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!! :)