Week 10

Hey Family!

This week was great! :)

I had the opportunity to go to Des Moines for leadership training! It was awesome! We were taught by the AP's and President Jergensen. We ended at 6 and they sent us to Ames for the night to stay with the Elders working there.. I wasnt feeling to good during the leadership training and then when we got to Ames and had our dinner appointment at the Branch Presidents house.. To make a long story short.. I spent the whole dinner appointment in the bathroom! Hahaha! I think i got some type of food poisoning or something and it was nooo good!! But it was fun and different to work in another area for a night..! Anyways..

Somethings have happened where we cannot teach Billy anymore unfortunately! He is a pretty crazy guy! haha! and our president said that if we ever felt in danger at anytime then never go back! And nothing really life threatening happened. But he's just a craaaazy dood is all! Haha! :)

We have made no progression with Mary so far. Her sister is just killing our work with her. It makes me so sad and brings me to tears every night because she was doing soo well. And then her sister and her old preacher at the Jesus MIssion church is destroying all our work for the last 8 weeks!! I still believe in her tho.. And we're not giving up yet.:) So everyone please pray for a miracle to happen with Mary and her family. Because we need it.

Anyways.. We had a HUGE blessing come about this week.. We stopped by this girl named Madison on the streets tracting last week.. We gave her a Book or Mormon and told her to read 3 Nephi Ch. 11 and 2nd Nephi 31 and pray about these chapters to find out that they are true for herself.. She came to church and said that she hadnt prayed about it. Then after church we got a text saying that she knows that the book of mormon is true!! and she got her answer!!:) me and elder ferrin were jumpin around soooo happy! haha! it was great. WE have a meeting with her tomorrow night so im hoping things will go well there!

Haha VERY funny story that happened to us yesterday knockin doors after church. This little 80-90 year old lady(she couldnt really remember) answered the door. We had the same conversation 4 times in a row!! hahahhaha! By the end Me and Elder Ferrin were just laughing sooo hard and this little lady was laughing with us! And then it got quiet and then said "what are we laughing about?" and then we just started to laugh even harder. hahahhahah! funniest moment on the mission thus far. She would ask us if we're married and then we'd say no we're not! and then she said well go get a good looking young girl and marry her! But dont rush it!! We had this conversation 4 times.. Too funny. We left her with a card and our number and said we would be able to help her with yard work and she just thought that was great!

The People of Iowa are the best! :)

Anyways.. On a spiritual note.. I had the spirit testify to me that I need to bear stronger witness of the Book of Mormon! It hit me very strongly that the Book of Mormon is the answer to EVERYTHING! It reforms the soul and changes lives for the best! The words in it are so true and can help anyone and everyone! I love that about the Book of Mormon. So this week i have made it my goal to bear the strongest witness about the Book of Mormon. Because that is literally what decides if somebody knows that our church is true.

I love my family and friends so much. I miss you guys! Being a missionary is the best! Thank you for all the encouragement! It means so much!

Love Elder RUssell