The Devil rides upon the asphalt

Hey all!

I know that's an imposing title for this weekly email, but it's actually been the best week so far. It just started off kinda rough. On Monday I went and bought a bike! I don't think there are actually any bike areas left here, but we burn through miles like crazy, so I figured that I might as well get one to help out. And get more fit. And the bike was really cool and I love it. Anyway, it was useful because the day before, our car broke down. We thought it might be a battery problem, but weren't totally sure. Someone came and jumped it, and it started, but it had been having other electrical problems before. We took it to the Chevy dealer on Tuesday (It's a cruze), and it took them seven hours to fix a faulty negative battery cable. And then it did the same thing again last night. But we'll give the car another chance for now.

The next morning we went for a bike ride up a huge hill with the other elders from P4. Up the hill was hard, but down was fun until Elder Gold hydroplaned and flew onto the sidewalk. He was pretty banged up, but didn't actually end up breaking anything. He just shoved his humerus further into the socket, but they spent that whole day and the next one at the doctor's. First because of trying to find out what was with his arm, then because he might have had a concussion. So things were very quiet for west Palmdale on Tuesday.

Basically I think roads must be cursed for us. But we still need to drive on them.'

Anyway, the rest of the week was great! We met lots of new investigators, some cool less active people, and some people the sisters were teaching but we'd lost track of! Our goals for the coming week are basically teaching the restoration a million times, getting people to read the Book of Mormon, and put a ring on it. Yeesh. Some of these people and their avoiding marriage.

ooh! One of our new investigators didn't even open the door at first, he just yelled and asked who we were. Missionaries! But he didn't want to hear it at first. So we started walking away, but then he was like "hey!" and asked us if we were Lancaster Baptist. They're everywhere here, and put cards on everyone's doors and have buses to take people to church. It's wild. But we told him no, and he had no idea our church existed! So we told him some and gave him a pamphlet and a return appointment. I don't know why he came outside, but I'm thanking the Spirit for it.

We're doing a 65-day Book of Mormon challenge out here, and it's super great. I'm actually way ahead, but I'm actually learning a lot. One of my favorites is some details about when Nephi broke his bow. After he did, everyone started murmuring, and Nephi chastised his brothers for it. It didn't even say what he said because he does it so dang much. They were "humbled", so he went and made a new bow and asked his dad what to do. He knew it wasn't his place to chastise his dad, so he invited Lehi to let the Lord do it. And oh boy did He. So much so that Lehi was "exceedingly sorrowful" and never murmured again. I think it's a valuable lesson about how to correct people and call them to repentance- it's not always our duty. Sometimes we just need to let God do it. Also, true repentance comes from knowing you've disappointed God, not your brother.

Thanks for all your support everyone! I love hearing from all of you!
God be with you,
Elder Adams