Homecoming

Allesha is coming home!!! She will be home July 13, 2011. She will be speaking in church July 17, 2011 at 1pm at the LDS church on the North side of Guadelupe Rd. in between Lindsay and Val Vista. We will also meet at my parents' house that night at 7pm. Hope you can make it!

Just a quick one (June 28, 2011)

So I have very very little time today.  I can't believe my mission's all wrapping up.  I have a lot of emotions right now and I'm just trying to trust in the Lord to carry me through.  The Farewell devotional with President Murri was really nice and he gave us each a hug (which I have to confess felt a little weird after a year and a half of no touching anything male).  But it was special circumstances and it was nice to say goodbye.  I love the Murris a lot and we'll definitely stay in touch. 

Our investigators are doing well.  We found the family again and they're still doing great.  The work keeps progressing and we keep working hard. 

 

Love you all!  Be good!  Talk to you next week!

-Hermnaa  Hatch

Buenas Tardes! (June 21, 2011)

Hey family!

 

Thanks so much for all of your love and support- especially with all the craziness with my applications, interviews, and business of coming home.  You guys really are the best and I love you so much!  Thanks for the idea about piano lessons heather.  I will definitely think about it and consider it.  It could be a really great way to make some extra income.  I can't believe that you're really moving! :(  So sad!  But I'll definitely be coming to visit!  AnD Joy, I'm actually way excited to have people at home.  That'll be really fun and I'm excited to get to spend time with Dallin!  I am pretty excited to see both my little nephews that aren't as little anymore!  

 

So I'll be giving my homecoming talk the Sunday I come home?  Craziness!  That's fine if it works out since Josh leaves the next monday- more craziness!  I'm not exactly sure how it works but are you supposed to set up the appointment with the Stake President Wed for when I come home to be released or do they contact you?  I got my flight plans this week so I'm assuming you did as well.  I just still can't believe it.  Do you think you could schedule some doctor's appointments for me?  Doctor (I evidently need to get a TB test again), Dentist, and eye doctor?  The best days would be tues or wed of the week after I get home or if you can't then the week after that.  I'm thinking of maybe coming back the weekend after I get home if that's when Dario's going through the temple- if I can of course.  Maybe as a birthday present? :)  We're still not sure when he's going through so it's all still up in the air.

 

Yeah so I guess the interview went ok.  They told me you were in the other room mom- so crazy!  I didn't know you could hear me.  Dr. Spencer said it was good but I think it was so-so.  I've been away along time and I had a hard time verbally expressing what I was thinking.  But, I guess it was good enough cause we're moving forward.  It was a very stressful PDay- to say the least.  But I'm glad it's over and everything worked out.  I also had to spend some time practicing the cello- yup you heard right.  I found out this last week that the Bishop's son has a cello checked out from school for the summer.  Forunately I randomly brought some music with me (just in case :) )and also fortunately there's an Elder in my ward that plays the piano really well.  So we are playing a special musical number this week at President Murri's farewell devotional with our Zone and in church next week.  It's nice to play and I'm excited I get to use this talent at least once!  

 

The work is still going well and we are working hard.  Rodrigo is slowly progressing although he didn't make it to church this week :(  The family didn't either- they had visitors.  They also weren't there for there lesson yesterday which never happens- bad sign.  I'm a little nervous but I bet it's nothing and we'll find them again soon.  We had a great spur of the moment lesson last night for FHE.  The hermano that was supposed to give it said he couldn't come at the last minute.  So, Dario put in one of the D&C church movies- the "Only a Stonecutter" and it ended up being exactly what everyone needed.  I don't know if you've seen it- but it's very inspirational and every felt chastened a little for the little things they complain about- like driving to church 30 min away.  This man gave a lot and walked for like 8 hours to fulfill his calling as a stone cutter- even after he lost a leg.  I was moved by it as well and feel a greater desire to live in such a way that one day when we are in heaven I can feel proud standing side by side with this faithful brother- and others like him- and not feel ashamed at the little excuses or complaints I gave when asked to serve or live a commandment.  I love this Gospel and I love my Savior and I am determined to serve Him my whole life. 

I love you all!  Keep the letters coming ;)  

 

-Hermana Hatch

Hace mucho calor! (June 14, 2011)

So it's heatin up here.  It's actually been pretty nice so far and everyone keeps saying how surprised they are how long the cool stayed.  I just tell them it's cause I'm here and I've been praying and I'm pretty sure my mom has been too. :)  But alas it was bound to come and it's good cause it means more work for the field workers.  Today it hit 100.  We taught a lesson outside.  Enough said.

haha I'm just kidding, it's really not that bad.  We're tough.  Well, we've had an awesome week!  That intense story I have just may have to wait cause I don't know how much time I have.  I'll tell you when I get home. :)

 

I don't know if I mentioned them, but we are teaching a family.  The mom is from Honduras and the dad is from Guatemala and the kids are American.  We knocked into them.  It's actually a funny story.  We were knocking this street cause we knew there were elect on it and it was actually time to go somewhere else, but me in my OCDness saw the two doors left on the block and said.  Let's just finish these last two.  Well, she let us right in- which she told us later she never does.  I guess that day she was actually really wanting someone to teach them.  Anyways, the dad doesn't really listen- except last week he watched the restoration movie with us and yesterday knelt down to pray with us.  He's really nice.  The mom is so sweet and makes us food EVERYTIME we visit them.  So delicious!  She's taught us a couple things too.  They have 5 kids- one is moved out of the house and then there is a 15, 14, and 11 and a little 1 year old.  They are so great and the teenagers read the Book of Mormon and Jose (14) prayed about Jose Smith and bleieves that it's true!!!! He's so sweet!  This last week they totally came to church!!!!!!!! (pues the mom and kids).  It was so awesome!  They had to get gas and wanted us to go on without them (they were gonna follow us there) but I was determined that they were gonna make it to church.  So we stayed with them.  it took 3 gas stations cause one was out of gas (what the heck right?) and one didn't have power.  Satan was sure working on them.  Well, finally success and they loved church!  The kids are planning to go to mutual tomorrow night and we have a Father's day activity fri night the mom is gonna make rice for.  I love them so much!!!  So happy!

 

We are also teaching a friend of Anastacio (recent convert).  He wanted piano lessons so I told him I'd give them to hiim for free and then after I asked if we could teach him about the book of Mormon.,  He comes to FHE in Arvin and yesterday he accepted a baptism date!  He's so awesome!  And on Sunday Anastacio and ramon (two of my converts) wore white shirts and ties and passed the sacrament!  Woohoo!  It was such a great week!  

 

Well, things are going great.  I've been thinking about the job and it still feels good, but I am scared because if I had my own program there wouldn't be as much pressure with someone watching over your shoulder.  I could do things my own way and not have to cater to someone else's teaching philosophy.  I feel like the assistant position would be kind of like a whole nother year of student teaching.  Ijole.  That was tough.  But then again, beggars can't be choosers and I'm not so prideful to think that I couldn't use more assistant experience, learning from an established teacher.  I guess it would be kind of like having my own mentor teacher built in. :)  Well, I need to call President and get permission to give out my number.  I'm pretty sure he'll give me permission to email it to you tomorrow or get it to you through the office staff or something.  So for today, there's not much I can do.  I'm gonna pray A LOT today and communicate with you tomorrow through email or the office.  plus I will send an email to Dr. Spencer (through you) for whatever I decide.  I'm leaning towards taking it seeing as it would be a great learning experience and I would love to have some sort of work in the field that I love and studied.  

 

Love you all,  talk to you soon,

Hermana Hatch

Where has the time gone?!!!!!! (May 31, 2011)

Ok pues we actually got some computers today so I get a chance to write.  Hooray!  Sorry about the last couple of weeks.  We've been having to share time on one computer and I want my companion to have what time she needs to write to her family.  Thanks so much Heather for the teaching philosophy papers.  My companion was like "what, you don't remember?"  Yeah it's pretty crazy but she'll see when you try to forget everything outside of the mission and the gospel for a year and a half and "leave all wordly cares behind" you tend to forget things.  Especially here in Arvin.  It really feels like I'm in a foreign country.  The other day when we were in Bakersfield we stopped by Wal Mart- we just recently got permission to go to a store we don't have here when we're in Bakersfield- and I saw the 7th HP movie part one on dvd and I was in shock.  I had completely forgotten about it and it was so weird to see dvds of movies I have not even heard of.  It's kind of nice being away from it all.  I've come to realize that we really can live and be extremely happy without all the worldly things and entertainment.  In fact, it feels good to be so disconnected.  Ok, that doesn't mean I will not watch movies when I get home ;)  But I have learned how little importance all of that actually plays.  At the beginning of my mission I would see a movie on a bilboard or hear one playing in another room or something and sometimes I would just long to watch it and really miss it.  But I can honestly say that I don't really miss anything about life outside of the mission now- other than you all of course!!!!  Ok thanks for listening to me ramble on.  I don't know how or why I got on that tangent.

 

Thanks mom for sharing your thoughts about being critical.  it's definitely something that I've been working on during the mission.  Through interactions with companions I've realized that I really am quite a critical person and it's a really hard habit to break.  But I'm trying and we are all works in progress.  A lot of times it's just the way that we phrase or say something that makes it critical.  I definitely have gained a tstimony that we have the Spirit more when we keep our language uplifting with each other and focus on the good things.

 

Being a trainer has gotten easier and although Hna randall and I are very different, we communicate well and are overcoming our differences.  It's been a fun process and I love her a lot.  Her spanish is improving and she's becoming a great missionary.  I call her my prodigy child.  She's super sweet and fun and I'm excited to report that we are staying together for my last transfer!  woohoo!  President called us yesterday for transfers (which really freaked me out cause he usually only calls when there are changes)  but he said that he decided not to trunky transfer me (last transfer change).  So I get to finish my mission here in Arvin!!!!!  I'm so happy and excited!  I'm not gonna lie, they've already started planning my farewell party hahaha.  I guess they can't wait to see me go. :)

 

I love these people so much!  They have become my family!  Let me tell you about a couple of people I've grown to really love here.  First is Dario.  Dario is a recent convert of about a year.  He was found and taught by some of my prior companions.  he was golden from the start and is funny and super intelligent and is gonna be a general authority one day.  Until then, he can be the Arvin branch president.  He goes out with us to lessons and is basically our ward mission leader out here in Arvin (unofficially).  He is going to be going through the temple either my last week here or after I leave and I am totally gone be there!  

 

Ok well unfortunately that's all the time I have so I guess you'll have to wait to hear about the rest of them.  I'm doing well, the Lord is helping us out so much and constantly guiding the work here.  Everytime I feel like I'm at the end of my rope with someone or something, the Lord guides me and gives me the answer or comfort I need to keep going and help these people. 

A lot of the people we're teaching right now aren't really progressing, but we keep working hard and I have faith that the Lord can work miracles.  

 

I love you all so much!  BTW, thanks for the pictures!  That was awesome!  And the clothes were perfect mom!  You guys are so great!.  Have a great week and behave yourselves.  You are all in my prayers!  

 

Love,

Hermana Hatch

Buenas tardes! (May 17, 2011)

Hello my dear family!  well, I have a short bit of time on the computer today.  The library is quite full- so this is going to be short and sweet.  I hope that you are doing well and I keep you in my prayers always.  I got the package today!  AWESOME!  I was super excited to get the shirts and cookies!  You know how much I love those cookies. :)  thanks!

So this last week was good.  We reccently gained tahachapi as part of our area and I always love driving up there.  It's about 20 minutes away in the hills and this past saturday we went and taught a couple of people- even though it's mostly english speakers.  We saw this man on a bike and I felt an urgency to talk to him so we did and found out he used to live in Las Vegas and his brother that lived there was a mormon and gave him a BofM that he read and liked and his brother would explain things.  Well his brother has since then passed away and he lost the book, but the Lord led us to him and now he has another one and I'm super excited to teach him. 

The weather actually hasn't been as bad lately and even a bit chillly the last couple of days (tender mercy).  It's nice.

Well, I love you all and I'll talk t you next week.  be good people!

Love,

Hermana Hatch

Feliz dia de la madre (May 11, 2011)

I actually found out this week that Mothers Day in Mexico is actually on May 10th, so yesterday everyone was celebrating.  Interesting huh?  Well it was awesome to get to talk to you all!!!  I loved it and I'm glad that you're all hanging in there- even with your crazy lives.  Thanks for making the effort to be there so I could talk to you all.  It meant a lot to me.  Keep me posted on your lives and what's going on with each of you.  I love to hear from you in emails, letters, or even random packages ;) (hint hint..) Thanks for sharing about Sister Mooney with me mom.  It does bring me comfort that it really all will work out.  I will get sent to you my application when I can but we had a really stressful, crazy Pday- let's just say I had about 15 minutes to sit down.  My poor greenie...

Yes you can sell the rug and the mirror- maybe not the toaster.  I may need such things in the near future.

Ok, well we had Zone Conference yesterday and that was pretty fun.  I got to see Hermana Doxey which was awesome!  I really do love that girl and miss her.  She's white wash training right now so I can't even imagine what she's going through.  We learned a lot and I'm trying to already apply the things they taught us.  There was a part when Pres was talking about the new mission President and it was so sad cause I knew I wouldn't ever really get to know him.  He seems like a really great man and has 4 kids, 3 of which are going to be living with them here in the mission cause they're still young.  Crazy!  I can't even imagine what it would be like to be a mission president.

So we have this investigator named Jesse.  He is 18 or 19 years old and we found him adn his mom knocking.  His mom listens to the lessons too but she's basically told us she's not really planning on changing religions any time soon.  She doesn't want to cause problems with her husband.  Anyways, she was the one who had let us in (very happily by the way- which is not normal) and then proceeded to invite her son in to listen.  Jesse has had a rough life and has been in a dark place for a long time, but we had an awesome first lesson and since then things have just gotten better and better.  He's changed so much.  Well, the whole 2 months we've been teaching him he always told us he wouldn't come to church because he doesn't like to be around people and he's had some bad experiences.  But this last wed when we went by he told us he had an answer and that he was ready to go to church.  I can't tell you how exciting that was!  We were so nervous the rest of the week that he would back out but when Sunday came and we knocked on the door he answered- all ready to go!  he followed us in his car to the church and sat through all of sacrament meeting!!!  He said it was a good experience, but he's kind of hard to read so I'm really excited to go visit him today and see how he liked it.  I love him and his mom and they are wonderful people.  I'm so excited for him and just pray that he recieves more answers and one day soon enters the waters of baptism.

We've also been praying to find a family to teach because we've been teaching a lot of single men (funny, I know).  And this last week we found 2!!!  Hopefully they progress.  We have also been praying a lot about Rafael and we were so lost and had no idea what else to do.  But Monday morning while I was studying an answer came to my mind and now we have some direction and we'll push forward.  I am so grateful for the Spirit and the ability we all have to recieve revelation.  Sometimes the Lord has us wait a time before He gives us an answer, but that's only to increase our faith.  And I know that an answer does and always will come, and at the right timing.  The problem is that we want things in our timing and in our way, and we forget to trust in the Lord and haith faith and trust in Him and what He wants.  But like it says in the BD, the goal of praying is not to change the Lord's mind, but to change our will to fit His and recieve blessings He already has waiting and ready to give us if we ask.

Monday night we were trying to invite people to Noche de Hogar and none of our investigators could go.  Finally, like 2 minutes before it started we decided to go by the house of one more and invited Junaita and Mauricio.  Juanita is an older, funny lady and Mauricio rents from her and is a young man (brother of a former investigator).  Well, they both said they would come, we called and got a ride for them on the spot, and they both came and the lesson was awesome!!!  Alvaro (recent convert that got baptized April 6 and can't read very well) gave the lesson and he did awesome!  The Spirit was so strong and the members were so great and they both are planning on coming to church on Sunday and thanks to the members have rides set up and great fellowship.  AMAZING!  I love these people!

I hope that you are all doing well and I'll talk to you again next week.  Be good people and remember who you are!  I love you!

Con muchissimo amor, Hermana Hatch