Week 43

Hello!!

We have had a awesome but very sad week.. I HATE HATE HATE saying goodbye to people that i love. Its too hard.

And we have so many people that we are teaching right now and it makes me sad to leave them all and not see them thru to the finish, but as long as they make it there i will be just as happy!:)

Anyways.. I'm sorry i don't have much time today.. I've got to clean and pack but i wanted to tell you guys about a cool story that happened. One of our Branch members who's very musically talented put on a Christmas Concert in a town called Elkader IA. A town that has never been receptive to missionaries or Mormons in General. There is a HUGE Lutheran church and i'm pretty sure 99% of the whole town goes there. Anyways.. We went to her show and it was AWESOME! The spirit was so strong. She did such an amazing job.. And at the end of the concert she said, "if you want to learn more about Jesus Christ 2 of my best friends from my church will be handing out free card's and DVD's. It was so funny to see their faces coming down the stairs as they put 2 and 2 together and realizing that she was Mormon.. One guy was like.. "she was a mormon? wow i didn't know mormons could do that!" It was hilarious. At any rate.. We talked to a ton of people about the church and got a lot of things straight! People were actually saying sorry for being mean to us in the past! It was a cool experience.

Anyways.. I have been able to spend A LOT of time with members, non members, and friends who are learning about the church this week, and one night while i was saying my prayers, i was overwhelmed with the spirit of gratitude for this wonderful Gospel. I am SO grateful for the gospel and allowing me to meet all these wonderful people. It has been an experience of a lifetime, and i feel like I'm forever in debt to my Heavenly Father for letting me be here. I love my mission!

Being a missionary, especially this time of year is awesome! People's hearts are a little softer, and Christ is in everyone's minds. I love this gospel so much. Its truly amazing. I love you all and i've gotta go now.

Mom and Grandma Wright! Thanks for the Christmas Card! :) I loved them!

Lexee thanks for the little package that i can't open yet.. You have no idea how tempted i am to rip it open! Its gonna be a long 10 days! haha..

Michelle!!! :) thanks for those scriptures! They are great and i miss you! I hope you and the family have a good Christmas! Tell everyone i say hello!

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Love Elder Russell