Subject: Building the Universe and Going to ArkansasDate: Mon, 24 Sep 2018 14:25:40 -0500From: Brett Hogg
Well family it sure has been another week out here in the mission!
This week I had my first dinner with a family from the Church out here! There aren't as many people, and they live kind of far out, and they're not hispanic, so we havent eaten much with members. Mostly stick to making g our own creations here in the apartment. One day we made Raman with eggs and cheese, eaten in a tortilla with Valentina hot sauce of course (wasn't half bad). Nice people out here though, and they make pretty darn good food.
On Wednesday we met back up with our friend who knows, mathematically/scientifically how the universe was formed, and how God came to be and everything. First of all, last time we talked to him we gave him a Plan of Salvation pamphlet, and when we went by this time, and we sat down with him he talked about how much he didn't like religious pamphlets and how they're usually wrong. But then he held ours up, and said "but THIS is true." Then we shared the message of the restoration, and when we showed him the little picture of the First Vision he was like, "this is exactly what it looked like," as he too had seen God and that was how he learned how the universe works. He did say the only difference was that God was about 14 feet tall. Then we showed him the Ask of God first vision video, and he looked flabbergasted, and about to cry the whole time we were watching it. After the video he said, "if that's really what Joseph Smith said happened, he is a prophet." We asked him how he felt about our whole message and he said he felt good and like he's not alone in this world, and that all those pastors that told him he wrong/going he'll were all wrong. It was pretty neat I have to say. After all of this he shared his notes about the universe with us. Needless to say I was a tad bit confused, but it seemed really interesting (see attached pics). We talked a tiny bit about baptism and he said that God had told him to kind of remain neutral/not join any church, so that he can spread the information he's received. But he wants to come to church and said he will pray about it!
From Mom: I received several pictures of these notes! But I don't want to publish his work on a public forum, so I just did a collage of snip-its. See below the map.
That night we were able to go on splits with some awesome members. I went out with a brother here who's like 83 years old, what an interesting guy. His first car was a Model-A, and he told us all about how to cut redwood trees, and how he once made 1000 beehives for the Church. My favorite quote from him was "God's a tough ol' bird". Then on Thursday we went down to Gilmer, TX for some meetings and he gave us a ride, and we got to hear more stories and such, it was a hoot.
On Saturday I also got to go on exchanges with the Elders over DeQueen, AK. Arkansas sure is another State! They actually go to the same branch as us, but they're like 45 minutes away! People over there are so open and willing to hear out our message. The biggest problem is that its hard for anyone to get to church. That said its awesome over there, and there's a lot more Hispanics to that's always a plus!
We also had a confirmation this week! The Marshallese boy that was baptized 2 weeks ago was confirmed a member of the church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and I got to do it! It was awesome, he's great. I don't remember if I've mentioned this at all before, but I translate sacrament meeting to Spanish for a couple families here. I usually am just able to give a good summery of what they're saying. Word-for-word translation seems nearly impossible, but I'm getting better!
Anyway, that's about it for this week!
Love yall!
Elder Hogg
That night we were able to go on splits with some awesome members. I went out with a brother here who's like 83 years old, what an interesting guy. His first car was a Model-A, and he told us all about how to cut redwood trees, and how he once made 1000 beehives for the Church. My favorite quote from him was "God's a tough ol' bird". Then on Thursday we went down to Gilmer, TX for some meetings and he gave us a ride, and we got to hear more stories and such, it was a hoot.
On Saturday I also got to go on exchanges with the Elders over DeQueen, AK. Arkansas sure is another State! They actually go to the same branch as us, but they're like 45 minutes away! People over there are so open and willing to hear out our message. The biggest problem is that its hard for anyone to get to church. That said its awesome over there, and there's a lot more Hispanics to that's always a plus!
We also had a confirmation this week! The Marshallese boy that was baptized 2 weeks ago was confirmed a member of the church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and I got to do it! It was awesome, he's great. I don't remember if I've mentioned this at all before, but I translate sacrament meeting to Spanish for a couple families here. I usually am just able to give a good summery of what they're saying. Word-for-word translation seems nearly impossible, but I'm getting better!
Anyway, that's about it for this week!
Love yall!
Elder Hogg
Here's a map I made to show the places he's mentioned between the 3 states (and not too far away is Shreveport, Louisiana, too!):
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