Hi World!!!
I needed to write a letter to my parents ward for their fifth Sunday Sunday School class, so that took all of my time today. I figured you might enjoy it though! (See below the pictures)
Thanks for everything!
I love you all,
Sister Burns
Sunset at Kirtland
Like Applebees only better. They have the best cookies in the world!!
Eating said cookies. Yumm.
Sister Brooks. My hero.
Teaching the Plan of Salvation playdough style. =)
Thank you for being so wonderful to my family! I'm not even in Utah and I can see how you have welcomed all of us so warmly into your ward.
That is exactly what Christ would want and through our baptismal covenants, we've promised to do it (see Mosiah 18). So thank you!
This past week I was able to attend Zone Conference. A smaller section of our mission is able to meet with the Mission President, the Area Seventy and other wonderful church leaders. This conference was particularly wonderful. Aside from the drivers training videos and a delightful bed bugs presentation (yes, they do exist...yuck), the conference was full of inspiration and motivation that can only come in and through the Spirit.
During Zone Conference we always have the privilege of singing our mission song. I'm sure it will lose power without being sung in person, but picture, if you will, 50 full-time missionaries singing will all of their heart as they testify of the truths found in these words:
Verse 1:
"We have been born as Nephi of old to goodly parents who love the Lord.
We have been taught and we understand that we must do as the Lord commands.
Chorus 1:
We are as the Army of Heleman. We have prepared since our youth.
And we will be the Lord's missionaries to bring the world His truth.
Verse 2:
We have been called and we will obey, repent and work with our might each day.
We'll call on Him through fasting and prayer and with His help we will be prepared.
Chorus 2:
We are in the Ohio Cleveland. We have prepared since our youth. And we are in the Ohio Cleveland to bring Ohio His truth.
Verse 3:
We have been called to serve in the place where Christ our Savior has shown His face.
We know the words the Lord has proclaimed, Kirtland will be built up again.
Repeat chorus
To bring Ohio His truth"
The first bit sound familiar, I know. But there is so much power in those words. As I have served I have come to realize how great the example of my parents have been to me. Because of their faith and strength, I was able to grow and become the missionary I am today. It doesn't just stop there. I am so grateful for the leaders and teachers I have had throughout my entire life. I'm sure all of you don't see the good you are doing every single day and I know serving becomes tiring, but not a single ounce of that service goes to waste. Sure, sometimes on my mission I knock on a door and no one answers, but I know the time I gave to the Lord -- no matter how I might view it -- is noticed by the One person it matters most to.
I guess what I'm trying to say is I've come to notice how perfect the organization of Christ's church is. Home Teaching, Visiting Teaching, Sunday School, Primary -- no matter where you are serving it is so important. God knows His children, He knows how to help them become the person He sees in them. As we follow the Savior and the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can see a little glimpse of what Heavenly Father sees -- and what we can see is beautiful!
What you could see is a shy, little girl growing up to become a brave missionary (miracles!!) somewhere in Ohio teaching people in ways she never thought she could teach and loving people she never even knew existed. From there, she has been able to share the greatest message in the world and help Heavenly Father influence others as their lives are changed. There is nothing better than seeing these miracles and you're a part of it!
God needs our hands to do His work. Sometimes it's scary to put our beliefs out there for the world to see (trust me, I know), but as we do so, the Lord gives us strength. He promises "[He] will go before [our] face. [He] will be on [our] right hand and on [our] left, and [His] Spirit shall be in [our] hearts, and [His] angels round about [us], to bear [us] up" (D&C 84:88).
This is the best promise in the world!!!! Heavenly Father is right there by our side as we do His will. This scripture has given me so much strength.
As a missionary, our purpose is to, "Invite others (every single child of God) to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end" (PMG pg 1). That sentence means more to me than I ever thought possible. We can help every single child of God come closer to Heavenly Father no matter where they are in their journey back to Him -- and we're all on this path somewhere. The great thing is every member is a missionary. We can see the miracles of serving Heavenly Father even in our own ward and community. Like I said before, I'm not even in Utah and I can see how the Ivins 2nd Ward is doing this. If I can see it from Ohio, think of all the good Heavenly Father can see from where He is. It's amazing. You all are!
We're all a part of this great work and I'm so glad to call you all my brothers and sisters!
As it states in the third verse of my mission song, "We have been called to serve in the place where Christ our Savior has shown His face". I know that our Savior lives and I know that He loves us. I know that there is nothing better than helping others have the joys of the gospel we so often take for granted. I know that this gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ, brings more joy than anything we can come up with on our own. I know I have a family that can be eternal. I know that Joseph Smith restored Christ's original and complete church. I know the Savior was in Kirtland and I love testifying of that daily! I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I study from it every single day and I know I have grown closer to my Savior because of it. I know that Thomas S. Monson leads and guides us today. As we follow the teachings of Christ, through the scriptures or modern day prophets, we will receive strength and guidance to accomplish the tasks we need to do in this life. I know we are never left alone. Our Savior loves us. He suffered all things for us. We can repent -- let go of those weights that are holding us down -- and come back to Him. We can be free from guilt and pain. I know this with all my heart. I know God loves all of you.
Thank you for supporting all of us missionaries -- those serving in Utah and throughout the world. We cannot do our work without your help. Members are vital to spreading forth the gospel. So thank you!
Sending love from Ohio,
Sister Burns
