We must Always be the Example of the Believers........week 13

Hi there again family. It is me, Elder Russell in Nicaragua!

So it is hard to believe that another week has passed already. The weeks just keep on moving quicker...I guess it is time that I buckle down and put her into the last gear. Time´s a´wasting.

No but this week has been very good...I have had some great experiences once again which makes me feel wonderful. I am accumulating a history of stories that I will have to look back on for years to come. This week we had a baptism! Enrique Cedeño, the 65 year old Mason, was baptized on Tuesday and it was really special. I don't think we have ever and will ever have a baptism like it again in the mission. Normally, the baptisms of investigators are quick, simple and small. This baptism was different. First of all, the family was really involved in the agenda and so every item on the list was special because they planned talks, songs, etc that were special to him. He had friends of 30 years giving the baptism talk and it was just really nice. And there were nearly 70 people there! That is EXTREMELY rare in Nicaragua and even rare in the states. I think most baptisms here are successes when they have 20 people there to support them.

Enrique Cedeno's baptism

So it was really nice. This baptism was unique too in that we, my companion and I didn´t really teach that much to him. We really just reviewed and put a date for baptism. There was a load of missionaries before hand who worked countless hours and prayed countless times so he could enter the waters of baptism. Naturally, the family thanked the missionaries, and I think the former missionaries deserve all the credit. Missionaries should always remember that we are only hear to teach the people that have already been prepared by God to hear the message. We really just share the message. God does the rest.

We also had some great experiences with a family this week who has been having some trials. We invited them to church this week and they came! (Trumpets and angels singing!) We set a baptism date and I am really excited about their progress. Like I said, we are just the messengers.

This week has been a week of reflection for me. In the ward we are serving, 3 missionaries have returned in the last month. Sunday, hearing their testimonies and words of advice (some even specifically for us) I was able to feel a renewal of my desire to serve. I think most missionaries, if not all, pass through times of discouragement, but it is in the times like these that we must fight the temptation to take the path of least resistance and keep moving forward. I have felt many trials this week and I have really needed to reanimate myself. I thank you for your prayers in my behalf. I can always feel them when I need them most.

I was talking with my companion about it and I eventually realized that even prophets and apostles in the scriptures were discouraged at times. I guess I shouldn't´t feel so bad after all. These men were always comforted in there struggles. I frequently think on the message of Thomas S. Monson from the last General Conference when he said ´´be of good cheer, your future is as bright as your faith´´

As missionaries and as members of the church, we must always be the example of the believers. We must always be the ones to uplift and strengthen the hands that hang down. For all of my life, I have been amongst people who have helped me, who have strengthened me and have been the example of the faithful. Now it is my turn. I cant look around for strength from anyone else because I should be the one offering strength. The members here look up to the missionaries. I cant be unanimated. It is a weakness that I am working on and that I hope each one of us is too.

It sounds like the family is doing well though...thanks for the update. It helps me to know what everyone is doing and how they are doing. I always think of Landon and Tyler when I see kids of the same ages here. But none are as cute... =) Oh, and Joy, I think Tyler looks like you!

I guess the Moon Terrace house (and others like it) could be the Russell family version of Zion´s Camp. We always pass through times of uncertainty and trial, many times not knowing why we suffer. The point is, I think sometimes God tries us without worrying about the challenge. What the Lord is concerned with is how we dealt with the challenge.

Dad, You´ll pleased to hear that I was given a surprise this last Sunday from the second counselor in the Bishopric...a copy of the Church news with a report on all of the service projects happening in Oregon. I thought that was neat. I was so proud of you and of all of the Oregonians. Joy and Josh, I cant say enough how much I admire your young and growing family. It is truly special. Keep it up. Troy, I will let you have your Med School experiences, thank you. I don't want any of that right now. Ha ha. Tyler, good luck with moving apartments, and I hope that your roommates work out well for you. Enjoy this year, you wont be at BYU forever even though sometimes it feels that way. Sean, I am still really excited for you. I cant wait to hear of your adventures and such at the best university in the world.

So things I saw that were different this week...

Those motos that people ride in, well people will tow about anything behind or inside of them too. I saw a full fledge door in one this week and it was downright hilarious to see the cargo was twice the size of the thing carrying it. Also people will carrying 20 feet of tubing in those things. And I think we fit 8 or 9 people in one this week too.

I am starting to understand or at least recognize some cultural differences in the adults here too. I think it is hilarious how the adult women just don't take no for an answer. In many ways, Nicaragua is a matriarchal society. I can feel it ha ha. The woman that we live with is very forward and never seems to think she is wrong about anything. I have been having some digestive problems...normal, don't worry...and she seems to have a different remedy every day to cure it. Drink this, avoid that, it is a Parasite, it was for sure that cake thing you ate last night...ha ha.

Anyway, that is about as much as I can remember right now, but I will call it a week.

I love you all and remember that you always have a special someone in Nicaragua who thinks about you all daily. May the Lord bless you as He blesses me daily.

Elder Russell

P.S. Mom, do you know if you got the scholarship from BYU? I think they said around mid July the results would be posted...maybe you could look at my account and see. Thanks.

I will never forget his countenance........week 12

Well everyone, it is so nice to hear from you! I feel so strengthened by your letters and words of wisdom. I hope that you may also be strengthened by some of the things that I am learning and that the Lord is showing me each day.

So everything went well in Texas...that is good to hear. I remember flying into Texas just about 2 months ago with face glued to the window peering outside to see what it looked like. Oh, good memories. I feel like every memory just improves with time, like wine...not that I approve of that. I just have heard of it, ha ha.

Troy is officially in Medical school now then. Good luck with that! Hey, just think...when I return you will be half way done and my time is flying by!

Tyler, you're doing well, which is good to hear. Still alive. I love you and you have always been a good example to me. And don't forget to say hi to people for me up at school that we both know! Ha ha, thanks.

Sean, I am so excited for you! I know you are going to have a great experience up at school. I frequently think about the experiences I had at school, the people I met and the lessons they taught me and I cant help but feel extremely grateful for what I experienced. Don't get me wrong, it was tough at times, but that is about all I remember of those times...that they existed. I don't really remember them if you know what I mean.

Joy, continue working hard and like I said last week, God has a special plan for you, for me and for each one of us here on the earth. Things happen and that is just the way we learn. I often use to think I was coming to Nicaragua to teach some things, but I think I am learning more than I am teaching.

Dad, so I wanted to tell you something funny that happened this week when I was showing our family photo to some investigators. They thought you looked like some famous person...I thought you would like that.

Mom, thanks for everything you do. I really can feel the love across the miles. You might find it interesting that about 95% of the time people say that I look like you. I hope to be like you too!

Wow time really does fly by...Aaron Hale and Mason Grow are already coming back from their missions. And Michael McPhee too!? Please send them my regards and my gratitude for their service in their respective parts of the world. Really this work is too grand for one, three, or 53,000 missionaries. But we do what we can.

So that brings the count up to I think 5 or 6 of my friends that are married now...that is definitely new. Best wishes to Kenny and Krista and Ashley! And Landon, keep on learning bud. You'll pass me up in skill level about as quick as you will in height...which is soon. Tell Alex congratulations as well. I have thought about him as I have read the letters from Brother Minor and I am so happy that made the decision to be baptized. Also, give all the others my regards.

Like the Elder Bednar said, we are missionaries for eternity, not for two years. I have been able to see a huge difference in the Lives of members who do missionary work and those who don't. Those members who devote time to help with the work have a greater measure of the spirit and a greater love for the work. I know that they are far more likely to remain in the church than those that pursue personal matters. We are here to preach of Christ and invite others to come unto Him. I have really pondered on that the last few weeks as I have meditated over each person that I have taught. I have really been blessed to see the change in investigators and even see the blessings begin to flow as they have taken steps of faith to be baptized not knowing before hand the meaning of all things.

This week we had the great opportunity to baptize Fatima, the wife of Carlos that was baptized the week before. It was a really special day for us and for Carlos. Carlos is an amazing convert. He was given the True to the Faith book at his baptism and has already finished it. He has also begun to read Principles of the Gospel and I feel so grateful to have played a part in his conversion. His wife had reservations at first. To tell you the truth, the both of them were very sceptical when we first met. They only listened to learn about the church. Carlos said that in the past he hid from Missionaries, but that has all changed. I will never forget his countenance the morning of his baptism.

Fatima's baptism

We were walking close to his house to visit some other investigators when he, riding his bike towards us, called to us. (Definitely a change from hiding from the missionaries) He, with a huge smile on his face talked with us briefly and shared his excitement to be baptized. It is moments like that make all of the hours worthwhile.

Fatima has changed a ton too. She never had prayed out load before nor in a group setting before. The other night, she volunteered to pray and gave a very beautiful and sincere prayer to our Father in Heaven. I couldn't´t help but thank my Heavenly Father for His marvelous power and ability to change lives and bless His people.

Jose and Leticia also continue to progress. They are reading the scriptures and continue to have questions about things. That is ALWAYS a good thing. QUESTIONS equal interest, at least most of the time. Leticia and Jose have both found work since being baptized and for months before, neither had a set job. Just one of the many blessings of being obedient. Jose and Carlos both received the Aaronic priesthood last week and it was so neat.

This week was fast Sunday and we needed to fast as a companionship. We have been having a steady flow of investigators but we have also had a few baptisms. Our area is really far from where we do the baptisms and as a result, we have lost some time in the last few weeks to work in the area. I was feeling a bit down when I thought about the possibilities we have and those who were progressing. So I decided to fast for investigators and that we might be able to find more and teach more. And well, God definitely answers prayers.

On Sunday we had 6 investigators at church (a huge improvement from the previous week) and I was ecstatic. The thing is, without visiting church, investigators cant really progress nor be baptized. I have had many investigators but few have been attending church. It was definitely an answer to prayer to have 6 this week in church. I felt so humbled and blessed to have received an answer to my prayer and fast. I have a strong testimony of both. Also, my companion was blessed in that a member offered him a suit coat which he desperately needed. He hasn´t had one for some time because he lost it about two areas ago.

Anyway, the work is going well. This week we have one baptism scheduled! The MASON! Yeah, it is going to be SWEET! He has been investigating the church for some time and many missionaries have taught him. His daughter and Son in Law are active members and are so grateful that he is taking this step in his life. He is ready and excited. It is going to be the biggest baptism yet for us because he is inviting a whole bunch of his friends. I cant wait.

Cultural Differences-

-About every telephone pole and public thing is painted in the colors of the Sandinista party and the majority have the Party leaders face plastered on them too. It is like have President Obama´s face on every telephone pole, booth and bus stop in the whole country...
-I always have funny bus experiences but today was a new one. I thing there was a pig on the bus. I am not sure, but I heard some really high pitched squealing.
-I saw a person sleeping in the sidewalk this week too. It was saddening...I am not sure if they were homeless, drunk, or just taking a nap.
-Everyone drinks soda. It is more common than water here.

I know that this church is true. It is almost cliche in the church to say that because many say it without really pondering the magnificence of it all. I know that THIS is the church of God and that I am anxiously engaged in HIS work right now. It is such a pleasure, responsibility, opportunity. I really am being blessed! I feel like I don't deserve the blessings I am receiving, but the Lord always blesses us with more than we can dream of when we are obedient.

I thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and words on my behalf. I really do feel the love across the miles and I know that God is protecting you and blessing you all for your hard work and service in His Kingdom. We must always remember that nothing is more important than building up His kingdom. We are called to share what we know and how else are the people in this world going to find the truth unless we share it. Thanks for you dedication to the Lord and for your time in His work.

May God be with, always.

Elder Grant Russell

We are all God's Children...we all need Charity........week 11

So now that my family is fully equipped in cowboy boots and 10 gallon hats, I can officially say, ´´howdy´´. ha ha. Haven't said that in awhile.

So Troy is officially a doctor now. Wow. That is SaWEET! Good work Brother! I wish I could have been there. You'll do great in the profession.

Sean, I hope you get better soon. I imagine that your school plans are falling into place and that you are getting ready for school. Good luck there.

Tyler, I hope everything is going well for you. I understand that you are busy with school and work but when you get a chance, send me and email so I can feel the stress too. Ha ha.

Mom and Dad, busy as ever. Thanks for all of your hard work and your examples. The Greenway project was a success and it is always good to get some publicity. The missionary work can go forward faster when people associate the good with the church.

So now about me...

This week was absolutely crazy. We had about a bajillion meetings in Managua and it takes 3 or 4 hours round trip every time we go there. I think we had more like 4 days to work this week instead of 7 if you subtract all of the hours. But we still had some great experiences.

We worked hard with two families this week to try and prepare them for baptism this last weekend. Both families (pairs) felt good about the doctrine but wanted more time. But missionaries don't accept that as a No. So we continued to give it our all.

Naturally, Satan gave it his all though too. We had some serious trials with the families. Carlos and Fatima have some pretty interesting family ties. I think they have about every religion possible in the extended family...Evangelicals, Catholics, Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, etc. They have had quite the struggle with their family and even received some visits from them who came to save the family from our devil worship...yeah.

But like I always say these days, Challenges are good because it means we are doing the Lords work. We eventually challenged the family to pray about their decision to be baptized on Saturday. Carlos decided to be baptized and Fatima decided to wait a week. Although we were disappointed with the wait, we were extremely happy with Carlos and even more so because he was really excited.

Jose and Leticia proved to be a whole other story. They are a young couple, unmarried, and had many troubles finding their information to be married. When we finally got everything together, we had trouble finding a lawyer and we had little money to pay one. But the Lord always sees us through our trials. We found a lawyer who gave ex tremendous service and performed the wedding on Saturday. We had to travel by moto in the rain 30 minutes one way to marry them in the house of Leticia's sick mother so she could be a witness. We crammed 6 people into the moto (it is about the same size as the tiny European cars) and then, yeah. It was done. Then we headed for Managua to baptize Carlos, Leticia, and Jose.

Carlos' baptism

Jose and Leticia's baptism

The baptism went really well except for Jose became really doubtful and we had to comfort him that his decision was the right one. Really, he has never been one to make commitments and we were asking him to make a ton in a short period of time (marriage, baptism, etc). But he did it and it was a great experience.

I really felt the love of God as I was privileged to perform the baptisms. I love being able to say ´´having been commissioned by Jesus Christ´´. It feels so great and my joy is so full as I see Gods children enter the waters of baptism and accept the covenants, and blessings, He has in store for them.

So I had a really special experience at church yesterday too.

We had ward conference with the Stake Presidency and everything. I don't know if I have told you, but we work with basically two groups of people in our ward. Where we live, the Borgoña, they are trying to form a Branch and in Las Colinas they are trying to maintain a ward. The people in the Borgoña are very humble and don't even have money for the bus on a weekly basis and so they frequently don't attend the other meetings in the ward. To help this last week, the ward provided transportation to bring as many as possible to the meeting.

So as we arrived in the ward we (the members of the branch) took our seats in the back, most of us together. There had been some other members from the ward seated towards the front and I took my seat toward the back as well. We went around greeting the members and such and when I realized that one member and his family looked very solemn and sad, I began talking with them. It took some coaxing, but eventually they told me why. Pointing with his finger, he said ´´in front are seated those who have money...in the back are seated those who have nothing´´

As I realized this distinct division, I began to be filled with sadness! I became so emotional that I had to leave the room and stand outside. I began to weep. My companion followed me out to see what the matter was as well as the ward Mission leader. I told them it wasn't my problem, only it was the love of God within me that provoked such a response. I felt terrible seeing the monetary division that the members had created within themselves. This ward has had some problems with some of its members and pride. We have the greatest spectrum I have seen. We have doctors and utterly unemployed. It is almost as if the members in the Borgoña were treated as filth.

When one serves among a group of people, he develops love and charity for them. That is what I felt. It was so sad to see that this charity didn't exist in all the members...I was reminded of the vision of Enoch when he saw God weep and had the question as to how the heavens could weep. His response was that he had created all things and that to see His children acting wrongly gave Him great sorrow.

Truly, it is a great blessing to have this charity developing within me. I feel such a great love for the people I serve. I love all of you and if I could ask you one thing, it would be that you always treat your brothers and sisters with respect. We really are all brothers and sisters and we should never, NEVER look down on anyone. The Savior never did. He was a carpenter after all.

I love this gospel and I know it is the gospel of peace. I have seen it change lives and I know that it has changed mine. Thanks for all of your prayers and thoughts in my behalf. Never forget to be missionaries. Until next week,

Elder Grant Russell

From that Gringo in Nicaragua........week 10

Hello family!

How is everyone doing back at home?! It sounds like the answer is good from the letters I am reading...I am glad that that is the case. Everything here is going well. I will try and catch you up on the activities of the week.

So yeah, we have been teaching some families and preparing them for baptism (let´s hope...cross your fingers) One couple, Jose and Leticia, are only 22 and 16 and they have a two year old. Just think, having a kid at 14. Wow, now that is overwhelming. They are really progressing and always have questions, which is a really good sign. The worst lessons are when the investigators just nod their heads the whole time, say that they understood everything, and then stare at you with a blank face when you ask them a simple question about what you taught. Unfortunately, it happens occasionally.

The other couple, Carlos and Fatima is having a good experience. They seem to like everything so far they can see about the church. Their challenge will be to have faith enough to not know everything when they are baptized.

Oh and you´ll think this is really interesting...We also have been working with a Mason. Not Mason as in the name Mason but a Mason like the organization. Yeah, he is a really smart engineer and retired fireman who cant wait to go to the temple. He ALWAYS has really interesting ways of explaining principles and seems to understand principles better than the missionaries. But he is going to be baptized next week hopefully.

What you said about having the Lord´s hand guiding us through it all is definitely true. Sometimes I forget that as I walk in the street, but He is always there guiding us.

One of the greatest experiences as a missionary is exactly what the quote says that you shared. This week we had the great experience of being an answer to the investigators´prayer.

We were wandering in the street at about 830pm Sunday when we ran into Leticia and Jose. They, like many here in Nicaragua, have a hard time making ends meet. I thought I understood what that meant before I came to Nicaragua, but since I have been here I have met some very humble people. There are people here that don't eat because they cant. Jose is unemployed and they support themselves by buying bread in the city and then going to another city to sell it for a higher price.

Because Sunday was the 30 year anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution, there was quite the celebration in Managua. They had to go to the celebration to sell and couldn't´t make it to church. Long story short, Jose fell in his commitment of the word of wisdom and he felt terrible. Leticia had said a short prayer aloud to Jose and said if only the missionaries passed right now...and so we did.

So we spent the next hour talking with them about repentance and his desire to do what is right. I really think one of the greatest opportunities as a missionary is help people come closer to Christ and solve their problems through Him. I felt the Savior´s love emanate through me as he told us of his fall and it was really special. He again had many questions about why he would fall and how he could keep his commitments. We bore simple testimony that if he had faith, that God would help him through this trial. And just to show you how humble the Nicaraguans are in general, we did all this over some drinks and cookies and bread that bought for us with the meager income they have. That is humbling to know that they think of others when they cant even provide for themselves. They were so grateful to just have something to eat.

SO yeah, the President has set new goals for the mission with each key indicator we work with each day. Let´s just say that we are missing the mark in more than one and have to work harder than ever to accomplish what is required. I am finding that desire is different than obedience. I definitely have the desire to do everything right. I am still working on the obedience part. Like you said, I am trying to turn my will over to His and just submit myself to the work. Line upon line, I am learning how to be a missionary. I thought it was going to be easier than this...ha ha.

Thanks for all of the information on the family.
Joy and Josh- I hope that everything goes well for you in this hard, and life changing transition. I can see that this is going to be rough on the whole family, but you will all be strengthened through this. It is always through the flame that we achieve our brightest shine.

Troy- Congrats on the success at school and I wish I could be there to see you receive your coat. I think you´ll understand. I look forward to seeing Doctor Russell in action when I return, though I prefer it be from a third person perspective.

Tyler...same old!? Am I just going to here that for two years...ha ha. I understand. I wish you the best while you work like a maniac in school, work, and social activities (at least I hope so)

Sean- I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your 50 miler. I look back on my experience with great memories. It is always better in retrospect, believe me.

Dad- It sounds like Dad is busy as ever with church and work assignments. I would like to read the talks, if you get a chance. Thanks for everything you do DAD! You might like to know that I talk about you often in lessons, especially in lessons about the priesthood and families. I appreciate you worthiness and example over all these years and I aspire to be a priesthood holder and father like you.

Me- Busy as ever. I can imagine that adding Joy and the two chavalos ´´kids´´ to the routine would be busy...Thanks Mom for everything you do as well. I often think of you and I miss you always as I do with all of the family.

I find it very interesting that you chose that scripture this week because I read that scripture this week and it hit me really hard. I realized that it was my desire too. I feel so grateful to have had opportunities to that already.

Is there really a greater call than to be involved in the work of the Lord? I think it is the greatest opportunity.

So cultural differences,

So it rains pretty frequently here, and it is always a challenge to stay out of the rain. Typically, people use umbrellas...typically. This week Ï saw a man wearing bubble wrap over his head like a scarf. That was funny.

It is the anniversary like I said for the Sandinista. There was a lot of Babylon going on in every direction. And the handheld cannons are so loud. Obnoxious.

It wasn´t until yesterday when I was talking with some gringos that I realized how funny it was to buy the bread here. It looks like hot dog buns and so they joked about how weird it would be to just walk to your neighbor´s house and ask, ´´hey, do you have any hot dog buns!´´´

The smell, I think I found a new one. Rotting animals on the side of the road. Just ask Sean about Alan´s car. He will know what it smells like. We are linked across the miles after all. Ha ha.

So until next week, I wish you the best of luck and may God attend you in every minute of every day. I know that God is intimately involved in the happenings of his children. Lets pay attention to what He does for us.

I love you all and I will write soon!

Elder Grant Russell

Another weerk has come and gone........week 9

Hello family!

Wow a lot seems to be happening back at home! I look back on the 50 miler with fond memories. I have found myself looking back on many memories of youth trips, family vacations, school experiences lately and I just feel so grateful for the experiences that I have been blessed with. I think I always look back on experiences with a better vision than when I experienced them. I seem to forget the hard times and only remember the good times. It is pretty neat. I even find myself starting to do that with my mission. I have 2 months now! Wow, time really does fly by. I look back on my old area and the people I met and the times when we ran getting drenched in the rain...all great experiences. I forget the sweat I had on my face and I only remember that we walked 45 minutes in the heat to the chapel with a family so the mother could enter the waters of baptism. Being a missionary is really the greatest blessing I have ever received.

The family is experiencing her fair share of trials, but with every trial comes an opportunity to show the Lord our obedience and hence receive blessings. It is in the trials of our lives that we learn who we really are and who the Lord wants us to be. It is kind of funny to think back on the trials we had as a family and the trials I had as an individual...I realize that I have grown and that my trials now are completely different. I now have trials with adapting to a new culture and being away from everything I have ever known. I really have only one thing to rely on now, the Lord. He has always been there for me, in the best and worst of times. When I was willing to listen, I was blessed. When I didn't heed His promptings, He patiently waited for me to come back.

So we have been working hard this week and trying to adapt to the new area. The Mission President is turning the mission around and changing a lot of things. He has asked us to meet certain goals for each key indicator (baptisms weekly, lessons, etc) and many are much higher than what we have been achieving. We have put our foot down on the gas and tried to give it everything we have. One of our goals is to have more people accept the invitation to be baptized. We did a better job this week and have about 11 or 12 people now with baptismal dates (but I don't think all will be baptized...lets hope)

About the photo...that is perfectly okay! I was worried it wouldn't go through and, to tell you the truth, I have felt bad that I haven't sent any photos. So from here on, feel free to check my email to see if I posted anything you didn't receive.

Thanks for sharing the gospel everyone! It is really the best gift we can give someone. I even sometimes forget how special the gospel really is and I feel disanimated. We should always be ready to give THE reason for the hope that is within us as Paul directs.

So cultural differences for this week...lets see how many I can remember

Urination in public...just about anywhere.
Noche de Hermanamiento (Fellowshipping night) was very interesting. Lets just say that I ended up with lip gloss all over my face. It was a game where you had to try and not laugh...if you laughed, you got painted. I laughed.
All buildings and churches are gated and locked.
There is this smell next to this field we walk by every day...lets just say I can barely breath. ha ha.

So spiritual experiences for the week (at least some of them)

I gave my first and second blessing in Spanish this week. That was definitely different and it was kind of hard. Not only are you trying to listen to the spirit, but you are trying to speak in another language. I think it turned out okay.

I have been really blessed this week in my Scripture study to find answers to investigators questions. I love searching the scriptures with questions in mind. It always turns out better.

I went on my first divisions with Elder Contrerras from Venezuela. He is a great missionary and really a hard worker. I felt the spirit really strong that day. I want to be as hard as a worker as he is. I was able to help teach some lessons and answer questions.

So anyway, it was a great week. I am so grateful for all of you and for your examples. May God be with you and strengthen you always. I feel your prayers across the miles and I hope that you feel mine as well. Till next week.

Elder Grant Russell

I stand out in the crowd.........week 8

Okay...

So my first photo was sent now, I think. I will try and send a few more if I have time. I will just have a short letter today!

Feet fine. Shoes work great! No problems. Next question.
Haven't been burned yet! Sunscreen (the baby power stuff is the only thing I use and only on the face. My arms are kind of tanning)
No hats.

I stand out, but it is an advantage because I can get people to look at me and once that happens....contact. Game, set, match (baptism ha ha). My complexion seems to be doing better if you believe it?

Ticuantepe is much cooler. I really live in the Borgona right next door. It is still kind of hot but cooler than Managua. I don't really know what temperature it is. I figure it is better not to know.

Only shop for the essentials, next!

The people are very humble and receptive to the gospel. But they are also very religious and set in their ways too. They are smaller in build and I have even been called tall several times.

I am adjusting yes. I have had a few problems but they have all work out! Lots of beans and rice. In the new house, the lady is cooking a few American meals here and there.

The work is still going forward. We are trying to contact a lot and use the recent converts and less actives to get references. The ward is really good, but it is just so big we are still adjusting. We have about 4 new investigators with baptism dates and we are teaching a bunch more. Hopefully, we will be able to start baptizing this next week.

So something I am working on this week has been trying to be more outgoing and fearless in sharing the gospel. Many people have noted my reservation at times and have labeled me as a newbie because of it. I want to be just as outgoing and effective as other missionaries so I am trying to improve in this area. I don't want people to know I am new.

I have really started to trust the Lord to help me reach my goals. I have to put forth my effort and do what He wants, but he pulls through to help me. I am so grateful to serve here in Nicaragua. I am learning every day more why I am here. My love for the people and for the mission is growing as well.

Cultural Differences

So people burn just about anything...just about anywhere. I think I have inhaled some potentially cancerous substances (just kidding).
I don't know if I mentioned the carts in the last email...not enough could be said about them.
I ate coconut for the first time...the real way. There are so many fruits here.

I know this church is true and that this is the Lord{s work. I love hearing about the family and it sounds like everything is going well. Thanks for your prayers and thoughts and I can testify that I feel them across the miles. Don't forget to preach the gospel. It is really what we are here to do. Thanks for the pictures Joy and I will write you next week. Continue to send my letters on to the friends and family and tell them all that I love them! Que les vaya bien

Elder Russell