Thank You

Well it sounds like you guys had a great Christmas and that the Holidays are going great.  I do remember those treat things they were way good!  It was great talking to you guys and being able to hear your voice.  I think that we all have been blessed with the best Christmas gifts.  It was such a blessing to be able to be in the service of my Heavenly Father this Christmas.  Nothing can match the feelings of joy and peace that I felt.  I loved it so much!  Yes I went to Texas road house sorry.  It was Christmas Eve and me and my Comp didn't have a member dinner so we decided to spoil ourselves a little.  I just got a small steak.  My comp went all out and got a 20 oz. bone in steak.  That thing was huge! 

I wasn't able to buy my ukulele because the music store never got one in... I guess I will just have to wait... So transfers are this week.  We get moved on Thursday.  The transfer calls came Sunday though.  I will be getting transferred out of the swift creek area.  It's a sad day and it's going to be hard.  I love the people here so much.  I remember one of my teachers said, "You think it's hard to leave your family wait until you leave the people that you have served for two years it's so much harder."  I've only served these members and non-members for six months and I have grown to love the people so much.  I can't express how much they mean to me and how much I want them to be happy and to accept this gospel.  A mission is such a great blessing.  If there is anyone that is ever questioning if they should go on a mission or not my reply is YES! OF COURSE!  It's such a great blessing to be in the service of my God.  I'm glad that you liked the Christmas gift.  I tried to think of something that was meaningful.  What I'm going to try to do is about every month send home some pics that you can replace the old ones with if you want to.  I hope that everything is going great.  I love you all and care about you so much.  The reason why I said that we are all blessed with the greatest Christmas gifts this Christmas was because I was able to receive the best one ever.  It was to know that my family is a supportive righteous family that is striving to be the best that they can be.  It was such a sacred moment to be talking to Devin and for him to tell me that he was going to go to the Temple.  I have kept that very close to my heart.  I know that this church is true I know that my Savior Loves me and he loves all of his children.  I know that He is there by our sides always.  Let us always remember this happy times so that not if but when the storms come we can rely on the happiness and joy that we have felt this Christmas season.  I love you all so very much I thank you so much for the prayers in my behalf.  I love you and hope you have a great week.  I say these things in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.  Have an amazing week with lots of hugs and kisses from Virginia.

Elder Adams

I have no idea I won't know until the transfer meeting on thursday....

No.  We can't watch anything that doesn't have the church stamp on it.  Is it good?

um for dinner at 4:30 but we have to be in our house at 6 sharp. NO watching the ball drop.

No I didn't.  That is sweet.  as good as 17 miracles?

Wait are you serious!!!! NO!!! Man you ruined it!!!! hahahahahaha LOVE YOU

woah that's a bold statement you just made.

Well I got to go.  I love you have a great week.  Mwah hugs and kisses we will talk to you next week.

Merry Christmas

Well this week was a great one.  I just want to thank you for the package.  I got it and it is safe care.  The Granola was heaven sent.  It was such a blessing to be able to eat that on Sunday morning.  Thank you so much.  I know how much time and effort that takes to make so thank you.  I just want to send you my gratitude I am so thankful to have a loving family that supports me out here while I am on a mission.  I thank you so much for all that you do and all the prayers that are said in my be-half.  I thank you so very much.  This week was great.  We were able to be apart of a baptism for two little girls Cathleen and Brooke Smith. It was a miracle how we found them. It was one fast Sunday. Me and Elder McConnell had an appointment scheduled and we were ready go and teach this young man named EJ. We showed up to his house and he wasn't there. As we were walking away the spirit told me to go and tract the other side of the street. I wasn't sure why. I had spent some much time in that neighborhood, but we went and did it anyway. We knocked on the apartment and no one answered. We then turned to the next door that was right next to the first. We knocked on that one and waited. We were about ready to walk way when the first door opened and then a lady came around from the back of the second apartment. Elder McConnell talked to the first lady while I began talking to the lady that had come around the back side of the apartment. Come to find out the lady that I was talking to had been a member all of her life, she had become less active around her teenage years and wanted nothing to do with the Church. Just about a week before we had knocked on her door her and her mother were talking on the phone and her mom said that she was going to send someone over just not the missionaries. The Lord has a plan for all of us. We began talking with her and she invited us back for another time. We went back and started to teach her and the little girls. At first the mom was only there so that her little girls could get baptized. Now she is opening up the scriptures and reading with us. It has been such a great turn around for her. She has started to come back to church. This gospel is amazing but nothing happens because of us it's because of the spirit leading us to the houses that need us.  It was such a blessing to see them baptized.  I will probably be calling around 4 or 5 my time.  I guess I will call your phone because I have no other number.  I just would like to leave you with my testimony.  I know that this church is true.  I know that it's the spirit that does the work in this work.  As long as we are willing to humble ourselves and to follow the promptings that we receive we will be lead to the people that need us and know exactly what we need to say to them.  I know that my Savior Jesus Christ lives and that he loves each and everyone of us.  I know with all my heart that he loves us so much.  I love all of you and I hope you all have a Merry Christmas.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.  I love you guys and hope you have a great week.  Talk to you on Wednesday.  With love from Virginia.

Elder Adams 

Luke 2

Ok obviously Dad told you about how fat I am getting.  Lets remember that that was right after Thanksgiving dinner.  I'm not super huge!  The only thing that is fitting a little tight is my pants and I think that's just because I'm on a bike 24/7 so I'm gaining muscle in my legs.  We can at least hope for that.  I don't have really any Christmas ideas.  Anything that you want to send me is great.  I will be sending you my Christmas present this week also so be looking for that.  I decided to do a family one.  For calling you for Christmas I will probably be calling around 5 or 6 eastern so that is 3 or 4 mountain time.  I don't think that you are suppose to send me anything for a Conference.  Which reminds me you need to call the mission office and let them know that your address changed.

Well this week was a great week in the area of Swift Creek.  We were able to teach Thadious again this week.  He is so solid and willing to hear about the Gospel.  We were able to take him on a church tour this week and then teach him some more about the Restoration of the Gospel.  He loved being able to hear about how the Gospel blesses families and how it brings them closer together.  We should be meeting with him again this week.  He set for baptism on January 11.  He was definitely prepared by our Heavenly Father for this step in his life.  It's crazy out here on a mission.  As long as you are working hard and being exactly obedient our Heavenly Father places people in out path that need the Gospel.   It is such an amazing blessing to be in the Service of my Heavenly Father.  Another man that we taught this week was Thomas Deets.  This guy is such an inspiration.  He is not a member of out church but his faith is so strong.  He has lung cancer and on Tuesday they decided if it's curable or how much time he has until he dies.  We had the opportunity to teach him about the Plan of Salvation.  It is such a humbling experience to teach someone that really needs to know of this doctrine.  The Lord for some reason put a 19 and 18 year old boy in a 53 year old mans house last night to teach him about the Plan of Salvation.  This was so humbling I wasn't sure what to say.  I did have very strong feeling come over me that Thomas will have the opportunity to accept this gospel in this life or in the life to come and that the Lord sent us there because we could bless his life.  In the life of a missionary you sometime feel like am I doing enough or am I just going through the motions.  It is at moments like those that you know with out a doubt that you are doing a work far greater than our understanding.  There are so many forces seen and unseen in this battle it's ridiculous.  It all comes down to whose side are we going to choose to be on.  This week we had zone conference.  We listened to a talk that was given by Elder Eyring he said, "Wake up the World with ripples of righteousness."  Our actions don't always have to be great or some grand thing.  All we need to worry about is if we are doing little acts of kindness/righteousness all through out our lives.  We may not see the out come or the fruits of our labors right away but we definitely will be able to see them someday.  I know that my Savior lives and that he is leading and guiding this Church to were it needs to go.  I know that He loves each and everyone of us.  This work is so amazing.  There are so many miracles everyday that I have the blessing to witness.

I wanted to close my letter this week with an invite to everyone who reads this.  Go to Luke 2 and read the Christmas story.  Identify all of the characters and list some attributes that you think that person has.  Then choose someone.  Choose someone who you want to try to be like in the Christmas story.  This people witnessed one of the greatest moments in history that impacted eternity.  They are so many great attributes.  Once you have identified the who and the what you want to be like identify the how.  What are you going to do to be more like that person this coming year.  I know that by doing this we will find ourselves at feet of our Savior.  I know that we will be able to obtain Godly attributes and consecrate ourselves more fully to the Lords work.  I know this to be true and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Everything is going great out here on a mission I love it out here.  Thank you for all the prayers in my behalf.  It is a blessing.  I love you all and hope that you have a great week. Hugs and kisses and much love from Virginia.

Elder Adams      

did you get a picture of the fam? if not that's ok

I got the pick.

Winter Storm

Ok sounds good.  The reason why I didn't but the Ukulele last week was because the music store didn't have one so they are ordering one.  It's going to be about $50.  Is that ok?

um could be today or sometime this week.

ok sounds good.  How's everything going with you?

dang that's crazy could you send me a picture of the family just Via e-mail?

Can you get me that picture?

doesn't matter just one that has all five of us in it.

Hello???? Can you get me that picture.  It doesn't matter how old it is.

that would be best

This week has been a tad bit weird weather wise.  We had 70 degrees all week until Saturday night and all of Sunday.  We had a winter storm come through this week and it was so funny you would have thought that the world was going to end.  Man everyone was freaking out.  They even canceled church and told us missionaries that if we were to go anywhere we needed to get a ride from a member.  I thought is was going to be some crazy storm and that I might actually get to see some snow... Not even close.  All it did was rain all day and get about 30 degrees.  I haven't really had to use my P-coat yet only to meeting and stuff.  Riding a bike keeps you pretty warm so all I wear is a long sleeve shirt, my waterproof jacket, some gloves, and my ear muffs.  It's really not to bad.  That's way sweet about the house it seems like it's moving along pretty quick.  That is so cool.  You guys will have to send me pictures of the inside when it's all done and you are all moved in.  That sounds great for what you plan to do with Mylee.  We were not able to watch the first presidency message because they canceled the watching of it out here due to weather.  It's pretty crazy.

We saw a lot of miracles in the area of Swift Creek this week.  It has been such a blessing to be on the Lords errand for the past five months.  We received a headquarters referral this week for a guy named Thadius and his fience Karin.  He had received a Book of Mormon from one of his friends and had began to read it but then he got fired from his job and accidentally left it at his job.  We were able to teach him the restoration on Thursday.  As we were teaching him we talked about how this gospel is going to bless him and his wife's marriage.  He then turned to her and said, "Wow doesn't this sound great sweetheart?"  The spirit was so strong in that room it was amazing.  We are meeting with them again tonight to teach them some more and hopefully set them for baptism.  The work out here is awesome.  It sometimes gets hard and discouraging but there is so much joy at the same time it is amazing.  I have learned a lot this week about myself.  I have realized that to many times I get caught up in routines and doing the same thing over and over again because I feel that it works.  I have made a new challenge to myself and I issue this to you guys to.  Stop living life as a robot and start loving life as a disciple of Christ.  We have the greatest message here on this earth.  We have been blessed with the opportunity to be first hand witnesses of the greatest work in the world.  The reason why I share this with you is because to many times it seems like we don't give enough gratitude to our Heavenly Father.  I love this work it is such an amazing blessing to be out here and to be serving the Lord.  I thank my Heavenly Father every day for being able to have been raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It is such a blessing to have the restored truth in my life to help me everyday accomplish the task that my Heavenly Father has for me and to fight against Satan.  Don't get discouraged when the battle gets tough or when we think that the task is to hard but rather look more to our Savior.  That is the purpose of all  our trials.  We can either choose misery or happiness.  Never ever get discouraged or think that you are alone.  We should be having a baptism this week for a young African American kid named Ej Shaw.  He's having a few doubts right now but we are praying and hoping that he will gain a testimony of this truth and choose to be baptized into this gospel.  I know that this church is true and I know that our Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us.  I know that our Savior lives with out a doubt.  I know that I am doing the Lords will by coming out here and choosing to serve him for two years.  I know this with all my heart and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.  I hope that you are having a Merry Christmas Season.  I received your package in the mail this week thank you so much for everything!  Be looking for a package from me I will be sending a family Christmas present this year that I hope you all will be able to enjoy.  I love you all so very much and know that you are in my prayers.  Have a great week and I will talk to you all next week.  Hugs and kisses from Virginia with lot of Love.

Elder Adams

Well I got to go just try to get me that picture next week.  Thank you so much I love you Have a great week.  Talk to you next week.

No Good without the Bad

Well this week was a great week in the mission field.  My thanksgiving was awesome we went to our Bishops house and ate dinner with them.  We also played in a turkey bowl thanksgiving morning.  That was so much fun man it was exciting.  This week was way cold in Virginia.  On Tuesday and Wednesday it was pouring rain and was about 40 degrees outside.  The work of the Lord never stops me and my companion went out and worked all day.  We were wet cold and tired at the end of everyday but man it was amazing I loved it so much!  It was super sweet.  We have a baptism coming up on December 14.  It's exciting his name is Elijah James Shaw.  He is a young kid that comes and plays basketball with us.  I'm so excited to see him be baptized I've been teaching him the entire time I have been here in Swift Creek.  Almost 5 Months.  After that baptism we have another baptism coming up on December 21.  It's two younger girls who's names are Kathleene and Brooke Smith.  Their mom was a member sense the day she was born but became less-active and never had the kids baptized we tracked into them on accident one Sunday.  They are very excited to get baptized.  The work out here is going great.  Bishop in correlation this week said, "Elder Adams this is amazing before you came here there was no one and look what you have done with the area."  I know that I only was able to do this work because of my Heavenly Father it is such a blessing to be able to see how if you are humble and worthy to do the work the Lord will bless you but as soon as you become prideful and think that it's you the miracles go away.  The Lord is always by our side no matter what.  It was hard hearing that Jack Adams died this week.  He was the only dog that I have ever had and it hurt but instantly a feeling of peace came over me and I felt that I would see him again.  It the purpose of this life, trials.  I always think of the Batman quote, "Why do we fall Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up."  That is partially true but we need to learn to let the Lord pick us back up.  It is my testimony that he live and that he loves us.  I know that my Savior is with me always he never leaves my side.  I know that I am only able to do the work that I have done out here on a mission because my Savior has blessed me with the knowledge and testimony of the Gospel.  I know that this church is true with all my heart.  This is the last month for the thing that my mission has been working on, "Our Gift to Christ."  The last step after; Sacrifice September, Obedience October, No No November, is Consecrated Christmas.  I invite all of you to Consecrate all of your efforts to building up the kingdom of God.  Do everything with an eye single to his glory.  It is such an amazing topic to study.  Please study this and see in what was you can consecrate yourself to Him.  I know that this church is true and I know that our Heavenly Father lives.  I know that he loves each and everyone of us no matter what we have done.  He doesn't care about the past he just cares about where we are going.  I know with all my heart that he lives and that he loves each and everyone of us.  I love my Savior and I love the work that he has blessed me with.  I love you all and hope that every thing is going good.  Keep you spirits up.  We have the Restored Gospel.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.  I love you and hope you have a great week.  Hugs and Kisses from Virginia.

Elder Adams

It's fine about Jack I'm sure that you guys made the best decision.  Thank you for letting me know and for sending me the picture.  Lots of Change is good it only makes us stronger.  I love you.

I thought Jack was fine???????

ok sounds good.  Christmas will be fun at grandmas

Cool Beans!  Are you getting Hard wood floors?

not yet I'm going to try to get it today maybe.  Idk I'm not sure If I want to.  I feel bad spending money.

Yeah don't call please.  I guess it's just hard...  It's fine though one day we will see him again.

O I forgot to say if you read 7 pages a day in the new testament you will finish the four gospels by Christmas I  invite you guys to do that.  I'm doing it.

Ok well time us up.  Don't worry about Jack and that effecting me I am going to be fine.  I know you guys made the right decision and he is in a happier place with our heavenly father.  I love you mom and hope you are doing ok.  Have a great week I will talk to you next week. MWAH MWAH MWAH love you.  Hugs and Kisses from Virginia.

Um speak for yourself.  I will be owning another dog.

Sue

Hello:) Didn't receive an e-mail again you there?
I got the talk and the email is not here tho
No nothing... Why did you send me that talk?
This is weird.... I feel like I've heard it before.  A lot of things are happening like this I keep thinking that I've done a lot of the stuff that is happening this week...
HAHAHAH Verizon.  For real what is up with technology?
We are going to the Bishops house.  That is way sweet.  Yes they are awesome thank you love them so much.
So there is an Elder here that knows how to play the ukulele.  I want to learn how to.  Could I buy one today? Is there money to do that? 
Idk probably at most 50

This week has been such a great week.  My heart is full with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for all that he has given me and all of the people that he has prepared for me to teach out here in the mission field.  It is such an amazing blessing to be able to work in the service of my God I love it so much!  I hope that you are all doing well in Utah.  It sounds like you are doing amazing.  I would like to share a miracle with you that happened last night.  This happened last night with a lady named Sue. She has gone from church to church and has been baptized twice into different churches. She says that she thought she new the truth multiple times but for some reason it always seems like there is more. Last week she told us, "If I'm going to be a Mormon then I need to know everything I want a Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and a Pearl of Great Price." I was hesitant at first to give her all of these things but the spirit said that it would be ok. We sat down with her to teach her about atonement Sunday night but got into the topic of the restoration. We were talking about how Joseph Smith saw God the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ. She couldn't believe that it just wasn't making sense for her. The spirit then prompted me to go and read Joseph Smith History. We started in verse 6 and began reading. The spirit was so strong there is no doubt in my mind that she felt it and that she now can build on her knowledge that this church is true. We stopped after the first vision but then began reading the chapter headings. When we got done we paused she said, "You know I think I need to know the history to understand the restoration of the Gospel it's all starting to make sense." We invited her to be baptized on December 28. She told us no at first but then changed her mind and said she would mark it on her calendar. The spirit was truly working on her it was by far the best lesson that I have been a witness of. I did not say anything that changed her mind it was all the spirit and it's testifying power. I always like to say we can either let us teach for and hour or we can let the spirit teach for 2 minutes and the latter will be much more effective.  This church is so true and the lord is working through us.  All we have to do is be humble an willing to follow our Savior and he will show us his will.  I love my Savior so much and know that he lives I am so happy to be out here on a mission doing his work.  I am not sure what I want for Christmas.  Surprise me.  I am just so greatful for the opportunity that I get to serve my Heavenly Father during this Christmas it will be such a great blessing.  I love you guys and hope that everything is going ok.  This church is true and the Book of Mormon is the Word of God.  I love you have a great week.  Mwah.  With Love From Virginia hugs and kisses too.

Elder Adams

Can't have the Ipod touch out here mission pres said no.  And yes.

Or a flash drive would work.  If you can't do that it's totally fine.  I don't want to be a burden.

ok thank you so much mom.  Just know that I love you and I'm trying my hardest to keep the family name bright and true.  I thank you for all that you do for me and all that you have done to prepare me to serve my full time mission I could not have done it if it weren't for you to walk by my side and tell me what I need to do.  you are such an amazing daughter of our Heavenly Father and you do so much for his Kingdom.  Always remember to keep being that example.  Just because you don't have kids at home doesn't mean you can stop now you got nephews nieces and soon grandchildren.  I love you with all of my heart and thank you for everything that you have done for me.  Mwah.  I have to go and do the work of the lord but know that I love you that I pray for you and dad and that you guys are the best parents a boy in this world could ever ask for.  I love you guys.  

Elder Adams

P.S-Show this to dad please. 

 S

Baptism

Well this week was a great week.  We were able to see a lot of success.  The people here in Colonial heights are beginning to change and there attitude towards missionaries are changing to.  We are going to have a baptism this coming Tuesday the 26 of November for a young African American boy named Ej Shaw.  I have been teaching him for the past 4.5 months that I have been out here in Virginia.  He is so excited to get baptized and have a remission of his sins.  To be able to start over and no longer have to worry about his past.  It is so awesome.  We were also able to teach the Federoffs this week again.  Addam and April tried to stay for all three hours of church today but they had to leave an hour early because their kids wanted to go home.  It is such an amazing thing to see the Federoff family change and come closer to there Savior Jesus Christ.  Probably the greatest miracle of all that we saw this week is from a young couple named Alan Blott and Samantha Tehee.  We found them a couple weeks ago and began teaching them.  They came to church about two weeks ago and come to find out Samantha, the member, new one of our ward members.  They instantly hit it off and became friends.  Alan loves the church he always asks question so that he can understand and know more about what is going on.  He also in Elders quorum started to participate and become one with the ward.  It is such an amazing thing to be able to see him and how he is changing.  The work is going great here in the Colonial Heights Area.  I will be staying here through out Christmas.  We had transfer calls last night and I was told that I was not going anywhere.  What a blessing!  I love this area the people here are so prepared to hear the gospel and to know what they can do to draw closer to our Heavenly Father.  

So last night I was able to learn something very important.  As we came home from our day and we had finished up planning I thought that I was going to get transferred.  The thought then passed through my mind, "Have I done enough?"  I have been able to reflect upon this for a while but the spirit taught me one things.  You should only with 100% of what you have 100% of the time.  There should never be a time when you only give 99.9% it should always be all of nothing.  When we give everything that we have to our Heavenly Father just as it states in 2 Nephi 2:25 that after all we can the grace of God can then perfect us.  Now this is not to be confused the grace of God will be with us always during every trial every hard time everything but as long as we are putting everything we have into it.  The thing that I learned this week is always make sure that we are giving 100%, 100% of the time to the Lord.  I know that this Church is true and that our Heavenly Father loves each and everyone of us even if at time we mess up or we doubt.  He is always there by our side to strengthen us and make us stronger.  I know that the Book of Mormon can answer all of our question and that if we study it we truly can unlock the power of God.  I know all these things to be true and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.  I love you all and hope that everything is going great.  Have and amazing week.  Hugs and Kisses from Virginia.

Elder Adams 

Well I hope everything is going good didn't receive an e-mail.  I love you and hope all is well talk to you next week. mwah

Allstars

Thank you for your e-mail this week.  It was great to be able to hear from you.  My love goes to you guys you are amazing.  Man that is crazy to think the house that I lived in for my whole life is not the one I will be returning to.  It's totally fine I am excited for this new adventure that lies ahead of us.  Just like the Varsity Allstars songs says, "The greatest adventure is what lies ahead today and tomorrow are yet to be said the choices the changes are all yours to make the mold of your life is in your  hands to shape."  So true everyday we have the opportunity to change our life.  It all starts with us and then the world around us will change.  I'm actually kinda glad you guys did all the moving that sounds like crazy stuff.  All though it would be super fun to be able to go through all of the old stuff that you guys probably found and talk about all the great memories.  When is the house scheduled to be done? Before Christmas maybe?  Anyway enough about all the crazy things.  How is your member missionary work going.  I keep thinking about sending the missionaries to Ryan and Aubrey.  They need the gospel we need to reach out to everyone this is the hastening of the work.  Sorry I didn't write you guys yesterday we had a mission conference with a first quorum of the seventy guy.  Man it was great.  His name was Elder Sitati.  Inspirational to say the least.  How is everything going back home.  Is everything going good?  I love you.

So this week was a great week.  We were able to teach the Federoffs multiple times.  They are beginning to progress!!!!!!  She has started to give up coffee and they are trying to read and pray every night as a family it is such a great blessing to see them begin to accept the gospel.  The greatest thing is that they don't even realize they are changing.  The spirit works in such a natural way that often times we don't notice it or even realize what we are doing until we look back on out lives and say wow look where the Lord has brought me.  I encourage you to look back on you life and see the hand of the Lord and how he has directed you.  There are so many great blessings that we often miss but are definitely there.  Another great thing that happened this week is we got back in touch with Shakitha Cowart.  You might remember her from around September time we had her set for baptism September 21 but then she dropped us.  We talked to her again this week and were able to set her with a new date November 30.  With her two kids.  She loves the gospel and can't wait for her family to be blessed from it.  It is such a great blessing to be able to see peoples lives change in this work.  So many times people look at missionary work as a two big year sacrifice but really it's two years of just fun and excitement and blessing after blessing.  It can be hard at times but as long as you remember your love of Jesus Christ the hardest as well as the easiest times can be a joy!  This work is so great.  The work in Colonial Heights is moving forward and it's exciting to see it.

This Monday we had a mission conference like I said.  Elder Sitati pointed out something very interesting in his talks.  He had a turn to Moroni 7:39-43.  We began reading it.  Notice what it tells us in the first couple of lines, "I judge that ye have faith if Christ because of your meekness."  Then at the end it says in verse 43, "...he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart."  To many times we think that we know how to do things or that we have had faith in Jesus Christ before so we know how to do it.  We need to always realize that we NEED our Father in Heaven always.  Everything starts with meekness.  If we want to be happy we need to be meek.  If we want to love more we need to be meek.  If we want to have the spirit as a constant companion we need to be meek.  This was such a blessing for me to hear this.  I had been trying to figure out how to love the people of Virginia more.  Then the Lord blessed me with that beautiful truth.  There is no doubt in my mind that my Savior knows me and loves me.  He listens to my prayers every night when I kneel down and talk with him.  He is so loving and kind.  He knows exactly how to succor me according to my infirmities.  I love my Savior Jesus Christ with all of my Heart.  I love this work and I would not rather be any where but here in Virginia giving him everything that I have for two years of my life.  I love it so much it is such blessing.  I share with you this truth simply because I want you all to experience the joy that I am feeling at this moment.  I love you all and thank you so much for all that you have given me and done for me.  Know that you are in my prayers and that I love all of you.  Take care of yourselves and have a great week.  Mwah kisses and hugs from Virginia.

Elder Adams

P.S. Open up my blog to the pubic let anyone who wants to see it see it.  That is a form of missionary work.  Thanks love you. 

I am in a great mood.  Nothing better than being in the service of my God.  Have fun with that meeting.  Good Luck!  I will pray for Arista.

O grandma said you were.... Scary right

No we do a finding activity every wednesday were we open up the chruch for an hour and a half to all the hood ballers and while they are sitting off waiting for their team to play we take them on tours it's awesome.

Yeah maybe it was a typo

Well times up I gotta go see you later!  I love you so much thank you for all that you do for me. Mwah have a great week.

Elder Adams

 S

HOLLY COW THE HOUSE IS HUGE!!!!!!!

HOLLY COW THE HOUSE IS HUGE!!!!!!!  That is such a sweet house man alive.  I'm sure that your house can't be dirtier than our house right now.  With four boys living in it and only one cleans up... Me.  Man I never realized how much I like clean things until I was out here my companion probably thinks that I am crazy.  It sounds like you guys are having fun having to do all of this house stuff.  It's crazy to think that the house that I lived in for 18 years is going to be gone when I come back.  It's all good though we will make new memories in the new house and it will be great!  That's pretty sweet that you guys had a ton of trick or treaters.  We went to a members house and handed out mormon.org cards with candy.  Not a lot of people trick or treat out her in Virginia.  Funniest thing thought apparently its the social norm out here that when parents take their kids trick or treating the pop open a cold one and get plastered while there kids get candy.  Thought that was pretty interesting....  That's crazy to think that Devin is 25 I didn't know that he was that old.. ops.  I did get the package thank you so much.  The candy was very delicious and I enjoyed it.  How did you know to send me a dish scrubber?  Our dish washer is actually broken right now so that has helped out a lot.

This week was such a great week in the mission field.  I am loving it.  On Tuesday we went to the Federoff's house and we taught them about building upon a Christ foundation.  We invited April to be baptized but she wouldn't accept.  We then asked Adam about if he wants to change his life.  He was able to bare his testimony to April about how he wants to begin to change his life and about how it's so important that his entire family begins to change.  It was so powerful and great.  We invited him to begin to become a priest and then he could baptize his wife which would be such an awesome experience.  The Federoffs are slowly coming around and changing it is going to be great to see them enter the waters of baptism.  Another really cool thing happened this week.  We went over to Fred's house last night to see how he was doing.  One of his High School friends of 35 years was over there she cooked some authentic gumbo.  Holly goodness celestial kingdom food right there.  Anyway come to find out Fred is beginning to think about joining the church and he quit smoking for 3 days! It is so great to see people begin to change there lives.

Our mission President has given us this packet called our gift to Christ.  We are focusing on how we can better live our temple covenants and be better disciples of Christ.  September was Sacrifice September, October was Obedience October and November is No No November (Law of Chastity).  It's been such a blessing to be able to study these topics and see how they are all related.  I invite all of you to begin to look at how you can better live your temple covenants and always look to improve.  Think about what the Lords vision is for you.  Read you patriarchal blessing and sit and ponder.  See what it is the Lord needs you to be so that you can be an instrument in his hands.  I have noticed that over these four months it has been hard but it has been such a great blessing to grow closer to my Heavenly Father and learn how to access Jesus Christ Atonement more fully in my life.  This life is an ever changing process it's all about progressing and becoming better.  Make sure that we are always living up to who we are, sons and daughters of a king, someone who has all power all knowledge and everything that we could imagine.  I know that this church is true I know that our Savior Jesus Christ lives and that he loves each and everyone of us.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I know that to love is the beginning of all things as long as we can love someone or something everything will be better and we will see great improvement.  I love my Savior and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ my Savior, Amen.

I love you all and hope that you have a great week.  Know that you are in my thoughts and that I pray for you.  Remember that daily greese is cheep. Read and Pray daily and you will be the person that when you get up in the Morning Satan will say, "O Crap He/She is up."  I love my Savior and I love you all stay safe and have a great week.  Hugs and Kisses from Virginia.  

Elder Adams  

Elder McConnell

That's crazy about Glenn.  What the crap was he thinking?

Hey have you found material for my soccer blanket?
Everything is great.  Thank you for your advice last week I read it daily.  Love you I will talk to you next week. Kisses MWAH!!!

 S

Happy Halloween

hey I'm on you sent me a bunch of stuff but no general email.

Sorry I don't think that I should watch the Goblin Topper video...  You will have to just write me about it and tell me what happened.  I did get Devin and Arista's package and it was greatly appreciated.  It looks like that house is moving right along.  That is so exciting.  It's crazy house fast things go from week to week.  It seems like just yesterday I was looking at a hole in the ground.  That is sweet that you are going to finish up Grandpas temple work.  I have been thinking about that for a while now and was going to check up and make sure that you didn't forget.  You sound like you are very busy with work and getting everything ready.  Just never forget to take time to relax.  If we are up tight and always trying to do things we won't be as effective as we could be if we take breaks and then give our full effort.

We had another great week in Colonial Heights.  We were able to see the Federoff's at church for the second week in a row! It's so sweet.  April Federoff has been taught the lessons multiple times and just can't see why it is so important to be baptized and follow our Savior Jesus Christ.  We are trying to set her with the date of Nov. 23  It's going to be sweet to see that family united in Christ.  The Father, Adam, is already a member and he is changing.  He use to smoke and doesn't any more.  Also anytime that they would go to church and there kids would act out he would get very upset.  Now he just smiles and says it's totally fine.  Atleast we were able to come for the time we came.  Such a great testimony builder of this work.  Another awesome update is Thomas, the dude with lung cancer, is done with radiation.  He now has to wait tell Dec. 3 to see what is going to happen next.  He is determined to fight cancer and defeat it.  He is such an inspiration.  It is such a blessing to be able to see how much he rely's on Jesus Christ to strengthen him through fighting cancer.  As for Virginia it is beginning to get cold here.  Our bike rides at night are so cold it is ridiculous.  I haven't had to break out the P coat though.  Probably this week who knows.  A member told us this week that this could be the coldest winter Virginia has ever had. SICK!

Thank you so much for the advise this week.  I have been struggling a lot this week on loving the people even though that is what I wanted to work on.  To first read about it this morning in my studies and then to have my loving mother tell me that is a testimony builder to me that this church is true and that our Heavenly Father loves us.  Thank you so much I will for sure work on that this week and all through out my mission.  I love you guys so much.  I know that this church is true and I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and is always there for us.  I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be changed.  His grace is sufficient to change us and make us a tool in the Lords hand.  I love you all so much and thank you for all that you do for me.  I especially love you mom you are such a blessing in my life.  I wouldn't want any other mother as my mother. You have taught me so much and so many valuable lessons on how to be a good person, how to show gratitude to our Heavenly Father, and especially how to love everyone.  Thank you I love you all and will talk to you next week.  With love from Virginia hugs and kisses to all.

Elder Adams 

One last things sorry.  This month we have been studying Obedience as a mission.  I started reading the Book of Mormon and noticed that the first message that Nephi talks about in the first Seven Chapters is Obedience.  I invite you to look at the importance of obedience.  Read the first Seven Chapters of 1nephi and any other scriptures that may come to mind.  Obedience brings blessings but exact obedience brings miracles.  I love this gospel it is so simple when we just look to the Savior and follow in his foot steps.  I love you and say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

I couldn't the computer I am on doesn't have the right soft wear.  Sorry.

Well sorry I live in Ghetto Colonial Heights.  Just kidding I love it here it is awesome!

Ok I will try that.  Thanks for that advice I wrote in down in my planner and will read it a lot this week.  Love you man.

sorry mom

instead of man ya know

ooo dang how is that going? is she in a lot of pain?

Alright well I got to go bye I love you we will talk to you next week.

Hello?

These last couple of months have been a blur of excitement and trials.  I have been tried and tested beyond what I ever thought I would be out here on a mission.  I was able to have such a great experience these last couple of days to learn how to be a better missionary but I think that it applies to all of the members of the Chruch.  The first thing that happened was at Chruch yesterday.  We had a lesson in Elders quorum about how the Chruch of God will always go forward.  Brother Heap, was teaching the lesson, he said,"Raise the bar.  Do better tomorrow than you did today."  Every night I have made it a goal to think about what my success were and what I could improve on.  When we measure our progress we can see where we are improving and improving comes more rapidly.  Another great experience that took place was this morning I was doing my personal study and I was reading about turning our self over to the Lord.  In order to turn ourselves over to the the Lord it takes us mentally doing it first.  Where ever our mind is our heart follows.  Lately out here I have not been as focused on the Lords will as I should be.  The question that Paul asked came to my mind, "What wilt thou have me to do?"  It's all about having a mind single to the glory of God.  It is such a blessing to be able to read the Scriptures and Study the Gospel the way that you are able to out here on a mission.  The statement that Gordon B. Hinkley's father said is so true, "Forget yourself and go to work."  The Lord will bless us as we begin to seek his will instead of our own wills.  He will bless us with peace and happiness.  The mission is going great.  The area is progressing and we are beginning to make headway with many of our investigators.  They are feeling the spirit and are beginning to come to church.  It is such a blessing to be able to see peoples lives change because of the Gospel.  I hope that all is well and that you are all doing well.  Remember in these crazy times to never stop reading and praying.  Daily greece is cheep.  Do not forget to oil your spiritual machines daily.  Our Savior Jesus Christ lives and he loves each and everyone of us I know this.  He wants happiness for us we just need to allow him to bless us with that happiness.  I love you all and thank you so much for all that you bless me with.  Hugs and kisses from Virginia.

Elder Adams

That last e-mail was very self centered and I am very sorry for that.  A little up date on the investigators in this area.  We met a lady this week named Wendy Adams.  We only taught her but she has a family of about 5 or 6.  She was very open to hearing the gospel and wanted to learn more.  When we extended to her the baptismal invite she said that she must first know that the Book of Mormon and what we have told her is true.  We asked her if she knew how she could obtain that answer.  She said "Well first I need to read and then pray, our Heavenly Father knows everything."  It was so amazing to see her teach herself.  We have not had the opportunity to get in touch with her after that lesson but she is golden.   Another investigator that we taught this week was Fred Wheeler.  He is such a Christ like man.  He has opened up his house multiple times to people that are struggling and can't seem to get away from bad habits.  He helps them out and becomes there friend.  It is so amazing to see how charitable this man is toward everyone.  Anyway we talked to him about the power of the Atonement and how it can help us change and become even better people.  He loved it.  The spirit was so strong in that lesson.  Another great person that we were able to teach was Thomas he has lung cancer and is probably the strongest person that I know.  Everyday he goes in for treatments of radiation and comes home.  He is so worn out by the treatments that he sleeps all day and all night just to get up in the morning and do it all again.  It's so crazy to think about how strong his faith is and how much the Savior loves him.  You asked if I had had any baptisms and no I haven't.  I figure that as long as I do what I am suppose to do everyday baptisms will come.  The people in Virginia are amazing they are a loving faithful people.  Some are stronger than I could every imagine being.  I am so sorry that my e-mails have been all about me this past three months.  I will let you guys know all about the people of Virginia.  I love this work and thank my Heavenly Father for letting me be a part of this amazing work.  I love Him.  Thank you for all that you do I love you guys.

Elder Adams

you said that you put $50 in my bank last week what do you want me to do with that?

I am getting everything that you are writing.  Ok thanks for being the finance behind this.

that baptism did go through

His name was Tim Sheerer.  I didn't not find him or teach him.  It was an investigator that Elder Collie and Gronning taught.  I was just part of that companionship for a couple of weeks sense my companion decided to go home.  Well I got to go Love you have a great week I will talk to you next week. Bye

Sold!

Holly cow it's crazy to think that my childhood house just sold. Man that is so cool though.  Things happen if we just are patient.  Our Heavenly Father truly does bless us.  You will have to send me pictures of the house every week to show me all of the progress that is happening.  The color of scarf that I would like would have to be a black one.  Thank you.  There are really no requests for the Halloween package.  I don't really care what I get, some gummy snakes would be nice I like those ones;)  Thank you for all that you do for me.  One investigator that you could pray for is Fred Wheeler.  He honestly is like Grandpa.  He is in the same situation and every thing as him.  We had a lesson with him last night and the spirit was so strong there it brought me and him both to tears.  He is going to begin to read the Book of Mormon.  It is so great to be working with him.  I never thought that I could love someone so much that I have only talked with a couple of times.  This work is so great.  As you know this week was transfers.  I got a new companion and he is brand new out of the MTC yes that means that I am a trainer.  It's so scary to think that I am teaching someone when I have only been out here for three months.  It's crazy.  I can't let fear get in my way though.  The first couple of days I did and I was a nut case.  When I finally told myself that my Heavenly Father obviously knows that I can train and that I can do this I started to relax.  I have to put more and more trust in my Heavenly Father each and every day and it is such a blessing.  I love this work so much how ever hard it may get or what not I still and will always remember that Jesus Christ lives that he loves me and will always walk by my side as long as I am trying to live the way he would have me live.  I love my Savior.  This week as been really weird.  We had a constant mist of rain all week long.  It was pretty nice but I never was able to dry out.  It was crazy.  Virginia is so beautiful when it's raining and the leaves are changing.  There are times when I think that I am in a post card or something.  It is so great.  The work is going great here I am loving it in Virginia.  Thank you for all that you do and have done for me.  It truly does help a lot when you have been raised the way that I was raised to be out here on my own.  Thank you.  This week I would like to invite you to do one thing that has been a blessing to me out here in the mission field.  When you say your nightly prayers go through an account of you day.  Talk about all of the things that you did that day.  Thank your Heavenly Father for all of the experiences you had.  Ask him to bless those that you came in contact with that day.  As I have done this I have noticed that my prayers are not repeated.  They are heart felt and I feel that I am really talking to my Heavenly Father.  It has been such a blessing in my life and hope that it can do the same for you.  I know that my redeemer lives and that he loves all of us.  He wants the best for us and he gives us trials to become blessing in our lives.  I love this work and am so greatful for the opportunity that I have to been on a mission and to serve him for two years.  I love and thank you for all that you do.  Hugs and kisses from Virginia.  Have a great week you are in my prayers.

Elder Adams

                                                         Me and my Companion

                                             It's a happy day when it's rainy outside!

                            The low country boil at the Alders house.  Can you say Yummy!

Conference

Wow.  You need to go to the doctor now.  Who do you think you are Josh or something?  Man crazy lady...  So about the gloves.  One of my new companions is leaving this week.  He gave me some cloves that are just for the winter.  Plus they have grip on them so they will be good if I am still on bike.  If you still want to buy me new ones though I would prefer a Glove/Mitten.  It has the separation of fingers inside of the mitten.  That was I can have the comfort of a glove but then have the warmth of a mitten.  I have been told by members that during the winter it gets bone chilling out here.  One of the member, Brother Alder, said if there is a wind blowing and humidity you are going to feel it to your bones.  I'm kind of excited for that.  I love the cold weather and right now it is super humid because of a storm that is in the gulf.  So I found out last night that I will probably not be transfered unless something crazy happens.  So I will be staying in good old Colonial Heights.  Hopefully I will stay here for a while I love it here.  It is great.

Man Conference was great I loved it so much.  There were so many inspiring talks that made you just want to get up and shout for joy (black baptist attribute).  I loved it though.  Probably my most favorite talk was given by Elder Dube in I think the Saturday morning session.  I loved what his mother said, "Edward Look Forward." That is such a true statement for all of us here in the church.  To many times we get complacent and think that we are ok.  We look at all the progress that we have made and say, "I can take a rest.  I have done my job now it's time for someone else to do theirs."  It is so important that we always press forward.  Always look forward to the next trial to the next leap of faith that we are going to have to take.  Never ever be complacent with becoming like our Savior Jesus Christ.  Idleness is a great sin.  Satan does not have to get us to do something bad but rather he just needs to get us to be Idle to stop working.  Be the kind of person that when you get up in the morning the Adversary says, "Oh No he/she is up."  Fight for freedom stand as a pillar of light in this world that is falling so rapidly.  Most importantly LOVE.  Our Savior Jesus Christ has said that the greatest law is to love god and then to love your brother.  Love is what we need.  Look to minister to those in need.  LOVE is all you need.  Conference was so great.  The Priesthood session was amazing as always.  Remember to study these talks and work on the things that were taught.  Just as it talks in James 2:19,  You have heard the talks in general conference.  Good job so did the Adversary.  The difference between a man of God and a man of Satan is work.  Constant progression.  I know that my redeemer lives.  He loves each and everyone of us.  He is so great and loving to all of us do all you can to spread his love and you will be blessed to feel even greater love from him.  This church is the restored church of Jesus Christ.  He is the head of this Church.  He leads and guides us.  I know that he lives and he loves us.

Thank you all so much for your love and support while I am out here on a mission.  I thank you so much.  It is such a great blessing to have a great family who loves and supports you while you are out here.  Thank you know that I love you and pray for you each and ever night. You truly are amazing.  Stay strong in the gospel.  Build upon the rock of our Redeemer who is Christ, whereon if men Build they cannot fall. Helaman 5:12  I love you all so very much kisses and hugs from the great state of Virginia.  I Love you the Most Mom.

XOXoxoXooxoxoxoxoxoooooooxxXxoxoOxooXoxoxoXOoXOxOo

Elder Adams

well right now we are in a three some.  One of them is staying and the other is going home.  It's the end of his two years.

thursday is when transfers happen I will send you some more pics now.

Couldn't get pictures to send this week I will try next week.  I have to go I will see you later.  I love you GO TO THE DOCTOR SUPERWOMAN. Bye I love you!