Dad,
I thank you so much for your letter. You hit it right on the head. I am so grateful that have the opportunity to serve the people here. This past week we had our Zone Conference. This was the last one that I am going to have and the President Spannaus´s last one as well. I was deeply moved by the Conference. I sat there pondering about a lot of things. Of the many topics that were prevalent, I was deeply struck by something that President told us. He said, ¨where are you, where are you going, what are you doing, and who are you?¨ There came across me a great impression of the Spirit, ¨Elder Russell, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.¨ I was overwhelmed by the way I am able to answer those questions.
I have been thinking a lot about what President Uchtdorf said in the last general conference. He talked about the ¨why¨ of what we do. I have thought much about that. Why have I served a mission? It is because I promised my Father in Heaven that I would do so when I was baptized and when I received the Priesthood. As well as when I entered in the Temple. There is nothing that my leaders are going to ask me to do that I haven´t already committed myself to do before God. I am so deeply grateful that I have made and will continue to make decisions that allow me to keep my covenants before God.
Dad, thank you for being my Father. I feel that you have been the motor in my to do as the hymn says, ¨our useless cares from us to drive.¨ I pray that I may do that constantly so I can be a more efficient and powerful tool in His Hands. Thanks Dad. I love you.
Love,
Elder Russell
