Week 30: "Are you Nuns?"

 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY! What a beautiful time to be alive! Seriously, this week was absolutely amazing! Our week was packed full of lessons (which hardly ever happens)! We were able to get 4 new investigators, which is the most I've had in a week since I got here 3 months ago! The Lord is hastening His work!

*We finally got to have a lesson with that golden family, the Mohlers. We sat down with her and her 11 year old boys and taught the Restoration. She said she wants her boys to learn and then make the decision where they want to be baptized. She's definitely checking out the right church for that ;)

*We had another awesome lesson with Eleanor, the diehard Donny fan! She really opened up to us during that lesson and it was evident that she was able to trust us! She has been reading the Book of Mormon and has been retaining the information! She has 2 copies she reads from: one at work and one at home. She reads during her lunch break! SHE'S SO COOL! She loved the Plan of Salvation and is really understanding the gospel. We're excited to see her progression:)

*We were able to meet up with Josh, who we found a few weeks ago just walking the streets of Friendly Village. We sat down and actually had a lesson with him this time. He has a lot of background in the Bible and has a bit of a hard time accepting the fact of Living Prophets. He was a little under the weather, so we didn't get as far as we wanted, but we're supposed to see him tonight!

*We had ZONE CONFERENCE this week! Wahoo! I love Zone Conference. We actually went twice this week! On Wednesday, Sister Jensen and I got to help inspect the cars with Elder and Sister Tolley! It was super fun! We actually got to attend the Conference on Friday. WOW, we talked a lot about working with members and how amazing it truly is! I walked away with a greater desire and motivation to work more effectively with the ward members! We have such an outstanding ward here, so why not take advantage of it?! :)

*We got to go Caroling TWICE this week! Friday night we went with two other Sisters to carol to investigators in our area: Eleanor, Swati's family, the Mohler family, and one less active member! We even made some Rice Krispies to take over to them! It was so great to be able to sing and spread that Christmas cheer to our sweet friends! It's not everyday that it's socially acceptable to sing on people's doorsteps.
  We also went Caroling with our District on Christmas Eve! We went caroling to some of their members and investigators! It's amazing how something so simple can REALLY brighten people's days!

 *Random tidbit about the subject line. We went to the Macaroni Grill with some members the other night and towards the end of our dinner, the waitress stopped and asked, "Are you Nuns?" We told her we were missionaries and talked briefly about it. She said she's seen The Book of Mormon play (we told her the book is always better than the show....). She was SUPER sweet and chipper! We left her a Light the World card with a little note on it. Planting seeds wherever we can!

*OKAY, miracle of the week! Saturday we did a lot of finding and we weren't finding ANYONE home (we were thinking most people were either out of town or out shopping at the stores). We had a lesson in the afternoon so decided to do some finding in the area. We decided to stop by Terry's house, a former investigator. When I got into the area 3 months ago, I met her and she said she wasn't interested. But I had been thinking about her a lot and thought it would be great if we could at least share the Light the World video! We stopped by and she said that it wasn't a good time because she had just returned from the hospital. She said maybe another time!
  WELL, Saturday night, the member who lives just around the corner and is good friends with Terry, texted us and said she gave Terry a Book of Mormon and she wants to meet with us! My jaw literally dropped TO THE FLOOR! BLESSINGS! Even though we weren't finding anyone home that day, we still pushed forward with faith and we followed the prompting to stop by Terry's! That whole situation was definitely led by the Spirit!

*CHRISTMAS! Wow, Christmas was awesome! I LOVED getting to talk to my family, even though it was short and hard to talk with everyone as much as I wanted to! It was definitely a highlight of my day and gave me the motivation to keep moving forward in my missionary work :) We also got to go to the Mission Home and visit with President and Sister Golden as well as other missionaries from our Zone. We then hopped around to a few different members homes that evening, since our original plans fell through.

*I finished the Book of Mormon again this past week! I've been reading The Book of Mormon continuously, probably since I was 11. Everytime I finish, I STILL take Moroni's invitation to pray to know if it's true. Even though I know it's true and I am in no way doubting it, I still like to pray about it. This time I felt something different. I just felt an overwhelming sense of peace and love. It might be because I'm a missionary, out here, trying to spread The Book of Mormon like a wildfire! My admiration and appreciation for that book has grown immensely since I've been out here! I LOVE the Book of Mormon! If you've never taken Moroni's promise, I encourage you to do it! If you haven't read The Book of Mormon in awhile, I encourage you to do it! And when you do, pray to know if it's true. I PROMISE that as you pray to know of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon, that you will also be able to gain a testimony of our Savior's love for you.

The Savior lives! Because He lives, we have so much hope, peace, and happiness in this life and in the life to come! What an exciting time to be alive!

Always, with love,
~Sister Burton

Photo Cred: Sister Jensen

Sister Jensen turned 21!

Mistletoe!

Filters for Days.

My family on Christmas!

Our District Caroling.

Caroling with the Sisters

Shepherd's Dinner Christmas Eve

Christmas Morn.

The aftermath. THANK YOU for all the cards!

Most of our Zone at the Mission Home for Christmas

My Family on Christmas!

Caroling with the Sisters!

Week 29: Merry Christmas ya filthy animal.....🎅

HELLO TO ALL! I hope you know that the subject line is a quote from my favorite Christmas movie (which I most definitely am having withdrawals from...) and not how I usually greet people this time of year!
  This week has been GREAT! Like I said last week, I've got a new companion, Sister Jensen! She's been out for 13 months, she's from Burley, Idaho and she's TALL! 5.10. We've been spending much of the week getting around to introduce her to our investigators and other members. This week was busy and seriously FLEW by! We've seen a few miracles which truly helps me realize the Lord hears our prayers and is furthering His work in His own timing!

 Last Monday, we showed up for an FHE lesson and the family wasn't home and completely forgot. So, we decided to walk around the apartment complex and talk to whomever we could. This guy saw us, stopped, and asked if we were Mormons. We got to talking and he said he's talked with missionaries before. We sat down at the park and started talking with him about God. He's had a rough past, but truly has sincere desires to know God. He said he'd been smoking some weed (thankfully, he was there mentally). Even though he really wasn't interested in lessons at the moment, it was great to be able to talk with him about our beliefs and how we know our Heavenly Father loves us.

It's always a little challenging to tract during the day because you hardly find anyone home or outside. We went to Friendly Village to see a few people and, like anytime before we get out of the car, we had a prayer. I remember specifically praying that we would find someone who would be interested in talking with us. As soon as we got out of the car and started walking, I turned around and there was a young man.  He smiled and was so happy to see us! He asked what we were doing. We told him, we are missionaries out sharing a message. He was SUPER interested and thought it was cool we were out spreading the word! He asked what we were sharing and if there was anything we could give him. Of course, I had the Book of Mormon in my hand, introduced it to him, and gave him a copy! He said he was really interested to know more. He willingly gave us his phone number and address. He said he'd love to talk more about what he read and so we want to try to get back in touch with him! His name is Adam. He tried to give us hugs at the end (one of the most awkward things as a missionary).  I shoved my outstretched hand in between him and myself so he couldn't side hug me. (haha) We were in AWE all day that Heavenly Father would hear our prayer and literally place us in someone's path that may be ready to hear the gospel.

 Saturday was a little rough.Usually, it's the prime day to be out finding people to talk to. We decided to park the car and do more walking that day, to give us more opportunities to talk with everyone. We were finding very few people home and a few of the people we did find home, had some snarky comments. One of them was actually kind of funny. This old man looked at our badges and said, "I love your religion. You get to have your own planets and populate them. But I don't believe in God, so get off my property," and closed the door. We just laughed for a few minutes. But it was hard not finding anyone home. We were walking around an apartment complex and I said a silent prayer, asking Heavenly Father to place us in the path, (or to place someone in our path) who might be ready for the gospel. After a few more slammed doors, we rounded a corner and found some Hispanic men sitting by their car, obviously involved with moving someone in. I started talking to one of the men, Leo. He said he didn't really understand a lot of English, so I whipped out the few phrases I know in Spanish. (Basically, introducing our message and asking if he'd like Spanish missionaries to come to his home.) His reply? YES! He lives in Ontario (California) and that's out of our mission. But I told him that missionaries would love to come by and visit him there. He gave us his info. and we sent it off! I was so grateful that Heavenly Father placed us where we needed to be in order to talk with Leo! What an AMAZING day!

 Last night we also visited a referral from the Sisters in a neighboring area. The Sisters have been in contact with their next door neighbor, Eve, and said she was really sweet and that we should stop by sometime. (We aren't suppose to proselyte in our own apartment complexes.) So we went by, just "happening to knock on her door" and played dumb a little bit so she didn't think the Sisters sent us. Eve was SO SWEET! She was excited to see the Light the World video. She grew up Jewish, but she still celebrates Christmas because of her kids. I wasn't really sure how she would like the video, but at the end of the video, I looked up at her and TEARS were welling up in eyes. She said she loved it! We told her about the #LightTheWorld and she was excited to do it with her daughter. She told us to come by again so we can check up and see how it went. TENDER MERCY!

We also spent some time visiting some older members of our congregation and performing service for them. Its been a real treat!

The Relief Society sisters had a Hot Chocolate Social. We went, so Sister Jensen could get to know some people! The ladies of this ward are so fantastic!

I spoke yesterday in church! They called Saturday afternoon and said the High Councilor got sick and asked if I could fill in. I was able to talk about the Plan of Salvation which is my FAVORITE topic! It was super fun!

This week was great! Wow, sorry, I didn't think I had that much to say, but this email went kinda long...I look forward to the weeks ahead of us! Sweet Nora, the lady who waltzed into church 4 weeks ago, invited us over for Christmas dinner! She has a heart of GOLD! We have a few other offers from members that day too, so we'll probably bounce around! We also have an Open House at the Mission Home, so that will be exciting! I look forward to Christmas and the wonderful time we get to spend with family and friends.
  Just so you know, the next 2 weeks my P-day is on Tuesday, so you won't hear from me until then!

 As we are entering the last week before Christmas, I've been reflecting not only on Christ's birth, but BECAUSE of His birth, all of the many blessings we have. Alma 7: 10-12 says it best:

   "10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
      11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
       12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities"

 What an exciting time to celebrate the Savior's LIFE! He lives so that we can too! He loves us! He knows exactly how we feel! He truly is our best friend! I love my Savior! I'm grateful for this time of year and the time set aside so that we can focus on Him and focus on those around us. Continue to LIGHT THE WORLD this week! I hope that you can continue this Spirit of CHRISTmas all year round!

🎄🎅🎄🎅

~Sister Burton

Saying goodbye to Sister Evali last week.

Sweet Sister Fowler went home last week!

Cali sunsets really don't get any better than this.

Thanks for all the love family, friends, and ward family!

Rudolph!!

A Mansion that looks like the "Meet the Robinsons" house.

Sister Jensen and I going for a spin around the complex.

Week 28: 4th transfer down....

 Hey everybody! Wow, this week was FANTASTIC! Seriously. We've had so many positive things happen and we can really see the work starting to pick up here! AAAAND, I hit my 6 month mark this past week. Holy.cow. Some days it feels like I've been out way longer, but often times it flies by.

--HIGHLIGHT of my week was getting to go tabling at Cal State Fullerton! It reminded me of BYU campus...miss it so much (actually, I don't miss it right now because #finals). I've been dreaming of going tabling since I got here. Tabling is where you set up a table with a sign, copies of the Book of Mormon, and several companionships of missionaries walk around the campus, trying to talk to people! We're able to proselyte anywhere except inside the buildings! I LOVED tabling! I was so excited to get to talk with everyone! Young adults are truly at the age where they're seeking to find answers to deep questions of the soul. We were able to talk to some awesome people! I would honestly love to go tabling...everyday. My dream is to serve in a YSA ward, before the end of my mission.

--I mentioned this golden family that we were supposed to meet with last week. Well, while we're doing the Lord's work, Satan is doing his. We had to reschedule 3 times! Most recently, her husband was in the hospital! It's crazy how things ALWAYS seem to get in the way right as people are making progress. BUT, we should be having a lesson with them this week. Fingers crossed! We're going to teach them!

--We met this SUPER cool guy, Josh, this past week in Friendly Village. It was nearing 9 PM and we were just walking around. We stopped and talked to him for about 20 mins. He said he was comfortable in his own faith. BUT he then told us he actually met with missionaries about 3 years ago. And then he started asking questions about why we were on missions, why we share the Book of Mormon, and if we thought the Bible and Book of Mormon contradict each other. As we were talking, his heart was truly softening. He said we could come by and talk more about it! Wahoo!

--Also this week, we went to a local high school to attend the Mormon club! There are actually quite a few schools out here that have them. They usually just gather and watch Mormon Messages. But they wanted us to come and introduce the "Light the World"video and talk about it a little bit. It was so neat! I think most of them were members, but I think they invited a few friends! It definitely was weird being on a high school campus...but it was great to be able to help the youth!

--Saturday night we had the Ward Christmas Party. They did a friendshipping dinner. So there were several host families and they each had over several adults. Then, after dinner, we all met up at another member's home for singing and dessert. It was SO neat! We went to our Stake President's house, President Flake, and MARRIANE and SYLVIA came! They just LOVED it! It was nice to see them interacting with everyone and all the ward members reaching out to them! And NORA came too! She ate at a different house, but we met up with her at the end. She fits in SO well here, it's beautiful!

--The Stake also put on a Christmas Devotional, full of singing and other Christmas videos. It was awesome! And guess what? Nora, Marriane and Sylvia, ALL came! There is nothing like Christmas music to help touch people's hearts at Christmastime. Afterwards, Sylvia said, "Yeah, we really want to join. We just aren't sure how to do it." Um, HI, HELLO, THAT'S OUR JOB! :D We've been trying and trying to sit down and teach them, but they're usually always out and about. But they set up a time for us to come by this week, so we're PRAYING we can actually teach them some things!

--And the moment you've all been waiting for.....transfers! We really had no idea what would happen. BUT, I will be staying here in Yorba Linda 4th and Sister Evali is going to the Anaheim 3rd ward. We were sad and the ward was soooo sad to see Sister Evali go! But I'm so grateful we had these past 2 transfers together! She's going to go on to do wonderful things in Anaheim:) Her new companion is Sister Brooks (my MTC comp) and I'll be getting Sister Jensen! I haven't really met her before, so I don't know much about her. I'll share more about her next week!

--I've been thinking a lot about Ether 12:27, recently, and how the Lord truly does make our weaknesses our strengths. I've been thinking back to when I was younger and how SHY I was. As I went through high school and college, I definitely became more outgoing. Since I've been on my mission, I've really had to get out of my shell and it's been amazing! I've seen how my shyness has evolved into outgoing-ness. I look forward to talking to people and getting to know them. I'm still PLENTY awkward, but aren't we all? Even though it's taken years to get to this point, I have a strong, firm testimony, that the Lord can truly help us overcome our weaknesses and we CAN see them as our strengths!

 Love you all! I hope you have the best week! Keep Lighting the World! The Savior is the perfect example and I'm so grateful for that!

Love,
~Sister Burton

Beautiful Sunset yesterday!

Placentia Zone

Placentia Zone

Last night as companions in our matching Christmas Pjs.

Dinner at the Olives again. They made us a cute sign!

Week 27: "They think I'm an old man. I'm actually Superman in retirement"

^^Something an 83 year old man said in his testimony yesterday....love it!

HELLO LOVELY PEOPLE! Wow, this week has been amazing! Truly the Lord is hastening His work here in Yorba Linda! We've seen so many blessings and wonderful things happen!

~Last Monday, we stopped by a former investigator's house (who actually no longer lives there). We've been trying to reach the woman that lives there now, Eleanor. We chatted with her for a few minutes Monday and at the end of the conversation, SHE set up the return appointment. She asked us to come by the next day and we could share more of our message with her!
  We went by Tuesday and had an AMAZING lesson with her. She is the BIGGEST Donny Osmond fan I've ever met. She was wearing a Donny t-shirt, drinking from a Donny water bottle, the whole sha-bang. She told us how she always goes to his concerts. She was so cute! She said she knows quite a bit about our religion, since she reads the things Donny and Marie post about their faith. She is practicing a different religion right now, but she loves to learn more about God and tries to apply that knowledge in her everyday life. We taught her the Restoration and the Spirit was SO strong! She committed to read from the Book of Mormon and we'll be seeing her again soon! She most definitely is prepared, even though she might not recognize it yet ;) We have Donny Osmond to thank for being such a wonderful member missionary!

~This past week we got to decorate a member's Christmas tree! It was a BLAST! We love the Olive family! Their son is currently serving in Malaysia (where Sister Evali is from!). Sister Olive goes all out for her decorations, so we were happy to at least help with the tree. It helped it to feel a little more like Christmas and a little more like home :)

~We finally got a return appointment with a GOLDEN family that the missionaries have been trying to get in contact with for months! They were last taught about a year ago, but they've really wanted to learn more. We have a lesson scheduled with them tomorrow. We're SO excited!

~Last week, a lady literally walked into church, just to check it out. How do people do that!? First Jacob and Joey in Acacia Park and now Nora here in Yorba Linda?! She is very interested in different religions, so she just waltzed right into church. Well, best news is....SHE CAME BACK, yesterday! The ward members literally swarmed her. We could hardly get a word in! (haha). The members were so loving and inviting to her. Seriously, the Yorba Linda 4th ward is the best! Our meetings yesterday were so powerful too! The testimonies that were shared were fantastic! For Relief Society, we had a testimony/musical lesson focused on the Savior. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. Nora said she loved the feeling she got there. She cried many times. She told us that she isn't looking to convert to any religion, but has just been looking for wonderful people to gather with. Well, she came to the right place!! She really has so much potential! We know she's felt the Spirit and now we just gotta let the Spirit work within her!

~We've been LOVING sharing the "Light the World" videos with EVERYONE that we meet! We just start talking about Jesus and most everyone will listen to what we have to say! It's wonderful getting to spread the love and joy of Christ with all we meet!

~This past week we reconnected with a former investigator who attended a Mormon funeral several years ago and was interested in learning more. Missionaries haven't been in contact with him for a long time, so we stopped by last week. He told us to come by Friday to share our video (Light the World). So,we did just that. We weren't exactly sure what to expect, but it was awesome! He met us on the porch and asked us, "What's up?" We weren't really sure how to take that. He said he read the pamphlet and he agrees. He believes in the gospel and he says he has that in his church. He asked, "What more do you have to offer?" We explained more of the Restoration and how the important thing is the priesthood! (let me tell you, porch step lessons aren't ideal. It always feels slightly rushed and it can definitely be hard to feel/hear the Spirit there. BUT you try your best). He said, "Well, I believe in the gospel. I'm good!" Right when I thought we lost him, I asked, "What if there was more, Darrel?" He paused for a minute and said, "Well, then I would consider it." WHAT? YES. We set up a time to come back this next Friday to answer his questions and to better teach him about the Restoration. He DEFINITELY has potential! Even though we didn't know what to expect going into it, the Spirit certainly was felt and led that discussion! Stay tuned on Darrel!

Testimony:
 This past week in our District Meeting we talked about the Book of Mormon and how IMPORTANT it is in our own conversion and in our teaching. It was perfect, because just a few days prior, I was thinking how I really need to use the Book of Mormon more when I teach. As we sat around, talking about the Book of Mormon, I got so excited! I LOVE the Book of Mormon! I have found so many answers to questions that I didn't even know I had. I have found peace and comfort in life's trials, which come to us all. There are many people we meet that reject the Book of Mormon. Heck, once someone told me to throw the book in the trash. Sometimes it's hard to hear people tear into the Book of Mormon, because this is a book I hold so dear to my heart. I was studying a talk from President Benson this past week and he said, "The Book of Mormon doesn't contain things that are pleasing to the world, so the world is not interested in it." That sunk deep. Not everyone is prepared at this moment to receive this book, because their hearts are not yet softened.
 I know that the Book of Mormon is meant for US in this day! I'm grateful for the guidance we can receive from it everyday! I encourage you, if you aren't already, to STUDY the Book of Mormon each day. Don't read it. Study it. It will change your life, if you let it!

LOVE YOU ALL! Happy December! Keep "Lighting the World!" I've loved seeing it all!

We've been making Rice Krispie treats for the Ward Council

Selfie with Sister Green

The Olives took us to Wahoos. Yummy fish tacos!

Last night's beautiful sunset!

We helped set up a recent convert's nativity, before our lesson.

Sister Olive in her element!

She called us her "Two Little Elves." Thanks for the hats, Jamie!

Met this lady, Peggy. We shared some water with her for Light the World.