Hello to Everyone I Love

So, last week I had to sit and think of something... anything... interesting to write to you. This week is different... I have to sit and think of what to write first. I guess I'll start with the sad news, that way, we can end happy... deal?

We visited Raymart yesterday. He didn't come to church, and the people he usually comes with said he was tired because he was out late with his family. (Saturday night was a holiday? Flores de Mayo. It's a catholic (tradition?) and I'm not sure of the details, but there's dressing up and procession with flowers and crosses on arches...) Anyway, Raymart's family is all Catholic, so of course he went... and he got home late... hence, he was too tired to make it to an 8 am meeting. Understandable. Anyway, before we even started the lesson, he was like, "sis, is it ok if I come to church, but not get baptized?" Basically, he has been convinced by his family that it's better if he goes to church where they are, and where his friends are. I really wanted to cry, but I didn't. I am just so sad for him. His attitude was way different yesterday than it has been in the past... he just kept saying, "I'm not getting baptized, I've been baptized." We're going to keep visiting him, but it's really hard for him because there is zero support from his family, and he's only 12. Hopefully, some missionaries will run into him in 5 or 6 years... :)

However, we found some people we feel are truely ready. 2 women named Nilda and Josie. They are friends and neighbors. Nilda is 44 and Josie is 37. Nilda watches Josie's 4 (3?) year old daughter in the day while Josie is out working (she manicures). Anyway, they are both really receptive (especially Nilda, she told her friends that "the grace of God happened to me today, I met Sister Cortes...") We're excited to go back there :)

And, we have a part member family that we're excited about. The dad, Edelberto is the only member, but he's inactive. He has 4 kids: Christian Mae, 14; John Mark, 12; Michael Kane, 11; and Jr. ... "Gwapo" (Edelberto), 8 months; and a wife, Mindaluz. We stopped by last night to confirm a FHE tonight and the 3 older kids were like "we're going to be baptized!!!" haha it was awesome. Those baptisms will happen some time (probably) in July. We are pretty excited about them... (note: Brother is part of the reason you won't recognize this Sister Missionary when she returns home... he feeds us at least once a week...)

We also celebrated a birthday with a woman who lives in a house about the size of the girl's room (minus the gold carpet ;) ) We took some bread and sang to her. She lives all by herself and is a former investigator... she had a bad experience at church, so she doesn't want us to teach her. But while we were talking to her, she asked, "who was the one who saw the light?" She'll make it, but we have to be inventive about how we teach... haha :)

Well, that's all for now loved ones :)

Love always,

Sister Jennie Adams

Same Old, Same Old

Kamusta kamo? How are you?

I'm doing fabulous... except that I can't think of anything interesting that happened this week to write to you... Sorry...

Sorry I didn't tell you for sure... I stayed in Roxas, with Sister Cortes. It was like transfers didn't even happen for us, because the other two sisters stayed in Roxas as well. I am now the only American in my district. But there are 4 other Americans (elders) in my Zone, so I'm not completely alone... haha. And most, if not all, of the elders in my batch went senior this transfer. I don't feel jealous at all... I'd be happy to be junior for a few more transfers :) That's the way I like to live- stress free! Haha, but of course, I'll take the responsibility if (when?) it comes to me :) Next transfer (the "split") there are 31 foreigners coming to Bacolod and Iloilo missions (they'll be divided)... lots of missionaries are going to have to step up to fill in the leadership positions.

We had a special missionary fireside in the stake this week. It was for the 4 wards in Roxas (there are 8 wards in our stake, but the others are far away) It was good, I hope the messages there helped the people who came to it. I know that I made a resolve to be a happier person. To make life lighter, because it is meant to be that way. No one actually said that, but we're all entitled to personal revelation if we're ready to receive it.

Oh, and we have at least 2 or 3 dinner appointments in a week (that's a slow week) I hope you all recognize me when I come home!

Well Sorry I don't have more to report on, this week was just normal...

Love, Sister Adams

Another week in the life of Sister Adams...

Hey Everyone!

Well, I just have to report on Raymart... He is probably the most awesome 12 year old boy I know. We went to teach him after church yesterday and he started asking questions about a talk in sacrament meeting and telling us the lesson they had in Sunday School. Sister Cortes and I just sat and stared at him... and I giggled a little to myself because I was so happy for him... He's loving church and learning so much. His baptism is still set for June 12, but we've almost finished all the lessons with him (we only have like 3 left). He also always talks about going on a mission... and going to Alaska. Haha, he wants to go to America, but to Alaska. I told him he would freeze there, but he still wants to go.

We're still searching for the elect... and trying not to melt in the Philippines heat!
Thanks for all your prayers and support!
Love Always, Sister Jennie Adams

p.s. sorry so short!

It was awesome

to talk to you guys! And Taylor, sorry you didn't get to say goodbye.
Love you!

So, Happy Mother's Day to all who fit under that category! Thanks for all you do :)

I got a package this week that made me feel like it was my birthday and Christmas all at once... Thanks so much Ann Moon :) I was probably the happiest missionary in the mission when I opened that package... Everything will be used well, thank you.

Haha, so yesterday, Raymart came to church... which was no surprise to us, we expected him to come.

What was the surprise was that he was wearing a tie and slacks- he told us before that he wouldn't wear a tie to church until he was baptized... then he showed up yesterday wearing one. Haha, it was awesome. And his mom said that he has changed since we gave him a baptismal date. She says he's more helpful now and nicer to his siblings. Now we just need to get her to see the need to come to church for herself...

Well, that's about all the news I have for this week. We're still trying to find the elect here in Roxas! (Raymart definitely fits in that category) We have a few potentials, but time will tell. Thank you all for your support and prayers!

Oh, transfers are this week... but nothing will probably change with me...

Love, Sister Jennie Adams

P.S. I hear you are experiencing some late spring frost... I'll send some humid heat to y'all k? ;)

Zone Conference in Kalibo...

This week we had Zone Conference in Kalibo. We rented a van (and a driver... haha), and went on a road trip. We drove for 2 hours and slept in Kalibo. I still get carsick, so that was fun... Anyway, Conference was good, and different. I'm used to very big conferences with lots of missionaries... this one we maybe had 30 missionaries. It was pretty good and we got lots of good training. Nothing outstanding that I feel the need to report on though...

Transfer Announcements are next week, and I'll probably stay in Roxas. But we don't really know what's going to happen! Just wait and see, and in the mean time, we just keep working hard- Getting Raymart ready for baptism. We're pretty excited about that... and he is too :D

I am having a blast in the Seafood Capital of the Philippines! Those of you who know me, know that I don't like seafood. The other day, we ate at an investigator/part member's house and they fed us Bangus (also called Milkfish, the national fish) and shrimp. It was really good, I think bangros is my favorite fish. And a few weeks ago, I ate some pusit... or squid. I kinda felt like I was chewing a balloon... not really an experience I want to repeat. Haha, but that might not be an option... we'll see. They also have this stuff here called uga... dried fish. It smells... strong. They dry the fish, and then fry it... it gets REALLY strong when it hits the pan. I haven't eaten it yet, but I have a feeling the time is drawing near... :S

Also, please look at my picture from MY baptism and think "oxy clean" HAHAHA! An elder pointed this out to me (from my calendar)

One more thing...a few weeks ago, our cargo from Bacolod (containing proselytizing supplies and letters-dearelders included) was lost. I recently received a letter from Annie and Bill... but if you sent a dearelder at the beginning of April or end of March, I probably didn't get it...

That's all for this week, love you all lots!

Love, Sister Adams