Hey Everyone!!!

So, I think you all should read 1 Nephi 16. Then write down all the lessons you can learn from it. It is an absolutely incredible chapter, and you see the true character of all the people involved... So, yeah, read it.

This week has been kinda hard. The excuse of the week is "it's elections! we're going home to vote!" (elections for Barangay Kagagawad which are leaders for the community... a barangay is like a unit inside of a city. It has a hall and a captain, and kagawads which are like councilors) Anyway, if someone isn't living in the place they grew up and therefore registered to vote, then they have to go home to that place. Also, even if they don't have to go home, they're busy with campaigning and such. But it's ok because as I type, there are people voting. So by tomorrow, it'll all be over. Yay! I'll just wait for the next excuse :)

Our other problem is it's the semester break until November. So I have a feeling we're going to get punted a lot this week because quite a few of our investigators are students and they might go on vacation.

One time, before I came to serve the Lord for 18 months, a friend of mine who was a full time missionary sent me a drawing of himself punching the daylights out of Satan. I didn't really get it. I was like, "cool, he's a good artist." And then I put the letter away, not really thinking about it again. Well, now, as a full time missionary myself... I totally get it. In fact, I would love to be the one punching the daylights out of Satan. I hate the fact that he has so much influence. I see it everywhere: in members (young men) who drink and smoke with their friends and then are too ashamed to come to church. In nonmembers who also drink and smoke and gamble with their friends and "don't have time" for us. Even more subtly in good people who have slowly let unimportant things take the place of "seeking the kingdom of God" on the top of their "to do" list. (See Matt. 6 or 3 Nephi 13). I now completely understand why my friend felt the way he did and drew the picture he did. Unfortunately, Satan has no body and therefore can not be beat up. Or maybe fortunately. You see, if he did have a body, his influence would ruin the entire world.

That's why, my friends, we NEED to stay close to God. We NEED the power of prayer and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We NEED the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And we NEED to help others find it. So that we can lessen Satan's influence. I love being a missionary. And the opportunity to serve these people. They need so much what we have, and I'm happy to give it to them. Please pray for the hearts of people everywhere to be prepared to receive the Restored Gospel.

Love Always,

Sister Adams

another week

I apologize. I can't think of anything creative that happened this week. But, the father in law of our ward mission leader just passed away, so basically everything that he (our ward mission leader) does has come to a point of not functioning at all. The best part, the burial isn't till this Saturday, so we get another week of a non-functioning ward mission leader. But hopefully we get him back next week, keep your fingers crossed.

How is Elder Ward (I guess it's just Matthew now...) doing? Pass on my hello!

I'm kind of feeling like my time here in Roxas is coming to a close. Transfer day is still pretty far away (November 19) but I feel like I've done what I came to Roxas to do, and it's about time for me to move on. I have grown to love it here- and actually this is my longest area. It's impossible for me to be this long in an area again.

I know that the Lord watches over His missionaries. Something that Sister Stadler said (in a letter) kind of hit me today, because I've kind of been struggling with the fact that laziness and idleness are an epidemic here. She said that we will never be given trials that we can't handle. We will be stretched to our very limits, but because He doesn't set his children (missionaries included) up for failure, there is no way I can fail. I just have to trust Him. I know that this IS the Lord's work, not mine, and not President Pagaduan's. I also believe that there are elect people out there (even here in Roxas) We just need the faith to find them. I love being a missionary, and I love all the support I receive from everyone. Until next week!

Love,

Sister Jennie Adams

General Conference

was awesome. I was slightly stunned by the closing prayer though, because he said, "...in a few short months, we will be gathered together again to listen to thy prophets..." or something like that... the phrase that caught my attention was "a few short months" It's true, but I didn't want to hear that 6 months is short... Also, last October and April, I searched and searched but I could not see my choir teacher anywhere in the choir at conference, I thought she quit. But finally yesterday (when I was looking for my cousin, who I did not see) I saw her! It made my heart happy that my favorite teacher in high school didn't quit the Mormon Tabernacle Choir...anyway...

Dear Sister Danner,Don't be afraid of Jody Dresses. I repeat, DON'T be afraid of Jody Dresses. They are the easiest to wash, they dry fast and they eliminate the stressfulness of trying to match the same old blouse to the same old skirt and not die of boredom in the process. Trust me, giving up your style for 16 months (because I wore normal clothes in the MTC) is worth the time you'll save in doing laundry. And if you have a pair of rubber shoes (like "cute" crocs) you'll be a step ahead of the rest when you get to Iloilo. (no pun intended) Hmm... If I think of anything else I wish I would have known before I left, I'll write it here...And yes, my mom does have amazing computer skills... but you know, she has developed those since I left. See you SOON! And have fun in the MTC!

This week was awesome. Sister Cornelio and I were finally split up after 6 months of being in the same house (but never companions). She is now in Iloilo. Her replacement is Sister Ganta from India. She is brand new, so we have lots of what we call "celestial powers" in Roxas. :D This means that Roxas will probably be Sister Gonimil's last area, seeing as she leaves on December 29. Anyway, we're excited to get to know about India and Sister Ganta. :D

We went back to Raymart yesterday. Remember him? He was going to be baptized right before the Cebu Temple dedication, but he decided not to. We taught a lesson about baptism to him and his older sister Rose Ann. Sometimes it's really hard to help people understand when they think they already get it... but I hope and pray that something will click and make even more sense.

Our baptismal candidates have gone from 1 to 2 to 5 to 4 to 3 to 1 to 0 (over the weeks), without any baptisms. It's a struggle when people choose to use their agency in that way. I told Sister Custodia that maybe Satan had the right idea when he wanted to take away our agency... Maybe we could just suspend it for a while? Like a privilege given to kids... Just kidding. I'm just voicing a small frustration.

We're going to try something new this week. In the Philippines, EVERYONE has a fence and a gate surrounding their house. So this week, we're going to try and go inside some of the big, heavy, rich looking gates, and not just stick to the easy small ones made of bamboo...
Wish us luck! Or better yet, pray for us!

All my Love,
Sister Jennie Adams

P.S. Congratulations to my Baby Brother, who has long since passed baby stage, for being baptized last Saturday! I love you Taylor!

P.P.S WELCOME HOME ELDER WARD! See you "in a few short months"!

Transfer Announcements

I GET TO STAY IN ROXAS!!! WITH MY BATA (child, or trainee)!!! I am so excited that I get six more weeks in this place that I have come to love! I am also excited that I get to watch my second (and last) General Conference in the Philippines in Roxas. Well, I would be excited no matter where I got to watch.

But I am extra excited I get to stay here.We had a really good Zone Meeting earlier, where I got some good ideas about how to better teach people. I'm excited to start trying them. I've been struggling lately just getting in the door because people are soooo "busy." But now I am going to try focusing it all on them, so they feel like we are interested in them as people. *sigh* maybe by next March, I'll figure out how to do this missionary thing... it's hard, but I love the rewarding things that happen. Like the member who came to church for the 2nd time in a row yesterday! I've been visiting ever since I got here, but just now did he come (last week).

I don't really have any news this week... just business as usual... just a little wetter, because it rains almost every day...

I am so grateful to belong to God's Kingdom here on earth. I love being part of such a great work, "a marvelous work." I know that THIS church is true. I know that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration, and since him, we've had a living prophet on the earth. I love the opportunity I have to teach the people here how to be together forever. And I am so grateful for the opportunity to be with MY family forever. I know that the Book of Mormon IS the word of God, and in it is the fullness of the everlasting gospel.

Thank you all for your continuing prayers and support.

Love, Sister Adams