FAMILIA!!
Este Semama fue muy loco!!
I have alot to write about but little time to do it. Hopefully you got the letter the second time i sent it. You'll get a double dipping this week.
So we went tracting on Saturday.. straight to slums of Lima. Straight up cardboard boxes and very humble people. Very resistant though. We tracted for almost 4 hours and knocked a ton of doors and didn't get in to one house. People would rather listen to our message through a window or the crack of the door than sitting down somewhere. We taught a bunch and i learned a lot. My spanish was ok. I understood probably 90 percent of what was said but it seemed like the ten percent that i didn't understand was always the most important stuff. frustrating but it was great!
Let me tell you what i learned!
First, Its straight up work! Walking, talking, trying to find people, trying to recall scriptures, figuring out what i want to say in spanish, bearing testimony, praying, more walking, knocking, hot, sweat, companions frustrated. Just lots of hard things. ITS WORK!! But, I have to say, I LOVED IT! I didn't want to be anywhere else and i couldn't get enough!
Second, its Dirty here. The first thing i saw walking into the barrio was a little boy, maybe 12, peeing and staring at me. It was like he was gesturing, "Bienvenidos a Lima!" hilarious. Tons of dogs, trash, smelly gutters, nasty dirty conditions. We were in one of the worst parts i guess...that's what some of the older missionaries were saying. Definite eye opener. But, again, i was loving it.
Third, people would receive a small answer that our message was true through the holy ghost, but, they reject anyway. For example, we were teaching this lady, she told us that her mom died recently, we bore testimony that she would be able to see her again someday and then invited her to church. She was crying, totally feeling the spirit, and still turned away saying, soy catolica. super frustrating. She was blinded by some garbage that her dad told her and she really didn't even know. She just thought. But, we planted the seed.
Fourth, prayer invites the spirit. We stopped and talked to this guy. We told him we had a message for him, but that before we shared it we wanted to start with a prayer. He seemed like he was in a hurry. I said the prayer, he probably had no idea what i was saying, but I know he felt the spirit. We looked up, and he was ready to be taught, right there on the corner, and he didn't care how long it was going to take. He knew it was true too, he gave us his phone number, address, and told us he wanted us to come back. We told him other missionaries would be coming and he said it was ok. He was just excited to hear the truth I'm sure. But, without prayer, he likely would have said that he was in a hurry and moved on. The spirit calmed him down, and then gave us the chance to teach him what he needed to hear.
Fifth, the gospel was sent forth today because the world needs it! Thousands of people, in this barrio seemed worried, are in a bad situation, don't know anything about what god has in store for them. But, i know that through this gospel, people can find peace, happiness, true joy and feel perfectly ok, because they have a knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ and a loving heavenly father. Its the only way people can experience true happiness. The reason I know this is because we were walking through the barrio, and these two cute girls came up to us. one was maybe 12 and the other maybe 9. The 12 yr old was poised and happy, and the 9 yr old was super happy, couldn't stop smiling, they were so happy to us. They told us they were members too and then, we became happy to see them too. haha! But, they just seemed so happy, even though they were in a similar situation as everyone else, possibly worse, they were SO happy. This is a testimony that the gospel brings happiness. I love it, i love teaching it, i love striving to live it, and love seeing others being happy from it.
Sixth, I am super excited for the field!!!!!!! This made me realize what a mission really is. The MTC is great, but field is going to be better. obviously, but, I just got a small taste for what its going to be like. And I am so pumped! Half way mark next week and then I'm in Quito. I don't know my exact departure date but its around three weeks from this coming Monday. Super excited!!
That's it! I have a ton more to write about but almost out of time. I love you all and hope everything is well at home.
I sent some letters in the mail via pouch. They should be there towards the beginning on next week, if not sooner.
Elder Burr
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
09/21/2011-MTC in Peru: Letter to brother Josh
BRO BRO!!
Good to hear from you my man! Kind of a long week in some aspects but super quick in others, but it was good to sit down and have a nice long solid email from my BOY!!
Lima is sick! Mucho Espanol and there are a million Gerardos here. They all just repeat the same jokes over and over again and think its funny every time. The big one with me is, they either say BURRRRR and shake their heads like its cold, or say burro, which means donkey of course.
Im basically the biggest here. The first day we played soccer. They are all so little. But can handle the ball like nobody’s business. They all grew up playing in the streets and so they cant get fast cuz there is no where to run. They dominate in handling the ball...and obviously I don’t. I never thought I would say it, but soccer is a blast! I love it and its fun. Don’t kill me. When I get back, it will suck again. haha
Quick little story! The first day, my comp, a stud by the way, asked me to help him write his testimony in English. So I helped him and translated his simple testimony for him into English. He practiced it all day, without me knowing and then gave it to me in English at the end of the day in the room. It was super simple, humble and he struggled with some words. I started to cry and was embarrassed that he saw me cry the first day, but the spirit was super strong. He said it in a Latin accent, and messed up a bunch but the spirit was so strong. This is the way the lord works. It was a testimony to me, that I don’t need to say anything in Spanish with eloquence or even with great grammar. I don’t even need an accent. But a simple, humble testimony, will invite the spirit and allow others to feel spirit and ultimately build their testimony. I loved it. Definitely a highlight of the week. I’ll write about more highlights in the family letter!
Awesome to hear about your game! Well done. Keep tearing it up, being a leader, doing what you do! Every day I’m thinking about you and what you’re doing but especially on Friday nights. I think about the pregame and you running out on the field before the game. Its a good thought. I miss you a bunch and glad to hear all is well! I love you.
Love you! Stay strong as always. I love you and cant wait for you to experience what I’m experiencing. If we were companions, GOODNIGHT!!!! Could you imagine!? haha love you.
Elder Burr
Good to hear from you my man! Kind of a long week in some aspects but super quick in others, but it was good to sit down and have a nice long solid email from my BOY!!
Lima is sick! Mucho Espanol and there are a million Gerardos here. They all just repeat the same jokes over and over again and think its funny every time. The big one with me is, they either say BURRRRR and shake their heads like its cold, or say burro, which means donkey of course.
Im basically the biggest here. The first day we played soccer. They are all so little. But can handle the ball like nobody’s business. They all grew up playing in the streets and so they cant get fast cuz there is no where to run. They dominate in handling the ball...and obviously I don’t. I never thought I would say it, but soccer is a blast! I love it and its fun. Don’t kill me. When I get back, it will suck again. haha
Quick little story! The first day, my comp, a stud by the way, asked me to help him write his testimony in English. So I helped him and translated his simple testimony for him into English. He practiced it all day, without me knowing and then gave it to me in English at the end of the day in the room. It was super simple, humble and he struggled with some words. I started to cry and was embarrassed that he saw me cry the first day, but the spirit was super strong. He said it in a Latin accent, and messed up a bunch but the spirit was so strong. This is the way the lord works. It was a testimony to me, that I don’t need to say anything in Spanish with eloquence or even with great grammar. I don’t even need an accent. But a simple, humble testimony, will invite the spirit and allow others to feel spirit and ultimately build their testimony. I loved it. Definitely a highlight of the week. I’ll write about more highlights in the family letter!
Awesome to hear about your game! Well done. Keep tearing it up, being a leader, doing what you do! Every day I’m thinking about you and what you’re doing but especially on Friday nights. I think about the pregame and you running out on the field before the game. Its a good thought. I miss you a bunch and glad to hear all is well! I love you.
Love you! Stay strong as always. I love you and cant wait for you to experience what I’m experiencing. If we were companions, GOODNIGHT!!!! Could you imagine!? haha love you.
Elder Burr
Thursday, September 15, 2011
09/15/2011-First Letter from MTC in Peru
Hola Familia!
Its all spanish from here on out! Except when im emailing of course. I aplogize for no punctuation and capitalization. this computer is weird.
Well, it was super fun to hear from you at the airport. Its weird that I wont be able to talk til Christmas. esta bien porgue estoy aqui en Lima ahora!!
Its very good to hear that all is well! WYWY seems like he is huge the way that you talk about him. Im sure he is. Love him.
Let me tell you a little bit about my travel day and also about here. I had some great experiences and funny things happen. We got on our flight to Alanta and I basically slept the whole way. I was able to catch up on some sleep which was great.. We got to Altanta, chatted on the plhone and then got on the plane. There were about 25 of us on this flight and another 15 on another flight..we met up with them in lima. but I sat next to a bishop from farmington, he was on my left, and then a drunk from rhode island. The contrast was great! ha! But the guy from Rhode Island ordered 4 vodkas and passed out for the last 4 hours of the flight. with a Bishop on my left, and Reggie passed out on my right, my missionary opportunities were limited. I think that was the Lords way of telling me that I still have a ways to go before Im ready to teach. We got 2 meals on the plane which were fantastic. And luckily, my bowels and body cooperated so I didnt have to disturb the bishop or the other guy the whole flight. I got a lot of study done and about an hour of shuteye. it was an ok flight.
We got to lima, had to pass through the passport customs place. That was an adventure with such limited spanish. The officials were pretty easy going and i caught of few things that they said that i thought were pretty funny. one of them said, what are they all doing here? another one said, Son misioneros! Esta limpia, or somthing like that which means theyre clean. so he stamped my passport and let us through. it was great. We got our luggage and made our way to the place where everyone goes to pick up people. There was a guy with a sign that said CCM. He looked nothing like a member or a worker from the CCM so we were a little sketch going with him. We went outside and it was MAYHEM! south america driving is like watching someone play mario kart! its hilarious. We got on the busses and headed. You would think that the bus drivers would be better drivers, but theyre not. They were worse! They are in these huge coaches, swerving, coming within honestly 2 inches of other cars. We came to a red light and a guy got out of a little truck and came up the bus window and started banging on the drivers window. I guess our driver cut him off or something it was one of the best things ive ever seen. So we got to the ccm and it is super nice here. We got here at like 1 am and got our rooms, info and they basically told us to just go to bed. We got undressed and went to bed. My comp, who i didnt know cuz he was snoozing, was grinding his teeth all night. But i slep great til 6. woke up and met my compañero. He is a tall, skinny, smiling Jose! His name is elder mamani and i can tell we are going to have a blast. He was very patient with my spanish and very chill. He loves soccer which is a given but we talked about it for a while. I wish i would have played more fifa so that i knew more soccer players other than Landon donovan. haha Any way he is a good guy. The natives, including my compenero just got here yesterday so were basically in the same boat. We had breakfast, and got all of our passports and info to the office and then got a haircut. Straight up military buzz! SUPER short on the sides and longer on the top. I look like a doof but its all good. We met with the ccm president and he is Great! he knows president ghent and speaks highly of my mission and him. It was nice to meet him..
Any way, running to lunch now. There are a lot of cool elders that came with me and i already feel like ive made some really good friends. Im loving it and even with it being super strict, probably twice as strict as the provo mtc, i think im going to love it. Its very nice here, the food is good, the water is safe, the people are great and the gospel is true! what else do you need!?
No packages. Pouch mail. The address is:
Elder Jeremiah Burr
Lima Peru MTC
P.O. Box 30150
Salt lake City Utah 84130
only 2 8x11 pieces of paper, no envelopes. im not quite sure on the envelope deal so youll have to check that out.
Send the fam my love! Wish i had time to write all of you! sorry. Tear it up tomorrow Josh. Go cougs! Te amo!
Elder Burr (or as the natives say, elder boor.)
Thursday, September 8, 2011
09/08/2011-Provo MTC
Mom! (And family)
All is well here! First off, thanks all of you for the packages, the letters, prayers and love! Lets just say I'm leading the pack over the whole MTC in the package and letter race.
Time flies! Already two weeks and it feels like its been 2 days. I have already taught probably 10 lesssons in spanish. Its crazy how fast you learn here. Praying in spanish is great too! Instead of being formal in prayer like using thee, thou, thine, we use the Tu form which is like you, yours..etc. It seems more personal for some reason in spanish. I guess thats the case in other languages as well. Something else that is really cool is singing in spanish. Singing hymns that ive sung my entire life in english and then singing them in another language is very cool. The spirit is super strong. Elder Besson and I make a good duo and so we start off every lesson by singing a hymn. Its the best and it sets the mood for the whole lesson by bringing the spirit in so nicely! I love it.
So I got my travel plans for Lima a couple days ago. I need to get a traveling card for my yellow fever shot though before I leave so if i could get that this saturday that would be great! I hope that everything goes according to plan. I guess in the past they have given elders their travel plans, they get all packed and ready to go and then like a few hours before they leave they tell them that they aren't going anymore because of visa problems. I hope my plans don't fall through. Im really excited for Lima and can't wait.
Tell Marie and cason and Millhouse that i love them. I will try and get a letter off today to them but if not, send them my love. Sorry time is super short! Also tell Linds and trav and O thanks for the package. That was very nice of them! And ALSO tell Brian and Lar and the kiddos thanks for the letters and pictures. They are proudly hanging up in my room. The other elders are jealous. ahah
I'm doing great though! Its a good thing that I had the dorm experience with the cannon center and everything. The food has been giving my companion and tons of other elders serious problems. Im already leathered and used to it so that is a blessing! haha
Letters will be coming shortly. I hope I can get as many off today as I can. P day flies! But anyway! Thanks! I love you all and i'm glad to hear everything is going well at home! Adios!
Elder Burr
Ps..things i need: yellow fever travel card, Retainers, Jared Puamau's address, and if you want, one of those old time alarm clocks that rings the two bells on top. Ya know what im talking about? If i could draw a picture i would. But its the only thing that wakes me up. Its a good thing that a kid in my room has one. That would be nice. if not no big! thanks again! love you.
All is well here! First off, thanks all of you for the packages, the letters, prayers and love! Lets just say I'm leading the pack over the whole MTC in the package and letter race.
Time flies! Already two weeks and it feels like its been 2 days. I have already taught probably 10 lesssons in spanish. Its crazy how fast you learn here. Praying in spanish is great too! Instead of being formal in prayer like using thee, thou, thine, we use the Tu form which is like you, yours..etc. It seems more personal for some reason in spanish. I guess thats the case in other languages as well. Something else that is really cool is singing in spanish. Singing hymns that ive sung my entire life in english and then singing them in another language is very cool. The spirit is super strong. Elder Besson and I make a good duo and so we start off every lesson by singing a hymn. Its the best and it sets the mood for the whole lesson by bringing the spirit in so nicely! I love it.
So I got my travel plans for Lima a couple days ago. I need to get a traveling card for my yellow fever shot though before I leave so if i could get that this saturday that would be great! I hope that everything goes according to plan. I guess in the past they have given elders their travel plans, they get all packed and ready to go and then like a few hours before they leave they tell them that they aren't going anymore because of visa problems. I hope my plans don't fall through. Im really excited for Lima and can't wait.
Tell Marie and cason and Millhouse that i love them. I will try and get a letter off today to them but if not, send them my love. Sorry time is super short! Also tell Linds and trav and O thanks for the package. That was very nice of them! And ALSO tell Brian and Lar and the kiddos thanks for the letters and pictures. They are proudly hanging up in my room. The other elders are jealous. ahah
I'm doing great though! Its a good thing that I had the dorm experience with the cannon center and everything. The food has been giving my companion and tons of other elders serious problems. Im already leathered and used to it so that is a blessing! haha
Letters will be coming shortly. I hope I can get as many off today as I can. P day flies! But anyway! Thanks! I love you all and i'm glad to hear everything is going well at home! Adios!
Elder Burr
Ps..things i need: yellow fever travel card, Retainers, Jared Puamau's address, and if you want, one of those old time alarm clocks that rings the two bells on top. Ya know what im talking about? If i could draw a picture i would. But its the only thing that wakes me up. Its a good thing that a kid in my room has one. That would be nice. if not no big! thanks again! love you.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
09/01/2011-Provo MTC
Lannnny!
Jage here, checking in from the in MTC.
Hilarious story! Loved it! Lisa Jensen saw you? you hit a black chick! haha what did dad say?? im laughing out loud in this computer lab right now.
Everything is going well here! teaching, studying and speaking spanish is what my day consists of errryday. I love it but its hard. By 6 or 7 and after spending 6 or 7 hours in the classroom it gets tough to focus. good thing Im in a sweet district and they are all tight. we got hooked up with dope sister missionaries. They are chill and laugh with us. some sister missionaries just act snootie and holier than thou but ours are smooth. lucky me..oh wait...one of the hermanas can crush a can between her shoulder blades. so..thats kind of cool. she told us the first day and then she showed yesterday and I had to try so hard to keep from laughing. she played waterpolo in high school and softball. im kind of scared of her now.
My comp is money. he's a goof ball. he was a manager at a mcdonalds in atlanta georgia, hick capital of the USA so he has million of hilarious stories about when he worked there. I have been laughing so much with him and i love it. its keeping me sane!
I really do love the mtc. I have a story for you though! im only typing this out once so forward this email to mom and dad and whoever you want cuz this story doesn't get any better.
so tuesday night is the devotional every week and there usually is a general authority that comes and speaks to us. usually a 70 but sometimes a member of teh 12. Anywho, we were at dinner just before the devotional and I went to the bathroom. But, the bathroom we are allowed to use was closed so i went to the other bathroom just around the corner. I went in and as i was taking care of business, I heard the door open. I felt the spirit enter the bathroom, no joke. I peeked over the stall and saw a nicely combed Head. I new it was someone of significance so i finished up and left the stall and went to wash my hands. the man was standing at the urinal and I so i couldnt see his face but as i was washing my hands, my eyes were glued to mirror waiting for him to turn around. I watched him zip up his pants and turn around and it was ELDER HOLLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was freaking out! I said, "hi!!" almost laughing but with a huge smile. In a very composed way he said hi back. the only thing i could think to say was, " i assume you're here for the devotional for tonite?" he said, "yes. Is that why you're here too?" I laughed and said yes. He was still washing his hands, otherwise I would have shook his hand, looking back. I totally should have waited for him to finish.. But i just said, it was great to see and im looking forward to hearing you speak. he said, good to see you too elder. We´ll see you in there. Myheart was racing and I was freaking out. course, nobody knew he was coming so when i went back and told my district, they all started freaking out. some missionaries didnt believe me. It was so cool though! I literally felt the spirit, right as he walked in. Had that other bathroom been open, i wouldn´t have seen him. Very cool.
Any way, thats basically it. Te amo julianna! Gracias por el mensajero de electronico.
Jage here, checking in from the in MTC.
Hilarious story! Loved it! Lisa Jensen saw you? you hit a black chick! haha what did dad say?? im laughing out loud in this computer lab right now.
Everything is going well here! teaching, studying and speaking spanish is what my day consists of errryday. I love it but its hard. By 6 or 7 and after spending 6 or 7 hours in the classroom it gets tough to focus. good thing Im in a sweet district and they are all tight. we got hooked up with dope sister missionaries. They are chill and laugh with us. some sister missionaries just act snootie and holier than thou but ours are smooth. lucky me..oh wait...one of the hermanas can crush a can between her shoulder blades. so..thats kind of cool. she told us the first day and then she showed yesterday and I had to try so hard to keep from laughing. she played waterpolo in high school and softball. im kind of scared of her now.
My comp is money. he's a goof ball. he was a manager at a mcdonalds in atlanta georgia, hick capital of the USA so he has million of hilarious stories about when he worked there. I have been laughing so much with him and i love it. its keeping me sane!
I really do love the mtc. I have a story for you though! im only typing this out once so forward this email to mom and dad and whoever you want cuz this story doesn't get any better.
so tuesday night is the devotional every week and there usually is a general authority that comes and speaks to us. usually a 70 but sometimes a member of teh 12. Anywho, we were at dinner just before the devotional and I went to the bathroom. But, the bathroom we are allowed to use was closed so i went to the other bathroom just around the corner. I went in and as i was taking care of business, I heard the door open. I felt the spirit enter the bathroom, no joke. I peeked over the stall and saw a nicely combed Head. I new it was someone of significance so i finished up and left the stall and went to wash my hands. the man was standing at the urinal and I so i couldnt see his face but as i was washing my hands, my eyes were glued to mirror waiting for him to turn around. I watched him zip up his pants and turn around and it was ELDER HOLLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was freaking out! I said, "hi!!" almost laughing but with a huge smile. In a very composed way he said hi back. the only thing i could think to say was, " i assume you're here for the devotional for tonite?" he said, "yes. Is that why you're here too?" I laughed and said yes. He was still washing his hands, otherwise I would have shook his hand, looking back. I totally should have waited for him to finish.. But i just said, it was great to see and im looking forward to hearing you speak. he said, good to see you too elder. We´ll see you in there. Myheart was racing and I was freaking out. course, nobody knew he was coming so when i went back and told my district, they all started freaking out. some missionaries didnt believe me. It was so cool though! I literally felt the spirit, right as he walked in. Had that other bathroom been open, i wouldn´t have seen him. Very cool.
Any way, thats basically it. Te amo julianna! Gracias por el mensajero de electronico.
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