March 16, 2015

No letter home this week... just pictures.

March 10, 2015

This week was good. We had a baptism that stressed the crap out of me and my companion. We were getting calls from him "Come pick me up. I dont want to be late to my baptism!" So we drove 28 blocks having no idea where he was, he told us he was at some barber shop. Luckily his mom picked him up and we were almost late to the baptism!  haha   I was more stressed out about his confirmation on Sunday. His ward started at 9 in the morning, and we all know how hard it is to get up for church in the morning espcially when you're 9!  Luckily he was there and got confirmed. phew!!

We also are teaching this Chinese dude who doesn't understand us, so its a bit of an experience haha. We showed him the Bible video of Jesus being baptized in English and Chinese so we made some progress haha. 

Hopfully we'll have some baptisms this weekend so things are looking up. Thanks to everyone who has sent me something and don't be afraid to email me haha.  Elder Adona is out

(briar.adona@myldsmail.net)

Elder Briar Adona

Utah Ogden Mission

4380 S Orchard Ave

South Ogden, UT  84403

hint, hint

March 3, 2015

What's up Everybody?

I've been good. It snowed finally haha. All of north Utah fasted and prayed for "moisture" I guess the farmers needed some water for their fields.

This week was pretty good. Me and my companion were able to go on splits. (thats when me and my companion split up and go with people within the wards.) We were able to split up and cover more ground and more lessons and solidify more people to get baptized. We are going to have a baptism this weekend. Its for this nine year old kid and honestly getting him to his baptism and to his confirmation at church the next day is kinda stressin me out. Its a good stress though however once he gets baptized and confirmed we are going to celebrate like crazy and by crazy I mean we'll probably go and work the area some more, so their will be minimal celebrating haha. 

Time has been flying since being a missionary. Its crazy to think Ive been gone for almost 15 weeks. Its also still kinda crazy to think I'm 10 hours from Moscow. Every time I tell people I'm from Idaho they make some remark haha. 

I miss all of you guys. See you next week

February 24, 2015

This past week in the mission, we had transfers. That means every 6 weeks, I have the possibility of getting moved to a different area. Luckily, I found out that I get to stay in the South Ogden stake. In the mission, you grow to love the people you work with, the members, the stake and ward leaders, and the non-members. Its tough in the sense that you want the best for the people and bring the gospel into their lives... its just some people refuse to come to church and you can't help them if they can't help themselves. Its also sometimes frustrating when a family wants everybody and their dog to come to a baptism, so we have to keep pushing it back. Or trying to decipher whether people really mean what they say to you, or if they are just telling you want you want to hear. Its like to only know for sure what missionaries teach is true or not is only to read the Book of Mormon. Everything the church relies on is the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is the keystone to our religion. The Book of Mormon sets us apart from every other religion. I've read it and I know its true and I invite all of you reading this thing to read it and pray to know if its true or not. If you have any questions feel free to message me on fb. Ill do my best to answer as soon as can. That is all. Goodbye.

My First 12 Weeks as a Missionary

The first 12 weeks of being a missionary has been stressful, exciting, difficult, rewarding, disappointing, and worth it. I have thought about calling it quits, but I always think about why am I out here. I'm out here because I love this gospel and the blessings it brings. I want to help family's be together forever. I want to help other people see that being here on earth is just the beginning. Our Heavenly Father has set up a plan for us to have eternal life. The first part of that plan is having faith in Him and His son Jesus Christ. As we grow our faith, we want to repent of our sins or change our ways to become better people. When we repent we become worthy enough to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. The difference between the LDS church and everybody else? The priesthood. The priesthood is the authority of God, the permission to act in His name. That is part of my purpose as a missionary. Help people be baptized. I was able to do that this past week. I was able to help a 10 year old girl be baptized on the same day I baptized, Febuary 14th. It was exciting to see it happen. I was grateful for the experience. These past weeks have been difficult. In my area, we have plenty of potential, its just a matter of actually meeting with them and having lessons with them. Thanks for all the support and all the prayers. See ya next week, fellas. 

Briar's baptism, 2-14-2003

February 3, 2015

This week went better than it did last week!


We had all of our investigators come to church, so my testimony on fasting and prayer grew a ton.  One of our investigators kinda has to be pushed to come to church, but once he did (consider this a blessing or not), there was this girl that he is interested in at school, and she is in the same ward as he is.  #flirt2convert
Some other investigators have great support systems from their parents and families.
Right now, all of our investigators are on date for the weekend of the 14th to be baptized.  So we need to do some serious finding for other people ready to be baptized.  Its crazy how the mission can be... you can have almost 0 investigators at church one week and then 4 the next week!  haha


All I can do is thank Heavenly Father and have faith that He will continually do the same every week.  This week, my testimony on prayer grew a ton.  During the opening hymn during the morning ward, I excused myself and said a quick prayer and that prayer was instantly answered!  Now, I know that not all prayers are answered instantly... like I'm even surprised it happened that fast, but it did, so I'm not going to question it!  Just know that God is listening to you and knows what is best for you.


Peace till next week!

January 27,2015

These past two weeks have been stressful.  Our investigators don't like coming to church, for some reason!  It's tough.  We have a ton of potential in the area, so it's just a matter of solidifying the people.  We have three investigators who could be good members, it's just a matter of when they can be baptized... sooo....

It's crazy how it's been almost three months since I left the greatest town on earth! hahaha

My new companion is pretty good.  Things were awkward at first, but that comes it every companionship anyway! haha

I know the gospel is true and everyone should read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it's true or not.  The Book of Mormon is the keystone to our religion and everyone should read it!

I miss you all! Elder Adona is out.