4-17-13 email

Well guys, I'm super sorry that I'm late again, I forgot to mention that this was temple week for me, but before I get into that, here are some pictures! So We have a picture of elder Acosta and one of me with some really tiny bananas. (they were the biggest ones we could afford haha)

Me with my last companion Elder Nelson at the temple

me and Elder Peckham! (a high school friend that is also serving in the ABQ Mission)

me biking

 Elder acosta

a three story slide near our house. Yes its about as awesome as it looks.

So this week has just been a load of awesomeness! Starting with last week, we have had a lot of success. We were finally able to reach our goal of 20 lessons this week, which was great. We were able to set a baptismal date for a girl named Teresa Cruz, so she can get baptized with her little sister Adriana, who already had a date. We are working with their parents too. Teresa is about miranda's age, she is turning 18 in a month or so. She has had a rougher life though. She already has a three year old daughter named Betsaida, and it has been really great to see the changes that have been taking place in her life. I hope that all goes well. Other than the Cruz family, we are having a lot of success with some less active members here. There is one guy, Jorge Lemos, that I have really connected with. Hes maybe in his forties, but we have a lot in common. He really wants to come closer to Christ so he has been coming back to church and helping us out. He even goes running with us on P-days! We usually run about 5-6 miles on one of the many trails close by (Santa Fe really reminds me of Utah sometimes) while Elder Acosta rides his bike behind us. Next week we are going to try to hike this mountain by us. BTW I have lost about twenty pounds this year so far. Wow, never thought I would say that. I'm actually in pretty good shape if I do say so myself. haha

So Anyways, like I said in my previous email, this week we had the opportunity to go to the temple! All the Santa Fe elders rode the Railrunner down to Albuquerque and then biked to the temple from there. Which sadly included a lot more uphill than we had planned for. It was pretty fun though. The temple was so beatiful to us by the time we got there. And of course the temple session itself was amazing! There is such a strong spirit there.

So I've been reading a book the last couple days called the gospel of second chances (Thank you Ruppers!!!) I actually just finished it, but There is a quote that I just wanted to share regarding giving others a second chance through forgiveness. It goes something like this. " There are times when we forgive others that we release a prisoner, and then realize the prisoner was ourselves" A little food for thought. I liked it.

Well, that's about all for this week because I am out of time, but I hope you all have a great week! Thanks for the pictures by the way! -Elder Hatch

PS I know that challenge sounds hard, but I know you can do it! there was one week in Albuquerque that my companion and I gave out 32 copies of the Book of Mormon. In one week! God will help you if you ask him.