Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Merry Christmas to all!

Haha, the Christmas season has officially started here in the Philippines! That is not a joke. It literally starts in September. Christmas is the 'ber' months - September, October, November, December. What a great 4 months it's gonna be hearing Christmas music everywhere we go. Right now I'm loving it....I'll keep you updated on that....I may not be loving it anymore by the time November hits, haha. 

What a week it has been! First off, we had my first MLC - Missionary Leadership Council. All the STLs and all the Zone Leaders in the mission drive to Tacloban and have a good 24 hours of time there where we receive training and devotionals and food:) from President and Sister Maurer. It was great! And next week we are required to give the same training to the zone in our Zone Training Meeting. 

We've been working like crazy this week, talking to anyone we possible can, going on exchanges with other sisters in the zone so that they can see their potential and apply various things into their own areas, etc etc. There is SO MUCH TO DO! There is not even close to enough time in the day to do it all. If I can figure out how to get all this down, I'm gonna be on fire when it comes to time management when I go home. 

Time Management is what I would like to share today. There is a sign in our apartment that goes a little something like this:

You are called to serve the Lord for 18 months of your life. 

Being that you sleep 8 areas each night, that leaves about 12 months of actual waking service. This is tolerable. 

If you were to waste an hour a day, that is equivalent to about 23 days of your mission wasted - or almost one month. 

Imagine the arithmetic if you were to waste 2 or 3 hours a day. 

Sisters, consider your ways. 

At one point in my life, I believe I read an article about a woman who would watch an hour or several of TV each day. She kind of had an epiphany one day and realized with that TV time each day, she had wasted about 9 years of her life!!!!!! 9 YEARS!!!!!! There are way too many opportunities and too much potential for us to be wasting it away being unproductive. So don't procrastinate. Learn the talent you've always wanted to learn. Develop the habit you've always desired. Lose the weight you've always wanted to lose. Whatever that thing is for you personally, do it!!! It's a choice! This life is about putting off the natural man and becoming perfected. 

Whatever it is, you can do it. You just need to choose it, then do it:) And relying on the Savior and our Heavenly Father throughout the process I promise will make it easier:)

Love you all so much. Thank you for the continuous prayers and support. Read your scriptures. Say your prayers every day. The Church is True. Joseph Smith is a true prophet and so is our President Thomas S. Monson. 

Love Sister Russon 

I'm Back! - 1st week in Catbalogan

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HELLO!! HELO!!!

I am back in my old zone! Catbalogan zone, except no longer in Calbayog. Now I'm right in the heart of everything. Sister Healey is my new companion and I LOVE her! I'm learning so much from her. I feel like my missionary spirit is just feeding off of her...haha weird I know, but it's true. 

This first week has been a bit rough. My comp's immune system seems to still be recovering from when she had Denge, so she's been getting all these random symptoms of whatever sickness has plagued her now. Poor thing. She's a hard worker though and we've worked as much as possible to keep the area up and progressing. We've worked hard and sweated a lot and it's great! Could'nt be happier. 

One of my favorite things so far has been seeing all these people that I actually have already met from when I was assigned in Calbayog and seeing their progression. Miracles have happened. One sister named Riza, is someone I found in April with Sister Prudencio when I was on exchanges with her here in Catbalogan. I remember that first lesson well because the spirit was strong and Riza just cried and felt it. Now, several months later, I come back and what happened?! She's an RC! A recent convert! She's a member! Woohoo!!! It's been so fun to see everyone. 

Earlier, their was even a district activity and I saw probably 20 youth and some of the leaders from my last branch in Calbayog!!! The joy:) 

One things that was a bit unexpected was that I have all of a sudden been opened up to a lot more drama than I realized their was in the mission because I am now an STL. So it's our job to know these things about the 5 companionships we are over. Haha, this calling I know is gonna teach me a lot. It's going to be WAY different than being an STL in the MTC. 

Anyways, I just want to leave off this little thought that miracles happen. They happen in our day. I'm sure there's a million I have yet to share in emails but they have happened in my mission. They happen at home, they happen all over the world. Not just in Christ's time. However, what comes first? Faith. And faith is more than just belief, it's action as well. If we are not spiritually prepared, if we aren't keeping all the commandments, or doing our part to be in tune with the spirit like praying daily and reading our scriptures, we will not receive the miracles or we'll miss them. 

Remember the purpose. As in, the eternal purpose. It's much more than just work or school. More than tv and hanging out with friends. We were all somebody before this life. There's a reason we were saved for this time and it's our job to make the most of it. 

Love you all so much!!!! As in, so much! Words cannot explain. Give eachother a hug for me;)\

Love Sister Russon

You Have to Fall Before You Fly

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HELLO FAMILY :)

What a wonderful week it has been! I can honestly say without a doubt that this is one of the hardest weeks I've worked in the mission. And because of it, I love the area more than ever. It's true that serving people makes you love them. Downtown Tacloban has been one of my favorite areas by far!!!! I have loved it so much! The time there just flew by!!

This morning I was shocked to find out I am transferring! I thought for sure I would stay. President called and asked if I would be an STL in Catbalogan. So I am returning to my old zone where I was in Calbayog!!! My companion is none other than the wonderful Sister Healey, the sister who we visited in the hospital because she had Denge Fever. 

I know the Lord wants me to learn a lot this next cycle. The missionaries in Catbalogan have done a wonderful job and it's the most progressing area in our mission right now. 

My wonderful, beloved, beautiful companion Sister Matautia will continue the work in our area. I'm so jealous because we have so many baptisms I am going to miss! It's okay though, Downtown Tacloban is in good hands. 

Maybelle is another girl I'm gonna miss like crazy! Our cute ward missionary who has been with us from day one will not be coming with me to Catbalogan of course:( She and my comp are my best friends in the mission right now. Goodbyes are hard but they have to happen. Good thing it's not forever!:) 

Anyways, love you all. Love the mission. Love being a missionary. If there is anyone reading this contemplating going on a mission, my answer for you is 100% yes. It'll push you and help you grow in ways nothing else can. 

Thank you for the endless support. I miss you all tons! 

Sending the love always, 

Sister Russon