Nice. Well I need you to look on Ebay for some tickets to the Chicago Bulls game on New Year's Eve @ 1:00. My comp (Elder Rainey) Who got transfered by the way, is also having his parents look so don't purchase until we can IM back and forth about it. So yeah I have another new companion.
My comp and I have to split the cost of a $75 ticket that I got for turning right on a stop light without stopping. I don't know if I did this. But they have pictures and we have to pay. So it's a bummer. I have to pay by Dec. 4
NO we just want to start looking, so we can get them as soon as possible. There will be probably four of us going. Elder Rainey, His new comp, Me, and My new Comp. It should be an exciting day. We figure it should be a hot game, so the sooner we can get them the better. Just let me know next time. When did you guys get out of school?
OH yeah it's not I big deal. I'm still able to drive. I don't know if they will take a debit though. I think we have to mail it in. Before Elder Rainey left he gave me $37 to pay his portion. I'd have to look at the paper to see if it's done through the mission office or the city. I think it's the city.
That was a weak sauce Email Spencer. I would expect that from Josh. Anyway you got one thing right, but I love to hear it from you, I am out here for a reason. You got that reason right to do the Lord's work , to serve him, to help other people find the truth that you and I know. It was good to hear you say that though. Tear it up bud at your tournament. I expect a recap of each of the games you play, and I want to know about the goals you scored, and the moves you pulled, and how your team did. Go out there and give it your all. I heard that Utah won so they are undefeated. Does that make them 12-0. I want to hear about your Thanksgiving also, so you'll have alot to write next time. Let me hear about the soccer tournament especially. I want details Daniel son. I was able to juggle a soccer ball last P-day,and then to play with a bunch of the other missionaries. Most of them hadn't played but there were a few good ones. One Elder was quite good. When I first started juggling the ball it was awkward, then it all came back. It felt so good to play again. There was a ton of us together for P-day. Probably about 20, a bunch of us played out in the Church Parking lot in Chicago. It was really cool. A bunch of the spanish speaking missionaries were there to. It was a big get together P-day. I even put on my ballin shorts and played a game of b-ball. Playing outside in the parking lot was cold and all I had on was shorts and a t-shirt, but I didn't care, I WAS PLAYING SOCCER. It was a lot of fun. I had a few good goals too. Love you tons bud. I hope you do great in your game, and have a great Thanksgiving. You are in my prayers and I love you and I love the work that I have been called to do by God.
Love Elder Adams
That's funny you should say that about my companion's names. This ones name is Elder Brown! Not the same Elder Brown That I had for an MTC companion, because he's in Talahassee Florida. There's not really anything you can get me. Maybe a tie or two. Other than that, just a letter and your prayers and love. I'm a missionary right now so there isn't much you can get me, just prayers. Christmas as a missionary will be different so don't worry about it.
I just read your letter, and the scarfs sound genious. Josh is also right about mittons, I have heard the same. Sister Ray (Rachel Ray), and her husband took us to this little cafe to say goodbye to Elder Rainey and gave us each our birthday presents (his early, mine late) His is today. She gave us each 10 sets of handwarmers. How nice. Things that keep my hands and feet warm are good things, so I like the idea of the thicker scarves. I'll look forward to this package.
Well I continue my quest to hold on to a companion for more than six weeks. I have had a new companion every transfer of my mission. At the end of this transfer I will have been out 7 1/2 months. This makes companion number 5!! I think that could be a song!! I was really hoping that Elder Rainey and I would stay together, he has been my most obedient, hard working companion. If I said there was a rule we needed to follow, but he hadn't heard it, he didn't argue he went along. It was great not having to fight the obedience battle. We really witnessed some miracles together too, and felt the influence of the spirit and the Lord's hand in the work. He was a great companion, I'll miss him. President even said in our interviews "We'll just leave you two alone and let you work." What happened to that. Anyway yesterday was transfers, and Elder Brown is now my companion. They did another "switch" transfer. Elder Rainey went to Wrigleyville (so he is now on a bike, I will pray for him), and Elder Brown came from Wrigleyville. I get the impression that President is putting me in places or with companions where there was a problem before. Before I wnet to Beloit an Elder went home early from his mission so I took his place. Then I came to North Shore where before Elder Rainey had had rough transfer with his companion like I had once had. His companion had almost went home, he had talked to Presidnet and everything. Elder Rainey had told me how they hadn't gotten along too well, and about some of the things his companion would do. Now I'm with Elder Brown who I've heard, and I now get the impression (as he gives little hints), also had a rough transfer with his companion before in Wrigleyville. I hope Elder Rainey does well with this other Elder in Wrigleyville. I see a pattern here, I'm either going or being put with missionaries that have have had a hard time, or where there is problems. President is essentially sending me straight to the fires. Elder Brown seems to be an obedient missionary, and willing to work hard also. It should be a great transfer. We are still preparing for a couple baptims here in December, it should be great. I was hoping to baptise with Elder Rainey though. We are also now teaching this young single adult, who is 22. He's from Haiti, and speaks Haitian, he also speaks English. He's incredible and he is really moving along, and we've only taught him twice. He wants to have us over with his family for Haitian food. We have also had African food twice since being in this area. This is deffinately an interesting cultural experience, and Haitian should be great. The work here is moving along. I wish you could all see the changes in people's lives and in their families. We are teaching one lady, Melissa, who used to be Jewish then converted to Christianity. She is in a horrible marriage right now, her husband only says 10 words to her a day, and they sleep in different rooms. She has three kids though all six years and younger. The kids love us, and always ask their mom "When are we going to the Mormon Church?" They also can't wait to see us again to sing us a church song that they've learned. (Blessed be the little children.) The husband now doesn't care if she comes to our Church, but did guilt her in to going to theirs one week. Just this Sunday her and the Kids were throwing up, so satan is really making it hard for her to come. We've never met the husband, but he doesn't like what she's doing but doesn't really care. I feel really bad for her, she is a great mom, and is so kind to us. She's awesome and she has a baptismal date now for the 20th of December. There are so many great people here of all walks of life, and of all races, all are children of our Father in Heaven. I love teaching them and feeling the spirit, and seeing the joy it brings into their lives. The light it brings to there faces. If only... If only you could witness it... If only we could all have this joy our whole lives. The Lord truly blesses us. Elder Rainey and I were instruments in the hands of the Lord, we fasted, we prayed, we were obedient, and hard working, and Lord showed us his will. Even though this transfer Elder Rainey and I came close, but did not baptise, this was by far the most successful transfer of my mission. I hope this next one with Elder Brown will be great also. We will carry on the work and strive to have the spirit. With the Lord beside me, I will be able to survive this first Chicago winter, but only with the Lord. "The arm of the flesh is weak," and Elder Adams is a nancy when it comes to the cold. So only with the Lord will I perservere the cold. Thanksgiving will prove to be a great experience, as I said before we are going to Villa Stowell. I'm going to make sure my suit, hair, and manners are "Spot on" as they would say in England. I was going to send you pictures from my camera, but I think I'll wait to take pictures of this little experience. The Stowells truly are great, and I will make sure to give them your thanks. Oh and no we do not get all of our P-day off, it is more like P 8hours. P-day begins at 10 and ends at 6, which is when we go back to work. As for the Sherpa hat, is it ridiculously obnoxious. I like the idea of the beanie like spencer's that he got from Aeropostale last year with the yak fur inside, that thing was warm. If Josh really likes the sherpa hat though you could get it and then if I don't like it I can send it back to him. I love you family and friends, and you are in my prayers. With Love, Faithfully and Diligently, Yours Truly
Elder Adams
Nothing changed with my leader ship calling. I'm still district leader and senior companion. If you have any other cool ideas for district meetings that I have to organize every monday send them my way. I think this week I'll read the Green eggs and ham book to them as a short part of it. I usually like to have some short 5 min thing like that at the end. The rest I pull from Preach My Gospel. Love you tons.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
November 19, 2008
Joshua Tyler Adams, it is so good to hear from you. I was just talking to my comp in the car last night as we were driving in between appointments about how I worried what you were up to. I didn't know if you had gotten involved with some girl, if you were still going on a mission, if you still knew that I was on a mission. It's good to hear that you answered all of my questions and deterred all of my fears. You will be so much more prepared for your mission than I was. I made the decision just before, so quickly. Things happened so quickly for me, I only attended a handful of those mission prep classes just before. You've been reading your scriptures and everything though. You truly will be a servant of the Lord, a weapon in his hands, and the ax that is laid at the root of the tree, (Alma 5:52). A mission truly is the greatest blessing. I'm glad that you've made the decision. It deffinately is something that has to be each missionaries decision to come out and serve. To put your whole heart and soul into it. Me, I had to gain a testimony of this work, to repent, change, to make that decision. You're a good kid, You'll be ready to wear this badge, and labor alongside me as brotheren in the Lord. You don't know how lucky you are josh to have your whole mission ahead of you. Getting your call, waiting, packing, ESPECIALLY THE MTC, and then your full two years. You are so lucky, mine is already a fourth of the way over. I will hit my six month mark this FRI. I can't believe it's been six months. It's good to hear from you though. We have had an awesome transfer here in North Shore. We did a special fast at the beginning for the work in this area and to find people. Then we set a goal to get a baptism. We are now preparing a few people for baptism. One of them will probably be baptized in two weeks. We'll just miss our goal of getting it this transfer, but it has been a miracle and Lord has blessed us. This lady that is getting baptised just fell into our laps. She came twice with a member and then in talking to her we found out she wanted to be baptized. There are a few others we found through tracting. You see, if you are obedient and do all that you can, and pray and work with faith and determination, the Lord will take care of the rest. If the people won't listen to you, and it's getting close to crunch time-THE LORD WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN. He rewards his righteous servants, and if the Lord wants something done, it will be done. Keep studying, preparing, and praying. You need all the armor, protection, firepower, faith, testimony, you can to fight this war. You will be ready I know it. The Lord knows it, and he needs you in the mission field.
With Diligence and Love, Elder Adams
It's funny that you should mention that about reading Gavin's Email because president talked to us about reading attached email that isn't from immediate family. I got permission from him to read what Grandma Froelich writes to me, but everything else has to be printed off and mailed to me. If you still want to do that, that would be awesome, since I don't get letters anyway, because it is good to hear form Gavin. Other than that I probable shouldn't read it online, President's Rules. > It's good to hear from you though dad. I have some scriptures for ya. For me scriptures that have to do with missionaries are really interesting. Maybe that's because they apply to me right now. Seeing as you are the father of a missionary though maybe it will be cool to look at. Look at Doctrine and Covenants Section 68 and section 75. Pay special attention in section 75 to verses 2-5. I see this as my calling, and what I am to do. Then in verse 5 the lord gives a promise to us if we are faithful. In section 68, this is Orson Hyde's mission call. I insert my name where it says his. Start in verse one, but focus on verses 2-5 here also. Paricularly look at verse four. I think this is incredible what is promised to us missionaries. It's almost overwhelming to think about the responsiblilty that I hold, it's and honor. I'm not going to spoil verse four for you, you'll just have to read it. It blew me away! I love you so much dad. I'm glad to hear that you're pleased with what I'm doing. I left a boy, and I will return a man, filled with the Spirit of the Lord.
Well Spencer, I hope you take better care of your teeth, you know brush them, use mouthwash, salt and hot water, maybe the occassional dosage of turpentine. Anyway, I've heard that Utah is undefeated. If there is any truth to that then I'm with Utah. I'd like to see them have a perfect season. You've got to root for history. Anyway I love your testimony bud. The mission is awesome. I don't know if I told you this last week but my comp almost lit our apartment on fire. He was cooking eggs, had the unit on high. Then he went to wipe the stove off with a wad of PAPER NAPKINS and he touched the red hot unit with them. It caught on fire and he held it in his hand just watching it. Then he started to blow on it and this just fueled the fire. He finally threw it on the ground and watching it like a deer in the headlights. I dropped what I was doing and decided I needed to take matters into my own hands. I grabbed a cup and filled it with water and began chucking water across the kitchen onto the fire. Then the smoke detector went off. Yeah it was intense. Well I love you tons bro. I'm glad that at least you write me. I never hear from Josh and I don't really get letters so I love hearing from you. Take it easy bro.
HEy so we had snow, I wrote you in my letter a list of things I'll be needing to keep me from dying!
NO this is not the Rachel Ray from t.v. this our ward mission leader's wife. She is still a good cook though. She does go to the Oprah Show though. She just went recently and got one of those digital book readers. Oprah gave one to everyone in the audience, they are about 250 dollars, but that's pocket change for Oprah. Speaking of famous people, tell the boys about this one. WE met with this rapper yesterday. His name is Ross, rapper name Young Ross, he's working on signing to a label right now. He has an album that if everything works out you could look for to see if he's for real. It's called just getting started. He said that he had met with Kanye West. He told us he wanted to make a movie of his path up to his big start, and he wanted to include the meeting we were having with him. What can I say I'm in Chicago with my brothas. Last week my comp almost lit our apartment on fire. He was cooking eggs, had the unit on high. Then he went to wipe the stove off with a wad of PAPER NAPKINS and he touched the red hot unit with them. It caught on fire and he held it in his hand just watching it. Then he started to blow on it and this just fueled the fire. He finally threw it on the ground and watched it like a deer in the headlights. I dropped what I was doing and decided I needed to take matters into my own hands. I grabbed a cup and filled it with water and began chucking water across the kitchen onto the fire. Then the smoke detector went off. Yeah it was intense.So monday and tuesday it snowed for the first time. My days of running outside are over. We found out from one of our investigators, the starting D-lineman for Northwestern, Adam Hahn. That in the morning when he had practice it was like 5 or 10 Degrees with wind chills. We were out tracting monday and it started to snow, so I got a little taste of what winter was going to bring. So we have had our first snow. I have decided that a little piece of leather around my foot is not going to work as effective warmth for my feet. I'm thinking boots. I'm going to buy some thermals at target today. If you could also get me some thick scarfs. I've learned from the other elders that that is the secret. You have to have a scarf and wrap it around your neck and tuck it in your jacket so you can cover your face. This winter is really going to test me. The sooner you can get me those gloves and socks and boots and scarves, that would be bueno. Yeah it is deffinately getting cold here. I figure I have about five months of the cold to endure. I've been dreading when Chicago winter would come since I got my call, but now it's time to face it.As far as Thanksgiving goes. The richest family in the ward signed up. We've been to there house once for sunday dinner. This house is like Buckingham Palace, and I feel I should be in an apron in order to set foot in there. I'm hoping for some yams though (Love ya mom). I mean Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving, there's not much you can do to make the food different, but it's going to be the atmosphere and the environment that I'm in this Thanksgiving. It has the potential to be the nicest one I've ever had. I guess that's how it's done here in North Shore though, where the homes are millions of dollars. Tracting these areas is tough as all else, we've done it a couple times. Transfers are this tuesday and Elder Rainey's Birthday is Wednesday so he's hoping to stay. Rachel Ray actual requested to celebrate it on monday though. The family that is having us over for Thanksgiving is the Stowells. So for the sake of the Stowells he's really hoping he doesn't get transfered. I feel pretty confident we are both staying, but I feel really good that I'm staying. We are now preparing a few people for baptism. One of them will probably be baptized in two weeks. We'll just miss our goal of getting it this transfer (like we had set), but it has been a miracle and Lord has blessed us. This lady that is getting baptised just fell into our laps. She came twice with a member and then in talking to her we found out she wanted to be baptized. There are a few others we found through tracting. You see, if you are obedient and do all that you can, and pray and work with faith and determination, the Lord will take care of the rest. It truly has been a blessing. The Lord makes things happen.
Elder Adams
I gotta get going. Thanks for the whole family writing it was great. Have a happy thanksgiving. Well I guess i'll write you next week just before.
With Diligence and Love, Elder Adams
It's funny that you should mention that about reading Gavin's Email because president talked to us about reading attached email that isn't from immediate family. I got permission from him to read what Grandma Froelich writes to me, but everything else has to be printed off and mailed to me. If you still want to do that, that would be awesome, since I don't get letters anyway, because it is good to hear form Gavin. Other than that I probable shouldn't read it online, President's Rules. > It's good to hear from you though dad. I have some scriptures for ya. For me scriptures that have to do with missionaries are really interesting. Maybe that's because they apply to me right now. Seeing as you are the father of a missionary though maybe it will be cool to look at. Look at Doctrine and Covenants Section 68 and section 75. Pay special attention in section 75 to verses 2-5. I see this as my calling, and what I am to do. Then in verse 5 the lord gives a promise to us if we are faithful. In section 68, this is Orson Hyde's mission call. I insert my name where it says his. Start in verse one, but focus on verses 2-5 here also. Paricularly look at verse four. I think this is incredible what is promised to us missionaries. It's almost overwhelming to think about the responsiblilty that I hold, it's and honor. I'm not going to spoil verse four for you, you'll just have to read it. It blew me away! I love you so much dad. I'm glad to hear that you're pleased with what I'm doing. I left a boy, and I will return a man, filled with the Spirit of the Lord.
Well Spencer, I hope you take better care of your teeth, you know brush them, use mouthwash, salt and hot water, maybe the occassional dosage of turpentine. Anyway, I've heard that Utah is undefeated. If there is any truth to that then I'm with Utah. I'd like to see them have a perfect season. You've got to root for history. Anyway I love your testimony bud. The mission is awesome. I don't know if I told you this last week but my comp almost lit our apartment on fire. He was cooking eggs, had the unit on high. Then he went to wipe the stove off with a wad of PAPER NAPKINS and he touched the red hot unit with them. It caught on fire and he held it in his hand just watching it. Then he started to blow on it and this just fueled the fire. He finally threw it on the ground and watching it like a deer in the headlights. I dropped what I was doing and decided I needed to take matters into my own hands. I grabbed a cup and filled it with water and began chucking water across the kitchen onto the fire. Then the smoke detector went off. Yeah it was intense. Well I love you tons bro. I'm glad that at least you write me. I never hear from Josh and I don't really get letters so I love hearing from you. Take it easy bro.
HEy so we had snow, I wrote you in my letter a list of things I'll be needing to keep me from dying!
NO this is not the Rachel Ray from t.v. this our ward mission leader's wife. She is still a good cook though. She does go to the Oprah Show though. She just went recently and got one of those digital book readers. Oprah gave one to everyone in the audience, they are about 250 dollars, but that's pocket change for Oprah. Speaking of famous people, tell the boys about this one. WE met with this rapper yesterday. His name is Ross, rapper name Young Ross, he's working on signing to a label right now. He has an album that if everything works out you could look for to see if he's for real. It's called just getting started. He said that he had met with Kanye West. He told us he wanted to make a movie of his path up to his big start, and he wanted to include the meeting we were having with him. What can I say I'm in Chicago with my brothas. Last week my comp almost lit our apartment on fire. He was cooking eggs, had the unit on high. Then he went to wipe the stove off with a wad of PAPER NAPKINS and he touched the red hot unit with them. It caught on fire and he held it in his hand just watching it. Then he started to blow on it and this just fueled the fire. He finally threw it on the ground and watched it like a deer in the headlights. I dropped what I was doing and decided I needed to take matters into my own hands. I grabbed a cup and filled it with water and began chucking water across the kitchen onto the fire. Then the smoke detector went off. Yeah it was intense.So monday and tuesday it snowed for the first time. My days of running outside are over. We found out from one of our investigators, the starting D-lineman for Northwestern, Adam Hahn. That in the morning when he had practice it was like 5 or 10 Degrees with wind chills. We were out tracting monday and it started to snow, so I got a little taste of what winter was going to bring. So we have had our first snow. I have decided that a little piece of leather around my foot is not going to work as effective warmth for my feet. I'm thinking boots. I'm going to buy some thermals at target today. If you could also get me some thick scarfs. I've learned from the other elders that that is the secret. You have to have a scarf and wrap it around your neck and tuck it in your jacket so you can cover your face. This winter is really going to test me. The sooner you can get me those gloves and socks and boots and scarves, that would be bueno. Yeah it is deffinately getting cold here. I figure I have about five months of the cold to endure. I've been dreading when Chicago winter would come since I got my call, but now it's time to face it.As far as Thanksgiving goes. The richest family in the ward signed up. We've been to there house once for sunday dinner. This house is like Buckingham Palace, and I feel I should be in an apron in order to set foot in there. I'm hoping for some yams though (Love ya mom). I mean Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving, there's not much you can do to make the food different, but it's going to be the atmosphere and the environment that I'm in this Thanksgiving. It has the potential to be the nicest one I've ever had. I guess that's how it's done here in North Shore though, where the homes are millions of dollars. Tracting these areas is tough as all else, we've done it a couple times. Transfers are this tuesday and Elder Rainey's Birthday is Wednesday so he's hoping to stay. Rachel Ray actual requested to celebrate it on monday though. The family that is having us over for Thanksgiving is the Stowells. So for the sake of the Stowells he's really hoping he doesn't get transfered. I feel pretty confident we are both staying, but I feel really good that I'm staying. We are now preparing a few people for baptism. One of them will probably be baptized in two weeks. We'll just miss our goal of getting it this transfer (like we had set), but it has been a miracle and Lord has blessed us. This lady that is getting baptised just fell into our laps. She came twice with a member and then in talking to her we found out she wanted to be baptized. There are a few others we found through tracting. You see, if you are obedient and do all that you can, and pray and work with faith and determination, the Lord will take care of the rest. It truly has been a blessing. The Lord makes things happen.
Elder Adams
I gotta get going. Thanks for the whole family writing it was great. Have a happy thanksgiving. Well I guess i'll write you next week just before.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
November 12, 2008
Spencer you forgot, I have no idea about sports or anything for that matter. I have no newspaper, no tv, no radio. I don't really know who will win. It is deffinatelly starting to get colder though. I still go running with my comp in the morning though. I heard you guys have already had snow, is that true. It's good to hear from ya. Is Josh still talking to Katelyn or Katie or whatever her name is?? Keep me posted, and if he is give him a hard time for me, you know run down in his room when he's on the phone with her and scream like a banshee. Yeah those were some good times. Love ya Reef, and keep me in your prayers as you are in mine.Love Your Brother "The Missionary"
It's going great. The zone leaders came to our district meeting this week. They told me it was a great meeting. (I have to plan out district meeting and conduct it, and give out assignments of who is talking on what). I'm always open to suggestions. Yeah this back and forth works pretty good, I'm just at a library. I can have as long as I want. The Leadership positions are working out great. It's just another opportunity to serve those around me. It's a service position, I love it!!!
How is the Blog page going. Hopefully you're still saving all of my emails. Well it sounds like things have been great at home, congrats to spencer getting to go to St George. It is getting cold, I've busted out the earmuffs, and I found a pair of brand new gloves that I had brought from beloit. There was frost on the ground the other morning when I ran. I wanted to write you and tell you I need more face cleaning pads, a beanie, and have Josh find the best gloves he can find. Oh I also want some thick wool socks. It's time to prepare, for the day soon cometh when I will suffer the wrath of my first Chicago winter. It's coming, it is coming... I should be sending home some pictures and I managed to get three Chicago Tribunes from the election, IT WASN'T EASY! So I'll send those home too. I figure it's history, so save them and keep them nice. You can't just get these papers in any city or state. The birthday was good, but it feels so weird. We didn't make the cake though, because this lady in the ward invited us over for dinner and wanted to know what I wanted for my birthday cake. I told her a carrot cake would be ok. Down in the city was great with Bill. I think I told you Bill Murray took my comp and I and also Elder Purdie (my trainer) and his comp out to lunch. We went to the 95th floor signature room restaurant at the Hancock building. The view was incredible. Bill paid for us all!!! We also went to this sweet Lamborghini dealer downtown and checked out some sweet cars. It was a great day. Especially since it was warm and clear. A day in downtown for my birthday was awesome, it was a good way to celebrate. You'll be glad to know that even though it's not something I would usually do, I put up the decorations that you sent me. We are going to leave them up until Rainey's birthday on the 26th, that is if he's still here, transfers are the day before. I wrote dad all about my thoughts on the gps, it's amazing. Thank you so much, I wasn't expecting anything, maybe a tie or something. I just thought there's not much a missionary could use. I'm 20 though, and that is weird. This birthday really does feel different, and I do feel older. The teenage years are gone. It doesn't just feel like another birthday, or another year. This past year went by so fast. I still remember going shopping with you, when you bought me the skater shoes and my boarding jacket, then we went out to cafe' rio. This was an incredible week for finding and teaching, and this week is turning out to be great also. Just yesterday Rainey and I set a baptismal date for one of our investigators, with the Lord all things are possible. We have had investigators coming to church, we have been having incredible lessons with them, in which the Spirit has been overwhelming. The Lord is blessing us in a way I thought was only possible to be read about in Preach My Gospel, or copies of the Ensign. The other day we had a lesson with a Jamaican woman, who stopped the lesson and interupted and told us how she thought we were here for a reason. She said she had been looking for a church in which she could feel the Spirit, she had been searching. It literally seemed as if I was witnessing a portion of Preach My Gospel taking place. This woman truly had been prepared by God. We were led by the Lord to her. What's more is this was a neighborhood where we had received a referral , who was not interested. We decided to tract in the area and found this woman, Rosali. We set up a return appointment, and look at what took place. The spirit was so strong after she told us of her search and us being there for a reason. I know she recognized us as servants of Jesus Christ. I bore my testimony in tears, and I don't recall ever crying during the first vision, but I did this time. This was such a powerful experience, Rainey and I could not believe what we had just witnessed after. The work is really moving along. It's all in answer to our prayers: The Lord is with us, and blessing, and ministering to us daily. It's incredible the turn around that is taking place in this area. I firmly believe that it has everything to do with the Lord answering our special fast at the beginning of the transfer, and the Lord rewarding us for hard work, obedience, and faith. I wish you could feel and witness this for yourself. What is happening is one of those missionary stories that you hear the apostles talk about at conference, or those rare stories you read about in the Ensign that really inspire you and build your faith and testimony. It truly is the work of God taking place. I know this because I know that what is happening is something that is impossible for me or my comp to do. It is completely and entirely on the Lord. He truly is my savior, my redeemer, my rock, my salvation, my shephard, my friend. I don't know where I would be without him. Everyday he walks the streets of Evanston beside me, he goes before my face and testifies to the people I meet. He carries me when I am scorned by atheists and non-believers. His countanence and aid are with me. He is with me everyday. I feel like I walk I hallowed ground everyday, because he is here. This is the blessing of being a missionary. His name is over my heart and his footsteps beside me. I can bear solemn and humble testimony of his divinity and reality. In Jesus Christ's sacred and holy name, Amen.
Elder Adams
So yeah the sushi thing was a while ago sorry I forgot to tell you about it. I was going to sit down and order things for us, and then Khobby (pronounced Hobbie) said he'll just bring stuff out. I had to show my comp how to use chopsticks, he'd never used them before. He looked ridiculous for a while (Head turned upside down, hand all twisted, half the time he would murder the piece of sushi on the plate trying to pick it up). Anyway this place is high class. Most of the rolls are 15 to 18 dollars. They come out looking like art. He just kept bringing them out, all different ones. It was really good, and fresh too. I had a lobster one, a freshwater eel one. They were all so good. Probably my favorite one was this freshwater eel one with mango in it. It had a really good sweet taste to it. A lot of them also had thes tiny little red fish eggs on top. They looked really cool like fancy beads and they were good too!! He brought out about 8 Different rolls. Then he brought out the most amazing desert ever for us to share. It was mango ice cream with this rice floor crust on the outside of it. It was amazing. My comp officially loves sushi, his first time trying it. We haven't been back again yet, but we pretty much have an open invitation there. This meal he fed us was well over a hundred dollars, he wouldn't even let us leave a couple dollars as tip. > As far as snow goes, we haven't had any yet, and that is just fine with me. Sounds like you guys have had some snow. The Gps is way cool, I am a high tech missionary now. We always say the Standard of Truth at the beginning of district meeting it starts out "The standard of truth has been erected, no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing..." I'd like to add to that now, "Or a thousand unexpected one way streets or dead ends." Yeah this thing owns the city driving business. Thank you so much. So it's time for Timberline again, it seems like you and Spencer just got home. That would be tight if I could do it with you. I've been thinking how cool it would be if I could get back into scouts when I get back home. I love camping and scouts. I love my mission dad, this is the greatest decision that I have every made. I never really appreciated what you and mom did for me. You really did sacrifice for me and love me. Even though I didn't always want to serve a mission, I realize now that the Lord was preparing me to do this great work through you and mom. I'm so greatful for all that you have done for me, and are doing. I really appreciate you. The mission is going by so fast, The greatest descision in my life, I could stay out here forever. I love you and the Fam. Press onward.
Love Your eldest son
It's going great. The zone leaders came to our district meeting this week. They told me it was a great meeting. (I have to plan out district meeting and conduct it, and give out assignments of who is talking on what). I'm always open to suggestions. Yeah this back and forth works pretty good, I'm just at a library. I can have as long as I want. The Leadership positions are working out great. It's just another opportunity to serve those around me. It's a service position, I love it!!!
How is the Blog page going. Hopefully you're still saving all of my emails. Well it sounds like things have been great at home, congrats to spencer getting to go to St George. It is getting cold, I've busted out the earmuffs, and I found a pair of brand new gloves that I had brought from beloit. There was frost on the ground the other morning when I ran. I wanted to write you and tell you I need more face cleaning pads, a beanie, and have Josh find the best gloves he can find. Oh I also want some thick wool socks. It's time to prepare, for the day soon cometh when I will suffer the wrath of my first Chicago winter. It's coming, it is coming... I should be sending home some pictures and I managed to get three Chicago Tribunes from the election, IT WASN'T EASY! So I'll send those home too. I figure it's history, so save them and keep them nice. You can't just get these papers in any city or state. The birthday was good, but it feels so weird. We didn't make the cake though, because this lady in the ward invited us over for dinner and wanted to know what I wanted for my birthday cake. I told her a carrot cake would be ok. Down in the city was great with Bill. I think I told you Bill Murray took my comp and I and also Elder Purdie (my trainer) and his comp out to lunch. We went to the 95th floor signature room restaurant at the Hancock building. The view was incredible. Bill paid for us all!!! We also went to this sweet Lamborghini dealer downtown and checked out some sweet cars. It was a great day. Especially since it was warm and clear. A day in downtown for my birthday was awesome, it was a good way to celebrate. You'll be glad to know that even though it's not something I would usually do, I put up the decorations that you sent me. We are going to leave them up until Rainey's birthday on the 26th, that is if he's still here, transfers are the day before. I wrote dad all about my thoughts on the gps, it's amazing. Thank you so much, I wasn't expecting anything, maybe a tie or something. I just thought there's not much a missionary could use. I'm 20 though, and that is weird. This birthday really does feel different, and I do feel older. The teenage years are gone. It doesn't just feel like another birthday, or another year. This past year went by so fast. I still remember going shopping with you, when you bought me the skater shoes and my boarding jacket, then we went out to cafe' rio. This was an incredible week for finding and teaching, and this week is turning out to be great also. Just yesterday Rainey and I set a baptismal date for one of our investigators, with the Lord all things are possible. We have had investigators coming to church, we have been having incredible lessons with them, in which the Spirit has been overwhelming. The Lord is blessing us in a way I thought was only possible to be read about in Preach My Gospel, or copies of the Ensign. The other day we had a lesson with a Jamaican woman, who stopped the lesson and interupted and told us how she thought we were here for a reason. She said she had been looking for a church in which she could feel the Spirit, she had been searching. It literally seemed as if I was witnessing a portion of Preach My Gospel taking place. This woman truly had been prepared by God. We were led by the Lord to her. What's more is this was a neighborhood where we had received a referral , who was not interested. We decided to tract in the area and found this woman, Rosali. We set up a return appointment, and look at what took place. The spirit was so strong after she told us of her search and us being there for a reason. I know she recognized us as servants of Jesus Christ. I bore my testimony in tears, and I don't recall ever crying during the first vision, but I did this time. This was such a powerful experience, Rainey and I could not believe what we had just witnessed after. The work is really moving along. It's all in answer to our prayers: The Lord is with us, and blessing, and ministering to us daily. It's incredible the turn around that is taking place in this area. I firmly believe that it has everything to do with the Lord answering our special fast at the beginning of the transfer, and the Lord rewarding us for hard work, obedience, and faith. I wish you could feel and witness this for yourself. What is happening is one of those missionary stories that you hear the apostles talk about at conference, or those rare stories you read about in the Ensign that really inspire you and build your faith and testimony. It truly is the work of God taking place. I know this because I know that what is happening is something that is impossible for me or my comp to do. It is completely and entirely on the Lord. He truly is my savior, my redeemer, my rock, my salvation, my shephard, my friend. I don't know where I would be without him. Everyday he walks the streets of Evanston beside me, he goes before my face and testifies to the people I meet. He carries me when I am scorned by atheists and non-believers. His countanence and aid are with me. He is with me everyday. I feel like I walk I hallowed ground everyday, because he is here. This is the blessing of being a missionary. His name is over my heart and his footsteps beside me. I can bear solemn and humble testimony of his divinity and reality. In Jesus Christ's sacred and holy name, Amen.
Elder Adams
So yeah the sushi thing was a while ago sorry I forgot to tell you about it. I was going to sit down and order things for us, and then Khobby (pronounced Hobbie) said he'll just bring stuff out. I had to show my comp how to use chopsticks, he'd never used them before. He looked ridiculous for a while (Head turned upside down, hand all twisted, half the time he would murder the piece of sushi on the plate trying to pick it up). Anyway this place is high class. Most of the rolls are 15 to 18 dollars. They come out looking like art. He just kept bringing them out, all different ones. It was really good, and fresh too. I had a lobster one, a freshwater eel one. They were all so good. Probably my favorite one was this freshwater eel one with mango in it. It had a really good sweet taste to it. A lot of them also had thes tiny little red fish eggs on top. They looked really cool like fancy beads and they were good too!! He brought out about 8 Different rolls. Then he brought out the most amazing desert ever for us to share. It was mango ice cream with this rice floor crust on the outside of it. It was amazing. My comp officially loves sushi, his first time trying it. We haven't been back again yet, but we pretty much have an open invitation there. This meal he fed us was well over a hundred dollars, he wouldn't even let us leave a couple dollars as tip. > As far as snow goes, we haven't had any yet, and that is just fine with me. Sounds like you guys have had some snow. The Gps is way cool, I am a high tech missionary now. We always say the Standard of Truth at the beginning of district meeting it starts out "The standard of truth has been erected, no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing..." I'd like to add to that now, "Or a thousand unexpected one way streets or dead ends." Yeah this thing owns the city driving business. Thank you so much. So it's time for Timberline again, it seems like you and Spencer just got home. That would be tight if I could do it with you. I've been thinking how cool it would be if I could get back into scouts when I get back home. I love camping and scouts. I love my mission dad, this is the greatest decision that I have every made. I never really appreciated what you and mom did for me. You really did sacrifice for me and love me. Even though I didn't always want to serve a mission, I realize now that the Lord was preparing me to do this great work through you and mom. I'm so greatful for all that you have done for me, and are doing. I really appreciate you. The mission is going by so fast, The greatest descision in my life, I could stay out here forever. I love you and the Fam. Press onward.
Love Your eldest son
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
November 5, 2008
Hey bud. Yeah last night at about 10:00 when I was running stairs we heard yelling outside, down on the street, people yelling "Obama, Obama" We weren't allowed to go to the acceptance ceremony in Grant Park. Today is more insane though, all of the Chicago Times are sold out at all of the stands, I want to get one even though I can't read it on my mission and send it home. Every stand is sold out. People have shirts and buttions and are reading the papers all over. I want to get some stuff. It sounds llike life for you is going good. Hang in there bro. I love you and I love hearing your testimony, for me at least, You'd make a great companion. We'd be like Alma and Amulek.Love ya tons.
I sent Zach a letter yesterday, I guessed he was going to peru. That's way cool though,but it's a ways away. So I did get my ballot saturday and I voted and sent it away. It just had to be postmarked the day before the election so I was ok. My candidate won. I got your package but I was waiting till closer to my birthday to open it so I just opened it last night and saw what I was supposed to do. I caught up, and opened 006 today. That's a clever idea, you always know how to make something interesting. I can't wear the polo though so I'll send it home. I still have to be in proselyting attire for p-day. The only time I can change is for workout, or service, and I don't want to use that shirt for those. Either Josh can have it and wear it, or you can return it and put the money in my account or get something I can use. I appreciate it though, it's nice, I just can't use it, and it will just sit in my suitcase for the next year and a half. Today I'm at the apple store doing email again, because our libraries internet is shut down. We're downtown, none of the stands have a Chicago times, I want one to send home since I can't read it....I'm going out to lunch someplace nice with Elder Purdie my trainer, my comp, and his comp. Bill Murray is taking us. He's arranged and set everything up, so it should be exciting. Wicked was awesome last week, I'm not a big musical fan but this was incredible. The effects were awesome, and those witches can wail. I love you tons mom. That salt thing is really cool. The work is starting to move forward. We've been blessed with some great investigators. We had one freshmen from Northwestern at Church this week, he's 18. I think how much this gospel will change his life. I think about myself at about that stage, and my conversion and how it has changed my life. It's unreal to think I'll be 20, I look back on my life, and I feel I lost a chunk of my teenage years with my family, with all the trials I faced. I'm not going to be a teenager anymore, it's time for me to become a man. This is a huge change. Thanks for the birthday stuff. I love you mom. This church is true, and I am doing the greatest work known to man. It's incredible. I have a divine calling, and the lord trusts me with his holy priesthood. Keep me in your prayers as I do the same. With love from the City
Elder Adams
I sent Zach a letter yesterday, I guessed he was going to peru. That's way cool though,but it's a ways away. So I did get my ballot saturday and I voted and sent it away. It just had to be postmarked the day before the election so I was ok. My candidate won. I got your package but I was waiting till closer to my birthday to open it so I just opened it last night and saw what I was supposed to do. I caught up, and opened 006 today. That's a clever idea, you always know how to make something interesting. I can't wear the polo though so I'll send it home. I still have to be in proselyting attire for p-day. The only time I can change is for workout, or service, and I don't want to use that shirt for those. Either Josh can have it and wear it, or you can return it and put the money in my account or get something I can use. I appreciate it though, it's nice, I just can't use it, and it will just sit in my suitcase for the next year and a half. Today I'm at the apple store doing email again, because our libraries internet is shut down. We're downtown, none of the stands have a Chicago times, I want one to send home since I can't read it....I'm going out to lunch someplace nice with Elder Purdie my trainer, my comp, and his comp. Bill Murray is taking us. He's arranged and set everything up, so it should be exciting. Wicked was awesome last week, I'm not a big musical fan but this was incredible. The effects were awesome, and those witches can wail. I love you tons mom. That salt thing is really cool. The work is starting to move forward. We've been blessed with some great investigators. We had one freshmen from Northwestern at Church this week, he's 18. I think how much this gospel will change his life. I think about myself at about that stage, and my conversion and how it has changed my life. It's unreal to think I'll be 20, I look back on my life, and I feel I lost a chunk of my teenage years with my family, with all the trials I faced. I'm not going to be a teenager anymore, it's time for me to become a man. This is a huge change. Thanks for the birthday stuff. I love you mom. This church is true, and I am doing the greatest work known to man. It's incredible. I have a divine calling, and the lord trusts me with his holy priesthood. Keep me in your prayers as I do the same. With love from the City
Elder Adams
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