The Power to Astonish

Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas! I love this time of year and I love Jesus Christ. We had a wonderful devotional this last week from Elder Gay of the Seventy who talked about how as representatives of the Savior we have power to astonish, to deliver "good tiding of great joy". How beautiful! I want to testify that that is true because this week I personally have truly been spiritually AND mentally astonished... is overwhelmed a synonym of astonished? haha. Wow. What a week. I will just start from the beginning.

So transfers: it was a difficult Monday and Tuesday morning of good-byes and getting stuck in the snow. Over and over again. #arizonaproblems. After finally packing my stuff the morning before transfers, we headed to the meeting with our kind member, Sister Bischoff because our tire was completely flat. At transfers they announced the new STL's and where they were serving. So before I even found out who my companion was, I learned that I was heading back to the winter wonderland of Wyoming, to Rock Springs. lol. Shock number one of one thousand. As the drama of transfer meeting continued I finally got my golden greenie, Sister Hill, from a small town of 5,000 in Salem, Missouri! She is a convert of 2 years and has the brightest and strongest greenie fire! She is in a family of 9 and only 2 of her siblings and now her parents are active members of the church. She is so adorable and ready to work. She loves this work and is already making miracles happen. Bonus: we also get along great. We are polar opposites but we work so well together and have already had such a blast together! #pumped. So whitewash-training and STL news made it for a late exit from the mission office, between figuring out our new area book, getting all of my stuff AND sister hills stuff in a tiny Toyota to head back in the storm to Wyoming, and learning my role as STL. The roads were horrible and the freeway was closed past Evanston, so Sister Eberhardt had us stay in SLC. So we ended up going BACK to my last area and staying the night with Sister Parker and her cute new greenie, also a convert of two years, from the deep south. We had nothing to do from 5 pm. to 9 p.m., so we got to go out to eat with President and Sister Eberhardt, the Assistant’s to the President, and the office staff, which felt pretty official.

We couldn't get our stuff out of the car at my old apartment, because it was so tightly packed and we didn't know what was where, so we slept in our clothes and left first thing in the morning for Wyoming.  We made it Evanston around 9 a.m. but the roads past that were still closed. We finally made to Rock Springs around 5 p.m., made it two a few lessons, messy hair, dirty clothes, un-brushed teeth, and all! #cute Then had to head back Friday morning to SLC for our temple trip.

The temple was beautiful and it was Sister Hill’s first time seeing it. It is actually her first time in Utah, which was really fun and exciting because 90% of our missionaries either come here like yearly, or have family here, or both. She was so happy! The traffic was crazy because of everyone there to see the pretty temple square lights so we made it to the Banks’ house way past curfew. The Banks, who are in our mission presidency, have a huge mansion so that was fun to stay in. The next morning we had our zone conference, mission dinner, and devotional which was amazing! Can't wait to tell you more about it. That ended late so we stayed another night at the Banks’ and left around 10 the next morning. We finally made it back to Rock Springs and had a boss lesson with our less active named Vlad, from West Africa, and his fiancé who we found out is not a member. Sister Hill extended her first baptismal commitment and Vlad’s fiancé, (can’t remember her crazy Brazilian name) was so excited! She said yes! The Spirit was so strong. So Sunday was our first full day so it was a bit overwhelming but of course meetings and lessons were so centered on the birth of the Savior and we had some great Christmas programs in our wards. I don't know much about our area quite yet, but we are learning more about our investigators.  Right now we have 7 investigators, including Vlad’s fiancé we found on Saturday, but the prior sisters were already working with the 6 other investigators and none of them are progressing. We have called all of them and have visits scheduled with almost all so I am looking forward to meeting them and helping them. We may lose some investigators and gain others because in 2 weeks they are completely re-doing the stake boundaries. We have 3 sets of missionaries here in the stake, it is a fairly large stake and even covers Pinedale, which is about a hundred miles away. We have 3 wards right now and I think we still will, but we don’t know who will be where until January 10th. So, that’s fun. #drowning. We met with the stake president about that yesterday and he is really great and super missionary-minded, so I know things are going to just keep getting better. So, we are leaving back for SLC tonight, or sooner, because another storm is coming in, for New Missionary Training, and then I think we will be in our area again for at least the rest of the month. So, in a nut shell, that's our life right now. #astonished

Missionary life is great. The Spirit teaches me daily. The Lord is molding me. I have heard missionaries say how exhausted they are at the end of their mission. #true. I have finally hit that point. I know from here until the end I'm going to have to rely on the Atonement on a whole different level than I have before and, for that reason, I am so grateful. I am grateful to learn more of His Atonement and use it, because I have so much more I need to give. More to give to the people in Rock Springs, to the sisters in Wyoming, and most of all to my Savior. I am so looking forward to figuring out how I can truly give my whole heart to the Lord. That is really all we have to offer. Everything else we give Him is just returning what He has already given us. I want to give the Lord my complete heart. The amazing thing is, I know as I do this , He only gives me more. How good is our Master? His love for me astonishes me daily.

Our zone conference was centered on personal conversion and our testimonies of Jesus Christ. In our wonderful devotional, Elder Gay talked about some of the symbolism of Christmas and the special responsibility we have as missionaries to testify of the Savior’s birth. I know that Christ lives. I know we celebrate His birth because of His death and resurrection. I know the Atonement is real and as we allow it to change us we can ever be becoming: becoming more happy, more pure, more like our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that everything we do here on this earth, we can magnify and beautify as we rely on the Savior, as we rely on His love and the power of His Atonement. I pray we can ever be astonished at the magnitude of His gifts to us and, as we do so, we can freely give. We have to the power to astonish. The gift of Christ is a miracle. I testify in Christ’s name, which I bear, amen.

"I Will Follow Gods Plan for Me, Holding Fast to His Words and His Love." ~ 14 December 2015

I have always found peace from the primary children songs; such simple beautiful testimonies that hold such important truth. It has been a rough morning. Tomorrow is transfers: my favorite thing, as you all know. haha. Transfer news has come and gone and I got quite a bit of news. Sister Parker will be staying here in the area and training a new missionary. I will be Whitewash-training and becoming one of the new Sister Training Leaders (STL). So in nonmissionary terms I’m getting a brand new missionary and we are going to an area where we both won't know anyone. Usually it means the area needs a bit of a re-start, and as an "STL" I will be over all the sisters in my zone to serve and to train them... Guys, I am super scared. But mostly, unbelievably sad to be leaving this area. I have given my heart to this area. Whitewashing a new language program has truly helped mold me and I have become soooo very attached to the deaf people and to the members and investigators I have found here. This has been my most favorite area and the best people I have ever served. I want nothing more than to see James, Christy, Callie, and Mark through to their baptisms. They have become such a part of my life and are forever friends. 

Through feeling this overfill of emotions, I have come to understand a glimpse of how Heavenly Father feels. His whole purpose is for us. He created us. He loves us. He knows us inside and out. I know he loves the people here in this area 100 times more than I do. I have to trust that. I think that when Heavenly Father sent us here to earth He wanted nothing more that to keep us by His side and teach us himself and love us. But, for us to grow and become as Him, we had to leave. Now I have to leave, for my own growth and for the growth of the people here, and that is super hard for me. I often think that Heavenly Father puts too much trust in me, but I am grateful because I remember that I can never put too much trust in Him. My mission is coming to a close and I know that where ever I go, I will go with all of my heart, and become something more, more like my savior, more like the pure love of Christ. How grateful we should be to be here on this earth and experience so many adventures that God has to offer. I love my mission, I love this gospel, I love this earth, and most of all I LOVE getting to know the GREAT worth of EACH soul. I am very excited to serve more of God’s children and some of the sisters here in the SLC East mission. God is so kind.

XOXO, Sister Hatch

Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name. ~Alma 26:35

Nevertheless, [Jesus] left not himself without witness... SEPTEMBER 7, 2015

... In that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and with gladness." -Acts 14:17

What a week it has been, things have seemed to slow down and I had to really try hard to not be discouraged. But fear not, the Lord thy God is with us whithersoever we goest, and miracles never cease!

We had MOST of our lessons cancelled right after a super spiritual zone meeting so not a lot of people to report on, but I truly know that an ever-growing conviction of Jesus Christ brings miracles. That's what our zone meeting was about. Truly standing as a witness of Christ and bearing testimony with all the fervor of our soul and without apology. So after zone meeting the zone leader's challenged us to bear testimony of our Savior to someone in that manner. We were supposed to meet with three of our investigators that night but since that didn't happen we decided to just knock on a random door. An active Protestant lady answered the door, she wasn't at all interested but we were able to fervently bear our strong witness of Christ. The spirit really touched her heart and gave her the desire to read the Book of Mormon.

As I was reading in Acts 14 this morning, verse 17 really touched me. This is when Paul and Barnabas are preaching and performing miracles and they were mocked and rejected. They gave this testimony in verse 17 that even though God allows us to "walk in our own paths" he never leaves us. I am so grateful that I have felt the "rain" that God has poured down on me and tasted the "fruit" he has planted for me. He has truly filled my heart and I know that as I try to share
that with love, the Lord always blesses me, as well as all those that can experience the same joy I do when I "dance in the rain" I love rain, I love fruit, and I LOVE Jesus Christ!

Charlotte has had a rough week, her son that's been in a detention center for 7 months just had court and has to go to another place for 2 years. She is still moving forward with her date but please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Austin came to church and loved it! He is a young single guy so we are probably going to have to let the YSA missionaries teach him :( but his lessons are going great. He is diligently studying the Book of Mormon and praying daily to find the truth. What a joy he has brought to us.

We had an Amazing lesson with Diego and Krista and they are beginning to recognize so much truth and light in their life that has come as they have began learning about the restored gospel.

Tiffany and her girls are not interested in baptism for now but they have shared with us how we have brought so much hope and peace into their life these last couple weeks. We feel so close to them and always feel the love of the Savior so strong when we are there.

We are praying and fasting to find more people to teach, keep us in your prayers. We know the Lord has prepared someone in Green River to receive our joyful message, we just haven't found them yet!

I know the Lord’s love is real and He has a plan for each of us. "His ways are not our ways" (Isaiah 55:8) but I know His ways come to us in the scriptures and through the quite whispering of the Spirit (Elder Corbridge, "The Most Important Things", Ensign, Feb 2015). As we align
our will with God we will know his ways and receive real and lasting joy. The Atonement is real. Please use it. I love you all! Thanks for being a part of my life.

Love,

Sister Hatch

Life is good and God is good! 31 August 2015

I am doing so well and feel so much love and peace for the good things that are happening. 

I just met a lady who moved into the ward who joined the church because something she heard at General Conference while sitting in the Conference Center. The Spirit is so strong there and we will remember the feeling that is there forever.

I have been struggling this week with just "feeling the music" of the gospel. I have been so diligent and have seen miracles daily but I just haven't been feeling as much as I normally do. I know that is one of tools Satan tries to use. In my scripture study this morning I was able to see that the way we "always retain in remembrance the greatness of God" is by looking at our blessings. I know I have been so blessed in my life because of your and mom’s diligence in teaching me and leading me the right way. Thank you for your constant example.

Our vision in our VGP this month is virtue and in my patriarchal blessing it talks about that quality is something I need to constantly strive for. It says you and mom are to school me in virtue. I have gained a deeper understanding of what virtue is. It is the prerequisite to receiving all the Lord has. When I think of virtue I think of purity and purity makes me think of consecration. Giving 100% to the Lord because of our pure love. What do you think of when you think of virtue and how has that helped you achieve goals in your life?

A quick miracle is Austin. We felt inspired to knock on his door. He is our neighbor and a couple of weeks ago the door had a for sale sign so we thought we would just introduce ourselves to him as a neighbor. He just moved her from Texas so he new nothing about the Church. That never happens! It was so fun, I felt like I was in a different mission! haha. So, we told him about the Book of Mormon and asked him to read 3 Nephi 11 and set a return appointment. Since he is single and we needed another sister to go with us. The day of his appointment happened to be the day that Sister Kent was visiting Green River so she came and taught with us! He read the chapter we gave him twice and had lots of good questions! The lesson was so filled with the spirit and he is excited to keep meeting with us. He says he will be baptized if he feels the truth of our message. He is going to pray about the Book of Mormon before we return.

We have found another new investigator, Tiffany, who is so like me. She is kind of hippie-like and loves Jesus Christ. She said she wants to do whatever makes her heart sing. She loves sun flowers and creating things and I have so much love for her. She has 3 kids and she is our next door neighbor! ah love her.

The Clarks are being baptized on Saturday so things are going really great. Charlotte is preparing for her baptism on the 19th but her husband, Allen, is going to wait. I am exciting she is leading the way because she is so solid! I know that the Lord is blessing me and the people in Green River. He knows all of his children so well. I know it. 

Elder Berry knows Elder Webb but he knew him first as the guy with the car dealership in Farmington. haha He is a convert so people told him Elder Webb was a 70 and he didn't know what that meant. He was baptized when he was 20. 

Love, love you!

First week of training... 24 August 2015

My new companion, Sister Lawson is Awesome! She is from Dallas. (: She has such a strong desire to serve and a willingness to learn! She was adopted by her biological aunt and uncle when she was four-years-old and that is how she was able to be raised in the gospel. She still has contact with her birth mom and sees the difference between the sadness in her birth mother’s life and the fullness she  has because of the gospel. She says she wanted to serve a mission out of gratitude and a desire to help others to have that fullness of joy. She is so ready to work and so willing to learn from me. We have great unity because I am learning so much from HER! She is very obedient and takes corrections as I try and help fine-tune her exact obedience. Exact obedience is my favorite thing, so I am grateful she feels the same. I know that is how I have been able to see so many miracles daily. 

Sister Masih, believe it or not, went all the way to Rock Springs! haha That is crazy because she has been there before. So, she is very close.  (: 

President and Sister Eberhardt are awesome. I am so grateful for President Eberhardt’s trust in me as a trainer to Sister Lawson. I have wanted to train for a long time because I just want to feel that greenie fire again! haha I have been with older missionaries my whole mission, other than Sister Masih, they are all home now! 

We have four new investigators and one of them gave us these flowers. We have a new mission video! I just saw it for the first time at transfers, which was fun. 

I am sorry to hear about mom’s wrist. I hope she gets to still bike in the Pedal the Petrified event. I know she has been way excited about that.

It is cool to think about God’s plan for His children, but it is so hard to comprehend some things that it is easy to over think. I am glad that God’s ways are better than my ways and I am grateful to always feel peace and the confirmation of the Spirit when I teach the and simple basic doctrines of the gospel to those who are just learning. Father in Heaven always sends me peace. 

So, my new District Leader, (the elders here are white-washing the area and we have a new District Leader, who is also training) is Elder Berry from Farmington, NM. It’s fun to be serving with someone from the same home mission! 

Love you.

-Sister Hatch 

ready, set, GO! ~ August 17, 2015

This week disappeared in 2 seconds, but God is good and he still gave us tons of miracles! It was celebratory for Sister Smith’s last week (:

Last Monday we went to this little boutique for preparation day and while we were browsing we got a call from President Eberhardt who gave us the okay for Denise to be baptized! We hung up, screamed, and hugged right in the middle of the store... and then we called Denise and she had a similar reaction(: People were looking at us like we were crazy but it was so happy!

Super cool story for the Rapues. So, the morning before their lesson we were praying about what date Allen and Charlotte could be baptized. Originally we were thinking about September 12^th, which we all felt really good about, but when we prayed it came to all of us to do it the 19th of September. When we went to go see them, she of course started by telling us stories of her family and she was talking about her daughter Ayrnessa, who she loves so much but she was miscarried just before she was born. The date she would have been born, we found out while she was talking, was September 18th. (: When we told them about how we had prayed about their baptism date and what had happened, they were all emotional. Especially when we told them that if they could be ready to be baptized by this day, a year later, on her birthday, their family could be sealed together. The spirit was so strong and ever since that lesson, Charlotte can't stop talking about "her baptism"! Allen is totally committed, too but he has quite a few Word of Wisdom things to work out, so keep him in your prayers.

Everyone else is doing good. We had a super spiritual lesson with Shana and she is going to pray about being baptized sooner than the first of the year. She is really overwhelmed right now with her sweet granddaughter, Piper. Piper is 3 and just had to have a very intensive brain surgery. She was born with something that makes her brain grow too fast for her skull, so it doesn’t fit inside. They just put in these crazy wires that makes her head push out. It has been very traumatic. Especially since she had to have her head shaved. She is so sweet. Please keep Piper and her mom Samantha in your prayers, too.

Diego has decided her wants to stay Catholic, but he loves the Book of Mormon and is asking us questions about the church so we will keep meeting with him. (:

We are mostly just trying to find more people to teach since everyone is getting baptized. If you could pray for that also we would love it. We know that Heavenly Father is preparing lots of people to hear His good news, we’ve just got to find them and open our mouth.

This gospel is so true. It brings me so much joy each and everyday. Seek truth this week. (:

Squats = baptism 10 August 2015

This week I have felt spiritually and physically strong. haha. Sooo, our zone has this inside joke that the more squats you do the more success you will have. Our zone is obsessed with squats. As part of our vision, goal, and plan for the month they have included a "bonus" fitness challenge each day during work out time. Mom, I would like you to know that my mission has not made me lose my competitive streak. We have winners everyday and I have been holding my own with the elders. ;) So, a couple days ago the challenge was to text in how many squats we did in 5 minutes. I whooped everyone with 187 squats. I am soooooo sore, but my squats led us to have a pretty miracle-filled week. lol

Miracle number 1: Charlotte is ready to be baptized!! Okay, so Charlotte is just incredible. She has more faith than any one I know and such a deep, and beautifully rich relationship with Heavenly Father. Everything we teach she says she has heard before, not from any person, but she said it just rings true to hear and she knows she has been taught it before in the pre-earth life. She is one of those people who I think went through a thinner veil when she came down to earth. Anyway, she has known for a while that the Book of Mormon is true and that she wants to be baptized. Her family comes regularly to church and she calls herself a Mormon. However, her 17-year-old son is away right now and she is very close to him. She loves family and won’t let us even bring up a baptism date until Travis comes home. He got in some trouble, so they aren't sure when he will be home and even then it would take some time for him to be ready for baptism. We have prayed and felt like, although family is important, she needs to set the example for her family because she is SO ready. But, she literally shuts us down whenever we try to mention it. Well, this week we planned to talk about the Holy Ghost and before we even started she says, "oh ya, I decided I need to lead the way for my family and I want to be baptized before Travis comes home." She knows it is what God wants. <3 HUGE miracle. She still wants to be baptized with her husband Allen though, and he is just a few steps behind. Pray that he will receive his witness this week and have the strength to live the Word of Wisdom. He has been praying this week to know if he should be baptized, too. I love love love the Rapues. Their daughter, Dakota, is 14 with some special needs and she is my best friend. She is the biggest sweetheart and I think her testimony is going to help her dad. She always reminds him to read the scriptures (: Travis has been reading the Book of Mormon while he has been away and just wrote Charlotte telling her that he wants to join the church, too! Oh, how the Lord answers prayers! Someday they will all be sealed in the temple.


Miracle number 2: Shana will hopefully be baptized on September 5th. She wants to be baptized but is not sure if she can get work off enough times to come to church. She is really praying and trying though. Her daughter is a recent convert and her son is also a member. She is mom’s age and such and incredible lady. It is her time now. (:

Miracle number 3: Diego is Catholic and we started teaching him a couple weeks ago. He listens to our message and reads the Book of Mormon, but hasn't really committed to much else. Well, this week we committed him to baptism and he said he would pray about it. (:

Miracle number 4 is something I need all of your help with. Denise wants to be baptized this Saturday before Sister Smith leaves. She is so ready and so worthy but she has to get permission and we still haven’t heard back. We could really use everyone’s prayers that her baptism will happen this Saturday. She is in need of this great blessing.

Thank you all so much for your love and prayers. I know they help me each day to become the missionary Heavenly father wants me to be. I know this church is true. I am so grateful for the spiritual knowledge we are able to all acquire from the Holy Ghost as we diligently seek. My knowledge has grown so much on my mission and my knowledge has increased my testimony. This week seek to gain more spiritual knowledge, because I KNOW that God gives to them that ask. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

CTR(:

"Humility is the KEY to Inspiration." -The Best Two Years 3 August 2015

"Oh, what a week, in a week, in a week!"- Sister Masih (my Samoan comp who speaks hardly any English. LOL - love her)

This week has picked up a lot since we have a car with miles to use again! We have had lots of miracles and hope to have four more baptism for the last two weeks of the transfer, which is coming much too quickly because Sister Smith is going home :( The only happy part about it is that it gives me a safe assurance that I will stay here in Green River! Hooray! Next transfer will make 6 months here and I never want to leave! I think next transfer might be my last so I will make sure to give my wonderful family here my whole soul!

Speaking of serving with my whole soul, I have learned a lot about humility this week. I have learned to trust more in the Atonement and ask for and trust in the Spirit each and every moment of every single day. I have seen over the last month that miracles truly happen when you make a conscious effort to give everything you have to the Lord. He has blessed me so much with people to love teach and help. However, I don't think it clicked until this week that it doesn't really matter how hard you work if you don't have the Lord. The Lord requires us to serve Him with all our heart might mind and strength so that HE can give us those blessings and make those miracles happen. The diligence we have in our life and the hard work we give has only a small part to do with the rewards that we reap. It is the Lord who makes the magic happen when we are willing to show Him that we will do everything and more for Him.

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." (Alma 26:12)

I am so grateful for the power of Jesus Christ to fulfill my purpose and accomplish my goals each day. We had a wonderful zone meeting Friday about our new vision, goal, and plan for the month. The vision has really struck me: we are to be the missionaries we would be if we knew the Savior was coming at the end of the month. We should live our lives like this always because the Savior lives and He is with us always. I pray I can live my life each day for Him.

Highlights of the week:
We got the Hamiltons moved and all transitioned to their new ward. The Elders Quorum of their new ward helped them move in as well as there new sisters. They are part of the Colorado mission #wyomingmissionlife. Hopefully Dave will be taught soon and their family can be sealed in a year. (:

We met the coolest 12-year-old boy who not only wants to be baptized but also to go on a mission! We taught him the first 2 lessons and he soaked everything in and had the best questions. Sadly, he was just visiting his best friend and he actually lives in Colorado, but hopefully we can get his address soon and send the missionaries over there asap. Man, I just realized how much we are helping Colorado missionaries.

We had awesome lessons with a couple of our investigators just reading the Book of Mormon with them. Two different lessons, but both out of Alma 7 (<3) so good. With Shana it lead to a wonderful conversation about baptism and it is something she has really thought about and prayed about. She has known the missionaries for several years and her 2 kids are members. She says she still feels like she just needs to learn more, so we are starting the formal lessons this week! We also read it with Leona, the 15-year-old who is ready to be baptized, but her parents won’t let her. We asked her to write down a question she had and to think about it as we read. We promised her that if she allowed the Spirit to touch her heart, she would find her answer. We discussed as we read and by the end she could hardly believe that she DID have her question answered. She didn't think it was possible, but it was plainly there in a single verse. I don't know what her question was or what verse gave her the answer, but I do know that the Book of Mormon is true and it can answer any question of the soul!

All of our families are doing good. We are praying really hard to have four more baptisms this transfer, so within the next two weeks. We prayed at the beginning of the transfer and felt so strong that we could have eight, so there are four more. Denise, Charlotte Rapue, Gus Madros, Shana Burd, and the Clarks, could all very well be baptized but they all have minor things holding them back so please keep them in your prayers.

Okay, cute story of the week:
Every Sunday we visit this Tongan family with 9 kids, the Halapuas, (this Sunday I finally remembered all of the kid’s names! woo hoo!) any way, they are reactivating into the church and they just have the sweetest spirits. We watched a Mormon Message and discussed it and what we learned and all that good stuff; the little 6-year-old quietly pipes up in the middle of it all and says, "um... could I give my testimony?" So of course we let him go ahead and he lifts his head up and declares his sweet testimony: "I'd like to bear my testimony, I know this church is true and I know that we have a living prophet on the earth, President Monson, and I know he blesses our families. I love my family. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." It was so cute! I love the testimonies of children.

That’s all for the week. Love you all! CTR!!

He ALWAYS has a plan! ~ 27 July 2015

This was hard this week because we had to walk everywhere since we are out of miles, so we didn't have as many lessons. President Eberhardt was really proud of us for hitting the standard of excellence (SOE). He gave us all a gift card. Apparently, one of the other elders in our district hit the SOE a while ago and when he saw what he got, he asked Sister Eberhardt when President Eberhardt had started giving awards, Sister Eberhardt says, "....uh, today. He just really thought these sisters deserved something for their hard work." I love interviews with President Eberhardt; he truly is called of God and always helps me feel the Spirit so strongly. I am so blessed to have the Eberhardts my WHOLE mission! They go home just after me… (:

Even though we didn't hit the SOE this week because we couldn't get to enough appointments on foot, we prayed that we would find lots of new people so could continue to hit the SOE since all of our lessons are not counting for key indicators because our investigators are all being baptized, which is great! So, we really focused on finding.

We have only seen the Clarks once since their baptism and they said they would be at church but they were not. Gerri’s kids cause her lots of grief and she is so emotionally and physically exhausted. She says prayer and the spirit have been helping her, but I know they need to be at church to receive all those blessings. They need extra prayers right now.

The cool part about one of their lessons canceling, however, is that is how we found one our new investigators this week! Outside the Clark’s apartment door, there was a lady holding an albino corn snake (which I only knew about because that is the kind Cierra had) and a bearded dragon lizard! (What I have always wanted for a pet.) So, we started a conversation and she told us to come visit her! ah, I love how Heavenly Father has always got a plan!(: We will be seeing her and her husband, who is  a less active member tonight!

The other Clarks are so solid but Ernie has brain problems and gets seizures a lot and he just had a really bad one this week :( We haven’t been able to talk more with them, so we aren't sure what Is going on, we are just praying he is ok. His baptismal date will probably be pushed to later in August but they are so prepared. We just really hope Adam and Gerri will see their change so their family can mend.

The Hamiltons were just baptized, Emily and her daughter Alexandria, who is 8. I have now taught an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old who were baptized! haha. They are so sweet and we are sad to be losing them on Friday to their new ward in Laramie. We know Emily will stay strong though.

We had a really cool experience with her this week. So, when we taught her word of wisdom she shared with us a weakness she has had and she really wanted to overcome it. We made a plan and she succeeded so wonderfully. Fault on our part though, because we focused so much on that particular part that we didn’t go very in depth about the other stuff. So two days before her baptism we came to visit her and she was drinking coffee. We asked how the word of wisdom was going and she was beaming because she had been doing so well! So we asked if she remembered about the no coffee part and her face dropped. She totally forgot and felt so horrible. We told her that is was normally required to be living the word of wisdom for a week before her baptism but that would be a day before she moved and she wouldn't be in our ward to get the Holy Ghost. She said that after this she would promise to live the word of wisdom if we could get permission from our zone leaders to let her still be baptized on Saturday. We said we would check. She took a sip and we didn't know how to approach it but the Spirit led us and we told her that if she really wanted to be baptized in 2 days that she needed to show her faith by dumping out the coffee and removing all temptation. She popped out of her chair and said OF COURSE! She told us this was something she wanted to do, so she dumped it out, then ran to the kitchen and cleaned out her cupboards and gave us all the tea and coffee in her house. We told our zone leaders what happened and they were really proud of our integrity rather than just ignoring it and going ahead with the baptism and not saying anything about the one drink of coffee. They prayed about it and she was able to still be baptized as scheduled. (:

I am so grateful for obedience and integrity and I know that Heavenly Father always fulfills our righteous desires and grants us the wishes of our hearts!

Life is good. Thank you for your prayers (:

Happy day, ALL is well! (: – July 21, 2015

Where do I begin? This week was like the top week of my mission. SO many good things to report. But because of our awesome mission hike, I don't have lots of time.

Just a quick preview>>

The Clarks were baptized! It was so amazing. Adam said that he was so looking forward to the feeling of peace he would get, but he could have never imagined just HOW great he felt. It was so good that his kids could be there. They are adorable and SO want to be baptized, but their mom won’t let them. Gerri has just been waiting to be baptized and she was so ready and was so smiley (: Their blessings for the confirmation on Sunday were just beautiful!

We had 8 again at church, but the big news was that we HIT THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE! This is the standard the mission president has set for key indicators that is like top notch. It is to have 1 baptism, 5 at church, 10 lessons with members present, 5 other lessons to nonmembers, 5 lessons to less active or recent converts, 3 new investigators, and 3 progressing investigators. We hit all of these this week OR exceeded. We were so determined, and our faith and the Spirit helped us accomplish our goal. We are so blessed to be helping so many people. What if I hadn't come on a mission?! ugh…

I love being an instrument in the Lord’s hands; there is nothing better than serving with our WHOLE SOUL!!

Our mission hike was so good and you know me, although I love Green River with every piece of my heart, YIKES, it is so good to be around all the missionaries again. We had a blast. I will try and send some pics soon. The hike was soooo beautiful. Hennifer Utah is such a cute little town and the Mormon Trail was just breath taking. It was so neat to stand at the top of the mountain and see the trail that the Utah Salt Lake City East missionaries traveled and our pioneers too (: I love seeing all of my friends and I know the Lord loves when His children can gather together in righteous places doing righteous things. How GREAT will be our joy when we are all reunited in the celestial kingdom. I didn't even really think of that until now, we just shared a lot of laughs and had a good time together. It felt so good. I know that will be the fruit of our labors and the importance of this work: so we can all be happy together, forever! 

My companions are doing great. Sister Smith has started her one-month-count-down, her brother just got home from his mission in the Arizona Tempe Mission, so she is pretty excited to have an return missionary around. She has a very healthy attitude towards going home. She is a good example. Sister Masih is so flipping funny. She doesn't really understand English so she just doesn't catch a lot of things or she will just say really funny things that make us laugh all the time. She has funny phrases she always says like when she falls she says "ouch! so sorry my leg." She is just a hoot, but its hard to explain unless you know her I guess. lol She has a very powerful testimony and always testifies of what we say.

Well, I love you lots! Sorry it is so short.

The church is true, the book is blue, and Jesus Christ is REAL! I hope you can all access the power of His love and forgiveness in your life this next week!

CTR(:

"Dessert is on the house for anyone who saves the universe."- family commercial from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 13 July 2015

WE ARE SAVING THE UNIVERSE HERE IN GREEN RIVER. haha But, really, we have had so many miracles this week!  ~ 13 July 2015

The third sister in our companionship is Sister Masih. She is Samoan but lives in Australia. She was in my first zone and she is our secret weapon! Since she got here we have had miracle upon miracle. We have so many new investigators and SO many people preparing for baptism.

We got to Green River at about 7:30PM  on the day of transfers and got a call from one of the men in the bishopric that there was a couple who want to be baptized. We visited with them on Saturday morning at a members house and they came to church on Sunday; they are preparing to be baptized on August 1st and they are so prepared. And here is the crazy part: turns out, they are Adam Clark’s parents! They aren't really in contact with one another and had no idea that Adam and Gerri have been meeting with us for the last couple of years! But they have been praying that they could find a path so we are so excited and hope this will bring their families closer together.

Gerri and Adam Clark are getting baptized next weekend! Since the day their baptism didn't happen, we have been asking when they DID want to get baptized and they kept putting it off. We prayed about it and felt good about the 18th. So, we went over and asked them to say a prayer and look at a calendar. They both felt like they should do it the 18th. The power of prayer is SO REAL!

Emily Hamilton wants to be baptized the 25th and her daughter Alex isn’t sure. We asked her to say a prayer about it; she was so cute - she said the closing prayer and thanked Heavenly Father for sending us and then said, "now, God, I have a special question to ask, just for me... should I get baptized?" She said, “amen” and smiled. She said, “Usually when I pray, my tummy feels warm ... right now it feels HOT!” (: We told her that what she was feeling was the Holy Ghost telling her she should get baptized. But, she was still worried about the water-by-immersion part. But, as you know, Heavenly Father is always thinking of these things, the monthly stake baptisms happened to be the next day for the 8-year-olds, so Emily and Alex both came! Alex said, “That wasn't scary at all,” and she wants to be baptized with her mom on the 25th!

We have a new investigator, JT. He’s the one who is married to the girl who reminds me of Maren. we went to read the Book of Mormon with him, but he had so many questions about our religion, so we just took an hour answering his questions. He was really impressed by our answers, but I explained to him it wasn't us, it was the Holy Ghost. He said, “There ya go again with good answers!” haha I love their family and am so excited to teach all of them.

We had 8 of our investigators come to church this week, so that was awesome! That is more than I have had my whole mission. This area is so prepared by the Lord. I never want to leave!

So, the spiritual thought of the week: We need spiritual nourishment to be able to keep growing. I know that I am where I am today because of the wonderful examples I have in my life. I am so grateful to be a part of a multi-generational family whose roots strengthen mine. Elder Bednar gave a talk about observing the Sabbath day in our homes and used the analogy of trees. He said the old trees that die strengthen to soil for the new trees so they can grow too. It all starts in the home. Well, it made me think how new converts in the church don't have that. They don't have extra-fortified soil yet. They are starting their own little forest! They need the support of their strong ward family to be able to give them the spiritual nourishment that they need.

I invite everyone to reach out to our brothers and sisters around us. Those that are new in the church and those who don't know their Savior yet: pray for them, help them, and nourish them. They can't do it without you. We all need each other to grow up to be what the Lord intends us to be. I thank you all for allowing me to be a strong tree. I humbly pray my roots can strengthen those that I am teaching here in beautiful Green River, Wyoming. I know that as I do this, and as you all reach out, these people will be able to in turn make OUR roots even stronger!

God is Good.

And, funny moment of the week: we had a combined Sunday School meeting about the official stance of the Church on marriage and it got pretty heavy and Sister Kennah (who was supposed to teach Relief Society - but the conversation went on way too long) raises her hand and, as if to contribute to the heavy comments, says: "I just made chocolates shaped like the Salt Lake City temple and I would just like to pass them out." lol Best comment of the class. XD

-- XOXO, Sister Hatch

“My Lord, my God, I know.”- President Boyd Kenneth Packer ~ 6 July 2015

It seems that each week in the mission field gets faster and faster! It’s hard to even recall all that happened in one week!

On July 3rd I hit my 10 month mark as a full time missionary and this was the same day that the beloved, and my favorite apostle, President Boyd K. Packer passed away. As I have reflected on how I have "aged" in my mission, I went back to read one of my favorite talks by president packer called, “These Things I Know" from April 2010 General Conference. He read a poem he wrote that has stuck with me. He talks about his age and how his physical body has slowly withered away through the years. But, he says that he would trade youthfulness for anything because of the knowledge and wisdom he has gained - both temporally and spiritually.

You all know how much I love Peter Pan; I wish I could stay young in Neverland forever. But I agree with President Packer, I have learned too much and grown too tall to ever keep myself from aging. How wonderful that God’s plan is one of eternal progression!

Here is the last past of President Packer’s poem:

And now you see I’m 88.

The years have flown so fast.

I walked, I limped, I held a cane,

And now I ride at last.

I take a nap now and again,

But priesthood power remains.

For all the physical things I lack

There are great spiritual gains.

I have traveled the world a million miles

And another million too.                       

And with the help of satellites,

My journeys are not through.

I now can say with all certainty

That I know and love the Lord.

I can testify with them of old

As I preach His holy word.

I know what He felt in Gethsemane

Is too much to comprehend.

I know He did it all for us;

We have no greater Friend.

I know that He will come anew

With power and in glory.

I know I will see Him once again

At the end of my life’s story.

I’ll kneel before His wounded feet;

I’ll feel His Spirit glow.

My whispering, quivering voice will say,

“My Lord, my God, I know.”

I know God lives and His plan of happiness is perfect and real! This poem made me feel happiness that President Packer made it to the end of his life's story.

This week as I have continued my life story, I continued to see more miracles!

Emily Hamilton is preparing to be baptized the 25th of this month! She has had some incredible spiritual experiences and it has been wonderful to teach her about some of the experiences she has had and what they mean. I love how the restored gospel answers our questions so perfectly! Alexandria will hopefully be baptized with her mom, we just need to help her understand what baptism is and why it is so important because she still isn't quite sure. She is the cutest little thing.

Also, we got a referral from one of the Seventy and we contacted the referral. She is golden and we are seeing her in a couple days. No big deal…. haha  Our stake president was going on visits with the Area Authority Seventy and they went to a restaurant afterwards and found this girl who said missionaries used to visit and she missed having them in her home! So we called her and she said we could come! It was kind of funny when President Young gave us the information, he said, “Yah, I think she is in the Elders area, but I don't really care; give her a call, sisters. (: lol … I love Elders but... Ii love being a sister missionary;)

The Clarks should hopefully be baptized this month. Adam gets his surgery soon and wants his baptism done before the operation because who know how long his recovery will be. Plus, he knows that he will have extra help from the Sprit if he does it before. Keep him and Gerri in your prayers, please.

Cool story this week for the Clarks. They own their own transmission shop and just moved it to a bigger location. This was a bit of a risk and their business had not been doing well and bad weird things kept happening and they were having lots of bad luck. They were really concerned and called to ask us if we would come say a blessing over their new shop. We came and kneeled with the Clark family and a couple of their employees and I offered the prayer. The next day they were booming with business and it hasn't stopped yet! They gained a huge testimony of the power of prayer! 

We met this awesome 15-year-old, Leona, who is ready to be baptized. She has had the lessons, she attends seminary, goes to mutual and church when she is allowed and basically taught us! Her parents won’t let her be baptized, so she and her parents just need lots of prayers. We pray her parent’s hearts will be softened.

Well I want you all to know that I know god lives. I know we should never stop marveling at the miracles because the power of Jesus Christ is incredible. I love repentance, it keeps us on the road to perfection and happiness.

-- XOXO, Sister Hatch

For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land - Alma 13:24 June 29, 2015

And the miracles come again!

After a couple weeks of discouragement, through diligence and the spirit and the tender mercies of the Lord, our area really took off this week!

To wrap it up, we got to go to the temple and zone conference this week, and nearly all of our investigators are progressing. (:

Zone conference was more about consecration. I know that as we give everything to the Lord, He will give us more than we could ever plan for ourselves. The RIGHT way is to believe in Christ and to serve Him with our might, mind, and strength, and our WHOLE SOULS. (See 2 Nephi 25:29). I can testify of the JOY of choosing the Lord’s way rather they our way. 

I am so excited to tell you more about my new friends, the Hamiltons. They are a family that angels have been declaring to here in Green River; that the Lord has sent us to! Emily has really felt the Spirit in her home and recognizes the need to be on THE path that our Savior has set for us. She knows that although we are all different, there is one way back to our heavenly home and that is through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have such a testimony of the power of the sacrament and the Sabbath day. Even when the speaker rambles on for the whole meeting and you have no idea what he's talking about, if you prepare people spiritually, they get something out of it! Literally, the speaker this Sunday was crazy, but emily was really touched and said she could feel the Spirit. haha the Church is soo true.

I have so much more to tell you, but unfortunately I am out of time! Praying for you always; I love you and I know the Lord does, too.

Please pray for Jess, his son just got in a huge accident and had his foot amputated.

-- XOXO, Sister Hatch

"Come What May and Love it" ... And "Sunday [Always] Comes" ~Joseph B. Wirthlin JUNE 22, 2015

Oh, how I love the mercy and grace of our Lord! This week started as a continuation of last week. Sister Smith and I were trying hard not to get discouraged. It seems that with each of the people we are teaching, as soon as they come up to breathe, they get knocked in the face with a big wave! They are truly being put through the refiners fire. Gerri is praying for a new baptismal date but neither her nor Adam were able to make it to church because Gerri's grandson had to go to the hospital and she was there with him all night! To top it off the next morning their dogs ran away! Adam is getting his back surgery so he had to work Sunday to get ahead on everything before surgery. The Rapues had a crazy week, too. They had the important court date for their son (he has been away for 3 months now and that has been hard enough on there family - he is 16) right before the day Allen had to leave for an emergency. Charlotte didn't know how she was going to get through the court thing by her self and she didn't have gas money to go get Allen, let alone to go to the court for her son. 

Well, I am just so grateful that Sunday comes. Just as Sunday was the day our Savior conquered death and brought light back in to the world, Heavenly father blessed us with countless blessings on this Sunday. 

In sacrament meeting we heard talks about grace. It is a gift from God that we access when we live the gospel. It is the ONLY way we can be saved, but we  receive the power of grace as we submit to him. It really encouraged me. I have been praying to know how to better consecrate my self and living on the mercy of daily repentance and asking Heavenly Father how we can help the people here in Green River... here are some of the miracles of our Sunday:

-   Gerri's Grandson Jaxon is better and healthy;

-   Right after we prayed that the Clark’s would find their dogs, they texted us and said they just came running back to their car shop!

-   We were able to find the Rapues a ride to the court house and someone else helped them out with gas and everything went great with there son!

-   Allen was able to make it home and be there for that as well.

-   AND we found 4 new investigators! 3 of them are a family and they are G-O-L-D-E-N!

The 1st new investigator is Ernest. We met him before, I can't remember if I told you about him. he is Pentecostal, his dad is the preacher at the local church and he knows the bible like the back of his hand. We bore testimony the first time we saw him of the Book of Mormon and how it completes the bible, and gave him a copy and he said he would read the introduction and we could come back in  a week. We came back to find the book on the door step with a note and Bible verses with some doubt. We resolved his concerns with more verses and some articles from LDS.org and this week is the week we returned to talk about it. He really enjoyed the articles and we taught him the restoration lesson and he is really intrigued. He wants to know more about the priesthood and how specifically the Book of Mormon and the Bible work together. So, we have some things prepared for him and we will return next week! It’s a fun way to teach. We just keep exchanging information and answering his questions. He is so nice and really loves Jesus Christ. We are excited to learn and grow from one another.

The family is the Hamiltons and we found them when we were trying to find a less active member the ward council asked us to visit. They are Christian but don't belong to a church and are very spiritual. They know a little about out church and love the family aspect of it. Dave and Emily are the couple’s names and they have a sweet 8-year-old daughter named Alexandria. They are moving soon and Dave is moving first on Thursday. We wish we could have found them sooner but God is definitely in charge on this one and we know he directed us to them at this time. As we finished our lesson last night with them, Dave asked if we would come back at least a few more times before he leaves Thursday. We are so excited for this family and know they will continue to progress in their new home. 

Sunday night we couldn't wipe the smiles off of our faces! It was such a spirit-filled day and we feel grounded back to our purpose to invite others to come unto Christ. It is like the talk Elder Bednar gave about the truck that got stuck in the snow: the weight of the chopped wood in the back of his truck is how he got out. Sometimes the Lord burdens us with a load so we can move forward. We learned how important Elder Wirthlin’s advice from his mother to "come what may and love it". We need to remember to laugh; we need to have an eternal perspective; we need to remember the principal of compensation; and, we need to trust the Lord. Miracles are real. I pray we can always recognize the hand of the Lord in our each and every day.

Take a look at this messages:

https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/sunday-will-come-2

https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/come-what-may-and-love-it-2

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/bearing-our-burdens-with-hope

Sometimes, ... that's just the way the cookie crumbles. June 15, 2015

And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet—D&C 29:39

This week was hard, but somehow we got through it. Thank goodness for laughter and the light of the gospel. I honestly don't even know what happened this week. It was a physical, an emotional, and a spiritual ROLLER COASTER. But Sister Smith and I have been tasting the “sweet” all transfer, so I guess we needed an opportunity to grow and strengthen our faith through our trials. I learned this week that Satan is really annoying, he really does everything he can to destroy families and cause contention. It makes me cringe that in times like this he is probably laughing at us, but I also learned that no matter what Satan does to tempt us and cause conflict, Heavenly Father quietly whispers, "It is ok; I am still in charge; you are my children and I have a plan." Satan won't be laughing for long.

The Clarks’ baptism didn't happen – but, it will. They both still have strong testimonies and so much desire to be given the gift of the holy ghost. But, life and some evil forces really interfered this week. It seems that everything that could have gone wrong this week did. Our last attempt at resolving the issue the day of their baptism was to drop off a plate of fresh-baked cookies and to talk with them face-to-face to see if we could still make it happen. As we approached their door, Sister Smith picked up the plate of cookies and seriously by some crazy outside force, I swear, the soft cookies literally just crumbled into tiny pieces. It was unreal. Sister Smith just looked at me and said, "… and that’s the way the cookie crumbles." haha We couldn't stop laughing. The rest of the whole day we didn't know if we should burst in to tears or laughter. I'm glad we chose laughter.

We got moved in to our little, old (very old) house, finally, which took up way more time than we expected and turned out to be a real stress. But, we are there and things are starting to look up. We had the house dedicated by our ward mission leader, Brother Wall, and President Glather of the stake presidency. They did so much for us and we were so overwhelmed by that point that we finally had a breakdown. But, we were able to sleep good in our new place and got blessings the next morning. In both my blessing and Sister Smith’s blessings we were told that there are specific people here in Green River, waiting for US to find them and share the gospel this week. It was so powerful and we are doing all we can this week to find them.

I am sad that I won't get to be there for Grandma’s funeral, but I also feel very at peace. I know she is close by me and doing exactly what she needs to be doing for her mission right now. I will miss her hugs.

Denise and Joey are both doing awesome. Both have just quit smoking and are still going strong. Despite, the horrible week that Denise had, she still hasn't even looked at a cigarette! We are so proud of her. The Rapues are also doing so well. They came to church yesterday and Charlotte asked us to “PLEASE" get a Book of Mormon to her sister in Arizona. (: - We got one there. They have lots of trials in their life but they are really progressing now.

I know that this church is true. I know that God is smiling down at us often and always has an outstretched hand. I know that we can trust in Him. I know He has the whole picture and we can rely on him to know everything will be ok. I know He has given us the Book of Mormon and our beloved modern day prophet, President Monson, to look to for guidance and direction. I know that if we can be like the sunflowers the Elder Cook talked about in General Conference and "follow the Son of God as the young sunflower follows the sunshine" we will grow and develop to be the beautiful flower he intends us to be. I love the gospel so much. I pray you can each find a little more light in your life this week by turning your self more towards Him.

I love you all!

--

XOXO, Sister Hatch

"Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength" Mark 12:30 June 8, 2015

This week has been a mission/life changing week and it is hard to put it into words. I love Jesus Christ and love bearing my testimony about him each and every day. I just want everyone to know that his Love is perfect, his Promises are sure, and his Atonement is absolutely 100% real.

I know that Heavenly Father loves us beyond measure and we know that because he sent us His son Jesus Christ to have a fullness of light and happiness today, tomorrow, and for eternity.  I have a testimony of this gospel. I am converted to this gospel. I am being converted each and everyday.

As I have been striving to serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength (D&C 4). I have learned this week that truly loving, worshiping, and serving the Lord with all our heart, might, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30, 2 Nephi 25:29, and D&C 4) is a task that we must do "line upon line precept upon precept" (2 Nephi 28:30) through daily repentance and consecration. I have heard the word “consecration” throughout my life and especially on my mission. But I am beginning to understand what it truly means to consecrate ourselves. It is more than having a testimony and it is more than conversion. It is giving our life to our Lord and relying on His grace along with our faith and works to become to the missionary and the child He would have us be. I have SO much to change and so much to give up in order to consecrate myself, but each and every day I can repent and make changes to be who He would have me be, as I submit my will to His. "There are no sacrifices in the gospel, only exchanges for something better." ~ Sister Kent

We had a wonderful zone meeting about consecration, it was very powerful and it marked a new beginning on my mission. I am so excited for what the Lord has in store for me. I also know that He has something grand beyond comprehension for all of you! I invite you to learn and study more about consecration and become who our Father would have you become. It is better than anything you could ever plan for yourself, I promise. I would also love to hear what all of you learn! Please share (:

I know as we consecrate ourselves we can change our lives and the lives of those around us. An Elder said in our meeting, "as long as we are breathing, we have more to give".  ... The Savior laid down his life for US - for you and for me and for everyone. I pray that we can each be like the Savior when He came to the Nephites in the Book of Mormon; He did and taught all that He was asked to by His Father, but because of His compassion, He did even more. I hope we can feel the love of the Savior and our Heavenly Father enough to do a little more than what is required of us. I hope we will all do as much as we can, give until there is nothing else to give. It is the best and fullest way to live. (3 Nephi 17)

We continue to see miracles here in Green River. After a scary weekend of thinking there was no way the Clarks could be baptized, our Savior "helped our unbelief" and through fasting and lots of prayer, Adam has given up chewing tobacco and Gerri and Adam both came to church! We had their interview Sunday night and they are rock solid and so ready to be baptized. We were worried to talk about tithing because of their financial issues, but they were teary-eyed as they bore their testimonies of how they have already seen the miracles of tithing in their life through faithful tithe payers they know. They lit up as we explained that because they are getting baptized on their anniversary, they will be able to be sealed on their anniversary day a year from June 11th. <3 ohh the gospel is soo good! This two-year journey of coming to know the truth has sure been a beautiful one to be a part of.

So many are having a change of heart… In the last two weeks we have taught the “stop smoking” missionary program to 5 people! Two are our investigators. Denise is preparing for her baptism on the 27^th; pray she will stay strong to resist the temptation of smoking! Joey is ready to turn his life around and has quit lots of things; pray for him to stay strong, too! We are meeting lots of people who have the prepared hearts and minds to be baptized.

The church is true! I love being a representative of Jesus Christ and servant of the Lord!

oh... and we found a house! A cute little single bedroom robin-egg-blue house. (: We have so many wonderful people taking care of us.

Love, peace, and the gospel; take luck.
--

XOXO, Sister Hatch

"Have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men." Moroni 7:29 ~ June 1, 2015

Well everyone, there must be some serious angels helping us minister here in Green River because, HOLY WEEK OF MIRACLES!

Last week on Monday morning after emailing, I prayed to have my fears replaced by faith for this coming transfer and Heavenly Father out poured blessings!

1st miracle: My lovely new companion Sister Smith! She is from Seattle area and we were in the same zone back when I was in Salt Lake. She has been one of those instant friends and we have already had lots of fun together and most importantly, have seen some incredible miracles.

2nd miracle: Denise. She is our new investigator who has been dating a member for several years and just started coming to church with him. She has seen how the Lord has blessed her since coming so she wants to take the lessons. We had our first lesson with her on Wednesday when we invited her to be baptized to which her response was..., "I don't know any one in there right mind who WOULDN'T want to be baptized into this church!" She is so prepared! She "feels the music" we just have to "teach her how to dance" (: (See Elder Wilford Anderson - General Conference, April 2015)

3rd miracle: The Cook family. This is a member couple with four unbaptized children who we had been trying to contact all last transfer, and before I got here, too. Sister Cook has been to church the last couple of weeks and we finally talked with her to see if we could visit. She said she would call and let us know. On Saturday we had dinner at a member’s house. Their son came up to us and asked if we were busy Thursday at 7 and if we knew the Cooks.... he preceded to tell us that Sister Cook asked us to come over at that time, her kids are all ready to be baptized, and she wants it done within the next couple of weeks before her husband has to leave for work... that never happens! Four miracle baptisms this month. dang. The Lord loves his children.

4th miracle: Our potential investigator Ernest. We saw him outside with his family and he is an active Pentecostal who loves Jesus Christ. He has been taught a few of the lessons before and had lots of questions about the Book of Mormon. We answered them for him and he was very interested and took a Book of Mormon and said he would read it and we can come back next week. (: I love being able to bear my testimony about the Savior more than anything and I am so grateful that my testimony of the Book of Mormon has strengthened so much that it strengthens my testimony of the Savior. Testifying of the Savior and the Book of Mormon and the Bible truly go hand in hand. I am especially grateful that the Spirit testifies of truth.

Many more miracles were seen but these are the highlights… or the cliff notes. I could go on and on.

OH the Clarks came to church again. Gerri is on track for the 11th, pray that Adam can make it to church next week and can quit chewing tabacco!

On a more adventurous note>> Sister Smith and I are now homeless, but we think "sister gypsies" sounds more cute. haha Anyyyway. Friday night, the lady we live with, Madeleine, comes down stairs and says, "Sisters, I don’t really know how to tell you this but my son is coming to live with me this summer, so you need to find somewhere else to live." She said no rush, but like its June so probably within the next two weeks.”...perfect. Best part is, we called our housing coordinator Elder Gordon in SLC and told him the situation. He said it was no problem and asked for our address. When we said Green River, Wyoming he goes, "OHHHHHHHHH... sorry, Sisters, you are on your own." HAHAHA So it been an interesting couple of days keeping our eyes open for a place to live. But like you know, we have an awesome stake so they are helping us out. And Elder Gordon will take care of the financial part when we find something. Sister Smith goes home in 3 months, so I was thinking I would be safe from packing for a transfer for at least a few more transfers, but I guess not. haha.

So that’s our week. We are headed to Flaming Gorge for our P-day, so it’s a short emailing day, but I love you all and I know the Savior does too. His Atonement is real.
--
XOXO, Sister Hatch

At dinner after we concluded with our spiritual message we asked if there was anything we could do for the family, their little boy, about 6 or 7 shot up his hand! I said, "Yes, Atticus, what can we do for you?" He looked around the room like he was searching for something to say and goes, "um...follow the Savior." <3 I love kids!

"Lord, touch me with your healing hand." 25 May 2015

I absolutely cannot believe this week happened. It came and went in a blink! I am so mentally, physically, and spiritually DRAINED. But of course, the Lord NEVER ceases to pour out blessings and miracles, and this week was definitely no exception. I will try and update you on some highlights and remember all that happened.

Miracle #1>> Gerri and Adam Clark BOTH went to church! We had a visit with Gerri earlier last week and she basically bore her testimony about the Atonement for about an hour and a half. She has been taking the discussions for about a year, but even in these last 6 weeks, the Atonement has literally changed her and her life. It is incredible. With all of the mental and physical health challenges she has had and all the hard things she and Adam and the kids have been dealing with, she finally feels at peace. She tells us her prayer everyday is, "Lord, touch me with your healing hand." She said, "IT WORKS" and we said, "WE KNOW, ITS THE ATONEMENT!" Ahh so good. They said they would be at church but when we reminded them Saturday night, Adam said he was in lots of pain and not sure if he would be able to get out of bed tomorrow. We assured him that if he had faith, the Lord would help him to have the strength he needed to come to church. Gerri woke him up in the morning and he was in too much pain. Gerri usually doesn't push Adam but she told him, "Adam, we NEED these blessings, we HAVE to go to church." So they both got up and came. Adam texted us after church and told us how grateful he was that the strength we promised him was the strength of us and his wife to get him to church and after church was over his back felt so much better. I love that the Atonement can heal us in all aspects. They are verry excited for their baptism on June 11th.

Miracle #2>> The temple. I had a question I have been really been pondering going in to the temple. I asked Heavenly Father to help me have an open heart and open mind. I got my question answered and also learned so much. More than I ever had learned in the temple before. I always feel peace in the temple, but i loved ti and gained the testimony that it truly is not only the Lord's house, but his school for us to learn. I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple.

Miracle #3>> The wards in Green River are a testimony to me that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. They truly showed us this week that they are willing to bear one another burdens and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. They answered a huge prayers of Sister Kent's this week. Sister Kent is going home. Heavenly Father told her that she needs to come back to Utah; so, that is her plan in July. But there were lots of holes in that plan. She just kept having the feeling that it will work out. She doesn't really have her family and she doesn't really have a place to start. She doesn't have a whole lot, just a whole lot of faith. Last night our ward mission leader asked us to come to his home. We got there and 2 of our bishops were also there. They thanked Sister Kent for her service and handed her 3 large enveloped filled with donations from 2 of our wards to help her get started when she goes home. She was also donated frequent flyer miles to be able to come back to Utah if she needs. Many of the donations were given by less active members who truly had a desire and willingness to serve. The spirit was so strong and Sister Kent was so overcome with gratitude and joy. She was just sobbing. Heavenly Father really is mindful of all of us. He always takes care of our needs. Sister Kent is amazing. My favorite thing she taught me is that there are no sacrifices in the gospel; you only exchange things for some better things.

Miracle #4>> We made it through the week. As always, I am terrified about my new companion. Lots of prayers that it will be what I need.

Yhank you for all your prayers. Love, love, love you!

--

XOXO, Sister Hatch

He is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name. ~Alma 26:35 May 18, 2015

Happy Monday!!

This week has been great! Next week is going to be crazy!!!! We have transfers and Sister Kent is leaving and we will only be here in Green River three days this week. The rest of the time will be spent down at meetings and such in Salt Lake City.  After this I am heading down to Park City to be with Sister Flake until tomorrow night while Sister Kent and Sister Nelson head down to the mission home for Sister Training Leader stuff. Then we have exchanges Wednesday and Friday we will all be in Salt Lake City all day for meetings then we get to go to the TEMPLE - all the departing missionaries AND their companions get to go (: and then we will head down to transfers Monday morning. Yikes! Somewhere in between that we will do some teaching haha.

Actually we have a lot of great appointments coming up. We have this awesome new less-active member couple from deep in the south. She cooks us southern food and told us, "I am SORRY, but I can kick Miss Paula Deen in the TEETH with my cooking!" lol She did make us an INCREDILBE apple pie. They are really excited about coming back to church. They saw us and just yelled their address to us out of their car window when they were driving down the street and told us to come. They are ready to return and work on being sealed in the temple! Miracles every where.

In response to your questions about my lovely friends: Israel is doing awesome! He was so emotional as he told us about his experience with  getting the gift of the holy ghost. He said he knew the power of God is real and that he loves us, but he said the feeling of the gift of the holy ghost was amazing - he said he didn't know something that special could happen to anyone and that anyone could feel that in their life. He is SO happy! He works at a Little America hotel and it is always busy in the summer so they always hire extra help and this summer he will have time to come to all 3 hours of church so we just have to wait a few more weeks. We are going to be doing his new member lessons in lots of different members homes so he can get to know his ward family better; speaking of which, we found out he has lots of responsibility to take care of his mom and nieces and nephews in Mexico. That is why he has to work so much. Please keep his family in your prayers. He is so humble, we had no idea.

The Paperinis are the most kind people. It is going to be a journey for each of them but the Lord is really working on them. Bishop told us on Sunday that a few months ago he had tithing settlement with the Paperinis neighbor and felt prompted to leave the neighbor with a Book of Mormon, something he hadn't asked anyone else to do. The Bishop told him, “there is someone you know that needs this Book of Mormon," ....it was the Paperinis (:

Mattio Paperini works for the oil company, Solvey. He started in Italy a little over ten years ago and then they moved him to Belgium; he was there for 6 years and then got moved to Green River, Wyoming. haha They have been her for 3 years and really like it. What a change!

The Clarks are doing so good! Gerri said, “we will be at church because we don't have very long to make the '3 times' before our baptism requirement!”  (In our mission an investigator must go to church 3 times before they can be baptized.) Her husband, Adam, said, “no, we need to go to church, just because we need to go to church  - no matter what the rules are.” It was great to hear that testimony. They are also helping a less-active member friend get back to church. Proud moments as a missionary. haha. Gerri and the kids and her less-active member friend came to church, but Adam’s back is still causing him lots of pain so he didn’t come. :(  He needs lots of prayers.

Sister Kent and I spoke and sang in sacrament meeting and I think it finally hit her yesterday when the bishop announced from the pulpit that she was going home. It was an emotional day for her. Usually that means I am emotional, too, but the Lord really helped me to keep strong and be the one to kind of say, “its ok, lets go do missionary work!” haha She is awesome and was very grateful for that. She is such a wonderful example.

I really need to give a BIG thank you to Bishop Miller for all he did for me as a seminary teacher. I will write him and send it home so you can get it to him.

Good to hear about every one - especially Cierra. I’m glad she has decided to serve a mission. She is so sweet and is going to be an amazing missionary. I will miss her! It will be over two years that we will not get to see each other!

Glad you got to see Elese Houser. I still feel like it was just yesterday we were having tea parties in the summer and playing with baby bunnies! Time is SO WEIRD!

I can't believe school is over after this week! So crazy. I can't believe Micah is graduating and Karson will be a JUNIOR! And Jasmine and Taylor are GRADUATING. Ugh, time freaks me out.

So good to hear about the new bishopric! YAY RON! He is the best. I love that Sister Turley bore her testimony - what a wonderful example of how the Atonement really can help us to become what the Savior would have us be.

Here is my answer to your question, Dad, of how fasting has made an impact on my mission. I love fasting! I ESPECIALLY love fast offerings. I love that the Savior loves us so much and wants us to receive the blessing that come from serving, particularly giving to the poor and needy, and no matter who we are or whatever our circumstance, we can do that through fast offerings.

My favorite fasting experience on my mission was with our investigator Jayden from my first area. Her mom is a less-active member and she was the only thing keeping Jayden from baptism. Jayden attended a sacrament meeting in her ward and it was all about the law of the fast. She had lots of questions during her next lesson with us about how it worked and then asked all of us if we could do a special fast to have her mom’s heart softened. It was so special to see her willingness. Her mom did change her mind and instead of making her wait at least a year, she said she could be baptized on her birthday, which is this summer! I don't know how she is doing now, but I know that when you fast with real intent, you can just feel Heavenly Father telling you, "I'm working on something for you, thank you for your faith."

We just taught mission prep class yesterday and along with you, Mom - talking about your wonderful primary class - I am just amazed at the youth! I don't know if I can say this yet, haha, but I feel like I understand now what everyone always said to me and the youth my age when I was growing up. It is so true that each generation just keeps getting stronger and stronger! Just thinking about the youth a couple of years younger than me who are preparing for missions... they are strong! The world is going down hill, but holy cow, we have some strong soldiers on the Lord’s side. God’s kingdom continues to be built with a new kind of strength! I can't wait to have my own children to see the strength they will have!

Love you!
xoxo, Sister Hatch