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
