Just Grandpa Burr checkin in from Xalisco. All is well here on my end.
Mom I already got the package, I think. It was a package full of
candy, garments and pants? Good thing they got here when they did
because my pants are about done. They are paper thin and have holes in
the back. So good thing I got a few new pairs. Thanks mom. Also that
is sad about the deaths of the people that have died. The good thing
is that death is not the end. Thanks to the amazing plan of salvation
we will see our family members after this life. And what is up with
Brandon and his wife going bowling?? They just got married and Brandon
wanted to bowl? Unless there was a bowling alley in their hotel room
that sounds like the most stupid idea. I bet you are all worn out
after playing with the grandkids all day every day. I miss those kids
alot. the kids here just dont quite match up. The kids here play with
trompos, swear words and fighting cocks. Yes the rooster fights. This
week was a successful week. On monday we found a family of 6 that we
are hoping to baptize this weekend. I will need your prayers to make
that happen. They all went to church yesterday and they seem to be
pretty excited for their baptism. We found them in the boonies living
with a less active. Turns out the less active didnt go to church but
the people that arent members went. Members here are lame at times but
its all good. We also had a zone conference on tuesday that was really
good. We talked about how the mission work is better with members and
how to work better with the members. We have been working with them
alot this week and hope to see results this week. Oh tight story. We
hauled all of our investigators to church in a motor home of a
neighbor that is not member and wants nothing to do with us. I learned
in that moment that the Lord will always prepare the way so we can
accomplish what He has commanded us. It was an awesome answer to the
prayers of a few humble servants of the Lord. Well other that that
this week has just been another one out here on the mission. I love
every second of it. Cant believe I am almost 21... Just gotta sit it
out or something because that blows my mind. I love you all and hope
you have a great week and a great ash wednesday. It you want a
catholic to put a cross on your forehead with the ashes of burned
stuff feel free to come down here to mexico! Keep on keepin on and
stuff.
Elder Burr
Monday, February 20, 2012
Matt's email 2/18/2012
Well I'm glad the 3 ward dance went well... For some reason I don't
think I will be attending those activities, but I'm sure you both had
a BLAST! I sure hope that you were able to dance with dad... I am sure
that it has been a LONG time since you have done that...
To answer one of the questions you asked, no I have not talked to Emma
in a very long time. I think it has been close to a year, but that's
sad that she had to break up with her boyfriend... I guess I will be
praying for her so that she can feel better and find someone even
better! That's crazy that Carissa is getting married... I thought that
she would already have a kid by now, but it looks like I was wrong!
When is she getting hitched?
This past week was just a blast. I left with Elder Jacobs on Monday
and we hit the road for Villa Mercedes. We got there and early that
day the entire city had been flooded so I am sure you can imagine the
heat, humidity and the mosquitos that were all pestering me. It was
quite the experience. On Tuesday we went to the district meetings in
the morning then I went out with one of the zone leaders to an area
called Justo Daract. The area is pretty close to the border of Cordoba
and it is a beautiful little city full of a bunch of grumpy old men. I
have never been rejected so badly as I was there, but it was all an
amazing learning experience. I honestly felt like every time I opened
my mouth to talk to someone, the automatic punching glove came out and
hit me in the teeth. It was an amazing experience to be able to
testify to these people about the truthfulness of this Gospel and
invite many of them to repentence, just as Abinadi had done with King
Noah. Even though I was being rejected, I still felt that my purpose
was being achieved, and that brought me great happiness. There are so
many stories that I wish I could write right now, but I am afraid they
are all going to have to wait until a further time because they are
going to be a lot better in person.
I am happy that all is going well in your life. I love you a lot. You
are the greatest mother in the world!
Elder Burr
think I will be attending those activities, but I'm sure you both had
a BLAST! I sure hope that you were able to dance with dad... I am sure
that it has been a LONG time since you have done that...
To answer one of the questions you asked, no I have not talked to Emma
in a very long time. I think it has been close to a year, but that's
sad that she had to break up with her boyfriend... I guess I will be
praying for her so that she can feel better and find someone even
better! That's crazy that Carissa is getting married... I thought that
she would already have a kid by now, but it looks like I was wrong!
When is she getting hitched?
This past week was just a blast. I left with Elder Jacobs on Monday
and we hit the road for Villa Mercedes. We got there and early that
day the entire city had been flooded so I am sure you can imagine the
heat, humidity and the mosquitos that were all pestering me. It was
quite the experience. On Tuesday we went to the district meetings in
the morning then I went out with one of the zone leaders to an area
called Justo Daract. The area is pretty close to the border of Cordoba
and it is a beautiful little city full of a bunch of grumpy old men. I
have never been rejected so badly as I was there, but it was all an
amazing learning experience. I honestly felt like every time I opened
my mouth to talk to someone, the automatic punching glove came out and
hit me in the teeth. It was an amazing experience to be able to
testify to these people about the truthfulness of this Gospel and
invite many of them to repentence, just as Abinadi had done with King
Noah. Even though I was being rejected, I still felt that my purpose
was being achieved, and that brought me great happiness. There are so
many stories that I wish I could write right now, but I am afraid they
are all going to have to wait until a further time because they are
going to be a lot better in person.
I am happy that all is going well in your life. I love you a lot. You
are the greatest mother in the world!
Elder Burr
Monday, February 6, 2012
Marc's email 2/6/2012
Well another week has come and gone and it went pretty well. We were
able to baptize who people, Amira and her daughter Claudia. It was a
weird situation because we taught them because Amira works in the
laundry place by our house so everyday we were going with her but she
doesnt live in our area so the baptism counted for the older elders.
Pretty much we gave a baptism away as a little gift. It was awesome
though and we are hoping for some more baptisms this weekend and every
other weekend in February. We are working hard so hopefully it all
works out. Elder Janssen and I are getting along really well. He also
likes to work and walk fast so we are just out here getting it done.
The only bad part are some of the Elders in my district. They just
dont seem to want to be obedient. Dad said it is incredible to see so
many returned missionaries fall into the temptation. After seeing so
many missionaries I think it is safe to say these missionaries were
the missionaries that slept in, went to the movies, stayed out past
12, just chilled with the members, etc. It is sad to see so many
missionaries just throw their mission away. This week I will be doing
several divisions trying to recuperate what we had last change. Last
change we were the district of the change and this change, with the
new elders, has not started out so great. We will see what we can do.
Also that is good that the family is going to be there in the house.
Gotta play some call of duty and sit hard. Meanwhile I will be out
here in the service of my Lord. I have grown to love this work. I have
grown to love the people here. Most of all I have learned how to love
my God. That is what I cherish most, the ability I have now to show
Him my love and devotion. I love you all and am grateful for all of
your prayers and thoughts. Mom and Dad I love you. Family, keep it
real and stuff. Shea yes I got the back hair chart and it is looking
pretty accurate up until now. Thanks! Well I am out, got stuff to do.
Elder Burr
able to baptize who people, Amira and her daughter Claudia. It was a
weird situation because we taught them because Amira works in the
laundry place by our house so everyday we were going with her but she
doesnt live in our area so the baptism counted for the older elders.
Pretty much we gave a baptism away as a little gift. It was awesome
though and we are hoping for some more baptisms this weekend and every
other weekend in February. We are working hard so hopefully it all
works out. Elder Janssen and I are getting along really well. He also
likes to work and walk fast so we are just out here getting it done.
The only bad part are some of the Elders in my district. They just
dont seem to want to be obedient. Dad said it is incredible to see so
many returned missionaries fall into the temptation. After seeing so
many missionaries I think it is safe to say these missionaries were
the missionaries that slept in, went to the movies, stayed out past
12, just chilled with the members, etc. It is sad to see so many
missionaries just throw their mission away. This week I will be doing
several divisions trying to recuperate what we had last change. Last
change we were the district of the change and this change, with the
new elders, has not started out so great. We will see what we can do.
Also that is good that the family is going to be there in the house.
Gotta play some call of duty and sit hard. Meanwhile I will be out
here in the service of my Lord. I have grown to love this work. I have
grown to love the people here. Most of all I have learned how to love
my God. That is what I cherish most, the ability I have now to show
Him my love and devotion. I love you all and am grateful for all of
your prayers and thoughts. Mom and Dad I love you. Family, keep it
real and stuff. Shea yes I got the back hair chart and it is looking
pretty accurate up until now. Thanks! Well I am out, got stuff to do.
Elder Burr
Matt's email 2/4/2012
Well another week has come and gone and I have been left wondering where in the world it went. We started last Monday at about 9 in the morning and didn´t stop until last night at 10 at night. It was a week jam packed with stuff and little of it had to do with investigators which was something that made me sad. I feel that sometimes the investigators that we have slip lower and lower on the priority level as our weeks are filled with conferences and training meetings and planning meetings and all that stuff, but I have felt that the Lord has given me strength in my times of trials and has directed my actions towards Him.
This week Elder Menocal and I were able to receive the new assistant, Elder Jacobs. He is a great missionary and I feel privileged to be able to be with him as his companion and help him learn the ropes around here. These next few weeks we will be around travelling with him throughout the mission and working with the zone leaders and helping close off some baptisms. It is going to be an incredible transfer and we will be baptizing a fair share in our area, which makes the work only that much better.
Today as I was studying the Book of Mormon I read something that I absolutely loved and taught me a ton about Nephi and his character. I was reading in Chapters 31-33 in 2nd Nephi when Nephi was talking about why Jesus Christ was baptized. This chapter is one of the most used chapters in missionary work but there was something that really caught my attention. In a few different occasions Nephi quotes words from the Father and then he quotes words from the Son. First of all, that must have been a HUGE spiritual experience for Nephi. To hear the voice of both the Father and the Son as they testified of each other. That would have been an amazing experience for him. Nephi then concluded his teaching of the doctrine of Christ and then said that the Spirit stopped his utterance. Nephi, being obedient, quit talking and then invited his people to pray. This story applies so much to the missionary work. There have been so many times where I have been in lessons with my companion and we have been talking about baptism and we have been inviting people to be baptized and the people struggle against the Spirit. Once we see that the person is not going to accept the baptismal invitation we always end up leaving them with the commitment to pray. It was the exact same model the Nephi used and it works like a charm. Nephi is an incredible example of a fantastic missionary.
On Thursday we had the opportunity to be with the zone leaders and teach them a little bit about what it takes to ¨Mark the Path.¨ It was great being able to plan for it but what made it even better was the video we used of the Blue Angels and how there is always someone calling the shots and organizing the formation. We related this to the role of a zone leader and how they are the companionship in the zone that calls the shots and guides the formation. It is hard to explain in an email, but it turned out great. We were able to have a great meeting with them and they all left excited to work which is a big mission complete.
I´m sorry this email is all over the place, but I hope you were able to get the point. I am super excited for this week to come and for the opportunity to go out and work with the zone leaders. It is going to be a great experience.
Well not much else to report on the battlefield. I´m still loving life and having a blast out here. I love preaching the Gospel to the Argentine people. It is an amazing experience and it has changed my life forever. I know that this is the work of salvation. It is more than just baptizing converts, it is strengthening the infrastructure of the full and true Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love it!
Love,
Elder Burr
This week Elder Menocal and I were able to receive the new assistant, Elder Jacobs. He is a great missionary and I feel privileged to be able to be with him as his companion and help him learn the ropes around here. These next few weeks we will be around travelling with him throughout the mission and working with the zone leaders and helping close off some baptisms. It is going to be an incredible transfer and we will be baptizing a fair share in our area, which makes the work only that much better.
Today as I was studying the Book of Mormon I read something that I absolutely loved and taught me a ton about Nephi and his character. I was reading in Chapters 31-33 in 2nd Nephi when Nephi was talking about why Jesus Christ was baptized. This chapter is one of the most used chapters in missionary work but there was something that really caught my attention. In a few different occasions Nephi quotes words from the Father and then he quotes words from the Son. First of all, that must have been a HUGE spiritual experience for Nephi. To hear the voice of both the Father and the Son as they testified of each other. That would have been an amazing experience for him. Nephi then concluded his teaching of the doctrine of Christ and then said that the Spirit stopped his utterance. Nephi, being obedient, quit talking and then invited his people to pray. This story applies so much to the missionary work. There have been so many times where I have been in lessons with my companion and we have been talking about baptism and we have been inviting people to be baptized and the people struggle against the Spirit. Once we see that the person is not going to accept the baptismal invitation we always end up leaving them with the commitment to pray. It was the exact same model the Nephi used and it works like a charm. Nephi is an incredible example of a fantastic missionary.
On Thursday we had the opportunity to be with the zone leaders and teach them a little bit about what it takes to ¨Mark the Path.¨ It was great being able to plan for it but what made it even better was the video we used of the Blue Angels and how there is always someone calling the shots and organizing the formation. We related this to the role of a zone leader and how they are the companionship in the zone that calls the shots and guides the formation. It is hard to explain in an email, but it turned out great. We were able to have a great meeting with them and they all left excited to work which is a big mission complete.
I´m sorry this email is all over the place, but I hope you were able to get the point. I am super excited for this week to come and for the opportunity to go out and work with the zone leaders. It is going to be a great experience.
Well not much else to report on the battlefield. I´m still loving life and having a blast out here. I love preaching the Gospel to the Argentine people. It is an amazing experience and it has changed my life forever. I know that this is the work of salvation. It is more than just baptizing converts, it is strengthening the infrastructure of the full and true Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love it!
Love,
Elder Burr
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Marc's email 1/30/2012
Alright well another quick email to you, Mom and family. Haha it
sounds like Quade is slowly letting out our secrets ha. Dad those four
points you said in your email I often find myself asking the same
questions. I still have not found the answers. I know that Lord
protected me so I would be here doing His work. It is amazing out here
though. This week we had the opportunity to teach 60 lessons to less
actives and investigators. It was really an incredible week. I have
come to realize that when one gives everything they have to the Lord,
He takes out lives, abilities, and everything we have and works
miracles. This week and month I have been trying to sanctify myself
and I challenge all of you to study the theme and work on it. It comes
when one is willing to give everything to the Lord and always do His
will. It requires repentance, faith, and a conscious effort but as a
result we see miracles. This week we were able to bring the light of
the Gospel to many people who had lost the vision of the eternal life.
People who are alone, who have lost family members and also people who
reject us and curse us. It all comes in the scrirtures. The promises
are being fulfilled and I have the blessing to be one of the Lords
tools here in Xalisco. I absolutely love it. Next week I hope to have
more time to fill you in with more details but who knows. The work is
moving along at an incredible pace. Mom to answer your question.. my
shoes I have now are fine! They will hold up I promise. My pants
however will not. So I hope you got that package off. But as for me I
am loving it. Dont worry about me I am just submerged in the work of
the Lord.
Elder Burr
sounds like Quade is slowly letting out our secrets ha. Dad those four
points you said in your email I often find myself asking the same
questions. I still have not found the answers. I know that Lord
protected me so I would be here doing His work. It is amazing out here
though. This week we had the opportunity to teach 60 lessons to less
actives and investigators. It was really an incredible week. I have
come to realize that when one gives everything they have to the Lord,
He takes out lives, abilities, and everything we have and works
miracles. This week and month I have been trying to sanctify myself
and I challenge all of you to study the theme and work on it. It comes
when one is willing to give everything to the Lord and always do His
will. It requires repentance, faith, and a conscious effort but as a
result we see miracles. This week we were able to bring the light of
the Gospel to many people who had lost the vision of the eternal life.
People who are alone, who have lost family members and also people who
reject us and curse us. It all comes in the scrirtures. The promises
are being fulfilled and I have the blessing to be one of the Lords
tools here in Xalisco. I absolutely love it. Next week I hope to have
more time to fill you in with more details but who knows. The work is
moving along at an incredible pace. Mom to answer your question.. my
shoes I have now are fine! They will hold up I promise. My pants
however will not. So I hope you got that package off. But as for me I
am loving it. Dont worry about me I am just submerged in the work of
the Lord.
Elder Burr
Matt's email 1/28/2012
It was great to hear that all is well and that everyone is home from the land of eternal happiness in Hawaii. Now back to work right??
This past week, on Tuesday, we ended with the last of 11 zone conferences. It was a huge relief to be done but I had a blast being able to participate in it. Elder Menocal taught about how to begin teaching, seeing how the first few moments are so important in the progress of any investigator. We were also able to create a plan of action in the mission of how we are going to be able to baptize two people per month per companionship.. We were so blessed as we could put our minds together with the Lord and President and come up with ideas. We were able to reteach the plan 5-5-5, talk a lot more about references, explain retention and support President with his talk he gave on working with all our heart might mind and strength. As we were advancing with the zone conferences and learning about the principle of giving 100% to the Lord I realized just how true the principle of line upon line, precept upon precept really is. I was able to think a lot about the beginning of my mission and remember how my 100% in many ways is not the same as it is now. With added knowledge and capacity, our 100% is continually growing. That is one of the many reasons I feel blessed to be where I am now. I have the opportunity to go out with many missionaries and help them increase their 100% more rapidly. I would have killed to be able to go out in my first few transfers with an assistant and see what it was that he had to show me and in what ways I could do better. That was an opportunity that I never really had. For that reason I am excited to stay and work even more with the amazing missionaries that are here. I am humbled everytime I am with them and can feel their spirit and just the energy that they have to work. That is something that pushes me to become better each and every day.
After the zone conferences ended, we stayed up in Chimbas and spent the rest of the week with the missionaries up there. I was able to go out with a missionary from Peru and work in his area. It was a great experience. The goal of the exchange was to get permission from a mom for the daughter to get baptized, but sadly, we were unable to find the parents. We were able, however, to teach an amazing lesson with an 18 year old kid who is incredible and he then passed us a reference of a family with 16 children... We went and contacted the reference and the dad made us walk right in. This family was great. Then on Thurday I went with one of the zone leaders to another area to help get things ready for a few baptisms that they were going to have and we were only able to find one of the 2 people that were getting baptized. That was a bummer, but it was a great opportunity to show the elder that I was with that we are all the same and that we have citas fall too. Whenever I am doing exchanges, the missionaries always expect that everything goes perfectly, just because they are with me, but one thing that is hard for them to understand is that we all have the same calling. I am just a common missionary like everyone else who loves serving the Lord and depends on His hand to help me out in times of need. I know that my own strength is weak, but when I depend on Him, I am able to see miracles.
This next week coming up is going to be crazy. Another first week of the transfer with all the fun that comes with it! I love this work. I know this church is true. It is impossible that a church progresses so quickly and so perfectly unless it were guided by God from the heavens. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary. It is the best calling I have ever had and probably ever will have. I love you!
Elder Burr
This past week, on Tuesday, we ended with the last of 11 zone conferences. It was a huge relief to be done but I had a blast being able to participate in it. Elder Menocal taught about how to begin teaching, seeing how the first few moments are so important in the progress of any investigator. We were also able to create a plan of action in the mission of how we are going to be able to baptize two people per month per companionship.. We were so blessed as we could put our minds together with the Lord and President and come up with ideas. We were able to reteach the plan 5-5-5, talk a lot more about references, explain retention and support President with his talk he gave on working with all our heart might mind and strength. As we were advancing with the zone conferences and learning about the principle of giving 100% to the Lord I realized just how true the principle of line upon line, precept upon precept really is. I was able to think a lot about the beginning of my mission and remember how my 100% in many ways is not the same as it is now. With added knowledge and capacity, our 100% is continually growing. That is one of the many reasons I feel blessed to be where I am now. I have the opportunity to go out with many missionaries and help them increase their 100% more rapidly. I would have killed to be able to go out in my first few transfers with an assistant and see what it was that he had to show me and in what ways I could do better. That was an opportunity that I never really had. For that reason I am excited to stay and work even more with the amazing missionaries that are here. I am humbled everytime I am with them and can feel their spirit and just the energy that they have to work. That is something that pushes me to become better each and every day.
After the zone conferences ended, we stayed up in Chimbas and spent the rest of the week with the missionaries up there. I was able to go out with a missionary from Peru and work in his area. It was a great experience. The goal of the exchange was to get permission from a mom for the daughter to get baptized, but sadly, we were unable to find the parents. We were able, however, to teach an amazing lesson with an 18 year old kid who is incredible and he then passed us a reference of a family with 16 children... We went and contacted the reference and the dad made us walk right in. This family was great. Then on Thurday I went with one of the zone leaders to another area to help get things ready for a few baptisms that they were going to have and we were only able to find one of the 2 people that were getting baptized. That was a bummer, but it was a great opportunity to show the elder that I was with that we are all the same and that we have citas fall too. Whenever I am doing exchanges, the missionaries always expect that everything goes perfectly, just because they are with me, but one thing that is hard for them to understand is that we all have the same calling. I am just a common missionary like everyone else who loves serving the Lord and depends on His hand to help me out in times of need. I know that my own strength is weak, but when I depend on Him, I am able to see miracles.
This next week coming up is going to be crazy. Another first week of the transfer with all the fun that comes with it! I love this work. I know this church is true. It is impossible that a church progresses so quickly and so perfectly unless it were guided by God from the heavens. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary. It is the best calling I have ever had and probably ever will have. I love you!
Elder Burr
Marc's email 1/30/2012
It sounds like the welcome home wasnt so good? It is pretty good weather here. It is a little warmer than it has been but it feels good. At least the house isnt a freezer anymore. Something about cement houses makes them about fifty degrees cooler. It is a dream though. This week was an unreal week. It was unreal because we had a concilo with all of the leaders and the spirit in that room was incredible. I dont doubt that the veil in that room was the thinnest I have ever felt it in my life. I dont even know how to explain it but it was incredible. It made me realize, with more convincing power that my Heavenly Father lives and He loves me. He has forgiven me of all of my past sins and He is allowing me to move on. I love Him with all of my heart. The work here is moving. Elder Janssen and I get along really well. He is from West Jordan and is seriouly like 6'5. It is good walking around with another american though. Well I really dont have much time cause we have some appointment right now but I am glad everything is well with you guys. Mom as for the shoes just dont worry about them. The ones I have righ now will last the rest of the mission. Also I am pretty sure my pants are like 38.. In mr mac they have a paper with all of the measurements. I also got the christmas package. Thanks mom!! It is so tight. Well family you are the best keep my area in your prayers! I love you all
Elder Burr
Elder Burr
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