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