The Rainy Season

This last week was very interesting as the rainy season has officially begun for pretty much all of Honduras as far as I know. Before the rainy season so many people burn garbage and there have been many fires (nothing too close, but there was a lot of smoke) so I`m glad that`s over. Now the weather and the air is cleaner and cooler. And we might have gotten wet a few times. Just a little. 

         This week we have been trying to put more in practice what we learned from Elder Ochoa. It hasn't been easy but we've found a few people that look positive. Heidy continues to progress, but there's a small problem that her parents don't really want her to be baptized. So that's a bit difficult. Prayers for Heidy please! We know everything will turn out alright if we just have faith. We don't know when, but blessings always come. 

          It's like the storm we walked home in the other day. Seriously it was a downpour and we walked home in a river up to our ankles. But, at least its not that cold, we had fun, and in the morning, it was all sunny and pretty. 

           Elder Ochoa (form the 70 that spoke to us the other week) challenged us to look up scriptures of faith that inspire us and I`d like to share one that has helped me this week that is from Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"  That and the class on Sunday helped me understand that to have faith, we need to be visionary. We need to put in practice the ability to imagine the things we cannot yet see - physically. Faith is a universal power. With faith, all things were created, because everything was created spiritually before it was created physically. 

Remembering that I try to imagine the people we talk to in the street and waiting for buses entering the temple one day. I received some news from Hermana Arango that one investigator that we had was baptized and preparing to receive the priesthood. It was hard to teach him for the majority of our time there because we taught him in the house of a friend, and he had work. But everything paid off. Testimonies can really make a difference. 

           The testimonies of this week in sacrament meeting really touched me. Every week we are blessed, but fast and testimony meetings can be something really special. We strengthen each other through our testimonies. Also something really speacial this week was that Hermano Eugenio was able to bless the sacrament. I almost cried. 

             Well, getting to the part that`s important to know next week. We will be skyping in our mission leader`s house at 6 here. Which would be five for you all (I think, right?) Anyway. He should have enough computers or other divices for the four of us but if not I`ll let you know and we`ll be talking 40 minutes later. Sound good? Ok.  I love you all and I hope everyone is doing well. Congratulations Ally on your graduation!!!! I hope it was something special. I`m so proud of you. 

           I love you all and hope this week is a good one.  I just want to extend one challenge to look up a scripture that strengthens your faith. I know it helps. 

          Love, Hermana Hogge 

Eating Gringos

Buenas Tardes, Amigos y Familia,

Well, we´re still here in Santa Lucia, getting used to all of the rock climbing (almost) that we´re doing, because Santa Lucia is full of hills. I´ve been really grateful to be training Hermana Platero. We laugh a lot when we´re slipping and sliding down the hills. Of course, a lot of things are still new, but she´s been an example to me. She´s often been the one in the lesson to invite people to be baptized, which makes me proud :) It hasn´t been easy, but I´ve really loved training. 

         The other day (can´t remember which) we were with a member family, and the hermana had a recipe book. There´s a type of food called a gringo, which also happens to be the nickname for north americans. (in my case gringa) The family was laughing about eating the gringa. I was like, I´m out of here. No, they´re a good family. It´s the family of the hermana Suyapa that we baptized the other week. She´s still doing well, and the whole family is going to church. 

         It´s a good branch here. Maybe we don´t get a ton of references but there are some people willing to work with us. One that I admire a lot teaches the principles of the gospel class for the investigators and recent converts. He knows a lot and has a gift of teaching. He´s also the hermano that baptized Hermano Eugenio and Hermana Mirta. 

        Their family is doing fine too. The gospel is growing and more of their family is attending church. But we´re still trying to help them be baptized. 

         One of the most amazing oportunities that we had this week is one that I hope I won´t ever forget. Elder Ochoa, the first counselor of the presidency of the area Central America, came and spoke to us on Thursday the 23rd of April.  We got to shake his hand and meet his wife and hear both of them and President and Hermana Bowler speak. It was a really great experience and I learned a lot about the things that I need to be doing better. Especially, have more faith. 

        Despite all the hills and the people that try to contend and the members that want to eat me, I love this area. This last week we were teaching a Señor and a girl, his neighbor, entered. The interesting thing was that she stayed, when we were there to teach the elderly man. We had talked to this girl before, but I didn´t know much about her except that she lived on the same street and is 13 years old. But, as we taught she sat down and stayed to listen, so we involved her in the lesson. We found out that she had been listening to the elders before but when the elders were taken out of the area no other missionaries came back. Her name is Heidi and I´m really happy we were able to find her. 

        One thing I learned from Elder Ochoa is that when we don´t invite people to be baptized, when we don´t share the gospel, we´re taking away the oportunity for other people to choose. We take away their agency. Heavenly Father´s plan is for us is for us to be able to use our agency to choose good. As we understand and follow Heavenly Father´s plan, we understand that we need to share the gospel to help others use their agency. 

        Ok, I think that´s it for now. Congrats and Good Luck to all that have exams, are graduating!!, have birthdays, etc. I´ll let you know more next week at what time I´ll be skyping for mother´s day. It will be Sunday in the afternoon - what time do you all have church?? We have church in the morning. 

         Have a good week everyone. God Lives and He Loves You. 

          Hermana Hogge

Cambios... (Changes)

Dearest Friends and Family, 

So, we had changes this week. We weren´t really surprised when they called us Tuesday morning and told us that Hermana Araujo would be leaving Santa Lucia, because she´s been here for almost five months. But, I was surprised when they told us I would be training. 

So, a little nervous, we went to transfers on Wednesday with a large group of missionaries in Tegus. I always like how we do it all together, almost everyone who has changes. Only four hermanas came this change to the mission, and I knew I would soon be showing one of them around Santa Lucia, but I didn´t know which. We greeted them, and, though I wasn´t sure, I felt that one of the hermanas, Hermana Platero, would be my companion. 

And I was right. 

So. Hermana Platero is from El Salvador (So don´t guess that she´s from Guatemala, she doesn´t like that). She´s really sweet, and brings a special spirit to the lessons and area. We´ve been able to find new people and though some are more positive than others, we have hope. 

The influence of Hermano Eugenio y Hermana Mirta continues to grow in their family, with their children. Yesterday we shared a video about the first vision with them and even though the graphics weren´t that great (what can we say, it´s like from the 80s) it was still a successful lesson and two of their daughters are starting to read the Book of Mormon. 

I love the Book of Mormon and try to read from it every day, even if it´s just a little.

I´ve had a lot of responsibilities this last week, but everything is going fine - still healthy, still smililng, still working. 

Love you all so much! 

Hermana Hogge

Uniting Eternal Families

Buenas Tardes, todos!

This last week - well for the past six weeks really - we have been working with various less active members. But I´m here to tell you that there is hope for anyone and everyone. Similar to my last area, we have been working with a member named Marta. What´s different is that this Marta is a recent convert. After conference, we went straight with her on Sunday and shared from the message that talked about the parable of the prodigal son.  During that lesson I felt it had power. I knew the Spirit was there, and that it was talking to her. She resolved to go to church this Sunday and she did!

We were also blessed to have a baptism this last Saturday. I realize I probably haven´t talked about Hermana Suyapa that much, but she´s been our investigator for a few weeks - that is to say, of Hermana Araujo and I. She´s really been an investigator for many years, and her entire family are already members. But, now was just her time. She´s always kind to us, and she´s a loving mother. Recently she was able to put some things in her life in order, and now she is attending with her whole family.

Hermana Suyapa and us‏

​This is really what it´s all about, Uniting Eternal Families!!! I was really happy in this moment ;)

Also, Hermana Arango told me that two of our investigators, two young women and sisters,that we were teaching in Choluteca were baptized this saturday as well and are going to be attending seminary! 

Eternal Families are the goal. Everyone has a different situation. But I know that if we make a conscious and faithful effort to have an Eternal Family, that Heavenly Father will help us, because that is His eternal goal as well. 

As for the adventures that we saw this last week, well, they might be a little embarrassing for me, so I hope you enjoy. :) 

One in particular occured on Friday. First, I need to tell you a little about our house. When you walk out the door, you walk down some stairs to a large gate (our apartment is connected with a few others). For the door and the gate, you need keys. So, hypothetically, if someone walks out the door, closes it, and doesn´t have the keys, this person would, hypothetically, be locked in. Locked out of the house, but locked inside the gate, to wait among the flowers and papaya plants until someone could open the gate.

       The only thing is that wasn´t hypothetical. . . Hermana Hogge is a little forgetful sometimes. Unfortunately our landlady and the other hermanas that live next door were in Tegucigalpa. So we were there, studying our scriptures and practicing English for about four hours. But, I learned my lesson. Always make sure you have the keys.

        Yesterday Hermana Araujo and I were followed, by a dog. Obviously it had an owner but we didn´t know who. It was a big dog but very sweet. We believe it was our little helper, taking care of us until we got safely home. 

        

        Well, like every six weeks, transfers always come. I am 99% sure I´m staying here, but it´s possible that Hermana Araujo leaves this week, she´s been here a while. I feel like this change went by very fast, and that I´ve learned a lot about making mistakes and learning from them, patience, faith and hope. I´m so grateful for the restored gospel and love it so much. 

        One thing I would encourage all to do is enjoy the talks from this month´s Liahona. Or Ensign... whichever you read. They are very inspired. Today I have been enjoying the talk by President Packer "The Savior´s Selfless and Sacred Sacrfice"  We are all invited to not justify our sins but come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him. I also really liked "It isn´t a sin to be weak" that gave me comfort as I am trying to be better. Anyway, I invite all to read them, they´re awesome. 

        Thanks for the updates and pictures and prayers! 

All my love,

         Hermana Hogge

Easter Weekend

Well this last week was certainly full of adventures and good counsel from our prophet and leaders. I loved this last week, despite some of the obstacles we faced. 

     On Tuesday and Wednesday we had divisions, so one of our sister training leaders came with me and I showed her around Santa Lucia and fortunately didn´t get lost, even though I made her climb a mountain. Our area goes pretty high up, but we managed. 

        Wednesday morning, the first of April, still with our sister training leader, we had an appointment with our goldern family, Hermano Eugenio and Hermana Mirta, to have the baptismal interview that morning. It was the only time we could do it because they couldn´t later and because of Holy Week there would be no buses on Thursday and Friday. 

      I hope you understand how important this was as I relate the following. Hermana Steele and I were heading toward the bus station of Santa Lucia when Hermana Hogge got a call from her district leader. The district leader informed her that he and his companion had accidentily slept in, and had missed the bus. Her heart stops and she tries to keep calm. And then the district leader tells her that he´s just kidding and that they were already in Santa. Then the district leader almost died because of his bad April Fool´s day joke, becuase Hermana Hogge almost killed him. Ok, It was kind of funny later, but in the moment, I was so worried. 

         Unforunately, that wasn´t the only hurtle to jump before Saturday. The other one was the pool. 

       

 Yes, the pool. In Santa Lucia, we have a branch and don´t meet in a chapel. We meet in a refurbished house. IT´s very nice, actual, and spacious and everything. But it lacks a baptismal font. So, we attempted using a pool. On Friday, we four hermanas went to go see it because we´d heard our branch president had set it up. We found it leaky and a little dirty, and literally spent hours trying to fix it! Many were unreachable because everyone was doing things for Holy Week. It was actually kind of fun, with we four and the pool (and no we didn´t go swimmng). But, in the end, the pool won. We saw it wasn´t going to work, prayed about what to do, and all felt that it would be in the stake center instead. So we contacted our branch president and the missionaries in the area La Esperanza (our stake center - also the area of our sister training leaders.) and organized things for the baptism there. 

          It was beautiful. Though a little pressed for time, after the Saturday afternoon session and before the Priesthood session, we were able to go to the stake center and witness the baptism of Hermano Eugenio and Hermana Mirta Doblado. I never get over how clean people feel after they are baptized. It wasn´t perfect getting there, it never is, but they are faithful, good people and I am so happy for them and their family. It´s also really great that some of their children were able to attend Conference and their baptism. This weekend was so wonderful! I have much to learn, much to improve, but I´m grateful that I was able to witness their baptism. I know that I was only a small part of it - so many missionaries have been visiting this family. And they both shared, after, that ¨being mormon¨ was the last thing they would ever be. But look where they are now. I wish that all the missionaries involved could have been there for the day of their baptism. It gives me hope for other people´s progress that maybe I am only a part of. 

      And, of course conference was AMAZING. I loved the quote by Nelson Mandela ¨A saint is a sinner that keeps trying¨ I also appreciated what President Monson shared about temples and, well, I did my best to keep up with Spanish and will learn more, I´m sure, when i can read them. But it was an amazing Spirit there. 

      Ok, I´ve talked a lot. I hope that you´ve enjoyed this weeks adventures and have some of your own this week.

​Hermanas Bautista, Juarez, Hogge, Araujo and making toritillas por mano

       I love you all so much and hope you all were able to learn from Conference,too. Feel free to share your thoughts with me!

       Love, 

       Hermana Hogge

Remembering our Savior

Dearest Friends and Family!

          It´s a special time of year, as we recognize, remember, commemorate and celebrate the last week of the Savior´s early ministry, His Atonement, and His Resurrection. 

           Lately in my studies I´ve been trying to learn something about the Atonement everyday. Knowledge about something so important and infinate doesn´t come all at once. But, I know that as we make an effort to learn about Him, we will be blessed. I´ve been able to see a bit of the traditions of other religions for Semana Santa (Holy Week) Yesterday many people were gathered with palm fronds, more or less, for Palm Sunday. It was really interesting to walk past on our way to church. But I was even happier in the chapel because all of the talks and classes were focused on Him and His atonement.

           Well, this week was interesting because we spent more time indoors than we had planned because my companion was still sick and a few days it was enough that she needed to just rest. There was that and a few other disappiontments, but overall it was a good week. I´ve learned a little more about caring for the sick and being a better companion. At least I hope so. You might have to ask Hna Araujo. 

         We were also blessed to watch the Women´s General Conference, which was amazing. I like the example in the first talk about the two cans, one empty, one full. When you squeeze the empty can, it crumples, but when you squeeze the full can it isn´t effected. Sister Esplin compared it to us and filling our lives with the Spirit so that we can withstand temptations and trials. Sometimes we might feel like the empty can when times are hard, I thought, but really if we are doing our part to fill our lives with good things, we will have the Lord on our side in every moment. I know that might sound very missionary-ish but I say that because I know it´s true with all my heart. It was fun because we watched it with the other hermanas and when we walked home we were singing Lead Kindly Light because it was dark and I lead with a flashlight. It was really funny. 

           I´m really excited for this weekend becuase of 2 main reason. One is General Conference, and the other is that Hermano  Eugenio, from the familia Doblado that I always talk about, will be baptized this week!! His wife probably won´t be this week but will be baptized in the coming weeks. They´re amazing. We watched the new video Gracias que El Vive (Because He Lives) with them yesterday. We also had another lesson with a new investigator last night in the house of a member and even though he doesn´t seem sure about joineing the church, we had a very spiritual family home evening message centered in Jesus Christ and the Atonement. 

          Sometimes I don´t really know what else to tell you about. We took a bus to an activity with our district and made food and watched Epic and played a little football. We have to take a bus to pretty much everything outside of Santa Lucia. There isn´t a supermarket here so we do most of our shopping in Tegus. Fortunately there´s a ciber (like an internet cafe) here and pulperias to buy the basics.  

       I often carry my pictures of the family with me to show to members when they ask about my family. They always tell me what a good looking family I have. Normally they think I have three sisters (that´s you Mom!) Glad that Mom and Dad had a good time on their trip and, becuase I forgot to congratulate you earlier, happy (late) anniversary! 

        Love you all so much!

        Hermana Hogge

When you are in the service of your fellow beings...‏

Hermana Araujo y Yo

Dearest Family and Friends,

        Sorry that time was short the last two weeks. Today will be better. 

Here in Santa Lucia it´s been warm during the day and cold at night. It rained once this last week. Unfortunately my companion has had a cold because of this. And her companion might have accidentaly given her the medicine for nighttime instead of daytime...and she might have been groggy for a while...but, lesson learned. 

        Things have been interesting with Hna Araujo. I can't say we've always agreed on things, but I can say we do care about each other a lot. We've also gotten along well with the other hermanas in our branch, who live in the same place we do - our apartments are right next to eachother. It`s just us and the landlord and his wife. And their dogs. Toby you have to watch out for. He isn't mean, he is just a hyperactive pomeranian that tries to get into your house if you aren't careful.

         This last week we had some interesting adventures.  

        On Wednesday of this last week, we had a family home evening at a place called CAIPAC. It´s a center for the blind/visually impaired. We and the other hermanas in our branch, Hna Bautista and Hna Juarez, shared a message with a few of them from the story of David and Goliath, and applied it to them. It was a very unique experience, and I can say they are some of the most humble, loving people I´ve met. It was different sharing a lesson with them, but I have a testimony that everyone of us can feel the presence of our Father in Heaven, even though we can`t see Him. I know He is there, even when we make mistakes-His love is always there. 

       Thursday, my companion and I were walking along the street that has the lagoon (more of a pond - but it´s pretty) and we saw a woman who had stopped to rest and went to contact her. It turns out she (a woman of about 60) was trying to carry this heavy log all by herself! Of course we offered our help, even though she turned out to living farther away than we thought! Hna Araujo and I took turns carrying this log down the street, down, down, down a large hill until we reached her friend to help her carry it. It took a while, and she doesn't even live in our area, but it felt good.  Everone needs a helping hand. 

       What else? new foods: pupusa. A tortilla that is made with cheese and sausage inside of it.  empanadas; a food that is not traditional to Honduras but rather Paraguay. It`s scone-like with meet and peppers and onions inside, or at least that's how we made them, but you can put different things inside. And I also ate cow heart yesterday, which was new. Not as bad as it sounds, actually kind of good. 

        With our golden family we shared about general conference, which is getting me excited about it again. Eugenio and Mirta are getting excited for their baptism, asking all sorts of questions about what will happen. We love them a lot. We had a family home evening with them and played that game What would happen if...? which is also super funny in Spanish. One question was What would happen if (one of the boys) was a Martian. The answer from the next paper read: all the woman would suffer. Hno Eugenio almost couldn´t read it, dying laughing. He will be a future leader of the church, I know. 

        I´ve been trying to help my companion learn English, and in return she´s been helping me with Spanish and occationally she teaches me words in guarani, which is the native tongue of Paraguay. I can`t remember any right now...but maybe next week. 

        One thing I read from my studies this week was the story of Abinidi. One thing he asked the priests of Noah was about the commandments. He taught them, and us, that we need to have the commandments "written in our hearts" As we study them and live them and love them, we write them in our hearts. At the center is our Savior, Jesus Christ.  As he and His doctrine are written in our hearts, we can be sure that we are on the right path. I love the scriptures and the knowledge and peace they bring. I´ve loved reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish - surpised and thankful that i can! I know that it has been the gift of tongues and some sweat that has helped me learn. I`m still learning, but it`s coming along. 

        Thank you, always for your prayers and support. Keep doing the little things that matter.

Me, Hna Juarez, Hna Bautista, Hna Araujo The first day in Santa Lucia‏

granted i look weird in this picture, but I like it because it was the day of changes and I found out I was going where Hna Arango was before she was my companion in choluteca. the same hermana that trained hna Arango also trained Hna Araujo. Now Hna Arango is training (her new comp is on the left) it was an exciting day!

         Love, 

         Hermana Hogge