So Mom, there will be a thanksgiving feast, and everyone is told to bring a traditional dish, so could you send me the recipe for cranberry salsa? They actually have cranberries in Russia.
So what happened this week?...well that I have a new companion! Elder Patton. So I wish I could send you a picture, but if I remember, President Gibbons will send an e-mail with his picture. So he looks kinda like me... and pretty much he is the awesomest companion ever! He is from Ohio, and he is the oldest of 6 kids, while I am the youngest of 6 kids, go figure. He plays the violin, and the mission president is going to see if he can get a violin to share his talent with the people of Russia. He is also Italian, and he knows how to cook very well. How can you NOT like a companion that cooks? But really, we love all the same things, we love to sing, we love to read, he does gymnastics, and taught gymnastics! So he is so awesome!
I actually love being a trainer. New missionaries have such an excitement that is contagious. That is what we need in our mission right now. Our district is young, but we have boldly taken the responsibilities. It is amazing to see how everything is working. I haven't even felt scared for anything. So just wait, and we are going to have really amazing things happen.
Last week was district conference, and there was a broadcast for all the members in Russia. It was a little sad, since they couldn't have it in English for us, so we had to listen to the broadcast in Russian. But what we heard was very powerful. President Utchdorf talked to these people, and all he talked to us was to keep the commandments, to be worthy for a temple recommend. He showed how the For the Strength of Youth wallet-sized pamphlets and temple recommends are similar sizes. If we follow these little things, then we will be protected from the adversary. A youth following the For the Strength of Youth will eventually be worthy to enter the temple. Though maybe people won't be able to go to the temple very often, we should always have a current temple recommend with us. I can't remember where I heard it, but a temple recommend means that we are worthy to enter the house of the Lord. If we have a recommend, then we are worthy and ready to live with the Lord. There is no greater preparation for the Second Coming than to be worthy of a temple recommend.
He then told the young men to serve missions. That really struck home to me, because I know that my mission has blessed my life, and how the missions of my brothers and my Dad have blessed my life. These blessings of a mission will bring eternal blessings to their families. This is not just a message to the young men in Russia, but to all young men. Prepare yourselves now to serve a mission. I don't know how many times I have said this, but I can't think of any greater advice to young men. You have no idea what blessings missions give. You cannot afford to not serve a mission.
I don't know if Michael ever trained any missionaries while in Alaska, but I can't think of a greater calling in a mission. It is so wonderful to see this new missionary, and watch him succeed in talking to someone on the street, going through the day with excitement, and just full of energy. He really trains me. I feel a greater obligation to be a greater missionary so that he will see a good example. This desire to be a great missionary fills me with such hope and love for my companion and for the people we will be teaching.
One principle that Elder Patton taught me was the reason we pray in the name of Christ. Besides it being a commandment, Christ gave us His gospel, commanding us to live like He would. We are trying to be like Jesus. When we pray in Christ's name, we pray how Christ would pray. He prayed for others. Any other prayers not in the name of Christ are not accepted because they are from the desires of men.
We should focus on living our lives like Christ would, because that is happiness.
I love you all, and I am so excited.
God bless you all.
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)
No comments:
Post a Comment