I would first and foremost love to hear Grandma, and Aubrey and Amber, they are the talent of the family and they deffinately invite the spirit. If they could sing a song about missionary service, or there's a song that they have in seminary by a lady and it's called "I am" some of the lines go "maker, creater, life sustainer....when I am weak unable to speak, still I can call him by name, and he says I am." I don't know who it is by. Or if they could sing, a song that goes something like" nations fall before him, the rivers crawl to find him, mountains move just to let him through,...come and never leave him." However these are just suggestions. Whatever they put together I'm sure will shake the very ground, and I can't wait to hear it. Whatever you find if it is one of these, or something else, make it a surprise, I don't want to know what it is until I hear it on that day. I love the topic that I was given to speak on though. I might be able to write you something next wednesday, I don't know though. It has been great writing to you though. I will miss this, bearing my testimony through the written word. I wrote most of everything that I have time for. Today we were in the city and now I need to get to bed. Today was amazing in the city. I talked to some great people on the train, I just love sharing the gospel and getting into conversations with people. It was incredible just talking to people. I loved seeing the city again, this is my home, this is my home. I loved it. The day went by so fast, like these two years, it's insane. The day with Bill was awesome, some great last memories in the city, and reminiscing with Bill. Well I'm off to Bed. I wrote dad more. It's been a pleasure writing you and this is the last one,......1 Timothy 3:14 and 2 John 1:12.
Love Elder Adams
P.S.-Tear it up Josh, love every minute of it. Time is so precious especially as a missionary. I love you Bro.
Really good weather for the rest of the week and next week.... I love it!!!! Let's tear it up and light it up. Everybody is going to hear me shout it from the roof tops. We go down into the vineyard to labor for the last time here, to be in this vineyard, and then I go to labor in another part. I've gotten an idea that I have to think of it as another transfer that I'm just getting a new area. Thanks dad for your consolation and words of encouragement. I'm sorry I can't write a whole ton more, I've been down in the city today for our last trip. We went and met bill and we had a good time. It was awesome weather. I have some good pictures and today went by so fast. I'm so stoked. Sunday night I was chanting at my companion, "lets do it" it's the last hooray!!! I made him put his fist in and give a chant. We're coming around the corner and it's the straight away. Oh man can you feel it,..... this is when it all comes down you can put it all out there. I love it its like a surge of adrenaline. It feels so good. The angels of God are behind and pushing forward, I just feel the chanting and surging. At the same time, whenever I have an incredible contact or a meeting with someone it's hard because then I think how hard it will be to not have these experiences or to not have these feelings all the time. I had one the other day and it was hard. I actually started crying while we were out tracting as we walked away from this man who had taken a copy of the Book of Mormon and after I'd shared my testimony and told him about some interesting war chapters which made him interested in the book of Mormon. I love this work and the feelings so much. Today in the city was especially incredible. Remembering times with Bill and how we met him. He recounted how we met and the different times teaching him and how he accepted baptism and that was two years ago. It's come and gone. Today went by like it was nothing. It was such a good day though, such good memories. I love this city and being down there oh it was so good. I also had my last interview with President Doll and he said how he liked how I am a good example of a missionary working hard up to the end. He said he's notice one thing about me how I've been consistant all throughout my mission. It was a good interview. I also spoke on sunday and they had one of the speakers not show up so they asked me and my comp to speak about 20 min before sacrament started. It turned out awesome. There was so much praise from the members, I think they were touched, it went well, not bad for no notice, plus I had a cold. Well this will probably be my letter home as it's late right now and I need to get to bed. I don't know If I'll write anything to mom so be sure and share this. I love you Dad, family, and all. You've been an incredible support and I love you all. This is the last hoorah, the final days, my last week in the mission field. Here we go, go, go!!!! We're gonna make it happen!!!! It's the last week though.... it's the last of everything, it's hard to think of and then it will all be over. I love you all. 1 Timothy 3:14 and 2 John 1:12. I love you.
Love Elder Adams, The last letter home,..... The last Chapter.......My closing remarks.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
May 12, 2010
We had a lot more success this week in finding new investigators. This week has been a good start as well. On Monday we met with this new investigator, Jennifer. She has been sober for 3 years last october, about a year and a half ago. It was at this time that she felt that something was missing and so she began to search. She went back to her catholic church to see if it was there, but she didn't feel it there. She looked in other places, and had heard from the Jehovahs witness but nothing came. She then was having a hard time with life and her husband began to drink again and she was praying. He was then taken to jail. It was shortly after this happened that we knocked on her door. After we had presented the restoration to her and the Book of Mormon, she told us that she had felt something when she first talked to us at her door, and that that was why she had agreed to have us back, because normally like with the Jehovah's witnesses, she tells them all no. Our situation was different. When we came by for our appointment she was ready to meet with us but we didn’t have another male with us. I had to use the bathroom and my companion chirped up and said so for me. I went in and used her bathroom and after I was relieved I got on the cell phone and called Brother Berry, the member that we live with. While I was in the bathroom!!!!!! He was home and was willing to hurry over. It was a miracle, I just thought we had to meet with her right then, and it all worked out. The day that we came by to meet, at the end of the meeting she said that she was having a really hard day, but when we started to talk she said that she felt a peace and serenity start to come back again. This is so incredible she was feeling the spirit testify to her!!! The spirit was with us!!! It was working through us to touch her. I love seeing miracles like this and seeing how God leads us to people and people to us.
We have also met with Sister Sepsey last night and her 12 year old daughter who is not a member, and we talked about baptism. This little girl started to cry as I asked her when she wanted to have the Holy Ghost in her life. She said that she did want to be baptized. Something was wrong or had happened I think that prevented her from being baptized because her mom is divorced. She kept the tears in the corner of her eyes and I think she tried to hide them. She’s a smart girl though and knows a lot about the gospel. Brandy however looks like she has hit a brick wall. Her significant other wants to do the wedding his way, so regardless of her most earnest desires to get baptized she won't be able to because she is held back by someone elses decisions. This is the saddest things to see. Her is a young lady who knows it is all true and wants a remission of her sins and new life for herself and wants to marry the one she loves, but can't do it because he has reservations, even though they have 2 kids between them. It's sad to see. I don't know how to help them, it's up to her boyfriend. What's even more complicated is that they are living with his parents who are active members. He is not active at all and wants nothing to do with the Church. I don't know.
There's a lot of good to be done here, and things are starting to really get rolling. We’ve had a couple of other really neat experiences. Like Juan and his daughter just bringing out this older copy of the Book of Mormon. He had no idea where it came from. He’d never heard our message either. I don’t know. The only thing I can say is that the Lord is leading and guiding us. We have also ran into a number of these people that used to be members, well still are, but they don’t attend and we get to talking to them. These are The Lord’s lost sheep. These are the saddest when you have to walk away from their doorstep, because these are the ones that once had it, that knew of the truth and lived it and for one reason or another have forsaken the path. It’s sad, but it’s more of an instilment for me to stay true to my testimony and hold to the iron rod. Things are looking like they are really starting to get going here. It's too bad we don't have just a little more time. Especially to see what happens to some of these people.
This is my first part of my email, more to come.
Next week I might not email much. We are planning to meet Bill down in Chicago for the day. We are taking the metra train down, the big double decker!!!!! I'll check my email and try to write something though when we stop by the apple store in downtown. Next wednesday, the last P-day, it's going to be a fun one.
Love Elder Adams
This was something President sent us that I guess was in the Chicago Tribune. I love you Mom. Mother's day is important.
Mormon moms prepare for special day
Missionaries can call home on Mother's Day
By Manya A. Brachear, Tribune reporter
May 8, 2010
For children who leave home and move on, Mother's Day is often marked by the much-anticipated long-distance call home.
For mothers of missionaries in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that anticipation lasts months, making the time-honored tradition particularly meaningful.
In addition to sending weekly e-mail notes or handwritten letters, young Mormon missionaries can talk to their families only twice a year. The cherished semiannual ritual falls on Christmas and Mother's Day, holidays when either Jesus Christ or family is the focus. The calls also serve as reassurance and mile markers for mothers who aren't there to witness their children's transition into adulthood.
"My mom is the best mom in the world," said Elder James Hilton, 21, who is nearing the end of a mission in Sapporo, Japan. (A missionary is addressed as elder during an assignment.) "Me and my brothers were everything to her and still are. For her, my getting to go to the place I've always wanted to go was great. But at the same time, it means I'm growing up and leaving her."
While the imposed absence from mom and dad serves to foster a deeper appreciation for parenthood among young missionaries, parents often have the hardest time letting go, making the ring of the telephone on Mother's Day the greatest gift.
"You spend the couple weeks before the phone call mapping out your questions, any concerns you have," said Alysia Hilton, of Glenview, who is eager to make her second Mother's Day call to Japan on Sunday. "I go back and forth between being the first and letting my husband say goodbye, or last. I don't know if I'm going to weep the last 15 minutes and make him upset."
More than 50,000 full-time missionaries — mostly men — ages 19 to 30 serve as missionaries for the Latter-day Saints. Young men can serve 24 months beginning at age 19. Young women can serve 18 months beginning at age 21.
Based on Jesus' instruction in the New Testament to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations," the church's missionaries introduce people to Mormon teachings, including the church's code of health and nutrition, the Book of Mormon and its beliefs about reuniting with family in the afterlife.
Missionaries maintain only weekly written communication with their family in order to focus on their ministry. The semiannual telephone calls are usually limited to 45 minutes or an hour.
"The mindset of a mission is it's not your time, it's God's time," said James Hilton.
But the regimen is often more taxing for the mothers than the missionaries.
"To be physically separated from so far a distance, I didn't know what that ever would feel like," Alysia Hilton said. "I really love my boys. They're my whole life."
While two years may seem like an eternity for moms, the time often flies for missionaries.
For Elder Jonathan Scott, 19, who just began his mission in Fullerton, Calif., two years is just a sliver of time, considering the church teaching that he will be sealed to his family for time and eternity.
But as the days slowly tick down to her son's return in 18 months, Auralee Scott, of Northbrook, wishes she could be her son's sounding board as he faces the rejection Mormon missionaries often encounter. Reading about his struggles in letters only seems to widen the distance.
"I worry about him," she said. "I want him to feel successful. I just have the faith that he's where he should be and God is watching over him. Basically, I believe there must be some kind of lesson he'll learn from this."
Scott has already prepared a care package for her son's 20th birthday this month. It includes a roster of missionaries on both sides of the family, including his father, grandfathers, uncles and cousins. She hopes it will provide some encouragement.
"It's the sort of thing he can take pride in," she said. "He's one of them."
Though Auralee Scott never did a mission — she was engaged at age 21 — her son credits her with instilling a mission mindset. Since age 4, he has collected money for the assignment. She taught him lessons that supported him on the mission field and helped him pack his bags.
"You can see how much we value motherhood as a sacred responsibility," Jonathan Scott said. "My mother is my example to me growing up. Her knowledge and testimony of the gospel, that's partially why I'm here."
President seems to be pleased with what we are trying to do here with the Belvidere Branch. There wasn't much when we got her but things are getting up and going. It's frustrating that we don't have enough time to see things play out or to work it a bit more and see if we can't surely see some results and the fruits of it all. Here's what President wrote this week.
Reply From President
Thank you for reporting to me about your proselyting activities and the various people that you\'re working with. I can see that you continue to work hard in contacting people and talking to everyone. That\'s a great. It\'s a wonderful example to those about you. I can see that you are working hard right to the end of your mission. Thank you for working hard to help Elder Larkin to have a positive and his mission also. I\'m sure that the people in your branch appreciate all that the two of you are doing.
Yeah I have no idea how things are going to get home. Some are saying that they charge you even for your first bag!!!! I have no idea. I might see if I can send the bike home and just ship it. I don't know I'll have the members look things up for me. Next week we are going to the city to be with Bill, so that is going to be an excursion by train. I won't have a lot of time. I have a feeling that I'm going to get charged for bags no matter what, unless I leave stuff here. I think I can take a backpack and my small bag on as carry on, but then I don't know what they are going to charge me after that. I'm trying to figure things out, but honestly I have no idea. I wish that I didn't have to worry about it all and it would all just happen. It's like you said that it's all inevitable now, it's happening, I'm coming home, and now there is so much stuff to take care of and to worry about. Time sweeps by so quickly, and that day is ever on the forefront of my mind. I just want to be here and do the mission and not have to worry about everything, but the fact that it is coming so close makes it difficult. I guess this is a good reason to call it a push. It's almost like someone is pushing me towards that date, days go by fast and it's inevitable. Tell Josh Congrats on his calling as a zone leader. He's going to do awesome. I've heard it's a lot of paperwork and meetings though.
Like I said I'll probably check my email down at the apple store in downtown really quick next week and write you for the last time. Wow, for the last email, that's intense, it will be a lot of last times for everything after that. Oh, when I talked to Bill he said that he finally got a wedding announcement from Elder Purdie, and his is this Friday. He's been engaged since like January. Anyway, I love you all so much and I hope that you had a great mother's day. You're all in my prayers,
Love your,
Elder Adams
I finally got to look at the pics of Josh, Nice. It's good to see my bro. He's so lucky. This morning I was thinking about it, and he has a whole year still ahead of him. It goes by fast, especially after the year. This whole 2 years has gone by fast. This morning I thought about how lucky he is, he still has a whole year ahead. Tell him I love him
Love Elder Adams
We have also met with Sister Sepsey last night and her 12 year old daughter who is not a member, and we talked about baptism. This little girl started to cry as I asked her when she wanted to have the Holy Ghost in her life. She said that she did want to be baptized. Something was wrong or had happened I think that prevented her from being baptized because her mom is divorced. She kept the tears in the corner of her eyes and I think she tried to hide them. She’s a smart girl though and knows a lot about the gospel. Brandy however looks like she has hit a brick wall. Her significant other wants to do the wedding his way, so regardless of her most earnest desires to get baptized she won't be able to because she is held back by someone elses decisions. This is the saddest things to see. Her is a young lady who knows it is all true and wants a remission of her sins and new life for herself and wants to marry the one she loves, but can't do it because he has reservations, even though they have 2 kids between them. It's sad to see. I don't know how to help them, it's up to her boyfriend. What's even more complicated is that they are living with his parents who are active members. He is not active at all and wants nothing to do with the Church. I don't know.
There's a lot of good to be done here, and things are starting to really get rolling. We’ve had a couple of other really neat experiences. Like Juan and his daughter just bringing out this older copy of the Book of Mormon. He had no idea where it came from. He’d never heard our message either. I don’t know. The only thing I can say is that the Lord is leading and guiding us. We have also ran into a number of these people that used to be members, well still are, but they don’t attend and we get to talking to them. These are The Lord’s lost sheep. These are the saddest when you have to walk away from their doorstep, because these are the ones that once had it, that knew of the truth and lived it and for one reason or another have forsaken the path. It’s sad, but it’s more of an instilment for me to stay true to my testimony and hold to the iron rod. Things are looking like they are really starting to get going here. It's too bad we don't have just a little more time. Especially to see what happens to some of these people.
This is my first part of my email, more to come.
Next week I might not email much. We are planning to meet Bill down in Chicago for the day. We are taking the metra train down, the big double decker!!!!! I'll check my email and try to write something though when we stop by the apple store in downtown. Next wednesday, the last P-day, it's going to be a fun one.
Love Elder Adams
This was something President sent us that I guess was in the Chicago Tribune. I love you Mom. Mother's day is important.
Mormon moms prepare for special day
Missionaries can call home on Mother's Day
By Manya A. Brachear, Tribune reporter
May 8, 2010
For children who leave home and move on, Mother's Day is often marked by the much-anticipated long-distance call home.
For mothers of missionaries in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that anticipation lasts months, making the time-honored tradition particularly meaningful.
In addition to sending weekly e-mail notes or handwritten letters, young Mormon missionaries can talk to their families only twice a year. The cherished semiannual ritual falls on Christmas and Mother's Day, holidays when either Jesus Christ or family is the focus. The calls also serve as reassurance and mile markers for mothers who aren't there to witness their children's transition into adulthood.
"My mom is the best mom in the world," said Elder James Hilton, 21, who is nearing the end of a mission in Sapporo, Japan. (A missionary is addressed as elder during an assignment.) "Me and my brothers were everything to her and still are. For her, my getting to go to the place I've always wanted to go was great. But at the same time, it means I'm growing up and leaving her."
While the imposed absence from mom and dad serves to foster a deeper appreciation for parenthood among young missionaries, parents often have the hardest time letting go, making the ring of the telephone on Mother's Day the greatest gift.
"You spend the couple weeks before the phone call mapping out your questions, any concerns you have," said Alysia Hilton, of Glenview, who is eager to make her second Mother's Day call to Japan on Sunday. "I go back and forth between being the first and letting my husband say goodbye, or last. I don't know if I'm going to weep the last 15 minutes and make him upset."
More than 50,000 full-time missionaries — mostly men — ages 19 to 30 serve as missionaries for the Latter-day Saints. Young men can serve 24 months beginning at age 19. Young women can serve 18 months beginning at age 21.
Based on Jesus' instruction in the New Testament to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations," the church's missionaries introduce people to Mormon teachings, including the church's code of health and nutrition, the Book of Mormon and its beliefs about reuniting with family in the afterlife.
Missionaries maintain only weekly written communication with their family in order to focus on their ministry. The semiannual telephone calls are usually limited to 45 minutes or an hour.
"The mindset of a mission is it's not your time, it's God's time," said James Hilton.
But the regimen is often more taxing for the mothers than the missionaries.
"To be physically separated from so far a distance, I didn't know what that ever would feel like," Alysia Hilton said. "I really love my boys. They're my whole life."
While two years may seem like an eternity for moms, the time often flies for missionaries.
For Elder Jonathan Scott, 19, who just began his mission in Fullerton, Calif., two years is just a sliver of time, considering the church teaching that he will be sealed to his family for time and eternity.
But as the days slowly tick down to her son's return in 18 months, Auralee Scott, of Northbrook, wishes she could be her son's sounding board as he faces the rejection Mormon missionaries often encounter. Reading about his struggles in letters only seems to widen the distance.
"I worry about him," she said. "I want him to feel successful. I just have the faith that he's where he should be and God is watching over him. Basically, I believe there must be some kind of lesson he'll learn from this."
Scott has already prepared a care package for her son's 20th birthday this month. It includes a roster of missionaries on both sides of the family, including his father, grandfathers, uncles and cousins. She hopes it will provide some encouragement.
"It's the sort of thing he can take pride in," she said. "He's one of them."
Though Auralee Scott never did a mission — she was engaged at age 21 — her son credits her with instilling a mission mindset. Since age 4, he has collected money for the assignment. She taught him lessons that supported him on the mission field and helped him pack his bags.
"You can see how much we value motherhood as a sacred responsibility," Jonathan Scott said. "My mother is my example to me growing up. Her knowledge and testimony of the gospel, that's partially why I'm here."
President seems to be pleased with what we are trying to do here with the Belvidere Branch. There wasn't much when we got her but things are getting up and going. It's frustrating that we don't have enough time to see things play out or to work it a bit more and see if we can't surely see some results and the fruits of it all. Here's what President wrote this week.
Reply From President
Thank you for reporting to me about your proselyting activities and the various people that you\'re working with. I can see that you continue to work hard in contacting people and talking to everyone. That\'s a great. It\'s a wonderful example to those about you. I can see that you are working hard right to the end of your mission. Thank you for working hard to help Elder Larkin to have a positive and his mission also. I\'m sure that the people in your branch appreciate all that the two of you are doing.
Yeah I have no idea how things are going to get home. Some are saying that they charge you even for your first bag!!!! I have no idea. I might see if I can send the bike home and just ship it. I don't know I'll have the members look things up for me. Next week we are going to the city to be with Bill, so that is going to be an excursion by train. I won't have a lot of time. I have a feeling that I'm going to get charged for bags no matter what, unless I leave stuff here. I think I can take a backpack and my small bag on as carry on, but then I don't know what they are going to charge me after that. I'm trying to figure things out, but honestly I have no idea. I wish that I didn't have to worry about it all and it would all just happen. It's like you said that it's all inevitable now, it's happening, I'm coming home, and now there is so much stuff to take care of and to worry about. Time sweeps by so quickly, and that day is ever on the forefront of my mind. I just want to be here and do the mission and not have to worry about everything, but the fact that it is coming so close makes it difficult. I guess this is a good reason to call it a push. It's almost like someone is pushing me towards that date, days go by fast and it's inevitable. Tell Josh Congrats on his calling as a zone leader. He's going to do awesome. I've heard it's a lot of paperwork and meetings though.
Like I said I'll probably check my email down at the apple store in downtown really quick next week and write you for the last time. Wow, for the last email, that's intense, it will be a lot of last times for everything after that. Oh, when I talked to Bill he said that he finally got a wedding announcement from Elder Purdie, and his is this Friday. He's been engaged since like January. Anyway, I love you all so much and I hope that you had a great mother's day. You're all in my prayers,
Love your,
Elder Adams
I finally got to look at the pics of Josh, Nice. It's good to see my bro. He's so lucky. This morning I was thinking about it, and he has a whole year still ahead of him. It goes by fast, especially after the year. This whole 2 years has gone by fast. This morning I thought about how lucky he is, he still has a whole year ahead. Tell him I love him
Love Elder Adams
Sunday, May 9, 2010
May 5, 2010
Here's what my mission president sent me this week.
I love your Ammon story and mowing the lawn. That sounds like a great experience that will lead to help a family be activated and their daughter to be baptized. Good job. It sounds like you and Elder Larkin are working very hard to find people and to get things moving along in Belvidere. The stake president recently told me that the branch only lacks about 26 more members in order to go forward as a ward. You can certainly help move this along. And, as you pointed out, there are 26,000 people in Belvidere. Finding 26 people to be baptized is 0.10% of the population in Belvidere. It seems very plausible that those 26 people are there right now and could be moved towards baptism.
Have an exciting week!
Well this has been another great week, Fast sunday was this weekend, my last one in the mission field. It was powerful. I had forgotten to tell you that we had to give our departing testimonies at zone conference on the 22 of april. I ended up getting called up first and I hadn't planned anything. It was tough to make it through it, but it didn't seem as much like a departing testimony as when I bore my testimony in sacrament this Sunday. This one in fast sunday was really hard, I cried a lot through it. I had some interesting comments from one member, but several thanked me for my testimony(I can't write a lot right now). Anyway, Thursday we had dinner over at Brandy's home, with her significant other. After dinner we met with her and she had followed our commitment to ask him about why they had never gotten married. They have two kids together after all. To her surprise he said that he wants to wait until he has enough money to give her a grandeos wedding. She couldn't believe this and didn't know what to say. She told us how she of course has her reservations as well. But she said that she knows that this is the one true church and that salvation is something that is important to her. She said that she wants to be baptized. This is what she told us. We told her that she should tell him exactly what she is telling us, and bear her testimony. She had a lot to think about, and we had planned to teach fasting as it would be fast Sunday in a few days. We did and she loved it. It was so perfect for the situation and the timing. We didn't even have to commit her to fast. Before we even got done teaching her the principle, and had made mention that it was this Sunday, she was excited and said she couldn't wait to do it!!! It was such a good lesson, the power of the spirit there was incredible. She was all ears and was listening so intently as we showed her scriptures about what she could fast for and what the blessings are. She wanted to break her fast with us on Sunday and we had it all arranged to do so, but she ended up having to go to her nephews 3rd birthday. She came to church though. She had a lot of decisions to be fasting for, marriage, baptism, etc. When we told her that she could get married and that branch president could marry her at the church and that the branch could put together a 'grandeos' wedding and reception for her, FOR FREE, she was thrilled!!!! She found out that we would be leaving soon and she thought how great it would be to have this all happen in May!!!! That would be such an experience if she got married and then baptized and we got to be a part of it all. The branch would do an awesome job. So she had a lot to fast about. We haven't been able to get back in contact with her since Sunday, she's busy with those two kids, but how cool would it be if a wedding took place!!!!
We've been finding and teaching others, sometimes those we teach won't set return appointments, or it's difficult to get in contact with people we meet. I'm just so happy though. There aren't a lot of investigators or baptismal dates, but just to be out on a warm day with your companion talking to people, teaching them on their doorsteps and then praying with them. This is the life, a daily dose of this would carry me happily to the end of my days.
We have met a less active and his friend Nick has expressed desire to get baptized. The thing is he's been to the church before and played basketball so this isn't the first introduction. He wants to get baptized before he goes into the military.
Also a member posted my printer on ebay for me in a 20 day bid.
I love you all so much,
Love Elder Adams
I hate this limited time on the library computer. I have to send to separate emails because there isn't enough time to do it in a half hour before it runs out and I have to renew. I only get an hour.
Yeah I'll deffinately have to think about that house sitting. What an opportunity for grandma though. So bishop wants me to speak, does he have a topic that he wants me to speak on or does he want me to decide. Usually I thought they gave out topics. Let me know next week. I'd love to be able to study whatever out and give it some thought if he does have a topic that he wants me to talk about. I only have 10 minutes so I have to write fast.
I forgot to tell you about this lady from england that we met who was baptized at 15 and is now 80, she was a lost sheep. Her husband is atheist, and she goes to the Lutheran church now. We've met with them twice, we just tracted into them. We sadly won't be meeting anymore. The story is more incredible than this and we did learn some amazing things about her. Maybe I can tell you this sunday. You know it's odd being one of the oldest in the district, there aren't any other missionaries that have been out as long as my comp and I in the district. They look to and listen to what I have to say and really like it. It's odd. Also last sunday we had dinner at a castle of a home it was huge.
This fast sunday was an important one for me and for one of our investigators as you probably read from my email. I was fasting for a lot of things. This being my last in the mission field, it was a like a fast for the rest of my life, for help, for the future, for the transition. It was and insightful time. My studies that night were incredible as well. I felt like I'd been on a ride at an amusement park when I got done.
I love you so much mom and I will call you this week. I had to see what you would say. I love you so much though, and your support has been second to none. I love you so much words can't even express it. You are amazing. Don't let anyone tell you any different. I want you to have a wonderful mother's day. There's so much that I want to write about but no time. I guess it's a good thing I 'll be able to call this sunday. I don't know exactly what time though. Who knows??
Love Elder Adams
I love your Ammon story and mowing the lawn. That sounds like a great experience that will lead to help a family be activated and their daughter to be baptized. Good job. It sounds like you and Elder Larkin are working very hard to find people and to get things moving along in Belvidere. The stake president recently told me that the branch only lacks about 26 more members in order to go forward as a ward. You can certainly help move this along. And, as you pointed out, there are 26,000 people in Belvidere. Finding 26 people to be baptized is 0.10% of the population in Belvidere. It seems very plausible that those 26 people are there right now and could be moved towards baptism.
Have an exciting week!
Well this has been another great week, Fast sunday was this weekend, my last one in the mission field. It was powerful. I had forgotten to tell you that we had to give our departing testimonies at zone conference on the 22 of april. I ended up getting called up first and I hadn't planned anything. It was tough to make it through it, but it didn't seem as much like a departing testimony as when I bore my testimony in sacrament this Sunday. This one in fast sunday was really hard, I cried a lot through it. I had some interesting comments from one member, but several thanked me for my testimony(I can't write a lot right now). Anyway, Thursday we had dinner over at Brandy's home, with her significant other. After dinner we met with her and she had followed our commitment to ask him about why they had never gotten married. They have two kids together after all. To her surprise he said that he wants to wait until he has enough money to give her a grandeos wedding. She couldn't believe this and didn't know what to say. She told us how she of course has her reservations as well. But she said that she knows that this is the one true church and that salvation is something that is important to her. She said that she wants to be baptized. This is what she told us. We told her that she should tell him exactly what she is telling us, and bear her testimony. She had a lot to think about, and we had planned to teach fasting as it would be fast Sunday in a few days. We did and she loved it. It was so perfect for the situation and the timing. We didn't even have to commit her to fast. Before we even got done teaching her the principle, and had made mention that it was this Sunday, she was excited and said she couldn't wait to do it!!! It was such a good lesson, the power of the spirit there was incredible. She was all ears and was listening so intently as we showed her scriptures about what she could fast for and what the blessings are. She wanted to break her fast with us on Sunday and we had it all arranged to do so, but she ended up having to go to her nephews 3rd birthday. She came to church though. She had a lot of decisions to be fasting for, marriage, baptism, etc. When we told her that she could get married and that branch president could marry her at the church and that the branch could put together a 'grandeos' wedding and reception for her, FOR FREE, she was thrilled!!!! She found out that we would be leaving soon and she thought how great it would be to have this all happen in May!!!! That would be such an experience if she got married and then baptized and we got to be a part of it all. The branch would do an awesome job. So she had a lot to fast about. We haven't been able to get back in contact with her since Sunday, she's busy with those two kids, but how cool would it be if a wedding took place!!!!
We've been finding and teaching others, sometimes those we teach won't set return appointments, or it's difficult to get in contact with people we meet. I'm just so happy though. There aren't a lot of investigators or baptismal dates, but just to be out on a warm day with your companion talking to people, teaching them on their doorsteps and then praying with them. This is the life, a daily dose of this would carry me happily to the end of my days.
We have met a less active and his friend Nick has expressed desire to get baptized. The thing is he's been to the church before and played basketball so this isn't the first introduction. He wants to get baptized before he goes into the military.
Also a member posted my printer on ebay for me in a 20 day bid.
I love you all so much,
Love Elder Adams
I hate this limited time on the library computer. I have to send to separate emails because there isn't enough time to do it in a half hour before it runs out and I have to renew. I only get an hour.
Yeah I'll deffinately have to think about that house sitting. What an opportunity for grandma though. So bishop wants me to speak, does he have a topic that he wants me to speak on or does he want me to decide. Usually I thought they gave out topics. Let me know next week. I'd love to be able to study whatever out and give it some thought if he does have a topic that he wants me to talk about. I only have 10 minutes so I have to write fast.
I forgot to tell you about this lady from england that we met who was baptized at 15 and is now 80, she was a lost sheep. Her husband is atheist, and she goes to the Lutheran church now. We've met with them twice, we just tracted into them. We sadly won't be meeting anymore. The story is more incredible than this and we did learn some amazing things about her. Maybe I can tell you this sunday. You know it's odd being one of the oldest in the district, there aren't any other missionaries that have been out as long as my comp and I in the district. They look to and listen to what I have to say and really like it. It's odd. Also last sunday we had dinner at a castle of a home it was huge.
This fast sunday was an important one for me and for one of our investigators as you probably read from my email. I was fasting for a lot of things. This being my last in the mission field, it was a like a fast for the rest of my life, for help, for the future, for the transition. It was and insightful time. My studies that night were incredible as well. I felt like I'd been on a ride at an amusement park when I got done.
I love you so much mom and I will call you this week. I had to see what you would say. I love you so much though, and your support has been second to none. I love you so much words can't even express it. You are amazing. Don't let anyone tell you any different. I want you to have a wonderful mother's day. There's so much that I want to write about but no time. I guess it's a good thing I 'll be able to call this sunday. I don't know exactly what time though. Who knows??
Love Elder Adams
Sunday, May 2, 2010
April 28, 2010
Yes we do do a little biking here in Belvidere when we can. I'm thinking that I will send my bike home, unless someone wants to buy it for a really good deal. I have sold my winter coat thought as well. I am now going to try and get the printer put on ebay. Which reminds me did you get the money for my backpack that I sold in Byron from the member. The new address is,
214 Rebecca Rd.
Belvidere, IL 61008
As for calling home on Mothers day, I don't think that will really be necessary after all mothers day is like a week and a half before I will see you. I'm thinking I'll just use the time to talk to a few more people, teach a few more lessons and try and share as much of the gospel as possible.
Things have been going amazing. We were able to do some service in mowing the lawn of a single new move in and newly activated lady. She has a daughter that is 12 years old that is not a member. They have come to church but they have been really dodgy in us trying to get an appointment. After we mowed the lawn for her we were able to talk with her and her daughter briefly. We found out that her daughter wants to be baptized and mom is all for it. We told them that we have a few lessons that we teach in order to prepare for baptism and we could start those next week when they get back from Michigan if they'd like. The mom agreed and said that she even had a copy of preach my gospel. This is like a blessing and a miracle from heaven. That service that we did was so good, I think it really softened their hearts. It's like the story of Ammon.
We have also been having some amazing success in our finding efforts. We started using the Gospel art book yesterday, and this really helped Elder Larkin. He liked it and he was smiling!!!! I was too, and singing "Hope of Israel" It was such a good day. People are captivated when we show them these pictures and then teach and testify, and then they allow us to have a prayer with them. It's incredible. One of us picks a picture and the other doesn't get to see it, then when they come to the door you see the picture and you just have to start your door approach and then link it all back to the restoration. It's AWESOME, I was so happy and felt so good out doing this with my companion.
We have also got in contact with a former investigator that Soares had been working with. We should be able to teach them next Tuesday.
Our finding efforts have really been blessed as we get out to talk to people. I talked with Elder Larkin about things, and about how I want to finish my mission strong. Things are going awesome now. I feel like we have a stronger relationship since we had companionship inventory. He's more willing to go out and knock doors now, we're just doing the work. Before he was really quiet, but now we talk with each other so much more, and we laugh and we share insights. Oh, it's just so good. The way I see it with this new Gospel art book plan that we are doing we are going to be the busiest missionaries in all of the mission. We have and appointment with all 26,000 people that live in Belvidere. We're going to teach them all, and then if it be the Lord's will some of them will get Baptized!!!! I love it!!!! When we were out going door to door using this art book, I was so happy I was singing outloud "Hope of Israel rise in light, with the sword of truth and light, sound the war cry watch and wait vanquish every foe today... " Oh it was amazing.. I love my mission I feel so blessed. I have so much this is the time of my life,and I can't get enough of it. I don't want to give it up. I love it and want more. I told dad it's not fair that you only get 2 years, I should be able to pull a sons of mosiah and serve a 14 year mission. How awesome would that be. Things are going awesome here though. WE are settled in and tearing it up. The excitement and the sparks of the ward members are about to fly. WE are going to baptize. Pray for us. Pray for me. I love you all and you are in my prayers.
Elder Larkin knows a lot about the gospel and the scriptures so studies are a really good time for me to learn. I can ask him questions and he's got all sorts of resources to find answers. This is like a huge learning time for me from him.
. The work will surge forward here in Belvidere. A miracle will happen here!!!
No more time left.,,
Love you all Elder Adams
214 Rebecca Rd.
Belvidere, IL 61008
As for calling home on Mothers day, I don't think that will really be necessary after all mothers day is like a week and a half before I will see you. I'm thinking I'll just use the time to talk to a few more people, teach a few more lessons and try and share as much of the gospel as possible.
Things have been going amazing. We were able to do some service in mowing the lawn of a single new move in and newly activated lady. She has a daughter that is 12 years old that is not a member. They have come to church but they have been really dodgy in us trying to get an appointment. After we mowed the lawn for her we were able to talk with her and her daughter briefly. We found out that her daughter wants to be baptized and mom is all for it. We told them that we have a few lessons that we teach in order to prepare for baptism and we could start those next week when they get back from Michigan if they'd like. The mom agreed and said that she even had a copy of preach my gospel. This is like a blessing and a miracle from heaven. That service that we did was so good, I think it really softened their hearts. It's like the story of Ammon.
We have also been having some amazing success in our finding efforts. We started using the Gospel art book yesterday, and this really helped Elder Larkin. He liked it and he was smiling!!!! I was too, and singing "Hope of Israel" It was such a good day. People are captivated when we show them these pictures and then teach and testify, and then they allow us to have a prayer with them. It's incredible. One of us picks a picture and the other doesn't get to see it, then when they come to the door you see the picture and you just have to start your door approach and then link it all back to the restoration. It's AWESOME, I was so happy and felt so good out doing this with my companion.
We have also got in contact with a former investigator that Soares had been working with. We should be able to teach them next Tuesday.
Our finding efforts have really been blessed as we get out to talk to people. I talked with Elder Larkin about things, and about how I want to finish my mission strong. Things are going awesome now. I feel like we have a stronger relationship since we had companionship inventory. He's more willing to go out and knock doors now, we're just doing the work. Before he was really quiet, but now we talk with each other so much more, and we laugh and we share insights. Oh, it's just so good. The way I see it with this new Gospel art book plan that we are doing we are going to be the busiest missionaries in all of the mission. We have and appointment with all 26,000 people that live in Belvidere. We're going to teach them all, and then if it be the Lord's will some of them will get Baptized!!!! I love it!!!! When we were out going door to door using this art book, I was so happy I was singing outloud "Hope of Israel rise in light, with the sword of truth and light, sound the war cry watch and wait vanquish every foe today... " Oh it was amazing.. I love my mission I feel so blessed. I have so much this is the time of my life,and I can't get enough of it. I don't want to give it up. I love it and want more. I told dad it's not fair that you only get 2 years, I should be able to pull a sons of mosiah and serve a 14 year mission. How awesome would that be. Things are going awesome here though. WE are settled in and tearing it up. The excitement and the sparks of the ward members are about to fly. WE are going to baptize. Pray for us. Pray for me. I love you all and you are in my prayers.
Elder Larkin knows a lot about the gospel and the scriptures so studies are a really good time for me to learn. I can ask him questions and he's got all sorts of resources to find answers. This is like a huge learning time for me from him.
. The work will surge forward here in Belvidere. A miracle will happen here!!!
No more time left.,,
Love you all Elder Adams
Sunday, April 25, 2010
April 21, 2010
Not a lot was happening when we first got here last week. I called the ward mission leader on Wednesday night to get oriented. Since it was a whitewash and all. Not a lot happening when I get to an area has been the story of my mission, and this is the second time I’ve been whitewashed into some place. The ward mission leader asked what our plans were for the night and I told hime we were going to go and knock some doors. He said that this is why he was so excited and told us to sit tight, and then he left his family and came over to meet with us for a minute. The impression that I got was that the last missionaries didn’t do much. They were both ending their missions. Then on Sunday He plopped down next to me and put his arm around me and leaned in and asked who the lady was that I was sitting next to in Sacrament. I was sitting next to our investigator, Brandy, a referral that we had received and had just began teaching. The first Sunday and we had someone at church only being here 3 days. I told him who she was and about the lesson we had had on Saturday and then he said as he expressed gratitude, “You’ve done more in these past 3 days then has been done here in the past 3 months.” That was a booster that I needed to hear, with having to leave Elgin and all.
We've bee blessed with almost immediate success here in Belvidere. We've had a referral that we are now teaching. Her name is Brandy, she came from the Rockford Zone leaders. She is the significant other to a member who is inactive. They have two little kids together, but they aren't married. She wants to be baptized, but they are living with his parents who are also members. So they will have to get married or move out. Other than that, we continue to have success in having small lessons with people that we meet on the street or that we talk to on their doorsteps or in businesses, the Lord is just placing people in our path. We just need to find that one who is ready right now. Who knows maybe we've already found them.
You are absolutely right about this Branch here. They are like extended family, they opened up in love to us the first week. They are incredible, especially the members we live with. They are all so giving and loving. This branch really is amazing. We've got to get to know them fast. We already have the trust of the ward mission leader. He really likes us, I guess he didn't feel like the previous missionaries did much. We met with him last Wednesday night and he was already excited to talk with us and to hear of our enthusiasm. This will be a great place.
The older couple we live with is awesome. They are so giving and kind. We do live in an unfinished tiny room though. My comps desk is under the stairs. We have a couch, bunk beds, and 2 desks in a small room with insulation sticking out. It’s interesting, and she’s not the most organized, but she loves us missionaries and she can sow and she’s already repaired a button and my backpack for me. I can’t be too picky. I’m blessed. We have also been taking advantage of how small the town is and been able to conserve miles on the car and we’ve been able to get out and use our bikes. So that’s been nice. Sorry this email is sort of scrambled, I don’t have a lot of time, and a lot of what I wrote got deleted, so I had to retype it.
I really am so excited for zone conference, which is tomorrow. I think this one will be the best one yet. I feel like something big is going to happen for the mission and I'm going to miss out on it. There’s some big plans for this zone conference. Anyway, I love you all very much. We’re just going to try and push as hard as we can here in Belvidere and try to make something happen. We’re going to need a miracle and the help of the Lord big time. I’m just going to try and talk to everyone, even though my companion sometimes doesn’t. In fact the first night we went out tracting, he had me do all the doors. He takes a little while to get ready as well, but I’m trying to be patient and know that the Lord will bless us. I’ve just got to do the best I can each day, and work as hard as I can, really push it. There are people here that need the gospel, someone is waiting. Thank you for all of your love and support. I think I’ve finally unpacked and gotten somewhat settled. I love you all.
Love Elder Adams
I don't have a lot of time, the internet here keeps kicking me out. I wish I had more time to write. There have been so many times of prayers being answered. I've seen how when I ask for something, the Lord gives it. Exactly what we pray for before we go out tracting, we witness miracles in this way every day. I pray and ask to meet someone or that their hearts will be softened or that we will have an interesting conversation and it happens. It's awesome. Sorry I only have time to share something brief.
Love Elder Adams
We've bee blessed with almost immediate success here in Belvidere. We've had a referral that we are now teaching. Her name is Brandy, she came from the Rockford Zone leaders. She is the significant other to a member who is inactive. They have two little kids together, but they aren't married. She wants to be baptized, but they are living with his parents who are also members. So they will have to get married or move out. Other than that, we continue to have success in having small lessons with people that we meet on the street or that we talk to on their doorsteps or in businesses, the Lord is just placing people in our path. We just need to find that one who is ready right now. Who knows maybe we've already found them.
You are absolutely right about this Branch here. They are like extended family, they opened up in love to us the first week. They are incredible, especially the members we live with. They are all so giving and loving. This branch really is amazing. We've got to get to know them fast. We already have the trust of the ward mission leader. He really likes us, I guess he didn't feel like the previous missionaries did much. We met with him last Wednesday night and he was already excited to talk with us and to hear of our enthusiasm. This will be a great place.
The older couple we live with is awesome. They are so giving and kind. We do live in an unfinished tiny room though. My comps desk is under the stairs. We have a couch, bunk beds, and 2 desks in a small room with insulation sticking out. It’s interesting, and she’s not the most organized, but she loves us missionaries and she can sow and she’s already repaired a button and my backpack for me. I can’t be too picky. I’m blessed. We have also been taking advantage of how small the town is and been able to conserve miles on the car and we’ve been able to get out and use our bikes. So that’s been nice. Sorry this email is sort of scrambled, I don’t have a lot of time, and a lot of what I wrote got deleted, so I had to retype it.
I really am so excited for zone conference, which is tomorrow. I think this one will be the best one yet. I feel like something big is going to happen for the mission and I'm going to miss out on it. There’s some big plans for this zone conference. Anyway, I love you all very much. We’re just going to try and push as hard as we can here in Belvidere and try to make something happen. We’re going to need a miracle and the help of the Lord big time. I’m just going to try and talk to everyone, even though my companion sometimes doesn’t. In fact the first night we went out tracting, he had me do all the doors. He takes a little while to get ready as well, but I’m trying to be patient and know that the Lord will bless us. I’ve just got to do the best I can each day, and work as hard as I can, really push it. There are people here that need the gospel, someone is waiting. Thank you for all of your love and support. I think I’ve finally unpacked and gotten somewhat settled. I love you all.
Love Elder Adams
I don't have a lot of time, the internet here keeps kicking me out. I wish I had more time to write. There have been so many times of prayers being answered. I've seen how when I ask for something, the Lord gives it. Exactly what we pray for before we go out tracting, we witness miracles in this way every day. I pray and ask to meet someone or that their hearts will be softened or that we will have an interesting conversation and it happens. It's awesome. Sorry I only have time to share something brief.
Love Elder Adams
Sunday, April 18, 2010
April 14, 2010
I witnessed a lot of miracles and the work really went forward there. I saw that area transform. In the Elgin 3rd ward I developed the strongest and closest relationships with some members in the ward. It was really good to come close to them. Elder Layton as well has been my favorite companion, and he really seemed like a friend. I loved serving with him. For all of these reasons, this transfer change was hard. I'll miss all of the above. Thank you for the opportunity and the blessing.
I know that there is someone in Belvidere that is waiting for me to talk to them. I'm going to find them and speak to them. I have six weeks to do all that I can in Belvidere, and I am going to rise to this new challenge. I feel a surge of inspiration to conquer this task ahead. I'm just at the mission home right now on Sis. Dolls laptop, so I'll try and write more when I get to the area. I'm being whitewashed into the area, so hopefully we have time. A last big challenge lies ahead at the end here.
love Elder Adams
Yes I did get the Easter package that you sent me. Thank you so much it was nice, and I am glad that you didn't send a bunch of junk or spend a lot of money. It sounds like Josh is falling apart. With the big toe hurting and what not. I want to say what hurts on my body too. I have these callases that are on the bottom of my feet on the balls of my feet that have gotten huge, and so it has hurt for quite a while now to walk on them. I've been wearing two pairs of socks for a while to DEAL WITH IT. That's what you have to do Josh, gut it out. Let any pain and suffering be swallowed up in the work that we do for Christ, for him. I had a rash a month or so back that lasted for a month. It was on my chest and arms and I couldn't sleep some nights, but then I got this special cream from a member and I'd put that on and it helped. I think it was stress as well, it eventually went away though. Sometimes I would scratch it so much that it would bleed, it was nasty and red. It looked like the blood had come to the surface. The reason I don't tell you about things though is because I know that you'll call the mission office. A while back ago I was bit by another dog, did I tell you...no.... why....because you call the mission office and make a big deal out of it. See I'm still living today, and I didn't have to waste a bunch of time at a doctor's office when I can be out finding those the Lord has prepared and talking to people and teaching the Gospel. I only have two years to share this message as a full time missionary with the power and authority of my calling so I'm going to do it all out. Well I guess I don't have 2 years anymore, but we're not going to talk about that right now. I might have to have surgery on those callusses on my feet though, for now I might just get some better insoles and keep wearing 2 socks.
Anyway, I'm here in Belvidere with my new companion Elder Larkin. He as well goes home the same time as me, which is odd. Belvidere is out in the middle of nowhere again, but it's not as bad as Byron. We have a Wal-Mart and there's a lot more businesses. I don't know much about the area right now. However we live with members. We live in the basement in "The Batcave," that's what I'm terming it. My companions study desk is under the stairs, it's small and cramped, and really messy. These members are not the tidiest housekeepers. The fridge is super cluttered, but they say we can have anything that we want, but there's not much room to put our things in. It's going to be difficult living arrangements. When I got this call about being transfered It was hard. I had a lot of feelings of sadness, anger, resentment, and it was hard. Especially to say goodbye to people, and to leave Elder Layton, especially after we'd spent 2 transfers knocking doors and tracting our butts off and finally we had people to teach. We even had a baptismal date for Hellen Locket on May 8 and the night before we got the call we set a date for a 9 year old boy of a part member family for May 22. (The mom still wants to see if I can come to his baptism). Things were starting to happen, and now transfered. It was hard, but it's a challenge and I will rise to it. It's the last hoorah. Elder Layton said that I'm a sower. So that's what I've got to do. 6 weeks to find that one whom God has prepared, the reason God has sent me at the end of my mission. That's what a member said is the reason I'm going here. So this will be my challenge, 6 weeks to do it. Build the kingdom here. We're going to hit it hard, even though I know this companion doesn't like to tract, we've got to find these people and make it happen here. I thank you all for the love and support from home, keep those prayers going up in my behalf, because I'm going to need them here. I love you all but I don't have much time and I have to go, I'm on a time limit here at the library.
Love Elder Adams
I know that there is someone in Belvidere that is waiting for me to talk to them. I'm going to find them and speak to them. I have six weeks to do all that I can in Belvidere, and I am going to rise to this new challenge. I feel a surge of inspiration to conquer this task ahead. I'm just at the mission home right now on Sis. Dolls laptop, so I'll try and write more when I get to the area. I'm being whitewashed into the area, so hopefully we have time. A last big challenge lies ahead at the end here.
love Elder Adams
Yes I did get the Easter package that you sent me. Thank you so much it was nice, and I am glad that you didn't send a bunch of junk or spend a lot of money. It sounds like Josh is falling apart. With the big toe hurting and what not. I want to say what hurts on my body too. I have these callases that are on the bottom of my feet on the balls of my feet that have gotten huge, and so it has hurt for quite a while now to walk on them. I've been wearing two pairs of socks for a while to DEAL WITH IT. That's what you have to do Josh, gut it out. Let any pain and suffering be swallowed up in the work that we do for Christ, for him. I had a rash a month or so back that lasted for a month. It was on my chest and arms and I couldn't sleep some nights, but then I got this special cream from a member and I'd put that on and it helped. I think it was stress as well, it eventually went away though. Sometimes I would scratch it so much that it would bleed, it was nasty and red. It looked like the blood had come to the surface. The reason I don't tell you about things though is because I know that you'll call the mission office. A while back ago I was bit by another dog, did I tell you...no.... why....because you call the mission office and make a big deal out of it. See I'm still living today, and I didn't have to waste a bunch of time at a doctor's office when I can be out finding those the Lord has prepared and talking to people and teaching the Gospel. I only have two years to share this message as a full time missionary with the power and authority of my calling so I'm going to do it all out. Well I guess I don't have 2 years anymore, but we're not going to talk about that right now. I might have to have surgery on those callusses on my feet though, for now I might just get some better insoles and keep wearing 2 socks.
Anyway, I'm here in Belvidere with my new companion Elder Larkin. He as well goes home the same time as me, which is odd. Belvidere is out in the middle of nowhere again, but it's not as bad as Byron. We have a Wal-Mart and there's a lot more businesses. I don't know much about the area right now. However we live with members. We live in the basement in "The Batcave," that's what I'm terming it. My companions study desk is under the stairs, it's small and cramped, and really messy. These members are not the tidiest housekeepers. The fridge is super cluttered, but they say we can have anything that we want, but there's not much room to put our things in. It's going to be difficult living arrangements. When I got this call about being transfered It was hard. I had a lot of feelings of sadness, anger, resentment, and it was hard. Especially to say goodbye to people, and to leave Elder Layton, especially after we'd spent 2 transfers knocking doors and tracting our butts off and finally we had people to teach. We even had a baptismal date for Hellen Locket on May 8 and the night before we got the call we set a date for a 9 year old boy of a part member family for May 22. (The mom still wants to see if I can come to his baptism). Things were starting to happen, and now transfered. It was hard, but it's a challenge and I will rise to it. It's the last hoorah. Elder Layton said that I'm a sower. So that's what I've got to do. 6 weeks to find that one whom God has prepared, the reason God has sent me at the end of my mission. That's what a member said is the reason I'm going here. So this will be my challenge, 6 weeks to do it. Build the kingdom here. We're going to hit it hard, even though I know this companion doesn't like to tract, we've got to find these people and make it happen here. I thank you all for the love and support from home, keep those prayers going up in my behalf, because I'm going to need them here. I love you all but I don't have much time and I have to go, I'm on a time limit here at the library.
Love Elder Adams
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
April 7, 2010
All right well then I'll tell President that you will not be coming to get me. They were calling this morning because they were trying to book the flights. It's scary when all of this starts happening, because then you realize that it's for real, ..... that it really is all about to come to a close, and time continues to go by faster and faster. I can't believe it...I can't believe it's really happening. It's like I'm in a twilight zone. I don't even feel like we had General conference. This one went by faster than all of the others. I don't even feel like I sat down to watch it. It was insane how fast it went by. That was my last one in the mission field. And now they are talking about booking plane tickets home, it's all ending. It's stressful to think about. It's like it shouldn't be happening, because I don't feel like I've been gone for two years. It seems like just yesterday I left. I don't know where the two years has gone. I love it out here though, especially as the weather is warming up.
Last Friday was crazy. I was on exchanges here in our area with one of the spanish elders, and come to find out the morning of when we woke up: he can't drive because his license is expired and neither can I. So we didn't have a car, and the other Elders didn't want to switch up the exchange. So we ended up getting out the bikes. Except I couldn't find my pump or bike lock (until later that night when I looked again), so I had to ride this other old bike that was in their apartment. The seat hurt so bad and these tires were flat too so we had to go to a gas station and get air. Then all of our appointments that day fell through. This missionary that I was with didn't want to go out tracting, so it was like he didn't even care, he didn't want to do more than two hours, so when everything fell through I could tell he wasn't happy, and we ended up tracting the whole day. My butt felt like I was riding on a rock between my legs. By the end of the night I felt like I'd been kicked between the crotch all day long, both figuritively and litteraly. I was hurting, it had been a long time since I'd been on a bike and my butt was not used to sitting. It was a rough exchange. I was glad to have Elder Layton happy and smiling back.
Then Like I said on saturday Conference was amazing as always. I took notes this time focussing on things that I want to do for the rest of my life, things that will help me for life after the mission and to be able to make the transition back into the world. I had been praying for this to be answered in the talks. I wrote down a lot of things that I want to do and remember to do throughout my life. Especially things that will make me better.
Then during the Break between sessions on Saturday my companion and I gave blood. The lady said that my companion looked like he was heating up and she told him to loosen his tie. He looked at her and she said it again, demanding him to loosen his tie. Then she put an ice pack behind his neck. She was making a big deal out of it, but he said he felt fine. So we donated blood. Sunday was awesome as well, and we had easter dinner over at the Geigle family's home. It's just been raining like no other here, its ridiculous. Thanks for all of the love and support from home. I did buy some shoes last wednesday, a 39.00 pair. I'm trying to slowly break them in. I didn't want to have you get me another pair of echos because those are super expensive, so I'm just hoping these will hold up. Thank you for all that you do though family. I love you all so much. I hope to hear more from you next week, especially about spencer's soccer. Love ya tons.
Elder Adams
Last night we met with a less active family. It's been a while since we've been able to get in with them, the Ralphs. Their 8 year old daughter who is unbaptized, there sophmore Brock and the the father and mother were there. All but their senior, Shyler. The father is really disinterested and wouldn't commit to coming to church, he says it's his day of rest. But we sat together and read from the scriptures, even the little girl read. It was just like the brethren had counciled in conference. It was so good to see them all reading. When I asked Brock what he thought of reading scriptures as a family, he said that he liked hearing his dad read. He said he'd never heard his dad read. It was incredible to see the whole family reading together. 3 of them should be at church this Sunday. Elder Layton and I both felt so good after that lesson last night.
The other day I studied the laws and ordinances, and when we were out business contacting a lady said, "Oh I've used the family history search." I was then able to talk about families and temple work and family history. What I studied I got to use. What's more is I had prayed for this before we left the apartment that we would be able to teach what we had studied. My prayer was answered. She had a relative that was sealed and she didn't know what that meant so I explained that to her, right there in the eyeglasses shop. I was Awesome!!!
This conference went by way too fast. Faster than all of the other conferences, I don't even feel like we had it. I took notes this time focussing on things that I want to do for the rest of my life, things that will help me for life after the mission and to be able to make the transition back into the world. I had been praying for this to be answered in the talks. I wrote down a lot of things that I want to do and remember to do throughout my life. Especially things that will make me better. Elder Layton and I have been going over notes with each other and sharing testimony together of these things and it has really invited the spirit. He has a bright optimistic view of life after the mission and shares some great insights during our discussions. These are making for some great companionship studies.
I’m going to put all of these things that I found and wrote to myself, these little exhortations , I’m going to put them all in a list form. I want to write them all down as goals or things I want to do and make a part of my life when I’m home. That’s what I got from conference and there’s a lot of good things. It was deffinately some revelation to me, and I have an outlook on what I need to do with my future. I’ll deffinately have to share some of these with you all because a lot of this conference as you probably noticed is about family. So a lot of the things I want to do involve you. I do want to let you as my family know that I love you and that God has a plan for our family to be together forever. I love you all, don’t you ever forget that. You're my family, and are so important to me. We have to become strong together and help each other. I want to do everything I can to help and support. I love you all.
Love Elder Adams
P.S.-Next week is transfers as well. It’s the last one, next Tuesday morning I will know how I am spending my last transfer. I’m hoping to stay here in Elgin with Elder Layton to finish it out.
As well I'll inform the mission office now that you are not going to pick me up.
Make sure this gets to Josh: I don't think I have his new email address, or did his not change like mine. Just forward this to him please.
As one of my companions used to say, "You're part of the dub club" That's what happens when you turn 20. I don't know it's a little weird. I'm so sorry that I didn't write and say happy birthday last week. I hope you had a good one. What did you do for your birthday, did you do anything fun, or go anywhere to eat. I hope it was a good one. Do you feel older. 20 deffinately felt different for me. 21 not so much. Keep tearing it up out there. This is the greatest time in our lives, we're in the Lord's hand, what more could you ask for. These are the times of blessings and prosperity. I love you Bro. Write me next week. Love you tons.
Your Elder Elder,
Elder Adams
Hope you had fun with Jury duty. I love ya
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
March 31, 2010
This week we had the incredible experience of making contact and then having an appointment with a couple, one is from Thailand and the other is Laotian. We watched Finding Faith in Christ in Thai. That was an interesting experience. When we were talking to them they were so excited and they want the Book of Mormon in Thai. We had to contact the mission office to request some copies of it. She used to be Buddhist and then 11 years ago became Christian. She is now trying to work with her friend to show her about Christ, so that is why she wanted the movie from us, and she was so excited that we had it in Thai as well. We are going to be meeting with them again. Also she had been on the Church website and was so excited about all of the things we had on there. She said there is so much. “It’s so koo!” she would say. She really is excited about General Conference and we told her that hopefully she will be able to hear it in Thai online. She speaks English fairly decent, but Thai is better for her. Reading Thai is deffinately easier for her. I told her Troy, my uncles brother, was a missionary like me in Thailand and speaks Thai. I told her I’d give him her email address and then he can email her and then get phone numbers and then be able to contact her and talk to her more and help her understand, because there isn’t anyone in the area anywhere who speaks Thai. So tell Troy it’s time to bust out his missionary lessons and his Thai again so we can help this lady and her husband see how this Church is different and help them accept baptism. Here’s her email: nok1219@yahoo.com . Her name is Jenny and his name is Sommay. Her Thai name is Sasithorn. Their last name is Keobouavanh. This is so cool!!!!!! We even started talking about Thai food, and I remembered a couple names. Then surprisingly enough, last night a member took us out to a Thai restaurant!!!
Anyway, Helen Lockett is continuing toward baptism. We taught the Word of Wisdom to her and follow the Prophet and she’s also learned the Plan of Salvation. She has no problem with the Word of Wisdom. She also came to Church her first time this Sunday, and I was so relieved and my heart just jumped to see her come out of her apartment building in her purple dress when we went with our ward mission leader and another member to pick her up. We taught her after Church and she said, “ I love it there… I want to be there, you like to feel like you’re welcome.” She said, “I don’t never miss church (she said she always went to some kind of church on Sunday) I just had to find the right one.” Her testimony is growing and she is having good feelings. She added, “I never felt relaxed, but I felt that today I want to make this my home….Everybody has God in their heart.” I love being around this woman she’s incredible.
We've began working closely with the Composano's a part member family. Art, the father is a member, but his daughter Alicia and his wife Kathy are not members. So we have taught them twice already and will teach them today and Friday as well. They come to church as well and Alicia attends young womens. A lot of progress here as well. The father of the Ortiz family has accepted to read the Book of Mormon, so progress going forward here as well. We have a baptismal date set for April 10 with Helen Lockett, which we set in a first lesson when Mike was with us. This is going really well. She came to Church on Sunday and met a lot of the members and participated in Relief society. She loved it. So far she has 100 percent attendance for church. She is excited and is planning on coming to all the sessions of conference with us. We taught her the Word of Wisdom and she doesn't have any problems with it. She loves it, especially the Book of Mormon. She said, "I believe this book is right just like I believe this Bible." She's great, and we've had several different members over to her home to teach her. She's just soaking everything up. The only question bishop Gardner has is if she will have made enough friends and be fellowshipped by April 10 with conference being right in the middle. He's thinking we might have to push it back, but we haven't told Helen yet. I'm sure she'll understand. She has it marked on her calendar though. Will and all our other investigators are doing great as well. There's just so many to talk about now. These are the highlights.
There's just so many things that I want to and need to study that there isn't enough study hours in the week. Especially with studying to prepare for lessons and the needs of investigators. I'm thinking I'll make a list of the things that I want to study but can't right now and have a lot to then work on after my mission.
So Mom, I had interviews with President yesterday and he said that you had called the mission office and had been talking about plans to come and pick me up or something, and he asked me and I had no idea. He said that I need to find out what the plans are. I was thinking that it would be better to be able to plan this out after the mission and not have to think about it now. Also if you come out here before I’m released then that means I’m still a missionary I’m not going to be able to go to all the places in the city you’ll want to go in and see, all the same rules apply. I think it’s important to have the whole missionary experience of the plane and everything. At first President Doll was indifferent as to what I did, but then today he sent me this email.
Elder Adams – After we spoke on Tuesday about your plans for going home, Sister Doll reminded me that both the Mission President’s Handbook and the Church Handbook of Instructions (your bishop and stake president have copies) strongly advise against parents travelling to pick up their missionary. It tends to be a disruption to the other missionaries in the mission and to the group of missionaries going home. And, I’m sure you’ll be anxious to get home and report to your stake president and be released. You and your family may find that you would have more time to see the mission if you were to return to the Chicago area at another time.
So I don’t think that you are going to be coming out and picking me up. I’ll have to go home like all the other missionaries the normal way and then we can come back out later. It will have more meaning that way as well to be able to see people again. Ward members here already want Elder Layton and I come back and see them. Elder Layton’s parents wanted to do the same as you, but he has told them to wait and that he’ll go home first. So that’s what my companion is doing. I need you to write me back on this. So I can report back to President.
Also my slip on black shoes they have stretched and so I have to wear ski socks so that my feet don’t slosh in them. Even still I don’t like to wear them. So I was wondering if You want to give me a Happy Easter to me present and I can go out and buy some new shoes here. I was going to go and try Burlington coat factory today because I saw they had some. I don’t want to get a Wal-mart special but at the same time I don’t want to spend a lot, but I do want a decent pair that I can wear, because lately I’ve just been wearing my boots or on Sunday or Wednesday I’ll wear my brown ones, but I only have my one brown suit. Anyway is that ok for a Happy Easter day Present from you to me. Let me know if that is ok.
I love you all and I look forward to hearing from you.
Love Elder Adams
P.S-Our numbers this week were incredible, the success we are having!!!! BLessings from the Lord!!!!! I couldn't believe it when we tallied up things.
Yes I'm on have you read my letter?? Maybe jump to the End and read some of the things. I need to know your thoughts. Especially on the Flight plans. I hope you understand. We will just have to postpone it looks like.
I hope you're still online but I don't have a lot of time we have T time at a golf course today. My comp is going to play. A member got us into a golf course.
Anyway, Helen Lockett is continuing toward baptism. We taught the Word of Wisdom to her and follow the Prophet and she’s also learned the Plan of Salvation. She has no problem with the Word of Wisdom. She also came to Church her first time this Sunday, and I was so relieved and my heart just jumped to see her come out of her apartment building in her purple dress when we went with our ward mission leader and another member to pick her up. We taught her after Church and she said, “ I love it there… I want to be there, you like to feel like you’re welcome.” She said, “I don’t never miss church (she said she always went to some kind of church on Sunday) I just had to find the right one.” Her testimony is growing and she is having good feelings. She added, “I never felt relaxed, but I felt that today I want to make this my home….Everybody has God in their heart.” I love being around this woman she’s incredible.
We've began working closely with the Composano's a part member family. Art, the father is a member, but his daughter Alicia and his wife Kathy are not members. So we have taught them twice already and will teach them today and Friday as well. They come to church as well and Alicia attends young womens. A lot of progress here as well. The father of the Ortiz family has accepted to read the Book of Mormon, so progress going forward here as well. We have a baptismal date set for April 10 with Helen Lockett, which we set in a first lesson when Mike was with us. This is going really well. She came to Church on Sunday and met a lot of the members and participated in Relief society. She loved it. So far she has 100 percent attendance for church. She is excited and is planning on coming to all the sessions of conference with us. We taught her the Word of Wisdom and she doesn't have any problems with it. She loves it, especially the Book of Mormon. She said, "I believe this book is right just like I believe this Bible." She's great, and we've had several different members over to her home to teach her. She's just soaking everything up. The only question bishop Gardner has is if she will have made enough friends and be fellowshipped by April 10 with conference being right in the middle. He's thinking we might have to push it back, but we haven't told Helen yet. I'm sure she'll understand. She has it marked on her calendar though. Will and all our other investigators are doing great as well. There's just so many to talk about now. These are the highlights.
There's just so many things that I want to and need to study that there isn't enough study hours in the week. Especially with studying to prepare for lessons and the needs of investigators. I'm thinking I'll make a list of the things that I want to study but can't right now and have a lot to then work on after my mission.
So Mom, I had interviews with President yesterday and he said that you had called the mission office and had been talking about plans to come and pick me up or something, and he asked me and I had no idea. He said that I need to find out what the plans are. I was thinking that it would be better to be able to plan this out after the mission and not have to think about it now. Also if you come out here before I’m released then that means I’m still a missionary I’m not going to be able to go to all the places in the city you’ll want to go in and see, all the same rules apply. I think it’s important to have the whole missionary experience of the plane and everything. At first President Doll was indifferent as to what I did, but then today he sent me this email.
Elder Adams – After we spoke on Tuesday about your plans for going home, Sister Doll reminded me that both the Mission President’s Handbook and the Church Handbook of Instructions (your bishop and stake president have copies) strongly advise against parents travelling to pick up their missionary. It tends to be a disruption to the other missionaries in the mission and to the group of missionaries going home. And, I’m sure you’ll be anxious to get home and report to your stake president and be released. You and your family may find that you would have more time to see the mission if you were to return to the Chicago area at another time.
So I don’t think that you are going to be coming out and picking me up. I’ll have to go home like all the other missionaries the normal way and then we can come back out later. It will have more meaning that way as well to be able to see people again. Ward members here already want Elder Layton and I come back and see them. Elder Layton’s parents wanted to do the same as you, but he has told them to wait and that he’ll go home first. So that’s what my companion is doing. I need you to write me back on this. So I can report back to President.
Also my slip on black shoes they have stretched and so I have to wear ski socks so that my feet don’t slosh in them. Even still I don’t like to wear them. So I was wondering if You want to give me a Happy Easter to me present and I can go out and buy some new shoes here. I was going to go and try Burlington coat factory today because I saw they had some. I don’t want to get a Wal-mart special but at the same time I don’t want to spend a lot, but I do want a decent pair that I can wear, because lately I’ve just been wearing my boots or on Sunday or Wednesday I’ll wear my brown ones, but I only have my one brown suit. Anyway is that ok for a Happy Easter day Present from you to me. Let me know if that is ok.
I love you all and I look forward to hearing from you.
Love Elder Adams
P.S-Our numbers this week were incredible, the success we are having!!!! BLessings from the Lord!!!!! I couldn't believe it when we tallied up things.
Yes I'm on have you read my letter?? Maybe jump to the End and read some of the things. I need to know your thoughts. Especially on the Flight plans. I hope you understand. We will just have to postpone it looks like.
I hope you're still online but I don't have a lot of time we have T time at a golf course today. My comp is going to play. A member got us into a golf course.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
March 24, 2010
You'd have to send the bleach as well otherwise there would be no purpose in sending the trays. If you send it on a monday so that it doesn't get stuck in an airport over the weekend then it should be ok. I think it should be fine, don't you. See what you can do.
Wow!!!! I don't even know where to start this week. This Friday we had the opportunity to have a missionary in training come out with us from Friday night to Sunday afternoon. The stake put on a mini mission for priest age boys. There were only about 10 boys who did it. We were chosen as two of the missionaries who would have one of these boys stay with us for the weekend. We got Mike Hobbs from the Beloit ward where I once served. He stayed at our apartment, ate with us, studied with us, did everything. What an experience to have. Especially on this weekend because, let me tell you this was miracle and blessing weekend. We told Mike he was our little blessing basket of faith that was with us because so many incredible things were happening, and we met so many people. (For instance we were out tracting in the snow storm on Saturday and I saw this house with a lot of cars at it. Usually this means a gathering and people will quickly dismiss you and say they are busy. I thought we’ll go there anyway. We knocked on that door and this guy in a black shirt and pants lets us in. There is a BIG party going on, lots of people. He quickly invites us in. He tells us he’s a Catholic priest and asks if we want some food. Now it’s a St. Patricks party and there is a house full of Catholics, everybody but the priest is in matching green shirts. They are having corned beef and cabbage and traditional irish dish and they take us over to the food and help us get some food. Then we go and sit down in a side room with the priest and this other lady. This priest actually knew a lot about the church and had a lot of good to say about us. We taught a few things and explained things. Especially to the lady. At times other ‘partiers’ would overhear us or would pause and listen. One guy sat down at the table for a while. What a meeting. There’s no converting here, but we were able to explain a few things and then we were on our way, maybe it’s a seed planted. How incredible though. You’re never let in and asked if you want food and then sit down and teach a Catholic Priest.) This is only part of what I mean by Mike being a little added blessing to bring the blessings down from heaven for us this weekend. We have had several new investigators that we have met and began teaching. One of which has a baptismal date set for April 10. Her name is Helen Lockett. This is truly one of those elect who hear the Lord's voice that are spoken of in section 29 of the Doctrine and Covenants. I wish I could write and tell you every incredible miracle and story that we've had this last week. I wish I could recount to you every lesson that we've had and the experiences we've had with investigators and the incredible things they've said and the truths they've recognized. That would take pages and hours as it has in my journal. Elder Layton and I were extatic to have our first investigator, that we had found, at church this Sunday. It was a monumental marker. Tonya was our investigator that came and she had a great time. She was moved to tears in gospel principles. I don't know if her coming to Church had anything to do with having our missionary in training with us. Mike was great. Our Sunday got even better when we went to stop by some of the potentials we'd met while tracting on Saturday, who had said we could come back Sunday. We were let in to teach Helen Lockett, and it was in this incredible first lesson where she exclaimed how she just knew what we were saying is right. She had questions about which church to join. She told us she had been praying for a church and for someone to come, and now she recognizes that this is the one. She said that she had learned more from us in the time we met than she had in the whole 60 plus years of her life. When the commitment to be baptized was extended to her, she paused for a moment and said, "Well,.... I've been baptized before..., but I know that this one is different." She accepted!!!! She went over and marked it on her calendar. Mike, Elder Layton, and I all looked at each other. This lesson had just gone incredible, and the spirit was there helping us. We've taught her a second time since, about the plan of salvation, and she had read everything we had given her and was ready for more. This woman is incredible, I'm telling you. The things she says: "If something doesn't make sense it doesn't feel right....You've taught me so much of the truth you can just feel it's the truth without even questioning it....This church is the one I've been praying for." She's already recognizing the spirit telling her of truth. She felt good when she met with us and she felt good when she read from the Book of Mormon. It's been incredible. I hope Mike had a great weekend with us, because we were worried about what we were going to do with him. Originally we had nothing lined up, and so we had to make a lot of phone calls. We did set some things up, but ultimately the Lord blessed us with those to teach. We were able to line up an appointment with the husband of a part member family whom we are teaching the son Noah Dutcher, and preparing for baptism. This lesson was incredible. He accepted to take the lessons like his son who is preparing for baptism. This was such a powerful lesson, where we taught the Plan of Salvation. His wife who is a member began to cry during the lesson, and Mike told us even he was crying during the lesson. It was really incredible. I love teaching this lesson to families. There is just so much happiness and purpose, you feel like you are fulfilling God's purpose. When you teach a family it's just so much different.
Monday we were out tracting and I had to go to the bathroom so we asked this guy that answered his door. He let us in and after I went to the bathroom we started to talk to him. He survived cancer 8 years ago in which a large portion of his pectoral muscle was taken out. He decided life was short and at this point 40 or 41 he decided to have the 4 kids he has now, all of them under the age of 4. We told him a little about the Church and explained some things to him. We told him about what we do as missionaries and how the 2 year program works. He laughed as he said, “ You’re a better man than I am.” He had a lot of respect for us. We invited him to the ward easter egg hunt this week, and he has to work but he wants his wife and kids to go. He wants to meet with us again and have us over, so he’s going to talk to his wife about it. This was such an incredible meeting. Then he took us downstairs and just said, I want to show you something. We had no idea….if we weren’t in such a nice house I would have been worried. He showed us his sound recording studio in his basement with guitars all over the walls. He has a voice booth and tons of equipment. He produced, wrote, and played all the music for a cd that he made. It’s called Sunday Morning, and on the back is a picture of the old Methodist church where his dad preached when he was a kid. It has religious songs on it, but it has to do with his journey through cancer. His name is Andy Potts. He pulled out two copies of the cd still in the wrapping and gave them to us. We won’t be able to listen to them until we get home, because it is guitar, but how incredible. This was just one of the many incredible meetings we had this week.
We also met this guy who was a Vietnam Vetran. He’s and Italian Catholic named Mario. He flew in a helicopter over opium and cocaine fields spraying a chemical that would mark and make snipers visible under infrared. This chemical though has gotten into his pours and he now shakes sometimes. This war was no glamour for this man. He has to sleep in a separate room from his wife, because he sometimes wakes up in the night screaming. He said that he was sent over there to help refugees especially children, but he would round them up and he saw as they were put on ships that they were blown up by our own US fire. He said his brother was one of the commanders and he and his brother would fight because he would try to save as many of the children as possible and he didn’t want to send them to his brother because he knew he would kill them. He told us of these horrors. He said though that he had seen Christ saving those little kids. This man was moved to tears, he was very emotional about this. We are going to meet with him again on Saturday.
This week were led to new people, people we are teaching were accepting and keeping commitments, and people we met were accepting commitments and becoming new investigators. There's a hundred incredibles stories and experiences to be told. I'll give you the names of our new investigators that we have this week. Helen Lockett, Tynika, Doug, Mario, Alicia and Kathy Composano (part of a part member family), Jose Ortiz (father of a part member family), Maria Ratigo. These are the New investigators since last Wednesday. Jay and Della who are investigators are now praying about baptism. This has just been pinnacle week.
As for my studies. I'm almost finished with my topical study of parables of Christ. I did one this past few days that I'd never read or heard of before. It's incredible how much I'm learning. Then the lessons that Elder Layton and I are coming up with to teach and how we teach them. We teach things in a new way, or phrase it in a new way. It can only be the Spirit guiding our words. I love it. I love being a missionary. This is the greatest time in my life!!!! I can't wait for you to meet Helen Lockett, she is a gem. On my planner I have "Miracles" and then below that "A season of Opportunity" , and a picture of Christ healing a blind man. This truly has been a time of miracles, and I have no doubt that this is a season of Opportunity. The work and the ward and the members and the investigators and Elder Layton and I we are surging forward. This is the sprint at the end of the race, you give it your all. I love it, it's exhilarating.
This week has taken a lot in my journal. For one thing that I can tell you, we have our first baptismal date for April 10. We set it in a first lesson on Sunday with a lady we'd tracted into on Saturday. This was incredible. This doesn't happen often, in fact it hasn't ever happened. We've met with her again since then. Everything is finally starting to click here after the many weeks and months of knockings doors for days straight. The Lord is blessing us immensely. It's just been the most incredible week every. This is the happiest time of my life, I love it. I love you dad. Have and awesome week and keep this lady Helen Lockett in your prayers for April 10.
I don’t know what else to write, there’s just so much. This is probably all a little jumbled, but I’ve tried to capture most of it in my journal. Just know that there is a God and he is blessing us. There are so many incredible stories and people to tell you about just from this past couple of days, it would take eons. I wish I could tell them all in detail and have recorded the dialogue. Wow the life of a missionary what an incredible blessing. How incredible to be a part of this and to have these past couple days as a part of my life experiences. You can’t put a price on that, nor how it has strengthened my testimony of the love of Heavenly Father and the Truthfulness of this work. I love you all and onward we go!!!!
Love Elder Adams
Wow!!!! I don't even know where to start this week. This Friday we had the opportunity to have a missionary in training come out with us from Friday night to Sunday afternoon. The stake put on a mini mission for priest age boys. There were only about 10 boys who did it. We were chosen as two of the missionaries who would have one of these boys stay with us for the weekend. We got Mike Hobbs from the Beloit ward where I once served. He stayed at our apartment, ate with us, studied with us, did everything. What an experience to have. Especially on this weekend because, let me tell you this was miracle and blessing weekend. We told Mike he was our little blessing basket of faith that was with us because so many incredible things were happening, and we met so many people. (For instance we were out tracting in the snow storm on Saturday and I saw this house with a lot of cars at it. Usually this means a gathering and people will quickly dismiss you and say they are busy. I thought we’ll go there anyway. We knocked on that door and this guy in a black shirt and pants lets us in. There is a BIG party going on, lots of people. He quickly invites us in. He tells us he’s a Catholic priest and asks if we want some food. Now it’s a St. Patricks party and there is a house full of Catholics, everybody but the priest is in matching green shirts. They are having corned beef and cabbage and traditional irish dish and they take us over to the food and help us get some food. Then we go and sit down in a side room with the priest and this other lady. This priest actually knew a lot about the church and had a lot of good to say about us. We taught a few things and explained things. Especially to the lady. At times other ‘partiers’ would overhear us or would pause and listen. One guy sat down at the table for a while. What a meeting. There’s no converting here, but we were able to explain a few things and then we were on our way, maybe it’s a seed planted. How incredible though. You’re never let in and asked if you want food and then sit down and teach a Catholic Priest.) This is only part of what I mean by Mike being a little added blessing to bring the blessings down from heaven for us this weekend. We have had several new investigators that we have met and began teaching. One of which has a baptismal date set for April 10. Her name is Helen Lockett. This is truly one of those elect who hear the Lord's voice that are spoken of in section 29 of the Doctrine and Covenants. I wish I could write and tell you every incredible miracle and story that we've had this last week. I wish I could recount to you every lesson that we've had and the experiences we've had with investigators and the incredible things they've said and the truths they've recognized. That would take pages and hours as it has in my journal. Elder Layton and I were extatic to have our first investigator, that we had found, at church this Sunday. It was a monumental marker. Tonya was our investigator that came and she had a great time. She was moved to tears in gospel principles. I don't know if her coming to Church had anything to do with having our missionary in training with us. Mike was great. Our Sunday got even better when we went to stop by some of the potentials we'd met while tracting on Saturday, who had said we could come back Sunday. We were let in to teach Helen Lockett, and it was in this incredible first lesson where she exclaimed how she just knew what we were saying is right. She had questions about which church to join. She told us she had been praying for a church and for someone to come, and now she recognizes that this is the one. She said that she had learned more from us in the time we met than she had in the whole 60 plus years of her life. When the commitment to be baptized was extended to her, she paused for a moment and said, "Well,.... I've been baptized before..., but I know that this one is different." She accepted!!!! She went over and marked it on her calendar. Mike, Elder Layton, and I all looked at each other. This lesson had just gone incredible, and the spirit was there helping us. We've taught her a second time since, about the plan of salvation, and she had read everything we had given her and was ready for more. This woman is incredible, I'm telling you. The things she says: "If something doesn't make sense it doesn't feel right....You've taught me so much of the truth you can just feel it's the truth without even questioning it....This church is the one I've been praying for." She's already recognizing the spirit telling her of truth. She felt good when she met with us and she felt good when she read from the Book of Mormon. It's been incredible. I hope Mike had a great weekend with us, because we were worried about what we were going to do with him. Originally we had nothing lined up, and so we had to make a lot of phone calls. We did set some things up, but ultimately the Lord blessed us with those to teach. We were able to line up an appointment with the husband of a part member family whom we are teaching the son Noah Dutcher, and preparing for baptism. This lesson was incredible. He accepted to take the lessons like his son who is preparing for baptism. This was such a powerful lesson, where we taught the Plan of Salvation. His wife who is a member began to cry during the lesson, and Mike told us even he was crying during the lesson. It was really incredible. I love teaching this lesson to families. There is just so much happiness and purpose, you feel like you are fulfilling God's purpose. When you teach a family it's just so much different.
Monday we were out tracting and I had to go to the bathroom so we asked this guy that answered his door. He let us in and after I went to the bathroom we started to talk to him. He survived cancer 8 years ago in which a large portion of his pectoral muscle was taken out. He decided life was short and at this point 40 or 41 he decided to have the 4 kids he has now, all of them under the age of 4. We told him a little about the Church and explained some things to him. We told him about what we do as missionaries and how the 2 year program works. He laughed as he said, “ You’re a better man than I am.” He had a lot of respect for us. We invited him to the ward easter egg hunt this week, and he has to work but he wants his wife and kids to go. He wants to meet with us again and have us over, so he’s going to talk to his wife about it. This was such an incredible meeting. Then he took us downstairs and just said, I want to show you something. We had no idea….if we weren’t in such a nice house I would have been worried. He showed us his sound recording studio in his basement with guitars all over the walls. He has a voice booth and tons of equipment. He produced, wrote, and played all the music for a cd that he made. It’s called Sunday Morning, and on the back is a picture of the old Methodist church where his dad preached when he was a kid. It has religious songs on it, but it has to do with his journey through cancer. His name is Andy Potts. He pulled out two copies of the cd still in the wrapping and gave them to us. We won’t be able to listen to them until we get home, because it is guitar, but how incredible. This was just one of the many incredible meetings we had this week.
We also met this guy who was a Vietnam Vetran. He’s and Italian Catholic named Mario. He flew in a helicopter over opium and cocaine fields spraying a chemical that would mark and make snipers visible under infrared. This chemical though has gotten into his pours and he now shakes sometimes. This war was no glamour for this man. He has to sleep in a separate room from his wife, because he sometimes wakes up in the night screaming. He said that he was sent over there to help refugees especially children, but he would round them up and he saw as they were put on ships that they were blown up by our own US fire. He said his brother was one of the commanders and he and his brother would fight because he would try to save as many of the children as possible and he didn’t want to send them to his brother because he knew he would kill them. He told us of these horrors. He said though that he had seen Christ saving those little kids. This man was moved to tears, he was very emotional about this. We are going to meet with him again on Saturday.
This week were led to new people, people we are teaching were accepting and keeping commitments, and people we met were accepting commitments and becoming new investigators. There's a hundred incredibles stories and experiences to be told. I'll give you the names of our new investigators that we have this week. Helen Lockett, Tynika, Doug, Mario, Alicia and Kathy Composano (part of a part member family), Jose Ortiz (father of a part member family), Maria Ratigo. These are the New investigators since last Wednesday. Jay and Della who are investigators are now praying about baptism. This has just been pinnacle week.
As for my studies. I'm almost finished with my topical study of parables of Christ. I did one this past few days that I'd never read or heard of before. It's incredible how much I'm learning. Then the lessons that Elder Layton and I are coming up with to teach and how we teach them. We teach things in a new way, or phrase it in a new way. It can only be the Spirit guiding our words. I love it. I love being a missionary. This is the greatest time in my life!!!! I can't wait for you to meet Helen Lockett, she is a gem. On my planner I have "Miracles" and then below that "A season of Opportunity" , and a picture of Christ healing a blind man. This truly has been a time of miracles, and I have no doubt that this is a season of Opportunity. The work and the ward and the members and the investigators and Elder Layton and I we are surging forward. This is the sprint at the end of the race, you give it your all. I love it, it's exhilarating.
This week has taken a lot in my journal. For one thing that I can tell you, we have our first baptismal date for April 10. We set it in a first lesson on Sunday with a lady we'd tracted into on Saturday. This was incredible. This doesn't happen often, in fact it hasn't ever happened. We've met with her again since then. Everything is finally starting to click here after the many weeks and months of knockings doors for days straight. The Lord is blessing us immensely. It's just been the most incredible week every. This is the happiest time of my life, I love it. I love you dad. Have and awesome week and keep this lady Helen Lockett in your prayers for April 10.
I don’t know what else to write, there’s just so much. This is probably all a little jumbled, but I’ve tried to capture most of it in my journal. Just know that there is a God and he is blessing us. There are so many incredible stories and people to tell you about just from this past couple of days, it would take eons. I wish I could tell them all in detail and have recorded the dialogue. Wow the life of a missionary what an incredible blessing. How incredible to be a part of this and to have these past couple days as a part of my life experiences. You can’t put a price on that, nor how it has strengthened my testimony of the love of Heavenly Father and the Truthfulness of this work. I love you all and onward we go!!!!
Love Elder Adams
Sunday, March 21, 2010
March 17, 2010
Can I say the weather yesterday and today has been BEAUTIFUL!!!! For the first time yesterday, in I don’t know how long, I was tracting outside without my big winter coat on and just my suit jacket. SPRING IS IN THE AIR. I think it’s finally here. I think I made it through my 2 Chicago winters. I think I made it through my fear that I had from the day that I opened my call letter. I think winter is behind me and I am loving this warm weather, to feel the sun on my face again, ahhhh, it’s invigoration to body and spirit. Speaking of call letter, it was two years today that I opened my call letter and found that I was to serve here in Chicago. It doesn’t seem like it’s been two years, it seems like it was yesterday. I still remember that day perfectly. I remember coming home and dad was there and told me that my call had come. I remember going with mom to Maggie moos ice cream to get some gift cards for the teachers at school. Then we went and picked up a carrot cake at costco. We opened the call at the Church and all of my friends had on my brothers scout shirts. I stood at the podium in the nursery room and the refreshments were on my left and the board with the map was on my right. I can picture everything of that day. It doesn’t seem like it’s been two years, it’s incredible how fast time has gone by. Nonetheless, warm weather is here and that is reason to be happy and to celebrate.
We have been able to implement Elder Perry's council to begin teaching less active and part member families as part of the finding approach. We have began to teach a 9 year old boy, Noah Dutcher. His mother and brother are members but the father is not and the family is less active. We have began teaching them with the help of the home teachers. The bishop will allow Noah to get baptized once the mother becomes active, and Noah wants to be baptized and his mother wants him to as well. We had sad news this week from the Mengel Family. Rebecca has broken some of the house rules and so her aunt and uncle have taken her to stay at a shelter. We are no longer going to be able to teach her. I can’t help but think that it was bound to happen because her aunt had blocked her from being able to contact people on the internet or meet people at school, they were smothering her and so she had no friends except people at church, which no one was her age. So we were really the only people her age that she knew. They said that they found a lighter in her room and so they thought she was smoking. They also said that she lied about staying after school to do school work and was hanging out with friends and getting on different web sites. It was a frustrating situation. I let it get to me a little bit. This news came during our planning session on Thursday just after we had discussed extending a baptismal invitation to her that night. They called though and told us the appointment would be canceled and they would probably be taking her to live at a shelter. Elder Layton and I decided to hold a special fast for Rebecca and the Mengel family, that hopefully hearts would be softened. Even though we had just had fast Sunday. We went to eat and then fasted. Hopefully Rebecca is ok, but we aren’t teaching her anymore. Maybe we can find out where the shelter is and have the missionaries there get in contact with her.
This Sunday was invitation Sunday. We had been inviting people ourselves and encouraging members to invite their friends. This was something that the North and South mission was doing on this same day at every meeting house in these two missions. We’ve been prepping for the pas 2 months. Invitation Sunday was great. We had 14 nonmembers there!!!! That was the tally from our ward mission leader!!!! We also had a number of less active members, and a couple showed up that had not been to church in 20 years. They will now hopefully be coming back. This was just a good spark. I hope members realize how easy inviting can be now. Really there wasn't anything different about services or classes. We just gave this Sunday a special name and had some refreshments at the end. If this is all that it takes to give added gusto to invite maybe we should do it every week. That was Elder Layton and my thoughts. Hopefully members realized this and will want to invite every week. I had to think I don’t know why it’s so hard to invite your friends to church every week, but then some treats and a different name for the day and now people will invite. I don’t know??
With less active work we taught the quit smoking program to an inactive father of a very active family. They were so thankful for our help. We really have the trust and friendship of this family and we hope to use it to fellowship another less active family.
So here is the scriptures for enduring a trial well. I call this my little dose of how to get through a trial, a little spiritual medicine. It’s a streamline of scriptures to teach and remind me what I need to do in a trial and how trials work. Start in DC 121:7-8 and then read 122:7 (focusing on the last line in 122:7). Notice in verse 8 of section 121 that it says IF thou endure it well. In other words the promised blessings from this chapter of have our trials be brief, exaltation, and added experience from the trial, is dependent upon IF we endure it well. So what does it mean to endure a trial well. This is found in DC 103:36. The victory over the trial will come because of our diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith. There is a scripture for each of these principles:
Diligence- DC 76:5- we must continue to serve and keep going, we cannot give up in our trials. Continue to be diligent in working and in doing.
Faithfulness- DC 136:42- Remain faithful in keeping the commandments. Don’t get frustrated and sin. We must continue to keep the commandments throughout our trial even though this may be the hardest time to do so. Be faithful.
Prayers of Faith- Alma 31:38- We receive blessings and help and strength so that our afflictions are swallowed up in the joy of Christ, because of our prayers of faith. Pray. Now notice it doesn’t say that the trial or the affliction is taken away, but swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Think of it like a horse with blinders on at a race track. Lots of hectic stuff going on around but the horse doesn’t get spooked and is able to continue on walking and is calm. Christ can give us spiritual blinders so that all the hard things of life are still going on but we don’t notice it or feel it and we are happy. Prayers of faith is what we must do.
These are principles that teach us to have a good attitude and to endure a trial well. There’s going through a trial with pessimism and resentment towards the Lord and others and then there is enduring a trial WELL. This is how we can go through a trial well. Both ways of going through a trial you may still make it out alive, but the blessings you will have and what you will learn will be greater if you have “Endured it well.”
I put in a few other scriptures here that are in a chain that can give added insight about trials:
DC 58:2-4, DC 24:1, 8, Romans 5:3-6, DC 98:3, 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
I’d love to be able to teach this to you all in words some time because (2Nephi 33:1,4). Save this I like what I put down, maybe I’ll use it someday for a talk.
Love Elder Adams,
P.S.- President changed his mind about being able to go down to the city today for St. Pattricks day, maybe another day we can go though. They dyed the river green on Saturday as well.
Sounds like a week. I was going to have you send out my bleaching trays and bleach for me if you could. My comp bought some whitening strips at the store and that made me think I haven't bleached in a while. Also I should be sending some pictures home here pretty soon.
I love you all and have a good one. Josh what temperature does it have to be in your mission before you can take your jacket off. Mark Whitsitt said that they didn't have that rule and they could take their jackets off whenever they wanted to. He said it would be winter and they'd be with President and not have their suit jacket on. In our mission I think it's 70 degrees.
If you could please send out my bleaching trays that would be nice.
We have been able to implement Elder Perry's council to begin teaching less active and part member families as part of the finding approach. We have began to teach a 9 year old boy, Noah Dutcher. His mother and brother are members but the father is not and the family is less active. We have began teaching them with the help of the home teachers. The bishop will allow Noah to get baptized once the mother becomes active, and Noah wants to be baptized and his mother wants him to as well. We had sad news this week from the Mengel Family. Rebecca has broken some of the house rules and so her aunt and uncle have taken her to stay at a shelter. We are no longer going to be able to teach her. I can’t help but think that it was bound to happen because her aunt had blocked her from being able to contact people on the internet or meet people at school, they were smothering her and so she had no friends except people at church, which no one was her age. So we were really the only people her age that she knew. They said that they found a lighter in her room and so they thought she was smoking. They also said that she lied about staying after school to do school work and was hanging out with friends and getting on different web sites. It was a frustrating situation. I let it get to me a little bit. This news came during our planning session on Thursday just after we had discussed extending a baptismal invitation to her that night. They called though and told us the appointment would be canceled and they would probably be taking her to live at a shelter. Elder Layton and I decided to hold a special fast for Rebecca and the Mengel family, that hopefully hearts would be softened. Even though we had just had fast Sunday. We went to eat and then fasted. Hopefully Rebecca is ok, but we aren’t teaching her anymore. Maybe we can find out where the shelter is and have the missionaries there get in contact with her.
This Sunday was invitation Sunday. We had been inviting people ourselves and encouraging members to invite their friends. This was something that the North and South mission was doing on this same day at every meeting house in these two missions. We’ve been prepping for the pas 2 months. Invitation Sunday was great. We had 14 nonmembers there!!!! That was the tally from our ward mission leader!!!! We also had a number of less active members, and a couple showed up that had not been to church in 20 years. They will now hopefully be coming back. This was just a good spark. I hope members realize how easy inviting can be now. Really there wasn't anything different about services or classes. We just gave this Sunday a special name and had some refreshments at the end. If this is all that it takes to give added gusto to invite maybe we should do it every week. That was Elder Layton and my thoughts. Hopefully members realized this and will want to invite every week. I had to think I don’t know why it’s so hard to invite your friends to church every week, but then some treats and a different name for the day and now people will invite. I don’t know??
With less active work we taught the quit smoking program to an inactive father of a very active family. They were so thankful for our help. We really have the trust and friendship of this family and we hope to use it to fellowship another less active family.
So here is the scriptures for enduring a trial well. I call this my little dose of how to get through a trial, a little spiritual medicine. It’s a streamline of scriptures to teach and remind me what I need to do in a trial and how trials work. Start in DC 121:7-8 and then read 122:7 (focusing on the last line in 122:7). Notice in verse 8 of section 121 that it says IF thou endure it well. In other words the promised blessings from this chapter of have our trials be brief, exaltation, and added experience from the trial, is dependent upon IF we endure it well. So what does it mean to endure a trial well. This is found in DC 103:36. The victory over the trial will come because of our diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith. There is a scripture for each of these principles:
Diligence- DC 76:5- we must continue to serve and keep going, we cannot give up in our trials. Continue to be diligent in working and in doing.
Faithfulness- DC 136:42- Remain faithful in keeping the commandments. Don’t get frustrated and sin. We must continue to keep the commandments throughout our trial even though this may be the hardest time to do so. Be faithful.
Prayers of Faith- Alma 31:38- We receive blessings and help and strength so that our afflictions are swallowed up in the joy of Christ, because of our prayers of faith. Pray. Now notice it doesn’t say that the trial or the affliction is taken away, but swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Think of it like a horse with blinders on at a race track. Lots of hectic stuff going on around but the horse doesn’t get spooked and is able to continue on walking and is calm. Christ can give us spiritual blinders so that all the hard things of life are still going on but we don’t notice it or feel it and we are happy. Prayers of faith is what we must do.
These are principles that teach us to have a good attitude and to endure a trial well. There’s going through a trial with pessimism and resentment towards the Lord and others and then there is enduring a trial WELL. This is how we can go through a trial well. Both ways of going through a trial you may still make it out alive, but the blessings you will have and what you will learn will be greater if you have “Endured it well.”
I put in a few other scriptures here that are in a chain that can give added insight about trials:
DC 58:2-4, DC 24:1, 8, Romans 5:3-6, DC 98:3, 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
I’d love to be able to teach this to you all in words some time because (2Nephi 33:1,4). Save this I like what I put down, maybe I’ll use it someday for a talk.
Love Elder Adams,
P.S.- President changed his mind about being able to go down to the city today for St. Pattricks day, maybe another day we can go though. They dyed the river green on Saturday as well.
Sounds like a week. I was going to have you send out my bleaching trays and bleach for me if you could. My comp bought some whitening strips at the store and that made me think I haven't bleached in a while. Also I should be sending some pictures home here pretty soon.
I love you all and have a good one. Josh what temperature does it have to be in your mission before you can take your jacket off. Mark Whitsitt said that they didn't have that rule and they could take their jackets off whenever they wanted to. He said it would be winter and they'd be with President and not have their suit jacket on. In our mission I think it's 70 degrees.
If you could please send out my bleaching trays that would be nice.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
March 10, 2010
I wish I did have a scripture for you. I didn't bring my scriptures with me to the Library, so sorry. Read alma 37 especially the part about the easiness of the way. That is the scriptures that guide us, but because it's such a simple thing to read daily, many do not, just as sometimes Lehi and his family did not give head and diligence to the Liahona. Check it out. I haven't read the letter yet, but you say josh is training??!!!??? A New missionary and he's a native German!!!??? Well thanks for the words you wrote, it's good to hear from you.
LOve Elder ADams, Read my email I sent to mom, I wrote a lot, so I'm done writing. Big PLans as well for next wednesday ST. Patty's day. HINT: IN THE CITY!!!!!!!!!
This has been a great first week for us. We had a great lesson with Rebecca Gianpiccolo, and she has really been reading a lot in the Book of Mormon. She also fasted for her first time this Sunday. We also met with will Rios, the father in a part-member family. He as well is now 2 weeks keeping the Word of Wisdom, and he fasted for his first time this Sunday. In our meeting with him on Monday we did try to extend a baptismal commitment, which he turned down. He feels he's not quite there yet. He says that he wants to feel it, but he feels like he is blocking the spirit in some way. He wants it though, I can tell he has true desire. He says he has small reservations and holdbacks as to living the word of Wisdom. He says that he can do it, but he doesn't see what's wrong with going out with friends once in a while. For now though he's living it on faith. We have a number of other potential investigators and investigators that we are struggling to get in contact with though. That's the difficult part of this work is that people have their agency. We continue to find though, and to work hard to find more people. We just need to get in contact with a lot of people.
I had the most amazing day every, from start to finish on Sunday. Sunday it was fast Sunday, and we had designated the last hour and a half of our fast (Where we would be out tracting as usual) to be our power hour. All our faith everything to finding. We drove to the area we had planned and as we were about to park I saw man washing his red Corvette and I said we’ll be by to talk to you Corvette man. We offered a prayer to begin and then started. I got out and put a Book of Mormon in my backpack and told Elder Layton we are teaching. The man with the red Corvette was about 5 doors in. I walked straight up his driveway and I began to teach. He stopped wiping down his car and just listened, he seemed captivated. He listened as I taught and bore testimony. When I finished he said, you really know your stuff. I told him I have my testimony and I’ve learned as I’ve been out. I asked him if he’d accept a copy of the Book of Mormon and he said he would. This guy was incredible. We might be able to contact him again. This was a prayer and a miracle answered by the Lord. I didn’t care if he did have a nice car and house I was going to teach him. After our tracting we went to dinner at the Qualls where our day of the Spirit continued.
We had an incredible experience with some members in their home on Sunday. It was the Qualls family. Husband and wife and their 11 or 12 year old boy Connor. Instead of a message out of the scriptures we ended up sharing our personal experiences and conversion experiences. Somehow I was sharing advice with Connor to find out the Church is true for himself and then to serve a mission for him and for the Lord, not because his parents or anyone else said to. I must have said something about how I changed or hadn’t always planned to serve, because Brother Quall asked me what made me change. Something in the way he asked must have done it, because at first I gave my usual response of prayer. Then it made me reflect back to an experience I had in my apartment at college. The spirit hit me, I got so choked up and I started to cry right there at the dinner table, and I had to appologize, and then it came out. I related the part of my life, what I was going through, and the whole experience or that night with them and the feelings I had. I shared things I've only shared with a handful of people, and I don't know why I shared them with this family and with Elder Layton. I’ve never shared it with members before. This family is really great to us and they really love us. They too shared their experiences and personal lives with us. This was a very spiritual night, and there were a lot of tears as we sat around the dinner table. It was an experience unlike anything I've ever had at a members home. Deffinately one of the most powerful of my mission for that matter. It is a very personal experience and so I told them afterwards to not share with anyone else.
This whole Sunday was incredible. From the moment I woke up, I felt incredible, so refreshed and so happy all day. I WAS SO HAPPY. The testimonies in sacrament were incredible and I felt the spirit there. Our ward mission leader and other members were bearing testimony and expressing thanks for missionaries. It was like missionary appreciation day at the pulpit. Our ward mission leader gave his testimony and mentioned us by name, and how he has heard us teach and bear testimony. There wasn’t a pause the whole meeting, people just kept getting up. The meeting went 15 minutes over and probably would have gone longer, but bishop ended it. I felt the spirit here, I felt so incredibly happy all day. The happiness I felt Sunday, it was one of the best days, it can’t be described. I just felt so good. It was a fast Sunday as well so maybe that had something to do with it. I can’t count the number of times I felt the spirit. It was probably felt in different ways all day. There were just so many experiences. Especially that ending to the night at the Qualls when we all shared personal experiences including Brother and Sister Quall. What a Sunday, so happy, so spiritual. OH the happiness I felt all that day, WOW. This is why I can’t give up being a missionary. I love it too much, I don’t think that’s possible. I just love these experiences, these feelings. It truly is the work of God. The greatest calling and time, and place to be in life. I love it. This is Christ’s Church and I’m sharing it with everyone. I’m so happy. I love you all. I would pay money to have a day like Sunday once a month, once a year. I know you would too, to just have those feelings to have one day like that, money can’t buy it, but I would pay to have a day like that even once a year. I love you all Family, as our ward mission leader says “Be good and do good.”
Love Elder Adams
So sorry I forgot to bring my scriptures to the library today I will make a note of it in my planner for next week. One of the principles of enduring a trial well is just that "enduring" and waiting patiently. So you will have to practice that aspect right now. I'm so sorry, I will get it for you next week. However next week we are going down to the city to see the St. Patricks day parade. We are going to ride the metra train and see the river dyed green for the festival. The river runs all through the city. How blessed are we that our p-day lands on St. Patty's day.
LOve Elder ADams, Read my email I sent to mom, I wrote a lot, so I'm done writing. Big PLans as well for next wednesday ST. Patty's day. HINT: IN THE CITY!!!!!!!!!
This has been a great first week for us. We had a great lesson with Rebecca Gianpiccolo, and she has really been reading a lot in the Book of Mormon. She also fasted for her first time this Sunday. We also met with will Rios, the father in a part-member family. He as well is now 2 weeks keeping the Word of Wisdom, and he fasted for his first time this Sunday. In our meeting with him on Monday we did try to extend a baptismal commitment, which he turned down. He feels he's not quite there yet. He says that he wants to feel it, but he feels like he is blocking the spirit in some way. He wants it though, I can tell he has true desire. He says he has small reservations and holdbacks as to living the word of Wisdom. He says that he can do it, but he doesn't see what's wrong with going out with friends once in a while. For now though he's living it on faith. We have a number of other potential investigators and investigators that we are struggling to get in contact with though. That's the difficult part of this work is that people have their agency. We continue to find though, and to work hard to find more people. We just need to get in contact with a lot of people.
I had the most amazing day every, from start to finish on Sunday. Sunday it was fast Sunday, and we had designated the last hour and a half of our fast (Where we would be out tracting as usual) to be our power hour. All our faith everything to finding. We drove to the area we had planned and as we were about to park I saw man washing his red Corvette and I said we’ll be by to talk to you Corvette man. We offered a prayer to begin and then started. I got out and put a Book of Mormon in my backpack and told Elder Layton we are teaching. The man with the red Corvette was about 5 doors in. I walked straight up his driveway and I began to teach. He stopped wiping down his car and just listened, he seemed captivated. He listened as I taught and bore testimony. When I finished he said, you really know your stuff. I told him I have my testimony and I’ve learned as I’ve been out. I asked him if he’d accept a copy of the Book of Mormon and he said he would. This guy was incredible. We might be able to contact him again. This was a prayer and a miracle answered by the Lord. I didn’t care if he did have a nice car and house I was going to teach him. After our tracting we went to dinner at the Qualls where our day of the Spirit continued.
We had an incredible experience with some members in their home on Sunday. It was the Qualls family. Husband and wife and their 11 or 12 year old boy Connor. Instead of a message out of the scriptures we ended up sharing our personal experiences and conversion experiences. Somehow I was sharing advice with Connor to find out the Church is true for himself and then to serve a mission for him and for the Lord, not because his parents or anyone else said to. I must have said something about how I changed or hadn’t always planned to serve, because Brother Quall asked me what made me change. Something in the way he asked must have done it, because at first I gave my usual response of prayer. Then it made me reflect back to an experience I had in my apartment at college. The spirit hit me, I got so choked up and I started to cry right there at the dinner table, and I had to appologize, and then it came out. I related the part of my life, what I was going through, and the whole experience or that night with them and the feelings I had. I shared things I've only shared with a handful of people, and I don't know why I shared them with this family and with Elder Layton. I’ve never shared it with members before. This family is really great to us and they really love us. They too shared their experiences and personal lives with us. This was a very spiritual night, and there were a lot of tears as we sat around the dinner table. It was an experience unlike anything I've ever had at a members home. Deffinately one of the most powerful of my mission for that matter. It is a very personal experience and so I told them afterwards to not share with anyone else.
This whole Sunday was incredible. From the moment I woke up, I felt incredible, so refreshed and so happy all day. I WAS SO HAPPY. The testimonies in sacrament were incredible and I felt the spirit there. Our ward mission leader and other members were bearing testimony and expressing thanks for missionaries. It was like missionary appreciation day at the pulpit. Our ward mission leader gave his testimony and mentioned us by name, and how he has heard us teach and bear testimony. There wasn’t a pause the whole meeting, people just kept getting up. The meeting went 15 minutes over and probably would have gone longer, but bishop ended it. I felt the spirit here, I felt so incredibly happy all day. The happiness I felt Sunday, it was one of the best days, it can’t be described. I just felt so good. It was a fast Sunday as well so maybe that had something to do with it. I can’t count the number of times I felt the spirit. It was probably felt in different ways all day. There were just so many experiences. Especially that ending to the night at the Qualls when we all shared personal experiences including Brother and Sister Quall. What a Sunday, so happy, so spiritual. OH the happiness I felt all that day, WOW. This is why I can’t give up being a missionary. I love it too much, I don’t think that’s possible. I just love these experiences, these feelings. It truly is the work of God. The greatest calling and time, and place to be in life. I love it. This is Christ’s Church and I’m sharing it with everyone. I’m so happy. I love you all. I would pay money to have a day like Sunday once a month, once a year. I know you would too, to just have those feelings to have one day like that, money can’t buy it, but I would pay to have a day like that even once a year. I love you all Family, as our ward mission leader says “Be good and do good.”
Love Elder Adams
So sorry I forgot to bring my scriptures to the library today I will make a note of it in my planner for next week. One of the principles of enduring a trial well is just that "enduring" and waiting patiently. So you will have to practice that aspect right now. I'm so sorry, I will get it for you next week. However next week we are going down to the city to see the St. Patricks day parade. We are going to ride the metra train and see the river dyed green for the festival. The river runs all through the city. How blessed are we that our p-day lands on St. Patty's day.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
March 3, 2010
Good to hear from you. I'm going to be here in Elgin for another transfer with my favorite companion, Elder Layton. It's going awesome. We hope to baptize together. I'm hoping spring will come and melt away the cold. On the brightside I think I've seen the last of the negatives so that's hopeful. Keep encouraging spencer with tryouts this week, I know your encouragement always meant a lot to me. I love you dad, and hope to hear from you next week.
Love Elder Adams
What is this ganster talk? Good to see your face again though. My companion and I will have to buy something. We had transfers today and I'm staying here in Elgin with Elder Layton. I'm way excited!!!! I love you so much Bro. Hang in there and stay strong. Mark Whitsitt, formerly Elder Whitsitt of your mission spoke on Sunday. He told us how he had set baptismal dates all throughout his mission, but they kept falling through, and the work was tough. He said that they even had one man at the edge of the baptismal font and then he changed his mind and decided he did not want to get baptised. This happened all the way through his mission. He committed himself to remain faithfull. He prayed asking what he needed to do, he wanted to be better, he didn't know if he was doing something wrong. Then he just committed himself to remain faithful and trust that the Lord would reward him and that he would be able to baptize. So he continued onward. He didn't understand why baptisms kept falling through. Then the last transfer of his mission in his last area he had a baptism. Those are promises of the Lord being fulfilled. With faith miracles can happen, I've seen it happen in my mission. We are witnessing the Lords blessings here in Elgin. Remain faithful Elder Josh Adams and I know that you will baptize and bring souls unto Christ, through the which you will have joy with them in the kingdom of our Father in Heaven. Success will come. I give you this as my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Love Elder Adams
Hang in there mom, I know that you can do it. It sounds like you had an awesome week. I don't know how Josh is doing it, I would have lost it a while ago. It would bug me just sitting there, I would feel like I was wasting time, so Josh is a better man than me. Maybe there's a purpose that the Lord has in all of this, only time can tell, and for that we must wait out our trials faithfully and endure it well. If you remind me next week I did a study once on what it means to endure a trial well, and I can give you the scriptures for Josh and you.
So we had transfers today. Elder Layton and I are both staying here in Elgin another transfer. I'm so excited for another transfer with Elder Layton. Things have began to click and we hope to see the fruits of our labors. The ward trusts us and loves us. Our ward mission leader, I feel really likes us, and we have the trust of the bishop. We are moving forward and looking forward to our March 14 Sunday invitational, and it looks to be a success.
We've acquired some new investigators this week. The Lord is continuing to bless us. We've deffinately met some interesting people, and had some great lessons. Our teaching has continued to improve, and we continue to teach better and better together. The spirit is deffinately in our lessons and giving us the words to speak, it's incredible. We met a lady the other day, and the feelings that I got and the things that came out of my mouth as I unfolded the doctrine to her, and taught and testified and answered her questions. Then as my companion bore such solemn testimony. It was incredible. This lady has a lot of concerns but is willing to meet with us and to read the The Book of Mormon. We were both ranting and raving about this lesson that we taught and it came about as we were out tracting. It wasn't even a set appointment or one that we had planned for or prepared for. That's the spirit giving us what we need to say!!!! As for our teaching pool this is who we have: Jeanne Anderson, Jay and Della Babek, Noah Dutcher, Rich Enriquez (difficulty getting in contact with him), Rebecca Gianpiccolo, Amy S, Will Rios, and a couple others. A few of these are doing really well in keeping commitments such as reading and praying and meeting with us regularly. We hope to have around 4 of these baptized this transfer, they are doing so well right now. We pray for them daily by name that they will be able to keep the commitments we give them.
This week I did something really great. We had a special meeting called by the bishop on Sunday, to discuss the Elder Perry conference. It started at 7:00. Now this week was my companion’s 21birthday and I had planned to make him breakfast on Sunday. At first I thought that my plans would have to change. I determined that I would tell him that I was going to get up early and shower first. I did so and hurried and got ready. Then when he was in the shower I set to cooking. I made him scrambled eggs and chocolate chip pancakes. He was so surprised when he came out and saw what I was doing! He was way excited. Inside I thought, "YES, success!!!" I felt so good. He said that none of his other companions had ever done anything like this. I told him he deserved it because it was his birthday this week and he has been such a great companion. I felt so good all throughout the day. Elder Layton really liked my breakfast and was really thankful, he said it meant a lot to him.
The Elder Perry conference was great. I met a lot of missionaries from the South mission. What a privilege to be at the feet of an apostle. I realize the gravity of having a man like Paul or Peter in our presence and on this earth. How incredible. I found how important it is that we inform people, boldly of what it is that makes us unique. Tell the message of the apostasy, and the glorious reality of the restoration. We have to tell them that apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ again walk the earth. Elder Perry speaks with such power and conviction, and that's how we need to do it. I love this gospel and teaching this message. It's incredible the feelings you get.
Elder Layton and I are both looking forward to another transfer, and we are excited. Here we go!!
Love Elder Adams
P.S.-Good Job on your lesson, it sounds like it was a success!!!
Love Elder Adams
What is this ganster talk? Good to see your face again though. My companion and I will have to buy something. We had transfers today and I'm staying here in Elgin with Elder Layton. I'm way excited!!!! I love you so much Bro. Hang in there and stay strong. Mark Whitsitt, formerly Elder Whitsitt of your mission spoke on Sunday. He told us how he had set baptismal dates all throughout his mission, but they kept falling through, and the work was tough. He said that they even had one man at the edge of the baptismal font and then he changed his mind and decided he did not want to get baptised. This happened all the way through his mission. He committed himself to remain faithfull. He prayed asking what he needed to do, he wanted to be better, he didn't know if he was doing something wrong. Then he just committed himself to remain faithful and trust that the Lord would reward him and that he would be able to baptize. So he continued onward. He didn't understand why baptisms kept falling through. Then the last transfer of his mission in his last area he had a baptism. Those are promises of the Lord being fulfilled. With faith miracles can happen, I've seen it happen in my mission. We are witnessing the Lords blessings here in Elgin. Remain faithful Elder Josh Adams and I know that you will baptize and bring souls unto Christ, through the which you will have joy with them in the kingdom of our Father in Heaven. Success will come. I give you this as my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Love Elder Adams
Hang in there mom, I know that you can do it. It sounds like you had an awesome week. I don't know how Josh is doing it, I would have lost it a while ago. It would bug me just sitting there, I would feel like I was wasting time, so Josh is a better man than me. Maybe there's a purpose that the Lord has in all of this, only time can tell, and for that we must wait out our trials faithfully and endure it well. If you remind me next week I did a study once on what it means to endure a trial well, and I can give you the scriptures for Josh and you.
So we had transfers today. Elder Layton and I are both staying here in Elgin another transfer. I'm so excited for another transfer with Elder Layton. Things have began to click and we hope to see the fruits of our labors. The ward trusts us and loves us. Our ward mission leader, I feel really likes us, and we have the trust of the bishop. We are moving forward and looking forward to our March 14 Sunday invitational, and it looks to be a success.
We've acquired some new investigators this week. The Lord is continuing to bless us. We've deffinately met some interesting people, and had some great lessons. Our teaching has continued to improve, and we continue to teach better and better together. The spirit is deffinately in our lessons and giving us the words to speak, it's incredible. We met a lady the other day, and the feelings that I got and the things that came out of my mouth as I unfolded the doctrine to her, and taught and testified and answered her questions. Then as my companion bore such solemn testimony. It was incredible. This lady has a lot of concerns but is willing to meet with us and to read the The Book of Mormon. We were both ranting and raving about this lesson that we taught and it came about as we were out tracting. It wasn't even a set appointment or one that we had planned for or prepared for. That's the spirit giving us what we need to say!!!! As for our teaching pool this is who we have: Jeanne Anderson, Jay and Della Babek, Noah Dutcher, Rich Enriquez (difficulty getting in contact with him), Rebecca Gianpiccolo, Amy S, Will Rios, and a couple others. A few of these are doing really well in keeping commitments such as reading and praying and meeting with us regularly. We hope to have around 4 of these baptized this transfer, they are doing so well right now. We pray for them daily by name that they will be able to keep the commitments we give them.
This week I did something really great. We had a special meeting called by the bishop on Sunday, to discuss the Elder Perry conference. It started at 7:00. Now this week was my companion’s 21birthday and I had planned to make him breakfast on Sunday. At first I thought that my plans would have to change. I determined that I would tell him that I was going to get up early and shower first. I did so and hurried and got ready. Then when he was in the shower I set to cooking. I made him scrambled eggs and chocolate chip pancakes. He was so surprised when he came out and saw what I was doing! He was way excited. Inside I thought, "YES, success!!!" I felt so good. He said that none of his other companions had ever done anything like this. I told him he deserved it because it was his birthday this week and he has been such a great companion. I felt so good all throughout the day. Elder Layton really liked my breakfast and was really thankful, he said it meant a lot to him.
The Elder Perry conference was great. I met a lot of missionaries from the South mission. What a privilege to be at the feet of an apostle. I realize the gravity of having a man like Paul or Peter in our presence and on this earth. How incredible. I found how important it is that we inform people, boldly of what it is that makes us unique. Tell the message of the apostasy, and the glorious reality of the restoration. We have to tell them that apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ again walk the earth. Elder Perry speaks with such power and conviction, and that's how we need to do it. I love this gospel and teaching this message. It's incredible the feelings you get.
Elder Layton and I are both looking forward to another transfer, and we are excited. Here we go!!
Love Elder Adams
P.S.-Good Job on your lesson, it sounds like it was a success!!!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
February 24, 2010
I added some and resent this, I didn't know if it worked before.
This week truly was a week of miracles and success. The Lord blessed us this week President. Everything seemed to pay off and to come together and to fall into line. Elder Layton and I taught so well together and we continue to teach better and better together, and our finding and our approaches keep getting better. We're helping our investigators make and keep commitments. We're extending commitments with boldness. Everything just feels so good, I just can't say enough good about Elder Layton and about the work and about how things are going with finding, teaching, and the progress of our investigators. This week we taught Will Rios about faith, and faith to act. We then taught about fasting and about the Word of Wisdom. We extended the commitment to keep the Word of Wisdom and to fast with us and his family on a specific date for his son who has cancer and for an answer if the The Book of Mormon is true. He accepted!!!! It was so incredible. I was on a high that night, I couldn't believe he accepted. I just bore testimony to him and promised blessings, I could feel it in the lesson, I could just feel something, and then he accepted. It was incredible. In order for him to keep the Word of Wisdom he will have to give up tea and alcohol, but he was willing to do it. I guess word travels fast as well, because his wife told a few word members who then asked us about it on Sunday. Things are going great. Speaking of ward members, Elder Layton and I think they really trust us and want to help us. One member asked us for 3 copies of the Book of Mormon and 3 sets of pamphlets of the first 3 lessons. It's just been an all around incredible week. Probably a highlight week of my entire mission. This week hopefully we can extend some baptismal commitments and help people receive some spiritual confirmations. Pray for Will Rios to be able to keep this commitment. I know if he does he will get his answer and his family will be blessed. We are going to be fasting next weekend with him and his family, It's going to be the most focused fast ever. Will Rios is the only one in his family that is not a member. His wife and kids are. His eight year old son Noah has cancer and he has to go through a lot of treatments. There's a mass that pushes against his spine. After I had committed him to the Word of Wisdom on Friday night, we heard later that his wife was really surprised. She said that when she talked to him, that he had said that he had better jump on board on this one with faith if the Lord is to heal his son. When I extended the commitment, he said "Is this some of the changes that I will have to make in my life if this is going to be a part of my life?" I answered to him yes and further bore testimony of the principle and how he and his family would be blessed and then I asked him if he would exercise his faith and keep the Word of Wisdom. That's when he accepted, it was incredible.
Tomorrow we have a special meeting with Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. It’s a combined meeting with the Chicago South Mission. It’s going to be a big deal. I’m excited to hear from an Apostle. I hear that he’s a firecracker speaker. I wonder what he’s going to say to us. So that’s tomorrow from 4-6. Also Mark Whitsitt returned home from his mission on Thursday. He was in the same mission as Josh. He said that he’d heard of my brother but never met him. He said that a lot of people want to work with him. So that was good to hear. He told us a little about his mission as well. Some things about being released that I didn’t want to hear. He came to an appointment with us though, so that was neat.
Today is my companion, Elder Layton’s, Birthday. He’s 21, so we’re probably going to do something fun today.
Can I just say that the Spirit of God like a fire is Burning, here in Elgin. Things are moving forward. We teach with power and Authority, and go door to door inviting people to listen to our message and receive the blessings. You just feel so good everyday, it’s an incredible good happy feeling. You know nothing like it anywhere else or from anything else. It’s amazing I love it. I just feel so good and fulfilled. Ahhh, it’s pure envigoration to my soul. I’m just so happy, I love it. It can only mean that the Spirit of God is bearing witness of the truthfulness of this work (Moroni 7:13-17). I love it what more can I say. Being a missionary, the choice that I made to serve, is easily the greatest decision I have ever made in my live. I feel anything else in my life will pale in comparison to this. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Love Elder Adams
Great job on your tests mom. Keep up the good work!!!!! Has dad not only broke his hip, but his fingers are broken as well, so that it has become difficult to type. Just kidding. You've got to write me if you want me to be motivated to write you family.
This week truly was a week of miracles and success. The Lord blessed us this week President. Everything seemed to pay off and to come together and to fall into line. Elder Layton and I taught so well together and we continue to teach better and better together, and our finding and our approaches keep getting better. We're helping our investigators make and keep commitments. We're extending commitments with boldness. Everything just feels so good, I just can't say enough good about Elder Layton and about the work and about how things are going with finding, teaching, and the progress of our investigators. This week we taught Will Rios about faith, and faith to act. We then taught about fasting and about the Word of Wisdom. We extended the commitment to keep the Word of Wisdom and to fast with us and his family on a specific date for his son who has cancer and for an answer if the The Book of Mormon is true. He accepted!!!! It was so incredible. I was on a high that night, I couldn't believe he accepted. I just bore testimony to him and promised blessings, I could feel it in the lesson, I could just feel something, and then he accepted. It was incredible. In order for him to keep the Word of Wisdom he will have to give up tea and alcohol, but he was willing to do it. I guess word travels fast as well, because his wife told a few word members who then asked us about it on Sunday. Things are going great. Speaking of ward members, Elder Layton and I think they really trust us and want to help us. One member asked us for 3 copies of the Book of Mormon and 3 sets of pamphlets of the first 3 lessons. It's just been an all around incredible week. Probably a highlight week of my entire mission. This week hopefully we can extend some baptismal commitments and help people receive some spiritual confirmations. Pray for Will Rios to be able to keep this commitment. I know if he does he will get his answer and his family will be blessed. We are going to be fasting next weekend with him and his family, It's going to be the most focused fast ever. Will Rios is the only one in his family that is not a member. His wife and kids are. His eight year old son Noah has cancer and he has to go through a lot of treatments. There's a mass that pushes against his spine. After I had committed him to the Word of Wisdom on Friday night, we heard later that his wife was really surprised. She said that when she talked to him, that he had said that he had better jump on board on this one with faith if the Lord is to heal his son. When I extended the commitment, he said "Is this some of the changes that I will have to make in my life if this is going to be a part of my life?" I answered to him yes and further bore testimony of the principle and how he and his family would be blessed and then I asked him if he would exercise his faith and keep the Word of Wisdom. That's when he accepted, it was incredible.
Tomorrow we have a special meeting with Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. It’s a combined meeting with the Chicago South Mission. It’s going to be a big deal. I’m excited to hear from an Apostle. I hear that he’s a firecracker speaker. I wonder what he’s going to say to us. So that’s tomorrow from 4-6. Also Mark Whitsitt returned home from his mission on Thursday. He was in the same mission as Josh. He said that he’d heard of my brother but never met him. He said that a lot of people want to work with him. So that was good to hear. He told us a little about his mission as well. Some things about being released that I didn’t want to hear. He came to an appointment with us though, so that was neat.
Today is my companion, Elder Layton’s, Birthday. He’s 21, so we’re probably going to do something fun today.
Can I just say that the Spirit of God like a fire is Burning, here in Elgin. Things are moving forward. We teach with power and Authority, and go door to door inviting people to listen to our message and receive the blessings. You just feel so good everyday, it’s an incredible good happy feeling. You know nothing like it anywhere else or from anything else. It’s amazing I love it. I just feel so good and fulfilled. Ahhh, it’s pure envigoration to my soul. I’m just so happy, I love it. It can only mean that the Spirit of God is bearing witness of the truthfulness of this work (Moroni 7:13-17). I love it what more can I say. Being a missionary, the choice that I made to serve, is easily the greatest decision I have ever made in my live. I feel anything else in my life will pale in comparison to this. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Love Elder Adams
Great job on your tests mom. Keep up the good work!!!!! Has dad not only broke his hip, but his fingers are broken as well, so that it has become difficult to type. Just kidding. You've got to write me if you want me to be motivated to write you family.
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