He is the Reason for the Season

Hola!

This week has been one of the best weeks of my mission. Not because I did a lot of teaching or anything but I am starting to feel like the Lord is trusting me more and the Spirit is working stronger in me than it ever has before. I am learning so much and I love it!

The Elders surprised us with a real Christmas tree last Monday! It is pretty tall (5 feet or so) and it is so cute! We had fun putting lights on it and making cheesy ornaments with pass-along cards. It is so fun and it smells so good! We have it in our study room by the window so everyone can see it and we can always smell it.

We are the best stalkers! Jasmine and Tyson (investigators) moved last week – and they didn't know the exact address where they were moving to – so they just told us the general area. They don’t have a phone so we don’t have any way of contacting them but we knew that we had to find them. We went over one night to the general area where they told us, said a prayer, and then followed the Spirit. The second door that we knocked on was their house! They were so surprised to see us! It was a good surprise – not a creepy "stalkerish" surprise. We were able to talk to them about the Word of Wisdom this week and they are both super committed to quit smoking! We made them a little care package of how to quit and they are doing so well. On Sunday, Tyson had to work but Jasmine and her 3 little sisters all came to church and they absolutely loved it! They told us that this is where they are supposed to be and that they have never felt so much joy in their lives. Also, they love being surrounded by so many good influences at church and they know that people are happy because of the Spirit!

Mission Christmas Party

We had our Mission Christmas Party this weekend and it was so much fun! We had an ugly sweater contest so we made the Elders their ugly sweaters because they gave us a tree. Their sweaters were the best ones at the party – if you ask us – but somehow they didn't win the ugly sweater contest. Oh well, it was fun anyway!

The Maestas got baptized this weekend! Whoo! The dad is a less-active who is coming back to church and his wife (Jessica) and their son (Kristopher) got baptized. They were so happy – I absolutely love this family! Marla Hicks actually spoke at the baptism and she did a fabulous job. I love how much Marla has changed since her baptism and she is growing in leaps and bounds. I have never seen anyone with so much faith and I love her so much.

Funny moment…
Sister Valdivia got pulled over – hilarious! The Elders were following us and the cop tried to pull us both over but he only got us. Thankfully, he let us off with a warning. We were going 38 in a 25 – so funny!

Cool thing this week…
I started a prayer journal about a week ago and I got a prompting that we should go see a less-active named Sister Schwab because she needed a blessing. A couple days later our plans fell through – so we prayed – and I got another prompting that we should go over there right then. When we went over to her house, it was perfect timing! She had just returned home and she was super sick. Also, she was going through a really hard time with her family. We asked if she would like a blessing and she replied, “Yes, I would love one.” The Elders came over later that night and gave her a beautiful blessing. The next day she felt good enough to go to the Ward Christmas Party. This was such a testimony builder! It was one of the first times that the Spirit was able to testify to me in advance what others needed and I know that it was the Spirit that guided us in that situation. I love this gospel!

"The actions whereby we demonstrate that we truly do love God and our neighbor as ourselves will rarely be such as to attract the gaze of admiration of the world. Usually our love will be shown in our day-to-day associations with one another." – President Thomas S. Monson

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."

Mmmm…
Chili and Cinnamon Rolls – must be a flatland thing but they taste really good together!

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams

It's the Holiday Season!

Hola!

“Dios utiliza tu fe para moldear tu carácter.”
Translation: God uses your faith to mold your character.

We are so excited for December! We have seen so many miracles and there is nothing better than a whole community centered on Christ for the holidays. Zuriko Llaca's baptism is on January 3rd and we are hoping to have Jasmine and Tyson baptized on the 27th of December.

The Hicks bore their testimonies in Sacrament yesterday for the first time. It was the sweetest thing in the world! The Spirit was so strong and you can truly see how much the gospel has truly blessed their family and how much they love learning more and more every day. Nathan passes the Sacrament every week – and in his testimony – he said that he “really likes all the Priesthood stuff.” That was the joke the rest of the meeting – that “Priesthood stuff” is really cool. Love them!

This week we went over to see an investigator named Andrea. She was a referral from the Elders so we didn't know much about her. When we went over there, her mom answered the door and said that they just got home and another night would be better (we as missionaries know what this means). Luckily – I really had to use the bathroom – so I asked if I could at least use her restroom. While I was using the restroom, Sister Valdivia was able to talk a little with them. I had no idea what they were talking about when I came out so I just joined in and asked if we could stay and have a lesson. Andrea was all up for it so that was a miracle! We came to learn that Andrea's sister passed away about two years ago and so now she is having a really hard time believing that there is a God. We were able to share some scriptures with her to help her find peace and also help her build her relationship with God so that she could once again believe that he is there. When we came back to visit her later in the week, she told us that she felt something when she prayed. Whoo! We are continuing to visit with her and helping her build her faith.

We went over to have a lesson with Zuriko (investigator) and her electricity got shut off so we had a lesson in the dark. There’s a first time for everything, right!? We saved her food by putting it in our fridge so that it wouldn't go bad.

We had Zone Training this week. The Zone Leaders did the ice bucket challenge because we memorized all of the “Questions of the Soul” that are found in “Preach My Gospel.” It was hilarious! Poor Elders – it looked so cold! The ice bucket challenge is where they literally pour a bucket of ice and a little bit of water on your head.

Bobbie gave us a Christmas tree and it is adorable! So, we now have a medium sized one and two little fake ones. We are so ready for Christmas – ugly sweaters and all!

The Christmas Devotional was amazing! Also, check out the “He is the Gift” video on the www.mormon.org website.

“Without the Savior’s birth and Atonement, we would have no Intercessor, no Advocate with the Father, and no Mediator who makes it possible for us to return to the presence of our loving Heavenly Father and live together as eternal families.” – Bishop Gary E. Stevenson

“Even with the trials of life, because of the Savior's Atonement and His grace, righteous living will be rewarded with personal peace.” – Elder Quentin L. Cook

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams

T-Bird Day!

Hola!

So, we kept finding little droppings all over our countertops and we didn't know exactly what they were from. We were over at an investigator’s house and we were telling her about it and she told us that they were from mice. That night we went straight to the store to get some mouse traps. We set them up all over our kitchen and then we bleached everything and scrubbed it down. The next morning we didn't catch any mice but the day after that we caught one!

It was a cute little guy and it was so sad!

We used the sticky pads so the little thing was still alive and moving! We screamed and refused to go into the kitchen for a while. We felt so bad for it – and Sister Valdivia refused to look at it – so I had to be the one to kill it and put it out of its suffering. It was so sad! But at least the poor little guy is not suffering like he was on the sticky pad. Since then, we have not seen any more mouse droppings so that was a blessing.

Thanksgiving service…
We were doing our studies when we got a text from Zariciah (recent convert) that said she needed our help immediately! Her kid was up all night shoving toilet paper into the toilet and then flushing it. He managed to clog it so bad that it flooded part of their house. It was Thanksgiving morning and she had a lot of food to make and now she had a huge mess to clean up. So, the Elders and us went over and helped her clean up the water. She lives upstairs in an apartment complex and so the water leaked down into the apartment below hers and made that ceiling droop down. But luckily, we were able to clean it up before it did too much damage and she was still able to enjoy her Thanksgiving.

We had Thanksgiving with the Clarks (a younger couple who works at the Community College). It was us, the Elders, Sister Smith, and the Clarks. The food was so good! My favorite pie was a toss-up between pumpkin creme and sweet potato pie. After we ate and were waiting for our stomachs to settle down, we got to play some pool and ping pong. Man – I miss ping pong – I am super rusty!

We were up at the church with our investigator Zuriko so the Elders could give her a blessing. They went to their car to get the oil – and a girl was walking by – so they started talking to her. She was in a hurry but they were able to get her name and phone number. The next day, we tried to call the phone number and it didn't work. So, we went to a less-active’s house to visit with them and we met a couple named Jasmine and Tyson. Later on, we went by the library and saw Jasmine and Tyson sitting outside so we stopped and talked with them. It turns out that the girl the Elders stopped and talked to was Jasmine! Her phone wasn't working because she was out of minutes. 3rd time’s the charm! They are super interested in the gospel and they came to church yesterday and loved it! They are planning on getting married soon and they are trying to get their lives back in order. It was such a miracle – they are the cutest couple ever!

Fun facts this week…

• I ate chocolate – so sorry grandpa! It was chocolate pudding (nasty)! Sister Smith – an older widow in our ward – gave it to us for dessert and she already dished it out for all of us so I had to eat it. I am not the biggest fan of pudding so I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have if it was like tin-roof pie or something like that.

• Sister Valdivia got Ringworm – hilarious! When I got out of the shower on Friday she was like, "Sister Adams – take a look at this." She showed me her hip area and she had a circular rash. One of the less-actives had ringworm so we asked her what it looked like. A member who works at a medical clinic came over with her friend that is a PA and they diagnosed her with Ringworm! I laughed all morning long and wasn't a great support for her. She has medicine now to put on it and hopefully it goes away soon so I don't get it! Ha, ha, ha…

• Hermana Shumway is serving in Garden City! We actually stayed the night with her last night and it was so good to see her again. I miss her so much! She is doing awesome and she is really enjoying her mission. She says “hello” and that she loves ya'll!

Christmas plans...
Sister Valdivia and I got Christmas sweaters at the Rummage Shop in Lamar. We are having a “White Elephant” gift exchange as a District. We are praying for 3 baptisms this month. Our mission is calling Christmas Eve “Noche Blanca” (White Night) and we are hoping to have many baptisms that night. Sister Valdivia's birthday is on Christmas Eve so we will definitely celebrate that!

"Have a good beginning and ending – and keep it good in between as well."

"If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself." – President Thomas S. Monson

Misionera Amor!
Siempre Una Aventura
Hermana Adams

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