2/23/16 I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go!

Crew,

I have a lifetime of experiences and emotions to convey today, forgive my weakness in writing and limitations of time. First off, sorry I didn't email yesterday, we got back too late from a trip to Tulsa to get online before our dinner appointment.

Where to start? I guess transfers... uh I'm getting transferred! Knew it was coming, I could feel it in my bones. Saturday I was called to serve in West Plains Missouri! I'm ping-ponging back and forth between these states out here. My companion was assigned to be Elder Hess!!!! I came out in the MTC with that kid, we roomed together! I've literally only seen him like 3 times since then, and just for a few minutes at conferences and stuff. He's one of my favorites. So it's bitter sweet, but I was pumped. Notice that I use the words "was assigned" and "was pumped", which are past tense. Because President Loveland called me this morning and changed my transfer call! He said, "On second thought, we need some fire in the St. Roberts Missouri zone, I need you to go there as zone leader." Soooo still going to Missouri, but a different zone. My ZL comp Elder Horsley was one of my zone leaders when I was in Nixa MO so that's cool. He's rad. But now I'm almost more pumped! President told me that St. Roberts has an army base called Fort Leonard Wood that has a branch, and I get to serve on base there! Horsley called and got my info to get me security clearance to be on base. That's Mr. Elder Hakes Sir to you! I'm stoked about that, it's going to be really unique. It will be cool to serve as zone leader too, new opportunities and lessons to learn for sure. I will miss my Cleveland family, but the Lord has called my name again. It's crazy how spiritual it is each time I get transferred, (or when I received my call for that matter) knowing that God wants me to be somewhere. It's a unique aspect of missionary work, receiving specific revelation like that as to where he wants me to be. I'll go anywhere he wants me to go, trusting my all to his tender care, and knowing that he lovest me. Following his will brings peace, growth, and blessings that would otherwise be missed! So here is my new address: 405 Country Villa, St. Roberts Missouri 65584. Hook me up with some mailage!

I wish I had a lot of time to relay all the things I've learned this week from the Spirit, the scriptures, and especially Elder Christofferson. 

Highlights: 

-I got to shake his hand. 

-Elder Christofferson taught us that the Lord only gives his servants what they are prepared to receive.

-He is a living apostolic witness of Christ, I am sure.

-Cleveland ward rented a school bus to get our crew to the stake conference in Bartlesville, it was awesome

-I've had miraculous revelations from the Lord as I search the scriptures with specific questions written down. Sister Loveland challenged us to write questions, open to a random page in the scriptures and read until you find an answer. I desperately wanted to ask a question in the Q&A at zone conference with Elder Christofferson but he didn't call on me, so I used that question to start this challenge. It's something I've been pondering and needed: How can I call upon and rely on the Lord's grace to give me the power to live consistently, every day, to what I know to be true? I opened my scriptures and the first two words I read changed my life. You know how when you read in your head, it sounds like your voice? As I read in Alma 17:3 the words which struck the chords of my soul seemed to come from a voice that was not my own. Much Prayer. "But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God." His Spirit flooded warm affirmation in my soul, and now my prayers have changed. For one, there are more of them. Much prayer is what I need. And to think that I asked the Creator and Governor of the universe this question.. and he heard me... and he answered me. Feasting on the word has taken a new angle for me. I come hungry with questions and ready to have them answered, asking and receiving, knocking and having opened, searching and finding. I wish I could share more, this is not the only one. I dare you to try it. I dare you to have the faith to ask and receive. Start with a prayer and thank him for the sciptures. Read the Book of Mormon for 15 minutes. Close your book and write down a legitimate question that you have. Trusting him, thumb open to anywhere in the scriptures and listen to his voice answering you. Most importantly, write down your answer and thank him for taking the time and having the love to speak with you for awhile. Your lives will take a new meaning, and your relationship will seem much more like that of a very close Father and child. 2 Nephi 32:3 feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. Remember that all things means ALL THINGS. Ask him about work, about school, about play, about relationships, for advice, for guidance, for anything. I dare you!

I'm running behind, like usual :) I love you all and can't wait to learn the things he wants me to learn in the next chapter of my life. It's probably going to be really hard, but I can rest assured it will be worth it. Here's some pics!

Elder T. Hakes

huge fires around town, apparently this happens every year haha

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To Bartlesville!

In young investigator Ethan Rowland's words "The Bus of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints"

To Tulsa for the last time!

Ropes course!

2/15/16 "Bartlesville, OK Zone Activity"

Mike (ok1moe@prodigy.net) invited you to a Dropbox shared folder called "Bartlesville, OK Zone Activity 2-15-16" and left you this message:

"Family and Friends of Missionaries in the Arkansas, Bentonville Mission,

The Bartlesville Oklahoma Zone had an activity on Monday hosted by President Bell, our Stake President, and we wanted to share the pictures with you. We love having your Daughters and Sons working in our Stake. They are excellent representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for sharing them with us.

There may be more pictures posted so check back in a day or two just in case.

Thanks again.

Bartlesville Oklahoma Stake"

View folder

2/15/16 A Funny Story

I forgot my funny story: 

Sunday some delinquent kids in our ward stole the neighboring Jehovah's Witnesses exterior lightbulbs that light up their sign. Somehow it became our responsibility to escort one of them back over there to screw them back in. We walked through our lawn to their building as a bunch of them started coming out to go home and we had some stares as we stood close by while pesky Ryan returned the stolen property. We smiled and gave some waves and walked casually back through their lawn to our building directly adjescent to theirs. So funny! It was like a religious holy war, but we made peace.

2/15/16 Do Work

Hey Weekly Crew,

Low on time today so quick updates and a funny story to brighten your Monday.

Highlights this week is that I'm feeling WAY better and running on full throttle, the doctors prediction of a 4 week cough was beaten by the priesthood blessing and prayers I received. Hallelujah. You sure learn to appreciate good health when you don't see the sun for a few days.

Other highlights include a Wednesday night baptism for a kid named Dustin Toney. If you knew him your jaw would have just hit your lap. He's made serious changes in his life in the last few months. Major changes. Partially because he is now properly medicated and partially because it was his time to get real about his life and do what's right. He is a great kid with a rough past, true grit, and a bright future. He's been associated with the youth and the church for a couple years now, everyone loved supporting him in his new found determination and attitude as he entered the waters of baptism. Miracles happen people!

Last highlight (almost) was our temple trip on Saturday, we had 40 people in attendance, 12 of which were recent converts, 6 of which were there for the first time, and 2 others who are investigating and 1 less active member who went for her first time. I don't think they'll be allowing our ward to share the font with other wards anymore, we crowded the place out.

Last highlight (for real), I don't know if I mentioned but ELDER CHRISTOFFERSON IS COMING TO OKALHOMA THIS WEEKEND. First visit from an apostle since 2001. We're stoked and church meetings will be in Bartlesville OK in an event center that was rented out for everyone in a 2 hour radius. We have a mission conference with him this Saturday in Tulsa. It's going to be altering. In ward council we talked about how we can get all 41 of our investigators and sacrament attenders to Bartlesville to hear him (most don't have stable income, let alone transporation). I jokingly suggested we rent a school bus. Bishop said "yes good idea", and in an hour we had a school bus secured for travel!! The Yellow Cleveland Bus of Miracles and Faith will depart from Cleveland at 8am sharp on Sunday. On board will be people who don't yet know they are about to be bathed in the spirit and converted by the living words of a special witness of Christ. Expect baptisms to follow!

Oh crap, last real highlight right here: Today we're playing with zorb balls in Owasso as a zone party! Google it and be jealous!

Major downer and not a highlight: transfers calls is ALREADY this Saturday. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME, I DONT WANT TO LEAVE YET.

Keep the faith,

Elder T. Hakes

Dustin Toney

SSSHHHHH this might be illegal...

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Just between us

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A piece of our temple crew! The recently baptized Mclearans and returning Schmitts :)

2/8/16 Where to start?

Man, this last week has been ROUGH

Tuesday we had zone training meeting and interviews with President Loveland, which both went really really well, it was a great day. It was an uplifting meeting and this zone has some real potential, I'm excited to see some miracles happen as we set goals together. My interview with President basically consisted of him asking me questions about the legendary Cleveland area and the work we are doing there. The things happening here are truly historical. I was able to give some good insight as to some of the ingredients for this baptizing recipe. That about sums it up for the highlights. Haha no not really that sounds pessimistic. But I got sick that night after a long day of meetings and lessons and literally spent the entire week in bed. The entire week you might ask? Yes, the ENTIRE WEEK. What started off as a silly head cold was diagnosed by the doctor on Friday to be one of the worst viruses that he has seen in Cleveland in 20 or 30 years! Wonderful. I'm over the major part of congestion and sore throat, but its moved into my lungs giving me a hacking cough. My muscles ache like I just won the crossfit world championship. Agony, people. It's been no fun, but on the bright side we truly saw the Lord's hand in our work. We had a goal to teach 20 member present lessons this week. And we hit it. Haha! I literally spent the whole week in bed moaning but by some miracle Elder Henderson was taken out by enough members to keep doing the work and hit our goals. Who needs me? It was inspiring to see the work rolling forward and some amazing lessons and progression being had. 

We've found several more families to teach and they are all pretty excited about it. The Dobbs family is doing really well, they missed their baptismal date Saturday because they're waiting on divorce papers for Andrea so that they can be officially married. But they've quit smoking and he's found a job and they all can't wait to be baptized. We are going to have a spur of the moment baptism for a kid named Dustin this Wednesday! He's been around the church for a long time but just barely had a change of heart and attitude and wanted to make the changes necessary to be baptized. He had a date for later but we all agree he's ready now so that he can go to the temple with the youth this Saturday. Going to be sweet! Our recent converts the Mclearans are tearing it up gospel style and drinking all the living water (don't worry there's enough to go around.) They're going to the temple for the first time also and cannot wait. Our other convert 16 year old Dyamond is doing well and excited for her first temple trip as well! It's going to be a stellar week. Please pray that my body can rid itself of this plague and I can return to full health. It's been a major drag, its starting to effect every facet of my life and work, mentally and spiritually. I think I'm on the mend though :) At Sacrament the meeting was SPARSE, half our ward and investigators are sick. Pray for all of them! We all know that Satan is trying to bring down the ridiculously awesome things that are happening here. He can't hold us down! Wish I had some fun pictures to send but regrettably I didn't take any selfies of me sick in bed. 

OH on another positive note we have an apostle, Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Lynn G. Robbins are coming to Bartlesville Oklahoma to address us on the 20th! Our mission will have a special conference with them and then our Sunday services will be with them again in Bartlesville. I am beyond excited to hear the words and feel the Spirit they have to deliver from the Lord. The men I spend all day testifying of will have major converting power in the hearts of our investigators who get to go see him. It will be the first apostle in this area since 2001. Talk about blessings.

Gotta go. When the going gets tough, remember that Satan send his worst storms right before the miracles happen. Joseph Smith can testify to that. Theme of the week: D&C 122:7-8. Read it.

Much love,

Elder T. Hakes

2/8/16 Getting Creative While Sick

Actually I forgot, I do have some pictures to share with you. I don't have sickness selfies, but I drew some pictures in my hours of weakness so here they are.

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2/1/16 Armadillo remains and removing sin-stains

Former Acquaintances!

Weeks are literally days. DAYS PEOPLE. I hope the rest of my life doesn't go by this fast, I might wake up with grown children and not very much hair. 

This last week was the real deal, the ward is catching fire. Still. Our ward missionaries found us 7 new investigators and brought a bunch of them to church! What?! This Sunday was ward conference and we had a new highscore of 174 at sacrament. (granted some of them were from the stake) But hey we had 23 investigators at church. It seems as though everyone we testify to has been looking for this for quite awhile. This ward is going to need a split at this rate! Let's see.. funny stories for this week.. we were driving down a country road and saw some typical roadkill, but did a double take. We looked at each other, "was that an armadillo butt?" I flipped around and yes, indeed it was an armadillo's lonely separated hind end getting nice and dried out on the road. Henderson jumped out and picked it up, essentially an empty hind shell with the tail still attached hahah. It is still in the back of our truck. We haven't decided what to do with it yet... wall mount? Prank? Redneck shrine? We'll see :) Saturday we helped our new friends and converts the Mclearans chop wood with their neighbors the Schmitts. They got out the chainsaw and dropped some oak trees in the yard while Henderson and I split it (with a nifty hydraulic splitter thank goodness) and stacked it. It was great to be outdoors and use some muscle. The weather has been crazy warm! I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt right now. They suspect a cold front is coming though. I keep hearing about these insane ice storms and power outages around here, but I'm starting to think these people have been watching too much tv. No signs of ice yet! District meeting this week was cool, they changed the areas in the district a little bit and sent in a new set of sisters into Claremore which was previously the zone leader area. So now at our meetings it was just me and my companion and four sisters; the zone leaders were at the other district. Won't hear me complaining! Well the rest of this week was filled with great lessons and lots of miracles and some real progression from our oceanic pool of investigators. The Dobbs family whom we love had a date for this weekend, but they are still working on finalizing a divorce so that they can me married and then baptized. These sorts of legalities can be messy, we hope desperately that this won't delay them too long. We've got lots more baptismal dates to set with people for the coming months and a lot more cigarette mountains to climb! Those who realized they don't want to trade a mess of pottage for their birthright easily give up the smokes. True doctrine understood changes behavior! On a side note I also started studying the Old Testament, I plan to read it in about 10 months. There's some weird stuff in there, let's just say I'm grateful for modern prophets and JST footnotes! Also, Elder Henderson almost beat me at chess, guess I better stop going easy. Till next week.

Elder T. Hakes