Working as a Trainer!

Here's my Companions! Sister Worrall is the one in the purple shirt, Sister Bell is in the blue!

Letter #36- Changes Are Wonderful

June 29, 2015

Dear Everyone,

Hello! Hope all is going well back at home! This week has been the best! There has been a lot of changes in the last couple of days!

President and Sister Brinkerhoff went home yesterday morning! President and Sister Hancock are here today in the Mission Office! I got a new companion, Sister Worrall (who is NOT allow to go home)! Just kidding, she'll be done with her Mission in about a month and a half! I don't approve, but unfortunately it has to happen. Together, Sister Worrall and I, are training a New Missionary! Her name is Sister Bell, and she is a LION! :) When Sister Worrall goes home, I'll be finishing her training. As the packet has said, "The responsibility to train a new missionary is a SACRED TRUST from YOUR MISSION PRESIDENT and from THE LORD!" When I was told that I was going to train, and when I read that part, I feel an honor to take this part of responsibility to be an example! I have gain trust from my Father in Heaven that I can uplift, love, strengthen, help, comfort, (the list goes on) a new missionary! I don't know how many times I have been giving THANKS to my HEAVENLY FATHER for trusting me and allowing me to have this opportunity! I am grateful to have Sister Worrall here to help me a little bit, since she got to train a couple of times!

I love these Sisters so very much! I'll tell you all a little bit about both of them. Sister Worrall is from Oklahoma! She's been out for seventeen months! I love having her as a companion because she is in tune with the Spirit! She was my Sister Training Leader when I was in Ammon area, and I am grateful to be her companion for her last transfer! Sister Bell is from Kansas City, Missouri! She's been out for five days! I love having her as a companion because she is freshly new (learning and experiencing, and adjusting) :) I love that she strive to put her trust in the Savior and just talks A LOT! Which is good!

I feel happy and successful and very grateful to be serving with these Sisters! We are working hard and looking for every opportunities to serve and talk with everyone!

On Wednesday, Sister Worrall and I went out with a member. We were talking with everyone! Then we felt impress to go to the Griffith's. We went over and it was just Marie home. She's less active. We talked about the Atonement and the Savior. At the end I told Marie, "Marie, I have just one question for you," I made direct eye contact with her, "What is holding you back from going to Church? Is it because you don't have support or a friend there?" Right when we asked that question, tears were just rolling down her cheeks. She cried and said, "I don't know anyone here. And I feel embarrassed to go to Church by myself without Jason." We listened with love and I continue to ask her questions. Sister Worrall then asked, "Would it help if you had Visiting and Home Teachers here?" She said, "YES!" ** You don't love those that you teach or those you're around. . .until you understand them! You have you ask questions, you're not interrogating. . .you are showing love! That is one way how the Savior loved His people! **

Later that night, we were planning. We pulled out the Area Book and looked through some people we could visit. I looked through that Area Book probably more than twenty times! But there was a Teaching Record I have never seen before! So we planned to see them the next day. The next day, we picked up Sister Bell from the Mission Office. We had a member coming out with us. We decided to go on splits. Sister Worrall went to go see the new name with the member, while Sister Bell and I were tracting together. We came back together and report! Sister Worrall was able to set up a return appointment with Angela! It was amazing!

I ama running out of times! But I wanted to share that experience because, we went with what the Spirit told us! We listened carefully and planned the way the Lord has prepared for this person! It was great!

Love you all!

Sister Hatch. 

A few Pictures....

June 22, 2015

Zone Activity! Whip Cream

SISTER RICHIERICH!!! :)

Letter #35- Inspired Questions Brings Miracles!

June 15, 2015

Dear Everyone,

This week has been a little bit hard, but I have loved seeing people changed!

My wonderful companion, Sister Vere, and I were able to teach a young boy who has inactive parents. Before I go any furthur, I would like to flash back to when we first them.

My companion at the time, Sister Ikimau, and I were tracting in this neighborhood. As we were walking we saw this man outside, across the road, smoking. I will be honest, the thoughts in my head were, "Oh, that guy looks scary! He's not going to want to talk to us!" But then Sister Ikimau and I quietly talked with each other about whether or not to talk to him. We went anyway! We told each other, "Let's just go talk to him!" We crossed the road and the whole time, the man has been watching us. We smiled and greet ourselves to him. He had a rugged look on his face, but I could feel something. After we got to know him, we asked inspired questions. His name is Kelley. He left the Church when he was seventeen. Never went back since. We asked him if we could come back, he said, "You can come back, but don't talk about Church with us."

After a few times, Sister Ikimau and I would go back. We would some how sqeeze a few things that talked about the Atonement, Family, or committing them to take the lessons. I remember when Sister Ikimau was tearing up as Kelley and his wife, Pat, talked. After the lessons, I asked Sister Ikimau if everything was okay. She said, "Sister, as he was talking, I could just imagine I was in the Savior's place. Just listening to them share their experiences. . ."

Sister Ikimau and I asked Kelley and Pat, "Would your kids like to take the lessons?" Kelley would respond, "Only if they want to, but we're not going to force them into it."

We didn't stop. One time we were walking and we saw their daughter, Barbara, outside in her hoodie. We talked with Barbara for a while. She told us that one of her friend have just passed away. Sister Ikimau and I talked with her about the Plan of Salvation. We gave her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet.

After trying to catch them home for a few weeks, Sister Ikimau left Pocatello.

A couple days after transfer, Sister Vere and I went with a member to their home. We had a chat with them for a few minutes. Their nine years old, soon to be ten this week, son came out and stood on the porch with us. His name is Joe. I watched Joe for a little while, then I looked at Pat. I asked her, "Pat, you said that if your kids wanted to, you'd let them take some lessons?" She nods her head. Then I asked both Kelley and Pat, "Would you support them in it if they did?" They both said, "Yes." Then I asked if it was okay if I asked Joe. I turned to Joe, "Joe, would you like to take lessons?" He was excited and he said, "YES! YES! YES!" His parents asked us, "Could you explain what it is to him?" Sister Vere and I briefly explained what we teach and talked about baptism. We extended a Baptismal invite, then we set up a return appointment.

I could remember leaving that home feeling so happy and overjoyed! Ever since that day, Sister Vere and I prayed and prayed and PRAYED for Joe and his Family! He literally wasn't off our mind!

That next week we taught the first lessons. We begin briefly the "How to begin Teaching" bullet points. We taught the Restoration and it was amazing! The Spirit was there, Joe asked A LOT of questions about the Priesthood! At the end of the lesson we committed him to read the Book of Mormon, to start out reading one verse a day. Then his Mom, who was in the lesson with us, started to tell us that she wants to start coming back to Church! For the first time, she admit that she was a member of the Church! We invited them to Chruch, Pat said, "Once when I get done with some school work,  I would love to come!" Which will be this upcoming week. We invited Joe, he said, "No thank you." He may wants to come with his whole Family, which is wonderful!

We set up a return appointment for the next week.

Again, since we left their home. Sister Vere and I prayed everyday - all day for the Family!

That next week we had our second lesson. We did some follow ups and open with a prayer.

We taught the Plan of Salvation. Joe has a little short-term attention, but as we were teaching him, I notice that he was literally glued to the lesson. He wondered and asked questions. At the end we asked a few review questions. Joe got almost every single answer! Right there and then, we asked Pat, "What are your thoughts about Joe being Baptize? Is that something you or he would like to do?" Pat nods, "I just leave it up to him. If he wants to be Baptize, that is great!"

And he does! Sister Vere and I are still praying much for Joe! We're planning to set a Baptism date next week!

I love being a Missionary! I know that The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored this Latter-day! I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet today! And I know that we are on safe course as we follow the Prophet, who knows our day and what we need. I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know He loves us and that He was willing to pay the price for us, so that we all can be clean! I know that the Book of Mormon are the words of Christ. And by reading it, you will come closer to our loving Father in Heaven.

I love you all!

Sister Hatch.

Letter #34- Serve Others, Love Yourself!

May 25, 2015

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was outstanding! I have loved putting the Lord's trust continually, as we show the love and concerns for others!

Before Sister Ikimau left to Shelley, we visited a few people. One of them is a lady by the name of Rose King. What Sister Ikimau and I have called her was our "active investigator". Which means they pay their tithes, they fast, pray, attend Church regularly, read the Book of Mormon, etc. They just won't get baptize! We started with an opening prayer. As I closed the prayer, I had this bad feeling, I wasn't sure why. Right after the prayer, Rose express that she basically wasn't happy. She sounded a little bitter as she went on. She claims she has a stronger testimony than anyone else, that she knows the Church is true, that she knows the scripture better than anyone else. . .she just went on slapping her jaw off! I just listened, I looked at her in the eyes, and then it came to me! Sister Ikimau testified a few times, answering her questions, but Rose declined or told her off! I felt the Spirit tell me to let Rose know something. I sat up against the edge of the couch, my heart was pounding FAST and LOUDER, and LOUDER! I went to share what the Spirit was directing me to say, but every time I went to open my mouth, she continued on! Eventually the topic was changing, I still felt the need to share what the Spirit told me. I kept trying to speak, but Rose kept changing topics! My heart was racing, until it finally slowed down towards the end of our discussion.

I can't explain exactly what the Spirit wanted me to say, but it was strong! I could feel it! After the lesson with Rose, we discussed together how the lesson went. Sister Warren was with us, since her companion went home. Sister Warren said, "The important thing for Rose King today was to feel understood." We probably couldn't say much, but to just listen with love. And that's what Rose needed. As we discussed, Sister Warren asked, "What does Rose need? There's something deeper that she needs more than what she have expressed. Because obviously, she would be baptize by then!" We talked about that we need to pull the wires and ask the hard questions! I am trying to figure out Rose. And I think Sister Vere, the amazing testimony she has, can help fix Rose's problem!

On Sister Ikimau's last night in Pocatello, we went to go see Anthony and Stormy. I felt so sad for Anthony. As his wife shared what he have done and said the other day, she told him to "give up drinking or me and Evony." Anthony loves his Family so much, but of course he is addicted to drinking. He decided to give up drinking. We asked how he was feeling, he said, "Embarrassed." Sister Ikimau and I talked with Anthony for a bit. Anthony then got up and walked out for a smoke. We could hear him yelling from outside, he was filled with anger. As I write this, it makes my heart aches and I just want to cry for both Anthony and Stormy! I want to help! We told Anthony that coming to Church is going to resist the temptation of smoking or drinking. And with Church, it'll help him and Stormy to quite arguing or fighting so much. I know that attending Church regularly with the desire to go, will strengthen your relationship with Family! And Church will help you change to become a better person as you partake of the Sacrament.

Sister Vere and I met with Chris! Chris was the young man that Sister Ikimau and I met, he was working on his Chevy truck. We went over to him, "Hi Chris!" "Hi!" He said. We talked with him for a few minutes. He was putting a new Radio Station in, because he was on his way to Washington in about a few weeks. We asked if he read the pamplets or the Book of Mormon. Chris said, "I have read two chapters of the Book of Mormon." We asked if he felt anything as he read it, he said, "I feel that I am not alone." Every time we meet with Chris, he is softening up. We shared 2 Nephi 5:27, "And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness." Chris smiled as we testified of that scripture. We asked if we could close with a prayer, he smiled, "Yes!" After the prayer, Chris looked at all four of us (we had two young women with us) and he said, "I will be looking forward to be meeting the four of you again." He smiled again! We told him to have a good day and walked away. When we got furthur down the street, I couldn't stop smiling! I was so happy for Chris! I know he will someday meet officially with the Missionaries! So grateful for this experience!

For personal study I read my Patriarchal Blessing. I asked Heavenly Father to show me what I need for the day to share with others. I couldn't help but to be filled with great joy as I read my Patriarchal Blessing and feel the love of God. I know that Heavenly Father is aware of all of His Children circumstances and He knows each of us personally! If you don't know that, I want to invite you to look into that. Prayed to Him, seek to look at others and love others as the Savior would love them, if you don't have one - get a Patriarchal Blessing. I know that you will realize you are not alone, Heavenly Father is taking care of each of us.

I love you all!

Sincerely,

Sister Hatch.

Our Zone went on a hike for the last time together

 we saw snakes everywhere!

Doing our poses :)

HAHAHA! We all have some intense or silly faces!

JUMP!

 All four of the Sisters!

Sister Ikimau saying good-bye to some of the boys

 Transfer site!

We forgot our umbrella. . .got SOAKED from the rain.

Letter #33- "I know that Joseph Smith was the true Prophet"

Hello Everyone!

Oh my goodness! Okay, first we got transfer called this week! Sister Ikimau is leaving! I'm sad to see her go, but so excited for where she's going! Sister Ikimau is going to SHELLEY! I was born there! And we both think she's going to "die" there. Sister Ikimau have four months left on her Mission. My new companion is Sister Vere (pronounce as Veh-dae). She will be "dying" with President and Sister Brinkerhoff. (She has six weeks left). We're both excited for this transfer!

This week has been good. Remember those people who ran away from Sister Ikimau and I on the hill? You're going to laugh about this, but we just had dinner with them this week! We went up to their home at dinner time. Sister Peck, the Mom, invited us in. We sat down while we wait a few minutes for her husband to come home. She talked with us of how sad she is for her son being on his Mission in Chile Santiago. But then she smiled, "We talked with him on Mother's Day. He is doing great! I just wish he could come home!" Later, her daughter came in and sat down. She talked with us for a few minutes. They're both non-members, the daughter asked us questions. It was a good dinner, they told us, "We're not interested. But we love how you Missionaries never give up on us!"

We went out with a member, Sister Brown. We were going to the family who moved from New Mexico. As we walked up to their door, the Mom opened the door. When she saw us walking up, we squealed and slammed the door. Awkwardly standing there, we weren't sure what to do. We went up the door and knocked anyway. We did a couple of knocks, then I saw someone peeking through the window. It was dark in the room, I could see two eyes staring at me. I waved at the little girl who was looking through the opened blinds. She slowly moved back. It was strange, I could remember seeing the two eyes!

Anyway, Saturday we had a meeting. After the meeting we saw one of our Ward Mission Leader and his family setting decorations up for Jensen Parrish's wedding. We offered to help for an hour. It was so beautiful! It was gorgeous! Later, after that, we had a lesson with a less-active family. They've been coming back to Church and recently Sister Hill asked if we could teach their family some lessons! It was wonderful! We got to know them and we invited them to pray, read, and to come to Church.

I am running out of times! But I have loved this week!

I want to share my testimony, that I know my Savior lives. I am grateful for the good news the gospel brings! I love this Gospel, I love being a Missionary! I am grateful that I could take a year and a half to proclaim and share about the Savior, Jesus Christ. The truth and fullness of the Gospel. I know that Joseph Smith was the true Prophet of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is to be true!

I love you all!

Sincerely,

Sister Hatch.

Got to hold the member's BOA (small, can grow to 5 feet)

 IDAHO POCATELLO NORTH ZONE! President and Sister Brinkerhoff last transfer!

Letter #32- "I thanked Heavenly Father for these wonderful experiences"

May 11, 2015

Dear Everyone,

This week has been amazing!

Tuesday, I went on exchanges with Sister Warren! It brings back so much memory when we were companions together! I learned so much while I was with her! I felt like I was led by the Spirit not knowing what to do, like Nephi! It was great to feel the love of the Savior!

We taught a less active man outside on his bench. We visited with him and got to know him. Then we shared Moroni's promise, which is if you read the Book of Mormon with real intent and prayed to the Father with sincere heart, asking if it's NOT true, the Holy Spirit will manifest the truth of it unto you. We invited Brother Hall and his Family to read the Book of Mormon and to come to Church. He expressed his concerns about not wearing appropriate clothes to Church.  We talked with him for a little longer until he committed to come to Church. Later that day, all of our appointments fell through, we went through our back up plans. I prayed to Heavenly Father, "I don't know where to go, but I know there is someone." I remembered the referral President Brinkerhoff gave to Sister Ikimau and I. We went over and we met a young boy named Danny! He was playing basketball with a few of the priest aged young men in the Ward. We talked with Danny for a while, he said we could come back! I  On the exchanges I learned how I can better help our Investigators improve in the Gospel. I love these people, Children of God, so much! I want to help them! My worries and concerns are a few of them who are not able to get Parents' permission. I know that as Sister Ikimau and I follow up with them daily and pull the wires, as Elder Haws and Elder Deppermen gave the training on, they will want to progress and they will see that light and love of our Loving Father in Heaven

Oh my goodness! Sister Ikimau and I did meet a basher! His name is John! Contentions and anger, we could just feel it rise! It was so sad to see John that way! As he kept asking questions trying to prove us wrong. He then asked us, "Are you convinced that you are going to go to Heaven if you were to die right now?" I felt like I stood up tall! I felt confident, "YES! I DO!" He gave us this look as if we were stupid, "Really!? Because I don't think you will! I KNOW THAT AT THE LAST DAY I WILL TELL GOD THAT YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TO ME!" We let John go on the rant. He told us he believe in the Trinity, which is Heavenly Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit is one. He asked more questions trying to still prove us wrong. I kept opening my mouth trying to testify to his questions. But every time I do, he interrupts me! Finally I said, "Okay! Can I ask you a question?" John said, "Sure." I asked, "Why would God send Himself down to die on the cross for us?" He said, "Easy! In John3:16, 'For God so loved the world that He sent His. . ." He stumbled for a while, "His. . .His Only Begotten Son! But there's other scriptures that talks about that!" OH MY! It was intense! I was so sad for John. We told John we had to get going, he said, "Oh okay! Well anytime you want to, come by and I'll prepare some scriptures for you!"

I love working with my Companion, Sister Ikimau! I have enjoyed learning from her as she share what she studied from her Personal Study, what revelation she receives after we have taught a lesson or correlation meeting, and I have enjoyed her company, and that we're able to work together! We both felt so stupid when she shared what she learned in Personal Study this morning. In the past week we got some people who have asked, "What if you find out that there is no God?" or "What if there is no life after death?" And our response was, "But what if there was a God?" or "What if you do find out there is a life after death?" We would respond their question to a question! What Sister Ikimau shared this morning just have clicked! Why do we respond their question to a question, when we have been called to TESTIFY to what we KNOW!? SILLY! We know there is a God, we know there is a life after death. Why don't we just testify of that? It was great to be able to recognize how we could progress in our Missionary effort!

I got to talk to my Family for Mother's Day! It was great to see them! I have enjoyed them. It felt like I have never left them! After skyping, Sister Ikimau and I had a few miracles!

Sister Ikimau and I had a few miracles last night! I believe it was because we followed the Spirit immediately! For the past month, Sister Ikimau and I have been trying to see a Part-member Family. After dinner, Sister Ikimau said, "Let's go see the Bisson's." We went over there, just in time she got home! We helped her haul in some things in her home and Sister Bissoon offered water. We kindly said, "No thank you, but thank you so much!" We complimented on her beautiful house and the pictures of her beautiful Family on the wall. She told us her husband past Missionary experiences. We listened with love as she told us what have happened in the past. After spending almost an hour there, she said that her husband just recently wanted to take the lessons again! Sister Bissoon told us that we should be expecting a call from him sometime soon or we could call him up someday! We left her home with a prayer. As Sister Ikimau and I were heading down to the Apartment area, I thanked Heavenly Father for this miracle and prayed for the Bissoon Family. We went to an Apartment and a man was standing outside smoking. Without fear, Sister Ikimau and I walked up to him and talked with him. His wife is a member, he is not. He have had Missionary discussion before, but then he moved from Ammon to here six months ago. We got to know Jason and his wife Marie. I felt such great love for him as I imagine the both of them in white. We were able to set up a return appointment. He has been to Church more than three times. After we left and open up our planning for the night, again, I thanked Heavenly Father for these wonderful experiences. I was grateful that we followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit!

I love you all! I got to go!

Sister Hatch.