February 22, 2010 "Every Member a Missionary!"

Me riding on a tractor. This is all souped-up with drink holders, a radio that plays only country and a motor that would make you all jealous

How many cats can you find? PS There were 4 more that are not in the picture

Sister Hafen being sure to close the fence so the cows don't get out (member home)

Our typewriter in the basement. I love Kansas

Hello readers of this email,

I wanted to follow up with you and let you know I am disappointed with your responses to my Atonement request. Repent now and write me a letter explaining how you have come to see the Atonement working in your life and a suggestion of how I can better understand it. Thanks (insert emoticon).

We were able to see a lot of success this week because the members of this branch are so willing to help. We had quite a few team-ups this week, which led to more lessons with members present, which led to more investigators at sacrament meeting, which led to more people wanting to be baptized. Things are going well! I was surprised in an interview over the phone with my district leader. He used the phrase everyone hates and said Mound City was known as a "dead" area" before the Lord inspired Pres. VK to send sisters. I love being here! I don't know if I have already mentioned this, but I have not been an ounce homesick since I got to Kansas. People here are just...family.

We keep meeting people who are not interested to listen to our message, but are totally willing to introduce us to all their friends and family. Instant new investigators. Just add water.

I had an interesting experience this week with someone we had stopped teaching. We were in his neighborhood and I thought maybe Sister Hafen would have some insight into how to help this man see we didn't have horns or have 8 wives. Last time, we had mentioned the Book of Mormon and he got upset, said he already had one and that it was full of lies. This time, I found his Book of Mormon and went into the bathroom to dust it off. I stood above him (he was sitting) and bore my little testimony as strong and pure as I could. I had never felt so empowered before. It was incredible. There were no fighting words. I just invited him to open his heart and expressed my feelings on how the Book or Mormon had changed my life. He was very kind about it and said we could come back. It's so sad how closed people can be to something they have never tried out before.

We had some more Blue Mound fun this week. Most of our appointments fell through, but we found a few new, really nice people. I may just move there when I get off my mission. I'm fixin' to ask 'em about an opening at the Station.

Funny quotes from this week:

"How can we best get the mom more involved in the lessons?" -Me

"Make her cry." - Elder Nielson

"Honey, your sisters in Christ are here." - investigator's mom

With an absolutely serious voice: "Hi, this is Elder Mapas. We need you sisters' opinion. We made cookies for our investigators, but they're not home. Should we leave them on the porch?" I told him no, but Sis Hafen and Sis Chandler said yes. I asked him to "let us know how it goes" and he called like 2 mins later to say "We did it." He waited like he expected me to say something. So cute. It reminded me how I am known among my guy friends as Dr. Roo. I kind of miss that.

Everything that I "sacrificed" has been 100% worth it to come here. It's funny. Sis Hafen and I had a silimar experience when we knew it was right to come on a mission. "Me? But I don't want to. I'm not prepared. I'm not a cheesy sister missionary. But I'll do it." She and I are becoming really good friends. I'm sure I will think of more to say, but for now I just want to leave you with my testimony.

The Book of Mormon has a power. It helps people to get to know what it's like to hear Christ's voice. That way, when He tries to tell them something, they recognize it and have more courage to act on it. I know this is the Church of Jesus Christ. It must have been important for Him to organize a church 2,000 years ago and it is vital that He organized it again in 1930. The message we share is all about familes. I know through the priesthood power and within the walls of the temple families are sealed for eternity. I love knowing the Truth. Even more, I love sharing the Truth. I invite you to find a way to share it this week. Go "visit teach" someone you aren't assigned to, go serve someone, go to the temple. Do what you can and God will make it worth it. Thanks for reading. I love you!

Sister Roo Adamson

February 15, 2010 "Deer Heads and Blue Mounds"

Pronounced "Luh-Seen" if you are the rising generation, "Lay-Seen" if your family has lived her since the 1700s

We got serenaded by a banjo. For rils

Sister Chandler is helping us make chicken. Notice how short she would be without her wooden insert. She's so cute!

Not only was there a dead deer head in this tree, but also a dead possum in the grass. They may or may not be members of the Church

Who needs gargoyles or lions to greet your visitors when two extra stools will do? PS "stool" out here is actually referring to the appliance

Cookees Drive-in. With burgers and a 50s Juke Box to boot! We are eating what is called a Frito Pie wrap. Originally introduced to me by Bubba, it's chili, cheese and Frito chips in a tortilla. No, it's not even clse to Wolf Chili, but still super good

And it came to pass that with the Lord's help they were able to do all things, notwithstanding the pearl necklace and cardigan

Yes, their address says zero. Welcome to Kansas

Hi!

I have just come to adore Kansas. I am going to miss so many things! See pictures :) [such as the tornado drill that just went off and does every day at noon, up in LaCygne] I see why people move out here. It's just close enough to the city (an hour) that you still feel like you are a part of life. Also it doesn't smell bad like you might expect around so many cows.

It's been a terrific week full of lots of laughs. Also we had Zone Conference. Our zone is great! I love being the only sisters. There's less drama, comparison, tears and uptight-ness. Our elders are gems. I don't really know what to say about this week. We had a long and full Valem-Times. Church was stressful because the peolple we were hoping to come did not show up. That is always so disappointing, but we can't lose faith!

Some quotes from the week:

"We should start a petition to change the name from Blue Mound to Green Hill." -Karesa, our branch member friend

"My name used to be Bruce until I changed it to Sister" - Sister Hafen and yes, she is related to the general authority. They are, I think, first cousins twice removed?

"People move to Blue Mound to escape the bustling metropolis of LaCygne [said Luh-Seen]. Excuse me, LAY Seen." - Sister Hafen. BTW, it probably has a population of 800

"God answers every Knee-Mail" - plaque

"What is a miracle?" "Something only He could do" - profound words from a little girl whose last name is appropriately Wisdom

We got stuck in the mud this week. That has never happened to me. It was a hoot! I got out and started pushing. With the help of angels, I am sure, I somehow we got it out. The best part is that I was wearing my pearls and a pale yellow cardigan- typical sister missionary. Oh, the things we do for the Work.

I seriously am having a writer's block. I'm sorry. Thanks all of you who write me (April, we are in a fight). Keep sending pictures. It's the best!

Also, one of the families we are teaching has the most beautiful daughters. One of them gave us slap bracelets. Best day of my life. Also she ran to her room to go read the Book of Mormon as we were leaving. Ran. Can we get the members to be that excited, please?

My companion is so wonderful! You must understand that the trial of my mission has been making phone calls. It's the death of me. She found out that I enjoy giving massages, so we traded one difficult phone call for a neck massage. Who does that? She is Heaven sent.

OK, I have an assignment for all of you. Sister Hafen and I are struggling to understand how to apply the Atonement. We teach about it all the time and cannot seem to figure out how or if it's working in our lives. Please send me a note, a letter, an email of how you have come to see the Atonement working in your life. If anyone has suggestions of something to read or do to understand this more, I desperately need your help. I would benefit greatly from your testimonies. Thanks. I know the power is real. I know it's possible to be cleansed through the Holy Ghost. Jesus is the Christ. Together, I think, we can make things click. Thanks for all you do for me. Love you all!

Sister Sheresa Kay Adamson

February 8, 2010 "Still in Mound City"

The usual Kansas scene

Pics with Sister Frandsen

Pics with Sister Frandsen

?? who knows. I promise I am a missionary and I work hard

All the sisters at the transfer bus

Sis F saying goodbye to Mom Chandler and Prez at the transfer bus

Our darling little Iola (eye-OH-luh) district

Our Relief Society (the most we have had show up in a while)

My new companion Sister Hafen (yes, related to Bruce C. Now go read his Atonement talk)

I love gmail!! (myldsmail just changed to gmail)

Me at the dentist

***A little late, sorry! -Andrea***

Hello!

I am seriously so happy today! The meeting with Elder Bednar was amazing, of course. He talked about some things that are happening in this area to prepare for the second coming. Too bad he made us raise our hands and not email home about it. Wish you were here.

He opened it up to a question/answer for almost an hour. I asked what it is like when a member of the 12 apostles dies and a new one is chosen. He says it can happen 3 ways. Either the prophet just chooses someone and they vote on it, he will talk to his counselors and then they vote, or they (all 15) discuss it and vote. He said "most" of the recent changes have been the latter. I asked what it feels like. He says it is just like choosing a counselor when you are in a presidency. It makes sense and you just "know". He said it's like 3 AM where the sun is just starting to come up, then it pops out. Revelation is interesting, huh? I know that man is truly a special witness of the name of Christ. It was so overwhelming when he walked into the room. I know it.

I have a new companion. Her name is Sister Caitlin Hafen. She is from San Jorge, UT and we are so similar. She said the only lie she tells on her mission is how she is allergic to fish. Also we both love Gmail, matching white hangers and using apostrophes correctly. She is the best. She has this witty humor, the under-your-breath kind. It makes me laugh so hard!

We had a neat experience with this lady. She was a referral from this amazing man who told us like 9 people to go visit. She answered the door and must have been having a bad day because she was kind of cold and short with us. We gave her our card and bore our testimonies and left. Then a few days later, someone else referred her. "She is having a hard time and could really use some cheering up." Odd. So this week when we volunteered at the Methodist Food Bank, we got a box of groceries for her. I was terrified to talk to her again, so I figured we could just drop the box off. We decided to leave another card with our number and the 1-800 for a free Bible. We prayed that God would either confirm our idea or give us a new one. Sister H says "I really think we should talk to her." Done. So we knock on the door (I'm shakin' in my boots). Her face turns from confused to angry to BAWLING. She invited us in and we prayed with her family. It was such a beautiful, spiritual experience. I know Heavenly Father knows each of us on a personal level. He cared that their cute little family needed some apples and potatoes. I love being an instrument in His Perfect hands.

Man! This branch is the best. I love introducing Sister H to people in the branch because I know she will love them. We got teamups for every day this week. Last month, they gave us less miles to drive, but then our district leader wrecked thier car into a creek and now we have more miles again.

I am doing well. I am loving life. I am feeling more energized these days. It's funny. I was reading the notes taken on the blessings I got before I left and I was told I would be blessed with exactly the things I have been struggling with recently. I just need to trust Heavenly Father more. I know He lives and I know He will help us. Love you all!

Sister Adamson

PS I got to see Sister Howe (my trainee from Inde) and she cried when she saw me. We hugged and hugged and she updated me on everyone. She said the dad of a part-member family agreed to take the lessons! I can't believe it! Awww...

February 1, 2010 "Not Much to Report On"

Hi everyone,

A happiest of birthdays to Jessyka Hyer! And a new temple announced in Payson? Holy smokes! Well, you may have a new temple coming, but I get to meet David Bednar.

This week, I had a challenge with food poisoning (perhaps under-cooked meat?) and spent some hours recovering in the Chandler's basement. I learned two very important things: First, I appreciate now more than every the opportunity to proselyte. My spirit wanted to get to work, but my poor body needed rest. It was frustrating. Second, I learned that in slower times, the adversary is extra clever in his ways. More than normal, negative thoughts crept into my mind as I got my health back. I am sure he knows that meeting with an Apostle this week will help me be a better missionary. He does not want me to have more motivation, a stronger testimony and improved missionary skills after this Saturday.

I am so grateful for the power of prayer. And for a companion who is patient and loving. I am so happy to be serving with Sister Frandsen in Mound City. It has been such a blessing.

We have been teaching this woman lately. The elders had left some notes, saying they met her while out inviting people to the First Pres. Christmas Devotional in December. "Not much potential. Said maybe she would watch the devotional. Maybe check up on her." Well! Have we got news for you, elders! She shared with us last time that she had been praying for God to lead her to the right church to join. Minutes later, who comes knocking at her door but two representatives of the Savior, inviting her to a message from Him, from His chosen living, modern Prophet? Wow. I am amazed each time something like this happens how beautifully our lives are woven together. So she is searching. She has been reading the assigned chapters and has been exploring Mormon.org. I love this work! We are the guides to help people find happiness. We= you and I, by the way.

I miss Utah. I miss the mountains. I have figured out something about the people in Kansas, though. They must have a lot of faith...because where are all the mountains?

Also I heard PETA is trying to change the groundhog into a robot? I have this feeling Sis F is leaving me. I hope my new companion is just as solid.

We had an amazing day yesterday! We had one of our dearest friends who hasn't come to church in a while--come. She is the bomb. Also a nonmember daughter of a recent convert in the ward may be moving down here and wants to start coming to church every week. Here's the miracle though: she starts describing where she lives up in Independence and it's right where we used to be almost every day! She is in my last area! Remember the "shoe miracle" lady who got baptized? Yeah, this girl lives just houses away. How we never met her, I have no idea. but I will tell my last companion to visit her ASAP. I get to see everybody on Saturday at the all mission conference with E Bednar.

And also at this big potluck dinner with the branch after church, I started putting lots and lots of "Parmesan cheese" on my chili and looked at the container, only to read "Creole pepper" something something. I no longer have tastebuds.

Love you!

Sis. A.