Christmas in the Philippines and Ricky's Baptism

Maligayang Pasko!!

So this Christmas was a bit different...no snow, it's hot and I'm in the Philippines!! Haha But it was a great Christmas with lots of fun spending time with members, other missionaries and enjoying the Christmas season in paradise :) 

Christmas was a lot of fun, especially playing Mormon Memory with the Ting's haha you wouldn't think that game could get intense but it did!! Also they love "Don't Eat Pete!!" Haha Thank you Mom for sending the fun games to play :) It's been fun playing them.

After skyping though, I won't lie, it was so good yet so hard!! I felt a bit homesick the rest of the day. But I had the help of getting over it by Brother Ricky. We had his baptism this past Saturday and it was so good. He was beaming with happiness and it was so contagious. The Spirit was so strong and it was just an amazing experience. But it was funny too, the one that baptized him is a recent convert, Brother Max, my last zone leaders convert, and he is this big guy. Anyway, we had him baptize Ricky, this little guy. Haha anyway, Max was so nervous and he practically dunked Ricky. Haha He even lifted him by the scruff of his neck. Haha It was funny, us missionaries we're all laughing afterwards. But it was still a beautiful baptism. And a great confirmation. I bought him a white shirt and tie that he looked so cute in. Haha He's just the cutest little Filipino man!! And the sweetest and most humble man I have ever met and just kept telling me thank you over and over again. And how grateful he was that we came into his life. I'm so grateful that he came in my life! I know that the people I help out here I was meant to come and help. But what they might not know is that they change my life :) I'm a better person because of these people. I love them with all of my heart. And I know it's just going to grow and grow. 

It was a great Christmas season but I'm glad that I'll be home for the next. I miss you all but I'm so grateful to have this short time to help others change their lives and them helping me change my for the better. I love you all and I hope you all had a great Christmas!! And I wish you all a very Happy New Year!! 

Mahal na mahal ko kayo!! 

Love, Sister Burnham 

Ricky's baptism

Sister Burnham and Sister Maagad exploring!

Merry Christmas from Sister Burnham!

"Brother Ricky :) Hey's so little right?!"

"Quail eggs...masarap!!"

"Elder Manalili...he's a model. Haha :)"

"All our purchases broken..."

"The Filipino sleep, cloth over the face! Haha"

"Beach playing :)"

"Branch Christmas Party!!"

Holly and her very first companion, Sister Malig!

"Zone Conference and our skit! Ours was the best :) It was about the struggles the missionaries in mindoro zone having to get to zone conference...we just rocked it!"

"Christmas Eve! Singing carols to the Ting's with our ZL's- they are seriously my favorite!"

"Oh ya, and the snake! Haha :)"

"And Christmas morning!! Thank you again for the presents!! I love them!!"

Christmas is Coming to Town!!!

Family and Friends, 

Christmas is a coming!! Even though it doesn't really feel like it here, it's coming!! I am so excited to skype! Though I won't lie, it's going to be hard to talk and then say goodbye, talk to you in May!! Man, weird how it works that way! But I am looking forward to it! 

This week me and Sister Maagad went to training check up in San Pablo, it was really good. The best part was seeing Sister Reed and Sister Malig. I loved my first two companions, my greatest friends in the mission thus far...well and of course Sister Wilson, even though she's not my companion I love living with her. It was just a lot of fun :) Poor Sister Maagad, she was car and sea sick the whole time. And we travel a lot. Sayang, but we had some fun together shopping in Lipa and spending time together. 

So I really only have one great investigator right now...haha Brother Ricky. I just love him, he's so great and has this very strong desire to be baptized and do everything he can to follow Christ. But we found out this week he is addicted to alcohol...ya. We committed him to follow the Word of Wisdom and he accepted, but a couple nights later we caught him drinking. Haha oh man!! He gave in while hanging out with some friends... We taught him the next day and he sad that he didn't sleep that whole night cuz he felt bad and he texted us that morning making sure we were coming over. Haha I think he thought we would give up on him. He felt really bad and wants to stop. He even asked us yesterday at church what he has to do to be baptized and it's all about stop drinking. I bet that's hard. I'm thinking about getting him another things to drink for encouragement and support and might ask my zone leaders to give him a blessing. I know he can overcome, through the atonement of Jesus Christ. It will take a lot of effort, but I know he can do it. If you have any ideas though how to help someone overcome an addiction, let me know! I want to help him as much as I can. 

Today we had zone p-day and we went to the beach again! I loved it, so much fun!! We have a really fun zone and it was just a good time to relax and have fun. Haha But we totally got to the beach with 18 missionaries all squished in one truck. Haha Oh man, it was hott!! Haha But it was funny and hilarious. Wish I could've taken a picture of it but I'm sure you can imagine all these missionaries shoved in a truck. I'm sure we were a sight!!

Anyways, I better end this. I love you all and I hope you are all enjoying the season of Christmas. Enjoy the snow for me!! Because I won't be getting any! Haha :) Can't wait to skype you soon!! 

Mahal na mahal ko kayo!!

Love, Sister Burnham 

"Ellen and Rollan- Less active members that we've been able to reactivate :) They are super nice! Rollan even blessed the sacrament yesterday."

"Elder Tolefoea...super funny Elder!"

"Lorence's gift from Nichole...haha so funny!! And such a girly gift he gave!"

"Rice fields :)"

"Two of my favorite Elders on the rock- Elder Gray and Elder Wanoa...and it's totally an oreo effect going on...I'm the cream!!"

"Elder Toleafoa dancing for us...Haha :)"

"Poor Elder Langi....he got buried alive! Haha"