Sister Burton Takes on Anaheim!: Week 35: SOLID GROUND

Hey everybody! I hope you had a most splendid week! I know we did!

*We saved a dog this week! Missionaries are supposed to go about doing good, so I guessed we filled our quota for the week? We pulled up to a house, got out of the car, and noticed a small little dog in the middle of the road, with no one else around him. We called the numbers on his tag and no answer. We weren't sure what to do because we couldn't take the dog with us, but we didn't want to leave the dog. Eventually his owner called back and said that he just lived around the corner. No one was home so we just hooked him back on his leash in their yard. It was quite the adventure. We miss little Duke!

*We had some AMAZING, spiritually-booming lessons this week with our investigators. We finally got to meet with Eleanor (Donny Osmond fan), since she has gotten over "the plague" and it was a great lesson. We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ by reading 2 Nephi 31 and we invited her to be baptized and she said, "I'm not there yet, but I don't see why not!" Honestly, I was surprised to get that answer. We weren't entirely sure if she was meeting with us just to learn or if she was really willing to change. It will be slow progress, but she's amazing! She has LOVED reading the Book of Mormon and takes it very seriously. Many of the experiences she has had recently have been the whisperings of the Holy Ghost! She definitely is being prepared!

*Mini Exchange Miracles! On Saturday, Sister Jensen wasn't feeling very well, so some other Sisters came to our area and we did a little mini exchange. I got to go out with Sister Harrison and it was AWESOME! We decided to go to Friendly Village and we talked with everyone we saw and knocked on doors as we felt prompted. Sister Harrison taught me to truly embrace the awkward-ness that is missionary work. A former investigator came into my mind as we were walking around. I met her months ago, but since then have not caught her home. Well, this time she was home and she eagerly set up a return appointment for this coming week.
We also got to see a lady that I've been trying to meet these past 4 months. She has been requesting a Bible and Book of Mormon, but every time we've gone over, her gate was always locked. However, this time it wasn't and she was home! She was SO happy to see us and was excited to start reading the Book of Mormon. Her family has been going through a lot of challenges recently and she just said she is really looking for more peace. Well, the gospel of Jesus Christ will definitely help with that! We have an appointment with her this week too! AHHH, miracles, miracles, miracles.

*Last night we had a nice visit with Nora. She is just a gem. She kept all of the hearts from when we heart attacked her and she is going to put them on a canvas and hang them on her wall. She then broke down into tears, thanking us and expressing her love for us. We were ALL balling at that point. My heart was so touched. That's what I want people to feel: love. Heavenly Father's love, the Savior's love, my love.

*Yesterday we had a really good Regional Broadcast for the entire West Coast! We got to hear from some general authorities, including Elder Christofferson. The main takeaway I got was that we need to continually be doing the basic things (scripture study, prayer, church attendance, etc). Those little things give us the strength to do the big things.
Our Stake President spoke to us before the broadcast and I was blown away. He did not mince words and talked about how each of us need to take the Sacrament more seriously. He mentioned how he attends wards where people are often distracted and are not engaged in the sacred ordinance they're about to participate in. His words have really stuck with me.
I invite each of you to think of the Savior more and to allow more time away from technology or other distractions to think of His great sacrifice. Especially during the Sacrament, we should be focusing our thoughts and energy on Him!

I love being a missionary! I love the wild, fun, amazing experiences that I get to have. There is no where else I'd rather be right now than in California, serving as many people as I can!

Love you all!

~Sister Burton