Obedience Brings Blessings

Elder Hoggan played nine holes of golf on Pday :) He hasn't played in a long time! He was a little rusty, but it brought back some good memories. Watch out Birch Creek, he'll be back to get you someday!

Elder Hoggan has been reminded of the importance of being obedient this past week. Rules can be thought of as what holds us back. Missionaries are obedient without even thinking about it. They get caught up in their reading and may go over bedtime by five minutes. Big or small, disobedience is still being disobedient. We receive blessings from being obedient. Elder Hoggan sees that he is happier, has the spirit more, and everything turns out a lot better when being obedient. He encourages all of us to try to be as obedient as possible.

In missionary work, it is said that obedience brings blessings, exact obedience brings miracles. All of us are missionaries which means that that quote pertains to each of us.

Elder Hoggan spoke in church on the topic of I Know That My Redeemer Lives. The writer of that hymn, Samuel Medley, grew up in a  Christian family but wasn't a Christian. After a miracle, Samuel turned his life around. He really experienced a change of heart. Each of us should be able to say that I Know That My Redeemer Lives honestly and mean it. We should always be looking to strengthen our testimony of the Savior and try to be better through His Atonement.

Alex received the Aaronic Priesthood Sunday and passed the sacrament. He is shy and takes things one step at a time, but has surprised Elder Hoggan with his progress. It would be a great blessing if they could pass the sacrament together before Elder Hoggan gets transferred.