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"