Missionary Moms

A few more pictures

2010-07-06T11:44:00.001-07:00

Picture of President and Sister Dalton

2010-07-05T17:43:00.001-07:00

New Pictures from recent Zone Conferences

2010-07-02T14:18:00.000-07:00

My son had some time in the office today so he sent some pictures of the most recent zone conference. I am sure you will recognize some of the missionaries. ENJOY

Some fun ideas that we have done during the mission.

2010-06-26T06:54:00.000-07:00

Some of these ideas I have stolen from other moms but they have worked really well.

On our son's birthday I bought 100 postcards. I prestamped and prelabeled them so they were easy for people to send to him. All they had to do was write their message and then drop them in the mail. He loved it. The extra postcards I just kept on my desk and would drop him a simple note occasionally. This is one I will do with my next son.

When our son was down to the six month mark we bought candy bars that had the number in the name. For example when he has six months left we sent him "sixlets." When he had 5 months left we sent him "take 5" candy bars. It think you get the idea. At this point in their mission they are looking to get rid of things. So he really doesn't want to accumulate anything new. This has been simple and fun.

We went our son a small frying pan early in his mission. He has told us countless times how much he has used it. It fits nicely in his suitcase so when he gets tranferred. But you would be amazed what they can cook in a frying pan.

If you are worried about something call the mission office. I have had several occasions where I was worried about a package or something else and the mission office couples were so helpful and kind. They want those of us at home to know all is well in the mission.

Don't be surprised if you son doesn't tell you everything about their experience. There are some things we just don't need to know until they get home. I am sure with it being so tropical there are lots of bugs, rodents, and other insects that I just don't need to know about. I will gladly hear those stories when he gets home.

Well enough for today. If there are any of you who want to continue with the blog you can contact me at hatch.batch@yahoo.com . Don't forget to look at the pictures below. Mahalo and Much Aloha.

President and Sister Peterson on Maui

2010-06-26T06:47:00.000-07:00

Inside a chapel on Maui that is a church history site.

The outside of the chapel on Maui.

President and Sister Peterson with Elder Hatch, Elder Medieros and Elder Fredrickson.

President and Sister Peterson with Elder Hatch and Elder Medieros

2010-04-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

A few pictures of the Laie Zone.

2010-02-20T16:17:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who have added to the blog. It has been fun to see the missionaries of Hawaii. It is an amazing mission with an incredible spirit. Our missionaries made Vision 100 for the months of November and December. What an accomplishment! They are all so dedicated and hard working. I know those of us at home are being blessed because of our sons and daughters willingness to sacrifice and serve. The "Aloha Spirit" is alive and well. Our children are doing the right thing at the right time in their lives. Much Aloha.
A gorgeous sunset in Laie.

Fun sister missionaries.

A typical missionary pad.

Picture of the Laie temple. Very creative Elders.

Missionaries helping make a Hawaiian food. I can't remember the name but they wrap it in leaves.

Missionaries in Laie bowling.

A Hawaiian sunset.

Moving missionary style.

A beautiful view of the ocean.

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Elder Michael Tominaga

2010-01-05T16:25:00.000-08:00

Just Some Random Pictures

2009-12-03T16:36:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures I thought I would share. ENJOY

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NEW PICS from Hawaii - find your missionary!

2009-10-24T13:36:00.001-07:00

Elder Cary Carr

2009-09-01T20:50:00.001-07:00

Pictures from Hawaii

2009-08-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

My son sent home his camera chip. I tried to put pictures on of as many missionaries that I could. I hope some of you recognize some of these missionaries.

2009-06-22T17:25:00.000-07:00

Elder Stats- Centerville, Utah

Elder Baxter- Orem, Utah--- he went to Timpanogos and grad in 07

Elder Kane- Makakilo, Hawaii

Miles Goodrich and Shem Greenleaf

who is the other one? See if you can tell?

L to R - member Shem? Greenleaf visiting from Kauai, Elder Miles Goodrich and Elder Kane (now newly called to Argentina-after serving 2 weeks Pearl)

2009-06-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

new Pics from Pearl City

2009-06-22T17:22:00.000-07:00

from last week - the elders in Pearl City -

News from Hawaii

2009-06-03T16:11:00.000-07:00

My son, Elder Zach Hatch, tells us of finding activities where the missionaries prepare food and invite people to come and eat. The last one they did they served rice and spam wrapped in seaweed. He said the natives love it. The members provide the missionaries with the supplies and then I guess they set up on a street corner or something and share the food. This provides them with an opportunity to meet people without it being threatening.

Hawaii is a great mission. The missionaries get to see so many things. My son has been out for 7 months and is on his 3rd island. He is really getting to know the culture there. He has been assigned to an all Tongan Ward. Only one problem with that...he doesn't know Tongan. I guess he will learn quickly. My thoughts are with him today as he is moving to a new island, getting a new comp, and starting a new language. It is comforting to know they are in the Lord's care.

Oh for those of you whose sons are on bicycle here is a hint they will love you for. The Elders get extremely rashy from riding a bike in that humidity. I found a product called Monkey Butt online that my son said was very helpful. He said there were days that he could barely get on his bike. It is kind of like baby powder. He said it did help though.

If any of you have a family blog I would love to know. That is how I keep my family up to date on Elder Hatch's experiences. I posted the link on the left side of this blog. Add your family blog if you have one.

Pass on the word about this blog so we have more families adding to the experience.
Thanks,
Mary Ann Hatch
mm Elder Zachary Hatch 10/08

NEW NEWS??? Transfers are this week!

2009-06-01T19:17:00.001-07:00

Exciting week for the missionaries. It's transfer week. When I talked to Miles on mothers day, he said that every 6 weeks, on Sunday night, they get a call to let them know if they are moving to a new area or not. That Sunday is exciting, nerve racking and all emotional.

He said, in Pearl City, where they are, near Pearl Harbor, it's mostly single family dwellings, but nearly everyone has a rental apartment somewhere in their home. Many people have dogs and they bark a lot at passer-byes (is that a word?)

He said that the area president had asked them to try to eat with an investigator or non-active member, so they might not be having dinner with as many active members as they used to have. Has anyone heard that?

In Pearl City 2nd ward, Miles said that one of the sisters does their laundry for them every week, they just have to drop it off to her and pick it up, and she folds everything for them. Just as a service! Isn't that great! What a great idea, then the Elders don't have to spend Pday time doing laundry and they can do other things. I was so happy to think of others taking care of my son!

Keep me updated and post pictures if you have them!

Helpful Hints for Families

2009-03-14T13:23:00.000-07:00

I copied Michol's list of things our missionaries should know. I also added a few of my observations. I hope it helps those who are preparing to serve.

Hi there - how about a list of Frequenty asked questions - or things you wish you would have known before your missionary went to Hawaii?

Here are some samples

Bike - Might need - buy one there if they do need one. (My son bought one when he needed it.)

Umbrella - will need one (although it does rain sideways)

Money - will have about $115 for groceries and toiletries per month

Ties - this current President, Peterson isn't extremely strict about ties and colors that I can tell (although the last zone conference they were talked to about their clothing: shoes, ties, ironing, belts, and general appearance)

What zones and districts and areas are there?

What do they eat? Rice almost every meal. They eat breakfast at home and lunch on their own, nearly every night a member family feeds them and some get sent home with leftovers.
Not too many weird things to eat, but some.

The members are every nationality, all asian nationalities, all pacific islanders also.

Shopping - just about anything can be bought there, except church publications, music and books.

Do they need checks? Occasionally they might write a check for something out of their own account. It is easiest to have a debit card. That way they can get cash when they need it.

Pdays - are Mondays - P-days they hike, play volleyball, fly kites, play sports, go to the zoo, etc. So they have fun. The Laie (Oahu) temple is closed for about 16 more months for renovations so the one temple in the islands is on Kona/Big Island of Kauai.

They don't need their temple clothing, just baptismal clothing. (I think)

Visitors - no friends, no family. Too distracting.

EMAILS - P-days are on Mondays in the field, they usually find an internet cafe and send Emails from there to family, but they can't email friends, just family, but they can RECEIVE emails from friends. There is a 30 minute "timeout" on their Emails, so they need to watch their times and even maybe send a paragraph or two at a time, Miles' email timed out like 3 or more times and I got not much, I was not happy! I think it only times them out in the MTC. In Hawaii they are encouraged to only be on for half hour but it depends on their comp. I would add to get their sign in information for their email and clean out the old emails. Print them off and make a book for them. I also can see who he is getting news from.

I send all mail and packages to the Mission home, not their home address, that is easier if they get moved, transfers are every 6 weeks, on Wednesdays.It is fun to find out where they live and look it up on Google map or Google Earth.

Calls - from airport Miles called me from the airport and we talked for about 45 mins, I sent a phone card with him so that was good, he used it in the airport.

They can call home on Mothers day and Christmas, Miles used the missionary cell phone, it was Sprint, so he just used his Sprint to sprint minutes, so his brother had a sprint phone -so that was great....

2009-03-05T09:54:00.000-08:00

Here is a quick slide show of things happening in Hawaii. Your missionary may be in one of the slides and you may recognize some of the apartments. Sorry some of the pictures came out blurry.

Mary Ann Hatch
MM Elder Zach Hatch Wahiawa, Oahu

Spring Storms In Utah

2009-03-05T09:43:00.000-08:00

This really doesn't have anything to do with our missionaries. It was just so beautiful this morning after a night of snowing that I wanted to share. The pictures give you a glimpse of how what we woke up to this morning. ENJOY :)

Mary Ann Hatch
MM Elder Zach Hatch Wahiawa, Oahu

I like this shirt, not sure where he got it

2009-03-03T09:16:00.000-08:00

to ZOOM in on a picture, click or double click it

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zoom in to look at picture closer, Makiki Zone Fall 2008

zone? picture, Makiki november? 2008

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Another group shot, Makiki area, Dec 2008

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Downtown Honolulu Makiki area November 2008 (I think) Miles Goodrich is third from left on middle row - are your sons here? Daughters?

2009-03-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

Not sure who this elder is? Anyone recognize him?

2009-03-03T07:19:00.000-08:00

Mission pictures that Elder Miles Goodrich sent home

2009-03-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

No more rental cars?!

2009-02-18T12:48:00.000-08:00

Hi Moms,
I got a kick out of our son's last email. Here's what he said... maybe your son will be going to this upcoming zone conference? Sounds like it's going to be huge.

"The 20th of Feb our zone is all going to be up in Waimea on the northern part of big island for a zone conference. Its MY turn again to conduct the meeting lol so thats going to be fun....I like that job, not terribly difficult and you can throw in a few jokes or thoughts pretty much whenever you want :) This last weekend was pretty crazy. President Peterson and his wife flew over to our stake conference and since ALL the rental car places were booked for the next 3 weeks!! (has never happened since ive been here lol) he had Elder Johnson and I cheuffer (idk how to spell it) him around town for the next two days. The (stake) conference was really really good. Our mission president is such a powerful speaker and has a great personality! the guy is pretty much amazing. On saturday there were a bunch of leadership training meetings and elder johnson and I went to those to see if theres any questions about the missionaries in the area or complaints lol (very few :) The whole training sessions on sat were all about the "15 name" plan or program that was introduced by Elder L. Tom Perry. There were a lot of great ?'s and it got everyone on the same page now:) Were excited to see where it all goes. How has that been in our ward in coquille? do you guys know anything about the "15 name" program thing?"

Any takers on the 15 name plan? I haven't heard of it in our hometown in Oregon. We are working on a program from our Eugene Stake Mission President though. Hope everyone is doing great!

Update from Makiki

2009-02-17T08:46:00.000-08:00

Hi there! Miles (Goodrich) my son is still in Makiki - Downtown Honolulu, he is in a 4 Elder apartment and loves it! He has been out since Sept 3rd, 2008 (entered MTC). They have three baptisms this month - he is with an Elder Stanger from Idaho! Any other moms out there?

Changes

2009-01-30T19:08:00.000-08:00

So did all of your sons get moved around as well? The last transfer was pretty big for my son, Elder Hatch. He got moved from Kauai to Oahu. He left Elder Vea to finish out his mission in Kaleheo. He will really miss the members he grew to love in the Kaleheo Zone. His new comp is Elder Neider. So if Elder Neider's mom is out there a big hello to you. They will only be comps for 6 weeks since Elder Neider goes hom in March. I am anxious to see how he does in his new area. He is in the Mililani Zone serving in the Wahiawa wards. If any of your missionaries served there clue me in as to what I can expect. I hope to hear from more of you and what is happening in the Hawaiian Mission. If you forgot how leave a comment and I will reply.
ALOHA

Elder Hatch and Elder Vea

2009-01-13T18:56:00.000-08:00

Two handsome Elders. Hey mom! What's up!

These are pictures of Elders Hatch and Vea on Christmas morning.

Pretty sweet!!!

Can you guess who is who?

Our email this week Zach told us they had zone conference on Kauai. He loves it when President Peterson comes to the island. He said the Pres. encouraged him to get all of his memorizing done. I don't know what they have to memorize but I guess he needs to work a little harder to get it done. He knows that transfers are coming up soon but hopes he can stay there for at least one more transfer. They had a baptism on Saturday which was Zach's first convert. He was so pumped about it. He has a few more investigators that he is working with.

The families in the wards in Hawaii are so incredible. I don't know what we as moms would do without knowing that our missionaries are being fed by those wonderful people. Zach tells me that when they find out how much money the Elders get each month they stock them up on food. I wish I could pay them back some how. I guess I will just have to do the same for the missionaries serving in my area.

Life is great when Mondays roll around.

Mary Ann Hatch

mm Elder Zach Hatch

Elder John Muntifering

2009-01-10T23:59:00.000-08:00

This is Kevin and John, twins called to South Korea. This photo was taken after church their last last Sunday before heading off to the MTC Jan 2007. They were both called to South Korea, different missions. Circumstances changed for John and he came home for medical treatments and was blessed to be able to get back out and finish his mission. He was reassigned to Hawaii and is so greatful to be able to be serving the Lord!

Elder John Muntifering

2009-01-10T23:21:00.001-08:00

This is Elder John Muntifering.
We had a wonderful phone call at Christmastime, as I'm sure you all did too! He was serving on the big island in Kona. His companion was Elder Johnson from Dallas Texas at that time. He has been having a wonderful mission and many adventures. He said there are many good families in his area and they are a big help to the missionary efforts in Hawaii. He has come across people from many cultures while in Hawaii, such as Tongan, Phillipean, even some Koreans. He has a soft spot for Koreans because he started out serving in the Buson South Korean mission. John was reassigned to serve in Hawaii after serving in South Korea for three months. He is so greatful to be able to finish his mission in Hawaii and has come to know the Lord has a purpose for him there. John is our 4th child to serve a mission. His twin brother is serving in the Korea Seoul West mission, his oldest brother served in the Portugal Lisbon South Mission 2001-2003 and his older sister served her mission in Madrid Spain. He has an 18 year old younger brother. We live in the Coquille Oregon ward and love the Southern Oregon Coast and it's mild climate. This is Elder Wood with John. He was one of John's first companions in Hawaii. John has served on Maui in the Hana area, and the Wailuku area. He has served on Oahu in the Waipahu area near Pearl City. He's been on the big island in Kona for quite a while. He said that he has sent I think three companions home so far. He is currently a Zone Leader, not sure what zone, I'll have to find that out! John will be finished serving in Hawaii in April sometime. We love reading his email and supporting him on his mission. Fun to have this blog! Thank you to Mary Ann Hatch. I'll have fun reading the posts. We haven't gotten photos from John for several months, but we have a lot from his first year there in Hawaii.
Best wishes to all you missionary moms of Hawaii! Aloha

Elder Brayden Christensen

2009-01-05T17:40:00.000-08:00

Elders Brayden (L) and Nathan (R) Christensen
They are twins and Nathan is serving in Chile, Santiago East Mission.
They entered the MTC the same day March 7 2007

2009-01-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

Aloha Sisters!
I must say this is my first attempt at "blogging". Many of my nieces do this, but I haven't attempted it yet. My high school daughters just basically do the "facebook" thing, so blogging is new to me. My son, Elder Christensen is a zone leader with Elder Ngatuvai in Koneohe, Oahu. This is his second time in Koneohe. It was his first area. He LOVES it there and serving with Elder Ngutavai! But, honestly, where hasn't he LOVED??!! He went from Koneohe, to Kauai, back to Oahu (Makiki) and then to Maui. He only has about 9 weeks left, so he's pretty sure he's where he'll finish out. He doesn't even want to talk about coming home. I know his heart is going to break into a million pieces when it comes that time. I've been wishing we could go and pick him up, but with a twin brother in Chile, the logisitics of getting two missionaries picked up at the same time became almost impossible. So, we'll enjoy the reunion here instead. I'll have to post more photos later, but for now I'm just posting the photo we had taken right before the boys left! It's fun to see your photos! I love being able to put faces with names! I look forward to this blog.... even is it is for a short time!

Miles and his trainer

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Miles and his trainer (first companion) Elder Nanukoa (sp) sorry if I got the name wrong!

Light sabers in the MTC

2009-01-05T09:41:00.000-08:00

When Miles was in the MTC he had a "photo shoot" with some other elders, they used miniature light sabers and took pics like they were full size sabers - boys!

Zone in MTC

2009-01-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

Here is Miles' zone in the MTC at the temple. Miles is third from the right, can you find your son?

Miles Goodrich in MTC with friends/elders

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Here is Miles Goodrich (left) at the MTC, sorry I am not sure of the names of his "buddies". I think they are in Hawaii now though.

Miles Goodrich

2009-01-05T09:34:00.000-08:00

We took Miles for a photo shoot before he left, here is one of those pictures.

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I have added this picture because this is my sister and her family that live in Kapaa Kauai, I think they are in the Kapaa 2nd ward. Her husband, Kevin Cram is in the Stake presidency on Kauau, there is only 1 stake on that island. Her kids that are still at home are Megan, Tyler, Joshua and Stephanie. Her daughter and son-in-law just moved to Las Vegas with the grandkids. My sister is Kathy (Weiser) Cram. Originally, she and Kevin are from Orem.

This will be FUN!

2009-01-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

I am excited for this blog - so we can share pics. I have a few from my son, Miles Goodrich, he is in Makiki, on Ouahu, he entered Mtc on Sept 3rd and has been in Makiki since Sept 24th. Here are some pics of his zone-guys. At the temple last month or so.

2009-01-04T19:31:00.000-08:00

Hello Ladies,

Welcome to the Hawaii Missionary Moms blog. This blog is for you share your stories, comments, ideas, concerns, pictures, or anything else you would like. I hope that we can get to know one another through this site. Please share this with other Hawaiian MM that you know. I am excited to hear from all of you and get to know you better. If you are new to blogging then ask one the young women in your ward for help. I am sure they would know how to help. I can also help if you need. You can add you missionaries picture to the side of the blog. Just click on the add a gadget and upload a picture of your missionary.

Elder Zachary Hatch is my son. He entered the MTC on October 15 and is currently serving in Kauai. The pictures he sends us are incredible. I added his picture to the left margin.I will blog more later.