10-18-10 :)

 

Family,

 

 This was a a pretty good week. We had some trouble meting with some of our investigators, but should be able to teach them this week. Rosalba's baptism was pushed back, but I really feel that she will get baptised on the 30th. She will be going to Mexico soon after, but I feel like she will stay strong. I really want to stay here (transfers are on the 28th), I feel like the work is going to go well in November, and Elder Orellanaand I are learning a Lot of Spanish together. I guess we'll see what God wants.

 

I was discouraged on Tuesday when I wrote, but it didn't last too long, We had an amazing District Meeting on Wednesday. I came prepares to recieve revelation and learn what to improve on, and it ended up being one of the most, if not the most spiritual meetings of my mission for me. I'm not sure if it was the same for the others, but I felt the spirit really strong, and it strengthened my testimony a lot, especially on some aspects that I was trying to work on.

 

We are trying to switch the focus here from transfers to months. We are starting monthly planners, instead of transferly ones.

 

This coming week we are going to be focusing a lot on Church and Baptism with Everyone. We are praying to see results. It should be good.

 

I finished the Book of Mormon for the second time in Spanish this week. It is true; it is the word of God. I love it. I started again, reading everything before 1st Nephi. It is a powerful book.

 

I love you all.

-Elder Burnham

10-12-10

Family,

 

This was a tough week. It just seems like things were not going our way in anything. We had most of our best appointments fall through, and complications with Rosalba's baptismal date. Needless to say, I am a little discouraged and don't feel like an really effictive missionary. But I know this feeling with pass with a little time. I think the most important thing I learned was that I need to focus more on the spirit. I have been working, but I feel like a good chunk of it is just doing the normal stuff. After the meeting with Elder Ellis of the Seventy, I focused on this, and I saw good things happen.  I know it makes a difference, but I lost my focus this week. I am excited for our district meeting tomorrow, where I can learn how to continue improving, and feel the spirit. This is an opportunity to use the Atonement.

 

Love you all,

-Elder Burnham

 

PS okay so looking back on it, that is a pretty dismal letter. Not the note I want to end on. But missions can be hard at times. Know that I am working hard, and growing in my love and appreciation for the Savior and his atonement. I feel the spirit as I write this and I love it. I know what we teach is the word of God, and that it contains the fulness of the Gospel, to help people take advantage of the Atonent and reach the Celestial Kingdom. I know this is a growing opportunity, and I will try my best to get as much out of it as possible. Again, I love all of you. Have a great week!!

 

PPS I may send pictures next week. We'll see.

9/27: Hello.

 

Sorry, I am short on time again. I am going to copy my president's letter here, but I would like to preface it. This week, we had Elder Ellis of the Seventy and his wife visit. It was a really good Zone Conference.

 

The two things I took away from Zone conference were:

Prayer- more heartfelt and sincere

Cast out unbelief

 

I have continued pondering on these things, and faith. As I have done this, I have had a lot of personal revelation about what I have to do to change and be better. I was thinking about having the faith of a mustard seed, and got a little discouraged, because I thought, "I can't move a mountain. I don't even have the faith of a mustard seed." But then I got thinking. I know that if I felt the Holy Ghost tell me to do it, I would have the faith and power to do it. I later read a quote from Jeffrey R Holland about needing to pray with faith in order to take advantage of the Lord's promise "ask and ye shall recieve". Sometimes I don't have a whole lot of faith when I pray, but the same realization I had applies to this kind of faith. If the Spirit tells me to pray for it, I will have the faith to get it. I now relize why it is so important for the spirit to tell us what to pray for, as it says in Doctrine and Covenants. I am striving to be led by the spirit in my prayers, and really expect them to be answered.

 

I really feel like this is a crucial part in my mission. My faith and desire are really increasing, and I am being really obedient. I am doing what I need to to be the missionary I want to be. I have the spirit so much more with me, and I feel like I am a tool in the Lord's hands. I am sincerely excited for the work.

 

We had an amazing finding experience last night. We were heading back to the car at about 8:20. It was dark and I was tempted to go back to the appartment to work on the area book, but decided against it. Even though it was late, I decided to look through my planner and find someone else to visit. As we got to the car ans I did so, a lady walked up. We talked to her and she seemes so prepared. Her mom is a member in Mexico, and her sister too. She had seen us before, but was just too shy to ask us if we were the Mormons. She said she had been commenting to her daughter that they needed to find a church to go to, but did not want to go to the Catholic because they didn't know when the spanish Mass was. We have an appointment with her tonight. I am really excited, and know that we were led to her.

 

Love you all.

-Elder Burnham