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!
Please pass along to Emily that all of us at the ribbon retreat are thinking of her and pulling for her! we are so proud of her and love her! Keep that head up Love think good positive things every day...think of how much you are going to learn and grow. Especially think of the people of texas who need a kind and loving heart that only you can give them. Believe you can do this and push through the hard. Its the hard things we accomplish that will help us in other hard things in our lives. You have come soooo far and I know you can do this! We love you and every one sais hello! Talk to you soon!
ReplyDeletePam
" Everything you need to be amazing is already inside of you." (taken off of a Greg Olsen portrait.)
Hey Emily! Just a short note to let you know that all of your family in California are supporting you and send you our love. If you could picture all of us and the rest of your family there, beside you, encouraging you and helping you and giving you the support you are needing right now. You know Heavenly Father is always there for you and you are going to feel His spirit helping you all through your mission. Our,Grandpa's and mine, favorite scripture that they put on our mission plaque was 1 Nephi 3:7.
ReplyDelete"I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
Emily,I know that this scripture is true. You can do anything and the Lord will help you in ways you can't even imagine right now.
Peyton is helping me with the comment and she has a scripture she wants to share. It's the Young Women Theme for this year. Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee, withersoever thou goest."
Emily, We all love you very much and so happy for you and all you have accomplished over the last year. Peyton & Whitney wish you the very best and want to write you a letter. Take Care!
All Our Love,
Grandma & Grandpa
Peyton & Whitney
Em! I wanted you to know how proud I am of you and how inspired I am by the great example you have been/continue to be to me. I've known you most of your life and looking back on things, I see how much you have grown and continue to grow. Know that you are out there doing the right thing for the right purpose and that your Heavenly Father loves you so much. Thank you for being so amazing. I dont think you realize how strong you truly are. Seeing how far you've come in life gives me hope that I will someday be as strong as you. Keep doing the things you are doing and everything will work out. Good luck and stay strong!
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Brittney Dooley
Hey Emily! There was a quote by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley on our sacrament program on Sunday that stood out to me, it said: "I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure.... I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass." Emily, don't worry over the road ahead just remember everything you have been able to do already to get you to this point & draw on that faith to keep moving forward. I've seen the great potential in you & I have no doubts you can do this. I am so so proud of you. Keep your chin up & just take a day at a time.
ReplyDeleteLove always,
Tiffany Pulsipher