Week 49

Its been a good week..!

The black suit that i came out with bit the dust last night.. It was so warn down and it had holes and tears beyond repair all over it, and as sad as it was, i had to retire it. Its seem some good days, but its time had come! Ha!

Haha Also.. Iowans speak another language, called Iowan. Its so funny. They say things like "we gotta couple 3 minutes yet" and "Kids! Go warrsh your hands!!" and just a bunch of other funny stuff, and me and my comp have adopted the Iowan language. Its so funny. I'm gonna come home with a a full blown Iowan accent!

We have been doing so much finding on our own and not having much success.. A big majority of people here in Ankeny are very well pleased with their lifestyle, and feel as tho God has already blessed them for being on the right track! Which, in some degree, is true! They live their lives to the best of their knowledge and God is bound to bless them! We've been trying to figure out ways to help them know that there is more out there and that the Fullness of the Gospel is back on the earth. Its tricky.. But it makes it really fun too! We've said some pretty bold things and it really makes people think.. I love it! It makes me truly grateful to be born into the fullness of the gospel. And like i always tell everyone, we'll never understand how truly lucky we are to be apart of the Church! Its all that matters in the end!

Our investigator that we do have is going to be baptized on the 4th of Feb! Which is so exciting!! :) We've worked so hard with her this last month or 2, resolving concerns, and helping her come to know the truth that we know! Its awesome to see her progress and work towards baptism. She's really excited!

We are doing this awesome program with the members here in Ankeny to get them more missionary minded. They compile a list of their friends who they want to share the gospel with, and read missionaries scriptures that we give them, fast as a family for missionary work, we pray for them by name every morning and night, and also pray for missionary opportunities! The Bishop's family had the coolest experience ever! They have a family they've been friends with for a long time, and about 2 or 3 years ago that family had lost a son and became pretty shut down to God and things like that. Their goal was to invite them to a FHE at their house! One day they decided to go to Culver's for dinner and lo and behold the family that they've prayed about everyday walked into Culvers! They talked for a long time and eventually invited them to FHE and the family said they'd love that! When our Bishop told us this story he got very emotional and explained how badly he has wanted to share the gospel with this family in the past, but never had the chance! It was so cool! My testimony of the power in specific prayers, and sacrificing for others was most definitely strengthened! And in the words of Joseph Smith, "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven" So true!

As for me, tomorrow the terrible teens are over! Haha! Just kiddin.. I liked my teenage years. It'll be a good day tho! A member family here who's from UT originally makes a really good imitation of cafe rio food.. So they're going to make that for me! I'm really excited! I got your package mom and i'll open it tomorrow! Thanks so much!

Ha i love you guys so much! Thanks for all the support you give me! I'm glad that you guys are staying busy and having fun! Its finally starting to get cold here! Which has been long awaited! Hah!

Oakley's and Johnson's thank you SO much for the letters! SO good to hear from you guys! I'll write back as soon as i can! I will talk to you guys next week!! :)

Love Elder Russell