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