Hanover, PA - July 31, 2017

This week was great we found 4 new people. We went to the temple and CAFE RIO! The temple was great.

The work in Hanover is better than it's ever been we're finding a lot of new people and there's a ton of possible member referrals and part member families now. We went to Gettysburg today. We went and toured the battlefield of Gettysburg today with a favorite member the legendary Brother Sherfey who is a crazy history buff and knows everything there is to know about the battle of Gettysburg. I admire Lincoln.

I will tell you of a cool experience we had though. We taught this guy a couple weeks back who is a devout catholic. At first he was very standoffish, but he opened up towards the end and told us he'd read the book of Mormon. He texted us two days ago and says he's been reading and really wants to learn more about our church and possibly join because he's been so touched. Awesome right.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Hanover, PA - July 24, 2017

I don't have tons of time because I had to do My Plan and decide on goals for after the mission. This week is temple week and we're going on Saturday, so Saturday is actually our preparation day. They just want us to email today.

Members out here are so strong. I realized the other day the most important thing I can do right now is help Elder Stackhouse. Hanover's cool right? Yes I'm coming home on August 24th. I don't know the flight plans yet though. Can you believe I only have 4 more times emailing?

Take Care see you in no time!

Elder Ressler

Hanover, PA - July 17, 217

My companion is doing pretty great. Training is super easy. I've got the best trainee ever. He knows the gospel and is very outgoing and wants to work.  It was a pretty good week. We had a lot of lessons and got this less active to come to church for the first time in like 5 years. He had a great time. The work's ok. We're still working on a baptism. We don’t have anyone on date yet, but we did have someone come to church and we found 2 new people. One of them is pretty solid.

I started my after mission plan and it has you set goals on a career and dating... It's pretty weird thinking about that stuff.

We went to Gettysburg today and we watched the movie, and saw the circular painting thing and the museum. We're going next week to have a battlefield tour by a history professional. He gives private tours for big money. I'm pumped.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Hanover, PA - July 10, 2017

It's hot that's what's new. My Fourth of July was so fun! We had the whole day off so we just hung out with our friend and his wife's family.
It was funny because ever since Elder Stackhouse got here almost every day it rains substantially we have the car! We get the car on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. And Monday we don't ride a ton so it's ok. The sister missionaries have it the other days of the week.
This week we have been meeting with a lot more members. We found one new person, but couldn't get a hold of our investigator. He hasn't been to church in a couple of weeks, but his friend just got back in town so we're hoping to have a lesson soon.
One cool thing is a sister in our ward and her brother who is the 1st counselor in our ward is in a pretty famous bluegrass band out here. They gave us their CD... It's really good. We got fed every day this week. We had gazpacho and shrimp from a family. Have you ever had gazpacho? We've also had tacos like 3 times and this lady last night made a double amount of meat because there are rumors about how much I eat. With lifting weights and being out all day without food I'm pretty hungry. The work is crazy slow, but the members are so great.
I never bring up family history to street contacts or potentials, but I always talk to investigators about it. The family recently baptized in Inner Harbor, don't have any records of their family to help with family history research. They have gone literally every week since that first Sunday we met them for general conference. So that's awesome.
The Hanover ward had like 13 baptisms in the last 2 years, but only 5 are at least somewhat active.
Things here are great. The work is just pretty slow.
Well love you all!
Elder Ressler

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

Hanover, PA - May 29, 2017

It's been rainy which I'm pretty frustrated at. It's almost JUNE! Me and Elder White are having a blast though. He's one of my favorite companions. I do miss the work in Inner Harbor though. That place was booming. There was always something to do, always a referral to contact. Here it's a lot slower. We set like 15 appointments this week and only 1 or 2 worked out. We picked up 2 new people though. The ward had a very patriotic service on Sunday.

Brother Shurfey a Gettysburg history buff gave a talk on Memorial Day and Veterans. Then at the end of his talk the 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric who's a bluegrass fiddle player stood up and played Ashokan farewell while Brother Shurfey said the Gettysburg address. They have a great Bishop and Ward Council.

Love ya! 

Elder Ressler

Hanover, PA - May 22, 2017

In Hanover, the members us so much here it's crazy. They are so kind. Me and Elder White knocked a ton of doors this last week and they all set appointments for this upcoming week so we'll see how it goes. We knocked on this 14 year old's door and asked if he'd heard about the church and he said, "Ya, I've heard it's a pretty sick church to go to." We're seeing him and his family tonight so that could be awesome.

Love ya,

Elder Ressler

Hanover, PA - May 15, 2017

Hanover is too hard to explain. I love it so much! It's like an old town that's been made new it's cool. We rode our bikes past the mansion the other day. They have pretty cheap Utz here. They have all kinds of flavors of chips at the outlet like cheeseburger. I'm excited to go there. We'll probably go next week though. Hanover's a little bit different from Baltimore because like 90% of the baptisms here come from street contacts or tracting. We found one new investigator this week by knocking on her door. Some people here are just really humbled. The ward's very friendly, we get very well taken care of, have the nicest car I've ever driven (even though we share it with the sister missionaries) and a really clean and nice apartment. Hanover is the snack capital of the US. Our apartment is proof of that. I really have to control myself haha.

There was some random street contact who said he thinks he knew a family member or something. Then two ward members used to live in the Lancaster Stake.

"Thanks I made it" I love saying that about my ties hahaha.

Love you!

Elder Ressler

Baltimore Inner Harbor 1 - May 8, 2017

I'm getting transferred to Hanover Pennsylvania. It's close to York and it's in the Chambersburg Zone. This is probably going to be my last area. I only have 3.5 months left! It's weird. It's going to be a weird adjustment leaving Baltimore and the people. Hey I think Hanover is decently close to Lancaster but not by a ton.

This week has been really slow I don't know why. We couldn't get in with anyone because they were busy, but this lady who's a nonmember who's come to church four times chose her own baptismal date and wants to start taking the lessons. Then I got to talk to this guy from Pakistan for like two hours on the bus ride to the temple. This week was really special because we went to the temple as a ward on a charter bus. It's a good memory right before I leave the ward. It's such a special bunch of people. But anyways this guy has been coming to church and researching and is very serious about being baptized.

The people who were baptized are fitting well into the ward! They loved going to the temple this week. They are such strong converts. They never want to miss a Sunday. They are still reading the Book of Mormon too. Yesterday at church ( we had a regional conference where Elder Oaks spoke) like three people were like Hawa come sit with me, it was great!

Love you,

Elder Ressler

Baltimore Inner Harbor 1 - May 1, 2017

The baptism service was awesome on Saturday. Everyone that spoke was very friendly.  I personally got to baptize two investigators from Sierra Leon and  I made one of them a sick tie. I also got to baptize this little girl in the ward who really loves me. She was so glad I got to baptize her. Another baptism was a lady who I street contacted and made really good friends with. So I really feel like I made an influence in all of these people's lives. I'll send some pictures.

We have this lady who's been to church 3x and came to church as a child, but never joined who wants to get baptized.  I kind of don't want to get transferred because there's tons of work going on. One of our investigators has like 2 appointments with her family set up for us.

 I love Baltimore. I have been in some rough areas for my mission you know that? I've spent a full year without a car. I don't know if I am getting transferred. I might stay actually. I kind of want to because we have 2 maybe 3 baptisms coming up next month. But, even if I leave it's all good. This city is crazy though so I wouldn't miss that. The other day this guy told us we were leprous zombies like Miriam in the old testament when she was cursed because we're white. Also a dryer in our complex started on fire and we had to stay outside. It was actually cool because the other Elders live just across the street so we went and played pirate's dice. We play that on Mondays sometimes. Anyways our apartment was fine it just really smells like smoke in there.

The sister is hopefully getting baptized soon and also two other people we're teaching are going to get baptized. One lady was baptized when she was 12 but never got confirmed so needs to get baptized again.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Baltimore Inner Harbor 1 - April 24, 2017

My week was awesome! I went to Primary for the last two hours on Sunday. There was this girl I made friends with and then because I'm baptizing two other investigators on Saturday, I was asked to baptize her on the same day too. I'm so excited.

The Book of Mormon is awesome! I've been reading the Book of Mormon stories book for kids and the ones about the Bible.

I've been busy. We have two people being baptized on Saturday! We also had a ward blitz where missionaries in the Baltimore Stake (34 missionaries) went out for half the day contacting less actives. We took like 35 names off the ward roster and had some good things happen. I have to say my favorite part was that our ward mission leader had the idea to feed everyone chicken and waffles. It was sooo good. He bought a bunch from Hip Hop and Popeye's. Then we got the leftovers.

This week has been pretty calm because we haven't street contacted hardly at all. We've been busing to appointments like crazy! We picked up two investigators that are member referrals. One is definitely getting baptized because they want to get married in the temple. Awesome right?! We're picking up another investigator this week who came to church two weeks in a row and is the friend of a member who invites everybody to church. We also got eight headquarter referrals this week so it's been a lot of hustling and bustling. We're having baptismal interviews tomorrow and it's for sure going to happen. The work is finally going really good and I might be leaving in two weeks. I feel like I am and would be fine leaving Baltimore, but it's the investigators I'd really miss. I think me being transferred is a high possibility.

It hit me last week that I was almost 20 years old. I feel really young still.  I'm pretty excited for Provo I'm not going to lie. It might be weird for me the first semester still adjusting and living at home and stuff though.

Love you!

Elder Ressler

Baltimore Inner Harbor 1 - April 17, 2017

The family we are teaching are on fire. They are living all the commandments and are pumped for baptism! We had a tender moment I wanted to share with you. I asked if we could help them with anything and it was quiet for like 20 seconds. Then they told us they were going through a hard time and living on food stamps and a lot of their money for the month was spent on medical things. Then out of the blue, someone unexpectedly took them shopping for groceries. They kept putting stuff in their cart and they were shocked how much they got for them. There are really good people in this world. They came to church in African dresses. They're even planning on going to the temple the week after their baptism which means we get to go as well! They are eating the gospel up. Also, someone ran their car into our church, sad.

Love you,
Elder Ressler

Baltimore Inner Harbor 1 - April 3, 2017

Spring is here in Baltimore for sure!

My new companion is the man! He's been out 14 months, is really easy to get along with, and a really cool guy. I like him already, he's organized and a hard worker. And a good teacher. We taught the Restoration to an investigator right before conference and it went amazing.

This was the best weekend ever. Can you believe I only have 5 months left? I really want to get some good work done before I have to go.

This was the best General Conference ever because tons of people came and enjoyed it. We also had tons of food. The ward has these giant potluck dinners between sessions. Tons of people come and they broadcasted every session at the church. Conference was amazing! We had a miracle weekend. Three people came all new... One lady who's cousin who is a member told her to come. This guy who just moved to Baltimore, but has been investigating and came to conference and wants to come next week too. Another investigator who came and wants to get baptized "as soon as possible." She wants to bring her siblings and parents to church next week, too. I'm pumped!

Love ya!

Elder Ressler

Baltimore Inner Harbor 1 - March 27, 2017

I am staying another transfer in Baltimore! My companion is leaving. The other Elders here in the apartment across the street are like my best friends ever. Seriously one is from Orem and we get home three weeks apart too. We're thinking of starting a legit tie business when we get back.

The work here has just started picking back up with finding new people. One of our investigators is pretty busy and so we haven't seen him for like a week and a half again. I've been making a bunch of ties for myself lately. I was sick this last week and felt terrible. I'm pumped for conference here. We taught this lady and five of her grandchildren for the second time and I used the telephone game to help them all understand the apostasy. It was money.

We just started seeing signs of spring here, but now it's really rainy just like last year. It's very different here. I can't wait for it to be warm in this city. It was 75 for one day and I was so happy and then it got windy and rainy.

This week we went and had our ward mission leader's famous jerk chicken. We actually got a couch today! We only had a chair and a stool so now we can sit down.

I taught a super good lesson in gospel principles on the atonement and two less active member who are super tight started attending church again! Hey, President said I'm going home August 23rd.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Baltimore Inner Harbor 1 - March 20, 2017

We went to the mall in Towson so we're using a random library and I don't have a ton of time. Things are good. We had stake conference and I got to see a ton of people from Jones Falls ward.

The snow storm was crazy. We couldn't do much at all. It's warming up though so that's good.

Sorry I don't have too much time to email today. I can't wait to see flowers again. Can't wait for General Conference too!

Love,

Elder Ressler

Baltimore Inner Harbor 1 - March 13, 2017

I can't wait for general conference. One of our investigators is getting pumped for it. We picked up two new investigators. One of them seems really solid and interrupted a recent convert lesson we were having in a meeting room in the apartment complex. He had seen us before and is interested in joining the Church.

The biggest change is we finally got to see an investigator after 2 whole weeks! We talked about repentance and how we all make mistakes. We committed him to live the commandments and he's pretty serious about THIS church and being baptized. He went to his mom's Baptist church and said it wasn't the same and "ours has the spirit there". He's doing awesome and we should be seeing him tonight. He loves meeting with us. This last week we also met with some recent converts and they are like my favorite members.

I love the St. Patrick's day food and traditions. We have interviews with president that day. I don't think they'll let us go out after six like last year.

Elder Ressler

Baltimore Inner Harbor 1 - March 6, 2017

It's been under 30 degrees and then up to 78 degrees in the same week and now it's going back to the 60s, I don't know  what to think anymore. It's spring then it's winter.

I didn't have a super eventful week but, the good news is we got back in contact with one of our investigators and should be seeing him tonight. Our investigators are great. We mostly talk to people on public transportation, but I don't force anything anymore I just talk to them and then invite. Everyone here talks to us about being Mormon here though so it's easy. Missionaries have done service or gained respect through basketball. I've only tracked once here.... We don't have enough time because we get referrals and we deliver tons of Bibles and Book of Mormons, like 4 or 5 a week.

We also got this sweet referral of a couple with two daughters that randomly walked into the visitors center and want to learn more about the Book of Mormon! I've gotten pretty used to the city and I love the people here.

I really have the strongest testimony ever and I know for sure that what I say is true and I say it boldly. What's really changed on my mission is my scripture study and knowledge of the scriptures. I'm not going to lie I didn't read too much those last couple years being home. I read enough to believe it though. I think that's one thing that will keep on after I return is studying. I really found myself out here too. I've got confidence in who I am and I can't wait to be a member missionary or whatever calling I have. I will love Lancaster ward forever. I also think one of our investigators here, will really get baptized and he'll be an awesome member of the church. One of my favorite videos is the Gordon b Hinckley special witnesses of Christ and the how marvelous a work and a wonder about the book of Mormon.

We've been having some good fun here lately. Because of zone conference, a zone blitz, district meeting, and a special meeting after church and break the fast we didn't do as much this week, it felt weird. You'd be proud I've been spending my money really well. I almost bought this solid gold guardian angel necklace everyone has here, but I held myself back.

Love,

Elder Ressler

Baltimore Inner Harbor 1 - February 27, 2017

We put two people on date and had an awesome member present, but they didn't come to church. We didn't teach our one investigator again, because he's been busy, but we read with him for a little bit. Keep praying for him!

For p-days we go shopping and emailing, it takes so much longer because we have to travel. We mostly go shopping and go out to eat somewhere and then go to the harbor or something.

I just won an ice cream and brownie eating contest at the senior missionaries apartment and we were all super stuffed last night I had to go lay down for 20 minutes after dinner.... we got a really good/embarrassing picture. I've been losing tons of weight though actually. I've gotten pretty skinny. I've been doing a lot of pushups and eating get this oatmeal for breakfast, chicken brown rice and vegetables,cream of wheat for lunch, then more cream of wheat apples and then sandwiches or more chicken or tuna and rice with light mayonnaise now for dinner. Pretty interesting right? :D 
With the schedule change we seem to have more time in the morning and at night so I've been reading about President Hinckley in my spare time.

This last week I was in a short sleeve short.... Now I'm wearing a light jacket because we're getting some rain, but it's supposed to get hot again. I taught a pretty legendary lesson on agency and people were crying and like four people said they were really impressed by it. I haven't played the piano.... Not much lately at all actually it's been sad.

I've only played basketball once. Our church doesn't have a gym.... Crazy right? I thought all Mormons played basketball. Everyone here knows the missionaries as good ballers. I made this tie for a super stylish guy in the ward and he keeps trying to get me to start a business on it. He thinks like $50 a tie hahaha.

Love you,

Elder Ressler