Elder Hoggan has hit his one year mark this week. Today, St. Patrick's Day, is the anniversary of his mission farewell. Time is going fast. He was left at the curb of a strange building on March 20, 2013. Thankfully, Elder Noble, one of his best friends, was their to receive him.
Elders Hoggan and Quilter taught the Familie Andjelkovic last Monday. It went awesome! This family was baptized the previous summer, but struggle to get to church sometimes. Their daughter, Angelina, has been challenged to find out if the church is for her or not. She sits in on many lessons and has gone to church a few times. Matthias, the Ward Mission Leader, asked Angelina if she would like to take the lessons as her parents did. She agreed and the missionaries can now begin teaching her this week. The entire family is great!
A zone training meeting was held Tuesday and this month the mission will fast for a baptismal date with someone in their area books. An area book has a ton of records of those investigating the church and for whatever reason, stopped meeting with the missionaries. Elder Hoggan is pretty excited to go through that book and see what can be found. This week the district will meet in Rosenheim and go by on a lot of people. Expect a miracle :)
The Elders met with the Familie Bagurdo Wednesday and it was super awesome! "Man, maybe every day was just great," says Elder Hoggan. The mama of this family is LA and is married to a non-member from Italy. The lesson was focused on the papa. Discussion centered on the Family Proclamation to the World. Near the end, this gentleman asked golden questions. "Why are there so many churches? Why does it matter which church I belong to?" The missionaries will meet with this family again in a few weeks and look forward to answering more of his questions.
Hu needs our prayers to be found again by Elders Hoggan and Quilter. Hopefully, they will run into him again soon.
Church was great as usual. Class was full :) Tatiana, an investigator, walked to church with her son, Max, and the missionaries. Ioanan, an investigator that Elders Smith and Kroes are meeting with, also came. Elder Hoggan was able to teach Ioanan previously when he and Elder Smith were companions. There were also less actives in their church class.
Elder Hoggan loves being in Rosenheim! It isn't always easy, but it is worth it. The church is true!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Come What May & Love It
Elder Hoggan had another great week that flew by. An awesome miracle occurred last Pday. A young man was walking by and was stopped at the last second by Elder Hoggan. The missionaries explained about the Book of Mormon and this gentleman, Dominik, said that he had heard of the book from a friend. He wondered where he could get one. WHAT? The Elders got his number and set up an appointment to meet.
Another miracle happened when Elders Hoggan and Quilter came upon Ulrich. A goal had been set to find two potentials that day and Ulrich became the second. The Elders asked him about the point of life and Ulrich replied that he would love to talk about it at a later date. An appointment was made right there on the spot. Ulrich met with the missionaries last Thursday and learned about the Plan of Salvation. It was comforting and sounded good to him. He agreed to pray and accepted a Book of Mormon. Another appointment was set for tonight. Hope all goes well :)
Hu watched the Finding Happiness DVD on Tuesday. Afterward, King Lamoni's story of finding God was discussed. Hu agreed to a return appointment, but he didn't show. Contact may have been lost again or maybe he was confused on which Thursday to meet at the church. If only Hu knew how many people were praying for him. Maybe this week he will be present.
Sunday was a great day at church in Rosenheim, Germany, because the theme was faith and repentance. We should never be afraid to repent and never afraid to turn to the Lord. He loves us and wants us to be happy. After church, the Familie Lederer had Elders Hoggan and Quilter over for dinner. The missionaries rode bikes to their home and on the way there, Elder Hoggan's front tire popped :) He rode the rest of the way with a flat, but got it fixed and had a nice time with their family. Elder Hoggan loves adventures :)
A mormon message from Joseph B. Wirthlin was loved and studied by Elder Hoggan. It's at: https://www. lds.org/media-library/video/2009-01-03-come-what-may-and-love-it?lang=eng. Come what may and love it!
Another miracle happened when Elders Hoggan and Quilter came upon Ulrich. A goal had been set to find two potentials that day and Ulrich became the second. The Elders asked him about the point of life and Ulrich replied that he would love to talk about it at a later date. An appointment was made right there on the spot. Ulrich met with the missionaries last Thursday and learned about the Plan of Salvation. It was comforting and sounded good to him. He agreed to pray and accepted a Book of Mormon. Another appointment was set for tonight. Hope all goes well :)
Hu watched the Finding Happiness DVD on Tuesday. Afterward, King Lamoni's story of finding God was discussed. Hu agreed to a return appointment, but he didn't show. Contact may have been lost again or maybe he was confused on which Thursday to meet at the church. If only Hu knew how many people were praying for him. Maybe this week he will be present.
Sunday was a great day at church in Rosenheim, Germany, because the theme was faith and repentance. We should never be afraid to repent and never afraid to turn to the Lord. He loves us and wants us to be happy. After church, the Familie Lederer had Elders Hoggan and Quilter over for dinner. The missionaries rode bikes to their home and on the way there, Elder Hoggan's front tire popped :) He rode the rest of the way with a flat, but got it fixed and had a nice time with their family. Elder Hoggan loves adventures :)
A mormon message from Joseph B. Wirthlin was loved and studied by Elder Hoggan. It's at: https://www. lds.org/media-library/video/2009-01-03-come-what-may-and-love-it?lang=eng. Come what may and love it!
Monday, March 3, 2014
All is Well
Things are going great for Elder Hoggan, of course. His week flew by with exchanges, changes, and other happenings.
His washing machine problems are almost over. Price checking was done and the new one should be delivered on Wednesday. No more going to the laundromat.
Exchanges took place in Neuotting so Elder Hoggan could conduct his first baptismal interview. It was a cool experience! Tanja was baptized last Saturday and that was very special. Baptisms always are. Elders Hoggan and Quilter were in attendance on her big, extraordinary day.
Elder Hoggan had his first district meeting in Rosenheim with zone leaders. It was a review of their last zone conference and went really well. Elder Hoggan was pleased with how it went and he has a great district. His exchange was with Elder Morril, his zone leader, from Logan. They know some of the same people in Cache Valley. An appointment with a LA was missed due to getting on the wrong train, but they managed to set up a new one in that area with someone else. Who knows? Maybe something cool will happen there?
An MTC moment or movie experience took place on a different day with a member of the church who invited a friend over. They sat in a circle, taught this individual about the restoration, and he asked all of the right questions. He wants to meet with the missionaries again and wants to read the Book of Mormon. That day got even better! The Elders went to the church building to email some investigators and "just happened" to run into Hu, their chinese investigator. Contacting him has been hard due to Hu's technical difficulties/trouble with emails. An appointment was set up and this is another miracle!
Elder Hoggan's mission fasted on fast Sunday for the youth of the church to stay strong and that more would come to the fold. There were a ton of people, including non members, to Sacrament meeting due to a baby blessing. "If only we had this many every Sunday," thought Elder Hoggan. One day! One day!
Elder Quilter is super funny and always has a joke to tell. He grew up in Smithfield, Utah, but moved to Wales when he was 5 years old. Welsh is the craziest language ever and is super old, one of the oldest in the world. Elder Quilter loves missionary work and Elder Hoggan loves him as a companion!
Elder Hoggan's last piece of good news was that his release date is 3/4/15!!!!!! WOW!!!!!
His washing machine problems are almost over. Price checking was done and the new one should be delivered on Wednesday. No more going to the laundromat.
Exchanges took place in Neuotting so Elder Hoggan could conduct his first baptismal interview. It was a cool experience! Tanja was baptized last Saturday and that was very special. Baptisms always are. Elders Hoggan and Quilter were in attendance on her big, extraordinary day.
Elder Hoggan had his first district meeting in Rosenheim with zone leaders. It was a review of their last zone conference and went really well. Elder Hoggan was pleased with how it went and he has a great district. His exchange was with Elder Morril, his zone leader, from Logan. They know some of the same people in Cache Valley. An appointment with a LA was missed due to getting on the wrong train, but they managed to set up a new one in that area with someone else. Who knows? Maybe something cool will happen there?
An MTC moment or movie experience took place on a different day with a member of the church who invited a friend over. They sat in a circle, taught this individual about the restoration, and he asked all of the right questions. He wants to meet with the missionaries again and wants to read the Book of Mormon. That day got even better! The Elders went to the church building to email some investigators and "just happened" to run into Hu, their chinese investigator. Contacting him has been hard due to Hu's technical difficulties/trouble with emails. An appointment was set up and this is another miracle!
Elder Hoggan's mission fasted on fast Sunday for the youth of the church to stay strong and that more would come to the fold. There were a ton of people, including non members, to Sacrament meeting due to a baby blessing. "If only we had this many every Sunday," thought Elder Hoggan. One day! One day!
Elder Quilter is super funny and always has a joke to tell. He grew up in Smithfield, Utah, but moved to Wales when he was 5 years old. Welsh is the craziest language ever and is super old, one of the oldest in the world. Elder Quilter loves missionary work and Elder Hoggan loves him as a companion!
Elder Hoggan's last piece of good news was that his release date is 3/4/15!!!!!! WOW!!!!!
Monday, February 24, 2014
Change
Elder Hoggan picked up Elder Quilter from the Munich Train Station and saw some MTC buddies. Elder Stuart was there. His family lives in Smithfield and his family bought Hoggan's old home.
Saturday brought a district leader meeting in Munich followed by Stake Conference. A broadcast from SLC was shown on Sunday. Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Robert D. Hales spoke. Elder Bednar talked about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and taking His yoke upon ourselves. When we come unto Christ, we become yoked with him making our burdens easier to move. That was a powerful message.
Investigators are in the other Elders area, so appointments have been hard to come by. There are some set up for this week which Elder Hoggan will email about next time.
Saturday brought a district leader meeting in Munich followed by Stake Conference. A broadcast from SLC was shown on Sunday. Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Robert D. Hales spoke. Elder Bednar talked about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and taking His yoke upon ourselves. When we come unto Christ, we become yoked with him making our burdens easier to move. That was a powerful message.
Investigators are in the other Elders area, so appointments have been hard to come by. There are some set up for this week which Elder Hoggan will email about next time.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Wunder Week
Elder Hoggan and his companion shared the family mission plan with the Familie Berka and encouraged them to pray for opportunities to share the gospel. The Elders promised miracles would follow.
A few days later, Sch. Berka spoke on the phone with a tenant in one of their apartments, Margrit Preslar. They had never talked much, but had a nice conversation about marriage. Margrit will soon be married and brought up how her parents tried to get married in a Catholic church, but it wasn't allowed because of a strange religion. Sch. Berka asked, "Well, what religion was that?" Margrit replied, "Mormon."
Sch. Berka couldn't believe it and told her that "we are Mormons, too." Silence. Margrit then began to ask questions, said she would like to attend church, and found her Dad's Mormon Bible to read. She is SO EXCITED about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and wants to be baptized. The missionaries in Munich are teaching Margrit.
Another miracle occurred on Friday. Elders Hoggan and Smith had fasted last fast Sunday that they would find Hu from China. After many prayers, they saw him waving at them at a train station. Now that the missionaries have his email address and are in contact with Hu, they have gained an even greater testimony of fasting and prayer. It really works!
Saturday morning brought transfer calls and Rosenheim will now go back to a four-some instead of two.Elder Hoggan's new companion will be Elder Quilter from Wales. Elder Kroes is from Germany and will join Elder Smith. Elders Quilter and Kroes were companions in an area in Switzerland.
Elder Hoggan is now a district leader and emails that it will be scary, but fun : )
The Lord is hastening his work!!! The church is true and Elder Hoggan knows this now more than ever before. The miracles keep coming!
A few days later, Sch. Berka spoke on the phone with a tenant in one of their apartments, Margrit Preslar. They had never talked much, but had a nice conversation about marriage. Margrit will soon be married and brought up how her parents tried to get married in a Catholic church, but it wasn't allowed because of a strange religion. Sch. Berka asked, "Well, what religion was that?" Margrit replied, "Mormon."
Sch. Berka couldn't believe it and told her that "we are Mormons, too." Silence. Margrit then began to ask questions, said she would like to attend church, and found her Dad's Mormon Bible to read. She is SO EXCITED about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and wants to be baptized. The missionaries in Munich are teaching Margrit.
Another miracle occurred on Friday. Elders Hoggan and Smith had fasted last fast Sunday that they would find Hu from China. After many prayers, they saw him waving at them at a train station. Now that the missionaries have his email address and are in contact with Hu, they have gained an even greater testimony of fasting and prayer. It really works!
Saturday morning brought transfer calls and Rosenheim will now go back to a four-some instead of two.Elder Hoggan's new companion will be Elder Quilter from Wales. Elder Kroes is from Germany and will join Elder Smith. Elders Quilter and Kroes were companions in an area in Switzerland.
Elder Hoggan is now a district leader and emails that it will be scary, but fun : )
The Lord is hastening his work!!! The church is true and Elder Hoggan knows this now more than ever before. The miracles keep coming!
Monday, February 10, 2014
This Is the Way I Live
Elder Hoggan is off to Salzburg, Austria today with his district! The train ride will take about an hour and he promised to take a lot of pictures!
His week went well with a zone training meeting and a zone conference. Sister Miles spoke about being an example and to send a good message for the church. She spoke of cool experiences where others observed the missionaries and watched how they would react in certain situations. Baptisms occurred through those miraculous situations.
President Miles talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon. He used Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's message from a 2009 General Conference Address entitled Safety for the Soul. Elder Hoggan says it is a Holland hammer-down talk.
Last Wednesday, Elders Hoggan and Smith met with Ioana. She is an investigator from Romania. A baptismal date was set for her! She has an hour and a half train ride to church, but she does her best to get there.
At church yesterday, a special choir of 50 or so nonmembers came to perform and honor a dear friend who was LDS and passed away last year. She belonged to their choir and was a great example to them. This choir saw that Mormons are normal people. They came to remember this great lady because her birthday was approaching.
Sunday got even better when the missionaries received a referral from a member. The church is true! These spiritual experiences are awesome!
His week went well with a zone training meeting and a zone conference. Sister Miles spoke about being an example and to send a good message for the church. She spoke of cool experiences where others observed the missionaries and watched how they would react in certain situations. Baptisms occurred through those miraculous situations.
President Miles talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon. He used Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's message from a 2009 General Conference Address entitled Safety for the Soul. Elder Hoggan says it is a Holland hammer-down talk.
Last Wednesday, Elders Hoggan and Smith met with Ioana. She is an investigator from Romania. A baptismal date was set for her! She has an hour and a half train ride to church, but she does her best to get there.
At church yesterday, a special choir of 50 or so nonmembers came to perform and honor a dear friend who was LDS and passed away last year. She belonged to their choir and was a great example to them. This choir saw that Mormons are normal people. They came to remember this great lady because her birthday was approaching.
Sunday got even better when the missionaries received a referral from a member. The church is true! These spiritual experiences are awesome!
Monday, February 3, 2014
Tough Week
Elder Hoggan knows that when things get tough, it usually means that something really amazing is going to happen.
Appointments fell through for 3 straight days, but a miracle occurred on Wednesday. Elders Hoggan and Smith decided to buy a birthday card for a LA at a grocery store near their house. It's a short walk to make. Samra, an investigator, was there. Contact had been lost, but now the missionaries are back working with her.
Sch. Buchholz invited the Elders over for dinner. Herr Waber was also there. His wife, Sis. Waber, passed away last year. Sis. Waber was a very strong member of the church, but not her husband. The Plan of Salvation was shared and seemed to be just what Herr Waber needed to hear. He will be going by Elders Hoggan and Smith's house next week to fix their washing machine. They are hoping he can figure out the gospel for himself.
Interviews with President Miles were uplifting. This summer, he and Sister Miles will be released. It'll be sad to see them go.
On Saturday, the missionaries prayed for an alternative route to their next appointment. After one was chosen, they called a member and asked her to say a prayer that they could find someone to share the gospel with while traveling out. An answer came, when a couple visited with them. The gentleman had a Book of Mormon from a friend in Munich. He answered a few questions and bore a small testimony. Unfortunately, this couple doesn't want to go to church, but do know where it is located. That was a cool experience!
All fast Sunday, Elders Smith and Hoggan fasted for Hu. He's an investigator from China. Contact has been lost. He hasn't been found yet, but another miracle will surely happen.
Zone Conference is this week and more miracles will occur!
Appointments fell through for 3 straight days, but a miracle occurred on Wednesday. Elders Hoggan and Smith decided to buy a birthday card for a LA at a grocery store near their house. It's a short walk to make. Samra, an investigator, was there. Contact had been lost, but now the missionaries are back working with her.
Sch. Buchholz invited the Elders over for dinner. Herr Waber was also there. His wife, Sis. Waber, passed away last year. Sis. Waber was a very strong member of the church, but not her husband. The Plan of Salvation was shared and seemed to be just what Herr Waber needed to hear. He will be going by Elders Hoggan and Smith's house next week to fix their washing machine. They are hoping he can figure out the gospel for himself.
Interviews with President Miles were uplifting. This summer, he and Sister Miles will be released. It'll be sad to see them go.
On Saturday, the missionaries prayed for an alternative route to their next appointment. After one was chosen, they called a member and asked her to say a prayer that they could find someone to share the gospel with while traveling out. An answer came, when a couple visited with them. The gentleman had a Book of Mormon from a friend in Munich. He answered a few questions and bore a small testimony. Unfortunately, this couple doesn't want to go to church, but do know where it is located. That was a cool experience!
All fast Sunday, Elders Smith and Hoggan fasted for Hu. He's an investigator from China. Contact has been lost. He hasn't been found yet, but another miracle will surely happen.
Zone Conference is this week and more miracles will occur!
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