Ask and ye shall receive. Yeah I have some great scriptures for you. I've started reading the Book of Mormon again, I don't know how many times this is for me. I was in 1 Nephi and I thought of the words of Lehi, a father. This is the tree of life vision that Lehi has. I likened them to myself calling to you, my family, but dad I'd like you to think of yourself in the situation of Lehi as he calls to his family to come and partake of the fruit. Think of you dad, the patriarch of our family leading us to the tree of eternal life. The verses are 1 Nephi 8:11-13. I thought of myself in Lehi's shoes calling you my family. I wish you could feel and taste of the joy of a mission, to see these people and have these missionary experiences. It's unlike anything I could ever describe. It's like dream, unreal, something you would read about in a Ensign magazine. It's incredible I love it. That's why I thought of myself, saying "come and try this." A mission is the sweetest fruit, most desirable. It's the greatest experience. Dad I love you. I love how you and the family have all changed since I decided to go on a mission and then when I left. It's a blessing and an addition to my testimony of the blessings the Lord has to offer to families. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Love Elder Adams,
P.S. I sent mom an awesome bread pudding recipe that Marissa made for us. Make sure and beat Tyler good at ping pong for me.
Things are still going great with my companion. I love him. Thanks for asking.
Say hi to Your whole side of the family on Sunday for me. I haven't heard from any of them in a while. I know it makes it tough because I can't email, I can only write them letters. Let them know that I love them. Say hi to the cousins for me also.
So here's the recipe for the bread pudding that Marissa has made for us twice. It's AMAZING!
The Baltimore's Bread Pudding
Prep time: 15 min. Bake: 40 min.
8cups cubed day old bread
9 eggs
2 1/4 cup milk
1 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup sugar
3/4 butter, melted
3 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Caramel Sauce:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoon butter
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Place bread cubes in a greased 13 inx9inx2in baking dish. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, butter, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour evenly over bread. Bake uncovered, at 350 F for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Mean while, in a small sauce pan bring the sugar, water, and lemon juice to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook until sugar dissolves and mixture turns a golden amber color. Stir in butter until melted. Add cream. Remove from the heat. Serve with bread pudding. (Yield 12 servings).
You don't put the sauce over the whole batch of bread pudding, each person serves their own, then you save the sauce.
Also as far as Christmas goes. You could maybe get me 2 pair of thermal garments, but other than that don't get anything. Save it for if I need clothes or something when I get home, you can buy me something then, when I have things that I need. Don't do like last year and buy a printer that I don't even need or use. There is really nothing that you can get me, just save the money, you can get me something later. Enjoy the Bread pudding.
I sent in a paper for the insurance. She said she would only go up to 600 for the accident. It was a hard decision to make, it sort of felt wrong, but I eventually did it. She sent me an agreement for 600 and I signed and returned it. I should be getting a check here pretty soon, and I will send it home and have you put it in the bank for me (Savings account). Love ya, write back.
Nice, you're on. Yeah that bread pudding is insane. It's Chuck and Marissa's sons favorite. J.R. he's 17. So because of Thanksgiving we have a mixed schedule. Normally today is Prep day, but we only have from 10-1:00 to email and shop then our prep day ends. Tomorrow we have our planning session from 10:00-1:00 and then prep day from 1-6, so our prep day is split. It's one of a few new things president is doing.
I don't thinks so mom, that sounds a little ridiculous. I just put them on a cd, I don't know what I'm ever going to do with that thing in my lifetime. I don't want to sound ungrateful or anything because I am, it's just that I think you buy stuff just so that you can buy something. Right now while I'm on a mission there isn't need for things. Save it and you can get me something later when I'm in need. Don't just buy to buy. That's not what the holiday's are about anyway.
Also I still haven't used that applebees card you gave me last year. I haven't been near one, so ideas like gift cards to places aren't a good idea either. I have the American express cards that the grandma's gave me and I've used some of them. There's really nothing mom, I hope you will understand, it will be better if you save it for later.
Shane and Bambi are doing well. We had another great lesson with them this week. We plan to get them into a members home and be able to have dinner and teach them the law of chastity. They will have to get married or move out to be baptized, but they really love the church and what they are learning from us. They are a great family.
There are a few other prospective potentials that we hope to begin working with also.
Chuck and Marissa also received callings this week. They have been called and sustained as the new Branch Librarians, they are so excited about it. They are learning so fast also. Especially Marissa and her English is really coming along. She answers questions in Gospel Principles.
I'm plugging along at the Book of Mormon. It's great to be back in that book reading from it daily. It just makes things different and feels different. It's just as Pres. Hinkley says, that there will come a special spirit into your life, and it doesn't matter how many times you read it. It's good fuel for the day.
So president Doll instituted this new rule that when the tempurature is below 70 he wants us to have our suit coats on always, even if we have a rain coat on or a snow coat. We always have to have our suit coat on. So I'm basically going to have to wear the same pair of pants all winter of one of my suits. I also had to get out my big coat to wear so that it would cover the bottom of my suit coat. I couldn't wear my wool one anymore. That's the principle of obedience though, you just do it. President Doll told us this yesterday in a special combined district meeting. This is a tough one of obedience, and I can tell because my companion is not being to keen to keep it. I'm trying help Elder Bryner keep the suit coat rule. I've tried to say things very subtly, but I value our relationship too much to be outright "We need to keep this rule."
As far as Thanksgiving goes, I feel like people have just skipped completely over it. A week or two after Halloween people already had Christmas out. As soon as they got rid of the pumpkins for sale at the grocery stores they brought out the Christmas trees! It's insanity. So this is my last Thanksgiving in the mission, I'm hoping to make it a memorable one. It looks to be really good. Our ward mission leader brother Fomby is having us over. Marissa wanted to do a Thanksgiving with us the day before, but things got worked out so that now the Cromes, the Fomby's, us will be together. Sister Fomby has a friend from India that will also be coming over. It's going to be awesome to spend Thanksgiving with the Cromes. No offense but they do seem like family, after all we are all part of God's family. Marissa is so excited to cook and help out. They were going to spend Thanksgiving alone, just the three of them. I wasn't going to ask, but Sister Fomby asked what sort of things we traditionally have at Thanksgiving and what we like. I put in my word for yams. I was going to see if I would go two Thanksgivings without yams, nonetheless without moms yams, that would only make them taste that much better the next time I had them though. So she's going to make some yams, and I'll have to compare. My companion and I want to try and make something and bring it to the dinner. We think that would be awesome, and then everyone would question, "I don't know about that dish.....the missionaries?...cooking?..." Anyway this is going to be an awesome Thanksgiving, deffinately one to remember. This has been a good week though. We are continuing to see success and be blessed. So every 6 months I do this activity in Preach My Gospel. It asks you to think about your last day in the mission field and then asks you questions. I write a lot in my journal these days. Unfortunately it was that time again on Saturday to go through this activity, to ponder the questions and to write. Everytime I do this it is like a dagger to the heart. I read part of it to my companion and I lost it. It hurts to think about. Especially this time.
I love you all and I hope that you have a Happy Thanksgiving. (Twice, since you're celebrating it two days). I hope all is well, and you are continually in my prayers.
Love Elder Adams,
DC 98:1
Is there anything else that you wanted to say, because I need to get going. We've only got about an hour left of Preparation day.
Did you get the pictures that I emailed you last week?
I'll write you next week!!!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
November 18, 2009
I like the biographical sketch. It sounds good. You're right it is good to hear from you, and have your support. Decisions are tough, so I'm glad that I'm receiving some good opinions back. Most importantly I think the Lord is showing his approval. I am so happy with this new companion. We are doing the WORK!!!! We teach together, knock doors, everything. It's going great. The Lord is showing his approval, as he is blessing us with so many more opportunities to teach and he's placing his children in our path. Things are just going great. I've forgotten these past couple weeks to send you and mom this recipe from Marissa for bread pudding. She's made it twice for us and it is amazing. It has this sauce that you put on it also. I left it at home today, so sorry about that. This Philipino lady can cook. She made asian and philipino themed last thursday. I'll try to get that recipe to you. It gets dark so early now, and it's starting to get colder. People already have had their Christmas decorations out for a while. It's insanity. Anyway I love you Dad, and I look forward to hearing from you again.
Love, Your son,
Elder Adams
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Let me know if you get these pictures and are able to open them up. They are from Zone conferences, and the Zone conference on my Birthday!!
I hope today is going well for you. So I'm wondering what would be a good settlement. My companion says 1000. If I don't have to ever go to the medical room I don't care, but if I do, then that's a problem.
That's AWESOME to hear. Thank you so much for some details. AND THEN THERE WAS LIGHT!!!! It sounds like it went really well. I'm glad to hear that Aaron still remembers me. That sounds exactly like Debbie, always looking out for everyone and trying to feed them. Good job mom, mission accomplished with the donuts, I know that at least Aaron will like them. It shows we are thinking of them. Progress, I like it.
Well we are supposed to be getting a new email service. I guess the church is going to be linking up and working with google. The switch is to take place soon and I will have to set up a new account. Hopefully this will help.
Ok then I'll try and sell for 60 on the backpack. Then I can decide what I want to do from there.
To Elder Adams in Germany
Awesome Elder!! This week has been our most successful too. We've been led to so many new people and they have been prepared. The stories the experiences. The sthe testimonies of Chuck and Marissa, they are filling pages in my journals. I wish I could tell you everything. It's so good to see us both doing the work. I'm so glad to see that you are seeing the blessings. The Lord is great!! How great our God.
I'm sorry to hear about the baptism, just keep pressing forward, and pray in faith. There's a saying: Get on your knees and pray as if everything depends on the Lord; then get on your feet and go to work as if everything depends on you!!! There's a recipe for success, apply it, live it, and it will hold you in good stead. I've seen it work in my mission. The work is going great here and the Lord is blessing us. This Church and this work is so true, what a privilege it is to be a part of this all.
I'm on board with you Elder Adams, I have no idea what to get people for Christmas. I don't know what I want, so I can't help you out. If there's something cool that you see, go for it, soccer, ties, that's all I've got for you. I'm a missionary right now, called of God, called to Serve, the things of this world are fleeting, but the salvation of souls is forever. The gift of the atonement, and sharing that with others, that's where I'm at. The world has commercialized Christmas. This is a time to serve, and that's what I intend to do, all out. Brave the cold, and love the work, and the people, here we go. Sorry I can't help you think of anything. Hey I got if, get me a couple extra months out here on my mission to go on into the summer!!!
Steadfastly,
Elder Adams
Hey mom this is a letter that President Doll sent to all of us. I think it's brilliant. How he teaches obedience and the quotes that are in it. I love it. I want you to read it and save this one. You or I or someone might want to use it for a talk sometime. I love it!
Dear Elders and Sisters:
One of the things I mentioned when I first met each of you when we entered the mission field was that I planned to treat each of you as adults as long as you exhibited adult-like behavior. I’m happy to report that in nearly every case you have each lived up to that expectation. It has made life easier for all of us. For example, our “less-locked-down” phone policy which is governed mainly on trust has worked well. We monitor the phone usage with tools provided by the Church. Few problems have occurred. Thank you. I really hate being the principal/warden/police officer.
Some of you have asked about this policy or that policy, and I almost always direct you to the Missionary Handbook. That’s the place to start to get a sense of what’s expected and allowed. Yet, some missionaries will press me for more specific guidelines than those written or the spirit in which they are presented. When this happens I quickly think of the Law of Moses. See below from the Bible Dictionary.
“[The Law of Moses] was a whole collection of written laws given through Moses to the house of Israel, as a replacement of the higher law that they had failed to obey. The Law of Moses consisted of many ceremonies, rituals, and symbols, to remind the people frequently of their duties and responsibilities. It included a law of carnal commandments and performances, added to the basic laws of the gospel … [It] was adapted to a lower spiritual capacity.”
I don’t want to be your Moses, laying down “a whole collection of written laws” to “remind [you] frequently of [your] duties and responsibilities.” Unlike the people of Israel, I don’t judge you to have “a lower spiritual capacity.”
One of the areas in which I occasionally get questions is about music. “What kind of music can I listen to?” “Is X type of music OK?” “What if the music is played with X instrument versus Y instrument?” I steadfastly refuse to give you a list of appropriate music. I refuse to be your Moses. My best guideline for you is the Missionary Handbook (page 25). Here’s what it says. I’ve changed the format a bit in order for you to see clearly how you can judge for yourself.
1. Listen only to music that is consistent with the sacred spirit of your calling.
2. Music should
a. invite the Spirit,
b. help you focus on the work, and
c. direct your thoughts and feelings to the Savior.
3. Do not listen to music that
a. pulls your thoughts away from your work,
b. merely entertains,
c. has romantic lyrics or overtones, or
d. dulls your spiritual sensitivity by its tempo, beat, loudness, lyrics, or intensity.
4. Listening to music must never interfere with your personal preparation or proselyting.
There it is, very clearly written. You decide. You govern yourself. If after being properly instructed with correct principles you still do not know how to act then I fear that you’re headed for a life of problems.
One of the things I’ve learned about rules and guidelines is that sometimes people want to fit the rules to themselves rather than seeking to conform themselves to the rules. If you pound a square peg long enough and hard enough it will eventually fit into a round hole. If you torture the rules enough they will say just about anything. For those prone to do this, I recommend the following advice from President James E. Faust:
"Staying away from the edge is an individual responsibility. Occasionally our well-meaning young people want every detail of appropriate and inappropriate conduct to be specified, perhaps so they can feel comfortable in getting closer to the edge. They sometimes seem more concerned with what the gospel prohibits than what it gives... My strong advice is, if there is any question about your personal conduct, don’t do it. It is the responsibility of prophets to teach the word of God—not to spell out every jot and tittle of human behavior. Our moral agency requires us to know good from evil and choose the good. If we are trying to avoid not only evil, but the very appearance of evil, we will act for ourselves and not be acted upon." (James E. Faust, “Acting for Ourselves and Not Being Acted Upon,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 45)
Guidelines, rules, and commandments are deliberately left simple and concise in order to see if we’re capable of governing ourselves. Happily, nearly all of you are doing well in this department. Thank you, and welcome to adulthood.
With love,
President and Sister Doll
Not really, I thought I had something last week, but I think that was maybe soreness from a workout I did. I feel good. Except right now I'm fighting a cold.
To Josh. It's tough when you have companionship difficulties. This is part of the mission. Try to show love when you bring up things that concern you to your companion. I'm no expert but I try. I've had times, days, when I've gone door to door speaking to the people. Going it alone. The thing is we are not alone at these times. "My angels round about you to bear you up." We go door to door with the Lord. Just think of it as our welcome party at the door mat might be a little smaller if our companions don't participate, but it is never just us alone. The Lord is there with us always. The Lord will bless you, be like Nephi, and "Declare with unwarryingness the words which he has given us." I'm not going to say that I know how you feel, even though there have been times I too have shed tears at night. That's because each of our situations is unique. No matter how many similarities we might think there are. The Savior though knows perfectly each individual situation, problem, and heartache, he is the heal all know all. This is where the Atonement comes in. He felt it all, he is the only one that can say "I know how you feel." Pray and he will whisper this to your heart, and you will feel his arms around you. He is there, he is here. He knows us, we are his friends (John 15:15, 18-27). I have received help from the Lord so many times, he's helped me, he'll help you. I bear testimony of this is the Name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Elder Bryner and I are teaching better and better together. We are really starting to get the hang of asking questions when inviting. This week has been really good for us. We are being led and guided to those who are prepared. It seems like there are miracles everyday, places we were supposed to go to, people we were supposed to talk to! It's incredible!!! Our finding efforts have really been blessed. We find new people to teach, or we are able to teach people and have lessons as we are out tracting. The Lord truly is blessing us. On top of this our investigators we are teaching seem to be blessed, in that they are keeping their commitments. Shane and Bambi and their two kids who are 4 and 10, came to church this Sunday. They seemed to really enjoy it, and everyone in the Branch was excited to see more new faces and to welcome them in. Shane and Bambi have already committed to come to church again this week. We even had a member out to an appointment with them this week. The fire for missionary work in this branch is getting started. On Sunday we also committed Jared Ashley to baptism!! He accepted amid a flow of tears. I think he's shocked, he didn't think that he could do it. He's so happy though, to have the blessings of the restored gospel restored to him. To see repentance take place in someones life, that is a reward. To see how the gospel worked in my own life, and then to see it work for someone else, and for them to feel of the forgiveness and love of the Savior. That's why I'm out here, this is the blessings of serving a mission.
We also taught Chuck and Marissa and their son J.R. last Thursday. We are meeting with them again tomorrow. They are steamrolling ahead. Chuck gave an incredible testimony in sacrament meeting, and was interviewed for the priesthood. J.R. is also moving along well also.
We have had great success in working with the less active members. Specifically progress is being made with Kelly Kliebe. She seems to be opening up, and we might yet see her at church.
Yesterday I finished the Doctrine and Covenants for the 2nd time on my mission. I am now planning to read the Book of Mormon. I started it today, and I will highlight it for the gospel principle of strength and enduring to the end. This will be a good copy of the Book of Mormon to have throughout my life, and a good topic to read for during the cold winter. I love finding new principles or scriptures to use, or having these thoughts come to me that I can then record in my scriptures. I fear if I were to ever lose my scriptures I would have a panic attack. There's so much in them now. I love this gospel, I love studying it, teaching it, and living it. I love being a missionary.
Elder Bryner, He's a great missionary, and we make a great team. I try to make sure and let him know that this is how I feel.
This week has been our most successful too. We've been led to so many new people and they have been prepared. The stories the experiences. The testimonies of Chuck and Marissa, they are filling pages in my journals. I wish I could tell you everything. The Lord is great!! How great our God. This Church and this work is so true, what a privilege it is to be a part of this all. I need to just photo copy all of the things that I've written down that Chuck and Marissa have said these past weeks. More and more of how they were prepared, and how the hand of the Lord played a part in us meeting them and their conversion has continued to come out. It's almost like a dream, the greatest. I've told another missionary out here about some of this and he was in awe. It is like something you read out of an Ensign magazine or church article!! OH it is incredible. I love this, teaching this message makes me so happy, seeing people happy, seeing them make changes, repent. Seeing testimonies grow. To see a man once excommunicated begin to again feel the Saviors love. To see his tears of joy, and then to be able to embrace him as one of my brothers. This is joy. This Church, this work, this gospel, my mission, the people, make me happy. It's all so true. I love it. I hope all is well at home. I love you all.
Love,
Elder Adams
The article about dad sounds really good. I don't think anything happened to my bike. I don't think there were any knew scratches. I have some small scars on my knuckles, and I think my pants were ok. I don't know my companion says that you gotta do what you gotta do. I almost feel like I'm taking advantage of them, but it's better to be safe than sorry. I think I will call them and tell them 1000.
I thought that 500 was a lot, but if you're saying that that isn't much then I don't know.
Stay in close contact with the Bullock family. The holidays are a great time to do so. Good work thus far, I really appreciate it. I haven't received any letters from them, so I will write again this week. Let them Know that I love them so much, and I keep them in my prayers. I will never be able to forget what they have done for me. Keep in touch with them and let me know.
Love, Your son,
Elder Adams
Let me know if you get these pictures and are able to open them up. They are from Zone conferences, and the Zone conference on my Birthday!!I hope today is going well for you. So I'm wondering what would be a good settlement. My companion says 1000. If I don't have to ever go to the medical room I don't care, but if I do, then that's a problem.
That's AWESOME to hear. Thank you so much for some details. AND THEN THERE WAS LIGHT!!!! It sounds like it went really well. I'm glad to hear that Aaron still remembers me. That sounds exactly like Debbie, always looking out for everyone and trying to feed them. Good job mom, mission accomplished with the donuts, I know that at least Aaron will like them. It shows we are thinking of them. Progress, I like it.
Well we are supposed to be getting a new email service. I guess the church is going to be linking up and working with google. The switch is to take place soon and I will have to set up a new account. Hopefully this will help.
Ok then I'll try and sell for 60 on the backpack. Then I can decide what I want to do from there.
To Elder Adams in Germany
Awesome Elder!! This week has been our most successful too. We've been led to so many new people and they have been prepared. The stories the experiences. The sthe testimonies of Chuck and Marissa, they are filling pages in my journals. I wish I could tell you everything. It's so good to see us both doing the work. I'm so glad to see that you are seeing the blessings. The Lord is great!! How great our God.
I'm sorry to hear about the baptism, just keep pressing forward, and pray in faith. There's a saying: Get on your knees and pray as if everything depends on the Lord; then get on your feet and go to work as if everything depends on you!!! There's a recipe for success, apply it, live it, and it will hold you in good stead. I've seen it work in my mission. The work is going great here and the Lord is blessing us. This Church and this work is so true, what a privilege it is to be a part of this all.
I'm on board with you Elder Adams, I have no idea what to get people for Christmas. I don't know what I want, so I can't help you out. If there's something cool that you see, go for it, soccer, ties, that's all I've got for you. I'm a missionary right now, called of God, called to Serve, the things of this world are fleeting, but the salvation of souls is forever. The gift of the atonement, and sharing that with others, that's where I'm at. The world has commercialized Christmas. This is a time to serve, and that's what I intend to do, all out. Brave the cold, and love the work, and the people, here we go. Sorry I can't help you think of anything. Hey I got if, get me a couple extra months out here on my mission to go on into the summer!!!
Steadfastly,
Elder Adams
Hey mom this is a letter that President Doll sent to all of us. I think it's brilliant. How he teaches obedience and the quotes that are in it. I love it. I want you to read it and save this one. You or I or someone might want to use it for a talk sometime. I love it!
Dear Elders and Sisters:
One of the things I mentioned when I first met each of you when we entered the mission field was that I planned to treat each of you as adults as long as you exhibited adult-like behavior. I’m happy to report that in nearly every case you have each lived up to that expectation. It has made life easier for all of us. For example, our “less-locked-down” phone policy which is governed mainly on trust has worked well. We monitor the phone usage with tools provided by the Church. Few problems have occurred. Thank you. I really hate being the principal/warden/police officer.
Some of you have asked about this policy or that policy, and I almost always direct you to the Missionary Handbook. That’s the place to start to get a sense of what’s expected and allowed. Yet, some missionaries will press me for more specific guidelines than those written or the spirit in which they are presented. When this happens I quickly think of the Law of Moses. See below from the Bible Dictionary.
“[The Law of Moses] was a whole collection of written laws given through Moses to the house of Israel, as a replacement of the higher law that they had failed to obey. The Law of Moses consisted of many ceremonies, rituals, and symbols, to remind the people frequently of their duties and responsibilities. It included a law of carnal commandments and performances, added to the basic laws of the gospel … [It] was adapted to a lower spiritual capacity.”
I don’t want to be your Moses, laying down “a whole collection of written laws” to “remind [you] frequently of [your] duties and responsibilities.” Unlike the people of Israel, I don’t judge you to have “a lower spiritual capacity.”
One of the areas in which I occasionally get questions is about music. “What kind of music can I listen to?” “Is X type of music OK?” “What if the music is played with X instrument versus Y instrument?” I steadfastly refuse to give you a list of appropriate music. I refuse to be your Moses. My best guideline for you is the Missionary Handbook (page 25). Here’s what it says. I’ve changed the format a bit in order for you to see clearly how you can judge for yourself.
1. Listen only to music that is consistent with the sacred spirit of your calling.
2. Music should
a. invite the Spirit,
b. help you focus on the work, and
c. direct your thoughts and feelings to the Savior.
3. Do not listen to music that
a. pulls your thoughts away from your work,
b. merely entertains,
c. has romantic lyrics or overtones, or
d. dulls your spiritual sensitivity by its tempo, beat, loudness, lyrics, or intensity.
4. Listening to music must never interfere with your personal preparation or proselyting.
There it is, very clearly written. You decide. You govern yourself. If after being properly instructed with correct principles you still do not know how to act then I fear that you’re headed for a life of problems.
One of the things I’ve learned about rules and guidelines is that sometimes people want to fit the rules to themselves rather than seeking to conform themselves to the rules. If you pound a square peg long enough and hard enough it will eventually fit into a round hole. If you torture the rules enough they will say just about anything. For those prone to do this, I recommend the following advice from President James E. Faust:
"Staying away from the edge is an individual responsibility. Occasionally our well-meaning young people want every detail of appropriate and inappropriate conduct to be specified, perhaps so they can feel comfortable in getting closer to the edge. They sometimes seem more concerned with what the gospel prohibits than what it gives... My strong advice is, if there is any question about your personal conduct, don’t do it. It is the responsibility of prophets to teach the word of God—not to spell out every jot and tittle of human behavior. Our moral agency requires us to know good from evil and choose the good. If we are trying to avoid not only evil, but the very appearance of evil, we will act for ourselves and not be acted upon." (James E. Faust, “Acting for Ourselves and Not Being Acted Upon,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 45)
Guidelines, rules, and commandments are deliberately left simple and concise in order to see if we’re capable of governing ourselves. Happily, nearly all of you are doing well in this department. Thank you, and welcome to adulthood.
With love,
President and Sister Doll
Not really, I thought I had something last week, but I think that was maybe soreness from a workout I did. I feel good. Except right now I'm fighting a cold.
To Josh. It's tough when you have companionship difficulties. This is part of the mission. Try to show love when you bring up things that concern you to your companion. I'm no expert but I try. I've had times, days, when I've gone door to door speaking to the people. Going it alone. The thing is we are not alone at these times. "My angels round about you to bear you up." We go door to door with the Lord. Just think of it as our welcome party at the door mat might be a little smaller if our companions don't participate, but it is never just us alone. The Lord is there with us always. The Lord will bless you, be like Nephi, and "Declare with unwarryingness the words which he has given us." I'm not going to say that I know how you feel, even though there have been times I too have shed tears at night. That's because each of our situations is unique. No matter how many similarities we might think there are. The Savior though knows perfectly each individual situation, problem, and heartache, he is the heal all know all. This is where the Atonement comes in. He felt it all, he is the only one that can say "I know how you feel." Pray and he will whisper this to your heart, and you will feel his arms around you. He is there, he is here. He knows us, we are his friends (John 15:15, 18-27). I have received help from the Lord so many times, he's helped me, he'll help you. I bear testimony of this is the Name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Elder Bryner and I are teaching better and better together. We are really starting to get the hang of asking questions when inviting. This week has been really good for us. We are being led and guided to those who are prepared. It seems like there are miracles everyday, places we were supposed to go to, people we were supposed to talk to! It's incredible!!! Our finding efforts have really been blessed. We find new people to teach, or we are able to teach people and have lessons as we are out tracting. The Lord truly is blessing us. On top of this our investigators we are teaching seem to be blessed, in that they are keeping their commitments. Shane and Bambi and their two kids who are 4 and 10, came to church this Sunday. They seemed to really enjoy it, and everyone in the Branch was excited to see more new faces and to welcome them in. Shane and Bambi have already committed to come to church again this week. We even had a member out to an appointment with them this week. The fire for missionary work in this branch is getting started. On Sunday we also committed Jared Ashley to baptism!! He accepted amid a flow of tears. I think he's shocked, he didn't think that he could do it. He's so happy though, to have the blessings of the restored gospel restored to him. To see repentance take place in someones life, that is a reward. To see how the gospel worked in my own life, and then to see it work for someone else, and for them to feel of the forgiveness and love of the Savior. That's why I'm out here, this is the blessings of serving a mission.
We also taught Chuck and Marissa and their son J.R. last Thursday. We are meeting with them again tomorrow. They are steamrolling ahead. Chuck gave an incredible testimony in sacrament meeting, and was interviewed for the priesthood. J.R. is also moving along well also.
We have had great success in working with the less active members. Specifically progress is being made with Kelly Kliebe. She seems to be opening up, and we might yet see her at church.
Yesterday I finished the Doctrine and Covenants for the 2nd time on my mission. I am now planning to read the Book of Mormon. I started it today, and I will highlight it for the gospel principle of strength and enduring to the end. This will be a good copy of the Book of Mormon to have throughout my life, and a good topic to read for during the cold winter. I love finding new principles or scriptures to use, or having these thoughts come to me that I can then record in my scriptures. I fear if I were to ever lose my scriptures I would have a panic attack. There's so much in them now. I love this gospel, I love studying it, teaching it, and living it. I love being a missionary.
Elder Bryner, He's a great missionary, and we make a great team. I try to make sure and let him know that this is how I feel.
This week has been our most successful too. We've been led to so many new people and they have been prepared. The stories the experiences. The testimonies of Chuck and Marissa, they are filling pages in my journals. I wish I could tell you everything. The Lord is great!! How great our God. This Church and this work is so true, what a privilege it is to be a part of this all. I need to just photo copy all of the things that I've written down that Chuck and Marissa have said these past weeks. More and more of how they were prepared, and how the hand of the Lord played a part in us meeting them and their conversion has continued to come out. It's almost like a dream, the greatest. I've told another missionary out here about some of this and he was in awe. It is like something you read out of an Ensign magazine or church article!! OH it is incredible. I love this, teaching this message makes me so happy, seeing people happy, seeing them make changes, repent. Seeing testimonies grow. To see a man once excommunicated begin to again feel the Saviors love. To see his tears of joy, and then to be able to embrace him as one of my brothers. This is joy. This Church, this work, this gospel, my mission, the people, make me happy. It's all so true. I love it. I hope all is well at home. I love you all.
Love,
Elder Adams
The article about dad sounds really good. I don't think anything happened to my bike. I don't think there were any knew scratches. I have some small scars on my knuckles, and I think my pants were ok. I don't know my companion says that you gotta do what you gotta do. I almost feel like I'm taking advantage of them, but it's better to be safe than sorry. I think I will call them and tell them 1000.
I thought that 500 was a lot, but if you're saying that that isn't much then I don't know.
Stay in close contact with the Bullock family. The holidays are a great time to do so. Good work thus far, I really appreciate it. I haven't received any letters from them, so I will write again this week. Let them Know that I love them so much, and I keep them in my prayers. I will never be able to forget what they have done for me. Keep in touch with them and let me know.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
November 11, 2009
Hey mom I need to talk to you about the settlement that I received from state farm. I need to make sure that you received a copy of the statement and that what they are offering covers all of the medical bills and expenses. They are also offering me 500for pain and suffering. Write me back. I want to get this signed and taken care of. I need to know if all is right so that I can sign these papers and mail it back to them accepting their offer.
So you got to talk to Debbie when you dropped off the donuts, or did you leave them on their porch? Did you see Aaron, How's he doing? When you say Zach slipped out, do you mean that when you showed up he left, or he wasn't home when you went over. Does is seem like he's purposefully avoiding? Did they say anything about receiving any of my letters? I've been writing one every other preparation day.
First of all you don't need to send and email to his president. He's ok, don't panic. Yes, I did get the package for my birthday. Thank you so much it was perfect. So my birthday fell on Zone conference, so we were in that most of the day. During lunch they sing to all the missionaries that have had their birthday in the past transfer. Well mine was that day so they were singing to me on my actual day, Half of the mission singing to me!!! Marissa was actually the second person to say happy birthday to me. She called at about 8:00 in the morning when we were driving to Zone Conference and wished me a happy birthday, how neat is that. The only other person to beat her to the punch was my companion. This was really cool. Then after Zone Conference the former AP who was just released came up to me with a serious look on his face and asked if he could speak to me as he pointed to a room with the door closed. He opened the door and it was packed with Elders!! They bombarded me and swarmed me in a huge group hug as they wished me Happy birthday. This was good. It really made me feel special. I have lots of cool pictures of my companion picking me up over his head and me on top of a huge human tower. It made the day special. I didn't really feel like celebrating or doing anything, I planned on the celebration being the next day with Chuck and Marissa and Bill. My companion couldn't believe it, he said- No it's your birthday, you can do or go anywhere you want. Our investigator who is excommunicated ended up calling us and inviting us over for dinner so we went and did that. 21 didn't seem as weird as 20. I bore my testimony at zone conference, because I had really come to realize and feel some things. I've recognized that in my call letter, all of the blessings promised to me by the Lord for serving a mission, in the way that he asks, have been fulfilled. I looked at a copy of it that we had been given and as I looked at each promised blessing, memories from my mission came to my mind, and the spirit to testify that it had happened. It hit me. Every thing the Lord has promised me has been given to me. How incredible. The Lord always keeps his promises.
Saturday was the day though!!!! Wow, the baptism went so well. I just finished writing about it all in my journal yesterday. There was so much support out for Chuck and Marissa. So many branch members showed up. We had to set up more chairs. We had been making phone calls on Thursday night to get everyone there. We were filling the font all through the program, almost until it was time for the baptism itself. I baptized and confirmed both Chuck and Marissa. It was incredible. Normally they do the confirmation on sunday but that was Stake conference. I can't tell you how incredible this baptism was, and what it means to me. Their testimonies that they gave were incredible. Marissa's in her Philipino accent was so humble, simple, and powerful. They are so strong. So many members said that it was the most spiritual baptism that they have been to. We had everyone write their testimonies on a card while we changed out of our wet clothes. These we gave to Chuck and Marissa later on. The Branch also presented them with their own quad. I wrote my testimony and words of encouragement in Chucks and I have to write in Marissa's today. I'm also going to give them my last plan of Salvation puzzle. These two were so ready for baptism. They both talked about how good they felt after. It's interesting to talk to people after they're baptized and hear what it feels like. Here's some of what Chuck said in his testimony:"I know the Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith is the Lord's prophet. We found the Church, this long journey we've been on, we found it through these young men knocking on our door. I thank God for these Missionaries." They really do appreciate what we do, and what we've brought to them. Marrissa's Testimony was incredible:"This is the greatest day of our life. Since I opened the door septiember 24, 2009 to Elder Adams and Elder Nowell, it opened the door to learn more of the gospel.....I testify all this.." It was incredible. I wish I had a video camera and tape recorder for this whole day. I started to cry at the end of the baptism when we sang "families can be together forever." It was the spirit testifying to me that the Lord has shown me how I can. This day was evidence of that. The Lord had shown the way to two others. I was talking to Sister Doll afterwards, and I started to cry again. I told her " I know that family is going to go to the temple." I do know it. The Chromes will be an eternal family, and a year from now they will have their marriage sealed in God's house. This baptism was so much different from all of the others, because it's a family. It will always hold special memories and feelings. They will be strong members, this is a family forever. This was such a happy time, I can't even tell you how great it was, to see all of the people, and to see Chuck and Marissa so happy.
The next item for the day was the temple. We thought it would take an hour and a half to get there, but it ended up taking 2 and I was even speeding. We got there a few minutes before 4:00, the time at which the session Bill would be going through would start. One of the workers I talked to said that he would hold the session and to hurry and change. We did, and then they said they were going to pull them all back into the Chapel and we would go through the next session. We went into the Chapel but Bill never came. When I talked to people again they said that it had already started. I was ripped in half. I had missed the most important moment on my mission. I wasn't going to be able to see Bill and to be with him. I was torn. I was so frustrated. There was nothing I could do. This was something I had looked forward to for so long, something that we intended to do from the beginning with Bill. One man gave us an offer to be able to meet him in the Celestial room. We did this. I can only tell you now that I prayed and pleaded with the Lord for the longest time on my knees. I needed comfort. I felt horrible. I hope to one day be able to recount to you all that learned during this time, and all that occured. I was instructed in the temple, even though I had not been through the session. One day when the spirit is right, hopefully I will share some of my lessons, feelings, and thoughts that I had during this time. It was a lot and cannot write it all now.
I saw Bill though, and I was the first to hug him, and I shed some tears. I had been waiting in prayer for a long time. He was just glad that I had made it, and at least I was there. I felt better after praying, but even better after talking to Bill. Eventually (think it was the Temple President) came up to Bill and I in the Celestial Room and asked if the two of us would like to take part in a sealing. We did. We got to be witnesses in a sealing. I've never done this before, so it was a first for Bill and I. There were a lot of ward members in support for Bill. We talked with a few members about how the missionaries who taught Bill were both there. I only got to see Elder Purdie (Chris) briefly and then he left. We were so long in the sealing session that he had taken off. After the temple, Bill took us to TGI Friday's for dinner. Then we had a long drive home and we got home after 10:30. I actually had my companion drive and I tried to sleep. What a day though.
The next day President Doll spoke in Stake Conference and had Chuck and Marissa stand, and introduced them as the newest members of the Rockford Stake!!! After the conference, I talked to Marissa and she says that now she doesn't seem to worry as much. What a blessing baptism and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. That's what that is that she is feeling in her life, the comfort of the gift of the Holy Ghost in her life. All the blessings that I promised them both in their confirmation will come true, I know it.
Well, that is three of the most important and eventful days of my life to date. It would be hard to string together 3 days with more in them than these 3. It was an incredible weekend. I am so thankful for the opportunities that I was given this weekend. For Chuck and Marissa and Bill. To be a part of these people's lives. That Heavenly Father has allowed me to serve a mission and to take part in such sacred ordinances with three of his choice children. I am overfilled with gratitude for this. It is such a priviledge and a blessing. I don't know where or how I could ever have chances or moments like these. I will always treasure and hold them dear. Chuck and Marissa are on the path, and Bill continues on. I'd like to think I had a part, but it's the Lord's work. He allowed me to be here. He put me here, he made sure I changed my course so that I could be here, and help them along the way. He's made me a tool in his hand. I love my mission more that life itself, it is along with my testimony the most important thing in my life. I hold and treasure it. My mission means more to me than one can ever know. I love these experiences and these feelings that I'm having out here. I am blessed in more ways than I can imagine, or deserve. Nonetheless I am so thankful for what I have been able to be a part of and to witness this weekend. I am so thankful that I was able to exercise the priesthood, in performing the baptism and the confirmation. Who would have thought that I would be worthy and trusted to do this. I am so thankful. I bear testimony of the Savior, that he lives, that he speaks with God's prophet-Thomas S. Monson on the earth today. The Book of Mormon, and the scriptures are true, and this is the Lord's work, or which I have been called to do. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Elder Adams
I need you to get online so that I can discuss this with you. I'm about to leave the library though.
Maybe you can get online next week and we can talk about the $ settlement, plan on that. Also I might be able to sell my backpack to my companion for about $60.
I'll probably send home a ton of pictures after Thanksgiving. It's going to be a ton.
All right, the ship is sailing. Catch you next week. Remember 10:30 my time is when I get on.
So you got to talk to Debbie when you dropped off the donuts, or did you leave them on their porch? Did you see Aaron, How's he doing? When you say Zach slipped out, do you mean that when you showed up he left, or he wasn't home when you went over. Does is seem like he's purposefully avoiding? Did they say anything about receiving any of my letters? I've been writing one every other preparation day.
First of all you don't need to send and email to his president. He's ok, don't panic. Yes, I did get the package for my birthday. Thank you so much it was perfect. So my birthday fell on Zone conference, so we were in that most of the day. During lunch they sing to all the missionaries that have had their birthday in the past transfer. Well mine was that day so they were singing to me on my actual day, Half of the mission singing to me!!! Marissa was actually the second person to say happy birthday to me. She called at about 8:00 in the morning when we were driving to Zone Conference and wished me a happy birthday, how neat is that. The only other person to beat her to the punch was my companion. This was really cool. Then after Zone Conference the former AP who was just released came up to me with a serious look on his face and asked if he could speak to me as he pointed to a room with the door closed. He opened the door and it was packed with Elders!! They bombarded me and swarmed me in a huge group hug as they wished me Happy birthday. This was good. It really made me feel special. I have lots of cool pictures of my companion picking me up over his head and me on top of a huge human tower. It made the day special. I didn't really feel like celebrating or doing anything, I planned on the celebration being the next day with Chuck and Marissa and Bill. My companion couldn't believe it, he said- No it's your birthday, you can do or go anywhere you want. Our investigator who is excommunicated ended up calling us and inviting us over for dinner so we went and did that. 21 didn't seem as weird as 20. I bore my testimony at zone conference, because I had really come to realize and feel some things. I've recognized that in my call letter, all of the blessings promised to me by the Lord for serving a mission, in the way that he asks, have been fulfilled. I looked at a copy of it that we had been given and as I looked at each promised blessing, memories from my mission came to my mind, and the spirit to testify that it had happened. It hit me. Every thing the Lord has promised me has been given to me. How incredible. The Lord always keeps his promises.
Saturday was the day though!!!! Wow, the baptism went so well. I just finished writing about it all in my journal yesterday. There was so much support out for Chuck and Marissa. So many branch members showed up. We had to set up more chairs. We had been making phone calls on Thursday night to get everyone there. We were filling the font all through the program, almost until it was time for the baptism itself. I baptized and confirmed both Chuck and Marissa. It was incredible. Normally they do the confirmation on sunday but that was Stake conference. I can't tell you how incredible this baptism was, and what it means to me. Their testimonies that they gave were incredible. Marissa's in her Philipino accent was so humble, simple, and powerful. They are so strong. So many members said that it was the most spiritual baptism that they have been to. We had everyone write their testimonies on a card while we changed out of our wet clothes. These we gave to Chuck and Marissa later on. The Branch also presented them with their own quad. I wrote my testimony and words of encouragement in Chucks and I have to write in Marissa's today. I'm also going to give them my last plan of Salvation puzzle. These two were so ready for baptism. They both talked about how good they felt after. It's interesting to talk to people after they're baptized and hear what it feels like. Here's some of what Chuck said in his testimony:"I know the Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith is the Lord's prophet. We found the Church, this long journey we've been on, we found it through these young men knocking on our door. I thank God for these Missionaries." They really do appreciate what we do, and what we've brought to them. Marrissa's Testimony was incredible:"This is the greatest day of our life. Since I opened the door septiember 24, 2009 to Elder Adams and Elder Nowell, it opened the door to learn more of the gospel.....I testify all this.." It was incredible. I wish I had a video camera and tape recorder for this whole day. I started to cry at the end of the baptism when we sang "families can be together forever." It was the spirit testifying to me that the Lord has shown me how I can. This day was evidence of that. The Lord had shown the way to two others. I was talking to Sister Doll afterwards, and I started to cry again. I told her " I know that family is going to go to the temple." I do know it. The Chromes will be an eternal family, and a year from now they will have their marriage sealed in God's house. This baptism was so much different from all of the others, because it's a family. It will always hold special memories and feelings. They will be strong members, this is a family forever. This was such a happy time, I can't even tell you how great it was, to see all of the people, and to see Chuck and Marissa so happy.
The next item for the day was the temple. We thought it would take an hour and a half to get there, but it ended up taking 2 and I was even speeding. We got there a few minutes before 4:00, the time at which the session Bill would be going through would start. One of the workers I talked to said that he would hold the session and to hurry and change. We did, and then they said they were going to pull them all back into the Chapel and we would go through the next session. We went into the Chapel but Bill never came. When I talked to people again they said that it had already started. I was ripped in half. I had missed the most important moment on my mission. I wasn't going to be able to see Bill and to be with him. I was torn. I was so frustrated. There was nothing I could do. This was something I had looked forward to for so long, something that we intended to do from the beginning with Bill. One man gave us an offer to be able to meet him in the Celestial room. We did this. I can only tell you now that I prayed and pleaded with the Lord for the longest time on my knees. I needed comfort. I felt horrible. I hope to one day be able to recount to you all that learned during this time, and all that occured. I was instructed in the temple, even though I had not been through the session. One day when the spirit is right, hopefully I will share some of my lessons, feelings, and thoughts that I had during this time. It was a lot and cannot write it all now.
I saw Bill though, and I was the first to hug him, and I shed some tears. I had been waiting in prayer for a long time. He was just glad that I had made it, and at least I was there. I felt better after praying, but even better after talking to Bill. Eventually (think it was the Temple President) came up to Bill and I in the Celestial Room and asked if the two of us would like to take part in a sealing. We did. We got to be witnesses in a sealing. I've never done this before, so it was a first for Bill and I. There were a lot of ward members in support for Bill. We talked with a few members about how the missionaries who taught Bill were both there. I only got to see Elder Purdie (Chris) briefly and then he left. We were so long in the sealing session that he had taken off. After the temple, Bill took us to TGI Friday's for dinner. Then we had a long drive home and we got home after 10:30. I actually had my companion drive and I tried to sleep. What a day though.
The next day President Doll spoke in Stake Conference and had Chuck and Marissa stand, and introduced them as the newest members of the Rockford Stake!!! After the conference, I talked to Marissa and she says that now she doesn't seem to worry as much. What a blessing baptism and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. That's what that is that she is feeling in her life, the comfort of the gift of the Holy Ghost in her life. All the blessings that I promised them both in their confirmation will come true, I know it.
Well, that is three of the most important and eventful days of my life to date. It would be hard to string together 3 days with more in them than these 3. It was an incredible weekend. I am so thankful for the opportunities that I was given this weekend. For Chuck and Marissa and Bill. To be a part of these people's lives. That Heavenly Father has allowed me to serve a mission and to take part in such sacred ordinances with three of his choice children. I am overfilled with gratitude for this. It is such a priviledge and a blessing. I don't know where or how I could ever have chances or moments like these. I will always treasure and hold them dear. Chuck and Marissa are on the path, and Bill continues on. I'd like to think I had a part, but it's the Lord's work. He allowed me to be here. He put me here, he made sure I changed my course so that I could be here, and help them along the way. He's made me a tool in his hand. I love my mission more that life itself, it is along with my testimony the most important thing in my life. I hold and treasure it. My mission means more to me than one can ever know. I love these experiences and these feelings that I'm having out here. I am blessed in more ways than I can imagine, or deserve. Nonetheless I am so thankful for what I have been able to be a part of and to witness this weekend. I am so thankful that I was able to exercise the priesthood, in performing the baptism and the confirmation. Who would have thought that I would be worthy and trusted to do this. I am so thankful. I bear testimony of the Savior, that he lives, that he speaks with God's prophet-Thomas S. Monson on the earth today. The Book of Mormon, and the scriptures are true, and this is the Lord's work, or which I have been called to do. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Elder Adams
I need you to get online so that I can discuss this with you. I'm about to leave the library though.
Maybe you can get online next week and we can talk about the $ settlement, plan on that. Also I might be able to sell my backpack to my companion for about $60.
I'll probably send home a ton of pictures after Thanksgiving. It's going to be a ton.
All right, the ship is sailing. Catch you next week. Remember 10:30 my time is when I get on.
Monday, November 9, 2009
November 4, 2009
I'm on, hurry and jump on. I'm going to write President really quick.
Excellent you made it online. Long time since we've been able to chat. I don't know what I'm doing for my birthday, but Saturday is going to be probable one of the most eventful days of my life. We have the baptism in the morning at 10:30 for Chuck and Marissa, and then we have to head out and drive to the temple to meet Elder Purdie who is flying out here, and Bill to go through the Temple for Bill's endowment @4:00. Then we are going to dinner after. Then drive all the way back. It's going to be such an Amazing day!!!!!
No we are just going to start teaching him. He has a copy of the Book of Mormon and he's been coming to church with mom and dad. He's even come to a youth activity to carve pumpkins. So we will begin teaching him, he's accepted. He's 16 turning 17 on the 28th.
Yeah it was awesome!!!! I haven't tried the hot sauce, but that's great. The only thing is you put the sunflower seeds in the Granola again, instead of the raisins. That's ok though I tried some of it on sunday night. Yeah the package is totally in tact. What's this about buying tickets to some event or what not??? NO making plans!!! Anyway I think you got my last message, I don't have to decide between the baptism or the temple. I get to do both!!!
I feel like my 20th was just yesterday. I still feel like I'm 19, time goes by so fast, I didn't even get the feel for 20. I can't be 21 yet. Zone conference happens to be this Friday on my Birthday.
I don’t even know where to begin, so many amazing things have happened this week. You might just have to hear all about them in another lifetime or around the campfire. The Cromes had their baptismal interview yesterday and all went well. We are finishing preparations for the baptism this Saturday at 10:30. Elder Hansen, who did the interview for Chuck, said that Chuck has an incredible testimony. I believe they both really do. They have conviction and determination in all that they say. Marissa has such a strong desire to read and to study. Chuck even had a trial of his faith these past two days. The Lord helped him and blessed him, and you can tell that Satan is really trying to grind the gears. Chuck works at a rail station, hooking trains together. Chuck went into work Sunday night and started having all of these cravings for cigarettes. He did what he did to break the habit: He prayed. He kept praying but the urge kept coming. He finally made it through the night. Then he went home after 12 hours of work and he couldn’t sleep. He said, “He wouldn’t let me sleep.” Satan was really working on him. Then he gets up in the morning, no sleep, and goes for another 12 hour shift. He’s so thoroughly exhausted by the end that his son ends up having to take over the Truck to get them home. Chuck then collapses in bed. When he wakes up he can’t remember. He finds that he’s left his laptop and lunchbox in the truck. Marissa said that she was praying for him. Then normally Chuck has arthritis in his thumbs and can’t sleep on his right side. He wakes up on his right side and no arthritis in his thumbs. It’s a miracle a little blessing from the Lord. Chuck was victorious though, and they are both looking forward to Saturday. We all saw this testing time as a push by Satan to try and stop them from being baptized this Saturday. Chuck and Marissa are incredible. Remember how we saw some of the same things occur before I left on my mission. They are more ready than ever, and they will eventually go to the temple, I know it. I’ll probably send home pictures (I have held onto a lot for a long time), after my birthday and Thanksgiving.
Gospel study is going well. I've read the Tree of Life vision before but somebody added some things to my scriptures!!! I thought a lot about Chuck and Marissa and others that are new converts grabbing hold to the iron rod. I thought about myself and how we all have to hold onto the end, and not listen to the jeerings of those of the world around us. I just love the scriptures and my time in them.
Chuck and Marissa will begin this journey, and already they have faced a little ridicule and questioning from friends and family. They have stood strong. They tried to invite people to their baptism, or tell them about the decision that they are making, and they say, “What, no coffee, no tea, you can’t do anything now.” Or they say “Oh, you’re going to let Chuck have more than one wife. “ Their friends have been telling them that they need to think about it, and they ask if they are sure. Chuck and Marissa have just replied back, this is what we are doing. They say they’ve been on a journey, searching. Marissa bore her testimony (Basically) in relief society. She asked if she could say something, and then she said that they would go to other Churches and then come home and feel empty, then when she came to ours she didn’t have that empty feeling. I wish you could hear all of the incredible things these two are saying and feeling. It’s like something out of an ensign magazine, a story that you hear about some missionary telling, and you don’t know if that could ever happen. It is!!!
We also had the chili cook off and Halloween party this Friday. We were the judges. There was 12 entries, a lot of Chili, which made for an interesting time on the treadmill the next day. Anyway, one of the Chili’s used rabbit in it, this one was one of my favorites and took 2nd place. Chuck and Marissa even made a Chili and brought a dessert. They had such a time. In the pie eating contest, You and your partner couldn’t look and you had to feed your partner. I fed Elder Bryner, who spit it up in my hand. Chuck and Marissa won, for a 3 way tie. They lost in the rematch. Our Halloween we had to be in at 6:00, we finished a lesson at about 6:40 and then went in. We had began our fast at about 2:30 so we didn’t even make dinner. The reason we started at this time was because we broke our fast at a members home on Sunday with Chuck and Marissa, and Chuck had to do it early. My companion wanted food so bad as we were in our apartment. He wanted his Berry Collosal Crunch. He made it though, I just told him think how much better it will taste tomorrow. We got some extra sleep this night also, because of daylight savings and the fact that we were in early. I worked out, did some push ups and pull ups and read out of the ensign. That was pretty much Halloween.
Elder Bryner and I are doing great. The work just seems to be going better and there's a different spirit each day. I'm so excited for the work here!!!! Anyway, things are going great. I love it!!!! I can’t write anymore. I could probably write about 10 pages of all the weeks events.
Love you ALL,
Elder Adams
P.S. -I'll let you know what happens for my birthday. It will be interesting. The real focus is on Chuck and Marissa's baptism and Bill going through the Temple. That's memories. It's also Chuck's Birthday on Saturday.
Yeah you can just buy clothes later or something. I love you mom. I gotta go and do some other things today. Thanks for the Birthday wishes.
I can't believe I almost forgot to give you the scriptures I had last week. D&C 112:5,6,7 DC 105:16 104:82 112:13. Love you all tons. Did you get the treats to Zach and his mom. What did they say.
Excellent you made it online. Long time since we've been able to chat. I don't know what I'm doing for my birthday, but Saturday is going to be probable one of the most eventful days of my life. We have the baptism in the morning at 10:30 for Chuck and Marissa, and then we have to head out and drive to the temple to meet Elder Purdie who is flying out here, and Bill to go through the Temple for Bill's endowment @4:00. Then we are going to dinner after. Then drive all the way back. It's going to be such an Amazing day!!!!!
No we are just going to start teaching him. He has a copy of the Book of Mormon and he's been coming to church with mom and dad. He's even come to a youth activity to carve pumpkins. So we will begin teaching him, he's accepted. He's 16 turning 17 on the 28th.
Yeah it was awesome!!!! I haven't tried the hot sauce, but that's great. The only thing is you put the sunflower seeds in the Granola again, instead of the raisins. That's ok though I tried some of it on sunday night. Yeah the package is totally in tact. What's this about buying tickets to some event or what not??? NO making plans!!! Anyway I think you got my last message, I don't have to decide between the baptism or the temple. I get to do both!!!
I feel like my 20th was just yesterday. I still feel like I'm 19, time goes by so fast, I didn't even get the feel for 20. I can't be 21 yet. Zone conference happens to be this Friday on my Birthday.
I don’t even know where to begin, so many amazing things have happened this week. You might just have to hear all about them in another lifetime or around the campfire. The Cromes had their baptismal interview yesterday and all went well. We are finishing preparations for the baptism this Saturday at 10:30. Elder Hansen, who did the interview for Chuck, said that Chuck has an incredible testimony. I believe they both really do. They have conviction and determination in all that they say. Marissa has such a strong desire to read and to study. Chuck even had a trial of his faith these past two days. The Lord helped him and blessed him, and you can tell that Satan is really trying to grind the gears. Chuck works at a rail station, hooking trains together. Chuck went into work Sunday night and started having all of these cravings for cigarettes. He did what he did to break the habit: He prayed. He kept praying but the urge kept coming. He finally made it through the night. Then he went home after 12 hours of work and he couldn’t sleep. He said, “He wouldn’t let me sleep.” Satan was really working on him. Then he gets up in the morning, no sleep, and goes for another 12 hour shift. He’s so thoroughly exhausted by the end that his son ends up having to take over the Truck to get them home. Chuck then collapses in bed. When he wakes up he can’t remember. He finds that he’s left his laptop and lunchbox in the truck. Marissa said that she was praying for him. Then normally Chuck has arthritis in his thumbs and can’t sleep on his right side. He wakes up on his right side and no arthritis in his thumbs. It’s a miracle a little blessing from the Lord. Chuck was victorious though, and they are both looking forward to Saturday. We all saw this testing time as a push by Satan to try and stop them from being baptized this Saturday. Chuck and Marissa are incredible. Remember how we saw some of the same things occur before I left on my mission. They are more ready than ever, and they will eventually go to the temple, I know it. I’ll probably send home pictures (I have held onto a lot for a long time), after my birthday and Thanksgiving.
Gospel study is going well. I've read the Tree of Life vision before but somebody added some things to my scriptures!!! I thought a lot about Chuck and Marissa and others that are new converts grabbing hold to the iron rod. I thought about myself and how we all have to hold onto the end, and not listen to the jeerings of those of the world around us. I just love the scriptures and my time in them.
Chuck and Marissa will begin this journey, and already they have faced a little ridicule and questioning from friends and family. They have stood strong. They tried to invite people to their baptism, or tell them about the decision that they are making, and they say, “What, no coffee, no tea, you can’t do anything now.” Or they say “Oh, you’re going to let Chuck have more than one wife. “ Their friends have been telling them that they need to think about it, and they ask if they are sure. Chuck and Marissa have just replied back, this is what we are doing. They say they’ve been on a journey, searching. Marissa bore her testimony (Basically) in relief society. She asked if she could say something, and then she said that they would go to other Churches and then come home and feel empty, then when she came to ours she didn’t have that empty feeling. I wish you could hear all of the incredible things these two are saying and feeling. It’s like something out of an ensign magazine, a story that you hear about some missionary telling, and you don’t know if that could ever happen. It is!!!
We also had the chili cook off and Halloween party this Friday. We were the judges. There was 12 entries, a lot of Chili, which made for an interesting time on the treadmill the next day. Anyway, one of the Chili’s used rabbit in it, this one was one of my favorites and took 2nd place. Chuck and Marissa even made a Chili and brought a dessert. They had such a time. In the pie eating contest, You and your partner couldn’t look and you had to feed your partner. I fed Elder Bryner, who spit it up in my hand. Chuck and Marissa won, for a 3 way tie. They lost in the rematch. Our Halloween we had to be in at 6:00, we finished a lesson at about 6:40 and then went in. We had began our fast at about 2:30 so we didn’t even make dinner. The reason we started at this time was because we broke our fast at a members home on Sunday with Chuck and Marissa, and Chuck had to do it early. My companion wanted food so bad as we were in our apartment. He wanted his Berry Collosal Crunch. He made it though, I just told him think how much better it will taste tomorrow. We got some extra sleep this night also, because of daylight savings and the fact that we were in early. I worked out, did some push ups and pull ups and read out of the ensign. That was pretty much Halloween.
Elder Bryner and I are doing great. The work just seems to be going better and there's a different spirit each day. I'm so excited for the work here!!!! Anyway, things are going great. I love it!!!! I can’t write anymore. I could probably write about 10 pages of all the weeks events.
Love you ALL,
Elder Adams
P.S. -I'll let you know what happens for my birthday. It will be interesting. The real focus is on Chuck and Marissa's baptism and Bill going through the Temple. That's memories. It's also Chuck's Birthday on Saturday.
Yeah you can just buy clothes later or something. I love you mom. I gotta go and do some other things today. Thanks for the Birthday wishes.
I can't believe I almost forgot to give you the scriptures I had last week. D&C 112:5,6,7 DC 105:16 104:82 112:13. Love you all tons. Did you get the treats to Zach and his mom. What did they say.
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