Hello Hello!    

                                        December 16, 2013

This week has been full of miracles! But that should be expected at this time of the year, well really all year. But especially during CHRISTMAS! Let me just say, this area that I'm in is so great! At times I miss the wonderful people of my old area still, but everyone here is just as amazing to us!

The most amazing news of the week is that of Sheryl. She is a new investigator. We stopped by to visit a member and Sheryl answered the door and quickly sent us away. An hour later during lunch we got a call from her saying she wanted to know what we were about and if we could come over...right then. So of course we happily ran to our car and zoomed to her apartment. She is probably in her 40's and is just a sweetheart. She grew up in North Carolina and had some serious concerns about our faith. So we answered all her questions. Her biggest relief came from finding out that we didn't teach of believe in the "rapture." She told us she had never believed it as well. Sister Winters didn't know what we were talking about since she had never heard of that false doctrine. Luckily, I read the Left Behind series as a kid.ha. She was grateful that I could relate some to her growing up in the south and the stigmas people have about Mormons. The next day we went back to teach her about the restoration. Literally everything we said she would just be like, "Beautiful", "Amazing", "It's true." Seriously. She's so PREPARED! People really are ready to hear the gospel. When we were talking about the Book of Mormon and read through the intro and everything you would have thought we had given her a million dollars when we told her she could keep the one we gave her. I know the principles in that book are worth more that millions, but it was amazing to see how much she loved it already! The next day, we went to the Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and visitor center. Not only was it tons of fun, but they have this exhibit called "Gods Plan for Families." It's such a powerful presentation and Sheryl was in tears. We all hugged and such, and she even asked if we had a law of health.ha. We sure do, the Word of Wisdom. SHe's just amazing! And the member who drove us all and her just totally hit it off. It was AMAZING! She's amazing. We're teaching her the Plan of Salvation today, so I'm super stoked to see what new insights shes had. One of the concerns she had was about being a part of organized religion again, because apparently she was "spiritually abused" in her past church. And the thought came to her that it wasn't just a church organized by man, but a church that was organized and ran by God! How AMAZING! I LOVE SHERYL!

I was also apart of a musical number yesterday at a Mission President's Devotional. There were 11 of us involved. It was so beautiful. We did some version of The First Noel. I was the page turner...hahaha. Nobody wants to hear me sing! But everyone else did amazing!

We also had a sisters conference this week. We were trained on being companions and watched some of the "Team Hoyt" videos. It reminded me so much of dad! I was in tears the whole time. But we had a good conference as sisters, and had a clothing swap at the end. I snagged a cute skirt from a sister that is leaving this week.

We did some service with the elders this week for this horder, Bob. And he like took Sister Winters and I's picture. We thought he did that for everyone that came to help him, but the elders told us later that wasn't the case. And that he was just being creepy. Then Saturday night they went and helped him some more and apparently Bob's wife wants to meet us now.haha. So strange I tell you. There are so many awkward situations as a missionary. I think we just live in constant awkwardness. But really.

This week we have meeting like everyday! Tomorrow we have a family history training for like 4 hours. Wednesday is transfer meeting, and then we are taking a picture in front of the Gilbert Temple as a mission.  Thursday is our mission Christmas party. We're going to a session at the temple, then partying it up Alllllll day...well until 6pm. But it should be lots of fun. Each zone is doing a skit, IDK what we're diong yet. But we have a elder in the zone that plays the bagpipes, so as long as thats involved we should be good.

We're also still teaching Jace. He is so cute. We each got a hug at the end of our lesson. He is so funny! One miracle that happend, we were supposed to teach a sunday school class, and nobody showed up so we didn't have to teach! YES!ha. Sometimes poeple just give you too many things to do, and it's kinda relieving when things fall through. Maybe thats bad, oh well.

We got to help Sister Hansen decorate her Christmas tree. Probably the most amount of ornaments that I've even seen on a tree. And every single INCH of her house was decorated. No joke. It's cray. I've decided that people go all out on every holiday here with decorations because they have no pretty grass, or trees, or really anything thats that pretty. So they distract you from it with lots of lights and such.

One of our wards had there Christmas party this week. It was so fun. It looked like it was out of a movie. It was in a neighborhood and all the houses had lights, and eveyone had booth things of there driveway. They had a singer set up with seats in the culdasac(sp?). We had a booth set up with a huge picture of the Gilbert Temple and a TV with a video about the temple playing on a loop. We got to talk to tons of people about it, and we got to see Santa again. SANTA, I KNOW HIM! It was lots of fun, indeed.

That's really all that I can think of currently! I will be keeping my eyes peeled for the packages! I love y'all! Thanks for all that you do for me, mom. You are the greatest ever! I LOVE YOU!

Sister Adams

Zone Missionaries

Zone Missionaries Take Two

Nativity Scene from Germany

Santa- I know Him!!!

Mesa Temple in Lights

 

Fluff and Stuff                                                                                                              December 9, 2013

This week has been so super crazy. Like nothing normal happened, in the least. Which was kinda nice to mix things up, but it was also super exhausting and just INSANE. I feel like each week is just filled with so many unexpected moments, and miracles. I don't even know where to start. Lets see.

Last Monday, Sister Hansen took us out to lunch and to buy coats because it was going to get really cold this week. Which is so true. It has been FREEZING. I can't even believe that Arizona gets this cold. I feel silly walking arround with a coat on. All my friends in Provo would be laughing at us.haha. But it is what it is. I also saw the Wardrops, from my last area, when we went out to lunch! It was awesome! I love them! So good to see them. I asked about Carolyn, and she said that she hasn't met with the sisters since I left.Ahhh.

At our zone meeting on Tuesday we had to role play teaching an entire lessons...in 3-5 minutes. What the what. It basically came down to teaching pure doctrine, cutting out all the fluff. We also practiced these at Zone conference this week as well. Zone Conference was so fun. It's so fun to see lots of missionaries and to be taught by President and Sister Nattress. They are awesome. So that was a full day of training and such.

 We also decided to just randomly decided to knock on this door of a house that we just like, and invite them to the open house. We talked to this nice man, Jacob, and he was interested. In a ward meeting we had, some of his neighbors talked about him and we were like, "Wait, is this Candyland House(which is what we call his house)?" It was kinda cool that we just decided to knock on his door and turns out the ward is starting to fellowship him as well. You never know whats a prompting! We'll be going by his home soon to show the temple presentation.
We also street contacted this nice old man, who was working with his horses. When we started talking about the temple he just started laughing and told us how everyone at his work had already invited him.haha. Nice to know that the members are doing missionary work :) He said that wasn't it kinda overkill with how many temples are in Arizona, or will be pretty soon. With Both Phoenix and Tucson temples already being built. It was pretty funny. But he is interested in going, so this is good news for us!

Lets see, we had one of our wards Christmas parties this week, it was a breakfast. And this old LA couple that we're working with, the Hammers, came. And Brother Hammer was SANTA! He told us that we had to sit on his lap, and told another guy in the ward that he had to take a picture for him when we came to see "santa." So they had us cut in front of ALL the kids to go talk to Santa.haha. They probably hate the missionaries now. But luckily Brother Hammer stood up so we didn't have to sit on his lap. That could have been awkward. He probably hugged us like 50 times at that breakfast too, and made sure that we sat by him. He is so funny!

We had exchanges this week too! And Sister Sanders, Sister Ayers new companion, came to spend the day with me! She is so awesome. I learned a lot from her. We didn't have any appointments all day, but we were able to make it a successfull day as we biked around...in the cold. I really like biking. I feel that it just builds trust with the members. They see us out working, and the kids wave and say hi. It's just so much nicer that in a car. Especially since our area is so tiny. That day we stopped by Ruth, and she went crazy. She started talking about how she was a native american and she wasn't gonna change her heritage...we were talking about faith...so I don't know how it got so off topic. And she also confessed all her life stories to us...like showed us scars, told us really scary stories. Then just got up and said, "I can't do this anymore." The other people in the room just laughed about how entertaing she is. It was intese. We did manage to get so real Navajo fry bread out of it, which was the only positive that came out of that meeting.

We also got to teach Jace this week and he is just a doll! We were talking about the Plan of Salvation, and he said. "I believe that all the animals should be free. That if we weren't here they could be here. Would you rather be a woman or be a free animal?" As tempted as my wildlife loving self was to say an animal, I resisted and told him I was glad to be a human. He then held up his hand and said, "Just think about it for a minute."haha. I love him. He was sad when we had to leave. He's the cutest. It was his birthday yesterday too, so we dropped off a card for him. We also baked a cake for Ruth's birthday this week too.

As you heard, our stake conference was this weekend. And since we were getting a new stake presidency we had two general authorities here. The Saturday session was all about missionary work. As one of the GA's was talking he said, "Would Sister Adams and Sister Winters come and join me and tell us all about how exciting it is to be a part of the work of salvation?" I wanted to pee my pants. Seriously. It was a long walk up to the front. President and Sister Nattress were there as well. I literally have no clue what I said, hopefully it was coherent. He also asked us about teaching and other things at the podium. And this place was PACKED. I hadn't realized how many people were there until i was looking our over the podium. I had recently read a lot of scriptures about how we will be given in the very moment what we shall say. And I know that sometimes I try to plan out what I'm gonna say, and at this point. I literally had no time. Mainly because I forgot the question right when he called our names. But I know that because I was prepared, the spirit guided me what I should say. I figure that if I can't remember what I said, I was talking by the spirit...right? At leats thats what I keep telling myself! It was funny because after the meeting, and Sunday at Stake Conference, it was like everyone in the stake knew us. And came up to talk to us, and tell us how us talking was the highlight, and how they wanted sisters in their ward, and it was kinda funny. We're basically celebrities in the Val Vista stake now...NOT! And we found out afterword, that the authorities had wanted to whole Saturday session taped. So it's on VIDEO. I hope I never see that.haha. I'm sure it's embarassing. Goodness. Just thinking about it makes me tired. it truly was a testimony that God knows each of us individually and helps us in times of needs. No matter how small or big it is. He knows and loves us, and is always a constant in our every changing and crazy life.

Lots of other suff happend too...but I really can't remember because I always forget to bring my journal thing to email. Whoops. But I am doing well. Some days are harder than others, but we're getting along. It's weird because this is now the longest I've been away from home. It's officially longer than a BYU semester. Crazy. Some people ask if we're homesick...that's the worst thing you can ask a missionary. Becuase if they aren't then you just made them.  It's great to be serving in an area that is so full of great people though. They really take care of us. The newly called stake president, before he was called, gave us a Christmas tree with ornaments and lights and such. We also made our own ornaments with pass along cards. #missionprobs It was fun to decorate it though. And getting to help Sister Andreson was so fun. She makes me laugh. She was surprised that we were "smart" sisters, since we both went to BYU. And then after they called us up to speak, she said she didn't know we were the smartest and the best missionaries. False on both accounts. I still feel like I have no clue whats going on half the time, but according to older missionaries thats how you always feel. So that gives me hope.ha. I will know about transfers next week. So I literally have no clue whats going to happen. There's only like 4 new sisters coming in. So not too many changes will happen. We also have an awesome Christmas Party planned. It's still super exciting to be able to talk about the temple so much. And now being able to talk about Christmas with everyone! i thnk we might be able to get into more homes closer to Christmas! We also get to go caroling on Chirstmas Eve as a district! I don't think they want me to sing...but it should be fun! I love y'all and miss y'all so much! Thanks for all that you do for me! Have a hollly jolly week!

 

Love,

Sister Adams

Citrus Trees!!

Brother Hammer as Santa!!

So Pretty....I love the lights

Santa Cactus

Oh Christmas Tree.....

Oh yeah, I dyed my hair....

Thanks MOM- treats from home!!

Tis' the Season                                                                                                        December 2, 2013

This week has been a rollercoaster. All over the place. Up and down. Left to right. Maybe even a complete turnaround at times. And as always, exhausting. Thanks for the package! Cheerwine, Kind bars, and pomegranates! You know me too well. Did you know people have pomegranate bushes in their yards here? Pretty sweet deal.

Thanksgiving was different than any other, as expected. We baked about 100 cookies in the morning, so that when we stopped by and bothered people during the day we had a good excuse. Bribery still applies to missionary work. We had asked the bishops and relief society presidents for people they thought could use a visit on Thanksgiving. So we stopped by all of them, and most of them weren't home. We were invited to share a message and eat with the Elmers, that should have been the first picture you got. They are awesome and so sweet. It was good to visit with them and just chill. Unlike Dallan, we aren't allowed to play games except for on P-day. Or else that would have been nice to do, as lots of the families we stopped at invited us to. Our main meal that day was with the Greers. He's on the ward mission leaders, and a bunch of there family was there. Although, not as many as are at our family gatherings. :) I saw my companion shed a tear of two as we were driving off to again comense in missionary work. It was a little sad. Holidays as a missionary are just weird. But I'm grateful to be in a place where we at least get to celebrate them somewhat!

The day before Thanksgiving we got to help a non-member, Bonnie, cook. She taught us how to make rolls and such. It was actually a lot of fun. We are teaching someone living there. It's a crazy household situation that I'm not sure if I can explain. But let me tell you about Sunday. Sunday was INSANE. First we had a lesson with a new investigator, during church. We skipped Sunday school in one of the wards to go and teach him. He is 11 and has autism, and is such a sweet kid. His dad is a member and they go to church every week, it's just the mom that is against it. So if he takes the lessons "he'll know what he's gettting into" kinda thing. Then in our second session of church we had like 6 non-members there. Thanks to Brianna, a 13 year old recent convert, and Ruth. Ruth, Brianna, Bonnie, Chris, ..they all live together. We also skipped one relief society to go and help Bonnie again. There house was a mad house. There was all sorts of stuff going on. Tons of kids running around, hungry. We were supposed to eat at 4, and we left at 7:30 and they still hadn't eaten. The adults were like drinking and yelling at kids and not letting them eat. And it was just crazy. We did manage to teach Chris, and his girlfriend-Jamie- amungst the craziness. She was really interested, so we'll be teaching her again soon! It's amazing to just help people. I just want to help everyone in whatever way that I can. It's hard because there are so many things that we can't do. But we know that the gospel will help in every aspect of their lifes and is the best thing that we can offer anyone. So that's what we do.

The rest of our week consisted of cleaning a horders kitchen. So gross. Teaching some lessons. Talking to people. Knocking on lots of empty doors. Being put in lots of awkward situations. Showing the temple presentation like 50 times, seriously. I have those videos memorized. It's a good thing I love them so much. Here's another one that we show: http://mormon.org/searchresults#?query=blessings%20of%20the%20temple&filter=video

We had a good lesson with Brianna. We took her out of her crazy house to a park and talked with her. She's such a sweet girl. And she's in a really tough place, and it's so sad. We're gonna do like a 25 days of Christmas thing for her. Just drop of something each day. Yesterday it was a pomegranate since we found out those were her favorite and she misses fruit alot. So if there's anything you come across that a 13 year old girl would like send it on.

It's crazy that it is already December. It doesn't feel like it. Some days are beautiful and 70 during the day and others are a freezing 55. Dallan said that it snowed on Wednesday. Crazy. Arizona is an interesting place. I also forgot my notes of things to write about this week. Sorry I'm always so scatter brained. Days just blur together and weeks. This week we have zone conference and another exchange and something else that I can't think of at the moment. But all is good here in AZ. Missionary work is hard, especially when the mail doesn't get here until 6:00 at night. What is that?!?! We see miracles each day. Little tender mercies are what keeps me going. Sometimes those tender mercies come in the form of letters, the more the merrier. But really, I love what I'm doing and it's a great time to be serving. Just about a month and a half until the Gilbert Temple Open House! So stoked about that! But I miss y'all and love y'all. Have an awesome week!

 

Sister Adams

ARCTIC ARIZONA                                                                  November 25, 2013

Seriously, this week has been freezing with lots of rain! I feel like I'm in Washington, not in the middle of the desert. It was a bit of a nice change up, besides the fact that I don't have any warm clothes with me. Neither does Sister Winters so we just froze the past few days. The temperature dropped really low, as in like the 50's! I also forgot my journal, where I had written down all that I had to talk about this week. So hopefully my memory suffices.

 This week I am grateful for the Lord's servants. Elder Bruce D. Porter of the 70 came to talk to us. He was amazing! He also opened it up for questions at the end, but I chickened out and didn't ask mine. Maybe next time :) One thing I really loved that he talked about was how most people always look for some big grand experience to solidify their testimony. When really, having smaller experiences more frequently are actually better. He related it to how Laman and Lemuel saw angels and such, yet we know that they never stayed strong. I love that. And it makes perfect sense. If we have just one experience, we can rationalize it when times get tough. But when we have a whole quiver full of testimony building experiences to get us through it's makes us much stronger, and able to face the many trials that we all face in life.

I'm grateful for Ruth this week. For her telling of many off-kilter stories. We heard all about aliens, she even has an alien ring, and how she sees them all the time. We heard about how when she came to church she saw all these spirits and such. She also told us she can predict when it rains and how when clouds turn darker thats where the rain is.haha. She is so funny and such a sweet heart. She already gave us Christmas presents.

I'm also grateful for faith dining. One of the rainy days we decided to go to Zupa's for lunch. Not many other times in life do you earn money while going out to eat, but we did. As we were waiting to order a man walked up and handed us a $20 bill to pay for our meal. Then the people in front of us ended up paying for our food. So we made $20. It was amazing! The people here are so nice and treat the missionaries so well. It's such a blessing to serve around so many amazing people.

I'm grateful for exchanges. We went on exchanges this week, and I actually got to go to my old area with Sister Ayers!ha. Just like old times! It was fun to get to see a few people again, even though most of our appointments canceled. It realy like old times. Sister Ayers and her new companion had been struggling so that was hard to hear. And her companion said she's never been in an area where she feels like she shouldn't be there, and she's been out a year. She feels like everyone is just sad that I'm gone and all they ask about is where I am and why I was transferred. That would be really hard, so we've been praying for them.

I'm grateful for members who gave us some hot chocolate so that we wouldn't freeze. It was such a great blessing to be able to make some hot chocolate before we started planning at night. And Chili. And soup. And pasta. And cupcakes. And cake. And brownies. Seriously, we have so much stuff just piled up on our counter.ha.

I'm grateful for the temple. We were able to show the temple presentation like 5000 times this week. I love the videos that we show. And being able to bare testimony so much on what the temple means to me. It's also cool to hear all the members testimonies on the temple and the experiences that they have had there. We got to share it with a couple non-members this week as well. It's cool to see them watching the video and feeling the spirit of the temple.Here's one of the videos: http://mormon.org/beliefs/church/#our_members

I'm grateful for cute babies and little kids. Not only do they provide entertainment during the 6 hours of church that we attend, but they also love when we come to their hour. Our laps get piled with toys they want to show us and pictures that they have drawn for us. It's adorable. And also torture that we aren't allowed to hold them. Kids names of the week: Fox(boy) and Navy(girl).

I'm grateful that at the next stake leadership meeting I won't have to give the spiritual thought. You think being out for 6 months would make that seem super easy, and most of the time it is. But on the other hand it's super intimidating to speak to all these high up people. I always feel so unqualified.

I'm grateful for investigators that as questions. Even if the only concern they tell us, is that there crazy LDS friend told her that he was gonna be baptized for Elvis Presley. Some things they don't just prepare you for in the MTC. ha. I actually kinda love getting crazy questions. Because they're generally pretty simple answers. And if it's about baptisms for the dead, which a lot of people have questions about, you get to explain the importance of baptism. I love that.

I'm grateful for mail! Beky, Granny, and Dallan get gold stars this week. There's nothing like opening a mailbox full of fun letters! And the Great American Cookie Company cookies are the best! Those snickerdoodles. YUM!Thank you, thank you, thank you! And I will be doing my best to write them all back today.

I'm grateful for comic relief in a ward missionary meeting that gets super heated between the different members. First time being in a meeting that people are basically fighting. Then this one guy writes a note to my that says, "You didn't think your first meeting would be this exciting, did you?" It was pretty funny.

I'm grateful for parents that care. That even though there son was intoxicated when we came over, Sister Anderson retrieved him and his friend to watch the temple presentation. First time teaching a leasson to a drunk person. I can now check that off the list. I also taught a lesson while sitting in a wheelchair this week, first time for everything!ha.

I'm grateful for the Lines family, who fed our whole district...steak. Why so much steak lately! But they are the sweetest. Brother Lines is a high councilman, so we go over every week to report how are week was. Our district, which is 4 companionships, taught 81 lessons this past week! It's a record. And Sister Winters and I won! Score. Not that we needed anything else to add to our vast array of goodies.

I'm grateful for....my companion. I'm grateful for having a year left to serve. I'm grateful for getting an hour lunch break each day. I'm grateful for the power of prayer. I'm grateful for the scriptures. I'm grateful for my friends. I'm grateful for my family. I'm grateful for my Savior.

Well, this next week should be full of a lot more great opportunities to share the gospel. I'm doing well, besides the permanent chill bumps I now have. And it's so crazy that this Sunday will be December 1st!! Shut the front door...open it...and shut it again! Thanks for all that you do for me and in keeping me sane! I love hearing from y'all! I did send Jeb a letter last week, so hopefully he got it. I love y'all so so much! Have the grandest Thanksgiving ever!

We match....

This is a crazt truck...They do not look like this in Jackson County

Beautiful chickens.....here chicky chicky..

Val Vista                                          November 18,2013

Hello Hello. I survived transfers! I literally only moved a few miles up the road. And my new companion is Sister Winters. We flew here together so it has been great fun being companions. President Nattress called us the "superstar" companionship...so that's so high expectations to live up to. This week has been good though. It was so so sad to have to say goodbye to all the people I have come to love in my old area. And there just wasn't enough time to say goodbye to everyone. Maybe one day I'll get to serve there again. That would be sweet. My address is

3225 E. Baseline Rd. #1115, Gilbert, AZ, 85234.

We cover two wards and one of the bishops said he had a question to see if I was a true southerner. For one, you think one would have to be from the south to know that. And then the ward mission leader, Brother Greer, told him that I passed the real test. That when he mentioned the Georgia Bulldogs that my face lit up...but then quickly dropped when I heard the results of the game.

We have a couple of investiagtors. I have met one so far. Her name is Phyllis. She is blind and nearly deaf, so it was super interesting to teach her. She is a sweetheart though and I'm excited to get to know her more.

There's the less active lady Ruth, she's native american, and is cray cray. She is always wearing wildlife shirts, and has a tattoos of a wolf print on each side of her eyes. When I shook her hand she said, "That is a good Mormon handshake. The way that it should be." She then proceeded to tell me her life story, and how she can't quit smoking. She also wants to write President Monson to tell him the baptismal age should be changed to 12...so we'll see how that one goes. I love her. She cracks me up.

We also invidted this lady to the temple one day, and had quite the extensive discussion. Towards the end of the conversation she asked, "Do you know where the temple is?" We told her that we did. And she said, while pounding her chest, "It's in your heart. It's not a building or anything. The temple is in your heart." Talk about a teaching oppurtunity. It was funny.

I've also found my favorite section of AZ so far. Theres this place called Country Plaza in our area. None of the houses are stucco. They all have yards, and yard chickens. They all have all sorts of farm animals and TREES and green grass. It's pretty heavenly. My plan is just to convert the whole place so that I can go there more often...and play with their animals. I found out we can't horseback ride which is so lame. Missionaries have no agency.ha.

Yesterday, it was good to meet everyone in the wards. We have 6 hours of church, and actually get a lunch break which is fantastic. Normally every Sunday feels like a fast Sunday. We were able to give a BOM to a struggling lady that we met while stopping by a recent converts house yesterday as well. There was also a new member fireside that we got to go to. It's so cool to hear peoples conversion stories. Speaking of which, I still need yours mom! I also saw Sister Ayers and her new companion there. She said that everyone was asked where I was and was super sad that I had to leave. Her new companion said they weren't happy to see her. Which is sad, but it's kinda nice to know that they actullay liked me.  As we walked in to one sacrament meeting I saw one of my old ward mission leaders, Brother Hinton. The first thing he said was, "YOU DIDN"T COME AND SAY GOODBYE." Whoops. Sorry that you weren't home when we stopped by. He then told me that when his son, who left on his mission like 2 months ago, found out that I was transferred asked for my email. So awkward. I think my face was super confused looking so he told me that I could think about it.ha.

Overall, all is well. I'm not 100% positive if I'll be here for Christmas, but there are great people who I know would take care of us. So we will see when transfers role around again. Overall, this week I have really increased my testimony of prayer, and not just because everyone always asks the "new" missionary to pray at every occasion. It's such a sweet feelingg to know that we have a Heavenly Father that wants us to talk to him, because He wants to help us. All that we have to do is ask. Blessings are waiting for us. The whole purpose of the creation was for us, and for families. So that we can become more like Him. What better way than to constatly seek His advice as to what He would have us do and who He wants us to become.
I love and miss all y'all. And hope to hear from y'all soon!

 

Sister Adams

HOLA                                            November 11,2013

Well, the time has come. I'm leaving the area. It's super sad to think that all of these wonderful people that I've gotten to know in the past 5 months, I now have to say goodbye too. I just love everyone here. But I guess there are other people in some unknown area that I'm supposed to touch in one way or another. It should be interesting to see who my new companion is and where I will be at, for at least 5 weeks. This next transfer is short, and the next one is 7 weeks. Due to Christmas and such.  But, my week has been really good. Can't really complain too much. 

Last Monday, we finally got to go to DownEast to exchange some of my birthday clothes, so I've gotten to wear a couple new outfits which has been oh so refreshing! I managed to get two skirts which are like perfect. I wish I could have one in every color. And a blouse and a necklace. I've also been wearing red and black on Saturday's. GO DAWGS! Aside from this past Saturday, it sounds like they're struggling!

This week, I had to eat some gross food. Clam Chowder and a ham sandwich. Taylor will get a kick out of the clam chowder eating. One family as we were leaving wanted to give us some candy, however they know I love barbecue. So they gave Sister Ayers candy and me a bag of pulled pork and some BBQ sauce. There's nothing quite like Southern BBQ. Like not even close! 

We also had exchanges this week. So a Sister Training Leader came and spend the day with us. It was pretty fun. I think she's a little trunky since she goes home in December. We did a huge chalk drawing of the Plan of Salvation in a park, my idea. That say we also talked to a man in a bee keeper suit. That was a pretty easy conversation to start.haha. And our main focus as a mission is using the Gilbert Temple as a finding tool. So we just talk about it with everyone. Even people who are a little standoff ish at first warm up to the idea of a video presentation about the temple. We showed one lady yesterday, and she was in tears as the video ended and we bore testimony. She said she would think about meeting with us again, and let the member who's home we were at know. It was cool to see her feel the spirit of the temple. It truly is the Lord's House. 

We're still teaching Jenny, the ex-communicated member. She's the sweetest. A little coo-coo but super sweet. And she's going through a lot right now. She's sending off a letter to the First Presidency for permission to get re-baptized. She already has the program laid out and everything. She wanted me to talk, but I won't be here...whenever it is. 

Chalk ART!!

Art work Glorifying God- AWESOMENESS!!

Same goes for Carolyn, I won't be in the area when she is baptized. So it's kinda sad. But hopefully we'll be able to find some success in the area that I will be serving in.

We did actually two POS chalk drawings and literally right after finishing one of them we get a text from our zone leaders that says, "By request of the mission, please cease all chalk drawings and erase any previously done." Awesome. 

We didn't get a chance to until the next morning but we had told a member about it, well a few. And one went running with a friend past the drawings and they had an hour discussion about the Plan of Salvation! And she is interested in learing more! Sweet! So at least our time spent doing that was productive...and fun! 

We also taught Bailey and Noah some of the new member lessons. And helped Bailey do some family history to find names to take to do baptisms for! So that's pretty exciting! We also taught Makylee, the 9 year old. She is ready to be baptized, but her divorced parents are finding about when and where to have it. So sad. 

While following Sister Holcomb and her companion to take their car to get fixed we got way lost. We were driving around basically the entire mission.haha. At one red light, Sister Holcomb mouthed to me in the rear view mirror if we were still in the mission boundaries.haha. We got a bit of a mission tour to say the least. And it turns out the Ford delarship was only 10 minutes away. But we treated ourself to Chick-fil-A for our troubles!ha. It was quite the adventure. 

Other tidbits, two people asked if I have lost weight? Not really sure how that would even be possible with the amount of food that is shoved down our face. Also, more people have been commenting on my accent lately. So luckily I still have at least a little bit. 

But I am doing well. It's amazing to get to be a part of some many different peoples lifes. And to hear all their stories. I know that God loves them all the same, and it's our job as missionaries to be able to share His love with them. How hard it would be to not have the knowledge that I have. That I know my Savior and Heavenly Father loves me. That He has a plan for me. That I can be with my family forever. That Christ's atonement makes up all of our weaknesses, as long as we rely on Him. The message of the Gospel is LOVE. All you need is love. 

Well, sorry that my letters are so choppy and probably make no sense. It's so stressful to write emails. But thanks for all that you do for me! I love y'all! 

Sister Adams

TAKE TWO (second time to type this email, everything deleted the first time!)    Nov. 4

I can't believe that everything that I just wrote deleted. Thats the worst thing ever. Because I now hardly have no time at all...Sucks to suck. But I'll give you the highlights of the week. 

Carolyn is on date to be baptized on November 16th. SHE IS AMAZING! And hopefully if I get transferred I'll be able to come back and see the baptism. I just love her. She is the sweetest, and it makes me so sad when I hear how much she goes through. But I know that regardless of the issues that we face in like that the gospel will help. 

Halloween we were in a mission conference all day, because we weren't allowed to be out at all. So we were trained on giving temple presentations, even though our zone had already been trained on. The videos we show on the temple are amazing! And they bring such a strong spirit. We also played a couple games, that they made missionary related. Like Jeopardy, with categories such as "Name That Book of Scripture", "Preach My Gospel Fill in the Blanks", and Preparation for baptism.haha. My team won. If you ain't first your last. But Sister Nattress made all the missionaries treat bags and it was so good to see everyone, at least those that I do know. Some people act like they know you...and I'm just thinking who are you. Halloween night we got permission as a zone to go to a high counilors house, while the rest of the mission had to stay inside! Sucks to suck. The Whitings are awesome. You should have got a text with a picture of the whole zone! They went all out for us. Chili in pumpkin shaped bread bowls, witches fingers, the whole shabang. Candy out the yin-yang. We made caramel apples. When everyone learned I had never given out candy to trick or treaters, when the doorbell would ring everyone would scream, "GO SISTER ADAMS." haha. It was a lot of fun. A couple kids from the wards I cover came by their neighborhood and so I got some hugs and they all asked to make sure I was still in their ward. It's nice to feel loved. 

Raelene also brought us by an edible arrangement! She is amazing! I love her! She does so much for us! She also found out this week that she is CANCER FREE! We cleaned her apartment this week as well, since she was still really weak. But she is doing lots better! I'm so grateful for her!

We also taught the YW on Self-Relieance...I didn't mention how you still cut up my food for me.haha. That would have brought my credibility down just a tad, don't you think?

We also had a big zone conference that included the leadership for the wards, so we got to teach our bishops and such how to invite people to different things. And role played with them. It was quite entertating to say the least. I still don't enjoy role playing all too much, but it is effective. 

As we were biking through a neighborhood this week, past a park, I glance over and see this little boy walking to a tree right in front of us. His dad screamed, "Don't pee on that tree! You're gonna embarass the sister missionaries." Just as the little boy dropped his pants. He reminded me of Jeb, and how he always used to go wherever...preferably in front of people!ha. Love you Jeb! 

Scorpions glow in the dark with a backlight..picture included.

The weather has been amazing! Even chilly. Especailly in the morning when we go run at the track it is freezing! So the cardagins are starting to come out...even though 99% of mine are long sleeve. I wish I had brought some more of my cold weather clothes. Like a pair of bute boots and some scarves...and they're all stowed at Patricia's house. Just dandy.

This week should be great! Nothing too much out of the ordinary going on, so hopefully we're able to find some more success this week. I truly love this area, and all the people in it. They are amazing! And it's such a pleasure to serve with them. I miss y'all so much! I appreciate any and all letters, trinkets, and pictures. ;) I love you! I'm doing great! Y'all are always in my prayers! Even though it's hard, it's worth it. 

Love,

Sister Adams

Temple trip!

District Meeting on Halloween

This is how we plan!!

Who are these crazy girls!

All is good here in Gilbert, AZ

We did not do it!

Scorpions glow in the dark!! Who knew!

DAVE!!                                                            October 28, 2013

So this week has been interesting. Sister Ayers was sick like 3 days, that made it completely unproductive. The other days we have meetings essentially all day. So as far as proselyting goes it was kinda lame. Something very exciting did happen though! Do you remember the story of Dave? The rough guy we OYM'd and gave a Book of Mormon to 4 months ago...who told us how he wrapped his arm around it and such. But he lived out of the mission so we sent his information to other missionaries. Well, I love Dave. He's such a sweet man. Sunday we were sitting there waiting for a meeting to start and a man came up and told he just saw a guy who looked like a visitor go into the bathroom. So we wait for him to come out and then see him dart into the chapel...so we start following him. At a glance I said, Is that Dave? But he exited the other side of the chapel heading towards the water fountain. He comes back in and sits down so we go to talk to him and it is DAVE! I was so excited to see him. He still looked really rough, and smelled super strong of cigarette smoke and when we asked how he had been he said, "through hell and back." He then proceeded to tell us that he walked 13 miles to get to church to show God he was sorry for missing church. He told us how he has been reading in Alma about such and such character. Somewhere in that conversation he also asked if I was married? He also talked about how last time he was at church we learned about fasting, and so he has been "financially fasting"...not sure what that means but he showed us his bank statement of $0.00. I told you, he's an interesting character. He did say the sweets thing though, one of the ward members was talking to him and I was standing there and Dave said, "If it wasn't for Sister Adams I wouldn't be here today." Turns out I do have a purpose in being here. 

Pie eating contest?? No, really, we do not have to do that!!

After Sunday school(in which he commented like 10 times) he said something I didn't catch besides the word temple. So I asked if he'd seen the Gilbert Temple. He said, "I passed a lot of temples when I was walking here, but I knew that this was the temple for me. And that you would be here to welcome me." He was clearly confused between temples and church buildings.haha. But a member was going to give him a ride home after church and we have his information, so hopefully so more missionaries can get in contact with him. Otherwise he might show up to one of our wards in another 4 months!

Eat Pie Sisters Adams and Ayers!! Eat Pie!!

I am going to puke. Look at the teenagers behind me. They think I am so cool right now!! NOT!

Saturday, all of our wards had their Halloween Parties. So that was a mouthful. Literally. Pie eating contest are no fun! And then everyone keeps trying to feed you stuff. I wanted to puke. It felt like death. And I was not even close to winning.haha. Also, everyone thought it was pretty funny I dressed up. So it was lots of fun...well kinda. 

This week we also had interviews and zone conference. We talked a lot about sanctifying ourselves as missionaries, did some role plays, and learned about bareing a sincere testimony. It was a good meeting, and President Nattress is so nice. We weree also trained this week on this presentation thing to show people after inviting them to go to the temple open house. So they can learn a little about the temple before going through. It's just another finding tool. But we should be getting lots of investigators hopefully from that. Our president said after the temple open house each stake should have between 400-500 investigators. Which is insane! But would be totally awesome, because we are really slacking on people to teach at the moment. One of our investigators dropped us because  her member boyfriend and her broke up...sweet. Take one for the team man, just kidding. Kinda. 

All in all I guess it was a good week. It was consumed with meetings, and sitting in our apartment as Sister Ayers slept. This week will also be low proselyting time. We have a few extra meetings, as well as a Mission Conference all day on Halloween. Because we can't be out all day. The meeting is until 4 and then we go straight to our apartments. Can't even get fed by a member that night! Lame sauce. 

Nice Doggy!

Liahona loving my shoes!

Sounds like everything is going pretty good at home. Thanks for everything that you sent this week, Mom. It was seriously the best! And I loved the mustache card!haha. And the bag is adorable, tell Delaney she did a good job! I love you so much! Thanks for all that you do for me!