Weekly Letter -- 10.27.2015

 Hello All!!

Sorry that I didn't get a weekly letter out last week. We went to the temple and it was so amazing!!

We got up at 5 am and left Kirtland at 6 in the morning. Shockingly, I wasn't that tired. I was so excited! We made it down to Columbus with time to spare. (I guess that's what happens when the seniors don't have Tiwi in their car...luckies.)

We were able to attend the morning session of the temple and then Ron met us there for baptisms. It was so wonderful! The neat part about it was that we were there for the recent convert/returning member session for baptisms. There were so many people there for the first time and so many missionaries! The Columbus temple is tiny, so it became a bit chaotic with so many people. But through it all, there was such a special feeling with so many amazing people all doing family file names.

Ron was one of the last to go, which was nice because the baptistry had almost cleared out by then. Sister Gough, the ward mission leader's wife, was able to be baptized for Ron's wife. It was the sweetest thing. Ron was so happy even through the earlier chaos. 

Miracles happened so much this week!!

So there is a family in our ward and I don't know if I have written home about them or not. Christina and JD recently lost their two year old son in an accident. Christina has been less active for seven years, but because of recent events, she has this great desire to come back to church. So, we have been visiting with her and she came to church for the first time two Sunday's ago. It was such a good thing! She brought her mother, sister, and daughter who all aren't members. Her sister LOVED it and was given a part in the Primary program. She went home and invited everyone! She even invited Christina's fiance who hasn't attended a church service of any religion for over 15 years. The miracle is that they ALL came to church last Sunday. Because of it, we are now teaching Christina's daughter and mom. Soon, I'm sure, we'll be teaching her sister, too. 

It's interesting to see how God can take one tragedy and can use those events to bring us closer to Him if we keep our faith and follow Him. We taught them all the Plan of Salvation last week and it was completely wonderful! There is so much comfort and peace that comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ and knowing God's plan for us. 

Alright, I hope this all makes sense. Email me if you have any questions. I might have missed a key piece to the story. I've come to re-realize that I'm the worst at writing stories. Haha. 

I love you all!

Sister Burns 

Ponderize: 3 Nephi: 21: 10 

I don't remember if I have sent this one home or not. Sister Guinn and I at 14 Months!

Chardon, Ohio in the Fall. 

Just a leaf at the Morley Farm.

Morley!

Witness Tree....this tree is over 200 years old...meaning it was here when Joseph Smith was.  

Elder and Sister Ramirez at the Morley Farm!

Fall!

District Picture. 

We went to the Zoo today with Sister H and her daughter. 

ELEPHANTS!

This giraffe acted completely like Melvin from Madagascar. So funny!

Baby!

Ahh, I just love these Sisters!!

Weekly Letter -- 10.12.2015

Hello Everyone!

Well, first things first....I get to go to the temple on the 24th with Ron and Tyler! AND I get to do a session beforehand! So with that, I probably wont have much emailing time or any at all. The 24th will be my Preparation Day next week. So don't be sad when you don't hear from me next Monday. I'm going to the temple! That's a happy thing. 

Also, the week after that my Preparation Day will be on Tuesday, the 27th, because of transfers. 

So with that....I don't really get a Preparation Day after today until the 27th...any letters or things like that would be nice in order to keep me sane until then. Thanks!

Okay, this week has been a good one! A fast one, but a good one. 

Ron finally got a job this week, he's getting family names together for the temple trip on the 24th, he got a temple recommend, and he is going to bless the sacrament soon! I found out about all of it yesterday. Talk about one good Sunday!! And to top it all off, he is so happy!! That is what the gospel is for -- to bring peace and comfort to each one of us through the Savior and His atoning sacrifice for us. It's a miracle that we can enjoy every day. =)

We got three new investigators this week! Ada and Freddy are so adorable. They are in an assisted living home. Ada ran into the elders on the bus and they gave her a card for the Book of Mormon. She called in and is SO excited to read it. We went over to her place and she read the entire Introduction without hardly stopping. She just loved it. Freddy can't really read, but he loved it, too. They are just sweeties....and so funny. 

Our other investigator is Michael. He is baptist and had met with the elders before, but it didn't go anywhere. We talked to him and he just wanted to know the differences between our church and any other church. At first we didn't think it was going too well, so 20 minutes into the lesson we just decided to testify of prophets and the Book of Mormon. We pulled out a copy and the first thing he did was, "can I get a copy of that!". Of course we handed it right over! We talked about knowing truth for ourselves and we promised him he will receive an answer if he studies and asks God if it's true with full sincerity of heart. He was very interested in learning more. We're going back next Tuesday to teach him the Restoration! It's just neat to see how the Lord leads His missionaries and how testifying of truth really helps bring the Spirit into a room. 

We've had some great moments this week. I just love Ohio and serving here!

Thanks for being wonderful!

Sister Burns

Ponderize: 2 Nephi 10:23

Last week was 1 Tim. 4:12 -- this is going to be my motto over the next six months. =)

Hi! We walked for five hours that day... Whew! 

*WHEEeeeeee* Lunch at a creepy, empty park. Oh yeah!

We helped a sister in the ward decorate cupcakes for a wedding reception. (I really like my camera) 

I did the chocolate ones. 

And this is what happens afterwards...... Hahaha. They tried to scare us...we got them back. 

We like Risk. And I almost have all of Europe. Today Europe....tonight THE WORLD! =)

Just walking around with our friend, Mr. Deer. 

HI! The sky is blue today and I'm happy!!!

Weekly Letter -- 10.5.2015

Hello Family!

This week went by so fast! I cannot believe that General Conference is over! Let's talk about how amazing that was though! Three new apostles! I'm so excited! 

One theme I noticed over and over again is that God chooses the weak and simple to do His will. He doesn't choose the most perfect or qualified (in the world's eyes) for the job. He chooses the meek and humble to do His will. We aren't perfect, but through Him miracles are brought to pass. Knowing this has brought so much comfort to my life, especially as I have served a mission. There are so many responsibilities that come from serving, but the Lord knows that we can accomplish every single one as we rely on Him. Nothing is impossible when we are on the Lord's errand. 

As far as favorite talks...I don't think I could choose a favorite. A few I loved were President Uchtdorf's talk from Women's Conference and his talk in the Saturday morning session. He said this great quote, "Exaltation is our goal, discipleship is our journey". It ties back into the theme I heard throughout that we're not perfect and that's okay. This gospel is a gospel of learning and becoming better and better each day. That is a part of the Great Plan of Happiness. We get to grow and strengthen ourselves as disciples of Jesus Christ and as children of Heavenly Father. It's comforting to know that I'm not perfect, I have weaknesses, but through the Atonement, I can be better. It's for me and it's simple. 

One of my favorite parts of General Conference was not what I heard, but it was seeing Ron's face as he was watching it. He was glowing! Literally, he was so happy and soaking in every word. That is what the gospel is about -- that is the gospel in action! His life is so much better and it has only been two months. He let the light of Christ into his life and He let the Savior heal him and help him move forward. We're going to the temple with him on the 24th and he is going to have someone get baptized for his wife. He is so excited! Moments like this make everything worth it.

Anyway, those are just a few of my thoughts this week. 

I love you all!

Sister Burns

Elder and Sister Lantz are leaving in two days. =(

Donald, who I taught in Kirtland! He got baptized on the 26th! I wasn't there, but that's him!