11/30/2016
One week left

Hola mis amigos y familia!  ¿Como estan?  Only one week left and I´m going to Antofagasta Chile.  I can´t wait it's going to be amazing and I´m really excited to teach some real investigators even if my Spanish could be a little bit better haha.  I know that the spirit will help me and that if I serve obediently and with love, the Lord will do the rest.  My testimony has grown so strong since I've been out here, stronger than it ever has.  Last night we had a great devotional with one of the seventy and everyone in our district shared their testimonies after and I could just really feel the spirit so strong.  I just wish that the spirit would never go away and we could always feel this feeling of happiness and comfort.

    I have been really working hard this week on being diligent because I read Doctrine and Covenants 4:3 which reads, "Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day." Also I've been trying to serve people more because of another scripture that says, "when you are in the service of your fellow men you are only in the service of your God."  I can't remember exactly which scripture it is, but  I will serve the people with all my heart, might, mind and strength not only because I will stand blameless before God, but because I want to help them learn of this amazing gospel.  I hope that all of you will join with me and try to serve others more, especially during the holiday season. 

Which reminds me I hope you had a great thanks giving, I know that our district had an amazing one.  I won't be here for Christmas, but they already set up the lights and the nativity so it looks amazing. I'll have to take some pictures today to show you guys.  I know my Christmas will be awesome, and I hope you guys have a great Christmas too.   it's just weird, because I keep thinking of the song: I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, and then I think about where I'm going to be during Christmas.

    I have been blessed with an amazing family and friends and I'm aware of how amazing you all are in my life.  The great examples and the love and support that we all have for each other.  I guess it takes going away from you're family to realize how amazing they actually are in your life, so I just really wanted to express my gratitude for all of you and everything you have done for me.  It makes you realize how important this gospel is that we have, and how amazing it is that I get to go and share this profound message of joy and happiness to others who may not be as happy as they could.  I'm just so blessed to have all of you and I just wanted everyone of you to know that!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

  Love,

          Elder Hirschi

Answers:

 Any luck with your debit card?  Did you ask anyone about it?

1. I didn't get my debit card back, and from what I've heard they just destroy the ones that get stuck, but I'm going to try and ask the people when they come.  I've asked a lot of people, but the ATM people still haven't come so I'm going to see if I can catch them when they do.

Do you feel like you know the language well enough to head to Chile?

2. Haha nope!  I do know that if I try my best the Lord will help me with the rest.  Also I can usually say enough to get by here, but from what I've heard from everyone, the people from Chile speak waaaaay faster and more difficult than the people here.  Although I think the best way for me to learn will be just trying to speak as much as I can so I'm as ready as I think I should be!

What have been your favorite foods there at the MTC?  

3. Favorite foods huh... I think I like pizza Tuesday's the most, but sometimes they have some pretty good chicken and stuff.  I really like the desserts they have some cool different ice cream and brownies it pretty good.

Have they started preparing you for how you need to pack and what papers you will need for Chile?

4. Yeah we had the orientation video thing, and they told us this week we need to weigh our bags.  They told us what we need and gave us our passports and the cards we will use for our money.  The only worry I have is that I don't know if I have enough money to pay for my bags (which they said I am supposed to pay for and they will pay me back), so I'm going to ask someone today what I need to do.  

  What things will you miss the most about the MTC?

5. Definitely my district and my teachers I really like all the people that I have met here.  They have very strong testimonies and they've been an amazing example to me. 

Are all the missionaries excited to be heading to their missions soon?  How does your companion feel about it?  Will you trade ties with your district when you go?

6. Yeah we are all sick and tired of the CCM it feels like a quote, "spiritual prison." Also you're in the same classroom for what feels like a day and a half.  We all will miss each other, but we are all ready to head out and teach real investigators. My companion is just as ready as me, he keeps saying I will say, "Oh man I really wish I had Elder Butcher back, he was the best companion ever!"  There has been some tie trading, but I haven't traded any of mine yet, I'm going to see if I can trade with Elder Butcher before I go.

 Are there any senior couples there with you going to Antofagasta?

7. ... I have no idea. I haven't even seen a senior couple except the presidents and when we went to the temple (although those might have just been members going to the temple)

I used the Hershey's milk things to do this haha

P.S. sorry about the lack of pictures, but I don´t have my camera with me, and I only uploaded this one earlier haha