November 8, 2010

Beloved fellow Missionaries,

President Uchtdorf promised us six months ago that one of the Christlike attributes has the power to “heal souls, unlock treasures of knowledge and understanding, and transform ordinary men and women into saints and angels” as well as “deepen [our] happiness, focus [our] action and offer hope for peace and healing.”

What is this Christlike attribute?

Wait for it . . . wait for it . . .

Patience!

What is patience, and how can we reap the blessings that patience brings?

Preach my Gospel expounds on patience, clarifying it as the “capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious. It is the ability to do God´s will and accept His timing.” (PMG, p. 120)

President Uchtdorf says that true patience is more than just waiting. “Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with [your mission] and doing all that you can—working, hoping, and exercising faith, bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring, it is enduring well.” (“Continuing in Patience”, May 2010 Liahona)

The delay, trouble, opposition, and suffering will come to us, no matter what. Jenkins Lloyd Jones observed, “Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”

Let us remember whose Church this is, and whose missionaries we are. Jesus Christ leads this Church. Alma promised his son Helaman that “whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.” (Alma 36:3) The Savior will “strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand, upheld by [His] righteous, Omnipotent Hand!” (How Firm a Foundation, Hymn # 85)

“Therefore, dearly beloved [Missionaries], let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed” (D & C 123:17).

With love,

Alpine German-Speaking Mission

HELLO,

We did live off of scraps. but it went great last week. I already pretty much wrote you about that. the only thing new that happened between friday when we emailed you and monday when we emailed you is that we had an awesome saturday. we did service at a wonderful members house in the mountains. Wien doesnt really have mountains they are more like hills but anyway we were there in the WienerWald (vienna forest) and we got to rake leaves at his house. Brother Cornelius Cunia is his name. He is a really wonderfull man. He has such a super strong testimony. We raked and raked and ate then raked some more. I tell you what. I have the sickest amount of muskel kater. I dont know what that is called in englisch. its what you get when you work out really hard and then your musckels hurt really bad. i raked using my whole body because after the first hour my arms were dead and so my abs and everything else is super tight. Im not gonna lie though. it was good. I needed a good muscle toning workout. my abs look off the chain now. that was great. Then after that we had the opportunity to fast. I love fasting. I had a special purpose for fasting. As usual. however this time was different. I dont think i will share it because it is really special to me, but i can give testimony to the power of prayer and fasting. The Lord hears our cries. He is there to stand by us and support and succor us in our times of need.

And i suppose that he hears the prayers of president condie. He is really an inspired president and i trust in that. This trust and faith that he is an inspired president will help me through the next little bit. I have been humbled. President Condie called me up yesterday morning before church, which was weird we usually talk to him about the zone on tuesday and it is the middle of the transfer. However he called me up, and said, "ELDer adams i have a new calling for you. I want you to come to münchen and assist me." I have seen the missionaries who have been assistents to the president before adn they are all exemplary missionaries, and they end up getting really tired as assistents. I Hope that the Lord will help me in my new calling and help me to help others. I will tell you how it all goes. I leave for München on thursday. All i can say is that i really love wien. I have loved everyminute of it. I have made so many friends here. Felt the love here. Special experiences, have been given me here. I look forward with hope and faith to every opportunity that i get to move forward to learn more and to serve my God. Im excited, no i take that back im stoked outta my mind to help the mission move forward and to learn from president condie, a very inspired and spirt filled chosen servant of the Lord. Have a great week and let the love of God fill your lives.

ELDER ADAMS

oh sorry i forgot to anser to a couple of items in your email to me. I really dont need anything for christmas. im good on garments. deoderant as well. handwarmers im good. My joy is full. My cup runneth over as david the psalmist would so beautifully say it. i would just maybe need some money. my shirts are starting to get worn through where my backpack sits, as well as my pants but nobody sees that when i am wearing my suit which is still in pretty good condition. so maybe just some money to buy a shirt or two. my new address by the way if you want to send a package is the one for the mission office. Lommel strasse 7, that is the one. So if the ward is sending something then that would be the place. have a great week love you mom. !!!!

ELDER ADAMS