October 18, 2021

Good morning from North Carolina! This week was one for the records. it was another really good week. We taught a bunch of lessons and this area is just kind of turning around. We already have 6 new people, which is crazy because this is the slowest area in the mission. The lessons taught were amazing. We had a lesson with a guy named Ruben and he asked me what my favorite scripture at the time was so I said Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" but before that, I accidentally turned to Deuteronomy 33:6 which literally says "Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few." So, that was a pretty cool experience haha.

It feels like time is just going faster and faster.  I had the hope that this time around would be different than that fall and it totally has been!  (God answers prayers.) 

Today we went to this place called Bo's, it is kind of like a boondocks. They had Laser tag, bowling, mini golf and all that fun stuff.  It was kind of weird though because it was something I hadn't done out here on my mission and I felt like I was hanging out with my buddies back home. Good thing it didn't make me home sick haha. I know Conference was a few weeks ago, but it was so good that I wanted to mention it. General Conference  weekend is the best weekend as a missionary, all you have to do is watch the TV and listen, learn, and relax! But the talks that were given had so much correlation with what the world is going through right now. Like one thing that I noticed was that the speakers talked a lot about mental health and that is so crucial right now for so many people.

Anyways, I'm doing great out here and I'm starting to find the LOVE and JOY that a mission brings. Thank you for all your support!

-Elder Adams

1. Us playing basketball with some kids 

2. My next purchase!

 October 12, 2021

Hello my friends! This week has been a really great week! Probably one of the best that I've had on my mission so far. Elder Frogley and I were able to find 3 new people to add to our teaching pool.  Two families that we have had for a while have committed to setting a baptism date and I am so excited about that! Absolutely wonderful! Also this week, I had the opportunity to attend a baptism in my last area. I drove back to Shelby, North Carolina with Elder Frogley and there we met up with Elder Brown and we were able to baptize the Spirkos. They are so cool. They grew up catholic and then converted over to Jehovah's Witnesses. They have worked hard to completely change their lifestyle and join The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints. I love that they are a such a great example of faith.  I loved getting to know them and teach them in my last area and I feel so lucky to have been able to go back to Shleby and be a part of that.  They are some of the most Christ-like people that I know and they are just full of  love and kindness. They often remind me of who I want to be. 

1. Spirkos baptism!!!

2. The beautiful world

3. The beautiful world part 2

October 10, 2021

Howdy guys!!! 

Sorry I'm a little late! This week has been so busy! Life as a missionary is so much better when you get along with your companion and you have a lot to do! Elder Frogley and I have been having a lot of fun and has been working really hard. We are in the slowest area in the mission.  The area we are in was just white washed, meaning all the old missionaries were transferred and they brought new ones into the area.  When we arrived, the old missionaries only had one contact that they had been teaching.  But that is  okay because that means we will stay busy because there is a lot of work to do. Oh guess what! This Saturday I have a baptism! In my last area we were teaching some Jehovah's Witnesses by the name of Pat and Thomas Spirko.  They are finally ready for baptism...how wonderful is that? They are the perfect example of Christ like people!

1. Elder Frogley and I

2. Beautiful sunset 

3. Car Show

 September 27, 2021

Howdy Partner

Elder Adams here signing in from the east coast! 

This week has been fantastic! I am training a new missionary and it has been a fun week! My new companion is awesome!  His name is Elder Frogley and he is from Boise, Idaho.  We have a lot in common and we are getting along great.  It has been fun getting to know him and I think that we have a lot of the same personality traits. He has taught me this week and think that I have taught him a lot too. We are in a new area called Lenoir and it is so cool. Some of Lenoir is a bigger city area and the other part is more country! The country part kind of reminds me of Huntsville (where my grandma lives) so that is kind of comforting to me!  Anyway, I'm doing really well and working hard!  I hope that everyone is also doing good.  

1. Sunbeam

2. Cool jacked up truck

3. Cool river

4. Some ring in town

 Email from North Carolina :)

September 24, 2021

24 Sep 2021

 

Elder Samuel Steven Adams

605 College Avenue SW

Lenoir, NC 28645

 

Dear Elder Adams,

 

Congratulations on your recent call to be the trainer of a new missionary.  This is a very exciting time in the life of a person embarking on the path of service in the Lord's kingdom here on earth.  You have been called and chosen because of your faithful service in the mission.  The highest calling that can be given to a missionary in the North Carolina Charlotte Mission is to be called as a trainer.

 

Please review the Introduction to Preach My Gospel (online version) as it applies to a Trainer's role.  The responsibility to train a new missionary is great, but the Lord has deemed that you are prepared and worthy of such a call at this time.  I have full faith and trust that because of your efforts in training, the missionary that has been assigned to you will follow your example in becoming a great missionary.

 

I encourage you to teach your new companion how to hear and feel the promptings of the Spirit and how to respond properly to them.  Your companion needs to be taught all of the aspects of dedicated and devoted service to the Lord and His children. Your companion will rely upon you to be the example of a devoted servant of the Savior.  I have complete confidence in your ability to fulfill this responsibility in the Lord's way.

 

Seek the Lord's guidance as you embark upon this wonderful opportunity to be involved as a member of the "Greatest Generation of Missionaries" in the history of the Church.  I extend my love to you and pray continually for your success in the service of the Lord.  May you always feel His love for you.

 

Sincerely,

Thaddeus M. Brown, President

North Carolina Charlotte Mission

 

Cc: Parents

September 20, 2021

Hey everyone!

This week was a really good week for me! We have been teaching a family that used to be Jehovah's Witnesses.  They are awesome and have made the decision to continue discussions and now they are converting over to the good side! Soon they will be Jedi apprentices!

This week I have learned a lot about how the Lord blesses us when we are doing our very best! I also have learned that the Lord places trials in our life because he loves us. He allows us to hurt a little, maybe even suffer, because He loves us and He wants us to grow.  Our Heavenly Father wants us to learn, grow, and ultimately convert from a telestial  state to a celestial state.  He knows and understands that the only way that we can grow to become a celestial citizen, is by going through trials that we learn from and become better each and everyday.

Now for the news that I am excited about...Sunday night, I found out that I am going to be training a brand new missionary and moving to a different area! My first thoughts were "oh great, this is going to go well!" (sarcasm) But thinking about it all day, I have realized that it is going to be so much fun and teach me a lot! The area that I will be transferring to is Lenoir, North Carolina, it is about 1 hour north of Shelby.  I love you guys, stay safe and have fun out there in Utah!

1. Cool picture of me

2. I bought a skateboard 

3. Talent show

4. Brother Nokes and I 

September 13, 2021 

Hey guys! 

This week has definitely been one for the books! It has flown by so quickly and we have been so busy. I feel like the 2 months of being out here has gone by so fast.  In a way, it only seems like I've been out here for 2 weeks! What a huge blessing that has been for me because I was so nervous to come back out. So happy that the time is passing but more importantly, that we are busy teaching lessons and visiting families rather than stuck in our apartment.

This week I have been studying in Mosiah! In Mosiah, it talks all about king Benjamin. King Benjamin was a righteous Nephite king that brought peace to the Nephites.  The people of King Benjamin loved him and were very diligent. Thousands of them traveled to go out of their way to listen to King Benjamin, who was a man of God. Now, relating this to our life... we have righteous people in our church that are men of God just like King Benjamin (the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve  Apostles). We can listen to them to learn truths, they give us strength, and they guide us to become better. I am excited for General Conference that is coming up in October.

This week. we asked a couple that we have been teaching to pray about a baptismal date! They said they would, how cool is that!? They are the Spirkos and they used to be Jehovah's witnesses and have now converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I am really excited for them.

1. My techdeck collection so far!

2. Cool lightning storm!

3. Some nachos that destroyed my stomach ahaha!!

4. Cool lil frog.

 September 6, 2021

Hey everyone! Elder Adams here!

I hope that everyone is doing good!  This week was sooo good for me. Elder Brown and I have been so busy visiting people that we literally went over miles by 600!! This week was good just because we were so busy, which makes things go by quickly.  I have enjoyed every moment but I also love it when time passes by really fast. One of our busiest days were Saturday.  I think that we visited and/or taught around 30 people.  At the end of the day, I had the biggest headache ever because I was literally spiritually drained.  

I learned a lesson this week.  The lesson is that there will always be someone better than you at something and that you can learn from them.  I learned that from Elder Brown.  He is a wonderful teacher and is very enthusiastic when he teaches.  I feel like I am enthusiastic too but Elder Brown is such a good teacher and I am learning things from him every day.  That is okay that he is better than me because I realize that the only way to go is up!  So learn from the people that are great and you will see drastic changes in your life!

Peace out! 

-yo boi Elder Adams

1. Elder Brown and I

2. A Utah license plate (reminded me of home)

3. Street contacting in the rain

4. Drawing of R2-D2:)