Sister Burton Takes on Anaheim!: Week 75: Cookies Will Get You in Any Door!

HAPPY NOVEMBER! Hard to believe the Holidays are approaching us! Sister Steele and I had a really long week. 98% of our plans and appointments fell through this week, but that usually means Heavenly Father is preparing us for a week of miracles, right? Things always get better :)
We did have a cool moment last Monday night. As we were driving to tract a complex, I just had the thought and said, "Sister Steele, we're going to get into someone's house tonight." Lo and behold, a little while into knocking, we met this YSA aged girl, Francesca. We began having a solid conversation with her and it got to the point where we asked if we could come in. She told us, "Sure, but I'm pretty sure I already know the message." Little did she know that she really DIDN'T know this message we were sharing. We taught a simple, short Restoration lesson and were able to leave her with a Book of Mormon. She thought it was a cool message and said she'd like us to come back next week so she could share some of her beliefs(she's a 7th Day Adventist). Even though it didn't seem too promising, I was reminded of how no effort is wasted and our part is to be there and to teach restored truth, it's up to them to accept it! It sure was a cool moment though!
We did lots of finding and just really had a struggle finding people home or people out and about. We kept chugging along though! We just had to laugh about things falling through and random things happening to us. One of the Hermanas got sick on Friday(with a random rash that they thought was shingles...until they found out yesterday that it wasn't.) ANYWAYS, so we had to go on a little mini exchange with them so they could get to their lesson. I went with the healthy Hermana to the lesson and it was just so cool! I love all of the different cultures here and all the different kinds of people we meet!
Another positive highlight of the week was meeting a person formally being taught, Ellgyra. She knows tons of members in the area and has had missionaries coming back for years. We have been trying to get a hold of her since we got here and haven't had any luck. BUT, we made cookies this week to give to people so we asked if we could stop by with some and she finally said YES! Cookies can get you so far in life ;)
Its been several months since the Elders have met with her, but she said she's still been reading the Book of Mormon! YAY! We're planning to go back this next week and meet with her. It was hard for her to meet with the Elders because her husband was never home, but since we're Sisters, we can be in her home anytime of day. Again, another reason it was inspired for Sisters to be here ;)

My spiritual thought today comes from a kind, older gentleman at church yesterday! His name is Brother Frutos(he was actually the Bishop of the Esplanade ward when Cassity's Grandpa was active! Connections!) Just after introducing ourselves he said, "Sisters, whenever you get discouraged, remember, the gospel is true." It was just so sweet that he would randomly say that to us, especially after our challenging week. I've pondered on his words and realized that they're applicable to us ALL! Whenever life gets us down, we feel like Heavenly Father abandoned us, we must remember THE CHURH IS STILL TRUE! Jesus Christ is still our Savior! And no matter how crumby of a day we might have, Jesus still loves us! I invite YOU to try to make that your way of thinking(and I'm gonna work on it too).
Shrug things off and realize, "I still have a testimony".

Here we are, heading into the last week of the transfer! We have lots of stuff to do this week, including 3 exchanges...which is kinda nuts, but we're gonna do it!

Love you all! Thanks for ALL that you do! Keep letting those lights shine!

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