Pioneers, Baptism & Beyond

Found someone's art project. Made use of it!

Hi Family!

I think maybe I'll stop writing for a month so I can have more to update you all on!! Just kidding...but I swear I never know what to write about...so bear with me!

This week was a good week. Lot of work went down. Just trying to climb a mountain over here. Good thing I like to hike!

Speaking of hiking, Happy Pioneer Day! That was this past Thursday! My mission President made the comment that we needed to remember all our Pioneer ancestors who were helping us on the other side. There was one day this week that was so hot and of course Sister Vasquez and I planned to walk basically the whole day. Just as I was ready to throw in the towel, I remembered these Pioneers who walked 500xx more than I did and carried a 100x more than my small shoulder bag. Needless to say I was humbled. My mission president was right! They did help me continue forward and strengthen me this week. And they probably helped me even more than I know.

Pic of my sister Adele (left) being a pioneer recently!

Now what's a week without a few rejections! I know the Pioneers had more than just a few trials-namely, broken shoes, lack of food, diseases, 1,310 miles to walk, death... I consider myself lucky that I just get a few door slams and a couple of languages to learn. My favorite rejection this week was when we knocked on a door and a man opened to say, "there's no one home." Uh, Ok? Apparently he wasn't home. Sister Vasquez and I kind of just looked at each other, laughed then went on our way.

But of course a week can't go by without a few answered prayers. And I know the Pioneers had a few of these too. Another one of my investigators has set a date to be baptized! We've been teaching her ever since I came here and she asked us in our last meeting, "so when is the next baptismal service?" My response was, "Uh, as early as tomorrow"...haha. It's the best feeling when you know for sure someone you're teaching is going to make that decision! It's an even better feeling when they ask YOU what they need to do to prepare. You know, as opposed to asking people to commit and inviting them to do so. Not only does it make our job as missionaries a little easier, but it lets you know how ready these people are to making covenants with Heavenly Father. You know that they're ready to start the trek. And for all the members reading this know that being LDS really is quite the trek! It's not just a church to maybe go to every Sunday but a lifestyle to live each and every day. There's a lot to commit to when someone commits to being baptized in this church! Luckily, there's about 15,082,028 (and counting!) members all over the world who can testify of how blessed they are to have made that commitment and been baptized!

I'm so grateful for my baptism! Every time I see a baptism I think back to my own. I remember that it was a happy day with all the family gathered. It's funny, I don't ever remember being that little but the pictures of me and Erin (my cousin!) prove otherwise. Since I was 8 it's a little hard to remember all the details, but I remember feeling happy and like it was the right choice. I know now that it was definitely the right decision as I wouldn't have learned this much or come this close to the Lord without it! One of my favorite memories from my baptism is when all my cousins and siblings sang, "We'll Bring the World His Truth." Little did we know at the time that the words to that Primary song really would come true:

1. We have been born, as Nephi of old,
   To goodly parents who love the Lord.
   We have been taught, and we understand,
   That we must do as the Lord commands.
2. We have been saved for these latter days
   To build the kingdom in righteous ways.
   We hear the words our prophet declares:
   "Let each who's worthy go forth and share."
3. We know his plan, and we will prepare,
   Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.
   Daily we'll learn until we are called
   To take the gospel to all the world.
4. Chorus
   We are as the army of Helaman.
   We have been taught in our youth.
   And we will be the Lord's missionaries
   To bring the world his truth.

Thanks to our parents who taught us! And for the Prophet who has declared and called each of us to go forth and share! Shoutout to Shar, Jared, Trevor and Erin who sang that song at my baptism and have served or are serving. Erin, look at us now! And my Hawkins cousins; Chris, Ben and Josh! What a little army of Helaman we all are! Love and miss you guys!

Anyways, sorry for my unorganized thoughts! Just you know, remember the Pioneers and your baptism ;). 

Adios!

Hermana Hawkins

(special thanks to Sienna's cousin Daniel, Uncle Mark and Grandpa for providing the background music!)

just a ridiculous picture!

My Testimony

Getting caught in the rain...oops!

HI Everyone! How are you this fine day! I hope as happy as I am!!

Here's an update on the work: it's going!! We are pushing to really find the people who are prepared to receive us. Lately it's been difficult to do because Hispanic people are so nice, they all say yes to learning more but really they're just too nice to say no. But hey, the door is still open so there's hope!

On the other hand, we have one investigator who is going to be baptized. Just a little heads up for all of you! She'll be baptized in August so it's coming soon! You'll probably hear about it in her baptism post so stay tuned!

Really that is all that I can update you on this week. That and a few random incidents with cockroaches and rain. If you're wondering about the cockroaches that's just Georgia! They're everywhere, it's disgusting! I was at lunch the other day and one was crawling up my leg. Gah, I know! My family knows I can handle bugs but I've learned that I canNOT handle cucarachas. Oh my goodness epiphany! That Spanish song "la cucaracha" is about a cockroach! Who would ever write a song about that! I'll never think of that song the same again! I thought it was a latin dance or something goodness! Song so ruined!  Thanks a lot Spanish. At least I can really thank Spanish for one thing... that is understanding the Dora the Explorer theme song! Now I know what I'm saying when I sing it.. which is quite often for some odd reason. (Special thanks to Adele for that one too.)

Ok ok back on track. I think the greatest thing I learned this week was about the scriptures. One of my new goals is to finish the New Testament in 45 days. I just started this past week and honestly I don't ever want to put the book down! Sometimes I'll even pick it up during lunch break if I didn't finish in the morning. 

Everyday I look forward to reading from the Bible. As I've been reading though, I've noticed something so interesting. Aside from being edified by the Savior's words, I find that my testimony of the Book of Mormon and restored gospel much more strengthened! I've realized this past week that without the Book of Mormon and revelation from modern-day prophets, I'd be so lost reading the Bible. Some of it, and to clarify we read from the Kind James Version, is just downright confusing. And it's only confusing because of how many times it's been translated and placed into the hands of men. No wonder so many religions exist and so many people are confused!

Can I just say how lucky I feel to have 533+ pages of clarification?! With the Book of Mormon and words from the prophets it's so much easier to understand the Bible! The Book of Mormon even states it "shall be made known the plain and precious truths that have been taken away from [it]." (1 Nephi 13:40). To be honest, you can spend your whole life studying the Bible and still not know some of the things we as Latter-Day Saints know about it due to the knowledge we have from the Book of Mormon.

That's a heavy claim to make, no? But so is telling Mormons we don't know the Bible. When people tell me that on my mission all I think is, "But you don't understand the Book of Mormon... because if you did, you wouldn't have said that!" And that's why I respond by testifying and teaching of the Book of Mormon. Because the Book of Mormon also says that any who "denieth these things (the restored Gospel/Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them" (Mormon 9:8). And so that's my job! To bring understanding to as many as I possibly can. Understanding of this little blue book. 

One of my favorite quotes about the Book of Mormon by Jeffrey R Holland keeps coming to mind. He said:

"For 179 years this book has been examined and attacked, denied and deconstructed, targeted and torn apart like perhaps no other book in modern religious history—perhaps like no other book in any religious history [...] In this I stand with my own great-grandfather, who said simply enough, “No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so"

With that I leave you my testimony of the Book of Mormon that I know with all my heart it's truthfulness. That no one can receive as much peace in their lives without it. That no one can know of it's divine power without reading it and praying about it. That no once can know so much about our Savior, Jesus Christ at this day in age without it. It is a convincer of truth. It is a clarifier of things past, present and future. And most importantly, it has lead me to feel and know with a surety that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and Savior of all mankind. And to know Him and return to the presence of God, all we must do is come to Him.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Honestly and truthfully!

Love,

Hermana Hawkins

From the blog LDS Media Talk:

In social media, you often see posts like “5 things about me you may not know.” Here’s one for the Book of Mormon:

1. I was translated in 65 working days.
2. I speak 109 languages.
3. Over 160 million copies of me have been distributed.
4. The Bible is my best friend.
5. I am one of the top 10 most read books in the world.

For a free copy, click here: Book of Mormon

Just Go and Do

Friends! Family!

It's been a good week here in Atlanta. Thank you for all the letters!! I feel like it was Christmas every time I went to the mailbox so thank you thank you!!

I thought about what I could possibly share with you this week and felt inspired to share one of my "secrets" to missionary work- as inspired by my mission president!

Sometimes, in missionary work, you're going to do things that you don't want to do. Sometimes you won't want to wake up at 6 every morning. Sometimes you don't want to try to understand another language through the phone. The point is, unless you're perfect, you will run into at least something that you don't have a passion for here in the mission. And hey, we're not perfect!

For me, I had a hard time with talking to everyone or finding new people to teach. I can easily strike up a conversation with someone but the initial approach is in all honesty, kind of scary. Really there's no reason to be scared... we wear a name tag in which people expect something from us. I think I used to get too caught up in waiting for the Spirit to prompt me when in most cases you just need to exercise your faith and open your mouth.

So what do I do? How can I resolve this? Let me tell you a story.

I remember a time when I was about 9 or 10 living in Berwyn PA and my little brother, Keegan, decided he was going to leave the family and run away. He must have been angry at the family for something I can't recall. Middle Child Syndrome? Possibility. In any case, somehow (...and maybe I was a part of the problem), I was a witness at the moment he made up his mind to run. I began then to panic! Mom told him if he wanted to leave then fine...leave!! Of course being a mom, she knew better, but I looked at her as if she were crazy. Next thing I knew we were standing on the driveway. With a to-go bag-that my mom packed mind you- and bike, I hysterically cried as he rode down the driveway out of sight. I was traumatized!! My little brother! Gone forever! Turning to my mom out of despair I cried, "You're not even going to go after him!?"

I hated the thought of not doing anything to get him home. I would have done anything and everything at that moment. Luckily, and to the benefit of my mental well-being, it was a short escape. Keegan came riding back just after he rode around the cold-de-sac a few times.

What sticks with me the most from this experience is the way I felt when I "lost" Keegan. I was panicked but I was willing to run to every street, every door to find him. If any of you have remembered searching for someone, you probably asked everyone where they last saw your loved one and you probably moved with haste and searched thoroughly. And you probably never gave up.

Sometimes as a missinoary and even in normal day life, you're perspective makes all the difference. Maybe comparing finding new people to teach with finding a lost family member is a little dramatic. But it pushes me to work harder. I knew the kind of feelings I wanted to have when I go "finding" and used a time where I felt that way to motivate me. Not only can I work harder to talk with everyone, but I can really see everyone as if they're my own family. And that helps me to love more like the Savior just upon the first greeting.

So. The solution is to change your perspective. It's sometimes hard for me. My dad and older brother are really good at it. But you get better at it with time. The only way it'll work though is if you are willing to work. Most things you don't like in life won't require you to do nothing. You can't move forward if you're standing still.

Lastly, always trust the Lord. He knows much better our abilities and capacities. He knows where we need more help and when we invite Him to help, you better believe He's sure to be there. I know He is because I heave felt Him with me every step of the way thus far. Full-time missionary or not, you can too!

And if you call now you can receive a free pass-along card and Book of Mormon! Haha, sorry I had to. :)

Anywho. This is something that I've learned throughout my mission, but really tried to apply it well this week. And it's helped! It's helped me look at hard situations in a new light and learn to follow more closely the will of the Lord.

Now that you've been enlightened on some "secrets" go and do!

Love you all!

Sister Hawkins

*She didn't send pics this week, but here are a few I found from their zone conf. on the Atlanta Mission Page:

I LOVE this one! She's the only one laughing, and it looks like her comp is "shushing" her.  haha!

Pay attention everyone!

On her best behavior....

See? She still gets to spend time with Sis Pribs!

Note from the Mom: For the record, I must be the worst mom in the world because I totally don't remember Keegan's attempt to run away! He remembers though. He said he wasn't mad, he just wanted to know if he could actually do it, haha!  But he also knew that Sienna would come find him no matter what. Aren't siblings the best?! (it reminds me of another brother/sister runaway story in the city of Paris...) I love the connection she makes with the story and finding our "lost siblings" in the gospel.  Go and do. Just Go and do!!

Yo se que

Oh just a bearded dragon on my shoulder. Nbd.

My family! Hola!

What a wonderful week of learning. And what a wonderful day of rest it is for missionaries around the world.

Quick update on this week as far as the work goes: It's a little slow but we're trying to pick up the pace. We found 18 new people to teach this past week so that should keep us a little busy! Expecting many miracles to come this next week! :)

I thought it'd be fun to share a few phrases that I learned quickly in Spanish. I say most of these phrases numerous times a day and many of them I learned on my first day here. So here goes:

1. "No hablo mucho.... estoy aprendiendo" 
(I don't speak much... I'm learning)

I learned this with the first meeting I think I ever had here in Chamblee. I probably say it 20 times a day. Pretty much to everyone we meet. I should have more confidence in myself but honestly, I tell people I'm learning because sometimes, rarely, but sometimes they speak a little slower and help me out. Most people here know some English so if I don't know a word then I'll say it in English and they'll either get it or my cool companion will translate. It may take me longer to learn Spanish since I'm not "submersed" in the language.. but hey. I'm not complaining!

2. "Que beuno", "Gracias" and "Si"

In many conversations we have throughout the day, these are the top 3 responses I use. Que beuno literally translates to "what good/goodness" but it's used to say something along the lines of "that's great!" Then of course "gracias" is a given. Gotta say thanks as often as I can! And lastly, I use "si" to obviously answer questions but any kind of response I don't know how to give I just kinda nod my head and say "oh yeah, si, si" hahah. I find that I rarely say no. Maybe it's not a good thing that I just kind of agree with everything... I think this is something that a lot of missionaries do when they're learning a language. We really just don't know what the heck is going on sometimes... lots of smiling and waving. I hear the movie Madagascar in my head "just smile and wave boys, smile and wave" 

3. "Ven aqui!"

This means "come here". Which I say to every child. Gosh all these kids are so dang cute! Most of them speak English too so I get along real well with them haha :)

MY FAVORITE CHILD. THIS kid. Look at those Cachetas!! 

Family is so so important to the Hispanic culture. Most people I talk to have so many kids!! It seems like they all have young kids too and if they don't have kids, their families are in their home country while they're here trying to support them. Most of them all live in one house too- grandparents, grandkids, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. Probably helpful for financial purposes but I've learned that it's mainly due to their culture. And let me just tell you the variety of Hispanic culture I've been educated on from right here in the Melting Pot. I've met people from Honduras, Dominican  Republic, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Guatemala, Uruguay, Columbia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Salvador. And the food! Goodness so many good foods with rice and beans as the common denominator. I've come to better terms with my inevitable fate to gain weight here and in Brazil.

Hispanic people are so giving. Look at what we came home with in just one day... so many waterbottles!!! 

4. "Este versiculo es mi preferido"

"This verse is my favorite" Apparently, every verse I share is my favorite. I realize that I say that about all the scriptures I share with people. I just love the scriptures, ok? Is that such a problem?

5. "Yo se que..."

Means, I know. One thing I do know how to do is bear my testimony. Each time I testify I know the Spirit is directing me in what to say and how to say it. I couldn't possibly do it without the Lord's help! I'd like to leave you with my testimony that:

Yo amo al Senor. Creo en Su poder redentor. Yo se que El vive. Yo se que El sabe como me siento en mis aflicciones. Por esto yo siempre puedo tener la confianza en El. Yo se que nunca pagare las cosas que El ha hecho por mi. Mi fe en su Expiacion me ayuda para tener la fuerza para vencer mis muchas flaquezas. Mi Salvador ha cambiado mi corazon y lo siento todos los dias. Yo se que mi Redentor es mi roca y lo voy a continuar alabando con humilde gratitud.

I love you all! Thanks for all the support and the kind comments from last week!

Sister Hawkins


More Pix:

More bearded dragon on my shoulder.

This is what are car has come to...

Baby chihuahua (how in the world do you spell that??)

Note from the Mom: I'll admit, that testimony brought tears even though I had no idea what it said! She also told me that no, she did not use Google translate, haha! But her companion did help her write it out. Also, a little slow with 18 new people to teach??? Um.

And I can already hear Trevor's response to the last picture here: "Sie...it's like your twin!"

Drumroll Please!!!!

Here we go! The moment he's been waiting for--Wesley's debut on the blog! I told him all he had to do was get baptized and he'd make it on here :)

So the one and only Wesley got baptized this Saturday in Douglasville and guess what!?? Pribyl and I got to reunite in Douglasville. It was awesome! They never let missionaries go back for baptisms once they leave but somehow that guy Wesley pulled that one off just for us. 

That guy Wesley on his baptism day!! :)

In honor of Wesley, let me tell you a little story:

One mid-May evening, two little sisters parked their car outside the entrance of the nearby super Walmart. The day had neared to an end and the two sisters felt a bit discouraged after many cancelled appointments and unsuccessful contacts. Before turning the car off, they offered a humble prayer having the faith that they would find three new people to teach that day. In hopefulness they marched on in and with faith like a little child, the younger sister went straightway to talking with someone. But unfortunately she found no interest. She found another. No interest. And with a little disappointment she found one more who to her dismay was yet again uninterested. As the little sister began to lose some faith, big sis was building up the courage and seeking for inspiration. They neared the photo center of the electronics section and little sis tried to regain her faith by printing pictures of Poala's baptism for the mission office. Big sis knew it was her turn now. While lil sis loaded up the pictures, big sis approached the worker behind the check-out desk and mustered up the only visible personal connection she could by asking about the World of Warcraft game sitting on the counter. To her surprise he seemed interested. He discovered her purpose as a missionary and unloaded some questions he's had all his life on the topic of religion and God. Lil sis came over and they were both eager to get together again soon.

So that's how we found Wesley. Next thing you know, we schedule the first meeting at the church and he shows up in slacks and a shirt and tie ready to learn and willing to listen. We soon learned how intelligent and incredibly observant he was as we met more often. When teaching about the Gospel, we always ask how people are feeling because it's the feeling of peace that tells you it's true. One time when we asked Wesley, he responded "Do you hear that? You can hear the peace." That left an impression on us as we realized there are other ways to comprehend the truthfulness of the Gospel. The Spirit will manifest its' truth to the needs of each listener.

Another cool thing that Wesley did was find answers to his prayers. Originally,  he couldn't come to church due to work. As we taught him more about prayer he decided to pray about his work conflicts. He courageously approached his boss and asked for at least part of Sundays off and just like that they made it work. Now Wesley has come almost every Sunday since we first met him 2 months ago.

I've made Wesley's conversion sound so fine and dandy but it was littered with some bumpy trials. The weekend of his scheduled baptismal date it seemed as if every plan was failing. The biggest worry being that Sister Pribyl and I weren't going to be there. He knew the Gospel was true, he had a testimony of everything we'd taught but he really wanted the sisters who taught him to be there. Not only were WE called to leave Douglasville but so were the Douglasville elders who meant a lot to him as well. He was devastated. To all of our surprise we got permission to attend and boom. Back in Dtown. I guess Douglasville just didn't want to get rid of us that quickly...or maybe it's that we just couldn't let go that soon. Probably the latter.

The coolest part of the baptism was the end when Wesley got up to bear his testimony- which he insisted to have on the program. Pretty awesome, right? Well as he talked he shared beautiful scriptures that have touched him these recent weeks and his faith really showed itself. My favorite thing he brought up was something he learned when all his missionaries were called out of the area. He said that God was humbling him and he realized that if everything he ever owned and loved was taken from him at that very moment, it wouldn't change his testimony of the truth. Then he paused and went on to say, "I know that the Book of Mormon is true." Right as he said that the Spirit just crowded the room. How many times have I heard that statement-probably more than I can count. But it never ceases to amaze me the power that comes from a simple but strong string of words! I remember sitting there and getting chills as he bore his simple and powerful testimony.

It's all true. The Book of Mormon, the Bible, the Restoration, Jesus Christ, the Spirit--everything! I know it's true. The Holy Ghost witnesses the truth of it to me almost every single day and for that I feel incredibly humbled and blessed. And because of it, I get to meet people like Wesley!

I hope all is well on the home front--or across the world if you're a missionary friend keeping up! No need to worry about me! I'm right where I'm supposed to be!

Love you all!

Sister Hawkins

Pix:

Lots of picture taking was in order, of course! 

Sisters on the train!

We took the train this week to see some members who live far from us.
An adventure to say the least! It was fun though! 

Pictures from sister Montgomery of Douglasville ward...the bishop's wife. This was our last day there. :(

Note from the Mom:
I did ask her how the Spanish was going this week, and if she was exhausted trying to work in a language she doesn't know all day.  Here was her response:

It's all going good. I do actually speak in lessons--at least I try my best to! I started speaking the first day I got here... I just sound kind of like an idiot. But I use english words when I don't know them in spanish and most people understand. Or often I'll turn to my companion and ask what the word is mid-sentence.

Gotta love that girl and not caring if she sounds like an idiot! :)

Cast Your Burdens

Me and sister Vasquez! She's totally awesome!

Hola Familia!

Where to even begin! I guess I'll start from the beginning of the week.. probably a good place to start.

So Monday we spent all day packing and seeing friends and ward family. Tuesday was round two of that honestly but 100x worse. We hardly had time to pack because we spent all this time with people in Douglasville. It was so hard to leave! I knew it would be because I have so much love for my family there. D-ville will forever hold a piece of my heart!

And then Wednesday came all too fast. I realize now that I don't have any pictures and it was probably due to the fact that it was the last thing on my mind. That and I may have looked like I'd been hit by a semi on just 3 hours of sleep. I was also so incredibly nervous and mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually tired. I remember when President called my name so I could stand to hear where I was going and who my companion was. I stood up and he called me to be a designated driver (which means I'm in charge of driving and which also never happens with visa waiters because we are only here temporarily).It totally caught me off guard and as I was already overwhelmed, I completely forgot to look for my new companion. Sister Pribyl had to point her out to me when I sat down.

As soon as I sat down I just remember letting it all go *cue Frozen (which I've never seen, but already know the song!). And then just like that everything was ok. I didn't feel stressed or worried or exhausted. I felt excited and ready!

Next thing you know I hit the ground running.

Now onto Chamblee!

I'm now serving smack dab in the middle of Atlanta. My companion is Sister Vasquez and she is a native speaker from the Dominican Republic. She's super sweet and such a help to me... in other words she's a very patient person when it comes to me speaking Spanish. Being a Spanish branch my area covers about 8 or more sub-cities and guess what??? Pribyl is in my stake!! I got to see her at stake conference yesterday and we'll have zone trainings together. She's serving right next to the temple! God knew I'd need to keep her around as long as I could...maybe just so I wouldn't go crazy. Little blessings!

Last time at temple with pribby (except not really because we'll go together for zone trainings now!)

Alright alright, enough of that, I know you're all wondering how Spanish is going. Let me just tell you how ridiculous Spanish was my first day. So I understood just about 5% of what people were saying... I got really good at smiling and nodding and laughing at all the right cues. I'd blurt out the only words I knew like "bien" or "si". Fake it till you make it right? Then in the car Sister Vasquez was on the phone and heard me making weird noises. She paused asking if I was trying to say something and I replied "I'm just practicing rolling my r's". If there's one thing I can't do it's rolling my r's. Thank goodness Portugese doesn't have any of that! If it does someone please tell me now...

Is it just me or is there an elephant on my back? Haha! Me and my snazzy new elephant friend.

But as the days went on I realized that my prayers were being answered. I prayed so hard to receive the gift of tongues and interpretation. My 0% speaking and 5% understanding I would now change to 40% and 70% understanding.  For not even knowing simple words like "you" and "us" (honestly I swear I've never seen the words "usted" and "nosotros" in my entire life) I can now say simple prayers, have small talk, comment in lessons and bear my testimony on multiple Gospel topics in Spanish. Most of the time I feel like I'm just catching words, putting them together and assuming, based on actions and expressions what people are saying. I know it's more than that though, that the Lord is working miracles.

You know there is so much that I've learned this week but I'll leave you with two of the biggest lessons I've discovered:

1. God really answers prayers. Not only has he answered my prayers with Spanish but for the longest time I've been praying that God would help me work harder. So He answers prayers... but goodness be careful what you wish for! Praying for the ability to work harder I learned, is like praying for patience...which I did in fact do and have been waiting for 7 months for my visa! So, be wise and don't pray for those things. Or you'll learn the hard way like me!

Honestly though, I couldn't be more happy for this kind of opportunity. How much harder can you work?! Well, probably a lot but at this point in my life I don't know if I've ever worked harder. And I don't know if I've ever felt more like a missionary or servant of the Lord than ever before. Which leads me to my next lesson...

2. I've been told all throughout my mission to "lose myself". Lose myself in the work. Like it says in Luke 9:24 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." You know when you've been learning something for days, months or maybe even years and suddenly in one small moment it all just seems to click? The moment in transfer meeting when I sat back down I remember thinking "Ok God, it's all You". It was then that I put everything- my cares, frustrations, worries, talents, burdens, language, abilities, doubts- all in the Lords hands. In just a matter of seconds I for once felt like I finally "lost myself".

I always wonder why it takes changes like this to really humble ourselves and grow. Why can't we do it on our own in normal circumstances? I've realized though, that it's because the Lord wants to remind us who's in charge, who makes the plays and who scores the goals. All He asks of us is to show up for the practice and be on time for the game.

The hymn "How Gentle God's Commands" expresses my testimony perfectly:

How gentle God’s commands!

How kind his precepts are!

Come, cast your burdens on the Lord

And trust his constant care.

Beneath his watchful eye,

His Saints securely dwell;

That hand which bears all nature up

Shall guard his children well.

Why should this anxious load

Press down your weary mind?

Haste to your Heav’nly Father’s throne

And sweet refreshment find.

His goodness stands approved,

Unchanged from day to day;

I’ll drop my burden at his feet

And bear a song away.

I know that I'm where I'm supposed to be. I've received a true witness of it. I know that God does things I don't understand but I know that they are for mine and others'  benefit and done out of pure love. I know that the Atonement is real, that when used properly and under the right authority, it strengthens us more than we'll ever realize. " I know that my Redeemer lives, what comfort this sweet sentence gives.

Thank you for all the prayers and love that I've physically felt supporting me this week. You'll never know how much it means to me! 

With Love,

Sister Hawkins

The "Dream Team" district. I love this district. All except for 3 of us transferred out of
Douglasville and one went home :( Gonna miss all of them.

Note from the Mom: Thank goodness for answered prayers!  From 0% speaking to 40% speaking? In less than a WEEK? That's my girl. I have tears streaming down my face, I'm so relieved. May she continue to cast those burdens away and work harder than she's ever worked before! Thank you for all the prayers on her behalf this week. 

P.S. I'll be posting her new address in her facebook group under the "files" tab. I'm sure she'd love some letters in her new mailbox!

  

Expect the Unexpected

My dad and his girls!

Well. Since I talked about mothers on the week of Mother's day, to be fair I guess I'll talk on Fathers...but don't let it get to your head, dad ok?

 

As father's day came and went I had time to reflect on what makes a good father. Just know that these are my own opinions and thoughts...not necessarily doctrines of the Church...though they collide some. I feel like I've gathered sufficient conclusions from the variety of families I've worked with on the mission and from my own dad. Of course I'm not going to go into ALL of what I think makes a good dad, instead I'll compile them into three qualities that I think, personally, make a good father:

 

1. Has a sense of humor

 

A sense of humor is always needed... it really goes such a long way. Maybe because of how much responsibility a father has on his shoulders is the reason why. But I think we can almost all agree too, that it is every father's job to find the dumbest jokes and phrases..or at least it seems that way. Am I right?!

 

For instance: my dad's most popular phrases are "Money doesn't grow on trees", "Life's not fair" and "kids are just non-revenue generating cost centers". Really my dad is the biggest goofball ever. But no matter how much I want to deny this, I realize that normally when he said these growing up they were used in very applicable circumstances. I can just see dad reading this now, saying "See? See?!?"

 

The worst of it is when something happens on the mission where I hear my dad saying "Life's not fair" or some other ridiculous phrase in my own head. And I discover the truth behind them! It usually leads me to think "Why? Why is he right?!" But in reality I'm grateful for the lessons he's taught me...even if they come by ridiculous means. (if only you could all read our "Chronicles of Dad", haha!)

 

2. Loves and serves selflessly.

 

Now I will be very blunt. I've seen way too many families where either father or mother is too absorbed in themselves to sufficiently provide for their children/spouses. The most respectful and admirable father gives his all to his family and the most respectful and admirable man realizes that his family is not his only responsibility. There is one particular member in our ward who just exemplifies this. It seems like every day when we visit families from the church, he has just been there helping them in any way he possibly can, and that's on top of his full-time job and five kids under the age of 12. He is an example of a faithful and charitable servant of God. As we know that "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God" (mosiah 2:17).

 

The kind of father who really is charitable is the best example out there. For not only does he influence his family, but he influences the world.

 

3. Honors his Priesthood.

 

The Priesthood is the literal power and authority God gives to man to perform miracles and ordinances in His name. In Doctrine and Covenants 121:36 it says that "the rights of the Priesthood are inseperably connected with the powers of heaven and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness." That being said, with the responsibility of this it is no wonder that the worthiness of these good men is so vital. Without the Priesthood we would not be able to enjoy the blessings of the restored Gospel...and for that I am incredibly grateful.

 

Now, of course, the example of my own dad has really influenced these important qualities. Why? Because he really is the best dad. Where would I be without his Priesthood blessings in my life? Including the one given in a dark parking lot on the way to the airport the day I left for the MTC. Thanks dad for everything you do for me! I love you so much!

 

On another note, I am being separated from P-ribble hizzle. Both of us are leaving Douglasville. So sad! We love this area. All the people we've talked and loved and served are so precious to me. Douglasville will forever hold a piece of my heart and that means that they can't get rid of me that easily. I'll be back!

 

On a concluding note... they're sending me to a Spanish branch. Well.... here we go! Next up, learning Spanish!

 

Love you all. Please pray for Douglasville! And if any of you have tips for learning Spanish... I'd appreciate any help! (like maybe send Keegan down here for the summer...?)

 

Sister Hawkins

Note from the Mom: Ahhhhh, my girl. She will learn Spanish if that is what is required of her!  But how about a few extra prayers on her behalf this week?  Not sure what her new address is, I will post as soon as know.