Monday
We got to tour the capital building today and check out the museum! We had dinner with a family that evening, and the husband had the best idea for members being more involved in missionary work! An entire family setting aside time each month to go out with the missionaries. If they don't have any friends to invite over, then they can go out finding as a family, and the kids can become more involved and excited about missionary work.
Tuesday
We had a fun object lesson in district council where we had to blow ping pong balls around an obstacle course (made up of hymn books) and race against the other team. Luckily for me, I was on Elder Stones' team and he was a pro! But we talked about how we all had different roles and parts we played in the activity, just like we do in real life with the people we meet and teach. We are all part of their story somewhere. It's comforting to know that I have helped more people than I can ever count or realize, simply because I won't be there to see the end of their journey. We had a lesson with Mary, the 87 year old we found. She committed to coming on a church tour! We then walked to dinner in the pouring rain (since we didn't have the car today) and the food was SOOO good. :) :) :) The best sweet and sour chicken ever!
Wednesday
We had a spontaneous lesson with Grace today! As we went to start the lesson, my mind went completely blank on what we had planned to teach her, but a chapter in the Book of Mormon came to mind, so we read Mosiah 18 with her. At first, I had no idea where to go with it as we read, but then a great conversation opened up about how she had prayed before to know if she should join the "Mormon" church but hadn't received an answer. We committed her to read the Book of Mormon and continue to pray for an answer. It turned out to be exactly what she needed.
That evening, we went to mutual with the youth, and God blessed me with a tender mercy I needed so badly. I said "hi" to one of the young women leaders, and she started talking to me. And before I knew it, she was pouring out advice about things I'd been struggling with the past 3 weeks, even though she had no clue. It was a testament to me that God is so aware of me and He sent an angel to help me that night. I teared up to her surprise and gave her the biggest hug. Y'all, follow your Spiritual promptings to talk to people, even if you feel uncomfortable because you don't know them well or may not know if what you are saying is relevant. God works through us to bless His other children.
Thursday
I went on my last exchange today with Sister Paulk, and it was amazing! She was also able to give me great advice and comfort about things I was struggling with. God continuously places people in my path to help me through my trials and afflictions. I also got to see what the mission home looks like for the first time! I've had the address memorized before I ever arrived in Florida, and only 18 months later I get to actually see it! Haha :) We picked up a specially wrapped Book of Mormon to bring to a Pakistan man who was a referral from a member. We had the opportunity to teach him and his wife a bit about the Book of Mormon this evening along with prophets. They are very open to learning more and were so friendly!
Friday
We went with Carly (a member in the ward) to teach a man who we originally found by posting a free Bible advertisement on Facebook. His brother-in-law also sat in on the lesson. It's amazing how God is providing us with people to teach. That evening we tracted the street of a member with whom we had a dinner appointment scheduled. We met some strange people but the funniest moment of the week happened!!
We showed a man the picture of Jesus on our pass-along card and asked if he had seen it before. He responded, "Yes." Out of curiosity, I asked him where he had seen it. He said, "On my back," and then proceeded to turn around and lift up the back of his shirt to show us a giant tattoo he had of Jesus on the cross. It was so crazy and funny!
Saturday
Today officially marked me serving as a missionary for 18 months! I know for certain I would not have made it this far without my Savior as my support. This morning, we went down to contact in the Publix store parking lot. We talked to over 20 people, but none were very receptive. That afternoon we went biking and I was trying to shift my gears while biking up a steep hill, and I broke my bike! Fortunately, the man whose house we were by drove home and came out to help us fix it temporarily. He then let us inside to wash our greasy hands. He was so kind! And a member who was walking in the neighborhood came by with her truck, loaded our bikes in, then took us home! I was so grateful.
That evening we went to a baptism that the other sisters serving in Tallahassee 4th Ward had. It was fun to see the great multitude of members and missionaries that came! When the ward mission leader was announcing the program for who would be speaking, he realized the first speaker wasn't there. He said the second speaker would go first, and then if the first speaker didn't show up in time, Sister Burnham would share her testimony about baptism! I definitely wasn't expecting that to come out of his mouth! And guess what? The first speaker never showed. But luckily I was prepared and the Spirit led me with what to say, and it ended up being exactly what the kids needed!
Sunday
We had a great gospel principles discussion, and a visitor from another ward was able to answer a question I had. God continues to place people in my path! I also shared how doing proxy baptisms in the temple can sound like a weird concept at first, but it truly is no different than the vicarious gift Christ gave us when He suffered for and in behalf of us in the garden of Gethsemane and on the cross. Each of us must choose to accept His sacrifice for us, just as those we do the work for in the temple must choose to accept it. In that way, we get to act like the Savior and save souls in a way they cannot save themselves.
Tonight I felt a little frustrated about something, so I didn't feel like participating much in my companionship study. Sister Bench had asked me if we could study from Preach My Gospel together earlier because she wanted some ideas. But as we were going throughout our study, I was being prideful and not participating, just reading everything in a dejected way like I was feeling. When we got to reading a section of PMG, I decided to really humble myself and not let the circumstances keep me from having a great study and helping my companion learn more. So I pushed aside my worries and went back to the beginning of the section and pointed out all the things I loved about it. It really brought the Spirit and we shared the most wonderful thoughts with each other. It left me in a more positive mood, and as we said the closing prayer at the end of our study, it was the most sincere prayer I've said in a short minute, and I couldn't help but cry as I thanked my Heavenly Father for all the things my Savior went through for me. As I refocused my thoughts on my Savior and being grateful for Him, it put all of my worries and frustrations into perspective.
Be humble, don't stumble!
Much love,
Sister Burnham
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