Monday, April 26, 2010

New Letter from Our Boy!!

hey y'all!
howdy from wales! haha. im feeling a little under the weather today, i think ive got stomach flu or something but anyways. so this week has been kind of funny. the days are really mooshing all together and it almost feels like a dream. i feel like im in groundhog day, where everyday is the same, but im progressingly working to rid of that. so our success has been up quite a bit. weve been blessed with more investigators and even a progressing investigator with a baptismal date! his name is Dennis and the story about how we met him is great. so we were waiting for a train in ponty on our way up the valleys and we see this guy who is sooo drunk that he literally couldnt speak or standup. he was sitting on the platform leaned against the fence mumbling so loud. it was legit one of the funniest things ive ever seen, i was laughing for 20 minutes straight. so a couple of days later as we were going home from an appointment, we see this same guy and start laughing but suddenly get this brilliant idea to go up to him and start teaching him. so we did, he was sober, we gave him a book of mormon, taught him, and setup a return appointment. we then invited him to church and he came! he was the first investigator weve had at church in weeks, even months i think. we then after commited him to baptism and he has a date for may 15! haha oh man, what a funny story. if its not then i guess its just one of those things that you had to be there. hahah. so things are good aside from that. were working very hard. times can be trying though because my companion and I dont get along very well, and we disagree a lot but we are working through it. but transfers are coming up soon. so anyways, ive got to get running to this sweet soccer tournament where all the missionaries play each other. i will have some sweet pics next week! take care, write me on my email, or a letter. i havent been getting much and its making me sad!

ONE LOVE
- Elder Bussell


on a side note: everyone should be writing Elder Bussell. It takes what 10 minutes to shoot him an email or write to him. Believe me you will regret it when he gets back and says in Jayrad's lingo " Ey Boi, why didnt you write me".. So take some time out and write him, tell him whats going on in your life. Remember, he has no TV, no Radio, no real connection to the States.. he needs your letters!!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Old Letter, New Post..

So I was putting a Notebook together for Jayrad of all his letters and emails, so that when he comes home he can have a record of it (like a journal of sorts). Anyway I found a letter for the MTC I never posted so I want to post it.

2/10/10
Yo Tim My Boi!

Oh My Gosh, this place is so sick! I've learned so much and my testimony is just shooting through the roof! Now all I've got to do it just learn how to put it in words. I've gained such an amazing testimony of the Book of Mormon and the divinity of it. I guess I've always taken for advantage of the fact that all life's answers are in that book and we can truly come closer to christ is we feast upon its words and abide by its precepts. I never really understood what everyone meant when they said that the book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion until now..Without it we would be nothing.. So Tim my man, feast upon its words! I have been reading Jesus The Christ as well. Oh My Gosh! If there's anything that will help you come unto Christ, it is that book. Read it, because it is amazing. You feel like you'll be on a more personal level with your brother and savior. Ahhh I absolutely love this work! I am so glad I came Out!! Being exactly obedient is a little hard though because I like to have fun and be a goon but I am working on it! I'm learning to not just be on a mission, but to become a missionary.

I've learned how critical it is to mission world to have the members involved. Without them mission work is useless. Referrals are so important because it keeps those missionaries on a diverse schedule and prevents "groundhog day." Which is like that same day over and over. President Hinckly said in one of his talks that a new convert needs 3 things. A member friend, a calling, and nourishment in the good word of God. So please I encourage EVERYONE to work with the missionaries, learn to love the work,the investigators and help them come unto Christ, and as we do so, we will come closer to him. It is so important!

I sent you an email a couple of days ago, tell everyone my email address please!? and tell them I need letters, emails, and packages ahaha!! Next week I will be writing from England!! I flight from Salt Lake to Paris! Ahh So Long! Anyways take care, misses and loves you!
-Elder Bussell

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Big Update

So Elder Bussell has been in England for almost a month now. I updated his email bc apperently he was not getting them on his first established email account.


3/10/10
holy smokes!!!
haha ive gotten so many emails today its insanely awesome. i only have a short time to write though, cause were busy busy! things are so much better, its great! ive learned so much patience, and learned to rely on faith so much!!!! prayer is also been a huge factor these past couple of weeks, and im so greatful for everyones support and to know that im not alone and that my savior is with me always! things have been slow in the area, but theyre slowly getting better. the guy i commited to baptism was a waster, so we dropped him, but we found this one guy named ethan. hes chinese and he is the man! we went and taught him, and he had the right questions and the right answers to our questions. this guy is solid and im hoping he will be my first baptism! keep the fingers crossed! the lesson was so awesome though, that spirit was so strong, that i was shaking, and he was like, oh man, this is great, this feels so good and so right! haha yes it was sooo awesome! so anyways, suzi let me know how the dennis thing went!? also tell lauren for me that i wrote her back, and if ryan wants he can email me too! i gave lauren my address to the flat, so you can send it there, or you can send it to the office on facebook, either way is fine, but sending it to the flat gets to me quicker probably. haha im a little nervous for dad getting me shoes so i just asked him to either send me money or send it to you to put on my card. things are so expensive here! im broke as a joke! also if you could, tell jamie to write me on my email, and tell her i miss her and i hope everythings going good! same for my little ashley! haha anways ive got to go, ill write you more next week, and tell keith im so excited to do his family history! love you so much and miss and pray for you everyday! my friends, i miss you guys so much, thanks for the emails, im probably going to be sending out just one big email now, but we will see, just keep writing me though, hope you enjoy the pics!!!
ONE LOVE
- Elder Bussell
-Elder Bussell

3/16/10

dog.


you sound mad busy!  haha hows school going?  youre making me home sick boi i miss you and hockey, and kahbang and everything like crazy!  no haha things are so great here!  everyday is getting better and better!  i wrote you a physical letter so youll probably be getting that soon! i thought you were ignoring me ;) haha jk.  but i just wanted to show you some love!  im playing some english football later today so ill be thinking of you when im playing.  my sweet experiences are in the forward from suzi so ill let you read it from there.  but just for you a little spiritual thought.  my mission pres was talking to me in my first interview and he said to read at least 15 minutes of the book of mormon each day.  he said that the book of mormon is the only book that christ testifies of, and they are the words of christ.  and that the words of christ, will tell us all things!  soooo dirrrtttyyy!!! i love it dude!  you can read it from 2 nephi 32 and 33.  give it a read, when i glanced over it again after, my bosom was literally burning, the spirit was so strong!  THIS WORK IS TRUE!  i love it, i love the gospel of jesus christ.  it is the only way we can recieve true happiness and a fullness of joy!  i love you more than life itself!  haha i miss you amber and max like crazy and i pray for you always!  loves yous! and take care!
ONE LOVE
-Elder Bussell

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Emails and Letters!!

hey hey!!! (2/10/10)
wow time is flying by here!!! ahh i cant believe it! ive been here 2 weeks and i leave for birmingham next week on monday. its a straight shot from salt lake to paris so its going to be insanely long!!! so for district leader i pretty much just run a district which consists of 7 missionaries, 4 sister and 3 elders. i just report to the branch president about issues or good things like that, and run meetings, so at first it was a little crazy but its wicked sweet.
ive had lots of wonderful experiences out here and i am growing so much. the weather out is here is dry, cold, but not as cold as maine so its not bad, i usually walk around with just my suit coat at most.
if you could, could you please tell lauren to give everyone on facebook my email?! :) that would be so awesome.. also im going to give you a bunch of emails, so if you could, forward it to everyone, cause i cant write everyone, and technically i can only write you. haha.
so this week ive learned a lot about the book of mormon and how its the keystone of our religion, and that it has the answers to life in it. for real!!! its crazy! i guess ive always taken for granted that book, but as i read it now, it just strengthens me so much and testifies to me the truthfullness of it. we are promised that if we just take that small step of faith by reading and praying about it, that we will gain a witness of it and we will be blessed. its just the best feeling in the world when you get that crazy feeling youve never felt or havent felt before, and its so cool. i know that we are blessed by just doing small things, and it will strengthen as a people, and as families. i love being here and doing this. i love it so much. i am soooo glad that i decided to come and do this because i am so happy. there are some pretty great guys here that i look up to and can just have a good time with.

please let everyone know i said hi and i miss them sooo much. i havent heard from dad yet, but i did hear that he sold the house! haha crazy! talk about a blessing! hopefully this means he'll be sending some dough my way ;) let everyone know too that i need packages, letters, emails, pictures or whatever it is!!! i need em!!! ill be sending some pics in the mail to you this week!



yo my baby boi shwayze!!! i miss you B!! (2/17/10)
i love missionary work so much, and i want you to know that you are the man! haha this week has been a little tough, the lord has been putting my weakness's in front of me hardcore this week so i can work on them and be ready for the field. my visa got delayed again so im here for at least another week, maybe more. i got to go to the temple again, and its so awesome, every single time! ahh i just love the lord and all the blessings that we can recieve from being obedient, and just they joy of serving him. i get to go back to the temple today, and i cant wait. sounds like hockey is kickin it, and im jealous i cant see.. haha oh well. so weird story... i was driving back from salt lake last week from an appointment, and guess who i saw on the side of the road waiting for the bus...? JOHN AMERO. it was sooo weird, i stopped and said hi to him but he didnt really remember me. haha oh well. well take care buddy i miss you like crazy. i pray for you and amber always. love ya!
- elder bussell

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Letter Home (2/3/10)

Tim my main man, and Birthday girl amber, and SEXY MAXXXXX!

This place is absolutely amazing and if there's anywhere that the spirit dwells other than the temple, it's here. I am proudly reporting to you that there are absolutely no regrets in coming here and that I am not home sick one bit. But i do miss everyone like crazy!! I am learning so much and I've already experienced some unreal blessings. Thank you so much for your example and for your diligence in getting me out here. I know I have a great work to do and that I am going to change lives that no one else can! Ive been called as District Leader and it's so cool. The Love that I have for my district is untouchable. I believe that I've been a pretty solid example to others and have even kept some here because of things that I've been through and for the examples like you who have helped me get through tough times. The Lord truly blesses us and I'm so grateful for all of my learning experiences so that I could help others. This church is sooo true. I love my savior and just trying to be obedient everyday here makes me so much more grateful to him. I cant imagine living a perfect obedient life, I cant thank him enough for setting that example. I've learned something so important while I've been here and that's to love. Whether its your investigator, your friend, or your companion, it makes all the world of difference.
Anyways I've got to get going to the temple. I'll be thinking of you guys there. I will always hold that day dear to my heart! BTW I love the blogspot idea!!

Here's a quick little spiritual thought:

-" The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calamity may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purpose of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done." - Joesph Smith.

This work is so real. I love my father in heaven and my savior and redeemer Jesus Christ. I know that they love us so much and that if were obedient we can return to live with them. This is truly the restored and one and only gospel, and I'm eternally grateful to be a part of it.

One Love, (haha)
- Elder Bussell

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Elder Bussell's first email home!

hey y'all!!!
oh my gosh where do i begin!?!? the mtc is so crazy awesome i love it!!! the first day i got here i got to walk next to and see a general authority!!! president uchtdorf.. oh my gosh such a crazy experience. as i was walking next to him, i just felt something so special, i knew that he was truly a representative of the lord. then maybe 10 minutes later he came in to our group meeting where all the new missionaries were and expressed his love and gratitude for our sacrifice and work. and for our love for our heavenly father. it was sooo cool. two days later i was called as district leader. so theres been some pretty exciting things happening. im so happy to be here, i know what i am doing is right and my testimony is just growing so much. this place is just underneath the temple and just above a chapel when it comes to the sacredness and the spirit that dwells here. its so awesome. so ive met some pretty cool elders here who have been here for a while. theyre going to hong kong and theyve been here since december. haha i cant imagine being here that long even though i love it here but it can get old sometimes. haha. theyre here till march too! yikes!!! haha, we have a blast though in the residence halls. we trying to obedient as possible with rules but theres nothing wrong with being ourselves and having a little fun. one missionary, elder jones, hes in another district but both our class and dorm rooms are right next to each other and this kid is practically my twin when it comes to attitude. were loud and scream like girls. but most importantly we beat box together and have free styles. haha oh my gosh its so fun. i also met another missionary from maine, elder stanley.. and get this, he is the son of one of my boss's from sun tan city!!! haha sooo crazy. (suzi its ron's son!) also i met a missionary from maryland who is way good friends with rachel braithwaite whos is my ward back home. i think his name is elder gadberry...? haha such a small world!!!

im learning so much here and im so greatful for everyones support. i know im going to come out of here a better man. the schedule is a little gruling but its so worth it cause the spirit is so strong here and i know what i am doing is right. my testimony is just out of this world and its only growing. sometimes when i am praying or bearing my testimony, i just catch my self spilling words without even thinking, and theyre coming straight from the heart, because the spirit is just practically punching me! haha. this gospel is so true, i hope everyone has a chance to pray about and to ask our father in heaven if it is. ive learned so many things that i just want to shout to everyone and scream in their face but i guess thats not very missionary like. haha. i know theres so much more to life. that through our savior, we can be comforted in times of need, that our lives can be happier and more fulfilling, that we can draw closer to our families and friends, and have such an undeniable love for all. im so greatful for this oppurtunity, and for all of my blessings, especially all of you, family and friends.



Enjoy!!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Elder Bussell

So Elder Bussell took off yesterday from Bangor International Airport at 1:15. We had alot of fun making his overweight bags underweight. Thanks to all of those who were able to make it. To those who were not able to make it, have no fear Elder Bussell was sharp and styling.


If you would like to learn more about where Elder Bussell is currently please visit:


http://www.mtc.byu.edu/


Elder Bussell is and will be in the MTC for 3 weeks before he flies to Paris and then England. The MTC is a training facility designed to prepare missionaries for their mission. Over 50 languages are taught as well as defining principles of the gospel. Because Elder Bussell will be serving in an English speaking mission his stay is short, only 3 weeks.


There is also another service that is offered by:


http://www.dearelder.com/index/inc_name/home


This is another great way of getting in touch with Elder Bussell. I am new to this website and am unsure how all of the dynamics work but will include a "How To" guide in the near future.


Lastly, if Elder Bussell can write emails he has requested anyone who wants to be CCed to leave their email on either his Facebook wall or here under comments.


Thanks and stay tuned.