Buhler's Day Off

I'm sorry for the sad letter last week! This week was great! I am now serving with Elder Buhler, and yes the movie is based off of his father. Crazy right? Well, he and I get along quite well. He's been out about 10 months now and is loving the mish! He is from Portland Oregon area. We have seen some great miracles this week! A recent convert who I helped baptize my first transfer here who went less active almost immediately, has committed to read the Book of Mormon with us. He admitted to me that the previous missionaries that were here before me pressured him into baptism. We are beginning the journey of conversion! Jonathan is a good kid, just very rebellious. He doesn't have a father figure in his life. In fact his father has been just the opposite of a hero. His parents have attempted to kill him when he was younger, he was blamed for their poor circumstances. He has major trust issues. I realized this more fully this weekend while remembering my own hero! My father. I know he can change is he allows his Heavenly Father back into his life. He has pushed all good influences out of his life! The second miracle is an investigator who has been in CA since my first transfer here is back and willing to meet again! He even gave a Book of Mormon to his cousin while in CA. Well, I love you all so very much! Thank you for all you do! Y'all have kept me going! Stay out of trouble!

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Hard to not think of Home

Well..................... This is awkward. I didn't think it would be weird. But I kind of feel........ weird. I don't know. I'm not gonna lie, this weekend was hard. But I knew what needed to be done so I dragged my companion behind me. He wasn't too happy with how hard I wanted to work this weekend. I think he finally understood when he caught me staring at my picture of the Oakland Temple. I was able to keep my mind off home by working, it's really the only cure for me. I was able to go help a Baptist preacher cut down a behemoth of a tree! It's massive. I didn't get any pictures because it was supposed to rain, but never did. We then biked more than I ever had in one day. I think that's what Elder McGlothlin didn't appreciate. We have ended our drought of no lessons. We found and taught a 17 year old kid named Tyler who is amazing! We taught him with Bro. Lusk and it went great! We taught the restoration and after we relayed the story of Joseph Smith his mother walked in. He asked her if she had ever heard the story of Joseph, she began to tell the story of Joseph in Egypt. He stopped her and said "NO not that one!" He then told the story of Joseph Smith in great detail! It was a beautiful moment! Never have I taught someone who comprehended and listened as intently as he did! He had questions that had been troubling his soul, that his preacher mother couldn't answer, that we answered from the Book of Mormon. He committed to reading and praying, and before we left he prayed very sincerely to know of the truth. It was a tender moment. Well, transfers are happening Wednesday. I have survived another one. I will be staying here. My companion is going to my first area, Ada. He's not too happy. I will be serving with Elder Bueller. The rumor is that the movie Ferris Bueller's day off is based on his father. We shall see. So since I have been doing a lot of biking, I think it's time fore a bike tune-up. Do you think I have enough money to pay for one? I believe it's about $50-$60 Unless there is a problem found, which there will be. My bike wont let me go to my highest gear. So I don't know the cost of that. Will you please make sure I have enough to pay for this? Thanks you're the bestest! Well, I love you all so very much! Thanks you for the prayers! I hope the family can relax a little now that all the "festivities" are over. Yes I did get the packages, I appreciate them soooo much!

Here's a picture of my district. (minus the zone leaders)

 

Need your Prayers!

Sounds like you had a full week! I wish I could say the same! The drought continues, but we are working harder than ever! We had an opportunity to have interviews with President and we received some great counsel! We were instructed to work more with the youth. It took me by surprise because, President knows our youth and knows they have no desire to work along side us. Obviously that's why we need to work with them! It was a "duh" moment for me! Also President told me that in the next 2 transfers we will be getting 6 new Zone Leaders, y'all should pray I don't become one. I don't want to leave this area! This is like home to me! I feel I a am able to do so much work here, I feel like my work isn't completed! But the Lord's ways are higher than my ways, the Lord's thoughts are higher than mine! So speaking of a package, Do I have permission to purchase a new camera, or would you send one out in the package? I am in need of one. I don't want to add anything to your list, so if you give me the go ahead I can do it out here. Well, I'm having the time of my life! I love the work! I love being dead-tired everyday! It's killing me, but it is reinforcing my knowledge that I'm not wasting a second of the Lord's time! It's been raining this past week, and I have a new found love! Drenched-Tracting! The rain has been warm, and we just go out and get soaked and talk to anyone and everyone! And we smile while we do it, because we know the Gospel is true! I love you all! Thank you for the prayers! Y'all are in mine as well!

 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham