January 20, 2014

   Well, this week I don't have quite as exciting stories as usual.  Which I guess isn't a bad thing right.  This week was honestly a little slow.  Not too many lessons, mainly because we had Sisters Conference on Tuesday and Zone Meeting on Thursday.  And since we have to travel almost 2 hours to get there and the meeting always last until later in the day, it takes up most of our time.  But Sisters Conf. was great!  I love all of the sisters in this mission and I learned a lot about things that I need some help with.  And Zone Meeting was just as good.  

    On Tuesday we had a lesson with one of our investigators, Yessenia.  She is completely amazing and has such a special spirit about her.  She is also very patient with my spanish and I truly feel kindness from her.  She is so ready for baptism and I am excited for her.  We asked her to be baptized on Tuesday, I asked the question in Spanish, and she said she would love to!  She just wants to learn more.  So hopefully we can help her prepare and be ready for baptism soon.  She is also having a lot of problems with her thyroid.  She has a big lump on her throat and needs to get it checked out more.  It made me automatically think of Megan.  I just hope that she is okay and things will go good for her.

   We are also teaching a young family who I really love.  Daniel and Laura.  They are great and truly want to know the truth.  So far, I haven't seen a heart so sincere and wanting the truth.  It is great and each lesson goes way over time because they always have so many questions.  Especially Daniel.  He isn't searching for the truth as much as Laura, but he is very supportive and likes to learn.  Both Hna. Noffz and I know that they will get baptized one day.  I just hope that I am here to see it!

     We had some other lessons but this week we also did a lot of tracting.  On Saturday we spent three hours OYMing(Open Your Mouth, which is just talking to people on the streets) and knocking on doors.  Lets just say that is not my favorite thing to do yet haha.  But hopefully with time, I will be super enthusiastic about it.  But right now, for some weird reason, I am terrified to talk to people in spanish!  Yeah, it is pretty pathetic.  My poor comp.

     So far, my whole mission, I have dealt with the stress pretty well.  And believe me, it is stressful.  It is a lot harder then I ever thought it would be.  And I guess I just couldn't take it any more.  So I finally had a little breakdown and had to talk things through and get a hold of myself again.  Thank goodness for Hermana Noffz.  She has helped me so much and especially now.  I just feel bad that she has to deal with me and do a lot of the work lately because I don't speak spanish.  But after talking, making goals, and a lot of other really great things, I am still doing great.  I still have to work on a few things and find a little more faith, but I am learning so much and will only be stronger because of everything.   

     But everything I have learned in these 11 weeks have made my testimony grow so much more!  And it is amazing to witness in the lives of others the happiness that the gospel brings.  I truly love being here and wouldn't be anywhere else.  I love the people and I even love the struggle through spanish.  

     I have such a strong testimony of this gospel and know that this is the Lord's work.  And I am so priviledged and humbled to be here and having the opportunity to represent my Savior.  

I love you all!  THanks for the support and love!

Love, Hermana Adair

Here are some pictures of Alex, and his baptism!

January 13, 2014

Well, another week has come and gone.  I only have a little over 15 months left, what!! crazy!  Even though that still seems like forever away.  But this was a pretty great week!  And like always, we had some more adventures.  It seems like everything that could happen, always does happen with Hna. Noffz and I.  But they always make for some good stories :)

   Monday night we did some service in our ward at the Methodist church.  Every 1st week of the month the Methodist church has a "simple supper" where they make a meal that is free for anyone.  And they try and get as much food as they can to hand out.  And this month our ward volunteered to run it.  It was actually so much fun!  There hasn't been too many service opportunities here and it felt great just to work and help out.  Plus, we got to talk to a lot of people and show them what we do and just represent our church.  And this whole ward feels exactly like our ward at home.  I feel like i have known these people for years, so it is fun to do things with them and feel at home.  I just want you to meet everyone here! 

   But, this ward is also super unorganized.  We had a meeting on Sunday that lasted hours.  And it was only us going over the ward list.  Only 20-30% of the members in this ward are active.  And more then half of the people on the list nobody has any idea who they are.  It is so bad that there was a man on the list who had been dead for over 10 years.  Yeah...it's that bad.  I wasn't joking.  So this week we have been trying to visit as many less-actives as we can and help this ward figure things out.  So far, over 6 of the people we have tried to contact have been moved for years.  This work is a little frustrating to do, especially since it is the wards fault for letting it get so bad.  But, this is part of our calling and we are glad that we can contribute to the ward and the people here.  And we are changing things.  Because of us, things are getting fixed and progress is being made, so it does feel good. 

   We have a few new investigators who we are super excited about.  Yessenia is on of them.  She is the sweetest lady who lives about 15 minutes in a trailer park called Dotsero.  (which is super sketchy and full of really scary people.  Meth addics and alcoholics especailly.  And doesn't really have cell service good.  So we are not aloud to really go there after dark unless we have an appointment.)   But Yessenia is amazing and truly ready to know the gospel.  We taught her a few times and she really seems to accept our message.  We are going to invite her to be baptized tomorrow.  And I will be saying it, yikes!  I hope I don't mess it up in spanish haha.

   But my spanish has been progressing a lot lately.  We had a lesson with Yessenia and I did so good! (not to brag or anything)  But the spanish came and I ended up actually contributing and teaching the lesson.  Hna. Noffz said that she was completely blown away by how awesome I did.  And Brother Wait, (the spanish ward mission leader) has said that I have come a long way.  He even asked me to translate at our last baptism!  Which freaked me out, but it was a huge compliment coming from him.  He wouldn't have asked if he didn't think I could do it.  But I never did it because I ward doesn't have enough headphones.  Which is changing this week.

   There is a couple named Daniel and Laura.  They are great and I love talking to them and feel so comfortable with them.  They are really open to the church and Laura truly wants to know the truth.  But Daniel is a little bit tougher.  He has so many questions and wants an answer to everything now.  Which is great, but so hard to teach that kind of person.  We had a lesson with them last night that lasted 2 hours!  I just pray so hard that they accept the truth that they will feel.  Because they are so amazing and I know that this gospel will bless their lives forever. 

    I also recited the first vision in spanish for the first time this week.  Everytime I hear it or say it myself I feel the spirit so strong.  I never realized before my mission how much Joseph Smith and his sacrifice meant to me.  And I know without a doubt that he was a prophet of God and that he truly saw the Father and the Son. 

   This Friday we had Zone Conference up in Rifle.  The drive there was terrifying.  The weather was horrible and we had to drive through Glenwood Canyon again.  That canyon is the scariest few miles I have ever been in my life.  We could only go 20mph or less it was so bad. Plus a semi almost ran us over!  I thought I was going to die from a heart attack. So it took us forever to get to ZC.  ZC was great!  I learned a lot and it was fun to see all of the missionaries in the area.  I saw Hna. McRae again!  Which was great!  But she and her comp ran into some nasty bed bugs and termites at the apartment.  So they are completely covered in rashes, bumps, scabs, and who knows what else.  Their apartment is being fumagated with everything in it and they have been living in a hotel for days with only 1 change of clothes.  I felt so bad for them but couldn't help laughing because they have to wear latex all over their bodies for the treatment they are doing.  It was fun to see her again and exchange some of our stories. 

   And it was great to talk with President and Sister Murdock.  They are great and talked to Hna. Noffz and I for a bit.  He told us he put us in Eagle for a specific reason and that we are the two who are supposed to be here.  And that we are doing such a great job with getting the work started again.  It felt really good to hear this.  Because we are working so hard to get thing moving again. 

    Saturday was Alex's baptism!!!!!!  I love this kid to death and am going to force Madee to marry him in a few years!  Plus, he has the cutest smile ever haha.  But he was baptized and it was such an amazing night.  He is Myrnas(who is already a member) nephew and the grandson of Cecilia(who was baptized the week before)  He wants a better life for himself then the rest of his family in Mexico and knows that this church is the right path for him.  Brother Wiemer(a member in the ward who we love! and his family!) baptized him and even said it in spanish.  During the prayer they both got really emotional and it touched everyones heart in the room.  And when Alex came up out of the water he had the biggest smile on his face.  It was so incredible to see and be a part of it.  And his confirmation blessing on Sunday was amazing as well.  The spirit was so strong and it talked a lot about his future and the person he is going to be.  I am so excited for him.  He is excited to get the priesthood next week and is now planning of serving a mission!

    Alex was supposed to be returning to Mexico this week right after his baptism with Cecilia and his sister.  Hna. Noffz and I were so worried about him because in Mexico he won't have the support he needs and it would be so easy for him to find some bad friends and get into some really scary things down there.  We have been praying for them so hard.  And guess what!  Alex is now staying!  He is going to get some help in school and will be staying with Myrna now permanantly.  It truly is a miracle and we are so happy for him.  He has so much potential and now his life will be so much better!  But his little sister Adrianna is still going to Mexico and we are worried about her as well.  She is 7 years old and completely adorable.  She loves us so much and can't wait to be baptized when she is 8.  But she is leaving and probably won't be treated great by her mom(who shouldn't even be called a mother) and she will have a lot of opportunities to get into trouble in a few years.  Hma. Noffz and I have a plan to ship her back here once we are off our missions.  I will definitly keep in contact with her and give her support and love.  She needs it so bad.  So, mom and dad, please adopt Adrianna for me haha.  But i'm still totally serious.  She is amazing!

    Funny story for the week.  Yesterday we hit a stopsign.  Correction, Hermana Noffz hit a stopsign.  We were going slow and where turning down a street when the car suddenly had a mind of its own haha.  She tried turning and braking but nope. nothing happened.  So we ran into the stopsign.  And it was hilarious because once Hna. Noffz knew she couldn't do anything, she raised her hands and said, "Jesus take the wheel."  Which is what we joked about after our accident in the canyon.  (We were debating how far our faith could get us over our own effort to control the car.)  Of course we didn't hit hard, just a little bump on Felipe(our car)  But after that our car was stuck in about 2 ft of snow.  And Im out front pushing when the other English sisters see us and come help push.  Then a guy came out from his house to help.  He said he was watching the football game and saw us hit the sign.  Then he wondered why 4 girls in skirts were trying to push the car in such deep snow.  We could not stop laughing when he said that.  But thankfully, he was able to get us out.  What a good samaratan.  To come out into the cold and help complete strangers when the Broncos were playing,  I don't think a lot of people would appreciate the sacrafice he was making haha. 

     I am so excited for this upcoming week and love being here!  I am so excited to speak fluent spanish!  But I know this work is the most important thing that I could be doing and I feel so honored to be here serving the Lord and representing my Savior.  I know that this gospel is the true gospel of Jesus Christ and that through it we can have eternal happiness.  More happiness then we can ever comprehend.  I love everyone here so much and love everyone back home so much!  Thanks for everything you do for me!

Love, Hermana Adair

Sorry, we have been a little behind, but these are pictures from Christmas!


hahahah these are the pics from christmas eve!  McRazy looks like an evil elf on the shelf.  Best night ever, with the ugliest pictures ever hahaha-Hermana Adair

This is in the Eagle, with my companion!

January 6, 2014

This week was completely insane.  So many crazy things happened and we were blessed with so many miracles as well!  I will probably never forget this week.

    Monday was a normal day of teaching, not p-day.  Our president switched our pday to wednesday because it is the new year and most people will either be drunk or extremely hung over.  Especially in Eagle haha.  We have to deal with a lot of drunk people and usually just try and avoid them.  But good thing I know how to deal with them just in case haha! 

   Anyway, I also received a blessing on Monday night from Brother Wait.  He is the spanish ward mission leader and both Hermana Noffz and I love him!  He helps us so much and just reminds us of our dads.  Lately I have been getting very discouraged.  Spanish is hard.  And I just want to know it now.  And then since I am so confused with spanish I can barely speak english half the time and when I teach I feel like the gospel starts to fall between the cracks.  It makes me want to cry every time.  But Hna. Noffz said that was completely normal and everyone who learns a new language this fast has to go through this.  Thank goodness I have her because she helps me out a ton!  But we have so much work to do here and I wanted to be completely focused on the Lord's work, not worrying about my spanish!  So I asked for a blessing and it was so good.  The Lord knows how hard it is and he promised that I will learn spanish quickly and be able to teach fluently and understand those around me.  It really gave me comfort and helped me to refocus. 

       And afterwards Brother Wait and Brother Osterle(another guy in our ward) talked to us about the work we are doing in Eagle.  They said how amazing we are doing for what a horrible mess we had to clean up.  (Everyone jokes that this is just preparing me for the future on my mission.  That I will probably have to clean up a big mess and open an area.  Dang)  And how none of the members trusted the missionaries anymore before us but now they love us so much!  The ward is getting excited about missionary work and I love seeing it happen.  Also, the white members are a lot more aware of the hispanic members.  They have now just realized how hard it is to go to church where you don't speak the language well and how much dedication it takes.  Some members are now coming to the spanish gospel doctrines class to try and learn more spanish to talk to the hispanics more!  I love it!  If I have not said it before, I love this ward!  I feel completely at home here and it is like our ward back in Cedar!  We are taken care of completely and like everyones daughters, whether their white or hispanic.

   En tonces, back to this crazy week.  We had district meeting, which is in Glenwood and we have to drive through a huge canyon to get there.  Well, on Tuesday the weather was pretty bad and it was snowing a bit.  We were just driving through the canyon, going around 50(the roads were not icy at first or we would have gone slower)  when all of a sudden we lost control of the car.  We fishtailed so many times and were heading for the barrier that was blocking a cliff with a river below!! Yeah, scary!  I knew without a doubt that we were going to hit that barrier, there was no way we could miss it, it was directly in front of us.  So I sat in the seat and prepared myself mentally and physically, when all of a sudden we were spinning in a complete circle and missed the barrier entirely!  We did 2 full circles and when the car finally stopped we were directly in the middle of the road and facing the way we were driving beforehand.  I know that the Lord had angels protect us, because I know that we were going to hit that side and at the speed we were going who knows how bad it could of been.  And spinning in a car was the weirdest feeling ever.  I had always imagined screaming and the flailing of arms and bodies, but no.  You just sit there with no movement, feeling the same.  It just looks like a screen in front of you is moving.  Weird.  But I know tha Hna. Noffz was guided by the spirit as well.  She did not brake thank goodness and she turned the wheel the right way every time.  She was shaking so bad and I have no idea how she was even able to drive the rest of the way to Glenwood.  Afterwards I gave her a hug and she was still shaking!  Poor girl.

   At District meeting Hermana Noffz and I gave a training on committing people to baptism and how to prepare them.  I think it went really good.  And that night we were at Myrna's house (cecilia's daughter)  and we had to use the bathroom so bad but they were out of toilet paper!  She said, "I knew there was something we forgot at the store today" and then they just all laughed.  So later that night we went to the store and bought them a pack of toilet paper and decorated it with clearnace christmas tinsel and bows.  It was a little chaotic.  Then we left it at their porch, rang the doorbell, and booked it out of there.  I can't believe that we didn't die on the ice.  But they laughed about it for days and loved it!  Especially Juan, the dad! (who we are working on really hard right now.  He knows everything is true but just doesn't want to stop drinking yet, mainly because his brother influences him.)

     The next day, Wednesday, got even crazier.  It was pday and then we had finished teaching for the evening when we walked into our house, (and remember, we are in a GIANT house all by ourselves for 2 weeks because Sister Lister was in Holland for the holidays) as soon as I stepped through the door I had the strangest feeling.  I don't know how to explain it but things just didn't feel right.  And Hna. Noffz saw the change on my face as soon as we walked in.  But I still didn't know what was wrong, until I saw some things messed up and the back door opened half way.  Since we are alone we make sure that all doors are locked, and besides, we never use that door.  Both the screen dor and the real door were unlocked and jimmied open.  We thought about checking around downstairs, but to be safe we went over to a members house to have him come over with us.  We are 2 pretty small girls, we wouldn't be able to do anything if there was anyone in the house.  And then they called the feds.  Man, I couldn't believe what was happening!  It was all so random and surreal.  So I guess someone broke into our house and who knows what they did.  But the cops told us not to spend the night there.  This is a small town and everyone knows we are missionaries and most people know we are living alone, so they wanted us to leave for the night and they would patrol the neighborhood.  Hermana Noffz was pretty scared.  It is scary to have a home and all of a sudden not be safe there.  That feeling was really new for her and she did not like it one bit.  I was okay, I am used to calming down in pressure situations and taking charge.  But it was a great time to support and help each other out.  So we stayed at teh Fowles house that night.  They are a retired couple and completely hilarious, especially Bro. Fowles!  And in the morning they made us this huge homemade gourmet breakfast that was amazing!  I don't think I have ever had a breakfast that big, but it was so worth it!! 

   The work in this area is still pretty hard.  And it is hard not to completely see the fruits of your labors.  But we truly are when we are thinking about it.  We have some new investigators this week, (FINALLY!) who we are really excited for!  And my teaching has been better.  I never expected a mission to be this hard mentally or emotionally.  I just feel so innadaquete most of the time because Hna. Noffz does most of the teaching becasue of the spanish.  But I understand almost everyword that is spoken to me, which I am told is amazing.  And I am progressing really fast, even though not fast enough for me! haha.  But the work and hard times is so worth it!  And I was able to see that on Saturday when Cecilia was baptized!!!

    The baptism was amazing, and the spirit was very strong.  Of course, it was a little chaotic, as I am told that most baptisms are. But Cecilia was so excited and began to get a little nervous.  She knows how important this was and could not wait.  I loved watching her be baptized.  Her face glowed and she was so happy.  But my favorite part was watching her daughter Myrna.  Myrna has tried to get her baptized before, beccasue she wants her family to be together forever.  And Myrna's face during the baptism was completely amazing.  She just couldn't stop crying and smiling.  It made me feel so good and so humbled that I could be a part of their lives and a part of this special moment.  And, as missionaries, we stood right by the stairs of teh font to hand her the towel.  So we got the best view in the house and we were also the first ones to hug her!!  Cecilia has such a special spirit and I am so lucky to know her. 

    The next day at church she was confirmed a member of the church.  And in her blessing it spoke a lot about teaching the gospel to the rest of her family in mexico.  Which is exactly what she wants to do.  And also it was testimony meeting and I went up and bore my testimony in spanish!!  All of the hispanic members were so proud and kept giving me thumbs up signs with huge smiles from the seats haha.  It was hard not to laugh!  And even all of the white members who know I am just barely learning spanish came up and said how proud and happy they were.  That is how great this ward is!  But I loved it, and I do feel so lucky to be able to learn spanish!

     Lets see, the poodles also got out of the yard, who in the world knows how.  And since these dogs are Sis. Listers babies, and she would probably murder us and bury us under the floors of her grooming room until the second coming, we had to go on a search throughout the neighborhood for them.  Luckily we found them.  Or they found us I should say.  We were calling their names and all of a sudden we see them bolting down the street.  It was exactly like the scene from Homeward Bound.  No joke.

    And the stupid parrot, Lorri, fell off her tree this week.  I witnessed the whole thing.  There was a giant sqwak and a mess of feathers falling to the earth.  Pretty funny to watch.  And it has been snowing so much here.  We got about a foot the other day and had to shovel it all.  And when we were done there was almost half an inch already on the ground.  It was so cold and even right now it was only 5 degrees.  I don't know how I am still alive yet. 

    LIke I said, this week was kind of crazy and I probably won't forget it.  I told Hna. Noffz it was all becaue she was companions with me.  I always have crazy things like this happen to me haha.  But my testimony has also grown so much.  I know that God has a plan for us, and his plans are always perfect.  He is always there beside us during everything we do and everything that happens to us.  He never leaves us alone.  And we can always speak to him through prayer and feel his love.  I love knowing this.  I can turn to my father in heaven during any time and I know he hears my words.  These past 3 weeks I have prayed harder then I ever have before, and my relationship with my heavenly father is so much stronger.  But I know this church is true, without a doubt in my mind.  I wouldn't be here freezing to death, living with giant poodles, and struggling to learn a language if didn't know it was true. 

   I love all of you so much!  And am so thankful for the support and love that I feel in return.  Sorry this letter was so long!  I can never stop typing!  And I will probably say that every week haha.

Love,

   Hermana Adair

December 23, 2013

I only have one picture this week that my companion took of me!  Look what we found haha!!! 

this week I will take lots of pictures and be sure to send them next time!!!  I will be better!

Love you all and Merry Christmas!!

December, 30, 2013    2nd week in Colorado

I never know how to start these letters.  So much happens throughout the week but when I sit down at a keyboard I can't seem to remember anything! I guess I can start with Tuesday, Christmas Eve....

Because we are whitewashing the work here is completely hard.  And especially now because it is the Christmas season.  We set appointments but people cancel or are never home, which is understandable I guess.  We knock on doors for hours and hours, but people never have time to talk to us and always say come back later (which is something at least.)  So on Christmas Eve we really were not able to talk to very many people, so we tried to make it a day of service; which is what our mission prez. told us to do all day for Christmas anyways.  Earlier in the day we went back over to Cecilia and Myrna's house and helped them make tamales for Christmas! (Cecilia is the woman getting baptized and Myrna is her daughter.  They are like our family here and love taking care of us.  Even though Cecilia doesn't speak english, I feel so comfortable there and just love their whole family so much! And they have the cutest little toddler, Domitrio, who is absolutley adorable!  I will have to get pictures of him.) 

   Anyway, back to tamales.  They were so fun to make!  At first I couldn't do it all and they all just laughed at me! haha but then the dad, Juan was super patient and helped me out.  By the end of the hour I was Awesome!  The best tamale maker you have ever seen.  Then we went out caroling with the English sister missionaries in our area, Sister Peacock and Sister Nielson.  It was a lot of fun and truly invited the spirit.  And the hispanic families always invite us in and try to load us with food haha.  They make a traditional bread with tons of cinnamon and sugar on it, I can't remember the name though.  So I had quite a bit of that and also a lot of sugary guava juice haha.  The hispanics love their sugar.

  Then that night the other sisters spent the night at our house.  Sister Lister is in Holland for 2 weeks visiting her son so it was nice to have some company.  I love those sisters!  They are fun to be around.  Christmas morning we still kept to our schedule and did all or our studies, pretty boring.  But language study was a lot more fun because the other sisters sat in and just laughed at me trying to sound hispanic.  Man, this language is a killer.  I cannot, for the life of me, sound good!  But I am learning!  To make up for my lack of rolling R's I just have to put a "D" in pretty much every word, which helps a lot. 

   Anyway, after studies we baked!  We thought it would be a great service to bring people treats and let them know that we care.  So we had a lot of fun just messing around in the kitchen and listening to some new church music that Hna. Noffz got for christmas.  Then we each took turns opening presents!  I have to say, every single present I got was from divine revelation.  Serious.  I needed everything the fam gave me and it made me so happy!  Now I wont have to buy new perfume(mine broke in Mexico), new bodywash, or new mascara! So thank you so much guys!

  The rest of the day we delivered treats, then went over to Brother Wait's house to skype the fam.  Brother wait is one of our ward mission leaders, he is over the spanish because he can actually speak spanish.  And he is one of the coolest people ever!  Both Hna. Noffz and I just love him!  I feel very lucky to get to know him.  Skyping the family was great.  But they didn't even set up a correct account beforehand haha.  But eventually they figured it out (sorry, I just had to point that out guys)  But it was great!  It didn't make me sad or anything, just happy.  While I do miss everyone back home I love it here, and the Lord has blessed me so I only focus on the work.  But it was a little hard for Hna Noffz.  She hasn't talked to her family in 10 months and her sister just got married on Saturday.  Her and her sister are so close and it was really hard for her not to be there for the wedding.  But she is great and knows she needs to be here. 

  Then we ate the tamales for dinner that we helped make!  They tasted amazing!  I loved it.

The rest of the week was pretty much like normal.  We try and try to find people to teach and work so hard and honestly get a little frustrated at times.  But we know that this is where we are supposed to be.  It is supposed to be us who cleans up this mess here and meet all of the people.  This area has so much potential and is about to explode!  It is time!  We want to get a spanish sacrament started in our ward, it would help the hispanics so much.  Can you imagine going to church faithfully every week but not really being able to understand what is being taught?  That is why so many people here are less active or just don't want to be baptized.  A spanish sacrament could change everything and get so many new people coming and into the gospel.  We have already talked to President Murdock about it and are just waiting for his reply. 

   But even with no one to teach, we have truly been blessed for our efforts.  Cecilia is doing great and is getting more and more excited about her baptism!  Her spirit is truly amazing!  And we had another miracle this week!  Her grandson, Alex, who is 14 wants to get baptized now!  At first he was hesitant because of pressures from his other family not to get baptized.  But he wants a better life for himself in the future and really wants the gift of the holy ghost.  He has such a sweet spirit and I knnow that this step of faith will help him for the rest of his life.  So, I guess Hna. Noffz and I are on a roll!  We have had only 2 investigators and both of them are getting baptized!  Yay haha. 

  But we are hoping for the rest of the area to start getting better now that the holidays are over.

Funny story for the week.  So you know how I live with 2 giant poodles?  Yeah well they are like dogs from hell.  Wait I'm a missionary and shouldn't say that.  Replace that word with Heck.  They seem all nice and friendly at first but they are truly monsters.  They get into anything and everything.  EArlier this week they got into Hna. Noffz bag and we found dozens of opened tampons all of the snow in the back yard!  And I think they stashed some because they keep popping up again at random times.  Then this morning, while I was in the shower, they got into my bag.  And basically destroyed everything.  for real.  My pamphlets were gone, my mascara(don't worry my old one) was bitten in half, chapstick was ruined, pens eaten, literally everything.  But the worst was that they got to my bible.  Yes, they destroyed the word of God.  The cover was completely ripped off and chewed!  Good thing I am a missionary and have been blessed with love and patience, or those dogs would not be here anymore.  And to top it off, they have had so many accidents in sis. Listers bedroom, where they sleep.  It is completely disgusting.  But we don't have time to clean it up until our pday.  Lets just say, this is why we are not allowed to have pets on the mission. 

   Well, I love it here and love the people.  The language is coming, slow and steady wins the race right?  Every day my testimony grows so much stronger!  There are too many miracles to ever ydeny the presence of God in our lives!  I love everyone so much and am so thankful for the support that I have! 

   Love,

   Hermana Adair

Dec 23, 2013

 MY First Week in Denver!!!!

I will first start with the last bit of the CCM.

The last sunday there was kind of sad, (Sundays were always my favorite day) It was the last time to be around everyone, and you also know this is the last time you will probably see them ever.  Which is super sad.  I absolutly love my District, the Hermanas, and especially the Elders.  We are all brothers and sisters and act like it always haha.  But that night, the entire CCM sang "God be with you till we meet again", it's the tradition here.  And it was super weird that it was our turn to be sang to.  The time has just flown by, and now I can't believe that I am actually back in the states!

Anyway, back to the story.  Sunday night we each got blessings from our Elders, just to prepare us for the field and have comfort and peace.  I love the boys so much, and feel so blessed to have known them.  It was so sad to say goodbye, but I know that are all going to be amazing missionaries.  Then that night we finished packing, got about an hour of sleep, and had to get up at 1 in the morning!  McRae and I said goodbye to Hermana Moser, who I truly do love to death and it was a little sad, but we were all too tired to be really sad.  I was just so glad that Hermana McRae and I were going together, I never wanted to say goodbye to her!  We were at reception at 230 to load all of our luggage on a bus, ate breakfast then head out.  I will always miss the CCM.  It was so beautiful and I wish everyone could visit and see everything.  Some of the best experiences of my life happened there, and it was truly sad to leave.  The whole bus ride to the airport Hermana McRae and I were finally able to unload all of our stress about our trio.  I truly love Hermana Moser, but things were always stressfull around her.  A lot of drama.  We just laughed and laughed the whole bus ride, it was great to spend some of our last time together like that. 

  The airport was fun.  Just kidding.  It is always a hassle to go through immigration and baggage check.  Then we had to wait for Elder Summerhays and Elder Hettinger, who were also flying with us (which is awesome because they are hilarious) and finally, hours later, we boarded our plane.  McRae and I had a whole row of 3 seats to ourself!  So we sprawled out completely with our giant coats as pillows, and slept on top of each other for the whole 2 hours!  It felt so amazing!  Then we landed in Dallas!  We were so excited to see regular food!  But alas, we forgot about the time change and had less then an hour to get to our plane, which we also had to ride a bus to get to the other terminal.  So that is why I didn't get to call.  I was really sad about it but also knew I would see the family in a few days anyway.

Then we said goodbye to the Elders(sniff sniff) boarded our last plane ride to Denver, and took off.   This time, we didn't sit by each other, but it was still fine.  I slept a little but not a ton, mostly wrote letters and just sat there squished between 2 people.  This was my first time wearing my missionary tag in public, outside the CCM at least, and it was so hilarious!  People were so scared of us and I loved making them all so uncomfortable haha!  But it was cool, a lot of people approached us and started talking.  They already knew who we were and started asking lots of questions.  It was cool to see.

  In Denver it was just Hermana McRae and I.  We got our bags, walked out the door, and there was Sister Murdock!  She is the cutest lady and so kind.  Actually, I really love her and President Murdock.  They are the coolest people and I am so glad they are my Mission Presidents.  She drove us the the Mission office, where we automatically started an orientation and learning.  We were all so tired it was hard to focus.  But we did some fun activites to break it up.  It was cool to meet some of the new sisters in my mission, but McRae and I are the only new spanish speaking missionaries.  It felt kind of segregated haha, but we had fun with other spanish sisters who are only here until they get their visas and go to argentina.

  Then we went to the President's house for dinner and a short devotional to learn more about them.  The food was so good!  The best food I had had in over 6 weeks!  And all of their christmas decorations reminded me of home!  That night we were all supposed to stay at their house but there were too many people.  So Hermana McRae and I volunteered to go to a members house and stay with her.  We thought it would be fun to take some of our christmas packages and have our own christmas party, and it would be a good way to spend time together before we parted ways.  so sad.

  Oh, and thanks for the tree!  Everyone at the mission office has been laughing about it and wondering who the sister was who got sent a tree.  So I have already been talked about a lot haha.  It was a funny surprise and I was not expecting it.  So that night, we set up my little tree, and her and I each opened up a few presents.  Her family had sent her the Onesie pajamas from a christmas story, and she automatically put it on, IT WAS HILARIOUS!! oh my gosh, we had so much fun that night, I have never laughed to hard!  IT was one of the best (unofficial) christmas I have ever had.  I love her like a sister and we get along so good!  All we do is laugh and joke, our humor is exactly the same!  We can just look at each other and know what we are thinking.  I am going to miss her so much, but we have lots of plans for the future together.

Anyway, I opened Grandma's present.  Oh my goodness, it was amazing!  I did not expect any of that and completely loved it.  Grandma, that picture is breathtaking and means so much to me.  Thank you!  I have already put it right in front of my desk where I study, and I love to look at it everyday.  And thank you for the oils, They will help so much during this winter season!  I love you guys so much!  But it was a perfect night to start off my time in Denver.

  Next morning we returned to the mission office bright and early and got to meet our new companions and where we will be serving.  My companion is Hermana Noffz.  She is amazing!  She has been our almost 10 months and has already helped me so much.  I was worried about having a trainer who was not good and I wouldn't be able to learn how to serve the right way, but she is incredible and knows what she is doing.  Her first transfer she helped her trainer open up a new area.  And just like with Hna. McRae, we are so similiar in a lot of ways.  I know that we will have a blast together and I am excited to work with her.  Plus, just like me, when she first came to the field, spanish was really hard for her.  So she has a lot of patience and just really tries to help me as much as she can.

   Drum roll please!  So I am serving in the little town of Eagle Valley.  Which is close to Aspen and Glenwood Springs!  So it is amazingly beautiful and surrounded by cute, little ski towns.  Actually our area covers Eagle, Gypsum, and Dotsero, which are all tiny towns and we can drive through them in about 3 minutes haha.  Cool fact, the stake I am serving in, is the largest stake in the whole country, according to square miles.  It goes up to steamboad and craig, and all the way to Grand Junction, it is huge and members always have to drive hours to attend stake events.  It is called to Meeker stake.  Actually, Hna. Noffz and I are White washing this area.  Which is basically like opening.  They have never had spanish sisters and the work here has completely stopped because the last few sets of Elders before us were so sick and couldn't get anything done.  So we have no idea who anyone is and have just started over almost.  It is a lot of hard work, and I didn't know I could be so exhauseted!

    We are actually staying with a member, her name is sister Lister and lives alone.  Her husband died at the beginning of the year and this is where the elders stayed before us.  We take to whole basement and it is nice to have a lot of room.  But you will never  believe what I live with.  Two giant poodles who are constantly all over us needing attention haha.  For the most part they are good, but both Hna. Noffz and I are not poodle people.  They just do the weirdest things.  Sometimes when we are praying we here them suddenly run down the stairs and we know to brace ourselfs and cover our faces haha.  And sis. Lister also has a parrot named Lorri.  Who barks.  Constantly and never stops.  It is hilarious but I am sure I will be sick of it pretty soon.  But Sister Lister is really sweet and so nice. 

 But I do love it here, and I love the people I have already met.

  Coolest story ever.  Our second night we were tracting a bit in Eagle Villas,(you will hear a lot about this place, a lot of hispanics live here and it is like our second home) and I kept getting the feeling to visit a name I had saw earlier in the area book.  So we went over to that apartment and immedietly they let us in.  There is an older woman there, Cecilla, and her daughter Myrna with her kids.  We started talking, and asked if they were members.  Myrna said she was, and all of a sudden Cecilla said"I want to be"  Myrna was shocked.  This was the first time her mother has ever said this before.  She has always laughed at the church and was never interested.  They both started crying.  Cecilla said as soon as we walked in that she felt so much peace and comfort and knew that she had to be baptized.  She has been having health problems and family problems and has wanted to change her life but didn't know what to do.  The Lord truly does prepare the people for us and it is amazing to see his hand in everything we do. 

   So I already have a baptism date set!  whoo hoo!  We have visited Cecilla every day and have been preparing her for baptism.  She is so ready, and I am so excited for her.  I don't understand everything that she says, but she knows that I love her, and I know that she has a lot of love for me as well.  I love their whole family, and feel really comfortable there.  Myrna and her kids speak english good so I am not completely lost there.  We will be spending Christmas day with them and will be using their computers to skype. 

    We have done a lot of street contacting and have met a lot of people.  But it is hard, we have no one to teach actual lessons to, only a few.  But we have a lot of good feelings about certain people and really want to work with them a lot.  I have faith that we are here for them specifically and am excited. 

   But is is so hard here, harder then I ever thought it would be.  I get so discouraged everyday with the language and feel like I can't speak a word of spanish.  I already love these people so much but feel like I can't connect with them good because I can't speak to them too much.  It has also been really hard to find a balance when teaching lessons.  Hna. Noffz talks a lot and it is hard for her to know how much I can do and how comfortable I am when speaking.  So we are figuring that out still, but am sure we will get s system down soon, it is only the first week.

   Church was good, the ward is super nice and very welcoming.  It is an English ward with only a few hispanic members, but Hna. Noffz still had to translate during the meetings, and she has to teach Gospel Doctrine with only 2 minutes to prepare.  Lets just say we have a lot of work to do here.  Which is good, because after a few weeks in this area, I will know more about missionary work and how everything is organized then most.  Which is the blessings of white washing an area I guess.  But the ward loves to feed us and I am excited to meet everyone.  There are some adairs here and they say I am already practically like family. 

   Before I wasn't too excited about Christmas, but now we have plans to have a sleepover with the English speaking sisters in this area, Sister Peacock and Sister Nielson, who are awesome.  We are going to be together at a members house Christmas Ever for a party(people truly do love the missionaries!) and then come to our house for a fun sleepover.  Christmas morning we will make a big breakfast, make cookies, and deliver them to a lot of people.  On Christmas our president wants us to do a lot of service, so that will be fun.  I am excited, and I amexcited to talk with the fam! 

   Well, I am so excited to serve here and love it already, especially the people.  It is so hard, and I have prayed harder then I ever have before.  But with help from the Lord and my awesome companion, things will get a lot easier.  I truly have a testimony of this work and how important it is.  I know that the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and it can bring so much happiness to the lives of everyone.  I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, and that because of him we have the book of mormon.  Which is the words of God and another testament of Jesus christ.  Being out on my mission has blessed my life so much and God has so much blessings in store for all of his children.  I truly do love this gospel. 

   Thanks for everyones support and love, I love you all!  Have a great Christmas! 

Love,

   Hermana Adair

  (sorry this letter is GIANT!  There was a lot to say)

These are the last pictures from Mexico!!!

The trio

Casa at the CCM

My favorite Hermanas

These are the Elders in out district. I love them!

This is out whole distract.

The trio muscle picture

Here are some more random pictures of us and our district.

This is me doing the dishes inside the Mexico Temple Visitors Center.  They had like a whole room set up really cool.  Then Hermana McRae and I drinking our of a fountain.  We thought it might be Holy Water.

Cool fact.  The Visitors Center just opened this week.  And it is so amazing and incredibly beautiful.  I wish that everyone back home could go there one day and see it. 

This is a super creepy yet awesome elevator we found in one of the buildings.  The lights go off and sometimes we wonder if we are just going to fall to our deaths.  But we use it everytime now and sometimes its the only adventure in our life haha. 

  

Then this is Hermana Heaton climbing a tree.  She is honestly one of my favorite people in the entire world and I hope we can remain friends forever..

      Once again I failed at taking any fun pictures!  But I know that I will take them sometime before I leave.  Here are just a few.  My room. Us studying. And I found the Cheeto!