Elder Harrison Adams' Mission Blog: Elder Harrison Adams 6/6/16 Morehead City, NC

Family and Friends,

With the summer starting, we are really taking a beating here! The temperature hasn't been too bad. Normally in the middle of the day it's in the low 90's. But the catch is the humidity! The second you walk from a cold building to the outside all of the oxygen form your lungs is just sucked right out! Me and Elder Gibb have been sweating lots, because we aren't used to this weather yet. Also hurricane season has officially started. Last week we got hit pretty hard with a tropical storm. I don't know if I've ever seen rain coming down so hard in my life! Sadly, with all the humidity and rain, that means more mosquitoes. I've kind of just gotten used to it now. But we get pretty covered in mosquito bites.

Other than the heat and bugs, this week was fairly normal! Last Monday night we ate at the Willis house. We were surprised when Brother Willis asked for our phone numbers back home. So we gave them to him. Then he just picked up his phone and called our homes! He stepped out of the room so we didn't hear, but he sat and talked to our parents for a little while haha! But we love the Willis family. They always make sure we are taken care of.

We also had exchanges with the District Leader so I stayed the day up in Havelock. It's really great to do with other missionaries and learn from them.

Alex came to church again. He's been now it feels like a million times. But he's still not considering baptism. Sometimes being a missionary is frustrating, but it also teaches you patience.

Last week we went to Fort Macon again, for Memorial Day. We said goodbye to Elder Johnsen, and got Elder Ray. He started his mission here in Morehead City and has come back now to finish his mission here. Everyone in the ward says the same will happen to me haha.

With it being summer, our church attendance has about doubled! We see lots of new people and new phases. Sometimes it's hard to tell if it's a less active member that came to church or just a visitor! Well, with it being summer, I thought I'd give y'all a quick list of how to not look like a tourist this year if you plan of coming to the East Coast! Because the locals can't stand tourists haha!

Never drive under the speed limit. This is the #1 reason why locals hate tourist! They say it's safe to drive 7 miles over, but as a missionary I don't think I should solicit speeding....so at least go the speed limit!
Don't wear your flip flops unless you're going to the beach! It's one of the easiest ways to spot a tourist, and also dangerous! A member at the hospital said that right now, 90% of people coming in our tourists who have slipped and gotten foot injuries from wearing flip flops.
Sun burns. Another easy way to look like a tourist is to come here and just get burned! Typically the locals take care not to get burned.
Boogie boarding. If you go boogie boarding be sure to put one hand on the front of the board and your other hand on the side. You have more control and movement. Holding on to both sides is another way to look like a tourist.
Bringing clutter to the beach. The people around here just bring their boards or a ball. All of the other clutter isn't necessary! They also don't bring towels to the beach. They leave them in their cars.
Don't shop at surf shops on the beach. Typically prices there are about double what you can find for the same product a little farther inland!