Marc's email 3/28/2011

Alright so this week I will start out by talking about what has happened this past week. We ended up going to the families house and there are 9 people in that family that are capable of baptism. We will definately be working on that family to get them to their Heavenly Father. Four of them have a baptismal date for this weekend but I wouldnt be surprised if they all want to get baptized together with a few more weeks. They came to church and are really interested in the Plan of Salvation. A few months ago I made a little map thing of the Plan and that has become my primary weapon. When the people see what the Lord has in plan for them and read scriptures to back it up, they cant deny the fact that they have to get baptized like the Savior. Also this message is proof the the Restauration of the Gospel and of everything that I am teaching to the people. And also if the reject the baptism, they will always know that they had been given the chance to accept it and because of the blindness of their hearts, they rejected the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.
I remember the life of Jesus Christ. He was the Son of God. He lived a life without sin and He came here with the sole intent to save us. What did the people do to Him? They rejected Him, They laughed at Him, they scorned Him and disrespected Him and in the end He was crucified. One of His final phrases was, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do". As a representative of Him, it is required of me to do what He did. I am here in Mexico to bring the knowledge of the Salvation to others. As I do this they will treat me how they treated Him. And I must forgive all. From what President wrote today, I might be getting changed and moved up to mayor companion. I will let you know next week about that. Anyway it sounds like you are all doing well. The family is happy and doing what they want. I pray for you all and hope the best for everyone of you. Thank you for the support and prayers. You wouldnt believe the affect your prayers have out here so thank you. I love you all.
Elder Burr

Matt's email 3/28/2011

This week has definitely been one of those weeks when you wonder if it is ever going to end. Elder Barra and I decided that we were going to study Patience, as the Christ like attribute of the week, and let´s just say it might have been inspired. It was definitely a week that tried the patience that I have acquired here on the mission. It seemed like everything we had going for us fell through, but for that very reason God has given us another week that is going to be full of miracles. Just a quick little story of how interesting the mission can get:
So Friday was just one of those days, you know, those days that is just one of those days. Not incredible, but also not terrible. I was doing divisions with one of the district leaders and we were doing baptismal interviews for some people in our area. The afternoon went by super quick and before we knew it, it was time to be in the last interview. It was with Olga, the mother of Nahuel. We entered and to our surprise she looked pretty distrought. She told us that she didn´t feel ready to be baptized. The felt that it was a very sacred decision that she was going to take and she wanted to be more than sure about it. that´s ok.. We like that as missionaries. I decided that it would help her if we retaught her the plan of salvation and it was an awesome charla. So, filled with the Spirit, we left her house to finish the labors of the day. It was dark and we had about 45 minutes before we had to be in the pench. We turned the corner and to our surprise we found 2 men, dressed well, in pin striped suits, standing out back of the casino. We thought they would be great candidates for an open the mouth. We opened the mouth with them and they seemed pretty nice. Very educated and very formal. As we were sharing a little about the church one of them asked us if we wanted un laboro. We told him we were ok and kept talking. Then the other dude, you know, the fat short guy that always follows around the tall skinny guy, told us that they were working. I asked them what they were doing and he told us selling girls... I almost laughed, but then realized that he was serious. We met the pimps of Alvear. Ha ha these two men are the most corrupt men I have ever seen and I hope to never talk to them again.
So pretty cool story huh? Yeah that is just a little taste of one of the crazy things that can happen in 3 minutes in the life of a missionary. I love it though and it makes me happy to know that every day I get to share the Gospel with someone that really needs it. I love you all back there and hope you have a great conference weekend. Thanks for the package mom. It was legit and the ties are incredible. I love them. And I already ate all the popcorn... Oops. Anyway have a great day!
Elder Burr

Matt's email 3/22/2011

Well hellooo out there! Sorry you are getting this email a little late, but yesterday we had interviews with President and Sister Lindahl in San Rafael so we didn´t have time to hit up internet, but all is good here in Alvear. I was thoroughly surprised when I found out that Chris Maughan will be coming here to Mendoza. I will be asking President if he can put in the good word so that I can be his trainer. I don´t know when he gets here, but I doubt he will get here before President leaves...That´s just too bad, but it´s all good. They are all called of God right? That´s one thing I love about President Lindahl. If we have something that we want to do, as long as it is a benefit for the mission, he will always take it into consideration. It is one of the greatest aspects a man can have.
As for the work this week. Yeah it was just amazing. On Wednesday night, while walking out to one of the furthest parts in the area, we had the impression that we needed to go knock a door. It was a house that I have passed 200 times, but we felt that he had to knock it. As we approached the door we noticed a kid that looked like one of those punks that doesnt do anything good with his life. He had a cigarette in his hand and seemed like he was about 90% out of it. We asked him if there was anything we could do to help him and he said he wanted to get rid of his addiction to the drugs. We shared a little message with him and told him we would return on Saturday. When we returned on Saturday, we found out that he had been carried up to San Juan to go to some boys ranch deal up there, but moments before entering the car he had the pamphlet in his hand and said that he wanted to return to talk to us. His 19 year old brother told us that he was waiting for us, but he will be back. It was just an awesome experience. To make a long story short, the 19 year old is now listening to us and also wants to get baptized. It´s just a miracle.
That´s about all I got. I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week. Thanks for the prayers and support. Mom, thanks for the package and the ties... Greatest birthday present ever. I love you!
Love Elder Burr

Marc's email 3/21/2011

Well we had our baptism this weekend and it was awesome. The hermana was sick so we thought she wouldnt want to do it but she pulled through and got baptized on saturday. One this that I have learned here is that mom would fit right in. EVery meeting that should start at 4 starts at like 430 so it is almost impossible to be late. Just kidding mom. Also you would think that the people would have ambition to work but the just have ambition to follow in their traditions of their parents and stay in the Catholic church. It is difficult at times but then again so rewarding when you actually find somebody who wants to be taught. This sunday we had a family of 5 walk into the church and said they wanted to see what it was like. They said they felt comfortable and we are going to their house tomorrow to see what is up with that. The Lord works in His own ways and they will always be a mystery to us. As I have seen this change, the first weeks were meant for me to learn patience and these last two weeks will be for reaping the fruits of our labor. I cant imagine a place that teaches more patience and humility than the mission. Every day we wake up knowing we will just get doors shut and rejected. That is the brutal truth but it is amazing how much character that builds. The second you think about being prideful or impatient or anything of the sort, you get reminded really quickly about who you really are. The best way to live the life I think is just submit to the will of the Lord. As we do this, we have faith that He is guiding us and we will do the things He wants. The second that we want to do something without His power, we are lost and forced to do it on our own. In the end, this method doesnt work out. We have been sent to this earth the do the will of the Father. That is what I have learned this week out here in the good ole mission field. It sounds like everything back there is just the same. Dad is going here and there, mom is apparently inspector gadget now days? The iPhone and all? Still with Verizon or what? That is sad about Lilli but it will all work out for the better. Jordan Reese is getting married now? Wow what is the world thinking? Why cant everybody just take a second to sit itt out and breathe for a second or two. In a year and a half I will have to come back and teach the world how to sit. Well I hope the best for all of you, may the Lord be with you in everything that you do. Until the next week, Elder Burr is out. I will be walking and sweating in the sweltering heat dont you even worry about me. I love you all.
Elder Burr

Marc's email 3/14/2011

Well family it is just me writing once again from Villa Hidalgo. I hope this past week was good for all of you and I hope you all returned home safely and are enjoying life. It sounds like Mom, Dad, Heather, Shea and kids had fun in Disneyworld. I remember a year ago Dad and I were tearing up the rollercoasters just us two. It was also senior day for the high schools and Dad and I were just chillin. Also how met is Japan and the Middle East? I dont hear much of the worldly news here but I sure hope the world isnt ending, I still have things I have to do when I get home. And what is up with David Tuttle? He just left the Church or what? That is odd to me. Jonny boy Barlow is getting married? I never knew that he knew how to talk to girls.. That is good though. LP took state again in basketball? And what is up with this family I belong to? I thought they were more reliable than this but have they just forgotten about their boy out here in Mexico? Anyway a little bit about my area. It is small, we can walk the whole area in a day. The roads for the most part are all dirt and rocks that make it hard on the feet. My shower has moved from a bucket to a cold shower head. I wash all of my clothes by hand on a wash board and eat beans and tortillas. My comp is still femi and my bed that I sleep on has a huge hole in the middle. The people here are mostly Catholic and lazy. You ask them why they arent willing to change and they straight up say because they are lazy and it requires too much work.. They are about as met as anything that ever was. Everybody works in the surrounding fields and every morning there are trucks with their beds completely full of Mexicans going to work. It is a sweet area and I love it. I would rather be here than in the city that is for sure. The Branch here is small but there are several awesome members. In attendance every week there are about 40 people. It is weird seeing it like this but the members here have stronger testimonies than I had ever seen in a Ward or Stake. This week we had a zone conference where we learned more about our purpose and how we can more fully understand it. My President is strict and straight forward. We are here to baptize and nothing else. He is always telling us to repent and commit people to baptize. The conference was good though. This week we had the chance to put two dates for this weekend and the next. This weekend is a lady named Dalia and the hardest part is her family. Her family tells her that the church isnt true and she needs to stay in the church she is in. I ask for your prayers so she can get baptized. The other is an old guy named Priciliano and he is just old and realizes that without a baptism he cant enter the Kingdom of God. I will let you all know how it turns out with them. Also the 12 of every month the people here celebrate the day of the Virgin and it is just an excuse to drink and dance. I dont get how people worship an idol even though it is a commandment not to.. It doesnt make sense to me. Anyway that is about it for this week. I know this church is true and every trial and challenge that we have been given has been given to learn. We will never be given something we cant handle and the Lord is always willing to help. Christ lives and He is the Savior of us all. Only throught Him can we be saved. He paid the price for our sins, our life is not free. Always be grateful for Him and what He did. I love you all thank you all for everything.
Elder Burr

Matt's email 3/14/2011

First of all I have to apologized for not sending a very detailed email last week. What happened is that we were in Mendoza for a leadership meeting and all the zone leaders got together to play soccer and so I had to bounce off the computer early, but I want all of you to know that I am doing great and I am as happy as ever.
I have gained my testimony about garments... finally. I don´t know if this story is appropriate over blog, but I am going to tell it anyway. On Monday, Elder Barra and I were walking in one of his old areas in Mendoza visiting one of the members there. As we were walking past a house with a ¨rod iron¨ fence, a huge german shepherd go kill them dogs, decided it would be a good idea to bite me. At first I was just startled, then I realized what had actually happened. I looked down at my suit pants and saw that he had ripped them. I then put my hand in my pocket and realized that he ripped my pocket as well. Later that night, while I was changing, I noticed that the stupid dog had ripped my garments as well, but my skin was untouched. It was just stunned when I saw it. I was sure I was going to see tooth marks of something like that, because the dog was out to kill, but there was absolutely nothing. It was an awesome experience and I realized the power and the blessings that come along with being endowed from on high.
Other than that, I cant remember any more cool stories. This week Elder Barra and I worked like slaves, but it definitely paid off. We had the chance to do divisions almost every day with people from the ward and that was a trip to say the least. Those who have served missions will know how it is doing divisions with members... It is just hard to tell sometimes what they are going to say, and sometimes they end up blowing it, but it´s all good. They all have to learn sometime that when you explain the pre existence, you never have to saw there was a war. It was fun though and helped me progress a lot.
I am glad to hear that all is well in the house. It is going to be weird having family all over the country, but it´s what God wants. I know that God blesses His children. I know that He is always ready to hear from us and His signal is never busy. I love you all and wish you all a very great week!!
Love
Elder Burr

Marc's email 3/7/2011

Another day and another dollar out here in Villa Hidalgo. It sounds like all is well over there in Florida. Hearing all of the stories about Mike makes me remember when we pulled up to the drive thru at Jack in the Box and when the lady asked how we were, Mike leaned over and said¨"We are good, we are in a deully" That was when King Ranch and I were chillin getting chicks. But it sounds like fun, it seems like three months ago when Dad and I flew back there and we went to the Bahamas. I dont understand how the time is going by so fast but it sure is. How are Ben and Olivia holding up there in DC. Do they like living in the East or what? Also How is the family? I wouldnt know because apparently they are too busy to write their boy. Heather and Shea are good but other than that I dont hear much. Cameron hasnt written once since I started this adventure. That kid is blowing it. Where are they going to live down there and what are they going to do when it is 110 degrees? Also how are the kids, have Cam and Coop put in practice what I taught them? I know I am not a man of many talents but those talents that I do have I am willing to share. Well a little bit about me. Today I got the Valentines package that you sent and that was awesome so thank you everybody. This last week was a good one, we spent a lot of time touching doors and searching for "the chosen ones" but it seems as though a lot of them are still hiding. Dont you worry though I will find them and they will be baptized. I might need those night vision goggles but whatever it costs they will be found. It is like searching for Bin Laden. Speaking of him, has anybody found him? He is probably the culprit to all of the wickedness here in Mexico so while I am here I will search for him and if I find him, he will be baptized. Elder Quiroz is a little girly, he said he has always wanted a pony and takes almost 45 minuts to get ready but yeah I have learned to just accept him. Believe it or not I have learned to accept everyone and be nicer. The things that this mission has taught me so far are incredible. It has taught me the importance of having faith in the Lord. Having faith and the attitude of " I will go and I will do". That is one thing I have become a strong believer of. I will come to Mexico and in every area I will do the will of the Lord. I will knock where He wants me to knock and I will say what He wants said. This week I was prompted to tell a Pastor that the only people who had any authority here to baptize the people were my companion and I. He didnt take it well but the truth is the truth. I know that God lives and Jesus Christ is my brother. Like a brother, He is always willing to help me when I seek Him. I hope the best for all of you every day. Enjoy living the dream. I love you all.
Elder Burr

Marc's email 2/28/2011

Well family its just your boy checking in another week here in the old mission field. It sounds like everything there is just moving right along. The family is bailing, the Jazz suck, the weather is bad, people are just met, zoobies are as met as ever, just how I left it. How did Ben and Olivia like my country? From what I have heard, Puerto Vallerta is pretty cool. Did they like hearing spanish everywhere they went? Mom and Dad traveling again? You guys havent stayed home longer than a week since I left. When are you going to visit the beautiful country of Mexico? Heather and Shea are also part of the traveling group huh? Sounds like life is hard there. Dad that is awesome that you got the job there in Colorada. What happened did Columbia Basin get their feelings hurt or did they just realize that they arent cut out for the work? Anyway I hope you have fun in Florida. Elder Quiroz and I just put in another weeks worth of work here in Hidalgo. We had our baptismal date fall through cause his mom wouldnt give him permission to be baptized. For my birthday we didnt really do anything different. Because I am in the new area I really dont know the people yet so nobody knew it was my birthday. The one family that knew gave me 25 enchiladas and a bowl of pasole. That was good except for the fact that I had to eat it all right there and that is the most food I have ever eaten in my life. Other than that I bought myself a chili covered sucker to celebrate. Also mom today I bought a hair cutter because I am just going to buzz my head instead of have this mop that I have growing right now. More about the week. We taught a pastor this week from the pentacostal church. I forgot what it is in english I think its that? But anyway we taught him for a while and pointed out where his church it wrong. He kept telling us that he has the gift of tongues and all of this stuff so after a while I got bored and let my comp talk. He likes to fight like that and get no where so I let him fight for a little bit before we bounced. We also went into a adventist church yesterday and we left a note asking the pastor if we could share a short message. We figured that Christ taught in other synagogues so why cant we? It will be interesting to see how that turns out. We also found a man who told us he couldnt shake our hands cause he was in the work of the Lord and the spirit said not to shake our hands. He then went on to prophesy about things to come. Later we asked him who he was and he couldnt respond. I am conviced he was possessed by Satan so once again we left. Overall this week was awesome. We continue to move the work forward and even though at times it is hard, I have the Lord with me always. It is in the hard times where He shows me that He loves me. It is the hard times where I feel His love. Not a day goes by where I doubt He exists and He loves each and every one of us. Thank you all for everything I love you all.
Elder Burr

Matt's email 2/28/2011

So first and foremost, Saturday was one of the greatest birthdays I have
ever celebrated. First, I spent it with 3 people from 3 different countries,
second I spent it here in Mendoza, Agentina, third, I finally left those
dreaded teenage years, fourth my homies hooked me up with some cake and an
asado, fifth it was a great way to end a great week, sixth Elder Sierra
threw my face in the cake, seventh... I could keep going but I don´t want
you all to get jealous over there. It was awesome though and what made it
even better is that it was just another day here in the mission field. I
didn´t feel any different and I didn´t let it distract me. It was just an
awesome day of hard work down here in the ARG. It is weird to say that I am
20 years old, in fact I don´t like it at all, but it is what it is.
Other than the birthday, this week was super good. On Tuesday one of the
traveling assistants came down to do divisions with some of the elders in
the zone. I got to work with him on Thursday, and let´s just say it was
difficult. He doens´t really fit into the work ethic that Elder Benitez and
I have created down here. He came in thinking that he was a hot shot, but
showed nothing. Then to my surprise I got a phone call from President
informing me that he, Elder Barra, was going to be my new companion...
President basically told me good luck and I will see you in 6 weeks. It is
awesome to know that President trusts me enough to give me a companion that
has almost been sent home 3 times, but then again I don´t really know how I
feel about it all. It is going to be a great transfer even if I have to go
out and work alone. There is a lot of work to do here in Alvear, and I
promised the Lord that I was going to work my hardest and that is what I
will do. I´m sure these next few emails will be full of great surprises.
About the whole packages... I am sure they have all arrived. The only bummer
is that I am 6 hours away from Mendoza and packages don´t have feet to walk
down here. We have interviews the 13 so they should be bringing them down
then. I will let you know.
This week Nahuel blew my mind... Again. This kid is seriously a stud. He is
one of the greatest friends in my life and I will definitely be kicking it
with him again... If not in this life, in the life to come. This week he
pretty much told us that his whole family wants to get baptized. His mom is
super stoked, his 2 younger brothers are exited, his brother and sister in
law are reading the Book of Mormon and his other sister said she was going
to pray about it. The only bummer is the dad. He is a wine bibber. He gets
drunk all the time and makes up rumors about Nahuel´s mom and if she starts
coming to church she is afraid that he will make up more stories and get
mad, so we are fighting with that right now. She know that it is the true
church, but she just has a hard time putting her husband on the back seat...
Good thing God is a God of miracles right?
Anyways that´s about all I got. I hope you all enjoyed my birthday cake... I
love you all and wish you the best!!
Elder Burr