Letter #30- "I experienced so much this past week!"

April 27, 2015

Dear Everyone,

This week was good. I experienced so much this past week! It has been wonderful seeing miracles and the Lord's hand this week! I am just going to go by names of who we saw this week.

Monday Sister Ikimau and I were talking to these teenagers. We talked with them for a little while then from the corner of our eyes we saw one of our Potential Investigator walked out on her porch, grabbing her chest! We excused ourselves from the young teenagers and walked over to her. Her daughter and her Aunt was sitting with her, they called the Ambulance and explained all of the symptoms she was having. Sister Ikimau asked her some questions, but she didn't say anything. Then I offered a prayer, I knelt down on my knees and began to offer up a prayer. The Ambulance's sirens went silent, I felt the Spirit rush in. After I closed in the name of Jesus Christ, the Paramedics came to the porch to take care of the rest. We told her nephew, Thomas, that we were going to get going. We left and I kept praying to Heavenly Father that Gabby will be alright. The next day we stopped by to see how Aundreya, Gabby's daughter, was doing. We talked with her for a bit, and she said her Mom was doing better. A couple days later we stopped by and Gabby let us in. She said that she was happy! She was happy because her Aunt, Thomas, and another one of her nephew left. They had a big fight apparently, so they all left. It's just Aundreya and Gabby now. We gave them the tour of the Church Saturdayevening. It was good. The Spirit was there, we invited them to be baptized, they just stood there. It wasn't a yes or no answer, but they seemed to hesitate a little bit. We invited them to go to Church the next day, they said, "yes." Gabby did explain that she felt different during the Church Tour. Sunday, they came to Church! But Gabby's back was hurting, so after Sacrament they left. Aundreya just cried! She wanted to stay longer! It was so sweet!

We met a lady on Tuesday name Debbie. Sister Ikimau and I were walking home for lunch after District meeting. There was a lady outside her yard talking to her youngest son. We got to know their name and them a little bit, then we went on home. Later, after lunch, we were walking back out. We stopped in front of Debbie's yard as she was doing yard work. Sister Ikimau said, "Looks good!" As she takes an overview look of the weeds that have been pulled out from the soft dirt. We asked if we could help, she said, "No, I'm fine. I love the dirt!" We talked with Debbie for a while and then she asked us, "Do you ever get homesick?" "Sometimes, but when we get to work we know we're here for the Lord." I respond. Then she asked how long we serve. We talked with her some more. Then she said, "Well, I had a son who was in the military. He served in Iraq for three years." Sister Ikimau and I smiled and express excitement for her. Debbie continues, "But it was so weird." I could tell my facial expression changed for concerns and love for her. She said, "It was weird that I prayed for him everyday for three years for him to come home safely. Then he came home, he was safe! Three days later, he get hit by a car and die!" She burst out into tears. Sister Ikimau and I stood there in silence and listened with love! She kept talking with us. Sister Ikimau and I talked with her and testified. We asked her if she thinks she'll see her son again after this life. She kept telling us, "I don't know! I don't know! It was just weird that I prayed for him to come home safe for three years. Then he comes home and then he dies!" We were talking with her still, then she said, "Come, walk with me." We followed her to the end of her front yard. She kneel down on the sidewalk, "See?" She brushed some dirt off the sidewalk. A child hand print placed on the hard concrete. Debbie continued, "This was when he was nine years old. This is the reason why I am not moving out of my home." Sister Ikimau and I sat with Debbie and talked some more. We suggested that she should pray for comfort and we promised her that she would rebuild her Faith in God.

A couple days later, we were walking past by Debbie's house when she was outside working on her yard. "Hi Debbie!" She got up and cried, then she raised her voice, "It has been seventeen years since I called in!" She harshly threw her working gloves off and scrambled back to her door. I was so shock! I thought it was weird. Sister Ikimau and I walked in silent for ten minutes. Later that day, a random number called. Sister Ikimau answered it. It was Debbie! She was apologizing for running off like that, she thought it was rude. We told her it was no problem, we were just worried about her.

The next day we saw her again working in her yard. We walked from the other side of the street, "Hi Debbie!" She waved. We asked how she was doing, she said, "Doing better." We told her to have a nice day and she went back to her yard work.

Remember that guy who I told ya'll about, who was drinking the big jug of "40" and smacking their gum? Yes, we have adventures with them! So, one day we were going to see the Radmacher's. They weren't home, but then the Radmacher's neighbor opened their bathroom window. Their names are Tyrel and Crystal, they're not married. So, anyway, Crystal opened her bathroom's window and stuck her head out, "Pst! Hey!" We looked over at her, "Do you have a lighter?" "Uh. . .no. Sorry!" Then Tyrel popped up out of no where and peeked out the window, "OH! OH HEEEEY! It's the ladies! Hey! Come over in a few hours and we can pray together!" We said, "Sorry! We have an appointment!" "Oh okay! Well you keep doing what you do and pray to your Mormon God Joseph!" Sister Ikimau and I laughed! They closed the window. Okayu. . . I got to go. But it was fifteen minutes before curfew and Sister Ikimau brought up about Church Tour. Tyrel said, "Let's go!" We went and gave a surprised Church Tour!

I love you all! I got to go!

sISTER hATCH.

We love the snow!

I was standing in this position, then Sister Ikimau said, "Sister Hatch, put your hand up to your head."

Can you make this my Facebook Profile picture?

 She loved the package! XD

Beautiful!

I'm Gorgeous Inside-Out!

 Idaho Weather, one day it's sunny-the next it's snowing

Sister Ikimau is Gorgeous Inside-Out!

Wearing Zeke's Clown Nose!

Riding bikes!

Letter #29- "...I've seen myself grow"

April 20, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was quite an adventure! It has been crazy, yet I've seen myself grow.

We met with Anthony this week. He said he wants to get baptize, but he's not ready yet. We encourage him to read and pray. He hesitated for a while, but he said he will. After we met with Anthony and Stormy, I thought of Anthony all dressed in white. I saw Heavenly Father opening His arms for Anthony and hugged him. I know Anthony will get there, he's a Child of God. I want him to be happy with our Father in Heaven.

Later that night, Sister Ikimau and I were going to see a part-member family. The Cruz's and Hall's. The nine and eight years old were outside playing in the street. Their names are Angelica and Aliscia. We talked with them, they're not baptize, their brother got baptize a couple years ago. Mom, Dad, and Grandparents are inactives. The girls said to come meet her Grandma. We talked with Grandma Hall and got to know her. She seems like she wanted to avoid us. But the girls said they were coming to Church this Sunday! Later that week, on Sunday, we saw Angelica and Aliscia playing in their Sunday dress out on the street. They explained how they got ready to go, but their Dad had to take them somewhere. We went to the park with them and their brother, they were going to play baseball and wanted us to watch them. Sister Ikimau and I went to watch them play baseball, cheering them on! Then we had to go, we started packing up our bag. Angelica said, "Can we talk about baptism?" We started teaching the girls with one of their member friend at the park. Aliscia asked, "What is baptism?" We explained a short, sweet message. They want to get baptize! We just have to meet with the parents and get parents' permission! But they are sweet girls!

Okay, adventures! Sister Ikimau and I were walking in the blizzard. We were heading over to a home, but I saw a man walking down the street with a beer can in one hand and smoking on a cigarette in the other. I whispered to Sister Ikimau, "Let's go talk to him." We crossed over, "Hi!" "Hi. . ." The man looked drunk and wandered side to side. "What is your name?" I asked. He smiled and his eyes were black, "Jay." We asked him inspired questions, but he said he had to get going. Sister Ikimau then said, "Where do you live?" He pointed towards the apartments and he gave us his address. He lives with his Mom, he's a less-active. He mentioned how he felt he can't go back to Church because of everything he got himself into. SISTER IKIMAU IS SO LOVINGLY BOLD, SHE SAID, "Well, you know you can do better things! You can read the Book of Mormon and that will change your life around! I can promise you that if you do that, your temptations and addictions will disappear!" Jay was so high, he just smiled at us! After a few moment of awkward silent we asked more inspired questions. Then we left him with a pass along card.

After Sister Ikimau and I had our weekly planning on Thursday, we went to go on Chickadee Street. We were walking through the street and a whole bunch of people were out! We were going to go see one of our less-active, Terry. Just as we were heading up towards her house, her son was getting arrested! Sister Ikimau and I kept walking not sure where to go. So we started heading to one of our Potential investigator's home, but the Spirit told the both of us to not go. We walked past her home walked around the dead end and head the other directions. I felt weird, Sister Ikimau felt weird. So we just decided to head back towards our apartment to go up the hill. As we were heading that way, a car pulled up next to us. "Hi Sisters!" It was one of our less-active! We talked with her and she said, "Come over to my house!" Sister Ikimau and I have never been over to teach her, we only talked to her at the door step. We went to her house, and she told us her conversion story. We got to know her and invited her to read and pray and to come to Church!

Quinn's parents forgot we were coming. But we talked with her at the door and she said she still wants to get baptize! We are going to try to set a date with her and her parents.

Saturday was an interesting day. We went to go see the Radmacher's. Brother Radmacher was driving past us. We smiled and waved at him. He was so funny! It totally made my day! He waved both of his hands in the air at us, and honk his car horn! Sister Ikimau and I thought it was so funny! He was so excited to see us! We taught the Radmacher's twins, Brandon and Reineer. We talked about the Holy Ghost. They're so funny! 

A Catholic man tried to convert us. And he was telling us everything that we believe and dropping everything telling us he disagree. Then we met two Muslim. That was interesting. I felt sadden for the lost and confusion of these people. Okay, one last adventure, then I have to go. . .

Sister Ikimau and I tried a new move in. All of the neighbors' kids were in their yard. Their door was wide opened, we knocked. A man voice said, "COME IN!" We shouted from outside, "Is there a woman home?" He yelled, "COME IN!" We asked again, he said, "Yes. She's right here." He came to the door, "Hi" We told him who we were. His hands were behind his back. He smiled, "I got a 40!" I was confused. He pulled a whole jug of alcohol from behind his back. "OH!" Sister Ikimau and I were surprised. He said to come in. We were talking to him and his girlfriend the whole time while they were drinking out of the whole jug. He was smacking his big ball of gum in his mouth as he talked about his religion. He's Native American, some cultural religion. I've never knew so much more about other religions this week. . .

Love you all!

Sincerely,

Sister Hatch

Idaho Pocatello Mission

Letter #28- Be That Missionary, Reach The Standards!

April 13, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

I don't know how to explain how much I love being a Missionary! I just love it!

First off, I would like to explain our Mission's Standard of Excellence. President and Sister Brinkerhoff will be going home in June (so sad!). Our Mission has a goal to baptize one in April and one in May. As they had meetings and the counsel we got from President Brinkerhoff, this goal will help us in our Mission and with our future life. We were all given three specific changes we need to do in order to reach the Standard of Excellence. Those are: Three Sacrifices, Three Actions of Faith, and Three Evidences. I know that Heavenly Father trust us with this Standard! He loves all of us! I imagine the person we meet in white!

Anyway, this week was wonderful! Sister Ikimau and I went out tracting homes, apartments, and talking with as much people as we could! Our Zone had a meeting together one day. It was so spiritual and inspiring! We talked about having confidence and overcoming fears! Then we were going to meet at the Costco's Parking Lot after lunch for a practice. Elder Williams and Elder Sincere, our Zone Leaders, handed each companionship a Book of Mormon. They explain what we were going to do and we said a prayer together. "Let's go teach!" Sister Ikimau and I went wandering in the Parking Lot, I saw a twenty-years looking young man hurrying into the Firehouse restaurant. I sped walk towards him, but he got to the entrance! I picked up my speed, desperate to share the Gospel with him, I yelled out, "EXCUSE ME! SIR!" He turned and looked at me,but I noticed my companion was gone! I felt so insecure; panic, I glanced around looking for her. Then I found her talking to a lady in her car. I was stuck! I felt so inspired to speak to this man, but I had to be with my companion. I walked away from the young man, feeling a little overwhelmed. The lady in the car was from Utah, but she has no interest. She said, "I appreciate all that you ladies do, but I just don't see a reason for joining the Mormon Church."

I was studying from Preach My Gospel the Addiction Recovery for Anthony. Pondering on the Faith and Repentance from Chapter 3: Lesson 3. Then I remembered some personal experiences. I wrote out my Testimony and gathered some ideas on how we can help Anthony. We'll stop by sometime this week to see him and Stormy. Anthony had a couple dates, but he feel he's not ready yet. We're praying for him and hope that the things I want to share will help him.

There was this one day when Sister Ikimau and I tract all day! We went down a street knocking on doors. An elderly lady opened the door and shook her head, "I'm not interested." And slammed the door. Then we met an inactive guy name Carl. He was not interested in coming back into the Church, but he was very nice. Then we met a man outside of his home, he was smoking. Sister Ikimau and I said, "Hi!" We asked what his name was, Dale Dilly. He was converted when he was nineteen and active for a couple years. We asked inspired questions and just had a conversation with him. He said we can talk to him if he's outside. We went across the street and we knocked on this trailor house. The lady said opened the door, "Come in." Sister Ikimau and I came in and she had us sit down on the bed that was in her living room. She started to tell us her problems. Shen ended saying, "I prayed so much last, and here you are." Unfortunately, we explained that we couldn't help her with her bills. We invited her to come to Church and talk with Bishop. Then I said, "I promise you if you go to Church and read your scriptures, you will not have to have trouble with finances and you will not have to leave your home." We closed with a prayer. I looked up after the prayer and she started crying. The Spirit was so strong!

Later that day we met with the Radmacher's. Brother Radmacher is a very nice man, but there's one thing that is really interesting about him. He look up every words and define all of them. He looked up the word, 'Restoration'. And oh my, let me tell you, that man is intelligent! Very interesting. He came to Church this Sunday with his son, Brandon. Brandon was baptize just before I got to Pocatello. After dinner, Sister Ikimau and I went tracting some more. In our Mission we're told to knock three times (or until someone answer the door). Sister Ikimau and I went to a door, and knocked the first time. Someone peeked out the window. Thinking they were coming to the door, we waited for while. It was awkward, so we knocked again. Nobody came to the door. So we knocked the third time, from outside I could hear feet stumping towards the door. She unlocked the door, opened it, and she gave us a look! Her tone was harsh, "I DIDN'T ANSWER FOR A REASON!" Slammed the door, and I just felt torn apart for her salvation. I prayed quietly for comfort, and we moved onto the next apartment complex.

We met a couple of dedicated people! One divorced Mom with five daughters, her name is Stevie. Her oldest is eleven years old. She has a pretty name, Harmony.After she told us her story of being a divorced Mom, and how she felt like she couldn't handle things on her own, we testify to Stevie that Heavenly Father trust her with these five beautiful daughters. We then testify that the Gospel blesses Families, and that God gave us Family to help us become who He wants us to be. Stevie have had Missionary discussions before, but then she got too busy with trying to work a job and provide needs for her family. Then we met a man name Cutter. We talked with him at the door, he said he have had Missionary's discussions before and the he loved it! We testified and then we invited him to be baptize. He said yes! Then Sister Ikimau extended a baptism date for May. He said, "No." He was so nice though! He said we can stop by anytime!

Miracle! Okay, there's a family we met a couple weeks ago. Quinn, the daughter who was jumping up and down. This is the Merica's family! Dad and son are inactive, Mom and daughter are not members. We taught the Restoration. The lesson was going really well, the Mom has no interest, but she participated and explained Prophets and a few other doctrines. At the end we invited Quinn and the whole family to read the Book of Mormon and to pray individually, then we extended a baptism invite. Quinn said, "Yes." Then her Mom said, "You know Quinn, there are other churches out there. . ." The SPIRIT left! At the end Sister Ikimau and I discussed about how the lesson went. Then my beautiful and inspiring companion said, "I know that all what's going to get Quinn to know that this is true is if the Spirit continue to dwell within the lessons."

Saturday, we went to see one of our Potential Investigator. His name is Ken. With a member, he invited us inside. He showed us his collections of cars, Marine's rewards, family pictures, snow globes, etc. He had us sit down and we asked inspired questions. He then asked about baptism, "Why do you guys have to enter heaven to be baptize? I believe you only have to be a nice person in order to get to heaven." Sister Ikimau tried to talk with him, but he scourge her down! Then the member testified, he listened to her. He kept asking questions, Sister Ikimau and the member tried to explained. Then I felt impressed to flip to Moroni 7:41, "I have something!" The room went silent as I read the scripture and testify of the Atonement and eternal life. I explained that we're not the judge of how can be in placed in which Kingdom. Tears filled his eyes, and it was silence for a while. Then Sister Ikimau testified after me. We closed with prayer, he said to stop by anytime.

I love being a Missionary!

Love,

Sister Hatch.

Letter #27- The Grace of God

April 6, 2015

Dear Everyone,

I feel like I have been really lazy with my emailing lately.

What did you all like about General Conference? What stood out to you?

I was reading out of Mosiah, Chapter 18 (haven't even finished it yet!). I have enjoyed reading it. Verses 18 to 26 really stood out to me! I wondered about what it meant in verse 24, "And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support." I used the cross references. Then later it talked about the "grace of God."

I wondered, and questions deepens in my heart, that I begin to desire the meaning of it. Unfortunately, time was up for Personal Study, but I was able to get a small portion of what it meant. Sister Ikimau and I went to General Conference. When Dieter F. Ucthdorf got to the stand, the questions for the "grace of God" came to a flow of wonders again. And in my amazement, President Ucthdorf started to talk about the grace of God! My whole soul felt so uplifted, he was so inspired that I scribbled all over the page of my note book!

On Friday, we had dinner with Anthony and his wife. It was so great to get to know them more! I feel this great love for them! Anthony has the desire to be baptize and change to a better person for his family, he's just struggling with the Word of Wisdom. Anyway, after dinner we went to a 'Walk With Christ', seeing a set up of Christ's Life lives. We went to the Church building. It was beautifully set up! Anthony and Stormy asked questions and were happy! At the end, they had refreshment, and a "gallary of pictures of Christ." There was the picture of Christ speaking with the woman at the well. Anthony asked us about the story behind it, as we told the story, he just looked at the pictures in awe.

I love you all! Keep doing Missionary work, whether it's simply explaining why the Gospel blesses your family or how you feel about having a Temple near by!

Sincerely,

Sister Hatch

Sister Hatch is the best ever!!!! #SisterWarren ;)

Letter #26- I Feel Empowered!

March 30, 2015

Dear Everyone!

Hola! How is everyone?

This week has been awesome! I've felt God's love and He chastening me when I start to get down on myself. I knock the negative thinking and worries out of my head and focus on the work and on my Savior, Jesus Christ!

This week Sister Ikimau and I went to contact a lot of people! We went to a house that is a part member family. Wilson, the husband, opened the door. We talked with him for a little bit and got to know him. He had the door a little opened between himself and the door frame. Sister Ikimau asked Wilson, "Would it be okay if members came and stopped by?" Then his wife yelled from the back of the room, "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!" Sister Ikimau and I were stunned and tried so hard not to laugh. We kindly excused ourselves from Wilson and told him to have a good day. He said, "My wife is anti." And he closed the door. We went to the next street over to contact a girl named Kinoa, but her Mom answered the door. She immediately spilled it out as she rolled her eyes, "No, no, NO! I don't believe in God! I don't want anything to do with you Mormons! Who sent you here!?" Sister Ikimau and I just stood there and listened, "Did Brenda send you here?" Sister Ikimau and I said, "No. We just got a text from someone to stop by to see Kinoa." She then said, "OH! I think someone is pulling a prank with you! Because Kinoa would say the same thing!" We asked inspired questions and she just avoided them as much as she could. She then said, "There's no hope!" We talked about having Hope. She denied and said that she has to get going. We told her to have a nice day and we left her a "Because He Lives" pass along card.

The next day, Sister Ikimau and I were walking up towards this one home. Her son is on a Mission, but they don't want Missionaries to teach them (as we heard). So, Sister Ikimau and I were walking up to the house and we see them sitting on the porch. We're walking up the street, to their house, and it was so sad yet funny! They ran in their house, turn all the lights off, and closed the blinds. Sister Ikimau and I looked at each other, "AWKWARD!" and we burst out laughing! Which I felt bad we laughed, because it was funny yet it was so disappointing. Later that night, we came back. The blinds were opened, the lights were on. The boyfriend came out as we walked up. He said, "Good luck!" then he got in the car and pulled out of the driveway. He knocked on the door, and she said, "Right now is not a good time." And then she closed the door. I'm not sure how I feel about this?

Anyway, the next day we saw nobody! Towards the end of the night, Sister Ikimau and I were walking in the Apartment's Parking lots. I yelled from the top of my lungs, "IS THERE ANYONE WHO WANTS TO HERE ABOUT THE GOSPEL!?" Sister Ikimau and I stopped, there was silence. I glanced around to see if anyone was out and about. It was so dead that day. Almost seems like no one was in town.

We went to contact a part member family, the Merica's! Heather and her two younger kids are not baptized. Heather has no interests, she lets her kids choose. We talked about baptism and asked her daughter, Quin, howold she was. She's eight years old. As we were asking Quin if she wanted to be baptize, she was jumping up and down. She asked her Mom if she could. Heather said, "Sure. But I think you should think and pray about it before you just goes for it." We'll follow up in a couple weeks. Then we went to knock on this house in the Trailor Park. Her name is Kathy Sines. We've been trying to get a hold of her in forever! After we knocked three times, we were walking away when the door opened. A lady stepped out and said shyly, "Hi." Sister Ikimau and I said, "Hi! How are you?" She said she was good and told us that LDS Missionaries are the best. Somehow the Spirit directs us to bring up here husband. She started to bawl! She lost her husband a couple years ago. I was astonished by her feelings about the death of her husband. Sister Ikimau hugged her and we comforted her. I told her about when my Grandpa passed away, but that I know he's in a good place. She walked forward and hugged me. We testify to her about the Plan of Salvation. She probably hugged us about four times! Which is so sweet and heart-felt!

I'm running out of times. But I have enjoyed the Woman Broadcast! I feel uplifted and I hope you are all excited for General Conference! Be Spiritually fed and I hope you all feel EMPOWERED!

Love,

Sister Hatch

The Titanic Stand with the background music

There's even GIANT CATERPILLARS in IDAHO!!!

Sister Ikimau on the Dinosaur!