Week 90

I don't even know where to begin this week.. It was fantastic. My fingers can barely type cause i'm so excited to tell you all what happened..

So.. Our mission, as I have mentioned before.. set a goal to baptize 400 people in the year of 2012.. The Assistants to the Pres who are my good buds have kept in touch with me and updated me on the goal of 400 very closely! And with the way that the numbers were looking, this past Thursday we were going to get 398 baptisms.. Haha I know.. Ridiculous..

After I got word.. On the Morning of Dec 28th.. I sat there and thought about what we could do to reach 400.. I knew that the Lord would prepare a way.. I just didn't know how he was going to do it! I thought and thought... And a major spiritual impression popped into my head to ask the lady who we were teaching who was supposed to be baptized on Jan 5th to bump her date up to December 30th. We had asked her previously and she said no.. So i didn't want to push. But the thought came to me again.. And I called her up and said.. "Sister, we have received revelation.. We know that you are to be baptized this Sunday. Can we go forth with it?" After about 10 seconds of silence she said.. "Yes, I know that I am ready!"

She was the 399th baptism this year in the Iowa Des Moines Mission.. And due to another miracle that took place in Mt. Pleasant Iowa we reached the goal of 400. Reaching exactly 400 souls who were baptized this year.

When I recieved the phone call from Elder Mosser the assistant telling me we had reached the goal I was speechless. We have focused so hard on this goal and seeing it come to pass. Everyday we worked our hardest to do everything to reach it. We prayed for it, we fasted for it, it became apart of who we were. And when we were in the most need the Lord provided a way for his faithful servants to accomplish His will. And there is no better feeling. I know it may not seem like much to others.. But to us here in the IDMM it means the world. We know how hard work and dilligence can and does pay off. This is the first year that this mission has reached its goal in longer than anyone can remember. I feel the Ammon and the Sons of Mosiah who said "Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his cmercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."

The baptismal service went great.. A guy here in the Branch baptized our dear sister.. And it was fantastic.. She asked if I would confirm her and I was priveledged to do so.. I have gained a testimony that after all you can do, as the scriptures say.. Grace will come in and take care of the rest. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much. He will bless us as we work our hardest and do our part. No excuses.

Thank you for your prayers in our behalf.. We do appreciate them! It means a lot.

Christmas was great! And it was SOO good to talk to you all! I love it.

I don't have much time to write more.. I'm sorry but next week i'll have more to tell you i'm sure

I am glad to hear that Lexee's wedding went well. Haha so weird. I'm the only one left!

Mom I sent a package to the house of stuff i've inherited.. haha what do ya know.. I addressed it to myself so please just put it in my room. It should be there this week. And get feeling better!

I love you all! Your great..

Love Elder Russell