Blessings

Dear Family and Friends,

 

This has been one of the best weeks for me in my entire mission. Its tough to explain how I truly feel, but I know that the Lord is doing some serious refining for me at this point.

 

First off, I had no idea Brock was going to Ghana!!! That is so cool! I bet he is so excited. Sounds like he will be fine with sleeping on the floor for sleep overs when he gets back ;p But seriously, that will be such a blessing to him in his life. The coolest things about missions is that they are so unique. Each missionary has a completely different experience. Its a bit like snowflakes. Each individual snow flake has a completely different design and plan, but they all come together putting a beautiful touch on the world.... Wow I can't believe I just compared missionary work to snow. haha the mission really does change you :)

 

Mom, I am so glad that you have been able to see the blessings of doing missionary work. You are that fellowshipper that we all dream of here in New York. And the greatest thing is that you will get just as many blessings as Isabel because of your labors. The gospel is so cool!!

 

As for my week, It has been an unusual one at that. 13 of our 14  investigator appointments fell through, the only person we actually taugh lives outside of our area so we will have to hand him off, none of our once progressing investigators are answering the door or phone, and we didn't have anyone come to church. I think at the very beginning of my mission that would have been so tough. The super weird thing about it is that Elder Heagren and I feel like successful missionaries. We have worked our absolute hardest. We have been the most obedient we can be. We feel like we are lifting and supporting our members in their work. We talked to as many people as possible on the street and got the most contact infos from people in one week ever in my mission. It is only a matter of time until the Lord pours His blessings upon this area. Whether I am here to see it or not it doesnt really matter. I just cant wait to see this ward flourish and prosper. I truly feel like the Lord is teaching me an awful lot right now. I feel like because of these past few weeks I am becoming a better missionary and person in general. I dont feel frustrated in myself at all. What makes me truly sad is that the people here dont know what they are truly missing. But I didn't come out on a mission for it to be easy. One of my missionary friends explained what it feels like to be a missionary like this: "Imagine you are a life guard, and everyone is drowning". I know that as soon as someone is ready to be saved and come into the fold, these past experiences will make me more effective in bringing them to Christ.

 

I know this work is real and the gospel provides true blessings. I love you all and hope that you can have a fantastic week.

 

Love, Elder Hogge

Friemly

Dearest Friemly. (sorry, that was a sore attempt at a friends/family hybrid word....)

 

It sure does not feel like summer here any more. This past week the average was probably about 75 with a nice breeze and occasional rain. Besides the humidity, this was possibly the nicest week in weather I've experienced on the mission. I dont know what it is like back home, but I was loving it here. Seems like fall has jumped the gun and taken a head start. Not that I am opposed to that at all...

 

Mom I really liked your comments on obedience. I really appreciate the quiet but enduring example of Hyrum Smith. Seems like he was always in the background of church history but was an unshakeable demonstration of faith and obedience.

Stephanie must've seen Elder Ah Quin at the temple. He has been one of my closest friends on the mission. I'll have to mention that to him.

How was the meteor shower? One of the downsides of serving in the city is that looking up into the night sky, there are practically zero stars. I think one time I saw one, but it might've been a plane haha just kiddin...

 

We are really anxious for the rest of this month in missionary work. Elder Heagren and I have been working very diligently to get the members on board. And it is working!! Right now, we have six different families that we are workign with. Each of them has commited to a day by the end of this month to invite us and non member friends or family over for FHE's.  The members here are really grabbing on to the work of salvation. Yesterday morning we had ward counsel. The bishop has left a standing invitation for us to come each month and participate. We followed up on the 20 names the counsel came up with to start working with within the ward. Members have gone to these homes and invited them to participate in the missionary lessons. Hopefully soon we will be able to go teach these less actives and non members. Members truly are the key.

 

I am excited for this transfer. Everything is headed up hill. The members are becoming a force to be reckoned with in the work. I expect to see many great things come of this in the rest of my time here.

 

Thank you all for your support. I love you and hope that all is well.

 

Love, Elder Hogge

Staying in Woodside

Family and Friends,

 

This is the moment you all have been waiting for!! The big news!! I am............ staying in woodside this transfer!! Wooo! I am pretty excited. Looks like elder Heagren and I will be rocking at least one more transfer together. We have some really good plans for this upcoming transfer.

 

It looks like mendocino was an absolute BLAST! I'm semi jealous... but I have two mendo trips under my belt on the mission already. This time next year I will be rockin a tye dye-hogge clan-traditional mendo shirt whilst chilling on the beach. Booyah! ( Yep, mom sent me the tye dye picture. I must say, you all are looking great!!) Its weird though..... Mom had told me that the mendo trip was last week, but I dont even remember thinking about it during the week. 'Twas a miracle that the lord helped me stay focused and keep my mind off of the beach.

 

We had the musical fireside last night. It was amazing!!!! There were about 140 people there, which was on the high end of what we were expecting. Sister Franklin and I were able to perform the "Green hill/ Our saviors Love" medley. It was really humbling experience. Many people came up to me afterward telling me how great we sounded. It was really cool. I am so glad that I have figured out a way to use my musical capabilites to help others feel the spirit and come closer to Jesus Christ.

 

Elder Heagren and I have been going strong with getting to know all the members better. We have been diligently working with our focus members in the ward to help them feel more confident in their missionary ablilities. We have set dates in august with four of the families we are working with for them to invite family and friends that arent members over to their home for an FHE. We are so excited to see how all of this pans out. Elder Heagren and I have been very diligent in trying to find through our own efforts, but we realize the more emphasis we put in working with our members to find, teach and baptize the greater we can help the ward.

 

I am excited for this next transfer. Only 3 months left in the mission. Its pretty weird to think about but I plan on going all out. I hope to be able to bring about much good being led by the hand of God. I love you all!!

 

Love, Elder Hogge