Week 51 Zone Leader in Novato with Elder Moniz

June 27, 2016 Family, Another week down! Only like a week and a half and then I hit my year mark! It's nuts. I can't believe it. It doesn't feel like I have been out for that long. Crazy I only have one year of this left. It's not enough time! Anyways this week was good! Pday was fun last week, we went out to this light house called point Bonita or something like that I can't remember but it was really cool. We then went down to Sausalito and checked out this cool sock place called Socksalito hahaha. That night we went and saw a less active and had a good lesson with her. Tuesday was district meeting, it was a good last one, and we had the zone leaders come down for it. I'm just thankful that we don't have to teach district meetings this next transfer. That afternoon we did some finding then had dinner with a part member family and taught the young daughter about baptism because she is getting baptized soon. Wednesday we went and did service at the food bank and then did some finding that night too. Thursday we had two different services for the morning and afternoon, and had to go up to Santa Rosa that night and we didn't have a dinner so we went and got sushi while we were up there at an all you can eat place. We got our mini that day and he was so cool! He is from Middletown, the place that basically burned to the ground in September of last year. Friday we did service as a zone then did our planning that afternoon. We took him Tracting in the morning and got some doors slammed in our face and he actually liked it.. It was really strange. But he was happy to be there and we got along with him great. He was much better than the one from the previous week. We had dinner with a woman that has been actively coming to the Novato ward for 32 years and never baptized. We all pretty much said why the heck have you not been baptized?! We are still working on it; me and Moniz are motivated to baptize her before the end of the transfer. She needs to JUST DO IT. That night we went to the bridge to contact and do suicide prevention. It was so windy and one sisters glasses flew off the side of the bridge! Haha super funny but also too bad for her. Saturday was good too, we had the basketball in the morning, then studied, then tried to do a service with the zone but it cancelled so we all just didn't really know what to do. We had to be in Santa Rosa the rest of the night for the mini mission thing so that's how we ended our Saturday. Sunday was good, church and we visited a family with the ward mission leader that afternoon, had a good visit. Also me and Moniz are staying together! Thanks for everything! Elder Hatch Who knew that McKay liked Sushi? Thanks to Elder Moniz grandma for hooking them up with good food. She tells me he likes spam musubi too.

Week 50 Mini Missionary Experience

June 20, 2016 Family, Another week down! Can't believe that this next week is the last week of the transfer already! It's kind of crazy actually. It has flown by. My year mark is rapidly approaching! Also, too bad about the Warriors game last night. I thought for sure they would pull it off! But LeBron was just too much for them. It was a good year, anyways. This week was pretty good, we had a mini missionary with us from Wednesday night to Saturday night. But before we got him on Tuesday we had a good district meeting, then we went and did some finding less actives, then had dinner with a really awesome family in the ward, the Smiths. They have a bunch of kids and the whole family is really missionary minded. That night we went and did some more finding of less actives. Wednesday we went and did service at the food bank in the afternoon, and that night we had a meeting in Petaluma to pick up our mini missionary and also to teach a little mini MTC thing they had for the mini missionaries. We had a mini missionary from Petaluma. He was pretty quiet, a really reserved kid, but, we think that we were able to get him out of his shell a little bit in his time with us. Since me and Elder Moniz like to have fun and joke around we think that it was good for him. Thursday morning we went and cleaned the CrossFit gym, then went and contacted some LA's before going to do service at the food bank that afternoon. We had dinner then went to do correlation at the ward mission leader’s house. Friday we had our weekly planning and went that night to a restaurant with a member and they brought their nonmember friend, we were able to teach him and give him a Book of Mormon and stuff, so that was really cool. That night we went to the bridge and contacted people and did suicide prevention. Saturday was a crazy day. We had basketball early that morning then headed straight to a service on Stinson beach doing a beach cleanup thing. Right after that we had lunch then went to help a member move. They live up like 4 flights of stairs and me and this one elder ended up taking all of the big stuff, even with my sprained ankle. Haha but it was funny, we headed straight up to Petaluma from there for the final meeting for the mini missionary thing. It was just one thing all right after the other all day Saturday, it flew by. Oh, and on Friday or Saturday (can't remember which) we found out that we are getting another mini missionary this upcoming week! This time it's for the Santa Rosa stake because there are too many youth and not enough missionaries. Sunday was good too, we taught Elder Moniz grandma on skype, really cool, and also met the sisters’ investigator, then went to the bridge to contact cause we knew everyone would be watching the game. But, it was a great week this week. It's weird that it's already down to only a week in the transfer left. Love you guys! Elder Hatch

Week 49 First Major Injury

June 13, 2016 Family, Hey! Good to see that you are all out having fun in Panguitch! I really miss being there and it sounds like you are all having a lot of fun! I wish I could be there but, I know I'm needed here! Plus, if the plan goes right I should be able to go next year with you guys! Anyways, we had a pretty good week this week. Monday we went out to the beach for one of the Hermanas birthday, it was super fun, the whole zone was there and a couple of guys brought stuff and cooked up some burgers and hot dogs for everyone. That night we had dinner with a cool family in our ward and they had that same Hermana over so they had cake and stuff. We did FHE with them afterward and one of the sons had his nonmember friend there with him, so that was cool too. Tuesday we had district meeting, we had the ZL's and one of the assistants there with us. It was a good meeting, really fun and there was a ton of people there haha like 13 in a district meeting. That day I went on exchanges with Elder Schaefer, who I was in the MTC with! So that was pretty cool. We are in the same district and his MTC comp, Elder Waites, is also in the zone. So all we need is my MTC comp, Elder brooks, to come here with us! But it's super fun having them with me in the zone. Me and Elder Schaefer visited a less active that is huge into basketball, and also likes ping pong, so it's like my perfect house. We were able to talk with the guy for a while about basketball, talk about his mission, play some ping pong, and just BRT(build a relationship of trust). We invited him to basketball on Saturday morning but alas, he didn't show. We will get him there eventually. That night we had dinner with an older couple in the ward that lets us do our laundry at their house, and the guy told us stories for like an hour and a half haha. Super funny guy he just really wanted to keep talking haha. That night we went and saw another LA in the ward. It was a pretty good day. Wednesday morning we tried to do some more finding but got lost and couldn't find the address so it was pretty frustrating. We went and had a waffle party down at the other elders apartment, since we have the stuff and they have a waffle maker. We are instituting "Waffle Wednesday" here on Wednesdays. I'm pretty pumped about it. We did service at the food bank that afternoon and then had dinner with a really cool family in the ward. Thursday we did service for the CrossFit gym, then did service at the food bank too. We do a lot of service here. We visited some of our other less active families and then had dinner. That night we had correlation with our bomb awesome WML, Brother Gruwell. Friday we went and saw some more LA's in the morning, then did our weekly planning in the afternoon. The sisters were jealous of our waffles and we didn't have a dinner appointment so we made waffles at the church. That night we saw a woman in our ward that hasn't come for a little while, and it was good to see her. She is from Haiti I think. A ton of people in our ward are from a bunch of different places, like Fiji, Haiti, Africa, etc. It's pretty cool our gospel principles class is always so diverse. Saturday was a crazy day. We did basketball in the morning, a thing we do to try and get some of our investigators and less actives out for some fellowshipping with the EQ and stuff like that. It's for the whole stake so we usually have like 10-15 guys there, about half of which are missionaries. But for that one, there are two things to mention. First, an elder that I won't mention said I wouldn't dunk on him, so I did. Second, in a later play I sprained my ankle and so I was out for the rest of the time. When I sprained it, I heard a pop so I wasn't sure if I had sprained or broken it, but I was able to walk, which was a good sign. But, progressively throughout the day it started hurting more and more to the point I couldn't walk anymore. So we unfortunately had to stay in for part of the day. At the end of the day we went over to a members house, because lucky me he is a foot and ankle podiatrist. So I had him look at it to make sure it was a sprain and luckily for me that's all it was. But it still sucked haha. I thought for a minute that I had broken it and I just thought whether they were going to send me home for it haha. But as usual I was overreacting and thinking of the worst scenario and luckily it's just a sprain. I should be good to go in like 2-3 weeks. I can walk on it now which is nice but I'm not functioning like normal of course. Sunday we had church, and we taught the gospel principles class. Well, Elder Moniz did since he is much more knowledgeable about the gospel than me. We ate lunch then went and visited some more of our less active families and members. We had dinner with a cool part member family and then again visited a less active lady. It was a pretty good night though, and I was happy that my ankle wasn't hurting too bad. In other news, it's super sad to hear about all of those people killed in Orlando! That's so awful. It seems like every month now there is some sort of bombing, shooting, or killing or terrorist attack of some kind. It's almost becoming normal to hear about it now! I can't believe how horrible the world is becoming. But, it's cool to see that this has been prophesied of and has happened in scriptural times too. Anyways I love you guys so much! Have fun in Panguitch! And also, I'm wearing my polar bear shirt in your honor for good luck! Elder Hatch

Week 48 Golden Gate Bridge Service

June 6, 2016 Family, Well, time to write again. It was a fast week this week. Me and Elder Moniz had a pretty good week. Monday was a good day, we had a fun Pday where we went hiking and we had dinner and FHE with a part member family in the ward. They are really cool, the wife is this awesome Fijian lady and the husband is a nonmember, but really really nice. They even lent us their waffle maker because we found a bunch of pancake mix in our apartment. Tuesday was zone meeting, which was for some reason held outside, then I went on exchanges with one of the zone leaders in Petaluma, Elder Checketts. He is super awesome, I love that guy. He is a bomb missionary and gets a lot of work done and has fun in the process. Also, a bonus about that exchange was that I got to be in an apartment with Elder Waites, who I lived with in Crescent City for a long time. That day with Elder Checketts we were able to teach a family that they baptized the two kids this last Saturday. They are awesome kids! Luckily even though they are Spanish elders the lesson was in English, so that was nice. Wednesday we did service at the food bank like usual, then went and saw one of our less actives that night. Thursday was good too; we did service at the CrossFit gym in the morning, then helped out at Theodore bank in the afternoon. That night we did visits with the WML, Bro Gruwell's, who is a super cool guy. Unfortunately our visits were not super successful but I'm glad we went anyways. Oh, that night we got the rest of a Queen mattress from the sisters and set it up that night. It's so sweet! I never thought I would have a queen size on my mission. Friday we went and did our weekly planning, had donuts, because it was national donut day, then went and had a pass off lesson with the sisters in San Rafael. We went and did suicide prevention on the Golden Gate Bridge on Friday night. Fortunately we didn't find anyone looking to commit suicide but me and Elder Shaefer were able to talk to a really nice guy from San Francisco on the bridge and hook him up with the missionaries down there. He was such a nice guy, because it was freezing on the bridge and we had no coats he was trying to give us his, and he gave this random Asian couple a ride across the bridge cause they had no other way to get there. Speaking of the Bridge, it is so beautiful, but when the fog rolls in and the wind picks up it gets sooooo cold. I couldn't believe how cold it gets there. But, it is really cool to get to go and walk the bridge every once in a while. Saturday was a crazy day. We played ball in the morning and a bunch of the missionaries came, it's like a bring your investigators type thing, the EQ from our ward set it up. One of the elders, as we were playing, got hit in the head and had to get 8 stitches in his eyebrow! Pretty crazy. His eye looked all bloody and stuff. Right after that we helped a family in the ward with a car wash fundraiser they are doing for their kid to go to junior Olympic weight lifting in Texas. Super cool. While we were there this guy in a brand new custom Corvette stingray, probably cost him like $100,000+. He said that his wife just bought it without him knowing it. Gosh dang. These Marin people are so filthy rich it's ridiculous. We did a blitz in our area with some of the other missionaries that afternoon, and that night we visited another PM family in the ward. The husband is a nonmember, super nice guy, but not super interested at this point. But, he will probably get there eventually. He comes to church like every week but just doesn't want to commit to it. Sunday was a good day. We fasted, and at church for testimony meeting it was sooo good. Our investigator that is married to the Fijian lady, came to church for the first time and got up and bore his testimony type thing, he said he has been reading the Book of Mormon and that he liked church services. It was so awesome. Super cool moment. That night we had dinner with another PM family, one where the dad is a nonmember, as well as the kids, but what is weird is that the kids are all like 8-13 and not baptized, because the dad won't let them be baptized, even though he is a nice guy and the kids come every week. It's a weird situation. Hopefully we can help change his mind on the matter. That night we saw the Forsters, who is the PM family with the Fijian wife. Super cool people. The guy made us some of his salsa which is really good. So it was a good week this week. We had some good old service opportunities, and some good times and missionary opportunities with the part member families in the ward. Elder Moniz and I are getting along good. He is an awesome guy. Anyways thanks for all that you all do! Love ya! Elder Hatch

Week 47 Some great cooks in Novato

May 30, 2016 Family, Another week down and more adventures here in Novato! It has been a good week and Elder Moniz and I have had some good times here. Monday we like lost our phone all day so it was kind of stressful figuring things out and stuff but it was still a good Pday. Tuesday was a good day, we had district meeting in the morning, then we went on exchanges with the Spanish elders in our district after that. I went with a Spanish elder named Elder Crosley, who was actually in the MTC with Elder Rees, so he knows him. Pretty cool! It was fun to catch up and talk about Spencer haha. We had some good times and I was able to read one verse in Spanish in a lesson haha. At the end of that lesson it was actually really funny, I stood up and the lady like started saying something really fast in Spanish and then all the sudden she was hugging me! It was so strange I was so confused since I didn't understand any of it! But afterwards I found out that she was saying something about how I looked like her nephew or something like that so she had to hug me I guess! It was super funny. Also we were actually able to teach an awesome on the spot lesson with another lady that they were trying to find. Luckily she was English so I could participate! Wednesday we exchanged back and went to the food bank to help there for the afternoon. That night we gave a blessing to a member and her roommate in the recovery center/crazy old people place that she is at right now. It was pretty cool actually, her roommate is pretty interested. Oh, on Tuesday we went at 5:30 AM to the CrossFit gym, as well as on Thursday and Friday. It's really early and I hate it when I have to wake up but after we do it I am always glad that we did it. The people there are really nice too, and a bunch of them are some of our members. Thursday morning after the gym and studies, we went and did service at the gym, cleaning it. That's actually how we are able to use it haha. We then had lunch then did service at the food bank in the afternoon. That night we had dinner with a PM family that is super cool. We also saw an investigator that should become getting baptized as soon as he can.. Meaning that he has some other stuff he has got to take care of first. But hopefully it will happen while I am here. Friday we did weekly planning then had dinner with a super cool PM family that the wife makes the best cupcakes ever... So good. Saturday we went and had a blitz with the other elders, I went with Elder Cawley, super funny kid in our district. We saw the lady at the hospital again, saw some of our other investigators briefly and saw a member of the ward who said that his uncle was a teacher at cottonwood for like 50 years. Mr. Jackman I'm pretty sure. So that was a cool connection. Sunday was good too, we had church then went and saw the WML, who he and his wife are freaking hilarious people. We got some of the best cookies I've ever had from a member that is apparently famous for his healthy cookies. I don't know if they were healthy but they were delicious. Overall it has been a pretty good week. I am having a good time with Elder Moniz and we are having fun together. Love you all! Elder Hatch

Week 46 Area #4 Novato/ Elder Moniz

May 23, 2016 Family, Well, I'm one week into Novato! It's a great place and I really like it a lot. The members here are super cool. They are always making sure we have food and stuff and twice already we have had members tell us to come pick up some food or ask us if we have a dinner. Apparently we have some famous cooks in our ward, this one guy made us some toffee of his that is to die for. Another lady is apparently famous for her healthy cupcakes that are tasty too and honestly they are some old. We stopped by and she gave us some cupcakes and later she told us she had ribs for us. So awesome. The ward mission leader here, Brother Gruel well, reminds me a lot of Owen Fuller from the ward. It's actually kind of weird but he is a super cool guy. Anyways, Monday in Woodland was good, we did normal Pday stuff and Elder Taylor had an eye doctor appointment that we went to. We saw some families that night that I said goodbye to. Tuesday we packed up and headed out for Santa Rosa early in the morning. It was good I was glad to be able to see a bunch of the boys. There are a lot of missionaries that I really love in this mission. Some that I will hopefully get to serve with. We got to Novato that Tuesday and a lot of the day I unpacked, we went and saw one of our investigators that should be getting baptized soon. He has cerebral palsy, but is a really nice guy. Wednesday we did service for the food bank for most of the afternoon, then that night we went and saw one of the less actives in the ward. Thursday we had district meeting in the morning, but we did it with the whole zone. The zone leaders took over for that one and we got to know the zone really well. We have a huge zone, 24 people, and we are all really spread out so it makes it hard. Thursday afternoon we went and helped out at the food bank again. At this food bank we pass out food to people that come needing extra food. It's a pretty good time. That night we went and saw another less active. Friday we did comp study with some sisters in our district, then had weekly planning for most of the afternoon. That night we went to dinner with the Schroeder's, who aren't even in our ward but were nice enough to have us come along too. Apparently she is like the San Rafael stake lady that keeps all the moms updated on the CASRM moms FB page. They are super nice people. Saturday we helped a member move her couch like 10 feet, then we went and did some finding that afternoon. We went and did a blitz for the Spanish sisters in Novato and I went with Elder Shaefer, who I was in Also, I love Elder Moniz. He is awesome. Plus he is gonna go play the MTC with, and Elder Crowley, who was in the MTC with Spencer. We all go home together and we had a good time. I love both of those guys. That night we had dinner and a little lesson with some people in our ward in a care center and gave a Book of Mormon to their roommate. Sunday was a good Sunday. I got called on to bear my testimony in sacrament meeting and we taught the YM/YW third hour lesson. We went and visited a PM family after church, had dinner with a cool family in the ward then had a meet and greet with a member of the stake presidency. Today we went on a hike, then played some basketball. It was good to go hiking again. I haven't done that in a while. It has been a good Pday. sports for the U when he gets home so that makes him even cooler. We have been having a lot of fun together and working hard. It's exciting to be here in Novato, I look forward to this transfer! Thanks for everything you all do. Love, Elder Hatch

Week 45 Moving to Novato

May 16, 2016 Family, Well, transfers are upon us and the news is..... I'm going to Novato! I leave tomorrow morning so it should be fun! My new companion is Elder Moniz, he is Poly, has been out for about 17 months or so, and apparently is really athletic, like playing football for Oregon level. So it should be a fun time. I'm excited to have a companion that is older than me finally other than my trainers! So that will be nice. Elder Taylor is staying here in Woodland and he is getting elder McKinley, who I served with before. They will do well. But I a, ready for a new comp and area. I really love Elder Taylor and Woodland but it's just time for a change. I should have a good time in Novato! Novato is down by the bay, just below Petaluma and just above San Rafael. It's in Marin county, which is the richest county in America, from what I've heard. So I'm sure it will have pros and cons about that! Monday was a pretty good day. We did the usual Pday stuff and then we did some finding during the night. Tuesday we had district meeting, but we got switched districts mid transfer because there is one Hermana that doesn't speak English very well so they made a Spanish district, and we got switched back to the English district. It was strange. But that afternoon we did some finding, then had a lesson and dinner with a guy in our ward and his 10 year old son that we are teaching. That night we went on splits and saw an inactive lady that is 86, really nice. She told us about her husband who is 98 and he was in the death march, and Japanese prison camps and stuff. It's so crazy. His story was just like unbroken. Wednesday we went and had a lesson with Sean in the morning, then we went to the food bank in the afternoon, and had a lesson and dinner with this "investigator" guy. It was really good unfortunately he isn't interested but we had a good time. Thursday we went on exchanges and I was with Elder Achal, my super cool DL. He is such a good guy, and we had a lot of fun. A bunch of crazy saga's and weird stuff happened. We did service staining a playground in the morning, did some finding during the day, and then we went and did service at the senior center in woodland. After that we went on splits and me and Elder Achal both had inspiration to go to the same place! It was super cool. And the guy I was with and I thought to go to the same 3 people in a row and we didn't ask each other beforehand. Super cool! It was good to be with Elder Achal for the day. Friday we had our weekly planning, and did a bunch of finding during the night. Saturday we did service in winters in the morning, then came back and had two lessons in the afternoon, then did some more finding during the night. Also we got the transfer info that night too! So that Saturday was a long one. Sunday was good too. Elder Taylor spoke in sacrament meeting, and he did a good job. We went to try and see some families in the afternoon then had dinner with a family with 8 kids, all under the age of 13... Wow! They are a well oiled machine! Pretty crazy. Today has been not too bad either. I am currently sitting in a hospital cause elder Taylor has an eye appointment. Also I can't believe that all 4 of the new babies are girls! That is so crazy! I'm only used to having nephews now I come home to 4 new nieces? Absolutely insane! It should be fun though! I know that you are having a good time with it mom. In conclusion, Woodland has been good to me. The ward is awesome, the people are awesome, and I've had a good time. Also, I am excited for Novato. I have heard that my comp likes to get up at 5 AM to work out though so I'm not too thrilled about that. We will see how that goes. But I will have a poly comp so that will be cool. Also I can't wait for the new babies to come! It will be exciting. Love, Elder Hatch

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

Babies

WE FOUND OUT WE WILL BE HAVING FOUR NEW BABIES JOIN OUR FAMILY. ALL GIRLS!!! Maddie and Stephen Montague Baby girl due August 1, 2016 Annicka and Steve Borges Baby girl due September 25, 2016 Angela and Zach Hatch Baby girls due October 30, 2016 We are very excited to welcome these new little ones into our family. :)

Week 42 Stake Conference with Elder Bednar and other General Authorities

April 25, 2016 Family, Well it was a great weekend here! I got to go and have an all mission conference with Elder Bednar, Elder Soares of the presidency of the seventy, Bishop Davies of the presiding bishopric, and Elder Schmutz and Watkins of the seventy. It was solo cool. Elder Bednar is so awesome. He is really funny too. I thought he would be really stoic but he isn't, he is really a funny guy. Not really what I expected. But, he is very, very spiritual nonetheless. Monday was a good day. We went and had two on the spot lessons, one with a guy that we met once before, and another with a girl we found when looking for someone else. We knocked on her door and she told us that she had the worst day of her life that day. We taught about the Book of Mormon and set up a return appointment for Wednesday. We also saw or Vietnamese investigator and her husband. That was a good visit too. But they are a frustrating family. Fortunately they came to the conference with Elder Bednar. Tuesday was a pretty good day too. We saw the family we are teaching with the sisters, then we went and did some finding that night. After district meeting we went to this super good pub in woodland. Wednesday we had a lesson with Sean in the morning, then in the afternoon we did a bunch of finding. That night we had a bunch of lessons. One with the girl that we found on Monday night. We had an awesome first lesson with her and brother Dennis came for that. It was like the perfect lesson. Committed her to baptism and everything. Super cool. Thursday was a full day of service. We went to the food bank then did mulching. We went to the super good sandwich place again. We had splits that night and correlation with the ward mission leaders. Friday we did planning, then finding, then had a lesson with a recent convert. Saturday was the conference with Elder Bednar. That was awesome. We had to get up at 5 to start driving at 6 to be there on time. We got back at around 4:30 and helped Sean move to his new place. That night we saw one of the PM families that we are teaching. It went well. They came to the conference with Elder Bednar too. So that was good. Sunday was the Bednar conference and that was pretty awesome. We had a bunch of people come. The girl that we found on Monday and taught Wednesday came too! But after the meeting she texted us and told us she didn't want to meet anymore. Soooooo frustrating. It made me so mad. That has happened like 5 times in this area, where we have people ready to be baptized but then Satan gets to them. But, it is what it is. That's part of the job description. It was really a cool once in a lifetime experience to get to see Elder Bednar two days in a row like that. It just reaffirmed my testimony that he really is an apostle, and a prophet seer and revelator on the earth today. I even got to shake his hand! That was really cool. I am so lucky to be here for it. I can't wait to talk to you all in a couple of weeks! Also I am pretty much freaking out about all the new babies too. I'm still in shock. But anyways I am currently getting a haircut from another elder so we will see how that turns out. Thanks for everything! Love, Elder Hatch

Week 41 First Time on a Bicycle

April 18, 2016 Family, Well, it was a really good, fast week. I love it when the weeks go fast. But also it is rough because then you realize how much loser you are to being done. I am 9 months+ out and by the end of next transfer I will be a year. That's really strange, and kind of hit me. Have I done enough? Will I continue to use my time wisely? Have I been using it wisely? Hopefully I can do my best. This last Monday we had a really good lesson with a PM family, our Vietnamese investigator. It went really well. They came to church yesterday too. So that was awesome. Tuesday was a really, really cool day. We were at the church with the Spanish elders and a guy and two of his kids rolled up on bikes. They came in and wanted a church tour, so we gave them one. They really liked it and the guy was on the verge of tears the whole time and really wants to change his life around. Super cool. Right after that, we went over and saw a referral from someone while we were Tracting. His name is Harold. We went and saw him and he agreed with all the stuff we said. We went back the next day and taught him the restoration and committed him to baptism on May 13! We will see how it goes, hopefully he continues to progress. He really wants to come to church as well. We hope and pray that everything goes well for him. That same day we saw the family that us and the sisters are both teaching. It was a good visit with them. Wednesday we had zone conference, which was nice to see president and sister wright. They are the best. Later that day we saw Harold again, like I said earlier. Day 2 of our other lessons cancelled, but that's ok. We were able to make contact with both of them and reschedule. Thursday we went to the food bank. I got to use one of those manual forklift things where you have to hand pump it up. Pretty fun. That night we saw an awesome less active. He is about 6'6" so it's good to be able to look him in the eye. Friday we saw Sean, then we did our weekly planning. When we went to see Sean, this huge 40 foot moving trailer was parked right in the way of our car, so we went up and got the bikes! I rode a bike for the first time on my mission. It was great. Pretty funny. That night we saw the family win the sisters again. Saturday we went way up to knights landing at 8 in the morning and helped them pack up. It's a shame, they are an awesome family. We went and did service almost in another zone later that day. It was way at the bottom of winters area just out of Vacaville. That night we had dinner with a member that served in this mission and he came to a lesson with a PM family. We saw that family with the sisters again. Sunday was cool too. This random guy came cause he saw the lady on the street corner with the sign that says "Mormon.org" and he thought he'd check it out! So he came for sacrament and gospel principles and we had a lesson with him after gospel principles. He is such a cool guy. He lives in the other area so we will hand him off but it was really cool to be there for that. Pretty much I'm just stoked for elder Bednar. I can't wait. It's going to be so great. I love all of you and thank you for all that you do! Love ya! Elder Hatch

Pictures from Woodland

April 2016

Week 40 As long as we are trying, that is enough

April 11, 2016 Family, Well, sorry for the late email. My iPad email isn't working too well I promise I will write more and respond next week. But it was a good week. Really long though. Some of the other missionaries said the same thing. We think Satan is trying to get us down since Bednar is coming soon. Anyways Monday was ok. We did an FHE with some members of the ward. Tuesday we went and saw a bunch of members and stuff, we were able to go to a rest home and see this really old member and give her a BoM. She reminded me of granny but a lot more with it. That afternoon we saw one of our investigators and then had a lesson with our RC that night. Wednesday we went to Davis and did Graffiti Abatement which was good as always. We went and did some more ward finding that night. Thursday we want to the food bank and did service. That night we saw the family with the sisters that we are both teaching. Friday was a really good day. We saw Sean in the morning, then went and saw a former in the afternoon, and then we found the husband and son of a LA and had a good conversation/lesson with them. They had been drinking some so they weren't all with it but they were enough, we gave them BOM's and we are going to try and set something up for later this week. It was a really cool experience. Before that happened, we prayed before our finding that night. Elder Taylor had an idea to go see another investigator and I thought that we would go see this LA downhill e street while we were there. Turns out that she wasn't there but that those people were, plus their friend that grew up with Mormon friends, he was kind of that guy with all the Mormon friends that never got baptized. He hadn't even held a BOM and we were able to give him one. So that was cool. Saturday was weird too. These random people invited us to play baseball with them, so that was cool. They live in this random place called Arbuckle so that was unfortunate but a cool experience. Really random. We went to the Davis Elders baptism that day too. That night we went over to this sweet family’s house. Sunday, not a single investigator or recent convert came to church. Super frustrating. People just need to do it! But we had a good rest of the night. Today was fun too. We have a really good zone for bball again. I have been blessed to have people to play ball with in my zones. Apparently that isn't too common. In short it was a good week! Slow, but good. This is my first time being in an area for a 3rd transfer so it should be good. I hope to continue to improve but also know that I'm not perfect, that I can't do everything right all at once but that I can constantly improve. I take a lot of solace in that fact. Elder Holland really helped me to realize that we don't need to be perfect, but that as long as we are trying that that is enough. Love, Elder Hatch

Week 39 Staying in Woodland

April 4, 2016 Family, Well it was another good week here in Woodland. We did some good stuff and had some fun along the way. The news about transfers is...... Me and Elder Taylor are both staying! So now it is the second time I have stayed with my trainee for 2 transfers. So it should be good. We should see some good stuff happen this transfer. Maybe not, but we shall see. If the Lord wills it then it will happen. Monday was a good day. We were able to see our investigator that night. Tuesday was a good day; we had a good zone meeting and were able to see a family that we are teaching with the sisters. They will hopefully get baptized this month sometime. Wednesday we saw Sean, our investigator and he is doing great. We went to the food bank that day and then went and found some members that night. Thursday we went to Davis to do mulching and it was weird. One of the sisters wasn’t having any of it and just stayed in the car while her comp just worked. And her comp is going home tomorrow so it was just too funny. Friday we had weekly planning plus 2 lessons, one with Sean and one with the family again. Saturday was conference and it was awesome!! Such good counsel. It was so great to hear from all of the GA's and the Apostles and President Monson. It was too bad we didn’t hear from President Monson for that long but his counsel was really good. Sundays counsel was amazing too. I really enjoyed Elder Hollands talk. I thought it was crazy how he went from crazy spiritual, to a dinosaur picture, to like the best talk of the whole conference in my opinion. I also loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk on Sunday as well. Such good counsel. GC just seems to get better and better every year. Especially on the mission, it is so good. So the big news is that Elder Bednar is coming for a stake conference in Woodland in April, and that Saturday before he is doing a whole mission conference! So I will get to hear from Elder Bednar 2 days in a row! SOooooooooo cool. He is one of my favorite apostles if not the favorite so i am really looking forward to it. And we are going to the temple this transfer too, so I will have been to all 3 temples by the end of the transfer. So cool. So that’s the news! Love you all and I would love to hear your insights from conference. Love, Elder Hatch