Sunny California? Nah it's raining
Maybe I'm feeling sentimental or maybe I'm just lazy, but this email will merely feature the lessons I learned this week.
1. Sacrifice brings blessings
The first time I was in the Spanish ward, I was pretty excited. It was something new and different and I was ready for tacos.
This time, however, I was not happy about it.
You see, in my pessimistic eyes, I had spent 7 months diligently studying French and Tahitian, but here I was in the Spanish ward for the second time, with no idea of if I would ever speak the languages I had studied.
In Spanish lessons, I am not able to teach like I usually do. Feelings of uselessness came easily I sat quietly in hours of lessons, only able to make an occasional comment that would then be translated into Spanish.
Sister Hatch needed to be humbled folks. 
I apologize for the mini-rant, but here is the lesson:
While frustrating, this week en Español has taught me that sacrifices- sacrifices of our talents, time, dignity, etc- bring us closer to God.
Learning French and Tahitian has been increasingly difficult throughout my mission, but I know that God has asked me to learn these languages so that I could learn to trust Him. I have learned to trust in His timing, His divine process, and in the knowledge that all things will work out. As I do what I have been asked- go to Spanish lessons and learn french- I am blessed with a stronger relationship with and trust in Heavenly Father.
These Spanish lessons have taught me that this work is not about me and my individual intellect or ability. It's definitely been a humbling lesson. It is not my work, but God's, yet I have the unique privilege of being able to witness it and be an instrument in God's hands.
When we sacrifice things FOR HIM, whether it is our pride or our time, we are blessed.
2. LIGHT and WARMTH
I will save you from the drama, but on Christmas Eve we showed up an hour and a half late to a dinner. We had spent the hour before teaching a lesson outside in the dark and rain, and cried on the way to the dinner.
Here we were: sad, cold, and wet. We walked into the home of this family and were met with LIGHT and WARMTH.
The family met us with kindness and hugs and welcomed us into their dining room, where their Christmas Eve dinner had sat untouched and growing cold as they patiently waited for us to come.
There was a stark contrast from the dark and dreary night to the warmth and light, both literal and figurative, of that home.
I am very grateful to that family who welcomed a trio of sad and tired missionaries that they didn't know into their home, happy to have us and not frustrated that we came late. I know that our kindness and love can bless others deeply.
Matthew 5:35-36, 40
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
3. And my last quick lesson is....
~drum roll for those still reading~
We can lift ourselves by lifting others.
In my moments of frustration this week, I found a lot of peace and joy by caroling.
I usually hate singing and would NEVER carol, but I went twice this week and had quite a bit of fun! The faces of those we caroled to lifted my spirits.
~also met an old man named Shorty who is maybe 4 feet tall and he has a long white beard. We caroled to him and he told us we were too cool for school... ultimate compliment.)~
~We taught Lorenzo in the rain and he splashed us with puddles and laughed at me when I had to stay out of the car to back the vehicle. He has no mercy~
Je vous aime beaucoup! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!
What did you do for Christmas?
Hermana Hatch
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