May 27, 2009

Thanks Dad, that is some great advice. I will try to apply it. I've just been trying to pray for him, love him, and serve him. I've been trying to allow him to decide some things also as to what we do. He's opening up a little more. I really appreciate the tips though. I love you tons dad.

Elder Adams

HI mom, I'm online. So I never heard how the 2nd mtc experience was for you. How has the first week with two missionaries out been?
For the 1 year anniversary we went down to North Beach and played football in the sand. It was a nice day and the sand was hot. After we went to Blackies for something to eat. It was ok, but way overpriced. We are now teaching another young Hatian guy, and he has a baptismal date. This guy is a friend of Ricardos he's really cool.
My first week on the bike I forgot to tell you another small detail that occurred. I ran a red light by Northwestern University and a policeman pulled up next to me on his motorcycle, and he wrote me a ticket. Who would have thought that you could get a ticket on your bike. That first week on the bike was full of all sorts of experiences. I called president stoddard and he has had the mission office pay it. So now he just needs you to write a check out to the mission office. The ticket is for $75 dollars. Let's just say that I'm a lot more careful now seeing as the law doesn't exactly love us missionaries. This week the police stopped me on Monday for the 10th time since I've been in this area. They didn't check my ID though, and they quickly recognized as we explained to them that we weren't doing anything wrong. So 10 times the police have been out on me, you'd think I was a juvenile delinquint.
As far as biking goes, I want you to see where we biked from yesterday. We went from Ridge and Emerson in Evanston up to Harbor and Greenbay in Glencoe. Then we biked down to Main and Chicago Ave. in Evanston. Yesterday it was also raining, so the jacket got a good test run. My pants and but were soaked for our appointments that night, but my top was dry. You feel like some kind of intense triathelete biking in the rain alongside cars as your pants get soaked and stick to your legs. It's intense.
Yesterday one of the Assistants to President thanked me for working with Elder Johnson. Saturday with Elder Johnson was rough. It was a finding day, so lots tracting and contacting, with zero appointments. He was not thrilled, and he was really dragging his feet and didn't really want to talk to people. I think I'm beginning to break down some barriers between us (I made him some waffles on Sunday). He just doesn't seem to care, he won't kneel with me to pray ever, he doesn't want to wear a tie for study. I have not addressed the tie or the kneeling to him, I try to pick my battles. He has tension toward me. It's almost like we just coexist together. Last week he was not happy with me when I told him we needed to wear shirts and ties to go to the beach and play football, and change there. Then after we play we need to change back. He did not like this idea. I'm glad I did it though because I was able to have a great conversation with a lady on the train, and I would have looked ridiculous as a missionary in gym shorts and a t-shirt trying to share the gospel. I just keep doing my best, and talking to people. Something that has really helped me was I read Hebrews 12:1, I then kept running this over and over in my head. I push on. Some missionaries just don't get it, they think we are in high school, or that we can let slide certain things. I know my purpose, and I made a promise to the Lord to serve. That's what I am out here to do. On Saturday when we were out tracting we met a man that was challenging what we were saying. This has happened before. However then the man questioned my testimony, and whether or not I had really felt the spirit. This is when he crossed the line. I bore my testimony to him right there on the sidewalk, that I had indeed felt the spirit so powerfully, and that one day I hope to feel it that strong. I told him that if he did not heed our message he would never know of truth. I felt the spirit and my own love and emotions for my testimony well up. This was the most powerful testimony I have ever born to someone on the street. Immediately after the man was silenced, and he solemnley shook my hand and left. I wrote about this in my journal, but a lot of feelings came over me then. The Spirit and the power of testimony have the power to confound those who aggress us. I know what I know and I will tell people that. I love you all and pray for you each day.

With love and Concern
Elder Adams

P.S. -I'm sending the rain jacket today, and possibly some pictures.

This work is so important, this is God's work that I am entrenched in. What a priviledge. The law of sacrifice is a beautiful thing, it brings us closer to our Father in Heaven. The more trial we go through, the more pain, and retribution we endure, the greater we then feel the love of the Savior. Because for a small moment we can then get a tiny glimpse of what it was he went through for us on the mount of olives. He's been through it all, and so he knows my place. Greater love hath no man than this.
Awesome. Thanks for keeping me posted about how tryouts are going. So how do like being the only one at home. I bet Jack is pretty lonely too, make sure you play with him outside too. I appreciate your encouragement and your support, especially from a little brother. It means a lot, because sometimes it does feel like I stand alone on a little hill. It's nice to know that several hundred miles away I have my own cheering squad. It's times like these, that just as you said, I pray for help. I love you Bro. Have a great rest of the School year.

Love Elder Adams
jacob 3:1, Jacob 4:10 , give these to JoshThen for dad: Jacob 6:12-I thought he would enjoy this.I wrote you before I had read your advice. What you wrote really speaks to me. Thanks for the advice. I know that trials work for our good. As I think about the dark times, the trying times I faced in my youth throughout high school, and what's more when I turned my back on the Lord. All the things I faced and I wondered why me, why do I have to go through all of this. Then I see that more and more they were necessary. The Lord was preparing me. Let this be one more pass through the fiery furnaces of trial. One more clash against the anvil of the refiner. Let this make me the polished shaft in the quiver of the Lord. As time goes on the Lord turns over the tapestry of my life that I thought was unorganized, and I see the beautiful work that he has done. This too shall work for my good. I am Called of God, I am a Missionary for the Lord Jesus Christ, an ambassador of his kingdom, a laborer in his vineyard, a messenger of truth, a soldier of battle, a Priesthood holder, a Child of God, a son, a brother. In the Name of Jesus Christ amen.
My companion just shut off the computer, has been furious at me. He just took the keys to the apartment and left. WE had an argument here in the cafe area. I don't know what is going to happen next. I tried to talk things out. I don't know what he's going to do next.
Well I have to go back up to the apartment to see what my companion is doing. Thanks, I've tried to express how I feel, I tried to send a big email to you, but it didn't send and so I lost it. I tried to rewrite and communicate some of the ideas I had, but the argument with the companion has made things difficult to write it how it was the first time. It's frustrating. Love you, pray for me.