Hi everyone!
Six weeks pass by quickly. Transfers occurred again and
instead of continuing on training E. Garvin, the Lord saw fit to transfer him
out to Nampa and I am staying here in Kuna. I learned a lot from him and I hope
he does well in his future missionary work. Elder Barker is my new companion
and he has been out for three months. He is from Alabama! As I'm typing this
email, I have been with him for only about four hours, but it's been a good
four hours!
It will be a week full of ruminating and reflection. Here's
why:
It was four years ago that a wonderful friend in high school
felt prompted to share the reason for the hope that was in her and in her
family. It was a simple and kind gesture and one that any true friend would
give to those they care about. Through that friendship, I recognized that hope
and light that was in her and it influenced me a great deal. I made
improvements in my life and desired and worked to become a better person. I
gained back a faith in God and Jesus Christ that I had struggled with for a
little while. I felt that hope and light move back into me. I recognized that
through my family's love and care for me, I had had much of that hope and light
already instilled in me and I was even more grateful for that. What I didn't
realize was that I hungered for more light and truth and goodness. I went on
with my life.
A few months later, I received a copy of the Book of Mormon
my friend and I decided to read it for no apparent reason. As I began to read
it, I recognized something in it and had questions that came forward. I kept
reading it even during a long road trip through Idaho and Oregon that summer
before I left for college. I asked those questions, got some answers and even
more questions, and decided that I would continue seeking for those answers
when I left for college. Not everyone I knew agreed with my decision to seek
for those answers, but deep inside, I knew that I needed to. I kept reading the
Book of Mormon, asking questions, pondering a lot, and praying to God that He
would guide me the right way. Throughout this process, I recognized an increase
of light and goodness coming into my life. It didn't take away from all that
was good and true about those things I had grown up with, but simply added to
them. My faith in Jesus Christ and love of God grew. Finally, I realized that
the source from which all that goodness and light was coming from was true, all
of it. I decided to act on that truth.
On Jan. 21, 2012, I got dressed in a shirt and tie, said
goodbye to my roommate in the college dormitory I was in and was driven over to
a church building for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There,
Elder Morgan Ruesch baptized me a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. It was there also that I acted upon that light and truth
that had made not only an impact on my current life, but would continue to
impact me throughout all time and eternity. I acted on my faith in Jesus
Christ. I received that gift of the Holy Ghost, which cleansed me and fulfilled
the scripture that Christ spoke of in John 3:5 that being "born of water
and of the Spirit" is absolutely essential.
Since that time, which is very sacred to me, but which I do
not hesitate to share as it evidences those many great and good things that have
occurred to me, so much has happened. All of it can be summed up to one great
truth. God loves me and He loves you. I have not shared much of this story and
the divine providence that is behind it. I know it is true.
I am grateful to each of you because you all play an
important part, whether it is in my story or in that of another person. You
matter and make a difference.
I love you!
Love,
Elder Adamek
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