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