May 17th

Hey Everyone-
Well I feel like I don’t have much to say since I just talked to you yesterday but things have been going great! I loved being able to speak with everyone, that was a highlight. I hope everyone had a Happy Mothers day. We had a great church service and I learned a lot. In one of our classes, we learned about one of my favorite sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 121. Bro. Bird who taught the class is amazing and always opens my mind and has great insights! I had no idea that D&C 121 was a letter the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote while in Liberty Jail. It was a letter of his prayer to the Lord, than an Answer and then Prophesy. But the thing that I loved was Bro. Birds insight about adversity, he quoted from last conference.
“The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of their infinite love.”(Elder Eyring). Trials and hardships in our lives allow us to come closer to our Savior and to become more like our Father in heaven! After church I was able to assist with the Reflections of Christ exhibit for four hours! What a spiritual experience it was for me and to witness countless individuals both members of our church and not, feel the same spirit. Everyone has loved it and I was so glad I was able to be a part of it! The work is going good, we have the same potentials but it seems like they aren’t willing to take simple steps. I know that they have been prepared to receive this message of happiness the Gospel brings. We will continue to visit and encourage them and are going to do some service later this week for one of the families! I know we will need to plead and work harder to see the blessings of baptism and find that individual! But I know that this is the Lords work, and that by small and simple means that Lord is able to accomplish His Work and His Glory and that is to bring his children closer to him! I am blessed to be an instrument in his hands and at the same time the Lord is able to refine me! I love you all and hope you have an amazing week!
Elder Russell