5 February 2012

Hey Family!

This week was another good week for us. My companion is a little concerned lately because they are starting to teach Hiligaynon at the MTC. Its cool but it means he'll be forced to extend his mission for 3 weeks, which means he won't make it home in time for school. But it doesn't effect me at all, but I think maybe it would be cool to be able to work at the MTC. Can you look into that for me?

Anyway, this week was way good. I don't know where to start. We just had some crazy lessons this week. I think I told you about Sister Melania. Elder Collins and I found her when we joined in a hour long prayer, which was awkward. But she's been to church 3 weeks in a row now and wants to be baptized way bad. She just loves it. It's hilarious just every time she talks. I can't describe her. She loves the feeling at church. She was talking the other day about how at other churches the youth just wear immodest clothing and its gross and she can't concentrate and the priests don't say anything! But she loves the youth in our branch and she loves anything. The funny thing is she doesn't even live in my area. But on Friday this week we actually went on exchanges and Elder Martineau and Elder Collins taught Melania in the morning and gave her a baptism date. Then later that afternoon she was just there at our lesson with her friend Lyda. Her friend, Saling was also there and we were teaching and Melania basically invited Saling to be baptized too. Haha. It was awesome. Anyway, Saling lives way far away, but at church she showed up and during Gospel Principles Edward (BML) asked Saling to introduce herself and Saling stood up and said her name, where shes from, then she said that she woke up this morning and heard the elders voices telling her to come to church today. She was planning on not going and then just felt she needed too. She kind of just bore her testimony and it was sweet. And then some other investigators had to stand up and introduce themselves and they maybe felt they had to do the same thing. So like all the investigators stood up and like bore their testimonies. It was way sweet. The work is on fire.

The Gonzaga's are continuing to progress also. We're struggling still a little bit with Brother Jim. He's so close to losing his word of wisdom. It's way hard. But I know he can do it. Hopefully this week he should be done completely. But they'll be ready. They are way good and way ready. Jimjin and Maryjane are way excited for their date. I hope we don't have to push it back. I know Jim can do it though. He's a great guy and really is trying!

We also have been teaching the house-help of the Dyers. The Dyer's are way sweet. Whoever they talk too always feels uplifted and better afterwards and people can tell they love everybody. Lolita is a sweet old lady and is a devout member of her church. But the Dyer's just told her over and over again to go to read the Book of Mormon and she's actually read around 53 pages na. Anyway, we've been teaching her too. She's way sweet and actually went to church this week. I hope she had a good experience and recognized it as the true church. She seemed to enjoy it a lot though.

We actually had a less-active come back to church who hasn't been back in a long time. It was sweet. His wife had been reactivated last December and wants to go to the temple way bad. Elder Farnsworth and I on exchanges had tuaght a sweet lesson with them and he commited to come to church. When we arrived at the church I saw Sister and she just winked at us and smiled way huge and there sitting next to her was her husband! We were way excited! Hopefully we can help them keep preparing to go to the temple.

I'm just really grateful for the work that is happening. I know this is the Lord's work. There's no way this would happen if this wasn't true and if this wasn't His work. I'm just happy. I can't describe it in words. I love the people here. I have so much fun everyday and I wish my mission can last for ever. I know what I'm doing is right. I know I'm where I'm suppose to be and I know if people just accept and live the gospel of Jesus Christ that is the best thing that can possibly happen to them.

I love you all. Tell the Nealy's I saw hi too. How's Ben doin?
Anyway, take care.
Elder Burton