Adventure's with Sister Adams

HOLA June 9, 2014

Well, well, well. So it's that time of the week again. It has been quite the week. Full of ups and downs but mainly ups! I'll try to be a little more detailed this week in what it's like out here and all the happenings here in San Tan Valley.

Last Monday we had our zone activity which consisted of driving through the desert-no joke on all these dirt roads-and to our final destination of the abandoned meth house. We each got some bullet casings as a souvenir. Before heading out, our zone had a mini concert from our zone leader, Elder Poffenberger. He is way good at the guitar. We also had a lesson with some new investigators that we picked up. Steve and Wendy. Steve has had the craziest life ever. He has been in jail for 15 years and went back in for 3 more...and he's been out for about a year and a half. He and his wife were married and had their kids while he was in prison? But they seem like such normal people. They were so open and accepting and we'll be teaching them again tonight!

Tuesday was so so so so so so so so so busy. First, we had to get up at like 5 o'clock to go to the temple. It was so worth it! The Gilbert Temple is absolutely amazing! Seriously, jaw dropping. It was so amazing to get to go there and to feel of the spirit. Just what was needed. We also found out that our miles on our car were cut. Generally we have had 600 a month, but now we only get 400. So we will be on our bikes lots more, and just in time for the summer. We got another new investigator named George. He's like in his late 20's- early 30's we're guessing. When we were leaving his house, he was reading the Book of Mormon while smoking a cigarette and leaning up against the house. Kodak moment I tell you. And we taught Todd and Todd was given a blessing that evening. The most awkward hug I've ever got on my mission happened. I had my hand out for the hand shake and he just wrapped his arms around me and SMELLED ME. Not even kidding. I wanted to run away. It was so strange.

Wednesday we had district meeting, I think we did some service and some other lessons. We taught Barbara. And her "fiance", who's a member, doesn't understand why they need to get married before she can be baptized. He basically told us that the Law of Chastity doesn't apply to them since they're in their 60's. God is no respecter of persons! Anyway, that was an interesting lesson. Barbara says that she knows the Book of Mormon is true and believes the church is true but has to work things out for herself first. Patience is a virtue.

Thursday was busy...I can't really remember what happened because I left my old planner at our house. But we taught Todd again. And did other missionary things.

Friday we had planning and we did some service again. And it was a grand ole time. We also ate with Todd and his family. And even though Todd kept telling us that his wife wasn't interested after showing her the temple presentation and answering her questions she wants to be taught! Yay for families! We baptize to seal. What we taught could be a potentially awkward meal ended up being great!
Saturday we literally did service from 9-5. We got to lay a hard wood floor, another skill to add to my belt. We did some service for Todd and he had this rock station playing so I asked if he had any Christian music so he turned it to love songs and told us, "God is love, right?" Ha. Actually, we can't listen to romantic music either!ha.And we ate with our zone leaders at one of our members houses. One of my zone leaders, Elder Schwab, has to have surgery on his knee and will most likely go home this week. The Brewer's fed us the most amazing burgers. They had smoked them like all day. They were heavenly. We also all had to try this habanero hot sauce so that was a party.

Sunday we woke up to a text from Todd telling us that he was heading to the hospital because he has been urinating blood(TMI). Turns out he has an 8mm kidney stone...so he wasn't able to make it to church :( But Barbara was there and it was a great Sunday as always. We didn't have to teach or talk so it was semi relaxing for a change. We were supposed to have a lesson with a street contact that the elders talked to. We bike up to the house across the street, and see them outside watering plants. The guy, Cody is just in boxers and they run inside. We get the members to come with us over, and they don't answer the door. It's crazy to me how rude some people are. We literally watched you walk into your house. People these days.

It was a good week. We are so incredibly busy each day. We hardly have time to even contact people because we're just teaching so much(or doing service). Which is every missionaries dream. And so I'm glad that we're able to both stay for another transfer. I feel like I've eaten at all the members houses like 50 times each.ha. It's amazing though because the members trust us and let us teach their friends. And the Lord has placed amazing people in our path this week that are so so ready to accept the gospel in their life. This truly is His work. There is nowhere else I'd rather be. My testimony is strengthened each day as I feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost direct us to those in need. I hope that y'all have a good week and that Jeb's food gets better! I love and miss y'all!

Love,

Sister Adams