Great News

So, I have been slacking on keeping this blog updated, but I am determined to keep you all informed on Elder Hawkins' progress as a missionary. This little blurb below is part of his email from two p-days ago (January 31, 2011).

"Hey mom and family, I miss you all like a crazy person! I love my new companion, he is from Tennessee. He is a big time football player, he is way different from Elder Eardley but he is still a great missionary! I'm doing okay. Umm so I'm going to be baptizing Malcolm on Saturday of this week. He is great; we have been working with him since I got to the area. He has an amazing life story and he is only 23 years old. You wouldn't believe what he has been through and now he is the best ever. He goes out and tracts with us and everything and plays ball with us every p day. He asked me to baptize him; he said he wanted to be my first on my mission so, yea this Saturday!!"

And yes I did correct his spelling errors and grammar. I couldn't help it. I also took some details out about Malcom to protect his privacy but none the less we are so proud of him and his love for the gospel and his Savior.  Below is a picture of Elder Hawkins and Malcom who he baptized February 6th, 2011. As soon as I get the pictures I will post about the baptism that day!

Study time

Elder Hawkins with Malcom

Making Progress

We heard from Elder Hawkins today and he seems to be feeling so much better which is great news for all of us. He is keeping really busy. Elder Eardley, his companion is district leader so between the two of them they don't have much time to miss home. His companion is from Utah and they have some things in common which makes it all even better. Elder Hawkins is still getting used to the cold and to snow especially. He says that he is freezing in the morning when the alarm clock goes off. It is extra tough to get out of bed when his toes are numb. ;) We are so grateful for all the prayers and good thoughts sent his way and we are so grateful for Elder Hawkins' desire to serve. It is great that he is making progress toward making Spokane is home for the next two years. Elder Hawkins says thanks for all the letters but at this time has doesn't have a lot of time to respond to everyone individually. He is very grateful for inspiring words that have uplifted him.

He sent some Christmas pictures and more so enjoy.

Piano Music from his Bestie



Something special from Mom



Red bull from the rebel Atkinson's. Not sure if he can drink it, but we made him laugh.



President Palmer's daughter who had the same brain tumor as Denny came to meet him.

Elder Hawkins and Elder Eardley

Learning how much work having snow is

Winter Wonderland

Elder Hawkins experienced his first white Christmas ever which was very, very cold. He didn't email yesterday (Monday) which has been his P-day this far in the mission. We are hoping that maybe he will email today with some pictures. For now, a look at Spokane...

Elder Hawkins lands in Spokane

This past Monday we recieved a call from Elder Hawkins! He was at the airport waiting for his flight to Spokane. Although he is very very sick, he is determined to serve the Lord. He has a true desire to do the Lord's work and for that our family is so grateful. He is a great example to us and we couldn't be more proud. We know he will touch the lives of those he meets and teaches and are so excited for this new part of his life.

Elder Hawkins is very homesick and is experiencing seperation anxiety to the most severe degree. He also is experiencing symptoms from his past medical history that most are familar with. He  will be working with some doctors in Spokane for the time being.  He has recieved priesthood blessings, and people have fasted and prayed in his behalf. He knows that if it is the Lord's will he can and will be made whole and given the strength to serve the people of Spokane. He has great faith and is trusting the Lord during this huge trial in his life. He never thought serving a mission would be so hard, he says 'I would rather be in brain surgery again than feel this way, it is so hard to be away from my family.'

President Palmer emailed my mom today with a letter and some fun pictures. President and Sister Palmer promise to love our Elder. He also said that with prayerful consideration he had chosen a great missionary training companion to be with Elder Hawkins. His name is Elder Eardley. We do not know anything else about this Elder and are waiting until P-day for more information. Together they will be serving in the North Spokane area.

We are so grateful for his righteous desires despite all that is ailing him. We also hope and pray that as he settles into the mission and begins to meet families and make relationships the anxiety and sickness will go away. Please keep Elder Hawkins in your prayers.


If you would like to write Elder Hawkins, please use this address on the side bar (to the right of this post). He really loves to hear from you and is very thankful for the letters he has recieved so far.

Elder Hawkins and his new companion Elder Eardley

 President & Sister Palmer with Elder Hawkins

Week 2

Elder Hawkins is learning lots and keeping busy. However, he is still pretty homesick. I am so grateful for his strong desire to serve the Savior because without it, I'm sure he would be home already. He is so strong and we are so proud of him for relying on the Lord and having FAITH that he can do HARD THINGS. He has shared his testimony with us through email and also his appreciation for an AWESOME mom.
In his email this week he gave a shout out to all of you that wrote him last week. The list included Chris Wiggins, Chris Summerhays, The Scott's, Jeri L., Bro. Parry, David, Rob, Bro. Riggs, Tammy and Letty. I know there were more of you who wrote, I'm sure your names will be on the next letter. He recieved these all in one day from Dear Elder and he said that it made his night! He said the letters really help him and he is so thankful for all your encouraging words. Continue to write, he needs the support to make it out of the MTC and into Spokane. Elder Hawkins also wanted to make it clear that he is really busy and doesn't have much time to write, once he gets into Spokane he will be able to respond to more letters.
 This past week he taught investagators who are actors in the MTC and says it is so real. He almost got the investagators to pray with him. Elder Holland also visited the MTC and talked on Thanksgiving and he was grateful for his words of advice.
Today before he e-mailed, he visited the Temple. On his walk over he said it was way to cold outside, the couple of inches of snow on the ground was not appreciated by him at all; he really misses the Tucson weather. These four weeks in Provo will be a nice introduction to cold weather, because once he gets to Spokane there is no turning back.

The First Letter

Elder Hawkins wrote home today and as expected he is very homesick. He is keeping busy with an intense schedule at the MTC however, his mind drifts on and off to his family. He gets 30 minutes to email on his P-day and because he is slow at typing he only managed to get one large paragraph sent. His companion is from Ohio, and he is 'learning to love him' as the days move forward. He isn't a big fan of the MTC food, but he says it will keep him alive until he gets to Spokane. He did have a hamburger (his all-time favorite food) today which he was happy about. Elder Hawkins ends his letter with "...stress, learn, read, talk, preach, talk, pray. I love you all so much."

He has asked for some letters, he would love to hear from you all. Please encourage and pray for him. Again, see the first post from November 17, 2010 for information on how to write him from http://www.dearelder.com/

OR his MTC address is

Elder Hawkins
2005 North 900 East
Provo, UT 84604-1793
MTC Box #252

The First Day / Info

Elder Hawkins was called to serve in the Washington, Spokane mission from November 2010 - November 2012. His departure this morning was bitter sweet as is family will miss him so much. We know he is where he is supposed to be serving the Lord and the people of Spokane and we are so proud of him.

For a short time he will be in the Missionary Training Center (MTC). If you would like to write him please visit http://www.dearelder.com/ where you can use this great resource for free. His mailbox number is box # 252, his mission code is WA-SPO and his estimated departure date is 1213. After you create an account you can write a letter and hit send and the MTC will do the rest. They print, stuff envelopes and deliver to the Elders daily around noon.
For those of you who would like to write him after he leaves the MTC (on December 13, 2010) you may still use the dear elder website or mail directly to his mission address. The address is

Elder Denny Joseph Hawkins

Washington, Spokane Mission

820 S. Pines Road, Ste 101

Spokane Valley, WA 99206-5420

I will leave with a few pictures from this morning...