7-15-13 email

Helloooo Family! Well, another week of being a missionary gone by now. It was a good week, we had a lot of lessons and got to see a bunch of people. Elder Dorado is feeling a little better, which means we've been able to get out more. So this week is the last week of the transfer! Oh how time flies! I find out this Saturday if I stay or go. I really have no idea on this one, so we'll just have to wait and see. I have been in Santa Fe for a while now though... Anyways, Prissy was able to come to church this week! Which was awesome. The branch here is really struggling right now though, so there was hardly anybody else there. We are working a lot with an increasing number of less actives. It is getting kind of frustrating to me because I feel like we can only do so much as missionaries. The branch just needs to learn how to get along! Oh well, on the other hand, it means we have been able to get to know a lot more members through all of the visits we do. Haha always look on the bright side right? So another great thing this week- it has been raining a TON! Everyday this week it has been lightning and thunder and rain. In fact, pretty much since the 4th of July honestly. Apparently it has helped the forest fires a bunch. Which is good. So as far as cool missionary experiences this week, on Saturday we went to the plaza downtown to just contact some people and spread the word you know, and we just met a lot of people who were interested. We gave out a few Book of Mormons and had some nice discussions. Nothing too extremely special, but it got us in a really good mood, and helped our confidence to see that there were people who wanted to listen to us. Also, I had a really spiritual experience in English class on tuesday. So I was teaching the class, and we were talking about how to bear your testimony in english. Even though they could barely get a few sentences, I could feel the spirit there with us. So even in simple, broken english, you can feel the truth of their testimonies. I feel that I have become much more sensitive to the spirit as a missionary recently. Even in small random experiences like those. I sure hope it continues. So anyways, I am definitely jealous of the camping trip. It just reminds me how much I miss you all. I have to admit though, everybody looks a lot different! It's kind of weird. I hope you guys had a lot of fun though. As far as BYU is concerned, I'm pretty sure I filled out all the necessary paperwork before I left, so I think it should go pretty smoothly. I don't think I have any particular roommates in mind, but after being a missionary, I'm pretty sure I can handle anybody. Plus, I bet in the winter semester it will be easier to get a room solo anyways. I really don't care where it is either, I just don't really want to go back to the freshman dorms. Whatever works best I guess. I'm not too picky with living conditions anymore... Anyways, just update me on any info you find, so I can start talking to Pres. Miller. Who is pretty cool so far btw. Well, I got to go, but I hope you all have a great week back home! -Elder Hatch

PS Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!!!