January 25, 2011 - VISA'S IN!!

HOWDY Family! Guess what: I got my travel plans today! I'm off to MEXICO!!!

 

Here's the plans. I leave tomorrow from the San Diego airport at 417PM and fly to Los Angeles, where I have a layover for about an hour and a half until I fly to Las Vegas. The mission there is picking me up (Elder Frame's old stomping grounds! : D) and taking me to the consulate there on Thursday, and I should be off to Monterrey on Friday the 28th is all goes well. I don't have any info past that for now. [I haven't asked President yet if I can talk to you all in the airport, but I'll ask him, and I should be able to. There's the times, just in case.]

 

SO HOW ABOUT THAT!! : O I'm doing well : D. I'm excited, though honestly not ready to leave yet. I was expecting to be leaving sometime last week (a few other Mexican elders, including my friend Elder Wright, left yesterday and today), and now I find myself leaving tomorrow! I joked about having just one day's notice before, and here I am : D.

 

So I guess today and tomorrow I'll be packin'. Conveniently, there's not a whole lot for me to collect, since our apartment is getting new carpet today. We had to move all our furniture off into the dining area and kitchen, and all my stuff is crammed in the corner. Shouldn't be too difficult! As for other plans today, there isn't much. Elder Jardine is Skyping his family today, because his sister's having a baby (he got permission from President Donaldson)! I probably will just go with whoever, perhaps to the mall or something. I'm not sure if I'll have much time to write a letter today, so I'll try to get most of it in the email. Sorry about that! We also have a few appointments tonight that I want to go to, but that's about it. The sad news is that there's a General Authority coming to visit San Diego on Thursday (an Elder Evans, I think; a member of the MissionaryBoard or something?), and I have to miss his tour! The good news is that I was able to be here for Mission President Interviews yesterday, my first ever! I'm really glad that I was able to do that before I left San Diego. I asked President Donaldson a few questions about my mission, like my patriarchal blessing and such. It was a really nice meeting, and one thing that really stuck out was that he said he appreciated the contribution I made to the San Diego mission, and that he wanted me to stay! That meant a lot to me, and I'm grateful for it. [Oh! The letters I RECEIVED today: Mom's from the 19th and Dad's from the 14th, plus one from Elder Snyder, one of my MTC companions!]

 

So what's else has been happening this past week? We had transfers on Wednesday; like I might have mentioned, no changes in my companionship, but new English companions and a few changes in the district. They seem like cool elders, though I didn't get to know them really well. Apparently there's also a new pilot program starting with some of the new missionaries, some kind of training where they don't teach any of the lessons in the MTC, instead just focusing on 8 Foundational Principles, like the missionary purpose and making commitments. It sounds exciting; the missionary office/organization/thing from Salt Lake is also coming down to FILM the training (I don't know if Sam remembers, but they filmed here before, demonstrating principles of Preach My Gospel and Teaching by the Spirit)! I don't have much to do with that, though.

 

I got to visit the mission home for the first time last week; it's really nice (built in the 70s, so lots of beautiful dark hardwood and stuff)! Several bedrooms for all the new missionaries : D. Elder Krasovec had to sign a few things to get permission to drive, so it was just a short visit. We also stopped by Chik-fil-a last week; very delicious! There's close to NONE here in SD, which is a surprise. Good stuff. I also had an interesting member meal too: barbacoa de chivo (barbacoa made of goat meat)! Actually quite tasty, though different from Chipotle barbacoa (it had red sauce).

 

We've been focusing a lot as a district on building up the ward, from helping the leaders fulfill their purpose, the ward mission plan, to meeting with a lot of less-actives and young adults. We hope to get more people to the Institute in Chula Vista! We also hope by building up the members, we can help them come closer to Christ, and have a greater desire to share the gospel with their friends. Member work is slow, but satisfying.

 

Whew! That's a lot. I guess I'll wrap up this super email. I've really started to build a great relationship with my companions, and it's sad that I have to leave. Elder Krasovec is a cool elder, who likes to joke around a lot and is a good balance for me. I've really liked Elder Jardine too! I really appreciate all he's done, though if I told him that he'd probably just wave it off : D. He's like that. I don't know if he'll want to keep in touch after the mission, but we'll see. He's a really cool guy! He keeps crackin' trunky jokes about his leaving on March 1st, but I guess I beat him to the chase : D! I'll miss San Diego for sure, and especially the people I've met here: Leticia, the Aguirres, the Guzmans, Abinadi (loves to go to raves; ever since I told him I DJed as a hobby, he keeps calling me "the DJ" or "dj haka" or whatever : D)... there's a lot. It's just a new stage, I guess! I wonder if I'll ever come back to visit! I'd kind of like to; I hope people would remember me. Oh well, that's a bit down the line.

 

SHEESH this email is super long! I have little to no idea what awaits me in Monterrey, but I'm super excited! I love you tons and tons, and I hope you all are doing SUPER back in the luverly homeland of Texas. Thanks again for your letters and everything, and I hope to talk to you soon!

 

<3,

Oliver!

January 18, 2011

Back by popular demand, the latest couple of emails from Elder Hatfield.  He's doing well, working hard in San Diego, still waiting for a visa (we heard that there are at least 200 missionaries like him waiting to get in to Mexico right now...)

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Buenos Dias, Familia! Sorry my email is a little late today; we've been pretty busy! I'll give you the down-low below.

 

Lunch at Schlotzsky's, then more whiffleball at Petco Park, then here! We don't have a whole lot more time this P-Day (sorry about that : ( ), since we still have to get groceries, but I'll try to get as much in the letter as I can. ALSO, I plan on sending my memory card home!! I hope you enjoy and it makes up for the short letter this week (maybe I need to cut down on the pics; I haven't been out for 6 months and I'm already done with 2!), I'll tell you my goings-on in this email, at least.

So transfers were today, and Elder Krasovec, Jardine, and I are still hanging strong in National City. Still no visa news, but we did have a couple changes in the district, with Elder Guenette and Harper leaving, plus Elder Custer and Madarang leaving from the apartment! I'm going to miss Elder Custer; he's a really cool missionary, and I've grown to like him a lot over the last 3 months. This is actually Elder Jardine's FINAL TRANSFER, which is super exciting! We hope to make the most of it. He says he gets "trunky" (thinking about home and non-missionary life) sometimes, but I know he's not looking forward to leaving. It'll be a great next few weeks.

Sheesh not much time left! Yesterday I got to try something wild: balut! We went to the going-away party for Elder Adams (an English elder who left for home today) at a Laotian member's home (she goes to the English ward), and we had egg-rolls and a kind of stew-curry stuff, then the balut. It's unhatched, cooked, duck, still in the shell. Crazy! I took some pictures so you can see (it actually tastes like chicken : P).

I've had some really good companionship studies the past week, about staying focused on the people, about the importance of good personal study, and true hope and what God thinks of you. They really helped me a lot! I wish I could go into more detail : (, but I don't have much time left.

 

Hey Sam, are you still doing Chuukese translating work? How's everyone been doing? School OK for Julia? When does Sam go back?

 

I love you all so so much, and I'm grateful for the chance to email you this week! Sorry again about the small correspondence; today has been quite busy. I still haven't heard about the visas yet; while I hope mine comes soon, I want to focus my needs here. Elder Custer told me something that really stuck out to me yesterday, that I came here for a reason, not just to learn, but that I've been an example too. That really meant a lot to me, and I'm very grateful that I came here.

 

I love you tons, and I've gotta wrap this up! Talk to you soon, and good luck with this next week! 

 

<3, Oliver!

January 11, 2011

Hello, Family! Today marks 5 months that I've been out on my mission, and also 3 months that I've been in National City/San Diego!! Pretty crazy, huh? Missionary life is still trucking along, and I'm doing pretty well. It sounds like another couple Mexican missionaries received their visas this week, so I guess they're starting to roll out! Still no word on mine though. I just need to stay patient, I guess (which can be kind of tough, but I can do it : D).

 

So what's been up? It's sunny and a little warmer today, though it's been chilly the past few nights. We've been on BIKE this past week, which is wild! I'll tell you more in my letter. Plans for today....not many right now; we'll see what we'll end up doing. I'm feeling a little hungry, but I've got a Chipotle salad in the fridge back home; score!

 

Whew! I'm not sure what else to mention. I know; I'll tell you about el Dia de los Reyes Magos! It's a Mexican tradition that a lot of members celebrate here in San Diego. It's held on January 6, which I guess is the traditional day when the 3 wise men came and visited the baby Jesus. Traditionally, Mexican kids don't receive gifts on Christmas, but on this day, which come from the 3 wise men : D. I think it's kind of cool, because you get to focus all of Christmas on the Savior and save all the Christmas shopping and craziness for a little later (when, fortunately, all of the prices have gone down ; D). I'd kind of like to try it when I come back from the mission! Apparently it's a big holiday in Mexico, with parades and parties and stuff on TV. The other cool part of el Dia de los Reyes Magos is the Rosca de Rey, which is almost exactly like a Mexican king cake! Have you all ever had king cake for Mardi Gras? It's just like that; a loop of cake (in this case, Mexican pan dulce studded with candied friut instead of frosted pastry) that has 2-3 plastic baby Jesuses hidden inside. For Mardi Gras king cake, if your piece has the baby Jesus in it, you get good luck, but for the Rosca de Rey, whoever gets Jesus has to make tamales for everyone on February 2 (which I assume is another special holiday)! Tough luck : D. Elder Jardine actually got the baby Jesus in his piece, except he doesn't know how to make tamales : D. Neat, huh?

 

I'd like to save the rest for my letter, so I'm going to sign off for now. I love you all very much, and I so love and appreciate all you do for me! Your support has been something I can always depend on, and I've needed that, so thank you. I hope you have a MARVELOUS week, and I'll talk to you soon!

 

Love,

Oliver

Tuesday October 19, 2010 (letter received October 22)

Buenos Dias Mi Familia!

Wow! I've been out in the field for a week!  I just sent you an email today with some info, so I hope that helps.  Behind me, my companions and district are b-ballin' it up but since my shorts are in the wash I'm writing letters to you!  Hooray!

Sheesh, I'm not sure where to begin.  I'll start with today, and see where I get from there.  I woke up at 4:00AM so we could go to a session at the San Diego Temple.  Elders Custer and Van Leer (my english speaking roommates [It seems that there are missionaries assigned to separately serve spanish and english speaking people in the San Diego mission]) and I went (we can only go once every 3 months and my companions already went.)  It is such a beautiful and amazing temple, I love its design and architecture, and definitely the Spirit there.  I really enjoyed going but as you might guess, I'm kind of tired.  After the temple, my companions and I wrote emails, did a little shopping and washed some dishes.  Living with 4 other college-aged men, the kitchen can get a little messy, so I was trying to cut down on our dirty dishes.  It's a little tough keeping things clean, but I'm trying for it, because having a clean home invites the Spirit.

Like I said before, I've got an airmattress, which is actually pretty nice, and no closet, but I've been fine just using my suitcases, and no one else seems to mind me having my luggage out.  Our apartment is a touch old, but good and gets the job done.  A lot of people here live in apartments, and after a while I'm kind of looking forward to living in one myself at some point!  Kind of fun.  National City is actually separate from San Diego (founded in 1881 or something) and I enjoy it!  Like I said, it's a bit poorer than where we live [Katy] but the people are wonderful.  I've really enjoyed getting to know the members here, and a lot of them help us out with missionary work!  A lot of people travel back and forth from Tijuana, which is pretty cool.  It's super nice too, how the members feed us occasionally!! It's quite delicious, and I get to try some new foods.  Unfortunately I over ate once or twice (had 2 meals back-to-back) but I just need to be grateful and do my best.  The Lord will take care of my needs.

I really like my companions.  Elder Jardine is from Canada and has been out for about a year and a half.  He has a cast (broke his hand on his bike) so we drive a car but it doesn't slow him down.  He's an awesome teacher and loves the people he teaches.  He's taught me a lot about being a missionary.  Actually the mission really works hard to build in us the ability to recognize people's needs and focus on purpose in everything we do.  I'm really grateful that I came here to get to learn so many important skills that I can take with me to Mexico!  I haven't been working on Spanish as much as I've been trying to master the principles behind these skills so I can apply them to my teaching, using what Espanol I learned in the MTC.  Actually I've been able to understand most every conversation I listen to (though it's easy to lose track when I'm tired or distracted) which I feel is the gift of interpretation of tongues, honestly!  Speaking is tough at times (nerves) bit I can communicate.  I need to work on that!  I'm so grateful though for the Spirit helping me with where I'm at already.

So, yeah, Elder Jardine is a greater teacher and trainer.  My other companion is Elder DeBaltzo, from Ohio.  He's been here 2 or 3 months, so he's just a little "older" than me, though he already has a lot of experience and helps me too.  He has great Spanish, so I rely on them to a good amount.  He's pretty similar to me, actually, in lots of things!  So he helps me out with beginner things and stuff like that.  I was blessed to come in on their hard work, and I hope over time I'll get to know them better and be able to work with them better.  They've tried to get to me know me, though, which I really appreciate.  And our district is really friendly.  It's not easy, but they make it a lot better than it could be.  Service and thinking about others is really important.

That's all the background I can think of for now.  The biggest thing this past week was the baptism of Maria Valdez.  She's really nice, in her 60's or so, and has an amazing testimony, mostly gained by herself.  A really nice baptism.  Apparently the mission has been having a lot of success lately; there were 3 others baptized with Maria.  We're still trying to find some more people to teach but that will come eventually.  Just have faith!

With all the work we've done with members, reaching them and visiting and asking for their help, I wonder how the elders in our (Katy) ward are doing?  Maybe you could invite them over!

I'm glad you are all well.  Wish Sam well for me!  And Julia - I hope school's going great for you!  And GOOD LUCK AT UIL AND AREA!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!



Love,
Oliver

PS Say Hi to Boris for me!

Behind the Scenes....

At the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.
Along with the letter we received this week from Oliver (more to follow on that,) we got a memory card of photos. Here are a few, including some behind the scenes looks at everyday life during the 2 months of intense language and gospel teaching training.

The laundry room is where the action is on "P-day" - letter writing and email

Dinner at one of the cafeterias - its all you can eat!

8-10 hours of study a day

Everyone is grouped into "districts" based on the language you are learning and which mission you are assigned to .  This is Oliver's district,  in P-day clothes (Oli's on the top bunk in white shirt.)

And now in usual clothes (Oliver is on the right in the red tie, looking relaxed.)

Oliver and his assigned companion in the MTC - Elder Reed - in their short haircuts.  Both are headed to Monterrey.

Oliver and Elder Reed pose in front of the Provo Temple, located across the street from the MTC. 

An unknown MTC buddy 

Tuesday October 19, 2010 (email)

HEY everyone! I just got through my first week in the field; wow! Crazy to think that it's been that long, but then again, not so much. A ton has happened in the past week, but the biggest thing is that I'm doing great. I've had a couple struggles, as everyone does, but I'm enjoying my time here and I want to continue working! : D
Let's see, about correspondence... I now have 2 available hours for emailing, so no problem there. I haven't had a chance to write yet today, and I think I'd prefer to keep writing you letters, just because it's more fun and physical (writing emails might actually be faster for me, but maybe not. We'll see). Here's some quick and fast info:

It looks like they only pick up letters from the mission office every Prep Day (Tuesday), so hopefully I'll be getting some mail from you later today.
My companions, like I said before, are Elder Jardine (a 1.5 yr missionary from Canada, with awesome teaching skillz; also the district leader) and Elder DeBaltzo (a 4 month missionary from Ohio with great Spanish and fun to be around)!
I get to write emails every Preparation Day (Tuesday), as well as write letters when I get the chance. My companions apparently like to email at 10 am on P-days (12 your time).
I have to buy my own food and laundry stuff, but I receive funds from the mission for that, and we've actually had several member meals this week!
I've been pretty busy, so I've haven't written in my journal in the past few days. Yikes! Need to get on that!
I don't know of much else to write here, besides that I might send some stuff home when I get a chance (like I mentioned, I think); I'll let you know when I do.

I'm glad to hear you're all doing well, besides Dad's headache; glad to hear you're better! GOOD LUCK JULIA AT UIL!!! I'm super excited for you and hope you go All the Way to STATE! : D And that's fun that Sam gets to come down! How are you doing at A&M, Sam? Did I tell you that ELDER ROSS LITTLE from the CS University Ward is a Zone Leader in my ward?? Cool beans, huh?
Cali is great stuff. It's been cloudy/overcast for the past few days, but the temp is perfect! I caught myself wishing I could go to D-land this morning; I guess it's just that CA atmosphere : D. I'm looking forward to an opportunity for some In-n-Out soon, I hope!

I'll tell ya'll more in my letter, if that's all right. I love you all TONS and BUNCHES and BUNDLES! You mean so much to me, and I've enjoyed even sharing pictures of you with my investigators! I hope and pray things are going well for you! Tell Grandma Tobler and Grandma and Grandpa Hatfield that I love them too! I look forward to receiving your letters, and I'll talk to you soon.

XoxO,
Oli!

October 7, 2010 - CALIFORNIA!!!

HOWDY everyone!! How are you all? I received some exciting news yesterday:

I'm being temporarily reassigned to the CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO mission, leaving this coming Tuesday!!!

I'm really excited, mostly because I know when and where I'm actually leaving :D I haven't recevied my flight plans yet, but I'll let you all know as soon as I can.

Quick info. Mission address in CA: Name, (mission), 7404 Armstrong Place, San Diego, CA 92111-4912. For later on, Mexico pouch is Name, Mission, POB 30150, SLC UT 84130-0150, and the office is Cerralvo #134, Col. Libertad, 67130 Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

I also received the package from Amazon yesterday [CD player and plug in speaker]; THANK YOU so much! I'm really excited to listen to all those CDs once I get to Cali. It's a bummer though, because the speaker doesn't fit into the CD player! I'll have to find something to use in CA, I guess. I really appreciate it, though!

Sadly, my watch is also starting to die. I replaced the battery about a month ago, and now it's slowed down a ton and occasionally ticks backwards. I guess I can wait until I get to California to buy a new watch; what do you think?

And Mom, thanks a ton for the band bag! I look forward to receiveing it. I've really enjoyed the banana bread you sent (and everyone else in my district sends their heartfelt thanks as well! : D), and I really appreciate you sending those things to me. I'm not sure what they'll do with the sweater, but I can ask at the mailroom and let you know later; I think they'll just forward it to me.

My companion is going to Anaheim, and the other two Mexican missionaries are going to Arcadia (just north of LA). I'm really excited too!

I got your letters from Sunday today! Thanks soo much; I love you all too and really appreciate your testimonies, prayers, and support.

And thank you so much for your love and support! I say along the lines of Elder Holland's talk last Saturday: THANK YOU SO MUCH for everything you do! I could not be here without you, and I am so grateful. I love you all so much! I'm so excited to be leaving soon, and I look forward to perhaps calling you in the airport!!!! : D


Love muchly,
OLI

PS Hey Mom! My fellow district member and friend Elder Phillips is apparently friends with the Owner of Duncan Donuts! He gave me a chocolate one, and it was delicious. I thought of you! : D (Hope you don't mind me telling you and not giving you one)

PSPS Dad! Thanks for the JK Rowling talk; it was really interesting and thought provoking. AND CONGRATS on your 81!! That's totally awesome!

PSPSPSPSPSPS OK! Look forward to perhaps another email later today and definitely a letter! Love you all bunches!