Dear Family and Friends,
I have officially been serving for 4 months. Time does fly. Usually when people ask me how long I've been serving I tell them "just under 6 months". This helps me keep my focus. I'll do the same throughout my entire mission. Focus is essential as a missionary.
Things are picking up in Olney. We are beginning to teach some of the new investigators we have found. The trick now is to help them see the need to keep their commitments and to progress towards baptism. A great way to help them keep their commitments is to promise blessings. I am grateful for all of the millions of blessings our Heavenly Father gives to us when we obey and follow the steps of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We recently taught a woman named Lashell (I can't remember if I mentioned her in my last email). We have been trying to get in contact with her for over a month. We decided to stop by one day and she invited us in. She is wonderful. She has a strong faith in Christ and has attended the Baptist church with her husband and two young boys, but she needs the true church and gospel in her life. There is a difference between just believing and doing what the Lord would have us do to return to him with our families. She has many questions about the plan of salvation, which we plan to teach her today. We hope to help all of our investigators progress within the coming weeks.
Our last CDM (combined district meeting) with President and Sister Price was on Tuesday. It was wonderful. I love President and Sister Price. We will all miss them dearly. They will be leaving the end of June. Sister Price spoke about Satan's 3 main tools that he uses on missionaries: inadequacy, discouragement, and rejection. In Alma 33:16 it says, "Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son." The Atonement is for all, even missionaries! We must BELIEVE in Jesus Christ. I believe in him and I know that he is my Savior and has suffered not only my pains and afflictions, but my temptations (Alma 7:11-12). I love him. I would invite you to believe in Jesus Christ and live your life accordingly. Be happy! "May God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son" (Alma 33:23).
I am only beginning to understand what my patriarchal blessing means when it says that I have been blessed with a joyful and happy spirit. I am so happy! I love this great work. Yes, it is so difficult, but I love it. The Lord is blessing me with pure joy and happiness, even when it's hard. I hope to retain this joyful and cheerful attitude throughout my entire life. It is so important to be happy and to be positive.
President gave us much counsel and words of love. I especially enjoyed his charge to lay down your "weapons of rebellion" and do not fight against God any more. What are our weapons of rebellion? This is a wonderful story in the Book of Mormon, read it! Alma 23:7
I love this work. May the Lord bless you all with happiness and joy.
Love, Sister Hogge
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
17 May 2007
Dear Family and Friends,
Transfers were yesterday. I am still serving in Olney and I am grateful. I love this area!! I have a new companion, Sister Guimaraes. (Gee-ma-rhyns) She is from Brazil!! She is from the Northeastern coast of Brazil. Sister Scofield was transfered to Kensington, which is the area of the temple and VC. She is riding a bike, bless her heart. I have a feeling that someday the Lord will make me ride a bike. So, because Sister Guimaraes is a foreign sister I get to drive the truck! YEAH! It's fun to drive. We got Sister Guimaraes moved into our beautiful apartment yesterday. It will be a great adventure to be companions with her and I am excited for all of the learing and growing experiences.
Yesterday I have a wonderful experience in the VC. Because of transters Sister Guimaraes and I were the only sisters on shift out of six that were scheduled. It was busy! Two sets of sister missionaries with five investigators came to the VC from the Baltimore mission. Their mission president also came. The mission president was telling me that they have a goal in their mission to get the investigators to the VC before baptism because it always helps the investigator progress. They wanted a tour before the Joseph Smith movie. They had an hour before the movie began...so they asked me to give them a tour. I was scared out of my mind. 5 investigators, 4 missionaries, and their mission president!! AH! I introduced them to the Christus and while the narration was playing the mission president gave me some background info. of the investigators to help me plan my tour during the two minute narration.
I gave them a 45 minute tour on the Atonement, Word of Wisdom, prophets, and baptism. I have never felt the Spirit work through me so strongly. It was amazing. The words came so easily. The Lord is in this work and He is always helping his representatives. The Spirit was very strong and we were all edified. I have never been so bold, but I know that it was what the Lord needed them to hear. The smiles on their faces were priceless. Three of the investigators was a father (who was trying to quit smoking), a daughter (20 yrs. old) who just quit smoking a few days ago, and a son (16 yrs. old). I love them and I am excited to see them again when they come back to the VC.
I love this great work. I love the scriptures and the power in the words of God. I love the gift of the Holy Ghost and I know without the gift I would be a useless tool in the Lord's hands. I love my Savior, Jesus Chirst. He is the ONLY way for us to be happy.
Love, Sister Hogge
Transfers were yesterday. I am still serving in Olney and I am grateful. I love this area!! I have a new companion, Sister Guimaraes. (Gee-ma-rhyns) She is from Brazil!! She is from the Northeastern coast of Brazil. Sister Scofield was transfered to Kensington, which is the area of the temple and VC. She is riding a bike, bless her heart. I have a feeling that someday the Lord will make me ride a bike. So, because Sister Guimaraes is a foreign sister I get to drive the truck! YEAH! It's fun to drive. We got Sister Guimaraes moved into our beautiful apartment yesterday. It will be a great adventure to be companions with her and I am excited for all of the learing and growing experiences.
Yesterday I have a wonderful experience in the VC. Because of transters Sister Guimaraes and I were the only sisters on shift out of six that were scheduled. It was busy! Two sets of sister missionaries with five investigators came to the VC from the Baltimore mission. Their mission president also came. The mission president was telling me that they have a goal in their mission to get the investigators to the VC before baptism because it always helps the investigator progress. They wanted a tour before the Joseph Smith movie. They had an hour before the movie began...so they asked me to give them a tour. I was scared out of my mind. 5 investigators, 4 missionaries, and their mission president!! AH! I introduced them to the Christus and while the narration was playing the mission president gave me some background info. of the investigators to help me plan my tour during the two minute narration.
I gave them a 45 minute tour on the Atonement, Word of Wisdom, prophets, and baptism. I have never felt the Spirit work through me so strongly. It was amazing. The words came so easily. The Lord is in this work and He is always helping his representatives. The Spirit was very strong and we were all edified. I have never been so bold, but I know that it was what the Lord needed them to hear. The smiles on their faces were priceless. Three of the investigators was a father (who was trying to quit smoking), a daughter (20 yrs. old) who just quit smoking a few days ago, and a son (16 yrs. old). I love them and I am excited to see them again when they come back to the VC.
I love this great work. I love the scriptures and the power in the words of God. I love the gift of the Holy Ghost and I know without the gift I would be a useless tool in the Lord's hands. I love my Savior, Jesus Chirst. He is the ONLY way for us to be happy.
Love, Sister Hogge
Thursday, May 10, 2007
10 May 2007
Dear Family and Friends,
Last P-day I went to DC again. We had a wonderful time visiting the monuments. We visited the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War, WWII, Washington Monument, and Jefferson Memorial. I think that my favorite was Jefferson Memorial. It was beautiful and the feelings were sacred. It was fun to walk around the city. Two weeks in a row of DC fun is about all I can do. It's tiring! I was so exhausted this past week! I'd like to take a trip to the city at least every transfer!
This past week we visited a less active and she loves cats!! I found out the painful way that I am allergic to cats! Although it was miserable, it was quite funny too. I started coughing and my nose was running and I was completely stuffed up...then my eye swelled up! It was hilarious! I couldn't see out of my right eye. Anyway, funny story for the week.
We had some ambassadors from all different countries visit this past Friday. It was quite the event. They came for the BYU Wind Symphony performance. I'm sure that we'll be having many more ambassadors come withing the next year. One ambassador was from Lesotho, pretty cool huh!
We met an Italian man this week. I was really excited to talk with him about Italy and to tell him that my dad served a mission in Italy. He was nice and I loved his accent, but he didn't want to talk about religion. He told us that he was 105% Catholic. He was born Catholic and he will die Catholic! Dad, I don't know how you did it in Italy!
A few days ago some reporters from the church magazines came to the V.C. They are working on an article for the Ensign about the DC temple and the V.C. They begin working on articles 18 months in advance of its publication. I just happened to be on shift when they interviewed some sisters. They interviewed two other sisters along with myself. They only interviewd three sisters out of 36! I was so nervous! It was a fun experience to share with them my thoughts about the temple and the VC. They asked me to share with them one sentence about the VC that they could quote. I don't even remember what I said, but it felt good. It will be interesting to see the results in a year or so.
The work is slowly progressing in Olney. We are still looking for new investigators and we're planting seeds all along the way. The work is hard, but I love Olney and the people. Funny story...We accidently drove out of the mission and into the Baltimore mission. I'm sure the Lord will forgive us for getting lost.
A good man in our ward had a heart attack this past week. It was really bad and he was unconscious for a few days. He is in his early 50's and he is healthy and active. I have never seen a ward pull together so quickly and so easily. We had a ward fast and pray and hope for the best. He is still in intensive care, but our prayers are with him and his family.
Sister Gilbert (a wife of a senior couple that works in the office) died a few days ago. They were scheduled to go back home for the completion of their mission this next week. She had cancer before her mission and began to have pain in her stomach a few days ago. She finally went to the hospital with her husband at 9:30 Tuesday morning and died Tuesday night. Our prayers are with Elder Gilbert and his family. I know that Heavenly Father loves us and he has a specific plan for each of us. He is personally involved in our lives. My thoughts have been directed towards my Heavenly Father's plan of happiness these past few days. I know that it is only through this plan and through Jesus Chirst that we can find peace and hope.
Family, I am so excited to talk to you on Sunday!!
Love, Sister Hogge
p.s. Hilly - How was the party?
I would love to talk with all the family on Sunday! I will call and then you can call me back!
Mom - Yes, they can be names from anywhere in the world when Galena comes!
There's so much more I want to say, but it'll have to wait until Sunday!!! Ah! I'm SOOOO EXCITED!
Last P-day I went to DC again. We had a wonderful time visiting the monuments. We visited the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War, WWII, Washington Monument, and Jefferson Memorial. I think that my favorite was Jefferson Memorial. It was beautiful and the feelings were sacred. It was fun to walk around the city. Two weeks in a row of DC fun is about all I can do. It's tiring! I was so exhausted this past week! I'd like to take a trip to the city at least every transfer!
This past week we visited a less active and she loves cats!! I found out the painful way that I am allergic to cats! Although it was miserable, it was quite funny too. I started coughing and my nose was running and I was completely stuffed up...then my eye swelled up! It was hilarious! I couldn't see out of my right eye. Anyway, funny story for the week.
We had some ambassadors from all different countries visit this past Friday. It was quite the event. They came for the BYU Wind Symphony performance. I'm sure that we'll be having many more ambassadors come withing the next year. One ambassador was from Lesotho, pretty cool huh!
We met an Italian man this week. I was really excited to talk with him about Italy and to tell him that my dad served a mission in Italy. He was nice and I loved his accent, but he didn't want to talk about religion. He told us that he was 105% Catholic. He was born Catholic and he will die Catholic! Dad, I don't know how you did it in Italy!
A few days ago some reporters from the church magazines came to the V.C. They are working on an article for the Ensign about the DC temple and the V.C. They begin working on articles 18 months in advance of its publication. I just happened to be on shift when they interviewed some sisters. They interviewed two other sisters along with myself. They only interviewd three sisters out of 36! I was so nervous! It was a fun experience to share with them my thoughts about the temple and the VC. They asked me to share with them one sentence about the VC that they could quote. I don't even remember what I said, but it felt good. It will be interesting to see the results in a year or so.
The work is slowly progressing in Olney. We are still looking for new investigators and we're planting seeds all along the way. The work is hard, but I love Olney and the people. Funny story...We accidently drove out of the mission and into the Baltimore mission. I'm sure the Lord will forgive us for getting lost.
A good man in our ward had a heart attack this past week. It was really bad and he was unconscious for a few days. He is in his early 50's and he is healthy and active. I have never seen a ward pull together so quickly and so easily. We had a ward fast and pray and hope for the best. He is still in intensive care, but our prayers are with him and his family.
Sister Gilbert (a wife of a senior couple that works in the office) died a few days ago. They were scheduled to go back home for the completion of their mission this next week. She had cancer before her mission and began to have pain in her stomach a few days ago. She finally went to the hospital with her husband at 9:30 Tuesday morning and died Tuesday night. Our prayers are with Elder Gilbert and his family. I know that Heavenly Father loves us and he has a specific plan for each of us. He is personally involved in our lives. My thoughts have been directed towards my Heavenly Father's plan of happiness these past few days. I know that it is only through this plan and through Jesus Chirst that we can find peace and hope.
Family, I am so excited to talk to you on Sunday!!
Love, Sister Hogge
p.s. Hilly - How was the party?
I would love to talk with all the family on Sunday! I will call and then you can call me back!
Mom - Yes, they can be names from anywhere in the world when Galena comes!
There's so much more I want to say, but it'll have to wait until Sunday!!! Ah! I'm SOOOO EXCITED!
Thursday, May 3, 2007
3 May 2007
Dearest Family and Friends,
It was so wonderful to receive your emails. Letters and emails make me happy and I am grateful for the love and support. I have found that I truly am a home girl. I love my family and I miss the excitement, but the Lord needs me here.
DC last week was wonderful. We toured the American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery. I especially loved all of the portraits of the American Presidents. The Spirit was strong as I walked through the room of their portraits, truly many of them were men of God. Ford's Theater was closed again, but we toured the small museum on the bottom floor. I thought of dad the entire time I read the events of Lincoln's death. The National Gallery of Art was AMAZING!! I especially loved the original Leonardo Da Vinci painting entitled Genevera Da Benci. What a treat! I took lots of pictures. One of the senior couples took us and the husband knew so much about art, so he was our tour guide! Today we are going to the city again and touring the monuments...I am so blessed!
The VC just received some new art, paintings of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies. As I have studied the art and the stories behind the paintings I have felt my testimony of consecration and dedication to the Lord strengthen. I have done my best to learn all I can for the visitors that come into the VC and I am now integrating the art into tours. It's lots of fun!
This past Sunday we had five investigators attend church. The Lord is blessing us. We're praying for our investigators to progress and for the Lord to bless us with a family to teach. The work is slowly progressing.
Last night we were invited to attend a Young Women's activity to share with the girls and their leaders our stories of how we decided to serve missions. It was wonderful to be able to remember why I decided to serve a mission. I am grateful for the Lord's hand in my decision. I am learning that although sacrifice is difficult, it is possible, especially when I am sacrificing for the Lord. Serving a mission truly is a sacrifice, but I am grateful for the Lord's strength. I can live for him.
Two nights ago we had our first musical fireside at the VC. We are beginning a new monthly tradition. The missionaries in the mission provide music and testimony for other missionaries and their investigators. Music invites the spirit and the spirit testifies of truth. I am grateful that the Lord is blessing me with opportunities to perform. The fireside was a great success, everyone loved the music. Every month different missionaries will have the opportunity to perform. I love the VC!!
I know that God lives and that Jesus Chirst is our Savior. I know that Joseph Smith restored Jesus Christ's church and suffered much for us to have the restored gospel. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and another testament of our Savior. President Hinckley is our living prophet. How grateful I am for these truths.
With Love, Sister Hogge
p.s. Mom - THANK YOU! for the package. I almost cried when I saw the music and the shirts! You are an angel. The shirts have already been so helpful. Both of the sweaters you sent me are from Walmart. The other purple button up sweater is from Express. I would love some names to bring to the temple, what a special treat! Thank you for sending my temple dress. I was thinking of asking the members in Galena to pray about someone they would like me to contact to send them a "message of love" and a gift (BOM or video) along with a message from the missionaries...when they come to the VC June 16th. What do you think? Right now I'm good with my medicine and thank you for Ms. Mutter's address! Mom and Dad, Happy Belated Anniversary. I'm sorry that I didn't mention it last week. I love you both.
Grandma Buck - Happy Birthday! I love you! I sent you a card with more details.
Hilly - Happy Birthday again! I can't believe that you're going to be 16. Make good choices and stay close to the family and the Lord. Pray every day and read your scriptures and you will be protected by the Spirit.
Family - I will be calling Sunday, May 13th, at about 6:30pm my time, 3:30pm your time. Let me know if that will work for you. I'll have about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to talk! I can't wait! Will you be having a family party for Mother's Day? I love you all so much! MW Give Miss Mari a big hug and kiss from Aunt Sister Hogge!
It was so wonderful to receive your emails. Letters and emails make me happy and I am grateful for the love and support. I have found that I truly am a home girl. I love my family and I miss the excitement, but the Lord needs me here.
DC last week was wonderful. We toured the American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery. I especially loved all of the portraits of the American Presidents. The Spirit was strong as I walked through the room of their portraits, truly many of them were men of God. Ford's Theater was closed again, but we toured the small museum on the bottom floor. I thought of dad the entire time I read the events of Lincoln's death. The National Gallery of Art was AMAZING!! I especially loved the original Leonardo Da Vinci painting entitled Genevera Da Benci. What a treat! I took lots of pictures. One of the senior couples took us and the husband knew so much about art, so he was our tour guide! Today we are going to the city again and touring the monuments...I am so blessed!
The VC just received some new art, paintings of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies. As I have studied the art and the stories behind the paintings I have felt my testimony of consecration and dedication to the Lord strengthen. I have done my best to learn all I can for the visitors that come into the VC and I am now integrating the art into tours. It's lots of fun!
This past Sunday we had five investigators attend church. The Lord is blessing us. We're praying for our investigators to progress and for the Lord to bless us with a family to teach. The work is slowly progressing.
Last night we were invited to attend a Young Women's activity to share with the girls and their leaders our stories of how we decided to serve missions. It was wonderful to be able to remember why I decided to serve a mission. I am grateful for the Lord's hand in my decision. I am learning that although sacrifice is difficult, it is possible, especially when I am sacrificing for the Lord. Serving a mission truly is a sacrifice, but I am grateful for the Lord's strength. I can live for him.
Two nights ago we had our first musical fireside at the VC. We are beginning a new monthly tradition. The missionaries in the mission provide music and testimony for other missionaries and their investigators. Music invites the spirit and the spirit testifies of truth. I am grateful that the Lord is blessing me with opportunities to perform. The fireside was a great success, everyone loved the music. Every month different missionaries will have the opportunity to perform. I love the VC!!
I know that God lives and that Jesus Chirst is our Savior. I know that Joseph Smith restored Jesus Christ's church and suffered much for us to have the restored gospel. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and another testament of our Savior. President Hinckley is our living prophet. How grateful I am for these truths.
With Love, Sister Hogge
p.s. Mom - THANK YOU! for the package. I almost cried when I saw the music and the shirts! You are an angel. The shirts have already been so helpful. Both of the sweaters you sent me are from Walmart. The other purple button up sweater is from Express. I would love some names to bring to the temple, what a special treat! Thank you for sending my temple dress. I was thinking of asking the members in Galena to pray about someone they would like me to contact to send them a "message of love" and a gift (BOM or video) along with a message from the missionaries...when they come to the VC June 16th. What do you think? Right now I'm good with my medicine and thank you for Ms. Mutter's address! Mom and Dad, Happy Belated Anniversary. I'm sorry that I didn't mention it last week. I love you both.
Grandma Buck - Happy Birthday! I love you! I sent you a card with more details.
Hilly - Happy Birthday again! I can't believe that you're going to be 16. Make good choices and stay close to the family and the Lord. Pray every day and read your scriptures and you will be protected by the Spirit.
Family - I will be calling Sunday, May 13th, at about 6:30pm my time, 3:30pm your time. Let me know if that will work for you. I'll have about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to talk! I can't wait! Will you be having a family party for Mother's Day? I love you all so much! MW Give Miss Mari a big hug and kiss from Aunt Sister Hogge!
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