September 26, 2011

I only have about 10 minutes (to write emails) so I have to be fast. It's been a good week; busy but good. The mini missionary we had with us was fun. We've also had to prepare some missionary training for the next couple of weeks so it has been interesting.

That is awesome to hear about TJ (Thomas Johanson - mission call to Costa Rica)tell him good luck and congratz.

We are doing a lot of driving (as Zone Leaders) and have taken 3 trips to Brisbane in the last couple of weeks. It is a big change and things have been crazy. It is hard to get to know people in the Wards, there are just so many and it's just difficult. We're working on it though and trying to get to know everyone. We're not having good luck with the computers (at Library) today, so yeah.

Keep working hard Colin at Uni and keep reading the BoM (Book of Mormon).

love you...

Elder Hatch

September 19, 2011

Hey,

Things are going well in Buderim. It’s good to hear from you. That’s good the wildfires weren’t too close to where we live but still I know how much you hate the heat and the dry weather. Hopefully things will start cooling off soon and you'll get a little more wet weather. The weather here has been ok, it’s getting warmer and the sun is pretty bright...it is the Sunshine Coast so that’s not really a big surprise.It has been very hazy and smoky around here lately and I'm not really sure what is going on. Most of our area covers the rich (wealthy) and touristy part of the local coast so it is a little interesting. With Zone Leader responsibilities and random trade-offs, I haven't got the chance to do a lot of missionary work here. We literally live like a 5 minute walk to the beach and we basically drive by it every day. It is cool but a little weird at the same time as a missionary. It’s a very nice a beautiful area though.
This week we have a mini-missionary with us as kind of like a third wheel. It is weird having someone else along for the ride but interesting all the same. We haven't really done much missionary work so I'm sure he's wondering all sort of things… lol. He is only 16 though and has a good deal of time before he goes. Ironically there's another Elder Hatch in the next area over from ours in the same district as us. He is from California somewhere but it is funny because he definitely has some typically "Hatch" ways about him; personality wise and looks. Good missionary though.

The flat's pretty basic and is good though. Not as flash as other flats but it meets our needs and is in a good location for quick beach getaways... The ward is good. It is big and has a wide range of ages but it is relatively normal. Upper class of course but that’s ok I guess. Fun times…

We got heaps going on though and it is a crazy time. The “I Am Mormon” program starts this week so we'll see how things go and if anything changes at all.

Good luck with the (air)plane dad that sounds like heaps of fun, hope you're enjoying it and I'm glad everything is working out well.

Thanks for the uplifting words and I loved the package. Love you. Thanks again. Talk to you next week.

Elder Hatch

September 13, 2011

Hey,

It’s Tuesday so yes I've been transferred again, surprisingly. I really wasn't expecting it so when the call came it was a change. We were thinking that Elder Arnold was going but not so, he's training in Warwick which is strange because it’s not really a training area. I was expecting to be there for the next 6 months or something. That’s alright though Elder Arnold is a good missionary and everything will work out all the same. I've been shifted up to the Sunshine Coast to a place called Buderim. I haven't seen much of the area yet but it supposed to be view touristy and on the beach; very beautiful and tropical. I'll do my best to take some pictures and let you know about everything.



Buderim is an urban centre on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. It sits on a 180-metre (590 ft) mountain which overlooks the southern Sunshine Coast communities.

http://www.buderim.com/

I'm not really a Senior Comp but a Zone Leader in training. Not really too excited about the whole thing but I'll do my best and keep moving forward. I'm sure you'll hear more about it as the weeks go by. I got your package. I haven't opened it but thank you for it I really appreciate it. My new Comp's a Kiwi (New Zealander) from Hamilton, Elder Ald. He's seems very good and on the ball. I have a lot to learn from him. I don’t know much more about the area but I'll catch on I'm sure.

The baptisms (in Warwick) didn't go through sadly. Earlier in the week we had a lesson with them and they brought their concerns forward. Both had valid concerns that we needed to work through before they can be baptized. It’s sad to see but hopefully they'll keep moving forward and be able to resolve those concerns and move on. I'm sad to leave Warwick but I know the Lord has other things for me to do. I'd grown to love the little town in the middle of nowhere. It was unique and the day to day life is very laid back not to mention the cleaner air and less people. It’s nice. I like it. I'd consider living some place like that I think. IDK though maybe that’s just me in missionary mode. I got a letter from Daniel Molina and Grandma & Grandpa. Tell you about it next week.

Glad to hear you're all doing well and that things are starting to cool a little bit. Some people have said they've been having fires in Texas but it’s hard to tell if people are just saying things without actually knowing what they're talking about. All good though. The Mission President read us an article that President Monson wrote for the Washington Post about the 9/11 attacks which was really good. Other than that not a lot going on...well a lot is going on but I’m just kind of still in the shock and awe mode of being transferred, new area new Comp, Zone Leader and so forth. Not really thinking straight, lol. As you know, I love change. Thanks for the emails everyone. I really appreciate hearing from you. Keep up the hard work. Love you and I'll talk to you next Monday sometime. I think.

Elder Hatch

September 5, 2011

Hey,

Things are going well. Here the baptisms we have set are still on track for this Saturday so we're hoping for the best. Both of the "kids" as we call them were sick yesterday for church so they didn't make it. That was a little nerve racking but that’s good all the same. They're both only 16 years old but they're quite mature for they're age. They have their families support so were happy about that. The Branch building is actually a remodeled 100 year old Queenslander style house that they recently extended and added a chapel on the back. It is ironically, located next to the Masonic temple which is cool but it doesn't have a (Baptismal) font. When I got here I didn't think we'd have to worry about that, but the way the branch does baptisms is they actually rent out the local community "pool/spa" so yeah. That is where the baptisms are going to take place…lol. Twenty years ago they actually did baptisms in the local river which is pretty crazy. It'll be an experience and at least it won’t be cold since it is indoors. I'll tell you how it goes next week. We really have a lot to do to prepare before the actual baptismal date.

Warwick Meetinghouse

Condamine River

Other than that, it has been basically the same. We were teaching a lesson Tuesday and a big storm came in and just as we were leaving, on the bikes, it just started pouring and hailing, lightning and all. Needless to say, by the time we made it home we were drenched and the power was out over half the city. It was one of those classic missionary experiences. Good times all the same. We're just not biking that much really but we get around well. We've stayed busy with lesson and other things. President Clark is on his second time round as Branch President now and he knows what he's doing for the most part. They're just a lot of "unique" people and so the Branch has named Fast and Testimony meeting Starve and Share. I have to say, it has been interesting.

We honestly have massive primary. The Branch is mostly made up of young families and they each have 3 to 5 kids. It’s a mad house during Sacrament Meeting. We prolly have about 50 to 60 people on average so it small but rowdy.

This week is transfers so Elder Arnold (Senior Companion) could be leaving since the Mission has like 18 new missionaries coming in and not enough trainers to train them all. Just so you know, my P-day might get thrown off but I'm not quite sure all the same.

Thanks for the emails sorry I have to run. Doing emails are rather expensive here. Love you and hope to talk to you next week.

Elder Hatch