Elder Taylor G Hakes: 9/12/2016 Rebirth

Hey!

Our baptisms this weekend were fantastic. Everything went really smoothly and we had a bunch of ward members running the show and there to support them. It was hilarious, as people were just starting to trickle in and sit down, we heard a huge splash and a scream from behind the closed font doors. I ran over and peeked inside, our baptismal candidate Martha and fallen face first into the font and thrown water everywhere hahaha! She was trying to get a robe from the other side that might fit and missed the first step I guess. Bishop was back there helping her, when she swam out and went to change he was like, "She went all the way under, I should've just raised my hand and counted it!" Soo funny. She was good natured about it and didn't get hurt so no biggie. She's soaking wet in the pre-baptism photos though. I love some good comic relief. The ceremony was powerful and I was able to baptize Martha and her sweet daughter Cheyenne, bishop performed the other two for CJ and her sister Emerald. It was doubly sweet as Elder Buhler's first baptisms on his mission, and triply sweet because they were the first baptisms in Owasso ward since I was here and baptized the Kress's almost 16 months ago. Miracles all over! The Lord blesses us incredibly.

I confirmed them Sunday and also spoke in the other ward's sacrament meeting which was a great opportunity for the whole ward to see me and hopefully garner some trust. I spoke on the attribute of charity and quoted the greatest provider of the pure love of Christ in my life, my momma! Afterward I had at least 6 mothers come and thank me, promise to email their sons on missions how much they love them, and praise my angel mother. She deserves it, you were the star of the show mom ;) Thanks for loving me even when I'm prideful and foolish.

Good things to come as we wrap up this transfer! Mission leadership council tomorrow, conducting zone training Wedneday, and hopefully baptizing Dean Williams in the Ranch Creek ward soon. It's been a blessing and miracle to come back and teach him, they are the sweetest people. Elder Buhler is growing up right before my eyes, I love training. A lot of times I learn more from his drive and fresh ideas than he might from me.

Yesterday was my 18 month mark!! Mostly that excites me because it marks the end of the "forgotten year", the middle year of the mission in which everyone forgets I exist, and people might start to remember that I come home soon and shoot me some emails. Yeah, I'm talking to YOU. Haha much love from OK!

Elder Hakes

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