I Couldn't Help It!!

Fam + Friends

Sorry mom, I just couldnt help it!! But dont worry, I will be calling on mothers day. And since we have our own cell phones, all I need to do is call you guys. Easy, huh? I hope I still remember your numbers.... Haha ok ok I really need to stop. I'll probably end up calling Dad's phone, Or whatever you guys decide. I might call around six or seven my time... so you do the math.

Thanks for getting the hamper thing figured out for me, I really appreciate it. Sounds like there was a lot of celebrating going on. I wish everyone a happy (belated) birthday who had one this week. And I say that obviously cuz I woulda said it last week, but I didn't have time. Definitely not because I forgot about anyones birthday.... pshh... hmmm. Anyways, I actually did think about Grandpa Joe a lot this week. I talked to my companion about him. What a comfort to have a knowledge of the plan of salvation!!! Next time you talk to grandma west, let her know I love her so very much. She's kinda gettin up there in age isnt she?

So, things are going super well here. We had stake conference yesterday. We had it at the marriot hotel in downtown brooklyn. I'd say probably a thousand people showed up. That was sooooo cool to see. Cuz being in north brooklyn we are pretty far away from the rest of the stake. It was such a comfort to see how many members there really are here.

Elder Warhurst and I were able to teach Rosa and Angelo five times this week. We went through all the commandments and their baptismal date is set for May 6th. I'm sooooooo excited for them. Angelo has become a little brother to us. On saturday, we took him to play some basketball and handball. The really cool thing about here is that we are allowed to play sports with investigators even if it's not p-day. Prez really wants us to develop good relationships with the people we teach. And we have been having members coming to the lessons. They are so ready to get baptized!! Ahh the Lord's work is so much fun!! That has definitely been the highlight of my week, being able to teach them. Of course they've had some concerns and minor doubts about things, but they have been praying together every night as a family. I really think that has helped them reach this point. I have been so blessed to be able to teach them. Please keep them in your prayers that they may have a smooth transition into the church.

And now time for everyone's favorite point of the email, responding to questions from mom!!


How is your health? Is the head behaving? The stomach? Yes mom, everything is going well. I'll get headaches here or there but nothing serious. My stomach is doing great, but I may or may not have pulled the "I had acid reflux" card to save myself from having to intake more rice than is humanly possible. Sometimes Hispanics just keep piling and piling the rice on a plate till its a mini mountain. I felt a little bad for saying it, but I dont even want to think about the consequences of eating that much rice....

How are Rosa and Angelo doing?
good.

What are your plans for P-day?
Well, someone in our zone got their hands on Settlers of Catan. Sooooooo I think this question has already been answered.

Are these e-mails ok? Is there too much info about home? Should they be more gospel oriented? (I think mom is afraid I wont accept her emails for what they are...) Yes mom they are fantastic! Just dont stop writing me haha

What arrangements do we need to make for the Mother's Day call? (this is from Dad) We get home from church at @ 2:30 (5:30 your time). Remember? I cant call home on mothers day! ;)


Something this week that I have focused on is prayer. I really want to get better at making my prayers more meaningful. Sometimes it can be hard when we are praying 20-30 times a day. But something really cool that an amazing missionary showed me is the Bible Dictionary entry for prayer. I dont have it on me, but it says something like the point of prayer is not to change God's will. It is to secure blessings that he already has waiting for us. When I was younger, I always wondered why we ask God for things if He is all powerful and all knowing. Its not like he is going to realize " oh yeah, I guess it would be kinda cool if elder hogge got that blessing. good thing he asked me or else I wouldntve even thought about it." He knows exactly what he wants for us, but sometimes those blessing are made conditional on our asking for them. i personally believe that the reason God doesnt give us some blessings until we ask ( and do everything else in our power to recieve them of course) is because we wont understand the significance of the blessing until we have the desire for it. Heavenly Father has a huge vault of blessings waiting for every single one of us. But we gotta do our part to get that vault open. I wish I could be more eloquent in my writing about this but I'm on a time limit. I just know that prayer is so much more powerful than any of us give it credit for. Just think of how different this world would be if one fourteen year old boy didnt offer a simple prayer. i know that every single one of us can get more out of our prayers to our Heavenly Father. I have a testimony of that. I also have a testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel and the happiness it brings us. But we need to do our part. I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ so much. I know I am in the right place at the right time. I love you all so much. Talk to ya next week!

Love, Elder Hogge :)

Pumped!!

Hallo out there! Mom, I'm really sorry to say this, but our mission isn't doing phone calls on Mother's day. President Nelson said that we are going to do it on Father's day........ Ok just kidding. I know, I know, horrible joke. But I'm excited for the phone call as well. Just a few more weeks I guess. All is well in the land of the Bushwackers. We had some pretty fun events this week. But it sounds like Mom and Dad had fun in utah. I want more pictures of my nieces and nephew!!! I cant believe jack is getting so big! My little spaceman is a stud. And how is baby trudy doing? I suppose she is a few months old now. Give her a great big kiss for me. I hope alice is still being a good little helper. And mari is probably tearin it up in school (figuratively). I cant wait to be the cool uncle that takes them to movies and buys them ice cream n' stuff hehehe. Mom, I loved that commentary on King Benjamin. I have a firm belief that wickedness never was happiness, and that obedience ALWAYS brings happiness. Heavenly Father is so smart!! Commandments aren't constraints, they are guidelines to true, everlasting happyness. And I am on a pursuit of happyness for the people here in Bushwick. So many people dont want to give up their own will for the will of the Lord. If they truly knew how happy they would be, they would give up everything instantly to gain those blessings. But that wouldn't require faith, and faith is necessary for eternal life. Its sad to see people reject the blessings of heaven :/ BUT it is such a blessing to see people make the right choices. We were able to teach Rosa and Angelo a couple times this week. (Angelo is now 12 btw) We brought them to a noche de amistad, or night of friendship. We played games, ate food, and learned about the missionary work. They had a lot of fun. And then yesterday, they both came to church!!! Oh man that was the best. The happiness of seeing people make good choices heavily outweighs the sadness of seeing people make wrong choices. They are progressing very well. This week we will be teaching them the commandments. I pray to Heavenly Father that they will be willing and ready to accept these commitments to Him. So, I'm not sure if I talk about New York very much, but I just wanna explain to all of you how very much I LOVE hispanic food. (Mom, I bet you never thought I'd say that sentence) Lets get things straight, I still despise Taco Bell. Blegh. But I love hispanic food. Since I have only served in bushwick I have only really discovered the wonders of Dominican food. BTW I plan on going to the Dominican Republic after my mission. They make such good rice and chicken. It's their staple. But they are also masters of the platano (or plantain). They have many delicious plates that they make with platano. My favorite snack, as some of you know, is platanos tostones. I will be making them for you all when I get back (thats a promise). Also, they make platano maduro, which is basically the same as tostones but with yellow platano instead of green. I've also had Mongu. Its like mashed potatoes on flavor steroids. Its mashed boiled platanos with butter and red onion and garlic. Soooo good! Also, the Dominicans make one of my most favorite drinks in the world. Its called Morir Sonando. Which literally translates to "Die Dreaming". Thats how good it is. They mix orange juice, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and sugar into this marvelous concoction. Oh man my mouth is getting all saliva-y. And there is this thing called sancocho. Its a stew of platano, yuca, and seven different types of meats. By far the best tasting dish I have had here yet. And all of this is just dominican!! I'm excited for the chance to try Ecuadorian, El Salvadorian, Guatemalan, Mexican, Honduranian, Peruvian, Argentinian, Chilean, everything!!! And that’s the beauty of New York City. No where in the world is there an opportunity like this. But I'm not just excited to try the food, I'm so excited to meet the people. I love my mission so much. I am thoroughly convinced that there is no better mission out there. My mission president, President Nelson, is one of my most favorite people in the world. And I love the Gospel!!! Nothing else could ever make me this happy. I'm so blessed to have a testimony that Christ died for us, but now LIVES for us. In Hebrews we learn of how He came to this earth in the flesh and died to be able to succor us, or to comfort us. What a blessing to have a best friend who knows exactly what you are going through. If you ever want happiness, serve others!! The happiest points in my mission are when I am in the service of my fellow New Yorkians. (Yes I say fellow new yorkians because without pause I consider myself a full-blooded New Yorkian.) The Gospel is so true! Families WILL be together forever as they follow God's guidelines for happiness, or commandments as some may say. I miss you all a ton, but I love the mission and my Lord with all my heart, might, mind and strength. How blessed I am to be a soldier in God's Army! Haha this is fun, gettin pumped in a letter home. But I'm so excited about the Work! I dont know whats in store, but I am ready to go and do, not sit and stew. I love you all!! Be good! Love, Elder Hogge

Up and Down Week

Family and friends.

Wow, the mission is such a roller coaster haha. Makes for quite a ride.

I'll start off by answering moms questions:

How's the weather there?
The weather is great!! The trick is actually staying cool enough here. Its been in like the seventies for the past little while. SUuuuuper humid. Not used to that yet.

How was ultimate Frisbee?
We actually ended up playing Football instead. That was super fun. If you are able to come pick me up, we will have to stop by prospect park for sure. Its a Huuuuuuuge park.

Were you able to play handball last week?
Because there are courts everywhere, and I really do mean on every street, We usually get to play every p-day. I'll hafta teach you guys when I get back.

Did your JDawg sauce make it ok?
Yes the JDawg sauce made it great. Sooooo delicious.

Did you get your SD card?
Yep, made It safe and sound

Have you tried your hot fudge cake yet?
I havent made it yet. I'll certainly get to it soon though. But I did make the chocolate peanut butter squares. Oh man I was in heaven haha. Everyone in my zone loved them and Elder Warhurst is making me do them this week again haha.

Is there anything from home you'd like me to send in May?
Not that I can think of. Just lots of love :) I saw a kid wearing my TMNT pjs in Greenpoint!! That was a surprise. But I love those pants so much haha. (wear them every night)

Do you need a copy of the Conference issue of the Ensign?
Nope, each companionship gets the copy every month.

So, this week had some ups and downs.
Somethin really cute happened while waiting for an elevator in a project building. A mom and her son walked into the building and the little kid saw us. He looked up to his mom and said, "Who are those guys all dressed up?" As she walked into the other elevator, she remarked "They're soldiers for Jesus." That experience made me super happy. We really are fighting for God with the swords of our testimonies.

Somethin really sad happened this week as well. We went to Zaida's place to teach her on saturday. After talking to her for a bit, she finally mustered up the courage to tell us that she is not going to get baptized. My heart just dropped. That was the saddest I've felt on the mission so far. She knows that its all true, she has told us. But she just doesnt want to change some things. I was SO FRUSTRATED!! I just wish I could make her change so that she could finally feel the blessings of the gospel. But alas, One of God's greatest gifts (alliteration!) to us is our agency. Its just so hard to see someone you love not make the choices you know will bless them. I think I had caught a glimpse of being a parent.

But, something good DID happen this week. Wooooh! We were able to have a couple lessons with Rosa and Angelo (the 11 yr old) last week. And on Saturday, we committed them to baptism! WEll, its not super set in stone, and Rosa still has some things to figure out, but they are progressing. I'm so excited for them!! Tonight we are going to go over and teach them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its gonna be super fun. The really hard part is gonna be getting Rosa to church because she works on Sudays. So I'm not really sure how to deal with that but with the Lord's help I know that we can figure something out.

So this has been a crazy week for sure. But what do ya expect, its New York. And I LOVE IT!! I couldnt imagine going to any other mission. I have such a testimony that the Lord sends us exactly where we are supposed to be. I LOVE president Nelson. Its gonna be so sad seeing him leave in June. But he has taught me so much and I have so much respect for him.

One thing the mission has really focused on together is "applying the atonement in our own lives and in the lives of the people we teach" (New York New York South 2012 Vision). I've noticed that the more I help other people change their lives, the more I realize how much I can and need to change my own life. The atonement is such a wonderful thing! I always use the scripture Alma 7: 11-14. I know this gospel is for everyone!!

I love you all so much. Gotta go!!

Love, Elder Hogge

Sacrament Meeting

Family and Friends.

This past week was full of good experiences. All is well and I am loving the mission. So I told all you about the changes going on in our branch. We took in one and a half other spanish branches. I was kind of nervous yesterday to see what the attendance would be like. In bushwick before, we would usually have and average of about 50 people. As 1 o'clock approached, more and more people were coming into the chapel. I was getting excited. By the end of sacrament meeting, the count had been 168 people!!! That was one of the happiest feelings I've had on my mission so far. To see a little branch triple in size is a blessing in deed. Fast and testimony meeting was really good. Though some people are sad to be leaving their friends, there is an air of excitement here. I'm so excited to see the strength in numbers build up the members. And for the dinner list this week, Elder Warhurst and I aren't going a single day without eating at a members house!!! (just a little added bonus) So I am so thankful for what the Lord has provided for the members here. I know that the work here will be blessed as well.

Last night, we ate at the house of some of our investigators. Their names are Loli and Feliz. Loli is super talkative and loves practicing her English with us. Feliz is a very quiet fellow. The first time we met with them, Loli told us we must come for dinner so that she could feed us. Very friendly. But they said they dont have much time to study the gospel. We will see how it goes.

On the mission, we do something called Look-Ups. Its when we dont have an appointment with someone, so we just look up people in the area book to knock on their door hoping they are there to see if we can set up an appointment. Last thursday, we looked up this one former from a long time ago. Knocked on the door, and she let us in!! I was surprised. We got to know them a bit. Her name is Rosa Cabral. She lives with her two sons, Angelo (11) and Andy (5). They are from the Dominican Republic. So we talked with them for a bit and then taught the Restoration. They seemed to like it alot. Though Rosa reminded us a few times that she is evangelical haha. But the lesson went really well and we asked Angelo to give the closing prayer. After we wrote down the steps for praying in his book of mormon for him, he offered the closing prayer. It was so sincere and heartfelt! After he ended, he told us that this was the first time he had ever prayed and he felt really happy. Such a great experience. We plan to go back wednesday night.

Today we are headed to prospect park as a zone to play ultimate frisbee. Im super excited. (dont worry mom, this park is in a nice area of brooklyn) One of my favorite things about New York is Handball. Everyone plays it here. All you need is a raquetball, and a wall. Pretty simple but super fun. In almost every park here there are handball courts. The missionaries love playing it. Im gettin pretty ok at it haha. But the coolest thing about handball is that it was started here in brooklyn and queens. Just a little piece of New York fun for you all.

Last week, I got the packages from mom, gramma buck, and the elk grove ward youth! I was so stoked to get all that! Packages are the absolute best! Love it so much haha. It really is like christmas when I get stuff in the mail. I feel so loved here :D

Well, time ticks away. Thank you so much for all your support and love. The mission is tough, but full of blessings. Something I like to remember is that the Work is accomplished through me, not because of me. The Lord is allowing me to be a part of this marvelous work and a wonder. I love you all!!

Love, Elder Hogge

P.s. I'm so glad to hear taylor can bend now!! he might as well enroll in a yoga class now ;p

G-Con

Family and Friends,

My what a great week. I was so blessed to be able to watch all the sessions of General Conference. The speakers were great (like always of course) and I very much enjoyed the sessions. What a cool surprise to see Tim all the way in the back row!! When I realized that I just started going crazy. All the missionaries thought I'd gone mad haha. But I was just so excited to see Tim up there singin at General Conference. I'm so proud of him and I know he is going to make an excellent missionary. I'm also very happy to hear that Taylor is doing well. I've been really worried about him. The mission is such a change of life, and having to come back home would be something very difficult indeed. I know that the Lord is watcing over him and that he is only being strengthened right now.

I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Hilly, if you could upload them onto facebook that would be great. And yes, that hamper is from Mish mall. I already bought a new one here, but once you head to Utah it'd be nice if you can pick up a new one so you can send it to me once the one I have breaks. (and it will break eventually, I bought it from a Brooklyn bargain store.) I'm so excited for the changes happening in this area of Brooklyn. Some members like it, others aren't big fans. We assimilated three branches into one, which means the former members of the two other branches have to travel farther.... further.... farther? uh.... More far to get to church now. But I know that it will be such a blessing to ALL the members because now we have the blessings of more members together, a stake presidency, high council, and much more.

Transfers went great! It is so weird not being with Elder Lewis anymore. I really love that guy and I know that he is going to continue being a great missionary. My new companion is Elder Warhurst. He is from St. George, Utah, has been out on the mission for a year, and, well.... he is 6'5". Sooooooooo there is kinda a height difference between us haha. But I love him so much already. I've been really focusing on service. There was this one quote that Willie sent me that went somethin like "If you dont love someone yet, you haven't served them enough." Although I already love him, service really does strengthen our companionship. We get along great. He is a really happy, goofy guy. So we really dont have any problems at all. I know this transfer is going to be a blast.

So I have a cool story. Right after the morning session of Sunday General Conference, I met someone. I walked into the foyer of the chapel, and encountered this white guy that I did not know. (that doesnt happen very often here in brooklyn) He looked at my nametag, looked at me, and with widened eyes, he remarked, "You wouldn't happen to be related to Joe Hogge would you?" ....Ok. People always talk about jaw dropping experiences. Always thought that was an exaggeration. Well, my jaw dropped. I asked how in the world he knew my brother!! Turns out his name was Noah Driggs, and Joey is his home teacher at BYU. I could not believe it. Noah was here cuz he was lookin for another missionary he knew and he was on a trip with other byu students for somethin or rather. I gave him a great big hug and told him to transfer it over to Joe next time he sees him.

Craziness, huh? Well, my thirty minutes is just about up. But I want to share my testimony of prophets. I know that Joseph Smith was ordained of God to bring forth the Everlasting Gospel in this era. It is such a blessing to understand that. So many people here dont know or just flat out deny it. I know that with this knowledge, all can and will be blessed. I know that Thomas Spencer Monson is ordained by Christ to lead His church now on the earth. I love this Gospel so much. It has truly blessed my life and I want to help it be a part of blessing others. I love you all so much.

Love, Elder Hogge