Hamilton New Zealand Temple

Tasman Sea

Tasman Sea

Entry to the Temple Grounds

                                          Our Zone: Pres & Sis Kezerian, Us, Elder & Sister Packett
                                          the Sister Missionaries and all the Elders

                                           Our Flat

Pukekura Park

                       Our District Elder Falanitama, Elder Strausser, Elder Lammi, Elder Robins,
                                  Elder Russon, Elder Cerros, Sister Hirschi, Elder Hirschi

                                         Elder Russon "Going Home Tomorrow!"

Mt. Taranaki

David Counselor in the Taranak District Presidency

"Forget Me Not"

David was called and sustained to be a counselor in the District Presidency before he even arrived in New Zealand. Went from Elder Hirschi to President Hirschi. His wife isn't sure what to call him. President is Harry Gaastra. A great man with a wonderful wife and family of 9 children. We are filled with speaking engagements for the next few weeks trying to introduce ourselves to the 4 branches in our District. It is the Taranaki District with branches in New Plymouth, Waitra, Howera, and Maniah. There are 6 Elders serving in this District with Dave and I. We are having a Zone Conference tomorrow in Palmerston North (a three 1/2 hour drive). Looking forward to the training we will receive there. It's rained every day we have been here, but it has also had sunshine every day. One of the Counselors in the Branch Presidency in New Plymouth said where we live is called "Ingle-mud" instead of Inglewood because of all the rain we get. Yesterday we had an incredible afternoon. We've seen lots of beautiful sights. Happy to be here and getting about the work we were sent to do.

Our first week in New Zealand

We arrived in New Zealand on October 12, 2011. We traveled from Auckland to Wellington.

It was a rainy day on our arrival and flights.

In Poirua

Island off the coast of Poirua, hidden under clouds.

A White Knuckle experience at first learning to drive left, keep left, think left, and breath left.

Swiss Highland Cow, the first I had ever seen.

A common sight. Sheep outnumber people in New Zealand.

Beautiful Garden Walks at Pukeiti near Mt. Egmont (Taranaki)

Elder Hirschi and President Harry Gaastra

Double Rainbow outside our kitchen window on our first Sunday Morning.

In the whole wide world of places couples are going to serve, gotta say we are thrilled to be going to New Zealand. Happy for all the couples that are willing to serve and meet the needs that are out there that only they can do. The MTC was an awesome experience, and we met so many couples that became great friends. This was the largest group of Senior Couples in the history of the MTC. It was fun to be a part of it.

MTC (Oct 3-7, 2011)

New dates : Fly out Monday, October 10th. Arriving Wednesday, October 12th 

in Beautiful New Zealand, Land of the Long White Cloud.

                 New Zealand Destination

Picture taken on our way home from the MTC. Beautiful winter view of the Y.

This morning early we got word that Elija Paul Hirschi was born, weighing in at 7 lb 11 oz in Fort Hood, Texas. Mom and baby are doing fine. Daddy is in Iraq doing long distance parenting and wishing he were there.  23 more days before MTC experience. Torn between wanting to be with new grand-baby and mission responsibilities. But we are moving forward.

Visas, Dr. Appointments, packing, sorting, storing.....

We are down to only 49 days for mission and get a call today saying we need more tests at the Doctor for our visas to go through. So, full speed ahead, and hope it doesn't cost too much. But everything else is coming together as we feel prepared with what we need to be able to go. Storage and organizing and packing is on the agenda. It is all coming together and feeling only anxious for the day to get here.