My Momma

Eva Hawkins

Proverbs 31:10-29

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

Papaw Browning

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.


She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheth her arms.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

Mamaw Browning

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She stretcheth out her hands to the poor: yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household are clothed with scarlet.

Mom & her younger brother Emory Browning

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.


She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.


Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.



Momma,
You always ask me if I know how much you love me. The answer is no. I will never know how deep your love for me goes.

Thank you for loving me unconditionally.
Thank you for teaching me what love is and how to love.
Thank you for never giving up on me.
Thank you for raising two daughters and a son that love each other and the Lord.
You are the glue that holds us together.

Mom, you are a virtuous woman.

Your Precious,
Shelli

My Daddy

Don Hawkins
Age 21

Let me introduce you to my daddy. His name is Don Hawkins. As with my last two posts, each member of my family holds a special place in my heart, but for this post I will be talking about my daddy.

My dad is a wonderful man. He has allowed God to use his life in a great way. It's good to see your parents grow in the Lord over the years. I have a lot of respect for my dad.


My parents were married May 31, 1970, and before their first anniversary my dad was drafted into the Army. Because the Vietnam Conflict was coming to a close, he did not have to go to Vietnam, and only served 2 years in Germany. Thank you dad for your service to our country.

My sister was born while my dad was in Germany, and soon both mom and new baby joined dad in Germany. Life for the newlyweds must have been interesting those first couple of years.

As the years rolled on, their marriage grew stronger, and they managed to pop out a couple more babies - Mark & me - for a total of 3 gorgeous, beautiful, precious children. Well, maybe I am exaggerating about the gorgeous and beautiful, but according to mom we are all "precious babies."


Our family lived in Virginia until 1985. Up until this time, my dad was an electrician in the coal mines, and the coal business continued to steadily go down hill. After an unfortunate layoff, my dad found a job in Macon, Georgia. He began work for a large publicly traded aggregates company called Florida Rock Industries and worked there until 1991. No doubt about it God was working in our family's life.

From 1985-1991 we attended Gilead Baptist Church. The children attended Gilead Christian Academy, and my parents attended the Bible institute absorbing every bit of teaching they could get their hands on. My parents learned a great deal under the ministry of Pastor Emory Bowker.

Age 26

My dad knew he needed more training for the ministry and began to seek God's will about attending a Bible college. Our family visited Ambassador in Shelbyville, NC, and thought that maybe the Lord was leading in that direction. We also visited Northland Baptist Bible College , and after one visit we knew this was where the Lord was leading. So, when my parents were in their mid 40s they went back to school to put some more "spiritual tools" in the tool box.

Both my parents graduated from Northland in 1996. It has brought me great pleasure to see my parents submit to the Holy Spirit over the years. They are now pastoring full time in Eagle River, WI. The church is now debt free and has a stable core of believers.

Dad & Ethel Hughes

Dad,
It would take me for ever to express to you how much I love and appreciate you. There is no person in this whole wide world that can make my heart melt like you can.

Thank you for being faithful.
Thank you for having devotions every day.
Thank you for submitting your will to the Holy Spirit.

I Love You,
Shellbuck