Great Week

Sorry for the late reply we had temple day this week.  I forgot to tell you because it switched on us last minute.  But, I had a really good week.  We had had some perfect days, which means that all the lessons we planned, we taught.  Just a really great week.  My companion and I are just going full blast, working very hard.  It is a lot of fun. 

When missionaries get sick it depends on the missionary and the sickness.  Almost all of us work when we are sick, unless we have diarrhea or are vomiting.  It is not too often that missionaries are down for too long.  I have only had one companion who got sick enough that we couldn't work, and that was my companion that I have now, Elder Carr.  He was really sick and had to go to the hospital.  But as long as we watch what we eat the Lord will watch over us.

Transfers are on March 13, but I don't think that my companion or I are transferring.  I also put in a word with the AP to have Elder Carr and I together for anther two transfers.  He told me no promises...hahaha.

Philippines Cavite mission is coming from the Manilla Mission (close to me)

Philippines Cebu East Cebu mission is coming from the Cebu Mission (far from me)

Philippines Legaspi Mission is coming from the Naga Mission (far from me)

Philippines Urdaneta Mission is coming from the Baguio Mission (kind of close to me)
That puts 21 Missions in the Philippines.

No the cash has not arrived yet.  Did you send the cash in a package or to the card?  If it is in a package I won't know until next week, because I only get mail every two weeks.  A package usually takes about 5 weeks to get here, but I won't get it for 6.

Last week when I sent the pictures of the baptism, we completed their family (Belda).   The one with the three kids.  Well, this week they told us that they had a referral for us.  We were like sweet, hoping that it was going to be at least an ok referral.  We show up and it was Love's birthday (our recent convert), so we bought some deep fried bananas coated in brown sugar, called Banana-Q for a celebration snack.  I love Banana-Q.  We taught the referral and she is not just ok she is awesome.  We asked her why she wanted to listen to our message.  She said that the Belda family gave her a pamphlet to read and she said that when she read, the reading was delicious.  She was so excited that we made sure that she understood before we moved on, and now she has a baptismal date for April 20.  That is my exciting and interesting person this week. 
Love you all,Elder Hatch

Family baptism

This week has been crazy.  We worked so hard.  We had really high numbers and the baptism went though.  The baptism was really nice, there were a lot of members there to support the new converts.   After the baptism all the converts were asked to bear their testimony.  I have never heard such strong and firm testimonies.  It was awesome to see the change in them, and the best part is I know that I did nothing.  It was all the Spirit.  All I did was show them where to go to find the Spirit and he did all the work.  Also my companion is just awesome.  I don't think that there is a better elder in the mission.  I baptized two of the converts.  They were both really nervous.  I was nervous as well the last time I had baptized some one was back in April.

I didn't pull any money out because I don't need it right now if you are going to send it then I can just wait for it.  The only other things that I need is two sticks of deodorant and another thing of stamps.

I guess I don't have much to say, but a picture is worth a thousand words.

Love,

Elder Hatch

BAPTISIM!!!!!!!

So not much has happened this week, but next week I will have a lot to write about.  Because this Saturday (February 16) there is going to be a BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am so excited, it has been about five months since my last one.  The difference with this one than any other baptisms that I have had is, this one five investigators will be baptized and it will complete two families (which means the whole family are members).  I will be sure and send pictures next week.

Also this week I went on exchanges with one of the district leaders in my zone.  Exchanges are a lot of fun because you get to see new people, see different areas, and see how other missionaries teach.  I learned a lot for the elder I was with, but one thing he told me about that I can't wait to look up is a website call:theartofmanliness.com, and it basically tells you all that you need to know and do to be a man.  It just sounds way cool.  So Dad and Trevor should check it out and see what is on there.  Also there is a book called the "The Art of Manliness", it might be easier to find the website by finding the book.

Money wise I think that I need about another $100-150.  That should give me enough to get every thing that I want.  Also in the next package you send could you send some deodorant?  Also I got the shirts, so thank you they were sorely needed.

Yes, I still have a rice cooker, I would die if I did not.

I hope you have a good week

Love,

Elder Hatc

Temple Tour

This week was really good, we have a lot of investigators that are really close to baptism.  My companion, Elder Carr, has done a great job of teaching them and preparing them.  We took our investigators to the temple on Saturday (Feb 1).  Every few weeks our mission has a tour of the temple and every one is invited.  There are stations that other missionaries are at and they explain why we have temple, what we do inside, and how to prepare to enter the temple.  It is a lot of fun and our investigators loved it.  It really helps them understand that baptism is not the end and that we want them to get to the temple.  That was the big thing this week. I am really enjoying this transfer and my companion.  Our baptism is going to be on the 16th so a little ways away, but still close.  We do a lot of walking but not nearly as much as I did in my last area.  I enjoy walk though.  It gives me a chance to talk with people, to look around, and to just enjoy the scenery.

That is one thing I am supper excited for when I come home is being able to go to the temple once or twice a week instead of once every six weeks.

About the shooting, the best would be a video of Trevor shooting to where you can see him set up and shoot and break a bird.  It doesn't have to be long.  But if the video is too big to send in an email, pictures will have to do so take a lot of them.

My shoes are good.  I am still far away from anywhere that I can buy shoes.  I have not yet received the package, but I do get mail tomorrow.

Question, can I withdraw money from an ATM with the credit card?

Love you all a lot,

Elder Hatch