Dear Family:

I hope that the answers I give for the primary children are enough. The difficult thing about this is that the people of Russia are not so different from us. They are normal people, and do all the things that we do.

What has happened this week?  Well, we were hunting for this member's house to get her Patriarchal blessing recommend, and we ended up walking in circles for an hour, and then came to her house, and met her lion of a dog. I was a little scared, but thankfully the dog was chained up. We also met the Noels, which is the couple from Ogden. You told me about them, and I just can't remember how you know about them. They are really nice, and we saw them off to their assignment in Krasnoyarsk. It is really nice to be able to meet all of the missionaries as they begin their journey of serving the Lord. They don't know what sort of wonderful adventure awaits them. As luck, or God's will, has it, Elder and Sister Huefner are missionaries that help with the financial work in the Eastern Europe Area, and I had to help translate several times to aid in the training with financial record keeping. Remember the Audit??? It was that all over again. I really wonder if Heavenly Father is preparing me to become an auditor instead of a doctor. I have had so much experience than I should ever have received in any other way at my age. I only thought that this stuff was for the old High Priests. J

What else? Oh, there were fires in Krasnoyarsk, and Omsk. Forest fires. All of the missionaries are totally okay, but the air here has been horrible for the past week. It was so dirty. There was a rain storm yesterday, and that cleaned up the air very nicely. How is everyone back home? Is everyone okay? I hope nothing burned down in Utah while I have been gone.

Last week we bought the sisters’ apartment, and this week we were furnishing it, meaning building a bed. It was so hot and sweaty building this bunk bed, and we didn't have the proper tools. In need of a hammer, we found this empty Tequila bottle to bang the nails in. It didn't break, fortunately, and we were so tired after that.

I am so humbled by the calling of being an office elder and the trust that He places in us. President Gibbons has so many concerns with the formation of a stake, Kazakhstan, and everything else. He needs us to help him lighten his load. It is such a calling of trust. Maybe we are not able to do a lot of proselyting, but what would happen if the mission president spent all his time proselyting? The mission would fall apart. The same thing is true with our part. I love serving here, and being so close to the Mission President. I have never worked harder on my mission before, and it is only the start.

Here are the answers to your questions for the Primary children:

Could you write both the Russian spelling and the English phonetical spelling of how you say Choose the Right in Russian?

Выбирай Истину (Vee-Bee-Rai Eee-stee-noo) It literally means "choose the truth" Vybiraiy Istinu

What do the children in Russia like to do for fun?

They like to play on the playground, play with wooden sticks like swords, and just play outside. Sometimes, they just like to walk and talk, or sit on a bench.

How is life different for Russian children (especially LDS children) than for English children?

Most children don't have their own back yard. Most children's families have what are known as a Дача (Dacha) Which is like a cabin, but it is smaller. They like to go to these cabins on weekends, and they work in a large garden, where they grow lots of fruits and vegetables. When going to church, most children take a bus with their family, and sometimes it is an hour away! Most branches have very few children, maybe 10, and they are all different ages. They love to sing songs, and they do the same things that you do in Primary. Children here go to school, like normal, but on certain days they have to dress up very fancy. The girls wear flowers and ribbons in their hair, and boys wear suits and ties. Children here learn English as another language.

 What do you call that furry hat again?

Шапка (Shop-ka)

What do you call a grandma and a grandpa in Russian?

Бабушка (Baboosh-ka) grandma Дедушка (Dead-oosh-ka) grandpa

What Russian toys do the kids play with?

They play with dolls, toy guns, play soccer, and on play grounds. What a lot of people like to do is just walk around and talk, or sit on a bench. Children love stories, and they read books as well, like about Баба Яга (Baba yaga) who is a witch that kidnaps children when they are bad.

What are favorite holidays in Russia and how are they celebrated?

There are some very fun holidays, such as Иоанна Копала (Ee-oh-ah-nah Ko-pah-lah). This is to celebrate the birth of John the Baptist, and how do they celebrate it? They get giant buckets of water, and throw them at people! It is fun, except when you are wearing missionary clothes. One time, this kid tried to scare us with a big bucket, but it was empty.
Then there is Маслоница (Mas-lah- nitza) Where they cook as much as they can with oil (Масло Mah-slo). You eat a lot of Блины (Blee-nee) or Russian Pancakes.
They also celebrate Christmas, but on January 7th. They celebrate it similar as to how we do. Father Frost is like the Russian Santa Claus. He comes to people's houses, and his neice helps him give out presents. They dance with the children, and play games as well.

What are favorite Russian foods?

You know about Blini, and Borchst. There are also Пирожки (Pee-rozh-key) It is a scone that is filled with cabbage, mashed potatoes, meat, eggs, or even jam. They are very delicious. The grossest food is Holladetz. This is a jello made out of the fat of pigs. They have chunks of meat as well. It is considered a delicacy in Russia, but I think it is plain gross.

How can the primary children be better missionaries to their friends?

The greatest thing that children can do is to be a good example. We all want to be like Jesus Christ, so think what Jesus Christ would do. Would he leave someone out of the game? Would he say something mean about another person? Would he read his scriptures and say his prayers? Another thing is to invite their friends to Primary activities, and even Primary at church. Think of how being in primary makes you happy. Other children would like to be happy, and Jesus wants them to be happy as well. Pray to Heavenly Father about who do you know that would like to come to Primary. Pray for help to invite someone, and Heavenly Father will help you.

What advice would you give the primary children about Choosing the Right?

When you choose the right, you have a promise from Heavenly Father that you will be happy. Do you want to be happy? Read your scriptures, say your prayers, have family home evening, and go to church. Be nice to others, and be their friends. You then will be happy. If you don't do those things, you will be sad. No one wants to be sad. Whenever you do something, remember Jesus, and what He did. He went and taught people, he healed those who were sick, and He blessed the children, one by one. He loves the children, and He wants then to be happy. He knows that if you live like He did, then you will be happy. No matter where you are from, from South Weber, Utah or Novosibirsk, Russia, You are children of Heavenly Father, and He loves you so much.

That's all for this week!  I love you ALL!
Elder Hoggan, the Siberian Messenger
Старейшина Хогган (Сибирский Посланник)