California Girl - Adventures of Hermana Hawkes

Hey all!  Hardly any time to write this week as we spent most of our day at an overpriced museum looking at all kinds of aircraft. They were amazing, and there were so many darling little veterans just dying to tell us all about them, but most of the displays were more about "who donated what" than who flew and why. There were also way too many little buttons...I don't think I'd be pilot material!  This week we had so many great little moments. I'm still meeting everyone, but I already have some favorites. One is Guillermo, a man with 72 years and a huge smile (dentures?). He reminds me of the hero in one of my favorite movies-- an old knight named Don Quixote who's earnest and kind and always a little lost in his thoughts. We were sitting crammed on his tiny porch (it was all Hna Jensen could do not to fall off her end of the chairs), about to teach the Plan of Salvation, when he whipped out a pamphlet about the Doctrine of Christ and asked, ...

Hi all!  It was a bit of a whirlwind week; today has been the first chance I've had to even just sit for a moment and soak it all in. The beginning of the week was a lot of hurried packing, and by Wednesday I found myself in the middle of the California Desert in a trio! I am currently serving in Desert Hot Springs, which everyone shortens to DHS. That means I'm one of the three "DHS Hermanas" which just so happens to be the initials of my rival highschool. Not a fan.  Desert Hot Springs in and of itself is amazing. The Mountains are huge and breathtaking, and are a different shade of blue depending on the time of day. The town itself is pretty small, but it neighbors the wealthier tourist area of Palm Springs which has lots of Golf Courses and country clubs. I have seen not one but TWO roadrunners, a chipmunk, and several lizards, so can't complain on the wildlife. No coyotes yet.  The day after I arrived I picked up and headed out to 29 Palms on...

Hi all!  Well, the subject line is the giveaway. I'm being transferred and right now my coping strategies are brownies, keeping busy, and denial! I get this little ache in my heart even thinking about leaving, but I know it's right and I know it's time.  I'll be headed out to a little branch in Agua Caliente, where Hna Watkins just arrived from and loved. I've known the change was coming, President let something slip in interviews that gave me a hint, but it's still a bit hard to pick up when I feel I've just put down roots.  Missionary work is interesting. Just as you start to really understand the challenges of those you teach, just as you learn everyone's name (maybe that's just me), just as you start to feel really a part of a place, you move. I've been thinking about this a lot. One of the sad truths of missionary work is that although these people have been my whole world since June, very few of them are likely to remember ...

Hi all!  FIRST THINGS FIRST: Happiest of birthdays to Jordan. I still remember being six and all my friends would be talking about how annoying their brothers were. They'd turn to me and I'd just kind of shrug and say, "actually, mine is kind of awesome...really awesome." I hope it has been the best day, and that it has somehow involved breakfast cereal, Mike-and-Ikes, outer space, D.I. runs, and time to work on whatever new project you've been thinking about for weeks. Happy birthday to the person who'd delay his own math homework--hours sometimes--to help me with mine, likes to laugh in the greeting card aisle, practices harmonica at all hours of the morning, and who never fails to come in with the harmony part of "A Lion Sleeps Tonight." You're a punk, but also sort of the best ever. I hope it was the best day!  Here in Fontana, different parts of town have more Spanish speakers than others, so when we're tracting we ofte...

Hi all! What a week, I'm not even sure where to begin! I'm typing this with my thumbs (I bought a keyboard but it might as well be made of cardboard for how well it works) but I hope to type fast enough to squeeze everything in!  Monday we finally went to the Fontana indoor Swap Meet, where we found Asians selling backpacks and nail polish and baptismal dresses, and Mexicans selling bike parts and shoes and candy. We even found a tiny Indian salon. There were rosaries and keychains and acupuncture, and the whole thing was all in all quite the experience! The elders were all very impressed that we went, as they said sometimes it can be a little rough, but I think it was mostly hype. The only really sketchy thing was having to walk into a dark tunnel of piñatas just to ask how much one cost!  Wednesday we had exchanges, and I stayed in the area with Sister Chisholm (from Monroe Utah). This meant teaching an entire Restoration lesson in Spanish by myself, but I ...

Hi all!   First things first, I have to wish the biggest HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mare. I miss you so much I could burst, and I'm constantly amazed by all you do and everything you are. I mean, you play soccer, piano, viola, are an officer, take AP classes, are good at math, know every good tv series known to man...what don't you do?? The best word for you is probably BRIGHT. I remember praying for a little sister every night before you were born, but you exceeded every expectation. I can't believe I get to be your big sis. You are one of the most genuine and kind people I've ever met, and yet also have a gift for roasting people when the opportunity comes. You make me laugh so hard I cry, and I miss belting Adele with you in the car at the top of our lungs. You always let me bake things with you, even with my baking track record, and I loved every one of our long talks or movie nights. Probably the only thing I don't miss is you hiding under blankets all over th...