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.

 

 

INFO

There is a lot of info here, but these are the responses from the bishops and Ward Mission Leaders (excluding Bro. Lusk)

The Training went great! We all left with a renewed sense of motivation to work with the Ward Council. It was great! I was so relieved! Well Transfers happened and I am staying for another transfer. This will be 7 1/2 months here! I'm so excited! Tyler came to church this week!

It was awesome! We are working harder then ever! We have rededicated ourselves to finding people to teach! We are lacking that, since we have put so much emphasis on Tyler. We realized we were at a loss when we weren't teaching Tyler. We had an amazing FHE last night a the High-Priest Group Leader's home. Tyler really felt the spirit and admitted he finally understand what a testimony is! I love seeing the progress he is making! Well, thank you for all the input on my training, it helped a lot! I am training this coming Friday on effective follow-up with the Ward-Council Members.

 

 

When was the last time you were handed a progress record? Last Sunday.  Do you wish to receive them?  Yes, for several reasons.  1.  They are a record of accountability and either increase or decrease my confidence in the companionship.  2.  Receiving the progress record creates a basic connection between missionaries, the work they are doing, and me.  3.  I get an update of the full-time missionary work that is happening in the ward in a concise format. 

·        How often do the full-time missionaries communicate with you?  Not often enough.  I would prefer some interaction at least several times per week.  Text, phone call, in person communication is all important.

·        Do you feel the Ward Council members know how to utilize the Missionaries to their full extent?  Some are better than others but I would say it is not part of our culture.

·        What are effective ways for the missionaries to facilitate direction in the Ward Council, and then motivate the council members to act?  Effective planning is vital; starting with the companionship planning what to discuss ahead of time in missionary coordination meeting, and planning ahead of time what to share in ward council.  Time is limited in these meetings so prioritizing discussion topics and presenting in a way that engenders input from the council and ultimately ends with a commitment for someone to act is crucial.  The format should follow the pattern: discuss, delegate, act, account.  Repeat as necessary.  Inspired discussion should lead to assignments, then actions, then return and report.  Commitments lead to covenant making and covenant keeping by both members and investigators.

·        How often would you expect the missionaries to follow up on action items? depends on the task but I would give a deadline with each action item which should include a weekly update.  Do the missionaries do this well?  Always room for improvement.

·        Do you feel the auxiliaries are taking action and responsibility with the action items developed in Ward Council?  Always room for improvement.

·        What would you constitute as an effective use of the time allotted to the full-time missionaries during Ward council? If this is not being demonstrated what would you suggest be improved upon?  Use the format on the Progress Record to concisely develop actions.

·        As a Bishop what do you need from your full-time missionaries? I need the missionaries to feel united in the work with the ward council and the ward.  If you feel you are working alone, we are doing something wrong.  "If we're united we all things can do..."  Strengthen newly baptized, visit less active, help with VT/HT.  Are they meeting this need? 
Always room for improvement.

·        What are your priorities at this time:

o   Youth, Recent-Concerts, Less-Active Families, Investigators, Active Members, Prospective-Elders, Un-Endowed Members

·        How often is the Ward Mission Plan discussed?  Not very often right now.

·        Are there any other improvements the missionaries serving in your ward could make to aid you in your calling or bless the lives of others?  Work more closely with me.  Prioritize teaching in members homes or with members present.  Set a high goal of teaching discussions each week.  Focus on teaching these discussions to less active/part member families.

·        What do you appreciate about the missionaries serving in your ward?  We have a great legacy of hard working, righteous, service-oriented, dedicated missionaries working in our ward.  Keep and build upon this high standard.

Quick Note

Well this week has been crazy! Bitter-Sweet. Tyler is progressing amazingly. He attended a baptism with us and loved it! He felt the spirit super strong! He asked about the simplicity. After that we found out an investigator was admitted into the hospital because she couldn't breathe. Then we checked up on another investigator to find out she passed away Tuesday. We then tried another investigator and was dropped. Then we found out Saturday night that Tyler wouldn't be able to make it to church due to his 13 yr old sister trying to kill their mother. She is now in a psychiatric hospital. Stress was very abundant this week. On the bright side; I have been able to resolve the problem with the sisters in my district. We were able to help Tyler understand that among trial the best place to turn is heaven. He told us he doesn't want anything to impede us continuing to meet with us. We have a lesson with him tonight. It is going to be on the Word of Wisdom, then we are going over the baptism interview questions.



























 

Focus on the GOOD!

Tyler is doing amazing! He wasn't at church (along with half the ward) because he was out of town with his father, who he doesn't get to see often. But he's been doing great. He has consistently been reading a chapter from the Book of Mormon daily. He read 2 on Sunday because he felt bad for missing church, it was cute. We have another appointment with him Wednesday. Elder Buhler is doing great! His birthday was yesterday. We did work but it was all kind of depressing. I felt bad for him. We made a plan to contact a lot of less active/part-member families. All claimed they were not Mormon and wanted nothing to do with us. But he was a trooper. We were able to focus on the good! We were biking and stopped a lady who was walking and I think we kind of caught her off guard. She whispered under her breath "I can't believe I ran into you." I don't think She wanted us to hear it, but I did. So I explored that route. I testified of divine intervention and how coincidences don't just happen. She started to cry, and then she got all paranoid and kept saying "I can't talk to you right now, I can't talk to you right now." I have a feeling she is in an abusive relationship. We were able to exchange info and she told us she really want s to meet with us but it will have to be when she calls us. This lady named Kassy needs the gospel in her life! I instantly developed a love for her as she said "I cant believe I ran into you." It was an amazing experience that left both of us in awe. I love how the Lord works. We have done our part, now the desire needs to work in her.

 

The 4th was great! We had the booth, which I convinced President to let Elders run as well. It was super successful! Like if we were to equate the effectiveness of the booth to tracting hours it would be like thousands of hours of tracting! I also got a nice tan! We were there from setup to close. 9:00 am- 10:00 pm. We then went with Bro. Lusk to watch fireworks. Oh speaking of that, He has agreed to take me to find a suit this week. Will you please make sure enough funds are in my account? Thanks!

 

...

 

So I had a rude awaking this week. I had exchanges with my Zone Leader and he relayed some information that devastated me! He started off by asking me how my relationship with the district was. I thought it was pretty solid....... apparently not. A sisters companionship in my district thinks that I am a very prideful leader, who focuses too much on numbers. When I heard this my heart just sunk! If there was anything I knew I did not want to be known as, it was this. I couldn't believe it! I thought I had done all I could to serve my district. It was time for some major reflection and evaluation. I re-read a talk by Ezra Taft Benson called "Beware of Pride". It's probably my most marked up/read talk I own a copy of. It was time to pull it out again. I came to realize that one aspect of pride is withholding praise and gratitude. I rededicated myself to taking more time to be thankful for my district. The only thing the companionship could give the Zone Leader was that when I call in on Sundays for collecting numbers for the week, that's all I focus on. They said I don't try to create a relationship with my district members. My initial reaction was impulsive and wrong. I got all defensive and gave a handful of legit reasons why I do it so quickly. But again I was slapped by the spirit while reading this talk and it clearly states defensiveness is used by the prideful. I am doing all I can to become a servant-leader. I want to resolve this and make it right. Also it makes it difficult because of the limitations between Elders and Sisters. It's been a stressful week! But stress means you're alive.

 

I love you all so much! Thank you for all you do! I got the dress shirts but no garments yet. I'll be looking for them.

 

Not a second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

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