"Come what may and love it": Happiness Is... Weekly Letter 4.8.15

Hello!

Once upon a time in my college days, Kara Lynn and I would swing back and forth and tell each other what makes us happy. So, I'm not in Idaho anymore, but things here sure make me happy! I figured I'd share the list that I sent her today.

Happy list:

(Not in order of importance, of course)

1) Family!

2) Memories

3) KARA LYNN!

4) Preparation Days

5) Green grass

6) #BecauseHeLives

7) Easter

8) General Conference and the feel goods/personal revelation during it

9) My companion: Sister Heckert

10) Wearing this tag on my chest every day

11) ALL of the snow is melted

12) Hymns (I Believe In Christ sung by MoTab. Wow)

13) Smiles. Giving and receiving

14) Birds chirping

15) Feeling the sun on my skin. It's always overcast here

16) Knowing that life is crazy, but the Lord's hand is guiding me, so it will be amazing in the end

17) Letters in my mailbox

18) Taking a tour where the Spirit is so strong!

19) Sitting in the School of the Prophets every day

20) Seeing a less active of 11 years go back to the temple

21) Reading the Book of Mormon for an hour straight but it feels like two seconds

22) Getting a referral!

23) Walking where the Savior, Joseph Smith, Joel H. Johnson, and so many wonderful/influential people have walked!

24) Laughing to the point of tears with my companion and recent converts while eating delicious pizza. Priceless

25) Testifying of my Savior and feeling the Spirit speak through me into the hearts of those listening. Doesn't happen all the time, but nothing is better!

You know, it didn't take me long to think of this list and I could keep adding to it. After I wrote it I felt happier and happier! It's amazing what happens when we look over our lives and see God's hand in it. That's true happiness right there. So go ahead, make your own list! =)

Thought for the week:

We went to three services at the Kirtland Temple with the Community of Christ. Maundy Worship, Good Friday, and a Sunrise service on Easter. It was great being inside the temple and I love the friendships we have with members of other faiths. It's a testimony to me that Heavenly Father loves all of His children no matter who they are or what they believe.

Most importantly, I love pondering on the Savior and what He means to me. With those three services and then Easter and General Conference to really bring in the Spirit, I have felt so close to my Savior. He truly lives for me and you. He loves us more than we can comprehend and He's always there with open arms. I'm so grateful for that. He lives!

Funny for the week:

Tracting. Sister Heckert and I knock on a door. A little boy, maybe two years old, opens the door. Puppy runs out the door. Father standing in the hall...in his boxers....is in shock. Says, "I wasn't ready yet, son". The father quickly runs to the door (bright red), grabs puppy and #BecauseHeLives card and runs back inside. Meanwhile, missionaries are speechless and have a good laugh lasting hours on end. Oh the joys of missionary work!

Miracle for the week:

This is just the most recent one. The area has been dead. Literally, dead. We've been praying to know how to help the area grow and to see miracles. Well, this morning we received a referral for a man up by the lake! It's a little miracle, but it was a reminder that the Lord is watching over the area and this is His work. As long as we are doing His will, the area will grow and we will see miracles.

I loved General Conference! I'm sad it's over, but I cannot wait to read it all. Ensign here we come! Nothing is better than studying the words of Christ's prophets and apostles for the next 6 months.

Yes Mom, I had a wonderful Easter dinner at the Schembre's and a huge pot luck lunch with the ward in between sessions. We were well taken care of. =)

We were at sites a lot this past week with transfers and all. Oh, did I tell you I'm still with Sister Heckert? YES! I can't remember if I did or not. Anyway, sites are getting so busy!! When there are too many tours and not enough sets of sisters we have to split up, so I took two solo tours without Sister Heckert yesterday. I've come to realize I like having a companion and I might have had major separation anxiety. Haha. I've been told that as Summer comes and things get crazy I'll get use to it. So we'll see.

Monday at sites a couple and a sister came in and they all served in Emily's mission on her island! It was so cool to see them. I was able to take them on tour as well. They were constantly talking about how amazing Sister Welch is and how she's the best missionary...completely genuine. Goal in life: be more like Sister Welch. =)

Anyway, that's the life this week. Missionary work is the best!

Love you all!

Sister Burns

Jack Frost doughnuts! Recent converts are the best!