Trainer

Well I found out this morning from President Holmes that I am training! Her name Sister Bishop and she is from Utah. I am sooooooooooooooooooooooo excited!

She is going to love Chelsea. I Love Chelsea! I meet her tomorrow morning at 9 and then she sets off with me and Sister M around 12:30. I am so happy, yet I am going to miss Sister Jones so much. Wow, mixed emotions. I couldn't believe it was actually happening that I am going to be able to train a sister to be a missionary. Wow, I am not a MTC teacher, but I get to be hands on with her which is even better. It's going to help me remember the fire I had when I came out and I am glad that she is coming to Chelsea. Best first area I think. When I came out to Monroe, I was told that the area was a teaching area. Well, Chelsea is a teaching area, but it is only called that because people when we tract into their homes they talk to us. I LOVE CHELSEA! I am so happy that I can try my leadership shoes on.

So I will let you know how the first week goes. I get an extra hour of comp study because of the training program we have now. YEAH!

Mom, I got the boots! They are perfect for this weather and are working great. I can wear them anywhere. I made the cake as soon as I could. It was good! Thank You! You can send me things like that anytime:)

I am happy Sean is now a missionary. I am happy he is leaving to go work hard. I hope he has all he needs. Make sure you take pictures before you drive into the MTC. Last time we did that thinking we could take pictures off to the side and instead I left right away.

...Read the Book of Mormon everyday! If it's only a verse than its only a verse. But if you do not have the stories and doctrine in your mind at all times you won't give the spirit enough material to work with in times that you need it the most. You have to fill the well within so the Holy Spirit can draw from it. I guess that is for all of us right?

Finish Strong today so God can help you do hard things tomorrow! (Like opening your eyes in the morning)

Love,

Sister Burnham

Working Hard in Chelsea

Dear Family,

This will be as long as I can make it because I didn't write you last week. I am so sorry about having you wait. Well I never know whats best. Do I tell you how my week went by covering each day? Or do I just hit highlights that I can remember? Or do I tell you about the studies insights I have had? Or just tell you about the amazing Spirit that is here when Sister Jones and I work together with only love in our hearts and not stress that she is leaving in a week.

I am learning it is difficult to teach someone who is willing to have you in their home, but not want to talk about your beliefs. It is difficult to help them start becoming a seeker of truth. But that is also what we do. Plant those seeds and help those that are not seeking start seeking.

I learned that every one is at different levels. And that if you need to stop talking in mid sentence because you see your comp hasn't spoken for a couple of min, or the person listening has spoken in a few min, then that is alright.

I learned that We Worship God our Heavenly Father. We also worship Jesus Christ. I don't know if we really worship the Holy Ghost, but I do know that I am equally grateful for each. I know their roles and what they plan on doing for me. I know why also.

We are teaching some people who are breaking a serious commandment and they don't know it yet. And we have been advised to share with them and strengthen their testimony in the Book of Mormon first and Joseph Smith, before we teach this commandment. Pray they continue to read and ask questions to God for confirmation of truth that we teach.

I learned on Fast Sunday that there were a lot of families praying for Sister Missionaries in Chelsea. Some went up and bore their testimony for the first time. Almost a whole family went up that are less-active, but are now active and have received a calling to be ward missionaries. AWESOME!

We are also teaching amazing people. The reason is because we have wonderful members in the ward. But even if they are awesome some still choose not to read the Book of Mormon. And of course that is not a good thing. By the way I am in Alma 39. I think I will make it to Dec 23 like President asked us to. Anyways the Book of Mormon is so wonderful and brings so much peace and understanding.

I also bore my testimony in one our lessons on Friday about Family Home Evening and it's vital role in my life as well as all of my siblings lives. I don't know how much it impacted my parents, but my siblings are closer to God because of FHE. I liked when we would be taught by Dad, getting all serious with serious questions about the gospel. One particular story was when they taught us about turning the other cheek. And giving more to another person than your shirt but also you jacket. I don't know if that is exactly in the Bible, but I remember talking about walking with a person one mile then going with him twain or something like that. I learned that I need to press forward a little bit more to myself in how I serve others. And I think my parents and family do really well in that principle.

We gave a church tour that was successful, and yet he wasn't able to make it to church the next day. So we did have only one investigator at church but We were happy that he came! Very proud, of this certain investigator because he is married to a member and he is showing progression in the way he interacts with her and the rest of the ward.

Yesterday we met with a wonderful woman who has brain cancer and is very calm and seems interested in what we teach. OF course she was interested in the Plan, but she had never heard about the pre-earth life. Amazes me every time. She committed to read 2 Nephi 2.

AND BY THE WAY OUR WARD MISSION LEADER IS AWESOME! He is funny and lets us vent and is excited with us when we tell him miracles and asks the right questions. We love him so much and are grateful for every things he does and prepares for. He is catching the vision!

P.S. in testimony meeting and little boy bore his testimony about a nightmare he had. It had demons in it and he was calling out for his family and was praying that his family would be on the other side of this door that he was about to open. Then once he opened the door he heard his dad call him to wake up and get ready for church. And heard his sister in the bathroom. It was a great example of faith I think. It came from a cute 9 year old boy. His sister then bore hers after telling us that she and her little brother practiced the night before what they were going to share. Then their mom gave hers. It was wonderful!

SO I love all of you and can't wait to see who is going to replace Sister Jones. It might be the new sister coming which means I might be her trainer. We will see. I need to prepare always for that job.

Finish Strong!

Love Sister Burnham! xoxoxoxox

Wonderful Week

This last week was WONDERFUL!

Monday- Taught the Bishop's family and had dinner! Taco salad! We committed them to memorize a scripture!

We taught the Covey Family, Carissa, Dee,Todd, and Daniel. And the Schultes. We taught the principle of authority. Worked out well, when Daniel is being a good boy. Daniel is 6! Dee, she is 11 and Todd is 14. We mentioned to them how important authority is and how it is important for baptism.

Tuesday- We met with Sister Dellaire for lunch and helped her put up blinds. We met with Sister Sibley who gets a service project of chopping wood from the whole ward. That happened last Sat. She is very sweet! Met with our Investigator Matt who is 30 and ELECT! He is curious, and searching and understands where we are coming from. His lessons are spiritual and tailored to him. We shared with him the role of the Holy Ghost and he is progressing! He is also dating his fellow shipper! If he goes to church he will go to the stake center in Ann Arbor.

Wed- We had district meeting.We met with the Smiths who came to church Sunday AND STAYED FOR ALL THREE HOURS! YES!!!!! We are so proud of them. We picked up a new investigator in Chelsea. She is a cop for a university and we stood at her door for her, cause she was ashamed of the inside but she was lovely to talk too. Testimony is so important in those moments at the door. Just let one out, and pray they feel the spirit you are trying to convey in your nervousness!

Thursday- We folded laundry for a family and helped clean an upstairs room that was such a burden to them. It was fun! Weird cleaning being fun!!!! We met with Mike, who is our investigator. At that lesson he said, "So, what are we going to do about this baptism thing. This Sat. is coming up, are you going to let me know what I need to do to prepare?" Little did he know, that with his big bag of tobacco we were going to introduce and commit him to the Word of Wisdom so he could prepare for baptism. I chuckled inside but wasn't prepared for what happened next. We had Sister Smith, who is working on this commandment too, give her testimony and definition of the Word of Wisdom, once he grasped the concept that he was not to smoke, drink, or have coffee or tea, he said well, if I can't smoke to be baptized here is the stuff. He gave us all the tobacco he had and cigarettes. That night was cool. He also came to church and survived the three hours because he was getting a ride home. He is quiet and sweet and very subdued. We also met with a recent convert, David Lukasiak, and Sister Smith came to all our appts with us that night which was really good for her to get out of the house.

Friday- We did weekly planning. We were able to talk to a "Less Active" who is struggling keeping house. We met with Matt again and he watched the Restoration DVD with us and said, "That movie answered all my questions about how he started all this." It was so cool to see him commit to read Enos 1 and pray to know for himself what is true. We met Sister Smith's kids and taught them Sabbath Day. The WHOLE FAMILY CAME!!!!!!

Sat- We went tracting in Manchester. We got two potentials living in a trailer park. I love trailer parks now. They have a lot of humble people who are really simple. They listen as well. We continued to stop by people and met with members and the Covey family again. Dee accepted and baptism date is set for Nov 12th. Carissa did as well! We taught the Atonement, simplified! Dee gave a perfect Alma 32 definition of faith. She inspires me!

SUNDAY! IT WAS A MIRACLE DAY AS WELL! MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK!

FIVE INVESTIGATORS AT CHURCH.

ALL of our investigators came to all three hours! HALLELUJAH

We met with members and Correlated with our Ward mission leader. I was so happy this week!

Sister Jones and I are singing this Thursday at the fireside and her b-day is on Friday.

Love you,

Finish Strong and You can do Hard Things!

Watch out for Deer!

This week I was amazed at the Love Jesus Offers Me! I LOVE Hymns!

He offered me a chance to live. Last night at 8:40 I hit a Deer going home. The car has a small dent in it and the driver side mirror is taken off and smashed. Tiny bit of blood and Sister Jones thinks she saw the deer wobble or walk away. I did not have my brights on. I screamed loud. We called Elder Harbertson two min. later and pulled off the side of the road. So today we are going to a dealership to see what the cost of the damage is. I didn't even try to dodge it, but I did press on the brakes. It happened so fast for me.

Jesus offered me a chance to find people every day this week. He offered me a chance to trust Him by stopping and helping a lady who was not interested in what we presented, but she wanted us to visit an aunt who is old and sick just down the street. We are scheduling that soon.

Jesus offered me repentance as I slowed my train of thought in lessons and tried to catch myself when I started to complicate things. He offered me a reminder that Sister Jones and I are remembered by the members and we are lead by people that don't even know us. Example was in Stake Conference.

Sister Jones and I are doing a lot more role playing in our Comp study. We are doing this exercise, where I state true doctrine, then she gives a follow-up question and waits for me to answer, then she reiterates what I said and waits if I have anything else to add. It worked out really well today, and I noticed how much courage it takes to teach simply. You share a short sentence and wait to let the person think, when in reality I want to keep talking and sharing all the knowledge I know. Wow, the spirit was sweet and so strong in my heart.

Our goal is to bring people on date and find more investigators. where members can come with us. We are grateful for every referral we receive and contact!

I learned also that my spirit is OLD! So it must have a lot of wisdom already, I just don't remember it. So I thought to myself, then why do I fear when I have a really old spirit in me, so to speak, that has been with God and that gained a witness that this plan was meant to be and is real. So when I feel I can't do something I think about MY Spirit/or ME!!!!!! I can do this. I have that knowledge and that it was created by GOD!

WOW I love the Gospel! Finish Strong! I can do Hard things!

Love,
Sister Burnham

Year Mark

Here are the Missionaries that entered the Mission 1 year ago today!!!!
Happy 1st year Sister Burnham
Elder Robison and Sister Burnham
Elder Robison was in Brianne's MTC District .

Happy Birthday Sister Burnham

We received a couple of little messages from Sister Burnham today. In another one,she challenged us to celebrate her birthday by doing some kind of missionary work. After all that's how she is celebrating. I think we might be able to work something out. Have a great day!

By the way if you want to leave some Birthday messages or how you did some missionary work on the blog I will email them to her next week. Just click on "comments" at the bottom.

From Sister Burnham:

Chelsea is awesome. The members are missionary minded like no other ward. Sterling Heights comes pretty close to it though.

The work is moving along. We are working on speaking clearly and simply to the people we teach. Which wasn't very many this week, 20 lessons, Why are we slacking? I must not be doing everything I should be.

We are ready to baptize people in Chelsea and all the other villages. We are ready to be faithful. Well, we are faithful. We are seeing LA (Less Actives) open doors and letting us talk to them. We are seeing how people are liking Sister Missionaries. We just need to prove to ourselves, to God, that this change will be taken seriously. To the point where there will be no doubt in any ones mind, God sent us here.

We already had a former (investigator) want us to come back, begging that we would. In the same breath she was also telling us she will never believe in the Word of Wisdom and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. But she has read some of the Book of Mormon. Silly one she is.

Okay so I just erased some negative feelings about my teaching skills. I feel better now. I want you to know that we are struggling to know where to go. Who needs us in what village and how do we decide together. We are to the point where we are very sensitive to each other. We know exactly when the Spirit is teaching with us and when HE is not, and we don't have the faith to stop, take a breath and pray.

I feel I need to pray more fervently, with more soberness.

Okay, so, President I was just venting there.

Okay I want to follow the Spirit. I want to be Obedient. I want to love the Book of Mormon. I have done all these things on my mission. So if want to do all of these things, I need to Love my Savior and do it because it is going to be my nature to serve. I want to have charity. I want to have love. I do have a testimony.

I have learned that I talk a lot. Wow, so silence is a goal I will work with this week. Using silence appropriately. Okay, let the Holy Spirit guide.

I will Finish Strong! And God will help me do hard things.


Thank You so much for the birthday gifts. They were perfect. I loved the cheese cake and the nail polish and the Card form Brooklyn. I will want to wear those earrings with a big smile on the doors knowing I got them from you. I will have something to remind me that my family might not be with standing next to me, but you are with me helping me talk to those people that I just meet on the street. Your prayers are heard and we are loving the ward. They are full blown missionaries here and I am hoping I stay here for the rest of my mission.

Sister JONES HAS 5 WEEKS LEFT. I get to kill her off. It is going to be a great help to keep her in your prayers that she doesn't get trunky and continues to progress. I wake up every morning excited to work. I go to bed every night excited to sleep and rest so I can work the next day. I love missionary work. Specifically I love seeing members get excited about it. The Members are my angels.

Happy Birthday to everyone born on this day! And an anniversary for being a one year missionary. How spoiled I feel sometimes and humbled that God loves me to send me to a wonderful family who has shown more support than I could ever ask for.

I LOVE YOU!

Transfer to...

This is Sister Burnham's first letter:
I am grateful to be getting transferred. It will be a good change for the area and for me. I am still staying comps with Sister Jones. We will find out tomorrow where we are going to teach.

I love the Conference this month. I love the prayers said and the love the feeling as I share the TRUTH, not my guesses.

I am being converted everyday with each prayer and each confirmation from the Spirit. With each baptism and each lesson. With each Sunday when I take the Sacrament and remember that it is JESUS CHRIST who I am representing. How great is my calling!

Love you so much.

Finish Strong and God will help you do hard things tomorrow. The Work NEVER Stops.

PS Thank you for the Packages! They came at such a perfect time! I love you!

This is her second letter when she found out where she was being transferred too:

Hi I am in a new area. I am staying with Sister Jones and serving in Chelsea. It is a big area. HELL is in our area! Cool!

View My Saved Places in a larger map

Our District has Howell and Brighton.

Our Zone Leaders live in Ypsi. Pronounced ipsee. We have met with some awesome people. The area is beautiful farm land and wide open spaces with five villages. Can't name them yet, sorry. The apt. is nice and clean. We don't have a gym so we went on an early morning stroll around our apt. It is so dark in the morning. But it was nice to experience all this change with Sister Jones. I am very happy we didn't get separated.

We are organizing a lot though. We are making a binder to record the times we stop by to see people and things to keep the ward council papers and information about the members in. It is like a mini area book. Wonderful to have with you. So we are going to PEC tonight.

Talk to you on my Birthday!!!!! I won't open the box til then, but it is very tempting.

Finish Strong and Do Hard things!