Roller Coaster Week

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.............. my sanity!

 

It's been a roller coaster of a week. We have seen far more miracles than anything, but it's been crazy! So we had an amazing FHE at Bro. Gates home with Tyler and his sister. We watched "Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration" The one shown in the Joseph Smith memorial building. It was amazing! Not only did it help Tyler understand the story of Joseph a little better, it increased my testimony so much! I'm my daddy's son, I balled in front of everyone! It was a powerful experience! After that experience, Bro. Gates thanked me for the opportunity to host the FHE then he asked me to be his escort through the temple! It was amazing! I'm a little nervous to be an escort, but I'm soooo excited for him! He goes through for the first time next Saturday. I have truly come feel like a little brother to this man. HE is getting married October 25th and I have also been invited to that sealing!

 

Next miracle: Martha, She is a next door neighbor to a member. She is wanting to quit smoking and so she asked the member if the "elders of her church" could give her a blessing. We sure did! We gave her more than just a blessing! We gave her an opportunity to come to Jesus, through learning of the Restoration. She is accepting and open. We are very excited! After that lesson we went to a members home for dinner, and they had invited a friend over top hear the first discussion. He is probably one of the most prepared individuals I've ever met on my mission! He has studied almost every religion and read all holy books except the Book of Mormon. Which he is reading now! It was awesome to tangibly see the cogs all fit together for him. It was so apparent on his countenance! It was great! He stopped us mid lesson and said "I've learned something" (we were teaching of the apostasy) He said "So Jesus' church was lost in it's entirety, and it is now again on the earth as the Latter-Day Saints, It makes sense. I've always wondered what happened to Christ's original church." I couldn't contain myself any longer! I just started smiling and getting all giddy! I don't know how many times I told him how awesome and amazing he was! We invited him to be baptized, but he gave a sincere response that he would like to receive more knowledge and read more before he committed. He understands the magnitude of baptism and isn't taking it lightly. So of course we settled with a soft commitment.

 

Next miracle: A recent convert's daughter just turned 8 and is getting baptized! They came to us wanting know how to put together a program. It was cute. He has the priesthood and will baptize her! It's awesome!

 

I got to go to the temple Friday night with another recent convert. We did baptisms for her parents, and daughter. It was beautiful! Elder Buhler and I actually got to go and do initiatorys beforehand. that was an awesome experience!

 

So this past week I did exchanges with the Zone Leaders and man was that tough. Satan was working pretty hard that day. We had some great lessons and committed some okies to be baptized and all, but I was attacked with an unrelenting barrage of critical thoughts. It was a very depressing day. I don't know what it was. It may have been me subconsciously fretting teaching with my leader, or not wanting to be judged or something. I don't know. All I know is it was horrible. I broke down. Lots of tissues used. I just kind of vented out to my leader. I shared the struggles of my mission, what I've always been worried about etc. What really stressed me out was the next morning I had to train my district. How could an emotional mess train? Well I have a testimony of prayer! He somehow made it possible for me to give a decent training. Then that night we attended the temple and I've never looked back. It's like it has never happened. I have gained a stronger testimony of the temple. I don't think it's going to be possible to live in the world today without attending the temple as frequently as possible! It was much needed!

 

Well I love you all, the weather hasn't been too crazy in OKC. We have gotten some earthquakes, all the Okies talk about these earthquakes like they are more devastating than the tornadoes they have. It's quite amusing. I'd take an earthquake over a tornado anyday!

 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham 

 

 

This is the OKC 2nd ward Quad at "Pops", there are thousands of different flavors of Sodas and Bro. Lusk took us.