June 22, 2015 Tiempo tan rapido

Howdy Ya'll! Happy Fathers Day! (Yesterday)

We have been looking for new investigators and found a bunch. Everyone is mostly catholic but some are willing to listen. When we first talk to people they just shew us away until they really get to know us and end up talking to us for an hour. People are so funny. This one catholic lady asked us what we were selling. Jajaja 

Everyone is always so surprised when we start talking Spanish. They are very impressed. The best is when people act like they don't understand English and then we switch over to Spanish and their faces are like, "oh crap" People have a really hard time with going to church. Its not that hard! Some members in our ward travel 30 minutes to come to church. Now that is dedication. I love our members:) Since it is such a small branch we have everyone involved in mission work. They are all so awesome with helping us out. We are having a Meet the Mormons Movie night! It just came on Netflix! everyone please watch it.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful companion Hermana Nicholson! She turned 20 years old holy cow i know.

I just want ya'll to remember that the people in the church are not perfect. The gospel is perfect so you can not blame the people in the church. We all have our differences but your Heavenly Father loves you:) No matter who you are.

I was actually so sad my first week because i missed the Mexico MTC and all my latino Leaders. But then i went to church and guess what, My bishop is Latino! Him and his family are like my second family. Their names are the vargas's. They are so great.

I am learned so much. We are so lucky to have the gospel in our lives. there are so many things that our Heavenly Father has given us to understand and better our lives. It is crazy to think that people only follow the bible because they dont have prophets to guide them. I love our prophets.

If any of you get the chance, look up "consuela" It is such a good talk and show all your friends because everyone has consuela's that they need to get rid of.

I love you all. God Bless You!! (thats what everyone says here. Even my mission president.)

Made me some sushi because i miss sushi. Uncle Matt will be proud!

 Made cupcakes for mi companeras cumplianos

Made her favorite, Gluten free Pasta. Also made her breakfast

June 15, 2015 Tercer semana aqui en Alpine!

ALPINE! Its like i never left

HEY YA'LL! I am sorry my email was so short last week. But Alpine is the best! It is so beautiful. The sky always is so pretty here for some reason. The landscape isn't all that great so i think the sky has to make up for it. Just kidding, I think the little hills here are so great. They call them mountains and I laugh. Then they realize I am from Utah and it makes sense. The people here are so awesome. There are sooooo many different churches that everyone is so confused on which one they should attend. That is where my companion and I come in and tell them about Joseph Smith and how they can also find the true church by asking the one and only, Heavenly Father. Its so funny because they will try all the different churches except the LDS mormon church.

A cool experience happened to us the other day where this girl in her early 20's asked us about our church. Her name was Diandra. She was so cute and kept asking us all these questions and we got to share about missionary work which she loved and how great the gospel has blessed our lives. She asked the most awesome question, "What makes your church different from all the other church's." We shared about our prophets and apostles and how they preach the restored gospel that was brought to this earth and guide us in such horrible times. She was so awesome and i can't wait to have an actual lesson with her. 

We also have this activity where we are showing Meet the Mormons and having cupcakes and fruit! (my companion and I suggested the fruit.) and did you know Meet the Mormons is on netflix?! 

There are some people who can be pretty rude because of their religion and beliefs but its mostly the Jehovah's witnesses. We love them anyways:) There are so many religions down here and some i didn't even know about till i got here. Hey, It's almost like Alpine, Utah with all the LDS church's. It is really interesting actually seeing the outcomes of the Great Apostasy.

I want to buy a ranch when i get home. We get fresh eggs, fresh spices, fresh fruit, fresh pecans, and fresh veggies. I LOVE it here. They have Pecan trees everywhere and who knew pecans grew on trees?

The more i learn about the gospel the more i want to teach it to others. They Gospel is true, no doubt in my mind. It is crazy how some people don't know the truth and its right here! We have it! People love us because we state our purpose, "We are here to help bring others unto Christ and Its your choice whether you are going to accept our message or not." The Jehovah's witnesses are the opposite. They really appreciate our purpose of sharing the Gospel to those who need it. hahaah Even though in some cases its them. These people here are just so kind and i am already picking up on the Texas accent.

I have been focusing on teaching by the Spirit and our lessons go so much smoother! The Holy Ghost is the one that does the teaching so just open your mouth and he will guide you. I am so grateful to be here serving the Lord. Read the Book of Mormon everyday! It is so rewarding I promise you that. Study it too, don't just read it and forget it after. Truly study It.

I love ya'll and I am so grateful for yawls example to me. Joseph Smith's story is so powerful and we recently taught it too a less active who is coming back to church:) Share the Gospel as well! It truly brings miracles.

Take care! Write me:)\

Ya don't judge my face, but little tiny Cacti

Got to go to a baptism in Fort Stockton because my companion taught her. It was so great! Lady in the middle got baptized and her husband baptized her who is on the left:)

Skies are gorgeous, enough said.

These are desert candles. They are so gorgeous and they are everywhere here.

Fresh Salsa, Got like 50 gallons because our members love us.

Less active showing us a trianchula that she found underneath the stairwell. YIKES!

June 8, 2015 Primera Semana en Alpine Texas!

First week in Alpine Texas! It's like i never left. ja it is so beautiful out here! I will send a better email next week because there aint enough time this week! It has been crazy but i love missionary work so much! And alpine in the only place in texas that has mountains so seriously its like i never left. My companion and i were driving to alpine my first day and she starts talking about how she is gluten and dairy intolerant and i started freaking out. I was like no way me too. Ya dont tell me that Heavenly father isnt looking out for me because he is! I didnt tell my mission president that i was gluten and dairy intolerant until after i found out my companion. Ya it was pretty cool. I love my companion she is so sweet:) Ya'll have a good week. Les deseo un exito semana!

Love you and make sure to look out for one another! You are so lucky to have such a loving family and a great place to live:)

- LOVE Hermana Russell

Sorry no pics this week.

June 1, 2015 Texas Here I Come!

We received a 30  minute call from Rachel this day. She was excited to enter the field and put all of her training to work.

From President Heaps Blog:

MAY 29 Cute Little Sadie is Born!

Little Sadie Michael Russell Born May 29, 2015  Hermana Russell is an Aunt!

Pictures from Kristina Tycksen

District 12B

The other three-some companionship

From Sister Kristina Tyckson's letter 5/19/15

Okay, funny story time-- Hermana Russell is absolutely hilarious. She gets words mixed up sometimes in Spanish and so our teachers think it's hilarious, and we're all not sure what's going on,, but that something just happened :) Today she called Elder Bednar, ''Bernard'' because she couldn't remember his name!! XD we were laughing so hard!!

Kristina's mom Natalie said, "I am so grateful for the laughter she brings into Kristina's life.  She has had some anxiety/stress and I know that Hermana Reggie is a breath of fresh air for her.