Bio of Joel Hatch

Family: Spouse: Christine Deakin Hatch. Children: Robert 21, Sarah, 17, Natalie 12 and Jonathan 6. Family: Robert is currently serving in the Texas, McAllen mission. His first president was Spencer Christensen, the younger brother of Steve Christensen who served with us in Costa Rica. He's loving it and is enjoying the Latino culture, with the benefits of the US Postal service. Our daughters are good students, working hard in young women's program, and have hearts in the right place. Our youngest just entered 1st grade, thinks reading and soccer are fun.

Church: Since returning, I've been in a wide breadth of callings. The best (next to full time mission) was stake mission. Great Spirit, with the opportunity to really affect lives. I've spent a lot of time with the young men, and am currently serving as assistant scoutmaster (what a cush job). This summer I got to hike down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (Havasupai) with the Ventures for a week. Jaw dropping beautiful. Tough job, but someone has gotta do it.

Education: Both Christine and I graduated from BYU--a student ward success story, she with an education degree and me with a master of public administration. That has opened up some doors for us.

Work: My work has been mostly in the public sector and right now, I'm working as a civilian budget analyst with the Air Force. Two of my previous jobs have involved using Spanish: in Paramount California I worked with the Mayor's office and was translator for his correspondence; Venezuela has a F-16 aircraft program, and I worked as an accountant for them at Hill AFB UT.

Hobbies: Some of my hobbies and interests include: Camping, hiking, skiing and biking. Living close to work makes it possible to bike in as long as the weather cooperates.

Community Service: Community interests have been mostly with scouts and schools--have served with community councils and PTA boards with three different schools. Have had a blast coaching soccer as well.

Comps: My companions included Elders Escobar, Gifford, Barlow, West, Stevens, Lanza, DeCamp, Seballos-Valle, Cruz, Harrison, Chapman, Smith, Stevens, Rollins, Gerber, Barton and Waldie.

Areas Served: Areas served were: Comayaguela, San Isidro del General, Tibas, San Pedro Sula, Desamparados, La Chorrera.

I feel like Elder Scott; my mission served as a spiritual foundation for everything that has been good in my life. I recommend it strongly to all of the young men I work with, but not sugar coat the reality that a mission is the toughest two years they'll ever love.