Sister Burton Takes on Anaheim!: Week 16: 3 is a party.

YEP, that's right. I'm about to be in a TRIO. But I'm getting ahead of myself....

THIS WEEK was another great one in Acacia Park! I don't think I have a ton of stories to show for it though.
We've been enjoying some cooler temperatures here and it's amazing! It's been in the mid-high 70's. This is the SoCal weather I was looking for ;)

We've been doing more finding this past week, since our current investigators are progressing so well! We've even gotten a few return appointments, so that's awesome! We actually received a referral from a member in Irvine! He said there was a golden family in our area and that he would love to meet with us that night! The member, Adam, came and we met him at the family's home. They're a younger couple with a few kids and have been going through a hard time recently and were wanting to know more about our religion. They currently practice traditional Native American beliefs, so we talked with them for a long time about that. It's interesting to hear about some of their beliefs and how similar/different they are compared to ours. We weren't able to teach them a lot that night, but they graciously welcomed us back!

We met the wife, Natalie, again later in the week and talked with her for awhile. She is a stay-at-home mom and isn't able to get out much. Therefore, she enjoys having people over. We talked more about the Book of Mormon and how it can help all aspects of her life. She said she doesn't doubt that it's true. She started to tear up when she said that she's felt peace in her home since the first night we came over. She said that we were an answer to her prayers. It touched my heart so much! Natalie is such a sweet person and has so much faith. They want us to keep coming back to teach them more. They truly have so much potential, but things might progress more slowly, because we first need to help them establish the foundation of a belief in Jesus Christ.

NOLAN. Wow, seriously one of the funniest elderly men ever! We went over to his daughter's house again on Friday night and they made tacos for us! Apparently, he calls his daughter and is excited to plan the meal they will have with us that week. We taught Nolan more about the commandments and followed up with him about what he's been doing to keep the Sabbath Day holy. His response was, "I can't keep it any more holy than I already do. I read the paper, go to church. Well, then I've gotta see what's on TV....by that time, it's about 1 and so then I've gotta get some lunch...." So funny!! Sometimes he makes those funny/sassy remarks and we die with laughter. He was a lot more on task during this lesson though, because his daughter lectured him beforehand to NOT bring up politics. Even though Nolan teases about a lot of things, we can see he is truly converting! His countenance is much brighter and more cheery! It's beautiful to witness those changes in our investigators :)

Saturday night was a special one. The stake had to cancel their activity and the temple was closed because of a Religious Freedom Broadcast, with Elder Christofferson. It was broadcast from Irvine to surrounding stakes in Southern California. We were blessed to be able to attend with the Juarezs' and it was neat! Robert, being the jokester that he is, said, "So does this count as Saturday Mass?" We were dying! Anyway, the speakers talked a lot about how we each need to lift where we stand, regarding religious liberties. I couldn't help but feel so happy to be an American! We are beyond blessed to live in this country, where we can practice religion freely. I think of it often as we walk the streets as missionaries. We are able to be missionaries because of that wonderful liberty! But it's important to do all we can to protect all religious freedom rights, no matter the religion! It was such an inspiring broadcast! I definitely want to be more involved when I return home after my mission is over.

Well, that wasn't the only thing that happened Saturday night. We also received transfer calls! Sister Greene and I were hoping and praying that we could stay together, if that's what Heavenly Father wanted, of course. As the night drew on, I got even more nervous. Our District Leader called and told us of a lot of changes that were happening throughout the mission and many of them were unexpected. We learned that we were both getting new companions. Sister Greene is staying here, in Acacia Park, and getting 2 new companions. I'm going to the Anaheim East Stake and covering the Yorba Linda 4th ward and Anaheim 10th ward, (which are considered the ritzy areas of the mission, so it should be interesting). My new companions are Sister Green (with 2 E's, not 3) and Sister Evali (who I met briefly in the MTC). I'm not going to lie, I was slightly heartbroken to find out that the "Ginger Twins" were being split up. BUT, I also knew that this is the Lord's plan for us. I still feel like I just got to Acacia Park! This will always be my "birthplace," but it's also exciting to go to a new place and have opportunities to grow in ways that the Lord wants me to! I have no idea what to expect about being in a trio and covering 2 wards, so it will be WAY interesting to see what happens. I'm sure I'll have more to share next week, as we get into the area. :)

Sister Greene and I pulled out our celebration/mourning box. (Too bad all the chocolate was in the celebration side, but we ate it anyway). We're sad our companionship has come to an end. It truly has been a party and seeing this area grow has been a beautiful thing! However, we know the Lord has great things in store for us both! I can't wait to come back for all the baptisms in Acacia Park! :)

I have really been loving the Mosiah chapters the past 2 weeks! I have gained many new insights and much greater appreciation for Alma the Elder and his people. In Mosiah 23, it talks about Alma and his people prospering in their land, but then the Lamanites come and wreak havoc. In verses 21-22, it talks about how the Lord tries ALL of his people. I think sometimes we forget that. We might think we did something wrong to deserve these trials, but Heavenly Father tries us because He loves us and wants us to grow. These people had great faith that the Lord would deliver them, and HE DID! But, they still had to give up their land to the Lamanites. It made me think about how sometimes we expect to come out on top of our trials unharmed. Alma and his people had prepared this land and worked hard to prosper it, but it was still taken from them. The Lord keeps His promises. The people showed their faith and were full of gratitude when they were delivered from the Lamanites. These people are such great examples to me. We might have to give up seemingly important things during our trials, but as we stay centered on the Lord, He will help us overcome any setbacks or roadblocks we may encounter in life!

My last Sunday in Acacia Park was bittersweet. We broke the news to the ward council that I would be leaving and sweet Bishop Vreeken said, "Sister Burton, thank you and we'll miss you. I would say more, but I want to get through this meeting without crying." Tears were beginning to well up in his eyes. Many others thanked me and my heart was just so full. During the entire day, I just felt full of love for the wonderful members of this ward. In just a few months, I'm amazed at how attached I've grown to this area! Great things have happened here and I've been blessed to see the Lord's work unfold!

We received a mystery call yesterday evening and the man on the phone asked for Miss Utah. We thought he was referring to Sister Greene, but then he asked for the one moving to Anaheim Hills. We found out the caller was NOLAN. (a shocker, because he doesn't ever use his phone and has never called us before)! He wanted to wish me good luck on my "new mission." He didn't understand why they had to break us up! He asked if we could do lunch or dinner sometime and I told him, most definitely, if it works out ;) He ended the call with, "Until we meet again!" I was just shocked. Such a sweet, tender phone call.

We also got to visit with Donna very briefly last night. She was so sad to see us go, but I told her I'd be back and that the 3 of us would still be BFFs. I'm amazed at the love the people in this area have. I feel like I don't deserve even half of this love!! But it definitely propels me forward in this work and pushes me to be a better missionary! Heavenly Father has blessed me with so many gems in my life!

Sorry if my email is all over the place. I feel kind of scatterbrained right now. (ha,ha) But, I love this work! It's truly the Lord's work! I'm excited to meet more of His children in my new area! It will definitely be a growing experience, but as I put my trust in the Lord, I have no reason to fear!

Sending all my love,

~~Sister Burton