Hello Everyone! How was your week? Mine was good, it just flew by. I mean like holy cow. There is an awesome new Christmas video out that I would urge everyone to watch, it is so cool! #ASaviorIsBorn, I love this video! I can't express how much I love it, I just know that the message it contains is true! 

 My week has been good, Thanksgiving was fun. We had two meal appointments, and unlike last year, I decided to pace myself and not just gorge. So, that all went well. I wasn't bursting at the seams like I was last year, so that was definitely an improvement! Also, we are low on miles, so we've been walking around a lot, so I'm sure that has helped keep my metabolism moving enough to be able to handle large amounts of food like that! This week, well, remember how I said there was snow? Yeah, not anymore. It is all gone now. The snow lasted for a few days and then disappeared. It is still cold, like in the 20s and maybe 30s, but no snow. Very odd for this time of year! Anyways, I know this church is true, I know that it is Christ's church here on the Earth! I know our Savior was born so that we can live. I know he loves us and watches over us no matter where we are, or where we have been. I love this time of year and being able to reflect on the mission of Jesus Christ, a few of you told me that I would love the Holidays on my mission, not only because of the opportunity coming up to Skype home, but also the just overwhelming amount of love and giving that we all display. I know that as we serve others, we'll be able to feel of God's love for them, and for us. Have a great week everyone! 

Elder Adams 

 

 

 Yup. Snow is here! Woke up this morning to a nice layer of snow out here in Dover-Foxcroft Maine! Woah! As far north in the NHMM as I can go! I'm super excited! This week was good! How was yours?
 We had some awesome stuff happen this week, we stacked hay bales on Tuesday, my first day here, while at a horse farm! That was awesome! Followed by a week of tracting and finding, but also with some amazing lessons with investigators and less actives. 
 I'm super excited for winter, and also the fact that every once and a while the missionaries
go to help a member milk his 150+ dairy cows. I think I spent a little too much time with my trainer, cows are awesome. 
 Anyways, that's all I can think of have an awesome week everyone! I know this church is
true, and that the Book of Mormon will bring us closer to God and to Christ if we study and live the principles taught in it!

 Well, I'm moving on from Machias! I've been called to serve as a district leader, so I'll teach and help out the elders and sisters in a certain area here in the mission. This should be interesting!
 Other than that, how has your week been? Anything cool or exciting? I'm doing well, and can't wait for this next transfer! The week has just flown by, first we had some awesome service at a less active members house. They have about eight pigs, one that is 200+ pounds! My companion had a dream about a pig that size a few weeks ago, then we found it! Haha! Then we had an exchange with the zone leaders, and that just all flew by.        
 We met with several less active members this week, and we taught them all the message of the Restoration. It was way awesome seeing them reinvigorated by that message. The spirit was always so strong in those lessons. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet of
God, and I know that the Book of Mormon is true. God is our loving Heavenly Father and cares about each and every one of us. I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that these things are true. Jesus Christ lives and he is our Savior!
 Have a wonderful week everyone!

 Well, after near 500 miles of traveling and about 3 days worth of meetings, the excitement has all died down again to rest a little more back into the normal missionary schedule.            
 Anyways, on Friday we were  able to hear from Elder Nielson of the Quorum of the 70. That was pretty cool. He spoke a lot on missionary work and how in the missionary department of the church, they have seen what is most effective. So that really helped get a lot of us missionaries energized and ready to work! Then we had stake conference Saturday
night and Sunday morning. So, the meeting on Friday we spent near 8-9 driving there and back, and also near 4 hours each, there and back for both the Saturday meeting and Sunday meeting. So a whopping total of near 16 hours spent in a car over the past few days. Sheesh. It was still a blast though. I learned a ton and can't wait to apply it into
missionary work!
 But, before all of that, we happened to find some Alpacas, explored a graveyard a little, and also took pictures of a beach when we were in the area! So the week was pretty adventurous! Hope everyone has a good week! The church is true everyone! I know it! Talk to you all next week!

And still a goofball....

 Hey everyone! How was Halloween? Ours was spent by cleaning the apartment! It was better than expected!  Just a quick email today with some pictures of the adventures here in Machias! Have a great week everyone! I know Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that the Book of Mormon is true! Also the lighthouse is in Canada! We got super close again!

 It just keeps getting faster. This is all so weird. So, this week was pretty interesting. But before I get into at, how was your week? Anything new and exciting? Anything awesome coming up? Hope all is well!
  Now, my week has been interesting because,
1. We went on exchange, so I was working here in my area with an elder from another area, and while on exchange, we got a new investigator, he had some interesting views that didn't really agree with what the church had stated so we had to drop him because he wasn't willing to change.
2. We just had Zone Interviews, where we have a one on one interview with Pres. Stoker, that was pretty fun.
3. We spoke at church, without realizing we were the speakers, so that was fun. One of the branch presidency members asked us if we had our talks ready for Sunday, on Friday, and we thought he was joking so didn't pay any heed to it. Then come Sunday morning as we are preparing the sacrament, and he comes in again and asks us who is going first. We were still unsure if he was joking or not. So we scrambled to piece together some talks, which turned out better than we had expected and the congregation actually liked them!
  Other than that it's been a good week! I know the church is true! Our leaders are inspired from God, they are still human and make mistakes, but I know they are called of God. Have an awesome week everyone!
Elder Adams

Hello Everyone!
How has your week been? My week has been good! Nothing super exciting, but nothing super bad either, so it was good? Anything exciting coming up? Don't have much to say this week, just an experience that I had the past week, but to start it off, let's look at this scripture. James 1:19, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:". Now, my companion and I had an experience that was the epitome of this scripture. We had sat down to take lunch a few days ago, and we got a telephone call from a number, whose caller ID was "Restricted" immediately the Spirit said this wasn't going to be a good phone call, and I understood as I answered it. The man initially asked what are beliefs were about, and how our services were conducted. So we started to explain, then asked him what he knew about our beliefs, which to spare you the details, lead to a 20 minute call of him anti-ing and finding fault in our religion. So, I personally knew I wasn't able to match him with everything he was talking about, I didn't know the answers, but we listened, we gave him answers to what we could, and kept our cool. It allowed us to end on good terms, where he had initially come on very aggressively. I
listened and found some common ground as he talked, stating he retired from the Air Force, we talked about that for a little bit, which cooled him off. So, sometimes we just need to listen in order to help. Now, he didn't convert because we listened, but he didn't continue his
argument. I know God loves each and everyone of us, and He has asked us to do the same. I know that as we reach out in love and listen to those we are there to help, we will be God's hands in the work of miracles. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have a good week everyone!
 
Oh, this is a seagull we got very close to, oh and some ocean.

Hey everyone! How has the past week been? How is this week going by so far? Any plans? Any awesome events? I'm doing good up here in Machias! This week has been okay, not the best, but it's never going to be the best. It will always just keep getting better and better! And after  a seven hour car ride to Manchester New Hampshire, I've got a new companion now! Elder Hill from.... Utah! Oh man, it's like that's where all the Mormons are from! (Or so they think here in New England, and probably everywhere else in the world too, I wouldn't know). He is specifically from Spanish Fork, if any of you know where that is. He's about 6' 4". So, taller than me. We get along pretty well, and we're both determined to work hard this upcoming transfer! Then a seven hour car drive to get back. So, during this week, we travelled almost to Canada. We have in our area an island. Well actually we have multiple islands, but this island (depicted in the second picture) is Campobello Island. It's in
Canada's jurisdiction, as you can see we Almost go to it, had there not be a checkpoint for border regulations we totally would have gone! The fall colors are getting very vivid here! It's pretty awesome, and way beautiful. Not much else really, I know the church is true
everyone! Live well, Laugh often, Work hard, and Play hard. (And when occasion permits, nap even harder). Have a great week everyone!

Hey everyone? How was General Conference? I loved it! I think one of my favorite talks was from Elder Larry Lawrence. That was an awesome talk, always saying, "What more can I do?" Especially here on the mission when we're helping someone or just talking to them, I try to make an effort to ask them, "Is there anything else we can do to help you?" Sometimes people take us up on the offer, but most of the time they are managing by themselves. That is what this life is all about though. What more can we do, to ensure that we and those around us return to our Heavenly Father. I know He wants all of us back. He is
waiting for us to make the right choices and show Him our faith in Him and His son, Jesus Christ. There is no one beyond the reaches of His love.  Heavenly Father has blessed me with the opportunity to share this message, this message of His love, which I know exists for all of us, to all that will receive myself and my companion. I know God uses weak things to help his children to return to him. I desire to say, as Ammon of old, "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." " Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." (Alma 26: 12 &16) I know God loves you. I know he always has, and always will. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Have a good week everyone!

P.S. - Like my tie collection so far?

First time cooking moose

 The time goes faster and faster. Well, my week was good! How has yours been? My companion and I have been doing a lot of service this week, we helped split and stack wood, and clean a chicken coop, and put a water tank in someone's basement. Pretty fun!
 One thing that happened to me this week, was something that has never happened to me on the mission. We met our Branch President's sister, who was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at dinner when we were over at our Branch President's house. She asked us loads of questions and was inquiring to who we were, and what we were doing. We answered as best we could. She and her friend, although not of our faith, wished us luck. Not something that uncommon from people of other faiths, to wish that upon the missionaries. That was the only time we really had a conversation with them. So when
Sunday came around, we were cleaning up the sacrament table, and our Branch President tells us to go look in the back of his car. Initially I thought he hadn't gotten in an accident! I was worried his bumper or something was dented in! We got outside, and the car was perfectly fine. Some we opened up his trunk, and there was a basket just full, of food. I was dumbstruck! I didn't know what to think or who it could be from! The day earlier we had been at an elderly couples home, splitting their wood. I initially thought it was from them! So, I
opened a card that was on top. The card thanked us for our work and for everything that we're doing. However, it was signed by the Branch President's sister and friend. Never had I thought that we would ever receive something from a nonmember that we had only an hours worth of contact with.

 God is there and touches the lives of everyone. I know he loves and cares about each and everyone of us. While we aren't dieing for lack of food, I am so grateful for the help that has come through the most unlikeliest of means. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, I know He lives and will always love us. No matter what we do, or where we go, we can always return to Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

 Hey everyone! How are you today? How was your week? Anything cool happen? Or happening soon? 

 All the way out here in Machias we have a packed week! We've set up a few appointments with members, active and less active, and that has pretty much filled our week, so most of it will be visits, and then working in the local area of the members! Other than that we had a zone conference last week! That was awesome! All the missionaries in Maine met in Augusta, at the chapel there, and learned a ton, and discussed a lot, about the Book of Mormon and other things.  It is way cool to be able to see everyone again. We also did this thing, called Book of Mormon trailers. Only about 1-2 minutes long where you pick a scene from the Book of Mormon and with a few props you have to act it out in the way a movie trailer would be! It was way fun! I recommend it for a youth activity or family home evening or whatever! It is way fun!

 As I said we've got a busy week, and that came after a prompting from the Holy Ghost! I know Heavenly Father watches over us, and that he sends the Spirit to prompt us to help us do what he knows will help us and help others the most! Have a good week everyone! 

Elder Adams

 

 Wait I'm 1 year out? There's no way. The time flies faster than anyone told me! This is just intense sometimes. My week has been good though. Loads of tracting and searching for those who are ready to receive a message about the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. We've found several that seem ready. Which is amazing! I can't wait to teach them more!
 How has your week been? Anything cool? The weather is soon changing, and it's already gotten colder here. I'll get pictures I promise I've forgotten recently. Just kidding! Here's a few! A few of the beach that we were at on Saturday for a branch social! I know the church is true everyone! Stay strong and you'll continue to feel God's love for you! I love you all and can't wait to see you in less than a year now!

Have a good week every one!

 Hello everyone! How are you? I'm doing pretty good! I was able to get some nice pictures this week! Leaves aren't changing just yet, but they're on their way! 
 This week has been kinda slow, we haven't been able to meet with any of our investigators, but we have been meeting with a few more less actives, and they're all doing pretty nicely! We were out this morning building a deck with one family, and they're just awesome!
 Other than that, we haven't had many adventures this week! Lots of driving, even down some back roads that seem more like jeep trails, but it's okay because we have an all wheel drive SUV! Woo! That's about it for this week! 
 I know the church is true! Have a good week everyone!
Some of the Scenery here in Machias!

 Well, I'm in Machais Maine. Which covers the farthest east in the United States as well as the farthest in our mission. Pretty crazy! My new companion is Elder Cobb. He is from Washington! Pretty cool! Our adventures this week, well; First upon transfers I was told by the Elder who was previously here that the keys to the Machias vehicle and apartment were in the car that he got a ride from. So I thought it was so. About 3 hours down the road, near our destination, we all find out that the keys indeed are not in the vehicle and that my companion who is up in the Bangor area for the day did not have them either. Needless to say, we were stuck in Bangor working with those Elders for a couple days. That was pretty fun! A couple of days down the road, by Thursday afternoon, we
got our keys via the mail. So we finally got to our area about 7 pm Thursday night, where as we were supposed to be here by about 5 on Tuesday. Pretty cool experience though! We were called while in Bangor to go and give a blessing to an elderly lady who was dieing. So the 4 of us went to give her a blessing. After the blessing, one of the ladies in the room asked us to sing some hymns, so we did. And the Spirit filled the room as the lady quietly passed on. It was definitely an experience. I know that God loves us, and that there is life after death! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
 
That's all I have for this week!
Talk to you later!
Elder Adams

 Well. It doesn't feel like I've been here for 2 transfers. 3 months. There's no way. It has just flown by. I really don't know what to think. Well, I guess I'm moving out!
 How's your week been though? Anything fun and awesome? Stuff is starting to cool off a little. How about your end? I promise when the leaves are all a billion different colors, I'll get some pictures out! Sorry, I've been slacking in that area!
 I'd just like to say that I know prayer works! I've said it before and I'll testify again! Asking our Heavenly Father to help us grow in attributes or asking to help us have a better attitude, He will help! Heavenly Father loves us and knows what we need! I've recently prayed
to have more patience, for Heavenly Father to help me have patience, and he has. He will always answer prayers. Even if it's not in the way we ask! I know this is true. I know the Book of Mormon is true, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
 See you later! I'll email you from somewhere new next week!
Elder Adams

This was a gift from one of the members children. I'd say they know our missionary! :0)

 How is everyone doing? I'm doing pretty well! This week has been a normal week of knocking doors and waiting for the snow to come! Anything interesting happening in your week? Anything fun coming up?
 We're just have normal missionary things planned for this week! Trying to talk to people and trying to teach people! Of course we're hoping to help people with service and such! Splitting wood time! 
 Hope everyone is doing well! Don't have much this week, I guess I never really have that much to tell you. Anyways, hope you have a wonderful week! I'm doing fine and having a great time! We're in the midst of preparing the area to receive a set of sister missionaries, so who knows what the future will bring for the Cornish ward!
 Have a great week everyone!
Elder Adams

 Um. There's no way. 11 months. In one month I'll have been on my mission for 1 year. Yikes. Anyways, how is everyone doing? I'm doing well and I'm enjoying the time I've been serving here! This has been great so far! Some of the leaves are turning already! Woah! Hold up its still summer!
 Anything cool planned for the upcoming week? How is everyone doing? Excited with getting school rolling again for family? Or are you  kind of bummed?
 I just want to bear my testimony about prayer and how Heavenly Father knows what we need and how we need help when we ask for it. Whether it's just guidance or we need help from him in various other ways. I know he is there and listening for us! I say that in the name of Jesus Christ amen!
 Hope everyone has an awesome day!
Elder Adams

 Alright! Hey everyone! How are you? I'm doing pretty well! How was your week? Mine was pretty good! Pretty much a normal missionary week for me! Knocking doors and trying to teach people! The work is picking up here! A guy came up to us at church and told us he wanted to be baptized! Pretty awesome!
 We had a pretty awesome testimony meeting. The spirit was quite powerful. I know that the power of a testimony of the restored gospel is amazingly powerful. I know the church is true and the Book of Mormon is the word of God and a powerful and miraculous testament of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

  My week has been pretty good, nothing really that big has happened. Oh wait! Yeah it has! We are teaching two new people here in the Cornish area! Wooh! It's great! How has your week been? Anything awesome? The two people we are teaching invited us in and fed us and everything. They talked with sister missionaries in Sweden! They are awesome! That was awesome! So cool! Hope everyone is doing well!

Elder Adams

He finally got to try lobster

  Hey everyone! How was your week? Been awesome? Anything super cool? We had a thunderstorm here last night. That was awesome! Haven't seen one for a very long time. First one since I've been in New England! Pretty crazy. Lightning all over the place. It was so cool.
  My new companion is Elder Reed, another Idahoan. Seems I'm getting a lot of these Elders. Anyways, this week was a pretty normal week for me. Knocking doors and working. So that was good. Any new things happening?
  I haven't got much to say this week, just wanting to testify of this quote from President Uchtdorf. "Our destiny is not determined by the number of times we stumble but by the number of times we rise up, dust ourselves off, and move forward." I know this is true. Courage and strength comes from being able to move forward no matter what. In one
of the Rocky movies he says it pretty well. Can't remember the exact quote, but, something along the lines of, "It's not about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward". It's amazing and I know that by using the atonement in our lives it
truly allows us to move forward. Not matter what trials come our way, we pick up and move forward. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Adams

  Well, this week was fun! How was yours? Mines been hot and humid! I had exchanges, worked for a couple days with another elder, and some service other the weekend. Pretty awesome. Had some members have us over for dinner, and we had 'beef' stew. Only in New England would they have stew/soup in the summer. So, once we had finished eating, Brother Thibodeau, asked us to guess what we had eaten, so I guessed Beef and so did my companion. Then he asked us, "you ready for this?" Then he paused as we waited, " that was bear." We flipped. That was way cool! Bear tastes pretty good!
  Then on Saturday we went to a ward service project in which we cut up this giant maple tree. So, we decided to maneuver some of them so the chainsaw could cut them so we didn't have too. So took a couple of us to lean a few of them where we needed them. Needless to say, I gained a nickname of the Ogre as a description for me because I was lifting some of them. Anyways I thought it would make a funny title to the email! So there you go!
  Those were the highlights of my week! How was yours? Enjoying the summer while it lasts? Hope everyone is doing okay! I know the church is true. Have an amazing week everyone!
Elder Adams

How is everyone this week? Basically had the same week as last week, but we were able to work a little more. So, I don't really have much to say this week.

However, I would like to bear my testimony on an article from the July 2015 ensign, "filled with life and energy" it is all about early to bed and early to rise! I bear my witness that this principle is true! I have seen that over the course of my mission! Going to bed by 10:30 and being up by 6:30 has worked miracles! I'm more awake and alert and more open to the spirit and revelation than I ever have been. It is definitely hard at first, but it is worth it!

Have a good week everyone!
Elder Adams