28 January 2008

Dear Family.

So much changes!!! I am now in my 2nd transfer and things have really REALLY changed since last time! Like this -- My trainer transferred out to Okayama with a native compantion -- basically his dream. And now I have 2 companions -- Elder Moon and Elder Harashima. So we have 3 until we move into a new apartment, and then another Elder named Elder Nielson will move in from Okayama. Elder Moon has been out 1 1/2 years and is from Kearns. He is awesome/goofy/happy! Elder Harashima is from Tokyo and has been out 1/2 year. He is also bouncing off the walls crazy and fun. He is a native that somewhat understands English, and I’ve laughed more with them than the rest of my mission! They are also very very obedient with time/scheduling, and both are way hard workers. We have also cleaned up the apartment a lot, and I’m feeling that “cleanliness is next to godliness.” Also, Elder Harashima worked/cooked at a Chinese restaurant, and we are very very much benefiting from it. He is also teaching us two. He brought a “nabe” pot that he cooks with. It’s very expensive, but he is very skillful. I’m learning how to cut veggies right and stuff!!! Cooking has become a companionship unity thing. Way good. We are also planning very thoroughly and working very hard. Having a native makes things much easier/understandable. Elder Harashima is our senior companion, and Elder Moon is our district leader. And I’m the only one who knew anything about Shimonoseki. That was somewhat stressful. Having to lead and figure out the schedule was a lot tougher than it seems. I seriously just got here, and now I’m expected to know the area. What fun. But I’m thinking this is how I’m going to feel wherever I go. Might as well get used to it.

Since the elders have come, life has not been short of miracles! We are doing a lot more stopping and talking to people on the street. And we have been stopped by two separate people (literally put their hand out and stopped us) who are way friendly and previously investigated the church. One still reads the Book of Mormon and wants to buy us dinner sometime. The other met with missionaries 10 years ago and really likes the elders. I also got to talk with a guy in “English” for a couple minutes. Unfortunately, he likes the Lakers, but he doesn’t like the Yankees, so it was a wash. He also thought that California is all summer, all year round. Haha. Do you like my stickers? [There is a sticker of Woody from Toy Story next to the question.] I just got a ton at the local dollar store. I’m doing well in finding pleasure in the small things. That might be a theme for this new companionship because we’re all very random, and we all get a little excited too easily. Haha. Mom, you would be proud of how much we’re doing to clean and make life pretty!

Also, I’m doing pretty well keeping up and participating in conversations. I’ve seen such incredible improvement, and I know it’s not just me! I know that the Lord truly blesses those who realize they can’t do anything without Him! Well, we will see about moving shortly, and I’ll let everyone know how things go. Hey everyone, read a good book for me! I’m finding that I wish I had more time to read. Oh well!

Love,

Elder Hogge