Missionary Weekly Report :) week of 19-25 October

Adam wearing the tie Mike wore once and then sent to him with his love. Adam gives it a thumbs up. 

Hey Mom!! :) how is my beautiful lovely mother today? 

Cool! I like that picture too. It is funny to me how much Eiffel tower picture stuff you have at the house! I keep being surprised by stuff in pictures from home, like the French flag and eiffel tower on the piano, I had no idea they were there!, haha it's cool, thanks I love you. 

Yeah the tram, that was cool. 

Yes so Djenyce is part of the Mbikayi (em- bih kai ee) family, a less active family that I mention often. His dad and mom have been less active for a while and THEY ALL CAME TO CHURCH YESTERDAY IT WAS AAAAWWWEESSSOOMe. It was funny Elder Walton came up to me like, "Hey, Sister Mbikayi is here!" And I was like WHAT!? So it was awesome for sure. 

French words: here, sorry, I feel bad, I thought I explained all those franglais words but I am happy to give you a cheat sheet, sorry t took me so long! :) 

• Ami...investigator (literally translated "friend" investigator in french means "friend of the church"). Sometimes i will use ami more generally to extend to our less actives and recent converts and members who we're working with too but most of the time I mean just investigators.
• Église means church
• Foot means soccer
• LA...less active 
• RC...recent convert (this is just mission lingo)
• Comp...companion
• Collègue or colleague...how we say companion in French 
• Je t'aime maman .... Self explanatory :)

Okay I hope that,s good. Please ask me right away when you don't understand!  I am trying to use less French in my English letters and it helps me too so yeah. Ok.

I feel like all these questions are big ones you have had for a while! Please don't hesitate to ask me because it feels like real communication when you do that, I love having good questions to answer. 

Music--yeah i use it a ton, I've had several opportunities to play at least a song ot two during sacrament meeting here at Nantes, I'm pretty sure I've done all of sacrament once or twice, and I've been able to help with choir practices a lot on the piano and I,m helping the choir prepare for all the preparations of stake conference coming up. :) haha do I really not tell you about all this? Crazy. Yeah and in Belgium, in Brussels, there was an organ in one church building that I got to play a few times. No, haven't played in a cathedral yet, too many have invited me so it,s been hard to choose which. :D no just kidding I will be going to ask if I can play next week though, we planned it and it's in the cards. I've also been able to sing with the ward choir a few times, I like taking that time after church and doing that. So there you go, yes, I use music a lot and have given several musical numbers. Here in Nantes we always have a verse of a hymn played by the piano player after the closing prayer just to kind of close everybody out too so that is fun. Very rarely have organs in church buildings in France and Belgium, they have to be really big main ones. 

So glad that Zia still remembers me!!! That reminds me of something, but I can't remember the toy flashlight I gave her. What does it look like? That's so cute that she thinks of me when she sees Paris. Haha! 

Ok Mom that,s all I can answer this time. Love you tons! Thank you for the tie and letters I got them today! Wearing the tie right now! :)

Have a great day! Love your son 

Adam 

Edwards

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Hello my dear family and friends! Love you all! I tried to think of
some good things I could write about today so here it goes.

-The person I am. A big part of a mission is, as President Babin loves
to say, becoming who we are. I am learning a ton about who I am and
how to be more true to that, whether that might be showing more love
to my companion or to my family, or other things. But it sure does
have a lot to do with love. It also has a lot to do, as my theme for
this week was, faith and sacrifice. A big question for me at this
point in mu mission is not whether I will serve, duh, but rather how
well I will endure and what attitude I will have in my mission and my
life from here on out. I want to learn to not be afraid to speak up
and make choices that are going to bring me the most fulfillment and
happiness now and forever. I want to not be afraid to be energetic and
happy and to work hard to have the most prosperous, great life I can.

I know the Lord blesses me for the sacrifice I'm giving him now, and I
hope to get to the point soon where I can say I am TRULY not my
mission for any other reason than to serve the Lord and help the
Church and have the experience of my life right now. I love that
purity of purpose and that is an important thing for me. I would like
to challenge the rest of you to have a great week this week of faith
and sacrifice. Whatever doubts may come your way, turn back to your
testimony and turn to your God for help, he will speak to you. Have a
week of faith and sacrifice for the Lord.

-2 Elder Walton and I had a great, great companionship inventory last
night, we finally pretty much got about everything on the table, and I
have learned how to communicate efficiently, without apology, while
being strong and direct so it can speak to him and other blunt people,
and it's great! Actually feels pretty good. I can testify to the truth
you told me, dad, when you said that it's best to just bring things
up, even if it's painful at first. Normally, the other person has
been feeling it too.

-3 Damien is a new ami that referred himself online and he is awesome.
He is French slash Spanish and is a really cool guy. So yeah. We
taught him the Restoration, he will hopefully be coming to the
Institute activity wednesday night.

-4 I wanted to take a minute, Mom and Dad, to just express my love for
you two and for the rest of the family as well. I LOVE YOU.  I was studying this morning in
the scriptures about love, and I realized I need to be much better at
showing you two and you all love. So I am going to be working on that.
Do you have any specific suggestions of things I could do? I just want
you to know that I love you. I need to go. It has been a short email.
But I love you tons. Please know that, I want to be as close to you as
I possibly can. I'm trying to grow up and be a missionary as best I
can. I love you and thank you for sharing my burdens a lot with me.
Love you so much. I will be praying for you and expect a letter next
week. Gotta go. Love you!

Till next time everyone

Ps the Bikayi family all came to church and Bobby came too and he was awesome!

Oct 19, 2015 - The Week! 8th Transfer, Djenyce's Baptism, Paris Pictures!

(From Becky: This is my favorite picture from his mission so far. It's a great shot of him in front of the Eiffel Tower.)

Me and my buddy Elder Smith who I know all the way back from charleroi! He is Elder Harris's blue, now turned trainer himself!! so that's cool, huh, I got to do a little split with him while Elder Walton was doing legality. Cool stuff!

This is the Louvre, the biggest museum of art in the world, I believe. It is HUGE. Holy cow it's more like a circle than a buidling!!!

 Still the Louvre...

 Yep, same building...

 Haha, little photo with me and the Book of Mormon. :D Love you guys! More to come; 

Sorry this isn't Paris. One night, there was finally an open tram, with no people on it, so I took a picture to remember what they look like. We spend a lot of time in these things!! I've had a lot of little conversations in these beasts, not all or even most about missionary work but some cool ones still. We had a great experience this week--there were two men REALLY making fun of us and talking between themselves, making fun of me and the Lord and stuff, it made me pretty mad. I was pretty ticked for a sec. Didn't do anything, don't worry :) but it wsa cool because I prayed for help and strength and then we were able to have SEVERAL people after ask us who we were or just come up and talk to us after the...people...left. It was really cool. I testify that no one can stop this work. I prayed later to have more people make fun of us like that so I could feel more stubbornly loyal to the Lord and this Church! I ain't going anywhere! :) So I would just like to invite anyone who feels so inclined to make fun of the Church or Jesus Christ to my face. He will set you straight bro, whether through the Spirit or through me. 

This is some important buidling in Paris. Not sure which. :) haha sorry right on the Seine river though you can see tons of really cool buidlings right fro, this bridge

Eiffel Tower!!! this thing is HUGE up close!! 

The Arc de Triomphe

Father and son!! :) Me and Elder Walton.

Ah she's pretty. :D

Hehe! Some random Italian guy going around dressed like that for people to take pictures with. 

So we actually got to go back the second time to the eiffel tower, I went before with Edler Smith and then back, really fast, with Elder Walton. We saw the Arc de Triomphe, really quick, then the eiffel tower, really quick, it was sweet. :D Glad he wanted to do it. 

Hello everyone!!  

I thank you all wholeheartedly  for all the support, warmth, love, and prayers you send my way! got to hear some cool things about the temple today, really warmed my spirit! You guys are awesome, my family and friends! I owe the world to you!  I will mention a few things from the week: 

1. It can be hard to keep the purpose and testimony of a missionary pure, but it is worth the work, I testify. 
2. We were able to experience and be a part of the baptism and confirmation of Djenyce, in a small way. I was able to play the piano for the baptismal service, and it was great to see him get baptized by his dad. wow, so cool. His dad got up and spoke after and was so happy, it was pretty profound the way he spoke. I think he was the one the most affected by it. cool guy. We were then able to be two of the four people to help give Djenyce the gift of the Holy Ghost, only the second confirmation I've had the privelege of helping in, so it was great. 
3. So right now, Nantes is getting kind of cold. :D The work here is now focusing on our recent converts, of which we have four, our other investigators, trying to get them serious, reading the book of Mormon, and progressing (trying to get them up to speed), and also our less-active members, some of whom we are really hoping to see progress a lot. we have been receiving lots of inspiration to get these people long-term goals and get them to the temple and stuff so it's cool. One brother Frère Nicole has been seeing great progress in church attendance. He's a ping-pong referee and super cool. We also have one ami, Boby, who is really legit who we hope to see progress quickly. 
4. Spirit of faith and sacrifice--so we need to always live every day with faith and sacrifice. When we move past our doubts, and give even more things for the Lord every day, we can see so many blessings. This week I'm going a whole week without letting a single doubt bother me one moment, to immediately dismiss it and force it out, I don't need that kind of stuff bothering this great work. Have the feeling that the greatness of this work is only beginning to be understood by me, how great the authority is that I hold. Makes me really want to be worthy of it. :D
5. Boby is doing great, we met him two weeks ago and he is doing well. we have taught him the Restoration and the Gospel and started the Plan of salvation. He has some really interesting ideas but belives the Book of Mormon is true so we're going to try and answer his questions some with the Book of Mormon. That's really what it's all about! 
6. Communication is a great, key thing.  I have learned to discuss and communicate first, humble myself, and try and be better, and not to let myself be pushed around either. :D love you guys! Communicate, it's important!
7. Scriptures are true. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I testify that the Book of Mormon is true. I sacrifice so that other people can go to the temple. And you people with the temple right in reach, right in view, you better go there this next week or two, or i'll be on you, because I cannot TELL YOU how much I miss that place. Wow. It just isn't right. But it's ok, we do it for the Lord. Just don't be afraid to be missionaries, ok? Get to that temple, do what the Lord tells you to do. Listen to the spirit. Read the book of Mormon if you hvaen't already. Read it again. Do whatever you feel inspired to do as you read it. It'll change your life. You CANNOT read that book with a sincere heart and with the idea, "MAYBE this is true," without gaining a sincere testimony that it is. I challenge you to do it. God bless all of you. I hope to see your testimonies grow with time! 
8. Change--never be afraid of change, my friends. I've hated and resisted it a lot of my mission, but its good for me, so I try to be more open to it, it's good. I've had a lot of changes, little ones, in my personality or how I speak, so I'll probably seem pretty different when I get back. Btw, Christmas call, I might have a rougher time speaking English without pausing! Love you all though. Please know God is with you, don't be afraid to change, to go to Priesthood leaders, to go to God in prayer and tell him EVERYTHING; to work with someone close to you who loves you. Do this and the Lord will bless you. Keep your appointments and covenants with him. I challenge you all to do this humbly as a missionary and representative of Jesus Christ. Be faithful over your part of the vineyard. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. :)

Week of October 12, 2015--Staying in Nantes, Baptism and Repentance

Hello everyone! 

I love you all, my family! Love you too friends! Thank you for being the great people that you are. It is always great to hear from you, and I am grateful for the chance to bear testimony and to share my experiences from this week with you. 

Wow I am amazed at how you and Mom are still thinking so much about General Conference. That is crazy, good for you. I guess it,s kind of harder to do out here on the mission, we can't listen to stuff all the time, you know. We still can, I probably should download those talks and stuff on audio.

The things I will share with you:

Transfer news

Spiritual experiences, thoughts, and impressions

Paris pictures

Djenyce's Baptism

Repentance

Life from Here

Transfer news: I STAY WITH WALTON. [This is the Elder Adam has been training.] Woohoooooo!!! Yay. I am so glad that I get to stay another transfer with another guy. The only other companion I have EVER had with whom I have stayed two transfers is Elder Baldwin. Wow that has been a long time! It is good to have lots of comps but boy it is tiring, too! Man so I am glad that I get to finish training Elder Walton, it will be my second transfer with him and my fourth in the town of Nantes, the sixth-biggest city in France. Today we also start my 8th transfer in the mission! Wow! So there you go, I will be hitting my year mark here this transfer. That is pretty crazy. This transfer, I am working on throwing myself into the work and doing my best to stay busy in the work of the Lord, also giving my best in everything, finding people like crazy by street contacting people all over the place, and talking to people in the trams and buses, too. Hard but easier than just being lazy with my efforts so I feel better doing stuff like that. 

Spiritual thoughts and impressions--repentance and baptism is such a huge, important step in your life. If you've already been baptized, consider your covenant and repentance as something that keeps on going. Our covenants are not meant to be for once, but forever. We were able to meet several people in the last few weeks that have been so prepared, and I know that it is thanks to the Lord that these people are here and that He is bringing us to them, or them to us, at this time. It seems to be the best when we try and stay busy teaching and visiting the people, less actives, and members we have, then being busy trying to find others, trying to work hard to be worthy of others, and to be prepared for these people. We met an amazing guy, Boby, who comes from Africa,and who knew the book of Mormon is true after the first appointment, he referred himself online just last week, Monday or Tuesday, and we were onto him (thanks to the insistence of Elder Walton) the same day we received his number! Man our first rendez-vous [teaching appointment] was spectacular! So cool. The Lord prepares such people and puts them in our path. That may not always be missionaries, that can be members. The guy contacted us because he knew a mormon friend in Nigeria and thanks to him, after a while, he was searching and decided to see if this church was true. I testify the Lord is there and loves us all. Any and all doubts against the Lord and His Church, no matter how crafty or smart or attractive, are not true, and the firmer we stay closer to god and Christ, and His prophet, the safer and happier our life is. There is a reason the lOrd gives us absolute truth and the commandments. Remember these things, my people.

Djenyce's baptism will be this Saturday, we are so excited. We will be happy to see this finally happen, this kid has been waiting for years, not for any fault of his, but it just hasn't happened, and the Lord has been helping that date be pushed forward. We encourage you all to pray for him and his family if you have a moment, we're hoping it can help his family get more active too! They are a great family. His dad will baptize him, so we're thrilled. 

Life from here. I will be trying to stay busy in the Lord's work and we're just trying to be buds with each other, Elder Walton and I, and it's been going really good. We just had a really good conversation Friday or Saturday night, at dinner, and ever since then, we've been trying to talk more together, and I testify that the Lord places people and loved ones next to us to be loved, talked to, learned from, etc. and all problems can be resolved with patience, the Lord, and love. I encourage all of you to take conference seriously, I will try and do the same as reminded. 

I testify that peace in this life comes only from worthiness and obedience to the commandments of God. We might think that pleasure or joy comes from letting go of the scriptures and the commandments, but in reality, no pleasure or temporary joy is so great that it is worth the crushing pain and guilt that follows afterwards. Trust me, guys, France is the land of people who search for things where happiness cannot be found. They look EVERYWHERE and they can't find it. As we know where it is ofund, let us be true to what it is, and the Source of it, our heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. If repentance is necessary, let us do it. If we need to renew our covenants, let us do that. There are many of you who don't make many efforts to go to the temple and I would give anything to go there, it's been a year since I've been able to go. It's a greater blessing than some think. I know that all blessings come from what the Lord gives us. Read 1 Nephi 8,  Helaman 5 and 3 Nephi 1 and you will understand how the Lord works with us, the children of men. I know that the more rooted we are in the Book of Mormon and Christ, the happier we are, invariably, and the inverse is also true. No lie can displace this truth. No pernicious evil or tempting pleasure or any other thing, no removal from God and His Son and their commandments can possibly bring happiness, don't believe it for a moment. 

I see it destroy people every day. It is becoming of us to take this truth and shine it forth to the world. I will not suffer and wait and watch while my brothers and sisters watch and wait and suffer while I have the truth, the "vérité" in my hands. God bless us with the testimonies and the strength we need to withstand the temptations, trials, and callings of our day. We can withstand that and do what we are called to do. The Law of Chastity, the Word of Wisdom, the Law of the Tithe, the commandments to pray and read always, are given to keep us safe, go straight to the Lord and His Priesthood leaders with any problems and temptations. There is no way we can wait, now is the time to go out and play our hearts out. No black-hearted corruption is worth corrupting your soul. Brothers and sisters, stay close to God, Christ, Heir prophets, and the Book of Mormon. Any other way is doomed to insecurity and failure and darkness. It is simply not worth it. 

I love you all and God bless and keep you. Life has been good, we got to go to Paris and we were able to have a good busy week, the Lord has been blessing us, so we're going to keep teaching the people we have, and there you go. Please take the talks from conference, listen to the spirit, be a missionary to people around you, do all you can to do what's right, and keep on the straight and narrow. Some people needed to hear that, I feel. :D love you all!.  Ok i will let you go, love you all. 

Have a great week!

Sincerely, with lots of love, 

Elder Adam Grant Edwards

October 5, 2015 - Adam's letter is three short videos - teaching lotsa people!

Adam is writing the paragraph below in response to a friend who recently died, likely from suicide.

Please know life is so great and I encourage you all to go to God and your parents, your family, your Priesthood leaders when you are struggling. Even things like thoughts of suicide and depression can be overcome. God can bless every life, I can bear testimony of that with missionary work. God bless you all. You are so valuable never forget that and the value of missionary work. Love you tons!