You are Awesome Tambien

Hello Family and Friends

Well, another week has gone by. Is it true that baby Jackjack is almost one??? I hardly believe that haha. Time sure is an odd thing.

Mom, thanks for that fabulous email. I was very happy to hear that Willie is magnifying his priesthood duties. Going that long without the temple must've been tough. I understand how saints must feel in the areas where temples arent very accessible. I haven't had the opportunity to go to the temple in eight months. At least I'll be getting to go in November. Speaking of the temple, Rosa and Angelo are both being prepared to go to the temple and do baptisms! They're doing great. Its weird seeing them at church and knowing I'm not the one serving in their area. As for what we will be doing for P-day... probably basketball or handball or somethin of that nature. I thought that I got the absentee ballot in a package you sent when I was in Riverhead. Soooo I would assume that I am registered. And thanks for taking care of my license. I should probably cash that check in soon. Its been sitting in my wallet for some time now that I think of it haha. I am so very grateful for Brother Bolton's thoughtfulness. It was such a delight getting a "dinner appointment through the mail" I guess you could say. Congrats on your new calling! It must be quite something knowing that the Lord trusts you to take care of the relief efforts of the saints in our stake.

This was a very interesting week. With the departure of Elder Roberts, it is now Elder Holbrook and I taking on Bushwick. And Elder Holbrook and I work differently. I've never really worked with someone like him before. There have been many times this week when I would ask him a question and he would take five to ten minutes before he would even say one word. I'm not very used to that. I feel like most of the time I have to take the initiative in situations. It can be very frustrating at times. But I know the Lord has put us together for very specific reasons. Still trying to figure those out, but I know I can learn alot from this. 

This week we were able to get in contact with an investigator that Elder Roberts and his other companion had been working with. Her name is Naylynn. She's nineteen and from Puerto Rico. She has family in Arizona that are members so thats how she came in contact with the church. She really likes the church. We have an appointment with her tomorrow actually. We are excited to be able to work with her. I really think that she is going to progress very well because she has one of those self-motivated personalities. So we will see where that goes.

Both being new to the area, Elder Holbrook and I have decided to focus most of our efforts on meeting with and working with members. Especially less-active members. We all know that every new convert needs a calling, a friend, and to be nurtured by the word of God so we've decided to try to get that friend into the conversion process as quickly as possible by working around members. We are starting to see some things come out of it. Nothing super specific, but we have some potentials that we are excited to work with.

Well, thats about it for this week. Just know that I love you all so very dearly. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that the gospel blesses families. Two of the greatest knowledges that we posses as members of the church. The church is so true!!!

Love, Elder Hogge

p.s. mom, what are your views on perhaps making some ties skinny for me? :D