Matthew and Debbie Adams August 24, 2013

Two Hearts United

The Elders

Adams and Johnson

Adams, Johnson and Schwermmer

short and brief today.........

The ringer went off and I assumed it would be just another phone call. To my surprise President Ashton spoke from the other end. He informed us that Elder Schwemmer needed to pack his things and head off to the mission office. He needed to go to Sugarland. Crazy stuff! Bye Elder Schwemmer-- see you at transfers! And thus ends the tripanionship saga!

 

Elder Johnson spoke truth this morning. "Life is P-day for eternity". I had to agree with him. This life is a time to prepare to meet God (Alma 34:32).

 

Anywho got to go. Take care now y'all! Love you!

"Salt of the Earth"

So Marta Hernandez likes the district? I have to say as of right now that is my favorite reality TV show. I may be slightly biased. 

I hope Rachel's finger is doing better. I wasn't surprised to hear she toughed out the hike despite painful opposition. 

I am looking forward to playing basketball with Elder Schwemmer today, if time permits. Many times I have expressed my intentions to dunk on him and in return he has expressed similar feelings. One of these days we will find time -- in a non-competitive atmosphere of course-- to settle any doubt as to what will happen when such an activity occurs. Both sides seem confident in their view as to what will happen. Only time will tell now. 

Elder Schwemmer is the "salt of the earth" as Dad often puts it. He is very patient and loving. He even let me use his ketchup! What a guy. I"ll give Elder Johnson the same description. It is fun to rub shoulders with young men who have chosen to devote their lives to God. Sometimes I forget this when I'm hungry and tired! 

There will come a day when each of us will stand before God. We will have no excuses. There will only be justice and mercy. Our work is to help prepare people for that day! We must be baptized! We must be washed clean! Our very hearts and desires must be changed to conform with Celestial law! President Ashton opened my eyes to an interesting fact. The keys to convert baptism are given to the mission President. He delegates his responsibilities to us. He explained that it is only though the missionaries that individuals outside the covenant can enter the waters of baptism. I often wonder why this is the case seeing we are young and inexperienced. But there is a reason for all things. I am grateful to be on the team.

Have a wonderful week! As always I love you!

Way to Go Bro!

Matt-- Way to go! It sounded like everything went well and you are happy. That makes me happy.

Elder Johnson demonstrated a glorious act of faith earlier today. I set the ironing board up in the middle of our room and jumped over it once or twice onto the couch for good fun. It surprised me to see Elder Johnson behind me preparing for an approach. "Are you sure you want to do this?" He responded with his actions. He leapt over the ironing board hitting it both on the way up and the way down but somehow avoiding tipping the frail piece of metal. He stood victorious on the other side. I looked on in utter amazement. He is too short to do that.

I hope this story does not paint a jovial picture in your mind. This work is most serious. We rise early in the morning to prepare and study the words of Christ. We seek opportunities to help others come unto Him and receive the joy we have felt. We put everything else behind and lift where we stand. There is no better work or cause! 

President Ashton and the Brethren have focused on using the members for missionary work. When Elder Ballard came to our mission in January he told us to teach every member starting with the Bishop. We are experiencing exciting shifts in missionary life. 

Mom I am so glad you are praying for me. I will pray for you in return (an exchange I am willing to make any day of the week). Let me echo the words that Nathan seemed to repeat last Christmas--"I love our family".

Allow me to end on a doctrinal note. I now that we all have a loving Father in Heaven. He understands what we go through and what we need. He wants the best for us. He sent us His Son to show us the way back to Him. Through Him we make commitments to Heavenly Father that put us on a straight path back to him. Salvation is real and it is not cheap.

One thing we run into a whole lot is people thinking salvation is quick and easy. Salvation comes through a lifetime of being saturated in the Holy Spirit. Salvation comes after all we can do. I love Elder Bednar's talk on the parable of the pickle. It outlines how we can truly become born again. After our hearts and desires are changed and we yield no more to that evil spirit. 

Not sure why I went off about that but I enjoyed it.

I love you. No seriously I do.It is not a hollow statement!

The Game Plan

Wow, wow, and wow! I love the news I receive from home.

 

Good news everyone! We found a basketball court within running distance of our apartment. Morning exercise will be awesome this transfer! The only difficulty remains in following the guideline of having no score or competition. We will make it work.

 

We helped a group of Buddhist nuns change their tire the other day. I suppose I am generous with myself when I say "we". I would be more accurate if I informed you that Elder Simper changed the tire while I watched with fascination. The nuns dressed in long blue robes and blue, bowl shaped hats that led to a point at the top. They talked quietly and expressed their gratitude but were not interested in converting-- not sure why. We must have been an awesome sight for passers-by!

 

We received notice from the zone leaders. Elder Simper will leave the area on Wednesday. It looks like Elder Schwemmer and I will be training a new Elder. Exciting times! I recently read The "Call of Missionaries (Box B)" by Elder Packer. I know that I am in the right place at the right time.

 

Dad-- thank you for being "The Man". I truly hope I honor you in my service.

 

I love you all!

Michael's letter 8/5

He carried the bulging bag with his arm outreached far from his body. It contained various objects that we discarded previously. As he made his way to the "litter-barrel" (as Texas community parks affectionately call them) he thought it pertinent to swing the cumbersome bag through the air. The plastic handle stretched mid flight and ended up ripping entirely sending the garbage bag hurtling through the air. Unfortunately, its final destination lay about a yard short of the intended target.

 

Life in Mission Bend West is awesome. I am very grateful for this opportunity to serve. I have been thinking recently how the Savior lived the Law of Moses and the higher law throughout his life. I think my thoughts are spurned primarily from some of  the strange rules missionaries follow. I wonder what types of weird rules He had to follow while living on this Earth.

Elder Swchemmer is a tall lanky individual. He was big into basketball before the mission. He can dunk with ease. He toured some colleges who wanted him to play for them before he went on the mission. He can get some substantial scholarships when he gets back. 

Elder Simper came out a little latter on his mission. He was a head painter at an auto body shop. He also did some brick work before he left. He co-owns a mason/brick laying company. How cool is that? I consider myself extremely fortunate to rub shoulders with great men daily. 

The news from home makes me happy.

Special shout out to Rachel Adams who sent the most-awesome photo book. Good job, I love you.

And I love you all!