Great pictures! There is not even a speckle of easter egg tradition here in Colombia, that is until i got my package of peeps and plastic Easter eggs! Haha, the whole egg coloring doesn't work because they almost only use brown eggs here, but great attempt! I've got a theory going on after looking at the pictures of Jess's kid's, Liz looks more like Jess, while Alaina looks more like devon. How about it?!?! And a big congrats to Jess and Devon on the big news! I'm rooting for a new nephew! Go Team!
As for easter here in colombia, the emphasis is defiantly placed on friday, honoring the death of Christ, kind of sad. 99% of the stores were closed. impressive.
As for changes, they've been put off for a week because of new arrival time of new missionaries. So my ultimate transfer will be just 5 weeks. can't stop wont stop!
Also the big news in the mission: Elder Richard G Scott is coming to la mision colombia bogotá norte on the 25 of may! What's UP! He will be accompanied by Elder Marcus B. Nash and Elder Walter F. Gonzalez = the best! I'm pumped. The whole mission is going to get to together in Bogota, that's the first time it has happened in my mission.
This last two days we were in a little town called San Gil doing a baptismal interview and interchanges, it's about 3 hours away. It was awesome. I went with one of my good friends in the mission, Elder Centurion, to another town about 30 minutes away. It hasn't had missionaries there for about 10 years, and this next transfer Pres. is going to open it, so we were pumped trying to find new people for the next transfer. We had an excellent day. The town is absolutely majestic. on one side of the valley is the town, and other side is a huge mountain, it's unreal. It was one of my favorite day's of the mission. I thought a little bit about how much I love Colombia. it's unbelievably beautiful. I will miss it so much. This afternoon as we came back on the bus, it passes on the ridge of a mountain looking down over the immense chicamoca canyon (wikipedia it!), they've told me it's one of the 7 natural wonders of the world (Last week i sent you guys a picture of it). On our way back to bucaramanga there was an American business man seated behind us that didn't know a lick of Spanish. I was amazed by his complete indifference as we passed by the canyon, he didn't even take a second from his filth, swearword filled conversation, to look at one of God's grand creation's. It makes me think about how many times we ignore, or pass by the beautiful things in life because were to engaged in monotony. Sometimes were to busy looking at the floor we don't notice the wonders above.
´´Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.´´´
You guys are the best!
I love you all! Pray for me!
e. adams
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Loose his life for my sake shall find it
Of course I know who Rod Stweart is. I can imagine his funny looking face right now. I hope you had a super cool time at the concert.
About the plane seat, the office secrectary told me that everyone is one of us has scatered isle seats. Does Karen have the power to change that stuff? I would have loved an isle seat. but it's all gooood.
Mother's day came up fast no?! But yeah we can skype for sure. it'll be great! It's the 8th right?
Brett is back?! Whaaat. Give him a huge hug for me and tell him to hold on tight tell i get home in two months!
This week was great! We don't have many investigator's, but everyone that we do have has a baptismal date! So we have quiet a few people to help get baptized this month. One of our investigators invited us to eat dinner tonight with them. GREAT!
I'm sending fotos this week so I hope that makes up for my short letter!
I had a very interesting appointment yesterday, with a new convert from around February in the ward. He's about 20 years old. He likes the church, and feels that it is true along with the book of mormon. We started talking to him about a mission, and he quickly cut us off and told us that the mission isn`t for him. He told us that he lives with his parents that he is trying to gain independence and that two years was just ´´too much time´´ and would ruin his plans. And how he would come back from the mission without out a dime to his name, so he just can't do it.
When then opened up to matthew 16...
´´Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.´´
We waited for a momment as the spirt filled the room, and he understood it. He told us that it ment for him that if he went on the mission, God would take care of him and he would have new opportunities when he came back. But the stubbornness got the best of him as he then started coming up with excuess on why he didn't go, and i felt as though when we left he had the same idea about the mission as when we left. It frustrated me that he understood it but he just didn't have enough confidence in God to follow through. As I listened to him excuse himself from the instructions that God had just gaven him though the power of the Holy Ghost, i thought of the parable of the sower.
´´(some seeds) fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth.
And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.´´
He understood, but he just couldn't accept it. I hope we can learn for this!
I love you all!!
e.adams
About the plane seat, the office secrectary told me that everyone is one of us has scatered isle seats. Does Karen have the power to change that stuff? I would have loved an isle seat. but it's all gooood.
Mother's day came up fast no?! But yeah we can skype for sure. it'll be great! It's the 8th right?
Brett is back?! Whaaat. Give him a huge hug for me and tell him to hold on tight tell i get home in two months!
This week was great! We don't have many investigator's, but everyone that we do have has a baptismal date! So we have quiet a few people to help get baptized this month. One of our investigators invited us to eat dinner tonight with them. GREAT!
I'm sending fotos this week so I hope that makes up for my short letter!
I had a very interesting appointment yesterday, with a new convert from around February in the ward. He's about 20 years old. He likes the church, and feels that it is true along with the book of mormon. We started talking to him about a mission, and he quickly cut us off and told us that the mission isn`t for him. He told us that he lives with his parents that he is trying to gain independence and that two years was just ´´too much time´´ and would ruin his plans. And how he would come back from the mission without out a dime to his name, so he just can't do it.
When then opened up to matthew 16...
´´Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.´´
We waited for a momment as the spirt filled the room, and he understood it. He told us that it ment for him that if he went on the mission, God would take care of him and he would have new opportunities when he came back. But the stubbornness got the best of him as he then started coming up with excuess on why he didn't go, and i felt as though when we left he had the same idea about the mission as when we left. It frustrated me that he understood it but he just didn't have enough confidence in God to follow through. As I listened to him excuse himself from the instructions that God had just gaven him though the power of the Holy Ghost, i thought of the parable of the sower.
´´(some seeds) fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth.
And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.´´
He understood, but he just couldn't accept it. I hope we can learn for this!
I love you all!!
e.adams
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Listening learning and resolving
familia mia,
Great to here that Ramsey got his call to the Philippines! I'm sure he'll be a great missionary, like his brother, and well, his two sisters as well!
I'll be sure to pass that email over to Pres. Clayton's convert. I'm sure he'll be pumped to write him!
As for the weather her in Colombia, there is still quite a bit of rain. But as for Bucaramanga, it seems as though it is immune to freak storm patterns. It's great! Knock on wood! Tomorrow we have interviews with the president, so I'm going to slyly make comments like ´´i sure love this zone´´ or ´´I would love to finish my mission here´´, to try to but it in his head that he needs to leave me here for my last transfer. nevertheless, iré y haré.
As for summer, it seems like I got a pretty easy schedule, 3 classes, two of which i can take online. So I assume I'll be able to kick it with you guys pool side quiet a bit. That doesn't make the whole, be at home for three days idea sound as bad.
I've realized that lately that I just love to talk to be people and help them with their problems. As of a couple months ago I've completely changed my style of teaching, from talking and teaching to asking questions, listening, learning and resolving doubts and problems. I have learned the amount I talk is inversely related to how much they learn. My companion and I just sit down with the investigator and talk with them like a friend, forgetting the lesson and focusing completely on them trying to find out exactly how they need Christ in their lives and why they would want to come closer to Him. And as we listen attentively they will tell us exactly what they want to here, and then when we tell them what they want to here, they develop more faith and desire to complete the commitments that we give them. If I could find a career where i could just sit and talk and ask people questions and then help them solve their problems, I would be a happy worker.
Ran out of time. but don't worry! I'm super happy!
Love you all!
e. adams
P.S.
THANKS FOR THE PACKAGE!
I HAVE GREAT PICTURES BUT I FORGET MY CABLE! ILL TRY TO SEND THEM TO YOU SOON!
Great to here that Ramsey got his call to the Philippines! I'm sure he'll be a great missionary, like his brother, and well, his two sisters as well!
I'll be sure to pass that email over to Pres. Clayton's convert. I'm sure he'll be pumped to write him!
As for the weather her in Colombia, there is still quite a bit of rain. But as for Bucaramanga, it seems as though it is immune to freak storm patterns. It's great! Knock on wood! Tomorrow we have interviews with the president, so I'm going to slyly make comments like ´´i sure love this zone´´ or ´´I would love to finish my mission here´´, to try to but it in his head that he needs to leave me here for my last transfer. nevertheless, iré y haré.
As for summer, it seems like I got a pretty easy schedule, 3 classes, two of which i can take online. So I assume I'll be able to kick it with you guys pool side quiet a bit. That doesn't make the whole, be at home for three days idea sound as bad.
I've realized that lately that I just love to talk to be people and help them with their problems. As of a couple months ago I've completely changed my style of teaching, from talking and teaching to asking questions, listening, learning and resolving doubts and problems. I have learned the amount I talk is inversely related to how much they learn. My companion and I just sit down with the investigator and talk with them like a friend, forgetting the lesson and focusing completely on them trying to find out exactly how they need Christ in their lives and why they would want to come closer to Him. And as we listen attentively they will tell us exactly what they want to here, and then when we tell them what they want to here, they develop more faith and desire to complete the commitments that we give them. If I could find a career where i could just sit and talk and ask people questions and then help them solve their problems, I would be a happy worker.
Ran out of time. but don't worry! I'm super happy!
Love you all!
e. adams
P.S.
THANKS FOR THE PACKAGE!
I HAVE GREAT PICTURES BUT I FORGET MY CABLE! ILL TRY TO SEND THEM TO YOU SOON!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Conference through investigators eyes
oh familia,
I loved receiving letters from almost all of you about conference(minus josh, but i'm positive that he is going to redeem himself with a great letter for next week! right, right!?)
I also loved how everyone loved the same talks. being, elder scott and president monson's temple / marriage based talks. I guess that's what i get when everyone that write's me is madly in love! After Pres. Monson's priesthood talk, on of the brothers on my side lined and hit me on the shoulder and told me 创good luck!创 I quickly responded 创not yet创! I imagine the provo marriage presure scene is going to be on fire! yikes!
I think confrence is the best as a missionary. Because I have the oportunity to soke up revelation not only for me, but for my investigators as well. It's great, but the best is when the investigators that we take to church get their own inspiration. I'll tell you about it!
Mariela is a single mom of four kids. Three of her kids are already members, they were baptized about four years ago. She's seen the blessings of the gospel in the lives of her kids, but the whole church thing hasn't clicked, until now.
Monday we visited her with the bishop, she had some great words to share about church. like 创organized创 or 创divine创. We then asked if she had recieved an answer to her prayer about the book of mormon, she told us yes, and that elder bednar's talk had help her realize that sometimes those answers don't come as instantly like a light switch, but more like a sunrise. She feels sure about what she's doing and she's excited to get baptized the 30th of april with her youngest daughter. God blesses so much when we just act, when we do things.
Her in my new ward i found a brother that I just sat and watched and loved his enthusam for the gospel and service in the church, every time i looked at him he had a smile on his face, He later gave the class in the elder's quorom, and I loved how much he cared about the class. Later, when we were leaving church he asked me where i was from, I said Arizona, his eyes lit up, and he asked do you know Pres. Clayson!? He baptized me! He later pulled out of his triple combination of what looked like a weding anouncment of pres. clayson and sister clayson. I wasn't able to remember his name but he want's pres. clayson's email address. Small world no?!
Sorry about not writing you guys last week, I just couldn't find the time! forgive me. But i am now registered for summer and fall semester! Prep醨ese provo!
Thanks for eveything that you guys do for me! I love you all! And i'll try my best to write well for the rest of my mission!
youre the best!
Love,
e. adams
I loved receiving letters from almost all of you about conference(minus josh, but i'm positive that he is going to redeem himself with a great letter for next week! right, right!?)
I also loved how everyone loved the same talks. being, elder scott and president monson's temple / marriage based talks. I guess that's what i get when everyone that write's me is madly in love! After Pres. Monson's priesthood talk, on of the brothers on my side lined and hit me on the shoulder and told me 创good luck!创 I quickly responded 创not yet创! I imagine the provo marriage presure scene is going to be on fire! yikes!
I think confrence is the best as a missionary. Because I have the oportunity to soke up revelation not only for me, but for my investigators as well. It's great, but the best is when the investigators that we take to church get their own inspiration. I'll tell you about it!
Mariela is a single mom of four kids. Three of her kids are already members, they were baptized about four years ago. She's seen the blessings of the gospel in the lives of her kids, but the whole church thing hasn't clicked, until now.
Monday we visited her with the bishop, she had some great words to share about church. like 创organized创 or 创divine创. We then asked if she had recieved an answer to her prayer about the book of mormon, she told us yes, and that elder bednar's talk had help her realize that sometimes those answers don't come as instantly like a light switch, but more like a sunrise. She feels sure about what she's doing and she's excited to get baptized the 30th of april with her youngest daughter. God blesses so much when we just act, when we do things.
Her in my new ward i found a brother that I just sat and watched and loved his enthusam for the gospel and service in the church, every time i looked at him he had a smile on his face, He later gave the class in the elder's quorom, and I loved how much he cared about the class. Later, when we were leaving church he asked me where i was from, I said Arizona, his eyes lit up, and he asked do you know Pres. Clayson!? He baptized me! He later pulled out of his triple combination of what looked like a weding anouncment of pres. clayson and sister clayson. I wasn't able to remember his name but he want's pres. clayson's email address. Small world no?!
Sorry about not writing you guys last week, I just couldn't find the time! forgive me. But i am now registered for summer and fall semester! Prep醨ese provo!
Thanks for eveything that you guys do for me! I love you all! And i'll try my best to write well for the rest of my mission!
youre the best!
Love,
e. adams
Friday, March 25, 2011
Canaveral Transfer
We had changes this Wednesday so I was busy dropping off and taking elders to the bus terminal so I wasn't able to write. They changed up our whole zone, my companion went to Cucuta. I thought I was going to stay because i only have two weeks in the area, but I also was transferred. I was pretty bummed because I was loving the area, we have a bunch of investigators with baptismal dates, but what happen is the stake president lives in a different ward in the stake and he wants the zone leaders to be there to have more communication with us, so president moved us over there. It's like changing from the Lakewood ward to the foothills ward kind of a thing. But I'm sure it will be a great change. Right now I'm still here in Diamante showing elder seaton (he was with my in the mtc) the new area, and my new area is cañaveral, bucaramanga. We'll probably finish our missions together here in the same zone. CRAZY.
My new companion is elder sierra, he's from chili, super smart / cool kid. My goal to keep working the hardest i can for these last two transfers. can't stop wont stop. I never understood why elders get trunky. when your disobedient and lazy you feel bad, when your obedient and work you feel happy. You just gotta choose.
talk about current events. As missionaries we basically have to sift our way through the rumors, because we don't really have access those things. First i heard 200,000 killed in japan, but from what I have heard lately is more like 8,000? not sure. Also heard of nuclear plant expulsions? When we went to lunch the day it had happened we saw some of the images. Absolutely nuts.
One thing that has been hard for is instead of people mourning with them, they make up reasons why they deserved such things. This time they say its because they worship cats, in haiti its because of wickedness and prostitution. I guess human nature tells us that it's easier to judge than to succor.
Sorry for my short letter. next week I'll try to write longer and more understandable.
I love you all so much!
e. adams
p.s. GO BYU!
My new companion is elder sierra, he's from chili, super smart / cool kid. My goal to keep working the hardest i can for these last two transfers. can't stop wont stop. I never understood why elders get trunky. when your disobedient and lazy you feel bad, when your obedient and work you feel happy. You just gotta choose.
talk about current events. As missionaries we basically have to sift our way through the rumors, because we don't really have access those things. First i heard 200,000 killed in japan, but from what I have heard lately is more like 8,000? not sure. Also heard of nuclear plant expulsions? When we went to lunch the day it had happened we saw some of the images. Absolutely nuts.
One thing that has been hard for is instead of people mourning with them, they make up reasons why they deserved such things. This time they say its because they worship cats, in haiti its because of wickedness and prostitution. I guess human nature tells us that it's easier to judge than to succor.
Sorry for my short letter. next week I'll try to write longer and more understandable.
I love you all so much!
e. adams
p.s. GO BYU!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Come unto me
Glad to hear that it's starting to warm up, but don't forget those out of no where may snow storms that result in fallen branches on toyota camrys. beware. or, better said, ¡ojo!
The trek is great josh! I loved it but, I do lift up a voice of warning; be ye aware of polyester pants. (bad mistake.)
Welp i'm still loving bucaramanga. We woke up early sunday morning and were able to pick up a good share of investigators. We're working a lot with our ward mision leader --- coolest guy ever. Were going to have a noche de hogar (fmaily home evening) in his house tonight.
Yesterday we were talking with a family that was having a bunch of problems, and my companion had them read ether 12:27, which i've always loved, but he had them read just the first sentence that says ´´And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.´´
Make me realize something that I had never noticed in the verse before, that phrase ´´come unto me´´, And I realized how true it is. In the mission as I have progressed in time and testimony, the more and more i learn how much i need to fix and get better on, or to say my weaknesses. As we come more and more unto Christ, he lets us, he shows us, our weaknesses so we can become more and more perfect. And it completely agrees with the process of repentence that i see in our investigators. Our purpose as missionarys is to invite others to come unto Christ. This princple is crucial so that they can start to repent.
I ran out of time! But i still love you all!
Love,
e. adams
The trek is great josh! I loved it but, I do lift up a voice of warning; be ye aware of polyester pants. (bad mistake.)
Welp i'm still loving bucaramanga. We woke up early sunday morning and were able to pick up a good share of investigators. We're working a lot with our ward mision leader --- coolest guy ever. Were going to have a noche de hogar (fmaily home evening) in his house tonight.
Yesterday we were talking with a family that was having a bunch of problems, and my companion had them read ether 12:27, which i've always loved, but he had them read just the first sentence that says ´´And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.´´
Make me realize something that I had never noticed in the verse before, that phrase ´´come unto me´´, And I realized how true it is. In the mission as I have progressed in time and testimony, the more and more i learn how much i need to fix and get better on, or to say my weaknesses. As we come more and more unto Christ, he lets us, he shows us, our weaknesses so we can become more and more perfect. And it completely agrees with the process of repentence that i see in our investigators. Our purpose as missionarys is to invite others to come unto Christ. This princple is crucial so that they can start to repent.
I ran out of time! But i still love you all!
Love,
e. adams
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