Hey Mom! I always appreciate the email.
I am way excited for Adam! You know, I want to believe the old saying that for every door knocked here, another person receives baptism in S. America. When it pours really really hard when we are out working here, I like to say that they must be filling the baptismal font on the other side of the world! Haha. He will do great!
Of all the missionaries in Hiroshima, about half are from the states, a third are from Japan, and the rest are from Australia and Brazil. Theyre cool.
Its snowing right now. January and February are the coldest months here, and it shows! Ya know, I kinda prefer the snow to rain. Sure, its pretty darn cold, but at least we dont get all wet.
Ill get on the electric razor. I will make sure that its ready usable in the states.
My companion is absolutely amazing! The members here are lighting up with referrals, and we are soo busy visiting people, that weve got no time! Its pretty cool. Last week, I came down with a cold, but dont worry, Im over it. And yes, I rested a bit, drank lots of water, and all that fun stuff.
Im good! :-)
Well, thank you for everything. You are the best.
Love,
Elder Hogge
P.S. Will you be my valentine? Haha.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
5 January 2009
Dear Mom,
Yeah, you were right. There was no place to do email last week. Im still fine. All is well. Another week in Hatsukaichi! Yeah, the Japanese had their `Christmas season` last week. So, we worked hard none the less, even though sometimes not very many people were home or answered their doors.
My companion is Elder Goto from Gifu prefecture. Truthfully, I was a little apprehensive about becoming his companion, but he is awesome!!! He is one STUD of a missionary. He works hard, but has quite the goofy side -- just like me!!! Really fun to work with. We have really been working hard for the members, so we passed around sheets for everyone to fill out the names of their less active member friends, how we could help, and when we could meet them, and then we got to work. Elder Goto`s goal is to become the kind of missionary that a member would want to refer their friends to. I think that is excellent. So, in order to do so, we are working hard to help the less actives come to church. It was particularly effective this week because it was hard to do regular tracting. So, we taught a lot of lessons with less active members. And guess what? On Sunday, 3 less active and 1 kind of active members came! So, we saw that as a great success. We hope to continue that. That was probably the big highlight of the week.
Well, sounds like everything is pretty good out there! I cant believe my Mom plays the bass! Speaking of, a member played solo bass for us at a meal, and he was AMAZING! So yeah. Way exciting. I was also very happy to hear that Ben got his mission call! Yeah! Way to surprise me about Clayton! What about the other Galena guys? I dont really know anything...
Well, I hope everyone has a great rest of the holidays!
Love Yalls
Elder Hogge
Yeah, you were right. There was no place to do email last week. Im still fine. All is well. Another week in Hatsukaichi! Yeah, the Japanese had their `Christmas season` last week. So, we worked hard none the less, even though sometimes not very many people were home or answered their doors.
My companion is Elder Goto from Gifu prefecture. Truthfully, I was a little apprehensive about becoming his companion, but he is awesome!!! He is one STUD of a missionary. He works hard, but has quite the goofy side -- just like me!!! Really fun to work with. We have really been working hard for the members, so we passed around sheets for everyone to fill out the names of their less active member friends, how we could help, and when we could meet them, and then we got to work. Elder Goto`s goal is to become the kind of missionary that a member would want to refer their friends to. I think that is excellent. So, in order to do so, we are working hard to help the less actives come to church. It was particularly effective this week because it was hard to do regular tracting. So, we taught a lot of lessons with less active members. And guess what? On Sunday, 3 less active and 1 kind of active members came! So, we saw that as a great success. We hope to continue that. That was probably the big highlight of the week.
Well, sounds like everything is pretty good out there! I cant believe my Mom plays the bass! Speaking of, a member played solo bass for us at a meal, and he was AMAZING! So yeah. Way exciting. I was also very happy to hear that Ben got his mission call! Yeah! Way to surprise me about Clayton! What about the other Galena guys? I dont really know anything...
Well, I hope everyone has a great rest of the holidays!
Love Yalls
Elder Hogge
Sunday, December 21, 2008
22 December 2008
Hey!
So, for the good news: Im going to be in Hatsukaichi longer!!! YAY!!! For the bad news: my favorite Elder Mourao is transfering out...on Christmas Day!!! Wow! The Lords work has no holiday. And so, Elder Goto will be coming here. He is a magnificent Japanese young elder. I guess I need to brush up more on my Japanese! Haha.
Thank you all so much for the Christmas package! I have been listening to the Christmas guitar CD a lot, and I must say, I want to try and learn some of it when I return. But yeah.
This past week was crazy! We had our Christmas Concert under the Hiroshima Train Station last Tuesday, and it was big! A lot of members and investigators and English class students came from Hatsukaichi! It was awesome. Even though I messed up pretty bad playing Oh Holy Night, no one really seemed to notice or care.
Then, on Wednesday, we had our mission-wide conference!!! It was awesome, as well. They allowed the use of cell phones! It was a big shocker. So now, I have a cell phone in my pocket, and it is straight up weird! I cant believe that something like that was normal to me before. It will sure come in handy when trying to get a hold of people. So, in the past 3 months, we have gotten email and cell phones! Me and Elder Mourao figure that the next step is a car. Haha, if only...
I had a quick question: did Paul Hansen serve in Hatsukaichi? If so, does he know a Yamamoto-san? It is a friend of one of the members who is a former investigator that we found the other day. She says that the first missionary she met was an Elder Hansen, who was one of the brightest people she had ever met! I was very curious...
Elder Mourao says thanks for the Christmas present!
Well, I guess you would like to know about the phone call.... 10 AM on Christmas my time would work the best. And, I would appreciate if you called (0829) 32-1338.
I love you all, and am grateful for your love and sacrifice. Its hard, but its worth it. Ill talk to you all later!!! :-D
Elder Hogge (Hogge Choro)
So, for the good news: Im going to be in Hatsukaichi longer!!! YAY!!! For the bad news: my favorite Elder Mourao is transfering out...on Christmas Day!!! Wow! The Lords work has no holiday. And so, Elder Goto will be coming here. He is a magnificent Japanese young elder. I guess I need to brush up more on my Japanese! Haha.
Thank you all so much for the Christmas package! I have been listening to the Christmas guitar CD a lot, and I must say, I want to try and learn some of it when I return. But yeah.
This past week was crazy! We had our Christmas Concert under the Hiroshima Train Station last Tuesday, and it was big! A lot of members and investigators and English class students came from Hatsukaichi! It was awesome. Even though I messed up pretty bad playing Oh Holy Night, no one really seemed to notice or care.
Then, on Wednesday, we had our mission-wide conference!!! It was awesome, as well. They allowed the use of cell phones! It was a big shocker. So now, I have a cell phone in my pocket, and it is straight up weird! I cant believe that something like that was normal to me before. It will sure come in handy when trying to get a hold of people. So, in the past 3 months, we have gotten email and cell phones! Me and Elder Mourao figure that the next step is a car. Haha, if only...
I had a quick question: did Paul Hansen serve in Hatsukaichi? If so, does he know a Yamamoto-san? It is a friend of one of the members who is a former investigator that we found the other day. She says that the first missionary she met was an Elder Hansen, who was one of the brightest people she had ever met! I was very curious...
Elder Mourao says thanks for the Christmas present!
Well, I guess you would like to know about the phone call.... 10 AM on Christmas my time would work the best. And, I would appreciate if you called (0829) 32-1338.
I love you all, and am grateful for your love and sacrifice. Its hard, but its worth it. Ill talk to you all later!!! :-D
Elder Hogge (Hogge Choro)
Monday, December 15, 2008
16 December 2008
Haldo.
The Hiroshima Mission is having preparation day on Tuesday this week in preparation for the Mission wide Christmas conference tomorrow. Hence, the email is late.
Tonight, we are having a HUGE Christmas concert in the Hiroshima train station. I am going to be playing a Sally Deford version of Oh Holy Night on the piano with Sister Isa (the Mission Presidents wife) playing flute. Its a really hard piece, but no worries!
Oh yeah, before I forget, we are going to have to figure out Christmas phone call. Transfer calls are next Monday, and then we transfer on our December 25th. I have no clue if I will still be in Hatsukaichi, so we cant set it up for sure. If I dont transfer, that morning would be fine. And I think it would be okay to do the call on my December 26th (like last year?) too. So, I dont have any time to do the time difference math, but if you could pick about 3 times to do the call and let me know by next Monday (for me), then we could figure out what will work the best. And again, I will give you my phone number so you could call.
So, yes. I am still breathing, still sacrificing, still improving. Im really convinced that the things I learn and apply to my life here on the mission are going to stick with me, in the long run. (shoot that sentence past Hilly, and see if she laughs :-) ) But seriously, I am grateful for the opportunity to force myself to put the gospel and Christ`s church in first priority. I know that that is how it HAS to be in order to be `built upon the rock.` I am thankful for worthy parents who have shown me that example and the strength of that foundation. Oh man! Im so excited for this life in the gospel! It is so sweet.
Well, I love y`all. I think you are all quite dandy. Ill keep praying for Mindy, and now add Mom to the list! Let Spence know Ill be front row to hear his band when I get back, and let Willy know hes da man!
Good bye for a time!
Elder Hogge
The Hiroshima Mission is having preparation day on Tuesday this week in preparation for the Mission wide Christmas conference tomorrow. Hence, the email is late.
Tonight, we are having a HUGE Christmas concert in the Hiroshima train station. I am going to be playing a Sally Deford version of Oh Holy Night on the piano with Sister Isa (the Mission Presidents wife) playing flute. Its a really hard piece, but no worries!
Oh yeah, before I forget, we are going to have to figure out Christmas phone call. Transfer calls are next Monday, and then we transfer on our December 25th. I have no clue if I will still be in Hatsukaichi, so we cant set it up for sure. If I dont transfer, that morning would be fine. And I think it would be okay to do the call on my December 26th (like last year?) too. So, I dont have any time to do the time difference math, but if you could pick about 3 times to do the call and let me know by next Monday (for me), then we could figure out what will work the best. And again, I will give you my phone number so you could call.
So, yes. I am still breathing, still sacrificing, still improving. Im really convinced that the things I learn and apply to my life here on the mission are going to stick with me, in the long run. (shoot that sentence past Hilly, and see if she laughs :-) ) But seriously, I am grateful for the opportunity to force myself to put the gospel and Christ`s church in first priority. I know that that is how it HAS to be in order to be `built upon the rock.` I am thankful for worthy parents who have shown me that example and the strength of that foundation. Oh man! Im so excited for this life in the gospel! It is so sweet.
Well, I love y`all. I think you are all quite dandy. Ill keep praying for Mindy, and now add Mom to the list! Let Spence know Ill be front row to hear his band when I get back, and let Willy know hes da man!
Good bye for a time!
Elder Hogge
Sunday, December 7, 2008
7 December 2008
Hello Mom, Dad, Mindy, Sarah, Aaron, Hil, Spence, Willie, and Mari!
It feels so great to be in December! We are having an absolutely awesome time here in Japan. So far on the Christmas tree, I have put up Dad, Hil, Maris ornaments. Sweet! I busted up laughing when I opened Dads...now I have a face staring at me when I sleep! haha.
This past week at English class, we made.......EGG NOG!! You really should have been there...people gave us the biggest looks of terror when they saw us put nutmeg into the drink! Apparently, the Japanese put nutmeg into their hamburgers, so when they drank it, they said `ahh! burgers!` Haha. But there were a couple of people who really liked it. All in all, a really fun night.
Is Mindy doing all right? I will keep you in my prayers, Mind.
Hey Mindy, do you remember that packet of uplifting letters and papers you sent me when I was at home preparing for the mission? On one of them, it talked about purification, and doing a 40-day purification fast. Me and Elder Mourao focused our fasts on figuring out ways to purify ourselves and become more obedient, and then we committed to fast from `outside the ideal missionary` things.
In the process, I have just begun to learn about sacrifice. My Biology/Book of Mormon professor (Dr. Booth) at BYU once taught that `sacrifice brings sanctification.` We have really taken that meaning to heart. I am personally sacrificing many little and a couple big things during this 40 day fast. I have already noticed a change in myself, my companion, and how often the Spirit abides with us. Its all just part of trying to see success -- start from within yourself.
So, thank you Mindy for sending that idea to me when I was preparing for serving. Sure, its something that probably I could have just figured out from the scriptures, but its nice to have some thing that flat out says what to do. :-)
So, in conclusion, I love the Lord. I love the work. I love sacrifice, because I love feeling the Spirit. I know everyone else can feel the Spirit more strongly in their lives if they find if but one more thing to sacrifice in order to turn more single-eyed to the Lord.
Ill keep on keepin on! Its always my pleasure to keep in touch with everyone. :-)
Always,
Elder Hogge
P.S. Hil -- good luck with shows! I promise I will watch when I get back. Im rooting for you!!!!!!!!!!
It feels so great to be in December! We are having an absolutely awesome time here in Japan. So far on the Christmas tree, I have put up Dad, Hil, Maris ornaments. Sweet! I busted up laughing when I opened Dads...now I have a face staring at me when I sleep! haha.
This past week at English class, we made.......EGG NOG!! You really should have been there...people gave us the biggest looks of terror when they saw us put nutmeg into the drink! Apparently, the Japanese put nutmeg into their hamburgers, so when they drank it, they said `ahh! burgers!` Haha. But there were a couple of people who really liked it. All in all, a really fun night.
Is Mindy doing all right? I will keep you in my prayers, Mind.
Hey Mindy, do you remember that packet of uplifting letters and papers you sent me when I was at home preparing for the mission? On one of them, it talked about purification, and doing a 40-day purification fast. Me and Elder Mourao focused our fasts on figuring out ways to purify ourselves and become more obedient, and then we committed to fast from `outside the ideal missionary` things.
In the process, I have just begun to learn about sacrifice. My Biology/Book of Mormon professor (Dr. Booth) at BYU once taught that `sacrifice brings sanctification.` We have really taken that meaning to heart. I am personally sacrificing many little and a couple big things during this 40 day fast. I have already noticed a change in myself, my companion, and how often the Spirit abides with us. Its all just part of trying to see success -- start from within yourself.
So, thank you Mindy for sending that idea to me when I was preparing for serving. Sure, its something that probably I could have just figured out from the scriptures, but its nice to have some thing that flat out says what to do. :-)
So, in conclusion, I love the Lord. I love the work. I love sacrifice, because I love feeling the Spirit. I know everyone else can feel the Spirit more strongly in their lives if they find if but one more thing to sacrifice in order to turn more single-eyed to the Lord.
Ill keep on keepin on! Its always my pleasure to keep in touch with everyone. :-)
Always,
Elder Hogge
P.S. Hil -- good luck with shows! I promise I will watch when I get back. Im rooting for you!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, November 24, 2008
24 November 2008
Hello. Another rainy day in Hatsukaichi! It just decided to turn waaaay cold here all of a sudden. So, its been a little hard, but we will pull through it!!! Yeah! Not a whole lot to report this week...the last letter I have here is from the 14th. The last days truly are here! I wonder how things will be different when I get back there...hmmm...no time to think!
We are up to our heads in missionary work! There are soo many people here to serve, and so many opportunities to invite to hear the lessons. That is something me and Elder Mourao have been working on -- challenging people straight forward to the lessons. The Japanese people are very VERY beat-around-the-bush people (which is strange considering how busy they are), and unfortunately, I have fallen into that same habit! So I have been trying to climb out of the funk and challenge people directly!!! Blah. But, it is very fun and rewarding. In fact, the man sitting right next to us in the BIG massage chair asked about us right now, and I just challenged him to hear a message about the purpose of life using the Salt Lake City Temple pass along card. Its waaay easy. Unfortunately, we were not able to get any firm appointment...but hey, we are trying. Even during email time! :-)
Well, I will probably write a snail mail letter now, so Ill let you go.
Love,
Elder Hogge
We are up to our heads in missionary work! There are soo many people here to serve, and so many opportunities to invite to hear the lessons. That is something me and Elder Mourao have been working on -- challenging people straight forward to the lessons. The Japanese people are very VERY beat-around-the-bush people (which is strange considering how busy they are), and unfortunately, I have fallen into that same habit! So I have been trying to climb out of the funk and challenge people directly!!! Blah. But, it is very fun and rewarding. In fact, the man sitting right next to us in the BIG massage chair asked about us right now, and I just challenged him to hear a message about the purpose of life using the Salt Lake City Temple pass along card. Its waaay easy. Unfortunately, we were not able to get any firm appointment...but hey, we are trying. Even during email time! :-)
Well, I will probably write a snail mail letter now, so Ill let you go.
Love,
Elder Hogge
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
17 November 2008
Hello. Not a whole lot to report this week..........I think this was a patience week...one of those where we learn patience! Haha. Yeah, we are working hard and getting tired everyday and its great.
Last Saturday, a new shopping center was put up really close to our apartment, so we decided to head over and chat with people. As we were leaving, one of the rent-a-cop kind of guys holding a sign said hi and we started a conversation. He was soo awesome. He asked us what we were doing. And so I handed him a pass along card about the Book of Mormon. Right as I did so, a guy flanked by 2 other rent-a-cops walks up to us and asks: `What are you doing??` And before I could answer, he said: `Youve been handing out fliers and stuff! Thats illegal!` (Keep in mind that we had done this plenty of times before) So, me and my companion are standing there, looking at this guy in a jacket with a clipboard and walkie talkie, and kinda wondering if he actually had that authority...so we inquired further, and apparently, he wanted us to go down to the police station and pay money to receive a piece of paper saying its okay for us to talk to people and hand out fliers. He said that all of Japan is the same. We thought it was very odd that missionaries havent been told that before even though we have been here doing this for 30/40 years! Haha, but yeah. We respected him and said `yes sir` and continued to hear him, and then walked away once he was done. So, we called the Mission Office and talked to one of the AP`s and he told us not to worry about it. I dont know, it just kinda hit me that there are a lot of things trying to stop us from working. And if we are hit with them, it must mean that we are doing something right, right? :-) All for the cause of righteousness.
Well, besides that, we had transfer calls last week, and me and Elder Mourao are still here together and having fun. We biked all the way to the western edge of our border, to a place called Ootake. It was waaay fun and a very pretty ride along the coast. We were also able to meet a bunch of less actives that havent come to church because they live so far. It was a very fun `field trip` day of missionary work! :-) Well, tonight, we have FHE with a very strong member family, and we planned it so that their 14 year old son would teach the message of the Restoration with us! It is going to be soo fun! I sure wish the missionaries pulled me aside and planned to help me practice teaching when I was younger! So, we are going to make this a very spiritual and unforgettable experience. :-) We just seem to find more and more people on top of more and more mountains, so we are a little tired this week. But dont worry, we are protecting our health, and we are building both spiritual and physical muscle. :-) Hey Dad, I really appreciate how much you keep in contact. Youre like a good buddy to me, and I know youre busy, so thanks!
And Mom, where would I be without you?
Well, I havent received any new email this week, so sorry but, Im about ready to fall asleep, so catch yall later! :-)
I am learning what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Love and roses and happiness and all that!!! :-) Elder Hogge (Hogge Choro)
Last Saturday, a new shopping center was put up really close to our apartment, so we decided to head over and chat with people. As we were leaving, one of the rent-a-cop kind of guys holding a sign said hi and we started a conversation. He was soo awesome. He asked us what we were doing. And so I handed him a pass along card about the Book of Mormon. Right as I did so, a guy flanked by 2 other rent-a-cops walks up to us and asks: `What are you doing??` And before I could answer, he said: `Youve been handing out fliers and stuff! Thats illegal!` (Keep in mind that we had done this plenty of times before) So, me and my companion are standing there, looking at this guy in a jacket with a clipboard and walkie talkie, and kinda wondering if he actually had that authority...so we inquired further, and apparently, he wanted us to go down to the police station and pay money to receive a piece of paper saying its okay for us to talk to people and hand out fliers. He said that all of Japan is the same. We thought it was very odd that missionaries havent been told that before even though we have been here doing this for 30/40 years! Haha, but yeah. We respected him and said `yes sir` and continued to hear him, and then walked away once he was done. So, we called the Mission Office and talked to one of the AP`s and he told us not to worry about it. I dont know, it just kinda hit me that there are a lot of things trying to stop us from working. And if we are hit with them, it must mean that we are doing something right, right? :-) All for the cause of righteousness.
Well, besides that, we had transfer calls last week, and me and Elder Mourao are still here together and having fun. We biked all the way to the western edge of our border, to a place called Ootake. It was waaay fun and a very pretty ride along the coast. We were also able to meet a bunch of less actives that havent come to church because they live so far. It was a very fun `field trip` day of missionary work! :-) Well, tonight, we have FHE with a very strong member family, and we planned it so that their 14 year old son would teach the message of the Restoration with us! It is going to be soo fun! I sure wish the missionaries pulled me aside and planned to help me practice teaching when I was younger! So, we are going to make this a very spiritual and unforgettable experience. :-) We just seem to find more and more people on top of more and more mountains, so we are a little tired this week. But dont worry, we are protecting our health, and we are building both spiritual and physical muscle. :-) Hey Dad, I really appreciate how much you keep in contact. Youre like a good buddy to me, and I know youre busy, so thanks!
And Mom, where would I be without you?
Well, I havent received any new email this week, so sorry but, Im about ready to fall asleep, so catch yall later! :-)
I am learning what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Love and roses and happiness and all that!!! :-) Elder Hogge (Hogge Choro)
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