Transfered to Florissant Missouri

Henry has been transfered to Florissant, Missouri. We will post pictures when we get some from him. He is traveling by bike now and walking a lot. He has a new companion, Elder Denson from Fruit Heights, Utah. His birthday is this week and he will no longer be a teenager. Happy 20th Birthday Henry

Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Life in Belleville

Henry has been in Belleville, Illinois for two transfers. It is just east of St. Louis Missouri. He has had two different companions while there. He is doing great and having a great mission.

Elder Murdoch out tracting with Henry.
Life is good in Belleville. Henry & his companion share this cool house. They have a lot of room for just the two of them. Henry has put up a punching bag in the basement and gets his exercise that way. Belleville is a small historic town in Illinois. They have had some good success there.
Henry & Elder Murdoch's Home Sweet Home.
This is the street Henry lives on in Belleville Illinois.

They use the mass transit system most of the time to get around in Belleville.
Elder Murdoch on the train.
Henry is with one of the Elders from the MTC
Group of Missionaries from his Zone.
Out tracting in a neighborhood and a circus was going on...so they got to ride elephants. How random.
How Henry is staying in shape for skiing and keeping his balance.
The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning...umm but not like this fire.
A peek into the life of a missionary. Henry is having a wonderful mission.

Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

For sure. Peace, Love and Happiness. Thats what the missionaries bring.
Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Cobbled streets in Belleville
Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Self portrait of a happy missionary!
Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

6 month mark tie burning

Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Burning a tie at 6 month mark, can't wait to see the suit burning at 12 month!

The Missionary Song

Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Snow in Illinois

Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

What's with the sunglasses?

Is this some new look that people in Illinois are wearing? Or is it just someone with no TV to watch and nothing to do in the evening?
Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Alan's river baptism

This is the St. Francis River. Henry baptized a new member named Alan in this river. Henry was very close to Alan and really happy for him to be baptized. It was a wonderful experience for them both. Even though it was really cold.
Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Henry's Desk

Look how organized he is! Note the picture of Lucky and the Jeep and the Book of Mormons. You can tell that he is working hard.






Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Here's Henry in his cool hat that his mother sent him because she thought he might get cold.





Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Here's Henry standing by his car. We always knew he would be outstanding in his field!



Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Missionary Fun

Smooshing Elder Melendezs' head...


Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Elder Adams and Elder Melendez celebrate Christmas 2009

Christmas Day was a good day on the Mission! Henry received a big box from home filled with a ton of little individually wrapped gifts for both he and his companion, Elder Melendez. Each little gift inside the "Missionary Stocking" had a scripture reference to go with it. For example, in his stocking was a wrapped tube of deodorant with a scripture saying something to the extent of "Thou shalt not offend." We thought it was funny and Henry loved it.

Here is Elder Adam's Christmas Tree! They went out and got it on a P-Day.

We were glad their house had some festive decorations.

Elder Adams opening his Christmas presents. Lots of goodies, a few necessities and some fun things too...

Elder Melendez opening his Christmas presents from his family.

Of course, they made a Christmas Breakfast Missionary style...Looks like Alta Breakfast Burritos, yum!

After a fun Christmas Morning, it was off to do some visits and make some special phone calls to the family! We were so excited to 'hear' Henry's voice on the phone. He sounded great and we could tell he's growing up a little. It was very apparent that the Spirit was with him, even in a family phone call. We talked for a long time about the work he is doing and how he is feeling about it - he loves it. Merry Christmas our little missionary!! We love you and are SO pleased and proud with what you are doing!!

Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Somebody's Eating a lot of squirrel...

Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

...transfers...

Henry had transfers about 2 weeks before Christmas and guess what, Elder Martinez got transferred! So Henry stayed in Farmington, Missouri and got a new companion, Elder Melendez from California. Elder Melendez has only been out on his mission about 5 weeks longer than Henry has so they are both still 'new' to being Missionaries. We got a tape from Henry (I hoping to find a way to put parts of it on here) In the tape, Elder Melendez and Henry SING!!!!! It was completely hilarious and had us all rolling, and crying tears from laughing SO hard! They sing "I Need Thee Every Hour" in a lovely duet of extreme bass and extreme soprano...it was great. Elder Melendez is funny. He and Henry have gotten along great.

Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

Mr. C, A great day...

Probably one of the most special experiences Henry has shared with us since he left is the story of Mr. "C". Henry describes him as a big gruff kind of guy, but a complete tender heart within. In fact, Henry compared him to Dad! Mr. "C's" story is particularly special. He was engaged to his sweetheart who sadly passed away from cancer. She was a member and her testimony touched Mr. C's heart. He had been having the missionary discussions prior to her passing and continued them after her passing. Henry said his baptism was especially touching. (Again, I will find the letter discussing Mr. C and put some direct quotes in there soon). The Bishop of their ward baptized Mr. C.

Henry just loves Mr. C. He said that from the very beginning, he had a bond with Mr. C and felt like he really understood him. He also loves that right after Mr. C was baptized, he begin being an amazing missionary member bringing friends and investigators to church. Henry also loves him because Mr. C loves to have the missionaries over and feed them.


Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

First Baptism

This was Henry's first baptism while in Farmington, Missouri. I need to go back to his letters and there will post some direct quotes from Henry about this day. Miss "A" is a 14 year-old girl from Missouri. Henry said this day was especially wonderful and memorable. (More info to follow once I find the letter about this baptism, give me a couple of days!)

Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)

A Few Things You'd Find...

If you lived with our Missionary, Elder Henry Adams;

you might find these things around your house...

Henry learned to make 'towel animals' back when he was like 12.

You might reach for a towel and instead be greeted by this little doggie.

Henry picked up a harmonica a couple of weeks into his mission. I think he's enjoyed learning to play the church Hymns on it. Maybe at his homecoming he'll play us a song!

Although he probably hasn't needed this yet - we sent this to him because it's a Missionary Staple as far as summer weather goes. (And the title cracked us up too)

YUM! Who wouldn't want to be Elder Adams' companion when he cooks breakfast for you like this!!?? Here is a picture of a classic "Henry" breakfast...Swedish Pancakes!

Posted by Henry's sisters and Mom :)