Ciao!
Another great week in Italy! Yesterday we had a mission-wide conference in Rome with Elder Dallin H. Oaks, his wife, and Elder Robert C. Oaks, the president of the Europe West Area. It was amazing! Elder Oaks is such a powerful speaker, and I learned so much! It was a great opportunity to learn from him, and we each got to talk to him for a few minutes, too.
Monday we had an appointment with the elders. They are teaching a Philipino (I have no idea how to spell that in english!) family, who are all incredible! They have 2 friends who want to start taking the lessons, too, who are single women, so they brought us along to meet them. One of them is Carmella. She's been here in Italy for a couple months. Her husband has leukemia and is in the hospital in Pisa, so she's living in a hotel in La Spezia until he's better. I had a great talk with her the other night about the power of the Atonement, and how it's not only for our sins, but for every pain we feel. She's so amazing! We're meeting with her again tomorrow, and hope to make her an official investigator.
My birthday has been continuing on all week! Wednesday night, Sorella Margheriti made me a cake for branch family home evening night. Everyone surprised me and started singing to me right after the lesson! It was great! And Sister Acerson called me Thursday, feeling really bad that she called me 2 days late (like she doesn't have a lot to do raising a family and being the mission president's wife!), to wish me happy birthday. We chatted for a few minutes. It wasn't as good as talking to my actual mom, but it was a good substitute. And on Sunday, the Gianelli family brought me a present to church! I love the branch here so much!
Saturday we had an appointment with Rita. She's progressing, and even reading the Book of Mormon on her own, which is huge for her! She still suffers a lot with depression. But she agreed to let us come over and teach her how to cook, help her paint the walls of her house, which are depressingly white, and take her on walks. She has a desire to be happy, she just has a hard time making herself do things. But she's making a lot of progress!
The other day we went to visit Sandra. We want to start teaching her actual lessons instead of just visiting. We were trying to talk to her about the importance of authority, because she believes that all churches are true, and you just have to find one that you like best. She's very passionate about her beliefs, and she got so mad at us for telling her there's only one true church! She starts yelling about how she loves the Book of Mormon, but that doesn't mean that Joseph Smith was a prophet or our church is the only true one. We told her that she can pray about it to get an answer for herself, which made her more mad. Then she picked up the Book of Mormon, and said, "I've read lots of parts of this book, and nowhere in here does it tell me that I have to pray to know whether it's true! Look!" She then opened the book to a random spot and read the first thing that she turned to, which just so happened to be Mormon 10:4-5. It was amazing! She quieted down and listened to us after that.
Jennifer is doing amazing!!!! She's talking about baptism!!! She reads the Book of Mormon every night, asks us if there's more she can be doing, and comes to Church, english class, and branch family home evening. She's so great! She keeps asking us about missions, and says that she would love to be a missionary someday!
Anyways, that's a brief summary of my amazing week. Our investigators are doing great! They are for the most part progressing! Keep them in your prayers. I love my mission so much! Elder Oaks told a story yesterday about a missionary who met a shepherd with his companion one day. As he watched the shepherd with his sheep, he noticed that the shepherd gave his dogs the task of gathering them. Elder Oaks talked about how as missionaries, we're called to gather Christ's sheep to bring them back to Him. This isn't MY mission. It's His. I'm here as His servant to serve Him and His children. And I love every minute of it!
Vi voglio bene!
Sorella Hawkey
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
February 18, 2009
Hi!
Another great week in La Spezia! Yesterday my birthday was a lot of fun! Sorella Mura came in our room yesterday morning right at 6:30 singing happy birthday and yelling at me to get up and open my presents. I went into the room where my presents were, and she had hid them! She made me go on a scavenger hunt all over the house to find them. It was fun! She made me french toast while I was on my treasure hunt. Then for lunch, she took me out to a pizzeria and to gelato. It was delicious! Yesterday for our district meeting, the elders made me peanut butter cookies that spelled happy birthday. It was cute. Sometimes the elders can actually be nice to the sisters!
We have 3 new investigators this week! I'm really excited! That's more than we had my whole first transfer. 2 of them are good friends from Santo Domingo, Ada and Carmen. They are both amazing! They loved the Book of Mormon and asked amazing questions. I'm really excited to work with both of them. Carmen made us Dominican food, which was so good! They're both super cute and a lot of fun!
Our other new investigator is Jennifer, who is finally officially an investigator! She's the one who took the lessons 2 years ago but didn't feel ready to get baptized, and then called us a few months ago because she felt ready. Anyways, she's amazing! She has amazing insights in the Gospel and has a strong testimony. She is so ready for the Gospel! She keeps asking us what more she can do. She even asked us the other day what it took to go on a mission, and said that she'd love to serve a mission someday! She'd be a great missionary! Keep her in your prayers!
Monday night we visited a family from our english class. The mom and 2 sons come every week. They have been to some of the branch parties here, and a couple weeks ago when we watched The Restoration after english class, they all said that they know our church is true. So we went to visit them. Daniella, the mom, kept saying how great our church is, and how horrible her church is. Then the 16 year old son, Gian Luca, said, "Mom, if you know their church is true, just have faith and start going to their church!" He's an awesome kid! We have an appointment with them next week, so maybe we can start teaching them. I'm praying a lot for this family. They're a beautiful family, and would be such great members!
Last week we were on our way home from an appointment, and were getting on the bus. I was walking to get a seat while the bus was driving away from the stop, and I looked out the window and saw my companion still outside running after the bus! I yelled at the bus driver to stop, and he just looked at me like he was annoyed at my request. Finally he looked out the window, too, and saw Sorella Mura, and he finally stopped. It was pretty funny! We were in a city that she had never been to before, so if we had gotten split up, it would have been an adventure!
Monday we had interviews with President. He's so amazing! He always says exactly what I need to hear. Next Tuesday we have the whole mission conference with Elder Oaks. I'm really excited! President told me that he's really nervous to have to give a talk in front of an apostle. But everyone's really excited for this opportunity to meet an apostle of God and to learn from him.
We had zone conference last week, which was awesome! Our assistants always give amazing lessons. This one was about fear and doubts. We talked a lot about the mindsets that people, including us, have about serving a mission in Italy, and how important it is to not believe those mindsets, but to have faith. They gave 3 ways to overcome our fears and doubts in order to witness true miracles. First was to pray for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. I've learned so much about the importance of that in my life. Especially being on a mission. I'm not doing my work, I'm doing His, and I need His help to find His children. The only way for a person to be converted is through the Spirit. Without the Spirit, it just comes down to everyone's different interpretations of the scriptures, and there's no way to "prove" which religion is true. If you think about it, we do make pretty outrageous claims! We tell people that the Bible is incomplete, but we don't have proof. We tell them that the pope doesn't have authority, which we also don't have proof of. And then we tell them that a 14 year old farm boy saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, but there were no witnesses. And that he translated the Book of Mormon from the golden plates, but the golden plates aren't even here as proof of that, because an angel took them. It really is an unbelievable story unless you have the Spirit.
The next step was to pray for more faith. With faith, you truly can work miracles. Doubt is the opposite of faith, and doesn't come from our Heavenly Father. It is so essential to have faith in the Gospel, and have faith that there are people waiting for the Gospel. The mindsets of European missions really are damaging to this work, and it's hard to overcome those. The 3rd step was to pray to see all the people as Heavenly Father sees them. Sometimes it's so hard to go out and talk to people that I don't know, in a language that I'm not fluent in. It's so easy to make excuses. But when I truly see other people as children of God, I have a desire to share the Gospel with them, to help them find our Heavenly Father and have the opportunity to return again to Him someday.
This Gospel is so amazing! I'm so incredibly grateful for this opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father's children in this beautiful country. I am so grateful for the chance to come closer to my Savior every day, to come to truly know Him and feel Him in my life.
Vi voglio tantissimo bene!
Sorella Hawkey
Another great week in La Spezia! Yesterday my birthday was a lot of fun! Sorella Mura came in our room yesterday morning right at 6:30 singing happy birthday and yelling at me to get up and open my presents. I went into the room where my presents were, and she had hid them! She made me go on a scavenger hunt all over the house to find them. It was fun! She made me french toast while I was on my treasure hunt. Then for lunch, she took me out to a pizzeria and to gelato. It was delicious! Yesterday for our district meeting, the elders made me peanut butter cookies that spelled happy birthday. It was cute. Sometimes the elders can actually be nice to the sisters!
We have 3 new investigators this week! I'm really excited! That's more than we had my whole first transfer. 2 of them are good friends from Santo Domingo, Ada and Carmen. They are both amazing! They loved the Book of Mormon and asked amazing questions. I'm really excited to work with both of them. Carmen made us Dominican food, which was so good! They're both super cute and a lot of fun!
Our other new investigator is Jennifer, who is finally officially an investigator! She's the one who took the lessons 2 years ago but didn't feel ready to get baptized, and then called us a few months ago because she felt ready. Anyways, she's amazing! She has amazing insights in the Gospel and has a strong testimony. She is so ready for the Gospel! She keeps asking us what more she can do. She even asked us the other day what it took to go on a mission, and said that she'd love to serve a mission someday! She'd be a great missionary! Keep her in your prayers!
Monday night we visited a family from our english class. The mom and 2 sons come every week. They have been to some of the branch parties here, and a couple weeks ago when we watched The Restoration after english class, they all said that they know our church is true. So we went to visit them. Daniella, the mom, kept saying how great our church is, and how horrible her church is. Then the 16 year old son, Gian Luca, said, "Mom, if you know their church is true, just have faith and start going to their church!" He's an awesome kid! We have an appointment with them next week, so maybe we can start teaching them. I'm praying a lot for this family. They're a beautiful family, and would be such great members!
Last week we were on our way home from an appointment, and were getting on the bus. I was walking to get a seat while the bus was driving away from the stop, and I looked out the window and saw my companion still outside running after the bus! I yelled at the bus driver to stop, and he just looked at me like he was annoyed at my request. Finally he looked out the window, too, and saw Sorella Mura, and he finally stopped. It was pretty funny! We were in a city that she had never been to before, so if we had gotten split up, it would have been an adventure!
Monday we had interviews with President. He's so amazing! He always says exactly what I need to hear. Next Tuesday we have the whole mission conference with Elder Oaks. I'm really excited! President told me that he's really nervous to have to give a talk in front of an apostle. But everyone's really excited for this opportunity to meet an apostle of God and to learn from him.
We had zone conference last week, which was awesome! Our assistants always give amazing lessons. This one was about fear and doubts. We talked a lot about the mindsets that people, including us, have about serving a mission in Italy, and how important it is to not believe those mindsets, but to have faith. They gave 3 ways to overcome our fears and doubts in order to witness true miracles. First was to pray for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. I've learned so much about the importance of that in my life. Especially being on a mission. I'm not doing my work, I'm doing His, and I need His help to find His children. The only way for a person to be converted is through the Spirit. Without the Spirit, it just comes down to everyone's different interpretations of the scriptures, and there's no way to "prove" which religion is true. If you think about it, we do make pretty outrageous claims! We tell people that the Bible is incomplete, but we don't have proof. We tell them that the pope doesn't have authority, which we also don't have proof of. And then we tell them that a 14 year old farm boy saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, but there were no witnesses. And that he translated the Book of Mormon from the golden plates, but the golden plates aren't even here as proof of that, because an angel took them. It really is an unbelievable story unless you have the Spirit.
The next step was to pray for more faith. With faith, you truly can work miracles. Doubt is the opposite of faith, and doesn't come from our Heavenly Father. It is so essential to have faith in the Gospel, and have faith that there are people waiting for the Gospel. The mindsets of European missions really are damaging to this work, and it's hard to overcome those. The 3rd step was to pray to see all the people as Heavenly Father sees them. Sometimes it's so hard to go out and talk to people that I don't know, in a language that I'm not fluent in. It's so easy to make excuses. But when I truly see other people as children of God, I have a desire to share the Gospel with them, to help them find our Heavenly Father and have the opportunity to return again to Him someday.
This Gospel is so amazing! I'm so incredibly grateful for this opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father's children in this beautiful country. I am so grateful for the chance to come closer to my Savior every day, to come to truly know Him and feel Him in my life.
Vi voglio tantissimo bene!
Sorella Hawkey
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
February 11, 2009
Ciao!
How are you all doing this week? Life here is great, as usual! Last week I learned so many amazing things at 3 month conference. President and Sister Acerson are seriously amazing! I love being able to spend time with and learn from them. Another of their daughters reports to the MTC today, and their son is going on his mission this summer, so soon they'll have 3 of their 6 kids on missions. It was also so much fun to see my MTC group and catch up on our first 3 months in the mission. My MTC district was amazing and I love them all so much! We also talked to some really cool people on the train there that live in Livorno, and the Livorno sisters were able to get a new investigator from it! The Assistants also taught great workshops. They're amazing. They're all scared of me, though. Apparently, some people think I'm bossy. So all the elders from the MTC are used to my bossiness, and they do what I tell them to do. Apparently all weekend I was bossing them around to help with dinner, or clean up the dishes, or clean up the chairs, etc. The Assistants kept laughing at me and they told me that they have fear for my children.
Sunday we had lunch with the Gianelli family, the family we spent Christmas with. They are such an amazing family! I seriously love the branch here so much! They are so small, but so strong and so willing to serve.
Monday we got a new investigator! Her name's Ada, and she's from the Dominican Republic. She knew the missionaries there about 20 years ago, and was introduced to us through another person that we found awhile back. We had a great lesson with her the other day, and she wants to learn more! She also asked if she could have a copy of the Book of Mormon for her son. I'm excited to be working with her.
Yesterday we had an appointment with Rita. She's doing much better this week and is starting to overcome some of her depression. She has a friend named Valentina, who is also struggling with a lot of things in her life. Valentina was talking to Rita and asking where she could find peace and happiness. Rita told her about us and the gospel and invited Valentina to our appointment yesterday! Valentina doesn't necessarily want to change religions right now, but she's open to hearing more. They both told me that I'm like an angel and that my presence brings serenity to them. So even though I'm bossy, at least I help people, too!
We had an appointment yesterday with Johanna and Carla. Johanna wasn't there. She called us during the appointment and said that she doesn't have time to meet with us anymore. It makes me so sad! They're such an amazing family and the Gospel will help them so much! She said she still wants to see us ocassionally, though, which is good. And we had a great appointment with Carla, who still wants to take the lessons. I have a lot of hope for this family.
Anyways, those are a few highlights from my week. I've been thinking a lot about the Book of Mormon lately, and it's importance in our lives. The Book of Mormon truly is the word of God, and we can truly get to know our Savior by reading it. I know without doubt that reading it every day will bless our lives inmeasurably. (I don't even know if that's a word, but you get the point!) So, my family... I would like you all to commit to read the Book of Mormon every day, both as a family for those of you at home, and individually. I know it will bless all aspects of your lives. You will feel the Spirit stronger in your life. You will gain a greater testimony of the Gospel. And most importantly, you will come closer to your Savior Jesus Christ. So, will you read the Book of Mormon everyday? (You can email me this week with your answers.) I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know it was translated by a true prophet, Joseph Smith. I know without doubt that my Savior lives. I know He suffered for me personally, and for each one of us as individuals. The Atonement is so personal, so powerful, and so real. Take advantage of it. We've been given the great blessing of the Atonement, so we need to use it. When Elder Robert C. Oaks spoke to us in our zone conference, he compared it the getting a brand new porsche. If you were given a new porsche, you wouldn't just park it in the garage and never even look at it or use it. You would drive it around and take full advantage of this amazing gift. We've been given the Atonement, and we need to use it to the fullest in our lives, both for our sins and weaknesses, and our pains, sorrows and afflictions.
Vi voglio tantissimo bene! Buona Settimana!
Sorella Hawkey
How are you all doing this week? Life here is great, as usual! Last week I learned so many amazing things at 3 month conference. President and Sister Acerson are seriously amazing! I love being able to spend time with and learn from them. Another of their daughters reports to the MTC today, and their son is going on his mission this summer, so soon they'll have 3 of their 6 kids on missions. It was also so much fun to see my MTC group and catch up on our first 3 months in the mission. My MTC district was amazing and I love them all so much! We also talked to some really cool people on the train there that live in Livorno, and the Livorno sisters were able to get a new investigator from it! The Assistants also taught great workshops. They're amazing. They're all scared of me, though. Apparently, some people think I'm bossy. So all the elders from the MTC are used to my bossiness, and they do what I tell them to do. Apparently all weekend I was bossing them around to help with dinner, or clean up the dishes, or clean up the chairs, etc. The Assistants kept laughing at me and they told me that they have fear for my children.
Sunday we had lunch with the Gianelli family, the family we spent Christmas with. They are such an amazing family! I seriously love the branch here so much! They are so small, but so strong and so willing to serve.
Monday we got a new investigator! Her name's Ada, and she's from the Dominican Republic. She knew the missionaries there about 20 years ago, and was introduced to us through another person that we found awhile back. We had a great lesson with her the other day, and she wants to learn more! She also asked if she could have a copy of the Book of Mormon for her son. I'm excited to be working with her.
Yesterday we had an appointment with Rita. She's doing much better this week and is starting to overcome some of her depression. She has a friend named Valentina, who is also struggling with a lot of things in her life. Valentina was talking to Rita and asking where she could find peace and happiness. Rita told her about us and the gospel and invited Valentina to our appointment yesterday! Valentina doesn't necessarily want to change religions right now, but she's open to hearing more. They both told me that I'm like an angel and that my presence brings serenity to them. So even though I'm bossy, at least I help people, too!
We had an appointment yesterday with Johanna and Carla. Johanna wasn't there. She called us during the appointment and said that she doesn't have time to meet with us anymore. It makes me so sad! They're such an amazing family and the Gospel will help them so much! She said she still wants to see us ocassionally, though, which is good. And we had a great appointment with Carla, who still wants to take the lessons. I have a lot of hope for this family.
Anyways, those are a few highlights from my week. I've been thinking a lot about the Book of Mormon lately, and it's importance in our lives. The Book of Mormon truly is the word of God, and we can truly get to know our Savior by reading it. I know without doubt that reading it every day will bless our lives inmeasurably. (I don't even know if that's a word, but you get the point!) So, my family... I would like you all to commit to read the Book of Mormon every day, both as a family for those of you at home, and individually. I know it will bless all aspects of your lives. You will feel the Spirit stronger in your life. You will gain a greater testimony of the Gospel. And most importantly, you will come closer to your Savior Jesus Christ. So, will you read the Book of Mormon everyday? (You can email me this week with your answers.) I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know it was translated by a true prophet, Joseph Smith. I know without doubt that my Savior lives. I know He suffered for me personally, and for each one of us as individuals. The Atonement is so personal, so powerful, and so real. Take advantage of it. We've been given the great blessing of the Atonement, so we need to use it. When Elder Robert C. Oaks spoke to us in our zone conference, he compared it the getting a brand new porsche. If you were given a new porsche, you wouldn't just park it in the garage and never even look at it or use it. You would drive it around and take full advantage of this amazing gift. We've been given the Atonement, and we need to use it to the fullest in our lives, both for our sins and weaknesses, and our pains, sorrows and afflictions.
Vi voglio tantissimo bene! Buona Settimana!
Sorella Hawkey
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
February 4, 2009
Ciao!
I'm still in La Spezia, and I'm SO happy about it! I seriously love this branch so much and all the people we're working with. Sorella Margheriti is like my mom away from home. She's amazing! My new companion is also amazing! She's an incredible missionary. Her name is Sorella Mura. She's from Cagliari, on the island of Sardegna. She joined the Church 3 years ago when she was going to college in Bologna. Her parents aren't members. She's the only child in her family, so they weren't too happy about her going on a mission, but they're coming around and are now somewhat supportive. She's amazing! She speaks only a little bit of english, so our communication is interesting sometimes. I'm getting really good at charades! Actually, I've noticed a huge improvement in my Italian in the past 5 days with her. It's a huge help! I'm really grateful for this opportunity to work with her.
Our investigators are doing well. Elisabeth is progressing well and is happy to commit to anything we ask her to do. She's going back to Brazil next week for a month, and asked how she can find a Church there so she can go while she's gone. I didn't even have to bring it up! She's awesome. She had a huge crush on one of the elders, so I was a little worried that he was the reason she was coming to church, but he got transfered last week and she still came, so I'm really excited about her!
Yesterday morning, Jennifer called us!!!! She's the one that took the lessons 2 years ago but didn't feel ready for baptism, then called us to meet with us again 2 months ago, but then we never heard from her again. She's been having a lot of things going on in her life, but she wants to come to church again. We had a great appointment with her yesterday! She's amazing!
Tonight I'm going down to Rome for a few days for 3 month conference. I'm excited to see all the missionaries from my MTC district! And to spend a couple days at the mission home with the Acersons. Later this month, we're having a mission wide conference. Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Robert C. Oaks are coming to tour the mission and talk to us. I'm excited!
This week I've been thinking a lot about miracles. I love the story in Matthew 14 (I think) where Peter walks on water. He did something that no one, besides Jesus Christ, had done before. It was a miracle! But then he noticed the waves around him, and that's when he sunk. The waves are the realities around us. It was reality that people can't walk on water. It was reality that there were huge waves crashing around him. He had good evidence to back up his doubts. We have a lot of these realities all around us. For me, it is a reality that it is difficult to learn a new language. It is reality that there aren't a lot of baptisms in Italy. But instead of looking at the realities around us, we need to focus on our Savior Jesus Christ, and the fact that with Him, we can overcome these realities and witness true miracles. I see miracles every day. I know I say this almost every week, but I am truly grateful to be here, to be an instrument in the hands of my Heavenly Father to bring the Gospel with His children. I love my mission so much!
Vi voglio bene!
Sorella Hawkey
I'm still in La Spezia, and I'm SO happy about it! I seriously love this branch so much and all the people we're working with. Sorella Margheriti is like my mom away from home. She's amazing! My new companion is also amazing! She's an incredible missionary. Her name is Sorella Mura. She's from Cagliari, on the island of Sardegna. She joined the Church 3 years ago when she was going to college in Bologna. Her parents aren't members. She's the only child in her family, so they weren't too happy about her going on a mission, but they're coming around and are now somewhat supportive. She's amazing! She speaks only a little bit of english, so our communication is interesting sometimes. I'm getting really good at charades! Actually, I've noticed a huge improvement in my Italian in the past 5 days with her. It's a huge help! I'm really grateful for this opportunity to work with her.
Our investigators are doing well. Elisabeth is progressing well and is happy to commit to anything we ask her to do. She's going back to Brazil next week for a month, and asked how she can find a Church there so she can go while she's gone. I didn't even have to bring it up! She's awesome. She had a huge crush on one of the elders, so I was a little worried that he was the reason she was coming to church, but he got transfered last week and she still came, so I'm really excited about her!
Yesterday morning, Jennifer called us!!!! She's the one that took the lessons 2 years ago but didn't feel ready for baptism, then called us to meet with us again 2 months ago, but then we never heard from her again. She's been having a lot of things going on in her life, but she wants to come to church again. We had a great appointment with her yesterday! She's amazing!
Tonight I'm going down to Rome for a few days for 3 month conference. I'm excited to see all the missionaries from my MTC district! And to spend a couple days at the mission home with the Acersons. Later this month, we're having a mission wide conference. Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Robert C. Oaks are coming to tour the mission and talk to us. I'm excited!
This week I've been thinking a lot about miracles. I love the story in Matthew 14 (I think) where Peter walks on water. He did something that no one, besides Jesus Christ, had done before. It was a miracle! But then he noticed the waves around him, and that's when he sunk. The waves are the realities around us. It was reality that people can't walk on water. It was reality that there were huge waves crashing around him. He had good evidence to back up his doubts. We have a lot of these realities all around us. For me, it is a reality that it is difficult to learn a new language. It is reality that there aren't a lot of baptisms in Italy. But instead of looking at the realities around us, we need to focus on our Savior Jesus Christ, and the fact that with Him, we can overcome these realities and witness true miracles. I see miracles every day. I know I say this almost every week, but I am truly grateful to be here, to be an instrument in the hands of my Heavenly Father to bring the Gospel with His children. I love my mission so much!
Vi voglio bene!
Sorella Hawkey
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