Week 16

Hello My Wonderful Family!

How are you all doing?

My week was a VERY busy week.. But so packed full of the spirit and awesome experiences!

First.. I want to tell you guys about Ross Conrad.. I cant remember exactly what i told you about him last week.. But he has a date for June 11th to be baptized.. We had a lesson with him last Tuesday about the Plan of Salvation. He loved it. He said he had always wondered where we came from and why we're here and where he's going.. After the lesson.. He expressed so much gratitude for answering his questions.. To me it was like his "soul hungred" for the right answers.. And when we taught him he said "it makes so much sense.. Its like I have heard it before! " He was happy.

We then talked to him about the Word of Wisdom. Ross smokes.. And he said that he has had a feeling that its not something that he should be doing.. But now he knows for sure that its not what he is supposed to be doing.. And he has quit cold turkey.. Pretty amazing. He says its very hard.. But he's doing it because he wants his relationship with God to grow.. And everyday that we call him he says he is doing great.

Then.. On Sunday.. He came to church.. And we had a lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.. We talked to him about the Gift of the Holy Ghost for quite a while! I told him that the Holy Ghost, if we listen to him, can turn us into the men and woman our Heavenly Father wants us to be! And if we become who He wants us to be.. Our day at the judgement seat will be a day of great happiness.. And not regret... Ross has been prepared!!!

Right now.. Im convinced that there is absolutely nothing better than helping someone remember what they learned in the pre-existence. The happiness is so great. I love it so much and there is nothing better i could be doing!

Next i want to tell you about Delorus! :) This little old lady means soo much to me! Me and Elder Ferrin met her on Day 1 here in Muscatine and have had so many great memories since.. She knows the Book of Mormon is true.. And that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.. And she knows it whole-heartedly! She had a baptismal service planned for Sunday May 15th.. But got scared and people told her not to do it. Well.. This saturday night.. June 4th.. She wants to be baptized.. And everything is going great! She KNOWS that its something that she has to do to be saved! So she will! She has asked me to baptize her and if everything goes accordingly.. That is something i am very excited to do! She is just so awesome and i'm so happy that she is taking this step. Please pray for her.. And that she will do what she knows is right!

Anyways.. On a kind of sad note.. The Akakpo family.. From France.. Told some friends that we were going over to talk to them and the friends told them that what we teach is fasle doctrine and that Joseph Smith is a false prophet. They had a whole different attitude towards us when we met with them to teach them.. But we taught them the restoration and they liked it.. They had a big problem with the authority.. But we got over it and answered their questions and it went great.. We asked them to come to church and they said that they would have to give it some thought.. We are planning on going to visit them this week sometime. They said they would read the Book of Mormon and pray.. So thats what we're bankin on for that family! :)

I love bein a missionary.. Its the best! I find my relationship with Heavenly Father growing and growing more each day! ITs a pretty good feeling! Haha.. I love you all and I pray for you each day! Keep doing what you know is right and it will all work out in the end!

I've gotta go! But thanks for everything! Mom i got the package and thanks soo much. Ill send the CD back soon..

I love you guys! Talk to you next week!

Love Elder Russell