Hey, sorry for the lack of letter last week, but now you will have a big fat letter, sent with love. First of all, we had a Baptism! Maria is the newest member of the branch. It was very amazing, and very spiritual. As the districtleader, I conducted the interview, and was I scared. This is a serious decision, and I didn't know if I was qualified to do what I thought was the duty of a bishop or someone else. Then in the interview, I felt like Christ was interviewing her, and I was just the mouth piece. I felt the Spirit testify that she was indeed prepared to make that covenant with God in the waters of baptism. The other elders were teaching her, so they would organize the service, but Elder Smith left for Finland, so we had to organize everything. It was a very stressful week, but it was all worth it for the ordinance.
Last week, I went on splits with the Zone Leaders, and I learned many things from them. First of all, I learned that Heavenly Father uses everything about you for missionary work. We were talking to this man, and he was interested since Elder Blake, my companion for the day, played basketball, which his son liked. Then he told us how his son wants to go to Scotland. Interested, I said how my ancestors are
Scottish. He went crazy and said something along the lines of...OHHHHH, give me your number! We were happy to exchange contact information. What this goes to show that God does indeed send His missionaries to where they need to go, even on a split with Zone Leaders. From Novosibirsk to Barnaul is about 4 hours by bus, and it was very hot on the bus and uncomfortable.Now the weather has become warmer. We don't wear coats anymore, and it is starting to dry up. It is strange. We don't clean our shoes from mud or snow anymore, but dust them off. I am starting to break out my short-sleeved shirts, and I still sweat. I forgot that Siberia can be hot, too! It is great that we don't have to wear coats anymore. The worst thing is that busses and other transportation still have on the heaters, with a bunch of bodies, we sweat a lot. I can't see how Russians don't sweat! They are still wearing winter coats, and I am dying in my suit coat.
We have begun meeting with members, and seeing if they know others with whom we could share the gospel. No immediate success, but then I get a call from Brother Klavakin about a referral. He met with a very successful businessman, and we met with his daughter. She was very nice, and we shared the message of the Restoration, and gave her a Book of Mormon. Then the branch president called me to give me two more contacts! The branch has their own website, and people visit it, and there is a place where people can ask for the missionaries to visit. We will contact them today, and maybe have new investigators.
Also this week was conference. We watched conference at the Holmes, while members watched it at the branch and at their homes. I really saw how this conference has focused on families, and the duties of the priesthood. There was not one talk about missionary work, if you were paying attention. Why is that? Because every boy knows that it is his duty to serve a mission, and they have been repeating it over and over. Do your duty, serve a mission. Do your duty, do your home teaching. Do your duty, magnify your calling. Do your duty, preside over your family in righteousness.
About family, I see how important it is more than ever. Every single talk in conference made mention about families. In a world of decaying values, the only real safety is in the family. I have seen that all ofthe problems in this world are rooted in the lack of family. Family Home Evening is not just a good thing, but necessary. We teach our children the gospel, so that they understand and can apply the gospel in their lives. Do our children know that they can receive answers to prayers? Do they know that Jesus Christ atoned for our sins? Do they know the Book of Mormon is true for themselves? That is the responsibility that we all have. Teach your children, because they are an heritage unto the Lord.
I love you all, and I love my family especially. I am grateful for your example, and I hope that all is well with all of you.
Elder Hoggan
The Siberain Messenger
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
I am so sorry, Mom! My e-mail to you was just deleted! I thought it would automatically save it in a draft, but it didn't! I don't have a lot of time to write, and I just feel so bad. We are only allowed to use e-mail for an hour, so I can't write more. I will fill you in next week. I just wanted to say how important family has been to me. President Gibbons really wants us to focus on teaching families, to get the strength needed in the branches. We have had some really good conversations with families, and how the gospel blesses them. I know for a fact my life is better, because you taught me the gospel. I have been giving out Family-Proclamaion to the world, and I know what the First Presidency said is true. We cannot receive any lasting happiness in this life or in the next without our families. What else? We taught this member family, Kovtini, and they are a really amazing family. They have wonderful children, and we just had a great time talking, and we shared a spiritual thought about how the gospel blesses families. We commended them for teaching their children, because we knew that the blessings from the gospel are endless.
We went on splits with the Zone Leaders, and it was a blast! These elders have very fun personalities, they are laid back, chill, and just everyone talks to them. They are really hard workers, and I just say surfer personality because Elder Carr IS a surfer. I love working with other missionaries, and learning how to do missionary work better, because I for one am not perfect.
I love you all, and I am sorry for the short e-mail. I will write an especially long one next week, full of spiritual experiences.
Elder Hoggan
We went on splits with the Zone Leaders, and it was a blast! These elders have very fun personalities, they are laid back, chill, and just everyone talks to them. They are really hard workers, and I just say surfer personality because Elder Carr IS a surfer. I love working with other missionaries, and learning how to do missionary work better, because I for one am not perfect.
I love you all, and I am sorry for the short e-mail. I will write an especially long one next week, full of spiritual experiences.
Elder Hoggan
Monday, April 2, 2012
New Area Authority Seventy: Yuri Gushin!
Dear Family
First of all, I wanted to say...YAY! I just recently heard that in conference, there is a new member of the Area Authority Seventy, named Yuri Gushin, who is from Novosibirsk! I served in his branch, and he is an amazing member. You have no idea how I reacted when we went over to a member's house for home teaching and they told us the news. This is just another step closer to having a stake. I hope you got to see him. Now there is a Russian Seventy, next there will be a Russian Apostle!
Well, what happened this week? Oh wait, I was in Novosibirsk again! Just so you know, I am leaving for Novosibirsk today to go on splits with the Zone Leaders. That will be my fourth time going to Novosibirsk since this transfer started. The work of a missionary never stops!
We had trainership meeting, and it was amazing. President Gibbons compared the building of the Salt Lake Temple to the building of the stake here in Siberia. it took 39 years to build the outside. That is like the building of the foundation, or the building of the district. The prophet challenged the people to finish the temple within a year, and they did! President Gibbons firmly believes that there will be a stake here in Siberia, and that it could happen within a year. I want to see the formation of this stake, and I might even ask for an extension to my mission in order to see it. I know it is not my choice, for it is the Lord's will, but that is how I feel about it.
President Gibbons continued about our duties as leaders to receive revelation. We need to be 100% worthy and in tune to receive that crucial revelation. I have never really realized how powerful revelation is. As a district leader, I have definitely received guidance, and it is amazing. The hand of God is literally directing this work, and I have seen it.
We have a new investigator, and his name is Oleg. He was actually taught by the missionaries a while ago, and for some reason they stopped. He has a wife and daughter, and he is a manager for a coal mine. He loves the Book of Mormon, and he has come to church a few times. He is such a nice guy, and we hope to meet with his family. We invited them to church, but they were unable to attend. I really hope that they will accept the gospel, as our branch desperately needs families.
Being here in Siberia, where the church is so young in its growth, I have seen the necessity of programs such as Family Home Evening, and Home and Visiting Teaching. If we fulfilled these callings to the full potential, there would be fewer less active and inactive members of the church. These programs are to save souls, which is our duty.
I hope to start a finding activity, to find families. The church really wants missionaries to use family history to find new investigators, and I had some ideas. We don't have a family history center in Russia, but we could hold a seminar. People here are really interested in their ancestry. I am planning to set up booths on the street, and inviting people to learn more about family history, and about the websites that the church owns. Did you know that you can index Russian documents? Returned missionaries are doing that, and what would be a greater use of time that to help index documents? I really want to get involved in that when I return...in a year's time.
Four days, and I will have been a missionary for a year. Wow how time flies. I can't believe what I have learned and experienced here. There is no greater experience for your life than a mission. I have learned things that I could never learn by myself. I have seen the hand of God literally guide and direct my life. I have seen people change their lives, and how much more wonderful and full their lives are thanks to the gospel. This is literally the work of God. I have literally had a feeling, and when I acted upon it, miracles happened! I have discovered that we are in the company of prophets and disciples. In a way, missionaries are prophets, and their service is their dispensation. President Gibbons called me a "boy prophet" much like Joseph Smith, called to build His kingdom in the far reaches of Siberia. I don't know how this work could be accomplished by someone as young as me, unless God was with him.
God lives, and His Son Jesus Christ is our Savior. There is no other power upon the earth that we can be forgiven of our mistakes and sins. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ DID reveal themselves to Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is literally the word of God. This gospel is true, and I could never deny it. Families will be together forever. Death has no power upon us. I can't wait until we can all meet together again, to live in an eternal family in eternal happiness. My job right now is to try to get as many people as I can to return with me. Please stay faithful to this gospel, because life is nothing without family, and family is everything in the gospel.
I love you all, this gospel is true.
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)
Старейшина Хогган (Сибирский Посланник)
First of all, I wanted to say...YAY! I just recently heard that in conference, there is a new member of the Area Authority Seventy, named Yuri Gushin, who is from Novosibirsk! I served in his branch, and he is an amazing member. You have no idea how I reacted when we went over to a member's house for home teaching and they told us the news. This is just another step closer to having a stake. I hope you got to see him. Now there is a Russian Seventy, next there will be a Russian Apostle!
Well, what happened this week? Oh wait, I was in Novosibirsk again! Just so you know, I am leaving for Novosibirsk today to go on splits with the Zone Leaders. That will be my fourth time going to Novosibirsk since this transfer started. The work of a missionary never stops!
We had trainership meeting, and it was amazing. President Gibbons compared the building of the Salt Lake Temple to the building of the stake here in Siberia. it took 39 years to build the outside. That is like the building of the foundation, or the building of the district. The prophet challenged the people to finish the temple within a year, and they did! President Gibbons firmly believes that there will be a stake here in Siberia, and that it could happen within a year. I want to see the formation of this stake, and I might even ask for an extension to my mission in order to see it. I know it is not my choice, for it is the Lord's will, but that is how I feel about it.
President Gibbons continued about our duties as leaders to receive revelation. We need to be 100% worthy and in tune to receive that crucial revelation. I have never really realized how powerful revelation is. As a district leader, I have definitely received guidance, and it is amazing. The hand of God is literally directing this work, and I have seen it.
We have a new investigator, and his name is Oleg. He was actually taught by the missionaries a while ago, and for some reason they stopped. He has a wife and daughter, and he is a manager for a coal mine. He loves the Book of Mormon, and he has come to church a few times. He is such a nice guy, and we hope to meet with his family. We invited them to church, but they were unable to attend. I really hope that they will accept the gospel, as our branch desperately needs families.
Being here in Siberia, where the church is so young in its growth, I have seen the necessity of programs such as Family Home Evening, and Home and Visiting Teaching. If we fulfilled these callings to the full potential, there would be fewer less active and inactive members of the church. These programs are to save souls, which is our duty.
I hope to start a finding activity, to find families. The church really wants missionaries to use family history to find new investigators, and I had some ideas. We don't have a family history center in Russia, but we could hold a seminar. People here are really interested in their ancestry. I am planning to set up booths on the street, and inviting people to learn more about family history, and about the websites that the church owns. Did you know that you can index Russian documents? Returned missionaries are doing that, and what would be a greater use of time that to help index documents? I really want to get involved in that when I return...in a year's time.
Four days, and I will have been a missionary for a year. Wow how time flies. I can't believe what I have learned and experienced here. There is no greater experience for your life than a mission. I have learned things that I could never learn by myself. I have seen the hand of God literally guide and direct my life. I have seen people change their lives, and how much more wonderful and full their lives are thanks to the gospel. This is literally the work of God. I have literally had a feeling, and when I acted upon it, miracles happened! I have discovered that we are in the company of prophets and disciples. In a way, missionaries are prophets, and their service is their dispensation. President Gibbons called me a "boy prophet" much like Joseph Smith, called to build His kingdom in the far reaches of Siberia. I don't know how this work could be accomplished by someone as young as me, unless God was with him.
God lives, and His Son Jesus Christ is our Savior. There is no other power upon the earth that we can be forgiven of our mistakes and sins. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ DID reveal themselves to Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is literally the word of God. This gospel is true, and I could never deny it. Families will be together forever. Death has no power upon us. I can't wait until we can all meet together again, to live in an eternal family in eternal happiness. My job right now is to try to get as many people as I can to return with me. Please stay faithful to this gospel, because life is nothing without family, and family is everything in the gospel.
I love you all, this gospel is true.
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)
Старейшина Хогган (Сибирский Посланник)
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Siberian Winter  |
Monday, March 26, 2012
Always Choose the Right- Выберай Истину (Vee-berr-aye ee-ctee-noo)
Mom, thanks for the pictures! It is just so hard to find time to actually share the pictures I have taken. We have to go about 30 minutes to use the internet. I will try as hard as I can, but I can't promise anything. Don't worry, I haven't lost my camera. I had to get a new bag as the zippers and strap broke on my other one. I will try to use my card for personal purchases. Also, just so you know, it is really goofy in Russia to have the ear flaps down on the hats, only really old people do that. People my age have the flaps up, because it is stylish. Just so you know. I think that will be a cool idea to have my other self talk! I will try to send something.
Elder Duncan and I became companions on the 15th of March, and Elder Smith and I were companions from the 8th of March until the 15th. It was very interesting and awesome. Could you also pray for Elder Smith? Ever since this tranfer started, he has been sick, and we think it has been a sort of food poisoning. I am fine, so don't worry about me. I just ask for your prayers for him.)
Hello everyone
The weather is warm over there? Well, the weather is SOMETHING here. The weather can't decide if it wants to be winter or spring, it has been windy and cold, and wet and rainy. It is snowing huge chunks outside right now, and they are just melting. It took a lot longer than usual to travel back here to Barnaul, as the traffic was horrible. The sidewalks aren't the best, so there are huge puddles and mud everywhere! It is gross, and sometimes it is very stinky. The weather is warm, actually above freezing, but so wet! One time, a bus went in a pot hole and got our pants soaked! It was the same bus which we had to get on. We were covered in dirty water, and with nowhere to dry off, but that is nothing in the life of a missionary.
Just so you know, I am leaving tomorrow for a Leadership Conference, so this will be my third time in Novosibirsk in about three weeks. I have never been this busy in my life, and I am tired! But being tired is a good thing, because it means you are working hard.
Well, we have a few new investigators! Actually found on last monday, right after emailing you. His name is Arcy, or something like that, and I still don't know. Elder Duncan with Elder Topham (one of the assistants to the president) met with him, and his mother was there as well. He is about in his 20s and he is studying to be a doctor. He actually speaks really good English, which suprised me when I talked to him on the street. He and his mom were very interested in the message, and they promised to pray about it. They wanted to come to church, but he was sick. We hope to meet with him again.
Then we met with two brothers Armen and Arman (Ar-men and Ar-mahn). Yeah, it confused me for a while as well. They were old contacts from the area book that I called, and then they randomly called us back, and wanted to meet us that same day. They were interested in English, but then I asked if they would be willing to listen to our gospel message, and they agreed. They are very religious, and have studied about religions. They realized that the orthodox church here has not kept with some of the basic principles of the gospel found in the bible, and they believe that a lot is missing from the bible. Unfortunately they talked a lot, and we were not able to share all we know about the Restoration. They have potential as well.
The other elders have an investigator with a baptismal date, which is a miracle, because this person would not agree for a long time to a date. She also has a lip and tongue piercing, which she mentioned herself and wasn't sure if she was willing to get rid of it. One day, we see her, and she took it out! She personally made the decision to remove it, and hasn't worn it since! She is very wonderful, and the members love her. I will have to conduct the interview as the district leader, and it is exciting.
Elder Duncan is awesome. He is a good example to me, and he helps me to strive to not waste time. If we have no meeting at a time, what a good time to contact some people! He is still unsure about his capability to speak the language, but I was exactly the same when I hadn't been out too long. He has a strong testimony and he is bold, which is exactly what we need here. A mission in Russia is not for the weak of heart. I walk on the wild side. I laugh in the face of danger! Ha Ha Ha!
Also this Sunday, I helped Elder Holmes perform an audit for the branch. He doesn't know a lot of Russian, so I was there to help translate. In the end, I was actually really involved in the audit, translating, and helping writing down on the paperwork. It was a wonderful experience to see some of the organization of the church, that they take real good care of the finances, and are very organized. It was the longest three hours in my life, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Elder Holmes was very grateful for the help, and the branch president even said that this experience is just another step closer for me to becoming a bishop or stake president when I return home....oh no...
We also had a very interesting happening. We had no meetings on Saturday, and to not waste time, we went out contacting people. No one was listening, and while we were out, I get a call from a recent convert, and she asked if we could meet. Not one to turn down a meeting, I readily agreed, and we set up a meeting at the Holmes place later that day. While walking to their apartment, we actually met with her right on the street! She walked with us to the Holmes, and then met with her. She has had many questions, about the second coming of Christ, other doctrine such as our potential to become Gods, and she even talked about how an aquaintance gave her some anti-mormon material. She is still faithful, but it was good that we met to help her answer her questions. She is the only member in her family, and that is hard.
We have a new branch president, President Pertzevoi, who is amazing. In church, he testified that though he is not perfect, he knows that he is called of God to be the Branch President. I felt the Spirit testify to me that it was true, and I was happy for the branch. God always calls His leaders, and endows them with power and with revelation. Though I am not perfect, not in the slightest, I know I was called of God to serve in Russia. I know I was called to be a district leader, and a trainer.
Always Choose the Right- Выберай Истину (Vee-berr-aye ee-ctee-noo)
I ask for your prayers, and I will pray in return. I love you all, and I love these people.
Let the work go forward!
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)
Elder Duncan and I became companions on the 15th of March, and Elder Smith and I were companions from the 8th of March until the 15th. It was very interesting and awesome. Could you also pray for Elder Smith? Ever since this tranfer started, he has been sick, and we think it has been a sort of food poisoning. I am fine, so don't worry about me. I just ask for your prayers for him.)
Hello everyone
The weather is warm over there? Well, the weather is SOMETHING here. The weather can't decide if it wants to be winter or spring, it has been windy and cold, and wet and rainy. It is snowing huge chunks outside right now, and they are just melting. It took a lot longer than usual to travel back here to Barnaul, as the traffic was horrible. The sidewalks aren't the best, so there are huge puddles and mud everywhere! It is gross, and sometimes it is very stinky. The weather is warm, actually above freezing, but so wet! One time, a bus went in a pot hole and got our pants soaked! It was the same bus which we had to get on. We were covered in dirty water, and with nowhere to dry off, but that is nothing in the life of a missionary.
Just so you know, I am leaving tomorrow for a Leadership Conference, so this will be my third time in Novosibirsk in about three weeks. I have never been this busy in my life, and I am tired! But being tired is a good thing, because it means you are working hard.
Well, we have a few new investigators! Actually found on last monday, right after emailing you. His name is Arcy, or something like that, and I still don't know. Elder Duncan with Elder Topham (one of the assistants to the president) met with him, and his mother was there as well. He is about in his 20s and he is studying to be a doctor. He actually speaks really good English, which suprised me when I talked to him on the street. He and his mom were very interested in the message, and they promised to pray about it. They wanted to come to church, but he was sick. We hope to meet with him again.
Then we met with two brothers Armen and Arman (Ar-men and Ar-mahn). Yeah, it confused me for a while as well. They were old contacts from the area book that I called, and then they randomly called us back, and wanted to meet us that same day. They were interested in English, but then I asked if they would be willing to listen to our gospel message, and they agreed. They are very religious, and have studied about religions. They realized that the orthodox church here has not kept with some of the basic principles of the gospel found in the bible, and they believe that a lot is missing from the bible. Unfortunately they talked a lot, and we were not able to share all we know about the Restoration. They have potential as well.
The other elders have an investigator with a baptismal date, which is a miracle, because this person would not agree for a long time to a date. She also has a lip and tongue piercing, which she mentioned herself and wasn't sure if she was willing to get rid of it. One day, we see her, and she took it out! She personally made the decision to remove it, and hasn't worn it since! She is very wonderful, and the members love her. I will have to conduct the interview as the district leader, and it is exciting.
Elder Duncan is awesome. He is a good example to me, and he helps me to strive to not waste time. If we have no meeting at a time, what a good time to contact some people! He is still unsure about his capability to speak the language, but I was exactly the same when I hadn't been out too long. He has a strong testimony and he is bold, which is exactly what we need here. A mission in Russia is not for the weak of heart. I walk on the wild side. I laugh in the face of danger! Ha Ha Ha!
Also this Sunday, I helped Elder Holmes perform an audit for the branch. He doesn't know a lot of Russian, so I was there to help translate. In the end, I was actually really involved in the audit, translating, and helping writing down on the paperwork. It was a wonderful experience to see some of the organization of the church, that they take real good care of the finances, and are very organized. It was the longest three hours in my life, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Elder Holmes was very grateful for the help, and the branch president even said that this experience is just another step closer for me to becoming a bishop or stake president when I return home....oh no...
We also had a very interesting happening. We had no meetings on Saturday, and to not waste time, we went out contacting people. No one was listening, and while we were out, I get a call from a recent convert, and she asked if we could meet. Not one to turn down a meeting, I readily agreed, and we set up a meeting at the Holmes place later that day. While walking to their apartment, we actually met with her right on the street! She walked with us to the Holmes, and then met with her. She has had many questions, about the second coming of Christ, other doctrine such as our potential to become Gods, and she even talked about how an aquaintance gave her some anti-mormon material. She is still faithful, but it was good that we met to help her answer her questions. She is the only member in her family, and that is hard.
We have a new branch president, President Pertzevoi, who is amazing. In church, he testified that though he is not perfect, he knows that he is called of God to be the Branch President. I felt the Spirit testify to me that it was true, and I was happy for the branch. God always calls His leaders, and endows them with power and with revelation. Though I am not perfect, not in the slightest, I know I was called of God to serve in Russia. I know I was called to be a district leader, and a trainer.
Always Choose the Right- Выберай Истину (Vee-berr-aye ee-ctee-noo)
I ask for your prayers, and I will pray in return. I love you all, and I love these people.
Let the work go forward!
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)
Monday, March 19, 2012
God prepares His children to perform His work.
My family, friends, and others that are not in an internet cafe in Russia.
This has been a crazy week, as I have been in Novosibirsk 2 times in the past week. First of all, I got my new companion. Elder Duncan is a stud. He is from Roosevelt, Utah, and he is 19 years old, making him the first companion I had who was younger than me. His father is a vet, and he worked with him, and he told me the most incredible stories they never tell you. He worked in a car dealorship as a job, he has a great singing voice, (though he disagrees) and he is the most hard-working person ever. He was validictorian at his highschool. He says he is not smart, but from his stories I know he is smart. He just works like a machine! It was just so much fun to be at the Mission Home again, with other missionaries, and the new ones with their fire and excitement.
The night before we left, Elder Smith and I made the Funfetti cake you gave us. We planned to give some of the cake to a less-active who's birthday was that day, but he wasn't home for the meeting we planned with him. We put candles, and lit them up, and it lit the whole kitchen. Did I tell you that the lights in our apartment don't work anymore? I don't know why, but the lights don't work. Elder Ortner flipped a switch, and they just went out. All other electronics work, but not the lights. We use lamps all the time, and it is just fun. Well we ate cake and icecream about 10:00 at night, and we woke up feeling horrible the next morning. I am no longer a little kid who can just eat whatever and feel fine. Elder Smith actually got sick, and had a fever and all, but he is okay now.
Then we went back to Barnaul, and we worked for a day. We had a meeting with Nastya and Alexander, the boyfriend and girlfriend. It was a great lesson, Elder Duncan contributed amazingly, and Nasya even prayed for the first time for us! They are surely progressing, and I hope to help them even further.
The other elders in Barnaul have reason to rejoice as their investigator Maria has set a baptismal date for the 14th of April. As district leader, I will have to perform the interview. I am pretty excited, and a little nervous, but it will be all okay.
The Holmes are an amazing couple. Elder Holmes is just like Grandpa Petersen, and I really respect him. They look similar, and they even have the same mannerisms! I sometimes imagine Grandpa looking down at me and laughing his distinct laugh as something funny happens to me, like a babooshka (old lady) yells at me or something.
Then we went back to Novosibirsk, as the missionaries practiced for some musical numbers for the conference. President Gibbons told me that there is a special talent to be able to accompany, and I told him about all my experiences in seminary, institute, and church. He said that they were to prepare me for that moment. I never thought about that, but it was really true. God saw a need for these such talents to be used right here, and he led me through my whole life. God really prepares His children to perform His work. God thinks things through--never forget that.
I have really grown here. I remembber when I first entered Novokuznetsk, and I couldn't even hold a conversation with anyone. Today, I held three conversations at one time on the bus, with an atheist couple, and a Babooshka wanting to invite me to her church. I can't believe I could have done that, and I know that God is constantly helping me. Elder Prokoptsev, who is from Latvia, told me how every time he talks to me, he sees a definite improvement in my speaking skills. It was very comforting to me. I really feel that God is blessing me with the gift of tongues especially for this time.
The conference was the most spiritually uplifting experience in my life. There were so many people, all members of this wonderful church. I was so grateful to have served in 3 cities thus far, as I caught up with old friends, and made new ones. Even the investigator Pavel from Novosibirsk was there. The most amazing thing was the reorganization of the mission. There is now only one district, and every single branch in the district has a full branch presidency. What was special for me was Banya Shabanov as the new branch president of Novokunznetsk, with Vladimir Shelkov as first counselor ( he was baptized my first transfer, if you remember), and Kirill Tsirkov as 2nd counselor. No more will missionaries be branch presidents, but native members. The branch president in Barnaul will be Alexander Pertzevoi, and I am so excited to work with them. I just had such a wonderful experience, just meeting all of those people, all whom I love, it was almost like being in heaven, and meeting each other again. I can't wait until the stake is formed, and I hope that I will still be a missionary when that happens.
You can't describe the love you have for these people, and it is the most priceless gift I have been given for my service. It is probably only a taste of the perfect love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. I know for a fact that God loves His children. He loves His children here in Siberia, and He is just waiting to bless them with a stake. When they are ready, they will become one. Our job is just to help them be ready. Once this stake is formed, Satan will have no power to overthrow the church here in Siberia. Even if missionaries were forced out of the country, the church would be strong and growing. Then after the stake, there will be a temple, and then Satan would lose even more power. The conference focused on the temple, as all of these saints never talk about the stake without the temple. The Kyiev temple in Ukraine is a very busy temple in the world, and it is because of the Russian saints. It is only a matter of time until a temple is built.
I have just been thinking about our efforts as missionaries. There is little praise from the world. Every action is so small, but in the eyes of Heavenly Father and others in heaven, they are the most wonderful things. Our decisions to serve a mission hasn't directly influenced the government, or improved the environment, but billions rejoice as we serve the Lord, as one baptism turns into a branch presidency, and then into a ward, then a stake, then a temple. One small effort makes a world of difference. No effort is wasted, and your services will be recorded and honored in the annals of heaven. That makes it all worth it.
I love you all, and I ask for your prayers as this district prepares to become a stake.
I pray for you all, and wish you the greatest of blessings.
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)
This has been a crazy week, as I have been in Novosibirsk 2 times in the past week. First of all, I got my new companion. Elder Duncan is a stud. He is from Roosevelt, Utah, and he is 19 years old, making him the first companion I had who was younger than me. His father is a vet, and he worked with him, and he told me the most incredible stories they never tell you. He worked in a car dealorship as a job, he has a great singing voice, (though he disagrees) and he is the most hard-working person ever. He was validictorian at his highschool. He says he is not smart, but from his stories I know he is smart. He just works like a machine! It was just so much fun to be at the Mission Home again, with other missionaries, and the new ones with their fire and excitement.
The night before we left, Elder Smith and I made the Funfetti cake you gave us. We planned to give some of the cake to a less-active who's birthday was that day, but he wasn't home for the meeting we planned with him. We put candles, and lit them up, and it lit the whole kitchen. Did I tell you that the lights in our apartment don't work anymore? I don't know why, but the lights don't work. Elder Ortner flipped a switch, and they just went out. All other electronics work, but not the lights. We use lamps all the time, and it is just fun. Well we ate cake and icecream about 10:00 at night, and we woke up feeling horrible the next morning. I am no longer a little kid who can just eat whatever and feel fine. Elder Smith actually got sick, and had a fever and all, but he is okay now.
Then we went back to Barnaul, and we worked for a day. We had a meeting with Nastya and Alexander, the boyfriend and girlfriend. It was a great lesson, Elder Duncan contributed amazingly, and Nasya even prayed for the first time for us! They are surely progressing, and I hope to help them even further.
The other elders in Barnaul have reason to rejoice as their investigator Maria has set a baptismal date for the 14th of April. As district leader, I will have to perform the interview. I am pretty excited, and a little nervous, but it will be all okay.
The Holmes are an amazing couple. Elder Holmes is just like Grandpa Petersen, and I really respect him. They look similar, and they even have the same mannerisms! I sometimes imagine Grandpa looking down at me and laughing his distinct laugh as something funny happens to me, like a babooshka (old lady) yells at me or something.
Then we went back to Novosibirsk, as the missionaries practiced for some musical numbers for the conference. President Gibbons told me that there is a special talent to be able to accompany, and I told him about all my experiences in seminary, institute, and church. He said that they were to prepare me for that moment. I never thought about that, but it was really true. God saw a need for these such talents to be used right here, and he led me through my whole life. God really prepares His children to perform His work. God thinks things through--never forget that.
I have really grown here. I remembber when I first entered Novokuznetsk, and I couldn't even hold a conversation with anyone. Today, I held three conversations at one time on the bus, with an atheist couple, and a Babooshka wanting to invite me to her church. I can't believe I could have done that, and I know that God is constantly helping me. Elder Prokoptsev, who is from Latvia, told me how every time he talks to me, he sees a definite improvement in my speaking skills. It was very comforting to me. I really feel that God is blessing me with the gift of tongues especially for this time.
The conference was the most spiritually uplifting experience in my life. There were so many people, all members of this wonderful church. I was so grateful to have served in 3 cities thus far, as I caught up with old friends, and made new ones. Even the investigator Pavel from Novosibirsk was there. The most amazing thing was the reorganization of the mission. There is now only one district, and every single branch in the district has a full branch presidency. What was special for me was Banya Shabanov as the new branch president of Novokunznetsk, with Vladimir Shelkov as first counselor ( he was baptized my first transfer, if you remember), and Kirill Tsirkov as 2nd counselor. No more will missionaries be branch presidents, but native members. The branch president in Barnaul will be Alexander Pertzevoi, and I am so excited to work with them. I just had such a wonderful experience, just meeting all of those people, all whom I love, it was almost like being in heaven, and meeting each other again. I can't wait until the stake is formed, and I hope that I will still be a missionary when that happens.
You can't describe the love you have for these people, and it is the most priceless gift I have been given for my service. It is probably only a taste of the perfect love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. I know for a fact that God loves His children. He loves His children here in Siberia, and He is just waiting to bless them with a stake. When they are ready, they will become one. Our job is just to help them be ready. Once this stake is formed, Satan will have no power to overthrow the church here in Siberia. Even if missionaries were forced out of the country, the church would be strong and growing. Then after the stake, there will be a temple, and then Satan would lose even more power. The conference focused on the temple, as all of these saints never talk about the stake without the temple. The Kyiev temple in Ukraine is a very busy temple in the world, and it is because of the Russian saints. It is only a matter of time until a temple is built.
I have just been thinking about our efforts as missionaries. There is little praise from the world. Every action is so small, but in the eyes of Heavenly Father and others in heaven, they are the most wonderful things. Our decisions to serve a mission hasn't directly influenced the government, or improved the environment, but billions rejoice as we serve the Lord, as one baptism turns into a branch presidency, and then into a ward, then a stake, then a temple. One small effort makes a world of difference. No effort is wasted, and your services will be recorded and honored in the annals of heaven. That makes it all worth it.
I love you all, and I ask for your prayers as this district prepares to become a stake.
I pray for you all, and wish you the greatest of blessings.
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)
Monday, March 12, 2012
Happy Birthday to me from Russia!
So first of all, thank you SO much for the gift! The recorder is exactly what I desired, and it helps so much! I have been using it to keep journal entries, but also I have used it to record my voice, and hear how I speak Russian. I hope to improve my accent, so that people can understand me even more. I love the gift!
So the little blip about Russia for this week is about transportation. Today we got on the bus, and it was FILLED to the brim! We had to squish in order for all of us to fit in. It is funny, but it happens as the weather is cold now. Last week, it was really warm, and even muddy as the snow was melting. There are huge puddles, but now they are frozen solid--ice is everywhere. Everyone stuffs like sardines in transportation. Also, the tickets you get have 6 numbers on them. If you add the first three together, and the second three together, and they are the same, then the ticket is lucky! For example, 123024. 1+2+3=6, and 0+2+4=6 so it is lucky! Sometimes, people eat lucky tickets, but I just collect them.
Hey Family! It's the Birthday Boy...except he's a MAN now. Well, maybe that status won't officially happen until my next birthday when I am 21. How did I celebrate my birthday?...with a cold. It is not big at all, but I have been sniffling a little, and my voice has been a little gravely.
Right now, it is just Elder Smith and me, and we have been working like crazy! It think that is a wonderful birthday present, to help others come unto Christ. We will be picking up our new elders on Thursday, which is so soon, but so exciting! I don't know why we only stay in Russia for three months, then leave to get our Visas renewed, but I think it is because of our reason being here. As foreigners, and as religious officials, we can only have a temporary visa. I just know that in Novosibirsk they take our old passports, and send them somewhere to place new visas in them. We have two passports, one with us at all times, and the other is sent to get the new visa.
Also, we got a call from President Gibbons last night, and he wants me to play the piano for the conference on the 18th! I will also be accompanying a missionary musical number! I was so excited to be a special part of the conference, and also grateful and humble for the opportunity. I just hope that I will still be around for the forming of the stake. Could I get an extension on my mission, Mom? I don't know if you would like it.
What else? We don't really have many investigators, and it is hard to meet with them. The most progressing I think would be Nastya and her boyfriend Alexander. We have met a few times, and they came to sacrament meeting twice. Nastya was an old contact, and we met with her in a cafe, food court, and pancake restaurant. She brought her boyfriend along as well. They have a lot of questions, which is good, but I just haven't met with them a lot. We don't know if Alexander has a serious interest, but he is listening and asking questions.
We have Olecya, who is a devout Russian Orthodox member. We found her as she came to the branch building for English Club, but it wasn't going on just then, and we taught her instead. She hasn't come to church, as it conflicts with her other church schedule. We hope to meet with her and the Holmes, who really help in meetings.
We have been contacting new people, and we are hoping to get new investigators. That is the problem here, is that we don't have very many new investigators. What I hope to do is to tract the apartments which are near to us, because they are new, very nice, and they are full of families! I hope to be able to find a family as I am training, which is my goal, and our goal as a district. We have only two companionships with a senior couple, and it is our goal to 2 families to teach and baptize while we are training. I ask for your prayers as we go on this endeavor.
Yulia, the recent convert, is doing amazing. What is difficult for her is that she is the only member of the church in her family, and they are kind of против (pro-teev) which means "against" the church. She comes to Family Home evenings, and went to this youth gathering in Novosibirsk with the other youth in Barnaul, and they are really supporting her. It is hard, as many people are the only member in their families, but they support each other, and together they are strong.
Something interesting happened this week, as on Sunday it was a "working" day. Pretty much everyone had to work on this Sunday, so we held sacrament meeting at 7:00 at night. The men also got together, and we made origami flowers for all the women, as it was women's day. Unknownest to us, Brother Pertzevoi, who is the president of the priesthood quorum, sprayed all of the paper flowers with different kinds of perfume. He has his own business, selling perfume. We were all surprised because we had no idea when he did that. We read some poem verses, and gave them the flowers. They really liked it. We also sang "Ye Elders of Israel" because that is the only song we can sing that actually sounds good...but they enjoyed it nonetheless.
I love being a district leader already. I like feeling like I am leading something big, as I take charge in meetings, and that I am the link between the missionaries and the branch. I have a lot of responsibilities, and I hope to be able to fulfill them as Heavenly Father would want me to.
I love you all, and I am glad that I have been on this earth for 20 years already, and I am here at this moment. It was all thanks to you, Mom, and Dad, that I was born, and that you molded my life, so that I could be here, e-mailing you from another country, as I share the great gospel of happiness to these wonderful people. You have done amazingly, and I will be forever grateful for your choices, which have brought me here right now.
Love,
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian District Leader)
So the little blip about Russia for this week is about transportation. Today we got on the bus, and it was FILLED to the brim! We had to squish in order for all of us to fit in. It is funny, but it happens as the weather is cold now. Last week, it was really warm, and even muddy as the snow was melting. There are huge puddles, but now they are frozen solid--ice is everywhere. Everyone stuffs like sardines in transportation. Also, the tickets you get have 6 numbers on them. If you add the first three together, and the second three together, and they are the same, then the ticket is lucky! For example, 123024. 1+2+3=6, and 0+2+4=6 so it is lucky! Sometimes, people eat lucky tickets, but I just collect them.
Hey Family! It's the Birthday Boy...except he's a MAN now. Well, maybe that status won't officially happen until my next birthday when I am 21. How did I celebrate my birthday?...with a cold. It is not big at all, but I have been sniffling a little, and my voice has been a little gravely.
Right now, it is just Elder Smith and me, and we have been working like crazy! It think that is a wonderful birthday present, to help others come unto Christ. We will be picking up our new elders on Thursday, which is so soon, but so exciting! I don't know why we only stay in Russia for three months, then leave to get our Visas renewed, but I think it is because of our reason being here. As foreigners, and as religious officials, we can only have a temporary visa. I just know that in Novosibirsk they take our old passports, and send them somewhere to place new visas in them. We have two passports, one with us at all times, and the other is sent to get the new visa.
Also, we got a call from President Gibbons last night, and he wants me to play the piano for the conference on the 18th! I will also be accompanying a missionary musical number! I was so excited to be a special part of the conference, and also grateful and humble for the opportunity. I just hope that I will still be around for the forming of the stake. Could I get an extension on my mission, Mom? I don't know if you would like it.
What else? We don't really have many investigators, and it is hard to meet with them. The most progressing I think would be Nastya and her boyfriend Alexander. We have met a few times, and they came to sacrament meeting twice. Nastya was an old contact, and we met with her in a cafe, food court, and pancake restaurant. She brought her boyfriend along as well. They have a lot of questions, which is good, but I just haven't met with them a lot. We don't know if Alexander has a serious interest, but he is listening and asking questions.
We have Olecya, who is a devout Russian Orthodox member. We found her as she came to the branch building for English Club, but it wasn't going on just then, and we taught her instead. She hasn't come to church, as it conflicts with her other church schedule. We hope to meet with her and the Holmes, who really help in meetings.
We have been contacting new people, and we are hoping to get new investigators. That is the problem here, is that we don't have very many new investigators. What I hope to do is to tract the apartments which are near to us, because they are new, very nice, and they are full of families! I hope to be able to find a family as I am training, which is my goal, and our goal as a district. We have only two companionships with a senior couple, and it is our goal to 2 families to teach and baptize while we are training. I ask for your prayers as we go on this endeavor.
Yulia, the recent convert, is doing amazing. What is difficult for her is that she is the only member of the church in her family, and they are kind of против (pro-teev) which means "against" the church. She comes to Family Home evenings, and went to this youth gathering in Novosibirsk with the other youth in Barnaul, and they are really supporting her. It is hard, as many people are the only member in their families, but they support each other, and together they are strong.
Something interesting happened this week, as on Sunday it was a "working" day. Pretty much everyone had to work on this Sunday, so we held sacrament meeting at 7:00 at night. The men also got together, and we made origami flowers for all the women, as it was women's day. Unknownest to us, Brother Pertzevoi, who is the president of the priesthood quorum, sprayed all of the paper flowers with different kinds of perfume. He has his own business, selling perfume. We were all surprised because we had no idea when he did that. We read some poem verses, and gave them the flowers. They really liked it. We also sang "Ye Elders of Israel" because that is the only song we can sing that actually sounds good...but they enjoyed it nonetheless.
I love being a district leader already. I like feeling like I am leading something big, as I take charge in meetings, and that I am the link between the missionaries and the branch. I have a lot of responsibilities, and I hope to be able to fulfill them as Heavenly Father would want me to.
I love you all, and I am glad that I have been on this earth for 20 years already, and I am here at this moment. It was all thanks to you, Mom, and Dad, that I was born, and that you molded my life, so that I could be here, e-mailing you from another country, as I share the great gospel of happiness to these wonderful people. You have done amazingly, and I will be forever grateful for your choices, which have brought me here right now.
Love,
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian District Leader)
Monday, March 5, 2012
Another Finland trip...
Hey mom, I DID get my package! I didn't open it yet, because I want to wait until it is actually my birthday. Thank you so much! I will send pictures, but in another e-mail обязательно (ob-yah-za-tel-no) This means like "Committed, I will do it." Russian has wonderful words to explain a whole phrase. I also sent a package home, and I hope that it makes it there. I will get rings for all the kids really soon, and I will send them home.
Dear Family,
Finland was again cold, wet, and windy. I guess I just have had bad luck every time, but it was awesome nonetheless. We went to the Zoo, and saw some really cool things. We saw turtles fight, which is exciting, even though they are so slow! We also went to this store which has American food. I had my first root beer in over a year...and it was wonderful! We also went to this Lutheran Church, which is very beautiful. It has statues of all 12 apostles around the sides. The reason that we couldn't go to the temple was that the cleaning schedule for the temple interferes with our visa trips. The temple is closed every 6 months for cleaning, every other time we are on a visa trip. It is hard to change a schedule made for a whole country for a couple of missionaries. It is sad, but I am grateful that we can still go to the temple every six months. We actually had some pretty cool experiences while traveling. We stayed at the Hostel again, like the first time, and we talked to this guy who is from Italy, but he knows English, and we talked to him about our church. We gave him this invitation to see Mormon.org. Another time, we were on the bus, and we saw this man with his family, and they are from St. Petersburg. They were really interested, and we gave them an extra Book of Mormon we carried around. I carry a new Book of Mormon with me during visa trips, just in case, and every time I have given it to someone. There was a guy in the Moscow airport that I gave my copy to. It just shows that missionary work never stops, even when you are in Finland.
So you want to know about the culture of Russia? Well, first thing I would say is how much they love bread. Every single meal has to have bread. I have learned that bread is the staff of life, and I can't work without eating a few slices every morning. People love eating Borsch, of course with bread. They also eat Pelmini, which is these dumplings filled with meat or cabbage. There is also Vareniki, which are dumplings filled with potatoes. Some funny sayings in Russia are like тише, мыши, кот на крыше (tee-shye me-shye coat na kree-shye) Which means "Be quiet, mouse, there's a cat on the roof. There is also У матросов нет вопросов (oo mah-tro-sev nyet va-pro-sev) It means "sailors have no questions" You say that when someone asks, "Any questions?" Istead of saying, "Cheese" When taking a picture, they say раз два колбаса (raz dva kol-ba-sa) It means, "one, two, SAUSAGE!" Children go to school just like kids in America, and they learn the same things, and have homework. Everyone loves to drink tea, and just talk for a while. It is very laid back and calming. Children are taught to speak very formally to their elders. There is the form ВЫ (vee) in Russian that is a formal way of saying "you" such to a teacher. The form Ты (tee) is very loving, used between friends, relatives, and Heavenly Father. It is very important to talk properly, and people usually appreciate being informal when you are good friends.
The members in Russia are very loving and supportive with each other. They realize that they are a small group of people in a world full of different values. They find safety being close together. What is really hard for some people is the work schedules in Russia. There is no Mon.-Fri. 9-5 schedule in Russia. Many people work strange schedules, such as work all day, no work the next day, then work from evening to the morning of the next day. People really have to sacrifice to be able to come to church. We live half an hour by bus from the branch, and it would take me 5 minutes to walk to the church building back home. They know it is important, and they sacrifice. People also have troubles getting enough money. It is hard to find good work with decent pay, but people still pay tithing, because they know they will be blessed. If you have any other questions, please ask, so I can know what to specifically say.
So Yulia is doing really great! She always talks that she feels that she is not home, like she is flying. It is true, since our home in with our Heavenly Father. I remember when I was baptized, and how I felt like I was flying. Your sins no longer burden you, and you are light as a feather.
Also, the Holmes have arrived! The first Sunday that they came, it was a party for everyone! They love them so much, and I can see why. They are so strong in the gospel, and I can't believe that they are serving for their 5th time and their 3rd in Barnaul! They are over 70 years old, and still going strong! I hope to be able to do half the things they do. I thought about you, Mom and Dad, and thought where you could serve. I just thought how amazing it would be if you could serve here in the Novosibirsk Mission. The people here are amazing, and I wish I could introduce them to you. I know it would be cold, but coats are warm, and the apartments are warm as well.
I don't know anything else about my companion, except he may either be a sports nut or a very intelligent person. They had visa problems, but everything is okay now. He will be here on the 14th of March. I am just so excited to be training again, and I wonder if I will train even more...We shall see, I still have another year of my mission left.
Even though I don’t begin my responsibilities as district leader here in Barnaul quite yet, I have already been receiving revelations as to what I want to do when it's my turn to serve. I really feel that God is preparing me to do something wonderful here, and President Gibbons expressed to me my responsibility here. It will be hard, but it will be worth it. This is definitely not my work. How could a 19 soon-to-be 20 year old man organize something like this in a foreign country without any divine help? If this was a business, it would fail. No one in their right mind would send kids out to represent a business in a far part of the country. The thing is, God has in fact called us to serve, and He calls us in our weakness. As to Him, I am nothing, but with Him, I am all-powerful. "You can do anything with two people as long as the other person is God." Elder Ortner taught me that phrase.
Dear Family,
Finland was again cold, wet, and windy. I guess I just have had bad luck every time, but it was awesome nonetheless. We went to the Zoo, and saw some really cool things. We saw turtles fight, which is exciting, even though they are so slow! We also went to this store which has American food. I had my first root beer in over a year...and it was wonderful! We also went to this Lutheran Church, which is very beautiful. It has statues of all 12 apostles around the sides. The reason that we couldn't go to the temple was that the cleaning schedule for the temple interferes with our visa trips. The temple is closed every 6 months for cleaning, every other time we are on a visa trip. It is hard to change a schedule made for a whole country for a couple of missionaries. It is sad, but I am grateful that we can still go to the temple every six months. We actually had some pretty cool experiences while traveling. We stayed at the Hostel again, like the first time, and we talked to this guy who is from Italy, but he knows English, and we talked to him about our church. We gave him this invitation to see Mormon.org. Another time, we were on the bus, and we saw this man with his family, and they are from St. Petersburg. They were really interested, and we gave them an extra Book of Mormon we carried around. I carry a new Book of Mormon with me during visa trips, just in case, and every time I have given it to someone. There was a guy in the Moscow airport that I gave my copy to. It just shows that missionary work never stops, even when you are in Finland.
So you want to know about the culture of Russia? Well, first thing I would say is how much they love bread. Every single meal has to have bread. I have learned that bread is the staff of life, and I can't work without eating a few slices every morning. People love eating Borsch, of course with bread. They also eat Pelmini, which is these dumplings filled with meat or cabbage. There is also Vareniki, which are dumplings filled with potatoes. Some funny sayings in Russia are like тише, мыши, кот на крыше (tee-shye me-shye coat na kree-shye) Which means "Be quiet, mouse, there's a cat on the roof. There is also У матросов нет вопросов (oo mah-tro-sev nyet va-pro-sev) It means "sailors have no questions" You say that when someone asks, "Any questions?" Istead of saying, "Cheese" When taking a picture, they say раз два колбаса (raz dva kol-ba-sa) It means, "one, two, SAUSAGE!" Children go to school just like kids in America, and they learn the same things, and have homework. Everyone loves to drink tea, and just talk for a while. It is very laid back and calming. Children are taught to speak very formally to their elders. There is the form ВЫ (vee) in Russian that is a formal way of saying "you" such to a teacher. The form Ты (tee) is very loving, used between friends, relatives, and Heavenly Father. It is very important to talk properly, and people usually appreciate being informal when you are good friends.
The members in Russia are very loving and supportive with each other. They realize that they are a small group of people in a world full of different values. They find safety being close together. What is really hard for some people is the work schedules in Russia. There is no Mon.-Fri. 9-5 schedule in Russia. Many people work strange schedules, such as work all day, no work the next day, then work from evening to the morning of the next day. People really have to sacrifice to be able to come to church. We live half an hour by bus from the branch, and it would take me 5 minutes to walk to the church building back home. They know it is important, and they sacrifice. People also have troubles getting enough money. It is hard to find good work with decent pay, but people still pay tithing, because they know they will be blessed. If you have any other questions, please ask, so I can know what to specifically say.
So Yulia is doing really great! She always talks that she feels that she is not home, like she is flying. It is true, since our home in with our Heavenly Father. I remember when I was baptized, and how I felt like I was flying. Your sins no longer burden you, and you are light as a feather.
Also, the Holmes have arrived! The first Sunday that they came, it was a party for everyone! They love them so much, and I can see why. They are so strong in the gospel, and I can't believe that they are serving for their 5th time and their 3rd in Barnaul! They are over 70 years old, and still going strong! I hope to be able to do half the things they do. I thought about you, Mom and Dad, and thought where you could serve. I just thought how amazing it would be if you could serve here in the Novosibirsk Mission. The people here are amazing, and I wish I could introduce them to you. I know it would be cold, but coats are warm, and the apartments are warm as well.
I don't know anything else about my companion, except he may either be a sports nut or a very intelligent person. They had visa problems, but everything is okay now. He will be here on the 14th of March. I am just so excited to be training again, and I wonder if I will train even more...We shall see, I still have another year of my mission left.
Even though I don’t begin my responsibilities as district leader here in Barnaul quite yet, I have already been receiving revelations as to what I want to do when it's my turn to serve. I really feel that God is preparing me to do something wonderful here, and President Gibbons expressed to me my responsibility here. It will be hard, but it will be worth it. This is definitely not my work. How could a 19 soon-to-be 20 year old man organize something like this in a foreign country without any divine help? If this was a business, it would fail. No one in their right mind would send kids out to represent a business in a far part of the country. The thing is, God has in fact called us to serve, and He calls us in our weakness. As to Him, I am nothing, but with Him, I am all-powerful. "You can do anything with two people as long as the other person is God." Elder Ortner taught me that phrase.
Love you all,
The Siberian Messenger
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