10 August 2009

Hey Mom and Dad

Didn't feel the earthquake at all. I think. Haven't heard a single thing about it here, either. This next week is called "obon" here in Japan. It basically means that everyone goes to their hometown and worships their ancestors. And there are HUGE fireworks at Miyajima. We are going to go watch them with our investigators! :-) Boy, have I really come to love the investigators and members here. I don't even want to think about how it will be leaving.

So yeah, the work is sometimes pretty rough here, but we are really blessed with so many investigators and friends and strong members. I'm just trying to work with my companion a little. Bridging the culture barrier maybe.

Mom, I have never had a "Japanese watermelon." All of the watermelons here are pretty much green and pink. Just like home! Haha.

This past week was sooo exhausting! But it was great. Things went well at Zone Conference. And then I went to Kure on exchanges. There is a big submarine museum there. It is about a 2 minute walk from the Elders' apartment. Pretty cool! I got back to Takasu, then we had an FHE with the couple missionaries in our ward and 4 investigators. We played Jenga. It was really fun. Then one of the elders from Hatsukaichi came here to Takasu to work with me. He is a very big, red-headed Australian! Haha. It was great reminiscing about Hatsukaichi. Then, on Saturday, we went to the Stake Presidency meeting in the morning and talked about the missionary work in the Stake. It was intimidating, but then not at the same time. I had worked a lot with both the Stake President and President Isa before, and it was great feeling the spirit. Right after presidency meeting, we had a baptismal service for Fujita-san. Elder Takanishi performed the baptism, and I gave the talk about baptism and the Holy Ghost. The asleep-to-awake ratio of people in the congregation was pretty good. I consider that a success. :-)

On Sunday, Fujita-san was going to be confirmed. He did his best to walk up the stairs, but then gave up because of his condition and went home. Dagger! But that's okay. We already have the confirmation set up for next Sunday. That was pretty crazy...AND, to go on top of that, I had a talk in sacrament meeting! Haha. Guess what my topic was: Unifying as a Family in Prayer. It went very well. I wish I had recorded it. I talked about growing up praying with my family often and the impact it has on me now as a missionary. It really does have an impact. And, when we pray, we can unite our will to the Lord's. When we do that, we can also unite as a family or companionship. Prayer is definitely a lesson I have learned for the rest of my life. Sunday does not seem like much of a sabbath sometimes, but that's okay. It's the Lord's work. :-)

I got the postcard from Mendocino today! Thank you! The longer I have been on the mission, the more postcards like that have meant to me. I wish you could send me the smell of Mendocino. I kinda take that back. Rotting seaweed isn't that great. Okay, so maybe just the smell of camping. Haha. The mission is going by so fast. I don't know what I'm going to do! Haha. Also, I have had no time to think about a major for school. When do I need to get signed up for classes, do you think?

Thank you for everything!!! I hope Mel is doing alright. It's so weird that she left after me and now she is home before me. It's like I missed missing her! Haha. Be sure to tell her I say what's up and I want to email her sometime.

Well, as for pictures, inside and outside of house...Bradford dunking on the basketball hoop...Spencer rocking in his band or just rocking in general...photographic evidence that Mel is really home...Mari...and of course, my loving Mom and Dad. :-) Haha. Not completely necessary, but would be fun to have. :-)

So yeah, this week shouldn't be so crazy (thank goodness!) so we should be able to focus a whole lot more on our investigators. I'm definitely looking forward to that.

thank you for all your love and support. LOVE YOU!!
Elder Hogge