Hey Yall!
So, sorry for doing a day later email, but I have a valid excuse haha.
Mom, First off I wanna say that I loved that story about Alice. That was so adorable to read. Its nice to know that my little loved ones still love me back! This week brought some very awesome experiences. I'm glad you saw that entry in the news about the street sweep. That was part of my first area (except we never went there because theres hardly any hispanics haha). I was talking to Elder Cabanilla and McEwen (our AP's) about it yesterday. They were super excited to have that opportunity to help spread the gospel a bit more through the Net. (Just as a side note for all you BYU fans, Elder McEwen redshirted last year at BYU in the quarterback position.) Whats going on in the field right now is really cool. Prez Calderwood is really getting things movin.
Anyways, my excuse for being late on the email is that we had our zone activity yesterday! By the time elder Holbrook and I got to the library that afternoon, there was a two hour wait for the computers... But the activity was so much fun! We went to Far Rockaway Beach and just chilled for a few hours. (We didn't swim, of course.) I'll shoot yall some pictures at the end of this email. We played a really fun game of pickup beach football. (Once again, for football fans, the last play of the game I ran a post route and grabbed a perfect spiral behind the secondary for a touchdown that was thrown by Elder McEwen. My claim to fame!!! haha) We had a blast.
I want so share a really special experience I had yesterday. Mom mentioned that she wanted to hear how I saw the Lord's hands in the work so here ya go. Elder Holbrook and I had just finished laundry and we were walking back out to the street to head home. I noticed a hispanic lady chillin on one of those parking lot cinder blocks but I didn't think much of it. (It was p-day ok! cut me some slack) We had walked a bit further when I got this distinct impression: Turn back. A few more steps forward and I realized "I'm gonna feel sooooo guilty if I dont follow this". The spirit was pretty loud on this occasion haha. So I silently turned around (probably at the bewilderment of elder Holbrook) and I made the long, awkward walk over to that lady, with her just staring at me the entire time. I finally get close to her, she pulls out her earbuds, and I tell her who we are and how we want to help her. Turns out, she has a very rambunctious 13 year old boy and she is a single mom. The first thing she inquired is if my church had some sort of youth program. With a big smile on my face, I answered to the affirmative. After talking a bit more, we were able to set up an appointment for us to come over on Thursday to teach her and her kid. I'm so grateful that I tuned in to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I know that the Lord has given us this amazing blessing and I plan on using it to its fullest extent.
Naylynn is doing very, very well right now but last week was a very hard week for her. Her mother had a Multiple Sclerosis attack friday morning so she spent the entire weekend in the hospital with her mom. But she is definitely progressing really well. She loves the book of mormon. (even more so than the bible) And she reads every assignment that we give her. She has accepted a baptismal date for the 23rd of September. Now Satan is going to work even harder to hinder her progression. But this experience feels very similar to how it was teaching Angelo and Rosa. Theres investigators when you feel like you have to do everything in your power to get them to progress, but then there are others, such as this circumstance, when you know its between them and the Lord and you've recieved the blessing of seeing their progression to conversion. She still needs to start coming to church, but she is so excited to come this week. We have a appointment with her today at three. We will be teaching the Plan of Salvation and Sabbath day observance. Please pray that she will be able to overcome the temptations of the adversary as she prepares to be baptized.
That was really hard to hear about Bro Newton. The next time you see him please tell him that I love him and am praying for him. I never really understood where he always came up with those kind words for me, but having someone that views me in those regards has always been a great blessing to me. I know the Lord has given him this illness not to punish him, but to refine him.
The one thing thats hardest, but most rewarding, about life is the presence of trials. Being a missionary, I am often reminded of the talk about the currant bush. (by hugh b. brown I believe?) I have plans for what I want to do and who I want to be. The Lord, most of the time, has different plans for me. But they are always better, whether I understand why or not. It appears to me that trials are those change of plans that put a hardship on my life. At that point, I have one of two choices to make: to succumb to the weight of the trial and cave, or apply the everlasting power of the atonement to overcome the trial and come out conquer and stronger. Its hard, but the strengthening and enabling power of the Atonement will always help, if we permit it. I have such a deep testimony of the love of God. That he allows us to confront trials so we can endure and improve. Though not always easy, trials teach us how to apply the sacrifice of Christ in our life.
I'm so excited for the my future in the mission. Although it isnt easy, its rewarding. Thank you for your support and I love you all so very much.
Love, Elder Hogge
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