60th week in Japan
10/3/2016
断食と祈り (Fasting and Prayer)

Dear Family and Friends,

Recently we have received a new challenge from our mission President
that has really uplifted our mission. We all want to get to work and do
anything that we can to accomplish this new vision. President Welch
has received revelation that each companionship in the Japan Kobe
mission can see a baptism before the end of the year. We have been
thinking deeply about what we can do to achieve this new goal.

As missionaries we go out to serve our brothers and sisters every
day. We see them on the streets, we meet with them in their homes, we
see them at church, and many other places. They are all around us, and
they are all our family. Sometimes it feels like a big responsibility
has been put on your shoulders. So many of God's children do not even
know him. They don't know the plan that he has set out for them. In
the Pre Earth life we all lived together. God created a plan for us
and he determined the circumstances that each one of us would be born
into when we came to this Earth. I am willing to bet that as members of
this church we talked to our brothers and sisters in the life before
this about how we were going to find them. We promised them that we
would come to their aid.

Then God sent us to the Earth. We were separated and scattered across
the Earth. It is our duty to find those who we promised we would come
to help. Many days we get turned down. People often times close the
door on us before we even get the chance to tell them who we are, let
alone tell them the importance of the message that we bring to their
doorstep. These are members of our family! We love them. We will do
all that we can to help them, but often times even giving your best is
not enough to help people change.

This is the time when we think what we are doing is our best, but we
realize that we have to take it even a little bit farther. Today I
read in Alma chapter 6. This chapter is not that long, but it talks
about how Alma establishes the church in Zarahemla. Then the people
are commanded that "they should gather together to join in fasting and
mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew
not God." (Verse 6) I truly believe that in order to change the hearts
we have to give it every last ounce of energy that we have. I know
that the Lord wants us to serve with ALL of our heart, might, mind,
and strength. Through fasting and mighty prayer we can show God how
much we care for these people. We can strengthen our charity for the
people. We can begin to see these people as our Heavenly Father sees
them.

God is a God of miracles! He loves us. His work is moving forward. I
know that God is concerned for the salvation of every single soul that
he has created. He wants us to become like he is one day. Sometimes
life may seem hard, sometimes we may get rejected when trying to share
the gospel, sometimes temptation to take the easier path is strong,
but God has provided for us a way to overcome our trials. He has given
us a savior. Through our savior Jesus Christ we can do all things. He
loves us. I say these things in his sacred name, amen.

Ponderizing scripture: Alma 37:7. 

By the way this week is transfer
week and I got a call from my mission president that I would be headed
over to Fukuchiyama. I am going to be the zone leader and I have been
given the privilege to serve many other missionaries around me. I am
grateful for the calling that the Lord has given me and I will do my
best to achieve it.

Questions:

Do they have rec centers there in Japan like we have here?

1. I have seen a few different buildings that are similar to
recreation centers around here. They don't seem to have that many
though.

Any plans for your birthday? Do you think you will make Oreo cheesecake from the boxes we sent?

2. Yes, I will probably have to do that. I am not sure what else I
will do though. I am headed over to Fukuchiyama on Thursday so it will
be a lot different.

Do you know if they carve pumpkins there for Halloween? Do you think you will dress up again for Halloween this year?

3. I don't see many pumpkins here in Japan. I don't think they carve
pumpkins very much. I think we will probably dress up again. I am not
sure what we will do though.

What are some of your favorite members in Katsura?

4. I love Jyuou kyoudai. He is way awesome. He got back recently from
his mission in Fukuoka (I think). I really love all the members but
the YSA (youth) are extremely good in this ward. Shingo kyoudai our ward
mission leader is also pretty great.

Do you use the church videos on your ipad a lot for teaching?

5. We use them fairly frequently yes. It depends on who and what we
are teaching though.

 Do you have any advice for Logan on learning a new language?

6. That is a very good question. Don't get frustrated when it seems
hard at first. Develop a love for learning the language from the
beginning. Try to keep in mind how cool it is to learn a new language
and strive your hardest to learn it. I think that intently listening,
especially to native speakers helps the most. Also mimicking what they
say is good to help you learn quickly. Like with all things it takes
time.

I love you all. Have a great week!

Elder Hirschi
ハーシ長老

Fushimi Inari  1000 Tori Gates