13 May 2012

Hey Family, I thought I had some crazy things to say but it sounds like a lot is happening back too. I hope nothing too big got stolen from Rob, and I'm impressed Jared and Dad can lift a huge rock. And I'm excited to see Rebekah's new hair. Hmm.. I'm not sure what we'll do for the calling. I was going to just give you our number so you could call it but at our baptism on saturday Elder Andal went into the water with the phone in his pocket, so we don't have a phone, I'll just have to email you next week, we'll go earlier in the morning though so we can tell you what's happening. This computer doesn't have skype though. Anyway, this week was really good. So we had the baptism of Edgar Alilio! It was a really good service. We did it in the ocean and it was way sweet. Elder Andal was really excited we got to the ocean about an hour before and he got dressed right away, about an 1 1/2 hour before we actually started. He's funny. Afterwards we had the baptism. It was a great service. We invited his wife to be a speaker and she was super excited about it. She was active in her youth but moved to Manila and became less-active. But just recently she became active again and she was super excited to speak. She told us any assignment she receives she'll accept it. She's on fire. By the way, her birthday is June 9! Anyway, the service was great, Elder Andal and I sang a special musical number, but as usual my favorite part was Edgar's testimony. That man is changed. I remember the first time I met him I had little hope. He didn't believe he could do it and he ran away from us the first time. But now he's on fire. He said in his testimony how nervous he was to go into the water, but as he entered, he felt and knew for himself that Heavenly Father loved him and he was choosing the right. Next year they'll go to the temple. I'm excited for them. We also had a new investigator go to the baptism, Sister Cora. She's different. I can see how the Lord has prepared her. We first met her a couple weeks ago at a well doing her laundry. We told her a little about her message and she told us she has a hobby listening to people like us and she told us she'll give us money too. We told her we wouldn't accept her money but we would accept her time. The next week we were able to teach her and she's such a great lady. She's 74 years old and actually a vice-president in a certain group in her religion. Last week she committed to come to church but last Sunday she didn't show up! We went to her house later and found out she wasn't there, and we were a little worried. The next night, after an FHE we were walking home and though night time, we randomly saw her on the street farther away from her house. She told us how happy she was to see us, and she felt so bad that she didn't go to church. She couldn't describe her feelings but she told us she new that God sent us to her. We continued visiting her and her faith is growing and she's recognizing the spirit. On Saturday she actually attended the baptism and sunday she went to church! You can imagine our surprise when this Sister was on of the people who stood up and bore her testimony, her first time ever at church!! I was way confused, she was sitting with members, and all I can do was listen. I was alarmed when she started her testimony by saying, "I am a perfect catholic!", but after that it was really good. She has felt so good about everything. We committed her to baptism later that day and she told us that she needs time to explain to the presidency at her church and her family she's going to change, but she agreed to a date in a couple months. We're excited for her, it's truly a miracle and I know the Lord has blessed us and guided us to her. This week Elder Andal and I made a goal to use our time more wisely. Every day I'm a little surprised at the way we find to waste time. Anyway, the other day Elder Andal saw this member cutting her son's hair. Elder Andal told her he was a pro and he should just do it. So he spent about an hour trying to cut this kids hair. I felt so stinkin bad for this kid, his hair is destroyed. It looked like he got into a fight with a weed wacker. Luckily the member had no hard feelings, hehe. Anyway, I can't control my companion, but I made a goal for myself that when he does weird things like that (they happen more often than you think) that I would find nearby people and talk to them about our message, and I had one cool experience with that. His name is Doc, or Rodrigo. He's the baranggay drunk of banban, and he lives in the middle of a ton of members. Anyway, I saw him the other day and started talking to him. He is a nice guy, and I learned a lot about him. Before he had a lot of good goals, to get married, get a job. But it didn't happen. That's why he is the way he is right now. But I talked to him and at least invited him to join our lesson with the members who are a little less-active. We taught a lesson on hope. It was sweet. Doc's joined in two lessons now. He's still drinking like crazy. But I can't lose my faith for him. I know that anyone, even a man like him, can change. So I'm not going to give up. I hope we can help him. But I'm grateful for him. Anyway, I guess that is about it! I'm excited to talk to you next week. And I'm really grateful for your letters. They really mean a lot and I take them to heart. Love you! Elder Burton