March 30th

Hey Everyone-
I am hoping that I will now be able to write decent emails each week, I have decided to come to the library since its can be difficult getting my emails done at the Office. We have had a wonderful week and I feel like I have already served with my companion longer than a week. We get along great and he has a great sense of humor in which brings out the best in me. We are having a lot of fun and working really hard. We have been trying to get out of the office as often as we can! But this last week was kinda hectic. We had to make multiple deliveries across the mission, from bikes to dressers. I have loved the blessing of seeing the mission and trying to capture it with my camera. What a beautiful place I get to serve in! We had Zone meeting on Wed. it went well and I love our Zone, and looking forward to getting to know the everyone. Our mission has been fasting for miracles for the month of April. We have a goal of 209 baptisms by end of April and we will need about 70! We have already been blessed and it’s been amazing to see President Moffat receive inspiration and motivate us to do so! We have been working with a lot of potentials this week and didn’t really see too much success but we continue to be persistent. I feel that two young girls Madysen and Chloe can be baptized but their mothers aren’t really committed to coming to church! We also got to attend Zone Leader Council and show our preview of what we will be showing for Zone Conferences. Elder Wilson the vehicle coor. Has brought so much energy and fun to his presentations. We tracted a lot this week and were able to talk to a lot of people and most of them have had LDS friends and been influenced by them. But they were still reluctant to come on a church tour! I know next week we will be able to have more success! Sunday was wonderful; I love our ward and always feel welcomed. We had a great Fast and testimony meeting, I was able to bear mine own testimony. Bro. Rigtrup our WML presented the new Ward Mission plan and did an amazing job. One of his quotes that he always tells us and one that I have loved is this ;( “It’s not so much “What Would Jesus Do”- Its “What Would Jesus Do If He Were me”, limited to my limits, my abilities, my skills, my circumstances, but beholding to my assets”) I loved that! Last night we had an amazing missionary Fireside that was arranged by the high Councilor over missionary work Bro. Wilson. He is very musically talented. We had him playing the piano, His Daughter Sophie playing the Violin (AMAZING) and Then Elder Staples, who is incredible at the cello! I have loved and gained a greater appreciation for Music. It brings such a remarkable spirit and allows us to come unto Christ and the feel his love for us! He is the Prince of Peace. I was able to record some of the practice of it! Well overall we had a great week and I am loving all aspects of the work. I pray that we will somehow reach our goal of having two baptisms in April! The weeks continue to go by so fast! I was asked to Speak for Easter Sunday! I am excited and still get nervous, but I feel my father in Heaven is answering my desire and prayers of me becoming a good speaker.. I hope all is well with everyone and I love all of you, I am sorry I have recently been horrible at my emails and I am trying to do better! ENJOY CONFERENCE!!! I am SO excited! Much love Elder Russell

March 1st

Hey Everyone-
Wow, it has been such a great week but so busy! I have now gained an even greater appreciation for President Moffat and how much effort and energy it takes to preside over this work. We had Zone Conferences all this week and had the blessing to attend all four of them! Our days were very full and we weren’t able to even have a descent break! But I loved it. Each morning we would leave our apartment with Elder Wilson (Vehicle coordinator) at about 7:30 and arrive at the Zone Conference location at about 8:30. We then did car inspections for about 15 cars, checking all of their engine fluids, tire pressure, tire depth and then do an overall scrutiny of the exterior and interior! This process lasted a couple of hours. Then we enjoyed a great lunch! After that we presented a power point on vehicle safety along with a video. Our mission also got all new phones and my companion and I were in charge of programming all of the new phones in the evening and then getting them all set for the next day(which was a long procedure, that lasted the night)! We showed everyone how to Bluetooth all of their contacts to their new phones! This entire process was a lot more complicated then I described it! Ha. After the end of the week I was so exhausted that I had dark bags under my eyes!( I should have taken a picture) It’s just a testimony to me, that the Lord truly does sustain us in our callings when we are fulfilling His work! I felt like it was so spiritual this week, especially listening to President Moffat! And since we didn’t have a personal study each morning I had to find time in my day to drench myself in the scriptures! Our ward mission leader bro. Rigtrup is such an Amazing man! He is one of the best ward mission leaders I have seen! He has spent so much time and prayer into the Wards mission plan! And this week we have about 10 appointments to present the new plan to members! I had a desire to present his plan in an exciting way. The Lord inspired me to think of some unique ways and we are so exciting to reveal it tonight! We have had an amazing week and the Lord has been blessing us beyond what we deserve! He makes up for the time we spent in the Office and when we have only an hour to tract! He will still bless us with 2 investigators! And each time that happens my Faith continues to increase! The work is going great and I am so happy to be in this ward! I hope and pray that all is well at home! “Let your light so shine…” and be example to all you come in contact with! Pray for missionary opportunities and I promise the Lord will answer your prayers! Love you- Elder Russell