Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Week 2--January 30th

Hello Everyone!
I don't have much time this week to let you know what's going on but I will do my best to include as much as I can. 
Life here at the MTC is hard but great! On my second day we "got" to teach a lesson in complete Albanian. It was very scary but as I was bearing my testimony, the Spirit was very strong in testifying of our message. By our third lesson we commited her, Albana, to work towards baptism! It is so exciting!! The language is hard but I love learning how to express myself in a different way and learning about the culture. Right now I am able to pray, testify and kinda teach in Shqip (Albanian). Une mendoj que une flas ju mire dhe und a di qe dhe shkrime e shente eshte mire nepermjet fe ne Perendise! 
My companion's name is Motra Forte. She is basically the exact opposite of me...from an extremely extremely affulent family, likes to live on the edge, is constantly complimenting everyone but we are exactly what each other needs. I help her stay focused and obedient and she helps me to stop and smell the roses. The routine is nice, basically what I am used to, not any major life changes. 
Our district only has four people (which is like one of the smallest districts in the entire MTC) and our classroom is in the same building as all of the other small languages so we are very good friends with all of the sisters and elders speaking Hungarian, Swedish and Finnish. Our roommates, the redheads Sister Egbert and Sister Price are also very stellar! Sister Egbert is literally the nicest girl I have ever met! I will send pictures once I can borrow a card reader from my companion. 
The environment here is amazing! It doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing, as long as you are being obedient to the rules the Spirit is always with you. I have never felt so motivated about anything in my entire life. Sometimes I get discouraged because there is so much I still need to learn language wise, but I look forward to the day that I can really begin to teach! 
Well that is all I have time for today. Thank you for your love and support! I love you all and miss you so much, too much sometimes. Please let me know if anything life-changing happens! Talk to you next week! 
Your Missionary, 
Motra Hawkins

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The First Week--January 23, 2013

 I shall be sending you an epic letter containing all the Adventures of Motra Hawkins per Shqepia (in Albania)!


 I love it here, don't worry about me. The language is hard, but I am working harder. The second day we taught and Investigator named Albana in strictly Albanian but I was really frustrated because I could not adequetly express my feelings in Albanian. Since then, I have worked hard and am able to pray, teach and bear my testimony in Albanian. My companion is basically the oppsite of me (I'll tell you more about here when I have more time) but we get together very well. I have to go soon because I only have about 4 more minutes before I am kicked off the internet. I will write letter today and send it your way as soon as I can. I love you all so much, more than I every realized I could love. The Lord has already blessed so much with the language, a wonderful district, a fantastic companion, and an amazing family that always supports me. I love you and miss you so much. Don't cry, have faith, and please keep praying- it helps a lot.

Love,

Motra Hawkins