E-mail 8-26-12

Family,

Thanks so much for the packages! I got them both. The ties, the candy, and the potatoes will all be put to good use! Don’t send any more packages though! That stuff is expensive. Letters and email will do just fine.

This last week has been awesome! A real life changer for sure. But before I explain I’ll try to answer all of your questions. Our apartment is really small but its way leggit. I love it. Both of our beds are on the bottom level and our desks and couch are in the upper loft tree house lookin thing. For dinner we pretty much just cook ourselves. Not gonna lie... I am a pretty dang good cook. We eat a lot of potatoes (mashed and fried), chicken, sausage, and rice. Oh and vegetables. They are really cheap so we have them often. The place where we buy our food is super close so that’s nice. The members rarely feed us except for Patrick. Patrick feeds us every Saturday for lunch. He is the best. Last Saturday we went to Rafaels Fritterie. They were the best fries everrrrr. That place is a real nice treat. I’m sure ill be visiting there again soon. About splits; there are two other missionaries in Charleroi. They have the south and we have the north side. It is split right down the middle of the city pretty much. Tomorrow we are having our first zone meeting so that should be fun. We have to travel by train to Brussels. We don’t get to see President often because there are almost 200 missionaries in the Paris France Mission. Maybe he will be at district meeting tomorrow?  I’m not sure. Probably not. The First Presidency has asked every zone to have a meeting so I am kinda excited and scared to see what is happening haha. I think that should’ve answered most of your questions.

This week our ward had a huge BBQ! It was awesome. A little over a hundred people were in attendance and 40 of them were investigators! I was like a kid in a candy store. I couldn’t stop smiling all night! (and i hate smiling haha) It was such a blessing. All night we were able to talk to non-members and set up some rendezvous (appointments). A lot of Book of Mormons were given away that night and we gave many people a tour of the building. People really loved that. The building here is so nice and is kept in very nice condition by the members.

This week we have really had some progress with our amis! (investigators) The Madulla famille is awesome. They were at the BBQ and for the first time got to meet some members of the ward and see the building for the first time. And they even stayed after and rode home with the Bishop! They have really come a long way. They were found my first week here while porting (knockin down doors). They are having a rough time with a lot of things, but I feel like they are feeling the love that God has for them more and more. The main reason they are feeling His love is because of the Book of Mormon. They love it! They have three kids and they aren’t married. Bizzare nes pas? haha. But we had a discussion last night about marriage and they are really praying and thinking about it. I can’t wait for our next rendezvous on Friday. We have a few others who are progressing well also but I don’t have the time to explain haha I still type so slow! These key boards here are killing me.

Last Wednesday I had my first experience with catholic mass! Last week we were porting and got invited into a house where a man named John Phillips was visiting his dad. The dad didn’t want to hear from us but John said that he did so he gave us his address and told us to give him a visit. So of course we did. Two days later we took a fifteen minute train to... I don’t remember haha. John picked us up at the station and drove us to his house. When he picked us up he was wearing a white robe with a huge wood cross! It was pretty awesome looking. Everyone was staring at the weird lookin Americans in suits and a man in a robe. I'm sure it was quite the site. Once I saw him in the robe I knew things were about to get weird. And they did. He lived in a Catholic village! (same thing as a Amish town pretty much) When we pulled in everyone was wearing these robe things and was heading to the church. Lots of them shook are hands and welcomed us. They really were some nice people. For about a half an hour we got a tour of the mansion and the garden and a few other things. It was pretty awesome. We got to snack on orange juice and cookies down by the creek while discussing the Book of Mormon. John is seriously the nicest person I have ever met in my life. The discussion went well but I’m not sure it had a huge effect on him. He just wanted to know what the Mormons are all about. Well after the tour we got to go to his church! I’m not sure if I should really explain this because I don’t want to be disrespectful or anything. Just know that it was the scariest thing that ever happened to me. The service took place exactly beneath the church in the basement. There was lots of singing and bowing and other things. It was definitely a experience I’ll never forget. Best day of my life probably.

Well that’s about all I got. I hope all is well back at home. Sounds like Dad and Garrett had a good time fishing. That’s the best. Fishing is the best. Life is the best. Oh yeah and that’s pretty awesome that Derek got called as a seminary teacher. Tell him congrats. I’m sure he is pretty pumped about it haha. But on the realz, he would be an awesome seminary teacher. I’m sure the kids will love him. That would be funny if he taught Ali in his class, nes pas?

#ChurchIsTrue   #BelgiumRockz  #LoveYall  #StayAwesome  #xoxo

Avec Amour,

Elder Adamz

E-mail 8-20-12

Mother!
Not gonna lie that is kinda a bummer that school starts up again haha. But enjoy the last week in good old Utah (hate that place). I am sure that you are lovin having Garrett back in town and seeing Whit and Cody as well. Sounds like Garrett did well in NC. Not bad not bad. Tell him if he has a little time to send some of that cash flow this way. I wouldn’t mind a little. Just kidding. I kinda like being a poor missionary. It has really helped with the weight loss. I HAVE LOST 9 POUNDS SINCE LEAVING THE MTC. Not bad eh? Maybe by the time I come back I will be looking like my main man Elder Faught ( six foot four/ 125 pounds) hahahha. We walk many miles throughout each day so I am sure that helps with the weight loss as well. The mission isn’t only helping me with my spirituality but physically as well! haha.

This last week has been a real treat. I got to go on splits for my first time. I got to go with Elder Piper (my district leader). He is the man. He taught me so much. I think the two things I learned the most are the importance of following the spirit during each lesson and talking with EVERYONE. It was fun mixing things up for the first time in Belgium.

Church is always a real treat. The members of the Ward are seriously the nicest people I have ever met. Every one of them always say hi and let me practice speaking French with them. I still don’t understand very well what is going on throughout all of the meetings but that will come with time. This week at church I prayed four times haha. Since I don’t say anything during their lessons, because I have no idea what is going on, they always ask me to say the prayer because they know I am capable of doing that. As soon as I say Amen everyone runs up to me and tells me how good my French sounds hahha   I LOVE these people!

This week has been horrible weather wise. The last three days there has been a heat wave passing through. It was soooo hawt! Humidity and heat are the worst. The first three weeks the weather was amazing so I wasn’t really prepared for all this heat . It is hot everywhere during every time of the day! I have woken up each morning the last couple of days completely drenched. It is even hot in the shade. Thank goodness they didn’t send me to Africa! The people here act like they are gonna die because it has been so hot. It is really not that bad just a big difference from the norm.

All is well on this side of the world. I love you and pray for you everyday. Stay awesome. Stay neat. Keep on keepin on. Love yall!

Father

I am glad to hear that all is going well with the business. Know that I am praying for your success and the family as well. How has the new web site cart been working? Have people been buying stuff on the web site? I sure hope so. Sounds like things are really starting to come around and hopefully by the time I am back you are rollin in the dough so we can play some golf, haha just kidding. How has your golf game been? Hopefully you and mother have had the chance to play a little.

I sent you and mom a letter so it should be here this week. I sent a couple of cute pics with it as well so you can remember how good looking your son is and how much we look alike. We really are some handsome people, nes pas? That is sweet that Garrett is finally home. I am sure he is glad to be done with all that knocking on doors and stuff (I still have two more years of it! and I am loving it! Knocking on doors here is where we find our most success!) and even happier to have the big bucks he got for knocking. I’m sure he will be able to take some girls on some pretty sweet dates with all that money and maybe even pay for college and a new car. You’re lucky all of your kids are genius' eh. And that is awesome that Scott Smith has been tearing it up on the PGA tour since I left. That man is a stud. Hopefully by the time I come back he will have won a couple or something haha, you never know.

I don’t have a lot of time this week to write but just know that all is well on this side of the world. I am loving it more than I could’ve ever imagined. The work is really starting to pick up. We have beacoup des rendez-vous this week! (a lot of appointments). The people here are becoming more lovable with each passing day. But sometimes it can be hard when they try running me over, when they flip me off, and when they throw cigarette buts at me haha. With success comes opposition... so that is OKAY! I love you to the moon and back!  Stay awesome. Stay Schweet!

Avec Amour,
Elder Adamzzz

E-mail 8-16-12

Mother!  Desolet pour not writing back on Monday! Things have been pretty crazy around here.  The reason I switched my pday to today is because we traveled with Patrick today to visit a castle in Namur! (with President's approval of course)  It was sooo much fun.  The chateau wuzzz BEE-UT-iFall!   Like I don't even know what to say about it haha but luckily I took beacoup du pics! (a lot)

Belgium is the besttt!  I remember before I got my mission call I was hoping for a mission with good food (I always did love to eat)... and that is exactly what happened.  The food here is amazingggg!  I can't get enough of it haha.  Belgium has the best chocolate in the world for sure.  They don't play no games with their chocolate. Belgium also has the best gauffres (aka waffle).  I think I've had around ten already?
ooops. Oh yeah and the best food of all is the frites!  Around every corner there are frites. (fries)  My love for potatoes grows bigger each day.  Everybody cooks them different so that gives Elder Adams a reason to try them all ehh. (I have lost 10 pounds so no more fat jokes please hahah)

Lets talk about the real treat here in Charleroi though.  The people!  They are the best.  Not gonna lie, most are a wee bit scary on the outside but on the inside they are tres gentile!   Each day I gain more and more love and respect for them.  We have had many awesome experiences this last week.  Our first meeting with the Madulla famille was schweet.  They are a couple in their fifties with three children. They love the Book of Mormon, they accepted to come to church, and they want to learn more.  Probably the three best things I have ever heard in my life!  The Spirit was so strong during the lesson, probably the strongest I have ever felt it.  I am still struggling with the French but I was able to clearly bear my testimony during the lesson about prayer and about how much the Book of Mormon has changed my life.  French is sooo hard but with the spirit it is POSSIBLE!   We have also been meeting with a man named Mack (an astronaut!)  He is a
genius.  The reason he is meeting with us is because he knows "there is something else out there."   It's true!   There really,  is but with him it is soo hard to teach because his mind is all about numbers and facts, haha, but with time I hope we can help him to gain faith.  Our last meeting with him was a wreck.  I wish not to talk about it haha but we are meeting with him again so hopefully we can redeem ourselves.  We have also been meeting with C.  She has been meeting with the missionaries for nine years haha.   She came to church with us though for the first time in a long time!   That was awesome.  She used  to cook for the Kking of Belgium.  Not sure what that has to do with anything?  haha.  Maybe her time has finally come for baptism?   She has a testimony of the Book of Mormon and is sooo nice so it is possible. Anything is possible, nes pas?

For the first time since i have been on my mission I got the opportunity to do service!   It was soo fun.  I thought I would be just fine without doing manual labor for two years but I was wrong.   I miss it.  We cut down a huge thorn bush tree thingy and cut down a lot of limbs.  It took a lot of time but the church looks so much better now.  I may have torn a huge hole in my nice slacks too? oops.

I have learned so much these last couple of weeks.  I could go on for hours about the many things i have learned.  I have learned so much, yet I know soo little!   I have learned so much about the gospel, yet I
know so little about the gospel!   But I look at it as somewhat of a good thing because it gives me motivation.  Motivation to work harder and become better one day at a time.  "The life life with the greatest REWARD, is a life turned over to the LORD."   Sooo True!   Mish life is the best. I am loving it.

My love for the Book of Mormon has grown soo much.  I can't get enough of it. There is soo much to be learned within its pages.  I have never been much of a reader.  Actually lets be honest.   I HATE reading!   But its different when I  read the Book of Mormon.  When I read I try to relate it to me.  There are so many stories to relate to in the B of M!  I have been reading in Alma this week.  Reading from Alma is so leggit
for me at this time in my life because its all about missionary work!  Alma and Amulek are some powerfull teachers.  Gotta love um.

Life is the best.  You all are the best.  I recieved a ton of emails this week and I don't have the time to respond.  If anyone besides my famile wants to communicate, please write letters!  I am not allowed to
email back. Love yall!  Stay Awesome!

Love Elder Adamz

Elder Adams is in Belgium!

8-6-12

Family!

Belgium has been a real nice treat.  Here is my new address before I forget;   2D Rue Moria Bte 2 {first line} 6032 Mont-Sur-Marchienne {2nd} Belgium {last}.  The mail system is very fast and only takes a little over a week to get mail.  I can’t wait to here from every body.

I am currently typing on a French keyboard and it is sooo hard!  haha  So I am sorry in advance if this email is extra short.  The first day in France was so awesome.   Our mission home is beautiful.  As soon as we got off the plane (longest ten hours of my life) we went straight to work.  My very first contact was insane.  I just walked up to some random Parisian and asked him if he believed in God.  He babbled off something that made absolutely no sense, haha.  I didn’t know what to say after that so I just kinda started bearing my testimony.  He listened and as soon as I stopped he said "fermer le bouche" (shut your mouth) hahah.   Rough start for Elder A, but it has definitely gotten better since day one.  My companion and I have given away ten or so Book of Mormons so far.

My companion is Elder Philips.  He’s a nice guy.  He is from Utah. We don’t have much in common but doesn’t matter because the only thing there is to talk about for the next two years is the gospel! haha.  

The second day in the mission and I was already receiving miracles. I don’t know if you remember but I told you I met a Belgium man named Patrick in the MTC who spoke French soooooo fast.  I met him in the TRC (the place where we teach fake investigators)  and for some weird reason I thought I would see him again some day. About a month ago when Patrick came back from the US to Belgium (where he lives) the missionaries in his ward asked him if he remembered any of the new Frenchies from the MTC and he said  "the only one I can remember is Elder Adam!"   I am not sure why he remembered me because I could barely even talk to him in the MTC haha. He prayed that I would be sent here though!!   He said he has been praying for me since that day.  ( I was secretly praying to come to Belgium as well)  GOD really does answer prayers.  I know I am here in Belgium for a specific reason.  Patrick was so excited when he heard that I was coming into Belgium that he picked us up from the train station the day I arrived.   And on Saturday he went and taught a couple of lessons with us!   He is the nicest man I have ever met.  We also had lunch at his house on Saturday. The man has got some legit cooking skills.   He has been a member for 8 years now!   He is such a good member missionary.   I could've been sent to a million other places but I know the lord needs me here!

I am really starting to pick up on the French.  I really struggle at comprehending but I know with time that will come.  I have already had the opportunity to give two blessings in French!  (tres difficil pour moi)   One of the people we gave a blessing to was a inactive members husband who was very sick in the hospital.  The spirit was so strong.  Definitely a experience I will never forget.  The other person was a member of the church who was going into surgery the next day.  No time to mess around here!   Its crazy how fast I am learning!   On Sunday I also got the opportunity to talk in Sacrament Meeting.  I was able to tell the people how excited I am to be here in Belgium, a little about me, and of course bear my testimony.  I don’t speak the most eloquent French but everyone said they understood! haha.  I was surprisingly not that nervous because I knew that the Lord would help me with my Fench!   The ward I am serving in is very small, about 40 people or so I believe.

Belgium is amazing!   I am near the town Charleroi.  My little house is very nice. It’s kinda in the ghetto but that is alright.  Everybody and I mean everybody, SMOKES HERE!   I am sure that I will need to get good at teaching the Parol de Sagesse (Word of Wisdom) haha.   People probably think that I smoke because I smell like it most of the time.  Weather is amazinggggggg!   It rains everyday and it is always overcast and cloudy.   So many people here hate the missionaries but about one in every hundred people will listen to our message.  We have done soooo much contacting and have been successful!   Tomorrow we have three rendez vous set up! I am pretty excited about that.

Oh yeah and we ran into a drug deal yesterday!  Everybody ran when they saw us coming because they thought we were cops (white shirts and ties haha) but when they realized we were not,  they cane back in the street and handed us a bag of marijuana.  We gladly accepted.  NOT!!!   I about peed myself!  Haha the men looked like straight mobsters.  They were some legit drug dealers.  Haha they were all rollin in BMW’s and Mercedes.  I will try to avoid that street from now on haha.  And we almost got jumped my second day! Three drunk huge men chased us down and tried to tackle us haha, but thankfully there nice little daughter stopped them!  She was only twelve or so.  I will forever love her!   I also try to avoid that street haha.

Love you all.   I am all out of time.  I miss you all and can’t wait to hear from you!

#ChurchIsTrue

#StayAwesome

#KeepTheFaith

#YourInMyPrayers

#TheChocolateHereIsToDieFor

ps- send me my winter clothes please!

ps- pictures next week! I have some good ones.

Elder Adams Testimony

July 24, 2012

Cher familly et amis!

The last week of my MTC experience has come! (soooo quickly i must say).  These last couple of days Elder Adams has struggled tremendously with sleeping haha.   PARIS/FRANCE consumes my mind every night and won’t let me sleep.  I am kind of  freaking out about being surrounded by 60 million people that speak French, and that speak it well haha. My French has come a long way and will continue to do so for the next two years but that doesn’t mean i am not going to be nervous haha.   This may seem weird but I actually am kinda  sad to be leaving the MTC (just a lil though) because I have made so many good friends and I love all of my teachers.  The MTC has been a real treat.  Speaking of TREATS-Elder Adams has gained 15 pounds!   #Embarrassing!!!   I never thought it was possible, but PLEASE people will you stop sending me candy and junk food and just food in general  hahaha.  I will lose the weight shortly though, don’t worry.  The petite food portions in France and all the walking will help me lose a few pounds  (hopefully  more)  I’m sure.

Is it just the MTC or is it hot every minute of every day in the real world to?  The MTC's air conditioning has been horrible so this place has been like a sauna these last two weeks.  Sundays and T uesdays when i have to wear a suite are the worst.  My tie is used to wipe the sweat from my forehead and is soaked by the end of the day haha  (a lil exaggeration).  Maybe it is just cuz i am fat now but  i don’t think so.  I can’t even think without sweating!

Last week  Ii got to be a missionary host for the 1st time!   It was so fun being able to show new kids around the MTC and what not.   Both of the kids I  hosted were scared to death and I got the opportunity to let them know that they will be just fine but I do see where they are coming from, the first week of the mission is kinda rough.   Both of the Elders were headed to Fiji so they didn’t have much to complain about haha.   Tomorrow i will get to host again.   I can’t wait,  It is definitely a highlight in the MTC.

The French is slowly progressing!   This last week i have been trying my hardest to speak it whenever and wherever I go and so fa,r so good.   Last Thursday was my best day by a mile!   I spoke it basically all day and even during gym and meal times (so hard for me).  Nothing will make a person more tired than trying to translate English words to French words in your head haha.   I slept like a baby that night! French is so fun to speak.   I have finally memorized the entire First Vision in French and have gotten the opportunity to use it in 4 or 5 lessons thus far.  It was so hard but I am so glad I did it.  French is the best!

Well I am almost all out of time.  I am so excited to be going into the real mission field where I can teach real people and real lessons!   I have loved the MTC experience and will definitely never forget it.  There are not very many prisons in this world like the MTC.   This prison full of 2,381 missionaries (President told us yesterday) is the only place in the world that has the SPIRIT in such rich abundance!   I have never felt the spirit this much in my life.   I am scared out of my mind to be going to France so soon but I know with the Lord on my side that I will be just  fine!   I have learned so much these last 9 weeks but the things I have learned the most are how much my Heavenly Father really does love me and everyone who lives and ever lived,  a great love for the scriptures (especially the Livre de Mormon),  a love for my Savior and a knowledge of his infinite atonement, and so much about Joseph Smith and the restoration! The MTC has been a real treat.  I love you all. Thanks for your support and prayers.

 Avec L'amour... Elder Adams

 #ParisBBY!

#ChurchIsSoooTrue

 ");

July 17th, 2012

Bonjour Mere et Pere et Famille et Amis!

Yet another bon semaine ici a  MTC!  It blows my mind each week as the time continues to fly by.  I have learned more in these last couple of weeks than I thought possible.  My tete (head) feels like it is going to explode daily, but its a good kinda explosion, like it means that I am learning.  The French is really coming along well.  This week and last week I have been receiving help from two returned sister missionaries who served in Paris.  They have helped me so much with Passe Comp, Imperfect, when to use ''y" and when to use "en."  This week has been a real nice treat for sure!

But every week has to have a sad happening, as did mine. Soeur Opeta left on Monday for Madagascar :( ! She is a native French speaker so she only had to be here in the MTC for 3 and half weeks or so.  She sat by me in class and taught me so much about French, about life (outside the USA, in the real world), and about everything.  She would force me to carry out French conversation with her daily and I can’t even begin to explain how much that helped me!  I in return would help her with her English.  Her French is about like my English and my French is about like her English haha.  She is seriously the most amazing person II have ever met.  She grew up on an island hundreds of miles away from Tahiti.  Her island is about fifty feet wide and miles long. She has had absolutely nothing given to her in life. She is the most humble/gracious person I have ever met.  She is also a grade A genius.  She studied at a university in France and then moved to South America somewhere to continue her studies.  She did this all on her own, without any help form her family.  Most of her family are not members so that makes her story even more amazing.  She hasn’t seen her family in 6 years!  She has really helped me to put my life into perspective. The Lord has blessed me beyond my comprehension!  I was sad to see Soeur Opeta go, but I know she will be a special missionary in Madagascar.

Seeing Hadley this week was a real treat!  I have missed him so much.  I got lucky and ended up seeing the Faught Family (+ Ryan- Love him) drop off Elder Faught.  It was so fun to see real people!  The only people I have seen these last 7 weeks have been missionaries.  It was fun to give David, Loni, and Ryan a hug (hugs are rare here in the MTC so I gladly took advantage of it.)  And of course it was a real treat to shake Soeur Faughts hand and to see Elder Faught all dressed up in a fancy missionary suit.  I have seen Elder Faught probably 6 or seven times since he got to the MTC.  He is going to be a bomb missionary. He seems to have head start on the Spanish so that will be nice.  I’ll be sure to send a picture of us soon!  (I think Logan or Ryan have a pic on their phone- tell them to send it to ya)

This week we received four new roomies who are all speaking French and will be serving in Canada somewhere (sorry I don’t remember haha).  They are all really nice and will be excellent missionaries.  I feel so old ever since they got here.  They ask me questions 24/7 about French and about the MTC and I can surprisingly answer almost all of them (such a weird feeling to know more French than some people). This week for our devotional we had Jenny Oaks Baker (Elder Oaks Daughter) come and give a talk/ play the violen for us.  She is one of the best violinists in the world and put on a real show for us.  She was amazing!  Music here at the MTC is rare so that was a real nice treat haha.

My travel plans should be here in a week but I'm not sure yet.  But the plan as of now is that in exactly two weeks I will be on a airplane right now heading to France! (but I try not to think about it cuz I am definitely not ready; I’v got so much more to learn!)  Thanks you so much for the package of goodies!  My favorite part was definitely the Zucchini bread.  That stuff was amazing (my District said to tell you thanks).  The day after I got your package the Stockard’s also sent me one.  Thanks Tom and Julie, ya’ll are the best!  Packages are always a real good experience minus the fact that they make me fat hahah.  So far willard has gained 11 pounds on the mish and I’m sure these last two packages will help bring the total up.  Tomorrow I get to host the new missionaries!  I am pretty excited about that.  It is always fun to watch the mom, sisters, brothers, and even dads cry when there lil boy or girl leaves for the mish haha, but its only a little but funny cuz that lil situation kinda happened to me like 7 weeks ago (rough day in Elder Adams life).

I will not need anymore food or candy mother! haha. I am going to have a heart attack if you continue to feed me!  But I guess if you had to, I wouldn’t mind another box of Krsipy Kremes, hahah.  Those things are the best.  If my district gets lucky I might share a couple with them.  My time is all up!  I love you all to the moon and back.  Thank you for all the letters and goodies!  Life is good here at prison so don’t worry bout me!  Next week I will try to make room for a spiritual thought or something haha, the time flies during the half hour they give us to email!

Bon Quote from elder Holland "If people are unresponsive and careless during your lessons, we must love them anyway.  If we love them today, maybe they will become more responsive tomorrow!"   So true! (happens with my MOCK investigators all the time) hahah.

#HappyBerfdayBoonerRay

#ChurchIsTrue

#LoveYall

Love Elder Adamz