Happiness is the object and design of our existence

June 30

hello family!
Another lovely week in France has passed and we saw so many beautiful tender mercies! It was a great week and I really saw the Lord's hand in our lives. Friday especially, for a little background on this story a few weeks we met a cute little family at the bus stop but they got on their bus before we got their information but they were really sweet and so kind to us. Anyway, Friday night I was struggling a lot and so Soeur Bradley and I sat down on the park bench to just soul talk it out and find some peace and as we dried our tears the bus came and out stepped that little family. We talked to them a bit more and they gave us their information and we will be seeing them Sunday next. It was such a beautiful blessing from Heavenly Father. He knows us perfectly. He knew we would be sitting on that bench and He put that family right back into our path. I felt His love so completely and I cannot wait to see our family again and teach them everything so they can be sealed forever in the temple. Missionary work is the best!

So usually I really hate my thick American accent when I speak French but Monday night it turned out to be a blessing! The Elders had given us a referral with just her address so we passed by and knocked on her door. A woman answered and I asked if she was Alyssia our referral but she was Valerie! We had been given the wrong address!! So I apologized, and she asks, are you american? and that led to a delightful conversation about what we are doing here in France and we were able to share our testimonies a bit and she was so kind and gave us her number! So hopefully we'll see her this week! It was a really neat experience and the longer we talked to her the more she warmed up and by the end we were all best friends! I love that as missionaries we can meet a stranger and twenty minutes later we are great friends. So fun.

I've been studying the conference talks from April and I really loved Elder Rasband's The Joyful Burden of Discipleship. We actually discussed in relief society and then brought it to our less active as well. He shares a quote from President Monson that says “We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us. … “‘… Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these … , ye have done it unto me’ [Matthew 25:40]

I love the idea that we are the Lord's hands. He is dependent upon each of us to share His love and assure His children that He is there watching with love and care and He is always aware of our circumstances. The STLs shared a scripture I loved. it's Mosiah 8:18 "And thus God has provided a means that man through faith might work mighty miracles therefor he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings." I want to be a benefit to my brothers and sisters here! I love the idea that God can use me, a flawed 20 year old american girl to help His children feel His love. Soeur Bradley always says, God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick. I love that. I don't have to be perfect in order to be an instrument in God's hands I just have to be willing. I have learned that over and over again. That this work is so much bigger than me and I am just a tool here for Him to use. I am His hands and I will love every person He puts in my path! President Kimball said those mortals that we meet, are that portion of mankind God has given us to love and to serve." every person I meet in life here on the mission and afterwards God has entrusted me to care for and to love and serve. 

To be near the Savior we must be like Him and the best way to do that is to love and serve all those around us. 

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here in France as a missionary for my Heavenly Father. I feel His love every single day and I get to share that love with everyone I meet! What more could I possibly ask for? I have never felt so much love until I came here. I think I said that last week haha but really it's true. Yesterday I was with AnneMarie our recent convert and she was telling us how her faith helped her overcome trials and I felt so much love for her and I was so happy to feel the Spirit she brought. Everyone I meet is so amazing and God just fills my heart full of love for them. It's incredible. I am so happy. 

i love you all! thank you so much for everything. you are always in my prayers. 

tout mon amour soeur alicia hawkes