April 5, 2010 ME? A Senior Companion! Welcome Elder Cody Wilson from Tenessee

Hi Family!

This week has been quite a whirl We started the week saying goodbye to all of the families in the area because after four and a haf months of andando in General Alvear together Elder Ramirez. It was a rather quick goodbye, but we both realized that we had learned a ton from each other and that it was time to move on. I will never forget the good times I had here in General Alvear with Elder Ramirez. They are times never to be forgotten. We really tried our best here and I am satisfied with our effort that we gave here.

Now onto the new challenge... The Lord has trusted me to be a trainer. I don`t know what He is thinking but I know that His ways are higher than my ways and His thoughts higher than my thoughts. He knows that I am ready and I am excited for this new adventure. This week has been wonderful. I left General Alvear Wednesday morning at 3:30 and got to Mendoza at about 7:30 in the morning. All the missionaries who were to be training that next transfer had a training meeting with the Assistants to the President and then we waited and talked while the New Missionaires were trained by the Assistants. It is a big responsibility to be training a new Elder and I am feeling a little bit of the weight right now. This is also my first time being Senior Companion so I am making a few mistakes here and there and learning from them. I know I wasn`t designed to be the perfect missionary, but I am sure going to do my best, learn from my mistakes, and keep the confidence and faith that everything is going to be ok. I know that the Lord will support me in this new trial and I feel His love for me daily.

My new comanion`s name is Elder Cody Wilson from Fairview Tennessee and he is a stud! I absolutely love him! He is so dedicated to being obedient and is not afraid to make mistakes. He is so friendly and talks to people on the streets with a huge smile and lets them know that he is happy. I am excited to learn from him. He has already taught me much. He is going to be and incredible Elder and learn Spanish very rapidly because of his faith.

Conference was incredible! I was so excited that Elder Wilson had conference weekend as the first weekend in his mission. I absolutely loved President Uchdorf`s talk on patience. It really encouraged me to stay with things until the end, even when the going get`s tough; to be patient and calm and trust in the Lord.

This week has been somewhat of a humbling week, and I am extremely grateful for the new challenge the Lord has placed in my way. I know that with His help I can do all things and that if I am attentive to the promptings of the Spirit I will do what He wants me to do, learn what He wants me to learn, and say what He wants me to say. Thank you so much for all the e-mails, letters, and love. Please know that each of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I love you!

Love, Elder Hoglund