Happy

My first view of my new assignment:

I made a new friend this week. His name was cockroach. Alas, he perished after only a few moments of us knowing each other. I have begun taking necessary steps to prevent meeting new friends of that sort. Cockroach will be missed by all his friends and family, but he's in a better place now.

In other news, I'm in Craiova now! Craiova is the sixth largest city in Romania. Even so, the branch here is really small, but I like them. I also really like my district. There are just four of us missionaries here in this city and one of the elders goes home at the same time I do. We're having some good fun together. We shared cookies and rolls with them. They shared chocolate cake with us. Yeah. I think we'll get along. Also, my companion is Sora Parr. She's in her fourth transfer, and she's so great!

It seems that we have a solid group of English students, which I'm excited about. We are teaching advanced, and we met with them on Saturday. We played a game played telephone pictionary (if you don't know what that is you should find out!), and then just talked with them a little bit. Sora Parr shared a thought about being positive, optimistic, and happy. One of our students, Raluca, made a comment that was something like, "But how can you be happy all the time? For instance, what if you get caught in the pouring rain and you get soaked?" I immediately thought of an instance where that very thing happened on my mission. It was back in my third transfer. Rain came out of nowhere, buckets of it, and our umbrellas were rendered useless by the sudden winds. I told Raluca this story and she asked, "And you were happy?" I truthfully answered, "Yes." That night is probably one of my favorite nights of my entire mission actually. During that moment and all the crazy things that happened after that moment, all my companion and I could do was laugh, and laugh, and laugh. So yes, it is quite possible to be very happy even when you are being drenched with rain.

The other day, I was thinking about that moment during personal study. I had shared with Raluca some things that help me to stay optimistic, but as I was sitting there, I realized the biggest thing that helps me to be happy in this life: the gospel. Pure and simple. I have so much hope and peace in life because of the things I know through the gospel. I have hope because I know I have a loving Heavenly Father. 

Knowing that I am His child, I can have faith and confidence that He didn't send me to fail, that He loves me, and that He wants me to return to be with Him. He wants us to be happy. Furthermore, I can have peace even when the world is in turmoil because there is one who spoke unto His disciples, "Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." Because of the Savior's sacrifice, we too can overcome all that we are faced with. He will help us. Because of the gospel I know that this life is not the end. I know that our lives have purpose and that we are guided in life. The gospel is my greatest joy and my greatest strength.

I'm so grateful to be here at this time. I'm so grateful for all the people I've met. I'm so so so very grateful that the Lord guided me here, that He trusts me and guides me to help those around me. I'm know He answers my prayers, and He has helped me so much!

Thank you for all of your love and support!

Love,

Sora Adams

(This is at last transfer. President and Sister Hill are going home. )

The Final Countdown

What's this? Sora Adams is about to start her final transfer? How in the world did that happen? And where will she be spending it you may ask. I'll tell you. I'm going to Craiova with Sora Parr. (Picture of museum there above)    I'm said to leave Chisinau as it's seriously exploding with potential, but I'm excited for one more adventure in the form of six weeks in Craiova.
 
 ( If you want to know more here's a link: http://romaniatourism.com/craiova.html)

Speaking of all that potential, I don't even know where to start or if I'll even have enough time to tell you everything that has been happening. I'll give you some highlights.

 (Pictures not in order as mom has no clue)

The elders' investigater, Vadim, was baptized on Saturday and confirmed yesterday. What a great experience! I love feeling the spirit as I watch these people make such an important step in their lives. Our investigater, Victoria, was there,and I'm so glad she came! It was so clear to me that she was feeling the spirit. She had such a huge smile on her face, and she gave me the biggest hug! She's amazing. I have to tell you more about her.

She's progressing so much! This week she told us that she wants to be baptized. She isn't ready to set a date yet, but she's working toward that goal. We are so happy! She is so knowledgeable and has such a great testimony of our Heavenly Father. After the baptism, she stayed after even after we had left. We were pleased with this also because it's becoming evident to us that she's making connections with members and not just with us. This is so important because we won't always be here. We want people to join the church because they've received a testimony of it not just because they love the missionaries. Anyway, Victoria has so much love, and she's been feeling the spirit testify to her of the truthfullness of the things we teach her. I am so glad that I have been able to know her.

Someone else the elders have started working with is a woman around my age named Valeria. I've had the opportunity to talk with her a lot. She is so sweet, and I have never met anyone so prepared in my life! She came to church yesterday. She wasn't planning on it, but when she got up that morning she felt like she needed to go. She was touched in every single meeting. She felt like every part had something she needed. She was so glad she came. Even though she's only been coming to things for a couple of weeks, she knows the church is true and wants to be baptized. She can feel it. The feeling she gets when she comes is exactly what she felt like was missing when she went to other churches. She knows she has to learn a little bit more first, but then she will baptized. She also wants to bring her parents to church. She is so incredible and so prepared!

We also had an incredible member visit yesterday. We met with Sora Lilia who told us about how she found church and about her battle with cancer. It was so inspiring! Lilia's daughter was the first person to be baptized in Moldova. (They're even mentioned in the Liahona https://www.lds.org/liahona/2004/07/a-message-from-moldova?lang=eng&query=moldova) She told us about how she was diagnosed with cancer andit was in advanced stages. She didn't know how she was going to get treatment. Long story short, she was so blessed, received treatment, and survived! She told us that one of the greatest things she learned from the experience (and something we should all remember) is that every day is a gift. She is so grateful for her life because it was saved, and she recognizes just how blessed she was with the whole thing.

I feel like what little I have told you doesn't do any of the recent events justice. I am so grateful for all the people I've met here in Chisinau and for all the truly amazing experiences. I think perhaps you would have to experience them for yourself to understand how truly joyous and amazing all these things are. I hope I've given you at least some idea.

I know that this is the work of the Lord. I know that He prepares people to accept the gospel. I know that Heavenly Father loves all of His children. That's why this work is so important! Missionary work truly is the work of salvation. And there are many different ways of doing missionary work. I honestly used to think I wasn't capable of doing missionary work. However, as I've said many times, those small and simple things really do matter! Reach out in love to those around you and they will feel the love of our Heavenly Father and our Savior through you. 

Remember, everyday is a blessing! Look for the hand of the Lord in your life and you will find it. Pray to Him daily and often and you will begin to more easily recognize His responses. 

With much love,

Sora Adams

Busy Busy Busy!!

We have been really busy lately, so busy sometimes that we're not sure what to do with ourselves or how to fit everything in, but that's a huge blessing! Seriously, I'm grateful for it. 

Our Wednesday was full of lessons with Elder Schwartz and his English students again. One of the students, Tatiana, is so amazing. Well, they're all amazing. She's just the first one we met with that day, so she's the first one I'll talk about. Once she sat down and was settled, Elder Schwartz asked her what she knew about us and our purpose as missionaries. She said that she knew that we believed in a life after this one and that we can be with our loved ones for eternity. This was a foreign concept to her, but she said she really wants to believe it. At the moment she can't quite grasp it, but she has that desire. We were able to talk to her a bit about the restoration and the plan of salvation. She's a really kind and smart woman. She accepted a pamphlet on the plan of salvation, and she seems willing to learn more.

There was a misunderstanding with scheduling and the next two lessons came at the same time. Elder Schwartz took one and had the elders sit in while Sora Cox and I met with Anna again. She is so sweet. I think I mentioned how she knows a good handful of languages. She's so cute because different words from other languages will come out and she has to correct herself. Basically she's just super sweet! We introduced her to the Book of Mormon and gave her her own copy. We were also able to meet with her again with the elders and teach her a little about family history.

While we were at church, a less active who I've only met once randomly showed up and asked if we could meet with her. Once all our other lessons were done, we were able to meet with her for a little bit. We got to know her and she told us her conversion story. She's had a lot of struggles that I can't even imagine having to deal with, but she has a really good attitude, and said that she wants to start coming back to church. We have another appointment set up with her tomorrow.

After that busy day, the Schwartz's were kind enough to have us over for dinner. That was amazing, and they are amazing. That's all I have to say about that.

On Friday, we were able to meet with Sora Berdeu, and I'm so glad we did! We'd intended on visiting her, but we'd been so busy that we hadn't even had time to sit down and make many calls to set up more appointments where we could squeeze them in. I really wanted to see Sora Berdeu, so I called her as we walked home from a lesson on Thursday to ask her if we could meet the next morning. Usually we like to give people more notice than that, but it just worked out that way. She said we could come over. It was great to visit with her. We shared a little message and talked for a long while. She then wanted to show us some pictures she had from recent activities and some old ones of the branch. She showed us many pictures of baptisms from a good number of years ago. She pointed out the missionaries who taught her. It was so great to have her share that with us. She wants to make a scrapbook for the branch. I think one thing that meant the most to me is when she told us that she was so glad that we came over. She had been thinking about us all week and wanted us to come over, but she didn't want to call or bother us because she knows we are busy. How grateful I was in that moment that I had given her that call! I have no doubt that we were inspired to make time for her. She has a really strong testimony  even though she can't make it to church often, and I think sometimes she misses that association with people. She's good friends with another member who comes to visit her often, for which I am grateful. Oh, I remember the thing that touched me the most. Her biggest struggle with coming to church is physical. She walks with the help of crutches and it's a slow, laborious process. Our building has stairs and sunday school and relief society take place on the second floor. It's a real trial for her to try and go up those stairs, but she really wants to come to church. She told me that she has started doing some excercises to build up her strength so that she can make it up those stairs and come to church. I was so touched by her faith! We're keeping her in our prayers, and we know that they Lord will help her with such a righteous desire.

We've had a bunch of other fun activities too: kareoke night, two firesides, English classes. Basically, we're keeping busy and loving it! 

Oh also, there are these two girls that have started coming to everything, Lia and Lera. They are sweethearts! They are making connections with some of the other youth. They came to church yesterday and stayed for all three hours! They accepted copies of the Book of Mormon afterwards. We're hoping that they will be open to receiving lessons soon. 

We also had a lesson with Victoria this week that went so well! We taught her the plan of salvation. We had Sora Schwartz and Sevghi there with us and they were a huge blessing. They helped answer some questions or fill in a couple of holes. I was so grateful to Sora Schwartz who had the perfect answer to a question Victoria had about Adam and Eve that helped clear things up. We didn't know how to answer it, so basically she was a little miracle for us. We asked Victoria what she thought about it all, and she said that she thinks it could be true. She didn't know how to explain it exactly, but she just said that it just made her so happy as she learned about it and thought about it. Sora Schwarz explained to her that what she was feeling was the spirit testifying to her of the truthfulness of it. Again, especially since both of them are converts, it was great to have Sora Schwartz and Sevghi there. The spirit was definitely present. Victoria is progressing, and it's so exciting for us to see. I have loved getting to know her.

Last, but certainly not least, we're having another baptism in the branch this weekend! Return next week for details. His name is Vadim, and he's so great!

Have a great week! Remember how much you are loved by our Heavenly Father and our Savior. I was reminded again this week just how much that they are a part of my life. They hear your prayers. They know your desires and dreams and they will help you to reach them. They have been such a strength to me this week. I have felt of their love and encouragement. I know that I'm not alone in life, and neither are you.

Love,

Sora Adams

Wonderful Weekend

This has been a crazy weekend (in a good sense of the word).

On Saturday, we all met up at the church and then pretty much went on a mini hike to this hill where the country of Moldova was dedicated for misisonary work. We got lost going up there, so we were wondering around on this dirt road going up and then down a huge hill. Thankfully we were in among the trees. It reminded me a little of hikes I've been on back home. I'm pretty sure we passed the same goat herder at least twice. We eventually made it where we were supposed to go. It was beautiful up there. You could see almost all of Chisinau. There was a little presentation talking about the dediation. Then we all cleaned up the area of some garbage. One member pointed out that when we first got up there everyone was thinking, "What trash are we going to clean up? There is no trash." But then as we got started, we began to find all this hidden trash in the grass. There was a lot! This member said that we could apply this to our own lives. Specifically, if I remember correctly she was cautioning us not to come to a point where we think we're fine and there's nothing else we need to do and fail to realize our need for change and repentance. It was so great to be able to do some service and to be with everyone. Some potential investigaters were there as well. It was a great day. Also, prayers were answered. Many had prayed that there would be good weather for our outing. There certainly was! The sun was out and it was nice and hot. Then once everyone had finally left and cleaned up there was a huge storm, dumping rain! The timing was perfect.

The next morning we headed over to the Schwartz's apartment to help prepare sack lunches for all the members who had travelled from other cities and would have to travel back after district conference. We were so grateful for a chance, once again, to serve. District conference was so great. I lead the music and it was amazing to stand in front of everyone and to hear them. Our little chapel was packed with members from all three branches in Moldova. Hearing all of those voices sing truly was something magnificent. The conference itself was all about missionary work and love. It was sweet to hear just the impact that love truly can have and how that should be our driving force in sharing the gospel, and not only to share it with those who are still with us, but to become involved in family history work and do the work for them. We truly all are children of a Heavenly Father, a family. Together, we can help each other make it back to our father in heaven.

Yesterday was zone conference, which was also incredibly filled with the spirit. I really liked something President Hill told us: "Be optimistic. You're on the winning team. You will prevail." There were so many good things shared. I was really touched by the testimonies of the missionaries who are leaving at the end of this transfer. I was really touched by one who said that we can have success every single day. Sometimes it's hard for us to see, but someday we'll be in our various places, listening to general conference and they will announce a temple here for all our faithful saints in Romania and Moldova, and when that happens we will be able to look back and remember how we took part in planting those seeds. I agree with her. That day will come, and how great will be my joy! It's great just at the mere thought of it.

It was also sweet to hear some parting words from our misisonary president and his wife. They go home in 3 weeks. How grateful I am to them and all the service they have done here. President Hill left us all with a blessing. It was an incredible experience.

Simply put, it was a great weekend.

Very quickly, to sum up the week, it was busy! We were running around a lot trying to make it to all of our meetings and activities. I can't believe how busy we were! But it was also very nice. We're hoping to get a chance to set up a few more things this week to follow up on all of the things we did last week. 

In conclusion, I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers. I know that we don't know all things at this point in time. We all learn differently and are at different levels of understanding. The gospel is very individual in that Heavenly Father leads us all according to our own needs. No one knows us better than He does. It's okay to have questions. That's how we learn. We just have to ask the one who knows the truth of all things. He will guide us to the truth through His spirit. And He will answer in His time and in His way. I also know that sometimes we have to be okay with the answer, "You're not ready for that yet. Wait a little longer. I will teach you line upon line, and in time you will understand the truth of all things."

Have a great week!

Sora Adams

Child of God

This week included many incidents of me getting lost. That's what happens when you go around a big city trying to find less actives to contact. It was quite the adventure, and thankfully I have a companion who is all for a good helping of adventure. District conference is this weekend, and as part of that we're all going to go up on the hill where the country was dedicated for missionary work and have some food and fun activites there. So we've been making an extra effort to reach out to less actives to invite them to come and to feel of that spirit there. 

We had our first lesson with Maria this week (the one we knocked into after visiting with a member). She is super sweet and willing to meet with us again. She watches over her two grandsons all day, and they are adorable. Mostly we just took some time to get to know her a little bit and to explain a little about the Book of Mormon. We were sitting outside as it was a warm day and her apartment was much too hot. We'd been entertaining the younger child (8 months) and the other one was running around with another child from the complex. As we shared Moroni's promise with her, everything became still. The little boy was falling asleep and the other child suddenly stopped and came close to listen. After I finished reading, there was a moment where that stillness remained before the children continued on with their game. It was a cool experience for me, and I hope that Maria was aware of that spirit that was there.

We were able to help a few sisters get started with family history this week. I was so excited for that! I love family history. It's a little harder here as many records haven't been made digital yet, but from what I've heard steps are being made in that direction. It was a really simple service that we did, but someone has to show you how to get started! I hope they will continue on with that.

Yesterday, we were finally able to meet with a former investigator who we've been trying to meet with for awhile. I was a little afraid that our inability to meet was really a sign that she wasn't that interested. Yesterday, I found my beginnings of doubt replaced with faith. She is wonderful! And she expressed a desire to continue to meet with us. She just has a crazy schedule working 12 hour days three days in a row and then she has to go back home to her village to help her mother with their garden and things. Basically, she's working really hard. She has great faith. It was so sweet as she told us how she has been praying everyday since she was little and how she recognizes how God has had such a huge hand in her life. She wants to meet with us again, so hopefully we'll be able to find a way to work around that crazy schedule.

I had a really cool experience on Saturday. Yesterday was children's day, so the branch celebrated it on Saturday. As part of the festivities, they asked the missionaries to sing "I am a child of God." As I've mentioned, our branch has two languages: Russian and Romanian. We weren't sure which to sing in, but the relief society president said we could sing in any language we wanted, even English if we decided to. In the end, we decided that the Russian elders would sing the first verse in Russian, the Romanian missionaries would sing the second verse in Romanian, and then we would all come together and sing the last verse in English. The spirit filled that room so strongly the moment the Russian elders began to sing, and it continued to be there as we continued to sing. I was so touched! Afterwards, Sora Cox commented, "It's true in every language." I want to echo Sora Cox's testimony. Truly we are children of a loving Heavenly Father. He has a plan for each of us, and sending us to this earth is part of that plan. I've been reading a lot lately about our Savior and His sacrifice for us. He makes Heavenly Father's plan possible, for it is only through Him that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven. How grateful I am for this knowledge. It is such a sweet thing especially when I am far from home and far from loved ones to know that I'm never without my Heavenly Father and my Savior. What a strength that is to me!

Thank you for all that you do, for those little acts of kindness and service that you may feel go unnoticed. I testify that they don't go unnoticed by our Father in Heaven. You are loved. Never forget that.

Have a great week!

Sora Adams