Why, hello! Ive never had water thrown on me! This whole Proposition 8 sure has hit a sore spot, eh? I got the ballot last week, then I spent a little time and did the best I could to be a good citizen! Man, I loved it! Halfway through, I caught myself wondering -- `I wonder which is the right answer?` And then I remembered -- `hey! Whichever I think is the right answer!` I definitely tried to remember the principles of the gospel in voting, but I thought it was just soo fun figuring things out for myself! Man, I love voting.
Well, it looks like you got my letter, Mom! Thats great! And really fast. Wow, less than a week! Sweet.
I also got the package the same time as the ballot. THANKS!!! OH MAN! IT WAS SO SWEET! Literally...sweet! I munched down on some candy corn...marveled at the air tight brick of hot cocoa...and drowned myself in conference talks (I like to call it: `My Own Personal Ensign`). Basically, that day was Christmas in disguise.
This past week has also been great for us with our investigators...just doing a lot to help them realize why we are meeting with them, and helping them see our motivation. Its funny how much people start to open up when you tell them that you just want them to be eternally happy.
Oh, I just realized this past week something cool about the sequence of the missionary lessons:
Lesson 1 -- The Restoration (WHAT our unique message is) Lesson 2 -- The Plan of Salvation (WHY it is important) Lesson 3/4 -- The Gospel of Jesus Christ / Commandments (HOW we reach that amazing goal of eternal life)
So, that mindset has made it really easy to see how to help those that we meet: WHAT or WHY or HOW. During District Meeting, one of the Zone Leaders gave instruction about helping potential investigators become real investigators (yeah, sorry for all the missionary vocab), and one of the things he said was: `Dont keep them in the dark!` That really hit me. A lot of times, we go into religious conversations with ulterior motives, when we should be telling people straight up why we talk about what we talk about. Okay, that probably sounded a little confusing, but it makes sense to me as a missionary. Its like saying: `we are teaching you so that you can live eternally with your family in happiness.` That is a great goal to have. And in order to do that, we need to follow the gospel and commandments. Its really all that simple.
I know that this gospel we have right now is the full, restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the same gospel that Christ taught. It is the same gospel that Moses taught. It is the same gospel that Adam was taught at the beginning of the world. It is the same gospel whereupon the world was created. The gospel isnt a part of our lives, it is our lives! The gospel is everything. The quicker we know that, the quicker we can achieve true happiness through the gospel. That is Truth.
Well, we spent another week totally wearing ourselves out for the Lord. My companion is so great about focusing on The Missionary Purpose -- Inviting others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. OR: watashitachi no mokuteki wa hitobito ni Kirisuto no moto e kuru yo susumeru koto desu. Sono tame ni, watashitachi wa Iesu Kirisuto to Kirisuto no aganai wo shinjiru shinko, kuiaratame, baputesuma, seirei no tamamono wo ukeru koto, saigo made taeshinobu koto wo toushite, karera ga kaifuku sareta fukuin wo ukeirerareru yo tasukeru no desu.
Haha, I like Japanese. And I like you all. Thanks for your support. Especially you, Mom, and Dad. You are the bomb!!
Love,
Elder Hougu
Monday, October 27, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
20 October 2008
Hey Mom and Dad.
This past week was very...interesting! We did a lot lot of service. Thursday -- we taught English at an elementary school and boy, let me tell you, I have such a deeper profound appreciation for those teachers! I pretty much lost my voice... Friday -- we went with a day center for old ladies to a nearby zoo and pushed them around in their wheelchairs! It was sooo fun...we were able to be good examples. Saturday -- we went with the primary of our ward to one of our english class students`s house and picked sweet potatoes! And then later that day, we fetched loose balls for an electric wheelchair soccer tournament. That was cool! These were for severely handicapped people, but they were superstars for one great afternoon. Some of them were unable to move their arms or hands, so they controlled their chairs with their chins! And they had practiced a LOT, so it was a pretty intense competition. It helped me put things in perspective.
So yeah, I havent gotten my ballot yet...which is a little fishy, but we still need to check the mail today, so we`ll see! Im sure excited to vote!
We had an amazing lesson this past Saturday with a man named Ito. We met him when he was working (raking weeds in preparation for a new house), and we taught a lesson about the restoration on the spot. For a month or so, we really helped him nderstand the importance of prayer and the book of mormon, and then Saturday, we taught about the Plan of Salvation using the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was probably the clearest I have been able to teach it in Japanese. And it was probably the clearest I have been able to understand it. He understood all of it too, and we committed him to baptism. He wants it sooo bad. But, there are going to be some ough trials ahead: work on Sunday, tabacco addiction, and possible opposition from is wife. However, he has grown a testimony of the importance of these things, so I think it will only serve to strengthen that testimony as long as we help him through it. Basically, he is the closest I have ever met to a `kinjin`, or golden nvestigator. But, there are going to be some rough trials ahead, so please pray for him. (By the way, I dont think I will write that story to Mom in her email, so you could share it with whomever you think might want to know...)
But man, everyday, I come to appreciate you and Dad more and more. It truly is a ask keeping a place clean. It truly is a task figuring out what to eat and to keep a healthy balanced diet. It truly is a task `raising a kid.` Haha, yeah, as trainer, responsibilities of a parent seem to really come out. Even when your new missionary is a stud. Theres just some things that need to get done, and its up to the folks to do it. I know that now. I cant imagine what its like with little children! I kinda cringe thinking about it right now, but there will be a time and place for that. Haha.
Well, Im doing well here. Im really extremely tired, but its a good tired. If I werent, I think I might feel guilty that I wasnt working hard enough. So, we are doing good things here. Things are moving. Thank you for your support and all those years of raising a trouble maker like me! Haha.
You be sure to make today a good one, okay? :-)
~Elder Hogge
This past week was very...interesting! We did a lot lot of service. Thursday -- we taught English at an elementary school and boy, let me tell you, I have such a deeper profound appreciation for those teachers! I pretty much lost my voice... Friday -- we went with a day center for old ladies to a nearby zoo and pushed them around in their wheelchairs! It was sooo fun...we were able to be good examples. Saturday -- we went with the primary of our ward to one of our english class students`s house and picked sweet potatoes! And then later that day, we fetched loose balls for an electric wheelchair soccer tournament. That was cool! These were for severely handicapped people, but they were superstars for one great afternoon. Some of them were unable to move their arms or hands, so they controlled their chairs with their chins! And they had practiced a LOT, so it was a pretty intense competition. It helped me put things in perspective.
So yeah, I havent gotten my ballot yet...which is a little fishy, but we still need to check the mail today, so we`ll see! Im sure excited to vote!
We had an amazing lesson this past Saturday with a man named Ito. We met him when he was working (raking weeds in preparation for a new house), and we taught a lesson about the restoration on the spot. For a month or so, we really helped him nderstand the importance of prayer and the book of mormon, and then Saturday, we taught about the Plan of Salvation using the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was probably the clearest I have been able to teach it in Japanese. And it was probably the clearest I have been able to understand it. He understood all of it too, and we committed him to baptism. He wants it sooo bad. But, there are going to be some ough trials ahead: work on Sunday, tabacco addiction, and possible opposition from is wife. However, he has grown a testimony of the importance of these things, so I think it will only serve to strengthen that testimony as long as we help him through it. Basically, he is the closest I have ever met to a `kinjin`, or golden nvestigator. But, there are going to be some rough trials ahead, so please pray for him. (By the way, I dont think I will write that story to Mom in her email, so you could share it with whomever you think might want to know...)
But man, everyday, I come to appreciate you and Dad more and more. It truly is a ask keeping a place clean. It truly is a task figuring out what to eat and to keep a healthy balanced diet. It truly is a task `raising a kid.` Haha, yeah, as trainer, responsibilities of a parent seem to really come out. Even when your new missionary is a stud. Theres just some things that need to get done, and its up to the folks to do it. I know that now. I cant imagine what its like with little children! I kinda cringe thinking about it right now, but there will be a time and place for that. Haha.
Well, Im doing well here. Im really extremely tired, but its a good tired. If I werent, I think I might feel guilty that I wasnt working hard enough. So, we are doing good things here. Things are moving. Thank you for your support and all those years of raising a trouble maker like me! Haha.
You be sure to make today a good one, okay? :-)
~Elder Hogge
Monday, October 13, 2008
13 October 2008
Hey all! Im doing good here. We are really crammed for time, so Ill make this short.
Thanks for the couples of emails. It feels good to open the account and see something to read! :-D
Me and Elder Mourao are great. We were able to see General Conference in our Zone Leaders area this past Saturday and Sunday. I personally thought it was too short and didnt want it to stop. President Monson is the man! He just always says dont worry, have patience, help others, and be happy! :-) I was happy after each of his talks. Did you all hear the story he told about the elder learning spanish in the MTC? If not, I would like to recap: so, there was this one elder learning spanish in the MTC, and he thought it was too hard, so he fully decided to give up. It went all the way to the director at the MTC, and he gave President Monson a phone call asking what he should do. President Monson said `just stick him in the class for elders learning japanese for a day.` That following day, the director at the MTC called back president monson very early in the morning, and said `it worked! after being in the Japanese class for a couple hours, the elder had no doubts that he could learn spanish.` I laughed very hard. Japanese is tough --- straight from the prophets mouth! :-D
We dont have access to the conference talks until next months ensign, so if you wanted to throw a couple in...oh, elder clausse`s talk...president eyring and utchdorf`s talks from priesthood if you could...haha, thanks!
This week was good. We are still alive. We had softball this morning with the Hiroshima Stake, and I pitched a couple of complete games. It was pretty fun and awesome, but I know tomorrow will buuuuurn! This week, we have been able to see a couple of really cool small miracles, but I dont have time to really go into depth, but let me just tell you: we know we will have a baptism by the end of the transfer, although we dont know who it will be :-D we even have a date already set! Its way cooler working towards the date. So yeah, my little green bean is full of energy and faith, and we are oh so very similar. we are having lots of fun!! And his japanese is bomb for 2 weeks in japan. AWESOME!
Well, we need to go, so take care everyone!! :-)
Loves and stuffs,
Elder Hogge
Thanks for the couples of emails. It feels good to open the account and see something to read! :-D
Me and Elder Mourao are great. We were able to see General Conference in our Zone Leaders area this past Saturday and Sunday. I personally thought it was too short and didnt want it to stop. President Monson is the man! He just always says dont worry, have patience, help others, and be happy! :-) I was happy after each of his talks. Did you all hear the story he told about the elder learning spanish in the MTC? If not, I would like to recap: so, there was this one elder learning spanish in the MTC, and he thought it was too hard, so he fully decided to give up. It went all the way to the director at the MTC, and he gave President Monson a phone call asking what he should do. President Monson said `just stick him in the class for elders learning japanese for a day.` That following day, the director at the MTC called back president monson very early in the morning, and said `it worked! after being in the Japanese class for a couple hours, the elder had no doubts that he could learn spanish.` I laughed very hard. Japanese is tough --- straight from the prophets mouth! :-D
We dont have access to the conference talks until next months ensign, so if you wanted to throw a couple in...oh, elder clausse`s talk...president eyring and utchdorf`s talks from priesthood if you could...haha, thanks!
This week was good. We are still alive. We had softball this morning with the Hiroshima Stake, and I pitched a couple of complete games. It was pretty fun and awesome, but I know tomorrow will buuuuurn! This week, we have been able to see a couple of really cool small miracles, but I dont have time to really go into depth, but let me just tell you: we know we will have a baptism by the end of the transfer, although we dont know who it will be :-D we even have a date already set! Its way cooler working towards the date. So yeah, my little green bean is full of energy and faith, and we are oh so very similar. we are having lots of fun!! And his japanese is bomb for 2 weeks in japan. AWESOME!
Well, we need to go, so take care everyone!! :-)
Loves and stuffs,
Elder Hogge
Monday, October 6, 2008
6 October 2008
I hate computers. I just spent 40 minutes typing out this beautiful email, and the computer decided to log me out...Im a little frustrated because it was pretty much one of the most amazing emails i have ever written, so, please bear with me this week! :-)
Okay. So, things are going good here. We are working hard, and Hatsukaichi is wonderful. We have ocean on one side, and beautiful green Japanese mountains on the other, so we are working the middle! :-)
This past week brought a lot of change for me! We got transfer calls this last Wednesday, and Elder Packer left me! And guess what: I was called to be trainer and district leader! When, I first got the call, it blew my socks off! I had gone only one transfer as senior, and then I went straight to district leader and trainer! That is quite fast for this mission! So, i was very much overwhelmed at first, but now, im doing fine. My new companion is Elder Mourao. Yeah, hes Brazilian. Yeah, hes awesome! He was born in Brazil, and then moved to Utah when he was 11 years old. So, he English is perfectly American. And he is perfectly Utah Mormon! He went to Utah State for a year, and he wants to go into the Air Force, too. When I first met him, my first thought was Wow! Hes huge! 6 foot 4! I may be his trainer, but he could eat me for breakfast if I dont get up on time! Haha. Probably the coolest part about him is what he said in the first 5 minutes we were together: `I bleed blue.` Yeah, this is the start of a beautiful relationship! :-)
GO COUGS!!!!!
yeah, this has been the fastest year of my life.
and I like it.
Its really awesome hearing about the family! Mr. Reiswig stories bring back good memories...Hilary needs to send me a letter...Im her founding father and havent given her approval yet! Haha, go Hil!
Spence -- HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FROM ALL OF US TO YOU, WE WISH IT WERE OUR BIRTHDAY, SO WE COULD PARTY TOO. HEY! Yeah, Ill try and get something off to you. Was there anything you specifically wanted? I remember when I turned 16, one of the best things I did was get my patriarchal blessing the day before. If you dont have it yet, it would be a great thing to have! :-)
Well, Im tired of typing since this is the second big letter i've done...so...im off!
Wait, what does Mom and Dad prefer -- email or letter? I can do either...
Well, I love y`all and hope to hear from you soon! :-)
Elder Hogge
Okay. So, things are going good here. We are working hard, and Hatsukaichi is wonderful. We have ocean on one side, and beautiful green Japanese mountains on the other, so we are working the middle! :-)
This past week brought a lot of change for me! We got transfer calls this last Wednesday, and Elder Packer left me! And guess what: I was called to be trainer and district leader! When, I first got the call, it blew my socks off! I had gone only one transfer as senior, and then I went straight to district leader and trainer! That is quite fast for this mission! So, i was very much overwhelmed at first, but now, im doing fine. My new companion is Elder Mourao. Yeah, hes Brazilian. Yeah, hes awesome! He was born in Brazil, and then moved to Utah when he was 11 years old. So, he English is perfectly American. And he is perfectly Utah Mormon! He went to Utah State for a year, and he wants to go into the Air Force, too. When I first met him, my first thought was Wow! Hes huge! 6 foot 4! I may be his trainer, but he could eat me for breakfast if I dont get up on time! Haha. Probably the coolest part about him is what he said in the first 5 minutes we were together: `I bleed blue.` Yeah, this is the start of a beautiful relationship! :-)
GO COUGS!!!!!
yeah, this has been the fastest year of my life.
and I like it.
Its really awesome hearing about the family! Mr. Reiswig stories bring back good memories...Hilary needs to send me a letter...Im her founding father and havent given her approval yet! Haha, go Hil!
Spence -- HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FROM ALL OF US TO YOU, WE WISH IT WERE OUR BIRTHDAY, SO WE COULD PARTY TOO. HEY! Yeah, Ill try and get something off to you. Was there anything you specifically wanted? I remember when I turned 16, one of the best things I did was get my patriarchal blessing the day before. If you dont have it yet, it would be a great thing to have! :-)
Well, Im tired of typing since this is the second big letter i've done...so...im off!
Wait, what does Mom and Dad prefer -- email or letter? I can do either...
Well, I love y`all and hope to hear from you soon! :-)
Elder Hogge
Monday, September 29, 2008
29 September 2008
Hello my fellow Hogges. Or friends of the Hogges. Or people related to the Hogges. That reminds me, me and my companion had a little argument about this: how do the family relations work? I am clearly Aarons brother in law, but is Aaron my brother in law? How does that work?
Well, time flew and another week in paradise (aka Hatsukaichi) is gone. Me and Elder Packer are having the times of our lives! There are so many friends to be made, and many converts to be found! We can always sense the amazing amount of potential energy in this area, and so we are trying our hardest to use all of our talents, time, and resources to try and unlock that energy and get the work moving faster and faster!!!
I got the card from everyone...THANKS!!! Haha, I cant believe that one year has already passed...some would think that passing what is referred to as *hump day* would make me trunky and worry about home and all that, but it has actually had the reverse effect on me! Really really, I realized *hey, I only have a year left...I need to get crackin and work harder!!!* It was a good chance for me to look back upon what kind of effort I have been putting into the work up until now and feel the need to level up. So, thank you all for the reminder! I am definitely set on not just working harder, but smarter in using my God-given talents and dazzling smile to progress the work! Haha, I wont lie, Ive been all smiles here.
As for this week...specific things to report...definitely not as full as last week...oh yeah, I was able to go on an exchange with my District Leader up in Hamada. He is a Hawaiian. And his name is Elder Zukeran. The area is up north on the northern coast of Japan, and it was so wonderful! It took a 2 and a half hour bus ride just to get there, but I was able to have a wonderful conversation with a man who lived along the way who was just returning home from work in Sapporo (the way chilly northern island of Japan). Everyone in Hamada was nice. It had sort of a country-side feeling to it. I personally prefer that to city, but what can I do? Go where the Lord tells me to. So yeah, I guess there are a lot of cool beaches in Hamada, and that is where everyone goes to play at the ocean in the summer. Unfortunately, I was not able to see the ocean, but thats okay because we worked hard.
It is very interesting hearing about all the stuff surrounding Proposition 8. A broadcast from Salt Lake? That is pretty intense. I am very excited to vote!!!.
Well, I got Moms email, and Dads note. It really is kinda cool how fast information travels through the cyber world. Yeah, I was in a pretty anti-technology mood last week. If people want to email, they can. If it is a decision between emailing or not writing at all, please email. If it is a decision between emailing or writing a letter...I prefer the letter, but email is fine. Just be wary that I can only email family...
So yeah, the sky is blue and the church is true. I know it. I have experienced too many blessings from obedience to write it off as coincidence. The Lord gives us commandments and rules in order to find excuses to bless us. If we follow them, He immediately finds a way to help our lives. That is a true principle that I have put to the test, and found to be true. I heard recently that the reason that missionaries have a long white handbook full of rules is NOT because missionaries need rules. Missionaries need blessings and help. So, God gave us missionaries a way to receive TONS of blessings and help. I just hope everyone else can see rules in a positive light too! :-)
Well, my time is drawing near, so Ill let yall off and see ya next week!!!
Sincerely,
Elder the Hogge
Well, time flew and another week in paradise (aka Hatsukaichi) is gone. Me and Elder Packer are having the times of our lives! There are so many friends to be made, and many converts to be found! We can always sense the amazing amount of potential energy in this area, and so we are trying our hardest to use all of our talents, time, and resources to try and unlock that energy and get the work moving faster and faster!!!
I got the card from everyone...THANKS!!! Haha, I cant believe that one year has already passed...some would think that passing what is referred to as *hump day* would make me trunky and worry about home and all that, but it has actually had the reverse effect on me! Really really, I realized *hey, I only have a year left...I need to get crackin and work harder!!!* It was a good chance for me to look back upon what kind of effort I have been putting into the work up until now and feel the need to level up. So, thank you all for the reminder! I am definitely set on not just working harder, but smarter in using my God-given talents and dazzling smile to progress the work! Haha, I wont lie, Ive been all smiles here.
As for this week...specific things to report...definitely not as full as last week...oh yeah, I was able to go on an exchange with my District Leader up in Hamada. He is a Hawaiian. And his name is Elder Zukeran. The area is up north on the northern coast of Japan, and it was so wonderful! It took a 2 and a half hour bus ride just to get there, but I was able to have a wonderful conversation with a man who lived along the way who was just returning home from work in Sapporo (the way chilly northern island of Japan). Everyone in Hamada was nice. It had sort of a country-side feeling to it. I personally prefer that to city, but what can I do? Go where the Lord tells me to. So yeah, I guess there are a lot of cool beaches in Hamada, and that is where everyone goes to play at the ocean in the summer. Unfortunately, I was not able to see the ocean, but thats okay because we worked hard.
It is very interesting hearing about all the stuff surrounding Proposition 8. A broadcast from Salt Lake? That is pretty intense. I am very excited to vote!!!.
Well, I got Moms email, and Dads note. It really is kinda cool how fast information travels through the cyber world. Yeah, I was in a pretty anti-technology mood last week. If people want to email, they can. If it is a decision between emailing or not writing at all, please email. If it is a decision between emailing or writing a letter...I prefer the letter, but email is fine. Just be wary that I can only email family...
So yeah, the sky is blue and the church is true. I know it. I have experienced too many blessings from obedience to write it off as coincidence. The Lord gives us commandments and rules in order to find excuses to bless us. If we follow them, He immediately finds a way to help our lives. That is a true principle that I have put to the test, and found to be true. I heard recently that the reason that missionaries have a long white handbook full of rules is NOT because missionaries need rules. Missionaries need blessings and help. So, God gave us missionaries a way to receive TONS of blessings and help. I just hope everyone else can see rules in a positive light too! :-)
Well, my time is drawing near, so Ill let yall off and see ya next week!!!
Sincerely,
Elder the Hogge
Sunday, September 21, 2008
22 September 2008
Hello everyone. Yeah, it`s me Elder Hogge in Japan. And yeah, this is an email. And no, I am not breaking any rules. The rules just changed. We can do email again.
Personally, I despise this whole computer-box thing. In fact, I wouldn`t have even decided to email, were it not for my guilty conscience concerning how Mom would feel if she knew that I could email, but didnt. So, here I am, in a nearby community center, plopping out an email on a RIDICULOUS Japanese keyboard...Theres like 10 more buttons on here and the enter button is all shaped weird...well, Im actually quite hungry right now, so Ill make this quick...
Dear Family, and Friends, and Whomever this may concern:
This week was sooo great. We had so much good happen for us here in the blessed land of Hatsukaichi. Last Monday night, we headed over to a potential investigators house. She is a filipino lady who is really nice, and we decided that it would be a good idea to meet the whole family too...so for that purpose, we set up a time to go over and introduce ourselves. We were a little scared that the husband would be like "Hey! What are you doing hanging out with my wife???" But oooooh contrair ---- after a couple minutes of light conversation, he says "yeah, Im a Mormon." ------------------- WHAT? Apparently, he got baptized like 30 years ago up in Sapporo, and then never went to church again. He is sooo way cool. That was a way good story because its all about finding...the right way! We made one filipino friend while we were knocking doors, and then she referred us to her filipino friend who invited us to meet her family who includes a less active! So, that was one of the sweetest miracles of this week. Oh, and we are going to a barbecue with them tomorrow. Should be fun! :-)
Can I just say that I feel so old? I wake up in the morning waaay sore, I just think "hey, this is only supposed to happen to old folks!" Seeing as Im no longer a teenager anymore, I guess this kind of thing was bound to happen.
Well, we also had a great Zone Conference this past week as well --- Elder Stevenson from the Area Presidency came! Oh man, it was soo good! Ill just quote the journal on this one: "I played prelude for like an hour. I felt the importance of having a vision and being committed to finding natural ways of talking to people. I wrote (in my notes at conference): `Let us be ourselves. The work is moving. We are friend-makers. Let us open our mouths. Let us make spiritual experiences for our investigators.` He spoke truths about missionary work."
So, for the rest of the week, we decided to really get out into the community and offer our services. We visited several community centers and a bunch of hospitals and we talked to people while we were waiting and it was just really really fun. We even went to the city hall and found out that there is a sweeet electric wheelchair soccer conference that they need volunteers for, so we talked to our Mission President, and he was ALL for it. He wanted to make sure that every missionary in the Hiroshima region came, and he even phoned Tokyo, and we are even going to be able to donate some wheelchairs if they need it. So, we were able to find a way sweet service opportunity, which equals a way sweet finding opportunity. Now THAT is missionary work.
So, we are lifting our vision, and spreading our reach to find in every opportunity that we have. We are also making tons of friends here. People always ask us, "Wow, you guys are working all the time!" But we always respond "no, its not really work because its all about making friends and having good conversations and helping people." Of course, you hear all the General Authorities say "the key to missionary work is WORK," but I think that you can make work so fun that it no longer has the negative connotation of "WORK." So, basically its just a matter of "playing hard" over here. :-) So yeah, Im happy. I hope everyone is too.
I know this is The Right Thing. This gospel. This lifestyle. This obedience. And I have grown a much deeper appreciation for my Savior. He really is MY Savior. But of course, he is YOUR Savior too. I am constantly amazed at how personal our Heavenly Father is and how well he knows each of us. Please, no one forget that!!!!!!
Well, I love y`all, and hope to hear from y`all soon.
Elder Hogge
P.S. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE try NOT to send email. I DONT like email. I can only read it on Mondays and I cant print them out and they are only words on a screen...things in my hands feel soo much more real. (of course, everyone has their moral agency and can choose for themselves...) P.S.S. I wouldnt mind the folks using email. Whatever you think would be best for the situation. :-)
Personally, I despise this whole computer-box thing. In fact, I wouldn`t have even decided to email, were it not for my guilty conscience concerning how Mom would feel if she knew that I could email, but didnt. So, here I am, in a nearby community center, plopping out an email on a RIDICULOUS Japanese keyboard...Theres like 10 more buttons on here and the enter button is all shaped weird...well, Im actually quite hungry right now, so Ill make this quick...
Dear Family, and Friends, and Whomever this may concern:
This week was sooo great. We had so much good happen for us here in the blessed land of Hatsukaichi. Last Monday night, we headed over to a potential investigators house. She is a filipino lady who is really nice, and we decided that it would be a good idea to meet the whole family too...so for that purpose, we set up a time to go over and introduce ourselves. We were a little scared that the husband would be like "Hey! What are you doing hanging out with my wife???" But oooooh contrair ---- after a couple minutes of light conversation, he says "yeah, Im a Mormon." ------------------- WHAT? Apparently, he got baptized like 30 years ago up in Sapporo, and then never went to church again. He is sooo way cool. That was a way good story because its all about finding...the right way! We made one filipino friend while we were knocking doors, and then she referred us to her filipino friend who invited us to meet her family who includes a less active! So, that was one of the sweetest miracles of this week. Oh, and we are going to a barbecue with them tomorrow. Should be fun! :-)
Can I just say that I feel so old? I wake up in the morning waaay sore, I just think "hey, this is only supposed to happen to old folks!" Seeing as Im no longer a teenager anymore, I guess this kind of thing was bound to happen.
Well, we also had a great Zone Conference this past week as well --- Elder Stevenson from the Area Presidency came! Oh man, it was soo good! Ill just quote the journal on this one: "I played prelude for like an hour. I felt the importance of having a vision and being committed to finding natural ways of talking to people. I wrote (in my notes at conference): `Let us be ourselves. The work is moving. We are friend-makers. Let us open our mouths. Let us make spiritual experiences for our investigators.` He spoke truths about missionary work."
So, for the rest of the week, we decided to really get out into the community and offer our services. We visited several community centers and a bunch of hospitals and we talked to people while we were waiting and it was just really really fun. We even went to the city hall and found out that there is a sweeet electric wheelchair soccer conference that they need volunteers for, so we talked to our Mission President, and he was ALL for it. He wanted to make sure that every missionary in the Hiroshima region came, and he even phoned Tokyo, and we are even going to be able to donate some wheelchairs if they need it. So, we were able to find a way sweet service opportunity, which equals a way sweet finding opportunity. Now THAT is missionary work.
So, we are lifting our vision, and spreading our reach to find in every opportunity that we have. We are also making tons of friends here. People always ask us, "Wow, you guys are working all the time!" But we always respond "no, its not really work because its all about making friends and having good conversations and helping people." Of course, you hear all the General Authorities say "the key to missionary work is WORK," but I think that you can make work so fun that it no longer has the negative connotation of "WORK." So, basically its just a matter of "playing hard" over here. :-) So yeah, Im happy. I hope everyone is too.
I know this is The Right Thing. This gospel. This lifestyle. This obedience. And I have grown a much deeper appreciation for my Savior. He really is MY Savior. But of course, he is YOUR Savior too. I am constantly amazed at how personal our Heavenly Father is and how well he knows each of us. Please, no one forget that!!!!!!
Well, I love y`all, and hope to hear from y`all soon.
Elder Hogge
P.S. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE try NOT to send email. I DONT like email. I can only read it on Mondays and I cant print them out and they are only words on a screen...things in my hands feel soo much more real. (of course, everyone has their moral agency and can choose for themselves...) P.S.S. I wouldnt mind the folks using email. Whatever you think would be best for the situation. :-)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Letter from Sister Isa
Dear Joey Mission fans:
With the press of summer business and Mindy's return from her mission to Washington, D.C., I have fallen behind in transcribing Joey's letters from Japan. Sorry. But here is a letter (with pictures) that we received from Sister Isa, the wife of Joey's mission president.
Jeff
----------------
Dear Hogge Family,
Elder Hogge has become senior and been transferred to an area called Hatsukaichi. This area is very close to the mission home. It is only about 20 minutes away by train, so we still get to see him a lot. We miss him and his hard work here in the mission home though. His skills with a computer and in the Japanese language were very helpful. He was particularly helpful to our new secretary, Sister Webb. He has a great sense of humor, and he kept everyone laughing around here. He is working very hard in his new area, and we have already received compliments from the Stake President’s wife. He is also a very good piano player, so we enjoyed having him here at the mission home. Thank you for allowing us to work with your son here in Japan!
Sincerely,
Sister Isa
With the press of summer business and Mindy's return from her mission to Washington, D.C., I have fallen behind in transcribing Joey's letters from Japan. Sorry. But here is a letter (with pictures) that we received from Sister Isa, the wife of Joey's mission president.
Jeff
----------------
Dear Hogge Family,
Elder Hogge has become senior and been transferred to an area called Hatsukaichi. This area is very close to the mission home. It is only about 20 minutes away by train, so we still get to see him a lot. We miss him and his hard work here in the mission home though. His skills with a computer and in the Japanese language were very helpful. He was particularly helpful to our new secretary, Sister Webb. He has a great sense of humor, and he kept everyone laughing around here. He is working very hard in his new area, and we have already received compliments from the Stake President’s wife. He is also a very good piano player, so we enjoyed having him here at the mission home. Thank you for allowing us to work with your son here in Japan!
Sincerely,
Sister Isa
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