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
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| Saying goodbye to Sister Evali last week. |
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| Sweet Sister Fowler went home last week! |
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| Cali sunsets really don't get any better than this. |
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| Thanks for all the love family, friends, and ward family! |
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| Rudolph!! |
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| A Mansion that looks like the "Meet the Robinsons" house. |
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| Sister Jensen and I going for a spin around the complex. |
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