Sister Gibbons

Note from Aaron's mom: 
Recently we got to meet Aaron's "mission mom", sister Julie Gibbons.  She is the sister of one of my dear friends, Bonnie Gowers.  Although her reason for coming to Utah was a tender/sad one, I am so happy we got to meet her.  She is such a kind, spiritual woman, and I couldn't be happier that she is looking after my son while he is so far away.
Thank you, Sister Gibbons!!

Preparing for a future stake in Novosibirsk

I just have to say, that I was so glad to hear the grandchildren say Выбирай Истину. They said it so wonderfully! Tell them "Молоци!" (mall-a-tzi, which means good job) (I was afraid that I might have written it in English wrong. It is so much easier to write Russian IN Russian)

 

So what can I tell my family this week? Well, since you started off with how the grandchildren are going to choose the right, I will tell WHY we need to choose the right. I hope you children are all gathered around Grandma's iPad while she tells you what's new from Uncle Elder. Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, and He has given us commandments which help us to know how to be happy. Sometimes we might not know why we do them, but we have a promise that we will receive blessings because of it. I have seen that in my life.  The first blessing that comes from choosing the right is that I have the assurance that I made a right choice. As we go through life, like it is a foggy day, much like today in Novosibirsk. The fog is so thick, that you can't see where you are going. The commandments, the scriptures, prayer, and the rest of the gospel are like a iron rod, (sound familiar?) and that rod guides us through the fog. We may not know where we are going, but we know that it will be a good place.

 

With missionary work, choosing the right brings the blessings to yourself and to others. If missionaries didn't choose the right, they would not have the spirit with them. When you do something bad, you feel bad inside. The Holy Ghost can't be with us if we do something bad, so he can't help us. Without the Holy Ghost, it would be literally impossible to do the work here. Even behind a computer with my mission office responsibilities, the Holy Ghost helps me to know how to do things right. Also, choosing the right makes us examples. I have a good friend, Sasha, (remember that man who I talked to at the train station) and we have talked a few times. He always comments on my nice greeting on the phone. "Why do you always greet so happily?" I always try to compliment him, and he is grateful for it. What does this have to do with choosing the right? Because I followed the Spirit, complimented him, showed Christ-like love--now I have a friend. We hope to try to set up a meeting with him. I have shared spiritual insights with him on the phone and he is grateful for the nice words. I was just glad that I could make a friend, and share kindness.

What else happened this week? The biggest news in the mission is the preparations that are being made to put in an acceptance for a stake. We have to go to each branch and search the member lists, and see how many members there are, the number of priesthood brethren there are, just so we can put in the application, and show that we are ready to become a stake. Elder Harper and I have been busy making charts to record the progress made and to chart what is specifically needed. This way we can see what needs to be specifically done to make sure that all the branches and future wards will be strong and capable. President Gibbons went with some of the missionary leadership, and they went to Tomsk and Kemerovo, having a huge missionary week. They worked with all the missionaries, and made the area explode! There are so many people that have committed to baptism, and four guys in Kemerovo were baptized this week. It is cool to be able to be a part of it, even though I wasn't working alongside them. A lot of the time we are just in the sidelines, but it is worth it.

Also, Elders Anderson and Harrison are FINALLY going to Kazakhstan! They have been waiting for their visas since this transfer started, and they have been staying with us this whole time. We are so grateful that their visas finally got in, and they are in Omsk right now to pick them up. They leave this Thursday for Kazakhstan. (Hey Mom. I remember that there was a brother in our ward--Cory Nielson--who worked in Kazakhstan a lot, and he brought over some cheese before I left. Do you think it could be possible to get some connections with his work, since the majority of people in Kazakhstan speak Russian? It was just a thought. I wanted to be a doctor before I came out on my mission, but now I feel like that might change.)

Well, there was an interesting lesson in Priesthood Meeting. We talked about missionary work, and they asked us what may be the most difficult part of missionary work. Missionaries talked about hearing so many rejections, going up to complete strangers to talk about God, and struggling with communicating. One elder, who is a mini-missionary from Krasnoyarsk who is going to leave for a mission to Samara, said that the greatest help in missionary work is the members. Because if recent converts get too close to missionaries, what happens when those missionaries leave? They fall away. It is sad, but it is true sometimes. If members help missionaries by inviting their friends to hear, and to befriend those who are new to the church, then all is well, and the recent convert has support and friends to keep on the path to return to our Heavenly Father. Branch President Drachyov made a very important statement. There in the scriptures are mentioned fishers and hunters. In missionary work, some can hunt, instantly catching the prey, or fish, gradually enticing the prey. Missionary work doesn't mean that you need to yell at your friend's face "Would you like to know more about God?!" But the most effective thing is the little things. Invite them to dinner, and have a nice conversation. Have Family Home Evening with them. Invite them to a church activity. Invite them to church. I like the example I heard of a girl asking her branch president if she could give a talk in church so that she could invite her friend to hear. What an example!

I think the most difficult thing for me is not the many rejections that I get every day, talking to strangers, or talking in Russian. To me it is when you are teaching a person, and you see the message of the restored Gospel begin a change in their lives, but then they hit a struggle. This struggle may be a problem with a commandment, opposition from friends and family, or fear. Then they fall away, no longer want to hear. It is so hard, because you love them so much, and they are rejecting the thing that is most dear to you. It has happened many times as a missionary, and many a night my "tears water my pillow for the sins of this generation." What I have had to learn is to trust Heavenly Father, that though they might not accept the message at that moment, my efforts have not been to waste, and that it is just a step closer to them accepting the gospel later on in life.

Tell the Bells that I have been thinking about them, and praying for them. I have really appreciated the example of Daniel Bell as my bishop. I remember that it was when I shook his hand one time that I began to understand what it means to be called of God. I felt his spirit, and I could feel the power of his calling.

Tell the Porter family as well that I am thinking about them and praying for them. I remember Nolan Porter very well. I remember when he told us the story of climbing Mt. Rainer (if I am not mistaken,) and the struggles he had with his health problems. He was a great example to me. I know that everything will be well.

I love you all, and I hope that all is well with you. Read your scriptures, say your prayers, and CHOOSE THE RIGHT

Старейнина Хогган

Сибирский Посланник

District Conference

This last week was District Conference, and you will read more about it in the letter. What I want to focus on was the messages that Elders and Sisters Bennett, the Gibbons, and Elder Gushin all spoke about the importance of family. I just want to talk about how much I appreciate all of you and all of your examples. Sister Bennett talked about how her daughter was with her friend, and Sister Bennett waited for her daughter to come home every day. Her daughter apologized to her friend because they had to be home so early.  The friend replied that the daughter was lucky. The friend said that her own mom didn't know where she was, and this friend wasn't sure that her mother even cared. Thank you, mom and dad for all of the rules you gave to me, and even never had to give me. I never needed a curfew, because I knew what you expected of me, and I knew you loved me and were concerned for me. You also trusted me to make the right decisions. I made the right choices, because you taught them to me. Sister Gibbons talked about how to teach children. You need to first listen to them. They want to be heard, and if you let them talk about their problems, they will be more willing to receive your advice, because you show that you care about their opinions. Thanks for listening to my problems, and showing me love. The home should be a place of safety, a place where people can know that they will be loved. That is why I love my family. Wherever I go, as long as my family is near, I feel safe, and I feel loved. The Gushins said that families need to be friends. If the parents act as friends to their children, then they will be more willing to listen. I consider my family my friends, and I hope that this friendship can continue and strengthen when I return home. My greatest joy is my family. I remember what you put in our family room, 3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." "Для меня нет большей радости, как слышать что дети мои ходят в истине.' (dl-yah men-yah nyet bol-shay rad-octee, kock slee-shat, shto det-ee mah-ee ho-dyat v ees-tee-nyeh" I memorized this scripture when I share about how the gospel blesses families. Thank you so much, family, for being my family. I love you so much, and I pray for you every night.

*Sister Gibbons came to me, and told how grateful she was when you were at the funeral. She was very grateful for the support, and I hope that she said good things about me...not that I have been doing anything wrong... She couldn't send a hug, some strange rule that they aren't allowed to hug the elders...but all is okay.

*About the name tag...okay...I will get one. Would you like one that is a pin, or one that fits on a pocket? You didn't think you would have selection now, would you? Would you want even one that uses a magnet??

*I actually don't want anything else in a package for the time being. I will be home soon, and you could use the money for a better use...maybe a better laptop for me?? Maybe an iPad??  By the way, how much money would you want me to spend on a nativity set? I could get a handmade matroshka doll nativity, but I have to order it, and it would be more than 200 dollars. It is your money, and I want your counsel. They really don't have anything else like that in Russia.

For what happened this week:  I am SO glad that this week is over. All of the weeks of stress were all amounted up to this week. We had a district council, zone conference with Elder Bennett of the Seventy, and a district conference broadcast all in one week. I thought my head was going to explode.  The first was the District council. It wasn't my first, but this was a huge one, since almost all of the council was met together through the internet. Elder Harper and I had to set it up. Then having a member of the Seventy didn't do anything to settle my nerves. I think I had an ulcer through the entire meeting. I was praying so hard that the broadcasting system would work, so that we could show Elder Bennett how capable the District is in administering to the saints in this gigantic area. All went so well, and he was so impressed, as was I. How the church works is amazing. I had distinct impressions that I need to follow the counsel of these strong brethren in conducting such meetings. I guess that I might be in their shoes when I am older. They truly were working as one group, defining the problems in the district, and coming to conclusions. There was a great spirit of strength from these great leaders. President Ozhirelev was amazing as he led the group. I felt his spirit of leadership especially. I was grateful to work with him in setting up all the broadcasts.

Elder Harper and Elder Hoggan

Then Zone Conference was a huge...I don't even know how to describe it. How would you feel, if you were told that before a meeting, you need to make sure that everyone has clean, pressed shirts, shined shoes, clean suits, missionary haircuts, seating chart for the conference, everyone coming in half an hour early, quietly sit, then assemble for a picture, then immediately leave the building after the conference? I was terrified. We had to make sure that there were translators for all of the meeting, cleaning the building, it was just so stressful. I had no idea what to expect. I was afraid of him for a little while, but my fears were for naught. Elder Bennett is a great man, and he has a great spirit. He just tells like it is. He called all of us to repentance, saying that we were not being the missionaries that we were supposed to be. That was like a knife to the soul. His principle was that we need to do all that we can to consecrate our lives. It was difficult for me, since as an office elder, we rarely do any proselyting. We haven't taught a lesson to anyone for weeks. We have no investigators. We have no time to go out and teach people, because we are here to make sure that others can do missionary work. What I got from it is that no effort is wasted. Heavenly Father can use a smile to help someone receive the restored gospel. What I resolved to do is to do all I can to share the gospel with people, even though I most likely will not be able to teach them.

At one time, Elder Bennett wanted us to go out contacting, and me and another missionary, Elder Jones, went on the metro. I talked to this man Alekcei, and struck up a conversation. He never heard of our church, and commented how there were many different churches. I asked him a great question, "How can we know truth?" He told me that it was in the Bible. I recited James 1:5, saying that "if any of you lack wisdom, ask of God". I testified to him that truth was restored, and that a prophet is on the earth. He didn't believe me, and said that he would have heard that there was a prophet. I told him, "Well, now you know. That is why we are here." He wouldn't accept to learn more, but I remembered that I told him, "I don't want to force my faith on you. I want to share this message with my friends, because it is so important to me. You are my friend." When we bade farewell, I saw him deep in thought. I am not sure if he was thinking about what I told him, but I believe that he was thinking differently. Just being around people, I am helping others think about God, and think more about the purpose of life. That can be enough to help others. I hope that I can bring many to think about their Heavenly Father, since I am running out of time.

Right after the meeting, we needed to get tickets for the missionaries going to Novokuznetsk, and the train was going to leave in an hour. We had no time to get money from Elder Webb, so I had to use personal funds, but they were reimbursed soon afterwards. Things like that happen in the office, and it is just all part of the fun.

We have a lot more strict rules now. Cultural events or nights are completely out of the picture. It was ironic when you shared that picture of those missionaries going to a baseball game. A few days before the conference, we were planning to go to a hockey game. We are not now. It is hard, but sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven.

The broadcast of the District Conference went so wonderfully. The spirit was felt very strong, and the technology worked very well. This is a huge step for the District to become a stake. Elder Bennett told us that Sunday, that Elder Nelson of the Twelve was going to St. Petersburg to create the 2nd stake in Russia. We in Novosibirsk are SO close to a stake, it is so hard for me. Elder Bennett said himself that we were close, but not ready yet. We need to work harder.

I just think of what is required for a stake to be formed, and wonder if all stakes in the church keep those standards. Is Home Teaching 80%? Is everyone magnifying their calling? I so want these people to get a stake, and it won't be given to them until they are ready. I pray every night that Heavenly Father will allow me to be able to see the formation of the stake here, but it is His time and not mine. I ask for your prayers so that these people can live up to the challenge and become ready for the stake.

I KNOW that this gospel is true. When I get home, I am going to do all in my power to fulfill my duty in the church, with my callings, and priesthood duty. There is no excuse good enough to relieve us of our duty to our God. We should be willing to keep those covenants we made at baptism and in the temple. Do you remember what those covenants are? I know that this is HIs church. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. He is the Savior of the world. It is only through the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is distributed in His church, that we can be saved. I know that the scriptures are His word. He loves us so much. I covenanted to be faithful until the end of it all, and I dare not go back on that promise. I love my God too much to disappoint Him. May we all live up to this challenge.

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)
Старейшина Хогган (Сибирский Посланник)

He shall prepare a way for them...

What a week this has been, and what I have to say to you all.

First of all, last Monday, we had to pick up an Elder that was transferred from Kazakhstan to Omsk, and he missed his flight directly, so he came here to Novosibirsk. We had to get two Elders from Omsk to take a last-minute train here, and they left the next day. That was stressful, but all worked out.

What is really stressing me out right now is the District Conference that will be held this week. We will be broadcasting it on this church-created program called Vidiyou, or something like that. It is like a better version of Skype. We are in charge of making sure it runs smoothly. It scares me, working with such technology, and having such a conference in our hands. I don't know what my brothers did on their missions, but I feel like in the center of how the church runs. Regular conversations with leaders from across the globe, broadcasting, coordinating presidency meetings across the continent, this is tough!

Elder Bennett of the Seventy is here in Novosibirsk. Well, not right now. He is on a tour of the mission, and I think right now he is in Kazakhstan with President Gibbons. It has been really crazy here with this general authority. We are having a dual zone conference with him, and we are just trying to get everything nice and pretty for when he talks to us this Friday.

This last week, I just finished the Book of Mormon for the fourth time, and the newer perceptions and inspiration just keep coming. I have been thinking of Nephi, and how he had such faith. I don't know about you, but there are multiple times where I am overwhelmed, and I fall on my knees in exhaustion, and I ask "What's next?" How could Nephi have such faith to say, " I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them..."? I feel what helped Nephi increase his faith was his constant exercising of it. He prays multiple times, even right after the Lord softens his heart, when Nephi wanted to know the secrets of God, he prays in behalf of his brothers, that they can soften their hearts. Read and see how many times it talks about Nephi praying.

Nephi had a lot of unsuccessful events in his life. They tried twice to get the plates, even giving up all their possessions. He gets tied up and left for dead by his brothers. He breaks his bow. His brothers laugh at him for trying to build a boat. He gets tied up AGAIN by his brothers on the ship. One might think, 'If I am doing the Lord's work, why is nothing working?" I admit, I have had this thought poison my mind many a time, and really there is no answer. We can't comprehend what Heavenly Father has in store for us. The trials are necessary for growth and learning. I remember one time, I prayed to Heavenly Father, and asked, "Why is this all happening?" The craziness of missionary work is very draining. I distinctly remember feeling, "I have a great work for you, but you first need to go through the refiner’s fire." That is with all of us. Heavenly Father has a great work for each and every one of us. We need to be tried and tested to prepare us for when that time comes. It is like the fiery darts of the adversary. They are constantly beating us down, trying to get us to stop going forward. These fiery darts can be temptations, sicknesses, sin, just the daily unlucky things that happen in life. What doesn't matter is how many times you were hit, or even how many times you got up. It just matters is that you get up when that dart hits you. It is not worth complaining, worrying, or hesitating. Just brush off the ash, stand up, and continue walking.

We are in a war right now. The Adversary is actively fighting against us, and he is using every single weakness, every single vulnerable point in our spiritual defense. I see right now how real this war is. His weapons are many, and they come in many different views and varieties. I could not survive here without the basic things that we do every day. Prayer, Scripture study, these things are as crucial as food and water. I couldn't even make it more than a week without Church and partaking of the sacrament. These few things help reinforce our defense system. Without constant reinforcement, like what Captain Moroni did, we will fall. It is inevitable. We cannot afford to be careless for even one second. That is how powerful Satan is. But we have the assurance that if we do all we can, we are more powerful that he can ever be.

Я Живу. Поэтому я радуюсь. (Yah Zhee-voo. Pah-eto-moo, yah rad-oo-yoos) I live. Therefore I rejoice.  We live in such a wonderful time, when the Gospel is restored to the earth. Let us show our gratitude, and partake of the water and bread of Life. Let us remember our Savior, and apply His atonement in our lives, so that we may be made clean through Him. Of this I know and testify.

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)
Старейшина Хогган (Сибирский Посланник)

Elder Hoggan at Red Square in Moscow

 

Share the gospel with those you love.

Dear Family:

I have never been more stressed in my entire life. I am dealing with transcontinental transportation and visas of more than 80 people. This was the transfer, and new missionaries came in. 10 new missionaries came in, and we had to house all of them, while at the same time helping the other missionaries transfer to their new cities, we were up by 4:30 every morning and didn't get home until about 10:30 every night. We had to get taxis, transport people and their luggage to the train station and bus station, have them sleep at our apartment. In short, I am tired. It still isn't over. We also had to deal with missed flights, last-minute train tickets, and everything else. The new missionaries are really cool, and they just remind me when I first entered a mission. Just like a kid in a candy store. They all had huge eyes, and just had no idea what was going on. Regretfully, I didn't get any pictures with them, but there will be a double zone conference in about a week or so. Then I can take pictures of them.

While walking to the bus station, this man stops us on the way, and he asked if we were missionaries. He was interested in family history, and he knew that we have a great program. We shared information, and we will set up a meeting with him and the family history consultant. It just was a pleasant suprise.

There was a pretty cool experience this week. There is a female worker, who is a member here in Novosibirsk, and she had an acquaintance that she invited to talk with Elder Webb about the gospel. He is really religious. I ended up translating for him. This is an awesome man by the name of Alexander. Elder Webb pretty much taught him the Restoration of the Gospel, and I translated for him. This man was very interested, and he promised to come to church. Unfortunately, Office elders go to the other branch on the opposite side of the city, so I never got to see him, but he did come to church and took about half the library of church literature. He stayed for all of the meetings, and even stayed to watch a baptismal service that happened on the other bank. He really enjoyed church services, and I was glad to talk to him again. He is going to Irkutsk, which was a former city in our mission, but is now part of Vladivistok mission. We are sending him the informaton of the branch and missionaries, since he is going for a month. He even promised to come to church when he comes back.

The baptism was very nice yesterday. There were two baptisms Alekcei, and Alexander. What was really nice, was at the end the missionaries who taught them, stood up, shared their testimonies, and then gave them gifts by taking off their ties right off their necks. I thought that was a very nice gesture of love and support, as they want their investigators to faithfully come to church, and be dressed nicely. It was very sweet.

Then there was a very interesting experience during transfers. We were on the metro, leading some missionaries to the train station to catch their train to Novokuznetsk. I see this man on the metro, and I decided to talk to him. I find out he is not really interested in talking about religion, and he just seemed sad. I told him about our relationship with God, and that he loves us so much. That time we both exited the metro, and we went down stairs to get on another metro. I waved to him as we walked down. While waiting for the other metro, I look to the right, and there was the same guy, waiting for the metro again. I go over and strike conversation with him. I find out that he designs phones, so that they are comfortable, stylish, and workable. I shared a little about my family, which is growing by the second. (Tell Andrea Поздравлаю! (Poz-dra-vlah-you) Which means congratulations) Then we get off the metro and I asked him if he would be interested in talking more. He said no, but we parted shaking hands. Later, we are in the train station bidding the elders farewell, when I feel this tap on my shoulder, and it is the same man Sasha. I don't know how he found me, and how he knew which train we were waiting for. He gave me his telephone number, and said that he saw that I was just wanting to be friends. He asked if my goal was to preach. I said "My greatest goal is to preach the Gospel, but I want to preach it to my friends. I don't want to force my faith on you, but I just want to share what is important to me with those I care about." I bade farewell to my friend, and we called a few times, but it hasn't gone to us teaching him anything. We shall see. I just hope that I can make positive differences in people's lives. I am glad that I talked to this man, and probably made his day a little brighter, and made a friend in return.

I love you all, and I love this gospel. I love serving here, and I love these people. Please don't take the gospel for granted, because it is the most precious gem, the pearl of great price. That is why we share it, because we want others to have the same joy, the same riches as we do. I am so grateful for your efforts to share the gospel with those you love, and your examples. Please continue doing this, as you will find great joy.

Elder Hoggan

The Siberian Office Elder

I am grateful that I can be in the Lord's service.

I went to Finland again, in order to renew my visa. When I went to Finland a couple weeks ago, it was under the direction of President Gibbons, and he asked Elder Harrison and I specifically to go to help with visa issues.

 This trip to Finland was very special. We had a little time to tour Moscow, or more importantly, Red Square! We got so see St. Basil's Cathedral, which was so beautiful. We really couldn't get closer, because they were setting up an event which looked like a marching band competition. We took a train straight from the airport to red square. We also took a metro, which makes the one here in Novosibirsk like a child's maze. It was ridiculous. The craziest thing was being in Moscow at this moment, of all people, who did we see?  It was none other than Sister Kuznetsova, who was our teacher in the MTC! How could that happen? Unfortunately, we had no time to stay and talk for long, because we were going to miss our train back to the airport, and we didn't want to miss our plane.

 When we were in Finland, we went to this army fortress, which we as missionaries call “The Island” since you take a ferry to get to it. We had a lot of fun looking at old battlements, and even seeing the occasional person dressed up like old fashioned English person. I was expecting for pirates to just jump out of nowhere.

 When we got back to Novosibirsk, the bus that was supposed to pick us up wasn't there, and then it broke down on the way here, so we had to wait a long time for another bus to pick us up. Then when we got to the palace, five of us, including me got into the elevator. The rule is, you cannot have more than four people in that elevator. It got stuck, and the lights went out a few times. The elevator is about the size of a bathroom stall, and you have five grown men in the middle of summer in a giant metal box. I wasn't very happy. We were stuck for about an hour before someone came and opened the door for us. That was a nice welcome back to Russia. The weather is turning to the cold side right now. Fall is coming, and I am excited. You can do something when it is cold, such as putting on extra clothes. When it is hot, the most you can do is a short-sleeved shirt and you still sweat.

 Normally, there is only one companionship that will be stays in the palace. The palace is a giant apartment, and we can hold about 14 elders in there, which is good when visa trips and transfers happen. Right now, there are four elders, the old office elders, and my companion Elder Harper. This will be only for a few more days, until Elder Probst will go to Krasnoyarsk, and Elder Harrison will go to Kazakhstan. Then when the new missionaries come in, they and their trainers will be spending the night at the palace, which is about 14 elders all together. It is a nightmare. Then Elder Gushin will drive them to the mission home which is about 20 minute walk from the palace. That is the thing about being in Russia, you judge distances by walking. Most of the time, the shortest and easiest route is by foot, but then if it is too far you take a metro, or bus. Either way, you are going to be walking.

 I hope you like the pictures. (Note from Aaron’s mom:  we didn’t get any pictures!) I guess I don't have a lot to say this week. Just wait for next week, when all of the new missionaries will be coming in, missionaries will be coming in for transfers, and everything will just be crazy. I have not had a single day where I could relax. Every single day is full of craziness, and stress, and exasperated laughs. It is an entirely different ballpark, being an office elder. I just am grateful that I can be in the Lord's service.

 I love you all, and I hope that all is well with you.

Elder Hoggan