CALLED TO SERVE

HELLO FAMILY AND FRIENDS!! 

This was a fantastic week...

and a fantastic week at that. haha 

We got to go on such a great exchange with Sister Cannon and Peterson, who have become just such great friends and I LOVE. 

We got to serve at the Bishop's storehouse and I was overwhelmed at the joy that comes from getting lost in service. We had an incredible lesson with someone where we took a step back on difficult questions and learned together how to find answers by the spirit. We were prompted to teach something totally different to C___ than we had planned-repentance and forgiveness. It was incredibly powerful and I was so touched at the power of change that comes from My Savior, Jesus Christ. I've learned that repentance is such a blessing and is only because of Jesus Christ that we CAN be better than who we are today. 

We were able to teach S_____ with Elder Gillman and Elder Shaw at the temple about all the blessings of the Restoration that we have today. We are apart of a living restoration, and the blessings will continue and never stop. 

We also had the privilege of teaching M_____ how to be a good home teacher. He became my "companion", we studied, prepared a lesson, and taught Sister Gray on the importance of families in a roll play. We were blown away at his testimony and just felt the joy of his sweet spirit. 

SO many great things this week...We were able to go to zone conference and step back to look at the fact that we are helping the Restoration roll forward each and every day. I got to sit across from my sweet mission President for the last time and feel of his love and listen to his advice. I was able to share my testimony in church and reflect on how truly inspired this work really is. HOW GRATEFUL am I that I've been able to play a small part in it. 

And this morning we got to go contacting on campus....and awkwardly turn around to go back to a guy we had just passed...because the spirit said to...only to find out that he completely needed the gospel today. 

I can't believe that my time here in Indiana is up! I will forever be grateful for this mission. It has been more than I ever imagined and I know that all the good that I saw was from God. I am so grateful to trusted by Him as an instrument in this work. And I'm even more grateful that that will continue even after this week:) ahhhhh that's good...very good. Because man, does this work make me happy. It must be true or something you know?

So although all these experiences, feelings, emotions, and witnesses that I feel, can't really be explained in words, I just want to share that I know without a doubt that this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is here in it's fullness. I know that Jesus Christ is the only way to everlasting happiness here, and in the life to come. I know that with Him, you can overcome any trial or challenge you face, and grow from it. I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of us specifically and that He has a perfect plan that will always work out in the end. I've learned so many lessons in the past 18 months, but simply, all I can just say to sum it all up...is that I know that it is true. :) 

"Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell. Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work. Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." Alma 26:14-16

Thanks for the love, support and prayers! See you soon!! xoxo

Love, Sister Burgon*

PIX:  

More from Zone Conference...play a little game...

I like to call it "Where's Sista B?"

 FOREVER Friends...and sometimes twins!

 The Branch Missionary Crew...

My pal, Rick, the campus bus driver....

Thanks for the love, support and prayers! 

See you soon!! xoxo

Love, Sister Burgon*

DEAR ARE THE SHEEP OF HIS FOLD

 Hey friends!! 

MAN this week went by faassttttt. 

It was an awesome week too, ready for it?:)

SO once upon a day, we had an exchange....and then got asked to go help another set of sisters out...the same day....SO we did a DOUBLE EXCHANGE  in one day...is that even allowed...or possible. You betcha. It was so much fun. And I love these sisters, so it was a good day, crazy day:)

C____ got to go to the TEMPLE this week!! She was in HEAVEN and just loved every minute of it. She said it brought back all the memories of her baptism too. It was so cool to see her make it FINALLY, something she's wanted for so long. She's doing amazing and even being taught by her home teachers too. And she's set up appointments with the ward for her job, so she's just getting to know lots of people and fitting right in. I sure love her. I've decided there's nothing like recent convert fire...its up there with greenie fire...but it's all great-so I'm happy :) haha

Ch___ is still doing awesome! He has been overcoming family criticism and decided that he feels the spirit at church and when he is reading/learning, so that is the spirit that he is going to follow. Super proud of him for following the much "harder right". He's made it to 2 Nephi- this guy is crazy cool!! 

Ok get ready for a miracle day- So we decided to not go to campus on Friday, because its been so dead, so we took some names of people in the YSA and went hunting:) We decided to go visit a YSA girl, and instead got her mom greeting us very warmly at the door. She kept saying, "hurry come in, its hot out, hurry" Turns out that this mom is a convert to the church and served in just about every calling, helped the missionaries every single day, was sealed in the Temple, and then ran into some trials in her life. She is no longer a member, but she said "I know in my heart the truth, and I know I will be back". She told us her powerful story and bore testimony and I've never felt such immediate love from a stranger before. But now I feel like her faith is just life changing to me. She talked about how she would be back soon, and I KNOW without a doubt that Heavenly Father lead us to her that day. 

Some may think that we are called as missionaries to help and impact the people. But I've found that I am called here, and more than anything, these people help and have made a lasting impact on ME!!! I feel as though Heavenly Father lets us see them through His eyes and feel just a small piece of the love that He has for them, and it's something that I will ALWAYS be grateful for. Just that small taste reaffirms to me that WE ARE LOVED, so so so very loved.

We had another cool member tell us how he has had the desire to come back, to change, to repent, and to let God back in his life, to be active again. Another sister said that she wants to literally change everything she is doing in her life to get on track to go on a mission-she has been one that no one has been in contact with for a very long time, but here she comes. I am just so amazed, a lot of times we think that many have wandered just too far, but there really is no place the Savior can't go to find them and bring them back. He really is the "Good Shepherd".

"Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost. And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you. Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall."

D&C 50:40-44

Love, Sister Burgon*

pix: S. Gray made it back to Nottingham...

 amazing picture painted with toothpicks!!!!

 The Crazy District...

#twinningiswinning :)

When your cute compie comp decides to wear a sweater on the HOTTEST day EVER!!!

Have a GREAT week!!!!

DID YOU THINK TO PRAY...FOR DONUTS?

Hello!! 

Happy Monday!! 

Hope you all had a great week! 

Thanks for all the emails and sweet comments:) 

ya'll are pretty great. 

This week was super fun. We started with exchanges in Greencastle with Sister Giles and Sister Smith. I LOVED being back in the country again-it's always fun and theirs nothing like those cornfields :) haha. There was a MASSIVE storm that day, and a huge tree fell right on top of someone's parked van and smashed it. We decided to knock on their door and it was actually a really cool experience. The guy had a great attitude! Crazy what happens when you get to "find by accident" haha

On Wednesday as we met up with M_____ for his lesson, the Spanish elders were meeting for their district meeting. M_____ is El Salvadorian, and fluent in Spanish...and wanted to join their meeting...so we did! haha He got to get an inside look at a missionary meeting, and even contributed. It was awesome and he said he really enjoyed it. He even kept their commitment to find people to teach haha go M_____. Later that week we got to teach him and B____ together about Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy...I swear they were teaching us. I love these recent converts so much!

We got an awesome opportunity to help one of the elders investigators, H___, at institute. She had so many genuine questions and kept getting reallyyyy excited about what we were learning. It was just really exciting to me and I LOVED her excitement for the gospel. It make me feel like that too H___!!:)

One morning I woke up, to find a big "18" on the wall made of 18 pictures of my whole mission. Okay 1. I LOVE MY COMPANION. 2...SINCE WHEN HAVE I BEEN OUT THAT LONG? The rest of the day was filled with realllyyy strange interactions, getting bashed and rejected, finding no one to teach and STILL having the greatest day ever. And I was able to reflect about just how much I love being a missionary, and how grateful I am that I will always get to be a missionary. And how wonderful the past 18 months have been. Everything good that has come, has not come by me...that is for certain...so I am so grateful! And Heavenly Father sent us a grace moment, we got to help two struggling ladies-right before we were about to head home- and just like He always does, He sends little reminders of His love, and that He is totally aware. 

STORY TIME. We were driving to attend a baptism, when all the sudden the craving comes...BAM...for...donuts. No joke. I told Sister Gray and she agreed and jokingly said that she was going to say a prayer for donuts. WELL GUESS WHAT WAS AT THE BAPTISM....You betcha. Donuts. We laughed and laughed and laughed. But yet again...I promise, Heavenly Father hears every prayer and cares about all our little things too. It was a great reminder, that if He cares that much, are we asking him for things we need? Are we counseling with him in all our doings? "Did you think to pray?" :) Thanks Pops, Love ya too! 

God loves you. He also loves those around you....so hey, go lend a helping hand:) I promise it will make you happier than ever to serve those around you. :) and what goes around comes around. 

AH gotta run, but hey you rock! xoxo

Love, Sister Burgon*

[ R E M E M B E R ]

Helllllllooooooooo:) 

Hope you all had an awesome 4th of July...my British companion and I had a fun time going all out for this semi-ironic holiday...considering the circumstances...haha Love my comp...she has some Murica pride-Go Sista Gray!  Our branch President even had us over for Fish 'n Chips, and we got to drive through the cities fireworks on our ride home-t'was a holiday well spent.

A big highlight for me this week was going on exchanges with Sister Womack. This is her first transfer on the mission and she is a KILLER MISSIONARY. There's truly nothing like being companions with new missionaries...even if its only for a day. She has such a powerful spirit and testimony and we got to teach a lot of people together on campus! SO FUN!! We talked about the fact that now we are here serving, it's important to find our reason to stay. It was our goal for the day, and Heavenly Father surely answered our prayers. Just being with her made me remember so many memories throughout the course of my mission, and it was such a tender mercy from the spirit to touch my heart with. I LOVE MY MISSION. Truly nothing- N O T H I N G like it.  happy day :) 

We also got to have interviews with President Carlson whom I just love!!! He's the best and it is always so good to talk to him and receive guidance, council, and encouragement from him. The next day was MLC...which surprisingly, we got asked to give a training at!! We trained on How to be Effective "Planners"...and talked about how to use every element of our planner to help in the work. T'was fun- and Heavenly Father sure sends inspiration when you seek it :) 

As we've been meeting met with the recent converts in this area, I've been so incredibly touched at their stories-their testimonies, and hearing first hand how the Lord has worked with them side-by-side in their life. And how the Gospel truly brings happiness. It is a testimony builder to ME-I sure know that God is aware of each and every one of us, and He has a perfect plan. 

We've been trying to use our dinner appointments more effectively by inviting people-investigators, recent converts, less actives etc, to come and its COOOOL!! This week an awesome YSA invited a friend she works with, and we got to have the neatest experience talking to her about/reading from the Book of Mormon. Crazy how powerful that can be-it just is a reflection of how truly inspired it is:) And we might get to meet up with her again-wooooot.

This week, as a part of our transfer goal to "See Christ in Me", we've been studying/strengthening our FAITH. It's sure cool to see what a difference having a "faith-filled attitude" can make, and then seeing God's hand totally take over when we ACT on that faith. With both, miracles just come rolling on in. I also appreciate the time of the "trial of our faith", I feel like this is totally necessary, and when I personally learn and grow the most. Thank goodness Heavenly Father is there the whole time, regardless. Helaman 5:47

LOVE YA- KEEP SMILING

Love, Sister Burgon*

Pix: with a few missionaries at Interviews

My life goal!!! 

Have a great week!!!!

FISHERS OF MEN....

I've always loved the idea of being "fishers of men"...but this week they found a body in the White River...right after we figured out that our random surprise-visitors at church last Sunday were actually wanted and on a homicide watch...then fishers of men took on a new meaning to me....too soon?...you're right, it was bad, sorry. 

HEY EVERYONE:) 

We had a grrrrrrreat week! 

We got to go on exchanges with Sister Burton and Forseth. I got to be with thee lovely Sister Forseth again, and there is NEVER a dull moment when we go on exchange together. These Sisters are incredible. When we were tracting, we passed an apartment complex that looked totally empty, like no one was home, BUT I had a prompting to knock a certain door...so we did. A sweet young mom, A_____, opens up, just super happy with thee CUTEST kids. We got to have an amazing conversation about how families can be together forever with the priesthood authority. She wanted us to come back for a lesson and lunch next week. As we left she told the kids, "can you remember their names? They're going to come back to visit!!". It was just incredible because we originally thought that no one was home! Heavenly Father teaches me again and again that you truly can't judge a book by its cover :) and thank goodness He does.

This week in our lesson with M_____, we learned about the Plan of Salvation, and the reaccuring theme of missionary work throughout every phase of the plan. He was happy to tell us that he had been a missionary to some friends that asked him about his religion and his faith. He said it was easy to explain because he believes it!!!! SO COOL. GO FUTURE ELDER M_____!!

exciting news...dun da daaaa!!! I finished reading the Book of Mormon again!! I just love that book so much!! I took Moroni's promise to "read, pray, ask God, and then know" if it is true. Although I felt the truth of it throughout the book as I read, I was excited to receive yet another confirmation from Heavenly Father. I asked in prayer, then later found my answer in a scripture that I was randomly lead to. It simply said, "you know that they are true". And at that moment of pure simplicity, the spirit touched my heart and I couldn't deny that I had received my confirmation to my question in prayer. I KNOW THAT THE BOOK OF MORMON IS THE WORD OF GOD. And I sure know that God answers us in powerfully simple ways. 

This tender moment became SUPER special later that day during a lesson. We were teaching a guy for the second time. He had some skepticism about the Book of Mormon and modern prophets, so we invited him to go home and to try it out for himself; to read the Book of Mormon and pray and see what he thought. He came back and said that he felt that the Book of Mormon was false after reading only one chapter of it. The experience that I had just had, came into my mind and my heart was touched. I knew it was true. With all my heart I knew it. We were able to share with him that we know it, and the spirit was extremely strong. These are the moments I will never forget. 

"Behold, I have manifested unto you, by my Spirit in many instances, that the things which you have written are true; wherefore you know that they are true." D&C 18:2

Love, Sister Burgon*

ps: B____ GOT BAPTIZED YAY

PIX: INDY beauty!!!!! (and one more of the crime scene)

Have a steller 4th of July y'all!!!!!!