27 November 2007

Oh, I am such a goofball! :-) Over the past little while, I have seen the "Dad" come out in me, and things couldn't be better! I'm glad you got that letter, it truly was one of the most memorable Thanksgivings I will have in a while.

Well, I would like to share a little thought from Brother Coleman, who came and spoke last Tuesday. One of the things that really struck me is that WE NEED MESSENGERS TO MATCH THE MESSAGE! You know, I am starting to realize that maybe all that help I have needed to try and look good all my life is starting to pay off as I am a messenger for the most glorious message on the face of the earth! It is funny how simply parting my hair helps me feel much better throughout the day. Yes, I do look very much like a dork, but a missionary dork! :-) Brother Coleman talked about being a Priesthood Man. And I hope that all of us Priesthood holders can carry that emblem in the way we appear to others. We need to "radiate" good continually. My hope in preparing here in the MTC is to get to the point where I radiate goodness and happiness so that people can see that and be uplifted themselves when I speak to them. The Japanese is just a side note right now, really.

Last night, me and my companion shared a lesson with one of the teachers in our building and it went soooo well! This teacher is one of the more strict Japanese teachers I know, but he is always, always happy! We had the chance to discuss the first lesson as church members, no role playing. I absolutely loved it. I am so thankful for my companion. Out of all the companionships in our district, we are closest to the same level in Japanese, and we can both communicate pretty well now. So the Japanese is the easy part. What we have focused on as a district is speaking "seirei-go" or, "the language of the Spirit." How effective it has been! When we speak with the Spirit, words come to our mouths in Japanese that flow and bring the Spirit even stronger. The Gift of Tongues is a very, very real thing.

I am so glad Paul spoke! I hope he is doing alright. I heard it was an amazing talk, and I totally believe it! Wow!

Today, me and my companion are going to do the initiatories and endowments for two of Grandpa Joe's ancestors. Oh, Spirit of Elijah, here we come! :-)

Okay, so I have to throw in a couple quotes from Elder Holland on Thanksgiving: (try to imagine him saying these things with emphasis!)
THE MOST IMPORTANT CONVERT YOU WILL EVER MAKE ON YOUR MISSION HAS TO BE YOURSELF.
DON'T ACT OR LOOK STUPID. Stupid is a very strong word, but ITS WHAT I'M FEELING!
If you don't know it in your heart, then you don't know it.
You MUST come home and be devoted to this your whole life!
Before you open your mouth, you MUST preach the gospel.
Live the life you need to live so you can inspire your children.
Get it OFF THE PAGE, and INTO YOUR HEART.
GROW UP. This is Mature Discipleship.
Salvation is NOT A CHEAP EXPERIENCE.

Oh man, that was the best rebuking I have ever had in my entire life! I felt like a million bucks afterwards. It was sooo awesome.

Well, I have two weeks minus a day left here in the MTC, and things are absolutely flying. I can't wait to be lambasted by the language when I get there and humbled to my knees.
Well, friends, and family, I know this church is true. It IS being led by a man inspired of God. It TRULY was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. We REALLY CAN KNOW the truth of these things through prayer. We ARE blessed in times of need. Its just a matter of whether we look for those blessings or not. :-) Jesus Christ IS our Savior. He died for you, and He died for me. It is my hope that all of us may one day become as Elder Bruce R. McConkie who said weeks before his death: "When I see Him, my tears will wet His feet. But I won't know then any more than I know now, that He is my Savior." Keep up the good work, everybody! My prayers are with you. In our Savior's name I end my testimony. Amen.

Always,
~Elder Hogge