Sister Burton Takes on Anaheim!: Week 51: FAWN-tastic week!

There are some verses in Alma 26 that I've been pondering a lot lately about the blessings from being instruments in the Lord's hands. Verses 1-3 cause us to ponder, "Can ye tell?" I've recently been asking myself the same question. Could I have supposed to have seen such great blessings here in the mission field? Can I tell? Well, this week, again, baffled me because of all the wonderful blessings I have witnessed being a representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

MAEVE: We had another amazing lesson with her where we taught the Plan of Salvation. When we got to the end of the lesson, she was visibly upset. She was frustrated because this plan made SO much sense. It was happier and more positive than what she had ever learned previously. She said, "WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE? I wish I would've known this sooner!" Maeve is just so prepared and has been truly thirsting after this knowledge for a long time.
Well, opposition in all things, right? Maeve texted us the next day and said that things didn't go over too well when she told her mom that she was investigating the church. Maeve has been going through some other personal challenges and her parents are just afraid she's making this rash decision and basically gave her an ultimatum to stop investigating or move out. And you know what Maeve said? She is going to continue her own investigation, live the gospel on her own, and when she moves out of her house at the end of the Summer (to Alabama for school) she's going to find a church nearby and go!
Of course, we were so, so sad, but also so happy for how Maeve was handling the situation. It would've been so easy for her to completely cut ties and truly put her investigation on hold. But no. Maeve is better than that and is still seeking truth. Thank heavens for technology because we're still going to teach her over video chat! YAY! We also fasted especially for her yesterday! We know miracles can happen and that her mom's heart will soften!

FAWN: She referred herself to missionaries back in October. She was progressing really well up until the winter, when things got crazy! Anyways, she texted us this week and said that even though she hasn't been actively taught, she still has been thinking about all these things and wanted to meet again. Well, we had a super powerful lesson on Saturday. We read from the scriptures about baptism and receiving revelation and she admitted how it really all made sense now. At one point of the lesson, we just had complete silence, for nearly 2 minutes. The Spirit was tangible in that moment! We asked her if she was feeling it and she quickly nodded her head. One of the most spiritual moments I've had thus far on my mission. She also agreed to be baptized on June 24th!
She came to church yesterday and LOVED it! She said that after our lesson, she read the whole book of 1 Nephi (which she didn't think was too much). Fawn is just on fire! We have another lesson with her tonight!

*Friday I got to go on exchanges with Hermana Ellsworth! We had multiple citas (appointments) and it was so fun! I picked up words here and there, but mostly just tried to listen. I did get to pray in Spanish, so that was fun! The spanish speaking people are so amazing! We even had tacos at a member's home for dinner and I LOVED it! We saw so many miracles that day. The best part of the day was when we were teaching the Plan of Salvation and when we taught about the Celestial kingdom, the investigator thought she'd be living IN the sun and be burning for eternity. Don't worry, we eventually clarified that!

*Also, I think I mentioned this 2 weeks ago, but I met this guy Marco who had questions about the after life and about seeing his Dad again. We had a really amazing conversation. Well, the Elders taught him this past week and he's preparing to be baptized June 24th too (wow, that's a popular date!). My heart is so full! I love seeing people embrace the gospel truths as their hearts are softened and prepared!

This past week in one of our meetings, President Golden mentioned that a previous Mission President would tell each of the incoming missionaries to write, "Discouragement is not allowed!" in their handbooks. We talked about how discouragement weakens our faith as missionaries! I think the same applies to each of us, no matter where we are in our lives. Yes, we all face disappointments in life, that's inevitable. But as we're discouraged, or lose enthusiasm, that's when that truly affects our spirit. I encourage you, that when hard times come, "fresh courage take"! Turn to Heavenly Father in your times of despair! I know He will carry you, as He does me!

Love you all! Thanks for all of your encouragement! It means the world! Have a fantastic week!

Sister Burton
2500 N. Bristol St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706