Write In Your Journals....

Querido mis familias,                       (dated 08/13/2012)

I'm so short on time! I might write a letter later this week if I don't get everything done I need to. I have learned more in 5 days at the MTC than I ever did taking any language class or institute or seminary combined. The atmosphere is just so intense all the time. My district and I made up a game called shoemarker that is kinda like horse shoes, but with white board markers and the wall.

A few things I NEED to testify about before I move on to addressing everyone individually. The first came from President Wilford Woodruff in the movie The Mountain of the Lord, WATCH THIS MOVIE! "As soon as I was baptized, I promised to never lay my head upon my pillow without having recorded the days work." WRITE IN YOUR JOURNALS DAILY! I have started doing this and already each night the spirit testifies things to me that I might not have thought of earlier that day. Second, Brigham Young was a prophet of God that lived and loved the work of the Lord and the saints that he served. Third, Utah was commonly thought of being named after the Ute indians that inhabitted? the area, but Utah actually means top of the mountains. Like most temples, this state is meant to be a light unto the world and give light unto all that are in the world (Matthew 5:14-16). Most important thing that I've learned, I am a servant of God and I bear the same title (Elder) that the Prophet Thomas S. Monson bears, and the quorum of the twelve, and the 70's and all the other missionaries hold. I am a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him in this dispensation.

You will do amazing, remember to be awesome examples to others because as part of el evangelio de Jesucristo, esta muy importante to care for others.

I love you soooooo much,

Elder Kendon Bly Hatch

Kendon's awesome friends, Sam and Emily, picked him up at the airport and saw him off at the MTC.

Elder Hatch (he is glowing :)

Letter from 1st Day at MTC

Dear Family,                          (dated 08/08/2012 - arrival at MTC)

It has been an awesome first day here at the MTC.  Over the course of the day I have learned that I know absolutely nothing about being a missionary.  Today has been very humbling for me.  As I sat in a role playing scenario, I could not think of anything whatsoever to say.  I felt so inadequate, but I know the ability to teach will come as I learn to care for people more.

Something I found to be of comfort was summed up by Elder Holland, "Why is missionary work hard? Because it was hard for Christ. This is the work of salvation!"  That wasn't the only thing that brought comfort to me.  "Teach with your heart and the spirit." and "We have been set apart just like the apostles of old."  It's just been a crazy learning experience.

My companions name is Elder Judd.  He's a cool kid.  Fresh out of high school, he turns 19 next month. He played saxaphone in band, and didn't do much else from what I know about it.  He's really socially good in comparison to some of the other elders.

One request.  I forgot to get an SD card for my camera.  If you could send me one that would rock.  I love you guys. I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve and give my all to the Lord and His other children.  I have lives I need to bring the spirit to.

I hope everything is going well for you.  Everyone write me or email me back.  We get to use our email monday, so I'll hopefully be able to hear from you soon.  I love this gospel and I love the Lord and Heavenly Father.  Something I learned (sorry, I keep remembering things) God is the head of Christ church that is ran by the members who have the ability to bring a teacher (aka- the spirit) to others and invite them to Christ.  Look up in Preach My Gospel, My Purpose, the purpose of missionaries.  IT'S AMAZING.

Love you all,

Elder Kendon Hatch

And he's off...

Elder/Hermano Kendon Hatch reported to the Provo MTC August 8, 2012. He will be in the MTC until October 9, 2012, studying and learning the Spanish language. Kendon will then be reporting to the Columbia, South Carolina Mission. 

Want to learn more about where he will be for the next 2 years? Continue reading below.

South Carolina was the 8^th state in the USA; it became a state on May 23, 1788.


State Abbreviation - SC
State Capital - Columbia
Largest City - Columbia
Area - 32,007 square miles [South Carolina is the 40th biggest state in the USA]
Population - 4,012,012 (as of 2000) [South Carolina is the 26th most populous state in the USA]
Name for Residents - South Carolinians
Major Industries - farming (tobacco, soybeans), textiles, manufacturing chemicals, processed foods, machinery, electronics, paper products, tourism 

Presidential Birthplace - Andrew Jackson was born in Waxhaw on March 15, 1767 (he was the 7th US President, serving from 1829 to 1837). 

Major Rivers - Santee River, Edisto River, Savannah River
Highest Point - Sassafras Mountain - 3,560 feet (1,085 m) above sea level
Number of Counties - 46
Bordering States - Georgia, North Carolina
Bordering Body of Water - Atlantic Ocean 

Origin of the Name South Carolina - South Carolina was named to honor King Charles I (Carolus is Latin for Charles).
State Nickname - Palmetto State
State Motto - "Dum Spiro Spero" - While I breathe, I hope

The State Flag - 

The state flag of South Carolina was officially adopted in 1861. It has a white crescent and a white palmetto tree on a blue ground. The palmetto tree was chosen because this tree had helped South Carolinians defeat the British in a battle at Sullivan's Island (during the Revolutionary War). The South Carolinians built a fort out of palmetto wood, and when the British fired cannonballs at the fort, instead of knocking the fort down, the soft palmetto wood just absorbed the cannonballs.

State Bird - Carolina Wren

The Carolina Wren, sometimes referred to as the Great Carolina Wren, was adopted as the South Carolina state bird in 1948, replacing the Mockingbird. It can be found in a wide variety of habitats including fields, woodlands, and swamps.

State Tree - Sabal Palmetto

Young leaves of the Sabal palmetto (SAY-bul pal-MET-to) are also edible raw or cooked which leads to the most controversial edible of all, the heart of the palm, the inner core of the terminal bud. Taking it kills the tree, thus the controversy. It’s called swamp cabbage and millionaire’s cabbage though it doesn’t taste like cabbage at all. Raw it is similar to cattail stalks, read it is mild and crunchy, artichoke-ish. Cooked it tastes just like cooked asparagus

Some famous South Carolinians - include James Brown, Jesse Jackson, Vanna White, Chubby Checker, Melvin Purvis, Mary McLeod Bethune.

Pictures of some of the things Kendon may get to see - 

Hopefully he won't run into any of these!!! 

Kendon celebrated his birthday the day before reporting to the MTC. Check back soon for updates on his progress! He is going to be an amazing missionary!