Happy March!

Hey Everyone!

Well, it's been a crazy week! And there are only 2 more weeks left in the transfer, which is CRAZY! Really, this transfer (6 week period) has flown by so fast!

Okay, this past weekend we had branch conference. It was great because a bunch of the leaders from the stake came and spoke to the branch. It was great! The branch needs a lot of help, and I feel like the stake leaders kind of helped point out what the branch can do differently. Also, President and Sister Gee were there! It's always so fun to see them! Being in the south of the city, I guess I'm a little spoiled because I get to see a lot of people in the mission more regularly than missionaires not serving in the south of the city. Seeing Pres and Sis Gee are just a couple of the people. Pres. Gee pulled me aside and asked if he could talk to me after church. I said sure. So, after all 3 meetings, he pulled me aside again and asked how I would feel about Sister Tucker being my companion. I was just like, honestly before this transfer (Pres. Gee kind of told me at the beginning of the transfer that I would be training next transfer, meaning my comp would be the brand new spanish sister coming from the MTC), I thought that's who I would be with. I just told him that I was willing to train or be with Sister Tucker, so whatever he feels and wants, I'll do it. Not that I really have a choice, but I really am willing to be comps with Sister Tucker or train Sister Moss.

Also, we finally were able to meet with Luz on Saturday and she came to church on Sunday! Elder Reed, my district leader, suggested we just drop by unexpected sometime. So, we did, and she was there and we got to teach her! We talked to her about Elder Bednar. She said she could feel when he spoke, his power and authority as an apostle. That was pretty cool to hear her bear testimony of Elder Bednar as an apostle. We haven't taught her since though. :( But she's been working a lot so she can move out.

Oh, and when we were there Luz told us about Rosa. I guess Rosa has been telling Pedro that we're hypocrites and saying other negative things about us. She also accused Luz of stealing her purse. Anyway, Luz said she wasn't going to tell Rosa when we come over any more. And I finally got Rosa's phone number and address, so we could maybe try to visit her at her house. Also, she was interested in getting a blessing from the elders. The elders said that when they contacted her that she said she would tell us when she wanted them to come over. Well, I called her the other day, and she couldn't tell me when she wanted us to come over. I told her to call us when she wants us to come over. But I think this means we probably won't be teaching Rosa any more. It's really sad because she seemed so interested, but I don't know what happened.

We never got that huge snowstorm here, and I'm grateful. It hasn't snowed for a week or so, but it's still been pretty cold. The car says it's like 30 or 40 degrees, but it feels colder because of the humidity. Can't wait for the summer! ;) (Just kidding! I'd rather be cold than hot any day!)

So, during the last big snow/ice storm when Sister Whiting was still here, we went and tracted some apts close to where we live. It's technically in the elders area (it's right on the line of our area and theirs), but we found some women, and we all figured it would be easier for us to teach them. So, we've been teaching this one lady, Roxana. She has two kids, Eric and Ashley, and she's so humble and kind. We've taught her the first three lessons, and she keeps letting us come back, but she has a lot of reservations for us. She's Catholic, and she doesn't understand how there's only one true church. She actually explained to us the 7 sacraments in the Catholic church, which was new to me (I'd never heard this). And I was intrigued because it's very similar to what we believe. I told her that, but I also told her that she is lacking one big thing-authority! The priesthood, the power to act in God's name and perform saving ordinances. I think she began to understand because she said she was going to investigate where the pope got his authority. She is awesome, but she doesn't understand a few key things. I'm hoping that she will pray and read the Book of Mormon. Because really that is all anyone needs to do to know it's true. She has started reading the BOM, but she hasn't prayed. She has pondered, but not asked directly to Heavenly Father if the things we've been teaching her are true.

We have stopped teaching a lot of people because they aren't progressing. It's really sad, but I don't know what else to do. Maybe next transfer we'll try them again, but a lot of our investigators have been taught for a long time and they know it's true, but they lack the desire to act-to pray, to read the BOM, to go to church, to be baptized, etc.

We continue to find more people though somehow! I am always amazed with Heavenly Father's tender mercies. I am so blessed to have this knowledge of the gospel. I keep thinking about everyone back home who knew I was "Mormon," but I never shared the gospel with. I want so badly to share the gospel with all those people back home after the mission! Because I know this is the only true church on the face of the earth, and I know this is way to true happiness. I'm so grateful to be serving a mission!

Just to let y'all know, I haven't really heard from Corey in a couple of weeks, but he's good. When his mission closes he will be assigned to either the Kobe or Fukuoka Mission and continue the rest of his mission there. But I'm guessing that the Hiroshima mission will get divided in two and be added to the Kobe and Fukuoka missions. Hopefully that makes sense. So, he won't be coming home, and he won't be leaving Japan.

Okay, gotta go! I love you all so much! Thank you for your prayers, love, and support!

Love,

Hermana Christina Hogewoning