was our super duper Zone Conference. They changed the way Zone Conference is held. Instead of making some travel very long distances and becoming poor because of travel expenses, they are now holding Zone Conferences for individual Zones. So for Roxas Zone, our conference was on Friday the 13th. I thought it was kinda funny... (p.s. nothing bad happened that day...) I like almost everything about not combining Zone Conference. I was only sad that we don't get to see other missionaries... But that's ok because the things I learned at the conference will really help with the work here. They have started what's called "Simplified Curriculum" and it is basically going back to the basics. One of the things included is an emphasis on inviting investigators to be baptized in the first or second visit... which is a little scary for me to think about, but it's "the way" so I have committed to try it. I guess they have seen great success in other areas that have done this, so I'm actually excited to (get over my fear and) try it!I can't believe I've almost been in Roxas for 5 months! Next week is transfer announcement, and I'm pretty sure one of us is transferring. But we'll have to wait until next week to find out who!!! Haha!
Whelp, that's about all I have to report for this week! We have a baptism on Friday! Sister Mindaluz (the mom of the kids that were baptized on the 6th) is getting baptized! I am so happy for this family... The fact that they will all be members by Sunday fills my heart with joy (or warm fuzzies, if you want to put it that way).
Anyway, thank you all for your support and prayers! Till next week!
Love,
Sister Adams
November 2010 - January 2011
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
To the fam
that means YOU... yep, everyone.
The baptisms were successful! They happened on Friday the 6th and the confirmations were on Sunday the 8th. I actually thought that they wouldn't make it to church in time to be confirmed. Sacrament started (kind of late) and they still weren't there. I was getting a little worried and praying like crazy (it's a missionary's saddest day when the converts don't make it to the confirmation...) Anyway, they made it while were singing the sacrament hymn. Their confirmation took place after the speakers (yeah, a little different, but hey, the important thing is that it happened!) Then, after sacrament meeting, I found out why they were late. You see here in the Philippines, most people take tricycles everywhere. Some (like the Besa family) are lucky enough to have their own tricycle. However... Like cars in the states, tricycles need to be registered. And there are laws about how old you have to be to drive (18). So... The Besa family tricycle's registration fell due a little more than a month ago, and they don't really have the money to re-register it right now... so they didn't . And John (the 13 year old) is usually the one driving. BUT... usually on Sunday, there are no traffic. Usually. Yesterday was different. There was a traffic enforcer between their house and the church (on the shortest route). SO they took the long way... and were late.I think we forgot the "obey and honor the law" lesson... I'll do better next time.
That's all for now folks. I'm alive and well! Thanks for all your prayers!
Love, Sister Adams
The baptisms were successful! They happened on Friday the 6th and the confirmations were on Sunday the 8th. I actually thought that they wouldn't make it to church in time to be confirmed. Sacrament started (kind of late) and they still weren't there. I was getting a little worried and praying like crazy (it's a missionary's saddest day when the converts don't make it to the confirmation...) Anyway, they made it while were singing the sacrament hymn. Their confirmation took place after the speakers (yeah, a little different, but hey, the important thing is that it happened!) Then, after sacrament meeting, I found out why they were late. You see here in the Philippines, most people take tricycles everywhere. Some (like the Besa family) are lucky enough to have their own tricycle. However... Like cars in the states, tricycles need to be registered. And there are laws about how old you have to be to drive (18). So... The Besa family tricycle's registration fell due a little more than a month ago, and they don't really have the money to re-register it right now... so they didn't . And John (the 13 year old) is usually the one driving. BUT... usually on Sunday, there are no traffic. Usually. Yesterday was different. There was a traffic enforcer between their house and the church (on the shortest route). SO they took the long way... and were late.I think we forgot the "obey and honor the law" lesson... I'll do better next time.
That's all for now folks. I'm alive and well! Thanks for all your prayers!
Love, Sister Adams
Monday, August 2, 2010
Another Week
in the Life of Sister Adams.
I just want you all to know that I am doing amazing. I love this work (even though it's incredibly hard sometimes). I have come to love the members here... with all their quirks, haha. They are like my family now. We have a few member families that we are particularly close to, so I'm really having a great time. On top of that, I'm learning so much; about missionary work, about Jesus Christ, and about myself. I have amazing leaders who give awesome trainings for us to get better at being missionaries. I love it... all of it. Even the hard times (you know, the "there must needs be opposition in all things"). And I am SO grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of this City... to help them become a stronger ward, to help them (yep, even members) come closer to Christ. That is my purpose, and I do what I can to fulfill it.
This week, Sister Mindaluz (the Besa Mom) has gotten even more open with us. She talks to us more, and we are praying for her to accept the invitation to be baptized. She still doesn't feel completely comfortable with that idea, so I think I am praying harder than I've ever prayed for her. I want so badly for their family to be able to go to Cebu and be sealed for all eternity.
On Friday or Sunday (we haven't worked out the exact date yet because there are work schedule conflicts...) my bright spots for the last 3 months will be baptized. I am incredibly happy, but nervous. Satan is EVERYWHERE he is trying SO hard for the work of God to stop. Because of this, any prayers in behalf of the Besa family are more than welcome.
Thank you all who have written me. I love hearing about your lives... it's cool, but kind of weird to hear about life going on without me... haha. But keep it up :D
That's all for now, I can't believe it's August! Wow, time flies when you're having fun!
Love Always!
Sister Adams
I just want you all to know that I am doing amazing. I love this work (even though it's incredibly hard sometimes). I have come to love the members here... with all their quirks, haha. They are like my family now. We have a few member families that we are particularly close to, so I'm really having a great time. On top of that, I'm learning so much; about missionary work, about Jesus Christ, and about myself. I have amazing leaders who give awesome trainings for us to get better at being missionaries. I love it... all of it. Even the hard times (you know, the "there must needs be opposition in all things"). And I am SO grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of this City... to help them become a stronger ward, to help them (yep, even members) come closer to Christ. That is my purpose, and I do what I can to fulfill it.
This week, Sister Mindaluz (the Besa Mom) has gotten even more open with us. She talks to us more, and we are praying for her to accept the invitation to be baptized. She still doesn't feel completely comfortable with that idea, so I think I am praying harder than I've ever prayed for her. I want so badly for their family to be able to go to Cebu and be sealed for all eternity.
On Friday or Sunday (we haven't worked out the exact date yet because there are work schedule conflicts...) my bright spots for the last 3 months will be baptized. I am incredibly happy, but nervous. Satan is EVERYWHERE he is trying SO hard for the work of God to stop. Because of this, any prayers in behalf of the Besa family are more than welcome.
Thank you all who have written me. I love hearing about your lives... it's cool, but kind of weird to hear about life going on without me... haha. But keep it up :D
That's all for now, I can't believe it's August! Wow, time flies when you're having fun!
Love Always!
Sister Adams
Monday, July 26, 2010
Good Things
Happen to you if you just wait patiently.
On Friday, we had a hard time at first because no one would work with us. We were done with one of our appointments at a part member (which was kind of hard because her interest is about zero) and we were deciding whether to go to one more or just go home because it was almost 8 (our curfew). We were standing there on a corner and a truck pulled up and rolled down his window and asked us which church we belonged to. We told him and I was afraid we were going to be told we weren’t allowed to go to that place anymore (like what happened in Silay). But instead he told us that he wanted to change religions and that he was interested in the Mormon church. We gave him a Book of Mormon and a promise to visit him the next day. We then proceeded to walk home… sort of in a daze, like “What just happened???” We visited him on Saturday and he has LOTS of questions because he reads the Bible, but it isn’t clear to him. We told him to come to church, but he got sick yesterday so he couldn’t come. But we are really excited about him. His name is JC and he is 28 years old. He is single, but I think that he has great potential to be a leader in the church.
Most of our investigators are kids, so that’s why we are so excited to be teaching an adult. Don’t worry though; all of our kids belong to members… just less active ones. We’re trying to build up the strength of the ward. We actually visited a former Branch President last night who has an unbaptized daughter who is 9. When I asked his wife to say the closing prayer, she prayed for courage to return to church. It’s been a while since they have been to church, so they are kind of shy to come back. But they want to. That’s actually the concern with a lot of families in our area, so we have a lot of work to do!
I’m doing well, and I’m healthy! No worries! :) The Lord takes care of His Missionaries!
I love you all, thank you for your letters and support!
Love, Sister Adams
P.S. Sister Addangna and I went to Iloilo on Tuesday for a doctor apt for her. We stopped by the new office and saw the new mission logo.
P.S. Sister Addangna and I went to Iloilo on Tuesday for a doctor apt for her. We stopped by the new office and saw the new mission logo.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Good News......
I don't have dengue! I've been feeling under the weather this last week, and when I told my Mission Mom my symptoms, she kindly told me to get to a doctor as soon as possible. It turns out it's viral? Or something, and the doctor just gave me some medicine... I'll probably live ;)
Note from Naunie : Dengue fever is a virus-based disease spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms include: Fever (as high as 104-105), Rash, Headache, Fatigue, Joint aches, Muscle aches, Nausea, Swollen lymph nodes, Vomiting..... Sounds like great fun... NOT
We had a pretty blah week... I wasn't the only one feeling under the weather. We were both not feeling well, so our work suffered a little. But we're still doing ok.
The Besa Family is doing awesome. The ward has really taken the responsibility to fellowship them. And they're all really excited to be baptized (except their mom... but we're working on it)
It's been raining a lot lately... And I'm ever more grateful for my rubber shoes! They're holding up really well! Yay!
Sorry I don't have much to report this week... yay for being sick (I know you don't want to hear about what it's like to lay in bed all day...)
Don't worry though! Next week will be full of experiences because one of our goals this week is to not be sick (it's actually "bawal" or forbidden... haha)
Love you all!!!!!
Sister Adams
Note from Naunie : Dengue fever is a virus-based disease spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms include: Fever (as high as 104-105), Rash, Headache, Fatigue, Joint aches, Muscle aches, Nausea, Swollen lymph nodes, Vomiting..... Sounds like great fun... NOT
We had a pretty blah week... I wasn't the only one feeling under the weather. We were both not feeling well, so our work suffered a little. But we're still doing ok.
The Besa Family is doing awesome. The ward has really taken the responsibility to fellowship them. And they're all really excited to be baptized (except their mom... but we're working on it)
It's been raining a lot lately... And I'm ever more grateful for my rubber shoes! They're holding up really well! Yay!
Sorry I don't have much to report this week... yay for being sick (I know you don't want to hear about what it's like to lay in bed all day...)
Don't worry though! Next week will be full of experiences because one of our goals this week is to not be sick (it's actually "bawal" or forbidden... haha)
Love you all!!!!!
Sister Adams
Monday, July 12, 2010
Rain, rain, rain
It's really funny here... when it rains, no one goes anywhere. And it's a valid excuse most places. For example, yesterday, it rained, so the attendance in Sacrament meeting was 44 (It's usually up around 75). Haha, the leaders are like, "No one came to church! Cause it's raining!" ...
but also yesterday, we had what we call "Search and Rescue." We had ward members gather, then Sister Addangna (Ad-ahng-na) and I split. We went into 3 teams and visited members that are less active. We found 6 unbaptized kids that are part member families. And when everyone came back, they were all happy and excited for next week when we do it again (because we're going to do this every week!) It is so awesome to see how excited everyone is in the ward... I think it will be contagious. Yay!
Today, we had transfer announcements. Me and Sister Addangna are staying, but Sister Galicia is transferring. Sister Cornelio is staying in her ward. It's kind of weird to have a 3 week transfer... but that's ok. I'm glad we're staying because I don't want to leave yet, but Roxas 3 still needs my companion. :)
President and Sister Pagaduan came to our apartment on Wednesday night. We had a nice little visit. They're way nice, and it was weird (and hard?) to speak English to them (for some reason, I find it hard to speak English to most Filipinos), but I had to because I don't speak their language (Tagalog) and they don't speak the language here yet. Haha... I'm really excited for the coming months!
One thing that's really sad here is that there isn't a law (enforced?) about drinking age. Some people send their 5 year olds to buy their alcohol and cigarettes for them. It's incredibly easy for anyone to get alcohol and tobacco here. But John isn't going to drink again, and he's attending seminary :D And I think all 3 of them will be baptized on August 7! Yay!
Thank you all for your prayers and support! Know that I feel it.
Love, Sister Adams
but also yesterday, we had what we call "Search and Rescue." We had ward members gather, then Sister Addangna (Ad-ahng-na) and I split. We went into 3 teams and visited members that are less active. We found 6 unbaptized kids that are part member families. And when everyone came back, they were all happy and excited for next week when we do it again (because we're going to do this every week!) It is so awesome to see how excited everyone is in the ward... I think it will be contagious. Yay!
Today, we had transfer announcements. Me and Sister Addangna are staying, but Sister Galicia is transferring. Sister Cornelio is staying in her ward. It's kind of weird to have a 3 week transfer... but that's ok. I'm glad we're staying because I don't want to leave yet, but Roxas 3 still needs my companion. :)
President and Sister Pagaduan came to our apartment on Wednesday night. We had a nice little visit. They're way nice, and it was weird (and hard?) to speak English to them (for some reason, I find it hard to speak English to most Filipinos), but I had to because I don't speak their language (Tagalog) and they don't speak the language here yet. Haha... I'm really excited for the coming months!
One thing that's really sad here is that there isn't a law (enforced?) about drinking age. Some people send their 5 year olds to buy their alcohol and cigarettes for them. It's incredibly easy for anyone to get alcohol and tobacco here. But John isn't going to drink again, and he's attending seminary :D And I think all 3 of them will be baptized on August 7! Yay!
Thank you all for your prayers and support! Know that I feel it.
Love, Sister Adams
Monday, July 5, 2010
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!
No, they don't have any celebrations here, but I wore red, white, and blue yesterday, and I sang the National Anthem a few times to myself and my companion. :) I hope someone watched some fireworks and ate some potato salad for me!
This week was pretty interesting. It's nice to have some fresh ideas in this area... it just wasn't progressing and I feel like we were just out of ideas last transfer. It's going to be a good transfer. Actually the transfer is over next week. It's only 3 weeks long because the transfer day is changing for us in Iloilo mission. Usually the transfer is 6 weeks long... there won't be very many changes though... most likely all the Sisters will stay in Roxas (there are 4 of us). Which is ok with me because Roxas 3 NEEDS Sister Addangna...
Anyway, we're still working with the Besa kids! We found out yesterday that one of them has been drinking... as in alcohol. We were really sad, but we just went over the word of wisdom again, invited him to commit to not drink, and moved his date to August 7. It's going to be a little rough for him, but it's better to wait and be sure, than to rush and then have him become inactive...
Thank you all for all your prayers and support. I know that this is the Lord's Work, and that we are just instruments in his hands. I am trying to be the best instrument that I can be.
I love you all!
Sister Adams
This week was pretty interesting. It's nice to have some fresh ideas in this area... it just wasn't progressing and I feel like we were just out of ideas last transfer. It's going to be a good transfer. Actually the transfer is over next week. It's only 3 weeks long because the transfer day is changing for us in Iloilo mission. Usually the transfer is 6 weeks long... there won't be very many changes though... most likely all the Sisters will stay in Roxas (there are 4 of us). Which is ok with me because Roxas 3 NEEDS Sister Addangna...
Anyway, we're still working with the Besa kids! We found out yesterday that one of them has been drinking... as in alcohol. We were really sad, but we just went over the word of wisdom again, invited him to commit to not drink, and moved his date to August 7. It's going to be a little rough for him, but it's better to wait and be sure, than to rush and then have him become inactive...
Thank you all for all your prayers and support. I know that this is the Lord's Work, and that we are just instruments in his hands. I am trying to be the best instrument that I can be.
I love you all!
Sister Adams
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