Weekly Letter -- 9.28.2015

Hello All!!

Highlights of the week: 

1) RON & OLIVIA'S BAPTISM!

It was such a great day! There were so many people and the Spirit was so strong. Ron and Livvie were smiling so much. Livvie has been so cute about it! She was talking to me yesterday at church and she was like, "I can't remember things anymore. I mean, I can still remember math and things like that, but I can't remember the bad things!" Ahh, why is she so cute! 

It's amazing to see where they were seven weeks ago and where they are today. Sure, there are still trials in their lives, but they seem so much more happy. Ron smiles. He keeps commenting on how he's finally starting to feel the peace he has been searching for. I know that that peace will continue to grow. We're planning on going to the temple on October 24th with Ron and a few other returning members and I'm so excited! Truly, the temple provides so much peace! I'm so excited for Ron to enter that amazing building. 

2) ALPACAS! 

Outside the church building! (This was taken for Linds!) Hahahahahaha!!!

3) Funny of the week.....

We went to this SKETCH rehabilitation center to visit a less active and there were no quiet places where we could talk....so he said, "I have an idea. Grab a chair and follow me". So we did that and followed him to the....

SHOWER ROOM! 

What?! 

HAHAHAHA!!!!

*creepy picture taken from our dinosaur phone when he looked away because we forgot our cameras!*

I'm literally sitting inside the shower!!! This was the hardest lesson to keep a straight face. But on a happy note, he's watching General Conference this weekend! 

​4) We were able to take the most amazing tour last Thursday! It was with a man and his two sons. The day before a senior sister called and said there was a tour coming and she knew that we needed to take it. One son had been excommunicated and is finally on his way back. The moment we met them we knew this tour would be different from every tour we had previously taken. There was an overwhelming feeling of love for this man. I knew during every moment of that tour that the Savior loved him. I couldn't think of anything else. We were able to watch Because He Lives (helives.mormon.org) and share our testimonies with them after. 

I'm still not sure why we were supposed to give that tour, but I now have a stronger testimony of the Atonement. I know that the Savior loves each and every one of us no matter what we have done. There is always a way back to Him. Sure, the path isn't easy, but it's possible through the Savior and I know that He is there with us every step of the way. He loves us. 

5) General Women's Conference was amazing! I cannot wait for next weekend. Nothing is better than hearing from the Prophet and coming closer to the Savior. Be happy everyone! =) And watch General Conference! 

6) I almost forgot! We were able to meet with another sister who is coming back to church. Her 1 year old son just passed away, so it has been a hard few weeks, but we were able to speak with her and it's just amazing to know that families are forever. She will get to see her child again. I'm excited to see how the gospel will continue to strengthen her in this time of trial.

7) Donald from the Kirtland Ward also got baptized on Saturday! I was teaching him before I got transferred! It's exciting! 

Okay, I've got to get running! Know that I love you all 

Sister Burns

Oh, my new apartment address is: 

34755 Park East Drive 

Apt. B206

Solon, OH 44139

But you are more than welcome to continue to send things to the Visitors Center! 

7800 Kirtland-Chardon Rd. 

Kirtland, Ohio 44094

Thanks!

Bowling last Preparation Day! I didn't win...but I didn't lose either! 

Lays competition. Sister Hancock has been looking for this flavor for the longest time and we finally found it!! Biscuits and Gravy for the win!

This was in the Primary room yesterday at church. Cute!

Weekly Letter -- 9.21.2015

Hello World!

This week was a roller coaster! Transfers were hard. We found out Monday that we had to move and then during transfers we found out that Elders were moving in...to the Solon South area.....our area!! WHAT?! And then we figured they were bringing the biking area back, so that was us. But then we still had a car, but then we found out we didn't have a car! So that means we lost all of our investigators! All seven! Including Ron and Olivia! But then we found out that we DO have a car. And then we found out our area just got split so we have the west area...which still doesn't include Ron and Olivia...the week before their baptism! Nooo! Literally, I was heartbroken. Then we found out that we only have five active members in our entire area. The Elders got 30 families.... But then about an hour later we found out that we still get to teach Ron and Olivia until their baptism! So I'm okay.

I told you it was a roller coaster. So pretty much our area is now the boonies/ghetto, but we still have a few of our investigators, but no members to work with. It's a change, but we'll figure it out. 

Anyway, we had no idea any of this was changing, so it came as a shock -- a hard one to swallow. But can I tell you, Heavenly Father knows what's going on. He knows what we need. I was able to get a blessing of comfort and I was for sure comforted. God knows our ups and downs. He knows what we need and what will help us grow. If we do the same thing we've always done we'll get the same results we've always got. So change is good. I know God is helping us all through our lives. Thank heavens we aren't alone. 

And on a REALLY happy note! Ron and Olivia are set for this Saturday! I'm so excited for them. They have changed so much over the last 6 weeks. They are so much happier. Things aren't perfect by any means, but they are progressing. God is helping them. The gospel is amazing! 

I love you all!  

Sister Burns

Weekly Letter -- 9.15.2015

Hello World!!!

Quick update:

- Ron and Olivia are still on baptism date for the 26th. Livvie is the cutest thing! She has memorized, "I Am a Child of God" so she can sing it at her baptism. We taught Ron the Word of Wisdom and he said, "That's really funny. I use to smoke and drink, but I just felt like stopping when I met the elders in Columbus, so I did". What?! He just stopped smoking. Ahh, miracles happen all the time! He's so prepared!

- Mianca is our new investigator! She's so adorable! We went over to give her a Bible that she requested and she wasn't having the best day. She just found out that her godmother had just passed away and things weren't going well. She was yelling at her kids the entire time were were standing there and it didn't seem to be going too well, but then we asked if we could pray with them and the entire feeling in the room changed. The kids all came over and there was so much peace. I prayed (and even got an "amen" from Mianca during it. Score!) and it was so amazing to see the difference afterwards. There is a power in prayer. We are going back to see her tonight. I'm so excited! 

- Transfers are tomorrow, but I'm not getting transferred. I do have to move though. They are moving probably Elders into our apartment, so we have to move in with the other Solon sisters. That will be a party all the time! So much for having a relaxing Prep Day. Haha

That's all I have time for today. I love you all!!!

Sister Burns

Scooters Hotdogs

Sawmill selfie! 

Happy Moose!

Packing our apartment last night. So bittersweet!

Weekly Letter - 9.8.2015

Hello Family!!!

Quick update:

Ron and Olivia have a baptismal date for September 26! 

They are so amazing! The ward has been so wonderful at fellow shipping and welcoming them into the ward. Olivia absolutely loves it! She was even telling peopleon Sunday that she was getting baptized this month. Cutest thing ever! Ron is a man...and never shows emotion! But hey, the Spirit knows what he's thinking, so we're pressing forward and he seems to really be getting happier even through all of his trials. They have been to church twice and things have just been so perfect. The thing I love is that no matter what we're going through, the gospel of Jesus Christ helps lighten our loads and provides comfort and strength through the hard times. Ron is seeing that and it's neat as a missionary to be able to see that in his life, as well. The atonement of Jesus Christ is sure powerful and amazing!

Marco has a baptismal date, too!! September 26th! (Although, he decided to leave for the weekend, so he didn't come to church. It will probably be moved back a week or so.) 

Marco is so neat! He's the miracle referral from last week. We were able to meet with him twice last week. His father was a member and his mother wasn't, so he was raised around the church, but never joined. It's just neat seeing his desire to have the happiness that he saw his dad's side of the family had. He is so great and I'm excited to see him progress. 

Sammi....we weren't able to meet with this week. She went out of town, too. But she's still so wonderful! I'll update you on her next week. 

We have a new investigator! Mary. She's a cute old lady who requested a Bible. She's wheelchair bound and such a sweetie! We're going back for our second lesson tomorrow. 

I just want you all to now how much I love you! Thank  you for being so wonderful and being such a great support. You make every day even better! 

I love you!

Sister Eleena Burns

Just a good morning from Ohio!

Exchanges in Amish country!

With Sister Bishop! I'm not sure why this turned out so horrible...but it's the only picture I took. Oh well.

Community of Christ Pancake Breakfast! 

Kendra....it's real good!

Chagrin Falls.

Weekly Letter....8.31.2015

Hello Family!!

This week has been full of miracles! 

We had a mission conference with Elder Bennett of the Seventy. It was such a great day! We talked about so many things, but one of them was not listening to the lies that Satan tell us. And goodness, he tries to tell so many lies to missionaries! Like, that person doesn't look interested, or they'll think I'm weird if I do that, etc. That's just ridiculous! This is the Lord's work! He knows who is ready to hear the gospel, so if the Spirit says do something, you do it! We might not be blessed in the ways we think we will, like those we talk to saying yes to meeting with us, but the blessings will come!

And did they come! We made a goal this week to follow every prompting we receive and even if we have to go completely out of our way/ comfort zone we'll to do it. Not that we weren't doing that before, but there is always room for improvement! When Heavenly Father sees a person is completely willing to follow Him, then those blessings He has promised us come. 

That night after the conference, we went to the mall for dinner. While the other sisters were in a store, Sister Hancock and I started talking to this guy. He was so interested and we were able to give his information to the elders in his area. 

The next day at sites we took a tour and through some pretty amazing experiences, we were able to help this lady with her daughter-in-law. We had no idea she needed help, but the Spirit did. 

The next day we got the coolest miracle! Introducing MARCUS!

We got a Head Quarter Referral for a man who wanted a missionary visit. We called, no answer. He called back...we were pretty shocked. (That normally doesn't happen) We talked to him and it turns out that his family lives in Utah and are all members. He was raised in the church, but through some events, he was never baptized and his family fell away for a while. He said that spending the summer in Utah with his active family, he's finally getting his life back in order. He has read the Book of Mormon multiple times (in English and Italian) and he knows it's true. He's applying to BYU so he would like to get baptized. 

*insert missionary fainting here*

We have our first lesson with him tonight and we are so excited!!!

It's amazing what happens when you show God that you are willing to follow Him. He doesn't always bless you in the ways that you think...they are ALWAYS better. It's just in His timing.

Sammi was sick this weekend, so we weren't able to visit with her, but she's still progressing and still as sweet as ever! 

Ron and Olivia are really progressing. They came to church today and the ward just loved them! It's so amazing to see Christ's church in action. Truly people comforting those that stand in need of comfort. It was wonderful! Also, Olivia (8 and 1/2 and 3/4) is the cutest thing ever! We had Family Home Evening last night at the Ward Mission Leader's home and Olivia and I were put into a group to find a scripture we liked on Prayer. I read a few headings in the Index and she said she liked 2 Nephi 26:15 "...and the prayers of the faithful shall be heard, and all those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not be forgotten". She liked it because it talked about faith and how God doesn't forget us. She is so smart! She doesn't always seem like she's listening to the lessons, but she is. Also, she rested her head on my arm during FHE and she always wants to sit next to me. Ahh. why are kids the cutest! This missionaries day was made. 

Steve was baptized this past weekend! I wasn't able to go because we took Ron and Olivia to a closer one, but I heard it went great! I love seeing people change. I heard the moment he came up out of the water he yelled, "Yippy!". He has changed so much since we first met him. He's just the cutest! The gospel is wonderful and the Atonement is real. We can all change and feel the same happiness. 

Know that I love you all! And Heavenly Father loves you all too! If that's one thing I've learned this week, God knows how to help you. He knows what you need. There are so many blessings that come from following him and just being willing to do His will. Miracles happen every day. 

I love you all!

Sister Eleena Burns 

P.S. Happy Birthday to all my favorite people that I never give a shout out to this month! Mel, Sister Erickson, Benson, Mom, Rochelle, Douglas, Kendra....I feel like I'm missing someone..... Sorry if I missed you! I love you all!

Hopefully I'll get more pictures soon, but here's Steve with the Elders!

​

Only in Cleveland

 

I've found some of my family!

Just funny...

Hi Mom!

Haha!!

OLIVIA! She doesn't like pictures very much.

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