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
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