Hey, sorry for the lack of letter last week, but now you will have a big fat letter, sent with love. First of all, we had a Baptism! Maria is the newest member of the branch. It was very amazing, and very spiritual. As the districtleader, I conducted the interview, and was I scared. This is a serious decision, and I didn't know if I was qualified to do what I thought was the duty of a bishop or someone else. Then in the interview, I felt like Christ was interviewing her, and I was just the mouth piece. I felt the Spirit testify that she was indeed prepared to make that covenant with God in the waters of baptism. The other elders were teaching her, so they would organize the service, but Elder Smith left for Finland, so we had to organize everything. It was a very stressful week, but it was all worth it for the ordinance.
Last week, I went on splits with the Zone Leaders, and I learned many things from them. First of all, I learned that Heavenly Father uses everything about you for missionary work. We were talking to this man, and he was interested since Elder Blake, my companion for the day, played basketball, which his son liked. Then he told us how his son wants to go to Scotland. Interested, I said how my ancestors are
Scottish. He went crazy and said something along the lines of...OHHHHH, give me your number! We were happy to exchange contact information. What this goes to show that God does indeed send His missionaries to where they need to go, even on a split with Zone Leaders. From Novosibirsk to Barnaul is about 4 hours by bus, and it was very hot on the bus and uncomfortable.Now the weather has become warmer. We don't wear coats anymore, and it is starting to dry up. It is strange. We don't clean our shoes from mud or snow anymore, but dust them off. I am starting to break out my short-sleeved shirts, and I still sweat. I forgot that Siberia can be hot, too! It is great that we don't have to wear coats anymore. The worst thing is that busses and other transportation still have on the heaters, with a bunch of bodies, we sweat a lot. I can't see how Russians don't sweat! They are still wearing winter coats, and I am dying in my suit coat.
We have begun meeting with members, and seeing if they know others with whom we could share the gospel. No immediate success, but then I get a call from Brother Klavakin about a referral. He met with a very successful businessman, and we met with his daughter. She was very nice, and we shared the message of the Restoration, and gave her a Book of Mormon. Then the branch president called me to give me two more contacts! The branch has their own website, and people visit it, and there is a place where people can ask for the missionaries to visit. We will contact them today, and maybe have new investigators.
Also this week was conference. We watched conference at the Holmes, while members watched it at the branch and at their homes. I really saw how this conference has focused on families, and the duties of the priesthood. There was not one talk about missionary work, if you were paying attention. Why is that? Because every boy knows that it is his duty to serve a mission, and they have been repeating it over and over. Do your duty, serve a mission. Do your duty, do your home teaching. Do your duty, magnify your calling. Do your duty, preside over your family in righteousness.
About family, I see how important it is more than ever. Every single talk in conference made mention about families. In a world of decaying values, the only real safety is in the family. I have seen that all ofthe problems in this world are rooted in the lack of family. Family Home Evening is not just a good thing, but necessary. We teach our children the gospel, so that they understand and can apply the gospel in their lives. Do our children know that they can receive answers to prayers? Do they know that Jesus Christ atoned for our sins? Do they know the Book of Mormon is true for themselves? That is the responsibility that we all have. Teach your children, because they are an heritage unto the Lord.
I love you all, and I love my family especially. I am grateful for your example, and I hope that all is well with all of you.
Elder Hoggan
The Siberain Messenger
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