July 27, 2015

Buenos días por la mañana! 

Hey family and friends! Let's just start off saying that I'm enjoying my mission. 

So this week started off slow, then we hit rock bottom and then miracles... Haha it's been a long yet short week. I'm daily amazing by the Lord's capacity to bless, and humble so effectively in such a short time. 

So the first half of the week was slow. Nobody was talking to us on the streets and literally every person we tried talking to denied us. We've only received three numbers all week... And the Hermanas here have only received two. It's been tough. Then Thursday we went to Vigo and had a really good Zone Meeting. It was nice to just go and expect to be spiritually uplifted instead of worrying about organizing it. President came and interviewed us. He's a really qualified man. There is such a powerful spirit felt whenever he's in a meeting. He renewed my temple recommend so yes you better believe we're going as soon as I get back! That night we had probably the worst night. Then the weekend was stocked full of miracles. 

Friday nothing huge just some good solid lessons topped off with a good Family Home Evening with all of the members of the branch. Saturday we had nothing planned but we were able to meet with some investigators that had escaped. Like Vicky. The one who seemed like gold but then disappeared. We had a really powerful lesson about the Gospel of Jesus Christ with her so hopefully she starts to progress. Then also on Sunday we were able to meet a new lady and her son. Cavini and Ivan. Her kid is nuts, three years old and he has the worst mouth I've ever heard in my entire life. I don't know how or why but he knows all of the swears that I know in Spanish and he found new ways to use them that I'd never heard before. Then we met with a recent convert's family who aren't members and watched the Restoration film. That went super well. The wife during the prayer asked God to help their family be together forever and if the Mormon Church was true to let her know that. They have potential and we're really excited for them! 

#3 Revelation: The Power of the Holy Ghost 

Oh man something huge that I've realized on my mission is the importance of the Holy Ghost in missionary work and in the church as a whole. We need it in every aspect of our lives and for every major and minor decision we make in our lives. Joseph Smith said, “Salvation cannot come without revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister without it” and “This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted--by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed”

So it is very essential to strive to always be worthy of receiving the gift and direction of the Holy Ghost. There are a few things that I've started to do to call down the powers of heaven. 1. Have righteous desires. The importance of true intent. Is it something that the Lord also desires? Is it necessary? 2. Plead to the Lord in sincere prayer. 3. Mental exertion. Focus on what you have pleaded unto the Lord and be constantly thinking about it. Which leads to step number 4. Sustained effort. Keep praying, keep fasting, keep doing everything necessary to receive this inspiration, miracle or this power that is required. 

I love the mission and I cannot thank the Lord enough for everything He has given me and my family and those around me. 

Loves from Spain,

Elder Hawks

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