Hanover, PA - June 19, 2017

Elder Nielson of the seventy talked to us today. He's got such a strong presence to him. I was really impressed with how he carries himself. I guess he was a lawyer. He's in charge of the missionary department as I'm sure you know. He had us study "Bear Up Their Burdens With Ease" by Elder Bednar. I remember him giving that it's a really good talk. He said he often substitutes the word grace with the enabling power of the atonement. I thought that was sweet, because it's always seemed hard to define grace. That really helped me. We focused on the doctrine of Christ and I took tons of notes. I learned a ton. I like that quote from Elder Christofferson as well. It reminds me of what Neil A Maxwell said in the special witnesses of Jesus Christ movie (I've seen that tons on the mission it's so good). He says, "Having purchased us with his blood which he shed willingly for us, he became our lawgiver." I always liked that.

I just got an email telling me to start my plan which is this course they have you go through before you get home "to help you jump back into the real world". It's going to be weird. I'm pretty sad because Elder White is leaving. He's probably one of my favorite companions and I was only with him for like 6 weeks. The cool thing about it is I'm training one of the five new missionaries coming in. I'm excited!

Love,

Elder Ressler

Hanover, PA - June 12, 2017

I love the new First Vision videos. I shared the First Vision yesterday and everyone was crying it was awesome. We had a pretty awesome discussion with a Jewish guy that converted and some other members. I think we'll have a baptism coming up here in Hanover. The sisters have someone progressing too. He's been to church and is already stopping coffee to get baptized so we're excited. Also the sister of the new converts in Baltimore is getting baptized in like two weeks! And then Elder Brent Nielson who I'm sure you know is the seventy over missionary department is coming to our mission Thursday. It's pretty awesome!

Fireflies and warm weather, yep sounds like Hanover right now! It's pretty much the best time of year. We only see fireflies like right before we go in. It hasn't really been getting dark until like 8:50 it's been great for riding a bike. I'm so happy I don't have any more cold weather on the mission. When it's cold back home I'm just staying inside. I talked to president and I'm pretty sure I'll be training. I'm pretty excited about school.

President asked how my family was doing and I told them they were in Lancaster and the first thing he said was I would be fine with them taking you out to lunch.... But I told him no. I'm eating so good here it's not funny. The bishop got mad last week because we only had 4 meals and so people volunteered to have us over last minute. There is a member in our ward, whose friend in York wants to get baptized, but he wants to come here, I called president and got permission to start teaching him. We also picked up a new investigator who is mostly blind.

I learned the importance of bearing testimony. Our district had an instruction on bearing testimony and we watched a man without eloquence. Then yesterday this guy on the street said, "You better be careful about what you're promoting." Then I said, "Why? I know what I'm promoting is actually the truth." Then he didn't know what to say. Remember that testimonies are powerful.

Elder Ressler

Hanover, PA - June 5, 2017

My week was awesome! We found like 3 people! We had a ton of rain last week and today. I hope we don't have too much coming it's June for crying out loud.

It seems like a lot smoke in Hanover. We taught this lesson to these investigators and every time they have some random relative there, like second cousin twice removed who is staying the summer. I'm pretty bold with them though. I was like smoking's not only going to kill you guys, but it's going to keep you from getting baptized. They just committed, too.

We have a meal EVERY DAY this week. And we had a linger- longer yesterday where there was tons of food. I want to tell you about my favorite member. I talk with him whenever I get the chance because he's hilarious. He wears overalls to church and a long crazy white beard. He had an accident and has to take tons of medicine that makes him loopy and he has to have a caretaker with him most of the time. The caretakers are all from Africa and I am good friends with them. One of them has a daughter who's a member of the church and so I might be able to teach him more. He signed up to have us over for dinner and he's going to feed us chicken nuggets and orange juice. He's so funny. I asked him what he's doing after church and he said, "Donald Trump is taking me for a ride in his helicopter". Love that guy. He brings a sack lunch to church. The ward is pretty awesome here. Do I love Hanover? Oh ya! Some parts are like poor, but it's probably the least dangerous of all my areas.

Love,

Elder Ressler