Zach didn't write much this week. Not sure why but the big email didn't come through this week. So here is a summary of what we know. He had a baptism this week of a fellow from Iran. His name is Ashkan and Zach said he was pretty much a golden contact. They also committed a sister to baptism for the first part of February. Their zone is doing really well and has many people committed to baptism.
Zach said the city of Honolulu is quite a bit different from anywhere else he has served. It is a lot of high rise buildings and not as many houses and families. He said it isn't as scary as he thought it might be. He does get to go to Manoa which he loves. But he is really loving getting to know this new area. He tells us it is hard being a ZL and training a greenie at the same time. His two companions are large lads as well. I am not sure how they fit in their little Corolla.
Gary and I got to go to dinner with the Buckholz family and the Wootton family this past week. Zach lived in the Buckholz apartment in Hawaii and was companions with Elder Wootton. It was pretty surreal to be eating dinner with people that had spent time with Zach. They shared stories with us about their conversion and about experiences they had had with the missionaries. We were so grateful to know they had taken care of our son and watched out for him. I am sure there is a bond of friendship that will last forever. We also had fun sharing stories with the Woottons about our sons adventures. It was a wonderful night. Thanks guys for coming and spending the evening with us.
Now for some mother's ramblings. Zach's mission has gone so quickly. I can't believe that he is on the downhill side of this. He has grown up so much and is learning so many great life lessons. I can't express how powerful a mission is in a young man's life. Yes, I have missed him but there is no way I could have taught him the things he has been able to learn and experience on his mission. Besides, how else could you afford to live in Hawaii. He has got less than 9 months left on his big adventure. We are already beginning to look into college life for him and getting things ready for his return. I can't believe it. I am so glad that he has had a wonderful mission president who serves with humility. Zach has learned so much from him. Thanks for all your love, prayers, and support. We sure feel it as a family.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Annicka Sue Hatch is 25
For those of you who follow our blog...our little girl turned 25 on Sunday, January 17th. Annicka Sue or Annibell as we fondly call her celebrated another birthday. We can't believe that she has been with us for 25 years. Gary nor I are old enough to have a child that old. She is a good girl and makes her parents proud. She is currently working as a nurse in a local hospital. She loves her patients and takes great pride in the care she gives them. She is a good sister and loves her siblings. One of her favorite pasttimes is taking McKay on field trips when their schedules allow it. She is a kind and loving wife and is dedicated to her husband. She loves serving as the primary chorister in her ward. She is always making new things to help the children learn the songs. She loves to sing, sew, cook, and travel. She looks forward to being a mom some day. She would love to have her own home but knows that it will happen when the time is right.
We are so proud of her and love her so much. Happy Birthday dear Annibell.
Love, Mom and Dad
Week 66 Zach gets called on in Stake Conference
Well hello family,
Well another week down and there was quite a bit that happened in the last week. First we had interviews this week and they went really well. I always love the time that I get to spend with President Peterson and here his insight on how I can improve. He said that he was very happy with what I was doing and just keep up the good work. He told me to broaden my horizon and to help other missionaries to get on board with me. So that is what I am going to work on doing is helping out other missionaries and do some mentoring. My interview was long but we mainly just talked about other people. He is such an amazing man I am really going to miss him when he is gone. But I am sure the new one will be just as good.
Well Elder Cook of the twelve and Elder Clayton of the seventy were in town doing a training. We saw Elder Cook in the church parking lot and then we met Elder Clayton on Sunday. We were sitting there in the conference and he said there was an elder standing by that door. I think he was wearing a blue and gold tie. I looked down and it was me. He was like if that elder could please come up here. So I went up and he talked about how someone had to teach me the importance of serving a mission, I didn't just wake up and go. It was really neat to be standing up there with a general authority. I could feel his power and authority. It was so amazing and I will remember it forever. Also this week Elder Eteaki and I had to train all the ward mission leaders from the stake. It was kind of scary but we trained them and the stake president loved it and said because it was so good we will train them once a month. President Peterson heard about it and was so happy and told us to keep up the good work.
I think that is about all that happened major this week. We commited two more people for baptism so that was good. I can't think of anything else that really happened. I put some some pictures on a cd and sent them home so watch for that. I love you all have a good week.
Zig
Well another week down and there was quite a bit that happened in the last week. First we had interviews this week and they went really well. I always love the time that I get to spend with President Peterson and here his insight on how I can improve. He said that he was very happy with what I was doing and just keep up the good work. He told me to broaden my horizon and to help other missionaries to get on board with me. So that is what I am going to work on doing is helping out other missionaries and do some mentoring. My interview was long but we mainly just talked about other people. He is such an amazing man I am really going to miss him when he is gone. But I am sure the new one will be just as good.
Well Elder Cook of the twelve and Elder Clayton of the seventy were in town doing a training. We saw Elder Cook in the church parking lot and then we met Elder Clayton on Sunday. We were sitting there in the conference and he said there was an elder standing by that door. I think he was wearing a blue and gold tie. I looked down and it was me. He was like if that elder could please come up here. So I went up and he talked about how someone had to teach me the importance of serving a mission, I didn't just wake up and go. It was really neat to be standing up there with a general authority. I could feel his power and authority. It was so amazing and I will remember it forever. Also this week Elder Eteaki and I had to train all the ward mission leaders from the stake. It was kind of scary but we trained them and the stake president loved it and said because it was so good we will train them once a month. President Peterson heard about it and was so happy and told us to keep up the good work.
I think that is about all that happened major this week. We commited two more people for baptism so that was good. I can't think of anything else that really happened. I put some some pictures on a cd and sent them home so watch for that. I love you all have a good week.
Zig
Monday, January 11, 2010
Week 65 News of the City
Aloha family,
Well another week down, but it is really going well. Well our greenie is still doing well. He is really starting to get the hang of missionary work. Elder Eteaki and I are still trying to get him more involved though. Sometimes he just sits back and doesn't get involved and I think sometimes it is partly our fault because we forget that we have both been out for awhile and that he hasn't. Sometimes it can be difficult because we have to do zl stuff and we have to find things for him to do while we do it.
Well nothing too big to report on this week. We taught 22 lessons so that was good. We are really trying to show the greenie how to work and how to get things done so that when he leaves us he is ready for that mission field. We don't do a whole lot of actual tracking but we do do lots of street tracting. All the apartment buildings are locked up so we couldn't get into them anyway. We have one of the biggest hospitals in Hawaii in our zone so we give about 10 blessings a transfer. It feels good to be able to exercise our priesthood. We live in an apartment building as well so that is a little bit different. We live on the 7th floor so not too high but high enough that we can see the city. Sorry, I know this is a pretty boring email but there is not too much to report on this week. I will try and put some pictures on a cd and send them home this week. I love you all have a good week.
Love you, Zig
Well another week down, but it is really going well. Well our greenie is still doing well. He is really starting to get the hang of missionary work. Elder Eteaki and I are still trying to get him more involved though. Sometimes he just sits back and doesn't get involved and I think sometimes it is partly our fault because we forget that we have both been out for awhile and that he hasn't. Sometimes it can be difficult because we have to do zl stuff and we have to find things for him to do while we do it.
Well nothing too big to report on this week. We taught 22 lessons so that was good. We are really trying to show the greenie how to work and how to get things done so that when he leaves us he is ready for that mission field. We don't do a whole lot of actual tracking but we do do lots of street tracting. All the apartment buildings are locked up so we couldn't get into them anyway. We have one of the biggest hospitals in Hawaii in our zone so we give about 10 blessings a transfer. It feels good to be able to exercise our priesthood. We live in an apartment building as well so that is a little bit different. We live on the 7th floor so not too high but high enough that we can see the city. Sorry, I know this is a pretty boring email but there is not too much to report on this week. I will try and put some pictures on a cd and send them home this week. I love you all have a good week.
Love you, Zig
Sunday, January 10, 2010
My turn to share...
I know this blog is suppose to help you stay caught up on Zach's mission but I had a marvelous experience yesterday that I want to share. It strenghtened my testimony and marriage. I brings me to tears thinking about the feelings I had. Gary and I went to the temple yesterday for ward conference. The session we went on was very tender. I heard and felt things I had never experienced in my 26 years of attending the temple. Who would have thought that at 3:00 on a Saturday afternoon I would be so touched by the Spirit? I know I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. He wants me to choose the right and follow his plan so that I can return to him someday. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and came to earth to show me the way to return to Heavenly Father. I know he set the example for me in so many ways. I know he atoned for my sins and suffered so that I can be forgiven for my mistakes and continue to progress and learn. I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband and family who love me care about my welfare. It was a marvelous day yesterday. I feel so blessed. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with you.
Love, Mary Ann
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