Count Down!!! 11 Days!

I feel like the 12 days of Christmas! We leave for Pennsylvania in 11 days...November 12th. We hook up with him on Monday the 16th, with a dinner with the departing missionaries and final meeting with the President. Taylor wants to spend that evening with the missionaries at the Mission Home, and we pick him up in the morning and fly to Washington DC to witness the wedding and sealing of one of his converts Andrew Doub. He is really excited about this. Then we plan to rent a car and travel back to Waynesboro to the reception, and see some of his friends. Then up to Scranton to have dinner with President Dunford and his wife, and some more great friends. We hope to make it up to the Susquhana River river together before driving back to Harrisburg, and maybe up to Altona before we fly out of Saturday morning Novemeber 21st. He will speak in our new ward at 1:00 on November 22 (400 South 200 West) and his big homecoming will be November 29th at 9:00 A.M. 900 South 100 West. (After the meeting we will be having brunch at our new home located at 741 South 65 West Orem) We are looking forward to this exciting time, and getting him home and sharing in his stories and tales.

He is currently back in the field for a few weeks prior to his departure. His companion has been really sick, and they are stuck in the house. (Not sure if it is the swine flue) but really hoping Taylor can remain well in such close quarters! They have a few investigators they are hoping will make it for baptism before he leaves, but if not, he knows will happen soon! He says his heart is broken as he knows there is so much work to be done in PA, but he misses his family and is ready to come home. We have seen the blessings of having a missionary in the field, but are ready to have him home as well....

We hope you can join us to hear his remarks. We want you all to know how much we have appreciated your support, love and prayers.

May the Lord continue to bless you all.
Fred and Shauna Russell

Working hard in Pittsburgh...49 days and counting

Taylor is in a small suburb of Pittsburgh. His address is 337 Four Mile Run Rd #B Pittsburgh, PA 15207. We are counting down as this is his last transfer! It doesn't seem possible he is coming home. The G20 world summit has been in Pittsburgh, so they have moved the missionaries out of the city for 10 days for safety reasons. There was millions of dollars of damage to London last year with riots so the church is taking precautions. Taylor is currently a zone leader and loving being back in the field. He is desiring to give it his best effort until the end and trying to keep focused. He is loving being back in the trenches and is hoping for some great success for this final stretch. We fly back to Pittsburgh on November 12th, and meet up with him on the 16th. We will hit some of his favorite spots and people on our way back through PA and fly home the morning of the 21st. (He is hoping he makes it in time for the BYU ballgame) It seems like a dream to us, and we are counting down the minutes, hours and days!

Counting Down!!!! 54 days!!!

Crazy times in Pittsburg

Taylor writes that things are a little crazy with all the changes in Pittsburgh. They had the first big transfer meeting this week and it was a little crazy looking over the transfer board and worrying over 180 missionaries and deciding who they would be linked up with and how they would make the changes. He said it took them 12-13 hours+ to make the arrangements, and then the problem was making rides for everyone. Breaking down the barriers between missions, and merging these missionaries always has it's challenges. Many of these companionship's were meeting for the first time, and it was like we were all new missionaries. It took Taylor over 20 minutes straight to read the new assignments, and then half of the missionaries needed additional instruction to get the assignments straight. It will take some time to forge these new relationships, and raise the bar to our new level of commitment, but with the Lords help we can accomplish this huge assignment. President Summer hay's had the departing missionaries bear their testimonies, and then Taylor got to go pick up the brand new missionaries from the airport. Elder Black his first Greene came back after having some surgery on his leg. He is a great Elder, and Taylor is excited for the strength he will bring to the mission.

The next 15 days he will be on exchange in the Harrisburg side of the mission. He will work with a new companionship every day for the next 2 weeks. He will get the opportunity to go back to Camp Hill and Waynesboro as well as many other places which he loves and is excited about. He hopes to find some great success and some new investigators for the Elders to work with. He hopes to make an impact and get the ball rolling again. He said he is grateful for this time to serve a mission, and it has been such a blessing to share the message of the Restoration. He said it has been a great blessing, and he has learned something from every new area and challenge. He knows the Lord lives and it is through his grace and Atonement that makes all things possible.

We will have the opportunity to pick him up on November 16th of this year and travel through his mission and fly home on November 21st. Home for Thanksgiving!!! We are excited!!!

Please drop him a note at:
Elder Taylor Russell
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Mission
2589 Washington Road Suite 410
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241

Mission Merger

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

March 30, 2009

Taylor had a great week as they had Zone leader council to discuss all the mission details. Afterwards Sister Pugh feeds all the leaders, and Taylor enjoys it so much! He is traveling all over the mission weekly training and going on exchanged with different companionship's and getting a feel for what is working, and what is not. They had a baptism of a cute 82 year old woman who has been taught many time, but finally committed to be baptized. She is only 4 feet 10 inches, but a powerhouse of a woman! It was a great week!

Last week he had the opportunity to go to dinner with President Dunford to Texas Roadhouse! President treated them to the biggest steak they had, and then fed them spiritually while they ate. Taylor loves President Dunford, and always is taught so much when he is with him. He challenged them to some powerful commitments that will be life changing. (As a mother, I am grateful for these powerful men and the examples they are in Taylor's life. I know he is not the same young man he was when he left, and I am thrilled to see him grow and raise the bar in his life and the life of those he is influencing!)

He told of a great story of a family who had them to dinner, and really wanted their teenage son who plays on the High School team to attend church. Whenever the missionaries come, he slips out with his friends. After dinner, Taylor and his companion Elder Carter (who played high school basket ball like Taylor) went looking for this young man. They found him and challenged him to a round of ball...with a challenge that if they lost, he would come to church on Sunday. (They didn't realize these two white boys in church cloths could really ball it up, so they took the challenge!) No surprise, but the Elders won, and hope they follow through and come to church on Sunday. Taylor was feeling pretty good, that he hadn't lost his touch!

He is growing and doing well. He loves to get mail, so if you get a chance, please write him at:
Elder Taylor Russell
Harrisburg Mission
3903 Hartzdale Drive Suite 303
Harrisburg, Penn 17011

what a Week

This week Taylor drove all over the mission visiting and working with the Zone leaders to make sure the mission was running well. For his first exchange...he got to go back to Scranton where he just came from! He loved going back! He had the opportunity to work with some great South American missionaries who are speaking English as a second language. They taught a great Spanish family who only spoke Spanish and Taylor had the opportunity to read the Book of Mormon in Spanish for them. He said the spirit was so strong and it was a great blessing! He said he feels so blessed to work with the best missionaries in the mission and to work with President Pugh in all the behind the scenes details. He got to see one of his recent baptisms who has fallen away from the Church. He felt so badly, and said he has learned so much about Agency. He said every new member needs a friend and mentor to help them, and she did not get that and it made him feel so badly. He said he is learning a lot, and knows that the Church is true and will bring wonderful blessings. We need to do better to share it with others! So there is a challenge for all of us! He is really busy, and has limited time to write. He would love to hear from anyone! You can e-mail him at: trussell@myldsmail.net.

Back in the Mission Home

Taylor got a big surprise, when 2 weeks before transfers, President Pugh called and transferred Taylor back to the Mission Home as the new AP! Brother Shinner, the mission leader in the Scranton area called Shauna to wish her a Happy Birthday from her missionary son! He told us of Taylor's new call, and said he was supposed to speak in their Stake Priesthood meeting the next day, but the AP's showed up to move him back to the mission home! (He went from the fryng pan into the fire!) He was sad to leave this wonderful area and people who he loves so much, but is excited to work closely with President Pugh, and loves the Smiths who work in the mission office! He said there is allot to learn, and he needs our prayers in his behalf, but feels humbled and honored for this new assignment. Taylor has been so blessed to work with wonderful companions, and Priesthood leaders who have impacted his life for the better. He has been taught, tutored and instructed in such positive ways, that his life will be forever changed! He loves President Dunford who is the Stake President in the Scranton Stake. He always looked forward to his personal time when he was taught by President Dunford. Some of Taylor's most prized possessions from his mission are personal ties of President Dunford, and President Pugh. He cherishes theses ties and has one from each of these great mentors! He also loves the Shinner family. Sister Shinner always made a huge breakfast for all the missionaries on transfer day. Taylor missed out, and will miss them and all the great things he learned from them as well. No wonder the work is going so well in that part of the mission! These great devoted people who are serving with all their hearts! Thank You!!!

News from Scranton PA

It was wonderful to talk to Taylor on Christmas! He sounded happy and "Tired". He claims next year on Christmas he doesn't want to do anything but chill on the couch! That was sounding pretty fun after the rush pace of an active missionary. He rattled off question and answers for about an hour with the family...but we never have enough time to really "Talk"! His holiday season has been busy, but eventful! They are working with a wonderful "Ray" family. He loves this family, and especially has connected with the teenage boys who love sports, and love to play a little with him! They were able to go up to the "Restoration site" together and said it was a fantastic experience that he will never forget! They baptized 3 of the kids a few weeks ago, and the other will be baptized at the end of the month. He said this family was really prepared for their message. He is also baptizing a mother and her daughter at the end of the week. They were led to this great family as well, and have a great love for those they are teaching!
The primary children brought the missionaries a Christmas tree which was so appreciated! They have a great Stake President "Duncan" who Taylor loves and admires and is so supportive in the missionary work.
Because he is the Zone leader, he has increased responsibilities that never give him time to rest, but he is learning alot and seeing great success.
He sure appreciates those of you who have sent letters, and packages. He wishes he had time to personally thank you, but his time is so limited, we are lucky to get much news! He asked me to express his love and appreciation for all you do to remember him. He feels your love and prayers.
His address is still:
Elder Taylor Russell
1234 Main street apt #3
Peckville, Pa 18452

December 8th update

Taylor had a great day, as he took some of his investigators to the place of the restoration of the priesthood. He said it was a powerful experience as they had a prayer, and the spirit was so strong. He said they really felt the spirit and it made him think how special it was to be able to take their investigators to the exact spot where the priesthood was restored. It was a great day!

The primary children brought them a Christmas tree, and they were touched by this sweet jesture. His whole district is going to his place for a sleep over on Christmas Eve. He said it will be a Christmas to Remember!

He said he has seen more miracles this last couple of months then he has seen in his whole mission. He is loving the work, and seeing the hand of the Lord in the work.

His address is Elder Taylor Russell
1234 Main Street apt. #3
Peckville, PA 18452
Thanks for all your love and support!

Scranton News from Dec. 1st

Taylor writes that they had another productive and sucessful week. they had their first Stake President Correlation meeting with President Dunford. He said it was an awesome meeting and he learned so much about how the Church really works. He thinks President Dunford and President Pugh are some of the finest men he has ever had the opportunity to know.

They were fortunate enough to be invited to the Petersons for Thanksgiving, who are an older couple that have a beautiful home up in the mountains. During dinner, there were 10 deer and 10 wild turkeys that showed up and stood right up next to the house. He said they played a little football with the other 6 missionaries from his area and the investigators the "Rays". They are still working towards their baptismal date on the 20th of December.

He went out on exchange with the zone leaders up in Montrose...(which is up on the New York border). He said that part of the mission really struggles, as there are few people to teach. This is where the restoration site is. After their work, they had set a family with a date and taught 6 other lessons, and found 6 new gators!!! He said they were really blessed and excited about the progress.

He gets to call in 3 weeks, and we are really excited to hear his voice, and hopefully share in some more sweet experiences. He sounds like a changed man, and is actively involved in a great cause. He would love to hear from everyone for Christmas.

His address is: Elder Taylor Russell
1234 Main St apt. 3
Peckville, Pa 18452

News from Scratton, PA

Taylor has had an exciting 2 weeks, as he was transfered to Scratton as the new Zone leader. He is feeling a little over whelmed going from managing a district, to managing a Zone! He is the youngest Zone leader, and he said it gets hard telling the Elders what they need to do, to be productive missionaries. President Pugh has high expectations, and as a result, they are working hard and having great sucess. President Pugh gives each new Zone leader one of his personal ties. He had Taylor open it in front of all the Zone leaders at their conference, and it was a very RED tie!!! There was a little bantering over the Utah/BYU football game! (You guesssed it, President Pugh is a big Utah Fan!) They had a little bet on the game, and unfortunately, they didn't get to hear or watch the game and had been in interviews all day. At the end of the day, President Pugh called to inform Taylor of the score, and their little bet! Taylor needs to wear the RED tie for the remainder of this transfer!!! What a blow!!! I told him at least he will be "Festive" for the Christmas holidays!!! That's what he get's for betting!!!

They had a tremendous week with 3 huge highlights!
1. They are woking with the Rae family They are teaching 4 high school age kids, who Taylor just loves. They gave some great lessons, and they all came to church on Sunday and filled the entire Pew! He said it was a great blessing to see this entire family at church, and they are all committed to be baptized on December 20th.
2. He said he felt impressed to tract a street named Mott Street. They were unsucessful to find one investigator on the street. At the end of the day, he saw a woman walking across the street to the Beauty Salon. He ran across the street and began talking to her. She said she was late for work, and couldn't talk, but he persisted! She said.."Are you one of those Mormons?" When he said yes, she said...Come tonight to my home, and I will talk with you. He found out her son lives in Washington State, and is a member and has been sealed in the Washington Temple. She said she talked with her son and he said, he prayed everyday she would find the missionaries and become a memeber. Her husband just passed away, and she has commited to be baptized on Dec. 20th as well ! He said it is going to be a white Christmas!!!! You think????
3. They recieved a call from the Church call center from someone seeking more information about the church. When he called, it was a Baptist misister who was teaching a class of 30 graduating students from the Ministry. They were learning about the Mormons, and asked if they would attend the class and teach theses students about the church? He was really worried, as most often they want to Bible bash, so he called President, and he told them to go. It was an amazing experience. They taught for 2 hours, and then they fed them lunch, and asked them back the next week for another 2 hour discussion. He said it was an amzaing experience, and the question of the day was...Can a Baptist inherit the Celestial Kingdom? He said it was awesome...and they really felt blessed, and learned alot!

This is all in a two week time period...and we are excited to get our update on Monday to see what else is going on. Needless to say...we feel blessed and great ful for the wonderful missionary experiences he is experiencing.

He would love to hear from all of you. Please write him, or drop him a Christmas note. It keeps him going, and we apprecaite all your love and suport.

His address is: Elder Taylor Russell
1234 Main St. apt #3
Peckville, Pa 18452

Or you can e-mail him at trussell@myldsmail.net

News from Elder Russell

Taylor is currently serving in the Waynesboro, PA area. It is about 15 miles from the Gettysburg area, and very close to the Maryland border. He is still the district leader, and training a new missionary which is keeping him busy! They were thrilled to have 4 baptisms the middle of September. A darling mother and Father, and son, and another young man in his 20's. It truly was a highlight to expeience, and Taylor was very greatful for the opportunity to teach these wonderful people. He is haveing some great teaching experiences as he trains and works with the missionaries of his district, and has seen profound blessing as they have been led to 6 new gators in 2 days!!! The Lord truly blesses those who work hard! Taylor spent his 20th birthday on a mission tour with Elder Zwick who had come to observe their mission. He said Elder Zwick was awesome and told some funny stories about President Hinkley. He said he was on a spiritual high, and it was a special birthday...unlike any he had ever experienced before! His letters are getting smaller and smaller, and he claims he has little or no computer time to write, but promises to send a tape soon to fill us in on all the details. His family sent him a birthday box with a huge birthday banner. All of the nieces and nephews and even the dog, put their hand prints, footprints, and paw prints on it with a few fun comments! He also received some updated family pictures to see how big the kids were getting! (He loved the note about our future Hawaii family reunion December of 2009...He said it was his favorite part!!!) Time flys when your having fun....so I guess we are!! Taylor loves letters from home: If you get a chance, please write him a note at:
Elder Taylor Russell
300 West 5th St. Apt #8
Waynesboro, PA 17268
Or you can send him an e-mail at : trussell@myldsmail.net

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!

Finally an update

Taylor seems to be doing well. He has been transferred to Lemoyne and seems to be really enjoying himself. He said that it is a really nice city. Much nicer than Altoona, his last area. His new companion is Elder Teuscher from Spanish Fork. He said they really get along. They are working in the mission home a few days a weeks and working close with the AP's. He likes that because he they get to do whatever they want as long as they are working hard. His next door neighbor is a Subway and there is a pizza restaurant above them. I am sure they are taking full advantage of that. He also let us know that there is a Chili's and a Carraba's and wanted his Daddy to send lots of gift cards for him and his companion and the Ap's. That sounds like Taylor doesn't it? This area hasn't had a baptism for a year and a half so he is determined to change that. He just wants to work hard and see how many people he can help bring into the gospel. He is doing great. He thanks you for all of your prayers and support.

Taylor sent us some picture from his last area. He gets a little behind on sending pictures home but we will keep you as updated as we can.

They were able to go and see the memorial for United flight 93. He said it was a really neat to be there and see all the names of all those hero's.

I guess there was a General Authority who came to visit his district and he wanted to make a good impression so he thought he would part his hair. Um yeah T lets not do that again.

These are a few pictures of his apartment. Seems pretty clean for a bunch of young men.

Taylor and his companion were able to baptize Jim. They have become very good friends. Taylor really thinks a lot of him. On there P day he took Taylor and his companion up in the mountains to see the view. It is really beautiful.

This is Taylor and his district at the Christmas Party that his Mission President had for them. They decorated ginger bread houses and had a nice dinner.

This is a Catholic church where they attended Mass on Christmas Eve.

This is a picture of one of the hills that they go up every day. He says the picture doesn't do it justice. They have to walk everywhere and there are non stop hill.

Altoona is a really big railroad city. There are railroad tracks everywhere they go.

Contact Taylor at his personal e-mail account at trussell@myldsmail.net

Great news from Taylor!!! Last Saturday he and Elder Neff had their first baptism!! We look forward to P-Day each week
and when we get Taylors news, but we are lucky to get a paragraph with very little information!! The work in Altoona, has been slow but our prayers are being answered as hearts are softened, and the missionaries are busy with great prospects!! Transfers were last week, and Taylor remained in Altoona. He now has a new companion Elder Haslam from St. George, and seems happy and is busy working hard. He mentined he is not allowed to get onto his Blog, like we had hoped, but we will keep the blog updated with photos and updates for all of his FANS, so continue to check this blog often for up to date information. We would ask you to e-mail him directly on his church web page at trussell@myldsmail.net or send mail (which he loves to receive) at Elder Taylor Russell
PA Harrisburg Mission
3903 Hartzdale Drive Suite 303
Camphill, PA 17011

He loves to receive letters and news from home!! We hope you will take a moment to send him an e-mail or note! Thanks for your continued support, prayers, and love! He is feeling your support and is making us Proud!

Great news from Altoona, PA! Taylor is doing super! We got a letter from him this week and he and his companion Elder Neff have thier first baptism scheduled for next week. They are really excited about their new convert. He said the spirit has been so strong, and this young man has become a great friend. He fed them on Christmas, and has done many kindnesses for the missionaries. The work in Altoona is hard. They are tracting many hours each day in the bitter cold, and have many doors slammed in their faces, and many people yelling and threatening them but they continue to work hard. We are praying for for a softening of their hearts so the work can progress. He said the ward Christmas party was really different from back home. He is appreciating all the things back home he took for granted! On New Years Eve, everyone went out side and shot their guns in the air instead of lighting off fireworks. (He is learning things are really different back there!) He loves the work, and he is growing and developing into a wonderful missionary. We are really proud of him. Thanks to everyone for your notes and cards. He loves hearing from home!