April 19th

Hey guys, its nice to here that you all are doing well.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM AFRICA TO KIRSTEN AND LEXY!!!!
To answer your questions mom, Yes, if you send a package, I would
really like some American seasonings, such as taco and ranch and any
other packets of stuff that you can think of. I have been sick. This
last week I got malaria, but not very bad tough. I was only inside for
half of a day. I love the medicine that they give to us. It works
miracles along with blessings. I don’t know if you have already given
your talk, or if this helps, but I was thinking about your questions.
For me what really started to get me to read the scriptures were three
things: First, because everyone always told me about all of the
stories that were in them, and I wanted to know about people like
Moroni and all of that stuff and so I started. The next thing was that
we always read before we all went to school, and I wanted to be a
better reader so that I could read as fast as everyone else, so I
wanted to practice. The last one was that I knew that all of my older
brothers and sisters read, and I wanted to be like them. Now the
reasons that I read are a little bit different though. I read so that
when a stupid preacher thinks that he knows the bible and what it
teaches I can bash with him and prove to him that he is wrong.
Actually that’s not true, but I do read so that I can teach more
effectively. As I study the scriptures, I don’t see words anymore. I
see what is happening, and often I see myself in the middle of it all.
I can see every ones mistakes and what they are doing well. I can
actually imaging all of those cool things, and it makes me fill so
happy. It brings such knowledge and peace that I cant even describe
it. I know that that is a bit of a ramble, but when you are a
missionary, you really come to love the scriptures more than you ever
thought that you would. You tell those women that I said that the best
way to have effective missionaries from their children is for them to
come out with a love for the scriptures and knowledge that the Book of
Mormon is true. If they can help their children to do that they could
change the world. Sorry, I got carried away.
So, it’s kind of weird to hear that Riley can talk and walk,
considering that the last time I saw the kid he was barely sitting up.
I hope that all went well with Kirsten and Lexy’s birthdays. They are
getting really old. Nate and Megan, congrats on the kicking, when I
get back Ill be able to teach it how to play soccer. We played today
for p-day and I scored. I’ve gotten a lot better at it than when I
came. We had a baptism on Sunday and we baptized 3 people. We have
another in 2 weeks where if all goes well, we will baptize about six
others. Please pray for me. We also had a fireside on Saturday, in
which I got to talk about missionary work. I think that it went ok,
considering that I found out about five min. before I talked.
Funny story of the day is apparently elder bond woke up last nigh and
looked over and I was sitting up in bed talking. I said no my Name is
Elder Russell. I then continued to teach a lesson including using
imaginary scriptures and my imaginary daily planner. I guess I
baptized the guy, because right after that I had to go to the
bathroom, so I must have been thinking of water. Well my time is up, I
cant wait to talk to you guys in a couple of weeks. Love Elder
Russell.