Make Every Week Count

a selfie,of course !

Goodness what a week! I feel so so so so tired today. I think that means I'm doing something right. All I want to do is sleep. We did lots of exchanges with the sisters this week and taught so many lessons!

One thing I've really gained an appreciation for are companions. I know that's a pretty general thing to say as a missionary but here's my reasoning for this new appreciation. As we've been on lots of exchanges, I've had to stay here in Chamblee with sisters that don't speak Spanish. It gets pretty tiring because I'm the one doing all the talking, all the teaching. Sure my sister will say something- but only if I translate what everyone is saying and what she wants to say back. Really, it kind of feels like I don't have a companion. I swear it's a different mindset to teach that way. Normally if one companion gets stuck, the other will just pick it right up. But if I get stuck on these exchanges, I awkwardly try and get out of it.. By the end of the day I end up losing my voice! Now I feel much more sympathy for Sister Vasquez and my future companion in Brazil. Training someone in a language would not be fun or easy. Major kudos to them!

It's definitely been helpful for my Spanish though. I only pray that it's helpful for the sisters. They all say they love coming to Chamblee because the people we work with and talk to are just so nice and giving. Really they are. They're the best! 

I've also gained an appreciation for this cute little cupcake place in Chamblee. They were delicious!

I can't believe I only have one week left in Chamblee. It makes me sad! I love it here. One of the things I think I'll really truly miss so much are the kids. Sister Vasquez and I teach primary almost every week and normally it's the 5 year olds. Before sacrament meeting they all run up to us and give us hugs and kisses. They just absolutely love us and we love them! When we visit them and knock on their door, the kids stand behind the doors and say "Quien es?" (who is it?) We reply, "Las misioneras!" Then you hear them say to each other "it's the missionaries, the missionaries!!!!!" They run around and go crazy until their mom comes and opens the door. It's like letting the bull out of the bullpen when that door opens.


How I'll miss their little faces. And their hilarious conversations. Yesterday in class, one little boy said to another, "Guys guys guys, I watched a movie and guess what? God died for us." Another said, "Wait didn't Jesus die?" Then a little girl jumps out of her seat and says, "I like Frozen!!!!" with her hands waving way above her head. Frustrated, one of the boys turns sharply toward this girl and says, "We're not talking about that. Why do you always stand up.. just sit down... geez!" Oh los ninos. I love their conversations. Some of them are incredibly intelligent! 

Sister V took this picture of me impersonating a primary girl we teach. She's crazy.

Goodness do I really have to say goodbye to this place? I don't think there is a way to do it. My goal for this week though is to work harder than I did last week. Well honestly that's my goal every week but some weeks are better than others. I don't want to stop working just because I'm leaving.. that's no excuse! Honestly, it's those last few moments of anything that you remember the most. I want this last week to be a good last moment here in Georgia. That's the game plan. I guess I'll be filling you in next week!

Sorry for the shorty email! Got lots to do today! I'll be getting back to you all next week! Love ya!

Hermana Hawkins

Us and Cristian. He's a member and I call him my "hermanito". Little brother. He's the best!

Note from the Mom: Soooo, just after she sent her weekly email, she sent another one saying she'd just heard from her Mission President letting her know that she won't be leaving until Oct. 28th now instead of the 21st.  Which means she now has TWO more weeks to finish everything up in Chamblee! I know she'll make the most of it as usual. 

It also means...she leaves the exact same day that her brother leaves Africa!