You're Invited.....

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Well, Family, This is the end...

This last week was probably the craziest ever. First of all, being zone leader in Novokuznetsk, there was a zone leader council on Saturday. They are doing a major construction on the train station here in Novokuznetsk, so practically all of the night trains have been canceled. I knew about the council meeting for a while, but then on Wednesday, we got a call from the Office Elders saying that we needed to get the tickets to leave Friday morning, and that I would stay in the city of Novosibirsk until Wednesday when I would leave for home. That was a major blow to me, as I wouldn't be able to say farewell to members and investigators. Nevertheless, we got the tickets, and tried to get in touch with everyone about my leaving. It was actually really nice. The members got together at the last minute and we were able to say our goodbyes Thursday night.

We got to meet with Maxim who is doing really well. He is making progress, but the biggest obstacle will be his job. It is sad, but that turns out to be a major stumbling block. In his job, he really doesn't have any choice on what to drink. He can't bring his own beverages, and the only thing they serve is black tea. We asked him to ask his boss about any possible ways to bring his own packets of herbal tea, in order to keep the commandments. It is a step. I am really going to miss him, because he is so sincere, and wants to be a full partaker of the gospel.

We got to meet with Pavel, the old investigator, who was busy fixing up his new apartment. He lives really far away, about an hour by bus. (What will it be like to drive a car again, and not solely rely on public transportation?) It was great, because we haven't met with him for several weeks, but only kept in touch on the phone. We are planning to keep in touch by e-mail. I have really enjoyed his conversations, and because of him I learned about the simplicity of the Gospel, and the power of the Book of Mormon. He would come up with complex questions, and the beautiful simplicity of the Gospel always prevailed. He is as good man, and I hope he fully accepts the gospel in time. He admits he doesn't know all things, that he may, in fact,  be wrong, and committed to read the Book of Mormon.

In zone council, President Gibbons talked about baptism and what it means. Baptism is so beautifully simple, but then it is so majestically complex. I never fully realized the complete meaning of baptism, why it is performed in such a way, what it signifies, and what takes place. I love how President Gibbons connects everything with the temple, from his years of temple service. He compared baptism to the temple endowment, as the visual aspect of baptism teaches us more about the plan of salvation. Someone enters the water, rejecting the clothing and other burdens of the world, only wearing the simple white clothing. They enter the water with the one to perform the ordinance, as if Christ himself is performing it, as the man says, "Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ." With the burial, the cleansing by water of baptism, blood of the Atonement, and fire of the Holy Ghost, the person is reborn, ready to begin a new life, a life in Christ. It was so inspiring, and I am sad that I will not hear anymore counsel from my beloved Mission President.

It is because of President Gibbons that I have a firm testimony that all people in the leadership of the church are called of God. I know the prophets and apostles have been called of God, but to personally know a man called of God has shown me that God calls His leaders in their strengths, and even in their weaknesses. I know that Heavenly Father wanted President Gibbons to be my mission president. His counsel has changed my life.

Heavenly Father is so merciful towards His children. The night that I was going to leave for Novosibirsk, I got a call, saying that President Gibbons wanted me to return to Novokuznetsk for Sunday services. At first so frustrated because of all of the preparations we had gone through, packing, saying farewell, and other things, but then I was so grateful to be able to say a big farewell to everyone. We went on a bus, and got in about 11:00 Saturday night, ready for the following Sunday. The branch president asked me to speak, and I agreed, even though I had nothing prepared. Everyone chuckled when I got up, because they knew the crazy week I had, but they were glad to see me one more time. I shared a talk about the tree of life, what it signifies, and what we need to do. I felt the spirit guide me and direct me as I shared my final words, and I know the Spirit was present, testifying that what I was saying was true. It was truly a miracle and a mercy from a Loving Heavenly Father.

It's over. I knew that my mission would eventually end—but you get lost in the work and don’t think about it until it’s actually here, and it comes too soon. To those who are serving or planning to serve- relish your missions. Live in every single moment, and use the time given to you by God to do a marvelous work and wonder. Two years is not a long time at all, and it ends. So many stories, so many memories, and so many friends. I have only shared a fraction of what has occurred in this short period of time, and I would need a lifetime to share all of them. But all stories sum up that this gospel is true.

I love you all,

God be with you till we meet again.

Farewell to Novokuznetsk

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)