Letter #16- Sick with the Flu

January 12, 2015

Dear Everyone,

I am so grateful to have Sister Richins! She is so diligent, kind, and there's just so much words to describe that I love about here! Tuesday night, we stopped by one of our Former Investigator, Suzanne. She was so worried about us coming, because she fear that we'll shove the Gospel down her throat! But we knew that we were going to walk in and be like normal people. We gave Suzanne a hug and the first question we asked, "What do you like to do?" She smiled, the worried look on her fade away as she tell us about herself. We learned so much from Suzanne! We laughed and had a good time. Towards the end we asked, "Suzanne, we love you. And your Heavenly Father loves you. We were just wondering if you'd like to meet with us again?" She explained that now was not the time. She wants to be able to do it with her family. We listened. We told her that was okay, and the reason why we ask. Everybody have agency. We must respect others and their choice. She said, "I'll give you a call when I'm ready." It was a calm experience. The Spirit was there and we wanted her to know that we wanted to understand. This is one reason why I love Sister Richins. She has that great sense of love for people! She is so kind!

Also, we got a call on Transfer call day! Sister Richins and I were made co-senior companions! So grateful I am staying in good Ol' Shelley another six weeks!

Okay, I've been so ill with the flu the last three days! I was so sad, because I was stuck in bed all day! I couldn't go out and do Missionary work! Sister Richins had me rest while she get members to go out with her and someone to stay with me. Friday, we were having our first lesson with Mele! What I heard, Sister Richins did great! Mele had a lot of questions! Sister Richins told me, "I was so nervous! And every time I end a point in the lesson, I pause thinking my Companion was going to continue to the next part!" She did so good though! We had a return appointment with Mele! I am so excited for her! Mele has even been reading the Book of Mormon and praying! She is GOLDEN!

Saturday, my temperature went up! I slept until noon. Sister Richins woke me up, we went to do service for one of our less-active. Then we correlate with all our Ward Mission Leaders. Didn't get home until five. I was so sick! I slept the rest of the night. Sister Richins went out with a member.

Funny story:

I don't remember this, but Sister Richins told me the next morning.

When Sister Richins was about to go to bed later that night. She came in the room, I said, "Sister. . ." "What?" She respond. "I can't move. . ." Okay. . .she thought. She turned on lamp and she asked me a question. I didn't say anything. She felt my head, "Oh my! You're hot! Let me get my themoniture." (I'm sorry, I forgot how to spell!) She came back in, "Here, put this under your armpit." Awkward long pause of silence. "Sister!" She said. "Huh?" "Put this under your armpit!" No response. She went to get a plastic so she could open my mouth. "Open your mouth." She said. Nothing. "Sister Hatch. . .open your mouth!" I opened my mouth, she put the thermoniture in. Temperature was normal. She gave me Ibuprofen and turned off the light.

Sister Richins said that I was out and she thought it was funny!

Sunday, we were having a "Bishop Youth Discussion" with the youth in one of the ward. I was still sick, so one of the Spanish Sisters went to help Sister Richins with that. A less-active was there and she said she's planning on going on a Mission someday. But we went to go announce it to the Priesthood and Young Women.We were at the beginning of open exercise in Young Women. They went to stand up to recite the Theme. Sister Richins and I smiled at each other and recite with them. We miss being in Young Women so much! Fun memories! Anyway, I am up and moving now. Sister Richins was so great going out and doing the things she needs to do! She is the Best Companion I had (so far).

I want to leave you my testimony. I know this Church is true! I know that my Savior is the Redeemer and is the Son of God! I love Him! I am grateful for the Atonement in my life! I know that it is real! I know that the power of prayer is real and studying the scripture with real intent and diligence gives comfort and peace. I am grateful for the Priesthood and worthy men who has the Authority to use it! I love you all! Keep going, never give up!

Sister Hatch.

Picture of my Recent Convert, WALTER!!!! He's so darn cute! :) Drawing the Temple!

Letter #15- EMBARK in the Service of God!

January 5, 2015

Dear Everyone!

Hello! This week was awesome! Well, every week as a Missionary or life in general is awesome!

I've seen the "Mutual Theme" of this year! I love this Section in the Doctrine and Covenants! "Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of your God, see that ye will serve Him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. That ye may stand blameless before God at the last day." What does it mean to you to embark? This is a new year! A time to refresh, a time to change, a time to restart and become something better! We all have goals in mind, things we want to improve on, or ways and paths we want to take. But I invite you all, if you haven't already, to really think about what it means to embark.

Sister Richins and I went to contact some of those referrals we got. One lady opened her door and let us inside. We got to know her and visited with her for a bit. When appropriate, Sister Richins asked, "So, have you met with Missionaries before?" Dawn said that she met them but not with them. We testify to her about the Restored Gospel, and asked her if she'd be interested into knowing more. She said, "Possibly. . ." We left her with our number. She was so kind! I fell in loved with her immediately!

New Year day! Brother Dannehl invited us to go sledding with an inner tube tied on the back of his four-wheeler! He said, "I'll go real slow." He smiled his cute, old man smile! We told him that we have to get permission from District Leader. He was bummed out when our District Leader had told us it wasn't a good idea. Which is okay, we promised him that we'll come back after our Mission and sled with him! I love Brother Dannehl! But on New Year, it was an all day "P-day". We went to one of our favorite Ward Mission Leader's home. The Markham! They are amazing! We played card games all day and hung out with them! It was a fun, relaxing day from our labor!

Okay, so a couple days after New Year, my companion was REALLY sick! She actually been sick for the last two weeks! But her illness was getting worse! She was deathly sick, she couldn't even get out of her bed! I told her, "Sister Richins, I want you get better. Okay, you can sleep during Personal and Companion Study." Honestly, I kind of was excited about this! Because I love her so much, she is like my own Sister! I was excited to care for someone who I love! And this was a great practice for me to be prepare to be a Mother someday! I called Sister Markham and asked her if she'd be willing to be Sister Richins companion for a few hours. We have already had a Member who was willing to go out with us for three hours the day before. I went out with a Member, while Sister Markham stay with Sister Richins.

It was amazing! Sister Carlson (the Member who went out with me) and I went to contact some of our referrals. The first house we stop by, we found out he was a Jehovah Witness. We talked with and visited with them for a while. I asked if he be interested, he replied something like this, "Yeah, if you would like to come in and hear the message I got for you!" WHAT!? That was a new and different respond I have heard! It was kind of a neat experience! Then we end up in a less-active home, she went on a rant about Mormons treating people wrong. She then said, "I think Mormons are over-powering others because they believe they are better! They think no one can enter Heaven unless they are baptize and married in the Temple!. . ." She went on, Sister Carlson and I just listened. I felt some contentions rise, and the Spirit left when she was spilling out her expression. Sister Carlson was trying to explain some of the doctrines. It was intense!

The next day, Sister Richins was feeling better! We went and contact our last referral. A girl named Hannah answered the door. She was super nice! Sister Richins is the BOMB! My Companion is a Rock Star! She knew exactly what Hannah needs! I invited Hannah to be baptize, she said that she was already baptize in her Church. She said she doesn't mind hearing what we say, but she rather stay her her Religion. Which is totally fine!

I love being a Missionary! Yes, it is hard sometimes! But it's the best thing that young men/young women/senior couples can do prepare themselves for their life! It's a beautiful life!

Sincerely,

Sister Hatch.

Letter #14- Feel God's Love and Show That Loves Towards Others

December 29, 2014

Happy New Year Everyone!

Hope your Christmas was wonderful and memorable! This week Sister Richins and I have been on fire!

We got a text from our District Leader a referral we should call and confirm an appointment with.

We called her up and set up an appointment later that night. Here name is Mele! We went to her Apartment. Her Mom belongs to another religion, but her parents wants her to find out which Church she wants to go for herself. Mele has friends in school that are LDS, and they have been telling her about our beliefs. We shared with her about the Book of Mormon and set up an appointment with her! We are so excited for Mele!

Brother Dannehl! Oh my goodness! He gave up on coffee! We even called up his friend, Larry (who he usually go drink coffee with in Idaho Falls), one morning to see if Brother Dannehl wasn't drinking coffee. He was drinking Hot Chocolate! We saw Brother Dannehl last night, and we asked him how he was doing with not drinking coffee. OH NO! He was looking guilty! He wasn't even looking at us in the eyes! I started to tear up, I was so sad for him! Sister Richins and I was able to ask Brother Dannehl if he has a testimony of Joseph Smith. He said, "That's what everyone says." We asked, "But DO YOU have a testimony that he was a Prophet of God?" He nod, "Yes." We had such a powerful and beautiful lesson with him! We are still working on him, he is doing SO GREAT!

This week was amazing! As a District, we made a goal to receive and contact referrals by January 9th. Sister Richins and I prayerfully, during Weekly Planning Session, asked for members or investigators for referrals. Names came to our mind. When we saw those people, almost every single one of them said they were working on someone and suggested us to see them.

Sister Richins even asked the members who came out with us. One of the brethren and his wife said, "Here, let me show you where all those who are not of our Faith lives." He and his wife drove us around and gave us the names and addresses of these people in their Ward.

We've been searching and diligently contacting these referrals. By January 9th, Sister Richins and I planned on receiving ten referrals. But as we kept asking members, finally a miracle happened, and we received thirteen referrals in an hour!

The Lord is blessing us well! We love being a Missionary!

Love you all! Hope you have a great New Year! Keep going! Read your scriptures and say your prayers!

Sister Hatch

 All the Sisters at Zone Conference!

 Sister Tapia making the Bat's face. 

 KNOCKING AT EVERY DOORS! (Outhouse) :)

 with my companion and the Spanish Sisters!!