Salut!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! I hope it's a good one!! And I can't believe Jeff is starting Driver's Ed what?!? That is so crazy!! Good luck with all that :) I can't believe another week has flown by! Time is going by way too fast. I don't like it! haha things have been going really well here in Angers. Soeur Denning is an angel and I absolutely adore her.  If things go as normal I'll be leaving Angers in two weeks. Which means leaving Soeur Denning which is not okay at all. We get along perfectly!! She is amazing and she is teaching me SO much! I'm not done learning from her and I love her sooo much so I really really hope that by some miracle I get to stay! It wouldn't be fair if we only got one transfer together! We seriously are best friends and that gives me soo much happiness! We make a good team I think. This week we were able to see a lot of miracles together and it was wonderful! Heavenly Father absolutely hears and answers our prayers! Wednesdaynight, we got out of a dinner appointment and saw a text from our district leader asking us to pray for all the equipes in Angers so we could all see miracles that night. It was already 8 but we prayed for miracles! And then we went contacting in Centreville and at first no one was listening but then I stopped a young woman and testified that I knew that God was there, that He is our Heavenly Father who loves us and she was immediately intrigued. She isn't believing at all but she talked with us for a good half hour. The Spirit was so strong as we testified of a loving Heavenly Father who has a plan for us. We gave her a plan of salvation pamphlet and taught her how to pray and she said she would read and pray that night and we could text her the next day. It was incredible!!! Her name is Coralie and I love her! She said she never listens to people like us but something was different this time. It was absolutely a miracle and an answer to our prayers! And then right after her we talked to two other girls who at first were pretty skeptical and laughed when we testified that we were all children of God but it was really cool to see the Spirit work and touch their hearts because by the end they were listening intently, wanting to know more. It was amazing. I love being a missionary! 

Also on Sunday I gave a talk in Church about missionary work. I was SO scared. But Soeur Denning helped me out a lot with the French and I think it went pretty well. Frere Regnier spoke after me and he said I want to congratulate this sister, I am so impressed with her progression in French, she speaks so much better than she did when she got here" It was so kind of him! It was such a good opportunity for me to practice my french and it was kind of assurance that I can speak this language and I don't have to be afraid or hesitant to speak even if it isn't completely perfect! 

Later we able to go eat with a member family who lives way out in the country and it was so fun! Their family is beautiful and the French countryside is gorgeous!! Later that evening we went with Soeur Cheve to visit an old amie. She had been in the hospital this week and was praying a lot. She told us she knew God hears and answers prayers, and loved her because He sent us to her. That is the best part of being a missionary. I love being an instrument in His hands! Being a missionary is the best thing ever. Honestly, the best decision I have ever made. It is absolutely true that it can be very very difficult at times. But the moments when I testify of God's love to someone who has never thought of the idea of a loving Heavenly Father or see someone's faith grow and the light come into their life, those experiences of seeing such amazing miracles make everything worth it. I have seen Heavenly Father's hand in every day. I know He is aware of me as He is of all of us. I am so blessed every day!! Thank you so much for your love and support! I love you all so much!!

avec amour soeur hawkes

                         Famille Dolbeau! They are so wonderful, we ate with them on Sunday afternoon.

                                      We may or may not have bought 16 euros worth of chocolate...

                                       Soeur Denning and I! We look just a little tired but its fiiiine.

                          We went out to lunch today and we had HUGE bowls of salad. It was so fun! 

Salut!

We had another amazing week here in Angers! Exchanges were lovely and Zone Conference was just what I needed! We talked a lot about getting through the difficult times. It's important to choose to have faith and hope despite the hardships. Faith is not a feeling but a decision! We must consciously choose to have faith each and every day. Which is exactly what I needed! I'll be honest, it's been a little rough here because we have NO amies and hardly any appointments. Surely I must be doing something wrong? But at Zone conference President Poznanski emphasized so much that this is not our work. It isn't my burden to carry. Heavenly Father is completely aware of what's going on here in Angers. He has a plan for this ville. This is His work and I'm just here to labor and do my best. All I have to do is remain worthy of the Spirit and be willing to follow it. And as soon as I realized that, the weight that I put on myself was lifted up and I knew that everything was going to be alright! Because I know that Heavenly Father will help us! So even though we may not have amies for every day of the week or baptisms around every corner I know that Heavenly Father is still proud of us His missionaries because I'm trying my best. And we saw miracles this week! we found out that one of our old amies that we had to drop wanted to start meeting with us again and we taught her on Saturday :) It was wonderful! Also we had a really cool experience Monday night. We were out contacting that night and we met a woman named Elize and We testified that God has a plan for her and then she told us she had a bad day because she got a huge bill that she can't pay. I was able to bear my testimony that God is aware of our daily struggles and I shared the experience you shared with me about the miracle about my car getting fixed last week. I testified to her that our Heavenly Father was taking care of my family and that He would take care of her. The Spirit was so strong and it was a huge testimony builder for me. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father is letting me be a missionary so I can share my testimony and be strengthened through experiences like that! 

Another kind of funny story, we went to the story to pick up some groceries and I was carrying a bag of flour, but apparently it ripped and I didn't realize it until Soeur Denning look at me and one side of me was completely covered in flour! the whole side of my coat and my bag were totally white! haha I wish we would have taken a picture but it was pretty funny.

Also Friday night we went porting in a neighborhood about 30 minutes from Angers by bus. We were having a great time talking to lots of nice people and we realize we had five minutes to catch the very last bus back to Centreville. and we were completely lost. in the dark. So we just started running down the street literally praying we were headed the right direction to the bus stop, my heart was pounding and we round the corner, and see a bus stop! Right as we get to it, the bus comes! It was an absolute miracle! I was so grateful and it made for a good story too ha!

So although it's been a little difficult, in all honestly I'm grateful for the difficulty. Because it's through the difficulties that I come to know my Savior better. Our trials pave the paths that take us to Him. It's always in the difficult times that I learn the most, that my testimony grows more and so so many blessings come. And despite the difficult times I am still able to put everything in perspective, and be happy despite the hard things that come up. I never have to be discouraged or upset because I know my Savior makes up for my inadequacies and weaknesses. It is through Him that we can have strength and hope. How could I be sad when I have such a great knowledge and the opportunity to share that with the people here in Angers! I am so blessed in so many ways that the obstacles that come up seem so small! I am so grateful the gospel and the hope it brings! 

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

avec amour soeur hawkes 

Salut!! This week was really great! Soeur Denning is an incredible companion, I absolutely adore her! We have so much fun together and we see so many miracles together! 

This week we had some appointments set up and each one fell through...people forget us too easily I guess. So it was a tad bit difficult, we didn't get to teach very much this week. We were struggling during weekly planning because we had no idea what to do the coming week with so few appointments set but the Elders reminded us that the night is darkest before the dawn, and we continued to work hard and we were fasting and contacting and porting and doing everything we possibly could and waiting for our dawn to come.
And Saturday night it finally did! I don't know if you remember Miracle Isabelle from Christmas time. Soeur Foster and I ported into her and sang and prayed with her and it was one of the most incredible experiences. Well Soeur Denning and I passed by her house this weekend. Isabelle's daughter let us in and I said, I don't know if you remember us but...and Isabelle said oh I could never forget you! She was so nice to us and invited us to come eat with them the next day. It was absolutely an answer to prayers! Heavenly Father really was watching over us. So yesterday we were able to go to their home and eat dinner and share photos of our family. We chatted and Soeur Denning played the piano and sang for them and their son Hugo played the guitar for us. It was so much fun and I felt so much at home. Her family is not believing at all, but she is. One of her daughters died five years ago and her family has been struggling ever since. But we were able to share a few paragraphs from A Family Proclamation to the World. It was really cool and Isabelle was really appreciative because usually her husband is totally against anything religious but he was really comfortable with us so it was really great! We'll hopefully being seeing them again later this week :) Being with them made me miss my own family just a little bit but mostly really grateful that I get to be here. Because I've seen in my own family the hope and joy this gospel brings and I am so glad I get to share that with the people here! As we were sharing the Family Proclamation I was impressed with how grateful I was for the fact that my own family was built upon these principles. That no matter what I will be with my family forever even after death. And I am so grateful for this truth that I have and the oppportunity to share it! 

Also this week we went to Versailles! We had a zone conference with Elder Kearon!! It was incredible. Before the meeting started we all lined up to shake his hand and he was so kind. The Spirit during the meeting was so strong. I felt so much love from Elder Kearon and from Soeur and President Poznanski. He testified of Heavenly Father's love for each of us as His children and His missionaries and I knew with all my heart that Heavenly Father loves me and is aware of me. I was able to learn so much and I received so many answers to my prayers. He really was so inspired with everything he said. Basically what we did was he asked questions and we just discussed as a large group all the components of missionary work and being a good missionary. It was so enlightening! I absolutely loved it and it really helped me change my perspective. It is so important as missionaries to have hope and faith. President said, "When you face adversity without complaining it will open your eyes to the miracles Heavenly Father has planned for you." and Elder Kearon said your attitude determines your altitude. It was so emphasized to me how important it is to have a positive attitude through everything. As of now, we have absolutely no amis...but it's important for me to keep faith and hope so that I can find those who are looking for this gospel, who are ready to accept our message. 

Plus this week we have exchanges, and interviews with President and Soeur Poznanski and zone conference!! I am so excited!! I love zone conference. I can receive so many answers and I adore President and Soeur Poznanski so I'm really excited to talk with them. I feel like they are my parents here in France. They love us missionaries so much. We talked at conference with Elder Kearon about the love of God. And as missionaries Heavenly Father lets us borrow His love so we can help His children. As I've been out here, I know more than ever before that God is there. That He is our Heavenly Father and He is watching over us every day. It makes me so so sad when we meet people who are atheist. I can't imagine how sad that must make Him. But I know He loves each and every one no matter what. There is nothing that could ever cause Him to stop loving us. He wants more than anything for us to come back to Him! And I am so incredibly grateful to be  a missionary, to be an instrument in His hands to help His children, my brothers and sisters, to come unto Him. I am so blessed!

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

avec amour soeur hawkes 

Ma famille!!

This week was fabulous! And really difficult. But still super good :)

I said goodbye to my mission mom :( It was really really sad, it was so hard for her to leave me!

But Soeur Denning is AMAZING. I love her so much already!!! We get along swimmingly and she seriously has the best stories. Not to mention that we both lived with the infamous Chloe and Ashley. So we quickly bonded over sharing stories of them ha we adore them both so much!

My new comp is from Centerville Utah. She's been out about 10 months, her French is BEAUTIFUL and she was in Avery first and then Luxembourg so this is really her first real French ville. She is going to love it! 

Soeur Denning and I are going to have the best transfer here in Angers! We spent the first four days together contacting and porting until we cried haha literally though. We met the meanest rudest man in all the land, and he was American so we understood perfectly what he said...but it actually only solidified my testimony that I know this Gospel is true and that I am not wasting my time here! Soeur Denning bore a powerful testimony of eternal families. This man said you can't possibly know that. no one can. That's just a belief you have, not a knowledge. She was so gracious and courteous and then we left. We were both stinging after that but it just fortified my testimony. I know that families can be together forever, it's not just a belief but a perfect knowledge because I have felt the Holy Ghost testify of that to me. I know that this gospel is true and that through Heavenly Father's plan that He has for each of us we can live together with our loved ones after this life.

So we did TONS of finding and we found some wonderful people to teach! I am so excited for this upcoming week and all of our appointments!! We found a family on Saturday, it was a woman and her three little kids and the little boys asked us where America was and if we took a plane or a boat. It was absolutely adorable and we're meeting with them on Friday so pray they keep their rendez-vous with us!!! I love them so much already and I really really want them to have this gospel in their lives!!

This week we are headed to Versailles again for Mission Conference! I am so stoked because Elder Kearon will be there!! It is going to be some serious spiritual nourishment! Which is what I need after the week I had! The week was hard just because adjustments are difficult and it seemed that all the mean people of Angers were the only ones out and about. It was really difficult for me to adjust to being the one in charge of deciding what to do and where to go because Soeur Denning has never been to Angers before, she doesn't know the people yet so it was up to me to make the plans for the day and I really really had to lean on the Lord and trust the Spirit to guide us where to go. Plus while out contacting, with Soeur Foster I would start out with people and then she would take it from there. So now contacting with Soeur Denning she lets me do the whole thing and for the first bit I was lost and didn't know what to say but as I relied on the Spirit I was able to ask inspired questions and testify. So this week as hard as it was, was a huge testimony builder to me that Heavenly Father is always aware of us and He always has a plan. I am so grateful He put Soeur Denning and I together, already she has answered so many of my prayers and I adore her!! Plus she's going to teach me so much French and how to cook! :)

I am so grateful to be a missionary. I get to help people find their faith and the assurance the God is our loving Heavenly Father. I think that's the most important for people to understand. Because when they understand that, they can realize who they are and who they are capable of becoming through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When they realize how much God loves them they can realize that He really did send His Son to the earth to die for us. And Jesus Christ is the reason for hope and joy in this life! I am so grateful I have this knowledge and the opportunity to share it with everyone here in Angers.

I love you all so much, thank you for your prayers and support!

avec amour 

sœur hawkes 

                                                Our last district meeting together!!

                                                                  Lenaig and I :)

Bonjour à tous!

This week was incredible! We met so many wonderful people and saw so many miracles! We had fixed a goal to find one new ami every single day and it was incredible to see God answer our prayers and to see the blessings from obedience!

I was so sad to hear about Brother Knuckles!!! I really hope he is doing better, and I will make sure to keep him and his family in my prayers this week!

Also, Soeur Foster is leaving me!! Which is really sad but I'll be staying here in Angers yay!! My new companion is Soeur Ashelle Denning!! I'm super excited! 

We actually only found 5 amis instead of 7 but that goes to show how important exact obedience is and how much the Lord will bless us when we are obedient and we are committed to our purpose with full heart! 

Wednesday we weren't able to find anyone and we committed to finding two the next day to make up for our mistakes that day. SoThursday evening we went to pass by one of our amies and she wasn't home. So we just ported in that building. Every single person said no (as usual :) But finally we knocked on the door, introduced ourselves and why we were here and the woman said come in. And I was so surprised I didn't even move! She had to say it again for me to actually step forward! She is from Africa and she has two little boys age 8 and 5 and they are angels!! Immediately we could feel the love of this family and how close they were to each other. We introduced the Book of Mormon to her and really explained why we were they and testified that this message could bless her and her family. She accepted a soft invite to be baptized and we prayed and read with the family!!! We have another meeting with them on Wednesday. It was an absolute miracle. It was incredible to see Heavenly Father answer our prayers! 

Also on our way home one night we talked to a girl on the bus. We were just chatting and we mentioned why we were in France (everyone asks us what university we're studying at and it's the perfect opportunity to say what we're actually doing here!!) We asked her if she was believing and she said she is atheist. So we talked some more and fixed a rendez-vous for Saturday. Saturday morning came and we prayed so hard that she would keep her meeting and we would get to talk to her and she was there!!! So we got to know her more and then introduced the Book of Mormon, why we were there and all of that. We talked about our loving Heavenly Father and prayer. And then we invited her to give the closing prayer, she was really nervous but we told her all the steps and then she said the most sincere humble prayer, I've heard. It was so full of hope and faith as she asked Heavenly Father if He was there and thanking  Him for all her blessings. The Spirit filled the room and it was a moment I'll never forget. We're meeting with her again on Saturday and then she's moving back home with her parents but we'll send the missionaries there for sure :) I am so grateful I get to be here and to witness the people grow in faith. It's incredible to meet someone who doesn't believe in God and then a few days later hear them say a humble prayer. The life of a missionary is seriously the best!! I get to see so many miracles every single day and not a moment goes by that I don't see the hand of my Heavenly Father in my life. He's with me every step of the way. Giving me the courage to talk to people on the street, giving me the words I need to say and the ability to do that in French no less!! 

Yesterday at church I taught the Gospel Principles class. In French. OH my lanta I was so scared!!!! But I prayed and prayed that Heavenly Father would help teach with the Spirit and that I would be able to say everything I wanted to and it went well!! Obviously I wasn't fluent in French magically but I was able to say the things I wanted to with effort and I was able to testify and share my testimony and that's all I needed to do and I definitely could not have done that without the help of my Heavenly Father!!

I am so blessed to be a missionary, I love being able to share my testimony in so many ways every single day. I know that Heavenly Father is always with us, He loves us so much and He is always there to listen to our prayers. 

 I love you so much Mom. I can't thank you and Dad enough for everything you've done for me. This week we were encouraged by Soeur Poznanski to share why we came on missions to influence the young adults and I was able to share my testimony and story with all the girls we work with here in Angers and as I talked I realized the reason I came was because of you and Dad. Because you taught us the gospel, you raised us with the teachings of Jesus Christ and I saw that bless our family. I saw the happiness and peace that we had that comes from the knowledge that we can be together forever. I never had a troubled childhood, like soo so many of the people I meet. I always had you and Dad who are so firm in this gospel, I always have you as an example and that has made all the difference in my life. And now I get to be here in France sharing that gospel with all the world knowing that I'm far from my parents but that you love me and pray and support me and I can't thank you enough!! 

"God sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He want syou to know that you matter to HIm." -President Uchtdorf 

I love you all so much! Thanks for your support and love!

Avec amour, 

Sœur Hawkes 

Bonjour à tous! 

This week was amazing!! Soo many miracles!! The baptism yesterday was absolutely beautiful. Lenaig was just glowing, she was so happy! I am so grateful Heavenly Father let me be a part of this! Being able to see her grow and progress has been incredible, her testimony and her faith have grown a little every day and being able to witness that has been a huge blessing! The Baptism was wonderful, the Zone Leader's investigator Wilfried got baptized too so it was great! The missionaries and Kahaia, Natasha, Emma sang I like to look for Rainbows with Emmanuelle on the saxophone and Elder Payet playing the guitar. We suprised Lenaig with our little performance during the program and she loved it. It was so incredible to be a part of the baptism! The spirit was so strong the whole time and I couldn't help but tear up as she came out of the water. It was an amazing experience!

Also we met the most incredible couple this weekend! Saturday we received a referral from the office and felt like we should contact her right away so we went and met her boyfriend Cedric, he's French but his English is really good, they met in Hawaii last summer and really hit it off. Turns out Liz is from Utah and she's been here living with him since November, her family is all LDS and she asked her Mom about the missionaries here in Angers. We invited them to church and the baptism and they invited us over to eat the next day! On SundayI was walking into the Chapel and I saw someone waving at me, I look over and there they were!! I was so thrilled they came to church!! That night when we went over, she said that was the first time she has been to church in 20 years. She said she's not sure what's she's looking for right now but she's willing to put forth the effort to find the truth. And Cedric was very impressed that I was playing the piano during Sacrament Meeting, Liz said don't be so suprised, she's American, they all play the piano over there haha. So we'll be seeing them twice a week until she leaves in February to go back to the US to get her visa! I'm so excited. We asked Cedric if that's okay with him and he's like yes yes of course you come all the days, anything for Liz she is the best. it was so great spending time with them, I love them so much! Yesterday they fed us snails!! Oh my gosh they were so good! I don't know why we don't eat them in the US they are delicious! You'll have to try them someday for sure :) 

This weekend, Soeur Foster lost her grandpa and grandma. She was able to talk to her Grandma Saturday night before she passed but her Grandpa passed away Friday night. But she was able to talk with her Mom twice so that was a blessing. It's been difficult for her but she is so strong and you can see that this experience has strengthened her testimony a lot. She has turned to her Heavenly Father for comfort and the members have been absolute angels to her. It's been really cool to see everyone's support and love for her. So please keep her and her family in your prayers. She has been a wonderful example to me and I really look up to her so much.  This experience has emphasized to the both of us the truthfulness of the plan of salvation and how grateful we are for that knowledge and the opportunity we have to share this truth with the people here in Angers!

On Thursday we had a zone conference in Nantes to learn about the new theme for 2014. Which is D&C 64:33-34.

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days." 

 It's really good and absolutely perfect! It really helped put things into perspective for me. Our will, our hearts are the only things that are truly ours to give. And I want to give that to Him. I want to be 100% obedient all the time so I can be a useful instrument in His hands! I'm really excited to spend the entire year as a missionary striving to be the best instrument that I can be for Him.

Also the other day I was having a bit of a hard time so I was looking through my scriptures and I found this one and it really touched me. D&C 78:18-19

  And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

I loved it because many times in our lives, we can't bear all things but that's why we have the Savior. He will bear our burdens, He will help us carry our load and that gives us reason to be happy. Because we don't have do this alone, He will lead us along. He will show us the way and He will be with us every step to help pick us up when we fall. It's important that we don't magnify the negative as well. Many times at the end of the day, it's easier to see all the things I did wrong or where I messed up but if I look a little closer I can always see the times when Heavenly Father blessed me, when His hand is evident in my day when his tender mercies were apparent. We can be so much happier when we look for the good in our days! As I have to tried to do that more, to look for His hand and receive all things with thankfulness I have been able to see His hand more and more. I have felt so much happier as I dismissed all the negative and focused solely on the positive things each day. An attitude of gratitude really is the happiest way to live! 

Being here in Angers is the biggest blessing. I get to see so many miracles every day and so many experiences that strengthen my testimony!

Thank you so much for your support and love, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!!

Avec amour,

Sœur Hawkes