January 23, 2012 - What a Week

Hey family!

Well lots of news, some good and some bad! Starting with the good:

We had a baptism yesterday! We baptized Milena (14). Milena is the daughter of Daniel and Patricia, the couple we are teaching that need to get married. It was great! She is already participating in Young Women's activities and everything. Daniel stopped drinking and is smoking less and is doing well. Patricia is ready, just needs to get married.

The conference with the Apostles was awesome! It was great to feel their spirit and learn from them. We stood as they entered and they shook each one of our hands. Elder Jensen spoke first about the power of the word of God and asked us to read some chapters in the Book of Mormon. He spoke in Portunhol (Português and Espanhol (Spanish)). We understood though. Elder Anderson spoke next (in portuguese). He talked about the difference between having a testimony and being truly converted. He said a testimony is a spiritual confirmation that something is true.  Conversion he said is the ability to follow the Christ. Interesting. He talked about how conversion can sometimes take a little more time and that as we involve members in the teaching we will help more people become converted. Elder Ballard then spoke in english. He started off telling us that the 1st Presidency loved us. He said that they know that missionary work isnt always the easiest thing and that it takes courage and faith. He said that they were proud of us. Man it was nice to hear that. Elder Ballard told us "You Gotta Be Good, You Really Gotta Be Good". He focused on how we need to know the lessons and how to teach them well. He also talked about how we can find people to teach more effectively through the very people we are teaching. It was an awesome experience. We werent able to ask any questions, but thats okay. I know that I was taught by 2 Apostles of God. It was neat to be with them and see them as I recognized their voices. They were serious but funny as well.

As far as apartments. My vision on the mission has really changed. The houses on the mission arent always good. I remember thinking that Tysons apartment was terrible haha. But now It would be great! haha. For me a shared room would be cool, in between new and old is fine, probably closer to campus??, 350 probably sounds like a lot. I dont know though??? Its hard to know what I want right now. My vision is the cheaper the better hahahah but with quality. I trust you guys.

So this morning a little after 8 as we were studying I got a call from President Prieto. He said that Elder Mesquita and I were going to be emergency transfered. We are going to be switching areas with the Zone Leaders starting tomorrow night. At first president was going to put me as Zone Leader, but he told me that he didnt want to separate Elder Mesquita and I yet. I told President that the work was going well, but he said that there wasnt any other way and also that in the future they were going to put the zone leaders in our area (because our ward is the Stake President's ward). But it has been a hard day. I love our area and love the members in our ward. Yesterday we had a ward council meeting and the Bishop is super happy with us and the other members and we had some great ideas coming for activities and how to help the ward. We will be going to an area called Cidade Aracy. I have been there twice and like our area better haha. It stinks to be transfered from this family we are teaching. I know that they will be baptized and seeing as we will remain in the city, we should be able to participate still. But everything will work out.

We didnt find any new investigators this week! We are working so hard and even were able to teach some people, but they didnt accept the invitation to learn more. Oh well, we continue on.

So it was a week of ups and downs. Thats life. I love you all so much. I know the gospel is true! Thanks for the love and support. Have a great week

Elder Hawkley

I wasnt able to send pictures again. I´ll keep trying though!

Commenting on the line "in the mission the houses arent always good": the houses are good, just usually dirty, but you get used to it. The only thing that matters is that it is clean haha.