Week 77 - Perry -- the Place -- not the Platypus

Howdy all y'all!

This week truly passed by in such a blur. We've been hard at work and completely exhausted! One of the most exhausting things you can do is to heed (pay particular notice) to the Holy Ghost all day. No zoning out or being distracted by other sources, but giving God our everything.

Monday

On our way to see the capital building, we accidentally got into a car accident... so that was pretty much the end of that adventure. We're all okay! We will be swapping out our car for another mission car (a Corolla) in a few days. One lady who helped us was super nice and worked at the capital building. She offered us a free, exclusive tour when our car was fixed up! The day ended good though with a yummy dinner appointment :).

Tuesday

We showed up to district council and guess who made a special appearance? President Smith! It's weird now to be in Tallahassee where he is so close and can join us on a whim. We had a really great time, though, and President Smith was able to talk with my companion and bring her a lot of comfort after the car crash. We went to a car place to receive an estimate on how much it would cost to get fixed, and while there, we explained to the man working the front desk about what we did and about our beliefs. On our way out, I felt prompted to give him a copy of the Book of Mormon and testify of it. He was surprised and touched that we gave it to him. Maybe there was a purpose behind this car crash... ;). That evening before our dinner appointment, we only had a short amount of time to go out contacting before our ride arrived, so we walked across the street from our apartment complex and knocked on a door. We met the coolest young adult, Nykie. She is in her early 20s and expresses how she was actually looking for a church, one that didn't interpret scripture differently than her. She was so accepting of everything we taught, and we set up a time to teach her more!

Wednesday

After studies this morning, we went to pick up our replacement car... the Corolla. I call it a granny car, haha. We dropped it off for the other sisters to have and spent the rest of the day on bikes! We had a lot of cool contacts as a result. We biked past a man who was carrying heavy pieces of wood inside and we offered to help. He was genuinely touched by our offer and was super accepting of the Book of Mormon. He invited us to share our favorite passages with him and he marked them! We faced a lot of closed doors and "no thank yous," but we met a select few who were open and receptive. That evening we had dinner with a member, Carly, and her non-member friend! She is an amazing member missionary, and we had a very Spiritual conversation on the way home!

Thursday

We went to help decorate the church gym for the trunk or treat tonight, and Sister Bell had the cutest decorations! I also had the best persobal study ever! I read the conference talk from this last general conference called, "Taking Upon Ourselves the Name of Jesus Christ." I am learning lessons this last transfer before I go home that will prepare me for the rest of my life. In my eyes, I am working around missionaries who I don't always think take their calling as a representative of Jesus Christ seriously enough. But it doesn't matter what I think. I am not to understand people as I am, but I am to "understand them as they are." To not judge, but to bear with them.

The trunk or treat was fun! The other sister missionaries in the ward dressed up as Laman and Lemuel. Since it was raining outside (#floridaweather), we moved everything inside and decorated a room instead of a trunk. I had a fun time handing out copies of the Book of Mormon and other pamphlets into the buckets of non-member's kids... and sometimes when a kid asked, "Trick or treat!" I would give them a Restoration pamphlet as a "trick" and tell them to give it to a friend.

Friday

Without the car, we went contacting all morning and our day started off... pretty interesting. Okay, story time, y'all! We were walking down the street and saw this guy working in his yard. He was moved that we offered to help him in our dresses, but as we got to talking about religion... he started spouting off scripture after scripture, and his face kept twitching. His 2 buddies showed up and were backing him up and they were legitimately mocking, laughing, and scorning us. I was bold, but not too bold because then I noticed a tattooed tear-drop on his face. My comp and I felt mighty uncomfortable, and they started whispering things, so I grabbed my companion's arm and off we went with them shouting at us from behind. But, we had some cool contacts with people, and then the GREATEST lesson with Nykie that afternoon! She really connected to a verse we read her from Joseph Smith History about the confusion over different interpretations of the Bible, and she was very excited to start reading the Book of Mormon and to come to church. I feel so much love and hope for her! 

We had dinner with an old lady in the ward who lives in a nursing home. We biked there :) ‍♀️ I could only eat some fruit, but we really made her day, and I felt so much of Heavenly Father's love for her.

Saturday

We woke up early to be at the church at 6:30am to hitch a ride with the Price's in their RV to go to Perry, FL for the Forrest Festival. We handed out family history fliers all day. ALL day. I was amazed at how quickly the day actually went by as I forgot about myself and went to work! I had so many cool contacts and felt the Spirit directing me. I know God was with me all day, sustaining and supporting me because I could not have done that on my own. But by the end of the day, boy oh boy, I was exhausted!

Sunday

After church, we were recruited to go back to Perry to help at the potluck/presentation we had spent the previous day inviting everyone to come to. The turnout was smaller than I was hoping, only 4 non-members, but that is still amazing, and the branch was super happy! One tender moment today was that I wasn't feeling very well after church, and out walks President Smith from another ward's sacrament meeting, and he noticed and said to call him later. It helped a bunch just knowing that he really does care about each of us missionaries and is here for us. Plus, he really does pop up everywhere!

Insight of the week:

As some of y'all might know, I'm not the biggest on physical exercise. But I've been doing it for these past 17.5 months because it is a commandment. I have wished I was self-motivated and more disciplined because I know it's good for the body, but this week I learned something that has strengthened my resolve to work out more vigorously. For those of you who know me, would I ever miss a day of praying? No! Of reading my scriptures, no matter how tired I was? No! I know how important those things are because I receive strength and support from Heavenly Father that I need if I'm going to make it through the day or week. Choosing to do what is right is a trial of faith daily, and we have to exercise it. So it is with exercise. It's going to be hard and exhausting everyday, but it is a commandment and it also brings needed strength and support. So no matter how tired or lazy I am feeling, I can't skip out on it, just as I wouldn't skip out on praying or reading scriptures. For not at any time has God given us a law that is just temporal.

Much love,

Sister Burnham 

Week 76 - Tallahassee Lassie

Dear family and friends,

What a great week! I love Sister Bench! She is super easy-going and chill. She is from Draper, Utah. The ward here is amazing as well, and our ward mission leader is on fire! Also, I got to hear from two apostles and other church leaders. I also found out that many of the people I taught in Brewton have been baptized or are on date to be baptized!!! How exciting! And... I get to officially be a Tallahassee Lassie, even if for only 6 weeks ;)

Monday

We spent our P-day in the cute city of Troy, AL. We went out for dinner with the sister training leaders and had one last hoorah since we were leaving in the morning .

Tuesday

We had district council with the missionaries in Dothan, and I got to share my study insight about prayer with the entire mission. We drove down to Marianna to pack up all of our stuff and clean everything. It was sooo hot. No power equals no A.C. But we survived! And God sent a tender mercy our way. Everett, a recent convert, and his girlfriend, stopped by our house that afternoon to say goodbye! He was sad we were leaving. They are so sweet! We also got to say goodbye to some ward members that evening, but then had to make it home quick-as-lightnin' because there was a 7pm curfew since it was pitch black outside without street lights. We didn't think our Mission President would be happy to hear we ended up in jail... so we made it home just a couple minutes shy of 7pm :).

Wednesday

A kind member helped us transport all of our stuff to transfer spots, since there was no way we could fit all our stuff in our small car. My companions jumped on the van and left, but I stayed there all day, waiting for the van to circle back around the mission to take us to Tallahassee. I was able to mingle a lot with other missionaries and write in my journal. That evening, Sister Bench and I arrived in Tallahassee. We didn't have a car (we will have to share it with the other set of sisters serving in Tallahassee 4th ward), so the sister training leaders there drove us home. We had zero food, no transportation, and it was super late by this point. The zone leaders stopped by with dinner for us. It was so thoughtful! Our apartment is super nice and even has a piano!

Thursday

We carpooled with the other sisters to go grocery shopping in the morning, and then tagged along to different service projects throughout the day. We got to help load up a semi with supplies to be sent off to hurricane victims. I love our church and stand in awe by how organized and giving it is. Surely it is led by our Savior, Jesus Christ! Our ward mission leader also had a dinner appointment lined up for us, so we got to meet the Bates. We had a really spiritual lesson with them afterwards about the Plan of Salvation. Always remember to see the bigger picture! Don't get caught up in the small details of life.

Friday 

We biked at least 5 miles today. In case you didn't know, Tallahassee isn't very flat, so we had our work cut out for us! But it was cool to see how the Lord placed people in our path to talk to. We also met a lot of creepy people that just wanted to bash us, but I didn't let it bother me. For a short while, all we will be doing is straight contacting and trying to find God's elect since we don't have anyone to teach. 

Saturday 

We cancelled going to do hurricane service with a member down in another area today, which we felt bad about. But we also felt like we needed to stay in Tallahassee. We walked everywhere today (my comp was sick of biking up hills) and we met a lot of cool people! And some not so cool people... like a legitimate modern-day Sherem! If you read Jacob 7, you'll literally know how that encounter went... only I didn't ask for him to be smitten with a sign... I just politely excused us away from the situation. One of the last people we talked to was Catalina. She was out walking her dog and we started sharing our beliefs. At first she was skeptical and questioning why we need a prophet, or "someone to stand in the way between us and God," but as we bore testimony, she softened and wanted to hear more. We taught her the Restoration right there on the side of the road and set up a time to come back. She wanted to pray with us and said she could see how sincere we were about what we believe. I know I felt the Spirit so powerfully as I testified. He was giving me the exact words she needed to hear! Maybe she is the reason we needed to stay here instead of going to serve all day.

That evening, we met down at the Stake Center to hear from President Oaks, Elder Bednar, and some other church leaders (Sister Bingham, Elder Carter, Elder Bowen, and Bishop Waddell), plus all of their spouses. Y'all, the apostles are hilarious! They had everyone laughing and smiling. It was very much needed, and I heard exactly what I needed to hear. Bishop Waddell talked about how our trials and challenges here on earth prepare us for eternity. President Oaks said that God allows us to go through hard times so He can see us remain faithful through it, and to be grateful for the faith the Lord has in us. Sister Oaks told us that in our deepest and darkest moments, angels are with us. 

Sunday

We dropped the other sisters off for a service project (we weren't invited...) and went to church. It was so good to finally meet the ward! Well, as many as were there. A lot of people are still gone or helping with hurricane clean-up. Everyone is so friendly and willing to help and feed us. We went finding all afternoon and I noticed the few people we passed by due to being in a car and cringed on the inside. There are definitely pros and cons to a car! But we met lots of nice people and had a miracle contact. We had a feeling to try a member, but they weren't home. We knocked 5 doors around and got nothing. We started walking away, but I was like, "No, we had to have been led here for a reason!" So I marched back to the door we left off on, and it had loud rap music coming from it. I knocked hard anyway, and we met Vivian, who accepted the Book of Mormon and a return appointment! That evening we went to stake choir practice and practiced pieces from Handle's Messiah. The Spirit was so strong.

Funny quote from Elder Oaks:

"I'd rather be called "LDS" than "LSD!"

Spiritual Thought

The idea of eternity keeps pressing upon my mind. I know we won't fully comprehend it in this life, but I take comfort in knowing that one day, I will have a perfect understanding of how each of my trials and afflictions helped me on my path back to Heavenly Father. I will appreciate each one and know them for the blessings they are. But that's a long ways away, and for now I just need a bit of eternal perspective and hope, and a lot of grace, to carry me through to that point.

Much love,

Sister Burnham

Week 75 - Michael Wrecked Marianna

Hey y'all! I'm alive!

As many of you know, a giant hurricane hit our mission and caused SO much destruction. Hurricane Michael was a category 4 hurricane (only 2 MPH winds away from a category 5)! Some wind speeds were recorded going up to 156 MPH. The eye of the storm passed right over my area and caused so many trees to fall, hitting cars, power-lines, and houses. Power is out all over and many roads are still blocked. Because of this, the mission president is shutting down our area for at least a transfer, if not two. That means I'm being transferred this Wednesday to a new area for the final 6 weeks of my mission! 

I received news this morning that I am white-washing to Tallahassee 4th Ward with Sister Bench! I've served around her and she's awesome :). She just finished her training. Sister Caldwell is going to Gulf Breeze, and Sister Wilson is going to Dothan. There have been so many changes throughout the entire mission. Sorry in advance that this will be the longest email of my life, but so much craziness has happened this past week! Let's just take it one day at a time:

Tuesday
We woke this morning with notifications that we had to evacuate ASAP. We were going to the Milton church building. We hurried and threw together a suitcase and some food to take with us that would last us a few days, then off we went! That day, there were 27 sisters camping out in the gym from all the areas most targeted! It was so cool because I got to see a lot of the Pace members again! Countless members came by to drop off food and bedding for all of us. Everyone was so impressed by the amount of food they brought (enough to feed an army for sure) and that they provided enough air mattresses for all 27 of us to have one! (Too bad my leaked and went flat in the middle of the night). That afternoon, we were recruited to go to Bishop Welty's neighborhood to help people put up hurricane window covers. I was so happy all day seeing everyone that I love so very much! Bishop also took us by so we could see Brother Tom again! It made him so happy to see all of us, and sitting on his table among other letters were the letters I had written him months before. Sister Weingartner and so many other members remembered my food allergies and brought special food and treats just for me. I felt so loved!

Wednesday
Happy 17 month mark, Sister Burnham! To celebrate, let's have the biggest hurricane the pan handle has ever seen in the past 100 years! Haha, yeah... so that was my running joke of the day. We stayed inside all day to avoid the rain and slight wind that were carried over from the hurricane. We had trainings and studies all day long. A lot of sisters were freaking out about their homes being completely destroyed, so there was just a sad feeling in the room all day. None of our calls would go through to members, which was super concerning.

Thursday

We got to shower! Members opened up their homes for us to come shower and do laundry, since we were staying at the church much longer than we'd anticipated. I got to go to Sister Peterson's home, and she is so generous and funny! My companions absolutely loved her and now want to serve in Pace because of how awesome the ward has been. She also gave us some items to surprise Sister Benson with for her birthday tomorrow! We got to go out to lunch with Brother and Sister Kranz at La Hacienda, and seeing them made me so happy. I didn't lose a beat talking and joking with them. For the rest of the afternoon, we went out finding around Milton and had some miracle contacts. With 27 sisters out working that day, Milton is fixin' to be flooded with lots of referrals!

Friday
I started to have a slight breakdown from being stuck in the church for 4 days, but fortunately they gave us the clearance to go stay with our Sister Training Leaders in Dothan after driving back to Marianna to pick up some more personal items. It was a long day of packing up, transporting food, luggage, sisters, and then driving 2 hours to Marianna, then 2 hours to Troy, AL. Driving through Marianna was surreal. Everything looked so different, and the atmosphere was eerie, depressed, and humbled. Trees were EVERYWHERE. Buildings were broken up. Power-lines littered the roads. People had been trapped in their houses by trees for a couple of days. The biggest miracle that happened was that our house was completely untouched. We had this huge tree hanging over our house that we were worried about, and it did fall, but away from the house. And it fell just perfectly diagonal between the other two houses adjacent to us as to not hit anyone's house! God's hand was definitely in that! All of our clothes inside were slightly damp and smelled weird from the hurricane, which was so weird, but everything was fine! Also, God's timing is perfect because right when we were fixin' to head off to Troy, a member drove by to check on our house and see if there was any damage. We were able to give her a big hug and it made her day to see us. Another moment that night was after an hour of driving, we decided to go to Chick-Fil-A for dinner. I had neglected to eat very much and we were all starving. But I accidentally missed the turn, so after a slight detour, we got into the drive-thru line... and realized there was another missionary car in front of us, and they turned out to be our Zone Leaders! We were able to talk with them through the car window and update them about everything that went on.

Saturday
Troy is such a cute little town! I'm so happy to be staying here with Sister Strong and Sister Black. They have been such tender mercies to me and have helped me face the emotional roller-coaster that I've been on. We got to help out with a Habitat for Humanity service project where we worked on building a home. It really put my skills to the test, and I looked like a minion in the gear they had for me to wear! We pretended that we were practicing so we could go rebuild Marianna, one hammer and nail at a time. Then we took advantage of the hurricane to start to call every single person on the ward roster to see if they were okay and if they needed any help or supplies. I testify that a lot of people that wouldn't have talked to us before did because their heart was softened from this trial. I know that God is in the details, and as hard as this hurricane has been, God is more interested in the eternal salvation of His children than in their personal comfort. 

Sunday
Today is what I called, "Practice what you preach day." We had a fifteen minute sacrament meeting at 7:30am in the Troy Branch... in jeans and t-shirts... and then off we went as a large group to MARIANNA to help clear up people's yards! I know that if the Savior were on earth right now, He wouldn't be sitting in a church building, but He would be out saving lives. So that's what we got to do. I know angels were with us all day because I was hauling trees and branches that were bigger than me all day long, and we cleared out three people's yards! With only 12 of us. Those we helped were grateful and wanted to get pictures with us. They called us their yellow angels. What a neat experience to take part in. I know this is the church of Jesus Christ. There were boxes and boxes of food and supplies for us to hand out, and lots of brand new chain saws read for us to use! He knows His sheep, and they are numbered. A small town like Marianna was not forgotten or forsaken. Heavenly Father knows you and is aware of your every need. He loves you so much. You are not forgotten, either!

I am exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually, but I was able to receive a blessing this week that gave me a lot of comfort and strength. I know I couldn't have handled this past week alone. I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father and my Savior because They have truly carried me through this trial and are still carrying me onto my next adventure in Tallahassee! Even though it seems crazy to be leaving Marianna after such a short time, it also feels right, and I know it's where God needs me next. Plus, if I'm going to serve in the Florida Tallahassee Mission, I got to at least serve within Tallahassee, right? 

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! I love each of you and wanted to share a quick personal study insight I had this week:

When something crazy, exciting, depressing, or sad happens in life, as soon as you possibly can, you call a friend or a family member to tell them what has happened. And you seek advice or comfort. Do you schedule in a time at the very end of your day to call them? Is it a set appointment? No! And so it should be with God. We should be talking with Him throughout the day, whenever is feasibly possible. It's not just a routine, allotted time at the beginning and end of our day. It is a conversation throughout the day. Now think about your prayers and\ your relationship with your Heavenly Father. A few weeks ago I talked about praying more, but now I want to also emphasize improving the quality of your prayers as well. I testify that Heavenly Father wants to hear even more sincerely from you. He has more blessings waiting to pour down upon you, and all you need to do is ask. 

Much love,
Sister Burnham

Week 74 - Crazy Contacts and Conference

Hey all y'all, wasn't conference amazing? If you haven't watched all the sessions yet, you're missing out! I love the emphasis on Sundays being home centered, church supported. This new change to 2 hour church will surely sift the wheat from the tares. The wheat will take on the new home-centered learning joyfully, and the tares will not. I've heard many people say that a lot of people may not implement the rest of what we are supposed to do, and will just rejoice over having one less hour of church. However, these are the last days, and as Saints of God, we must be stronger than ever to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. Church leaders cannot force us to do everything needed to be saved. Salvation is an individual matter, based upon our works and the desires of our hearts. Exaltation is a family matter, which is why it is so important to be more focused on strengthening the home and families. Just as we were encouraged to do this past weekend, please reflect over your standing before the Lord and work on one thing that Heavenly Father needs you to change so you are prepared to live in His presence for eternity, with your family.

Monday

We went to help a less-active in the ward make us a sign for a booth we are having next week at Chipola College. He is very talented at what he does, and he was also very clear that he is not interested in coming back to church...

Tuesday

We had district council in Geneva, Alabama! Home sweet home! We did some finding afterwards in an area that is 45 minutes away from Marianna, and we talked to EVERYONE we saw. We stopped the car to talk to a man on a bike. We pulled over in the middle of the road to talk to two men (they were on drugs though) and taught the Restoration. Then we went back for a lesson with Marti and Charles, in which I asked Charles to be baptized and he said yes! We went to a neighborhood that evening to contact a referral, and while we were waiting for her to get home, we tried all her neighbors... and met so many prepared people! Basically the entire street! We then got to teach the referral, Chantel, and her friend Marquita, the Restoration and invited them to be baptized as well. The Spirit was so strong! What a miracle :)

Wednesday

We had to go to the car place this morning to take care of some business... otherwise our vehicle coordinator threatened to take away our car. Yikes! Then a member drove us out for lunch. On our way to our dinner appointment, we jumped out of the car to help a lady take out her trash, left her with a Book of Mormon, then hopped back in the car so we wouldn't be too late. We ate venison at our dinner appointment. And some other things. I've gotten good at chewing and swallowing food even if your instincts are telling you not to eat! Haha, it wasn't all that bad, and dessert was good. Poached pears. Then we drove down to the church for mutual with the young women, where we got to paint and decorate pumpkins. I think my depiction of the First Vision turned out very cute! I could just carry it around and teach the Restoration to anyone who asks about it. Yup, that's my new finding method, haha.

Thursday

Exchanges! I got to spend the entire day with Sister Strong. We went out contacting and met lots of cool potentials, and then had a lesson with a lady named Serena. She was full of all kinds of questions, and we had our work cut out for us to answer them all!

Friday

We had a lesson at the church with a recent convert, and I had to think of some object lessons real quick to keep him from zoning out... But then afterwards, we accidentally locked ourselves out of the church! Whoopsies. We had a Book of Mormon read at 7pm with Tavis, with whom my companions had set a baptismal date for while on exchanges. As we read Alma 17, I testified that sometimes we went through really hard trials just so we could remain faithful and be good examples to those around us. It really helped all who attended with their struggles.

Saturday 

Every single question and concern I had going into general conference was answered directly. I know Heavenly Father loves me so much... and with love comes chastening! I have a strong desire to be such a better person and to step up my game to prepare for the second coming of our Savior. We need to repent today, and not delay. We need to see as God sees. We need to stop judging and comparing. We all have wounds and scars. They need to be healed and we need to forgive. Wow, I have my work cut out for me, y'all! But I'm so excited to run to keep up with our prophet and apostles!

Sunday

Since we didn't have early church this morning, we took the opportunity to attend a Baptist church that we had been invited to. It was nice, but if I was dehydrated and looking for truth, I would have left thirsty. After watching general conference, I felt like I'd been sprayed with a fire hose! I testify that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior's church upon the earth.

We watched the morning session of general conference at our Bishop's home. Tavis, a man we are teaching, attended and loved the prophet's talk. He said he felt God speaking through him and felt the Spirit. I know as well that President Nelson is God's true prophet upon the earth; he is literally God's spokesman! We watched the afternoon session at another member's home with Marti and her non-member friend, Charles. They absolutely loved it!

Monday

This morning we were able to tour the Florida Caverns State Park, only 3 miles away from where we live here in Marianna! It was beautiful, and I stood in awe of God's wonderful creations. It takes a hundred years for an inch to form on those stalactites hanging from the ceiling. God is so orderly and patient. Like my companion tells me, we are serving a crock-pot God in a microwave society! 

Southern Sayin's
-Jeet jet? (Did you eat yet?)
-Ensign (pronounces "In-Sin")

-Preach it to the choir, Sister!

-She ain't fired up about it.

Much love,

Sister Burnham

Week 73 - Double Baptism

Howdy! I've had a long and tiring week, but it ended on a very sweet note! What made it so long was how dedicated we are to talking to literally everyone and striving to have a constant sense of urgency about us. And then facing a lot of rejection on top of that. But Saturday made It all worth it! Two baptisms in one day :)

Monday

We had dinner with the Peacock family, and they truly live up to their name. It was an "I spy" game during dinner to see how many peacock knick-knacks they had decorating the room.

Tuesday

A huge blessing happened today. I was able to receive a much needed Priesthood blessing at District Council. I testify that God speaks through worthy Priesthood holders to give us the comfort and advice we need to continue on the right path. I am so full of gratitude and love! Also, Marti passed her baptismal interview! We went and did family history with her afterwards... y'all, the biggest miracle happened. We were able to connect her back to thousands of years before Christ! She has so much royalty in her :) We also stopped by the home of a lady who serves at the food bank with us to deliver her a free Bible. She let us come inside and we had a great discussion with her. I could envision her as a member and know she has so much potential!

Wednesday

Prayers are answered! As we left the house this morning, the name of a guy we met a few weeks ago came to mind and I prayed for him. On our way back home from exercise (we run laps around the church parking lot), we happened to drive right past him! We pulled the car over, rolled the window down, and shouted, "Peter!!!" We were able to set up a lesson with him! We did a lot of service and contacting, and I actually chased a guy down to give him a copy of The Book of Mormon. ;)

Thursday

We had a lesson with Denise, and we came to the heartbreaking conclusion that we are going to have to stop teaching her. She knows this is true and feels the Spirit so strongly, but won't go against her fiance. He told her that she isn't allowed to read The Book of Mormon or become a "Mormon." On a brighter note, we had a lesson with a recent convert, Everett. We taught the Plan of Salvation with an emphasis on temple work, and he was so excited to start doing his family history that we headed over to the genealogy library right after the lesson!

Friday

We cleaned the font in preparation for Marti's baptism tomorrow. That is always an adventure! Funny moment of the day: we went to heartattack Marti as a surprise to boost her spirit, and her neighbor across the hall, Charles, was coming out right when we were taping the hearts on the door. We swore him to secrecy (but he's a really old man with slight dementia). He said he was excited to see her face when she opened the door. We knocked hard then started running for the stairwell (the elevator is broken). Next thing we know, Charles starts following us at a jog down five flights of stairs, calling out "Wow, y'all run like deer!" It was the funniest thing!

Saturday

Wow! Two baptisms in one day! We got to the church by 7am so we could start filling the font. The plug for the drain had been previously broken, so Sister Caldwell came up with the genius idea of sticking a plastic bag down to clog it, and it worked super well! Marti's baptism went so smoothly, and everyone felt the Spirit so strongly. The three of us had practiced a beautiful arrangement of "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" for the musical number, and we had almost everyone in tears. While Marti was changing, we showed my favorite Easter video, "Because of Him," and then taught and testified about simple restored truths. It really brought the Spirit, and we asked them to think of people they knew that needed to know these truths and feel what they were feeling. It was perfect timing, too, because right after we ended, Marti came back out. She bore a powerful testimony that impacted everyone there. That afternoon, a member drove us down to Callaway for Maurice's baptism! It was so good to see her smiling face, and I got to see Sister Stites again! I almost cried when I hugged her! I also was so happy to see the Lyles again, and Sister Lyle had got me a treat to accommodate my food allergies. They are the best! The saddest part of the baptism was that Maurice had to get baptized 3 times because her dress kept floating to the top. She was having a hard time breathing and bending back, and we were all praying her dress would stay down! Finally, someone tied her dress at the bottom with a hair-tie and it worked! We were all so relieved and happy! Also, at our English class tonight, we started with two people, and a while later, in walked 7 more! Aww yeah! I had a fun time teaching them the alphabet.

Sunday

We had an area seventy come and speak at sacrament. His wife gave a great talk about how Heavenly Father blesses us much more than what we ask for, and how we too must be willing to not only run a mile, but run two miles! That is definitely something I need to work on. How often do I grudgingly agree to go the mile, but then when it's over, no way am I going that second mile! That is something that will take a lot of practice before it becomes a natural part of me. Marti was glowing after she was confirmed! She is so happy, and that makes me happy! In our combined third-hour, a lady that had heard us sing at the baptism volunteered us to sing the opening song for everyone, so we got up there. One poor sister was confused about what was going on and got up to sing with us, so we said, "Okay, if you really want to!" She insisted... but then she got real anxious and starting shaking when she realized it was a special musical number we had practiced and she wasn't supposed to be up there singing. But she stuck it out anyways! It was hilarious! That afternoon, we visited a less-active family, and their grandson showed off his pet snake to us! I politely declined the offer to hold it, though... We had the most delicious dinner that evening at the Sims' home: the most tender and tasty steak! We had a great time talking with them, and they have a son who lives down in Gilbert, AZ! Small world!

Spiritual Thought: 

2 Nephi 9:52  

"Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice."

If we pray continually by day and give thanks by night, we will have more joy. I have been counselled to pray even more to my Heavenly Father, and so I've been looking for every opportunity to have a private conversation with Him throughout the day: when I'm getting ready in the morning, driving, eating, or walking between appointments. I've been so blessed with an even closer relationship with God, but also with a sound mind because I have less room for temptation. And I was also pondering about how often the prophet prays to Heavenly Father for guidance and strength--probably all of the time! How little to no room that must leave for him to be tempted by the adversary! I encourage each one of you to take even more time throughout the day to pray continually, and to take time at night besides your "goodnight prayer" to reflect over the things for which you are grateful. As you do these simple things, your hearts will rejoice and you will find joy to carry you through the hard times.

Much love,

Sister Burnham