The Power of Prayer

Dear Mom, Dad, Family, Friends, Nobles, and Countrymen! Lend me your ears!

That was pretty scary for Britton to be left alone off of the train, but it is another testimony of the power of prayer. Every time I think of the grandkids, I think of them kneeling next to their beds with their families, and they say prayers in my behalf. I don't think there is any greater power than a child's prayer.

I think that is why missionaries are successful, because they pray so much. It is so crucial to pray always, and for every occasion. But then with prayer you have to show your faithfulness through work.

Elder Washburn is awesome. He plays the piano, like me, he sings, like me, he likes fitness, like me, and he is tall, but not as tall as me.  He is funny and loves a good joke. But the most admirable quality of his is his dedication to the work. Even during these last few weeks, he is focusing on helping people, even if it means that he won't be able to teach them later. He leaves at the end of the month for home. I still have a long way to go, and a great adventure waiting for me.

I have grown such a love for the people I teach. Most of our investigators are the ones Elder Washburn taught, and I just came in the middle. One of my favorites is Vladmir. He is probably in his 40's or 50's, and he loves the gospel. Every time I talk with him, I just get a good feeling. (Which is amazing because I might only understand half of what he says!) I know that he is chosen to be taught. It doesn't mean that it will be easy, but it will happen. I really hope I can meet with him through the whole process. I don't know if I will stay in Novokuznetsk when Elder Washburn leaves, but I hope to.

Our investigator, Pavel, has many concerns about the gospel. He is very learned in the Bible, and constantly compares the Book of Mormon with it. One thing people need to understand when learning about the gospel is that you can't put the Bible and Book of Mormon against each other. They complement each other. What seals them together is faith. What we will be focusing with Pavel is how to receive an answer whether or not this gospel is true. No one can study the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and then decide whether or not the gospel it true until they sincerely pray about it. Prayer, again, is so important.

We had a senior couple in Novokuznetsk this week. The senior couples go through all the cities in our mission, and they teach English, teach in our discussions with us translating, (I even helped to translate for them!) and they feed us. Their names are the Huffakers, and they are from Colorado. Elder Huffaker is a full-on cowboy, which everyone in Russia loves. He shows them how to lasso and rope. It's really fun, and the people get a kick out of it. Senior couples have a very special spirit, one of dedication, years of faithfulness and experience, and long love for each other. Even with us translating for them, their messages are powerful. So I hope that when I am old, that I can return to Russia, and teach them with my wife. Mom, Dad, I would highly recommend that if you are able to serve a mission, do it. Every talk in the MTC, the speakers would commend the senior couples, and say how they need more couples serving. So, think about it.

One thing that Elder Washburn taught me is the importance of work. Work not only brings results in getting contacts, but also blessings in other ways. I don't know how, but God blesses us in different ways than what we thought. Elder Washburn said that many times he and his companion would go contacting, trying to get new investigators, but their efforts were fruitless in that area. BUT, they saw so many blessings as investigators would all-of-a-sudden progress and want to get baptized, old investigators want to hear the gospel again, and inactive members would start coming back. God blessed them because of their faith, based on their needs. That is my focus now, is to make more of an effort to speak to people on the street. I hope not only to get contacts, but to receive blessings for our investigators now.

There is one family, Curik and Marina, they have a daughter, and we have met them many times on the street. We haven't taught them, because other things get in the way, but they wanted to meet with us and we were dedicated to always try to meet with them. We saw them walking as a family, and I just had a good feeling about them. Elder Washburn had talked with them for a long time, but he also felt the same way that moment. We plan to meet with them today, which I pray will be successful.

Finally, one member, Sasha, is getting ready to serve a mission. She is an amazing person. She already speaks very good English. It's cool to see someone go through the things I did, preparing for their mission like I had.

Tell everyone I love them, I am praying for them.

The gospel is true.

Always pray.

Finally pictures...

Dear Family, Friends, and whoever might be reading this NEW EDITION OF THE SIBERIAN MESSENGER!!!

I actually wasn't entirely truthful about why I didn't send pictures. Yes, there is a problem with viruses, but the real reason is because I accidentally left my camera in Novosibirsk in our hurry to catch our train. But don't worry, I have it now, so the pictures are a little outdated. I will send more.

One picture is of me and our Branch Presidency at the MTC. The names from left to right is Bro. Mansfield, Cranney, and Childs. They were really awesome, especially Bro. Childs who was such a help to me at the MTC. I was really blessed.

The picture of me and the short elder is Elder Mantell, who is from London. I thought Dad would like to see him, and he is going to Yekaterinburg, Russia. The only foreigner in our branch.

The metallic-wirey building is the Moscow airport. That was my 1st look of Russia. Cool, huh?

The building that says something like MEBEL is a furniture store.

Russia is a bunch of apartments, and the picture of the apartment was a favorite of mine, because of the fancy design.

The orangish old-fashioned building looked pretty, so there you go.

The other old-fashioned building is actually a train station. It was cool as well.

The building with a chicken and POCTNK'C That is "Rostik's", which is Russian KFC.

Then there is a picture of our district, and our teachers Bro. Savage and Sis. Kuznetzova. Interestingly, Kuznetzova is a name meaning "smith" just like Novokuznetsk, which means "new blacksmith. The magic wand I made, because she really likes Tinker Bell, and I was bored one P-day.

The picture of a lot of elders is all the elders that left that week.

The other pictures will be on other e-mails.

So for what happened this week, our investigator, Pavil, came to church, which is a BIG plus. I also gave a talk that day about the role of families in the gospel. I did a pretty nice job. We will keep teaching him, and I really hope that he will accept baptism. He is really interested in our message, and is amazed how the Bible supports our message.

There is a man by the name of Dima, who was in the hospital. We came by and I annointed him for the blessing. I did it in Russian as well. He knew the elders for years, and this experience has him examining what we are teaching, whether or not the gospel is true. The next day, he called about how much better he felt, which shows the power of the Priesthood. I felt the power as I laid my hands on his head. He wasn't healed immediately, but I knew that he was going to be okay. That's the beauty of this gospel, we are speaking another language, but the spirit and power are still there.

Also, Elder Washburn and I held a fast on Sunday in order to get more help to find people to become investigators. The next day, we celebrated Uri Ivanovich's 74th birthday "Den Rozhdeneeyeh". An inactive member, Aleksi, came by and wanted to talk with us. He wanted to read the Book of Mormon with us and come to church. It was really cool. We really hope that he will come back to full activity. We just don't find people to baptize, but bring inactive members back to the gospel.

English club is so much fun, and I make a lot of friends. Every Tuesday and Thurday, we hold the club. At the end, we have story time translated by a member of the club, and then if people want to stay, we have a spiritual thought to tell of our purpose as missionaries. I shared a message of family, and how they are such a blessing to me. That families should teach their children to do good. I testified that families could be together forever.

I wish I could write more, but I need time to send pictures.

I love you my family and friends!

The gospel is true.

Miracles do happen.

Prayer works.

Elder Hoggan (Siberian Messenger)

P.S. Mom, how are the Ridgeway's doing? I just been thinking about my work here as a missionary, and I thought of them. Have the missionaries gone to their place? Either way, have them go over to their house (make sure their member friends are there as well) and tell them that Elder Hoggan sent them there to share an important message. The same message I am giving to the people of Russia, and that he wants them to hear it. It was just a thought.

Listen to the Holy Ghost

Let me just say first, that I LOVE TEA!!!

Now you can all sit down and be calm. I am keeping the commandments, and it would be foolish not to. In Russia, people don't drink tap water, just because it isn't safe. They drink a lot of tea, which is fine if it is a certain kind. Any black or green tea has the tea leaf in it and of course, we don't drink it. The tea members drink is herbs, such as ginger, and dried fruit. These things are perfectly safe, and are delicious. If you want to try herbal tea, make sure to put lots of sugar. All I have to say is that drinking herbal tea is so much better that drinking Mate! :)  It even says in the D&C that "mild drinks" are perfectly fine in the eyes of the Lord. Trust me, it's delicious!

In getting to Novokuznetsk, we took a train, which was my first train ride, and it was 8 hours long from Novosibirsk. We got to the city about 4 in the morning, we got a taxi, and we got to the apartment and slept until 6:30. Our apartment is small, but nice. The hot water never runs out, except when they clean the pipes. For a couple weeks in the Summer, they turn off the hot water, so they can clean the pipes that bring it. That happened this week, so we have freezing cold water in the mornings. It's awesome.

We have an amazing investigator, named Vacili, who is like "The Chosen One". He doesn't drink alcohol or coffee, smoke, or use drugs, which is one in a million in Russia. Elder Washburn knew him before I came, and he was reading the Book of Mormon, and he said that he had a good feeling when he read and prayed. He also has a slight stutter, which went away when he was reading. We testified that it was the Holy Ghost, and that he could feel that every day if he was baptized. He said yes! All he needs to do is come to church every Sunday this month, and we plan to teach him all the lessons. If everything goes right, He will be baptized at the end of this month. It's exciting!!

On Mondays, we have Family Home Evening at the branch, since many of the members don't have families of their own. Last Monday, we had "Nipponski Vecher", or Japanese Night. We made sushi, and drank herbal tea, which is when I found my love for herbal teas. It's funny, that the first time I have sushi, I am in Russia...go figure...

A funny moment happened. Elder Washburn had some American candy from his family for his Birthday, and he brought Pixie Stix to share with others. He gave some to two kids, and they ate them outside the branch. A babooshka (you call an old lady a babooshka, and they expect to be called one as well) saw them and thought that they were taking narcotics. We told her it was American candy, and she grumbled as she went away. It just was a funny moment.

Even funnier, during Nipponski Vecher, a person from English Club came and brought a present for Elder Washburn's birthday. She isn't a member, and when she gave it to him, she tried to kiss him on the cheek. Of course Elder Washburn got out of the way, and nicely said that those things aren't allowed. The present was a picture frame, and we put a picture of Joseph in Egypt trying to get away from Potipher's wife, just to remind us to stay away from temptation... It is okay to laugh!

My last experience I want to share is when we were talking with Andre. He is a pastor and is very firm in the bible. He read the pamphlet about the Restoration, and he wrote down scriptures to explain why this church is wrong. When he would talk, he got louder and louder, till he was almost shouting. He really seemed to just want to argue. At the end, I felt impressed to bear my testimony, and I simply stated in a still small voice that I followed what it says in James 1:5, and I received an answer that this church is true. There was power in my words, even without the loud volume. I don't know how he felt, but I felt it. I knew it was true. He called me a "Horoshi Chelovek" which means "Good Man". The lesson from this is that's how the Holy Ghost works. It's not loud, it's still, small, and powerful. There is power behind the words. And that is what converts the people, that power. My words didn't bring the power, but it was through them that the Holy Ghost was able to show His power.
I love you all, this Gospel is true

Listen to the Holy Ghost, for He is power.

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)

Greetings from Novokuznetsk!

Dear Family and Friends back in the United States:

You are all excited to hear what I have to say from the land of Russia, so I hope I can tell you as much as I can. Davaite (Let's do it!)

I LOVE RUSSIA. That is the first thing I have to say about my mission thus far. I love everything about Russia. I love the food, the houses, the culture, the language, and the people. The only two things I do NOT like are the mosquitoes and the traffic. You would never think there are mosquitoes in Russia, but there are. Second, the traffic is scary. There is no such thing as right-of-way for pedestrians. If they allowed us to drive cars in this mission, I wouldn't. But I am alive and happy.

Right now I am serving in Novokuznetsk, which is the youngest city opened in this mission, opened 2006. There is one branch, and my companion Elder Washburn, is the Branch President. I don't really know how many members there are, but there are some stellar people.

First, Elder Washburn is the most amazing trainer ever! He is totally dedicated to the work, and he is making me take part in it as well. I don't know how he does it, to juggle Branch duties, and be a missionary, but he does. I have learned so much from him. One thing that makes him so awesome is that he makse me part of things. I have no idea how to talk to people, but he makes me stretch and I do talk to people. He is from Chicago, which is interesting, because most of the missionaries Russians meet are Utahns. It is fresh and new, especially since more people know Chicago over South Weber. Go Figure.

It's terrifying trying to talk to people, but it works. The people in Russia are the nicest people ever. I couldn't talk to people in America, but in Russia, they are genuinely nice people. You don't know each other, and they treat you like a best friend. They LOVE learning about people's families, which is why we need those pictures. The pictures are almost as important as the scriptures, and I bring them everywhere. 

Pictures you generally see of Russia are pretty accurate: there are a lot of apartment buildings, and they are filthy on the outside. The insides are actually pretty nice. They are not 5-star suites, but they are quite livable. Another thing about Russia is that there is a LOT of beer and cigarettes. Everywhere you go, people are drinking and smoking. It hasn't bothered me at all.

Our Branch building is a small building, about the size of our family room. The people that used it demanded we keep the SALON sign up on the front, so we call it the Salon Spacenye, which is the "Salon of Salvation." (You have permission to laugh.)  Some of the members are stellar, especially Kurill, Sasha, and Uri Ivanovitch. Kurill served a mission in Salt Lake City, but had to come back early for some health problems. He is 20, I believe, and a total goof. He is so funny, and we make fun of each other. He is awesome at speaking English, and he makes fun of the language. Casha is a sister who is preparing to serve a mission, which I think is amazing. I see these people, and where they live, and to have the faith to serve a mission is beyond my belief.

English club, we have every Tuesday and Thursday, is awesome. We have different groups of different levels of understanding, and then at the end we have a story that is translated by someone from the club, and then we have a spiritual thought. I shared the story of when Mom accidentally used liquid soap instead of oil in making enchiladas. They don't have a word for enchiladas, which made it fun to explain. They laughed.

Uri Ivanovitch is a really old man, who doesn't have a good memory. We read from a illustrated version of the Book of Mormon. I believe that I sent one home in a package. It has a bunch of small pictures in it, and easy explanations as to what is happening. His brain was probably affected from many years of drinking, but his Spirit is so pure and simple, like a child. He's like a sweet dedushka (grandpa).

We have one investigator, named Pavil, who seems really interested in learing about the church. We met him while contacting on the street. We were at the Branch Building, and we called him, he had time right then, and we taught him a lesson. I hope things work out with him.

On Sunday, we had a turnout of 11 people. It didn't matter to me, because the Spirit's the same. I had no idea what they were saying, but I felt it. That is what's so amazing about this gospel. Languages can be different, but the message is the same, and the Spirit is the same.

I will try to send pictures, but I will have to see how. It can be dangerous to send pictures, because you don't know what viruses they have on these computers. We can't even put our flash drives in the Mission President's computer because the viruses will spread.

I don't have anymore time, I only have 30 minutes to e-mail, but I love you all, I am really happy being here. The food is good. The gospel is true. Serve a mission, you men! It's for your own good! Tell the ward I said that.

PAKA (peace, or bye)

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)

Letter from Aaron's mission office:

23 June 2011
Dear  Parents:
We just want to let you know that your son has arrived in the Russia Novosibirsk Mission safely.  He has arrived in great shape despite the  approximately 36 hours in transit.
The process includes leaving the MTC around 5:30 AM on Monday morning, leaving the Salt Lake City Airport, flying through New York or Atlanta to Moscow, spending 12 hours in Moscow applying for a second passport then boarding a Russian airline at 10:30 PM for a flight arriving in Novosibirsk at 5:30 AM Wednesday.  Keep in mind that we are 13 hours ahead of Utah  in the city of Novosibirsk.
He has been met by President and Sister Trejo, fed breakfast, and been put to bed for a few hours, oriented over 2 days and sent to his assigned city.
The Novosibirsk Mission is larger, in area, than the United States.  We have missionaries in six cities and transfers involve  long  bus and train rides.  Because of the difficult conditions and incredibly long distance from their mission president these faithful missionaries serve in, this is known as a Green Beret mission and requires "outrageously obedient" missionaries.  We are so grateful that your valiant son has been sent here to join this work.  In your letters to him will you remind him of the honor it is to serve in such a mission.
Here is how the mail gets to your missionary.  All mail comes to the office and although this address is slightly different from what may have come in their missionary packet, this is the address suggested by Olga, one of our Russian office staff.  Russian addresses go from the largest entity to the smallest.
Russia 630102
Novosibirsk
46 Kirova Street
Russia Novosibirsk Mission
The name of your missionary

The mail collects here until either zone conference, once every 6 weeks, or until someone is heading that way for transfers or other meetings.  If something is very urgent, you are better off using email that they get to check on their Wednesday P-days, usually in the morning.  They only get an hour on the internet to receive and to send and they are allowed to only write one letter for family and one to the mission president.  It is suggested that others send via pouch mail to Salt Lake(single sheet tri-fold) or send to the office address.  Please be sure that you write weekly emails to your missionary and then as an added bonus, packages and letters.  Be aware that packages can take 2-2 ½ months to arrive at the office and then it can take 6 weeks to get it to the missionary depending on where they are serving.  Be sure to plan ahead for Christmas so think of sending in  September or October.


The first missionaries to serve in Russia arrived on 26 January 1990.  The first official recognition of the Church in Russia was granted to the branch in Leningrad on 13 September 1990 with republic-wide recognition being granted on 28 May 1991.  The Russia Novosibirsk Mission was formed July 1994 so it is almost 17 years old.  It is a fairly young mission and it is exciting to work with members that are very strong in spirit and small in numbers.
Thank you for your son.  We will take good care of him.

Attached are pictures of him, his trainer and President and Sister Trejo and the group.


Sister McCauley
Russia Novosibirsk Mission Secretary

I got to Novosibirsk safely!

Dear Family:

Right now I am typing this e-mail from the Mission Home, so yes I got to Novosibirsk safely. I met Elder Eborn, and he is really a great elder. Ever since entering Russia, I have had a love for the land and for the people. Russia is such a beautiful place, and I hope to be able to send some pictures later, but I don't have a lot of time, so I will just write. But don't worry, I took a LOT of  pictures.

This has also been a time of little miracles for me, for when we were waiting for our last flight, it began to rain very hard, even though the sun was still shining. This is about 10:00 at night, which was very beautiful. but our flight was being delayed, and I said a quick prayer that we would be able to make it to Novosibirsk on time, and almost immediately it stopped raining, and we began boarding the plane. I don't know if the rain did delay our flight, but it still was a miracle to me.

I love the people of Russia. We actually met a member, named Yulia (Like Julia), at the Moscow airport. We talked, and then shared a scripture about faith. She told us about how she couldn't find her money to fly to her parent's, she looked everywhere, but couldn't find it. She prayed, and she immediately found it. I am so glad we shared a message to her, because there are so few members in Russia, and I think seeing us, and hearing us be missionaries strengthened her testimony and faith. As missionaries, we have a responsibility to bless the members as well as everyone else. We also talked to a woman named Svetlana, which means "Light". She knew English, and she was very nice to talk to. We shared a short message, and gave her a pass-along card to go to mormon.org. She seemed interested, so I hope that this planted a seed of faith. Look at your little boy, already a missionary!

I love talking to the people, they are such great people. I only have a little time left, so I just want to say I'm safe, I love you, this gospel is true, and I am ready.

From your little missionary, Elder Hoggan

(The Siberian Messenger)

Note from Elder Hoggan's Mom

As I took Aaron's last package to Speedy-Pak to send to him before he leaves for Russia, I told the guy behind the counter that this would be the last one.  We've gotten to be pretty good friends.  He's seen me on a weekly basis for eleven weeks now.  I've been trying to spoil Aaron now since the postage (and security) of packages to Russia is so prohibitive.  Anyway, the guy asks me if I am a little nervous to send my baby to Russia.  I admit, yes, it is pretty far away and really foreign.  Anyway, to try to reassure me, he said, "You know, you're sending off a boy, and he'll come home a .... cosmonaut!"  I guess that's better than a communist!

We got to talk to Aaron on the phone this morning for about 15 minutes before he boarded the plane to Atlanta, then to Moscow, then to Novosibirsk, then to.....well, stay tuned, it will be fun for us all to find out his first assigned area.  It was great to hear the excitement in his voice and even hear what sounds like great Russian.  (Even though we know he's in for a shock when he lands in Russia and wonders what language they taught him in the MTC.)  I know I have to not worry and put my trust in the Lord.  After all, Aaron is HIS son first, and was only on loan to me.  But, a few prayers for his safety would still be appreciated!  :)