Bonjour à tous! 

I can't believe it's P-Day again. This week just flew by. Tuesday we had Zone conference. Which was really cool. They introduced all the new missionaries so that was interesting and President and Soeur Poznanski spoke to us and at the end the missionaries who are dying (going home after this transfer) shared their testimonies and it was so touching and put a lot of things into perspective for me.We also had interviews with President and Soeur Poznanski, it was really great and I love them so much!

 

After Zone conference we did exchanges with our STLs! I was with Soeur Evans and she is so cool.  She taught me a lot and we were able to teach Elodie together. Elodie is a woman Soeur Foster and I met two weeks ago on the street. She's Protestant right now but grew up as a Jehovah's Witness. She loves the Bible and thinks it's all she needs. But I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God too! And I know that if she would just read it she would love it too! We were going to meet with her yesterday to see how her readings were this week but she's sick. She said she'll call us when she feels better. I really hope she does. I love her so much and I know she could find so much happiness in this gospel if she'll just meet with us again and gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon! 

 

Isabelle kept her rendez-vous with us, and we gave her a tour of the Church and taught her about prophets. We had a few members there with us too and that really helped her understand so much better. Honestly, members are so vital in missionary work! They had such a strong testimony to what the missionaries are saying! You guys have more influence then you realize for sure.

 

 After we had a lesson with Emmanuelle who is a less active and questions if there is life after death. It was really powerful lesson because we testified of the sacrifice of our Savior and I know she was touched. It was a really cool experience to feel the Spirit testify so strongly and to see her finally understand and start to believe. 

 

Before I forget I have to tell you this really cool promise an apostle gave! His name is Elder Kopishck (no idea how to spell) but he gives a promise where if you write down a specific question you have, put in your pocket and take it to church you will receive an answer! I've done it the past two Sundays and it really works! You will receive an answer if you sincerely ask and pray for it in faith, I know it! 

 

So this week we did a lot of finding and we were porting one night and I knocked on the door and this old lady opens it, I start to introduce myself and she cuts me off yelling at me in rapid French and slams the door. I could not stop laughing. It was hilarious because I seriously could not understand a single word she had said. So sometimes it's a blessing not to be able to understand French :)

 

But we did find a lot of people this week and saw a lot of miracles. Friday night we had seven minutes left to find someone so we prayed then started walking, at the same time Soeur Foster and I saw a girl just meandering and we were both like we need to go talk to her! So we went up and introduced ourselves and why we were there and she was really interested. She asked why we were in France specifically and I explained we were called by a prophet of God. She said so you're guided by God always? We said yes. She was astounded and said, So God guided you to me right now!' It was way cool and hopefully we'll get a rendez-vous with her this week! Miracles are totally real and we see so many every single day!

 

So this week was a bit of struggle for me personally. I had made a lot of goals and expectations for myself and just felt that I wasn't making the cut. It was really really hard. But I was able to get a blessing from our District Leader and it was exactly what I needed. In the blessing I was reminded that I have been sent here to Angers specifically to bless the lives of many and that the adversary does not want me to do so. It reminded me that when we are hard on ourselves and we beat ourselves up and we replay situations over and over and regret things, that isn't the Spirit. That isn't what Heavenly Father wants us to do. Those are tactics of Satan. We have to learn to listen to the Spirit not negativity! We are children of God and we are so loved!

 

Also Soeur Foster reminded me of the story of the Currant bush. (That mormon message from Elder Christofferson, SOO good) But Sometimes the Lord has to tear us down so He can build us back up the way He wants us. He's got to cut us down so He can make us who He knows we can become. Who He wants us to become. As hard as that is when I think about it, it actually helps me realize how much He loves me and I'm so grateful for that. Ezkiel 36:36 'I the Lord God build the ruined places, and plant that which was desolate.' Makes me happy to know that I may be cut down now but He will build me up. Times are rough but those are the times when we have to strengthen our trust in God and rely on the Savior's Atonement. I know that I can overcome these challenges because of the Atonement of my Savior. He suffered and died for me personally so I could live with Him and Heavenly Father again. So it doesn't matter how hard the language is or how scary it is to talk to random strangers. I know that God loves me and He will help me do this work so I have nothing to fear! 

 

Another thing I wanted to share is Alma 50. We share the first 5 verses with the member families that we meet with. These verses talk about Moroni fortifying the cities and how he builds many different things to help protect these cities. So we liken it to families. The city is your family and the mounds of earth Moroni first uses to fortify  are the things that we can do personally to fortify our families, like personal scripture study and prayer and keeping commandments. The wood Moroni uses next represents the things we can do together as a family. Like family prayer and scripture study, going to church and  having family home evening. The piquets (sorry I can't remember the word in English!) Moroni uses next to fortify are the things that church can provide for us. Like Relief Society and Priesthood Meeting, Young Men and Young Women's Primary and Sacrament Meeting. The last thing Moroni uses are the towers. And these represent the people in our lives who we can rely on to help us and advise us in keeping our families strong against Satan. People like the Bishop, the other members, the parents and the Prophet. Just as all these fortifications Moroni used prevented the Lamanites from entering and attacking the city, these are things we can do in our families to keep the Spirit in our homes and to protect us from the influences of Satan. I know that as you do these things together that the home will be a refuge from the world and Satan's influences and you will feel the Spirit more.

 

Alsooo the address you have for me is incorrect. That is for the elders here in Angers! So they've been getting my mail ha the Sisters address is 

Les Soeurs Missionnaires

31 Rue de la Roë

49000 Angers France

 

Also I get to play the piano all the time. I play in Relief Society every week and I got to play prelude at a baptism on Saturday so it's fun and a blessing to be able to do it. 

It's so funny you always ask me to tell you everything!! Honestly I feel like there isn't much interesting stuff to say except that they don't have any of my favorite foods ha but they do have better peanut butter but their milk is terrible. And the cereal isn't even close to being as good. The pastries and the bread are to die for though. So I guess it makes up for it :) And obviously that everyone speaks French. or crazy African languages.There's a ton of different cultures here. Also my straightener doesn't work here so that's why my hair always looks so crazy in the pictures. It's freezing cold here now and they say Angers doesn't get a lot of snow, which won't be a sad thing for my poor feet. I've already destroyed my boots :( we're going to go look for new ones today though so all will be well! They have Christmas decorations all over Centre Ville. They're huge things that hang between all the buildings, they'll be really pretty when they finally light them up. For Thanksgiving we're going to get together as a district and play games and have a great feast so it should be fun.

The work is progressing and I know that my French is improving thanks to all your prayers!

 Thank you so much for all your love and support! I feel your prayers and appreciate you all so much!!!

Avec amour,

Soeur Alicia Hawkes 

P.S. Could you send me recipes? fyi cream of chicken doesn't exist here so maybe some recipes without that which we could make for a big meal. Thanks!

P.S. oh and for the package they said to put the Mission home address as the return address to ensure that it'll get to me someday. But you could just send it to the mission home. Whatever's easiest and simple. Thanksss

P.S. Also it would be super cool if you could send me the pictures of me that are on the Mission Facebook page, haha I want to see which ones they put up there!

Pictures!

1. All the Sisters at the district meeting two weeks ago. The sister in the front with the super gorgeous curly hair is Soeur Evans, who I went on exchange with.

2. Soeur Foster and I in our apartment just before Zone Conference. It's kind of bad picture and a weird angle but I guess it gives you a good view of our apartment hah. It's just the two of us that live there so it's nice.

3.That's our three generation photo! They refer to your trainer as your mom or dad. So I'm there with my Mom and Grandma! 

4. Somehow Soeur Foster and I wore the EXACT same outfit one day.

 

Bonjour à tous!

This week has been  crazy! Okay not really but still it was crazy for me trying to adjust to the schedule and being in a country where I don't understand anything! I can't even read nutrition labels on what I'm eating! ha It was soo good though. We saw SO many miracles seriously. The Lord answers prayers! It's incredible :) I love France so much, there is so much diversity here and I love it. My companion is Aubree Foster and she's from North Ogden. She is incredible! She hits her one year mark on Thursday. I love her so much, she gives wonderful advice and always points out my strengths. She is a huge blessing to me! 

 

The people here are so great. That typical mean snobby French person doesn't exist! Until you mention God haha then they shut you down pretty quick. But for the most part they are so kind and willing to listen. The members I absolutely adore. They are soo kind to me! In Relief Society we have a mission minute where we talk about miracles we've seen and the blessings that can come from missionary work and I get up there to talk and the whole time the sisters are helping me with the right conjugations and the words I'm looking for, it is so sweet.

 

Church is wonderful. It is a little difficult because it is SO much French in one place at one time and tons of people try to talk to me and I just have to be patient in understanding. But I will tell you the church is the same in whatever language. Even though I don't understand the talks and lessons I still feel the Spirit so strongly. I love church so much, it is such a blessing!

 

So in the morning we have three hours of studies and then we usually go contacting in Centre Ville right where we live. Then we have lunch and afterwards we usually have some appointments, dinner and language study then back out for contacting and porte a porte. It's kind of exhausting but in a good way. I know I'm working hard and consecrating my time to the Lord so that makes me happy :)

 As of this week we technically don't have any progressing investigators. The work is pretty slow right now. We had one with a baptismal date but she dropped us sooo last week we did a LOT of finding. And we saw so many miracles. Everytime we stopped and prayed specifically for someone with an open heart, immediately after we found someone! It was incredible. Thursday night we were in a neighborhood knocking on every single door and it was pouring rain. And of course we forgot our umbrella so we were just soaked and freezing but we kept going. We both knew there was someone! We stopped to pray. Then we turned and knocked on a door and they were accepting!!! They were in the middle of dinner but invited us to come back! It was amazing. Seriously I cannot describe to you how many miraculous things we see every single day.

 

 We face a lot of rejection. So much. But when we find that person who is searching for the answers to their questions and their heart is open and ready I cannot contain my smile! My heart just soars and it makes all of the rejection worth it! I love it. Being a part of this work is the biggest blessing ever! 

We are here to help people and being able to do that everyday is so cool. I meet so many different people every day and it's really cool to be able to uplift them in someway. We met a girl this week who just barely broke up with her boyfriend and she was just so distraught. So we talked to her and told her about prayer and then prayed with her. We'll meet with her again soon but I know that she found comfort in prayer! Prayer is an absolute blessing and I know I took it for granted before my mission. I have such a strong testimony that we can receive peace and comfort and the strength that we need through prayer. We go through so many tough things, there is a lot discouragement and sadness but when you get down on your knees and you pray with sincerity you can know with absolute surety that everything is going to be okay. That the Lord has a plan, and He is aware of your struggles and He will give you the strength to keep moving forward. I know that Heavenly Father wants to hear from us! We are His children and His is anxiously waiting to bless us if we just ask! I know when we turn to Him in prayer we are never left alone and never left unaided. 

 

Another lady we met was Isabelle and I love her with all my heart. She is so sincere and so humble. She was so excited about the idea of prayer and we're giving her a tour of the church on Friday! I hope she comes! We get bailed on a lot. But it's okay. It just makes me sad that these people can't understand how important this gospel is and how much it will help them. It hurts my heart so much when we talk to beautiful families about the plan of salvation and they just shake their head that they're not interested and I'm just like Don't you understand? This will bring you so much happiness you can't even imagine!' This work is hard because it's our purpose to bring others to Christ and when they won't let us do that it breaks my heart. But I know that they just aren't ready yet. And someday they will be, and we are planting seeds! And there are those who are ready and waiting for us! We just have to find them. Well that basically sums up my week. Lots of contacting, lots of miracles and lots of rain :) Loovin it! 

 

Ha as far as food goes we mostly eat cereal, sweet potatoes and chicken, and Soeur Foster makes THE best chili in the world. So it's good :) oh and lots of pastries haha we going to do better this week about eating more fruits and vegetables and less pastries hopefully  It's a really good life. We take the tram and bus everywhere and get stranded and lost and have to run for the trams all the time. We get stuck in the pouring rain and we endure super stinky houses (I can't even begin to describe the smells here) We get rejected and we get laughed at. (They laugh when we tell them they're children of God. I'm like why are you laughing? It's the truth people!) But we find those who are searching for the truth. We comfort and we help families. We pray all the time and we study beacoup. And we are so happy. So happy to be a part of this work! Honestly, it's the best thing I have ever done and I am so grateful my Heavenly Father is letting me serve a mission no matter how hard it can be! I can't tell you how happy I am. Yeah it is really hard and sometimes I just want to go to bed and give up trying to understand this lady speaking in rapid French but at the end of the day it is all worth it. And everyday the French gets better! So it's absolutely wonderful :) Thank you so much for your support and your prayers! I love you all soo much!!!

 

Avec Amour,

Soeur Hawkes

P.S. sorry no pictures this week we literally bolted out the door running for the tram so I forgot my camera, sorryyy! I promise next week I'll have some!

and also I bought a coat here so I am toasty warm! No worries :)

Bonjour ma famille!! Angers is absolutely beautiful! But I will start at the beginning. Disclaimer! I'm using a french keyboard so its really difficult so pardon me for all my grammatical mistakes! It was sooo wonderful to talk to you on the phone last week! Made me so happy! The flight was really long and I didnt get any sleep.Ioove our mission president and his wife. They are the best, so sweet and so kind. Paris is absolutely AMAZING. I adore it! Even though it smells terrible but really its incredible definitely something that everyone has to see someday! We stayed at the mission home the first night and then the next day I said goodbye to Soeur Mason and met Soeur Foster who is an absolute angel! She is from Utah and she is the best trainer ever! We get along super well and she helps me out a lot with my french. Our apartment is lovely, its small butperfect and the only place besides the church that smells good ha we live above a boulangerie which is a bakery so yup comin back fat but these patisseries are practically worth it! We go contacting everyday and porte a porte and we see miracles every time. I can see everyday the hand of the Lord in this work, it is incredible! My first Sunday was great. Everyone here is soo nice and they were complimenting me on my French which was so kind. I was able to go up and introduce myself and bear my testimony which was great but a tad bit scary! The members are really great and I am excited to be able to work with all of them! There are 3 companionships in Angers so all of us are at church together, they are really nice and we get to teach the 16 & 17 year olds sunday school class! All the French stereotypes are WRONG btdubs just so you know :) Except the fact that everyone and their dog smokes here seriously my lungs are getting ruined! But I really do love it here and although the work right now is not progressing very well I know that I belong here and there are lives here that I can change if I just open my mouth and act as an instrument for the Lord! He has a plan and we will find those people who are ready! We meet so many people everyday and the world is full of characters. Yesterday we met with this old lady and she gave us a tour of her entire house then fed us like 20 year old tart gateau that she cut with the same knife that she had once been threatened to be killed with! Ooh la la people here! It is really hard work but it is so good and so rewarding. I love you all thank you so much for your support and prayers!!

Avec amour,

Soeur Hawkes

 

Oh and we take public transportation everywhere but in Angers it really is not that bad the public transportation in Paris was super sketch though.

 

P.S. I am never coming home :) loove youuuuu

 

I forgot to ask you a HUGE favor. So the Mission President said if we want the gift of tongues we have to pray 3x a day for it, and to ask our families to pray for us as well. So please pray for me! Pray that I can understand these people and have the ability to share my testimony with them in French! The language is really difficult but it's getting there, every day is better! but I could always use your prayers! :)

I love you all and I can't thank you enough for your support and prayers!

Avec amour,

Soeur Hawkes 

Also just so you don't worry, I've hardly had anxiety while I've been here. it has been an incredible blessing from Heavenly Father! I'm doing really great, my biggest challenge is understanding people! they talk so fast here! But it'll come :) I know that through God's grace I can do all things! 

On the train on the way to the airport in SLC

                                                       Consecration Hill outside of Paris

                              Alicia and Sister Foster painted Halloween costumes on their hands

Sister Foster and Sister Hawkes

Alicia posing with more food

Alicia with the mission president and his wife

Alicia made it to France!

Alicia with her new companion, Sister Foster

The group of missionaries that just arrived from the U.S.A.

                                          Eating yummy pastries upon arrival.

Today is the day! We leave here at 11:30 and then by tomorrow I'll be in a different country!

This week has been great but bittersweet. We said goodbye to our teachers which was so sad! I've gotten so attached to them ha they were soo great!! The picture I attached is our district with our teachers, Frère Laguan is the one next to Soeur Mason and Frère Blosil is on the other side. They are seriously so awesome and we're all going to miss them so much! 

So we had In Field Orientation on Thursday and it was EIGHT hours long. But it was so good, one of the instructeurs was a convert from Paris! So it was cool to talk to him a bit. We learned a lot about what it'll be like working in the field so that was nice to have some sort of expectations.

We taught our investigators for the last time this week. That was really sad but we had some really great moments! So It's been a pretty bittersweet week but I seriously cannot wait to get to France. I am so excited and rumor has it we got contacting the very first day right in Paris!!! Ohh my lanta I won't be able to understand anyone but it'll be fun to try and share the gospel in my broken French!

I'm so thrilled and it's going to be really hard. and really different but I'm ready!

I love you all! Thank you so much for your support and love!! Je vous aime tellement!

Avec Amour,

Soeur Hawkes