I Ended Up in Montpelier

Hello Everyone!
Hope you had a really really good week.
Our week was pretty good. We had transfers this last week!
I ended up in Montpelier South with Elder Johnson. He is from Missouri
and has been out on his mission for 1 year. He is an awesome guy. I
have definitely learned from him the importance of humility and the
willingness to change. I am excited for this transfer. Montpelier is a
small town with 2500 people. We cover Dingle, Geneva, Pegram and
Cokeville. All these areas are farming communities. Super small.
Everyone knows everyone and they are all related! It is quite a lovely
place. I have learned that I like populated areas. Like California.
The graduating classes here are 30 or less. People are shocked when I
tell them I had a small graduating class of 300. The people here are
so willing to help the missionaries. We had fast and testimony meeting
yesterday. One of our investigators actually got up in front of the
ward and bore her testimony. It was awesome! I had the chance to go up
and bear my testimony and guess what I cried. Super Manly I know. But
I shared with them that April 30, 2 days ago Miles Murdoch the lady
that was baptized back in my first area, Pocatello West II, was sealed
to her husband in the Logan Utah Temple. I was so excited and still
am. I felt so comforted and reassured that families can be together
forever if we follow Heavenly Father's Plan. Obedience to the
commandments not only bring blessings but they bring eternal Families!
I know that God lives and loves us so so so so so so so so so so so so
so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so much! I hope you
take the time to figure that out for yourself. And if you already know
figure it out again. I know I am a child of God and I matter to Him.
This has given me a purpose and a direction to my life. I know this is
true because of the Book of Mormon. I invite you to find out for
yourself to know it it true!
I love you all so much!
Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Rush

Alma 34:32-41

32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God;
yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their
labors.

33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many
witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do notprocrastinate the
day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life,
which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not
improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness
wherein there can be no labor performed.

34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I
will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this;
for that same spirit which doth possessyour bodies at the time that ye
go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your
body in that eternal world.

35 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance
even until death, behold, ye have becomesubjected to the spirit of the
devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord
hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath
all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked.

36 And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in
unholy temples, but in the hearts of therighteous doth he dwell; yea,
and he has also said that the righteous shall sit down in his kingdom,
to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through
theblood of the Lamb.

37 And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye should remember
these things, and that ye should work out your salvation with fear
before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ;

38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye
receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble
yourselves even to the dust, and worshipGod, in whatsoever place ye
may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving
daily, for the manymercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon
you.

39 Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye bewatchful unto
prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the temptations of
the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his
subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing.

40 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience,
and that ye bear with all manner ofafflictions; that ye do not revile
against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty,
lest ye become sinners like unto them;

41 But that ye have patience, and bear with thoseafflictions, with a
firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.

Elder Rush and some monkey friends

Elder Rush found a look alike Butterscotch! (His dog) 

Elder Johnson and the monkey friends!

I'm Going to Bear Lake!

Hello Everyone!

This week was pretty good. Elder Dalling and I dropped everything that was holding us back this week and God blessed us a lot. He placed 9 new investigators in our path! That was awesome and we were able to set up 15 lessons for Elder Dalling and Elder Welling this week! So that means I am getting transferred on Wednesday. The first time in 8 months!  I will be going to the Montpelier South Stake. So I will be covering the east side of Bear Lake, all the way to Cokeville, Wyoming!

It will be pretty exciting! Elder Johnson will be my companion! We said good bye to people and taught people. Hopefully we can have a good week! Hope you have a great week! We have to prepare for transfers now!

Love you,

Elder Rush 

“Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to helping people. … Stand higher, lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

–President Gordon B. Hinckley

President and Sister Hancock. The sisters that went home.

The office staff

They opened a Rita's in Ammon! Best day ever!

Mama Stoddard

Training the trainers.

Elder Welling

Waiting for the new missionaries at the mission home.

One last visit with the Stoddards. They gave Elder Rush his very own Sentsy! Oh happy day!

Elder Dalling and Elder Rush looking good!

If We Want to Harvest Apples, We Can't Plant Bananas!

I'm Hello! 

Hope you had a great week!

We don't have much time today so here is a quick over view of the week!

There was a mid transfer, transfer! We had to take some missionaries around the mission. We went to Idaho Falls and down to Bear Lake! It was beautiful. We even left Idaho and were in the Utah part of our mission. That was fun! Elder Nair went home and we went to a restaurant that lets you put dollar bills on the ceiling. 

We wanted to find more people to teach this week so we set a goal to contact 10 referrrals. The beginning of the week we had 0 referral so we had to find 10 then contact them. We were really set on hitting that goal. So we asked Heavenly Father to help us. At first we were not getting any referrals but Friday we finally did. We were not able to contact all 10 referrals we received, but we tried. Heavenly Father prepared a way. He always will prepare a way, but we have to do our part. For Example if we want to harvest apples we cannot plant a banana tree and expect apples. We have to do the proper work. It takes faith to see miracles in our lives, it takes action! I hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Elder Rush

1 John 3:1-3

 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Elder Nair and Elder Rush

The dollars they put on the Restaurant wall. Elder Rush's is the San Diego one with a palm tree. (Bottom left) Love my artist boy! ;)

From one of my Idaho Angels Holly Borgholthaus

Laura Middleton Rush it was our lucky day :) I was sitting at Les Schwab trying not to hear Judge Judy and soap operas and all of a sudden they were there saying hi :) :)  I was so impressed with both of them. Elder Rush remembered my son by name, along with others, that he taught here. It's been several months since he was in our area and Nathan was going out with them. They were happy to take a picture for their moms:) :)

No one Goes His Way Alone

Hello!
Hope you had a great week! 
We had an interesting week. The weather has been normal! Raining, blue skies, over 70 degrees and snow all in the same day!
Most of the week Elder Dalling was sick! In the wee hours of Tuesday morning he awoke with a flu/dehydration/food poisoning sickness. We still don't know what caused it, poor guy! Not fun being sick. He was stuck in bed for 3 days. He started to feel better on Friday, so we went out for a little.We Had  some cool  experiences over the next 3 days! 
Friday  we meet with the Murchs. This family is great. Their Dad told us he doesn't believe in God and doesn't want to, so over the past three months as we stop over there and share the message of Jesus Christ, he has changed! The proof:  Following our visit the kids told us they went to a different Christian church last week and the person who decided to take everyone was THEIR DAD!!! SO COOL! So I testify that by small and simple means are great things brought to pass. Don't give up on people you are trying to help because you are truly helping them!
Saturday we had a very humbling experience. We had a lesson with Randi but we had this one at her friend Lance's house. Now Lance is in a tough situation. He is paraplegic and cannot talk but communicates by typing on his computer with one hand. As we discussed what we had planned with Randi, Lance wanted to share something. So for 45 minutes Lance taught us things he knows. Since he cannot leave his bed, he studies and researches a lot! I learned many new things from him about the history of the scriptures and the scriptures themselves . He also taught me that I cannot say awesome as much as I do. HAHA 
Randi told us the next day that the week before Lance felt worthless and wanted to pass away, but since he was able to teach us he felt worth in his life again. Another testimony that by small means we are able to help people!!!
So I have a story that goes along the lines of service and selflessness. First I wanted to share a story about sacrifice.
Since Elder Dalling was sick this week I had the opportunity to study a lot. What stuck out to me the most is sacrifice.
Since our Heavenly Father wants us to have all that HE has, to reach our greatest potential, He helps us along the way just as He helped the Brother of Jared, his family and friends to a land choice above all others.
Here is a little Background/chapter summary in Ether chapter 1 and 2.
Chapter 1
The language of the Jaredites is not confounded at the Tower of Babel—The Lord promises to lead them to a choice land and make them a great nation.

Chapter 2

The Jaredites prepare for their journey to a promised land—It is a choice land whereon men must serve Christ or be swept off—The Lord talks to the brother of Jared for three hours

As the Brother of Jared lead these people, he relied upon the Lord for guidance. They went through trials and tribulation to reach a nice place.

13 And now I proceed with my record; for behold, it came to pass that the Lord did bring Jared and his brethren forth even to that great sea which divideth the lands. And as they came to the sea they pitched their tents; and they called the name of the place Moriancumer; and they dwelt in tents, and dwelt in tents upon the seashore for the space of four years.

God lead them to beach front property, no other people dwelt in this land and they had gathered all seed and animal of every kind. Sounds like a great deal to me. I won't want to leave. They probably thought this was the choice land that God was leading them to. They were in a really nice place. Nothing bad about it but God had so much more in store for them. He also has so much more in store for us. We can have what we want or we can have something better. We need to sacrifice in order to reach the potential God has for us! I know there is so much more to life when we come closer to our Heavenly Father by following the example of Jesus Christ! 

I will just conclude with a little story about selflessness called THE KING’S HIGHWAY:

 Once a king had a great highway built for the members of his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the king decided to hold a contest. He invited as many as desired to participate. Their challenge was to see who could travel the highway best.

On the day of the contest, the people came. Some of them had fine chariots, some had fine clothing, fine hairdos, or great food. Some young men came in their sports togas and ran along the highway. People traveled the highway all day, but each one, when they arrived at the end, complained to the king that there was a large pile of rocks and debris on the road at one spot, and this had hindered their travel.

At the end of the day, a lone traveler crossed the finish line and wearily walked over to the king. He was tired and dirty-but he addressed the king with great respect, and handed him a bag of gold. He explained, “I stopped along the way to clear away a pile of rocks and debris that was blocking the road. This bag of gold was under it, and I would like you to help me return it to its rightful owner.”

The king replied, “You are the rightful owner.”

The traveler replied, “Oh no, this is not mine. I’ve never known so much money.”

“Oh yes,” said the king, “You’ve earned this gold, for you have won my contest. He who travels the road best is he who makes the road smoother for those who will follow.”

-Author Unknown

When we render service to others and seek to improve the life of others we find the true happiness that God has in store for us!

Hope you have a great week! 

Love,

Elder Rush

Me being board during the sick days

A note to Mitchell's Sister Kristalyne and family. They are pretty amazing!

Holy Cow!

I miss you guys a lot!

I love your family so very much!

And I am so thankful for the inspirational messages you always share! I love your focus and commitment to the Savior, That is what makes your family so awesome!!!

I hope you have a great week 

Love,

Elder Rush

Part of Kristalyne's letter to Elder Rush. His oldest sister.

I love this scripture, and have been thinking about it a lot this week:

2 Nephi 31

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

***Steadfastness meaning: commitment, dedication,

perseverance, steadfastness, walking with God***

I love what perseverance means in this verse! Am I choosing daily to walk with Christ? Am I inviting Him to walk with me and help me, lead me and guide me? Am I dedicated and commited to Him daily?

I also love how it says having a love of God and of all men. The Savior spent His life loving others, and He says so many times to love one another! I have this quote in our home, "Christ like love is the greatest need we have on this planet." -Jeffrey R. Holland. Just imagine how the world would be if everyone loved their neighbor as themself! It is so important to love others and be kind...in fact it is a sure sign of a disciple of Christ. And of course choosing to love God daily is so important! I find when I choose to read my scriptures and say my prayers I'm showing my love for Him, and in return I am so much happier, and I feel His presence near!

We love you Elder Rush! I am so proud of you! You are doing such an amazing service! Thank you for you service to your Idahoan brothers and sisters! :) You are amazing! Have a great week!

Love, Kris and family!!!! Xoxo :)

We are all Children of a Living God

Hello! 

Hope you had a great week!

This week was crazy! We finished zone conference on Tuesday had Mission Leadership Council on Friday and General Conference Saturday and Sunday! It was awesome! I love having the opportunity to listen to God's chosen leaders! There is so much to take in. I especially loved the words of Elder Donald L Hallstrom! He spoke of our divine heritage. We are all children of God. I know I talk about that a lot but it is my favorite truth of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are children of a Heavenly Father that loves us and will never leave us alone. I know that is true. That is our message of hope and peace. Just like any loving parent, He wants us back and we have the chance to return to Him as we follow Jesus Christ! 

Cool story: Randi, a lady we have been teaching recently, asked us to give her a blessing. Her daughter was in the room too! After we gave the blessing and left, Randi's daughter said "Mom did you feel that! That was amazing. I felt some power of peace come over me as they gave you a blessing!" It was pretty cool! I testify the priesthood authority of God is on the Earth!

Hope you all have a great week! 

Love,

Elder Rush

Acts 17:24-29

 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

 25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

 29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

1 Nephi 17:36

36 Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.

Elder Rush found a picture of my dad from many moons go. It was while he served as a Stake President in the Pocatello North Stake before he was called to serve as a Regional Representative in South America.

Two of my favorite men!

A note to me from my boy! Oh how I love him!

So our week was super long but fast. We had the last zone conference a week ago but it feels like it was a month ago. We had mission leadership council on Friday in the Pocatello North Stake Center. That is where I found Grandpa's picture. Well I will be getting transferred this transfer, President asked me if I wanted to train a missionary. I just told him I would do whatever is needed. He had me going down to a town called Montpelier last time I checked. So we will see what happens. I could serve in Cokeville, Wyoming. Cokeville Miracle! But we will see! 

All the Missionaries in the 9 Zones at the Zone Conferences.

Happy Easter

Hello!!!
Hope you all had a great week!
Super Cool thing! Miles Murdoch, she was baptized about thirteen months ago, is going to the Logan Utah Temple to be sealed to her husband. So Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!
ETERNAL FAMILIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love it!
I just realized I have been on my mission for over 19 months now! Holy Cow!
We had zone conference every day this week. We only have one more to go! They have been great though! I learn something new every time. And one of the nights we were out proselyting with the Zone Leaders we had a super cool experience. We needed to make a pit stop and use the bathroom! We decided to wait and visit a few more people. When we finally went to the gas station, we ran into a girl named Kim. She was going to Rexburg from California and got lost. She was balling and needed some help. We were able to give her directions to Rexburg and helped her on her way. A little later she called us and thanked us for being an answer to her prayer and for being in the right place at the right time! It was very simple but it was very cool to be a part of someone's answer to a prayer. 

I hope you all had a great Easter! I LOVE the story of Jesus Christ's resurrection! I love Jesus Christ and I testify of His Divine Sonship. As I watched many Easter videos about Christ last week, I  felt love and comfort. I know everything He went through was for each one of us. As I think of everything He suffered I KNOW He can heal us. As I think of my pain, my sorrow, and my guilt I don't have those feelings anymore. They have been removed from me through Christ. He can help us through any trial if we let Him!

Luke 24:1-6
 1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the LordJesus.

 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed there about, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

 6 He is not here, but is risen: 

He lives!

Love

Elder Rush

Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow and forever. - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 

Picture with Elder Kanahele, my cousin

We drank from Hooper Springs. The water is carbonated. Located in Soda Springs

Hanging out with our bear friend!

We had a good Easter. It was really nice to spent time with the Stoddards. They are definitely
family away from home. 

From my Idaho Angel friend Barbie Stoddard.

"He brought back my container with 1 sour patch kid in it for me because he feels it's important not to bring a container back empty. Hahaha"

"Pretending to be camera shy."

My favorite picture. 

Barbie said, "Sorry I really tried to get a serious picture of the goofball😂"

Mustache Fun with the President!

Hello! 

Hope you had a great week!
It was crazy here! We went to 4 zone conferences and have 4 more this
week! I learned so much though. We were only able to spent time in our
area in Pocatello on Saturday and Sunday! We had the opportunity to
speak in one of our wards. We were asked to speak for 20 minutes each
but the night before the bishop informs us that we will only speak for
15 minutes combined! The bishop had a training meeting with
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the 12 Apostles! So we were okay
with it! I gave a talk on repentance, really just bore my testimony.
It was the shortest talk I have ever given. However I did learn a lot
studying for it. Here are some thoughts I want to share!
Doctrine and Covenants 58:42-43

42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and
I, the Lord, remember them no more.
43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will
confess them and forsake them.

I love repentance. I truly know we can be forgiven.
I love this quote.

"Bringing our lives in line with God's will through repentance is the
central purpose of our lives"!

I love it! It's So True!

God wants us back and loves us so much he has provided the opportunity
to repent and be healed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ!
I know repentance is real! People can change!
Sorry for the short letter!
Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Rush

A note from my boy. Melted my heart!

Thank you for the package! So much good stuff! I am so excited to go through 6 gallons of milk in a week with that Ovaltine!!!!

Thank you for being the best mom in the whole world!!!

I love and miss you so much!

Elder Dalling, President Hancock and Elder a Rush sporting their stashes!