Week 66

Hello My Family!

 

I heard a awesome quote this week.. It said.. "Faith is not believing that God can, but KNOWING that he will."

I think that most of us know that God can do everything.. But do we really know and believe that he will do things for us? Pretty sweeeeeeet

 

ANyways.. This week has been SO cool. So many miracles. The ward here in Quincy is pretty great. Our Bishop, Bishop Seaman is THE MAN! Holy cow.. So cool.. He's got 9 kids, he's a doctor, and he's just awesome. When I was reading the scriptures this morning I was reading about Moroni in Alma 43&44.. And Bishop is a modern day Moroni. Hah! Pretty sweet!

 

     One thing that is a little overwhelming about this area is the amount of Less-Active or In-Active members here.. And sadly, quite a number of them are Recent Converts too! But as we have been visiting people, and getting to know them and serving them, we are seeing miracles. A Family that has totally ignored the missionaries for the past year invited us to a BBQ next week! And we knew that this In-Active sister LOOVED cheesecake, so we made a homemade Cheesecake with the Bishops family and gave it to her and she was happy and it allowed us to have a lesson with her for the first time in years.. Its been so cool to see progress being made with these people! It feels so good to help people tear down walls that have been up for so long! It's changing them. And There are so many other stories that I just don't have time to tell!

 

  Ha So on Wednesday night... We had a ward party and it was a talent show. It was so much fun. I voluntered my companion and I to cook the hamburgers.. There were about 150-200 people there so as you can tell this would be quite the challenge.. Haha! So we started cooking, and we had like 30 burgers on this big huge grill at once.. And the grease that was dripping down into the fire was creating a flame that was like 2 feet high. It was so high that we couldn't really get in there to flip them till it cooled down. We said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father to please in some way keep the food from burning so everybody could enjoy their night. They were under there for quite some time, and when the fire went down we were amazed to see that the burgers were just fine and ready to go.. It was amazing. Miracle for sure.. A small one. But one that I appreciated SO much. Prayer really works.

 

   Haha also.. They had a ward closet before the talent show, and I got a pair of SWEEET bowling shoes for free..! Haha! So awesome! Love it.

I hope you got my letter in the mail with those pictures.. If not let me know!

And mom.. DId you ever pick up my winter clothes from Sis. Brown's Dad's house?? Please let me know!!

 

I love you family! So much. Good to hear from you! Thanks for all you do!

 

Love Elder Russell

Week 65

Hello Family! :) It sounds like you guys are all doing good!! Haha! I'm happy to hear it!

I'm pretty shocked that you let a dog live in your house mom.. Thats a sign that things have definitely changed! Haha! I'm proud of you..

   Wow.. Hah I have had a great week.. I didn't spend to much time in my area.. We had 2 days of meetings in Iowa City.. And those were great. My mission president is the man.. I love him so much. Haha!

  I gotta tell you guys about a SWEET thing that I got to do on Tuesday night.. My heart starts pounding when I think about it. Haha! So on Tuesday night after our meeting in Iowa City, Elder Parkinson(my best budd) suprised me and told me that I was spending the night in Muscatine!! My 1st area!! Haha! I just about lost it right there in the Church parking lot.. So we hopped into the car and headed down there. It was so cool to see all the people, and the progress that they've made.

 

The first visit I made, was the Norton Family!- They were a less-active family, and they came to church for the first time in a while my last Sunday I was in Muscatine! And they have been active ever since! So awesome. Bro Norton gave me a big old hug.. And it was SO good to see him..

 

We had dinner at Mama Stone's house. She is the greatest. :)

 

Then the highlight of the night took place. I had called a few people that we had baptized while I was there, and I asked them to meet me at the church!! It was so awesome! They gave me a big old hug. We started talking about their lives since I had left. And i'm gonna give you a brief summary of what's taken place..

 

Ross Conrad- He's 40 years old.. And hasn't missed a single day of Church since he was baptized. Goes out with the missionaries multiple times a week. Blesses, prepares or passes the sacrament every week. And just recieved the Melchezidek Priesthood!! Haha and on July 3rd.. He will go to the Nauvoo temple to recieve his endowments. And I got permission to go with him!! :) Haha SOO exciting! When we found Ross he was spiraling down faster and faster.. And now he has a purpose in life.. Its so amazing! He has so much faith, and he is so strong. He called me on Sunday right after he participated in his first Priesthood blessing. And he was SO full of the spirit. He couldn't even talk when he was on the phone!! Amazing.. He's an awesome guy.

 

Skyler Ketelsen- 19 years old..He went in-active for a month or 2 after I was already gone from Muscatine... But he is back on track now.. And he is doing amazing. He attended a Stake Conference in Iowa City and Elder Perry of the 12 was there. He was hit so strongly by the spirit and he said a voice said to him that he needed to go on a mission. So now he is preparing to serve a mission!! Haha soo awesome. Hopefully he stays strong! His family isn't very supportive.

 

And I got to see some other friends that I made while I was there! I saw Madison O'brien and Abigail Enriquez! And they are so special. :) I love them all so much

The whole Marston Clan came by the church and we had a big old party right there in the parking lot. It was so good to see them all! It was like a big family reunion!!

 

That night as I knelt down to pray, I was overwhelmed because I wanted to thank Heavenly Father.. But words would not suffice for how much thanks that I wanted to give him. I am forever grateful and in debt for a God who loves me, and has taken care of me, my new friends, and my old friends while i've been gone. I love it so much!

 

I love being a missionary. So much. Its the best thing somebody can do with their life. I love you all so much. I'll write more about Quincy next week! :) I'm out of time. Haha

 

Thanks for your emails Mom and Dad and Lexee! I love them!! Sounds like the family is doing good! And mom.. We're going to be moving here soon so I will get you my address next week. I promise. If you need to send something to me right now send it to the mission home! Or just wait till next week and i'll get you the address. Thanks love you..

 

Love Elder Russell

"If it is to be, it is up to me"