February 5, 2008

k so, first things first, the girls dont have to share if they dont want to! second, im in Neibuta, yeah its a different area that nahodka, sorry, its hard for me to try to spell russian words in english! everything is going really good. there was a baptism the other week in a different area. it was way cool. we dont have very many investigators but thats ok because there are a lot of members here who are really inactive, so its like whats the point of getting new members if the ones that are already baptized keep going inactive? so yeah, we are doing alot of work with the church members here so its a good thing. my next transfer date will be in like 3 weeks but you dont change every transfer, so yeah i think that im going to stay here for a while. oh hey, on that blog that you are doing can you do it in a way so that people dont think that i am the one who is going on there? cause im only alowed to use mylds mail.net and i dont want people to think that im doing something im not suppose to, yeah, anyways, tonight i think that im going to write a letter home so keep an eye out for it in the next few months!! hah, any ways love you, take care,

ttfn mike

January 23, 2008

My cmpanion's name is Andrew lewis, he's been on his mission for about 20 months so h knows the language crazy well. thefood here isnt that bad altough we rarely have time to mke anything more than noodles or rice. im living in hte area called "Naybuda" it has the most hills in it out of the whole mission. the temp here is staying pretty good, right around -10 cell. hah, anyways its going good here, im suprised at how much i can understand, its hard bt its alot of fun to, love you all!

ttfn mike

First Letter from Vladivostok

hey! im here, im safe, and i hate it. the food is horrible, all the people smell really really really bad. i dont like having to walk around everywhere we go, and im freezing all the time, i want to go home! just kidding! its so different here its crazy. the people are alot different than americans but its fun. we have to walk and take the bus everywhere we go its so different. the branch members here are really cool. we taught a lesson to a family monday night and the all are really exicited about the gospel, its crazy. we also did english club, that was alot of fun too. i got that email about the blog, oh and now i can view photos that you send to my email so send away! next week ill write and tell you what my mailing address is, tell brendan that i say hello!love you all tonsttfn! mike

Mike arrives in Vladivostok Russia

Elder Bogar arrived safely in the Russia Vladivostok Mission on 11 January 2008. He was tired after a long journey, but anxious to begin his ministry to the people of the Russian Far East. This is a proud and noble land, whose people generally are warm, friendly and loving. We believe the Lord has prepared these people to receive His gospel at this time, and that Elder Bogar was foreordained to come to the Russia Vladivostok Mission to invite these good people to come unto Christ by faith in Him and His atonement, through repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. We love the Russian people and the opportunity to share with them the blessings that so greatly have enriched our lives. It already is evident to us that your son also is beginning to feel that same love. The work is difficult here, and the conditions sometimes arduous, but we will do our best to look after your son. We encourage you to correspond weekly with your missionary by e-mail. Your messages should lift your Missionary's spirits and be encouraging. Please do not burden him with concerns that will weigh heavy on his heart and detract from the work. He generally will reply on Wednesday (local time). For planning your correspondence, please note that Vladivostok time is 14 to 18 hours ahead of times in the four time zones in the contiguous continental United States.