Buenos Dias

!Buenos Dias! !Familia!

This past week has been so good for me. My Comp Sister Jones is from Otto Wyoming. She and I are very much alike. We laugh at each other all day and are being silly and sing in almost all our lessons. She is a beautiful alto singer which means I have to take on the role of the Soprano...it's turns out better when I have her singing louder than me...just kidding. Last night we had an experience with music. We sang to Sister Beckett who I have connected with so quickly. She and I had a moment after I said the prayer. It was the first time meeting her and after I finished she said, "This sister has God's spirit within her, she is connected." I was so touched. The next time we met with her Sister Jones and I sang a few hymns, and she kept saying that she couldn't describe the feelings she was having as we were singing. She trusts us so much. She compared me to her son as someone who she would pray with to really feel like God is in the room. She said she loved praying with her son, more than by herself. I was reminded of how powerful the Spirit can be.

What is so interesting is that this has happened many times on the mission. When I was at a leadership training meeting in Lavonia last month, we were practicing, on a few members, how to find people's concerns. When it was my turn I was so nervous. But when I starred at her in the eyes, I all of a sudden felt so much love for the woman. She started to cry, and even though you could hear the other missionaries teaching, it felt like I didn't have to say much to bring the Spirit into her heart. She told me how she saw at the beginning I was nervous and she was anxious for me, but then when I started to talk all of sudden I had things under control. It's the best feeling ever. And I am grateful to be able to participate in miracles like that, often.

More about Sister Jones, she is a farm girl. She owns cows and pigs. They have over 70 cows. She is a hard worker. Oh side note before I forget, we are getting a new car, 2011 Ford Fusion. YAHOO! Anyways, she was supposed to train, but God had other plans for her. We bought tons of veggies. Our fridge is packed full of green stuff and mushrooms, onions, and eggs and squash, and watermelon. We are working on eating healthy! And we do tye-bo at the church every morning.

Also THE TEMPLE IS NEXT DOOR TO OUR CHURCH BUILDING. I MEAN IF YOU GOOGLE EARTH IT IS LITERALLY NEXT DOOR. I LOVE IT SO MUCH! I AM THE LUCKIEST MISSIONARY EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How are things in your new area? The area is big and rich! The houses are big. I did find a Burnham Rd and Burnham Ct. There are actually two Burnham Rds. We ARE GOING TO TRACT THOSE BEFORE I LEAVE THE AREA! The ward is a normal size.

Is Sister Jones as wonderful as you expected? Yes

How often do you get to see the other sister missionaries? There is a companionship Sister Vance and Vanici that serve in Sterling Heights. I am back in the same district I was before I went to Romeo.

Is there a new area opening up for Sisters somewhere? Sister Klingler is training in a new area being reopened called Waldlake I think.

You only have a handful of Sisters in your mission, right? Yes there is nine. One tripanionship is in Hillstreet's area. Sister Dunn, Sister Pollock, and Sister Packer. Both sister Pollock and Sister Packer are leaving in a few weeks.

How are the wards you're serving in? Awesome! I can't believe how much potential there is for both wards to grow.

Do you go to both wards every Sunday? Yes I bring snacks too!

Transfer and Happiness

Hi Family I got transferred to the area I was just doing exchanges in. I am in Bloomfield Hills. My Comp is Sister Jones. She is going to be one of my favorite friends ever. I love it here already. We cover two wards. One regular and one YSA Ward. Yeah Finally! I am So happy!

Dear Family,

I want to express to you how much this last week of the transfer has been the icing on the cake. Sister Dunn and I found out about transfers a day earlier than the rest of the mission. We were told that we are both being transferred out of the area and being put in different companionship's. Elders are going to white wash into Romeo’s Area now. Lucky for them the appt was newly organized and clean. I think one of the reasons we are transferred around different areas, is because the sisters need to do a deep cleaning every three years after the elders. Hahaha! That was told to me at church this Sunday from a member. I was happy to be there to here that.

So since Friday we have been saying goodbye to people. Sad this is Sister Dunn’s first transfer so she is taking it hard. It was so sweet though at church this week. At church the branch presidency called us up to share our testimonies since we were leaving. Sister Dunn went up first, and then I went up. I took that opportunity to sing hymn#158, Before Thee Lord I Bow My Head. I find singing is the best way I can express my testimony and the joy I feel. Sacrament meeting was perfect for all of us. They talked about being good examples and Choosing the Right. It was so good it made Carl cry. I am sad no one else of our investigators could attend.

We said goodbye to Carl and Mark today. It was a sweet touching moment. They let us know that we did our job, and that he will always be grateful. They were super emotional. Let me tell you, that when old men cry, I mean really old men cry my heart just sinks and reminds me of my grandpas. I miss my grandpa recently, when I was called a “Little Angel” from one of them. I soon went back to the time when I would dance with my grandfather and he would tell me that I was his little angel. An Angel has been described as someone who speaks the Word of Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost. I will keep studying and feasting upon the word to always be prepared to be someone’s angel. And that goes for all of you too. Be that angel to someone else and share your testimony so that they may feel that goodness they might not have felt ever in their life. It is a small and simple thing that brings the Spirit into someone’s life. Go for it!

Last week I was on exchanges with Sister Jones. She is leaving in 3 months and soon going to be training. We were in Bloomfield and the cool thing was the temple is right next door to the stake center. And I got to go to the temple on Thursday Morning. I needed a reminder! It has been too long. And I am so lucky to be able to go every quarter. All the Sisters went with President and Sister Holmes and the Assistants. We had a few members from each of the areas come along as well. It was Awesome!

I learned from Sister Jones how to humble when teaching. I learned that with the spirit you can have the courage to say the right thing. We met with a young man named Shawn. He is in the army. He is turning 20 in Oct. And I thought about Sean and how he should be getting his call soon. SOOOOOOoooo WHERE IS HE GOING? !!!!!!

I love the Work and will miss Romeo very much,

I always grow more from each area I have been in. Monroe, Sterling Heights, and Romeo.

Finish Strong

Love You!

Today Brianne hits her 1/2 way mark!!! Send her some extra love and letters to get her through the next 1/2 of her mission!

Thanks for all your prayers for Sister Burnham.

Hot Summer Days

Dear Family,
This week had a mind of it's own. Our two new investigators are David and Leon. David was found tracting on Yule Rd.
Leon is a simple young man. He knows he want to get closer to God. He saw we were different than most girls and that we didn't make fun of his stuttering. He has it really bad. But the first lesson we had yesterday with him, we asked him to be baptized. He said Yes and he is preparing to be baptized on July 16th. He doesn't have a car so we are going to talk to him about transportation next lesson. We found out his brother is a former investigator that was we lost. Louis was living with a member and then he had to move out so we couldn't get a hold of him after that. Then low and behold we found his younger brother. YAHOO!
Some of our potentials were found yesterday helping a Mexican lady take her groceries to her home. In appreciation she gave us some watermelon drink from a powder. It was so nice after a long walk to her trailer. But on the way back to our car we talked to some older men getting ready to BBQ who were interested in who we were and what we believe in. The were a little tipsy Sister Dunn said. So they might remember us on Friday or they might not. I hope so. They gave us some apple juice which again was so nice on a hot evening.

One of then men smoking in the back of the porch recognized us as Mormon Missionaries and let us know his son was baptized but doesn't go to church or remember it very well. He didn't want to talk about it much so we gave them all, a card and made a return appt. I hope some of them are married so we can teach their family.

Thank you for the package. IT WAS SO WONDERFUL! All the index cards were fun to read.I love the Primary Book. Thank you so much and the monkey that looks more like a bear with a long tail. Hahahahah! It was fun to laugh about that. I am anxiously waiting to see where Sean is going. Thank you Sara for writing me. That was so sweet of you.

I see too often girls not owning up to standing out and being that person who will dress modestly. I am teaching a young mother of two who would have a different life if she knew how to keep herself morally clean and pure.

Anyways I love you guys so much and hope you are all being missionaries there!

Have pass along cards with you. And give one out! It is a thrill to talk to a total stranger about the gospel. Better than falling out of an airplane! The importance of allowing someone you know have the gospel, by giving them a Book of Mormon and inviting them to come to church or an activity out weighs the many service projects you have done for scouting or the community. Take the plunge and fly. The feeling afterwards is like you just ran a mile race and won! Anyways! Love you!

Finish Strong!

Thanks for all the support and love,
Finish Strong!

Jumping for Joy!

Hi ,

The smiling face jumping up and down next to the "hi" is an example of how I feel right now. We have had an awesome week. Sister Dunn and I are teaching two men named Carl and Mark. They are neighbors that live across the street from each other. Mark is a former investigator and Carl was nice to us after we broke his swing sitting on it to long. It was a rotten wood swing that he said was very old. But it got him to come over to our lesson with Mark and he has been studying with us ever since. So Carl is old and Mark is not so old but old enough to be my dad. Carl and Mark also came to church this Sunday. As well as Lee who is really going through some tough times. It is hard to teach Lee because of him not seeing the good in things. He doe not have motivation to read his scriptures. But he does come to church which is a miracle and I am proud of him making that choice. So back to Carl and Mark. Carl is really interested in the Atonement. We are teaching the Plan of Salvation and he was so shocked that the three kingdoms were in the Bible. That made me smile. He doesn't like classes or categorizing people into groups. But after he saw it was in the Bible he was okay with it. Which is understandable. Mark is a writer. He asks a lot of questions and is really curious and every question he has can be answered by the scriptures thankfully. It is awesome to teach them. We also have been teaching them every day. Around 6:30 we pick up a recently activated member, Sandy, and bring her to the lesson. We teach from the Book of Mormon and Bible, and the spirit is always there. It is so cool when we have Carl and Mark read from the Book of Mormon. After reading just one verse they react with a loud WOW or "That was so beautiful." Mark once wrote a question down in scriptures language with a lot of thees and thous and asked us the question at the end of the lesson. It took me back and I got a little overwhelmed, but Sister Dunn understood it and we answered it with a scripture. So we are seeing them today and we are excited to talk about church with them. Mark said to me after church where he should tithe. I was surprised he asked that because when we first met him he said one of them problems he had with us was tithing. He thought we were all about money when he saw the tithing slip. So this time I said we will talk about it more on Monday and I gave him an envelope and slip to keep.

Sister Dunn and I sang Love One Another in the youth Sunday school class and we had Carl and Mark sit in for the beginning to here. They loved it so much. THREE INVESTIGATORS AT CHURCH IN ROMEO BRANCH! HOORAY FOR ISRAEL!

Jesse and Brother T.J. are the following miracles this week. Jesse is praying for July 16th to be baptized. She is always thinking about it and we hope she presses forward with that desire growing more and more. We see that change and my heart swells with love for her. She is such an example to her mom as well. She wants to go to the fireside with us and is inviting her mom to come. Her mom doesn't know too much about the church, and is trying to understand why Jesse wants to join. So we think this would be a great opportunity.

Brother Craig entered the church building for the first time this week with Sister Pack being the member present. He felt comfortable and it was a big step to getting him comfortable to come to Sacrament meeting. We watched the Restoration DVD with him there and he loved it. What we are trying to teach him is the Spirit and the difference between the Power of the Holy Ghost and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. But he is progressing.

We had a fun time Sunday teaching a couple through there screen door on the floor of their trailer. James and Judy. They want to teach there daughter about church so she can learn about the Gospel, but they believe she has a bit of sin from Adam and Eve. They told us that they were baptist, but love to listen to people teaching as long as they have the Bible out in front of them. It was a good learning experience for me. I am not as well versed in the Bible. And Sister Dunn for got her scriptures on the couch at home, so I had a crippled companion for a while. But it helped me get more confident teaching from the Bible and got her more confident teaching from the Book of Mormon. We are seeing them next week. We should have traced back to the restoration but we didn't.

We have a family in the Branch and their daughter has MS and is my age. I for some reason have a soft spot for her really have connected with her. She has been struggling with her social life because of her health. I just loved it when we went to our member dinner that we don't have very often, and saw her brighten up. She seemed happier and more understood. It was so cool to see the message we shared really connect with her.

SO the work is moving and the Blessing are coming everyday.

I know that as you focus on the small and simple things the greater things fall in your lap that you can't deny are from your Heavenly Father.

Love you,

Finish Strong!

Moving Along

The Work is moving a long. I am taking some chances by seeing our investigators more often. Which means they can't forget us and start getting into a habit of expecting constant contact whether on the phone or by where they live. We need to get back into finding more people, but the branch is getting along better. The area is so nice to teach and do service. The weather is great. Some body we are teaching is making a decision to believe in God and Jesse is wanting to be baptized on her birthday next month. July 20th. She has been praying for that day and also to share the gospel with her friends and Mom. We need more members referrals. But we can always improve.
Sister Dunn and I have made a goal to go for a light brisk walk every morning. It has been going well so far.

Some advice to her soon to be missionary brother: "In D&C is says that first you must obtain the word before you preach the word. If you are going to commit people to baptism so that they can enter the gate towards eternal life, it is important to know as much about the importance of it as possible."

Mom and Dad I love you and will accomplish this mission with the help of my Savior. The little things and simple tasks are what makes a big difference. God will always be with me.

Love you so much!

Finish Strong!

Half Full

Wow if I have not said this yet let me try to explain how a mission is not a piece of cake.

I am trying to look at this area as half full instead of half empty. My testimony of prayer is growing though. And I know that if I endure it well, anxiously engaged, and being diligently patient, I can have that motivation back.

We had to move some people to a later baptismal date. But I can see them getting baptized in the next couple of weeks. One of my investigators Jessie is on fire. She will be a very strong member. And she will bring many into the gospel with her example. She is a therapist and wants to come closer to God. Her family still doesn't know she is meeting with us. Jenni might meet her at the fireside on Thursday. Oh and I am singing again. Sister Jones, Sister Vance, and I are singing the Olive Tree. And Sister Packer is playing the piano while Sister Klingler is playing the Violin. I hope that all the harmony will sound beautiful.

Not too much has happened. We helped with an Emergency Fair in La Peer! That was fun. And Sister Dunn wanted to give blood, but her heart rate was twice as fast as it should be. I think her heart works over load all the time. Maybe cause she is tall. Or maybe cause she just has a big heart. I love her and I am thankful she is my comp.

I love you

FINISH STRONG!

Please remember to write Sister Burnham; she needs some uplifting letters!!!

Sister Brianne Burnham

Michigan Detroit Mission

33595 State St., Suite 101

Farmington, MI 48335

News from Romeo...finally

We got a little update about Sister Burnham and Sister Dunn in Romeo:

So I am Senior Comp. That means I get to drive. And probably I have some responsibility helping teach Sister Dunn. But she doesn’t need it. She is Awesome. I do like her. She is very good at communicating. And that is very important to have.

Romeo is slow work. It has it miracles though. Tracting is always something we are doing. And it has been a challenge for me to get used to. When I have some positive things to say about it I will. Right now I am being humbled. I love you and you all know to Finish Strong!