Have faith and be healed when we come unto Christ.

Dear family,

My knowledge of the gospel is expanding so much! Sorry about not e-mailing yesterday. They changed our schedules, so now my P-Day is Wednesday. The combination to the lock in my room is 22-25-0. Also, thanks for the journal, but it wasn't the correct one. The journal I hoped for is bigger, about the size of a regular book, and is filled with notes from devotionals and institute classes. I did get your Easter package, and I thank you, but I need to say DON'T send me any toys or gag stuff. In the MTC they don't allow me to have stuff like this, and they want us to put away anything like it. About my water bottle, only the lid part broke. where the spout is, the plastic connector pieces broke off. If that makes it any easier, but if it's too expensive to buy a new one, that's okay.  What you can send me are drawings from the grandkids. I love the pictures from the kids and the story Britton wrote, too. I love them all.

If it could be possible, send vocal music. I have a bunch of piano arrangements, but nothing to sing. I don't really have time to sit at a piano and play, but I do have time to sing. We have very talented people in our branch. Look on LDS.org and see what they have. I just need vocal music. One song in particular I would love is Come See the Light. It is on my iTunes. Greatest song ever. If you could find it, I would be so grateful. I have really missed music here.  There is just no time to play the piano whenever I want to.  I hope to be able to find time since as Branch Music Coordinator I need to prepare music, even specialty numbers.

I have really been blessed this week. Since last I wrote, TWO apostles came to talk, Elder Richard G. Scott and Dallin H. Oaks. Elder Richard G. Scott even bestowed upon us an apostalic blessing of the gift of tongues, so I think I WILL learn the language eventually. The humility and patience I need right now is for my companion. He struggles with the language, and is reluctant to give much effort when we teach. He has an amazing spirit, and I KNOW that he can do this. He just needs to have faith in himself. I have been praying for humility and patience so that I can help myself and my companion, and things are improving, however slow it might be. I know that apostles are true messengers of God.  I love them so much!  I have grown a lot these past few days and I am beginning to realize how crucial it is that I am here to prepare myself to preach the gospel to others.  Other people's salvation is at stake here!  Like Dallin H. Oaks said, we are to prepare ourslves to be in His service.

On the lighter side, at the beginning of last week we were given permission to not have to wear suit coats.  This entire week has been so cold and wet, and it even snowed yesterday.  Talk about irony! 

 I have a request. Could you please send me a copy of the story of that book, The Ten Virgins? Just make photo copies. I love the story, and I want to remind myself how I can fill my lamp with oil. Then I can teach others how to fill their lamps.  For the SD card, I think about 4 gigs would be the maximum. If you have any questions, ask Michael, because he would know what I would need.

For Easter Sunday, I was reading about the woman who had a disease of the blood for twelve years. She had enough faith to be healed just by touching Jesus' clothes. Who could have such faith? I love what Jesus Christ did afterwards. He knew that he helped heal somebody, and he could have just went his way, but he wanted to find the woman and congratulate her on her strong faith. I hope that we all could have such faith and be healed when we come unto Christ. I just have to say I love it here.  I love being seperated from wordly things, just having to focus on spiritual things.  It doesn't mean I don't miss anyone here, because I do, but wordly distractions just don't matter anymore.  Be faithful!  The gospel means more than it ever has before.

I know God lives.

He is our literal father in heaven.

I know Jesus Christ is our Savior.

He died for the sins of the world.

He died for my sins.

I know that we can obtain eternal life if we prove ourselves faithful.

Tell the grandchildren that I know this.

Love, Your Siberian Messenger, Elder Hoggan

MTC District

From left to right:  Elders Fitzgerald, Hoggan, Howard, Garrett, Anderson, Bennett, Kodro, & Krushinsky.

MTC roomies

Fiesta del Noche--Monday night nacho tradition for Aaron's branch.



A miracle is occuring in Russia...

Dear Mom,

 I love receiving e-mails from you. I did send all the grandchildren letters. I hope they got them. I don't think I can attach pictures to e-mails, but I will send you the SD card with the letter I will send you today. Please tell all the family to send me letters or pictures or drawings from their kids. The drawings that I got from Britton and Claire are taped on the bulletin at my desk, and every day I look at them and they make me happy. I did ask Elder Fitzgerald if he knew Kaylynn and her family.  He doesn't. The other Elders:  Elder Bennett is from St. George, Elder Krushinsky is from Provo, Elder Kodra is from Lehi, Elder Garrett is from Cedar City, Elder Howard is from North Carolina, and Elder Anderson is from North Dakota. It's funny since the only Elders from out of state are companions, and they are both from states with "North" in the name. Crazy.

My posterior and I thank you for the cushion! Sitting for hours at a desk has been made more bearable thanks to your donation. Unfortunately, I have some other desires. Elder Fitzgerald accidentally knocked my water bottle off my desk and it broke. If you could get me another Katadya water bottle (Dad should know where) without the filter, I would love it. If that is too expensive, I have a cheap one that I got at the book store that I could still use. I just really liked that water bottle. Another thing, I have a black journal with an elastic that is in my room. Could you send it to me? There were a lot of notes in it that I wish I had. It is probably in the plastic tub with my Northridge Blanket. Another thing, could you send me Ben Larsen's address? I bet you could call him and ask for it. I really would like to write to him.

I have been learning about Russia's culture, and all I can say is that it is ready to receive the gospel. After less than 20 years of the gospel being preached, a temple was built in former Soviet territory. That kind of rapid growth to a temple hasn't happened since the Kirtland Temple! A miracle is occuring in Russia, and I am honored and humbled to be part of it.

It is funny, but I think we are synchronized in our scripture readings! I read the scriptures every morning, and this morning I read about Christ cursing the fig tree. I don't really know why Jesus cursed a fig tree. It could be symbolic about those who don't work to provide good fruit for the Lord will not receive any blessings. The fig tree was given the blessing of life, but since it did not produce fruit according to its purpose, it was cursed, and its blessing of life was revoked. This is a lesson to us that we have purposes, and that we need to fulfill them. If not, we will not receive blessings.

I love Sister Kuznitzova. She is an amazing teacher. I do not know her conversion story, but I will find out and reply back. She did in fact serve a mission, the Russia Samara mission.  Our district is amazing. We are such different people, but we are able to work together, and we support each other as a district. we decided for ourselves to have district prayer every morning before we left for breakfast. This was of our own choice, and we have been blessed because of it. We are really good friends. I will be sending cards to all the grandchildren with a picture of Jesus with children, and the Articles of Faith on the back. I would like the parents to teach their kids these articles, as they are the basic beliefs of this gospel. I will also be sending questions to all the grandkids about what they are learning in the scriptures. The scriptures are so important, and I want these children to receive a strong testimony and knowledge of the truth of them at a younger age. It will help them so much. Please have them write to me.

 Я любю вас мать (I love you Mom)

P.S. This Gospel IS true.
P.P.S. I will be tentatively leaving June 21

First Prep. Day

Dear Family,

I am so glad to receive an e-mail.  I thought that Dad may have suprised you with a cruise as he celebrates you two being empty nesters. If you received my letter, then you would know that my companion is Elder Fitzgerald. He is from Pleasant Grove. He is a really funny guy. He studies and writes his letters on his bed, and we nicknamed his bunk "the cave" since that is the first place he goes when we enter our room. My prep day is Tuesday, and I can receive letters and packages any day. Just send whatever you can! One thing I would LOVE for you to send me is a cushion for my chair. Sitting for hours leaves your posterior sore. PLEASE SEND ME A CUSHION!!! The food is awesome! They have a lot of variety, so I can still make healthy choices. Something that would make you sad is that I have lost weight...but it has only been a pound. I feel great and happy. I am eating well.

The work here at the MTC is amazing. I thought that the Spirit would automatically be here every single day...but I was wrong. You have to work at having the spirit, which is a great learning tool. I have learned how important it is to have the Spirit when you teach, with your companion, and even with your district. I strive to have His Spirit to be with me whenever I can.

Just so you know, the language is coming along great! Our teacher, Sister Kuznitsova (she is a native Russian) is an amazing teacher, and she has a lot of faith in us. I don't even think that Rosetta Stone could teach me as much as I have learned. I already can bear my testimony and pray "PA RUSKI". That's how you would say "in Russian".

I was amazed at hearing how you were reading about Abinadi, as I was reading about him yesterday. He is my hero. He was willing to lay down his life to what may seem a lost cause to teach an unwilling people just because the Lord sent him. He never knew that Alma would be converted and in turn convert an entire people, just because of Abinadi's example. It's a testimony to me that no matter how small a difference I might make in Russia, the effects will be exponential! But I know that if I work hard, I WILL make a difference in Russia.

One thing that was so awesome this week is that I was called to be the Branch Music Coordinator! I already have a calling, and for the whole branch of about 25ish elders and three sisters. I plan the GEEMS, that's how to say hymns in Russain, pianists, conductors, and any musical numbers for sacrament meetings. I am extremely humbled to have this calling so early in my MTC experience. I have already been working to set up the music.

I am glad to hear that Laura is okay. Tell all the grandchildren that Uncle Elder loves them all and thinks about them. Every time I think about Jesus Christ coming again, I always picture myself there with all the family, holding Claire's hand as she points to Christ and tells me, "That's Jesus" As tears would fill my eyes, I would reply, "Yes, that is Jesus." All the grandchildren have such strong spirits, and they are an example to me. Please have their parents teach them about missionary work, the gospel, and the temple. It is SO crucial that they have a testimony of these things.

On P-days, we go to the temple, and today I came with a concern of my heart. This was the first time I came to the temple with a guestion. During the prayer, my answer was given to me through the prayer, and my burdens were lifted. The temple is an amazing place. Take the grandchildren to the temple if you can. Have them see the beauty of the temple, and tell them that families can be together forever, sealed in the temple.

I love you all, and I feel your prayers in my behalf. Please pray for the people of Russia, that they may be prepared to receive the gospel.

God lives.

Jesus does live.

He is our Savior.

This gopel is true.

Joseph Smith restored the Gospel on the earth.

The Book of Mormon is the Word of God.

I love you all,

Elder Hoggan

Siberian Messenger, edition 1

Dear mom, dad, family & friends:  I am loving being in the MTC!  Every day is packed and I barely have time to write.  My district is awesome.  My companion is Elder Fitzgerald.  The other Elders going to Novosibirsk are Bennett, Krushinsky, and Howard.  Elders Kodra and Anderson are goin to Samara.  As I said, I love it here.  I am learning to much about the language and the gospel so quickly, it's amazing!  I really know that everyone here, including me is called of God to be messengers of Him.  I really am a Siberian Messenger!  I wish I had more time to write, but the last two days have been crazy.  I was all gung-ho at the beginning and happy to say that I still feel that way.  (It is true that you can eat cereal three meals a day, but I don't recommend it.)  What can be a more excellent way of showing your love to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ than to "feed his sheep" by serving a mission?  I am getting ready to send this message to all of Siberia.
Love,
Elder Hoggan (written in Russian)

Note from Aaron's mom:  I am glad he's so happy in the MTC--especially since we turned his bedroom into the guest room today.

A good day to say goodbye....

April 5--Aaron was set apart by President Stephen Peterson of the South Weber Stake.
(Not to be confused with Aaron's soon-to-be Mission President Steven Petersen.) How could anything be more like heaven than to have your entire family there to listen to a wonderful blessing by a wonderful stake president, hear each others' tender messages to Aaron, and to hear their youngest brother/uncle share his testimony and eagerness to serve?  I want it to be like that in heaven--no empty chairs, as my mother and President Benson used to say!

April 6--A wonderful day for so many reasons (as Aaron reminded me) yet very bittersweet.  So sweet because a wonderful son who has prepared all of his life is entering the mission field.  Sad because we're going to miss him so much.  Our house is so quiet!  Already looking forward to that first letter!

One last hug and it's such a quick goodbye!

Thanks, Angie!

Amgie McReaken of Whimsy Pix is an amazing photographer!  Thanks for all the wonderful pictures of Aaron.  Your kindness and generosity are so appreciated.