Monday, January 28, 2013

Instruments in the Lord's Hands

Dear Family,

This by far has been the most productive week I have had here in Novokuznetsk. First I want to say that I finished reading the Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, Guide to the Scriptures, and Preach my Gospel in Russian for the second time. If you don't remember, that is about 5,000 pages of text. (Not to be bragging, of course :) I am just glad I was able to finish this time, as I don't think I will have enough time for a third round. But I will finish the Book of Mormon 12 times. I finished number 9 today, so the rest will be a cake walk.

In a call to our friend Pavel (We still haven't met with him again, as he is really busy...) He had a lot of questions. He had prayed like I asked him the last time, but he neglected to read the Book of Mormon. I bluntly told him, "If you want to know truth, you need to read the Book of Mormon." I have actually seen a change in my life directly connected with the Book of Mormon. I know that it is a true Book.

There is an investigator, named Maxim, who is impossible to meet with. He works in the mines, and he never knows if he will have a break or not. He is amazing though. He reads the Book of Mormon like clockwork, and prays every day. He has said how much those things have helped in his life. He even stopped smoking himself. This just shows the power of the Gospel. People can literally change, and become "new creatures". I feel so badly that Maxim is unable to come to church because of his work schedule.  We can’t really do anything about that, so we just have to wait and support him. Despite that, he is a wonderful person.

Nikolai actually helped us on that meeting, which was a major plus. Nikolai had met with him once before, and in the lesson, he said, "I remember you from last time. I see that there is a light in your eyes. You look happier, lighter, more at peace...I know that this gospel is true, because it gives me hope for the future, and has made my life better." Maxim had concerns about baptism, and Nikolai said, "Be baptized. It will be the best decision you have ever made." Yeah, that's my bud!

President Gibbons came to give us missionaries training, as well as training to the branch. He is implementing new plans towards the creation of a stake. I wish I could tell you all the things he told us, because it is genius. It is based on principles of goal setting, and levers to achieve such goals. It really excited us missionaries, and even the members. I felt beforehand, "Yeah! A stake! ... What do I need to do to help with this?" I felt like a chicken with its head cut off.  Now, we have a goal as missionaries towards the stake. We are focusing on using members to help find people to teach. Just with this new goal, I have seen a difference in the work. We are getting meetings, we have new people to teach, and it has only been a few days. It is weird how things can change immediately, a complete turnaround.

President Gibbons also told me that I will remain in Novokuznetsk the remainder of my mission, which is such a joy to me. I remember when I first served here, I thought, "I started my mission in Novokuznetsk, and I will finish my mission here." I am grateful for this tender mercy from the Lord, and am ready to serve till the end.

Sister Dement and Sister Sowards
We also had a music night for a finding activity. It doesn't hurt that you have missionaries that have sold their own original CD's or studied opera in college at your disposal. (Elder Bowler even composed a song for the evening!) I am just the average church piano player, church choir singer. Whatever. J  It was a great time, and many people came, and members brought friends as well. They loved it, and especially loved the salad that I made for the end.

You know that Heavenly Father works in the most curious of ways? Our newest investigator is our good friend Vitali. One day, we get a call from the sisters about this guy who was at the branch. We came over, and see this 24 year-old guy. We find out he found an English invitation at his sister's house, and decided to see what went on here. He was interested in our message, and we set up a meeting for the next day. We met and discussed the Restoration with him, and Pavel (Recent converts) helped on the lesson. It was really cool, for at the end we knelt down, and he gave a closing prayer. I thought in my mind, "Yes!" We invited him to the music night, he came, and to church. Vitali did come to church, but only to sit in on Priesthood meeting. Nevertheless, that is major progress. We are meeting with him today, so he is молодец (Mal-lah-detz, which means "good jobber").
 I am just grateful for the opportunity to serve, and see how the Lord works in my life, and in the lives of others. There are seen and unseen forces that are preparing these people. I have seen that none of my efforts as a missionary have directly influenced someone. Everything that has happened on my mission was by the hand of God. I have never really understood the term "instruments in the Lord's hands" before. Really, I am just like an ax. It is worth nothing by itself, as it cannot wield itself and cut a tree by itself. Only in the hands of someone is the ax of any worth. I am nothing, until I am in the hands of my Father. But through me, the wonders of the Lord can be made manifest. The wonders of the Lord are made manifest in us publicly, as we bear testimony or render service to our fellow men. Mostly, the wonders are silent and still, as the softening of a heart, or the wayward soul made repentant. How wonderful are the wonders of the Lord! I am grateful to be a tool, that I can make these wonders manifest in others, as well as in myself.

I love you all.
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)

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