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