Dear Sister Hawkes.

You are hearby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the...

New York Rochester Mission!

What a day. I am beyond excited. Stoked. Ecstatic. Actually, I have no words to describe how I feel right now. I have never felt more peace and more happiness. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and love I have for the people of New York. I also get to serve in the Hill Cumorah Visitors' Center, where I will meet people from around the world. I'll get to walk straight out and show them right where Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and I'll have an overwhelming spirit come over me and everyone around the sites...the Sacred Grove, the Smith farm, and the Smith home. I couldn't have picked a better place to serve Him. Not in a million years.

My grandpa is an Emeritus member of the Seventy, so I convinced him to call and see when it was ready. It was ready this morning, and we got to go pick it up straight from the Missionary Department at the Church Office Building. It was a great experience to have with my grandfather. 

These sweet ladies had my call waiting for me right on the top of the desk when I got there. 

They are filled with the Spirit and I could just see the joy in their eyes that they have working in such an amazing environment. 

So when I read the actual call, I turned into my dad and started balling like a baby. I knew Rochester is the perfect place for me to be--I shouldn't be anywhere else. I have fallen in love with Western New York, and I already don't want to leave it. I can't wait to see people's lives change. You better believe I'll be one of those weird RM's...New York State is already my phone background, and I'll always about my mission and refer to it as "the best mission in the world." Because it is. I already know it is. President Christianson has already become a father to me, and my companions have become my sisters. 

I've never cried so many tears of happiness in one day and have never been so overwhelmed that this is the only true and living Church on the earth today. Christ lives. Heavenly Father knows everything about us--more than we know about ourselves. He loves us more than we can even comprehend.

Is it coincidental that I was baptized on this very day 13 years ago? This is God's Truth.

Dear friend.

"As I look back on all that's happened...growing up, growing together, changing you, changing me--there were times when we dreamed together, when we laughed and cried together. The past may be gone forever, and whatever the future holds, our todays make the memories of tomorrow. So, my lifetime friend, it is with all my heart that I send you my love, hoping that you'll always carry my smile with you, for all we have meant to each other and for whatever the future may hold." -Anonymous

via:  http://www.jameshance.com/wookiee-the-chew.html

Milestones.

I've been working and schooling so much...I haven't even noticed my 5 lb. weight loss the last month. Great, right? I literally have not had any time to eat, but I do find time to go to the gym. So, it balances out. Kinda. Anyway, life has been full of milestones for me and especially my friends. It's great to be in that stage where mission calls are coming, people are getting proposed to, getting grown up jobs...it's really exciting. 


This is the video I made of Reb when she got her mission call. I'm so PROUD. She's going to take The Philippines by the hand and lead them down to spiritual goodness. And she'll sound super legit speaking Tagalog.

Spring Scrimmage. So sad I won't be here to see these boys play in the Fall, but at least I get a little taste! I'm going to miss them!

Longest softball game(s) ever. But it was so fun. I can't believe I'm having this much fun at WORK.

  

So after the double header...we went to the Nnah reception at the Grand America. Cutest reception ever, both of us were practically in tears at how cute it was. A.k.a that's what happens when you get two girls together in their twenties.

Also...this was too funny not to share. And way too true. Ladies and gentleman, this is why I'm a republican.

I get my other two wisdom teeth out tomorrow morning, and have to be on TV on Thursday. Let's just say all I'm praying for is no chipmunk cheeks. Any suggestions? 

Uno mes mas.

In one month I'll be lying on the beach in Southern California. But until then, I have about 437,523,169 things to do. I swear, the last month of the school year is when professors decide that they are the only professor on campus. If I ever become a professor, I'll give study guides 3 weeks in advance, and have the final open-note and ONLINE. Every student would love me, and I'll hear one word ringing in my ears: tenure.


Let's get to the "one more month" thing. That's when I'll be actually on the beach, and done with school. So, that means that I only have about three weeks left. As much as that excites me, I can hear my to-do list running in my head. If only I had children to delegate my responsibilities to. I better start packing my swimsuits to make myself subconsciously believe it's summer. 


Finding out that summer starts in early April was I think the best part of transitioning from high school to college. I thought people were joking when they told me that--nope. It's true. I also did more homework in high school. The homework aspect has significantly gone down. Not that I don't do work in college, it's a lot more work from a lot of different things. Which I appreciate very much, because I'm convinced I have work ADD. I can't work on one thing for more than an hour. And that's pushing it. 


Getting off topic again...there are three particular things I'm excited about this fine day:

1. Featured blog post on byutvsports.com...http://blog.byutvsports.com/post/The-fall-to-DePaul.aspx...with my video package below! This time, I included the stand-up. It's at the end...so watch to the end.
2. My mission call gets decided today. (If it's on schedule...)
3. My best friend opens her mission call tonight! Here's to Rebecca, and hoping we go to the same mission. Yeah, right.

And off topic another time...these are my Sundays at Aunt Suzanne's. I'm not in town to go very often, but I get to go at least once a month! My niece and nephew. Danny & Allie. It couldn't be a full blog post without pictures of little kids!

Love them. Happy almost Friday!

Live television.

It was my first night on live TV! I covered the gymnastics meet as the sideline reporter, and it was pretty dang fun. When I say live TV, I bet you MAYBE a thousand people watched it  (Maybe I'm totally off--someone correct me if I am...) out of the 60 million homes it goes to. So it's not like I was on Good Morning America, just good ole' BYUtv. Surprisingly, going live is so much easier than trying to figure out a studio show. I guess because in studio shows, we have time to make everything perfect. In live TV, if it's not perfect, you just laugh and move on. Everybody has a great time and you're pretty much flying by the seat of your pants. (And I wasn't even in the truck.)

Yes, I know what gymnastics is. No, I have never been to a gymnastics meet. So trying to talk on camera about something I know nothing about was pretty interesting. I didn't even have time to get stressed about it because I helped in pre-pro for True Blue this morning, wrote, voiced and edited the Women's recap of the NCAA tournament, then went straight to sidelining...to try and read everything I can about collegiate gymnastics. Apparently 195 is a good score, and if you're over 5'6" you're toast.

Thankfully, my next live gig will be next Thursday at the Men's Volleyball match--where I actually know everything that's going on! I can ask them intelligent volleyball-ish questions and not look like some reporter who got thrown on the shoot last minute. I know who the players and coaches are, and I love the game! That helps a ton. Oh yeah, and did I mention it's Men's Volleyball?

With that being said, I respect gymnasts a lot more after tonight. They are tiny little people...with amazing talent. They can whip their bodies in a way that I never even thought of, and wow they are so strong!  They also have so much love and respect for their team. There was not one girl sitting out nor one girl not getting attention from the rest of her teammates. It was a good experience and I can't wait to do it again. Watch BYUtv Sports on Thursday March 29th at 7 MT/9 ET. You don't have to have cable to watch it...if you go to byutv.org, you'll always be able to watch the live stream on your computer. 

Here's my story from last Monday. I was in charge of LB's. (No standup, sorry.) 

Sportscasting is FUN!

I hope they call me on a mission!

The papers are in. I am beyond excited! I've always wanted to go on a mission, but I never really told anyone, just because I wasn't sure what my life would bring at age 21. Now I'm 21, and this is definitely what life has presented itself to me.

I get asked if I care where I serve. Honestly, I really don't care at all. All the work is the same, and wherever I go, I'll be doing the exact same thing every other missionary is doing. I just want to go. Right now. For those of you not LDS, missions are an incredible experience for members to serve full-time. About 15 hours a day, 7 days a week for 18 months, (single men is 24 months, couples sometimes shorter or longer) we forget about ourselves and we're devoted simply to preaching the Gospel. We also pay our way to go, do not have a salary, and live out of a suitcase. We talk to our families on the phone twice a year, Mother's Day and Christmas, and write them a letter once a week. It's considered the time in a missionary's whole life that makes them a man or a woman. 

Of course I'll miss my awesome, incredible, wonderful job, my amazing friends, the ONE year left I have to graduate, and of course my family...but it's all so worth it. I really can't wait to put that name tag on and hear "Sister Hawkes." I'm scared because I hear it's lots of hard physical, spiritual and mental work. I'm trying my hardest to prepare for all that, and I'm afraid I really won't know what will hit me as soon as I get out in the field. But I'm ready to give everything in me for just a year and a half. That's absolutely nothing in the long scheme of things. 

I don't think I'd have such a strong desire to serve if I didn't have people that I love serve before me. Their testimony of missionary work--while out in the mission field--really encouraged me to go, and the simple desire to "bring them home" was exactly enough to drive me over the edge to put my papers in. Getting to know myself, I so badly want to be a part of other people's lives. I'd really do anything for anyone. Now that I have this opportunity to serve people that I don't even know...to meet them, bring them the gospel, and simply see them happy and at peace for the rest of their lives, just brings tears to my eyes. I don't know if I'll be serving Americans, Norwegians, Latinos, or even Russians. But I can't help but think of whoever those people are out there, literally waiting for the missionaries (me) to knock on their door to bring them the knowledge of the God that loves them. I have that opportunity to do that, and there won't be anything slowing me down. Now that I've made my decision, I'm ready to knock down every obstacle that will come my way to keep me from serving. 

Sister Hawkes! '12-'14 (Maybe?)

It's amazing how everything already is falling into place, because I do consider myself a missionary now. 

I'll never be a civilian again, I'll always be a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

#MarchMadness

It's taking over my weekends. I really...really love college basketball. I think my ideal date would be watching back-to-back NCAA Tourney games. How great would that be? Any takers? No. Okay, I'll watch it by myself.


Although I'm not a Duke fan, my heart went out to Coach K in that last interview. Poor guy. Lehigh rocked, I'll definitely give it to them. This is why they call it March Madness. Because it's INSANE. I definitely had Michigan going to the Final Four, whatever. I'm just glad I didn't have Mizzou going, that would have messed everything up. AH, how badly do I wish I was on media row right now. 


I think that's all I have to say for now about it. I'm just excited I have something to look forward to short-term. Yeah, it's not the most important thing in the world...but look at it this way. One of the huge reasons I love sports is because it's the side of TV that celebrates people's successes. If you watch the "normal" news, it's mostly people's mistakes. If you watch any recent TV show or movie, it's all about sex, drugs, and war. I think I'll stick to sports. 

Too funny not to include.
via: http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/Newt-and-March-Madness.htm

Favorite song of the week: St. Patrick's Day by John Mayer

"No way November will se our goodbye, when it comes to December it's obvious why. No one wants to be alone at Christmastime. Come January we're frozen inside, making new resolutions a hundred times. February won't you be my Valentine? And we'll both be safe 'till St. Patrick's Day."

What a great day!

I have to thank everyone. Especially Rebecca, who planned a wonderful 21st birthday for me. She took me to dinner with Ashley, then shopping, then got most of the BYUtv Sports crew together to go out for frozen yogurt. How do I top that for her birthday?! (Ideas are always welcome.) Also to my dad for making me breakfast and taking me out to lunch. And for the cake Sarah made for me not knowing I'd be back in Provo...I'm sorry. I can't wait to try it!

Also, a HUGE thank you to everyone who called, texted, facebooked...whatever. That really means the world to me. The only reason I love my birthday is so I get to talk to (most) everyone who I love all in one day! It's amazing, that never happens on any other day. All of my friends come together, even if it is for a few seconds. I could care less about getting older...I feel so blessed to have the coolest people in my life and I'm grateful for it. So, thank you to everyone who celebrated with me. I really mean it. 

Top left: I love Kaitlin and Stephie for letting me come home to this. Also for the gifts. Best roommates ever.
Top right: Stephie made me CHOCOLATE CAKE BALLS! Oh my goodness...so yummy. We still have a few left, anyone is welcome to come over and eat away.
Bottom left: My purchase at Banana Republic...huge thank you to Caroline for the gift card (you know me too well.)
Bottom right: Yogurtland! Minus Brooke. She wasn't there yet. But we (I) still love her.

I know I'm missing something/someone...I apologize...but it was fantastic. I'm 21!

Temporary vs. Lasting

Yes, I actually do get something out of going to class. Today in Political Science, we were discussing Gorgias by Plato...while I was examining my NCAA bracket. I had one ear in the conversation however, and my professor asked the class if one painful experience would cause the rest of your life to be miserable. That really caught my attention and I continued to really think about it the rest of the period. 


There is no reason that one event should set your whole life back. There is a difference between one miserable experience and and being genuinely happy. Everybody has miserable experiences. The happy man is the one who continues on to be in that happy state, regardless of what just happened to him. Sure, we were sent here to this Earth for a test, so it's going to be a rough road. But, we were also sent here so we could know joy and happiness. We can't experience pleasure without pain, and joy without sadness. Do you realize that heartache comes so we can eventually experience bliss? It's not a punishment. In the long scheme of things, He's doing you a favor. 


I thought it was really interesting that I could hear all that in a college class. I absolutely love the fact that at BYU the professors can relate anything to the gospel, and make it applicable to our spiritual lives.


Back to the subject...one occurence shouldn't set you back from the years you've spent trying to make yourself happy. That's the difference between a man living on Earth, and a man experiencing Earth. Experience comes by trial and error and those trials will only last as long as you want them to. Once you know what they are there, you can take a good look at the cards that life has dealt you and play them how you will. You can choose...happiness or not. 


It's that easy. However--easier said than done. Believe me, I know. But being genuinely happy? It's so worth it.

Flashback.

My childhood days are over! That's so weird. I've been looking through a bunch of pictures my mom as recently scanned for a family project...and I can't help but share them! I know nobody probably will care, but I do, and I really enjoy reminiscing. Somehow I can't find any Junior High pics...that was the segment of my life where my mother only took video. Thankfully that was during "the awkward stage." 

My life as a blonde:

Grandpa Wells and I in Conneticut

We used to be the favorite children...when we were the only children.

Grandma Wells...my babysitter whenever mom was ESPNing!

First day of 1st grade. I think my bangs are bigger than my face.

Thanksgiving Family Portrait...'97? Maybe?

Trip with mom to Guadalajara, Mexico.

This is the first and only time we ever went out for a New Year. We're not really party animals.

I have nothing good to say about this picture. This is just the very beginning of "the awkward stage."
(Before I made the CJH basketball team and got whooped into shape.) Don't worry, it got worse.

9th grade...my trip to ESPN that kickstarted my love for the business.

Junior year...I think. Bowling night with the girls!

I love these women. Graduation '09.

"What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now." -Anon.

He said what?

Have you ever had a person tell you that there was no way you could do something, or that you weren't good enough?

It's definitely happened to me. By a professor, actually. He even laughed at me. I was very surprised and very taken back. And you know what? I did it better and faster than I even thought I could. Well...that's embarrassing. Ha!

So if you're on the side where you are telling someone they can't do something, you're going to look stupid. Even if you have a PhD attached to your name, it doesn't mean you're automatically mature. They'll just take it as a challenge. Be careful what you say.

If you're on the other side...just do it. You can do it, and you can do it well. I'm a strong believer in accomplishing whatever you set your mind to. Don't let anybody step in your way for anything. 

"When something bad happens, you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or can let it strengthen you." -Anon.

Ten things about one miracle.

So it's my last week being underage. Which in Utah, really doesn't mean anything. I'll just have the title of not being "underage." I've made it to official adulthood without an M.R.S. degree. I've also been overwhelmed lately about how pleased I am in the direction my life is going. So, it can only get better with my horizontal driver's license! 


Why my life unquestionably is a miracle:

1. Seeing people who are confident in themselves. 
2. Knowing I have a place somewhere. 
3. Having a love of music. 
4. Knowing what I'm doing when I walk into work. 
5. The snow. Skiing. Mountains. Everything about it.
6. Being able to go home after a long week.
7. Making life goals and dreaming about them. 
8. Having the ability to exercise. 
9. Adapting to change.
10. Being the oldest of an indestructible family. 

Favorite song of the week: Fix You by Coldplay

"When you lose something you can't replace, when you love someone but it goes to waste, could it be worse? But if you never try you'll never know, just what you're worth. Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones. And I will try to fix you." 

WCC.

What a way to begin March Madness. Okay, yeah, so we just are at the WCC Tournament...but we're at the WCC Tournament! It's basketball 24/7 and I could never complain. We came down here to shoot an 8 minute segment for CoogTube that aired this morning, so Wednesday and Thursday was kinda nuts. But now we're just watching/filming games for future use. One week in Las Vegas watching basketball...I think I chose the right major.

Most people ask if I learn anything. I don't think I've ever learned more. Not just about film, cameras, editing...but about people and communication. It's so helpful to know how to go up and talk to a person, and to make friends with them. More useful than you might imagine. This major is perfect for me.