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.