Dear Family,
Happy Valentines Day or С Днём Святого Валентина (ss-gnome- cvee-atovo- Valen-tee-na) (I hope that is the correct translation...) So They do in fact celebrate Valentine's day here in Russia, and it is pretty much the same way that we do, except I don't think they have those cute little valentines that Elementary School kids give out...I miss the sweethearts...
So what happened this week? We had a meeting with these people by the name of Maria and Alexei. Alexei, he is not really interested at all. They are about 50 years old, and Maria has some religious background with the Orthodox church here in Russia. We have had a member, by the name of Galina, come with us to their house, and she is amazing. She is over 70 years old, and she testifies so strongly that this church is true. It is amazing to see these people, who travel over half an hour to church in freezing cold weather. These people know that it is important. We tried to invite Maria to church, and we even said we would come over to go with her, but when we called, she decided it was too cold. That is the hardest thing about missionary work, is when people don't accept the things that will bless their lives. All you can do is invite others, not force them.
We met with this guy named Vitalli, who wants to become an archaeologist. He brought his girlfriend to the lesson, and we had a member Denis with us as well. We taught them the Restoration, and they were very interested, and they were willing to read and pray. The girlfriend even prayed at the end for us. We haven't been able to set up a second meeting at the moment, but we will keep in touch.
We aso met with a girl by the name of Nastia, short for Anastasia. She asked us to meet her in a bus as she went home from work, and so we met her there. It was hard for both of us to talk because we were sitting in a line and the bus was full, so Elder Ortner talked to her, and I talked to this guy next to us. He was drunk, and slurred his words, making it hard for me to understand. He was nice, but not interested. We can meet with Nastia anytime, but only on the bus, as she doesn't have any other free time. Whatever, you take what you can get.
We had a meeting with an inactive member which pretty much broke my heart. He has been a member since the church opened up in Moscow, where he lived for a time. He worked with mission presidents, been to the temple, and even met with some of the high authorities of the church, namely Elder Utchdorf. He has been inactive for many years, and he had let a lot of doubts creep into his heart, and he now can't support the Book of Mormon, and he even said he can't support the General Authority. I almost cried, because this man had partaken of the great blessings of the church, temple blessings, and met with such strong leaders of the church. I have realized that no one is safe from apostacy, and that it is SO crucial to do the Three Things (Scriptures, Pray, Church) These things will help when doubts, fear, and temptation come our way.
There was also a very fun branch activity. They had a branch family home evening where people showed their talents. Me, Elder Smith, and some of the sisters in the branch sang "Breaking Free" from Highschool Musical...I am so ashamed...no it was so much fun, and I even got to show some of my karate skills. People were very amazed, and it was just generally fun! An investigator, Olecia, came to the activity, and she really liked it.
Olecia came to the branch for English, and is wasn't happening then, and she agreed to have a meeting. We taught her the Restoration, and she was very interested. She is very faithful in her Orthodox faith, but she has a friend who is serving a mission in New York, and she has been to church, so there must be something.
Tonight, we are going to learn to make Plove. Dad, I recommend you to look up this dish, because it is so yummy. This guy from Afghanistan, Muman, who is from English, is going to teach us. (He agreed to take a Book of Mormon, and he came to church once, but we are not allowed to teach him because the church is not allowed to teach people of Israeli heritage, because of agreement we have made with them.)
I love you all, and I pray for you.
I hope all is well at home.
I am loving being a missionary, and I love these people.
Read, pray, go to church, Stand firm in the faith!
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)
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