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)