Well I've certainly read a lot of these "last" emails recently and I
have no idea how people are so poetic. So here's the Sister Hakes
version.
My missionary work is not over!!!
Just have to start by saying that. A mission may be something that I
only get to do for a year and a half. It may have been the best year
and a half of my life yet. Maybe from the time I get released I won't
stop and talk to every single person walking on the sidewalk or bus or
train like I've been doing. It truly is the work of the Lord in
inviting people to come unto Christ. And missionary work is not just
for fulltime missionaries. Missionaries cannot do it alone.
And I am going to be a missionary for the rest of my life! "Every
member a missionary!" I know there's gonna come a time when I have to
take off my badge and be a normal civilian (I have no idea how that's
gonna work out, the whole being normal thing... It's not something you
do on the mission;) but that time has not come yet.
I'm still learning every single day. And it's going to continue
for the rest of my life.
That being said, last week was awesome. We were able to meet with
Akiho and set a baptismal date with her as well. She has a desire to
come to church every week and the members are doing great at making
her feel welcome and loved. I can certainly testify that the help of
members is invaluable. There are miracles happening all over the world
in missionary work, but I know that if we don't have members to
friendship our investigators they don't progress. If they don't have
friends at church, most of the time they're not going to come to
church. That's how it is. But Kamagaya Ward is seriously so warm. Not
just because there's a ton of people in a really narrow room, but
because the members are living the gospel. And that puts the fire in
our hearts.
Also there was an amazing devotional last night with the Primary
General President Sister Jones and Young Women Counselor Sister
McConkie. They and their husband and Elder Yamashita spoke to us. It
was a devotional for everyone, but I felt like they were talking right
at me. The focus on the work, the gospel, the need to shake things off
and step up, that the Lord is working miracles!! All of it. It
reminded me of Jacob 5:70-72. In this dispensation we have the
opportunity to work side by side with the Lord of the Vineyard. He is
Here!
Yesterday we had fast Sunday because it was stake conference the
week before. But we fasted for the past two Sunday's for our elder's
investigator Gou. His brother is a member who just returned from his
mission this year but their parents are super anti. But I've just been
able to feel peace that the Lord knows what he's going through. He
knows everyone and their individual pains, desires, needs.
God understands me even though I don't understand me. I pray that
everyone can feel His love and take comfort in God's understanding.
Mosiah 4:9 believe that he Lord comprehends all that we cannot.
So I was thinking about one time I was talking to dad. Dad, you
remember how you don't ever ask me "what's up?" Or "how's it
going?" I feel like most of the time you would ask, so Sister Hakes,
"what do you know?" I don't know if you ever meant it to be so
meaningful. But I think about that question everyday.
Everyday we're going to teach someone something and I need to know
if I know it and can bear testimony of it. As I thought about that
question yesterday, and as a less active member asked me a very
similar question, I felt in my heart that I know Jesus Christ lives.
I've never seen Him, if you asked what proof I have, I could give some
examples of times in my life when I felt His guidance. I've had plenty
of experiences where I felt His love. But I know many people who say
that's not Jesus, or you can't know if that was from God or not. You
just think that way.
But I know that it's not in my head. It's not something we make up
to convince people to join or church or to live better lives. I have
receive the testimony I have through the Holy Ghost. And I cannot deny
it. Jesus Christ is my Savior. He knows who I am. He knows each of you
individually. The only way we can be saved from death is through Jesus
Christ. The only way we can be saved from sorrow, regret, guilt is
through Jesus Christ. The only way we can reach our full potential is
through Jesus Christ. If I know anything, I know that Jesus Christ Is
the way.
There's going to be times when I don't understand all that goes on in
my life. I'm sure there's going to be trials in store for me, for you,
but that there is a way prepared, and with the help of our Savior we
can make it through anything.
I hope you know how much I love you. I've still got a while to do
the work so I won't see you for another couple weeks, but I bear this
simple testimony.
There's a million scriptures that say all that better than my version,
but I'll just close with D&C 76:22 And now, after the many testimonies
which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all,
which we give of him: That he lives!
Ai shite imasu!
Sister Hakes
have no idea how people are so poetic. So here's the Sister Hakes
version.
My missionary work is not over!!!
Just have to start by saying that. A mission may be something that I
only get to do for a year and a half. It may have been the best year
and a half of my life yet. Maybe from the time I get released I won't
stop and talk to every single person walking on the sidewalk or bus or
train like I've been doing. It truly is the work of the Lord in
inviting people to come unto Christ. And missionary work is not just
for fulltime missionaries. Missionaries cannot do it alone.
And I am going to be a missionary for the rest of my life! "Every
member a missionary!" I know there's gonna come a time when I have to
take off my badge and be a normal civilian (I have no idea how that's
gonna work out, the whole being normal thing... It's not something you
do on the mission;) but that time has not come yet.
I'm still learning every single day. And it's going to continue
for the rest of my life.
That being said, last week was awesome. We were able to meet with
Akiho and set a baptismal date with her as well. She has a desire to
come to church every week and the members are doing great at making
her feel welcome and loved. I can certainly testify that the help of
members is invaluable. There are miracles happening all over the world
in missionary work, but I know that if we don't have members to
friendship our investigators they don't progress. If they don't have
friends at church, most of the time they're not going to come to
church. That's how it is. But Kamagaya Ward is seriously so warm. Not
just because there's a ton of people in a really narrow room, but
because the members are living the gospel. And that puts the fire in
our hearts.
Also there was an amazing devotional last night with the Primary
General President Sister Jones and Young Women Counselor Sister
McConkie. They and their husband and Elder Yamashita spoke to us. It
was a devotional for everyone, but I felt like they were talking right
at me. The focus on the work, the gospel, the need to shake things off
and step up, that the Lord is working miracles!! All of it. It
reminded me of Jacob 5:70-72. In this dispensation we have the
opportunity to work side by side with the Lord of the Vineyard. He is
Here!
Yesterday we had fast Sunday because it was stake conference the
week before. But we fasted for the past two Sunday's for our elder's
investigator Gou. His brother is a member who just returned from his
mission this year but their parents are super anti. But I've just been
able to feel peace that the Lord knows what he's going through. He
knows everyone and their individual pains, desires, needs.
God understands me even though I don't understand me. I pray that
everyone can feel His love and take comfort in God's understanding.
Mosiah 4:9 believe that he Lord comprehends all that we cannot.
So I was thinking about one time I was talking to dad. Dad, you
remember how you don't ever ask me "what's up?" Or "how's it
going?" I feel like most of the time you would ask, so Sister Hakes,
"what do you know?" I don't know if you ever meant it to be so
meaningful. But I think about that question everyday.
Everyday we're going to teach someone something and I need to know
if I know it and can bear testimony of it. As I thought about that
question yesterday, and as a less active member asked me a very
similar question, I felt in my heart that I know Jesus Christ lives.
I've never seen Him, if you asked what proof I have, I could give some
examples of times in my life when I felt His guidance. I've had plenty
of experiences where I felt His love. But I know many people who say
that's not Jesus, or you can't know if that was from God or not. You
just think that way.
But I know that it's not in my head. It's not something we make up
to convince people to join or church or to live better lives. I have
receive the testimony I have through the Holy Ghost. And I cannot deny
it. Jesus Christ is my Savior. He knows who I am. He knows each of you
individually. The only way we can be saved from death is through Jesus
Christ. The only way we can be saved from sorrow, regret, guilt is
through Jesus Christ. The only way we can reach our full potential is
through Jesus Christ. If I know anything, I know that Jesus Christ Is
the way.
There's going to be times when I don't understand all that goes on in
my life. I'm sure there's going to be trials in store for me, for you,
but that there is a way prepared, and with the help of our Savior we
can make it through anything.
I hope you know how much I love you. I've still got a while to do
the work so I won't see you for another couple weeks, but I bear this
simple testimony.
There's a million scriptures that say all that better than my version,
but I'll just close with D&C 76:22 And now, after the many testimonies
which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all,
which we give of him: That he lives!
Ai shite imasu!
Sister Hakes