Thank You........week 72

I am thankful today for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that has redeemed my past and made my future have a purpose. I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ and for the wonderful lessons that He taught through example and principles. I am thankful that my Heavenly Father had the love great enough to sacrifice His Son for me to bleed and to die and to make it possible to my family to come back to Him.

The blessings have been daily and my heart is full upon thinking of what He has given my family. I feel caught up in the middle of a chain of blessings that has always existed and continues to grow. Just as the Seventy said in Conference, in the temple the mirrors on both sides of the Celestial Room help us to realize the eternal nature of blessings. One cannot really bless a person without blessing his whole family and future generations.

I think of what little the missionaries really knew they were doing as they knocked on Bruce Turner’s door so long ago. They had no idea that upon teaching and answering a few questions they would reactivate a Priesthood leader and baptize later his wife. They didn’t know that they would later be sealed and have an active family with each child walking in the same path. Did they know that many of the grandkids would serve missions in all parts of the world blessing literally thousands of lives? I doubt it either, but God did.

Thanks be to God that things happen when missionaries aren’t there. Did the missionaries know that their faith and teachings would eventually reach Nicaragua? Did those two missionaries know that in a small humble Nicaraguan dwelling two more missionaries would find recent converts conversing over doctrines found in the Book of Mormon? Did they know that their faith would promote many to walk 30 minutes one way in blistering sun and heat to watch Conference on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon? Would they know that Nicaraguans because of their teaching to the Turner family would invite others to come unto Christ, leave on missions; put goals to be sealed in the temple too? I don’t think so. I doubt it. But God did.

I thank Him for His wisdom. I thank Him for seeing everything I have seen. The chain continues and more people will be blessed but I am especially concerned about thanking the chain link most near and dear to me: my family. I cannot adequately express my love to you. I thank you. I know that you were good to me. Using President Monson’s story as a base, I don’t know how many times I forgot about the light bulbs and thought of the turnips and jackrabbit instead, but I now realize that my days were brighter and happier because of all of you. I thank you for the changed diapers, the nights in the rocking chair, the tummy rubs and warm showers. I thank you for the tickling (even when you didn’t like giving only 15 more minutes). I am thankful for sleep monster and family vacations. I am thankful for Father’s blessings and help from mom on School projects. I am thankful for your testimonies. I am thankful you made me play piano. Thanks for your examples in church service, temple attendance, and scripture reading. Thanks for web cam and cell phone chats, BBQ Sundays and Christmas pajamas. Thanks most of all for being you. I LOVE YOU. Thanks the spankings, the counsel and thanks for being there always…second grade graduations and soccer games. I think you model ideally our Heavenly Father for He says that He will be with us even unto the end.

In all of this I just hope that you realize that I am who I am because of you. There are people we meet on the course of life that give us direction and we end up in a much better destination because of it. I am in Nicaragua and being here continues to give others direction and purpose in their lives. I think I had lost track of all the blessings…but I am trying to live in the spirit of thanksgiving so that my heart can touch Heaven.

God lives. He shows His love but blessing us with SO MUCH. May we be grateful for everything He gives.

Elder Russell

P.S. As for the menial, the mission is great. People continue to progress. I will keep you posted on the progress...

Seeds grow Fast........week 71

There is a parable of a sower in the scriptures that has most impressed me on my mission. It is found in Mark 4: 26 and 27:

´´And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.´´

It is amazing to see how the Lord really does His part. I feel like a laborer which daily is amazed by the growth of the plant. I cannot explain. It is nothing short of a miracle. I know not how the seedling can sprout and reach the height of a tree in so short a time.

Not long ago I left seedlings in Las Colinas/ La Borgoña, one of my first areas and now I am back in the same stake again. We had a Stake Conference last Sunday and I saw many converts for the first time in a year. Victor and his son were there and Carlos received the Melchizedek Priesthood. He should be leaving for a mission about the same time I leave mine. It is a wonderful feeling to see in the first pew of the conference center lined up 5 recent converts all to be ordained Elders in that same Priesthood. I don’t know how it happened. Chevo, Migdalis, Felix and Heisel are all active and it was great to see them. They have callings too. There was a part of one talk that they asked all of the recent converts to stand up and I saw them all proudly erect with smiles on their countenances. I don’t know how the Lord does it, but He does.

We experienced a wonderful wedding last night with Cristobal and Marta. They were giddy and it was just so funny. I can’t help but see these weddings and think about the future one which they will have as they kneel across the alter and make eternal covenants one with another. It was the first wedding I have experienced up until this point in Nicaragua where they exchanged rings. They aren´t a rich couple by any means but it sure made it special because so many don´t have that same experience. What is even more special is to see the seedling sprout and spread more seeds as we find new investigators through those we are teaching. I don’t know how it happens, but it does. There in the wedding were nonmember relatives of the couple and we will begin teaching them soon. Also we met two other people whose spouses aren´t members and we are going to teach them too so that they can experience the joy of the gospel.

We talked about the conversion process with the Alvarado family who now is almost complete with all of the family but two members baptized in the last month. They shared their feelings and thoughts on how much their lives had changed because of the message.

As we visited Fransisco and Maritza who will be baptized this week as well we were surprised to see that the daughter greeted us with a Gospel Principles book in hand. She said she had been reading. How? I don´t know. I don’t know how she got the book but she learned a lot ha ha. Her and her spouse accepted baptismal dates for next month. I don’t know how the Lord makes the seed grow, I just see it happen.

Neither the harvester nor the farmer can take too much credit for having a big crop. At the end, we have to thank God for making it all grow. I might not understand the process so much, but I DO know one thing. All things are possible when God puts His almighty hand to the sickle with us and we do His work together.

These seedlings will continue to grow and flourish, as will all those who diligently seek to labor in His work.

May His mighty hand shape us, mold us, make us grow and may we accept this change with all our heart. After all, the gospel of Jesus Christ is power unto Salvation for everyone that believeth. May we believe that this seed can change us, even overnight.

Elder Russell

The Importance of Family........week 70

The Lord is focused on families. He loves us so much that He has created that organization to help each and every one of us return back into His presence. The problem is that Satan knows all too well what families can achieve and does anything to hinder their progression.

This week I really have been able to realize how important the family is in God’s plan for the eternal destiny for His children. When the family is fortified by the gospel of Jesus Christ, God’s spirit children have all of the opportunities to progress toward their divine potential. When the home teaches family prayer, scripture study, and has regular family home evening the child grow up and walk in His ways.

We have been working with a few families that are beginning to apply these principles in their lives. Francisco and Maritza have had several challenges in their lives and when they tried to get married a few months ago with a pair of other missionaries, they had a bad experience and couldn’t do it. It ended up being difficult for them to forget and they stopped investigating the church. However, Sunday Francisco came to church and he and his wife agreed to be married and baptized. The spirit had previously witnessed to them of the truthfulness of the gospel and now we are just reaping the harvest. It is an amazing feeling to see the repentance process in action. Seeing a couple pray together is so beautiful. People are forgiven and hearts are healed. But it wasn’t an easy day for sure. We had a few challenges finding lawyers and many other things that I won’t bother you with, I will just say that Satan sure put up a fight.

Along with Francisco and Maritza, we are teaching Cristobal. He is the husband of a member and he has come to church a few times now. Our first lesson helped us get to know him a little more and we could see that he had a lot of questions. One of his biggest questions is about his baptism in the Evangelical church. He feels that it was true but he understands the message of the restoration. He just didn’t want to pray because he felt he already knew his baptism was true. Then as we explained the purpose of the Book of Mormon and his search for the answer he began to respond saying that he would need more time to think about the message, etc. He needed to know more. It was in that moment that I bore testimony of the message that we were sharing. It wasn’t so important to know everything. He just needed to ask Heavenly Father about the message.

It was in that moment that I realized that my progression in God’s plan for me was completely made possible through my family. I told him a night so long ago when I was about 8 years old. Quite possibly mom and dad won’t remember the night or the significance it has had on my life but at the early age of eight I knelt down and asked God if the Book of Mormon was true. It was one night before doing a quick family scripture study. They had asked me to go and get my own pair of scriptures. The prayer was only about 10 seconds long if I remember. I felt good. I felt a reassurance. I got my answer. I related the experience to them quickly upon sitting at the table and we proceeded to read scriptures. This night was the first of many such experiences that have accumulated over time. I know that the book of Mormon is true and that it testifies of the restoration. God works through spiritual manifestations because they transcend time unlike any other memory. All these things are fostered and nurtured in a gospel home.

I am eternally grateful for the family that God has given me. The principles that were taught in my home are true. It was the teaching of such gospel principles with love that allowed each and every one of us kids to gain our own personal testimonies through acting upon their doctrines with faith. It was upon experiencing the promised blessings that we could firmly say that something was true. I feel like in our home we experienced a great peace and love, even that which is described in 4 Nephi 1:11-13

“11 And they were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them…[and] they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord. And it came to pass that there was no contention among all the people, in all the land.”

If we had a society based upon the family and strengthening her we would have peace on Earth. But even if the world doesn’t change the family is always a refuge completely independent. We can have happiness in our families now.

Families can be together forever. What a wonderful message! In a world where we are bombarded with the “newest and greatest” advertisements, there is a constant priority. Whatever new trend or option the family is always first. Paul said that his greatest joy was to know that his children walked in the ways of the lord. May we do so…that is why we have families in the first place.

I love you so much. Thanks for everything.

Elder Grant Russell

Let's Go Home........week 69

As I start one more letter, I must think about the week and sit back and take it all in. The experiences just keep on coming and if one doesn’t write them down, his memory fades and his experiences lose importance for him. I hope to be able to remember all that has happened this week.

This was my first official change week! It was grueling…long nights and early mornings all around. Monday the APs picked up the new missionaries and then we had to get everything ready for the training meeting. It was fun to see them and get to know them. Each and everyone had a desire to serve the Lord. They in many ways are examples to me of hard work and dedication. As financier we have to accommodate and provide lodging and such for all 22 of them. My wallet seemed like it had a hole in it ha ha. You wouldn’t believe how much 22 missionaries can eat. Poor lunch ladies at the MTC…bless their hearts.

Tuesday I had to do a small training about credit cards and money so that they knew what to do.

Wednesday was changes. We got the new missionaries out of our hands only to receive the missionaries that were finishing their mission. Thursday morning we drop them off and we had one that had to be at the airport at 4:30am. It was a pretty early morning…

Finally Thursday night things calmed down a bit after a day of phone calls and questions with the missionaries asking questions about their new areas. I felt like a really popular guy. We went to visit Karen and Fransisco who had planned to get married Friday. They were super excited and anxious to do so (which is a story by itself seeing as he didn’t want to talk to us the first three weeks in his house). They were married Friday evening and his countenance has changed a ton. He gave us a hug and couldn’t stop smiling the whole time. He loved the cake too!

Karen and Fransisco's wedding

The gospel is extremely powerful in changing the lives of God’s children. Daily I see repentance take effect. I see sinful lives meet loving arms and hearts are changed and healed. Elder Rodriguez, my new companion (even though he has been my roommate we hadn’t worked together before) told me that in the interview she said a sweet prayer thanking the Lord for helping her change. She said that she was happy that her husband had been able to change too and asked Him to continue to help change her husband so that he too could be baptized.

Friday night, we visited a less active member. The man couldn’t stop talking. Quite the joker, he took little of what we said literally because behind the cover up of jokes and laughter, I think we discovered pain, disappointment and struggle. He is a man who years ago was a faithful member of the church. Callings and church service for years marked his resume but his problem began when he was surprised by the newly established church in Nicaragua. He had seen “better” in Honduras and as a result wasn’t content with what he saw here. After listening for some time, we began to share the parable of the Lost Son. I think it was a perfect story for him. His talking ceased little by little and he began to listen intently. We felt guided by the spirit and we demonstrated a sincere love for the man. We brought to his attention certain story elements to apply them to his life. The part that says ,”But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him” came to my mind and I asked him how the father could have been able to have seen the son from a great way off. The point is that the father would have been watching eagerly and frequently to have spotted him from far away. I would venture to say that the Father never took His sight off his lost child from the moment he left the house.

Our Father in Heaven sees us wherever we are. He sees us in the good times and in the bad because his vision doesn’t fade nor does his focus blur. He knows we can come back but at the same time cannot come to get us. The Father didn’t go and look for his son but what He has done has provided the way back if we so choose it. He has sent His son to help us find our way back home. If we just repent our Father in Heaven says the same to us, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” He embraces us. He says welcome back.

I pray that we might have our vision on the house of our Father, that we might say to ourselves “let’s go home” when we are lost. To everyone that is lost there will come a certain thought, “And am no more worthy to be called thy son” but I testify that each and every one of us can feel accepted by Him again. He will let us know with a big hug that we were wrong. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Grant Russell

Though the name might be worn off, the name has been permanently engraven upon my heart........week 68

Another week has come and gone and I can hardly believe that I am writing again. I think the weeks are passing by quicker and quicker these days. I am so happy to hear that everyone is doing well and the pictures of the kids were great! They are so big these days.

As for me, this week we had a crazy week with training meetings and my companion and I were able to go to one of the two day sessions. It is a new approach the church has for helping missionaries become better teachers. It is a 8 lesson training based in Preach My Gospel that helps missionaries focus more on the needs of the investigators. I liked many of the lessons but the biggest things I learned have to do with teaching investigators and not lessons. The lessons have focused me more on teaching by the spirit. I now am listening more to the investigators so that I can be sure that they receive the right lessons at the right time.

I had an unexpected miracle this week as I was in the office. It seems word of that I am in the office has spread to my past area in La Borgoña because a family that I baptized a year ago there came to visit me in the office. Their visit was great! They have had their difficulties but they have renewed covenants and have new goals to go to the temple as a family. The family came to ask my permission to baptize their son who had just turned 8. Seeing as the father is just now returning back into activity, I was willing to perform the ordinance. Together with the baptism of Wilian from our area in Montserrat, I baptized the young Denzel. As I stood in the baptismal font, I smiled at the family and I could see that they were so happy to be there. It was a special moment. The time was erased and I felt like we had never been separated. There exists a special bond between a missionary and those he helps be baptized. It is impossible to describe. We are just willing to do anything for these people...the best word would have to be pure love.

Wilian's Baptism

The whole group

The Sanchez family at Denzel's baptism

Experiences like this one make one reflect about life. I began thinking about how much has happened with me since I taught this family. I feel like it was so long ago but at the same time I feel as if it were just yesterday. Time is precious. It is so important to take advantage of the time that the Lord has given us. I am ever grateful for the time I have had in the mission. I have seen miracle after miracle and tender mercies have been more common than not. Rain, wind, sun and other physical elements of time have begun to wear off the letters on my name tag. It reads something like ¨Elder Russell, La Iglesia de Jesucristo os Santos mos D...´´

But even though the name might be worn off, the name has been permanently engraven upon my chest and heart. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called to labor among this people so that they can receive everlasting life. (see 3 Nephi 5:13)
He directs me and I recognize more than ever now that I am nothing without Him. As we put our trust in Him, He puts everything right.

I testify that this is His work. He lives! God knows who we are, what we are going through and what we need. Through prayer we can rightly receive the promised blessings that He has ready for those who only ask sincerely with real intent believing in Christ. May He be the reason why we do what we do. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Grant Russell

P.S. Have my contacts come in yet? I would like to have them soon because I am on my last pair now.

The Spirit changes People...a very humble people........week 67

It has been a great week! We have been really busy with some training meetings and the office has been a little more hectic. I have taken the ropes more this week as Elder Pulley has let me do the majority of the work. We have changes in less than two weeks so I have to get a hold of this quick since he will be leaving me.

Our investigators continue to progress leaps and bounds. This week we have two families prepared to be baptized and it is so special to hear of their testimonies. I am amazed at how the Lord is blessing us. Every day as we visit investigators, we ask them about sharing the gospel and they are already doing it! The spirit is making them want to share the gospel with their friends and family. Each week we have had investigators bring other investigators to the sacrament meetings. We had one investigator that we are preparing for baptism come with us to a few appointments. He even bore his testimony and invited another to church on the way. They are praying and reading the Book of Mormon together as a family. I just love missionary work…

Gloria bore a sweet testimony about the word of wisdom this week. While we talked about obeying this great commandment, she was amazed at her own progress. She said, ”Look at me! I have drunken coffee for over 30 years and now I am not doing it! I just don’t really want to.” Her husband seemed to be a little bit like a redwood at first but he has accepted to be baptized. God makes us all a little softer! The spirit changes people.

I guess that I am just grateful for all of these blessings from the Lord. I many times question my own worthiness of these blessings. I guess that He decides when to bless us. Our job is to be grateful and confess His hand in all things. Only He can carry the message to the people through His spirit and then open their hearts to receive it. We had several people this week come and ask us if they can get baptized. I feel like Ammon among the Lamanites. These people are so humble. I love them. I have never met a people so willing to give up all of their past and their sins to know the Lord. I cant really express adequately the love I have for them, but I try to show it.

I love you all. Thank you for what you do. Thanks for laboring diligently in the Lords vineyard. Whatever service we give is worth it in the end and we end up being of more worth to the Lord. May He bless you always and protect your every footstep.

Elder Grant Russell

A Great Week........week 66

BOYS will be BOYS

Having fun together

We have just received blessings all this week and it is hard for me to remember exactly how it all happened. As always, the Lord is doing His part as we try and do ours. While we have little time to work with the people, the people just progress with the help of the spirit. We were able to have 6 baptisms this week and we have seen so many miracles.



This week there were several training meetings for the missionaries and that makes for a busy week in the office because we have to prepare for their food and other necessities. My assignment consist much of helping missionaries solve money problems, buying things for the office and missionaries, keeping track of all the spending and organizing it all. But really my biggest responsibility is to baptize and be just like any other missionary. I am just happy to see that my Heavenly Father is helping me to maintain that focus always.

Baptism of Gloria

The baptism went well though. It was a little difficult for Gloria to get baptized because she is extremely afraid of the water. The first time I baptized her I almost had to force her into the water and she wouldn't get under all of the way. She was shaking too. The second intent was a success and she was happy to just know it was over. Afterwards, she bore a simple testimony...´´since coming to this church, I have felt so good. Now that I am baptized, I feel even better. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.´´ Mario was really happy too. He and his wife now have a house full of members and a goal to go the temple next year. In fact, we had a lot of success in teaching Eternal Marriage to our investigators. Edgar and Gessenia that will be baptized this week were enthralled with the message and took it all in. They have made huge changes in their lives and even Gloria´s husband´s heart was changed enough to come to the baptism and see her and his daughter be baptized.

This morning we woke up to a rainy day and in Nicaragua that means that you might have to be the noisy alarm clock for some members. The rain has a way of hitting the metal roofs of the houses here that just puts everyone into a deep sleep. The typical Sunday morning makes us look something like an unwavering door to door salesman that would even go as far as look through windows to find the people. We stand at the doors, fences, gates, etc and shout ¨buenas¨ until the people answer us. Then we try to get them excited to go to church if they are still in REM sleep. As we did so this morning, another wave of rain came and when we came to church there were only about 2 families there with 5 minutes to spare. Keep in mind that we start at 8am and most people don't have vehicles nor transport money. We started the meeting a little late but by the end there were 147 people there and almost 20 investigators. It was a miracle. Investigators are bringing other investigators and less actives there nonmember families. It is just so beautiful to see the hand of the Lord in the work. Every week He just puts the people in the way and if we are willing to take a step of faith and find them, things just happen. In other words, He makes things happen when we act on spiritual promptings.

When I was studying about Baptism this week in Preach My Gospel I began thinking more seriously about why the material focuses so much on Ordinances and Covenants. Many missionaries kind of skip over that part in their teaching but I began to ponder over the necessity of that material. It just hit me. I realized that what investigators really want and need is only obtained through covenants. As we promise to God that we will do certain things, He promises so much more in return. Nevertheless, many of us want to have God give us the blessing without really committing ourselves to do anything. Only upon making covenants and being faithful to them will He feel obligated in blessing us. There are some covenants that require us to outwardly show our promises...these are symbols and ceremonies called ordinances that help us remember with greater vividness the promises we make. One cannot seriously covenant with God that he will stop sinning and become a new man until he outwardly shows it through baptism. Having faith in God and staying home just doesn't work. When these ordinances are performed by proper priesthood authority, covenants are accepted by the Lord and the Holy Spirit of Promise seals it all. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints has the power and authority to baptize the Lord´s children upon the Earth and if we make and keep covenants, we are enabled to do even greater things.

Elder Grant Russell