Pictures from December 2012- February 2013

Elder Hanson and Elder Herrera send you a Merry Christmas

Elder Zurita eating outside the Johnsons house.

Me on New Years day

Ezavier, Me, Aniyah, and Alena.

Elder Whicman, Luciano, Weiliene, Sister Whichman, Elder Zurita and me

Rainy Day on Bikes

Elder Grayson on the bike next to the enemies.... Laurels

Self Explanatory

Letter #27- I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY, I LOVE BEING A REPRESENTATIVE OF JESUS CHRIST

2/25/2013

Dear Everyone,

It has been raining here a lot lately. It's supposed to rain everyday this week I think. It rained most of last week as well. We spent a lot of time on our bikes this last week too because we are almost out of miles. As I have been thinking what I should write about this week, I've had a hard time knowing... I have been seeing people reject the gospel a lot lately. Over something small also. And all I have to say about that is if any of you do the same I'll have no hesitancy in making it known to you what you are doing is wrong. 

As I have been going about working, I've really been trying to focus on what people can become, seeing each of the men we teach as priesthood holders, each of the women as faithful visiting teachers. Doing so has helped me to be able to bear strong testimony. Yesterday, we were out knocking on doors, because we had nothing set up yesterday and it was Stake Conference, which really messed up our investigators coming to church. But we met a man named Luis who we started teaching, as he sat there his three daughters started emptying the contents of their moms purse and playing with their toys VERY loudly. As I tried to listen to what he said I pictured him in a white shirt and tie, sitting in church building preparing to pass the sacrament. He said, "It's not important which church you go to, you just need God in your heart." I instantly looked at him and said, "There is no way a person can enter the kingdom of God without having been baptized by the priesthood authority. And I know that to be true, and that is what we teach people as missionaries. Your Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to come and live with him again." He looked at me and smiled and then we went on to bear testimony to him for about 4 minutes. We finished and then listened for a response. He said, "I like your perspective." We then left him with a prayer and a pamphlet.

Truth be told, he wasn't interested. Be in that moment of me bearing my testimony, I could feel a love for that man, I could feel my Heavenly Fathers love for him. I know that as we strive to do the will of our Heavenly Father and we do it boldly, our Heavenly Father will not just change the hearts of others, but of your won. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY, I LOVE BEING A REPRESENTATIVE OF JESUS CHRIST, and I know that you all can feel the same way that I do, put it to the test. In the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN. 

Love,

Elder Hatch

Letter #26- SHAKE THINGS UP!

02/18/2013

Dear Everyone,

This news of all of your progression this week has lifted my spirits and helped me feel the spirit so powerfully. This last week has been a struggle for me, but I am persevering. I firstly want to express my happiness for having heard that Carmen and Brice got baptized! OH MAN AM I PUMPED ABOUT THAT! Also, Coach Jason Ward.... I can't tell you how happy I am that you are continuing to make these covenants with our Heavenly Father. I fell like Alma and Ammon and the rest of the sons of Mosiah when they met each other in the wilderness after not seeing each other for forever  but they were just super happy about the fact that everyone has "waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth" (Alma 17:2)

I have a nifty spiritual experience to tell you guys. Just a self examination of my life that I had a realization about. This week we haven't been able to enter anyone's house and teach them, why? No idea.... at least I didn't know why. I was thinking about the actions I have taken this last week. I didn't make my bed one day this last week and it was literally one of the worst days of the week. Then I thought about the use of time during the day. I realized something; I hadn't been being as obedient as I had in the past. I had allowed myself to get comfortable, to set myself in a rut and just cruise. After talking with one of the fellow missionaries about it, he said, "shake things up!" So that's what my challenge is for you all. Shake things up, try things you haven't done before. move furniture around. Do fun things you wouldn't normally do for family home evening! Strengthen your faith in the Lord by reading the scriptures with your spouse or significant other rather than taking a date night.

I am loving the many gifts the Lord has given me! I am loving the ups and especially the downs, because the Lord helps me learn so much more through those downs. SHAKE THINGS UP!

I Love you guys,

Elder Kendon Hatch

Letter #25- READ THE BOOK OF MORMON!

02/11/2013

Dear Everyone,

Ok, the people in the photos  from last week are... firstly the two cars are specifically for Josh, I figured he'd enjoy that. The first car is literally about 3 and a half to 4 feet off the ground, without hydraulics .. that's how high it always rides. The first group photo is from left to right: Elder Grayson, Me, Brother Fankhauser (Young Men's President in the Ward), Makai (13), Ezavier (10), Aniyah (8), and Sister Macy Johnson. They are one of the recent coverts in our ward that the Lord let Elder Zurita and I baptize, minus Makai who later got baptized with Elder Grayson and I. 

It is raining like crazy today! Woo hoo!! Elder Grayson and I have had a fantastic time this week. We were not able to teach that family I told you about last week that the Spanish sister found due to the Mother's dislike of us. But the Dad came to church, loved it, participated in Sunday School and volunteered to say the closing prayer! WHAT!@ We'll be working with him hopefully this week. We have a baptism this coming week for a boy named Ricky. We walked into their house the first time and it was a crazy weird experience. 

His mom is a less active member that is now active again. She wanted us to teach Ricky. So we went over there and sat down, basically he didn't want to and she tried forcing him, the spirit was way gone and I said, "We won't be teaching right now." She said, "Yes, you are, your are teaching me and my daughter," and I said, "No, we will not," and we left. Then he came to church. We had a heart to heart during sacrament, just Ricky and I and then I got up and bore my testimony. He changed 360 right after that and he was aking us if he could help with anything, his mom is saying he's changed at home and she has been trying to as well. So he's getting baptized this coming week. 

Then we found an AMAZING little family with a woman named Aracely, 3 daughters Natalie, Genesis, and Jocelyn, and her son Victor! Beautiful Family! We are working with them and I'll have more on them in the future. They came to church this last week also and loved it. The daughters really liked it and the son did too, though I don't know how much he understood. Very sincere and honest family! I'm way excited to work with them. 

READ THE BOOK OF MORMON!

Well I love you all!

Elder Kendon Hatch