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

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

12/20/2011

HEY, Sorry. This email was in my spam box for some reason. But everything with my companion is awesome. He told me that he wants to work so thats what we have been doing. And like you said dad, we have just had FUN!! I would describe this past week as fun. we laugh, he is funny and we have a bunch of inside jokes. He teaches really well and yeah..its just fun! We get along great and he is helping me with my spanish quite a bit. Any way, here are some pictures. Of the baptism, of Christmas at presdents house and of the picture of the chicken you asked for lan.The little boy holding it caught it for me, after i attempted several times.  haha!

12/20/2011

Feliz Navidad!

I hope all is well with you all on the boat, cruising along, island hopping. sounds like fun!

I dont have much time this week. Yesterday morning we got up super early, and caught the first bus to Quito. 7 hour bus ride..so yeah. we got there, ate lunch and walked to Presidents house in the pooring rain. It was super fun, but super cold too. In the coast, they dont celebrate Christmas really, so I havent felt like it is Christmas time, with the cold, and the lights and trees and just the stuff that comes with Christmas. but in Quito, dang! its christmass. Pretty Cool to see a big city at Christmas time.

We had dinner at presidnets house. Ham, potatoes, veggies, salad, rolls. It was really good. Being there was great. all the missionaries from 3 zones, about 40 missionaries, it felt like a family. We read from Luke 2, and then went outside and Christmas caroled for about 45 minutes. Luckily the rain had stopped. We went back to the house and had a closing christmas thought. It was Elder Hollands message to the missionaries a few years back, describing his first Christmas away from home. It was a great thought and the spirit was very strong. Every time Im in Presidents home, I think of how Mom and Dad would make the best mission president couple. Dad with his powerful and inspiring way with the scriptures and talk, and mom with her loving and unbelievable home making abilities. Remember what Elder Holland said this last conference...just a though i had. :)

Anyway, this past week was great. We had two baptisms, Adrian and Alba Pascal. It was a tender mercy how everything worked out with them, and the baptism turned out great with a lot of support from the ward. So humble, they invited us to dinner on Christmas day with Alba and her daughter, and all the little kiddos. It should be great. We have a good message to share with them.

Ill call you on Christmas day. I dont know when we are going to skype so just be ready on Christmas day. Ill call before hand obviously. Prolly around mid afternoon?? No se todavia. We´ll be in touch though.

Have fun on the cruise! Grandpa gave me the rundown on the All state ceremony. Sounds like it went really well and that it was a great experience for him. Once again, Good work Josh.

Merry Christmas!

JAGE

12/12/2011

Mis Querido Family,

Hola, Que tal? Espero que todo sale bien con preparaciones para el Cruise y La Navidad y todo. Me siento muy feliz estar aqui en Ecuador, serviendo, especialmente en este epoca de Navidad. Tengo algunas historias para ustedes este semana que espero que les gustan.

Congrats Josh on the Awards and the invitation to the All State banquet. also ELITE 11! How cool is that. We go to Quito Next week for the Christmas Dinner with president and so Ill check the box to see if the packages and clippings came. Im very excited to see them all. I hope the packages come.

I forgot to tell you last week, thankyou so much for fasting for Margarita. I knew I didnt say thankyou and its been kiling me all week that I didnt even say anything about it. Sorry, but thankyou so much. We are still working to try and get her married.

Thankyou so much for the story, Dad, about your Christmas that you spent in Canada. ALthough quite simple, it was very tender, very powerful. I wonder if my journal entries will be able to affect, uplift and inspire my sons someday, like yours do. SHEESH. Sitting in the cyber, trying hard not to cry. Im just glad that I have the same opportunties that you had, and all missionaries, to be in the field, serving others, sharing the message of Jesus Christ. Very good experience and im looking forward to spending it with the members. although it doesnt seem to be that big of a deal here. At least in comparison, still excited. Heres why:

This week, Alba and Adrian are getting baptized. Turns out, her and her husband are married, and he is supporting them in the decision. He is going to think about getting baptized to and he said he supports them in the decision. So thats good! We were so bummed at one point. But, remember how they moved and we couldnt find them? We tried everything for 3 or 4 days. Then, we get on a bus, and the relief society president was on the bus. We asked her where she was going and she said Alba´s house! WHAT?! We were so pumped. This was on Wednesday. We went with her to the house, and had a quick message. Went back every day and found out that she is married, is all settled in to her new house and wants to get baptized. She said she was so worried that we forgot about her and her family. And that she didnt know if she was ever going to see us again. When we heard that we were so excited. She came to church with her little boys this past week and is all ready for the baptism this week. and very excited! Tender Mercy. Adrian, her 9 year old son, told us that one day he wants to be a Hermano. So cool! Also, so excited that we found her and have been helping her with everything, She invited to share Christmas with her. So humble and literally has nothing, she invited us over. We accepted and declined the invitation with the member that we received so that we could spend it with her. I love her so much and see the desires she has a loving mother. So great, im so excited to spend Christmas with the Pascal Family.

I talked with the Bishop. He said that he loves that we are working hard. We have now reactivated two families, and one single mother. We currently dont have an Elders quorum president nor a young mens president, and I dont know the High priest group leader, so clearly there is a lack of leadership. Ward council is us, the bishop, relief society and primary and young womens president. It pretty fare to say that there are about 5 or 6 women, in the ward, the bishop and us that do everything.

I love the updates. Keep em coming and the info is good! If you have time, send more!

I love you! Youre in my prayers! Happy Cruise and Merry Christmas.

ELDER JEREMIAH JAMES BURR

11/28/2011

To those it may concern,

Lot to write about this week. Hope I have time to fit it all in.

Sounds like thanksgiving and the whole sha bang was relaxing and fun! your right dad, being in a country that doesnt celebrate it made it easier. Doesnt mean I didnt take the day to think about all the things Im greatful for. I have a good couple pages in my journal and a good brain full of thoughts about home and the fam. I gave thanks and worked all day too. It was a good way to spend the day, although it just was another day here in esmeraldas.

Elder Cuenca was waiting for his visa to venezuela. It got here last sunday, he left on monday and my new companion got here tuesday. His name is Elder cook, he´s from oregon and he is the man. He goes home at the end of this change which will be at the beginning of this next week. So then i get another new companion. I was really nervous at first because our area is pretty big and I dont know it that well, but we have been getting by and in fact this past week we have had a lot of success!

We found a single mom with three cute little boys. great little fam. They came to church and are progressing and its looking like her and her oldest son will be getting baptized soon, on the 10th if everything goes as planned. Great story about her. The day she came to church, it was the primary program. The primary teacher recognized that she was here, came down and brought her three little boys up to the stage to sing with the rest of the primary, even though they had no idea what was going on, by the end of the program, (which was great by the way) the little kids were trying to sing, had made friends and were having so much fun. Also, Elder Cook was playing the piano and i was blessing the sacrament so Alba, the mom, was sitting by herself. Hermana Caicedo, recent, strong convert, went over and sat by her, gave her a big hug and kiss, and helped her through the meeting, answering questions, and just being there. The whole situation made me cry. I dont know why, but i have been a cryer here. I cry a lot now. But just how the ward made her feel so at home, and so at peace, was so great. She onlly had great things to say about it when we went by that night. It was fantastic!

Another story. The missionaries have been teaching this lady named Margarita for about a year now. And, after the first three weeks, she could have been baptized. Except she isnt married. the reason she isnt married is because she was missing a paper, some birth certificate form or something. THe missionaries have looked up and down, in every city, government building, home of relative, EVERYWHERE. A years worth of searching. The teaching record for her is about 4 pages long. Yeah. Nuts. But anyway, the week before cuenca left, we were teaching her about prophets, just basically reviewing stuff with her. The lesson was going great. Elder Cuenca turned to me to share somthing, and I felt SO strong to talk about fasting. Im telling you, it was like the idea came to my head, my heart burned, and i asked her what she knew about fasting. She said nothing. So we taught her about the fast. Elder cuenca was looking at me so strangly. But, we talked about the fast. I asked her if she would be willing to fast for 24 hours, with the purpose of asking for help to be able to find this paper that she needs for her marriage, in order for her to be baptized. She accepted and then we fasted. It went great, she opened and closed it with a prayer and had all her kids fast too. She felt good abou it. So then, Elder cuenca left. Elder cook showed up and we followed up on it. She told us that she had caught wind that she had found the paper. Its in concession, a town about 2 hours north of here, its where her great grandma or somthing weird like that was born that she didnt know about. Im not quite sure about all the details. Anyway, long story but, turns out that the zone leaders, the day before had asked us to go there, to check on the only member that lives there. And its tomorrow. So when we are there, we are going to take out the paper, for her marriage, come back. Tell me, after a years worth of searching and trying to do everything, we show up at her door, have a feeling to have a fast, and then all of sudden the paper is found, and it turns out we are already going there!? How cool is that? I just hope that everything works out, and that we can find the paper, that she can get married, and ultimately baptized. And then start working towards the temple! SO cool and such a rich spiritual experience. Through her faith, preserverance, and her fast. Ill keep you updated on what turns out from the trip tomorrow. I hope all goes well!

Every day we are lead by the spirit. My spanish, its getting better. There are days that are hard, but working for the golden days, or one day, looking back and seeing the hand of the lord in something is so rewarding. All is well here im still loving it! looking forward to talking on christmas. Just around the corner!

Tell Grandpa and Grandma Millet thankyou So much for the newsletter! The church is amazing and reading those articles was very interesting. Thanks for the pictures too of when i got set apart! That was nice to see. Tell them I love them and Miss them!

Les Amo Mucho. Estoy pensando en ustedes muchisimo, cada dia. Cada vez que experimento algo, quiero decirles. Como lehi y el arbol de la vida. Les quiero bastante y espero que todo esta bien!

Elder Burrito (Thats what all the little kids call me)

11/21/2011

Mi Querida Familia,

So cool to hear about all the festivities that happened with mom´s bday! Ive already told you mom but I love you and I hope you had a great birthday! Glad you were able to see Millie and Marie. Im sure that was a blast having them there and also having the big 50 party with all the friends and family! Glad it went well!

Sounds like everything at home is going well with callings, family stuff, work and the usual. Hopè you are all enjoying american soil. Sorry if I dont seem interested in whats going on at home. I dont really know what to say because im not there, i dont know whats going on really. All i know is that I love reading what i get to read every week and I love you all. Think of you all often and pray for you all every prayer. If the letters seem insincere or like i dont really care, just know im busy and doing what missionaries do. sorry but dats just da way dat izz. LOVE YOU ALL!!

The splashes splashed and the waves rolled this weekend at the waters de la pila! (font in spanish) It was so rich and sweet to have baptisms, even though I wasnt the one baptizing. I dont really care as long as we are seeing the fruits of our labors, even if I have to watch someone else pick the fruit. Its still way awesome. The happiness on the two little boys, the little girl, and the joven (youth, Yumi) was very cool. Even more special was to see the Hermano Rojas baptize his two sons. Very tender, very sweet. The mom is a little hard and gets offended easy but she could not have been more happy. The confirmation was frustrating on Sunday. The bishop was traveling for the weekend and so when he came back, he was a little clueless, so the meeting was a little jumbled, with the confirmations and everything. Its all good though. They were confirmed and the deal was sealed. GREAT weekend.

The baptisms went great. Tony and Julio Rojas were baptized, along with Daña Barbosa. And then, we had a surprise baptism the following day! 15 year old Yumi told us she could do it the day of, so we threw it together really quick. Its really nice to have the Zone leaders living seriously a block away so they can help us do stuff like that with getting the interview done and everything. Ill try to send pictures..dont know if it works yet. Ive sent a couple over myldsmail but i havent heard anything about the pictures so im not sure if you got them. let me know if you get them please!

Other than the baptism, the week was alright. We went to Quito on monday. slept there that night and traveled back tuesday. About 20 hours on buses in total over two days. Heritage tours! haha But the reason we went was to get my censos, ecuadorian Id. I dont know if thats how you spell it but its basically to authorize someone in the country. Im an authroized ecuadorian for the time being. While we were in Quito, we had a council with president and it was awesome! He is the man. He helps a lot with small little pieces of advice. I think the best way to describe him is, a quiet powerful example. His leadership is different but its interesting to see how powerful it is, though quite subtle.

We were busy on splits all week with other missionaries in our district so i spent a lot of time working with other missionaries. I felt like we completely left our sector. We havent worked there since last sunday. our numbers showed it. Frustrating that we didnt get to work in our sector but great that we got to do exchanges. I went with elder cabrera, one of the Zone leaders. The dude is a stud. He´s from chile and I learned a bunch from him. We busted it and I learned a lot about what I need to do better and how I can teach from the heart. Thats something that I am going to focus on, bearing testimony and teaching from the heart. Asking inspired questions. All that good stuff. I loved it. And with elder cabrera, I learned how i can do it better. Now i just have to do it better. My spanish is getting better, especially in lessons. I have a lot yet to learn, especially just talking with someone about anything. Street talk is super hard. Lot to learn there. Keep praying for me!

Today was awesome. We went about an hour away to Atacames. Its the beach city in the sector and it was way cool! It reminded me of hawaii with the restaurants on the sand and all the beach jazz going on. It was fun to see. We had an awesome lunch there. Shrimp soup and then fried fish with rice. Super good. Got some good ice cream and then we left..Very cool to see and great to get some good pictures.

Lots to do this coming week! We are moving houses tonight to a very nice condo type thing. Im excited. hope all goes well.

Being a representative of the Savior is truly amazing. I hope to be able to bring Him and His name honor every moment, every word, every deed, every thought. I pray for all of you to do the same, since we all have taken his name upon us through baptism.

I love you all!

Elder Burr

oh, and Tell nick congratulations too! his call fits. He is going to love it. I love him and wish him the best!

Happy thanksgiving!