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
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
The Spider and the Cockroach
There once was a little spider named Opile. He was full of dreams, even though most bugs in the village were bigger than him. His Amayi even told him, "Opile, you must just remember that God is bigger than all those bugs." And Opile believed her.
One day, Opile was near his home when Mkuku, the biggest cockroach in the village came and started shouting at the little spider. "You're such a pangono bug!" he shouted. "How can you bring pride to your banja?"
Opile didn't like the shouting, and besides that he knew what Mkuku was saying wasn't true. His Amayi told him every day that she was proud of how quick and clever he was. That gave Opile an idea. Mkuku was big, yes, but he was also slow. Opile was quick and clever, and he could also spin some of the strongest webs in his family.
So, quick as a flash, Opile skittered around Mkuku, wrapping two of his legs in his web and pulling the big cockroach on his back. Opile then pulled his web up between two walls, and made certain that his web would hold. Mkuku, suddenly realizing that he was at a disadvantage, started pleading with Opile to let him go.
"No," Opile said. "I'm leaving you here to be supper for my Amayi and Abambo."
______
This is just a little story I made up after seeing this very ordeal this morning at the flat. And you know, the spider looked very pleased with himself to have caught such a big meal. Probably he thought he wouldn't be able to do it. Maybe he felt scared in the face of such a big opponent.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUQIJ070vqeNykjR4e5Jfd6IxQz1aRkoISyrz14qiggs4VC5V_h1GFclwRg9wP1sqJczwNImOCEpCVuVtZm6uo-1WyS-nexHz8wIOFRYYmMowzP8tPttscjghSitJw8D_2e04AlgOv4Q/h120/P1030406.JPG
Think about what this means for our lives. God sends challenges our way, and some of them may seem like they're impossible. But really, God knows what we can handle, and he won't give us a challenge that is too big. We just need to have the courage to press forward!
This week we've really been focusing on helping our people know how to endure to the end. It can be hard, yes, and the trials may make us want to give up. But as we learned in Relief Society on Sunday, we cannot go to the Celestial Kingdom and become like Heavenly Father without those trials. You don't have to like them, but maybe we could all stop wishing our troubles would just go away.
___
Well, my dear family and friends, I hope you are all doing well! I pray that the sun shines warm over you, and that you find the courage to be happy always!
Sister Adams
One day, Opile was near his home when Mkuku, the biggest cockroach in the village came and started shouting at the little spider. "You're such a pangono bug!" he shouted. "How can you bring pride to your banja?"
Opile didn't like the shouting, and besides that he knew what Mkuku was saying wasn't true. His Amayi told him every day that she was proud of how quick and clever he was. That gave Opile an idea. Mkuku was big, yes, but he was also slow. Opile was quick and clever, and he could also spin some of the strongest webs in his family.
So, quick as a flash, Opile skittered around Mkuku, wrapping two of his legs in his web and pulling the big cockroach on his back. Opile then pulled his web up between two walls, and made certain that his web would hold. Mkuku, suddenly realizing that he was at a disadvantage, started pleading with Opile to let him go.
"No," Opile said. "I'm leaving you here to be supper for my Amayi and Abambo."
______
This is just a little story I made up after seeing this very ordeal this morning at the flat. And you know, the spider looked very pleased with himself to have caught such a big meal. Probably he thought he wouldn't be able to do it. Maybe he felt scared in the face of such a big opponent.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUQIJ070vqeNykjR4e5Jfd6IxQz1aRkoISyrz14qiggs4VC5V_h1GFclwRg9wP1sqJczwNImOCEpCVuVtZm6uo-1WyS-nexHz8wIOFRYYmMowzP8tPttscjghSitJw8D_2e04AlgOv4Q/h120/P1030406.JPG
Think about what this means for our lives. God sends challenges our way, and some of them may seem like they're impossible. But really, God knows what we can handle, and he won't give us a challenge that is too big. We just need to have the courage to press forward!
This week we've really been focusing on helping our people know how to endure to the end. It can be hard, yes, and the trials may make us want to give up. But as we learned in Relief Society on Sunday, we cannot go to the Celestial Kingdom and become like Heavenly Father without those trials. You don't have to like them, but maybe we could all stop wishing our troubles would just go away.
___
Well, my dear family and friends, I hope you are all doing well! I pray that the sun shines warm over you, and that you find the courage to be happy always!
Sister Adams
Monday, March 11, 2013
A bit of quiet p-day..
There was some civil unrest today due to some uppity-up's arrest, which meant no going downtown for the missionaries. But we're all fine, as we were warned of the riots before we found ourselves right in the middle. Thank goodness for the church leaders!
The missionaries of the Zambia Lusaka mission have been playing the 'Transfer Shuffle' (similar to the Cupid shuffle) and now we have a new baby shark, along with a pair of new Zone Leaders, and a new sister. We are all excited about the changes being made, but that means that another transfer has come and gone. I'll be starting my 5th transfer, and I'm moving into my "2nd trimester". Yup. I have hit six months!
The branches are planning a youth activity for August, and they're talking about going to Salima. everyone is really excited, as most of the people from the village have never even been up that far. Jacob B was pop-eyed when we told him that he was included in the trip, simply because he's a Deacon! The excitement of the kids here never ceases to amaze me.
I had a cool experience with the priesthood this past week. I had had a really bad cough, one that at one point kept me indoors from weakness, and at another point I couldn't even talk. That evening I asked president P for a blessing, and he promised through the spirit that my body would begin to be healed. In the morning it was only a mild cough and my throat didn't hurt at all! Because of that, I've gained a testimony of the priesthood power.
**
Let us remember, my friends, that there are certain things we need to do in this life. This life is a time to prepare to meet God, but you really only have to worry about today. "Take no thought for the morrow, for the morrow will take care of itself." Just do what you can to make yourself good today.
I love you all a lot!
Sister Adams
The missionaries of the Zambia Lusaka mission have been playing the 'Transfer Shuffle' (similar to the Cupid shuffle) and now we have a new baby shark, along with a pair of new Zone Leaders, and a new sister. We are all excited about the changes being made, but that means that another transfer has come and gone. I'll be starting my 5th transfer, and I'm moving into my "2nd trimester". Yup. I have hit six months!
The branches are planning a youth activity for August, and they're talking about going to Salima. everyone is really excited, as most of the people from the village have never even been up that far. Jacob B was pop-eyed when we told him that he was included in the trip, simply because he's a Deacon! The excitement of the kids here never ceases to amaze me.
I had a cool experience with the priesthood this past week. I had had a really bad cough, one that at one point kept me indoors from weakness, and at another point I couldn't even talk. That evening I asked president P for a blessing, and he promised through the spirit that my body would begin to be healed. In the morning it was only a mild cough and my throat didn't hurt at all! Because of that, I've gained a testimony of the priesthood power.
**
Let us remember, my friends, that there are certain things we need to do in this life. This life is a time to prepare to meet God, but you really only have to worry about today. "Take no thought for the morrow, for the morrow will take care of itself." Just do what you can to make yourself good today.
I love you all a lot!
Sister Adams
Monday, March 4, 2013
Transfer News
So my companion, who is finishing in just over a month, has gotten the news that she will be finishing in Malawi! This is a bit odd, because she hasn't actually served in Zambia in the Zambia Lusaka Mission... She jokes that she's serving in the Malawi Lilongwe mission! And I received news as well--I'll be with her till she's gone! I won't share my speculations here, because I'm not in charge of transfers, but I have a few ideas of how things will be going after that...
Brother L's baptism was on Saturday, and it was a wonderful experience. He looked so happy, and when we told him he'd be able to baptize his wife in two weeks he looked near overcome with joy! It certainly made me really happy to be there (regardless of a bad flu), and I realized that the L's are the first converted family I've helped teach since first contact! I guess that is the show of being on mission for just about six months.
Here is the story behind the monkey skull and the pictures from our Zone trip to Lake Malawi...
I had my hat, a certain hat that made me feel like Indiana Jones. I'd found a nice stick, one that I could walk with and poke things. I also had some kind of strange ball-shaped fruit thing that was very hard and that made me feel like I was out to discover.
So there I was, with my stick and my ball thing and my hat, jumping over the big rocks and feeling like Malawian Jones. I and my beautiful assistant, Sister S, knew that there were baboons nearby, so we were being cautious as we explored. We wanted to discover!
I spotted a tree that I thought myself clever to climb, and as I rounded a large stone to approach the base, we were greeted by the sight of some long-gone creature of local origin! We were fascinated by the spectacle, and we as we examined more closely I, the great Malawi Jones, was able to identify the creature as once being a baboon, the very animals that were now terrorizing our mission trucks in search of food.
I took my stick and poked the skull of the creature, turning it over and grinning like a schoolgirl. There was a hole in the base, just the right size for my stick! I speared the thing, and stood tall as I took it to show the other missionaries.
The reactions were mixed, and the best was a certain Canadian acting Hamlet.
President P at first wanted to claim the thing from me, but I was adamant, saying that I wanted to send it to my family.
You see, I had already begun to formulate a plan that would result in shocks for my family, and lots of laughter for me. I would send the skull without telling them, and hiding it in the package with something else seemed like the best way to do it. Therefore, President P advised me to let the thing sit in bleach for a bit, thus cleaning the skull of any unmentionables.
And thus it was sent.
I walked away from the post office that day giggling like a child, imagining the looks on my family's faces when the package finally arrived and they saw what was inside.
(Note from Naunie- Cassie put the skull with a couple of Chitenjes for Marie and I, but didn't tell us what else was in the box we received last week - imagine our surprise to lift the first fabric and have the skull staring up at us.)
This week we were working with a sister, and we were trying to get her to figure out about our Heavenly Parents on her own. This is the girl that goes silent when she's shocked about something--literally speechless! She kept saying, "Sisters, this is all so much." Do you know those cartoons where their eyes pop and their jaws fall to the floor?
Ndi Makukondani! (in chichewa, that means 'I love you!')
**
The thoughts I leave with you this week is a tidbit from the March Home teaching message. The hymn Master the Tempest is Raging. This powerful song testifies that no matter what trials come our way, if we are built upon the foundation of Christ we cannot fail. We cannot fall. This I also testify to you, and seal this letter with my love,
Sister Adams
Brother L's baptism was on Saturday, and it was a wonderful experience. He looked so happy, and when we told him he'd be able to baptize his wife in two weeks he looked near overcome with joy! It certainly made me really happy to be there (regardless of a bad flu), and I realized that the L's are the first converted family I've helped teach since first contact! I guess that is the show of being on mission for just about six months.
Here is the story behind the monkey skull and the pictures from our Zone trip to Lake Malawi...
I had my hat, a certain hat that made me feel like Indiana Jones. I'd found a nice stick, one that I could walk with and poke things. I also had some kind of strange ball-shaped fruit thing that was very hard and that made me feel like I was out to discover.
So there I was, with my stick and my ball thing and my hat, jumping over the big rocks and feeling like Malawian Jones. I and my beautiful assistant, Sister S, knew that there were baboons nearby, so we were being cautious as we explored. We wanted to discover!
I spotted a tree that I thought myself clever to climb, and as I rounded a large stone to approach the base, we were greeted by the sight of some long-gone creature of local origin! We were fascinated by the spectacle, and we as we examined more closely I, the great Malawi Jones, was able to identify the creature as once being a baboon, the very animals that were now terrorizing our mission trucks in search of food.
I took my stick and poked the skull of the creature, turning it over and grinning like a schoolgirl. There was a hole in the base, just the right size for my stick! I speared the thing, and stood tall as I took it to show the other missionaries.
The reactions were mixed, and the best was a certain Canadian acting Hamlet.
President P at first wanted to claim the thing from me, but I was adamant, saying that I wanted to send it to my family.
You see, I had already begun to formulate a plan that would result in shocks for my family, and lots of laughter for me. I would send the skull without telling them, and hiding it in the package with something else seemed like the best way to do it. Therefore, President P advised me to let the thing sit in bleach for a bit, thus cleaning the skull of any unmentionables.
And thus it was sent.
I walked away from the post office that day giggling like a child, imagining the looks on my family's faces when the package finally arrived and they saw what was inside.
(Note from Naunie- Cassie put the skull with a couple of Chitenjes for Marie and I, but didn't tell us what else was in the box we received last week - imagine our surprise to lift the first fabric and have the skull staring up at us.)
This week we were working with a sister, and we were trying to get her to figure out about our Heavenly Parents on her own. This is the girl that goes silent when she's shocked about something--literally speechless! She kept saying, "Sisters, this is all so much." Do you know those cartoons where their eyes pop and their jaws fall to the floor?
Ndi Makukondani! (in chichewa, that means 'I love you!')
**
The thoughts I leave with you this week is a tidbit from the March Home teaching message. The hymn Master the Tempest is Raging. This powerful song testifies that no matter what trials come our way, if we are built upon the foundation of Christ we cannot fail. We cannot fall. This I also testify to you, and seal this letter with my love,
Sister Adams
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