Week 28: Bermejo

Hello everyone!!

I have been having a couple medical problems here in the mission field, and I need to come home for the treatment. I will be heading home tomorrow!

Thank you so much for every single e-mail, prayer, and letter sent. I am so grateful for such loving friends and family.

I know that missionary work is the work of the Lord, and that by His hand, this church is guided. I know that we are God's children, and that he loves us with a perfect love at all times. 

LA MISIÓN ARGENTINA MENDOZA

"¡ALCANZANDO LO MAS ALTO!"

Mucho amor,

Elder Andrew Burns

Week 27: Bermejo

Hola mis queridos norteamericanos :)

This week went by really fast, and this transfer is over in two weeks! Crazy. One of the things I love about being a missionary is the fact that I am learning every second of every day, and I really felt that this week. We don't know how much we don't know until we find out what we didn't know! ;)

An update on my Spanish: I am starting to feel comfortable with talking to anyone. However, if they start talking about a subject in which I don't know the vocabulary very well, chao chao. I get lost really fast. For example, if someone starts to teach me how to change the oil in a car, using all of the terminology of car parts, it's hard to understand. 

Let me blow your minds real quick. One reason why it may be tough for English-speakers to learn Spanish is because of the huge amount of prepositions that are used in English. Tons of verbs in English are 2-3 words, and almost all of those verbs have prepositions like 'on', 'off', 'up', 'down', 'out', 'in'. Like 'show off', 'look up (to someone)', 'flip off' (the insult). The literal translations make NO sense!  

Anyways... :) All of our investigators are progressing! Hopefully we can place a couple baptismal dates this week. 

One thing I learned this week that meant a lot to me is learning to love ourselves. That doesn't mean NOT hating yourself, but rather it means to trust in yourself and give yourself credit for doing the right thing. If something is tough, we can admit it. We shouldn't think that we are strange for not being happy all the time. 

I love you guys!

Vuestra dulzura (hahaha),

Elder Burns

Week 26: Bermejo

HOLA :)

Well this week was really strange, haha! I'll try to cover the main things that happened.

On Tuesday morning, I woke up with a wicked case of food poisoning. I was in bed for the next 72 hours! Everything's alright now, but that really messed up our planning that we did for this week so we had to kind of just run around and improvise for the rest of the week.

The good news is that we have an awesome new investigator! Her name is Cynthia. I think I mentioned Nico and Kathy in a previous email. Cynthia is Nico's brother! She's 9 years old :) She listens incredibly well, and completes all of the commitments we extend! This Sunday, she brought the lesson one pamphlet that we gave to her and just carried it around the whole time. It was so precious! She wants to get baptized the same day as Kathy in September!

I'm so grateful for your prayers and emails. Please know that I find great strength with the knowledge that so many people are praying for me!

I love you all!

Elder Burns

Week 25: Bermejo

Hey everyone!!

I don't have much to report this week, but we have a couple new investigator FAMILIES :) That is always a blessing. Family is soo important to Heavenly Father, and its the purpose of everything we do in the church!

I have felt a special love for the Atonement this week.1 Nephi 19:9 is one of my favorite scriptures that explains the life of Christ.

 9 And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.

Pay attention to the last phrase!! He did all of that because of the love he had towards us. If our desires are powerful enough and in the right direction, we can do anything. Because of the desires of our Savior, he completed the Atonement. Because of the atonement, we can find happiness in this life and live eternally with our families in the life to come. His influence is available to everyone! 

I love you all,

Elder Burns

Week 24: Bermejo

¡Buen día a todos!

This week has been great. Even though washing an area is a little tricky at times, we have learned so much. Bermejo is a branch, so there aren't that many members, but they are just as helpful, if not moreso, than some wards! We have received tons of references and those make our work so much easier.

Kathy (investigator) and Nico (former inactive) are a couple that will be getting married in September so that Kathy can be baptized! They are super kind and really receptive. Their testimonies are already really strong. 

We haven't been able to meet with any other investigators this week, but I am confident that we will have more luck with that this week!

There's not much else to say, but I will leave you all with a photo of me and a man from Rodeo named Pedro Venturini. He had some of the most thoughtful questions I have ever heard as a missionary, and he taught us so much. I hope Elder Piedra and his companion in Rodeo can help him to keep progressing!!

Con amor,

Elder Burns

Week 23: Rodeo de la Cruz

Hello all!

Sooo. I'm being transfered! I will be going to Bermejo, which is actually in the same zone that I'm in right now (Guaymallén). I can't wait! My companion is Elder Rodriguez from Chile! He and I will be washing (we both will be new to the area). 

This week, I have really grown a love for teaching. Focusing on investigators, their feelings, and helping them see God's love is extremely fulfilling. We had a "charla franca" or a "drop-cane" lesson with the Marinero family, which is basically when we talk about things as they really are. For example, if someone doesn't keep the Word of Wisdom, they cannot have lasting happiness and will be condemned for it. I love these lessons, because the spirit is always so strong. You can BET that the spirit will testify of pure truth.

That's pretty much it for this week, but I hope you all are doing well!! Pray and read your scriptures!

Elder Burns <3  

The pictures: 

One is of me holding some alfajor wrappers. These things are cheap, and incredibly tasty. The one in the middle is a Terrabusi Triple Torta and it is KIIIING.

The other is of my planner for this month. ¡AGUANTE AMERICA!

Week 22: Rodeo de la Cruz

¡Buen día queridos familiares y amigos!

First, I want to explain the picture I sent last week of me holding that cup. That is mate (pronounced "mawtay") and it is extremely popular here. Its actually pretty good!

I don't have much to say this week, other than the fact that transfers are next week and we're working on our investigators in the best way we know how!

I was looking back at some marks I put in the Book of Mormon and I found a passage that applies beautifully to missionaries and pretty much anyone else that feels they are having problems with prayer. Mosiah 26:13 says:

 13 And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and he went and inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this matter, for he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God.

This verse explains that Alma was having trouble making a decision, and he did not want to displease God, so he went and prayed. Then, for the next 7 verses, God just explains how proud He is of Alma for requesting help before making a decision, as if the real test was just if he would seek God's help or not, and the answer doesn't matter that much! For example:

 17 And blessed art thou because thou hast established a church among this people; and they shall be established, and they shall be my people.

 20 Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that thou shalt have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me and go forth in my name, and shalt gather together my sheep.

This week especially, I've seen the importance of counseling with God in all things through prayer. Sometimes, He just wants to see us put forth an effort and pray. Other times, He wants us to wait for an answer. Either way, He's not ignoring you. I promise that with all my heart.

Mucho amor,

Elder Burns

Week 21: Rodeo de la Cruz

Family and friends!!

Happy 5 months to me! haha it's felt like a lifetime and no time at all. Only a fellow missionary can understand :) Just a reminder- I can receive DearElders every month and they are the best thing ever.... soooo yeah pretty please send some! :)

I learned so much about how the spirit can work in us! This morning as I was exercising and getting ready for the day, I realized that I was thinking about our investigators. Questions to ask them and insights about their situation were just popping in to my head. I'm so grateful for the spirit. 

This week we found an awesome guy named Bruno. He has a mental disability that makes it so he can't comprehend things very well, but we are going to keep trying to teach him anyways because he is seriously so cool and he has potential. He is an insanely good drawer, and he owns a towel business. Qué tal ey.....

Recently I've been focusing on the Preach My Gospel manual and realized that there is basically nothing missing from it. It tells us step by step, very descriptively, what we should share as missionaries and what results we should see. Not only that, it explains nearly flawlessly how to work with the ward and members, so you all should read it as well!! 

In Helaman 3:29, we read:

 29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the wordof God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked.

This is actually my favorite scripture. It tells us the first step to overcoming challenges that life gives us-- read the word of God. As I was pondering this and thinking about temptation, I realized that in the heat of the moment of being tempted, it is nearly impossible to discern what is good and what is wrong. The word of God always has a response when we can't tell the difference. It literally allows us to "divide" the cunnings of Satan and recognize his snares. 

I love you all so much :) Have a great week!!

Elder Burns

Week 20: Rodeo de la Cruz

Hey everyone!

This transfer is already halfway over-- that's really weird. I bet I'll be leaving the area, but guessing won't help anything, so I'll just work and wait until then, ha! And for an update on the language-- my English is struggling a lot, it's suuuuper slow. But here's the best part: my Spanish is still pretty bad as well. So I'm kind of like always in a state of "meditation" I'll call it. haha ohhh well!!

Anyways, this week we taught Julia the Word of Wisdom and she accepted it pretty well. She has a problem with smoking, and hasn't been progressing much so we are working on that.

This week, we were able to teach Pablo (I think I accidently said "Paulo" in the last e-mail). The situation is kind of complicated, but that's alright because he has a very open heart and awesome goals that every missionary would want to see. In fact, we set a baptismal date for July 11th! We are going to try to de everything we can for that day to actually happen, because like I said, this situation is complicated.

This morning I was reading in Mormon 9. Verse 10 says: 

 10 And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.

When I read this, I noticed that it says that if God is unchanging, then he is a god of miracles. But why miracles? Why not a god of love, mercy, or power if he is unchanging? So I kept reading:

 12 Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fallof man. And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man.

As I thought about this for a little longer, I realized that 1. God's focus has been single and his purpose has been defined from the beginning of time: to have His children learn the things they need to in order to return and live with Him 2. Jesus Christ and the Atonement is the greatest miracle that has ever taken place.

 The most central part of God's plan is a miracle: the Atonement!!

Hopefully that made sense! It was really eye-opening for me at least :)

I love you all, have a great week!!

Elder Burns

Week 19: Rodeo de la Cruz

Another week has flown by!

Well hello everyone :) I hope this letter finds you all comfortable in your homes in the United States.

A couple weeks ago I saw an elder named Elder Gorge. I asked him where he was from because I know a Gorge family from Indiana. He said Indiana! His mom was my seminary teacher in high school! Wait, it gets weirder. My companion Elder Piedra, used to be companions with him!! That is just crazy to me. Two Indiana boys end up with exactly the same companion in Mendoza, Argentina!

This week we were able to teach Julia and a new investigator named Paulo! But the lesson that stuck out to me was the one we had with Agustín Olmos, a less active. We have been working with him lots recently! We talked about how Satan exists, and God exists. If we aren't constantly trying to improve our relationship with God and keep the commandments, we will lose control to the adversary. He accepted it really well and now we just wait for him to act, and offer our support. It's hard seeing so much potential happiness in someone's life, but then losing interest in doing the things to get that happiness. 

That's all for now. Take care, everyone!! 

Mucho Amor,

Elder Burns

Week 18: Rodeo de la Cruz

Hello again!

This week was really busy but that's alright because every week, no matter how long it feels, ends :) I was in Colonia Segovia/Corralitos for a couple of days while I was waiting for my new companion. He definitely has the "sh" accent, and it is dang hard to understand! haha. From one of the first letters I sent from the field I said "there's a Chilean in my district and I can't understand anything he says." Well, NOW, I can understand HIM almost perfectly, but it is extremely difficult to understand my new companion. haha oh well. It's all part of the mission.

We had an absolutely amazing lesson with Sandra Guebara!! We haven't been able to visit in about two weeks, but this lesson totally made up for that. Brother Barraza, a man in the ward, was able to come with us and it was easily the most spiritual lesson I've had in my mission so far. We aren't perfect teachers, so we always need to take note of WHY things went well. And vice-versa when a lesson DOESN'T go well.

The Marinero family is having struggles with faith. In order to live the law of chastity, they need to be married, and right now they're not. But, they will receive less money from the government each month if they do that. It's tough to know how to help them out and help them realize that everything will be okay, and they will be HAPPY if they take that step. They are such great people, and it's tough to see them struggle.

I know God lives, and He is aware of what's going on in your life. Sometimes He puts tough situations in front of us just to see us make the right choice. In the words of President Monson, "let us learn to do the right thing, because it's right." (more or less :) )

I love you all so much!

Elder Burns :)

Week 17: Rodeo de la Cruz

Hello all!

Soooo, I have news about transfers. I am staying in Rodeo and receiving Elder Piedra from Uruguay!! I'm super excited. Those from Uruguay, Paraguay, and Buenos Aires are referred to as "Porteños". There, the Y sound is more of a "SH" instead of a soft J sound here. I hope that makes sense... haha. For example, "ayudeme" here would be "aw-joo-de-me" (more or less) and there it would be "aw-shoo-de-me". The accent doesn't matter too much, but I think it's interesting.

This morning I said goodbye to Elder Manrique. Sad but happy times.... During all this week, we were inviting investigators to come to church to listen to him sing (he sings RRREEE bien, very well). We got 5 investigators to come!! The trick is to show them what the church is like, and however we can do that, it would be for the better. Elder Manrique is officially gone, but we have lots of potential baptisms and I'm excited for this next transfer.

I'll explain the people in the pictures! The picture of the family in the house is the Marinero family. The picture of the mother and daughter with her friend is Julia, Belén, and Lucas, I'm not sure what their last names are! And the last picture is Elder Manrique and I on a train track that we found. Such an amazing view when the mountains aren't covered by clouds!

That's all for now. I love you all!!! :)

Elder Burns

Week 16: Rodeo de la Cruz

Hello friends and family!!

This transfer only has one week left, which is super weird! Elder Manrique is finishing his two years, so I will be getting a new companion for sure but I could possibly stay in Rodeo and direct the area. That's a scary thought considering I still only understand about 50% of everything people say, haha but either way, I'll learn a lot.

This week during personal study, I found an excellent scripture in 1 Nephi 15:11 that tells us how to receive revelation (or in other words, the help of God). It lists four exact things that we must do! 

 11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me infaith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

This is perfect to use while thinking of why an investigator isn't receiving a testimony. Does he have a hard heart? Does he have faith? Does he believe he can receive an answer? Is he keeping the commandments? As a companionship, we can pray and try to discern which one we should focus on for each investigator, and it's been very helpful for us.

Yesterday I was asked to give a talk in sacrament meeting 30 minutes before it started, which actually turned out to be a blessing! I talked about agency and shared a scripture I read that morning in Helaman 14:30 that says...

 30 And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.

This scripture is perfect. God gives us knowledge and it is for our own good to follow that knowledge. In those few short minutes, I was able to think about how I've used agency in my life. Looking back, I can see that if i need to do something, I should just DO it. If I need to change something, I should just CHANGE it with no second thought. Right is right, and wrong is wrong, basically :)

Not much progress with out investigators right now, even those with baptismal dates :( But, we were able to bring Nahuel (less-active, my age) to church this week which was awesome.

READ YOUR SCRIPTURES, SAY YOUR PRAYERS, AND I'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK. :) I love you all!

Chaooooo,

Elder Burns

Week 15: Rodeo de la Cruz

HEY EVERYONE!! :)

Actually, not much happened this week! I'll talk about our investigators first.

Guebara family-- We've been trying to get them to read and pray about the Book of Mormon but they keep cancelling appointments so we can't even read WITH them right now. :(

Tovarez family-- Earlier this week during exchanges (I was with Elder Van Orman from Colonia Segovia, he's the district leader) we had a very spiritual lesson on the Restoration, and left them a reading assignment in the Book of Mormon but they didn't complete it. :(

Marinero family-- They are having doubts about the Restoration, so we are trying to get them to read the Book of Mormon (see a pattern?? haha).

I don't mean to sound depressing, haha I had a purpose in saying all that. After looking objectively at everything that's happened this week, I see one thing for sure-- that the Book of Mormon is inexcusably vital in conversion. In the words of President Monson, "If you haven't read the Book of Mormon, read it." :)

Yesterday was the dedication of the Córdoba, Argentina temple!! It was an experience that will only happen once during my mission, and it was so special. Elder Uchtdorf and Elder Christofferson (spelling? ha) were both present. Elder Christofferson speaks Spanish, and I can understand gringo Spanish so I was able to enjoy his words!! Elder Uchtdorf spoke in English then after every sentence, an interpreter followed. So I was able to understand and enjoy pretty much everything! It's such a unique spirit during the dedication of a temple, and I can't wait to attend more often when I get back!! 

That's all for now. :) I love you all!!

Elder Burns

Week 14: Rodeo de la Cruz

¿Cómo andan ustedes???

I had a great week! Lots of good times with other missionaries, talking to family, and also lots of things I was able to learn!

I TALKED TO MY FAMILY which was literally the sweetest blessing I could ever ask for. Appreciate every second you have with your family.

Last P-Day, we went to downtown Mendoza to go shopping with the zone leaders and two other elders which was awesome. I got a San Lorenzo jersey (soccer team) and some incredible ties, then we all went to Burger King! :) (yep, Burger King)

Thursday, Elder Zeballos of the Quorum of the Seventy visited our mission! He was in this last General Conference actually. Sister Zeballos spoke to us as well and gave an amazing talk about what she called "piedras pequeñas en nuestros zapatos" (the little rocks in our shoes): the small things that can make a big difference. Elder Zeballos, for the most part, just answered questions! :)

Our ward here is so awesome. Two investigators Oscar and Patricia attended church and the members just totally took care of them. I'm so grateful for our ward. I don't remember if I mentioned the Tovarez family, but two of the daughters (ages 25-30) accepted baptism. Noelia and Roxanna. We taught Noelia a little bit before Roxanna so we had the chance to give her a Book of Mormon and teach her about personal prayer. Ever since then, her progress has sky-rocketed. They are so special to me! 

That promise applies to everyone. Read the Book of Mormon and meditate what it has to say. A change will naturally come after some time.

Overall, I'm doing great. Please take care of my family, everyone!!

Mucho Amor,

Elder Burns

Week 13: Rodeo de la Cruz

¡Hola familia y amigos!

I had some great experiences this week and some funny ones as well. But FIRST, I want to say thank you to everyone for supporting me in the many ways you have. From the simple comments on Facebook before my mission, to the earnest prayers, I appreciate it all so much. Everything adds up to an amazing amount of help and encouragement.

Not much happened this week pertaining to our investigators, but I am so grateful for every opportunity I have to teach!! I am really trying to understand how the Spirit works. 

An update on my Spanish-- well, last week I wrote "pido disculpe" but it's actually "pido disculpas", I'll just get that out of the way. I can pick up most words now, but the sentences and expressions are so different compared to English that I don't know what they are saying a lot of the time (even though I understand the words, if that makes sense). Recently I've been pounding myself with vocabulary because there's just so much to learn.

At the Executive Commitee Meeting (something like that) we were just sitting there, talking about our investigators, then someone honks their horn outside. The bishop put a grin on his face, pulled out a wad of cash to start counting, and said "ah, la comida" (ah, the food). I got my hopes up because i was absolutely starving, but I couldn't tell if he was kidding or not. Sure enough, someone gets up, and comes back with literally 60 empanadas (look it up!) and a Coca-Cola. Then the bishop said, "Elderes, coman sin vergüenza" (Elders, eat without shame). Ma'vale (YOU KNOW IT) we ate without shame. Those things were incredible.

I did have some really funny moments this week, but I also feel like each week I learn more and more. In particular this week, I learned the value of a testimony. Each testimony is precious. If you have a testimony, please take care of it. Whatever is going on in your life, I promise you won't feel better by throwing away your testimony. Elder Holland said something like: "Hold on to what you DO know, and wait patiently for the help of Heavenly Father". He knows exactly what you feel and why you're feeling that way, and He always deserves more trust than we already give.

Mucho Amor,

Elder Buuuurns

Week 12: Rodeo de la Cruz

¡Hola todos!

I learned so much this week. I'm so grateful for my mission! But first, I want to have a pity party because I missed my ONLY SISTER'S wedding. Qué triste... I hope you all had a great time without me. Second, my English is getting really awkward at times now, so I pido disculpe (ask forgiveness) if something I say makes zero sense.

The other two missionaries in our district (Bartlett and Hawes) got transferred (BOOOOO) and now there are two Colombians and two gringos. The zone leaders are in our district too but they never do much with us because they need to work with the other districts, so it's just the four of us.

The Morales family is struggling right now (Mabel and Mauricio) with keeping commitments but I'll keep you all updated. We are also teaching a mother and daughter in a family called the Guebara's. The mother has leukemia (spelling?) :( and for that reason, we are really focusing on them this week. I've really felt the pwoer of revelation while thinking of investigators' needs.

Just from thinking about experiences this week, I learned something that meant a lot to me personally. A fairly common reason why people distance themselves from God is that they see him as unfair. When something bad happens, we always seem to turn around and point our finger at the person who wants to help us. Heavenly Father doesn't EVER give us trials to push us away. NEVERRR. Constantly blaming God causes our problems to build up and we become even more frustrated than before. If we would just swallow our pride for a couple moments, we could see that He really is the source of all direction and peace, through his son Jesus Christ.

I pray for all of you. I challenge you to be insanely patient with a trial this week and see what comes of it.

Mucho Amor,

Elder Burns

Week 11: Rodeo de la Cruz

HOLA.

So I'm not being transferred, which was expected :) I don't have much time because the computers in my area are really slow, but I'll share some experiences!!

I went on exchanges with Elder Hawes, from Utah, earlier this week! We didn't have much success, but when we got back to the pension that night he made empajores (alfajores are cookie/cake things here). Alfajor wrapped in empanada shells and fried with a little sugar on top. OH GLORY they are delicious. The next day with Elder Manrique I told him I wanted to make some and he kind of just shrugged it off because he wasn't interested. Long story short, he tried one. He then thanked me literally ten times during the rest of that night. ;)

Elder Bartlett (companion of Elder Hawes, also from Utah) came to Rodeo with Elder Manrique and taught the Morales family. Mauricio wasn't there but the mother was with some other children. She accepted a baptismal date and feels really great about the Book of Mormon. MIRACLE. I checked to make sure they said "Mabel Morales" probably three times because it was such a shock. We always hear that this is the Lord's work, but I love that I'm gaining my own personal experiences to testify of it.

Have a great week!!!

Elder Burns

Week 10: Rodeo de la Cruz

Hey everyone!

These past few weeks have gone by incredibly fast. Next week, we start a new transfer! I probably won't be transferred because I'm being trained, but you never know.

This afternoon, our zone is going to have an asado. I'm bringing a filet for myself. It's like 4 dollars for 12 ounces of filet!!! I can't wait!

One afternoon last week, we got a pretty good sequence of lessons! It was great. With an inactive man named Andrés and another named Eduardo. When we got back to the pension that night though, something completely unexpected happened. We tried calling Genaro to see if he would be home the next day but then he just said he's done with us :( He accepted baptism in the first lesson, but because of all that time in between, something else got to his heart. That was tough. The good news is right after that call, we called a man named Daniel. He was taking lessons from missionaries in San Martin but moved here and lost contact. HOW WE FOUND HIM is a miracle. It's a really long story but it's awesome.

Last week right before a lesson, I started thinking about the struggles I've had on my mission so far. The way we take to this investigator's house passes by a bodega (grape fermentation/wine factory). While smelling that, something hit me. There are usually two ways to respond to a tough situation: one helps you grow, and the other dodges the problem. Things like drugs, pornography, alcohol, all dodge the problem and prevent growth. The promise of the Atonement is growth! At one point, I think President Eyering said something like "if you're on the right path you'll be going uphill." That's so true! Sometimes there aren't two clear paths, though. In that case, I would suggest applying what you know and moving on. Everything will work out.

Mucho Amor,

Elder Burns

Week 9: Rodeo de la Cruz

Hey everyone!

This week went by really fast, and I know it's only going to get faster. 

Update on my Spanish! I'm starting to be able to recognize and use common sentence structures, which is basically knowing where to put each word without making it sound awkward. Sometimes it's hard because there aren't direct translations for  most expressions, but so it is with any foreign language.

Right now we basically have one family of investigators and one other investigator. The family is the Morales family. They like our message but don't accept the priesthood as necessary, so we are working on that. One of the children (who is 19), Mauricio, has been really receptive and says he wants to learn more!! He's been doing great with his commitments. The other investigator is Genaro, but we still haven't seen him in a while because he works so much. :(

Conference was the bomb of course!! Two talks that meant the most to me were by Michael T. Ringwood and President Uchtdorf. Both of them talked about preoccupying ourselves with what others think, and also sent a warning about pride. One weakness I discovered of myself very quickly in the mission field is that I worry too much about what others think. If I'm focused on that, I become bashful about the message of the restored gospel, and I am offended way too fast by comments about my Spanish ability, rejection, and things like that. As Elder Uchtdorf said, the praise of the world meant absolutely nothing to Christ. We can't ever get to that point as humans, but with his help and love, we can feel content with our progress.

I love you all. Have an awesome week!

Mucho Amor,

Elder Burns

Week 8: Rodeo de la Cruz

Another week!! This transfer is already halfway over, wow. I have some cool stories to share!

First of all, I have been having lots of "asados" or barbecues!! So stinking bueno. The other day at the bishop's house, he gave me the filet cut. Most incredible piece of meat ever. There's also lots of pasta here with heavenly seasonings. 

One day after visiting the Vega family, who are inactive members, a homeless man signaled to us to come over. He mentioned his name, "Segundo Javier Torres", and then just told us about his life story. It was really interesting to talk to such a genuinely-charactered person. After some time he said with tears in his eyes, "I just want nice clothes. I want clothes like you missionaries." That really touched me. Then at the end of the conversation he said "thank you so much for listening." Some people just need a couple minutes of your day to make everything better. 

It rained a ton one day this week, and we were about to head home 10 minutes early because the situation was just difficult, but then Elder Manrique said "one more house." And so we went. We found an awesome guy named Darío who was really receptive to what we were saying. I learned that disobedience is literally selfishness. If we went home 10 minutes early, we would not have only affected ourselves.

About Genaro, we haven't been able to meet with him because he works so much, but I will keep you all updated!

Mucho Amor,

Elder Burns

P.S. I can get DearElders!! :)

 

Week 7: Rodeo de la Cruz

Hello everyone once again! :)

I don't have much time today but I wanted to share a couple things! 

The spanish is coming along! I am starting to understand the little mumbles which is actually a big step for me. There is a Chilean missionary in my district who speaks incredibly fast, and I can't understand a word he says. It's pretty funny!

Elder Manrique and I weren't having much success earlier this week and so we decided to pray on the side of a road. We thought for a couple seconds, then started heading in a direction. After about 5 minutes I told Elder Manrique that I was thirsty so we should try to look for a kiosco (a little store in people's homes, they are very common). Instead, he asked a man who was in front of his home if I could have a glass of water. He said sure, and while his child went to go get water we found out that he was Hermano Frites, an inactive member that we could not find anywhere!! :) 

Genaro said last week that he wanted to see an American dollar bill. I said I would look for one! When we got back to the pension that night, I couldn't find any. I prayed, and still had no luck. Eventually I forgot about it but on Friday before we were supposed to teach him on Saturday, I opened up "True to the Faith" and out popped a one-dollar bill. I was so excited to give it to him, but it turns out he is on vacation. Soo... next week!!

I hope you all are doing well. I feel every prayer that is offered for me, and the blessings come in so many different forms. Thank you!!!

Mucho Amor,

Elder Burns

Week 6: Rodeo de la Cruz

I am in Argentina! My area is called Rodeo de la Cruz. You can look it up on Google Maps if you want :) Lots has happened... haha but I will try to include everything.

First off, we saw Elder Holland in the SLC airport and he was on our connecting flight to Atlanta. He had a first class seat of course! I got to shake his hand!!! Proceed to be jealous.

My companion is Elder Manrique who is from Colombia! He is a great guy. He wants to learn English and I want to learn Spanish. At times it is hard to talk to him, but it is also really helpful to have a Latin companion.

When I introduce myself, everyone says "Oh, Elder Burns ¡como Los Simpsons!" (like the Simpsons!) It is really funny because I have never seen the Simpsons and I expect that every time I say my name.

The Spanish! Sooo different than what we learn in the MTC. When I arrived I literally could not discern one word from another. Everyone has a really strong accent and skips tons of syllables. It is beautiful if I am just listening and not trying to find out what they are saying haha :D

The people are so kind. Whenever we go to someones house, member or nonmember, they have soda and food for us. Even in really difficult circumstances, they are willing to give us a small snack!!

After a nice Almuerzo at a member-family home, we were walking to an appointment and asked for directions. Elder Manrique decided to ask a man with his son in his arms, and eventually after talking to him abnout who we are and what we believe, he told us to come by sometime. Eventually, we figured out we had nothing to do and went to his house where his wife was also. They were so happy to let us in! We sat on tiiiny kid benches just outside the entrance, but I would not have wanted it a different way. We just started talking about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessings of it. By the way, the mother had a Book of Mormon. If I heard right, which I probably didnt, she was buying empanadas when some missionaries gave it to her. Their names are Genaro, Claudia, and Lionel Fernandez. Anyways, the spirit was so unique. Elder Manrique invited Genaro to be baptized and he said yes! Incredible. Heavenly Father prepares people for specific missionaries, and when they are ready, he makes everything happen in very special ways. It was seriously a miracle. We had not had much success before that!

Have an awesome week in the United States! 

Elder Burns (como Los Simpsons)

Week 5: Provo MTC

Hello everyone!!

In four days, I will be on my way to Argentina! I am so excited to apply everything I've learned in the MTC and also dive into a completely new culture. We fly from SLC to ATL, ATL to Buenos Aires, then take a small plane to Mendoza (I believe). It will be great. 

So as I mentioned last week, I had the ability to meet with President Lindahl who used to be the President of the Mendoza mission. It was so great to learn from someone directly from the mission I'm headed to! He gave us some awesome tips and information: 1. Mendoza gets earthquakes (which he said are fun because they aren't ever severe) 2. Like most of Argentina, the Spanish has an Italian accent (y's and ll's make a soft "g" sound) 3. It's a mix of Latins and Europeans. Lots of cool stuff!!

I was able to host and greet the new missionaries yesterday. It made me so grateful to be done with all the goodbyes. They were hard! It's always funny to see the glossy, wandering eyes of newbies. 

Brother Rasmussen (one of my teachers) taught us an amazing way to quickly find needs of investigators. After the end of the first lesson, we NEED to invite to baptism. If they say no, ask them what is holding them back. Once they respond, ask that if all the reasons they mentioned were resolved, would they commit to baptism? If not, then keep asking the same question until they say yes. Problem solved! He's such a funny guy. His style is manipulation because if the gospel is true, why not take the quickest path to it? It's genius! 

On Tuesday night after the devotional, we were talking with Brother Dowdle who is in our branch presidency. Basically, he said that "two contradicting desires results in turbulence." We can't completely devote ourselves to a cause if we are still holding onto something else. In the context of a mission, we are expected to leave all personal problems behind us and focus on the work for two years. I have felt the power of that every day! But this also applies to anything else we want to accomplish. We can't ever progress if we're pulling in two different directions. 

I love you all!! The next e-mail will be from Argentina!

Mucho Amor,

Elder Andrew Burns

 ​This is Elder Oakley who is from England. He left for New Jersey this week!


Elder Kidd and I in our prime.

Our zone!