Busy and Hectic, but Peaceful and Happy!

Hello all!

I feel like I say it every week, but this week truly went by the fastest of them all! It was full of great experiences and spirit!

Monday: Pretty much a normal preparation day. We had the Crosby elders, Elder Audrlický and Elder Halstead. We went to eat at a chippy and then went to the chapel. Elder Halstead and I went to the piano/organ and had a great jam session! It took us a bit to figure out the organ, but we eventually got it! It was really fun! Then we had our email time, which always goes by sooooo quickly!

Tuesday: Today we had a district meeting in Southport, and I was asked to give a training on faith in Jesus Christ. I was given one paragraph in Preach My Gospel to focus on, and it was amazing how much I could pull out of it. Preach My Gospel is such an amazing resource! We did a street display this day as well! It was very cold and there were two other groups on the spot selling bracelets and pamphlets, so we had to move to another area. The people were not receptive, and I wasn't really able to talk with anyone. This got me down a bit, so I said a little prayer and the next person I introduced myself to was willing to talk with me. He wasn't from England and spoke very little English, but we were able to discuss the gospel and he seemed interested. He accepted a Book of Mormon and seemed happy to meet with us.

This same night we left for Altricham. On Thursday Morning we had First 5 Weeks training, and so we arranged to sleep at the Assistants to the President's flat. We packed our bags, and headed to the train station. As we headed to the train station, we saw in the distance our train to Altricham come and go, and it just so happened to be the last train going directly there, so we had to change our plans. We caught the next train toward Liverpool. We almost missed getting off the train because of misread information. We got off and made our connection to the next station. Now, normally these trains have wifi, but they were down, which meant we couldn't finish our travel plans! We hoped and prayed for the best. When we got to the station, the last train to Altricham had already left. We ended up having to go catch a tram to get the rest of the way there. Because of one missed train, we ended up getting there an hour later than we had planned. We spent the night with Elder Ellis and Elder Sintim. It was great to spend that time with them, especially since it was Elder Sintim's last week in the field!

Wednesday: This morning was First 5 Weeks, and since we were with the Assistants to the President, we had to get there over an hour early. When we got to the mission home, President McReynolds wanted some supplies, and the Assistants decided to go on splits with us. So, I went with Elder Ellis to get said supplies. First 5 Weeks was absolutely amazing! It was so great to be reunited with my MTC district, and hear their testimonies. We had some great trainings, and the spirit was so strong! I was invited at the end to share my testimony, and I was so grateful for that. I love the gospel so much, and it's truly the biggest blessing in my life! I love it so much, and I desire that everyone else can feel the joy that comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

After the First 5 Weeks, we went on our way back to Southport! This trip was even worse! We made plans to get there the day before, but when we checked the new schedule, we noticed a faster trip home that would get us directly there and before 9! But that didn't work out. We ended up missing our original train as we waited for that one, and then it was delayed so we went inside. As soon as we got inside the board said "arrived", so we ended up missing that train too! We checked for the next train that was leaving in 30 minutes... As we were waiting, we discovered that it got canceled! With only 2 minutes before the last train left, we got on! It was a wild ride of missed/delayed/ canceled trains! 

Thursday: I had exchanges with Elder Halstead! This was such a great experience and just amazing to spend time with him! He has such a strong testimony and a great conversion story! He is such a great missionary, and just a fun, loving man.

Friday: We ended exchanges and had our companionship inventory. I realize now how grateful I am for that opportunity. Elder Halstead was transferred this week, and so it was my last opportunity to truly spend time with such a wonderful elder.

Saturday: Today, we were able to meet another new friend! She is a close friend with one of the members in our ward, and has been interested in meeting with us for about a month, but too shy to actually do anything. We were finally able to arrange to meet her at a pizza shop. We were finally able to meet her and introduce ourselves. We invited her to the new member fireside and she agreed to come! 

Sunday: New Member Fireside!!!!!! Ah! This day was amazing! We were able to, through much stressing over car rides, have two investigators come to this! We had to take two cars, so Elder Carroll and I arranged splits. We were able to really get to know these friends on the 90 minute car ride. The fireside was truly amazing and full of the spirit! Jose, a friend I taught on exchanges with Elder Beck, was one of them who spoke!! It was amazing to hear his story and testimony! After the meeting, we were able to answer many of our investigators' questions. We were able to teach them so much, and it really opened their minds towards learning more about the gospel. I'm not sure if they realized it, but I could see how much the spirit changed them during the meeting. They were happier and more willing to talk and ask questions about the gospel!

I am really excited for them! Especially after hearing the testimonies of so many that have recently joined the church and the joy it has brought them!

I love the gospel so much! It is a gospel of joy, love, peace, and hope! God loves all of us, and blesses us as we follow him!

Love you all!

Elder Burns

England Manchester Mission

Springwood, Suite G5

Booths Park

Chelford Road

Knutsford

England WA16 8GS

United Kingdom