June 2, 2009 letter from MTC

So, funny story. Here I am in the laundry room at the MTC writing letters, looking at my watch and thinking that everything is fine and dandy and that I have lots of time to write everything I could ever care to write about. After I had written a letter or two I looked my watch and it said about 3:35. I was so satsified that I would still have so much time to write letters when all of the sudden, my district leader comes up to me and asks me if I was going to MTC choir today (he is all dressed up in his Sunday best at this point). I leisurely look at my watch and say something like, "Oh yes of course I'm going...don't worry we have plenty of time, it's only about 3:35." He gave me a look that clearly told me it was definitely not 3:35...then it dawned on me that it had been 3:35 for a long time...far too long. So it really was a lot later than that and I realized that I didn't have a lot of time at all. So, this is going to be very very short. I'm definitely smiling about it, I think it's hilarious... but I am sorry about this being so short. I guess it's time to get a new watch :).The MTC is great. Spanish is coming along. I'm excited to keep working hard. I'm learning tons every day and I know I truly am being taught by the Spirit. My companion is wonderful and our companionship studies are some of the most enlightening moments we have. His name is Elder Justin Taylor from Salt Lake City and he went to BYU last year. He's such a strong Elder and has a deep gospel knowledge and love of his family. I love my companion. I've been studying hope in Preach My Gospel this past little while and inconjunction with faith, it has been SO SO incredible! There is so much to learn about faith and hope and I am excited to continue learning more. Hope and Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement are two principles with so much power! I'm exited to study Charity next week and to see what I can learn about that.I truly am an instrument in the Lord's hands and I know that without Him I am nothing. I am so immesurably grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ.With Much Love Until Next Week When I Have More Time, :)

Elder Ben Hoglund