Week 43 Temple #3 Sacramento

May 4, 2016 Family, Well it has been a while since I have emailed! But it was worth it , we just got back from the Sacramento temple, and it is really beautiful! It is really simple. A small temple, simple yet beautiful grounds and rooms, with one simple spire and an angel Moroni on top. I love seeing the variety of each temple in contrast with one another but knowing that they are all the houses of God where we can be close to him and can feel his presence in our lives. I also love how it is the same spirit we feel in each temple. No matter where we are, when we are in the act of worshipping God in His holy temples we will always feel His spirit there with us if we are worthy, always. I love that about the temple. I am also so grateful that I was able to go to all 3 temples within the vicinity of our mission. The Medford, Oregon, and Oakland and Sacramento, California temples. All unique but each equally beautiful. This week was pretty good. Last Tuesday I went on exchanges with one of my district leaders, Spanish elder. It was cool. We rode bikes all over town, probably over a couple miles for the day total, all the way from the east side of town, over to the west, then back again. We ate dinner with the Hermanas and a Spanish member and the whole time I had no idea what was going on. It was great. It was actually a really fun day, it made me want to get bikes to use. Wednesday we went to Davis and abated graffiti in Davis. That night we saw a less active and then went and had a lesson with a PM family. They are doing a lot better now, which is good, but she is still not setting a date for baptism because of family issues. It's so frustrating! But, I know it is happening for a reason and that all will happen in its due time and order. I realize that there is a time and an order set forth for all things, that is just how it is. Thursday we did service at the cemetery in preparation for the Woodland day of service that Saturday. We cleaned out underneath the fence of the cemetery and then helped power wash the fence. In all, it took about 4 hours for all of that. Later that day we walked everywhere, because we were out of miles. So needless to say at the end of the day we were pretty tired. Friday we did our planning, had a lesson with Sean at his new place, then went and had a new member lesson with a recent convert. Saturday was the woodland day of service, and we as missionaries filled a playground about a foot and a half deep of wood chips. It was a big job, took about 3 hours total. They provided lunch after so that was nice. We ended up walking a lot that day too due to no miles, so again, needless to say we were tired that night too. Sunday was awesome, a member’s less active daughter came with her friend, and another friend from school that has been coming the last few weeks. Plus another member brought her friend too. So we had like 5-6 nonmembers in sacrament and gospel principles class. Probably had like 20 people in the gospel principles class. It was so awesome. That's a cool moment for us missionaries, to see members really reaching out and trying to friendship, teach, and invite their friends and acquaintances. The next Monday we did our shopping and laundry and cleaned but other than that our Pday was cancelled until today so we went out and were walking again. We had a meeting with this guy we met on the street. He's an interesting one. It was a fun meeting though. Yesterday was district meeting and most everything else cancelled on us except for an appointment with a 10 year old son of a member that isn't yet a member. So that was fun to teach him. Today has been awesome! With the temple, and we saw some people from Utah at lunch, the guy was sporting a Utes jacket and they were members. Always fun when that happens. I'm getting really excited to talk again this Sunday! We aren't sure when we can do it, but most likely in the afternoon. Probably around 3 ish our time, so like 4 your time would be best. But we can coordinate further. Hope you all have a great day! Thanks for everything! Love, Elder Hatch