We're All Pretty Blessed -- Weekly Letter 3.31.15

Hello!!!

This week had so many ups and downs, that's for sure. 

Up = Women's Conference. Ahh, it was so wonderful being able to listen to the leaders of Christ's church and being able to improve who we are to come closer to our Father in Heaven. Yep, nothing is better than that. 

Up #2 = Wonderful, powerful tours and being able to testify of the living Savior and Redeemer of the world. It's the best feeling in the world and nothing can top it!

Up #3 = Transfers are tomorrow and I get to stay in Kirtland North with Sister Heckert!!! So happy for that!!! She's AMAZING! Five transfers down. 

Down = It's not my down, but it's with two of the recent converts in the ward. We love them more than anything, so this was in most of our week. They wouldn't mind me sharing the story, but for my email I'll just call them Brother and Sister S. Well, they are a couple who joined the church six months ago and haven't been married for much longer than that. Sister S. had surgery a few weeks ago to remove a growth in her stomach. About a week later Brother S. found out he had cancer -- leukemia. Pretty serious. This is his second time going through this. They are only in their 30's, too. About a week later Sister S. got her results from her growth and they came back cancerous. Yep, it's like a horrible romance movie. 

Brother S. left right away for Philly to a cancer treatment. He will be there from anywhere from a month to a year. Sister S. will be getting some very serious surgery on the 7th and then chemo treatments after that. She has to stay in Cleveland for it all. So within two weeks they both found out they have cancer and the normal support that would get them through it all is gone.   

I cannot imagine or comprehend how hard this is for them, but I LOVE seeing their faith through it all. Sister S. is the strongest women I know. This is terrifying, but she testifies to us often how much of a blessing it is to have the gospel. If this all happened a year ago, she knew she couldn't make it through. With the knowledge of the Savior and His plan for her, she knows that she can overcome all obstacles, even if it doesn't go as planned. 

Another little blessing is that Sister S's mother is now meeting with the missionaries! She was opposed to it before, but she has seen the outpouring of love and support from the ward and the strength that her daughter now has. This is a testimony to me that hard times do come, but even with the hard times, the Savior is there helping us through them. Good can and will always come when we turn to the Savior and rely on Him. In the end, with the Savior, this turned into an up for this week.

Anyway, this has been a happy week even with all of that. I LOVE OHIO!!!!! Now I'm just ready for the leaves to get on some trees. =)

I love you all!!!

Happy Conference!!!!

Sister Burns

It's me!!! Sister Heckert drew it in literally two seconds. 

My view in the morning....

Other window. School of The Prophets! (Window in the white building)

Hello from the Davis.

Euclid District! E. Mitchel, Long, S. Heckert, Guinn, Rallison, Bird, Livingston, Merritt, Allen, Barfuss, me!

"Wipe Off the Tar and Keep Going"

Hello world!!

I only have time for a quick thought today.....

So last Wednesday we were able to have a special conference with President and Sister Vellinga down at the John Johnson Farm in Hiram, Ohio. It was just for the sister missionaries in the mission. We were able to receive some counsel from them both and take a tour of the Johnson Farm with all of us. (I only give tours in Kirtland unless my proselyting area is Hiram, so it was a treat.)

While at the farm, they tell the story of Joseph getting tarred and feathered by the mob. (Which actually happened on March 24, 1832...today. Fact for ya.) I love this story for a few reasons, but President pointed out a new perspective that we can apply to our lives and with anything we do. 

Joseph was nearly beaten to death and they spent the entire night wiping tar from his skin. Because of that night, they lost a little baby, too. I cannot imagine the pain that inflicted or the strength it would have taken to keep going. But he did and that's the point that President made. Joseph got up, struggled home, wiped the tar off, and kept going. He didn't give up. We are not called to go through the same trials, but when we press forward and keep our eyes on the Savior we can overcome ALL trials. We can "wipe off the tar and keep going". Sure, it's hard, but it's possible. Through the Savior, anything is possible.    

I'm so grateful for the lessons I'm learning out here and for the people I get to help. It's such a blessing. Nothing is better. 

Have a great week! Don't forget Women's Conference on the 28th and #BecauseHeLives on the same day. Share it! And General Conference the next weekend. SO EXCITED! 

I love you all! 

Sister Burns

 

Nothing too exciting this week. But my plant is blooming!!! 

For my Mother. =) Happy belated St. Patrick's Day. Now I just need some corned beef and cabbage.

P.S. I finally got to talk to Dave! He's working with the missionaries and is going to get baptized the end of April!! They're still setting the date. I'm so excited!!! He's so ready! I love seeing the change in his life. It was so dark and he had so much guilt. Through the gospel, that guilt is leaving and the light of Christ is flowing in. Nothing is better!!!

Sister Burns 

Countdown!

Hello!! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The sun is shining and it's a miracle! The snow is almost all melted and I only need a jacket. I didn't realize how much I missed the sun until it showed its face again. 

Well, because of the sun, I couldn't be happier!! Everything this week just seemed to be better. Heavenly Father sure does love His children. I'm reminded how much when His creations give me so much joy. "Men are that they might have joy". Goodness, Ohio is beautiful! And Spring hasn't even started yet. I'm just waiting for that to hit. Countdown. 

Speaking of countdown....

18 days until General Conference! I'm so excited!!! I can't believe it's here again, but it can't come fast enough. The Lord truly has a prophet today who lead and guides us. Jesus Christ loves all of us and blesses us more than we can see. So....watch General Conference of the 4th and 5th. Ask Heavenly Father questions and I know you will find your answers. When you find them, act on them. You'll be able to see His hand in your life when you do. 

Spring in Kirtland is amazing, too. The Stony Brook that runs through the sites is thawed and thundering down the banks. I've never seen it so full or fast. And the grass is GREEN! I'm so use to brown grass in Utah, but the moment the snow was gone, the grass was the same color it was when the snow fell. So pretty! 

We were able to take a pretty great tour yesterday. It was with a man from Logan/Texas who is an early morning seminary teacher. I've never been on a tour that I loved more. It was getting dark outside, so the lanterns were on inside the store. During that time of day it feels like you're back in the 1800's with Joseph Smith and can get a really great picture in your head of what it would have been like. We were able to talk about the saints that were here in Kirtland and why they followed Jesus Christ. We talk about the trials they were called to go through and how they showed their faith. The brother pointed out one of the innumerable reasons that the Savior was so wonderful. He is the firstborn of Heavenly Father and He had all that the Father had. Instead of keeping it all to Himself, He did all that He could to give it to us. He came to Earth, showed us the way, performed the Atonement, died and was resurrected so that we might all be able to follow Him. He is our best friend and older brother. He loves us and wants us to have joy. There is no other way to find it but through Him. I've seen a little sliver of that on my mission. Truly, nothing is better than looking to the Savior and trusting in His grace. 

That all brings me to countdown number two....

19 days to Easter! Springtime. New life. General Conference. The resurrection of Jesus Christ. This time is wonderful. I am so grateful for me Savior and for the Love that He shows me. He loves each and every one of you and we can all know that. He is there for us through all the aspects of our lives -- through good, happy, sad, bad -- He's there. 

March 27th -- look out for #BecauseHeLives

April 5th -- get on You-Tube and see the main ad! 

March 17 -- Write Sister Burns

Right now -- Follow Historic Kirtland on Facebook

Thanks! 

I love you all!

Sister Burns

Ahchoo! Bless you!! A member is OBSESSED with her cat. His name is Ahchoo. 

And Mom/Dad, those are the boots I bought with your Christmas money. Thank you!!

We saw a car from Utah and had a little happy moment. 

Harry Potters bathroom under the stairs. =) My new bathroom! 

I love the members here! 

Random chats. You've got to love them. 

GEESE!

"Liz on top of the world" 

We were being artsy at the lake. 

Hi from Lake Erie!

Is It Springtime Yet? -- Weekly Letter 3.10.15

Hello!!!

Exciting things this week... 

We went to the Christmas Story house last week!! I'm thinking my parents posted the pictures, but it was so much fun! Who would have thought there were things like that in Cleveland. I'm really loving this place. 

It's WARM and the snow is melting!!! It hit 40 degrees! Above freezing. Yes! Miracles! 

Random. A member's bird hated my guts and wouldn't ever come near me. Then I turned around to leave and he flew fast out of the member's hand and landed on my head! I have never jumped so much in my life! The revenge of the bird was the only thing that was running through my mind. But, all was well. No bird poop was found. =) Everyone in Ohio is obsessed with their animals. If you want to get in with people, you have to get in with their animals first. 

Last night there was a group of Laurels from Hurricane, Utah who came to Kirtland. A few of us missionaries were able to talk with them, sing, and then we had a Q&A. Having that time to really reflect on my mission and what it means to me was a special time. They asked us for mission advice as many of them are preparing for their missions. They also asked why we decided to serve and what we have learned. Looking back over the last seven months I have seen that I am a completely different person. Yes, I'm still me, but I'm a better version. I'm more patient, I adjust to change better, I get along with others better, I'm better at planning and being organized, I love and have desires to help complete strangers, I'm more humble, service is my favorite thing. I love studying the scriptures! I wish I could study for hours. I love my Heavenly Father more than ever before and I know He's always there with me and He loves me more than I can comprehend. Nothing is better than knowing that. I know I have a Savior who is my ultimate best friend. I can turn to Him always and with His help I can do things I never thought I could. Missionary work is hard -- it's the hardest thing I have ever done -- but it's the most rewarding thing I have ever done. It's better than graduating from college or any other big event that has happened in my life. Having the Lord by your side always and helping others is the best thing anyone could do. Knowing the Savior is right by your side and He is leading you through all of life's ups and downs is worth every sacrifice. Anyway, I was able to speak with these girls, tell them of this amazing work, and feel the Spirit so strong as I did so. Truly, this is the Lords work!  

Well, time is over, but know how grateful I am for all of you! God loves you!

I love you all!

Sister Burns 

Christmas Story House!

"You'll shoot your eye out!"

​
Sister Sposito!

Classic.

Just for Daddy!

​

Faith. Weekly letter 3.3.15

Hello!!

I have no time, so you're stuck with a few pictures from my week. 

Lighthouse!!! We got to go see Fairport Harbor. It's way at the end of our area, so we don't get out there all that often, but we got to last week. No one lives there during the winter, so it felt like a ghost town, but I loved thinking of all the history that happened here. There were so many saints who came into Kirtland via the harbor. Lucy Smith was one of them and so many others. I'm so grateful for their sacrifices and the miracles that followed. I have no time, but the story of Lucy and her company coming over is pretty amazing. Look it up. I'm pretty sure I read it in "The Savior in Kirtland" by Karl Anderson. I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the ice broke just long enough for the saints to leave New York and escape the persecution up there. God is always looking out for us. Even when times look impossible, if we keep our faith in the Savior, He will always lead us to safety. It might not be how we think it will come, but that help always comes.  

Sister Heckert!! God sure knew what He was doing when He put us together. I love her oh so much!! I know that the Savior is always watching out for me. He'll give me trial s to learn from and overcome, but He will always bless me for my faith in Him. I guess my week is all going back to having faith in Christ and we cane get out of the rough patches...in His own timing. Because His timing is perfect. 

God also has a sense of humor. Burns and Heckert.....get it? Burns n' Heckert? Think about it. 

I absolutely LOVE serving in Kirtland!! I'm still getting use to the area, but it's coming along and I am already feeling at home. There is nothing better than serving no matter what area I am in. 

Oooo, wonderful tour that we took yesterday... There was a couple who came in and they just wanted to go up to the School of the Prophets. As we walked there we found out they met six years ago in Kirtland in a Zions Camp. She has since joined the church, they got married in the temple and they now have a little one-year-old. We sat in the School of the Prophets and they shared with us their testimony of the Savior and of His prophet, Joseph Smith, that they received here. The Spirit was so strong in the room. After a little, Sister Heckert and I left them alone in the room to talk. (Perks to coming to sites in the winter when it's slow). Anyway, I loved seeing the way the Spirit that is constantly here can influence the lives of so many people. The Savior might not be here physically, but the Spirit is as strong as ever. There is nothing better than feeling the Savior's love each and every moment. 

Okay, time is far spent. I love you all!

Sister Burns

P.S. Sorry for typos. I have no time to reread anything. Hopefully it makes sense. Good luck!

P.P.S. I'm at my year left mark today (Unless something crazy happens). Ahh! Time. Slow. Down!