I'm being transferred to Novosibirsk!

The next edition of the Siberian Messenger!

I got my transfer call on Thursday. I will be serving in Novosibirsk with Elder Varonkov, who is a native Russian. The first feeling I had was sadness, because I love Novokuznetsk, and I love the people so much!. But I know that there are people in Novosibirsk that I need to find and bring them to the knowledge of the gospel. I am also really excited to work with a native, because my skills in the language will explode! I am really grateful for the opportunity to increase my knowledge in the language, not just the missionary language, but hopefully being able to try to talk like a native!

New convert, Nikolai, with Elder Hoggan

Monday, I bought my coat! The big, fluffy, and furry-hooded coat! I hope you like the picture! It is very warm, so you don't need to worry about me freezing. For family home evening, we played Scrabble, but in Russian! It was pretty much the hardest game of Scrabble ever, and I want to buy it for when I come home. Let's see someone try to beat me at that game!

Tuesday, there was nothing special. I finally started that journal of my service for when I apply for college, and I write my lessons that I teach at English Club there. I taught them about how to call people on the phone, and the several million ways that you can say hello. (Hi, hey, howdy, yello, 'sup, yo, etc.)

Wednesday, we met with Vladimir, and he taught us some funny phrases in Russian. One of them, "oo matrosov, net vaprosov", which means "at sailors, no questions", and "tishe, mishe-kot ha krishe" which means "quiet, mouse. There's a cat on the roof' They are similar to like okey-dokey-artichokey, or see you later, alligator. I love it, and we say them all the time.

Thursday, we taught Nikolai about the priesthood, because he received it this Sunday. He is a great member, and a great friend. Then we had English Club, and I gave both the story and spiritual thought. I told a story about 2 fighting wolves, one good, the other evil, and the one you feed will win the battle. Then I testified of Joseph Smith. I really felt the Spirit, as I said that I would not want to fly thousands of miles to a foreign land, speaking a foriegn tongue, just to tell a lie, but that I knew it was true.

Friday, we had a meeting with my good friend Vecheslav. We told him about the prophet, and how we can know it is true. One thing he told me was "Why is your face so serious?" I never realized that my face turns very red and serious when I teach. It was a little embarassing to me, because this gospel is happiness! Fortunately, Vecheslav knows that I am happy, and that is why I love teaching people. I am just serious, because the gospel is serious to me. There is no other way to live eternally with our Father in Heaven than through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Saturday, we received a senior couple group Elder and Sister Holbrook, who will be serving in Novokuznetsk for a year. Elder Holbrook will be the branch president, as Elder Sperry will be an AP for President Gibbons. Elder Terry will be a trainer for Elder Harrison, and an Elder Kapps and a new elder will take the place of Elder Sperry and I. It is a great blessing to have senior couples in Novokuznetsk, and I think a lot of good will happen in that city. That is why when I am old, I want to serve a mission with my wife, especially in Russia again, so that I can bless the people even more. Senior couples have a different spirit about them that even young missionaries don't have.

But I saved the greatest news for last. Sunday, President Gibbons and Sister Gibbons and Elder and Sister Huffaker were there. The Huffakers were there to clean out their apartment. They would come to Novokuznetsk once every month or so, but with senior couples there, they will be staying in Novosibirsk. President Gibbons is an amazing mission president. He does everything that he can in Russian all on his own, which is very deserving of respect. I think that amazing things will happen in the Novosibirsk mission. But the best for me was when we ordained Nikolai to the Aaronic Priesthood. He chose me to ordain him. At first I was so honored, but then a little nervous, because there are some words I didn't know. But I quickly learned them, and I performed the ordination. Throughout the entire ordination, I felt peace and love. I have never felt the Spirit work through me in that way before. I know that Heavenly Father was ordaining His son through me. I was not even nervous, and the words just filled my mouth.

 Just think about it. I have been on a mission about 5-6 months, and I am able to ordain members to the priesthood. This is definitely the Lord's work. President Gibbons wanted me to say to you that the blessing was beautiful and without flaw. He also said that my line of priesthood authority includes Nikolai now. He can trace his authority through me, through Dad, through Grandpa Petersen, though Joseph Smith, Peter, James, and John, all the way to Jesus Christ. So Dad, you now have roots in Russia along with me. You have helped bring the Priesthood to a son in Russia. Nikolai is literally my brother in the Priesthood. I will never forget that moment.

Here is something to tell the Primary. Read the Scriptures every day. Keep a journal of your thoughts and impressions while you read. I like drawing pictures of what I read in my journal. Pray every day and night. Have Family Home Evening. Be nice to everyone, and find opportunities to share the gospel with your friends. All you need to be a missionary is a testimony of Jesus Christ. If you have that, you are already a missionary. You can help in this work. Be excited to serve a mission now, because missionary work is so much fun! (you can even give some excerpts from my blog to the children Mom. I think they would like to see pictures as well) This is Elder Hoggan, saying to the primary children, you too can serve a mission, and write to me how you a being a missionary where you live, as I am a missionary in Russia.

Finally, I love this mission,

I love you all, and I pray for you.

This gospel brings happiness to everyone.

Read the scriptures, in them are the words of God.

Elder Hoggan