August 30, 2010

Elder Hatch had a busy day. He woke up at 2 am to leave the MTC. His district (7 missionaries) went to the Salt Lake City airport and left for Mexico! He called us at 4 am our time before his flight to Dallas. They had an almost 3 hour layover there so he called again. They left Dallas for Chihuahua and got there around 1:30 pm. So as far as we know...they got there ok!

Some of the things he told us:
*They would either get their companions when they got to the Mission Home or they might stay the night and get them Tuesday.
*The Mission Home is 75 miles away from the airport.
*His companions E. Moak & E. Smith are awesome!
*Do what your parents ask you to do without complaining...
*Things that were really important to him before 2 months ago are no longer that important...he realizes now what IS important!
*He loves his family and friends.
*His "travel leader" is the only one of the group that hasn't ever been on an airplane! And he had had bad dreams about their trip...true to young men fashion, the rest of the Elders sort of messed with him on the flight! It was nice teasing though!
*Thanks for all of the letters and packages he received in the MTC.
*There are 400 Elders waiting for visas to Mexico. The consolate is trying to catch up and so they are sending those who are scheduled to leave now out first then they will work on the other 400 visas. Elder Colten Houston is still waiting to get his visa...he's serving in the Utah, Ogden Mission right now.
*Keep sending emails and letters! He loves hearing from everyone!

It was so good to talk with E. Hatch. He's doing really well. He is so excited to get to Chihuahua and start working! He's not afraid and knows he will be fine. He said one of his leaders had talked to them a lot about what to expect when they get to the Mission...I'm sure it will still be an eye-opener! We are grateful for a son who is willing to serve and is so enthusiastic about it! We can't wait to get that first email and find out where he is, how he's doing, who is companion is, how the language is going, etc.! Please continue to pray for him!

P.S. E. Hatch has been scheduled to leave the MTC on 8.30.2010 ever since he got his call. It's amazing that he actually left on that date. A lot of the 400 Missionaries he mentioned have been placed in the Salt Lake City area/Ogden area Missions and there are still a lot in the MTC (I've heard the record is 17 weeks in the MTC...E. Hatch's companion (E. Young) that he had for 1 week in the MTC had been there 15 or so weeks!