Hey Family,
Well this week was busy. We had transfers which is always a lot of work. On monday night we had the dinner with the missionaries that were going home. Elder Viana and Elder Mendonça went home and so did Elder Reffatti, older secretary and district leader, and Elder Jeppson, an assistant. It was pretty hard to say goodbye to these guys. It is amazing the love and friendships you find on the mission. On Tuesday we received the new missionaries which is always fun. Man am I tired. We went to bed late Sunday, woke up early Monday, went to bed late Monday, and woke up late Tuesday haha.
As far as our area goes, things are alright. It is hard in the office, because we have so many things to do that some things are forgotten. Elder Ramos and I are trying our best, but we are struggling to help our investigators progress. I feel like we are doing our best, but not sure what else we can do. We have a good list of investigators but not very many are coming to church. Its hard because I'm not sure if the problem is with me our if the Lord wants me to learn and grow or what. But we keep on going. There are always lots of things to be done in the office that HAVE to be done, which makes it hard at times. We don't always get to the area on time.
We found out today that we didn't get that new apartment, so we are back to square one as far as that goes.
That will be fun for Rachel to go to EFY. Tell her to take lots of pictures.
As far as frisbee goes, we were just playing on an open field minding our own business. We didn't bug anybody. Before we played, we sung "hark, all ye nations" haha.
The mission is definitely a growing experience. The hard times lead to growth although they are not always fun.
We got a new bishop in our ward this week, finally. We were waiting for about 2 months. Our old bishop was called into the new stake presidency. It will be good to be able to work with him. We are still trying more and more to get out and teach with the members. They make a difference.
One day this week, President had me answer his phone for him and it was Elder Mazzagardi, of the Seventy haa. He pretended to be an elder and joked a bit. I didn't talk to him for very long, but it was cool.
I love you all very much. President Prieto said something the other day as the mew missionaries arrived that I thought interesting. He said that while we are in the mission, the Lord sends all the blessings to our families. When we get home from our missions, he starts throwing the blessings to us. I love you and hope you are being blessed with all that you need. The church is true and we are always blessed for obedience. The spirit guides us, we just have to recognize it!
Elder Hawkley
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
July 20, 2011 - Heeyyy!
Hey Family,
Well it was a busy week and this next week will be even busier. Here´s the rundown of the week:
thursday: we had a "seminario". It was a training for the zone and district leaders. Went well. There´s a guy named dan that served his mission in the US and he is a chef. He does the lunches for our conferences and man does he cook good. The training was about these 8 fundamental principles of Preach My Gospel. It has been a while since they were introduced, but we can always improve. We had a family night with Vladimir and Soria and their daugther Juliana at a members house. This is an awesome less-active family that was given to us as a referral. We are trying to help them come back. The mom is the most excited. Vladimir is a great guy but a little hesitant. Juliana is their youngest daughter (14) and has not yet been baptized. Soon hopefully. We shared a message about Alma 50 and how Capt. Moroni prepared the cities with lots of things. Then we talked about the lamanites in our days trying to destroy our families and how we can protect our families. It went great
Friday: well 8 of us live in an apartment with 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms and a kitchen and a living room. Plus missionaries sleep at our house during transfers and other meetings. President ordered us to look for new houses and so we spent almost the entire day looking for a new apartment. we found some good options. Pres came to the office at night and we talked about some stuff and helped him get set up with his new phone that came in the mail (iphone 4) haha
saturday: we went with pres to see a couple more houses and went to the area. Pres and the financeiros found a great apartment after we had left. It has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and is in our price range. Hopefully we can get moved by next week. my comp and I sleep in the front room and its pretty annoying at times. Not a lot of privacy. after lunch in the area we tried to follow-up with our investigators about going to church.
sunday: Church was good. Ézio, a man we are teaching that is probably about 70 years old haha, came to church. He is slowly but surely progressing. He is awesome and funny too. this week we are going to try to help him stop smoking.
Monday: is the pday of all the other missionaries and sometimes a rough day for us. we went to the area trying to find some more less-active families but didn't have any luck.
Yesterday was normal.
Today we went to a park called the curupira. I will take more pictures the next time we go, but it is a sweet park with walking tracks and waterfalls (fake) and awesome. we woke up at 5:45 and walked there, studied and then played frisbee until a park guard came by and told us we had to stop because someone complained. it was super dumb because the field is hardly ever used. but oh well it was fun. this afternoon we are going to relax and buy some pizzas.
This week we have transfers and so we have lots of stuff to do, but it will be good. we have some good families we are teaching and are always looking for more.
Jesus Christ is the way. He is the example. We must follow him every day. I am grateful for his atonement and the oportunity to repent everyday. My mission is going by way too fast haha, but I am doing my best to follow Jesus Christ and help others come unto him. I love you guys and hope you have a great week. Sounds like everybody is great.
Elder Hawkley
Well it was a busy week and this next week will be even busier. Here´s the rundown of the week:
thursday: we had a "seminario". It was a training for the zone and district leaders. Went well. There´s a guy named dan that served his mission in the US and he is a chef. He does the lunches for our conferences and man does he cook good. The training was about these 8 fundamental principles of Preach My Gospel. It has been a while since they were introduced, but we can always improve. We had a family night with Vladimir and Soria and their daugther Juliana at a members house. This is an awesome less-active family that was given to us as a referral. We are trying to help them come back. The mom is the most excited. Vladimir is a great guy but a little hesitant. Juliana is their youngest daughter (14) and has not yet been baptized. Soon hopefully. We shared a message about Alma 50 and how Capt. Moroni prepared the cities with lots of things. Then we talked about the lamanites in our days trying to destroy our families and how we can protect our families. It went great
Friday: well 8 of us live in an apartment with 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms and a kitchen and a living room. Plus missionaries sleep at our house during transfers and other meetings. President ordered us to look for new houses and so we spent almost the entire day looking for a new apartment. we found some good options. Pres came to the office at night and we talked about some stuff and helped him get set up with his new phone that came in the mail (iphone 4) haha
saturday: we went with pres to see a couple more houses and went to the area. Pres and the financeiros found a great apartment after we had left. It has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and is in our price range. Hopefully we can get moved by next week. my comp and I sleep in the front room and its pretty annoying at times. Not a lot of privacy. after lunch in the area we tried to follow-up with our investigators about going to church.
sunday: Church was good. Ézio, a man we are teaching that is probably about 70 years old haha, came to church. He is slowly but surely progressing. He is awesome and funny too. this week we are going to try to help him stop smoking.
Monday: is the pday of all the other missionaries and sometimes a rough day for us. we went to the area trying to find some more less-active families but didn't have any luck.
Yesterday was normal.
Today we went to a park called the curupira. I will take more pictures the next time we go, but it is a sweet park with walking tracks and waterfalls (fake) and awesome. we woke up at 5:45 and walked there, studied and then played frisbee until a park guard came by and told us we had to stop because someone complained. it was super dumb because the field is hardly ever used. but oh well it was fun. this afternoon we are going to relax and buy some pizzas.
This week we have transfers and so we have lots of stuff to do, but it will be good. we have some good families we are teaching and are always looking for more.
Jesus Christ is the way. He is the example. We must follow him every day. I am grateful for his atonement and the oportunity to repent everyday. My mission is going by way too fast haha, but I am doing my best to follow Jesus Christ and help others come unto him. I love you guys and hope you have a great week. Sounds like everybody is great.
Elder Hawkley
July 13, 2011 - Haha Thanks
Hey family,
Haha thanks for all the emails and pictures. Sorry if I made you feel bad. You guys are the best.
Today for pday we went to visit the stadium of the soccer team here in Ribeirão Preto - Botafogo. We got to go on a tour for free. It was cool. I´ll send some pictures.
Sounds like the youth conference went great. Rachel looked great! How did it work out with her dance partner? That's awesome that Kate and Beck were able to come in. How did it work out that Sister Dibb came?
Are you feeling less stressed now Mom? Whats the next big thing?
Well life in the office is great! There are things that I am still trying to figure out. Its super hard to find the balance between the office and the field. Sometimes things come up that HAVE to be done, no matter what you planned to do and that is hard sometimes. Its hard at times to feel like a missionary sometimes. I'm looking for a way to have the spirit to be more with me throughout the day. There are lots of good things too though. I like the elders here in the office. We are all great buds and laugh a lot.
As far as the area, we are working with the list of members to try and get referrals from the members and work with more less-actives. We have a lot of people that we are teaching that are slowly progressing.
I am truly grateful for the patience that Heavenly Father has for me. I mess up a lot and Heavenly Father is always willing to forgive us and give us another chance. This is only possible because of Jesus Christ and his Atonement. We must learn patience too. I am certain that Heavenly Father wants me to learn patience on the mission haha. I'm having lots of oportunities.
Sorry the email is kind of short. I will do better next week! I love you guys!
Elder Hawkley
Haha thanks for all the emails and pictures. Sorry if I made you feel bad. You guys are the best.
Today for pday we went to visit the stadium of the soccer team here in Ribeirão Preto - Botafogo. We got to go on a tour for free. It was cool. I´ll send some pictures.
Sounds like the youth conference went great. Rachel looked great! How did it work out with her dance partner? That's awesome that Kate and Beck were able to come in. How did it work out that Sister Dibb came?
Are you feeling less stressed now Mom? Whats the next big thing?
Well life in the office is great! There are things that I am still trying to figure out. Its super hard to find the balance between the office and the field. Sometimes things come up that HAVE to be done, no matter what you planned to do and that is hard sometimes. Its hard at times to feel like a missionary sometimes. I'm looking for a way to have the spirit to be more with me throughout the day. There are lots of good things too though. I like the elders here in the office. We are all great buds and laugh a lot.
As far as the area, we are working with the list of members to try and get referrals from the members and work with more less-actives. We have a lot of people that we are teaching that are slowly progressing.
I am truly grateful for the patience that Heavenly Father has for me. I mess up a lot and Heavenly Father is always willing to forgive us and give us another chance. This is only possible because of Jesus Christ and his Atonement. We must learn patience too. I am certain that Heavenly Father wants me to learn patience on the mission haha. I'm having lots of oportunities.
Sorry the email is kind of short. I will do better next week! I love you guys!
Elder Hawkley
July 6, 2011 - Fubecas
Hey family,
Well first I want you to look at the 2 pictures that I sent and ponder as to why I am like this. Maybe it is because I opened my email today and for the first time in my mission, I had no letter. Man, the first week after I make 1 year and the fam stops writing haha. Also I am feeling a fault of letters. In the office I have to get the mail EVERYDAY and so I am reminded EVERYDAY that I haven't gotten a letter in a while haha. I am losing hope haha.
But hope you guys are doing well. I'm debating how long this letter should be haha.
This last week was good. Pres Prieto passed to the Zone Leaders yesterday a new way to work. Before we had to get a certain number of contacts, doors knocked, and addresses every week. I worked hard but always had a little bit of trouble with the pressure put on the numbers. Now we will not be charged for contact, doors, or addresses. We are to seek personal revelation to find out how to work with the members. To find people to teach we are to:
1. Seek personal revelation
2. Work with the members for refferals
3. Work with less actives and recent converts for refferals
4. Use the Area book to find people
5. Last, do contacts and knock doors
The mission (including me) is excited about this new method. It was practiced in two zones and had success. We are really trying to work more with the members. Its kind of hard for us because we dont know the members well still because of the lack of time in the area and because we only eat with them on Saturday and Sunday. We don't know where most of them live. We are going to try lots of new stuff. I have always been the kid that doesn't like change too much, but I need to be open to new ideas and we are going to.
In Preach My Gospel, it says that as our understanding and appreciation of the atonement in our lives grows, our desire to share the gospel will grow too. I am trying to gain more knowledge about the atonement. Most of the knowledge that we have of the atonement is through modern revelation (living prophets and doctrine and covenants). I printed off a ton of talks the other day and I will be studying them so that I can know better Jesus Christ and have a greater desire to serve Him.
ATTENTION!!! I need some help. I want to try an activity here in our ward. I remember that in the stake they had an open house at the stake center for people to bring friends and stuff. I dont remember exactly how it was done and what they did in the church. If you could do some research and find out what they did to spread the word to the community and how they organized the tour. Please find this out or if you already know send me an email back ASAP with the details. We want to start planning this already. This isn't very common here and I think it would be cool.
I love you and hope you are all doing great. I am doing good and always looking to better myself. I know that Jesus Christ is the example and through the atonement we can also receive the power to change and follow him. I think this last year my favorite hymn was "I need thee every hour". This year will be "I'm trying to be like Jesus".
Elder Hawkley
Well first I want you to look at the 2 pictures that I sent and ponder as to why I am like this. Maybe it is because I opened my email today and for the first time in my mission, I had no letter. Man, the first week after I make 1 year and the fam stops writing haha. Also I am feeling a fault of letters. In the office I have to get the mail EVERYDAY and so I am reminded EVERYDAY that I haven't gotten a letter in a while haha. I am losing hope haha.
But hope you guys are doing well. I'm debating how long this letter should be haha.
This last week was good. Pres Prieto passed to the Zone Leaders yesterday a new way to work. Before we had to get a certain number of contacts, doors knocked, and addresses every week. I worked hard but always had a little bit of trouble with the pressure put on the numbers. Now we will not be charged for contact, doors, or addresses. We are to seek personal revelation to find out how to work with the members. To find people to teach we are to:
1. Seek personal revelation
2. Work with the members for refferals
3. Work with less actives and recent converts for refferals
4. Use the Area book to find people
5. Last, do contacts and knock doors
The mission (including me) is excited about this new method. It was practiced in two zones and had success. We are really trying to work more with the members. Its kind of hard for us because we dont know the members well still because of the lack of time in the area and because we only eat with them on Saturday and Sunday. We don't know where most of them live. We are going to try lots of new stuff. I have always been the kid that doesn't like change too much, but I need to be open to new ideas and we are going to.
In Preach My Gospel, it says that as our understanding and appreciation of the atonement in our lives grows, our desire to share the gospel will grow too. I am trying to gain more knowledge about the atonement. Most of the knowledge that we have of the atonement is through modern revelation (living prophets and doctrine and covenants). I printed off a ton of talks the other day and I will be studying them so that I can know better Jesus Christ and have a greater desire to serve Him.
ATTENTION!!! I need some help. I want to try an activity here in our ward. I remember that in the stake they had an open house at the stake center for people to bring friends and stuff. I dont remember exactly how it was done and what they did in the church. If you could do some research and find out what they did to spread the word to the community and how they organized the tour. Please find this out or if you already know send me an email back ASAP with the details. We want to start planning this already. This isn't very common here and I think it would be cool.
I love you and hope you are all doing great. I am doing good and always looking to better myself. I know that Jesus Christ is the example and through the atonement we can also receive the power to change and follow him. I think this last year my favorite hymn was "I need thee every hour". This year will be "I'm trying to be like Jesus".
Elder Hawkley
June 30, 2011 - 1 ANO JÁ!!!!
Hey Family,
Thanks for the email and the pictures. Im glad that you guys had a fun time at the reunion and that everyone is safe.
Well, 1 year ago today I arrived at the CTM in São Paulo. This has been the fastest year in my life. Looking back on this year I think about lots of trials that led to lots of growth. It has been a great year, full of learning and laughing. I have learned more about charity and courage. I have learned the need for humility and the importance of prayer. I have learned the importance of you guys to me. I think saying goodbye in the airport was the hardest thing in the world haha. I remember crying in the front of everyone and giving one last group hug. I still miss you guys, but the mission life is normal now. Its hard to think about a different routine. My testimony definitely has grown about the book of mormon and about joseph smith. I know that Jesus Christ is our perfect example. I am learning more and more about dilligence. I always wondered why Pehrson was ALWAYS doing something. In the mission there is always something we can and should be doing and if we do it we feel satisfaction. Dilligence brings satisfaction. I have learned a lot about the spirit and how it really communicates normally through our feelings. We must follow our feelings.
I am excited for this next year. I hope that I can do better than I did this last year and do my best. There is always something to improve and sometimes that is hard. I need to be patient with myself. I know that as I give my all this year it will be even better than this last one.
How was this last year for you guys? Did it pass as fast for you guys as it did for me?
This week in the office life is pretty normal. We have gotten pretty organized and are able to relax a little bit more when we arent close to transfers. But there is always more to do than we can haha.
In our area, we are looking for people to teach. Tauane and Taynã are doing great. We taught them about the temple this last week and it was great. Without the spirit I can do nothing. If the spirit is with us, the lesson goes well. If it is not, it is noticeable.
Today we are planning to celebrate a little. Elder Ramos makes 1 year tomorrow! We have been saving change for the last month and a half to buy a cake and we collected 50 reais!! hahah Pres Prieto also makes a year today. We asked him if we could go to his house tonight and celebrate with him. We told him about our money and he said "let me add to that" and gave us a fifty haha. We are going to buy a ton of stuff. I´ll be sure to take tons of pictures.
What are the plans for the rest of the summer haha?
I had to call a mother this week and tell her that her son has a kidney stone and that the doctors we going to pull it out. She started to cry. Man that was one of the worst feelings haha. Oh the joys of being a secretary. That was a first.
I love you all. Thanks for the love and support. I am so blessed to have been raised in the church with a family like you guys. Keep it up!
Elder Hawkley
Thanks for the email and the pictures. Im glad that you guys had a fun time at the reunion and that everyone is safe.
Well, 1 year ago today I arrived at the CTM in São Paulo. This has been the fastest year in my life. Looking back on this year I think about lots of trials that led to lots of growth. It has been a great year, full of learning and laughing. I have learned more about charity and courage. I have learned the need for humility and the importance of prayer. I have learned the importance of you guys to me. I think saying goodbye in the airport was the hardest thing in the world haha. I remember crying in the front of everyone and giving one last group hug. I still miss you guys, but the mission life is normal now. Its hard to think about a different routine. My testimony definitely has grown about the book of mormon and about joseph smith. I know that Jesus Christ is our perfect example. I am learning more and more about dilligence. I always wondered why Pehrson was ALWAYS doing something. In the mission there is always something we can and should be doing and if we do it we feel satisfaction. Dilligence brings satisfaction. I have learned a lot about the spirit and how it really communicates normally through our feelings. We must follow our feelings.
I am excited for this next year. I hope that I can do better than I did this last year and do my best. There is always something to improve and sometimes that is hard. I need to be patient with myself. I know that as I give my all this year it will be even better than this last one.
How was this last year for you guys? Did it pass as fast for you guys as it did for me?
This week in the office life is pretty normal. We have gotten pretty organized and are able to relax a little bit more when we arent close to transfers. But there is always more to do than we can haha.
In our area, we are looking for people to teach. Tauane and Taynã are doing great. We taught them about the temple this last week and it was great. Without the spirit I can do nothing. If the spirit is with us, the lesson goes well. If it is not, it is noticeable.
Today we are planning to celebrate a little. Elder Ramos makes 1 year tomorrow! We have been saving change for the last month and a half to buy a cake and we collected 50 reais!! hahah Pres Prieto also makes a year today. We asked him if we could go to his house tonight and celebrate with him. We told him about our money and he said "let me add to that" and gave us a fifty haha. We are going to buy a ton of stuff. I´ll be sure to take tons of pictures.
What are the plans for the rest of the summer haha?
I had to call a mother this week and tell her that her son has a kidney stone and that the doctors we going to pull it out. She started to cry. Man that was one of the worst feelings haha. Oh the joys of being a secretary. That was a first.
I love you all. Thanks for the love and support. I am so blessed to have been raised in the church with a family like you guys. Keep it up!
Elder Hawkley
June 13, 2011 - Hey
Hey,
Guess dad forgot to send an email haha. Thats alright.
Well life has been super busy here. Hope girls camp is going/went well. This last week we had transfers. When we have transfers we have to prepare the letters to send out to the missionaries and we also get everything ready for the "heros" going home and the new missionaries coming. We make a video for the heros every transfer. We used the same video as last time and just changed the pictures and a couple of songs. President really liked it. He said it was the best he had seen so that was good to hear. The spirit was strong. It is cool to be a part of the new missionaries arriving and the old ones going home. The first and last weeks of the transfers are always super busy.
Yesterday we had a "Conselho dos Sísteres" (Sisters conference). There are 13 sisters in the mission and 6 will get here this next transfer. President wanted to give them a training. It was funny as we in the staff prepared our trainings. We all used girly colors and stuff haha. We all wore pink or purple ties haha. The sisters didn't notice but we had fun. Elder Ramos and I gave a training about "fichas" (baptismal forms) and the area book. It went really well. I like giving training. The first time i was a little nervous, but its easy now. The mission really teaches a lot about life and how to be a good leader as well as follower of Christ.
Just got dads email. Thanks dad. Mom said you had a crazy trip this last week. You´ll have to tell me about it next time. Will you have internet at the reunion?
As far as people we are teaching, Tainã and Taune didn't get baptized last week because they got sick haha. But we are going to have them interviewed tonight and baptize Sunday. Other than that we are always looking and trying to get out of the office at 5 pm. This transfer we got a new finance secretary. His name is Elder Boren. He is from BOISE, IDAHO HAHA. But he is way cool and crazy. He is always happy and I really like that about him. We are going to have a good time together.
Next week I will write a note for you guys to read at the reunion. Tell everyone that I love them and that the church is true. My testimony is always growing here on the mission. It is the best. Hope everyone is awesome. I love the mission. I love you guys. Travel Safely. "Its better to get there late, than to get to the spirit world early" haha That was something my trainer said to me when I would get anxious to cross the street haha.
Elder Hawkley
Guess dad forgot to send an email haha. Thats alright.
Well life has been super busy here. Hope girls camp is going/went well. This last week we had transfers. When we have transfers we have to prepare the letters to send out to the missionaries and we also get everything ready for the "heros" going home and the new missionaries coming. We make a video for the heros every transfer. We used the same video as last time and just changed the pictures and a couple of songs. President really liked it. He said it was the best he had seen so that was good to hear. The spirit was strong. It is cool to be a part of the new missionaries arriving and the old ones going home. The first and last weeks of the transfers are always super busy.
Yesterday we had a "Conselho dos Sísteres" (Sisters conference). There are 13 sisters in the mission and 6 will get here this next transfer. President wanted to give them a training. It was funny as we in the staff prepared our trainings. We all used girly colors and stuff haha. We all wore pink or purple ties haha. The sisters didn't notice but we had fun. Elder Ramos and I gave a training about "fichas" (baptismal forms) and the area book. It went really well. I like giving training. The first time i was a little nervous, but its easy now. The mission really teaches a lot about life and how to be a good leader as well as follower of Christ.
Just got dads email. Thanks dad. Mom said you had a crazy trip this last week. You´ll have to tell me about it next time. Will you have internet at the reunion?
As far as people we are teaching, Tainã and Taune didn't get baptized last week because they got sick haha. But we are going to have them interviewed tonight and baptize Sunday. Other than that we are always looking and trying to get out of the office at 5 pm. This transfer we got a new finance secretary. His name is Elder Boren. He is from BOISE, IDAHO HAHA. But he is way cool and crazy. He is always happy and I really like that about him. We are going to have a good time together.
Next week I will write a note for you guys to read at the reunion. Tell everyone that I love them and that the church is true. My testimony is always growing here on the mission. It is the best. Hope everyone is awesome. I love the mission. I love you guys. Travel Safely. "Its better to get there late, than to get to the spirit world early" haha That was something my trainer said to me when I would get anxious to cross the street haha.
Elder Hawkley
Saturday, June 11, 2011
June 8, 2011 - Hey
Hey family,
Thanks for the email. Sounds like everybody is good. Sounds like Rachel is busy. Does she do all the chores by herself that Tyson her and i used to do?
Is Tyson living at home? where did he meet bro Poole?
Thanks for the pictures of PB&K (haha). Man that looks good!
Are you guys excited for girls camp and the reunion? I will have to write something for you guys to read there to everybody. Take a picture of me with you haha.
Thanks for the talk. I will read it soon.
Well things are going good here in the office. Yesterday we had a meeting with the Zone Leaders here in the office. It was good. Elder Ramos and I set some high goals for this week to leave the office early everyday and work super hard. But something always comes up. Some missionary always needs something and sometimes it is something that they really need and sometimes it is something really dumb. I got pretty frustrated yesterday that we didn't get to go out to our area very early. I know that I am here to serve the missionaries and I like it. But I know that we need to be in the area at 5 and Pres tells us that we should too. I want to be there. It's hard because I know we won't be able to meet our goals unless we get out there early every day. I'm doing good but it is something i'm trying to figure out.
We are going to have a baptism this sunday! We have been teaching taynã e taune. They are twins and are 19. We found them knocking doors. They went to church 2 sundays ago and the members were awesome. They really received them well and it made the difference. They accept all that we teach them. I think we are going to have a member baptize them which will be great for the ward. Our ward is awesome. The members are excited and there is a lot of unity. They are super willing to help.
This next week will be transfers so that will be busy and fun. Time is flying. Already 5 weeks as secretary haha. I love you
Elder Hawkley
Thanks for the email. Sounds like everybody is good. Sounds like Rachel is busy. Does she do all the chores by herself that Tyson her and i used to do?
Is Tyson living at home? where did he meet bro Poole?
Thanks for the pictures of PB&K (haha). Man that looks good!
Are you guys excited for girls camp and the reunion? I will have to write something for you guys to read there to everybody. Take a picture of me with you haha.
Thanks for the talk. I will read it soon.
Well things are going good here in the office. Yesterday we had a meeting with the Zone Leaders here in the office. It was good. Elder Ramos and I set some high goals for this week to leave the office early everyday and work super hard. But something always comes up. Some missionary always needs something and sometimes it is something that they really need and sometimes it is something really dumb. I got pretty frustrated yesterday that we didn't get to go out to our area very early. I know that I am here to serve the missionaries and I like it. But I know that we need to be in the area at 5 and Pres tells us that we should too. I want to be there. It's hard because I know we won't be able to meet our goals unless we get out there early every day. I'm doing good but it is something i'm trying to figure out.
We are going to have a baptism this sunday! We have been teaching taynã e taune. They are twins and are 19. We found them knocking doors. They went to church 2 sundays ago and the members were awesome. They really received them well and it made the difference. They accept all that we teach them. I think we are going to have a member baptize them which will be great for the ward. Our ward is awesome. The members are excited and there is a lot of unity. They are super willing to help.
This next week will be transfers so that will be busy and fun. Time is flying. Already 5 weeks as secretary haha. I love you
Elder Hawkley
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
June 3, 2011 - Mission Tour
Hey Family,
Well it has been a week of ups and downs. This last Saturday we had to get a bus to a neighboring city for lunch. It was me, my comp, and Elder Lau and Elder Harris, the financeiros. We actually had fun and laughed a lot. It was a small city and the air smelled great. It seemed a lot fresher. But we got back to Ribeirão around 4 and our day was shot. Saturday and Sunday are the only days that we have to work in the areas all day. We did some stuff and dinked around in the office for a bit. I felt bad because we hadn't worked in the area. I was frustrated because we tried to get a bus to see some people around 7, but we couldn't figure out the buses and ended up not doing anything. It was definitely a low. Elder Ramos and I talked for a bit and we felt like we needed to change our focus to the area more. We made a goal to get out of the office at 5 and to start working with our numbers more. As secretaries we aren't charged for our numbers and so we have just done our best. But as we measure what we do, we can make goals to do more. It was an experience that strengthened us.
We had a mission tour this week. Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the seventy came to the mission. Yesterday our side of the mission had a conference with him. It was awesome. It started at 8 with a meeting for the Zone and District Leaders. At about 8:10, We (secretaries) were studying and the assistants came and told us that Elder Godoy wanted us in the meeting too. He asked a lot of questions about the mission and I learned a lot. He talked about how the way we will finish our mission is the way that we will start our lives. So it is important that we finish strong. He talked a bit about how as leaders we leave a legacy and that we will be remembered for good or for bad, that we leave an impact sometimes not even knowing it.
Then at 9 started the conference for everybody. President and Sister Prieto talked a little bit and then Elder Godoy talked. He talked about many things. He started off talking about how we were called to our missions to learn from our Mission President and his wife. He said that as a dad he was praying for his son to be sent to the right mission, but a fellow leader told him that he should pray to be sent to the right Mission President and Sister, because it is they that will leave the greatest impact. I can agree with that. It is such a blessing to be able to work alongside Pres and Sister Prieto and get to know them and learn from them.
Then Elder Godoy told us about his conversion story. The Spirit was very strong. He said that he went to a church activity just to accompany his younger sister, who was invited. He said that they played some dumb little game and popcorn and juice (he said church juice is "you know the color but not the flavor" HAHA) were served (very simple) but that the members were happy. That was something that hit him. As they were going home the sister missionaries asked his sister first if she wanted to know more about the church. She said no. The sisters asked him and he accepted. His family didn't approve so he was taught alone. He told us that he had hair as long as what would be rachels and didn't look like somebody who would be interested in the church. But the sisters believed in him. He was baptized and the sisters went away, never knowing if he stayed firm. He said he went to church for another month and then fell away. The members talked about how he probabaly wouldn't make it and he fell away. He then went to a summer camp that the youth go to for Carnival. He said he went all alone and that it was hard. But he met a girl (who eventually became his wife). He served a mission and eventually became a mission president. He said he eventually found the sisters who baptized him and was able to seal one of the daughters of the sister that baptized him. He told us that we cannot judge who will be willing to accept the gospel. "Who are we to judge?" "Your judgement can be dangerous" were some things he said. If those sisters had judged him, he wouldn't be here he said. It was very powerful and I was taught a great lesson. That is something I can improve. The gospel can change anyone. We must talk with everyone, because we never know who will accept.
After the conference, Elder Godoy came to the mission office and we had a little sit down with him. He asked us a couple of questions and talked a little too. He said that we as secretaries are leaders in the mission at least at the level of a district leader. That was why he invited us to attend the leadership meeting in the morning. It was something cool to think about. That is not the stereotype (how the secretaries are viewed). He let us ask some questions. One of the assistants asked how he could know that his mission was accepted by the Lord. Elder Godoy then said, with tears in his eyes, that he (the assistant) didn't even have to ask, that his mission was accepted. Then he said that all of us (the assistants and secretaries) didn't even have to ask. That because we are in these positions, our missions are accepted by the Lord so far. The spirit testified of this. It was amazing to hear that the Lord has accepted what I have done despite my weaknesses and mistakes. Elder Godoy said that we can always pray and ask, but that at this moment we don't need to.
It was great to get to know Elder Godoy. He knows how to joke and was funny, but also very spiritual. We thought (and Pres Prieto had said) that he was going to be very serious. But it was a lot better than we thought.
Glad to hear that everyone is good. I can't believe that school is already over for Rachel. Time is flying. I will make a year this month that I have been here on the mission. That's a scary thought. The mission is the best. Thanks for supporting me. It is a blessing to be able to focus on the work and helping others, to not have to worry about school or work.
I hadn't heard about the family reunion. When will it be and what are you guys going to do? Who is in charge?
I will attach a picture of us with Elder Godoy.
I love you guys. Thanks for everything. Have a great week.
Elder Hawkley
Pictures
Well it has been a week of ups and downs. This last Saturday we had to get a bus to a neighboring city for lunch. It was me, my comp, and Elder Lau and Elder Harris, the financeiros. We actually had fun and laughed a lot. It was a small city and the air smelled great. It seemed a lot fresher. But we got back to Ribeirão around 4 and our day was shot. Saturday and Sunday are the only days that we have to work in the areas all day. We did some stuff and dinked around in the office for a bit. I felt bad because we hadn't worked in the area. I was frustrated because we tried to get a bus to see some people around 7, but we couldn't figure out the buses and ended up not doing anything. It was definitely a low. Elder Ramos and I talked for a bit and we felt like we needed to change our focus to the area more. We made a goal to get out of the office at 5 and to start working with our numbers more. As secretaries we aren't charged for our numbers and so we have just done our best. But as we measure what we do, we can make goals to do more. It was an experience that strengthened us.
We had a mission tour this week. Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the seventy came to the mission. Yesterday our side of the mission had a conference with him. It was awesome. It started at 8 with a meeting for the Zone and District Leaders. At about 8:10, We (secretaries) were studying and the assistants came and told us that Elder Godoy wanted us in the meeting too. He asked a lot of questions about the mission and I learned a lot. He talked about how the way we will finish our mission is the way that we will start our lives. So it is important that we finish strong. He talked a bit about how as leaders we leave a legacy and that we will be remembered for good or for bad, that we leave an impact sometimes not even knowing it.
Then at 9 started the conference for everybody. President and Sister Prieto talked a little bit and then Elder Godoy talked. He talked about many things. He started off talking about how we were called to our missions to learn from our Mission President and his wife. He said that as a dad he was praying for his son to be sent to the right mission, but a fellow leader told him that he should pray to be sent to the right Mission President and Sister, because it is they that will leave the greatest impact. I can agree with that. It is such a blessing to be able to work alongside Pres and Sister Prieto and get to know them and learn from them.
Then Elder Godoy told us about his conversion story. The Spirit was very strong. He said that he went to a church activity just to accompany his younger sister, who was invited. He said that they played some dumb little game and popcorn and juice (he said church juice is "you know the color but not the flavor" HAHA) were served (very simple) but that the members were happy. That was something that hit him. As they were going home the sister missionaries asked his sister first if she wanted to know more about the church. She said no. The sisters asked him and he accepted. His family didn't approve so he was taught alone. He told us that he had hair as long as what would be rachels and didn't look like somebody who would be interested in the church. But the sisters believed in him. He was baptized and the sisters went away, never knowing if he stayed firm. He said he went to church for another month and then fell away. The members talked about how he probabaly wouldn't make it and he fell away. He then went to a summer camp that the youth go to for Carnival. He said he went all alone and that it was hard. But he met a girl (who eventually became his wife). He served a mission and eventually became a mission president. He said he eventually found the sisters who baptized him and was able to seal one of the daughters of the sister that baptized him. He told us that we cannot judge who will be willing to accept the gospel. "Who are we to judge?" "Your judgement can be dangerous" were some things he said. If those sisters had judged him, he wouldn't be here he said. It was very powerful and I was taught a great lesson. That is something I can improve. The gospel can change anyone. We must talk with everyone, because we never know who will accept.
After the conference, Elder Godoy came to the mission office and we had a little sit down with him. He asked us a couple of questions and talked a little too. He said that we as secretaries are leaders in the mission at least at the level of a district leader. That was why he invited us to attend the leadership meeting in the morning. It was something cool to think about. That is not the stereotype (how the secretaries are viewed). He let us ask some questions. One of the assistants asked how he could know that his mission was accepted by the Lord. Elder Godoy then said, with tears in his eyes, that he (the assistant) didn't even have to ask, that his mission was accepted. Then he said that all of us (the assistants and secretaries) didn't even have to ask. That because we are in these positions, our missions are accepted by the Lord so far. The spirit testified of this. It was amazing to hear that the Lord has accepted what I have done despite my weaknesses and mistakes. Elder Godoy said that we can always pray and ask, but that at this moment we don't need to.
It was great to get to know Elder Godoy. He knows how to joke and was funny, but also very spiritual. We thought (and Pres Prieto had said) that he was going to be very serious. But it was a lot better than we thought.
Glad to hear that everyone is good. I can't believe that school is already over for Rachel. Time is flying. I will make a year this month that I have been here on the mission. That's a scary thought. The mission is the best. Thanks for supporting me. It is a blessing to be able to focus on the work and helping others, to not have to worry about school or work.
I hadn't heard about the family reunion. When will it be and what are you guys going to do? Who is in charge?
I will attach a picture of us with Elder Godoy.
I love you guys. Thanks for everything. Have a great week.
Elder Hawkley
Pictures
1. The office and Pres and Sister with Elder Godoy
2. Getting ready for conference.
3. Eating Elder Ramos´s package
4. Updating the "Quadro" Mission Board
5. Us on a bus WAY too full
6. The secretaries in that little city for lunch
Friday, May 27, 2011
May 27, 2011 - The Office
Hey Family,
Well life is good. I am a little sick. It seems like since I have been in the office, either I have been sick or my companion haha. I am getting over a cough right now. But I am doing well.
Thanks for the pictures of Beck! Haha it looks like he will be a toe head (isn't that what they say for blonde headed kids?)
This last Sunday we had a stake conference and the stake presidency was reorganized. Our bishop was called to be the first counselor in the new presidency, so we should be getting a new bishop here soon. Elder Mazagardi of the Seventy came and reorganized. He didn't come here to the mission office, but he spoke in the general session. It was really good. He talked a little about callings. He said that to be called doesn't mean that you move up and to be released doesn't mean that you move down. He said that as we keep our covenants we go forward and if we don't we go backwards. In other words be only progress as we are obedient to our covenants and to the commandments. It doesn't matter what calling we have. He also talked about how we cannot let what is sacred become common or normal. He talked about how he would go to the temple every week, but wasn't really learning a lot. He said that he realized that it had become something normal to enter the temple. As he remembered the sacredness of the experience, he began to learn. He said that we must do the same with prayer and taking the sacrament. We must pray with feeling and remember that it is a sacred experience to talk with Heavenly Father. He said that we must pray in this manner to receive answers. It was a good conference.
Things in the office are going good. I really like Elder Ramos. We get along great. We always have things to do and are always trying to organize ourselves a little better. It is great to work with President and Sister Prieto and develop a stronger relationship with them. In our area, Iguatemi, we don't really have anybody to teach and so we are knocking a lot of doors. We are still trying to find the right routine to leave the office at 5. We haven't achieved it yet. I know that there are families waiting for us, we just have to be diligent and find them. We did find a man named Thiago who was baptized in the US when he lived there for 2 years. He loved the church there. When he came back here to Brasil, he said the members in the ward he went to weren't very united and he didn't like church. He stopped going. He now has a wife and a baby boy. Our ward is great here. We haven't been able to teach them yet, but we are going to try to bring them to church this Sunday. We are working with Giorgis mom still and she is doing good. Still studying the scriptures and going to church. Just has some problems with the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity. For now, they are with her to decide. Elder Ramos and his last comp baptized a super awesome family that we have been visiting and strengthening. They are awesome.
When somebody you don't recognize comes to church, always talk to them and sit by them. Explain the meetings to them and maybe even invite them to dinner afterwards. Get their telephone number and call or pass by during the week. Help the missionaries teach them. That is your responsibility as members of the church. When an investigator gets to church, the missionaries should be able to hand off their investigators to the members. I promise you that as you are a part of the conversion process of someone, you will have a greater desire to share the gospel. Ask your missionaries for help. The missionaries are there to teach and help members fulfill their missionaries duties. They are not there to find. Continue to be good examples. Watch this video together for family home evening please (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSKUEVamgc0)
But it sounds like life is good with you guys. Keep sending updates. It is always good to hear any bit of news. Let me know how Tyson did on his test! I love you guys so much. Thanks for being great examples and supporting me as i serve the Lord. It is the best to be a missionary! Have a great week
Elder Hawkley
Well life is good. I am a little sick. It seems like since I have been in the office, either I have been sick or my companion haha. I am getting over a cough right now. But I am doing well.
Thanks for the pictures of Beck! Haha it looks like he will be a toe head (isn't that what they say for blonde headed kids?)
This last Sunday we had a stake conference and the stake presidency was reorganized. Our bishop was called to be the first counselor in the new presidency, so we should be getting a new bishop here soon. Elder Mazagardi of the Seventy came and reorganized. He didn't come here to the mission office, but he spoke in the general session. It was really good. He talked a little about callings. He said that to be called doesn't mean that you move up and to be released doesn't mean that you move down. He said that as we keep our covenants we go forward and if we don't we go backwards. In other words be only progress as we are obedient to our covenants and to the commandments. It doesn't matter what calling we have. He also talked about how we cannot let what is sacred become common or normal. He talked about how he would go to the temple every week, but wasn't really learning a lot. He said that he realized that it had become something normal to enter the temple. As he remembered the sacredness of the experience, he began to learn. He said that we must do the same with prayer and taking the sacrament. We must pray with feeling and remember that it is a sacred experience to talk with Heavenly Father. He said that we must pray in this manner to receive answers. It was a good conference.
Things in the office are going good. I really like Elder Ramos. We get along great. We always have things to do and are always trying to organize ourselves a little better. It is great to work with President and Sister Prieto and develop a stronger relationship with them. In our area, Iguatemi, we don't really have anybody to teach and so we are knocking a lot of doors. We are still trying to find the right routine to leave the office at 5. We haven't achieved it yet. I know that there are families waiting for us, we just have to be diligent and find them. We did find a man named Thiago who was baptized in the US when he lived there for 2 years. He loved the church there. When he came back here to Brasil, he said the members in the ward he went to weren't very united and he didn't like church. He stopped going. He now has a wife and a baby boy. Our ward is great here. We haven't been able to teach them yet, but we are going to try to bring them to church this Sunday. We are working with Giorgis mom still and she is doing good. Still studying the scriptures and going to church. Just has some problems with the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity. For now, they are with her to decide. Elder Ramos and his last comp baptized a super awesome family that we have been visiting and strengthening. They are awesome.
When somebody you don't recognize comes to church, always talk to them and sit by them. Explain the meetings to them and maybe even invite them to dinner afterwards. Get their telephone number and call or pass by during the week. Help the missionaries teach them. That is your responsibility as members of the church. When an investigator gets to church, the missionaries should be able to hand off their investigators to the members. I promise you that as you are a part of the conversion process of someone, you will have a greater desire to share the gospel. Ask your missionaries for help. The missionaries are there to teach and help members fulfill their missionaries duties. They are not there to find. Continue to be good examples. Watch this video together for family home evening please (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSKUEVamgc0)
But it sounds like life is good with you guys. Keep sending updates. It is always good to hear any bit of news. Let me know how Tyson did on his test! I love you guys so much. Thanks for being great examples and supporting me as i serve the Lord. It is the best to be a missionary! Have a great week
Elder Hawkley
Friday, May 20, 2011
May 20, 2011 - 20! What the heck!
Hey family,
Thanks for the birthday wishes! I do not feel like i should be 20 years old. I still feel like a kid haha. I don't know what happened in these last 20 years. They have really passed quickly. Today we are taking a pday. We just take it when we can. The plan is to make the cake. We are going to watch a movie too. I talked with my comp and we decided to only watch animated movies. I didn't feel right about the other movies we watched. They took away my focus. I felt super bad. I'm not here for me and it shouldn't be that hard to leave the world behind for 2 years. I learned a good lesson. We can be doing good things, things that aren't wrong. But maybe there exist better things. Things that will bring the spirit more into our lives. I have been learning a lot about the role of the spirit in this work. Without the spirit we can do nothing. We gain the spirit through desire, obedience, and paying attention to him. Our greatest desire must be to have the spirit with us as our constant companion. If we strive for that, we will do what is right.
I did get the package from grandma and grandpa. So good!
That's cool to hear about Rachel and the design class. I didn't know that she was taking that class. Did she get something for that award? I have a lot to learn about computers still. Here in the office we will have to make some films with pictures for missionaries going home and also prepare power points for training. I am learning a lot and its good.
Life in the office has been good. Sometimes its hard. When we have a ton to do sometimes its hard for me to want to go to the area. A part of me wants to finish everything first ahah. But i need to let it go. I love teaching the gospel and talking to the people about Jesus Christ. It is always the best when we find somebody to teach. We did have a baptism this last week!! We baptized Giorgi (10). We have been teaching his family. He lives with his mom and grandma. His mom and grandma have been going to church too. His mom, Silvana, has the desire to be baptized, but has a boyfriend and has to deal with that first. But she wants to keep learning more and going to church so that's awesome. The grandma has some wierd ideas haha but follows Silvana so that's good. We are looking for families to teach. Yesterday we went to seminary and showed the film "small and simple things" (youtube it) about the book of mormon. WATCH IT! I love this short film. I always feel the spirit strongly. We gave a copy of the book of mormon to each of the youths and invited them to give a copy to a friend.
Yesterday an elder and a sister got in from the states. They had been waiting for their VISAS. We gave them a short training and they went to their areas. I gave the training in english which was a little wierd haha. I bore my testimony in english which i hadn't done in a while, but i felt the spirit testify and it was great! They will have to come back next week so that we can take them to the police station and get them registered here in Brasil. As executive secretaries we pretty much do everything that doesn't have to do with money. I'm starting to get the hang of it. Elder Ramos is great and we get along great. We think a ton a like and so its awesome.
Its been a little chilly here in Brasil. Its starting to enter the "winter" here. Its not really a winter, but gets a little chilly at night. Its good.
About that scripture mom, that is something that has been hard for me too on the mission. It is hard to not judge people. A talk that i read that i really liked and helped me a little is "Charity never Faileth" by Pres Monson. He gave that talk in the 2nd to last conference in the Relief Society Session. Read it!
We have enjoyed watching the conference talks online here in the office sometimes. That's one thing that i like! In my spare time i like to watch the mormon messages. We also listen to church music as we work.
I love you all! Thanks for everything. I will take more pictures for you guys
Elder Hawkley
I attached a foto of the baptism. Giorgi is the little black kid on the right. His mom is on his right side. The other 2 people were baptisms of the financial secretaries, Elder Lau and Elder Harris. We work in the same area.
Thanks for the birthday wishes! I do not feel like i should be 20 years old. I still feel like a kid haha. I don't know what happened in these last 20 years. They have really passed quickly. Today we are taking a pday. We just take it when we can. The plan is to make the cake. We are going to watch a movie too. I talked with my comp and we decided to only watch animated movies. I didn't feel right about the other movies we watched. They took away my focus. I felt super bad. I'm not here for me and it shouldn't be that hard to leave the world behind for 2 years. I learned a good lesson. We can be doing good things, things that aren't wrong. But maybe there exist better things. Things that will bring the spirit more into our lives. I have been learning a lot about the role of the spirit in this work. Without the spirit we can do nothing. We gain the spirit through desire, obedience, and paying attention to him. Our greatest desire must be to have the spirit with us as our constant companion. If we strive for that, we will do what is right.
I did get the package from grandma and grandpa. So good!
That's cool to hear about Rachel and the design class. I didn't know that she was taking that class. Did she get something for that award? I have a lot to learn about computers still. Here in the office we will have to make some films with pictures for missionaries going home and also prepare power points for training. I am learning a lot and its good.
Life in the office has been good. Sometimes its hard. When we have a ton to do sometimes its hard for me to want to go to the area. A part of me wants to finish everything first ahah. But i need to let it go. I love teaching the gospel and talking to the people about Jesus Christ. It is always the best when we find somebody to teach. We did have a baptism this last week!! We baptized Giorgi (10). We have been teaching his family. He lives with his mom and grandma. His mom and grandma have been going to church too. His mom, Silvana, has the desire to be baptized, but has a boyfriend and has to deal with that first. But she wants to keep learning more and going to church so that's awesome. The grandma has some wierd ideas haha but follows Silvana so that's good. We are looking for families to teach. Yesterday we went to seminary and showed the film "small and simple things" (youtube it) about the book of mormon. WATCH IT! I love this short film. I always feel the spirit strongly. We gave a copy of the book of mormon to each of the youths and invited them to give a copy to a friend.
Yesterday an elder and a sister got in from the states. They had been waiting for their VISAS. We gave them a short training and they went to their areas. I gave the training in english which was a little wierd haha. I bore my testimony in english which i hadn't done in a while, but i felt the spirit testify and it was great! They will have to come back next week so that we can take them to the police station and get them registered here in Brasil. As executive secretaries we pretty much do everything that doesn't have to do with money. I'm starting to get the hang of it. Elder Ramos is great and we get along great. We think a ton a like and so its awesome.
Its been a little chilly here in Brasil. Its starting to enter the "winter" here. Its not really a winter, but gets a little chilly at night. Its good.
About that scripture mom, that is something that has been hard for me too on the mission. It is hard to not judge people. A talk that i read that i really liked and helped me a little is "Charity never Faileth" by Pres Monson. He gave that talk in the 2nd to last conference in the Relief Society Session. Read it!
We have enjoyed watching the conference talks online here in the office sometimes. That's one thing that i like! In my spare time i like to watch the mormon messages. We also listen to church music as we work.
I love you all! Thanks for everything. I will take more pictures for you guys
Elder Hawkley
I attached a foto of the baptism. Giorgi is the little black kid on the right. His mom is on his right side. The other 2 people were baptisms of the financial secretaries, Elder Lau and Elder Harris. We work in the same area.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
May 11, 2011 - pday
Hey family,
Well it was definitely great to talk to you guys too. Especially on the skype. It was the best to have the whole family together and to be able to see everyone´s faces. There is a really good chance that i will still be here in the office in December and so we can do it again!
I think my letter will be pretty short too today, not too much to say.
Oh, I got my package!!! Thanks for everything! It was the best package ever. We had a "Conselho dos LZs" yesterday (Zone Leader Counsel) and Elder Ramos and I gave a short training. We talked about baptismal forms and filling them out correctly. We also talked a little bit about the Mission Tour that is coming up. I dont remember if i told you, but Elder Godoy, of the seventy, is coming to the mission in the beginning of june. That will be great! The training went well.
I guess the area seventy of Brasil decided that missionaries cant play soccer anymore, and that applies to all of Brasil! It really stinks. I had only played 2 times on the mission! But getting the package was great timing. We can play frisbee now!!
Things here in the office are good. It is really stressful! It seems like we are always behind. We are trying to find a way to get super organized so that we can leave the office everyday at 5 (which isnt easy) and go to our area. It has been hard to forget the things that need to be done in the office and focus on the investigators. I just want to have the stuff in the office done haha. I am learning a ton about the importance of planning. As we plan, we are more effective and it helps with the stress. If i write it down and its planned out, i can relax a little bit more. Definitely lessons that i will be able to apply for the rest of my life.
I love you all! Have a great week!
Elder Hawkley
Well it was definitely great to talk to you guys too. Especially on the skype. It was the best to have the whole family together and to be able to see everyone´s faces. There is a really good chance that i will still be here in the office in December and so we can do it again!
I think my letter will be pretty short too today, not too much to say.
Oh, I got my package!!! Thanks for everything! It was the best package ever. We had a "Conselho dos LZs" yesterday (Zone Leader Counsel) and Elder Ramos and I gave a short training. We talked about baptismal forms and filling them out correctly. We also talked a little bit about the Mission Tour that is coming up. I dont remember if i told you, but Elder Godoy, of the seventy, is coming to the mission in the beginning of june. That will be great! The training went well.
I guess the area seventy of Brasil decided that missionaries cant play soccer anymore, and that applies to all of Brasil! It really stinks. I had only played 2 times on the mission! But getting the package was great timing. We can play frisbee now!!
Things here in the office are good. It is really stressful! It seems like we are always behind. We are trying to find a way to get super organized so that we can leave the office everyday at 5 (which isnt easy) and go to our area. It has been hard to forget the things that need to be done in the office and focus on the investigators. I just want to have the stuff in the office done haha. I am learning a ton about the importance of planning. As we plan, we are more effective and it helps with the stress. If i write it down and its planned out, i can relax a little bit more. Definitely lessons that i will be able to apply for the rest of my life.
I love you all! Have a great week!
Elder Hawkley
The office Elders
Video Skypeing on Mother's Day
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
May 4, 2011 - EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Hey family,
Well i was transferred this last week, to the OFFICE. Haha I'm the newest executive secretary. My companion is Elder Ramos. We are in the same group, which means we both have 10 months in the mission. He was in my first district and i always wanted to be his comp. It is awesome. I will be here in the office for 6 months Pres said. Monday was a long day filled with work and our pdays are normally Wednesday or whenever we can.
Monday-
I had to wake up at 5 am to get ready and catch the bus to the mission office here in Ribeirão Preto. I go to the office and we took the packages and mail along with some other documents to the rodoviária (bus station). There we had to help with the transfers. Then we ran back to the office and had to get everything ready for the "heroes" (the missionaries going home). They had their last interviews with Pres Prieto and then we all went to eat the last dinner at the mission house with Pres and Sister Prieto. It was delicious. We watched their video with pictures and stuff and then went home. Got to sleep at 12 pm.
Tuesday-
18 new missionaries arrived, which is great because the mission was needed. We had to give them a quick training and get things ready for the transfer meeting when they meet their trainers. We went to the mission house and the assistants gave their training. Then Pres gave the news a "tour" of the house while the trainers came up. We sang called to serve as the new missionaries entered and as one by one they opened an envelope with the name of their trainer. It was cool to take part. Then we ate lunch! Afterwards we went to the office and tried to organize and get some stuff done. I was dead tired.
Wednesday-
Woke up and organized the house. It was mess. There are 6 of us that live together. All of the elders in the STAFF are super cool. Elders Harris, Jeppson, Lau, Porter, Ramos, and I. Today is pday and we are going to have a "churrasco", which is pretty much a barbecue.
Advantages of being in the office
-We get to work a lot with President Prieto. He is awesome and hammers hard in obedience but is lenient and acts as one of us haha.
-Can use the computer for study and other necessities
-around other missionaries
-Can watch disney movies on pday (something new that will start to be rewarded for other missionaries for hard word)
-mail comes to me FIRST HAHA
Disadvantages
-Don't get to work in the area as much. We are supposed to leave the office at 5 pm, but sometimes we have other things that have to be done
-Lots of things to do
So far the time in the office has been good. I will be able to learn a lot and I know that i will learn how to use my proselyting time more wisely and that i will give more value to ACTUAL missionary work. I was thinking, it's funny because Pehrson, Tyson, and I all worked in the mission office now, but in different areas. Pehrson - Assistant. Tyson - Financial Secretary. Me - Executive Secretary.
The last week in Batatais was good. We had a baptism, kind of haha. Hebert (9) is the son of an active family that just wasn't baptized for some reason. I think they just kept putting it off and then he had his 9th birthday. We taught him the lessons and interviewed him because it is still considered a convert baptism. Elder Viana is still there. It was good being his companion. I learned a lot of patience and have a long way to go still.
As an executive secretary some of the things we do are:
-Visas for the americans
-buy flights for missionaries going home
-prepare lots of videos for training and stuff
-train missionaries about baptismal forms, area books, and learning english (if brazilian)
-as Elder Ramos said, if we don't do our job, the mission doesn't work and the work doesn't happen. he compared it to a professional soccer team. The professionals just have to show up and play. But there are the coaches, the doctors, the people with the equipment and lots of other helpers. The missionaries are the professionals and we are the support. As we do our part, they can focus on the work.
Sounds like everyone is great there. Thanks for the updates and pictures. I'm waiting for the packages. Cant wait to talk more Sunday! I love you all. The Church is TRUE!
Élder Hawkley
Secretário Executivo
MISSÃO BRASIL RIBEIRÃO PRETO
Well i was transferred this last week, to the OFFICE. Haha I'm the newest executive secretary. My companion is Elder Ramos. We are in the same group, which means we both have 10 months in the mission. He was in my first district and i always wanted to be his comp. It is awesome. I will be here in the office for 6 months Pres said. Monday was a long day filled with work and our pdays are normally Wednesday or whenever we can.
Monday-
I had to wake up at 5 am to get ready and catch the bus to the mission office here in Ribeirão Preto. I go to the office and we took the packages and mail along with some other documents to the rodoviária (bus station). There we had to help with the transfers. Then we ran back to the office and had to get everything ready for the "heroes" (the missionaries going home). They had their last interviews with Pres Prieto and then we all went to eat the last dinner at the mission house with Pres and Sister Prieto. It was delicious. We watched their video with pictures and stuff and then went home. Got to sleep at 12 pm.
Tuesday-
18 new missionaries arrived, which is great because the mission was needed. We had to give them a quick training and get things ready for the transfer meeting when they meet their trainers. We went to the mission house and the assistants gave their training. Then Pres gave the news a "tour" of the house while the trainers came up. We sang called to serve as the new missionaries entered and as one by one they opened an envelope with the name of their trainer. It was cool to take part. Then we ate lunch! Afterwards we went to the office and tried to organize and get some stuff done. I was dead tired.
Wednesday-
Woke up and organized the house. It was mess. There are 6 of us that live together. All of the elders in the STAFF are super cool. Elders Harris, Jeppson, Lau, Porter, Ramos, and I. Today is pday and we are going to have a "churrasco", which is pretty much a barbecue.
Advantages of being in the office
-We get to work a lot with President Prieto. He is awesome and hammers hard in obedience but is lenient and acts as one of us haha.
-Can use the computer for study and other necessities
-around other missionaries
-Can watch disney movies on pday (something new that will start to be rewarded for other missionaries for hard word)
-mail comes to me FIRST HAHA
Disadvantages
-Don't get to work in the area as much. We are supposed to leave the office at 5 pm, but sometimes we have other things that have to be done
-Lots of things to do
So far the time in the office has been good. I will be able to learn a lot and I know that i will learn how to use my proselyting time more wisely and that i will give more value to ACTUAL missionary work. I was thinking, it's funny because Pehrson, Tyson, and I all worked in the mission office now, but in different areas. Pehrson - Assistant. Tyson - Financial Secretary. Me - Executive Secretary.
The last week in Batatais was good. We had a baptism, kind of haha. Hebert (9) is the son of an active family that just wasn't baptized for some reason. I think they just kept putting it off and then he had his 9th birthday. We taught him the lessons and interviewed him because it is still considered a convert baptism. Elder Viana is still there. It was good being his companion. I learned a lot of patience and have a long way to go still.
As an executive secretary some of the things we do are:
-Visas for the americans
-buy flights for missionaries going home
-prepare lots of videos for training and stuff
-train missionaries about baptismal forms, area books, and learning english (if brazilian)
-as Elder Ramos said, if we don't do our job, the mission doesn't work and the work doesn't happen. he compared it to a professional soccer team. The professionals just have to show up and play. But there are the coaches, the doctors, the people with the equipment and lots of other helpers. The missionaries are the professionals and we are the support. As we do our part, they can focus on the work.
Sounds like everyone is great there. Thanks for the updates and pictures. I'm waiting for the packages. Cant wait to talk more Sunday! I love you all. The Church is TRUE!
Élder Hawkley
Secretário Executivo
MISSÃO BRASIL RIBEIRÃO PRETO
Sunday, May 1, 2011
April 25, 2011 - Hello
Hello family!
Well it was a good week.
Zone Conference!!!! Zone conferences are the best! They used to happen every transfer and now they are every 3 months. President Prieto talked about how we aren't doing as much as we could. We have to use our time better and work harder. We talked about the Book of Mormon a lot and how we need to trust more in the promise of the Book of Mormon and give more importance to it in our teaching. He said that it is one of the best things if some says "i'm going to prove that the book of mormon is false" haha. He said that if someone says that, "go ahead and mark their baptismal date" haha. This is true because those who read the book of mormon and do the promise, that is ask God, will receive an answer. The mission was challenged to read the Book of Mormon in one transfer. The assistants prepared a packet that has one quesiton for every chapter. In order to finish in time we have to read 12 pages a day. I have studied the book of mormon in english. But i decided to do this and i will read the book of mormon in portuguese in one transfer! When i first heard about this about a week after the transfer, i thought it was a dumb idea and i told myself that i wasn't going to. But i felt the spirit testify and Pres Prieto made us 3 promises if we read the book of mormon in one transfer. He said
1. We will come to know Jesus Christ
2. We will find families to teach
3. We will gain or strengthen our own testimony of the book of mormon
I will finish 2 Néfi tomorrow. I have learned so much already. It will be something to always remember.
I'm not able to attach pictures for some reason today. Next week.
Transfers are next week. I have a feeling that i will be transfered even though i have less time here in Batatais. I will let you know.
This week was hard because there were holidays on thursday and friday which lead to a four day weekend. Everyone was either drinking or with family and so not very many people wanted to hear us. We are still looking for people to teach. We find people but then they run away because they heard something bad about the church. This has happened a lot here. The city is very Catholic.
Church was good. We had a branch conference. Oddly enough, not a lot was talked about the Savior. Just in Sacrament meeting which was good. None of our investigators went to church. But the Lord blessed us with 4 other people that we will try to teach this week. We will have a baptism next week. Hebert has 9 years old and his family is active, he just wasn't baptized before he turned 9. So he will have to be interviewed and everything. Should be good.
Things are still hard at times with the comp. I learned this week about Charity. It has been easy for me to do what a missionary does, contacts, teach. But i think a lot of the times i have just gone through the motions. I must BECOME a missionary. I must have charity for my companion and investigators. I am working and improving this. Charity is hard to develop. Charity is a lot about attitude. We can think about what someone else isn't doing, or we can do it in the attitude of service. Sometimes we think "that's not my responsibility". When we think this we are being selfish. We will be judged for what we don't do as well. It would be easy to not do something because someone else doesn't. We must have charity. Don't know if this makes sense. I think i dont' even understand yet ahah. Hopefully at some point and time i will.
Congrats Rachel on the ACT!!!!!!! That's awesome! Lets see if you can get me though HAHAH!
I love the gospel. I had an interesting experience. I had a hard day with my companion one day. The next day i decided to think more about Jesus Christ and ask myself "what would Jesus Christ do?" all day long. The day went smoother. I was happier. and the Spirit was with me. I think i have more to learn, but it was a good experience. Jesus Christ is our perfect example.
Something i have a hard time is talking about what i'm thinking or telling people how to improve. Sometimes i think i shouldn't say anything because i'm wrong. I know that it is something i need to learn, but definitely not easy.
Last week for pday our district we watched the Joseph Smith movie in the institute building in Ribeirão Preto on a projector screen. It was awesome! The 2 brazilians in our district understand english. Today they will watch Emma, but we are going to stay here.
I love you all very much! Thanks for everything! Have a great week!
Elder Hawkley
Well it was a good week.
Zone Conference!!!! Zone conferences are the best! They used to happen every transfer and now they are every 3 months. President Prieto talked about how we aren't doing as much as we could. We have to use our time better and work harder. We talked about the Book of Mormon a lot and how we need to trust more in the promise of the Book of Mormon and give more importance to it in our teaching. He said that it is one of the best things if some says "i'm going to prove that the book of mormon is false" haha. He said that if someone says that, "go ahead and mark their baptismal date" haha. This is true because those who read the book of mormon and do the promise, that is ask God, will receive an answer. The mission was challenged to read the Book of Mormon in one transfer. The assistants prepared a packet that has one quesiton for every chapter. In order to finish in time we have to read 12 pages a day. I have studied the book of mormon in english. But i decided to do this and i will read the book of mormon in portuguese in one transfer! When i first heard about this about a week after the transfer, i thought it was a dumb idea and i told myself that i wasn't going to. But i felt the spirit testify and Pres Prieto made us 3 promises if we read the book of mormon in one transfer. He said
1. We will come to know Jesus Christ
2. We will find families to teach
3. We will gain or strengthen our own testimony of the book of mormon
I will finish 2 Néfi tomorrow. I have learned so much already. It will be something to always remember.
I'm not able to attach pictures for some reason today. Next week.
Transfers are next week. I have a feeling that i will be transfered even though i have less time here in Batatais. I will let you know.
This week was hard because there were holidays on thursday and friday which lead to a four day weekend. Everyone was either drinking or with family and so not very many people wanted to hear us. We are still looking for people to teach. We find people but then they run away because they heard something bad about the church. This has happened a lot here. The city is very Catholic.
Church was good. We had a branch conference. Oddly enough, not a lot was talked about the Savior. Just in Sacrament meeting which was good. None of our investigators went to church. But the Lord blessed us with 4 other people that we will try to teach this week. We will have a baptism next week. Hebert has 9 years old and his family is active, he just wasn't baptized before he turned 9. So he will have to be interviewed and everything. Should be good.
Things are still hard at times with the comp. I learned this week about Charity. It has been easy for me to do what a missionary does, contacts, teach. But i think a lot of the times i have just gone through the motions. I must BECOME a missionary. I must have charity for my companion and investigators. I am working and improving this. Charity is hard to develop. Charity is a lot about attitude. We can think about what someone else isn't doing, or we can do it in the attitude of service. Sometimes we think "that's not my responsibility". When we think this we are being selfish. We will be judged for what we don't do as well. It would be easy to not do something because someone else doesn't. We must have charity. Don't know if this makes sense. I think i dont' even understand yet ahah. Hopefully at some point and time i will.
Congrats Rachel on the ACT!!!!!!! That's awesome! Lets see if you can get me though HAHAH!
I love the gospel. I had an interesting experience. I had a hard day with my companion one day. The next day i decided to think more about Jesus Christ and ask myself "what would Jesus Christ do?" all day long. The day went smoother. I was happier. and the Spirit was with me. I think i have more to learn, but it was a good experience. Jesus Christ is our perfect example.
Something i have a hard time is talking about what i'm thinking or telling people how to improve. Sometimes i think i shouldn't say anything because i'm wrong. I know that it is something i need to learn, but definitely not easy.
Last week for pday our district we watched the Joseph Smith movie in the institute building in Ribeirão Preto on a projector screen. It was awesome! The 2 brazilians in our district understand english. Today they will watch Emma, but we are going to stay here.
I love you all very much! Thanks for everything! Have a great week!
Elder Hawkley
April 18, 2011 - Minha familia
Hey family,
Sounds like everyone is doing great! Thanks for the letters and the packages that you sent. They should get here pretty quick. Time is flying here on the mission. Life is lived in weeks here on the mission. We work by the weeks.
I'm glad to hear that you guys are going to the temple. That's great! I see so many people falling away from the church. Our recent convert Rosana said that she doesn't want to come to church anymore. She didn't say why, but she told us that she started smoking again. Also it sounds like she is going to another church. Its hard to see. She was so prepared for baptism. Fellow shipping new members is super important. What i've learned is that 99% of the time when someone becomes inactive it is because that are breaking a commandment, not just because they were offended or don't have friends. It could be working on sunday, which would be breaking the Sabbath day. It is so important that we be obedient to all the commandments and never stop doing the simple things, going to the temple, daily prayer and scripture study and regular church attendance.
This week we had interviews with President Prieto. It was really good. It was only my 2nd interview with him. It should have been my 3rd but when i was transfered the first time to Ribeirão Preto the interviews had already been done. He asked how was it that i spoke portuguese so well. I said i don't know and that the Lord was blessing me. Thinking about it afterwards it is because of the Lord, but because i did my part too. I study the language almost everyday, which from what i have heard isn't that common. When we do our part the Lord does the rest. I asked Pres a little about prayer and the spirit. He gave a really cool explanation. He said listening to the spirit is like hearing the sound of one instrument during the song of an orchestra. We have to bring our ears to the instrument. In our lives there will be many sounds (orchestra), but we must bring our ears (train our ears) to the spirit. It was great to be able to learn this. He also said that we must listen after we finish our prayers. He asked me to say the ages of everyone in the family. As i started to respond he got up and walked out of the room. This is what we do a lot of the time. We finish saying our prayers and go do something else or get into bed. We must listen for the answers. Through time and practice we will be able to recognize the spirit in our lives and receive revelation. This is something hard for me, but it was a great interview. President Prieto loves us and is inspired of God.
This week we will have a Zone Conference! It is going to be awesome.
This last week was good. We worked hard and found some more people. Saturday was hard because all of our lessons fell. But we can't stop. The blessings come after the trials. We had nobody in church again. We need to help the members here to be more unified. We will work for this. Persevering isn't easy. Alot of it depends on our attitude. Every situation and person has virtues and faults, it just depends on which we choose to look for. That is something i have a lot of work to do to improve.
I love you very much! Have a great week! You are the best!
Elder Hawkley
PS I bought a set of clippers for about 30 US Dollars. It is a good one!
Sounds like everyone is doing great! Thanks for the letters and the packages that you sent. They should get here pretty quick. Time is flying here on the mission. Life is lived in weeks here on the mission. We work by the weeks.
I'm glad to hear that you guys are going to the temple. That's great! I see so many people falling away from the church. Our recent convert Rosana said that she doesn't want to come to church anymore. She didn't say why, but she told us that she started smoking again. Also it sounds like she is going to another church. Its hard to see. She was so prepared for baptism. Fellow shipping new members is super important. What i've learned is that 99% of the time when someone becomes inactive it is because that are breaking a commandment, not just because they were offended or don't have friends. It could be working on sunday, which would be breaking the Sabbath day. It is so important that we be obedient to all the commandments and never stop doing the simple things, going to the temple, daily prayer and scripture study and regular church attendance.
This week we had interviews with President Prieto. It was really good. It was only my 2nd interview with him. It should have been my 3rd but when i was transfered the first time to Ribeirão Preto the interviews had already been done. He asked how was it that i spoke portuguese so well. I said i don't know and that the Lord was blessing me. Thinking about it afterwards it is because of the Lord, but because i did my part too. I study the language almost everyday, which from what i have heard isn't that common. When we do our part the Lord does the rest. I asked Pres a little about prayer and the spirit. He gave a really cool explanation. He said listening to the spirit is like hearing the sound of one instrument during the song of an orchestra. We have to bring our ears to the instrument. In our lives there will be many sounds (orchestra), but we must bring our ears (train our ears) to the spirit. It was great to be able to learn this. He also said that we must listen after we finish our prayers. He asked me to say the ages of everyone in the family. As i started to respond he got up and walked out of the room. This is what we do a lot of the time. We finish saying our prayers and go do something else or get into bed. We must listen for the answers. Through time and practice we will be able to recognize the spirit in our lives and receive revelation. This is something hard for me, but it was a great interview. President Prieto loves us and is inspired of God.
This week we will have a Zone Conference! It is going to be awesome.
This last week was good. We worked hard and found some more people. Saturday was hard because all of our lessons fell. But we can't stop. The blessings come after the trials. We had nobody in church again. We need to help the members here to be more unified. We will work for this. Persevering isn't easy. Alot of it depends on our attitude. Every situation and person has virtues and faults, it just depends on which we choose to look for. That is something i have a lot of work to do to improve.
I love you very much! Have a great week! You are the best!
Elder Hawkley
PS I bought a set of clippers for about 30 US Dollars. It is a good one!
April 11, 2011 - Hello
Hey family,
Thanks for the letter and the picture. No i really cannot believe that Rachel will be 17 this month. She has changed so much already. She is becoming a very pretty girl. She is going to have to beat the boys off with a stick. CAREFUL! hahahahahha
Thanks for your response about the blessings from the commandments. It was perfect. It is so easy to forget all of our many blessings. For example, the word of wisdom. It is a blessing in and of itself to not be addicted to drugs along with the added blessings of health and the spirit and knowledge.
Here's my list for the package. Let me know what do aren't able to send. Whatever you send will be great, but here's what i'm thinking. I can always buy it here if i need too. Just let me know what you already bought.
-rechargeable batteries with charger- AA, and AAA
-my english hymnal
-little purell
-sticky notes!!!!!
-floss
-toothbrush
-2 shoe goo!!!!
-gold bond
-more of those pens you sent for christmas with refills
-pictures of family-esp beck
other ideas
-pedometer
-tie
-frisbee
-scotch tape
-sticky tak
-my rubix cube
-mini calendar
-armor of god picture (3x5)
This week was hard. We found very little new investigators and didn't teach very much. My companion is always super tired and gets distracted with other things very easily. I'm not without blame. I need to do at least my part and sometimes i don't. I don't know if i need to start taking control. I don't want to do this. He is the senior companion. Everyone knows about my comp. He is good but tired. One of the assistants told me to be the senior. How do i do that being the junior? It's hard because i know i can do more and we aren't having the results we should. I know that my comp can do more to and so does he. With his last comp here in Batatais they were doing a lot more. I don't know what to do really. It could be that his best is different than mine, but how do i cope with that? I got frustrated a lot this week. I always keep it to myself. We talk about what we can do better and he agrees, but it doesn't seem like we are progressing. We are in this same situation for 2 weeks now. We aren't really teaching anyone. When its time to plan i want to do it right and plan well and he doesn't want to. I feel it would be easier if i were the senior comp but maybe i'm wrong. I need a solution quick because my frustration is leading to an anger. I will continue trying my best, but do you have any ideas.
I have been making pancakes a lot, trying to save money ahah. pancakes for breakfast and pancakes for dinner at night. The last american elder left a thing of maple extract full in the house of a member and so i made maple syrup too. It was sooo good! I will take a picture. I need to take more pictures.
Sounds like you guys are great. I love you and thanks for the constant support. I love teaching the gospel. I'm most happy when i am doing a lot of teaching and seeing people change for the better. We taught someone who didn't believe in god this week. He believed once already but not anymore. We taught and the spirit testified. I know that he lives. We have so many witnesses, the prophets, scriptures, blessings from living commandments. Jesus Christ is our Savior and lives!
Elder Hawkley
This week will be a 10!
Thanks for the letter and the picture. No i really cannot believe that Rachel will be 17 this month. She has changed so much already. She is becoming a very pretty girl. She is going to have to beat the boys off with a stick. CAREFUL! hahahahahha
Thanks for your response about the blessings from the commandments. It was perfect. It is so easy to forget all of our many blessings. For example, the word of wisdom. It is a blessing in and of itself to not be addicted to drugs along with the added blessings of health and the spirit and knowledge.
Here's my list for the package. Let me know what do aren't able to send. Whatever you send will be great, but here's what i'm thinking. I can always buy it here if i need too. Just let me know what you already bought.
-rechargeable batteries with charger- AA, and AAA
-my english hymnal
-little purell
-sticky notes!!!!!
-floss
-toothbrush
-2 shoe goo!!!!
-gold bond
-more of those pens you sent for christmas with refills
-pictures of family-esp beck
other ideas
-pedometer
-tie
-frisbee
-scotch tape
-sticky tak
-my rubix cube
-mini calendar
-armor of god picture (3x5)
This week was hard. We found very little new investigators and didn't teach very much. My companion is always super tired and gets distracted with other things very easily. I'm not without blame. I need to do at least my part and sometimes i don't. I don't know if i need to start taking control. I don't want to do this. He is the senior companion. Everyone knows about my comp. He is good but tired. One of the assistants told me to be the senior. How do i do that being the junior? It's hard because i know i can do more and we aren't having the results we should. I know that my comp can do more to and so does he. With his last comp here in Batatais they were doing a lot more. I don't know what to do really. It could be that his best is different than mine, but how do i cope with that? I got frustrated a lot this week. I always keep it to myself. We talk about what we can do better and he agrees, but it doesn't seem like we are progressing. We are in this same situation for 2 weeks now. We aren't really teaching anyone. When its time to plan i want to do it right and plan well and he doesn't want to. I feel it would be easier if i were the senior comp but maybe i'm wrong. I need a solution quick because my frustration is leading to an anger. I will continue trying my best, but do you have any ideas.
I have been making pancakes a lot, trying to save money ahah. pancakes for breakfast and pancakes for dinner at night. The last american elder left a thing of maple extract full in the house of a member and so i made maple syrup too. It was sooo good! I will take a picture. I need to take more pictures.
Sounds like you guys are great. I love you and thanks for the constant support. I love teaching the gospel. I'm most happy when i am doing a lot of teaching and seeing people change for the better. We taught someone who didn't believe in god this week. He believed once already but not anymore. We taught and the spirit testified. I know that he lives. We have so many witnesses, the prophets, scriptures, blessings from living commandments. Jesus Christ is our Savior and lives!
Elder Hawkley
This week will be a 10!
April 4, 2011 - General Conference!
Hey Family
Questions
Did you watch the Priesthood session Sunday morning because of the time difference?
We watched priesthood session saturday night at 9 our time. It was great. We had to go to a different chapel in the other stake to watch it. Pres Prieto is awesome. 10 elders (including me) piled into his car (the size of a honda pilot haha) and we went together.
How was your conference experience? Were you able to understand it all? Where did you listen to it?
Conference was great. Pres asked that we watch all sessions, with or without investigators. I was able to watch all in english haha. I know that i could have understood in portuguese, but i love hearing the actaully voice and emotion of the speakers.
How is the teaching going with Pedro?
It's good. He is super busy which is hard. and he didn't come to conference which was a bummer, but we will continue teaching him.
Hahah Tysons comments were super funny. But yup he got burnd this conference. That boy has to get married HAHA.
Did you guys watch at home? I thought of that part in the movie Singles Ward as they get the new big TV, "GENERAL CONFERENCE" haha
But it was a great weekend to be able to feel the spirit and listen to the words of the living prophets. I was so pumped to watch, the most excited ever. I payed attention and it passed by quicker than i wanted it too.
I liked Elder Scotts talk about his marriage and family. I liked Pres Eyring in Priesthood about Quorums. I laughed a ton. Pres Monson in priesthood was funny and powerful about worthily using our priesthood. I liked Elder Oaks about desire and Elder Ballards about small and simple acts of service (flecks of gold). It was interesting that he said that missionary work will not be effective and the church will not grow until the members start to work with the missionaries. Make friendships outside of the church and INVITE!
The rest of the week was good. We did a division and it was good to work with an elder with a little bit more energy ahah. But i love my companion. I need to be more patient with him. I'm going to encourage him. It's hard when i feel like i can do more, but maybe his best is different.
I can't wait for the ensign in english too. I love you all so much. Thanks for the letters. Let me know before you send the package in case i need something else.
Its going to be a great week!
Elder Hawkley
PS What blessings have you received from a specific commandment (tithing, word of wisdom, etc)?? ´pick one and respond i need to know for a PREACH MY GOSPEL activity
Questions
Did you watch the Priesthood session Sunday morning because of the time difference?
We watched priesthood session saturday night at 9 our time. It was great. We had to go to a different chapel in the other stake to watch it. Pres Prieto is awesome. 10 elders (including me) piled into his car (the size of a honda pilot haha) and we went together.
How was your conference experience? Were you able to understand it all? Where did you listen to it?
Conference was great. Pres asked that we watch all sessions, with or without investigators. I was able to watch all in english haha. I know that i could have understood in portuguese, but i love hearing the actaully voice and emotion of the speakers.
How is the teaching going with Pedro?
It's good. He is super busy which is hard. and he didn't come to conference which was a bummer, but we will continue teaching him.
Hahah Tysons comments were super funny. But yup he got burnd this conference. That boy has to get married HAHA.
Did you guys watch at home? I thought of that part in the movie Singles Ward as they get the new big TV, "GENERAL CONFERENCE" haha
But it was a great weekend to be able to feel the spirit and listen to the words of the living prophets. I was so pumped to watch, the most excited ever. I payed attention and it passed by quicker than i wanted it too.
I liked Elder Scotts talk about his marriage and family. I liked Pres Eyring in Priesthood about Quorums. I laughed a ton. Pres Monson in priesthood was funny and powerful about worthily using our priesthood. I liked Elder Oaks about desire and Elder Ballards about small and simple acts of service (flecks of gold). It was interesting that he said that missionary work will not be effective and the church will not grow until the members start to work with the missionaries. Make friendships outside of the church and INVITE!
The rest of the week was good. We did a division and it was good to work with an elder with a little bit more energy ahah. But i love my companion. I need to be more patient with him. I'm going to encourage him. It's hard when i feel like i can do more, but maybe his best is different.
I can't wait for the ensign in english too. I love you all so much. Thanks for the letters. Let me know before you send the package in case i need something else.
Its going to be a great week!
Elder Hawkley
PS What blessings have you received from a specific commandment (tithing, word of wisdom, etc)?? ´pick one and respond i need to know for a PREACH MY GOSPEL activity
March 28, 2011 - HEy
Hey family!
You guys need to watch the mormon message "look not behind thee" if you haven't yet. It is funny, but with a great message.
Well it was a pretty good week. We have one investigator right now, which is bad. BUT, he is golden. His name is Pedro. He has about 24 and he talked to me in the supermarket. He knows someone that is a member of the church and wanted to know more (goes to show that being an example is a BIG part of missionary work). We went and taught him saturday. He always went to the catholic church but it has been a while since he stopped going. He accepted everything we taught and accepted to be baptized on April 9th. It was awesome. We talked to him on the phone yesterday and he said that he talked to his girlfriend and she wants to know more too. He said she got mad with him for not inviting her to hear ahha. So that was the high point of the week. Please keep him in your prays that we may be able to teach him friday and that he can continue progressing.
But he is the only person that we are teaching. We were working with a family, but they weren't progressing. That family with the daughter in drugs - We would leave a message about what to do in order to stop using drugs and right after we left she would run away from home to go use drugs. She did this 3 times this week. I have heard of missionaries that helped people overcome an addiction to crack, but the person has to want it more than anything. She wasn't showing us that she wanted to stop and so we are going to have to move on. Its frustrating seeing the potential a person has and seeing them not progress. The gospel really is a plan for happiness and helps us change through the atonement of Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost (Mos 3:19).
My comp is tired. He is always saying that. That's part of the problem why we don't have more people to teach. He doesn't talk with people in the street and we waste some time in members houses. I'm trying my best to encourage. I could be a jerk or really annoying and say lets go lets go, but i don't want to be like that. I have already talked to him and he just says that he will do it. He is a good missionary and teaches well, but he is tired and sometimes he puts other things as more important. We get a long. We laugh a lot. We teach a good lesson and he gets excited for a bit, but loses it quickly
I get pretty frustrated sometimes. I just want a companion who is ready to work as much as i am and I feel like if i was the senior companion i could pull a little bit more. I feel like i know how to direct the work. But the Lord knows what is best for me. So i will continue waiting until he inspires my president to put me as senior. I need more patience haha.
Where is Brittany Jones going on her mission again?
That picture of Beck made me laugh haha. He has Kate´s eyes.
Could you get me Tyler Beans mission address!!
Let me know when you will send the package before you send it!
Mom there's a lady in the branch here that wants a cupcake recipe. She speaks a good amount of english. Her name is Nilvânia and she is aweomse. Send her an email. She´ll tell you how i'm doing.
I'm excited for general conference. What the prophets and apostles tell us will be the things most important for our lives the next 6 months. Their words will be Gods words to us.
This week is going to be great!
I love you all
Elder Hawkley
You guys need to watch the mormon message "look not behind thee" if you haven't yet. It is funny, but with a great message.
Well it was a pretty good week. We have one investigator right now, which is bad. BUT, he is golden. His name is Pedro. He has about 24 and he talked to me in the supermarket. He knows someone that is a member of the church and wanted to know more (goes to show that being an example is a BIG part of missionary work). We went and taught him saturday. He always went to the catholic church but it has been a while since he stopped going. He accepted everything we taught and accepted to be baptized on April 9th. It was awesome. We talked to him on the phone yesterday and he said that he talked to his girlfriend and she wants to know more too. He said she got mad with him for not inviting her to hear ahha. So that was the high point of the week. Please keep him in your prays that we may be able to teach him friday and that he can continue progressing.
But he is the only person that we are teaching. We were working with a family, but they weren't progressing. That family with the daughter in drugs - We would leave a message about what to do in order to stop using drugs and right after we left she would run away from home to go use drugs. She did this 3 times this week. I have heard of missionaries that helped people overcome an addiction to crack, but the person has to want it more than anything. She wasn't showing us that she wanted to stop and so we are going to have to move on. Its frustrating seeing the potential a person has and seeing them not progress. The gospel really is a plan for happiness and helps us change through the atonement of Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost (Mos 3:19).
My comp is tired. He is always saying that. That's part of the problem why we don't have more people to teach. He doesn't talk with people in the street and we waste some time in members houses. I'm trying my best to encourage. I could be a jerk or really annoying and say lets go lets go, but i don't want to be like that. I have already talked to him and he just says that he will do it. He is a good missionary and teaches well, but he is tired and sometimes he puts other things as more important. We get a long. We laugh a lot. We teach a good lesson and he gets excited for a bit, but loses it quickly
I get pretty frustrated sometimes. I just want a companion who is ready to work as much as i am and I feel like if i was the senior companion i could pull a little bit more. I feel like i know how to direct the work. But the Lord knows what is best for me. So i will continue waiting until he inspires my president to put me as senior. I need more patience haha.
Where is Brittany Jones going on her mission again?
That picture of Beck made me laugh haha. He has Kate´s eyes.
Could you get me Tyler Beans mission address!!
Let me know when you will send the package before you send it!
Mom there's a lady in the branch here that wants a cupcake recipe. She speaks a good amount of english. Her name is Nilvânia and she is aweomse. Send her an email. She´ll tell you how i'm doing.
I'm excited for general conference. What the prophets and apostles tell us will be the things most important for our lives the next 6 months. Their words will be Gods words to us.
This week is going to be great!
I love you all
Elder Hawkley
March 21, 2011 - Hey
Hey family!
I´ll start with the questions.
How is she, Rosana, doing?
She is doing great. We confirmed her yesterday and she is participating in institute. She told her aunt that she wants to go on a mission!
Your companion, Elder Viana, sounds like he is a good guy. Are you speaking a lot of English with him or Portuguese?
We speak Portuguese 99% of the time. He likes to say funny quotes in english, or at least that sound funny to me. haha
Could you get me the address of Elder Bean?? I would like to write him another letter. How are the other missionaries in the ward/stake??
Well it was a pretty good week. We have no one to teach right now. We didn't really find anybody this last week and those we were teaching fell. My companion isn't doing contacts and so that's hard for me because our numbers look bad and we have a harder time finding people to teach. But we are going to work hard this week.
The attic looks great! haha I cant believe you guys actually did it. You guys did a lot!
It has been raining a lot here. This week there was a day when it rained super hard. We had forgotten our umbrellas at lunch. We got completely 100% soaked and had to wade through the road which became a river hah. It was funny. We went home and showered and put on dry clothes.
Transfers were this week. I stayed here in Batatais. I'm glad that i stayed here. Things are good with the comp. I just need to be a little more patient haha.
I love you guys a ton. I can't believe that i have been here almost 9 months already. The time is flying.
I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he restored the church. We watched the joseph smith movie last pday in the chapel. It was awesome. I feel the spirit every time.
We were teaching a family this last week. The mom and dad drink and smoke and the daughter has drug problems. As we taught the spirit was with us. At the end the daughter gave a really good prayer and the whole family said that they felt "lighter". They felt the spirit. Unfortunately they aren't progressing very much. We will try this week to help. We are doing all that we can.
I know that the gospel can change our lives and the lives of anybody.
Have a great week!
Elder Hawkley
I´ll start with the questions.
How is she, Rosana, doing?
She is doing great. We confirmed her yesterday and she is participating in institute. She told her aunt that she wants to go on a mission!
Your companion, Elder Viana, sounds like he is a good guy. Are you speaking a lot of English with him or Portuguese?
We speak Portuguese 99% of the time. He likes to say funny quotes in english, or at least that sound funny to me. haha
Could you get me the address of Elder Bean?? I would like to write him another letter. How are the other missionaries in the ward/stake??
Well it was a pretty good week. We have no one to teach right now. We didn't really find anybody this last week and those we were teaching fell. My companion isn't doing contacts and so that's hard for me because our numbers look bad and we have a harder time finding people to teach. But we are going to work hard this week.
The attic looks great! haha I cant believe you guys actually did it. You guys did a lot!
It has been raining a lot here. This week there was a day when it rained super hard. We had forgotten our umbrellas at lunch. We got completely 100% soaked and had to wade through the road which became a river hah. It was funny. We went home and showered and put on dry clothes.
Transfers were this week. I stayed here in Batatais. I'm glad that i stayed here. Things are good with the comp. I just need to be a little more patient haha.
I love you guys a ton. I can't believe that i have been here almost 9 months already. The time is flying.
I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he restored the church. We watched the joseph smith movie last pday in the chapel. It was awesome. I feel the spirit every time.
We were teaching a family this last week. The mom and dad drink and smoke and the daughter has drug problems. As we taught the spirit was with us. At the end the daughter gave a really good prayer and the whole family said that they felt "lighter". They felt the spirit. Unfortunately they aren't progressing very much. We will try this week to help. We are doing all that we can.
I know that the gospel can change our lives and the lives of anybody.
Have a great week!
Elder Hawkley
March 14, 2011 - YES
Hey family,
Well it was an awesome week! We worked hard this week and we had a baptism! I got lucky haha. I came into the area with a baptism just about ready. We baptized Rosana (21). We helped her stop smoking this week and she was able to be baptized.
I did get the ensigns i think 2 weeks ago. Thanks a ton! The card made me laugh too haha. I have been studying the ensign a lot. It is such a blessing to have living prophets and apostles. My comp told me something interesting. If you put a picture of Jesus or Mary on the outside of the package, Usually it gets here faster and has a smaller chance of getting robbed haha. Interesting! You guys should try it.
You said your Elder Viana seemed quiet. Is he still quiet or more talkative now that you have been with him a week? What do you like about him? ( a little more detail, please! ha ha)
Elder Viana is from Maceió (northeast). He has 1 year and 7 months on the mission. He speaks english. He learned watching movies and playing video games haha. Its actaully pretty common to hear that. We laugh a lot together. He is more kind of quiet, but we talk about almost everything. We work hard too. I like the way he works. We are reading the book of mormon a lot with our investigators and helping them gain a testimony of it. There is a lot of pressure to baptize in the mission. Many of the times, we teach all the lessons and baptize, which is right. But a lot of the times it is super fast. with Elder Viana we slow the process down a little. Normally you teach someone for a week and a half and then they are baptized. We do it in about 2 and a half. I like it a lot better. It allows the person to be a little more prepared for the baptism and have a better understanding. There are some things that we can do better but i have learned a lot working in a different way.
What is your new area like? Is it a ward, branch? Is it a lot like your last area?
It is a branch and a big area. we walk a lot but i like the city a ton. Maybe it was just good to get a change from my last area.
You said you ate lunch at a members house last pday. Do you not eat at members houses on pday?
We don't have a lunch with the members on pday. We have to figure it out haha. Either i buy a salgado or make pasta.
Other things i'm needing
rechargeable bateries , AA and AAA
Peanuts and peanut butter haha
pedometer, would be interesting
more gold bond
I love you!
Elder Hawkley
more next week
Well it was an awesome week! We worked hard this week and we had a baptism! I got lucky haha. I came into the area with a baptism just about ready. We baptized Rosana (21). We helped her stop smoking this week and she was able to be baptized.
I did get the ensigns i think 2 weeks ago. Thanks a ton! The card made me laugh too haha. I have been studying the ensign a lot. It is such a blessing to have living prophets and apostles. My comp told me something interesting. If you put a picture of Jesus or Mary on the outside of the package, Usually it gets here faster and has a smaller chance of getting robbed haha. Interesting! You guys should try it.
You said your Elder Viana seemed quiet. Is he still quiet or more talkative now that you have been with him a week? What do you like about him? ( a little more detail, please! ha ha)
Elder Viana is from Maceió (northeast). He has 1 year and 7 months on the mission. He speaks english. He learned watching movies and playing video games haha. Its actaully pretty common to hear that. We laugh a lot together. He is more kind of quiet, but we talk about almost everything. We work hard too. I like the way he works. We are reading the book of mormon a lot with our investigators and helping them gain a testimony of it. There is a lot of pressure to baptize in the mission. Many of the times, we teach all the lessons and baptize, which is right. But a lot of the times it is super fast. with Elder Viana we slow the process down a little. Normally you teach someone for a week and a half and then they are baptized. We do it in about 2 and a half. I like it a lot better. It allows the person to be a little more prepared for the baptism and have a better understanding. There are some things that we can do better but i have learned a lot working in a different way.
What is your new area like? Is it a ward, branch? Is it a lot like your last area?
It is a branch and a big area. we walk a lot but i like the city a ton. Maybe it was just good to get a change from my last area.
You said you ate lunch at a members house last pday. Do you not eat at members houses on pday?
We don't have a lunch with the members on pday. We have to figure it out haha. Either i buy a salgado or make pasta.
Other things i'm needing
rechargeable bateries , AA and AAA
Peanuts and peanut butter haha
pedometer, would be interesting
more gold bond
I love you!
Elder Hawkley
more next week
Monday, March 7, 2011
March 7, 2011 - 2nd Emergency Transfer
Hey family,
Well i was transfered again, haha. I am now working in the city of Batatais with Elder Viana. I was transfered because one of our investigators, Jacilene (18), who is also the sister of Karina that we baptized. She was throwing hints at my companion and talking to her sister and some other people in church that she liked me. She told my companion when i was in a division that she hoped i would maybe return one day. We called Pres and explained the situation and he thought it best to transfer me. I am surely confident that she wouldn't have done anything, but the problem is that she was talking to other people about. Pres asked me, "why didn't you come to the mission more ugly?" haha.
My new companion is Elder Viana. He is brazilian (4 for 4 haha) and he is from Maceió (northeast). He has 1 year and 7 months in the mission. He is kind of quiet but seems like a hard worker. Batatais is located outside of Ribeirão Preto about an hour. I switched from the west zone to the east zone of ribeirão preto. From what i have seen of the city i have liked and i'm excited to go to work. I feel better when i am working.
Today i woke up and finished packing and went to the rodoviária (bus station). Just 2 companionships were involved in this transfer. We just switched comps. Since i have been in the area, we bought some groceries and ate lunch in a members house (on pday!) and now i'm using the comp(uter) in the members house. The lan house isnt open because of the holidays of carnaval. In my last area, depending on the neighborhood, people were in the road dancing and drinking, but it wasn't a big deal. I haven't seen anything here either. A lot of people don't have to work. It is really big in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and The Northeast where dad was. Elder Mendonça is from Recife. It is a branch here in batatais but has a chapel.
Did Thauana get baptized? Seems like you are teaching a lot and that you have had a baptism every week. Tell us about some of your experiences as you have taught.
We are still working with Thauana and she should be baptized soon. We were going to baptize Jac but it didnt work out. She was living with her ex husband still and ended up having a fight and she didn't want to be baptized. But she will be soon.
Thanks for the pictures of beck! He looks great! Sounds like everyone is doing great.
As for a birthday package, here are some things
-need: Sticky notes, floss, shoe goo (2), my rubix cube (i learned with Elder Fidelis haha), The armor of god picture (3 by 5), a belt (mine will last a couple more months only)
-other ideas: frisbee, my english hymnal, ties, tape, sticky tak, mini calendar, peanut butter, orange cupcakes, cookie/brownie mix
I love you so much. The gospel is true! Hope that all is well with you guys! Thanks for the love and support! Keep the questions coming.
Elder Hawkley
Well i was transfered again, haha. I am now working in the city of Batatais with Elder Viana. I was transfered because one of our investigators, Jacilene (18), who is also the sister of Karina that we baptized. She was throwing hints at my companion and talking to her sister and some other people in church that she liked me. She told my companion when i was in a division that she hoped i would maybe return one day. We called Pres and explained the situation and he thought it best to transfer me. I am surely confident that she wouldn't have done anything, but the problem is that she was talking to other people about. Pres asked me, "why didn't you come to the mission more ugly?" haha.
My new companion is Elder Viana. He is brazilian (4 for 4 haha) and he is from Maceió (northeast). He has 1 year and 7 months in the mission. He is kind of quiet but seems like a hard worker. Batatais is located outside of Ribeirão Preto about an hour. I switched from the west zone to the east zone of ribeirão preto. From what i have seen of the city i have liked and i'm excited to go to work. I feel better when i am working.
Today i woke up and finished packing and went to the rodoviária (bus station). Just 2 companionships were involved in this transfer. We just switched comps. Since i have been in the area, we bought some groceries and ate lunch in a members house (on pday!) and now i'm using the comp(uter) in the members house. The lan house isnt open because of the holidays of carnaval. In my last area, depending on the neighborhood, people were in the road dancing and drinking, but it wasn't a big deal. I haven't seen anything here either. A lot of people don't have to work. It is really big in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and The Northeast where dad was. Elder Mendonça is from Recife. It is a branch here in batatais but has a chapel.
Did Thauana get baptized? Seems like you are teaching a lot and that you have had a baptism every week. Tell us about some of your experiences as you have taught.
We are still working with Thauana and she should be baptized soon. We were going to baptize Jac but it didnt work out. She was living with her ex husband still and ended up having a fight and she didn't want to be baptized. But she will be soon.
Thanks for the pictures of beck! He looks great! Sounds like everyone is doing great.
As for a birthday package, here are some things
-need: Sticky notes, floss, shoe goo (2), my rubix cube (i learned with Elder Fidelis haha), The armor of god picture (3 by 5), a belt (mine will last a couple more months only)
-other ideas: frisbee, my english hymnal, ties, tape, sticky tak, mini calendar, peanut butter, orange cupcakes, cookie/brownie mix
I love you so much. The gospel is true! Hope that all is well with you guys! Thanks for the love and support! Keep the questions coming.
Elder Hawkley
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
February 21, 2011 - Eu estou em Oklahoma
HEy family!
The title says "I'm in oklahoma" haha. I say that because the scenery in the part of southern central brasil where i'm at reminds me a ton of oklahoma. Its very green, but with lots of fields and rolling hills. Its beautiful!
We got the email about Padrao de xelencia and you said to look at some pictures. But there were no pictures and no website to go to. What were you talking about?
Our numbers were good that week. All of our numbers met the standard of what they should be and so we were in the news letter. Its not a big deal.
Sounds like things are going well. You are busy teaching. How is Karina doing? Do you have a lot of youth in your ward to be good friends to her?
Karina is doing pretty good. She sings in a band and started before we taught her. The problem is that she sings on sundays. We are working lot with her, but things will work out. Our other recent-convert, Cibele, hasn't come to church since she was baptized. She says she will come but hasn't yet. We are going to pass by this next week.
Loved the pictures. Glad that you were able to see Elder Fidelis before he went home. Looks like you guys got drenched!! Did you get caught in a down pour? How has the weather been lately?
Yup we caught some rain haha. It has been hot here. And everyone says that it is just going to get hotter haha. It gets really hot and then the cloud comes and then it rains by the end of the day most days.
Did you get the package we sent with the Ensigns? and candy? and card?
I haven't gotten them yet, but i'm ready haha.
So what do you do for service in your area?
We haven't had a lot of opportunities for service yet. This saturday we are going to help a member do some concrete work. They are going to start at 530 or 6 in the morning haha, in order to finish early. It will be good though
What are the people's home like? I know that you said it was a more humble area.
Its really actually pretyt normal. The members homes are normal. Every once in a while we teach someone who has little. But its all good. I'm used to it already. People do the best with what they can and they are always trying to take good care of what they have. There are a lot of drugs in our area though and a bar on every corner.
Things with the comp are good. Every once in a while there are some things that i don't like, but i'm doing my best. We are looking for people to teach right now. None of the investigators that we are teaching came to church yesterday. That was a bummer. We are really looking for families. Church was good yesterday! I played the piano. I love playing the piano and it is awesome to be able to use my talent to bless the members here.
Thanks for the letters and advice. It helped a ton! Hope you are all doing great and i love you all. Keep the questions and the pictures coming! The gospel is true! When we do what Jesus Christ did, we become more like him.
Elder Hawkley
The title says "I'm in oklahoma" haha. I say that because the scenery in the part of southern central brasil where i'm at reminds me a ton of oklahoma. Its very green, but with lots of fields and rolling hills. Its beautiful!
We got the email about Padrao de xelencia and you said to look at some pictures. But there were no pictures and no website to go to. What were you talking about?
Our numbers were good that week. All of our numbers met the standard of what they should be and so we were in the news letter. Its not a big deal.
Sounds like things are going well. You are busy teaching. How is Karina doing? Do you have a lot of youth in your ward to be good friends to her?
Karina is doing pretty good. She sings in a band and started before we taught her. The problem is that she sings on sundays. We are working lot with her, but things will work out. Our other recent-convert, Cibele, hasn't come to church since she was baptized. She says she will come but hasn't yet. We are going to pass by this next week.
Loved the pictures. Glad that you were able to see Elder Fidelis before he went home. Looks like you guys got drenched!! Did you get caught in a down pour? How has the weather been lately?
Yup we caught some rain haha. It has been hot here. And everyone says that it is just going to get hotter haha. It gets really hot and then the cloud comes and then it rains by the end of the day most days.
Did you get the package we sent with the Ensigns? and candy? and card?
I haven't gotten them yet, but i'm ready haha.
So what do you do for service in your area?
We haven't had a lot of opportunities for service yet. This saturday we are going to help a member do some concrete work. They are going to start at 530 or 6 in the morning haha, in order to finish early. It will be good though
What are the people's home like? I know that you said it was a more humble area.
Its really actually pretyt normal. The members homes are normal. Every once in a while we teach someone who has little. But its all good. I'm used to it already. People do the best with what they can and they are always trying to take good care of what they have. There are a lot of drugs in our area though and a bar on every corner.
Things with the comp are good. Every once in a while there are some things that i don't like, but i'm doing my best. We are looking for people to teach right now. None of the investigators that we are teaching came to church yesterday. That was a bummer. We are really looking for families. Church was good yesterday! I played the piano. I love playing the piano and it is awesome to be able to use my talent to bless the members here.
Thanks for the letters and advice. It helped a ton! Hope you are all doing great and i love you all. Keep the questions and the pictures coming! The gospel is true! When we do what Jesus Christ did, we become more like him.
Elder Hawkley
February 14, 2011
Hey family!
Well, thanks for all the pictures and letters. Everyone looks great! I hardly even recognize Rachel, haha she is changing quickly a ton. Beck looks great. He really does have red hair (for now at least) ahah.
Well we found out the transfers saturday morning. I will be staying in my area and i will be staying with my companion, Elder Mendonça. He is now our district leader, which is good for him. Maybe it will help him out. I hope so. I am going to do my best to help him be a good district leader. I´m doing alright. It will be good. This last week was a little difficult. We came home saturday night and he was mad at me for i have no idea why. He didn't say a word to me. He put his headphones on (that we aren't supposed to use) and listened to who knows what. We woke up sunday morning and it was the same story. Things got better and by the end of yesterday we are fine. I still don't know why he was mad, but oh well.
We had a baptism this sunday! We baptized Karina (16). She was a contact. She lives with her older sister. She didn't have a lot of support from the family, but chose to be baptized anyway. It was another rushed baptismal service. She wasn't ready on time ahah. The members here are really nice, but we aren't receiving a lot of help from them. Some things are really good.
I need some advice. Whenever an appointment falls or we have a space of time, my comp wants to go to a members house. Sometimes we eat dinner or something. Its one of those things that is hard for me. I feel like that we could be doing more with the time that we have. It was interesting that you sent me that scripture dad. I understand, but how do we know when we are doing enough???? I always suggest to my comp, "lets go visit ..., or what if we...", but he just does what he wants. We are being obedient, at least I'm doing my part. I tried talking to him about this, what i was feeling and he just got mad. He said "diligence has nothing to do with time" haha. Its hard for me. If i make the suggestion but we do it anyway, am i doing my part?????
I'm glad you were able to go to Beck´s blessing and were safe. I pray for your safety, physically and spiritually, everynight. I'm so grateful for the family i have and for your examples and guidance. I love the words of the living prophets and apostles. They always bring comfort to my soul. Always study the conference issues, they´re my favorite.
Could you email me two talks? The talk by Elder Christofferson this last CES fireside (way good, i read a copy) and the talk "come what may and love it" by Elder Wirthlin.
This morning we went to the rodoviaria (bus station) to see all the missionaries being transfered. I was able to see Elder Fidelis and talk and laugh with him a little bit. I love that kid. I'm going to write him for sure. He is going home tomorrow.
I love the Lord and this gospel. I want to give him my best! I know that there is true safety in keeping the commandments. Sorry if this letter is depressing haha, im doing good just a little stressed and trying to figure things out more, little by little. I am learning and growing with my companion. I love you all!
Elder Hawkley
Well, thanks for all the pictures and letters. Everyone looks great! I hardly even recognize Rachel, haha she is changing quickly a ton. Beck looks great. He really does have red hair (for now at least) ahah.
Well we found out the transfers saturday morning. I will be staying in my area and i will be staying with my companion, Elder Mendonça. He is now our district leader, which is good for him. Maybe it will help him out. I hope so. I am going to do my best to help him be a good district leader. I´m doing alright. It will be good. This last week was a little difficult. We came home saturday night and he was mad at me for i have no idea why. He didn't say a word to me. He put his headphones on (that we aren't supposed to use) and listened to who knows what. We woke up sunday morning and it was the same story. Things got better and by the end of yesterday we are fine. I still don't know why he was mad, but oh well.
We had a baptism this sunday! We baptized Karina (16). She was a contact. She lives with her older sister. She didn't have a lot of support from the family, but chose to be baptized anyway. It was another rushed baptismal service. She wasn't ready on time ahah. The members here are really nice, but we aren't receiving a lot of help from them. Some things are really good.
I need some advice. Whenever an appointment falls or we have a space of time, my comp wants to go to a members house. Sometimes we eat dinner or something. Its one of those things that is hard for me. I feel like that we could be doing more with the time that we have. It was interesting that you sent me that scripture dad. I understand, but how do we know when we are doing enough???? I always suggest to my comp, "lets go visit ..., or what if we...", but he just does what he wants. We are being obedient, at least I'm doing my part. I tried talking to him about this, what i was feeling and he just got mad. He said "diligence has nothing to do with time" haha. Its hard for me. If i make the suggestion but we do it anyway, am i doing my part?????
I'm glad you were able to go to Beck´s blessing and were safe. I pray for your safety, physically and spiritually, everynight. I'm so grateful for the family i have and for your examples and guidance. I love the words of the living prophets and apostles. They always bring comfort to my soul. Always study the conference issues, they´re my favorite.
Could you email me two talks? The talk by Elder Christofferson this last CES fireside (way good, i read a copy) and the talk "come what may and love it" by Elder Wirthlin.
This morning we went to the rodoviaria (bus station) to see all the missionaries being transfered. I was able to see Elder Fidelis and talk and laugh with him a little bit. I love that kid. I'm going to write him for sure. He is going home tomorrow.
I love the Lord and this gospel. I want to give him my best! I know that there is true safety in keeping the commandments. Sorry if this letter is depressing haha, im doing good just a little stressed and trying to figure things out more, little by little. I am learning and growing with my companion. I love you all!
Elder Hawkley
January 7, 2011 - Hey!
Hey family!
Glad to hear that you guys made it to Beck´s blessing! Thats crazy about the snow! Send me some pictures. That stinks about tyson. Did he get hurt?
Well it was a hard, but good week. This week I personally had a hard time with my companion. I just became angry. I didn't express my anger to him though. He wouldn't wash his dishes and i felt like maybe i was being penalized for his disobedience (like maybe the spirit wasn't with me or something like that). I was just unhappy and then the spirit really wasn't with me. I had been and still am praying a lot. So one morning i washed his dishes and just started doing lots of little things of service. I also started writing down the good things that he did each day. My whole attitude changed and i became more happy. It seems like he is a little more happy also. It still isn't easy, but it became easier. I learned a lot about really loving someone. If you love someone you see their good qualities and truly have patience with them. So that was good. Transfers are this next week. I am thinking that we will both stay here, but there are a lot of missionaries going home this transfer which means that a lot of changes are coming. I would like to stay in this area. Either way should be fine with the comp. I'm sure every companionship has challenges. We´ll see what happens.
There is an elder in my zone, Elder Childers, thats from Idaho and he knows some Hawkleys from Idaho. Do you know any Childers dad?
Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting and man was it good. There´s a kid in the ward here named Murilo. He is ten years old. He is the only member in his family. He always gets to church early to set up the primary room. He really is a great example to me. Anyway we got to church early yesterday to meet up with some members to do splits to bring investigators to church. Murilo didnt look too good and he said he had a stomach ache that started the night before. He told his mom that he was fine so that he could go to church! haha. We offered to give him a priesthood blessing and he accepted. We gave the blessing and then left to bring investigators to church. When we got back to church he said he was feeling better. Then during testimony meeting he bore his testimony about the priesthood and priesthood blessings and told about the blessing we gave him. The spirit was super strong. My testimony of the priesthood grew. I'm so glad that i was worthy and that the Lord let me be a part of this experience. Another sister in the ward also bore her testimony of the priesthood. We had given her a blessing for a headache during the week. She said that she felt better right away and the headache didn't return. It was an awesome testimony meeting.
We were teaching a kid named Pedro (15) this week. His older sister is a less active for a while and she has doubts about the book of mormon and joseph smith. As we were talking, their uncle came up and started saying all kinds of things. We exchanged a couple of scriptures (which got nowhere as usual. thankfully i don't like to bible bash. it gets nowhere) and then just bore our testimonies. The spirit was with us. I don't think his heart was open, but i hope so. It was a privilege to bear testimony of Joseph Smith. I know that he was a prophet and that he saw God and Jesus Christ! He restored the church, the only true church on the face of the earth! Being a missionary is hard at times, but times like this make it worth it and make it awesome.
Hope you are all well. Never forget that this gospel is true! I´ll try and send some pictures next week, you guys send some too! I love you all soo much. Thanks for the email!
Elder Hawkley
Glad to hear that you guys made it to Beck´s blessing! Thats crazy about the snow! Send me some pictures. That stinks about tyson. Did he get hurt?
Well it was a hard, but good week. This week I personally had a hard time with my companion. I just became angry. I didn't express my anger to him though. He wouldn't wash his dishes and i felt like maybe i was being penalized for his disobedience (like maybe the spirit wasn't with me or something like that). I was just unhappy and then the spirit really wasn't with me. I had been and still am praying a lot. So one morning i washed his dishes and just started doing lots of little things of service. I also started writing down the good things that he did each day. My whole attitude changed and i became more happy. It seems like he is a little more happy also. It still isn't easy, but it became easier. I learned a lot about really loving someone. If you love someone you see their good qualities and truly have patience with them. So that was good. Transfers are this next week. I am thinking that we will both stay here, but there are a lot of missionaries going home this transfer which means that a lot of changes are coming. I would like to stay in this area. Either way should be fine with the comp. I'm sure every companionship has challenges. We´ll see what happens.
There is an elder in my zone, Elder Childers, thats from Idaho and he knows some Hawkleys from Idaho. Do you know any Childers dad?
Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting and man was it good. There´s a kid in the ward here named Murilo. He is ten years old. He is the only member in his family. He always gets to church early to set up the primary room. He really is a great example to me. Anyway we got to church early yesterday to meet up with some members to do splits to bring investigators to church. Murilo didnt look too good and he said he had a stomach ache that started the night before. He told his mom that he was fine so that he could go to church! haha. We offered to give him a priesthood blessing and he accepted. We gave the blessing and then left to bring investigators to church. When we got back to church he said he was feeling better. Then during testimony meeting he bore his testimony about the priesthood and priesthood blessings and told about the blessing we gave him. The spirit was super strong. My testimony of the priesthood grew. I'm so glad that i was worthy and that the Lord let me be a part of this experience. Another sister in the ward also bore her testimony of the priesthood. We had given her a blessing for a headache during the week. She said that she felt better right away and the headache didn't return. It was an awesome testimony meeting.
We were teaching a kid named Pedro (15) this week. His older sister is a less active for a while and she has doubts about the book of mormon and joseph smith. As we were talking, their uncle came up and started saying all kinds of things. We exchanged a couple of scriptures (which got nowhere as usual. thankfully i don't like to bible bash. it gets nowhere) and then just bore our testimonies. The spirit was with us. I don't think his heart was open, but i hope so. It was a privilege to bear testimony of Joseph Smith. I know that he was a prophet and that he saw God and Jesus Christ! He restored the church, the only true church on the face of the earth! Being a missionary is hard at times, but times like this make it worth it and make it awesome.
Hope you are all well. Never forget that this gospel is true! I´ll try and send some pictures next week, you guys send some too! I love you all soo much. Thanks for the email!
Elder Hawkley
January 31, 2011 - HAAHA
Hey family!
Como e voce??? nice try haha. You said "How it is you?" You could say como você está? or como é com você? But thanks for the effort!
What have you been doing on your pdays? Try and get out and explore your area. We would like to hear about it. Take some pictures, too. ha ha
Today for pday we had a super pday. We all went to the mission office here in Ribeirão Preto. There is joined with the institute headquarters. They had a place to play soccer ("cuadra" = soccer in a parking lot basically) and a game room with pool, ping pong, air hockey and foosball. It was fun. I wrote some letters to recent converts and some friends. Last week we played soccer too. It is a ton of fun. I was sore the whole week this last week haha. My comp doesnt like to stay in the house at all. I like going out, but i also feel that some things need to get done on pday. the house should be cleaned a little and some other things aren't getting done. We leave as early as possible and get back late. Today we left late and will have to catch a bus after this. I told my companion we should go and that i was ready and then waited. I'm doing my best. But it was a good pday today. I do need to take more pictures. Its hard in our area because there are a ton of drugs and stuff and so there's no good place to pull out a camera. I normally don't carry it with me. I'll try my best though ahah.
Congrats Rachel on the tennis! Do work on those courts! Remember to just have fun, win or lose. More importantly, congrats for standing up for whats right. You will be so blessed as you continue to do so. The spirit with be with you to help always. I'm so proud of you and your example!
That's great to hear about Beck and that you guys will be there for the blessing. Travel safely and take some pics for me.
I didnt know that Lauren Lands wasn't baptized yet! I know what its like to have an investigator that the parents don't authorize. It stinks!
Well it was a good week. We are working hard here. We had a baptism! We baptized Cibele (19). We found he as a past investigator in the area book. She was ready to be baptized, but was afraid of her mom and what she would think. She had a lot of fear and doubt. We talked a lot and man did it take patience ahah. But she was baptized and her family, although not at the service, gave their support. It was a crazy sunday. We went to pick her up and she wasn't there, she was cutting some ladys hair. The baptism was supposed to be at 2. We had a member pick us up at her house. We were late already and on the way a motorcyle almost hit us head on, but swerved at the last second and broke side-view mirror of the members car! It was nuts. We got to the church at 230 and baptized her, with the service ending at 3 and church starting at 3. It was rushed and not how i would have liked it, but we baptized and confirmed her.
I played the piano for all the hymns in church this sunday. I learned a sacrament hymn and played. I think i messed up on every hymn that i played but i was able to keep it together. Hopefully next week will be better. I like being able to use my talent to bless the meeting here. I did my best.
Things are good with the comp. We are working hard. He has a hard time getting up in the morning. He normally gets out of bed at 730. I do my best to help him and try different ways to help him, but nothing changes. If anything it's getting worse hah. I'm being patient and trying my best to help. I'm not sure what else i could do, besides just continue. The other thing is that he is messy. This guy doesn't do his dishes or throw his trash away. And because of the pday situation, there is never time to clean the house. I talked to him once already, but i will try again. Any advice? The spirit does not abide in unholy temples haha. I'm doing my part though and so i trust that the spirit is with me.
Hope you are all well. I love you so very much. You have taught me well and have been and forever will be my greatest examples. When the times are tough, pray. When i'm having a hard time here, i get on my knees and pray. Then i go to work. Sometimes i leave with a heavy heart, but Heavenly Father always hears and answers my prayers and soon i'm feeling better. I know that this power of prayer is there for anyone and everyone. Have a great week! travel safely!
Elder Hawkley
Como e voce??? nice try haha. You said "How it is you?" You could say como você está? or como é com você? But thanks for the effort!
What have you been doing on your pdays? Try and get out and explore your area. We would like to hear about it. Take some pictures, too. ha ha
Today for pday we had a super pday. We all went to the mission office here in Ribeirão Preto. There is joined with the institute headquarters. They had a place to play soccer ("cuadra" = soccer in a parking lot basically) and a game room with pool, ping pong, air hockey and foosball. It was fun. I wrote some letters to recent converts and some friends. Last week we played soccer too. It is a ton of fun. I was sore the whole week this last week haha. My comp doesnt like to stay in the house at all. I like going out, but i also feel that some things need to get done on pday. the house should be cleaned a little and some other things aren't getting done. We leave as early as possible and get back late. Today we left late and will have to catch a bus after this. I told my companion we should go and that i was ready and then waited. I'm doing my best. But it was a good pday today. I do need to take more pictures. Its hard in our area because there are a ton of drugs and stuff and so there's no good place to pull out a camera. I normally don't carry it with me. I'll try my best though ahah.
Congrats Rachel on the tennis! Do work on those courts! Remember to just have fun, win or lose. More importantly, congrats for standing up for whats right. You will be so blessed as you continue to do so. The spirit with be with you to help always. I'm so proud of you and your example!
That's great to hear about Beck and that you guys will be there for the blessing. Travel safely and take some pics for me.
I didnt know that Lauren Lands wasn't baptized yet! I know what its like to have an investigator that the parents don't authorize. It stinks!
Well it was a good week. We are working hard here. We had a baptism! We baptized Cibele (19). We found he as a past investigator in the area book. She was ready to be baptized, but was afraid of her mom and what she would think. She had a lot of fear and doubt. We talked a lot and man did it take patience ahah. But she was baptized and her family, although not at the service, gave their support. It was a crazy sunday. We went to pick her up and she wasn't there, she was cutting some ladys hair. The baptism was supposed to be at 2. We had a member pick us up at her house. We were late already and on the way a motorcyle almost hit us head on, but swerved at the last second and broke side-view mirror of the members car! It was nuts. We got to the church at 230 and baptized her, with the service ending at 3 and church starting at 3. It was rushed and not how i would have liked it, but we baptized and confirmed her.
I played the piano for all the hymns in church this sunday. I learned a sacrament hymn and played. I think i messed up on every hymn that i played but i was able to keep it together. Hopefully next week will be better. I like being able to use my talent to bless the meeting here. I did my best.
Things are good with the comp. We are working hard. He has a hard time getting up in the morning. He normally gets out of bed at 730. I do my best to help him and try different ways to help him, but nothing changes. If anything it's getting worse hah. I'm being patient and trying my best to help. I'm not sure what else i could do, besides just continue. The other thing is that he is messy. This guy doesn't do his dishes or throw his trash away. And because of the pday situation, there is never time to clean the house. I talked to him once already, but i will try again. Any advice? The spirit does not abide in unholy temples haha. I'm doing my part though and so i trust that the spirit is with me.
Hope you are all well. I love you so very much. You have taught me well and have been and forever will be my greatest examples. When the times are tough, pray. When i'm having a hard time here, i get on my knees and pray. Then i go to work. Sometimes i leave with a heavy heart, but Heavenly Father always hears and answers my prayers and soon i'm feeling better. I know that this power of prayer is there for anyone and everyone. Have a great week! travel safely!
Elder Hawkley