Tuesday, April 11th - Monday, April 17th

Note: no mass email went out this week from Elder Vogt. The following is the little bit of info from family emails.

* His new companion is very ill and they weren't able to leave the apartment at all this week - not even to attend church. (Hence no email: he felt that he hadn't done anything to report on...)

* So even though he has been in his new area (Matagalpa) for a week, he didn't really know much about it. He did mention that he'd been told that he is in another very small Branch (with 18-19 people that regularly attend). On the bright side - I suppose that's twice as many that came to church  in Leon!

* He didn't have the correct cleaning supplies, but he/they cleaned the house up as best they could and killed all of the cockroaches.

* Today for Pday, they took a bus into Managua for his companion to go to the hospital. While he was at his Dr. appointments, Elder Vogt was able to meet up with a previous companion (Elder Lemus) and spent part of the day with him in his first area of Reparto Schiek. He was very excited about this! They went and visited some families that he had grown to love - particularly Piduhl and Jimmy. Sadly, both of them were at work but he was able to visit with their families.

Tuesday, April 4th - Monday, April 10th

So this week.

Well the beginning of the week I headed out to Managua to get my Cedula. (a temporary ID here so I'm like a part Nica now) and then after that we worked like normal.

This Friday we baptized a daughter of some less active members. She's only 8 so it counted for the ward, but it was a nice time. And then Saturday we started packing our stuff, since we got word that we were both leaving the area. So we went to say goodbye to some of the members. It was a bit sad because they are closing this area (and another area here in the zone) and we had to tell them that there won't be any more missionaries in that area. And the missionaries in that area do pretty much everything. So yeah it was sad. But oh well. What happened happened. And I know it was inspired of the Lord.

So we stayed the night with the Zone leaders. Well I did. since Sanchez my comp already headed out to Managua to go in a plane to Puerto Cabeza. (on the other side of the country)

So yeah we partied it up big time! Woooooooopppp!!!! I received a package from home that had the Bean Boozled jelly bean game and so we all played that and got the nasty flavors of jelly beans!

And today I got transferred to San Ramon in Matagalpa. It is about 5 hours from Leon and this area is beautiful and green! Also it's one of the colder areas in the mission, so that's cool. Supposedly it is the area with the most witchery in the country. So let's do this! My new companion is elder Quiñones from Guatemala. My new house is well...awful. It has tons of bugs, and cockroaches and the house is...well nasty. Haha but it's alright I can deal with it. The biggest problem for me is that the bathroom is tiny - like it's hard to sit down because my knees hit the other wall haha. But yeah that's pretty much how it went. Love you all. Peace out.

 

Love, Elder Vogt

 

 

Tuesday, March 28th - Monday, April 3rd

So I don´t have much more time so I´ll try to write fast. So we started out this week like normal. Just working in my area and trying to help the people out. And that night I got a message that I had the message for our District in the morning about Repentance. So I prepared my talk/pratice and that´s when Wednesday comes in. So I did the talk and used some scriptures very...well bold. Like if we don´t repent we will suffer even as christ suffered. And he was perfect, imagine how hard it will be for us. And then the practice was everyone had a paper with a specific sin and we taught the people (we took turns being missionaries and investagators.) it went well.

Thursday. We went to Palermo again. and well it didn´t go the best, but talking with a 92 year old man who is like, "Yeah I´m going to hell. but hey I´ll be able to rule over satan like in my dream...."

 

Friday. Well it started out we were at the house of some members and she said she is going to sell some turtle shells, so we were like we wanna see. So I arranged them into turtle shell armour. And then while walking down the road some random cars stopped and said, "Hey we are Mormons from Utah and have a son on a mission." They gave us each 500 cordobas (like 16.66 US dollars each but feels like 100 dollars here) and then drove off. Tender mercy there. So all of you, if you see the missionaries treat them. It makes their days!

Saturday it started off we had a duck lunch. Like we ate duck with some members, then headed to General Conference but only got to watch like the ending 20 minutes of the second session, but we stayed for Saturday, and between those sessions we went to the store, and I saw a 2 for 1 deal. So I got 2 cakes for 255 cordobas. And like that was dang level cheap. So I was watching conference in English for the Priesthood session with the other Elders from the states, and we were chowing down on some cake! Man it was the best cake we had ever had here all of us. Since the last bus to our area left at 6 in the night. We slept with the ZLS and went to our area at like 6AM

 

Sunday we all went to watch the first session, went back for lunch then back again for the second session. We only made it for like the last 20 minutes again, but it was nice. And then went back to our area. And here I am now writing you all for Monday.

Love you all. Keep up being great.

Also if you were wondering my favorite talk was by Ronald A Rasband, about listening to the impressions of the holy ghost. You all should look it up if you don´t remember it. It´s applicable to both missionary work and everyday life.

Love, Elder Vogt 

Tuesday, March 21st - Monday, March 27th

So it's time to talk about this week. 

Well I guess some of the things we did this week. Well we went to leon like 5 times this past week. Man that's a lot of money, and a lot of time. Well it's a 40 minute bus ride to the city and 40 minutes back and sometimes we have to wait 40 minutes for the next bus. Also the price doesn't sound like a lot in dollars, but here it is a lot. Well it's 50 cents more or less one way, so 1 dollar there and back, and an extra 30 cents for the buses in the city. So all that together like 5 times is like 6 dollars 50 cents each! 

Yeah it doesn't sound like much in dollars. But 200 Cordobas here feels more like a 50 dollar bill. Haha it's weird a bit. Well we have bills of 10 20 50 100 200 and 500. 10 "feels" like a dollar, 20 like 5. 50 like 10 dollars, 100 like 20 dollars, 200 like 50 dollars, and 500 like a 100 dollar bill. 

So this week, we worked like normal. Just going place to place teaching the people. Well in this area we walk more than we teach, but hey It's helping me get in shape. 

So one thing cool that happened. Well elder Sanchez has had 1 baptism in his mission so far, and his convert left the city for 2 months, and we finally found her again this week, and it was really awesome for him because we found her again.

Also man we need more people at the church here. This week, if you subtract the missionaries and the Representative from the Stake. We had 7 members at the church this week. We really need to church it up!

Also this Tuesday we had interviews with the President of the mission (Pres. Poncio). Things went well, and he was talking about teaching with authority. He also said we are sent to each area to learn something new. So I will just need to keep in mind what I need to learn from my area and these people.

thanks everyone for reading! keep being awesome!

Love, Elder Vogt

 

 

March 13th - 20th

So yeah. Sorry about my letter last week. I was sick while writing so I didn't really feel like writing all too much. But hey I'm a bit better now.

So let's start Monday.

After writing our letters we went home and I laid in bed.

Tuesday we did the Zone meeting, and afterward I bought medicine and had the day in my bed as well.

Let's go to Wednesday! So we were finally able to start working again, so that's what we did. Walked a ton like usual but hey I'm used to it. Just the same old same old. In the night we had a family home evening with two of the members. It was supposed to be something big for like 15 people or so in the ward here, but no one came, but we had a good spiritual time with the family. Read the scriptures, and also watched a church movie. It was nice.

Thursday. We headed into Leon to get our money, since it was pay time. So we did that in the morning, and in the afternoon went to Palermo again. Something I don't get. Both Today and yesterday, on the bus it seems like it's always me who is stuck with the two like 12 year olds sitting next to ya doing all of that nasty kissy stuff. I'm like we are on a bus! I don't want that next to me!

Friday. Well it was just a normal Friday. Going out to teach people. When people just walk up to you and tell you a really strange story of their problems and walk off. I mean I can't write half these things because this is a family sort of letter. But hey it's the normal life of a missionary. People are like "Hey they are like holy and all that stuff so let me start confessing! Or at least get some counsel for my problems"

 

And also in the morning while walking down one alley way. A giant lizard dropped down from a roof top. So we did what any good person would do. My companion was like. Go that way!!! So I went that way. We were like Man that is giant! So I went that way, he went this way, and Bam! we are on both sides. It tried climbing through a fence, but it was too big to fit through, so it was hissing and scampering and all that stuff. Like man it was fierce! So we keept coralling it, until my companion grabbed a giant rock and chucked it at it, stunning it before hitting it again in the head. It didn't die but was stunned. So we picked it up, and continued on our way. Man this lizard was giant, like bigger than my arm. It was awesome, and we gave it to some people here to eat. But yeah it was something cool.

Saturday! So normal working and doing everything normally. Ya know going at night to teach people in the evening then they start telling their life story. And like. Man we felt bad for this lady. So we were there talking from like 5:30 until close to 8. 

Sunday! Let's bring people to the church. Well not too many people wanted to go. So yeah oh well. Went to Leon to pick up a blessing (the papers that say what it said) from my companion. And in the night we helped a drunk member, moving him so he wouldn't drown from the incoming tide. But that's my area for you. Hey shoutout for my main man Benny P! Love ya man Happy Birthday!

Today! Well we came here to the church and played games and stuff with the other missionaries. Got a big game of Rock Paper Scissors Slap going on with like 6 elders (slap in the face) it's a great game.

 

Love, Elder Vogt

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Additional info from family emails:

* We had an attendance of 10 at church this week. I taught a lesson on Eternal Marriage. 

 

* Oh also so I got my temperature and everything checked Monday. I had a temp of 103.2 Man I was burning up. So I took Tuesday off (with permission)

 

* The work here has been very discouraging. But it's okay. We teach some people, but nobody really wants anything, and the people who do want stuff never go to church or anything. But yeah, oh well. Thanks for your prayers. There are a few people who I know that we can baptize, they just need more time (like they are working though divorce papers with their other spouses) and are really positive. 

 

* I've also gotten like another knife or so here. I might get something later on. But yeah. I also have that new hatchet and all that stuff. It broke slightly (the rubber grip on the handle, since missionaries were chucking the hatchet at a tree) but hey it's all good.

 

 

March 7th - March 13th

Hey everyone! Tomorrow I hit 6 months in my mission! It's crazy to think I'm already a quarter of the way done. 

Though everyone I'm sick today so I'll keep it short.

So my area is a beautiful area, but it's super difficult. So be sure to keep me in your prayers. Having a good time with my companion and we get along for the most part. And by that I mean that it's the same with every companion, even if you were with your best friend you'd end up finding stuff that bugs you. But things are going well.

I walk a lot since we have a large area without many people so we walk to get to the other places - sometimes walking one hour without stopping to get there. I don't really like that since to me it seems like almost a waste of time, but that's this area. 

Anyways thanks for everyone and thanks for writing.

Love, Elder Vogt

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Additional thoughts from family emails:

* The sickness just hit me today (Monday, 3/13). But it hit me hard. With extreme fever, headache and the feeling that I was about to throw up. Since it's Monday (Pday), I've been resting in the church. Though we still came out here (to the Stake Center) instead of resting in the apartment - I didn't want my comp to miss out on his fun just because I was sick. 

* Even though I have mosquito nets hanging above my bed (as seen in the picture from last week) we don't really have a need for them - the mosquitoes and insects aren't that big of a deal.

* Sadly, we're not really teaching anyone right now - so pray for us!

* We went to a multi zone reunion in Chinedega.  The bus picture (below) is we took a mini bus back to Leon together. The one who is kind of cut off is Elder Najera.

* From all of our walking, my shoes are breaking, but I should be able to use these for a bit longer. (I only use the hush puppies -not the Ecco's)

 ​

Monday, February 27th - Monday, March 6th

Yeah so it's time to write about this week. 

So starting off on Monday, we went to my area (it's like an hour trip from the stake center to our area if we are lucky, but closer to 2 hours for us on some days.) But we got there and I unpacked and we went out and talked to some people. 

 

So my area is Poneloya in the zone Leon. And so we live on the beach pretty much (the ocean is like a 15 second walk from our door!) and it's a great area, but not the best for missionaries. Since it's a difficult area and lots of things people could do to get in trouble. 

So we work a lot here, but because people live far, we also walk a whole lot. Like with some people in my other area it was "hey, we have all our appointments like within 10 minutes of our place." But here at times it's we teach a lesson, walk 20 minutes, and teach again them walk again. So it's good here, but also hard.

So what we did this week, well it felt that this week was really long, but short at the same time. That's kind of how my other change seemed. It felt that way with Elder Lemus, we had a ton of time together that first week, but the other weeks just flew by. It seems a bit slower for me since I'm learning the area, but it is all good.

We are working on the people here, and we have a high goal for baptisms this month as a zone. (pretty much the same game plan as my other zone last month..... oh boy) But hey it's going good.

The people here are nice, but we have a ton of drunks, and tourists. So it's kind of weird. Just walking down the street and there will be a group of people speaking Finnish or something. Or sometimes others who are like. Hey I talked with the Mormons back home in Scotland. Just people from all over.

Anyways I can't really think of anything else to right. So love ya peeps. until next week!

- Elder Vogt

 

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Q&A with family

1. 1. Does your new place have running water!? Or are you still blessed with cold bucket showers!? We have one of the nicer missionary houses in the mission. We've got running water.  It's warmish but actually I kinda grew to liking the cold. You feel more refreshed afterwards.
2. After the first week... how was working with your new companion?  It's nice working with him. He likes to work. He has 6 weeks less in Nicaragua than I do. So we are kinda learning and working together.

3. What do you feel the best about doing/accomplishing this past week? Just getting to know my new area. We had fast Sunday and that was super tough because I was very thirsty the whole time. But hey, I made it.

 

4. So it is not a humid there as you're used to? More dry? Yeah as for the humidity it's really dry here. Like I feel super dry and that I need more water. I remember my first days in Managua that I felt I was always breathing in from one of the water vapor things that some people use when sick, but no. I got used to it, so I don't know if this area is super dry, or if it's normal and I'm just not used to normal. I wonder how it will be when I get back to the states. 

5. So tell me about church yesterday! was it really only like 10 people? did you have any assignments to fulfill? So for the church, basically we do everything. So we teach, do the sacrament, and yeah. Though it's only 2 hours a week here. We do the Principles of the Gospel class, and sacrament meeting and that's all. And yes, we only had like 10 people attend.

 

6. I know your Mission has been hard and challenging but hopefully you are finding joy in your journey! I'm having joy but it's also really hard at the same time. But if you think about it. You get to go around just talking to people for 2 years, and they love you for it. It's weird. And it's also weird how much work it feels like. 

7. Do you have lunch and dinner people like you did in Managua or is it different there? Yeah we do, but it's weird here. Like they pretty much live with us, like the landlords and all that stuff, so we just eat in our house, though they make it for us.

 

8. Your landlords live with you? Is it like a duplex? or just one big house and you each just have your own bedrooms/areas? well it's kinda like a house where the garage is detached. We just have a detached house that is pretty much touching the back of their house. And many of the areas in this country have like 2 or 3 houses all sharing the same area, so it is 2 different families (all living on the same plot). One family feeds us for lunch and the other one for Dinner. The landlord is from the states as well. He is a member too, though less active.

 

9. Does Sanchez speak any English? How the communication between you two? Nah he doesn't speak English but my Spanish is good enough by now to just have anyone here as a companion. 

10. How is Leon? Do you like it there? Yeah I like it here, the weather reminds me of Boise in the summer, but it's nice. I'm just not used to the heat.