Yup, It's Fall

Hey!

So, How are yall doin? This week has been great. Filled with some wonderful experiences.

So, Mom, thanks for the update on Stake Conference. Sounds like it was fantastic! I think church meetings will be much more meaningful to me back home. (Dad, I'm not saying I thought your talks were boring. Its just I think I will like them more! haha) The doctrine of Christ is CRUCIAL to missionary work. Thats what we do!! Help people access the wonderful gift that the Savior provided for us. I especially like verse 21 of 2 Nephi 31. There is absolutely no way to be eternally happy if we don't apply the atoning sacrifice in our lives. I appreciate what Dad says about having to be nourished on a daily basis as opposed to weekly. I had an EFY counselor that explained that reading the scriptures is like brushing your teeth. Its not something that you do just one day a week and then the last day put on enough toothpaste to cover the entire week. It just doesnt work like that! I can feel the strengthening effect of studying and applying the scriptures daily. Satan is like the dirty plaque on unbrushed teeth. It looks gross, tastes undesirable, and has a corroding effect. Hooray for spiritual tooth brushing!! As mike wazowski says: "Fight that plaque! Fight that plaque! Scary monsters dont have plaque!" Granted, we aren't scary monsters, but you get what I mean.

So, I have something to confess... I went to the temple again!! Oh man that was heaven. Here's what happened. Our padmate had a recent convert that was going through the temple on Saturday. He and his companion were gonna go but then his companion realized his temple recommend had expired so they had to send in a replacement. It was reeeeally cool because the person going through was actually a member of Riverhead so I got to see her and a lot of other members from the branch. That was sweet! Two weeks in a row! I doubt that I'll get a third week. But that was a heavenly reminder of how happy the temple makes me. I'm definitely going weekly when I once again have the opportunity.

So, Jose didnt come to church :( That was sad. Agency can be a bummer sometimes. BUT it can also be amazing as you soon shall see. Ok here's what happened. Elder Wilk and I arrived at church 30 minutes early. As I was sitting down in the chairs I notice a man walk into the chapel. And he looked very, very familiar. As my mind was racing, I finally realized that is was a Mexican that I had fearlessed on the street three weeks earlier!!!! I'd given him a pass along card with the church's address and he decided to show up! That made me soooo excited! He pertains to other Elders' area in the branch, but nevertheless he decided to come on his own agency. Now those are the type of people that get baptized.

So, Everything is going pretty well right now. Elder Wilk and I are really focusing on the families. We have some good potentials and I hope that the plans that we have come into fruition. We are planning to visit some less actives and new investigators this week so we will see how it goes.

So, I love you all! Thanks for all the support. You all are so dear to my heart. I'll talk to you soon!!

Love, Elder Hogge

Fall is Here -- sorta :-)

Family and Friends,

Last week was absolutely fantastic! Full of general conference, birthday, and temple, It really brought me a lot of happiness. For my birthday, it was deep clean day. So we spent most of the day at the pad cleaning everything. Its like a once a transfer spring cleaning.  (And I'm dearly sorry but I forgot to bring my camera to emailing so the pictures will have to wait till next week. Sorry to torture you like that.) We had Little Caesar's Pizza and homemade cupcakes for the party whilst cleaning. It was really fun! And then the rest of the day Elder Wilkinson just got out there and worked. The temple was absolutely marvelous!!! It had been a little over 10 months since the last time I had been able to go into the temple. I have so much more appreciation for the temple now that I have felt what its like to have an absence of it. My goal is to be able to work in the temple when I get home. It was just the most beautiful feeling inside that building. All the hustle and bustle of New York City just dissipates as you walk through the doors of the temple. I really didn't want to leave by the time we were finished. But I recognize that I have been called to work for the salvation of the living at this time so I'm content :)

Mom, my past companions will be thrilled when they get those packages!! Their names are Elder Jason Warhurst and Elder Geoffrey Lunt. And I absolutely LOVE my new beanie. All my padmates went crazy when they saw me open it cuz they already knew the awesomeness of my other homemade one. (Everytime I live with new people they question me where I got my blue and green beanie. When I respond with "My mom made it". I always get the Napolean Dynamite-like reply of "Luckyyyyyy!") To now have a bright yellow beanie at hand is just the best!!

It looks like you all had a blast at apple hill. I especially enjoyed the story about Mari saving the pumpkin. I cannot believe how old they are getting!!! I haven't even met Trudy yet and she is almost one! Oh and that just made me laugh that Dad got Botox for headaches. I can just see President Williams and Taylor giving him a hard time on that one haha. Maybe Willie should get some Botox as well seeing as it worked so well on Dad ;) I am super excited to hear about Neal preparing to head out! (I hope he gets sent to New York South!!!!) Oh, Missionary Mall sent me a clothes hamper... That was random. I needed one ten months ago and have gotten two replacements since. But now I have this brand new white hamper haha. And mom I loved that snippet that you sent to me from Elder Maxwell's talk. That's really how we have to look at every single person we talk to. We all have such amazing potential and to disregard that aspect of someone is to disregard one of God's greatest gifts for everyone.

We have been working a lot with an investigator named Jose. He is from Puerto Rico and is progressing very well! He loves having us over. We are working with him to go to church. He is separated from his wife and the only day that he has with his two teenage sons is Sunday so its hard for him to sacrifice that time for church. But his testimony is growing in the Book of Mormon and he thinks Joseph Smith is the man haha. Its been really cool to be able to teach him. We have been getting members involved in the process as well. I'm so excited to see how everything turns out with him.

Also, Elder Wilkinson and I have been focusing on talking to families. There are a ton of Ecuadorians here and a lot of them are from an area in Ecuador that eats something called Cuy. Well actually its Guinea Pig. But they absolutely love it haha. So everytime we bring up that we want to eat Cuy they open right up to us because we show that we appreciate a part of their culture. So we have been able to talk to a lot of cool families. We hope to be able to meet with some of them this week. We'll see how it goes.

Well, I love you all so much! I hope this is a great week for you. Fall is in the air! (Its been in about the 70's so I cant complain.) This gospel is so true!

Love, Elder Hogge

WOW! WOW! WOW!

Family and friends,

I almost went CRAZY when I heard the announcement at general conference! Being in a room full of missionaries, there was a thick air of excitement as we realized how much the potential mission force has increased. I realize the biggest change will come at the end of the school year, once people have finished their commitment to school. I am soooooo excited/happy/surprised for the prospect of my dear friends being able to dedicate their lives to the Lord even sooner. To all young folk that bother to read these updates of mine, START PREPARING NOW!! Regarding the opportunity to serve earlier, that also means that you have the opportunity to go through the temple and receive the Melchizedek priesthood sooner as well. Though a mission is a wonderful opportunity, these covenants and ordinances are what will truly prepare you to live with your Heavenly Father. The Lord has seen the dignity and worthiness of our youth, and is blessing us likewise. I am simply astounded that I am able to see and be a part of such a magnificent blessing from the Lord. Its not every day that modern day revelation is this drastic. I hope the young folk of the church have discovered as much enthusiasm as I have for this wonderful blessing on mankind.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes. Those pictures were such a delight! Feeling the loving influence of my family gives me the utmost desire to serve with all my heart, might, mind and strength. Maw and Paw, I got the scripture cases!!! Those are pretty shnazzy. I just couldn't help waiting till my birthday to open them. But don't work, that one wrapped present from your package has sat tranquilly underneath my desk. Seeing as tomorrow is deep clean day, we will be spending a lot of time at the pad cleaning. Which leaves time in between to make some delicious treats. My padmates have elected to make crepes tomorrow morning (score!) but I do believe that our plans for the day will be spent on tracting and visiting people. I really wouldn't have it any other way.

Returning to conference, I do not believe I have taken so many notes in such a short amount of time. I think this was the first time I was actually a little disheartened when conference was over. There were so many amazing talks! I think the one that hit me most was Elder Holland speaking about never turning back. Deciding to become a disciple of Jesus Christ is no game. That talk was only supplemented by Elder Bednar's address on testimony versus conversion. I do believe that the Lord has begun to remove the pavilion from my eyes and has given me even more understanding of what I truly have to change and become. That hit me pretty hard. If I am not changing who I truly am, then I am in no way qualified to dwell with my Father in heaven. That's a daunting task, but luckily the Savior has prepared the way. I wish I could comment on all the talks, but that would just take all day haha.

As far as investigators, we are really working hard. Sergio has been really hard to contact. He works a ton. That seems to be the recurring theme in trying to help people. They decide to put their faith in their own abilities besides putting their trust in the Lord. Agency can really frustrate me sometimes haha. We have been working with a couple other people and we really hope to see progress in them. 

Working with Elder Wilkinson has been fantastic! He is really starting to get into the missionary groove. We are having a blast out here in Ridgewood. I know that the Lord will continue to bless us for our efforts here. I see so many bright rays of hope in this saddened world. I know that the Lord is preparing people to come into His fold. I love you all sooo much! Have a fantastic week!

Love, Elder Hogge

P.s.

Sorry, no pics :( but i promise for next week yes :)

Conference is Coming!!!

Hello,

How are you all doing this lovely October? I sure love this time of year! The weather has been fresh and the Work is moving forward.

I've felt so loved, receiving three packages in the past couple weeks! I got grandma's dear elder package (those cookies are a HIT) and I got my birthday package. Score!! Mom sure knows how to put together a good package. See those frisbee golf discs brought me way back. There's a park in brooklyn so I'm gonna try to convince the elders to go out there with me some time. I've yet to open that wrapped gift in mom's package. I'll save that one for the 9th. I usually prefer not to talk about misson time, but as I'm about to complete my 20th birthday I realize my year mark is not to distant. A couple days ago in the mail I got a letter from the mission informing me that my annual temple trip will be on the 10th of October. Talk about belated birthday present!!! I am soooooo ecstatic! 

So I've reached the point in the mission where I feel pretty solid with my spanish. Its really entertaining at times to talk to hispanics because they've begun asking what country I'm from (as if it wasnt obvious that I'm American). I think one of the absolute best things about being a new york missionary is that I get to meet people from almost every hispanic country in the world. Up to this point I've met people from The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Spain. I lack para- and uruguay, beliz and bolivia. Some of my favorite dishes so far are sopes from Mexico, Baleadas from Honduras, Papusas from El Salvador, and of course tostones and morir sonando from The Dominican Republic. I would absolutely LOVE to visit some of the places throughout the duration of my life. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve around these people. I LOVE the culture sooooo much. (even including the seemingly endless supply of beans). 

The work is going well here. At times tough, but well. Sergio is doing well (its been super tough to meet with him) and we've been able to pick up some new investigators along the way. Sad thing happened tho... Damaris texted us on saturday that she wanted to stop her investigation of the church. Thats the only news we've heard about her recently. Mega bummer. I really have no clue why. But I gotta keep my hopes up that one day she will come around.

My life is just so blessed its impossible not to see the work of the Master's hand. Things get tough, but life marches on. In Malachai 3:3 the Lord is spoken of as a refiner and purifier of silver. The way silver becomes refined and purified is if it is held in the hottest part of the flame by the Smith. Though the silver hurts, and it wants so badly to be removed from all trial and pain, the Purifier keeps on going. The only way the Smith knows that the silver has completed the refining process is when the silver is so pure that the The Maker can see his own face reflecting from the surface. That is the Lord's ultimate work and glory. To make us like Him. To give us the necessary heat to allow his own face to shine in our countenance. I know this work is real, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this gospel is a gospel of peace and joy. I know that my Redeemer Lives!

Love, Elder Hogge

P.s. Willie this is a call out. Email me!!

Fresco

Hello all,

Sorry for the day late email once again. We got flu shots yesterday so Prez decided to move our P-day to today. It was sad to hear of the passing of Brother Shaffer. He was a truly great man. Even though I didn't know him very well, I know he loved me. I'm so happy for the Plan of Salvation. I guess you could say that this plan is the best Christ-mas present any of us could have ever received.

Mom, I did use the boots. It didnt snow nearly that much last winter as it had in the past, but I hear it will be pretty snowy this year. And I dont think I am in need of anything more as far as winter gear goes. What I had was plenty. I DID get that package from hilly and sarah. Wow that first picture sure surprised me (as well as Elder wilkinson). We have been having so much fun with those toys. The noisy putty gave us sooooo many laughs yesterday, we've been doing a lot of Star Wars mad libs, and the ho ho's were a delicious treat. Thank you sisters!!

Our week went very well. I have definitely seen the hand of the Lord in our work here in Ridgewood. Though Damaris wasnt able to make it to church on Sunday, we still had an investigator there! His name is Sergio. Cool story about him. We were walking down a busy street and this guy just walks up to us and introduces himself. He tells us he is from Puerto Rico and that his wife and children are members there. Then he invited us to come over and talk with him. Since then we have been teaching Sergio. He enjoyed church a lot and wants to come back next sunday. We have talked to him about baptism as well. He said that if he receives an answer that he would be baptized. So we are working really hard with him. On Saturday we had an exchange so Elder Wilkinson ran ridgewood with an other elder from the district as his companion. They found a really cool Dominican family that really enjoyed the message. I'm really excited for that.

The weather here has been pretty nice. I'd say its in the low seventies with a nice breeze. I'm lovin it haha. I dunno when it is supposed to be snowing but I hope its soon. I miss the cold haha. I also miss General Conference. And its comin up soooooon! The longer I've been out on the mission, the more I absolutely love the words of the living prophets. I'm so excited for what it will bring to us this session. One or two new temple announcements is also nice as well :)

Well, I know this letter isnt very long but it is filled with tons of love! I hope you all are doing so well. I miss you and love you!!

Elder Hogge

Wow!

Dearest family and friends,

The subject explains it all. This week has been jam packed with new experiences. So, I bet you want to hear about my new companion. As noted last week, he is fresh from the MTC. His name is Elder Wilkinson and I love him!! Just to give you an idea, he is six foot two, two hundred fifteen pounds. He is a giant compared to me haha. He hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico (possibly the first person from new mexico that I've met) and he is supported by a great family. He has five siblings(sound familiar?). Two brothers and three sisters(sound familiar?). His dad is the second counselor in the stake presidency(sound familiar?). He plays college football for university of new mexico (redshirted last year) and we just found out that he is on the new NCAA Football videogame haha. But his physical stature doesn't compare to his spiritual. He is soooooooooo excited about the gospel. He always gets so pumped when we are fearlessing people. He's a fantastic teacher as well. We make an awesome team.

Going to Ridgewood has been amazing. I'm so humbled by the responsibility of a new missionary and a new area.  I'm so happy that the Lord and President Calderwood trust me with this sacred priviledge. Because we are both new, we have a fresh look on the area. We have been fearlessing a lot and knocking a lot of doors. We are just starting to get to know the members in the area, active as well as less active. Because we have both been mega-diligent, the Lord has seen it fit to bless us with someone who has accepted a baptismal commit. The second night we were here, we looked up some potentials. One of them told us to come back that saturday. So on saturday we brought a member to visit Damaris, a 17 year old Dominican girl that seems to be very prepared. As we were getting to know her, she mentioned that she was in the process of figuring out which church would bless her the most. We were glad to offer all that the gospel had in store. After a solid testimony by the member, we committed Damaris to the 14th of October. Now the true test is to see if she will start coming to church consistently. Once she shows the Lord that she is willing to commit to coming each week, He will bless her with a solid answer that this is the true church. I just know it.

The twelve week program has been absolutely amazing. I've been learning so much from it. Getting that extra hour each day to help Elder Wilkinson and our investigators has really helped me understand what more I can be doing as a missionary. We have great gospel discussions during this time. We also do a lot of practice teaching. Its very interesting how the Lord can provide us with revelation on specific needs of investigators when we are only practicing the lessons on each other.

I think last transfer prepared me a ton for what this transfer will bring. Because at times I wasnt able to work as hard as I would have liked to the past transfer, It gives me even more fire for just being able to get out there and do it with a ready and willing companion. Learning more about charity has only magnified my relationship with Elder Wilkinson. I can tell that the Lord has always had specific plans for me, even when It was tough. Reminds me of a certain currant bush at times. But the Lord knows what I can handle. 

Sounds like the family is doing great. That little Jackjack is a kick in the pants haha. Im excited that joe and jules have that new pad. Seems pretty legit. Oh, by the way how is brother Newton doing? please give him my regards.

I love you all! This gospel is the best, literally. There is so much counterfeit religion here in new york. I'm glad the Lord has revealed the truth to His prophet. Makes life so much easier to know the truth. Have a great week!!

Elder Hogge

Transfer to Ridgewood

Hey family and friends,

Mom, sounds like you had a blast with your children this week! You and Joey looked so happy in that picture. Man he's 24 now. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROSEPH!! Its sad having to miss all the family celebrations on the mission, but I'll get over it haha. I guess my birthday is next. So there :p As for birffday requests, some scripture cases or covers for my spanish scriptures would be great (In spanish theres the triple and the bible separate so it would be two separate covers. And spanish scriptures are bigger than english scriptures so its a different size for the covers.)  Fir the discs, I dont need the bag thingy. Thanks tho :)

Well, Saturday night I got the call from the District Leader. I'm out of Bushwick. After only one transfer!! Well, thats a partial truth. I'm out of the Bushwick area but I've moved only one area over to Ridgewood. Just so happens I'll be staying in the same branch. Wooh! Turns out that I'm actually going to be training too. Surprise!!! The funny thing is that I was only kind of surprised. For some reason I had a feeling that I'd be training so when President Calderwood called me on wednesday morning it was cool to recieve that confirmation. So the awesome thing is that I'll be showing a new missionary the ropes. The hard thing is that we are getting blinded in. (When both missionaries in the companionship are new to the area) Sooooooo this is going to be a fantastic learning experience. I'm really looking forward to it. This transfer was super tough for me, so I'm very excited to be able to work with someone who is just as ready to work as I am. Its almost a sure thing that we will be together for two transfers. While training, we follow something called the twelve week program. Its a super cool program designed by the church to get new missionaries up to speed with missionary work as quick as possible. There have been great results in the mission so far. One of the objectives of this program is to allow new missionaries to gain enough experience as to be able to train after their own first twelve weeks. And thats actually happened in the mission already. The thing is that companionship study becomes two hours tho. So that means with personal study, comp study, language study, and lunch we sometimes wont get out of the house until 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Its pretty intense but I'm really looking forward to it.

The work has been reaaaaaaaally slow here. I feel really bad cuz I've been trying so hard but I can only do so much. This transfer the comp unity wasn't all there. I really did my best to make things work out but its super tough when people aren't willing to compromise and work things out. This has probably been the toughest six weeks of my life. Most of the time I just had a really uncomfortable anxious feeling in my chest. I really learned a lot about Charity this transfer. And its so funny cuz mindy mentioned my very thoughts in her email to me. It is sooooooo important to make your charity unconditional on the actions of others. Because of this transfer, I now understand how truly important it is that both missionaries are both diligently trying their very hardest to love each other and work hard. Thats when the purposes of God are truly accomplished. Which is why I'm so excited for this new missionary. I just know that after being stuck in the MTC he is just pumped to get out there and fearless and teach and just be awesome! Its going to be the bomb. I just really hope that the area I'm leaving can see success. Its been really hard contacting Naylynn. Lots of family problems. But we actually found a super cool investigator on saturday in brownsville. She was from Panama! The first person from panama I've met on the mission. I really hope that she accepts the gospel.

Transfer meeting is tomorrow. I find out who I will be training. I'm kinda nervous because the Lord has entrusted me with this great responsibility. But I'm beginning to recognize how good responsibility is for me. I love this work. Its so hard, but awesome! I just know that this next transfer we will begin seeing a lot of success. I love you all!!!

Elder Hogge