Greetings from Novokuznetsk!

Dear Family and Friends back in the United States:

You are all excited to hear what I have to say from the land of Russia, so I hope I can tell you as much as I can. Davaite (Let's do it!)

I LOVE RUSSIA. That is the first thing I have to say about my mission thus far. I love everything about Russia. I love the food, the houses, the culture, the language, and the people. The only two things I do NOT like are the mosquitoes and the traffic. You would never think there are mosquitoes in Russia, but there are. Second, the traffic is scary. There is no such thing as right-of-way for pedestrians. If they allowed us to drive cars in this mission, I wouldn't. But I am alive and happy.

Right now I am serving in Novokuznetsk, which is the youngest city opened in this mission, opened 2006. There is one branch, and my companion Elder Washburn, is the Branch President. I don't really know how many members there are, but there are some stellar people.

First, Elder Washburn is the most amazing trainer ever! He is totally dedicated to the work, and he is making me take part in it as well. I don't know how he does it, to juggle Branch duties, and be a missionary, but he does. I have learned so much from him. One thing that makes him so awesome is that he makse me part of things. I have no idea how to talk to people, but he makes me stretch and I do talk to people. He is from Chicago, which is interesting, because most of the missionaries Russians meet are Utahns. It is fresh and new, especially since more people know Chicago over South Weber. Go Figure.

It's terrifying trying to talk to people, but it works. The people in Russia are the nicest people ever. I couldn't talk to people in America, but in Russia, they are genuinely nice people. You don't know each other, and they treat you like a best friend. They LOVE learning about people's families, which is why we need those pictures. The pictures are almost as important as the scriptures, and I bring them everywhere. 

Pictures you generally see of Russia are pretty accurate: there are a lot of apartment buildings, and they are filthy on the outside. The insides are actually pretty nice. They are not 5-star suites, but they are quite livable. Another thing about Russia is that there is a LOT of beer and cigarettes. Everywhere you go, people are drinking and smoking. It hasn't bothered me at all.

Our Branch building is a small building, about the size of our family room. The people that used it demanded we keep the SALON sign up on the front, so we call it the Salon Spacenye, which is the "Salon of Salvation." (You have permission to laugh.)  Some of the members are stellar, especially Kurill, Sasha, and Uri Ivanovitch. Kurill served a mission in Salt Lake City, but had to come back early for some health problems. He is 20, I believe, and a total goof. He is so funny, and we make fun of each other. He is awesome at speaking English, and he makes fun of the language. Casha is a sister who is preparing to serve a mission, which I think is amazing. I see these people, and where they live, and to have the faith to serve a mission is beyond my belief.

English club, we have every Tuesday and Thursday, is awesome. We have different groups of different levels of understanding, and then at the end we have a story that is translated by someone from the club, and then we have a spiritual thought. I shared the story of when Mom accidentally used liquid soap instead of oil in making enchiladas. They don't have a word for enchiladas, which made it fun to explain. They laughed.

Uri Ivanovitch is a really old man, who doesn't have a good memory. We read from a illustrated version of the Book of Mormon. I believe that I sent one home in a package. It has a bunch of small pictures in it, and easy explanations as to what is happening. His brain was probably affected from many years of drinking, but his Spirit is so pure and simple, like a child. He's like a sweet dedushka (grandpa).

We have one investigator, named Pavil, who seems really interested in learing about the church. We met him while contacting on the street. We were at the Branch Building, and we called him, he had time right then, and we taught him a lesson. I hope things work out with him.

On Sunday, we had a turnout of 11 people. It didn't matter to me, because the Spirit's the same. I had no idea what they were saying, but I felt it. That is what's so amazing about this gospel. Languages can be different, but the message is the same, and the Spirit is the same.

I will try to send pictures, but I will have to see how. It can be dangerous to send pictures, because you don't know what viruses they have on these computers. We can't even put our flash drives in the Mission President's computer because the viruses will spread.

I don't have anymore time, I only have 30 minutes to e-mail, but I love you all, I am really happy being here. The food is good. The gospel is true. Serve a mission, you men! It's for your own good! Tell the ward I said that.

PAKA (peace, or bye)

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)

Letter from Aaron's mission office:

23 June 2011
Dear  Parents:
We just want to let you know that your son has arrived in the Russia Novosibirsk Mission safely.  He has arrived in great shape despite the  approximately 36 hours in transit.
The process includes leaving the MTC around 5:30 AM on Monday morning, leaving the Salt Lake City Airport, flying through New York or Atlanta to Moscow, spending 12 hours in Moscow applying for a second passport then boarding a Russian airline at 10:30 PM for a flight arriving in Novosibirsk at 5:30 AM Wednesday.  Keep in mind that we are 13 hours ahead of Utah  in the city of Novosibirsk.
He has been met by President and Sister Trejo, fed breakfast, and been put to bed for a few hours, oriented over 2 days and sent to his assigned city.
The Novosibirsk Mission is larger, in area, than the United States.  We have missionaries in six cities and transfers involve  long  bus and train rides.  Because of the difficult conditions and incredibly long distance from their mission president these faithful missionaries serve in, this is known as a Green Beret mission and requires "outrageously obedient" missionaries.  We are so grateful that your valiant son has been sent here to join this work.  In your letters to him will you remind him of the honor it is to serve in such a mission.
Here is how the mail gets to your missionary.  All mail comes to the office and although this address is slightly different from what may have come in their missionary packet, this is the address suggested by Olga, one of our Russian office staff.  Russian addresses go from the largest entity to the smallest.
Russia 630102
Novosibirsk
46 Kirova Street
Russia Novosibirsk Mission
The name of your missionary

The mail collects here until either zone conference, once every 6 weeks, or until someone is heading that way for transfers or other meetings.  If something is very urgent, you are better off using email that they get to check on their Wednesday P-days, usually in the morning.  They only get an hour on the internet to receive and to send and they are allowed to only write one letter for family and one to the mission president.  It is suggested that others send via pouch mail to Salt Lake(single sheet tri-fold) or send to the office address.  Please be sure that you write weekly emails to your missionary and then as an added bonus, packages and letters.  Be aware that packages can take 2-2 ½ months to arrive at the office and then it can take 6 weeks to get it to the missionary depending on where they are serving.  Be sure to plan ahead for Christmas so think of sending in  September or October.


The first missionaries to serve in Russia arrived on 26 January 1990.  The first official recognition of the Church in Russia was granted to the branch in Leningrad on 13 September 1990 with republic-wide recognition being granted on 28 May 1991.  The Russia Novosibirsk Mission was formed July 1994 so it is almost 17 years old.  It is a fairly young mission and it is exciting to work with members that are very strong in spirit and small in numbers.
Thank you for your son.  We will take good care of him.

Attached are pictures of him, his trainer and President and Sister Trejo and the group.


Sister McCauley
Russia Novosibirsk Mission Secretary

I got to Novosibirsk safely!

Dear Family:

Right now I am typing this e-mail from the Mission Home, so yes I got to Novosibirsk safely. I met Elder Eborn, and he is really a great elder. Ever since entering Russia, I have had a love for the land and for the people. Russia is such a beautiful place, and I hope to be able to send some pictures later, but I don't have a lot of time, so I will just write. But don't worry, I took a LOT of  pictures.

This has also been a time of little miracles for me, for when we were waiting for our last flight, it began to rain very hard, even though the sun was still shining. This is about 10:00 at night, which was very beautiful. but our flight was being delayed, and I said a quick prayer that we would be able to make it to Novosibirsk on time, and almost immediately it stopped raining, and we began boarding the plane. I don't know if the rain did delay our flight, but it still was a miracle to me.

I love the people of Russia. We actually met a member, named Yulia (Like Julia), at the Moscow airport. We talked, and then shared a scripture about faith. She told us about how she couldn't find her money to fly to her parent's, she looked everywhere, but couldn't find it. She prayed, and she immediately found it. I am so glad we shared a message to her, because there are so few members in Russia, and I think seeing us, and hearing us be missionaries strengthened her testimony and faith. As missionaries, we have a responsibility to bless the members as well as everyone else. We also talked to a woman named Svetlana, which means "Light". She knew English, and she was very nice to talk to. We shared a short message, and gave her a pass-along card to go to mormon.org. She seemed interested, so I hope that this planted a seed of faith. Look at your little boy, already a missionary!

I love talking to the people, they are such great people. I only have a little time left, so I just want to say I'm safe, I love you, this gospel is true, and I am ready.

From your little missionary, Elder Hoggan

(The Siberian Messenger)

Note from Elder Hoggan's Mom

As I took Aaron's last package to Speedy-Pak to send to him before he leaves for Russia, I told the guy behind the counter that this would be the last one.  We've gotten to be pretty good friends.  He's seen me on a weekly basis for eleven weeks now.  I've been trying to spoil Aaron now since the postage (and security) of packages to Russia is so prohibitive.  Anyway, the guy asks me if I am a little nervous to send my baby to Russia.  I admit, yes, it is pretty far away and really foreign.  Anyway, to try to reassure me, he said, "You know, you're sending off a boy, and he'll come home a .... cosmonaut!"  I guess that's better than a communist!

We got to talk to Aaron on the phone this morning for about 15 minutes before he boarded the plane to Atlanta, then to Moscow, then to Novosibirsk, then to.....well, stay tuned, it will be fun for us all to find out his first assigned area.  It was great to hear the excitement in his voice and even hear what sounds like great Russian.  (Even though we know he's in for a shock when he lands in Russia and wonders what language they taught him in the MTC.)  I know I have to not worry and put my trust in the Lord.  After all, Aaron is HIS son first, and was only on loan to me.  But, a few prayers for his safety would still be appreciated!  :)

The Motherland is Calling!

Dear family:

I am so very sad to hear that President Petersen will not be our mission president. I was looking forward to meeting him again, but I know without a doubt that whoever is the mission president is meant to be. God doesn't make mistakes. But it is still a small world, that one of my friend's relatives is my mission president.

It's strange to be thinking that the next e-mail you will be receiving from me will be in Russia. I am so excited, and every day I am just thinking how wonderful this opportunity is for me to serve these people. I don't know these people and I know very little of their culture, but I already love them, and want to be among them.

I haven't received any packages, yet. I hope they come, because I don't want you to have to pay for what postage will cost now to send to Russia.

Sorry about the retainer, Mom. That call must have been a heart attack for you. In the clinic, I had to chuckle to myself as I thought of you receiving the call, wondering what has happened to your little boy.

Speaking of little, the devotional speaker was Sister Wixom, the Primary General President. We all wondered what a primary president could teach us, but we were edified. Sometimes we think that faith is so complex, but you look at a little child in Primary, you ask them what they believe in, and they can tell you. Primary is very important, and the songs will stay with your children forever. I can't remember all of the lessons I was taught in Primary, but I remember the songs, and the simple but powerful testimonies that they are. Help your children learn these songs, because the building of their testimonies now is so important for the future.

Listening to this talk reminded me of all the nieces and nephews. I love each one of them so much! During that devotional, I thought of all these pure spirits praying for me, and I know that there is a special power in the prayers of children. These kids are my biggest motivation for being here on a mission. I want to be the best example I can to them, and I know that a mission is the best thing for me, for them, and for this family.

I have learned so much from this MTC experience. I could have never learned what I know now in any other way. I have to say that when I entered the MTC, I thought that I would have an easy time, and that I already knew what I needed to be a great missionary. I was so wrong. I was very much humbled through this experience, and I have learned even more about the gospel than ever before. This gospel is true, and there is no way that I could even doubt it. Like the Primary song we sang last night, "I know who I am. I know God's plan. I'll follow Him in faith. I believe in the Savior Jesus Christ. I'll honor His name. I'll do what is right. I'll follow His light. His truth I will proclaim." This was my favorite Primary song as a child, and it's prophetic. "His truth I will proclaim." That is why I am here now.

Finally, here is my flight plan. I will be leaving June 20 at about 5:30. My first flight leaves the Salt Lake Airport at 8:30, so expect a call between 6:00 and 7:00. Yeah, I know it's early, sorry fam. We will land in Atlanta, Georgia, and then get on another plane to Moscow. After a long flight to Moscow, we will get on another plane to Novosibirsk after a huge layover in Moscow. By this time, I will be in Novosibirsk on the 22 of June, at about 5:30 over there. So I will be flying for two entire days.

Well, until you hear from me again, the Motherland is calling.

I'm coming, Russia!

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)

Do your home teaching!

Dear family:

It is crazy to think that in about 19 days I will be on an airplane heading for Russia. No I don't have my flight plans yet, but I got my nametag that I will wear out there. It looks like this:

Старейшина Хогган

       Церковь

  Иисуса Христа

       Святых

Последних Дней

I know that you have no idea how to pronounce it, or maybe some can, but I think it looks pretty cool.

And Mom, thanks for the package! I love the music, and I hope I can use it in Russia. We'll see. Also, this following Sunday will be my last Sunday as Branch Music Coordinator. I have really been blessed by this calling, and it is especially a blessing since I was called not a week into my MTC experience. Music is such a powerful tool, and I am grateful for the talents God has given me so that I can share my testimony through music.

And thank you for the pictures! The kids are growing up so much! Tell all of them that I love them and that I am praying for them, as I know that they are praying for me.

We had a little celebration for Memorial Day, as we had "fireworks" of poprocks, drank sparkling cider, and ate doritoes and oreos. Missionaries know how to party. It was fun, but i was really thinking about our own traditions and the importance of remembering. I don't just think that Memorial Day should be limited to those who fought for our country and our rights, but to remember the people before us, and the sacrifices they made in our behalf. That is what's so important about teaching children young about the gospel, because your actions will influence generations to come, and you want your posterity to honor your name and to carry the legacy of faith. Our pioneer ancestors sacrificed their lives in order that we could have the gospel. It would be selfishness and ingratitude towards our ancestors if we were lax on our service and faithfulness in the church.

And about faithfulness, Anyone who is reading this...DO YOUR HOME TEACHING!!! Last Sunday, we were talking about the priesthood, and how to be faithful in obtaining it. You can read it in D&C 84. It says that only if we are faithful in obtaining the priesthood, AND magnify our calling, THEN will you receive all that the Father has. Home teaching is a priesthood duty, and it shouldn't be taken lightly. Michael even taught me the importance of home teaching. So tell the ward that Elder Hoggan challenges them to have 100% home teaching and visiting teaching for this month. (Please notify me of the results) I am going to make home teaching a first priority when I come back home. 

One of the greatest things I have been learning here is about the Atonement, and what it means to me. Back home, I only had to worry about myself, and my progression in the gospel. Out here, I realize that I will be responsible for many people and their progression in the gospel. I hope that through me people will learn who to come unto in order to repent of their sins and because of my personal conversion in this gospel, it will affect the conversion of others. This is why there's an MTC. It's a place where you realize that you are going to be responsible for so many people's salvation, and you need to prepare yourself. I have learned so much about the Atonement, and that it is only though this that I can receive forgiveness for my sins. No other power in this Universe can forgive sin. The Atonement allows us to progress, and become more who we are meant to be. This gospel is progression and perfection. Only through Jesus Christ can we receive exaltation. There is no other way.

I love you all, and I love this gospel.

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)

P.S. Do your home teaching!