13 November 2007

Things are fine. We just got younger elders this week. So we are the old ones now. Time is really flying. It seems like just yesterday when I was writing last week's email. The language is pushing along. Everyone knows that we will still feel overwhelmed when we get to Japan, but trying really hard here to memorize vocab and grammar will pay dividends in the field. I just got an email from an elder from our zone that is now in the field. He says he misses chips and salsa the most. I can't wait to go to Japan. There are sometimes here when I just want to get a move on. It is an odd thing: time flies, yet I would like it to go faster! All in due time. I do realize that there will be a time when I miss the MTC. :-) So yes, the young ones, we only have one district of seven missionaries. There are 4 sisters and 3 elders. Pretty unusual! Eventually, those three elders will be the two zone leaders and the district leader. No getting around it.

I finished the rice crackers off this week. They are a huge pick me up. It helps me feel like I am already there. The MTC food is incredibly predictable. I think going and getting a sack lunch is one of the best options! Good old PB sandwich can really hit the spot sometimes.
Well, I received a package from Grandma and Grandpa Hogge. I made a lot of friends because of it. :-) I think I have picked up a couple pounds here, but I'm starting to run more. Oh the joys of the MTC. Sitting in a classroom for 10 hours a day can be more fatiguing than you would think.

For Thanksgiving this year, we get to do a humanitarian project! My district as well has more service than usual. We get to help move around tables for Sister Boone. I think a lot of the elders' attitudes here are quite contrary to the song: "Called to be served." I have been blessed with a love for service. When I serve, I am happy. Real happy. The same goes with bearing my testimony. Here, me and my companion have the goal of testifying at least twice every day in Japanese (with one of us as translator). You never know what somebody needs to hear on any given day. I can be the instrument for the Lord in that regard. Everyone in the MTC feels down at some point or another, and I hope that I can find them and help them feel up! :-) One of the sisters in my district is really good at serving others. She does everything she can to serve. She is really an example to me. It is somewhat odd thinking that the shimai are all Mindy's age. They seem very much our age.

But one more thing I would like to bring up is a quote from President Kimball (I think) in Preach My Gospel. It talks about missionaries rising to a higher plane of thought. This is something I am striving hard to work on. Putting off most thoughts except those that build up the work can be hard, but this is my goal. I challenge all that listen to try to rise to a higher plane of thought themselves. I know that as we do, we will grow together, and we will be more receptive to spiritual truths and spiritual power.

Well, I can't think of much else to say, so if you have a question or anything, drop me another email and I will try to respond! :-)

Sincerely,
~Elder Hogge