!ijo le!/Me again (March 1, 2011)

Wow I am sooooooo excited that Luis is coming to the great CVM!!!!!!!  It's the best mission in the world!  Do you think since he knows portugese they will send him on the fast track in the MTC?  That would be so cool to see him in the field.  Or maybe somebody from my MTC district will end up training him.  It's a good possibility.  Anyways, I was super excited to read it.  It really is such a small world.

I'm glad to hear that you are all doing so well and I just love hearing your little stories about Dallin and Cason mom!  I'm not gonna lie, I am pretty excited to get to get to see them again.  It just blows my mind that they are talking!  So crazy!

Ok well this week was awesome!  Silverio that I taught in Oxnard got baptized!  We're doing great!  I don't have a cold anymore!  Woohoo!

Thanks for the mail!  I've actually gottta go cause something's up with the computers.  So I'll write you next week.  Sorry it's so short.  Love you a lot!!!!!!

Love,

Hermana Hatch

 

 

Ok, well something fell through so here we are again at the Library to actually use our email time to write a little bit more. 

This week we had a ton of lessons because we had found so many new investigators.  We taught an average of 7 lessons a day!  Crazy!  It's so awesome!  It's so interesting because it is totally different than my other areas.  We teach a lot more here and do a lot less finding.  It's such a testimony that really, as missionaries we don't do much- that it is all the Lord and His timing and how prepared the people are.  I realized this because I am doing nothing different here than before (well, hopefully I'm a little better as a missionary), but we are having tons more lessons and finding tons more people.  We just work as hard as we can and the Lord guides and directs His work.  It's been a very humbling experience and I've enjoyed getting to work with the people here in Lamont and Arvin. 

One of our investigators- Ramon- is getting baptized on Saturday!!!!!!!  He is so ready and humble and I love him a lot.  He's one of the men that lives in that house full of men.  He has a family in mexico that he hasn't seen in 4 years and he's here working to support them.  He knows that the Gospel will make him a better father and he wants it so he can bless his family.  Hopefully he gets to return to Mexico soon.

I got your letter mom, and I'm not gonna lie it freaked me out a bit.  I don't really like having to think about the future and I have complete trust in the Lord that everything will work out.  There's not really much I can do about my career right now and as I've prayed about it I just feel the Lord telling me to be patient and that He will take care of it and it will work out.  I think it might be a little weird for "my mom" to talk to schools about hiring me, :) but maybe just keep your ears open for possibilities and mention a word or two here and there about me.  It's hard cause I don't even have a resume and there's no way I could make one while I'm here.  Don't worry mom, everything will work out.  I do however don't think I can just sub for awhile because I will need insurance ASAP, so I'll be searching for a job with benefits.  By the way, I don't think I've mentioned but as a sister missionary we actually get a choice as to which transfer we take home- the early or the late- because 18 mths lands in the middle of a transfer.  That means that I actually have a choice between coming home around July 11 or in August, 6 weeks later.  I've been thinking about it a lot and I still don't know what to do.  To be honest, it breaks my heart to think about coming home in July because I love being a missionary.  I love it so much and wish it could just last forever.  On the other hand, I know that I'll have more of a chance to get a job if I come home in July and that while the Lord provides, He expects us to do our part.  It's really been tearing me up lately and I thought I knew what I would do, but now I'm just really confused.  I try not to dwell on it more than is necessary but time is going by really fast and I'm gonna have to decide soon.  I've been praying and fasting and I'm still not sure.  So I just ask that maybe you all could pray for me to know what the Lord would have me do and what would be the best. 

Don't stress about it too much mom, I know that everything will be ok and the Lord will take care of me and my future.  He is in the details of our lives.

Love you guys muchisisimo!

-Hermana Hatch

Buenos Tardes (February 21, 2011)

Well, this was a pretty rockin week.  We found 18 new investigators! 18!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And they are all really awesome and have great potential to progress!  Yeah, we are pretty excited.  It's really neat because a couple of weeks ago Elder Pieper of the Seventy came and talked to us about finding and looking for the elect.  Since then we've changed how we've gona about finding and we've seen awesome results, and the people we are finding now aren't just the usual, probably won't be home when we try again people, but actually the elect.  It's amazing how much the Spirit has been guiding us.  Here's a little bit about some of the people we found:

One day we wrote down some potentials that other missionaries had talked to before.  We went to go try a woman that only had written down her name, address and mornings.  On our way there as we got out of the car a guy that looked about our age was passing by and I felt like we should talk to him.  I said hi to him and introduced myself (as my companion was still getting out of the car) and told him we were missionaries and we shared about Jesus Christ.  He told me that that was something that he lacked in his life.  So we got down his information and had an appt a couple a days later and he's pretty interested.  Awesome, right?  Anyways, then we actually made it to the house of that women and found out that she actually was taught by missionaries in Idaho for a little while and had even gone to church a couple times but then she moved.  She has a lot of questions but said that we already cleared up a lot of her doubts and feels really good about this and knows that Heavenly Father sent us to her. 

Another day we were in Lamont and went to an appointment that wasn't home.  The member that was with us (a crazy older lady named Migdy that I love so much!) said hey that door is open we should go knock it.  So we did and they let us right in.  There was an older woman and her grandkids and when we introduced ourselves she was shocked and told us that she was a member of the church and that she was from Mexicali and visiting her daughter and that they had been searching for an LDS church here for a long time and she couldn't find one.  They checked in arvin and Lamont and she had felt like something was missing.  Well, the Lord led us right to her door, and we found out the daughter that she was visiting, Estella, is not a member and either are any of her children or spouse.  We set up an appt to come back before sunday and teach them- I will get to that story in a minute.

Thursday we went to a street to knock and talked to the first person we saw, a woman standing outside her door.  She let us right in and we had a great lesson and found out that her 19 year old son passed away in a car accident about 2 years ago and she's really been struggling with life and the loss.  I am so excited to share with her more and more about the peace that comes from the Atonements and the Plan of Salvation.  I know that it will bless and change her and her family for the better.

Friday was Zone training with just our Zone and Pres. and Sister Murri.  It was really good, even though I had a bad cold and was a little miserable.  At the end President chose a missionary couple to go out with for the night using names in an envelope and randomly choosing and he chose US!!!!  We were super excited and nervous!  Him and Sister Murri came out wiht us that night to our appointments!  When does that ever happen?!  Never!  Ok, so we had a great lesson with a less active member, an investigator with a baptism date, and then we went to Estella and her family.  When we first got there they weren't home and the grandma told us they were at the dentist.  But they came home a few minutes later and we got the whole family to sit down and listen.  We taught the Restoration and when we invited them to be baptized they all said YES!!!!  That doesn't happen much to me.  Like hardly ever- if ever.  It was awesome and we set them for a date in April.  We talked about how they need to prepare and they said they would study and come to church.  We got out of the lesson with the happiest feeling in the world!  It was amazing!  Pres and Sister Murri were excited too, of course.  Sunday unfortunately the only the mom and daughters came- but we found out that it's actually because the granma (who;s beena  member 12 years) actually told the husband that because they weren't married he couldn't come to church.  Argh.  It's ok, we'll tell him he can come this week and hoopefully we get them married soon :)  It's gonna be tough, but I'm super excited for them and have a lot of hope that it can work out. 

There are other stories, but I'm out of time.  Basically, this was a pretty awesome week and I'm looking forward to the next one. 

Thanks so much for the package!  I actually haven't gotten it yet because I got the package slip friday night and the post office is closed sat and sun.  But hopefully, even though it's some sort of holiday today, the post office will be open.  Next time just tell them to leave it on the doorstep :) 

Love you all sooooooo much!!!!!  Have a great week!

-Hermana Hatch

Feliz dia de Amor y Amistad (February 14, 2011)

I really did feel your strength and love this week.  It was a great week and our investigators are progressing well!

The 6 little men are still great!  Ramon accepted a baptism date this week for March 5!  We are soooo excited!!  He's excited too, though a little nervous, which is normal.  He's such a sweet man and so ready.  I hope he gets to return to Mexico soon to see his family and children.  Jesus, another one of the "blue jays"  came to church this Sunday!  We were so excited!  He's praying about getting baptized the 26th of March.

Yesterday was Missionary Sunday- which means the missionaries do the program.  They've done this in all the wards I've been on on the mission every once in a while and it's always great to boost the missionary work.  I gave a talk about our purpose and the Gospel/Atonement.  I feel like it went pretty well and people told me they liked it.  My companion told me I definitely had the gift of tongues :)  I like to think my Spanish is getting better- ojala que si. (I hope so).  The other missionaries also sang "We'll bring the world his truth" (which we had thanks to my spanish children's song book woohoo)  and I played.  That's the tough part about being the only one that plays the piano- I never get to sing for things anymore.  Oh well, playing is good too.  We got a lot of our investigators there to church because we told them that I was talking and Hermana Doxey was singing.  This one man we are teaching came for the first time!  His name is Elias and he owns the house where we have our Noche de Hogar in Arvin.  A recent convert lives there, as well as another investigator- and a member and his family live behind them.  The Hermanas actually talked to him along time ago but he never was really progressing so they hadn't been teaching him really until I got here.  Then suddenly he started reading and wanted to meet with us.  He told us last night that he knows it's all true, it's just actually doing everything and putting for th the effort- which he's doing.  We've talked to him a lot about baptism, but he still needs more time before he commits- at least that's what he says.  He's really smart though and a great, sweet, older man.  Plus he doesn't work in the fields so we can have our appointments during the day.

Most everyone here works in the fields.  It is hard work and it lasts from 6 in the morning until 6 at night.  They only get paid $8/hr for hard physical labor.  But it's all they can do- and it's way better than the conditions and wages in Mexico, so they don't complain.  A woman in Relief Society yesterday shared about how when she was younger she went to school and wanted to be a lawyer, but couldn't keep going with it cause they didn't have the money.  Then she did end up becoming a model and later working in politics for a bit.  Then a lot of things happened and she ended up coming here and now has to work in the fields because she has to work and that's all she can do.  The member family (the only active one) here in Arvin have two daughters in High school that on Saturdays and holidays go and work in the fields to help get money for their family.  I don't really know why I am sharing this, I guess maybe to give you some perspective to the humble, hard working people that I get serve around and teach.  It makes me want to cry when I think about everything that they do and give for their families.

We taught Veronica yesterday and she's still reading and praying and humbly accepting everything.  They couldn't come to church cause her husband is sick.  She has a little baby, but she will have to go back to work in the fields next month with her husband to help support her family.  Unfortunately, that means she will have less time to read :(  That's ok it'll work out.  She has a lot of faith.

I am loving being here in Arvin and Hermana Doxey is awesome!  One negative point of Arvin is that there really aren't many stores so I can't find my contact solution.  Could you maybe send me a bottle- is that sendable through the mail?  Clear Care.  I think I may be able to find some other stuff at a pharmacia we passed while running.  We're gonna go try it today but maybe send it just in case. 

I love you all so much and hope you all are doing weel and you get over your sicknesses.  Everybody gives us oranges here so hopefully the vitamin C keeps us good and healthy.  Hna. Doxey got sick pobrecita.  hopefully she gets better soon. 

Thanks for your love!  I love you all too! 

-Hermana Hatch

Buenos Tardes!!!!!! (February 7, 2011)

I can definitely feel your love and prayers.  I've never felt so lifted on a daily basis in my entire life.  Somebody told us the other day that they didn't even realize how much was being lifted until they went home, got released, and felt the difference.  It's incredible and amazing to witness how much the Lord takes care of His missionaries, and each one of us.  I know He loves you all so much individually and He is watching out for you and your families.

It was a great week.  We found 12 new investigators- los eligidos! The elect!- and hopefully they all progress.  I have faith that they will!  I love teaching our 6 little men.  No, mother there are no Elders around here.  The closest Elders are 40 minutes away.  We are out on our own in little Arvin.  And don't worry, the men are all super respectful and sweet to us.  They walk us out to car at night and everything- well only one does, not all six.  Only two came to church this week, although they told us they would.  Hopefully Ramon accepts a date for his baptism soon.  He's totally ready and told us he wants to get baptized.  I don't know what's holding him back.

We started teaching these two sweet men, Jesus and Lupe.  Jesus is awesome and understands everything and has clearly been searching for this!  He told us he believes in Saints and all that, but when we taught him the Restoration he just accepted it right away- Lupe too!  The Spirit was so strong it was awesome! 

The other day we were walking to an appt and met this sweet older lady Mercedes and we hit it off.  We set up an appt to go by and when we did on Sat. she totally made us delicious tacos and introduced us to all her family.  We're gonna start teaching her, her daughter and her daughter in law.  They even gave us two more referrals! Awesome!

We also started teaching this young mother that has two children- Veronica.  When we went back her husband was there and we taugh them both.  They are so humble and at the end of the lesson we all knelt down and he said a prayer- the first time he's ever prayed in his life.  It's little moments like those that I will never forget my whole life.  And it makes all the hard times worth it.  I just love being a missionary!

The ward is cool and I have become the ward pianist.  Who knew I'd play the piano so much?  It was the usual crazy testimony meeting yesterday and wonderful classes.  I love these people. :)

Well, I must now turn the time over to Hna. Doxey.  She says hi and sends her love back.  More pictures, packages, etc would be great :)  I love whatever you want to send.  Heather, I haven't had brownies in a while...;)

Thanks so much for everything!

Love you guys a lot!

-Hermana Hatch

Greetings from Arvin! (January 31, 2011)

So I'm here in Arvin, CA- a stinky, foggy, muddy little Mexico!!  It's AWESOME!  Everybody speaks Spanish and it's about the size of Snowflake, maybe smaller.  We do our shopping at the local Vallarta (Mexican Grocery Store) since that is all there is and we are about 40 minutes from the church that is in Bakersfield.  We also cover the little town of Lamont that is about 15 or 20 minutes away.  Here in Arvin there are only 10 active members and there are a few more in Lamont, most of which are recent converts are recently activated.  But the ones we have are awesome and come with us to appointments all the time!  It is very foggyin the mornings sometimes, but the only time I have to really drive in it is to go to the church twice a week.  And don't worry too much because it's just driving through fields where there are hardly any cars and the roads are completely straight.  We have a ton of investigators and teach a ton of lessons!  It is so different than the work in Oxnard.  These people are super humble and receptive and we they average between 5-15 investigators at church every week- even though it's 45 minutes away!!!  How awesome is that?  So as you can probably tell, I'm pretty excited to be here.  Of course there are downsides, like no sports on Pdays since miles make us stuck here in Arvin and it's very cold, but the positives outweigh the negatives by far.  Plus, I love my new companion Hermana Doxey.  She's a really hard worker and we get along great.  We work really well together and it's so fun to finally get to drive and be senior companion :)  We go running every morning for 25 minutes and she only has to back track a little for me a couple of times and told me I'm probably the best running companion she's had on the mission.  I'm still not awesome, but I enjoy it.

We teach these 6 men that live in this little house.  They call themselves the Blue Jays.  I'm not really sure why.  But they're super sweet and all gather round with their Libros de Mormon when we come.  One is a recent convert and has stopped coming to church lately cause he works sundays.  The rest of them give him a hard time about it cause they all understand that baptism isn't a game.  But it was so sweet cause we taught them about repentance and they (who are not members) were the ones telling him that now is the time to apply it and repent.  They're not all super progressing, but there are two that are.  One of them has a family in Mexico and doesn't want to be baptized here without them, and the other one is so smart and understands everything super well.  I guess before he wasn't progressing, but this week he told us he wants to change and he's been reading and everything.  I'm super excited for him. 

Saying goodbye to all of my Oxnard people was really hard and I still miss them, but I'm trying not to think about it and just move on.  I'll keep in touch through letters and one day I will see them again. 

I love you all and hope that you had a good week. 

Pray that I get out of here before the heat and that our investigators progress and get baptized!  And that we find families so that w can start a branch here!!! 

con mucho amor,

Hermana Hatch

Happy Tuesday! (January 18, 2011)

Wow family!  Thanks for the emails!  Hmmm mom maybe don't forward all of aunt flora's to me.  It's very confusing and I can't see the pictures or attachments anyways.  But I did enjoy the story about Gladys Knight.  Just do what you want :)

I LOVED the pictures!!!  You should send more! :)  Send some from Christmas, more from the wedding (of the whole fam too), and Bin you should send me pics of your apt (and that chocolate frog :) ).  Sorry I know I'm so demanding.  I just love hearing from you all and everyone sounds like they are doing great.  That's awesome about your photography business Heather!  You'll have to teach me when I get home!  And Joy, I am so sorry that you deal with fourth graders and all their drama.  Elementary school def has so much more than any other age.  Geeze that's tough.  Binny you looked so beautiful at your wedding!  I was so excited about the pictures I showed my companion, some Elders we serve with and my ward mission leader.  I was like, "look this is my family!  And my little sister is married!"  It was fun and they liked the pics too (although the kissy face one I think was a little funny for the elders to see...oh silly elders).  Mom, it sounds like you and dad are having a good time serving at the temple.  That makes me so happy!  And there are LOTS of opportunities to serve the Lord.  I think it's awesome that you are trying to do everything you can to serve some sort of mission.  The most important thing to the Lord is that you do everything you can to follow the prophet's counsel, and then He'll make the miracles happen and you will be blessed for your efforts- even if it's in your own ward.  I'm so happy you both have that desire!!!!  Way to go mom and dad!!!

Well, we got to go to the temple last friday and it was wonderful!  The Spirit was so strong and I learned so much and had answers to questions come to my mind.  I didn't want to leave!  But it helped that at least I was going back to the work of the Lord and doing what I can to fulfill the covenants I have made with Him.  It was something I really needed and I was grateful for that opportunity.  Especially because I'm pretty sure that I'm getting transferred next week and I may not be so close to the temple.  Ok, we never really know, but I've been in Oxnard for 7 1/2 mths so it's about time :)  I love it, but I wouldn't mind change.  So maybe wait on sending that package Heather. 

Gerardo is gonna get baptized this week and I'm super excited!  The Hernandez family is still progressing and are basically just waiting on the dad to feel ready.  Silverio got a job and may not be able to come to church, which means he may not be able ot get baptized just yet.  sad day.  But miracles can happen- especially if he puts in the effort.  Faith and works!  I gave up sweets this week to sympathize with two investigators that are quitting smoking and drinking.  They really were moved that I cared that much, and I do.  They prommised me that since I'm probably getting moved they'll come to church this Sunday.  We'll see, but I really hope they will, and they'll come, and feel the Spirit, and love it, and want to come again and again!!!  At least that's the plan. 

I'm really torn with transfers coming up.  I don't really know what I want, but there are a lot of possible options that make me nervous.  The biggest thing is that I'm just so ready to go senior or train or something!!!  It's been so hard for me because I've been junior longer than ANYONE!  I just need to be pushed, I want to grow- especially with my spanish.  I even finally told President I want to be senior.  I'm just never very good at expressing my true feelings cause I feel like I'm complaining, but I finally just had to tell him how I feel.  So we'll see what happens.  But, the thing I care the most about more than anything is what the Lord wants.  If He wants me to stay in Oxnard and stay Junior, so be it.  Because His way, is ALWAYS the best way, even if we can't see it right away.  I know everything will work out and I'll just enjoy my possible last week here in Oxnard.

Love you all mucho and hope you have a great week!

-Hermana Allesha Hatch

Buenos tardes (January 10, 2011)

I actually have been really great this week!  I finally feel healthy again and the work is going awesome!  We had an awesome week with lots of lessons and lots of people progressing!  We had 7 people at church yesterday!!!!  Gerardo, the son of our recent convert is doing great and is super excited for his baptism on the 22nd.  He's a sweet little 9 year old and his mom is doing great!  She was gonna start working on sundays again, but she talked to her boss and is gonna get every other sunday off.  So that's good news!  Silverio, our new investigator has a baptism date for Feb 12, reads the book of mormon (he's already in 2Nefi- he told us it's cause he was afraid we'd be mad if he didn't read haha.  He was just kidding, I think :)  I guess we were pretty clear on how important it is), comes to church, and prays.  He's pretty awesome!  Ramon, Marta, and Ramon Jr- the family we're teaching- were able to come to church woohoo, read, and pray and look forward to baptism.  However the dad isn't reading as much and is trying to get sunday mornings off.  But yesterday the priesthood lesson was about the sabbath day and I guess all the hermanos talked to him, encouraged him, and gave him their phone numbers and such.  I'm telling you, our ward is AWESOME!  Fellowship from members is crucial and it means so much when the members take the initiative to offer rides, talk to them, sit by them, etc.  Our other investigators that came to church was the investigator we teach in english and her family.  She has had a rough life and it continues to be hard.  Everytime we learn something new and I am just shocked.  She's coming along though and got a priesthood blessing this week.  I love her so much and I can tell Heavenly Father loves her too cause He's fighting for her.  We'll see what happens, but I know miracles are possible. 

We also successfully passed along an investigator to the English elders that we're pretty sure had a thing for me.  Yeah, that happens.  I guess the skirt, missionary badge, and brilliant glow that we have just makes us irresistable.  I've never been told how guapa and beautiful I am so much in my whole life.  Funny huh?  It does cause major problems sometimes though.  But no worries, we'll try to look more like nuns from now on. 

Well, I've gotta go cause we are going to the temple this week so pday is cut short.  Love you all so much!  Remember to read and pray everyday and go to church.  We've been timing reading with people to show them how little time it takes to read in the Book of Mormon.  You can succesffully read a page in the B of M in about 3-4 minutes.  So the excuse that we're just too busy just doesn't cut it :) 

Remember who you are and take care of Mom and Dad!  Don't worry mom, pretty soon you will have a house full of little grandchildren and it will no longer feel so empty. 

I love you all so much!!!!

!Que pasen una bonita semana!

love, Hermana Hatch

Feliz ano nuevo! (January 3, 2011)

Hello peeps in Arizona!  :)  I'm glad that you got and enjoyed my surprise video on saturday.  I felt like it was a tv special or something with me sitting in front of the christmas tree, but it's where hno. garcia wanted to do it so I gave in.  He was so funny and had me do it multiple times- most of which ended up pretty ridiculous- so you got the best I could offer.  I'm so glad that everything worked out and that the wedding was beautiful!  I'm super excited to get pictures!!!!

It's still so crazy about zach and becca!!!  But it was nice to see their invite.  I hope you didn't make him feel too bad mom, :) I really do understand that things happen.  But that was thoughtful that he tried.  And don't make my friends feel too guilty for not writing me.  It really is ok.  I understand how life gets.  The most important letters I want are from you guys!!!  And letters themselves aren't too important.   They are nice, but not too important.

Hmmm, so I'm trying to focus and think what happened this week, but I'm having a hard time. haha.  We've got a lot more investigators now that we cover camarillo as well.  We've definitely got some interesting characters, but I love them all so much.

We found this guy, Silverio, this week.  We knocked into him and taught him a little lesson right there on his doorstep.  He actually was taught before in Simi Valley and was really impacted that more missionaries found him.  I felt prompted to ask him to be baptized so I did, right there on his doorstep in our first meeting.  He said when he knows it's true he will.  We met with him a couple more times and he shared some interesting experiences, but he's a good guy and he's praying and reading, AND walked to church in the rain- like 40 minutes away!!!!  AWESOME!!!  I'm super excited about him. 

The family we are teaching didn't come to church again and he still hasn't talked to his boss about it.  But he's not drinking coffee and we watched the JS movie with the mom and son (13) and they said the believe he was a prophet.  The mom is already in the end of 2 Nefi!!!!!  CRAZY!  And she's so funny and teaches her son in our lessons when we recap things he's missed, like she's known this stuff for years.  I love them sooo much!

Our english investigator gets sick A LOT and hasn't had a chance to read, and didn't come to church.  We're basically at the end with her, but last night- to make a long story short- she talked to a member on the phone that is basically like family (we were with the member) and he told her to call him everyday and set up another appt.  This is kind of like our last hurrah.  I love her and I'm praying it works out.  She's had a crrrazzy life and each time we go we learn even more and more and it's a miracle that she's even alive.  It definitely wasn't chance that we found her that one night.

Alfredo is an intense camarillo investigator we have that is slowly progressing, but reads everything.  He tells me I'm pushy (so do most people :) )  but I just tell him I'm honest.  He's honest too so we get along great.  Heavenly Father called me on a mission, pushiness and all, and sometimes that's what people need. haha.

We had our interviews with our mission president this week.  He told me I'm getting old in the mission and I told him I'm still just a greenie.  He definitely hinted at changes coming up.  I feel like I'll be transferred this next time, but I guess you really never know.  I told him I'd be fine either way.  But now that I've thought about it it makes me really really sad to think about leaving Oxnard.  I've been here so long and the ward is AWESOME, the members are AMAZING and we have a ward mission leader that actually magnifies his calling!  I love the people that we are teaching and I would just really love to see one of them get baptized!  But, I will go where the Lord wants me to go.  Last week we taught primary with the Elders (and gospel principles- I just love when the teachers don't show up) and we taught the kids the song Nefi's courage- in Spanish of course.  I love it!  Ire y hare lo que manda El Senor.  La via El preparara y obedecere!  :)  Good times.

Well, I'm glad that you all had a lovely week and Lindsey I'm glad that everything was beautiful and wonderful and I can't wait to hear about it from you!  Oh, and bienvenido a mi familia Jared!  

Los Quiero muchisimo!  

Hermana Allesha Hatch

PS- There is now another Hermana Hatch in the mission- I know I know, ridiculous!- and so everything that you send now needs to be labled with my first name too.  Maybe spread the word to anyone else thinking of writing me.  Thanks! 

Feliz Navidad! (December 27, 2010)

It was so nice to talk to you all on Christmas!  I love and miss you all and I'm glad that everything is going well.  I can't believe that Dallin and Cason can talk!  It still just blows my mind.  I loved all of the gifts you sent (and the food :) )  and I had a really awesome Christmas.  Thank you so much!  Everything was perfect!

Last week was a really great week.  Although there was LOTS of rain.  Tracting in rain is not fun, but I always say that whenever the work gets more difficult, that just means that Heavenly Father is gonna bless us with that many more blessings for being faithful despite the challenges.  And He did.  We had some great lessons.  Christmas was a blast and after I hung up the phone I went downstairs and we hung out a little bit with the Elders and Hno. Garcia's family.  The best part was that I totally tried a cricket!  haha!  It actually wasn't as bad as it looked.  I ate 3.  I know, I'm crazy.  After we went to dinner with a member family (posole and tamales of course) and then looked for a potential investigator in the rain and had a great lesson with one of our other investigators.  We were pretty wet by the end of the night, but don't worry- vale la pena! (it's worth the pain).  And I didn't get sick so no worries. 

I think the hardest part of this week happened earlier, on Tuesday.  Don't post this part or anything ok?  Do you remember me talking about Mike, a less active member we found that hadn't been to church since he was 8.  He was doing awesome and going strong and he made the times without investigators or lessons worth it, because we knew we were helping him.  Well, this week we went to his house and he told us he isn't going to go back to church and that he doesn't want us to keep coming by to teach him anymore.  He's just really confused right now and says he needs some time.  It was pretty out of the blue, although he has been going through a hard time lately, and I cried in the lesson, and after.  I couldn't help it.  It broke my heart to see him walk away from the only thing that has given him peace and light in his life.  I care about him a lot and it makes me so sad.  Hna. Kitchen doesn't know and I'm reluctant to write that letter.  But maybe she can call him or something and talk some sense into him.  I know that he knows this is the truth and one day he will come around, but until then I hope that he doesn't have to suffer too much with the choices that he makes.  It still makes me sad to think about, but I have to have hope that everything will be ok. 

I'm gonna get going now because the library is freezing and I don't have a sweater, but I love you all and hope that you have a very fun week. 

I love you all so so so much and I'll talk to you later.

Have a good week!

Love, Hermana Hatch

Feliz Navidad (December 20, 2010)

Ok so I'm not really sure what type of translator it is.  But someone told me that they don't have it in Wal-mart but that you have to order it on Walmart on line.  But it's a word translator and has some games and such.  Everyone says it's only $50 so don't waste your money on something more.  If I figure out mroe specifics of it I will have Hno.Garcia text it to you or something. 

Hermana Shumway is really fun.  We have a lot in common and it's so fun talking about arizona things and she knows what I'm talking about- like "the 60" and the Easter Pageant.  Little things that we can relate to.  Plus, she did tech work on shows at MCC and totally knows who Mitchell Glass is and Breckyn and Bryson Jones!  Crazy!  Btw, could you get me Bryson's address?  Thanks!  Yeah, it's such a small world.  Everyone thinks she's new and I'm training her and she tries to get away with saying she doesn't speak much Spanish, but I let them know she actually has more time in the mission than me and speaks more haha. 

It's crazy to think how long I've been in Oxnard.  Some of the families' older kids have come home for Christmas break and they all were surprised to see that I am still here haha.  But I love it and I'm glad I get to spend Christmas and New Years here.  We'll be calling around 2pm from Hno. Tone's cell phone.  I think the time might be an hour off between AZ and CA.  It may be 3 there.  I don't know.  Just know that I'm calling at 2 CA time.  We have a Christmas devotional this week with our zone and the mission president, and some dinners with members on the holidays.  We're also gonna open gifts with the other hermanas that live close and do a breakfast together.  It'll be fun.  Oh, and lots of caroling!  Yay!  Too bad I kind of lost my voice (I've been just a little under the weather).  So if I sound funny on the phone that's why. 

Just don't worry about sending the blanket, it's true that it'll be more to carry aound.  I really appreciate the thought and I would love it but I don't have a lot more room in my luggage.  Conference talks on cd would be good, I probably honestly wouldn't listen to the children's songbook cd.  If you want to buy a children's songbook in Spanish (like the actual book) that would be good!  Hna. Kitchen is gone so it looks like I'm the new pianist in the ward.   Don't stress too much about it though.  I don't need things to be happy.  BTW, I'm sending a package today of something very special for the family for Christmas.  It's awesome and I hope you like it!  But, I'm gonna be sending it wrapped in my poncho the Bishop gave us so I don't have to carry that around with me.  So, the pancho is not the gift- sorry, that's mine :) - but the other thing is. 

Oh, while I'm thinking about it, please do get my cello back from Zach ASAP :)  and can you send me the announcement?  I want to see it and the bum didn't even write to tell me he's getting married or send me an announcement.  Oh well, asi es.

We've had lots of rain here which makes missionary work pretty fun haha.  Hermana Shumway hates it- a true AZ girl- but it's really not too bad.  With sacrifice brings blessings, right?  

Anyways, i don't really know what else to write at this moment.  I'm excited to talk to you all on Christmas!!!! WOOHOO!!!  Don't go too crazy with wedding plans.  Just enjoy the journey and laugh at the mistakes and little bumps in the road.  Enjoy the holiday season and tell everyone hello for me Feliz Navidad and I love them!  

I love you all very very much!  

Hasta Sabado,

Hermana Hatch 

Glad tidings of good joy... (December 13, 2010)

So this week has been awesome!  But first let's get some business out of the way.  Ok so I thought of a few more things I need.  A calendar to put on my wall, a journal (the smaller kind any color works), and...ok I feel bad asking for this one...a camera.  Ok, ok so you don't have to get me the translater cause I don't want to ask for both but I REALLY need a new camera.  Mine doesn't take pictures anymore :(  Yeah, it's sad.  Doesn't need to be anything fancy, I'll let you pick one out and I'll love it.  But that would be awesome.  I'm looking forward to packages!!!  :)  I have a surprise for you too.  It's for the family.  I don't think I can do individual stuff this year but I'll bring souvenirs home next year (yup, from CA  hahah).  I will plan on 2:00 PM christmas day.  If it needs to change just let me know next week in the email.  We're gonna go to our ward mission leaders house on Christmas day and use his phone.  He's excited cause he says that means he gets to talk to you after me (don't worry, I don't count that as taking away from my time).  I'm pretty excited to talk to you all as well!

Lindsey, how were your receptions?  Sounds like you had a busy week-all of you!  Fun fun!  Ok, so I'm not complaining or anything but I thought I would just mention that my dying companion has gotten more mail the last two weeks of her mission then I have the whole transfer- maybe two.  haha.  So maybe you should just not write on my blog and just write a note : Hermana Hatch requests letters.  Gracias.  Les Quiere.  haha until people write me more.  Nah, don't mention to people that I'm complaining.  It's really all good and the work is more important anyways.  Less distractions right?

Soooo this week we ahd FIVE investigators come to church!!!!!!!!!!  Awesome huh?!  It was the English lady we're teaching and her daughter- who by the way will be getting baptized this transfer!  And this new family we found last week.  I don't know if I told you but we were knocking one day- you know the usual- and Hermana Kitchen was just done with knocking.  She just couldn't do it anymore.  So I said, ok let's go caroling then and we started knocking and carolling.  The last door we knocked was this family that let us in!!!!  They have a baptism date for Jan 15th and they are reading and praying and just awesome!  Their son is 13 and is such a good young man.  He's gonna be an awesome missionary one day!  So the work is definitely progressing.  I told Hermana Kitchen that it was Heavenly Father's gift to her for all of the hard work she's done here.  She's goin out with a bang.  Sometimes He lets us struggle a bit to stretch us, but He always blesses us for our efforts. 

We got transfer calls this morning and Hermana Shumway is coming with me- from Mesa!  Arizona represent!  So yes, I'm still junior comp.  Yup, kind of stinks but that's how it just worked out.  Hermana Peters- my MTC comp- is training so I'm a little jealous about that but I'll suck up my pride and enjoy that I get to be here for Christmas and to help our investigators.  Oh, another surprise is that President took the other sisters out so the Elders and Us split up their area- which means I get some of my old investigators back!!!! I get to work back in Camarillo!!!  Woohoo.  The sisters are gonna be working in 6th ward- the other spanish ward in this area.  Yeah it's all pretty crazy and another unexpected turn.  

Well, we have a lot to do for Hermana Kitchen since she dies on Wed so I've gotta go.  Love you all!!!!!  Lots and lots!!!

Con amor,

Hermana Hatch 

!Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias! (November 22, 2010)

Buenos Dias mi familia bonita.  Another great week here in the great California Ventura Mission.  Here are some highlights from this past week:

We talked to Mike about the Priesthood and he should be recieving it in the next couple of weeks.  We even mentioned a mission and he's going to think and pray about it!  We're so excited for him and it's amazing to see how much happier he is and how much he loves church.  He's a great example to us and all the members.  I know that the Lord has a great work for him to do and I can't wait to see where life takes him. 

So we teach this less active family that has started coming back to church.  They live in a very small house and have practically nothing, but they feed us every week because they say it gives them blessings and they just love the missionaries.  They are so awesome, even though their kids are CRAZY!  So we've decided that their little four year old has a crush on me.  He always touches me or pets my hair and stays close to me.  He's cute, but can be quite the little terror.  This past week he had this big cup of cocoa powder.  Near the end of the lesson he started to pour a little bit on my skirt.  So I tried to ignore him and swept it off.  Then he did it again with more.  So I told him no swept it off again.  Then the prayer started and I could feel him close to me.  I kept my eyes closed as long as possible but finally couldn't take it and saw that he had dumped a big pile on me and was touching me with his dirty hands and giggling. I held his hands as the prayer finished and his mom finally realized what was going on.  She gave me a towel  which he poured more onto.  I couldn't take it anymore so I stood up to leave, relieved to finally get away from the cocoa, and started saying goodbye when they all started making noises and I realized he had dumped cocoa all down my backpack.  Oh the joys of teaching families...haha.  It was pretty funny.  We'll see what happens next time...

Yesterday in the morning as we were studying I suddenly got feeling sick and had to run to the bathroom.  The rest of the day kind of follwed the same and I felt awful!  We went to breakfast at our ward mission leaders house and they gave me mexican antacid stuff that actually helped a little and some toast.  I love them so much.  They're pretty awesome.  Heavenly Father worked a miracle and I felt well enough to go to stake conference because we thought an investigator was going, but they never showed up.  Afterward we passed by the Quezada's house (we eat with them every other sun) to pick up a plate for hna. kitchen and go home, but hna. Quezada wouldn't stand that and they put blankets around me, made me sit by the fireplace, made me mint herbal tea, and broth and totally spoiled me.  She is so awesome and tells me I'm her daughter and that she loves me :)  I love her a lot too and the whole family is awesome!  I told her I would let my mom know that I've got some good people taking care of me here.  She sent us home with more mint, leftovers for me to eat today, and even called this morning to see how I was.  I just love the members here and am grateful for all the time I get to be here.  There are many people I will never forget, and will stay in contact with forever.

The Lord is watching out for me and I feel His love so strong.  I know that this truly is His work and that this is His church on the earth.  I know that He loves each of you and is taking care of you.  I hope that you have a great thanksgiving and that you think of me here, suffering through being fed mounds and mounds of food by everyone we visit :)  I can't wait...

Tell the whole family I say hi and I love them all! 

Something that we've been doing is sharing a message of gratitude with families and committing them to say one prayer a day of pure thanks up until thanksgiving.  We have been doing it ourselves and it makes me realize how much I have to be grateful for.  I challenge you all to do the same and see how the Lord truly has blessed us in our lives.  It will truly change the way you see your life and you will feel the Spirit stronger in your lives.

Lots of love,

Hermana Hatch

!Que Milagros! (November 16, 2010)

So this past week was awesome!  We had more lessons and are finding more people.  The Lord is so merciful and always answers our prayers, just in His timing (which is always much better than ours).  I am learning the love that He truly has for me, and for each person individually and uniquely.  He will never give us more than we can handle.  I also found out this week that Juana has a baptism date for in a couple of weeks (who I taught in my last area)  and that Cristina and Roberto are getting baptized Dec 11th (from my first area)!!!!  Yesterday we had zone conference and the Elder that's teaching Cristina y Roberto told me they talk about me all the time and really want me to come to their baptism.  So I asked President and got permission since it's just in Ventura (10 min away)!!!!  I'm soooo excited!!!! I haven't seen them in so long and I'll get to see a lot of members from my first area! What a blessing!  I'm so excited!  I'm sure they will all be amazed that I actually speak and understand spanish now haha.  It's just amazing because already I am seeing the fruit of my labors of people that I've taught in the past.  I knew they'd all get baptized eventually but honestly pictured it as something in the future at some unknown date.  It's such a blessing to have it happen while I'm on the mission and still in the general area.  I feel so blessed!!!!

Funny story- so for zone conference we have car inspections.  It's hard in our area because they move Pday to tuesday and we have zone conference on monday- no time to clean it!  I guess we could do it the week before, but that'd just be way too responsible.  ;)  Plus Elder Finkle (the car person aka fleet coordinator- easily described as a very cranky but loveable old man) is intense and is really picky.  A lot can happen to a car in one week.  So anyways, we woke up and cleaned it for exercise and since we couldn't vacuum Hna. kitchen had the brilliant idea to sweep everything under the mats.  Yes, I am embarrssed to say that we did indeed hide all of our dirt under our car mats.  Hna.Kitchen had done it before and they didn't even check.  I know, I know...we were rushed for time.  Ok, well you can imagine what happened next.  During lunch at zone conference elder finkle begins to announce the car report scores (mission ritual).  Then we hear him say "oh this is a good one...Sister Kitchen and Sister Hatch"  And then he proceeds to announce to everyone that they looked over our car thinking it was beautiful, had written down 100....but then looked under the mats.  He told us "thou shalt not cover thy sins" and everyone laughed and laughed.  It was quite funny and we definitely learned our lesson.  Oops. 

Time's up but I love you all very very much and I hope that you have a fantastic week!  Be good people, pray, and read your scriptures.  And always go to church!!!!  These little things make all the difference.

Con mucho amor,

Su hermana y hija favorita, Hermana Hatch

(November 8, 2010)

Hola familia.  Espero que todos esten bien.   

How's it going?  Are you ok mom?  You didn't send a letter this week or a personal email.  I'm just a little surprised.  But I love the lesson Sis. Allred gave.  I glanced through it and there were a lot of things I needed to hear.  Could you do me a favor and print it out and send it with your letter?  I don't get much time on the computer.  And if you ever come across good talks I'm always willing to get any you all want to print out and send to me.  Along with any letters you guys happen to want to send. :)

This week we had a heat wave.  It was tough with all of the knocking we do.  I know I know, I'm so spoiled with this great weather we usually have that 90s just kills me.  But walking around in 90 degree weather with backpacks and skirts is a lot different than sitting at home with air conditioning in over 100 degree weather.  We are still struggling to get lessons and investigators and the area is still pretty tough, but we're not down yet.  Evidently Heavenly Father knows that we are still lacking on our faith, humility, and patience and has decided to keep trying us.  Sometimes it's pretty tough, but I know everything will be ok.  He's very merciful and I have a lot to be grateful for.  I heard from and Elder that came from Ventura that the couple I taught in Ventura (Cristina y Roberto)  are gonna get baptized this transfer!  I'm sooooo excited!

We are teaching a family that Hna. Kitchen has taught since June and we're trying to get them baptized before she goes home but they lack a lot of faith.  The mom works on weekends- including sunday for a member that needs someone to cover her store so she can go to church!  Oh the irony.  So frustrating!  But they need the money so bad cause that's their only income (it's about $30) so she tells her she'll do it, even though the member knows she's investigating the church.  And we thought they'd given up smoking but this week as we drove past their house we saw her smoking.  I called her right away and she said she was going to work.  Our next lesson we talked about the Word of wisdom and the Atonement and how we know it's hard for them and if they fall, it happens and because of the Atonement we can pick ourselves up and try again.  She flat out lied to us and said she hasn't smoked for months.  Sat she lied more and said she was sleeping and I woke her up when I had called.  We fasted yesterday for them and we still don't know what we're going to do.  Pray for us. 

I know you all have busy lives, but a letter every now and then definitely cheers up us hard working missionaries :) 

Love you all and hope you have a great week.  Thanks for all your love and support and prayers.

And remember that Thanksgiving in spanish is el dia de accion de gracias!  That translates directly to the day of acts of thanks.  Gratitude is not just a feeling, it's an action.  We can apply that to every aspect of our lives- including the gratitude we feel for our Savior.

Have a great week!

Love,

Hermana Hatch

Transfer Mon & Happy Halloween! (November 1, 2010)

So the news is.........I'm staying here in Oxnard with Sister Kitchen.  Yup, we're not changing at all.  It's pretty surprising cause we were pretty sure that one of us would change, but that's how it goes.  I'm happy I'm still here and with her, but this also means that I'll be sticking around in Oxnard for awhile- and that could mean a LONG while since she gets done with her mission at the end of this transfer.  So I'm pretty sure I'm here for at least the next 3 months. It's a great place, the ward is great, and it's very beautiful so I can't complain.  We had a pretty tough transfer the last six weeks and I know that it's been hard on Sister Kitchen especially because she's been in this area for 4 tranfers (6 mths).  She wanted to move, but she told me this morning before we got the call that if she had to stay here for the last transfer, she could do it if I was her companion.  Well, I am, so together we can work hard, trust in the Lord, and have miracles happen.  Hna. Kitchen has a lot of strength and faith and I'm grateful that we get another transfer to learn and grow together.

For Halloween the wards had a combined trunk or treat on Sat night that we got to go to.  It was a lot of fun!  We were cold so our Bishop randomly took 2 panchos out of his trunk and put them on us- so we had our costume all night.  And the best part was he let us keep them at the end of the night!  So now I have and authentic pancho from Mexico (I'll be sure and send pictures).  Then we had an awesome lesson with two investigators (the one that's trying to give up drinking) and they told us they'd come to church on sun.  We called before church and they said they were getting ready.  However, unfortunately they never showed up.  It was a pretty big let down- especially because some of our less actives (including Mike)  didn't come to church either. 

But on a more positive note, Juana, one of the people I taught w/ Hna. Frost in my last area came to church so I got to see her and her kids!!!!  I hadn't seen them for 6 weeks and I missed them so much!  It's so awesome because when I got changed she couldn't really progress because she worked Sundays and was living with someone.  Well, in the last transfer she's moved out into her own place AND now she has Sundays off so she can come to church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I'm so happy!!!!!!!  I taught her from the beginning and I love her so much!  Hopefully she can get baptized in the next transfer and I can be there!  I'll be honest, it's kind of hard to see all these people in my last area finally progress and not be able to teach them and be a part of it.  But I'm so grateful that I can at least be here to see it and experience their joy.  All that really matters is that they do progress, get baptized, and one day go to the temple.

Our mission President told us we couldn't proselite after 7 yesterday because of Halloween so we should try to get appointments.  Well, we couldn't get any appointments so our Ward Mission Leader invited the missionaries over and we watched the Joseph Smith movie at his house and drank hot chocolate.  I love seeing that movie, and I love their family.  They've basically become like family to us.  You'll definitely meet them someday. 

Well, that pretty much covers it.  Tell Dallin HAPPY BIRTHDAY for me!!!!!  And that I love him.  I can't believe it's already his birthday.  He's so old!  What day is it again?  I feel like it's the 3rd.  Which would be funny cause Nov. 3 is my hump day :)  Nov. 3 I'll have exactly 9 mths in the mission.  Crazy!  It's all down hill from here.

I love you all so so so so so much.  Oh, and mom you should stop playing my songs at things.  It's just a little embarrassing. :) 

Love,

Hermana  Hatch

Buenos Dias (October 25, 2010)

Hey familia.  Sounds like you had a crazy week last week.  I'm glad that you all keep busy :)

The work's getting better. We had some more lessons and we're finding more people.  We just hope and pray that some of them progress- read, pray, come to church.  There's a lot of sifting that happens as you find more investigators.  Most of the new investigators don't make it past the Restoration- they don't have time, aren't there for their next appts, etc, etc.  But asi es, that's how it is.  And then every once and a while you find someone really great, but you still planted a lot of seeds in many other people and you have faith that one day they'll come around. 

While we didn't have any investigators at church this week, we did have 5 less active members come!!!  That's always so exciting!  One less active member we're working with- Mike, the one that hasn't been to church since he was 8- came in a new shirt and tie!  We felt like proud parents!  He is so amazing and brightens our day.  He says the most sincere prayers and this last week we mentioned that tranfers are coming up and one of us might leave so he prayed that we could stay together.  He's really great and we have hopes of him one day going on a mission!  :) 

Ivy is still so amazing and I love that I get to see her still on Sundays.  She also calls and leaves nice messages on our phone too.  She keeps reading and praying and has such great faith.  I don't know if I mentioned but she even told us she wants to serve a mission!!!  Isn't that awesome?!

The work keeps moving forward and we'll see what happens.  Tranfers are a week away and we're already getting nervous about what will happen.  We have no idea, as usual.

I love you all soooooooooo much and appreciate your prayers, letters, and support.  thanks for everything and keep being good missionaries and disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Love,

Hermana Hatch

Hey y'all (October 18, 2010)

Thanks for the shoes mom and the cookies :)  I guess you got the hint.  They were delicious and the shoes are really comfortable.  They fit great thanks!  That's so awesome and crazy that Lindsey's officially engaged.  I totally approve a cardboard cutout of me as long as I can pick the picture :)  No I don't have my video camera, they're not allowed sorry :( 

This week was also tough.  We taught the least amount of lessons I've ever taught in the week my whole mission- and Hermana Kitchen's too (and she's almost done).  Oh well.  We had President's interviews on Friday and so he's aware that the work here is pretty slow.  We're thinking he'll combine this area and my last area but you never know with president.  He's so funny and has a great sense of humor.  I feel so lucky to have such a great mission president.  And no dad, I know for a fact he would not let me go home and also doesn't agree with anyone visiting from home.  Sorry guys.  But I respect him and know he's just following the counsel of his leaders and the white bible - the missionary handbook.

We did find four new investigators though and got a few referrals so this week things should pick up a little!  It makes it tons easier that Hermana Kitchen and I get along so well.  It makes the hard times less hard and we help keep each other going.  We have a really good time.  The funny thing is that she asked President for me to be her companion last transfer and here we are together.  yeah, I'm kind of in high demand.  haha 

The members here are so great and I love Oxnard.  The weather's getting chilly but I like it that way.  You know I hate the heat.  This week a new convert taught us to make chili rellenos!  mmmmm so good!  I've grown to love spicy food so much I need chilis with everything.  It's so funny they always eat tortillas and chilis with everything- like yesterday we had pork chops, vegetables and potatoes at a members home and of course we ate it with chilis and tortillas.  I loooove it!  

I'm really doing good mom, I promise.  

I love you all and hope you have a great week!  Toodles!

-Hermana Hatch

Buenos Dias (October 11, 2010)

Ok familia, we've got a busy Pday today so this may not be super long.  

I'm glad to hear the conference went well and that the Leinens are still doing great!  Everything sounds like it's going well with everyone.  I hope you all enjoyed conference.  Let me know what your favorite talks were!  talking about conference traditions the last couple weeks, made me realize how lucky we were that mom made us watch all four sessions!  It's a great tradition to have and it makes a big difference in how you view and appreciate conference.

Well, last week we had to drop a couple more investigators- both of which were so close to baptism.  One is a single 30 yr old male that cancelled his baptism the day before and told us he'd never felt the spirit.  This week he told us he's never actually really prayed before (I had been calling him everyday to remind him and he always told me he had, which basically means he had been lying to us).  It hurts and is so sad.  We don't really know what happened to him.  The other family they've been teaching for awhile and it is also pretty sad we dropped them.  But we have faith that the Lord is in control and it will all work out someday.

We now have one, yup just one, progressing investigator we met the other day.  She's awesome!  But she can't come to church and her husband is pretty against missionaries and church so we meet with her while he's at work.  This can't end up very good.  We just started teaching her, but we'll probably start committing her to talking to her husband and introducing us to him. 

Usually by this time in the transfer the work picks up.  It's a little hard to feel like the area is so dead.  This week will include A LOT of knocking.  My favorite thing to do (haha ;) )  Nah it's not that bad and actually is kind of exciting.  You never know what interesting people you'll meet.

Well, I've g2g cause we have to buy groceries, go to lunch at one of my former investigators homes and then play VOLLEYBALL!  It was so nice, the Elders felt bad that we can't play football with them cause we can't touch them so they arranged volleyball especially for us this week.  I guess they're not so bad after all :) 

Oh- I also learned how to make real tamales this week!!!!!!  Woohoo!  I told her we always eat them at Natividad (Christmas- which makes us practically Mexican) and that when I get home I'm gonna have to make them for us.  Yeah I'm pretty excited! 

Love you all very much and hope you have a great week!

-Hermana Hatch

Yay for Conference! (October 4, 2010)

Wasn't conference awesome?!  I loved it!!!!!!!  It's so rejuvinating and wonderful to hear the words of living prophets.  Being on a mission has definitely helped me to appreciate more that we know that God has called a prophet in our day and apostles to lead and guide us.  It just takes on a whole new meaning when you are teaching it to people who have never heard of it before.  Heavenly Father truly does love us and I'm so grateful to live in this time.  We didn't have very many people we're teaching come so we got to watch it in English for 3 sessions. Lindsey The last session on Sunday two less active members we're teaching came so we watched it in Spanish with them.  I was surprised that I actually understood most of it- it just got difficult when they told stories about cows or logs cause I don't know a lot of that vocab.  These less active members are awesome though!   Binsky The mom they found randomly last transfer and didn't even know a less active member lived there.  She is building her testimony again and still has a lot of questions, but accepts a lot of things with faith and a humble heart.  Her son we persuaded to come to church last week- he got baptized when he was seven and is now in his 20s- and he loves it!  He even told us he's gonna go buy a white shirt and tie and dress shoes that he can wear to church!  He has a lot to learn cause it was so long ago and he doesn't remember anything, but he's so willing and accepting it's so awesome!

We had one investigator show up to conference but he got there right after the sunday morning session cause he got lost and he couldn't stay for the second one.  But it as awesome that he made the effort and he came!  We watched a little bit of the in between stuff about members around the world and talked about prophets. Lindsey  He asked why we are willing as missionaries to be sent to other places and I was able to bear my testimony about the prophet and our call to spread the Gospel of Christ.  He asked if I knew the prophet and I told him I didn't and that I didn't need to to know that he is called of God.  He's an awesome young man (19 yrs old) and has a lot of questions, but is willing to learn and looks forward to our lessons.

We also have had some crazy experiences with people seeking us out.  The other day a man on a bike pulled up to us and we talked to him and got his info for the missionaries to go by (he wasn't in our area).  We have no idea how he knew we spoke spanish and what made him stop and talk to us, but he did.  We also were walking out of a lesson and this man came out of his house and flagged us down.  Again, I'm not really sure how he knew we spoke spanish.  He told us that he has a drinking problem but that he wants to quit and he wants our help.  We asked him why he came to us and he just said he thought we could help him.  We had a powerful lesson last night with him and his wife and I know that God sent us to him for a reason.  I've never taught an alcoholic before so I'm a little nervous, but I have faith in the power that Heavenly Father has and that the Book of Mormon can change lives.  I hope that he stays willing and open and I know that it can bless and change his life and his family's.

Thank you so much for your love and support.  That's awesome that you got to the condo last week!  It was nice, hot weather for the beach.  It was a crazy heat wave for a couple of weeks but it looks like the rain season may finally be here.  Lots of rain and clouds today and yesterday.  Mom, I'm so excited about your knees!  That's so awesome!  This conference thing sounds pretty cool.  You'll have to let me know how it goes.  I'm sure you'll do great!  Thanks for all your letters and prayers.  I feel very lucky to have such a great mom.  And dad too!  And sisters and brother in laws!  Joy's coaching football?!  haha that's awesome!  Yeah you are way too crazy busy joy!  Don't die of stress ok?  I think Pres. Uchtdorf's talk was for you :)  Thanks for your email heather.  I'm so excited that you guys are finishing your yard!  You'll have to take pictures and send them to me!  Lindsey are you official yet?  You better let me know when you are!  I hope you enjoyed seeing your name in my email :)

Ok, can you do me a favor- someone- and get jonathan's address for me?  Thanks!

I think I'm going to send a surprise this week that I hope you will all enjoy!  Keep being good people and remember who you are!  I am committing you all to read the BoM everyday this week, ok?  I will follow up on who did it next week.  :)  I know I'm a nerd. 

Love you all sooooooo much!

Toodles,

Hermana Hatch

Holla! (September 27, 2010)

Hey family!

I hope everything is going well with everyone.  You know you can still send me mail on tranfers week mom, you just send it to the Mission Office address instead.  My new address is 1910 Ginger St.#16 Oxnard, CA.  It's pretty similar to the last one, just a little different cause I'm in a different building and apartment.

So Hermana Kitchen is awesome!  I already love her so much and we get along really well!  She's from Spanish Fork, UT (yup another Utahn) and is a hair stylist.  She's pretty great and has a great sense of humor.  By the way, I don't remember if I mentioned last week how much Hna Frost loved your letter mom!  I forgot to mention it was her birthday and so it was perfect!  She thought for sure the two letters in the box were both for me and was sooooo excited when she saw one was for her.  That was awesome!  I still get to see her a lot- which is cool- and hear how our investigators are doing.  That's kind of nice.

The new area has some challenges, just like my last area, and we definitely need to find some new investigators.  But the Lord is guiding us and works miracles everyday.

Speaking of miracles, I have a pretty awesome one to share.  When I first came to Oxnard Hna Frost and her previous companion had been teaching an older man, the husband of a recent convert.  He was never there for his appointments, although he was going to church.  Not long after I arrived he told us he didn't want to keep taking the discussions but would keep coming to church and activities and would let us know when he was ready to learn again.  So for the last three months we've been praying and fasting for the Lord to soften his heart.  He came to church every week and Noche de Hogar every monday where we taught the lessons.  We'd see him all the time and I love him and his sweet amazing wife.  Just a couple of weeks ago we went over for her new member lesson and we got talking with him again, and he told us once again that he wasn't ready and would let us know when he was.  Well, sometime in the last couple of weeks, Heavenly Father worked a miracle because yesterday Mariano got up in church, bore his testimony, and emotionally announced that he wants to be baptized.  I can't even express the Spirit and joy that was in that Sacrament meeting yesterday.  It was a moment that I will never forget.  I now know more than ever that miracles do happen and that Heavenly Father can do all things.  I have to confess that I did not believe that it would happen while I was here.  But the Lord's time is not our time and with Him all things are possible.  He has helped my unbelief and my faith has been strengthened.  I am sooooo grateful that I was here for that moment and that most likely I will be here for Mariano's baptism.  Our ward is currently in a 40 day fast for missionary work- different families and people sign up different days so that there is one person and at all times fasting within the period of 40 days.  The Elders have had two miracle baptisms and we were praying for our miracle.  We would joke about Mariano calling us and telling us he was ready, but I think deep down we both thought it wouldn't happen while we were here.  Heavenly Father has blessed us and this ward, and Mariano's family with a miracle.

 

Well, I hope that you all have a great week and that everything is fantastic!  Keep praying and reading the BoM and going to the temple!  I love you all sooo much and can feel your prayers and love everyday.  Thanks for all your support!

Love,

Hermana Hatch

More changes... (September 20 , 2010)

So today is tranfers day and we got the call.  BUT, it's definitely not something any of us expected.  So remember how I told you that there are two other Hermanas that work in our ward in a different area?  Well, I'm moving to be companions with one of them.  Hermana Kitchen will be my new companion- so I'll be in the same ward, but a different area and I am just moving to a different apartment across our complex.  Hermana Frost will be staying as well in our old area and is getting Hermana Calamaco as her new companion- the native speaker I had as my comp for like a week and a half in ventura.  Yeah, so it's a change, but not very far.  I still don't know how I feel about it because I almost think it would be easier to just chagne completely, then to have to be so close and not get to go teach and visit our investigators in this area.  And I'll still be seeing my old companion around a lot.  Hermana Frost knew another Hermana who this kind of thing happened to and she described it as getting a new boyfriend, while you still get along with and have fond feelings for your ex who you have to see all the time.  Funny huh?  Although I obviously don't really know what that's like, I guess now I'll experience it a little haha.

Yeah, I have so many mixed feelings right now I don't really know what to say.  But I know that the Lord is in control and I have a lot of trust and respect for our Mission President so I'll just keep working and get to know the other half of Oxnard.  Hey, at least I get to still go to the Chiropractor!  :)

Miracle report- We had THREE people at church yesterday!!!!  None of the people who work on Sundays, obviously- but three fairly recent investigators.  It was the perfect end to our transfer!  It's another testament to me that the Lord blesses us with success when we work our hardest.  He truly loves us and I know He's mindful of me and the work.  I'm learning to truly trust Him and His timing.  That's part of developing patience.  I love the definition of patience that Preach my Gospel gives.  It means we accept His will adn timing, and every trial that we face without getting frustrated or angry.  We have complete faith in our Savior and His plan for us.  I'm grateful for this opportunity I have to learn how to be patient.  It may always be a work in progress, but I will always be striving to be better.  That's what life is about. Working with the Savior's grace to constantly try and be better.

Ok, I love you all soooooo much and I hope you have a great week!

Con amor,

Hermana Hatch