September 21, 2010 "A Heaven Sent Week"

Last time I ate Venison I was sick for 3 days. This time, she tricked me into thinking it was beef. As if I didn't see this cookbook out! She murdered Bambi's Dad :(

The new temple site. Can you see the wall they've got up? Also zoom into the rules of people who come to the site. They have to keep the Word of Wisdom and not swear and stuff. you'll get a pretty good chuckle out of it. We did.

I had no idea sis nelson took this! someone called to cancel an appointment. I guess I was a little upset.

Me, Clark, and Nelson, posing for our next album

This hot dog church sounds great. Submit your caption by responding to the post and I will have my family forward it. Reward for the best caption!

A cool angle of the font once it was full.

Call me Emma. Sister Emma.

temple trip with 3rd ward

A wendy's ad

An amazing Missouri lightning storm. We got like 3 warnings for a tornado and got to watch this for hours while we were at the jail. Looks like the Devil lives in that tower, huh?

hey everybody,

A very happy birthday, first of all, to...Fall. and also to Bree and Marissa and Jen and Carrie and Kevin and ...perhaps Mike Alger (can't remember if it was in August). Woot woot for birthdays! And for Fall (finally! I've got all these coats and scarves and sweet action boots to wear and I can't yet since it's still way way way too hot here).

I'll copy and paste some things I wrote to my mission pres since I don't have much time on the computer left:

We had an excellent baptism this weekend. T* was married to a less-active member. They have a little combined family with multiple parents involved. Sweet family. T* has totally changed his lifestyle around to be a member of the church. Bishop Emmett is interviewing him this week so he can be an Aaronic Priesthood holder. When T* first began investigating the church, he read the entire Gospel Principles book and is now addicted to the scriptures. There is so much power in the healing words of the prophets. Scriptures can have such a huge impact on an individual's life.

Lots of miracles this week! I was able to give my first Spanish tour at the Liberty Jail. The way it all happened was so woven by Heavenly Father. We went to a fireside they hold every month at the Jail. Our new member didn't come and so we felt our time would be best spent out contacting people. We both felt we needed to stay. So we did. At the end, this elder came up and said, "You are the only Spanish speaker and this woman was baptized yesterday. She wants to see the jail." We totally would not have been there. Love it when you connect the dots. I mean, honestly, think back on the last month or so. Where have you seen the Lord's hand? The people you talked to, the places you went and the right time. He is so much more involved than we give Him credit. Anyway, the tour went really well. The Spirit was able to fill in the blanks where the language barrier became as issue. And at the end, she asked me, in Spanish, "So...Joseph Smith went through all that...just so we could be happy?" it was a beautiful connection. Darling lady. She's in a ward where no one speaks Spanish except her husband (also a new member). These latinos- I can't even explain- they have the most solid faith I have ever heard of.

Miracle # 6 bajillion: Our cute "golden investigator" P* got grounded and so we couldn't meet with her this week. Her member friend said she followed up and she has been reading the Book of Mormon. She plans to finish it. Yeah, and she's 14. Step it up, y'all. As we were visiting some potentials in a certain neighborhood, she walked over to us and we were able to have a lesson! It was amazing. We would not have been able to meet with her otherwise. she kept asking us "so are they Mormon?"

I gave a tour to a blind man and his family. One man couldn't walk very well, so they were joking about how these days the blind are leading the lame. They were so prepared to have a spiritual experience, I hardly helped to create the atmosphere. They came seeking revelation and were able to hear the voice of the Lord. It was a very sweet and special experience. I felt prompted to sing a certain verse of "How Great Thou Art" and he laughed when I said so. When I asked why, he said that was his favorite hymn because it explains things he cannot see, but can feel. At the very end, after hearing about what Joseph Smith went through in that dark, lonesome prison, he said, "I feel so small."

Our ward mission leader came along as a teamup to visit a family with us. We were able to figure out some of his "questions of the soul" and help him to find the answers in the scriptures. He promised to come to church this week.

We had a referral that we accidentally contacted before we received the referral. It's a weird situation, but that was a unique situation I had never run into. And let me tell you: those little pass along cards that we assume no one ever looks at...people actually call in to order stuff! We had 2 referrals this week from people who called in. TWO.

Yesterday was exchanges with Sister Card! Boo-yah! Best day ever! In case you forgot or don't know, we were MTC companions. We work really well together. We had some solid lessons where we used the new curriculum. We've been practicing pausing to wait for the Holy Ghost to send "heaven sent" questions in all our meetings. Today was the first time I especially felt it. We were teaching her about the Plan of Salvation and we got to the part about the Atonement. Sister Card taught the doctrine perfectly. I could sense that it was my turn to say something. I started a few rambling, then stopped. Then the question came to me: "Who is Jesus Christ to you?" ?? Sounds kind of awkward, right? Well, she went off on how He was only a teacher and how she doesn't believe He is the Son of God. Well, there ya go! This is a very active christian woman who attends faithfully each Sunday and sometimes teaches the youth classes. She's an elder in her church...yet she doesn't believe Jesus is the Christ?! What? So that helped. Thanks, Heavenly Father. He's so great to always help us to know what to say. "In the very hour" or couple of seconds, in my case. Interesting. We testified of His divinity and gave her some chapters to read in the Book of Mormon. That's its whole purpose. I am grateful for my new home in Missouri that has been the sacred place where I have learned for myself that Jesus was more than just a teacher. He is a God. Not only is He my best Friend, but He actually has the power to wipe my mistakes away. You can only learn that through prayer. You can only learn spiritual things through prayer.

Lots more happened, but mostly the week was awesome because of T*'s baptism. That day was spiritually draining because there was also a baptism of a cute 8-yr old girl in the ward. Welp, time to email pictures. Thanks for your love and friendship and letters. I am determined to reply to them (even if it has been like a year. FORGIVE ME!). Love you all,

-Hermanita Rooey

September 14, 2010 "Cha-ching!"

Me and a Mizuruh flag. Yes, I'm wearing boots. We were on our way to the ward hillbilly hoe-down.

We had another tornado warning. This is our weather tracker at the jail. It starts beeping and a computer voice reads off how fast the wind in blowing and which counties are encouraged to get down into their storm shelters. Pretty exciting. We had a gorgeous lightning storm that night.

Someone from the Bishop's Storehouse brought by a whole bunch of bananas, so I turned into a monkey. But as you probably know, I don't even like bananas and it wasn't Tuesday, so I didn't eat any of them. Fun pic, though, eh?

My companion, cute Sister Nelson. She stole my camera and took this cheeser

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Found this cute paper written by a 5-year old at a member's house. DAR-ling

We stopped at a Kool-Aid Stand and didn't have change, so we paid the kids with Silly Bandz and Pass Along Cards. The church is true.

I may be in jail, but I've got the key

The only known photo of Joseph and Emma

Me and my favorite book!

Our elders after district mtg. We all went to Taco Bell

I got to be a ninja for a day! Two Sasakis!

Setting up our cars so the elders couldn't get out after district meeting.

Playing around at the jail after eating some of those bananas.

Funeral food. No wonder missionaries gain weight! Do you SEE that sub sandwich?

J**** coming to the jail.

Buffalo Wild Wings after eating the hottest thing I've ever eaten. Our faces burned, waiting for them to get the camera.

Week of miracles.

1. I survived the Buffalo Wild Wings Challenge. The back of my new, rad t-shirt says "12 wings, 6 minutes. It's like walking over hot coals...except you eat 'em" My tongue and tummy are still burning after a week. Worth it? Yes

2. We have T**'s baptism on Saturday!! He is so funny. I love him. He's a total surfer bum type guy. "Like...if we're awesome, can we make it to the celestial heaven and stuff?" He is a dad and his step children are preparing for baptism once we get their real father's approval. So great! The ward [mission leader] is doing everything. All we have to do is show up and look pretty. And give little talks, if we want to. I love this work.

3. I got pulled out of a tour the other day because they needed a Spanish speaker. Surprise! It was my investigator and his family from Inde 3rd ward. J*** is getting baptized on Sat the 25th. I can't believe it! So many miracles are happening out here.

4. Man, this lesson we had with a 12-year-old girl named P*** was one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission. I wish there were words. My heart was so full. She had never had anyone explain to her that she is a daughter of God. And I got to tell her! Her eyes welled with tears and I could tell she had always known it in her heart. We went through the entire first lesson (about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon) with her. Her member friend who referred her was writing her testimony in the Book of Mormon we gave her during the lesson. The friend's mom bore the most sweet, pure testimony about the Restored Gospel. The whole thing was just...like watching the perfect cinematography mixed with the best actors around. And the best part was that P*** was literally glowing. She was sitting in front of the window where amber sunbeams were bouncing off her hair. She read Moroni's promise and I thought I was listening to an angel. It was such a beautiful moment. We taught her how to pray, she agreed to close the lesson and had such a tender conversation with Heavenly Father. I wanted to capture it all somehow and put it in a jar for a rainy day. I will never forget how we all felt when she closed her prayer and agreed to come to church. I will keep you posted.

5. Last Preparation Day, I was able to attend the funeral of a friend's mother. She was in her nineties. 5 sister missionaries sang "Nearer My God to Thee". It was so special. It was wonderful because I got to spend time with my friends and was able to share my testimony through song with a room full of good, Christian people who have never heard about the Restored Gospel though Joseph Smith. He really was a prophet. It's not just something we talk about and read about. He knew Jesus Christ, at an early age. He actually was given the holy priesthood through men who received it directly from Jesus Christ Himself. I feel like we speak of that so casually. It has become so real to me.

6. We found a closet of "period clothing" and dressed up like Joseph and Emma. There were also some metal keys someone had welded together. We forged a note from our VC Director saying they were the new keys to the Jail. Everyone was super confused. Hilarious.

7. We stopped by a recent convert's house to check on her since we found out she had a cold. She and her husband (also a recent convert) ended up having a bunch of questions, so we stayed and had a really powerful lesson. They'd just had a visit from a JW missionary and were a little confused about authority and who is correct, etc. It's so interesting to me how Satan disguises things. He confuses people with man's ideas and makes God's TRUTH look silly. We had a fun time starting at the beginning. "God is our loving Heavenly Father, the Gospel blesses families"... they seemed to understand by the end. And at church, each participated in class and understood the doctrine. Satan is such a punk! Let's get him outta here!

8. In district meeting, we practiced inviting investigators to pray at the end of the lesson. I got grouped with my companion and my old companion from the MTC, Sis Card. Elder LeSuma (the elder from my lat ward, now my zone leader) was watching. We've been practicing how to get spiritual experiences out of people to help them recognize the Spirit and better understand when He is telling them that our message is true. I asked my companion (posing as a nonmember who had never prayed) if she had seen the Lord's hand this week. It was kind of hard to stay serious since she and I have so much fun together. We had just been laughing about some mistake I had made, but then suddenly the room changed. We were the only people in the world and she was telling me about an experience she had with her dad, when she was younger where he helped her calm down when she was stressed. It was so sweet. There were some scattered tears here and there and we had such a neat connection. She and I are basically the same person. Again, I can't explain it, but it was so special.

9. We got stuck the other night without a car after a lesson, so we walked down the street (don't worry, mom. It was like 5 houses) to our friend B***'s house. She just moved in. 3 kids. Single mom. LOVES the missionaries. We knocked on her door. It's like 9:15pm, PS and her confused look turned into the biggest smile. "Come on in. Let me guess. You need a ride! Done." I love this area! People in Liberty are so nice. Like today at the library, we couldn't find two computers next to each other that were available. We wanted to keep the rules, but didn't have time to wait and all that jazz. 2 people offered to move after overhearing us discuss it. Things like that never happened anywhere else in my mission.

I don't have too much time left and want to be sure and add pictures. Sorry this is kinda short. It was a great week! I wish you all the best. Know that someone out in the boonies of the Midwest loves you with all her heart. I will continue to pray for you. Please do the same for me.

He lives! In honor of Kyle...Hurrah for Israel!

Hermana Adamson

Ps I have turned into a cleaning freak. You may not even know me when I come home. Every night when we are done planning, I go upstairs in our house and clean and clean and clean. and yesterday, I deep cleaned the bathroom with bleach. It looked like it hadn't been cleaned since the 70s. I think that's why flip flops are on the missionary packing list. For disgusting showers like ours.

September 7, 2010 "Prison Temple"

New Companion Sister Nelson

Surprise!

I am now in Liberty, Missouri with the sacred privilege to show visitors where Joseph and his friends endured such painful refining. I am beyond excited, as you can imagine, to be able to stand on such hallowed ground. The Liberty Jail has been called a "Prison Temple". It honestly is the closet feeling you can get to being inside a temple. I love it here. The other sisters and I are already enjoying a close-knit friendship and sisterhood. All but one are my current or previous companions- I'm here with Sasaki, Card, Howe and Nelson (my new companion) and Penrod. We have a lot of fun! You don't even know.

The Liberty 1st Ward feels a lot like the Inde 3rd. There are several people preparing for baptism. Each is from a part member family. We are working closely with the ward council and are seeing miracles already. We received a great member referral this week for a young girl aged 12.

A week of miracles already. Visiting the St Louis temple with recent converts from the Independence 3rd Ward will ever remain in my memory as a day where I felt the closest to God. We had, I think, 6 new members and 3 returning members who had been less active almost their entire lives. It was also a youth trip where many were attending for their first or second time. Before each individual was baptized, Bishop Cato would bring them in close and whisper something in their ear. Each child or adult's whole countenance would change. They would relax, some would tear up. Every single time, the love of the Lord would drench the room. One of those retuning after a lifetime of away was our friend M. Watching him be baptized for deceased persons filled me with so much emotion that I could not contain it. My whole soul was on fire and I started sobbing. I thought for a minute on how much change I have seen in this man, how much sincere love I have for him, then imagined how much Bishop must love him for his recent good choices. Then it hit me that if I were to multiply this feeling by infinity, that would almost be equivalent to God's love for me. For you. For everyone. Such an overwhelming, all-encompassing thought. God lives. This is His church. I am so blessed to have this knowledge grow within me everyday.

I can't even try to explain how I feel here. I'm at the top of my game. I'm happier than I have ever been. Learning to love like the Savior loves is wonderful. We aren't here to tell people what to do. We're here to invite them to be better. Thank you for all of you who have shaped me into the disciple that I am. Thank you for your examples of enduring hardships. Thank you for teaching me how to pray, to really talk to my Dad in Heaven.

My new companion is Sis Kari Nelson from Salt Lake City. And I'm really mad at her for not bringing her camera cord because we've taken a million pictures on hers this week (well, these past 5 days).

Something unique or interesting about you? "I'm a twin?"

Some of your heroes? "My Grandpa."

Fav Scripture? "DC 6:36 Look unto me in every thought. Doubt not. Fear not."

Fav thing about Sis Adamson? "EVERYTHING"

And I don't even pay her! This is great. We're pals. She is a hoot. I got to our bedroom and saw that she keeps a little Ammon figurine on her desk. I pulled out my little Nephi that has followed me my entire mission. We had a good laugh. You know your companion is comfortable with you if, on your second day together, she is accidentally calling you "dude". She is just like me: anti-pink, sporty, "one of the guys" type girl. Board shorts and a t-shirt. Yesterday, as I went to get in the car after backing her up, she kept driving and didn't stop to let me in. It was just like Indiana Jones! So funny! So that's our new tradition: jumping into a moving vehicle. Quote from her: I picked it up. It was cold and it felt wet, so I threw it at you..." We take pictures of the same random stuff. Our first lesson was a part member family. We transitioned perfectly. We're pretty much going to baptize all of Liberty because we already work so well together.

I'm never coming home, by the way. I thought I'd extend until next Summer. As long as I get to go to Lake Powell and maybe Payson Lakes with the Porcaro side, I'll be fine. Then...I'm moving back here either into the Lib. 1st or Inde 3rd ward.

Once upon a time when I was companions with Sis Hafen in Mound City, she was invited to a baptism up in Liberty of some folks she had taught. I attended with her and got to meet the bishop and many of the ward members because it was a wedding/baptism combo. Well, guess what? It was the 1st ward. So I'm already comfortable with the people. And they remember me. I actually got up to bear my testimony and made fun of the ward mission leader for being late to sacrament meeting. I couldn't believe they still fed us that night! He was so embarrassed! So last night, we visited with those recent converts. They've gotten into some Word of Wisdom issues again, so we'll be helping them with that. But it's amazing. Their home and visiting teachers are fulfilling their callings most definitely and have been seeing them pretty often. Can I just say, "Every member a missionary?" Incredible.

I had a specific question in mind the other day during my scripture reading. A person I could help. The Lord just opened up my mind and filled me with light. I didn't have enough space to write in the margins to get my thoughts down. I wish I had more time to explain some of the things I learned, but the computer is about to kick me off.

Love you all. Keep up the good work. Choose the Right. Go to the Temple....because I can't.

Hermanita Hijo de Adan