July 22, 2019 - East Bench, SLC, UT

Dear Madre,

Packing all day, it's wonderful.

I'm ready to get going with college and running. It's time.

This last week was one to remember. Decent and average finding all week, then departing temple trip Friday to the Salt lake Temple. That was a great experience. Then Saturday, we had 2 baptisms, Michael and Hunter. We also had 2 lessons to finish out the day. Sunday both were confirmed, I had my departing interview with President Prier, and then 3 lessons to finish out my mission. They were powerful, spiritual lessons, and I will always be grateful for the knowledge and testimony I have gained these last 2 years.

I'm excited to see you and Dad and all the family tomorrow! It'll be awesome!

I love you!

Elder Adams

Pics- This is Hunter's baptism (he is the shorter one. The taller guy, Ben, is his best friend who leaves for his mission tomorrow.) 

July 15, 2019 - East Bench, SLC, UT

I can't believe I've been out this long, and that we are actually at this point of my mission. I love those thoughts from Elder Uchtdorf. I'm sad to end this part, or have this interruption, but I am excited and anxious to begin the next part of my life. It's all part of a grander plan.

I'm almost ready to come home, one week and a few more baptisms.

This prior week was awesome!

We did a lot of finding and got no immediate results in our teaching pool. Instead, the Spirit inspired us to know who we needed to stop teaching, and who we needed to work better with, and what we could do for their spiritual growth. I have learned an important principle this last week and am excited for it to bless my life. 

John 14:26: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

So many times, in various settings, we would be in a situation and need a quick solution, and the Spirit would remind me of past experiences that taught me what to do. It was very cool.

We had a huge group of people at church again. Because of so many missionary homecomings and farewells, and some attended multiple times! It was awesome.

I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I was able to speak about the Atonement of Jesus Christ for a few minutes in one ward yesterday. Bearing my testimony strengthens my personal witness of Christ's love and living reality.

I am so grateful I have been able to serve. Not done yet though. This week is going to be amazing!

I love you all!

Elder Adams

July 8, 2019 - East Bench, SLC, UT

Time is going too fast! I've loved my mission so much.

The Fourth of July here was pretty good. We spent pretty much the whole day party hopping, visiting tons of people in the community, because they were all outside! We also did our weekly planning, which helped bridge the gap in the dead time of the early afternoon.  

We had some miraculous lesson this week. One lesson, we talked with this young man, and he shared how he prayed and received an answer that the Book of Mormon was true. Then we took him with us to another lesson, and he bore his new testimony to the girl we were teaching. It was very powerful. 

Another guy we tried later in the week was so funny! He compared the church to a turtle, and talked about how turtles lay eggs, then go into the ocean, then the other turtle follows. He said we lead people into the ocean, which is [represents] happiness. He is totally open to getting baptized. He was a wacky dude. 

Everyday gets better and better. We had dozens (literally) of visitors at church yesterday, and have found so many who we are now teaching. We are so excited for the week we have coming up, there is still so much work to do! It is incredible to serve the Lord, especially when it is with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. I am sprinting now!

Elder Adams 

We went to the Hogle Zoo today, here are some photos I took.

 

 

July 1, 2019 - East Bench, SLC, UT

This week has been great. It was one of those weeks where you feel like nothing happened, but then you look back and it was full of miracles.

Thursday our new mission President and wife arrived! President and Sister Prier from Texas. We had an opportunity on Friday to meet them, and it was amazing. He shared with us his vision of what he wants to accomplish, and it is so in line with the Prophet and the Lord. These few weeks with him will be incredible and for the rest of the missionaries, this will be a great experience.

Sunday was another day of miracles.

We were able to speak in one of our wards in the morning, and then proceeded to visit 5 more sacrament meetings, with phone calls coming from left and right. 10 visitors in total attended church and we are teaching them all. We finished at our 7th ward of the day, teaching a combined 2nd hour to the whole ward.

Every day is not as easy though. Sometimes we go through trials so we can grow. Most of the first half of the week was spent on foot (we are out of miles) and knocking on doors. Not many answered, but we pressed forward diligently. We even had one young man we are teaching text us saying he was no longer interested at all. That is always hard, yet we pressed forward, clinging to the rod, and the Lord provided for us and strengthened us. I felt His guidance in a most powerful and pure way this week. I love my Savior!

I love you all!

Elder Adams

June 24, 2019 - East Bench, SLC, UT

This week has been excellent! We have seen so many miracles! I don't ever want to stop serving the Lord.

Probably the best experience from this last week was on Thursday. A recent high school graduate invited us over to meet his 2 friends. Both just graduated with him, and both have wanted to be baptized since they were 12. Their parents had them wait until they were 18 years old. So now we are helping these boys get baptized before July 23, which is the day their friend leaves for his mission to Mexico and I get transferred... It is awesome to see the people the Lord has prepared!

On Friday, we met a young girl who has been closed off to missionaries about the gospel, but opened up to us, asked questions, and is praying about when she should be baptized. 

We cover a branch for Veterans and haven't been able to visit them at all. The branch president called us unexpectedly, picked us up, and we had a chance to minister to them all.

Almost every day these last 2 weeks we have received a text or all from someone, with a referral for someone who wants to take the lessons and/or be baptized. It’s unbelievable to see the Lord hastening His work.

We are teaching so many people, including several families and individuals. Please pray that their hearts will soften or remain soft to the gospel. This is truly a blessed area and blessed people.

I love my Brother Jesus Christ so much. I have truly come to know Him every day stronger and stronger. I know that His Atoning Sacrifice is real and will help all of us.

I love you all so much! I pray for you daily.

Elder Adams 

June 18, 2019 - East Bench, SLC, UT

Dad, it was great to talk to you on Father's Day as well!

For starters, I am in the Salt lake Valley still. I am on the East Bench, in a 4 stake area. We cover the Parleys, Foothill, Hillside, and Bonneville Stakes. It is awesome! I was released as a zone leader and all other leadership, President Hillier just told us all to work hard this last transfer, and not worry about anything else.

On Saturday I got to go to Jordan and Tesia Wagstaff's temple sealing. It was one of the highlights of my mission, seeing them sealed for Time and All Eternity. 

Today for p-day, we went to the Salt Lake City Temple. What a beautiful opportunity to be in the house of the Lord. 

I am very grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I love Him and am so grateful for His Atonement. 

I Love you Dad! Thanks for being a truly great example for me.

Elder Adams 

Well, slim on time, but here are some photos from this week. 

 

June 10, 2019 - East Bench, SLC, UT

Dear Madre,

I have heard from Tesia! I am so excited for her and Jordan! My joy cannot be put into words. It's amazing. I should hopefully be able to go. 

So it turns out, I am getting transferred. It'll be incredible these last six weeks to just focus on the work, and make it happen. I am very excited. The Lord has some great things in store for my last transfer. 

I'll send coach Limpf a reminder email for sure! Then, I'll keep you posted as he responds. Exciting job for Kasey, good things coming for SUU 😉.

So this week we had a chance to go on 3 exchanges in a row with Elders our mission and zone. There is so much work to be done here in Salt Lake City! There are dozens of people I met just in those 3 days that are thirsting for the truth! And we have it! I have received some very clear guidance from our Father in Heaven about what I am to do these last 6 weeks, and I am thrilled to work harder than ever before. 

Elder Krogh and I have enjoyed being companions. Today at Wal-Mart we decided to get matching shirts that represent our time together as Zone Dads.(See pics below).

Haha, we have worked so hard this transfer, and absolutely turned this area around. There are so many people that will be baptized! 

Well, busy evening planned, then I'll find out where I am headed. I have a slight idea, so we'll see what happens. Regardless, know I am doing the Lord's work, and He is pouring the Spirit upon His children in Salt Lake City. They will all be getting that truth they seek this week and on. 

I love you Mom!

Elder Adams