Happy New Year!

Hello everyone!!!

It has been an entire 5 days since I emailed last. Hope you thoroughly enjoyed the pictures! I would send more, but right now we are at a hispanic internet cafe and the computer next to me notified the user that there was a malicious virus trying to activate. Sooooo I think I'll save my thumb drive and send you pics once I get to an actual library next week. That's New York for ya ;)

Today we are headed to downtown Brooklyn. I'm pretty stoked. We'll be hitting up the mall and probably stop by guitarcenter for a bit (mwah hah ha). Then because its new years eve president wants us in by six so its basically a full p-day. We will be chillin with the other elders in the district. woooot!!

This week since last Wednesday has been a really good week for the area we are working in.  Elder Jensen, Daley, and I have begun to an idea to really help the work move forward. We call it the Lowest Hanging Fruit list. What we did is we have taken an inventory of all the members we know in our area (and we have really been making a push to visit them all) and found all the non members that live with them. The list is a compilation of each non member and the member family that lives with them. We prayerfully selected a few families to really start working on. Our strategy is to build the faith of the members so that they can always be that example of the believer around the non member. It seems like a pretty obvious strategy, but for some reason we have just recently discovered it. We have already seen the blessings of it. 

At church, we had a new investigator attend. He lives with a super solid family named the Riveras. They were all baptized within the past four years and the dad was just baptized half a year ago. The investigator's name is Gustavo. He's pretty cool. He lived in Nashville for a few years for work so he learned how to say a few words with a cowboy accent. There are very few things more hilarious than a native Honduran talking like a southerner. But he is a chill guy. He has talked to the missionaries before, but we had a really good lesson with him on Saturday. He wants to find out if the church really is true. I believe we will see great things from this household. AAAAnd it just so happens that the uncle of Hermana Rivera just moved in with them from Reno. Yesterday was his first time ever at church and he had a good time. The Lord is already starting to pour out blessings on us.

I am super duper excited for this next week. We already have a lot of solid appointments set up. Who knows what the Lord has in store for us. As we keep doing the best we can the Lord will take care of the rest. Be good, y'all!!

Love, Elder Hogge

Back to the Streets

Gooooooooood Mornin family and friends!

 

Well, we are officially done with official service for now. Which means its officially time to put down the yellow shirts and pick up the official white one. Kinda hard to have to let these people work on their own now, but I'm 100% sure that they dont want me trying to attempt the actual skilled labor that is now required.

 

Elder Eyring came and spoke to the Brooklyn stake on Sunday. It was funny listening to him tell a story and casually mention his dad who is actually in the First Presidency of the church. It was a really good session of conference. Primarily based on how we should be changed throught the events that have happened here. I personally believe that the long term effects of the storm will be positive for the welfare of these people here in New York and all that were involved. This seems like an event straight out of the Book of Mormon. I have never been a part of a heart turning experience like this on a community based level. This has to be the absolute best time and place to be a missionary.

 

And it is amazing to me how much personal change I have felt from this experience. I feel like now a days I react to things a lot differently that how I would have before the mission. The mission has been such a refining experience for me. I feel like being a blessing to others is the greatest blessing God can give to us. Its pretty nifty how God works like that. After going through all of this, I decided to do a study of Moroni Chapter 7. Oh man was that awesome. I have a different understanding of humility and charity now. Its impossible to explain but marvelous to go through.

 

Proselyting has been good. Its pretty tough making the transition, but such transition is 100% necessary. After busting down walls and decks for so long, I feel like I could just crowbar my way through any door in my area and make these people listen to this wonderful message. But alas, 'tis not so. Its time to put down my physical tools and take up my spirital armor.

 

This past week, Elder Wilkinson and I decided to pay a visit to a potential that we found last transfer. We knocked on the door and Johnathan (the potential) opened up. With a happy look on his face he casually told us "Man, I thought you guys forgot about me or somethin". Ya know, its pretty cool when you actually feel wanted haha. We had a really cool conversation (we couldnt get in the door cuz his gma was sleeping or something) and really got to know him. We set up a return appointment and came back on Sunday. It was an awesome experience. He is a senior in high school, is open minded, and is looking for the truth. Thats a recipe for conversion haha. He was really excited when we gave him the Book of Mormon cuz he had heard about it from a friend but never got to see what is really was. We committed him to read and pray and we have a return appointment with him on Saturday. I really believe that he has the heart to make the necessary changes in his life to come unto the Lord.

 

I'm super excited for what awaits Elder Wilkinson and me. We have a lot of potential and I know that the Lord us just waiting to pour out His blessings upon us as long as we are righteous. I absolutely love the work. Its the best thing ever!! I know that this gospel is real and powerful. Thank you for everything! Even for just reading my simple emails. Love you all!!

 

Love, Elder Hogge

Happy December!

Hey family and friends!

First off, this is gonna be a quicky cuz the library is running slow so I only have 30 minutes.

I am sooooo excited for Megan Asregado!! She has been called to the best mission on earth :D When is her mtc date?

Service has been going fantastic! I'm sad to say that next saturday may be our very last day doing service :( I have grown to love the people of broad channel sooooo much (or as I like to call them, the Channelites.) We had some pretty fun experiences serving them. On Saturday we helped out this really cool guy named Chris. He has had to tear apart his whole house down to the bare bones. Its so tragic but we were so happy to help him. Our specific job was to take down a 30ft by 20ft deck out in the back yard. I'm getting more and more skilled with a crowbar haha. But he has been so greatful for all the help that we provided. I loved something that he told us. He said "Because of what you guys are doing for all of us here in broad channel, I am for the first time nice to all the people around that I usually hate. And you guys think I'm joking." That is soooooooo cool. The light of Christ is truly affecting these people.

The other story that really stood out to me was when we got to work for a man named Henry. He has been one of the most absolutely genuine people I've met on my mission. He is of Polish descent, was born in England, and grew up in America. We got to his house sunday morning right before he pulled up. I dont think he was expecting us to be coming because when he got out of his car he had tears in his eyes. He expresses to us that he felt absolutely overwhelmed by our presence. He noted that he could just see the glow of our yellow shirts radiate from down the block. He tells us that the thursday before the hurricane he had been laid off from his job that he had for 34 years and that when Sandy hit he felt completely hopeless. Once we were able to come over he poured out his heart in gratitude for our service and told us that he would be honored to have kids like us as his sons. (mom and dad he specifically told me to complement you two for raising me how you did :) )

I think there is something really funny going on in broad channel. We have physically torn down a ton of walls. Sheetrock, plywood, whatever. It makes me think of how through doing this simple service, we are also tearing down the spiritual walls in these peoples hearts. I do believe that the spiritual walls were many times stronger than the physical walls, but the Lord in his omnipotence has given us the way to overcome that. Like what dad told me, it may be ten years this field is harvested, but I know it will be great.

As for transfers, Elder Wilkinson and I are staying together for yet another transfer. This puts me at 3 in ridgewood, and a total of 7 transfers in bushwick so far. I might just end my mission here haha. 3 of my district members are going home, which is sad, but I am so excited for the newness that accompanies every new transfer. We are working hard. The transition from service back to proselyting is tough but it is happening. Next week I'll update yalls with how its going. I love you all so very much! Till next week!

Love, Elder Hogge

P.s. it occurred to me that today is the birthday of my dear friend courtney newbold. let her know I wish her a happy birthday.

P.s.s. Sorry no pics, but next week certainly!!