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.
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
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