Mothers Day Video Chat

Note: This post is written by Elder Vogt's mom

Mother's Day has always been special - but having a Missionary out amplifies that! Elder Vogt didn't know what time he'd be able to call (as he wasn't even in his new area last PDay and so wasn't able to make arrangements with anyone)... We just knew it'd be in the afternoon sometime - and we were prepared with our laptop all set up and Skpe opened! Close to 4:30 we got a Facebook message saying he was going to need to Video Chat via Facebook. So we had to get FB Messenger all installed and set up as fast as we could! And then thanks to our wonderful modern day technology - we were able to Video Chat with him!

There were a few bumps during our time together (in the form of power outages, internet troubles, frozen images and times of difficulty with the audio) BUT even with those inconveniences - we had a WONDERFUL time chatting with our Elder! Here's some of the highlights of our time together...

* He is looking great! He looked genuinely happy and confident in where he was
* He looks for the good in everyone (especially in his companions)
* He will be getting a new apartment in 2 weeks - and he's really excited to move into a much nicer one
* His Shoes are worn out
* Favorite area so far has been Managua (and he'd like to go back)
* Now that he's back in San Ramon no one is cooking meals for them - so he says he just has bags of cereal, bags of milk and eggs (but they are actively looking for someone to cook for them...so hopefully soon!)
* Same with their Laundry - they are looking for someone to hire. He also mentioned that he's had to wash his clothes by hand (if they can't find a washing machine somewhere)
* Has eaten BBQ Iguana and he liked it
* He really likes the Mission President. He said that he is always happy and smiling and he very much respects him
* Even though the country isn't all that large, it has 5 different climates throughout it (he's currently in the mountainous "cold" (if you count 80's as cold) climate and he likes that!
* Lots of Street vendors (and every other house sells food out of their home)
* Can sometimes  roll his "r's" (moreso when he's not thinking about it)
* Thinks in both English and Spanish
* They are heading into the Rainy Season
* He has yet to have to help move anyone as a service project (he says that Nicaraguans don't really move once they're in a place)
* He's still working on his piano playing skills (he can even read music now!)
* His first companion (Elder Lopez, who trained him) is already married after getting home in December!
* He's had some pretty fun times and experiences with some of the other Missionaries
* He's really happy where he's at
* His testimony is growing. He's feeling more confident and independent
* He offered the closing family prayer (which was really special to hear him pray for us!)
* He spoke lots of Spanish for us
* and of course we had to take some pictures of us all "together"

Tuesday, May 2nd - Monday, May 8th

So it's time to write about my week!

So if you all remember I'm here with the Zone Leaders in Matagalpa (a cold mountain city) So I've been working with them here. We kept taking buses to outlying areas. We worked a whole lot but also had a fun time. I got to know the Zone leaders here, Elder Mendez, and Fankhauser a lot better and they are all really chill. 

On Tuesday I went on Divisions with the District Leader, Elder Hamson, since my companions had a leader meeting in Managua, it was really fun with him. 

And like Thursday Hamson was sick, so since I was in the Trio, I stayed with him in his house, so his companion could work with a member. Man we talked so much.

So this Saturday we had a baptism, and that was really cool, and the missionaries (Hamson and his comp) who are in the ward that shares a chapel with us had a double baptism and a wedding with the two people. So we were invited out to dinner with that family, so we went there and had dinner with them and a couple other missionaries It was a good fun time.

And yesterday we went to church, and brought a family of 5 there. Super Awesome.

Though I did get some more news. I will be getting my new companion later today in the evening. I will go back to San Ramon. I'm ready to head back, but I wouldn't mind finishing this transfer with the zone leaders here. But we'll see what happens. Since we'll be opening that area back up again. We probably won't baptize this change, since there are only 2 weeks left, but we'll look for some Miracles. And who knows. We'll see what happens. But hey on the bright side, it's someone from a country I haven't had a companion from yet. He's Dominican.

Anyways Everyone thanks for reading. Have a great week you all.

Love, Elder Vogt

**************************************

Additional info from some of the family emails 

* I am keeping really busy. But it's a great type of busy. I like working hard, but also partying hard - haha - and by that I mean like chilling with the other missionaries,maybe playing a card game or something like that

* Well this week, we had a baptism! and I also became good friends with the Zone leaders, so that was good. One reminds me of August. The latino, and he is really cool. 

* We are always teaching. If we don't have like 20 good investigators we are doing something wrong here.

* We are getting an Apostle to speak here in June. Who knows it might be on my birthday!

* My new companion is Elder Baez - he arrives today. We will stay one last night here and then head to San Ramon tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 25th - Monday, May st

Yo I might as well start writing a nice weekly email about now.

So I´ll start with the first part of the week. We had to wake up at 5:30am so we could go to the hospital in the morning then we did nothing the afternoon, then we had to go again in the evening at 7. So yeah that was the first few days.

Thursday was the day for my companion to go home. So we went to a multi zone conference there in Managua and I stayed put there as my comp headed out. I was with the Zone Leaders in Bello Horizonte (like the office zone with all the office people and such) and had a good time. Everyone loved my impression of a random mother while we were doing teaching practices. Then that night I went out with elder Nonu (from Utah) and chilled the night with them there at the ¨mansion¨(assistance's and secretary and ZL house there) I really enjoyed my time there, and the people who live there (6 of em) are all really cool.

Friday I got to Matagalpa and worked with a member...... but yeah so I´m in my house now. It´s kinda small but not too bad. You have to walk up a really steep hill to get to it. But I´ll get used to it.

Saturday we had a baptism so that went well, and Sunday went to church like normal. Then they had to do numbers, and we had to help free some sisters, who forgot their keys in their house and closed the door, so were locked in like a staircase between their house and outside.

Then today we played soccer, and chilled, and we all ate out as a zone. And now writing. So yeah that's my week.

Haha yeah I know a little words compared to last week, but oh well. Love you all. Remember to keep being awesome.

 

- Elder Vogt 

********************************************

Additional info from some of the family emails:

* When asked "How are you feeling these days about your Mission and being in Nicaragua?" He replied with "The days are going good! I´m loving talking to the people and all that. It is going good. Soon it will be over and I´ll wonder where it went."

 

* Well I moved from San Ramon (in the zone Matagalpa) to Matagalpa Matagalpa. So it's the same zone, just like a 30 minute bus ride from where I was with Quinonas. San Ramon was so beautiful and if I get back there I will take some pictures! Matagalpa is nice and clean tho - so that's good.

 

* In this new area, I am fed Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day by people

 

* I'm in a trio with the Zone Leaders here in Matagalpa - Elders Fankhauser (from Utah) and Mendez (from Honduras). I've only been with them for 2 days but they seem pretty cool.

 

* I have a bed to sleep on but it´s on the floor haha. Their house is like the smallest zone leader house I've seen. Usually the ZL houses have room for like 5 missionaries, but they only have room for like 2 here, so we are making some ghetto stuff, like my closet is made with an extra mattress, and a fridge with a bar on top. so yeah haha. 

 

* This new area is like only mountainous. So man it's kicking my booty, since I did like 3 weeks without really any moving around at all - haha But Yeah, I'll build up the calf muscles, and burn off that hospital food!

 

* Hey sorry Mom. This computer has the problem as about half the computers here I've used. It can´t read my memory card. I don´t know why that is. But I can´t send pictures here. Maybe I´ll be able to next week if we use a different cyber. I know you enjoy your pictures, but I guess we´ll see what we can do. 

While we were bummed that no pictures were able to be sent, the Mission President posted some pictures from the Zone Conference to Facebook and we found a few with Elder Vogt in them (included below)...

 

Tuesday, April 18th - Monday, April 24th

Hey sorry for all of you that I didn't write last week. I'll explain here.

So starting Tuesday from last week. We managed to work about 5 hours then my companion couldn't any more for his sickness..... 

And that leads to the rest of the week....we were stuck in the house for the whole week..... I know haha not very eventful.

Easter Sunday....well he couldn't even leave to church. So we were in the house again. And we had a plan to go write Monday in the morning then head to Managua so he could go to the hospital, but we recieved a call at 10:30 in the evening saying we had to deliver the Zone leader to Managua for a new leader meeting. Att first we were a bit cranky about that, since we had to wake up at 4:30 in the morning, but once we got there we got leave to head out and do whatever we wanted as long as we didn't do anything too bad. So we headed to a cyber to write, but it was closed. and I was like, I know where another cyber is. So we went to my first area, in Reparto Schick and the cyber was closed again haha! So we went to a different one in my area, and after about a half hour. Low and behold, my old Companion walks in to buy a ton of plastic bags. And it was like. Man hey!!!! How are ya!?!?! And coincidentally they were doing an activity there at the Chapel only about a 2 minute walk away! So we left writing early to go and do that. So I got to see a lot of people from my old zone, and even my old Zone Leader from Leon. So that was pretty awesome. So that's kinda why we didn't end up writing the mass email last week. Sorry everyone.

But after that, we headed to the hospital, and then had a plan of heading back to Matagalpa in the morning. So we went to the Assistants to the President's house, and slept there. We got a call at about 10pm that night saying he (my comp) has another appointment Tuesday. So yeah..... Tuesday we ended up going to the Meeting for all the new Missionaries. Since we couldn't just stay at the Assistant's house all day. So we went and I got to see my old companion again. Haha. So that was pretty cool. We ended up doing that until after lunch when the Bells (the mission Nurse and her husband) took us to go see the cardiologist. And found out that my companion has some heart problems, and the doctor said we couldn't go back to Matagalpa until they run a test to know for sure what it is... But the problem was we had to get permission first from the church headquarters. And that takes time. So we left from the Hospital, but since we didn't have keys to the assistants house and they were gone until 9, we went to the Bell's house. And stayed there for the evening. I helped Elder Bell cook dinner, and then we gave a family home evening lesson. We taught the lesson on Prayer, and it was a really cool opportunity to teach some other missionaries, and they all had really good comments and inmput. Then afterwards we played  cards, and we were dropped off at the AP's house.

Wednesday we stayed the whole day at the AP's house, and got a message about the time for the next appointment on Thursday. 

Thursday we went to the hospital in the morning, and found out he has a heart problem where the bacteria is attacking the heart valves. We were admitted to the hospital, and stayed the whole day there.....and night as well...and the whole next day and night. But hey, they gave me money to buy food there. and the food was really good. But expensive too. But oh well. That is the life...I guess I'll suffer with the best food I've had on the mission for 5 days. Woe is me. Haha Jk. But honestly it was pretty boring

Saturday we headed out and went to San Ramon Matagalpa, to pack all my companion's stuff. (he stayed in the Hospital with the son on the Mission President.) So I took a road trip with the Bells. I feel I've gotten to know them pretty well this week, and they are some pretty cool people.

Sunday we manged to have me go with Elder Bell to the closest chapel in our Mission. Which just so happened to be in Reparto Shick. My first area! So I got to go church there, and it was such a blessing. I have such a love for the people in that area, and I could feel their love for me. They are going though a Bishop change right now, but other than that it seems to be going really good there. It was so great to see so many wonderful people again.

Then later in the day Quinonas was going though his stuff, and found some hair gel from his other companion, he didn't want it and I didn't either...so I was using it to do some various hair doos just messing around... So while I was messing with it...we heard a knock at the door....and bam the President's family....so I was styling my hair...and they walk in haha. So it was a pretty interesting experience. They were there to visit my companion. But it was good and fun. We are blessed with such a great family for the President of our Mission.

So Monday (today)...well he just got discharged, we went to buy him another suitcase, and now we are writing in the Church mission office. And soon back to the Assistance house until Thursday....but anyways Love you all. I'll leave with a quick testimony.

I know that this is the right church and even if not everything seems to go the perfect way, I know that God has a plan for each one of us. And for example with my companion, he came here to serve the Lord, but then had to get sent home for a sickness. I know that there was a reason he was here. And I know that there is a reason the Lord has us do what we do. Just keep trying to follow his guidance and counsel and we can't be wrong.

 

Love, Elder Vogt

 

******************************************

 

A few extra tidbits from family emails:

 

* The Bell's (the Mission Nurse and husband) keep a weekly blog which I (mom) read each week. Imagine my surprise when this week had several mentions of Elder Vogt! Not only that, but there was also a picture  (the one of him at FHE). I learned that they hit a Buffet on their way to Matagalpa to get his companions things, that they had Beef Stroganoff for dinner that Seth helped with and that while at church in Reparto Schick - Elder Vogt was asked to share his testimony.

* They were able to share the gospel with some of the hospital staff and even gave out 2 Books of Mormon

* He said that he spent a few nights at the hospital with his companion and he mostly spent his time studying (and occassionally playing card games like UNO). When I asked what he studying he replied with: "I studied so much haha I don't really remember. Though I was reading a bit about patience, because haha well that is something that we all need."

 

* The hospital was a really nice one and comparable to one found in the US

 

* Currently they are both still in Managau and will be staying with the Secretaries until his companion leaves on Thursday to head home for recovery. At that point, he'll be put into a Tri-panionship somewhere

 

* His favorite part of this past week was spending time with the Senior Missionaries and having dinner & FHE with them

 

* When he found out that his dad and older brother were currently en route to a concert (of a group he really likes) he said, "it'd be cool to go, but I'm happier doing what I am doing." - this really made my mom heart happy!

 

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