Week 24

Hello my Fam!
This week has been a funny one.. Haha..

So on Tuesday night.. We went to this thing called the Haystack dinner with 2 couples that are members. Its a dinner that the Amish people throw for a fundraiser for their schools.. They usually serve around 500 to 600 people in one night. So as we're walkin in to this building where the food is.. these little Amish 3-6 year olds are just staring at us.. And some are running away and hiding behind cars and trash cans. I was like man.. This is crazy!! Who do they think we are?? Haha.. Then we walked in through the doors of the building and people started staring at us. I felt like i was in one of those old movies where the bad guy walks into the store and everyone runs away and it gets really quiet. Seriously It was crazy! People got really quiet and we heard people whispering.. "the mormons are here" Haha like we couldnt hear!!! I dont think that i have ever felt so out of place! Haha.. It was soo funny tho... We got our food and sat in a corner all by ourselves and had a good time! The Amish make thee best homeade ice cream and pie i've ever had! haha.. Definately an experience ill never forget.

Anyways.. We are teaching a lady named Jennifer. She lives in a town way outside of where we are called Arlington. She has had such a rough upbringing and a rough past and says thats its hard for her to believe that God really does love her. We began teaching her the Doctrine Of Christ and explained that when we follow the 5 steps that are outlined in the doctrine, God will prove to us that he loves us. The spirit bore strong testimony to her and she is beginning to have faith. And thats the first step. We talked to her about repentance and how it can remove guilt and help her feel happy, which is God's way of showing his love for us. She is on her way to a better life! Its awesome! She is beginning to be so happy!

Haha.. So me and my companion Elder Girvin are out of miles in our car.. And we needed to help a less active member is Oelwein who was going through a rough time. So we had the brilliant idea of biking 15 miles out to Oelwein in 95 degree.. that feels like 103. with no water.. Haha.. And it was rough!! I was prayin that someone would stop and give us a ride! But instead people were just passing by and some of them would laugh.. Or pretend to pull over.. Then speed off real quick leaving a cloud of exhaust for us to suck in! This area of Iowa is VERY different than any other area.. Haha.. People are so lost. And are so far from the truth! Its crazy! Im probably making it sound worse that it really was too.. But its definately different than anything i've ever experienced.

But the cool thing is.. Is that never once did i get discouraged or was afraid.. Never once did i ask myself "what am i doing out here" like i might have in the past. And i know its because i have been praying for strength to deal with any situation that comes at me! The Lord has granted me that strength and i began to feel sorrow for those people who passed us by and laughed. We have something that would be of such great benefit to them!! And they are so blind! One day they will realize..

But we made it to Oelwein.. And i was so grateful that we did. Because the less active member was having a very hard time and having some serious doubts about the church and we worked out her concerns and questions and she came to church the next sunday and had a great time. She says now that she understands what the gospel is about!!

Bein a missionary is somethin else.. Its truly an experience of a life time! And im grateful i get to have this opportunity to serve! Thank you family for all that you do! I love and miss you all! Sounds like the summer has been a good one! :)

Mom or Lexee. What is BJ's address to his house in Mid-Way? I wanna send them letters.

Lexee. Thank you for the pictures!! So fun to see. I love Zanders hair cut! HAHA!

Dad and Mom! I enjoyed reading your talks!! They sounded great! Thanks

SEND ME SOME PRINTED PICTURES SO I CAN HAVE THEM WITH ME!

Love you all!!

Elder Russell