Hello. Another rainy day in Hatsukaichi! It just decided to turn waaaay cold here all of a sudden. So, its been a little hard, but we will pull through it!!! Yeah! Not a whole lot to report this week...the last letter I have here is from the 14th. The last days truly are here! I wonder how things will be different when I get back there...hmmm...no time to think!
We are up to our heads in missionary work! There are soo many people here to serve, and so many opportunities to invite to hear the lessons. That is something me and Elder Mourao have been working on -- challenging people straight forward to the lessons. The Japanese people are very VERY beat-around-the-bush people (which is strange considering how busy they are), and unfortunately, I have fallen into that same habit! So I have been trying to climb out of the funk and challenge people directly!!! Blah. But, it is very fun and rewarding. In fact, the man sitting right next to us in the BIG massage chair asked about us right now, and I just challenged him to hear a message about the purpose of life using the Salt Lake City Temple pass along card. Its waaay easy. Unfortunately, we were not able to get any firm appointment...but hey, we are trying. Even during email time! :-)
Well, I will probably write a snail mail letter now, so Ill let you go.
Love,
Elder Hogge
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
17 November 2008
Hello. Not a whole lot to report this week..........I think this was a patience week...one of those where we learn patience! Haha. Yeah, we are working hard and getting tired everyday and its great.
Last Saturday, a new shopping center was put up really close to our apartment, so we decided to head over and chat with people. As we were leaving, one of the rent-a-cop kind of guys holding a sign said hi and we started a conversation. He was soo awesome. He asked us what we were doing. And so I handed him a pass along card about the Book of Mormon. Right as I did so, a guy flanked by 2 other rent-a-cops walks up to us and asks: `What are you doing??` And before I could answer, he said: `Youve been handing out fliers and stuff! Thats illegal!` (Keep in mind that we had done this plenty of times before) So, me and my companion are standing there, looking at this guy in a jacket with a clipboard and walkie talkie, and kinda wondering if he actually had that authority...so we inquired further, and apparently, he wanted us to go down to the police station and pay money to receive a piece of paper saying its okay for us to talk to people and hand out fliers. He said that all of Japan is the same. We thought it was very odd that missionaries havent been told that before even though we have been here doing this for 30/40 years! Haha, but yeah. We respected him and said `yes sir` and continued to hear him, and then walked away once he was done. So, we called the Mission Office and talked to one of the AP`s and he told us not to worry about it. I dont know, it just kinda hit me that there are a lot of things trying to stop us from working. And if we are hit with them, it must mean that we are doing something right, right? :-) All for the cause of righteousness.
Well, besides that, we had transfer calls last week, and me and Elder Mourao are still here together and having fun. We biked all the way to the western edge of our border, to a place called Ootake. It was waaay fun and a very pretty ride along the coast. We were also able to meet a bunch of less actives that havent come to church because they live so far. It was a very fun `field trip` day of missionary work! :-) Well, tonight, we have FHE with a very strong member family, and we planned it so that their 14 year old son would teach the message of the Restoration with us! It is going to be soo fun! I sure wish the missionaries pulled me aside and planned to help me practice teaching when I was younger! So, we are going to make this a very spiritual and unforgettable experience. :-) We just seem to find more and more people on top of more and more mountains, so we are a little tired this week. But dont worry, we are protecting our health, and we are building both spiritual and physical muscle. :-) Hey Dad, I really appreciate how much you keep in contact. Youre like a good buddy to me, and I know youre busy, so thanks!
And Mom, where would I be without you?
Well, I havent received any new email this week, so sorry but, Im about ready to fall asleep, so catch yall later! :-)
I am learning what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Love and roses and happiness and all that!!! :-) Elder Hogge (Hogge Choro)
Last Saturday, a new shopping center was put up really close to our apartment, so we decided to head over and chat with people. As we were leaving, one of the rent-a-cop kind of guys holding a sign said hi and we started a conversation. He was soo awesome. He asked us what we were doing. And so I handed him a pass along card about the Book of Mormon. Right as I did so, a guy flanked by 2 other rent-a-cops walks up to us and asks: `What are you doing??` And before I could answer, he said: `Youve been handing out fliers and stuff! Thats illegal!` (Keep in mind that we had done this plenty of times before) So, me and my companion are standing there, looking at this guy in a jacket with a clipboard and walkie talkie, and kinda wondering if he actually had that authority...so we inquired further, and apparently, he wanted us to go down to the police station and pay money to receive a piece of paper saying its okay for us to talk to people and hand out fliers. He said that all of Japan is the same. We thought it was very odd that missionaries havent been told that before even though we have been here doing this for 30/40 years! Haha, but yeah. We respected him and said `yes sir` and continued to hear him, and then walked away once he was done. So, we called the Mission Office and talked to one of the AP`s and he told us not to worry about it. I dont know, it just kinda hit me that there are a lot of things trying to stop us from working. And if we are hit with them, it must mean that we are doing something right, right? :-) All for the cause of righteousness.
Well, besides that, we had transfer calls last week, and me and Elder Mourao are still here together and having fun. We biked all the way to the western edge of our border, to a place called Ootake. It was waaay fun and a very pretty ride along the coast. We were also able to meet a bunch of less actives that havent come to church because they live so far. It was a very fun `field trip` day of missionary work! :-) Well, tonight, we have FHE with a very strong member family, and we planned it so that their 14 year old son would teach the message of the Restoration with us! It is going to be soo fun! I sure wish the missionaries pulled me aside and planned to help me practice teaching when I was younger! So, we are going to make this a very spiritual and unforgettable experience. :-) We just seem to find more and more people on top of more and more mountains, so we are a little tired this week. But dont worry, we are protecting our health, and we are building both spiritual and physical muscle. :-) Hey Dad, I really appreciate how much you keep in contact. Youre like a good buddy to me, and I know youre busy, so thanks!
And Mom, where would I be without you?
Well, I havent received any new email this week, so sorry but, Im about ready to fall asleep, so catch yall later! :-)
I am learning what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Love and roses and happiness and all that!!! :-) Elder Hogge (Hogge Choro)
Monday, November 10, 2008
10 November 2008
HEY! Oh man! Im so happy! Me and Elder Mourao were just talking about how AWESOME it is to be missionaries! If you couldnt tell...we are pretty much having a blast! I heard from a couple of missionaries about Proposition 8....wow! Yes! You all probably have sent letters about it, but I havent received anything this week, so naturally, there will be letters waiting for me when I get back to the apartment tonight! :-)
This week was a little bit of a downer when it came to actual appointments...nothing really huge...and even a bunch of no-shows...but that couldnt stop the blessings and miracles from coming! For example, last night, me and Elder Mourao were exhausted after a full day of work following church, but we still had a litttttle bit of time at the very end after we had visited all the people we planned on. So, I prayed sooo hard, because I had NO clue what to do...my companion suggested visiting a potential investigator who lived nearby, and I hesitantly agreed. As we were biking over there, I had the strongest strongest strongest impression that we need to visit `a less active`, but that is all the impression told me. Not who, not where, just `a less active.` As we drew nearer to the potential investigators home, we saw that none of the lights were on, but nobody was home...but then I realized that there was a less active literally 4 doors down! I had never ever met any of them, but the impression was undeniable, so, we went. And the thing about Japan is that everyone has way high tech doorbells that include an intercom, camera, and fatty light that makes it so that they can see you through the camera. So, most the time, we never even talk to people face to face. And this time, I rang and I talked to a way older lady who was about to hang up, when I heard a younger lady take the phone. All I knew was the less actives name from the list. So, I asked for him, but he wasnt home, but she still invited us to talk at the `genkan` (big entryway where you put your shoes before walking into the house). So, we met her there, and she was awesome! We talked to her and her 3 young daughters and the mom has tried many different religions, but none have `entered in` her heart. So, we set up an appointment to meet them as a family so we could meet the less active as well, and share the message of the restoration.
That experience was amazing to me because I was able to clearly clearly recognize the direction of the Holy Ghost, and it led us to the covenant Israel. That was the third less active family I have been led to by the Holy Ghost since coming to Hatsukaichi in 3 months. There are literally hundreds of less actives, so being led particularly to each one has been a miracle in and of itself.
Sorry, that was really long. But I just wanted to witness unto you that miracles are still seen today. Angels walk here. The Holy Ghost guides us when we listen so very intently with our spiritual ears. I have had too many experiences to be able to deny that.
Well, the kids sound awesome! Sorry Spence, still no time this week to write, but youre in a band???? WHAT??? Hil -- keep on keepin on, sistah. You know how those long Galena nights go...Im rootin for ya here on the other side of the world!!! Willieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, we are going to have to b-ball it up when I get back!
LOVE YOU ALL!!!!
Elder Hogge
This week was a little bit of a downer when it came to actual appointments...nothing really huge...and even a bunch of no-shows...but that couldnt stop the blessings and miracles from coming! For example, last night, me and Elder Mourao were exhausted after a full day of work following church, but we still had a litttttle bit of time at the very end after we had visited all the people we planned on. So, I prayed sooo hard, because I had NO clue what to do...my companion suggested visiting a potential investigator who lived nearby, and I hesitantly agreed. As we were biking over there, I had the strongest strongest strongest impression that we need to visit `a less active`, but that is all the impression told me. Not who, not where, just `a less active.` As we drew nearer to the potential investigators home, we saw that none of the lights were on, but nobody was home...but then I realized that there was a less active literally 4 doors down! I had never ever met any of them, but the impression was undeniable, so, we went. And the thing about Japan is that everyone has way high tech doorbells that include an intercom, camera, and fatty light that makes it so that they can see you through the camera. So, most the time, we never even talk to people face to face. And this time, I rang and I talked to a way older lady who was about to hang up, when I heard a younger lady take the phone. All I knew was the less actives name from the list. So, I asked for him, but he wasnt home, but she still invited us to talk at the `genkan` (big entryway where you put your shoes before walking into the house). So, we met her there, and she was awesome! We talked to her and her 3 young daughters and the mom has tried many different religions, but none have `entered in` her heart. So, we set up an appointment to meet them as a family so we could meet the less active as well, and share the message of the restoration.
That experience was amazing to me because I was able to clearly clearly recognize the direction of the Holy Ghost, and it led us to the covenant Israel. That was the third less active family I have been led to by the Holy Ghost since coming to Hatsukaichi in 3 months. There are literally hundreds of less actives, so being led particularly to each one has been a miracle in and of itself.
Sorry, that was really long. But I just wanted to witness unto you that miracles are still seen today. Angels walk here. The Holy Ghost guides us when we listen so very intently with our spiritual ears. I have had too many experiences to be able to deny that.
Well, the kids sound awesome! Sorry Spence, still no time this week to write, but youre in a band???? WHAT??? Hil -- keep on keepin on, sistah. You know how those long Galena nights go...Im rootin for ya here on the other side of the world!!! Willieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, we are going to have to b-ball it up when I get back!
LOVE YOU ALL!!!!
Elder Hogge
Monday, November 3, 2008
3 November 2008
The cider apple fudge was a perfect block. If it started out as a ball, I would be utterly befuddled! Oh yeah, I just noticed that my toothpaste supply is running a little low...yeah...Im sure using it up! And also, with the season comes seasonal drinks...and besides hot chocolate...theres egg nog!!! Oh man! Eggs and milk are easy to come by...but Im not sure about all the other ingredients, or even how to make it! So...yeah...bit of a dilemma, eh?
Oh yeah, we had our Halloween Party here! It was CRAZY!!! If you count everyone including kids, we had SEVENTY people show up! Uh. I thought I was going to faint...I despise playing host...but, it turned out pretty good. We had apple bobbing and donuts on a string, and we did root beer! Albeit, we waited too long, and it stopped being bubbly and good by the time we opened it...but it still amazed the childrens and the adults! Also, the members TOTALLY decked out the 2nd floor of our building for trick or treat! It was pretty awesome. In case you were wondering, yes, me and my companion both dressed up! He is seriously such a coooool guy that it just made sense for him to be a secret agent...yeah...on the other hand...there was me! I guess you will just have to check out the pictures. The members kept telling me all night that I was a way good actor! Yeah, I could probably make it on Hollywood! Haha.
Boy, we have been working soooo hard trying to get our investigators/potential investigators/less active members to church! That has been one of our absolute biggest enormous goals...and one of the hardest! So, we have been working really hard on inviting inviting inviting, while at the same time, finding finding finding! Thats pretty much how we have been in a nutshell. My companion got a migraine yesterday at church, so I played Mom for a little while. But besides that, we have been workin our guts out! And it feels absolutely great falling asleep before my head hits the pillow. Of course, we can definitely work harder, but we are pushing ourselves and talking to everyone! Including this kid who is sitting next to me right now doing English homework! Hes going to college next year in Oosaka. And pretty cool. We will invite him to church and English class.
Well, the sky is blue and the church is true! I have no time, but a couple of pictures to attach, so I will see yall later!!! :-)
Love,
Elder Hogge
P.S. Spence! you are so....AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Your letter was sooo bomb. I didnt have time today, but I will try next week to get in a response!! And in the mean time, rock Physics for me...I love that class...
Oh yeah, we had our Halloween Party here! It was CRAZY!!! If you count everyone including kids, we had SEVENTY people show up! Uh. I thought I was going to faint...I despise playing host...but, it turned out pretty good. We had apple bobbing and donuts on a string, and we did root beer! Albeit, we waited too long, and it stopped being bubbly and good by the time we opened it...but it still amazed the childrens and the adults! Also, the members TOTALLY decked out the 2nd floor of our building for trick or treat! It was pretty awesome. In case you were wondering, yes, me and my companion both dressed up! He is seriously such a coooool guy that it just made sense for him to be a secret agent...yeah...on the other hand...there was me! I guess you will just have to check out the pictures. The members kept telling me all night that I was a way good actor! Yeah, I could probably make it on Hollywood! Haha.
Boy, we have been working soooo hard trying to get our investigators/potential investigators/less active members to church! That has been one of our absolute biggest enormous goals...and one of the hardest! So, we have been working really hard on inviting inviting inviting, while at the same time, finding finding finding! Thats pretty much how we have been in a nutshell. My companion got a migraine yesterday at church, so I played Mom for a little while. But besides that, we have been workin our guts out! And it feels absolutely great falling asleep before my head hits the pillow. Of course, we can definitely work harder, but we are pushing ourselves and talking to everyone! Including this kid who is sitting next to me right now doing English homework! Hes going to college next year in Oosaka. And pretty cool. We will invite him to church and English class.
Well, the sky is blue and the church is true! I have no time, but a couple of pictures to attach, so I will see yall later!!! :-)
Love,
Elder Hogge
P.S. Spence! you are so....AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Your letter was sooo bomb. I didnt have time today, but I will try next week to get in a response!! And in the mean time, rock Physics for me...I love that class...
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