23 June 2008

Hey Fam-ly

How are ya doing---? How’s the fam--? Oh man, I just got your letter Mom, and oh man! Everyone seems to be doing soo good. My biggest sin right now is pride - for my family!!! Yeah!

No way! Willie stole home??? That’s so cool! I wish I could have done that! When I told everyone in the office (yeah, I brag about my family to everyone), one of the elders responded by saying “hey, that only happens in the Sandlot!” I think Bradford should remember that for the rest of his life so he could tell his kids! Haha. And setting the school record in the shot put is pretty cool too.

Hilary? You’re hittin the radio now? Man, that is amazing! Has anyone asked for your autograph? Are you going to hit the primetime now? Are you going to go pro? If so, will I be your manager? And if so, could I get like 10%? I think it would be best to keep it all in the family, if you know what I mean! :-D So, I was listening to Christmas music the other day (yes, I have already conceded to a little Christmas music every once in a while---), and I heard that song off of Forgotten Carols “I Cry the Day They Take the Tree Down,” and I got to thinking - Hilary should sing that! Just a thought--- P.S. It’s your turn to write a letter! :-D

As for Spencer ---WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU GET ORANGE AND PURPLE BANDS??? Haha, I’m glad you settled on “Royal Blue” and “Kelly Green,” whatever “Kelly Green” means--haha. I’m just kidding; you can get whatever colours you want! You know I can’t stop you---so go ahead! ☺ P.S. It’s your turn to write a letter! :-D

I think it is funny that I am writing this while Mom and Hil are in China, but I know y’all will be home by the time they get it, so I’ll still write to you! Let’s see--this week, eh?-- What did happen this week? Well, I’m pretty much sure it rained for like 4 days straight. And yet it was so hot that we would sweat a ton without air conditioning. I am thankful for air conditioning. I’m pretty sure I will have to get a new pair of shoes sometime in the upcoming months, just to let you know! Probably nothing more than 70 bucks---? I didn’t get out as much as I would have liked this past week, but we had a lot of office work to do. A lot of baptisms, a lot of apartments moving, a lot of my Mission President is changing this week!!! The day has finally come -- By the time you get this, I will probably have met President Isa already. I hear he is a big and powerful guy. I won’t lie, I am slightly scared! I hope he doesn’t break me or something -- haha. I hear he is really really nice, so I’m look forward to meeting him.

Now, Dad has already probably figured this out, but I am going to withdraw about 200 dollars today to do repairs on my bike -- the light broke, and the brakes are wearing down, and one of the pedals is half missing. So, I will try my hardest to keep them from jacking up the prices on me (a foreigner). Odds are, I won’t use all the money, so I’ll just keep it for later.

Well, I’ve done some more growing this week. Being inside so much makes me want to go outside so bad as a missionary. And, it feels good to sweat. I’m starting to really like that. So, I’m going to try and do it more!

So, for every transfer I write a 2 word saying on my planner to help remind me of something important or spiritual, like “repent daily” or “guit making excuses, you!” or “vamos la!” (“let’s go!” in Portugese), and this transfer, I wrote “lucky duck!” and I drew a picture of a duck going “quack quack.” It’s really true. I am one lucky duck. I have been able to see a whole family get baptized and I have been able to see them grow and progress in the gospel. Also, as recorder, I get to work with every single baptism in the mission. That’s pretty lucky. I also had a chance to speak in sacrament meeting on Father’s Day to one of the largest wards in the mission. I also get way sweet letters from my friends and family. I get to hear how awesome my little brothers and sister are doing, and I get to see my little niece grow up! (Thanks Sarah! You are awesome!) I get to work with magnificent elders here in the mission office, and I also am able to keep in touch with the whole mission as part of my responsibilities. So, basically, I have like 50 new friends at least. I also get to be a normal missionary and ride my bike and make friends and share the happiest thing in the world! Because that is really what the gospel is -- the happiest thing in the world! So, my challenge to everyone this week is to discover what makes them a “lucky duck” and report back to me! ☺ I will be eagerly awaiting!

Well, have a good week full of goodness and please find good things to do to help you feel good! Haha.

Full of happyness,
Elder Hogge, Recorder

P.S. Christmas comes everyday for the missionary who finds a letter waiting for him in the mailbox!!