April 27, 2010 "Livin' It Up" & April 29, 2010 "Cambios...Cambisimos"

(April 27)

Hey everybody,

What a week! We had the neatest baptism on Saturday- a mother and her two children. I love them so much! Her little ten-year old is going to be the next Apostle, I swear. They each have the most incredible testimonies. We had them share their thoughts after the ordinance and each was crying, attempting to use words to describe the feelings in their hearts. It was so great! I love being a part of this. Nothing will boost a missionary's spirit like a baptism. And our barrio really stepped it up and helped out. Oh my goodness- I just realized I have turned into the missionary that I did not like before my mission. I just typed the words "barrio" instead of "ward". I'm sorry. That is ridiculous. Go ahead and get mad at me. Some phrases just come to mind in Spanish before they do in English. Anyway, right after the baptism and while their hair was still wet, they came to the VC. So cute!! They couldn't wait! We had them watch the Joseph Smith movie, so they could better understand the legacy that they are now a part of.

I just want to say I am so grateful for Spring and the life that it brings. It was such a long Winter. And I don't mean that in a bad way. It just was. Birds are excited for the sunshine. My happiness levels are going up. I often have to kick this song out of my head "Blue Skies...nothing but blue skies all day long". Missouri is green. It's chigger season again. No more walking on grass for me!

Weird/fun experience we had: OK, every transfer, while I am filling out my planner, I pick a day where I feel prompted to label it as "Miracle Day". I'll usually put a sticker or something [tangent. If someone wants to send me Spanish stickers, I would love you forever]. And that day was kind of a rough one. It was about 2PM, time to head back to the Visitor's Center. We had taught a few lessons, nothing amazing. We were going to try a few Spanish-speakers in another ward's boundaries. We saw this little boy outside all by himself. Sis M and I just could not leave him like that. We knocked every door in that apt. building. No one was answering. Whose parent does that? He was probably like 3 years old. It had been 10 minutes or so. Finally a car pulled up. A mom and daughter hopped out. They showed us which house the boy belonged to. We made him go and open the door so we could feel like he was safe. A young man walked out, in his 20s...long story short, we talked with him and taught him a little bit about the Church. "I've been looking for a Church. I need to get baptized". The sisters in that ward are now teaching him and he loves it! So cool. I really like how at the Visitor's Center, we all have our areas so close by each other and are so involved with all the areas. We keep a whiteboard of all the people with baptismal dates, so it's so fun to be like "Hey, how is jimmy doing?" I feel like I'm a part of all the sisters' areas.

I had Exchanges yesterday with a sister who goes home in like 3 days. It was amazing. We pounded it and found some really stellar people. This one young man said when we met him "My parents are JWs", when we asked if he had a religion. Your parents, huh? Why not you? "Oh, I feel like there are more answers out there. It never really felt right to me." Awesome. It's probably because we promised you that we would bring you the Restored Gospel.

Usually when I wake up in the morning, my first thought is what I'm going to eat for breakfast, sometimes it's "I wonder when my next nap will be". A lot of times, it's a feeling of excitement for a certain appointment with an investigator later that day. But on Sunday, my first thought was "I can't wait to take the sacrament today." I've never been so happy to renew those sacred covenants. It was so neat. I think we easily fall into casual worship. Please, please remember this week what your Savior did for you. He is everything and you promised to remember Him. That's not so hard when you do the little things. There is so much power in prayer and scripture study.

Recently, I have found myself on my knees in the strangest places (the elevator in the VC was my favorite), pleading for help. Please don't get casual in your prayers. Heavenly Father loves you and is so pleased with your good choices. If you have something heavy on your heart, kneel down and don't get up until he either makes the feeling go away or helps you to see that it's not such a big deal. He keeps His promises. I know that.

Hermana Adamson

(April 29)
Hi Everyone,

Yes, I think I just made up a word in the subject line. I am so excited for this new transfer. Heavenly Father put me with the most hilarious, fun companion ever.

Name: Jessica Wathen, from Salt Lake

Favorite super hero: "Paul, the Apostle Paul"

Something you like about being a missionary: "My companions"

Secret Talents: "Talents? I don't know, but I still have secret family members who are part of the Mafia, but don't tell anyone cuz it's a secret."

Anything else to know about her: "I'm a convert to the Church and was baptized about five years ago." :)

So I am now serving in the Independence 3rd ward, which is basically the celestial ward. Bishop Cato is like world renowned. Every time he meets a missionary, he's like "When are you going to come serve in 3rd ward?" He oozes love out more than anyone I've ever met. He's like a mix of Grandpa Porcaro, Brother Alan Casper. He loves missionaries. I think Heavenly Father knew I needed a break from the overwhelmingness of Riverview. 3rd ward has some Spanish investigators and quite a few ward members who speak Spanish, but it won't be the drowning immersion of last transfer. Sister M is now serving full-pros in a Spanish ward called Kaw River. So now the River gets "DT"ed aka double transferred, one being a cute new sister missionary.

I haven't been this happy in a while. I love a fresh, new start. Last transfer was a rough one, full of all sorts of lovely challenges. But I feel very hopeful about the future, like a million miracles are just waiting to happen. There's a cute Spanish investigator committed for baptism. Looks like I HAVE to speak it now since Sister Wathen doesn't. Teamups and pamphlets are my new best friend!

Last Preparation Day (Tuesday), we heard about this baptist church that gives away stuff for an hour every Tuesday. I got some pretty great clothes and shoes. A bright teal jacket. Also I tried on this bright green suit. It was a little too wild for the VC, so I just got a picture. It's on Sis M's camera, though which is miles away. Hope she sends me a copy.

Also Sister Hafen is coming to the VC! And Sister Sasaki, from the MTC. And today, Sister Frandsen is waiting for her companion to arrive and has nowhere to go, so she is spending our Pday with us. AND if you ever remember me telling you about the Brown family from my greenie area?...the daughter is going to cut my hair, so we get to hang out with them all day. Mmmm, Firehouse subs...

Best. Day. Ever.

Well it's only been two days and I can't think of anything to write, so I will make a list of things I have learned:

1. Always listen to the Spirit, even and especially when it will make you look weird

2. Our plan is never, ever as good as the Lord's plan

3. Take time for yourself, reward yourself

4. When someone is labeled as "the bad guy", they become "the bad guy", so don't do it

5. Scripture study will give you power, strength beyond your own

6. Don't get overwhelmed with things to change about yourself. Pick one and work on it

7. Change thoughts in crisis mode from "This is the hardest thing ever" to "This is hard. I've been through hard before and I will do it again"

8. A companionship (whether it be you and a pal or a marriage or a team of coworkers) takes effort from both parties. You can't expect to give 70% and the other will fill in the 30. No, give 100% and expect nothing back

9. Alma 29 in the Book of Mormon is uh-MAY-zing

10. "People Matter Most" (phrase taken from Jack R Christensen). They are so much more important than tasks or numbers or anything. We are here to serve and love

11. A testimony is not shown in the words you speak, but the way you carry yourself, you love to show for others and your dedication to worship (prayer, scripture study, singing hymns, participating in ordinances)

12. The Atonement is for times when you feel stressed, overjoyed, offended, relieved. It is for everything we will ever experience. He cares and will take away the pain.

13. Sometimes the answer isn't something you are doing wrong. It's asking for help from the right person.

14. Family is a big deal. I am so grateful for mine

15. Be honest and patient with yourself

16. Missions are meant to be hard

17. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior and Redeemer of the World.

I love you all! Please know that I know God is at the head of this work. Keep on keepin' on. He will make it worth it. Stay positive and learn from your mistakes instead of repeating them.

Hermana Roosafine Adamson