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!