High on the Mountain Top

Hola!

Miracle of the week! The Elders needed salt so they came over and picked some up from our house. We handed it to them at the door, talked for a little while, and then they left. Right after they left, another car pulled in front of our house. A cute girl (23 years old) got out of the car and came to our door. She told us that she was driving by and saw us missionaries so she kept driving back and forth past our house waiting for the Elders to leave so she could come talk to us. Anyhow, she just moved here to Lamar and she had been meeting with missionaries up in La Junta. We were seriously awe stricken! She saw us and knew that she had to stop. We went over to her house later that night with Abby (recent convert who is 21) and got to know her a little more. Her name is Zuriko (we call her “Z”) and she is awesome! She knows so much about the gospel and she is waiting for a friend to come home in January so he can baptize her. She loves the church and she is adorable! She has a super cute 3 year old son and she is in the military.

On Sunday, we had a guy in our ward (70-80 years old) come up to us and told us to go visit his fiance and talk to her about the gospel. We went over and saw her and she is absolutely adorable! Her name is Bobbie and she always looks so cute – she always has makeup on and everything perfect. Anyhow, they invited us to their wedding on Saturday. We went and helped them set up and we were their photographers! They gave both of us little disposable cameras and we walked around and took pictures of everybody. Bobbie's dog named Niko even carried the rings at the wedding and he had this cute little dog tuxedo on. It was so much fun!

Courtney came to church this week! We went over early Sunday morning and made her and her girls pancakes for breakfast. While we were cooking she was getting her girls ready and then Sister Clark came and took them to church. This was a HUGE step for Courtney. She was so nervous and she does not like change at all but she did it. She told us that she felt so much better afterwards and her girls had so much fun!

We went to Two Buttes Mountain. It is the closest thing you will get to a mountain here in Lamar, CO. We went this morning with Zuriko and it was so much fun! There is a little pond by it so we went and skipped rocks on it before we hiked to the top of the "mountain" – it literally took 10 minutes to get to the top. The sad thing is that we were all out of breath when we got to the top because it has been such a long time since we have been on any kind of mountain. We went back to Z's house and ate hamburgers. It was such a fun P-Day!

Transfers were this week but I am staying here in Lamar with Sister Valdivia – Whoo! Also, Hermana Shumway (my companion from the CCM) is now in our zone – Whoo! The current Elders are leaving Lamar and an Elder (the former AP) is coming to Lamar and training a newbie so we have to be on our "best behavior!"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love." – President Thomas S. Monson

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams

Let It Snow!

Hola!

Transfers are next week and I should know where I am going on Monday! I am pretty sure that I am leaving Lamar which is such a bitter-sweet feeling. I love it here and I love the people, but I am ready for some new adventures and more Spanish opportunities.

It was about 70 degrees last Monday and I was in a short sleeve shirt – and then that night – it dropped to 30 degrees and snowed! Ever since then it has been pretty cold. We only got about 2 inches – but since it is so cold – it all stayed on the ground. The people here think that this is a ton of snow and that it was a blizzard. I wish they could see Utah during a blizzard because they would all be amazed! The snow is so great! Sister Valdivia and I got our Christmas sweaters at the Rummage Shop on Main Street and we look pretty scary in them.

Elder Schwitzer of the Second Quorum of the Seventy came to Kansas and spoke at our Mission Conference. He talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and showed us some evidence of the history of it. Let's just say that my mind was blown and I don't know how to explain what he said. All I know is that the Book of Mormon is true and I know that it has truly blessed my life. At the end of the Mission Conference, they gave every missionary a copy of the Book of Mormon and a red and green marking pencil. They extended an invitation to us to read the Book of Mormon by Christmas and mark everything that talks about the Atonement and Jesus Christ in red and everything that talks about faith in green. I started this challenge on Saturday morning and it has been awesome! The Book of Mormon is the best!!

We had an appointment this week with a less-active who lives in an apartment complex. As we were walking to her door, we saw a teenage girl walking with no coat and it was freezing outside. So, we just said, "It is pretty cold isn't it?" She was really friendly and started talking to us inside the building. It turns out that she is the less-active’s niece who was visiting for the weekend and will move to Lamar in December. We talked to her about the Book of Mormon and how the gospel can bless her life. She loved it! She said that she was looking for a church and that she believes that everything – including the Book of Mormon – is true. She is on date for baptism on the 24th of December. That night she read the Book of Mormon to her little brother because he gets night terrors and she knew that the Book of Mormon would help him to not be afraid. We had an extra coat in the car that we had been given so we gave it to her so she wouldn't be as cold outside in the freezing cold.

We had the Primary program in church yesterday – those kids are adorable! We participated in the program and sang the 2nd verse of “I Stand All Amazed” in Spanish with three other men from our ward who went on Spanish speaking missions. This is in my top three favorite Hymns because it is a beautiful song with such a strong meaning behind it.

D&C 25:10 – “And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better.”

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams

Wichita!

Hola!

This week Sister Valdivia and I went on a road trip to Wichita! She had a doctor's appointment there so we made the most of it. The first thing that we did when we got there was eat at Texas Roadhouse – so good! I love Lamar but they definitely do not have a Texas Roadhouse. Then, we had a little bit of time so we went and saw a couple of people that Sister Valdivia taught while she was there. It was so much fun to meet some of the families that she tells me about and they were all so sweet.

We spent the night at the Wichita West sister's house. It was so fun to see Sister Moser! Basically, we just companion swapped – Sister Moser went where Sister Valdivia served and Sister Valdivia came to Lamar. The Sister's apartment has cockroaches – no big deal. Sister Moser is doing so well and her Spanish has really improved a lot since she moved to the Spanish Branch.

The next morning we went to Sister Valdivia doctor’s appointment and then stopped at this sweet nut and candy shop to get “road trip” treats. There was every kind of nut imaginable at that store! We could sample whatever we wanted so we got to try a lot of them! There was this cute little lady who wanted us to try everything. I ended up getting this really good granola trail mix and Sister Valdivia got some chocolate-raspberry pecans.

I love Wichita because it is so beautiful!

This week we visited with our nine year old investigator named Adriana and her family. We gave Adriana a children's copy of the Book of Mormon and invited her to read the first chapter which talked about Joseph Smith. When we met with her – she read not only the first chapter – but the first three chapters. She explained to us and to her family the story about Joseph Smith. We asked her if she thought what she read was true and she said “Yes!” Her parents told us that she was showing her book to everyone and telling them about it. At the end of our visit, she asked if she could say the prayer. It was the sweetest, humblest prayer. At the end of her prayer she burst into tears. We asked her why she was crying and she told us that it is because now she knows that she can pray anytime and He will listen. Her faith is amazing and she is so strong! Her parents thank us every time we come over for making a change in their children's life. We tell them that the gospel is the difference.

I got sick for the first time on my mission this week. It was our last appointment on Saturday night and I felt so nauseous. Anyhow, when we went in for the night, I just laid on my bed and then went and puked a couple of times. I still felt sick on Sunday morning but I couldn't miss church because what if one of our investigators showed up and we weren't there!? So, we went and knocked on our investigator’s doors to invite them to church. At Linda's house – right after we knocked on the door – I went off in the bushes and threw up a couple of times so it probably was a good thing that she didn't answer the door. We went to church after that and now I feel so much better! Missionary work is pretty difficult when you are nauseous and feel like throwing up. Turns out that it was just a stomach bug going around and I was a lucky recipient!

Elder Liechty read my “Spirit Element” – I am a waterfall. I have no idea what that means but I don't mind being a waterfall. Sister Valdivia is an “Obsidian Rock.”

Kansas Sunsets Are Beautiful!

Bursts of Sunshine – By Louise Hurd
When you see a friend, be sure to smile;
The warmth will stay a long, long while.
And if you see a stranger, smile again.
He needs one as much as your best friend.
If he’s having a discouraging day,
Like wintertime when skies are gray,
Your little smile to him will be
Like bursts of sunshine, bright and free.
Then on a day when you feel blue,
Those bursts of sunshine will return to you,
As all the smiles you gave away
Come back to brighten up your day.

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams

Happy Halloween - Part 2!

Can't get enough of the " Missionary Duo"

Hermana Adams and Hermana Valdivia

Hola!

Our investigators are doing awesome! One of the biggest miracle families that we have right now are Joseph, Tiletha, and their family. Also, Brenda is another one who is really interested. I don't really know how to explain everything over email but they are doing so good! Sister Hicks is in the hospital and we went over to see her this morning. Elder Leichty gave her the most beautiful blessing and said that she would be able to overcome this illness that she has. She was bawling at the end and said that he is the first one to tell her that she would be able to overcome it. So, of course, I cried like a baby. I love her so much!

After P-Day on Monday, we had a bunch of appointments set up and they all happened to fall through. So, Sister Valdivia and I decided to say a prayer to know who to go visit. As soon as the prayer was done, we both looked at each other and said "Brenda." We knew that it was right! Brenda is an investigator whose parents got baptized about five years ago. Brenda has 3 kids of her own and a husband. When we went over there she was so happy to see us. She gave us the biggest hugs and had a huge smile on her face. She went on to explain how she had one of the hardest days that day and our visit made her day. She just started a new job and it has been really stressful for her. After we left she sent us this text... "God is good ALL the time. I'm always amazed how he sends Angels my way just when I need them! Thank you for thinking of me tonight my Angels. I love you." We love her so much and we knew that the Spirit guided us over there that night!

We have a less-active member named Sister Zeaman. She has a hard time coming to church because of health issues and a phobia of lots of people and open spaces. We went over to her house this week and the lady that was helping to take care of her was there. While we were talking with Sister Zeaman, she invited her house lady named Linda over to talk with us. Then, Sister Zeaman bore her beautiful testimony about the Book of Mormon and how it has helped her in her life. The Spirit was so strong and we were able to help Linda better understand the gospel and how the Book of Mormon can help her in her life. She was very receptive and we can't wait to meet with her again.

Halloween!! We still wanted to have some Halloween spirit so we carved pumpkins during our lunch time. Sister Valdivia carved the Angel Moroni and I carved the temple. We attempted to bake the seeds later that night but it was a failed attempt. On Halloween morning, we made pancakes in the shape of Halloween things (e.g., pumpkin, witch hat, and so forth) but most of them just looked like blobs. Halloween day was a regular missionary day for us and that night we had a Halloween dinner over at the Loveless' house (members) and handed out candy to all the cute little kids that came around. Loved it!

"What matters most is what lasts longest!" – M. Russell Ballard

NEWS FLASH! A bomb threat at Walmart just after we left but it wasn't a big deal to us! Small town problems…

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams

Happy Halloween!

Hermana Adams and Hermana Valdivia

Hola!

This week has been so awesome! We broke Sister Valdivia's record for new investigators found – we found 14 new investigators! I feel like part of my personality is coming back with Sister Valdivia because she is so much fun. She reminds me a lot of Lysje – so you can only imagine! We have been a lot more dedicated and focused lately – it is so great! I don't want to leave Lamar or Sister Valdivia. Nothing new is happening with the Sarmientos. Our investigators right now that are really progressing are Angela, Courtney, and Linda.

A funny thing happened – a less-active in our ward sent us a text that said, "For some reason, I am worried about both of you! Be very careful today while you are out and about okay!?" That is always comforting to hear, right? I love Sister Zeaman! Sister Valdivia and I cracked up about this text and now we are being careful – so no worries!

I'm becoming a true cowgirl out here in Lamar! Megan and Shanae (investigator and less-active) are students at the College for Rodeo and they taught us how to rope a heffer. It is harder than it looks and I looked pretty ridiculous while trying to figure it out.

This week we taught Angela about the Word of Wisdom and it went very well! Her daughter was there with us when we were talking to her about her cigarettes. We promised that she would receive help and we knew that she could quit smoking. Her daughter turned to her and said, "Mom – I know that you can do it." Sister Valdivia and I melted when she said this because the Spirit was so strong! She is on the road to baptism – whoot, whoot! After our lesson, she taught us how to make homemade tortillas and they were so good – lard and all!

We had exchanges this week here in Lamar (both STL's came to Lamar because we are so far away). Sister Judy and I came home for dinner and realized that we didn't have a key to the house and the other Sisters were in one of the outer towns. So what did we do – we broke in! We took out the screen on our front window – and as we were trying to push the window up – it just fell off. We got in pretty fast but it is not too comforting knowing that our house is so easy to break into. Sister Judy and I were dying of laughter!

"All you need is a little faith and trust – and a little bit of Pixie Dust!"

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams

Welcome to Lamar - Sister Valdivia!

Hola!

The first week with Sister Valdivia was amazing and I know that this transfer is going to be awesome! Now I get to see how it really is to fully consecrate myself to the work. After exchanges this week – we were determined to still reach our standard goals – and so we worked hard and about doubled it in 4 days! We were able to get 4 new investigators in the first hour that we worked together. We didn't have any team-ups lined up yet we managed to get 7 member referrals. We had 2 of our investigators show up to church when we didn't know if anyone would show up. Angela actually showed up 40 minutes early! We taught 30 other lessons in 4 days – it was a miracle! We had so many miracles this week – it was such a faith builder. We just relied on the Lord and he provided the way. Lamar is growing in missionary work and I love it!

Sister Valdivia is seriously an awesome missionary and we have had so much fun this week! She was born in Mexico but moved to the U.S. when she was really little. She looks and talks just like Rachel Ray and she is gorgeous! I have used a whole lot more Spanish this week and I've learned a lot from her since she can correct me now.

Some fun things we did this week:

We gave Jake (dog) a bath this week because he smelled so bad! Sister Eirhart (a less-active) had knee surgery and hasn't been able to bathe him in a while. He reminded me so much of Bear except that Jake actually enjoyed the water and Bear hates it!

We got our palms read by some random guy that we talked to while visiting a less-active. It was pretty sweet and creepy at the same time. He told us that we were both good witches that had good powers. So, we told him that those powers were the Holy Ghost and that we received it when we were 8 years old. He said some other random stuff – but one thing that I remember is that he said that I am very close with my mom. I told him, "heck yeah – she's my best friend!"

Kassidy (a cute member girl that goes to LCC) got engaged this weekend! So, of course, Sister Valdivia and I went and stalked her getting engaged. We helped Abby and the fiancé set up lights at a gazebo in town so we knew when and where it was going to take place. Abby is their photographer so she took all of their professional pictures and we were her sidekicks. Anyways – later that night – we hid behind a tree and recorded the whole thing. It was so cute and they are the cutest couple ever! Then, her fiancé sang "I Stand All Amazed" in Spanish in Sacrament on Sunday and it was so awesome.

Scripture of the Week – Psalm 37:4
"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams

Training Has Come To An End!

Hola!

Last Sunday our district made a song for the Kansas, Wichita Mission CD – boo yeah! I actually sang a song! Weird – but it was pretty sweet! Elder Liechty is really good at making music so he wrote the lyrics and Sister Moser wrote the chorus. When it comes out, I will send it home so ya'll can listen to it.

We went on exchanges this week with the STL's and loved it! I went with Sister Runia and she is one of the best missionaries that I have ever seen. She goes home this week so I was so glad to go out with her before she left. We saw so many miracles on exchanges – we were able to put Jesus on date and he has never accepted a date before with Sister Moser and me. Then, we went running in the morning and it felt so good to run!

Our miracle this week happened when we were at Linda’s (new investigator) house. This was our first real lesson with her and we were starting to teach her about the Restoration. Before we even talked about Joseph Smith, she stopped us and asked us one question, "my mother died – can you tell me where she is?" We loved the question! We switched right over to the Plan of Salvation and told her where her mom was and that she will be able to see her again someday. She began to tear up and said that she knew what we said was true. We invited her to be baptized and she accepted! She is on date for November 1st. Love her! Milagros!

I had my first quarterly interview with the President. It lasted about 3 minutes because there were a lot of missionaries waiting to talk to him. He is an awesome guy and he is so great! His wife is amazing, too! She is the cutest little thing you'll ever meet.

Lamar Garbage Day

Sniff hard and you can probably smell us!

We did service for Lamar Garbage Day. It happens twice a year – people put garbage that they don't want on the curb and volunteers go around and put it in a truck. This is the first time I have worn jeans on my mission! We had these pretty sweet bright orange vests as well so we looked pretty legit. We had two softball girls from the college with us in the truck and we all stunk! I swear one of the bags that we picked up had a dead skunk in it because it smelled terrible. Sister Moser had to wash off with ketchup because you could still smell it on her!

Transfers! I am staying in Lamar – boo yeah! My new companion is Sister Valdevia! I have not met her but I heard that she is super amazing and nice. She is a Spanish native so she will be able to help me with my Spanish! 

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams