Last and Final Weekly Email October 11, 2016

Hey yall!

We were able to visit a less active family earlier in the week and it was such an incredible experience. We talked about Christs disciples and how it was hard for them to follow the savior and we invited them to make the decision right now in this moment to never leave him. It was the sweetest thing because right before we left we asked if there was anything we could add in the prayer and she said " That we can have a stronger desire to come back to church and know the savior on a personal level." My heart was full! I knew that was a request of true intent! We also went to waffle house with the Millsapp sisters because we love them! They are hilarious!

District Meeting was actually really awesome! We talked about the importance of turning our will over to the lord and how when we figure out how to truly do it, it will bless us. I have a strong desire to continue to do the lords will and to never leave him! It was a really awesome meeting!

We were able to walk with our favorite Sister Lemon! She is the sweetest thing ever! She is from Germany and has the best and saddest stories ever! She wanted us to walk with her because she hasn't walked in 5 years outside because she was injured, old age and so forth. It was a fun thing to do with her especially with knowing that the savior would have gladly walked with her too.

I am so grateful for the prompting I received to serve a mission when I did. I am so grateful for the countless individuals who have shaped and molded me into the person I am today. It is hard for me to put into words the full magnitude of my gratitude towards the lord for allowing this imperfect hot mess represent his son Jesus Christ and through his grace and mercy I have been able to do it! I KNOW THIS WORK IS TRUE! I know that this is the one and only true church on the earth with Christs teachings in its fullness. I'm not going to apologize for knowing and testifying of that truth! I know this because I did a lot to find out for myself. I prayed sufficiently and read my scriptures and applied the teachings! I know that God has not left us alone. I was reading this week in Alma 17 and the king asks Ammon if he wanted to dwell among the Lamanites or his people. and he response is " Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time: yea, and perhaps until the day I die". My heart has been touched completely by the people of Georgia, and quite frankly I never want to leave, but I will forever remember the incredible moments where I came to know my savior like no other time in my life. I will see you all when I get home!

Sister Russell 

Weekly Email October 3, 2016

HEY Y'ALL!

I am really just full of gratitude and love towards my savior. I have felt this past weekend that he truly was there in the conference and he was there along side me as I took notes. I have such a profound determination to be a better person! I cannot get overwhelmed with all that I need to work on but take it one step at a time. I will tell ya I knelt down in prayer on Saturday pleading with the lord to help me to prepare that morning in my studies and I was prompted to read JOHN 6. When the savior is talking about that he is the bread of life and the disciples found it too hard. It was a beautiful thing to read and I committed to the lord that I will never leave him nor this gospel. It is what truly makes me happy, it is my savior and his teachings that keep me grounded. I hate the natural man of me, I am just a horrible person without the gospel. I will never leave him. M. Russell Ballard and I must be on the same wave lengths or we must be related....RUSSELL. I was sitting there while watching conference all bug eyed because I couldn't believe that I read the exact passage he had based his talk on!

I loved General conference so much. But now WHAT?!? Okay so my game plan is im going to figure out what I will do daily to prepare myself for the sacrament, I am going to think of people I can share the gospel with and invite to church so if you are reading this and you just got goosebumps...that means im sharing it with you when I get back! I am going to make sure I do not get laxed with the sacred things God has entrusted me with here on this earth, as I was reading this past week I thought about all the sacred things God has given me testimony, my family, the scriptures, the gospel in its fullness, and the ability to choose.

ALMA 37:14-15 

14 And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted‍ you with these things, which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve‍ for a wise‍ purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations.

 15 And now behold, I tell you by the spirit of prophecy, that if ye transgress the commandments of God, behold, these things which are sacred shall be taken away from youby the power of God, and ye shall be delivered up unto Satan, that he may sift you as chaff before the wind.

I testify that God will help us in this journey in becoming more like him and his son, Jesus Christ. I know as you go to him in prayer ask him to reveal to you what you need to repent of and what you personally can improve on. HE WILL TELL YOU. HE LOVES YOU AND ALWAYS HAS LOVED YOU. End of discussion. So stop delaying your happiness and draw closer to him and if you don't believe in God and you're reading this.... why not? why not hope that you have a loving father in heaven who cares for and watches over you. I promise you he lives and love you, he sent his son to prove it to you. 

Sister Russell