Hola mi familia y amigos! October 26,2015

Como estan?? We have been working so hard this week. Bret is still working towards his baptismal date but still doesn't believe he is ready. He needs to have that desire which is all up to him. There is only so much we can do. Please pray that he will have that full desire to quite smoking and become a member of the Lord's church. 

We had a miracle this past week. We were out contacting some refurals and figured out that it was the wrong house. We saw some people outside next door and decided to go talk with these 2 women. They were very kind. Besides her satanic dog who tried to eat us. But one lady(K) was so hilarious and she is so nice. We talked about and shared how we love to do things like service. She perked up and said, "Your kidding, You guys are angels sent to me and I have a friend who needs your help!" She calls us her miracle:) Her friend is pregnant and the husband doesn't help out much because he is taking care of the Ranch and working other jobs as well because the ranching business ain't going too well. They have the 2 cutest kids I have ever seen!!! K told us that her friend needs help right away and she lives in marathon. Well it happens to be that we had planned to go to marathon the next morning. Man God is good. This is our first time going to marathon this transfer and we always pray where we need to go at what time. Its truly amazing how we got the confirmation of the Holy Ghost to go to marathon that saturday. K gave us all the information we needed and we went up the next morning to help this lady. Okay we drove 15 min out of marathon and then got to the fence of the ranch. We had the code to open it and then drove 5 miles until we got to this cute house. At first we thought we were being led to our death but we both prayed and felt really good about it. We came up to the fence and like 10 dogs starting barking at us! It was scary. We were about to just leave when these two cute cute kids came out and settled the dogs down. Then a cute pregnant lady came out and they were soooo sweet. She really appreciated us coming and we helped organize and clean some rooms. It was so fun. The kids helped and gave us some Gatorade and made sure we had everything we needed. The little girl is home schooled and sooo smart. We helped for a couple hours and then needed to go.

When we were leaving we got 3 long hugs from them. The mother was tearing up and the kids didn't want us to leave. They said come back when you get the chance! They were the sweetest family and we hope to go back up next week sometime. It was truly the work of the Lord and we hope they saw that in us. We were told not to (by K) to not talk about God because she doesn't like it but we are going to share at least something with her next time. We hope we at least soften some hearts and opened some doorways. Gah it was a cool experience and their Ranch is absolutely beautiful! Please pray for them:)

That's all I got for this week. Sister Wimmer and I gave talks this past Sunday.  I love giving talks and sharing the Gospel to help our members become stronger. Seriously, sharing your testimony is a huge deal even when you may not know it! Love yall. Tenga seguridad and yo se que este evangelio is la verdad. Dios siempre es nos mirando.

Con amor, Hermana Russell

I got the package

Hola! October 19, 2015

Holy moly!  This week was Crazy!   The work here is truly amazing.  We found a lot of new investigators to teach and we went to Marfa on Saturday.  We always pray for when is the best time to visit our different areas and that was the day to go to Marfa. There was the film festival going on there so there was a lot of people! Perfect! Also our members planned a service project up there for a less-active member. No joke, we couldn't have planned it on a better day and we met a lot of people we can teach. We have a hard time with all our investigators in Alpine and now we have 3 other areas to worry about. But it is all good. We are NEVER bored. I hope it isn't too much for my trainee. Sister Wimmer is a trooper:) I just love Alpine so much and we never want to leave! There is too much to be done!

 We set a baptismal date for Brett for November 7th! The one who is trying to quit smoking. Please pray for him! It is really hard for him but he got the neon sign he had been looking for. Seriously, God is truly merciful towards that man. He said he was out on the road driving when some lights went out. He tried everything and then he said, " Alright God I need some Help"(or something like that) and the lights immediately turned on. He was like, "Wow." hahaha we got so excited and we said there is your sign! And he agreed saying, "I know I know" He said we went back later to see about the lights and the wires are separated but the lights still worked. He says he knows there is a God! That is huge progress for him and he is just getting closer and closer to the truth. He will get there! He is just awesome. 

The lady with the 3 year old boy is doing great. Her husband is finally back so that we can talk with him! We have a lesson tonight and we are so excited! He is a less-active member and I can picture in my head him baptizing his wife and then later on their 3 year old boy. It truly brings tears to my eyes and I can't wait for that day:)

We are teaching many people but there isn't a lot of time to share everything about each of them. I wish I could. But Alpine is great. We are great. The world is great. Just everything is great! Tenga suerte esta semana con todos! 

".....with God, nothing is impossible" -Somewhere in the Bible. I think Timothy sorry.

Con amor, Hermana Russell

P.S.
The Youngbergs are members here and they are exactly like Meg and Brant. Brother Youngberg is hilarious and so sarcastic, like Brant. Hahaha and he is bigger like Brant. They are the cutest couple and Tommy is adorable.

Went to big bend national park which is beautiful! The Youngbergs are moving:(

The Rio Grande. And Mexico is the other side of the river

 "I'm the One" (family inside joke)

Gorgeous! By the Santa rena bank?

October 12, 2015 Zone Conference!

We are heading off to Carlsbad NM tonight @6. We have a zone conference in Artisia so we stay the night in Carlsbad and then go to artisia tuesday morning. After that we head down to Monahans and stay with the sisters down there and then drive home wednesday morning. Alpine is so far away from everything!! But i love it for that reason:) 

We have so many investigators that are so close to baptism!! Our one investigator is having a really hard time with not smoking. But we continue to pray and he will get there! He is reading and praying in the Book of Mormon and he will get his answer that it is true:) 

Our other investigator with the 3 year old son is sooo cute. She called us one day and asked if we could babysit because she got called into work short notice. Hhaahaha it was cute. We were at a members having dinner which was perfect because then the member gladly volunteered. She ended up finding the Babysitter but it would have been a great fellowship. We were just glad that she has that trust with us to call us:) It was awesome. And she love it when we come over and share things from the bible and book of Mormon with her. She is such a hardworking mother. Hopefully her husband comes home soon from his business trip so we can teach and talk with him! She is also reading and praying about the Book of Mormon.

We are teaching our golden family on thursday! Pray that it goes well and they will want the Gospel in their lives!!

 So much going on in such a short period of time! Missionary is crazy and can be hard but it is so rewarding i love it!:)

Y'all have a great week and Here is my quote for the week!

" Regardless of what you have done in the past, great Blessings are available to you if you begin now to live the Gospel:)" Love it!

Con amor- Hermana Russell

Aliens haha someone told us that God is an Alien. We agreed with him. It's true.

Went on a Hike this morning with one of our investigators. She has some awesome property in Alpine and its beautiful. She reminds me of Jodi Russell

Hola Familia y Amigos! October 5, 2015

We got our transfer calls in:) Sister Wimmer and I are staying in Alpine to finish off Sister Wimmer's Training! I am so excited because I never ever want to leave alpine. There is too much work here to be done. 

One of our investigators is still having a hard time quitting smoking but he is still trying! We taught this new family that we found and they are just so awesome!! And we hoped that they watched conference. 

Conference was sooo good this week. It is 10x better being a missionary and watching it as well. Super cool. I will also be able to watch it 2 more times on my mission yay!! My favorite thing from the General Young Woman's meeting was probably The woman that talked about how when we return with our Heavenly Father, We will be asking him, "Was that all that was asked??" Because the reward will be so great. I shared it in my testimony 2 sundays ago and there were some tears shed. I felt the spirit so strong during this conference. I couldn't stop thinking about all of our investigators and how it can apply to them. I am so excited to share talks with each of them. We asked all of our investigators to watch it and we hope they did.

President Uchtdorf's talk was truly amazing. The investigator who is trying to quit smoking watched the priesthood session and it was awesome! President Uchtdorfs talk spoke to him big time. He actually didn't watch the rest of conference because of how much it scared him. He was like," How can he do that?" He actually felt very inadequate and The Holy Ghost was definitely poking at him. He doesn't feel like he fits in with the "suit and ties". jajaj We explained to him that you don't have to be perfect and it will take time. And we aren't here to make him wear a suit and tie, We are here to strengthen his relationship with Christ. He wants to continue meeting with us and quit smoking. But pray that he will feel prepared to be baptized. We believe in him!

I loved when Elder Holland Talked about Mothers and how important their role it. It was beautiful. We have an investigator who has a hard time with putting a name on things. Like God is kinda just like a Great Spirit......That sounds familiar, Alma 17. Like when Ammon teaches King Lamoni and Aaron teaches His father. Seriously the Book of Mormon is true. But she and her boyfriend live together and she just found out she is pregnant. She is so excited but the boyfriend isn't. We taught her about the Plan of Salvation and she really liked it. Her boyfriend did as well. She is a very spiritual person and peaceful. Kinda like a hippie and she is just so adorable. We are so excited to share with here the talk by Elder Holland. She will love it!

I love the work here in Alpine and i continue to work very hard! I love y'all so much! 

"Doubt your doubts before you Doubt your Faith" - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

- Con amor, Hermana Russell

Our awesome District. The one in Elder Sailors arms is leaving home this week. Elder Banages. Then from Left to right is, Elder wardell, Elder leonardson, Sister Leanardson, Elder Thornton(District Leader), Elder Banagus and Elder Sailor (Zone Leaders) and sister wimmer and I.

Cute dog