Christmas December 25, 2014 We got to Skype with Kelton!!

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!!!!!

Two Christmas Miracles!! December 22,2014

Kelton and Elder Pace with Silvia and Jose Eduardo

The other guy is Silvias brother who came back to church after three years.

Family and Friends,

I am proud to tell you that we had quite the eventful week and that I actually have some decent stuff to tell you! Crazy week but we got a ton done and had a lot of success!

Well it all started off with two miracles. (Christmas miracles)

The first one{s name is Jose Eduardo. He is 61 years old and now he is me and my companions best friend. We found him in the steet about 3 weeks ago and he was a little bit strage but told us that he was interested in learning more about us. Well we visited him a few times and he turned out to be the best guy I have ever met. He did everything we asked him to and he studies the book of Mormon every day! We had the priviledge to baptize him yesterday. It was crazy how the Lord had prepared him to receive the gospel! 

The second miracle{s name is Silvia Rocio. Her name might sound familiar because I have talked about her before. We found her when I first came into my area about 3 months ago with Elder Ramirez. She was awesome, so ready to receive the gospel but she had problems with her family and they said that if she got baptized she would basically be kicked out of her family. Well she then told us to never come back to her house and we had to respect her decison. Well about 10 days ago we went to visit an inactive member who hadnt been to church in 3 years. He never lets us in his house but sometimes we talk for a couple minutes at his door. Well this day was different. As soon as he openned the door he invited us to come inside! He then went on to tell us that he has been thinking a lot about the church lately and that it was a coincidence that we came by today because he had been talking about the church with his sister basically all day. He told us that he wants to come back to church and that he wants us to visit his sister too! Well he gave us the name of his sister and where she lived. I think you all can put the pieces together that his sister is Silvia!!!! We went to go visit her and within 20 minutes she commited to be baptized!!! She got baptized yesterday and her brother came back to Church for the First time in 3 years! 

Its amazing to see the Lords hand in the work! The mission is great and I am enjoying every second of it! 

I love you all and want to wish you a Merry Christmas and invite you all to focus on all the blessings you have received and where they all came from! At times we get lost in all the presents, the food and the parties. They are all great things if we can celebrate them and always remember the person that made it all possible. Our Savior Jesus Christ! 

I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!

Elder Hirsch

Our Christmas Tree December 22, 2014

Dec 15

Elder Pace and I. We bought a christmas tree because it just didnt feel right without one. We decorated it with ties but you cant really see them in the pictures!

I want everyone to know that I am still alive but I am just too lazy to write a large email! I love and miss you all!

Your Friend In Mexico December 1, 2014

Friends and Family,
> 
> This past week here in Mexico went great. My spanish is improving and the people here are understanding me for the most part, and we are finding a lot of success here in Madereros.
> 
> My new companion/Child is Elder Pace from Toole Utah. He has 5 weeks in his mission today. He is a super hard worker and we are doing what we can do to find the people that are ready to receive us!
> 
> We had a miracle happen yesterday. My companion and I have been working really hard and we had goal to bring 3 people to church with us this week! We worked all week and found 5 people that told us they would come to church with us! We were excited because our hard work was paying off. Well when we went to go pick these people up on Sunday morning at there houses, the only one that was home was our Progressing investigator that we knew would be there. (Norma) We were pretty bummed out but we started walking to Church with Norma. We were a little early so she wanted to stop and but a drink at a little shop on the street. Well as we were waiting there Normas family drove by in her car and stopped to talk with us. I had met them one time a few weeks ago so I knew who they were. Well I told them we were headed to church and that we wanted them to come! They said yes and we all headed to the church. We ended up having 4 investigators in church, and they all loved it! They are a great family and we are working hard to get them to keep learning more about the church!
> 
> Every week I am learning more and more about the love that the Savior has for each and every one of us and that he is aware of our situations. Its not easy but if we can learn to put our trust in the Lord he will always provide a way. 
> 
> I love you all so much and hope you have a wonderful week! 
> 
> Elder Hirsch

I Broke A Mission Record!! November 24, 2014

Family and friends,

I have officially had 4 companions in the last two weeks! Lets just say the last couple of weeks have been a little bit slower than the rest of the mission has been! haha I guess I am just bad luck with the companions! I belive I am the first one to do that but I am not 100 percent positive! 

The work here is Mexico is going well. The people here are great, and they really appreciate life. It is amazing to see that there are so many people that have so little, but at the same time they have so much. This week is Thanksgiving so I think it is important to focus on the things we have and not on the things that we wish we had.

There is always going to be someone that has more than you, or something that you wish you had that you dont, but really its not the temporal things that should matter. This week, even though thanksgiving doesnt exist here I have been focusing on the things that I have and the blessings that I have received. 

The area I am in right now is great. We havent had a lot of success here, but there are tons of people here that are amazing. Our attitude has a lot to do with the people we are. I can focus myself on the fact that we dont really have anybody that is ready to be baptized, or I can focus on the blessing that I have to talk with more people that need to here the gospel in the street.

It all depends on our point of view. Life is hard, and it isnt supposed to be easy, but if we focus ourselves and what we have and the millions of blessings that we have received from our Father in Heaven, I promise you all that you will find yourself happier. Its good to work hard and strive to be better, but its also good to recognize the small victories!

The work has been hard, and right now I am training a new Elder, (Elder Pace) and we are both working hard to learn the Language! I feel comfortable speaking spanish now, and now I just have to work on my accent because I am still pretty Gringo! They say with time it will come but I am not sure if I will ever drop my gringo accent!

I want to thank you all for your love, support, and Prayers! I love you all and hope you have a phenomenal week. Eat a lot and focus on your Blessings! 

Elder Hirsch

November 17, 2014

 Our Zone

 What a handsome Missionary

Keltons blistered foot

Kelton and Elder Cazier

November 3,2014

Friends and family,

Everything here in Mexico is going well and I am working harder and harder every day. I love you all and hope everything is going well at home.

We havent had a ton of success in my area, but I am working harder than I have ever worked in my life, and doing my best to change the lives of the people we find and teach.

This week I have learned that we are never alone in this world. At times we may feel like we have nobody there and that we have to face our problems on our own.

I want you all to know that I have a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ. I know that it is the Lords Church and that I am here for a reason. I know that the Lord is there for us always and is watching over us every single step of our entire lives. Sometimes we feel that he isnt there, but its only because we arent recognizing the blessings that we are receiving every single day. I know that through the power of prayer we can receive blessings and comfort. This life isnt easy, but when we put our problems in the hands of the Lord we can conquer anything. 

We are always receiving blessings we just need to open our eyes and realize that there is good in everything. 

Elder Hirsch

November 3, 2014

We Found A Mircle!! October 13, 2014

Family and Friends,

I dont have a lot of time to write today, but I wanted to make sure all of you know that I love you and thank you for your love and support that you have given me. Missionary work is hard, but it's a lot easier when you know there are at least 4 or 5 people that are supporting you back home!

This week we found a miracle, that I am hoping remains a miracle. We were trying to find a street, so we asked a lady that was walking. She pointed us in the right direction but feared we wouldnt find it so she walked with us! We started talking to her a little bit and set up a time for a lesson. It turned out to be awesome! She is extrememly receptive, and she came with us to church. She is one of those people that you are looking for and that the Lord has prepared for us!

I am working hard and doing my best to do the Lords work!

If anyone is wondering about the language. I can understand a lot and I am getting better every day. The only problem I have is that I am not the same hilarious, and obnoxious kid that I am in English which is kind of a bummer. I am working on it and trying to make the Mexicans laugh, but for the most part all I get is dirty looks! I am hoping I can trasfer my personality over into spanish sometime soon!

I dont have any awesome stories, or motivational quotes to energize you for the next week and I apologize for that. Have a decent week!

Elder Hirsch

Pictures October 13, 2014

A view of our area in the city

Me and Elder Ramirez cleaning up 3 inches of water throughout our whole apartment

Our Zone

Guess Who Still Can't Speak Spanish? October 6, 2014

Family and Friends,

I have learned a lot this week, and very little of this learning has been the language! I am starting to realize that the language will come eventually and that I just need to relax and trust that the lord will bless me in times of need! Life is still hard, but the mission was never supposed to be easy as I shared last week. I hope I haven't been negative in my emails, because I am really grateful for this opportunity I have to serve the Lord and pay back just a little sliver of the blessings I have received in my life!

This week was conference as you all know and we learned a ton. A lot of the talks had a common theme and that was Prophets and personal testimony. Missionary work is all about inviting and helping people develop a personal testimony and enter into the path of eternal life through baptism. It is impossible to share and invite others to do something without our own personal testimony. I have rededicated myself and am doing my best to grow my personal testimony every day. I invite you all to do the same through scripture study, pondering and personal prayer. This is what the Church is all about. PERSONAL TESTIMONY.

I know that this Church is true, and know that you can know the same through these basic steps. I know this is the Lords work, and that I was called by a prophet of God to go help the people of Mexico! I love you all and thank you for your prayers in my behalf. 

On a more funny note. So yesterday it rained really hard, and we got a call at about 8 o'clock and our neighbor said that he thinks our house is flooded a little bit. We weren't too worried because it happened the night before and it wasn't a big deal. We got home at about 9 o'clock and walked down the stairs to our appartment and we had 3 inches of water in our entire appartment! haha it was quite the experience cleaning it up for 2 hours but all is good now!! I couldnt help but laugh and know that I was being punished for all the times I told my Mother how easy cleaning the house was, and how keeping the house clean wasn't a big deal. It's a little harder than it looks! 

I am learning lessons every day and happy for the opportunity I have to be here in Mexico! I miss you all but I dont want to see you for a long time!

have a great week!

Elder Hirsch

Another week for Elder Hirsch September 29, 2014

Family and others that want to waste a little time to hear from an old pal,

First of all, I love you all, and I didnt even realize how much I love you until I cant see you anymore. I guess distance really does make the heart grow fonder!

WE had another 4 baptisms this week! I am really grateful that I got sent to a country where there are a lot of baptisms this work would be a ton harder if there wasnt a reward every few weeks!! We baptized a family of 4, and even though I arrived in this area after they had received a majority of their teaching it is still amazing to see a family make a decision to change their lives forever. In one year from now they can enter the temple and be sealed for eternity! Its such an amazing blessing that so many of us take for granted.

We work so hard every day to make more money or focus on things outside of our families, when in reality, after this life our family is the only thing that is going to matter. You get to think a lot in the mission, and I am so grateful for the amazing family and friends that I have been blessed with that have helped me get to where I am today!

The mission isnt easy, but the words of Elder Holland come to my head everytime I start feeling down! ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE EASY. SALVATION WAS NEVER EASY! He is the guy that keeps me motivated! We have an amazing oportunity to hear from the prophets and apostles this weekend and I encourage you all to realize the blessings that we have been given! WE HAVE A LIVING PROPHET TO GUIDE US THROUGH THIS CRAZY WORLD. Its a bigger blessing than I ever realized before! Prepare to hear the messages, and prepare questions before and I promise that they will be answered!

I dont have any more time to write, or any cool stories! I love you all, and you are all part of my family. I am so grateful for all of you and the blessing that you have been in my life. Always stay postive even when its hard. (This is a little hipocritical, but I am working on it so give me a break!) have a great week, and play a round of golf for me before it snows!

Elder Hirsch

Baptized this family

Kelton Gets transfered September 15, 2014

Family and Friends,

You did not get taken off the email list, but nothing here has happened so it wasn't worth wasting my email time to write about my emotions! haha I still love all of you just not quite as much as I love my Family!

Well this week I have some things to tell you! I had my first baptism! His name is Miguel Perez and he is my pal. He got baptized Tuesday. I wasn't a huge part of teaching him, but we are pals, and he wanted me to baptize him. He helped me practice my Spanish a lot!

Then we had another miracle a couple weeks ago. We were walking down the street and this little goofy mexican guy stopped us and said he wanted us to come to his house the next day! So we went and visited him and it turns out he had already been to church twice in the past. (Which means he only has to come two more times in order to qualify for baptism) Anyways we started teaching him a little slow, but he can't read or write and wasn't really understanding what we were teaching and we didn't think he would come to church, but we were wrong! He came to church, and then decided that he wanted to come to the baptism of Miguel Perez on Tuesday. Well during the baptism he felt the Spirit so strong that he wanted to be baptized that day! Unfortunately he hadn't been taught any of the lessons formally and had only been to church three times. He then set his mind on being able to be baptized Sunday. So Thursday we taught him litterally ALL, the lessons. He then had his interview Friday, and was baptized by my companion Sunday! Crazy how the Lord prepares people! So we ended up having two baptisms in my first transfer!

I did get trasfered out of El Oro:( which was kind of a bummer because it is a super cool pueblo! I am now serving in the city, with Elder Martinez who is from the Dominican Republic. He knows really good english so I think he is going to help me out a ton! We will see how it goes!

I love you all, and want to remind you that the Lord is always here for us. The only times we feel like we don't have the Holy Ghost with us are those times when we aren't listening! The Lord loves us so much, and wants us to be Happy! I love you all so much and miss you like crazy! I hope you have a wonderful week, and always remember if I dont write you an email its because nothing cool happened, not because I don't love you.

Elder Hirsch

Pictures from El Oro

 First baptism  Miguel Perez

 Hermanas in our district

 Me and Elder Salgado

 Elders in our Zone

 Arches of El Oro

Baptism of Jose Miguel

Pictures of El Oro

I understood a few things this week!!!! August 25, 2014

Our apartment

Our missionary zone

Family and Friends,

I understood a few things this week!!! 

First of all, on tuesday we had exchanges, and they thought it would be hilarious to put two new elders together for a day. We were so nervous. Then we started working and the people just magically understood what we were saying and we met all of our daily goals!! I was so pumped! It was a real testimony builder because I know that our spanish wasnt very good, but the Spirit helped the people understand what we were saying. Its such a huge comfort knowing that the Spirit is with us every single day out here. I learned more in one day, than I feel like I have my entire mission. Its very difficult to trust in the Lord, but when we do he will always bless us. 

Another quick story. We were visiting with a recent convert who we visit frequently and she is awesome. She is always welcoming us, and she is just a great person. She lives in a tiny house with her daughter and grandson. She started telling us a little bit about some of her stuggles, and I almost started crying. She is struggling to make ends meet, and they barely have anything. It makes me embarrassed for the way we live. We have so much, and we still want more all the time. I am just very humbled by the people here because they have nothing and yet they still find ways to have joy in their lives!

We have a baptism this next sunday, and we are hoping everything goes as planned. I am working hard and Spanish is still whooping my butt. (Sorry for the harsh missionary language) I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week. 

Elder Hirsch

First week in Mexico August 11, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

A lot has happened this week! I would love to tell you about it but I didn't understand anything that was happening because it was all in Spanish. We flew in on Monday night and spent the night in the mission home. Then had a little orientation thing in the morning and then met our companions and headed out to the mission field!

My new companion is Elder Salgado he is from Honduras and speaks worse English than I do Spanish. It is nearly impossible for us to communicate so I just end up following him around all day, and trying to understand a few words that the people say. Lets just say that Mexican Spanish is a thousand times faster than MTC Spanish! I am picking up more and more words everyday. Starting to understand people but talking is a different story.

The area I am serving in is El Oro. Its about as far west as my mission gets. It was terrible lugging around my 3 suitcases for 4 hours worth of bus rides. It is what they call a pueblo. El Oro is the main city then there are a bunch of little places around it where people live. We cover about 6 of these little towns around El Oro. We are on buses all the time and taking taxis, and of course a tonnnnn of walking. For your perspective it is like walking 54 holes a day at Promontory! It's nuts! But the walking doesn't bother me!

The apartment I live in is just about as gross as it gets. I feel uncomfortable all the time, but I am starting to get used to it. It's also freezing here. There is no such thing as heaters, and the apartment gets really cold because of the cement walls. It rains every day here. Rainy season is not a joke! For those who have yet to leave I highly recommend the Ecco boots, they have been treating me well!

Quick Story. So we were at this house and there was a woman manhandling a turkey next to a huge boiling pot of water. I thought that they were going to drop it in there live but they were just joking with me. Then they said they were going to kill it so I asked if I could do the honors. One of the children handed me a knife, and they held out the turkey like I was just supposed to chop it's head off. I was pumped! Then just as I was about to do it, everyone there started laughing. I was soo bummed. Its pretty popular here for the people to play jokes and make fun of the white kid that can't speak Spanish. They all think it is hilarious to say HOW ARE YOU in English!

Anyways, other than that story I had no idea what happened this week. Spanish still drives me crazy, but I will get it before its time to come home. I love and miss all of you. Have a great week, and remember to be an example to those around you, and don't forget to love everyone for no reason!

Arrived in Mexico Letter from Mission President's wife August 6, 2014

Dear Brother and Sister Hirsch,

President Whitehead and I want to let you know that your son, Elder Hirsch, has arrived in Mexico City and is working hard.

We are so thrilled to have your son in our mission. President Whitehead hand-picked top-notch elders and leaders in this mission to train this great generation of missionaries, whose arrival we have been excitedly anticipating for some time now.  We can tell already that they are going to be valiant, obedient, hard-working and  loving.

We fed your son dinner soon after he arrived, had a short devotional and sent him to bed in the basement apartment here at the mission home with the other elders. The next morning we fed him breakfast and then he was interviewed by President Whitehead.  Next he was briefed on the rules of the mission by the APs and  oriented by the office elders, the assistants to the president and me.  Afterwards he met his new trainer and companion that he will have for the next 6 weeks at least, Elder Salgado, a district leader in the mission.  We took pictures, fed him pizza and then he was whisked away with his companion by taxi to serve in his new destination of El Oro.

Thanks for raising this wonderful young man.  We love him already.

President and Hermana Whitehead

President and Sister Whitehead

Cute bunch of missionaries

Leaving for Mexico August 4, 2014

Braden surprised Kelton at the airport

Brotherly Love

Nate went with Braden to airport

A member on Keltons flight took this picture and sent it to us Moms!

The text said: " Looks like your boys are ready to serve!"

I'm going to Mexico July 31, 2014

Family and other decent people,

Had a great week here and time is moving way too fast for my liking. I wanted to get out of here pretty bad and just go to Mexico, but I don't know Spanish so I wouldn't be too upset if I had to stay here for a little while. It's crazy to think that on Monday I will be in another country, and on Tuesday I could be out proselyting. Let's just say it's going to be a little difficult trying to talk to people in Spanish, but I just have to pray that occasionally I will be able to understand what is happening during the lessons that I will teach! I am scared to death, but even if I can butcher a little bit of the gospel in Spanish, it is better than someone not learning about it at all!

This week I have learned a lot. The main thing I have learned is that everyone in this world has a story, and that you have no idea about the things that people have gone through. Most of us have it pretty good, but even those of us that have it good have had very difficult challenges in our lives. Life isn't easy, but through the gospel it can be made simple. Being an example and treating others with respect isn't just a gospel principle. It is a life principle. We all have an amazing ability to impact the lives of those around us, so be an example at all times. Treat others with respect, even if they don't want to treat you the same. Be nice and be the person that brightens up someone else's day! There is an awesome quote, but I have no idea who said it but it is something like this "You may forget the kind words you say today, but those words may be cherished by the recipient for a lifetime" 

I do not have any good stories from the MTC this week, basically because it is impossible to have good stories from the MTC because nothing cool ever happens! I ran into Elder May(Flower) today. It's always nice to see a familiar face. I also saw Elder Ophar which was awesome because I haven't seen him in like 7 years! He says he is doing great and he looked happy to be here! They will both be great missionaries!

I am excited to leave on Monday, but am a little bummed out because I have made some great friends in my district and in my zone here. I can't wait to get to Mexico and see what the next two years has in store for me! Please keep me in your thoughts as you pass by golf courses! I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Hirsch

Me and Elder Christensen being ourselves.  Mallet wanted in too.

One Month Mark July 24, 2014

Family and Friends and people who like to read my emails that don't particularly care for me,

Tomorrow will be my one month mark. As slow as the days feel in this place, the weeks just fly by. In 10 days I will be getting on a plane to start my 23 month journey in Mexico. It's pretty exciting besides the fact that I won't be able to understand anyone for the first little while. I can't wait to meet real investigators with real struggles and share the gospel with them. The MTC has turned out to be a great experience. As much as I wish I could leave I wish I had more time to keep learning more Spanish!

This week has been pretty busy, I have been teaching about three lessons a day, and we are doing pretty well. My companion is one of the coolest guys I know and acts just like my friends back home so we are having a blast! On monday we got to Skype a member in Mexico and share a small spiritual message. As we were teaching, her children were running around. As I was bearing my testimony I just hear this little boy bust up laughing. Yes, he was laughing at my Spanish, and yes he was only 7 years old. After that me and my companion couldn't stop laughing, so the rest of the lesson wasn't very spiritual, but it was hilarious! Mi espanol es no bueno, pero y se que el donde languas es real!

Sunday was an eventful day. Me and Elder Christensen had to teach district meeting, which is in English so it's not too big of a deal! then one thing we do for sacrament meeting here is that everyone is supposed to prepare a talk, and then they choose someone to speak, but they don't tell you who is speaking until right before you have to stand up so you pretty much have to come prepared every Sunday. Of course I was the Elder that was picked to speak, and gave my first talk in Spanish! Luckily I was prepared, and everything went well!

Sorry for the lame stories, there just isn't many exciting things that happen in the MTC. I want to write, and tell you something awesome that happened, but nothing awesome ever happens here!!!

Final thing for this week. You get a lot of time to study here, and during that study time I found out that the Book of Mormon is way cooler than I thought it was!!! I would encourage you to read it. There are pretty cool stories in there that can help build and strengthen your faith. I don't expect you to believe me, but I do expect you to read for yourself. El Libro de Mormon is Verdadero. yes, my two spanish sentences in this email are all I know. Have a great week, and keep thinking about me when you pass golf courses! Love you all, have a great week!

Elder Hirsch

I have survived the MTC in Camp 4, they didn't even make us 

shave our heads, and we got to keep our own clothes!

The Zone at the Temple

Life in the MTC is so much Better! Week three July 17, 2014

Family and Friends,

Life in the MTC is so much better! I still wish I was in Mexico, but the MTC isn't as much of a drag as it has been. I am learning to enjoy the experience instead of being a downer all the time. When I first arrived at the MTC I was pretty confident, humble, patient, loving and hard working. I thought I would be fine and it would be pretty easy for me. Let's just say I got an extra large slice of humble pie when I got here. I realized that it is easy to be kind, humble, and have charity in the real world because you can take time to yourself and get away from everything if you get frustrated. That's not how things work here. There are people everywhere, and if you don't have charity and patience your life is awful. You learn to love people with real intent, and you magically gain patience for the annoying things they do all day every day! I'm working on it every day and improving as well!

i got my visa this week,, so I should be headed to Mexico on schedule! I have no idea how I am going to be ready for it in two weeks, but I will just have to rely on the Lord to help me get through it!

Relying on the Lord is something that is required to be a good missionary. I have to work really hard at this. As most of you know I am an extremely independent and for the most part very logical, which makes it very difficult for me to put my trust in someone else (If you are ever wondering why I play golf there is your answer) Anyways, this past week i have really tried to put my trust in the Lord, it turns out that everything all of you and all my church leaders have been telling me my whole life is true! it's crazy how if you ask the Lord with a pure heart and real intent he will answer your prayers. I have seen it every day this week! The gift of tongues is Real!!!!! It's crazy, when we are teaching "Investigators" the things we have learned just magically come to you. We don't always make perfect sense, but the spirit is there and the investigator understands. I encourage all of you to just open your hearts and ask the Lord with real intent, and I promise that the Lord will bless you! Read Moroni 10:3-5 it is the best promise in the Book of Mormon! Read and Ponder the Book, then ask the father if it is true and it will be revealed to you through the Holy Ghost!

Things have been going pretty good here, we basically do the same things every day so there is not much to tell you about! We study and eat! that's about it! To all of those who haven't left yet, get in a habit to study for an hour at a time, it will help a lot when you get into the MTC!

My one spiritual thought for this week is to have charity(pure love of Christ) towards everyone. If you have true Charity to everyone around you, and you will find yourself much happier!

I love you all and miss you! There is one thing I need you all to do for me, and that is,, every time you drive past a golf course, I need you to think of me! Every little bit helps! Love you all! Have a great week!

Four other missionaries they room with

Kelton's awesome drawing of fellow missionary

Photobomb!

Good friends from home Elder Sam Perkins

and Elder Sam Tullis

Another week at the MTC down Week 2 July 10, 2014

Friends and Family,

Another week in the MTC down! I wont lie, this place is just hard work. I'm trying my best to keep a good attitude, but it's pretty hard when this language isn't happening for me as fast as I want it to. I am looking forward to the day when I know the language well enough to say the things I need to say to my investigators. I can't wait to get to Mexico! A lot of you are asking about the food, and I will just say that it is terrific until you have to eat it every single day for every meal. Haha it just gets a little old after a while.

A couple cool things happened this week. On the fourth of July they had a special devotional and let us watch the movie "17 Miracles" then go outside and watch the fireworks that were going on at the BYU football stadium. It was about as close as you can get to a party here at the MTC/CCM.

One of the districts in our zone left the MTC on Monday. The night before they left they wanted to get Priesthood blessings. This experience was awesome, everyone from our zone was in the classroom. It was an amazing experience to hear the blessings given by other missionaries. The coolest part about this was that one of the missionaries leaving (Elder Bowers), asked if I would be the one to give him a blessings. It was an amazing experience. Elder Bowers was one of the older elders that I really look up to, and I respect him a lot. The spirit in that room was indescribable! Absolutely Amazing!

One more awesome opportunity that we had this week was Elder Neil L Anderson coming to speak to us in the devotional on Tuesday. He gave a great talk on recognizing the spirit. The apostles just have a certain spirit to them that they just carry around consistently. It was a great opportunity to hear him speak.

The days here are beginning to move a lot faster and I'm sure it will be over in no time. I am doing my best to keep a good attitude and take advantage of the learning opportunity I have been given in the CCM. BE YOUR BEST EVERY DAY.

I love and miss you all and love to hear from you! 

Elder Hirsch

Seeing friends from home at the MTC

Elder Will Daines and Elder Ben Peterson

Kelton's missionary companion at the MTC

Elder Christensen from Richfield UT

More friends from home  Elder Parker Handley

and Elder Ben Peterson

Also Elder Sam Tullis from home