depression and constantly feeling like I'm not being misunderstood is tough.

I am learning it doesn't matter how much you think you know, how experienced you are, or how awesome you think you are, you will always have to trust in the Lord, and put his will above your own.

There are times when I want to trust myself more than Him. Time and time again I find myself questioning decisions He has made. I've shed  a lot of tears and had a lot of uncertainty about a lot of stuff. But in the end it's all come down to one thing --

God loves me. I know he does. And because I know that, I know I can trust him, even though right now I honestly don't understand stuff a whole lot.

this transfer, I've really been humbled by my trials. Its been hard. But I'm not going to give up until I see my mission through.

Zeezoram is one of my heroes. I think of his experience, and suddenly things don't seem all that bad.

 Zeezoram lost everything. His friends his family his home. His wife and kids were burned in a fire. He was stoned by those who he once considered to be his friends, and he still didn't lose his faith. He lost everything else, but he didn't lose his faith. He trusted in the atonement of Jesus Christ to see him through. And if he can do that, then so can I.

 That why right now he is my favorite book of Mormon hero. He had to sacrifice everything he knew for what was more important -- his faith in the savior Jesus Christ. He had to flee his own city that he grew up in, leave his family and his friends and quite literally abandon everything to find God. Sometimes I feel like that. Like I've literally had to give up everything to know Him. And although my experience was not even remotely that of zeezroms, the response is the same. I throw my hands up in the air and say, you've got this God. I'm giving you 100 percent. Because you're all I've got left right now.

My mission has not been what I expected. It was not quite the experience I imagined, where you knock on a few doors, find the elect, and they just waltz to the font. It isn't that simple.

The things you don't always hear about and the stuff that no one else can adequately understand unless they themselves have stood in the shoes of a missionary. The sheer amount of ridicule and pain we experience on a literally daily basis. The amount of fight it takes to put that tag on is no exaggeration. It is a literal war out here. A battlefield. The things you don't hear about is just how often missionaries talk about giving up, about going home, about throwing in the towel. The feelings of utter loneliness, sadness, and depression. Of being misunderstood, of wanting to submit. The fiery darts of the adversary are entirely real. The joy that we experience is not handed to us without paying a price that i am unable to describe. Jeffrey r holland described it as our own personal gethsemane, a place that only the truly converted will ever go. Conversion is not just a simple change, but a refiners fire. You really have to dig down deep if you are going to finish your mission. You have to have some real torque! It is a battle for souls, as much your own as for someone else's.

So when you're struggling with your mission with your testimony or just with things in life, I want you to know I can relate. But even more than that, I know where we can turn. To Jesus Christ. To the Savior of the World. To our all and our everything.

Keep striving. Keep trusting. Keep believing. God will not abandon us. He can't and he won't.

His love is real. Have hope and keep trying.

And you will find that He is with you always. He understands completely. Of this I testify in the name of him who provides the way for us all to return home to our heavenly family again someday in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Hey y'all!

It's been another awesome week up here in the Washington tacoma mission!

This past week Denilson was finally baptized! Thank you for all your prayers and support, we definitely felt it!

It was kind of a crazy baptism because it almost didn't happen. So many things went wrong. He didnt show up at church, and was thirty minutes late to the baptism. We had it filled and everything. But then at the last minute, we were able to get him a ride, thanks to an incredible member, and at 8:15 last night, He was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! Elder Fuentes baptized him and afterward I was able to confirm him. Then he stood up and shared a testimony about how two missionaries, a year and a half ago, knocked on his door, and taught him about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and about a strange book called the Book of Mormon. At first he found it all very strange (nos dijo que el libro de mormon lo fue absurdo, por que el no supo una otra manera a decirlo) and he didn't read the book. Then he moved away and forgot all about it.

It wasn't until three months ago, that one of those same elders came and knocked on my door again. I knew it couldnt be a coincidence. So when the elders talked to me about baptism, I accepted. I am so grateful to be here. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

When Denilson said those words, I wont lie. I teared up a little bit. Because that elder, that elder was me.

I know I came here to find him. I know because I was obedient, Denilson, my brother, who I promised I would find, has found Christ.

This is the start of something amazing. Others will look up to him, and his example will change so many lives. It was worth it. Every tear. Every struggle. Every pain in my mission. It was all oh so worth it. Words can't describe it.

 I know this is what God wanted for me. I know this is where he still wants me to be.

Missions are so special. They are worth every minute! And they are so short!!

To all my fellow WATAC-ers out there, my fellow missionaries still out in the field, wherever you may be, and to those soon to be putting on that tag for the first time, I want you all to know just how great this is. This is unlike anything you will ever experience. Missions are such an opportunity, to change our lives, become who we need to be, and to learn who Christ really is. How much God loves his missionaries! We are his army. This is our chance to retrieve the lost. To fight for the truth! Remember, that there is no sacrifice too great to honor the one who gave his all for us.

I know with all my heart that after this day neither Denilson nor  I will ever be the same.

I am so grateful for the chance I had to help Denilson onto the covenant path. I now know that we will be brothers for the eternities.

I love you all. Have the best week.

Elder Hakala

April 16, 2018

Heya Fam,

This week has been an emotional one. We've worked so hard to baptize this kid. He was on date for saturday. Then wednesday night he drank more coffee. we called up our mission president after we'd prayed about it, and he said if we felt strongly he needed to be baptized this weekend we could still do it.

thursday night we came by, and everything fell apart. denilson said he didnt want to be baptized because he'd already been baptized catholic in honduras, and he felt like it would be breaking his promise to the catholic church. 

earlier that morning, we had felt a distinct prompting to show him the video Joaquin Costa, from the april 17 general conference, entitle to the friends and investigators of the church.

just when the lesson was starting to reach the point of no return, we turned that on. the entire mood changed. and he was in tears.

we knew that was then that we needed to act. I said, just like I'd watched my trainer do a year ago. Denilson, its time to ask God right now if all this is really true. Lets pray about it.

we all knelt down. and after about a minute, Denilson got control of his emotions enough to start the prayer. but he didnt even get all the way through before he lost the ability to talk again. the spirit was as strong as i'd ever felt it in my whole life. it washed over us like a wave, again and again. and we just sat there in awe. Denilson had received his answer.

finally, after the longest time, denilson got up. and all he could say was, wow. wow wow wow.

thats all any of us could say.

then the night before the baptism, friday night, we had the baptismal interview. (we had to translate it for our district leader because he doesnt know spanish and denilson does not know english) and denilson passed with flying colors. but then he said something unexpected.

before i knew it was true, i wasnt planning on getting baptized, he confessed. but now that i know it is true, this sunday just seems very soon. i'm sorry he said. i'm sorry, but can we do it next sunday?

i'll admit i was a little upset. frustrated. tired. exhausted. we'd been trying so hard for so long to get this kid baptized. but after we realized he was resolute in his decision. we decided not to push him. we agreed.

so now here we are waiting. waiting waiting waiting. and anxious out of our minds for this kid to be baptized. all three of us, garcia torrico and i have poured our hearts into getting this kid baptized and confirmed a member of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. and we are so close to helping him get there. we have fasted and prayed and fasted and prayed some more. and let me tell you, Satan does NOT want this kid to get wet!

please please please pray for Denilson this week. We are working our hearts out, and we need your prayers.

Love you all.

Have the best week.

Elder Hakala

April 9, 2018

okay. so our goal for this transfer is six baptisms

we had three at church

denilson committed to quit coffe. we had a super spiritual lesson with him and went over the distinctive differences of how our church was different from any other. he had a lot of questions and the concern about being baptized twice. he's already been baptized into another christian church in honduras. but we testified strongly that what we were teaching is true. we were super bold and told him to pray about receiving an answer if this was god's church. and we promised him he would know if it was true if he would pray about it that night. that was yesterday. so we are going to go back tonight to follow up. and the suspense is killing me!

please pray that Denilson will know if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (La Iglesia de Jesucristo de Los Santos de Los Ultimos Dias) is true and has been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith and that we have a Prophet that leads and guides this work today, that the priesthood really has been restored, just like Christ's church was back in the days when he was on the earth, and that the proper authority exists in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Please please please pray for him. We need all the help we can get!

I also got a surprise second companion for transfers, so now we are a threesome. Its now me, Elder Josh Garcia, and Elder Alvin Torrico. And we have a baptismal goal of 6, for this transfer, that we know we are gonna hit, because we are going to do our best to do our duty to God to seek out our brothers and sisters and find the elect!!! (And because the watac is the best mission in the world. eat it all you haters)

The Power of True Conversion and Testimony:

I am called to speak after this manner, according to the holy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus; yea, I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people the things which have been spoken by our fathers concerning the things which are to come. And ...Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

~Alma 5:45

Have a wonderful week! Love you all

les quiero

Elder Hakalalakakakalalakakakaka

March 12, 2018 Pictures

Feb. 26, 2018

"When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past.”

-President Monson

Dear Family and Friends,

Life is a battlefield, and we are the soldiers. The fight is intense. And the darkness will win if we let it. The trick is choosing to be ready for it. Because without Christ, we're going to drown.

This week we are studying how to avoid pornography in preparation for our mission to get smartphones. It's all stuff we've heard before. But one thing that it really emphasized was not to let life make your decisions for you. In this day and age if we aren't awake and aware, choices will be made for us. We will wake up one morning and find ourselves wondering how we got there if we don't decide today to make life ours. We have to be proactive, not reactive!

We have to be ready and be prepared, just like my scoutmaster, Brother Heath taught us in my deacon aged scout troop all those years ago.  We have to prepared and be ready for the fight that is coming. It's already at our doors, just like the Book of Mormon warns. So do the small and simple things. Decide now that you'll go on a mission, be married and sealed for all time and eternity in the house of the Lord. Promise God that you'll trust him. Read the scriptures daily, no matter how hard it is at first. Talk to your Heavenly Dad. He listens. I KNOW He does.

Be ready and be willing. God wants to help us. He will take our hand and guide us to the new the unknown and the incredible. Just trust Him!

I testify that there Angels are watching over us. I promise you that God knows you individually. And Christ is with you, whether you know it or not.

The future is as bright as your faith. So make it bright! Smile. Laugh. Take everything a day at a time. And above all, trust God.

Hang in there! :)

Love,

Elder Hakala :)

March 12, 2018

This week was pretty awesome.

We were feeling down this past week, so prayed to know where to go during our nightly finding session. Then the amazing Nick aka "Bleech" (his rapping stage name) was found knocking the last door of the night this past Saturday. He said he's looking to get more connected with God in his life. Imagine that! Miracles are real, that's for sure.

An update on Denilson: We're still teaching him, but between going to school, english class, and his day job of painting houses, he's pretty darn busy. We're gonna work extra hard this week to get in to teach him.

Joanna and Isidro. These are the investigators that I've tried so hard to reconnect with from a over a year ago, and teach them the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are a bilingual family with three kids, and a niece that has recently moved in from Mexico, speaking little to no english. They are going to be baptized or I am going to die trying.

Valdamer and Mirian. Todavia ellos estan cocinando todos los alimentos en todo el mundo por nosotros, pero ellos necesitan entender la importancia de tomando parte en los bendiciones que recibamos del convenios del Senor, la primero estando bautismo. Estamos trabajando muy duro con ellos sobre eso.

Well thats it for this week

Les quiero todos y les extrano mucho.

Se cuidan esta semana y siempre recuerde quien esta en control

Mucho Amor,

Elder Hakala 

Feb. 20, 2018

Man, isn't it incredible? 

Isn't today the greatest?

The sun is shining, people are smiling, and its great to be alive!

Life isn't perfect. But who says it has to be perfect to be

A       M        A        Z        I        N        G        ?       :)

Think of all the gifts God has given us. Think of the last time you smiled. Good memories. Good times. Why don't we just stop and enjoy the moment? Do you have any idea just how many blessings we have in our lives?!

Family, friends, clothing, a roof over our heads. What about the true Gospel of Jesus Christ? We have a lot. We have more than enough.

This is the sweet spot of my mission. And this is also the sweet spot of our lives.

Yeah. That's right. Today really is the greatest!

An update on me:

Denilson:

Okay, just listen to this -- this kid is a miracle! My trainer and I knocked on his door a year ago. We taught him everything we could. I remember him down on his knees, sincerely asking God to help him receive an answer. Was the church of Jesus Christ really restored?

"Senor Jesus, digame porfavor. Ayudame Senor, a saber si este es la iglesia verdadero..."

And in that instant, he stopped. So choked up by emotion, and overcome by the spirit that He couldn't speak. It was one of the most sacred moments of my mission.

Then Denilson finished the prayer. He stood up, all of us knowing that he had received his answer. And then my trainer, Elder Hatfield, spoke up. "Denilson, esta listo ser bautizado?"

And then the moment that still takes my breath away thinking about it. "La verdad es que no se..." Denilson looks over uncertainly at his mom, who frowns at him, her brow furrowed. So, after a moment, he stands up, shakes our hands, and goes on to say that he just doesn't feel ready yet. Not because he didn't want to. But because he respects his mother. And right now, he just wasn't ready. I'm not going to lie -- I was frustrated. But at the same time, I didn't blame him. I love my mom a lot, too.

Not long after, we stopped teaching him. Then He moved away to a different part of the city, and we lost contact.

When I came back, an image of him was flashing through my head over and over. It wouldn't leave me alone. I dug through the papers, the past teaching records, but where was it? Where was his address? We couldn't find it! Someone had reorganized the records, and now his was nowhere to be found! I thought Denilson was lost forever!

Then, a few weeks later, with me still fresh in the area, we are out visiting a referral the other guys recieved from the English elders in the area. Totally different part of town, different setting, different time. And then who should open the door but Denilson? My heart seemed to stop. Could it be...?!

424 days later, 14 months, a year and 2 months, and here is this kid standing in front of me that I thought we had lost forever. But he hadn't forgotten me. Or that moment when he had been on his knees, pleading with God to manifest to him the truth. What I thought was the end, turned out only to be Denilson's beginning.

This was the beginning, it wasn't the end!

All of those feelings, all of those emotions, all of that effort that we had put in with this kid, me struggling through my broken spanish to explain to Denilson why he had to get to the font -- all rushed back in one split second. I had come back, and Denilson was waiting!

So  we've started teaching him again. And he's more receptive than ever. He knows it's true. And this past week, he has consented to be baptized on the 25th of this month. He 18 now, old enough to make his own choices. And after going over it with his mom, she said he could choose. The excitement in his voice when he said that was indescribable.

Since that day, we have worked so much harder with him. Determined not to lose him again, we have given it our all. My Spanish is better, but not by much. But the important thing is my testimony of Jesus Christ. It has grown so much! And now he is finally starting to understand. Its so amazing to be able to see that light come into his eyes, as he is starting to realize that it's true -- all of it.

And that's because this kid, Denilson, is a miracle.

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."

~ 3 Nephi 5:13

This church is true. I love you all! Have the best week! And remember who is in charge!

Sincerely

Elder Hakala

Jan. 8, 2018

Dear Family and Friends

This past week was incredible.

We had a lesson with our top investigator, Susana on Thursday. Since she is a single parent, she really struggles with all the responsibilities she has to manage. But this past lesson was incredible. We brought fellowship, and shared our testimonies about Jesus Christ. Words fail to describe just how strong the Spirit was. At the end of the lesson, Susana accepted the member's invitation for us to give her a blessing. I know she felt the spirit throughout, and during the blessing the spirit was so strong, as well! Then, this past sunday, Susana came to church, and for the second time, stayed all three hours. After the service we invited her, as well as a less active family to come to the lacey sixth elders baptism, and they both accepted the invite. During the service we translated it all into Spanish. The spirit was so strong they were all crying! What an amazing way to end my time here in Lacey! I've loved every minute. The spirit has been with us these past two transfers and I know I have grown so much. I love the Lord, and I love this work. Whether or not Susana gets baptized, we have done what God's plan was for us to do here!

This next week, I'm getting transferred back to Tacoma Spanish. Again, words fail me when I think about this next transfer. When I last left this area, I felt as if I was leaving behind a work I had yet to do. Well, now I know that I will have the chance to accomplish it. I now know why I felt that way. There are people there that I promised I would go find, and lives that I am meant to touch. I feel that with every fiber of my being and I am so excited to find out who. I already have had a few names pop back into my head that I remember from when I last served there, families that I was able to help, but also families that I felt that my work was not done with when I left. I know that this next transfer is going to be the best of my mission. I am so excited to serve, and start to write this next chapter of my mission. I know that transfer calls are inspired, and I have a testimony that I am going where I need to be.

Other thing that happened: We were out and visited Balta, one of our investigators. He wasn't home, but his old roommate was. And the first thing he said was, "Muchachos. Es que tengo noticias malas para ustedes. Balta esta en Mexico." Then he shut the door. So just like that, boom, another solid investigator gone. We were a little sad hearted at that, but then before we could head off to try something else, I had a thought: the name of a less active family popped into my head,just out of the blue. So we looked it up, and sure enough, this family lived in the same exact trailer park. We didn't hesitate. Yes it was late, and it was dark, but the spirit was telling us to visit this family. We'd hardly knocked on the door, when Enrique, the husband open the door and he was grinning ear to ear! He welcomed us in. That night we gave both him and his wife blessings, invited him to soccer, and then said a quick prayer with them. Then two days later he came to soccer, and the whole family showed up to church. It was a miracle.

The Lord knows our thoughts and our desires to serve. And if we are worthy of it, and heed the spirit the first time it calls, we can be spiritual first responders, like Elder Rasband said. I have a testimony of this. I know the church is true. And the Lord guides and directs His church. I am so very grateful to be a part of it.

I love you, and am praying for you all!

Elder Hakala