From Trial Comes Refined Beauty

A new transfer has begun!! It will only be four weeks long so I have to work so hard to fortify my Liege before I leave! 

Tuesday morning we headed to the gare to catch a train to Bruxelles, where we would have our last district meeting and then head straight to Paris. However while waiting for the train we realized that Soeur Clawson didnt have her passport which needed to complete her legality. Our train was 15 minutes late so we thought if we hurried we might make it. so we took of running home, halfway there the Soeurs call and say its now 22 minutes late, we run into the apartment and back out the door to hop on a bus. They call again and say the train is now 33 minutes late, as soon as the bus pulled up to the gare we flew off and arrived at the same time as our train. miracles :) 

After a lovely last district meeting we headed to Paris. oh I adore Paris! it is so magical! that evening we had crepes for dinner and saw Notre Dame and the lock bridge. Then we went to stay in the Paris STLs appartment where Soeur Bradley and her companion live too. I was so excited to see Soeur Bradley again especially since she is finishing her mission this week. We had a beautiful talk about our missions and the things they've taught us and how much we have changed. It was like taking a great big breath. I felt so light and lifted after talking with her. She told me that it's not really glorious if it's not hard. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy and that absolutely describes a mission. This has been so hard. So heart wrenchingly difficult but it has been so gloriously beautiful. I have never experienced so much happiness and so much love, and that makes up for every hard moment I have had. I am so grateful for Soeur Bradley and for all the people that God has put into my life during these 14 months. They have changed and shaped me and truly helped me to become who I want to be. People come into our lives for a reason and we can learn so much from them.

Being in Paris was so much fun, we were able to see so many gorgeous things! The entire time I felt so awestruck and soo spoiled. I cant believe Heavenly Father would let me come serve a mission for Him in Europe! I live in Belgium and I visit Paris! Is this not the dream?! Heavenly Father is way too good to me. I loved being in Paris, there is so much history and so many, many people. And the French accent! oh la I have missed it! Dont get me wrong I love my Liegeoise but their accent is terrible compared to the beautiful French of the Parisiens. It was a wonderful trip. Even though I did lose my wallet on the train back to Bruxelles, that has been stressful but luckily I will be able to replace everything inside, it'll just take time. 

While in Paris, I chatted with Soeur Hopkins who is serving in Tours, she was telling me about a lesson they had taught for FHE a few weeks ago. they talked about the Brother of Jared and how the Lord told him to build the barges to travel across the sea but left him on his own to figure out how they would have light throughout their journey. And the Brother of Jared brought him some rocks. Soeur Hopkins said, "sometimes all we can do is give God our bag of rocks and say, well this is what I have, will you make it into something useful?" Our abilities can seem so limited and our offerings so small but because His grace is sufficient our efforts can be enough. Even though I am far from perfect "the Savior takes my sincere but imperfect effort and turns it into something that is just right, indeed, into something that is perfect" Despite my weaknesses and I can be made strong through the enabling power of my Savior's Atonement. I am so grateful for this truth and the hope and happiness it offers. I am so grateful to know that I have a loving Heavenly Father is so mercifully kind and patient. I know that although we have hard times and we may have to take a leap of faith He is always there, I love Him so much and I am so grateful for the miracle of my mission that He has given me. and I am so grateful for each of you , for your support, your encouragement and your prayers. i love you so much!!

avec amour soeur hawkes