Hey family,
So today has been good so far. We woke up early and went to the Curupira, a park and the 6 of us played ultimate frisbee. It was super fun! I need to take pictures of the park to show you guys. We studied there and then played frisbee. It was nice
The shoe kit and socks can wait until Christmas.
Shawn Bean got married????^? To Who?? The pic of Tyler turned out good. I´ll see what I can do. I will send you next week
The engagement pics turned out really awesome. I´m super stoked for the both of them. Cristy is super pretty and she actually makes Tyson somewhat good looking (HAHA just kidding, love you bro!)
Marcelo and Tatiana seem to be doing well. We will teach them for the second time tomorrow night and we are stoked. They went to church in the other ward again and it seemed like they really liked it.
Well we actually started getting letters again today. I´m sure the letters that were backed up will come in by stages. I didn't get any letters today but I am anxiously waiting haha
I actually sent Scott a letter last week haha. So I sent him a quick email today.
Pehrson actually made the surfboard from scrath????!!!???
This last week was fine. We are still trying to play catch-up with some stuff but it is working out.
I sent rachel a letter last week. Should get there in a couple weeks. I still love her.
I´m super excited for General Conference. What are everybody´s plans? It really is the coolest thing to be able to hear living prophets and apostles speak the Lord´s will for us. Thank you Mom and Dad for teaching us the importance of General Conference. I remember that we didn't play soccer on the weekend of General Conference. It brings many good memories. Ice cream after the priesthood session with Dad hah.... It is a neat experience to be able to tell people that a living prophet will be speaking and that they will be able to listen and see. I especially love the stories from General Conference.
Elder Ilustre and I are doing well. I'm trying to do my best to sanctify myself and really be obedient so that the spirit can guide me. We are working hard and getting out of the office on time. We are hoping to find more and more people.
Well I love you guys and hope that all is going awesome! Have a great week and General Conference! Thanks for the support and love!
Elder Hawkley
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
September 23, 2011 - Mission Accomplished!
Hey family,
Thanks for the emails. I always love reading them. Also, thanks for the package! Unfortunately I already have some other requests for the next package. I need a new shoe shine kit. Mine disappeared. That happens in our house, as many missionaries stay there. Also 3 more pairs of socks would be awesome. A couple pairs also disappeared and some are starting to get holes haha.
Thinking about ditch day, I don´t remember honestly. But I probably just didn't want to go haha. You know how I was in high school. I think Rachel is a little better socially than I was in high school. But that's cool that she went. I´m proud of you Rachel and your example. WAY TO GO in being a good example and trying to share the gospel. Don´t stop. We don't know what will happen in the future.
So you want a picture of me with my hand out as if I were going to shake hands? Hahah I´ll do my best! But i thought that only the parents stood in the line. I remember being excited to do that at Pehrson´s wedding and then not getting to haha.
Man I can´t believe I am even thinking about school already. That was a surprise. I hadn´t thought too much about it. The mission is amazing. I have met so many good guys and made life long friendships for sure already. I'm greatful for the examples and friendships. I actaully have already had some offers to live with some kids. Elder Brower is from Tremonton, Utah and he is a stud. He goes to UVU and will probably rent a house up in Orem. He offered me a spot if I wanted it. BUT, I really love Josh Hardy. He is an awesome kid and a best friend. I would love to live with him again. I have a good feeling he will get married quick and so If I ever want to live with him again, it will have to be soon haha. Let´s go ahead with that plan then. Yup I accept the offer to room with him again!!!!!!!! I think I would like it better living in the same room together, rather than my own room in the same apartment (as he said too). Go ahead and start looking! Man that's too wierd to start thinking about. Any other questions just hit me up.
Well the conferences got done yesterday. I love zone conferences! It was way sweet! Although after 3 days in a row I was tired and ready for a break haha. On Monday, the 2 assistants and Elder Boren (financial sec) and I got a bus to São José to Rio Preto where the first conference was going to be on Tuesday. We left at about 5 and got in around 8:30. Elder & Sister Call came to participate in our conferences. Elder Call is the doctor for all 27 missions in Brasil. The wives of the Presidents all call Elder Call when it comes to medical questions. Needless to say he receives a lot of calls! They came to give a short training about health and then to answer medical questions person by person that wanted to talk with him. It was awesome to get to know them a little bit. They seemed just like grandma and grandpa. Really the nicest people. Sister Call is trying here hardest to learn portuguese. Reminded me of grandma. Elder Call already speaks well as he served his mission ago in the Brasil South Mission haha.
So Tuesday we had the conference in Rio Preto. I gave our training about baptismal forms and the area book. I thought it went well. All 8 of us piled into presidents car and we drove back to Ribeirão tuesday night. It was a tight squeeze and a long 2 hour drive haha. Wednesday morning we did the conference here in Ribeirão and Elder Ilustre gave our training as I worked the slideshow. Yesterday morning we went to Pirassununga. presidents car was full of boxes and letters so 3 of us went in the car of Elder and Sister Call. It was nice to talk with them. Elder Ilustre and I gave the training together and then we got back here in Ribeirão Preto around 8:30 last night. I am exhausted haha. Glad that it is all over.
But it really isn't all over, today (23 Sept) I guess was made "The day of the Family: Proclamation to the world" in the state of São Paulo and so we got all the missionaries here in the city together and handed out the little pamphlet of the proclamation. It was cool. Hopefully we should have some results.
Tomorrow morning, Elder Tobias, an area seventy will meet with the elders from the 2 zones here in Ribeirão and another zone close by as he passes through the city. So tomorrow morning we will watch that and then try to get into the area.
As far as the area, we taught one lesson this week. But it was a good one. We received a referral from some members in the other stake. Presidente passed our information to the members and they called us. We went to teach Marcelo and Tatiana on Wedenesday night immediately after the zone conference got over. This family went to church on sunday in the ward of the members of the other stake! They really liked church and watched a baptismal service after church. We went there and taught them the Restuaration and the spirit was strong. They are going to read and pray! They are really excited. I have never taught a complete family like this before. It has always been my dream. They have 2 daughters, one that is 8 and the other 6. They also liked church. The only problem is that they are going to the other ward again this sunday. Its not too bad because they are going to A church, but as they live in our area we need to get them attending our ward soon. We are so stoked to teach families like this. Elder Ilustre has 5 months in the mission and has only had one baptism. So we need to get him some more recent converts haha!
Life is super busy here in the office. I lost my temper a bit this morning. We didn't get to really start our pday until lunch because of missionaries here in the office. But we have things to do tonight (in the office) unfortunately and so that time was lost. It happens quite often here in the office to the pday getting jacked up. I need to be more patient. I have lots of oportunities here in the office haha.
The post office here in Ribeirão Preto is on strike and has been for the last 8 days. We get packages, but letters are just sitting there. so the whole mission is waiting on letters for now. hah
I love you all so much. Thanks for the love and support. Keep on keeping on haha.
Elder Hawkley
Thanks for the emails. I always love reading them. Also, thanks for the package! Unfortunately I already have some other requests for the next package. I need a new shoe shine kit. Mine disappeared. That happens in our house, as many missionaries stay there. Also 3 more pairs of socks would be awesome. A couple pairs also disappeared and some are starting to get holes haha.
Thinking about ditch day, I don´t remember honestly. But I probably just didn't want to go haha. You know how I was in high school. I think Rachel is a little better socially than I was in high school. But that's cool that she went. I´m proud of you Rachel and your example. WAY TO GO in being a good example and trying to share the gospel. Don´t stop. We don't know what will happen in the future.
So you want a picture of me with my hand out as if I were going to shake hands? Hahah I´ll do my best! But i thought that only the parents stood in the line. I remember being excited to do that at Pehrson´s wedding and then not getting to haha.
Man I can´t believe I am even thinking about school already. That was a surprise. I hadn´t thought too much about it. The mission is amazing. I have met so many good guys and made life long friendships for sure already. I'm greatful for the examples and friendships. I actaully have already had some offers to live with some kids. Elder Brower is from Tremonton, Utah and he is a stud. He goes to UVU and will probably rent a house up in Orem. He offered me a spot if I wanted it. BUT, I really love Josh Hardy. He is an awesome kid and a best friend. I would love to live with him again. I have a good feeling he will get married quick and so If I ever want to live with him again, it will have to be soon haha. Let´s go ahead with that plan then. Yup I accept the offer to room with him again!!!!!!!! I think I would like it better living in the same room together, rather than my own room in the same apartment (as he said too). Go ahead and start looking! Man that's too wierd to start thinking about. Any other questions just hit me up.
Well the conferences got done yesterday. I love zone conferences! It was way sweet! Although after 3 days in a row I was tired and ready for a break haha. On Monday, the 2 assistants and Elder Boren (financial sec) and I got a bus to São José to Rio Preto where the first conference was going to be on Tuesday. We left at about 5 and got in around 8:30. Elder & Sister Call came to participate in our conferences. Elder Call is the doctor for all 27 missions in Brasil. The wives of the Presidents all call Elder Call when it comes to medical questions. Needless to say he receives a lot of calls! They came to give a short training about health and then to answer medical questions person by person that wanted to talk with him. It was awesome to get to know them a little bit. They seemed just like grandma and grandpa. Really the nicest people. Sister Call is trying here hardest to learn portuguese. Reminded me of grandma. Elder Call already speaks well as he served his mission ago in the Brasil South Mission haha.
So Tuesday we had the conference in Rio Preto. I gave our training about baptismal forms and the area book. I thought it went well. All 8 of us piled into presidents car and we drove back to Ribeirão tuesday night. It was a tight squeeze and a long 2 hour drive haha. Wednesday morning we did the conference here in Ribeirão and Elder Ilustre gave our training as I worked the slideshow. Yesterday morning we went to Pirassununga. presidents car was full of boxes and letters so 3 of us went in the car of Elder and Sister Call. It was nice to talk with them. Elder Ilustre and I gave the training together and then we got back here in Ribeirão Preto around 8:30 last night. I am exhausted haha. Glad that it is all over.
But it really isn't all over, today (23 Sept) I guess was made "The day of the Family: Proclamation to the world" in the state of São Paulo and so we got all the missionaries here in the city together and handed out the little pamphlet of the proclamation. It was cool. Hopefully we should have some results.
Tomorrow morning, Elder Tobias, an area seventy will meet with the elders from the 2 zones here in Ribeirão and another zone close by as he passes through the city. So tomorrow morning we will watch that and then try to get into the area.
As far as the area, we taught one lesson this week. But it was a good one. We received a referral from some members in the other stake. Presidente passed our information to the members and they called us. We went to teach Marcelo and Tatiana on Wedenesday night immediately after the zone conference got over. This family went to church on sunday in the ward of the members of the other stake! They really liked church and watched a baptismal service after church. We went there and taught them the Restuaration and the spirit was strong. They are going to read and pray! They are really excited. I have never taught a complete family like this before. It has always been my dream. They have 2 daughters, one that is 8 and the other 6. They also liked church. The only problem is that they are going to the other ward again this sunday. Its not too bad because they are going to A church, but as they live in our area we need to get them attending our ward soon. We are so stoked to teach families like this. Elder Ilustre has 5 months in the mission and has only had one baptism. So we need to get him some more recent converts haha!
Life is super busy here in the office. I lost my temper a bit this morning. We didn't get to really start our pday until lunch because of missionaries here in the office. But we have things to do tonight (in the office) unfortunately and so that time was lost. It happens quite often here in the office to the pday getting jacked up. I need to be more patient. I have lots of oportunities here in the office haha.
The post office here in Ribeirão Preto is on strike and has been for the last 8 days. We get packages, but letters are just sitting there. so the whole mission is waiting on letters for now. hah
I love you all so much. Thanks for the love and support. Keep on keeping on haha.
Elder Hawkley
Tug of war at conference
Pictures of the zonas
Ramos, me, and Elder Boren doing pday in tthe mission house while the President was traveling.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
September 14, 2011 - Correria
Hey family,
Questions:
Did you get Tyson's address? and my other questions.
YUP
How did this RM that knew Cristy, know you? Or did he just see your name tag and put it together?
I already knew this guy. I did taught some lessons with him when I was on a division in another area.
Are there still a ton of people sleeping at your house? What do you do with the sister missionaries that come in? Where do they sleep?
For now no, we only have lots of people sleeping in our house during transfers, lz councils and conferences. The sisters sleep with other sisters or at presidents house
Well we are SUPER busy here in the office. We have zone conferences next week and we are running to get everything ready. Zone conferences will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Friday night Elder Tobias, area seventy, gets here and saturday morning he wants to meet with as many missionaries as possible. WHOAA!! Sadly we don't have people to teach in our area yet but hopefully after conferences we will have some time to look. I have never had so much to do in my life haha. But we just do our best and go on.
Yesterday the 3 americans got here and we had to go to the polícia federal. It was crazy but all worked out. I had to renew 11 VISAs to so that was a lot of work. Today is pday and I'm just trying to forget a little bit of everything we have to do.
Elder Ilustre is good. We are getting along. He is humble and helps me a lot. We have some awesome ideas for our area, but its hard because we have to have a lot of patience to put them in practice, as we don't have much time.
Sounds like everything is good on your side. NOV 22! That's awesome. Are you guys going to go out to Maryland too? Where are they going to live? Keep me updated on the plans. Well thanks for the letters, pictures, and the package you will be sending. Don't forget shoelaces (2 pairs) please. I have 3 shoelaces for 4 shoes right now hah so i live lacing and unlacing my shoes.
I know that the gospel is true and that God has a plan for us. The plan of salvation brings us so much knowledge and the right perspective as we pass through hard times and lose our loved ones. It is such a great blessing that is easy to forget at times.
Have a great week and be happy. Not sure when or IF I will email you next week haha. I love you all!
Elder Hawkley
Questions:
Did you get Tyson's address? and my other questions.
YUP
How did this RM that knew Cristy, know you? Or did he just see your name tag and put it together?
I already knew this guy. I did taught some lessons with him when I was on a division in another area.
Are there still a ton of people sleeping at your house? What do you do with the sister missionaries that come in? Where do they sleep?
For now no, we only have lots of people sleeping in our house during transfers, lz councils and conferences. The sisters sleep with other sisters or at presidents house
Well we are SUPER busy here in the office. We have zone conferences next week and we are running to get everything ready. Zone conferences will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Friday night Elder Tobias, area seventy, gets here and saturday morning he wants to meet with as many missionaries as possible. WHOAA!! Sadly we don't have people to teach in our area yet but hopefully after conferences we will have some time to look. I have never had so much to do in my life haha. But we just do our best and go on.
Yesterday the 3 americans got here and we had to go to the polícia federal. It was crazy but all worked out. I had to renew 11 VISAs to so that was a lot of work. Today is pday and I'm just trying to forget a little bit of everything we have to do.
Elder Ilustre is good. We are getting along. He is humble and helps me a lot. We have some awesome ideas for our area, but its hard because we have to have a lot of patience to put them in practice, as we don't have much time.
Sounds like everything is good on your side. NOV 22! That's awesome. Are you guys going to go out to Maryland too? Where are they going to live? Keep me updated on the plans. Well thanks for the letters, pictures, and the package you will be sending. Don't forget shoelaces (2 pairs) please. I have 3 shoelaces for 4 shoes right now hah so i live lacing and unlacing my shoes.
I know that the gospel is true and that God has a plan for us. The plan of salvation brings us so much knowledge and the right perspective as we pass through hard times and lose our loved ones. It is such a great blessing that is easy to forget at times.
Have a great week and be happy. Not sure when or IF I will email you next week haha. I love you all!
Elder Hawkley
Thursday, September 8, 2011
September 8, 2011 - YESSSS!
Hey Family,
Well I am sooo stoked to hear that Tyson got some courage. I am soo happy for them and our family is just about to get bigger and better. Cristy sent me an email with Tyson the other day and she just seems awesome and perfect for Tyson. I cant WAIT to actually meet her. Does Cristy have younger sisters? haha JUST kidding
It was funny because an rm from another ward was here in the office yesterday and asked if a Tyson Hawkley was my brother. He is friends with Cristy on facebook and saw that she had posted that she was engaged. So I found out yesterday afternoon haha.
Questions:
1. Insoles - Go ahead and get the echo leather ones please. Love you
2. Comp - My new companion is Elder Ilustre. He has 4 months on the mission. He trained last transfer so its kind of funny. He is the first missionary to enter the office as a secretary that wasn't a junior comp before. But he is awesome. We are already getting along. He actually speaks and understands english, but I don't think he likes to very much. That's fine by me because I'm trying to speak portuguese as much as possible. He is from the same state as Elder Ramos haha. But they didn't know each other. He knows how to make videos so he will be able to help me out a lot. He is already picking up everything quick. We also got a new financial secretary. His name is Elder Wright. This is his second transfer on the mission. He is already speaking pretty well. It will be a good transfer.
3. Transfers - went fine. These last three days were rough. Monday the heroes went home. Tuesday the nubes got here. Yesterday was LZ Council. Sleeping late and getting up early. Not getting to the area. Tons of people sleeping in our house. Needless to say a pday was necessary.
I really liked that quote about missionary work. I need to remember that more. Sunday we had a baptism!!!!!! We baptized Victor Hugo e Vinicius. A recent convert of the financial secretaries did the baptism. It was tight! The service went really well. They will be confirmed this next sunday.
As far as the office things are nuts. We have 3 americans getting here next week and then zone conferences the week after that. Not sure how much we will be able to get into our area these next two weeks, but we will do our best.
This last weekend I did my first baptismal interviews. I actually did 3 of them in one day. It was a good learning experience. I was pretty nervous, because I feel a big responsibility. But I was able to learn and now I am more confident in doing interviews. 2 women passed and were baptized and the other was a 13-yr-old that had some doubts still and was going to read and pray.
So far it has been a good experience leading the work. We need to find people to teach and we will.
I love you all so much. Family in the gospel of Jesus Christ brings the most joy in our lives. Hope all is well. Keep going on strong
Elder Hawkley
Well I am sooo stoked to hear that Tyson got some courage. I am soo happy for them and our family is just about to get bigger and better. Cristy sent me an email with Tyson the other day and she just seems awesome and perfect for Tyson. I cant WAIT to actually meet her. Does Cristy have younger sisters? haha JUST kidding
It was funny because an rm from another ward was here in the office yesterday and asked if a Tyson Hawkley was my brother. He is friends with Cristy on facebook and saw that she had posted that she was engaged. So I found out yesterday afternoon haha.
Questions:
1. Insoles - Go ahead and get the echo leather ones please. Love you
2. Comp - My new companion is Elder Ilustre. He has 4 months on the mission. He trained last transfer so its kind of funny. He is the first missionary to enter the office as a secretary that wasn't a junior comp before. But he is awesome. We are already getting along. He actually speaks and understands english, but I don't think he likes to very much. That's fine by me because I'm trying to speak portuguese as much as possible. He is from the same state as Elder Ramos haha. But they didn't know each other. He knows how to make videos so he will be able to help me out a lot. He is already picking up everything quick. We also got a new financial secretary. His name is Elder Wright. This is his second transfer on the mission. He is already speaking pretty well. It will be a good transfer.
3. Transfers - went fine. These last three days were rough. Monday the heroes went home. Tuesday the nubes got here. Yesterday was LZ Council. Sleeping late and getting up early. Not getting to the area. Tons of people sleeping in our house. Needless to say a pday was necessary.
I really liked that quote about missionary work. I need to remember that more. Sunday we had a baptism!!!!!! We baptized Victor Hugo e Vinicius. A recent convert of the financial secretaries did the baptism. It was tight! The service went really well. They will be confirmed this next sunday.
As far as the office things are nuts. We have 3 americans getting here next week and then zone conferences the week after that. Not sure how much we will be able to get into our area these next two weeks, but we will do our best.
This last weekend I did my first baptismal interviews. I actually did 3 of them in one day. It was a good learning experience. I was pretty nervous, because I feel a big responsibility. But I was able to learn and now I am more confident in doing interviews. 2 women passed and were baptized and the other was a 13-yr-old that had some doubts still and was going to read and pray.
So far it has been a good experience leading the work. We need to find people to teach and we will.
I love you all so much. Family in the gospel of Jesus Christ brings the most joy in our lives. Hope all is well. Keep going on strong
Elder Hawkley
Monday, September 5, 2011
August 31, 2011 - Hey
Hey Family,
Well yesterday I made 1 year and 2 months. That is actually pretty scary to think about. The time has gone by way too fast. But life is good. The rest of the time will pass by faster than I want it too.
We are in the last week of the transfer. Presidente still hasn't passed the transfers yet so I don't know who my companion will be yet. I should find out tomorrow. But I´m super excited to be able to train the new secretary. It will also be the first time I am the senior companion. I know that this doesn't mean that I will get to do what I want or command my companion though. It will be a little more responsibility though. I´m up for the challenge.
The month of September will be nuts.
Sept 5= Returning missionaries go home
Sept 6= New Missionaries come in
Sept 7= Zone Leader Council
Sept 13= 3 American Missionaries come in
Sept 20, 21, 22= Zone Conferences
If will be a fun month though. I´m stoked for Zone Conferences, seeing as we only have them once every 3 months nowadays.
In the office it hasn't been too busy, which is always nice. Right now we are getting stuff ready for transfers. We have to do the video with the pictures of the heróis (missionaries going home) and all their stuff and also all the stuff for the new missionaries. There are always baptismal forms to type too haha
As far as the area goes, another week went by without a ton a luck in finding people. We were working with the list of members to try and find part member families and help reactivate less active families. But we have almost contacted the whole list without much luck. Tons of people have already moved. So we are back to knocking doors. We are looking for any opportunity to teach anybody. Our ward is awesome. I love the members here. They are willing to go teach with us. But what we need from the members are referrals! We don´t have much time in our area and the little time we do have we spend knocking doors, not teaching too much. The last couple of Saturdays and Sundays in the area have been rough, because we work the whole day in the area, but end teaching 1 or 2 lessons. Its interesting because the assistants for example are finding elect people like crazy in their area it seems like. Just goes to show how this work really is the Lord´s. It all depends on him and his will for us. My goal in the mission is to baptize a family. I haven't gotten there yet. Families are awesome. Elder Lau and Elder Boren, who are the financial secretaries and also work in our ward, baptized a family last week. It took some time because they had to marry the parents. But the family is sooo awesome and so firm in the church.
But the Lord did bless us with Vitor Hugo and Vinicius. They are going great and will baptize on Saturday. The dad of this family that was recently baptized will baptize them. The family knows the family of Vitor Hugo and Vinicius. Actually their mom is a less-active who doesn't want to come back FOR NOW. We can work on that.
The mission life is good. I love you all very much and pray that the Lord will bless you with whatever you are needing. Have a great week and Be Happy!
Elder Hawkley
Well yesterday I made 1 year and 2 months. That is actually pretty scary to think about. The time has gone by way too fast. But life is good. The rest of the time will pass by faster than I want it too.
We are in the last week of the transfer. Presidente still hasn't passed the transfers yet so I don't know who my companion will be yet. I should find out tomorrow. But I´m super excited to be able to train the new secretary. It will also be the first time I am the senior companion. I know that this doesn't mean that I will get to do what I want or command my companion though. It will be a little more responsibility though. I´m up for the challenge.
The month of September will be nuts.
Sept 5= Returning missionaries go home
Sept 6= New Missionaries come in
Sept 7= Zone Leader Council
Sept 13= 3 American Missionaries come in
Sept 20, 21, 22= Zone Conferences
If will be a fun month though. I´m stoked for Zone Conferences, seeing as we only have them once every 3 months nowadays.
In the office it hasn't been too busy, which is always nice. Right now we are getting stuff ready for transfers. We have to do the video with the pictures of the heróis (missionaries going home) and all their stuff and also all the stuff for the new missionaries. There are always baptismal forms to type too haha
As far as the area goes, another week went by without a ton a luck in finding people. We were working with the list of members to try and find part member families and help reactivate less active families. But we have almost contacted the whole list without much luck. Tons of people have already moved. So we are back to knocking doors. We are looking for any opportunity to teach anybody. Our ward is awesome. I love the members here. They are willing to go teach with us. But what we need from the members are referrals! We don´t have much time in our area and the little time we do have we spend knocking doors, not teaching too much. The last couple of Saturdays and Sundays in the area have been rough, because we work the whole day in the area, but end teaching 1 or 2 lessons. Its interesting because the assistants for example are finding elect people like crazy in their area it seems like. Just goes to show how this work really is the Lord´s. It all depends on him and his will for us. My goal in the mission is to baptize a family. I haven't gotten there yet. Families are awesome. Elder Lau and Elder Boren, who are the financial secretaries and also work in our ward, baptized a family last week. It took some time because they had to marry the parents. But the family is sooo awesome and so firm in the church.
But the Lord did bless us with Vitor Hugo and Vinicius. They are going great and will baptize on Saturday. The dad of this family that was recently baptized will baptize them. The family knows the family of Vitor Hugo and Vinicius. Actually their mom is a less-active who doesn't want to come back FOR NOW. We can work on that.
The mission life is good. I love you all very much and pray that the Lord will bless you with whatever you are needing. Have a great week and Be Happy!
Elder Hawkley
August 24, 2011 - E ai?
E aí família!!!!
How´s it going? Thanks for the email and the pictures! Everybody looks great! Beck has an awesome life haah! He looks a ton like Pehrson!
Questions and Comments from your email:
So did you get any referrals from the fireside last week?
NOPE. We are still waiting on referrals. We are trying to work with small stuff, like pass-along cards and fhe´s and stuff for now.
Do you know who you are going to be training?
NOPE. Still waiting for Presidente to pass the transfers. I don't know if he even knows yet. It could change up until the last day. But I am excited!
We did find your ward on the map we got from Uncle Kenneth. That was so awesome!! It looks like a big area. Do the members have to come far when they come to church?
Most live pretty close. Some members live in a little city about 20 minutes away.
I really liked your comments about Bro Bushman´s talk. That is SUCH a good comparison with the Spirit and our decisions. I never had made that connection. I read a little bit of the book: "Teaching - No Greater Call" and it talks about how we should try and make these connections in everyday objects and use them to teach. The Savior taught that way with Parables. He taught in parables for 2 reasons. 1. If he had taught directly, he would have condemned EVERYBODY. Because they would have known the exact truth and not followed. 2. for example, as he made a comparison about harvesting, the people would remember the Savior´s lesson as they went to work in the fields and harvested.
No I didn't have Mrs. Hammer.
This last week was pretty tough. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We went looking for people. We knocked doors for hours and didn't find anybody. Vitor Hugo and Vinicus were the only investigators that came to church (which was awesome). Those were some rough and discouraging days. Elder Ramos and I decided to fast especifically to find people on Monday. The Lord is already blessing us! It really is amazing! Fasting is always a little hard, because I LOVE to eat haha. But I have seen the blessings that we can receive from it here on the mission. We are fasting at least twice a month.
Things in the office have been easy going but we are already preparing for transfers. This next transfer will be different. Elder Ramos will leave, Elder Lau (financeiro) will leave, and Elder Huxford (assistant) is going home. So there will be some changes here in the staff, but it will be good.
Thanks for the addresses and pictures! Hope you are all doing well!
Whats the plan for a package?????
I ordered a Preach My Gospel DVD from the ldsonlinestore. It was 6 bucks. I want to try and use it in my training here in a month. Hope it gets here in time.
I love you all so much. I know that the church is true and that we have a living prophet! The commandments bring us happiness! Have a great week!
Feel free to send a quick response today
Elder Hawkley
How´s it going? Thanks for the email and the pictures! Everybody looks great! Beck has an awesome life haah! He looks a ton like Pehrson!
Questions and Comments from your email:
So did you get any referrals from the fireside last week?
NOPE. We are still waiting on referrals. We are trying to work with small stuff, like pass-along cards and fhe´s and stuff for now.
Do you know who you are going to be training?
NOPE. Still waiting for Presidente to pass the transfers. I don't know if he even knows yet. It could change up until the last day. But I am excited!
We did find your ward on the map we got from Uncle Kenneth. That was so awesome!! It looks like a big area. Do the members have to come far when they come to church?
Most live pretty close. Some members live in a little city about 20 minutes away.
I really liked your comments about Bro Bushman´s talk. That is SUCH a good comparison with the Spirit and our decisions. I never had made that connection. I read a little bit of the book: "Teaching - No Greater Call" and it talks about how we should try and make these connections in everyday objects and use them to teach. The Savior taught that way with Parables. He taught in parables for 2 reasons. 1. If he had taught directly, he would have condemned EVERYBODY. Because they would have known the exact truth and not followed. 2. for example, as he made a comparison about harvesting, the people would remember the Savior´s lesson as they went to work in the fields and harvested.
No I didn't have Mrs. Hammer.
This last week was pretty tough. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We went looking for people. We knocked doors for hours and didn't find anybody. Vitor Hugo and Vinicus were the only investigators that came to church (which was awesome). Those were some rough and discouraging days. Elder Ramos and I decided to fast especifically to find people on Monday. The Lord is already blessing us! It really is amazing! Fasting is always a little hard, because I LOVE to eat haha. But I have seen the blessings that we can receive from it here on the mission. We are fasting at least twice a month.
Things in the office have been easy going but we are already preparing for transfers. This next transfer will be different. Elder Ramos will leave, Elder Lau (financeiro) will leave, and Elder Huxford (assistant) is going home. So there will be some changes here in the staff, but it will be good.
Thanks for the addresses and pictures! Hope you are all doing well!
Whats the plan for a package?????
I ordered a Preach My Gospel DVD from the ldsonlinestore. It was 6 bucks. I want to try and use it in my training here in a month. Hope it gets here in time.
I love you all so much. I know that the church is true and that we have a living prophet! The commandments bring us happiness! Have a great week!
Feel free to send a quick response today
Elder Hawkley
August 17, 2011 - WOW
Hey family,
Well i opened my email and what did i see??? Lots of emails waiting for me! Thanks to all who sent emails. I really don't have enough time to email back to everyone, but I´ll get around to it. I got email from you guys, Pehrson, Tyson and Cristy, and Rachel.
Sounds like you guys had quite the adventure traveling home. Glad I wasn't in the car (and you probably are too HAHA). Hope that I would have been patient like dad haha.
Thanks for the pictures. Looks like you had tons of fun.
This last week was good. Sunday night, Presidente Prieto came to our ward (Ala Iguatemi) and gave a fireside. He talked about the 3 purposes of the Mission: Baptize, Rescue, and Retain. He talked to the members about these things and it was really good. We put the church address with our phone number on some sticky labels and put them on Liahonas and pass along cards and put them on a table for the members to take after the fireside. Now we can just wait for the referrals.
We are teaching 2 brothers, Vinicius (12) and Vitor Hugo(11) and have a baptismal date for the 27th of this month. Their mom is a less-active and doesn't want to come back to church, but Vinicius stopped us in the street and asked us what he needed to do to start going to the church. He is friends with Giorgi, who we baptized soon when i got here. Other than that, we aren't teaching anybody. But i liked what you said about trusting in the Lord to get everything done in the office. So I am putting more trust in the Lord and we are leaving at 5. It has been really good. I know that as we do all that we can to find people, the Lord will bless us. Last night we have a division marked with 2 men from our ward and we had plans to teach 4 new families. Well, in the end the members weren't able to go and the families canceled on us haha. Nights like that are rough. But we continue on. Things with Elder Ramos are good. Rough spots are normal. We are working together. Sometimes he thinks a little differently, but he has qualities that I don´t too, which is good. Elder Ramos will leave the office this next transfer (here in 2 and a half weeks). I will be training the new secretary. It will be more responsibility, but I'm excited for the opportunity to grow. It will be good. I'm interested to know who will be my next comp. The only thing I know is that it will be a Brasilian. 6 for 6 haha!
Our ward (ala) is Iguatemi. It is one of the strongest wards in the mission. On Sundays there are normally 130-150 at church. The members are awesome. We just need to help them do more missionary work!
We will have a zone conference in the first week in September. It will be cool. There will be a total of 3 conferences. I will get to travel to Pirassununga and São José do Rio Preto. I will be giving a training about the Area Book. Need to start preparing that. I want to give a good training.
I thought of some other things that I need:
-Shoelaces (2 pairs) those thin kind
-peanut butter and honey
-cool-aid packets (that come with sugar)
-more pens (like the ones you sent, with refils)
As far as Christmas, nothing special. I really loved the testimonies you sent last year. but just the stuff that I asked you guys for. Ties are always awesome.
Well I´ll send some pictures of when we went to the churrascaria with Pres. Also I washed the dishes with the dish apron in Presidents house when we had the arrival of the new missionaries.
I love you all so much. Thanks for the support. Hope you have a great week. Let me know if you need anything and I´ll put in a good word haha.
Elder Hawkley
PS. Could you get me the addresses of Elder Scott Raines and of the LeSueur´s Thanks
Well i opened my email and what did i see??? Lots of emails waiting for me! Thanks to all who sent emails. I really don't have enough time to email back to everyone, but I´ll get around to it. I got email from you guys, Pehrson, Tyson and Cristy, and Rachel.
Sounds like you guys had quite the adventure traveling home. Glad I wasn't in the car (and you probably are too HAHA). Hope that I would have been patient like dad haha.
Thanks for the pictures. Looks like you had tons of fun.
This last week was good. Sunday night, Presidente Prieto came to our ward (Ala Iguatemi) and gave a fireside. He talked about the 3 purposes of the Mission: Baptize, Rescue, and Retain. He talked to the members about these things and it was really good. We put the church address with our phone number on some sticky labels and put them on Liahonas and pass along cards and put them on a table for the members to take after the fireside. Now we can just wait for the referrals.
We are teaching 2 brothers, Vinicius (12) and Vitor Hugo(11) and have a baptismal date for the 27th of this month. Their mom is a less-active and doesn't want to come back to church, but Vinicius stopped us in the street and asked us what he needed to do to start going to the church. He is friends with Giorgi, who we baptized soon when i got here. Other than that, we aren't teaching anybody. But i liked what you said about trusting in the Lord to get everything done in the office. So I am putting more trust in the Lord and we are leaving at 5. It has been really good. I know that as we do all that we can to find people, the Lord will bless us. Last night we have a division marked with 2 men from our ward and we had plans to teach 4 new families. Well, in the end the members weren't able to go and the families canceled on us haha. Nights like that are rough. But we continue on. Things with Elder Ramos are good. Rough spots are normal. We are working together. Sometimes he thinks a little differently, but he has qualities that I don´t too, which is good. Elder Ramos will leave the office this next transfer (here in 2 and a half weeks). I will be training the new secretary. It will be more responsibility, but I'm excited for the opportunity to grow. It will be good. I'm interested to know who will be my next comp. The only thing I know is that it will be a Brasilian. 6 for 6 haha!
Our ward (ala) is Iguatemi. It is one of the strongest wards in the mission. On Sundays there are normally 130-150 at church. The members are awesome. We just need to help them do more missionary work!
We will have a zone conference in the first week in September. It will be cool. There will be a total of 3 conferences. I will get to travel to Pirassununga and São José do Rio Preto. I will be giving a training about the Area Book. Need to start preparing that. I want to give a good training.
I thought of some other things that I need:
-Shoelaces (2 pairs) those thin kind
-peanut butter and honey
-cool-aid packets (that come with sugar)
-more pens (like the ones you sent, with refils)
As far as Christmas, nothing special. I really loved the testimonies you sent last year. but just the stuff that I asked you guys for. Ties are always awesome.
Well I´ll send some pictures of when we went to the churrascaria with Pres. Also I washed the dishes with the dish apron in Presidents house when we had the arrival of the new missionaries.
I love you all so much. Thanks for the support. Hope you have a great week. Let me know if you need anything and I´ll put in a good word haha.
Elder Hawkley
PS. Could you get me the addresses of Elder Scott Raines and of the LeSueur´s Thanks
August 10, 2011 - Carta a Familia
Hey family,
Well sounds like you guys had an eventful week! Glad to hear that you got to enjoy some time together with everybody. Is it possible that we may have another December wedding?????? haha
I´m glad that Rachel was able to go to EFY and had a good time. I remember the first time I went to EFY and how hard it was to be away from home haha. Guess she is better with that haha.
Well this last week was normal. On Saturday, a new brazilian elder that had been in the mission for 10 days went home. His family had been telling him to come home from the start, as they aren't members. President Prieto said he tried everything to help, but this Elder had already made up his mind. Pretty sad. His trainer was Elder Brower. Elder Brower is from Tremonton, UT and we have the same amount of time in the mission. I didn't meet him in the CTM because he went to provo. But I love this guy. He is a great missionary and good friend. I was able to work with him in his area saturday and sunday so that his investigators could go to church. It was really good. Elder Ramos stayed in our area with the financial secretaries. Elder Brower is a runner for UVU and wants to get a house in Orem after the mission. I now have a possible housing option, which would be sweet.
Well, here in the office, Elder Ramos and I are doing our best, which doesn't seem like much, but it doesn't seem like anything is going right. We have lots to do in the office and haven't gotten out at 5 very much which is frustrating. Sometimes we don't get to study because of transfers or other people coming to the office. None of our investigators are progressing. I feel like I have a lot to improve with in relation to teaching. I'm feeling a little stressed out and I'm not sure what to do. It seems like Elder Ramos and I these past couple of days have been having different ideas in everything. We need to work together to have the spirit. We make goals, but it doesn't seem like we ever reach them. There is so much to do. I wonder if the spirit is with me at times. But I am grateful for the advice, maybe I just need to trust in the Lord more and get out of the office at 5 no matter what. There are so many distractions here in the office: office work, other missionaries, things that are easy to justify. All these distractions pull us away from our real purpose as missionaries. I have a problem with comparing myself to others sometimes. The last secretaries were awesome missionaries and good friends. They had a lot of success in their areas, even though they were in the office. I know that baptisms don't always mean success. True success is to have the spirit with you, showing that the Lord trusts you, but sometimes I even doubt that.
I won´t give up, I just want to figure this out haha. I don´t want to just get through it, but to learn and grow and better myself. That's the hard part though. I love you guys and want you to know that I am well and trying to do my best. I read a good scripture today. Helaman 4:15. I liked this scripture, because i understood that the moment that we start to repent, the Lord will start to bless us. It doesn't matter what we have done, only what we choose to do now. I still struggle with forgetting my past mistakes though. I am grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that he can heal us.
I am needing some things from the US
-more amens powder
-more shoe goo (for the upcoming future)
-if possible, two new pairs of insoles for my echos. the ones I have are doing good, but im not sure how much longer will last. If you cant find replacements, don't worry, they´ll make it (my shoes are size 44)
-american candy:snickers, sour patch, jolly ranchers, reeses, laffy taffy, and much more haha
-floss is always good, as it is expensive here.
that is what i can think of for now. Let me know what you think
also, if I buy souvenirs for you guys and for me, should I use the money in my usaa account. I don't want to blow all my money, but there are some things i would like to buy.
Elder Hawkley
Well sounds like you guys had an eventful week! Glad to hear that you got to enjoy some time together with everybody. Is it possible that we may have another December wedding?????? haha
I´m glad that Rachel was able to go to EFY and had a good time. I remember the first time I went to EFY and how hard it was to be away from home haha. Guess she is better with that haha.
Well this last week was normal. On Saturday, a new brazilian elder that had been in the mission for 10 days went home. His family had been telling him to come home from the start, as they aren't members. President Prieto said he tried everything to help, but this Elder had already made up his mind. Pretty sad. His trainer was Elder Brower. Elder Brower is from Tremonton, UT and we have the same amount of time in the mission. I didn't meet him in the CTM because he went to provo. But I love this guy. He is a great missionary and good friend. I was able to work with him in his area saturday and sunday so that his investigators could go to church. It was really good. Elder Ramos stayed in our area with the financial secretaries. Elder Brower is a runner for UVU and wants to get a house in Orem after the mission. I now have a possible housing option, which would be sweet.
Well, here in the office, Elder Ramos and I are doing our best, which doesn't seem like much, but it doesn't seem like anything is going right. We have lots to do in the office and haven't gotten out at 5 very much which is frustrating. Sometimes we don't get to study because of transfers or other people coming to the office. None of our investigators are progressing. I feel like I have a lot to improve with in relation to teaching. I'm feeling a little stressed out and I'm not sure what to do. It seems like Elder Ramos and I these past couple of days have been having different ideas in everything. We need to work together to have the spirit. We make goals, but it doesn't seem like we ever reach them. There is so much to do. I wonder if the spirit is with me at times. But I am grateful for the advice, maybe I just need to trust in the Lord more and get out of the office at 5 no matter what. There are so many distractions here in the office: office work, other missionaries, things that are easy to justify. All these distractions pull us away from our real purpose as missionaries. I have a problem with comparing myself to others sometimes. The last secretaries were awesome missionaries and good friends. They had a lot of success in their areas, even though they were in the office. I know that baptisms don't always mean success. True success is to have the spirit with you, showing that the Lord trusts you, but sometimes I even doubt that.
I won´t give up, I just want to figure this out haha. I don´t want to just get through it, but to learn and grow and better myself. That's the hard part though. I love you guys and want you to know that I am well and trying to do my best. I read a good scripture today. Helaman 4:15. I liked this scripture, because i understood that the moment that we start to repent, the Lord will start to bless us. It doesn't matter what we have done, only what we choose to do now. I still struggle with forgetting my past mistakes though. I am grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that he can heal us.
I am needing some things from the US
-more amens powder
-more shoe goo (for the upcoming future)
-if possible, two new pairs of insoles for my echos. the ones I have are doing good, but im not sure how much longer will last. If you cant find replacements, don't worry, they´ll make it (my shoes are size 44)
-american candy:snickers, sour patch, jolly ranchers, reeses, laffy taffy, and much more haha
-floss is always good, as it is expensive here.
that is what i can think of for now. Let me know what you think
also, if I buy souvenirs for you guys and for me, should I use the money in my usaa account. I don't want to blow all my money, but there are some things i would like to buy.
Elder Hawkley
August 4, 2011 - Hey
Hey Family,
Well it has been a good week. 2 American elders and 1 American Sister got here on Tuesday and so we were busy with them, but everything went well. Its always a good thing becasue we get to eat Sister Prieto´s food haha.
Last Wednesday was Sister Prieto´s Birthday and so we celebrated with President and Sister and some of their family. We went to a really nice Churrascaria (restaurant like Tucanos in Utah where they bring around the meet). It was soooo good. I will attach some pictures. Presidente and Sister have 4 daughters, all of which are married and some of which have kids. It is always fun when they come to visit and we get to meet them.
Elder Ramos is still my companion. We are good friends. This is our third transfer together. He is funny and it seems like we are always laughing. At the end of this transfer he will leave and also Elder Lau (financial sec for the last 10 months) will leave and one of the assistants. I will get a new companion and will train him for 2 transfers about how to be a secretary and then will go back out to the field. At least that is Presidents plan haha. We will see what happens. But whatever happens will be good. I definitely have learned a lot in the office and I am excited that when I eventually get back out to the real field I feel that I will be able to enjoy it all a little more and focus on the work too.
A lot of our investigators have been falling. There is a lot of opposition. Not always do we know what happens. Most of the time, they stop answering their phone or "they are never home" or they are always busy or they don't want to change their religion. But we were working with a family for a while, that the dad wasn't reading the Book of Mormon and always had an excuse to not go to church. We passed by on Saturday night just to invite them and on Sunday morning we woke them up and they came! 2 of the kids stayed home but the dad and his wife really enjoyed church and are excited to come back. Its hard to teach them because the dad travels for work, but we are praying that we can teach them and that they are protected. That experience helped me out a lot, as it didn't seem like anything was giving. Can´t stop trying right!
President called the secretaries in to his office and said he wants us out of the office at 5 (as we have been trying to do) because the stake presidency has a plan to divide our ward and prepare to form a third stake in ribeirão preto. We are excited and are trying to find new families to baptize and reactivate.
No luck on the new house. Not sure when it will work out.
Sounds like everybody is good there. I will be praying for Pehrson. Hope that Tyson gets some courage (haha just kidding) and asks. Hope that Rachel has fun. Send some pictures and let me know how it was. Have a safe trip back. When does school start for her?
I know that the church is true. If we do our part, we can be together forever!
Thanks for the scripture. I know that I am far from perfect, but I am doing my best, even if it isn't very much.
I do know Elder Anderson (Elder B. Anderson as he is called in the mission). He is a good guy. It's cool being a secretary because you know everyone and everyone knows you.
Have a great week!
Elder Hawkley
Well it has been a good week. 2 American elders and 1 American Sister got here on Tuesday and so we were busy with them, but everything went well. Its always a good thing becasue we get to eat Sister Prieto´s food haha.
Last Wednesday was Sister Prieto´s Birthday and so we celebrated with President and Sister and some of their family. We went to a really nice Churrascaria (restaurant like Tucanos in Utah where they bring around the meet). It was soooo good. I will attach some pictures. Presidente and Sister have 4 daughters, all of which are married and some of which have kids. It is always fun when they come to visit and we get to meet them.
Elder Ramos is still my companion. We are good friends. This is our third transfer together. He is funny and it seems like we are always laughing. At the end of this transfer he will leave and also Elder Lau (financial sec for the last 10 months) will leave and one of the assistants. I will get a new companion and will train him for 2 transfers about how to be a secretary and then will go back out to the field. At least that is Presidents plan haha. We will see what happens. But whatever happens will be good. I definitely have learned a lot in the office and I am excited that when I eventually get back out to the real field I feel that I will be able to enjoy it all a little more and focus on the work too.
A lot of our investigators have been falling. There is a lot of opposition. Not always do we know what happens. Most of the time, they stop answering their phone or "they are never home" or they are always busy or they don't want to change their religion. But we were working with a family for a while, that the dad wasn't reading the Book of Mormon and always had an excuse to not go to church. We passed by on Saturday night just to invite them and on Sunday morning we woke them up and they came! 2 of the kids stayed home but the dad and his wife really enjoyed church and are excited to come back. Its hard to teach them because the dad travels for work, but we are praying that we can teach them and that they are protected. That experience helped me out a lot, as it didn't seem like anything was giving. Can´t stop trying right!
President called the secretaries in to his office and said he wants us out of the office at 5 (as we have been trying to do) because the stake presidency has a plan to divide our ward and prepare to form a third stake in ribeirão preto. We are excited and are trying to find new families to baptize and reactivate.
No luck on the new house. Not sure when it will work out.
Sounds like everybody is good there. I will be praying for Pehrson. Hope that Tyson gets some courage (haha just kidding) and asks. Hope that Rachel has fun. Send some pictures and let me know how it was. Have a safe trip back. When does school start for her?
I know that the church is true. If we do our part, we can be together forever!
Thanks for the scripture. I know that I am far from perfect, but I am doing my best, even if it isn't very much.
I do know Elder Anderson (Elder B. Anderson as he is called in the mission). He is a good guy. It's cool being a secretary because you know everyone and everyone knows you.
Have a great week!
Elder Hawkley