Happy Birthday Mama!

Hola!

This week I went on exchanges up to Dodge City (1.5 hours away) and it was so much fun! I went with Hermana Fernandez – who is from Spain – and I learned so much about Spain! She convinced me to go on a trip there because it sounds beautiful and there are lots of things to do. Every single one of our appointments were in Spanish so my brain was dead by the end of the day. It was so much fun to have Spanish appointments with someone who can interpret for me the things that I didn’t understand.

Andy’s baptism was supposed to be on Saturday but it got pushed back. We had a lesson with him at the Oman’s home (members). He still had not received his answer about The Book of Mormon so he wanted to push the baptism back to a later date but he still is acting on faith! He still comes to church, continues to study, and soon he will enter into the waters of baptism. After the lesson, Sister Webb and I were talking about it and we both felt like this was the right decision. It will happen soon – just not this weekend.

We went over to the Nunez’s home (kids are recent converts). The youngest one (Anthony) had an experience that night that really startled him. The Elders came over and gave him and his sister a blessing. It was such an amazing experience because their mom is not a member and she had never joined us for any lessons prior (although we invited her every time). But she knew that we would come over that day and be able to help Anthony in some way. She even sat and talked with us for a good 20 minutes and we were able to learn more about her. The next day (Sunday), we found a ride for the kids to come to church. Their mom actually showed up during Sacrament! She only came for 5 minutes and we weren’t able to talk with her – BUT SHE CAME ON HER OWN! Thank you priesthood and the power from God. It was able to touch her in a way that encouraged her to act. Her kids are amazing and they are so strong in the faith!

Liberal has phases of exhibits – a couple years ago it was dinosaurs and this year it is sharks. They have a live shark exhibit going on right now and another shark museum thing. This past Saturday, we were able to volunteer at the live shark exhibit and it was so much fun! Gotta love small towns and the whole town coming to all of these events to keep them entertained. The “bad” part was that they had country music playing so we had to blast EFY music in the car afterwards to get it out of my head.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland is coming on Saturday...Whoot, Whoot!

“The size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue – it is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the truth you already know.” – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams

King of the Grill

Hola!

We met a gal back at the beginning of the transfer named Edlin and she is the friend of a less-active. Edlin and her family are adorable! We met her randomly at the less-active’s house and we helped her paint tires for her photography pictures since she is a photographer. This past week we went over to their house to have a lesson – and when we showed up – her daughter was having a hard time with her math homework (Perfect! Thank goodness it wasn’t science). Her friend was there trying to help her but it still wasn’t clicking. But, sweet miracle, the girl helping her was Andy’s (investigator) daughter! This was the first time we met her. Anyhow, I was able to help her with her math homework and help her understand it. Afterward, we had a lesson with the whole family and Abby (Andy's daughter). The lesson went really well and they were all really receptive!

We had a BBQ at the church on Saturday (thank you Elders for hosting it) and it was a huge hit! We had a bounce house, a cook-off, and sports. It was so much fun! The cook-off was my favorite part because we were in charge of organizing all of it so I got to taste all of the hamburgers in the competition. Holy cow – some people went all out and they were delicious! Not only did Edlin and her family show up to the BBQ – but Andy, Stacy (investigator), her boys, and many more came as well! The weather was beautiful that day – and as soon as the barbecue was over – the weather went downhill and it was super windy and gloomy. The Lord takes care of His people in every circumstance.

Uncle Gary is still on for May 2nd! After his blessing last week, he was finally able to sleep through the night. He hasn’t been able to do this since he could remember. Also, he is already talking about his temple marriage in a year. He is reading and he says he has been so much happier. He joked that him and Sister Hittle have talked more in the last month than they have in the last 30 years. The gospel is true!

“Now, the atonement of Christ is the most basic and fundamental doctrine of the gospel and it is the least understood of all our revealed truths. Many of us have a superficial knowledge and rely upon the Lord and his goodness to see us through the trials and perils of life. But if we are to have faith like Enoch and Elijah we must believe what they believed, know what they knew, and live as they lived. May I invite you to join with me in gaining a sound and sure knowledge of the Atonement? We must cast aside the philosophies of men and the wisdom of the wise and hearken to that Spirit which is given to us to guide us into all truth. We must search the scriptures, accepting them as the mind and will and voice of the Lord and the very power of God unto salvation.” – Elder Bruce R. McConkie

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams

It is in our Eyes and Smiles!

 A Little Taste of Beautiful Kansas!

Hola!

I had such a wonderful 20th birthday! I still feel like I am 15 years old – and when others ask me how old I am – I tell them to guess and they say, “Umm...15?” I don’t know which is worse – others thinking that I am 15 or being out of my teenage years. They see me driving so I should at least look 16, right!? The whole day was wonderful though! We had Zone Training and it was so fantastic! We have the best Zone – I love the West! I had plenty of desserts for the big day – the members and others took great care of me. I had brownies, ice cream, cheesecake, and two different cakes! Sister Hartley is a sweetheart and took us out to Ruffino's which is one of the nicest restaurants here in town.

Uncle Gary and Sister Hittle

The best part of the day was finishing off the day with Uncle Gary and Sister Hittle. After the lesson, they said, “Wait, we have a surprise for you.” They brought out a cake with 20 candles and Gary handed me the most heartfelt card. It had a picture of a dog that took a bite out of the cake and he signed it “Uncle Gary.” I just started calling him Uncle Gary because I feel like he is family and it just stuck. His baptism is on May 2nd!

A random spiritual moment yesterday at church...
I was talking to Gary about his blessing before class and this was our conversation: Gary said, “You won’t ever give up, will you?” I turned to him and said, “Nope and that is what families are for.” He had the biggest smile and it was the most amazing feeling ever! I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary and to help and invite others to come unto Christ. Families are central to God’s plan for us and they are the only way that we can gain exaltation. I also know that we were put in families to help receive strength and guidance and I am indeed grateful for my family. My family consists of more than just my parents, brothers, and Bear – we are all brothers and sisters.

We had an Easter Fireside this week at the church about the Atonement. There were 3 parts to it – the suffering in Gethsemane, being crucified on the Cross, and the Resurrection. Andy (investigator) came to it and he was taking notes the whole time! There were many tears shed at this Fireside because of the Spirit that was felt because of the perfect love that our Savior has for us. Earlier this week, Andy shared with us an experience that he had when he was out golfing. His friends offered him a beer and he said, “No!” In the back of his mind he thought, "If I want to be a Mormon, I can’t drink.” For Andy, this is huge! He is still searching for his answer but he is acting on faith – and because of his works – the answer will come!

Sister Webb was sick this week so I have been reading more from the book “The Continuous Atonement” by Brad Wilcox:

• “In reality, our willingness to plod along here on earth doesn't earn us points in Heaven, but helps us become Heavenly.”
• “Knowledge is of little worth unless it is acted upon.”

“There is a better and higher motivation ... that is above and beyond self-discipline, well beyond sheer willpower and dogged determination. It is a motivation born of the spirit. One that comes to us as a result of a change of heart.” – Robert L. Millet

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams

Happy Easter!

Hola!

So last Monday, we went over to Hermana Castillo’s home (a gal in our ward) and she taught us how to make Mole – it was so good! She is a fantastic cook and it gave us an opportunity to use our broken Spanish.

For our last District “Get Together” before transfers, we went to the famous Pancake House and did the “Pancake” challenge. The challenge is to eat their Apple and Cinnamon Pancake. Good News – We all succeeded! So, we got to put our name up on the board – now there are 4 Elders and 2 Sisters added to the list. The missionaries have been represented now!

Hermana Adams being chased by three vicious dogs...

Papa Cugo, Mama Cugo, and Baby Cugo

We were on bikes for the majority of this past week but that didn't stop us from going to the gym in the morning! The gym is about two miles from our house – and Friday morning after the gym – we found out that my bike tire was completely flat! So, I ran my bike all the way home and we were able to put a new tube on it. Then on our way to Conference on Saturday, I got chased by 3 little dogs for 10 blocks! It was quite the adventure and Sister Webb was cracking up the whole time. I don’t know why they didn’t chase her bike – they must not like the color purple. The dogs finally got tired and stopped, but at least they got their morning walk!

Gary showed up to Conference! He came with his wife – Sister Hittle – to the Sunday morning session. It was a perfect session for him! Of course, right afterward he booked it out of there (he doesn’t waste time). But he really enjoyed it!

Easter was fantastic – nothing is better than Conference on Easter! We had a potluck at the church in between sessions. For dinner, we went over to the Jones’ house and had filet minion steaks, cheesy potatoes, and this delicious mango delight (I don't remember the name). We got to help hide the eggs for the kids! The weather was beautiful and the Spirit was strong – I love Conference!

“The gospel is a fountain of knowledge that never runs dry. There is always something new to learn and feel.” – Bishop Gerald Causse

“Today we celebrate the gift of victory over every fall we have ever experienced, every sorrow we have ever known.” – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

“Faith and hope invite into our lives the sweet peace of conscience for which we all yearn.” – Elder David A. Bednar

Misionera Amor!

Siempre Una Aventura

Hermana Adams