FAMILY!!
Hey! Everyweek i get on and love the emails i have. thankyou all.
THANKS FOR THE PACKAGE! letters, treats, newspaper articles. It was sweet to get that! Thanks a bunch. The package from melissa gary hasnt come yet. hopeuflluy this week.
What a story about marie trying to get home. she seems to have pretty bad luck traveling. Sorry RO that stinks. with all the love and joy you left behind at home and all the fun you girls had together im sure it was worth it. I love my sisters!
Weird that there is still no snow. Lets just hope that the next year gets more so that when I get home, lake powell is nice and full. haha
THanks for all the good news and updates. I myself have some news.
They transfered me. Monday night at about Ten we found out that I was getting changed. The next morning I packed my bags and left for St Dom. Still on the coast but about 4 hours away. My companion is Elder Rodgers and he is sitting right beside me. He is from Lindon and he seems like a cool cat. He knows the Ashmans and was buddies with JD. I got here and waited for the missionaries to pick me up. I had my luggage and was waiting in tthe terminal, being a gringo with luggage in the middle of Ecaudor was pretty fun. Haha got some good laughs. Anyway, Im District Leader in District 3 of Zone St Domingo. Just two companionships but the sectors are big, says Elder Rodgers. I dont know what Im doing really but i hope I can figure it out. When I got here, they handed me a phone.. that was weird. Im a little nervous but excited to get to work and learn a bunch. Keep praying for me please!
Leaving the other sector was a little hard. We have 4 baptisms set up for this weekend and 4 for the next week. Hopefully all goes well with Pineda and his new companion. I'm bummed I have to miss them. But again, excited to be here and ready to work. Keeping praying for Margarita. Pineda has the same drive to have her be married as I do so hopefully things work out. I didnt get a chance to say goodbye to Alba but I left a letter. Hopefully it gets to her. My gratitude bucket keeps filling. What I learned there was amazing. Hopefully here its the same.
Thanks for sharing your studies with me dad. I love Alma 8. Yhankyou for the insite and perspective you gave along with the application. I'll be studying that a little more this week.
This past week I studied prayer. I love studying from pmg and the scriptures. If you look at the section on prayer, I love the point that says, "Pray to know what to pray for". I love that phrase. I found some great scriptures on prayer too...mostly from 3 Nephi 18, 19, 20, 21. Great chapters.
I love you all so much. Glad all is well. Thanks again for the updates, prayers thoughts letters. Keep praying for me please!
Elder Burr
Monday, January 16, 2012
01/08/2012
Familia,
Last week crawled by, and this past week FLEW!! Thought a lot about you all this past week. A lot of hard work and a couple let downs. But great week over all. Crazy and lots happened that ill try to explain a little further.
First off, thank you SO much for the packages! They got here on Wednesday and I was so happy to get some Christmas things! haha very good idea with the stockings and the little christmas tree that you sent. Thanks so much. Although I got them a little late, ( Not your fault) I felt like I got a couple presents for christmas. ANd knowing that you had put them together, that they had been in the house only a month ago, it felt good. The candy has been great and I am saving it...believe it or not. we´ll see how long it lasts. haha! Send my love to the Ward. Be sure to tell them thankyou for the letters that they sent. Twas very thoughtful. Also, tell Tammy Murray that I love the mini Preach My gospel she made me. I take it with me everywhere, its light, im never without it, and all the other missionaries envy it. The church should make them small like that. Also, Good taste on the ties. I love em! like jeff said, you can never have too many ties! Elder Pineda loved the tie you sent him. He says thanks! He actually speaks pretty good english. He tries hard.
Fun that marie is in town! Its too bad she and cason couldnt be there for Christmas. I would have liked to Chat. Oh well, next year I guess.
Thanks for the sending me the talks from Brother and Sister Andrews. Sister andrews talk wouldnt open in the pdf file you sent and the attachtment didnt come through either. But brother Andrews talk was wonderful! Dang that story about the lost set of scriptures?! what a story. Be sure to tell them thankyou very much for taking the time to type up their talks so that I could benefit from them as well. I love them. Our ward is so awesome. The 14th ward franchise. The most S.T.A.C.K.E.D. ward in the world.
This week was Crazy. We´ll start with the Bad news first. I about sob just thinking about it. Margarita´s companion?(if thats what you call it) has no desire to marry to her. We went to the Registro Civil to double check in Concession, if everything was going to be ready, and the lady asked what the problem was. We told her and she said that we didnt need to travel, even though they told us last time that we did. She said that the only thing we need is the Full name of the husbands mother, and the date that she died. We thought, SWEET!! we hustled back to Margaritas house and told her, but she didnt know. She said she would talk to him that night. We went back the next day, and she was super sad. She said that they had a fight, and that when he heard that we were super close to getting the paper, he told her that he doesnt want to get married to her, for whatever reason. When I heard that, I was ticked! Here we are, doing all we can for her to get baptized, fasting, praying. And not just us, our zone, our district. Even you guys! Were spending money and spending time trying to do everything, and all of a sudden he just doesnt want to?! What the freak! Talk about conformity!!! So frustrating. also, he works from 6 until 830, and travels and hour to and from, so we cant talk to him. sometimes he gets home early from work, but we never know when. We are going to try and talk to him this week. super frustrating, very sad. Poor Margarita. Keep praying, we´ll do the same
Also, the family that we just baptized with the little boys stopped coming to church. There were some problems with them and some other ward members. We are still going to try to work with them and visit them.
About 3 weeks ago, we were hustling to an appointment. My comp and I both felt to stop and talk to a mom sitting on the steps outside her house. She was watching her little girl play outside. We stopped and shared a quick message. As all investigators do, her and her companion, opened up to us and told us basically their whole lives. They have gone through a lot up until that point. Well we worked with them for a couple weeks. This past week they moved. We went by the house and nobody was there. Dang it, we thought. A couple days later, the Zone leaders got a phone call, and it was Karina! She had moved into their sector and was in contact with their bishop already. She was living with family and was kicked out of her house because of something that happened wiht the husband and karinas dad. THey had no food, hes without work. This bishop had the r.s. over there with meals and comfort in about 4.3 seconds and also had the missionaries over there too. We did splits that day and I couldnt go, but Pineda went. Well, within the week, the husband found work. But in order to work for this company he has to get married. It just so happens that this week they are getting married, the ward is supporting them and if everthing works out they are getting baptized. All because of a small feeling that I had. Miracles are real. The things that they have gone through have tried there faith, but after the trial, comes the blessings. Since we met them, Karina has been sick and in the hospital, her little girl fell from the 2nd floor of the house, the husband was without work and they got kicked out of there house with no food. Now, they have a home to themselves, Marcello has a job, the little girl has a blackeye, Karina is better, they are getting married and are getting baptized this week. After that comes more blessings. Heavenly Father sure loves his Children and as the scripture says, "I will not leave you comfortless.. I will come to you." We went to her. Being that representative of Jesus Christ is amazing.
Of course there were other little successes that were very inspiring and very cool. All is amazing and the Lord is behind it all.
Like you said Dad, you just want people to listen and believe. Heavenly Father wants so bad to bless his Children. But the things of the world get in the way. Its the elect that listen and excersize faith, that are blessed. That realize that the things of the world are so small compared to the things of God. That are willing to change RIGHT NOW, because they want it. They hunger for it. They recognize truth and apply it.
The mission is like Mario Kart. Sometimes I hit a banana peel, a run into my own green shell or get struck by lightning, but the race goes on. When I read your emails or think about you all, its like getting a star or mushrooms. It makes me go faster. It keeps me in the race. HA! Dumb analogy. All of your letters make me laugh so just trying to return the favor. Peace and blessings.
I love you all.
ELDER JEREMIAH BURR
Last week crawled by, and this past week FLEW!! Thought a lot about you all this past week. A lot of hard work and a couple let downs. But great week over all. Crazy and lots happened that ill try to explain a little further.
First off, thank you SO much for the packages! They got here on Wednesday and I was so happy to get some Christmas things! haha very good idea with the stockings and the little christmas tree that you sent. Thanks so much. Although I got them a little late, ( Not your fault) I felt like I got a couple presents for christmas. ANd knowing that you had put them together, that they had been in the house only a month ago, it felt good. The candy has been great and I am saving it...believe it or not. we´ll see how long it lasts. haha! Send my love to the Ward. Be sure to tell them thankyou for the letters that they sent. Twas very thoughtful. Also, tell Tammy Murray that I love the mini Preach My gospel she made me. I take it with me everywhere, its light, im never without it, and all the other missionaries envy it. The church should make them small like that. Also, Good taste on the ties. I love em! like jeff said, you can never have too many ties! Elder Pineda loved the tie you sent him. He says thanks! He actually speaks pretty good english. He tries hard.
Fun that marie is in town! Its too bad she and cason couldnt be there for Christmas. I would have liked to Chat. Oh well, next year I guess.
Thanks for the sending me the talks from Brother and Sister Andrews. Sister andrews talk wouldnt open in the pdf file you sent and the attachtment didnt come through either. But brother Andrews talk was wonderful! Dang that story about the lost set of scriptures?! what a story. Be sure to tell them thankyou very much for taking the time to type up their talks so that I could benefit from them as well. I love them. Our ward is so awesome. The 14th ward franchise. The most S.T.A.C.K.E.D. ward in the world.
This week was Crazy. We´ll start with the Bad news first. I about sob just thinking about it. Margarita´s companion?(if thats what you call it) has no desire to marry to her. We went to the Registro Civil to double check in Concession, if everything was going to be ready, and the lady asked what the problem was. We told her and she said that we didnt need to travel, even though they told us last time that we did. She said that the only thing we need is the Full name of the husbands mother, and the date that she died. We thought, SWEET!! we hustled back to Margaritas house and told her, but she didnt know. She said she would talk to him that night. We went back the next day, and she was super sad. She said that they had a fight, and that when he heard that we were super close to getting the paper, he told her that he doesnt want to get married to her, for whatever reason. When I heard that, I was ticked! Here we are, doing all we can for her to get baptized, fasting, praying. And not just us, our zone, our district. Even you guys! Were spending money and spending time trying to do everything, and all of a sudden he just doesnt want to?! What the freak! Talk about conformity!!! So frustrating. also, he works from 6 until 830, and travels and hour to and from, so we cant talk to him. sometimes he gets home early from work, but we never know when. We are going to try and talk to him this week. super frustrating, very sad. Poor Margarita. Keep praying, we´ll do the same
Also, the family that we just baptized with the little boys stopped coming to church. There were some problems with them and some other ward members. We are still going to try to work with them and visit them.
About 3 weeks ago, we were hustling to an appointment. My comp and I both felt to stop and talk to a mom sitting on the steps outside her house. She was watching her little girl play outside. We stopped and shared a quick message. As all investigators do, her and her companion, opened up to us and told us basically their whole lives. They have gone through a lot up until that point. Well we worked with them for a couple weeks. This past week they moved. We went by the house and nobody was there. Dang it, we thought. A couple days later, the Zone leaders got a phone call, and it was Karina! She had moved into their sector and was in contact with their bishop already. She was living with family and was kicked out of her house because of something that happened wiht the husband and karinas dad. THey had no food, hes without work. This bishop had the r.s. over there with meals and comfort in about 4.3 seconds and also had the missionaries over there too. We did splits that day and I couldnt go, but Pineda went. Well, within the week, the husband found work. But in order to work for this company he has to get married. It just so happens that this week they are getting married, the ward is supporting them and if everthing works out they are getting baptized. All because of a small feeling that I had. Miracles are real. The things that they have gone through have tried there faith, but after the trial, comes the blessings. Since we met them, Karina has been sick and in the hospital, her little girl fell from the 2nd floor of the house, the husband was without work and they got kicked out of there house with no food. Now, they have a home to themselves, Marcello has a job, the little girl has a blackeye, Karina is better, they are getting married and are getting baptized this week. After that comes more blessings. Heavenly Father sure loves his Children and as the scripture says, "I will not leave you comfortless.. I will come to you." We went to her. Being that representative of Jesus Christ is amazing.
Of course there were other little successes that were very inspiring and very cool. All is amazing and the Lord is behind it all.
Like you said Dad, you just want people to listen and believe. Heavenly Father wants so bad to bless his Children. But the things of the world get in the way. Its the elect that listen and excersize faith, that are blessed. That realize that the things of the world are so small compared to the things of God. That are willing to change RIGHT NOW, because they want it. They hunger for it. They recognize truth and apply it.
The mission is like Mario Kart. Sometimes I hit a banana peel, a run into my own green shell or get struck by lightning, but the race goes on. When I read your emails or think about you all, its like getting a star or mushrooms. It makes me go faster. It keeps me in the race. HA! Dumb analogy. All of your letters make me laugh so just trying to return the favor. Peace and blessings.
I love you all.
ELDER JEREMIAH BURR
01/02/2012
Hola hola!
The year FLEW! Last January I was working at Malawis. haha! Now im in Ecuador. Whoa. Its crazy that it went so fast and I can only help but think about how fast the mission is going and how its only going to increase in speed. Or so they say. Anywho, the year flew but this past week could not have gone slower. For different reasons, one of which was the family chat. I was glad to have been able to talk, but it definately made the week go by slow. Either way, we worked hard and had a baptism.
Here in Esmeraldas, it is SO hot! its the rainy season and it is super humid, muggy, sticky, heavy, sweaty, yucky. UGH! When it rains here, it just adds to the humidity.. It being super hot, and with it being new years, nobody was home, appointments fell through and it just was a slow week. Lots of contacting, sweating, waiting, calling with no answer, more contacting. Hard week but we also had our ups. A family that has been waiting to be baptized for quite some time, for health reasons, told us this week that they are ready to get baptized this week. Also, we baptized a sweet hermana. She has trouble speaking but understands really well. She had attended church several times before but in another ward. But because of the recent work of the Relief society president (Who is the Ecuadorian twin of Aunt Sharon), she asked us on Wednesday, "When are you going to baptize me?" "uhh...this weekend?" I said. She said, "Absolutley". We did our best to invite everyone within the week and so did she. Unfortunately, only the bishop, Aunt Sharon, and us showed up. She brought her son. We were the only ones who showed. She didnt care. She told us that she could not have been more happy to have been baptized. And you could tell. She was really happy. It was such a humble service and I couldnt help but cry. Tender. I cant get enough of seeing the happiness that this gospel brings to peoples lives.. I get a front row seat and get to see and feel the spirit working, scoring touchdowns I guess you could say. :)
Also, we had the most investigators attend church this past week since I got here. It was very good to see that our work, although at times it appeared futile, payed off.
Anyway. The packages didnt come this week. 4 packages were in route but it turns out they were for another elder. False alarm. Hopefully this week they come.
There is an old guy from california with his grandson here in this cyber watching the rose bowl right now! Oregon Wisconsin and it looks really exciting! He is retired and living in quito but spending new years here in esmeraldas.
I love you all! God is our Father and He loves us. Christ lives and He is our Redeemer.
ELDER BURR
The year FLEW! Last January I was working at Malawis. haha! Now im in Ecuador. Whoa. Its crazy that it went so fast and I can only help but think about how fast the mission is going and how its only going to increase in speed. Or so they say. Anywho, the year flew but this past week could not have gone slower. For different reasons, one of which was the family chat. I was glad to have been able to talk, but it definately made the week go by slow. Either way, we worked hard and had a baptism.
Here in Esmeraldas, it is SO hot! its the rainy season and it is super humid, muggy, sticky, heavy, sweaty, yucky. UGH! When it rains here, it just adds to the humidity.. It being super hot, and with it being new years, nobody was home, appointments fell through and it just was a slow week. Lots of contacting, sweating, waiting, calling with no answer, more contacting. Hard week but we also had our ups. A family that has been waiting to be baptized for quite some time, for health reasons, told us this week that they are ready to get baptized this week. Also, we baptized a sweet hermana. She has trouble speaking but understands really well. She had attended church several times before but in another ward. But because of the recent work of the Relief society president (Who is the Ecuadorian twin of Aunt Sharon), she asked us on Wednesday, "When are you going to baptize me?" "uhh...this weekend?" I said. She said, "Absolutley". We did our best to invite everyone within the week and so did she. Unfortunately, only the bishop, Aunt Sharon, and us showed up. She brought her son. We were the only ones who showed. She didnt care. She told us that she could not have been more happy to have been baptized. And you could tell. She was really happy. It was such a humble service and I couldnt help but cry. Tender. I cant get enough of seeing the happiness that this gospel brings to peoples lives.. I get a front row seat and get to see and feel the spirit working, scoring touchdowns I guess you could say. :)
Also, we had the most investigators attend church this past week since I got here. It was very good to see that our work, although at times it appeared futile, payed off.
Anyway. The packages didnt come this week. 4 packages were in route but it turns out they were for another elder. False alarm. Hopefully this week they come.
There is an old guy from california with his grandson here in this cyber watching the rose bowl right now! Oregon Wisconsin and it looks really exciting! He is retired and living in quito but spending new years here in esmeraldas.
I love you all! God is our Father and He loves us. Christ lives and He is our Redeemer.
ELDER BURR
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