Elder Patton went to Finland for the first time, and so I spent the rest of my time with Elder Sperry. Elder Sperry is leaving on Wednesday...You still have to wait another year, Mom. So there wasn't a whole lot of interesting things that happened this week.
It has been progressively colder here in Russia, but I came prepared. I have this new scarf that is longer than I am tall. It is crocheted green and black, like Wicked! It is so warm, and it feels like wearing a neck brace every time I have worn it. Russia weather still hasn't got the best of me, which I attribute to living in South Weber for several years. What difference is there?..oh wait, it's Russia!
So what else is there to talk about? I hope to give you more invormation when I am in Barnaul...oh wait! There will be a senior couple in Barnaul soon that have served there three times, and they have served missions FIVE times! Wow, I hope that I could at least serve once as a senior couple, but the future will tell.
This transfer, I want to focus on becoming holy. In Leviticus 44:11, it says, "sanctify yourselves and you will be holy, for I am holy" So be holy is to become like Christ, which all of us want to be like. In order to become holy, one must sanctify oneself. To sanctify is to sacrifice. I don't mean an animal sacrifice, but all of us have things that don't really help us to progress, be it sleeping in (That is not my problem, thank goodness) or it may be being quick to find fault. What needs to be done is to sacrifice those things we hold onto that bring us down, and we cleanse ourselves, and we will then have the power of God on our side. It is hard, but it is possible, because He will make us holy. That is my commitment to myself and to all of you, to sanctify yourselves, sacrifice something, and become holy. Will you make yourselves holy? (audible "yes" I expect, even though I am on another continent) I promise you that if you make yourselves holy, then your life will be so much happier and the Spirit will testify to you that this is true.
Along with my striving to be holy, I am studying the logistics of the Book of Mormon. The stories are cool, such as Ammon cutting arms off, Nephi cutting heads off, and others cutting each other up. Then there of course are stories of forgiveness, faith, and the blessings of the gospel. I want to learn more of the secular history and geography of the Book of Mormon. It is really fascinating and makes the Book of Mormon more alive. I had no idea that the people of Nephi left the land to settle Zarahemla, and then Zeniff went back to obtain that land, then Noah came to be, then after many years Limhi meets king Mosiah, and they rejoice for their lost brethren. It is so complex and intriguing. I am going to become an expert of the Book of Mormon!
So I believe that there are many good things that are soon going to come to pass. Whenever something great is going to happen, that is when Satan comes in and the work is harder. Our transfers started with no investigators. Now we have six, and two have baptismal dates! Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. I know that to be true. I want to sacrifice even more, and I can't wait to see the great blessings that will happen because of it.
I love you all, and I pray for you by name.
Until in Barnaul,
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)
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