Sister Burton Takes on Anaheim!: Week 39: When an Apostle comes to your mission...

HELLO!

Wow, has another week seriously come and gone? I can't believe it!

This week I was battling a cold for most of it, so that slowed us down significantly. But I'm feeling better now and ready to hit the ground running!
Even though we didn't get to do as much work, we still witnessed some miracles!

*We had a breakthrough with an inactive member we've been working with for a few months. Her name is Darlene. She hasn't come to church since I've been here these past 6 months, but the Relief Society President wanted us to try and make regular visits to encourage her. This week, as we were going to the lesson, we weren't really sure if our visits were helping her or not. But, we knew we needed to see her. We went in and talked about the Spirit and what we should do to have Him more in our lives. We showed a short video and she completely opened up about her struggles. It was amazing! We had been praying and wondering if anything we've been doing has been helping her. The Spirit truly prompted her to tell us a little bit more and now we better understand how we can help her. It's amazing how the Spirit works!

*We had a most AMAZING lesson with the Mohlers this week. We invited Bishop and his 12 year old son to come with us. Bishop, knows the family from years of baseball and his son has tons of classes with the twins. (Something we didn't realize when we invited them to the lesson.) Inspired!
We always get so nervous to teach the Mohler family and afterwards, we realize we truly had nothing to worry about. We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ with an emphasis on church and the Sacrament. The twins just GET IT! They are adorable and are so excited to be baptized. It was perfect to have Bishop there to testify, and for his son who just recently turned 12, to talk about the Sacrament! We were also able to get a better feel for where the mom is. It was amazing to hear how she and her husband had been recently talking about wanting to find a better church community. Well, they found it! The lesson really helped us to be able to see that she TOO is wanting to join. What an amazing family!

*Aaaaaand, the moment you've all been waiting for. Tuesday, President Golden told us that an apostle would be visiting us during the week: Elder Uchtdorf! Sister Jensen and I literally jumped around the apartment, screaming that we would get to meet him! Another surprising thing was that our WHOLE mission would be there (our mission has not ever all been together since I've been here, so this was huge!). We were told to keep it on the down low so that members or others wouldn't find out and try to crash the party.
I fasted and prayed leading up to our Saturday conference with him. I came prepared with questions and concerns and BOY did he deliver. Elder Acosta, Weatherford T. Clayton, and Scott D. Whiting accompanied him. We were able to shake their hands and even got a picture taken with them. ( I was blessed to be standing right behind Elder Uchtdorf!) Hopefully, the picture will come soon!
We sat at the feet of an apostle for 3 hours and it was the most beautiful experience I have ever had! TRULY, one I will never forget. I felt like he was speaking directly to me. If I could use one word to describe him it would be JOY! His message was so uplifting and hopeful.
I literally took about 6 pages of notes, just from him. Here are a few of the highlights.

-THIS IS YOUR MISSION. Don't think, "Oh, I wish..." No. You were sent here for a reason.
-You are the extension of the Apostles work: spreading the gospel.
-ALWAYS feel like you're in the middle of your mission. Don't look forward to your release date.(which especially hit me since I'm nearing that point of my mission)
-2 things: Keep the commandments and trust in the Lord!
-There is 1 convert you need to have when you go home: YOU!
-If we are not joyful in the church, how will we attract any one to it?
-this is the one time in your life your name will be right next to the Savior's. Wear that badge with honor!

One Elder asked a GREAT question, that I most definitely needed to hear. He asked, "How can we know that we're giving it our all?" As an occasional perfectionist, I was eager to hear Elder Uchtdorf's response. Here are some of the highlights of his response:
-give your best and trust the Lord.
-don't be overly concerned or too harsh.
-at the end of the day say, "Lord, that's all I have."
-present your work of the day to Him as a gift.

Wow, I could go on FOREVER about that sacred, special experience on Saturday. My mission has changed forever. My life has changed forever. Elder Uchtdorf could not have come at a better time. I needed to hear his inspiring words.
I can't even explain the amount of joy and happiness I feel to be a missionary. I know this is the work of the Lord. When he said, so boldly pounding from the pulpit, "This.Is.Your.Mission," I got chills. I know I was called to Anaheim for a reason and I will be forever grateful to have served here.
I want to end with something he said, that I think not only applies to a mission, but life in general too...and of course, it's aviation related:

"The Lord promises a safe landing, but he doesn't promise a calm passage without any disturbance along the way."

Thank you for your continued love, support, and prayers. I couldn't do this without it! I love my Savior. I love my mission!

~Sister Burton