Zero Time - August 12, 2012

I'm really sorry but we have very little time to email this week. The computers here at the library are acting up so I'm gonna sacrifice my minutes to Elder Holbrook cuz he hasn't been able to write his family in over two weeks. The work is going well. Elder Roberts is currently on the Tour d'New York with his family. So now its just Elder Holbrook and I. Neither of us really know much about the area still, so this is going to be an interesting transfer. Luckily, we aren't alone. The Lord is always willing to help us out. We just gotta go to him for help. There's this saying that I've heard on the mission that I've really taken to heart. "Pray like it all depends on the Lord, work like it all depends on you." I think last night after planning I prayed four separate times. I love praying so much. I wish I had some really cool updates on investigators but the reality is that we haven't been finding very many people. Missionary work is so much harder when we have to do all the finding. Its been really tough. But I know that we can and will see success. Its just a matter of diligence and dedication. I feel like I'm on the brink of a breakthrough as far as how I view my relationship with my Heavenly Father. This work is mentally and physically exhausting. Salvation was never easy. But the Work will go forth. Thank you for always supporting me. I miss you. And I know that what I am doing does bless you back home. That makes me so happy! Please keep praying for me. I pray for all of you. I love you all so very much!!

Love, Elder Hogge

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear friends and family,

I'm famous!!! I knew this time would come. Granted it was only about thirty seconds and granted I was only in the background but still! Pretty cool, eh? 

This week has been packed to the brim of service. We have had plenty of volunteers from the northeast coast come and participate over the weekend. Just in Broad Channel there were about 25 missionaries and 60-70 other volunteers for Saturday and Sunday. These member volunteers are coming anywhere from within the mission limits, Manhattan, and even Boston. Being the "locals" of the group, us missionaries got to be team leaders for the individual parties that went out and cleared the houses for people. It was a very interesting experience. Most of the time, Elder Wilkinson and I were the youngest of the group. There were bishops and stake presidents out there volunteering. So we got to tell them what to do haha :D But in all seriousness, it helped me understand a very interesting principle about the church. The Lord is no respecter of persons. We are all God's children and it really doesn't make one better than another to have a "higher up" calling in the church. When it all comes down to it, no matter who we are we must put our shoulder to the work and serve.

I had the wonderful opportunity to help remove a pigeon coop. Now this was no ordinary coop. It was a very poopy coop. A very poopy and soggy coop. I dont know if you understand what happens when bird poop (especially from pigeons) mixes with salt water and sits for a week or so. It becomes very smelly. No, thats an understatement. I felt like Alma and his sons when they encountered the Rameumptom because when I got a whiff of that poop I was astonished beyond all belief. I used to thing wet dog, soiled diaper, and rotten eggs smelled bad. I was wrong. After holding back tears and stifling a gag, I put my shoulder to the shed and went to work. Through these past few weeks I have gotten pretty decent with a crow bar. We have been doing a bunch of demolition. And I must say it is terrifically fun to absolutely demolition something that caused my nose to shrivel up and nearly fall off. But the coolest part of this entire experience wasn't getting back at that darn coop. 

As we talk to the lady who owns this house and backyard, she explains to us that her dad had recently passed away and left the house and everything else to her. Once Sandy hit, her entire backyard, basement, and first floor were ruined. There was no way that she could have possibly been able to fix this by herself. I've come to understand that what we are doing blesses people so much more than we can understand. We are doing things for people that they cannot accomplish on their own. And that gives me one of the most gratifying feelings I have ever received. It truly reminds me of the Atonement. We cannot accomplish perfection on our own. Its just impossible. But through Christ's service, charity, and sacrifice, there is a way! It has been a slow but powerful realization to me that through this disaster relief God is teaching me something very important that will stick with me for forever. The more I serve others, the more I feel the powerful emotions that Christ must have felt as well. My testimony has only significantly strengthened as I have lived through this. I know that the church I represent is different. Through us, Christ's love has been able to touch so many people. And I know that each and every one of us can be that example to others. I love you all so much!!!

Warmly, Elder Hogge

Una Semana de Sandy

Posted a week late:

Family and Friends.

Well, I dont even know where to start. This has probably...... well definitely been the absolute craziest week of my life! But I and all of the other missionaries are safe and sound. 

New York got hit. Hard. The four points most affected by Sandy were Lower Manhattan, Staten Island, Coney Island, and Far Rockaway. So the Sunday before last we received news that Sandy was headed our way. We were told unexpectedly that starting Sunday in the afternoon we would go into a complete lockdown. So by Sunday night all of us were in the pad. We didnt come out till wednesday. Thats right. We were on lockdown for threeeeeee daaaaaaaaays. It was a long three days. The good news is that our part of brooklyn was completely unaffected by the storm (besides some pretty harsh wind). So no damage was done to any of us or the members here. 

On Wednesday we recieved a call from the AP's that we were going to start doing service. So by Wednesday noonish we were out to an area called Broad Channel. I could not believe the destruction. Luckily (most) houses were still standing. There was (key word being "was") a Yacht Club in this town. But there were boats in the most random places. Some were parked out on the street, other boats were leaning on houses. I overheard a pretty funny but sad conversation from the locals. It went like this: "Hey Jimmy, Bob finally found his boat. It was in John's yard four blocks down". As more and more of us with the yellow mormon helping hands shirts stared piling into this town, people started questioning who we were. Every single person in this community had a house in shambles. As we started just getting to work by knocking on doors and offering assistance people began to be absolutely astounded by what we were doing. Our main efforts were concentrated on getting all the junk affected by the flood out of the house so that sanitation could come and remove it. At a time like this these people felt absolutely helpless. Then we were able to come in and do something for them that they had no way of doing for themselves. We went into this one lady's house to help her out and she just burst into tears. She expressed such deep gratitude for what we were doing and it turns out that she was a writer and wanted to make sure people knew what we were doing. On Thursday we were able to return to Broad Channel. By this time EVERYONE knew who we were. Being such a tight community, word got around that the mormons were here to help. One person said "in this moment of need, everyone has failed us but the Mormons." Every single person we helped out said that they would be honored to have us back sometime when the circumstance wasnt so bad. These people's hearts are turning!!! President Calderwood told the mission that we are planting fields and fields of seeds right now. And I know it.

Friday we were assigned to work in Staten Island. And the part we worked on got the brunt of the hurricane. People's basements were completely flooded, first stories were destroyed, and in most circumstances, the water level went up at least four feet into the second story. Everything here was destroyed. I could tell by the people who lived there that it must have been a nice neighborhood, but it looked like a third world country. This is probably my favorite experience yet. The first man we went over and helped out had water still completely surrounding him in the street. Us missionaries had to wade through knee deep water to reach his house and help out. He had no idea where we came from and was in disbelief that we were here to help him. his yard was completely trashed and had been out all morning trying to throw everything in a junk pile. He hadnt even made a dent into the work. But then twenty of us missionaries came over and helped out. We came to find that he had been a very lonely man that wishes he had more company in his life. Just us being there made him so happy. I got to talk to him for a while. His name was Dan Boyd. He had grown up in Brooklyn but moved to Staten because he thought he'd like the peacefulness. We helped him out and were able to clear out his entire yard in under an hour. He was so joyous that he just gave me a great big hug! He said he had never seen this type of service in his life and that what we did had convinced him that he wanted to start coming to our church. This is just a miracle. And this isnt even rare. These people are beginning to realize who we are and that there is definitely something special about us. 

I dont know if you heard but there is currently a drought of gas in New York. The Oil companies havent been able to get gas to the coast because of all thats been going on. So friday night we found out we were stranded in Staten Island. SOOOOOOOO it was a giant slumber party of elders at the Staten church. That was pretty cool. I got to sleep on the floor of the primary room. Just like old times haha. But the church was able to get gas from members going all the way to Philadelphia to fill up tanks. So we did some more service in Staten on Saturday. While working on people's houses, I got into a conversation with this one fellow. He was so grateful for all that we did. He expressed that he didn't even know that people willing to give such extreme service like us even existed. And it turns out that he is the Student Body President for Wagner University. He said he was so impressed with what we were doing that he wanted the missionaries stationed in Staten Island to come to his school and give a presentation about what we are doing. HUUUUGE windows of opportunity are opening up for us here in this mission. I am incessantly amazed at how much this service is affecting these people. Finally Saturday night we were able to get back to Bushwick. Sunday was good. A nice sacrament service. Most of the other missionaries went to the english branch to be able to head out sooner but I stayed back to be able to tend to the spanish branch.

And that puts us at now. All is well. We are all suuuuper tired. But we are so thrilled because President calling all missionaries to provide service this entire week. So our week is lookin pretty good right now.

Now to other stuff.

I am soooooooo excited for Rachel!! She is going to do great! It was a surprise, but not at the same time, that she is going to Thailand. And I am so happy for Adam! Give him a congratz for me. 

So last friday I hit my year mark. Oh man that was weird. I absolutely cannot believe that I am more than halfway done. I really try to avoid talking about time here on the mission but I am starting to realize that two years is not that long. I gotta work harder!! haha.

Ernesto, that one guy I fearlessed on the street, has come to church three weeks in a row! He is a stud. Even tho he's not in my area I am still so excited for him. He has been committed to baptism for next sunday but because of the hurricane itll probably be pushed back. 

So being a district leader, I had the opportunity to interview someone for baptism. His name is Victor and he is from Buenas Aires, Argentina. It was such a special experience. I cannot wait to be able to interview more people. I could tell that he was truly converted and I felt such a powerful confirmation from the Lord that he was ready to be baptized. He was able to receive baptism right before we all had to go into lockdown before the storm. It was fantastic!!

Things that I need... Well I dont need anything haha. But there are some things that I want. 1. Hot chocolate. 2. New jeans. My old ones aren't in the best shape after all this service. 3. Christmas music. Tons and tons of christmas music. Its the Holiday season!!!!! (hilly if you could please send me a mix with modern christmas music while still being spiritual that'd be fantastic. please include relient k haha)

Whew. That was a long email. 
All is well. This mission rocks. I'll include pics. I have nice socks.
(sorry thats all i could think of that rhymed with rocks)

Love you all!!!
Love, Elder Hogge

Broad Channel

Dear Everyone,

 

Words just do not suffice. This week has been a once in a life time experience. We did service the entire week. We focused our efforts on broad channel. The locals here daily refer to us as "heros" "angels" and "rockstars". I wish I could just throw all of my experiences into this email so that you could get a taste of what we are experiencing.

 

Bit by bit Broad Channel is improving. But it is a slow bit by bit. There's only about 3000 people in this community but absolutely everyone knows who we are and loves us. Us yellow shirts feel famous here. But the weird thing is that this experience has only made us more humble. I have really began to understand a bit better the pure love of Christ. We are able to do things for people in an afternoon that would take them months to complete. For example, with the terrible flood that came crushing through Broad channel, every single basement has been thrown into shambles. There are quite a few old people that live here by the way. (in many ways this community reminds me of John Day). These people would have no means of cleaning up everything by themselves. But once we come in, the work gets done. I think I have heard the quote "many hands make light work" at least a thousand times. These people are so very grateful. And it is the absolute best feeling in the world knowing that we contributed to their happiness. As a missionary I have never been hugged by so many women haha. I'm excited for next summer because all the locals say they want us to come back and visit them. Its going to be fantastic!

 

I dont mean to brag or anything but my child, Elder Wiklinson, is on the front page of LDS.org. How cool is that!! I've raised him well haha. Mom I was so happy to hear that Donna wanted to take us out to lunch. We kind of really have our hands full right now but that was so sweet of her. Oh and that email was from Elder Lunts parents. I'm so sad that he goes home in December. As does two other members of my district. Makes me realize more and more how little time I truly have. Judging by how fast the past year went, I have barely any time at all!! I got the package! I heard audible oohs and ahhs from my padmates when I opened it. I think I have enough hot chocolate to last me the rest of the mission. And I thought the gloves was an excellent idea. Now all I need is some good spiritual Christmas music and I am absolutely set for this holiday season. Ernesto is doing well. He has been to church every week. He is so prepared it is amazing. Even we aren't the missionaries teaching him we still feel involved in his conversion.

Well. This week has been fantastic. Full of amazing awesomeness. I know that what we are doing will drastically change the lives of these people. I love you all so very much!!! Have a fantastic week.

Love, Elder Hogge

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 :)