Tracting and tired

That was a really long letter to read, but I enjoyed it! I'm glad you were able to have such a wonderful time! Y'all did a great job of keeping me from this knowledge of the cruise. Sara is the one that spilled the beans last week! I'm glad to see Sara writing more. I really do enjoy getting emails from my family. This week has been a trying week. We have had lots of appointments fall through, and we have resorted to a lot of tracting. We have done our best to fill up our time with meaningful activities, but every time we tried to be creative and clever a road block was thrown in our way. So we finally took a hint from God and went door to door. We didn't find much success that way either. But the Lord will always provide. We had 3 awesome miracles pop up out of nowhere. One kid ran up to us while we were walking last P-day and asked for a prayer and how he can get baptized. Oh boy did we get excited about that! We told him we MIGHT be able to help him out with that! :) We also had a member introduce us to his son-in-law who told us he wants to be baptized, but to keep it on the down low, because it's going to be a surprise for his wife. He is going to take the lessons secretly and attend church on base then on the day of his baptism he will ask her to meet him at the church and he is going to be dressed in all white! It's going to be sweet! Then the third is a Part-member family that has truly been prepared by the Lord! They have no nasty habits! They are a young family, and the father(member) wants to get back into church, he hasn't been in years. It's going to be great to see this family united through his act under the priesthood.

 

So I was talking with President the other day and he volunteered some info to me. He basically told me that this will be my last area, and that I have been here to clean up the army base. Apparently this special opportunity has been taken very lightly and has become sloppy. He wants me to go in straighten things up and report on the situation. He told me that Ft. Sill has been affecting the missionaries pretty bad, and quite a few of them have been having what he called mental breakdowns. He did a dang good job at peaking my interest, and I have to wait 3 more weeks to even begin my position on base. I am interested to find out how I can learn and grow from this situation. I also found out that Ft. Sill apparently isn't part of the Oklahoma Oklahoma City Mission. I guess all military bases are separate and under the head military relation guy in Salt Lake or wherever he is. So I guess that means I'm serving in 2 missions just like Sean! Coolio!

 

Well I'm feeling old! I have never experienced this kind of fatigue in my life! Sometimes I don't know how it's even possible that I continue to move. It's truly a miracle. 

 

I'm super excited for Conference! I love Conference so much! 

 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Good Uncle/Elder Ryan

Dearest Mother,

I'm glad you had lots of opportunity to play with the little people. I miss them. I wish we would have random people show up at our building! We did have one of our investigators come though! He has been coming regularly for the past month, but is struggling to understand the need for a second baptism under proper authority. humph. We started a stop smoking workshop with him and we are excited to see his end results! This man could use all the prayers in the world right now! Good for Brianne! Now if she would just write me :) I thought I told Sara to stay away from boys! I love treats! especially chocolate! :) We have a whopping 3 youth! WOOT WOOT!! Its crazy over here on Wednesdays! Only one of them is active though. We are in the process of reactivating the others. The one who is active is named Sophia Landers and she is the model that Disney used to draw lilo for lilo and stitch. Crazy right? The whole branch here could use boosts! Have the babes confound the wise and learned! I have not run into any Futrells. I was told by another missionary that he thinks he might have met some in the Chickasha area. But who knows. Nope no new leadership! :( I finally got fed up and threw a temper-tantrum! I called Pres. Walkenhorst and told him all that was going on (or the lack there of) he told me he would be calling the stake president to discuss of branch in depth. So Elder B2 might have become a thorn in some peoples sides! I like it! ;) muahahaha. I love you all so very much!

 As for my little Repunzel, I love you a whole bunch! I have a picture of you right next to my desk so every morning I see you and your brother and sisters faces! It makes me super happy every time I look at it! You are getting to be super cute, smart, and big! I hope you have the bestest bithday ever! Have grandpa give you a big ol' kiss for me! Then give your baby sister a kiss for me too! I love you!

Uncle Ryan.

I mean Elder Burnham(B2)

Not a Second Wasted. :)

GOOD WEEK??

I guess I will start off with the questions;

So my companion and I are the "Post Missionaries." That is what we have been called to. However, we still cover part of the Lawton 1st ward. So due to weird circumstances and technicalities one missionary from the (each of the) four companionship's go onto base on Sundays to teach. They do not teach with a companion. So in the morning Elder Winterton, Sis. Law, Sis. Taylor, and I go to the stake center. We hang around for the other wards correlation meeting and first half of sacrament meeting. Sis. Law and I then leave sacrament and head to correlation with our ward mission leader, which we just got a new one, and then to P.E.C or Ward Council. We then go to sacrament meeting together and wait for our companions to get back from Ft. Sill. They usually show up during the second hour. So the missionary who goes to "post" is the missionary who has been in Lawton longer. So since I was transferred to Lawton I am the ward missionary and E. Holbrook is the "Post missionary." Once E. Holbrook leaves I will then serve on base. E. Holbrook has been in lawton for 6 months so I can expect to be on base next transfer.

So apparently being from Modesto California is not an okay thing. It's been rather weird and hard on us as missionaries. I've had my fair share of odd opposition, but being neglected and avoided because of geographic location is a new one. Honestly, one member told me that we are not to call him to come out with us, because I'm from Modesto and he will avoid me like Eboli, or whatever that plague is that's going around. 

The man from the Library did show up again, and I found out his true intent. He is a pastor who just graduated seminary and was just looking for a bash session. He kept saying things like "I forgot my material", "I should have brought my notes." "I left the big guns in the car." I just quietly bore testimony then jumped on the computer. It was ridiculous. He wanted to show me some film from YouTube that shows some Apologia Pastor bashing with Elders, then discuss it with him. I told him no, and it was probably one of the funniest reactions yet. He was so caught off guard. It took all I had not to laugh. Anywho. That is a no go. 

Thanks for the reminder about Claire.

So this last Tuesday we had a mission conference with Elder Foster of the 2nd quorum of the 70. It was awesome! What was great was he asked to speak with all the District Leaders specifically. It was a wonderful experience to literally sit at the feet of a general authority and council with him on how to further our Heavenly Father's vision! I received some great instruction and how to be a facilitator of action and growth. I'm so excited to implement it! Tomorrow we have Zone Conference. We received a letter from President Walkenhorst stating that I-pads will be here before the end of the year.

Not a second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham


MORE from RYAN

Either the best or the ones who talk a lot and tend to dominate teaching situations ;) Maybe a combination of both. Elder Winterton is an elder in the other ward. Lawton 2nd. He and sister Taylor become companions until their companions return. I'm not entirely sure, I think it has very little to do with security, but we do know that that is going to be improved with all (the recent) middle east stuff. I think it is more along the lines of being informed and working closely with church leaders. If both missionaries went relations would be more slim than they already are. It's just all weird to me. I feel disobedient, but I've also received confirmation from President that this is the way it works best. It's a weird situation. Ft. Sill is also the highest baptizing area in the mission. We had four 2 weeks ago, 1 yesterday and 5 more scheduled for next week. BUT, Apparently it's not considered part of our mission. I guess each military base is it's own mission. Our numbers are reported separately than all others. It's a major morale boost area :) hahaha. Elder Holbrook travels with the other three missionaries that go to "post" another elder and 2 sisters. 

I don't know about Modesto. It's the weirdest thing ever. It was depressing the first minute I heard it all, now it just makes me laugh and amazes me. They talk a lot about Lacy Peterson, and gang violence. 

New Area

402 NW Sheridan Rd. #503

Lawton, OK 73505

I don't have much time to write, because I was just about to sign on when a man asked me not to and to sit down with him. Well I was able to teach the restoration, and right as I was thinking it was going well, he gave me a look that I have seen many times. He then pulled out a packet of anti material that was absolutely ridiculous! It frightened me a little, how someone who I had felt inspired to invite to be baptized could have such a 180 degree flip and contend so harshly. I am so glad the Spirit was there. I realized that the Lord allowed me to teach a powerful lesson not necessarily for him to feel, but for me to know that God was with me and would sustain me. And he did! I have never had a bash session go so well. I don't if I can say that, but that's how I feel. My companion was already on the computer so I was a lone soldier, but I had the companionship of the Spirit. I love the Gospel. I love the book of Mormon. The man, left promising me he would read the Book of Mormon and study it. He said he was going to "pick it apart" but hey at least he will be reading it. This may be an opportunity. I was committed by him to read some chapters from the NT and to watch some you tube videos. You know, sometimes I love not being able to watch videos ;) Well, Lawton is great! I'm enjoying the hard work we have in front of us. So I have not been hitting it off well with the members, which has never happened. This area has some interesting things in store for Elder Burnham, I just know it! My companion is great. We get a long really well. We sometimes get along to well. We have to tone down our fun sometimes. The whole "The right time and place" concept. :) His name is E. Hollbrook. He's from Pacen, UT. My district needs to be unified, so that is my main focus right now. We need to build areas up! Thanks for taking care of all the logistics. I appreciate it! So I'm not actually teaching on base. My companion does and I'm a companion with a Sister for Sundays, it's really weird! I'll try to explain next week, when I have more time. For now, just know that it's approved by President. I'm in a bike area. I'll probably end my mission here as well.

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Transfer: Lawton OK

Well, I'll just get to the good stuff. Yes, I am getting transferred. I am headed down to serve on an Army base. I'm headed to Lawton OK. The base is Ft. Sill. I am still a district leader. I have been one for over a year now. There is only one other elder who has been a district leader as long as me, and he came out one transfer before me. I enjoy the leadership service, and the opportunity I have to work so closely with missionaries, but preparing a training for every Friday is getting to be not so fun. It envelops a lot of my studies during the week, so I don't get to study everything I want to. Frankly I think this will be my last area. I only have less than 6 months left and President has told the mission to expect to be in areas longer than usual. I will truly miss OKC! This has been the refining point of my mission! I feel I have family here! It is always hard to leave family!

 

Saturday was great! It was awesome having the perspective of the witnesses. Being able to sign there sealing document was a wonderful spiritual experience. I thought it was just going to be some paperwork, but when I realized what I was signing it hit me! This is eternal! As I sat in the sealing room at the head with the sealer I felt so honored. I had opportunity to contemplate my own eternal family. I love and miss y'all! I am so thankful for the covenant that you and dad performed with each other and Heavenly Father! I am thankful for the knowledge of being a forever family! It brings so much peace. I'm glad Utah has been a good experience! Sometimes I feel like I'm getting left behind with all these monumental check points in our family's lives, but then I remember I'm on a mission and I just smile and say, nah nah ne nah nah! This is the greatest experience thus far in my life! I am loving it! I wouldn't replace it for anything! I hope that doesn't disturb or offend any, but It's how I feel. Nothing could turn me from this course! I WILL finish strong! I will be obedient to Father's commission! It's tough, it's exhausting, it's painful! BUT, It's salvation, It's love, it's my family! They deserve my all! They deserve the spirit! They deserve a chance! One of the thoughts that keeps me going on hard days is this; There are a few conversations we can have after this life with our siblings. The first is: Thank you, thank you for bringing the gospel to my life. You kept your promise! OR, It can be the more painful, Why didn't you come to me? You promised you would come and find me! I was right there! If you would have just knocked one more door, or called one more person I would have been there willing! It motivates me! It helps me keep an eternal perspective on things! I re-realized that pride has been affecting me again, so I committed myself to always keep an eternal perspective! If I see others as God sees them, then I wont exalt myself above them! Rather, I will desire there exaltation above my own!

 

So I recently had an opportunity to have an interview with President Walkenhorst and he asked me a question that was very routine to him, but it helped me out a lot. He asked "what has the Spirit been teaching you Elder Burnham?" I thought about it and reflected a little, and I answered in a way I thought contrary to missionary work in general. I said "I have been taught to slow down." I realized I have been frantically trying to cram my days full with "good finding activities." because the realization of lack of time is setting in! I am scared of the reality of time flying! These two years are not enough! I remember praying for more energy to move quicker and do more! I was rebuked by the Spirit. I was taught in a simple way through studying the scriptures: D&C 61:3. I realized I couldn't work harder, I was working myself to death! I also can't work longer, we have a set schedule. All I can do is work smarter. I am beginning to comprehend the art of prioritizing. I have never really been proficient at this, and I am training myself to be so. It is too easy to stay busy doing good things. It is a whole different ball-game when it comes to being busy with the most effective activity. "Good, Better, Best!"

 

Well, I love you all! Thank you for the support and encouragement! I feel it every day!

 

P.S. I will be in a biking area again :/

 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Ford Burnham