20...21...28

Hello all!!

Wow! What wonderful week! It was honestly jam packed and amazing! For starters we had Zone Conference. The main focus was on planning and finding people to teach. Well, we've already been able to apply both! We got really excited for Osvaldo's baptism and wanted it to be the best that it could possibly be.

We went to great lengths in planning, more than I ever had. It worked out! Even one of the speakers wasn't able to make it, but we had a backup speaker ready. #backupplans

It was an incredible experience for Osvaldo. He invited several of his friend to the baptism and many of them came! As part of planning, we felt to grab several Portuguese Book of Mormons. Well, after the baptism we were mingling together with some light refreshments when suddenly we heard "Elders, do we have any Portuguese Book of Mormons here?" Why, yes we did! 

Osvaldo, himself, is already such an amazing missionary! He really wants to be a full-time missionary just like us! He shared his testimony immediately after his baptism, and he said, "I don't know if anyone took a picture of me while I was in the font, but if not, I have a picture here in my heart. I have the picture in my heart." He even told those who hadn't been baptised that he couldn't describe his feelings unless you have been there before. He then invited them, that if they desired to feel as he did, to be baptised as he was. He is absolutely amazing!! 

I know the feeling that he was talking about, and it is difficult to describe unless you've been there. It is amazing. It's as if you take all things good, bundle them together and then give it to your spirit and your heart. I can echo Osvoldo's words. If you haven't felt the feeling of God's pure love, be baptised by one holding God's priesthood authority. It will change your life. 

For those of you marking your calendar, or perhaps checking Facebook's birthday list, you might have seen that Saturday was also my birthday. What a better birthday present than seeing this dear friend entering the waters of baptism and making a great promise with God! I couldn't have asked for a better birthday here. 

We did have one family that invited us for tea on Friday. Now, I didn't tell anyone that it was my birthday, but somehow "mom's know". Sister Young had a cake and balloons waiting for me! We decided to cut the cake and it took quite a bit of time. The comment was made that I would be 21 before I left! It was then upped to 28!  

So, yeah, it was a pretty great week!! One year older and wiser too, President and Sister McReynolds sang "Happy Birthday" to me, and we celebrated the baptism and confirmation of Osvaldo!! 

To finish, I had the pleasure of confirming Osvaldo a member of the church and giving him the gift of the Holy Ghost. If there are two things that strengthen my testimony of Priesthood authority, it is the faith of those who receive the blessings, and the near flood of revelation that comes as soon as hands are placed on head and the words "in the name of Jesus Christ" are said. It is an experience that strengthens giver, receiver and witnesses. What a marvelous blessing it is to live in a time when the priesthood authority is on the Earth!! 

I love you all! 

See miracles. Be miracles.

Elder Burns