'It's crazy how this week just flew by! I can't believe it will be just a few more weeks until I find out if I'm going to the Philippines. The funniest part about it is how many people here have told me they are praying it doesn't come;) you truly do come to love wherever you are called to serve! This week we had zone conference with all the mountain missionaries. (They have valley missionaries and mountain missionaries) It was so good and I absolutely love President and Sister Robinson. My favorite part was being able to see the pictures of the many people who were baptized in the last couple of months. It was awesome to be able to see their faces and not just hear numbers. What really stood out though, as pictures of the baptism's would pop up onto the screen, how many missionaries would shout out things like, "no way I taught her for a while, and I always wondered what ended up happening to her!" It was neat to see that even though they didn't get to see some of these people they taught all the way through to baptism, they still played a big role and were able to plant seeds. This week we also biked for the first time... mainly because we are running out of our limited miles for this transfer haha. We were struggling to keep our skirts down and to make everything all the more exciting, my bike tires half way through went completely flat. We had to keep going, because we were already late for a lesson so what did I do? I ran with my bike for a full mile or more in like 90 degree weather. I'll tell you what, I am sooo out of shape haha
We have also been teaching a mom of 6 kids named Tonya that we found last week. We had felt prompted to go and knock on their house. She has been going through a pretty tough time. The last time we went over to her house to share a little message she explained to us that in The last year that they have lived there, no one has ever come over to visit until we showed up right when this tough time for them had started. She told us how much that meant to her, and that she felt because of that God is still aware of them and cares. The coolest part is that every time we have gone back, she always says that we show up right when she needs it most. I think that's the biggest thing I've learned, listening to the spirit and his still small voice. It is the most vital thing to missionary work, and not only that, but for our lives. President Nelson said, "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." It's so important we live in a way that we are able to have His influence in our lives and to be constantly doing those small simple things like reading our scriptures, praying and going to church so that it increases our ability to hear Him. Thank you for the emails and support! Love you kag nahidlaw ako sa inyo!!!
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Maayong aga! First of all Happy Father's Day!! I'm especially grateful to my own dad. I love him so much! This week was so good as usual. I just want to share a sweet experience about priesthood blessings... Right now we have an investigator named Lucky. She has been progressing so good and her testimony of the gospel is building. Lately every time she tries to schedule a lesson with us. she's had to cancel last minute because she hasn't been feeling well due to health problems. She had just texted us again that she needed to cancel, when the idea popped into our minds that we needed to ask if she wanted a priesthood blessing. We called her up and explained to her what the priesthood is, and specifically what priesthood blessings are. She was a little hesitant but then she said she would love one. We went over the next day with a brother from the ward named Ron Hatch, he also brought his son. I hadn't met him before but I can't imagine anyone else being the one to give her a blessing, because of how in tune he was to the spirit. Brother Hatch asked for her full name and tried to get to know her a little. As the blessing started the little room was filled with the spirit. It was one of the most beautiful blessings! Brother Hatch didn't know Lucky at all, but in the blessing every single one of her concerns that she had been having were addressed. She was given the reassurance that not only did her Heavenly Father love and care for her but also her Heavenly Mother and that she knew exactly what she was going through raising 5 little kids and so much more. At the end you could just tell how much it had touched her. Her nose was all red and she was trying her best not to cry. Lucky was doing a whole lot better at holding it together than I was haha. I was a cry baby;) She also couldn't stop expressing thanks. That blessing was exactly what she needed, and we were able to bear testimony that it was her Heavenly Father speaking to her. It strengthened my testimony of how real priesthood power is. I love the Priesthood and I'm so grateful for all worthy young men who are able to hold the priesthood to bless, heal and help not only me but all of God's children. Don't ever be afraid to ask for a blessing. Love you all so much!! This is Brian Nield. He has the mental capacity of a 9 year-old, and we love him so much. He makes us laugh and loves us coming over to teach him. The dress I am wearing is from a bin of clothes that missionaries leave behind haha and I know you can't see it very well but it is hideous! My companions dared me to wear it. :) It was such a great and busy week. This week we had two investigators commit to baptism! I sure am gaining a love for Arizona. On Saturday we had to head 3 hours down to the valley for mission conference, but it was more than worth it because we had the opportunity to listen to Elder Uchtdorf speak. It was such an amazing experience and I could just feel the power and love he had as I got to shake his hand. So many things he spoke about touched my heart. He started out by telling us a story of when he and a new general authority from the Philippines (of all places) came to Arizona and they had to drive up from the valley into the mountains for a training in Eager. As you drive up into the mountains the scenery is always changing you start in the desert surrounded by cactus, then it just get real dry and barren and finally you make your way through the forests. As they were driving Elder Uchtdorf would look out the window and then to the new Filipino authority and would say, "oh look how beautiful it is" and would continue to say, "don't you think it is beautiful?" as they continued further along, but he just stayed silent. When they returned to the airport the man finally turned to Elder Uchtdorf and said, "How is it beautiful here, where are all the flowers?" He had a hard time seeing the beauty. He said we have to open our eyes to see the beauty around us and to see with NEW eyes, to see the greatness of that place. It just hit me so hard that that is exactly what I need to do. Find the beauty being here in Arizona, not only in my surroundings but in the people. I think one of the hardest things to do is to try to have the eyes of our Savior, to see others as he would see them and to find their beautiful potential. This week I met a man named Joel Chapman. Joel is a rough looking man and used to be a bull rider. He smokes and drinks and the time I came over he came out with a gun, but as I've come to know him I can see him for who he really is. He wants to change so much and has been weighed down with guilt from things he has done in the past. He can't seem to move forward from them. He is the sweetest man and calls us his girls. As you go through your week put on spiritual Goggles and try to see someone for who they can become. Elder Uchtdorf said so many other things but I really love what He promised us at the end. He said that blessing will come to those we love and care for and especially to those we worry about. I know Heavenly Father is watching out for all of you and has a perfect plan mapped out for you. If you will just look back through your week you will see his hand there. I've definitely seen his hand. In the middle of the night this week, I woke up at 2 am and somehow in the middle of the night my arm came out of socket...again. I woke up my companions and we tried to get it back in place but it just wasn't having it. I started to worry because I had no clue what we were going to do, go, or who to get a hold of at 2 in the morning. I wasn't about to drive to Show Low to go to the ER. Earlier this week we were at a Sister McNeil's house and I have no clue how we got on the subject but she started telling us about her crazy work schedule and how she works night shifts as a nurse so she doesn't get home until 2. She joked with us and said, "so if you ever need anything at 2 in the morning give me a call". Little did she know we would actually do that 2 days later. We said a prayer and she was able to come over. It took a little while but she was able to pop it right back into place. Sister McNeil was my angel. I love the people here and I know it was by no coincidence we had talked to her. Heavenly Father is there and answers prayers. Palangga ko Kamo! Love you all and miss you! Her companions took this pic of Sister McNeil trying to work her shoulder back in. "My shoulder is all good plus I went to sleep in the weirdest position with my right arm over my head, so it won't happen again. It's funny you mentioned strapping me down while I sleep, because my companions said the exact same thing. haha, but for reals it feels great. Yes, Sister McNeil laughed, but mostly it was from relief. She is the sweetest person, we need to bring her cookies this week. She massaged my shoulder and my feet while putting essential oils on them. I'm also surprised by how willing she was to try because she had never put a shoulder back in socket before! I was so happy to get a text this week from Kayley Willis. She fed the sister's and sent me this picture with her daughter Emry. I am so grateful for the members that are so good to the missionaries! "Whoever owns this truck really doesn't like us." I told her I was glad they didn't come out and see them taking pictures. :) Em saw this road sign on the way to their conference. They thought this was a good name for a Blvd. in the desert.
Where do I even start? It has been one crazy week full of so many changes! Well on Monday we had to say goodbye to the MTC and the rest of our zone staying, it was one of the saddest things for me! It sure didn't help to be the first group leaving. The worst part was while Sister Schenk, Elder McNiven and I got in line for the bus. All the Elders lined up and sang "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" as we boarded onto the bus. I can't wait to see them all again, just next time it will be on a plane ride over to the Philippines! Arizona has been so good. The first night at President and Sister Robinson's home we all got to go out tracting. We went ahead and talked to just about every person we saw! One thing that was strange for me was being able to teach the gospel in English. A lot of people weren't interested until we stopped a guy named Austin before he went into his apartment. We started to get to know him and part way through the experience, the sister missionary I was with turned and just looked at me as if to say "your turn take it away" in my mind I was like oh no I'm about to mess this whole thing up haha. I just turned to him, told him about the Book of Mormon and testified to him I knew it was true and that if he would read it, it would change his life and bring him closer to his Savior. To my complete surprise he said yes. I gave him the Book of Mormon I had and we asked if the missionaries could come back. As simple as it was, my heart was filled with so much joy and happiness. That's what comes as we live and share the gospel, true happiness. I don't know what will come of it but we were able to give the referral to some of the elders over that area. Now onto the stuff I know your dying to hear. My trainer's name is Sister Stuart. She is from Pleasant Grove, Utah and has an extremely bubbly personality. Come to find out I'm actually in a trio, so my other companion is Sister Richards and she's from Idaho. They are serving as STL's but are training me at the same time. The area I will be serving in is a little town called Taylor. It was a very long 3 hour drive from Scottsdale and is up in the mountains. The weather has been perfect. Because we are so high up, most days are in the 80s while the people in the valley kill over and die because it's more than a 100 degrees! It has been interesting to see how things work in a trio. It has been so good and just in this week alone we have seen so many little miracles! My first official day here was an interesting one. I almost got eaten by a dog, we broke into a members house because my companion was about to pee her pants and we had to deal with a police officer. One thing about this place is that everyone owns a dog, and not just one dog but multiple dogs. We wanted to stop by a girls house because someone had seen her show up at church. She's not a member so we wanted to see if she'd be interested in taking the discussions. We walked up to the house and a dog came out of no where and starting barking like crazy at us, but was tied to a long chain. Me being smart and all I was like I'll create the diversion while you two run up and ring the doorbell. I slowly got closer and closer to the dog while they snuck up to the door. Then he just burst after me, I don't think I've ever screamed so loud. Thank goodness I was able to get far enough away just in time for the chain to stop the dog. Dogs are so scary. Anyways it's been cool to teach and get to know so many new people. This week alone we have been able to find 4 new investigators that are so solid and seem ready for this gospel. I'm so excited to see where it goes and to watch them progress. I seriously already love the people here they are all just so down to earth and real. Last story for this week. We had stake conference this weekend and on Saturday was the adult session. For some reason we sat near the back. At the end of the meeting we got up to leave because we had an appointment to get to. That's when a sister grabbed my hand to stop me from leaving. She told us that she felt impressed upon by the spirit to have us teach her step son who the elders had taught once before. I'm excited to see where that goes! I love you all, and boy do I miss you all like crazy! I have no Idea how I almost forgot about this but this Friday Elder Uchtdorf is coming to speak to the Arizona, Scottsdale Mission! I am SO excited!! Em's apartment. The other two missionaries, Sister Prellwitz from Wisconsin, & Sister Johnson from West Point live on the other side. "It really is a small world because Sister Johnson knows Amy and the Taggart's and her younger sister is Amy's best friend." Em was spending Pday with them, because her companions, Sister Stuart, and Sister Richard's were both throwing up. I hope she doesn't get sick next!!! A few last pictures from the MTCEm and Nicole Hadlock "Haddie" played on the soccer team together at Snow College. She has run into her several times in the last couple of weeks. Sister Hadlock is preparing to serve in Equador. Villi Wolfgramm one of Em's friends from SHHS. He will be serving in Australia, I think? The sisters going to the Philippines. "I love and miss them all so much!" The elders and sisters going to the Philippines. Her branch president and his wife are in front.
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Sister Emily Adams
Philippines Bacolod Mission April 18, 2018-October 2019 Mailing Address
Sister Emily Adams
Philippines Bacolod Mission Galo St. between Lacson & Mabini Brgy.22, Bacolod City 6100 Negros Occidental Philippines Archives
January 2020
Companions Provo, Utah MTC
#1 Sister Anna Wilde From Dallas, Texas Taylor, Arizona
#2 Sister Jamie Stuart (trainer) Pleasant Grove, Utah & #3 Sister Kendall Richards Idaho Falls, Idaho Show Low, Arizona
#4 Sister Brooke Casebolt Roy, Utah Manila, Philippine's
#5 Sister Perry Serving in the Iloilo mission from Fiji Sagay, Philippines
#6 Sister Lauren Schenk (Trainer) Syracuse, Utah Sagay, Philippines
#7 Sister Ashley Ellis Highland, Utah Pulupandan, Philippines
#8 Sister Andrea Camille Sales Isabela, Philippines Hinigarin, Philippines
#9 Sister Castillo Sta. Cruz Zambalis, Philippines. Hinigarin, Philippines
#10 Sister Natalie Miner Pleasant Grove, Utah Cadiz, Philippines
#11 Sister Kate Blakeslee Meridian, Idaho Bacolod, Philippines
#12 Sister Kalyx Christensen San Diego, California Bacolod, Philippines
#13 Sister Stephanie Garcia Pangisan, Philippines Bacolod, Philippines
#14 Sister Santa Barbara Marikina, Manila, Philippines Bacolod, Phililppines
#15 Sister Eliza Clark Corvallis, Oregon |