This is the end. Peace out Y'all!

Dying days...

Well, I never thought it would come to this, but here’s my last email.  It’s so surreal to think it has been 2 years and that it is now over.  Right now, I don’t know exactly how to feel, I’m just a wreck of mixed emotions.  Anyway, here is the happenings of week 104.

Lovin' y'all in the south!

Monday we walked the big dam bridge with Paul.  So, funny story.  I don’t know if y’all remember, but last Sunday I spilled a little water on Paul during sacrament.  Well, on Monday, karma hit me like a freight train.  Only, it wasn’t water.  I literally knocked a whole soda on my pants because my arm decided to turn into Velcro and catch a straw by a millimeter of the top and yank it all over me.  So I got sticky and wet and couldn’t focus on my pizza.  But I was able to shower and then Paul took us to the chiropractor where a member worked on us for free.  Not a huge fan, not much was fixed on me...bummer.  The Smiths fed us dinner and it was some good curry!  I think I had 2 or 3 plates.  After that We went shopping that night and got hit on BAD by 2 Walmart workers lol.  One snatched my Book of Mormon cause she wanted mine instead of Elder Roberts.  It was also kind of gross, cause they were asking super weird and gross questions, so we gave them Book of Mormons, said a prayer for their sanity and morals in our hearts and left.

Tuesday we literally tract and knocked doors all day.  We found a couple people who said to come back, but not a ton.  It was so hot and humid, I had a butt sweat that was so noticeable you could see it from a country mile away.  Paul picked us up and took us home for a shower and refreshment haha.  We played basketball that night for the last time and I did alright.  I made a 3 and boy you woulda thought I won the World Series I was so happy!  Not a bad night.

Coinage

Wednesday we had district meeting and then afterwards we went out and cleaned up a less actives shed.  Y’all, this place had every bit of disease and filth I have ever seen.  It smelled, it was wet and groggy and clothes and old mattresses every where. We went and got gloves so we could tackle the monster.  Some guy stole my bible while we were at family dollar.  I hope he reads exodus 20.  We got back and went in for the kill.  Oh, side note, I bought Sister Palmer gloves and family dollar gave me a pair of right hands....that’s what we get for being cheap lol.   I ended up picking up an old mop and guess what surprise I was taken for?  There was how ever many years old turd on the handle and lucky me got it on my glove.  It was towards the end of the service due to it started raining, so I threw the glove away.  It was horrifying how gross that place was.  We came home and studied before Ethan picked us up for dinner.  I love the Hendersons.  After dinner, Ethan took us to choir rehearsal and I said bye to him cause he was heading to Iowa for a job for 3 weeks.

Thursday we had our interviews with President.  Mine wasn’t too long cause I’ll see him tomorrow for an exit interview.  I made goals for my last 5 or so days in the field and all that.  We changed, gave the car to the sisters and started out walking again.  It was HUMID.  We were drenched in 30 minutes.  By the time we got home after that, I started to clean up and pack a bit before the Franks picked us up for dinner and took us to Cracker Barrel.   After dinner, which was awesome, we went to volleyball and it was literally just us, the Otter Creek Sister’s and the Hermana’s.  Oh well, it was fun!

Ballers

Friday we went out with Paul after my last weekly Planning (I’m so happy I don’t have to do that again).  We went finding, contacting and visiting less actives, but we only had 1 lesson happen.  But it was a solid lesson!!  Her name is Mrs. Dean and she is a sweet heart.  She had a lot of questions about “Old Joe Smith” lol.  But she was genuine and wants to learn more as we explained the restoration to her.  She was so happy and upbeat that it made me smile the whole time haha.  Paul had some real good input cause they were both baptist at one point and they really connected!  She also knows a few members of our ward, so we are goin* to try to contact the, to go with us this coming Friday!  As we left she was saying “I’ll see y’all next week!  Well, besides Adair, he’s gone” and that’s when it kinda hit me that I go home soon, but I brushed it off and laughed.  Paul took us out to eat at La Hacienda and it was so good.  Kinda funny side note, there was literally 10 year olds working there...talk about family restaurant.  But la hacienda is a chain, so we were taken for all sorts of turns.  Paul kept saying he was gonna call the mariachi band to play me a song and make a scene, so I slammed my street tacos and we left lol.  He took me for a drive around Pinnacle Mountain one last time and it was so peaceful and the sunset was gorgeous and the air outside got cool.  Imma miss Arkansas something fierce I’ll y’all what.  There ain’t nothin but the humidity I ain’t like.  I can’t believe it’s coming to a close.

I gotta sing what?

Saturday we went out and mowed Sister Stuckey’s lawn.  We invited her the the General Authority visit that night and she said she would go (we could only go if we brought a returning member or investigator).  Then we went to help Brother Dixon move a couch, but the guy at the
gate couldn’t open the gate.   So we just got lunch instead.  We then went with a returned missionary named Adam.   We went to try a few investigators but everyone didn’t answer.  Well, Etheon told us to come back later.  We did, though, get in contact with a new person we found on Tuesday.  Her name is Akia.  We gave her a Book of Mormon cause she asked for it Tuesday, so we came to follow up and teach a lesson.  Well, her husband was outside and made it known about 6 times that he was Muslim.  In my head all I could think was, “man do i gotta add Muslims to the list of ‘I gotta make it known’ along with vegans and cross fitters?”  He was ranting on the side as we talked with Akia.  We didn’t get a lesson in due to her questions...which were very odd.  She legit asked what the difference between the new and Old Testament was...then asked how the Book of Mormon compares.  We had to explain that like 5 times.  We taught a little about Joseph smith but not much cause Mr. Muslim came back.  We invited them to church and all of a sudden Mr. Muslim is make a deal how that’s his rest day cause he works every day (literally he works from 8 pm to 11 pm at a gas station).  Then, he basically commanded Akia to go to church, so I’m what, what is going on?  Well we got a ride situation all settled and left.  We came home for a bit before Brother Loken came out with us to try some more people.  Our appointments that night fell through and so we went back to Etheon and Sharon’s.  Well, they dropped us...that was hard.  We went to visit a deaf member named Peter.   It
was cool cause Brother Loken signed as we taught about the 10 commandments.  He took us home and we got ready for the devotional.  When we got there, we waited and called Sharon a few times but no answer.  She never came...so we dropped our suit coats in Spanish Elders car and went finding.  We tracted out an apartment complex and found only 1 guy who told us to come back.  He took a Book of Mormon and our card cause he wants to learn how to love more.  We also found probably the nicest ex Mormon haha.  Other than that, we walked home, tired as all get out and sweatier than a pig in blanket.

Pals

Sunday was really long.  We did our missionary choir at Benton ward while there were 2 general authority 70’s there.  Elder Johnson visited with Elder Robbins a few months ago and said he remembered me, not to brag or anything.  Also, Elder Clayton of the presidency of the 70 was there as well.  He’s awesome!  After the sacrament meeting, we went with Brother Loken and tried to see Akia, but she avoided us like the plague.  More funny story again.  As I went to knock, the door was kinda opened, so I knocked on the side of the door.  Well, I did that twice and no one answered.  I stayed and knocked one last time, but silly me hit the middle of the door and it sprung right open to reveal a woman on her phone.  Well, Mrs. ma’am about died lol. We asked for Akia and explained who we were and she shut the door to find her. Another lady then came out and asked if we had walked into her house and said she was scared to death.  So again, we explained who we were and she laughed it off.  Apparently Akia wasn’t interested though.  There is a door and a small room right by the front door and I saw someone in it thinking it was her husband, so I didn’t bother cause I didn’t want another episode like the previous day.  Well, we were told Akia was in there, but she didn’t come out and so we left.  Then we saw Sharon Stuckey and she said she will come to church next week.  We went to church, sadly no one came.  We stayed after church cause we also attended Spanish branch.  I said my goodbyes and got a ton of going home advice haha.  Ammon Henderson gave me a dope tie as well as the young women in the stake made all the missionaries goody baskets.  Such a good day at church.  We sang there too.  It was pretty funny cause Elder Roberts and I were straining our necks trying to poke our heads closer to try to understand words and phrases so we knew what the branch president was saying lol.  So in total we were at church from 8:15 am to 4 pm and took the sacrament 3 times.  So not gonna brag, but we got extra sanctified this week.  Either that, or we sinned so much that we needed extra spirit and remembrance.  We went to Sister Bernal’s for dinner afterward and it was pretty hard cause that was the last time I was gonna see the dog, Macy, for a few months.  I wasn’t worried about Sister Bernal cause I have her phone number, but Macy...that was hard.  We came home and I packed my bags for the last time.

I can’t believe it’s been 2 years already.  I feel like it was just yesterday I was wrestling my brothers in front of the MTC, walkin in with a grass stain on my elbow.  I can’t help but express my love and gratitude to my God and Savior for calling me to this wonderful part of the world.  I wouldn’t trade anything for it.  I have learned to love, to cherish the little things, the be humble, to give freely to those in need, to always rely upon my savior, to serve with all my might, mind and strength, to look outside of myself and put myself away for the benefit of others and to gain a testimony of the work of the Lord.

The beginning and end of a well spent journey...welcome home son!

I can now say with all energy of heart, I know this is the true church of Jesus Christ again restored to the earth.  I know Joseph Smith was a prophet.  The most important testimony gained, was how I know my Savior lives.  He is more than just a man in a Book.  He is more than someone people talk about.  He is more than a story told at Christmas or Easter time.  He is the living Son of the living God.  Although I hear nonbelievers say all the time, as did Mr. Muslim, “Jesus didn’t die for me,” he did.  He died and suffered more than anyone on this earth, for everyone on this earth. There isn’t anything anyone can say to persuade me from that testimony.  There is a God and he is our Father.  The Book of Mormon and Bible testify of this truth over and over again.  I promise whoever should read the Book of Mormon with a sincere and open heart, the Holy Ghost will testify to them of the same truths I know.  It’s impossible for this not to happen, but you have to be willing to act on the promptings you get.

Many times I have been asked to share what I have learned on my mission.  Well guys, that is the most loaded question I can be asked lol.  I can’t explain all of the experiences I have had on my mission in an email.   It is literally impossible.  There is no way to do it properly without feeling my emotion as I speak.  The people of the South truly have a piece of my heart and there is no way I can get it back.  This is my home and this is the land I got to serve my God.  If I could just say one thing about my service, it would be I’m changed. I didn’t get the opportunity to baptize anyone in these 2 years.

I didn’t get the chance to see the end goal for 99% of the people I taught and I hope to God they find the missionaries again.  I stood in the water but once to assist in a baptism, but my feet are dry.  Though many people may say I might be ineffective, maybe they’ll say I failed, maybe they will think I was just unlucky, but as for me, I say I’m about as successful as I could be.  I done performed my calling to the best of my ability and I can say without a doubt I left it all on the field.  I can say as Paul, I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  I’m my one.  I just hope and pray I had a good effect on the people I came in contact with. I love every single one of y’all and am so grateful y’all have been there to support and love me through these 2 years.  Y’all are the greatest.  I’ll see y’all soon.

Signing off with love for the last time as a full time missionary, Elder Adair

Kings Do King Things
Goin' Buck Wild

THAT DANG COW, Space Jam shorts don't give you b-ball powers, and sadly no one was sawed in half.

So you’re probably wondering, why in the world am I Mormon cursing a cow?  Well, my good ole pal, Elder Brownell, is our Zone/District Leader and he gave a very interesting story at district meeting.

Sometimes you gotta take a dam picture.

There was a boy and his father.  They worked on a farm and for a while and the dad did all of the work.  Well, the boy got older and the dad thought it was time for him to be able to help.  So, he started him off small with weeding.  When he got a little older and a little better he gave him other tasks to do until he got older and better at those as well.  One day, the farmer decided he was good enough to work the tractor and plow the field.  So, like a good father and mentor, he hopped on the tractor with his son and showed him the ropes.  He taught him how to keep the line straight.  He told him, “you gotta fix your eyes on something in the distance, and keep on that course!” So he left him to the work and went about doin his own thing.  About an hour later he comes back to check on the kid and the field was HORRIBLE!  He stopped his son and asked him what the heck was goin on?  To this he replied, “I did as you told and kept my eyes focused on one thing, BUT THAT DANG COW KEPT MOVING!!”

I hope y’all laughed as hard as I did.  Anyway, y’all are probably wondering what the heck this has to do with anything.  Well, at first I thought the same thing, and I’m not gonna lie to y’all, I forgot the whole reason, but I know it had to do with goals!  So here is what I got from it as I read it again.  When we set goals, we have to make sure it’s focused on something steady that isn’t going to move and take our aim off of what we are trying to accomplish.  I hope that made sense, but if not, it was a funny story anyway.

Somewhere on a beach...

Well here’s the week y’all!!

Monday we went to Joseph A. Bank and I got fitted for a suit, but that’s literally all we did.

Tuesday we hiked to the church for the one and only, MyPlan.  This week was extra special cause I got to set goals for....DATING!!  So I left it all blank.  Kidding, but I wanted to get it over with.  Elder Pickering and I did it at the same time and so we were sending our answers to each other and it was a friggin hoot.  Paul came and picked us up and we went out to check on some of our potentials and some formers.  That wasn’t successful, so we tried some less actives...same turn out.  We went to the Loken’s for dinner and it was a hoot!  They’re super awesome and told stories of their missions.  The kids made us breakfast burritos and they were stellar.  I had like 3.  We went to basketball and let me just say, the Tune Squad Space Jam Short I bought does not give me basketball powers.  I think I just needed some of Mike’s secret stuff cause I SUCKED!  But a bunch of less actives came so it was awesome!

USU Women's Rugby in Arkansas

Wednesday I woke up feeling like crap.  I had to lay down for a bit to make sure I didn’t blow chunks everywhere.  Thankfully, my cries were heard and I was alright.  We went and knocked out another area but no one was having it.  We tried some potentials but only got one answer and it was his brother who said he don’t know when he is around.  We planned to put my pictures on a flash drive, but the family history center was locked...so we ate dinner as I wrote some stuff out for my departing testimony.  I also got my flight itinerary so that was interesting.  We had Book of Mormon class and then rehearsed for a song we will sing on Sunday.

Thursday we had district meeting and then we exchanged.  I went with Elder Bolos to Benton.  We taught a really good lesson after having District lunch.  It was with one of their top investigators and he was awesome!  We really only got to teach repentance cause he said he wasn’t ready for a baptismal date yet.  He is waiting for that “a-ha” moment.  We had a little dinner before we headed out to go help a family move.  Crazy thing, they’re from somewhere near Seattle but their daughter is going to Weber here in a few weeks.  So that was cool.  We had an exchange review and hit the hay.

Not posing at all.

Friday we exchanged back and helped an elderly family move.  We unpacked boxes and arranged their garage and rooms.  We found this big ole saw and Elder Brownell and I were tryin to do a magic trick with Elder Roberts but he wouldn’t.  I guess he doesn’t have trust that we can help him after we cut him in half.  Whatevs.  They fed us pizza and then we came home and changed so we could go out with Brother Boushka.  Sadly, no one answered the door...but hey we tried, I guess.  Well, one person did.  Her name is Mrs. Dean!  She’s a southern ole lady who is just so sweet.  We set an appointment for next Friday cause she had a nail appointment.  We came home and then Paul picked us up and again, no one answered the door.  So it was a tough day, but, just another day.

Saturday we had Theresa’s baptism.  She was taught by both the Otter Creek (Little Rock) sisters and the Bryant sisters.  She’s adorable.  She is 91 and Elder Roberts and I had the chance to baptize her! Elder Roberts did the ordinance and I stood back to help lift her cause she is fragile.  She was so happy and full of life, it was amazing!  I’m so glad I got to be a part of it, even if I didn’t get to perform the ordinance.  We went home and studied and then went again with Paul.  Sadly, Etheon and Sharon didn’t keep their appointment, so that was a super bummer.  Kim wasn’t home, and neither was anyone else.  Well, we did set some appointments for this week, but a couple were less than solid.  But hey, try and try again am I right?  Paul got us and the sisters dinner at Church’s Chicken and we ate at the church.  For y’all who don’t know what that is, it’s just a ghetto KFC.

It's been a good run.

Sunday was chill.  We had a good church meeting and it sounds weird to say, but I bore my last testimony in church.  Holy cow that’s weird.  Anyway, no one came and I was pretty bummed, but there ain’t nothin you can do with others agency...even if what you wanna do is wring em by the neck and force em into sacrament.  But sadly, I think that’s against like 3 commandments.  We went to Sister Bernal’s house for dinner and we had El Salvadorian tamales.  They were good!  The Rugby girls were there again and thankfully no one was set-up haha.  But we actually got their names this week.  We went out for a bit after that, but nothin happened.

So some fun information, were goin to have a devotional on Saturday with 2 members of the 70 this weekend!  What a way to end!  Then we get to sing for them.  It’s gonna be cool cause one is Elder Clayton, the longest member of the 70 presidency!  I hope y’alls week was bomb!  I only have one more weekly to write and then I’ll see y’all in person!  Thanks for all the love and support y’all have shown over these past 2 years!!  I love y’all!!

Kings Do King Things
Goin' Buck Wild

All things come to an end...