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!

time, i don't know what that is anymore...

Time, I don't know what that is anymore because I feel like I have none of it. It goes so quick and the transfer is already over, I've been with Sister Wairepo for 6 weeks! We got transfer news this week and its big! Sister Bennett our first born will be leaving but me and Wairepo will both be staying! Ahhh I'm so excited, I don't think I've ever been so nervous about transfers in my whole life. Mini heart attacks all around. Its been 6 months here in Dande and moving up to 7.5 now! Just as long as Tas! Our zone leaders got us all together in a circle and they had lit candles for us all and we held them and they walked around and blew out your candle if you are leaving...man scariest thing ever but ours kept burning! Our zone is changing a bit but only good things to come. We also got the news from President that we will be training again this transfer, we are so stoked. even better because the nursery is all set up already but we will miss Sister Bennett, she's our portable mormon radio.

So we talked to the zone leaders about this place called Brighton beach, its the picture of the boat houses all painted and beautify that pops up when you google Melbourne. They said that our whole zone could go if we got 12 new contacts (new person who accepts a return appointment and gives details) each companionship...so uh you know what happened we just went crazy finding all these new people to teach. We had district and zone finding and it was close but we all got the 12 and even exceeded it! Miracles! Today we got to go have a sunrise devotional and testimony meeting there. IT WAS FREEZING but so pretty and good. The craziest thing was there were people swimming in the ocean the whole time with no wet suits or anything. Literally 40º F out there, like fareezing but so good! We have the best zone honest, Narre Warren Zone!

And ya the work is just pressing on and on! Time is getting faster and faster and the weather is getting warmer. Melbourne is so unpredictable, it will be raining and windy one second nic minnit its sunny and hot as but I love it so much. The more I'm here the more I want to just never leave, I'm sure all of you will feel the same when you come one day. I'll have a place for you to stay! ;)

No words can describe how grateful I am to be here serving in Australia. It really is the most beautiful place in the world with the most unique people. I love it I love it loveeeee it. This work really is of God, He is at the head of it. He directs

it, I just know it and thats all I can say. Keeping it to the basics because if you do that all that comes after is progression and thats fundamental.

I love you all and I love my Saviour Jesus Christ.

xxx Sister Hatch

just a taste of the sweet as Melbourne City art buildings 

big as balloons leftover from a ball in Werribee

Brighton beach but don't worry we didn't go on the beach hence the backs of the shacks not the front