June 22nd

Hey Everyone-
I do apologise that it has been awhile since I have written a good email, I know you understand how busy I can get. I also want to say Happy Fathers Day yesterday. Dad you will be getting a letter from me tomorrow. I was able to reflect a lot on the influence my Father and Grandfather's have had on my life. I feel so blessed to have wonderful examples of a Father and Grandfathers and will always strive to honor you. I am in awe at how the Saviors Entire Life was centered on pleasing His Father and bringing Honor to him! He was the perfect example in this and I know I have a lot to learn. Transfer weekend is always busy and I have missed the blue skies we had every single day last week! I have loved being able to pick up the new missionaries from the airport and I know exactly what they are feeling, mostly nervous but excited and they don't know what to expect! I have also spent most of the days this week in meetings with the new missionaries, the Zone Leaders and with President. Every other available minute is spent working in our area, striving to find people to teach and working with the members and teaching them how to be missionaries! My Companion is great and I respect his work ethic. So to tell you a little more about him; he has been out about 18 months and is from Arlington, TX. He doesn't really have the Texas accent like I expected, except he says “y’all” a lot. We have gotten along great and I know we were inspired to serve with each other! I have a strong testimony of Praying for Specific blessings and I have been able to see my prayers answered this week in many ways! I have been Praying this week for the Spirit of Commitment to be in my life, That I myself as a missionary can remember my Commitments with my Father in Heaven but also to Commit EVERYONE to come closer to His Son Jesus Christ. I have been able to do this by talking with everyone and to always commit people to read, pray, take the missionary lessons or even as simple as to ask them if they will check out the church website! I have been able to see success as I have prayed for this Spirit of Commitment! I want you all to know that I love you and am so grateful for the Love you show me. Grandma and Grandpa Woods, I want you to know how happy I am that you have been investigating the Church and I wish I had the perfect words to describe how I feel and to help you even more along this process.But I want you to know I have been praying every single day that you wouldnt lose this desire but that you would feel the spirit work in your lives and you would recognize the blessings of Praying, Reading the Scriptures and attending church. I have been praying that there would be great Members in Vegas to also help you and answer your questions! I testify that God Lives and does answer every single plea in our prayers!
Elder Russell