Happy PDay! (September 13, 2010)

This past week we had a special training for all of the sisters in the mission.  It was Mon-Fri in the mornings.  It was really fun to see, meet, and spend time with all the sisters and all the hermanas.  We had an Hermana from the long polk area with us a nights when we went out proseliting.  She's from Mesa and her name is Hermana Shumway.  She was really fun and I'm excited that we may be companions one day.  We learned a lot in the training and we're really excited to apply it all to our missionary work.  I really am learning a lot about teaching and I know that I'll be able to go home and apply all of these lessons to my career.  I feel like I didn't take a year and a half off of teaching, but am getting more training.  Mi companera and I were actually talking a little bit about our careers this morning.  I try not to think about it A) to keep me focussed and B) it just stresses me out.  I have faith that the Lord will guide my life when I get home and it will all work out.  It was fun to get that little email from Mel.  It's so crazy she's a real teacher.  I'm so glad she's hanging around and taking care of you all.  Tell her I love her a lot and I'll write her in a week or so.  I'm kind of behind on letter writing- now THAT's stressful.  haha.  

 

It was kind of a hard week and we didn't have anybody come to church again yesterday, but we're staying positive, keeping our faith going, and working hard.  We did find a good new investigator yesterday that I'm excited to share the Gospel with.  We taught him right there on the street and I he's been through a lot lately.  I know that the Lord sent us to him and it's going to bless and change his life.  I was also praying for a referral and yesterday at church a member introduced us to her sister and told us she'd be interested in learning more.  Miracles happen everyday and even when things are tough we can always count our blessings and see how much the Lord is guiding us.  

 

Yesterday a member walked in late with her kids and this man dressed in regular clothes and tatoos all over his body and face.  After sacrament meeting we introduced ourselves and took him to gospel principles.  It was so funny cause he was falling asleep throughout the class and kept nodding off and leaning onto my companion.  Finally she elbowed him and he apologized.  Our ward mission leader was sitting on the other side of him and we were silently cracking up, trying so hard not to laugh.  It was pretty great.  Well after the class we got his address (he lives in a different city) to send over the missionaries and gave him a Bof M.  he said he hadn't been to church in three years but that he had actually read the BofM in prison, so we told him that now he has his own copy.  We bore our testimonies and I know he felt the Spirit.  We found out later that the member had actually just barely met him in her parking lot and he had asked for a ride to the bus stop.  She said she doesn't usually give rides to strangers but felt impressed to invite him ot church and he said yes.  (The giving a ride to a stranger thing reminded me of you mom!)  It's just another testimony to me that we are all God's children and He knows and loves us all- no matter who we are or what we've done.

 

Next monday is tranfers so don't send letters next week until you hear from me because there is a possibility that I could be leaving.  I don't really want to leave, but I'll go where I'm sent and I know it will all turn out.

 

I love you all very much and I'm glad to hear you're all doing well.

Lots of love,

Hermana Hatch

Buenos dias (September 7, 2010)

You requested I tell y'all on some of my everyday things that I never mention.  It'll probably be boring but here goes.

 

My allergies are usually pretty good as long as I take an allergy pill.  Yes we go in houses with cats and dogs but I try to stay away from them and not touch.  It works out fine.

 

I go to the chiropractor every monday still and it's glorious!  We DO have a fabulous dinner with members every sunday and yes we eat a lot of rice and beans.  Don't worry, we get some veggies in too.

 

We live in the same apartment complex as the other two hermanas in our ward.  It's a blast!  We have a really nice apartment and everything is great and pretty new!  We're pretty lucky.

 

Every morning I wake up between 6:10-6:30 AM.  We trade off every other day between running, or doing "Dancing w/Doxy".  D w/D is an aerobic workout in which one of the other hermanas who was a dancer basically leads us in a tae-bo sort of workout in the grass in the middle of our apartment complex.  You can just imagine what that looks like.  It's quite funny cause we've actually become quite famous for it and when we see all our neighbors later in the day they always say "hey you guys are the girls that dance in the mornings!"  We're thinking of handing around fliers to the neighbors and starting and ending with a prayer.

Between 7-8 we get ready and eat breakfast.  Most mornings I eat the generic brand of mini-wheats with a cut up banana.  It's delicious!  Yup, I'm one of those people that actually likes to eat the same thing everyday.  We have personal study from 8-9, companion study from 9-10 and language study from 10-11.  Then we leave the apartment and either go to appointments, or knock doors.  Sometimes we get fed by members, sometimes we take a sandwich.  We get home between 9-9:30pm, plan for the next day until 9:30 or 10, do a little before bed reading and then go to sleep.  Exciting huh?  It actually really is.  I never get bored and every day is different and a new adventure.  And as we all know, I'm pretty good at entertaining myself.

 

Did I ever mention that the church came out with a new policy about a month ago that we don't have to wear nylons anymore!!!!  Sorry, radom thought- but it was pretty monumetal.

 

Well, the work keeps moving on.  We had an AWESOME fhe last night in camarillo about baptism and 3 of our investigators were there.  The Spirit was so strong and guided the whole thing, and new converts bore strong testimonies.  It was so perfect and exactly what we've been praying for.  

 

The temple was beautiful and spiritual and I'm so glad that we got to go.  We get to go twice a year, and since that was my second time I can't go again until January.  It's ok though.  We got to go in the new visitors center too and it's gorgeous!  Some young adults from the ward met us there- including Ivy!!!  It was so awesome to be at the temple with her.  Not many people get that opportunity on their mission- to be at the temple in the visitors center with their new convert.  She loved it and told us she wants to go on a mission!!!  She's got a couple of years but she's gonna start saving and preparing now.  Isn't that awesome?

 

Ok, well I think this whole email is kind of scattered and I'm sorry if parts don't make sense.  I love you all sooooo much and of course I miss you.  Be good people and keep being the amazing member missinoaries you are!

 

Love,

Hermana Hatch

Hey Ya'll (August 30, 2010)

Holla familia,

 

Espero que todo esten bien!  Les amo muchissimo!

 

Ok, so I don't have tons of time to write today because our Pday is short.  All the missionaries in the ward I serve in (there are 6 of us) are going to the temple this week and when we go we have to take the extra time from our pday.  And next mon I might not be able to email since it's a holiday, but I can on tuesday.

It's been a dramatic week, with ups and downs, but we're hanging in there.  Anna no longer has a baptism date since she just got a job that makes her work on sunday.  We had a great lesson about priorities so hopefully she makes some changes and follows through with some goals she set so she can go to church again.  Lolita finally called us back and came to church yesterday, but is going to mexico in the next couple of weeks.  Our investigator Rosa is soooo awesome and prays and reads and is learning so fast.  We taught about keeping the sabath day holy and she said she's going to pray for the courage to ask her boss for sundays off.  She's been working for him the last three years without a single day off.  Yeah, it's crazy.  We keep praying for her.  We also taught Juana the word of wisdom this week and she right away said she'd give up everything.  It's funny cause I tried to ask her how often she drinks coffee and such so we could set goals, and she just said that now that she knows it's a commandment she won't have any problem and can just give everything up cold turkey.  Pretty amazing huh?!  She only needs to get sundays off so she can go to church (yup, another one of those).

 

So last week we found and taught this 23 year old young man that said he wanted to be a prophet, and accepted a baptism date the second lesson.  He was awesome, but this week he found out he has to go to mexico for family problems.  He doesn't know his address there and doesn't know when he'll be back.  We found him on Sat and he told us he really didn't want to go and he'd think about it, but then he didn't show up to church.  We're gonna try and find him today, but we're pretty sure he went to Mexico today. 

 

So that was a longer email than I planned but they're also so awesome and interesting and I want to share it all with you.  I love you all and I hope that you have a great week.  Be good people and keep us in your prayers! :)

 

Love, Hermana Hatch

***ATTENTION ALLESHA'S FRIENDS!***

Please email your addresses to heatherdalene@yahoo.com so that I can send them to Allesha. She wants to write you but needs addresses! THANKS!

!Buenos Dias! (August 16, 2010)

Ivy was baptized! She's so awesome and you would all love her so much.  I'm excited for you all to meet her someday.  Her baptism was beautiful and spiritual and just amazing!  I'm gonna print out pictures today and send them.  When she got out of the font I wrapped her in a towel and hugged her. We both were crying and just hugging and she just kept telling us thank you.  It was a moment I will never forget.  She's got a hard road ahead of her, but I know she'll stay strong.

Anna Campos is still not sure about her baptism date.  She wants her whole family to be a part of it and go down this path with her.  So we're trying to teach the whole family.  We had a really great lesson with her 19 year old son on sat and he said he'd take the lessons.  So we're basically teaching everyone now, but her husband.  I love their family so much!  They're so funny and crazy and I can't wait for the day when they all get baptized.  I know it'll happen one day!

I love you all very much and of course I miss you.  But the work is going well, and everyday I learn something new.  Everyday I feel more and more grateful for this opportunity and I am sooo glad that I came on a mission.  I really am so happy, despite the hard times, and I know it's going to shape the rest of my life.  Keep doing the little things, read the BoM, pray, and go to church and you will never stray from the path.  This truly is the Chruch of God on the earth and we are so lucky for the knowledge that we have that God still speaks to man today, and that we have a living prophet.  For pioneer day we went to an activity at the stake center wher they watched the broadcast on motab.  One of our investigators was with us, Anna, and when the prophet got up at the end to speak I excitedly turned to her and told her that the Prophet- God's prophet on the earth- was going to speak.  In that moment I realized how much we take that knowledge for granted and how marvelous and special it is to hear and read the words of the prophets.  We are so blessed.

 

Thank you for all of your love and support!

 

I love you sooooooooo much!

 

con mucho amor,

Hermana Hatch (the favorite ;) )

Howdy y'all (August 9, 2010)

Well, it's been another miraculous week here in Oxnard, CA.  And for reals this time, Ivy is getting baptized this Friday!!!! WOOHOO!!!!  

 

Well, we gave out 12 BoMs this week.  People here are just asking for them!  No, really, we've had multiple people ask us for one before we even offer it.  It's awesome!  The area split has actually been a really huge blessing because we've had time to really work in the areas that we still have and find some great people!  We meet some pretty interesting people in the streets.  Someone told me last night that my Spanish was perfect!  (I had only said a couple lines though so he didn't get to hear the real struggles- ha!)  Evidently in Guadalajara (sp?) there are white, tall women that look English and so I think I'll start telling people that's where I'm from.  It'd probably be a lot more popular than Arizona :)

 

Last night when we were walking to an appointment we talked to this teenage girl in the streets and asked her if she had heard about the BoM.  She told us her friend actually gave her one a few weeks ago.  We found out that this girl we had randomly met in the street was actually a referral given to us by a young man in our ward a week ago that he was gonna set up an appointment with!  We were so excited to meet her and she told us she's coming to Ivy's baptism and that she'll set up a time with her friend to have us teach her at his house (her parents aren't too keen on our religion).  We also "randomly" ran into an investigator that had accidentally given us the wrong address (I know what you're thinking and it WAS an accident :) ).  We were so excited to find him and had an awesome lesson the next day with him!  The Lord definitely guides our footsteps everyday.

 

Lolita came to church, but we found out she's leaving the first week of september to go back to Mexico so she won't be able to be baptized here.  We're going to get missionaries in Mexico to finish teaching her though and help her prepare to be baptized there.

 

Oh, I guess I should let you know today's transfer Monday, but I'm staying here with Hermana Frost for the next 6 weeks.  YAY!  We're excited!

 

I'm out of time, but I love you all soooooooooo much and I hope that you're all doing fantastic!  Be good and remember to read the Book of Mormon everyday!  It can truly bless and change your life. 

 

con muchissimo amor,

Hermana Hatch

Me again :) (August 2, 2010)

Hey Familia!  Thanks for the emails and everything.  You guys are great!

 

So Ivy did not get baptized on saturday.  After praying and fasting, she decided to wait until the 14th of August.  She doesn't have any doubts, it's just that she just barely told her dad she was getting baptized this past wednesday adn her sister is getting married next week, so the timing didn't seem right.  Hermana Frost and I feel good about the change, especially since she told her dad.  Maybe by that time he'll have gotten used to the idea and maybe he'll come or at least maybe her mom.  We'll see.

 

We have two more investigators set with a baptism date.  One is this adorable woman, Lolita.  We met her at an FHE we taught a couple weeks ago and she came up to us after and told us the change she felt being there and listening to us talk.  She came to church yesterday and was crying in la sociedad de soccoro (relief society).  We've only taught her a couple of times but she says she knows it's a good thing and wants to do what it takes to be baptized- pretty amazing huh?  We taught her la palabra de sabiduria on saturday and she's trying to give up smoking and coffee.  We had an awesome recent convert (and her friend) there with us and she bore a powerful testimony that the Lord helps us overcome all of our challenges and the many blessings that she's seen n her life since she joined the church.  She's amazing and I love her so much!

 

The other investigator witha  baptism date is Anna.  We've been teaching her and her 17 year old daughter and just started teaching her 21 year old daughter and her husband.  Anna is awesome and she's become really special to me.  We have a close bond and she's progressed so much since I've been here (they were already teaching her before I got here).  I'm so excited for her and her family.

So our area got cut a bit with the stake getting changed and we had to give a big chunk of our area to the 6thward spanish elders- along with some investigators.  It's been sad, but I'm excited to get the chance to work more in camarillo now that we don't have much area in oxnard.  I'm just learning to always expect change.

 

The Spanish is really coming along.  I understand tons more and feel pretty comfortable in lessons talking about the Gospel.  I'm still not great with the small talk and miscellaneous vocabulary, but I'm amazed at how much I've learned in just the four months I've been in the field.  We get a lot of funny reactions when we talk to people in Spanish, but mostly they're just pleasantly surprised. 

 

Any time you feel discouraged, hopeless, frustrated, hurt, angry, tired, or unworthy fall on your knees and pray!  Many times Satan puts thoughts in our head that tempt us not to pray, but we must fight that temptation and turn to the Lord and pray until we feel like praying.  I remember mom and dad used to say that to us- whenever we'd say i don't want to pray, they'd always tell us that that was when we needed to pray and they would make us pray anyways.  I used to hate that :) But now I am so grateful for that lesson.  Even as a missionary I have those moments and those temptations when I don't want to pray, but then the Lord gently reminds me that it is Satan putting those thoughts in my head and that he trembles and his power weakens each time one man or woman gets on their knees and turns to the Lord.  The Lord is waiting to bless us with open arms, but we have to take the step towards Him.  When we do He will wrap His arms around us and we can't believe how we coud've ever considered turning away for even one moment.

 

Be good people and remember who you are :)

 

con mucho amor,

Hermana Hatch

Hello there! (July 26, 2010)

First of all there have been lots of changes this week.  I forgot to mention last week that there is a new church policy that sisters dont have to wear nylons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The best bithday present ever! (along with your flowers and cds of course)! Everything was awesome and I was so excited to get the random flowers.  Sister benson also called and they sang happy birthday to me.  We hung out with the other hermanas the pday before and we made cake and my comp made crepes for breakfast.  It was a really great day.

 

Our stake had boundary changes this week and a lot of our ward got sent to the other spanish ward.  It's pretty sad.  The strange part is that the split for the spanish wards now goes right down my area, so we dont know what ward we're in.  It takes effect next sunday so we'll see how president re-arranges the areas this week.  It's all a bit crazy and it's hard not to know what's gonna happen.  Either way some of our investigators will go to other missionaries.  It's hard, but i'm learning to have more faith and trust in the Lord and that He will take care of them.  He is really in control, in spite of the imperfections of His missionaries.

 

Ivy gets baptized this week!!!!!!!  I'm so excited!  She told her mom and sisters last week and while they're not thrilled, they're not totally against it.  Her mom has even commented on how they've actually become closer because of it.  She was going to tell her dad last night, but we haven't talked to her yet so we hope it went well.  She's amazing and has such a strong testimony of this Gospel.  Iit has been amazing to see how happy it's made her.  The gospel truly changes lives.

 

We had an awesome week and many neat experiences.  The other day we were Incamarillo and I remembered a referral we got from the zone leaders.  Even though it wasnt in our plans, we stopped by and she was home and immediately invited us in.  She's so wiling to learn and has two little boys that have questions about God too.  On Sunday we called and invited her to church and she said they'd just woken up but i told her to come late (AND they live in camarillo, 15 minutes away). She said she would but most people say that and don't.  after the first hour an hermano came and told me there was a woman there who said it was her first time and we were teacvhing her. She came with her kids and brought along her book of mormon!  We've only taught her once and she knows almost nothing about the church!  It was so awesome!  She loved it and hop[efully she comes to fhe tonight.  I'll keep you updated on her.

 

Love you all sooooo much and I hope that you have a great day!  It's crazy that i've been out for basically a third of my mission.  It's going so fast i can barely believe it!  Be good this week :)

 

con mucho amor,

Hermana Hatch

Hey y'all (July 19, 2010)

Well, it's been an amazing week.  The last few weeks have been pretty tough and the work was slow, but we're learning patience and dilligence- and the Lord always blesses us when we keep working hard.  This past week we found this really great family in Camarillo we're going to be teaching.  They are so prepared and I love them already.  And then Saturday we were fasting for Ivy and we saw other miracles happen in our work.  We were walking and knocking a lot and found really awesome people who are all looking for answers!  In the morning I had an English BoM in my backpack for a little girl in an appointment that fell through.  I kept wanting to take it out all day, but each time I was going to I felt impressed to leave it in.  We met a few people during the day and as it got later I was starting to wonder why I had had that feeling.  At 6 an appt with Ivy fell through which hardly happens and we stopped by the house of a man we talked to a few weeks ago.  When he came to the door he asked us why hadn't we called and what took us so long.  We were speechless, but quickly shared the intro lesson about the BoM with him.  He accepted it all and I instantly knew the BoM I had was meant for him.  He's bilingual but reads better in English.  At the end we asked him when he knew what we said was true, would he be baptized by somebody holding the Priesthood authority of God and he said yes.  He's so humble and I'm looking forward to talking more with him.  Then we went to this other house of somebody we had talked to weeks ago and he also said "what took you so long?  It's been two weeks!"  Again, we were speechless at the hand of the Lord guiding our path.  He has TONS of questions and is a single parent, but we already met with him again and I'm so excited to help him find his answers to questions he's had for years.  

 

Later that day we met a woman randomly from the Phillipines (sp?) who has sooo much faith and has gone through so many trials.  She was awesome and said that they came here for health care three years ago.  But when she was in the Philipines two elders were teaching her but she lost track of them and left her BoM in the Philipines.  We told her we'd send more elders over with another BoM in tagalog.  It's just amazing how the Lord leads us to His children, even across the world.  It made me think of Aaron since that's where he served.  You never know who's lives you touched who will run into some missionaries years later and they'll remember what you taught them.

 

Ivy still hasn't told her parents, but she's still praying and also fasted and felt peace.  We had a great lesson with her about the temple last night and she's shared with us how excited she is to spend the rest of her life in the church, get married in the temple, and raise her family in the Gospel.  She's amazing and I feel that it was worth it to come on a mission just to meet her and help her find the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

The ward is so great here and they help us out a ton.  They love the missionaries so much and have so much respect for us because most- if not all of them- were converts to the church because of some missionaries at some time.  They are such wonderful people, and they are great examples to me of faith and dilligence.  

 

I'm looking forward to your mail this week :)  I know my birthday will be great and I hope that you all have a great week too.  I love you all and miss you!

 

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Hatch

Yay you're alive! (July 13, 2010)

Yes Momma I was getting a little worried, but figured it was probably the week of your second surgery.  How do you feel?  I pray for you every night, and the rest of the family too.  I had a neat experience this week that really made me think of you.  We were in a little area just north of camarillo called Somis.  Our appointment was busy and said to come back in a little so we decided to knock some doors.  We got to this cute little house and knocked and much to our surprise a little woman about your age answered the door with a big grin and immediately told us to come in.  We usually don't get this kind of reaction so we figured she was a member in the English ward.  We went in and sat down and she told us she had just had knee replacement surgery on both of her knees and was at home not working because she was recovering.  I told her my mom just had the same thing done!  She told us about her life and she reminded me of you because she said how much she hated not being able to do anything and how she's so used to going all the time.  She was so sweet and we shared a scripture and a testimony.  I told her the Lord had definitely led us there and she said she knew that He had because she had been feeling down.  The Lord guides our footsteps and I know that He was allowing me to help someone who was going through the same challenges as you, since I can't be at home helping and serving you.  I knew it wasn't a coincidence I was sent to that house.

 

Today's the first sunny day in a while and it's so nice outside.  Time to break out the shorts- haha.  We had zone conference yesterday, which is why I didn't get to email yesterday.  It was really great and we had to guests from the MTC teach us.  They were really great and I learned a lot.  Each time our President speaks to us, a gain a greater appreciation for him and the wonderful man that he is.  Both of the MTC representatives told us how lucky we were to have him and that he's a true example of Christlike attributes.  Elder Bednar said a similar thing when he was here as well.  I feel really lucky to be guided by such an inspired, humble servant of the Lord- not to mention he's quite funny as well.

 

Ivy's still doing really great and is soooo excited for her baptism on July 31st!  She loved church and was able to come to FHE last night!  Her dad is still not really supportive, but I know in time he'll come around.  We have another investigator, Yolanda, that also said yes to baptism this week!  The only question is when.  She's really nervous about setting a date but we gave her one in August to pray about and we're pretty sure she'll have one by the end of this week.  Her husbands been a member for a year and they have two qute little boys and I just love them all so much.  There's no greater feeling than having an investigator that you love a care about tell you that they know that the church is true, the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and the Joseph Smith was a Prophet.  Being able to be a part of that process of obtaining a testimony and watching their faith grow is amazing!

I'm out of time but I want you all to know how much I love you all and pray for you all.  The Lord is looking out for all of you and He loves you so much.  It's so important to put Him first in our lives.  I know that as we do, we can have more joy and peace then we ever thought possible.  Have a great week!

 

-Hermana Hatch

Changes :) (July 6, 2010)

We got special permission to email today since the Library was closed yesterday for the holidays. yay!

 

So here I am in Oxnard, CA- only about 15 minutes from Ventura.  My new companion is Hermana Frost from Montecello, UT.  She is very nice and we get along well.  She even likes to jog so I have someone jogging next to me in the morning now! :)  The strange part is that she's only been out a couple more months than me so her Spanish isn't that much different than mine.  This makes things interesting, but we're learning together and I think we'll both improve our Spanish a lot this transfer since we have to be more independent in the language.  I already love her and we've got some great goals for this area.  it's so interesting how everyone does things so differently and everyone has a different view of missionary work, lessons, working with the wards, etc.  I'm definitely getting some great marriage prep :)

 

This area is actually pretty different from Ventura.  I work in a pretty established ward here and the leaders have much more experience than the little branch I worked in in Ventura.  We don't have as many investigators, but we're working on finding more this week.  We do have a few really great investigators though.  About a week before I got here they contacted a 19 year old friend of a member named Ivy.  She's amazing!  They taught her everyday and when I got here they'd gone through the first three lessons and she had a baptism date.  She LOVES the Book of Mormon and reads everyday!  She has come to church once and loves everything that we teach her.  I already love her so much.  Her baptism is set for the 31 of July and she's really excited about it.  The hard part is that her family is not very supportive.  Her mom feels like a failure in raising her Catholic and her dad just doesn't even want to listen to it.  He wouldn't let her go to FHE last night.  We feel like her mom is coming around, but we just keep praying that her dads heart will soften.  I'm pretty sure she will go forward despite what her family says, but they are really important to her and she wants them to feel comfortable with it, which we can understand.  Sometimes I just don't understand how they could discourage their daughter from something that has changed her life and made her a better person in just the first couple of weeks.  I think with time and prayer, they will see what a blessing it is for Ivy and them.

 

My health has improved this week and I feel much better!  And we got extra medical miles to drive to Ventura on PDay for chirpractor appointments.  The Lord is definitely looking out for me and strengthing me.  He is with me everyday and I love the opportunity I have to truly depend on him and abandon my pride.  Every trial is truly a blessing and an opportunity to grow and change into a more worthy servant of the Lord.

 

I love you all very much and I'm so grateful for the support you give me.  I have a lot to be grateful for.

 

Have a great week!

 

love,

Hermana Hatch

Surprise! (June 28, 2010)

I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED!!!!!!!

 

Yeah, it took me by surprise too.  I have today to pack and say goodbye and then I'm off to Oxnard with a new companion, in a new area.  I'll be honest and say that I'm not exactly thrilled, but I'm willing.  I will go and do and the Lord will take care of those I'm leaving behind here, and I know he'll support me as well in this change.  Extra prayers are always welcome since you're offering :)

 

Well, not much to say this week and we have a lot to do.  To top it all off I just barely started going to the Chiropractor but won't get to anymore.  I've got some interesting issues- trust me, I've seen the xrays :)  But I have faith that the Lord will give me the health and strength I need.  She let me take the xrays with me so maybe in the future or even after the mission I can get it taken care of.  They are all so nice and Sister Benson makes sure we are all healthy and feeling great. 

 

I love you all so much and I'm glad you had a great birthday momma! 

Never forget that the Lord always provides a way, and He never leaves us alone.

 

!Hasta Luego!

con mucho amor,

Hermana Hatch

!Todavia estoy aqui en Ventura! (June 21, 2010)

Hola Familia!  HAPPY FATHER'S DAY PAPA!  And HAPPY BIRTHDAY this week MAMA!

Just another week in the life of a sister missionary.  As you know from your surprise call from Hermana Hanson- I have a new companion from Sonora Mexico!  Her name is Hermana Calamaco and she is hilarious and about 5 feet tall (as are a lot of the people we teach). Well, perhaps I should begin with earlier this week.  On Wednesday our investigator with a Fecha Bautismal- Katia- surprised us by telling us that she didn't want to continue talking with us because she'd been listening to the Jehovah's Witnesses and bascially liked what they said better.  Talk about out of the blue.  I almost cried.  But we resolved a lot of her doubts and bore testimony of the Book of Mormon and she said she'd pray about it and we'd come back.  We went back Sat and she's still not sure so we are just going to move forward with teaching her and pray dilligently for her to receive the answer she desires. So THAT was kind of emotional.  Then, the next day we went to the mission home for our transfers/new companions.  I was fortunate enough to get to go to the temple with Hermana Hanson, Hermana Calamaco, and President and Sister Murri.  It was just what I needed and was so peaceful and wonderful.  The LA temple is beautiful!  The best part that was because of the life we live here and the Spirit that we have with us all the time, I didn't feel much of a difference when we were inside the temple.  It was really incredible to realize and appreciate the companionship of the Spirit that we have on a daily basis.  My goal is to always life my life so that when I enter the temple that feeling is so familiar to me- despite the chaos of the world.  By the time we got back we were late for the Book of Mormon class we teach on thursdays so all I got was a quick hug from Hermana Hanson and Hermana Calamaco and I were off.  It was difficult having such a short goodbye but asi es la vida de las misioneras.  I do miss her a lot, but my new companion is really great too.  It was hard the first couple of days, but we're settling into things and I already love her.  It's difficult with her not knowing the area and me trying to find our way around still being pretty new in the mission.  BUT the Lord has helped us a lot.  Another good thing is that because she doesn't have a license I get to drive!  WOOHOO!  I love driving again.  She's definitely whipping my Spanish into shape and she's a great missionary.

Suffice it to say it has been a very emotional week with lots of ups and downs, but I think we're finally settling back down.  Some missionaries from my zone played volleyball this morning!  It was awesome!!!!  I was so happy to get to play :)

Pray, read your scriptures, and do your visiting and home teaching!  I've come to truly appreciate those callings since I've been on a mission.  They are sooo important!  Remember to trust in the Lord and strengthen your faith in Him and He will guide you and give you the help and strength you need.

Lots of Love,

Hermana Hatch

Howdy (June 14, 2010)

Momma, I got your beautiful email you sent to all of us.  Thank you for always teaching us more and more about our Savior and showing through your example how we should live.  It's definitely true about praying for love.  Even when you get along with your companion fantastically, there are always moments, hours, days that you struggle with.  But each time I have prayed for help or charity or patience, I have felt His help and His Spirit soften my heart.  It's amazing and is definitely great prep for marriage one day far in the future :)

It was another great week.  The work here is going well and we have found some golden investigators who we are excited to teach.  Hermana Hanson goes home this week and we still don't know what's happening to me, so you should send any letters or such to the mission office address this week- just in case I get transferred.  It'll be really sad to see Hermana Hanson leave.  She's become one of my best friends and we already have made plans to move to Ojai someday and be neighbors.  Either that or we'll become pirates together.  One or the other.

Well, I'm using a desk at the mission office right now and I'm kind of in the way so I'm gonna get going.  Hermana Hanson and I are going to a Steakhouse today as her farewell meal.  We're pretty excited.  Don't worry, she has coupons and money.

  

Have a great week and I love you all sooooooooo much!  

Love,

Hermana Hatch

Happy Pday! (June 7, 2010)

Well, another fantastic week here in Ventura!  We are just finding investigators by the dozens (ok that's an exagerration)- but we really have found even more this week.  We think that it's a result of the faith of the people in the branch and our investigators.  They are constantly praying for us to be led to people who are prepared to hear the gospel, and the Lord definitely guides our way.  Just the other day we had a plan fall through and looked at our back up plan to realize that it actually made no sense whatsoever.  We were thinking about moving on to the next plan, but the thought came to my mind that everything in this work happens for a reason, so we followed what we had written and went to the house of this potential investigator that we hadn't been able to contact for the last couple months.  He was standing there at his door and he said he had some time to be taught.  As we offered the opening prayer he began to cry and then he told us about how he was so confused about the many churches in the world.  He could tell we cared about him and really were listening to what he was saying, which helped him to open up to us.  The Spirit was there strong throughout the lesson and we told him that what he felt was the Holy Ghost, that testifies of truth.  We set a return appointment and we're excited to teach him.  I can't tell you how many times we've had experiences like these, where the Lord truly guides us to His childre that He clearly loves very much.  When Elder Bednar was here he told us of stories of where he's been led to individuals to help and teach since he's been an Apostle.  He said that with his keys, he doesn't go anywhere by accident.  That definitely applies to missionary work and our experiences as the Lord's servants.  It's so humbling- especially knowing how imperfect we are, and how patient the Lord is with us.  I am so grateful for the trust he puts in us, despite our weaknesses.  The Lord uses His servants, especially when He knows we are trying to do our best.  That's all He asks of us, and in return He gives us so many blessings.  What He asks seems so small compared to what He gives us in return. 

Our baptism for little 9 year old Ebel went great!  He's quite the handful, but he felt very special and good.  I'm gonna try and send pictures this week. 

Tengan una buena semana!  Les Amo Mucho!

-Hermana Hatch

PS-Lindsey, I don't think I ever told you how I see little Kingstons everywhere!  Everybody has a chihuahua and they always make me think of Kingston.  I just can't escape him :)

Sorry I forgot to tell you our Pday changed (June 1, 2010)

Momma! I'm glad you got to help with a zone conference lunch.  We always sing called to serve for the women who serve us and Sister Benson actually asked me to come up with a neat arrangement of it to teach to the mission.  Awesome huh?!  We always listen to them tell us about their missionaries and it was fun to think of you getting to share about your missionary :)

We had Zone conference yesterday, which is why I couldn't email.  It was really wonderful and we learned a lot about studying and changing how we teach.  The church is really focussing on changing the way missionaries teach and helping us to ask better questions and truly help our investigators become active participants in their conversion.  I'm learning a lot that I know will help me with my occupation after the mission- and also help me to be a better mother.  I know that the things that I learn here will bless me forever, and I've come to have a great testimony of Preach my Gospel.  It's not just something for missionaries, but contains so much insight and wisdom and teaches us how we can be truly converted, active participants in the Gospel.  It is something I am going to study throughout my life and with my family.  It really is scripture for our day.  We also sang "O Elderes de Israel" in a quartet with Elder Bills and Larson.  It went really well and it was great to do something music related.

Hermana Hanson has her flight plans- she leaves June 18th.  This means that I will have one of two options happen.  Option 1- I get a mini missionary as my companion- like someone preparing for a mission or a RM that lives here.  However, this will mean that I become the Senior companion for a couple of weeks.  Yup, a senior comp at the end of my second transfer.  Needless to say, I'm still not sure how I feel about this and it makes my stomach turn in knots when I think about it.  The Spanish is coming along, but I still have a long ways to go.  I need to have more faith that the Lord will help me and if it is His will, all will be alright.  The second option sometimes sounds worse though- being emergency transferred to become a trio in some other area and having to leave all of my investigators and the branch here (and the area would be combined with some other area).  So, we are hoping and praying they can find a mini missionary, and enough missionaries to keep the are open as it is.  Your prayers would definitely be appreciated with this.

On a happier note, mom and dad, I think I like fish now.  Everytime we've eaten it I've actually enjoyed it AND I have grown to LOVE avocados and guacamole.  We get tons of avocados from investigators and members.  It's great!

The work here is going great!  After a bit of a lull, we have found 14 new investigators in the last week and a half!  They are awesome and I love teaching!

We have a baptism of a nine year old of a less active on Saturday.  Exciting, huh?!

Well, gotta go!  Have a great week and I love you all very much and miss you.  Be good!  And help mom out :)

Love,

Hermana Hatch

Buenos Tardes! (May 24, 2010)

Hello Family!

Hmmm, I don't really know what to share this week. Yesterday we drove all the way to Ojai for their Sacrament meeting because Catia committed to coming, but unfortunately we were stood up. I'm pretty sure that getting stood up by your investigators at church is a billion times worse than getting stood up for a date. Ok, maybe that's a bit dramatic- but it feels pretty crummy. We went to her house afterwards and they drove up while we were knocking. They had gone grocery shopping after her husband's soccer game- AND we had just taught her about keeping the Sabbath Day holy. Yeah that one went straight to the heart. Don't worry, it's not over yet! We just need to come up with some new plans to help her and pray a lot :) I know that the Lord can work miracles and help her to prepare for her baptism.

Did I ever mention about Cristina? She's the daughter of a member that never got baptized and we accidently found while looking for a past investigator. Well, it wasn't really an accident because the Lord's hand directs our lives each day. Her and her husband are both doing great and she's been coming to church every week. We're really hoping that her husband can change his schedule so he can come to church. We're going to set them with baptismal dates this week and I'm so excited! They are so awesome! I love them a lot.

I think the biggest problem we run into is that most of the people we talk to are Catholics that are only Catholic because that's what their families have been for years. They don't really attend church often and they don't really even know what their church believes. So when we tell them we have a prophet on earth today and the Authority of God to perform important ordinances, they just keep nodding their heads and agree with us like it's common knowledge. Most of them, including some members think that our church is basically the same as the Catholic church- even though we teach about how there was a great apostasy after the death of Christ and His Apostles. It's very frustrating. However, we get through it and it motivates us to be better teachers and readjust how we approach and contact people in the street. It's a good thing that it is the Spirit that converts people and touches their hearts, not us and what we say.

I am so grateful for the knowledge that we have of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that we have Prophets and Apostles living today, guiding the church. We are so blessed and fortunate to have this knowledge. Don't take it for granted. Study the conference talks, read the Book of Mormon and be active members of the Lord's church. Sometimes we say that it's not easy to be a disciple of Christ, but I think that it is much more easy than living without Him and without these truths. There is peace and joy to be found in the Gospel. Don't ask what the church can do for you- but ask what you can do to serve the Lord and His children. That is how Christ taught us to live.

Love you all sooooooooooooooooooooooo much!

Have a great week!

-Hermana Hatch

Transfer Monday (May 17, 2010)

!Holla! Ok so we still haven't gotten our call about transfers but we know for sure that Hermana Hanson is sticking with me at least through most of this next transfer. I might be paired up with a mini missionary at some point though so that she can go home in time to go to NY with her family to the Hill Cumorah pageant. Oh did I meniton that her dad is the artistic director for the pageant. So if you happen to make it to it this year she said she'll get you a special tour :) But unfortunately this is his last year. Anyways, we just got the call and we're staying here and staying together for at least most of this transfer. We still don't know when she's going home.

Well, it's been a really up and down week. I'm gonna share about two of our investigators.

The first investigator we set with a baptism date was Esperanza. She'd been taught before but never followed through cause she couldn't attend church on sundays cause of work- this is a very common problem with our invetigators. And sometimes it's hard to ask them to sacrifice it when they are working three jobs just to support their families and pay the rent for their tiny apartments and houses- or garages. The people we teach work so hard and give so much, doing work that never in a million years we could or would do. Anyways, Esperanza's son in law kicked her out so she has to go live with her other daughter who is also a jehovah witness. We caught her as she was packing to leave, sang a hymn, and hugged her goodbye. She said when she gets settled she'll try and call us, but she's worried because if this daughter kicks her out she won't have anywhere to go. They don't like that she listens to us and also resent her for leaving them when they were young to come to America. Her story is incredible and the sacrifice and danger she went through for her family would break your heart. So for now, her baptism is on hold. And I know that I may not see her again for a very long time. The song "God be with you til we meet again" takes on a whole different meaning on the mission.

We are teaching a young woman named Catia in Ojai. She is married and has two small children. Her husband is a member but never comes to church and they live with her mother in law, who is an active member. We actually found her when we went to visit her mom-in-law and didn't even know she wasn't a member until our second visit. She's been progressing since the beginning and Saturday we had an awesome lesson with her. I was feeling pretty sick the whole day but I just needed us to visit our appointments. I would've died to have stayed home when we had so many people we needed to see. So Sat night I prayed in the car the whole way to Ojai to have the strength to teach the lesson, and to have the Spirit touch her heart and testify to her the truth of what we said. When we got there my pain was gone and as we sat in the lesson the Spirit was so strong, I knew what her answer would be. We asked her if she'd be baptized and she said of course and then agreed to work towards June 26th! I love her so much and I'm so excited to help her prepare for this wonderful step. Our next goal is to get her husband to come to church and listen to the lessons with her. It was a very spiritual experience and I feel so grateful to be a part of her life and her process to draw closer to Christ.

I hope that you have a great week. Make sure you are doing all the little things- pray, read your scriptures, go to church. These are the things that keep us close to our Savior and keep us on the path back to Him.

Love you all very much!

May 10, 2010

We were able to talk to Allesha for Mother's Day, which was so fun! She is doing well, and really loving it. She sounds so happy and so excited. My mom said she talked to a lady in the mission office there who said that Allesha has brought a fresh of breath air to the mission there. She said she is so energetic and positive! Anyway, we all got to talk to her for 5-10 minutes each. She is the same old Allesha :)

So the day after that instead of sending a mass email she just wrote small emails to each of us. They were all pretty specific to us and not really interesting to anyone else, so I won't post them on here for now (unless my mom instructs me to do otherwise - she is the boss)! But she is doing well and loving her companion and the area!

HOLLA!!! (May 3, 2010)

FAMILIA!!!!

How is everyone? Thanks Joy for the email, I'm glad you're doing better. Mom said Dallin was sick- sad day! Oh and happy anniversary joy and aaron! Yes mother I did receive your letter on saturday but I think that's because I picked it up from the mission office. BTW, Mothers day is SUNDAY! YAY! So I am going to be calling at 5:00 PM this sunday. We have been instructed by our mission president that the call can't be longer than 30-45 minutes so make sure that everyone is that wants to say hi on the phone is there by 5. Write down any questions you may have ahead of time and maybe even write out a script so you don't forgot things to say :)

To answer your questions mom, we can go to the temple twice a year- but it just depends if we get around to it. It takes up a good chunk of time since we'd go to the LA temple which is a little less than 2 hours away I believe. I'm thinking of trying to go around my birthday as a birthday gift to myself :) I sleep great! The work isn't really physically strenuous for the most part- just waking up at 6:30 is a challenge. But we do it. AND we go jogging most mornings. Isn't that ridiculous? The Lord definitely must be helping me out because no way could I wake up everyday on my own. My friends Kaila and Stephanie have written me- both snowflake peeps. I am really lucky to get letters from my friends! Thanks to everyone because it's always really awesome to have a letter at the end of a long day! Yes Bin wait for me to get home for Hawaii and Dad please don't show up in Ventura :)

Thanks for the letters mom. I love hearing from you and getting the updates. You are an awesome missionary mom!

Well, being a missionary is pretty much the best thing in the world. I really am as happy as I sound- I'm not just trying to be positive. There are definitely hard times, and frustrating times, and sad times, and tiring times, but overall how can I not be happy? For the first time in my life I know that I am doing everything I can to follow the Lord, and that brings me with such an inner peace and joy that I can't express. I've always wanted to do some sort of Humanitarian aid because I always feel so helpless with all the bad things that happen in this world, and I just want to fix them all. For the first time in my life, I actually feel like I'm doing something- I know that I am doing everything I can to make the world a better place. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to bring peace and joy to every nation and people in this world and I am doing my best to share it with all of God's children. The Gospel is the answer and I love that I have been given this opportunity to teach people about our Savior and how the Gospel has been restored to the earth once again! I feel so lucky to be on a mission I can't believe that I ever considered it a sacrifice. It is such a blessing and I want to make the most of every day because I know that this time will go by so fast. There is no greater peace than following the Savior and knowing that you are right with God and that He is happy with your efforts. There is no greater happiness than living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is His church and I know that with all of my heart!

Well, quick story time:

We have a recent convert that we visit once a week that talks crazy fast- ok just about as fast as everyone else, which is super fast!- anyways this week, for the first time, I actually understood most of what he said!!! I know I know that sounds so little, but I was pretty excited. I still sometimes don't understand anything, but it's coming.

Thursday I had my first split! I went with the ward mission leader's daughter who's about a year younger than me and preparing for a mission. She's awesome and hilarious! Well, I basically had to teach the first lesson as the senior comp. It was ridiculous!!! :) Nah, it wasn't that bad and the most important thing was that they felt the Spirit. However, their kids were running around banging things on glass and they had a daughter who asked us questions about the end of the world, why John the Baptist was beheaded, etc. etc. Suffice it to say,my companion had to translate A LOT because no way I understood or could answer any of that in Spanish, let alone in English. We tried to keep it moving and focused, but it was pretty difficult. Oh well, we did the best we could, and I have faith the Lord will make up the difference.

We walked by a lady pulling weeds and asked if we could help. She jokingly said yes and we (in our nylons and skirts) got down and helped her. She told us that we could come by again and she would gladly listen to our message with her family. She was really sweet and I'm excited to go back and teach her.

We taught relief society on Sunday about visiting teaching and I was trying to say we are fighting a war today but instead of "guerra" I said the wrong word for war and ended up saying "guera" which basically means I said we are fighting a white girl today. Go ahead and laugh, it's hilarious. I laughed too. Oh the joys of Spanish.

Anyways, I've gotta go, love you all tons!!! Be good and read your scriptures and pray! Especially you Lindsey Hatch! (There, I said your name so you will read my email :) )

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Hatch

Holla (April 26, 2010)

Familia,
Elder Bednar was WONDERFUL! I got to sit on the front row and was right in front of the pulpit. His testimony was so powerful and I know once again that he is an Apostle of the Lord. Through his testimony I also had my testimony strengthened that President Monson is called of God to be the Prophet at this time and that they are special representatives of our Savior. He spent three hours asking us questions about the talks he had us study in preparation and then answering questions. His main point was that we need to act and not be acted upon and that real teaching gets the investigators involved and active in their learning. There's s much more he said and I'll try to gather my thoughts this week and share next week more about what we learned. Somebody asked him what was one thing he has learned from being an Apostle that he didn't realize before. He told us that he knows now more fully than ever the individual love that our Heavenly Father has for each one of his children. I am starting to realize this as well. Nothing we do on our mission is an accident. The Lord guides those He calls. One example is that we went to an apartment looking for a former investigator who we found out had moved. However, the man that lived there listened to us and we set another cita (appointment) with him. When we came back he wasn't there, but his daughter answered the door and we found out that her and her brother were actually baptized when she was 11 and hadn't gone to church in years. I know the Lord led us to find her and she came to Stake conference yesterday and is coming back next week!

Another example was one night we ate dinner with a family who told us they had a daughter who was not a member. The next day we went to go visit a recent investigator who wasn't home. Right at that moment a suburban drove up and we talked to the mom after she got out of the car. We shared a message with her and her husband and found out that this was that family's daughter! We're still teaching her and we're hoping to get her to come to church this week. Missionary work is so amazing and testifies to me over and over again that the Lord is mindful of each one of us and loves us very much.

One of our investigators has a baptism date! However, she needs a new job so she can go to church on Sundays. We are trying to help her find new job and develop her faith in our Savior and His ability to work miracles when we do our part. It's so hard though because the people we teach have to sacrifice so much. They have difficult lives and so many more complications before they can be baptized than I would've ever imagined. I love them all so much and all we can do sometimes is pray and then do what we can.

We get fed all the time and the food is delicious! My companion has the most bottomless stomach I have ever seen and she out eats me all the time! It's crazy! Real Hispanic food is muy rico!!!! I have not had tongue yet, but I hear it's delicious :) The other night this lady kept giving me more and more and I couldn't handle it I almost threw up. My companion told me next time to just say no. It's so hard to refuse cause they work so hard for us.

I've gotta go but I love you all sooooooo much and I think about you often. Don't worry about me (mom :) ) and stay close to the Lord!

Love,

Hermana Hatch

Tuesday PDay April 20, 2010

There's so much I want to share but so little time! The work is AWESOME! Let me just preface by saying that we found 12 new investigators this week!!!! We told the Lord that we would talk to every single person we met and invite more people to baptism, thus showing our faith in action- and in return we asked Him to bless us with success. He has blessed us so much, although it's often not been in the ways we expected or asked. Everything happens in the Lord's time and all we can do is do everything we can to not just ask, but act- and then trust in Him to do His part, even if it's not in the time frame or way we want.

We are teaching a family and it was so awesome to teach them about the Restoration of the Lord's church on the Earth! We also found another family just last night and I'm so excited to teach them more. My Spanish gets better and better each day and I am able to understand a lot more. We take turns in the lessons so I do get to teach and testify a lot and I love it!

So many funny things happen when there's a language barrier. One example is we had one of our investigator's share a dream she had with us. Her husband died a few months ago in a car accident (she's like 27) and she had shared dreams about him before with us so I assumed that this is what she was saying. However, she shared a dream about a guy friend confessing his love for her and asked us what we thought it meant. I told her it was a blessing from Heavenly Father because I thought she was sharing a dream about her husband. Luckily, my companion is getting pretty good at smoothing over my mistakes. Oh the joys of learning Spanish...

Another funny story, I had my hand kissed by a drunk man while we were STOing, who I didn't even know was drunk since I didn't know the word for beer. I just thought he was an animated person. We meet some pretty interesting characters, but don't worry mom we are VERY safe and are especially cautious. We don't really walk on the streets after dark.

Here's another story for you- we found this woman in Ojai- another little city North of Ventura (our area is pretty big for only two spanish missionaries). We had knocked on the door looking for a man named Jesus who we had an old teaching record for. So at the beginning of the lesson my companion kept asking if Jesus was there and if she could invite him to come in too. She kept responding "Claro, Si Si" (Of course, yes yes) but looked at us progressively weirder and weirder each time she said it again. Finally my companion asked her if her husband's name was Jesus and she said "No!" The whole time she thought we were talking about inviting Jesucristo and was Jesucristo there, etc. etc. We had a good laugh with her about that one. We're gonna see her again tonight. We also found two other investigators in Ojai and they are awesome! THe Spirit was so strong in their lesson and I'm so excited to see them again tonight.

The branch is wonderful and the members are great! We're really trying to build it up and we visited some less active families this week. They all came to church on Sunday along with one of our investigators! It was so great! The mom of one of the families said the closing prayer in Sacrament meeting and specifically thanked the "misionaras" for coming by and helping them to come back to church. It was so touching and made our week.

Zone conference was awesome, my companion is the best, and Ventura is beautiful!

Guess what!!!???? Elder Bednar is coming this Saturday to our mission!!!!!!!! I'm sooooooooooooooo excited!!!!!! I can't wait until Saturday! Missionary work is amazing! I love you all sooooooooooo much!

Have a great week!

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Hatch

Greetings from Paradise! April 12, 2010

Wow I have so much to say I don't even know where to begin. I flew in to Santa Barbara last Mon to beautiful weather and lots of green and pretty flowers everywhere! The Mission President, his wife, and the Assistants greeted us and took us to the mission home. I love my mission president!!!! He is such a great man who is clearly close to the Lord and very inspired! It is a very well organized mission with many goals and much success. The first day we filled out paper work, got oriented, and went street contacting! (we call it STOing- short testifying opportunities) It was very scary, especially since a few of them were in Spanish. Talk about getting thrown right into the fire :) Two Sisters who have been here for awhile took us out and I went with Hermana Hanson. It was a long, tiring day. The next day we got assigned to our new companions and I got put with Hermana Hanson! I was so excited cause she was very easy going and I had enjoyed being with her! We are assigned to work here in Ventura with the Spanish branch. Our area is pretty big for this mission and spans from Ojai to Saticoy- those names probably mean nothing to you. Mostly we stay on the Avenue in the city were most of the Hispanic population live. We have plenty of work because we are actually white washing the area. My first area and we're white washing! For those of you who don't know what this means it is when they take the two missionaries in that area and replace it with two new missionaries to breathe a new life to the area. So Hermana Hanson didn't really know the area or the members too well, and I basically knew nothing. And on top of that, one of the Elders that we are replacing had an injured foot for the last month so there hadn't been any work done for awhile here. The area book was a mess and the most recent investigator record forms were dated in January of this year. Most were from before then. Needless to say we have had a crazy week. We started with contacting many of the former investigators and recent converts. We still haven't visited them all but we're getting close. We also have done a lot of STOing. It's been stressful, but my trainer is AWESOME and we both feel really good with the work we did this week. We even found 5 new investigators.

Ok, so my trainer Hermana Hanson is wonderful! She's super patient, diligent, hilarious, and obedient. We get along really well and we're already becoming good friends. I love her a lot. She's very encouraging and includes me as much as possible even though I'm still learning Spanish. The Spanish. Ummm it's tough :) It's frustrating when you have no idea what everyone around you is saying and your sitting there terrified to move in case it somehow draws attention to you and they ask you a question. :) It's awesome! It's ok though because I trust the Lord to help me if I do my part. I already speak more in lessons and STOs and I'm understanding tons more! Everyday it gets better! The people are so humble and nice too and the members are so sweet. They tell me that they're just happy I'm here. There's a saying that you'll learn to speak faster if you eat chiles or peppers or something and they tell me that all the time. Actually, one of our new investigators that we found last night told me that she thought my Spanish was beautiful. It touched me a lot. I don't think she means literally, but because she knows I'm trying really hard and that I love sharing the Gospel. Yesterday I had to get up and introduce myself in Sacrament meeting. I was so nervous I don't have any idea what I said, but my companion said I did great. But she says that about everything I say haha so who knows?

I haven't had tons of opportunities to try their food cause the Elders forgot to tell us that we have a dinner calendar here. Oh tanto Elderes. I'm really looking forward to this week cause we have one almost every day! We actually are pretty much out of food so we're pretty excited to go shopping today. Yesterday a member gave us this huge foot long for dinner and we were so excited cause we only had eggs left- but then we stopped at a light next to a homeless women and knew that she needed it more so we gave it away. I think the Lord blessed us with that food to be able to help one of His children. Never miss an opportunity to serve any of His children! Are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend on the Lord for everything? I feel so blessed seeing the trials and struggles of the people I'm serving and teaching. We are so lucky to have what we have.

The weather is awesome and we can see the beach from the highway! It's really beautiful here, although lots of traffic and tourists in the city. Ojai is a little town in the mountains and the drive there is gorgeous! I'll definitely have to come back someday and show you all.

I love being a missionary and I know that this is where I'm supposed to be! Hispanic people are the most loving people I have ever met! My companion and I joke about how we hate having to contact white people cause their so much scarier and mean :)

Welll, my time is up. I love you all very much! Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. This is the restored church of Christ on the earth. We are sooo lucky to know that! Have a great week and write letters! Snail mail is awesome! :)

Con Amor,

Hermana Hatch

PS_ make sure you send my towel and hoodie thanks!

Updates from Mom...

My mom got to talk to Allesha for a while when she called from the airport, and I asked her to share some of the things they talked about. Here is what she had to say:

*She bore her testimony to us in Spanish then English.
*She radiates the love of Christ and told us one of the most important things she has learned is that rules and commandments are simply vehicles to open the windows of heaven and allow greater strength and blessings to come into our lives.
*When she first got to the MTC, she had a problem with a couple of rules, but made up her mind she was going to live them the best she could and couldn't believe the increase of blessings she felt in her life because of it.
*Her attitude is great and she said having a positive attitude makes all the difference, no matter what life throws at us.
*She told dad and I we were great parents and she was grateful for her wonderful family. "I thought of you during General Conference, mom, and thought you'd probably be thinking about all the things you didn't do.... You did a GREAT job and you're a great mom...and dad's a GREAT dad." ( Wow, she really must be looking through the eyes of the spirit..that's what the Lord does..sees the good and builds us up)
*She asked that everyone write her--it really helps her to feel your support, prayers, and love

The Lord lives, this is His Church, and He longs to pour out His blessings on all of His children. THAT'S why she is out there trying to open hearts, teach His truths of who He is and who we are, as well as His plan for us to find joy and prepare to return home to Him and to lift and bless His children.

First Phone Call Home!

We got to talk to Allesha this morning! She called from the airport as she left the Missionary Training Center and headed to CALIFORNIA! She sounded great. She said she was so excited to get out to Cali and get started teaching people. Her Spanish was awesome too :) Hopefully my mom will get on here and post some stuff too, because she talked to her much longer. Anyway, I will get her address and post it on here soon. Keep writing her, she loves it! we will hear from her again on Mother's Day and we can't wait! She said she loves you all!

Last email from the nunnery! April 1, 2010

Holla familia! Como estan?

I LOVED the pics of Dallin and Cason and fam. They are already both soooo big! And I've only been gone for a couple of months. It is crazy! I will be calling on Monday but it's not as early as I thought. We leave the MTC @ 8 so you can expect my call sometime between 9:30am-11:30am. Our flight leaves around then and we fly into Santa Barbara! Sorry I can't be more specific but I really don't know what time works best. Monday's my Pday (rest day) in the field so after I call on Monday you won't hear from me until the following Monday.

So my last week at the MTC! Woohoo! I've had a good time here but I'm definitely ready to leave! I'm so excited for the field but incredibly nervous as well! We were practicing contacting (in Spanish of course) the other day and I realized that next week I'll be doing it for real with real people! AHHHH!!!! Yeah that's a scary thought. I wish I was better at Spanish, but I have faith and I'm really working on my patience. I'm super excited that it's General Conference this weekend! What a great way to spend the last weekend here! We all gather in the Gym to watch all sessions. Saturday I'll be packing and doing laundry in between sessions and studying- the usual :)

We got new Hermanas in the zone! Three of them! I'm so sad cause we don't even really get to know them. I got to orient them last night and I'll be doing more of that tonight with them. They are really awesome and I know they'll keep the zone running well. Since it's my last week I decided to make a list of some of the things I'm gonna miss about the MTC and maybe a few things I won't :)

Things I will miss:

1. Jalapeno bagels- I eat one almost everyday for breakfast. Don't judge me they're delicious!

2. Having someone else do my dishes for me and clean the bathroom for me (I know, we're spoiled)

3. The beautiful view from the 5th floor in our building that I love to look at as we study in the lounge.

4. Having all the doors held open for me and getting treated like queens (the Hermanas really are rather spoiled)

5. Gym! Volleyball!

6. Duche in la Noche! (The party that Hermana Flower and I have when we take showers at night at the same time. I know it sounds kind of weird but it includes us singing at the top of our lungs and having conversations with other people in the showers next to us- good times).

8. The firesides and devotionals of course. They are so inspirational and I have loved everyone!

9. Our time share extra bunkbed in our dormitory (Sorry if that doesn't make sense)

10. The give away box on each floor of the Residence halls. Sisters put stuff in here when they're leaving. I have gotten a really cute bag from it, slippers, and a night time shirt. It's like a mini Savers but for free! Perfect for me right?

11. The temple. Enough said.

12. The biscuits and gravy we eat at the temple.

13. The progressive investigator we have been teaching. We love her even though she's a "fake" investigator

14. My teachers- Hermana Shiley is one of my close friends now and our new teacher Hermano Catt has forever changed my mission. They both inspire me and I love them a lot.

15. MY DISTRICT! I'm so sad to leave them, but we are all on to better things. I can't even wait until the after mission reunion! :) I know I know I won't think about it.

16. My zone- they're all so awesome! Oh trashketball.... Sometime I'll explain it

17. My Branch presidency and their wives. I love them all so much!

18. Of course my Hermanas, roommates and companion! What will I ever do without them?

19. Walks to the temple on Sundays.

20. The Sunday night movies they show.

And the list could go on and on.... I'll admit the MTC isn't my most favorite place, but I really believe that attitude is everything and I've made the most of the time I've had here. I've learned tons and I've grown tons! I can't wait to go out into the field and teach people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ! What could be better?!

I love you all and I'm excited to talk to you on the phone on Monday! Hacen Lo Justo!

Mucho Mucho Mucho Amor, Hermana Hatch

Holla mi familia amado! :) March 25, 2010

I am definitely still a work in progress and I definitely still need work with "fixing" my hard days- or should I say with getting help from the Lord to "fix" my hard days. The Atonement can help us with every aspect of our lives. I wish that I could spend hours teaching you all about what I've come to learn about our Savior and how to utilize His marvelous Atonement. Since I can't I encourage each of you to study about our Savior and His atoning sacrifice and what it means in your life. Learn how to use and apply it to every thing you experience. He wants us to use this gift that He gives to all of us freely- but we have to put in effort to let it run through and into our lives. Sometimes it's easy to feel alone here, even though I'm surrounded by people. Nobody really knows who you are and there are burdens that I carry that I can't share with even my companion- things to do with being the coordinating sister. I am learning to truly make the Savior my best friend. I still have so much farther to go, but I am grateful for the trials that I have, and had throughout my life that humble me and help me turn to Him. Every trial we have is for a purpose- He really is trying to shape us into sancified, children of God. So why should we complain? Why should we feel sorry for ourselves? If we only knew what we could be, the real kind of life we could live, we would only thank Him again and again for each experience in our lives. We lived with God before we came to Earth. He has known us for a long time- He knows us better than anyone- even ourselves because we cannot remember that time before this life. So who would know better than Him what we need to face in this life in our journey to become like Him. Is that truly what we want? We need to want to become like Him and return to Him someday, truly want it. And then if we truly desire it we would do ANYTHING for it. ANYTHING! Never forget that He wants us to succeed. He has given us all the anwers, and many people and sources to help us. Turn to Him for everything! I know that this is true.

Sorry for that random tangent, but the Atonement means so much more to me than it ever has and I want you all to experience the joy it can bring in your lives. This week has been great, other than having a cold the last couple of days. I didn't get to go to the temple this morning cause the nurse told me and Hermana Flower (who is also sick) that we needed to protect the old people that work there. Those were literally her words. So we did our good deed for the day and protected the elderly by not attending the temple :)

My official departure date is April 5th probably sometime in the morning (possibly very early in the morning). We do get to call from the airport but we don't have our travel plans yet so I can't tell you specific time. I'll let you know next week. It's crazy that I leave this place in only a week and a half! AHHH!!!!! I'm excited but kind of freaking out. I still don't really know Spanish- and I hear it'll be about 4-5 more months before I feel comfortable with it. Depressing huh? Talk about a trial of patience. By the way, did anyone ever call from the church asking for any phone numbers from you of people I know? Just wondering. I still enjoy going to the RC (a center where the missionaries call people to see if they are interested in learning about the church). My favorite is when I get hung up on :) Sometimes all I need to say is "Hi, I'm from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" *Click* they hang up. So all y'all that get calls from the church, please think of me and don't hang up on them. Just be nice cause we're just trying to share with you something that means everything to us. :)

Thanks for your love and support. Letters are awesome! and I can't wait to get the pictures. I love you soooooooo much family! I miss you all and I hope everything is going great!!! Have a great week and I'll talk to y'all later!

You dearest daughter and sister :)

Hermana Hatch

Buenos Dias! March 18th, 2010

Hey y'all! Thanks everyone for the emails and dear elders this week. Getting mail is the best! I can feel all of your prayers for me and I feel so lucky to have such great family support system! I definitely feel the love :) It was daylight savings this past weekend- Who does that?! I was so bummed that it actually applied to me for the first time ever! It was definitely hard to wake up the next morning! I'll be honest, I went on and on about how awesome arizona is for not having it. I think my roommates got annoyed- oops. Our elders got moved around in companionships this week and it's been TONS better in our district since then. We have a new District Leader because the old one and one of his companions (they are in a trio) got called to be the new zone leaders. So basically our district is pretty awesome because we have all the Zone leadership in there. Our Sunday morning branch council meeting will be half of our district- haha. It's great! It's crazy how different our district is to other ones- the Elders will be the first to say it's because we have Hermanas in ours. They're so sweet- all my new little brothers. We have another new district in the zone but still no new Hermanas- which we are actually ok with. It was Elder Bills (one of the ZLs) birthday on Sunday so we had a little fiesta for him and decorated the room a little. It was a fun change.

Funny story- Hermana Flower doesn't really let the elders take her food tray for her at meals and often takes all of ours for us. We just let her cause we know how stubborn she is. On Sunday she refused some elders help again and as she walked away we realized that the Mission Presidency of the MTC was sitting a table away from us and were staring with very confused looks as to why this sister was carrying her tray defiantly. We joke about how at our next fireside they'll make an announcement about how the sisters need to let the elders help them. Guess what?!?!?! Tuesday night Elder Cook came for the devotional!!!!!! It was AMAZING! I've been reading about the Apostles in the New Testament and realized that night that this man, an Apostle in our day, was easily comparable to those men- men of God, men that He calls friends. The Spirit was so strong and our district meeting afterwards was awesome too! It was such a great night!

Sister Neild got me ice packs for my knee the other day. They are wonderful women and they take good care of us. This past TRC was by far the hardest we've had. We had to teach the bald hard man again that I've mentioned before- but in Spanish- AND he was Jewish!!!! Yeah it was pretty tough and I almost had a billion panick attacks throughout the lesson. Fortunately the Spirit helped us, my companion bore a strong testimony of the fist vision, and we got through. Life here is great and I'm learning more and more! I'm actually starting to love having a companion (crazy huh!?). She's awesome and sooo patient with me. I love her a lot. I'm out of time so I guess I'll talk to you next week. Hasta Luego! Muchos Amor, Hermana Hatch

Mar. 11th 2010

I hope everyone is doing well! It's weird to think that life still exists outside of the MTC. It's kind of a time warp in here. But I've really grown to love it in its own special way. I am sorry to say that the Elder in our district did infact go home a the week after I wrote you that- sorry I forgot to mention it. It was so sad and the worst part was he didn't even tell us or say goodbye. He just left. It was kind of hard on our district but we pulled through and became even closer for awhile. Unfortunately though some tensions have happened and we have another Elder (the prior companion to the elder that went home) that is really having a hard time and has talked about leaving as well. He's my friend and I would be even more sad to see him go. It makes me really sad and worried. I guess all we can do is pray for him and put our trust in the Lord.

We still don't have any more hermanas in our zone, but our roommates are awesome! One of them is from texas (her parents are from guatemala) and the other is from Melbourne, Australia (yup she speaks spanish pretty fluently)! They are both soooo nice and fit in well with our little foursome. Plus, it's great to practice Spanish with them. The one from Australia said we can all come visit her when we get off our missions! Yippee! It's been a really good, yet really rough week. We finally got to go to the RC (the calling center) twice this week. We make outgoing calls to people that ordered free gifts from the church and make sure they get them. REAL PEOPLE! :) I was sooo nervous at first (and I still get nervous) but I also really love it. I've had some really neat conversations with people so far. I look forward to doing more of it.

My Spanish is improving and mi companera even told me last night that she thinks I speak better Spanish then her now (and she had a couple years of it before the MTC). We both agree that she's better at comprehension though. It's still really hard for me to understand everything. Sometimes it's discouraging, but I know that I need to not dwell on it, but use it as motivation to work harder. I've been reading the Book of Mormon again and keeping an outline/timeline of it as I read- while also marking scriptures we can use in our lessons. It's been AMAZING! The book has come alive to me and I'm noticing things I've never noticed before! The stories are awesome and the teachings are so beautiful. I love it more and more each day. The hard part about this week has been sometimes with Spanish (I get overwhelemed a little too easily :) ) but also with our district. One of our sisters has really been struggling with sleeping and one of the doctors told her that if they couldn't figure it out they might have to send her home. That was a pretty big blow to all of us and we fasted for her the next day. Fortunately though another doctor that she saw the next day told her that they usually won't send people home for that in the mtc since most people struggle with sleeping here adn the field is usually better. We are all really grateful and we're praying that they can help her get more rest. Sleep is crucial here! I sleep fine but I admit waking up is very difficult. We all like to sleep as long as we can. We also found out this week that we may have a new male teacher in the mornings instead of Hermano Rupper. We love our maestro and we've heard scary things about this new teacher from his last district- plus he yelled at us once when he was subbing. However, we are all trying to give him a chance and keep a positive attitude. I'm sure there are many things we cna learn from him as well. We will definitely miss Hermana Rupper though. He's awesome at teaching spanish particularly and he's really smart! Oh, btw, we taught our first TRC in spanish this week! We've actaully been practicing teaching lesson one in spanish a lot so it went pretty smoothly. The spirit was there and we were able to help our "investigator" come closer to Christ.

I am learning to really love Spanish- even though I still struggle. I do have many people to talk to here- our female teacher, Hermana Shilley, is awesome and I talk to her a lot! I also can talk to my companion and Hermana Flower about everything too. I am really blessed with many wonderful people and many good friends- including my Savior. I am really trying to make Him my best friend, and my love for Him and His Atonement grows more and more each day. Being here has taught me so much already- about the gospel, about my Savior, about my testimony, about God's children, about myself, about other people. I am sooo glad that I went on a mission and I truly know that this is where I'm supposed to be. I love you all very very much! Stay close t the Lord and make Him your best friend! Make righteous decisions because that is the only way to be truly happy! The Gospel is true and I love it with all my heart! Have a great week! Love, Your Hermana Hatch

"Greetings from the Nunnery :)" March 4, 2010

Holla mi familia! How are y'all? Thanks for the emails and letters and such. It's great to hear from you all! I think about all of you all the time and have our family picture on my study binder. For our Spanish teaching activity last night I actually got to show the picture and talk about y'all in Spanish. Fun stuff. The Spanish is still frustrating of course because there is so much I want to say, and I feel so inhibited by my small vocabulary. However, I'm keeping my faith and trust in the Lord and I know that He will bless me as I give everything I have. I already have seen His help and am amazed by how much we learn in so little time. It's also sometimes discouraging because my companion speaks more confidently than I do with Spanish. I try not to compare, but it's hard not to get frustrated when you have to be asking your companion how to say things all the time. At least I understand most of what I hear, I'm just a bit slower forming correct sentences. Guess what?! We got a new roommate! She's not in our zone but she's super nice. Her companion (another roommate) should be showing up any day. And guess what again?! They are both native Spanish speakers!!!! Isn't that awesome?! The Lord is definitely helping us out. She already said she can help us with Spanish. I'm so excited! Sister Dibbs (President Monson's daughter and a Young Women General Authority) came on Sunday for Relief Society. It was great! Then Jay E. Jensen came for the Tuesday night devotional. That was also really good. They are always wonderful, but I'll be honest we always secretly hope for one of the Apostles. It doesn't matter though cause we always learn a lot and feel of the Lord's love for His missionaries. Sorry I'm having a hard time knowing what to say :) Plus there are a lot of elders in this computer lab distracting me. My Hawaiian friend Sis. B left for her mission and I was so sad to say goodbye, but so excited for her. We committed to writing each other and I know I'll see her after the mission. There's a new elder from Gilbert AZ in my gym time that plays vball and so we have a good time. He went to highland and looks really familiar but we can't figure it out. His name is Elder Rassel (I think that's right). I still love my district and Hermanas and my teachers. I feel very blessed. Last Saturday I had a hard day and just very emotional. It was for a lot of reasons, but one of the Elders in my district gave me and Hermana Flower a blessing. It was neat because we were the first ones they had ever done. That's how it is with most of the elders. It's really awesome to see them grow and mature. I have been so impressed by most all of the Elders here. They are so respectful to us, take our trays, let us move to the front of the line, open doors, stand up when we walk in the room, etc, etc. And listening to them bear testimony and teach has changed my respect for missionaries everywhere. These Elders are truly called of God and He knew what He was doing when he called 19 young men to the work. I have been overwhelmed again and again by the Spirit that they have and the power of the calling. I love being a missionary and I know that this is the Church of Christ restored to the Earth. We are children of God and I know that if we live his teachings and come unto Christ we will live with Him again someday. Thank you for all the love and support! I love and miss you all! Muchos Amor, Hermana Hatch

"Mi Familia!!!" February 25, 2010

Ok so since I only get 30 minutes on here I've decided when you can you guys should just mail or dear elder me so i can spend all my internet time writing.  Literally there's a clock on my screen counting down as we speak.  It's intense.  I appreciated all of your emails.  I miss all of you so much- when I have time to miss you of course.  It's a good thing they keep me busy.  But guess what, I think I get to call home at the airport when I'm flying to Cali!  Right now my departure date is March 31 but these things change sometimes so I'll keep you posted.  Yup, I still have 6 weeks in here.  But I can't believe I'm already a third of the way done!  No new sisters in our zone so we're still the special four, but maybe next week.  We decided that we kind of like being the only sisters :)  My companera and I still get along really well.  Don't worry, we've had our share of confrontations and interesting companionship inventories (never fights though) but we are that much stronger and closer because of it.  I'm teaching her how to communicate better and she's teaching me to be a little more sensitive.  Evidently I'm passionate and intense haha.  Who would've thought?  ;)  The hardest part about being coordinating sister- because let's face it I don't really have to do much- is just worrying about the other sisters.  It's really good for me though because I'm so preoccupied with everyone else's problems I don't even have time to feel sorry for myself or have my own breakdown.  I didn't even cry until this past week, and that was only because I was so worried about one of my hermanas.  I'm just saying this cause we all know how emotional I can be occasionally - but I've been doing pretty well.  I still love my district and we grow closer everyday.  We have one Elder that has really been struggling with wanting to go home.  Please remember him in your prayers.  The hermanas in the district fasted for him last week and that night our teacher had us watch a talk given by Elder Holland called "The Miracle of Missionary Work".  It's pretty much the best and most intense talk ever!  I love it so much!  In it one of the things he says is that he felt impressed to share that if anyone is thinking they want to go home, they shouldn't.  Not for the church, or for investigators, but for themselves.  His mission meant everything to him and he inspires me to put everything into this short year and a half.  Well, this talk was perfect for this Elder too and we knew that it was in answer to our fast and prayers!  I've never felt Heavenly Father's love so much for me, my family, and every person we teach here.  I am so glad that I came on a mission and I know that it will change my life forever.  Last night we had another TRC in which we got placed into a room with "The bald man".  Literally, that's what our district refers to him as.  He is the most feared volunteer in the TRC because he asks soooo many questions- difficult questions too!  We found out later that our teacher deliberately put us with him.  Isn't that cruel?  ;)  Well, all I have to say is that the Lord's Spirit helped direct us both to know what to say and the lesson went great- difficult questions and all.  The beginning Spanish part was iffy but I'm definitely getting better.  It was funny cause one of the comments our teacher put on our eval form was "All i have to say is that you actually got the bald man to nod and smile!"  It's amazing how much the Lord helps us when we rely completely on Him.  And I am so grateful for all of the studying of the Gospel I've done to have stored for Him to bring to my mind answers.  But in the end, it is the Lord's Spirit that teaches and it doesn't matter how well we do, but how the investigator was affected.  I know that that man felt God's love for him and that was the best part of the night.  I've realized that the Lord is having me learn Spanish to teach me lots of humility.  First, because I'm not that great at it, and second because I rely so much on my words when I'm teaching that Spanish forces me to simply bear testimony and truths of the Gospel.  It's frustrating a lot, but I know that it will be a blessing to me.  Hermana Peters and I successfully taught the first lesson in Spanish last sat, although it definitely wasn't perfect.  We're also almost done with all the grammar principles.  One of our teachers told us that we are moving at the same rate as the accelerated Spanish class here- and half of us have never spoken it before in our lives!  It's amazing what faith, prayer, and a lot of help from the Lord can do.  Oh yeah, I didn't tell you that I go to the missionary choir.  It's pretty huge and we sing for Tuesday  night devotionals.  It's pretty fun- especially when we get good music.  None of the twelve have visited yet, but many wonderful general authorities, including Jay e. Jensen and Janice Kapp Perry came on sun to relief society.  I got to meet her!  Well, life really is great!  I love it here!  I love the Lord and I love all of you sooooo much!  I love hearing from you!  Keep studying the Book of Mormon and pray every chance you get!  The Lord loves us so much and I am so grateful for His Gospel!  Don't ever stray from the path!  Choose the right! :)  Ok, enough preaching- but I mean it with all my heart.  One minute left so goodbye for this week and I'll try to write individual little letters today to respond to your emails.  Love you!  -Hermana Hatch