February 18, 2013

My dear Family,

The scriptures are so neat! I feel like recently i have been learning better how to study my scriptures. There is a whole chapter in Preach My Gospel dedicated to effective study. President and Sister Neider say that our prayers should be garden of Gethsemane experiences and our personal study should be sacred grove experience. It has become so clear to me the role of scripture study in our personal conversion to the savior. The spirit really can guide us to the things we need to read or the things others need to know. Sister Nieto said just yesterday morning, "I'm not really sure how i found this scripture but i really like it for nadia." God's hands really are in the simple and small details of our lives. He has all of eternity to help us. It isn't a matter of time. It's a matter of love. His time and His love are both infinite. 

We visited Nadia again this week. We were hoping to have the opportunity to teach the restoration to her husband as well and get the whole family involved but he was sick. We are still working and praying for the opportunity or maybe the inspiration in how to get him involved. Last week we committed her to read the introduction. When we talked to her this last week we followed up on the commitment only to find that she not only read the introduction but the testimonies of the 3 witnesses, 8 witnesses, and the prophet joseph smith. We were really impressed and excited for her. She is so sincere, humble, and wants to do what is right. If we can get the rest of the family on board it will be a sweet family of 4 investigators. The daughters are nadia and grecia ages 12 and 8. Cute cute family. 

We also had a fun day yesterday. None of our investigators came to church! So we were in contact with them. Gabriela was one of them. We talked to her and made an appointment for later that day. When we went we really weren't sure what to say or how to say it. She had committed to come to church but said she couldn't because she was sad. The appointment went very well. Gabriela is also very good. She wants to do what is right but sometimes struggles with depression. She refuses to take medication but every now and then she is overwhelmed with loneliness because she literally has no family here and she is scared to leave her apartment because she lives in more dangerous area. We were guided to share the scripture in Isaiah 56:6-7 with her where The Lord says he will "fill us with joy in his house of prayer" We talked about how the gospel including church attendance fills us with joy. We cannot consider it even an option to break the commandments. It's a sacred obligation we have as followers of Christ and even more as bearers of his name: baptized members of His church. We invited her to night church. She only had 10 minutes to get ready but she made it work. I was so excited to see that she is making sacrifices to do what is right. We are still trying to find a way for her to move into her own apartment so she can be baptized on the 16th. Please remember Her in your prayers!

Well, With transfers we have a new district leader, Elder slik. He is younger in the mission but he wants to work and we're excited to recieve more inspired trainings from him. That is the only change in our district but we have a new sister in our zone from Okanawa, JAPAN! Her name is sister nakaima coming from temple square.  There are already more missionaries coming. Areas are being divided and lots of people training. This transfer is only going to be 5 weeks instead of 6 to accommodate all the new missionaries. I'm starting to panic that my time is short in Los Feliz. I love it here and i love the members. It's a good area and we are working hard.  I love the scripture in luke  24:32  where it says, "did our hearts not burn within us?" I love that we can feel that at any moment if we simply do our part by reading the scriptures and saying your prayers. I love you so much! Make time for the Savior every day and as i've been counseled before. Not just any time but we must "dedicate prime time" to him. Take care and may God bless you! Hurrah for Israel

love

Hermana Burrup

ps- ymlu

Dear President Neider,

I'm so grateful for the morning schedule! The last couple of days i have loved my personal study and seem to be waking up smiling. Sister Nieto and I are trying hard not to fall into any kind of neutral. Even if neutral is at a high level because we are working hard neutral is not a principle in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We had an interesting week. Some really good appointments and some unforgettably unusual street contacts. Sister Nieto and I are having fun and trying to work more with the members. With the ward members we have set new goals to take members with us whether or not there are appointments so that even the members and youth can participate in the different aspects of missionary work. How i love being a missionary. I want to magnify my mission, my life, myself, and others. The gospel of Jesus Christ in it's fulness was miraculously restored to the earth so we can have the restored blessings that accompany it. Thank you president for you positive influence, excellent example, and Christlike leadership. We love you and your wife and look forward to interviews this week. Hurrah for Israel and His marvelous work!

Love

Hermana Burrup