An appeal for financial support of the Hawkins family with four missionary sons

16 March 2018

Bishops and Branch Presidents...

In all my years in the Church (all my life…and this is my big 7-0 year—a lot of years) I don’t think I’ve personally known a family with 4 children on a mission at the same time. I’ve not seen anything like it since the four sons of Mosiah! :)

We have that amazing “feat” in our stake right now. I had the privilege of setting apart Dustin and Austin Hawkins this week and Bishop and Sister Hawkins, of the Estacada Ward, now have both sets of their twin sons serving in the field—and will have for the next 16 months.

Preston is in Colorado, Dustin is in the Dominican Republic (the older twins), with the younger twins, Trenton in Argentina and Austin in the MTC in Provo headed soon to Minnesota.

We salute the Hawkins family and are grateful for their family’s sacrifice, example and service.

Speaking of sacrifice…the Hawkins are not asking for financial help, but needless to say supporting four missionaries is going to be strain, as it would be on any family. While they are blessed with extended family, many who will be helping, it’s still going to be a financial stretch to support all four boys, who fortunately raised enough to get themselves into the field and some through their first months.

Many of you, if not all, have built up a surplus of funds in your ward or branch General Missionary account where members have donated over the years for missionaries in your ward and you just haven’t needed all of the funds to support those missionaries. Please review your account and if you feel there are extra funds you can spare, this would be a great time to send a check from your ward or branch to the Estacada Ward to deposit in their General Missionary account. Feel no obligation, but we want you to be aware. 

This is also a good time to approach those families in your ward who have come to you privately to say, “If there’s ever a need to support a missionary, please let me know.” Feel free to forward this email to those wonderful, generous members so they’ll now know there is an opportunity to bless a missionary family. They can donate to your ward/branch Missionary Fund and you can then transfer money to the Estacada Ward.

Thank you for giving this your consideration as we all rally around this family with four mighty missionary sons.

Gratefully,

President Lewis

Photo: Preston (Colorado), Trenton (Argentina), Austin (Minnesota) and Dustin (Dominican Republic)