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!