So many people have asked me how Aubrey is doing. My reply is usually something along the lines of "well, it's hard to know when you only hear from them once a week, but he seems to be doing okay."
On Friday I received an email from Aubrey's mission president, President Pimentel, who said this: "We were with your son, Elder Hatch, again yesterday. ... He looks good. He is happy. He has a wonderful companion. He is doing well. It was a delight to see him again. "
And this brought peace to my mind and heart.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Blessed
I attended a wedding at the Oquirrh Mountain temple yesterday. I was a bit afraid of my (emotional) reaction and warned my friend ahead of time that it might just be a little too soon for me to attend a sealing. Her sweet advice was to just do whatever I needed to. Well, I needed to be there-- for her, for her daughter, and for me. Yes, it was Lauren's wedding and yes, it was Sharon's day to be mother of the bride, but I felt like I was the one who was especially blessed.
Blessed because I was reminded by the sealer of two very important pieces of advice--"Follow the Brethren" and "Return to the temple often." Blessed because I was reminded of the wonderful Plan our Father has for us. Blessed because I felt the love of my friends surround me. Blessed because I, like Lauren, was sealed to my husband for time and all eternity.
Blessed because I was reminded by the sealer of two very important pieces of advice--"Follow the Brethren" and "Return to the temple often." Blessed because I was reminded of the wonderful Plan our Father has for us. Blessed because I felt the love of my friends surround me. Blessed because I, like Lauren, was sealed to my husband for time and all eternity.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Missionaries Are Amazing
Letter written by Elder Aubrey Hatch, read by Carson at Gary's funeral.
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Hello friends and family. I would first like to express gratitude for all the support I have felt here from you at home over the past week. It has been good in helping me through this difficult time. I would also like to express gratitude for my dad. As I've been thinking about things the past few days, I've become truly thankful for all the time he spent with me and the time we spent together as a family. I am thankful that he took the time to be with us, doing whatever it was that we were doing. I loved doing things with him whether it was working on merit badges, framing the basement, driving to early morning jazz band, going on campouts, having him help me with English papers, or just talking with him. I have so many wonderful memories of us being together, that I can't list them all.
He is also one the greatest examples in my life. I looked up to him because of his intelligence, his humor, his support for me, his obedience to the commandments, his testimony, his love for me and my family, and for many other reasons. I am so grateful for him in my life.
I love my dad, and I am going to miss him. But I want also want to bear testimony that Heavenly Father loves us and that he has a plan for us. I know that through the atonement, Christ has loosed the bands of death. Christ also suffered for our "pains and afflictions of every kind." When we come closer to God and Christ through prayer and scripture study, we will receive this comfort for our pains and afflictions. I love my family and I know that my family, and everyone's family, can be together forever. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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Elder Aubrey Hatch, Elder Mortensen, Elder Schutze (of the Quorum of the 70), President Pimentel, Brother Gabler
President & Sister Pimentel traveled from Berlin to Bernburg to be with Aubrey & his companion the day of Gary's funeral. They took the missionaries to dinner at an Italian restaurant and shared memories of their families. What a wonderful way to honor his dad by continuing to serve as he was called by the Lord--just as Gary always did.
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Hello friends and family. I would first like to express gratitude for all the support I have felt here from you at home over the past week. It has been good in helping me through this difficult time. I would also like to express gratitude for my dad. As I've been thinking about things the past few days, I've become truly thankful for all the time he spent with me and the time we spent together as a family. I am thankful that he took the time to be with us, doing whatever it was that we were doing. I loved doing things with him whether it was working on merit badges, framing the basement, driving to early morning jazz band, going on campouts, having him help me with English papers, or just talking with him. I have so many wonderful memories of us being together, that I can't list them all.
He is also one the greatest examples in my life. I looked up to him because of his intelligence, his humor, his support for me, his obedience to the commandments, his testimony, his love for me and my family, and for many other reasons. I am so grateful for him in my life.
I love my dad, and I am going to miss him. But I want also want to bear testimony that Heavenly Father loves us and that he has a plan for us. I know that through the atonement, Christ has loosed the bands of death. Christ also suffered for our "pains and afflictions of every kind." When we come closer to God and Christ through prayer and scripture study, we will receive this comfort for our pains and afflictions. I love my family and I know that my family, and everyone's family, can be together forever. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
-------------------------------------------------------
Elder Aubrey Hatch, Elder Mortensen, Elder Schutze (of the Quorum of the 70), President Pimentel, Brother GablerPresident & Sister Pimentel traveled from Berlin to Bernburg to be with Aubrey & his companion the day of Gary's funeral. They took the missionaries to dinner at an Italian restaurant and shared memories of their families. What a wonderful way to honor his dad by continuing to serve as he was called by the Lord--just as Gary always did.
Gary's Life Sketch
Basic structure written by David & Melissa Hatch and Geoff Hatch, "fleshed out" by me, and read at Gary's funeral by his sister, Deanna Trump.
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Gary Layne Hatch was born on September 15, 1964 in Salt Lake City, Utah to LaRelle J Hatch and Jacqueline Deanna Roberts. He grew up in South Jordan, Utah where he attended Westvale Elementary, Bingham Jr. High, and Bingham High School. In high school Gary was very involved in debate and was the state debate champion with his friend Craig Thulin. He was Senior Class President and a Sterling Scholar.
Gary earned the prestigious Kimball scholarship to BYU and began attending in the fall of 1982, where he met AnneMarie Henrichsen. They attended the BYU 13th Ward, had several classes together, and became friends. He was called to serve an LDS mission in Copenhagen, Denmark from October 1983-October 1985. He was a dedicated missionary and learned so much from those he worked with while in Denmark.
Gary and AnneMarie reconnected after his mission and quickly became close. They were sealed for time and eternity in the Mesa, Arizona temple on May 31, 1986.
After graduating from BYU in 1988, he received a Ph.D. from Arizona State University in 1992. He accepted a job as a Professor of English at BYU and has held several administrative positions there, including Composition Office Coordinator and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education. He was awarded the Alcuin Fellowship for contributions to General Education and the Karl G. Maeser Professorship for his teaching. Gary was also former committee chair and current chief reader for the national Advanced Placement English Language test. His textbook, Arguing in Communities, is in its third printing.
Preceded in death by his father, Gary is survived by his wife, AnneMarie, sons Aubrey and Carson, daughter Maren, his mother, and four siblings: Geoff, Deanna (Trump), David, and Bryan. Aubrey currently serves in the Berlin, Germany Mission for the LDS church.
As a member of the American Fork Hillcrest 4th Ward, Gary served in numerous callings, most of them involving scouting. He served as Varsity Scout Coach, 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric, Scoutmaster, Stake Young Men’s Counselor, Stake High Councilor, and most recently as the 11-year-old Scout Leader. Gary also served as Counselor and Bishop of the BYU 14th ward. A dedicated Scouter, he was an Eagle Scout, had recently earned his Woodbadge beads, attended the National Scout Jamboree in 2005 with his son Aubrey, and was planning to attend this year’s National Scout Jamboree as Assistant Scoutmaster with his son Carson. He was deeply devoted to the young men he worked with and had a great influence on them.
Gary enjoyed playing the piano and organ, camping, all types of literature, food, travel and spending time with his family.
Gary had great gifts for learning and teaching. He became a university professor because he wanted a life of learning and to help others improve their lives. He wore his scholarship lightly, however, and was beloved by all who knew him, from esteemed scholars to the most humble Boy Scout.
His is a rare soul. He was a husband, father, scholar, and Scouter. Through his teaching, church service, and scouting he influenced thousands of people. He was a devoted husband. He was both a father and friend to his children. His family and friends will sorely miss his kindness and quirky sense of humor.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Gary Layne Hatch was born on September 15, 1964 in Salt Lake City, Utah to LaRelle J Hatch and Jacqueline Deanna Roberts. He grew up in South Jordan, Utah where he attended Westvale Elementary, Bingham Jr. High, and Bingham High School. In high school Gary was very involved in debate and was the state debate champion with his friend Craig Thulin. He was Senior Class President and a Sterling Scholar.
Gary earned the prestigious Kimball scholarship to BYU and began attending in the fall of 1982, where he met AnneMarie Henrichsen. They attended the BYU 13th Ward, had several classes together, and became friends. He was called to serve an LDS mission in Copenhagen, Denmark from October 1983-October 1985. He was a dedicated missionary and learned so much from those he worked with while in Denmark.
Gary and AnneMarie reconnected after his mission and quickly became close. They were sealed for time and eternity in the Mesa, Arizona temple on May 31, 1986.
After graduating from BYU in 1988, he received a Ph.D. from Arizona State University in 1992. He accepted a job as a Professor of English at BYU and has held several administrative positions there, including Composition Office Coordinator and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education. He was awarded the Alcuin Fellowship for contributions to General Education and the Karl G. Maeser Professorship for his teaching. Gary was also former committee chair and current chief reader for the national Advanced Placement English Language test. His textbook, Arguing in Communities, is in its third printing.
Preceded in death by his father, Gary is survived by his wife, AnneMarie, sons Aubrey and Carson, daughter Maren, his mother, and four siblings: Geoff, Deanna (Trump), David, and Bryan. Aubrey currently serves in the Berlin, Germany Mission for the LDS church.
As a member of the American Fork Hillcrest 4th Ward, Gary served in numerous callings, most of them involving scouting. He served as Varsity Scout Coach, 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric, Scoutmaster, Stake Young Men’s Counselor, Stake High Councilor, and most recently as the 11-year-old Scout Leader. Gary also served as Counselor and Bishop of the BYU 14th ward. A dedicated Scouter, he was an Eagle Scout, had recently earned his Woodbadge beads, attended the National Scout Jamboree in 2005 with his son Aubrey, and was planning to attend this year’s National Scout Jamboree as Assistant Scoutmaster with his son Carson. He was deeply devoted to the young men he worked with and had a great influence on them.
Gary enjoyed playing the piano and organ, camping, all types of literature, food, travel and spending time with his family.
Gary had great gifts for learning and teaching. He became a university professor because he wanted a life of learning and to help others improve their lives. He wore his scholarship lightly, however, and was beloved by all who knew him, from esteemed scholars to the most humble Boy Scout.
His is a rare soul. He was a husband, father, scholar, and Scouter. Through his teaching, church service, and scouting he influenced thousands of people. He was a devoted husband. He was both a father and friend to his children. His family and friends will sorely miss his kindness and quirky sense of humor.
Friday, May 7, 2010
"I Have No Response to That"
It's a line from Joe vs. The Volcano--when Meg Ryan's character (s) didn't know what to say, this is what she said.
I don't know what to say ...
It's not because I'm in shock, although I still am, several days later. It's not because there haven't been literally hundreds of offers of love and help, because there have. It's not because I haven't been given the blessing of awesome family members-both immediate and extended, because I have.
...I think it's more like never in a million years did I expect this to be an answer to a question.
And I know that in the coming days, weeks, months, years I'm going to learn the true meaning of "thy will be done."
I don't know what to say ...
It's not because I'm in shock, although I still am, several days later. It's not because there haven't been literally hundreds of offers of love and help, because there have. It's not because I haven't been given the blessing of awesome family members-both immediate and extended, because I have.
...I think it's more like never in a million years did I expect this to be an answer to a question.
And I know that in the coming days, weeks, months, years I'm going to learn the true meaning of "thy will be done."
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