July 26, 2021

Week 2 in the books!

Hey ya'll!  I don't actually like to say ya'll, but it is kind of growing on me!  This week has been surprisingly rewarding!  Don't get me wrong, it has definitely been a challenge, but I'm grateful for that.

This week I have noticed that I am a lot more grateful for challenges in our lives. Challenges are what shape us into the people we are now and that is something that is so precious and beautiful.  This week, I have also realized that God is with us no matter where we are.  You know why?  Because of his great love for everyone on this planet!  In the first discussion that missionaries teach, the very first principle  is that God is our loving Heavenly Father.  After realizing that God is always with us, I read some scriptures.  One in particular is D&C 84:88 and it says, "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face.  I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."  So putting this into missionary terms, as we are teaching the word of God unto the lost sheep, God will be with us and he will testify the truth of our message unto them!

I would like to invite you guys to share the gospel with someone that is lost.  I know that as you do this, you will have the power of God with you!

Love, Elder Sam Adams

Pictures...1. Hannah was baptized 2. Water 3. Water 4. Cute lil selfie of myself :)

July 19, 2021

Wow...and just like that I am back where I was 7 months ago.  It's crazy how time flies when you are having fun.  I mean the time spent at home felt like I was only there for a month or two.  Haha.  In this one week I've been back out here in North Carolina, it feels like I haven't skipped a beat.  It feels like I have been here serving the entire time and that has been a huge blessing.

Many of you may know that the first time I came out here, I experienced a few things...I experienced mild depression, anxiety, and extreme homesickness.  It was very hard for me to be away from the people that I love and the place where I grew up!  The best thing about being here the second time is that I don't think I have experienced one of those things yet.  This has been a huge blessing in my life.  I am serving in Shelby, North Carolina and I love the area so far and the ward especially.  The people here have definitely helped me feel comfortable living here!  Oh and guess what?  I have the exact same companion as before!  He is such an awesome dude and there is never a dull moment between us.  Haha.  One thing that I really admire about my companion is that he is always having us work!  Some of you may say, "Well that sounds awful!"  But it is actually exactly what I need right now because if we weren't always busy, you know what I would be doing?...Thinking about home and how much I miss it.  

I have been studying in Moses chapters 1-7 this week.  In this story, it is about how Heavenly Father is talking to Moses when he was desiring the truth of the gospel and what is real and what is not.  Moses was second in line to become Pharaoh.  Moses begins to talk to God and says that he sees God with his eyes!  He then begins to say that he did not see God with his physical eyes but with his spiritual eyes.  (HE SEES THE PLAN OF SALVATION!)  Just imagine how cool that would have been to see the creation and everything that comes after that!  With only being here a week now, I have seen the plan of salvation.  Now probably not as drastically as Moses, but I know that without a doubt in my mind that the plan of salvation is true.  This has become known to me.  As I am teaching families and individuals about this, seeing their eyes light up with wonder is one of the most beautiful things I have ever experienced!  The gospel of Jesus Christ is true!  I know it!  I also know that it plays a huge roll in my life and I know it can in yours.  If you are feeling lonely, depressed, anxious, or anything like that, I challenge you to look to your Savior Jesus Christ and he will help you feel comforted!  This I know because he has helped me! 

 July 14, 2021

Sam left the Salt Lake Airport this morning at 10:00 to go back to serve the people of North Carolina.  

Sam was set apart as a missionary the night before, July 13, 2021 at 9:00 by President Leishman.  We love President Leishman and we were so happy that he was the one who was available to set Sam apart.

Sam was given a beautiful blessing, promising him many things such as eyes to see and a heart to feel.  He was told to go boldly and confidently, where angels would surround him and strengthen him.  He was told that he would love the people of North Carolina and would see them as our Savior sees them.

So Sam...

Study, Pray, Serve, and Love!

Enjoy the ride.  Find joy in every day!

Make every moment count!

Once again, a big chunk of my heart is back in North Carolina.

Sam arrived in North Carolina around 4:00, where he met his new President, 

President Brown.

This is the text we received from President Brown later that evening:

"Had an enjoyable evening with Elder Adams.  He's excited to be back in the mission field.  I asked him about the origin of his testimony and was amazed at the depth of his conversation.  He sure loves you all (Parents and three sisters).  Buckle in and prepare for the miracles because Elder Adams is ready to be a consecrated missionary.  Thanks for trusting us with your son.

All my love, Prs Brown."