Russian Winters-Collin

Dear Family and friedns,

First off I want to say that this week has deffinately had some downs, but the ups were so much greater. I have learned not to focus on the downs, but \i will share some of the funnier stories. 

I saw Drew off and it was so hard! I cried a bit too hard for that...haha! We left on Monday and it was all good. The flight from SLC to NYC was long, but I had a great conversation with an 11 year old boy. I said hello to him because I couldn't sleep. We started talking and then he kept askeing me about our church. I answered his questions knowing that we aren't supposed to talk to kids younger than 18. He was curious, but it was all good. NY was a disaster. Haha! it was so big and we were so small. It was a good experience though. We got to Russia and the first thing we did was go contacting. Can I just say that I love the Russian peopl? I do. The first lady that I spoke to couldn't understand me. Grantued I didn't know how to start a converstation. We took the Metro and then to the Mission Presiden'ts home. It was so nice! It felt like I was at home and all of my worries kind of just left me. 

We had a Greek Salad and then Borsh. We spoke about things to do and things not to do. We met the Assistants and then we went to bed. We woke up that morning and got a shower and clean. We meet our new companions. I am in a tri-panionship. Elder Hawkins, Elder Fuller, and Elder Makelhannie. (don't worry, it took me a while to even reemember.) I am in Petrazovodsk. and three days ago it was -22 Celcius. There was wind too! My face tried falling off a few tiems. I love talking to the people here. Contacting on the street and the busses is fun. Sometimes when I am talking ot one person and they get off, I move and talk to another. My companions think that I am some sort of crazy master ( I don't know how to say it in english). 

We were tracting and after no success we decided to pray. After we did, the first door that we knocked on opened the door and wanted to read the Book of Mormon. Then on the bus we gave out another. If I had any doubts in the power of prayer, it is all gone.  God answered our prayer and I thankt him for it every night. I am so greatful for this Gospel. 

On Saturday, we met with a potential investigator and he has been practicing Piano for 11 years. It showed how hard he workied. He played a Betooven peice that was at least 8 minutes long from memory. Improvised Jazz...How I wish that I could do that. We taught him about the Restoration, but he wasn't interested in the information. The Spirit was there though. We started off the disscussion by him playing Joseph Smith's First Prayer and we sang. He liked it. He likes us and wants to hang out with us. After we left there we got on the bus and I talked to a lady and she spoke a little English. I like to call those people, "Tender Mercies" I asked her if she wanted to come to an English group where she could practice her English. She said yes! 

On Sunday, they asked me to bare my testimony. We have an amazing branch of about 25 people. It is growing and I LOVE the members. I passed the sacrament. It was so amazing to see how greatful the people are for the Sacrament. We take it for grandted, but I have come to love the Sacrament in more than just one way. I tried speaking to all of the members and the youth. We taught the young men. and also Elders Quorum. I love teaching and constantly finding mistakes with my language so I can improve. After Church we stuck around and I found myself talking to the 2nd counselor in the Mission Presidency's son. He and I spoke about our favorite things. He is from St. Petersburg so I won't see him again unless I go to and serve in St. Pete. It was fun. He spoke to me in English and Russian and I spoke to him in French and Russian. I think I made a friend, but who knows. I thought that he was pretty cool.

After church we had dinner and then went trackting. We gave the Sacrament to an elderly lady and then went out. We had a lot of doors thrown in our face, but the Russians are really nice about it. The take on all of the guilt and say, " Excuse me, sorry" I think that they are great. We have to call and ask for the people to let us in. We were let in and then one Babushka let us in. We gave the the first lesson and then gave her a Book of Mormon. We made a plan to ge back on Thursday. Things are GREAT in Petrazodsk. I pray for you all every night. I hope you all know what kind of examples you are to me. I love you all. 

God is great, live is good, what else could I ask for? 

старейшина Hawkins

Russia, St. Petersburg Mission

Mailing Instructions:

Elder Collin James Hawkins

Russia St Petersburg Mission
Pr Malookhtinsky 16/1
POM 11-H, 12-H
Saint Petersburg 195112
Russia

Drew's Emails

December 9, 2015

Today i got to host new missionaries kind of made me sad to see them like that, and thought i was there at some point. I love it here and will be on a bit later i love you all. I will be sending letters

so yesterday was an interesting turn of events. actually the last few days have been a bit strange. i haven't had dinner since Sunday, found myself alone and naked outside my door with no way to get in, and Elder Reece got to see his family.well with that let me explain.

I went on an inter district split with Habel and Reece because i wanted to take a longer shower. We got out of the shower, and i headed to my room. I looked up and saw that my door was shut. I figured Elder Wallace had left it propped open like always. I walked up and gave the door a push and it was locked. I found myself in a bit of a pickle. It was me just in a towel and Habel. Neither of us could leave because hey i didnt have clothes and earlier that day someone shut our door while both of us were outside and so Wallace had the extra key from the front desk, and he was at choir. Things couldn't of been going worse. we tried picking the lock and i got the pins to lock but couldn't get the lock to turn. We tried sliding credit cards to push the lock, and even engineered some crazy stuff that i was pretty sure would open it. after an hour we accepted defeat.:( I had no where else to turn so i literally wore everyone elses clothes.   I wore Elder Reeces garments, suite pants, and Shirt. I wore Elder Habels socks and shoes. White nikes that say ball is life on them. And i wore elder reeces moms boyfriends belt. Oh and Elder ISOM's tie. Beggars cant be choosers, i found that out. When we went to the devotional everyone was looking at me like i was crazy, and i just about got kicked out by this Australian guy because i didnt have tags, suite coat or black shoes on. it was so crazy.

Then we went to district devotional review, my branch president wasn't the happiest man on earth, actually rather upset. I explained to him what happened and he seemed not to care. Then his councilor brother fristnick laughed so hard i thought he was going to die. it was suck a fun p-day eve. We haven't had dinner the last 2 days so i dont really know whats going on.

on that note i decided today for 20-25 min to figure out how to open theese doors with what i had. Oh boy did Habel and i do it.

1st- tie floss to envelope through hole

2-put through crack over top of door

drop to ground

3- pull it through bottom of door by hanger (wire)

4- make a loop of cord from a vaccume

5-tie floss on it, pull it up from under the door with the floss over the top  until you jiggle it on the door knob. 

6-rest it on the knob

7- give her a yank and shes open.. simple as that

my record is 3 min 36 sec

never will i be locked out again i made sure of that.

Collin's Emails

The Teacher Learns More than the Student 12/16/2015

Dear Family and Friends:

This week has been filled with many trials, blessing, and tender mercies. This week Drew and I were made District Leaders. This definitely is a time of growth for the both of us and I am glad that we are able to go through it together.  I know that I say it so many times in my emails home, but Drew and I have never been closer. Mom I am sorry for all the times that Drew and I fought. Please forgive us.

Things are getting better with all of us in my district. We are all still working on things, but I have faith that in the end all the things will work themselves out if we will all work hard at fixing them.

I have made a few friends that aren't going to Russia while I have been at the MTC. Do you remember the elder that I wrote about last week? The elders that we would always run into? Well I have become good friends with him. Mostly I like talking to him and he probably just talks to me becasue I don't stop. I don't know. What I do know is that he will be such a great missionary. In the short time that I have been here, he has taught me so much! He has a light about him that I can't explain. He is always happy and in turn, he helps others around him be happy. I love  him even though I don't know much about him. The last time I was able to talk to him before he went into the mission field, and as we were talking, he answered a question that I had, but I didn't know were to go for the answer. It is amazing to see how the Lord blesses us and answers our questions in His time and sometimes through means that we wouldn't otherwise think possible. I had to tell you about that blessing because it was a tender mercy. Sorry Elder Winkel if I made you feel awkward, but I had to tell home about ya! 

I am glad to hear that things at home are going well! I love you all and I pray for you every night. You are all examples to me and I look up to you all.

Update on Investigators:

Katya: Katya is AMAZING! She has had all the lessons and is going to be baptized this Saturday. I am so proud of her and I thank you all for you prayers for my investigators. They are really helping. Her faith is so Strong. in the words of the Savior, "In all of Zion (MTC) I have not seen such great faith" She knows the Lord loves her and also she knows that she is a daughter of God! 

Vitalli: Vitallli too has great faith! I have honestly been blessed. He has accepted our invitation to be baptized on January 02, 2016. We haven't taught him everything, but already I am able to see a change in heart. It is truly a spectacular sight to be able to watch somebody grow. I have see how the Spirit can soften a heart that has been hardened by the effects of time. I love this gospel because The Atonement WILL make everything right that is wrong in the world. 

Theo: We haven't been able to teach Theo for a weeek and a half. I think that the group of 6 elders that found him might have scared him away. I feel for him because I want him to be able to experience the happiness that we have because of this gospel. It makes me sad that we haven't been able to teach him. Will you continue to pray for him that we will be able to teach him this week? I have faith that the Lord is preparing him right now. 

This week I got to host the Senior couples. This time I helped and Elder and Sister Hawkins with their bags. We weren't related, but I always say, "Hi"  to them whenever I see them. I love the Senior Missionaries. This makes me really want to do this with my wife 40 years from now. 

At the temple this morning, we were having Breakfast and there was a sister who spoke Russian. I wanted to test out my language and so I went and spoke to her. She and I spoke back and forth for a bit and then I asked her what her name was. She said that her name was, "Jasmine, just like the flower. but prettier." I told her my name and She gaped at me. She said, "Many years ago in Armenia, we had an Elder Hawkins." My first though was to Eric. I don't remember exactly where he served, but if it was him, I am glad that the Hawkins name was honored so many years ago. She still remembered him to this day. That was kind of cool to experience.

Subject line: 

In our lesson with Vitalli, he said that he had finally spoken to his family about the gospel. This took so much faith, strength, and courage. I learned so much from that. I thanked him for his example. He was shocked and said that we were the example. I love him so much. Although he is much more difficult to teach becasue he asks so many questions, I love it becaue he is helping me learn, and also helping trust myself more. The "Teacher" really was taught by the, "Student".

Mom thank you so much for giving me the story about the donkey in the well. I have been able to use it at least twice this week.  No matter how much dirt the farmer tossed on that broken donkey, he shook it off and stepped up. There are so many ways that we can apply this in our lives. Please share that with others. It has helped me so much in my life. 

Я люблю всех. Я знаю что Бог Любит бас. Я знаю что Он жив. 

I love you all. I know that God loves you. I know that He lives

Go be great this week!

старейшина Hawkins

Russia, St. Petersburg Mission

December 23, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was so full of blessings and I was able to see, "The hand of God in all things". I did something different this week. I will tell you about everyday. I think that they are all very imporant.

Wednesday:

Wednesday great as always just because I was able to write home and I was able to talk to you all. Ususally we do TRC which is basically Home Teaching. We did this and taught about the gifts of The Spirit. The lesson went well and the Spirit was felt. After our lesson we were going to just go back to class and Elder Rindlisbacher suggetsted that we should stick around to talk to the man that is over TRC. He was on the phone, but he told us to wait a bit. A lady walked in and she asked where the painging of Jesus was. I had no idea, but we motioned her in the direction of the right painting. Just then Brother Brown got off the phone and started talking to us about how it went. It was great, but all I could focus on was this woman that had walked in. She had found the painting, but she would fidgit with her fingers and then she would look at us, back to the painting and back at us. 

Brother Brown finished and I told my companion that we should go talk to this lady. We wlaked over and we said, "You found it!" She said that she had, but she didnt know what the paining was depicting. It was of Jesus at the Second Coming. His arms outsretched, calling us all back to Him.

We talked to her for abit about the painting and also about some of her questions. After we had talked to her for a bit, we asked if she would like us to meet with her again. She said, "YES!" we made a plan for Saturday night and bid her a good night. When we were walking back to our class, Elder Rindlisbacher said something like, "You are so good at keeping your eyes open." I don't like to have this recognition, but it kind of felt good, not in a prideful way, but yeah.

Thursday;

Thrusday, we had a lesson with Vitalli. We taught him and the lesson went well. We extended an invitation to be baptized (a long time coming) and he accepted. He didn't want to set a day quite yet, but he would prepare himself. Great the mercies of God!

Friday:

1 Corinthinans 13:11

We interviewed Katya for her baptisim on Friday. She was ready and everything was in order. This was also a blessing of the Lord.

I looked up a few Mormon Messages and I came across a few.

      Reflections

      Until We Meet Again (Mom)

An interesting quote that I heard from a Russian convert, 

      "YOU must put on the mask and be saved before you can put it on others and CAN SAVE them."  

Saturday:

We taught Lisa (in English. She is a Gold tag). She knows Sign Language! I was really happy that I could realte to her that way. At the beginging of the lesson she did't want to pray at all. I said the prayer and we taught the lesson. When I could feel the Spirit tell me that she was feeling the Spirit, I asked her if she could feel the change in the room and what if felt like. She said, "It feels smooth in the inside." I told her that I felt the same thing and that this was the Spirit. She was so stunned and shocked that I could know when she was feeling it. At the end of the lesson, we asked her if she wanted to pray. The next thing she said was something that would create a question in my mind for the rest of the week. She said, "How can I say 'In the name of Jesus Christ' when I don't have that bond with him. What right (I don't know if that is the correct word) do I have to use His name?" We told her that she has every right and that she is a Daughter of God which allows her the ability to accept all blessings. 

Katya was baptized and Vitalli came to the baptisim.

After we had finished talking she agreed to pray. In her prayer she said, "God, it's me again. Thanks for listening to my prayers again and again." How many times do we take prayer for graunted? I have a new found love and appreciation for prayer. This week try to switch up your prayers. Pray as the Savior prayed.

Sunday:

On Sunday, our Branch President was released. I loved him so much. He helped me through some hard days. I felt a bit cheated, but was gratious for the chance that I was giving to know him.

Tudesday:

We got the PACKAGE!!! Thank you so much! I found Grandpa's cologne and jsut smelled it.  We didn't know whetther to wait or not so we chose the latter. 

I mailed home a package for you all for Christmas. I really hope you like it. It took a bit longer than I had expecteda dn I felt bad becasue we were missing out on Gym time. We came out of the store and then God's hand was shown forth. We ran into Theo! We shook hands and then he asked if we could teach him today at 12:00. We said yes and went on our way. I am so greatful for the Lord and His timing. 

Please pray for the people in Danensk, Ukraine. They need your prayers. No missionaries are being allowed into the country. Please pray for them all the time. I love them and wish that there was more I could do.

This is all for now. I love you and want you all to know That I have a firm testimony in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Remember Him as we have this week for Christmas. Merry Christmas to all and to all a great day!

старейшина Hawkins

Russia, St. Petersburg Mission

Sorry guys. Today I was in a hurry and I did't correct my mistakes. My hands were freezing and they wouldn't type. We will just blame it on learning Russian...haha! Just don't judge too quickly.

старейшина Hawkins

Russia, St. Petersburg Mission

The Light of Christ- 12/30/2015

Friends and Family,

This week was a very good week for me in so many ways! On Wednesday we taught Lisa and she really wanted to hear what we had to say. We taught her about the Restoration and how it can help her with her family problems. She has one son who is Mormon and three sons who aren't. I love how anything in The Gospel can help any problem. The lesson went really well and she assigned her a chapter to read from the Book of Mormon. We met again on Saturday. She told us how things with her family are getting worse. She doesn't know what is going to happen. She fears that her grandchildren will be taken from her life is she continues down this path. We gave her comfort and told her how Satan will do all in his power to stop her from knowing the truth.  This hit with great impact. On Saturday we taught about the first half of the Plan of Salvation because we only had 30 minutes and we all like to talk. It went well, but she had a problem with what she read about The Spirit in 1 Nephi. She didn't think that the "Spirit" that Nephi was talking about was the same as what she was feeling. If it was, she didn't think that she could kill a man. This was a funny prospect for me. I had never though of that. We spoke about the Spirit and then finished teaching. She expressed her concerns about her family and the Spirit was prompting us both to promise a blessing. The blessing was this: As a representative of Jesus Christ we promise that if you will be true to the commitments that you make and  do all that you can to do what is right, God will preform a miracle in your life.  

This was so strange. I didn't really know why I was prompted to say those words, but I do know that the Spirit was there and He was the one speaking. Lisa asked how I could say, "We" I then turned to my companion and he said that he too had felt that prompting. We taught about the Atonement and how it can help her. We talked about it a bit more and then I had the prompting to ask her to be baptized. She said that it would be a good thing, but that she would think about it. We have an appointment with her today, wish us luck!

Update on other Investigators:

Vitalli: We discussed Baptism, but he isn't ready for Saturday. It makes me sad that we won't be able to baptize him, but I know that when we help him understand the Gospel, he will be able to know it is true and also find the want and the need to be baptized. Please pray for him. We taught him all of the things that need taught, but I have realized, we were just trying to get him baptized before we left. I was very humbled this week.  I love being humbled by The Lord because He never leaves us, He lets us try a new way first and when we ask for help, He steps in and gives us a little bit of help. He won't do it for us, but he won't forsake us either. I love Vitalli and I want him to love His Savior, but that won't happen unless we can teach him well enough. Please pray for him and also for us. 

Katya: We still haven't heard anything from her since she went home for Christmas. It is sad, but I have faith that she is keeping her covenants.

Damitri: We are teaching him and we just got through Apostasy. He is learning well, but it takes time. I understand that. Our lessons have gone well, but they could go better. We love him and are praying for him.

Theo: We bumped into Theo before Christmas, but we haven't been able to meet with him yet. I think my companion has given up on him, but I know that The Lord has a plan for him. If it is for us to plant the seed in Theo than we will do it. God will cause the seed to grow. 

Ariel: We have taught him about The Restoration and The Plan of Salvation, but he still doesn't understand how it will help him which is mainly our faults. We love him, but his family is struggling because his dad lives in Mexico and the rest live here. We know what that is like so will you pray for him and us so that we will be able to apply this gospel to his life and help Ariel to see its importance? I love teaching. It is my favorite part of the day!

Subject Line: We all have the light of Christ in us. It is what makes us people. I love this Gospel because it allows us to see God's hand in all things. I have a challenge. This week will you all get a notebook and write down all the things that God has blessed you with? Please do this. I know that if you will do this and then look at it Next Wednesday, you will see God's hand in your lives more and more. Please do this and then say a prayer of thanks for all the things on your list.

That is all that I have other than:

Whenever you feel inadequate or you feel like you can't do some thing because you are not skilled, or you don't have the words. Maybe you can't see that well and maybe you are too nervous to open your mouth. Remember who it is that created you. Who made your mouth, your eyes, your body. He loves you and will help make you into who you are to become. Don't ever feel afraid to do something because you don't feel you can. God will be with you always. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Here are a few of the happenings here. 

старейшина Hawkins

Russia, St. Petersburg Mission

Mailing Instructions:

Elder Collin James Hawkins

Russia St Petersburg Mission
Pr Malookhtinsky 16/1
POM 11-H, 12-H
Saint Petersburg 195112
Russia

Boys' Mailing Addresses In Russia

Mailing Instructions:

Elder Collin James Hawkins

Russia St Petersburg Mission
Pr Malookhtinsky 16/1
POM 11-H, 12-H
Saint Petersburg 195112  
Russia

I will post Drew's as soon as I get it.

The Best Pee-Eve (PEEVE) Ever!!! Drew

This last week has been so crazy. It first started out on Thursday when i was in a lesson teaching an investigator, and i received the gift of tongues. I knew what i wanted to say and i said it. It was the coolest thing ever. i know that all of your prayers are helping me out significantly.

Friday came and we got a package with tons of stuff from home. Thanks mom and dad for all that you get us from the outside world for us. The Isagenix helps a lot and I've lost weight hahah, if you can believe that. I have been running every day about 2 miles and play volleyball. I've gotten pretty mean at it. Really good at setting and spiking with team work. Also the coat that i Received is the best coat I've ever had and it keeps me so warm thanks again mom and dad. 

On Fridays we have our set 3 hours for service but we do ours on Tuesdays so we get a mini p-day after p-day. This week a maintenance guy gave my bed a needed improvement and overall the room needs work. its hard because i am the only one who cleans and tidies up. I spent a whole hour cleaning there stuff up and re arranging the room. Lets just say it looks Amazing. I love that day because it is some more time to let your brain cool down and catch some much needed sleep for the others, i hate how much we sleep here, and how we have to go to bed early. everyone in Collins district( my brother) doesn't like how early i get up and even my own. they love to sleep and waste time. I feel like waking up in the morning gives you so much time, and too yourself. Its nice to clear your head and think about life and what is going on.

So Saturday was an interesting day in of itself. We got some fiber optic Christmas trees thank you mom. You are so good to get us what ever is needed. So i came back from picking up a package with elder Reece and Carr, and when i got back my door was shut and i didnt have my keys to get in. So i knocked on the door and asked if i could come in, and i just heard someone say NO!!!!! This annoyed me a bit and i brushed it off, but i walked out to the stair well and sarcastically yelled a word in Russian that means why?. I turned around and the zone leader leader was standing there yelling at me and said at the top of his lungs " If i ever here that word again we are going to have a problem!"  I had no idea what he was talking about. Then he went in and continued to talk to my companion. Then i set up a couch and foot rest outside the door and waited. when he opened the door i said can i come into my own room now? I never liked him or his comp so i was happy they were leaving the next day, like a mini Christmas.

Sunday, fast Sunday, It was amazing and i had a lot of personal revelation. It was nice to feel like i was in wrestling again with the whole not eating thing. It wasn't even hard at all, and every time i eat i think why am i eating this and wow this is bad for me but who cares. We had sirloin steak for dinner it was more of a dry roast lets be honest here, but it was good and it was food.  The devotional had a profound closing line which is" May we remember our generous Heavenly Father this Christmas who gave us wings to fly." I thought that is a very profound line. Know that i will be thinking of you all this Christmas season. 

Monday was a good day for me. I love my teachers and know that they love me so very much. They teach us 1 on 1 if we dont get something and you can see it in their eyes that they actually care. You can see it in their actions and how they are willing to help us learn anything. Then when i went to lunch Elder Reece told me that he had top go to a meeting in the middle of class which means its important, and he didnt eat. When we got back to our residence hall, usually i am in shorts and a t-shirt in 20 seconds and talking with people. That night i felt the need to stay in my suite when i walked into my room. I walked out into our common area and Elder Reece asked me to come sit and talk. He had all 17 other elders come and listen. He said I though that he was telling us that a family member died and was he was going home, but he told us that his mom found out she has breast cancer. Would you keep her in your prayers? (Wendy Reece) He wanted to tell all of us so people didnt ask around, he wanted everyone to know. Then he said that he wanted a blessing, and he turned and asked if Elder Hawkins would do it, I thought he was talking about Collin but he was looking at me. We all stood up and put a chair down. I was ready to bless him with oil. Bring in the big guns, but i got shut down with that, mostly i was so nervous i wasn't thinking. This was a big task, and very important. We had 17 Elders in the circle, that's more than how many ordain the prophet, and the spirit was incredibly strong. When I began to speak The power of God Flowed through me when i spoke. God spoke through me! I know this to be true!! I could feel the spirit so intensely  that my body began to shake. I felt as if my body was glowing while i gave that Blessing. I dont know what I said, i guess that's one of the trade offs for giving it. I began to tear up and cry and i didnt know what i was saying. I know that my mouth was moving, But God was speaking through me. After the blessing all were crying and the spirit was so strong. No one  would say anything about the blessing, but i more than a few come up and say that it was the most powerful blessing they have been a part of or heard. I know that it wasn't my word, I know that god spoke to elder Reece Through me, I know this and would defend that to my grave. The one thing and only thing that i remember from it was that i promised him that he would be reunited with his family after his mission was done. I boast of my God and not of me or any man, but of him. That through him, and by him anything and all things are possible. God puts those people in your path for a reason, and i believe this was why i became such good friends with him since he got here. I was someone he could turn to in his moment of need. That is all of us with Jesus Christa and God! They are who we need to turn to in our hour of need. When the time to act is at hand the time to prepare is gone. I thank My parents for preparing me to act in this moment and to be prepared to bless the lives of those who turn to me and that i will find. I know this to be true. I love my God and Know him so very well. He knows us That I testify of and always knows what we are capable of handling and going through. I love you all ELDER HAWKINS

You Can Lead A Horse To Water, But You Can't Force It To Drink-Collin

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has had lots of ups, but fewer downs. I have been able to see the Lord's hand personally in my life. I love all of your letters and packages. Getting news from home is always good to hear. I love it! I am doing well. I am keeping fit...such a hard thing to do when you can eat all you want! Thanks Mom and Dad for sending the Isa, everybody has been asking questions. You should be getting an email in the next week about Isa. I love this time of year and all of the festivities. They always make me happy!  As most of you know, Christmas is my favorite time of the year because the hearts of the people are turned more towards The Savior. I want you all to know that I know that I love Him and He loves you all. He watches over you all day and night. read the words in the song, "Dearest Children God is near you, watching o'er you nigh and day." He knows your pains, your joys, your fears, and He finds joy when you are happy. God loves us, He knows us by name. I love Him so much!

Update on my investigators:

Katya:

Katya has committed to be baptized. Thank you for all your prayers. They are graciously received. Elder Rindlisbacher and I have taught her all the Discussions and are finishing up with the last of The Commandments. She is progressing so well! Thank you again for your prayers. 

Vitalli:

Vitalli is progressing well, but he hasn't found the courage to tell his family that he is meeting with the missionaries. Please pray for him. He could use your prayers. We just taught him the first half of the Plan of Salvation. We are teaching it in 2 lessons because it is still new vocab for us and the first time we taught it, we didn't feel like we could talk freely. Learning the vocab is hard, but I have faith that in time it will come. We gave him a pamphlet so that when we teach him again on Thursday, he will not get lost or hung up. 

I love these two so much. As much as I teach them, they teach me twice as much. Vitalli was so skeptical at first, but with the power of The Holy Ghost, his heart was softened and he was open to receive the Gospel. Please pray for him to have the courage and to be able to understand the doctrine well. 

Theo:

Theo is a new investigator. I contacted him at lunch. He was sitting alone and he looked like he could use some company. I offered for the sisters to sit with him, but they refused. I went and sat by him and we started talking about the gospel and questions that he had. We spoke with him all through lunch and we scheduled to meet with him again the next Monday at Lunch. 

Teaching him in English was so weird to me. I felt like I didn't know what to say. I could just think of Russian words. We were able to teach him well though. 

Monday came and there he was waiting for us, but eating his lunch. We sat sown and began talking to him just trying to get to know him more and a group of 4 elders came over and did the same thing. It was unexpected, but it was good to have their perspectives. I love how this gospel can bring all together. We scheduled to meet with him on Tuesday, but when we waited for him, he didn't show. We were sad that we wouldn't get to teach...but we know to trust in the Lord. Pleas pray for him and for us that we will be able to teach him well and also teach him what he needs. 

On Monday, we taught Katya. I forgot everything that I knew about Russian, ALL of it... I couldn't say anything that I was prompted to, nor could I read what was in the lesson plan. The only thing I could say was so broken that Katya couldn't understand. I tried asking her if she would say the closing prayer, but I couldn't remember the conjugation for the verb, "To Pray" (молиться) 

When I did get something out, she laughed at me. She laughed and so did my companion. I went along and laughed...but it made me a bit sad. I tried hard, but it didn't work. We went back to class and my companion could do nothing, but laugh and laugh and laugh. He even came in bragging that he told Drew and the other district of my mistake. I felt dead inside. I felt like if I wouldn't have been in that lesson, it would have gone much better. 

I got a few letters that day and so I read Casey's and Nelly's letters. Thanks for that, it really made me feel a bit better. I just wanted to be alone because if the shame that I felt. I wanted to feel better, but I didn't know how. 

As if God were standing in the room when I said the words, Elder Reece gathered everybody because he has an announcement. He gathered up our whole branch (minus the Sisters) and he told us that his mom had just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. He told us all that he is staying out on his mission, but he wanted a blessing. He asked Drew if he would give it and invited all who wanted to join to please join. This was an answer to prayer. Service is that best way to fix sadness. Please pray for him and for his family that they will feel God's love for them. They will need it through this trial. Everybody stood in on the prayer, 18 Priesthood holders and Drew giving the prayer. The Spirit was so strong in that room. 

There is a companionship that Elder R and I run into almost every day without trying to. I have grown a love for them, but I don't know them that well. Elder Winkel is one of the elders in that comp.ship. He is such an example to me. I never see him sad and he is always willing to say hello. They leave next Monday so please pray for their success.

Subject: 

The reason that the subject is what it is, is because I have tried telling the elders in my district some of the things that Dad has taught me and they all discredit it. I hold it close to me and with all that I could, I tried to help them understand about faith and things, but they just shrug it off and make it sound like I don't know what I am talking about. They also view our investigators as our teachers. They are our teachers, but they are portraying actual investigators that they had (except for Theo. He isn't an actual member.) I tell them that they need to separate the two and make fun of me for asking God to help them. They don't understand that I see our teachers one way and our investigators another way. It makes me sad that they have found the lake, but know not where to find water. I still love them, but it is a trial that I have been given. 

I love you all. Drew and I are still growing closer still. Drew and I both felt the need to talk to an elder about some stuff and The Spirit was so strong. After that discussion, Drew and I talked about life and our missions, trials and why we get them, and other things. I am so thankful that Drew and I are here together. He is a huge blessing. I want you all to know that I love my God and I know that He loves you. If you will be thankful for your trials, God will bless you with His mercy, I promise you! I love you and I pray for you all! 

я люблю всех

старейшина Хокинс (Elder Hawkins)

Please send your addresses if you want letters. You can also use www.dearelder.com to send letters and it is a free letter service. 

Elder Collin Hawkins

Departure Date: Jan 04  #97

RUS-SPET

A Song of The Heart Is A Prayer Unto Me-Collin

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was pretty great! Thanksgiving was really good...We had a Turkey Lunch and a sack dinner. It was all worth it thought. Elder Oaks spike to us about Thanks and Gratitude. He brought along his family as the music for the meeting. We got to hear things from his family and we also got to hear his daughter, Jenny Oaks Baker, play her violin. I love that through music we can break down the wall that people even countries have. There are lots of examples where the work of The Lord has been testified of through music. I love being in the MTC Choir, it is such a blessing to my life. Drew is also in the choir as well. Who knew that he would like singing in front of General Authorities every week. 

After we had lunch on Thanksgiving and after the devotional, we had a service project. we made 357,000 meals for kids in Utah that don't get food on a regular basis. It was so fun to forget about myself and help those who are in my home state. It was a surprise to me that so many kids go without. I want to help with the relief effort when I get home.   

Update on my investigators:

Vitalli:

We went a week and a half without teaching him. I was really sad because he had told us that we wouldn't be able to teach him on theFriday after Thanksgiving, but then he showed up and we had to reschedule for the next Monday. This taught me to always have a lesson planned even if the investigator says that they can't be taught. I was humbled and will always try to better myself. Vitallli has not told his wife or his son that he has been meeting with the Missionaries. He fears that if he tells his family, things might end up going south on him. please pray for him and his family. Pray to give him courage. that he may overcome these challenges.  It may be easier to teach Katya, but I love teaching Vitalli. He stretches me and makes me think more and harder. He wants to know what language the Book of Mormon was translated from. I told him that I understood his question, but I didn't know how to say it in Russian. I told him that we would answer that in our next appt.

Katya:

Katya is amazing. She came to church with us this week. She loved it. I am so proud of her willingness to keep her commitments. She still is having questions to know if God loves her. We tell her to pray and she is having a hard time with this. I have faith that she will keep her commitment to pray this week. I bore my testimony of the Book of Mormon and almost started crying in Russian...I guess you can cry in other languages too. haha. 

On Monday we had over 170 senior couples come through the doors. This is the most that the MTC has had in one day. My companionship's job was to greet them and help them through their registration. I made quick friends and when we pass each other on campus, we greet each other. I greet them in Russian and they greet me in their language. It is kinda dorky, but then again look who is talking. I love them and the examples that they are to me. 

The Subject Line:

In Choir we were singing the song, "Behold The Wounds" I want you all to look up the text and to study it out. Our conductor compared it to the story of the Bridegroom. Look up the way that the marriages were in Jesus' time. 

They would covenant with each other

The Groom would pay the price to redeem the father for his daughter

The Groom would go to his fathers house and he would build a house for the two of them onto his    father's house. 

The Wife would have to wait without knowing when he would come back

When the Groom was finished, he would gather his friends and they would sneak into the nigh tot he house of the bride and start yelling to wake her up. 

   If she was prepared, she would be in her wedding dress and they would go to the engagement ceremony and be married. 

Now I want you to apply this to the Atonement. Don't you think this is the reason that they call The Savior, "The Bridegroom"? This was a really great thing to learn. Please study the words of the song and apply them. I promise you that you will receive blessings! 

Until next week I send my love,

Elder Collin Hawkins

Russia, St. Petersburg Mission

The following pictures are from Drew: