Happy Veteran's day- A lost post

Buna ziua, tuturor! And Happy Veteran's Day!

We had another good week. We had another lesson with the man we met bloc knocking last week.  We taught him about the Plan of Salvation as that's what we felt like he needed based on our first meeting. He seemed to think it was interesting, but I think he needs a better understanding of our relationship with Heavenly Father. That's really what He is--our father. I think it was a lot for him to consider just because I think it was something really new for him. He said that we can come by again, so hopefully we can go over again soon.

We also were able to meet with one of our English students outside of class. He is so awesome. Sometimes I'm surprised at how much English he already knows. Sure it's still just basic stuff, but for a nine year old kid, I'm just impressed. We invited his grandmother to join us for the spiritual thought. We talked to them about the Plan of Salvation too. I think his favorite part was when he got to correct my Romanian! They were very nice to us and asked us to come by again.

A few transfers ago, Sora Ralls went through the area book and found some former investigators who didn't have phone numbers listed or the ones that were listed no longer worked. She meant to go to their addresses and visit them, but she never got the chance. So this week, we made it happen! We took an afternoon and we searched for these people. We were able to make contact with a few of them. We were also able to see Elizabeta again (she's the one who helped us when we were looking for a member's apartment) and she said that she was busy at that moment, but she wants us to come back this week only earlier in the day. We met this lovely woman from our searching named Ana. She was very happy to see us. It's been a long time since she's seen the missionaries, so it was cool that she recognized who we were and she told us how great it is that we are taking part in this work. The funny thing about Ana is we stopped by her home and her husband answered only to inform us that Ana was out. We left, but we weren't very far when this woman stopped us and told us how great we are and things. We talked with her for a moment and then parted ways. Sora Ralls and I were both confused for a moment as it seemed like she knew who we were, but Sora Ralls who has been here for four transfers didn't know who she was. We then saw her go into the house we had just come from. We realized she was the very person we'd been looking for. So we went back to her door and she let us in and talked to us for awhile. It was really cool!

We did some service this week too. There's this little organization that provides a good place for kids who have no where to go. They feed them and give them clothes and things too. I'm not 100% sure how it works, but it seems cool and I like the people who run the place. We helped by organizing a bunch of clothes to make it easier for them to distribute them. It was a simple thing, but it was fun and I'm glad to be able to help even through simple means.

Interviews were yesterday. Good news. I passed! I actually love interviews. I just think President and Sora Hill are great. They always carry such a loving spirit with them. They certainly lift my spirits. They're very encouraging. They really are great people, and I feel blessed to work with them.

In conclusion, something I've been thinking about is trials in our lives. As I mentioned above, we truly have a loving Father in Heaven. Just like any father, He wants what's best for us. He wants us to be happy, to succeed, and receive all that He has to offer. Although it might not seem like it at the time, our trials help us to achieve all of that. We read in the Doctrine and Covenants "My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion." Trials are a necessary part of Heavenly Father's plan for us. And the great thing is that we aren't required to endure them alone. He will always help us to overcome them. It is through that process that we become stronger, that our relationship with Him grows, and our faith becomes firm. In my mind I compare it to a runner who is preparing for a big race. They can decide that they want to win it, but if they don't do anything to prepare, they set themselves up for failure. Winning requires long hours of hard work. In the moment, it's a trial and may even seem too hard at moments, but in the end it's the only way to be the winner of the race. In the same way, trials are the training that prepares us for eternity. I really like something Brad Wilcox says in his devotional called "His Grace is Sufficient." He says, "We aren't earning heaven. We're learning heaven." I'm so grateful for this life and all it's many opportunities. I'm grateful for a Father in Heaven who has faith in us and will never leave us to face our hardships alone. He is and always will be our father.

Cu mare drag,

Sora Adams

Christmas in Arad

                                                                    I'M TRAINING!

That's right. In a couple of days I will be meeting a new sister, and I get to show her the ropes and probably most likely spoil her. I'll be sure to tell you all about it.

                                        And before I forget, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We had a cool contact today. We were sitting in the middle of the mall waiting for the elders when a security guard walks slowly by us. I thought he was looking at us funny, but he was really just trying to get a good look at the Book of Mormon in my hands. I said hello and he began talking to us, asking us if we are American and what we're here for and such. We explained that we are missionaries, and when he asked about the book, we told him a little about that too. He flipped through it. We told him that he could have it, but he politely declined, saying he was only curious. I love it when stuff like that happens. Sure you could say, "But nothing came out of it." Maybe not in that moment, but he was curious. He got his first glimpse. Maybe he'll be curious again in time. I'm completely satisfied.

We were only able to have a couple of lessons this week. We met with Anca and talked to her a little about temples. We also left her a General Conference addition of the Liahona, one in English and one in Romanian, so she can practice her English and learn more about the gospel. We were also able to meet with Alex again this week. We talked to him about service and asked him to do something nice for someone in his family this week. He is such a great kid!

I gave a talk yesterday on seeking the kingdom of God. One of the points I suggested to help us stay on the path to eternal life and the Kingdom of God is to live a life full of gratitude. Since Thanksgiving is only a few days away, it seems appropriate to bring up this topic with all of you! First of all, let me tell you all some things I'm thankful for: the priesthood, missionary work, Romania and it's inhabitants, you, my family, hot cocoa, animated movies, books, milka, pictures, family history work, the gift of the holy ghost, music, my Savior, my Heavenly Father, and more. I firmly believe that you can find something in each day to be thankful for, even on the darkest days. Gratitude will make you happier. It will help you remember that you aren't alone, that you have a loving Father in Heaven who blesses you daily. It will help keep you from focusing on the negative and from focusing too much on yourself. I can promise you that if you make an effort to be more grateful that you will feel happier and that your burdens will seem lighter.

I want to say a little bit more about my gratitude for the priesthood. I've been able to witness a few priesthood blessings since I've been here on my mission and each time I am just so touched especially when I see younger elders administering the blessing. The spirit is always present in those moments, bearing testimony that the words these elders said were specifically meant for the people being blessed, and they were loving words directed by our Heavenly Father. How grateful I am that Heavenly Father has blessed us with this power. The Priesthood literally is the authority and power to act in His name. How blessed I have been because of this great gift. I have seen and felt this very real power in my life.

As always, I'm so grateful for all of you. I hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving. Remember the things you're thankful for.

With much love and appreciation,


Sora Adams

Many Miracles

                          

                 Buna ziua tuturor!

Sorry I'm a day late. We were at a castle yesterday in a place called Hunedoara, so we got permission to write today instead.

  (Note from mom- This is Dracula's castle, also known as Vlad the impaler.  This is where he learned his "art" and where he was later imprisoned for his crimes of torture. Thus the nickname of Dracula's castle.  Beautiful workmanship)

                                                                       

I think that I'm finding that part of being a missionary is just being at the right place at the right time. Also, I feel like I can say as Maria said in "The Sound of Music" that whenever God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.

We were supposed to meet with someone at the church this week. It was a bit of a bummer, but at the same time I feel that we were meant to be there at that time. It takes a while to travel around the city.  
           It can take us a good 35-45 minutes to get to the church. We were on the tram and almost to our stop when a woman takes a place next to us in the back. She saw our copies of the Book of Mormon in our hand and recognized it. She told us that she had one and told us that we could come visit her sometime.

We had a similar experience today. We had another appointment fall through. We got on the tram and at one stop Sora Ralls made eye contact with a woman getting on and just smiled at her. After the woman stamped her ticket she came and sat by us and just started up a conversation. She was super nice, and she just seemed happy. We already love her! After talking to her for a bit, she told us about her daughters and how they love to read in the Bible. We were able to introduce her to the Book of Mormon and she gladly excepted it, saying that her daughters would love it as well!

I feel like in this transfer in particular we've been meeting great people and having these great experiences just by being out and about with our copies of the Book of Mormon in hand. So many people have started conversations with us instead of vice versa. They're sweet little miracles in our work, and we are loving it!

Something I'm really grateful for this week is the Holy Ghost. He has many roles: teacher, witness, comforter, etc. I love that I can have this connection with Heavenly Father through the spirit. I have felt His guidance. There have been multiple moments where I have been given the words to say. I have felt the power of the spirit testifying of those words as I speak them. At the end of the day, I have received confirmations that I did well that day, that I did my part, that Heavenly Father is happy with me and what I'm doing. I know that Heavenly Father truly hears and answers our prayers. He answers through the spirit, which speaks to our minds and hearts. I've found also that they spirit can speak to our soul in a way that we can comprehend, but sometimes we can't put that meaning in to words. Just as I've felt the influence of the spirit in my life, I know that you can feel it in yours. Sometimes you might not even recognize that the spirit is guiding you in your life. The more you make the effort to follow our Savior and trust in our Heavenly Father, the more you will receive and follow the promptings of the spirit. Your acting on those promptings will become a part of who you are, and you will become more of the person you want to become.

Something I wrote in my journal this week was this: "As I think about the day and those two lessons I really do feel a sense of contentment, a witness of the spirit that we did well today. In retrospect I feel that the spirit really was with us." I really do feel like we had the spirit with us in our lessons this past week. It's nice to know that we're not going into them alone! This truly is the Lord's work and these are His children, and I'm grateful to be here among them.

I feel like I could go on. Alas, my time is spent. Next week I'll have transfer news for you. You're all great! Have a great week, and remember your drops of awesome!

                  

                                                                                                         Cu mare drag,
                             Sora Adams

Drops of Awesome

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It's always a little weird looking back over the week and realize how many things happened. For example, I saved a life this week. It was a birds life. I was at the church looking for some scriptures that an elder had left behind from zone conference. We couldn't find them so I literally searched all over. I went to the top floor of our little villa and I hear a noise and see something suddenly come shooting out of one of the rooms. I honestly thought it was a bat and was afraid of being attacked. Turns out it was a poor little trapped bird. I have no idea how he got himself stuck in there. I wasn't sure how to get him out either. I trapped him in the room he'd originally been in and opened the window. The window doesn't open very far in there though so I wasn't sure if he'd be able to figure out how to get out. I had to leave because we had to get the sister training leaders ready to go (they were here for exchanges). So I just closed the door and told our elders to go save him later. Well, things kept happening and the elders didn't get a chance until a few days later to go check on him. When they arrived, there was no sign of him, meaning he figured out how to get out. So yep, I saved a life.

We started English classes this week. Sora Ralls and I are teaching a children's class, and so far it seems to be going well. A few of the kids come with their parents and they are learning together, which I think is great.

Remember those great people I mentioned that we ran into? The woman who we talked to in the park came to church yesterday! And she agreed to meet with us to have another lesson. She told us that she started reading a bit of the Book of Mormon and that she likes it. She also said that she can see how it goes hand in hand with the Bible. I'm so grateful for the members in our branch. I saw many of them go and introduce themselves to her. One member helped us give her a lesson for Sunday School and this member told us that she would love to be this woman's friend and help fellowship her. This branch is awesome! And I'm so happy that we had an investigator at church!

We also met another potential investigator this week. We met him bloc knocking (knocking at apartments) and he allowed us to share a message with him. He knew a good amount of English which he learned from watching CNN. He understands it really well. He said that it would be okay for us to stop by again and talk to him some more.

As I mentioned, we had exchanges this week with Sora Polatis and Sora Lund, both of which I love. Sora Polatis and I had the opportunity to teach a lesson to an English student. We invited her to come to church, but she politely declined. She's a really great woman though who highly values family. I really admire that about her. We also were able to visit a less active family with our elders which was really cool. One of our elders, Elder Adams, served her before and when he did he baptized this family's son. Now that he's back it was really cool to see their reaction at seeing him again. I really enjoyed that lesson.

Sora Polatis and I had some good discussion, and a couple of those thoughts have stuck with me. One is something called "drops of awesome." You can read the original blog post where that comes from here: http://www.daringyoungmom.com/2012/12/19/drops-of-awesome/

Ever since we brought this up, at the end of my journal entry for each day I write down my drops of awesome. For example, one of my drops of awesome from yesterday was, and I quote, "I'm wearing my retainers." That's a big deal. I just love this idea. I think a lot of times we are too hard on ourselves and we don't realize even the little things that are good that we are doing. And I know that we don't realize the impact we have for good in the lives of others. Keep doing good. You make a difference.

The other thought was about trials. We all have trials. That's a part of life. It's something that helps prepare us for the eternities. We may not be able to completely see how in the moment, but as we overcome trials, we are strengthened. We are becoming something grand and we will continue to "become" as we utilize the atonement of Jesus Christ and strengthen our relationship with our Father in heaven. Many times we may want Heavenly Father to rid us of our trial, to take our hardship away from us. A lot of times, instead of taking the trail away, He works with us through the trial, lightening our load but still allowing us to work through it. We never have to make it through a trial alone, but He let's us face hardships to refine us, to help us become what we are capable of becoming.

I hope you all had a great Halloween! Guess what this week is. My halfway mark. Weird? Definitely. I'm pretty sure I was just in the MTC yesterday and time is just a lie. At the same time, that also seems like a completely different life! Have a great week!

Cu mare drag,

Sora Adams