Two Weeks of Joey Emails

14 September 2009

Hey Mom.

No new car? Aww....but that's okay. :-) In all reality, the Lord has already blessed me with an early birthday present.................

Last week was transfer calls, which will be my last. And here in Takasu, we got a "bean!" When I say bean, I mean "new missionary!" Yeah. Me and Elder Takanishi are now in a threesome with Elder Hirst -- straight from the MTC. So, along with being Zone Leaders, we are also co-Trainers now, too. It's sooo fun. I actually prayed for another companion two weeks ago. The Lord answers prayers. This kind of situation has never happened in the mission so far. So, we are pretty stoked.

Yeah, it would be fine to go to the temple on Saturday afternoon. That's so great that the temple is so busy. Trying to get the Japan temples the same way. :-)

Well, this last 6 weeks are going to be the craziest of my mission. I can really feel the urgency and importance of this time. Especially knowing that I chose to stay out here longer. That's big motivation to work really really hard. :-)

Thank you for all your love and support. I am really really really looking forward to those pictures. Thanks a lot. Hope everything goes well in Idaho and Utah!!!! Be safe.

Love,
Elder Hogge


21 September 2009

Hey Mom.

I would like to go to the temple Thursday mornings...there's just one thing -- I need to find a job!! Haha. It's been probably one of the biggest worries for me recently. I do NOT want to go back and sit around all day! Haha. If I can work around Sundays and Thursday mornings when I get back, I will be totally down for going to the temple for that session.

No matter what, I decided to go to the temple weekly when I get back. If I could get work to line up with that, then I will go. But either way, I will go weekly. That being said, any leads on October/November/December jobs? Haha. I will do just about anything.

Well, Miyahara-san is doing very well. Her testimony is growing very quickly. We don't have to ask her to come to church, she tells us she will before we can ask! She is now helping her husband! She has helped him stop coffee for 1 week now, and she is doing a lot to encourage him to stop tabacco and alcohol. Quite amazing. She is helping him more and faster than I think we could have ever. He is really great. He just thinks it will take a long time to be able to prepare for baptism. I think one of the best ways for new converts (or investigators) to grow their testimonies is to help out in the conversion of those loved ones around them. It sure is helping Miyahara-san.

As for Elder Hirst, he is now in Kure filling in for a missionary who bruised his knee pretty bad and had to be sent to stay in the mission office for recuperation. Its somewhat sad not having Elder Hirst, but I'm sure this is giving him the growing opportunities he needs.

Alright, well, ready to get going on another week. Things are going great. We are teaching the most I have ever taught on my mission. I love it. Oh yeah, it might be interesting to note that we met a guy named Rin from Taiwan who is 24 years old knocking doors the other day. He has become quite a good friend already, and said he would listen to the message, too. But get this: HE'S A KINGS FAN!!! OH YEAH!!! We do a lot of finding, but this is probably the first/last time I will ever meet a Taiwanese Kings Fan living in Japan. So, that was probably the golden nugget of the week. :-)

The Lord is directing us to those prepared to hear the message as long as we are purifying ourselves. It's really great.

Thank you for your love and support,
Elder Hogge