Coney Island

Everyone!!!

This has been a pretty fun, entertaining, packed week in Dyker Heights.

P-days are good here. There is plenty do to here in Dyker. It doesnt hurt that there is a mall that contains a target, buffalo wild wings, best buy, and GUITAR CENTER just a few stops away on the metro. Not that I'm excited or anything.... But today we have zone activity so we will be meeting at the dyker chapel with the rest of the zone and eat pizza and play some minute to win it games. Woooooh! Also, our ward contains the famous Coney Island. I might.... MIGHT get a hot dog from there. But they are so expensive... I dont know we will see. Coney got hit hard by the hurricane so they are still in the rebuilding process. It used to have a really legit aquarium buuuuuut Sandy kinda released all those fishies back into the ocean hehe. Not to mention the once-aquarium'd sharks that were terrorizing the coast of Coney. Maybe thats why they dont want missionaries in the water... Hopefully over the summer I can visit.

Mom, as for the package, beef jerky is always nice, as are quarters. (If any of you were wondering what music is playing in the background of the chinese internet cafe I'm in, and Im sure you were all absolutely dying to know, I'm listening to some chinese rap accompanied by harmonica. Yup.) As for anything else, fill it to your hearts content :D My head will be my head and my stomach is feeling better. I've noticed that taking a daily supplement of fiber helps tackle that heavy hispanic food. Good stuff.

As for the work, we were able to have 3 investigators at church this week and 2 of them were new! We are really seeing the blessings of the Lord.

The first investigator is the son of a less active member. Evelyn. We called her up last week because we wanted to meet her. Her name is Evelyn and she is super cool. Seems like she was just waiting for someone to give her a kick in the pants and help her remember why we go to church. So she went and she brought her ten year old son, Kenneth. Kenneth is a champ. He is super smart and a really funny kid. The only problem is that he feels really shy around the other kids at church so he went to the classes with his mom all three hours, which does indeed include relief society. I was banking on only one experience of him at relief society to help him realize he does want to be in primary, but he ended up liking it!!! We plan to go over on friday to eat and teach, so hopefully all goes well.

The next investigator at church was... Roxana!!! Unfortunately Willy couldnt make it cuz of work, but when we went over last night, he expressed his regret in not going. Roxana really liked church, especially relief society. She says it felt like a big family, which is exactly what it is!! Last night we had a really good lesson with them. We talked about the restoration. They do indeed have a testimony that Joseph Smith is a prophet. Elder Goates was very, very bold with them. He said that if God and Jesus Christ had to appear to Joseph Smith to restore the gospel, then what does that mean about there catholic baptisms. That got them thinking alot. I believe this week we will have helped them receive a firm answer from God.

The last one that has been consistently coming for about 3 months is Anthony. He is the younger brother of a recent convert, Alex. Alex is super super solid in the gospel and is planning on going on a mission soon. The major problem with them is that their parents dont like the church very much. So its a tough situation. Anthony is a 16 year old junior in high school (sound familiar?) and really loves to learn and discover. He is still working on receiving an answer from God. I have high hopes for him.

The area is going great. I love it!! Its like a small cavity has been filled in the metaphor of my life haha. I love you all so very much! Ciao!

Love, Elder Hulk.

Transfer

Surprise!!!

Its a holiday and I can still email! Turns out here in my new area we use an internet cafe. Its pretty cool. It has a nice ambiance about it (must be the Chinese rock playing in the background haha)

Hello Family and friends!!

I have been officially transferred! My 42 weeks of Bushwick is finally over. But who knows, I may go back haha. So my new area. Its pretty sweet. The Lord has transferred me tooooooo.... Dyker Heights! Yep, I am still in Brooklyn. (Yay!) But now, i am in southern Brooklyn. My area is Dyker Heights- Sunset Park. It has the Greenwood Cemetery in it, where the Battle for Brooklyn was fought. My companion and I strolled through it to get to the other side of the area. It is soooo beautiful. (Wow my companion just burst into incessant giggling.... hope he's ok.) This area is suh-weet! I am finally in a ward!!! Oh what a blessing from the Lord. I love my branches that I have served in, but there is just something special about being in a ward. We now have plenty of priesthood to accompany us to any visit. There are plenty of families here that come to church every week. It was weird to see the pews full of people by the time church started. I am still marveling at all the people we have on our side here in Dyker. Also, this is the first time in my mission that I have had sisters in my district. They are pretty cool, but It still weirds me out because I have been in the Man Zone for so long. But it is definitely a blessing having them with us.

So my companion. His name is Elder Goates. He is on his 3rd transfer, but because of Sandy two transfers ago we are finishing up the 12 week program together. His dad is active in the church, and his mom is active in the Catholic church. Elder Goates jokes that if the pope could be a woman, it would be his mom. So he has an interesting dynamic about his family. I've talked to him a lot about it. He said that he grew up active in both churches and really received an answer in college at BYU that this was the church God wanted him in. Oh yeah, he is from Orem and both of his parents are chemistry teachers at BYU. So he isn't your typical Utah Mormon. But both of his parents are happy that he is out on the mission because it makes him happy. Elder Goates likes to sing, dance, act, and quote chick flicks haha. Sometimes I give him odd looks, but we get along just fine. He is definitely the companion most unlike me that I have had thus far. We will learn a lot from each other.

We are teaching a few different people, but there is one couple in particular that I want to talk about today. Their names are Wilfrido and Roxana. Elder Goates old companion fearlessed them in the street a few months ago. The couple told the missionaries to come back with them to their apartment and there they began teaching them. This is a younger couple in their later twenties and they are super super cool. They are really eager to learn and to experience what we have to offer. There are just a couple of walls in the way. First, they arent married. And second, they feel really rooted to their catholic background and like they are disrespecting their parents and God by switching around religions. But they are both committed to coming to church next week AND Elder Goates has a very deep catholic background so I think there are a lot of things going for us.

So that in a nutshell is my new area. Huzzah! I am in love with it. Oh also, as a sad note, there are no usb ports in this internet cafe :(

Anyways, I love you all! Thank you so much for being there for me!

Love, Elder Hogge

Life is Great in NYC

Dear family and friends,

Life is great here in NYC.

The weather has been pretty odd. I guess odd in a good way. It feels more like autumn than winter here. I was told that winters in New York was killer, but for me this has been a walk in the park (obviously not Central Park cuz thats out of mission boundaries). There have only been a few days this winter so far when we needed more than just our suitcoats. Pretty strange. But hey, I ain't complaining.

Mom, though AriZonas come in a variety of tea flavors, they have other great non-tea beverages such as mucho mango, watermelon, and my personal favorite cherry lime ricky soda. Its good stuff and only a buck for a big can so super nice when we are always on the go. Also, I got the package. That was awesome! I think jerky is quickly becoming my favortie snack. (too bad it costs so darn much haha) The ipod and speakers work great. (Nice music selection! We were groovin to Gladys Knight and the Pi.... I mean..... Gladys Knight and the Saints last night. Good stuff.)

To answer your question Mom, the interesting experiences usually come well after reciting the First Vision. I've noticed that Hispanics in general are more accustomed to hearing stories of modern day heavenly visitations (for example, the Virgin of Guadalupe) so it is tough to help them understand the magnitude of the First Vision. I think the thing that helps investigators most is seeing the example of other people that have been changed through the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Once these people starting living how God wants them to, through the gospel, the First Vision takes on a whole new meaning. I think the "Ah ha" moment can come during the recitation of the First Vision, but from what I've seen, the true "Ah ha" moments come from putting faith in the fact that Christ did indeed restore His church and seeing the promised blessings come into fruition, as experienced by our current investigator.

Bruno is doing really well. He wasn't able to be at church yesterday because he wasnt feeling well but we were able to teach him a few times last week. One cool experience happened during a lesson. When we first met him, we noticed that he always played around with a lighter. Thats a big hint to missionaries that there is some sort of Word of Wisdom problem involved. We decided we better get on that quick so on Saturday we had the Word of Wisdom lesson with him. As we went through the things that the Lord commmands us not to partake of, he was in complete agreement with everything we were teaching (which felt kind of odd to the judgemental me that I was being). So we asked him if he would forsee any problems and he began relating to us his feelings on the subject. He tells us that he has never liked tea or coffee; he recognizes the damage of alcohol and stopped a while ago; he never has cared for illegal drugs; aaaaaand since taking the lessons from us and coming to church, he felt the need to quit smoking so he stopped three days before we gave that lesson. Wow. That was awesome, and a great humbling experience to the judgemental me. Being a part of the conversion of Bruno has been an amazing blessing in my life.

As for transfer gossip, I am finally getting transfered out of Bushwick! Its tough to believe. On tuesday at transfer meetings I will find out where my next area will be. President talked to me on Friday and he told me that I will be only the second companion of my next companion, so I will be continuing the 12 week program with him. I'm so excited for this opportunity.

I love you all! Thank yous so much for the support and love I recieve.

Love, Elder Hogge

January in New York City

Family and Friends,

Life is going well here in New York City. The Lord is truly blessing us for our efforts.

New Years eve was nice. Seeing as it was Pday, we hung out with the rest of the district, played games and whatnot. It was very relaxing. We had to stay in even past six because president didn't want us to be in harms way in any manner. So we celebrated the new year by drinking some arizonas at ten and then we hit the sack. Pretty eventful huh ;) I was nice and asleep and then at twelve I was rudely awakened by fireworks shaking the entire house!! The firemen across the street went crazy haha. I think I'll forgive them. Not an extremely new year but it will suffice :)

This week has brought some great blessings. The sunday before last, we noticed a new fellow at church. We went over to talk to him and come to find that he is the uncle of a super strong family in our branch. He had just moved here from Reno the day before. His name is Bruno, or as we like to call him, Tio. He decided to come to church with the family because he wanted a change of pace in life. As we led him around the church from class to class, he expressed the joy and peace he felt. Good signs, right? ;) Even though it was his first Sunday at church, he felt really comfortable. Last week, we were able to teach him and then yesterday, we went over to their house after church (which he attended again). There we talked about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. As I told him the first vision, I could see that he felt at peace with what we were teaching him. Elder Jensen went on to commit him to baptism. If all goes according to plan, he will be baptized on the 27th of this month. It was such a heart warming, happy experience. Bruno is really in tune with the spirit and I know that his own personal testimony is growing within. I'm so excited for him!!! Please pray that Bruno will be able to overcome any and all doubts, problems, or concerns that may confront him.

Wonderful experiences like those remind me why I am a missionary. There is absolutely nothing like participating in the conversion and salvation of others. As I do this, I feel a strengthening effect in my personal conversion. Last Wednesday was my year mark in New York City. I recognize that I have changed a lot, but I know I've still got a lot to go too. I am so grateful for this Gospel. I know that the atonement makes bad men good, and good men better. I see that especially here in New York. Thanks for all your support!! (and thanks for those wicked awesome .5 energel pentel pens. those got here fast!!))

Love, Elder Hogge

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!!