Sister Burningham

Familia y Amigos,

I really am learning some Spanish because there are some Spanish Elders and people in our ward so I'm trying to learn the basics at least, the population here has quite a few Spanish people actually.  I don't know if I'll ever be fluent, actually I know I won't unless I study it when I get home someday but yeah, this place is way cool!  Next P-day we are going to go to downtown Knox which I am SOOOO excited about.  I miss the city, the country is cool though and the people are hilarious. 

Alright highlight from our transfer together so far.  This one day Sister Whitehead and I felt like we needed to take Sister Turner tracting for her first time, it was really amazing.  Miracles happen when we try our best to find people to teach, we don't get a ton of referrals from members so we have to do a lot of finding on our own.  We started tracting and the first door we knock on wasn't that nice of a person, so we went to the next one where this man named Victor Ramirez answered, he's from Nicaragua.  He let us in to pray with him and his wife who is two months pregnant with their first baby.  Um, Plan of Salvation?  Perfect? Yes.  But it gets better.  We start talking to Victor and he's like... oh I actually am a Mormon I got baptized in the eighties but just for my girlfriend and it didn't work out so I never went back.  Perfect again?  He is a member of the church.  We are in the process of getting his records and we have taught them like three times now, one of which I was on an exchange but they said it went way good.  They are so receptive and Victor wants to retake the lessons.  Does the Lord know his children?  Yes.  Does he know exactly where to place us to find people that are prepared?  Yes.  Such a testimony builder, Misty, his wife, is one of our most solid investigators now, it's incredible. 

Okay, I have to update you on one more family who I love to the moon and back.  They are the Kronicks.  Before Sister Turner and I got here Sister Whitehead and Sister Cheney found an old media referral and went to contact Colin Kronick, he's like 26.  They met him, starting teaching him and he got baptized right before we got here.  His parents, Debbie and Joe are incredible.  They are all just way rad, they have antiques all over their house and Debbie like rocks red lipstick and they are all covered in tattoos but they want to change.  We had the most amazing lesson about the Atonement last night, we were all in tears and the spirit was so strong.  They both soft committed for baptism and we are so excited to see where it goes from here.  How did I get so lucky?  Not really sure but my gratitude is immeasurable. 

On a more funny note and referring to my subject today this little black kid named Ty was at a less active families house and he was HILARIOUS.  The way he talked was priceless and I think he has to be a preachers son or something because he's so profound.  Basically he just talked about how he prays all the time and he never gives up on anything he sets out to accomplish, he's like eight.  Anyway, we are hoping we can teach his family sometime soon.  We'll knock on their door sometime. 

I love being a missionary and I love seeing the difference between when I teach and do his work by the spirit and when I don't.  Because there is definitely a difference. 

"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that he can make more out of their lives than they can.  He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, life their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends and pour out peace.  Whoever will lose their life in the service of God will find Eternal Life." -Ezra Taft Benson

Our will should be God's will, we should strive everyday to be that instrument, that kind word or that smile that someone else needs. My mission is blessing my life and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.  Thank you again I know I say this every week for your love, your prayers and your support it means the world to me.

I love you all, have a great week!

Love,

Sister Burningham