17 March 2008

Dear Family!

It was St. Patrick’s Day today! We celebrated by going to the top of the Shimonoseki Yume tower. Wow, it certainly is starting to heat up! My deodorant ran out the other day, so I have been running on emergency Axe spray can stuff! It is soo weird how they don’t do deodorant here! Well, in any case, I will be very happy when the package arrives!

I just got Sarah’s letter and pictures today. I think she is really good at timing it so I get her letter right before I write! People are getting way big! Willie!! You’re growing up! Holy cow! You’re already way taller that when I left and braces! Man, you’ll be a stud when I get back. You look soo “steki” (cool, fashionable)! It looks like you’re already more fashionable than me!

Mari is growing up way fast too! In her little tutu and pigtails she reminds me of Darla off of the Little Rascals! Haha. My companion has pictures of his nephew just a little younger than Mari that he hasn’t even seen! And it’s his first niece or nephew, so I consider myself lucky. The “scowl” picture is hilarious!

Sarah, you look like an awesome mom. Aaron, yeah. Haha. Hilary -- you’re getting more gorgeous! Also, I didn’t get any pictures of Mom or Spence, so I assume y’all are alright.

Speaking of alright, I am! Me and my companion (Elder Moon, he’s awesome) just had our whole planning meeting in Japanese, and we didn’t even realize it! It is very much becoming more natural. It’s taking over my English! But this past week was particularly awesome -- we did an activity called “Dendo Week” (Missionary Work Week) in our branch where members got points for doing certain things, and big points depending on what it is! The activities ranged from praying for missionary work to jointing for lessons to giving the missionaries a referral. To make a couple long stories short, me and Elder Moon ended the week with 2 new investigators, 1 more soon-to-become, and 3 potential investigators. Absolutely amazing growth!! I know for a fact that if we try (Elder Moon just hit me with a ball). Anyways, if we try our best, the Lord will bless us, even if it is through indirect means, maybe not even anything we do specifically!

So yeah, Mom, it looks like you’re going to be a world traveler this summer! All the places you go! You’re going to be soo busy! But I’m sure you’re going to find some good time to relax. Please be sure you do! You deserve it! Just trying to do the whole “housekeeping” kind of thing for 2 people has worn me out! I appreciate a lot of the stuff you do for us much more.

Well, my health is good; we are eating a lot of cabbage! (One of our members is a farmer!) We are working hard, making friends, but also having a ton of fun! Missionary work is a lot of work, but it has only been recently that I have realized that every single part of the work can be fun if you make it! Hey everyone, have fun! Okay? Everything is fun if you make it; and if you make it fun, you’re having joy . . . your job! (2 Nephi 25:23) Well, take care and be safe and have fun.

Always, Joey Hogge