January 22, 2018 -- The Burton's Baptism
Everyone- My girls have been baptized.
I cannot even describe to you all my feelings as I watched Hayden and Janea enters the waters of baptism. Sister Adams and I first knocked on their door back in September, and on January 20th they became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They made promises with God that they will always remember Him, and that they will follow Him their whole lives. They were then confirmed on January 21st, and given the gift of the Holy Ghost.
In all of this I have reflected back on God's great love for me. This right now are not perfect, far from it. We all continue to struggle every day, and there are so many things around us that could bring us down. But this work is worth it, because we get to see miracles. We get to be around people like Hayden and Janea Burton. We get to love them and be there for them and teach them, just as the Savior would if He was here. He knows that we are not perfect, and yet he still chooses to allow us to assist Him in His love. I cannot believe how honored and blessed I am to have been one of the missionaries that taught them and learned from them. At the baptismal service, I could just look at them and feel how important they are to God. They are so amazing. I also got to talk to Sister Adams at the service! She face-timed the family to see them, and I asked President Smith if I could say hi to her, and he said yes! I love her so much, and I miss her a lot. Oh, President Smith came to the baptism! It was stressful but amazing. They were baptize by Brother Hostetler, the ward mission leader here in FoxRun. He and his family are some of my favorite people that I have met on my mission. His testimony is inspiring, and his love for God and missionary work motivates the people around him to grow as disciples of Christ. I can't think of a better person to have baptized the girls that I love so much.
The other people that we are working with are all doing amazing as well! We are so blessed right now. For some reason, almost all of our investigators right now remind me of a member of my family. There is Autumn who I have written about before who reminds me of my older sister Jessica. She loves music and loves to find out answers for herself. She comes to us with questions, and then she goes and prays about everything so she can receive a witness for herself. I have also written about Shelia before, and she is a lot like my mom. She just embraces people. Her love for learning and all the people around her just makes me feel like I am looking at Mother. Her daughter, Nicole, reminds me of my older sister Aubrey. She is very much herself, and she isn't afraid to let you know how she feels. She is one of the most genuine people I have ever met. One of our new investigators, Ricco, is almost exactly like my brother Derik. He doesn't talk a lot, but when he does the spirit of what he says astounds you. His questions are so deep, it makes you wonder what lies in store for him. I think that God must really love me, because He keeps sending me my family to remind me why I am here. I keep waiting for my Dad and little sister Eryn to show up- I will let you know when they do. :)
All we can do is hope, do our best, and then let God do the rest. Missions sure aren't easy, but they are very worth it. I am so grateful to still be here in Fox Run, to see these miracles and meet these people and grow closer to God.
I love you all! This week, read 2 Nephi 4 in the Book of Mormon. It will help you find God's love, even in the middle of affliction and sorrow. God loves you, I know He does!
I cannot even describe to you all my feelings as I watched Hayden and Janea enters the waters of baptism. Sister Adams and I first knocked on their door back in September, and on January 20th they became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They made promises with God that they will always remember Him, and that they will follow Him their whole lives. They were then confirmed on January 21st, and given the gift of the Holy Ghost.
In all of this I have reflected back on God's great love for me. This right now are not perfect, far from it. We all continue to struggle every day, and there are so many things around us that could bring us down. But this work is worth it, because we get to see miracles. We get to be around people like Hayden and Janea Burton. We get to love them and be there for them and teach them, just as the Savior would if He was here. He knows that we are not perfect, and yet he still chooses to allow us to assist Him in His love. I cannot believe how honored and blessed I am to have been one of the missionaries that taught them and learned from them. At the baptismal service, I could just look at them and feel how important they are to God. They are so amazing. I also got to talk to Sister Adams at the service! She face-timed the family to see them, and I asked President Smith if I could say hi to her, and he said yes! I love her so much, and I miss her a lot. Oh, President Smith came to the baptism! It was stressful but amazing. They were baptize by Brother Hostetler, the ward mission leader here in FoxRun. He and his family are some of my favorite people that I have met on my mission. His testimony is inspiring, and his love for God and missionary work motivates the people around him to grow as disciples of Christ. I can't think of a better person to have baptized the girls that I love so much.
The other people that we are working with are all doing amazing as well! We are so blessed right now. For some reason, almost all of our investigators right now remind me of a member of my family. There is Autumn who I have written about before who reminds me of my older sister Jessica. She loves music and loves to find out answers for herself. She comes to us with questions, and then she goes and prays about everything so she can receive a witness for herself. I have also written about Shelia before, and she is a lot like my mom. She just embraces people. Her love for learning and all the people around her just makes me feel like I am looking at Mother. Her daughter, Nicole, reminds me of my older sister Aubrey. She is very much herself, and she isn't afraid to let you know how she feels. She is one of the most genuine people I have ever met. One of our new investigators, Ricco, is almost exactly like my brother Derik. He doesn't talk a lot, but when he does the spirit of what he says astounds you. His questions are so deep, it makes you wonder what lies in store for him. I think that God must really love me, because He keeps sending me my family to remind me why I am here. I keep waiting for my Dad and little sister Eryn to show up- I will let you know when they do. :)
All we can do is hope, do our best, and then let God do the rest. Missions sure aren't easy, but they are very worth it. I am so grateful to still be here in Fox Run, to see these miracles and meet these people and grow closer to God.
I love you all! This week, read 2 Nephi 4 in the Book of Mormon. It will help you find God's love, even in the middle of affliction and sorrow. God loves you, I know He does!
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