Adventures! (Monday, November 16, 2015)

Dear Mom and all y'all,

Tip of the week: when you leave your apartment in the mornings to go
jogging, don't lock the door! Chances are, the keys are still inside.
Which is exactly what happened on Saturday morning. We went out to go
jogging at 6:30 and I knew something was wrong as soon as I heard the
door click. I have a habit of turning the lock on the knob as I shut
the door, but I'm usually pretty good at making sure I don't do that
in the mornings. Well, not this time. I told my companion that I had
locked us out, but she said not to worry about it because we could get
in the back way. I wasn't sure how that was going to work because
we're on the second floor, but I was still pretty tired so I just went
with it and we left. Half an hour and sweaty later, we came back and
I realized what she was talking about. The people under us had a fence
around their little patio thing which was directly below our balcony,
so we were going to climb it and go in through the sliding door. Well
my companion climbed up and I had already climbed the fence and was
straddling the balcony when she told me that it was locked too. So we
climbed back down and went to find a manager. It was about 7:10 am
Saturday morning, and we discovered that their hours are 2-5 pm.
Monday-Friday. No such luck. Not knowing what else to do (and yes, we
did pray, and I was confident that Heavenly Father could unlock that
door and swing a miracle for us, but it wasn't in His plans for us
that day) so we walked to a member's home. They were pretty shocked to
see us in jogging clothes on their doorstep at 7:30 in the morning,
but they let us in and made us hot chocolate and breakfast to warm us
up. We borrowed their scriptures and read them on the couch while they
called a locksmith, and it was about 10:00 when we finally got back
into the apartment. Adventures. Moral of the story: I'm grateful for
nice people! And it was actually pretty fun to change up our normal
routine, even though it set a weird tone for the rest of the day. In
fact, that whole day was crazy but we won't go in to it. Let's just
say it also involved being trapped in a McDonald's for about two
hours.

Another fun adventure, miracles happen! Sunday night we had planned to
visit some of our investigators and then look up some less-active
church members, and we had actually almost planned to do it the other
way around and look up the members first and then the investigators
later but in the end we decided to try the investigators first. Well,
no one was home so we pulled up a map to see if anyone lived in the
complex where our investigators live but weren't home, and we found
the name of a family who lived in the same complex who hasn't been to
church in a while. Well, another long story short, they needed us to
come by that night! We got to know them and the husband said the
opening prayer and told God that he felt that us coming by was a sign
that they needed to go back to church. So we told him, yep! God needs
you to come back, and you need it too! They are wonderful and we're
going to keep meeting with them and helping them on their journey back
church. God was definitely in the details and He put us in the right
place at the right time.

Well, I hope you all have a great week! If you pay attention, you will
notice that God is in the details of your life too. Look for Him! Love
you!

Hermana Burton

Fire! (A good kind this time) (Monday, November 9, 2015)

Dear Mom + _________,

Hello again! Another week. Wow. Well, we had a Zone Conference with our mission president this week and it was wonderful! I really love President and Sister Wright and I am so grateful for them and what they have done for our mission. The main theme of the meeting was about "being a missionary who is on fire" and revamping our enthusiasm for the work. It was very a timely message because I realized during the meeting how much my "fire" had dwindled and that I needed a pick-me-up to get me going strong again (and I'm still working on that). It was almost surprising and uncomfortable to realize how many things I had relaxed on and that I wasn't being as effective as I could be and as Heavenly Father wants me to be, and it was a bit of a wake-up call. Quite frankly it's a little embarrassing to admit, but then I just remembered a talk I read about not just putting our "best" foot forward, but putting both feet forward and being okay with not being perfect. So, newsflash: I am extremely not perfect and I sometimes (and by sometimes I mean often) make mistakes. However, I am incredibly grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who lifts us up when we fall and provides us with the tools we need to get up and get moving again instead of condemning us to the ground and leaving us to drown in our many mistakes. I hope all of you will be able to recognize that in your own lives as well and reach up and take the hand that is "always extended" toward you. 

As far as the missionary work goes here in Dixon, I am looking forward to this week because a lot of people we are teaching right now are on the fence between simply letting us come over and talk or actually listening and progressing, and this week we are going to try to find out which side they want to be on and then we will move forward from there or go out and spend more energy on finding people who are ready to progress and move forward. I've realized that there is a big difference between opening your door and opening your heart. Many people we find are willing to open the door and let us in, which is a great first step, but they aren't willing to open their hearts and let the Savior in to help them make changes and move forward in their eternal progression. The hard part is finding people who are willing to do both. But, I know they are there so we'll just keep pressing forward for now. 

Well, have a wonderful and productive week!

Hermana Burton

Well hello again! (Monday, November 2, 2015)

Dear Mom and ____________,

For some reason it felt like this last week was really short and that
I didn't have much else to say, but then I realized that it's because
I wrote last Wednesday! So it really was a short week since last time.
It was fun though because we got to do a lot of my favorite part about
missionary work! Service! Painting a bedroom, setting up yard
decorations, volunteering at a Halloween activity, etc. Fun stuff.

We also had to be home after dinner on Halloween night, so I used the
time to finish up reading Jesus the Christ. This 793 page highly
intellectual read is actually part of our approved missionary library,
but not many people actually read it! They don't know what they are
missing out on. I am so grateful that I actually picked it up and gave
it a try, because it was a very powerful experience. The life of Jesus
Christ really came to life for me and I felt like I was actually there
with Him. Things from the Bible that had never made sense to me before
were cleared up and now I better understand the background and
traditions of the time period so it makes more sense why certain
phrases were used and why certain events were so important. I know it
can seem like a daunting task, but I would recommend reading it to
anyone. Now that I know more about Jesus Christ, I feel like I even
know Him better as well. And that's really what life is all about, to
know the One True God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. There are a
lot of programs and activities and commandments and standards that so
many people associate with the church, but at the end of the day it
all comes back to the love that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father have
for us and how we can show our love to them.

Well, I can't really remember what else happened this week but I hope
that everyone has a wonderful, grateful, productive, and cheerful
week! Happy November!

Hermana Burton

Small things! (Wednesday, October 29, 2015)

Dear Mom and __________,

*Sorry I didn't write on Monday, p-day was switched to Wednesday this week because of the temple trip. I got to see the Sacramento temple!*

So this week I've decided that small and simple things really are what makes the world great. I don't even remember what happened last week, but a few small miracles happened! Anyone remember Winters, my first area? Well, it's really close to Dixon. One of the hermanas in Winters was really sick last week and they had been stuck in the apartment all week, so they asked us to come over so we could do an exchange and the healthy companion could get some fresh air and do some missionary work. She didn't have a license and neither does my companion, so guess who got to go and visit everyone again and teach in Winters? That's right, me! It worked out wonderfully because the healthy companion is new to the area and hasn't had a chance to really see it and meet anyone because they have been inside, so I was able to show her around and introduce her to all of the wonderful people I met over six months ago that she didn't know yet! Seriously, God is in the details. What are the odds that I would have ended up so close to my old area (especially in this mission, which is geographically ginormous) at the time when the companion who was experienced in the area was sick and the new one didn't really know anyone yet? It was also cool to see that I still knew my way around and could find everyone's houses.

I got to spend two days in Winters over the last week, and things are going prettty well in Dixon too. Well, it was actually really hard to come back to it after a day in Winters and being so happy and comfortable around everyone I knew, but I know that I will love Dixon too as I get to know the people. Missionary work is a lot easier when you actually know the people and love them. I guess that is why Christ is the perfect missionary, because He knows us all so deeply and personally and He loves us more than we can imagine. One of the great things about being a missionary is feeling even a tiny bit of that love towards these people and being consumed by it. It hasn't quite happened in Dixon yet, but I know everything will all be okay. Like I mentioned earlier, we went to the Sacramento temple this morning and it was very peaceful. The temple is a great reset button for life and priorities. Well, I hope everyone is having a good week! 

Hermana Burton

My Winters people! Deja vu!

Español anyone? (Monday, October 19, 2015)

Dear Mom and everyone else,

Well there's that strange moment when you are almost at your 9 months as a Spanish missionary and you have finally taught the message of the Restoration of the Gospel to an investigator in Spanish... Welcome to Dixon! To answer the questions in advance, yes, there is more Spanish work in Dixon. It's still an English ward and we still do a lot in English, but there is so much more Spanish than I have ever had in my mission so far. Let's just say it is time to be humbled and really buckle down and learn Spanish. I am not bitter about being an English missionary for so much of my mission and I treasure my time spent in Willits and the people I met there and I know it was God's will for me to be there, but now He has other plans for me and I'll sure need His help! I know everything will be okay and I am grateful for the gift of tongues and how much I already know, even though I have never really used it before, but I know that I will need to rely on Him and trust that He really is here for me and that He will help me. There is so much work to be done here and it's going to be great! And it sure is wonderful that Heavenly Father doesn't require perfection to be able to assist in His work.

Other than the headache the first few days from actually hearing Spanish, things are going pretty well! The ward is really sweet and there are a lot of wonderful people here. Everything here is very different from Willits and what I got accustomed to, but different doesn't necessarily mean bad. It's going to take some adjusting but like I said before, everything is going to be okay. My companion is a very hard worker and I have learned a lot from her even in these first few days. Here's to another week and I hope everyone has a great week! 

Hermana Burton

I forgot to mention that we went to the beach again my last week in Willits. (PS of course I didn't actually eat it, as you can obviously tell by how far away it is. I just needed a picture to send to Santi and Leda)

Three Sisters Burton at Lumberjacks

A new transfer! (Monday, October 12, 2015)

Dear Mom, family, and friends,

Well to break the suspense, I've been transferred! I leave tomorrow morning for Dixon. It's another small town pretty close to where I was before in Winters, and I have heard there is a lot more Spanish there. My new companion is Hermana Campbell and I don't know her, but I'm excited because I have heard that she is a great missionary and works hard. It has been really weird saying goodbye to Willits and everyone here because I have come to truly know and love them in these 6 months, but I am ready to take the next step and move forward. It's all going to be great and I know it's part of Heavenly Father's plan.

It was a perfect weekend to end on though, because Josh and Sarah were baptized! I can't even express how much I love their family and how grateful I am for them and their example. The service was very powerful and the Spirit was definitely present. Their two little boys saw the "bathtub" (font) and wanted to get baptized immediately too. We had to explain that they'll have to wait a few years (: I ended up singing as part of the program with the bishop's wife and it was so cute because their little 6 year-old got up and started waving his arms around "to conduct the music." It was adorable. 

Even more special though was the opportunity he gave me the next day in Sacrament meeting. He (the 6 year-old) wanted to go up and bear his testimony after he saw me go up there, but he was really nervous to go alone so he asked me to go with him. We went up there and he got in front of the microphone and was too nervous to say anything, so we stood up there for a minute while I tried to remind him why he wanted to come up (I'm sure you've all seen this scene before). Then it all changed. I told the congregation who he was and that his parents were baptized yesterday and that he really loves to pray (because this little boy is constantly praying and loves talking to Heavenly Father and Jesus) and then I asked him why he liked to pray. He then proceeded to tell the congregation that he is happy when he prays because he knows that Jesus loves him. I asked him how he felt about Jesus and he told everyone that He makes him so happy and his brother happy and their family happy and he told us all how glad he was that his parents got baptized and then he even closed "in the name of Jesus Christ, amen" all on his own. It was the most beautiful, simple, sincere testimony I have heard. We all knew without a doubt that that little boy has a testimony of Jesus Christ. I can't wait to see where he goes in life. He already told us that he wants to serve a mission. It was especially hard to say goodbye to that family yesterday and I am so grateful that I got to know them.

I wish I could write more about all of the other wonderful people here in WIllits, but I would never have time or room for that so let's just leave it at life is good and God is great and I'm excited to see what's in store next! I hope y'all are having a great week!

Hermana Burton

PS- This is my new address starting tomorrow:

Hermana Carol Burton

1225 Linford Lane Apt D3

Dixon, California 95620

I’m really going to miss these folks (:

Inspiration! (Monday, October 5, 2015)

Dear Mom and anyone else who happens to read this,

Can we just talk about how wonderful Heavenly Father is for a moment? Actually, we could probably go on about that for quite some time, so let's just say that He hears and answers prayers. I definitely felt the Spirit during General Conference and he reaffirmed to me that this truly is the Church of Jesus Christ and that God communicates with us through living prophets and apostles. I think all of the notes I took could be put into a book called "The Book of Modern-Day Revelations," and even carrying around an abridged version would be enough to cause some serious back problems. Seriously though, it was an inspiring experience. 

Luckily for me, it was the second revelatory experience I had this week! On Thursday, our mission president and his wife (along with the assistants to the president and the technology elders) came to our zone and did a training on finding and pretty much the basics of missionary work. To sum it up, just think of President Uchtdorf's talk in the Saturday morning session and trust me that simplifying your life and going back to the basics are true principles of the Gospel. I'm still working on it, but I know it will bring blessings and happiness. Try it! 

Another exciting note, we are meeting with our adorable family tonight for their baptismal interview and if all goes well, they will be baptized on Saturday! One of the most rewarding parts of missionary work is watching others make covenants with their Heavenly Father and come unto Christ. It's going to be great. 

Well, I hope y'all had a great week and that you also received answers during General Conference! Don't forget to review your notes and what you learned and make a plan of action so that you can grow and change from the experience. Lots of love from Willits! I'll find out Friday what will happen in the next six-week chapter of my life.

Hermana Burton

Ponderize!

Dear Modge,

I'm starting off with Luke 2:52. Thank you for your example Mom, and everything that you have done for me. I admire your determination to constantly be improving yourself, and I appreciate the love and concern you have for each one of us hooligans who don't always make the best choices. I know Heavenly Father is grateful to you and Dad for raising us in the home you did, and He is watching over each one of us (as you and Dad are) to see how we will apply what we were taught and how we will use our agency. Allow me to echo the words of Elder Holland: "To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle--and all will-- I say, 'Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are.'" Seriously Modge, you're great. 

I want to issue a challenge to our entire family to accept the invitation of Elder Durrant and "ponderize" one verse of scripture each week. 80% pondering, 20% memorizing. Not necessarily memorizing word for word, but understanding what the message is and where it is found. I love and appreciate each one of our family members and I respect their right to make choices, but I recognize that perhaps we aren't all living up to the blessings of being members of Christ's church (myself most definitely included) and I know that even if it is only one scripture a week, we will be blessed and we will begin to see God's hand more often in our lives. Start where you are. Exercise your faith, discipline yourself, and do it. I truly believe that our family will grow closer as we all participate in this invitation, even though we may be far apart in distance. 

Wow, I'm starting to sound bossy. Just don't let the "High and Mighty, Big Shot, Told-You-So Boss of the Whole Wide World" know (: I hope everyone will take my challenge in the Spirit in which it was intended, with love, and a hope that we can all come closer to Christ and each other by adding this one simple step to our already-existing routines. I am so excited for Sarah and Josh to be baptized this weekend and begin on their journey of making covenants and preparing to be an eternal family, and I want our family to be able to do the same. Y'all are the most important thing to me and I love you dearly. 

Have fun in Park City for me and give all my little people hugs and kisses from their favorite Aunt Carol! (You might have to remind some of them who that is... ) And you can tell all the other people that I love them too (:

Love,

Hermanita Burton

Remember this. And please send it to my all of my sisters in my behalf (:

Not really missionary related, but cute anyway.

I don't know if I told you, but Jessica and my classmates sent me a
little package a while ago and it had a bunch of all of our pictures
together. I had never seen this picture, but I thought it was cute and
I wanted to show you. This was the day we all went on a walk of
Catania together and we played volleyball in the park and I remember
this little kid coming up to us all the time and chasing the ball.
Precious memories.