When We Try, We Can Reach Our Goals

Before last week, the entire zone only found 10 new investigators, which is very low. So Last Tuesday, I asked the District leaders to talk about it in their district meetings, which they did very well. At the end, I spoke a bit more about it, and had us all put a goal of how many new investigators we could find today. As a district, we put the goal of 11, and headed to work. To my surprise, by the end of the night, as a district, we met the goal of exactly 11 new investigators in one day, which was incredible, and the following day, we found 9 more! By the end of the week as a zone, we found 38 new investigators which was almost 4 times better than the previous week. That made me so happy, but we can really achieve a lot if we just focus ourselves on what we need to do.

And of course, we had something even cooler happen this week, a BAPTISM! Esperanza decided to get baptized this last Saturday which turned out very well! Elder Leon baptized her and I confirmed her on Sunday. Several sisters are very excited to have a new member in the Relief Society, and she’s fitting right in very well. She’s a great convert, and it is the best thing to have a front row seat to God’s plan in action. This is the reason of why we are here, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.

Sunday, we also had 8 investigators in church which is a pretty good amount, all getting ready to be baptized most likely for August. Were doing well finding new investigators and setting baptismal dates. I love you all and wish you the best of weeks this week!

Love,

Elder Russon

Divisions!

This week we did divisions with Arcos and Heroes. I went to both of their areas with Elder Smith and Palma on different days to meet and help their investigators, and it went well. Their both solid missionaries and are doing their best, but the divisions always seem to help have more motivation or learn new strategies of doing things from others. With Smith, we contacted a whopping 40, and then with Palma, we did 50 contacts. I love being able to meet new people and travel around a bit, it’s awesome.

This week, we also traveled out to Lomas again for a baptismal interview, which she passed and was baptized last Saturday, and from what we heard the baptism was a total success. The members gave her a photo right then and there of her baptism, a flower, and some good scriptures to study in hard times. It always helps to have a good ward to support the new converts.

Right now, we have 3 people preparing to be baptized next Saturday for the multi zone Noche Blanca. They’re Gabriel, Esperanza, and Alma, and we sure hope that all will go well for them. It’s a big step, and they all seem a little worried to take it, even though they already know it’s what they’re supposed to do. So we hope they all three can be baptized in the Noche Blanca.

Things are going well in the area, we just need to focus a bit more on finding new investigators. That’s the biggest funnel to baptisms, 'cuz the more we find, the more chance there is to find those who are actually prepared to be baptized.

Love,

Elder Russon

Here's a clip of the EFY singing we did. (Note from Mom: If anyone knows how to add an audio file to this blog, let me know, I haven't been able to figure it out :)

HAPPY PIONEER DAY!!!

Scripture Study!

It has been a good week. On Tuesday, we traveled to the other district counsel in Lomas, and afterwards, we did divisions with Elder Heywood and Sierra. It went well, we ended up inviting 3 investigators to baptism, all accepted, and we contacted 35 people in the rain, so that was awesome, haha (we got soaked!).

I have some new goals to read the Libro de Mormon every day in my personal study as well as reading Las Escrituras out loud for 10-15 minutes to help me with my Spanish pronunciation. Studying the scriptures especially the BOM is super important every day, because it transforms our brains to know and understand the doctrine of Christ so we don’t get lost in the world. It’s also important that we obtain a knowledge of God, Jesus Christ, and the doctrine.

Elder Leon and I are doing well in our area. Every lesson we have with our investigators, we talk about baptism. So they all know our purpose and what they need to do, it’s just a matter of their choice to accept it or not. We hope to baptize many this change, there’s 4 weeks left.

All the missionaries in Queretaro are going to sing for EFY next Wednesday. Yesterday, we had a practice, we’re singing 3 songs, and we sound all right. I’m sure well sound much better on Wednesday, haha!

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Russon

God has a Plan!

So this week I had a cool simple spiritual experience teaching the plan of salvation. My new companion Elder Leon showed me one of his investigators that is actually the niece of one of my investigators, but now with the changes, we both share the same investigators in the same area. 

Her name is Alma, and we were teaching her about Gods plan that He has for us, and about half way through, I just sat there pondering looking and listening as my companion was talking. I felt Gods love as I thought about Alma as a daughter of God, knowing that we as missionaries can help her receive all of the ordinances she needs to be able to return home.

I felt the spirit so profoundly, just knowing and seeing a clear straight vision back to our Heavenly home, and that the only thing that matters in this life is that we make it back, and also help others come back as well. Gods plan and Christs church is perfect, and that's all that really matters.

I know this is the path, and there exists none other. I know it, and I invite all of you to pray to have God confirm His truth to you once again.

Love,

Elder Russon

Baptism!

On Friday, we had our baptism of Shakti at 12. Many members were working, so there were only 12 of us there, but it went very well. Both Elder Rowley and I shared a message about enduring to the end and prayer. It was one of the best baptisms weve had, it was spiritual. It was also the best birthday present Ive ever had – a baptism! We also attended 2 other baptisms, and ate tons of tacos afterward (I ate 16!)

Also as a zone, we completed our goal to baptize 12 in the month of June! Things are going very well. We also just had changes, my companion Elder Rowley, will be back in Utah tomorrow night, super crazy! And I’m staying here another change with Elder Leon, he’s also another great missionary, I’m pumped!

There is work to do. We are motivated to baptize and help lift up the stake. Things are going well, thanks for all of your support and have another fantastic week!

Love,

Elder Russon