Maayong gab-i sa inyo tanan. This week was SO good, even though I'm pretty sure I'm always saying that. Isa ka day this week we were out walking to Nabinay, one of our far areas, when a young woman on a motor stopped and said, "Hey I'm a member!!" She had just gotten back from Manila and was baptized while she was there. She asked us right then and there if we could go to teach her family. Of course we couldn't pass by the chance and we continued heading in the direction we were going because she said her house was close by. It was so FAR! As in, We walked for another couple miles to the middle of no where when we finally reached her house. As soon as we stepped into her house her 75 year old Lola (Grandma) went insane. She was jumping up and down, squealing and almost in tears, because she was so excited to see two white American girls...probably the first time in her life. The whole time she would pet and kiss our arms. It was the funniest thing ever! Wednesday we went over to teach the Dolar family. THE ENTIRE fam, and it went so good. They are one special family. Tiy is so sweet, and jumped right on board with the Gospel after hearing his wife and kids testify that they know it's true. We found out that it was Jonas's birthday the next day, and he seemed a little down because they didn't have anything to celebrate. Side note, here in the Philippines birthdays are HUGE, but it can be a burden, especially if a family barely has the money to get by day by day. So, the next day we bought a big cake and a basketball and brought it to their house early, so we could hide it there until later that night for Jonas. We scared Marissa as we came around the side of the house because she wasn't expecting us, but as soon as she saw what we brought, she and her mother-in-law had tears running down their cheeks. I have never felt so happy, or seen so much gratitude from someone for something that was as simple as a little cake and ball. Jonas's smile later that night made it even more worth it. I Love them so much. Later Saturday night we got transfer calls, and even when I knew what was coming and that I'd transfer, it still hurt, because I love this area and the people. I have loved getting to see the progression from day one until now. This week we had 10 people come to church, it was a little bittersweet haha.
I'm transferring to Bacolod and Sister Christensen from San Diego is my new companion. (I'm not sure how this is going to work because I've never been to the big city before....pray for me haha) I know Heavenly Father's plan is perfect no matter what it is, or if we understand. I'm ready to put my trust in Him in this next adventure. I know He is always there and hears and answers our prayers! Palangga ta kamo! Sister Adams
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The beginning of this week the weather was crazy! I guess there was a typhoon somewhere up North in Manila so we got some of the after effects. Apparently President Sumagpao sent out a text to stay inside, but the North part of the Island somehow didn't get the message. As we ended our last lesson of the day and headed outside, the rain and wind was CRAZY. It was the funniest thing trying to catch a ceres bus on the side of the highway as rain and wind pelted our faces, and by the time we finally got on a bus, we were soaked to the bone with mascara running down our faces! The beginning of this week we also got our phone stolen. We tried calling the next day after Zone Conference and a lady answered the phone. She kept asking who we were, and saying that it was her phone. She agreed that we could meet her, so we jumped on a tricycle to the place she said, with one little Restoration pamphlet. It turned out to be her phone, but she had picked up our sim card that someone else had thrown onto the ground near the market. Come to find out, she was actually a less active member, and was happy to return our sim card for a Restoration pamphlet haha. Even if we don't have the phone, it's a miracle we found the sim card. This week we also taught some amazing lessons.... I seriously love the Dolar family so much. They are so strong and this week they all accepted baptismal dates for August! I can't tell you how many times Marissa and I have looked at each other, and agreed that there is no way that she met us by chance, but by God's divine plan. I've never met someone that was so ready for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She and her oldest boys felt the spirit, and haven't questioned since then, no matter what trials they have faced since we first met. This week was a flashback to my last week in Hinigaran when we lost electricity for 5 days. The start of the week we ran out of water, and had a brown out for an entire day and a night. We all were dying with no fans, so we moved our mattresses to the top floor, and had a little camp out with the other sisters. After which, Sister Blakeslee now has over 70 bug bites up and down her arms... whoops! But besides all that, good news...we found JOHN CHRIS! At the beginning of the transfer as we were riding a tricycle home late one night, the man sitting in front turned around and yelled (because you could barely hear anything with the wind flying in our faces), "TELL ME EVERYTHING YOU BELIEVE". To say the least I was shocked, and in that moment I was wishing I had the 13 articles of faith memorized in Ilonggo haha. With me yelling against the wind, and spouting out our beliefs and him asking questions, I almost forgot we were where we needed to get off, so we came to a abrupt stop. I hurried and asked if we could go to his house and teach sometime. He said yes and as the tricycle pulled away, and I pulled out my planner to write his name and where he lived, we realized we could not remember what his last name was to save the life of us. It was just gone! Over the next couple weeks while being in Villa Luisa we gave it a couple shots at finding him but with no luck. We even had a tricycle driver named JJ, that we are teaching, volunteer to drive us up and down the streets of Villa Luisa asking if anyone knew John Chris (Em told me that Chris is not his last name and that people there often go by 2 first names). We were sad, because we knew he was ready to hear the gospel, but we never found him and just kind of gave up. This week as we were teaching a family, in came the one and only John Chris! I'm pretty sure I was in the middle of bearing my testimony of Joseph Smith, but had to stop, because I was so excited to see him. Right after that he wanted us to go over and share with his cute family. What was even more of a miracle, is that earlier that same day as we were passing by his house, his wife was outside and started talking with us. We gave a pass along card, and she said we could come back. Little did she know it would be that same day along with her husband. Everyday is such a testimony to me of how involved our Heavenly Father is in His missionary work. This week we also arranged for a member to pick up Marissa and her family because they live so far from the Church. We got a little nervous when we received a text from the members saying they went, but nobody was home. Next thing we know Marissa and her cute family came strolling into the church with smiles on their faces, a whole 45 minutes before church even starts. I guess they were so excited to come to church again that they didn't want to wait! It's been cool to see their testimonies growing. This week we shared a lesson late one night so the whole family could be there. We all crowded around a burning candle (because they don't have electricity) as rain poured outside. We shared about our living prophet, Russell M. Nelson and by the end we challenged them all to later that night pray to know if he is a true prophet. The oldest son JM looked a little confused, and then said he already knows he's a true prophet. We told him he should still pray, but I love how they already feel, and know the message is true even after teaching them for a little while. I love being a missionary and I love these people even more. Thanks for all the prayers and support! Kilala kamo sang Dios. Palangga niya kamo! Halong kamo always. Sister Adams CADIZ WEEK 3 Last week Sister Blakeslee asked me if it was really rainy season here in the Philippines, because it had barely rained since she got here. Well this week she got her answer. It rained so much that we sometimes had to walk through calf deep water to get from one place to the next. This week we had the chance to teach Marissa and her family again. She is the lady who ran out of her house and asked to be taught last week. I love her! She is a quiet example of what mothers sacrifice day in and day out for their children. We stopped by late one night, and we all huddled around the light of a little candle. We shared Luke 12:29-31 and had Marissa read. 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. As she read, she started crying. To her, these verses are literal. Sometimes they really don't know where a meal will come from, or how to pay for her kids to get to school. God knows she has need of these things, and that if she will put Him first, He will provide. She really put that faith to the test, and took her family to church this week, even though her house is really far away from the church. God is aware of us all and knows what we need the most. Tuesday and Wednesday this week I was in Bacolod, because President Sumagpao invited me to MLC (Missionary leadership training). Not sure what that will mean for the future, but it was so good and fun to be there with Sister Schenk and Sister Zollinger. 4th of July was so fun too! We made Hamburgers, fries, bought one really expensive bag of Doritos, and had root beer floats. While we cooked we all sang to the top of our lungs the national anthem lol. One thought I wanted to share quickly this week is something that stood out to me while at MLC. We watched the bible video, "Come follow me and I will make ye fishers of men" and after that we talked a lot about the potential we all have as sons and daughters of God. Our potential was all unlocked when we came here to earth, but it is really up to us whether or not we reach our full potential by letting our Heavenly Father mold and shape us into who he wants, and needs us to be. He can even take fishers and through his grace make mighty fishers of men. He has a perfect plan for us, and I feel as if we all agreed and discussed what we would need while here on earth to really truly reach that potential. His plan is perfect no matter how hard it gets. Love you all Palangga ta kamo! Take care always Halong kamo pirme Sister Adams Emily and Sister Miner are not supposed to email each other, mission rules. So, their mama's are the go betweens. I love Sister Miner!
awww thank you so much for sending this. I really do miss sister adams. Her name and memory will never die in this area. Every day we get people asking about her or reminding us about the really awesome missinary named Sister Adams. She is a legend here now. I am trying to follow her example and live up to her energy and love people as much as she does. She really is amazing! <3 -Sister Miner |
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 |