July 22, 2009

Ok Dad, Father, Pops, I want you to read Alma 37,38,39. This is advice that Alma the younger, who is the prophet at this time, is giving to his sons. Each chapter is adressed to a different son. Also in Ch. 41:9-11 and vs.14. You could really almost read from Ch. 37-42. There are a lot of points of advice or warnings that he gives. There are a lot of verses that begin "and now my son." Read these and see what council and advice Alma gives to his sons. I've picked out some things so far that I really like, but you pick some things out. Then what I want you to do is to write me what your advice to me would be if you were in Alma's situation. Give me your life's council and advice, what you would want me to do, or to be aware of, or to become. Think about it, and especially pray about it. I want to know what your advice to me would be for life. I'm serious, read and pray about these things and I will look forward to hearing from you. I love you. The scriptures, The standard works of the Church, are the word of God. I love them. I know that we hold the Priesthood of God. It's a priviledge that has been deligated to us. This Church is where the keys and the authority reside. I know that the scriptures are true and that these things are true, by the Spirit, by the power of the Holy Ghost. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Love Elder Adams

The apartment cleaning went great. We did it all! We listed to some conference talks while we cleaned.
Aren't you just a little hiker! As far as you getting a car, I don't approve, you don't turn 16 for over a year. I want to hear about this tournament though. I told you about the baptism, his mom doesn't want him meeting with us anymore. We are teaching a family from Liberia, Africa though, and the kids want to get baptized. I love you bro. I love when you share your testimony with me. Sometimes I think about you sharing your testimony when I share the first vision with people or when I bear my own testimony. I thought about it Yesterday as we were teaching a couple that is visiting from Jamaica. I love the Jamaican and Carrribean people. Anyway, thanks for writing bro. I love you tons.

Sincerely Elder Adams,

P.S. Here's a scripture for you, it's sort of like advice. Alma 37:2, I thought of you when I read it.

That's awesome mom, Thank you so much! I will keep a look out for the backpack and the shirts. I officially love the Jamaican and Carribean people. They are such a great culture.
The biggest problem we are facing in preparing people for baptism, is getting them to come to church. Usually investigators will commit, we line up rides, we call the night before and verify, and then when it comes to the investigator following through; something always happens. I'd also really like to see our member present lessons increase. The problem is that a lot of our lessons have been falling through lately. People seem so willing to meet with us, but they are either insincere, or they forget. Elder Gardner and I have essentially resorted to having appointment interviews with the people we meet, asking them if this is something they will be interested in, essentially finding out if they are for real. We are continuing to meet with the family from Liberia, with a member from our ward who is also from Liberia. Brother Yancuba has really taken to the teaching and testifying of this family. The Fahnbulleh family (this family from Liberia) struggles with commitments, but most of the kids are very bright and are catching on to who Joseph Smith is. Most importantly they love to pray. Especially this little 9 year old boy named Poppi. Everytime we ask who wants to pray he always wants to say it. We can't get the mom or the older sister, Wiatta, who is 17 to say a closing prayer. Poppi loves to pray though! This family looks to be our most prospective for baptism right now, although we have found some other great investigators.Elder Gardner and I are doing great. One night when we got home last week he said some really nice things about me. He commented how he thought that if I get transferred that he thought the area would collapse. He also sees me as a great teacher. He basically made it sound like things wouldn't be the same. I really feel that he looks up to me, even though at times I would have thought otherwise. It really made me feel good hearing some of the things that he had to say to me the other night. At dinner last night with some members, he said that I've basically been his trainer for teaching the lessons, since in his first area he taught 3 lessons the whole transfer. He's a good companion and he wants to work hard.

I witnessed an answered prayer. Sometimes the people in downtown Evanston can be rough, ignorant, and reject you. Lately I've been praying to have a greater love and sincerity and conviction in my heart for the people. I've been praying to feel this greater love and concern for the people. The other day as we were downtown contacting people I felt that. It was an overwhelming joy. I couldn't help but smile. That morning all of our appointments had fallen through, and even though people told me "no", I couldn't help but smile. I loved them and saw them as if they were my own family members. I just felt good, and that's the best way that I can describe it. God had answered my prayer to feel a deeper love for the people. This was just an almost overwhelming happiness yesterday, being able to talk to the people in downtown. True happiness lies in serving and showing love to other people. Serving a mission is like being hooked up to an I.V. full of this. This is what causes such joy and happiness. Think of it like spiritual morphine for the soul. I just want you to picture someone that you've spent a few minutes speaking with, sharing the gospel. Feeling so good as you talk to them, and then as they turn away and begin to walk away they look back and tell you, "The message doesn't speak to me, but if it works for you.." Picture this as they walk away. This message does work for me, but not just for me for all of God's Children. Those are the faces that you have to see as a missionary. The message I share just feels so right. These people need this, I know it, but some of them turn away. They still enjoy talking to you, but they continue on their way. One day they will hear it in full, and except it. Maybe then they will see me, and recognize me for who I am trying to become. If they except then we will have joy, and kneel at the Saviors feet. I bear you this witness in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Why did you have to go the doctors. Did you get the same backpack or did you try to get another one like the one that I described to you?
I've gotta go grocery shopping really quick, and then when I get back I can check the email. let me know the name of the back pack that you got. maybe send me a picture of it from a website or something. I just can't go to the website. I love you and hopefully I can check back briefly. You are the MOM!!
So would there be anyway if I don't like this one that you got that I could get the money for the broken one and use it to go towards one that I like?