Hey Family,
So this last week was CRAZY! We didn't really even have a pday, Elder Ilustre and I that is. Thursday the Americans got here and we gave them a little training and then went to Presidents house and ate pizza. Last Friday was the craziest day of my life. We woke up that morning and we had to prepare the stuff for the Polícia Federal for the Americans. The Financial Secretaries were being avaliated (evaluated) by someone from São Paulo. But at the last minute we found out that they were here to availuate us a little too. We weren't prepared haha. We found out we weren't doing some stuff we needed too, simply because we didn't know. Then we had to go to the Polícia Federal. Then, one of the American Elders said that he wasn't feeling well. He said he had had a headache for 2 weeks and was nauseous. The problem is that he didn't have Brazilian documentation and wasn't yet registered on the health plan and doesn't speak portuguese yet. So after the polícia federal, Pres and Sister led Elder Shupe and I to a nearby city where a member is the owner of a little hospital. I was Elder Shupes translator basically. They did some tests and didn't find anything. We got home at 1 in the morning haha. It was nuts but now I know I can do it again some day haha. Elder Shupe is still bad and we dot know what is wrong. We went to a neurologist this morning and he will do some tests on Friday. If he doesn't get better, he will probably have to go home.
Another missionary went home last week because of what he said as homesickness. But he wasn't prepared and wasn't being obedient President said. In the past 6 months, 4 elders and 1 sister have gone home early. One elder and the sister went home because of medical reasons and the other elders went home because they weren't prepared. It is sad to see those that don't endure and to think about those in our ward who for now have decided not to go.
Church was good on Sunday. That family that we were teaching finally came to our ward! It was great! We hope to baptize them this transfer.
President sat down with us really quick a couple of days ago and together we set a goal of 3 referrals that we will get each week until the end of the transfer. We also set a goal of 6 baptisms this transfer! It is super possible and with the Lords help we will reach it. President really is inspired. Either we are looking for people to teach on our own or we are looking for referrals. As we get baptize the members referrals, they will get excited and give more referrals. At least that's the idea!
As far as the Spanish Elders go, I don't know yet. The first one will get here this next week. But they stayed in the CTM for 8 weeks just like the Americans so I think they'll be fine.
Christmas Ideas??? Lots of candy and snacks. Black socks, preferably gold toe. 3 or 4 pairs would be great! Actually I don't really need the entire shoe shine kit. I already have the big brush and I get the shoe shine here. I would like the little round applicator brush and that's it. Other ideas, A couple of ties would be great! The joseph smith movie in portugues. But in all honesty don't spend too much money. I would actually like to save some money to be able to buy a couple of things here in Brasil for me and for you guys. So or spending a little less on the package and giving me the money or just saving the money would be an idea.
Thanks for the message about Trusting in the Lord. I honestly had never thought about it in that way. But it makes sense.
Sounds like life is busy for you guys too. The house looks good. But it will probably already be a different color when i get home haha.
Excited for the wedding plans. Brown and green it is. I'll try and send a picture next week.
This saturday we will have our baptism at 5 and shortly after will be an activity for the Relief Society about Holloween. Aparently here in Brasil many members think that Halloween is a bad thing. So they asked me to talk a little about our family traditions and carve a pumpkin for them haha. It should be good. We are going to emphasize the invitation of the members friends. Hopefully we can get some referrals.
But I love you all and pray for your happiness and success. Have a great week!
Elder Hawkley
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
October 19, 2011 - Blessings on Both Sides
Hey Family,
Wow what a week it was for you guys! The pictures of the accident looked pretty gnarly! Are the other girls members of the church? What is going to happen with the truck now? That is great that no airbags went off! Hows everything looking right now?
That's cool that you guys got a CR-V. I had seen some before. Them seem like a good car. A good size too!
President Prieto talked about the blessings of the mission a couple of months ago. I don't remember if I commented about it or not. He said that during our mission, the Lord throws all of the blessings to our family. When we get back, he starts to bless the person who served. I think we both have really been able to see the blessings that are coming to our family. I am so grateful to the Lord for protecting you, especially Rachel, and that everything seems to be going smoothly. Even Tyson has been blessed. Who knows how long it would have taken for him to find a wife???? HAHAH just kidding (love you Tyson and Cristy). But I love you all so much and pray that the Lord will continue to bless you in all that you need.
We had the baptism last Wednesday! And she was confirmed last Sunday and is going strong! During the whole time we taught her her mom (who probably has 70 years old) has gone to church and more or less participated in the lessons. But she always had some wierd beliefs and didn't believe in the law of chastity (necessity of marriage) or the word of wisdom (coffee). When we went to interview Silvana, Zezé (mom) wanted to be interviewed and baptized as well. In the end, we didn't have time. But I was still a little doubtful. We went there Sunday afternoon with our Ward Mission Leader to reteach the first lesson. We marked a baptismal date for the 29th of October! We went to teach her last night and she is ready to stop drinking coffee and keep the commandments so that she can be baptized next week! The Lord prepares his children and all have a certain time when they will be ready.
Elder Ilustre is doing well. We are getting along fine. Transfers went well. These past days have been super busy. We had 7 Brasilians get here yesterday and 4 american elders got their visas and will get here tomorrow night. There have been some changes in the way the Polícia Federal works and so we are trying to adapt and understand. But it will all work out! Office life is good but I will be way excited to get out here in the next transfer at the end of November. President thought I had a transfer more than I do and was thinking about putting me to train an elder from argentina that will get here in two weeks. But he misunderstood. So maybe I will come out of the office training. The other option would be to leave as a zone leader. We´ll see what happens. Both will be good. There is a large diversity of missionaries that will come in the next few months. One from Chile, one from Argentina, one from Bolivia, one from Uruguay, and one from Portugal. I want to train one of them haha. I am remembering a lot of my spanish from High School. When I get back I want to take some classes and get fluent haha.
Well I love you guys and know that the church is true. We can see that the Lord is blessing us for being in the true path. We must press on. Have a great week and "Don't Stop Believin" haha
Elder Hawkley
Wow what a week it was for you guys! The pictures of the accident looked pretty gnarly! Are the other girls members of the church? What is going to happen with the truck now? That is great that no airbags went off! Hows everything looking right now?
That's cool that you guys got a CR-V. I had seen some before. Them seem like a good car. A good size too!
President Prieto talked about the blessings of the mission a couple of months ago. I don't remember if I commented about it or not. He said that during our mission, the Lord throws all of the blessings to our family. When we get back, he starts to bless the person who served. I think we both have really been able to see the blessings that are coming to our family. I am so grateful to the Lord for protecting you, especially Rachel, and that everything seems to be going smoothly. Even Tyson has been blessed. Who knows how long it would have taken for him to find a wife???? HAHAH just kidding (love you Tyson and Cristy). But I love you all so much and pray that the Lord will continue to bless you in all that you need.
We had the baptism last Wednesday! And she was confirmed last Sunday and is going strong! During the whole time we taught her her mom (who probably has 70 years old) has gone to church and more or less participated in the lessons. But she always had some wierd beliefs and didn't believe in the law of chastity (necessity of marriage) or the word of wisdom (coffee). When we went to interview Silvana, Zezé (mom) wanted to be interviewed and baptized as well. In the end, we didn't have time. But I was still a little doubtful. We went there Sunday afternoon with our Ward Mission Leader to reteach the first lesson. We marked a baptismal date for the 29th of October! We went to teach her last night and she is ready to stop drinking coffee and keep the commandments so that she can be baptized next week! The Lord prepares his children and all have a certain time when they will be ready.
Elder Ilustre is doing well. We are getting along fine. Transfers went well. These past days have been super busy. We had 7 Brasilians get here yesterday and 4 american elders got their visas and will get here tomorrow night. There have been some changes in the way the Polícia Federal works and so we are trying to adapt and understand. But it will all work out! Office life is good but I will be way excited to get out here in the next transfer at the end of November. President thought I had a transfer more than I do and was thinking about putting me to train an elder from argentina that will get here in two weeks. But he misunderstood. So maybe I will come out of the office training. The other option would be to leave as a zone leader. We´ll see what happens. Both will be good. There is a large diversity of missionaries that will come in the next few months. One from Chile, one from Argentina, one from Bolivia, one from Uruguay, and one from Portugal. I want to train one of them haha. I am remembering a lot of my spanish from High School. When I get back I want to take some classes and get fluent haha.
Well I love you guys and know that the church is true. We can see that the Lord is blessing us for being in the true path. We must press on. Have a great week and "Don't Stop Believin" haha
Elder Hawkley
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
October 12, 2011 - MIRACLES HAPPEN
Hey family,
Sounds like life is busy with you guys too! Can´t believe that the house is finally painted haha. So you are going to paint the inside of the house again?! Haha no surprise there.
What´s up with Tyson and Maryland? Is he planning on going to school there?
That's awesome about Tyler Robertson's call. They will all have spoken spanish. If the travel system is the same in Cody's mission as it is here, he will be home. Here you normally get home 10 days before the date you entered the MTC. For example I know that I will get home home on Wednesday the 20th of June.
Thanks for the charity quotes. Charity is definitely not easy, but as a missionary it is essential.
Well this week was filled with ups and downs, but we are definitely on a high right now. Last Wednesday after pday, we went to the area a little bit down knowing we were going to knock doors. And we started expressing our thoughts about the work and our vision of baptisms and our personal struggles. Well that night we didn't get a lot done but we had a great talk and we set some good goals. We talked about how we both have a lot of fears and also how we needed to have more faith, trust in the Lord more, be positive, and not doubt. We fasted for these goals this weekend. We were immediately blessed. We found lots of good families this last week and are super busy trying to follow-up with everyone. Nobody was able to go to church but I know they will this Sunday.
I could reflect on my fears and how they have held me back so much in life. Satan uses fear to slow our progress and weaken our faith. We cannot fear, we must trust the Lord. If we are trying our best and are humble, things will work out. I also saw how I need to be positive. I have to leave a lesson knowing that the investigator will be baptized and will read the book of mormon, pray, and receive an answer. I understand that it won´t always happen like that. But if I start doubting right off the bat, the Lord wont be able to help. If I don't have faith, nothing will work. So it was good to see that Elder Ilustre has a lot of the same fears and together we will be able to overcome.
Trying to be more positive may seem dumb in some instances at first. Maybe you laugh. But as we start to look for the good in everything, we really are happier. Elder Wright is the new financial secretary. He is pretty new on the mission (almost 5 months) and I have been able to learn a lot from him. He is always positive and has a lot of faith as is normal for most new missionaries. I am learning a lot.
Alright, so MIRACLE. When I first got to the area with Elder Ramos, they were teaching a mother and son. The son, Giorgi, we baptized. The mom wasnt baptized because of a boyfriend and problems with the law of chastity. Since then we have continued visiting here every once in a while and following up with her. She has been coming to church this entire time. She at one point told us she knew the gospel was true and that would be baptized in the future, but that she loved her boyfriend (who didnt want anything to do with the church). I was beginning to think that I would not see her get baptized We invited here to take a question to general conference and she ended up watching the last session. On Sunday, the Gospel Principles class was about the Law of Chastity and the teacher wasnt there. So Elder Ilustre, Elder Boren, Elder Wright, and I gave the class. The spirit was strong and the spirit continued as we had testimony meeting. After sacrament meeting ended, she came up to me and asked if there was any activities in the church wednesday (today, which is a holiday here). I said no and then she said, "well then I want to be baptized on wednesday". I didn't believe it at first, but then I got so excited! She was interviewed last night and tonight she will be baptized. It was way cool. We also have some way good investigators coming to watch the baptism. Things are starting to get going and we are ready!
Elder Ilustre is going good. I need to be more patient with him. He gets distracted at times with the computers and that can be frustrating to me. But he is a good missionary and we are hoping to have a lot of success this next transfer in the office together.
Transfers are this next week. I will be staying what I think will be my last transfer here in the office. It will be good.
Well thanks for the pictures. Pehrson and Kate and Beck are picture perfect!
I love you all and have a great week! Miracles happen!
Elder Hawkley
PS. Here´s a pic of Elder Ilustre and I at our desks in the front of the office. We dont have a room. We are the receptionists here haah
Sounds like life is busy with you guys too! Can´t believe that the house is finally painted haha. So you are going to paint the inside of the house again?! Haha no surprise there.
What´s up with Tyson and Maryland? Is he planning on going to school there?
That's awesome about Tyler Robertson's call. They will all have spoken spanish. If the travel system is the same in Cody's mission as it is here, he will be home. Here you normally get home 10 days before the date you entered the MTC. For example I know that I will get home home on Wednesday the 20th of June.
Thanks for the charity quotes. Charity is definitely not easy, but as a missionary it is essential.
Well this week was filled with ups and downs, but we are definitely on a high right now. Last Wednesday after pday, we went to the area a little bit down knowing we were going to knock doors. And we started expressing our thoughts about the work and our vision of baptisms and our personal struggles. Well that night we didn't get a lot done but we had a great talk and we set some good goals. We talked about how we both have a lot of fears and also how we needed to have more faith, trust in the Lord more, be positive, and not doubt. We fasted for these goals this weekend. We were immediately blessed. We found lots of good families this last week and are super busy trying to follow-up with everyone. Nobody was able to go to church but I know they will this Sunday.
I could reflect on my fears and how they have held me back so much in life. Satan uses fear to slow our progress and weaken our faith. We cannot fear, we must trust the Lord. If we are trying our best and are humble, things will work out. I also saw how I need to be positive. I have to leave a lesson knowing that the investigator will be baptized and will read the book of mormon, pray, and receive an answer. I understand that it won´t always happen like that. But if I start doubting right off the bat, the Lord wont be able to help. If I don't have faith, nothing will work. So it was good to see that Elder Ilustre has a lot of the same fears and together we will be able to overcome.
Trying to be more positive may seem dumb in some instances at first. Maybe you laugh. But as we start to look for the good in everything, we really are happier. Elder Wright is the new financial secretary. He is pretty new on the mission (almost 5 months) and I have been able to learn a lot from him. He is always positive and has a lot of faith as is normal for most new missionaries. I am learning a lot.
Alright, so MIRACLE. When I first got to the area with Elder Ramos, they were teaching a mother and son. The son, Giorgi, we baptized. The mom wasnt baptized because of a boyfriend and problems with the law of chastity. Since then we have continued visiting here every once in a while and following up with her. She has been coming to church this entire time. She at one point told us she knew the gospel was true and that would be baptized in the future, but that she loved her boyfriend (who didnt want anything to do with the church). I was beginning to think that I would not see her get baptized We invited here to take a question to general conference and she ended up watching the last session. On Sunday, the Gospel Principles class was about the Law of Chastity and the teacher wasnt there. So Elder Ilustre, Elder Boren, Elder Wright, and I gave the class. The spirit was strong and the spirit continued as we had testimony meeting. After sacrament meeting ended, she came up to me and asked if there was any activities in the church wednesday (today, which is a holiday here). I said no and then she said, "well then I want to be baptized on wednesday". I didn't believe it at first, but then I got so excited! She was interviewed last night and tonight she will be baptized. It was way cool. We also have some way good investigators coming to watch the baptism. Things are starting to get going and we are ready!
Elder Ilustre is going good. I need to be more patient with him. He gets distracted at times with the computers and that can be frustrating to me. But he is a good missionary and we are hoping to have a lot of success this next transfer in the office together.
Transfers are this next week. I will be staying what I think will be my last transfer here in the office. It will be good.
Well thanks for the pictures. Pehrson and Kate and Beck are picture perfect!
I love you all and have a great week! Miracles happen!
Elder Hawkley
PS. Here´s a pic of Elder Ilustre and I at our desks in the front of the office. We dont have a room. We are the receptionists here haah
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
October 5, 2011 - General Conference
Hello Family,
Well it was a good week and an AWESOME weekend. General Conference here on the mission is like the SuperBowl! haha We all get stoked and excited! We got to watch all the sessions and in english. It was perfect. I don´t know if you guys read the Liahona, but there was a talk by Pres Uchtdorf about general conference and how if we watch with questions, they will be answered. I did that and wow it was really amazing how I could see the answers. The gospel holds all the answers to our questions, even in the basics. The gospel is perfect! I really liked Sister Thompsons talk about personal revelation, Pres Packers to the youth, Pres Uchtdorf about our nothingness but importance to God, Elder Anderson about having children (that was a newer topic but way cool), Elder Ardern about time (super good), Elder Cook about how it is "better to look up", Elder Christofferson about repentance. In the priesthood session, Pres Monson gave a great talk about being willing to stand alone. Elder Holland gave a fire filled talk about how we need worthy missionaries. Conference was perfect. I am grateful and look forward to be able to study again.
Do you know of any other mission calls? What about Devin Bastian
And to whom did Shawn Bean get married? That is still a mystery.
I got the package I think last thursday! haha It only took 10 days! Thanks a ton for everything. The insoles are AWESOME! I think the leather will hold up better. Thanks for the sweets, always good haha. They are almost gone already haha.
The correios (post office) actually are still on strike. We get packages, but not letters. They delivered letters for 2 days and then stopped again haha
How are the wedding plans coming along? Still need to take that picture
The rest of the week was good. We are still struggling to find people to teach. It is the biggest obstacle right now and has been for a while. But we will continue looking to improve and I know that we will be better because of it. Marcelo and Tatiana are doing great! They ended up watching a part of conference on the internet we found out which is good. We are hoping to have a fhe with a ward family and them tomorrow night. We want to help them be baptized this month!
Elder Ilustre is doing fine. He has only 5 months on the mission and I think I am still adjusting to that. He is my first comp with less time that me on the mission. I need to be a little bit more patient with him and praise him a little more. He is a good missionary and it has been good working with him.
Yesterday we had a little meeting with Presidente Prieto as we do once in a while. He reminded us to be in the area at 5 and said something interesting. He said that even if we don't have anyone to visit, that we need to go and that the spirit will tell us what to say. It was a cool promise and reminder. It is such a blessing to work in the office, even though it is full of trials. I have learned so much working with Presidente Prieto. I feel like the staff are my brothers and Pres and Sister Prieto are our parents. I don't think i told you, but one night before we had zone conferences, Presidente asked us to go to his house one night for a "meeting". In reality we ate dinner with him and had a little fhe haha. We said a prayer and he read to us from the mission president´s manual about the secretaries and assistants. He said the secretaries are missionaries that are examples in everything. He said that we are chosen because of our example and because the Lord wants us to have this oportunity to develop ourselves. We said a prayer and Presidente gave us a hug (pretty normal actually) and we went home. Got home about 10. It was an awesome experience. He really is called of God and I know that the Lord sent me here in part to learn from Presidente and Sister Prieto.
Hope all is well with you guys. I love you so much! A great motivation to share the gospel is to simply think about our families and the happy memories we have. Keep living the gospel!
Elder Hawkley
PS The picture is a look out point of the center of the city from the city zoo.
Well it was a good week and an AWESOME weekend. General Conference here on the mission is like the SuperBowl! haha We all get stoked and excited! We got to watch all the sessions and in english. It was perfect. I don´t know if you guys read the Liahona, but there was a talk by Pres Uchtdorf about general conference and how if we watch with questions, they will be answered. I did that and wow it was really amazing how I could see the answers. The gospel holds all the answers to our questions, even in the basics. The gospel is perfect! I really liked Sister Thompsons talk about personal revelation, Pres Packers to the youth, Pres Uchtdorf about our nothingness but importance to God, Elder Anderson about having children (that was a newer topic but way cool), Elder Ardern about time (super good), Elder Cook about how it is "better to look up", Elder Christofferson about repentance. In the priesthood session, Pres Monson gave a great talk about being willing to stand alone. Elder Holland gave a fire filled talk about how we need worthy missionaries. Conference was perfect. I am grateful and look forward to be able to study again.
Do you know of any other mission calls? What about Devin Bastian
And to whom did Shawn Bean get married? That is still a mystery.
I got the package I think last thursday! haha It only took 10 days! Thanks a ton for everything. The insoles are AWESOME! I think the leather will hold up better. Thanks for the sweets, always good haha. They are almost gone already haha.
The correios (post office) actually are still on strike. We get packages, but not letters. They delivered letters for 2 days and then stopped again haha
How are the wedding plans coming along? Still need to take that picture
The rest of the week was good. We are still struggling to find people to teach. It is the biggest obstacle right now and has been for a while. But we will continue looking to improve and I know that we will be better because of it. Marcelo and Tatiana are doing great! They ended up watching a part of conference on the internet we found out which is good. We are hoping to have a fhe with a ward family and them tomorrow night. We want to help them be baptized this month!
Elder Ilustre is doing fine. He has only 5 months on the mission and I think I am still adjusting to that. He is my first comp with less time that me on the mission. I need to be a little bit more patient with him and praise him a little more. He is a good missionary and it has been good working with him.
Yesterday we had a little meeting with Presidente Prieto as we do once in a while. He reminded us to be in the area at 5 and said something interesting. He said that even if we don't have anyone to visit, that we need to go and that the spirit will tell us what to say. It was a cool promise and reminder. It is such a blessing to work in the office, even though it is full of trials. I have learned so much working with Presidente Prieto. I feel like the staff are my brothers and Pres and Sister Prieto are our parents. I don't think i told you, but one night before we had zone conferences, Presidente asked us to go to his house one night for a "meeting". In reality we ate dinner with him and had a little fhe haha. We said a prayer and he read to us from the mission president´s manual about the secretaries and assistants. He said the secretaries are missionaries that are examples in everything. He said that we are chosen because of our example and because the Lord wants us to have this oportunity to develop ourselves. We said a prayer and Presidente gave us a hug (pretty normal actually) and we went home. Got home about 10. It was an awesome experience. He really is called of God and I know that the Lord sent me here in part to learn from Presidente and Sister Prieto.
Hope all is well with you guys. I love you so much! A great motivation to share the gospel is to simply think about our families and the happy memories we have. Keep living the gospel!
Elder Hawkley
PS The picture is a look out point of the center of the city from the city zoo.
