Do you know, something I love about our Heavenly Father is the
opportunities he gives us to learn and grow. He's given me the chance
to learn about effective planning. He's taught me about budgeting.
He's teaching me, every moment, how to be a faithful daughter in His
Kingdom.
So now I urge all who read these words to ask yourselves: What is the
Father trying to teach you at this moment? What can you learn from
your situation? How can this better yourself?
Our Relief Society lesson was from the talk "The Lord Has Not
Forgotten You". We talked about the trials that make us feel like
we're forgotten by the Lord, and it helped me to feel a little
better--not that I've ever felt forgotten!
The Zone goal for contacts is 70/week, which means 10/day. My comp and I decided one day to really spearhead that goal, and we spend almost the whole day contacting--getting 38 people to hear about the Gospel! We felt mighty happy with ourselves
that day!
**
Well, my family and friends, all I can do now is leave you with a scripture:
D&C 39:24
Sister Adams
Monday, May 6, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
...and if it be bad, the spirit will cause you to forget the thing
(or something like that)
Which means that whatever title I wanted to give this week was not inspired, otherwise I would have remembered.
On Saturday, as us missionaries were waiting for General Conference to begin, we began to share humorous scriptures among ourselves, of which I will only share a few:
1 Nephi 11:10,15--the desire of a leaving Elder
Jeremiah 4:19-20--hey, pepto bismal?
3 Nephi 3:7--the mistaken reading assignment; guess who didn't get baptized?
As you can see, missionaries have the ability to find humor in all things. I mean, how many times in the scriptures does it say "be of good cheer"? We are simply following God's commandments!
But I will say this, that GenCon was amazing! I was impressed with how many talks about family and obedience there were; it seemed all of them were either on one or the other. I certainly found a few things that I hope will help me in the near and far future.
I will start by answering your three questions. What language do they speak in Kitwe? 1/ here they speak Bemba, which is similar to Chichewa, but not. For example, here the word ayi means right, whereas in Lilongwe ayi means no. What is your apartment like? 2/ Our flat is actually really nice. We've got the bigger room, and it even has a bathroom attached and its own a/c unit! Are you close to the H's? (the senior couple in Kitwe) 3/ As for the H's, we're right next door, which is really nice if we need something from them.
**
Well, my friends, at this point I am curious. Have you come across anything amusing whilst perusing the scriptures? If so, I would love to hear about it!
But seriously, studying the scriptures can really enlighten your mind and enhance your soul. Don't skip it for anything, or else you'll feel a loss of what to do when focus really matters!
Sister Adams
Which means that whatever title I wanted to give this week was not inspired, otherwise I would have remembered.
On Saturday, as us missionaries were waiting for General Conference to begin, we began to share humorous scriptures among ourselves, of which I will only share a few:
1 Nephi 11:10,15--the desire of a leaving Elder
Jeremiah 4:19-20--hey, pepto bismal?
3 Nephi 3:7--the mistaken reading assignment; guess who didn't get baptized?
As you can see, missionaries have the ability to find humor in all things. I mean, how many times in the scriptures does it say "be of good cheer"? We are simply following God's commandments!
But I will say this, that GenCon was amazing! I was impressed with how many talks about family and obedience there were; it seemed all of them were either on one or the other. I certainly found a few things that I hope will help me in the near and far future.
I will start by answering your three questions. What language do they speak in Kitwe? 1/ here they speak Bemba, which is similar to Chichewa, but not. For example, here the word ayi means right, whereas in Lilongwe ayi means no. What is your apartment like? 2/ Our flat is actually really nice. We've got the bigger room, and it even has a bathroom attached and its own a/c unit! Are you close to the H's? (the senior couple in Kitwe) 3/ As for the H's, we're right next door, which is really nice if we need something from them.
**
Well, my friends, at this point I am curious. Have you come across anything amusing whilst perusing the scriptures? If so, I would love to hear about it!
But seriously, studying the scriptures can really enlighten your mind and enhance your soul. Don't skip it for anything, or else you'll feel a loss of what to do when focus really matters!
Sister Adams
Monday, April 22, 2013
Up in the 'Belt
Greetings from the Copperbelt of Zambia!
This place is so much different than Lilongwe. First of all, I have not yet been in a house that is lacking a television set, or even electricity for that matter. But with money comes pride, and we've been told it's the biggest issue that we'll face here.
For the most part, Sister J and I have just been driving our little corolla around trying to get the feel of the place, and mostly we've been to visit the less-active members. But we're making progress, and we are gradually getting on our feet!
Sister J, my new companion, is fresh from Uganda, and she's a very sweet girl! She is so eager to learn, and to try out the best parts of the work for herself. She's pretty much ready to start swimming on her own, I just need to point her in the right direction.
The bus ride to Zambia took fifteen. flipping. hours. And you know how I get on long road trips. At one point I was just leaning against the window wanting to be anywhere but where I was. But then one of the elders distracted me by talking about action movies.
There were no chickens on the chicken bus, but there was a lot of Afro-Gospel and boy band music. Have you ever heard of the band West Life? Well neither had I before then, but now I think I may have all their songs memorized...
This morning I forgot that the H's have a washing machine, and I did all my whites by hand. And now I have these painful sores on three of my fingers that are actually making it hard to type. But hey, the point is that we learn from our trials, right?
One thing that I'm a little down about is the fact that I'm not driving a truck here. And there's a ton of speed bumps all over the place! I have to almost stop so that our little corolla doesn't hit the bump when I go over... One thing is for sure: it's a nice car, but I don't want one of my own.
**
If there is one thing I'm learning up here, it's that persistence is key. "Just do your best and God does the rest".
Sister Adams
This place is so much different than Lilongwe. First of all, I have not yet been in a house that is lacking a television set, or even electricity for that matter. But with money comes pride, and we've been told it's the biggest issue that we'll face here.
For the most part, Sister J and I have just been driving our little corolla around trying to get the feel of the place, and mostly we've been to visit the less-active members. But we're making progress, and we are gradually getting on our feet!
Sister J, my new companion, is fresh from Uganda, and she's a very sweet girl! She is so eager to learn, and to try out the best parts of the work for herself. She's pretty much ready to start swimming on her own, I just need to point her in the right direction.
The bus ride to Zambia took fifteen. flipping. hours. And you know how I get on long road trips. At one point I was just leaning against the window wanting to be anywhere but where I was. But then one of the elders distracted me by talking about action movies.
There were no chickens on the chicken bus, but there was a lot of Afro-Gospel and boy band music. Have you ever heard of the band West Life? Well neither had I before then, but now I think I may have all their songs memorized...
This morning I forgot that the H's have a washing machine, and I did all my whites by hand. And now I have these painful sores on three of my fingers that are actually making it hard to type. But hey, the point is that we learn from our trials, right?
One thing that I'm a little down about is the fact that I'm not driving a truck here. And there's a ton of speed bumps all over the place! I have to almost stop so that our little corolla doesn't hit the bump when I go over... One thing is for sure: it's a nice car, but I don't want one of my own.
**
If there is one thing I'm learning up here, it's that persistence is key. "Just do your best and God does the rest".
Sister Adams
Monday, April 15, 2013
Leaving Lilongwe
Parting is such sweet sorrow.
On Sunday I was asked to talk in both branches, and I shared about the story of the ten virgins. In preparation for the talk, I read about the parable in James E Talmage's Jesus the Christ. If you can, I urge you all to do the same. His explanation is simply beautiful, and it helped me to really break it down in simple terms for those wonderful people. There's something about telling stories that really helps people to know more about the Gospel. Perhaps the Savior was onto something.
On Thursday, F and I had a funny experience as we walked through Kauma. We saw one of the Elders' investigators and walked up to say hello. Now, she'd been coming to our English class, so I said to her:
"Amayi, how are you?"
To which she promptly replied:
"My name is Berthi (pronounced Bert)."
F and I were in stitches afterward, and as a bit of an inside joke, we'll randomly say 'my name is berthi!' I think I can safely say that I hope Sister A, my new companion, will have kwambiri amounts of yellow (look up 'the color code' to understand).
I don't know if you watched it, but on the internet broadcast of General Conference there was this thing called The World Report, and Elder Holland talked about some people I think in a French speaking part of Africa (can't remember the name, much less how it's spelled--but I know it's french because the name was spelled weird and french-like). He said if you ever want a lesson on how to truly be happy, go to Africa. He talked about how the people don't have much in the way of the world, but they are happy here. And it's true. Every day I'll be walking through the village where parents maybe can't even give their children shoes, but the kids are always laughing and smiling and playing. And I've realized that that is how they know to be happy. They don't need expensive toys or video games, they just live. It's a lesson I plan on teaching my kids when they are old enough to understand.
I started packing this morning, just because I didn't actually want to move all my things. You know when you have a jar of dirt and water and you shake it up and then just let it sit there? Well, packing would be for me like shaking up that jar again. And I wanted to put it off for as long as I could. But when I woke up this morning I sighed and realized that I couldn't really put it off any longer. I was amazed that all my stuff could still fit (almost all of it, because that package you sent me back in November won't fit in any of the boxes... wonder how I'll pull that off in the chicken bus...).
**
The hymn for the week is #124. This is a brilliant hymn, with a calming melody along with calming words. It really helps me go through troubles, and I know it can do the same for you. I leave you those things in the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sister Adams
On Sunday I was asked to talk in both branches, and I shared about the story of the ten virgins. In preparation for the talk, I read about the parable in James E Talmage's Jesus the Christ. If you can, I urge you all to do the same. His explanation is simply beautiful, and it helped me to really break it down in simple terms for those wonderful people. There's something about telling stories that really helps people to know more about the Gospel. Perhaps the Savior was onto something.
On Thursday, F and I had a funny experience as we walked through Kauma. We saw one of the Elders' investigators and walked up to say hello. Now, she'd been coming to our English class, so I said to her:
"Amayi, how are you?"
To which she promptly replied:
"My name is Berthi (pronounced Bert)."
F and I were in stitches afterward, and as a bit of an inside joke, we'll randomly say 'my name is berthi!' I think I can safely say that I hope Sister A, my new companion, will have kwambiri amounts of yellow (look up 'the color code' to understand).
I don't know if you watched it, but on the internet broadcast of General Conference there was this thing called The World Report, and Elder Holland talked about some people I think in a French speaking part of Africa (can't remember the name, much less how it's spelled--but I know it's french because the name was spelled weird and french-like). He said if you ever want a lesson on how to truly be happy, go to Africa. He talked about how the people don't have much in the way of the world, but they are happy here. And it's true. Every day I'll be walking through the village where parents maybe can't even give their children shoes, but the kids are always laughing and smiling and playing. And I've realized that that is how they know to be happy. They don't need expensive toys or video games, they just live. It's a lesson I plan on teaching my kids when they are old enough to understand.
I started packing this morning, just because I didn't actually want to move all my things. You know when you have a jar of dirt and water and you shake it up and then just let it sit there? Well, packing would be for me like shaking up that jar again. And I wanted to put it off for as long as I could. But when I woke up this morning I sighed and realized that I couldn't really put it off any longer. I was amazed that all my stuff could still fit (almost all of it, because that package you sent me back in November won't fit in any of the boxes... wonder how I'll pull that off in the chicken bus...).
**
The hymn for the week is #124. This is a brilliant hymn, with a calming melody along with calming words. It really helps me go through troubles, and I know it can do the same for you. I leave you those things in the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sister Adams
Monday, April 8, 2013
A Bit About Conference
Because of a wonderful thing called internet, us missionaries were able to watch the Saturday and Sunday morning sessions of General Conference live! On Saturday, I was kicking myself because I didn't have anything to take notes with, but Sunday I made sure I brought my journal with me. There were a few things that I really loved that I think will help me improve as a missionary and as a daughter in Zion (personal revelations are personal). But the one thing that I would like to share was from Saturday morning:
What e'er thou art, act well thy part.
That phrase really got me thinking, and it reminds me of another phrase that President Padovich gave to us once: Either you should be 100% right or 100% wrong; be committed!
So now with those two phrases in mind, I feel I can really go forward knowing a bit more of how to be a missionary (yup, I'm still learning!). With my pending transfer to Zambia next week, and the arrival of the new baby sharks, I'm feeling a tad bit more prepared.
I'm using a mosquito net, and it's been tied up with a bit of... well, it looks like a bit of flimsy ace bandage. I'm not sure what it is, but it's not string. In other news, the net has worked wonders for me at night, but it does nothing for me while I'm in the area where most of the mosquitoes are. I woke up Tuesday morning dying of malaria (the medicine they gave me to prevent it makes me sick, so I haven't taken it since November almost...). And just in case you're curious, malaria = three days in the compound going mad. I wasn't so sick mid-way through day 2, but I still didn't have the energy to do much else besides move like a snail around the house. I slept most of Thursday, just because I didn't want to look at the walls that I'd memorized.
Actually, this week has been full of sick missionaries. On Tuesday, only two companionships went out and worked (out of six) and everyone else stayed home to die of malaria together. It's not fun, by the way. I was confused about whether I wanted to curl up on the bathroom floor, under a billion blankets, or even out on the grass. But the trick was I didn't want to move at all because I was aching all over. I'm not going to ask that you try for yourself because it's that bad. But they say you haven't experienced an African mission until you've had malaria.
A lot of Malawians get excited when they see an azungu, and I guess the mosquitoes are the same.
**
Well, the week ahead promises to be one full of adventure as this sister missionary goes paired with a local. Then I'm off to Zambia the Great!
I know this Church is true. I know Joseph Smith truly was the man called of God to restore His wonderful Gospel. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us, and is very aware of the little things in our lives. In parting, I would like to share a story that demonstrates His love.
Saturday afternoon, I was using my favorite pen during the English Class as a pointer. After the class, I had put it in my ponytail because I didn't feel like putting it in my bag. Then, while I was playing with one of the children who'd come, she stole the pen right out of my hair and began running around the primary room with it. I finally caught her and recaptured my pen. But I don't remember where I put the thing. I know for certain, though, that I did not put it in my bag. Needless to say, when I got home and discovered the pen missing I was very sad.
Fast forward to Sunday afternoon. I was digging in my bag for my planner, when I saw something shiny at the bottom. Reaching down, I found my favorite pen! I have no idea how it got there, and the pen could have easily been replaced, but to me it stands as a testimony of our Heavenly Father's love.
I love you all,
Sister Adams
What e'er thou art, act well thy part.
That phrase really got me thinking, and it reminds me of another phrase that President Padovich gave to us once: Either you should be 100% right or 100% wrong; be committed!
So now with those two phrases in mind, I feel I can really go forward knowing a bit more of how to be a missionary (yup, I'm still learning!). With my pending transfer to Zambia next week, and the arrival of the new baby sharks, I'm feeling a tad bit more prepared.
I'm using a mosquito net, and it's been tied up with a bit of... well, it looks like a bit of flimsy ace bandage. I'm not sure what it is, but it's not string. In other news, the net has worked wonders for me at night, but it does nothing for me while I'm in the area where most of the mosquitoes are. I woke up Tuesday morning dying of malaria (the medicine they gave me to prevent it makes me sick, so I haven't taken it since November almost...). And just in case you're curious, malaria = three days in the compound going mad. I wasn't so sick mid-way through day 2, but I still didn't have the energy to do much else besides move like a snail around the house. I slept most of Thursday, just because I didn't want to look at the walls that I'd memorized.
Actually, this week has been full of sick missionaries. On Tuesday, only two companionships went out and worked (out of six) and everyone else stayed home to die of malaria together. It's not fun, by the way. I was confused about whether I wanted to curl up on the bathroom floor, under a billion blankets, or even out on the grass. But the trick was I didn't want to move at all because I was aching all over. I'm not going to ask that you try for yourself because it's that bad. But they say you haven't experienced an African mission until you've had malaria.
A lot of Malawians get excited when they see an azungu, and I guess the mosquitoes are the same.
**
Well, the week ahead promises to be one full of adventure as this sister missionary goes paired with a local. Then I'm off to Zambia the Great!
I know this Church is true. I know Joseph Smith truly was the man called of God to restore His wonderful Gospel. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us, and is very aware of the little things in our lives. In parting, I would like to share a story that demonstrates His love.
Saturday afternoon, I was using my favorite pen during the English Class as a pointer. After the class, I had put it in my ponytail because I didn't feel like putting it in my bag. Then, while I was playing with one of the children who'd come, she stole the pen right out of my hair and began running around the primary room with it. I finally caught her and recaptured my pen. But I don't remember where I put the thing. I know for certain, though, that I did not put it in my bag. Needless to say, when I got home and discovered the pen missing I was very sad.
Fast forward to Sunday afternoon. I was digging in my bag for my planner, when I saw something shiny at the bottom. Reaching down, I found my favorite pen! I have no idea how it got there, and the pen could have easily been replaced, but to me it stands as a testimony of our Heavenly Father's love.
I love you all,
Sister Adams
Monday, April 1, 2013
And The Verdict Is....
I AM GOING TO THE COPPER BELT IN ZAMBIA. I WILL BE TRAINING A NEW MISSIONARY.
We're getting a whole batch of new baby sharks on the 16th, and I'm going to Lusaka to pick up Sister A (from Uganda) and take her on a chicken bus up to Kitwe. The magic question of the week is: How do you feel about training? I have no idea. Next question: How do you feel about a baby shark being your second companion? Again, I have no idea. All I know is that brother so and so has my journal and I need A B C D E and F to sign as well before the time runs out.
I am really going to miss these wonderful people! I didn't really realize how much I'd grown to love all these wonderful brothers and sisters until President P told me that I would be leaving them. Of course, I'm excited and looking forward to a change in scenery, but still... I've really grown to love Malawi. The people here are simple, and they don't need much to survive. If only the rest of the world could learn the same things...
We had a really powerful weekend. On Saturday, we got to have lunch with a family that is currently on their way to being an eternal family! Three families, in fact, are going to Joberg this week to go through the temple! Then on Sunday, when we told the B's and taught them about the principle, they looked more than excited because they realized it was more than possible!
Also, Saturday we had some powerful baptisms--my last in Malawi. Two sisters in Branch two who had been looking forward to it for forever, Sister L as well got baptized by her husband (powerful thing to watch) and even the star of the day: E! This was a man who'd been a drunkard for 26 years, and he's finally sobered up and is living the gospel. He's one of the most powerful members now, and the day he was confirmed he came out and worked with my companion and me. The best thing about him is that he doesn't just translate; he adds his own testimony to the end of whatever we say!
**
In closing, I would like to direct your thoughts to this wonderful holiday (for which so many shopping centers inconveniently closed). Whenever we think about Easter Weekend, most people here in Malawi focus on the fact that Christ died for us. Not many remember that he also rose again the third day. He lives, and because He lives we will all rise from the resting places. This I testify to you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sister Adams
We're getting a whole batch of new baby sharks on the 16th, and I'm going to Lusaka to pick up Sister A (from Uganda) and take her on a chicken bus up to Kitwe. The magic question of the week is: How do you feel about training? I have no idea. Next question: How do you feel about a baby shark being your second companion? Again, I have no idea. All I know is that brother so and so has my journal and I need A B C D E and F to sign as well before the time runs out.
I am really going to miss these wonderful people! I didn't really realize how much I'd grown to love all these wonderful brothers and sisters until President P told me that I would be leaving them. Of course, I'm excited and looking forward to a change in scenery, but still... I've really grown to love Malawi. The people here are simple, and they don't need much to survive. If only the rest of the world could learn the same things...
We had a really powerful weekend. On Saturday, we got to have lunch with a family that is currently on their way to being an eternal family! Three families, in fact, are going to Joberg this week to go through the temple! Then on Sunday, when we told the B's and taught them about the principle, they looked more than excited because they realized it was more than possible!
Also, Saturday we had some powerful baptisms--my last in Malawi. Two sisters in Branch two who had been looking forward to it for forever, Sister L as well got baptized by her husband (powerful thing to watch) and even the star of the day: E! This was a man who'd been a drunkard for 26 years, and he's finally sobered up and is living the gospel. He's one of the most powerful members now, and the day he was confirmed he came out and worked with my companion and me. The best thing about him is that he doesn't just translate; he adds his own testimony to the end of whatever we say!
**
In closing, I would like to direct your thoughts to this wonderful holiday (for which so many shopping centers inconveniently closed). Whenever we think about Easter Weekend, most people here in Malawi focus on the fact that Christ died for us. Not many remember that he also rose again the third day. He lives, and because He lives we will all rise from the resting places. This I testify to you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sister Adams
Monday, March 25, 2013
Let Your Light So Shine
Do you know, after 6 1/2 months on mission, I think I'm finally starting to understand why I'm here. There are certain events that I've been through that, had I made a different decision, I would not be where I am. But the things I'm learning and the things I'm doing are helping me to see that I'm here in Malawi for my own good and my own salvation. Yes, I'm here to help others come unto Christ, but they're doing the same thing in the spirit world free of all costs.
There's a question that I'm asking myself every day: What can I learn today to become a more faithful daughter in Zion? What can I learn that will help me in life, and in eternity? I have a great feeling that those two questions will really help me to become the best missionary that I can be.
Zone Conference is coming up on Friday, and with it we'll get transfer news (I'll learn who my new companion will be, since Sister N is leaving Malawi on the 4th and the whole mission on the 9th) even though we're only in week two of the transfer. But President doesn't really go by the numbers in the planner; he just follows the Spirit, who is the best Guide of all!
I'm a bit anxious to find out who my new companion is, seeing as I've only had the one since I've gotten here. But it's okay, because then I'll be able to learn new things from whichever Sister is assigned to me!
Love you lots!
**
In other news, my friends and family, the sun has turned this beloved brunette sister into half-ginger.
Boundless love from the local Azungu Malawian,
Sister Adams
There's a question that I'm asking myself every day: What can I learn today to become a more faithful daughter in Zion? What can I learn that will help me in life, and in eternity? I have a great feeling that those two questions will really help me to become the best missionary that I can be.
Zone Conference is coming up on Friday, and with it we'll get transfer news (I'll learn who my new companion will be, since Sister N is leaving Malawi on the 4th and the whole mission on the 9th) even though we're only in week two of the transfer. But President doesn't really go by the numbers in the planner; he just follows the Spirit, who is the best Guide of all!
I'm a bit anxious to find out who my new companion is, seeing as I've only had the one since I've gotten here. But it's okay, because then I'll be able to learn new things from whichever Sister is assigned to me!
Love you lots!
**
In other news, my friends and family, the sun has turned this beloved brunette sister into half-ginger.
Boundless love from the local Azungu Malawian,
Sister Adams
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