June 27, 2016
The Beginning of the Mission

(oops - I thought these next few letters had posted)

I wish I had more time to write emails! This past week was good. My new companion Elder Silva is from Peru, works hard, and is a good guy. I wish he would show more expression though, maybe be a little happier, haha. But I like my new area, its more tranquillo, peaceful, and the people are more friendly. 

This past week, I had a cool spiritual experience. We were in a lesson about the restoration. I shared vi una columna de luz with them memorized when Joseph saw God and Jesus Christ. And when I finished, I had to have my companion keep going because I teared up, and almost started crying, because the spirit was really strong. This definitely isn't the first time, probably happened like 6 times last week, its super awesome.

With my new companion, I'm teaching equivalently with him, in Spanish of course. Its great, my teaching and Spanish are both progressing really quickly! Were working hard, the time is moving quickly, almost three months now. Its my birthday this week, and well be having pizza and cake, playing futbol and bball that night, it'll be a great day, as is everyday! 

The mission is tough for me sometimes simply because I'm away from family. But I know we leave our families for a time so others can be with their families for eternity! 

Also, there is this big ice cream shop called polo Norte right next door to us, its super awesome! Super great ice cream, maybe better than in America. It costs 15 pesos for about a cup of ice cream, three scoops, haha! This is one of the pics, and the video is this morning when I washed my clothes by hand for the first time! 

As always, I hope y'all have a wonderful week! I pray for y'all every night!

  Elder Russon

First Divisions this week!
July 18, 2016


Last Tuesday, we had our first interviews with our mission president. When I went in, he just wanted to hear about me, and who I am. It was a very spiritual experience to talk with him. I shared experiences about the gospel, and haha...cried, the spirit was so strong, it was great! He is a very cool guy, loves b-ball, and owns his own businesses, so were pretty identical, haha! 

   

Afterwards, I went on divisions to Celaya with Elder Navarette for three days. It was fantastic! I literally learned so much from him. He has 18 months on the mission, where my companion now, Silva, has 8. So he has much more experience. From him, I learned more of how to be a successful missionary. First, always have the spirit, second, be obedient (love the rules, and obey because you want to), and finally, BE HAPPY! Divisions were great, and also, this week flew by! 

On Friday, when I came back to Cortazar, I opened my two packages that I received. I got a ton of candy and letters, literally the best thing ever. A BIG SHOUT OUT to all those who wrote me a letter, muchisimas gracias! It really means a lot, to know there's people supporting me out here. 

 

Side note: Animals down here, nothing strange, the usual, and so far no snakes, so that's super great!!! And I don't have the chance to sing in a choir, just with other missionaries and in church.

 Also, my grandparents sent me a funny story, super funny. I loved it. If any of you guys know of funny stories, or anything, send them to me. Its great to just lay back a little and laugh, haha! I would appreciate it!

This week was good. Its actually really rough sometimes because of companions. Ive been thinking, if I had a companion where we always got along, nothing would be hard on the mission. We would do really well, about having the spirit, being obedient, and being happy! But its the really hard times when we grow. Its trials when we have the opportunity to learn something, and change our heart or life to become better, I believe 100 percent on that! the hardest thing with my companion right now is that he doesn't have much patience at all, and wow, ITS VERY DIFFICULT SOMETIMES. But its increasing my patience because of it. 

Anyways, have a great week everyone, until next Monday!!! Love and pray for y'all!!!

 

Chilie Relleno - Chilies stuffed with eggs and cheese!

second email

Sorry, but also, just wanted to mention. Its cool as a missionary, already, Ive seen a lot of people changing their lives as they literally come closer to Christ! Ive seen a lot of people cry, frequently, including me, its wonderful, and the spirit is Amazing. Which is the way we can know if the Gospel is true. And I KNOW WITH EVERY FIBER IN MY SOUL THATS ITS TRUE!!! And it is Perfect!

Have a great week, AND NEVER STOP LEARNING AND STUDYING THE GOSPEL!

--

From,

Elder Russon

Re: MY FIRST BAPTISM AND TALK IN CHURCH!!!

Scott asked me to type up his picture/letter in case they wouldn't open for everyone (or if you can't read his handwriting!)

My First Baptism!                                                                                     Mon, Jul 11, 2016 at 4:34 PM

So, first and foremost, last Friday, I baptized Guadalupe. It was a fantastic experience! At first, I was a little nervous, being my first time, but actually not a whole lot. I explained to her exactly what to do and then we went in the cold water, Ha ha ha! Then I confidently did the ordinance correctly and pushed her rather deep in the water – just to make sure! Afterwards, I felt so good and happy, it was amazing! In a way, I felt like I was baptized again. It was a unique experience!

For the future, if I stay another change here in Cortazar, we could have three more baptisms! Slowly, little by little, I am  learning a ton of stuff; Spanish, teaching, mission things, culture, love, service, Christlike attributes, etc. The mission is the greatest experience anyone could have, not because it's fun and games, but rather because it's hard. There are tons of very specific things for each missionary to learn – things that we need to learn for the rest of our lives.

Also, yesterday, I gave an eight minute talk in church. It went really well and I felt great. I spoke on Christlike attributes. We also had seven investigators and some less-actives attend yesterday, pretty great!

 A couple of days ago, I saw an American (like 6'7" tall). I was like, "Hey, are you American?" Turns out, he's playing semi-professional basketball, and lives with one of his teammates here in Cortazar for a little bit. Tony and Trent, both tall and cool guys. They're good with where they're at right now , without religion, but they invited us to one of their games, but they're playing on Sunday, so we can't. But, we might be able to play with them on Tuesday. I really hope we can.  Here, other than missionaries, I can find someone who speaks English about once a week, pretty cool.

 So also, as part of the mission, there are people who swear or say rude things to us, not super frequently. There are lots of people bound by Satan, and when they say these things, it honestly doesn't bother me because I know the church is true, and that's all that matters! One time, someone said, "El diablo es mi Pastor,"  which means: "the devil is my pastor. "

Anyway, this week has been good. The highs are coming faster and faster.  I have just over three months now. The mission is hard, for me mainly because I miss family and home, but that's how I grow. Hope y'all had a fantastic week! And hope you have another magnificent week!

Hasta Luego! Hasta Proximo Lunes!

(Good bye! Until next Monday!)

Elder Russon

P.S. hey, so do you guys have any questions about missionary work, or being a missionary?

And So It Goes...Another Week!

Whats up? ¿Que Tal?

The time is moving pretty fast, but that doesn't mean I don't live every moment, if that makes sense. It feels like yesterday que yo llegue aqui en el campo de misional (I came here in the mission field.) Transfers are next week, and we get a new mission president. Things are probably going to be super different, but I'm glad the change is happening early in my mission, where I'm not super used to the ways of the old President. 

Anyways, this was a good week. I'm learning to appreciate trials more. I feel like every day, the Lord gives me a unique trial for me to learn from. Its definitely stretching, but I'm grateful for the lessons Ive learned, and the trials I'm going through. Especially because of the language, the country, companions, everything is different here. But its a fantastic experience. Through the powerful power of prayer, we can do anything. I know God is with me, and because of that, I can get through any challenge. No matter our struggles, if we ask God with real intent, having faith in Him, He Will Help Us.

Some interesting things, yesterday, I ate fried pig skin for dinner, super gross. I didn't know what it was before hand, but I knew it was gross. Then after, I asked my companion, and he told me. I'm glad I didn't know before, it was also pretty spicy. The members here always feed us a ton of food, they're super nice and humble. Also, as obvious as it is, my comps tell me I have a baby face, haha. But that's alright, because 50 years from now, I'll still be lookin' great! haha. 

So this morning I asked my comp how he honestly thinks my Spanish is. He said its a lot better, and I'm learning muy rapido! So that's great. Every day, I understand just a little bit more, and I'm starting to speak faster! Also, our mission has a thing called Q News, which is like a weekly bulletin for the entire mission. And I just found out my comp and I made the cover page! Super sweet! Rather rare, hahaha! 

What can I say, the mission is great - not fun all the time, it's the hard times that make the mission great! And that is why everyone treasures their mission for the rest of their lives! Missionary work is the best work upon the earth, and members can do it too, hint, hint, haha! Hope y'all have another fantastic week! Enjoy life especially the people around you!

 

 

Two Months, Time is Flying!

Painting the hermanas new apartment for them.

So yesterday, I hit two months on the mission, pretty sweet. I'm really growing, lots of experiences already, and lots more to learn. Each day I can learn something new, and I know we learn from trials. We have to suffer first before we can grow. Also, every day I can understand a little bit more Spanish. I'm starting to understand more and I can speak faster and better, its slow sometimes, but it's coming. The main problem I have is the language. It is so hard to go day after day not understanding everything, and especially for me, not knowing what in the world we are doing or going. I wish my trainer would tell me more, but estabien. Things are going pretty good, the mission is sweet. But that doesn't mean without hard times. Its the rough times that truly make the mission legit! 
 

The weather here is alright, its like a typical summer. June is most rainy. Its been usually sunny til 5 and then cloudy and rains through out the night for last week, but not so much right now. its probably 80 or 90 here, I sweat, but estabien.

So, I've noticed there is a good amount of signs, products, and what not in English, and English music, kind-a-cool! Also, you can tell how long a missionary has been out by how sun-beaten their name tags are, and how worn their shoes are, haha. 

This past week has been good. Right now I'm in another trio for the rest of the transfer, two weeks left. The new guy is Elder Arroyo, from Guatemala, he's a stud, and he knows a good amount of English, and wants to learn more, we help each other. Pretty much every Latino here wants to learn English. 

Something I thought about this week was, if people don't know where they came from, and they don't know where they're going, how can they succeed? Something to ponder about.

 
Also, if you guys have any opportunities to work with the missionaries, do it! Find the ward or stake missionaries, and let them know your available to help teach. Through members is where we find the actual converts, that goes for anywhere. That's my challenge!

Right now, we have about 15 investigators, mas or menos (more or less.) One family were teaching is the family Gallegos. Super awesome family with 2 sons. They are wonderful, I teared testifying to them twice, and they came to church. They always offer us food and water each time, this is where i got my love for mangos, or found it more so

 

Well, things are going well. Oh, also, on Saturday, a member offered us cooked grasshoppers, and that was one thing I will not eat, everyone else did, ehhhh.  Have a great week, and if y'all have any questions for me, I'd love to answer them, haha! 

 

 

 

Big pack of letters from home!!! Best thing ever to get.

Life is Great!

You know, when you stop and say, 'Life is Great,' no matter what situation you're in, you immediately feel super pumped and happy. Pretty much every day, walking with my latino compañero, I start saying, Man, Life is Sweet! Viva la Vida! Hoy es un bonito día! Ha ha. He says I have a lot of energy. But in all seriousness, if you're having a bad day, just stop and say 'Life is Amazing' with sincere enthusiasm, and you'll feel great. (God loves you, He wants you back, Pray about it, ha ha - a very simple form of the gospel).

Anyway, this week has been good. As y'all probably know, there's a lot to learn on the mission. This past week I struggled a bit with the language, but I knew it was gonna be hard, so estabien. I also want to work harder with my companion. His name is Elder Juarez, he's Latino, and from Chiapas en Mexico. He's been out for 16 months. He teaches really well, but we could work harder to give our absolute all to the Lord and those we serve. In my jumbo casa, there are four of us that permanently live here. The other two are Elder Burbidge, from American Fork, really cool, he's the financial secretary. The other is Elder Villareal, from Mexico, knows no ingles whatsoever. He's funny, unique, and he's also a secretary for the mission. But sometimes we have other Elders that are leaving or arriving to other places in the mission, so were basically home base for them.

Today is P-day obviously, and we always go the Canchas and play soccer and basketball. Mission president always comes and plays aggressively (he gets way into it) its cool. I actually played horse with just him in b-ball and won him, haha. Its gonna be very sad and different when he leaves for the next change of the new mission president. We also walked around the Centro of Queretaro and checked some places out. This past week I went on splits or divisiones with other Elders, that was nice. We taught some more lessons this past week. On the mission, its always important to be obedient, and to give your ALL - heart, might, mind, and strength- its amazing. 

So I've seen a lot of Elders with Rubiks cubes and deacons collars, haha funny. Lately Ive been reading el Libro de Mormon in Spanish a lot. And I can get a pretty good idea of what I'm reading. The Spanish is coming, little by little, day by day. Sometimes I'd like to know what Latinos would feel like if they served an English mission, haha. I understand more from White people speaking Spanish than Latinos with a severe heavy thick accent, haha. But with time, Ill get it, I'm understanding more every day.

So in our mission, we baptize about 15 every week right now. But for June, our mission goal is 100 for the whole month, I hope we can do it. So far, I've seen four baptisms, so that's cool. Its really quick, a few spiritual thoughts, songs, the baptism, and congratulations, and meetings here are hardly ever on time. 

So in a normal day of life right now for me: I wake up, exercise (sometimes go run up the street about 3 fourths of a mile to play B-bal!, shower, eat breakfast, and start personal study, which I love. Then Comp study for 2 hours, and then language study for one hour. Then by 12 we leave, teach or contact people, have lunch with a member about 2:30 or 3. Then we go teach and proselyte more until 9 and we return to the casa. I eat something, write in my journal, hang out, and go to bed before 10:30 most of the time. The 8 hours is the fastest 8 hours of sleep ever, feels like 10 minutes.

So I was thinking, Eternal life is Super Awesome. How incredible of a fact that we can live with our families (which brings the most happiness) and God FoReVeR in complete happiness! Super amazing, my mind can't even wrap around that.

Also, the people down here are like direct descendants of Lehi, and its common for them to have dreams about the gospel, which is really cool. 

Also, if any of you ever want to write me a physical letter, it only needs one American Stamp, send it to this address (always to the mission office for my entire mission):

Avenida Pie de la Cuestra No. 102

Esq. Boulevard Desarrollo San Pablo
Colonia Colinas de San Pablo
C.P. 76125 Querétaro, Queretaro
Mexico

Sometimes it takes like a month for the mail to come, but estabien. 

I KNOW THE CHURCH AND ALL OF ITS TEACHINGS ARE TRUE. Things are great right now, and I'm excited for another great week, and hope y'all have a wonderful week!

From,

Elder Russon

May 30, 2016