We officially dropped off Sister Thompson on Tuesday to be with her brand new companion, Sister Akers! Sister Thompson hasn't even needed to call me this week so she must soaring(which I didn't doubt).
We had Zone Conference this past week! I always feel so uplifted and strengthened when I come away from it! We talked a lot about Quality Gospel Conversations and how we can improve them! Over the past few months, I've been really trying to "expand my toolbox"(as we like to call it). And that's my focus, especially this transfer!
Sister Steele and I have been getting into our groove! We're still trying to figure out our area and figure out people in the area, but it's really coming along. I know this area is a big adjustment for Sister Steele, but she's handling it like a champ!
CINDY: I mentioned her last week. Well, we got to have dinner with her and got to know her better. She has been through a lot and has just been amazed at the generosity of the members and is curious about our beliefs. We had more of a discussion with her and addressed some of her concerns and questions. She gave such a special prayer at the end that especially touched me. She said, "Lord, I thank you for sending these 2 angels to me. Please give them Your armor as they go out to spread Your word." Sisters were definitely sent to this area for a reason! We're just gonna love Cindy and we know it will come with some time.
MYRA: I'm not sure if I've mentioned her before. Her husband was a member and he died about 4 years ago. She's had lots of missionaries come by for years. She watches General Conference every year, and loves religion. We had a lesson with her this past week and got to see where she's at. Again, progress will be slow with her, but she's read the Book of Mormon before and believes that these things are true! She has some hard feelings towards some members of our ward, so our biggest challenge is getting her to church...at least somewhere in the Stake. We're working on that.
Saturday was the best day ever. Do you wanna know why? First of all, it rained!!! Pretty much all day! I got to wear my rain jacket and by the end of the day, my feet were soaked! Friday evening there was even a super solid thunderstorm! Reminded me of home a bit! Second reason Saturday was so great was because I got to go on exchanges with Sister Evali! We haven't been companions in nearly a year. She has become so bold and is a ray of sunshine! I learned so much from her! She reminded me of how the Lord has said, "Be of good cheer," and how that's a commandment! I've never thought of that before, but it's true! That's something I can definitely work on! I just love Sister Evali so much!
Wow, Sunday was fantastic! We got the WARMEST welcome to the ward that I have ever received in any other area. They haven't had Sisters in 15+ years, so they were nothing short of ecstatic for us to be there! It's a pretty big ward and the members are very involved in missionary work! It's overwhelming when you get to a new area because it takes time to get to know everyone and get a feel for the ward! But I'm excited to get to work with them!
ALSO, happy news! Cassity got her Patriarchal Blessing yesterday and said it was SO powerful! She bawled the whole time! She also was called to be a ward missionary yesterday! WAHOO! She's gonna be so great! I'm so happy she's doing so well! Golly, I love her. Luckily, she literally lives right around the corner from us and we've made dinner plans for the near future! There really is no greater joy than seeing someone so special and dear to your heart embrace the gospel!😊
I wanna share something about a very strong prompting I received yesterday(which I think was actually a result of my fast). So, back in June when I finished the Book of Mormon, I decided that I would read the Book of Mormon again and plan to finish it when I finished my mission. I've successfully been doing that since. But last week when President Nelson gave his talk to the sisters and encouraged them to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, I was a little torn as to what I should do. During this whole week, I've wrestled with whether or not I should begin the Book of Mormon again and follow the Prophet's counsel to finish it by the end of December. I rewatched his talk last night during dinner and just felt SO strongly that I needed to take his challenge. Here I am, telling people to follow the prophet, and I wasn't following him myself! I began this morning (and plan to catch up as I can) and WOW, I can already feel the difference and the greater emphasis on the Savior. I'm excited to take this challenge! If you haven't begun yet, DO IT! I'm doing it right alongside you! I know there are powerful blessings that will come from following the Prophet with exactness! If you've already begun, I can't wait to hear how your relationship with the Savior has grown! I'd love to chat about it!
Love you all! Thank you for all the love and encouragement you send! And especially for those people who have already sent well-wishes and notes for my birthday. I thank you so much! Can't wait to tell you about all the miracles and exciting things next week!
All my love,
Sister Burton
2500 N. Bristol St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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| My precious Sister Evali |
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| A rocket in the sky. Someone said it was from Argentina. |
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| Decorations are about the only real indication it's Fall here! |
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| Our short lived trio! |
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| A security camera in a palm tree. That's a first! |
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| Me and Sister Evali, my Mylasian companion. |
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| Cassity's sweet note last night. |
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| These sunsets!!! |
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| My beautiful little posterity. |
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| Love my dear Mija! |
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