Hey how's it going??
The car situation sounds like a project. As for school, just have faith. Here's a scripture for you that is important to me 2Nephi 32:9. As missionaries we pray all the time, before we leave the apartment everyday, and every time we come back for meals and leave again we pray. Prayer is important. Pray always! Don't do anything until you have prayed. You can say a prayer before a test, before you start your homework, that you will be able to have a clear mind to be able to work. Then the performance that you give will be consecrated. God has the power to make us what we are not, to be able to go beyond our mortal abilities. You pray and he can make miracles happen for you. I know this to be true, I have such a testimony of prayer. I've seen the power of it out here on my mission. It really works. Heavenly Father is not just concerned with big things like parting the red sea for Moses. He is a personal God, and he cares about even the small details of our life and he will hear our pleas about them. This is my testimony, that Jesus is the Christ, and that he died for all of us. He did this willingly. I love this gospel, it is the fullness. Joseph Smith is the prophet through which it was restored. Every prophet since Joseph Smith has also been a Prophet of God. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
I love you little bro...
Elder Adams
I can't believe Spencer didn't tell me that he finished the Book of Mormon. That's the first thing I want to hear about, not a car or school...THE BOOK OF MORMON. Way to go. That is incredible. I remember the day that I finished it for the first time. I was much older than Spencer though. That is such and important part of this gospel, reading the BOM. Congratulations!!!!! Now keep reading everyday.
This card from Grandma that you speak of, is this the one with the $50 gift card in it? If it is, then yes I did get it. Before I forget, this transfer is one week shorter, so transfers are two weeks from today.
The story about Jack in the water reminds me...Here in Byron it seems like everyone has a Jack Russel. I hadn't seen one forever, but then about our second day here I saw quite a few. One of the members has one, and their neighbors have about three. One of them is even named Jack. She has a swimming pool with steps that lead up to it and she can can them and snap her fingers and direct them and they will come running and jump in the pool and swim around and hit this basketball with their noses. One of the dogs won't get in though. Then when they have swam for a while they climb back out on the ladder. It's quite a show.
On this older couple had us over for Chinese food. She said she was making it, so I didn't know how it would turn out. It was exactly like at a restaurant, I couldn't believe it. She said that she started preparing the day before at 12:00 cutting up all of the vegetables. She is quite the cook. There were probably about 10 different dishes that she made, all spread out on the table. It was incredible, because you could have just a taste of a lot of different dishes. She is a professional, but she's not even Chinese. It had been so long since I'd had Chinese food also. I wish you could have seen this woman's creations, her hands have been blessed by God, and not just because she fed to servants of the Lord.
I held my first district meeting with this new district this week. Everything went great, it was really exciting having a bigger group to work with. I have to do some exchanges this week and next with the different companionships. That's where we trade companions for 24 hours and work with someone else. I may go to their area or have one of them come here to Byron with me, I haven't decided yet.
Yeah, a few people here are willing to talk to us, but a lot of these people are older country folk, very set in their ways. They will tell it straight to your face. We've done some tracting in a trailer park lately and this is a whole new world!!! First time I've done that. We had one trailer, where voices from inside started shouting at us "We worship Satan", as we approached. A lot of people really want to try to tear you down right there on the doorstep, and everything that you believe in. They even go as far as to make a mocker of sacred things, and mock what we believe in. We had this happen the other night. My companion and I just continued to remain calm, and we bore testimony several times before we finally left. It's a different world out here in the corn fields with these small towns. There are so many churches around, and a lot of the people have gone to them their whole lives or they have no interest in God at all. Nevertheless we have met some great people. God has prepared some elect here for us to talk to and to teach, we just have to keep searching. Yesterday we knocked doors for about 3 and a half hours straight, but we were able to set up an appointment with one man and we taught another man on his porch and had a prayer with him.
My talk went great. I finished it just before I went to sit on the stand before church. While on the stand I read through it for the first time. I had prayed the day before and that morning to have my tongue loosed and to be able to say what I needed to say. I was given the choice to speak on whatever I wanted to. I chose to speak on time. The branch members loved it. I received so many compliments, everybody was coming up to me and shaking my hand and talking about it. They were saying things like "It made me think about some things""Thank you for following the spirit" "I needed it" "Insightful, spiritual, and complete." We went to give the sacrament to and older lady on Monday who is unable to come to Church because she has oxygen, she said that she had heard that I'd given a great talk. Apparently word travels. She said that a few members that had come to visit her had told her about it. I really did feel good about it. It flowed well. Of course though when I got to the part in my talk where I spoke of the Atonement and the Savior, I started to cry. When I talked about my mission and how much it means to me, I cried. It went well though. The lady on oxygen, her name is Sister Zuniga, said that I'd made quite and impression. This is a good thing, it means that I've hopefully started to gain the trust of the members. This will hopefully help to push the work forward here. I am to remain humble in this though. I just thanked them for their comments. The Lord really helped me, and I feel his message was delivered. It had been something that had been on my mind for some time, so that is what I spoke on. The spirit can often press upon and occupy our minds, as it says in Doctrine and Covenants, so I think this was the spirit guiding me. Anyway I hope that everything is going well with school and that you are not getting too stressed out. I shared a few words of advice with Spencer, maybe you can read the same scripture and think about it. I really do love you mom, you do so much for me, and you're a great example. I often times have thought what you would have me do in certain situations, whether it's dishes piling up or a decision I need to make. I love you so much.
With love from here to the moon and back,
Elder Adams
P.S.-I didn't get the email with the pictures on it of the backpacks.
Hi where is this email that has the pictures on it. I'm at the library right now, you'll have to hurry we are about to leave. Stay on for a few minutes and we can quickly email back and forth.
I haven't heard from dad in a while. Dad I gave you an assignment a few weeks ago, how is it coming? I haven't heard back about it.
Oh, and did you and dad ever climb kings peak after you did timp? I want to hear about it. We have some hills here that we can get going fast on our bikes on. They make for good running also!
I'm not seeing the attached pictures. I've got to get going though.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
August 19, 2009
That sounds like quite the time you had. So what kind of car did you get? I'd like a description. I can't believe you think that Timberline is better. All of the high adventure activities Trump timberline. Survival night is my favorite. Did you guys get to build e-wok huts? I hope your summer is going great. How has the weather been for you guys. Here the humidity has actually picked up a bit. So you have a 15th birthday coming up, this I can't believe. I want to get you something, but I don't know what to get you. Much less there's not much I could buy you out here in the corn fields. Let me know if there's anything and maybe I can track it down. There is this small athletic store I thought about checking out. Anyway, time flies, but I love you so much little bro. You really are a great kid. I just want you to keep helping mom and dad out. Make the best choices you can each day. Have you finished the BOM yet, I'm about finish 3 Nephi. I love you and your testimony is exactly what this world needs to hear and know. I'll stand by yours anyday.
Love Elder Adams,
P.S.- Have you talked to Aaron lately, I wrote him a letter a long time ago and haven't gotten anything back. I wrote one to his mom to. See if you can do some investigating and have them write me.
I would love some more things for district meetings. Those are great thoughts to share with the members of our district. We have four companionships of Elders and one companionship of sisters (10 of us all together). We've had combined district meeting and Zone conference this past 2 weeks so this monday I will hold my first district meeting for this big district. I hope it goes well, and that I can gain the trust and respect of the district.
There are so many people here selling corn out of the beds of trucks with papers signs on the side. The other day we were out knocking doors and we met a lady out in her garden picking vegetables. We started to talk to her and ended up teaching her and gave her a Book of Mormon at the end. We prayed with her right there in her garden and then she gave us two tomatoes, two ears of corn, and two bellpeppers. She was really nice.
This companion of mine is quite the chef. I have always been the professional cook in the companionship, but he's really pulling out some fancy stuff. Yesterday he made this chicken salad that looked like it came off the cover of a restaurant magazine. He had mixed lettuce, chicken, raspberry vinagrette, fetta, apples, grapes and then he toasted some mixed nuts (walnuts,peanuts, etc) in tinfoil with brown sugar and syrup in the oven. We took a picture of it because it looked amazing. This companion also has a girlfriend. He gets mail very regularly from her. Deffinately a distraction. Now Josh is worrying about if she's getting his letters. I'm glad I don't have to worry about all of that.
The work is moving forward. One of our new investigator is progressing now! He read the assigned chapter out of the Book of Mormon, and he prayed. This week I speak in Sacrament, I'll let you know how everything goes. The Humidity has started to pick up a little here. How's the weather for you?
The other day when were out tracting I wore my black slip on ecco's. I don't think I can wear those tracting anymore. They might have to become my "wear only to meetings, and then change shoes." I think they have just become so loose and stretched that they have no support now. My foot just moves around in them all over, so my tendons along my shins and ankles hurt. The brown lace up shoes work like a genious though. This is what I feared would happen when I bought those slip on ones. Anyway we push on.
Well, can you believe that...Summer's over for you now and it's back to school. That went by so fast. It seems like just the other day you were telling me about the plans that you had for the summer, and that school was out. I can't believe school is starting. Time goes by so fast it's ridiculous, it's like train robbery. It honestly terrifies me, it almost makes you sick how fast it goes by. I just think, no I know this is the greatest decision I've ever made. I love being a missionary. Every morning I get up and put on my shirt and tie and slip on that name tag: I'm a missionary. Just to walk through a neighborhood bearing the Lord's name. I don't even care if it's hot or how long we've been doing it. The other day, a man insulted us, wanted us to argue with him, criticized us for our beliefs. We just tried to be kind and then told him to have a good day. I tried to shake his hand, and he withdrew from me like I had some kind of disease. We've had people swear at us, tell us to get out of their businesses, threaten to unleash their pitbulls on us. The opposition has deffinately been there. I love this work though. This is where I'm supposed to be. To serve each day, what more could you ask for.
I love you all, especially you mom and dad. Know that this is God's work and No unhallowed hand can stop it from progressing. Jesus is the Christ and it is his hand that watches over us.
Love Elder Adams,
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Good luck at school work hard and be patient. Tell spencer to focus and do the same. He will be blessed. Have a great year. This is freshman year this is the first year of high school, this is when it all starts to count.
Love Elder Adams,
P.S.- Have you talked to Aaron lately, I wrote him a letter a long time ago and haven't gotten anything back. I wrote one to his mom to. See if you can do some investigating and have them write me.
I would love some more things for district meetings. Those are great thoughts to share with the members of our district. We have four companionships of Elders and one companionship of sisters (10 of us all together). We've had combined district meeting and Zone conference this past 2 weeks so this monday I will hold my first district meeting for this big district. I hope it goes well, and that I can gain the trust and respect of the district.
There are so many people here selling corn out of the beds of trucks with papers signs on the side. The other day we were out knocking doors and we met a lady out in her garden picking vegetables. We started to talk to her and ended up teaching her and gave her a Book of Mormon at the end. We prayed with her right there in her garden and then she gave us two tomatoes, two ears of corn, and two bellpeppers. She was really nice.
This companion of mine is quite the chef. I have always been the professional cook in the companionship, but he's really pulling out some fancy stuff. Yesterday he made this chicken salad that looked like it came off the cover of a restaurant magazine. He had mixed lettuce, chicken, raspberry vinagrette, fetta, apples, grapes and then he toasted some mixed nuts (walnuts,peanuts, etc) in tinfoil with brown sugar and syrup in the oven. We took a picture of it because it looked amazing. This companion also has a girlfriend. He gets mail very regularly from her. Deffinately a distraction. Now Josh is worrying about if she's getting his letters. I'm glad I don't have to worry about all of that.
The work is moving forward. One of our new investigator is progressing now! He read the assigned chapter out of the Book of Mormon, and he prayed. This week I speak in Sacrament, I'll let you know how everything goes. The Humidity has started to pick up a little here. How's the weather for you?
The other day when were out tracting I wore my black slip on ecco's. I don't think I can wear those tracting anymore. They might have to become my "wear only to meetings, and then change shoes." I think they have just become so loose and stretched that they have no support now. My foot just moves around in them all over, so my tendons along my shins and ankles hurt. The brown lace up shoes work like a genious though. This is what I feared would happen when I bought those slip on ones. Anyway we push on.
Well, can you believe that...Summer's over for you now and it's back to school. That went by so fast. It seems like just the other day you were telling me about the plans that you had for the summer, and that school was out. I can't believe school is starting. Time goes by so fast it's ridiculous, it's like train robbery. It honestly terrifies me, it almost makes you sick how fast it goes by. I just think, no I know this is the greatest decision I've ever made. I love being a missionary. Every morning I get up and put on my shirt and tie and slip on that name tag: I'm a missionary. Just to walk through a neighborhood bearing the Lord's name. I don't even care if it's hot or how long we've been doing it. The other day, a man insulted us, wanted us to argue with him, criticized us for our beliefs. We just tried to be kind and then told him to have a good day. I tried to shake his hand, and he withdrew from me like I had some kind of disease. We've had people swear at us, tell us to get out of their businesses, threaten to unleash their pitbulls on us. The opposition has deffinately been there. I love this work though. This is where I'm supposed to be. To serve each day, what more could you ask for.
I love you all, especially you mom and dad. Know that this is God's work and No unhallowed hand can stop it from progressing. Jesus is the Christ and it is his hand that watches over us.
Love Elder Adams,
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Good luck at school work hard and be patient. Tell spencer to focus and do the same. He will be blessed. Have a great year. This is freshman year this is the first year of high school, this is when it all starts to count.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
August 12, 2009
HEy I"m on, I'm at the Byron Public Library. Not a ton of time though. I can get more though I just have to ask for another slip, but hurry on.
Yes, I got the 4th of July Package. I thought I already said that. Anyway it sounds like you've all been busy, and a lot has been going on. I'm glad to hear things are going well.Well, I've been here in Byron for a week now. Things are different here than they are in the North Shore. The people are small town country folk. Some of them are a little different. There's really not much out here. In Byron there's two small grocery stores, and a small strip of businesses, with a few gas stations. We cover a few other towns that are separated by a 20-30 minute drive through corn, soybean, and wheat fields. Mostly all that you'll find in Byron and other towns is very few people and a few family diners. It's definitely a different world out here. There is one site that will catch your eye amid the fields of corn to which Byron and the surrounding area lay claim to fame. That is the two gigantic cement chemistry beaker shaped nuclear silos. They're part of a nuclear plant here in the area. They have lights around the top that you can see at night. These monstrosities are constantly billowing out a large cloud of smoke. It makes you wonder? When you see the next picture of me if I have an extra arm you'll know why.
As for our apartment, it's fairly nice. It's about 2 or 3 times the size of my last one, but no dishwasher, and the appliances are a little older. We have a lot of furniture in our living room also. The apartment is two levels. We have a full bathroom, study room, and bedroom, upstairs. Downstairs is a half-bathroom, the kitchen, and the living room. It's not too bad, right by the Rock river. We still take our bikes out to bike to the work that we have to do close by in Byron, since it's such a small town.
My companion and I go running together every morning. I've ran on country roads amid the corn, and sheep pastures with early morning fog. I've ran across the bridge over the Rock river, and along paths through golf courses. There is some great beauty and sights here that God has preserved. The air here is clean and fresh. There are even some HILLS here to run on!!!! It's been a long time since I've had that.
It's not a ward here in Byron, it's a Branch. The chapel is small, and sacrament meeting is small. They told us they like to get the missionaries involved. Sure enough, my companion was asked to give the opening prayer for sacrament, and I was asked to speak in two weeks. It was different being in a small branch. The members are extremely warm and friendly though. We are trying to get to know them all. We found out the reason the other two elders were both taken out of here. Apparently they had caught a squirrel and shot it with a bb gun, they they had skinned it, and the members had found out about this. I also get the feeling that not much work has been going on here in the area. It seems my mission Presidents are always sending me to areas where there have been problems either with the area, or in companionships. It seems like if and area is struggling or there's some problem then I end up getting transfered there. They say that this area has been tracted over before and nothing has come of it. They say the work is through the members, which is different then what I'm used to. As far as assignments go, I'm the new District Leader for the surrounding area. It's one of the largest districts, and so my phone calls to all the companionships in the other areas at night take longer. I love this work though nonetheless, and we are going to push to move the work forward. We are going to rely on the Lord and pray and work hard.
As for my companion....His name is Elder Nowell from Scottsdale, Arizona. This is his third transfer, so he's been out about 3 months, so I have another new one. I like how he wants to get up with me in the morning and go running, and he's excited that I like to do the same. We've had our disagreements but we are working through things. We definitely have the potential to be a great team.
Elder Nowell and I had a special fast together on Sunday. We fasted for the finding efforts in the area, and for unity in our companionship. The miracles and the answer to our prayers came. On Monday we had a member present lesson, 3 other lessons, and 4 new investigators. It has been incredible. The power of fasting and prayer is real. It cannot be denied. We were going to stop-by a less active member, but when we knocked on the door we found out that they had moved. The man let us in though after I had began to speak to him about the message that we share. After teaching him for a while his girlfriend showed up, and we invited her to join. This less-active member's address had been one that we had chosen to stop by the night before. The Lord answered our prayers in guiding us to right where we needed to be. Our teaching this day was also with such great unity. It went so much better. Miracles have not ceased, and we do have a Father in Heaven, who is a personal God and a God of Miracles. He is watching over us. It cannot be denied that it is the hand of God in answer to our prayers. It's almost surreal how our prayers have already began to be answered.
I've got to send this off and continue in a minute.
Love Elder Adams
We drive a 2006 Chevy Malibu, now fitly equipped with a GPS. The Gps is genious, and I am loving that little piece of technology more and more. It's been a long time since I've used it, but being whitewashed into an area....it's getting its good use.
The miracles and answered prayers have deffinately already began. The power of prayer and fasting are so real. A dedicated fast for something that we stand in need in can bring blessings. The work in this area will go forward, the Lord is going to help us accomplish miracles. We just have to now do our part and get out there and work hard. My mission is so important to me and I love it. Every minute I feel is a sacred gift from God. I treasure it. This is my new home here. I know the message I share is true. Joseph Smith and every one of his successors is a Prophet of God. They receive direct revelation from God. I am called where I am supposed to be. I don't know why I've been called here to this area, to what's been said is the most rural part of the mission. There's a reason I'm here. There is someone or some people here that I am to find and help bring to this gospel. I am with this companion for a reason. He and I are here to do a great work, we have been called of called and commissioned to labor here in Byron. That's what we will do. I know there is a purpose for me to be here. I will seek to love these people and to serve them. This the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Kingdom once again on the earth, and we are part of it. I know the Savior lives and is guiding this work. We have the tools necessary to do this work: The spirit and The word of God. We have the Book of Mormon a true and living witness of Jesus Christ ministering to the people in the Americas. I know these things to be true. In Jesus Christs name. Amen.
Humbly and prayerfully,
Elder Adams
Bro, It sounds like you are having an amazing time. Hopefully mom is sending all my detailed emails. I'm sure you've heard that I've been whitewashed into an area with a companion that has been out 3 months, and I've been called as the District Leader of one of the larger districts in the mission. They've downsized on the number of zone leaders and so likewise everything else has downsized. Which means increased number of companionships in Zones and Districts. There is not much going on in the area right now, and there are a lot of corn fields. So how is your companion. Is he obedient. What do you and your companion do for workout in the morning. Is your bedtime 10:30 also. How is the work going in your area of the vineyard. Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just wondering what's different and what's the same. We still take our bikes out here, but it's nothing like north Shore. I love you so much bro. I hope you are loving your mission as much as I am. I'll do better on getting you some scriptures, but I want to hear back from you. Some Brother to brother writing would be nice.
Love Elder Adams
Sorry I keep thinking of more to write about. There are two grocery stores here in town, the names of which I have never heard of, SNYDERS and COUNTRY MARKET. We checked out both our first day here. I was smart and didn't shop a lot at the first one we went to, country market. My companion did. He was essentially robbed. Snyder's is better, but it is still twice as expensive as the Food 4 Less that we shopped at in North Shore. I would have thought that groceries would be less expensive in the country, but no they are way more expensive. So now we shop solely at Snyder's.
Oh this one you'll all love. When you come into town there's a brown barn shaped bar or pub. On the front is a large picture of a turkey and on the building is lettering that reads "Home of the Turkey Testicle Festival." We asked the member who drove us to Byron from transfers about this, and the tradition goes that every fall crowds gather, bikers from all over congregate, and tons of turkey testicles are cooked up. This I feel can only be something that could occur in a small town with nothing but corn and nuclear plant nearby.
Yours Truly,
Elder Adams
Send pictures of backpacks, and especially of josh's.
As for things that you could include in the package from the Girls in the ward. They could send the Hottest hot sauce they could find. I wanted to get some at the store, but everything is expensive and so I had to resist. You know I also love some good fruit. I can't really think of anything else, so surprise me.
Love Elder Adams
Yes, I got the 4th of July Package. I thought I already said that. Anyway it sounds like you've all been busy, and a lot has been going on. I'm glad to hear things are going well.Well, I've been here in Byron for a week now. Things are different here than they are in the North Shore. The people are small town country folk. Some of them are a little different. There's really not much out here. In Byron there's two small grocery stores, and a small strip of businesses, with a few gas stations. We cover a few other towns that are separated by a 20-30 minute drive through corn, soybean, and wheat fields. Mostly all that you'll find in Byron and other towns is very few people and a few family diners. It's definitely a different world out here. There is one site that will catch your eye amid the fields of corn to which Byron and the surrounding area lay claim to fame. That is the two gigantic cement chemistry beaker shaped nuclear silos. They're part of a nuclear plant here in the area. They have lights around the top that you can see at night. These monstrosities are constantly billowing out a large cloud of smoke. It makes you wonder? When you see the next picture of me if I have an extra arm you'll know why.
As for our apartment, it's fairly nice. It's about 2 or 3 times the size of my last one, but no dishwasher, and the appliances are a little older. We have a lot of furniture in our living room also. The apartment is two levels. We have a full bathroom, study room, and bedroom, upstairs. Downstairs is a half-bathroom, the kitchen, and the living room. It's not too bad, right by the Rock river. We still take our bikes out to bike to the work that we have to do close by in Byron, since it's such a small town.
My companion and I go running together every morning. I've ran on country roads amid the corn, and sheep pastures with early morning fog. I've ran across the bridge over the Rock river, and along paths through golf courses. There is some great beauty and sights here that God has preserved. The air here is clean and fresh. There are even some HILLS here to run on!!!! It's been a long time since I've had that.
It's not a ward here in Byron, it's a Branch. The chapel is small, and sacrament meeting is small. They told us they like to get the missionaries involved. Sure enough, my companion was asked to give the opening prayer for sacrament, and I was asked to speak in two weeks. It was different being in a small branch. The members are extremely warm and friendly though. We are trying to get to know them all. We found out the reason the other two elders were both taken out of here. Apparently they had caught a squirrel and shot it with a bb gun, they they had skinned it, and the members had found out about this. I also get the feeling that not much work has been going on here in the area. It seems my mission Presidents are always sending me to areas where there have been problems either with the area, or in companionships. It seems like if and area is struggling or there's some problem then I end up getting transfered there. They say that this area has been tracted over before and nothing has come of it. They say the work is through the members, which is different then what I'm used to. As far as assignments go, I'm the new District Leader for the surrounding area. It's one of the largest districts, and so my phone calls to all the companionships in the other areas at night take longer. I love this work though nonetheless, and we are going to push to move the work forward. We are going to rely on the Lord and pray and work hard.
As for my companion....His name is Elder Nowell from Scottsdale, Arizona. This is his third transfer, so he's been out about 3 months, so I have another new one. I like how he wants to get up with me in the morning and go running, and he's excited that I like to do the same. We've had our disagreements but we are working through things. We definitely have the potential to be a great team.
Elder Nowell and I had a special fast together on Sunday. We fasted for the finding efforts in the area, and for unity in our companionship. The miracles and the answer to our prayers came. On Monday we had a member present lesson, 3 other lessons, and 4 new investigators. It has been incredible. The power of fasting and prayer is real. It cannot be denied. We were going to stop-by a less active member, but when we knocked on the door we found out that they had moved. The man let us in though after I had began to speak to him about the message that we share. After teaching him for a while his girlfriend showed up, and we invited her to join. This less-active member's address had been one that we had chosen to stop by the night before. The Lord answered our prayers in guiding us to right where we needed to be. Our teaching this day was also with such great unity. It went so much better. Miracles have not ceased, and we do have a Father in Heaven, who is a personal God and a God of Miracles. He is watching over us. It cannot be denied that it is the hand of God in answer to our prayers. It's almost surreal how our prayers have already began to be answered.
I've got to send this off and continue in a minute.
Love Elder Adams
We drive a 2006 Chevy Malibu, now fitly equipped with a GPS. The Gps is genious, and I am loving that little piece of technology more and more. It's been a long time since I've used it, but being whitewashed into an area....it's getting its good use.
The miracles and answered prayers have deffinately already began. The power of prayer and fasting are so real. A dedicated fast for something that we stand in need in can bring blessings. The work in this area will go forward, the Lord is going to help us accomplish miracles. We just have to now do our part and get out there and work hard. My mission is so important to me and I love it. Every minute I feel is a sacred gift from God. I treasure it. This is my new home here. I know the message I share is true. Joseph Smith and every one of his successors is a Prophet of God. They receive direct revelation from God. I am called where I am supposed to be. I don't know why I've been called here to this area, to what's been said is the most rural part of the mission. There's a reason I'm here. There is someone or some people here that I am to find and help bring to this gospel. I am with this companion for a reason. He and I are here to do a great work, we have been called of called and commissioned to labor here in Byron. That's what we will do. I know there is a purpose for me to be here. I will seek to love these people and to serve them. This the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Kingdom once again on the earth, and we are part of it. I know the Savior lives and is guiding this work. We have the tools necessary to do this work: The spirit and The word of God. We have the Book of Mormon a true and living witness of Jesus Christ ministering to the people in the Americas. I know these things to be true. In Jesus Christs name. Amen.
Humbly and prayerfully,
Elder Adams
Bro, It sounds like you are having an amazing time. Hopefully mom is sending all my detailed emails. I'm sure you've heard that I've been whitewashed into an area with a companion that has been out 3 months, and I've been called as the District Leader of one of the larger districts in the mission. They've downsized on the number of zone leaders and so likewise everything else has downsized. Which means increased number of companionships in Zones and Districts. There is not much going on in the area right now, and there are a lot of corn fields. So how is your companion. Is he obedient. What do you and your companion do for workout in the morning. Is your bedtime 10:30 also. How is the work going in your area of the vineyard. Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just wondering what's different and what's the same. We still take our bikes out here, but it's nothing like north Shore. I love you so much bro. I hope you are loving your mission as much as I am. I'll do better on getting you some scriptures, but I want to hear back from you. Some Brother to brother writing would be nice.
Love Elder Adams
Sorry I keep thinking of more to write about. There are two grocery stores here in town, the names of which I have never heard of, SNYDERS and COUNTRY MARKET. We checked out both our first day here. I was smart and didn't shop a lot at the first one we went to, country market. My companion did. He was essentially robbed. Snyder's is better, but it is still twice as expensive as the Food 4 Less that we shopped at in North Shore. I would have thought that groceries would be less expensive in the country, but no they are way more expensive. So now we shop solely at Snyder's.
Oh this one you'll all love. When you come into town there's a brown barn shaped bar or pub. On the front is a large picture of a turkey and on the building is lettering that reads "Home of the Turkey Testicle Festival." We asked the member who drove us to Byron from transfers about this, and the tradition goes that every fall crowds gather, bikers from all over congregate, and tons of turkey testicles are cooked up. This I feel can only be something that could occur in a small town with nothing but corn and nuclear plant nearby.
Yours Truly,
Elder Adams
Send pictures of backpacks, and especially of josh's.
As for things that you could include in the package from the Girls in the ward. They could send the Hottest hot sauce they could find. I wanted to get some at the store, but everything is expensive and so I had to resist. You know I also love some good fruit. I can't really think of anything else, so surprise me.
Love Elder Adams
Sunday, August 9, 2009
August 5, 2009
I am now transfered. That's right. I'm moving on. Jump on. I'll write more. Here's the address of my new apartment before I forget. I'm emailing at the mission home on the President's laptop, while we wait for lunch.
Elder Adams
223 S. Franklin St.
Byron, IL 61010
Hey Spencer. Sorry to hear about the tournament. I got transfered though. I'm not in North Shore or the city of Chicago anymore. I'm being sent to the "Sticks." It's far out, and I guess that there is a lot of corn fields. I haven't been there yet. It's going to be a transition. So what's this that I hear about you getting a car. Anyway, so last week I saw a Cubs game. These guys are pros. It was actually a really neat experience. I just liked being in the environment. Sorry I didn't write you next week. I wrote Aaron about a couple months ago, and I haven't heard from him. Get in touch with him and find out what's going on. I gave mom my new address. I really think that your testimony is developing even more. You're seeing how gospel principles apply to your life. You're seeing how the gospel isn't just a lot of stuff that we teach. This gospel is so important. Spencer I can't wait to see you put on a nametag. You're going to be a firecracker of a missionary. You already are having so much preparation. Keep me in your prayers, I'll need them.
Love Your Brother and Friend,
Elder Adams
Well President it was a strong finish to my time in North Shore. This last transfer went by so fast. I think it was because I had such a hard working companion. I loved it, we worked hard. It's hard to believe my time in North Shore is over. It's tough to leave, but it has to happen sometime. I have a lot of great memories there, and met a lot of great people. On Tuesday Elder Gardner and I taught 2 lessons. In one of them we had a new investigator and set a baptismal date in this first lesson with her. Her name is Whitney Tong. She already knows so much about the church, and has friends at school that are members. Her baptismal date is set for September 5. That would be great to see it go through.
Well last week as I said I went to a cubs game, and my first major league baseball game. This was a really neat experience. The environment was incredible. I talked to this man next to me a lot, he was very friendly. I was able to tell him all about what being a missionary is like. When he ordered some beer from the beer man, he said, " I take it you don't drink." Then I was able to tell him we also don't drink coffee or tea. I even gave him a pass along card at the end of the game. I explained missionary work and he explained baseball to me, seeing as I know nothing about the sport. We really had some great conversation. Everything was so expensive at the game, I didn't buy anything.
Anyway I'll stop teasing you. I did get transfered. The call came on Monday from President. He told me that where I'd be going I'd be serving as a district leader still. I was ok on the phone, but then as I hung up and locked my bike up, as soon as I got into the elevator to go up to our apartment for lunch, my emotions hit me. It was unreal. I couldn't believe it. I thought that it would be easy, I didn't think it would be this hard, because I knew that it was something that would happen.
I’m at the mission home writing this, so I don’t know much about the area. I’ve heard that we have a 2 story apartment. My companion likes to run and did triathlons. He wants to get up early to do it. I am excited. He is obedient and it seems like he wants to work hard. We are being whitewashed into this area. Which means that both of us are new to the area, so I’ll be using the gps again. This District that I am District leader for is one of the biggest. There is 10 of us in the district. Most have 6-10. They have downsized the number of missionaries in the mission, so that means that they have downsized on the number of zones and zone leaders etc. It’s deffinately going to be different. I’ll have to conduct exchanges with this district also. We’ll have to learn this area, where everything is and what not. This is going to be a change that’s no doubt. I’m going to have to let go of the North Shore. It all just went by so fast.
There's going to be a lot of new Challenges and new things. I'll need to have your prayers with me. Keep me in your prayers.
Your son and missionary,
Elder Adams
P.S. I don't know what to do with the backpack situation. I'd like to see whatever it is that I get. Maybe you can send some pictures of options. I trust josh's tast, so maybe you can find something at his work or what he got. I just don't want something huge. I want to sell the one that I got the ogio. I don't think I'll use it.
I love you and thank you so much for all that you do. Keep me in your prayers.
Sorry the email that I just spent a bunch of time writing got deleted so now I had to quickly write something, maybe next week will be better. I gotta go though. If I get time I will try to find a library. I just tried to write you something. Just know that I'm in byron Illinois and I'm a district leader. and I'm whitewashed into this area. Love ya.
Elder Adams
223 S. Franklin St.
Byron, IL 61010
Hey Spencer. Sorry to hear about the tournament. I got transfered though. I'm not in North Shore or the city of Chicago anymore. I'm being sent to the "Sticks." It's far out, and I guess that there is a lot of corn fields. I haven't been there yet. It's going to be a transition. So what's this that I hear about you getting a car. Anyway, so last week I saw a Cubs game. These guys are pros. It was actually a really neat experience. I just liked being in the environment. Sorry I didn't write you next week. I wrote Aaron about a couple months ago, and I haven't heard from him. Get in touch with him and find out what's going on. I gave mom my new address. I really think that your testimony is developing even more. You're seeing how gospel principles apply to your life. You're seeing how the gospel isn't just a lot of stuff that we teach. This gospel is so important. Spencer I can't wait to see you put on a nametag. You're going to be a firecracker of a missionary. You already are having so much preparation. Keep me in your prayers, I'll need them.
Love Your Brother and Friend,
Elder Adams
Well President it was a strong finish to my time in North Shore. This last transfer went by so fast. I think it was because I had such a hard working companion. I loved it, we worked hard. It's hard to believe my time in North Shore is over. It's tough to leave, but it has to happen sometime. I have a lot of great memories there, and met a lot of great people. On Tuesday Elder Gardner and I taught 2 lessons. In one of them we had a new investigator and set a baptismal date in this first lesson with her. Her name is Whitney Tong. She already knows so much about the church, and has friends at school that are members. Her baptismal date is set for September 5. That would be great to see it go through.
Well last week as I said I went to a cubs game, and my first major league baseball game. This was a really neat experience. The environment was incredible. I talked to this man next to me a lot, he was very friendly. I was able to tell him all about what being a missionary is like. When he ordered some beer from the beer man, he said, " I take it you don't drink." Then I was able to tell him we also don't drink coffee or tea. I even gave him a pass along card at the end of the game. I explained missionary work and he explained baseball to me, seeing as I know nothing about the sport. We really had some great conversation. Everything was so expensive at the game, I didn't buy anything.
Anyway I'll stop teasing you. I did get transfered. The call came on Monday from President. He told me that where I'd be going I'd be serving as a district leader still. I was ok on the phone, but then as I hung up and locked my bike up, as soon as I got into the elevator to go up to our apartment for lunch, my emotions hit me. It was unreal. I couldn't believe it. I thought that it would be easy, I didn't think it would be this hard, because I knew that it was something that would happen.
I’m at the mission home writing this, so I don’t know much about the area. I’ve heard that we have a 2 story apartment. My companion likes to run and did triathlons. He wants to get up early to do it. I am excited. He is obedient and it seems like he wants to work hard. We are being whitewashed into this area. Which means that both of us are new to the area, so I’ll be using the gps again. This District that I am District leader for is one of the biggest. There is 10 of us in the district. Most have 6-10. They have downsized the number of missionaries in the mission, so that means that they have downsized on the number of zones and zone leaders etc. It’s deffinately going to be different. I’ll have to conduct exchanges with this district also. We’ll have to learn this area, where everything is and what not. This is going to be a change that’s no doubt. I’m going to have to let go of the North Shore. It all just went by so fast.
There's going to be a lot of new Challenges and new things. I'll need to have your prayers with me. Keep me in your prayers.
Your son and missionary,
Elder Adams
P.S. I don't know what to do with the backpack situation. I'd like to see whatever it is that I get. Maybe you can send some pictures of options. I trust josh's tast, so maybe you can find something at his work or what he got. I just don't want something huge. I want to sell the one that I got the ogio. I don't think I'll use it.
I love you and thank you so much for all that you do. Keep me in your prayers.
Sorry the email that I just spent a bunch of time writing got deleted so now I had to quickly write something, maybe next week will be better. I gotta go though. If I get time I will try to find a library. I just tried to write you something. Just know that I'm in byron Illinois and I'm a district leader. and I'm whitewashed into this area. Love ya.
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