Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Hope in and through His Atonement and Charity, the pure love of Christ.
These are interesting doctrines and if adopted into our behavior become life changing, now and in the eternities. Much could be said and written in this blog about these teachings, but this is not my intent. I want to express the strength of each and the power they carry, but when taken together, when we apply them as a whole they become more powerful, they synergize in strength and carry greater force in their application… they are a Triad of Strength to help us personally and to help us, to help others.
We have exercised Faith, and will continue to do so; We have Hope, yet we seek a greater measure; We strive to live Charitable lives, to become as Christ is; to do as he would do… this is a mountain that might take a lifetime to climb… a little here and a little there… line upon line, precept upon precept, never giving up and always in the ascent…. Thank goodness for the gift of forgiveness.
Tomorrow Adam goes back under the surgeon’s knife… it scares me to death. I find myself totally exposed; my insides are on the outside for the world to see.. the outer shell has been removed, no protective armor, only exposed feelings… I have no pride and only seek mercy for our boy.
If I could ask each of you (I am not accustom to asking) to please exercise Faith, Hope and Charity in Adam’s behalf tomorrow. Exercise the power of prayer and fasting for his surgeons and doctors to be guided in their skills…. Pray that they will possess greater skills and knowledge than they now possess. Exercise the power of Faith in Adam’s healing.
Tomorrow we are going to have a family fast for Adam… if you would like to join us we would be very grateful.
Those of you who have offered comments on this blog, we offer our heart-felt gratitude… Thank you. We have read each of them to Adam, he very much enjoys hearing them.. he doesn’t think he is worthy of all your wonderful comments, he is a humble young man. If any of you are so inclined please send him a note, it is one of our better moments to sit down with him and read you comments.
Faith, Hope and Charity, what wonderful teachings, what wonderful doctrines, what wonderful qualities to possess. May we all seek them, may we all strive to exercise them in our daily lives.. Faith, Hope, Charity: A Triad of Strength for Humanity.
Adam Hawkes 
Adam, tomorrow is another day, a scary one, but it is another chance for you to be strong and be a missionary. So many people are praying for and thinking about you and the trials you are going through, and through all of our combined faith, miracles can happen, miracles that would not be possible if it were not for your struggles. I know this is true. As I have been told many times, the Lord is mindful of each of us individually. As you go into surgery and recovery you will be strengthening the testimonies of so many others. Thank you for your service, and thank you Brother Hawkes for sharing so openly.
Adam, we love you so much!! You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.You are a special young man! The Lord has given you a very difficult test to go through here on earth, but I know the Lord entrusted it to you because he knew you were strong and that you and your family have the faith and knowledge that the Lord will be with you at all times.Trust in him, lean on him, let him carry you when you just can’t do it anymore. Adam, you are an inspiration to all you meet, we love you dearly as I know our brother Jesus Christ loves you! Stay strong, and know that we are sending you our love and support. Love,
Janae and the fam.
Hello, Adam! I’m afraid you will only just remember me, but I remember you very well! You were that kid that was always running around, playing on the farm at Chuck and Dixie’s, and at the house built behind their house. You were full of life and such a funny character! And one time I babysat you and the twins with either Melanie or Tiffany, I can’t remember. I gave you a swirly in the toilet. Remember that? Oh, you were mad at me! I would have been mad at me too! I wasn’t trying to be mean, I remember that much. I just don’t remember what happened to make me think it was validated. It probably wasn’t. But you forgave me afterwards, or at least acted like you did. Then you moved away to Florida but still came back to Washington to visit. We hung out in Dixie’s basement. You showed me and we talked about your Halo video games/magazines. I couldn’t believe how much you had grown since you moved! I remember this quite well because you made an impact on me: You were growing into a young man. You had become a pleasant person to have a conversation with. Gone was the little boy who ran around crazy. You still had that energy, but it manifested differently. You sat and talked to me for a long time. I enjoyed it!
I heard that you’d been sick. I was really sad about that. Then my sister, Emily, came to visit your family in FL a couple of years ago and I found you on facebook. I was excited that she had visited. I asked about you specifically and she said you were so much fun to hang around with and that you wanted to go everywhere with her. And you did. And she enjoyed it too.
I guess there is something about you that touches people. People naturally like you. That is a unique quality. Your dad is a wonderful person to write this blog. Perhaps it is like therapy for him to write this blog about you. But I’m thankful he’s writing. He writes so clearly, I can’t help but feel emotional as well. You are a good person! You are a wonderful person! I am so happy to know you. I will continue to think of you daily. I will read the blog and rejoice in the progress you make. You have a wonderful, supportive family. I count myself as part of your extended family, so I will join in the family fast for you tomorrow.
You are a strong, courageous person. You are a fighter. I am privileged to know you. I’m no longer in Washington, but I still hope to see you again. I have never been to DisneyWorld and I will be in need of a tour guide. I hear from a reliable source that you’re a good one. 🙂
Best wishes.
Love, Tami Blakemore Scheuffele
Hey Adam! I’ve loved reading all the updates your dad is posting. You have no idea how much I’ve cried while reading about your updates. Today as I read the blog, I couldn’t help drawing parallels between your seizures and the demons that Jesus cast out in the New Testament. I started looking up scriptures that related to that, and thought I would share some of the ones that I found most powerful:
Matt 17:18,21- “And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. …
“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
We are fasting and praying for you that this devil may be cast out!
Mark 9:26-27 – “And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
“But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.”
Jesus is always watching over you, and he will take you by the hand and lift you up!
1 Ne 11:31 – “And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out.”
Also, I find a lot of comfort in 3 Nephi 17, and it would be a great chapter to have someone read to you.
Lots of thoughts and prayers coming your way the next few days. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me! I am astounded by your example!
Adam you don’t know me but I will be praying for you . I know that our Heavenly Father knows you and what you are facing and he will be right beside you the whole way, just remember that he loves you as well as your family and friends and strangers, like me:) May our Heavenly Father grant you and you
family peace and comfort as this trying time. Love Sister Post
Dearest Adam, and family,
I sit here, today…feeling a multitude of emotions for each and every one of you. Your faith humbles me, your words inspire me, your journey guides me on a path to be closer with God.
I first met your family when my daughter, Hannah, was invited to be part of the Living Nativity that your family hosted this past Christmas. It truly was an incredible thing to be a part of, and it helped to teach my three children about the true meaning of Christmas…what a true GIFT, and JOY the Son of God was to the world…much as Adam’s strength, courage, and kindness are to us all 🙂
That you could, as a family, have been experiencing such difficulty…I had no idea. But, now, the gift fellowship that my family experienced at your home seems all the more precious!
I recently witnessed a terrible, and fatal accident and it left me feeling very troubled. A heavy heart, and a feeling of insecurity in that life is so fragile. I had been feeling so unsettled, and was left questioning…WHY? Why do these things happen? Why do we SEE these things happen when there is NOTHING we can do to fix it, or even to help?
I think the answer lies in the journey…and the people that God puts in our path along the way.
The things that you, as parents, have had to witness, and have been forced to allow to happen are things that I cannot even begin to imagine myself doing, but I find myself SO incredibly grateful for the words that you have shared. Grateful for your bravery. The selfless choices that Adam has made in everything, including sharing this journey with us all.
I pray for physical and emotional comfort and strength for you all.
I pray for God’s hands to guide Adam’s surgeons’ hands.
I pray for healing peace to come over you all.
I pray that the very best of your pasts, will be the worst of your futures.
I pray for Adam’s complete recovery.
My family, those of us who have not already fasted, will definitely be fasting with the ‘masses’ (i’m sure) tomorrow! and Mike, I am so touched by this blog, ever since my dad (Grant) told me about it I find myself not able to think of anything else. I wake wondering how Adam is and check to read any new up dates, constantly! Your raw and unabashed narrative has brought us all on this roller coaster with you, we are now all walking the razors edge in our hearts and minds along with you. The contiuous faith that pervades your writting has strengthend my own… Bonnie LaCrosse
Hi Adam: This is Sister Barker from Fleming Island. You were in our ward when you were just a little boy so you probably won’t remember me. We didn’t like it very much when your mom and dad moved you so far away because we love you all so much and we have missed your family and often think of you.
I can remember coming to your birthday party when you were 3 or 4 years old just before you moved away. Now I look at your pictures and see a very handsome grown man.
But, what I remember the most about you was your VAST knowledge of dinosaurs. You kept us all enthralled with how much you knew. It was unbelievable! You knew every type and showed us all the pictures and told us what they were and all about them. Some of them must have had 20 letters in their names. You were incredible then and I know you still are. When you get better, I must come down for a visit and refresher dinosaur course!
I am so sorry you are going through so many physical trials. Pain is something no one wants and you have had way too much. I hear that you are a super star when it comes to bravery and endurance. I know tomorrow is going to be a really big day for you and I want you to know that I will continue to pray and will fast with your family for Heavenly Father to be with you, your family and those taking care of you. You and your family are so special and I know He will be with you all. Heavenly Father has a great plan for you.
Love, Sister Barker
Dearest Adam,
I’ve been wanting to leave you a note before lights out; but guess what? Marylin Pedrick is at a loss for words! That first day you arrived with the missionaries & shook our hands, you walked into our hearts. There will always be a place there where only you can dwell. This day our hearts are filled to overflowing with love for you, but nigh to breaking with the knowledge of what you have already endured & what awaits you yet, tomorrow. My motto ~ if you can call it that ~ in the years following my accident has become “Believe.” Matthew 21:22 says, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” To me, “Belief” is more or less synonymous with “Faith.” Faith & Belief is what brought me from quadriplegia to what I am today ~ in addition to God’s unfathomable love, mercy & grace. Every thought of you becomes a prayer going Heavenward in your name. Your parents chose the perfect name for you, “Adam Michael.” You are Christ-like & an inspiration to everyone you meet, as well as every one whose life you touch. I’ve never seen God, but I know how it feels. It”s people like you & your dear, sweet family, who make our Heavenly Father so real. May He be present with your family as you & the surgeons make that final decision regarding tomorrow’s surgery; present to guide the surgeons hands as they operate; & grant them the wisdom & knowledge necessary to perform the surgery. I already know angels will be surrounding the operating table. Tomorrow may be bittersweet because of what you must endure; but we also believe it will be the beginning of your new life in which you will be made completely whole. Adam, we love you ~ as only God knows, & we’ll be fasting & praying,as we told you we would. Also, we plan to look in on you in the morning before you leave. Until then, God bless you & grant you a pain-free & restful night. Nite. Nite.
Marylin & Mark
Adam,
I knew you when you were just a brand new baby entering this world. Your sweet mom and I had a wonderful friendship. I had a daughter just a couple of months after you were born so we shared so much. I can’t even begin to tell you how anticipated you were! Everything in your parents’ world was focused on you! They knew what they were receiving.
I fell out of touch with them for many years because we all moved on to different duty stations but some friendships are close enough that they can be found again. Some friendships were made in the pre-existence.
I can’t begin to tell you how much of a blessing you are to them and to everyone else you touch. Your father’s words that he posts to keep us all informed give us a glimpse into your personal spirit. The person you are is who you were before you came. Your strength is a small bit of what made you before the veil. Your love and courage is what is holding your family together and helping them grow in a place where so many would falter.
So many of us wish there was something… ANYTHING we could do to help even in the slightest of ways to make this easier for you, less painful, more manageable, and to aid the doctors’ hands so they will be staid and sure. Our family will be joining the fast and praying steadfastly through your surgery that Heavenly Father will guide every movement in the best direction that it can improve and repair and heal.
My daughter, Sariah (the one who is a couple months younger than you) asked me to make sure you know that she will be praying and fasting throughout the day for you.
I hope the love of so many people will be felt and help lift and carry you through this. We love you, Adam
The Yarbers (Dave, Katrina, DJ, Micah, Sariah, Ammon, Naomi, and Eden)
Thank you for searching us out… we appreciate the friendship that has been re-found. Take care
I love you Adam, Cindy, Mike and the rest of the family! I am fasting with you all today, and keeping you all in the prayer in my heart.
Praying for you, Adam!
Adam,
I am sitting here in a little dive in China at lunch time surrounded by people who are not able to fully partake of the wonderful gift of Faith in Jesus Christ. They must think I am a strange sight. A weird foreigner sitting here wiping tears away as I read your dad’s inspiring words and bask in the Spirit of your example. Thank you for giving me this tender mercy, my friend.
You are teaching Luke, Emma, and Gavin more than you will ever know. Sara and I thank you. We all pray for you and we look forward to seeing and being around you when we return.
Give your wonderful mom and dad a hug for us.
Matt Rose