Weekly Email August 15, 2016

Hey y'all!

I am so incredibly tired! Sister Thompson and i have been running around with our heads cut off. We are just trying to get to know everyone and make sure our efforts aren't going in vain. Its been fun for me, when we will be at church sometimes i feel like people aren't going to their right ward i get all turned around! haha.

The relief society president and i had the opportunity to go out and teach! It was super fun, she is fabulous! We were able to contact a referral from the elders. We invited her to church and explained the book of Mormon to her! We then went out and contacted many less active members. In the next three week we are going to try to contact as many as we possibly can!

We were able to go volunteer at a nursing home and paint fingernails. A lady there told me that she loved my hair and then we started talking about where she goes to church and we invited her to come check ours out! I invited her to the relief society activity they are doing soon! 

We have been really focusing on helping people recognize that it is their choice whether they receive an answer or not. They must put forth the effort! I love that god respects us and loves us and will never override our agency! :) 

I was studying Alma 37 and Alma is the ideal pops in the book of Mormon. He is just so solid. He gives the greatest advice to his kids and does it in such a loving way! I love that he is so engrossed in his sons salvation and testimony of the gospel! He want Helaman in chapter 37 to know that he needs to take care of the scriptures. I love that he closes with this 

"For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

 46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.

 47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son,farewell.

I testify that we have been entrusted with such sacred truths. We must treat them and use them accordingly. If you aren't happy with your testimony, do something about it. Don't blame others or your lack thereof. Just pray for the courage to take the necessary step and be patient. If you don't read the scriptures daily, i plead with you please do! It will bless your life, it will give you strength! I love the lord, i love that he has given us this wonderful gospel so we can have JOY! :) Please pray for SISTER CHRIST, SISTER TRACY AND PRESIDENT AND SISTER FOOTE( they are the best!)

Love,

Sister Russell