No Sugar and Exercising!!!

Another great email from Sister Burnham. Lots of investigators to talk about!!!

Well, We thought the Library would be closed yesterday, but it wasn't. I hope it's alright that we are e-mailing you today. One of our lessons were not home so we took the time to e-mail. We have had some great miracles come about.

An investigator is trying to quit smoking. He has a big interest in the Book of Mormon, and he is so nice. He was confused why God would command Nephi to kill a drunk man defensless named Laban. We are not having sugar desserts to help him quit smoking. I think if we help him learn about the power of prayer and the Holy Ghost and tie everything to the restoration he will be prepared to be baptized in Feb. We are excited to see what the Lord has in store for him. Did I tell you he is full blown Italian, it is AWESOME!!!!!

Another girl is a great story. She was watching a TV show and a Mormon ad came on. She felt a burning in her chest which surprised her. She called for the elders to see her. They taught her for a bit, but dropped them soon after. Then later on she felt something missing in her life. She kept going back to what she learned from the elders. She then read about a girl who died of cancer and wrote to the pastor who wrote a sermon based on the girls funeral. She was so touched. The pastor wrote back and told her with confidence that she needed to find a church near her and attend it regularly. She then right afterwards checked her phone and saw that Sister Corbridge and I called. That was her answer and called us back. We set a time to meet. She was so nice. Her place is so organized. She wants to be baptized on Feb. 5th. But then she couldn't make it to church because she was baby-sitting her grandchildren so we have to move her date to Feb 6th or later. But she is ready. She even told us that she knows already that this is what she wants to do. I am excited also to teach her. I love her already.

We have contacted a few of former investigators that have been dropped for some time and have set some appts up. I am grateful for all of the opportunities and potential these might bring. Sister Corbridge and I fell that every day is different. We really never know for sure what the Lord is going to have in store for us. But we do press on and try to follow the promptings of the spirit.

I have been relying on Sister corbridge more than I thought. And now we are slowly getting back into the grove of things. There is a lot of work ahead of us and we finally feel the investigators trust us. And the members are so excited for these Church tours and how they are going to affect the work.

SO we are teaching the members a lesson on Amazing Grace. But with the Mormon twist. That we have grace after all we can do. We had a dinner at a members house. They invited a couple of friends that were not members. Breakfast for dinner. And no dessert because we are quiting desserts for an investigator. If the investigator doesn't smoke we will not eat desserts. It is going good so far. So we taught the Amazing Grace lesson and then I sang it in front of the guests while still at the dinner table. It was great. They loved it. But we didn't have time to make any appts with the guests. Hopefully we can do it again and they would be interested. A member in the ward is the angle who made that all possible.

We found the gym.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited. But we had to make a few changes with our schedule to use it. In the mornings we study from 6:30-8:30. Then we workout from 8:30-9:00. Then we get ready for the day from 9-10. It worked this morning and it is a nice change. I am in Alma 25. I started reading the Book of Mormon over again highlighting my small Book of Mormon that Chris Sevy gave me. I am also finding out how much of a perfectionist I am. Some days I am okay, and others I even get on my own nerves more than I get on Sister Corbridge's nerves.

We still have not been able to get any tours planned. I hope the fliers that are being made will help convince the members that we are really going with this and that we need there participation. Our Ward Mission leader is making them. His career is in advertising so he is going to a professional job. YEAH US!!!!!!

Thank you Family for everything and I thank the Lord for the Scriptures that have been the Grace of the Lord during this time.

PS, Mom please make sure the letters that go to the ward are edited. I make so many mistakes because I am writing as fast as I can to get everything I want into one hour. And I can't wait for the package!!!!!!!

Dad, I would love to get a copy of your talk and any notes you took from President Marshall.

Jenni, I missed you at church!! So cool to say! I hope your headache is gone. Brooklyn was so cute this Sunday. And Sacrament Meeting was so good.

Sean, Don't forget I love you and wish that you are learning a lot spiritually at BYU. I want to here more about what you are doing!!!

Ryan, You too!!!! I love you and hope you are being nice to Sara. How is driving? How is school? How is Cemetary!!

Sara, I still miss your art work. I miss your sweet voice. But I know when I come back you will be just as sweet or even sweeter. Be strong and don't forget to write in your journal. I hope that you are reading your scriptures everyday.

Oh that goes for all my younger siblings. I love you and wish that I could bottle the love I feel here and send it to you. It changes hearts here in Michigan. This Love is for everyone. Find out what you can do to receive that Love. Heavenly Father is just waiting very patiently to give it to you.

Baptism in Stering Heights

Brother and Sister Ames

Elder Phinny and Elder Pederson
who were serving in our ward before Sister Burnham and Corbridge

“The intensity of our desire to share the gospel is a great indicator of the extent of our personal conversion.” –Elder Dallin H. Oaks

And the Baptism on Saturday was Awesome. The baptism talk was given with an object lesson, using legos. We are the natural man with legos who can't build themselves. But when we choose to be baptized the Master builds us. But legos are perfectly obedient. We are not. The talk on the Holy ghost used the compass and a metal pen being temptation or friends who are pressuring us to do bad things. These were so well done. And they were more child based because Nichlolas (8) was being baptized. Brother Argabrite that was to baptize Robin and Alan was late. We had to start late but he made it in time for the actual baptizing. So no worries. Jenni was awesome and I am so lucky to have family witness the same miracles in person. I am one of the luckiest missionaries. I have heard that there is a rumor going around that some of the members are nervous about the situation with Jenni being in the ward. But are now surprised that I am taking it so well. They keep complimenting me. It is kind of cool!!!!!!!!

This week has been led solely by the spirit. The people we met and contacted were not planned. But we did thank our Heavenly Father for every lesson.

I love my Family! I love this Ward! I love this Mission!

I love my Savior! I will Finish Strong!

Happy New Year

Sent: Monday, January 3, 2011 8:17:11 AM
Subject: Re: HAPPY NEW YEAR

Here are some little snip-its of Sister Burnhams last email:

Mom, please send the CD. That sounds wonderful! You can scan anything you want. Did you like how it turned out? Thanks for that e-mail too. I loved hearing about what you did for Christmas and New years. Thanks for the advice and Sister Walkers story. I have been given some good advice here too. I went on an exchange with another Sister here in my district. I learned a lot from her. I hope you like the stories that are in this letter. And no I didn't take any pictures really on Christmas or New years. Sorry. But I did send the card to you so hopefully you get it soon. It was weird seeing Jenni at Church this Sunday. But it was a cool weird. I love her so much and I love the munchkins!!!!! We can only see her at her house twice a month but that is okay. Oh and we got a couch from the Gertches!!! Yeah!

The Bishop is awesome! He is so excited to help us with referrals. He is a tease to. I feel like he could be my uncle or something. I love the ward!When I don't understand something i have to talk it out, but sometimes i don't want to hear advice until I know i have said everything i wanted to say. But as missionaries we are to testify, Sister Corbridge reminded me. I had the hardest time getting through that. It's like at door approaches. but maybe with door approaches I just am afraid. So that is something I am praying for. Just to have faith to rely on the spirit to send a message to the people I am talking to.

I have been able to talk more because Sister Corbridge has lost her voice. So that was fun this week to deal with. One thing I have noticed is that recently whenever i choose to sing at lesson, the people really seem surprised. Like they are able to hear beautiful hymns sung at no cost. Sister Corbridge loves when they are silent and reverent after I finish. I just love bearing testimony through song. Singing really is how I can find the courage to communicate. Who can deny the spirit when you here the hymns. It is so cool how the hymns soften hearts.

Well people are getting used to us. And our ward family has been getting more attendance since we have church at 1 now.

So the ward mission leader and ward missionaries are really interested in what us Sisters are going to do. We are defiantly not going to do it alone. The ward will have a big part in there progress.

White Wash to Sterling Heights!!!

YES, it is true Sister Burnham is now serving in the Sterling Heights ward and YES that is Jennilyn and Christian's ward!
YES we are surprised but SO excited to have her close. She was able to come over Christmas Day and we will enjoy seeing her every Sunday.

Although I think we will have to kick up our member missionary skills...

Three Baptisms and a visit!

It was an eventful week! My sister Jenni and her family came from Sterling Heights to see me and wish me a Merry Christmas. They were so excited to see me. I didn't know how to react. Was I supposed to crazy I thought to myself, or did I need to have a more calm dignity. I expressed my love and gratitude for their example to me and their involvement with the missionaries in their ward. I was very happy to hold my nieces and nephew. I miss playing with little children. They stayed for an early dinner and then we went to teach a lesson. So my goodbyes were brief yet I will cherish those moments forever. My deepest gratitude goes to the Lord for trusting me to see them. And I thank President Holmes for giving them permission to see me. I was able to carry that love I had for my family and give that away to my investigators. Explaining to them that the pictures of us show real love and devotion to one another. I want everyone to have what I have!!!!!! And I have a lot!!!Jeff and Alex

Angel

So I am sure you are wondering what happened at my first Baptism!!!!!!!! Angel May Spears was baptised Dec. 12, 2010. She was beautiful and she even asked me to sing Amazing Grace for her. Her little niece that came with her put a hymn book on the floor in front of me while I was singing, and stood upon it. She raised her arms to the heavens and closed her eyes. She started to mouth words. I wished every one could have seen her expression that was on her face. She was so intune with the song. I thank the Lord for sending her to me in the time in needed comfort from my nervousness. I have never performed that song so I was grateful!!!! It was so darling!

She was happy! She is looking forward to getting confirmed!!!

So we are not being transefered!!!!! That is fantastic. We have so much planned this dec. Three Baptisms and great new investigator lessons. I am excited to see people filled with this Spirit of Christ! I can't prevent people from going through tough times, but I can uplift them with prayer and song. I am ready to work.

Even when I spilled Bleach on my skirt, i still felt Happy today. So it was a good laugh/surprise, but now I have an excuse to get a warmer skirt!

I love Monroe and the people I am meeting here! Thanks for Keeping me here Heavenly Father!

I WILL FINISH STRONG!

Mom,

So since I spilled Bleach on my skirt and it looks like poop, I am going to buy a warmer black skirt for the winter. And I want to thank you for e-mailing me. I love you! You wanted me to write the date the letter is sent. Well I forgot to last week, but I always send it Tuesday Morning, cause that is when they pick up the mail.

Dad,

Thanks for inviting people for Christmas! That was going to be my Christmas Present that I was going to ask for.

Jenni, Thank you so much for seeing me and bringing me my favorite casserole. I am enjoying the sight of it right now.

Ryan,

I want to see pictures of your skinny face. Mom says you are looking good from wrestling. I am proud of you for getting first and working at something you like to do.

Sara, Send me an art piece! I miss seeing those pictures! I love your stinking guts!

Sean, I hope school is kicking your bum!!! Just Kidding! I am glad you chose BYU! Keep it up. I hope you are taking lots of notes at the devotionals.

Sandy, I hope you are healthy and still living there. And enjoy Christmas with the Family.

A trip to Monroe

We had the wonderful opportunity to go visit Sister Burnham in Monroe on Saturday. We wanted to be able to see her on Christmas, but Christian is on-call so we wouldn't be able to make it. So, I called her mission President to see if we could come down for a early Christmas visit.
After I left a message at the mission office I got a call from Brianne a couple of hours later and was SO excited to hear her voice!

Monroe is only and hour and fifteen minutes away from Sterling Heights so it was a prefect Saturday trip to see Brianne. I made her favorite dinner chicken broccoli casserole and some other goodies to stock up her kitchen.
Here are some pictures from our trip. . .

I never knew Monroe had their own MTC

We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant and the kids had a blast playing with Aunt Brianne. Brianne said it was weird to have the kids call her Brianne and not "Sister."

Brianne was so happy and had nothing but good things to say about the mission, her companion and the people she has been teaching. Her companion said that ever since Brianne got there she has been so full of the spirit and such a great missionary.

Only an hour away I have to keep reminding myself that Brianne is on a mission and not just visiting. It is hard not to think about her all the time.

She sends her love to everyone!

Pre-Mission Photo Shoot

A good friend was kind enough to take some pictures of Brianne while she was in Utah before she left on her mission. So here are some of our favorites. . .