Let the Lower Lights Be Burning

Transfers!!!!

Six months in Shaker Heights and I was finally transferred to....

KIRTLAND NORTH!!

I am going through a bit of separation anxiety, but I'm loving Kirtland already. My area covers the northern part of the ward. From Mentor (pronounced Menor if you're from Ohio) all the way up to Fairport Harbor on the lake (Cool fact: Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy was written about Fairport Harbor). 

My new companion is Sister Isabella (Eeesabella...not the normal way of saying it) Heckert. She's from Orem, Utah and is so great! She has been out eight months and was just companions with Sister Guinn! (Once again, we switch places) I love her to pieces and we have so much fun. She's so easy to talk to and easy to work with. I can already see this transfer going great! I've moved houses (still by the visitors center) and I love it. There are full sized windows and the ceiling is full height -- much improved from my last little pioneer home. I can breathe! It took a few days to feel like I was home, but it's getting so much better. Adjustment.  

The Kirtland Ward is great. The culture is completely different from Shaker....who would have guessed after only being 30-40 minutes away. I feel like I'm in a different state. Further away from the ghetto, I guess.

I was able to give a talk my first Sunday there. It was great! Still not the easiest thing to do, but I love being able to study and invite others to come closer to Christ. I talked about small and simple things and how those things bring us close to Christ. He is the ultimate source of a happy life and through those little things we can see that. Life is hard, but it becomes so much easier to handle when Christ is in charge of the reigns. He loves us and will give us the absolute best!    

Sister Heckert and I have had so much success in just the few short days we have been together. Three new investigators and so many great lessons! 

New investigators:

Boyd is 84 and stubborn as ever! He loves the church, he just has a few things holding him back. He came to watch Meet the Mormons with us yesterday and he loved it! He even shed a tear or two. He's the sweetest and I can see how much he wants this in his life. 

Tom and Geri. Yep, I'm teaching Tom and Geri. Missionaries had stopped by a few months ago and periodically throughout the years previous, but nothing ever happened. We had a lesson with them on Sunday and read through the introduction of the Book of Mormon. After reading and discussing it, Tom said, "If I would have known this I would have read this book before". Both him and Geri are excited to read it this week and I cannot wait to see what happens. Also, Tom is Santa. Like, it's really him. Beard, rosy cheeks, laugh, twinkling eyes, the suit. Everything. One day I will get a picture to send to you. Best day ever. 

To top it off, the weather was horrible and I get to drive a mini van! Oh yeah. Driving around in style. Don't ask me why. I have no idea. I had to trade a Subaru for a van...oh Bessy. Anyway, she hates the snow and tends to get stuck all the time! Well, on Sunday she kept getting stuck when we parked, but then she always made it out of the spot with no issues when we left our appointments. God knows what's important and knows we're doing what He needs us to do. I guess on Sunday He didn't have time for us to get stuck, so it never happened. Little miracles. 

It reached -30 with the windchill multiple times this past week. Just throwing that out there. 

To top off the week, we got three new investigators over chat! Blessings! I love being able to bring further happiness in the lives of others through Christ. Nothing is better. 

Well, I've got to run, but know that I love this work. I love my Savior and I know that He loves each and every one of you no matter what you're going through in life. We can always turn to him and we can always see the miracles He gives us each day.     

Love you all!

Sister Burns

Also, my one year of going through the temple was on the 22nd! Goodness, I love the temple so much. The blessings that come from there are better than anything we could ever have or wish to have. I cannot wait to go back!! 

Sister Heckert!!! We need to take more pictures. This doesn't really look like her and I might have sent it home already. Sorry if I did.

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Posterity picture! Me, my mother, my daughter, and grand daughter. Whew!  

Weekly Letter 2.17.15....My Title Skills Are Lacking

Hello World!!! 

Here are some updates from The Ohio: 

The weather is really cold...freezing. Our entire stake canceled church on Sunday because it was supposed to reach -20 to -30 degrees in the morning. Brrrrr. Needless to say, we weren't allowed to leave Kirtland. Before the mission, I would have loved to spend cold days inside, but missionaries hate having nothing to do! There are only so many thing we can do to stay productive and purpose driven while stuck inside. Monday was a bit warmer, -15, so we decided to leave the house and go to the gym. The car started! Miracle. But then we started out the driveway and I felt that the car was going to break from the cold any second...we turned around. But! We were able to go out yesterday! Thank heavens. 

Other congregations didn't get to go to church on Sunday, but we did! There ended up being a cadet regiment from West Point in New York that came through Kirtland, so we were able to hold a Sacrament Meeting at the Visitors' Center. Such a blessing! It was a pretty special moment to have a room full of military men and women and missionaries all together. Powerful.  

Update #2: I'm getting transferred!!! I knew it was happening, but it's still a crazy thing. This is my first time being transferred on my mission. I've grown to love every single person in the Shaker Heights Ward, so I'm sad to leave, but I'm excited to meet knew people. I'm thinking I'm going to Kirtland North. but transfers aren't till tomorrow and you never know what President will do from now until then. Dun dun dun! That just means I'm moving proselyting areas, but I'll still be serving days at the Visitor's Center, too. And I'll probably be moving to the house next door. (Still the 7800 Kirtland-Chardon Rd. address) Sister Call is training, so I'm going to be a grandma! Who would have guessed. 6 months and I'm already a grandma.

We visited 8 families yesterday! It was my last full day in the area, so we took full advantage of that and saw all of my favorites. I literally feel like I'm leaving my home and family. The only way I got to this point was through service! Truly, service is the key to everything. If anything, I'm glad for my time in this area because I've learned that one lesson. And guess what we have planned for tonight...service!! Nothing is better. "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). That's truth right there. It's amazing the blessings and complete happiness that comes from serving God. There is truly nothing better. Go out and serve if you're feeling stuck, down, happy, any time... and life goes up from there. After all, Christ was perfect and that's what He spent His life doing. What's a better example to follow? 

Well, I've got to run pack. Moving time! I'll let you all know next week where I got transferred. 

I love you all!

Sister G and I on our six month mark!

Sister Burns

Teach Me, Teach Me, to Walk in the Light -- Weekly Letter

Hello All!!! 

Happy Valentines Day!!!

In light of my six month mark this coming Friday (Friday the 13th...yeah, we'll ignore that....) I've decided to share six lessons I have learned on my mission! Brilliant, I know. 

1) Patience -- This is the number one lesson learned (and I'm still working on it). Patience with the work, members, investigators, people on the street, the mission in general, the snow, (the hardest part) myself, and so on. But as we put all of our burdens and faults in a bag and give them to the Savior, He will hold onto them and make our weaknesses become strengths. I have a lot of weaknesses...more than I ever thought I had, but goodness, Heavenly Father can help us grow stronger with anything as we turn to Him. It's a constant day by day check-in, but we can be better and better as we strive to work at it.  

2) Perseverance -- Ooo, the mission is hard. It's by far the hardest thing I have ever done. But as I have pushed through, the blessings have made everything worth it! There is no greater work and nothing I'd rather be doing. Yes, the mission is FULL of hard times. Every day there is a new hill to climb over, but it can and will be conquered as I keep going. God has my back. 

3) Perspective -- While looking at tasks, people, problems, lessons, the gospel -- anything really -- I have been able to change my perspective and see things through Heavenly Father's eyes. Everything I'm doing is to "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end". This isn't about numbers or making myself feel accomplished. All of this is about helping Heavenly Father in anyway possible and His work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. That's what's important -- an eternal perspective. Nothing else matters in the grand scheme of things. Who cares if someone shuts the door in my face as long as I'm doing what Heavenly Father has asked of me.    

4) Positive -- The Spirit doesn't like negativity and I cannot do anything without the Spirit. Therefore, I have to be positive to accomplish anything. And when I'm positive, everything else is better! "Come what may, and love it!"

5) Plan -- God has a plan for His children. It's simple and He loves each and every one of us. We can know for ourselves the direction we should go and what our Father in Heaven would have us do. Perfect happiness comes from understanding and living Heavenly Father's plan for us.  

6) Prepared -- "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear". Never before has this scripture stood out to me so much. For me, it's preparing lessons, preparing to talk to others, preparing to help others come to Christ, preparing myself to feel the Spirit. There are so many ways to apply this scripture, but I know as I rely on the Lord, have faith in Him, and do all that I can, God will take care of the rest. It's a promise. 

They all ended up starting with the letter "p", but they have been the best lessons to learn. I'm not perfect at these things, but it has been great to work on them and I'll keep doing that! I know that if you feel like you need help in one of these areas that God will help you, too! It's such a blessing to know that we can change and progress. 

Also, just a quick update...

MARY CAME TO CHURCH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Miracles happen! She loved it! It was different for her, but she quite enjoyed it. She keeps saying how she doesn't want to move forward in her current religion right now because she doesn't feel peace. I keep praying that she feels that peace as we continue to meet. And to top off the day, she has read 14 chapters of the Book of Mormon in less than a week. We only asked her to read one. Ahh, I'm so grateful for her!

You are all wonderful! Thanks for being such a support. 

Love, 

Sister Burns

Karl & Joyce Anderson....yeah, they're pretty awesome! Such a blessing to have them in my area!!!

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Serving members -- the Dickson's. Ten hours of service this week. =)

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Sending Love From Ohio! - Weekly Letter

Hello all! 

I love the ward I am serving in! I have come to realize two important things while being here: 

1) Service helps break down any barrier. We have been able to serve so much lately! There were doors we couldn't get into and hearts that were a bit hard to touch. Through service I have seen so many miracles happen! It makes sense and I don't know why I didn't' realize this before. All Christ did was serve while He was here. He loved all of God's children and truly set the ultimate example for us. Serving others = serving God. What could be better?   

2) Fellowship is key. This last week was a miracle and it all came from fellowshipping! I'm not sure if you have ever seen this or felt this yourself, but there are some people who don't feel included anywhere they go. They feel lost and unimportant. Well, there are a few in our ward that we have been visiting regularly who felt this way. As we worked with them, we have been able to invite others to fellowship them, some of which were struggling themselves. As they reached out, every single person involved has been uplifted. Yesterday at church all four sisters were sitting next to each other in Relief Society and each one had a magnificent smile on their faces! Another miracle from fellowshipping happened to a less active who normally only stayed for Sacrament Meeting and left as soon as the prayer was said. Last Sunday the new RS presidency reached out to her and showed her love. She stayed the entire time and could feel that love. Miracles.

It all goes back to Christ. He showed us how to love and how to serve. He wants us to lift one another and all gather in Heaven together with Him and our Heavenly Father one day. And what a great day that will be!! Anyway, I'd love to invite you all to serve and love others more this week. Reach out to someone in need. I know there are those out there who need it. We all need some extra loving. =)   

Also....

Shout out to Grandma and Grandpa Gravatt!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great day!

I love you all!

Sister Burns 

Cory, our favorite recent convert, who is going out on the road to be a trucker! He is so missed!!!!

Bowling with the district!! We love it!

Mary!!! Investigator and sweetest lady ever!