The One Where Joel is Baptized

"The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!
"The latter-day glory begins to come forth;
"The visions and blessings of old are returning,
"And angels are coming to visit the earth.
"We’ll sing and we’ll shout with the armies of heaven,
"Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!
"Let glory to them in the highest be given,
"Henceforth and forever,
"Amen and amen!"

"The Spirit of God" has been played at both baptisms of this transfer. It's interesting how that has been selected each time as a closing hymn by those being baptized.

I actually listened to the Joseph Smith Podcast on the writing of the song, and it's a beautiful history. I recommend hearing it.

I've served nearly about 8 month total in Cyprus, all of which have been in Nicosia. Seems like they couldn't keep me out of here. Honestly, it has been a roller coaster of emotions and experiences.

I'd be lying if I didn't say it wasn't always my favorite. There was hard times here. Every day I walk into the room I got the news I was getting sent home early. Everyday, take from the bowls I would eat over thinking, "Did I make the right decision to come back on my mission?" I sleep in the bed I, apparently, spoke in my sleep from, stressing about the branch I was president of. I asked my mission president last time I met with him, "Is there a reason I'm still here? Is there something specific you need me to do?"

I sit here, even now, asking, "Why do I have to leave?"

The first time I asked myself that, I realized, "Ah. That's why."

I look forward to my time in Thessaloniki; without a doubt, I look forward to it, maybe only with a little fear. But I must admit, when I found out I was leaving Nicosia, my heart broke.

"That's why you stayed, I needed you to see what I saw here," I can imagine God saying.

My heart broke, a feeling I haven't felt in a long time.

"Why does it hurt so much?"

"Because it was real."

It hit me when it was announced I was leaving to Thessaloniki, and my friend Michael, whose wife is getting baptized soon, leaned forward to see me and said with tears in his eyes, "It's like loosing family, why you leave?"

These last few transfers have been, arguably, the most "successful" transfers of my mission. It has felt I've been able to deliver the best I have to offer this last transfer, and it's been a good feeling-- certainly. But I don't think that's the only reason I was here for so long, since I am sure any other missionary could have taken on what I and my companions had if they have the Lord on their side. I don't think there is anything special about me in that sense. Maybe I'm a little more crazy and blunt now, haha!

God need me to learn to love a place that was so packed despite the hardships. To condemn a place because of the, in retrospect, minor difficulties I had is wrong.

A member spoke to one of our friends this last week saying, "You know, I spent so much time thinking Elder Hansen was intimitating or [phone break, I missed the word] but I realized, I was wrong!" I was glad she didn't think of that anymore, but I more so realized, was I misjudging something for myself.

I am going to miss this area very much. I will especially miss the members. The member families, the single members, and the friends will hold a special place in my heart for a while. I'm so thankful for the time I had here. I hope I was able to contribute something of value to such a special place.

Let me stop gushing about it, and give you some reasons why.

Joel got baptized this last week on Sunday.

Elder Wahl, Crossley, and I met him after Elder Wahl had randomly contacted him on Facebook. Apparently, this was moments after Joel had prayed to God to come closer to Him or to help Joel.

We began to meet with him, and he loved to learn. He went from a quiet man, to him sharing his bright personality, continuously sending us messages about friends he wanted to share the gospel to.

Joel testified to me that it doesn't take complicated faith to believe in Jesus Christ. We don't need to have a complete knowledge of everything to be able to follow the Savior. Every day I study the scriptures I learn something, and nearly every day I find 3 or 4 more questions that I want to find in the scriptures and learn about. I don't know if we can ever stop learning, and I think that's the point. Our heart needs to be in the right place-- and be willing.

Joel was so ready to follow the Savior. I think he lost at least two jobs because he wanted to come to church every Sunday.

"I have to be there, I have to come to church. It''s where I need to be," he shrugged.  I felt it was such simple and pure testimony.

We had his service after church, and the excitement he had overtook his anxiety of being in front of everyone. He came in wearing a nice colored shirt and pants, and after he was baptized, he changed into a very nice, all white, outfit he wore to signify his change into a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Funny note, he would not take my forearm low enough that I or Elder Lamb felt he would be completely submerged into the water. Elder Lamb came to me after saying he thought we would have to do it a second time until I put him in the water. Apparently the definition of "buried in the water". He came out of the water like a rocket since I had to put him in so low and water rushed up his nose. I have never gotten so wet from a baptism. I usually get away with a short length of my sleeves wet, but we were both pretty darn wet.

It was absolutely wonderful. I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

I went and changed only my pants (since I had forgotten a white shirt-- oops) and stepped into the foyer to wait for Joel before entering the Sacrament Room for his confirmation.

I spotted Joselina, who waved and becond me over.

"Elder Hansen-- next, my turn?" she asked timidly; as if we would say no.

"Of course!!"

We had a beautiful confirmation, after that, and the spirit was felt so strongly. Even up to the last verse of "The Spirit of God".

The Li's, some of our newest baptized members, had smiles from ear to ear the whole time. I think it was a good reminder to them of their baptism only 6 or so months ago.

I will say though, I will miss that family. I can testify the love and spirit transends language barriers. I don't speak a single bit of Chinese, and they speak very little English. Yet the closeness we've felt towards them has been developing since we've been here. We teach them English connect every week, and I absolutely love helping them to learn and speak the language.

The hardest thing I've ever had help them understand in English was that I was leaving this next week. Brother Li, the father of the two boys we teach English, thought I was saying till October. I felt so bad.

I will say that I trust the hands they will go into. The next missionaries will treat this Branch with the love and respect it deserves; I know it. I say this as if this Branch is not in the hands of God already, but I testify to you that God has been keeping his eye on this place for a long time.

I have so much more to write, but I guess I'll have to save that for next P-day. Funny enough, because of the events of this week, P-day was on Saturday, and our next is on Monday. So, see you again soon for part two!

I love you all and may God guide you. For those that need rest such as I, I hope you take a moment to receive it.

Elder Dylan Hansen