I am SO sorry for that charge! I am not entirely sure why it was costing that. Really this first month I was figuring out what I needed. I should have used my other debit card, but it never crossed my mind. I am really sorry about that, I didn't mean to spend so much. I shouldn't need any other stuff at the moment, because I have all I need to learn. I am ashamed I didn't notice my purchases. I commit myself to record ALL my purchases, so I will know how much I have purchased.
I don't care about the music you send me. I like any type of choral music. Even if it's SATB, we could still figure out parts. Send me the free stuff, since I don't want you to spend money on me more than you have to, especially after that first bill...It's just hard to not have music, and I don't know what it will be like in Russia. I want to be prepared to share ALL my talents, and music can bring in the spirit in ways that all the words in the world couldn't.
Today, actually, the new elders going to Russia are coming. We will recieve over 40 new elders into our branch, which will more that double our branch's size. There are over 80 elders just for Russia coming in. The work in Russia is growing fast, and it's exciting.
We can watch movies from LDS.org, and one particular one I like is the Kyiv Cultural Celebration. Before the dedication of the temple, they put on a show for the prophet showing their rich history. It's amazing to say that I can understand a lot of what the people say. I can't wait for when the prophet will announce for a temple in Russia. I took part in sealings at the temple last week for the first time. The ceremony is so simple, but it couldn't be more powerful. I knew that these people I was being a proxy for are rejoicing because they are an eternal family. I want this same blessing for the people of Russia.
I know about Victory day. It's May 9, when the Germans surrendered. The Soviet were rejoicing because this terror in their life was over. Both Russians and Ukrainians have parties (which explains why missionaries have to be careful) they sing songs and dance, and remember what happened. It's like our 4th of July, but I feel sometimes our Independence day is more about fireworks that for remembering our freedom. These people had been subject to so much suffering, that this moment when they could finally see hope was overwhelming for them. One particular song, called Katushka (Kah-too-sh-kah), we learned in class. It is about a young woman waiting for her lover while he is away at war. We sang it just for fun once, and Sister Kuznitsova was so happy and she recorded us singing it. It is a beautiful song.
I have to say that prayer is very powerful, and listening to the spirit is very important. On a zero-second notice, Elder Fitzgerald and I were called to teach a professional investigator. We didn't have our scriptures, and we had no plans whatsoever, which is sort of what it will be like in Russia. When we knocked on the door, the investigator asked, "What sort of message do you have?" I prayed for what I should say, and I said "We have a message about happiness". The man let us in and told about his life, and how he lost his car company because of the recession, and how his wife was having an affair with another man. (We knew that this wasn't a real investigator, but it was pretty convincing when he brought out a phone with a voicemail of a message from someone saying they saw his wife with another man and pictures) We were speaking in English, which I was grateful for, because we both could testify how this message we had to share and turning to Christ could bring happiness, and that He knew our pains. God answered my prayer about what to say. It says in my patriarchal blessing that I would be given what to say at the very moment I would need it.
This is true.
That moment was very important to me, as I had been struggling to get along with my companion. No one is perfect, we have our differences, and you have to just go through life with a smile on your face, even if you are sad. But Elder Fiztgerald has such a strong spirit, and I love him. He is going to be an awesome elder.
This gospel IS happines.
Jesus Christ is our Savior.
God lives, and He loves us.
We are His children.
I love you all. (tell people to write me!)
Elder Hoggan
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