Elder Austin Hatch

November 16, 2009

2009-12-09T19:57:00.000-08:00

I cant wait to see you again. For two years I have been in the service of the Lord. I have been on spiritual, physical, and emotional rollercoasters. Some of the hardest and best times of my life. Through it all, I have gained a testimony that is like a rock. I have no doubts that this is the only true church. That Jesus lives, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I have no doubt that the Lord will answer the prayer of a willing child. I have learned of humility and that the Lord only blesses us when we recognize his hand in our blessings. What a wonderful journey it has been. We have had a great week here, thankyou for praying for the baptisms because they were just great. All 5 were so excited to be baptized and to make a convenant with God. I was able to baptize one of the moms. Today we played soccer with the zone for the zone activity. No injuries...hahaha. So I forgot to mention this before or in Dads email, but Elder David A. Bednar is coming this Thursday! Im so excited to hear and see from an Apostle of the Lord. I know that these 15 men are special witnesses, and that they have a different witness than I do. What examples and heros they are to me. Well thanks for talking to Sister Hill. I was never comps with Elder Hill but we were always close in the mission. So we can fix it out when we get back. Mom I was thinking about what its going to be like to see you again, and I think it will be very similar to when we go back to see our maker. I love you so much and Im greatful for your prayers and support. Im so excited.

November 10, 2009

2009-12-09T19:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we were on a tour of the capital of Buenos Aires and we didnt have time to do email. It was a completely different world there and I couldnt believe it. So nice and clean. We looked at a bunch of cool stuff like the oldest biggest tree in Buenos Aires, the grove where south america was dedicated, a huge catholic church full of cool paintings and gold, tango dancing, all you can eat bbq, a famous bridge that separates the ocean and the canal, and a lot of other cool stuff. Im doing good now and am gaining my weight back. I weigh 160, mas o menos. So im excited for TJ and the courage he has to go back and serve the Lord. The hospitals here are terrible. When sombody breaks their arm or somthing they put on the dumbest bandages Ive ever seen. I went into one really bad one when I rolled my ankle and it was so nasty. I though I was going to get sick just from being there. The didnt have anyplaces to sit to look at my ankle so I just sat in the sink. But there is a private one that the mission uses and thats where I go now if Im sick. Its really nice. Thats cool that you and Adrian went to Walnut creek.... but didnt do the root drop weak! Hhahaha. And no we are not going to eat tuna for thanksgiving. So the baptisms on the 14th. 3 are from the complete family. Mom Dad and 9 yr old kid. The rest of the kids are not ready and are really into the world stuff. The other two that are getting baptized are a Mom and her 19 yr daughter. They are friends with members. So Im really excited. They all came to church on sunday also. So youve got the lists ready...NICE! Ive got some things that I need you to do please.....OK so about living after the mission at UVU. My best friend here in the mission is named Elder Craig Hill. We want to live together so he gave me his Moms name and number. Can you call her and talk and try to arrange somthing? They are from Fresno, California. He is ending the mission with me and we met in the MTC. President Benton wants me to live in a BYU ward even if im going to UVU. I want to live in an apartment and not a house. OK so thats enough of that. Im so happy and Im gratefull for the blessings that you guys are recieving at home.

November 2, 2009

2009-12-09T19:54:00.000-08:00

That was so cool when we were almost talking through the computer. I felt that too and it was special. Im so grateful to God for the blessings that he has been pouring upon our family. Its cool how the Lord blesses us in turn for our service. OK so Im not going to try and hide it from you. I lost 10 pounds last week...yea. Seriously. Ive been really sick and it stinks. We havent been able to work too much but when we were able to go out we were really blessed and the awesome families came to church...in the pouring rain. Also one of the recent converts, Segundo, the 60yr man, came walking in just completely soaked. He said that he had taken the wrong bus and that he had to walk really far. What dedication, thats such a wonderful thing to see as a missionary. We are going to have the family baptisms the 14th of Nov. We had some great Family home evening with the members and the investigators and they are really bonding and they love each other. We are so happy for them. Gladis`s baptism was really good too. Her family came and so did a number of members. So Im doing better now and I ate my first meal yesterday. Im taking some ati infection medicine for the stomach and some mylanta. So dont worry about me Im alright and Ill try to get those 10 lbs back. Theres this evil dog here that is a german shepard. He trys to get us through the fence everytime we walk by and just goes crazy. The other day I said to my comp. "That dog is like Satan, He just hates us." I thought it was pretty funny. The halloween pics looked good. Adrian looked so healthy and happy. We didnt have halloween here. Nobody does it here in Catan. We asked a member why and she said that if you knocked on sombodys house at night in a mask asking for candy they would open the door with a gun...hahaha. Thats cool about TJ and Arturo. What a sweet journey they have in front of them. Thats what I think when I see new missionaries get here.

October 26, 2009

2009-12-09T19:52:00.000-08:00

So this week I got to read two emails. That was good. Sounds like you had a great bday and I didnt even know they were going to do a surprise birthday party, pretty sweet. Ok so dont talk to me about chuys yet. My mouth is already watering. This morning my comp and I did make bisquick panckakes though. Im so happy that the family is doing great. Thats funny about you asking the lady if she is still smoking. I think I do that everyday and make people feel bad everyday and then try to bring them up. The only way one can do it is through the spirit. Here we have had a great week. The Elders went back to their area and are still living in the same apartment. They have new locks on the doors though. They told me they have seen the kid though who did it and that he is from a less active family...go figure. We have just been so blessed this week though. We were walking on a muddy day and I saw a little alley between two houses...its called a pasillo. There is almost always another little house back down the alley too. Well I said lets clap this one. We went back there, and 4 dogs just went crazy and tried to get us. I just tried to stand my ground and the dogs stopped right in front of us and just barked like crazy. An older man who looked like he was drunk, said come on in. Him and his wife are married, they have 9 kids and many of them live at home. The mom said that she had been waiting for us and that they want to go to a church and that they have mormons in their family. Well we taught them lesson one and it was so spiritual. The cool thing was that about a week ago I asked Heavenly Father to give us a complete family. I got an answer during the lesson that this was them. Well we went to get them to go to church on sunday and they live really far away from the church in the country. Like 30min walking. The Mom and Dad were waiting outside for us with two of their grandchildren. We took a bus in to town and they just loved church. The members helped us so much and we set up another lesson with some members that live close it was so cool! They are going to get baptized the 14th. So in total we had 5 gators in church. Two others are a mom and a daughter that is another miracle that Ill write about in Dads email. Well Gladis didnt get baptized last saturday. Her mom called us saturday morning and told us that her daughter was on her period...dangit. So she was a little uncomfortable and wanted to wait till the 31st. Oh women problems. Hhahaha. So we are doing great here.

October 19, 2009

2009-12-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was mothers day here in Argentina. One member said that we should call home anyways. It would have been nice but no. So your big BDAY is coming up. I hope that you dont feel any older, but hahahah. 50! Well we have had a pretty crazy week here. Some Elders got robbed in our zone and are living with us. Dad has the full story. And we had a pretty funny meeting with President Benton and some american tourists. I also wrote that in Dads email. So you can read that together because its pretty funny. My companion and I are doing great. We are going to have a baptism this saturday too. Its a 13 year old girl hows name is Gladis. Her grandparents are members. We want to baptize her mom too, but she doesnt want to stop smoking. Oh brother. I saw a picture of Alex just booking it during his cross country race. What a stud. Im proud of him and cant wait to see him in the army with me...hahaha. But seriously. If he comes up to Utah with me he will definately join. I hope that Ben is doing well too. Adrian told me that she got a cool job in Austin training triathletes or somthing like that. And sammy and her cool picture of her as a nurse. She could fix all of my injuries. We are teaching some great people and helping them get ready for baptism. I just love the mission and love to feel the spirit. Yesterday in sacrament meeting I was feeling a little down/worried about the investigators. Since it was mothers day, we had some difficulties getting people to church. We went to look for about 8 and two came. Well I was sitting there in sacrament just thinking about that and the spirit wispered comfort to me that all would be well. Those are the little things that make me know there is a God who loves and cares about his children. This morning too during personal study I realized how much I treasure the scriptures and how much I have grown in the mission in scriptural knowledge. The other day these Jehovas Witnesses contacted us and I just accepted their pamphlet and told them thankyou. Well many times during the conversation I thought of the many scriptures I could have showed them and proved with their own bible that their church is false...but I knew that it wouldnt help, that contention is of the devil, and that real conversion is spiritual. So Mom I hope that your having a good week and get to talk to some of your real good friends on the phone or somthing. I know that Heidi, Sis McNeil, Sis Waites, and Sis Heywood are just some of them. Mom I love you and I know that this church is true.

October 12, 2009

2009-12-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

So we just had transfer meeting and Im here in Catan still with my same companion Elder Zollinger. Im very happy to be here and to finish here too. Our last week of the transfer was a hit. 2 great baptisms, new family of gold, the perfect storm, and helping an old man back to his home with blood running down his face. Segundo and Aldana were both baptized saturday night. They were confirmed sunday after a 6 peso taxi ride because it was just raining bad. So the perfect storm formed to try our faith and we over came it. Yes my shoes are still wet and the apartment is muddy from our shoes, but we got it done. So we were walking down the street sunday after noon and we see this grandpa walking toward us with a lot of blood running down his head. We stop and talk to him and ask him what happend. He was all normal and calm and said that he was robbed. He had a huge gash in his forehead and I said, I think you have to go to the hospital. He was like no Im fine. Well we kept walking with him to help him to his house, even though he didnt want us too. When we finally got to his house, I told the neighbor in front to come over. I started talking to him asking him if he could help the old man out. Well the neighbor told us that its really the old mans son that hits him. Poor guy. After we said our good byes he asked us for 2 pesos...go figure. In church sunday our ward misison leader told us that we had done a contact with one of his moms friends and that she wanted us to come back. She was just like any other contact and said that she was busy with a party for her daughter. Well we decided to go back for what the member had said and we finally found the house after a 30 min search because we didnt write down the address. Well we found it, clapped our hands, and she came out with a smile. She let us in and we taught her, her daughter, and two family friends. It was one of the most spiritual lessons Ive been in and one of the girls started to cry during the first vision. We are going to visit them in the week with the member that is her friend. Also they had a church movie in their house which I asked about. She said that her friend gave it to her and that they watch it when they are feeling down. It was so sweet! So Im doing great mom. I hope you are too. Ok so I hope you buy me some protein upon my return so I can become large in stature. In 6 months, Nephi would just be scared of me...hahaha. Well I would say about 60% of the converts are women. So I have definately found true friends in the mission. And more than 1. Here are some of the best men and I know I will find them after the mission. Well tell sammy girl that I love her and that I miss her.

October 5, 2009

2009-12-09T19:40:00.001-08:00

Conference was awesome and we had some good investigators there. The talks were just great, and yes I was blown back by Elder Hollands talk, just amazing. I really like Elder Hales talk on Saturday, and Elder Christoffersons talk sunday. He speaks spanish so he translated his own talk, so that was nice to hear his voice, not some spanish translator. Yes we always watch it in spanish, interesting huh? The members were so glad to be there too. Thanks for booking some spots to go when we get back, Im excited. Also I need you guys to book me a visit to the dentist...yea sorry. Well I have been brushing and flossing the whole mission but a lot of my teeth just hurt. So we will be having two more baptisms this saturday. An older man named Segundo, it means second, and Gladis. Segundo is 60 years old and I always enjoy baptizing priesthood into the church, because that what the church needs here. So yes I do have all the names and addresses written down of the people I have baptized. When Ringwood got up to talk I nudged my comp and said that he went out with my mom. I told him that he read every street sign on your road trip and that was enough, hahaha. He did give a great talk though. What tsunami? I just dont hear about anything here. So tell me where it happend and what? Im glad that you all enjoyed Dads bday. Yours is coming up. Thats so cool that Ben and Emily took a trip to California and stopped by the temple. When I prayed about Ben I got an answer that I just need to keep working hard till the end of my mission. I hope that him and her will look to me as an example and they too will come to the truth. President told me during our interview that I will be a Nephi for my family, and I was just humbled, what a blessing. Mom I love you so much and Im greatful for the example you and Dad have been to me. I love the Lord and know that this is his church.

September 30, 2009

2009-10-04T06:38:00.000-07:00

Ok so they changed pday on us for this week. The temple is closing for refurnishing and they let us go one last time. I really enjoyed it and got some answers. So last week was great. We did have 5 baptisms that turned out really well, apart from rain and cold, shy girls not wanting to get in the water, and sister against sister fights it all turned out well. We also have 4 other people we are preparing to get baptized. Im excited to bring them and more to conference. So Dad is now an old hag...hahhahaha. You will be too shortly, no jk. I love you mom. So yes I do have enough money for the quads. Ill have to tell you later how I changed the gift cards for money. The interviews with pres were great. He asked me a lot about my short term goals after the mission, like 1 year. He was really impressed by some of my goals and gave me some good suggestions too. So the referal system. Nice! I really want to teach JW when I get home with the missionaries. And thats so funny about sammy girl, the sacrament and King. The kids here are so funny too. When we see them playing in front of the house we tell them to call their moms. They do and then say, oh shes not here. We say well ask her when we can come back. They then go and come back and say, she said another day...hahahah. So what did you give the missionaries to eat? What did you give dad for his bday? We have been eating pretty well here. Empanadas, bbq, pastas, fried meat, usual argentine food. Im not sick either. Well last week we had a miracle that I didnt share in my email to dad. We are working with this family. The mom is a member, her husband is not. They have a daughter who is like 25 and she has a little baby girl. Well the baby got her shots on the day before the visit. She had not slept all night and had kept the family up with her crying. They all looked tired and the baby cryed through the whole lesson. At the end they asked us to give her a blessing. When we put our hands on her head she was just balling and screaming. I could barely hear the annointing. Then I gave her the blessing and prayed that she would be fine and able to sleep. During the prayer her head began to droop and I thought that she was just jerking it around away from us. As we all said amen she was sound asleep. The Priesthood power to heal is real. I know that this is the only church that posses it as it was restored through a prophet of God. I love you mom.

September 21, 2009

2009-10-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom,Sounds like you have had a busy week as RS Pres. So yes we do open the windows and just think of the bbq that is cooking below. Last week we didnt have lunch one day so we decided to buy some. Meat and french fries, what more could you need? We have had a great week here. Lots of work, 10 inv in church, and we have 7 baptisms for this saturday, and 19 in total in the zone! We are really excited. We have interviews with President tomorrow too. I love interviews with him because he is such a great man and gives me great advice. Last transfer he asked me to write down my goals. (Long term, short term, what I want to look for in a wife, and how I will maintain the spritituality after the mission). I wrote them down and will talk to him about them tomorrow. Thats funny that the Elders still ride bikes there in Austin. I figured that all of them just had cars now. Yep the ward meetings with the RS Pres and the missionaries and all the others. Our RS Pres here went and invited some investigators to a bday party last week. They loved it and we were so glad that she was helping us. People here really havent been talking about Poroto. Kinda weird because they just go crazy when an Argentine does somthing good. I hear about Ginobli from the spurs all the time. Well I got sprayed from mud from the street as the bus passed by this week, hahaha it doesnt even bother me anymore. I just laugh about it. Ok so when you go to the temple this week, if you are not going to be able to make it out there before I get back, I would like you and dad to buy me some more garments for when I get home. Yea after 2 years they are pretty NICE! I like the full neck, not the celestial smile. Cotton or Drilux. Im just about the same size 32 waist. Not a fat fat. Well Mom Im glad to be here and Im really enjoying the work. I love you so much.

Septembeer 14, 2009

2009-10-04T06:34:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom,Mom not get an email...yea right. The cracker email place was broken and I only got off Dads and Alex´s. We decided to go eat lunch in the apartment and try another place in the afternoon. Mom just so you know I love you so much. I recognize all that you do and Im so greatful to have a mother like you. So the dead cat didnt smell, but then again all the houses smell a little weird anyways. The sewage just isnt good here, you know. So the mud has dried up and now its dust, NICE! We are kicking and just doing great. There were 9 investigators in church on sunday. This big family will be getting baptized the 26th and we are really excited. I really love this work and I love seeing success in it because it changes people. So we still havent taught the witch grandma but we did invite her to church and she said, no I dont go to that church...OK...well see you later! Then I think she tried to cast a spell on me but it didnt work. So the apartment is really nice actually. One of the better ones Ive been in. We keep it really clean and even have a little crappy washing machine that works kinda. No drier but we hang dry everything. Its above a restaurant that has a grill and ice cream thats pretty good. You walk in and its a big room that has the kitchen in it. Then theres a little hall with the bathroom on the left, and our room just pass it. Our room has a bunk bed for us, our study desks, and two wooden clothes things to hang your clothes. I cant even think of what thats called in english. My comp and I made a rule that we were going to talk spanish in the street and english in the apartment. We do very well. With my last comp the canadian, we always spoke spanish.

September 7, 2009

2009-10-04T06:32:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,Yes it was a great week. This place is just so beautiful and ugly at the same time. Anybody who was not a missionary would never come here. Thats why its so great as a missionary because the people are usually willing to listen. We had 8 investigators in church sunday. We had more but they dont count if they are not married and living together. So we found this great family of a lot. The Dad is a member from a long time ago, then became a devil worshipper, and now wants to come back to the church with all his family. So we were going to enter in his house and he says, dont get scared, my mom is from another religion. Well there are a lot of people called bandistas here. They call spirits into their bodies and weird stuff like that. So we walk into the house and see a big sign that say, bandista temple...NICE! There was a skinned cat...please tell alex, hanging on the wall, tons of weird like devil statue things, african hats and necklaces to worship and lots of weird stuff. So we taught a lesson right there. All the kids loved it and the Dad said he needed a hair cut. My comp cuts hair and has a machine. So we said we would come by to cut his hair and teach again. We did on sat, and they all went to church with us yesterday! Its was sweet. So in the next couple weeks we should have a number of baptisms. We have great members here. The stake pres lives in our area. Everybody is poor here and the zone looks about the same. The Elders are really working too. Alls well. So the zone is not in the campo. Its more central but not nice. There is campo in the areas, like country and stuff like that, but its fairly close to the city. My comp is so cool. We like just about all the same stuff. We get along great and we made panckakes this morning with my bisquick that you guys sent. We made steak and mashed potatoes for lunch too. Dont worry about him cutting hair, hes not like that, hahaha. I checked out the blogspot. I look a little weak weak wetted down. I couldnt hear the song though. I like it a lot. So Im glad to hear that the family is doing well. Hows being RS Pres? I love you Mom and I know that this is the Lords work.

September 7, 2009

2009-10-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad,
> The first week here was great. We taught a ton of lessons and some with member too. We were able to have 8 investigators in church sunday. The members here are great with investigators. Our bishop is a good man, and the stake president lives in our area. We are going to visit a family with him this week. The zone here is sweet. Most of the Elders are working really hard. We have an ex zone leader that is just working his area over. Of course there are a couple areas that are a little lazy. We had a meeting with president and the leaders last week. We ate bbq and got to play basketball at the end of the meeting. This guy gave a presentation on safety during the meeting. He is in charge of all the safety here in south america. He protects the general authorities when they come too. He was in the Marines, for 4 years here in argentina and then went on a mission. Well he did a couple practices of what we should do when we are robbed. He selected me to come up and get robbed. Well when I stood up all the missionaires said, uuuuhhhhh. The guy put a fake gun in my stomach and said give me everything. I looked at all the Elderes with a mad face, and then gave him all I had. Just have too as a missionary. He said that is the best thing to do always, and that when he was a missionary he hit a man that was hitting his comp...and they had to close the area. That would be by far the worst thing that could ever happen. The kids in the neighborhood here are pretty familiar with the missionaries and its all good. Well tomorrow we have a zone conference. My comp and I have to give a workshop on adapting the teaching to the needs of the investigator. Its going to go well. TELL SAMMY THAT I SAID HI. The roof looked like a mess with all the workers there. Well eat an eclair for me. So we are doing great and made some bisquick panckakes this morning. Almost as good as yours and moms. Well Dad I know that Im doing the Lords work. Love you Dad.

September 1, 2009

2009-10-04T06:26:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom,Im doing great and am in the best place in the mission. Gonzales Catan. This zone is called the heart of the mission. It is all dirt and mud streets, villas, very dangerous, no sister missionaries, and tons of baptisms. This is why its called the heart of the mission. Im so happy and excited to be here. Its a privledge to be here. My companion is a capo (stud) named Elder Zollinger, from North Dakota. He has a transfer less than me. We are so excited to be together here in Catan. We are going to baptize a lot of people and are ready to do work. The zone looks great and we are really stacked to have a good transfer. I do miss my last area, but am so excited about this new area. I said my goodbyes to the people I really liked, and some I didnt...no jk. We had a couple good meals before leaving too. We didnt have any baptisms last saturday but the week before they were great. The people are happy and are going to stay active in the church. Some people do get attatched to the missionaries though. Many have told me that they stopped going once the Elder left. The family sounds like they are doing really good. Im so proud of you and your new calling. What a challenge! The RS Presidnets here are such great women and I know that you will be a great RS President. Here in spanish the word for relief society is really close to the word, society of wispers. I like to say it wrong in front of the RS President to see her reaction. You should ask Bro and Sis Riquelme what Im talking about. My I love you and I know that this is the true church. I have no doubts. Somtimes I have questions but I always find the answer. I used to be scared to question and looks for answers, but that is the only way to make your testimony sure. Love you Mom.

August 25, 2009

2009-10-04T06:24:00.000-07:00

Well its seems like I will be getting transfered this coming monday. Im pretty excited but will surely miss this area. And stop calling me surely. Airplane. Unfortunately today I dont have time to check the blog. We have a meeting with pres and the stake pres in about an hour. Well Mom order an extra chimichanga por mi. Today we played volley ball for about 4 hours. Yes Im sore and thats so weak. We also ate a ton of bbq. Well I hope all is well and I love you mom.Ok Mom so I didnt have time to finish my email because we had to go to a meeting that didnt happen. We got there in Ramos Mejia which is an hour away by bus and we waited for about 15min outside the offices. Well finally the Elders showed up and told us that they had forgotten to call us and that we didnt have the meeting. Then we had to wait about another 30min to get a ride home. So it was a little crazy. The weather is getting hotter here. Its nice now though. 70s. I heard that its been really hot down there so I hope alex is mowing lots of lawns...haha. I dont have alergies anymore. The vicks and a few kleenexes and a few push ups got rid of them. So Im good. I just saw my last companion Elder Grange and hes doing great. We had so much fun together and worked so much. We are definately going to be close friends after the mission.

August 18, 2009

2009-10-04T06:21:00.001-07:00

Hi Mom,Thats so funny about slick rock. Yes I did do the whole trail. I did it alone the first time and with my buddy seth the second time. You turned left right? You have to turn left. But yea either way its still really hard and yes you can die on that trail. That what I told Adrian when she wanted to go. So I will gladly volunteer to go with you the next time, and yes I think I could explain very well how you passed on...died. Hhaha. The pictures from graduation looked great. All of you looked happy too, especially George, hahaha what a nice hat. So the baptisms went great. My last comp came back to see them too. Him and I did the baptisms and they were swell. The girls were really happy and so were all the young women. We had 3 investigators in the baptisms and they loved it. 2 of them will be getting baptized this Saturday! So all is well. It is starting to warm up a bit. Thats nice. I felt a little sick last night so I bought the vicks tea. It helps a lot if you take it right as you think you might be getting the flu. Hopefully its not the pig flu? Does it mean you have the pig flu when you want to eat bacon? Ok that probably wasnt too funny. We have interviews with President this Friday. I hope he tells me where I will be going to finish the mission. Ive got 2 transfers left and surely will be going to my last area. I want to go out to campo if its possible. My comp is doing great too. We are having fun and working hard. The zone is doing pretty good too. So hows Ben and Alex? Let me know. Mom I love you so much and am greatful to be here right now.

August 11, 2009

2009-10-04T06:02:00.000-07:00

I have grown so much here and haved learned so many things. Doctrine, how to preach, teach, baptize, answer difficult questions, speak a new language, patience, and to recognize the spirit. So many good things. So finally we got some more stuff done with that couple thats getting married and then baptized. Its a mess with all the paper work here and stuff. Well the investigators are doing good and should be getting married the 27th and baptized the 29th. We have 2 baptisms this Friday! They are two young women that are almost as tall as me! One is named Barbara and the other is Joana. They are sisters and their mom was baptized about 30 years ago and went inactive about 29 years ago. They are 15 and 13 years old. The youth just love them and really helped us out with them. They love mutual and all and really have testimonies. There are some other great ones that will be getting baptized the 22nd and the 29th. We had 10 investigators in church last sunday! I think thats the most Ive ever had in the mission. Its was sweet. Some came with members. Some with us. And 2 came alone. The zone is doing pretty good too. My comp is applying to BYU and I have been helping him with his essays a little bit. Hes going home one transfer before me in October. Well they just split the ward too. Our area is now half the size but its no big deal. We usually work on the other side anyway. Also last sunday one of our recent converts Kevin 16yr, blessed the sacrament. It was so cool to see him up there. Well Mom Im doing good and all is well.

2009-08-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

August 4, 2009

2009-08-06T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom,Are you driving back from Arizona? Hope you and sammy girl make it back safe and fast. Are you going to beat my record of 12 and a half? Hhaha. I dont think dad was too happy about that one. Well all is well here. Hope you like the pics. We have some great people getting ready to be baptized. 2 young women the 15th. A young man named Ariel that was a reference from a member the 22nd. Two 25 year olds that are living together that are not married are going to get married the 20th and then baptized the 22nd! We are so excited for them because we´ve been pushing them for this and we went 3 times with them to set a marriage date in the public offices. For whatever reasons we couldnt the first two attempts, but 3rd times a charm. We also have 3 girls from a family that should also be getting baptized the 22nd. Alls well here. My comp is a great guy. We made pancakes this morning that were good. Not like yours and dads but good. We really need a good pancake griddle here. The pan over the stove is just not the same. The middle is always raw. Thats what people say about me. Hhaha. Well Mom I love you and hope that you get back home safe.

July 29, 2009

2009-08-03T16:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom,
Sounds like your having a great time in Arizona. All the mountain biking is making me a little sick to the stomach but Ill be alright. So Sammy girls first tooth came out? Hhahaha. That so funny that Grandpa and her made a special pillow and all. She is growing up so fast. I have sent Dad just about all the pictures I had, but my companion has to send me a couple more so I can send them to you. The last 5 that got baptized I dont think youve seen them. Of the 12 people who got baptized 3 were from a less active family, 8 were 2 families that we found clapping houses, and 1 was a reference from a member. My companion said that the Calgary stampede is so sweet and that we have to go when we get back. He said that the carriage races are very dangerous. He also said that lake Banff is amazing. We get along well. He is very calm and spiritual. He loves all sports too. We went to the temple today and I put Bens name in the temple. We just had a great conference with Elder Zivic from the 1st quorum of the seventy. He is very powerful and taught us many good things. We have found some great investigators this last week. One family was basically just waiting for us. They have been passing through some hard times and were waiting for a priest from a church to give their grandma a blessing. Well we showed up and gave the blessing and taught them the first lesson. They loved it and Im sure will be getting baptized soon. We have 1 baptism planned for the 8th and 2 for the 15th right now. Ok good you guys sent the card to buy the covers. Also if you and Dad were going to apply my to BYU you have to do it before Oct 1st I think. Well Mom I love you so much. I know that this is the Lords work and that he guides us.

July 21, 2009

2009-08-03T16:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom,
So your still kickin it in Arizona. Well guess what we finish this transfer with 12 baptisms. What a miracle. The next highest companionship had 6...YEA! Dont worry my head is not too big and I recognize the hand of the Lord in this work. Our zone also had the highest number with 24. It was so sweet. I also got a new companion and he is from Canada. His name is Elder Archibald. He is from Alberta. We are both zone leaders here and he has a transfer more than me. Im glad to be with him. No I didnt kill the volley ball on a sister but I did on my companion and he got so mad...hahaha! By the way the wrestling was during the game...I dont really remember how it started but I do remember how it finish. The ward is doing great about the new members. Some are really poor and the members brought them tons of clothes and diapers for the babies and stuff. OK I was actually just about to ask you guys for money to get those scripture covers. They are so sweet here and have some of the best pictures that I have ever seen. Seriously, the work is excelent. I want one for my quad and grandma wants like 6 right for quads or what? They cost 120 pesos each so thats like $40 a piece. They are worth every penny. So I dont know how to get the money here. I heard that you could send me a debit/credit card thats new in the mail...then you could email me the password so that nobody can use it. I would love to get some so tell me what you think. Plus the lady that does them can put any church picture on them because "copyrights" dont exist down here, making them even sweeter. Hhaha. So keep doing that good temple work. Ill keep doing mine and we can bring many souls to the presence of the Father. Mom I love you so much.

July 14, 2009

2009-08-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom,
Well my legs and back are sore. We just played volley ball as our zone activity. We played for about 4 hours. Well during the game this latin and I got into a little wrestling match...and Yes America won. Hhaha. The sister missionaries werent too happy. Im glad to hear that Alex had a good time at EFY. I wish the cracker would have written me about it. Yes the swine flu is here and its so dumb. I dont even believe in it and I think its just talk. Supposedly 84 people in all of Argentina have died from it, Im sure that much more than 84 people die a year here from the normal flu. Bla bla bla. We still had our 4 baptisms saturday. It was a great service and the kid that I baptized said "that was sweet" right as he came out of the water. I started to laugh and so did all the members. Our misson has districts and zones. There are 8 zones and about 3 districts in each zone. I was first a district leader and now a zone leader. We are already tied with our zones record for baptisms and still have week 6 to go. Week 6 is always the biggest baptizing weak. We have 7 baptisms planned for this week here in our area. We made the rootbeer with the concentrate, boiling sugar and water, and then using carbonated water. Well mountain biking sounds so fun and so does seeing the Elk. I remember well when we saw them so close. Sammy girl sounds like her oldself. Yes Hint hint, for me when I get back so I can jump the golf cart. Mom I love you and Im happy.

July 7th 2009

2009-08-03T16:18:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom,
Your 4th of July sounded pretty sweet. I do remember that cold swimming pool and always wanted to got back but I never remebered where it was. Thats cool that you stopped at the sattelite place too. Hhahah about Alex Oldroyd. Hhahah. And of course Alex was driving. Im doing good and we had 3 baptisms on the 4th. Then we made our own rootbeer homeade and rootbeer floats. It was cool. We did have a ton of people in church 2 sundays ago and they are all starting to get baptized. But now we cant even go to church for the dumb A flu thing. All meetings except baptisms have been suspended for three weeks. What the? So last sunday we took an investigator to a members house and did the sacrament there. The zone is doing great too and we have 10 baptisms right now and still have 2 more weeks in the transfer. My comp will be leaving...well thats what we think and I will stay and get a new comp in 2 weeks. That so weak that the weak pigs stopped you from shooting fireworks. Hhahaha, Im sure that grandma was mad. Thats cool about the fish and the snake too. So Alex is in EFY right now? Im sure he is having a great time. Im greatful for having been born in America too. I love that land and will kiss it when I get back, hahaha. I love you mom so much and I have a strong testimony of this work.

June 2, 2009

2009-06-07T07:38:00.000-07:00

We are going to baptize another youth this week. His name is Jose Luis and he is 17. He was just a contact in the street and now hes getting baptized. Also we found a part member family last week. 3 of them are not baptized and want to get baptized. Mom I too am so grateful for having been born into this gospel. I have recieved so many blessing for following the commandments too but I still have so so far to go. I love the Lord and the time that we have to make ourselves more like him. How is sammy girl doing? Is she excited to start school up in August? Hhaha. I cant believe that she is already starting school. Whenever I start teaching a family and they have a little daughter I always tell them about sammy and show them our family pic by the river. They always say, ahh what a little doll she is with her blonde hair. They are just crazy about blonde hair here because nobody has it. I guess its like the girls over in the U.S. and wanting to be tan. Its just the opposite here. Hey Ive got a dumb question. Does bunny still have her tacoma? Because if she does I want to buy it. Last week one of our district leaders Grandpa died. He was pretty shaken up about it so we took him to eat breakfast after the district meeting monday. We told funny stories and he is a lot better now. His name is Elder Frost and he is from Flagstaff. We know the plan of salvation though. It gives us all hope.

May 26, 2009

2009-06-07T07:36:00.000-07:00

Sounds like your doing really good and so am I. The area is going great and we have a ton of investigators. We had 3 in church which is alright but they were 3 really good ones. We always go and look for people to bring them to church. We had a baptism saturday and have 2 planned for the 6th. Surprisingly neither are the boys who are still smoking. We always find new good people. Both for the 6th are youth. One is 16yr boy, and the other is a 17yr girl. By the way thank for writing so much and for having alex write me too, it makes everything so much better. Oh man walnut creek. You have no idea how much my comp and I talk about mt biking. I cant wait but Im glad that Im here too. Obviously. So my comp wants to see a picture of my bike. But I dont want it to have big bertha on it if you know what I mean, the seat. Hhahaha. Your memorial day weekend sounded perfect. Tennis, mt biking, burgers...all the necesary, except you didnt take out the boat. Next weekend? That cool that Ben is doing good at autozone too. Cleaning up is FUN to do, hahahah. Sammy is getting so smart. I want to walk her to school a couple times when I get back. So about the Priesthood question. Well today it would be called the Melquisedek Priesthood, but in ancient times it was called the Priesthood of Christ I think. In D*C it explains that they changed the name of it so we would not use Christs name so much. Is that the answer? Mas o Menos? Hhaha. Love you mom so much. By the way my comp when he saw the pics from lake gtown said, thats your mom? She looks ripped! Hahaha thats my mom.

May 19, 2009

2009-06-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

We are still working hard with some of those boys to quite smoking. Yes we can give them blessings to stop. Thats a good idea because we havent yet for these two. We have some really great investigators right now too. We called this older man last night to see if he had prayed about his baptismal date the 6th. He said he did and feels great about it! I was so happy because he is so cool and is kinda like an older cowboy. His name is Andres and he is a carpenter. Pretty cool. My comp and I are doing great and are happy. We get down about investigators and when they dont complete but we get over it. Oh man what I would do for a sleep number bed right now. I sleep well anyways though wherever I am because Im always dead at night. Not having nice stuff has really changed my outlook too on a lot of things. I could live without a ton of stuff after and be happy. Plus I recognize all the luxuries I used to have that I wasnt greatful for. Funny how little you appreciate somthing till its gone.

May 5, 2009

2009-06-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

Thats funny that you looked up Oeste. And yes I do know Elder Ranquist. He is really skinny and has glasses. They recently just baptized a ton of people. So the zone is going really good and all. We have 4 companionships of Elders and 3 companionships of Sisters. Its pretty cool. We also had a meeting with the zone leaders and president in his home. He took us all to eat at this sweet restaurant too...it was so good. The new area is really good. This 10yr is going to get baptized this saturday. We had 2 new investigators in church too and they really like it. So Sunday is Mothers Day! We are going to call home at 7:30-8:30pm here so Dad will have to convert the hours. But it will be in the afternoon. Im so excited to call you. Well the crazy pig flu is still not in Argentina. As usual Im sure that there is more noise about it than there should be. Im sure the new Elder lost a bet or somthing or he just doesnt have a lot of ties, how embarassing. I heard from Dad about Dennies shoulder. Oh my. How embarassing. Poor guy though, I really like Denny Lowe. Thats funny what Trish said. Im glad that Ben likes his work. Thats so funny about Sammy girl too. Listening to rap...hahaha. She is not black. Hhahaha. So Alex is going to have his first surgery. Im sure more will come. HAhahaha. Hope it turns out alright. Is cutknee going to do it? Mom I hope you have a (GREAT) your favorite word, day. Im happy here and doing good. The Lord is helping us so much. Many people are responding to the invitations to come to church.

April 28, 2009

2009-06-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

Guess what? Im not in villa madero any more. I had completed 6 months in the area and it was my time to go. We did baptize Sis. Quiñonez the last saturday and it was a great baptism...the water was a little cold. Her husband was there and came to see her confirmed too and they were holding hands the whole time. He is still struggling with smoking and will be able to overcome it. He asked me before I left he I could baptize him when he gets baptized. What a good man. Well I have been called to be a zone leader in Oeste with Elder Grange. We are already really good friends in the mission. He has one transfer less than me and we are really excited to start this transfer. I know that the Lord will help me as I strive to keep myself worthy of his help. This is his work and I know that. Im glad to hear that grandmas party went so well. I wish I could have seen it. Grandma is such a great women, and funny too. You are too mom. Thats to bad about ben and mama fu´s. I always laugh when I see that name mama fu´s. Everybody sounds like they are doing good. Cant wait for mothers day either.

April 21, 2009

2009-06-07T07:26:00.000-07:00

Sounds like all the plans are coming together for grandmas bday. Thats going to be so fun. I just got a package from them. In it was a roundvalley hat and shirt. They are so nice. Dad tells me that spring is in full there in Austin. Im sure its nice. I dont really remember what a flower looks like or what good smells like so you´ll have to remind me. I walk past dirty diapers eaten by dogs, burning trash piles, and open sewage all day so I dont really know what nice is. Its all good though. Im still kickin. But Im a little bit sick right now. Well guess what happend during the baptism of David...aka coki. He showed up with his dad and his dad said he will not be getting baptized. What the crap! Everything, everything was ready. Lots of members came and all. His dad felt pressure from his brothers and called it off. This is after signing during the week the baptismal papers. Little cracker. We were so mad and sad. But a few days later and its mostly gone. Plus the Dad of the quiñonez family cant stop smoking. Oh Man! It cant be that hard. Just do it. We gave him a blessing and all. We check everyday how many he has smoked but nope. His wife, alejandra did stop though. She wants to get baptized and wants me to do it. So that made us happy again. We played soccer today too and the latins shut us out. Not really. Ok so tell sammy girl that I love her and hope she is doing well too. I love you mom and am always praying for you. Hope the party goes well.

April 14, 2009

2009-06-07T07:19:00.002-07:00

The parents of Brenda got interested during the lessons and then the mom went to the baptism. She told us that she wanted to get baptized after seeing the baptism of her daughter. Then the dad watched a church video with the family and said well I guess I better get baptized too. We are so excited for them. The only thing is that we have to get them to stop smoking. They are already almost stopped. We also are going to baptize another young man named David. We finally got permission from his catholic hard headed dad. Thats cool that Todd was called as the President of the quorum. He is such a good man. Im glad that Ben finally got hired at Autozone too. It will be good for him and for his interest in cars. The navy seal story. HO HO HO. That is so raw. When I read that from you my blood started to shoot through my whole body...gggrrrrrrr. HO HO HO. Ok yea Im a little weak weak right now as a missionary but its still there. That pretty funny that Mike Ringwood was one of your old boyfriends. And yes Im glad to be called a HATCH. Plus I didnt want to grow up in Utah. Im sure he did. Thanks for all the advice and Ill be sure to stick to it. We are really working hard and are happy because the spirit is with us.

April 7, 2009

2009-06-07T07:19:00.001-07:00

All is well here. This morning I scrambled some eggs and put that good hot sauce on them. Then a couple hours later...after washing all my clothes by hand(did you know that Ive done that my whole mission) I sat down and ate chips and the bean dip. Then i drank some country time just to bring me back for a little bit...hahaha. It was so good. The conference was awesome. We saw all the sessions except sat. afternoon. Hollands talk was amazing. Also I was able to see the Anderson really was the chosen of the Lord. Eyring spoke with power as always. And Monson is just the man of God. I know that he personally speaks with Christ and the words that he says come directly from the Lord. Wow it was sweet. Priesthood was also as always. We had 5 investigators there. Guess what the parents of Brenda(12yr) want to get baptized...and they are married! Yes the President showed us really how to do it with love for the people. Somtimes I walk around with mad face...like our old suburban(hahah)...to keep us from getting robbed. It works I think...but then I smile when I see people. Pres lived in Boston before coming here. I hope that all will go well with the choir and easter. A few words of advice...just dont screw up...hahahah. No just kidding just have fun with it like your friend said. So we are working hard and happy with ourselves and the work. The district is really kicking and we have the best numbers in the zone. Besides for the family fight that happend during dinner all was well last week. The food was really good though. Dinner and a show. Well Mom I love you and am gratefull for all your prayers. During the conference I felt, my parents are watching right now too.

March 31, 2009

2009-06-07T07:17:00.000-07:00

Ill be sure to send the email if I still have it. Happy bday to me! I got yours and Adrians packages yesterday! So I got some good stuff. Adrian sent me a sweet fish tie, snickers bars, nutterbutter, facewash, and floss, letter from todd and her. My mexican companion was so happy at all the stuff you guys sent me. The salsa, chips, jalepenos and all. So we are going to have a little fiesta this afternoon. Then we have 3 parties from different members! So im doing really good and feel a little bit older. So Brenda got baptized last saturday and the kid didnt. We talked with his parents and the dad said it would be his own decision that it didnt really matter to him, and carlos had already told his dad that he wasnt going to do it just so there werent any family problems. Well we werent able to find him till the other day so he will be getting baptized some other day. He has a very strong testimony and wants to be a missionary. Somtimes the Lords time is just not ours. Thanks for praying for him though, he really needed it. Guess what, we also had divisions with the president last week. We got selected randomly out of a bingo and he stayed with us for 24 hours. Slept in the apartment, did exercises, ate with us and walked all through the villa visiting members and investigators. He really showed us how to do it, even though he was never a missionary before. What a good, powerfull man. Well he lived in houston for 16 years so I asked him if he ever went to Matagorda island to go fishing. He said of course all the time. Well we talked a lot about that and he sent me a picture of him in his 30s with a huge stringer full of fish at the texas coast. What a cool president. He also sent us m and ms in the mission mail with a note saying thanks for the best divisions. It was great. Thats cool that the trail now goes all the way through, by the time I get home it will be all the way to Grandmas house. Well from your note I got a few things. Special forces... A OF WILD. hahahaha. You managed to find the word Cracker, in the scriptures. Hhahahah. It was all pretty funny. Thank you so much for all the good stuff you sent me and the letters. I really enjoyed them. Well Mom I love you. I know that the Lord does too.

March 24, 2009

2009-06-07T07:15:00.000-07:00

My new companion is great and is a little Peruano. He likes to eat fish and hates vegtables with a passion. Hhaha because saturdays we eat with this german member who only gives us vegtables...literally. Yes of course I kept the gifts, the other elders are good too. One of them is still here in the apartment and we are really good friends, the other is in a new area and his comp. is always sick so he never leaves the apartment. Hes not complaining. Well we have 2 baptisms planned for sat. One is Carlos 18yr and the other is Brenda 12yr. Carlos told us in the morning that his parents said no. Well he still lives at home so we need their permission. If you and the family could be praying for him that would be great. He has such a strong testimony and wants to get baptized so bad. Poor guy. He started to cry when he was telling us. Him and I are really good friends.

March 10, 2009

2009-06-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

The baptism went really well and so did the interviews. All the people were very well prepared to be baptized. We are also going to have 2 more baptisms this saturday to finish the transfer. And yes Im going to be tranfered and am a little nervous. I have 4 and a half months here and will be leaving. The district is doing really good though. 2 of the elders we live with have an extra interview with pres. tonight. I feel really bad about it being their leader and having to have told the things they need help with. Im afraid that they will be very mad at me and that they will say look, hes a leader because he told on his friends. Dangit. Thats how the mission is somtimes. Pretty rough position right now. I havent heard from some of the converts. I got a letter from the sanchez family about 2 months ago. They said they are doing good and know the church is true. Unfortunately they are offended too because a member robbed them supposedly. Dardo is active and comes to everything. I havent heard from vicente either. But I wrote them all letters and should be hearing from the missionaries in my last area this monday which is tranfer meeting. We dont explain all the things that you said to the investigators. We do say though that we are not perfect as members. But what can you do somtimes? Well keep it up with JW. I know that he is going to be baptized someday.

March 3, 2009

2009-06-07T06:39:00.000-07:00

Thanks for being my mom. I had one of the best spiritual experiances this week. I blessed the Clemente family baby in sacrament meeting. I thought that I wouldnt do that till I had my own, but she kinda felt like my own sunday. Jose the Dad carried her up to me and then I took her and went up to the stand. We blessed her and it was so cool. I had to give her her name too as you know, well her name is Jeraldine Veronica Clemente Castellon! Pretty long. Well I wanted to present her to the ward like in the Lion King but didnt feel that it would be apropriate so I did it in the normal way and everybody said ahhhhhh. We also just got back from the temple which was great. Well tell Ben that I saw a grandma get hit by a bus and some kids get robbed this week. Poor guys and lady. The grandma appeard to be alright though. Well we are going to have 3 baptisms in the next 2 weeks. Ive got a lot of baptismal interviews to do also. We are really cranking. Yes the heat has been dropping a little. Yesterday and today are cookers though. I just kinda got used to being wet all the time, it doesnt bother me so much in military fatigues or a swim suit, but in church clothes that are nice it bothers me a little. Well thats enough wining.

February 24, 2009

2009-06-07T06:37:00.000-07:00

I saw your pictures from Mexico, you little lucky crackers. Hhahahah. Looks like you and Dad had a blast. The ruins looked so cool and so does the nice beach. Tell me about it because I still havent seen an email from you, whhhaaaaa! How did sammy do at home? Did you get to see my pictures that I sent from the service and baptism? All is well here. We have interviews with Pres. this Friday so we got our haircuts today. While my comp was getting his cut this lady started to ask me questions about the church. We started chatting and at the end she asked me from a blessing of comfort. I gave her one after my comp was done, and the haircutting lady said that she wanted one too, so we gave her one too. Kinda funny, right in the haircutting place! We had 4 investigators in church on sunday even though it was pouring cats and dogs. We had to go bring one to church in a taxi. Well 2 have baptisms planned for the first 2 weeks in march. Pretty cool. The district is doing good and the leaders are happy. My comp and I continue doing stuff to keep the excitement up in the street. He likes to introduce me as Elder Nasty, he says nasty in English. The people think its my name and I just laugh so hard and they dont really get it. Sharron sent me a really nice email. Tell her that I got it and really enjoyed hearing from them and all. So did you get sunburnt? I know that you dont like to put on sunscreen. I got burnt last week pretty good too during the service. Its cooled off here a little though, finally. I can sleep more at night. You cant open the window either or your feet just get torn up by mosquitos. Yea that happen too last week. Im good though and happy. I love being a missionary.

February 17, 2009

2009-06-07T06:35:00.000-07:00

This last week was really good. Yes we did have those valentines baptisms. A ton of family members came to see ours for Sonia, now we are teaching all of her family! It was really great. So I hear that you and Dad are off to Mexico. To bad Im not going too so I could translate for you all. Enjoy the food. Thats too bad that they had to baptize so many times. I hate when its not just done on the first time. Body slam, ahhahaa. Thats cool about your experiance in the temple too with that name. I love experiances like that. I know they dont come often but they do come.

February 10th 2009

2009-06-07T06:34:00.000-07:00

Im doing really good. We are tearing up the area too. Just destroying it. I feel bad for the next missionaries here because they are not going to have anybody to teach. We are having a baptism this Saturday! Her name is Sonia and she is 23. She found the church with her family in Buenos Aires but lives in our area! Her family member stopped us in the street and said, hey Ive got a baptism for you. Miracle. We also have a ton of other investigators that are progressing. Well now as district leader Ive got to get numbers from the other missionaries, see how they are doing, take care of problems with them, inform the zone leaders of thing, do divisions, baptismal interviews, and stuff like that. Im really excited to have been called. The district is us, the 2 other elders in our apartment, and 2 others that live in the next city. We are all having baptisms the 14th! NICE! Thats sweet that the work is going good there too. Well Poor Ben. He just needs to keep working and go back to school, what the crap. Surely by now he sees that he needs to be in school. Well how are the songs going? Teeheee . Hhahahaha. Mom I hope that your flu is gone. Im feeling good and just ate some empanadas like Sis. Riquelme gave us. Love you and love the Lord. -Austin

February 3, 2008

2009-02-07T06:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the transfer meeting and I got a new companion and was made district leader, pretty cool. My new companion is named Elder Vilka and is from Argentina. I will be excited to work with him and to speak spanish a lot more. He will be my first latin companion as you know. There are 3 companionships in my district. I think ill call it district HATCH. Hhahaha. The investigators are doing good and we have been teaching the people who came to church. We are going with the relief society president tonigh on splits to teach one of the ladies and her daughters, pretty cool. My companion Elder Waites was sad to leave his first area and it was hard for him saying bye to all the good people here. He left this morning at like 8am. Sounds like you are all doing good at home. Thats good to hear that Ben got that job and that Alex is enjoying cross country. So all the food from the BBQ came from the Clemente family. It must have cost a lot too because it was a lot. We ate until we couldnt though and there was still a lot left. Before they had the frig, they would just buy stuff from the local shop cold and use it then. Here they buy stuff daily that they are going to eat instead of weekly like we do. The weight is coming back. When I study here I always read for the first 30min, just straight reading, then I study stuff like Preach My Gospel. Well Dad Im excited to start this next transfer and to bring some people into the church. We´ve been recieving tons of blessing here and will continue too. Im excited for my district too.

January 27, 2008

2009-02-07T06:51:00.000-08:00

Just had a really good week. Both my companion and I are feeling really good and all. We worked hard last week and had 5 investigators in the church! One member brought her friend too randomly and we are going to teach her in the members house on thursday. She is an older lady about 70. Well all the naked babies are still there and they really wanted to come to church but didnt make it. Its pretty nasty in the house as usual, but its really hard to accept the food and drinks that they give us...uh oh...dont want to get sick again. The Clemente family is doing great. They have a workshop behind their house where they sew and all. They gave us clothes to give to this 8 year old girl who is really poor. She was so happy to get new clothes and it was really fun giving them to her. We´ve got to get some for that other family now. The Clemente´s just gave us a good BBQ. Chicken, ribs, sausage, roast, potatoes, salad, and blood sausage...Ill pass I said. Luckily the wife and kids dont like it either so it was alright saying no thanks. Ive eaten it once and that was enough. Oh by the way last week the offices of the church gave our apartment a new refrigerator for the apartment. I asked if we could give the old one away and they said yes. The Clemente family dont have one and were looking to buy one just the other day so we gave them our old one. They were pretty excited to get it! Well Dad I doing good and the members are fattening me up again. Thanks for always being there. Thats one thing Ive found about the Savior is that he is ALWAYS there, even in our struggles.

January 20, 2008

2009-02-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

Well Im finally feeling a little better. Had some problems again on Saturday but got some good antiparasite pills and I think im getting better. We had a really good week until Saturday and Sunday. Im glad that you enjoyed that photo of the Clementes. They are doing really good and are really happy. And by the way I dont weigh anywhere close to Alex yet...HAHAH. Our mission Pres is great. He didnt have any military experiance. Got baptized when he was 22 and graduated from BYU. Went to school to become a Lawyer and worked like that for a while. Then he became the CEO of a medical supply business. Hes really a people person and is really caring, good guy. The new pool, air hockey table looks pretty sweet. Im sure that sammy gets a kick out of it. I was also really surprised to hear that Garret was getting married. I know that they have a very strong christian background and Im sure the girl does too. He looks a lot older in the picture too. Im glad that you are ahead of your goal with the book of mormon, keep it up. Thats cool that you all went to the temple too. Well hows Ben and Alex doing? Hope they are doing well. Didnt hear from either of them this week. Well some punk got killed in our villa a couple days ago. Some dumb fight over a girl is what we heard. Luckily everybody loves us in the villa. Also we found a really crazy family. We were walking in the nice part of town and say a little passage way that went way back and looked kind of questionable. So I said, I bet we can teach back there. We went back and there were about 8 babys all over the place, all naked, and playing in the dirt. There were 2 younger ladies, and an old grandma back there too. The Grandma said, finally you came back. Well she had talked to missionaries a long time ago. The two younger ladies were sister and all the little kids were theirs. The place was horrible full of dirt, crap, flies, and just nasty everywhere. But we taught them and they loved it. One of the daughters used to be a devil worshipper too, interesting. Then while we were leaving a little naked baby went running past the door holding a live rabbit by the legs...pretty crazy little passageway. Well Dad love you. P.S. Just got the package from Grandma and Grandpa Hatch. Camo PJS and Beef Jerky. Can you send this Pic to them? Im sending them a letter too.

January 13, 2008

2009-02-07T06:44:00.000-08:00

We just started to leave the apartment saturday...and yes it was for the baptism of this family of gold. The Clemente Family. The parents and the 8 year old girl all were baptized and it was by far the highlight of my mission so far. It was so great to see people that were truely converted to the gospel get baptized. They were so happy too. We decided to be a little selfish this time and I baptized the Mom, my companion the Dad, and our district leader the daughter. Dads name Jose Luis Clemente, Mom Veronica Clemente, Daughter Natali Clemente. Their 6 year old boy really wanted to be baptized too, but just a couple more years. There little baby looked like it did too, even though its only 2 months old. The ward leaders were there to support and that was really great. The women really took Veronica under their wings. Well Dad guess how many pounds I lost with this bad sickness... 12LBS! It was bad and I look like a little cracker right now. Im all better now though so nobody needs to call President, plus he already knows. Im sure that you will be able to see in the baptism picture how much weight I lost. My companions say that I am now...AUSTIN...not HATCH. That would mean weak now. Im so mad about loosing the weight but the members said they are going to fatten me up again and Im going to be working out harder in the morning to get some of the muscle back. I ended up going to the hospital and had an infection in my stomach for eating somthing bad, or drinking bad water. Well I was dry heaving for like 2 days straight and didnt have any desire to eat anything for a couple days. Im now eating and my comp is now with what I had...great. We did have some new investigators in the church on sunday! Even though we are not able to go out much, we are using the time that we are out wisely.

January 6, 2008

2009-02-07T06:39:00.000-08:00

It was another war here with explosions all night. Looks like you´ve got some good goals too...so hows the being more accepting coming? Hhaha. Good to here that the Horns came out on top too. Well just as my foot began to feel better (Friday) I come down with a high fever. Then I get the craps...and then Ive got a bad stomach ache. This lasted through sunday and we were not able to make it to church. Pretty bad stuff. 3 of the 4 of us in the apartment were sick. Took tons of medicines and all and now we are finally doing better. This last week and a half has been by far the most boring in all the mission. Plus I dont have any cool stories to tell. Except that we kept calling this family of gold to see how they were and then they would call us and see how we were. Well they went to church even though we werent there and are going to get baptized this Saturday! We are so excited. Theres 5 of them. The parents and there 8 year old girl will be baptized. Their 6 year old will have to wait and so will their baby. Ive wanted to baptized a complete family my whole mission and finally its happening. So cool! I really would like to see them sealed in the temple too even if it takes coming back. Well Dad Im almost better and finally able to eat again. Got pretty skinny these last few days from not eating/working out. We are now seeing the fruits of our labors from the month before.

December 30, 2008

2009-02-07T06:19:00.000-08:00

Like I said on the phone I rolled my ankle pretty good on Christmas playing basketball as a zone. I jumped up to block a shot and came down on this kids foot. Yea...just like would happen to me. Well it swelled up pretty good and is now, black, blue and yellow. I have been icing, resting it, taking medicine, and doing little excersizes on it. We called the mission pres. wife and she told us to go to get xrays. We went to the hospital in a taxi and boy was that an experiance. It was such a piece of crap hospital. Just about everything broken, dirty, the xray machine was held in place by water jugs, and they didnt even put a lead suit over me. Well nothing was broken from the xrays...just a sprain. I still cant go out and preach yet. We have to take taxis everywhere. We took one to our baptismal service for Dardo which went really well. Ive got pics. He was really happy. Also we went to church sunday and I limped up to the stand and confirmed him. The family of gold called us on sat. night and said that the mom was sick and they werent going to be able to make it to the baptismal service for Dardo. Well they called again today so check on me and to say that they are better...really good people. Well Dad I hope you guys get back safe and all. I am bored out of my mind in the apartment all day.

December 23, 2008

2009-02-07T06:15:00.000-08:00

Yes I got the Package! It is perfect. I got to open like 9 in one day! So ive still got a couple more to go. This morning I ate a PPJ sandwich with the peanut butter...yes its JIF. You guys dont even know how priceless jif is here. Plus you sent me the huge one! I really liked all the scriptures too. All the candy, sunscreen...just in time, and chapstick. I was so glad to make it back to the apartment without being robbed because I really wanted to open some presents this christmas. Also I got a letter from scott carlson and from taylor parks. I put my remaining presents from you under the little christmas tree we have. I shared with my comps. too because they didnt get their packages yet. By the way the tie is sweet....that thing is so nice. Im going to be wearing it Christmas day. My comp. said ¨dang thats a sick tie!¨ Well the family is doing really well. There are a couple family problems with them, but all is going well. They all came to church on sunday along with other investigators. We had 5 in total in the church. One named Dardo has a baptism date for this Saturday, the work is really going well. We just had transfer meetings too and I will obviously be staying here with my companion. This will be his last transfer here. Well Im sure your riding in the suburban just hauling it to Grandmas. Its hot as crack here but we´re doing great. All the scriptures on the presents were perfect too. My comp. would read the scripture and then we would guess what it was...pretty funny. Got some pics coming too. In a couple min. I forgot to tell sammy happy birthday! So tell her I said Happy Birthday...and then HAHAAHH. Tell her I want a hug from her and that she is growing so big. Love you all a ton. I know that this time of the year is to remember the saviour, make goals, and spend time with the family.

December 16, 2008

2009-02-07T05:55:00.000-08:00

We just got finished with a missionary christmas party in the mission offices. It was pretty good. We had a slideshow, examples of funny contacts, musical performances from all the zones, food(chicken and raviolies), talk from the pres., and we watched a conference from President Monson. It was really good and fun to see all of my missionary friends...by far the best part of the meetings. Well are you all headed out to Arizona soon? Im sure you are. Its hot here and cold there. I have to put on sunscreen every morning. Get burnt pretty quick. That family of gold is doing awesome. We pushed their baptism back a week because they werent able to make it to church last week. They planned to be back early in the morning from a trip they had and werent able to make it back in time, plus it was raining like crazy. They are progressing really well though and are going to come for sure this sunday. Nancy got baptized! My companion baptized her and I confirmed her. It was all really good, except that the bishopric didnt show up till 30min late. Still havent gotten the box but its all good. I will be able to open a bunch all at once because Im sure that Ill be getting it this monday.

December 8, 2008

2009-02-07T05:54:00.000-08:00

We´ve had a really good week here. We just got back from the temple actually. We get to go every 3 months and its always good to go. Its kinda cool in spanish too. I really like getting to see all of my missionary friends when I go because we have such a good time together. Well one of the missionaries that was in my district in the MTC got sent home while we were there...he is now back here in Argentina. All of us from the district have a year in the mission and its a little weird to see him with just a couple weeks...good to see him though. Well this family of gold is still a family of gold. They came with us last sunday to stake conference, in another city! We had to take the bus and all and all of them came and loved it. They have a baptismal date for the 27th of Dec. They are so good. Mom and dad are 28-27 years old, 23yr brother of the dad, and 3 kids. One is 8, 6, and 2 months. They are bolivian and are so nice. Live in the villa but have a decent house in comparison to the rest. They have a little shop in their house where they sew clothes and sell them. Well President Benton was at the stake conference and after we were waiting outside for the bus. He drove by and then stopped and got out of the 4runner. He came over and said hi to this family of gold and to us and asked them if they were preparing for baptism. They all said yes. It was so cool that President did that. We also had our interviews with him and he said I had to tell you...my parents...that I was one of the best missionaries in that he had. So I told you. I still look up to a lot of other missionaries a ton. Especially the ones with a lot more time that are good zone leaders, assistants, ect. Well we stopped 2 guys from killing themselves sunday. One by the train tracks...he was drinking a lot and said he wanted to kill himself, so we taught him and at the end he said he wanted to change a be like us...pretty cool. The decorations looked great and sammy always looks so funny. Tell jack I still hate him and kick cats every time I have the chance. By the way, we are going to have another baptism this sat. She is named Nancy and is 8. Her parents died a while ago and she lives with her grandma who got baptized about 8 months ago. It will be a good little baptismal service.

December 2, 2008

2009-02-07T05:50:00.000-08:00

Fabiana got baptized! It was a great baptismal service and we combined it with another ward and their 2 baptisms. All went really well except for the drunk investigator that the other missionaries brought. We also brought 2 investigators that Im sure will be getting baptized soon...they are part of those 17. We also are teaching a complete family that is awesome. They want us to come and walk with them to church this sunday! Its really starting to take off here. We are both loving it. The new apartment is great too. Its small but nice. Good tile floors and everything works good, except the hot water but its hot so its alright. Unfortunately I dont have anyother photos right now but they are on the way. Thats too bad to hear that sammys cat died. I dont feel anything for the cat but for sammy yea. There are like 5 cats that live behind our house and are always on our porch doing craps and stuff. Well one has a broken leg and I kicked it the other day and my comp. was like why did you kick the one with the broken leg. When I didnt answere he realized that I just have no heart anymore for animals. After 1 year of seeing dead animals everyday, getting barked at, bit once and all by dogs, just cant feel anything for them anymore. Kicked a dog the other day too, it was pretty sweet because he came out to bite me and he went running away like, crap shouldnt have tried that! My comp and I are doing great and always are telling jokes and stuff in the street. I have to help him a ton is spanish but hes getting there.

November 18, 2008

2009-02-07T05:45:00.000-08:00

Well Im still not sure yet where Villa Madero is. It is about 20 min. from the Buenos Aires Temple. This is a great area. It is by no means a nice area, but it has a lot of potencial for missionary work. We have already found 17 new investigators for the first week. The ward is great and we had about 50 members and 1 investigator. She is going to be baptized the 29th! We took her (Fabiana) to the house of a member yesterday to teach her. It was really good. Members here give references too, its sweet. When I say villa I mean a no mans land. It is a place that people have taken over and built a maze of crappy houses and said it was theres. Just imagine having 10 acres, bricks, cement, and tin, and giving it all to the teachers quorum and saying, make a big fort. Thats what a villa is. Dangerous because you can get lost so easily and its dark and there are tiny pathways. No problems during the day though. The people are use to the missionaries. My first week with Elder Waites was great. We have a ton in common. Both a little bit country. He played football in High School and was the star quarterback. He likes to tell me about it too...! Hhahaha. There is a big mix of apartment towers, villa, dirt roads, and nice roads with nice houses. There is a huge mix here. Lots of movement in comparison to Chacabuco. Elder Zivic spoke both English and Spanish. He was so cool. Well tell Sammy that I said hahaha to her. Hopefully she gets a kick out of it. Did anyone go fishing at Tejas? Well Dad it is already summer here. Its been pretty hot. Luckily now I have tons of leftover money because the members feed us a ton. So now I dont have to wash my clothes by hand. We just drop them off at the washing place. Im eating a ton now and working out a lot like always so Im hoping to put on a little bit. Picture on the way. I burned a shirt for my 1 year birthday. Tradicion in the mission.

November 4, 2008

2009-02-07T05:42:00.000-08:00

I will be leaving Chacabuco pretty soon I assume. Should be leaving this sunday actually! Coming up pretty fast. I have mixed feelings for leaving or staying. Ive made some really good relationships with the people here and will of course be sad to leave, but am always looking forward to the new. We have interviews with President this Friday so im sure that something will happen there. Im really excited for these interviews because I know that we have worked so hard this transfer and that President is going to be happy. Well Ulysis is going to be baptized this Friday evening. We are very excited for him. He already passed his interview last night. Alfredo, the deaf one will not be baptized this week. He didnt come to church last sunday, so we went to go look for him during the classes. He said that he had a lunch appointment, so I told him to come for an hour, but he said the next sunday like 10 times so I just stopped. Plus its all in signs and sounds, pretty difficult. Well we were a little sad that he was not going to be baptized this week but surely will the next week after im gone. But we are focused on Ulysis and finishing the transfer strong. This last week went really well and we finished all our goals. We just had a little district activity at the church in the other city. Played some basketball, and had a little BBQ. We can now play some sports with very strict rules. It was fun though. Well there were little kids going around here too asking for candy. Its very new here and most of the old people had no idea what was going on. We gave some kids candy too. Sammy looked really good in her costume by the way. We still havent passed by the guys house I fought with since the last time we taught but are planning to go today or tomorrow. So we are taking it slow with him.

October 28, 2008

2009-02-07T05:39:00.000-08:00

Well we had 2 investigators last week. The deaf guy and a 9 year old boy. We have their baptisms planned for the 8th. Im really excited for the both of them. Alfredo and Uylisis. Well Dad guess what. I am now teaching the guy that I fought with. NO JOKE! Pretty crazy huh? The Lord works in wierd ways. He stopped us in the street and I figured that he wanted a rematch. He said that he wanted to ask for forgiveness and that him and the same girl were doing really good. Well we stopped by the day after and taught both of them. He went and bought us soda and everything and we taught the restoration. Pretty cool stuff.

October 10, 2008

2008-10-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

I really like all the photos that you sent. I thought the ones of sammy and her faces were pretty funny. She is starting to look so much older to me. The pond looks pretty good too. Is it done? The pinewood derby looked pretty cool too...who won? Im glad that you had a good birthday. It looked like it was a good day to go golfing. I was surprised to hear how hot it is there right now. I though it would have dropped a lot. Its perfect weather here right now. Im glad to be back in the short sleeve shirt...plus my tan line is pretty bad. Yesterday we were in the apartment of other elders and he told me that I had the worst collar line that he had ever seen. Its pretty embarassing when we go and do service and we are wearing normal clothes. Sometimes the argentines give us a hard time about it, especially the teenagers. Thats sweet that you bought out Bro Woods. I hope that the boat is still there when I get back. Some of the new investigators are still doing good. We have lost a couple to, excuses. Well its always hard to loose some. But we have some good ones still. So we have a baptism planned for the 1st of november. We are really working hard to get this too. Right now we are for sure having 1 on the 1st, but Im hoping that we will have 5 baptisms on the 1st. Well the other day while we were teaching a lesson in a mans back yard this lady climbed up on the fence and started saying that we were from the devil. This was in the middle of the lesson! She said look in their faces you can tell they are not from God, then she said that we would not be able to trap her neighbor, then she cast us "out" in the name of Jesus. It was horrible. We almost got really mad at her during the lesson but I stoped my comp. and then just began to testify to her. After ranting for about 4min she stopped and went off in her own yard chanting halleluya. It was so bad! The man we were teaching just shook his head at her and told us sorry. Havent seen her since, but we are definately going back to the investigators house. One weak lady like that cant even shake something that is built upon a "Rock."

September 30, 2008

2008-10-12T09:45:00.001-07:00

Well guess what, Im still here in Chacabuco and my companion and I are really excited for this transfer. We recieved a few councils from the President on how to help our area. We put them to use yesterday, and found 9 new investigators in 1 day! It was so sweet and we are both really excited. Lots of miracles were seen. We recieved a reference from the missionaries in a different city. The reference lived so far out, about a 45 min. walk, but we went anyways. After finally finding the house we rang the door bell and this lady came out. She said that she was the sister of the reference and that her sister was sick in bed. We said we would come back in the week when she was feeling better and she said that she would tell her sister that we came by. Well as we were walking away from the house we started to turn the street corner and heard ¨wait.¨ It was the lady waiving to us and we came back. She said that her sister was getting out of bed and wanted to tack to us. We went back and taught a great lesson with both of the sisters. They both want to come to general conference this week. Its in another city but they have a car, so we are really excited. Then this other guy stopped us in the street and said that he had listened to the missionaries a long time ago and reads the Book of Mormon every day. Then he told us that he wanted an american flag. It was kinda wierd, but I told him I actually have one in the apartment. Well we went to his house last night with the flag. His whole family wants to get baptized and all know that the church is true. He asked me how much I wanted for the flag and I said that I wanted an asado...barbecue. So we are going to have a bbq friday night with his family. Pretty good trade! Well we are excited once again and know that the Lord is blessing us a ton. I hope that Ben is doing a lot better. I guess we just have to see the Law part of it all. The baptismal interview went great. It was a girl that is 15 and her sister that is 10. They were both a little nervous and excited. I started it sort of fun with them to let them feel comfortable with me. They got baptized sat. night I heard. The pinewood derby sounds sweet. Im sure that someone will do something retarded buy cool. I wish the we would have done that. Well have a good week. Love you.

September 23rd, 2008

2008-10-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

I'm still here in Chacabuco because this is the last week of the transfer. We have interviews tomorrow with President Benton, and transfers end on Sunday so Im not sure yet. I think I will be staying though but am not sure. Well Im a little bumbed because the baptisms we had planned fell through. My district leader helped me realize that even with all our effort, people still have their own free agency. Then he told me about transfers during his mission where they worked so hard and still didnt baptize anyone. Oh well the work goes forward and yesterday we found 4 new investigators that are really good. Well I saw one guy this week that saw the fight. He told me that the guy I fought was his uncle and that he just got out of prison...5 years. He told me that he fought everyday in prison for 5 years straight...he was still weak weak anyways. Nothing other than that though has happend. When my leaders call me to get the numbers for the week they always ask me for the number of fights too. Im doing good though. Elder Alvarez too. We are going out with a member tonight to do visits, he is 20 yr old and is preparing for his mission so it should be cool. Well sounds like you guys have just had a crazy week. Ive been waiting all week to hear what all happend. After all that I hope that Ben is alright. So what are the police going to do? Obviously he got a ticket or something, and without a title on the car or anything? So whats happening with that part of it all? I was glad to hear of all the support he had though from all the friends and family friends. Thats cool that Wikoli passed his eagle board of review, just in the nick of time too. Im glad to hear that. Well dad Im doing good and am growing a ton. Friday Im going to Junin, about an hour away, to do a baptismal interview. Since we are in the country, the zone leaders are not able to come out and do it, so they asked me to do it. Im really excited for it too. There are a couple things that I have to study/memorize. Dad I know that this work is the work of the Lord, he has his own ways, and loves to bless us. Love you.

September 16th, 2008

2008-10-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

Well this was a very crazy week. On Thursday we had a Family home evening set up with this missionaries family, and with his nonmember girlfriend. He recently left from here to go serve in Bolivia...so she obviously has interest in the church. Well in route to the family home evening, my companion and I were walking on one of the main streets in Chacabuco. While we were walking, I saw a man (about 30yr, 6´2, 200) arguing with his girlfriend while they were riding their bikes. I told my companion to "watch this" and right then the man through a bag of food he was carrying right at his girlfriend. We crossed the street quickly to get a better look of what was going to happen. While we were crossing the street the man jumped off his bike and pushed his girlfriend off her bike. Then he started to punch her in the face and she fell to the street. (Thats when my tie came off) I threw my books and tie down in the street and ran at the man. He was still hitting his girlfriend when I got to him and then we started going at it. I hit him a few times and he hit me a few times, but luckily none of his connected. I gave him a low leg kick after that and then tried to pull his girlfriend away from him. She wouldnt let me and kept trying to argue with him. Well he came back at me and we went at it again. Then he backed off and cussed at me and then spit at me. (The whole time I had a huge smile on my face) and I think he realized that he wasnt doing anything to me. So he took off on his bike and we had someone give us their cell phone so we could call the police. I tried to comfort the women a little bit and she told me thank you. I walked back over to my books and tie, which my companion was guarding the whole time because someone was trying to take them. I put my tie back on casually and we walked off. There were like 50 people watching and no one jumped in to do anything. Well we walked off to our appointment and the police stopped us in the street. They wrote down my name and saw that I was from the United States. They told me thankyou and said that I did the right thing. IT WAS BY FAR THE BEST THING THAT HAS HAPPEND!!! HAHAHA. I never thought that I would have the "priviledge" of doing that in the mission. Well after that the family home evening went really well. Dana the girlfriend of the missionary wants to get baptized, so hopefully the offices wont transfer me out for what happend. I called the offices that night and they said I did the right thing, but to try and not get into things like that, for the image. Well a few people stopped us last week in the street and asked if it was us who protected that lady. We said yes and they said, wow what a boxer you are. Hhahaha. Then one lady told me that I almost killed the guy. " Casi lo mataste" What a week. Then in Church we didnt have 1 of our investigators there. We were so disappointed and were wondering why no one had come. Then we found out why. At the end of sacrament meeting, Pres. Falcon allowed Marcelo, the crazy guy, to come up to the pulpit and ask forgiveness. Well he got up there and said some of the worst things you could say in Sacrament meeting. It was terrible and all the members were like what the? So I feel that God didnt allow any of the investigators in the church, because if they had heard what he said they wouldnt come back. The Lord has his own ways. Well Pres. Falcon felt really bad for letting him up there during the sacrament meeting, we all know that Marcelo is still crazy. Well that is what happend this week. We are doing really good and searching for new people and trying to protect the innocent...hahah. Love you dad.

August 26, 2008

2008-08-31T07:55:00.001-07:00

My first week went really well with Elder Alvarez. We didnt get back till Wednesday so we had to really work hard from wednesday on to make up for the lost days. We found a number of new investigators and have been working with the members a lot. We have 3 baptismal dates as of right now and Im really hoping that they will come to church this next week. The dates of for the 20th of Sept. and the 27th of Sept. One is for this couple that is married and about 65 years old. We´ve been teaching them for about 2 months. The other is for this lady named Carmen. She was a street contact and the first lesson was so good that we decided to challenge her right then. She accepted and we are excited for her to progress and come to church this next sunday. I stepped up a lot and really started to challenge people more. Im trying to become more of a ¨challenging and testifying¨ missionary. More than just only teaching the lessons and waiting to challenge the person. My new companion has been working hard and only needs to get better on his workouts in the morning...usually this includes 20 min. on the toilet, a little bowl of cereal, and ironing a shirt. We have a little weight set so Ive been encouraging him to start using it. All of the 30 min. that we have to workout I am just trying to murder myself a stay in shape. Well we are going to Buenos Aires and the temple next week so Im excited. The best part of being the Senior companion is being able to run things and do them the way I like. Before, a lot of times I just had to follow so Ive learned enough and am really enjoying it. Im glad to hear that TJ is preparing himself to go on the mission. Im loving the experiances that Im having, and of course its difficult at times. I love you mom and know that there is no better place I could be than here in argentina sharing this wonderful message, this is the only way that these people will ever have the chance to hear it. Love you mom.

Birthday Letter

2008-07-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom and Dad,Wow im an old man. 20. I got a cake and lunch and dinner. The Sanchez family organized a little party for me at night. It was so nice. I freaking forgot my camera today and apologize but I dont like to carry it much so it doesnt get stolen. Well all is well. We are having another baptism the 12th of april with this 18 year old girl who has been investigating the church for like a year. On sunday she came up to us and said what do I need to do to get baptised? I love when they do that. Well thanks for eating the large slab of beef to celebrate my birth. Im sure it was just wonderful. Well we ate ice cream and stuff and today is pday so we played tennis. It was fun. I got the video clips of alex and one of mom. They were funny and its wierd to see you guys on film. I showed my companion and he liked it. Well Ill be getting a new companion in 2 weeks, it will be pretty cool. I got a call from the mission president and his wife and they sang happy birthday. So did the other families who we ate dinner with so it was fun. We are searching for others and are teaching 2 families that have potential. We teach about 20 lessons a week. Dad your foot sounds like its still a little messed up but getting better. Sami looked so cute in her cowboy day pictures...tell her I love her and want to give her a big hug. Mom you scared me with the april fools, and I hope that dad still has a job...hahah. Everything is going well and Im going to buy a massive amount of ice cream in about 30 min. to shove down my face. Love you all and thank you for the scriptues. Working hard. Love Austin.

April 08, 2008

2008-07-24T20:31:00.001-07:00

Hey mom and dad,> > This week has been great. The conference was really good too. We took the 2 Sanchez boys to the priesthood session. Then we went to one on saturday and the morning on sunday. I really enjoyed the talks. So for the Priesthood and sat. session I got to watch in english with the other newer missionaries. The Priesthood session started at 9pm! Thats usually when we are back in the apartment planning. We took a taxi and then it ended at 11pm. We were so tired and then took a taxi home. After we dropped off the Sanchez boys the taxi decided that it wanted to break down. This is after we have passed about 10 groups of the night crowd...not good. We get out and the driver is trying to start his car...nope. So we help him try to push start it nope. Well we are standing there at 12pm in a shirt and tie, the only white people, with blonde hair and it sucks. Luckily no one came up and tried to do anything. The taxi driver called another to come get us and we got to bed about 12.30. It was a day. Then for the sunday morning session all the newer missionaries are in another room for english. Its all calm and nice, we are talking english, have the fan going, windows open and we are sitting in chairs listening. Then the stake pres. comes in and says we need to change this to spanish and put chairs in here because theres not enough room for all the people. They brought in about 50 chairs into a tiny room. Then they brought in 2 tables for the elders to sit on. What the crap? It got so hot in there and we were sitting on tables. The entire stake center was completely packed and every room and chair was used. 600 in total. It was still a good session though. That afternoon we decided to go out and work instead of stay in the hot church with hundreds of people. We ended up teaching 9 lessons in 1 afternoon. This was amazing we were extremely blessed. We are having another baptism this week...saturday 12th. Its an 18 year old girl Estephania, who has been investigating for a really long time. We are excited for her. Well this week I ate chicken brain...hmmm. It tasted horrible and Im sending pictures in the next email.

Hey mom,> Heres a quick note. Wow im surprised that Bro. Riquelmes sister is in merlo. Im in a cyber in merlo right now. I go to merlo every pday! And I knew that BOCA...was his team. Everyone here is obsessed with that team. Yea the shirt is like a childs 6 haha. I sent it to adrian and think that it is way to small for her. I feel kinda bad about sending it because of her emotions and all. Well the chicken brain tasted like crap. Yep just about like crap. It was gross. Well I hope that scott gets out of the mtc and into the field. About the email. I can get it from anyone that is family. Like aunt lisas letter and all is all good. But from friends and stuff I have to write them. Yea that sub sandwich costed 8 pesos...$2.30. It is nice.

July 22, 2008

2008-07-24T20:27:00.001-07:00

Hey mom,How did this last week go? How much longer are you going to stay at Grandmas? This last week was pretty good. We are teaching a number of investigators but no one has really stepped out that is ready for baptism. We are still waiting and looking. Also we are teaching a number of less actives. This last sunday it just happend to be the Sunday that the President, Relief Society President, and the Priest quorum President, and the music director didnt come. So NICE! My companion and I had to run everything. Including teaching the classes that we hadnt prepared for, giving talks, directing the music, and presiding over the meeting. So I dont want to hear that Bro. Matteson asked you to give a talk and you told him no. Hahaha. It was pretty crazy sunday though and went really well fortunately. By the way this week my companion and I cooked FAJITAS. It was the first time in 8 months that Ive eaten mexican food. We made homemade salsa and everything. I have not eaten anything spicey for 8 months either. The people here hate spicey food and dont eat anything close to mexican food. It turned out really good though. Well im doing good mom. Love you and all the family.

July 08, 2008

2008-07-24T20:24:00.000-07:00

Hey mom,This last week was pretty crazy. We finally got our new President. I was pretty sad to see President Ramos go as he was such a good example to me. Our new Pres. is President Benton and he is about 5´5. He doesnt speak a lick of Spanish either. Poor guy. He is trying so hard though and has a huge responsibility to lead the mission. We had our transfer meeting yesterday in Buenos Aires. We took the 3 1/2 hour bus ride in then we walked to the train station to go farther into the city. While we were walking up to the train station the train all of the sudden stopped really quickly and a big group of people all gathered around looking at someting...(Warning could contain graphic material) So we made our way to the front of the croud to see an old lady without a head. Yes an old lady without a head. The train wheel was stopped on her neck and she was just laying there on her back. It was pretty grouseome to say the least. It looked like she had tripped while waiting for the train and bam. It got her. It was so crazy and the cops and fireman where just kinda looking at her like everybody else and just scratching there heads. Then I saw an ambulance drive up and said to my comp. they´re not going to need that. So then we got on the train and spent the night at the offices. The next morning we had the transfer meeting and were able to meet the new President who is such a great guy. His wife too. Both my companion and I are staying in Chacabuco and this will be his last transfer in the mission. We really want to baptize some more people this transfer and are going to work had to achieve this goal.
One more thing...I played the closing hymn in Sacrament meeting. Yep telling the truth. Not a simplified hymn either. The real deal. Ive been practicing any time I have a chance and have 1 hymn good, 1 hymn pretty good, and 1 other that is coming. Also I play all of Fur Elise now and am learning one called Italian Song. Not to shabby huh? Hahaha

June 24, 2008

2008-07-24T20:21:00.000-07:00

Hey mom,The last couple days where really good. We had our baptism on Saturday and I got to baptized Vicente. All was well and I held him under just a little longer to make sure he was physically clean as well as spiritually. I had to help Dionisio the 81 year old get in and out of the font and he slipped going in and I almost got to be baptized again. Luckily we caught him and all was well. Both were confirmed Sunday at the meeting that I was conducting...hahah yea its true. We are helping this 11 year old Lucas a couple times a week with his English and his mom is a less active member, Im hoping that the rest of the family will get baptized because we teach church lessons along with english lessons. We also found a new lady named Pilar that really loves our message. She asked us why all NorthAmerican men are good looking and I said ¨I dont know why Im so beautiful.¨ Then she asked me if all women from Portugal where pretty. I said I dont know but im sure that some are pretty and some are not...then she said because Im from Portugal. Oh crap yea they are all pretty...hahahaha. Then we were walking in the street around town central and we heard some girls calling at us...like always, so we ignored them. Then one of them ran up to me and got me to stop. She said that one of her friends speaks english and wanted to talk to us so we stopped. Then this girl came up and started speaking english to us. She was a foreign exchange student from Canada. She asked us if we were going to the club that night. I said we dont dance and she said oh we can teach you. Oh great I thought just great, then I had to explain that we as missionaries have rules and cant dance and then she said well you can just come and dance and dont have to drink...apartently she knew the Mormons. Well we told her no and both walked away just saying dang it. Well Im doing good and so is my companion. Hahah we are staying away from the girls here.

June 19, 2008

2008-07-24T20:20:00.000-07:00

Hey mom,Well I didnt bring my camera because I dont have it anymore. Little Crackers!!! Well monday evening we came back to the apartment at about 9pm. We unlocked the front door and walked in and everything looked normal. Then we walked into our room and everything was thrown everywhere. Someone had broken in and gone through everything. My clothes, books, shoe polish, everything was thrown around. Then we started to look for what was missing. My nice digital camera, $30 that was mine, my alarm clock, our cell phone, my companions nice digital camera, and $250 that was his. The person had jumped our front fence and opened one of our little kitchen windows that is about 2ft tall and 5ft long. He had knocked everything off the counter climbing in and then gone straight to the room. Its to bad that our window was broken and couldnt even lock. That night we pulled screws out of the cabinets and just locked the window shut. We slept with big kitchen knives that night. Well the next day we took the bus with the little money we had 3 1/2 hours to the city. We didnt have any more money to go to the temple and the hotel that we were supposed to go to at 5pm...so we showed up and the mission office and said that we got robbed and couldnt go to the hotel. They were surprised to see us and gave us money, lunch, and a ride to the hotel next to the temple. Well the temple session was great, we had interviews for the last time with President Ramos, and then guess who I saw!!! Elder Michael McNeil!!! All the missionaries said that an Elder had been looking for me and was from the South mission. I started to ask around all the missionaries in the temple and then started to change in the changing room to start our session. Then an Elder walked up read my name tag and said do you know Elder McNeil...of course I do. Then I followed him into the changing room bathroom and there was Mikey McNeil fixing his hair. We looked at each other and just gave eachother huge hugs and were just awwed to see each other. We took a picture outside of the temple in front of the fountain...not with my camera by the way. It was so cool. He told me that he was flying out that night to go back home at 9pm. And it just happend that we were both in the temple that day. So crazy. I was so happy to see him because we had been writing each other and I wasnt sure if he had gotten my letter. You should call them, if they havent already called you, and get him to email you the picture. Well we are back in Chacabuco and didnt have time to email till today. Vicente and Dionisio are progressing well and will be baptized this Saturday. I loved to read about Bens story. That is so funny. And then I cant believe that he broke his car. I wrote him and email but am not sure if he got it. I got a pic from Bro. Kaaihue of Dad at Philmont with his short hair and pack on...what a stud dad is. I hope the lawn boys have not broken anything these last few days and that Mrs. Old hag, Hilsabeck, and cracker little white boy who wouldnt pay me that lives down the street are all doing well. Tell Adrian to write me too. I love you mom and hope that you and sammy are eating all the RR dougnuts and flamming hott cheetoes you can manage. I know that Jesus is the Christ and this is the best place I could possibly be right now. Love you mom.

June 10, 2008

2008-07-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom, Dad, and Adrian,This last week was a really good week and Im starting to get used to the ¨country¨ schedule. I mean all the traveling, studying after lunch and all. Here everything shuts down between 12pm and 4pm so we have to work a little differently. Every week we have to travel an hour there and back by bus to our meetings. Next week we are going to travel 3 hours to go to the temple, then we are going to stay in the church hotel rooms next to the temple that night, and have our zone conference and interviews with President the next day, then travel back 3 hours to our area. Its going to be pretty cool and crazy with all the traveling. Well the 2 men are progressing well and are still planned to be baptized for the 21st. I didnt tell you last week, but I gave my first talk here. I gave one in the MTC in spanish, but finally had to give one here. I talked about retencion in the church and it went well. I guess that the boys are gone now. They are going to have such a blast backpacking for the 10-12 days, and some ruff times too...hahahha.

June 3, 2008

2008-07-24T20:17:00.002-07:00

Hey mom,I am loving chacabuco. The branch had 28 people in it last sunday. We have a normal chapel and its nice. I sat up on the stand and the President asked me to introduce myself and share my testimony. There are a lot of good people in the branch. We sing without the piano and I knew I should have practiced the hymns at home...just like you said. Well the last song we sang was ¨Oh creations of our God and King,¨ unfortunately the director didnt recognize the song and asked if I could direct the music, since I put the song on the list. Well I got up there and started signing my name in cursive in the air to direct the music. I didnt realize that no one else knew the song either and I was in front of them singing a solo. As you know I sing like crap. I was sweating so bad and started to laugh half way through the song. After it was over I was drenched in sweat and it was about 50 degrees in the chapel. It was so weak. Well everyone said something about it after the meeting and that it was a hard song. Our President is President Falcon. He is about 5'4, same as dad, and has a strong testimony. He actually visits the members and finds people for us to teach. In my last area one of my friends in the mission told me how many times it says in the scriptures ¨ask and ye shall receive.¨ Well I said that I wanted to baptize in this area and this week we found a man named Vicente. He accepted our message and invitation to be baptized the 21st of this month along with another Grandpa of a member. It worked. Well Im having a good time here. My companion and I get along perfectly and Im gratefull that I was called here. Elder Woody has been out for about 21 months and is well experianced. Cant believe about what those little boys learned about mowing lawns but I hope they actually learned it. Im glad to hear that ben graduated, wow.Love you mom

April 29, 2008

2008-07-24T20:17:00.001-07:00

Hey mom,This last week went by pretty well. We taught a good number of lessons and found a couple new investigators. The families that we baptized are all doing really well but for some reason the Sanchez boys dont want to recieve the priesthood. We are going to work with them and the bishop is helping us also. They think having the priesthood is being a missionary all day. Yea I love Jesus the Christ and have about 30 pages left. Im on page 770 hahaha. It is sweet. I love the little bit of study time each day so I can arm myself before I enter into the streets. There are a lot of people that try to bash us...I feel so bad for them because they never succeed and these are people who have studied the bible for 20 years...its hard to beat the truth. I do hate to bible bash, but I love to [explain] with the scriptures. Well we are teaching 4 families that need to get married...crapo. It takes so much time to teach people who need to get married. We are also teaching this 22 year old hard core cop. He is trying to get into swat down here and its pretty crazy. Im going to take pictures with his gun and armour...hahahah. Yea. He really likes the elders. He also is not married but knows its true. Well that stinks about the lesson and not being able to find your thoughts. Its so true that you cant teach with the spirit. If I dont have the spirit I cant talk spainsh worth a dang and it makes things really hard, I always try to keep myself worthy of the Lords help. Well mom love you and Im going to write more in yours and dads email.

April 22, 2008

2008-07-24T20:11:00.000-07:00

I ate facturas today which are like doghnuts. I got one that is a churro filled with carmel. It was so good. Thats to bad that you dont get to go to hawaii. And im glad that ben is not a air traffic controller. Haha. I know he could do it but just has to set his mind to something. Everyone knows that he is so smart and just needs to get his act together. So how old is grandma turning? Ill tell her happy bday. The sanchez family and estefania are both doing great. The whole family always comes to church and she made the list for missionary lunches last week....the best calling in the church. They have lots of friends though and the kids go to mutual. Tell sammy to get her butt/ bum...sorry back on the bike. None of the hatch kids will do that...except alex who learned when he was 14. Well mom I love you so much. Im glad that I was raised by parents like you and dad who put me on the path. I lived off of your testimonies until I gained my own when I was 14. I prayed as I was preparing the sacrament early before church and I was the only one in the chapel. I kneeled down back in that corner of the church and asked god. I was completely overtaken and can not deny what I felt. Im not sure if I ever shared that story with you but there it is. Love you mom.

April 22, 2008

2008-07-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

Hey dad,This last week has been good. We are really trying to find people who want to be baptized. The couple we have been teaching is looking like they are not going to progress, but we are trying. We are teaching 2 women who want to be baptized but need to get married or kick out there boyfriends...great. It will take a long time for them so we are eagerly searching for others. Members help us a little bit. We have still not recieved one reference from members since Ive been in this area. But they will come out on visits with you. We had our first ward council meeting for 3 months. Hopefully things start moving. Well I do miss Elder Huff my trainer. He was a great elder and is from San Angelo. Hopefully I will get to see him after the mission. My new comp Elder Cooley is a good Elder also. He doesnt like to do contacts at all so this last week I was the one talking with everyone. He is good at teaching though and has new styles and examples that I can learn from.

March 3, 2008

2008-07-24T20:07:00.001-07:00

We have a family that has a baptismal date. The Sanchez family. There are 5 of them. Mom, 2 boys and 2 girls. Its pretty cool. She has been to every church in the world and has not found the truth until we talked to her. She had a dream about someone giving her a bible that was not from her church and she knew that she had to change her religion so shes been looking. The only one that she hasnt looked at yet was ours. We clapped her door sat. night because we heard people inside and she came out. We shared the first vision with her, gave her a pamphlet and invited her to read and pray. Then she told us her dream and said she was interested in hearing from the mormons. Up till then we had only said we were from the Church of Jesus Christ then we said oh thats us we are mormons. She was really taken back and came to church the next day with her whole family. The date is the 22nd of March...we were happy that we didnt get transfered.

March 18, 2008

2008-07-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

Hey mom here is my favorite breakfast of sweet breads, and also an easter egg I got.

February 04, 2008

2008-07-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

Hey mom,Yep im still alive and doing good. My feet are a little sore, and my face is sunburnt but all is well. So the neighborhood is called villa posse, but the city is mariana costa, its about 30 min. from merlo. My companion is great. He´s from texas too and has about 2 months left so hes pSome of the people are friendly and some are really mean, but we like to start with a little joke or something to lighten things up and then tell them we are missionaries and ect. It really makes you want to work hard when you realize what you are as a missionary. Our apartment is not anything in the states but here its nice. It actually has a floor! Many of the members homes are dirt. We have a swamp cooler in our room which feels so good during lunch and at night. Our shower is open in the bathroom and gets the toilet and sink wet when its on. Its great though to be able to sit on the toilet, shower and brush your teeth at the same time in the same place.! Nice!

We actually stand out a lot here. Every once in a while you will see blonde hair blue eye but its pretty rare. Most of the people are fairer skinned with dark hair and eyes. Its pretty funny to walk through the streets and everyone just stares...some times I just want to say ¨what are you looking at¨ but then I rememeber that no one speaks English...retty old in mission years. We work a lot and always seem to get home late from working a lot. Everyone has fences in the front and back but there are just stray dogs everywhere I guess. Even dogs eating other dead dogs...Nice! Most are nasty with skin diseases, but some of the people have little puppys that are nice. Well got kissed by an old grandma. We are supposed to hold out our hands but she just came in for the kill. It wouldnt have been so bad if she had teeth and her pee bucket wasnt on the ground...hahahahahaha. Love you mom.

December 27, 2007

2008-07-24T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hey mom, Merry couple days after Christmas. It was great here. Lots of good music renditions and we heard from Elder L. Tom Perry. Thanks for all the stuff you sent me. I had tons of candy on Christmas. We watch Mr. Kruegers Christmas and had lots of free time and stuff. We took a walk up to the temple and I just had fun being with my friends in the service. We got a good lunch and a sack dinner, haha. It was all good though. We had all the missionaries, 2000+ decked out with chimes. We all were lead and played carols with the chimes just like in primary. But with 2000 it was pretty crazy. So how did it go for you? What did everyone do? Love you mom