April 6, 2010 "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming"

Last Preparation Day, we went to the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) building to get a tour. It was really neat! The man bore an incredible testimony of the converting power of the Book of Mormon. I love that people are attracted to truth no matter where it is. I wish he would accept the fullness of the Gospel instead of part.

Our church building. Can you see downtown in the background? I wasn't sure. Anyway. Big fence outside.

Easter! A combination of my gifts. Yay! Thanks, mom!!!

Hi Everybody!



I just got the greatest news! Mound City is having a baptism of a young man Sister Hafen and I taught. The first time we taught him was a church tour at the stake center where we would meet for our district meetings in Paola. Yay for member missionaries! It never would have worked otherwise. Someone had referred this boy's dad, but he gave us the cold shoulder. But because of a faithful member, our dear friend Karesa, he will now be a member of Christ's church and ready to make more covenants that will help him return to live with God. Man, I love missionary work.

As far as Riverview, Sister M and I have made working with the ward more of a priority. We gave some Easter gifts to our bishop and his family and will be spending some time with him this evening to be sure we are on the same page. We plan to get a list going of families the bishop would like us to focus on (pretty much every other ward has one but ours). It's quite a task with the language barriers in the ward, but it's the Lord's way, so it will work. Our bishop is American, our ward mission leader is Hispanic and the other auxiliaries are a little of both.

The language is still pretty much impossible. Good thing that with God all things are possible! Sister M's Spanish is Puerto Rican and I'm used to Mexican, so it's an adventure to follow along with what she is saying. Plus, we're both more comfortable speaking English so we forget to practice Spanish. It's really hard feeling like I have no time to practice.

Other wonderful news!! Sister Melanie Smith, that I played rugby with at Utah State and went to the MTC with, etc. is coming to be in a trio in my house! There are 3 sets of sisters in the house I live in and she will be in the room right next door. Woohoo!! It will be like a slumber party every night. She is my favorite.

I had this tour the other day with a family where the mom was super against the church. She made sure to tell me right up front that she disagreed with everything taught in the Book of Mormon, whatever. She and her daughter escaped downstairs while I was talking to the dad. I followed her and just talked. Turns out, she has had a really rough life, with all sorts of abuse, health problems, etc. and was mad at God. I tried to give her a hug, but she just stiffened and awkwardly chose not to touch me. We talked about faith and repentance and how to be truly happy. I made sure not to "preach at" her and she really opened up. She just needed a friend to talk to. At the end, a few sisters joined me to sing "Where Can I Turn For Peace?" It touched her heart and she cried a little. At the end, she went to leave, turned back around and gave me a hug. She whispered thank you in my ear and said she needed that. I love the power of the Holy Ghost. He can change lives, change attitude, change behavior for the better. I know He can cleanse us from anything worldly, dirty or just unhappy. All we have to do is realize how prideful we are and let God change us.

This has been quite an interesting week for me. I'm trying very hard to understand what is going on in Spanish lessons. I was talking to another sister about my frustrations with the language and she said something so profound. "Just as someone's sight is improved when they lose their hearing, so your Spiritual ability to communicate will be fine-tuned because you can't express yourself in words." I am putting my trust in that for now and I am grateful for this chance Heavenly Father is giving me to speak "Spirit" a little better. My heart has been pricked and I am ready to stop being so prideful.

I have now taken 2 tours at the VC in Spanish. It's that busy! We had our first bus tour come in, and I got to take them. I love the Summer months, but it means I won't be able to study with my VC time anymore. Back to Wheat Thins cracker lunches.

My favorite part of General Conference was when I had a question answered during Elder Holland's talk on pornography. It was hilarious to me because, of course, my question had nothing to do with his topic. I got my answer through the Spirit, not through the words he was saying. Again, funny how that works. I also felt really weird watching the Orem Institute choir. I felt like I should have been in that or something. I'm so close but so so so far away.

Welp, this feels su-uper long, so I will let you go. Know that I am doing well. Know that you can get help only as you ask for it. Be specific in your prayers and God will be specific in His answers.

Love you,

Hna. Adamson