"Come what may and love it": Weekly Letter -- 12.8.2015

Hello!!!

This week has had so much crammed into seven days! It feels like three weeks into one.

We had Mission Conference last Tuesday! It was amazing! It started off pretty normal. We went to the visitors' center, watched #asaviorisborn (I'd highly recommend watching them and sharing them!), and looked at the nativity exhibit (which is AMAZING this year, by the way! We have 932 creches!). Afterwards, we went to the Stake Center and had lunch. President was rushing through everything during lunch and we couldn't figure out why because we had like two and a half hours blocked out for lunch. Anyway, we watched a slideshow while we were eating and then all of a sudden The Best Two Years started playing!!! We were all freaking out!!! Nothing is better than watching that moving with 200 missionaries! Haha. It was so good and so funny! I didn't get half of the jokes before my mission. So that was a highlight.

*Commence quoting in the Ohio Cleveland Mission!*

"Please bless that young man that he will call." *ring* "AMEN!" HAHAHA. Oh, it was so good!

But I did learn a lot -- I can't waste my mission away. Miracles are just waiting to happen. When I show God that I am willing to do what He needs me to and ACT, I will be able to see those miracles! Renewed strength to continue to the end...check!

The best part of the day was going to the Kirtland Temple. We had two hours to sing and share our testimonies. There is nothing more powerful than the temple packed with missionaries. The Spirit is so strong in that wonderful building. I love it.

That night was sad though. Sister Fitzgerald has been sick for months, so she was sent home. So sad! Now Sister Sorensen, Holyoak and I are in a triple-up. Juggling two areas is always interesting, but a fun adventure.

On December 3rd, I had exchanges with Sister Bird and we were able to teach Brenda, our seven-year-long investigator. She is the sweetest, but can't quit smoking. We had such a good lesson with her and she's on baptism date for January 2nd!! What a good birthday that will be. I'm getting transferred tomorrow so I wont be here for it, but I'm so excited for her and I know that God will help her quit smoking and make it to that date. I love missions and being able to see the atonement work in the lives of others.

Christina, Deeanna, Tessa and Shania came to church on Sunday. One of my all-time favorite moments as a missionary is when a less-active member or an investigator comes to church. That night we had a lesson with Christina and Tessa. JD even sat in on the entire lesson and told us he wants to go to church next week. Ahh, I am so excited!! Anyway, Tessa, who claimed to be atheist, told us that she had a breakdown at school the other day. She didn't know what to do, so she decided to go into the bathroom and pray. It was so cool listening to her tell about that story and how she felt the need to pray and ask for help. I love seeing her grow and her entire family find greater peace and happiness as they allow God into their lives! I'm going to miss them so much, but I am beyond excited too for the new sister missionary who in coming to Solon and that she gets to meet these amazing people.

This morning we had an adventure. We got to go to seminary at 5:50am! I don't know how the students do it. They are amazing! Anyway, they are studying Judges right now, so we got to come and judge their scripture chase. It was so funny. We had pins at the end of gavels and got to pop a balloon from the losing teams side. The seminary teacher is the funniest guy I have ever met. We all had a blast.

Well, hopefully I didn't bore you out of your mind as you read this, but just know how much I love this gospel. I have had so many wonderful moments this week where I have been able to share my testimony with those around me. I know that God loves us. I know He lives. I know He is the author of happiness. I know it. I've seen it.

I love you all!

Have a blessed day!

Sister Eleena Burns

7800 Kirtland-Chardon Road

Kirtland, Ohio 44094

SOOOOOOO MANY PICTURES!!!