11 September 2007

Hello my wonderful family and friends...

It is a beautiful Mendocino day here in DC. The weather is getting cooler, which means that Fall in around the corner. I love Fall and I'm excited for the change in color and climate. Thank you for your letters and emails. They always make me smile.

We have a new roommate. He is small, hairy, and grey-brown. We've named him Lucifer, which we feel is quite fitting. We were all getting ready for the day the other morning, when I thought I saw something run by my feet on the floor. I brushed aside the thought and continued getting ready. A few minutes later a mouse ran from under my feet to the living room. All I could say was "NO WAY... NO WAY!!" and I jumped onto my bed. One of the other sisters in our room jumped on the other bed. It was pretty funny. The mouse ran under a bookcase and was no where to be found, which was bad! A few days later the elders living beneath us told us they caught a mouse and it eventually ran off the balcony and killed itself, which was sad, in a way, but we are all relieved.

This past Saturday was the ward BBQ at Bishop Bryan's large and beautiful home. We made an appearance and had a great time! It was fun to be with all of the YSAs. The BYU game was on and we heard they lost (Sorry Sarah and Aaron). At the BBQ I saw one of my MTC teachers, Brother Bradshaw. He just moved in as an intern and will be working with Senator Hatch for the semester. He can help us with the missionary work!

Kate was baptized last night. It was wonderful. We had quite the crowd because it became the FHE activity. She looked beautiful and the program was great. Sister Baxter and I were beaming the entire night. I sang "I Stand All Amazed" at Kate's request. As I watched her be baptized all I could think about was that I had nothing to do with it. Both Sister Baxter and I felt that although we taught Kate, the Lord's hand and his Spirit are in this great work. The Lord is with those we teach, leading and guiding them. We are just the instruments to help push them along the way. She is a wonderful member of the church, she will raise a strong family, and affect generations to come. My heart is completely full.

Abraham is doing well. He is finally back from his trip to California. He is reading the Book of Mormon, he is praying, and he is asking questions. We have moved his baptismal date to September 23rd. He is excited to be baptized and loved the baptismal service the elders had on Sunday. Abraham is truly one of the Lord's elect and we love him.

Teresa is also doing well. We gave her a baptismal date yesterday. She will be baptized on October 14th. She is so prepared, but a little nervous. She has told us of her efforts to strengthen her faith. We think that her entire life she has felt the need to be perfect and to know everything before she gets baptized. We have assured her that no one is perfect and that repentance and the sacrament are gifts from our Heavenly Father to help us become clean each week and to renew the covenants we have made with him. This brought much peace to her heart and mind. We love her and we know that she will need the prayers of many to strengthen her in the next month before her baptism.

Laura came to both baptisms, Kate's and the one on Sunday. She LOVED them and was moved to tears by the tender feelings of the Spirit. We have an appointment with her Thursday night and we plan to give her a baptismal date as well for the beginning of October. She is reading the Book of Mormon and she is praying. We love her.

Erica is doing well and also came to the baptismal service on Sunday. We will meet with her this coming Sunday and hope to give her a baptismal date as well. We also found a new investigator. Her name is Lydia and she has been dating Brandon, a member, for the past 9 months. They both met at UC Davis and he came to the east for work and she followed. They are wonderful. Lydia has already taken all of the lessons and had a baptismal date, but felt that she wasn't ready and moved to the east shortly thereafter. I feel a strong connection with Lydia. She introduced herself to us at church and told us her situation. We will be meeting with her on Thursday for the first time and we pray that the Lord will help us know what he would have us do to help her. I am amazed by the instant love we can feel for our brothers and sisters.

Sister Baxter and I have felt completely overwhelmed with love for one another, for the people, and for the work. We pray that the Lord will keep blessing those that we are teaching and that we may be kept humble, teachable, and grateful. As I have thought about the great progess each of our investigators has been making, I have found one action they are all doing and have in common... they are reading the Book of Mormon and praying with real intent and sincerity for a confirmation and witness that it is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it changes lives. It has and is changing my heart. As we keep the Book of Mormon central in our teaching we will continue to bring souls unto Christ. I challenge all of you to read the Book of Mormon every day. I promise you that as you do you will feel closer to our Savior, your faith in him will increase, your love for him will grow, and your testimony of the Restoration will strengthen.

Please keep these wonderful people in your prayers. We love them and we pray for them specifically many times daily. Transfers are next week and we have been praying to stay together. Hopefully it is the Lord's will. Zone conference with a general authority is tomorrow. We have a wonderful week ahead of us!

I am so blessed and I am grateful.

With Love, Sister Hogge