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
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