Thursday, December 2, 2010

Russell's Email 12-2-10, THE LAST EMAIL OF THE MISSION

Family, What's all this last email stuff? It's the end of the transfer (almost), and that's all it feels like... I really can't fathom the thought, even though it's a few days away. Thanks for those lovely reminders that my mission is almost over lol.
This week has been much better. The Lord is watching out for us and as we do our best he is helping. I was worried about finishing strong and so I knew I needed to get away from my area, at least for a day, so I went on exchanges with the zone leaders yesterday and we had a good day. When Elder B. and Elder V. were in my area yesterday, they found a couple new people to teach and set someone for baptism. I know God loves it when we go on exchanges, and he gives special blessings on those days.
Last week Elder V. and I spoke in both of our wards. It was a really good experience and I felt it did a lot for the trust level of the wards we cover. I have a new gratitude for the McMinnville ward and their love for the missionaries. If I am ever a bishop, I will have a note on the pulpit that has the missionaries names and I will have all the new missionaries share their testimony their first sunday. This whole transfer I have worked to build ward relationships one dinner at a time, and to speak in church you build that relationship with the whole ward at once. I love it. I also started with my joke, and this is how it went, "I would like to go ahead and apologize, usually my mom writes my talks but she had to give a talk today too so I had to write my own..." Always gets a good laugh, but after the primary sang "Love is spoken here" I cried and told them you didn't write my talk because you were talking. tender moment that I Wanted to beat those little kids up for, they made me cry in front of the ward.
funny story- Yesterday morning the phone rings and it's sister Christensen wanting to talk to my comp. Elder V., happy birthday! Huh? He asks, "I forgot today is my birthday." Because his watch said Nov 31 and he didn't switch it, he forgot his birthday. I thought it was hysterical! lol
Things are going well here, and we have a good rest of the transfer planned out. I'm looking forward to the rest of the time because every day will have something that will force me to be productive. No better way to finish strong than to have no choice. :)
Thanks for your compliments. I'm still not perfect, and sometimes I wonder if I have accomplished what Heavenly Father needed or wanted me to, and that helped me to feel his approval. Love ya'll.

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