From Elder Hatch

In Carson's letter this week, he included an awesome experience he'd had, along with his feelings about it. Sure makes this mom's heart swell to hear how much he's learning and growing.

From Elder Hatch:
"So earlier today, we did something really cool! We went up to Mount Fébé and stood at the place where Elder Holland dedicated Cameroon for the preaching of the gospel. And I don't know how Elder Whitesides got it, but he read the dedicatory prayer that he gave while he was atop this large rock over looking Yaoundé. It was beautiful. It made me so proud to be able to be a part of those missionaries who are lucky enough to be able to preach the good word in Africa. 

Is it easy? No. 
Is it worth it? More than anything else. 
Is there stuff that gets in the way of the Lord's work? Oh yea. 
Do we power through it though? But of course!

It was quite a beautiful prayer and then we sang 'High on a Mountain Top.'  It was really cool to stand up on that rock, look out, and think to myself, 'Wow. The Lord has trusted all of this city to 10 young men. That's it... And I'm one of them.' It was really powerful."

Yaounde' Zone at Mt. Febe overlooking the city--
Elder Hatch is the tall dude on the left

So Grateful...

... for my knight in shining armor who rode up on his white horse and rescued me.

... for being able to marry my knight in shining armor 27 years ago today.

... for temple covenants and blessings that mean I am only separated from my knight for the rest of my earthly life.

... for my kids who make me so proud to be their mom.

... for friends who help me through the milestones like today.

... for inner strength I didn't know I had.

... for weaknesses to keep me humble.

... for a loving Heavenly Father who has a plan for me.

Three Years

Three years... how can that be? 

Three years since my world was turned upside down. 

Three years without my wonderful husband at my side. 

Three years of difficult situations faced alone.

Three years of single parenthood. 

Three years of wondering what's next.

Three years of amazing blessings.

Three years of comfort from both sides of the veil.

Three years of strength from deep inside myself.

Three years of knowing that God loves me and has a plan for me, even when I don't know what that plan is.

Funny Story from Elder Hatch

I didn't get this in my letter, but, thankfully, his sister is willing to let me read the letters he sends to her :)

So in Elder Hatch's words:
One day, the other Elders in my district left the apartment and they accidentally left the door open. After I noticed that, I said to my companion, "We gotta make sure we don't leave the door open. I wouldn't want some random African walking in." Not 30 minutes later, someone left the door open and I walk out into the main room and there's some African dude standing there with a propane tank on his head. We both stared at one another,  confused, and then after a bit I said, "Je pense que vous vous êtes trompé" (I think that you made a mistake) to which he replied, "Oui, je me suis trompé" (Yes, I was wrong) and hastily left. After that happened my companion said, "It's like you can see into the future or something..." 

Service is a Quality Thing

This week's letter from Elder Carson Hatch included the following excerpt:

(highlights added)

"So the highlight of this week was going out to the village to teach M. We went out to teach her at our usual time; 4 o'clock. But she wasn't there. Turns out, when we called her to confirm the appointment, she thought we said 1 o'clock. (They use the 24 hour clock here and the French word for thirteen and sixteen are rather close to one another. So it was an understandable mistake.) But anyway, some of the kids were there and they told us she was outworking in the field. So naturally, we wanted to go work in the field! We get out there, apologize for the miscommunication and offer to help! Today, they were harvesting manioc. Manioc is an African root that these people eat a lot of. Imagine a giant sweet potato that has a small, sapling sized tree growing from it. So we grabbed a couple of machetes and started hacking away at this. The little trees are about 6 feet tall, so I felt like I was Indiana Jones cutting my way through the jungle. After you cut the tree, you grab hold of the little bit of base you left and give it a huge pull! *pop* up comes the manioc. So we hacked away at these trees for 30 minutes while all the little kids ran around and help pull up the manioc. Then we hauled all the manioc about half a mile down the road back to their little house. So much fun. I love that family, the little kids are so cute... I'll send you pictures from it. But service is a quality thing! Always look for ways to serve others. Little things go a long way. We talked to her husband at church the next Sunday and he was telling us how much that helped her out. I guess she was pretty exhausted and was really glad to see us and have us help. So that's my little testimony this week."

He's only been a missionary for 3 months, but already I can see growth in this boy. He wasn't fond of service projects while in Scouting/YM, he often grumbled to me about them. He would go do them, but not very willingly. To read these words, "service is a quality thing" from this child brings great joy to my heart. My boy is turning into a man.

Catch the Wave!

In this morning's General Conference session, President Monson stated that as of April 4, 2013 there are 65,534 full-time missionaries serving, with over 20,000 who have received their call but haven't yet entered an MTC, and over 6,000 in the interview process with their bishop/stake president. I'm so happy to know people in each of these stages, and more who are preparing to get to these stages. The spirit of missionary work is strong and brings great blessings!

My missionary son--preparing for Zone Conference (he's the tall skinny one)

Easter--What a Glorious Day!

from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The First Presidency 2013 Easter Message:

Of all the tests we face, none hurts more than the death of a loved one. Through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ all are delivered from death and all will rise in the resurrection. And by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all may gain peace in this life, be washed clean from the sorrows of sin, and have hope of a glorious resurrection with the just.

At this Easter season we give our sure witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of all mankind. Because of His atoning sacrifice, He stands as our Advocate and Savior. Though He was crucified, He rose triumphant from the tomb to our everlasting blessing and benefit.

Thomas S. Monson

Henry B. Eyring

Dieter F. Uchtdorf