I am so
grateful to be able to serve, and I am trying to learn, and stay worthy of
all the prayers I know are prayed for me. There is a quote that says, "be
the missionary your parents are praying for" and that's obviously not the
reason I am here, to impress you, but it is nice to have when things get hard
and you feel like you want to quit. It's comforting. I am grateful for you and
Mom.
This last
week was great. We finished strong. Monday we
had a zone barbecue, which turned out really successful. That was a nice p-day
activity.
Tuesday we
went to the Salt Lake Temple for Elder Saltzman's departing temple trip. It was
a beautiful session, great to get a little rejuvenation from the Spirit. We
worked hard that evening, and even though most doors didn't open, that evening
we got a text referral for this guy who we started teaching Saturday, and he is
amazing!
Wednesday we
had a good mid day going out with a counselor in one of our new bishoprics.
Then some bike moving errands. Then we went on exchanges, our last of the
transfer. Elder Larger and I were together for our third exchange over the last
10 months, which is always fun to be able to keep in touch with a good friend
like that. We had an incredible experience. We tried a door that had a
potential YSA living there, and was let in by the family. We met the young man
and began teaching him, but quickly learned that the parents, who were members
but not active, were going through a tough time in life. The father was in serious
pain due to kidney stones, and requested a blessing. We returned Friday night
to teach the boy again, and leaned that shortly after the father had received
the blessing, the stones had broken up and passed rather smoothly. It was
incredible to see such a miracle.
Thursday, we
finished the exchange, had dinner, and then were able to go to the temple
again! This time we did baptisms for the dead with Carlos, who got baptized 2
weeks ago! It was incredible. He loved the experience and even said he might
just show up at the temple whenever he is bored and do baptisms. In the
temple, Elder Saltzman and I had some neat opportunities. First off we were
able to baptize each other. That was really tender. We both ran into members
from previous areas who remembered us. One brother from the Holladay South Stake
remembered me from sharing my testimony at their stake conference. It was a
blessing from the Lord to know that I have been doing some good. Then, we were
able to help with some confirmations at the end of the night, and the lady we
confirmed was Joseph B. Worthlin’s daughter. It was fun! The temple workers
requested that we come back after our missions on a Thursday night, we became a
part of their shift team. It was a great feeling. Afterwards, we were able to
listen to the Tabernacle Choir rehearse for just a few minutes before we headed
in for the night.
Saturday we
had some powerful lessons. One young man with a difficult past moved to Utah to
find some peace, and has found, through a kind father figure, the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. He is so prepared to receive it, he soaks up every word. It was a
beautiful day all day, and in the evening, we were able to help a companionship
by contacting people for them. It was an awesome night of knocking doors! And
the Lord blessed us by leading us to YSA we can teach!
Sunday, we
went to all 5 wards. We had some great people we are teaching come to church,
but not all of them. So our work is cut out for us for this next month. I am
excited to get things going with whoever my new companion is. Elder Saltzman
has taught me a lot, especially about hope, love, and charity. He is going to
do great in this next part of his life.
I know that
God is Our Father in Heaven. He loves us more than we can even understand. And
He also expects big things from us. He expects us to become better every day,
through repentance, little by little. And because He expects us to be better,
and because He loves us so much, He provided a way for us to receive help in
achieving our potential. That help is His Son, and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ understands what we all face. He knows who we are to become. And
He has already overcome the obstacles, and now stands willing and ready to lift
us over them. I invite each of you to consider where you are at in following
Your Savior, recognize what needs to happen next, and then pray to Him for
strength to make. The next step. Then do it! As our beloved Prophet said,
"Do better and be better!"
I love you
all so much!
I love you all!
Elder Adams
Photos from
zone activity, trying on fatigues
at dinner this week, and Carlos after the temple.
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