Emilee Hastings

I am 20 years old from Frisco, Texas and I’m in West Sacramento serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love having fun and driving with the windows down and music up and traveling the world and photographing it all! Just enjoying the small moments.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have two older sisters who are school teachers back in the Dallas and my brother is going to school up at BYU Idaho. My dad has his own medical office and is a family practice doctor while my mom is currently working on her PhD in family studies. I love each of them with my own heart and we have so much fun having family karaoke nights.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have worked at my college campus store which was so fun getting to meet so many other colleagues! BUT my favorite job has been my volunteer work to serve everyone around me and teach people about Jesus for 18 months. I have put everything aside for 18 months, my family, schooling, and work to help others!! Best. Job. Ever!

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love Whiteys!!!

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived here for 5 months!

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Deborah Sherrick! she is a CHP officer and has been in the military since she was 17. The coolest gal ever.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I want to travel to Spain because I love the architecture and food!!

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
One TV show that I recently found was The Chosen!! GOOD. STUFF. And my favorite movie is Les Miserables. It is a beautiful story about how we can start over.

Q: What advice would you give to people?
If there is anything I could tell everyone in west sac, it would be to not give up!! Life may seem crazy especially during these days, but God has a bigger plan for each and every one of us. Sometimes that plan includes hard times in our lives, but they help us grow and become stronger! There is always hope for a better day. Don’t give up!

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To go to Vanuatu and teach elementary school children English!! And to backpack through Europe with my brother after our missions!!

Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Does Frank Sinatra count?? I love that guy. I will listen to him any time of day.

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I love water and salt! They have THE YUMMIEST shaved ice and I am going to miss it so much when I leave 🙁

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would definitely have lunch with The Rock. He is such an inspiration. Cutie too. Though I’ve never been to The Barn, but we would go there for sure!!

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The thing I love most about West Sac is the river walk! Especially by the WEST sign. It is the best place to watch the sunset along with all of the lights from The Barn while looking over the river towards Sac with all of the city lights and the Ferris wheel. It’s my favorite place on earth!

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
GOOD QUESTION!! Hopefully finished up with school at BYU travelling around the country living in a revamped van and waking up in the mountains or by the beach with my best friend and dog :))

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I sing!! Secret is out. Alsooo I bake. I have the best recipe for chocolate chip cookies. in high school i sold cupcakes to raise money for my trips!

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Best place I’ve ever been?? Probably Thailand or the Dominican Republic or Spain! All for different reasons.

Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Best month is definitely October. It’s my birthday month so I might be a little bias but it has the perfect crisp weather and the leaves are falling and it is just so happy.

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I would rate the gas station Buc-ees 10/10. it is only in Texas and is the size of Walmart with so many fun treats native to Texas. Happiest place on earth.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Honestly, this sounds kind of cheesy, but Jesus Christ! He is the best example of everything I want to become. Charitable and kind and loving towards all.

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I love the smell of waking up to my dad’s homemade cinnamon rolls there is truly nothing better than that.

Q: What is one business you would like to have in West Sacramento? (which we don’t have one already)
Chick-fil-a needs to come to West Sac pronto!! Or just a cute little bakery that is aesthetically pleasing.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Mountains, pellet stove fire, and Blue Bell ice cream.