September 8, 2009

I love you bro. Your testimony is always great to hear. I'm glad to hear that you are tearing it up on the soccer field. The other day my companion and I were talking, and I remembered the time that you put a whole lobster tail in your mouth!!! Stuffed it all in one cheek. Do you still do that, or is that all about to change when you turn 15 on Friday?? It seems like it was just your birthday yesterday. Anyway, You're right, this is God's work. This is Jesus Christ's one true Church and it this is where I have been called to serve. How sacred and true the Book of Mormon is, I know this to be true. Jesus Christ lives and watches over us today, he will stand beside us, he will carry us, he will comfort us, because he lives. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen.

Love Elder Adams

Sounds good Elder. It looks like they have a lot of the same lingo in the Germany mission.

I don't need ink for my birthday....unnecessary expense, I use it very little. I just wanted to print out a couple of pictures the other day to send to Zach, Debbie, and Aaron.
We've been tracting and knocking the doors a ton. We've had some good walking days, some of them in areas with hills. We just keep pushing on.
As far as gospel study goes, I have decided to read the Doctrine and Covenants for the 2nd time on my mission. I also finished JSH. This was something that really helped me to understand Joseph Smith and the role that he played in the restoration. I think it helped to strengthen my testimony. As I learned last week that Zach had come home from his mission, I have also been doing a small topical study for him. I've been studying about trial, affliction, and perserverance. I've been praying and I fasted for Zach on Sunday. Then Ive been trying to find something either for me, that will help me know what to do to help him, or something that might help him. I've found some great scriptures, but I think some answers came through district meeting and through today's further studies. Almost like an a-ha moment.
This week I received a card from Grandma, but it looks to be about a month late. However the things written in it appear to be for this time, in the here and now.
It's incredible how the Lord works in his own time and in his own way. Sometimes it's through others. You see it might have originally been seen as a bad thing that the card was delayed in some way, but that was because the blessing needed to come at a specific time; LATER. This is exactly how trials work, sometimes if the Lord rescues us early, we might miss out on what it is he wants us to learn. I can't tell you how much my mission means to me. It's something that you will hear about from others, the mission experience. However it's like a testimony, you will never truly know until you've felt it.
We were blessed also on Sunday with two new investigators. It was an appointment that we had previously set up, with a Philippino woman. Her husband answered the door and let us right in. We sat down with him and his wife and had an incredible lesson. My companion and I taught so well together. My testimony felt so strong as I spoke to this couple. As I bore testimony of how important this message is, I began to cry. It had been a while since this had happened. The husband new so much, and everything seemed to make sense to him. He and his wife have truly been prepared by God. Interestingly enough they moved into the home they are in about 4 weeks ago, which is about the same time that my companion and I arrived here. Also he said that he had seen our commercials on TV and had always wondered, but had never called in. This is in big part why he was so accepting and commited to reading the Book of Mormon. He spent a long time in the navy also, and he said that there was a sailor who was a member of the church. He said that he always recognized and admired how incredibly obedient this man was to living his religion. He set a great example, he said he's noticed that about a lot of our members. This aspect I believe also drew him to our message. How important it is that we set good examples for those around us. Living what we teach is so important. The spirit was just so strong here in this lesson, feeling it like that is something to live for, bearing your testimony to two humble seekers of truth and knowing that what you are saying is true. It's almost like you can feel our Father in Heaven and Savior confirming all of your words, you know it. This Gospel is so true, this work is true. I leave you with my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Love Elder Adams

P.S. -Sorry out of time

I'm on for a short time. A few things that I forgot to mention. Some things that I was going to have you send me: More of those face cleanser pads (those are really good and they are a quick way to clean your face, I have been out for a while), also the cleanser wash (although this isn't necessary I haven't used it in a while and I still have a little left), Some more hair gel (if you can't send this then I can just buy some different stuff out here with the money we get each month, I have plenty), also I wanted you to send out my soccer net. You know the one that I can put my ball in and it has a rope attached so I can hold onto it and kick it. Anyway that's all. I still haven't got the letter from Aaron. Have you heard anything from Zach and Debbie. Maybe I can get permission from my mission president to email him. Love you tons, I'll chat to ya later.

So this district meeting we focused on the Christlike attributes of diligence and patience. At the end of District meeting I shared with everyone the Green Eggs and Ham book that you sent me last year. They really liked it. It went really well with the meeting, and demonstrated diligence and patience really well. I love you mom, you're good!!!

I just want to wish you a Happy Birthday. I don't know how old you are, but that doesn't really matter. You're an amazing mom and I love you. I hope your day is a special one. Celebrate and enjoy.

Love your oldest son,
Elder Adams

P.S.-I want to wish Spencer a Happy 15th. Have a good one and play safe. Happy Birthday little Bro.

I don't know if I told you, but they did transfers a week early, so the next transfer will be a week longer to compensate. I'm still here with Elder Nowell. I'll be here in Byron for the next 7 weeks. It all went by so fast it's pure insanity. This transfer was like warp speed. It's train robbery.
Did you ever find out if you would be able to sell my ogio backpack and then get the money for that to put towards a new one? Let me know.