Elder Harrison Adams 7/17/17 Wilson, NC

Family and Friends,

Hello! This week has been a good one. We were able to meet with a few of our progressing investigators and it's good to see how they've been learning and growing.

We also had the chance to do lots of service this week! On Tuesday (or maybe Wednesday) we helped a member tear down his deck. We ended up doing it in the middle of the afternoon and it was so thought I thought I was going to die! Also, I don't think I've ever sweat that much in my life. Earlier on in the week we helped weed a lady’s garden, which for some reason we also did in the middle of the day. Maybe we need to plan that out better next time! Then later on in the week we helped move some furniture to one of the sisters’ investigators houses. We've been able to do lots of service this week, and get to know the members a lot better. Overall, it's been a really rewarding and successful week! 

Service is one thing I've come to love on my mission. You take a young adult, who during this time of their life typically only focus on themselves, and you send them on a journey where they do anything but think of themselves. Instead of focusing on me and what I need and want, these past years I've been able to focus on other people. I've been able to look into people’s lives, love them, and help them. In doing so, I've come to understand a little better the love that God has for His children. I've come to love people that are considered by others "unlovable." Service really is one of the keys to happiness. If you are feeling down or stressed, take some time this week and serve someone! I promise you it'll brighten your day and week!

I love Y'all!

Elder Adams

Elder Harrison Adams 7/10/17 Wilson, NC

Family and Friends,

This weekly sadly was a little bit slower. We weren't really able to meet with the majority of our investigators, which always makes the time go by a lot slower. It's also been extremely humid. Even though with the temperature it's only been in the 90's, it's some of the hottest and most miserable weather I've even been it! Elder Burke and I were teaching a lesson to a woman out on her porch, and the sun was even behind clouds, but afterwards we were drenched head to toe in sweat.

We also went zone conference this week which is always really uplifting and spiritual.

President Weed and Sister Weed are really trying to prepare the mission for the giant wave of new missionaries we will have coming in next transfer. Within the next two transfers, they calculated that over half of the missionaries will be training. So we reviewed chapter 8, 9, and 10 in Preach my Gospel in preparation. We also talked about adjusting to missionary life. It was fun to think back when I came into the mission, and some of the challenges and problems I had adjusting to missionary work. A mission is very different than anything else! And even though it's not always super physically demanding, it for sure can take a toll on you mentally and spiritually. 

Even though missions are hard, they're also the best thing. Mostly because you take a young person, who normally would devote those years of their life completely to themselves, and you devote them entirely to other people. And I promise you, as you lose yourself in the lives and interests of other people, you truly find yourself.

Over my mission I've been able to develop a vision for the rest of my life. I've seen many examples of faithful, devout members that I want to mirror. I've also learned countless life skills. But most of all. I've learned how to love. I've learned how to love hard things. How to love people that are hard to love. And how to love the Gospel with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I love being a missionary. IT's been the best decision of my life. 

Well, 'til next week! Love Y'all! 

Love,

Elder Adams

1. Members gave us some papusas!

2.Elder Swenson and Elder Barnes

3. Elder Clardige and Elder Garcia

4. This are the whirleygigs I was talking about a few weeks ago. 

5. Fireworks

Elder Harrison Adams 7/3/17 Wilson, NC

Family and Friends,

I always feel like I start off these emails saying it was another great week, but it's always true! As a missionary you always have good weeks. Even the hard ones are good. Luckily though this week wasn't hard, in fact, it was really enjoyable! Let's see where to start...

First off, it's ridiculous how many cockroaches are in and around our apartment. We started to make a game out of it, so we'll go cockroach hunting and see who can kill the most. 

Last Monday we were able to set one of our investigators with a baptismal date! He's 13, but he has got to be one of the most prepared people I've met! He loved reading the Book of Mormon and any other pamphlet that we give him. We were reviewing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with him, and we went over the five different steps. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. Then we asked him more or less where he was at on these steps. He said that he thinks he's done the first two, and the next step would be baptism. We asked him what he thought about baptism and he told us that every time he hears the word baptism, he feels happy and peaceful. So, he has now decided to get baptized! We still have some obstacles in the way of course. The major one being church. Since his parents work in the campos all day long, Monday through Saturday, they want to be able to spend time with him on Sunday. So that is our struggle right now, but of course we're trying to get them all to come to church as a family. I'll be sure to let Y'all know if we have any progress with that!

This Friday we went on exchanges. We exchanged after district meeting. I ended up going with Elder Ciminski, a good friend of mine. We became close when I was serving in Nags Head and he was a little ways North of that in Currituck. So that was really fun. I was in the area of Smithfield. 

In other exciting news, a member here recently got his mission call! So, there are four Hispanic young single adults in the ward that we call "The Boys" because they're super chidos. They all call me "Elder Alto" as well haha. Anyhow, one of them got his mission call to serve in the Dallas Texas, Spanish mission. We've been able to work lots with him and it's been really refreshing to see his excitement to go serve! It's been so great being a missionary. I love it. I love the ups and the downs, because it all has been such a good learning experience. I wouldn't trade this time I've had for anything. My heart is just full of gratitude and love.

I also love this country and the freedoms that we experience here. Serving around the Hispanic population had done nothing but boost my American pride and has made me see that the American Dream is still alive and well. They all see it. I know we can too! I love a mission. I love the people. I love the Lord. Thank y'all so much for everything you do. Don't give up, keep going. It's all going to be worth it!

Love,

Elder Adams 

 

1. Me and Brother Espino (Member in Greenville)

2.Me and Elder Holm

3.Me and Elder Barnes (He looks like Russel from UP!)

4.Me and Elder Mickelson

5.Me and Elder Swenson

6.Chicken with a mango salsa (Hey I actually learned how to do something on my mission!) 

Elder Harrison Adams 6/26/17 Wilson, NC

Family and Friends,

Hello! This week was a crazy one. Saying bye to all of the people I love in Greenville, and then coming here to Wilson! Wilson is a great place. It's really small. In fact, it's the smallest town I've ever lived in. There's nothing too special about the town, nothing out of the ordinary. Except they have a park full of some things called whirley gigs. I guess they are more or less giant shapes made out of metal that spin when the wind blows. I didn't get a photo of them but maybe in a week or two I'll have a photo.

The good majority of the population here is African American with Hispanics being a close second. There are lots of bugs here, which is never too fun. In fact, our house is right by some fields of pine-straw. People out here use pine-straw as filler in their flowerbeds. Pine-straw also is a perfect breeding ground for cockroaches. So needless to say, we have lots of cockroaches outside our house, and quite a few end up getting in the house as well. Even though we keep it clean. I've already killed about 20 cockroaches in the house since I got here last Wednesday.

My new companion es Elder Burke. He's from Idaho, somewhere in the southern part. He's been on his mission for a little under a year. We get along really good! He played lots of sports back home so we can relate in that way, and he's also a really great missionary.

Church yesterday was fantastic. The church building is really small. There's only one hallway in the building that has about 8 classrooms branching off of it. Then they have the chapel and a quarter size gym. Currently the church is undergoing some remodeling so the gym is closed 'til September. The congregation was a big size considering how small the building was. And there are lots of Hispanic members here. This is the biggest congregation of Hispanic members I've had on my mission, apart from when I served in the branch in Newport News. In total, there were about 14 Hispanic members at church. The members here are super nice. Several of them have offered to feed us this week, and an older lady wants to teach us how to cook seviche.

As for as missionary work, it's really good here as well. We have quite a few people we are working with. The most promising right now is a young man, about 12 years old. I haven't been able to meet him yet, since when we saw him I was on exchanges, but I'm excited to meet him this upcoming week. 

We also met with a man who took the lessons from missionaries about 5 years ago. He doesn't remember much, but we were able to teach him about the Book of Mormon and the importance of it. I love the Book of Mormon. I love all of the canonized scripture that we have, but I have a special favor especially towards the Book of Mormon. I know without a doubt that it is the word of God. I know that the people it talks about actually lived, and we have a lot to learn from their example. I love being able to read from the Book of Mormon everyday. That's something I want to continue doing for the rest of my life. I know this church is true, and I'm so grateful to be here serving my mission. Thank Y'all so much for all you do! Keep up the good work!

Love,

Elder Adams

(Sorry for no photos this week, I forgot to bring a cord to upload the photos onto the computer.)

Elder Harrison Adams 6/12/17 Greenville, NC

Family and friends,

So recently the primary in my home ward asked me a bunch of questions, and I was thinking about including them below. But real quick, we had a good week here. We had a meeting with Elder Curtis, Jr. of the Seventy. It was fantastic and we talked a lot about hope. Having hope in finding people, missionary work, and life in general! Transfer calls are coming up this next Saturday, so I'll be sure to let Y'all know what will happen with that! Okay. Here is what I wrote to the primary! They asked me questions, and so I put their questions and then my response afterwards.

"To the Valiant 11-B Class:
What do I do? As a missionary I go and teach people about Jesus Christ. I teach them about families, and about the gospel.

What do I eat? With lots of the members they will give us tacos, papusas, floutas, rice, and beans.

What do I do for fun? Every Monday we have a little bit of time to relax. Normally we'll play some sports, like basketball or volleyball.

How is it teaching on my mission? Teaching on my mission is super fun! Lots of people like to hear about God and Jesus Christ, and it feels really good to teach them.

What is the weather like? During the summer it gets really hot and humid. During the winter it can get a little cold, but it normally doesn't snow. We do get lots of rain.

What is something funny that has happened? When I was learning Spanish, I made a few mistakes! Onetime I was trying to tell someone I ate eggs for breakfast, and I accidentally told him that I ate eyes for breakfast!

What is the weirdest thing I have eaten? Probably the weirdest thing I have eaten was pigs feet, or pigs tail.

How old am I? Right now I am 20 years old.

What do I normally do on P-day? Lots of times we'll play sports, board games, and sometimes we go bowling.

Where is my companion from? He is from Austin, Texas.

Do I walk drive or ride a bike? We are lucky and get to drive cars.

How far away is our church building? It's about 10 minutes driving from where we live.

What made me want to serve a mission? I wanted to serve a mission so that I could help people be with their families forever.

To the Valiant 9-A Class:

What do kids do for fun down here? Lots of kids like going to the ocean to swim. Lots of kids also play baseball and soccer.

Did I get to see the world cup or the Olympics? No.

What is my favorite thing to do out here? I love to teach people about Jesus Christ.

What is the weather like? The weather is hot, and really humid!

What is my favorite sport? My favorite sport is lacrosse.

What is my favorite food? It's hard to choose, but I really like papusas and also sopes.

What's my favorite thing here? I love how many trees there are. We are surrounded by tons of tall trees!

What's my favorite book? Well on the mission, of course my favorite books or the church books! The Book of Mormon, the Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and Preach My Gospel. But back home I really liked the Ranger's Apprentice books."

After answering these questions, I was reflecting a little bit on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thinking about the primary kids and the answers that I should give them, it made me think of how simple this Gospel is. It's easy to understand. It's plainly laid out for us. So, it's not a question of whether we understand it or not, rather, are we willing to live it. I know it might not always be easy to live the commandments, or to stand up for what's right, but I do know that it will bring peace in this life and blessings in the life after as well. Thank y'all so much for your love and prayers! We for sure feel it as missionaries. Love Y'all!

Elder Adams

1. We said goodbye to the Canseco family as they are moving to Mexico for a few months.

2. We decided to grill this week. It actually turned out super good!

Elder Harrison Adams 6/5/17 Greenville, NC

Family and Friends,

This week has been full of lots of blessings and miracles. We were able to get lots of good work done this week, and it just flew right by! This upcoming week should be good as well, because this Thursday we have a mission tour. Elder LeGrand R. Curtis, Jr. and his wife will be coming and visiting us, so we are very excited about that.

I just wanted to share with Y'all something this week that I heard that's really changed me quite a bit. We were in a class with the Hispanic members, and we were learning about spiritual gifts. One of the members in the branch was talking about his conversion. Then, without thinking or hesitation, he said that he had been a member of the church for three years three months and two days. And that he counts every day, because he is so grateful to be a member of this church. Well that really got me thinking, do I show enough gratitude in being a member of the restored church of Jesus Christ? I also started thinking about how I can show more appreciation and gratitude for being a member of this church. I just want Y'all to know, that I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that this is the true church, and I have seen so many blessings come from it. I'm grateful for the support system that we get in the Church. I'm grateful for the devoted service of all the members, and for all the everyone does for the benefit and wellbeing of the church. Hopefully we can all, as this man did, appreciate the blessing of the restored church in our lives.

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Adams

(It was national doughnut day this week, so we had to get some Duck Doughnuts!)

Elder Harrison Adams 5/29/17 Greenville, NC

Family and friends,

We had a good week this week! The highlight was yesterday, when we had one of our investigators come to church! So originally we didn't have anyone commit to come to church so we were bummed about that. But Sunday morning we got a text from one of our investigators and she asked us what time church started. So we told her and asked if she was going to be coming, and she said "quizas vaya" or maybe I'll go. So the first hour went by and we didn't see her come in. We sit outside of the chapel to translate so we were super happy to go into the chapel after the service and see that she had come in and brought her three children! She stayed for the other two hours and her kids went to primary. One of her kids really liked it, and the other didn't. He was a little upset that our church didn't have a playground haha. But it was great. Overall she really enjoyed her experience and even committed to coming next week as well! 

Apart from that this week has been a good fulfilling one as well. Even though Elder Mickelson and I didn't see tons of personal success, we worked really hard and know that we did our part. Sometimes other peoples agency can be frustrating. However, it's also one of the greatest gifts that God has given us. God's given us agency, and with that agency we have the responsibility to make right choices and follow His gospel. Agency however, also gives us a big responsibility. As it says in Doctrine and Covenants 101:78- "That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgement." So with our agency, we know that we will be responsible for our actions. Then, let us strive a little harder to choose the right. To keep God's commandments, and to reject the natural man and his tendencies. And I promise that as we do so, we will feel a greater peace in our lives and a greater appreciation for our personal agency. Thank y'all so much for everything that you do! Have a fantastic week.

Love,

Elder Adams 

(I also forgot to say in the letter that one of our investigating families moved back to Mexico this week, we'll miss them! They're here in this first photo.)