Oh, there you are Perry!

I love Christmas!!!! 

Skyping was such a highlight! I understand other missionaries now. =) 

So much has happened since Thursday. 

The biggest change was.....emergency transfer! Sister Derrick went home for school and left the day after Christmas. Transfers are not until the 7th, so they needed to transfer someone to take her place. With the transfer there left one lone sister and her area. Well, we get to combine with her! Sister Sorensen is now our third companion and we get to serve in both the Shaker Heights North area as well as the Perry area. Wahoo!! They are in complete opposite ends from Kirtland, but so far it has been great! I love being able to serve with other sisters and learn from them. That is such a good lesson to learn. God made all of us and He made us all different. That is such a blessing! We all look at things different and we can be our best when we work together and use each other's strengths. Yep, this week has been an adventure, but it has been a great one! 

I am so glad Heavenly Father has given me this time to serve. Kirtland really is such a special place. I know that Heavenly Father knows me and what I need in this life. He has put people in my life to guide and help me. I am so glad I get to be an instrument in His hands and share His gospel with others. No matter what happens in my week, I am always glad that I get to be that. 

I love you all! Happy New Year!

Sister Burns 

Week in pictures:

Exchanges with Sister Derrick before she left. Favorite. I have learned so much from her! Watch out Provo! Pure amazing is coming your way!

​Christmas morning!! Sister Smith, Hardy, Sorensen, Derrick, Call and I!

District!
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Triple up!!!

District!
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Triple up!!!

Sister Guinn and I at the Visitors' Center talent show in Christmas night. So much talent! We (the sisters I live with) did synchronized swimming. Oh yes, be so jealous you didn't see that. Haha

​Best moment of my week!

Christmastime!

Christmas is here!!

There are so many things I would love to share with you all. I have seen so many miracles this past week and have had such wonderful experiences. I'll just share my top three:

1) I was able to sing in the Kirtland Temple Sunday night! Best story ever. The Kirtland sisters sang prelude for the annual hymn sing at the temple. During the program Sister Harrison gets passed a note asking if she, Sister Bishop, Sister Call and I could sing the quartet of "Far, Far Away". It was in the program, but the sisters in charge didn't know about it. Panic moment for them. Two songs before we received the note and had a few short moments to plan a musical number. Miracles happen. We stood to sing and it was perfect! It was like we had practiced for days. 

As we sang, I could feel such a special spirit. I could imagine the early saints in the very same place years ago, singing hymns to God. Now, I was able to stand where they stood and feel the same feeling they felt. I wonder if the saints ever thought a moment like that would happen as they pushed through the trials and left the temple behind while they headed west. Almost 75 missionaries were in the temple that night testifying of the same thing they sacrificed everything for -- our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His restored gospel. I am so grateful for what they did and for the Savior who helps us each and every day through our own trials. Large or small, He loves us and will guide us and we trust in Him.

​Classic

2) Slightly gross, but a powerful miracle nonetheless. Get ready....

So, I had a toe issue....an ingrown toenail to be exact. I'll spare the details and woes of a missionary, but let's just say after a traumatic doctors appointment and almost passing out, they removed it. My toenail is gone. =( Well, I couldn't wear boots and for a missionary in Ohio with snow, that's not the best thing in the word. I was told it would swell if I didn't elevate it constantly and I would need to use pain medicine because it was supposed to be very tender for weeks. Yeah, right before Christmas when all I wanted to do was tract and talk to people. Joys.

Well, here comes the miracle. After the first day I was numb in the morning and then I was taking medicine to prevent the pain from getting worse. I asked my District Leader for a blessing and what a great blessing it was. Through the blessing, God promised me I would be able to continue to do my missionary work without pain. My testimony of priesthood blessings has grown greatly because of that experience! I haven't had to take anything for pain since then. My toes is still healing, but it feels completely fine. I can't wear a boot on my left foot (I have this very attractive sandel I wear...joys), but while walking in the snow, my foot has never been cold...ever. For Ohio, that is a miracle! I know Heavenly Father knows each and every one of us. He is looking out for us and He wants us to be happy...even if we have to get a toenail removed to see it. He will guide us and help us as we strive to follow Him. I am so grateful for that experience. P.S. the nail will grow back for all of you who were worried.         

(Warning....picture of my bandaged toe is next!! Feet haters can skip if you'd like!)

Meow!

Okay, gross story over....next!

3) Dave! (Investigator over chat) He is such a miracle! He was sick last week, so we weren't able to talk. Yesterday we were finally able to catch up. I was hoping he read the section of the Book of Mormon I committed him to read last time, and the very first thing he told me was that he read the whole thing! He read the entire Book of Mormon in one week!!!! He loved it! I asked him how he felt, and he knew it was the word of God. He could feel the Spirit as he read it. He told me how he could see it testify of Christ and it truly works together with the Bible. I love seeing him change and find hope. He was in such despair when we first started talking and now he has hope through the Savior.   

I hope you can all look for and see the miracles from God in your lives each day. He cares about you more than you can imagine. I know that He does. I am grateful for the moments I have been able to see His hand stretched out in front of me. He is always there for us. Always. 

Merry Christmas! 

Sister Burns

#HeIsTheGift #ShareTheGift

9 More Days!

Christmas is coming! Pure happiness!

Favorite parts about the Christmas season in Kirtland, Ohio:

- Being surrounded by nativities in Kirtland. There is such a wonderful feeling that fills the Visitor's Center. That's what happens when you see the Christ child every where you turn.  

- Testifying of the reality of Christ's birth. Is there a better thing to do right now? #HeIsTheGift #ShareTheGift (Also, there was a great article in the Dec. 2014 Ensign about this very topic. You should read it. Yes, yes!)

- Testifying of Christ being the center of our religion and faith. Because of Him, we have a way to return to our Father in Heaven. We know how we can find happiness in this life and in eternity to come. There was a lady who visited the Nativities yesterday and came up to Sister Call and I. She said, "I know this might be a really ignorant question, but are nativities a part of your religion? Do you even believe in Christ? I know other religions use them, but I didn't know yours did". We were able to testify that Christ is the center of our faith and everything else pulls us closer to Him. We need Him and He is our Savior. It was such a special moment.

- Serving all those around me. People are so receptive to help this time of year. What a better way to teach of Christ than to do what He would have us do. We passed an older lady attempting to bring in her trash cans. As she did, one fell over and then the other did as well. We felt prompted to stop and rush to help her. She was so grateful for our kindness and invited us in to get warm. She is the sweetest lady and I am glad we were able to listen to the Spirit and strive to serve those around us. The best feelings come from giving of ourselves.   

- Yummy treats from senior missionaries, members, and my family! (Had to throw that one in there.)

- Singing Christmas hymns and pondering their true meanings.

- Watching "He is The Gift". It gets better every single time I watch it!

- Sharing "He is The Gift". Christmas is about so much more than the commercial, worldly views. Sharing that message has helped me focus on my Savior and the gift He is to me. 

- Hot Chocolate.

Well, I hope your lists have some happy moments that draw you closer to our Savior this Christmas season. I know that as we keep the Savior in our lives every day (not just through December) and truly love and use the Gift He has given us, our lives will be full of peace, joy and love. What's a better gift? Don't put in on the shelf and forget about it. It's given to us all. Unwrap it, use it, love it, share it.

Merry Christmas! I love you all!

Sister Burns 

I love Ohio

Hello! 

This week has been so great. I just love my mission!! If anyone is wondering about going, just do it. The hardest part about going is taking the first step, but you'll never regret going if you put your whole heart into it. Yep, such a blessing!

Sister Call and I set a goal to meet and get to know every single member in our area. Because of this, our week was full of amazing member visits. Members are amazing! I didn't realize how important they are to missionary work and how much we, as missionaries, need them -- this isn't a want, it's a need. They are the ones who love and fellowship each other -- we come and go every six or so weeks. They give hours of loving service and, through this, show their love and gratitude to our Savior. I am reminded of this over and over again as we work with the ward. Also, I love the ward I'm serving in! Every single person is amazing! I have never felt so much love and support before. Mostly because I'm a missionary and they LOVE the missionaries, but they are wonderful beyond that. I can't explain how grateful I am to be serving here. 

​Sister Call, Connee, and I at church. We ended up matching. I love them both!

We were able to do some street contacting and tracting this week, too. You know those funny mission stories...we experienced a few! 

Story of the day: 

Sisters: *Knock* *knock*

Boy: *Runs out the door and stands right next to us on the porch* (Not normal, I might add)

Aunt: *Follows boy yelling the entire way and looks at us* Yells, "We're not interested",  and continues to yell at the boy.

Sisters: *Awkwardly walks away....*

A minute later....

Boys: *Running after sisters*. "Sorry for our auntie. She's a bit upset. But was Jesus on your cards?! We want one!"

Sisters: "Sure! Take one!" *Continues down the street*

A moment later....

Boy: Yells, "Can I have your number??!!!!

Sisters: *Laugh and keep walking*

Boy: "No really, I'm serious!

Sisters: *Laugh some more* "I think we're a bit old for you"

Boy: Yells, BUT I'M FIFTEEN!!!!!

Hahahahahaha!!!! Sorry little man. But on the upside, he can now watch "He is the Gift"! So much better than a girls number. =)

But in all seriousness, there are so many wonderful people out here and I love sharing the message of Christ with them, especially this Christmas season. I have never felt closer to my Savior and I am grateful for the opportunity I have been blessed with to share that message with others. The great thing is it's not too late for anyone. We can all reach out this season, this week, this very moment, to help someone come closer to Christ. I promise that by doing so, we will all find greater happiness and peace no matter the time of year. That's the blessing of the gospel. Heavenly Father wants us to be happy and we will not find any better happiness than the happiness we find through Him. 

Anyway, I hope all is well in Utah or wherever this letter gets to you.

I love you all!!

Sister Burns  

#ShareTheGift

It's December!!! Christmas is in 22 days and I love this time of year! All of the snow has melted, but I'm sure it's going to come right back in no time. Tis the season!

Thanksgiving was wonderful! I love ward members and being able to serve at the Kirtland sites. They all made our Thanksgiving wonderful. We had planned to eat dinner with Connee and her family. They are on a strict, no-carb diet for medical reasons, so we knew this dinner would be one for the memory books. But don't you worry, we made sure to get our Thanksgiving carbs in before we went over to Connee's. All of the senior missionaries gathered in the Visitors Center and had an early dinner and we were able to go. Oh my goodness, picture 20 or so of the sweetest grandmothers in the world cooking their own delicious treats. Needless to say, that dinner was fantastic! I might have eaten a bit more than just some stuffing and rolls. =)

Connee's was wonderful!!! I never thought I would love the people in Ohio so much. They have become my home away from home and the closest thing to family here. We were able to look at her ancestors pictures and had a great time doing it. That night, we all gathered as Kirtland sisters and tied quilts for needing members in our areas. Again, I love these sisters so much!! Charity is a real thing and serving others builds it. I have loved seeing that happen on my mission. We all can strive to be like Christ and love like Him. Nothing in the world is better than that. Overall, a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!     

Thanksgiving with Connee, Chuck and Cory
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Yesterday was the other highlight of my week -- maybe even my mission. We were able to gather together as an entire mission -- all 217 of us -- in the Kirtland Temple yesterday morning for our Mission Conference. That was the sweetest, spiritual experience. We sang and talked about Christ and the true meaning of Christmas. We talked about our lives as missionaries and our future life after we're home. We talked about following our Savior and striving to find and hold on to a testimony of Him for ourselves. We talked about being submissive to Heavenly Father's will and trusting that He knows what will make us truly happy. Most of all, we talked about the Gift from our Heavenly Father and what we will change in our lives to accept the gift He gave. 

Hundreds of missionaries waiting outside the temple! Me with one of my favorites!
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This brings me to my favorite part of the conference and the thing I am most excited about this Christmas season. "He is the Gift" Have you discovered it, embraced it, shared it? 

http://www.mormon.org/christmas?cid=HPFR112814529 

Look out for it on YouTube on December 7th!

This is what Christmas is all about. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son". This message is so wonderful. Our Father in Heaven gave His Son for us. We can enjoy the peace and love that Christ gives to every single person in this world -- no matter who they are. We, as missionaries, have been asked to give out 250 pass-a-long cards by Christmas inviting other to watch "He is the Gift" and find the true meaning of Christmas this year. I'd love you all to share a few, too! I'm not sure how many of you receive the Ensign, but inside the December issue, there are 9 cards that you all can give out. This is such a wonderful way to share the gospel. Nothing pushy or preachy at all, but it will help every single person and it's the best gift you can give. I promise as you do this, you will come closer to Christ and this Christmas season will be the best yet!! So...will you pass them out? 

I am so grateful for this season and that I am able to share the message of Christ to all who will hear. There is no better work in the whole world. Nothing brings greater happiness. Thank you all so much for you love and support. Have a wonderful Christmas season and don't forget the real reason. =) 

Love you all,

Sister Burns