December 9, 2009

Hurry, we have been dumped on with snow and we are going out in it.
Transfer calls were yesterday and Elder Bryner and I have both been transferred out of Byron. No, we are both staying here in Byron together for at least another transfer. So that means that I will have spent all of the Holidays with Elder Bryner. It also means that I will have celebrated my birthday his 20th birthday was on Monday, and then his year mark is on the 17. All sorts of celebrations for us together.
We had the Christmas Devotional on Sunday broadcast at the church. I can’t believe it’s been 2 months since General conference, and a year since the last Christmas message. I can still remember it like it was yesterday. I remember the one before also.
So we’ve had our first snowfalls this past week. It’s actually been snowing for about 2 days. I have now outfitted myself in my Soreli boots, and I am ready for combat with old man winter. Yesterday my companion and I did something that I have never done on my mission. It’s called shovel tracting. One of you goes to the door to knock and to speak to the person while the other begins shoveling the walkway to the door. This with the intention that their hearts will be softened by us performing service. For me it’s also a good way to stay warm. We shovel tracted for an hour and a half yesterday. Some people don’t want you to shovel their walkway and still others reject you. One lady was kind enough to talk to us as we helped her with her walkway, since she was out shoveling. I saw my reflection in a door when we were doing this last night and my jacket was covered in snow. I looked like I’d been in a tundra. We also helped out some of the branch members to get their driveways and sidewalks taken care of. This weather certainly provides for a lot of service opportunities.
This week Elder Bryner and I have been noticing that the persecutions that we have been facing have continued. In the past couple weeks we have had the cops called on us twice, people seem to be rejecting us, and we've had two notes left on doors when we've showed up for appointments, saying that they have changed their minds and are no longer interested. Elder Bryner says this is probably the worst that he has seen it on his mission. I haven’t beat my record yet of 10 times having the cops called on me during my time in North Shore. On top of this all, the other day Shane told us he didn't have time to go to church and that he and Bambi will no longer be meeting with us. So we lost that family that we have been teaching. JR came to church but his interest when we teach him is lacking. We are just really struggling to find people to teach. It seems that everyone that we do find, and set up an appointment with, will later call and cancel the appointment. We talked about how much of these "hard times" we are facing, and we both agree that there must be some good ahead of us that Satan is trying to prevent us from reaching. He wants us to get discouraged. Elder Bryner said that anytime in his life just before something good is about to happen, there has been the worst of times. We are continuing to push through it and are striving to find some people to teach. It just seems like everyone is dropping us. It hasn't been all bad though, we have had a few very positive lessons and interactions with people that will hopefully lead us to something. We are just keeping in mind that we must be like Nephi and continue to declare the word with unwarryingness, regardless of what happens or whether or not success comes.
We met with Mary and John Whitt on Saturday. She is very angry still with her husband and the woman he cheated on her with. She has also had a lifetime, since childhood, of abuse. She's angry with God, and does not want to forgive or have the Savior forgive anyone that has wronged her. It was sad to see the grip that Satan had on her. We read a talk from an Ensign, that shed some light on these matters and we bore our testimonies of the atonement, and tried to offer guidance in forgiving and having faith, so that she can experience peace. They were very thankful at the end. They said that we seemed very wise for our age, and that we handled the situation very well. They said others didn't really know how to handle it before, that they had spoken with. Hopefully progress can be made here.
The Cromes also had a great time at the temple this Saturday. Marissa and Chuck went and performed baptisms for the dead. It's hard to believe that it has been one month since the time of their baptism and now they are already doing temple work for others. On Sunday Marissa got up in Sacrament meeting and bore her testimony. She said she only wished that she could have learned the gospel when she was younger. She also talked about the happiness that she felt at the temple. It's incredible the progress and the testimonies of these two converts. Her testimony is so pure and simple, everyone seems to quiet down and to listen more intently. There's power in her simple words because of the simple yet strong faith that she has.
As part of my personal study I am now going through all of the parables that Christ teaches and studying them. This is proving to be helpful, I was actually able to use one of them on a doorstep, and another in a member lesson. I love when study becomes applicable. I am learning so much from these parables, especially application for my own life. I think there's a reason Christ is referred to as the master teacher. It's like I'm reviewing his lesson plans, that is bound to help me become a better teacher. I am also reading through a 21 day walk with Christ for the Christmas season. As you can see I have a lot to study.
I am excited to be serving another transfer her in Byron with Elder Bryner. We just need to find a way to find some people. This last transfer went by so fast, it's incredible. I think it was the fastest transfer of my whole mission, I blinked and it was gone. Well we don't have a lot of time today, we are going to be busy. Let Josh know that I enjoyed his letter, and a Donner sounds a lot like a Gyro. Interesting although I have never had either.

Thank you so much for your emails family, and you are in my prayers always. I love you all.

Love Elder Adams

P.S.- I set up my nativity scene the other day that you gave me last Christmas. It sits right in front of me on my study desk.

Yeah I'm on too but I am just about to leave. I just finished and we are super busy today. Bro. Fomby wanted to wait to send the check to see if I got transfered so it should be coming now.
Sorry I've got to get going. If there's anything that you need to tell me, you just have to write it immediately when you get on. You can't just write I'M here. I love you and we can try again next week.
Thanks mom, I love you too. I'll chat to ya next week.
just kidding I thought my companion was done I have a few more seconds.
We also did service this past week at a food pantry and clothing resale shop. I was actually able to talk to the lady that was training me back by the food shelves. My companion was assigned to work in the clothing. When people would come into fill their orders I could even talk to them about the church. I gave our website card out to one one lady. It makes you feel good when you do service and share the gospel. That's why I don't understand why I should ever have to change all this. I'm happy, this works for me. This is working for me, I don't want to have to find some other way to be happy in life. Just doing the Lords work.