Week 57

I feel as if the weeks are beginning to fly by! Its crazy..
This week has been a good week. I've learned a lot.. And I've come to a even more sure knowledge that we are the Church of Jesus Christ. The exact same church that he set up while he was here.

Each week.. I come to new conclusions about life.. Haha its great. I figure out new things that i didn't know before.

We were having a nice conversation with a gal on the streets here in Ankeny. She invited us back to her home to talk about God and religion and things. She said that she wanted to know what we really believed! And not what she hears on the street.We went back, and began to talk with her and share the message of the restoration. It went well.. We asked her what she thought about the message of the Restored Gospel, and she said that it sounded good! And that she was glad she knew what we really believed! She then commenced to tell us what she believes. She said "if you believe in God, then you can go to Heaven. Its that simple. Religion just kind of confused everything.." She said she believed in the Bible.. She went to church every once in a while.. And i was trying so hard to figure out where she came up with this conclusion/definition of salvation! There was also evidence around the home that she was not living a "commandment keeping" lifestyle. We continued on in our conversation, and it became VERY apparent to me that she believed the way that she did, because those beliefs permitted her to basically live life however she wanted. She told herself "i believe in God, he loves me, he knows that i'm weak and that i'll sin.. He loves me too much for me not to go to Heaven." I began to feel so bad for this lady.. She had a family, and she, with the help of Satan, had convinced herself that Salvation was an easy thing.. And that we didn't have to work for it. And as long as we believe in God.. We're good to go. We talked a little bit more, and we agreed to disagree on things, and we went our separate ways. She agreed to read the Book of Mormon so there still might be hope! Haha :)

This life is not about what we want. Its about finding God.. And then doing what he wants.. I could see, from the outside looking in that this dear sister was missing something. But she convinced herself that that is the way that life was. I've come to the conclusion that the Gospel of Jesus Christ allows us to live on a higher plane.. It will allow us to be able to endure the presence of Christ then we will be able to receive the Grace which he will freely give to us.Come judgement day, Jesus Christ will be begging us to stay.. He will be saying things like "its ok, we can work this out, i want you to be with me, please don't go." But because of the things that people do on this earth they will not be able to stand being in His presence, and they will run and flee. We will be the judges of ourselves. Salvation is free.. Don't get me wrong.. We are ONLY saved by the Grace of Jesus Christ.. But not only do we need to be saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, we need to be CHANGED by the grace of Jesus Christ.

I love this gospel.. I know its true.. It makes so much sense!!

I had the opportunity to go on ex-changes with my best friend Elder Parkinson this week. He's an assistant to the President now and he is such a stud!! I love him. We're going to be great friends forever.

A highlight of the week was that we had 5 less active families that we've been working with, who had not been to church in a loooong time, came on Sunday! IT was too sweet to see them walk in the doors and begin to renew those covenants they made a long time ago!

Mom! Thanks so much for the package.. Those little Hershey's Eggs totally remind me of you! Hah! :)
Dad thanks for the email! That was great! Tell the ward hello!
Lexee! Thanks for the JRH intercept. He's SO sweet! :) and i'm going to use that quote this upcoming week
I love you family and friends! Thanks so much for all you do for me and the support you show. It means so much.
Gotta go till next week!

Love Elder Russell

Week 56

What an awesome week it has been!! I'm sorry i didn't email yesterday.. We had a Zone Conference up in Ames so our P Day was moved to today! It was pretty stressful because we had to do everything to set up for it! And there was a lot more that we had planned on! But all worked out well! And the Lord definitely had our backs! Haha..

The weather has been just dandy here in Iowa. Missionary work is always enjoyable don't get me wrong.. But people seem to be in a much better mood when the sun is shining and its 70 degrees outside! Haha! We have been able to talk to SO many people about the Book of Mormon and the church.. But we're still waiting for the one's who are being prepared by the Lord! I have a feeling that he or she is coming soon! I just know it!!

We stopped a college aged girl on the street the other night and we asked her if she had a minute to talk. We began talking and she told us that she had been looking for a church in Ankeny to attend. I then proceeded to ask her what is it that she looks for in a church.. Without a glimpse of hesitation she replied "a good band!" ..for a second i was taken back and i didn't know really what to say! I asked if the doctrine that the church was preaching had any significance to her decision. And her reply was "well.. not really.. I just go for the music."I just wish you were all there to see my face. Haha I was so confused. I had never encountered a situation like this.. My next words came out of nowhere and i told her "well i'm sorry, but we can't offer a free christian rock concert, but we can offer everything that Jesus Christ has ever given us!." She just kind of stood there and said "ok! thats cool!" Hahhaa!! She took a pamphlet and a Book of Mormon and promised us that she would read and pray. So who knows what will happen! The Adversary works in mysterious ways.. And it was a HUGE testimony builder to me that we have to be constantly getting rid of the things in our lives that in any way, shape, or form detract the spirit from our lives. We HAVE to be able to know the difference between good, and better.

I feel as if the Lord has truly humbled me in this area.. I feel in my past 2 area's that i have always been able to find people to teach and baptize, but in this area He is making me work harder than I've ever worked before. Therefore, i feel as if i have relied on the spirit more than i ever have before. Its amazing how much you can learn when you get rid of the tiny little things that detract from the spirit in your lives. You realize how precious the spirit is, and how easily one little crude remark, or dirty joke, or tiny lie, can disqualify you from the spirit's presence. And I've come to the conclusion that it is simply not worth it. The closer you are, the better off you'll be. I promise you that!

I am grateful for the things I'm learning.. I feel like God takes me to a new and higher level each week. Its so good to sit down and just type for a few minutes and reflect on the week and the things i've learned. There is no way i could tell you everything or i'd be here for hours. I know that God is watching over each one of you! Thanks for all the support and love you show me. I really do appreciate it!

CONGRATS ON GOING AP Kash Johnson! Haha we all knew it was comin you stud!
Thanks for the email and stories Dad! Sounds like you guys are having fun traveling the Nation!
I think one of the pictures i sent you is of a snake i caught! They are all over! Its so crazy!
I must get going now! Gotta good day ahead of us!

Love, Elder Russell

Week 55

Hello everyone!!

This week has been a good week.. I can't believe how fast time can really go.. It scares me! Haha..

So i've got a new companion! His name is Elder Westmoreland! He's from Meridian IDaho! He's way cool and he is a mechanic. Haha he knows everything about cars i swear! Its pretty cool! Haha! My last companion Elder Harris went all the way over to Peoria IL. Other side of the mission! Pretty crazy.. Hah!

This week has been way fun! A little crazy.. But still really fun! We are working with quite a few people right now who's lives are literally owned by Alcohol. It is the saddest thing that I've ever seen! There is a less active member of the church who hasn't been to church in years because of this problem! He drinks 3-4 quarts a day.. And he recently got a DWI and spent a few days in jail, and is at an all time low. He has allowed us to come over and have lessons with him, but the power of addiction is just to much to handle.. For the first time in 4 years, we got him to go a day without alcohol, and at the end of the day his withdrawals were so bad that he was shaking like crazy.. And all he could do was think about alcohol. It was the saddest thing i've ever seen. But he said that he did something that he never thought that he would be able to do again, and that was go a whole 24 hours without drinking!! Haha.. So our friend is on his way to great things!! Slowly.. But surely! He said he wants to start getting out of the house, so we're going to go on walks with him, and we're going to go fishing with him too! Haha.. (we're not aloud to fish.. so we'll just go with him and make sure he doesn't fall into the lake! Haha!!)

This week we've been setting up return appointments with people like crazy! Which is awesome.. But not a single one has kept their appointment.. Which is NOT awesome! Haha.. People just bailed and didn't show, 1 person at least had the decency to call ahead of time and tell us that he wasn't interested in learning more. Haha so i guess that's better.. But it was the worst! By the end of the week i was so frustrated.. One thing that this area has taught me is that going to Church on Sunday is a literal spiritual and physical boost. Haha! I love church so much. I don't think i would last out here without church. ITs the best 3 hours in a week that anybody could spend!

But the good news is, is that we've found some pretty solid people through knocking doors which is awesome! Our efforts are paying off! Slowly.. But surely! Haha! The Lord is definitely teaching me SO many things. I don't think i've ever had my weaknesses shoved right in my face like they have been these last weeks.. Its been so great. And i truly am learning to overcome my weaknesses. I'm also learning that His grace really is sufficient for all men who humble themselves before him. (Ether 12:27)

Good good memories are being made on the mission.. Sometimes i just think about what I'm doing right now and it's just crazy. Haha.. Dedicating 2 years of my life to help people that i don't even know, walking away from everything i knew, leaving family and friends, spending 24/7 with a companion i never knew before the day i met him, and trying to strengthen everyone's faith in Jesus Christ!! Haha thats madness!!! But i love it so much! And somehow it is so much fun... Don't get me wrong there are definitely hard times.. But at the end of the day, if you've done your best, its a great day!! To me its evidence that God is with his missionaries always! There are things that are far beyond my comprehension that are happening to us, and the people that we talk to! Its the greatest!

I've gotta go now! I hope all is going well! I love you all so much!

Jett Johnson!!! Thanks for the email!! Your my hero little man! Keep shreddin!!

Love Elder Russell

Week 54

This week has been good.. We have had to run so many little errands tho so its been kinda frustrating. But it is what it is.. You know? Haha..

Well i just saw some pictures from Elder K. Johnson's email and that waterfall looked SWEET! If you are reading this my friend.. One day we will go there and do fun stuff off of it! Haha

Anyways.. I want to start my email off with the words of one of my heroes.. Nacho Libre.. "People don't think that i know a buttload a crap about the gospel.. But i doo"
Haha.. Seriously.. This week we have had so many people trying to prove us wrong its crazy... I am so grateful that our beliefs come straight out of the bible! Haha because i would be worried if they didn't! I am grateful also for the Book of Mormon because it has a undeniable power when someone reads it with real intent. We are teaching and teaching but we are just now trying to find those who are being prepared by the Lord. Those are the ones who will be faithful and those are the ones who will read the Book of Mormon with real intent. I love this work so much. I grow so much everyday.

I've got sad news my friends.. The Russell and Harris duo is coming to an end.. We got word that Elder Harris is leaving this area and i'll be getting a new companion here tomorrow. I'll let you know who he is on Monday!


We just got a call from the Mission Pres.. and i've got to take a missionary to the airport.. He has to go home for surgery. Bummer. Haha well that kinda shoots my email time down to nothing! I love you all so much. Thanks for all that you and and the support you give me. I'll email more next week! LOVE YOU!!

Elder Russell