Always Choose the Right- Выберай Истину (Vee-berr-aye ee-ctee-noo)

Mom, thanks for the pictures! It is just so hard to find time to actually share the pictures I have taken. We have to go about 30 minutes to use the internet. I will try as hard as I can, but I can't promise anything. Don't worry, I haven't lost my camera. I had to get a new bag as the zippers and strap broke on my other one. I will try to use my card for personal purchases. Also, just so you know, it is really goofy in Russia to have the ear flaps down on the hats, only really old people do that. People my age have the flaps up, because it is stylish. Just so you know. I think that will be a cool idea to have my other self talk! I will try to send something.
Elder Duncan and I became companions on the 15th of March, and Elder Smith and I were companions from the 8th of March until the 15th. It was very interesting and awesome. Could you also pray for Elder Smith? Ever since this tranfer started, he has been sick, and we think it has been a sort of food poisoning. I am fine, so don't worry about me. I just ask for your prayers for him.)

Hello everyone
The weather is warm over there? Well, the weather is SOMETHING here. The weather can't decide if it wants to be winter or spring, it has been windy and cold, and wet and rainy. It is snowing huge chunks outside right now, and they are just melting. It took a lot longer than usual to travel back here to Barnaul, as the traffic was horrible. The sidewalks aren't the best, so there are huge puddles and mud everywhere! It is gross, and sometimes it is very stinky. The weather is warm, actually above freezing, but so wet! One time, a bus went in a pot hole and got our pants soaked! It was the same bus which we had to get on. We were covered in dirty water, and with nowhere to dry off, but that is nothing in the life of a missionary.
Just so you know, I am leaving tomorrow for a Leadership Conference, so this will be my third time in Novosibirsk in about three weeks. I have never been this busy in my life, and I am tired! But being tired is a good thing, because it means you are working hard.
Well, we have a few new investigators! Actually found on last monday, right after emailing you. His name is Arcy, or something like that, and I still don't know. Elder Duncan with Elder Topham (one of the assistants to the president) met with him, and his mother was there as well. He is about in his 20s and he is studying to be a doctor. He actually speaks really good English, which suprised me when I talked to him on the street. He and his mom were very interested in the message, and they promised to pray about it. They wanted to come to church, but he was sick. We hope to meet with him again.
Then we met with two brothers Armen and Arman (Ar-men and Ar-mahn). Yeah, it confused me for a while as well. They were old contacts from the area book that I called, and then they randomly called us back, and wanted to meet us that same day. They were interested in English, but then I asked if they would be willing to listen to our gospel message, and they agreed. They are very religious, and have studied about religions. They realized that the orthodox church here has not kept with some of the basic principles of the gospel found in the bible, and they believe that a lot is missing from the bible. Unfortunately they talked a lot, and we were not able to share all we know about the Restoration. They have potential as well.
The other elders have an investigator with a baptismal date, which is a miracle, because this person would not agree for a long time to a date. She also has a lip and tongue piercing, which she mentioned herself and wasn't sure if she was willing to get rid of it. One day, we see her, and she took it out! She personally made the decision to remove it, and hasn't worn it since! She is very wonderful, and the members love her. I will have to conduct the interview as the district leader, and it is exciting.
Elder Duncan is awesome. He is a good example to me, and he helps me to strive to not waste time. If we have no meeting at a time, what a good time to contact some people! He is still unsure about his capability to speak the language, but I was exactly the same when I hadn't been out too long. He has a strong testimony and he is bold, which is exactly what we need here. A mission in Russia is not for the weak of heart. I walk on the wild side. I laugh in the face of danger! Ha Ha Ha!
Also this Sunday, I helped Elder Holmes perform an audit for the branch. He doesn't know a lot of Russian, so I was there to help translate. In the end, I was actually really involved in the audit, translating, and helping writing down on the paperwork. It was a wonderful experience to see some of the organization of the church, that they take real good care of the finances, and are very organized. It was the longest three hours in my life, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Elder Holmes was very grateful for the help, and the branch president even said that this experience is just another step closer for me to becoming a bishop or stake president when I return home....oh no...
We also had a very interesting happening. We had no meetings on Saturday, and to not waste time, we went out contacting people. No one was listening, and while we were out, I get a call from a recent convert, and she asked if we could meet. Not one to turn down a meeting, I readily agreed, and we set up a meeting at the Holmes place later that day. While walking to their apartment, we actually met with her right on the street! She walked with us to the Holmes, and then met with her. She has had many questions, about the second coming of Christ, other doctrine such as our potential to become Gods, and she even talked about how an aquaintance gave her some anti-mormon material. She is still faithful, but it was good that we met to help her answer her questions. She is the only member in her family, and that is hard.
We have a new branch president, President Pertzevoi, who is amazing. In church, he testified that though he is not perfect, he knows that he is called of God to be the Branch President. I felt the Spirit testify to me that it was true, and I was happy for the branch. God always calls His leaders, and endows them with power and with revelation. Though I am not perfect, not in the slightest, I know I was called of God to serve in Russia. I know I was called to be a district leader, and a trainer.
Always Choose the Right- Выберай Истину (Vee-berr-aye ee-ctee-noo)
I ask for your prayers, and I will pray in return. I love you all, and I love these people.
Let the work go forward!
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)