Elder Hoggan and Elder Harvey found out that they will be staying together for at least 6 more weeks! They are excited about that and have a good time as a companionship.
Every day is amazing, but Tuesday may have been the highlight of last week. Alex, a member of the church, is preparing to receive the Aaronic Priesthood with the Elders help. At one point, it was looking dismal and Alex was leaning towards backing out. He didn't feel ready to make this step in his life.
They read 1 Nephi 19:9 "And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men."
They talked of how Jesus Christ has done everything for us, His Atonement, and His love for each of us individually. His love for Alex specifically. Then the Spirit took over. Elder Hoggan doesn't remember much of what he said, but told Alex that he has made a lot of progress and is ready for the priesthood. Alex accepted the commitment to meet with the branch president, but the B.P. was busy that day so hopefully next Sunday he will be interviewed!!! It was sooo cool!!!! He is so ready! He just needs to do it!
A district meeting was held Wednesday, so the Elders got on a train with an exercise bike from their apartment for the DL who has knee problems. It was a struggle and looked a little weird to carry : ) The train was super crowded. It may have been the worst time to bring it, but they did :)
The Wrights had their last district meeting and will be missed a ton! They have been with Elder Hoggan for over half of his mission! Things got less sad later that day when a new investigator was picked up! His name is Aaron and he is from Senegal. Aaron only speaks French and very little German or English. Solomon, an awesome member of the church, learned French while living in Switzerland! That's working out pretty good! Aaron is such a happy and cheerful guy. He has a ton of potential!
Wednesday night Solomon cooked Nigerian food!!! It was awesome and not strange at all :)
Saturday brought renovations to the apartment. It really, really needed to be painted and some things need to be replaced. The ward mission leader and mission office are helping to get some things done. The entrance hall was painted along with the living room. Next week all of the painting should be finished. It is going to be the sweetest apartment ever! Just in time for Elder Hoggan to leave....sweet!
The last cool experience was on Sunday. A random guy showed up to church and his name is Walantis. He's the boyfriend of a LA member. Basketball games, with the parents who are super active, may be what started this awesome relationship with him. Walantis thinks the missionaries are super awesome! (This is TRUE/AMEN to that, of course. Go Walantis :D)
Elder Hoggan had another awesome week in the service of the Lord!!!! He and Elder Harvey are doing great and had a fun time. Here is their journey!
Tuesday brought an exchange with a DL, Elder Jensen, from St. George. They began by running to catch their train after a zone meeting in Munich, successfully made it on, and headed to an appointment with the ward mission leader. They were to meet with the coolest family ever - the Family Geiger. The son got interested in the church after living with a Mormon family in Las Vegas. He gained his testimony there and will eventually be baptized. His father has a testimony of the church and that was the topic of their discussion that day. Afterward, they played football. There is an awesome relationship with this family through football played in the states when the Las Vegas high school team played Elder Harvey's school. Elder Hoggan may get to play golf with the dad in the future : ) Their man cave is filled with San Diego Chargers things. Elder Hoggan loves football and viewed a nice set of golf clubs this family owns. It would be nice to spend some Pdays with the Family Geiger.
Elder Hoggan is very proud of Elder Harvey and the way he is able to talk with others. On a train, a guy across from them turned out to be way cool. Marios is a professional skydiver and has visited America. He lives in Kaufbeuren and would like to hear more about the gospel!! He has a competition this weekend, so no appointment was made, but hopefully one will be coming :)
Elder Hoggan learned something about the Spirit. Sometimes we are just used to having the Spirit with us and we tend to forget about it. There is the phrase that we don't know what we have till it's gone. A visit to an alcoholic investigator who has hit rock bottom took the Spirit away for a short time while they were there for a quick visit. This man had inappropriate pictures lying around and his house was a mess. Elder Hoggan felt the Spirit leave, but it returned after bearing testimony throughout the day to others. Then all was well. The Spirit is guiding the missionaries in this work.
Solomon is from Nigeria, was baptized in Switzerland, moved to Kaufbeuren, and is the most active member of the church ever. He blessed and passed the sacrament where he used to live and had been to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. As the branch received his church records, there was nothing about him receiving the priesthood. Humans make mistakes. Someone must have forgotten or something went wrong. Elder Hoggan was a little nervous to tell Solomon before church on Sunday that he would need to be ordained again. Solomon understood and received the priesthood in priesthood meeting. He was asked who he would like to take part in the circle and Solomon wanted everyone! A bond of brotherhood was felt as everyone involved gave Solomon the Aaronic priesthood for the second time. It was sooo cool! Solomon blessed the sacrament which was awesome to see. He has invited the Elders over this week for African food :)
Elder Hoggan is thrilled that Germany beat Argentina in the World Cup on 7/13/14. He was not able to watch it, but had a blast cheering on the team through text updates from other missionaries and members. He believed in his country and sent a lot of fan support. That's what did it. It was a good ending to another awesome week in the service of the Lord!
Germany has had some interesting weather. Downpours come out of nowhere and then the sun shines. That didn't stop Elders Hoggan and Harvey from baptizing the world!!
Tuesday wasn't so hot due to an investigator returning to his old ways. Wednesday was filled with service on the farm! It is always "awesome" to serve others and the members there are "awesome" as well.
Thursday brought a meeting with Ilir and his wife! They are the nicest people ever. They're not in the best situation as Ilir is seeking permission to stay in Germany. Hopefully he can. He seems prepared and ready for the restored gospel in his life. He went to church and stayed for all three meetings! Elders Hoggan and Harvey taught Priesthood and Sunday :P School. Ilir seemed to enjoy himself and got to know a couple members of the church. One member gave him a ride home. Ilir is so awesome!
Sunday was also awesome! Home teaching took place with a member who travels 30 minutes to reach his home teaching family. The Elders drove an hour and a half to meet him there. This family lives in the rally gorgeous part of the Kaufbeuren area. The family is partly inactive because they live so far away from the church house. The mother has a super active testimony, but her children are LA. The missionaries are in contact with a couple of them. A basketball invitation was extended due to basketball on the playstation. Something cool should come of this!
Missionary work has been slower, but was still super awesome! Next week will surely bring some awesome things! Elder Hoggan closes with love for all and hopes those of us at home have another awesome week!
Elder Hoggan is awesome and loves the word! His email had "awesome" eight times. He and his companion went to a festival and parade on Pday. They wore their Lederhosen to this annual Tanzelfest and he took many pictures. The sky was blue, and throwing candy at parades must be an American thing.
Elder Hoggan is in the service of the Lord and that is the best work to be done! He and Elder Harvey were able to have a lesson with Sonja. Her husband is a police man and member of the church. She enjoyed learning about the restoration of the gospel and teaching her was just like teaching an actual member almost!
The Elders were unable to meet with Temple, Suzanne, or Herbie last week. Jasmin is a new investigator and was referred from a member family. A few weeks ago, she was given a Book of Mormon. Jasmin was taught about Joseph Smith and seems interested in learning more. The missionaries are excited for her :)
Llir is from Kosovo. He was found on the street and is looking to become a Christian. He is so cool and has had one lesson so far. He has a cute little daughter and his wife is expecting a baby. Llir accepted a Book of Mormon in Albanian and agreed to read and pray about it :) Another appointment has been set up for Wednesday.
Friday was an amazing day with a LA who loves to play chess! He kicked Elder Hoggan's bottom and tied Elder Harvey in a game. After that, they boarded a train to Augsburg for a 4th of July party given by different branches/ward. The horses were a hit and loved by the kids!. The World Cup game was on showing Germany going against France. Elder Hoggan got in a water fight with the children and got SOAKED! It was fun though. No basketball was played, the an American pigskin was thrown around and everyone had an awesome time. There weren't any fireworks, but they did have sparklers!
Saturday morning is when the Elders got to meet President and Sister Kohler. Their family consists of two daughters and a son. Their oldest daughter is on a mission in Japan. The Kohler's are ready to enjoy their time in the best mission in the world! President Kohler shared his vision for the mission and is loved already!
Next week will be just as great for Elder Hoggan! He closes with a shout out to Tyrel, his best friend, who is returning home from his mission to South Africa. Elder Wilde is an awesome example of serving with all of your heart, might, mind, and strength! Elder Hoggan knows that Tyrel has had the best two years of his life, because missionary work is simply the best!
