"Book of Mormon"

Hello Family and Friends!

Well, I can't say my week was as eventful as Hermana Burnham's, Robyn my dear, just know I love you and I'm proud of you still working. Believe me, after the trials come the blessings. My week was just busy in other ways like transfer day!! Half of our zone got transferred! And so did my companion... sayang! But I now have Sister Dadivas!! I lived with her for three transfers in Mindoro!! Crazy, huh? She's so great and has changed for good in so many ways! She said I have to and the first thing she said to me was that I was skinny and could speak tagalog. Haha I think I'll keep her. She's just the cutest littlest Filipina. Love her!

I especially love the enthusiasm and positivity that my companion brought with her, I feel like our work is already changing and that things are on the way to getting better. The Gregorio family is doing better...they're reading, praying and starting to come back to church. We also are going to try to teach Jonathon again because the other sisters recent convert, Nelson, would make a great fellowshipper for him. Great things are ahead and I feel like they are coming with just being positive and excited to love and to serve.

So last Wednesday we had our zone training meeting and something that our mission president taught us was about the differences between knowledge, testimony and conversion. Of course, conversion is where we want our investigators to get to and especially for ourselves. So I've been thinking about that a lot this past week for myself and after conference I felt really strong to have more of a mighty change of heart and be converted to the things I know. Starting to know if Joseph Smith really was a true prophet. As I read His testimony, and finished the Book of Mormon, to pray to know, and felt the Spirit whisper to me after I asked the question..."Is the Book of Mormon true?" I answered yes it is in my heart then I felt, "Joseph Smith really was God's prophet." I don't know what is happening back at home with people doubting these truths but I do know that if one really wants to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet or not, you have to go through the Book of Mormon. We taught this sister last night as well and she just had so many questions and was just confused about so many things. This world is so confusing and the only really true source of truth is from our Heavenly Father through His servants. And that's what we advised her to do, read the Book of Mormon. If I learned anything from my mission it's that the Book of Mormon has power no other book has, it changes lives and lights a candle in a dark, confused world. I know that it is true, and I cannot deny it. And I know that anyone who honestly seeks to know if it's true, God will answer them, just like He has so many times for me.

I love this work, I love what I've been called to do and I love my Savior. For allowing me to change my life through this mission. It's been the hardest, challenging but happiest, best and greatest 15 months of my life to change who I'm suppose to be. And a big part of it being the Book of Mormon, let it change you too.

Mahal ko kayo!! Have a great week!

Love, Sister Burnham

"Everlasting Beginnings"

Hello Family and Friends!!

Well, this week has been crazy, beyond crazy for me!! I hardly was in my area because of exchanges and meetings...and we didn't have our baptism because the other girl was sick...it's just postponed till Oct 18th...sayang but that's okay. We still went to Bro. Nelson's baptism that was probably one of the best. It was like Ricky's for me. But...HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hayden and Abby!! Sorry, no presents but bringing cool stuff home in December :)

So with a lot happening a lot has been on my mind and lots of feelings have entered my heart. Especially those feelings of gratitude and love for the mission and the people I've loved and served and seen how they've changed, as well as for myself and knowing that all of this, the past 15 months and 3 more to go have been for a reason, a purpose. I really have found myself while here in the Philippines. Serving these people that I love so much and who I wish I was...haha I always joke that I'm really a Filipina...people normally don't believe me...wonder why. Haha :) But it's just been beautiful to experience all of this and to see conversion and to hear the gratitude. Ricky wrote me this past week and it was the sweetest letter that I've ever received. He's active, serving as a faithful priesthood holder as a 2nd counsleor in the Elders Quorum and is happy. Even though he is still single and alone at times, he is happy because he's converted and now knows that he really is not alone. If anything, I came to the mission for him. As well for others, the members in Santa Maria, the Gregorio family even though they are struggling with being active, and so many others. God really accomplishes His purposes through others. I know that with all my heart and I'm so happy that I'm a part of this great work.

So since I'm feeling all these feelings with my 15 month mark, I read something from Pres. Uchtodorf from last confernce...

"In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem unacceptable to us? There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings.

Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless¹³ and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny.

The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions—temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful.

How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings."

It's only everlasting beginnings and that's what I'm doing here. Creating everlasting beginnings for others as well as for myself. It's not the end when someone is baptized or a missionary goes home, only everlasting beginnings. And everyday, is the opportunity to create those :) I love you all so much. Remember the words from the prophets, for they are true.

Mahal ko kayo!! Have a great week and create everlasting beginnings :)

Love, Sister Burnham

"Family week with the missionaries!"

"Zone p-day"

"My crazy Zone Leaders."

"Exchanges with Sister Suapaia.....she reminds me of Robyn. All new in the mission too."

"Eating challenge! They played 'eye to the tiger!' It was intense and happened all in 5 minutes."



"Elder Wise.....he did it!"



"Me and Sister Reed.....I love her so much!"



"We didn't have a baptism but Brother Nelson's baptism was amazing! Talk about conversion!"

"Shakey's Tayo"

"Old reunions"