Dog Treats for DAYZZZ     March 24,2014

Hello Hello! 

Another week serving in the sun. And the sun is slowly starting to get hotter and hotter.haha. It's gonna be a long hot summer...and not the kind that Keith Urban sings about. All in all it was a good week, not too many really exciting things. We had tons of meetings which is a pain. Especially when we have to drive to Gilbert for them, because it practically takes up our entire day. 

We were able to teach the Restoration to a part member family. They are so awesome. Anthony really just took everything in. He has tons of questions, and we were there way too late...they are SO chatty. AND they have the cutest kids, but also the most distracting. One of them, Bella even started brushing my hair at one point in the lesson. And she doesn't speak well so if I wasn't paying attention to her she would basically start yelling at me in some form of jibberish. There was also one point when she took off her pants and underwear and went on the back of the couch and hopped on my back. All while I'm trying to teach.haha. It was fun. Hopefully we'll be able to answer more of his questions this week! Last night we were supposed to eat and then teach them, but Saturday Grace told us that she was really sick and would let us know if she felt better...and never did. So we thought it was still canceled...until we check our phone at like 7 when we're headed to another appointment and see that at around 5 they texted to say that the food would be done soon. AHHHH! It's the worst not being able to be in 2 places at once. Sometimes we just can't please everyone all the time and it's the worst. Still feel terrible about that. 

We were able to get in with a few people that we've been trying to meet since we first got in this area, so like 7 weeks. Which was a MIRACLE! One house was blasting a Luke Bryan song that I probably enjoyed a little too much.haha. I've found that it's seriously so hard to not be distracted by a TV being on...even if it's like the dummest show ever. If it's on the TV, it's hard to not watch it! So make sure you turn off the TV when the missionaries come over!haha. 

Wednesday was transfer meeting. It's so much more enjoyable when you aren't getting transferred or a new companion! So it was lots of fun. It's always good to see everyone. We went out to lunch at Chick-fil-A with one of my favorite people ever, Sister Carroll. And Sister Carroll's companion was Sister Hibbard's MTC companion so that was lots of fun. And a man paid for our food. Double bonus. When we got back, we had to go shopping since we didn't shop last Monday since we thought we might be moving houses. I tried to sneak the cake mix for Sister Hibbard's birthday but that was a fail. And then we went to mutual to try and get to know the youth more! And we just moved to a brand new church building so it was basically just helping getting things set up for Sunday. 

Thusday we were able to meet with our investigator Renatta. She is going throught SUCH a hard time. It's unbelievable to see the hope that she has. She is so strong. And hopefully her situation changes soon, it's supposed to today so we'll see. We also did the most random service EVER. we made dog treats. Like 100 of them. I may or may not have tasted them and they may or may not have been that bad. 

Friday we had to go to a new missionary meeting in Gilbert once again for Sister Hibbard and didn't get back to our area until like 5:30! Our zone leaders also had us run all sorts of errands up there since they don't wanna drive up there. Lame sauce. We ate at the Minor's and they fed us ribs! Sister Minor is the one who also got me movie theater popcorn and a Dr. Pepper! She is awesome! And Mom, I hope that you got the pictures she took on SUnday! 

Saturday we had a great day, and were able to get in with an investigator that is super hard to meet with. Her husband doesn't really like Mormons...so she told us not to come by when he's home. Kinda sketchy. But she is such a sweetheart and is going to see if her husband will at least just talk to us once! And see that we aren't actually terrible people! 

Sunday was super random. The coolest part of the day was going to an Addiction Recovery Program! It was awesome! One of our investigators asked for us to go with her for support. It's done through the church. At first I was super nervous to be there. And it was just like the movies. As in, "Hi, I'm Sister Adams." and then everyone responds, "Hi Sister Adams." It was pretty awesome. There were people of all ages and faiths with different addictions or people that have been recovered for years. They all have such strong testimonies of the atonement. It was truly amazing! Also, this part member family that we live next to(who isn't even in our ward) gave us all this food, and shampoo and conditioner and clothes and all sorts of stuff...including a laxative. Not really sure about that. But our DL wants us to make him a cake this week so that might come in handy.haha. Oh yeah, we also hiked a mountain for exercise one morning. We just had to get up really early.. 

Everything is going great here! THe people here are amazing and I love serving them. There is never enough time in the day! And I am always incredibly exhausted at the end of the day. I know that it's worth it though. And I wouldn't make it an hour without the help of my Savior. I loved this thought the other day...Don't pray to change your circumstances, but pray for the strength to endure your circumstances. Whatever we're going through is for a reason, and Christ will lighten our burdens. I know that to be true! Thanks for all that you do for me! 

Love, 

Sister Adams

I forgot my bag and only had my BOM...by the end of the day, that was gone as well!!

Someone is obviously in love with Nacho...Nacho Cheese!!

it's HIS work                     March 17, 2014

this week...umm. lets see.

Last Monday we had a sisters "meeting" which consisted of eating, playing games, a water balloon fight, and clothing exchange...all at President and Sister Nattress's house! It was so fun to just get to have fun and be back in GILBERT for the day. I hadn't realized how much I miss Gilbert. And President Nattress lives right by the temple which makes it even better. And Monday night we actually had a couple lessons with people which was so nice to have lots of plans. One lesson we taught with a couple elders which was a little odd. And both appointments we had decided to feed us....what are the chances of that.ha.

Tuesday after district meeting, we had a full day of contacting and just trying to still meet more members and such. There is so much work to do in this area. And we seriosuly do so much service! Which, I love...and not just because I get to where comfy clothes. We do some service nearly everyday. And sometimes it's super random. Like this week, we pulled TONS of weeds, cleaned a fishtank and painted a porch.haha. It keeps things interesting, and keeps us from knocking on doors all day every day. I should count how many doors we knock on and the percentange that opens the door.

Wednesday we went on exchanges again. Sister Walker spent the night and whole day with me in our area. It was fun being with Sister Walker, since besides seeing her at meetings, the MTC was the last real time we actually were in the same room for more than a couple hours. She's a great missionary! And we saw some miracles. A couple of our appointments did cancel. But a lady we've been trying to meet finally was home. And when she open the door she said, "If you were the boys, I wouldn't have opened the door." SWEET! Perks of being a sister missionary!ha. We're gonna be doing some service for her this coming week. We're also trying to get to know the youth more so we stopped by mutual. This one girl screamed, "ARE YOU A REAL GIRL MISSIONARY?" Yes, yes we are. It's funny how many people down here don't ever see sister missionaries so when they do, they freak out.

In other news, we starred teaching the husband of Grace. His name is Anthony. And is super open. Apparently he always talks about his Mormon friends so Grace asked him, "Do you wanna be Mormon?" We're going to teach them again tonight...and they're going to feed us. Score.

Our stake conference was this weekend and they split out stake into two! I'm in the Queen Creek South Stake, which used to be the biggest stake in the mission by like 10 fold. But they created the San Tan Valley Stake out of us. So that was pretty excting. Elder Cardon of the 70 came down for it, and Elder Hansen(who called me up at the other stake conference) was there as well. There were some great talks and such. The Saturday evening session was on hastening the work. And one thing that stood out to me was that Elder Hansen talked about how there was a hastening of hearts being changed. I had never thought of that, but it's a pretty cool thought. And makes lots of sense. I also loved this quote(regarding temple work), "Whoever helps those on the other side receives help in all the affairs of their lives." I'd say that's pretty good motivation to go to the temple.

This week was full of miracles, my brain is dead though. I didn't have time this week to write  down what I wanted to write you about! OH! One crazy thing. We found tese beer cans strangley screwed into the roof of our house, and i started banging on them with a broom stick and then someone would make the same sound back. Well, it freaked out the sisters I live with...they thought I had like signaled drug dealers or something. So they freak out screaming and run inside. One of the sisters wanted to call someone. Anyway, we ended up all sleeping in the living room...the rest of the week, And that was on like Tuesday.hahaha. Our housing coordinators came to check it out on Saturday and determined that they were used for bird nest.haha. Lets see, all the old people were out this week in very very litte clothing. We walked up on a conversation and all I heard were the words, "I was stark naked..." Snowbirds...they're crazy.

I've really put Elder Anderson's promise to the challenge lately. The one that says if we pray to know with whom to speak names and faces will come into our minds, words to speak will be given, oppurtunities will be opened to you, faith will overcome doubt, and the Lord will bless you with your very own miracles. And it WORKS! I literally had peoples faces pop into my head. For some reason Mrs. Hardy, Caleb's mom, kept popping into my head and I was so confused. Turns out theres a Hardy in our ward that when we stopped by was really in need of a visit and hadn't come to church in over 10 years. My mind was blown away. The Lord works in mysterious ways! I'm so grateful for this time to serve Him. I counldn't do it without his constant guidance. He gives me strength. He guides me. He comforts me. He leads me to those that are in need to feel of His neverending love! I am honored to be a representative of Jesus Christ. To testify of him daily, that He is the living Son of the living God. And it it in and through Him that we are able to return to our loving Heavenly Father. Jesus loves you :)

Thanks for everything! I miss and love y'all!

Sister Adams

We are going to find people to show them Christ love!!

Slumber Party because I rattled the beer can bird nest and everyone thought I was attracting drug dealers!!

Girl Elders?                  March 10, 2014

 This week  I learned...

 -that tracting can be pretty exciting and even productive!

 -old men always try to hug sister missionaries.

 -the Book of Mormon is the most powerful tool that we have!

 -God speaks!

 -lots of people don't know sister missionaries are a thing.

 -blessing come after a trial of our faith.

 -and being pregnant is miserable.

 

This past week was probably one of the hardest that I've had on my mission. And I'm not really sure why. It was just hard, personally. It isn't my companion or the area or such. It was just not my most happy of weeks, until the end of the week. I prayed and prayed to be able to help someone and just forget about myself and that seems to be exactly what happened.

 Lets see, last Monday we got in with a part member family. Grace is a member, that left the church like 15 years ago and her husband Anthony isn't a member. She spilled out her guts to us and her whole life story and just went on and on. She literally talked to us for like 2 1/2 hours. And we barely got anything in during that time. She has had a hard life! And she loves the church, but says she doesn't believe the Joseph Smith story. Well, the Joseph Smith story kinda had to happen in order to have the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth again. It sounds to me like she believes it but has had her feelings hurt in the past by some members. So we're trying to get her some good fellowship. She's pregnant and has something where you are way way sick. Her past two pregnancies she had to have a pick line and be hospitalized almost every week. It's way crazy. So we're getting the relief society sisters to help with meals and things for her family. We also went by later in the week to clean her house, since she can't do that either. I love Grace, and want to see her happy! One of her kids, Bella, is like three. And she can't really talk...it sounds like Japanese. Seriously. It's probably one of the funniest things ever...or maybe a more appropriate comparison would be the minions on Despicable Me.

We also have started tracting more...and were able to find two new investigators. Lala and Joe-on(we clearly don't know how to spell his name). We talked to them about the Book of Mormon and gave them one and committed them to read and pray. So hopefully we will be able to begin actively teaching them this week. We also have lessons set up to teach 6 other people that could become new investigators this week! Miracles I tell one. And all but one of those is from talking to people on the street! Our focus has mailny been on the Book of Mormon. People don't seem interested but when you tell them about the BOM, their interest goes up by like 50000%.

We were also able to go to the Mesa Temple for the last time, (aside from bringing investigators to the visitor center and easter pageant and such). We talked to some sisters there and they said, "We heard their were sisters in your mission that had to train at 3 weeks!" hahaha. Yep, true story. They had iPads and were showing us all the cool stuff they can do....a few more months for us!

We also had exchanges this week and I went with Sister Raubenheimer for the day in Florence. It was a lot of fun. We were talking to this old man on the street,who was holding a dog. Towards the end of the conversation he finds out that I'm from GA(he's originally from Mississippi) and puts down his dog and quite literally throws his arms around me.haha. It's so fun to meet people from the south, even though most of the time they're a little crazzzy.

One of the ladies in our ward told us how one of her friends came up to her at work and wanted to know more about the church. She asked what sparked her interest. Apparently, she was driving by the temple with her 4 year old son and he said, "Hey Moroni" while waving at the Angel Moroni on top of the temple. She didn't know how he could have known that, so upon asking the people that he stays with if they had talked about it, she asked her son, "How do you know his name is Moroni?" And he told her, "God told me." How amazing! So now their family is investigating the church! AMAZING!

Another thing we did this week...pull weeds. It's strange. People have yards of pretty much gravel and they have so many weeds! How is that even possible! Just grow some grass, if the weeds are gonna grow so much surely you can grow some grass! And every single plant in AZ has some sort of thorn on it, so our hands were quite cut up.

On Sunday, our investigator that we haven't been able to meet with since coming to this area came to church! She has had such a hard life! When I hear peoples story and the trials they have to face it just makes me all the more thankful for the life that I have and my wonderful family! Her daughter literally beats her. It just broke my heart to hear all that is going on. She's gonna kick her daughter out this week, and then she said she'll be able to actually meet with us. She has been reading the Book of Mormon and said that has helped her a lot. She even asked for two extra to give to her friends that she has been telling about it! So amazing! SHe is such a tough lady and as sweet as can be! Please keep her in her prayers this week! Her name is Renatta.

All in all, life is pretty good. Can't really complain about much! Thanks for all that you do for me! I love hearing from y'all! Read the Book of Mormon! It truly brings peace, strength, and protection. I read from it any spare minute that I can! Also, you should ask the missionaries for the names of their investigators to pray for them by name, as well as the missioanries serving in our ward. How is the work going back there? Dallan seems to be finding so many people in Atlanta, so hopefully the same thing is happening in Commerce. But then again, who could really resist Dallan? :) I'd let him teach me :) Hope y'all have an awesome week!

 

 love,

Sister Adams

Abby actually cooked!!!

"I made these!!"

At the Mesa Temple

 

TOMMY BOY                                                March 3, 2014

Oh happy day. I seriously feel like going to email on P-Day is kinda like Christmas. But instead of waiting to see whats under the tree, it's waiting to see what emails are on the computer. Needless to say, some days are more exciting than others.

When we were at the store earlier, this lady came up and gave us like 3 huge boxes of food..pretty much all of it looks old and stale. But it's the thought that counts, right? People are so sweet to us.  And earlier this week this lady gave us like 50 million boxes of Special K cereal. Maybe we look hungry?ha-ha.

Um mm. This week most of our time was again spent doing service. We did so much service this week...and mainly cleaning. And the houses were so gross. I seriously don't know how people live in the places that we served in. But really. We scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. One house, our entire zone came to help clean and paint and such. It was a non-member and they bought us like 25 pizzas and their hearts were truly touched by our service. We were there for hours! So hopefully they start investigating the church soon, if not then they know that we are nice people!

One day this week we were going to visit someone and there were these four kids playing outside. A 10 year old boy, Austin, came and we were talking to him. He told us how the friend he was playing with wasn't a member and so I asked him if he ever invited him to come to church. He just paused and said, "Hold on." Then he walked over to his friend and invited him to church, told him what church we go to, and where it's at. Then he walked back over to us and said, "He's gonna ask his mom." It was great! Kids are such great missionaries. They aren't afraid to do anything, and they don't put anything off for weeks. The youth here are just awesome.

The cultural celebration for the Gilbert Temple was this past Saturday. And of course the first time it rained in months, was on the day and into the night of the outdoor celebration. Despite the pouring rain the youth did amazing! They seriously put on quite the show. It was really impressive. And the biggest cultural celebration that the church has ever done. It was cool how the temple was in the background. It was actually on TV. You might can find it online as well. I'm not entirely sure. We watched it from our stake center. President Monson and Eyring were there. Along with a few members of the 70, including Elder Callister and Elder Walker!

The dedication on Sunday was amazing! We watched two of the three sessions. During the cornerstone ceremony President Monson had a few little kids come out of the crowd to help fill it in. So sweet. And it showed him hugging some children. Here are some things that I got out of the sessions that I watched. Elder Callister talked about how all that we do in the church, and the temple, is focused on the atonement of Jesus Christ. And how every baptism, marriage, etc. that we do in the church would be invalid without it. He compared it to writing a bad check that comes back non-sufficient funds. That there would be insufficient funds for the price that needed to be paid in order to perform those ordinances without the atonement. A lot of people talked about the family history part of the temple,and told stories from their ancestors. I want to learn more stories about my ancestors. More than just see their name. Elder Walker spoke some to the youth and quoted President Hinckley, "Please, please,please don't do anything that will disqualify you from entering the temple." The blessings are worth more than any sacrifice that we have to make!

Let's see. One miracle we saw this week was with Dan and Diana. Dan is a member,and Diana isn't. He's like 26, reminds me a lot fo Seth. And Diana is 24. They have 2 little kids. They let us in, and ended up feeding us-our second supper. We showed them the temple presentation and then taught some of the restoration. It was funny, Dan was like, "If I didn't already know that was true, I would have believed you based on what you just said." And it was literally like a 3 minute version of the restoration. At least I know it made sense to someone! But it seemed like it touched her and we'll be going back to share more this week! They are so much fun! Dan is from Alabama, and even though he's a Bama fan we get along. We decided since neither Sister Hibbard or Diana has had fried okra that we need to make some for them.

We also met this recent convert, named Aaron. His brother, Chris, wants to take the missionary lessons. We're meeting with him this week. This weekend they went to Vegas for Aaron's 21st birthday...so that's awesome.haha. They were a little hesitant to tell us where they were going. Oh, how funny.

Last night we visited this member, Caley. She's 25 and is a single mom. She has had such a hard life! She was baptized at 18 and kicked out by her parents. She was married a couple years later in the temple, and then her husband had an affair. Jerk. And her family goes through spells where they don't talk to her,still, because she's a member. But she is as strong as ever. She loves the gospel and knows that it's true. Nothing that anyone does or says can change that. She is awesome! She fed us last night. It was all gluten free...and DELICIOUS! I just might go gluten free...jokes.

At one of our meetings this week, an elder walked in and had cut his slacks into pretty much booty shorts. No joke. He just acted like everything was completely normal. It was super funny. Probably slightly inappropriate, but funny none the less. I really wanted to take a picture, but thought that might look kinda bad if someone were to pick up my camera and see it. If it happens again, which I'm sure it will, I'm gonna snap a picture.

Lets see. We visited lots of people and are really starting to see some of the fruits of our labors. Sister Hibbard had a bit of a cold this week, but we were still able to be out! So that is good news! This week is going to be full of lots of miracles, just as every week! But things are starting to come together in the area. It's still weird only having one ward, but it's fun. Even though, our ward mission leader forgot to pass around our meal sign up for March, so we may be hungry this week. So I bought all this taco stuff to try and simulate some tacos we had a couple weeks ago. It could be interesting. Ha ha

All in all, all is well! I'm loving being a missionary. I love training new missionaries. They are just so excited about everything and Sister Hibbard is awesome! We are just loving life and trying to serve the Lord the very best that we can. There's only a couple more weeks of the transfer which is weird. And I got the Day's  "Hump Day" package! It was so much fun. They are the sweetest! I hope y'all are having a good week! It's starting to reach the 90's...so I think it's gonna be a bit of a hot summer here. I'm actually excited for the summer. I've gotten rather pale. I miss y'all! And eat some Zaxby's for me this week.

LOVE.

Sister Adams

 

1 Nephi 15:24...I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON! And the peace and protection that it brings me!

Abby & Sister Hibbard- SCARED????

Hey Everybody!!

Silly faces everyone!

Nothing to say.....

Everybody smile!

Abby is just plain goofy!!

 

 

 

No Man's Land                                                                 February 24, 2014

This week was crazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzy!

The most entertaining, we went to this area in our area that's like in the middle of nowhere. And we found out after that none of the elders ever went there. And I can understand why. There's only one member that lives over there and they aren't active. As we were biking around, I felt like we should have been riding on horses. It felt like we were in like the Wild Wild West or something. Everyone had like a ca-zillion dogs, that weren't exactly the most friendly. And for the first time on my mission, we felt inspired to tract...that was entertaining. And totally not productive. We got chased by some scary dogs. There was also this really tiny old trailer that we decided to go knock on. And then I realized a huge window was busted...and it was completely empty except for an old really weathered book. It was seriously so creepy.

We were able to do a lot of service this week. The elders that left this area said they did service everyday, and out ward mission leader feels that's gonna be the key to getting into homes in this area. So we plan on going service tracting this week. Which is we knock on doors in service clothes and just offer service. It shall be fun! We have been working so so hard. Like the other day we biked and biked and biked and there was not a soul outside to talk to, nobody answered their doors. It can be so frustrating. But this is just like my first area, so I know the blessing will come as long as we are exactly obedient to the spirit. We have been able to contact a few solid potentials that want to be taught. And had two lessons scheduled for yesterday. One with a guy named Chris Clay. He was taught once before and wants to take the lessons again. The other with the youth of a member, 4 kids, who all are over eight and need to be taught before getting baptized. But Satan was really not gonna have that. So I'm pretty sure he gave me food poisoning. I'm not sure what it was. After supper Saturday night I just felt awful, and then in the middle of the night I got really sick. And then had to stay in all day yesterday. When I called the nurse and she told me I needed to stay in all day I just started crying. I did not wanna stay in. There is no time for that. It was so frustrating. Seriously. I felt like in 8th grade when I couldn't play basketball for a while when I fractured my ankle. It was a good reminded of how much I truly love being a missionary. The members made sure that I was taken care of, and the elders came and gave me a blessing which was really nice.

An awesome family in our ward moved this week which was a bummer. The Stoddards. She is so funny and makes the most delicious homemade bread. That's one of my goals when I have a family, make homemade bread. They have this adorable little girl, Lilly. Who kept having me come dance with her and paint her fingernails...but just pretend. She was so cute!

We're also starting to gear up for the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Visitor Center. It's like the biggest production in the USA...at least for Easter, I think. Whatever it is, I've heard amazing things about it, and I know that lots of referrals come from it so that'll be really fun!

On Saturday morning for exercise we woke up early and played soccer with our zone at the stake center. It was so much fun, but we were so tired afterward. Elder Vasquez is from Mexico and is SO dang good at soccer. I pulled a few moves on him and got passed him once, and everyone freaked out. Elder Vasquez just said, "Dang." He's probably the most humble elder that I know.

Really, the majority of our week was knocking on empty doors, and biking biking biking. One thing I have learned is to really rely on the spirit more fully. Because there is so much work to be done in this area. And so many people to visit. And so many people that our waiting to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it's hard to know where to start and what to exactly do. I know that I have felt the influence of the spirit so much in the last week, even though a lot of so-called "success" didn't come from it. I know that we were in the right place at the right time. Even though one night, we did wake up 3 sleeping children 3 houses in a row. Whoops. I'm grateful that the spirit is the teacher. And he not only teaches the investigators. But the spirit teaches me what I need to do and how I can best help the people around me, as well as how I can best teach my companion. Lucky for me, Sister Hibbard is awesome and came pre-trained. So that's what I'm trying to constantly improve on, listening to the spirit and acting on the promptings that I receive. Alma 34:38

 Well, I'm about out of time. Thanks for all that you do for me! Thanks so much for the card! That was a life saver! Seriously! I miss y'all! And the south...this morning at the store a lady asked where I was from and when I told her GA, she said, "Where is that?" Seriously. A man also told us this week on his mission they had the saying, "Sisters are blisters." RUDE! Also, I literally made this man jump like a foot off the ground one night when we approached him, and he yelled, "What's going on?"haha. He was super nice actually, and we had a good conversation with him. He grew up in Utah, but we were able to come back and tell him and his wife about the Gilbert Temple since they didn't have a chance to go. Anyway, sorry that I'm so scatter brained. I'm gonna start journaling more! AHh. I"m the worst at that. I hope y'all have a great week! LOVE YOU!

 

Sister Adams

Can you say GIANT cacti?

Creepy Trailer!!

Weathered book inside creepy trailer

This has adventure written all over it!!

The desert Life

This is a lemon as big as my scriptures!! CRAZY!! Lemonade anyone!!

 

 

 

What about an Iced Latte?                                                         February 17, 2014


Bum. Bum. Bum. Another week bites the dust. 

It's crazy how fast each week goes by! And it was super crazy how little time this week that we had to actually get out and work. We worked at the temple all day for Wednesday and Friday. We had a zone conference on Thursday all day. Basically  the only time we had out in our area was a couple hours last Monday, Tuesday afternoon, and Saturday. But this week, there is no meetings really so we FINALLY will get to know our area better. We also received a phone call this morning from the assistants that informed us that we will be getting a car today, so thats exciting. Although I really love biking, which is what we'll still do most of the time anyways. 

 Last Tuesday we met our ward mission leader, Brother Krueger, at Dunkin Donuts for a meeting(he's single so we can't go in his home). So we go to order a donut and a drink and Sister Hibbard looks at me and asks, "What about an iced latte?"hahaha. I had to tell her that it had caffeine. Brother Krueger and I were dying. And now all the leadership of the ward knows, and they have been teasing her about it. It's a fun running joke we have. Oh Sister Hibbard, they don't even sell coffee in Rexburg...so she just had no clue.ha

We knocked on lots of doors and lots of people didn't. It's kinda funny to see a new missionaries reaction again, and how crazy she thinks it is that people don't anser the door. I have forgotten what it was like those first few weeks and what a shock everything was. I hope that she's been able to have some good experiences as we've been getting to know people and trying to teach and testify whenever we can. She is really positive and excited to teach some investigators, so we have to find lots of people to teach! And I know that that will happen! There is so much potential in this area! I am so excited to have time spent in our area this coming week! 

Yesterday we had an appointment scheduled, and we planned for it and prayed about what they needed, etc. And when we were walking up to the door the blinds were open and I saw the mom up and moving around. And when we knocked and such we could hear kids telling their parents that we were there. Yet nobody even came to the door. We left a note, and as we walked away we saw the blinds that had been open were now closed. Sister Hibbard just couldn't believe it. Later in the evening at our dinner appointment, with a single lady in the ward that was struggling, we shared the message that we had prepared for our appointment earlier in the day and she was in tears. She told us how she knew that message was meant for her, and thanked us for sharing. It's so cool to me how when we do things by the spirit, even when we think it's for a different purpose, it's always for a reason. Nothing is ever done in vain. It was a cool experience, and just a tender mercy that even though we haven't seen lots of success in this new area so far, that we are being guided and directed. And helping people to feel of the love that their Savior has for them. And that's all that we've been asked to do. 

In our zone conference one thing we talked about was being consecrated missionaries. Which can be really hard. And the thing that stood out to me was the difference between water that is 99.5 degrees Celsius and 100 degrees Celsius. At 99.5 degrees all it is is really hot water. At 100 degrees it is boiling water, and becomes 1720 times more powerful! All we have to do is dedicate ourselves that small degree, give up the one thing that could be holding us back as missionaries and become 1720 times more powerful! And what is given up is nothing in comparison to the blessings that are received! So I'm trying to figure out what I need to do to become 1720 times more powerful!

The weather did get rather warm this week! Up into the 80's..so I realized I need to drink more water. I just hate water. But people on the streets are already offering to give up water, and then we're able to share a message so it's actually a blessing. Besides the sweat and really cool helmet marks that it causes to leaves in our hair. 

On Valentine's Day we were working at the temple, and it was lots of fun. I saw lots of people from my old areas which was so nice. And the Sudweeks! It was so exciting to see someone that I knew from my old life, or real life as I sometimes  refer to it as.haha. I was spoiled for sure on Valentine's Day. I got a package from the Day's. They are just so sweet! Tell them thanks for me! And from the Barne's! Dallan is probably the sweetest person ever. He had a puzzle made of one of the pictures of us. It's AWESOME! Such a fun gift. And of course the flowers from the family. So that was a good day! 

There are so many amazing members here that have such great faith, and such amazing stories that build my testimony! When I hear of people getting kicked out of their home for being baptized I just can't even phatom that. And it's even more amazing to see how the Lord provides for them as they follow the spirit and Christ's example in being baptized.

I wish there was more  to tell this week. One thing I probable said a cazillion time over the last week, and even more over the course of the temple open house, when presenting the videos is this. "Goodmorning. Welcome to the Gilbert Temple. I'm Sister Abby Adams and we're exctied to have y'all hear today. We're gonna start out by watching a 12 minute video about what you can expect to see and feel as you go through the temple today. It is a silent tour, but there are posters outside of each room that explain what you'll be seeing. All of your questions can be answered outside in the hosting tent. Where we'd also love to hear about your experience at the temple by filling out a comment card. We hope that y'all enjoy your tour, and we'll get your video started." 

Welp, thanks for everything! Be expecting to hear about some miracles next week! I love y'all so so much! 

Sister Adams

Picture puzzle from Dallan for Valentines!!

I put it together!! Aww!!

Valentine's Flowers from Home sweet home!!

Shadow creations while riding a bike- Talent Itell ya!!

Talent never ending!!

Hello Hello from the far away land of San Tan Valley!!                                 February 10, 2014

My new home for now

I see a mountain!! And the desert!

For some reason- we wanted this to look scary- did it work?

New companion Sister Hibbard

Check out the Street name!

   I have left the super nice and well groomed area of Gilbert for the outskirts. It is like a whole new world let me just tell you. The last couple days leading up to transfers was full of some sad goodbyes. The saddest was probably Jace. The 11 yeard old boy. When he found out I was leaving he said, "This is why I don't like preachers. They always leave." He then said he had to find something to give me. So he ran upstairs and got a flip-flop key chain and wrote on it, "to my friend, remember me." It just broke my heart. He wouldn't stop hugging me and saying that he was gonna miss me. Hopefully he'll be able to be baptized soon and I'll be able to get to go. A couple other people referred to me as such a great friend when I was leaving. I think that was one of the best compliments that I could have received. The Savior treated everyone as a friend, and that is who missionaries try to emulate.

   Wednesday was the big transfer day. I am now training Sister Hibbard who is from Rexburg, Idaho. She is great! We get along really well and have a lot in common. It's funny because she just thinks I know everything and do everything perfect since I've been out 8 months. Which is so far from the truth. But she is very excited about missionary work and I know that we'll have great things happen in the next 6 weeks. After transfer meeting, we found out we wouldn't have a car, and didn't have a ride to our house. We eventually go to our house, which is out of the ward boundaries. we didn't even know where our ward boundaries were. We didn't have a working cell phone. We didn't have any food. We were just basically stranded in our home, which is really nice by the way. Finally, the other sisters that live with us came(they have a car). We were able to call and get someone to help us to fix our phone. And we were able to go get some food. So it was quite the interesting day.

Thursday we actually got to go out in our area. There is like a neighborhood, and then some like back roadish things. A mountain or two is also in our area, but we have yet to bike up those.haha. It is just so different than Gilbert! But I hear that the work s really moving down here. We don't have really any progressing investigators right now, but there is TONS of potential! It's weird like, not even knowing any of the members or anyone at all. But it's an adventure for sure. We were able to meet some nice people. The first man we talked to on the street...yelled at us.haha. He said, "LEAVE ME ALONE. IT'S SO RUDE TO BE BOTHERING PEOPLE." Literally all we had said was, Hi. How are you doing today. Poor Sister Hibbard, not such a good first OYM to see. But that's part of being a missionary. Overall, I feel like the people are alot more open. We have talked to some amazing people.

And the leadership in the ward is amazing. They put a little bio of us in the program, and also had us get up and introduce ourself and bare our testimonies during sacrament meeting. People still think I have an accent, so that is on the plus side. It may be little, but it's still hanging on.

OH! We got to meet some more general authorities. Let me just tell you this story. We were scheduled to work the temple shift Saturday morning, and we have to be three at like 7:30 so a member was picking us up at 6:45. I had the alarm set for 5:30. Turns out it was set for 5:30 pm. So I wake up at 6:41. So much for a shower and anything else.haha. We get ready in hyper speed and get out the door on time. When we get to the temple, we got to the bathroom to make ourselves a little more presentable. And as we're walking from the stake center to the temple theres a group of men coming towards us. I recognize one as President Lesuer, the temple president. I was about to tell Sister Hibbard who it was, and then I realized that Elder Callister-who is in the presidency of the 70- is right beside him. So we meet and shake hands, and I make sure to use Elder Callister's name in the exchange. As we start walking away someone in the group comes up to me and says, "Nice job knowing the bretheren." Bonus points! I wouldn't of had a clue, but we had just watched a talk by him at transfer meeting. Which, is AMAZING! He basically compares every aspect of Christ's chruch in the New Testament, and in a nutshell  proves that we truly are Christ's chruch once again established on the earth. Everyone in the world should read it, seriously.  Here's the link....http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2014/01/what-is-the-blueprint-of-christs-church?lang=eng&query=callister+blueprint

After he goes on the tour he comes into the tent and talks to us again as well. Of course that had to happen when we had been given 3 minutes to get ready in the morning. Of course.

Also, on Sunday we went to visit this family who has 15 kids, not even joking. One of them gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek as I was sitting on the couch. He said, "I gave you a slobbery kiss."haha. He was really funny. First kiss that I've gotten on my mission though, so that was excting. Hopefully Dallan doesn't get too jealous :)

I think that's about all I can remember at the moment. I've also been kinda sick and so my new ward probably things that I talk really raspy and such. Awesome.  We will be emailing an hour later now, because we live far away from the library and by the time we get here all the computers are taken, so we'll be shopping first from now on. Which sucks, because it won't overlap with when Dallan is online. Well, next week is a holiday so who knows what will happen.

But I hope y'all have an amazing week! Thanks so much for all that y'all do for me! I love and miss y'all! Not a day goes by that I don't think of everyone. Good luck with all the snowy weather this week, I'll be enjoying 70 degrees. :) I love being a missionary. This week I have really learned how the atonement can help in everyday things. I know that I rely on His strength and guidance in all that I do. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to make it. The gospel truly does provide enumerable blessings...that I know I couldn't live without.

Oh, Happy Valentine's Day!

Peace and Blessings,

Sister Adams