When You Have an Original Idea, But Realise You Did That 6 Months Ago

Hello!

I was so excited for my subject line today! I was going to dub lyrics to a Green Day song and say "Another Transfer's come and passed, these days just seem to go so fast". Experiencing a heavy sense of Deja Vous, I realised this unique idea I did last October. Now you know. 

(Deja Vous or Short-Term Memory loss??)

Anyways, Yes! It's transfers again! It legitimately feels like two days ago that I entered Rochdale. In my time here, we've had both General and stake Conference, and it was a shortened transfer. Which means, I have only been to 3 normal Sunday blocks. Now, as a missionary, that's one of the greatest opportunities to get to know all the members. Needless to say, and on accord that I'm already dreadfully bad with names, I've been struggling to remember who is who and where is what. I was banking on Elder Mbuli staying, but sadly he is moving off to Stoke-on-Trent. Elder Blignaut will be taking his place here. I've had the opportunity of doing splits with Elder Blignaut back when he was being trained, and so I'm looking forward to serving with him.

They reorganised the district and zone for this next transfer. With this, there will be twelve missionaries in the district! (not counting senior couples) Luckily, Elder Carlson, a previous zone leader, will be the district leader for the first 4 weeks, and then the torch will pass back to me. It should be fun!

Transfer news finished.

We had an amazing miracle this week! Elder Mbuli and I were in the foyer talking with members between Sacrament meeting and Relief Society/Priesthood, when a sister grabbed us into Relief Society. It turns out a woman had just walked into church! The Lesson was on Elder Ballard's talk "The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead", and her reaction was "I love the view that you have on our spirits". When we asked her afterwards why she came, she answered, "I guess it was the Holy Spirit." We were able to hold an impromptu chapel tour, and look forward to meeting her later in the week!

Another highlight was family home evening with our recent converts! It was an absolute joy! As three generations, it was their first time holding a family home evening. We sang songs, prayed together, shared testimony, played games, learned together, and yes, ate refreshments together too  The youngest of the family said at the beginning that she was bored and didn't want to participate. I promised her that if she participated, she would love it! Near the end, she whispered to me, "Can I tell you something? I really enjoyed tonight. It was fun!"

I have been blessed to have a very tight-knit family. I have so many fond memories with them, and it is a great blessing to feel such great love from each of them. It really shocked me to see just how Satan is attacking families. It saddens me to see how many families are torn apart in the world. I love The Family: A Proclamation to the World when it states, "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." This is true and time-tested.

I love my family and am so grateful for them. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and to be a member of His restored church. I am grateful for the temple ordinances that seal my family as one unit for time and all eternity. I don't think anyone can fathom the full impact that actually has, at least not until we live it.

I love you all and hope you have a fantabulous week!

Elder Burns