updates from Taylor :July

We received a great letter from Taylor this week, and he was just made the district leader for the Carlisle District. He is also training a new missionary Elder Black from Phoenix, Arizona. He is Taylor's age, and played high school football. They seem to be a great match, and they get along really well. Taylor said his plate is really full as he has to do all the planning, teaching, and everything while he is teaching Elder Black, but the rewards are great and they are seeing impressive blessings. They taught 39 lessons this week, and the mission norm is 15-20. The mission high was 30, so they feel so grateful the work is increasing and they have people to teach. They have a baptism scheduled for July 26th, and are thankful for this opportunity. He said he is overwhelmed, but feels the Lord carrying them. He said there is no better feeling than sharing your testimony with others and looking into their eyes and see the instant change when the spirit tells them that what they are hearing is true! He said his personal testimony is increasing and he is having a great experience. He loves to receive news from home, so if you can drop him a note, he would love it. You can send letters to:
Elder Taylor Russell
Harrisburg PA mission
3903 Hartzdale Drive Suite #303
Camphill, PA 17011

Today's update from Taylor

We recieved a few lines from Taylor this morning, and he informed us he has been made the District leader and is now training a new missionary. He will remain in Harrisburg for at least one more transfer. He also sent word that Rowena has committed to be baptized which is thrilling for Taylor. All in all he sounded like it had been a great week! He would love to hear from anyone who has a moment to write!

Taylors update

Taylor is having a great experience in Harrisburg PA. Last week they attended a huge "Jubilee Day: which is a giant fair that is held in Harrisburg every year! There are tons of vendors, and lots of people. He and his companion spent from 6:30 A.M. to 9:30 P.M. passing out literature. They had 3 women attend church that week from direct contact of the fair which they were excited about. (He even got an opportunity to eat TWO giant Philly steak and cheese sandwiches which he loved! He has had two baptisms in this new area, and a few more they are working on. A few weeks ago he had the privilege of performing the baptism for a woman they tracked out, and saw through to baptism. It was a highlight of his mission so far. The second baptism is a young girl who had to wait to turn 18 before her parents would allow her to be baptized. She has stayed committed, and you will see the picture of her and her pet skunk in one of the pictures! Taylor will remain in Harrisburg for at least one more transfer, leaving him in the area for 6 months. This is a long time to stay, but he is close to the Mission home, and gets to associate with President Pugh and his wife, and the AP's which makes up 4 missionaries in this area. He said they are high powered and effective missionaries who are teaching him great things. (To say the least, they are working him hard, which he loves and enjoys!) He isn't much of a letter writer, and we are lucky to get a few lines, and very few photos. We hope you enjoy the few we have. He loves to get letters...and thinks it is like GOLD...so if you get a chance, send him a note at

PA Harrisburg Mission

3903 Hartzdale Drive Suite 303

Camphill, PA 17011

Taylor and his companion Elder Cutler on first day of transfers.

Elder Teuscher, Alana and Taylor with her pet skunk. They just baptized Alana in June.

Taylor and the Camphill district.

Taylor with the Susquehanna River behind him.

Taylor in NewbloomfieldThis is Taylors pad! Cute huh? He lives above a pizza place so they get to smell pizza cooking all day and night!