Lancaster, PA - December 19, 2016

I can't believe Christmas is in 6 days. For Christmas we have a Christmas breakfast before church with a member and Grandma and grandpa are having the family over at 1:30 p.m.. We still drive during the snow here, but it depends how bad it is. This is the apartment in Lititz. I was on exchanges with a brand new missionary. It was super fun. I hope I train.

I will Skype you guys at 3 pm your time. Can't wait to see you! If I change my mind I'll just tell grandpa, so convenient right? Come to think of it I need to leave some stuff with them to give to you guys when you come so I don't need to mail it, like my ukulele. President came out with some rules the area presidency want us to follow more strictly and that means no more ukulele

When you make people feel uplifted around you they will uplift you too.

I have to tell you a story I just remembered. So I woke up to someone banging on our door this last week at 6:25 in the morning. We open the door and our neighbor and our other neighbor are freaking out. In the apartment across us there is a lady standing over a body on the ground. She was freaking out and saying no don't die! Then she said does anyone know CPR?! I have to say I earned my eagle scout award that day. I did the chest compressions and actually a couple breaths.... super gross, but I couldn't feel a pulse or hear him breathing at all. I did this for a couple of minutes and then the police and people got there. We later found out that he actually died from a drug overdose and was most likely already dead. Maybe I should be an EMT.

The hot chocolate thing was awesome. The ward donated too much. People really liked it and we got 13 potential people to see. We're doing it again on Wednesday. This lady came up and assaulted me haha it was super funny afterward though because the other elders were like what just happened. She grabbed my arm and hand and put some money in it and said keep it.... We went and bought fries at 5 guys with the money . Then I told the worker who was solo that night I thought it was 5 guys not 1 guy and he was like I know right.

Love Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - December 12, 2016

We had several investigators come to church on Sunday and they  loved it. They want to get baptized on January 7th. I think I'll be transferred, by then.  We get fed like everyday here. They really fellowshipped the investigators,  Lancaster ward is the greatest area I've served in.

We've been working near Coral Street. Lancaster decorates really nice for the holidays, kind of like Annapolis did. It's crazy to realize Lancaster was founded in 1730s. The first inland city! A man who is married to a member in the ward taught us how to make pens last week. I made the wood and learned how to assemble the other parts on the pen.

We're doing this hot chocolate stand with Light the World wrapped around it outside of Wal-mart. It's going to be good. The ward is donating hot chocolate and our district is going to have three stands we all have been planning it. My companion's great. We really get along. He's a lot like Alan. One of our investigators really loved the Christmas devotional. Like he thanked us about it three times.

Grandpa Ressler was pretty sick. I went over and raked his leaves and he didn't seem well at all.

Thank you for the prayers I can feel the love. This week has been freezing cold, but it's been good. I always get super uplifted Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and it helps me get through the week.

Love you,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - December 5, 2016

Oh Christmas in Lancaster is going to be the best. The city has spent a lot of money on lighting up and decorating the city. It's like a wonderland. A huge Christmas tree and like every light post has a wreath and lights. I'm pretty sure we'll get to see the grandparents and hopefully Mark.

Our investigator came again to church and I'm pretty sure he's here to stay. We just need to get him to quit smoking. I'm a little worried about that so will you guys pray for that? We've introduced him to tons of members and it helps that he's very outgoing.

I had dinner with a nonmember lady who is a survivor from WWII she lived in Dresdon, which was one of the most bombed cities. She had some crazy stories about how God helped her. She had a prompting to leave the city one day and that was the biggest bombing where 130,000 died in 10  seconds.

I loved the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.

This week was slow teaching. We had to drop tons of people because they just won't change, but two investigators have given me a lot of hope. I know I'm making a difference even though it's hard to see sometimes serving in a very Christian area where almost everyone won't listen to you.

A lot of the members think I'm moving back to Lancaster, PA, I said we'll see.

Love ya!

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - November 28, 2016

It was so good to see all the family at Thanksgiving and it didn't make me homesick at all. It was funny because I came right from playing football to the family.

I'm sorry, I don't have much time to email today. By the way, 40 degrees on the East coast feels way colder than 40 degrees in Utah,  because of the humidity.

Love ya,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - November 21, 2016

We had a great week. I'm happy I'm staying in Lancaster. I thought I was leaving for sure though, it was a pretty big surprise. I'm pretty stoked for Thanksgiving. The Mission President said I can have it with my family in Lancaster.

I'm feeling better, but not for long. My asthma isn't helping either. Elder Dearing is still here and has the same problem with asthma. Same deal. We're a mess when we're sick hahahaha. I'm glad he's staying too.

Pray for my investigators. They have a lot of potential for this transfer. We've got a lot going on right now too and we hopefully have some baptisms coming up! It's hard sometimes on the mission, but I've learned a lot and I found the real me. I've seen lives changed whether or not they do get baptized while I'm here. I was super bold with this investigator last week and said your life can be so much better. You need to come to church we'll be here at 10:40. Then he gave in and was ready. He had SUCH a good time at church. The members are the best they took him under their wing and invited him and us to dinner that night.

This week was super cold. It was sleeting and freezing rain while I was driving down south. We were tracting and street contacting super hard this week. It was bomb. Man I love Lancaster County. Everyone loves it too here.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - November 14, 2016

I'm doing pretty good. I had the weird realization the other day that I only have 9 months left. This week was good except for I was sick all week and still worked through it. We found a lot of people so that's cool. I've given 5 talks in sacrament meeting and 4 musical numbers on my mission.

The elections here are crazy. A lot of people here wanted Hillary. It's been awesome serving here. I want to stay. The demographics in the city are pretty diverse. We meet some interesting people.

This week we knocked on a guys door and he was like "Wow, this is such a miracle and a blessing you guys are here. My son just found out he has type 1 diabetes and other medical issues and we've been praying for answers." Then we taught this awesome guy who knows one of my favorite members. Some other investigators came to the Spanish branch's fiesta and they loved it. Hopefully they come to church next week. One investigator read like five chapters when we only committed him to read two. Then this investigator walked all the way to church. Just at the wrong time. He was pretty late. Shows how committed he is. He's from the Congo and we offered him a ride. It was slow teaching this week, but we met a lot of new people. Me and Elder Dearing are getting along well. He's a good guy.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - November 7, 2016

I love it here. There's a ton of trees and right now most have changed colors. I'm starting to gain weight though. It's super bad. The ward feeds us like crazy. Everyone here just loves food. Our main investigator just moved to Virginia. We picked up some new people to teach though. I just think I'm getting transferred next transfer. I don't think I'll stay in Lancaster zone, though I wish!  I love my grandparents so much more after being here. They help the sisters sooo much. My companion loves them too.

You will love this. We did a hot chocolate stand and had a table to hand out Book of Mormons and pamphlets. It was on Penn Square at the center of downtown Lancaster and we got like 50 people. We're working hard but it's tough cycling through so many people sometimes. We keep finding people to teach though. So that's good. There's so many art galleries here. We went to one and saw our investigator Karen's art. I have developed a huge love for flowers though. I really want to learn how to paint at least a little too.

Love you,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - October 24, 2016

The investigators are doing good. We found out some of our investigators have an uncle who lives with them who is a less active member and we're going to set up a church tour. We talked to them and they are down. Me and my companion are watching the Studio C, Face to Face, right now. I'm surprised people didn't know they were Mormon... There are so many misconceptions about Mormons. We met this young mom who we taught and she was pretty mean, but her husband was awesome and we really got along. He invited us back for a cookout. She's read anti literature about the church that isn't true.

Love you,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - October 17, 2016

My new companion's name is Elder Dearing from Idaho.  We came out together. I talked to him a little in the mission home the first night. I've been pretty good sickness wise. I'm crossing my fingers it's the last winter.

This week was a miracle, three of our investigators came to church and loved it. One of them came with his girlfriend and they had their prayers answered about something financial so he called me crying and thanked me for bringing God into his life. Another came and I assume things are getting better with her parents about meeting with us because she actually came. We weren't able to see her in six weeks.

My two older brothers are great examples. I pretty much think I came out because of them sometimes. They're rock stars. I'm pretty sure thanksgiving is on the first day of next transfers, so I most likely will be in another area...

Love you,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - October 10, 2016

Hey! Things are going great here in Lancaster. I've never taught so many people. We teach a lot of Haitians. They're pretty tight, but sometimes they mix French and English. We watched the restoration movie with this Haitian guy and he loved it he said I'm going to watch it again. We thought he was kidding but when we went back 5 minutes later because we forgot something he had started it again. He's pumped to come to church. He boxes ;) Then we played volleyball with the Amish. You'd be surprised how stinking good these Amish are at volleyball. They rarely ever hit it over unless they are spiking it in your face... My companion got clocked so hard. I love the Amish we showed them around the church afterwards too. They're planning on coming soon.

We're teaching this guy who's read the Book of Mormon like five times. He tells us stories about Alma all the time. It's sad, but the only thing holding him from baptism is beer... He doesn't think he can give it up so we committed him to only have 10 beers this week. That's pretty low for this guy.

I had stake conference and got to sit next to my grandparents. My companion is getting transferred on Wednesday. It's always sad when you get a companion you really love and they get transferred, but I've been lucky with companions so far. I was thinking today how awesome it would be to baptize someone in the same font my dad got baptized in right? Most of our investigators just have problems committing to a church. A lot of faith problems like is the Holy Ghost real or is praying just therapeutic?

Love you guys!

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - October 3, 2016

Things here are awesome. There's a lot of potential. An investigator wants to be baptized, but we're still trying to help him. He's still got a long way. There is a great family we are working with and another investigator who is fairly new who will probably get baptized. He is really excited and has already been to church. Then another who has cousins who are members and he says he's coming to church.

I had a head cold, but got better pretty quick. It's amazing how much we take feeling good for granted. This week was cold though! Summer is over for sure. I was pulling out the sweaters and things. I did get to wear my new rain jacket though! Transfer calls are next Sunday.

It's interesting how certain General Conference talks uplift and touch us and don't touch others. Elder Eyring was emotional at the Philadelphia Temple dedication. I love Elder Eyring. Elder Oaks said something really cool when he visited us. An Elder asked how he can strengthen his weak testimony and Elder Oaks pulled up a scripture, stating that  some have the gift of knowing Jesus is the Christ and some have to lean on their testimony. Kind of like the apostles and Jesus coming to them after the resurrection. I love being on a mission. I want to train because there's this new elder I serve around and he's super pumped to be a missionary and it motivates me as well. He's got that greenie fire. Hey only 2.5 months and we get to talk again.

Love you

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - September 19, 2016

It was an awesome Philadelphia temple dedication. We have 12 investigators right now and a lot of them are frequent. I'm excited for several of them. Pray for me to know how to help them.

Elder Oaks visited our mission. He was so funny! He told us he was only an oboe player because the flute players were cute. Right after he spoke a sister played a musical number on the flute. He talked about revelation a lot and the two seventies who were visiting were really good too. I loved seeing the whole mission again. I got to see some elders and sisters I haven't seen in forever, like since the Christmas party last year.

I'm pretty much famous for my tie making now.

Love you,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - September 12, 2016

My week was so fun and we taught more than I have in a while. Things are really moving I'm pretty sure we'll have some baptisms coming up. This week has been awesome. Our work exploded! I think the people here are really humbled. No, we don't tract too much. We met another investigator, but this guy's cousin already brought missionaries over when he visited in New York. His family is so nice we like played basketball with them too. We also have an investigator from Arizona who wants to be baptized coming to the ward. Another investigator has to study Catholicism more before being baptized. Her parents don't care, but the grandparents are hurt she wants to join another church.

I drove past 142 Coral street the other day and had to stop. I didn't have my camera on me, but it was pretty awesome.

Elder Gay came and visited. and was awesome. He had some amazing stories and miracles. Apparently he is a crazy big business man and bought and sold many companies.

Next week the temple gets dedicated and guess who's coming? Elder Oaks man!

I played the piano and I forgot to tell the grandparents. I've been making tons of ties.

Love you,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - September 5, 2016

I meet one of Aunt Cathy's friend who lives in our ward. My new companion is Elder Mink, and he is awesome he's down to work hard, but he's really relaxed. So he's coming from the Ephrata ward which meets in the same building as Lancaster. So at church on Sunday all the members in his old ward were like I thought you got transferred. We went to Papa Dino's (a favorite restaurant of my Dad's) and got pizza and a steak sandwich with a member for Elder Mink's birthday.

One of our investigators couldn't come to church because her parents want her to try different churches first. I think they are more skeptical than any of us thought. But she knows this is the true church and what she wants and has read a ton. Another investigator is in the  Isaiah chapters and has a lot of questions. I think he could be baptized soon as well. We also got this crazy referral of this guy who is coming home from Arizona. He got introduced to the church there and missionaries gave us his information. He wants to get baptized and is super prepared, but he doesn't get here until next week.

Elder Gay is coming to the mission Friday and an Apostle is coming on the 17th. Hey Brother Arnold, who is the dad of my doctor and orthodontist back home, came to church and we talked for a little bit.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - August 29, 2016

I'm staying in Lancaster and my new companion will be a missionary in my district from Ephrata. Elder Duffy is being transferred. Elder Duffy will be companions with my trainer.

Grandpa just told me that Aunt Barbara is in town. I'm looking at him right now. He helps out at the Family History Center on Tuesdays lol.

We went to the temple open house with the girlfriend of a guy in our ward who just left on his mission. She has already read half of the Book of Mormon.

We helped some Amish people paint and we're seeing them again tomorrow.

Love you,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - August 22, 2016

Our week has been good we had a lot of referrals to contact so it kept us busy. We met tons of new people to work with, but all the old investigators couldn't meet with us this week. We're seeing our main investigators today and tomorrow though. We had two investigators come to church.

I keep running into people that love Dad and Grandma and Grandpa Ressler. This week we are working on two Amish farms and teaching a lesson. I went and saw my Great Uncle Charles and Aunt Shirley. Pretty interesting when I called they said we could only come over as non missionaries and they had zero interest, but maybe I'm planting seeds. They were super nice. He reminded me a lot of Grandpa Ressler, but more quiet. I saw a picture of Grandpa Ressler when he was younger and Dad looks just like him. Hey now I know what Dad will look like when he's older.

Love ya!

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - August 15, 2016

This week we got to go help the Amish pick watermelons and it was so cool to learn more about them. They are such good people. They're pretty much Mormons that stay away from technology too. They believe a lot of the same things. We get to see a different Amish family next week too!

I finally got the pictures from the open house. Side story me and my companion got to run up the steps that Rocky ran up to in Philadelphia. It was like 100 degrees so a grey suit did not do well in the heat.

Also last preparation day this lady from Columbia who lives in our ward taught me and my companion how to make ties really well. She measured out the penguin tie pattern. I never thought I would ever sew... but it's cool I don't think I'll ever buy a tie again. Especially because you can choose the pattern you want. My companion got pretty sick this week so I had some free time and made some really good floral ties. It pretty much made this week an all time low for proselyting time. He pretty much almost passed out with the heat so it was hard to do much work.

Besides that I had Sunday dinner with my aunt and uncle and grandparents.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - August 8, 2016

This has been a super good week. I don't even know where to start. Here in Lancaster it's crazy because everyone knows my family. Today I went by the house my dad was born in. I also went out for breakfast with my grandparents to Shady Maple. They are the same as ever. THE BEST! They're excited I'm here. They tell every missionary they see. Everyone is like hey I met your grandma the other day. She ran into my mission president twice. Grandpa gave me some family contact info that live nearby to visit and teach. My life is like a family reunion out here because everyone in the ward knows my family or is related.

It's crazy. This week was temple week so we got to go to the DC temple. It was good seeing so many missionary friends I haven't seen in a while who just happened to be going at the same time. I got to help my dad's cousin move houses. I love the ward here. They're too nice, I'm getting pretty fat already. But don't worry I found a bench press in our apartment that I didn't know was there. I'll get there.

We started teaching the Haitian family and they remember members of the church helping them during the earthquake. It's awesome to see the influence of the church worldwide. I don't have the pictures yet, but we got to go to the Philadelphia temple open house and guess who we took with us! 39 Amish people! We went in a huge bus! It was awesome they loved it. We sang their hymns during the bus ride and got super tight with them. They loved the architecture of the temple and a couple of the families are going to invite us over. They came because of a member of our ward Bro Ride. It was cool seeing them amazed at planes and the TV. It was the first VIP tour of Amish and Elder Gong our area president came! I'll get the pictures next week.

I love it here in Lancaster PA getting in touch with my roots. It's cool knowing I'm here for a reason. My grandpa has nonmember relatives in the area and you know I'll hit them up. Elder Duffy didn't feel good part of this week so it was hard not working for a couple days, but it's good.

Love you all!

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - August 1, 2016

I'm doing awesome. Me and Elder Duffy are really getting along. We picked up a really solid investigator and also a family from Haiti looking for a church and we helped move in that's how we met them. We had an investigator give us some anti questions before we dropped him.  It's crazy for me that people are so doubtful before they even read the Book of Mormon. They were dumb questions not even real questioning. We work downtown a lot but most of our investigators don't actually live there. I gave a talk in church. It was really heartfelt. I went to James Buchanan's graveyard but only passed by today. We're planning on going to Shady Maple next week. Grandpa surprised me and showed up right before my zone training and found me in the hallway. It was awesome man! We worked on Green Street and Prince Street the other day  guess what, I ran into Dad's cousin... Sister Rohm and her son Christopher are in our ward. We helped them move. They were pretty funny it was one of those chaotic moves. We went to Dienner's today. We do volunteer at water street mission. Hey and I bought some new fabric for my ties today the elders are going to teach me to make ties next week.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Lancaster, PA - July 25, 2016

So I'm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and it is so sick! My grandparents called me yesterday and I'm going to get to go see them, it's unreal. I miss them so much. They said they have a lot of family members they'll refer me to teach. My companion is pretty cool and really tall. He's from Orem and has been out on his mission for 21 months and he loves this area like the most. He really misses his iPod though because he came from the PA mission when the boundary was changed. President made them switch to paper and he's sad about changing missions, but we work pretty well together.  We have eight investigators.  We taught a ton last week and it was cool. Lancaster is really artsy now and there are pianos everywhere. I started playing one and some people came and talked to us and that's how we found some investigators this week.

We got to go to the Philadelphia Temple open house yesterday and the architecture is sweet. It's totally 1700's but gorgeous. Our investigator we took had a really good experience and it was hard to get him out of the celestial room. Leading up to the temple open house we drew a sidewalk chalk story of what temples are about and got tons of questions while we were doing it. Wish I had pictures of it. It's been cool finding new ways to find people when they come to talk to us. Church on Sunday was super weird. Everybody knows my grandparents and my dad. They used to be in the same ward until they split. We get fed like crazy here. My last area they didn't feed us too much but here it's like every day! I just met some Elders that know how to make ties and so I'm super stoked to get some more sweet floral ties. I love this area so much it's pretty crazy. God is good. Love ya!

Message to his dad: "Brother Knarr is all the missionary's favorite. Wow that's crazy, you know right where I live. Dad it was tight at church. Everyone knows you and everyone said you were the best. I met like all the people you mentioned. John Breuninger is going to feed me and says "hi".  The Woolstenhumes had us for dinner the first night and I kept messing up their name.  Awesome about the referral. I'll tell Elder Allen about it. So President just changed the areas so I'm not in Elder Allen's district, but I'll see him a lot still. I talked with President and I'm sure it's fine if I go to Jean's for dinner. We cover the city. It's like mini Mexico and Baltimore."

Elder Ressler

Towson, MD - July 11, 2016

Maryland's pretty great. I decided I really like it this week. I actually don't mind the humidity at all. The mission's good. We have an investigator is ready to get baptism this Saturday. I'll send you some pictures.

This week was hot! I talked to a sister in our ward and if I get her the fabric she can make us skinny ties. The fabric is like 3-5$ a tie so that's what I'm doing today me and Elder Allen are pumped. So Elder Allen has this second uncle in my area and we went and visited him. He's pretty familiar with Mormons, but his French niece was visiting them and so we taught the restoration to her and he translated sitting next to their pool it was pretty cool. I wish I spoke French it sounds cool.

The cool thing they did in the mission field is they made new church pamphlets on temples and one on what to do after baptism as far as callings and stuff. Interviews with president are this week. We find out about transfers on Sunday. I kind of want to go somewhere in Pennsylvania, but I kind of want to stay. The work here is moving especially with the members. I did a musical number in church, Come Thou Fount and everyone loved it. We got like five people sign up to feed us on the calendar and the other missionaries both had one... I felt kind of bad.

I had dinner with this family and I've really been thinking about a career for after the mission. I'm still playing with the idea of being a doctor, but the wife of this family came out and said it wasn't a good career for families her husband is never home. She said if I'm serious about being a doctor to choose my field wisely and make sure I like it.

Love you

Elder Ressler

Towson, MD - July 5, 2016

Happy 4th of July! No we didn't see any fireworks because it was raining super bad yesterday. Our president let us stay out until 10:30 if we were with members or investigators so we had a day off. We went with the other elders and played Apples to Apples with a family in the city. It was pretty crazy. They talked about how they were related to the Vissors and Elder Mcelvany knew them because his cousin dated Jordan before Sydney married him.

One investigator is getting baptized on the 16th for sure. We had an awesome talk with him and a recent convert came and now he really can't wait. He loves church and me and him are super tight. He shared an experience how his neighbors told him things about Mormons and he told them they were straight wrong. I'm really excited for him. The prayers have worked. He is really on track now. Him and another member are really hitting it off. I've just been trying to introduce him to members of the ward because I think I'm leaving soon. Me and him were gospel rapping at church. I am really starting to get tight with the members of this ward. We had a pancake breakfast and I mingled with tons of people.

We had an experience with the Holy Ghost this last week. There was this door I really felt we should knock on. When the person first opened the door she said, oh I'm Presbyterian. I wouldn't let her shut the door though. I said hey we respect that. Have you ever heard of the Mormons. She said hey come back Wednesday and we planned everything, but it didn't feel right so I said actually we'd love to teach you now. So we taught her and it all made sense to her she wants "to get baptized by immersion and find a church that teaches what Christ would teach". Hopefully she'll come to church but she's solid and we already have the perfect friend for her who's coming tomorrow.

We have the best mission in the northeast US statistic wise. President is awesome and there is great energy. Most people here are actually sad because they'll miss missionaries leaving with the new mission boundary changes, but I'm excited because I love Lancaster, Pennsylvania which is now in our mission.

Elder Ressler

Towson, MD - June 27, 2016

I'm doing good this week we didn't get in too much with people we wanted too, but we had an amazing lesson with an Olympic wrestling coach. He gave us tons of athletic clothes. I probably will come home with just clothes and have to throw away all my church pants.

Elder Parkinson is gone. It's good to have Elder Mcelvany back. Good news is I saved almost all my pictures. Elder Tausaga is sending me a lot over email and stuff.

I'm so excited that the Lancaster Stake is now in my mission. I really want to serve there now. So all the missionaries in Annapolis are getting moved to the DC North Mission so I'll never see them again. Probably my top three favorite elders are leaving Elder Tausaga, Harris, and Sherrett. We all met in inner harbor. Like the whole mission actually to say goodbye and play beach volleyball it was super fun. I'm getting all there emails so I can keep in touch.

One investigator had to push his baptism date back to the 16 of July, and another is doing awesome. We're teaching this member referral from Korea who's really interested and wants to get baptized, I'm pretty sure. This week was cool.

I can't wait to serve in Lancaster.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Towson, MD - June 20, 2016

This week was pretty awesome! We had four investigators at church! One is going to be baptized on the 2nd of July. Another who came to church, I think he will get baptized as well.

I actually had a weird thing happen. Elder Mcelvany got an emergency exchange so another elder came here. The Elder hurt his leg and was in a walking area so he needs a car to help it heal. He's awesome we've really gotten along, but I feel bad for Elder Mcelvany because he missed an awesome week. We taught a ton of people.

It's slowly getting hotter and more humid out here. I'm getting really good at the ukulele, I found a children's hymnbook and I've been learning tons of songs. they're pretty easy!

Love,

Elder Ressler

Towson, MD - June 7, 2016

My week was awesome! We taught a lot of lessons. Made good impressions with a former investigator who wants to start taking lessons again. We met this guy who wants to be baptized again. We just need to help him a little. Then I was really worried to teach an investigator about the word of wisdom, but he took it really well and wants to live it. Then he came to church and had a blast. Bronson Kafusi who played football at BYU and is now playing for the Ravens this year came to church yesterday too.

The news on transfers is Elder Tausaga is getting transferred to a new area. I'm really going to miss him. He's like my best friend, but the good news is one of my favorite elders Elder McKelvany is my new companion and the new sister in my district is one of my best friends from the MTC Sister Hubenthal.

The GPS is working. I'm super glad I have a car. It's so nice. We still have 975 miles this next month which is a huge cut and we had to drive to a far away investigator because we couldn't get a member out so we'll probably have to park our car and bike a little this month.

I love the humidity I'm super weird. I love how hot it's getting. It's still alright weather to be honest. It's like 80 degrees here.

No, I never played code names, sounds fun though. Three of the families out here are crazy about Pandemic.

This area really is so nice. The majority of where we work is in Parkville and Cockeysville.

Elder Ressler

Towson, MD - May 31, 2016

There is traffic here in Maryland for sure. It's really teaching me to drive to be honest. I think I'll be a Nascar driver after the mission. We had to go to zone conference and then zone training this week and so we had to drive to Baltimore twice and the traffic was crazy.

I'm excited there's a lot of potential baptisms because of the nonmembers coming to church that are dating a member or married to them or just friends that are coming. I'm excited. We had some awesome lessons. Members came out with us for this week, too.

So, I'll find out about transfers next week. So, President said I could meet with the grandparents and have lunch on a preparation day sometime. This week was awesome. We had a ward Memorial Day picnic and the ward really helps me and Elder Tausaga.

This week we've done a ton of service. We had the coolest experience. This member in our area is in the Air Force and he volunteers repairing old engines. So we went to this museum in the basement with him where they built planes that fought in WWII. We got to get up close to some planes that fought in Vietnam. Then the cool part is I'm now an honorary mechanic. I helped take apart an engine from a plane that fought in the 1950's. It was so cool.

Then we were at Ross yesterday because we both love clothes and this member comes up to us and asks us if we have dinner plans. We didn't and so he asked where we wanted to go and Elder Tausaga said Habachi Grill. Dinner was good. The members are very kind to us.

Love you all.

Elder Ressler

Towson, MD - May 23, 2016

It's a beautiful day today. It's been raining all week. I am loving the Jones Falls ward! The people here are so cool and the ward members are really supportive. We are teaching this guy who's a rapper. He came to church yesterday and is really excited to be baptized. It was cool he told me Joseph Smith went through quite the journey. I was like what do you mean and he told me a step by step summary of like the introduction and how Joseph Smith got the plates it was awesome. Then he talked about Michael Jordan's faith with basketball and how he would shoot with his eyes closed he's the man. Then we had another investigator come. It's been a really good week. I bought a Ukulele and my companion is teaching me the "good stuff". I also bought the coolest sweatshirt I forgot to take a picture but it's awesome one of a kind ;) Me and my companion eat a lot of rice. He mixes his with tuna and mayonnaise which actually tastes really good. So next month that's all I'm buying because it's really cheap.   

I love the ukulele I actually got a really awesome deal on it. Elder Tausaga's teaching me to play. It's really easy. I can already play 3 songs on it, like hallelujah from Shrek. We're going to write a song on the Book of Mormon and play it for people. This last Sunday was the best ever. We had 4 investigators come to church. The family who have been coming for a while. We're actually going to go see them next week. They really like us which is awesome. We are emailing president to have us stay together as companions. One investigator is progressing pretty well. We just finished tithing we're just deciding a date when he can. He's come to church 3 times now. Another investigator came and he took the light rail and then we picked him up. We introduced him to member who is a rapper as well and it was really good. He's coming out to teach him Friday. He really liked the first two hours of church, but he totally fell asleep the last 20 minutes of priesthood. Three hours is a lot for people who usually only go to church one hour twice a year. Towson is busy it's a college town, but a lot of the 20 year olds are prepared.

Love you,

Elder Ressler

Towson, MD - May 16, 2016

Today was an awesome day. I gave a talk about overcoming adversity. I felt a little intimidated at first because the ward is so big and I still don't know everyone, but when I actually gave the talk I felt great. We didn't have any investigators at church, but last week we had like 3 and next week we'll have 4 or 5. We had an awesome miracle with this new investigator. We had a text that we had an appointment with him in an hour. We called him and it checked out. He lives like 15 miles away and so we started the long drive. He wants to be baptized. He's so awesome. He is like a rapper and he really wants to come to church. We had an awesome chastity lesson with our main investigator and it went really well. He's still waiting for his answer on baptism, but he'll get there. I love the bishop he's from England. They feed us good. They all take their callings seriously. My ward mission leader is like a return missionary with a young family and he's the bomb. This week our whole mission got cut miles and so we had to bike a couple days to save for our long drives. I'm in Towson it's a college town and I cover the county so it's really nice here.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Towson, MD - May 2, 2016

The ward loves us. I'm now serving in the Jones Falls ward just outside of Baltimore. It's also really cool because we have like four companionships that all live really close by, like Spanish Baltimore YSA and the other missionaries that are in our ward. I have a car now, no more biking in the rain for me! I live in Towson which is a college town and it's super nice. Our area is a lot bigger than my last area, even the ward is like two times as big. The members here REALLY love helping with missionary work.

Elder Tausaga is awesome. He's really bold with people and really relaxed. He plays the ukulele really good and he's going to teach me . So his mission is his first time in America. He's from Samoa and he learned English in the MTC, but only was there for 2 weeks. His English is good now though. He said it was weird wearing shoes not flip flops when he got here and he used to go spear fishing in Samoa and wear a lava lava. He's on a professional volleyball team. You know we're tearing up the gym here. Elder Tausaga is a really hard working missionary which I love.

We're having a lot of success already. It's a pretty nice apartment, but not as big as my last one. The members love doing missionary work. We already put a guy on date for baptism my 2nd day.

The area's really pretty. My first day driving was scary, but I am doing well. I'm so close to Grandma and Grandpa. I'll have to have lunch with them. It's allowed. I haven't seen any not nice areas, because I have the top part which is like Towson and a little below, then up to the Pennsylvania border.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - April 25, 2016

I am being transferred to Jones Falls Ward. Part of it is in Baltimore. I'm pumped. My companion is Samoan. It will be super fun. It's super close to Lancaster Pennsylvania. I will send my mailing address next week. I told some people in my area that I was getting transferred already and they were very sincere about loving to have me in the ward. It was super touching. 

I  have found an awesome testimony of the scriptures out here.

Going to the temple was like the best experience of my life. I got to baptize our new convert for his father and brother. A lady there also got baptized for his mother. He is my favorite. Then we watched the Joseph Smith movie after and it was so special. He is such a spiritual person. I can't wait to go back for endowments in November with Elder Larsen.

I didn't see the Grandma and Grandpa Ressler serving in the temple, but Elder Meyer did endowments and saw Grandpa's coat hung up, so I ran up and wrote a note and put it in his suit coat.

The weather has been great! Perfect for my last week of biking in Annapolis.

Love you
Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - April 18, 2016

I know the Annapolis ward members super well. I even know a lot of the Broadneck members really well so Sunday is always crazy. I can never talk to everyone I want to. I've been here forever it feels like. It's going to be weird leaving. I'm pretty sure I'm out though, because I had interviews with president. Whoever is in this area next transfer might have a hard time because like 4 families are moving soon or already did.

Yes the weather is super warm.

I'm all about short hair and clean shaving now. It's so much better. I decided I like my hair short. I cut it myself every 3 weeks.

I might see Grandma and Grandpa at the DC temple. I'm going Wednesday to do baptisms with Albert. He's doing so well. We have a new investigator who is awesome and super interested. The family we were teaching are not progressing at all which is sad, but that's how it goes. I am hoping we'll pick up three new investigators next week. Actually a guy we are teaching WILL get baptized he's engaged to a member and he'll be back from England in a couple weeks. He's reading the Book of Mormon and coming to church every week. She is coming a lot more too and my favorite member WILL get them baptized.

Love you

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - April 11, 2016

My favorite scripture... That's a hard question, but I'll say John 14:26-27 especially 27. I really like parables too, like the prodigal son or the talents. Jesus is such a good teacher.

My week was ok. We had some cool stuff happen. We usually work with less actives as much as we can. We don't have too many members in the biking area. Most of the members live in Edgewater. This week we didn't get in with the less actives we normally do, but we met some we have barely had contact with which was good. So one of our investigators actually dropped us because his sister convinced him to join her church. Yah it was a bummer. The good thing was the father of this member who's wife recently passed away is starting to get pretty interested in the church. We have an awesome relationship with him. He's such a nice guy. He might come to church next week. Then we had a member from DC call us and ask for our help. She needed us to help carry in her friend from the hospital who is a nonmember. We checked up on him again on Saturday and he wants to join the church! He's read the Book of Mormon and has known about it for a long time. He said just give him two weeks to recover before we start teaching him more lessons. I don't think I'll be here to teach him, but it's pretty awesome. Then the fiancé of a member moved back and is planning on staying a while. We're having dinner with the couple and her family on Friday to talk about taking the lessons again and the Book of Mormon. The family that we are teaching also made some cool progress and say they're coming to church next week.

The rain and SNOW! this week was terrible! The wind was the worst it has been my whole time in Annapolis. It was cold. I like the desert because of the heat mostly, but nature is pretty beautiful out here.

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - April 4, 2016

General Conference was amazing. It felt weird when it ended. I was like what do I do for the rest of the day? My favorite talks were from Elder Renlund, Elder Kearon and President Uchtdorf.  The members we watched it with are wonderful. All the investigators we planned to watch it with had to cancel. It was a downer. Anyway I watched conference with Granny and it was hilarious. She really enjoyed it and halfway through remembered she made us a whole chicken. We watched with several  people we don't get in with too much. Then Granny asked me to "serenade" them on the piano.

It has gotten so humid and my companion hates it but strangely I like it. I had some killer sweet potato pie and didn't even know I liked it.

Me and my companion  forgot about April Fools until like the end. I wish I would have remembered to play a prank or two on him. Today was pretty fun. I got to play soccer for the first time on my mission. We usually play basketball or something.

I went on two exchanges because one elder needed a colonoscopy. I brought a brand new missionary from Columbia with me to my area and we taught three lessons we weren't expecting and picked up an awesome investigator! Then he got a flat tire and I was able to fix it super fast.

I'm spending my money a lot better so far this month. We helped a family move and boy did they have some heavy stuff. They took us to Popeye's though. I've never been and it was super good!

I ran into a guy I talked to like four months ago and had an awesome conversation with him.

Love you all,

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - March 28, 2016

I've been studying the life of Jesus leading up to the crucifixion from all the four gospels. It's pretty awesome. There's a lot of stuff I didn't realize like how one of the people next to Jesus actually told Jesus thanks and asked for forgiveness and Jesus said he would dine with him in heaven. Our friend who was sick was doing better then pushed himself too hard and so he had to go to the hospital again, but now he's back and doing well. We're teaching an man who is progressing and is planning on being baptized on the 23rd of April. We are also teaching a family who wants to get baptized soon. We have other investigators I'm excited for.

My Easter was good, I had two dinners and got fed super good southern cooking from this lady and she also invited the sisters so we got to all four go. She made so much food. We had some awesome lessons this week. We're going to watch general conference with several investigators. I have gotten really tight with the midshipman here and they are trying to convince me to join the navy with them.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - March 21, 2016

I don't get sick on my mission. Now that it's getting warmer the work is moving more and there's always people on the streets to talk to.

The temple is so peaceful! It's the spirit. I needed it when we went it was so relaxing. I can't wait to go to that Provo temple when I get back.

Our new convert hasn't been to church in a long time because of health reasons but he's coming next week. He's doing better the relief society and everyone is feeding him good meals and looking out for him.

Tell Brendon everything he helped me with bikes came in handy, my companion has had super bad bike problems and I temporarily patched it up it was great. We have an investigator who always wants to talk about the "word" with us and we saw him last week. Apparently Travis Pastrana or whatever who is one of the most famous x game bikers lives in my area so we're going to get him baptized ;) A family we are teaching is still really excited and are reading the Book of Mormon. They just need to come to church.

A lot of people find their Savior in jail but think that now they can do whatever they want but they don't realize Christ wants lasting change and change of heart.

So it was 80 degrees and then the next day was like 40 and raining/ hailing it was a joke. Short sleeve to full coat. I'm having a lot of fun though riding my bike and having an excuse to talk to everyone I see. Things have been awesome lately. We've been super busy which is good. We did a lot of teaching this week, but all of our solid ones we thought were coming to church had to reschedule and couldn't come to church except surprise! One investigator came and apparently is dating one of our YSA's and wants to start meeting with us again.

We had dinner with a family and the wife was raised on a farm and knows how to wield it. We had this awesome miracle where I went really far off our path to talk to this guy and just started talking about Jamaica for five minutes and then he said come back later that night and he wants to be baptized and his whole family too!! Then we got in with tons of less actives that usually are busy.

Guess what I made some bacon cheddar onion cupcakes the other day and I tried to make them as fast as I could so it was like cupcake wars. It made my companion laugh.

Love you!

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - March 7, 2016

I'm staying in Annapolis again. That is a third of my mission, biking. I love the people here and me and my companion are getting a lot closer. I went on an exchange and the members said they normally got annoyed by missionaries but loved me and the other elder for some reason. I think there are good missionaries everywhere. All out for the same purpose of bringing others to Christ. I'm glad we got the bike that we bought for me, I haven't ever brought it to the shop. I rode another elders to try it out and the chain snapped. My companion's bike is messed up. I'm just super lucky. Most elders out here have never even biked. I actually love biking, plus it's getting warmer.

I have a reputation for loving tacos and all the members know how much I can eat they are always like we know you can eat more. We play ping pong sometimes as missionaries. I am actually getting good.

We've meet several new people and two investigators are very promising and they both really want to change their life. One is already trying to share the gospel with his friends even though we've only met with him a couple of times. He's super prepared and excited. I love the opportunity to stay so busy out here. On bikes we always are on the move and even when we're traveling there are people we run into on the streets. I've never been happier than helping people and lifting their spirits. Talking to people can really make their day. I also really love the missionaries around me.

We are praying for a recent convert who is struggling with health problems. I know prayers go a long way because God just wants us to show our faith and he loves to hear from us. Even with everything he's going through he still has his awesome sense of humor. This gospel has really changed his life and I know it's supposed to help us change for the better. Another investigator hasn't been to church in a minute, but knows a ton about the church.

Repentance is always looked at in a negative way, but it's what we need to hear and if it's looked at positively then it allows us to change and be more Christ like. I had the opportunity to teach gospel doctrine in the Broadneck Ward with no preparation. Guess what the topic was? The Final Judgment. I had no clue at first, but it ended up being pretty awesome.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - March 1, 2016

I've had an awesome week. I learned I'm a pro log splitter. Thanks for teaching me to work, the members really commented on my hard work. I had dinner with the Navy football coach and his wife. They're the best!

A lot of people stay in their ways and don't realize they need to change to fit Heavenly Father's will. If we don't repent and we don't use what we learn then we don't see the fruits of it. Commitments are how people really repent and progress.

One of our investigators loves coming to church now. We have been seriously chilling with people in the hood and inviting them to play basketball with us. We had some miracles. The family we're teaching told us that the oldest son  is really interested and is encouraging them all to sincerely pray if this is the right step coming to church. I'm super excited. Besides that we are teaching a ton of young single adults who are solid and I'm sure they will all get baptized eventually.

I played some of the new piano music today during district meeting, I love it.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - February 22, 2016

I've had an awesome week teaching people. I love talking to people. This week has been awesome. Everyone has been letting us in and we are starting to get with families I have tried to get in with my whole mission but not been able to.

This ward loves me for my piano skills. This ward member is calling me elder tips like finger tips he says because I played a musical number last week and it was awesome. I played the  song "If You Could Hie to Kolob" by Marshall McDonald. I haven't had too much time to practice, but I have gotten a lot better at sight reading.

I hate being sick. It's weird though because I've actually been pretty good out here in the cold not getting sick. It's a real blessing for being a missionary.

I did something weird. Last night right before bed I got hungry and decided to make some Chinese food like spicy seafood ramen which is fancy ramen and also fried rice. Last preparation day was fun we went to a world famous restaurant called Chick and Ruths and got the largest milkshake in the world. It was fun this week we went bowling and some of the missionaries are going to get me a sick jacket. It's like a warm-up jacket with graffiti on it. I'm pumped.

These last days have been awesome. Super humid, which I've come to love and 60 or so. We went to an Amish market last week and it took me back let me tell you. I got some potato salad and a whole lot of bubble gum.

If people skip repentance or don't really focus on it then they aren't solid converts. This gospel is meant to change our lives for the better if we let it. I'm giving an instruction tomorrow on it for zone training. We're focusing more on applying repentance sooner and commitments.

Love you,

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - February 8, 2016

We are all dug out and the sidewalks are clear, but we hear it might snow again. It's just getting to the point where I have talked to the same people out on the street, but I do love Annapolis.

We got to go to a temple session in Washington DC. It was awesome and a really good experience. It was pretty beautiful and was really good seeing some other missionaries there. We actually went to the temple on Friday for endowments. It was awesome. It wasn't my favorite celestial room, but the actual temple and the hallways were nice. The highlight was the paintings and the stairs are super cool. They have stained glass windows that light up around the stairs and a fountain when you look down.

Then the ward mission leader started driving the wrong way and ended up driving past the White House. He had the coolest stories and could point out which embassies were for which countries because he was in the FBI in DC. It was tight.

My week was awesome we got to teach a bunch! We had a miracle with this kid . We have been trying to see him for like two weeks. He let us in and talked to us while playing call of duty. Then we got him to pay attention and the atmosphere completely changed. He said he knew it was true and it's what he's been looking for because he's always wondered why there are so many churches. He couldn't put the Book of Mormon down when we were explaining it to him.

Our most solid investigator now lives in the sketchiest part of Annapolis, but he is super smart and when we asked he was like I think it is true about the first vision.

We're back on bikes and although my legs are getting used to it again, I'm super happy about it. We've had a lot of one and done investigators. My health is great. I'm congested today for like the first time this winter. I feel really blessed.

We talked to granny the other day and she was like have you ever been to Murrays? We're like no. She says she's going to buy us a bunch of "good meat" and other groceries and give it to us. She also says it's going to snow and granny's never wrong.

We had a great week teaching.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - February 1, 2016

I'm doing so good! Well We haven't been able to do much because although everyone else in the zone is back to work, we can't ride our bikes on the snow covered sidewalks. We have a lot of investigators right now, but they aren't coming to church. I'm going to the temple sometime this week. I brag about grandma Ressler and her heritage like all the time out here. My Ecco shoes are amazing. I have tons of grip and they actually are really waterproof. This week was pretty lame walking in the cold, but most of it has melted. My companion is super good at the scriptures and he knows the weirdest scriptures from the old testament. It's going by way fast I'm almost at my 6 months mark.

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - January 25, 2016

Guess what? I'm actually staying in Annapolis! Crazy right?! Everyone thought I was for sure gone. That is going to be six months in my first area. I like Annapolis a lot. I think we'll be able to get some baptisms up and running if the weather will permit in the coming weeks.

The snow has been crazy. We've been able to open our front door thank goodness. So Friday we borrowed the car so we could hurry and get to an appointment before the blizzard hit which was a really good lesson to a member's daughter's friend. Then we hurried home and yesterday was the first day we were able to really get out and proselyte. The past weekend we have been sleeping over at the zone leader's apartment so we had five missionaries (because one elder in our district got sent home with a brain tumor) all hanging out cooped up inside.

We played risk, monopoly, and did a LOT of shoveling. Church was canceled and we had to buy some extra food for the storm and it was packed in Sam's club. We had some sweet snowball fights. Went to the mall, built a snow cave. When we were shoveling it was crazy how much money people tried to give us. Then this funny guy drove up in a hummer and was like I got the transportation I'll drive you around and we'll make so much money. Then we said we don't do it for money and he said oh I don't want to talk to you then and drove off haha. It's crazy how little service there is in the world even in times of crisis. It was really awesome to help people and it made them really curious about our church.

We had a worldwide missionary broadcast which was pretty great. Then we had interviews with president and so we didn't have too much time to teach before the STORM. It was crazy! It snowed for two days straight. Hey be grateful for the road system in Utah because out here it's terrible. Everyone is freaking out so bad. School is still canceled and people just stop working. It's been hard not doing anything. We have tons of food and my clothes are keeping me dry and happy.

I learned the spirit is not a teaching tool it's the teacher and we're the tools ;) I like Ether a lot. I've been reading "Jesus the Christ" in my free time, and cross referencing it with the four gospels.

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - January 18, 2016

This last week has been pretty cold. It's supposed to snow on Friday and Saturday and it's a mission rule when snows on the ground we all walk no cars either. We had some snow this week for the first time, but it didn't stick. Those sweaters you sent have been awesome. I was feeling a little sick, but my companion had some "Canadian cold medicine" that has more drugs in it than they allow in America and so I got better real quick.

We actually picked up four investigators this week which is crazy because two is good at least for our mission. Hopefully we'll have some baptisms coming up. I know that a part-member family will get baptized for sure. It's weird recently because I'm pretty sure I'm going to get transferred.

I've really loved STUDYING the scriptures more instead of just reading them. I feel like I had a really sheltered childhood, but now it helps me know how things should be. There's no grey lines you know?

My companion was surprised at first how I never let anyone past me on the streets without talking to them or at least saying hello. I've loved being a missionary because I've really been able to focus on one thing- the gospel and how I can share it. They have a worldwide broadcast for all missionaries because I guess Elder Oaks is taking over missionary work. I also get to be interviewed by the mission president this week.

It snowed this week for the first time! This week has been one of the best ever. We followed up on like all the people we found and taught so many lessons. It was awesome. We've also gotten a lot more member involvement and the ward is super pumped for missionary work. I'm pretty sure this is my last week in Annapolis and it's a little sad because some of these members are super fun and ideal to have, but I'm also excited to go to a new area.

Love you all.

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - January 11, 2016

This week was super productive we found a lot of people I think will accept the gospel and had some outstanding less active lessons that I'm hoping will help them want to come back to church, plus we're talking a lot about it in ward council.

This week we saw a lot of miracles out riding bikes in temperature from 17 to 66 degrees. We found a lot of people that are prepared and ready to learn about the gospel. I have really learned a lesson on the power of prayer and how God requires faith of us to work miracles. When I try to let the spirit guide me I can do it, but doing in Ether 12:6-7 it talks about how Christ showed himself to those who had faith in him and how it was the main role of his miracles on earth. Faith can be hard, but the gospel is simple, not complex. I love the scriptures and one of my biggest regrets is taking my reading for granted. God can really help us and guide us through the scriptures.

We found a lady who had met with missionaries previously and was really close until she moved. She was awesome. We're meeting with her this week. I'm pretty excited. Chapter 5 in Preach My Gospel is probably my favorite chapter! The page that answers questions of the soul and some other scriptures really help in street contacts. Using the Book of Mormon really shows how the gospel can apply to their lives. Inviting more people to other activities so in other words social conversion goes a long way because if they don't feel comfortable they won't come or try to learn more.

I think it's always important to talk about inner worth because the world portrays worth differently. Matthew 26:8 about considering the lilies of the field and how they are beautiful without trying too hard. Also I think 1 Peter 3:3 maybe. We have had a drought, but we had the most street contacts and like solid return appointments I've ever had in Annapolis! Also we've had some outstanding lessons with members, but mostly less actives and helping with concerns about coming to church.

Love You

Elder Ressler

Annapolis, MD - January 4, 2016

This week was super great. We were able to bring Albert who was recently baptized to the temple and to see the Washington DC Temple lights. They also had nativities from tons of countries there in the visitor center. It was good for him. It's been hard to find people to teach in Annapolis during the holidays and in the cold, plus we haven't been able to proselyte much because of holidays and preparation days, but it's all good. New years eve and day we had a blast hanging out with all the missionaries.

I'm so excited to get back to work! I came out here to work and baptize not hang out with a bunch of guys in white shirts playing basketball and awesome board games and hanging out at the mall. But seriously it's been fun. 2015 was an awesome year. 2016 is going to be even better because I'm a missionary the whole year! I'm going to miss Annapolis. We helped our neighbors move and we might start teaching them we'll see. An investigator that we're working with really enjoys church and sits next to me every time, but she indirectly avoids talking about the book of Mormon and stuff. She'll accept it in time. I've been playing racquetball every week.

I know Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet and the apostles are also called of God. It makes sense. Ephesians 2:20

Hey love you.

Elder Ressler