Before Elder Taylor left
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
April 2, 2009
Hello Again,
It amazes me how fast things are going here and I bet they're going pretty fast out there as well. I am continuing to have a great time here at the MTC and whoever said they didn't like it, I don't know what you were doing. There is just so much to do here and not enough time for it.
Like i said, last week I got a new companion, Elder Sharp. As soon as I sent off my email about 10 minutes later this guy from the administration comes down and tells me elder Sharp is here. I was super excited and couldn't wait to go pick him up at the front desk. I really can't tell you how amazing of a missionary he is. He is amazing! He's been here before, but had to go home for a bit. He's back now and I couldn't have asked for a better companion. I keep telling him that I've prepared my entire life to have a bad companion on my mission, but now I don't have to worry about it. He really fit right in with the district and he continues to amaze me.
On sunday was our halfway mark for the MTC (woohoo). As me and Elder Sharp were sitting in our Leadership Training Meeting, President Curtis asked to interview us. He sat us down and said, "Elders, I want to put you to work, will you accept the calling to be Zone Leaders?" I thought it was a pretty big shock. Near the beginning of the MTC I had had the thought of maybe being zone leader, but after seeing the other zone leaders have zero time ever and having a lot of responsibility I thought to myself back then, "hey, you know what, it's cool to have leadership positions, but this one I wouldn't mind someone else having." Of course, we did accept the calling and we've been at it for a couple of days now. It really does take away your one hour of personal time at night, but it's all good. I think I feel a little like dad when he was a bishop or even now as stake president. You have so many people's problems to worry about, but the Lord really helps you bear it (Matt. 11:28-30..thanks mom!). So that's my little story for the week.
It was interesting with the timing of it all as well. Elder Taylor left wednesday morning, and then Thursday Elder Sharp came in. President Curtis told us in our interview that Elder Taylor probably wasn't ready to hold the position of Zone Leader. He said as he was asked who Elder Sharp's companion should be, he thought of me and knew then that we were going to be the zone leaders. I don't really tell that story to seem prideful or that I deserve the calling, but it was just interesting that the timing of it all really worked out so good. So I was released as district leader and Elder Leishman is now our district leader. He has really stepped up to the plate and is doing incredible. He's really changed his life around from before his mission and now he's really just doing great.
Speaking of Elder Taylor, he actually has been over to Germany for a summer and his dad is a German teacher in high school or something like that. He's off and probably teaching a ton of people over there right now. We haven't heard back from him, but hope to soon.
Thanks everybody for sending me mail this past week. Sometimes the mail is the only thing you look forward to the entire day so it's sometimes really nice to get something. Don't be afraid to send some more in the meantime though. I'm not sure how Dear Elder works. I just know that we get dear elder letters in the mailbox. sorry. They are pretty cool and they get here pretty fast so I don't really care how they get here. either way is fine. thanks though!
Mom and Dad, it's great to here all the blessings are coming because I'm serving. I've really even felt them in my own life right now. It's good to know all the welfare things in the stake and ward are kicking in. It will be interesting to see what the general authorities have to say about all of that. If you need to use any of my money in the back for food storage, I'm all for it like you know ;)
I'm sorry if there's anything else I'm forgetting. sometimes it's hard to remember everything you need to write in the emails and questions people have for me. Just keep asking them and hopefully I'll remember to answer in the future.
Have a great week! I will talk to you next week and remember to have a fun time watching conference (we get to enjoy it on the seats in the auditorium for 10 hours, yes!).
Love Ya,
Elder Joseph Hoehne
Hello Again,
It amazes me how fast things are going here and I bet they're going pretty fast out there as well. I am continuing to have a great time here at the MTC and whoever said they didn't like it, I don't know what you were doing. There is just so much to do here and not enough time for it.
Like i said, last week I got a new companion, Elder Sharp. As soon as I sent off my email about 10 minutes later this guy from the administration comes down and tells me elder Sharp is here. I was super excited and couldn't wait to go pick him up at the front desk. I really can't tell you how amazing of a missionary he is. He is amazing! He's been here before, but had to go home for a bit. He's back now and I couldn't have asked for a better companion. I keep telling him that I've prepared my entire life to have a bad companion on my mission, but now I don't have to worry about it. He really fit right in with the district and he continues to amaze me.
On sunday was our halfway mark for the MTC (woohoo). As me and Elder Sharp were sitting in our Leadership Training Meeting, President Curtis asked to interview us. He sat us down and said, "Elders, I want to put you to work, will you accept the calling to be Zone Leaders?" I thought it was a pretty big shock. Near the beginning of the MTC I had had the thought of maybe being zone leader, but after seeing the other zone leaders have zero time ever and having a lot of responsibility I thought to myself back then, "hey, you know what, it's cool to have leadership positions, but this one I wouldn't mind someone else having." Of course, we did accept the calling and we've been at it for a couple of days now. It really does take away your one hour of personal time at night, but it's all good. I think I feel a little like dad when he was a bishop or even now as stake president. You have so many people's problems to worry about, but the Lord really helps you bear it (Matt. 11:28-30..thanks mom!). So that's my little story for the week.
It was interesting with the timing of it all as well. Elder Taylor left wednesday morning, and then Thursday Elder Sharp came in. President Curtis told us in our interview that Elder Taylor probably wasn't ready to hold the position of Zone Leader. He said as he was asked who Elder Sharp's companion should be, he thought of me and knew then that we were going to be the zone leaders. I don't really tell that story to seem prideful or that I deserve the calling, but it was just interesting that the timing of it all really worked out so good. So I was released as district leader and Elder Leishman is now our district leader. He has really stepped up to the plate and is doing incredible. He's really changed his life around from before his mission and now he's really just doing great.
Speaking of Elder Taylor, he actually has been over to Germany for a summer and his dad is a German teacher in high school or something like that. He's off and probably teaching a ton of people over there right now. We haven't heard back from him, but hope to soon.
Thanks everybody for sending me mail this past week. Sometimes the mail is the only thing you look forward to the entire day so it's sometimes really nice to get something. Don't be afraid to send some more in the meantime though. I'm not sure how Dear Elder works. I just know that we get dear elder letters in the mailbox. sorry. They are pretty cool and they get here pretty fast so I don't really care how they get here. either way is fine. thanks though!
Mom and Dad, it's great to here all the blessings are coming because I'm serving. I've really even felt them in my own life right now. It's good to know all the welfare things in the stake and ward are kicking in. It will be interesting to see what the general authorities have to say about all of that. If you need to use any of my money in the back for food storage, I'm all for it like you know ;)
I'm sorry if there's anything else I'm forgetting. sometimes it's hard to remember everything you need to write in the emails and questions people have for me. Just keep asking them and hopefully I'll remember to answer in the future.
Have a great week! I will talk to you next week and remember to have a fun time watching conference (we get to enjoy it on the seats in the auditorium for 10 hours, yes!).
Love Ya,
Elder Joseph Hoehne
March 26th
Hello,
Wow, it's been a month! Can you believe it's been so fast? I don't know about you, but it has gone by so fast. Thanks for all your letters and prayers, they're really helpful.
So let me update you on some stuff that's happened this past week. Elder Taylor like I said was really good at German so he went on the fast track. He actually left yesterday morning at 4am. It's kind of sad to see him leave, but I know it's the best for him. I was assigned to be in a "dritt" with elder Leto and Ballantyne for yesterday and today. Last night they told us in class a new missionary is going to be coming into our district sometime today. He hasn't showed up yet, but I'm waiting for any moment to go to the main office and pick him up. His name is Elder Sharp(e) (I haven't met him so I don't know how it's spelled). He was here in September, but had to go home due to health reasons. He's back now and I'm really excited to get to meet him. We've been joking that by the end of my MTC experience I'm going to have had 4 companions. It's pretty cool.
That's horrible to hear about the picture cards! I'm so sorry. I guess I was trying to be frugal and save some money by just sending it through the regular mail. I did end up printing off a couple of them so I'm sending them in a little package today. So hopefully you'll be able to see our awesome district.
I really want to let you know how much I enjoyed the temple dedication. It is really such a neat temple isn't it? I want to let everybody know that the temple really is such a refuge from the storm of the world. We need to stand in holy places and that's the best place to do that! With Eternity on the line, we should be thinking about that, not so much on the cares of the world. It's only going to get worse so we really do need be at the temple as much as we can. We should also make our homes temples as well.
Thanks for all your letters. They're really helpful. It's good to know that the world is still just the same and that BYU still isn't winning any NCAA championships. It's really weird how detached from the world you are here in the MTC. You just don't have time to think about it. There's just so much to do!
There's really not a whole much else to talk about. Unfortunately I was sick these past couple of days with headache/sore throat. I really have a testimony of the power of the preisthood. I received a blessing from the missionaries in my room and I've been feeling better ever since. The MTC is really just a breeding ground for germs so they have a ton of hand sanitizer stations all around.
It's good to know everything is going well in the Stake and ward. I hope you let everybody know I love them I love you lots!
Love,
Elder Joseph Hoehne
Thursday, March 19, 2009
March 19th MTC Letter
March 19, 2009
Hey Family,
How's everybody doing? Things are still pretty good here. All the days seem to mesh together and then you get to vorbereitungstag and you write some letters and do your laundry.
It's great to here that things are going well. I'm sending a letter with the cards in them so you can get the pictures. Send them back when you're done.
So some new stuff that happened recently-- On Tuesday we got to have L. Tom Perry talk to us about companions. it was really neat. That's something i really need to work on. Yesterday some new German missionaries came and i haven't had a chance to meet them yet. they seem pretty cool though. I forgot to mention that Elder Taylor has been speaking German for quite a while and he is actually going to be leaving most likely next week for Germany so I’ll be becoming a "dritt" with Elder Leto and Ballantyne. just fyi. We also get to see the draper temple dedication on Sunday. SWEET!
I'm really trying to pick up the language more and speaking it. Our teaching skills are also developing. I have really never noticed how important it is to think about the needs of the investigators and really care about them. you can have a whole lesson plan, but if something comes up and the investigator needs something else, you just go with that.
Thanks for the great package this week! Everybody loved it and they all say thanks! Other than that, mail is pretty sparse. Let everybody back home know that they should write! J
Jeremiah, I forgot to write about what you should do in high school. I think what helped me most was talking to people in my classes. Really; just talking to those people who sit next to you in class. It really develops friendships because you see them everyday and so you have some time to build trust. the other thing is to get involved. i wouldn't worry about this if you're going to be in band. Just be happy and don't be afraid to just say hey to people you know in your classes or ask the names of people you don't know in your classes. I've notice even here at the MTC that you need to build a level of trust. nobody is going to care what you say until they know you care about them.
I've seen some other people from school here like Chris Shelton and Nefi Gomez. I've also seen people like President and Sister Childs, and Brother Humphries from the ward. It’s cool to see others going along the same path as me. It sometimes is pretty hard and knowing that other people have done it as well.
The district is doing well. For the most part we are really on task and obedient. Sometimes people slip up though and it's hard to love them. Bro. Lehnart (amazing, from the branch presidency), told us that we need to be slow to judge and quick to love. Despite some troubles keeping people on task, I just know I need to love them. you want to help people, but you need to do it in a loving way. Bro. Lehnart also said there isn't anything that you need to say that you can't say it in a loving and kind way. Keep praying for me.
I'm sorry if there's anything I forgot. If it's urgent then send me a letter and I'll try to write you next week. Tell everybody i love them and I say hi.
Love,
Elder Hoehne
Hey Family,
How's everybody doing? Things are still pretty good here. All the days seem to mesh together and then you get to vorbereitungstag and you write some letters and do your laundry.
It's great to here that things are going well. I'm sending a letter with the cards in them so you can get the pictures. Send them back when you're done.
So some new stuff that happened recently-- On Tuesday we got to have L. Tom Perry talk to us about companions. it was really neat. That's something i really need to work on. Yesterday some new German missionaries came and i haven't had a chance to meet them yet. they seem pretty cool though. I forgot to mention that Elder Taylor has been speaking German for quite a while and he is actually going to be leaving most likely next week for Germany so I’ll be becoming a "dritt" with Elder Leto and Ballantyne. just fyi. We also get to see the draper temple dedication on Sunday. SWEET!
I'm really trying to pick up the language more and speaking it. Our teaching skills are also developing. I have really never noticed how important it is to think about the needs of the investigators and really care about them. you can have a whole lesson plan, but if something comes up and the investigator needs something else, you just go with that.
Thanks for the great package this week! Everybody loved it and they all say thanks! Other than that, mail is pretty sparse. Let everybody back home know that they should write! J
Jeremiah, I forgot to write about what you should do in high school. I think what helped me most was talking to people in my classes. Really; just talking to those people who sit next to you in class. It really develops friendships because you see them everyday and so you have some time to build trust. the other thing is to get involved. i wouldn't worry about this if you're going to be in band. Just be happy and don't be afraid to just say hey to people you know in your classes or ask the names of people you don't know in your classes. I've notice even here at the MTC that you need to build a level of trust. nobody is going to care what you say until they know you care about them.
I've seen some other people from school here like Chris Shelton and Nefi Gomez. I've also seen people like President and Sister Childs, and Brother Humphries from the ward. It’s cool to see others going along the same path as me. It sometimes is pretty hard and knowing that other people have done it as well.
The district is doing well. For the most part we are really on task and obedient. Sometimes people slip up though and it's hard to love them. Bro. Lehnart (amazing, from the branch presidency), told us that we need to be slow to judge and quick to love. Despite some troubles keeping people on task, I just know I need to love them. you want to help people, but you need to do it in a loving way. Bro. Lehnart also said there isn't anything that you need to say that you can't say it in a loving and kind way. Keep praying for me.
I'm sorry if there's anything I forgot. If it's urgent then send me a letter and I'll try to write you next week. Tell everybody i love them and I say hi.
Love,
Elder Hoehne
Thursday, March 12, 2009
March 12th Letter from MTC
Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Another Letter from Joe
Hey Family,
Another week has flown by here in the MTC. It's really great. I've really appreciated all of your letters and packages that you've sent me in the past week. They're really helpful.
I'm glad to hear of all the miracles happening at home. I totally forgot about those immunizations and I don't remember if I mentioned it, but I got my last shot the first day I got here and I paid for it then so no need to worry about that. It's also good to know that the missionary spirit is going so well in the stake. When we open our mouths the lord fills in the words and the spirit can take over. Keep it up!
It's great to hear about the family loving each other so much and all of the fun walks that are happening. The weather here is great as well ;) I can't believe how nice it is. Today after coming out of the temple we just felt that springtime warmth that we've been missing so much. Hopefully you can spend a lot more time out there than I have been able to.
Holly
Thanks for your wonderful letters! I love them so much! I'm glad to know that school is going well for you. I forget that this is such a big time for both you and Jeremiah switching schools. I would definitely recommend either doing band or choir. You'll meet a lot of neat people in those classes. I know that tests can be kind of hard sometimes, but you just have to endure through them. Make sure you have something fun planned afterwards so you have something to look forward to. I also have a testimony of prayer as you do. Without prayer I think I would have lost everything I own by now. I've found so many things right after I've prayed.
Jeremiah
Thanks for that awesome comic. I showed it to my district and they laughed as well. That's way cool about Marquette. I know nothing might come of it now, but you are definitely being a great example to him as we have seen recently. I think taking german would be a wonderful experience. When I get home we can speak german together with Jonathan, eh? Stefan is amazing and you'll love him if you decide to take it. How are the shirts doing? Which one do you like the most? You can totally take my room. Have fun with it. Don't be too discouraged with the temple. I had the same experience with my first couple of times. Just try to bend your knees and you'll do fine.
Jono
Everything's fine. Don't worry about it. I took a lot of your advice as I've been the district leader. I really appreaciate all that you've done for me. I hope everything goes well with the classes and work. Let me know of any updates!
Thanks again for that wonderful package. The acne stuff is great and the tie helps as well. The MTC is kind of weird. The only ending point we can see right now is leaving the MTC. I sometimes keep forgetting that I actually have 2 years of living in Germany I get to do!
I love you all!
Elder Joseph Hoehne
Another Letter from Joe
Hey Family,
Another week has flown by here in the MTC. It's really great. I've really appreciated all of your letters and packages that you've sent me in the past week. They're really helpful.
I'm glad to hear of all the miracles happening at home. I totally forgot about those immunizations and I don't remember if I mentioned it, but I got my last shot the first day I got here and I paid for it then so no need to worry about that. It's also good to know that the missionary spirit is going so well in the stake. When we open our mouths the lord fills in the words and the spirit can take over. Keep it up!
It's great to hear about the family loving each other so much and all of the fun walks that are happening. The weather here is great as well ;) I can't believe how nice it is. Today after coming out of the temple we just felt that springtime warmth that we've been missing so much. Hopefully you can spend a lot more time out there than I have been able to.
Holly
Thanks for your wonderful letters! I love them so much! I'm glad to know that school is going well for you. I forget that this is such a big time for both you and Jeremiah switching schools. I would definitely recommend either doing band or choir. You'll meet a lot of neat people in those classes. I know that tests can be kind of hard sometimes, but you just have to endure through them. Make sure you have something fun planned afterwards so you have something to look forward to. I also have a testimony of prayer as you do. Without prayer I think I would have lost everything I own by now. I've found so many things right after I've prayed.
Jeremiah
Thanks for that awesome comic. I showed it to my district and they laughed as well. That's way cool about Marquette. I know nothing might come of it now, but you are definitely being a great example to him as we have seen recently. I think taking german would be a wonderful experience. When I get home we can speak german together with Jonathan, eh? Stefan is amazing and you'll love him if you decide to take it. How are the shirts doing? Which one do you like the most? You can totally take my room. Have fun with it. Don't be too discouraged with the temple. I had the same experience with my first couple of times. Just try to bend your knees and you'll do fine.
Jono
Everything's fine. Don't worry about it. I took a lot of your advice as I've been the district leader. I really appreaciate all that you've done for me. I hope everything goes well with the classes and work. Let me know of any updates!
Thanks again for that wonderful package. The acne stuff is great and the tie helps as well. The MTC is kind of weird. The only ending point we can see right now is leaving the MTC. I sometimes keep forgetting that I actually have 2 years of living in Germany I get to do!
I love you all!
Elder Joseph Hoehne
Friday, March 6, 2009
First Email from MTC
March 5, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Greetings from the MTC
Hey there family!
I've finally made my email account here at the MTC. I didn't think I was even going to be able to set it up here, but I guess I can. Today, thursday, is P-Day for our branch. It's been a great blessing to have this time separated from the rest of the time. I just barely got done writing a huge letter to you so this letter is just kind of a letter to let you know that I'm still alive and everything is going well. I loved the package you sent me. Our district is really cool. Elder Taylor, my companion, is from Oregon. He is really talented at various musical instruments including the piano and he can sing pretty well too. He reminds me of a lot of drama people from High School. I swear all the people in the german branch remind me of other people that I've known. There is just a huge variety of different elders and sisters here. It keeps me humble to say the least.
Dad told me that a mission is kind of like a mini-life. If that's true then the MTC is probably life during High School. There's people older than you who have more clout and say in stuff, but really they have only been here like 7 weeks longer than I have. It's sometimes hard, but for the most part I've had plenty of experience from High School on the subject so I'm not too worried. The biggest thing is just getting to know everyone in the branch because it's one of the biggest in the MTC. It's good to know there's a lot of missionaries going over to Germany.
Holly, how are you doing? I loved the letters you sent me! I'm so glad you can keep going to the temple! I really enjoyed going even when I didn't feel like it because I knew that I would be blessed! Keep up the good work in school and tell all the new scouts Hi for me.
Jeremiah, how's school going for you? I hope it's good. You're a great guy and I love you a lot.
Well I've gotta run, LOVE YA!
Elder Joseph Höhne
Greetings from the MTC
Hey there family!
I've finally made my email account here at the MTC. I didn't think I was even going to be able to set it up here, but I guess I can. Today, thursday, is P-Day for our branch. It's been a great blessing to have this time separated from the rest of the time. I just barely got done writing a huge letter to you so this letter is just kind of a letter to let you know that I'm still alive and everything is going well. I loved the package you sent me. Our district is really cool. Elder Taylor, my companion, is from Oregon. He is really talented at various musical instruments including the piano and he can sing pretty well too. He reminds me of a lot of drama people from High School. I swear all the people in the german branch remind me of other people that I've known. There is just a huge variety of different elders and sisters here. It keeps me humble to say the least.
Dad told me that a mission is kind of like a mini-life. If that's true then the MTC is probably life during High School. There's people older than you who have more clout and say in stuff, but really they have only been here like 7 weeks longer than I have. It's sometimes hard, but for the most part I've had plenty of experience from High School on the subject so I'm not too worried. The biggest thing is just getting to know everyone in the branch because it's one of the biggest in the MTC. It's good to know there's a lot of missionaries going over to Germany.
Holly, how are you doing? I loved the letters you sent me! I'm so glad you can keep going to the temple! I really enjoyed going even when I didn't feel like it because I knew that I would be blessed! Keep up the good work in school and tell all the new scouts Hi for me.
Jeremiah, how's school going for you? I hope it's good. You're a great guy and I love you a lot.
Well I've gotta run, LOVE YA!
Elder Joseph Höhne
Sunday, March 1, 2009
First Letter from MTC
2/25/09
Dear Family,
I'm finally here in the MTC. It hasn't been long since you've seen me, but it seems like so much has happened! After I left the chapel I joined the rest of the elders & sisters along a long maze to multiple rooms getting info, our pictures taken. I had my hepatitis shot given to me so I am fully innoculated! After that I got this huge bag with all my books in it and then found my residence hall. I got my luggage and then met my companion, Elder Taylor. He doesn't remind me of anybody in particular, but the most would be Tom Riddle. The voice is mainly it and his way of speaking. After I got to know him better he is a really neat guy and has a great testimony. He tells me he snores, so we'll see how it goes. Elder Ballentyne from Highland and Elder Leto (Lead-0) from Pennsylvania are in our zimmer (room). They are really great guyes and we've bonded already. Mom was right, I have felt the spirit so strong and I feel so much more excited to be out in the field because everybody else is so excited. I wish I had more time, but I've got to get to bed. They asked me to be teh district leader so pray that I will be blessed. This really is God's work. He loves us and is watching over both of us as I am serving.
Love,
Elder Hoehne
PS--How do I fold the letter?
(8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper was uniquely folded to fit in a small envelope :-) )
Dear Family,
I'm finally here in the MTC. It hasn't been long since you've seen me, but it seems like so much has happened! After I left the chapel I joined the rest of the elders & sisters along a long maze to multiple rooms getting info, our pictures taken. I had my hepatitis shot given to me so I am fully innoculated! After that I got this huge bag with all my books in it and then found my residence hall. I got my luggage and then met my companion, Elder Taylor. He doesn't remind me of anybody in particular, but the most would be Tom Riddle. The voice is mainly it and his way of speaking. After I got to know him better he is a really neat guy and has a great testimony. He tells me he snores, so we'll see how it goes. Elder Ballentyne from Highland and Elder Leto (Lead-0) from Pennsylvania are in our zimmer (room). They are really great guyes and we've bonded already. Mom was right, I have felt the spirit so strong and I feel so much more excited to be out in the field because everybody else is so excited. I wish I had more time, but I've got to get to bed. They asked me to be teh district leader so pray that I will be blessed. This really is God's work. He loves us and is watching over both of us as I am serving.
Love,
Elder Hoehne
PS--How do I fold the letter?
(8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper was uniquely folded to fit in a small envelope :-) )
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