August is winding down...

Hey Everyone,

So we got transfer calls last night, and lots is changing. But Sister Moss and I are staying.

Elder Ortiz and Elder Lambert are staying. Elder Lewis is staying as well and will be training. Elder Frampton is leaving, sadly, and going to Seminole with Elder Madsen, english speaking. Elder Talbot is leaving to go to Ponca City with Elder Hamner. Elder Chun is going to Norman to be Zone Leader with Elder Anderson. Elder Williams is coming here to be ZL with Elder Call. Elder Mackenzie is going AP with Elder Olsen. Which means Elder Reed will no longer be AP and is shotgun training in the spanish north east area, two greenies. The spanish north west area will remain closed. Elder Mortensen is leaving the spanish north central area to go to Norman. He'll be district leader and english. Elder Riggs will take his place with Elder Gonzales. Elder Timoteo will be training in Enid. Sister Holly is coming here with Sister Davey and Sister Anderson is leaving to go to Lawton with Sister Maude. Sister Goodell is also training up in the north. Sister Lamb is shotgun training in Norman. They're opening OU Campus back up, where she will be at. Elder Clark is going to Guthrie to be ZL with Elder Schleitwhiler.

Sorry that was probably way boring for most of you, but that's the download on what I know.

As for the work... Odeli dropped us last week. Way sad. We tried to commit her to baptism, but she said no. I really feel like one day she will accept the gospel.

Hna. Coronado... we set a baptismal date for this Saturday! We're way excited. President Espinosa talked to us yesterday. He asked us if we knew what the word angels meant. I said no. He said it's greek for messenger. Then he went on to explain how often we think of angels as sent from God, and we think of heavenly beings appearing to people. But really each of us is an angel. I think Jeffrey R. Holland also talked about this in general conference a few years ago. Why would God send a heavenly messenger when He has plenty here on earth? Anyway, President's point was that we are angels to Hna. Coronado. It really is interesting because she has told us that she never accepted the missionaries to come visit her, but when she had us over for dinner, there was something about us, that she felt like she couldn't say no to us. I love her and her family so much! Also, her son, Danny, will be getting baptized with her on Saturday. He just turned 8. :)

We were finally able to teach and find Juan on Saturday for the first time since we taught him at the beginning of the transfer. And we were way bold with him. He said he doesn't want to be baptized yet. I asked when. He said later, in a few months. I said, and you really think in a few months that life will settle down and there will be time to go to church. He said yeah. I just told him that life is always busy. There's never a better time to change than today, now. I think he got it. We're going to meet with him on Saturday and hopefully we can set a baptismal date.

It may sound like we're pressuring people into changing their lives, coming to church, being baptized, but really we have the gospel in their lives, they don't. We know how important it is, they don't. We know how happy they can be, they don't. We know how they can change, they don't. The bottom line is that, as missionaries we know the gospel, we know the importance, and even when an investigator is baptized, they still don't know how important that decision is. We have to help them know like we know.

Honestly, the work here is pretty slow. And I feel like our teaching pool is way small and we are struggling finding new investigators. But I know that the Lord works in His time, not ours. And I know that I will see a change in this area. I just have to be patient and keep going. Time continues to fly, and I need to use every moment I have because I'll never get it back.

It's also cooled off this past week. It's still hot, but not as bad as it was. I'm grateful that summer is coming to end. Right now, I'm looking forward to the cold, but I know when it gets here I'll be wishing for the summer.

I love you all! Thank you for your love, support, and prayers. Corey and I really appreciate it!

Love,

Hermana Christina Hogewoning

the work will accelerate!

Hey Everyone,

Man, I feel like a million things happened this week and lots of things are changing. Yet I don't really want to e-mail or write letters, not like me, I know.

We had zone conference, which was awesome. Now as a mission we are committing everyone to be baptized in the first lesson. I can already see how the Lord is hastening this work right now!

We went on exchanges with the english sisters last Thursday to Friday. Sister Davey came with me in my area, and Sister Moss went with Sister Anderson in her area. Sister Davey is awesome! She has such a fire for this work! While I was with her, I realized how much I love spanish. And it's just weird because at the beginning of my mission, I hated it. I hated speaking, singing, hearing, etc spanish. But now I can honestly say I love it. And when all of this is over, I'm going to miss going to a spanish branch, I'm going to miss speaking spanish.

Raquel still has a baptismal date, but we haven't been able to contact her since we set that date, nor has she been to church. I don't really know what is going on. I pray that we can figure it out and that she really can be baptized.

Hna. Coronado... she knows she needs to get baptized. We would have set a date, but she wants to get baptized the same day as Danny (he turns 8 today!), but we don't know when he's getting baptized. Plus, they are going through a way hard time right now, and there's a lot going on. We're going over tomorrow night, and hopefully we can set a date!

This past Sunday President Espinosa (branch president of Spanish 6 OKC branch) asked in our meeting before church if I would speak on the importance of members in missionary work. So I did. I wrote down a few thoughts, but I had no prepared talk or anything. I really feel blessed that I can just speak, in spanish, without having to worry about not knowing how to say something. The gift of tongues truly amazes me! Then Elder Lewis spoke, but he didn't know he was speaking until they announced the program after the passing of the sacrament. So basically, he had the time I was speaking to prepare something.

As I spoke, I felt something different. Like, I've already heard everything I was saying, but it started to sink in. I really felt like I was catching the vision of missionary work, and specifically missionary work in the Oklahoma City Mission, specifically here in the Spanish 6 Branch in the south, as I was speaking.

Paty and Alejandro showed up to church after sac mtg. Their kids are back from Texas now. I was so glad they made it!

Reina Ortiz, she's in the central elders' area, but we received permission to visit her, also was at church. She showed up right before the third hour. She's awesome! She said she never wants to miss church again. Hopefully, she can come!

I really feel like Satan is hard at work right now. He doesn't want us to succeed. He doesn't want us to be happy. He sees that here in the OKC Mission we are trying to accelerate the work and he doesn't want it to happen. I know that this really is the Lord's work, and nobody can stop it. But Satan is still trying to take us out one by one. But we can't let him. I know it's hard. There are so many things working against us, but I also know there are a lot of things working with us, we're on the Lord's side.

Transfers are next week, which is crazy. Honestly, I feel like this wasn't even a full transfer because of everything that happened during the first two weeks or so. But time continues to fly. I really can't believe that August is coming to an end and most kids have started school. This time last year I was doing last minute things to get ready to leave on the mission.

We're going to go bowling today, finally! I'm excited! But I gotta run!

Love you all tons! Thanks for all you do. Corey and I really appreciate all of the prayers, support, and love.

Love,

Hermana Christina Hogewoning

halfway through August already!

Hey Everyone,

I don't even know what to write. This week has felt way long and yet flown by at the same time.

We set a baptismal date with Raquel last week, but she didn't come to church on Sunday. I am worried because it's not until Sept 18, but she needs to come to church and hasn't.

Hna. Garcia, one of our less actives, was at church for the first time in months. That was awesome!

I feel like this area is going to grow and things will change, but I just have to be patient right now. Because I feel like nothing is happening and nobody is progressing.

I had the opportunity to listen to one of the 70, Elder Villareal, in two meetings-a branch leadership meeting on Saturday (for the three spanish branches here-the south, the north, and Norman) and then last night at a fireside. He is awesome! I learned a ton from him. We only went to the leadership meeting because they asked if Sister Moss could play the piano. Then last night, Hna. Coronado was going to come, but never showed up.

Anyway, he's awesome! I feel blessed for the many opportunities I've had to listen to apostles and 70s being on the mission. One thing that was cool about last night is there was a lady there who was white, but she spoke spanish (that shouldn't be such a surprise because I'm white and speak spanish...haha!). Elder Villareal asked her where she learned spanish, and she said serving a mission in Houston, TX back in 1982. Wow! I just sat there thinking, wow. She's almost been home for 20 years and she still knows spanish. It helps that she married a man from El Salvador. It just made me think how grateful I am for being able to learn spanish.

On Sunday, I translated for Astrid's brother's (Oscar) fiance, Sarah, during Sunday School and Relief Society. Translating is a lot harder than it looks. Astrid makes it look so easy. But it really takes talent to be able to listen in spanish while translating aloud to the person in english. Plus, it's weird to be talking during the whole lesson because I'm translating. But it was a good experience. It was far from perfect, but Sarah was grateful.

We went to the zoo today. It was all right. I think I would have enjoyed it better if it hadn't been so hot. It's pretty small, but we still didn't see everything. Astrid and another member, Valeria Sanchez Flores, took us. The english sisters also went, as well as two spanish elders, and two english elders.

We have zone conference on Wednesday, which I'm really looking forward to for lots of reasons-it's the first ZC we've had in a while (we didn't have it last transfer because we only have 4 a year now), there will be very different because of all of the changes that have been made, and it will be our first ZC with the Taylors. But I'm excited! It should be awesome!

Well, I love you all! Corey is doing well. He had 3 investigators at church on Sunday! That's awesome! We both appreciate all you do for both of us! Thanks!

Love,

Hermana Christina Hogewoning

so each of us got a shirt from this Christian bookstore me, Sister Tucker, and Sister Moss

my shirt says "in it not of it" (as in the world), Sister Tucker's "and you think you've got problems...", Sister Moss's "Lifeguard Mine Walks on Water"

early Thursday morning, right before Sister Tucker left, Sister Moss, Sister Tucker, me

11 months!

Hey Everyone,

So today is 11 months! I can't believe it! Time has gone by so fast! Corey will hit 18 months on Wednesday. He and I have about 6 months left, which is so weird!

So it's just Sister Moss and I here in the south of OKC. I would have never thought I would be one of only two spanish sisters. I really thought there would always be at least 3 of us. I have no clue what will happen next transfer. Part of me really feels like I'm only here in the south this transfer, and I'll be going back to the north next transfer, but that means that two english sisters would have to go spanish. I'm just hoping and praying Salt Lake will send us spanish sisters soon. In the meantime, I'm trying really hard to just not worry about anything because Heavenly Father knows my needs (Matthew 6:28-34) as well as Sister Moss's needs and all those here in the south we're teaching and those in the north that we were teaching. I know it will all work out.

We had no investigators at church on Sunday. :( It was way sad! BUT... two of our less actives showed up right after the passing of the sacrament. I was sitting on the stand to lead the music, and Paty and Alejandro Pecina walked in. I looked at Sister Moss with a huge smile on my face, and then tears started to well up in my eyes. I love this family so much! Before I left the south, we were visiting Paty. They have two kids, Anuar (5) and Gael (2 or 3). Anyway, since I've been back we've been visiting both Paty and Alejandro regularly. One of the first things we talked about with them since I've been back was about what they want. I was way bold, and I just said, you guys need to be praying, reading the scriptures, and going to church. There are many other things they need to be doing/not doing that they are not doing/doing, but the focus is these simple three things. I asked them if they want to live in the celestial kingdom. They both said yes, and then I asked, what are you doing so you can one day live there. They both said, nothing. Alejandro's mom passed away some years back, and I also mentioned how she is literally waiting on them to do her temple work. (Neither Paty nor Alejandro have been through the temple.) I think, it really hit them, that if they want to live with our Heavenly Father they have to do their part. We've basically just been teaching them the lessons. As a missionary, I've really that what many of the less actives need to come back to church is essentially to be reconverted. Like it's been so long, that they have forgotten what it feels like to feel the spirit, why it's so important to go to church, and what sweet peace and joy we can have if we are doing our part.

I really feel like they are progressing. They haven't been reading every night, they've only been to church once (and it was yesterday, just part of sac mtg). But I really feel like they are on their way back to the path. And it brings me great joy to watch people change their lives, even as members.

We haven't been able to visit Juan now for like 2 or 3 weeks, and I'm worried about him. But we want to set a baptismal date with him soon, and hopefully we will and he will be able to be baptized.

Hna. Coronado wasn't at church on Sunday. Her husband went out of town, and she didn't go, but she didn't come to church. But she is close too! And I really think Hno. has realized that his wife is closer than he thinks.

Susy... it's really sad because when we found her, she seemed like she could have been active. But then we found her one day smoking outside of her house, and she tried to hide it from us. She keeps telling us she'll come to church, but she hasn't. And we haven't been able to teach Jorge or Mario. I really hope that they will come around and start to change.

This work is definitely far from easy, but I know that as I am serving and teaching those I find, that I will be able to continue to change and grow into the woman Heavenly Father wants me to be. It's hard to watch people say they'll do something and not keep their word. It's hard to watch people make bad choices and continue to distance themselves from Heavenly Father. But all we can do as missionaries is invite them to come unto Christ. That's the beauty of this plan... we all have our agency, the ability to choose from right and wrong. And even when people know the right, they may still choose the wrong. But we can lead by example and pray that they might be able to accept this plan.

As hard as it is to change and to do the Lord's will, the more we recognize the spirit and follow it, the happier we will be.

I love you all, and I'm so grateful for the support and love Corey and I receive from all of you.

Love,

Hermana Christina Hogewoning

Please note, change of p-day!

Hey Everyone,

The Zone Leaders had ZLC (Zone Leader's Council) on Wednesday, and we just found out that our p-day will be changed from Tuesday to Monday. So please make sure you e-mail before Monday now.

Also, we found out late last Tuesday that Sister Tucker does have to have surgery. So she went home early yesterday morning. So it's just Sister Moss and I here in the south.

More to come on Monday!

Love you all!

Love,

Hermana Christina Hogewoning

Happy August!

Hey Everyone,

So August is by far my favorite month of the year, but I think I'm deciding that I don't like it here in Oklahoma because it's continuing to get hotter! It was 101 yesterday, and we just sweat like crazy. We were tracting the other day, and I noticed that there were beads of sweat dripping down my legs. Yeah, gotta love it! But we are blessed. We've had people offer us water, and somehow we always reach our goal for contacting even in the insane heat.

Juan didn't come to church on Sunday. I was bummed. But Hna. Coronado and her whole family came. The kids usually go to the english ward, so it was good to see all 5 of them there at church. I've been leading the music and Sister Moss plays the piano. It's fun being on the stand to watch as people come in.

Fermina is in and out of the hospital like twice a week to have dialysis. Sister Tucker and I got her as a referral when I was here before I went to the north. Anyway, we visit her once a week, usually at the hospital. We try to stop by her house, but she's never there. Almost all of her children and their families live here way close, and so I'm hoping we can begin teaching them. We taught her husband and one of her daughters on Monday. I also feel like Fermina may be what will allow her family to accept our message. We'll see.

We've tried visiting Luz twice since I've been here, but no luck. It's really sad to me. She was my first investigator, and I love her so much. I wish I could do more for her, and I wish she could get baptized. But I don't know what will happen with her. I know Heavenly Father knows His children better than I do. I'm merely an instrument in His hands, and I can't see the big picture. But I hope that we can start teaching her again. I'm trying to have the faith that is required to do what Heavenly Father wants me to do. Not visit people because I want to visit them, but visit them because that is what Heavenly Father wants me to do.

So, Hermana Tucker, Hermana Moss, and I have been trying to be patient between all of the crazy things that are going on right now. We were having companionship study last week, and Hermana Tucker shared this quote with me that Astrid gave her. I don't know who originally said it. "The truest fact about happiness is that if we can't find it where we are at this moment, we're not likely to find it in the next moment, either...finding happiness: it's a state of mind, not a destination." I love this quote, and I feel like it needs to be my new motto for these last 6 months of my mission. I feel like sometimes, or a lot of times, it's just hard for me to be happy and enjoy the moment. I got a letter the other day from a way close friend, and she told me something that her dad had told her at this point in her mission...you know how to be a missionary now, you're not trying to figure it out, so go to work and work hard. That is how I feel. Time is so precious, and it's surreal that I'm back in the south, that I'm hitting a year so soon. And yet the clock continues to tick. I wish sometimes time would slow down, and other times I feel like it isn't going fast enough. But my goal is to try to work hard and continue to let Heavenly Father change me into the person He wants and needs me to be, not just as a missionary, but as His daughter.

Thank you for all you guys do. I truly love you all, and I appreciate all you do.

Love,

Hermana Christina Hogewoning

me with Fermina, Sister Tucker and I got her as a referral, she's in and out of the hospital like 2 times a week for dialysis

in Hna. Segura's back yard-Hermana Tucker, me, Hermana Moss
we took this yesterday at Hna. Segura's in the back yard-Hermana Moss, me and Hermana Tucker