Dear Family and Friends,
My apartment is in an area a lot like downtown Modesto in the fact that there are really cute, old houses and a lot of trees. Okay, let me tell you about some funny stories and the members that have touched my heart:
Well, first of all I didn't know that doing service would make me so happy. Its kind of bad, but whenever we do service I get super excited that I wont have to be doing missionary work/teaching. Its a time to relax...and to wear pants! man, i miss the security of pants. Windy days are not fun in a skirt... Anyways, we did yard/outside service twice this week! So I got to wear pants and a sweater and that was so nice. Raking and clipping are now something i look forward to.
There is one lady in the ward that absolutely just touches my heart. I don't know exactly why yet, but shes amazing. Her name is Sister W. She got converted 2 years ago and is a less active, but its just because of her job. When her and her husband (member) were dating, she tried so hard to push her away and he was always so persistent. He told her that he would pray for her and she was like you're crazy leave me alone. But then they got married and then she converted. Her husband became a member of the church like 10 years ago after losing his job because he drank a lot and seeing a Mormon commercial. Shes from Ghana and hes from West Africa. Anyways, she is so sweet to me. I think our spirits really connect. She asks the missionaries to come over to help her understand the Book of Mormon, and its just really nice because as she understands it, I start to understand it more too. She helps me feel confident in my teaching ability.
The C family is amazing! Sister C is a ward missionary and her daughter April is 20 years old. Sister Meeks and I were talking about how they are amazing because they are so centered in the gospel. They are so funny and real, yet they understand who they are. We were teaching about the Restoration to a new investigator, John, and I was totally bombing it. She could see that I was super frustrated with myself, and she reached over and touched my arm and smiled. She can't see very well (she has polio) but you would never be able to tell! She's still so funny and warm and confident in her testimony. I think if I went through all the crap that she went to that I would be broken. Her daughter, April, is putting her mission papers in and shes super funny. I just love their family because they're real and open.
I miss being able to do art and to walk slow. We're always walking so fast and going from appointment to appointment, which is something I need to get used to. I have so many other families I want to tell you about and stuff, but I have to go grocery shopping. I love you. Tell my friends that I wont be able to email them back today, but next week I will! :)
Love you all a lot and missing you all a little bit less,
Sister Ellyn Adams
