Sister Burton Takes on Anaheim!: Week 8: TODAY IS MY 2 MONTH MARK!

Wahoo! Time sure flies when you're having fun! I feel like I've been out longer than that, but each week goes by so quickly! This week starts a new transfer and a lot of new changes in our zone. It's gonna be so great!!

-We attended the La Habra Corn Festival this weekend and it was fun! We set up a Family Search booth and gave people information on how they could get started with their family history!

People/Miracles

-YES the JUAREZ family! We saw them again on Juarez Wednesday for Book of Mormon class! They came with a pad of paper and were ready to learn! We read 2 Nephi 2-3(which are super awesome chapters!) They loved it! Towards the beginning of the class, I forget what verse we read that reminded Robert of this experience, but he said that he made plans with his daughter Sunday and they all fell through. He said it was such a frustrating day. It wasn't until he was in Book of Mormon class that he realized he should've made time for church on Sunday. He said he could've made all of his plans work that day. THEN, he said he felt the Spirit as we were sitting in class. He understands that he doesn't have the "gift of the Holy Ghost," because he hasn't been baptized yet, but he loves the feelings he's experiencing. Tears ALMOST came out of my eyes. It was amazing! And the best part?! They texted us afterwards and told us that they'd be at church on Sunday! We danced around the church parking lot because our hearts were so full!
AND, they kept their word and came to church yesterday! They looked so great and happy and the ward members were happy to see them! They stayed for all 3 hours too! We love the Juarezes!! We hope to talk to them more this week and find out when they would like to be baptized!!

ISMAEL:
As we walked up to Ismael's house Tuesday for our lesson, we saw him outside, reading the Book of Mormon. We quickly snuck a quick picture because it was too precious to pass up. We had a great lesson about the commandments. He's still so solid, we just need to get him to church. We'll be working with him more this week and hope that it still continues in the right direction! After our lesson Tuesday, his Mom invited us for dinner. They had potato salad (WITH EGGS) and I'm not gonna lie, it was a struggle. But I didn't want to offend them(since it's the Spanish culture) so I took the smallest portion I could and ate it fast. I'm glad I survived.

DONNA:
We decided to stop by and see Donna Friday, since we hadn't talked to her in awhile. It was later in the evening and we weren't sure if she'd be home, but she answered the door in her pj's and invited us in. We chatted for a bit and then SHE started turning the discussion towards the gospel! She was asking us what we thought about the purpose of this life. We showed her the video "Our Eternal Life" and it really resonated with her. We talked about it afterwards and she had some great questions. I could feel the Spirit so strongly as we talked with her. We finally found something that peaks her interest! She's been getting too caught up in B.C/A.D and prophets of the Bible, but it seems that the Plan of Salvation is something that could really soften her heart. We wish we had more time to talk with her, but it was getting late. She threw on her Nike's and walked us to our car. We call ourselves "Team Cocoa"(since she's chocolate--her words, not mine). She said she's always happy to see us and calls us "her girls"! Donna is so so fun! We hope to talk with her more about the gospel this week. We might just have to take things a little slower with her, which is fine and dandy because she's so golden!! And we'll get a selfie soon, but she wasn't dressed for the day, so that was postponed;)

Studies:
- My studies on Friday changed my outlook of my mission and gave me such a boost that I'm ready to get out there and work even more! I restarted the Book of Mormon again this week, which is awesome! I love starting over! I was reading in 1 Nephi 4 about how Laban was "delivered him into thy hands"(talking to Nephi). I've often thought of that scripture and how it applies to missionary work (not exactly in the same sense since Nephi was commanded to kill Laban), BUT I think about how all those we pass on the street or happen to cross paths with, it could be because the Lord has put them in our path to hear the gospel. When I think about those people like that, my whole outlook on missionary work changes. We don't know who's prepared for the gospel until we talk to them, so why not talk to everyone like you know they're ready for it? Heavenly Father reprimanded me very well that day in my studies ;) I felt such a strong desire to be bold and to talk to everyone! This message is something that the WHOLE WORLD needs! All we need to do is to be good examples and invite others to come unto Christ! Sometimes we're only able to give people a card and even then, they aren't interested. But we won't know unless we talk with them.
All things are done according to the Lord's will! He knows all! Don't forget to turn to him in prayer everyday! I couldn't imagine going through a day without praying. Donna said something profound to us the other day. She said, "I always talk to God. He's my best friend, and His line is never busy." PREACH IT DONNA! His side of the line is never busy, but is our side?

Lots of love! Smile, because it's a beautiful day to be alive! Treat everyday like a party (at least that's my and Sister Greene's motto this transfer)! Don't waste time being sad! You'll get more wrinkles!