Taylor has had an emotional week as the Harrisburg Mission has been combined with the Pittsburg Mission. He is still serving as the AP and has been involved in making all these changes. These past several weeks as they have been getting ready for President and Sister Pugh to leave and the over 80 missionaries to be combined into the Pittsburg Mission under the direction of President and Sister Summerhays have been emotionally, physically, and spiritually taxing. President and Sister Pugh decided to do the last Zone conferences personally so they could have one more teaching moment and tell each missionary good-by. They were taught about nightly planning, and Sister Pugh taught them about integrity. Then everyone got the opportunity to stand and share their testimonies. Taylor had the opportunity to bear his testimony each time, and said it was so hard to say good by so many times.
Sister Pugh fixed him and Elder Ang_Bejar their favorite dinner, and President gave them both priesthood blessings. The next day, they had a huge transfer meeting where both of the mission presidents and both sets of AP's met to make the new missionary changes. Taylor said it was like a huge business meeting changing everyone around. He said saying good-by to President and Sister Pugh was one of the most difficult things he has done. They had a tender embrace, and with tears bid each other good-by! Taylor loves them like a mother and father, and has grown so close to them from their close association. He said he felt like he had a hole in his heart...and it felt like the day he had walked off the basketball court for the last time. (Those of you who know how much he loved basketball...know what a loss this was!) President Summerhays is a wonderful president who will manage over 200 missionaries. He most likely will serve in Pitt for 2 more transfers, and hopes to get out tracting one more transfer before being released on November 16th! Yes...Can you believe the 2 years is almost over? He truly is having some remarkable experiences. He said it has been so hard to see all the changes, but he knows this is the Lords church and he is in charge. Changes come into our lives to open new doors. He is trying to be positive and look at new ideas and try his best to go with it. He loves the missionary work and feels the Lords hand every day! He is extending his faith and working hard. His new address is:
Elder Taylor Russell
Pittsburg Mission
2589 Washington RD suite #410
Pittsburgh, PA, 15241
Keeping in touch with Elder Taylor Russell and sharing his Mission experiences!
About the Harrisburg, PA Mission
Just a note of interest! This mission is rich in national and church heritage. This state is where our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and later brought forth the Constitution of our country. George Washington brought the Revolutionary Army through a crucial winter at Valley Forge, and for some years was the first capitol of the United States. These events opened the way for the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness. Our countries destiny as a land of freedom was formed by the critical Civil War battle ofGettysburg and Lincoln’s Gettysburgaddress afterwards.
The Susquehanna River flows through the mission. On its banks near Harmony,Pennsylvania, the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist and were then baptized. Later, only a few miles away Peter, James and John restored the Melchizedek Priesthood to the earth. The book of Mormon was largely translated in Pennsylvania. This is the state where Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Bruce R. McConkie, Alvin R. Dyer, and other great missionaries brought many souls into the Church. (Excerpts from welcome letter from President Donald E. Pugh, Mission President)
As you can see, this is an exciting mission with rich history. Taylor is excited to share his experiences with you!
The Susquehanna River flows through the mission. On its banks near Harmony,Pennsylvania, the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist and were then baptized. Later, only a few miles away Peter, James and John restored the Melchizedek Priesthood to the earth. The book of Mormon was largely translated in Pennsylvania. This is the state where Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Bruce R. McConkie, Alvin R. Dyer, and other great missionaries brought many souls into the Church. (Excerpts from welcome letter from President Donald E. Pugh, Mission President)
As you can see, this is an exciting mission with rich history. Taylor is excited to share his experiences with you!
1 comment:
Wow! We can't believe he'll be home in November. Where does time go? Sounds like he's having a great mission and working very hard. It's been great to keep up with him thru the blog. We'll be down in Utah in August, dropping Lexi off at BYU. We'd love to stop by and say Hi! Take care.
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