Happy General Conference (soon)! (Monday, September 28, 2015)

Dear Mom and all y'all,

If I had a dollar for every Monday that sneaks up on me, I would be really rich. Seriously though, time flies. This week was much better than last week, and the funny thing is that not much even happened! We just did missionary work and kept moving forward. My scripture studies have been especially enlightening this past week and I feel that I have learned a lot. 

Did I already tell you the story of the Chinese bamboo tree? Well if I didn't, here's the gist of it. (If I already did, well, you get to hear it again). They plant this tree and for five years they water and fertilize it, and each year nothing happens. Then sometime during the fifth year over a period of six weeks, the Chinese bamboo tree grows 90 feet! Here's the million-dollar question: Did it grow 90 feet in six weeks or did it grow 90 feet in five years? Obviously in five years, because if they had not kept watering it and fertilizing it during those years, it would not have grown at all. Sometimes when we pray and study our scriptures, it may seem like nothing is happening and we wonder where all of the marvelous spiritual growth is. Then we have those days where the heavens open and you can truly see God's hand in your life, but the moral of the story is the same: you didn't have all that growth in that one day, but over the time period while you kept moving forward and studying and praying each day. 

Exciting news for the week: we finished teaching the precious family everything that they need to know to be baptized and all that is left is the interview! They will be baptized on October 10 and they are definitely ready. It is truly incredible how wonderful they are and how much they teach us! I can already picture them being sealed to their little boys in the temple, and I am so grateful that they will get to be together forever. They were already asking when they can go and their 6 year-old is disappointed because he has to wait a few more years to be baptized (he wants to be baptized at the same time as his parents). I love this family so much! The Spirit is in their home and they remind me that life is good and God is great. He really is.

Well, I hope everyone has a great week and is looking forward to General Conference! 

Hermana Burton

Little friends!

 

The Three Amigas (las tres Hermanas Burton)

 

Oh, and I also cut my hair today...

 

Tracting!

 

I forgot to mention that we went to the Drive-Thru tree (it's in my area)

 

 

 

 

Service! (Monday, September 21, 2015)

Dear Mom and _______,

Another week has come and gone! It was kind of slow as far as missionary work and teaching is concerned because we spent a lot of time at the church helping sort clothes and items that were donated for the victims of the Valley Fire, but it was a lot of fun and I loved doing service. It was touching to see the community response and how many people were giving so much and wanting to help in any way they could. There is a lot of negative in the world, but there is also so much goodness. I'm glad for opportunities to see that, because sometimes it's hard to remember. 

These past few weeks have been a bit rough for me and for the area, but I have to keep reminding myself that "happiness is a choice, not a circumstance." There have been a lot of things to weigh me down and sometimes my heart just feels heavy, but I know that discouragement and those feelings don't come from our Heavenly Father. As many of you know, I have been here in my area for quite some time and during that time I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most wonderful people in the world. We have invited many people to come unto Christ and many have accepted the invitation, even with willingness to be baptized and make a promise to God that they will keep His commandments and stick with Him. Sadly though, real life comes back and the spiritual high and happiness start to die down, and people return to their former habits and forget about the promise they made. It is heartbreaking to watch because I know how happy they had become and the changes they had made, but everyone has the right to make their own choices and accept the consequences that follow and all I can do is invite them to come back unto Christ and keep loving them anyway. I truly love these people and I want them to be happy, but I know that I need to choose to be happy as well and not let others' choices drag me down too. It must be hard for Heavenly Father to watch us and we all make mistakes because He knows the better path and the way that will make us happier, but I am grateful that He still gives us the freedom to choose. 

I found a gem in the Book of Mormon that explains it better: "Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves- to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life" (2 Nephi 10:23). 

Anyway, I hope y'all have a great week and LOOK for excuses to be happy and cheer up your hearts! I know that we will all be able to find them, because God is good and He loves us. Until next time! 

Hermana Burton

What would you take? (Monday, September 14, 2015)

Dear Mom, friends, and family,

If you received a phone call right now and were told that you needed to evacuate your home and your city right now and you could only take one suitcase with you, what would you take? Knowing that you would probably never see the rest of your belongings again? It's an interesting question and really makes you think about what it important and what is not. This is what happened on Saturday to the sister missionaries serving in Middletown, a small town not too far from Willits. Hermana Burton and I went outside on Sunday to go to a meeting in the morning, and the sky was very ominous. The sun was red orange and you could hardly see it behind all of the thick smoke, and the sky was red and orange as well. We didn't have any idea about the fires until we got to our meeting where we found out that the wildfires had already wiped out a few small towns and that it was at 0% containment because they were focusing their efforts on evacuating the people. New meaning to the phrase "spread like wildfire." The sisters made it out safely, but they had to drive through a fiery golf course to get to a stable road and they are now down in Santa Rosa. 

Last week, someone cut a cable and most of Northern California was without phone and internet connections for a day. That also helped us see how much we rely on technology and how unprepared we are. We also didn't know about that event until after the fact, we simply assumed that our phone wasn't getting good reception. I'm grateful that these two events didn't occur at the same time because the sisters were warned and able to get out safely, but it's definitely food for thought. I guess what I'm trying to say is think about what is really important to you and ask yourself some meaningful questions, and then act on what you decide. I know it really made me think a lot more about the Savior and that even though I don't know when it will happen, I will have to stand before Him someday and be accountable for what I did with my life and what I valued as most important. I am grateful that we are dynamic and that we can change and move forward, continually progressing. Repentance is not the back-up plan; it is the plan. We all make mistakes, but we are still valuable in the eyes of our Heavenly Father and that is why He invested so much in us by providing us with a Savior so our failures would not be final. He loves you and He knows you, and He wants to help.

I don't intend for this to be an apocalyptic doomsday letter- I hope you can see it as a message of preparation, hope, and change. I love you all and hope you have a great week and stay safe!

Hermana Burton

Pictures!

The Hermanas Burton (Monday, September 07, 2015)

Dear Mom and great people,

Sorry again for the short email last time, last p-day was really crazy. Things are kind of back to normal now, Hermana Burton and I had an interesting week but hopefully this next week will be better. I was under the weather for a few days when we got back to Willits so we couldn't do much, but we had some great conversations and I was reminded why I love her so much! She is so great and I am excited for these next few weeks. Things have slowed down a bit in Willits and we aren't teaching as much anymore, but we are hopeful that we will be able to find people who are interested in making changes in their lives and coming closer to God. 

One hard thing this week was watching someone I really care about struggle through some tough decisions, and not being able to do anything about it. When it all comes down to it, everyone still has the right to choose and it is so hard because I knew which choice would make him happier in the long run, but I just had to watch and wait and see how he would use his right to make a choice. It was a very emotional evening during the lesson and I couldn't help but wonder if Heavenly Father gets that anxious as He is watching over us and waiting for us to make our decisions, even though He knows which is best and which one we will take. In the end things turned out okay and he is on his way to making the right choices, but the path in front of him will still be hard but I know it is the one that will bring the most joy and satisfaction in the end. 

This week I heard a cool parable about a person who carried two pots on his shoulder and went down to the stream each day to fetch water and bring it back up to the house. One of the pots was in perfect condition and sealed so well that it could carry 100% of the water put into it. On the other hand, the other pot was cracked and broken and by the time it got back up to the top of the hill each day it had lost 50% of the water. The poor pot was so discouraged and apologized to the carrier for not being able to carry as much water as the other. The carrier responded, "Next time we go down to the stream, look around you and notice the beautiful flowers by the wayside." The pot looked, but he wasn't comforted and again apologized to its carrier. He responded, "I knew your weaknesses and limitations when I picked you, so I planted seeds along your side of the path. After I finish getting the water, I come back down and pick flowers and they are the ones that adorn the Master's table each day." 

Let's face it, we all have problems and weaknesses and limitations. Heavenly Father knows about them though, and He has still found a way to provide beauty and happiness in our lives. We may seem small and weak, but He still manages to find a way to put us to work. There is a lot of work to do in the world, and I encourage all of you to "try a little harder to be a little better" and find ways to brighten up the world in your own way. Lots of love and best wishes for a great week!

Hermana Burton

Playing frisbee while weekly planning!

I guess President Wright didn't see his shadow, six more weeks in Willits! (Monday, August 31, 2015)

Dear Mom and all y'all,

Well I don't have much time to write because I've been driving all day
to get to Santa Rosa so my companion can leave tomorrow, but as you
can see I'll be in Willits for another transfer. And you'll never
guess who my new companion is going to be. Yep, it's Hermana Burton!
It is going to be a lot of fun and I'm excited. Well, have a great
week!

Hermana Burton

Fort Bragg!

(no subject)

Gardening! and yes those are burrs and that is dirt. I picked about 50 out of my hair too.

Soccer with the ward kids and our investigators' kids too!

Another transfer is ending? (Monday, August 24, 2015)

Dear Mom and _______,

I can't believe we're coming to the end of another transfer! It seems like it just barely started and here we are on the last week. My companion is going home in a week and everything just seems crazy around here. We have been working hard and trying to find people to teach through church members, former investigators, walking and talking to everyone, and just about everything else you can think of, and still nothing has happened. The only thing left we have is knocking on everyone's door, and that's about all we are going to do next week. 

Yesterday we did service for the community and helped out at the Kinetic Carnival put on by the county museum in the park across the street from our apartment. It is where we exercise every morning, so whenever we see the fences go up and they start blocking off the park we go over and see what we can help out with. We even got little name badges from it and we could walk in and out and go wherever we wanted. At first I didn't know what to think about it and what others would think if they saw missionaries at the Carnival and didn't realize that we were volunteering and helping out at the stations, but some miracles actually came from it. We met a lot of people in the community and I had a wonderful conversation with some of the soccer moms (their kids play soccer with the other little boys in the ward) and they have had some experience with what they called the "Mormon Posse." They were the sweetest ladies and we had some great conversations about what we really believe and that we are human beings just like everyone else. We were also able to get in touch with someone who we had been trying to track down for the past three months but could never get a hold of because she was never at home. She was volunteering at the booth next to ours and we recognized her name, and we are meeting with her tonight. Overall it was great to volunteer and be part of the community, and we were definitely blessed from it. 

Last week on Monday we went and saw some huge Redwoods finally! (Today we are going to the beach.) The stories are true folks, they really are huge. The ones we saw aren't even the biggest ones, and they were still gigantic! One thing I love about the Redwoods is that they grow together in groups and clusters and support each other with their roots, and that is how they are able to grow so tall and be so strong! What an example, right? God gave us families so we can support each other and help each other out so we can grow spiritually taller and stronger than we ever could on our own! Biological families, adopted families, friend families, ward families, community families, you name it. And most importantly, a Heavenly Family! We were never meant to do this on our own. Stick together. 

Well, here's to the last week of the transfer! I'll probably be staying in Willits, but one never knows. Have a wonderful week!

Hermana Burton

Almost like your picture.

Found a lake!

Seriously huge (me and the tree, but don't tell anyone!)

For those who are following Hermana Libbie Poirier: I'm going home and honorably released (Monday, August 24, 2015)

Friends, family, people of the jury! 

Welcome to one of the hardest weeks of my life.

Being sent home for things out of my control, and being told I can't come back out into the mission field. I'm being sent home for medical reasons, honorably released, meaning I served the Lord well.

The Lord wanted to know that I was willing to serve for 18 months, but then he only needed me for 7. 

It really doesn't surprise me, as impatient and fast paced I am, of course the Lord would have me do all that needed done in 7 months.

I found out Wednesday and was so crushed. I didn't sleep for a few nights. Just watched the clock and waited to wake up and start a new day and get ready to go home! 

I was reading in "Like a Broken Vessel" in October 2013 conference talk by Jeffrey R. Holland he states: 

"In striving for some peace and understanding in these difficult matters, it is crucial to remember that we are living--and chose to live--in a fallen world where for divine purposes our pursuit of godliness will be tested and tried again and again. Of greatest assurance in God’s plan is that a Savior was promised, a Redeemer, who through our faith in Him would lift us triumphantly over those tests and trials, even though the cost to do so would be unfathomable for both the Father who sent Him and the Son who came. It is only an appreciation of this divine love that will make our own lesser suffering first bearable, then understandable, and finally redemptive."

And it brings me soooo much peace. Because it's been a hard journey for me. After realizing the church was true I had to make a ton of changes. I had to leave my old life and follow the Lord. I left all that I had, joined the church at 17 years old, lived on my own, then again did what the Lord asked me to do by going to a church school for a few months then saving money doing all that I could and preparing myself for a mission.

 And a mission has been extremely hard. Coming from no background of this church and having to teach people about things I barely just learned and in a language that I didn't even know. It was hard, and IS hard.

But I've realized that the Lord doesn't call the qualified, but he qualifies the called! And he sure has qualified me! I've been able to teach with power and authority of the Lord.

I received a blessing from the Lord this past week in Spanish! And it said that the Lord is satisfied and happy with the work I have given and explained I have a new work ahead of me.

So although I will no longer be a full time missionary, I will be a missionary in all the places that I will serve. 

I remember when talked to Sister and President Toone, basically my second parents, the ones in charge of all the missionaries. Anyways I talked to them at the beginning of my mission 7 months ago. I told them that I would try my very hardest and sprint to the finish. 

And that's what I've done.

Friday I invited a great guy with dreads (just like I had when I was younger) I invited him to be baptized, gave him a church tour and shared my testimony! He wants to be baptized, and start changing his life towards Christ! 

I was also able to talk with a recent convert and share my conversion story and give her hope for her future. That no matter what trials she is going through, that the Lord will always be there and that she can do it.

And I received very important counsel in church on Sunday: our stake President said that now more than ever the Lord is ever merciful for those that want to come unto him and repent, and that now is the time, more than ever before and ever to come, that the Lord will forgive us of all and let us come unto him!

The Savior's work is hastening on and Now is the time to come unto him:)

And lastly, Helaman 5:12 in the scriptures States: 

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

And I really understand now. The reason it has been so hard for me and that I've felt less support than I have desired throughout my time here, hasn't been because God doesn't love me, or that my parents don't love me, or that my friends don't love me, or anything like that. 

The reason was, is that The Lord wanted me to understand where I get my support. And it is only through the Rock of My Redeemer, Jesus Christ, that I find all my support. And therefore when the hard times come, I know where to turn, I know exactly where I can look for a remission of my sins, for an answer to my prayers, and for the strength to go on each and every day, even when it's hard. 

I know it's Jesus Christ whom is my foundation and always will be. Therefore I will prove him herewith, wherever the Lord God doth command me, there will I go, and I will go valiantly and lovingly and faithfully all the days of my life.

On to my next adventure! :)

With love,

Sister Libbie Rose Poirier 

And some last photos

Eating at Joe's our favorite ice cream place where missionaries eat for free!