Dry Spell

Holy Cow! Y'all have had quite the weekend. Sounds like y'all are having fun being with family. A disco party? I didn't see that one coming. That reminds me of the time uncle John let me try on those crazy pants a while back. Do you remember that? I think there was a picture of it on your phone. Anyway, well I would be lying if I said this week was outstanding. We have had quite a few struggles. We have seen miracles all around, but we are in a drought. We haven't been able to teach a lesson all week, except for dinner messages at members homes. I think I have come to realize one of the many roles I am to play in this ministerial experience. It seems all of my companions have told me that up until they served with me, they have seen loads and loads of success and baptisms. At first that was a hard thing to swallow. At the surface I started to question my abilities and my worthiness. Which neither is healthy to do. I then realized I was still happy and felt good about the work I was doing. I focused too much on the negative, I completely missed the positive. Along with this message there was a little comment that was expressed from each of my companions; "how do you do it?" It makes me smile and laugh now. How do I do it? Well I don't! It is not me at all! If I did it, I would be the one saying "Why don't I see as much success as the next missionary?" But I don't care what the "next" missionary has under his belt. All I care about is what the Lord sees fit for me to accomplish in the part of the vineyard he has allotted to me. Some do major remodeling in that vineyard, some do trimming and weeding. Some get to harvest the "fruits of labors" I believe I have the opportunity to help those I work with to understand it doesn't matter the title of the "labor" we perform, whether it's harvesting or pruning, what matters is that we put our heart and soul into the work. If I do all I can to labor in the field I have been assigned, then I can expect the Lord to pour out those blessings where needed. I was able to train on D.I.R.T this week. The Anti-Nephi-Lehi's buried their weapons of war, we need to bury our fears. Putting the weapons/fears in the hole was a noble desire, but they could still get to the weapons if attacked, they needed to truly bury them. We bury them with D.I.R.T.

 

Dependence on the Lord

Immaculate obedience

Repentance

Testifying boldly and often.

 

As missionaries we experience lots of uncomfortable situations that can make us fearful. When we come to understand that Fear is the antithesis of Faith, we can set ourselves on a path to rely on the Lord. May we all be able to make mighty mounds of dirt is my hope for my district and all those I come in contact with! The dirt or dust of the earth is the basis of all creation, let it be the basis of our lives! I love you all so much thank you for the support you all end! Let's go get dirty!!!!!

 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Baptisms and Staying in the City

Sorry I didn't get an email out yesterday. My companion and I were helping the office missionaries move some sisters. We have practically become office elders, and the office couple said they would be talking to President Walkenhorst to see if we could become permanent. I'm not sure how I feel about this, I love to help and serve but it will be taking away from our proselyting time. My comp. is very excited, he would rather be in at a desk doing inventory, then moving missionaries than teaching. Maybe I can convince 'em to make us office elders after I leave, which I don't want to do! I love this area! We'll see. I'm glad Utah was an exciting memorable experience! Oh so her name is Melissa? That's more than Sean would tell me! But I probably know some things y'all don't know ;) Us brothas got to stick together! Have you heard from them while they are in the Holy Lands? I'm so jealous! Well transfers are this week, and Elder McGlothlin and I are staying put. My trainer goes home Wednesday. I'm going to miss that man! He has definitely become one of my best friends! He will be attending BYU-I. President Walkenhorst sent us this email to all missionaries- "There have been several requests to Skype for Mother's Day. We will allow it as a test. I do have concerns about it being a burden and a problem for members to accommodate. You may Skype, but make sure that you do not create problems for members." So, what time will you be wanting me to Skype? the member we will be going over to, has apple face-time as well. Let me know your account info or whatever is needed to call you, the member's name is Aaron Gates. I don't know if that helps. I don't remember how Skype works. Well, we were supposed to have a baptism next week, but the Zone Leaders from another zone might have screwed it up. Our investigator wont respond to us. Her daughters live in the Zone Leader's area and were preparing for baptism with their mother, our investigator. Well, I guess they had a lesson all together up in the Zone Leaders area, and now she wont respond. The ZL's told us that the lesson was "ripped to shreds... blown up... straight up ridiculousness... we think she's mad at us..." So I don't know if that's still going to go through. However, I will be up in Ponca City that day for a baptism. I will be baptizing a 14 year old girl I taught up there. We baptized her mother and now she has decided to be baptized! I did get the package, thank you very much! I was able to give a baptism interview last night! I really enjoy that opportunity! It's a little nerve racking being the one to determine the worthiness/preparedness of an individual for baptism, but it's one of the more sacred experiences I get to participate in on the mission! His name was Jim Clinton, his wife and kids are members, and he was Baptist! He has struggled with Chewing tobacco since he was 9 years old. He's 42. He has had some marvelous experiences with God. He says he has seen God and Jesus Christ. He was a truck driver and he had a real nasty accident. His little girl was in the truck and he said he saw them protect her and deflect any debris. He received major injuries and has had multiple neck surgeries, which have all failed. He can't look down or up, and very little to either side. His daughter came out with a bruise on her shoulder and that's it. He was baptized shortly after being released from the hospital, into the Baptist church. He was telling all of this to me last night. He had a marvelous experience and has all the worldly reason to stay in attendance at "his" church. But..... there's always a big but.... He knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet! He knows the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's kingdom on the earth! He is being baptized the 3rd of may. I am excited to attend that baptism. I love baptisms! Oh speaking of which, the sisters in our ward had a baptism on Saturday. I was asked to speak on baptism. Her name was Sue Wilson. Her husband has been a member since his early twenties. He was baptized in Salt Lake, while stationed there for the Air Force. He then went inactive because his bishop wouldn't shake his hand but did an elbow bump, because the bishop had a newborn and didn't want to bring any germs home. He was offended and vowed never to return. Well until he met the OKC 2nd missionaries at the library on a P-day. :) He now holds the Aaronic Priesthood and baptized his wife. He passed the Sacrament for the first time on Sunday, and next week will bless the Sacrament! They are like my Okie Grandparents! I love 'em so much! Well I love y'all! Thanks for everything you do! I'm looking forward to this next transfer! I have high hopes for it!

 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Happy Birthday Elder

My heart is very full this Easter week! I have seen so many miracles! I hope I have enough time to share them all! First off, I am so glad this holiday was so successful and heart-felt for y'all. Well, the miracles I witnessed this week started, this Friday. We have found a new investigator who is absolutely prepared! She has a very intriguing background. She was very anti, due to an abusive father who was a member. She hated Mormons! She was the type to chase us off the porch. and if we left anything at her door, she would track us down and return it. However, last Saturday her 19 year old son was baptized! This was the beginning of a great softening. She finally let us teach her what her son was being taught. We taught her everything! She knew it was true, but something was holding her back. (my suspicions; her father.) However, We had a secret weapon! President Walkenhorst!!!!!!!! We took him out teaching with us for the first time, and wam bam thank you mam! She is getting baptized May 10th! That man is 7 feet tall. HE is a giant in height and Spirit. It was amazing! After we had our lesson, I looked at Tamy and asked "Tamy, when are you getting baptized" She just had a giant smile and said "May 10th" It was beautiful! Hazzah! This Saturday, we had a Easter concert performed by the "Central Saints" an interfaith group created by...... LDS members. They performed the "Lamb of God" It was amazing! Tamy was there and just was balling! Well that's not special, because everyone was! It was amazing! My Easter Sabbath was great. We spent it with a family who has a daughter serving in Helsinki Finland, so we were taken care of pretty well. We went hunting for eggs, we had a fun Easter message prepared which E. McGlothlin's mother sent him. (the ol' Easter story y'all did). We even were able to make some great progress with their other less-active daughter. Over all it was great! We love going over to their home! She even cooks similar to you mom! It was fantastic! Well, my last and final miracle, has no relation to my area. It regards my past area, Ponca City. We went up for one of E. McGlothlin's inv. baptism. While we were there I was able to text an investigator I taught While there, and basically do those missionaries work for them, they are disobedient, and the ward dislikes them. Anywho, I committed her to read and pray that night for an answer, well she did and the next morning she texted the missionaries saying "I need to be baptized!" It was amazing! She wants me to come back up and baptize her! I'm so excited. Her name is Shelby, she is the daughter of Dana, who we baptized while I was there. Dana is the one in the picture I sent home then. Guess what else I found out, Freddy Lemmo's cousin enters the mission field this transfer. She is coming here. It's a small world. I love you all so very much! Thank you for all the birthday wishes! I am striving to live up to my heritage! I am proud to be An Elder Burnham! (jamon-quemado) I thank you for all you have done to shape and mold me into the un-relenting brat I am! It has helped a bunch in missionary work! I am striving to recognize God's hand more in my life, by writing a miracle I saw everyday. I challenge you to do the same! Forever Strong! In PMG I studied Ch. 3 and loved every piece of it! our message is beautiful and flawless! Onward to victory!

 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Mission Bunny?

Well our Palm Sunday was a little hectic. First off we had tornado watches all day and luckily none came. We did get hail, rain, and strong winds. Second, we drove all the way up to Ponca City (my last area) for a baptism. Elder McGlothlin taught him, I did as well, but on exchanges. It was about a 2 hour drive. The baptism went well, with the exception of the water being freezing. Poor guy. Then the weather really hit, and we got stuck up there for an extra hour and a half. Then we drove back down and my navigator(comp.) got us lost, so I had to work my way through downtown OKC and find a familiar path. We did, and luckily the family who we had dinner with, was super understanding and postponed dinner and their fast until we got there around 7! They are amazing! talk about making us feel bad, but so thankful! They told us they were fasting for missionary experiences, and that they felt they could fast longer for us. I love this ward! I heard Elder Tortellini was back. Jenni sent a postcard informing me. Hopefully he's not trunky. If he is kick him in the butt! Trunky elders are no bueno! Ok, come on we all know even if Sister Walker had the time allotted her/assigned her she would go over. :) She's just that great of a teacher! That's a cool object lesson. I might steal the idea of drawing the scenes, and use it during a dinner appointment or something. Easter is a big deal around here! We are certainly taking advantage of the holiday, to talk of Christ. Well Hey, my studies from PMG have directed me to Ch. 6 "Humility" I also have been pairing it with the talk by Pres. Benson "Beware of Pride" What have your studies consisted of? Speaking of PMG; look on page 107 and you'll find Bishop Eitlegeorge and pg. 159 to find Sis. Eitlegeorge. If that's how you spell it?

 

 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham

Conference

All is well in OKC. I'm sure that was neat that Elder Walker and soon to be Hermana Hawkins got to see each other. We weren't able to get any investigators to conference, but we were able to get a Recent convert who just got the Priesthood to all sessions. He's 15. He is a great kid! His name is Percy! We got to watch the Saturday sessions at church and then the Sunday Morning session we watched at Bro. Gates a single man who is one of our best member missionaries! He is great! Then for the afternoon session we went to Bro. Lusks. He is like my OKC dad out here! I love that man so much! He is a great Ward Mission Leader! So because he is a photographer, we have recruited him numerous times to help us out with visuals and all that jazz. We are some high-tech Missionaries! We have a booth at the local community college and we have banners, TV's, surveys, and all kinds of displays we use. We are also going to be starting an interview thingy, where we are going to go to the YMCA and setup a very professional looking set and ask random people if we can ask them a few questions while filming, such as who is Joseph Smith? What are Mormons? Things you would see from the New York Times or something. It's going to be fun. Then we will give them a card and tell them that they can find out all the answers to the questions through the info on those cards. It's going to be fun! Well My favorite things from conference was Hollands, Rasbands,... shoot I can't select any one. They were all great! I just Love conference! I remember the days when I would lay on the floor under the foot rest so you couldn't see whether or not I was sleeping, which I always was. Now it's better than Christmas! It's absolutely amazing! I can't wait for the Ensign so I can re-read them hundreds of times! Sounds like y'all have a busy schedule coming up. I'll pray for ya. In addition to memorizing part of the living Christ, maybe the first vision. You could "ask the missionaries" for a restoration pamphlet, or I could send some out. It is a very powerful passage. In fact this past week we taught a 71 yr. old lady named Sharon who told us that while we related Joseph's vision her own vision cleared as she looked upon the picture of Joseph's experience. We were able to help her recognize the Spirit and she softly committed to baptism. She is a funny old lady. I find it funny that I can love someone without knowing a lick about them. I am thankful for the knowledge of being a Child of God! This identity I know. This is how I can love without knowledge. I know Sharon is my sister, I can have 1 of 2 conversations with my sisters and brothers in the hereafter. First, "Why didn't you tell me?" I do not want to experience this one! The second is two pronged. Either, "Thank you, for telling me and bringing me back to the fold." or "Thank you, thank you for trying. I'm sorry I rejected, but thank you for trying your best." This is what I try and relate to the members we work with. It's a very thought provoking concept, which hopefully will lead to action. I know that's what it's all about! Action is key! I pray that we may all act in righteousness. I love you all so much! Thank you Dad for looking through your mission memoirs. Bro. Lusk has a website full of Bolivia. I think it's from his visits back. I'll get it from him and give it to you. I feel like I'm at home listening to my father recount his mission experiences when I talk with Bro. Lusk. It humbles me and encourages me to be a man/missionary my son will be proud of. Thank you for your example. What you have done for me, cannot be put into earthly words. I am Elder Burnham! I have the honor of wearing that tag all day, I know what it means, I will let everyone know as well! I also bear Jesus Christ on my heart! There is no better place than this. I am so thankful for my Savior! I am currently studying the words of Christ in the New Testament. They bring so much solace and comfort to my soul! I love Him! My favorite part of Conference was Pres. Packer, I believe, Who recounted the testimony that said they have seen the Lord, then he in turn said "their words are mine." That was an awe-inspiring moment for me! I am an appendage of the 12, they are special witnesses of Christ. I have the sacred opportunity to bear my testimony of Christ. I will not miss a moment to do so! I cannot afford it! My brothers and sisters cannot afford it! I love you all so much! "Carry on, Carry on, Carry on!"

 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham (a representative of Jesus Christ)

 

PS: I hope the font is large enough.

Info

Dearest Mother,

Sorry for the lack of info I have been giving. My companion is Elder McGlothlin he is from Fremont California, he has been out about 10 months now. He has 3 sisters and 1 brother. He is the 2nd oldest. His family is very supportive. I did get an email from Brianne this week, thanks for pushing her to do so. Sara emailed me as well! I love getting her emails they are so innocent and cute! I love my baby sister! She always has great questions for me as well! That is so funny the munchkins are watching things in Spanish. Buddy, Uncle Sean, and Grandpa are going to have to have a Spanish night! So My area has been in a drought, but I've got to say the weather change has been a big blessing! It is warm and sunny! We are getting more referrals, and we are now teaching more! We were able to set up a church tour for this coming Saturday in between sessions. We are super excited about that. As a DL I get to set a vision for the District and I've got to say Heavenly Father has some big plans for our district. Some things I have as a district goal are; A church tour every week. Pray for and teach a family. Never let an opportunity to bear your testimony pass. And our district is to have 10 baptisms a transfer. I was very skeptical of the last, but it was confirmed over and over again! The lord is hastening His work and we need to hasten as well! We need to step up our game! I have this renewed sense of urgency that I am thrilled to have! I just want to go out and talk to everyone and baptize 'em right on the spot! We have been hitting Family Mission Plans hard lately, and we haven't seen too much headway, but it is becoming more and more a forefront thought for most. I love the work so much! I love the leadership that is serving over me right now! They are so inspired and I have grown so much by being under their stewardship! I am sooooooo excited for Conference! It's better than Christmas! I can't wait to hear the words of the Lord! We are going to be watching it in a members home with some recent converts and investigators! We are so excited! Well Thank you for all that you do! I have hit the point where I think P-day's are a waste of the Lord's time. I just want to go out and teach. The missionaries of old did it, I should be able to consecrate my time and efforts to the Lord and He will provide right? Well My companion isn't to thrilled for that. We are growing together! I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Not a Second Wasted

Elder Ryan Burnham

Good Morning

So Sean told ya the details aye? I don't know if you remember when I was up in Ponc City and I told you of a companionship that was having major struggles well I am now serving with the one who created the problems. I don't know if it's President keeping him close or we are to be companions to learn and grow from each other. I personally think it's both. We are in the ghetto of OKC. It's a lot of rundown, sketchy places. No sidewalks, so we get to bike amidst the crazy Okie drivers. We are in a bike area, so we try very hard to members out with us, which hasn't been the best lately but it's growing. From experience I figured the ghetto would be a lot more prepared and humble, but our faith is truly being tested. We have been struggling to get into homes to teach. We have so many tools at our disposal that it almost seems impossible that we could be struggling so. I have not been to the bombing memorial, but Bro. Lusk might be willing to take us. He has already taken us to other tourist attractions. Like Pops and the Round Barn. Bro. Lusk is great, we always get into conversations about Dad and Bolivia, He told me to ask Dad about Elder Kempton. Also I'm going to ask both of y'all to send out mission stories! Where did you serve? Conversion stories? Miracles? I would love to hear those, besides you need to pull out your mission stuff and enjoy those memories! Well shoot! Brianne still hasn't written me! I'm gonna beat her with the stick of Judah if she don't write me! Sounds like you had a great time with the girls! Well, ask dad why he sent me a bunch of stamp rollers? What is he expecting me to do with 'em? I admit I have tried diligently to find a missionary use, object lesson, hanger.... something! I'm stumped. I really appreciated the package though! It was fantastic! I love you so much! I have been studying a lot about Charity recently. I took Moroni 7:45 and took each individual characteristic and found a specific scripture that applied to each. You should take some time to do the same.

Thanks for all you do! Your prayers are felt and needed each day!

 

Not a Second Wasted,

Elder Ryan Burnham