Sister Hawkins will be flying to Texas Wednesday morning (September 1st) so any mail will now have to go to the mission home. As soon as I get her first apartment address I will post it. Thank you to those that posted comments and sent me emails, I had a really encouraging and uplifting letter to send to Emily. I know she will be touched by your love and support. Please keep her in your prayers, this is going to be a tough week for her.
Sister Emily Mae Hawkins
Texas Houston East Mission
2815 W. Lake Houston Pkwy Ste 109
Kingwood, TX 77339-5220
Display
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Email - August 26th
I received an email from Emily today and I hesitated whether to post it because she is struggling right now. But I have decided to post it because I know how much you all love and care about Emily and I know she could use all the extra prayers to get through this next week. Getting out of the van and walking into the MTC was a huge accomplishment for her and getting on the plane and flying to Texas is going to be an even bigger accomplishment. I am going to be mailing her one more letter Friday afternoon as that will probably be the last one she will get from me before she leaves the MTC and I don’t think she will be able to check her email anymore. If you would like to send Emily a small word of encouragement through me, you can either put a comment at the end of this post or email me at jhawkins3398@gmail.com before noon on Friday August 27th. Whatever messages I get, I will put in my letter. If I happen to get any after I have already mailed my letter, I will put them in my next letter which I am going to send to the mission home in Texas for her. Thank you again for all your love and support.
Oh and for those that are wondering what ever happened with her toes, we got an earlier email from the MTC saying Emily’s toes were doing so much better and so she did not need to go to the foot doctor. Our prayers are being heard! Here is Emily’s letter:
August 26, 2010
Hey Mom,
Boy there is so much to tell you and I read through all the other email from my siblings and I only have 12 minutes left. Mom I am really missing home. This is so hard but I am loving the spirit I feel every day. I love you and dad so much. I think of you always. I miss home I am trying to lose myself in the work but it seems I don't know how to do that. I love the letters and the packages I get. I am getting really nervous and wondering if I am ready to leave the MTC! How can I do this? I love the spirit and I just love learning! How can I teach the people about this? How can I get along with my companions? I am just really lost and I just need some words of inspiration!
Mom this is so hard. I hope I can get through this. 18 months is a really long time! Time is not flying by like it is for everyone else. The days are long and I get so tired in classes. I don't sleep well. I am just struggling! I know I need to focus on the Lord which I am trying to do. This is so hard! I can't believe I'm still here. I just don't know what the days bring or what is going to happen? But it truly helps seeing Sister Anderson when she teaches me about the scriptures she give me hope. The funny thing is that she served in my mission when she was younger and she says she loved it there but not the heat.
I'm scared of not being able to do this and that I’ll want to come home and freak out. I'm praying to the Lord lots to help me get through everyday and I always have a prayer in my heart. I'm sorry this e-mail is not up lifting or telling the things you want to hear. But I am sending a tape to you in a couple of days so I hope I get it sent before I leave! I can't wait to talk to you on Wednesday and to hear your voice.
Well I have five minutes and I want to make sure this sends but I love you and I will try my best to do whatever to stay. I love you mom, I miss you and dad lots. Sorry for the sad e-mail. But I love you!
Love Sister Hawkins
Mom I think I will be okay, I just have to trust in the Lord more. Proverbs 3:5-6!
Oh and for those that are wondering what ever happened with her toes, we got an earlier email from the MTC saying Emily’s toes were doing so much better and so she did not need to go to the foot doctor. Our prayers are being heard! Here is Emily’s letter:
August 26, 2010
Hey Mom,
Boy there is so much to tell you and I read through all the other email from my siblings and I only have 12 minutes left. Mom I am really missing home. This is so hard but I am loving the spirit I feel every day. I love you and dad so much. I think of you always. I miss home I am trying to lose myself in the work but it seems I don't know how to do that. I love the letters and the packages I get. I am getting really nervous and wondering if I am ready to leave the MTC! How can I do this? I love the spirit and I just love learning! How can I teach the people about this? How can I get along with my companions? I am just really lost and I just need some words of inspiration!
Mom this is so hard. I hope I can get through this. 18 months is a really long time! Time is not flying by like it is for everyone else. The days are long and I get so tired in classes. I don't sleep well. I am just struggling! I know I need to focus on the Lord which I am trying to do. This is so hard! I can't believe I'm still here. I just don't know what the days bring or what is going to happen? But it truly helps seeing Sister Anderson when she teaches me about the scriptures she give me hope. The funny thing is that she served in my mission when she was younger and she says she loved it there but not the heat.
I'm scared of not being able to do this and that I’ll want to come home and freak out. I'm praying to the Lord lots to help me get through everyday and I always have a prayer in my heart. I'm sorry this e-mail is not up lifting or telling the things you want to hear. But I am sending a tape to you in a couple of days so I hope I get it sent before I leave! I can't wait to talk to you on Wednesday and to hear your voice.
Well I have five minutes and I want to make sure this sends but I love you and I will try my best to do whatever to stay. I love you mom, I miss you and dad lots. Sorry for the sad e-mail. But I love you!
Love Sister Hawkins
Mom I think I will be okay, I just have to trust in the Lord more. Proverbs 3:5-6!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Letter - August 19th
I received this letter in the mail today, Monday August 23rd. She was writing it off and on and over a period of time so hopefully it makes sense. Thank you again for all your love and support. Emily can feel your love!
August 19, 2010
Well here is my first letter! I love getting mail. It makes my days a whole lot easier. I love the endings of your letters, it gives me comfort and it always helps me out. (I try to send her a spiritual quote with each letter.) So you asked me about the MTC! Well I can tell you this, I’m never not busy! I’m always running to classes and to meals and to Devotionals! Classes are hard sometimes because they ask you questions and they make me come out of my shell. It’s hard! I struggle to not be shy! They want us to contact other missionaries and give them spiritual thoughts or to share a message. But one of my teachers, Brother Mehr, talked with me and asked why it’s hard. I told him I’m shy and it’s hard to talk with new people and that I just don’t know what to say. So he wants me to just go up to missionaries and just say hi and to introduce myself and just try to talk with them. It’s kinda easy with Sisters but it’s really hard to talk with the Elders! But I’m kinda getting better.
I have this amazing teacher Sister Anderson. She is an extra help to me! She is helping me learn how to mark my scriptures to be able to teach a lesson! And it is so amazing! She is such a nice old lady. She always gives me good tips when I’m down or having a hard time. I hope to get a picture with her before I leave the MTC!
Well Mom, I’m really struggling. I’m not going to lie and say things are great. But I must say there have been days when I’m loving it here and that I do understand things and feel the spirit! But you know how I said my companion is like Lindsey … well she is not. I have really gotten to know her and it’s really hard to be her companion. She doesn’t like what I have to say and she thinks her ideas for discussions are the only right way and if she doesn’t have it her way she is upset and grumpy. It was so frustrating mom. I’m really sorry to write this but I’m just really struggling to get through every day! Last night at the end of class I felt alone and felt homesick and I really wanted to come home. But I know I can’t and I know I’ll have huge regrets if I don’t stay and endure to the end. This mission is really hard! Everyday it’s a struggle with something. But mom when I’m not struggling, there is a wonderful spirit in the air or when we have a speaker that’s scheduled for us, man it’s amazing and I feel good and really excited to be on a mission. I love the letters. Please keep them coming! It gets me through the night till the next night and I read the next stack of letters.
Well I’m back, I had to go to breakfast and then had to do personal study. I studied the “Restoration” because we have an actor investigator and all we know about her is that she is interested in the gospel! So I wanted to make sure I understand things! Well after looking over this letter I can see I was pretty harse and upset. I’m sorry to write things about my companion. But I just wanted to tell you some of my struggles. Mom I love saying prayers. I feel like Heavenly Father is listening to me. He knows I’m struggling and trying to get through every day. But I know He wants me to have a stronger faith in Him and to trust in Him and to come unto Him in prayer with a sincere heart and ask for help. I like talking with Him. Man its crazy of how many times I say a prayer! One of these days I need to keep count. I say a lot of personal prayers and companion prayers and District prayers. Heck the first day I was here I said the closing prayer in a big meeting and then on Sunday after we watched a video about “How to Teach” by Elder Holland, I said the closing prayer. One of my roommates, Sister Tavion, said she loves to hear me pray because at the MTC, they ask us to pray with “thee” and “thy”, you know those kind of words in a prayer. She likes hearing my prayers. I really never thought my prayers can help other people or my roommates to say their prayers! Pretty cool uh! Oh before I forget, every Tuesday we have a special speaker come and talk to us and I got to hear from Walter F. Gonzales and his wife. He is in the Presidency of the Seventy! How cool! Did you know he is a convert, same with his wife? When his wife spoke she really helped me and gave me comfort letting me know its okay to be shy and scared. She said to pray to your Heavenly Father and let him know and He will help you through your hard times. So that’s what I’m doing. I’m praying lots to the Lord.
Mom I know you and Dad will be blessed for saying your prayers! Prayer is so powerful! It can help you any time, any place, and any where. I love prayer. Without it I don’t know where I’d be. Mom I can’t believe how many people are thinking and praying for me! I feel so blessed to have such a strong support at home. I see all the Elders and Sisters in my district and to me it feels like I have the strongest support in the District. I think it is so funny because I am the Sister in the District to receive the most letters. Since I have been here I’ve gotten a letter every day except for the first two days and Sunday. I can’t go pick up mail. My zone leader has to. So I have to put lots of trust in him to keep my mail safe!
Mom, I don’t want you to be too worried about me! You know me, I don’t go through things easily. I have things come hard and challenging. But the Lord is here! I know He is and He lifts me up when I’m down. Mom when I’m not struggling, I’m learning and having fun! I love it here! The Spirit is so awesome and amazing! People say when they come to speak to us missionaries that there’s something different here at the MTC. It’s awesome.
Well Mom I’m going to try to write Mel and Rach. I got three letters from Mel, one from Rach, one from Beth, one from Brother and Sister Bird, one from Sister Bolander, a postcard from Kristy and also one from my Branch President’s wife. And lots of letters from you!!! I love getting letters. I date them when I get them so I can always remember what day I got them.
(Finished writing her letter a little later)
Mom, I want to say sorry about the bill for my toes. The nurse saw them when they checked my blisters because when my companion asked about my shoes they told me to see the Health Clinic here. And that is when they saw my toes. They are really concerned about them and so they want me to see a podiatrist. They don’t hurt and they are not leaking. I don’t know. I’m scared it’s going to cause a big problem and I’m sorry! I hope things will be okay.
Also Mom, me and you and whoever else wants to has to come back to go to the Provo Temple. It’s so pretty. I love it! I thought of you and the family the whole time! I really miss you. But the last couple of days have been good. Me and my companion did talk. We talked for an hour and didn’t do the stuff we had to do like quiet time and going to bed at 10:30 p.m. but I think the Lord understands and our roommates in our room understand. But I’m doing great. I’m learning lots. I know I write a lot about my bad days but I have lots of good days too!
I want to let you know I’m having fun. I’m doing well. And oh I found five Elders that leave the same day as me and three Spanish speaking Elders and I’m the only Sister. It’s cool, one is from Idaho Falls and another one is from Rexburg. They seem nice but I’m nervous to be with eight Elders and I’m the only girl. It was funny, one of them said, “Don’t worry Sister Hawkins, we will protect you.” I just laughed. I got my flight schedule. We are leaving the MTC on September 1st around 5 AM!! I know, early uh! LOL. We get on the plane at 8:55 a.m. and we fly all the way through and land at 12:55 p.m. And the Elders told me the Mission President told them we are going out to lunch so that’s going to be fun hopefully. So there’s my flight plans. I’ve heard I can CALL you so please have the cell phone charged and have it near you so I can call you okay! It will be early morning when I call. I don’t think we can call when we land but we’ll see. And I have 30 minutes!
I love you and I miss you lots!
Sincerely,
Sister Hawkins.
P.S. I see Elder Slater! He looks fine and when we see each other we say hi but he remembers us because he remembers dad playing Santa Clause! LOL. He is doing good, same with Elder Hill, Elder Higham, and Elder Forbush.
August 19, 2010
Well here is my first letter! I love getting mail. It makes my days a whole lot easier. I love the endings of your letters, it gives me comfort and it always helps me out. (I try to send her a spiritual quote with each letter.) So you asked me about the MTC! Well I can tell you this, I’m never not busy! I’m always running to classes and to meals and to Devotionals! Classes are hard sometimes because they ask you questions and they make me come out of my shell. It’s hard! I struggle to not be shy! They want us to contact other missionaries and give them spiritual thoughts or to share a message. But one of my teachers, Brother Mehr, talked with me and asked why it’s hard. I told him I’m shy and it’s hard to talk with new people and that I just don’t know what to say. So he wants me to just go up to missionaries and just say hi and to introduce myself and just try to talk with them. It’s kinda easy with Sisters but it’s really hard to talk with the Elders! But I’m kinda getting better.
I have this amazing teacher Sister Anderson. She is an extra help to me! She is helping me learn how to mark my scriptures to be able to teach a lesson! And it is so amazing! She is such a nice old lady. She always gives me good tips when I’m down or having a hard time. I hope to get a picture with her before I leave the MTC!
Well Mom, I’m really struggling. I’m not going to lie and say things are great. But I must say there have been days when I’m loving it here and that I do understand things and feel the spirit! But you know how I said my companion is like Lindsey … well she is not. I have really gotten to know her and it’s really hard to be her companion. She doesn’t like what I have to say and she thinks her ideas for discussions are the only right way and if she doesn’t have it her way she is upset and grumpy. It was so frustrating mom. I’m really sorry to write this but I’m just really struggling to get through every day! Last night at the end of class I felt alone and felt homesick and I really wanted to come home. But I know I can’t and I know I’ll have huge regrets if I don’t stay and endure to the end. This mission is really hard! Everyday it’s a struggle with something. But mom when I’m not struggling, there is a wonderful spirit in the air or when we have a speaker that’s scheduled for us, man it’s amazing and I feel good and really excited to be on a mission. I love the letters. Please keep them coming! It gets me through the night till the next night and I read the next stack of letters.
Well I’m back, I had to go to breakfast and then had to do personal study. I studied the “Restoration” because we have an actor investigator and all we know about her is that she is interested in the gospel! So I wanted to make sure I understand things! Well after looking over this letter I can see I was pretty harse and upset. I’m sorry to write things about my companion. But I just wanted to tell you some of my struggles. Mom I love saying prayers. I feel like Heavenly Father is listening to me. He knows I’m struggling and trying to get through every day. But I know He wants me to have a stronger faith in Him and to trust in Him and to come unto Him in prayer with a sincere heart and ask for help. I like talking with Him. Man its crazy of how many times I say a prayer! One of these days I need to keep count. I say a lot of personal prayers and companion prayers and District prayers. Heck the first day I was here I said the closing prayer in a big meeting and then on Sunday after we watched a video about “How to Teach” by Elder Holland, I said the closing prayer. One of my roommates, Sister Tavion, said she loves to hear me pray because at the MTC, they ask us to pray with “thee” and “thy”, you know those kind of words in a prayer. She likes hearing my prayers. I really never thought my prayers can help other people or my roommates to say their prayers! Pretty cool uh! Oh before I forget, every Tuesday we have a special speaker come and talk to us and I got to hear from Walter F. Gonzales and his wife. He is in the Presidency of the Seventy! How cool! Did you know he is a convert, same with his wife? When his wife spoke she really helped me and gave me comfort letting me know its okay to be shy and scared. She said to pray to your Heavenly Father and let him know and He will help you through your hard times. So that’s what I’m doing. I’m praying lots to the Lord.
Mom I know you and Dad will be blessed for saying your prayers! Prayer is so powerful! It can help you any time, any place, and any where. I love prayer. Without it I don’t know where I’d be. Mom I can’t believe how many people are thinking and praying for me! I feel so blessed to have such a strong support at home. I see all the Elders and Sisters in my district and to me it feels like I have the strongest support in the District. I think it is so funny because I am the Sister in the District to receive the most letters. Since I have been here I’ve gotten a letter every day except for the first two days and Sunday. I can’t go pick up mail. My zone leader has to. So I have to put lots of trust in him to keep my mail safe!
Mom, I don’t want you to be too worried about me! You know me, I don’t go through things easily. I have things come hard and challenging. But the Lord is here! I know He is and He lifts me up when I’m down. Mom when I’m not struggling, I’m learning and having fun! I love it here! The Spirit is so awesome and amazing! People say when they come to speak to us missionaries that there’s something different here at the MTC. It’s awesome.
Well Mom I’m going to try to write Mel and Rach. I got three letters from Mel, one from Rach, one from Beth, one from Brother and Sister Bird, one from Sister Bolander, a postcard from Kristy and also one from my Branch President’s wife. And lots of letters from you!!! I love getting letters. I date them when I get them so I can always remember what day I got them.
(Finished writing her letter a little later)
Mom, I want to say sorry about the bill for my toes. The nurse saw them when they checked my blisters because when my companion asked about my shoes they told me to see the Health Clinic here. And that is when they saw my toes. They are really concerned about them and so they want me to see a podiatrist. They don’t hurt and they are not leaking. I don’t know. I’m scared it’s going to cause a big problem and I’m sorry! I hope things will be okay.
Also Mom, me and you and whoever else wants to has to come back to go to the Provo Temple. It’s so pretty. I love it! I thought of you and the family the whole time! I really miss you. But the last couple of days have been good. Me and my companion did talk. We talked for an hour and didn’t do the stuff we had to do like quiet time and going to bed at 10:30 p.m. but I think the Lord understands and our roommates in our room understand. But I’m doing great. I’m learning lots. I know I write a lot about my bad days but I have lots of good days too!
I want to let you know I’m having fun. I’m doing well. And oh I found five Elders that leave the same day as me and three Spanish speaking Elders and I’m the only Sister. It’s cool, one is from Idaho Falls and another one is from Rexburg. They seem nice but I’m nervous to be with eight Elders and I’m the only girl. It was funny, one of them said, “Don’t worry Sister Hawkins, we will protect you.” I just laughed. I got my flight schedule. We are leaving the MTC on September 1st around 5 AM!! I know, early uh! LOL. We get on the plane at 8:55 a.m. and we fly all the way through and land at 12:55 p.m. And the Elders told me the Mission President told them we are going out to lunch so that’s going to be fun hopefully. So there’s my flight plans. I’ve heard I can CALL you so please have the cell phone charged and have it near you so I can call you okay! It will be early morning when I call. I don’t think we can call when we land but we’ll see. And I have 30 minutes!
I love you and I miss you lots!
Sincerely,
Sister Hawkins.
P.S. I see Elder Slater! He looks fine and when we see each other we say hi but he remembers us because he remembers dad playing Santa Clause! LOL. He is doing good, same with Elder Hill, Elder Higham, and Elder Forbush.
Friday, August 20, 2010
August 19th Email
I received the following email from Emily yesterday, but it sounds like she also wrote a letter earlier in the day to put in the mail so I am still waiting for that letter which probably has a little more info in it. So for now I will share her latest email. (Anything in parenthesis is stuff I have inserted in her letter so it makes sense to all of you.) Just a note, there is a place to comment at the bottom of each post. If at any time you wish to make a little comment, I have been copying the comments and sending them to Emily in my letters. I know she has so many friends and family that are praying for her and I know she feels your love and support and I am sure reading the little comments I send to her gives her a boost. Thank you all for being so wonderful to Emily.
August 10, 2010
Hi Mom!
Well I already wrote you a letter but I left some stuff out and plus I am just waiting for my laundry. Doing laundry is really weird here but I bet I will get it down by the time I have to head to Texas. LOL. But I want to let you know what is going on with my feet. They are not doing well. The shoes you sent me are really great!! My feet feel so much better! It's my toes that are having the problems. (Emily had her ingrown toe nails removed on both her big toes a week and a half before she left for the MTC) To start from the beginning … When I was having problems with my feet with my new shoes, my companion talked with the brethren to have me wear my tennis shoes until you sent me my shoes. So for like two to three days I was the sister at the MTC wearing tennis shoes but my feet felt so much better!! I loved it! But I felt so stupid wearing tennis shoes! But then your package came with the yummy goodies and with my awesome shoes! Thanks for buying the same ones I had before, they work great. I loved the furry ones too but they don't fit. I am sad because I really wanted to wear them. So I am going to send them back with my old shoes that gave me blisters so I won’t have to worry about carrying them around. But I am really worried about my big toes as they just don't look right or maybe that is the way they are suppose to be healing but I am praying to see the nurse and to see if I need to get them checked by a doctor. But we will see.
But I am working hard and trying my best! I am really missing home. I miss my room and Buddy! So how is Buddy? Is he still kicking and being himself? I hope he is doing well. Sister Outcelt is so awesome. I love her lots. Just tell them the MTC is an amazing place and not to worry, if they can make it past Sunday and endure all the orientations and classes they can do it!
Time is still going by slow. I don't know, I guess I just look at my watch a lot during the day because I don't want to be late for classes. But my alarm clock doesn't wake me up. My roommate Sister that I room with, her clock wakes me up and I wish I could get up earlier so I won't be late for class. So I don't know what to do about that. I also wish I would have bought an alarm clock that showed the time like a red glow, ya know what I mean. (We mailed her a new clock with glowing red digital numbers today!) But I'm praying every night that I will hear my clock, but some days I wake up and I am way too early to get up or I wake up late and am running to class.
But I want to thank you so much for the packages. I love the fruit snacks and the bars. I am doing my best. I am still struggling with my classes and trying to get out of my shell and not be shy. There are just a lot of people around here and I am just nervous I guess. But I am trying. My teacher, Brother Mehr is trying to help me to get out of my shell. He is a nice teacher.
Well I wrote ya a letter to mail and I only have 13 minutes left. I love you lots and I miss you. Keep in touch!! Love you
Love Sister Hawkins! :)
August 10, 2010
Hi Mom!
Well I already wrote you a letter but I left some stuff out and plus I am just waiting for my laundry. Doing laundry is really weird here but I bet I will get it down by the time I have to head to Texas. LOL. But I want to let you know what is going on with my feet. They are not doing well. The shoes you sent me are really great!! My feet feel so much better! It's my toes that are having the problems. (Emily had her ingrown toe nails removed on both her big toes a week and a half before she left for the MTC) To start from the beginning … When I was having problems with my feet with my new shoes, my companion talked with the brethren to have me wear my tennis shoes until you sent me my shoes. So for like two to three days I was the sister at the MTC wearing tennis shoes but my feet felt so much better!! I loved it! But I felt so stupid wearing tennis shoes! But then your package came with the yummy goodies and with my awesome shoes! Thanks for buying the same ones I had before, they work great. I loved the furry ones too but they don't fit. I am sad because I really wanted to wear them. So I am going to send them back with my old shoes that gave me blisters so I won’t have to worry about carrying them around. But I am really worried about my big toes as they just don't look right or maybe that is the way they are suppose to be healing but I am praying to see the nurse and to see if I need to get them checked by a doctor. But we will see.
But I am working hard and trying my best! I am really missing home. I miss my room and Buddy! So how is Buddy? Is he still kicking and being himself? I hope he is doing well. Sister Outcelt is so awesome. I love her lots. Just tell them the MTC is an amazing place and not to worry, if they can make it past Sunday and endure all the orientations and classes they can do it!
Time is still going by slow. I don't know, I guess I just look at my watch a lot during the day because I don't want to be late for classes. But my alarm clock doesn't wake me up. My roommate Sister that I room with, her clock wakes me up and I wish I could get up earlier so I won't be late for class. So I don't know what to do about that. I also wish I would have bought an alarm clock that showed the time like a red glow, ya know what I mean. (We mailed her a new clock with glowing red digital numbers today!) But I'm praying every night that I will hear my clock, but some days I wake up and I am way too early to get up or I wake up late and am running to class.
But I want to thank you so much for the packages. I love the fruit snacks and the bars. I am doing my best. I am still struggling with my classes and trying to get out of my shell and not be shy. There are just a lot of people around here and I am just nervous I guess. But I am trying. My teacher, Brother Mehr is trying to help me to get out of my shell. He is a nice teacher.
Well I wrote ya a letter to mail and I only have 13 minutes left. I love you lots and I miss you. Keep in touch!! Love you
Love Sister Hawkins! :)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
First Email from Sister Hawkins!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Hey Mom,
So I have made it two days so far, pretty crazy uh!! Wow I just can't believe how nice everyone is around here! It's a neat place. I have been learning lots and it's been hard sometimes because I am not understanding things but I have a great companion who helps me out a lot!! Her name is Sister Kathy Marie Kruzycki! And she is really cool! She reminds me a lot of Lindsey Staley, no lie! It's neat, she is going to Canada on her mission and she is excited!
Well mom these last two days have been hard. I am missing home but at the same time I am glad I am here. Time is moving slow. Elders and Sisters around here say that time goes by fast! But really it's moving slow to me!
Oh guess what? I did see Jason Forbush at dinner last night. He looks different and I can tell he is changing already. I have seen Alex Hill a couple of times and we just say Hi and don't talk much, but ya.
Well my p-day is Thursday but we don't get it till next week because we just got here yesterday. Also I know when I am heading to Texas. I leave on September 1st! It feels like a long time away! Elders and Sisters around here say "make it till Sunday and then time will fly" so we will see!
Well first day was crazy and very busy. The two Elders who met me outside gave me off to a Sister Anderson and then she took me to my room, dropped me off and I got my cool name tag and then off to class and to meet my new companion. And when I was getting my name tag I met that Aunt of Cassandra's so that was cool. Then for the rest of the day we had class and dinner and some free time to unpack. We heard from the Mission President which was cool!
But getting to sleep yesterday was hard. I just laid there with my eyes closed trying to sleep but finally I fell asleep! Then woke up this morning and went and exercised at six! Crazy uh! Well then we ate breakfast, then had class and then we had gym time and then got ready for the day again and had lunch and then some more class time. My teacher is a cool teacher. His name is Brother Gannaway and he teaches me lots.
Also what was neat today was we had to do our immunization stuff and I met with the person who Sister Outcelt told me about and she found me and that was cool and we talked. Also there is a Sister here who knows the Hawkins in California and dad and the McCabes and her name is Sister Wright. So hopefully you remember her cause she remembers you! But it has been a good day so far.
Well mom I am doing well and I am doing my best! But I am struggling with trying to get threw classes and to understand them and also trying to bear to walk as my shoes are giving me trouble. I am getting blisters on my pinky toes and on the heels of my feet. That stuff is just not helping and I don't know what to do. But I am thinking of ways of what to do with my shoes! If you can think of something write me ASAP!!! Also if you are sending a package soon would you send some note cards but not a lot. I think it will help me to memorize stuff.
But I am having fun sometimes and also it feels like a struggle just because I don't know some doctrine and scriptures. And plus I am shy and trying to talk to the Elders and Sisters. My companion and I have made a goal to try to talk with Elders and Sisters to get to know people and that has been really tough. But I try every time at meal time and stuff. So Ya.
Mom I love you and thanks for the e-mail, it made my day. I was wondering if there was going to be any mail in my e-mail! I don't know when my next time on the computer will be but it will probably be Thursday! I love you mom and I think of you and everyone else at home. I should be checking my MTC mail tonight. We have to have a District Leader go get it. We can't pick it up so we will find out from our Branch President who he will pick in our District!
But it's awesome to have everyone be so kind and helpful. They give me and my companion directions when we are lost! I love you guys and miss ya tons!!
It's crazy, I am being timed on the computer but I got to run cause it won’t send it! So I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you soon!
Love Sister Hawkins
P.S. I am doing good don't stress yet! Love ya!! :) xoxoxo
Hey Mom,
So I have made it two days so far, pretty crazy uh!! Wow I just can't believe how nice everyone is around here! It's a neat place. I have been learning lots and it's been hard sometimes because I am not understanding things but I have a great companion who helps me out a lot!! Her name is Sister Kathy Marie Kruzycki! And she is really cool! She reminds me a lot of Lindsey Staley, no lie! It's neat, she is going to Canada on her mission and she is excited!
Well mom these last two days have been hard. I am missing home but at the same time I am glad I am here. Time is moving slow. Elders and Sisters around here say that time goes by fast! But really it's moving slow to me!
Oh guess what? I did see Jason Forbush at dinner last night. He looks different and I can tell he is changing already. I have seen Alex Hill a couple of times and we just say Hi and don't talk much, but ya.
Well my p-day is Thursday but we don't get it till next week because we just got here yesterday. Also I know when I am heading to Texas. I leave on September 1st! It feels like a long time away! Elders and Sisters around here say "make it till Sunday and then time will fly" so we will see!
Well first day was crazy and very busy. The two Elders who met me outside gave me off to a Sister Anderson and then she took me to my room, dropped me off and I got my cool name tag and then off to class and to meet my new companion. And when I was getting my name tag I met that Aunt of Cassandra's so that was cool. Then for the rest of the day we had class and dinner and some free time to unpack. We heard from the Mission President which was cool!
But getting to sleep yesterday was hard. I just laid there with my eyes closed trying to sleep but finally I fell asleep! Then woke up this morning and went and exercised at six! Crazy uh! Well then we ate breakfast, then had class and then we had gym time and then got ready for the day again and had lunch and then some more class time. My teacher is a cool teacher. His name is Brother Gannaway and he teaches me lots.
Also what was neat today was we had to do our immunization stuff and I met with the person who Sister Outcelt told me about and she found me and that was cool and we talked. Also there is a Sister here who knows the Hawkins in California and dad and the McCabes and her name is Sister Wright. So hopefully you remember her cause she remembers you! But it has been a good day so far.
Well mom I am doing well and I am doing my best! But I am struggling with trying to get threw classes and to understand them and also trying to bear to walk as my shoes are giving me trouble. I am getting blisters on my pinky toes and on the heels of my feet. That stuff is just not helping and I don't know what to do. But I am thinking of ways of what to do with my shoes! If you can think of something write me ASAP!!! Also if you are sending a package soon would you send some note cards but not a lot. I think it will help me to memorize stuff.
But I am having fun sometimes and also it feels like a struggle just because I don't know some doctrine and scriptures. And plus I am shy and trying to talk to the Elders and Sisters. My companion and I have made a goal to try to talk with Elders and Sisters to get to know people and that has been really tough. But I try every time at meal time and stuff. So Ya.
Mom I love you and thanks for the e-mail, it made my day. I was wondering if there was going to be any mail in my e-mail! I don't know when my next time on the computer will be but it will probably be Thursday! I love you mom and I think of you and everyone else at home. I should be checking my MTC mail tonight. We have to have a District Leader go get it. We can't pick it up so we will find out from our Branch President who he will pick in our District!
But it's awesome to have everyone be so kind and helpful. They give me and my companion directions when we are lost! I love you guys and miss ya tons!!
It's crazy, I am being timed on the computer but I got to run cause it won’t send it! So I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you soon!
Love Sister Hawkins
P.S. I am doing good don't stress yet! Love ya!! :) xoxoxo
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Entering MTC
I will admit, as we pulled away from the MTC today, I was sobbing and balling. Not because I am Emily's mother and am going to miss her terribly over the next 18 months, and not because I saw family members everywhere hugging and crying as they said goodbye to their missionaries, but because I was just so darn proud of my baby girl for getting out of the van, giving us a hug, and then looking at the two young men who were her escorts and saying "let's do this!" She walked off and never looked back.
For some that may not sound like any great feat but for those who truly know Emily, will understand and realize just what a gigantic accomplishment that was for her today. She did not let her fears control her. She took that huge leap of faith and trusted in her Heavenly Father to get her through this. As a mother, I could not have been more proud of her.
Let me back up just a little bit and let you know about our day. When it came time to leave this morning, Emily was actually doing amazingly well. She had watched one of the required missionary videos on the internet while she finished her last minute packing. After Frank offered a family prayer, Emily looked at me and said "let's go!" I said, "let's go! She hugged her sister Rachel and brother-in-law Jackson good bye and headed out to the car. While walking to the car she realized she had not said goodbye to our dog Buddy. He is an old dog with bad kidneys and Emily has been told he will not be here when she gets back so it was important to her that she said goodbye. That was a sad goodbye but she did it and we were on our way.
The MTC is about a 3 1/2 drive for us. Of course since Emily was now a set apart missionary, we knew we could not listen to the radio on the way to Provo. Earlier that morning while looking for some Mormon Tabernacle Choir music on cassette and unable to find any, I came across an old cassette tape that Emily's Aunt Amy had sent our family when she was on her mission back in 1995. We have a whole collection of tapes from both of Emily's aunts who served missions 15 years ago and my kids would listen to them each night while falling asleep. These tapes are all in the basement now in a box and I am not sure why this particular tape was upstairs and out of place but I decided to grab it and take it with us.
It was the perfect tape for our car ride. Emily's Aunt Amy served on Salt Lake Temple Square and in this particular tape she bore her testimony several times and talked about her struggles as a missionary but how it was all worth it and how she loved the work. She talked about how wonderful it was having her sister Sarah serving at the same time but over in Japan. It was a wondeful 90 minute tape that I am sure helped Emily be even more determined to get through this day. (Thank you Amy and Sarah for being such wonderful examples for my children!)
During our ride and while listening to the tape, Emily was still working hard preparing to be the best missionary she could be. After writing a few thank you cards, she spent the remainder of the car ride marking her new scriptures.
Before going to the MTC we decided to park in the Provo Temple parking lot so we could say our goodbyes since you have very little time to say goodbye at the MTC dropoff. (This temple parking lot really is the pre-drop off spot as we saw several other families doing the same thing.) I won't lie, our goodbyes were very difficult and very tender, I was not sure Emily was ever going to let go of me. But after a few minutes, we wiped our tears and we were on our way.
As you can see by the pictures below, the MTC is an amazing place and they have quite the system for dropping of the missionaries. They have 25 different dropoff spots along the MTC and we were directed to spot "2" which I think was a blessing as we were close to the main entrance and a lot of exciting things were happening around us for Emily to see. I have never seen so many good looking young men in white shirts and ties wearing their missionary tags and a huge sticker that said "HOST".
When we opened our door, there were two missonaries waiting for Emily. They asked her what her name was and where she was from and where she was going. One of the missionaries was from Eagle, Idaho so that was fun for her. Her luggage was quickly retrieved from our van. Emily hugged her dad, hugged me, and then turned to the two missionaries and said "let's do this." One quick wave and she never looked back. Frank and I got in the car and then the sobbing began as I mentioned at the beginning of this posting. I was so, so proud of her!
And then tonight, just before I got ready to do this post, I received an amazing phone call. Apparently one of Emily's good friends from her work, Casandra, has an aunt who works in the MTC. Casandra and her family live here in Shelley and it was her mother who called me to let me know she had talked with her sister who works at the MTC. I guess she had called her sister earlier and told her Emily would be checking in today and might be scared and asked if she would watch for her. This sweet sister apparently found out about when Emily would be checking in and was watching for her. She went to where the missionaries where checking in and she saw this scared little girl who looked like she was about ready to bolt. Emily did not have her name tag on yet so she did not know for sure if it was Emily but really felt like it was so she went up to her and asked her if she was Sister Hawkins. Emily told her she was and was so excited when she found out it was Casandra's aunt. Apparently they hugged and took some pictures and then this aunt told her sister that she saw a calmness come over Emily and that she knew she was going to be okay.
How grateful I am for tender mercies of the Lord and that this sweet sister was able to find Emily when she needed to be found the most.
Thank you so much to those of you who have been praying for Emily, I know those prayers are being heard and answered. Please continue to remember her in your prayers.
Here are a few pictures we were able to take today. Like I said, you do not get much time at the MTC for picture taking.
For some that may not sound like any great feat but for those who truly know Emily, will understand and realize just what a gigantic accomplishment that was for her today. She did not let her fears control her. She took that huge leap of faith and trusted in her Heavenly Father to get her through this. As a mother, I could not have been more proud of her.
Let me back up just a little bit and let you know about our day. When it came time to leave this morning, Emily was actually doing amazingly well. She had watched one of the required missionary videos on the internet while she finished her last minute packing. After Frank offered a family prayer, Emily looked at me and said "let's go!" I said, "let's go! She hugged her sister Rachel and brother-in-law Jackson good bye and headed out to the car. While walking to the car she realized she had not said goodbye to our dog Buddy. He is an old dog with bad kidneys and Emily has been told he will not be here when she gets back so it was important to her that she said goodbye. That was a sad goodbye but she did it and we were on our way.
The MTC is about a 3 1/2 drive for us. Of course since Emily was now a set apart missionary, we knew we could not listen to the radio on the way to Provo. Earlier that morning while looking for some Mormon Tabernacle Choir music on cassette and unable to find any, I came across an old cassette tape that Emily's Aunt Amy had sent our family when she was on her mission back in 1995. We have a whole collection of tapes from both of Emily's aunts who served missions 15 years ago and my kids would listen to them each night while falling asleep. These tapes are all in the basement now in a box and I am not sure why this particular tape was upstairs and out of place but I decided to grab it and take it with us.
It was the perfect tape for our car ride. Emily's Aunt Amy served on Salt Lake Temple Square and in this particular tape she bore her testimony several times and talked about her struggles as a missionary but how it was all worth it and how she loved the work. She talked about how wonderful it was having her sister Sarah serving at the same time but over in Japan. It was a wondeful 90 minute tape that I am sure helped Emily be even more determined to get through this day. (Thank you Amy and Sarah for being such wonderful examples for my children!)
During our ride and while listening to the tape, Emily was still working hard preparing to be the best missionary she could be. After writing a few thank you cards, she spent the remainder of the car ride marking her new scriptures.
Before going to the MTC we decided to park in the Provo Temple parking lot so we could say our goodbyes since you have very little time to say goodbye at the MTC dropoff. (This temple parking lot really is the pre-drop off spot as we saw several other families doing the same thing.) I won't lie, our goodbyes were very difficult and very tender, I was not sure Emily was ever going to let go of me. But after a few minutes, we wiped our tears and we were on our way.
As you can see by the pictures below, the MTC is an amazing place and they have quite the system for dropping of the missionaries. They have 25 different dropoff spots along the MTC and we were directed to spot "2" which I think was a blessing as we were close to the main entrance and a lot of exciting things were happening around us for Emily to see. I have never seen so many good looking young men in white shirts and ties wearing their missionary tags and a huge sticker that said "HOST".
When we opened our door, there were two missonaries waiting for Emily. They asked her what her name was and where she was from and where she was going. One of the missionaries was from Eagle, Idaho so that was fun for her. Her luggage was quickly retrieved from our van. Emily hugged her dad, hugged me, and then turned to the two missionaries and said "let's do this." One quick wave and she never looked back. Frank and I got in the car and then the sobbing began as I mentioned at the beginning of this posting. I was so, so proud of her!
And then tonight, just before I got ready to do this post, I received an amazing phone call. Apparently one of Emily's good friends from her work, Casandra, has an aunt who works in the MTC. Casandra and her family live here in Shelley and it was her mother who called me to let me know she had talked with her sister who works at the MTC. I guess she had called her sister earlier and told her Emily would be checking in today and might be scared and asked if she would watch for her. This sweet sister apparently found out about when Emily would be checking in and was watching for her. She went to where the missionaries where checking in and she saw this scared little girl who looked like she was about ready to bolt. Emily did not have her name tag on yet so she did not know for sure if it was Emily but really felt like it was so she went up to her and asked her if she was Sister Hawkins. Emily told her she was and was so excited when she found out it was Casandra's aunt. Apparently they hugged and took some pictures and then this aunt told her sister that she saw a calmness come over Emily and that she knew she was going to be okay.
How grateful I am for tender mercies of the Lord and that this sweet sister was able to find Emily when she needed to be found the most.
Thank you so much to those of you who have been praying for Emily, I know those prayers are being heard and answered. Please continue to remember her in your prayers.
Here are a few pictures we were able to take today. Like I said, you do not get much time at the MTC for picture taking.
 |
Saying goodbye to Buddy!
Study and preparing right up to the end!
Approaching the MTC
Getting our directions!
We are spot number "2"
Sister Hawkins
Grab the luggage!
Hug for dad!
Hug for mom!
Off I go!
Never looked back!
|
Mission Farewell
Emily spoke in both the Young Single Adult Branch and the Shelley 8th Ward this past Sunday, August 8th. Emily wanted everyone to know a little of how life was for her growing up and how she has gotten to this point in her life so she started her talk by reading a short summary of her life she had asked her older sister Melanie to write. (I will post the summary that Melanie wrote at the end of this posting for those who would like to read it.) Emily then told about turning in her mission papers and the events that have transpired over the past 10 months. Miracles have happened in Emily's life and she recognizes that and knows that things happen for a reason and that she is now 100% prepared and ready to serve the Lord and the wonderful people of Texas. Sunday afternoon we enjoyed a fun luncheon and many family and friends stopped by to wish her well.
Tuesday, August 10th, at about 8:30 p.m. Emily was set apart as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a beautiful blessing and Emily ... Sister Hawkins ... has a wonderful glow about her and is ready to serve the Lord. We head out Wednesday morning and Sister Hawkins will report to the MTC at 1 p.m.
Here are some pictures from the events of Sunday, August 8th.
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| Emily and her Young Single Adult Branch Presidency |
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Luncheon with wonderful friends and family        
Nephew Zaebyn - cutest boy at the party!
(The following is the Summary of Emily's life as written by her sister Melanie Staley)
When asked to describe Emily, most people would comment on her sweetness, or how everyone just loves her. But if I had to use one one word, I would have to say she is a miracle. And I'm not exaggerating. While Emily's sweet smile has touched many lives, very few people know the road she has had to walk behind that smile. Everyday activities that you and I accomplish with out a second thought, have been challenges for her. From a very young age, Emily has lived a life of crippling fear and anxiety.
Probably one of the most significant fears of her childhood was her fear of being in a classroom setting. She feared things like being unable to leave the room if she felt unsafe, and she feared the untrusted strangers that came and went. So the everyday tasks of going to school and primary were challenges that affected everyone around her. Because while Emily has always been very sweet, she has also always been very strong willed. Getting her to put on tights for church, or getting her to get out of the car on a school day morning, were often physical impossibilities. Leaving my mother in tears, or me late for school. And if there was a substitute teacher that day, well, things just went down hill from there. My parents tried everything. And I do mean EVERYTHING. They put her in counseling. She had a stuffed lion to help her remember to have courage. A t-shirt with dragons on it that said “No Fear”. And neither Emily or my mother will ever forget the day a police officer had to escort her to class. All throughout her elementary school years, we silently dreaded the day she would have to go to middle school. So many different classrooms, so many different teachers. How could this child ever possibly cope. But she did. There were good days, and there were bad. Emily had a really great home room teacher who was a member of our ward, who's trusted friendly smile each morning, helped Emily with the transition. But as she got older, we began to see that her fears and challenges extended beyond her fear of the classroom. She was never able to do things like stay all the way through a sleepover, or fly in an airplane. And as she began high school, academic challenges started to emerge. Like many others, school was hard for her. She had to work far harder than I ever did, just to get a passing grade. As Emily walked across that stage on graduation day, very few people in that gymnasium realized what a miracle it was. Only a select few of us knew how often and how close she came to dropping out. Graduation day was a day that many of those close to her, feared would never come. And she hasn't stopped there. She has continued to work at overcoming her fears and done things we thought she'd never do. Despite her fears and lots of tears, she moved away from home. Went out and got a job that put her well outside her comfort zone. She's even been on an airplane. At any point along this journey, had someone told me that Emily would one day serve a mission, I and several others, would have said you were crazy. I truly believe with all my heart, that miracles did not cease when the Savior died. If Emily Mae Hawkins, that terrified little girl, can be transformed and molded into a strong full time servant of the Lord, ANYTHING is possible. |
Saturday, August 7, 2010
MTC Address
Sister Emily Mae Hawkins
MTC Mailbox # 214
TX-HOUE 0901
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
MTC Mailbox # 214
TX-HOUE 0901
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
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