Transfers.... Psych!

Hello all! What a crazy week! 

On Monday we received the call that Elder Mbuli would be leaving to Stoke-On-Trent. We spent Tuesday getting all packed and ready to go and saying goodbye to everyone Elder Mbuli wished to see. The night came to a close and we had our final District call. We finished the night and got ready for bed... 

In the flat, Spotland, Rochdale. 22:15:00

The night was coming to an end. Elder Mbuli and I were having our final chat over a fine stir-fry dinner. We sat across the desk from one another as we discussed his thoughts on leaving Rochdale the next morning. Suddenly, the screen of the phone illuminated and the ringtone sounded, disturbing the present conversation. It was President McReynolds. Why was he calling us so late? And what did he need that was so urgent? We answered. The loving voice came through the phone, his apologies in the air for the lateness of his call. After the usual exchange of pleasantries, he requested to speak with Elder Mbuli. The conversation began and it's outcome swayed forcefully passed my expectation. "Elder Mbuli," President began, "It appears that it would be best if you would be able to stay in Rochdale for this next transfer. Would that be okay for you?" Elder Mbuli, with a sense of surprise caught in his voice, replied, "Yes, President, I can do that." He then asked to speak with me and confirmed if I was in agreement with the change. I also responded in the affirmative. 

With bags already packed and plans for travel ready, we sat in an awed silence as we contemplated the sudden change to our present future. 

That's right!! Elder Mbuli and I are together again for another transfer! We shall see what this one brings. 

As for the rest of my week, it's been a bit different not having the responsibilities associated with being a District leader. My evenings are suddenly a lot less busy. I was very antsy the first night and started cleaning our spare room. It was a mess and I wanted to clean it all last transfer but never had the time. Now I do! It already looks much better, and after we get a new dryer tomorrow, it will be ready for the Hoover. A wonderful spirit is able to abide in clean spaces.

Oh, yeah, our dryer hasn't been working for whole of last transfer! We've had to use the spare room to hang our clothes on racks, hangers, and rope stretched across in "marvelous disarray" (extra points if you know where the quote is from #didyoulisten)

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Have you ever tried to describe something, but there just aren't the words to do so? I feel this a lot, especially in teaching the gospel. I think of these principles that are so important to me and I know are true, yet struggle to put that feeling into words. I personally feel that there is no possible way we could ever adequately describe each principle of the gospel and it's importance in our lives. Topics such as faith, love, forgiveness, repentance, being children of God, the prospect of Exaltation, and many more, are nearly impossible to comprehend, let alone to describe and teach someone else. Left to our own devices, we would never be able to reason ourselves into a testimony or elaborately persuade through words a person to conversion. It is an unaccomplishable task. 

While I pondered on this and how I could best help others understand the greatness of God and His gospel, and even helping myself understand it better and more fully, I was struck as to the importance of the Holy Ghost and His role in the development of testimony. Our words will ultimately mean very little in the grand scheme of things, however, the lasting impression of the Holy Ghost will mean everything. He fills the gap of what we can't understand with our physical minds, with what we can understand through our spiritual nature. The Holy Ghost is vital. 

I've seen too many people who get caught in the devices of man, and lean off balance in spiritual matters. They cannot comprehend it anymore because they no longer search with spiritual eyes, and the presence of the Holy Ghost is gone. This leads to spiritual darkness, and that creeps quickly and inconspicuously into the corners of our mortal life, eventually bringing those feelings of dread and gloom. However, I have also seen the great joy that is brought into people's lives as they accept the Holy Ghost in their lives, receive the greater light of gospel, and understand more perfectly the great importance of those gospel principles.

We will never be able to prove the gospel by an in-depth scientific or analytical analysis and study, however, we can come to know for ourselves as we rely on the witness of the Holy Ghost. He is the One that brings us true conversion and of whom we gain a knowledge of these things. I don't have a perfect knowledge of all things, but I do know that God loves us. We are His children and He knows each of us by name. As we come to Him, He will answer our prayers and give us comfort and peace. He is our loving Heavenly Father. I know that as I search with spiritual eyes, that I can come to a greater knowledge of other gospel principles also. So can you. 

I love you all!! 

Elder Burns