From your loving son

Hey Yall!

So, sorry for doing a day later email, but I have a valid excuse haha.

Mom, First off I wanna say that I loved that story about Alice. That was so adorable to read. Its nice to know that my little loved ones still love me back! This week brought some very awesome experiences. I'm glad you saw that entry in the news about the street sweep. That was part of my first area (except we never went there because theres hardly any hispanics haha). I was talking to Elder Cabanilla and McEwen (our AP's) about it yesterday. They were super excited to have that opportunity to help spread the gospel a bit more through the Net. (Just as a side note for all you BYU fans, Elder McEwen redshirted last year at BYU in the quarterback position.) Whats going on in the field right now is really cool. Prez Calderwood is really getting things movin.

Anyways, my excuse for being late on the email is that we had our zone activity yesterday! By the time elder Holbrook and I got to the library that afternoon, there was a two hour wait for the computers... But the activity was so much fun! We went to Far Rockaway Beach and just chilled for a few hours. (We didn't swim, of course.)  I'll shoot yall some pictures at the end of this email. We played a really fun game of pickup beach football. (Once again, for football fans, the last play of the game I ran a post route and grabbed a perfect spiral behind the secondary for a touchdown that was thrown by Elder McEwen. My claim to fame!!! haha) We had a blast.

I want so share a really special experience I had yesterday. Mom mentioned that she wanted to hear how I saw the Lord's hands in the work so here ya go. Elder Holbrook and I had just finished laundry and we were walking back out to the street to head home. I noticed a hispanic lady chillin on one of those parking lot cinder blocks but I didn't think much of it. (It was p-day ok! cut me some slack) We had walked a bit further when I got this distinct impression: Turn back. A few more steps forward and I realized "I'm gonna feel sooooo guilty if I dont follow this". The spirit was pretty loud on this occasion haha. So I silently turned around (probably at the bewilderment of elder Holbrook) and I made the long, awkward walk over to that lady, with her just staring at me the entire time. I finally get close to her, she pulls out her earbuds, and I tell her who we are and how we want to help her. Turns out, she has a very rambunctious 13 year old boy and she is a single mom. The first thing she inquired is if my church had some sort of youth program. With a big smile on my face, I answered to the affirmative. After talking a bit more, we were able to set up an appointment for us to come over on Thursday to teach her and her kid. I'm so grateful that I tuned in to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I know that the Lord has given us this amazing blessing and I plan on using it to its fullest extent.

Naylynn is doing very, very well right now but last week was a very hard week for her. Her mother had a Multiple Sclerosis attack friday morning so she spent the entire weekend in the hospital with her mom. But she is definitely progressing really well. She loves the book of mormon. (even more so than the bible) And she reads every assignment that we give her. She has accepted a baptismal date for the 23rd of September. Now Satan is going to work even harder to hinder her progression. But this experience feels very similar to how it was teaching Angelo and Rosa. Theres investigators when you feel like you have to do everything in your power to get them to progress, but then there are others, such as this circumstance,  when you know its between them and the Lord and you've recieved the blessing of seeing their progression to conversion. She still needs to start coming to church, but she is so excited to come this week. We have a appointment with her today at three.  We will be teaching the Plan of Salvation and Sabbath day observance. Please pray that she will be able to overcome the temptations of the adversary as she prepares to be baptized.

That was really hard to hear about Bro Newton. The next time you see him please tell him that I love him and am praying for him. I never really understood where he always came up with those kind words for me, but having someone that views me in those regards has always been a great blessing to me. I know the Lord has given him this illness not to punish him, but to refine him.

The one thing thats hardest, but most rewarding, about life is the presence of trials. Being a missionary, I am often reminded of the talk about the currant bush. (by hugh b. brown I believe?) I have plans for what I want to do and who I want to be. The Lord, most of the time, has different plans for me. But they are always better, whether I understand why or not. It appears to me that trials are those change of plans that put a hardship on my life. At that point, I have one of two choices to make: to succumb to the weight of the trial and cave, or apply the everlasting power of the atonement to overcome the trial and come out conquer and stronger. Its hard, but the strengthening and enabling power of the Atonement will always help, if we permit it. I have such a deep testimony of the love of God. That he allows us to confront trials so we can endure and improve. Though not always easy, trials teach us how to apply the sacrifice of Christ in our life.

I'm so excited for the my future in the mission. Although it isnt easy, its rewarding. Thank you for your support and I love you all so very much.

Love, Elder Hogge

You are Awesome Tambien

Hello Family and Friends

Well, another week has gone by. Is it true that baby Jackjack is almost one??? I hardly believe that haha. Time sure is an odd thing.

Mom, thanks for that fabulous email. I was very happy to hear that Willie is magnifying his priesthood duties. Going that long without the temple must've been tough. I understand how saints must feel in the areas where temples arent very accessible. I haven't had the opportunity to go to the temple in eight months. At least I'll be getting to go in November. Speaking of the temple, Rosa and Angelo are both being prepared to go to the temple and do baptisms! They're doing great. Its weird seeing them at church and knowing I'm not the one serving in their area. As for what we will be doing for P-day... probably basketball or handball or somethin of that nature. I thought that I got the absentee ballot in a package you sent when I was in Riverhead. Soooo I would assume that I am registered. And thanks for taking care of my license. I should probably cash that check in soon. Its been sitting in my wallet for some time now that I think of it haha. I am so very grateful for Brother Bolton's thoughtfulness. It was such a delight getting a "dinner appointment through the mail" I guess you could say. Congrats on your new calling! It must be quite something knowing that the Lord trusts you to take care of the relief efforts of the saints in our stake.

This was a very interesting week. With the departure of Elder Roberts, it is now Elder Holbrook and I taking on Bushwick. And Elder Holbrook and I work differently. I've never really worked with someone like him before. There have been many times this week when I would ask him a question and he would take five to ten minutes before he would even say one word. I'm not very used to that. I feel like most of the time I have to take the initiative in situations. It can be very frustrating at times. But I know the Lord has put us together for very specific reasons. Still trying to figure those out, but I know I can learn alot from this. 

This week we were able to get in contact with an investigator that Elder Roberts and his other companion had been working with. Her name is Naylynn. She's nineteen and from Puerto Rico. She has family in Arizona that are members so thats how she came in contact with the church. She really likes the church. We have an appointment with her tomorrow actually. We are excited to be able to work with her. I really think that she is going to progress very well because she has one of those self-motivated personalities. So we will see where that goes.

Both being new to the area, Elder Holbrook and I have decided to focus most of our efforts on meeting with and working with members. Especially less-active members. We all know that every new convert needs a calling, a friend, and to be nurtured by the word of God so we've decided to try to get that friend into the conversion process as quickly as possible by working around members. We are starting to see some things come out of it. Nothing super specific, but we have some potentials that we are excited to work with.

Well, thats about it for this week. Just know that I love you all so very dearly. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that the gospel blesses families. Two of the greatest knowledges that we posses as members of the church. The church is so true!!!

Love, Elder Hogge

p.s. mom, what are your views on perhaps making some ties skinny for me? :D

Montauk

Family and friends,

I'm so glad to be able to write all of you today. As you may notice, today is not monday, nor is it P-day. Thats because P-day is tuesday, and today is tuesday. Therefore, P-day is today, and I am writing you today.  Basically we had a Zone conference yesterday so p-day got moved for this week haha.  Oh yeah there was something I wanted to tell mom today... umm.. oh yeah! Happy Pioneer Day Mom!!!... Nah just kiddin. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! I know that it will be filled with awesomeness. Consider yourself abrazado'd, which in spanish mean hugged! I know that the family will take care of you well :) That was so much fun to hear of the families adventurous vacations. Sounds like mom and dad were all over the place. Oregon, Utah, Montana? Musta been a blast! As for our 4th, we just worked the entire day. Nothin out of the ordinary. I got the picture of Jackjack, Mindy. He is an absolute stud!! Man, he already looks more muscular than I do. Sad news about the Quarry. I liked that place. Maybe we are gonna hafta start going to Kazooloo, er.... Mizzoura, umm... That one town that Joe and Jules live in to frolf haha. Still havent had the opportunity to go yet. There is a course in prospect park, but thats kinda on the other side of the mission. Oh well, it aint a big deal for me. 

Fernando, Karla, and Patrick are doing well. Fernando and Patrick were at church on Sunday, as well as two family friends, Victor and Viviana. That was really cool having four people at church this past week. I got so excited that I almost forgot to start breaking the bread during the sacrament haha. Karla is doing well. Her testimony is slowly but surely growing. Still trying to get work off. We hope to see a lot of progression out of this family. They have become so dear to me. I pray for them every day and night. I really can understand what the sons of Mosiah were feeling when they said they couldnt stand the thought of these people suffering. I just want the absolute best for this family but the darn world and worldly things get in the way. But we know that they are going to receive so many blessings for what they have accomplished. Seeing the change in others really strengthens my own testimony of the Atonement and its true power.  We did some service for Susan this past week. Having all of this stuff go on her life right now has really put a lot of other things on the backburner for her. So Elder Verhagen and I spent a bit of time this week just doin yardwork for her. Her front yard was very overgrown so we just cleaned it up so that it would look nice. I've noticed how happy being in the service of others makes me. Its a happiness that you dont find in many other places. Luckily the branch has stepped in a bit in Susan's situation. Sister Stenquist was able to go over to her house for a bit and just talk to her and get to know her. So the members have started getting involved. That truly is the quickest path to conversion. I know that the Lord is going to help Susan out so much. Speaking of Sister Stenquist: Mom, I'm so glad that you were able to have some correspondence with her. She is an awesome lady. I was so excited for the opportunity to be able to speak a bit in Relief Society to the sisters. I was able to share how you have truly blessed my life and how you were one of the biggest reasons why I went on a mission. I heard an audible "aww" when I  told all of them we were able to go to the temple basically every week before the mission.

Well, I love you all. All is well in the town of Riverhead. I'm loving the mission. Tough, but awesome!! Hope to hear for you all soon :D

Love, Elder Hogge

P.s. We went to Montauk today!! the very end of the south fork on long island. That was very fun. Its the farthest east you can get in the mission.

Oodles and Oodles of Fun

Howdy all!!

What a wonderful week it sounds like the family (especially mom) had. I can tell that this summer has been packed with oodles and oodles of fun. This was a pretty regular week for me.

Elder Verhagen got the stomach flu this week. Which means that there was a lot of time being stuck at the pad. You dont really understand the blessing of being able to work until you gotta stay home. So that kind of took him out of commission off and on for a few days this week. But let your hearts be at rest because he is up and going now. So that was just a little blurp in the work this week.

We've had a lot of fun recently. There is a lot of work to be done out here in Riverhead. We've slowly but surely been working with Fernando, Karla, and Patrick. We weren't able to sit down and meet with them last week because they've had family in town. Ooh here is a fun fact: I have been to two baby showers this week... Which is two more than I had ever been to before my mission. Funny how that works. But hey, there was hispanic food so I cant complain. Karla's baby is due within the next couple months I think so they had a big party for that. Its always fun getting to support investigators like that. Unfortunately they couldnt make it to church... that was a bummer. But we have high hopes for the future.

Oh, so something tragic happened last week. I'm pretty sure I've told you all about Susan and Robert. Well, Robert passed away about five days ago. It's been super hard on Susan. We haven't even been able to talk to her yet just because of how much stuff is going on. But luckily, the relief society was able to help. Sister Stenquist and Sister Jolliver were able to talk to Susan for a bit at her door and tell her how much the church can help at a time like this. Though this has been a tragic experience for her, I know that the Lord is preparing her for something so much better.

This week I have done a little study of the Doctrine and Covenants. I haven't read very much in depth, but the senior missionary couple in the area has loaned me the Doctrine and Covenants study guide for religion class. It is such a cool book. It has tons of quotes from general authorities. I was able to kind of research some different things. But the number one idea that has really stuck out to me is how much modern day revelation there has been!! No wonder there had to be a full on Restoration. No reformation could possibly bring back to the earth as much doctrine as necessary.

 I'm so glad to see that Grandma West is still going strong. She just looks lovely in that picture, mom. Make sure to tell her I love her next time you talk to her. 

Thats basically it for this week. I love you all so very much!!

Love, Elder Hogge

A Fantabulismatic Week!

Dearest All,

That was a fantabulismatic week! I dont even know what that means, but thats the only word I could think of to describe our excitement haha.

We've been working a ton with Fernando and Karla right now. And their son, Patrick, is fully in the equation right now. We were able to visit their house a few times this week. They are so willing to let us come and share our message with them. That is the sign of a family that will progress. They are like Rosa and Angelo, the two I baptized in Bushwick, in that they absolutely love having us come over. So just a summary of what happened this week: We taught them on Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesday, we taught the Plan of Salvation to all of them. It was a very good lesson. They loved it and it made perfect sense to them. On Friday, we discussed two of the commandments, the word of wisdom and Sabbath day. They told us that the only problems they had with the word of wisdom was coffee, but they all quickly committed to stop drinking it. Also, they really understood the reasoning for the Sabbath day and I know the Spirit was able to touch their hearts. Fernando and Patrick agreed to come to church, but Karla still needs to find someone to replace her. So the lessons went really well. At the end of the lesson on Friday, we talked to them about Patrick getting baptized. Right now, he is only seven years old, but his birthday is on the 29th of this month. We talked about it with them, and Patrick wants to get baptized on his birthday!!! So we will see how that goes. The parents need to get married before their baptism, so we are still working with them on that. Yesterday was the real test though. Fernando and Patrick had committed to come to church, but it had been a couple months since the last time I had an investigator at church. Sure enough, five minutes before the service starts, Patrick and Fernando both walk into the chapel with nicely groomed hair and white polos. That was such an amazing feeling!!! They stayed all three hours. When Fernando was asked to introduce himself in Priesthood, he said, "Hello, my name is Fernando and this is where my family is going to go to church from now on." Elder Verhagen and I both did silent fist pumps haha. After church, Patrick walked out of primary with some crafts, a cookie, and a huge smile. He asked us, "so i get to come back next week right?" All in all, that was one of my best church experiences yet. Their family is coming to the branch sports night on thursday, the branch barbecue on friday, and most importantly church next sunday. I'm so excited for them!!! The spirit of the Lord has truly touched their hearts and now they are beginning to see the blessings of the Restored Gospel.

Mom, to answer your question, (and I see you have finally made the switch to gmail) we were able to find six new people to teach. I'm not sure how much they will progress, but we will work hard and diligently. My favorite part about the work right now is seeing the progress of Fernando and his family. It is so amazing and fills me with such happyness :) Elder Verhagen is doing great! He is such an awesome example to me. He is always pushing me to work harder and more effectively. We wouldnt be seeing the blessings we have without him. On Friday, I had my interview with President Calderwood. Wow... he is a powerful man. He is also one of the most loving, caring men I have ever met. He was so focused on me and my needs during the interview. Though this had been only the second time I met him, I could already feel his love beaming toward me. He is going to be so good for this mission. Elder Verhagen made a good point the other day. In any big corporation, the higher up you go in the pyramid of power, the ones in charge become more greedy and more prideful. But it is just the opposite in the church. The most humble and selfless men in the church are the Twelve and the First Presidency. I love with all my heart how amazingly well God's church is organized. No other church on earth has the blessings that we have. That is one testimony to me of the veracity of this church. No where else do I feel this much love and care. I love this gospel. It changes people. And it has changed me. For that reason, I share it with everyone I meet. I love you all!

Love, Elder Hogge

Fantastic Week!!

Queridos Familia y Amigos,

Fantastic week!!! I'm super stoked to share it with you guys.

First off, I wanna start with President Calderwood. (Oh Elder Verhagen says HI back). President is absolutely amazing!!! I know without a doubt that he has been called by the Lord to serve here. We all met him on Saturday for a Mission Conference. Though its hard to see President Nelson go, I know that the smooth and inspired switch will bring so much to the mission. So a little about new prez. He is here with his wife and two youngest children. They have six children total (three girls and three boys I think) and they were all present at the conference. Prez and his wife have done a terrific job raising their children and I know they will use the same devotion and care over the mission. President Calderwood spoke last, and to me he sounds like a General Authority. So much power and love in all his words. He told us about the final week at the MTC, more specifically the final sunday. At the sacrament meeting for the new mission presidents going into the field, 35 of the Seventy were there, the presiding Bishopric was there, 8 of the twelve apostles were there, and the entire First Presidency was present. After the sacrament was passed, the only speaker was our beloved Prophet. The Lord cares about this work so much. I know that President Calderwood will be a fantastic instrument in the hands of God.

This week something really special has happened. There is an investigator that we picked up about a month ago. His name is Fernando. We met with him and taught him an awesome plan of salvation lesson. Unfortunately he had a ton of work and we werent able to meet with him for a long time. We finally got back into contact with him. We met with him and his wife on thursday, friday, saturday, and sunday of this past week. The only thing is, he and his wife, Karla, arent legally married. This is common in the hispanic culture so it was really no surprise to us. But the truth of Christ's Gospel has touched their hearts since we have been teaching them. They want to get married now. Also, I asked them last night if they believe Joseph Smith truly saw God and Jesus Christ, and they both gave a definitive yes! We also watched "The Lamb of God" with them. Last night's lesson with them was one of the most spiritual lessons I've had. We haven't set a firm baptismal date with them because they still need to figure out marriage stuff but they both know that this Gospel will truly bless them and their family. The other really important step they need to take is making church their number one priority. If they start coming to church they will take the next step of baptism for sure. The Lord has blessed Elder Verhagen and I with this wonderful family and I am so excited to see what progress they will make.

This week I have really been focusing on how the Spirit works within me. I had realized that till up to this point, I had never truly focused on my relationship with the Holy Ghost as much as I should.Through much dedication, I have finally begun to understand how the spirit talks to me. And it was very strong last night in our lesson with Fernando and Karla. For me, the Spirit gives me very powerful feelings of love and sympathy for the people I serve. I caught a glimpse what I know the sons of Mosiah felt. I could not stand the thought of Fernando and Karla not accepting the Gospel. I'd felt that before with other investigators, but never as strong. And I had never associated those feelings with the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I share this very valuable experience with you all because I know that the Spirit speaks to each one of us in very specific ways. We know from the writings of Paul to the people of Galatia that the product of feeling the spirit is "Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance". This week I give you all a challenge: Truly focus on how the spirit works within you. Pray to know how the spirit is best able to communicate with you. I know that Heavenly Father will bless all of you with more comprehension of the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The longer I am out on the mission, the more I realize how much the Lord truly blessed me with the family I have. I love you all so much.

Love, Elder Hogge

More Spencer Pictures

Spencer feeding a buffalo at the buffalo farm in Riverhead 

Elder Lunt and I at transfer meeting for our last goodbye (with Elder Parker in the back -- he's home now) 

A firefly that I caught last night.  Those little guys have been lighting up the town lately!!