A Christmas Miracle!

Hello Everyone!

I have a small favor to ask...and if you could ask others to help, too, (Facebook, Wards, and whatnot) that would be great! 

There is a member of our ward who is in a rehabilitation center. His family is in California, so he is completely alone and will be alone for Christmas. Anyway, he is the best person! He has a Facebook group where people who don't have family or things like that will request a card for the holidays. Last Christmas this Brother sent over 100 personalized cards out to those in need. Well, this year we thought we could give him something back! 

Here's how you can help -- just send a letter or a card to me at the address below and address the card to Brother Vine. Also, there are two more seniors in our ward that will be in the rest home alone for Christmas, too. Could you send cards for them, too? Sister Wolf and Brother Billingsly. 

Thanks for making this happen! You are the best!   

Have a blessed day!

Sister Eleena Burns

7800 Kirtland-Chardon Road

Kirtland, Ohio 44094

Weekly Letter -- 11.16.2015

Hello Everyone!!

I just have a quick miracle to share! 

I might have told you about Fabian about two months ago. We were walking down the street and this deaf guy came up to us. We started writing notes back and forth and he said that God didn't love him because he was deaf. We told him that was the furthest thing from the truth! We gave him the Book of Mormon and a promise that if he read that book he would know that God loves him! We got his information and sent him a text a few days later. We waited for a response, but nothing came. 

Last Wednesday this text came in, "Hello Sister Hancock and Sister Burns. This is Fabian. Remember me? I'm deaf. I read your book. What's next? Text me back."

That was the best moment ever! From then on, everything worked out so perfectly! There is a member of the Kirtland Ward who is fluent in ASL and is going to come teaching with us. Fabian is so excited and ever eager to meet with us. I love seeing the Lord's hand in all of this. We weren't planning on walking that street at that time and we were down to our last Book of Mormon. We weren't even going to talk to him because we were in the middle of a conversation with another man. But God knows His children and He knows what we need -- even if it doesn't make sense to us or the rest of the world at that time. Miracles happen every day! 

I love this gospel and I love having the Spirit with me always! He truly leads and guides my every step when I let Him. I know that this is the Savior's restored church. I see proof of it every single day! It hasn't been easy getting to this point and to be able to see it, but it is so worth every step. Nothing is better than knowing my Savior loves me and every single child in this world. It's a wonderful thing!

Have a blessed day! (Everyone here says that at the end of everything! I love it!)

Sister Eleena Burns

Decorating the Christmas tree!!! I swear we just did this. 

Our 15 months on the mission!

It's the "city lights" setting on my camera. Haha

So at FHE Ron always sits in the corner in this chair with the red blanket that is always there waiting for him. This is how the sisters were when he came around the corner. haha. 

Ooops...and I just realized I left the city lights filter on. Oh well...

Weekly Letter -- 11.9.2015

Hello!! 

I have zero time to write this email! Oops!!

But I had to share how amazing this past weekend was! We were able to do a veterans program last Saturday and there were so many veterans that came! The miracle was that two weeks ago we sounded like cats falling down a chalkboard....no joke. It was horrible! 

Well, the day before, we had our rehearsal and we actually sounded okay. And then we sounded so good the day of. We all had speaking parts, too, and as a missionary we don't have time to learn a part, so we were all struggling, BUT we all did so good!! It was a miracle! So many of the people that were there had never been to Kirtland before. Awesome missionary tool.  

Sorry it's short. Know that I love you all!!

Sister Burns

                 A member brought us breakfast for dinner last night completely out of the blue! It was the best ever!!!!!!

Just some random train pictures I took one day. I can't decide which one is my favorite.

Weekly Letter -- 11.2.2015

Hello All!!

Well, this week has been a bit crazy! I got a new companion! Sister Sorensen! She might look familiar. She was my companion for two weeks a long time ago when I was still serving in Shaker Heights with Sister Call. Now we get to be companions for longer! 

Things here are going well. We're doing this Veterans Day concert this coming Saturday. It should be good! Sister Sorensen, Call and I are singing this amazing song. It's called "Inscription of Hope". The words come from the wall of a cellar in Germany and were written by a little girl who was in hiding during World War II.  

It has made me realize how truly blessed I am. God loves us so much. He is always there during the hard times and will strengthen us even when the odds are against us. Heavenly Father loves each one of us. I am so grateful to know that. 

Alma 7: 11-12. One of my favorites. 

It was Halloween this week.....we forgot until that night. Oops. I guess that goes to show what's really important on the mission. But, I am happy to say that candy is now on sale and it's Preparation Day! Wahoo! 

Oh! I have a HUGE favor to ask anyone and everyone. We are teaching a few kids and we are running out of creativity. Is there anything in your head, Pinterest or anything like that that can help struggling, old, missionaries? Haha. We have the classic Restoration Cups and things like that, but we'd love more ideas. We did a "magic trick" with one girl and now she wants them every time we go over. So we need help. Anything is appreciated! Games, visuals, activities, more magic tricks. Haha. Anyway. Thanks!

Alright, I have to end on a Spiritual note. 

So my Ponderize scripture last week was 3 Nephi: 21:10

"But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil."

I loved this scripture so much especially since I am currently serving. But really, if you think about it, we are all serving the Lord. Heavenly Father cares about us all so much and His wisdom is greater than anything we are going through. Sure, there are going to be hard times -- we are going to "be marred" through things -- but He will help us. He will heal us. This is such an amazing promise. It has brought so much comfort as I was studying and ponderizing it. There are so many blessing from the scriptures. So, what's your verse?

I love you all! And happy November!

Sister Burns 

Ohio is pretty....and I really like the leaves here...if you can't tell. 

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!