April 1, 2009

I can't believe you don't like the Spandex!! I love them on a bike. Sounds like you had a great experience. I have a new comp though, aske mom about him. He loves snowboarding. Here's your scriptures for the week. ALma 16-16-17, 3NEphi 21:29 and DC 49:27 also there is a sweet call to battle in Jeremiah 46. Also pay close attention to the last 2 verses in this chapter. I love you bro. Go forth and serve. Sorry I have short time to write this week because we had transfers today,and I got my new companion.

YOU are a great bro. I'm glad that you look up to me, and that my choices didn't cause you to look down on me, and that you are doing well. I love you. This means a lot to me that you look up to me.

Love ya,
Elder Adams

I'm still in Evanston and I have a new companion.
Ok so my new companion is Elder Stanger. He's from West Haven, Utah. He graduated in '08, so he's Josh's age. He's only been out on his mission for 6 weeks, so he's really new. I'm excited about this because it's almost like having Josh out here with me. I want to help him learn all he can and how to do things right, because I hope that is how Josh is received. One of the women in the ward, her father is the Mission President of the mission Josh is going to!!!! I talked to her a bit, and she said it's not your typical european mission. They have been busy and had baptsims lately. So Elder Brown is thinking about going home, and President wants him to try this new area and being on a bike for two weeks or so, and then decide. President had been thinking about sending him home also. I've been on the phone every night this past week basically since Wednesday with President Stoddard. Last Wednesday My comp had another snapping moment when we were downtown in Chicago. Only this time we were on our bikes!!! Yeah, it was a little intense. He wouldn't listen to me, and things got a little crazy. Finally I got him to stop and I called President. We ended up having to do a long bike ride back to our area, because they wouldn't let you take bikes on the L-train during rush hour. It was intense, quite a test of my patience. That's what started the calls with President, and every night I had to update him. Elder Brown had some pretty depressing days. Especially yesterday when he found out he was being transfered and this morning also. Yesterday he thanked me though for putting up with him, and then as we got in the car yesterday, he started to cry and with tear filled eyes he told me "I don't care what anyone says, you're a good guy Elder Adams." It really meant a lot to me. Elder Brown and I have been through a lot. It was here that he thought that going home was the right thing to do. We'll see how things pan out. Today after transfers I informed his new companion, as president instructed, about Elder Brown and his medication and condition etc.
Friday we went to Giordano's to celebrat his birthday. I gave Deep Dish pizza another chance, and it was awesome!!! Oh it was good. Giordano's is the place, I know dad and Spencer would love it. So I'm now with Elder Stanger. I'm excited about this It's going to be great, an almost fresh out of the MTC missionary. We've just gotten back and dumped all of his stuff off and sat down to some email time.

I did get the puzzles, and the Church one is Great!!!! As for the Shoe laces I alread bought some. Yeah I wouldn't get 6 short sleeve shirts. I don't think the Costco one is a no-iron, and I think it's bigger isn't it. Or if it isn't I don't think that it's the tailored fit. If I get a needle I can blow the ball up with this bike pump that I bought out here. I can't believe that Zach went through the entire MTC without once writing me!! I think I'll write him here soon. The Temple experience sounds like mine. I can't believe Josh doesn't like the spandex bottoms. That's all I wear. I love them. Wait till he gets on a bike!!!! Although I guess that there are other missionaries out here who just have the cottons. I've never done sealings that's really neat. As for Bill coming in October, I think that he might be staying with Elder Purdie, because he'll be home then, but I don't know. I'll talk to Bill about it though.
Josh should really go to his last conference with dad and spencer before his mission.It's amazing how we think about the blessings we receive. I still don't know what I did to deserve to be able to serve a mission. I think it is such a tender mercy of the Lord. I still think it's incredible that I'm a missionary, who would have thought. This deffinately wasn't part of my plans, but the Lord had a plan for me. I'm here, and I think it's such blessing. I still feel like I just came out of the MTC. I love this work and being a missionary. Wow, I'm a missionary, I wouldn't trade this for the world. If Real Salt Lake asked me to come home now and play for them, I couldn't do it. It's such a blessing to be out here. To feel the spirit, and to have the Lord guide you. You're right mom, serving a mission is a Pearl of Great Price. I would do anything, sell all to have this. And to think I was selfish enough to not have this in my plans. Now look where I am, I'm here in the service of the Lord. This is the greatest decision I've ever made. Thank you for your testimony. Enjoy conference this week, and I will look for you next week.

With love to all,
Elder Adams

I did go to the doctors about two weeks ago for that dog bite, and they looked at it a sent me away. I spent an hour waiting in that office though, and I still had to pay a $10 co-pay!!! I also want to get some more of that blue gel, or I might just buy some different stuff out here.

One more item. I want you to look at Enos 1. This shows (at the beginning when enos remembers his fathers words and then prays) that children hear their parents. I realize that all along you were doing good for me. That eventually I too dropped to my knees in prayer and pleaded with the Lord. You've taught me a lot mom and dad. I see now more and more of what you taught me coming out. I was being prepared for a mission by the Lord, by my trials, and by you and dad all along. There were certain things I had to go through, they all were for my good. You were great parents. You've done so much for me.

I love you, Your son, Elder Adams

Thank you bud. You're doing great. I am too. I'm sorry I don't have much time to write you specifically, but I wrote a bunch of stuff about what is going on to mom. I have a new companion. He loves snowboarding, and cars.
Love ya reef. Oh I taught my last companion that and dofer

The lessons you taught me, the things you told me. You were always trying to help me. I love you mom and dad. You truly were trying to instill in me gospel principles. Mom you are like one of the mothers of the Stripling warriors. Eddie said that it's like you are out here on my mission with me with these puzzles. A part of you is out here. I love you so much. A part of you is not just out here on my mission, a part of you will be with me the rest of my life. You are a good woman, and daughter of our father in heaven. I love you mom.

Elder Adams