HI                                                  April 28, 2014

This week has been soooo great! And utterly exhausting, because we did some of the hardest service that we've ever did! But also some amazing teaching experiences as well! 

I am a little on the fritz today since we've been doing service up until coming here, and I forgot to bring my planner, otherwise known as my brain, and my card reader at our house. lame sauce. So this might be a bit short and scatter brained. But that's pretty normal.

Ummm. Let's see. We had such a fun Sunday yesterday. We had 2 investigators come to church! And also an older couple that we've been visiting that haven't came to church since 1968 came to church. Their names are Bud and Cathy. They are hysterical. They fed us breakfast on Saturday morning. And during the sacrament at church Bud was talking SO LOUD, because he's practically deaf. And it was just hilarious. He was asking if their was wine and was pretty bummed to find out that their wasn't. He is soo funny. He told us the other day how the first time he talked to his wife he walked up and told her, "You have the cutest butt I've ever seen." And he saw us this morning doing service, and Sister Hibbard and I were both wearing jeans and he said, "It's nice to see you in your Levi's. Do you remember what I told my wife when I first met her? Just think about that. Y'all both fit in perfectly." Awkward. hahaha

Saturday morning was such a miracle! It actually RAINED! And then part of our zone was asked to go and move 24 tons of dirt, and that's not an exaggeration, into this whole in someones backyard. They have been going to another church for 12 years and they asked everyone to come help them and nobody showed up...so her neighbor who is LDS recruited us to come and help out. The lady we helped was literally in tears. They fed us all lunch. One thing that she said stuck out to me. She said, "You walk your talk." But moving all of that dirt in the pouring rain was quite the task. Needless to say on Sunday morning we were more than a little sore. Not to mention, while the other sisters stopped I couldn't have the elders outdo me. So we would have races filling up wheelbarrows. I would keep up with them. It was pretty entertaining, but my arms felt like noodles! 

Barbara, our investigator, we showed the Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. And the spirit was so strong! She was just in awe as we watched it. When we talked about it and bore our testimonies, she told us how she could tell that we deeply believed it and knew that it was true! And so she'll be baptized when she gets that testimony of it's truthfulness. Which I'm sure will be soon since she is reading the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is just amazing. She came to church on Sunday as well and really loved it once again! Oh happy day!

Renatta, our other investigator, is praying about the day that she should be baptized on. She's finally at a point in her life that she can relax and have time to truly take care of herself and be more spiritual I guess. She has such a big heart. And this morning that's who we were doing service for. We totally gutted this tiny tiny tiny trailer, that currently has no plumbing or air conditioning...literally now all it is is the bare floor and some walls. We ripped all the cabinets and such out. One of the elders confiscated my crow bar from me because I was just hitting everything.haha. It was so much fun! And also a really disgusting house. Not even livable. But we're gonna try and make it nice for her :) At least livable! 

Sunday night we did our "Literal Fireside" and it was great! It could have been better. But it was a lot of fun. We talked about the atonement. And at the beginning had them write down their fears, struggles, weaknesses, temptations, etc. And at the end of it they all burned them. It was pretty cool. I have a picture! So you'll get to see it next week! 

Oh, last Monday we made some cookies with this family before we taught them so that was pretty fun. I decorated the best one, just saying.  We are seriously always busy and it's the best. Transfer calls just came in, so drumroll....Sister Hibbard and I will both be staying another transfer! Yay! There is so much to do in this area! It's crazy! So we're excited to stay! 

In other news....I am doing pretty awesome. Can't really complain about anything. It is just crazy to think that I've been out almost a year. Say what!?! That's insane. It feels like I've only been out here a few months. Except for how tired I am all the time. We did so much physical labor this week, plus I get up every morning at 5:30 to play soccer! Which is so much fun. Ummm. I can't really think of anything else to life changing at the moment. Just thanks for all that you do for me! And I'll see y'all in a couple weeks for Mother's Day! 

Love, 

Sister Adams

#BecauseofHim                                           April 21, 2014

Happy Easter! Sounds like y'all had a great Easter! I really missed being home for Easter. I've realized that every holiday since being on my mission, I have not enjoyed the food. Namely, because everyone has HAM for every holiday. It's the worst. So I'm looking forward to having good food when I get home, so that I can actually get the full enjoyment out of a holiday. That being said, I'm very grateful for the people that do have us over for holidays! This past week was so much fun, seriously. I loved it. We found new people to teach, and had lots of laughs along the way. 

Last Monday we were going to teach a less active family, and low and behold they had invited one of their friends over that isn't a member. So we were able to teach Jasmine the restoration and we'll be teaching them all again tonight! Oh happy day! It's so relieving to see the work start moving forward in an area. I love going to an area that is pretty much dead, and seeing it come to life with all the prepared people that you just have to work really hard, for a few months, to find. 

Tuesday we did some service, which involved organizing someones tupperware drawer. We do the strangest things. It makes me laugh to think about it, but service is service. There was also an Extended Zone Conference for missionaries and members. So President Nattress and the assistants trained everyone, well it's mainly for the members. And motivate them to do missionary work, and teach them easy ways to get involved. So that was a spiritually uplifting experience, even though NOBODY from our ward came. Ughhhh. The wards in Gilbert everyone and their dog comes, but here it's just not as involved. 

Wednesday we went to the temple, and it took FOREVER! The cute older couple that took us just moves so slow, and kept stopping at places. But they meant well, and didn't realize that a couple of our proselyting hours were wasted.ha. We did more service...weeding and moving rocks around? I just do what I'm told. And that night we went to the Easter Pageant. An investigator family came, so we went early to save seats for them. We were biting out nails that they would show up. Luckily they did, and only a couple minutes late! Whoo! The Easter Pageant is AMAZING! The cast walks around beforehand taking pictures with people, and some even hand out copies of The Book of Mormon to people! They rock! And if they know you are with a non-member they make sure to come and talk to them to ensure that they have a great experience! I wanna come back and see it again next year. It's awesome! 

Thursday we did more service!ha. This time we cleaned some grout. Not even kidding. Like on our hands and knees with brushes scrubbing. There are pictures attached, I might have gotten a little dirty. Sister Collins came on exchanges with us. She just travels around and trains sisters on planning and area books. She goes home in like a week! Crazy! I love her! She came out with us for a couple hours too. And we went to visit some people, and nobody was answering. I realized we were near a part member family and felt like we should stop by. They let us in and we taught them...and taught them again on Friday. And they went to the Easter Pageant...and we're teaching them tomorrow! Score! I love how the Lord will lead you to those that our ready, and sometimes that means by having nobody else answer the door. We went to the Easter Pageant again Thursday with an investigator, Tiffany. Her mom is a member and lives a few hours away. So she got to the pageant at 1:40 in order to save seats....when the pageant doesn't start until 8.ha. We had really good seats though! 

Friday we were able to teach a few people, eat some food. We also had planning, which seems to take up most of the day. It's rather unfortunate! It was cool when we were teaching Barbara. As we quoted the first vision, she had tears feel her eyes. She will be baptized soon! Yay! The work is finally moving forward in this area! 

Saturday, we were able to go contact for a couple hours, before going to work at the Easter Pageant, once again. We visited this old less active couple. And Bud always hugs us and calls us "Honey" and such. As we were leaving, his grandson yelled old, "Grandpa, are you flirting?"hahaha. He is the cutest old man. Working the Easter Pageant was the best. We truly saw miracles. We're assigned a certain area and have to try and talk to everyone in that area and invite them into the visitor center. Lots of the people we talk to are members, but we heard some amazing stories from some recent converts on how they joined the church. One guy was covered in tattoos and his hat said, "Tattoo'd Mormon." He is awesome! We got a few families to go into the visitor center, and one spoke Spanish so I was pretty proud about that.haha. There was this one lady we talked to who had just gone into the visitor center and had an amazing experience. We gave her a Book of Mormon and after a brief testimony about it, she was nearly in tears. She is amazing! And will have missionaries going to her house to teach her. It's cool to see how many people come to the Easter Pageant. They set up around 9,000 chairs, and lots more sit on the grass. And it is PACKED every night! Truly amazing. I even met a guy that is moving to Winder in just a couple weeks! Crazy!haha.

Sunday was Easter. So that was good. We went to church, go figure. And had a couple meetings. The family we ate with, had their Jewish friend over as well, so it felt a little odd as we were sharing our Easter message. We showed pretty much everyone we could this week this AMAZING video. Every time I watch it the spirit is SO STRONG! I know that Christ lives! And Because of Him I...

have hope.

can be made clean.

know that my Heavenly Father loves me.

feel peace and joy.

can draw stength from Him.

am never alone. 

can be with my family forever.

can start over again and again.

find happiness. 

will live again. 

That's just a few things out of what could be an endless list of what I owe to my Savior. "I know that my Redeemer lives, what comfort this sweet sentence gives. He lives! He lives who once was dead!" I'm so grateful for the sacrifice that He made for ME! I love being able to serve Him, and help people realize what is possible #BecauseOfHim. So please show this video to everyone and their neighbor. But really. 

http://easter.mormon.org/

Love, 

Sister Adams

Now I know how to clean grout!!

FACIALS!!

Zone Leaders

Character at the Easter Pageant

At the Easter Pageant

"Stopping to smell the roses...or at least these yellow flowers."

AWKWARD & ONWARD                                 April 14, 2014

Hello, hello! 

This past week has just absolutely flown by!! It's amazing how fast time flies. Seriously though, it baffles my mind every day to think about how long that I've been out hear. It also got about 98 degrees this week! Sister Hibbard was dying. Sadly, I didn't really find it very hot at all. I am going to FREEZE whenever I do leave Arizona. Yikes.

Last Monday, we got haircuts. FINALLY! My hair hadn't been cut in forever and it was in such a need. Sister Hibbard cut like all of her hair off. I'll send a picture. She is brave! But she couldn't handle her hair with the heat! And so many people this week have thought that I got a new companion.haha. 

Tuesday after district meeting we did some service for a member, Sister Pratt. She needed us to like measure the dimensions of her house? We do the most random things. And we got a new investigator. I think I mentioned Shelbie in my last email. We were able to teach her the Restoration, and she is amazing! But super chatty as well, like way chatty. I guess that's how most 17 year old girls are. So we'll be teaching her again this week. I have a feeling she will be baptized! Knock on wood. 

Wednesday most of our day was consumed with studies and the Easter Pageant. We did contact 2 referrals, none of which were very fruitful. Working at the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple was so much fun! Basically our job was just to talk to everyone and invite them to go into the Visitor Center, and to feel out a comment card. Oh, the life of a visitor center sister. I did get some exciting visitors while working their! Bailey, and her best friend, Jen literally about tackled me to the ground, because I didn't see them running up. It was so fun to catch up with Bailey. She is amazing and doing so awesome! I love her! And Jen! I also saw Sister Willett! I ran into her right when the pageant was starting so I didn't get to talk to her too much. Plus, she was on a date. I did find out where her parents live in Gilbert if I'm ever in that area! We got to stay and watch the Easter Pageant and it is AMAZING! It's the largest Easter Pageant in the world, with a few hundred cast members. It's outside. It's about Christ's life, which I'm sure you could have guessed! It's AWESOME! But we didn't make it home until like 10:20 and we hadn't ate since noon. It was exhausting! We get to work their this Saturday as well, and it's the last day so it'll be packed! 

Thursday we did more service. Renatta, asked for a blessing. So we met with her and a couple elders came to give her a blessing. She is such a sweet lady! We also were able to get in with a few of the less active members that we've been trying too. Everyone is so nice, and seem to have a desire to come back to church. They recognize that something is missing in their lives. It's cool to go to church on Sunday, and see people that haven't been to church in years come that you visited that week. And to know that it is nothing that we did. It's the spirit. As long as we can bring the spirit into their home, they're gonna want to feel that again. And what better place than church! 

Friday we taught Renatta. We were planning on putting her on date to be baptized, but that didn't really go as planned. Next time, for sure though. She's SO READY! We also did some service for another investigator. And weekly planning took up most of the day. We had dinner with a member of the bishopric. And he asked us to teach his family, especially his 10 year old son Josh, about fasting. So we did! And challenged him to fast with us on Sunday. They are an awesome family! Sister Collins just wrote a novel that's getting published, nbd. We also did a church tour with an investigator, Chris Clay. He was going to eat with a member and they invited to give him a church tour, so they called us and had us come and do it! It was fun! 

Saturday we did service from 9-5. Not even joking. And we were put into one of the scariest situations that I've ever been in. We were moving Renatta out of her house. Her roommate Leiya, is like abusive and just super controlling. It was a terrible situation. So Renatta didn't tell her she was moving, just showed up with like 20 people and trucks and trailers and such. Needless to say, she was super duper upset. I wasn't sure which one was Leiya. So when we walked up, I went to introduce myself to this lady. I extended my hand and just said, "Hi, I'm Sister Adams." She folded her arms, gave me the stank eye and just stood there staring at me. Awkward. So from that encounter, I gathered that she was indeed Leiya. But like I say, awkward and onward. Renatta pretty much owned everything in the house, and so we were all taking stuff. At one point Leiya called the police because she felt "threatened." I mean, I can't even begin to describe to you the tension that was inside that house. It was very interesting to say the least. Other than that, the only other exciting thing that happened would be that we got to hold a baby chick. CUTE! 

Sunday is always fun. We got roped into teaching the 4 year old primary class. That was a party. I'm pretty sure that they have no recollection of what we taught about, which was the Gift of the Holy Ghost. One girl had a pencil stuck up her nose the duration of our class. A couple boys were fighting. One little boy was sitting on the floor with his face in his lap, not wanting to do anything. The most asked question was if we brought snacks.haha. It was hilarious. One girl did say, "You are the best teacher." Probably because we colored half the time. It was really fun though! I love little kids. When we asked them what they knew about the Holy Ghost they responded: "It's in your brain." "It gives us food and money."  and other things. In other news, I got peed on by a dog. And we had the most delicious bread at supper that night. 

All in all it's been a pretty good week. Sister Hibbard still has a cold or allergies or something. So we're going to the doctor today. That will be our P-Day activity. Hopefully we can sneak in Ross as well. But we'll see :) Thanks for all that you do for me! I love and miss y'all! 

Love, 

Sister Adams

Question: When life gives you pickles, what are you supposed to do? 

Sister Hibbards hair as an accessory!!

Too hot for my long hair!!

"IT IS SOOOOO HOT HERE IN THE DESERT!!"

"How would Sister's hair look as a beard??"

A couple of cool Chicks!!

#LDSConf                                                 April 7, 2014


I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE. But really, it was amazing. And it went by way to fast. They should have that more often. Or maybe it's about time that another apostle comes and visits our mission. That would be ideal. This week has been quite the party. 

One new skill that I acquired was how to do epoxy. We did that on someones garage floor this week. It looked really nice. We want to do it the house we're living in. Even though we don't use the garage...or at least I'm scared to use the garage since I've literally never parked in one before. I would hate to run through the house.haha. 

We did a bit of tracting this week, which is always entertaining. One mans response before we even said a word, "Ohhh. It's you. I'm not interested." It's so funny to see peoples responses. We were able to teach a few people about the Book of Mormon who were interested and now we just need to follow up! And we know from Elder Ballard that, "If we follow up, the Lord won't let us down." :)

One little boy asked us this week if we were the mail man. That was a first. There was a bit of a disappointment. We were supposed to teach Alex on Wednesday, and she texted us and told us that she didn't want to meet with us anymore, that she and her dad were HEAVILY Catholic. That was tough. I've never had anyone just come out and say that they don't wanna meet with us, when we're already teaching them. I think she was anti'd. Because she had agreed to be baptized and was really excited to learn more, at least we thought. It's hard that people have their agency! But as we learned from President Eyring, "You can'y force righteousness, righteousness must be chosen."

Thursday Sister Hibbard got sick and we were in for the most part of the day. She slept for 13 hours straight. Pretty darn impressive. It killed her to be inside but  you could tel just from looking at her that she felt like death. 

We did have a miracle. We decided to go visit one more family before going home when she was sick. We decided to go see the Chruchill family. They are less active. We thought that all of her kids were baptized. Turns out, none of them are baptized. And Shelbie, Sister Chruchill's 17 year olf daughter started talking to us about how she doesn't know anything about the church and really wants to learn. She has a lot of LDS friends at school, some of them are even getting mission calls. So she is way interested in learning about it. So hopefully from teaching her we'll be able to teach the whole family. And those who need to be baptized will follow the example of Jesus Christ, and the whole family will be back at church! Shelbie is awesome and I'm so excited to teach her this week! 

Friday we had interviews with President Nattress which was fun. And lots of training from the assistants. Among other things I learned how to say yes in Japanese, "Hai." And that our housing coordinators at one point in their life built a legit tee-pee and lived in it for a few months...with 4 kids. President Nattress is an amazing man, and it's always good to chat with him. Although I never really know what to ask him. So I never ask him any questions.

We were able to teach Anthony this week. He was supposed to come to conference as well, but that did't happen. He has a firm believe that he's been "saved" and that's all you have to do to return and live with God again. I can't recall anywhere in the bible where being "saved" is anything that was taught by Christ or any prophets. We are saved through living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. And living the gospel brings us happiness here, and eternal life in the world to come! 

Conference was the highlight of the week. I love hearing for the prophet and apostles. It's zee best. It's really hard to pick a favorite. There were a few things that stuck out to me. One, was LOVE! 

"Loving them is a powerful foundation for them who you want to help." -Elder Richard G. Scott. 

"Love is the very essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."-President Monson

"Christlike love is the greatest need we have in the world" -Elder Holland 

There's much more that I learned and much more that happened this week, I feel like I didn't really talk about much! Whoops. Sorry about that. I'll try again next week. I know that the Lord will continue to give me the strength that I need each day to go and find those who are lost. I feel His guidance in all that I do. And I'm grateful for this amazing experience I have to serve a mission and to strengthen my personal conviction to follow the Savior. Thanks for all that y'all do for me! 

Love, 

Sister Adams

The Holy Ghost Ran Away                           March 31, 2014

It's hard to believe that another week is down! As well as the month of March! It has gone by so fast!! And to think that I've been a missionary for 10 months doesn't even feel like real life. 

This past week has been full of miracles as always, and only one person that anti'd us. So that was a plus. 

Last Tuesday there was a HABOOB! And to make matters better, we were on bikes in one of the farther places of our area that I loving refer to as "The Dirt." We walked out of a families house, and there it was. I have gotten accustomed to biking in a skirt, but not in high winds. All efforts to keep everything covered was a definite fail. But hey, that's just the way it is. We talked with an older couple that haven't been to church in like 40 years! Their records aren't even in the church! But we got their information to have their baptismal records moved to the ward, and they said they are interested in being active again. They are so sweet!  We also visited this awesome family, the Brewer's. Upon finding out that we didn't have a dinner appointment that evening they fed us! Score. They have a 14 year old daughter Riann, and she said she wants to serve a mission now. That she didn't realize how cool sister missionaries are.ha. She obviously doesn't know me too well. 

Wednesday we did service the majority of the day for a non-member family. They are Pentecostal...as in the kind that can't cut their hair, they have to wear skirts, and aren't allowed to wear makeup or jewelry. They were super friendly. And first wanted to know if they could donate money to the church in our name, or if their was someone they could call to say what a good job we were doing. They didn't understand that we just love to serve and volunteer to do it all! We also found a couple new investigators. Two 16 year old girls, Alex and Maddie. They accepted to be baptized so that was a pretty exciting thing! And that evening we went to New Beginnings with the young women. They went all out. The decorations seriously looked like a wedding reception, and they even hired a legit ice cream man. It was insane I tell you. 

We did more service on Thursday. The kind that leaves about 1000000 tiny thorns in your hands from picking weeds. We were able to talk to quite a few people on the street. It stinks because the heat is already coming so people are already starting to hibernate. Some days we literally see not a single person outside. Lame sauce. That just means we have to come and knock on your door. Which we did, and were able to teach this guy, Sergio about the Book of Mormon. He's going out of town and so hopefully we'll be able to start teaching him whenever he gets back. He asked us if he could "purchase" the Book of Mormon from us. And was shocked that we were just giving them away. I like surprising people. 

Friday we went to visit this family that isn't very active and their friend Barbara was. Barbara isn't a member of the church and is from Uganda. She was hilarious. And she did not think that girls should be serving missions. She told us that we needed to get married and get a job if we wanted to have purpose in life. 10-4 Barbara. She had gone to the temple open house and loved it. We found out her real concern with the church...polygamy. She had a hard time believing that we didn't practice polygamy. She's watched lots of the TV shows about polygamist. Even though she knows lots of Mormon couples that clearly only have one wife...she was a little skeptical. Oh, Barbara. In other news, Mom, the Marten's made spaghetti like you did that one time at the beach. Not even joking. I asked them what they put in it and they said the key was chili powder...I think. 

Saturday just flew by! We did some more service for a few hours. And the Women's Conference was that evening. I liked Linda K. Burton's "Help Wanted" talk about "Help Wanted...true disciples of Christ." And President Eyring was my favorite. Sister Hibbard says that I'm sexist because I always skip over the women's talks and such. But I can't help it. President Eyring is so sincere! I loved how he said that, "You are more alike as daughters of God than you are different." And that our Heavenly Father sees more potential in us than does our earthly parents. Which is saying a lot! The trick is trusting in God enough, to become the person that you can be. I know that is something that I'm still working on.  It reminded me of this new Mormon Message that came out about bullying. It moved me to tears the first time I watched it, so here it is! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYVvE4tr2BI

Last night we visited what seemed to be this really nice family. Shared a nice message, they all shared what blessings the gospel has brought into their lives. Then the dad, started going off on how he didn't believe the same things as the church. The funny part was, he was using the Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants to try and proof that the church is wrong. Hello, that is the evidence this is true church of Jesus Christ. He was out looking for an argument. It wasn't the most pleasant environment to be in. He had some very interesting views that make absolutely no sense.  My favorite part of people telling us all sorts of things that they think is true is that you can literally feel the spirit just disappear. The Holy Ghost runs away. You know that what they're telling you isn't true because the spirit isn't there to testify. It's kinda cool. But in all, I feel sad for him, because he is just searching for things that are wrong , instead of relying on the things that he knows are true. Breaks my heart. AND we got fed fried chicken yesterday. :) So that made it a little better. 

Most of this week we've been on bikes because we've pretty much used all of our miles for the month. We have barely enough to make it today. Luckily the month starts anew tomorrow. And thanks for the package mom! It was the best!!! I was excited to pull that out of the mail box! I can't really remember anything all to exciting that happened. Renatta came to church! Our ward is starting to get things going how they should! General Conference is this weekend!! We also have interviews with President Nattress this week. I can' understand a single thing that Elder Legrand, the elder in our zone from France, says. It's kinda like that Asian guy that worked at the hotel in San Francisco. One family signed up to feed us 9 times for the month of April, and that's not an exaggeration. I guess they like us? All is well here in the desert. Just carrying on one day at a time. I love being here serving the Lord. I love being able to feel of the spirit and being directed each day as to what to do and what to say. Makes my job a lot easier. Thanks for all y'all do and I hope to hear from you soon! I love and miss y'all! 

Love, 

Sister Adams 

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!!