Elder Ryan Burnham's Homecoming

 

Ryan is home! A happy family and an especially happy Mom! 

We are so proud of you and glad to have you back with us.

We hope you know how proud of you we all are!

BTW, love the shoelaces. That was my kids idea, so they can spot him coming down the escalator.

Elder Burnham

I just received Ryan's itinerary in the mail along with a letter from his mission president.  Although these letters are probably "form letters" there does seem to be a portion that is a sincere message from President Walkenhorst.  I thought I would share it with you...

"We cannot thank you enough for sharing your son with the people of the Oklahoma Oklahoma City Mission.  Elder Burnham has represented The Lord and your family extremely well.  He has been dedicated to The Lord's work and his Christ-like love has earned him many friends and admirers.  He is loved by all, especially by his companions.  He has been a wonderful example of a valiant servant of the Lord.  You have every right to be especially proud of his service."

 Elder Ryan Burnham will fly out of Oklahoma City, OK at 10:10am on Thursday, February 19, 2015.  He has a layover in Atlanta, GA for 3 hours.  Then he finally arrives at the San Francisco Airport at 6:38pm that evening.  WooHoo!!!  Happy Day!!! =)

Getting ready for his Return Home

This week has been a good one, A brother Turner that I have been teaching out on Ft. Sill was baptized! He is awesome! He came up to me 3 weeks ago (his first Sunday) and said he knew this was the truth and he wanted to be baptized that day. It was actually pretty hard to help him understand the requirement of attending 3 times and received all the missionary lessons. He endured and he finished them up and jumped into that freezing cold water! It was awesome! Next week there will be another one, who has had the same desire. Sis. Knight wanted to be baptized last week, but has to wait until next Sunday.

I'm glad to hear that Sara's celebration was so positive! I did receive a short email from her which shared her enthusiasm for her cereal and chocolate milk! She's so funny! I can't wait to make some mends and create some good memories with that not-so little girl!

My bike will be shipped off today. There shouldn't be anything else I will be sending home via mail.

So some last minute requests; What is Bishop Chapman's email? I haven't heard from him ever, and I was hoping I could get an idea on what it is he will have me speak on for my returning talk. I would like to prepare. Also, Dad needs to start prepping any and all firearms he currently has. Serving in Lawton has caused me to really miss those bad boys. Itchy fingers ya know ;) Just some things to look for, maybe speak with Dr. Tolboe. Would there be any volunteer positions open at the hospital. Or do you know of any short-term job openings. Are there any home projects that need to happen, or at the shop, or even at Jenni's house? I think my biggest fear is not having anything to do. So if there isn't anything you can think of, I'm sure I could come home, break something and then fix it :)

Did y'all get the picture Bro. Tucker sent you? I may or may not have forgotten your cell #.

Anywho, this week should be an exhausting one! Hold me accountable for it! I will work hard to the end! Once I hit Sunday my proselyting time hit's just about nothing. Sunday I will be on Post all day, then Monday is P-day and we have appointments with our WML who is like a brother to me. We will be having a last FHE with them. Then Tuesday is basically the same thing. It is booked full of appointments from members who want us over before I leave, I did get to setup an appointment with an investigator, so I don't feel too bad. I told all the members they have to do their best to invite a nonmember into their home for our last hoorah. We will see how effective I can make these last days!

I love you all! I'm excited to work with E. Gentry. Sounds like he has had a great impact on our ward! You will have to tell him and his companion that I will be at their disposal when I return! We are going to make his last transfer a fulfilling one as well!

NEVER a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Happy and NO regrets!

 Thank you!

I love you!

This week has been a great one! We were able to see two individuals enter into the covenant of baptism. However, it wasn't the two I had been earnestly praying and hoping for. Sis. Ray and Riebe felt they had not received a discernible answer to their prayers on baptism. It was one of the most painful things for me to hear. I had so much hope, and faith that God would prick their hearts. It was a hard pill to swallow. I was holding back tears when they told me. They asked what the matter was, but all I could do was tell them I love them, and so does God. I gave them each a letter addressed to Modesto, and told them they have no excuse not to write. I even put the stamps on! They graduate this Friday and both head to Ft. Hood out in Texas. It certainly was a growing experience. This is where I look up to God and say, "alright it's in your hands now. I did what I could, I wont give up on them, but It's yours." 

Jesse Martin was baptized, I will attach a picture of his baptism. He asked me to perform the baptism and E. Bueno to confirm him. It was a great experience. While drying off and changing he told me two things. He said "I feel clean. I've never felt this clean." and "I will never forget this day!" I just about started balling like a baby. It finally hit me, I have 3 weeks left. We don't have anyone else on date to be baptized. That means that Jesse was my last baptism! The requirements are 3 times at church before baptism. It was a blessing to be dressed in white with this changed man

It was great! He already has a calling lined up. He will be teaching Elders Quorum. In fact he told his wife who has been a member about a year now and she got all upset because she still hasn't received a calling. Jesse called the Bishop out there, and they are now going to get her a calling. He is so solid! It's amazing what truth can do for a life. He was strict Southern Baptist, who chased missionaries away for years. Well, his wife was fellowshipped by one of their great friends while Jesse was deployed to Korea. She in turn was baptized. Jesse came home a little disturbed by the change, but knew he needed to look into it, if for no other reason than to support his wife. He then was shortly transferred to Ft. Sill where he met us. Now he is preparing to enter the Holy Temple and be sealed to his wife and five year-old son. I love the man dearly! 

The other baptism was a soldier out on post. She is great! She has been worked on by God previous to coming to Ft. Sill. She said that she had always felt God pulling her towards the Mormon faith, but that she was scared to act. Her first week here she was approached and committed to baptism. the next week she came back and scared us all by saying her husband said he would rather her not.......... she then said, "But I told him it's what I'm going to do, so support me!" She was then baptized! The strength of the converted is amazing!

I love the Doctrine of Christ, I love the Atonement, I love truth and light, I love the Book of Mormon, and I love God!

I am happy! I have no regrets! I will finish strong!

NEVER a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Pictures

Pictures

Miracles are great

Miracles are great! In case you ever wondered. I finally received my flight itinerary in the mail this week. That was a hard day. I thought I would be able to handle all this coming home junk. It immobilized me for a good hour or so, so I called President and just said "Hey, I did not think this would happen, but it is, any advice?" He said something I did not expect, and something I completely expected. He said: "Elder Burnham it's coming, and you know it. If I knew how to prevent or fix these feelings it would have been done and you would be all happy and baptizing someone right now. It is natural and you just need to take some time to commune with your Father and work this out. Remember that working hard to the very end is the best and I know you will do it, so do it!" It was a very short phone call, it was all I needed. Just hearing the confidence of my President in me gave me the strength to get up and work. The rest of that day was amazing! We gave a few blessings and had a great correlation for Post. Since then, I have been happy and have accepted the inevitable. I am happy to come home. I am satisfied and fulfilled! I have no regrets! I am proud, and have received the assurance that God is proud as well!

We had another baptism on post this Sunday. He had been coming for 5 or so weeks, and he came up to me before Sacrament meeting started and told me he is ready to commit himself to God and be baptized. It was awesome! I also was able to invite two other soldiers that I have been working with to the baptism and they are praying for baptism this Sunday. I have been praying more earnestly than ever for these two soldiers. I feel a very odd connection to them. They are both women, and from completely different backgrounds. One is Sis. Ray 20 yrs old, from Georgia, married, a Jehovah's Witness, and has been homeless for most of her life, and joined the army. The other is Sis. Riebe she is 18 from Wisconsin, Catholic (but hates the Catholic church), lived in Spain for 2 years as a nanny, and joined the army reserve. All I know is I have truly come to see them as my sisters and I have this burning desire to help them to those waters. They Graduate this next Friday, so this Sunday is their last. I have been praying so hard that they receive the witness and then ACT! I know it may be more of "my will not thine" but I know it can happen. I know God wants it to happen. I wont give up on them! 

This Saturday Jesse, a man we have been working with since I got here, will be baptized. He has elected me to perform the baptism and Elder Bueno to confirm. It will be an amazing day! I'm super excited! 

We have interviews today with President, I'm a little nervous/excited to see what the final interview will be like. Unless he interviews us in the Mission home one last time. I don't know. I had a bunch of questions for him, but I felt the prompting of the Spirit to throw them all out and accept all counsel and to only ask what I am prompted to ask. 

Today is going to be a good day! I love you! I hope your day goes just as well!

NEVER a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Amazing 23 months

I love y'all! This week was long, but was capped off with a great Sabbath!

I'm glad you got my letter! It was a needed thing for me to write. If you could, I would love to keep a copy of the letter. I wrote about the experience in my journal, but I know it wasn't as in depth as that letter.

It has been an amazing 23 months! I am happy! I was pondering the fact that I have been a District leader for 18 months this week. At first I started to complain about the stress that it has generated, the trainings I've given, and the accountability expected of me. It seemed to me I was being punished or picked on by President. Then one of those "tender mercies" experiences occurred. I would have it no other way!

The lives the Lord has entrusted me with, the stress that pushed me forward when I felt like giving up, the opportunity to sit and counsel with great men and women. I've had opportunities to sit at the feet of General Authorities and be chastised by them! Isn't that great!? Who get's that opportunity? It was dang scary, but whom better to receive correction from?

So I came across a verse of scripture in my studies that fits perfectly how I feel about those lives I have touched or been in. It gave me comfort and it was another tender mercy from the Lord. Colossians 2:5-7. (5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.  6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:  7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.)

At Post this week we saw some great miracles! We had three new missionaries on post because of the crazy transfer cycle this go around. They were all shaking in their boots, because they had no idea what to expect. I just smiled! I did my best to prep them, but I knew that the best thing for them would be to go in and sink or swim. I knew Lord wouldn't let them sink, so I had no fears. They did remarkable! I taught the 3rd discussion which is generally the hardest. I had the opportunity to talk with 4 amazing non-members. One a Baptist, one a Catholic, one a Jehovah's Witness, and another a Methodist. The Baptist is preparing for Baptism for the 25th. The Methodist graduates Basic this week so he wont be baptized here, but he had such a great experience that during the Holiday Block Leave he took a Book of Mormon home to his family and taught them. They practically disowned him, but he defended the faith and will be looking for missionaries at his next station in Virginia! Then the other two are praying to know if this is the path God want's for them! They are all so amazing! I have never seen such a place like Ft. Sill! I've come to realize I have a little bit of separation anxiety when "my" soldiers graduate and move on. I truly come to love them!

Also, in a funny way, I've grown so much closer to both my Grandfathers! I can't explain it, but I have such a greater love and appreciation for them than I ever have! I am proud to be able to tell the soldiers I rub shoulder with, that my Grandfathers served as well! I don't always mention the branch, but that doesn't really matter. They all defend our rights and Constitution!

Well, I love you so very much! We are planning another baptism for the 24th for Jesse, then later that day I will be heading back to the City for a baptism of a girl I started teaching. I could not be more happy!

NEVER a Second Wasted,
Elder Ryan Burnham

Tired, Happy, Excited, Scared, Nervous, Anxious, Ready, Mormon

This week has been interesting. I have had many opportunities to counsel with the sisters in my district. Well, first off I should tell you that transfers are happening this Wednesday, but Elder Bueno and I are staying together. He will be killing me. This is my last transfer! That means 6 more weeks! Ok, back to the sisters. They were supposed to have a baptism this Sunday for a girl they have been working with for 5 months or so. We had setup a baptism interview for Friday evening. When 4:00 rolled around I and my ZL was waiting at the church to perform that. I was on exchanges so I was with one of my zone leaders. Well The sisters showed up and Kyla did not. Kyla is in a poor situation. She lives with another kid who is renting from her. He is in his 20's and so is she. He is very antagonistic and negative. He claims us to be a cult and all that nonsense. Well he has been the main obstacle for Kyla to overcome. It seemed like she had up until Friday night. They share a phone and the man, Robert, kept answering and telling the sisters to back off and stop calling. Which the sisters were getting to the point of pestering them out of desperation. Anyway, the baptism didn't happen and the sisters were heartbroken. They have really come to love Kyla and experienced for the first time the pain of bringing a beloved investigator, their sister to the waters of baptism and she decide last minute to jump ship. It rocked their worlds! So instead of interviewing Kyla I took those minutes to sit down and listen to these devastated sisters. It was a weird feeling to be the most senior missionary in the situation. I respect my ZL's, but they are younger. It was definitely a learning experience for him. He was lost, and had no clue how to work with sisters in distress. I have to say, if there is anything I have learned on my mission it is that women are a different breed and cannot be treated the same as an elder. All too often Elders whine and complain about sisters and their "needs". I just want to slap those fools! I wish I could grab them by the back of the neck and shake them! It blows my mind how Sisters are so degraded because the Elders are not willing to put in the effort to work with them. No matter how exhaustive it is! I'm not going to lie, I think the only thing more exhausting for me then working/counseling with sisters is attending the temple. It's just draining. Well, It all worked out and the sisters are on cloud nine and understand more of the atonement and charity. They never realized that what they were feeling was a small sample of what God feels. It was awesome to see the light come on. I pray that light will stay and they will be able to push through the next sure to come heartbreak! They are young sisters and are great missionaries! I have high hopes for them!

The package arrived perfect! Nothing was damaged. Thank you! It pains me to hear about Bryce and Mindy. I will certainly keep them in my prayers. I will be attending the temple the 13th and will place them on the prayer roll. 

I'm tired, I'm happy, I'm excited, I'm scared, I'm nervous, I'm anxious, I'm ready, and I'm a Mormon!

I'm glad your holidays were so great! I love ya, and I will be seeing you soon!

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Happy New Year

WOW,

I uh don't really know what to say. I have all kinds of mixed emotions! I think I will just stick with; I love my family so much! 

It was nice to get to talk with y'all! Sara sent me a picture of Christmas Eve pajamas, Sara is so big! Not cool! I'm not going to be able to pick on her as much! ;) Well Emailing after talking to you 5 days ago, isn't the easiest. 

Some area updates: The part-member family we have been working so hard with finally came to church! They had a great experience and will certainly be back! I also had to play bad guy and withhold candy from their 4 year old. It was so hard!!!!! I'm usually the one sneaking candy to the kids behind the parents back, but not only did the dad catch me, our ward mission leader caught me. They then said if he wants another mint he has to say please first. It was so hard for me! The little guy was crying telling his dad that he needed to say it for him. I'm a big sucker for the kids. I think it was because he reminded me so much of Landon. By the end of church he finally said please and got the mint. I was happy to give it to him! I know this is a long way off, but I can't wait for the day I have a little brat running around raising heck! I know I know, careful what you wish for, but we all know children bring the greatest happiness! 

There was supposed to be a baptism out in WA state, but due to some logistic things it was not able to happen. He gets back Wednesday and we will be planning his baptism for out here when he gets back. He's a good guy, I just wish he could have done it out there where family and friends are.

Yesterday we had dinner at the former Stake Presidents home, and we had some delicious brisket and chicken sandwiches. HOWEVER, I don't know what it was, but when I got home an hour or so later the toilet became my best friend. I was throwing up. This has been the roughest time of the mission (health wise) It is driving me crazy. I'm trying to recognize God's hand in it, but I'm not sure. Maybe he is trying to tell me something. I'm working on the deciphering. If you could send me a urimm and thummim that would do the trick ;) 

So a while back I told you about wanting to return in may for the sealing of the Wilsons. Well I was able to go back to the city for a civil wedding this last Saturday. While I was there I was able to see 3 of the sister missionaries that I served with while in OKC. They are all home now, but they came back. I had the opportunity to chat with them and we are thinking of doing a road trip out to OK for the sealing. I don't want to exclude the family, and I want to do what Brianne had the opportunity of doing with us in Michigan. There are peoples I want y'all to meet. I know it's in the future a ways, but before I forget I wanted to tell ya. 

I love you so much!

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Tough Week

This week has been tough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Bueno and I are doing very well. We are seeing so many miracles! However the night of the Christmas Conference I got sicker than a dog. I think one of the member was trying to kill me. I was out for 4 days! It drove me insane! BUT, I lost some weight and needed to put another hole in my belt! :) The Christmas Conference was full of great training about finding people to teach. Apparently the mission attitude about finding has become stinky. I haven't seen it in the districts I've served, but I guess these soldiers are just not getting out to work! President, and to instruct all leadership to encourage tracting! It caught me off guard. I also think it has a little bit to do with the He is the Gift initiative! It make Tracting so much more fun, festive, and non-intrusive. I love tracting actually! It's so exciting. You can always find some crazy person or story by just talking to everyone and knocking on random doors! I'm not gonna lie, talking with my black brothas is the best! I just always have a ball when I talk with them.

A Modesto Mission??????? Sweet!!! That's awesome! I'm so excited for that! You can't stop the stone cut without hands! 

I am glad you are keeping me up on Sean and Melissa, because he sure doesn't. I actually got Melissa's email from Sean, and I have written and heard from her once. She sounds very nice. All I know is that it can be tough to be out here, hearing all about these major family events and not being there to sit down with the family and jest about them. I'm missing the opportunity to be that typical little brother...... AHHHHHH I now see the big picture. Heavenly Father is occupying me here in this out of the world place so I can't harass and torment. Bummer. I guess I will have to make up for it when I return. ;)  I love the great love that comes from these emails! It always just makes me so happy for the family I have!

So for the Phone call, would 3:00 p.m your time work? 5:00 Oklahoma time?

let me know soon!

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Thanksgiving

I will make sure I send something for the newsletter. It may be a written letter though. I hope that's okay?

We haven't heard anything about skype, I think it all worked out for the mission, but we will see. Elder Bueno and I working through things. We are just completely different people besides the name tag, which I'm trying to let be the foundation of our relationship. We both are willing to work, but he keeps telling me that the way I do things is the wrong way. It gets me all flustered. I know what I need to do, and I'm doing all I can to work with him. I'm trying to keep a good attitude and do all I can to learn from him. I'm looking for any opportunity to serve him. I pray it works. I've been really studying meekness and how I can apply that characteristic. 

So with this new initiative...... Have you read your ensign? He is the gift! I'm soo excited for this! This is going to be a great opportunity to bring others to Christ! How will you share the gift? I expect all 9 of those pass along cards to be distributed!

Our Thanksgiving was decent. We were not allowed to proselyte on Thursday. We had a dinner with a family who has three sons who all have mental handicaps. The father is Italian and really loves to cook, and boy did he! We had so much food! It was fantastic! After that we got together as a district and played games and socialized. We had fun, but I felt like we were wasting time. So, I took some time to call just about everyone and wish them a happy Thanksgiving, and try to set up appointments. It wasn't too successful, but I felt like I was being productive. I got the gifts from Aunt Laurie and and loved them. One companionship didn't get anything from family for Thanksgiving so I actually re-gifted the basket. We also got a pie from the family we ate dinner with, so we went around to the companionship's in my district and doorbell ditched them. (Which is really hard to do on bikes, but we worked it out) We weren't found out! I'm a ninja! Just like that time I snuck up to Girls-Camp! ;) 

Other than that, it's been a week of meetings. We received some formal instruction on the He is the Gift initiative. If you don't hear from your missionaries this week, tell them I'm ashamed! This is something that needs to reach every home! They need to get on the ball and talk with all members, active and less active. This is a great tidal wave of goodness! If you don't hear from them soon invite them over to spend at least 15 minutes talking about it with y'all! Will you do that? This goes for all who read this email!

Well I love ya! I'm doing the best I can out here! There is a rumor that we may get a car soon. So if you want to pray for that, I would not be mad at all!

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

GROSS PICS!!!

We fed a spider a lizard. 

 

 My companion after working on his bike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Beau's infected knee. I think it's called Marsa. It's got gauze hangin out!

Hard Times

First off I feel terrible that you feel bad for your longer emails. I love receiving updates! I did not ever mean to come across as ungrateful for your descriptive letters. They are wonderful! This week was very unproductive. We have not been able to really see anyone! It's been very difficult. Those we have been teaching have all of  sudden gotten sick! It seems like everyone is getting sick around here! 

We had one very memorable lesson, We taught a lady named Melinda. She is Filipino. The language barrier is bad! Anyway, we found out why it's been so hard to get her and her husband in the same room. We set up an appointment and James will show up, then the next one just Melinda, and it goes back and forth! We finally sat down with Melinda and put the beef on the table! We found out that the reason she and James are married is because he got her pregnant when he was serving in Japan, and felt obligation to care for his child and the child's mother. They have no foundation, and barely understand/speak to each other. Apparently there was a pregnancy scare, and so when we showed up she was frantic and going all crazy Asian on us. She wanted us to do the abortion right there, she wanted us to get lawyers there, and she wanted us to basically kill James for her, so she doesn't have to deal with him anymore. It was crazy. In the end we convinced her to seek out the Army Chaplain and counsel with him. (Her husband is a major in the Army) She also agreed to meet with a marriage counselor. I was very glad our member was able to talk her through how marriages take work and faith. It was intense. After all of this we actually got her to pray, as a child. She repeated every word Bro. Melling said. Then she committed to read from her Tagalog and English Book of Mormon everyday! We are still waiting to see what happens. While all this was going on Sis. Melling was finishing up a Home Study so they can adopt two Russian girls. The Mellings are troopers! I'm going to make brownies or something for them!

Attached pics: Beau (Recent Convert) and Monica (Excommunicated Member)

Chad Bolton (Recent Convert)

 

 

 

Pictures from the City

Here's some pictures from the city. Aaron Gates, the man I escorted through the temple, and was a witness for his sealing.

 

 

Another Baptism

It has been another good week! We ended it with another baptism! We were teaching him in secret so his member wife would have a great surprise on the day of his baptism, but he couldn't hold out, he felt like he was deceiving his wife and told her two days before the baptism! Pansy! Just kidding! I thought that was very impressive he felt that way. They will have a long and happy marriage! 

I'm really bad with these picture things, I keep forgetting to bring my cable to get the pictures off the camera. I promise they will come soon.

Bro. Chavez...... Yeah he's a character. Elder Chavez was in my district when I served up in Ponca City. He kind of looked to me as a mentor because him and his trainer did not mesh too well. I did my best to turn him back to his trainer but at the time pride was a big factor in all parties. I also had many occasions to counsel with him about staying out in the mission field. He was belittled quite often by his trainer about being an 18 year old immature missionary. It started getting to him and he began to believe that he wasn't capable/worthy to serve. Those were some counseling sessions I never wanted, but will never forget! We grew to be good friends and he was the kid that will be wrestling collegiate. He is being looked at by Purdue. His father works for a company named Brute. They deal a lot with wrestling gear and since OSU has a pretty decent wrestling team he sent Elder Chavez and myself gear. I thanked him a lot, and told him it was very unnecessary but he insisted. I feel they think I did something a lot more spectacular than I did, I just helped him understand the atonement and Doctrine of Christ just little more. If I wasn't there someone else would have done the same. But I'm glad they see me as a friend. He kind of has become a little mission brother and I try and look out for the kid. He has a lot of potential, last time I chatted with him, he has trained, been a DL, and is now a Zone Leader! 

Well, I love ya! Look for a letter in the mail! Don't open it until Thanksgiving!

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham 

Saturday

This week has been great! I don't have much time due to Zone P-day and Zone conference today. 

This Saturday was the most fulfilling moment of the Mish yet! Saturday Morning like this

8:00- Breakfast on Post and Post missionary correlation

9:00- Exchange report with my Zone Leader

9:45- Head to the temple for Aaron Gates' sealing. (He is the member I escorted through the temple)

12:15- Sealing

12:45- Pictures

1:00- Head back to Lawton

3:00- Civil marriage for investigator

3:30- Baptism for same investigator

4:30- visit Less Active who just went through a nasty divorce and was thinking of committing suicide. But did not, because of the visit.

5:30- Ward Halloween party, tons of investigators and Less actives showed up! The attendance was around 300!!!!!!!!!!

7:30- joint ward correlation! 

8:30- Resolved conflict between a Zone Leader and a sister in my district. 

9:00- Plan

10:00- SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was great! This Saturday we have another baptism for a kid who has been keeping it from his member wife. The plan is on Saturday he and his father in law will leave early to the church and the mother in law will say they need to go to the church for the kids activity or whatever. When his wife walks in the church doors she will see him dressed in white ready to be baptized! It's going to be sweet! They have been married for 5 years and she has always wanted him to take the lessons, now he has and the change has been phenomenal! I love this man to death! He's Polynesian too!!!!! CRAZY! I love their family!

Yes I got the package. I actually gave some of the Almonds to Bro. Aaron Gates as a wedding gift ;) He said it was one of his favorites, because it's hard to eat diaper :) (I don't get this. Does anyone else?) I love him to death! He would fit right in with our family! But he is family just like you stated in your email! 

Well I love y'all! Stay out of too much trouble!

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

P.S. I forgot to tell Dad, that no we are not getting very much rain here in Lawton. We had one day that was pretty decent, but that's really it.

Hold on and Believe in Him

As I was reading this letter a quote from Elder D. Todd Christofferson popped into my mind. He said something along the lines of the definition of being a leader is: "Putting on public display your weaknesses and then working to overcome them." 

...

Life is just as crazy as ever. We had stake conference this weekend, and it was great! Our stake president is the man! He is super missionary minded and we are going to see great things happen! We had a missionary panel and I was to lead it out, because of the leadership position I'm in. It was so fun and helpful for us. We have gained so much trust with the members out here! We have a baptism this Saturday! He, Beau, is a true example of the Atonement working wonders in someone's life. He used to be a crack addict, alcoholic, chain smoker, gang-banger, and addicted to mountain dew. He has/had a bunch of tattoos and earrings. He is now preparing to be baptized, and get married to his girlfriend. The plan is that he will get the priesthood and then baptize his wife. His wife is an excommunicated member who is wanting to get back into the church. It's a great story! I'll send pictures next week!

I love you all so very much! I haven't received the package yet, but I will be looking for it. 

Just out of curiosity, do we have any relatives still in OK? Chickasha is an area for missionaries to serve in. I may be able to request it if I have non-member relatives still. ;) That would be sweet!

 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

"Be assured that if you but hold on, believe in Him, and remain faithful in keeping the commandments, one day you will experience for yourselves the promise revealed to the Apostle Paul: Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

Keep Praying for Me

First off. I love you!

I don't like it when you make me cry in the library! This letter was certainly full of emotion. Behind all the words typed, was a knowledge of the restored truths. Thank you for bearing your testimony. It strengthens me to hear how much my mother truly loves, understands, and trusts the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you.

I am so glad to hear about the wonderful temple experience. It took me back to when I escorted Aaron Gates, and when I was a witness for the Carrillos. I actually just received an email from Aaron Gates asking me to be his witness for his sealing. He was married civilly Saturday, so family could be a part. They will be sealed the 25th I believe. That is the 1 year mark of his brides baptism! I am so humbled and honored to participate in these monumental moments in the lives of my eternal family! There I go crying again! 

I am sad to hear of Bro. McCall's passing. That was a family who I had a funny indirect relationship with, but truly loved. They were always there to encourage and support. I will keep them in my prayers. Just curious, what are the Benjamin boys up to? I worry about the boys that I was in YM's with. I wish I could do more. I am always more and more impressed with my little sister! I love her so much! She is truly becoming a beautiful woman! I love being able to see her testimony bud and flower like it has! I miss her.

I am shocked about Tiffany. I will admit, in my last area, I remember having a very strong impression to reach out to her. I don't remember why I didn't act. I probably got busy with all the other affairs of mission life. It's no excuse. I will definitely write my testimony and attempt to restrict any preachyness. I would ask that you proof read it and ok it. I would love to be able to return home and resume the friendship I had with her previously. If there is anything else I can do to help let me know.

This week we found out about transfers and E. Holbrook and I are staying. This transfer will be a weird one. It will be only 5 weeks, due to the holiday season. The next one will be 7 weeks. It's weird to think of how little time I actually have. I have determined I don't want to become a stone cold missionary who kills himself the last 2 or so transfers because of fear. I am going to enjoy and make these last months the best! I have accepted the end, and I am embracing it as well as I can. I am pretty sure I will die a DL so that should help out a lot. We are still seeing success. We have stake conference this weekend, a baptism in 2 weeks, then 3 baptisms the 1st of Nov. We sure are busy.

I love you all! Keep praying for me, I need it! 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Wonderful Conference Weekend

Our weekend was definitely wonderful! We are seeing so many miracles! I'm so thankful for the Lord's hand in all this! 

So the fatigue, I feel its probably a combination of both. I just feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish a sufficient amount of work. I definitely have rededicated myself to exercising more effectively. And I've been doing pretty well with keeping that up. However, I do feel I am not doing enough. I told my companion we will start running in the morning, but he has been fighting a cold and now I am getting one. I will see how much this sickness will let me do (exercise wise). I definitely haven't been eating very healthily. I don't eat out, but out here in biking areas, It's just so hard to have a meal. Since it takes a longer time traveling place to place, we cut our meal times shorter to compensate. So that leads to buying quick things that aren't the most healthy. I'm trying to buy more fresh snacks, but when all I eat is a handful here and a handful there I don't think I'm getting the energy I need. I know I need to sit down and budget and set a meal plan, but I don't really know where to start. I know I need to eat more veggies and fruits, but how many, and what about the cost. It's not that I can't it's that it's hard for me to find time to do so. I know that's a lame excuse, but I'm working on it. 

ANYWHO! I loved Elder Robbin's talk on "which way do you face?" I also really enjoyed Elder Oak's talk. I received some revelation there with how I need to change. I will studying more on being meek and mild, and how I can apply that in my life. Jorg Klebingat called me fat so I'm going to run more. I really enjoyed Elder Cook's talk as well! I loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk on asking ourselves first "Lord is it I?" Then I really enjoyed Elder Godoy's talk! Then last of all I loved Elder Bednar's. I think I will be using Pres. Uchtdor'f testimony talk and Elder Bednar's talk a lot when teaching. they were perfect for missionary work!

Speaking of the Lemmos, do you hear anything about Freddy? If you see him at the temple, make sure you give him a hug for me! Tell him his cousin is doing well out here. In fact I barely missed being her DL. When I came to Lawton she went into my last district. 

So we are preparing to meet with our bishop soon. He has been pretty rough to work with. We don't know his vision, and we don't know him! We are working on unifying our vision with the Lawton vision. We are going in with the What, How, and Why of unity. We are focusing on the what and the why, and we will counsel with him the how. We just feel so separated from any of the Auxiliaries. We are seeing miracles but it is not with our leaders so there really isn't any trust. We are trying our best to be like Ammon and begin through service, but he hasn't let us, and he doesn't acknowledge it when it happens. We are working hard.

Well I love you! I will certainly keep Sara in my prayers. 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham