the after life: remembering

      and just like that i am a normal person again, doing normal things (mostly) and living a normal life just as i was 18 months ago. sometimes i wonder how my life would be if i never decided to go on a mission, if i never left my family, my job and my studies to go to the other side of the world and teach people of something that, at the time, i couldn't comprehend in the slightest myself. i wonder who i would be or what things i would be doing. how many followers on instagram i would have or maybe how lost i would feel. 

     i never wanted to serve, not even a little bit! lucky i had such good support from my family and friends my whole life who kept me on the right path in the right way. it led me to do something that has and will impact me for eternity. 

    stepping on the plane to fly to melbourne (mel-bin) was the most exciting/ terrifying thing that i have ever done, it was the biggest plane i had ever seen. 2 stories with stairs and hundreds of people from all over the world traveling for this and for that all smashed together equipped with one blanket and pillow each along with a tv to endure the long 15 hours ahead! lucky i had a sleeping pill because as missionaries we are not allowed to watch movies etc to keep ourselves entertained. 

     i remember going through customs (stoked as that i got an australia stamp on my passport) and walked through the gates and straight away saw my mission parents, the people who would become family to me, president and sister maxwell. they are just the best! and i love them so much. we talked and walked and drove and talked. the craziest thing was getting into a car that had the steering wheel on the right side not the left. 

     we arrived at the mission office jet-lagged and tired as it gets. i immediately experienced tender mercies when i met a missionary who knew someone in my family. and when i came to chocolates and a letter from my lovely mum! heaps of other things as well. then i found out that i would be going to TASMANIA. i was a bit confused and couldn't believe that i was actually going there, but little did i know that that place and the people there would absolutely change my life forever. s/o to my family in tas! i love you all. 

    and that was the beginning of my new life, a life of change and growth and happiness. i experienced so many hard times, i didn't know hardly anything about the gospel at all. i felt as if i had only been a member a few months. i was just lost for words because i had nothing to say, my heart was empty and my head was confused. i read all the promises and blessings that god has given us through the scriptures and just had to act in faith to be able to reach this high standard that i had set for myself. all i wanted was to be a good missionary! i didn't go all the way to the other side of the world to be bad at this, so that is what i determined to do. and that decision changed my life.

    i fought like i lion to figure all this stuff out, up and down all around. i just didn't want to have to worry about messing up in a role play or taking the lesson the wrong way. i didn't want to worry about not remembering the scripture in the lesson or not asking the right question. i wanted to worry about who i was going to help be baptised and how i can help the ward grow. i wanted to worry about old missionary stuff! one thing that i learned is that you need to sort yourself out before you can truly help other people. pmg says that we cannot convert someone past our own conversion and it is true! i wanted to be converted so i could help others change. i but first needed that change myself.

    i think that at one point or another in our lives we all come to this. we all at some point realize that we need to do something different, that we need to be better or we need something. that something is always jesus christ, he is the only way that we can change. he is the only way that we can grow in a way that will carry to eternity. we can change our clothes or our hair every day if we want, people might see a difference with their eyes, but are we really changing ? the gospel is so beautiful because it teaches us who we can become. 

      i had a remarkable mission president who has a gift to see people through gods eyes, i know that he does. he sees his missionaries for who they can become and helps them become that. we all have such uncomprehendable potential, to become better every day and eventually perfect, just as god and jesus christ. how lucky are we to know this? and its something that made all the difference for me. just understanding who i am now and how high up the mountain is i have to climb to reach the heights i meant to be at. if we see ourselves as who we can/ want to become, we eventually will become that. if we let our goals become more than goals, but desires they become apart of us! and when these things become a part of us things start happening. 

     throughout my time in australia i learned more than i have the whole of my life. i feel that heavenly father knew how much i needed a mission to help me grow and to learn. just to prepare me for life. he gave me 101+ experiences that i couldn't have had any other way but on a mission, things that i learnt there will be engraved on my heart forever. i learnt to love with all my heart my saviour jesus christ. he has done so much for us. we are all stuck in a huge hole full of mud and social media and pride and spiritual and physical death. but heavenly father loved us enough to throw a big ladder down for us. to provide the way for us to get out of the hole and not only that but to be completely clean of the mud and the filth that comes on us. he provided jesus christ our brother to be the way out. to save us! and to help us to change.  

    if i learnt anything on my mission that was it. i know that jesus christ lives and that through him we can live again in happiness. all the things that seem to matter so much here in the world just don't matter. the gospel is simple, all we need is to love jesus christ and let everything else we do fall in line with that and we will be happy, he has promised us that. heavenly father always keeps his promises. 

   if i could give anyone advice based on what i learnt it is to only care about what god thinks. to do and say only things that god would be happy with, no matter what anyone around you has said or done. no matter what the voice in your head says, just to always ask yourself if you would say or do this thing if god or jesus christ were standing beside you. as we make these small and simple choices every day we shape eternity, for better or for worse. if we let jesus christ into our lives he will change us. he will clean us so we feel fit to be in paradise after this life. we all have potential for it. will we choose correctly? 

    as a newly returned missionary i set goals to continue as much as i could in the life i was living the past 18 months. i have been doing okay, but it is so hard sometimes! there are so many things that distract time and i feel time is slipping through my fingers. I've realized that it really is our choice. we all know what is right, we all know what we are supposed to be doing. its just about actually doing it. choosing the right! every good step we take makes us happier, because our spirits are closer to heavenly father. although our brain doesn't remember him, our spirit does. so we need to choose daily just to make our spirits happy! 

    i love being an rm. i love my saviour jesus christ

 kakite ano  

*tears*tears*tears*

Sorry bout it. I can't believe its come so quick. President called and told me what I would be doing my last week and it is SO COOl. Really. I don't know why Heavenly Father helps me out so much but like...

So president doubled STL (sister training leaders) out of Dande, Sister Wairepo is going to Tas with Gilbert and Sister Plante and Almond are doubling into Dande and he has asked me to help them out with the area and sisters becauseI know it!!! I get to die in Dande!!!!!! Back home again!!! And there is MLC on Friday so Sister Wairepo and Gilbert will just be staying right through the whole week and then going to Hayley and Romes sealing because Gibby was with me for a bit after they were baptised and man. I GET TO GO BACK TO SERVE IN THE CITY FOR A DAY. This means I get to see my recent converts in the city again before I go which I didn't think I would!! Heavenly Father is the best! President Maxwell is the best!!! AND Sister Wairepo and Gibby will be staying with those sisters SO I WILL BE WITH THEM TOO. I get to spend my last week with almost every best friend I have here and see every single person that I love. AND this week I got to go to the temple and saw heaps of peeps from Tas that came up for the temple trip just for one day!!! What?? Man so many blessings. AND get to see Hayley and Rome sealed. Like I'm buzzing.

Down side I slightly broke my finger. BUT MAN. I'm just so happy. I am so beyond happy. 

So ya I'll see you soon, love you heaps.

Love,

SISTER HATCH

Q&A

What is the strongest emotion you are feeling this last week of your mission?

Ummmm stoked-ness, because I get to do so many cool things in the work this last week that president called me about yesterday!

Of all the gospel principles which do you feel you learned the most about on your mission? Is there any you feel surprised about what you have learned?

Atonement, Jesus Christ. Surprised about how much I learnt about heaps of stuff but mostly about the light of Christ and the true nature of God. Its so much more beautiful and uncomprehendably hopeful than I ever imagined.

What 3 things from your mission do you plan to continue to do everyday?

Morning and evening schedule (6:30 and 10:30 sleep), studies everyday, planning (time and money management)

Will you be flying home all alone?

Ya all alone, there'll be no one there beside me.

Explain how you feel about being able to attend Jerome and Hayley's sealing. 

We watched a video (mormon message, I love those) with Elder Dudfield (70) who came for stake conference weekend and it was of a girl on her way to the temple. It showed her baptism and getting her recommend and then when she got to the temple it showed people out front getting married and missionaries walking out of the temple with their recent converts and a family all in white going to be sealed. I cannot describe the feeling of joy/ excitement that I had then and have now! Its like trying to describe the taste of salt to someone who has never felt it...or even someone who has...its just something that you need to experience to understand. It is like soaring. It feels like eternity...Heavenly Father says that we cannot experience a portion of the joy here that we will in the eternities with our celestial family...so I guess the feeling is a sense of excitement for when that day comes..and for all the steps that lead up to it. When we put ourselves in situations for Heavenly Father to speak to us the Holy Ghost touches our eternal soul and gives us a beautiful glimmer of eternity. Most people have felt it...but the world does really well to help us forget..but I know that we can feel it all the time! When we go to church, when we read scriptures...its simply beautiful and beautifully simple. I cannot wait to see their families glimmer of eternity.

thats the worst question ever!!!

Q&A

Describe what its like to say goodbye to a companion and leave an area. What has been your hardest area and companion to say goodbye to?

Thats the worst question ever!!! Na most of the time it was okay because I usually expected it when I had to say goodbye so it made it easier. But honestly it really is hard. I think of the talk by Pres Utchdorf...its "grateful in any circumstances" and he talks about the things that make us sad are usually "endings". He said that it makes us sad because endings are not part of our nature..we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings...and when endings happen it goes against what we are...therefore makes it sad. But he says that because of Jesus Christ every ending is a beginning of something even more magnificent, So I always remember that, that because of Jesus Christ, because of the love that Heavenly Father has for us he will only lead us to what we need to help us reach the potential that we have. I have gone into it that way every time and because of it have LOVED every single area and companion that I have...gratitude and trust (faith) are all we need for a happy life.

The hardest area to leave was Launceston because I found myself feeling like I was being separated from my family. They were the people that were with me in my "growing up" stage. I learnt the most from the people in Tas, from all my experiences. My testimony foundation was laid there and I never felt so at home. The hardest companion to say goodbye to was Sister Erena Wairepo. She is my sister, my best friend! I just understand her and she understands me...we have been through it all together and I feel soooo lucky to have met her! She just makes me want to to be better and I love her for that! It was gutting to have to leave. But again...the Lord has a plan and its perfect.

What would you say is your biggest strength and weakness now that you are at the end of your mission?

My biggest strength...hmmm I'll not answer I need to work on heaps, but my biggest weaknesses... I don't know. I'm trying my best to let Heavenly Father show me all of those so I can fix it as much as possible before I go home...I guess I'll find out when I am thrown back into the real world again. I hope that all the gospel points are strengths.

How have you felt the Saviors love for you today?

I felt it when I read in John 10:21. I read about the miracles that he performed and about the lives that he saved and the humility he had in the face of evil and death. I read about his suffering and everything leading up to his death on the cross at Golgotha. Ahhh it really became real again for me how hard it must have been, He loves us so much! He did this so that our pain could be swallowed up...so that endings would not have to last forever. I love him!

Thank you for the questions.

Love you

bounce for sisters pday on the WEST SIDE

barbies for our zone video...

it honestly just doesn't feel like i'm leaving soon

Thank you so much for the package, it was perfect!! Thank you heaps and for the letter and support. It honestly just doesn't feel like I'm leaving soon. Not at all. People ask me about it 101 times a day and it just feels like words coming out of my mouth...not like events that will be happening in the future. I think that I feel all goods about it because I get to stay a bit longer than the rest. Sister Bennetts mum is coming, I might go with them for a day. Pres said he might move me for the last few days after the transfer but not too sure what he'll do. He wants me to train a new missionary but ...its only for a week...haha but all good, whatever he wants. We'll find out in a couple of weeks. Not thinking about it though!

Sister Santos is with us now...Pres wants to move her (for our convenience) ?? but we love having her so we asked him if she could stay! He still isn't too sure but she'll at least be with us the next few days still. Both her parents have passed away along with a sister...and she is a convert and her family isn't too supportive. I am so lucky to have you all! Thank you for all you do. 

The cruise looks so fun, glad yous get to enjoy yourselves! Haha you deserve it. All the kids here are so good, so respectful, especially in Island families so thats my expectation when I get home. I hope to teach the kids and we'll get them in shape the little rats! Anyway love you all heaps, thanks for everything.

xxx
Sister Hatch

happy birthday sister faiga

at the library with some of us

this week i had my last mlc

Kiora ta lofa

This week I had my last MLC so that was pretty sad, na it was good, but still sad, but good. It has been hot and cold this week, rainy and sunny, the weather is crazy! The work is going well, we started teaching a part member Maori family!

It was primary presentation Sunday. I wish I had photos of all the fails. The Pese family (Tongan) wore all white w/ the mats and leis etc. So [retty . We are doing really well, I love Siter Leota, she's 10/10! A+ companion.

President told us today that we will be getting another comp! Probs only for a bit but thats the haps in Tarneit!  

Love yous all xxx   

Arohanui    

Sister Hatch   

all blacks won last week

it's been a week full of junk food and driving 

Kia ora!

It's been a week full of junk food and driving. Full of missionary work and miracles as well.

We are on the west side of Melbourne and cover all the STL's this way. 1/2 of them live out bush- legit bush like 6 hours away in New South Wales! So I've now been to both Victoria and New South Wales.

We went on exchanges in Griffith and then down to Benalla. It's different work out there as it is much slower than here in the city areas but it reminds me so much of home. I didn't realise how bush Taylor AZ really was until now. There were big fields and livestock etc and the biggest difference was the people. Everyone was so nice everywhere, always smiling and said hello, it was my favorite part. Griffith is famous for their oranges, we unfortunately didn't get any but will in a couple weeks. I'll let you know how that goes. 

Benalla sisters do volunteer work at a primary school. This school has a legit garden that the kids tend to for a class period. We got to help! Chickens were laying eggs...were we planting raspberries, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. It made me want to be a teacher for half a second. But watch out I'll be gardening when I get home.

We had president interviews on the east side (got to go home) because we missed ours when we were in the bush. President interviews are the best! President is the best. We got to stay w/ east STL's so I got to see Sis Wairepo! I love her.

Church this week was nearly empty because of the world cup. All blacks won so most people in our ward were pretty happy. They are all from NZ or islands. Most people mentioned it in their testimonies, it was the best. 

We had a good week. I still love being a missionary. I love Australia and I love all of you.

xxx

aro ha nui

ka kite

Sister Hatch

we had to break into the sisters flat and found that on the bathroom window inside. haha nearly died

this is our gps when we were in the BUSH, the red is where we were located

"lord is it i?"

I'm in Tarneit in Wyndam zone with Sister Leota on the Westside what whut. In the mission the Westside is known for islander feeds which = gain weight. So far it's been all goods, I think they are just talking about Deer Park.

There are heaps of Islanders and a few Kiwi's in the ward so not too different from Dande. Dande is just a lot bigger.

I got to bear my testimony-I want to bear my testimony as much as possible especially now on the final lap! It's cool to see the growth/change in the words I say in my testimony and how I feel compared to the beginning. The church is true! The book is balue.

We cover all the sisters on the west side- so out bush. Some live in Griffith (New South Wales, 6+ hours away) and we are driving out to exchange with them this week. We leave today! 6 hour drive no problems. Hopefully we don't hit a kangaroo but… how cool would that be though.

It's getting hot as over here! Summer is here, 30° nearly every day. Lucky today is rainy-feels nice.

One thing I learned this week… something simple. I read Pres Utchdorfs talk from a couple conferences ago called "Lord, is it I?" He shares about the last supper. Jesus Christ tells them that one will betray him and instead of looking around or pointing to someone else asking "Is that him?"- They instead looked at themselves and asked "Lord, is it I?" 
(Matt 26:21-22)

He says "I wonder what we would do if we were asked that question by the Savior. Would we look around us and say in our hearts, 'he's probably talking about brother Johnson. I've always wondered about him' or 'I'm glad brother Brown is here he really needs to hear this message'" or would we like those disciples of old, look inward and ask that penetrating question, "Is it I?"

I feel that I do this all the time without realising it… how sad is that? He goes on to talk about the importance of not only more fully seeing other people's contributions and strengths but seeing more clearly our own weaknesses and shortcomings. As that is the only way that they can begin healing-strengthening. "Being able to see ourselves clearly is essential to our spiritual growth and well being.  If our weaknesses and shortcomings remain of scared in the shadows, then the retaining power of the Savior cannot heal them and make them strengths. (Ether 12:27)  ironically our blindness toward our human weaknesses will also make us blind to the divine potential that our father yearns to nurture with in each of us."

Our weaknesses help us to see who we can become! As we humbly seek our weaknesses we humbly come to heavenly father and Jesus Christ for help… bringing us closer to them and more aligned with their divine plan for us… which gives us a greater perspective.

Seek to find your weaknesses so that through the grace of Jesus Christ you can turn them into strengths. It works, I've tried it and still continue to do it.

I love the gospel and I love being a missionary! My companion is the best! She is Samoan, born and raised in Sydney. Easy-going as and such a good missionary… I'm lucky to be serving with her.

All the best this week, love you all.

xxx
  fase fua
    no fua
      ka kite
        of atu
          aro ha nui

     Sis Hatch xxx

Q&A

What is the best way you find street contact? We always just go anywhere there are a lot of people walking, usually shopping centers or just main streets but I do it deferent all the time. Sometimes just reach out and shake their hand sometimes I compliment them sometimes just offer a card or anything. But I try to liken whatever it is they are doing to the gospel, really happy and axcited! And ya, haha I don't know how to be more specific.

When told she has been very blessed and watched over throughout her mission she said...Ya I just feel really lucky. Heavenly Father is looking out for me honest. I have been kept away from disobedience, I've had amazing companions, best areas, everything is perfect. Everything exactly what I need and it is just...I don't know that is how I feel about my mission as a whole though. I just feel so lucky to be here because I don't know how it even happened but Heavenly Father provided the way and I ended up here somehow but it has changed my life completely. I feel like he really does have huge things in store for me and is keeping me on the right path with a lot of help so that I can get there and do the work I'm meant to. So that I can build up my faith etc enough to withstand whatever is coming in the future. Its really scary but really exciting!!

inside the melbourne star

my new comp sis leota and some big as huntsman spiders

we went to clear out an empty elders flat and found these on their counter. elders like to catch them and fight them, haha, they are crazy. we took them to our zl's flat and left it and they came home and we were in the car and they came out and opened our door and threw them in the car on us! all 3 of them! i nearly wrecked the car, hahaha

pictures are my letter this week

dande 

nina, me, sister paulo, bianca, jordan and cheniece

we had dinner with our investigators (only our second time coming over) they are from afganistan! they eat on the floor. no furniture and with these beautiful rugs and cushions. they made us falafel and it was DELICIOUS, fantastic night

all blacks for the world cup

:) last night

our little girl that got baptised, sasha

the cutest little boy in the world! dj samau oueti

we have had the craziest week!

Here in Australia we get to see conference one week late so we got it this week. It. Was. So. Good. Every time I watch I try just to take a step back and realise what is happening when these people speak, when God's prophets speak. I always imagine how it would feel to hear Moses or Abraham speak or even King Mosiah. It would be incredible! But is it any less incredible w/ our prophets today? Its just so cool to think that (D&C 1:38) when we listen to them we are listening to God's voice "...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants it is the same". I feel that every time I hear them I feel the spirit but it takes it to a whole new level when you close your eyes for a moment and hear them with God's loving voice. Kind of like life, when we see people...its good but these "people" become more than that when we see them as God does...from a parents perspective they become more than just people but our family, brothers and sisters with goals and dreams, with trials and challenges. So it is w/ the prophets. They become more than just people when we change our perspective, the Holy Ghost can change our hearts soften them and fill them with charity and humility. 2 things that are truly lacking in todays broken world. But one thing I've really learnt is that these prophets are normal too! They have trials just as much as anyone else. Prophets are #thebest.

We have had the craziest week! Too many things to tell! We had MLC @ the mission home, exchanges, teaching, this and that happened and now we have another sister living w/ us until transfers which is NEXT WEEK. Time is so fast!! She is from Korea.

My jaw has recently stopped working so I haven't been eating much. We're 99% sure its TMJ. Sis Maxwell says I need a night guard, I think I grind my teeth at night. Its pretty sore but I'll manage. All is well.

Anyway ya. Its officially summer! It is so warm and sunny. Today is rainy- always happens on pday but its good. I love ❤️ Australia. ❤️ all of you.

xxx

Sister Hatch

Ofa atu

we unintentionally wore the exact same clothes. elder johnstone

me and my two oldest daughters at mlc this week

beautiful weather is finally here!

Kia ora whanau! (Kia ora : hello  whanau : family in Maori)

How's it going? Narre Warren Zooone. Today we have zone pday w/ the best zone in AMM! Bubble soccer and BBQ. Yussss. Beautiful weather is finally here. 30º is a bit hot but I'm stoked summer is finally here - daylight savings began Sunday so it doesn't get dark until 

8pm and it stays warm, every missionaries dream, tract until the cows come home. Uhhh- well ya, anyway.

We had mini's with us again this week. Nina and Sabrina! Both gems. Mini missions are the best- if you are preparing for a mission...or just want to have the best experience of your life go on a mini w/ the missionaries. Wish I did but its all okay because I've done probably 10 since being here.

We had golden review on Thurs for Sister Paulo and it was so good! It's where all the trainers bring their babies back to the mission office to be tested by AP's & Pres and Sister Maxwell. We give trainings etc as well. Heaps of fun and cookies at the end, our baby killed it! Sister Paulo is just good as. We love her.

We had exchanges as well. I stayed here w/ Sister Paulo & another sis and Sister Wairepo left. We always see miracles on exchanges. We were tracting- it was so hot AND a public holiday so either nobody was home or there were 100 people at home drinking watching the footie final (equivalent to USA Super Bowl just not as flash). But after hours we finally met a guy called Mervin. We taught restoration briefly (on street) and he said he wanted to come to church! And he came! And is good as. Funny enough we had finished and were walking back to the car and Heavenly Father put him and a couple others in our path. Miracle! He's from Philippines- he's cool.

It's been the best week w/ the best people. Love it here- so much.

Love yous too.

Ofa atu (love you : Tongan)

Aro ha nui (love you: Maori)

xxx Sister Hatch

melbourne temple

district finding

i hope you're all well wherever you are #gr8week

Kiaora whanau,

We had mini missionaries and food and miracles and meetings. Cheneice and Frieda came with us for 3 days. We saw heaps of people and tracted and had some fun! The weather was a bit up and down as you would expect here in Melbourne. Its all over the place, they're not kidding when they say "4 seasons in one day", its real life. One minute hail nic minnit hot as...

We found out about Elder Scott and man I couldn't believe it. It is the 1st time in...I'm pretty sure forever that there have been 3 vacancies to fill in the quorum of the 12. The Lord is hastening the work! Both here on earth and in the spirit world. Why else would He need 3 apostles to come to teach all those spirits there? Times are changing, the world is getting worse by the day! The gospel is something that never changes. The gospel is the "good news" we share, that because of Jesus Christ we can all be free from death, sin, sorrow, and fear. The good news that even admist all this change and darkness in the world, the light and life of the world, Jesus Christ, is still living. His gospel is here and his love is real! Because of Him our potential is reachable. We CAN become a doctor, scientist or mum or grandparent. We can be anything we want. We have so much divine potential...as we come closer to Heavenly Father and His son...we begin to see that potential as we capture glimmers of eternity in the spiritual moments He provides as we work towards Him.

I say it because I've experienced it! But enough about me, try for yourself and you'll see its real. Then you'll be equally as stoked. See yous on the flip side.

Anyway after hearing about Elder Scotts passing and realizing how close the 2nd coming is I just felt an overwhelming sense of urgency. I felt so much love for these people who are "perishing in unbelief". I just felt so responsible to give these people the opportunity to find the truth! To find the church whose name will come out of Jesus Christ's mouth when He descends from heaven. Just to give them the happiness and surety I have! Earlier that day we were challenged by Elder Seiuli to find 3 solid new people to teach and a miracle happened. We did, a family. They let us right in and we taught what we know! It was a big miracle.

I was able to get a letter from my recent convert Georgia. She is doing SO well in Adelaide, going to the temple and mission prep...just being so good! And is thinking about a mission herself. I feel so lucky to have had this opportunity to see so many people grow and change for the better. The darkness that disappears and is replaced w/ love and light as the gospel is introduced amazes me. If you look closely there is always a difference in the eyes of those who walk with Christ daily. Why wouldn't there be? Shout out to Georgia! I love you!

Last night we had our monthly big feast at Bishop Lavakas. #heaven Fried chicken, taro, purple sweet potatoes, fruit salad, potato salad, lamb, noodles, raw fish, pudding, etc, etc, etc. Enough food to literally feed and army. Nothing you'd find in the USA, islanders just know how to do it.

We got to have zone conference this week as well. Zone conference is the best! Our zone, the Narre Warriors get 10/10.

And I love Pres and Sister Maxwell. They are the biggest blessing- I really think they are one of the big reasons I was called here. They are exactly the mission parents I need and again I say, I love them.

I love Australia and my companions and my area and my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I'm really happy. I hope you all are too.

Aro ha nui

Ofa atu

xxx

Sister Hatch

Q&A

What did you have for breakfast lunch and dinner yesterday? For breakfast I had some yogurt and Up & Go drink..yummmm..lunch we had sausages and dinner we had a FEAST! I talked about it in the letter :) Good food all the time here.

What is the best thing about President Maxwell? The best thing about Pres Maxwell is his love and humility! He has done so much and has so much knowledge and man, the son of an apostle but he is so so so humble about it. He asks us what we think on everything and really cares about our input. He loves people so unconditionally and makes anyone feel it when they are around him, same with Sister Maxwell. They are the best ever.

What is the greatest blessing from serving a mission? The is a loaded question. The biggest blessing is knowing my Savior and Heavenly Father. (along with 100,000 other things) It gave me perspective for who I could become and for who others could become as well. The biggest blessing is the knowledge I now have that no matter what happens, because of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father tomorrow can always be a great day.

huge lizard

beautiful sunset

youth from the ward, some who came on the mini mission, aren't they beautiful?

sky high mt dandenong

kiaora whanau!!

1st Happy Birthday Courtney! Happy bday Kalicia and Camry and everybody else under the sun.

Week 2 of the transfer is already behind us...time again, it just disappears. However it has been such a great week or two! Started off w/ the 12 APOSTLES and that set the tone for the rest of the week. #onpoint  We were invited to go to a couple of the zone conferences that our sisters are in, therefore we were out of our area more but learnt so much at them and zone conferences always come w/ a good feed!

We got to see our LA (less active) Kylie. She is doing well. She has a goal for the temple soon! We went tracting and of course saw some miracles. We were asked by a LA (returned missionary who was married in the temple who is now LA) to tract on their street before our appt w/ them and so we did that and found heaps of people. Moral of the story, if you don't have any friends for the missionaries at least just give them a street name. One was Chinese, zero English so we called Jet, our ward mission leader, he speaks Chinese, and put him on speaker and he translated for us. We're seeing her this week haha. 

The second guy was from the Philippines just moved from NZ where he used to meet w/ missionaries. He asked us to come back. Then Kirin...a mum w/ 1 baby invited us in and we had the coolest lesson w/ her. Spirit x1000, it made me remember why I LOVE so much being a missionary. She said that lots of JW's come around and she doesn't want to talk to them. She said "I really don't know why I let you in, I normally don't do this but I'm glad I did today" We're seeing her this week as well. (She is from India)

Like I said we had heaps of meetings this week so we decided to leave Sister Paulo in the area with another sister to get something done while we were away, She is the best. She did so well! Only been out 4 weeks and here 12 days and she's a gun! She sings like an angel and never stops smiling. Her 1st day we asked "do you miss your family?" and she said "NO! They don't need me! I'm needed HERE" and I think every missionary needs that attitude.

At all our meetings we've been focusing on "Becoming an Epistle of Jesus Christ his walking epistle. What does it mean? Epistle means "letter". A fancy word for it. We are Jesus Christ's letters to the world!

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 "written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in the fleshy tables of the heart". We are not a letter engraved in stone, it takes hard work to engrave in stone...and hard work and action for the spirit to engrave in our hearts.

If you were to stand in the front of the room and ask people to tell you what they see in you what are some things they would say? If they wrote and taped the attribute to you what would they see? Humble? Kind? Generous? Or would they see anger? Impatience and prideful?

At any moment, every moment we are portraying an emotion to other people...they get to know us through these emotions. What am I portraying? It takes hard work and conscious effort to engrave the doctrine of Christ in our hearts but when we do this our hearts are changed. Changed in such a way that Jesus Christ's image becomes engraven upon our countenances. We then become living epistles. Jesus Christs walking "letters" to the world. Portraying the emotions of Jesus Christ and in doing so, influencing others to do the same. Elder Hartley said "we cannot hide who we are becoming, whether it be an epistle of Christ or the opposite" And its true. It shows in your countenance the choices that you make. Slowly if making the wrong choices, the light begins to fade. However slowly, if making the correct choices, the light brightens.

We all know what is right and wrong. We all know what brings us closer to Christ and what moves us way. Who are you choosing to become? "You are what you Do, not what you say you'll do." Just like the analogy we can say all we want we can speak inspiring words, but until written down (engraven) they will only last a moment. We can say all we want, "I want to be a better example" etc..but until you ACT..they are just words and wishes. Once you ACT you begin the engraving in your hearts.

Choose to be like Jesus Christ, choose to have his image engraven upon your countenance. People will/do follow your example regardless of what example it is. Choose to be the good example, choose to follow the Son. That is the only place we will find peace and real happiness.

Pres/Sis Maxwell went to a mission pres seminar & Elder Russell M Nelson said that the 12 are praying for the 2nd coming. Isn't that reason enough to decide now to change? He's coming and we all know what team is going to win. Choose to be on the winning team! Choose to be His living epistles to the world. It was just so inspiring for me. Its something I've wanted my whole mission to be a person that really does represent Christ by who I am, still working on it.

Man I just love being a missionary, especially here in Australia. Its a special place w/ special people. The trees are starting to change, the blossoms are coming out and the flowers are blooming. 20º C every day, spring is here! I can't believe its here again.

Anyway I think we're having a BBQ @ the park near our flat today. I'm keen as, TTYL peeps.

Still love my companions...hohana.

Fase fua

Ofa atu xxx

Q&A

Have you ever been in a discussion/debate with a companion that got heated? Na I don't have debates with people. All of my companions have been good as and we just all get along really well all the time.

What was the happiest thing that happened this week? The happiest thing that happened this week was when we were able to find a lady who is home alone with her baby all the time and she invited us in (not knowing why) and said that she is happy she did. I shared the first vision with her and felt as if I was Joseph, full of love and excitement and hope! It made me love being a missionary. Everything does but that was a special moment, just like any other time we share the first vision, its true!

Do people ask to see pictures of your family and friends from back home? Ya people ask to see photos, I have a small homemade book with a few pictures in it.

What are some myths investigators have about mormons? Mmmmm not many people here in Australia have heard of the church before so we haven't come across any of the myths that I can think of. I'll let you know when we do.

How are your prayers different now than before you left for your mission? My prayers are conversations now rather than just words coming from an empty heart. They are meaningful and full of questions and hope and light and love and gratitude. They are different.

the flat and the car and the flowers

some yum steak at the top of mount dandenong

springtime

samau yeti family. the cutest family with the cutest ever kids. from samoa
(samoan weapon in the back, look out)

the GREAT OCEAN ROAD trip today!!

Sorry I don't have an informative letter this week just yaaa. So president let me call Hayley and find out when they are being sealed and they are getting sealed Dec 4th so I asked president if I could stay for it and I've extended to the next week. I'll let you know for sure on a date when I know it but at most a week more than originally planned. I prayed a lot about it and feel its all goods for that. Let me know what you think. Honest it was such a miracle that it is that date and Sister Stewart (already home) is coming as well!! I am just so happy, what a perfect way to end my mission.

About Sister Paulo our golden, she is the sweetest, cutest thing ever and has the prettiest singing voice! She's a gun! I'll let you know more next week. Sorry for the late letter, I was in heaven, and still am. Love you all so much!

Sister Hatch

just photos of paradise

the view

well uh i'm in the most beautiful place on the planet earth so

12 apostles on the great ocean road trip on a beautiful day in australia. we also met members there! crazy. they are from Utah and were american as. hahaha funny american tourists but don't get me wrong i look exactly like a tourist today

sister paulo arrived from philippines on thursday, what a sick 1st pday aye!