YOU ARE THE BEST FAMILY EVER!!
Oh my goodness I am so blessed.
Thank you everyone for your cards, words of encouragement, and love.
I love you more than I can put into words. And I am so glad to have so
many people supporting me. I know I can always count on all of you.
It was actually kind of awesome though because I didn't celebrate
my birthday at all :O
We were planning on having an August birthday party back in Niigata. My
birthday and Akane and Sister Nicholes and another investigator, and a
couple members all had birthdays in August. But then I came here and
nobody knows that my birthday was yesterday. So in a way it was the
best present ever because I got to still focus on my calling and
serving others and it was awesome.
So yeah, no cake, I did make myself some cookie dough. Oh and there
is one member who found out about my birthday so I got a really cute
present I'll be bringing home with me. :) and then I got all your love
and letters and it was the best day I've ever turned 21 in my life!
There's no better way to spend any day than in the service of God.
Oh and I found an answer to my prayer. Which also taught me to be a
little more specific in my prayers. Haha so none of our friends are
coming to church right now. It's been a really long time for this
area. And so I've been praying all week that people will make it to
church. Well Park fell through, Charlotte didn't answer, nobody we
planned on could make it. But I prayed, Please help someone who's not
a member make it to church.
Well... After the third hour there was choir practice. We were
singing and his lady with a GIANt purple SNAKE (stuffed animal) is
walking down the hallway. I ran out to see and it was Mayumi who has
come to English class one time since I've come here. I asked her why
she decided to come to church right then. She said she needed to walk
her snake so she just came.
Haha and another one of Sister Hakes' prayers were answered. It was
a little silly, everyone else was really surprised, but I just felt so
warm and fuzzy inside and knew God really loves me. He wants to give
me everything. And I know it's true for all of His children. Even if
the way is mysterious, even if it's not the answer you were looking
for, He will answer our prayers and He does it in the way that it best
for each of us.
Other than that, this past week we met with a few less actives and
were able to set a second meeting with all but one of them for this
week. We're going to be able to work with a lot more people than they
were before so that's exciting! The member's are all for helping us
out and wanting to spend time with the less actives with us.
OH!! I was reunited with my baby!! Haha we did exchanges on Friday
and Sister Alvarenga and I got to be companions again for a day!! Oh
my gosh it was sooo ureshii! We had a ton of fun. Got to see how we've
both improved, talk all about our desires for serving and questions
she had, things I needed help with. She is seriously my sister. You're
all gonna love meeting her next year! She doesn't go home for a long
time, and before she does I need help learning Spanish please :)
We taught some lessons, I learned a lot of new words in Japanese
this week. Sister Fukuda and I are having so much fun studying and
teaching together. She is so unique. I love learning from her and
serving her as well.
I have turned out to be a pretty good cook, translator, tall
person who provides shade for little people, confidant, and a lot of
other things. But the best part of being a missionary and of this
learning experience is definitely testifying of Jesus Christ. It's not
something that people can be good or bad at. It's what your heart
knows and as you bear testimony the Spirit is there in such rich
abundance I'm surprised we can't see it. But you can feel it. I know
that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world and of
mankind. No matter where He went or what He did, He did it for the
Father and He did it for You. He did it out of love. Nothing can
compare to the love Jesus offers me. And nothing you can do will be
greater than showing that love you have for Him. There's a million
ways to do it. But I know now that it can't be just the words. Nor is
it just the action. We have to show our love in ways that matter. We
have to express it. And for Christ He wants you to serve the people
around you as He would. As we do it, it's as if we did it unto Him.
So how are you going to share love this week?! I want to hear
about it too. :)
I know I'm far away, so maybe it's hard to see, but everything I do, I
try to do it for Christ and I do it because I love you guys. Thank you
for everything.
LOVE,
Sister Hakes
P.S. Thank you David, Annessa, Dan, Shelle, Hannah, Porter, Kirk and
Rochelle Poulson, Lori Scott, Rhonda Liberty, Brother Oliver, Jennie
and Joe Mann, Heather and Tanner, Grandma and Grandpa Hakes, Grandma
and Grandpa Pomerenke, Tiffany and Conrad, Brittni, Greg, and
Lorraine, Craig, Robin, Matt, Kelly, Ozzie, Griffin, Dan, Val,
Michelle and Rebecca, Annie K. Isabell, Kacie and Gart, and everyone
for the wonderful letters! I don't think there has ever been so much
mail in that mailbox... Probably ever.
Sorry if I missed anyone's names or if I haven't gotten the mail
yet! You're all so sweet and thoughtful. Thanks again!
Thank you everyone for your cards, words of encouragement, and love.
I love you more than I can put into words. And I am so glad to have so
many people supporting me. I know I can always count on all of you.
It was actually kind of awesome though because I didn't celebrate
my birthday at all :O
We were planning on having an August birthday party back in Niigata. My
birthday and Akane and Sister Nicholes and another investigator, and a
couple members all had birthdays in August. But then I came here and
nobody knows that my birthday was yesterday. So in a way it was the
best present ever because I got to still focus on my calling and
serving others and it was awesome.
So yeah, no cake, I did make myself some cookie dough. Oh and there
is one member who found out about my birthday so I got a really cute
present I'll be bringing home with me. :) and then I got all your love
and letters and it was the best day I've ever turned 21 in my life!
There's no better way to spend any day than in the service of God.
Oh and I found an answer to my prayer. Which also taught me to be a
little more specific in my prayers. Haha so none of our friends are
coming to church right now. It's been a really long time for this
area. And so I've been praying all week that people will make it to
church. Well Park fell through, Charlotte didn't answer, nobody we
planned on could make it. But I prayed, Please help someone who's not
a member make it to church.
Well... After the third hour there was choir practice. We were
singing and his lady with a GIANt purple SNAKE (stuffed animal) is
walking down the hallway. I ran out to see and it was Mayumi who has
come to English class one time since I've come here. I asked her why
she decided to come to church right then. She said she needed to walk
her snake so she just came.
Haha and another one of Sister Hakes' prayers were answered. It was
a little silly, everyone else was really surprised, but I just felt so
warm and fuzzy inside and knew God really loves me. He wants to give
me everything. And I know it's true for all of His children. Even if
the way is mysterious, even if it's not the answer you were looking
for, He will answer our prayers and He does it in the way that it best
for each of us.
Other than that, this past week we met with a few less actives and
were able to set a second meeting with all but one of them for this
week. We're going to be able to work with a lot more people than they
were before so that's exciting! The member's are all for helping us
out and wanting to spend time with the less actives with us.
OH!! I was reunited with my baby!! Haha we did exchanges on Friday
and Sister Alvarenga and I got to be companions again for a day!! Oh
my gosh it was sooo ureshii! We had a ton of fun. Got to see how we've
both improved, talk all about our desires for serving and questions
she had, things I needed help with. She is seriously my sister. You're
all gonna love meeting her next year! She doesn't go home for a long
time, and before she does I need help learning Spanish please :)
We taught some lessons, I learned a lot of new words in Japanese
this week. Sister Fukuda and I are having so much fun studying and
teaching together. She is so unique. I love learning from her and
serving her as well.
I have turned out to be a pretty good cook, translator, tall
person who provides shade for little people, confidant, and a lot of
other things. But the best part of being a missionary and of this
learning experience is definitely testifying of Jesus Christ. It's not
something that people can be good or bad at. It's what your heart
knows and as you bear testimony the Spirit is there in such rich
abundance I'm surprised we can't see it. But you can feel it. I know
that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world and of
mankind. No matter where He went or what He did, He did it for the
Father and He did it for You. He did it out of love. Nothing can
compare to the love Jesus offers me. And nothing you can do will be
greater than showing that love you have for Him. There's a million
ways to do it. But I know now that it can't be just the words. Nor is
it just the action. We have to show our love in ways that matter. We
have to express it. And for Christ He wants you to serve the people
around you as He would. As we do it, it's as if we did it unto Him.
So how are you going to share love this week?! I want to hear
about it too. :)
I know I'm far away, so maybe it's hard to see, but everything I do, I
try to do it for Christ and I do it because I love you guys. Thank you
for everything.
LOVE,
Sister Hakes
P.S. Thank you David, Annessa, Dan, Shelle, Hannah, Porter, Kirk and
Rochelle Poulson, Lori Scott, Rhonda Liberty, Brother Oliver, Jennie
and Joe Mann, Heather and Tanner, Grandma and Grandpa Hakes, Grandma
and Grandpa Pomerenke, Tiffany and Conrad, Brittni, Greg, and
Lorraine, Craig, Robin, Matt, Kelly, Ozzie, Griffin, Dan, Val,
Michelle and Rebecca, Annie K. Isabell, Kacie and Gart, and everyone
for the wonderful letters! I don't think there has ever been so much
mail in that mailbox... Probably ever.
Sorry if I missed anyone's names or if I haven't gotten the mail
yet! You're all so sweet and thoughtful. Thanks again!