Week 69: When it Rains, it Pours!

..in the best way possible! It pours blessings!! Holy moley, this week was one for the books! I've mentioned how we've been finding and finding a lot recently. Well this was the week where we were very blessed with people to teach! Lemme tell you about them!

  LORRIE: was a referral from the Irvine missionaries. We planned to have a lesson this past Tuesday, but then she wasn't able to make it to the church building and we weren't able to make it to her place. Thank heavens for technology because we were able to have a video chat lesson and teach her the Restoration! She was so sweet most interested because the missionaries that originally met her said that the Book of Mormon changed their lives and she wanted that for herself too!
  The adversary is also real and recently she's not been super good at responding and has come up with some excuses for not being able to meet up. We're praying and hoping for the best.

ZOE: Sister Thompson met her at IVC earlier this week and set up a lesson for later in the week. As we were on campus, talking to people, a member from another nearby YSA came up and started chatting with us. So, we invited her to attend the lesson with us! Zoe even brought a friend, (who was more along for the ride, but we'll talk to anyone!) and Zoe has just been craving direction and truth in her life. The Spirit was really strong! We found out that she lives in Dana Point, which is way out of the mission, so we'll have to pass her off, but we're so grateful to know her! We have another lesson with her tonight!

JAMES: so do y'all remember about 3 months ago when I shared the experience I had about not pre-selecting people, when I saw the rough around the edges guy on campus, but I reached out and talked with him anyways? Well, HE GOT BAPTIZED SATURDAY! It was such a beautiful service! He has come such a long way and now is an official member of the Church! Although I didn't get to be there for his lessons, I can already see the changes in his countenance and his words! James rocks!!

ALEXUS: LITERALLY a God-sent blessing! Earlier this week, we got a call from the family ward Elders close by and they said they needed to pass a female YSA off to us. They had just taught her the Restoration, the Spirit was super strong, and they set a date for her to be baptized. October 20th! WE ALMOST CRIED! We have been working so hard to find people and the Lord, in return, has sent Alexus!
  Alexus referred herself online and was eager to meet with missionaries. She has a lot of member friends and her brother is a member of the church, too! She said she was "compelled towards this church." Well, she's one of the most golden people ever! She's reading the Book of Mormon and is halfway through Jacob!
  We got to have a pass-off lesson on Friday! And then Saturday, she was able to attend James' baptism and felt the Spirit so strongly! She was just soaking it all up! And CASSITY, came swooping in and took Alexus under her wing! We had a little bit of time after the baptism before our dinner/lesson at a member's home with Cassity, so Cassity had all of us go over to her house and read the Book of Mormon together! We read 2 Nephi 31 and talked about baptism, since Alexus had just witnessed one.
    When we made our way over to the Chipmans for dinner with Cassity, they asked where Alexus was (of course, we didn't want to just invite her along without asking the Chipmans. But the thought did cross our minds.) They told us to call her back up and invite her over! And she CAME! She had a great time! We planned to teach Cassity the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Alexus was able to stay, so we taught both of them at the same time! It was such a neat experience! Alexus and Cassity have really hit it off so well! My heart is so very full!
 Alexus was so excited to come to church yesterday, but she woke up with the stomach bug and wasn't able to make it :( But we'll be seeing her a lot this week! :)

  In the Orange Stake, we had a special missionary conference with other leaders throughout the Stake. It was geared towards helping each member better see their calling through a missionary lens! The mission presidency gave a presentation and we missionaries were scattered about throughout the group, just to listen and learn! I sat with the Primary Presidents and it was so neat to hear their ideas on how they could "up" their missionary game in their callings! I could just feel the missionary spirit fill the room!
  I've learned so much on my mission and I look forward to using it for the rest of my life, to be a super stellar member missionary!

   Transfers are impending! This is the last week. Of course, I want to stay in OHYSA with Sister Thompson FOREVER, but I'll also do what the Lord wants me to do. I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I have a feeling that my time here is coming to an end. Sister Thompson and I are going to LIVE it up this last week and work so very hard! We have so many exciting things to look forward to this week!

  Love you all! I'm so grateful to be a missionary! My favorite part is seeing the gospel in action! I loved seeing Cassity, a recent convert of only 2 months, reach out and help someone else that is in a similar place that she used to be in! I loved seeing Alexus' love for this gospel grow and she herself said that this church is true! WOW! I add my witness to hers that, yes, this gospel is UNDENIABLY true! This is Christ's Church on the earth again! The same one! I'm so grateful for that knowledge and that I'm able to spread that to others!

   Until next month,

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

Our ward mission leader, Ben, working at the Chick-fil-a drive thru!

I ABSOLUTELY love my companion! What a babe!!

The Institute Building is reppin my favorite college!

Cassity and Alexus, post Book of Mormon reading session!

The moon was huge last night!

Mission Leadership Council Crew

A Selfie!

Week 68: It's almost Fall y'all!

  Here I am again! Life here in OHYSA is still grand! The weather here is starting to get a little chilly in the evenings, which means Fall is coming!! The season change doesn't really make a huge difference here in So Cal, but it's nice to have that little reminder that Fall is approaching!
 
 We had a lesson with Cassity this past week! We planned to teach her one thing, but when we got there, the Spirit directed otherwise! With school and her internship, she has been struggling to find the balance of it all, with church in the mix now! It's amazing how SHE has even noticed a difference of how she acts when she's consistently reading from The Book of Mormon, opposed to when she isn't. The adversary just seems to keep whispering sweet nothings in her ear, but she's a tough cookie ;)

   We also went on exchanges on Saturday! I got to be with Hermana Romney, another sister in training, and we had such an awesome day! We surprisingly ran into a lot of English speakers throughout the day, so I was actually able to communicate! I just love getting to hear the gospel shared in different languages and IT'S TRUE IN EACH ONE!
  There was one interaction we had that day that was divinely inspired. We were knocking doors on this street and after a few doors, we felt that we weren't supposed to be there. So we walked to the next street and started knocking. A few doors into it, this guy (Frank) answered and we asked him what he thought the purpose of life was. He said, "That's funny, cause me and my buddy are talking about that right now!" Frank went on to say that within the past 2 weeks, he lost his job, his car, etc and had been really struggling to feel loved and noticed by God. He said he usually turns to substances at times like these, but he  has been trying to withstand. He wanted to hear our "positive message." We were able to testify of the Plan of Salvation and the power of the Book of Mormon! It was such an uplifting and Spirit-filled moment! He said he would love to meet with missionaries! FRANK! That was my highlight of the day!
 
  Have I ever mentioned how much I love the YSA ward!? Honestly, one of the best places ever! I love getting to meet these people who are searching and trying to find solid answers to life's greatest questions. We spent much of the week finding, but didn't find anyone new for us to teach! But we have been inviting and diligently searching for the "elect." We have some promising appointments and finding opportunities this week, so we're eager to see what the Lord has in store!

  The other day in my Book of Mormon study, I was reading about judgment. And just yesterday in Sunday School, we talked about how we will be judged. I came across a quote from Elder Oaks and he said something that has truly changed my perception of how that day will be. He said, instead of talking about a long list of things we did/didn't do while on this Earth, the Savior will judge us depending on who we've BECOME. I LOVE that! At the end of the day(or at the end of our mortal experience), the most important thing to ask ourselves is "Who have I become?" With that perspective, life has a lot more hope and the Savior sounds more merciful than we might sometimes think.
  In the context of my mission, I've also asked that question. And BOY, have I loved noting the changes that I've seen in myself. I still have a ways to go, but I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father has been able to help me change while teaching and helping others to do the same.

  LOVE YOU ALL! Have a most splendid week! Keep smiling! There is good in everyday! We can wake up with the hope and confidence that we have a loving Heavenly Father and a merciful Savior.


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

$3.00 Pizookies at BJs! Best Day Ever!!

SISTERS!

Our District at the temple!

Homemade empanadas!

Old Tabling picture!

Week 67: "All the Lord cares about is trajectory!"

Hello to all! The past 10 days have been super awesome! This past week I hit my 15 month mark as a full-time missionary, and it's so hard to believe!

Things here have been great! Sister Thompson is soaring! She is so resilient and dedicated to this work. She's such an example to me! We are living up our last couple weeks of the transfer together!

We've been doing lots of "sifting" this week, trying to find the ELECT who are ready for our message! Like I've mentioned before, I just love getting to be on college campuses, talking with sooo many young adults! There were many moments this week where I had conversations with people who really have been searching for the truth and we were able to have such spirit-filled conversations! The best one I had was with Eric, at Santa Ana College. I stopped him as he was walking by. We got to talking and he said he's just recently started trying to find a religion. He recently lost his grandmother and was trying to heal from that wound. We swapped numbers and he said he would come to church! We were in touch over the next few days and he read the pamphlet and the beginning of the Book of Mormon. Well guess what?! Eric showed up to church..in a white shirt and tie! He LITERALLY looked like a member. We showed him around and introduced him to the Elders(so they could get his number and start teaching him). Eric was nervous, but LOVED Sacrament meeting! He said he felt peace! I'm eager to see where he goes with all of this! It just made my heart happy that he was able to search for the answers....in the right places!

HELEN: We had a breakthrough with her! We had a lesson last week and we were just following up about how her Book of Mormon reading and praying has been going. She then totally opened up to us about how this has been hard for her to start these religious habits, after so many years of being out of it. She has a lot of decisions to make right now about whether or not she's going to stay in the country and she has been overwhelmed with it all. But, she has found peace as she has come to church! This whole conversation was an answer to prayers and fasting! We are still trying to figure out what would be best for Helen. Age-wise she needs to be in a family ward, but we're trying to figure out if she'll be here long-term. For now, we're still teaching her! Helen is such a sweet person. We love her!
  She got to attend the Temple Grounds Tour this past Saturday and she loved it! Cassity was able to come down with us too! I'm just so grateful to know so many wonderful people!

We also went on exchanges this week! I got to be a spanish missionary for a day with Hermana Ellsworth! I'm surprised at how much more I'm picking up on spanish words here and there. We even saw a drug deal going on in someone's garage...so that's great!
 >>Also, Sister Thompson and I met some random guy who says he practices witchcraft....a modern day Harry Potter! Life as a missionary is never dull!

ELDER KLEBINGAT: On Monday, we literally had meetings all day with Elder Jorg Klebingat of the Seventy. He is a very straightforward German man who is not afraid to speak his mind! I actually came away with a headache because my brain was still trying to process all the information! He knows the most scriptures out of anyone else I've ever known. He talked a lot about pre-mortal life, our purpose, and the power of the Book of Mormon. I'll share a few good zingers with you, in addition to the one in my subject line:
  -Assuming we want to be better, He(God) will never withhold a second chance.
  -We are here to fulfill a pre-mortal covenant to gather Israel
  -Coming to God is never a negotiation, it's a surrender.
  -If you're looking for a church that is comfortable and easy, this ain't it!
  -Your level of consecration on your mission will affect your life!

  WOW, I could go on forever! Coming out of that meeting, I just felt pure FIRE! I came away with a stronger resolve to be bold and loving with everyone I meet! There is no time to mess around! People need to know this is the truth! I'm so grateful for the words of living servants of the Lord who help us come closer to Him. I'm looking for more that I can leave on the altar of my mission. I think each of us could do the same. What more can we give to the Lord in order to become more like Him?

 Life is great! I love being a missionary! I love looking for the elect! That's the reason I'm here! I know this gospel is true!

I love you all! Thank you for all your love and support! Here are some pictures!(I'll hold off on a few, so I actually have pictures to send on Monday ;) )



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

Tabling!

Exchanges with Hermana Ellsworth!

The Tomlinsons just completed their 18 month mission. I will miss them!

Dinner with the Tolleys! They will finish their 18 month soon:)

Temple Tour with our gals!!!

Elder Tolley has a good sense of humor!

These sunsets never get old!

Never forget...you're on the right path!

The Newport Beach Temple this morning!

Week 66: Hope Through Jesus Christ

 I feel like I say this nearly every week, but I can't believe another week has come and gone...and it's SEPTEMBER! Happy Birthday yesterday Mom!

 This week was full of a lot of meetings, but we still got to do my favorite thing....TABLING ON CAMPUSES! It is hands down my favorite way to find people! I just love approaching people and getting to talk to them about the gospel. This is such a pivotal time of life where people are still trying to figure out who they want to be and what they're going to do. I KNOW that the gospel can help each and everyone of them. One of my favorite moments from the week is actually about someone I met at Santa Ana College.
  I approached this guy (later known at Ruben) and started talking to him about his Pokemon shirt. He actually has some extended family that are members so he knew a bit about the church. As we began talking about God, he began mentioning some hard feelings that he's been having towards God because of tragic losses of his loved ones. We sat down and I began to teach him some of the Plan of Salvation. He was a bit pessimistic towards it all, but then I brought up how our families can be together forever. (This moment I'm about to describe truly felt like one of the cliche missionary moments, but it was such a powerful moment that I'll never forget!). He said, "I hope I'll see my sister again, it's just sorta like an empty wish though."
  That gave me the perfect opportunity to testify boldly that he CAN see his sister again and that all of this is possible through Jesus Christ. I was crying through that testimony   (which is rare because I'm not a big crier). THEN I looked over and saw 2 little tears running down his face. The Spirit was so TANGIBLE in that moment and it was beautiful! (He knew that our interaction happened for a reason ...Heavenly Father's hand was in it obviously!). We're hoping to pass him off to the Elders this week! I know that Ruben's life could be blessed with the gospel, if he continues to open his heart to it!

  HELEN: Yesterday we fasted about what would be best for Helen. Her first language is Spanish and she's 32. Due to the circumstances, the bishop is fine that we continue to teach her in this ward, but we weren't so sure about the language. We had a lesson with her earlier this week where we proposed the idea of Spanish speaking missionaries teaching her, to which she said she'd think about it. We had a lesson with her after church yesterday and Sister Thompson and I both felt like we should continue to teach her. Just in this past week her English has improved even more and she is slowly starting her reading and praying habits to help her gain a testimony of this message! She'll be coming to the temple grounds tour with us this weekend and we're really excited about that!

We also had Zone Conference this past week, which is always so uplifting! I'm so grateful for the instruction that we receive, through those that speak and things not spoken...(the Spirit). I've been really inspired lately to continue learning and applying diversity into missionary life! With being a missionary for awhile now, it can be easy to slide into habits and get into a routine. But I've consciously been trying to stretch myself and always try new things!

  We've been doing lots and lots of finding and its been great! We've had members that love to come out with us often so it's always an adventure when they lead the way and get excited when we see miracles! This one night when we were out with a member, Lois, we were tracting this apartment complex that said "No trespassing," but we just do it, unless we're kicked out. We were able to talk to quite a few people, but then knocked on this door and the guy told us we needed to leave and got a little upset about it all. I calmly told him we would leave and as we walked away, he watched us leave the apartment complex, all the while making snide remarks about us to the person he was talking to on the phone. As I turned around to lock the gate, I gave him a big smile and wave and said, "Have a good night,"  meanwhile he was telling us that it's too late to be out "soliciting".
   I share that experience because that was a testimony to me of the changes I've seen in myself. As missionaries, we put up with a lot of flack and we're counseled never to engage in it. Earlier on in my mission, that probably would've made me really upset. But remembering that I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ and I truly need to act as the Savior, I just felt love for that man. Not everyone is going to like you, but that doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong!

  In regards to the title of my email, it's a topic that I've been thinking a lot about recently. A couple weeks ago I decided that I would study the 9 Christlike attributes in Preach My Gospel until the end of my mission(studying each attribute for 2 weeks each). I studied Faith and this upcoming week I'll begin studying Hope. I read Elder Uchtdorf's talk "A Summer with Great Aunt Rose," which talks of faith, hope, and love. It was a great reminder to me that we ALWAYS have hope! Everyday we can wake up with that in the forefront of our minds.
  I've recently also been pondering how I've seen the power of the Atonement in my personal life. As I've been more aware of it, I've literally seen the Savior carry me each and everyday! Life is hard for each of us. No matter the trials that might come, we can always come back to the knowledge that we have a loving Heavenly Father and Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, who can buoy us up! Never forget it! It's something that I've often struggled with remembering! Like Peter walking on water, I too, at times can take my eyes off the Savior and feel myself sinking. As we keep our eyes fixed on Him, we will never sink!

Love to you all! Next Monday we're having a visit from Jorg Klebingat from the Seventy and we're attending the temple on Wednesday, so my p-day will be moved to Wednesday next week! Talk to you all then!


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

Lois, our Rock Star missionary!

Sister Thompson started driving this week. She doesn't like SoCal drivers:(

On the 31st of each month, Baskin Robbins has a deal on their ice cream!!!

Sister Pressler, my companion for a few hours one day!

Lunch with friends at Zone Conference!

We ran into Taysom (aka Sister Jensen) at Joe's!!!

Week 65: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

  SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION! I have never been more excited for school to start!
  We actually found out earlier this past week that one of the colleges around here started this week (you know we definitely swung by there!) And this week, the other two colleges start! I've missed tabling and talking to other young adults!
  Sister Thompson and I have been working our TAILS off! We've been finding, finding, and more finding this week. We've actually run into quite a few prepared people, but they don't quite fit our demographic, so we've needed to pass them off! We even found someone new to teach for the Spanish missionaries. I'm surprised the lady understood our Spanish😅....) We've just felt so fulfilled as we've been out, talking with as many people as we can, and inviting all to come unto Christ!
  There were a few funny instances that I have to share:

*Last week, we were trying to use various approaches to talk with people. I've always been bad about using Family History, but I decided to try it. Well, we were walking around the lake and a lady stopped to talk to us (because she thought Sister Thompson was her friend!....Well she wasn't wrong on that one. We're all friends!) We started talking and then introduced family history. She said, "That's funny, because just as I was walking towards you ladies, I was thinking 'I need to start making a family tree, but I don't know how!'" WOW. THE SPIRIT! Who knew?! I was amazed that the family history approach really worked, haha! The Lord's timing is amazing!

*While we were at IVC, I was talking to this girl and introducing the Book of Mormon to her. As I held it up, she said she wasn't interested. But just at that moment, a guy walked by behind her, and said, "Could I get one?" I honestly thought he was joking, but then I sat down with him and learned that he's actually been searching for truth recently! He has lots of friends that are members of the church and has been curious! Right then and there I taught him a simple Restoration lesson and his response to Joseph Smith's first vision was, "That's heart-warming!" I just felt the Spirit so strongly as I was sitting there with Richard! He lives way out of our mission, but we'll connect him with missionaries in his neighborhood! Such a cool moment!

 *Another day, we stopped by this sketchy park where there were quite a few homeless people. We hopped out of the car and were looking for people that we could talk to. Just then, a YSA rode by on his bike, we said the basic "Hi, how are you?" and I told him "I'm great!" He kept riding away, but I then said, "Do you wanna know why I'm doing great? Because of Jesus!" He smiled and kept riding. But you know we followed him and sat down and talked with him for a minute! He said he almost joined the church a few years ago, but then moved here to the area and lost touch. We talked about the Book of Mormon and he showed lots of interest! As we were sitting there, I was pretty sure I saw weed in his pocket and then he got up to have a quick "conversation" with a guy in a black SUV....so he may or may not have done some kind of drug deal after that. Who knows, but we know that gospel conversation needed to happen!

  We had another little lesson with Cassity in her new condo and BOY, is the Spirit strong in her house! She seems like she's been a member for years! She is doing so well living the gospel and is finding so much joy in it all! I'm so grateful to be able to witness her growth in all of this! She never ceases to amaze me!

 We've just been out and about talking to all of God's children! It's really amazing to get to know people from all different walks of life! We are all unique and loved in our very own way! I love how this gospel brings us all  together!

  I've been thinking a lot about the Atonement and how it has affected my life! I've been blessed to see it change other people's lives as a missionary, but I did a lot of self-reflecting the past few days on how it has impacted my life. I wouldn't say that I've experienced anything too crazy or detrimental yet, but I don't have to go through those things to understand the Atonement! I know that Christ is here with me, everyday! Serving a mission is not an easy task and I most definitely need Him every step of the way! I'm imperfect, but he buoys me up and helps me feel hopeful, despite my inadequacies! I LOVE MY SAVIOR! I'm grateful for this time that is dedicated to Him in full-time service!
 
   I love you all! Thanks for loving and supporting me!

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

Spanish Swap Meet last P-day! Cute little Mexican shoes.

Dinner with Cassity at her new Casa!

Meetings in preparation for Zone Conference!

Love these Sisters and my second Mom!!!

Beautiful lake at sunset!

Look what Cassity put on her mantle:)

Cassity brought these to church for the RS sisters. What a gem!

Week 64: Baptism is the Gate.

  Guess what?! It's the beginning of another transfer! That means that I'm half way done being trained by Sister Thompson!! We'll both be sticking around here in OHYSA for another 6 weeks! WOOT WOOT!

  This week was full of exciting adventures and a few setbacks. But all of these things are important in our progression and can teach us valuable life lessons, such as: the Lord's hand is always in your day(no matter what happens), we're here to find those who are ready to make changes in their lives, and there is NO greater joy than seeing said people make marvelous changes in their lives and come closer to Heavenly Father :)

*After 2 great lessons with Ksemiya, we continued to keep in touch to follow up about her Book of Mormon reading, to which she wouldn't reply. When we tried to set something up for this past weekend, she kindly replied that she is too busy now and wished us luck on our missions. It's truly so sad when people FEEL the Spirit and are desiring truth, but then use their agency to choose another way. We love her and know that this experience was a positive thing for her and will prepare her to meet missionaries down the road.

*We also found out that our dear friend, Helen, is 32....so technically she isn't supposed to be in our ward. We're trying to figure out what ward would be best for her to attend. It broke our hearts, but we know she'll be better off with Spanish missionaries, since that's her first language!

*BUT on the flipside of these experiences, if you recall about 2 months ago, we did some service for a non-member Jenn, who is really close with a member Christina. Well, Jenn has been coming to activities the past few weeks and we were able to chat with her this past week and she said she'd love to take the lessons! So we're having a lesson this upcoming week with her! The Lord provides!

F I N D I N G   M I R A C L E S  &  F U N N I E S

*We did tons of finding again this past week! We've been scouting out apartment complexes and areas around colleges where we would likely find YSAs. We've actually been able to get a lot of referrals for other missionaries, which is awesome! We've literally been seeing the Lord's hand in all of our work! It's funny how He'll lead you to precisely where you need to be and to who needs it. We saw miracles everyday as we were out and about sifting and finding those who are prepared! We met a few female YSAs, but none of them really showed too much interest...but that's not stoppin' us!

  We had several members come out finding with us this past week, which is always great! Many of them reached out to US and wanted to come...and many of them want to come out again this week! I love the member involvement in this ward!

  Of course there are always funny moments in finding, but the best one happened as we were walking past 2 teenage boys that had a camera. One of them turned and said, "Hey, do you want a picture?" A little skeptical as to what he would do with that picture on his camera, I said, "No. Do you want a Book of Mormon?," to which he shrugged his shoulders and said, "Sure!". We then were able to have a great gospel conversation with them and indeed did give them copies of the Book of Mormon.

S T R A I T  &  N A R R O W

*MY HEART IS SO FULL! On Friday, Sister Brooks and I got to go to the temple with our freshly baptized Cassity!! We did a little family history work with her earlier this week and she was able to find a few names to take with her! It had been so long since I've done baptisms so it was so neat to be there with her, all dressed in white! The peace that fills the temple is indescribable! As I sat there, my Spirit was just screaming THIS IS TRUE! ALL OF IT! THIS GOSPEL, THE BOOK OF MORMON, EVERYTHING! It brought me so much peace and motivation to help others experience this same feeling. Cassity described how she felt in the temple as an "even-tempered feeling," something she hasn't felt in awhile! She loved being there and wants to go back again and again!

  I even ran into some members from my previous ward in Yorba Linda! Small world!

*MAEVE GOT BAPTIZED! My dear friend Maeve was baptized on Saturday in good ole' Huntsville, Alabama! We got to video chat before the service and visit for a little bit. She was just so gung-ho and ready for this! She asked Sister Brooks and I to write up little talks and messages for the Sisters there to read at the baptism. I was honored! I was most definitely there in Spirit! My heart AGAIN was so full! I love Maeve and am so grateful to know her!

*Yesterday, we had the best Stake Conference I've ever attended! They had many short, powerful talks from various members of the Stake, and even a non-member who attends church regularly. All of the talks were focused around Christlike love and service. I haven't gotten to know the Orange Stake really well, but just by listening to the talks yesterday, I can tell there is so much love that the members have for each other. The non-member's talk was especially powerful! He shared a unique experience about how a priesthood blessing healed not only his body, but his soul and how he was forever touched by that! With his "outsider's perspective" he was so impressed by the morals and standards we have and encouraged us to keep doing so!

  CASSITY also spoke! She shared her conversion story and how if it wasn't for the love of the people around her, she wouldn't be standing there, giving the talk! I'm not one who usually cries, but tears were most definitely flowing as she bore her testimony and her love for this gospel. She said, "I know that this gospel is true and that the Book of Mormon is the fullness of Christ's gospel". I LOST IT! There is nothing more powerful than seeing someone latch onto the gospel and run with it! She is so converted and has been such a blessing to watch grow these past few months!

 I'm so spoiled to be able to watch these miracles happen! Missionary work in itself is a miracle! There are things that happen everyday, big and small, that are evidence of the Lord's presence in His work! Seeing Maeve and Cassity make these changes in their lives this past week made up for much of the heartache and sad moments we experienced with our other sisters this week. 

I know this gospel is true, with all my heart! I'm truly becoming more and more converted with each passing day!

I love you all! Thank you for the continued support and prayers on my behalf!  I can feel it!

Sister Burton

2500 N. Bristol St.

Santa Ana, CA 92706

Maeve on her big day!

Maeve Pre-baptism!

Taylor, a super awesome RM, who is our best friend!

Before the temple with Cassity!

After the temple with Cassity!

Cassity, deep in family history!

Ksemiya, last week...before she dropped us.

Making Smores in our own kitchen!

Lunch with Cassity to celebrate her Temple Day and Birthday!

Finding with Shannon!

Mother, daughter matching yesterday!!!

Week 63: Did You Guys Call the Cops on Me?

  I really never know how to start these things...so, HELLO! What another great week of miracles and exciting times! We had lots of smokey, cloudy days because of all the fires going on in Southern California. There was even a fire just on the other side of the hills and we literally saw the flames! But, all is well, it didn't last too long! I was prepared to evacuate (for the second time).

 I failed to mention last week that our ward completed our Member Missionary Summer Intiative (we finished the puzzle)! The members worked so hard to share the gospel and to get involved in the missionary work! We'll be celebrating by having a special FHE party next week! I'll attach a picture of the finished project!

  This past week we've been doing a boatload of tracting. We've been scouting out complexes in the area and just been going for it. Last Monday evening was a miracle. When we prayed before we got out of the car, we specifically asked Heavenly Father to help us find a female YSA that we could teach. The FIRST door we knocked on was a female YSA, Vanessa. She was literally in the process of moving in and hadn't been going to church for awhile. She is usually always working, so it was a miracle we even found her home! We weren't able to set up a time to come back, but she was interested in learning more. We walked away from that door with our mouths wide open! Heavenly Father never ceases to amaze me!! My heart was so full of gratitude for that moment!

 In our finding this week, we also ran into a lot of funny and interesting situations! One evening, we were talking to a couple on the sidewalk and noticed a man approaching us on a skateboard. We parted like the Red Sea so he could pass. As he rolls up, he looks at me and Sister Thompson and asks, "Did you guys call the cops on me?!". We looked at each other, utterly confused. He said he lives in his car that was parked nearby and that sometimes people call the cops because they think he's breaking in. He then just walked away and we tried to continue the conversation with the couple....people are hilarious! 

  I also met a new friend, Glenn! We knocked on his door and had a great conversation. We were able to give him a Book of Mormon and set up a return appointment for the family ward Elders.  As I got his number, I noticed the familiar area code "443." I asked him if he was from Maryland and he said he was from....BALTIMORE! I was so excited! I told him I'm an Orioles fan, to which he rolled up his sleeve and showed me his Orioles Bird tattoo. I regret not getting a picture with my friend Glenn! But, my heart was so happy to have that little piece of home in that moment. (Dad, I'm sure you're happy to hear about that ;) )

But like I said, the Lord has been blessing us as we've been diligently searching and finding those whom we can teach....this past week was evidence of that!

HELEN: we had our first lesson with her this week ( I mentioned her last week in my email so...reference that for background). It was a great lesson! Helen is literally the only person in her family that is not a member. She wants to know that the Book of Mormon is true and said she would be baptized. She'll be here for another month or two, so hopefully we can help her enter the waters of baptism! :) 

KSEMIYA(She's from Russia): This is someone that Sister Thompson met last week on exchanges. Last night, we were able to have a lesson with her and teach her the Restoration! Ksemiya is SO cool(and not just because of her Russian accent)! After distancing herself from God, she realized she didn't want to live that life anymore. She was really understanding the Restoration and the Book of Mormon and could truly feel the Spirit! It was sooooo amazing! We have another lesson with her tonight!

Cassity update: we're going to the temple with her this Friday! She is doing so incredibly well! She is speaking this weekend at Stake Conference and is ecstatic! I just love her to bits and pieces!

 On Saturday, we had the privilege of gathering as a mission to hear from Elder Carlos Godoy, a new member of the Presidency of the Seventy! There were so many good things that were shared that day, which I needed to hear! One thing that was especially touching was his conversion story, which he ended up using to teach us what to do/not to do with those we're teaching! He mentioned how he wore all black and had longer hair than the Sisters that we're teaching him, but it was the happiness of the members that caused him to question what made them so happy!? He told us (and I think that goes for any human being really) not to ever pre-select! There are souls who are crying out, "help me!," even though they may not appear to be doing so.

  He also told us how the "one" that you baptize is not just "one" but a FAMILY! A family that came before that individual and a family that will come after! 

  This especially touched me that day because just prior to this meeting with Elder Godoy, I got to attend the baptism of sweet 9 year old, David, whom I taught back in La Habra 4 months ago! His mom didn't tell him that I was coming, but that there would be a "surprise" at his baptism! I was so excited to see him all dressed in white and his whole countenance had changed since the last time I saw him! He said to me "You came back! I missed you!" It melted my heart! This gospel will forever change David! He is "one, but "one" who will later yield a "forever family!" After he came out of the water, he just stood there, soaking in the tangible Spirit that was present!

  I'm so grateful to be able to brush shoulders with alllll of these wonderful children of God! One of the biggest blessings I've seen(so far) from serving a mission, is getting to see these people change. It has strengthened my testimony of the power of the Atonement!

 

  Also, I hit 14 months of being a full-time missionary! It feels so weird to say....BUT I could now NEVER imagine my life without having served a mission! This has been such a blessing and I'm so excited to find more people who are ready to come unto Christ!

Ofa atu(It's tongan for "love you"....Sister Thompson and I love to use Tongan phrases).

Sister Burton

2500 N. Bristol St.

Santa Ana, CA 92706

Missionary Leadership Council crew.

I've had this foot tan for months!

Ain't that the truth!

Jammed my finger throwing the football with Sister Thompson last P-Day.

Not sure how these got here from the East Coast!!!

Our finished ward puzzle!

Exchanges with Hermana Otis. Mary took us to an authentic Mexican restaurant in Santa Ana!

Night we handed out a bunch of Spanish copies of the Book of  Mormon.

DAVID!!!