Sister Burton Takes on Anaheim!: Week 15: "I'm on the fast track to the temple."

^^^Brother Juarez's statement. Speechless.

HELLO! What another amazing week it's been here in Acacia Park! We worked a lot with our progressing investigators, which has been so amazing! They're all so solid and we're blessed to be able to teach them! Before I get ahead of myself, let me start with some funnies.

Funnies:
-I forgot to mention, last week we ate a member's home (the Garcias) and Brother Garcia works at Disneyland! His job is to makes sure all of the rides are running smoothly. We asked him if he's seen many famous people there and he said, "too many to count!" Most recently, he bumped into Adam Sandler. Brother Garcia said he looked like a bum and he almost called security, before he realized who he was. (HaHa) Brother Garcia told us to come back after our missions and he'd get us into Disneyland for FREE! You know Sister Greene and I are already planning a roadtrip!!

-This week in English class (with the Koreans) they told us how back in the day, kids would go and steal watermelons from other people's farms. They were all laughing about it, but WE were REALLY laughing about it (because of our experience last week taking that watermelon from the side of the road). I've never felt MORE Korean than at that moment!

People
-Jacob & Joey: Oh goodness, I'm not sure where to begin. We had a lesson with them in the Hansen's home (a sweet, younger couple in the ward that have gotten to know Jacob and Joey really well). Last weekend, Jacob dislocated and fractured his ankle at a trampoline place with his nieces. He was in a lot of pain and had to use his crutches to get up the stairs, but we're glad they made it. Anyway, before the lesson even began, Joey said she had 2 pieces of good news. Her first, was that she finally started reading the Book of Mormon!! WAHOO! Her second, was that she called her dad and he said HE would baptize her!! He has been less active for the past few years, so he's wanting to get back into church before he would baptize Joey. Look at the chain reaction?! Joey being baptized and her family becoming more active in the church!! BUT the best part, Jacob piped in, "Yeah, and then I'm going to ask her dad to baptize me!" Just last week, Jacob said that he would be baptized by October 2019 (because he thought he wanted to find someone he trusted enough to baptize him). But now, he's ready for baptism too! We meet with them again this week, so we'll see if they have any more details about when Joey's dad can make it out. Right now, we're thinking October 7th will be the day! We are so, so happy for them!

- 5 Catholic High School Girls: We got a call last week from a girl named Sarah. She told us that she and a group of friends were doing a project on different religions and their group was assigned the Mormon religion. They wanted to meet with the bishop, but we told them this is what missionaries do!! So, we met them at the church Friday afternoon and talked for almost 2 hours! They had lots of great questions about our practices, symbolism, texts, and other beliefs we have. The first hour they were reading from their script, but the second hour they starting asking us MORE questions, outside the realm of the interview. They were intrigued, especially with our beliefs on the pre-earth life and the afterlife. One girl in particular, Lindsey, was so eager to learn! You could see it in her countenance. We had such a great time with them, getting to share our beliefs and also asking them more about Catholicism! Lindsey said she lives just around the corner from our church and couldn't believe she hadn't ever been here before. We hope she texts us someday!

Miracles

TEMPLE GROUNDS TOUR! We had the privilege of going to the temple grounds with our investigators on Saturday! Twice a year, the mission puts on a temple ground tour and the missionaries are encouraged to invite investigators. The Juarezs and Jacob & Joey were able to join us! It was so neat to see all of the missionaries there with these amazing investigators! Members from the local ward in Newport Beach gave us a nice little tour around the temple grounds and shared a little more information about temples. It warmed my heart, seeing our investigator couples holding hands as they walked around the temple! We are so excited for them to go there someday....soon! We were also blessed to be able to ride there with Robert and Diana! They are so fun! I wish we could hang out with them alllll day! (haha) We told them how we're already planning on coming back to the area after our missions are over. Robert asked if we would come and see them? IS THAT EVEN A QUESTION?! OF COURSE! The Juarezs are at the top of our list!!

SUNDAY MIRACLE. Yesterday, was one of the most beautiful days....ever. We had 8 investigators at church!!!(The most Sister Greene has ever had!!) The Juarezs, Jacob & Joey, Nolan, BEAU, and Nico & Omar Somoza). I guess I should rewind for a second. We had dinner with the Somoza family Saturday night and I think that was definitely helpful in getting them to come to church yesterday. Marie is a member but her husband, Omar, and stepson, Nico, are not. They met with missionaries in the past, but it didn't really go anywhere. They're very supportive though! Anyway, during dinner, their 16 year old, Nico, was asking us all sorts of questions about missions and life in general. In fact, HE did most of the talking! As we were leaving, they all said they would see us at church! Sister Greene and I definitely saw that light in Nico's eyes and were thrilled that they came to church. Omar, left after Sacrament Meeting but Nico, STAYED and went to Young Men! Later last night, we texted the Young Men president to see how things went with Nico. Brother Collins, the Young Men President, then gave us a call. He said, "Hey Sisters! I just dropped Nico off at his house. He came to the Youth Standards Night tonight." Our jaws dropped. We literally started jumping around and were speechless. He said, Nico is one of the boys now. He's included, asks great questions, and desires to learn more. During the Standards night, they asked all the Priests to stand up. Nico asked Brother Collins if he was considered a Priest? Brother Collins told him that after he's baptized he will be. The Young Men president told us to keep doing whatever we're doing! OH MY GOSH! NICO! We are so excited to see where this goes! As we sat at dinner with them talking about missions, I couldn't help but see Nico as a missionary someday. We are stoked to see where things go this week!
Honestly though, we were so blessed to see 8 investigators at church. Sister Greene and I were reflecting on our first few weeks here, when we had no investigators. We truly have witnessed miracles and we're beyond blessed! The Lord is hastening His work!

After ward council yesterday, Brother Garcia came over to us and said, "As you were talking about your investigators today, I felt it then and I can feel it now *takes a moment as tears start to well up*. You are here for a reason. We needed Sisters. The work the Elders did, you're pushing it forward. We are so blessed to have you in this ward. You are here for a reason." We were so touched. It means so much when people testify that they know we're here for a reason, at this time. I think it's natural for us all to question that throughout our lives (not just on missions). Heavenly Father sometimes speaks through other people to answer our prayers and our questions. We are all in this world for a reason. I believe that we're each given an individual mission and we most definitely were NOT placed here by accident!
I know that I am here, in Acacia Park, with Sister Greene, for a reason. We've already seen so many blessings that have confirmed that. It's not always easy. The adversary is still a real challenge, even on a mission. But as we remember who we are and why we're here, we can be strengthened during those hard times. Don't ever forget who you are! Why try to be someone else?! They're already taken!

I love this work! I love being a missionary! I love being able to serve and help my brothers and sisters come closer to Christ! I love sharing what I know to be true! I can't wait to see what this next week brings! Love you all!

~~Sister Burton