Blooming where you are planted :)

Me with some of our English students.

Our investigator dressed up like a missionary.

My district (small group of missionaries)…what a silly bunch!

This week went by fast.  Transfer calls are today.  Our free English class ladies took us out to lunch yesterday. They're worried that after all this time I might actually transfer.  I have no idea what will happen.  But I'm pretty good at blooming wherever I'm planted so as long as I have an area to work in I'll be happy.  I LOVE being a missionary!  It is hands down the hardest thing I've done, but it's the time I've learned the most about myself, about working hard and about who Heavenly Father is and how He works.  It's been a sleepless, fast-paced, adventure-full blast.  I am so grateful! 

Sight seeing!

Four Sister Missionaries sight seeing in Okinawa!

Sister Missionaries writing home :)

Ginowan Zone Conference (3 Districts)

This week in a glance:

Sister Miller and I are apartment mates.  The days are filled with adventure and mischief ever since she got here.  She kind of reminds me of dad (only funnier :).  I got home Monday night after preparation day and had lots of mud on my shoes.  I walked in to the bathroom to grab some toilet paper to wipe it off and much to my horror something fell out of the toilet paper roll.  A cockroach!  Except it was MASSIVE and the biggest bug I've ever seen.  I was terrified, screamed bloody murder, freaked my companion out and then when Sister Takei saw it we shrieked.  It makes it into one of the top 5 scariest moments of my mission life, easily.  We decided that this was a serious matter and immediately called the other sisters.  As I explained to Sister Miller that she needed to come back and kill this thing, she starts laughing so hard she's crying on the other end.  Turns out that she had "planted" this little bugger in the bathroom and I fell victim to it.  Not OK. :)

We got a phone call from one of our sweet investigators this week.  She is one of the nicest ladies I've ever met.  She reminds me of Grandma Helen (my great grandma).  She has taken the lessons and is waiting patiently for her husband to allow her to be baptized.  She excitedly called us and informed us that her husband has really experienced a change of heart lately.  He had to go in to a medical center and they asked him his religious preference.  He wrote down Mormon!  :)  We were able to teach both of them in their home and it was a wonderful experience.  Our investigator has such a beautiful testimony.  We get referrals from her regularly because "this church knows what it's doing."  :)

Sakamoto San was also baptized this week!  She is one of the Elders in our district brother's wife's mother :)  That a tough one to explain, especially in Japanese.  They've been meeting with her for a long, long time and she decided to be baptized.  It was such a wonderful day!  It was fun also because Sister Capener and Sister Takei and I have also met with her somewhat regularly and taught her.  She is a cute lady and very determined.  We were able to skype her family in from the States which was really neat. 

Sister Takei, Sakamoto San, and me!

We made Takoyaki in our free Japanese class.  I'll attach pictures.  I'm sure that Morgan, Rachel, Syd and Hannah would love this.  It's octopus surrounded by bread about the size of a meatball. :) 

Takoyaki!  YUM!

Making takoyaki…..breaded octopus!

And finally the best part of the week:  Saturday…..Sister Takei's birthday landed on the same day as Kelley's baptism so it was two fun celebrations. 

Sister Takei's birthday!

Kelley's baptism day!

Kelley, Sister Wedekind and me :)

I'm almost tempted to just send pictures of the baptism because words can't describe how wonderful it went.  There were lots of things leading up to the baptism that made it extremely stressful, but as soon as the opening hymn started up I just felt so much peace.  It was a beautiful service and we all felt the spirit really strongly.  Kelley was super cute and excited as she showed up and that enthusiasm spread quickly.  She is such a unique girl.  I love her!  I'm so grateful I've had the opportunity to meet her and learn from her.  She's a girl after my own heart.  She had to be baptized three times because (we believe that baptism is by immersion) either her long hair floated up or apart of her dress, but when she bounced up out of the water she was just beaming.  I felt like a proud momma!  :)  The thing that has stuck with me most from that day was when she stood up afterwards and bore her testimony.  It was simple and extremely powerful.  She just has such a sweet spirit around her and she is so independent.  I love her! 

This week was great.  I love these people.  I love the culture and I even love the big cockroaches.  I am one blessed missionary!  I hope you guys have a great week.  I love you to the moon and back!

Sister Hawkins