A blissful hour of skype!

Laurel wishes a Merry Christmas to everyone that can't hug or call on Christmas day, because we all know that she would hug EVERYONE.  We got to chat with her Christmas morning and it was beautiful.  She looks great.  She was radiant as always and excited to share stories with us.  There are just details of stories that you miss when you can only write, so it was great to hear HER voice.  She's as happy as can be.  She is living proof that LIVING the gospel fully and SHARING the gospel constantly brings a joy that nothing else can.  

And here's our lovely Hermana:

December 24, 2012

Dec 24

Dear Family

Merry Christmas! I'm excited to talk to you tomorrow! My companion and i are still trying to figure out when we will call/skype but we are going to try to make it work at 8. Thanks for the emails, letters, and packages. My companion and i have been very happy. She has asked me to thank you several times for including her and helping her feel loved as well!  She is very appreciative. Sister Holland and i have gotten closer this week. she is a great sister with good desires. She knows how to love and serve people into the gospel. I have and am still learning a lot from her. This week i've been trying to make sure i don't leave my greeny enthusiasm. I'm trying to make sure i have that same zeal for the work especially because i have the basic tools to teach now. I feel strength from your prayers, your letters, packages, fast. Thank you so much for being aware of me, my companion, and the Lord's work in sunrise, Las Vegas. The area is so so different but i love it here. I'm trying to take advantage of the moments especially my study time. We recieved a talk on CD on teh atonement in missionary work by elder holland. He powerfully stated, "The hours between 8 and 10 make or break a missionary." The way i study detirmines the way i teach, the way i love, and how consecrated i am. I specifically think of Dad's dedication to his scripture reading. I woke up late late at night or rather early early in the morning to go to the bathroom and found dad reading his scriptures. thank you dad for always striving to obey the commandments. You are an example!  sorry for the short letter. I love you and am eager to talk to you tomorrow! Hurrah for Israel!

Love

Hermanana Burrup

ps- Janae, i tried to find the "search for Jesus" talk on lds.org but couldn't find it. will you send me a copy? even digitally through email is fine. Sure love you and thanks tons for the package. I knew before i opened it that it had to be scarves. I was happy to see that i still know how you are or that you haven't changed too much! :)

Dear President Neider,

Merry Christmas! I hope it's a great one this year for you! I already feel so blessed this year for 3 reasons. First because i get to be a missionary this year. second, I'm seeing how little people have and how blessed i am. We are hoping to do lots of visits tomorrow especially for those who have very little. third, Santa came. I was a little worried about my companion but a couple of families have been very mindful of her to make sure she has a good christmas. she told me she has been praying for the last months that she will get something, anything, from her family for christmas. thank you for beign supportive of her, President and your wife as well. Your wife asked me what my feelings were about next transfer and i wanted to share my experiences and thoughts. For starters, this transfer has been a great one. I've learned a lot about myself, about how to talk to and treat others, and the power of agency. I've enjoyed this transfer although it has been difficult. So, i've been praying lots! As i was praying this week, after talking with your wife, i felt a simple peace. I felt that i need to simply trust you and sister neider. I'd love to be with sister holland in sunrise another transfer or somewhere else or with someone else. I know that the Lord inspires you and whatever the Lord's will, i will strap down and smile the whole way through....or at least try my best to. Thank you for everything again! Hurrah for Israel!

Love

Hermana Burrup

December 17, 2012

Dec 17

Dear Family,

I'm sorry, this year i will not be home for Christmas. But we will be in contact. I am excited to talk to you and also trying not to think about it any other time than right now emailing you....It's kind of hard not to think about things you are excited for. Guess what!? missionary work is exciting. We just had a pretty serious lesson with an inactive member and the mother of his 11 children. She has been taught for at least 3 years and never been dropped because she is always reading, praying, and going to church but still has never been dropped. when i got to this area I couldn't believe it. We talked to them very honestly this week. We talked about what the eternities really are, what it's for and how now determines then. It was a very honest  and plain lesson. We were both surprised by the words coming out of our own mouths. We are giving them a week to decide if they are going to get married or not. If not, we have to drop her. So please pray for her. This week did some service for the Rosa's family but we still haven't gotten a lesson. i hope they aren't getting cold feet. I also taught a lesson in American Sign Language this week. It's a good thing a took a semester at BYU but wow, i am still bad at it! He was a referral and already wants to be baptized. I'm tempted to teach him myself with his son as a translator but that wouldn't be very effective. Here in the mission field we call that, "poaching." :) kind of funny.  We are trying to work with his son to get him active and on a mission so we are hoping we'll being seeing more of him. the son's name is Alan. He wants to serve a mission but has drug and drinking problems because of his friends. We are praying and praying that He will be responsive and let us teach him. He avoids us when he has alcohol....so kind of a lot. But we are trying to work forward. We are trying to help him feel like there is a reason and like there is hope. All hope comes through the Savior because only through him can we have any joy at all. Mom and Dad, Thank you so much for being worthy and active members of the gospel!  I really do have a strong testimony because of the small insignificant things that happen. If the small insignificant is so important to the supreme being of this universe then we really aren't so small and insignificant are we? God loves each us and is a part of the details of our lives. He answers our prayers and does His part to help us return to him. I love Him!

As for Christmas Business, I attached a picture of santa. President neider...i mean santa came to our leadership training and christmas celebration :) also I will be able to skype from  a member's home. where will you be and who all will be there? Sister stephens, the member, said she'll be home most of the day. When is best for you? How about Janae and Steve since they will also have a call from Guatemala? Just tell me when and we'll work from there. Also, thank you janae for the package and congrats to whitney stoker and her mission call to Nevada Las Vegas! I'm excited for her to come! Hurrah for Israel! 

All my love

Sister Burrup

ps mom- ymlu :)
pss- am i supposed to send a christmas present to a cousin? maybe a letter or card? who did i get this year?
psss- we attached some pictures. I hope they are ok. They are a little dark and i didn't know if you wanted the hat and glasses or not. so we took a few of each. Love you!

For our Burrup Family Christmas picture we all wore Where's Waldo outfits since we're all over the country (Seattle, Richland, Provo, Virginia, and Las Vegas)

Dear President Neider,

It's already December 17! I feel like i still have so much to do this year! Time goes too fast! First off, thank you for being so so inspired. I loved the training this week! We really are so blessed to be here with you and Sister Neider! This week was a good week. I really am trying to consecrate myself to the work as much i can. I want to make is a lifestyle not just something nice in the mission field. It really all comes back to the covenants we make. I've been thinking about my covenants and how the mission is helping me to apply those temple covenants. I love being immersed in the scriptures and words of God's prophets. I have so much to learn. I feel weak and incapable, but i do have faith and do find joy in your promises and the promises of God and his prophets. Thank you President Neider! Hurrah for Israel!

Love

Hermana Burrup

December 10, 2012

Dec 10

My fantastic Family,

It's already the end of the year! there is a lot going on her. thank you for helping me and my companion feel loved and supported. I read a lot of your comments to her. especially those written to her. we both appreciate them. :) We recieved the Where's waldo package. Thank you! I said, "Sister holland, we got a package" then she said, "whatever, YOU got a package." so when i opened it and there was 2 of everything even with her name on it....she was really surprised and smiled big. My companion is beautiful with a gorgeous smile but i don't think she knows it. So thanks for helping her be happy this time of year! Also, thanks for helping out with the other missionary. Anyone getting a package or mail for you is way too blessed; maybe even spoiled! 

Well, to answer some questions, the worksheets for 7-8 year old children would be really useful. We just started teaching the son of an inactive member. It's fun to teach in english and to a little boy. His name is Isai. When he prays, he prays for planets, not to have bad dreams, his clothing.....EVERYTHING! i couldn't help think about your class, mom. But those worksheets would be nice. We are going to reteach the lessons to his mom as well. we're excited to work with their family because they have been active for a long time. In response to Kirsten, great job working with the members in your ward! I want to be so much more involved now that i know more about how it works. It's much easier and simpler than i ever knew before! One way to help turn little missionary moments into more is simple sincere follow-ups. So your preshool teacher experience, it's so easy to just go back and say, " hey, i was thinking about our conversation and i couldn't help think that you'd be interested in visiting this website. (hand them a mormon.org card) It has a lot of videos about families that relate to your situation. will you check it out?"  wait a little while then follow up again. "Did you look at the website? I love that website! what did you think?....oh and do you want to be baptized!?"  oops, maybe not the last line but it's really simple and we don't have to be afraid. The worst is a no but we do our part confidently and faithly! maybe that will help out Kirsty. Thanks for being an example! Dad, Sister Holland liked your email. Thanks for writing to the two of us! I hope you liked your package. kind of goofy but hopefully a small flashback. How is your calling? I bet it's working you hard but we wouldn't have it any other way would we. :) Jon and nicole, thanks for the letter too!

Ok, the good missionary work in Sunrise. The Rosas have been really busy and we haven't been able to get an appt. I hope they aren't getting cold. BUT we have 2 new investigators. We are really trying to focus on teaching couples not individuals. It is amazing what service can do to open people's hearts. The Assistants once told us to bold in our commitments but also bold in the promises and i loved it. We can be bold in the promises we extend! When we first establish love then they don't feel like we are ratting on them. It's boldness motivated by love. I love this work and we can boldly testify and promise  that God's blessings will be poured out upon them because guess what!? They will. I love that our simple faith gives us confidence in the promises of the Lord.  I am trying to build my faith and worthiness for his blessings. Take care and thank you for your prayers! I think of you and prya for you often!

tell Ethan Widby to be excited. Don't worry about being stateside. It's such a blessing to be in this mission. When is he coming?

love always 

Sister Burrup

ps, mom - YMLU- Your missionary love you :)

Dear President Neider,

What a great time to be a missionary! There are so many missionary tools this season. Concerts, DVDs, parties, caroling, and all the other normal tools as well! I love smiling at people because it surprises them. But honestly, I'm so so happy!  Los Feliz is incredible ward and very involved in the work. They are doing a special program for investigators at the christmas party. We're excited to invite the investigators and also meet potential/future investigators. Sister Holland and I had another good talk about obedience today and the Zone Leaders asked us to talk about obedience at our zone meeting tomorrow. I think it will be really good for us both of us. Sister Holland really is a great sister even with a few struggles. I'm trying to make sure she feels that i love her so that we can still talk openly and honestly. I know that she needs it. My parents are trying to be supportive of her as well. President, I appreciate your counsel and optimism. You and your wife are great examples!

Love

Sister Burrup

December 3, 2012

Dec 3

My dear dear family

The Christmas devotional was so so good! I love the talk about giving and recieving cheerfully. It made me think of Haleigh Thrall. I miss their family. They were always such a giving family. Maybe someday  I can give them something really special to me: the gospel. I hope they are doing well. Will you take them Christmas treats for me :) So are you already starting to celebrate and decorate for Christmas? or are you just getting ready for Dad's birthday? HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD! i hope it is a fabulous one! Thanks for being a fun dad! I'm so glad you know how to enjoy life and have fun even with crazy scattered children. All the sentimental mushy stuff i love about you i saved for what's coming in the mail. wink wink** Either way, thanks for being the best.

 I loved all the good news this week! Nicole and Jon, I like your haircuts. Nicole your bangs are gorgeous! The only time i had bangs was when i was....really little. they were 80's style, huge and super curled. I like yours much better! :) Janae and Steve, it's a girl!!! I'm so so excited. maybe por fin the dress i bought in mexico a year and a half ago for tanner and austin can actually go to use. Good luck with finals steve, christian, nicole, jon, and mike. everyone has tests!

Well, missionary work in sunrise is exciting. For starters, we got a brand new car! still smells new. It's a 2013 bright blue Chevy cruze. So, no more flat tires or car wrecks like the past. This week we also taught the restoration to the Rosas family. They are a family of 5 investigators. The kids are 8 and 11 and they love the lessons. As we recited the first vision slowly looking them each in the eyes they started nodding their heads. They know it is true. Dalia, the wife is the hesitant one. Her family is progressing but she is dragging her feet a little because of the long catholic line in her family. We baked a cake for setsangre's brithday, the daughter and took it over. They were having a party. At first i think everything at the party was weirded out by us. They weren't really talking but we tried to smile, be friendly, genuinely interested and at least leave the extended family with a good impression. I think the social pressure also might be a worry for Dalia. Jorge, the dad clearly has real intent and sincere desire to know. We are very excited for them! I am also gaining a testimony of obedience. WE are responsible for everything within our control. We are not responsible for others but we are responsible for our influence on them. God blesses us with miracles not necessarily because we deserve them but because other people need the blessings of the gospel.However, the combination of sincere seeking, and the obedient worthy servant will always reap the greater blessings for both the seeker and the servant. Sometimes i feel so unworthy to represent Jesus Christ, The redeemer, the example, a God...But this work isn't about me. It's about others. and the savior will utilize every one of his worthy servants if they will simply be willing to carry his name and try to be like him. I Jesus Christ deeply. My testimony in Him is firm. My joy in him is full. Thank you for sharing your testimonies withe me of the savior as well. I have learned a lot from you!

Well, i hope you all take care of yourselves and keep me updated on the simply details of life. i love them! Janae, thank you for the letter. you are so so thoughtful. i love it! 

Love, fasting, and prayers

Hermanita Burrup

Also, congrats to jeff and robin on their engagement. 


Dear President Neider,

Another good week. I think I'm finally starting to get things figured out in the area. I'm learning the streets and I am starting to feel more comfortable with the people as well. I am glad to be in this area because there is a lot of work to do here. There are several inactive people in our area. This week we finally contacted one of them named Alan. He is 19. After a visit and a lesson after the Christmas devotional he agreed to let us reteach him the lessons and agreed to go out with the elders. He has wanted to go on a mission but felt that he couldn't anymore because of his problems. To me, this is a miracle. The Lord designed everything to work out this way. Sister Holland understands his worries and struggles and has really let Alan feel like there is hope again. I'm excited to continue seeing the Lord's hand in His work here in Sunrise. I'm trying to work hard and I'm trying to be obedient. Thank-you for your counsel and testimony on Saturday at interviews. That promise is really important to me and is already motivating me keep my standards and expectations high for myself. I will not settle because I will control what I can control. Thank you President for being inspired. I love you and your wife!

Love

Sister Burrup

November 26, 2012

Nov. 26

Family Family Family,

I love Los Feliz and miss warm springs! My prayers are still largely weighted to warm springs because i don't know the people here very well but i'll eventually get there. Our area is super super puny but i love it. I went from the biggest spanish area to one of the smallest. Big changes! One thing i love about the area is that we are right next to the mountains and we have a gorgeous view of the temple and the whole city. Spanish people actually live her too! My companion, Sister Holland, laughs at me because i get so excited about all the Spanish people here. I'm looking forward to getting more involved in the work here because i think finding is a little different here. I'll have to tell you more about it when i know more! :) As for investigators here, we don't have many. There are many inactive members so there's lot of work within the ward. The investigators we have will be dropped soon if they don't start to progress. We had tortillas, beans and carne asada for thanksgiving dinner. it was super yummy and we ate with the rojas family. 2 of the children had just had surgery and wanted blessings.  The dad has the priesthood but didn't know how to use it. They were baptized as a family almost 2 years ago. It was neat to watch Elder Martinez teach the father how to use the priesthood in his own home to bless his family. Sister Rojas was smiling from ear to ear. I was thinking about how grateful i am to have always had the a Dad worthy to hold and exercise the priesthood in our home. thanks Dad. I very very much love you and think of you often. Moving on to my companion. Her name is Sister Kassie Holland from Kansas City, Missouri. She is so so sincere and really cares about the people we visit. She is so good at serving people as well! We have already helped organize an office, paint a house, and have plans to weed a garden, set up a christmas tree, and help clean a house. People always feel loved with Sister Holland. I'm getting to know her better now. She is a big big example for her family. Her whole life she has been the only one active in the church. She doesn't have support from home so mom, really really really don't send me anything for Christmas. She's not expecting to get anything from her family. She's a very strong Sister. She is learning Spanish here in the mission.  We are two very white, blonde, american, gringa, gavacha, gueras....i'm not sure what other words to say. People sometimes talk to us and we look at each other then back at them and say, "mande." or "what?" it's funny but we just smile and laugh it off. she also has a beautiful singing voice so we sing hymns to the investigators and members. I want to serve her more so she knows that i am glad to be with her and have high expectations for this transfer together. We even had a miracle this week. We found a random 6 teaching records in a pile of papers in our apartment. they have never been taught but have potential. the Lord does help his missionaries ALWAYS!  I do miss the people i love in Warm Springs but i am already falling in love with the people here. I'm trying to throw myself into the work without being pushy or controlling  Because my companion is still learning Spanish  i have to be mindful to make sure the teaching is even between us. Being a missionary is so so fun but it is hard and it should be hard if we're pushing ourselves. I am pushing myself and i'm trying to step up to the plate and give it my best swing. There aren't any punts here :) 

To respond to a few questions, Christian - the binder thing was a recommendation from janae and an MTC teacher. Basically, as you go through each bold section of the lessons in chapter 3 you will want to outline them then put the best scriptures at the end. So each principle is it's own page. It's a really good way to prepare for you mission because it gets you thinking about the most important points of the lessons. It will also become a resource as you go into the mission. So outline each section within the lessons of chapt 3.  The talks are some of the best i have read before and during the mission. I'm glad you got the package. I love you super super a lot and i'm sorry it was late. I went on the week before but the post office was closed. I hope that makes more sense though. I'm not sure if it does but shoot me your questions :) Janae and Steve, I loved the pictures. They turned out super super cute. I can tell you are  a happy family. Weston is already on his mission!? Can his emails please please please be forwarded to me? i would love to read them! Dot and Jonathan's news. I'm so so sad for her! It will work out though! Trials stink but they are just a medium of growth. Elder Ballard teaches in his book, Search for Happiness, that faith turns challenges into the simple ways to grow and death into a door to the next stage in life. I loved it. Faith keeps us afloat. It keep us smiling even when the storms are here. I love Dot and Jonathan and i'll definitely include her in my prayers

I love you all! I have a firm testimony of our Savior. I know he is a part of this work. He has already prepared people for the gospel in the Los Feliz 2 area. We just have to work to find them and be worthy of the guidance of the spirit. Keep working, keep smiling, keep praying, keep reading, keep writing. Whatever it is, involve yourself in the work of the Lord because it is the key to growth! 

Love and Prayers,

Hermana Burrup

Dear President Neider,

I am very happy and excited to be in Los Feliz. The ward seems like a great one and i am very excited to get to know the members and investigators. It just takes a while to get to know them. I reviewed my notes from the meetings with Elder Ellis and once again was able to feel the spirit as I thoughtfully considered and reconsidered the words and testimonies shared. I set two new goals based on the meetings. First, I am going to be more accountable by reporting to the Lord nightly how the time was spent that day and asking what i need to change. I also set the goal to claim my personal study better! I am on time to personal study each morning but i want to use it better to get more done. I'm going to make sure that my mind is engaged in what i am reading and studying. I won't study on the couch and i won't get dozy or distracted. I feel like it will help prepare me for the lessons better and will deepen my personal testimony of the gospel.  I love the Lord very very much and i am willing to make sacrifices to represent him better. I fall very short of what i want to become but little by little i know i'll get closer. I just need His help. I appreciate you. i respect you. i honor you. I thank you. Hurrah for Israel and the Lord's work today in Las Vegas!

Love

Hermana Burrup

November 19, 2012

Nov 19

Dear Dear Family!

Sister Caballero's baptism was beautiful! She said she wasn't nervous before just excited. Martin didn't end up baptizing her. I was a little bummed that he didn't baptize her but Sister Caballero said she wanted someone a little bigger to do the baptism. Probably ended up being a good thing because the water was surprisingly low. But it worked out! :) Martin said that he was happier than she was. There were a few tears and everyone could tell that it was a special moment for the whole family. Even those who aren't members were happy. Eva, Martin's sister-in-law mentioned that she wants to be baptized soon as well. We've been working with the whole family but it's been a little bit of a hit or miss game to know who will be in the lessons. I think Eva and her husband Miguel are progressing a lot too. They have been reading the book of Mormon which makes all the difference! Sister Oyanedel, Sister Holland, and I did a special musical number at the baptism as well. There were tender mercies all over the place. The pianist canceled but a sister from the ward showed up literally 5 minutes before the musical number. Phew! The font and the changing rooms were locked until about 10 minutes before the baptism which only worked out because there was a dodgeball tournament in the gym during the baptism. Funny little things that can really scare you but the Lord helped us a lot! At the end of the baptism martin said the prayer and even asked for a blessing for "all the people that are here that aren't baptized yet but will but don't know it yet." The funny thing is that he said it in all seriousness. Nobody laughed because he was sincere. martin and his mom have built their faith and acted and the family can see the difference! Either way, it was beautiful all together. We also visited a less active family, the Lopez this week. They came to church as well. Being inactive for almost 20 years and reactivating takes a lot of faith. They are a very special family to me as well. We've been very blunt with them and they are making the changes. they stopped drinking coffee and stopped buying quesadillas and playing soccer on sundays. They are reading the Book of Mormon and saying prayers.  I told them that if i get transfered i will be calling sister Oyanedel to make sure they are still going to church. They laughed a good laugh with that one. They think i was joking.

Well, now for the news: i am being transferred to the sunrise zone to serve in los feliz. I think it's a ward instead a branch so a little bit bigger. I will be serving with Sister Holland. We are both very much white and blonde and i'm a tad nervous about the fact that we are both learning spanish but the Lord will help us! i know it! At first i was thinking that the whole situation is bitter sweet but i changed my mind. Just sweet because  it's what the Lord wants. I'll see the Caballero, The Lopez, The other Lopez, the Murray, President Rincon, Sister oyanedel again. It will be ok :) I just get to meet more people and try to contribute what i have to the Los Feliz ward! I'm excited and i love the Lord's work. God doesn't change, just me. And i am trying so so hard to change. No matter how gradual it feels, i know that i need it. More christ-like however small the change and however long it takes me doesn't matter. But i am changing and i'm not going to stop! 

I love you all very much! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANNER AND AUSTIN! keep smiling and know that i'm grateful for you on thanksgiving and everyday! Dad, play extra hard with Christian and Nate for me. Mom, do lots of pillow talk with Nae for me, and Christian ask steve some hard questions for me. (side-note but one of my favorite memories with steve was asking nerd question that i've always wondered and he knew all the answers. thanks steve! :) 

Peace and Blessings! :)

Sister Burrup

sister caballero teaching me how to make homemade tortillas

all the sisters involved in teaching the caballero family

the special special caballero family. martin is on the far right.

Familia Murray - great cook and we love them

lopez family that is reactivating

President Neider,

This week was perhaps one of the very happiest! This last Saturday, Sister Caballero followed the example of Jesus Christ and her son, Martin in her decision to be baptized. It was a beautiful baptism and her excitement was evident in the number of family members at the baptism and at church. In our gospel principles class yesterday we had 25 people there. For our little branch, that was a huge deal! We are excited for her and her family. What a special weekend. I am sad to be leaving but i know Sister Oyanedel and Sister Despain will be blessed with many miracles here specifically with the Caballero family. At the baptism Martin said that he was happier than even his mom and She was very happy. Martin is 20 years old and preparing for a mission.   I really love their family and many others here. I'm thankful for the time the Lord has allowed me to be here. I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve in Sunrise. If the ward is called los feliz then it must be a great place to be. Thank you President for your example and support. Thank you for being in tune and inspired by the spirit. We love you and your wife very much!

Love and Prayers Both

Sister Burrup

November 12, 2012

This girl is powerful.  We are so grateful for the blessings our family has received from her diligent Christlike service.  She is truly blessing the lives of so many families.

My great great family,

Another great week! Transfers are next tuesday and i'm already close to tears because i will likely be transfered out of this area. I love it hear and i don't want to leave but i also know that i will likely have the opportunity to come back for a baptism....hopefully a few :) If anyone can help people get there, it's sister Oyanedel. Sister Oyanedel loves to work hard. Our new thing is to "walk with purpose." Frankly, we do have a purpose and we are not just on a thing called a mission, we have a mission, we have goals, and we are going to fulfill our purpose in one way or another. :) I love being here with Sister Oyanedel. She's very dedicated to the Lord and is so so inspired in the way that she teaches. She teaches simply but so personally. Someday i will be more like her. Well, this last week was a good one. We taught the restoration to a family of 7! Not everyone was there but the mom, Irma was definitely listening carefully. This week we had the beautiful opportunity to hear several of our investigators pray for the first time. There are few things that can make me as happy as hearing the sincere prayers of God's children pleading for understanding, pleading for help in their marriage, pleading for the health of family members, and even pleading that we might successfully help others come to truth as well. I love hearing their prayers! This week we met with an investigator named Raquel. She has a testimony the gospel but cannot be baptized without quitting her job. She told us she feels like superman. At first i was so confused but then she explained. She's living 2 lives because she hasn't quit her job but has desire to change. Please pray for her. I'm afraid we may need to drop her this week. We only stopped by to make an appointment with her and she just asked us to please please pray with her. We of course did offer a prayer with her but my heart was simply troubled and hurt to see her smothered in make-up, in a small little dress...we almost couldn't tell it was her anymore. She is obviously lost in the world of temptation, confused by her desire to be accepted and loved, and absolutely unaware of the seriousness of her decision nor the true worth and potential she has. I hope she musteres even a little faith to keep trying. She has asked us to give up on her before. Anyway, We also heard a women pray this week that her husband would have clean thought. When we hear the prayers of others, we recieve a glimpse into their deepest feelings, fears, worries, and joys. I'm so glad i get to hear the prayers of many and offer numberless prayers for them as well. I noticed last week that my knees really are beginning to callus from kneeling and my middle finger on my right hand is also developing a callus from knocking on doors. It surprised me to be honest. I also thought people were joking when they said that but it really happens! :) I don't mind if the callus on my finger fades after my mission but i never want my knees to change! Prayer not only invites the spirit but helps us understand the spirit in our efforts to change to what the Lord needs and wants from us. How i love the gospel and how i love the Lord! 

Thank you for your support family. I truly have been eternally blessed by your examples! Mike and Kirsten, Congrats on the baby! i'm so excited for you!  Christian, what is going on with your mission papers? when are they going in? when is your availability date? when will you know? how can i help? you will tell me, right!?  

I love you all! Hurrah for Israel!

Love

Hermana burrup

She got to visit her cousin Cyntha and family who live in Las Vegas.  Awesome, right?

Dear President Neider,

We are so excited for this week! There are so many good things happening. We are excited to learn from Elder Ellis on Tuesday and Wednesday, to invite investigators to a branch activity on friday, and see Sister Caballero's baptism on Saturday. This is going to be a good week! Well, this last week was also a good week. Sister Oyanedel is so grateful that she was able to take care of everything. She has been praying and fasting for this opportunity for many many years. So thank you President for helping everything be possible for her. I loved the opportunity i had to be with Hermana Medina for a day. She taught me how to mention the restoration in street contacts and how to teach the Plan of Salvation more simply.  This week we also have seen miracles! We have two new investigators who finally decided to call the number on the card. One recieved the card 2 months ago and the other 3 years ago. How the Lord leads the prepared to the missionaries and the missionaries to the prepared. Thank you again President for your example and for the work you put into this mission! Hurrah for Israel!

Love

Sister Burrup

November 5, 2012

My Dear Dear Family,

Celebrate Christian's birthday with/for me! i'm celebrating today too! :) I hope you go spanish speaking because i already have everything planned for you! I am so so excited for to recieve your call, Bud! Will you please please tell me everything? do you already have your papers submitted or when? when is everything happening? i want to know ALL! you will be a powerful missionary because you smile because you are happy because you are living the gospel! We have a joke in our mission. We call it zoo face. Basically, our goal is to get people asking why we are so happy! if we are happy they will have a greater desire to learn. She tells us to put on our zoo faces or to act as excited as a toddler going to the zoo for the first time. We take zoo face pictures with ridiculous smiles. It's fun. we also quote Elder...Holland i think, "if you are happy, tell your face!" Living  the gospel really does make us a happy. It is really so simple. Why do we complicate the gospel? Through obedience All of God's blessings are available to us! So family, let's live up to our names (both the name burrup and the name of the savior) by perfect obedience, complete consecration, and an eternity of service.  How i love the gospel! I feel like things are finally starting to feel more natural. I prefer doing street contacts in spanish. I don't hesitate or feel dumb when i talk to people. I'm confident. Every day here seems to get better and better and better.

Except one thing made us sad last week. They took sister Dickson away! sister Dickson recieved permission to drive this last week so they sent her to another area to be a driver. They called us in the morning and two hours later she was in her new area. So so fast! We're back to two now. I feel like we make so few pancakes in the morning now. We miss sister dickson but she's needed elsewhere. As for Halloween, we had a mission activity. We watched a movie about the role of fathers in the home. I felt bad not being in homes and on the streets but there isn't any way we would have been able to effectively teach a lesson or contact people. As for investigators, Sister Caballero is going strong for her baptism on the 17th of this month. it will be a beautiful baptism because her son, Martin, will be performing the baptism. martin was baptized last april. His brother and sister-in-law are working towards baptism as well. We have been focusing a lot on them and making sure they are ready but trying to balance visiting other investigators and finding all at the same time. it's hard but we are getting lot of help.

I recieved the package. thank you so so much! I feel so so supported by you all! thank you for your prayers! Dad, what news! I was humbled by your letter, by your humility and goodness, your faith, your setting apart, your testimony. thank you for your example. the funny thing about lacking experience is that it all just fades away as we put our entire heart, mind, mind, and strength in. the Lord does help us and he works miracles in behalf of his children. I know that this will be a challenge for you, mom, and Christian, but i am confident that it will bless us all. Kirsten, thank you for the letters, and janae, i did recieve your letter as well! so so fun to hear your stories. Kirsten, keep trying hard to be a part of missionary work. There is a member here, Sister Maria Huertas, from Peru. she always has a book of mormon with her, there is another member who always has mormon.org card (they came free with the ensign last month). Simply open your mouth with sincere and genuine concern for others. All too often we are afraid to offend people but tell me. What is offensive about a neighbor, friend, coworker, another student, trying to share hope and happiness through our Savior. Look for service, be happy, open your mouth. If we mess up the order, the words, or whatever it might be. it's ok. Just help them think. Help them learn. Help them feel, and help them discover. Missionary work is slow and steady but eternally important. 

I love you all so so very much! Hurrah for Israel

Hermanan Burrup

ps- Sister Arango moves today too. I attached a picture of us. She's the pig ear soup lady :)

Dear President Neider,
My mom always told me to serve those i love and love those i serve. Great advice. as a little girl i heard what she said and i tried to apply it but now, i am REALLY trying to apply it! My testimony of the power of service to soften hearts in deepening. We did a service project this week with Eva, the sister of a recent convert and daughter of a soon to be convert. As we worked together she simply started asking what she has to do to be married in the temple. That question, of course, opened the doors to a wonderful discussion about the fundamentals of faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. We are excited for her to continue learning and progressing. Surely the Lord has prepared many to receive the gospel! Sister Oyanedel and I have been incredibly blessed in this branch, area, mission, and companionship. We are grateful for the opportunity we had to be with Sister Dickson and look forward to see the Lord's blessings in the lives of those around us! Thank you President for your service, countenance, work, and dedication. We truly admire you and your wife!
With Love and Prayers,
Sister Burrup

October 29, 2012

My Dear Family!

I love good news and every week you seem to be so full of it...that is the good news :) It's true that a lot of people have moved but we are not discouraged! Jonny, i loved your mission story. I have faith that little by little our influence in this area can bless people. I might be the 50th missionary to talk to someone and they need 100 to actually get it....at least they are one missionary closer to understanding. I'm simply committed to make sure that every interaction someone may have with us is a positive one so that they want us to come back or want to see us or at least stop running away from us. I'm not worried about numbers but the numbers are helpful in reaching goals and motivating us to be better. With 3 sisters, we will be doing more splits which will also help us contact more people in what little time we have. The word that always comes to mind is urgency. We have an urgent message and if we really feel that way, we will walk faster, have more energy, be more engaged, not spend too long at appointments, never leave the apartment late, we will be more successful because we will have more contact with others as we serve them genuinely, effectively, and efficiently.  We are starting to teach a new family, jorge y laura. Sister Oyanedel taught the restoration with them on saturday while sister dickson and i went to a baptism with Sister Caballero. Sister oyanedel is a powerful missionary because she is firm but also loving. i'm so blessed to be with her! Either way, we have some investigators that have been making progress. We dropped several this week that have been super flaky and we were dropped by a few others this week. We have goals set for the rest of the year. I was looking at the calendar and we are running out of weeks. Please pray that we may find those who are prepared. We have mission goals and i have faith that they can be met but we do need help!

In response to your letters: Mom, christmas to me just sounds like the best chance in the world to teach people! i'm excited for it to come closer because i know people will be more open. Really, though. i don't need or want anything at all. I'll think this week because maybe i can find a few members or investigators. Or if you'd like i can find out if there are a few missionaries that don't recieve anything. Kirsten, i couldn't see the pictures you sent but please try again. i want to see them. I also recieved your letter. thank you! Janae and steve, i'll be praying for you. the office missionaries showed us a picture of the hurricane. hope you are ok. way to be prepared with your 72 hour kits :) Mom, i'm so sad to hear that about sister hare's mother. Will you send me her address please? i'd love to send a small letter next week. About the stake, new callings, and dad....what news!? The Lord always qualifies His servants. What an opportunity you have Dad to meet with a general authority. I'm excited to hear more. Christian, sounds like you had an intense week! Lax sounds like it was way fun. send a picture my way. and GREAT job with your many friends and sharing the gospel! Sounds to me like you understand that you really don't have to do anything that big to be a missionary. Little things make the difference! I have been working on your birthday present :) Happy Birthday next week and know that i'm thinking of you and praying for you. When are you expecting to recieve your mission call? how are the papers? Your mission prep assignment this week is find scriptures in the Bible and Book of Mormon about authority! then you can email them to me and we'll both become better missionaries....deal? deal! sure love you! 

Thank you again family, you mean the world to me! Hurrah for Israel!

Love

Sister Burrup

ps- happy halloween. almost forgot.

pss- Kirsten, any news on babies? Janae, are you still doing well? Nicole, keep you head up. you were the best mom and friend in provo for me. Your children will be so blessed to be a part of your family! :) i'm still praying for you!

Dear President Neider!

Being a trio is way too much fun especially with Sister Dickson! We are enthusiastic and happy to have her and honestly, we don't want her to go to Costra Rica...ever! :) Sister Dickson is starting to participate more. We also did splits on Saturday and i think we all had a positive experience. Sister Oyanedel said that she suddenly felt the responsibility of teaching clearly and correctly but felt led by the spirit in her words. Sister Oyanedel is an incredibly example to me of sincerity, humility and obedience specifically. We love having Sister Dickson here. She's energetic and has an incredibly positive attitude about everything. Personally, I've found it difficult to balance training the two.  All 3 of us could use the practice. I'm trying to serve them both and be an example. I pray daily that i can be a leader and example even with less experience. President, i truly love the Lord and i'm grateful to have the sacred opportunity to be a threesome of rookies together. We can feel the Lord's help. Thank you for your support and prayers. We also support and pray for you and your wife. Hurrah For Israel!

With Love

Sister Burrup

October 22, 2012

Family Family,

I'm a winner! i get two companions! :) Sister Dickson arrived from the MTC on thursday. President called us this morning and asked Sister Oyanedel and I if we'd like a new companion. We're excited to have her here. She is from NY and she was actually in Bridget Ostler's MTC district. Bridget was one of my best friends at Helaman. What a small world! Either way, She's a lot of fun and now we are a trio. I attached a picture of her too. 

I also attached a picture of Paco. We've been teaching Paco for about 4 months now. He shared his testimony with us just last week. We were about to choose a new baptismal date together for before the end of the month but he told us he is moving on monday!!!!! I was trying hard to be optimistic. He found a good job in CA which really is good news but i'm so sad that we won't be seeing him. I'm not worried about me being the one to baptize him at all. I am not worried that he won't get baptized because he has expressed the desire himself but i'm bummed i won't be able to come back and visit or be at his baptism. Either way, i'm sure he will do/be great! 

Besides Paco, we are teaching a new family, Jorge y Laura. They are a cute little family of 4 and we are excited for them to start progressing and reading the book of Mormon. We also started teaching someone name Adela. she is working for a strictly catholic couple so we aren't allowed to go into the home. We have lessons at a park every saturday. She has a lot of faith but she is hesitant to change. Please pray for her that she can recognize the spirit and be willing to change. There are so many people that need the gospel but simply need humility to change. I am often impressed and touched by the sacrifices that many faithful people make to become members of the church and reap greater blessings from the atonement of Jesus Christ. Our training at our District meeting was about how to teach the Atonement with a baptismal commitment. It was focused on how absolutely nobody can reap the full blessings of the atonement without being baptized  Without baptism, the sacrament only helps you think about and remember our savior but after baptism, it becomes a weekly ordinance with renewed covenants and renewed cleanliness. The Sacrament is so vital to our progress and success in this life. We need The Saviors help!

Nicole, your brother is leaving so soon! that's very exciting! The best advice i recieved was to learn how the spirit communicates with you and just act! another little bit of advice is to invite every one to his farewell ESPECIALLY non-members! "The best way to prepare for a mission is to be a missionary now!" quote from...i think elder bednar. i learned that from him in the mission prep. class at institute. Christian, Austin....take advantage of the time you have to prepare. it really is small. Prepare for the temple and prepare to teach by studying thoroughly the lessons in Preach my Gospel!

Christian, you really could get called to the same mission. There is a sister here that served in the same branch as her brother. How Crazy but how cool would that be!? You will be a prepared and effective missionary as you practice exact obedience and discipline. Keep  it up. I have some stuff heading your way soon for your birthday! :) Maybe we can set up a personal mission prep email class :) For starters, next week will you tell me what you are doing to get ready for you mission? maybe some goals? I'm sad i won't get to see you but i'm excited for you to go and be a part of the work as well! 

I'm a mormon, i know it, i live it, and i love it! thanks for your examples and i will keep praying for you. Dad, when are your next scans? Dad, i'm sorry you had/have cancer but i'm grateful for the experiences and sacred experiences it has brought. maybe you got cancer so christian and i could be better missionaries :) Mom and Dad thank you for your love and examples since day 1. i don't know how or why God allowed me to be so blessed to be a part of this family but i thank him for it! :)

All my love,

Sister Burup

ps- HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MIKE AND NATE THIS WEEK. Wish we could celebrate together! Mike thank you for keeping every moment fun and having a positive and faithful attitude no matter the circumstances. I love you! Little Naterade - you are so so big. Stop growing! I love you and take care of your parents :) love you nae and steve!

Dear President Neider,

4 of the families and investigators that we visit are moving! That's a lot! But the good news is that i'm sure a great referral to missionaries in California will answer somebody's prayers. either way, we are going to keep working hard even if it means just preparing people for later. It's all part of the same work! We are super excited to have Hermana Dickson here. I'm absolutely humbled to be with both of my companions. I am learning from them both. Having Sister Dickson here has already but new resolutions and changes. We are going to work towards doing splits so that we can get more accomplished and make sure that  Sister Dickson and Sister Oyanedel both have opportunities to study for, learn with, and teach investigators. President, I am so grateful to be a part of this work and this mission. i often feel undeserving of the many many blessings the Lord pours out on us. I KNOW He is aware and that these blessings come from Him. Thank you for your example and thank you for this opportunity. It's a great blessing to be under inspired leaders! 

Love

Sister Burrup

October 15, 2012

My Family,

Time is incredibly short today because we did online training, and a survey because a member of the 70s is coming to tour our mission. I'm sorry i won't be able to write more but know that i think of you often and i am feel so strongly your support, prayers, and love of the gospel. Each of you are such examples to me! 

Kirsten and Mike, i'm so happy for you! Sister Oyanedel and I snuck into an empty room in the church to offer a prayer of thanks right after reading the news. I loved your insight on how being realistic is simply an excuse to not stretch our faith and expect miracles. Thank you

Christian you are so great! skipping ski-doos (?sp), making fun of my english, admitting that i was first on your list to the sisters because i'm your favorite, loving general conference, getting ready to go professional for Lax, AND getting ready for you mission! Christian i will miss you big time. 3.5 years is a really long time but i know it will be wonderful. I'll have to work extra on your bday gift :) I was planning on having a few weeks with you to shove all my favorite missionary discoveries at you and get you pumped just before going into the mtc. Either way you will be a wonderful missionary.

missionary work: it's moving forward and we love our investigators! Paco said he is starting to feel more ready for baptism. He's hilarious and we are always laughing with him but we have had some powerful lessons with him as well. The lessons are most powerful when we ask questions and they discover that they already have a testimony that it is true. We have also had a lot of positive experiences with member help. The members here are powerful examples and great fellowshippers. they make all the difference in the world. Janae and Steve keep up the great missionary work. It is so exciting to be a part of this work and the spirit testifies that it is true simply with the joy we feel after opening our mouths!

How i love you! sorry again for a short one but know that I think of you often! Hurrah for Israel!

All my love

Sister Burrup

Dear President Neider,

I LOVE being a missionary! The Lord has blessed us this week as always. Small blessings one after another but I know they are from the Lord. One blessing that i feel has been particular obvious is simple confidence and better understanding of how to teach investigators not lessons through the spirit. I truly love the members and the investigators here and i am determined to serve them more diligently. After watching some of the Preach My Gospel DVDs, Sister Oyanedel and I set a new goal to contact our branch president weekly. I think it will help us work better with the branch and gain their confidence. We are working hard and learning every day because, honestly, we still have much to learn. I'm excited for all that will come soon. I know that the Lord will help us because he loves the people here so much! Thank you president for sharing your testimony daily with us missionaries and working hard to help us be a successful mission. Hurrah for Israel!

Love

Sister Burrup