Staying in Greeley!

Monday: We had dinner with the Hulls. They just got called as ward missionaries they are both amazing. Cute family. We ate some great Mac & Cheese. ( I decided to tell the ward after transfers I can't have dairy, each time it gets a little worse.) I love Mac & Cheese...and ice cream! I wish we had a Rita's! Or even something close to it.

Tuesday: We have been praying to get a referral these last couple weeks. Well, we finally got one. Things were really weird. We visited this referral and had the impression we needed to make it quick and get out. It was very strange. So we left very quickly. After having just gotten there. We all had a strange feeling for a bit after that. We sat at the church parking lot for like 2 1/2 hours and then my companions called our district leader for counsel on the matter. Yes, I was bothered by the visit but not enough to call the Elders. But we did all feel better after speaking with them.

One of the families we've been working with the kids haven't been baptized (we were teaching the two girls). Well, when we went by, the youngest son came to the door and said "My mom doesn't want you here, go away." we asked if we could get a picture since it was going to be our last visit. It was very sad. The parents don't even sit in on the lessons and they told us they are just anti-church and don't want to have to deal with all of it. It was a hard night. Needless to say we sat at the church crying and were sad about it. We loved seeing those girls.

Wednesday: We did service for a older lady named Sister Wheeler (not a member) we helped her name layettes for newborn babies. It was nice. We then met with Sister Black (in picture) and she always has us sing a song. This time she recorded us. How sweet. (I know we don't sound sweet.) Rick is one of our investigators who may as well be a member to be honest. He knows so much and remembers so much. He was taught 4 years ago. The other day he was asking about the Plan Of Salvation and baptism. I say "fill the fount" but I don't want to push him that's for sure. But he is very close.

We taught Brother Voorhies how to make Mormon.org cards. Much better day than Tuesday.

Thursday: We taught this older lady who is a member and the whole time she was so happy. She was getting a cat after we left. She is so cute. We also taught our investigator Bob. We taught Word Of Wisdom. For some reason a lot of the lessons we teach everyone gets very spacey. Its very frustrating.

Friday : Finally we taught the last lesson to Greg. Member missionary work! We then met with Amanda. I really wanted a good lesson. She is a less active 14 year old. And at her age, although I went to church I may as have been less active. My testimony struggled the most when I was 14-16. And even after that. But her mom is very rude to her and won't come to church. I wish I knew how to help her!

Saturday: Greg Mark got baptized!!! Holy Cow this day has been on in the making since 2008. And now it has happened. It was a testimony to me of how some of us are to plant seeds and some are to harvest them. Transfer News: I will not be in a trio. I will however keep Sister Carbno. And stay in Greeley for another 6 weeks. Sister Waters is going to Wheatland.

The General Woman's meeting was great! (listen here if you missed it)

 (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2015/04?cid=HP_SA_3-28-2015_dPTH_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng)

Also the church put out this video check it out! (http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_FR_3-27-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyL1-A_) Sunday....Great day!

I'm so happy with everything going on. I'm sorry I complained a little last transfer. I know a lot of it was well it wasn't easier. Part of me wanted it to be. I know I stayed here another transfer for a reason and I know I'm with this Sister for a reason. I know Heavenly Father loves us. I trust him and know it will work out. I know Heavenly Father gives us weakness to help us grow. I'm looking forward to the next week. And this new transfer. Pray for me though. Love you all.

An Investigator Baptism Miracle

Monday - Our recent convert moved to Estes. Hopefully things are going good for her. She got a job at the Stanley Hotel. Which is exciting. But sad that she is no longer in our area. Monday was a very long day. We only taught one lesson....not my favorite day..

Tuesday we had service at Thrift Rite which is fun. We sort clothes and steam them. So its alright. I just like service where we get dirty the best. But we had a lesson with Sister Black. She's not active at all. But she loves missionaries. She is a older lady and she is a little crazy (in a good way). She loves a song, scripture, and prayer and then you leave. That is her structure. She is very much so southern woman. But apparently since I've been in the area she allows us to talk more about the scripture. Its been nice to see at the end of every lesson just how much has changed since my first visit. Heavenly Father is working some miracles. Also in my last area we had someone who would try to talk over us when we taught I learned very quickly that sometimes its okay to talk over someone. (In a loving way, that's respectful)

Also Tuesday, Greg got married to Rachel! They have been together 9 years . . . so its exciting. WE didn't even have to teach the law of chasity. (miracle!) Greg is getting baptized this Saturday!

Wednesday we did service for a lady who isn't a member but she makes things for new born babies. We helped her sort the baby things. Fun! Baby things are cute. We also had district meeting which was okay. Pretty sure all of us have ADHD in those meetings. We are everywhere and it takes forever to get on task. We had a lesson with a recent convert and found out his wife and he are planning on getting a divorce which makes me super sad. We went home and I cleaned before bed while my comps had ice cream (each of us crying) there is nothing we can do. But love them. And be there for them. Its just always sad to see people throw in the towel.

Thursday morning was a struggle and we didn't get up on time. UGH. I did studies by myself. And ate breakfast by myself. It was a rough morning. I just wanted to crawl into bed and forget the night before. WE agreed to go over and sort through their 3 year old's  toys. It was good to be there for them. But she told us the story behind it all. I know you can't help someone unless they need help but divorce isn't always the answer. I can't really say. It just hurts.

Friday we went to the food bank and bagged potatoes . . . fun . . . maybe. I love doing service but some of these activities are not very fun. We visited Vona who is a very interesting old lady. She met her now boyfriend at a truck stop. He was homeless and 20 years younger. She's maybe in her 60's.  Its weird if you ask me, but oh well. We met with a couple others people on Friday. Weekly planning is my favorite thing to do. I love having a plan of action and updating records. I know most missionaries hate it but I love it.

Saturday the Bustos boys were baptized in Loveland! Since its not my area anymore,  we had to ask permission to go. And Sister Carbno was the first set of missionaries to find them with Sister Molly Johnson (home now) in Park wood, Fort Collins. My companions refused to text President Brown because they were afraid of him. Luckily, serving so close to him, I'm not nearly as fearful as I might have been. So I asked if we could go and he gave us two conditions, 1) get a ride,  and 2) take a investigator. I was a little sad, finding an investigator on such short notice is hard! I prayed so much because I wanted to go. At Greg's lesson he told us he didn't work that night . . . yaahooo! So I asked. Very happily, He said he wanted to go! He looked over at his wife and her reply was they don't have gas money. I felt my stomach drop. I then knew I had some cash in my bag. I reached down to grab it and asked if it would be enough. They said, "yes!". Then they asked what time we needed to leave at. I was so happy. I know Heavenly Father answers prayers. He knows the desire of our hearts.

Sunday church. Greg had his interview and all is well.

We had a great day.

check out helives.mormon.org

Three Days of Exchanges

Monday Well it was p-day! That's kind of a happy day. I got some pictures printed because the computers don't always let me send them. Sad day. But our dinner appointment forgot we were coming. So we ended up sharing a message and ate dinner a little later. It all worked out. This week my stomach problems started back again. Not as bad but just a little painful. (pretty sure we've pin pointed what it is finally) Thank goodness.

Tuesday we had zone conference. Woohoo! We learned about what the church is doing for Easter. Check out this link to find out more http://www.mormon.org/easter/teaser The church did something similar for Christmas (#heisthegift) but this is going to be a year long one. so sign up for updates. Also we got to met with our investigator(Greg) and we got another one his friends (Jackie). Greg is set with a baptism date for the 28th. And Jackie wants to be baptized too. Holy Cow what a miracle. (this is when I realized why my stomach has been hurting...I'm lactose intolerant....funny right...NOT I love cheese and milk and ugh) Great time to figure it out. week 4 . . . too late to tell people not to feed it to me . . . Oh well, my stomach will just have to deal with it for now.

Wednesday exchanges (once a transfer). Since there are three of us, it takes three days to do exchanges. They are tiring. So I was in Johnstown which was really good. Although most of the appointments cancelled,  but we did get to go to an ASL class the ward does. Believe it or not, I remembered a lot from homeschooling. Woohooo! It was a good refresher.

Thursday we had a lot of cancellations. Seems to happen more on exchanges . . . not sure why. But we taught two lessons. It was a good builder for me to see that sometimes all you need to do is show those around you that you love them. Which has honestly been a little tough for me in Greeley. A lot of the people we work with don't want to change or don't do the things they agreed to at baptism. They want to smoke etc. I mean yes, I love them, but its hard at times when I don't know how to help them.

Friday I was back in Johnstown for day 3 of exchanges. We did service. We planted rose bushes. We also painted a bathroom. Tons of fun! Then we taught only one lesson but it was good. And the sister I was with said some things in that lesson I needed to hear. Later, we got talking and I felt like I could talk with her and be myself. We are sisters (we had the same trainer(mom) ) which is really cool. I started to see that I needed to be more of the change I want to see in others. I may not ever be able to change them but I can always love them and treat them how Christ would treat them. Even if they don't treat me that way or whatever. I got to see that I don't need to care what others think. I need to be myself and allow others to see the Savior through me at all times.

Saturday I got to go back to my area. Woohoo! But we had to take our car in and get the oil changed and tires rotated. I wanted to work in my area again! Then we went home. My comps took a nap so I read in the Book of Mormon (Alma -almost done) then we tired to start weekly planning. Fail. Then we had two appointments and we went then came home and quickly ate. Sister Fairbanks from my last area picked us up and took us to Melissa and Logan's baptism. Logan turned 8 the day before and is a super sweet young man. Melissa is just amazing and a very strong woman. I'm so proud of them both.



Sunday we went to church. We met with the ward mission leader about what all happened this last week. Good things are to come. We met with two families and ended our night with weekly planning. Altogether it was a good day.

Really good talk or feel free to listen to it.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/see-others-as-they-may-become?lang=eng

Pictures: Progress on the Fort Collins Temple!

Work Hard, Be Obedient

Holy smokes this week was crazy but so many good things happened. I'm not so sure where to start.

So Monday and Tuesday were miracle days where none of our appointments fell through. It was great!

Monday we had p-day which makes me happy but it's snowed the last 3 weeks so we haven't cleaned

the car. the inside is gross and sadly its been with sisters for a while . . .ugh. It has hair everywhere. It's sick. I hate sitting in it . . . but we obviously have to. (Today we are cleaning it because we have zone conference tomorrow and because I can't live this way)

We met with a recent convert but I'm pretty worried about her. She is great but struggling. Her boyfriend is on a mission and they broke up which makes him her ex but I'm not so sure whats going on. She is good friends with a less active. But has only been to church once in the last 4 weeks. ): WHAT TO DO!?

Tuesday, we met with a referral named Rick. He is in his late 20's early 30's. He smokes and says he's addicted to Pespi. I can think of worse things . . . nothing says we can't have Pespi. It's just a little funny. He wants to read from the Bible and Book of Mormon which is way fun. He's taken the lessons we teach but mostly just wants to read since he hasn't been reading since his dad passed away in September.

We met with a less active family. They were really nice. The dad is always gone so we didn't see him but the kids are great. 3 little boys. They are everywhere! They did good at listening to the message though.

Wednesday we had a crazy day . . . it started with service for a member. Which was fine. We helped her clean her house. We then had lunch and then had district meeting. District meeting was a joke. Its only us (3 sisters) and the Elders (2) so 5 total. we were all a little spacey. And district meeting went way over . . . and we were accused of hanging out with Elders . . . nope. The people who told the AP's didn't know our district was so small . . . what a joke. Ugh.

We had dinner with Mark and Rachel they told us they are getting married and Mark wants to be baptized. Holy Smokes!!! (Well he told us he was 70% sure - Read Sunday)

Thursday we started our day with studies and then service . . . good stuff. we went to Thrift Right. it was good. We then had lunch and went to visit a less active. She recently got into some anti stuff. So it was a good lesson to reaffirm truth. She told us she doesn't know everything but she knows the church is true!We don't need to know everything. I don't know everything, I'm positive of that. But I know the truth of the gospel and the joy and it brings.

Friday service again . . . you'd think its all we do but I love it and we do so much more. We met with sis Miller, she is a less active but she houses four Elders and she's getting sick of it. Its sad. I guess Elders aren't always clean. Ugh! She told us she wished she could house us. We met with another less active and her mom was kind of rude. Not so much to us but her daughter who also had a friend there. Her mom, in the middle of her prayer, told her she was praying wrong and to start over (she's 15 by the way).  I would have been so upset if I was her!

Saturday we skipped the Stake Presidency breakfast. Yes, to go do service! its was a vote and I was out voted. I would have rather gone to the breakfast because I knew we'd mostly be standing around at this service. They volunteered us over a month ago to do this so we couldn't back out but it was a 5k and there was only so much we could do. But it was good I guess. I just don't feel it was a good use of our time. And we had to cancel THREE appointments to go do it. That bothered me. We only taught one lessons and it was to the Bishop's family who had us for dinner.

I only know maybe 4 active families here. We don't see them unless they feed us we don't contact them (hate that!). But the bishop is great, he hasn't been bishop long but he loves missionary work and wants to push it more here.

Sunday we went to church and taught Sunday School (gospel principles) we had some non-members and some less actives and recent converts it went really good! The one non-member hasn't ever met with missionaries but he was totally feeling the spirit and crying during the video we shared with our lesson. It was so good. At the beginning of class Mark told us he wants to be baptized!! Holy Cow!! During the class he picked March 28th! So a baptism right before transfers.

After church a member came up and told me he made a Mormon.org account. And wants to learn how to make the mormon.org cards so I took the opportunity to set up a time to met with an active member! I'm so excited to get missionary work going here. And having the members be excited about it. (:

Day light saving is a bad idea....so who ever came up with it yuck!

We went home after four to do studies and both my comps fell asleep while I studied alone. We went to one last appointment and came home. They both slept and I read more scriptures. We taught 4 lessons, if you count Sunday school. It was a good day if you are dead tired and reading scriptures watching your comps sleep. I wanted to sleep so bad but I'm going to be obedient even if I'm out voted. I'm in Alma right now in my studies and I want to finish the Book of Mormon by the 31st. I just have to read 5 chapters a day (plus it helps to understand it) I've gotten so much out of it. Right now, being tested and reading about people being tested has given me the strength to keep going.

One of my favorite quotes is from Elder Holland “Don’t give up, boy. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it—30 years of it now, and still counting. You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”

Also here is a video the church made on the story from the talk:
http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/good-things-to-come-1 

Love, Sister Burden

The Importance of Working with Members

This last week has been crazy....sorry I can't think of any other words to describe it.

Monday we had dinner with a member. After dinner, the member was going to come with us to a lesson. When we finished eating she went to get ready and we ended up not even sharing a lesson with their family . . . I felt sick about this. I hardly slept Monday night because my mind kept racing back to dinner and what could have been done differently.

We spent the night at a members house since we were so far from home. And we lost the phone in the car and didn't have a alarm clock so we didn't wake up on time either . . . ugh.

Tuesday we taught the most lessons we've taught in a day here . . . I almost think I was put here almost as a punishment. I mean, maybe I got a little number happy in my last ward. The work here is different. I mean we just don't work a lot with members which saddens me. Had missionaries not worked with me, and helped me, and let me help them, I can't say where I'd be in my life. My testimony started to grow so much through the missionaries. So something is going to change. That's for sure. There is nothing wrong with working with Less-actives, and recent converts especially. So don't get me wrong.

Wednesday we had Zone Meeting . . . what a joke.(hated it) If anything someone told me I sounded just like my trainer . . . silly Elder. That's a compliment. My trainer was amazing! She is STILL amazing. Anyway we did service and that was nice. I love service. It's the one part of the day that makes me smile the most. We taught one of our best lessons yet. Where we all spoke and no one was left out. Trios are hard for teaching in unity. I don't take it for granted that the lesson was the Plan of Salvation. We passed around the paper with the Plan drawn out. Still, it was the best. We shared our testimonies at the end and it truly was the best. I wish every lesson could be like this one. Trio's are not easy. They take a lot of work. More than most would think but I know I am here for a reason.

Thursday we started the day with service. we only taught two lessons . . . ugh. Not my favorite day yet. But if anything, we were able to help those people. And we had cafe mexicali for dinner. I love Mexican food. Then we updated records.

Friday we did more service. We gave away food at GRC. (Global Refugee Center. ) We taught two good lessons. One of our Recent converts lost her job so we brought her ice cream and ate it with her.
Saturday we did service for a lady named Leslie....long story.

Sunday was good but I'm now out of time. talk more later!

Sister Burden