Sister Burton Takes on Anaheim!: 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