Love!!!

Happy valentine's day everyone.

Don't hate. This is a great time to tell people you love that you love them!!! And a great time to eat chocolate. 

So this week, I continue to fall in love with Belize. And I continue to have ridiculous experiences. And I continue to work towards fluency in at least 3 languages. Spanish and Creole I have almost conquered. Creole is so much fun you guys. Just take English, throw grammar out the window, and make the words a little more exciting and you have Creole. 

But I want to share a few good times from the past week. One, I recently informed you all that I have a new blue bike. I learned this week that bikes can be hazardous to human health. For example, one day I was innocently and attentively riding my bike. I came to a small bridge and noted that there was a small puddle in the middle of the bridge. In my efforts to dodge the puddle, I panicked and rode off the bridge into a dark ditch. As I fell, I literally thought I was coming to the end of my life. I screamed--a strange scream. Turns out the ditch was not so deep as to kill me, and mostly I laughed at my own ineptitude in riding a bike. 

Someone pull out the bucket list because I crossed off a big one this week. My comp, Sis R, is an expert haggler here in Belize. After watching in awe as she haggled at a few stores, she agreed to teach me the art. I wanted a new pair of sunglasses, so we went to a stand. I picked up a pair of really fine knock-off ray bans. I say to the worker, 

 'how much for these?'

'10.' 

At this point, as directed by my teacher, I fastidiously study the glasses, releasing 0 facial expressions. I realize that I have to offer half of what he has suggested, but I am scared so I just study the glasses for another 2 minutes. No one needs to look at a pair of cheap glasses this long. Ever. But I am literally frozen with fear. finally...

 '.................................................................................brother. can you give them to me for 5?'

'no.'

And in an effort to regain composure...

'ok 6.'

'no. the glasses are 10.'

 I was finished. I left defeated and empty handed. But my wise comp urged that we try again. So I did, feeling a little more at ease for asking a lower price. And round two....SUCCESS. I purchased a 40 dollar bag for 30. after extensive haggling. Basically, haggling is the most fun thing in the world and I’m addicted and I will haggle for the rest of my life. Watch out major American corporations bc I will never buy anything at full price again. Here I come Walmart Target and Costco. imma half price ya. 

Also, if some of you back home didn't notice, my skin is whiter than new fallen snow. But I believe that I have 1/24th drop of Indian blood in me (mom can you back me up on that??)--and for that I can tan relatively well. But I misjudged my ability to tan this week and experienced my first full blown burn on the mission. I have attached pictures so that you can sympathize with me. #skincancer2046

 

So, an update about our dear friend J**. We have been teaching J** for a while. J** is an elderly gentleman and is very prepared to hear the gospel  message. He is super humble and super willing to pray about what we have taught him. He has started reading the Book of Mormon as well--which is absolutely crucial to anyone's conversion. The thing about J** is that the man can quite literally talk faheva. Presenting a small challenge in teaching him. But he is moving right along. When he came to church he basically started teaching the class about faith. Gotta love it.

 

AND. We had a baptism this week!! Yay!! A little girl named K**. Her mom is a less active member but has been returning to church. She realizes that she needs to set an example for her young daughter in this mixed up world. I agree with her whole heartedly. K**'s faith is amazing. Children are easily entreated, and I am learning why Christ taught that only those who are as little children will enter His kingdom. Kids are soooo humble and have so much faith. They are also eager to please God. I am so impressed with their desires to be good! 

 

Well, I love you all and I am so grateful for your support. We’re pluggin right along. I love the Book of Mormon with all my heart. It is so powerful. One girl we taught this week said that as she read it she felt something like a fire inside of her. Ummmm...GOLDEN ANSWER. Haha but it's too true! I love Lehi's words:

 

And it came to pass that I beheld a ^atree, whose ^bfruit was desirable to make one ^chappy.

 11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the ^afruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the ^bwhiteness that I had ever seen.

 

The gospel is that fruit! There is nothing sweeter than it. Remember who are...aka a child of God. Onward and upward ya'll. 

With Love, 

Sista Hirschi