A Week of Many Adventures

Honestly, titles are so hard.... 

Hi all! This week was busy, so I'll give a briefing of each day. 

Monday: Preparation day! We joined the Rosendale Valley elders and went driving (golf) again, as sort of a District tradition. It was very windy, yet despite the adverse conditions, I was able to hit pretty consistently 100-150 yards, and some over that! I remember going with dad to go driving and not even hitting the ball! Much improved  (Just getting ready to beat dad when I get home )

Tuesday-Wednesday: Exchanges with Elder Edwards! This was a fun day. Elder Edwards is a wonderful elder and we get on well. He is a grand example of leadership and talking to everyone. I definitely learned a lot from him. On the exchange itself we were able to find a new friend, which was a wonderful miracle! Both our areas have been struggling to find people. Ultimately, the exchange went very well!

Friday: Miracle finding day!! I think sometimes a drought is given to us to help us realise that success doesn't come from us. We can do nothing of ourselves, but must rely on the Lord. After weeks of finding no one, we were blessed on this day to find three people! They were all found, by the way, as we were walking along the street. God definitely placed these people in our paths. We can take no credit. 

Saturday: First lesson with Umair! He was one that we found on Friday. It was very difficult to find his house. We actually had to video call him just to find out where his flat was. It ended up being a small 1 room flat. Elder Heaton and I sat on the bed and he sat on his chair. There wasn't even a dresser, so he lives out of his suitcase and duffel bag. The only other room is his bathroom. The bedroom, kitchen, living room, etc. are all one in the same. It helped me realise how truly blessed I am. There is quite a bit of language barrier between us, yet despite that, we felt to invite him to church. 

Sunday: Umair came to church! I'm sure he didn't understand much of what was said, but he was able to feel something. He consistently expressed his thanks. Especially during the Hymns, he would place his hands over his heart and smile. As I talked with a member afterward, Clark, we were discussing the language barrier and he said that there is no language barrier with the Holy Ghost. I believe that to be true no matter where we are, or what language we speak, the spirit can and will testify to us of truth. 

One additional witness came to me of the importance of the sacrament. As it was being passed around, Umair reached into his pocket and pulled out some change to hand to the teacher. I whispered that they don't need our money, that it is free. I didn't think much of it, but I have since. Just think of how much worth the sacrament has! It is God extending us the opportunity to renew our baptismal covenants each week! The gift of repentance and fully using the atonement is a gift far beyond that of money. In the long run, our money is worth nothing, but repentance is worth everything. 

I invite each one of you to ponder on how much the sacrament and Christ's atonement is worth to you. If you've strayed from the path leading towards God, please come back! It's never too late to repent. God is waiting with open arms to help you change and become better. 

The atonement is a gift. There is no price tag to repenting, and there in no down payment for receiving the blessings of the atonement. It is freely given to every man, woman and child. It's up to our own agency to reach out and take it. 

I wish I could better express in words just what that precious gift is. 

I love you all so much, and continually keep you in my prayers. 

Elder Burns

England Manchester Mission

Springwood, Suite G5

Booths Park

Chelford Road

Knutsford

England WA16 8GS

United Kingdom