Sept. 16, 2019

Adam was unable to write this week as he was traveling to Kenema for his zone conference on his p-day.  He was able to call us for a quick talk after he had arrived there safely.  

They had some struggles securing transportation to Kenema, but at the last minute, the Kailahun branch president found a car and driver who could take them, stay the night there, and bring them home the next day.  Adam was very relieved as they all love Zone Conference.  It means so much to visit with the other missionaries and the mission leadership and hear the encouraging and uplifting messages given during the conferences.  It is also where they receive their subsistence and restock on the supplies that are difficult or impossible to get in Kailahun.

Adam said that one of the highlights of the week was finding a lady in the market in Kailahun who travels to Liberia to buy goods to sell.  She had obtained a full size jar of American Jif peanut butter!  Adam said they couldn't believe it, it wasn't even expired, as most products are by the time they reach them.  They bought it from her for the bargain price of 30,000 Leones (about $3) and told her that if she could get more the next time she went to Liberia, they would buy as many jars as she would sell to them at that price.  He and Elder Wagner were both REALLY excited about that peanut butter!

The spiritual highlight recently for Adam has been the deeper understanding of the reason for obedience to God's commandments.  Adam said that previously he viewed the surrendering of our will to align with God's as a struggle to force ourselves to do what God asked by sheer willpower, at the end of which, after we continually fall short, fail and struggle, God would make up the difference.  Adam said that he has come to realize lately that obedience is actually meant to be a gift of Love that we give to God. Our efforts, although imperfect, are an expression of our gratitude and love for Him, and that God and the Savior are with us all the way through, helping us the whole time, not just making up the difference in the end when we fall short.  He expressed deep gratitude for this understanding.  

The above picture was taken by Elder Kunz when he and his wife passed through Kailahun on Sept. 7th.  We are grateful they took the time to take and send us this picture, we love seeing the smiles on these sweet faces!