In just 1 week and 1 day ...

 Elder Adams is returning with honor!




These pictures Talon sent us back at the end of November and December 2011- his last Christmas in the Philippines...

He described this Christmas as his "White Christmas"- and he didn't mean it was white because of snow... :) What a wonderful way to celebrate Christ's birth upon the earth than to have helped a family start on their journey to be together forever.

So, here they are for the very last time possibly while a missionary, Talon's words- his feelings about his mission and the gospel. (Believe me, it will be way worth your time to read them.) 




"it is a dang bitter sweet feeling to be ending full time missionary service. i dont think it has really sunk in that it is coming to a close. i think i am going to call President Pagaduan and see if i can extend again. ha jk." 

"Its been the most incredible 2 years of my whole life. its been a dream and my life has changed alot for the good because of it. and also i am so grateful that i have been able to help other people to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. The Gospel is everything it is the way to happiness in this life and the life to come. i just want to bear my testimony to all of you that this is Gods Work and this is his church. and Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and through him Gods church was restored here on the earth. i know that the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints is true and we are being led by a living prophet this day. This is Gods kingdom here on the earth. i am once again grateful for all the support from all of you at home for being there and writing and supporting me my whole mission it really means the world to me. i really have the best family. i love you all so so much."




Elder Adams we are all so very proud of you and all that you have done and learned while serving in the Iloilo Philippines mission. You have been and will continue to be a light and an example to our whole family, you have taught us about the power of the scriptures and the power of prayer, and maybe most of all you have taught us about the kind of miracles that can happen when we are patient, dedicated, positive, and put every ounce of our faith in the Lord. We love you Elder Adams and look forward to seeing you in just 1 week and 1 day! 

A day in the life of a missionary...

padayon... traveling with President, and National Day of Service!!!

 There are surely some pretty crazy pictures in this batch that Talon sent home... what a goofball is all I can say! Can you find all the pictures that are a little "off" (for lack of a better word) - these are my favorite pictures that Talon has sent home yet!

 

The gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives.

(You'll have to excuse Talon's spelling... He never was a very at it, but since learning a new language I think it may have even gotten worse, but these are Talon's words, not mine, so here ya go. Oh, and I know it seems like, but just take a couple of minutes and read it- I promise it is well worth the time.)

 

"So i guess i will just start from the top. as you see in the pictures that i have sent you wow arent they amazing. So the couple you see in the picture that is the Gabeles family that i am always writing about. they are one amazing family. and let me tell you they could not be more happy to be a member of this church. they seriously are on cloud 9 and just so grateful. After there baptism of coarse they bore there testimony about the church. and all 3 of them just broke into tears thats how happy they were. That man you see in the picture his name is Wilson Gabales. and he told us in his testimony that for the last 30 years of his life he hasnt ever prayed or gone to church or anything of that sort at all. he told us that he didnt even really know if there was a god. Then he broke into tears saying how happy he was to meet us and to hear our message. and for him to learn for himself that he does have a heavenly father that loves him and that he can pray to him. it was the most sincere testimony i have ever heard. like just looking at this man you would think that he looks pretty mean but he is the greatest every. and everytime you see him he just greets you with the biggest smile. This is also the same man who has smoked 40 sticks a day for the last 35 years and quit in 2 weeks. he is a testimony to anyone. i know that if this man could quit smoking then anyone who has an addiction to anything can quit. it all starts with just a little desire. just have to want it." 

 

"Second the little 10 year old girl that you see in the picture that is Mica Ella. you dont know how bad i wish i could have taped her testimony and then have all of you hear it. ha even though you wouldnt understand it. but it was amazing. here is what she told us. she started by telling us a little back ground about her life. she told us that her older sister died and that her mother left her and they dont know where she is and she also told us that they gave away there little brother. then it was just her and her dad living out on the street. no money no anything. and in all honesty the dad not caring that much with a really big drinking problem. so she went on to tell us that they would only get to eat once a day and she told us the only thing that they would have to eat is a little bit of rice and salt. yep thats it and that is what they would eat. So she went on to tell us how grateful she is for the Tanaman family for taking her in and pretty much adopting her and giving her food. shelter and clothes. now she is just so so happy and she has a family that cares about her and loves her. and no they are not rich by any means but she gets to eat and has a little house to sleep and is just so happy for that. this entire time she was sharing this with us she was in tears and speaking in a very quite voice that was hard to hear.  but this little girl really touched my heart really made me think about what is really important in our lives and how grateful we need to be for those things because not everybody has those things. not everyone has a mother and father and family, or house and food. So i have learned so so much from this little girl and i am just so so grateful for all of the blessings that i have in my life i know that i have way to many. i really am so happy for this little girl and so grateful for the tanaman family for taking her into there house and taking care of her. they are Awesome!! and she is now just so so happy to be a member of the church."   

March FUN!