Week 2 (e-mail from Corey)

Things are still going great. I'm learning so much Japanese grammar and vocabulary every day. Last Tuesday was great. The elders in my district all went to the temple together. It was a really cool experience. You are all learning the gospel and Japanese together every day, but there is just something special about going to the temple together. When we got back we ate dinner and headed to the Tuesday night devotional. The speaker was.....(wait for it)...... Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. What an amazing experience. He told us to always be positive. He also told us that all of us can have success in baptizing no matter where we are going or what any one back home might have told us. My companions and I were able to teach the first lesson in our teaching appointment at the Teaching Resource Center (TRC). Every week we teach a lesson. Starting week five we teach in Japanese. I know if I keep working diligently, I'll be ready. Our district has done a few Eigo Danjikis (English fasts) during some of our class time and a few meals. It is so frusterating not being able to say what you want to say but it is definitely great motivation to learn faster. I been working on having more meaningful prayers this week. It is kind of hard to do because I am praying in Japanese and I still don't know a lot of words or grammar. My favorite thing to do during our 5 50 min gym periods is to play 4 square. I gets pretty intense. When people get too intense or upset I usually try to leave. No need to get upset over a little game. Anyway thanks for all of your love and support. It keeps me going when I get down on myself, but I going to stay positive like Elder Ballard suggests.

Lots of love,
Elder Hogewoning

First E-mail from Elder Hogewoning!!!!!

Hi. I just got your mail today. I haven't read it though. Thanks for sending my patriarchal blessing and line of authority. I hope you all are doing well. I have already done so much in 1 week. I have preparation days on Tuesdays so that is the day to check your email. I see Elder Coffey and Sister Wells a lot. They are both in my branch and zone, but neither are in my district so we don't have class together. I saw Aunt Dorthy yesterday. She was ecstatic. It is only the second time I've seen her, but she thinks the world of me for going on a mission. I have two companions Elder Stephens and Elder Hoffman. Both are from Utah, Cash Valley and Layton respectively. Elder Hoffman's companion didn't show up last Wednesday. None of us know why but whatever the reason we are a threesome. There is so much going on all day. From personal, companion, and language study to class with Brother Tsuchiya and Sister Lew, we are always doing something. I am constantly trying to read different chapters from Preach My Gospel and learn Japanese. I have all of my Hiragana characters down (by sight at least, I haven't even tried to write them yet). I started on Katakana yesterday. Elder Coffey just walked in and is doing his laundry behind me. Anyway I have been feeling a little overwelmed but I'm working through it. It snowed a lot over the weekend (I guess a lot is very relative since I'm not used to snow) but it has been melting since it has been a little warmer the last couple of days. I only have 30 minutes of email time and I can only write letters on Tuesdays so don't be sad if you don't hear from me more. I got a card from Grandma Dee on Thursday or Friday last week (I wish I had my journal with me right now). Yes I have written in my journal everyday so far. It's not much since I don't have to much time at the end of my days, but it's something. Please don't distribute this email address until I tell you you can. Love you all.