Sister Hatch in The Potato State: Letter #11- Ironic Black Friday

December 1, 2014

Dear Everyone,

It has been a phenomenal week, but we have been blessed!

On Thanksgiving, our Zone and the Ammon Zone got together to do service in Idaho Falls! It was "Running For The Hungers!" It was so much fun serving people and cheering on the runners as they pass by! It was so much fun! It so happen that I saw a young woman who looked so familiar as she ran right past me! I told my companion, and we went over to see her. It was Anna Jensen! Her and her family were there for Thanksgiving! It was so great to see them, even just for a short moment! :)

Members fed us A LOT! I was so stuffed, but it was fun playing "RoundRobin" with a ping pong set with a family. I realize Thanksgiving isn't the same without your family, but I am so grateful to spend it with those that I still love and care about!

Okay, Friday was a crazy day! It was an ironic Black Firday!

After study, my companion, Sister Warren and I went to make copies of Progress Records. We were car-less, because we were out of miles. So, we walked to the Library and made copies.

We came home for lunch. Sister Warren opened the screen door and started talking to me. She then pushed open the front door and black smoke started pouring out! We couldn't see in the house, it was so dark!

Sister Warren yelled, "RUN!" We started running across the street, I had the phone in my hand, Sister Warren yelled back, "Sister Hatch! Call 9-1-1!" She knocked at the Berg's door as I dialed 9-1-1. Brother Berg went to check the house to see if it was fire. The Emergency number picked up.

Calmly I told them that our house was on fire. She asked for the address. . .it was intense!

As soon as we gave all the information to the Fire Department, we called Sister Martineau (the lady we live with). She was in Idaho Falls and she accidentally left candles on.

Firetruck's sirens was coming closer to where we were, cops showed up, Ambulance. IT WAS INTENSE! Sister Martineau was on her way.

They cleared out the smoke. Firefighter told us, "The smoke choked up the fire. . .the fire didn't have enough oxygen to grow. Mostly it was because no windows or doors were opened."

If Sister Warren and I would have been at home still, we would've been blocked by the smoke and the fire, because we live down in the basement. The candles were by the stairways to the basement. And we would've crawl out a window and wouldn't have thought about closing the window behind us.

Luckily no one was home! It was mostly smoke damage, and we felt so sad for Sister Martineau.

But she had great faith, she was fine with it. THE SPIRIT OF GOD LIKE A FIRE IS BURNING!

Members been helping us a lot! We are so blessed! I am so grateful that no one was home.

So, Sister Warren will be transferred. She's going to Ucon. My new companion name is Sister Richins. I am staying in Shelley and we'll be finding a new place to stay! I am so excited!

I am going to miss Sister Warren. She done great work in Shelley, but I think the Lord is teaching me so much through ALL of these wonderful experiences!

I am so grateful to be here in Shelley, Idaho! I love the people I serve and I am grateful for their service! They are so wonderful!

INVITES:

Read Jacob, Chapter 5.

Compare yourself to the olive-tree. How has the Lord helped you grow? Apply this to yourself!

Go the the Visitor Center or Temple Sessions often/regularly!

Don't forget to pray and read your scriptures!!

LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOO MUCH!

Sincerely,

Sister Hatch.

Pictures of our House- "BLACK FRIDAY"