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