February 16, 2011

Hello Family and Friends,
I loved the pictures and videos Ike they were great and I was able to watch. I really feel like I am getting to the end of my mission. I just feel different. I would say the Elder Hawkins now versus the Elder Hawkins at the beginning of my Mission is a much more relaxed one. I am enjoying my companion. We do have fun together. He was sick this last week for a bit but it really is amazing to see the difference between a native at work and a white guy at work. I prefer the native. The work has picked up and I am getting more help from my companion with the language. I was humbled of course at first and my companion is helping me do better with some of the basics that come with Missionary work which is good. I found it funny, one morning he noticed that my tie had been poorly tied, I had missed a couple spots of hair while shaving, and I had not yet memorized the Joseph Smith experience, when Joseph Smith uses his own words to describe what happened, in Chinese to use while teaching---for as old a missionary as I am, I still need someone to help me with the basics. But then just this morning I ironed my companions shirt while we were getting ready to go to the Temple. Its just preparation for Marriage. The Lord really is patient. But I am doing better; I am grateful that the Lord has helped me to understand it is OK to be human. I do not mean it is OK to be complacent, but we are human and that means a lot. We have incredible opportunities for growth. My Chinese is not the best. But I see myself continuing to study it after the Mission and the fact that I speak as much as I do is great. I had just informed my Mission President this last week that I would be going home June 17th, so the fact that you already received that notice was fast.
Well, Emily H., I have grown a little more tired and such and I have thought that my blog needs only one more update. If you could copy and paste this email as that last update that would be great. That is just easiest. Thanks for the help. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord. I know He Lives and has Restored the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope all continues well at home. Some things do not change. Ben was painting rooms for Ma while Dad was away before I even left for the Mission...haha (Just got to laugh about it now Dad...Ma really is smart and she has created a beautiful home for you!)
My Love Always
Elder Hawkins
p.s. Yeah I totally know Sister England she was in my same district. She was cool and I hear she was a great Missionary. We never really served around each other but yeah we were in the same MTC group.