28 August 2011

Hey Fam!

Thanks for the help with the money. I have no idea honestly where it all went! We've just been buying pancit canton and oatmeal and rice and canned foods all week. We haven't like bought any expensive food or anything. So I really have no idea how I ran out.

Your schooling and hiking sounds like a good adventure. I wish I had the teaching skills you have mom. And you're hiking story sounds is funny dad. It makes me wonder what I was like as a deacon.

Anyway, this week has been really good. On Monday afternoon the Zone Leaders texted me and said I had to go to Iloilo for a District Leaders Council on Wednesday. That means Tuesday right after district meeting I'd have to go and take the four and a half hour drive down to Iloilo and spend 500 pesos to go there and back. But it's okay, I was told I was lucky because we'd be the first elders in the mission to be able to eat at THE BRAND NEW MISSION HOME! Yeaaaahhhh boy!

Anyway, so we arrived in Iloilo around 4 or 5 pm at Arevalo Chapel. I ended up going out to work with Elder Eror (my follow up trainer :D) because his companion (the AP Elder Misbach) was busy preparing for tomorrow. We went out and worked and I had a good time. Elder Eror is a good guy, I love him, he's a way fun companion. I had fun talking with everyone. It's weird seeing a ton of people on the street all the time. I really liked it. But don't get me wrong, I love the area I'm in now. I liked speaking Ilonggo too. One lady we talked to say that my accent is pretty good. That's the first time I got that compliment my whole mission. In that I was well pleased. But I'm glad I'm not staying in that area because we were walking through this market-type place with people on both sides and as I was walking I stepped in this huge piece of poop. They all were like, "Yo! That kano stepped in poo!" And laughing and stuff. I just kind of laughed too and wiped it off and kept walking. Anyway, after the appointment we walked back through there and I was talking to Elder Eror and I stepped in it again. They all went crazy. Whoa! That's the second time. Elder Eror told them that meant I had good luck though. So it's all good.

The DLC was really good though. We learned a lot about leadership and some more of the responsibilities we have. I made a lot of new goals of things we can do in the district to help it progress. The best part of DLC was when we were writing on the blackboard the duties of a district leader and one elder, raised his hand and said, "The District Leader is the Pilot." and then he handed the microphone back and the AP was just like, "dude, why?" And then he said, "Because the District Leader will help his district reach new heights." It was way cheezy. Anyway, after that Elder Judd took the mike and said, very intensely "The District Leader is the DOCTOR. You wanna know why?! Because he gives his district... the proper medication... that they need.. to carry on." Anyway, President Pagaduan talked about having a vision for our district. It reminded me of a quote Uncle Dan wrote me about vision without work is dreamery, work without vision is drudgery, but vision encoupled with work is destiny. I just have a lot more understanding now about the importance of goals and using them to reach our potential. Sorry.. to exceed our potential.

Anyway, Wednesday afternoon we rode the 4 hour bus ride again. I got off in Altavas and then went straight to a baptismal interview. That's definitely my favorite part about being a district leader, talking to the people who have battled everything and sacrificed gid to know the truth and seeing that change in their life. Some of them it's even better because I had met them a couple months before. I really like it. It's definitely the best part. The worst part is sending cargo.

Thursday I got to work in my area finally! We had a great day. We're just having a hard time with new investigator. We just had another investigator drop us. They said they really like our message and would like getting the blessings but... they are catholic. It's way tough to see. We tried being way bold with them and really follow the spirit to help them. But, their hearts are set upon the traditions of their fathers... it reminds me of something.

Nevertheless, now behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, we'll keep trying our best. I know the Lord will lead us to who is prepared and he is preparing the hearts of those we teach and find.

Friday we had exchanges in New Washington and I got to work with Elder Christensen. They had a baptismal interview at night. We had a really good day. Anyway, first we went to a referral they got from a member in Kalibo. It was E. Christensen's second time going there. We went there, it was some old man, when we arrived he started texting someone. Then he finished and we started talking to him. He said he's been doing bible study for a couple years and we talked for a while about his past and then we asked if we could say a prayer. As I was praying someone walked in. We finished and I saw him and I thought he was the guys son or something. Anyway, he turned out to be the guys pastor. We told him we were just sharing a message about Jesus Christ. Anyway, the pastor turned out to be an anti-Christ. We started trying to teach and focus on the referral and every time we bore testimony or said something he said, "Hey, where's it say that in the Bible?" Even like the pictures in our pamplet, like of Isaiah writing.. he said, "Hey who is that in the picture?" We said, "It's Isaiah." He said, "You don't know that! You don't know what Isaiah looks like!" We said, "Hey, it's just a picture." Then the pastor said, "Who are those two guys standing behind Isaiah then?" The referral said, "Maybe it's moses!" Then the Pastor went crazy. We said, "Hey, it's just a picture." Then the pastor went through this process trying to prove our church false. I knew where he was going with it. He said the Book of Mormon was like Star Wars. Anyway, I was thinking how Jesus would take care of this situation because I didn't want to bible bash with this man or fight him. I remembered Jesus just would ask a question and pawn them (yeah I just used that word). I prayed and tried to think of a question. First I asked him "Why are you teaching us all these things?" He told us he is a preacher and he's called to share the gospel. Since he was just telling us we were of the devil and false and stuff I felt like that wasn't what he was doing. Then we kept trying to bear testimony, that we know it's true by the power of the holy ghost, and then he kept saying we can't back it up by the bible. I asked him, "If God said something to us, would he have to back it up with the bible?" Anyway, he said, "Yes!" He wouldn't hear us out on what we had to say, about continuing revelation. Elder Christensen gave him his testimony. And then we left.

First of all, the thing that happens the most to me when an experience like that happens is my testimony is way strengthened. And after you leave you realize everything you could have done. Like maybe the scripture that says all the books in the world can't be filled with the things Jesus has done. But the most important lesson I learned from that was Elder Christensen. After the experience we were walking and I was talking about all the ridiculous things he said. Then Elder Christensen said, "I think we should pray for him." That wasn't on my mind at all. But we went and found a place and prayed for him, for his family, that one day he would open his heart to know by the spirit. It was a good lesson for me. And I'm grateful for Elder Christensen. He's a really good Elder and I really learn a lot from him.

The rest of the day was good. They teach English class on Friday nights. That was wild, but fun. The members in New Washington believe that we have a different language in Colorado, like similar to english. Just like how they have Ilonggo then Tagalog. I had to think fast to convince them. Luckily I used some Grandma word's like fiddly wah and they believed me. Then the interview.

Saturday I was finally back in my area! We had a great day. The best was with the Rufino Family. They are still progressing nicely and doing great. They came to church so I hope and pray that they can continue. Their faith is really growing. I see it.

Now we just need new investigators. We're getting some blessings with some less-actives though. We had one whose daughter was inactive because her husband isn't a member and wouldn't let her go. Anyway, she fasted and prayed for her and one week she just came to church. Then the mom didn't have contact with one of her daughter who went to Manila when she was 17 and now she's 22. Anyway, she prayed and fasted for her and then one day we just went to her house last week and the daughter was there. She somehow contacted her and she came home. And now she's come to church two weeks in a row. She's not a member yet though! We taught her and she said when she got home she started praying with her family and got a feeling stronger than anything she ever felt before. She said she found what was missing in her life.

I know the Lord knows the hearts of all the people and he'll provide a way for everyone who's ready to hear the restored gospel.

I love you all, take care.
dahan,
Elder Burton