Week 20: Book of the Mormons

Hey y'all!

Over 20 weeks ago, I left for the MTC. It's crazy to think about how fast time passes when you are serving the Lord. This week has been crazy because we have practically been everywhere except here in Brewton! 

Monday:

We were able to meet with Rhoda's sisters and mom. We taught them the Restoration, and during the entire lesson, Sister Palmer and I could feel the potential in the room. We were both so nervous because we knew we were teaching the elect of God. The anticipation and Spirit was so strong. Rhoda's sister Ellen sat on the edge of her seat and was so interested. When we started talking about The Book of Mormon, she asked us if she could have a copy! She is so excited to read and learn more with her sisters and mom. Their eyes are so bright with the light of Christ!

Tuesday:

We drove an hour to district meeting and had an amazing lesson on the authority we have as missionaries to promise specific blessings. We have the ability to discern their needs and leave them with commitments that will help them to exercise faith in Christ, repent, and lead towards baptism. Then we have the power to know exactly what God wants to promise them to help them along the path. 

We served that afternoon in a hot warehouse with barely any water, and I felt so tired afterwards! I think I might have had some heat exhaustion...

Wednesday:

We drove to Pensacola for interviews with President Smith for most of the day. While in the area, we were asked to see two less actives. One of them had holes in the floor of her house, which scared Sister Palmer because she hates snakes. She also had a 14 year old, tiny dog that was insane! Her bark sounded like a chicken. Then we went to visit the other lady. We opened the side gate that said "Beware of Dog" and walked all the way around past giant spiders, and then a giant Rottweiler dog ran out of the house right at Sister Palmer and scared her half to death. Then the owner came out so Sister Palmer decided to pet the dog. Turns out she was friendly! That evening, we went to a branch Lu'au. We had been asked to do some hula dancing, and since we both can't dance, we were dreading it. But tender mercies are real because we didn't have to hula dance after all! 

Thursday:

Today was a day for weekly planning and recent convert lessons! We met with the Nelsons, who are actually moving out of our area soon. Then we got to see Diane and Dysane. We read from the Book of Mormon and invited Dysane to be baptized. She said she isn't ready yet, but I know it's only a matter of time before she realizes that this is the path for her. Then we had dinner at Rhoda and Johnny's house. Rhoda made us a ton of Southern dishes, including lima-beans, peas, okra, and beans, dumplings, chicken and rice, and corn bread. I love spending time with them. Their house feels like a second home. 

Friday:

We left at 7:30am to drive to Bonifay, FL for a Sisters' Conference, and we arrived home around 6pm. It was amazing to see all of the sisters of the mission in one area. I got to see my trainer, and Sister Palmer got to see her trainer (who is actually my mission grandma because she trained Sister Wall too). I learned so much about de-stressing and being in a frame of mind where you are always focused on what others need to grow in the gospel. As you focus about others and how they feel about themselves, you don't have to worry about yourself at all, which leaves room for God to take care of you. This is when you can actually grow the most!

Saturday:

Wasn't the General Women's Session amazing? We drove with members to the stake center and had snacks before it started. It was so cool to witness how Diane and Rhoda loved everything that was said. I know they felt the Spirit and heard exactly what they needed. 

Sunday:

We taught the Restoration on a porch to a bunch of ladies. We drove by them, and I had waved. They all waved back. We kept driving by. A few blocks later, Sister Palmer pulled a sudden U-Turn and said we needed to go back and talk with them. They were so friendly and invited us to sit down. They were welcoming at first, but then the uncle came outside and sat in. He started bashing us, so I just bore my testimony and witness of the Book of Mormon and invited him to read it and pray about it for himself. That evening we had dinner with our branch president and his wife. Right beforehand, Sister Palmer got stung by a wasp and her hand started to swell! Hopefully it will heal fast in the next few days. Dinner was enjoyable. The branch president has two adorable little boys, and they truly are amazing examples of Christ. 

Prophesies being fulfilled in the South:

One of our recent converts calls The Book of Mormon "the book of the Mormons." It is so cute. Here in the South, people call it the Mormon Bible. They have a hard time understanding it is completely unrelated to the Bible and the events that take place in it. They literally think it's our own version of the Bible. We have a fun time explaining that to people! It's especially crazy when we introduce the Book of Mormon to people, and they quote 2 Nephi 29:6 about having a Bible and not needing another Bible. We truly are living in the last days, and prophesies are being fulfilled all around us! It just adds to my testimony that the Book of Mormon truly is the word of God. This book is miraculous proof that the heavens are open today. I know as we read it with real intent, we will come closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Much love,

Sister Burnham

We ate dinner at Rhoda and Johnny's house. We had some fine Southern style dishes! 

Yum :)

A three generational picture! Sister Wall trained me, and Sister Richins trained her AND Sister Palmer. So, fun fact: I am currently companions with my mission aunt!

With Diane and Dysane! We are teaching Dysane, and Diane, her sister, is a recent convert. They are so sweet!

Zone Conference! We combined with the Mobile Zone last Saturday!