This Last Week was Quite a Handful!

Some pretty sweet shades Elder Rush

Hello Everyone! 

How are you all doing? Hopefully life is not too crazy!

This last week was quite a handful! 

We had planned to go on exchanges with the district leaders in the zone this week! They are all serving in Shelley, a small town that covers a LOT of farm Land! Monday night I went down to Shelley and was with Elder Tidwell for the day. I was suppose to return home that night but decided to stay in Shelley for 2 more days due to more exchanges and district meetings so I missed my bed. Finally I got to sleep in it on Thursday night! YES! Since we were not really able to do work in our area in Idaho Falls most of the week, we were lacking in lessons. SO over the weekend we worked extra extra hard and taught 16 lessons in 3 days. Usually we are able to teach 20 to 25 lessons a week! It was pretty amazing.

Yesterday we took a recent convert, named Brian, with us to some lessons. We were in his house talking about missionary experiences and how people treat us. As we walked out to our car, this guy tried to scare us as we crossed the street so we just smiled and waved. He drove away and came back, rolled down his window and just goes off on us. Yelling and cursing up a storm. Typical experience for us but Brian was pretty surprised. SO that was what made it bad. Next we were able to give a sick sister in one of our wards a priesthood blessing and you could see how appreciative she was. It was a good experience.

Spiritual thought for the day is from my sister Kristalyne!

Really read and ponder this one!

"In other words, true and perfect worship consists in following in the steps of the Son of God; it consists in keeping the commandments and obeying the will of the Father to that degree that we advance from grace to grace until we are glorified in Christ as he is in his Father. It is far more than prayer and sermon and song. It is living and doing and obeying. It is emulating the life of the great Exemplar."

Bruce R. McKonkie!

Love you all take care!

Elder Rush

Elder Rush on exchanges with Elder Tidwell in Shelley, Idaho

Shelley Idaho  (flat and more flat)

Idaho Falls South Zone.

Elder Dalling trying out a new style

Are you all wearing green for St. Patrick's?

Good hygiene while sharing a picture of his companion, who's now home, Elder Downey.

Hello everyone! 

How are you all doing? 

Are you all wearing green for St. Patrick's? 

Hopefully,...or else....

Anyway. The beginning of a week and the end of a week seem years apart so it is hard to remember everything but here I go!

Monday. We went bowling and I realized that I must join a bowling league when I am old. It fascinates me how old people can bowl and how they can bowl and get strikes while intoxicated. It is incredible.

Tuesday. We went on exchanges with Elder Earley  (6'10") and Elder Frazier(5'8").  I was with Elder Frazier so I was not the short companion that day. He showed me the importance of charity for ourselves. It is very hard to serve others when you do not want to serve yourself.  And sometimes that includes allowing others to serve you.

Elder Earley 6'10" Elder Dalling 6'1" Elder Frazier 5'8" 

Thursday. We had the privilege to do weekly plan for next week. With all the people we are teaching in Idaho Falls, it took us 6 hours. SIX HOURS of paper work!

I was going crazy.

Friday. We had another exchange. This time with Zone Leaders in Ammon, which never happens. I was with Elder Wright, he has been a zone leader for 7 months and was great example to me. 

Saturday. Johanna Jaxon was BAPTIZED . It was a fantastic experience. In the 3 weeks I have been here, she has changed so much. Her love for the GOSPEL is an inspiration to me.

Sunday. Sister Jaxon was confirmed and a missionary gave her homecoming talk. It ws so awesome.

Spiritual thought (with picture)

3 Nephi 9: 13- 14

Book of Mormon

13. O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? 

14. Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me. 

I love this picture. Christ is waiting for us all to return to Him. His arms are always open, it just requires our efforts.

I love you all! Take Care

Elder Rush

I loved this in my quick note he sent me!

I forgot to tell you last week that I fit in the shower and almost in the bed! Almost!

Well I love you mom, to the moon and back! And miss you that much too!!!!!

Love Elder Rush

Johanna Jaxon's baptism

I'm Grateful For the Support You Have Given Me

Hello Persons reading this! 

Just let me say I love you all and am grateful for the support you have given me! 

This last week was full of meetings. But first, last night we had a lesson with the Waltons. One of their sons is investigating the church.  Last night,  Sunday night, we shared the story of Joseph Smith and watched The Restoration: The Prophet of the Restoration. The spirit was present in that home, and the family bore their testimonies to him. It was a very powerful experience..

 Wednesday we had Zone Training.  Elder Dalling and I had the opportunity to instruct the 20 missionaries in our zone! It was amazing.

Thursday we had Zone Conference. Half the mission/missionaries were there. Elder Dalling and I had the opportunity to conduct the meeting. The Mission President's wife, Sister Brinkerhoff, shared this quote with us from Marion G. Romney at the April 1980 General Conference. 

"I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness."

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1980/04/the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng

I really enjoy the Book of Mormon and the peace it brings to my heart. For those of you that have never read it. Please read these three verses. Moroni 10 3-5: 

  3. "Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts."

 4. " And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."

 5. "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

Put that promise to the test. Figure out why I am here, sending this email, and serving a mission. I know it is the word of God and it has brought much peace and happiness and will in the life to come. I just want others to feel that happiness as well.

I love you all. Take care

Elder Rush

Part of a quick note from Mitchell answering some of my questions.

We cover the Boulevard, CastleRock, RosePark, and Victorian Village wards. There really is no set schedule other then studies in the morning. After 10 am it is just crazy and chaotic. It is very exciting though. There is a family history center by the Temple that we email at. We are allowed to go to the Temple once a quarter. We are okay!  We are doing well and staying busy.

I love you and miss you so much:)

Elder Rush

Sorry no pictures this week:((((9

  

A Warm Welcome to Idaho Falls!

Hello!

This last week has been pretty busy. I found out I am being transferred to Idaho Falls to be with my MTC companion Elder Dalling. We will be the Zone Leaders there. That will be exciting but I am nervous. 

This last week was filled with Good Byes and much learning from other learners. 

It snowed too but it melted in a couple of hours!

So here are some inspiring picture quotes.

Love Elder Rush

The shortest Email so far! Though he made up for it with pictures! Love my Elder Rush!

Here is a letter to Elder Rush from President Brinkerhoff concerning his call as Zone Leader. So proud of my amazing boy!

Dear Elder Rush ,

This letter confirms the assignment I extended to you to serve as a Zone Leader.  Congratulations on this assignment.  With this assignment, great trust has been placed in you.  I trust that you will be an example of:

*  Exact obedience-the blessings that come to missionaries, who are obedient with exactness are immeasurable, and by being an example you will be able to help the missionaries in your zone be obedient.

*  A Preach My Gospel missionary so that you can show the missionaries how to be successful.

*  A leader who lifts and inspires the missionaries with love.

*  A missionary who is focused on your purpose to bring others to Christ.

*  A leader who is diligent, humble, and effective

Remember to always call upon your Heavenly Father.  The Lord will qualify you for this work as you rely upon Him in faith.  You can also call on the assistants and me for counsel and guidance.

As with all assignments in the Church, at some point in time a release will be issued.  Until that time serve with all your heart, might, mind and strength in furthering this work. It is a privilege to serve with you, in this leadership role.

Love,

Marvin T. Brinkerhoff Mission President

My guess is the person taking this picture is not very tall.

The Murdochs, Elder Rush and Brother Kepler

So serious! Studly men! 

The Shaws and Elder Rush

The Robinson Family, Elder Rush and his new monkey friend!

The Hadley family and Elder Rush

The Kepler family with Elder Rush helping with handstand practice, or assisting with cleaning out pockets!

Elder Rush and Jacob.

Elder Rush and Brother Spicer

The Cluff family and Elder Rush.

The Tillotson family and Elder Rush.

Of course, so long to Elder O'Brien from Canada, who really likes..... Hockey!

I love this quote! It reminds me of our valiant missionaries out serving our Father in Heaven; Gods Army!