Zone Leader

That is awesome.  She is getting her call soon.  CRAZY
No of course not.  Who does that sound like?
hahaha Yeah and I am so happy with where the Lord has put me.  It truly was inspired.  How is everything going with you? Are you hanging in there with all the craziness going on?


It sounds like you have all had a great week.  So I have been transferred to a town called Harrisonburg Virginia. It is crazy!!!!  This town is sweet.  It's a college town.  JMU James Madison University is located in our area but we don't teach there the YSA sisters do.  My address is 1721 Park Road appt. D Harrisonburg VA, 22903.  My new companion is awesome.  He is such a great missionary.  His name is Elder Unga.  He is sweet.  He has me up at 5:45 every morning working out.  It is the best.  He is Poly and is sweet.  I love the work it is going so great it is amazing.  I am so excited for General Conference.  It is going to be so amazing!!!!  A spiritual feast is about ready to take place and I am so ready for it.  I am so excited for Devin and Arista to be sealed in the temple.  You will have to tell me of all the details.  I will continually pray for them.  I am so excited.  I still remember the day that I left and I told Devin that I wanted to go to the temple with him.  I can't tell you how excited I am.  

We had a really amazing miracle happen last night. The first night that I get to Harrisonburg Elder Unga and I go and teach a potential investigator family. We meet them and they are amazing people. They didn't quiet understand the purpose of the Book of Mormon but they wanted us to come back and to teach them again. They also then invited us to a dinner/bible study that some people in there church put on every Sunday night. We said that we would love to come. As Elder Unga and I were driving to the house we were both very nervous we didn't want it to turn into a bash session at all. Before we went in we said a prayer that we would be able to represent the Lord and his Church and that everything would go smoothly. Well I know that the Lord answers prayers. As soon as we set foot into that home everyone in the room was trying to figure out more about mormon missionaries and about the Church. What was even crazier is that almost everyone that was there new a member of the Church is some way. We were able to make our purpose known and understand what we do. We then got into the conversation of religion and we shared with them that us as missionaries teach restored truth. One of the gentleman, Jacob, that was there said, "Wow restored truth I like the sound of that." We then had the bible study which went great. We were able to teach the people a more about our beliefs. After that we went to and talked to Jacob and asked him if there was a time that we could come by and teach his family about this restored gospel. He said, "Of course I would love for you guys to come by." As we were walking to our car I turned to Elder Unga and said, "I don't think that could have gone any better." He then replied, "Well we could have baptized everyone there."

This week has been amazing and has taught me so much about diligence and prayer and a hole lot of Humility.  The Lord has really taught me that it is only by him that I can do this work.  No matter what my capabilities and talents are it all comes down to having the spirit and doing it the Lords way.  I love my mission it has been such a great blessing and I thank you so much for supporting me as I have been out here.  I know that it is not easy but I thank you with all my heart.  I love you.  I know that this church is true and I know that my Savior lives.  I know that through the book of Mormon and Prayer we can draw closer to our Heavenly Father and we can figure out his will for us.  I love my Savior with all my heart and I love this work.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.  Thank you for all that you do I love you and hope that you have a great week.  With all my Love hugs and kisses from Virginia.

Elder Adams

O how nice of them.  They were in my last district.  Yeah sorry about the whole picture thing I'll send some today.  Just know I've gotten fat!
Loving it Elder Unga is a football star he is always keeping me on my toes and helping me be the best that I can be.  I'm not sure what you can do to help.  You have done so much already.
I know I'm fat ok.  That is awesome I am so happy for you all that will be a sweet trip.  Maybe you could go see Def leppard again....
O how nice I got to go.  Love you mom have a great week.  Mwah all my hugs and kisses and love.

Elder Adams

Hello

I got it:) guess who is getting transferred tomorrow???????
Nope not until tomorrow....
Saweet!!!! Man that is so exciting.  How is everything going with that???
Brian is from Kenna....  And he is still going to get baptized. I hopefully will be able to come back for his baptism.  He is so amazing.  Dang that is not good... I will for sure keep them in my prayers.  Stay strong mom I love you.
No getting transferred is hard I don't like it.  But I will not be a district leader.  I guess President Wilson and the Lord trust me a lot,  I have been called as a Zone Leader.... I'm super scared and nervous.  It's intimidating the task that lies ahead...
Yeah I'm not sure i know that I left the wall charger for the GPS but other than that I'm not sure o year and my towel... OOPS
NO I'm good I just use the car charger and the towel I can just buy another one:)  That is so sweet way to go!!! tell her congratulations!!!!  Tell her to go eat a butter sandwich she deserves it for working so hard.
Woah woah ok I see how it is.  I just realized I haven't had a butter sandwich in a long time.
Butter is way expensive it's one of those things you learn to live without
This one that I found in the apartment.  I think it might have mold on it..... 
Well I got to go.  See you later.  I love you and hope that you have a great week.  Thank you for talking to me today.  I love you. Hugs and kisses from Virginia.


This week was such a great week.  So many amazing things happened.  Just a crazy fun fact.  Megan Ritchie turned in her mission papers.  Crazy right!!!  Anyway so we got transfer calls this week and I am getting transferred.  I'm not sure where I am going yet or who my companion is going to be.  I find that out tomorrow.  I'm super excited to be able to go to a new place.  I am very sad to leave this area though it is going to be really tough... I love this area and I love the people that I have been able to serve here.  I love this work you truly do fall in love with the people you are serving.  Man I thought it was hard to leave home it's even harder leaving an area.  We have been able to see so many great miracles this week that the Lord has blessed us with.  The one that I would like to share with you guys is one that is very close to my heart.  It has nothing to do with an investigator.

I have had the blessing to be a district leader for the past three months.  During these three months there has been an Elder in my district that has been having a hard time.  At the beginning of these three months he only have three months left on his mission.  I sat down one day and was able to talk with him about his goals in finishing up his mission.  I expressed to him that one of those goals should be to burn his tag on his heart.  All through out these past months he has had a hard time being the best missionary that he can be.  I tried to pray for him every night before I went to bed.  This week after my companion and I got done with daily planning this Elder asked if he and I could talk.  We went into a room and we had an amazing conversation.  He expressed to me how he wanted to finish the last couple of days of his mission out right.  My heavenly Father answered my prayers.  As he and I talked I was able to fill the love of the Savior so strong for this Elder.  It was such an amazing moment.  I know that even when people aren't making the right choices or even when they aren't living up to there true potential that as long as we are the example and we do the best we can and plead to out Heavenly Father for help that he will change that person.  The most amazing thing is the change that I have seen in myself.  I know that my Savior lives and that he loves me.  I know with all my heart that he is there  and that he is listening.  There is no doubt in my mind.  I know that for a fact.  I love my Savior with all my heart.  I love this work and want to do it for the rest of my life.  It's crazy to look back and think that I have been out for 9 months.  My mission has been such a blessing for me and I love every morning being able to work.  To put on the black name tag and stand as a witness of God.  I know that my Savior lives.  There is no doubt in my mind.   I share with you that story so that you never give up on anything.  Everything is possible through the strength of the Lord I know that it is.  I love you all so much.

I love you guys and hope that you have a great week.  I will tell you guys next week what is going on and where I am at.  It's going to be way exciting.  Just like the Varsity song 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."  love you all and I know all things things to be true in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.  With all my love and care from Virginia hugs and kisses.

Elder Adams

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I'm on sorry it took so long today.  we did our p-day backwards today.

It's totally fine that I didn't hear from you last week.  You just had me worried there for a little bit.  I didn't get a letter from anyone so I thought something might be wrong.  It's ok though don't worry about it.  Hey if it happens again I understand.  Well it sounds like you have had a very eventful week...Weeks.  That is crazy about the house holly cow it's crazy to think that you are in a completely different house that I have never seen in my life.  Wow!  So I'm not sure what the update is on Devin and Arista I guess everything went well.... Please let me know how that is going.  I have been praying for them extra hard.  I really want to see them be able to go through the temple and make those sacred covenants with our Savior Jesus Christ.  I did get the sandbergs package so tell them thank you.  I will try to write them a hand written letter but it's kinda tough to write letters.  I'm always so busy.  There is never a dull moment out here on a mission we are constantly going trying to do everything we can to do the will of the Lord.  It's crazy.  It's my goal by the end of my mission to be dead.  I don't want to leave behind anything out here.  I want my mission to be a time that I remember of working my hardest and giving everything that I have to the Lord.  It's such a blessing to be able to be out here on a mission and to be able to put on the white shirt and the black name tag.  I love it out here.  I may not have told you this but we got a senior couple in our district.  They are from Salem Utah.  There names are the Chrsitensens.  They are so awesome.  They came out here to work hard and it is great to see all the success they are having.

Brian Shamala is still set for baptism.  We have him set for April 19 but that could change we don't know.  His mom is having a baby and she wants to be there for the baptism.  Brian is so amazing he is such a humble person.  He is so in-tune with the spirit and is constantly trying to be the best that he can be.  It is such a blessing to be able to teach him but really it's like he is teaching us.  He is so amazing.  The Lord really does prepare people to be taught.  Brian did not just wake up one day and decide that he was going to be taught by the missionaries it was done through small and simple things of his life.  I love Brian Shamala.

The Beasley Family is doing great.  They are all set up for a temple trip this Saturday to go and see the visitors center.  It was also such a blessing to see and to still see the hand of the Lord in there life.  They have made a complete 180 degree turn and are eager to feast upon the words of Christ. 

The reason why I tell you about these two people/families is because out here on a mission I have learned that it all comes down to having the spirit or not.  Us as missionaries if we just teach with out the spirit there will be no progression but as soon as we invite the spirit into the room and create an atmosphere to have the spirit testify people are changed.  It's the same way in our life.  We can go about day to day doing Mormon things(Reading scriptures, paying tithing, praying, etc.)  But until we invite the spirits into our life there is no progression we will just be going through the motions.  I know these things to be true.  I know that the power of the spirit is so amazing.  We are so blessed to be able to have the third member of the God head with us as a constant companion.  I know that this church is true and I know that my Savior loves me and that he cares for me.  I know with all my heart that if we are obedient to the laws and covenants that the Lord has given us we will be blessed beyond what we can dream of.  I love my Savior and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

I hope that you all have a great week and that you always remember to serve the Lord in his vineyard.  I love you all if there is anything that I can do for you please let me know.  With lots of Love from Virginia.

Elder Adams

HAYO!

This week was a good week in the mission field.  It was crazy but I have learned so much this week I wouldn't want to trade it for anything.  How is everything going back home?  Has stuff settled down or is everything still going crazy?  I hope that you are all doing ok.  You have been in my prayers a lot this week.  An update on the Beasley Family.  We set up a trip with them for our ward mission leader to take the Beasley's up to the temple on March 22.  We are going to start prepping them for the big temple trip here in year.  There's a lot to be done and it will be so amazing to be able to see them all in white when they go to the temple.  In a year from now Elder Hill and I could go with them to the temple to be sealed.  That would be one of the great miracles ever.  We are teaching this guy that is from Africa his name is Brian Shamala.  He is amazing.  He has taught me so much about humility and diligence.  He has only been here for about two weeks.  He knew only a little bit of English but mostly spoke Swahili.  He is now reading the Book of Mormon in English and understands it.  He is amazing.  The missionary work is going awesome out here and I am loving every minute of it.  I want you all to know that I love you.  As I was reading, "Cast not away therefore your confidence" this week and going about doing missionary work my Heavenly Father blessed me with a way that I can make sure that I am become the disciple he needs and wants me to be.  I had first started this process with creating a vision.  I created I am statements that stated what I want to become.  Then based off of those I then wrote down seven things that are prohibiting me from being that person.  With those seven things that I wrote down I then figured out how I can apply the principles of the gospel to overcome those road blocks.  As I went through out this process the spirit was so strong and loving.  It helped me understand and know how I can the disciple that he wants me to be.  I invite you to do this to no longer look at how others can change but to see how you can change yourself to be able to love others.  It doesn't mean that you have to accept the other persons life style or anything like that.  The Savior loved everyone and that is because he applied gospel principle into his life and lived them.  I hope that everything is going well and that you are all having a great week.  I look forward to hearing from you next week.  Know that I love you and that I pray for you all everyday.  You mean the world to me and I love you.  Have a great week.  In closing I would like to share with you my testimony.  I know that this church is the true church of Jesus Christ.  I know that Jesus Christ is the head of this church and that we have a modern day prophet by the name of Thomas S. Monson.  Because we have a prophet we have access to knowing how we can become like our Savior Jesus Christ and know how we can come closer to our Savior.  I know that if we listen to the prophets voice and apply his teachings that we can come closer to Him and can become changed though his grace and atonement.  I know this to be true and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.  I love you and hope that you have a great week.  With Lots of love and hugs and kisses from Virginia. 

Elder Adams

Weather

Sorry about not writing you.  The weather was terrible yesterday.  Why I'm writing so late is because we had to wait for the roads to clear so that we could drive to the library.  This week was such a great week.  That is so awesome about the new stake presidency.  That stake is going to be on fire!!! Man this church is lead by God.  I love this gospel so much.  It sounds like you have had a pretty eventful week.  As the day that Devin and Arista going to the temple gets closer I think we all need to be preparing for it.  We all need to be strengthening our testimony of the Gospel and of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Devin and Arista are going to need our constant support and strength this is not going to be an easy thing for any of us.  I know that we are going to need to be there for the both of them.  I wrote Devin and gave him a reading assignment and I think that we should all read it this week.  It's a talk called, "Cast not away therefore your confidence" by Elder Jeffery R. Holland.  It is such a great talk and it strengthens me and my testimony of the Savior everytime I read it so please read it!

This week we were able to see the Beasley's baptized.  Holly cow what an amazing thing we were able to witness.  It was such an amazing miracle to see them.  The light of Christ has truely brought happiness into there lifes.  There smiles radiat with the Saviors love.  It is such an amazing miracle to be able to witness the blessing it is to see people change and choose to follow our Savior Jesus Christ.  I know that this Church is true and I know that my Savior lives.  If there is one thing that I love testifying about is our Savior.  There is no way that any of us could become who we are if we did not have the Savior.  The only way that we can ever change is through the Atonement of Christ.  I love my Savior so much and I know that he lives.  Another really cool miracle that we had this week is we found a new investigator.  His name is Brian Shamala.  He is the son of one of the members out here.  Brian just barley moved from Kennia Africa.  He can hardly speak english but he is so willing and thristy for the gospel.  He is amazing.  It is such a blessing to be able to see the people that the Lord has prepared all we as missionaries do is follow the spirit.  It is such an amazing feeling to be an instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father I love it so much.

I just want to let you know that I love you guys so much.  I am so greatful for the support that I receive from home.  It is such a blessing to have a family that is there for me.  Praying for me.  I thank you so much for the love and prayers that have been offered in my behalf.  I could not do it with out you.  I love you so much.  I hope that everything is going ok.  Sorry if this letter was short and doesn't make sense I'm trying to write as fast as possible.  Know that I love you and that you mean the world to me.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.  With lots of love and hugs and kisses from Virginia.

Elder Adams

NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP

OOOOO!  How are you doing?

It was so great to hear from you.  Mom our heavenly Father hears your prayers.  I was in a lesson this week and I felt a prompting to write Devin and see how everything is going.  Your Heavenly Father loves you don't ever forget that.  He knows that you can help Devin become the man that you know he can be.  It just takes patience and persistance.  Never ever give up.  One day he will look back on his life and thank you for all the loving guidance that you have given him over the years.  NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP.  That is one thing that you taught me while I was growing up.  Adams are not quiters we don't throw in the towel early or say it's to hard.  We look forward with faith and know that He is always by our side.  It sounds like you have had a pretty eventful week.  You are so lucky that you get to go to the temple and be able to sit in the house of the Lord.  I wish so badly that we could go to the temple.  I miss it so much.  This week was a great week in Piedmont. This week we saw a really sweet miracle. We took this guy on a church tour. His name is Ryan. We showed up a little late because we were running behind but he was fine with it. We should him what was in the church and explained what services would be like. At the end of the tour I asked him what he was feeling. He said that he wasn't sure. He felt nervous and his chest was on fire. It was such an amazing blessing to be able to testify to him that that was the spirit.  Another miracle that we were able to participate in is the baptism of the Beasley kids and father.  The mother has been a member for a while now and has been trying for so long to get her husband to take interest in the church.  She has tried for a long time now to also get her kids into the church but she has found no success until this week on Thursday.  They are so excited to get baptized.  It is a miracle and a blessing that the Lord has allowed me to know this family and to help them progress.  I know that it was only because of him that they are even being baptized.  It will definitley be great.  I hope that everything is doing well.  If there is anything that I can do for you please let me know.  One thing that has been very apparent to me this week is that our Savior loves us.  He helps us through everything and he is mindful of all the trials that we are going through.  The best thing is that when he answers our prayers he answers them through other people.  We must always be watchful and humbly to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost we may not know where it is going to take us or what the savior might tell us to do but always be watchful and vigilent in follow the Holy Ghost.  I love my Savior so much I thank him everyday that I have the opportunity to put on the black name tag and white shirt.  It is such a blessing.  I know that he lives.  I love you all and I thank you mom for everything that you have done for me.  NEVER GIVE UP.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.  With lots of Love from Virginia.

Elder Adams

"Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."-Dieter F. Uchtdorf  If you sincerely put forth the effort to find the Lords will, which I think that you have and then you act the way that you feel the Lord will magnify your efforts and everything will work out.  You can't fail when you are the Lords errand trying your best.

three but only two are being baptized
No I am good.  Thank you though.  Not every night but we eat at members house a lot.  No I didn't I don't think I will.  I already got it she just put the money in my mission card fund.  Well I got to go I love you and hope you have a great week.  I will pray for you.  Mwah hugs and kisses from Virginia. 

What Up

Dear Mom,

Your letter ment the world to me today.  I thank you so much for writing me.  That's all I need is you to write me and let me know how you feel.  It's so great to just be able to hear from you and see how you are doing.  Thank you so much for letting me feel the love you have for me through your letters.  Thank you so much for the package.  It was a great blessing.  I loved it so much.  I have almost eaten all the candy in it already.  Man it was good.  Your Valentines day sounds like it was a blast!  That is so awesome.  Yes I remember when we did that before I left.  I think that you should join the Choir in the ward.  That would be so fun.  You have a great voice and sing amazingly.  One of my favorite memories of you is when ever you would sing in sacrament meeting.  Not only that but also singing, "There is a green hill far away."  I have no idea why that song but I can always here you singing that in my mind.  I love you so much mom you are so great.

This week was a great week.  We had a massive snow storm come through this week.  We had probably 15 inches of snow.  Man it was crazy!!!!  So what did we do? Of course we went out and started shoveling peoples walks.  The Lord saw our willingness and eagerness to get out and to work and he blessed our efferts.  So Elder Hill and I were shoveling one of our investigators cars out.  We had almost got done with that so we just started to shovel other peoples walks that were on this same street.  A man came up to me and started to talk to me.  He asked me if I could help him because he had a really bad hip and couldn't do anything.  I said of course.  I went and helped him and we talked for a little bit.  He was a Johovah Witness and wasn't interested.  He asked if we wanted anything to drink.  We were good so we just went on working.  A little bit later his guy came out again and said, "hey I know that you said you didn't want anything but i'm going to the store and I'm going to get some Cocoa.  You better drink it."  I agreed and so when he came back we went into his house and got talking.  This guy was awesome he is about 60 years old and lives with his girl friend.  He does BBQ cooking at the local street fairs.  O it gets better he learned how to do BBQ from the guy that is named best wings in Massachusetts.  This guy is good!  We talked to them and then began to teach them.  They loved the Restoration of the gospel, and they wanted to learn more.  They were so thirsty for the gospel but had no idea that they were.  It was such a testimony builder to me that people need this gospel even if they think they don't.  They desperatly need it so badly.  We are going to teach them again this week.  There were so many miracles this week from our diligent service even though Satan tried to stop us with the weather.

I am doing great.  I couldn't be happier right now in the service of my Heavenly Father.  It is such a great blessing to be out here and to be constantly working.  I love this work so much.  I love being able to put on the Black name tag and a white shirt every morning knowing that my Savior Jesus Christ is going to walk by my side that day, and point me in the direction that I need to go.  If there is one thing that I can say I know with all my heart is that my Savior Loves me and is concered for me.  He knows exaclty what I need.  He lives and he loves me.  I love this gospel so much it is such a blessing to have it in our life.  I don't think we realize how special we are to have the restored gospel in our life.  I love you all and hope that you have a great week.  I pray for you every night.  I hope that you know that if you need anything from me to let me know I would love to help you.  Mom a great way to start studying your scriptures very basically is first get a spiral note book.  Then when every you are reading write down in that note book what the spirit teaches you.  It may be hard at first but you will soon find so many great treasures that will be forever burned on your heart.  I love you and hope you have a great week.  I say these things in that name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  With lots of love and hugs and kisses from Virginia.

Elder Adams