A day in the life

Sweet Family,

First off, a little love and shout out to Alex! His farewell was today right? I got the recording. xoxo thank you. It's kind of fuzzy like the voice of the Wizard of Oz when he is pretending to be the wizard, but I can get most of it. Absolutely Alex. Absolutely my brother. The Gangshan Stake President's son is going in the same day as Alex and the same mission!

Second off, SERIOUSLY? Alex you took over my shrine? C'mon! There are so many baibai shrines and it's so funny that we have one at home and a baibai goddess. I was telling Sister Christensen about the shrine and the statue and she was so concerned. So funny. The flower lights are actually so beautiful I think I'm going to buy some to use for decoration.

Man, let me tell you about how I've had 4 flat tires this month. And 3 of the 4 were just in two days. This was a bike trouble week. That means that training is almost over and that I’ve been here for almost 3 months when the bike starts falling apart. So yay! I'm so excited. Next Monday is move call and I'll know if I’m staying in beloved Gangshan or heading out somewhere else. I'm excited for whatever comes my way!

Wow! So this week we had an activity with the ward where a member would do missionary work with us so Sis. C and I split up and I went with a member, who is going to go to SLC Visitors Center in December! It was such a good day with miracles. First off, we ran into this investigator that hadn't been picking up her phone. She had been on my mind and BAM right there outside of the Nike store, there she was. We set up right there and it was great. Second miracle was my tire popped again. God loves to be funny. We had an appointment at 3 at the church and it was 2 so we had to fix it quick. I found the bike shop (yes I speak Chinese these days, kind of. I'm starting to read characters! What a joke! I've been learning Chinese for 5 months and now I'm starting to read the Book of Mormon in Chinese. Starting mind you. That's Chinese for you. Rough and tough and good). The owner of the bike shop had been to the SLC temple a while back and he was interested in meeting with the Elders and was super nice! He actually fixed my tire for free. God always has a reason for things.

This is His work and I've really had to be reminded of that this week. A lot of our investigators are very slow coming. It's funny because we have these two great people who believe this is God's church and the Book of Mormon is true, but they won't act. They won't come to church and don't want to work towards a baptismal goal. I was thinking why is that? They believe it and they feel it but they aren't willing to act and to change. That's such a true thing though. So many times we will feel the spirit testify that things are right of us to do, but we ignore it. Change is hard! It's scary! And they love their milk tea or there is family opposition. We know what's right but we don't act. With the investigators, I feel like they just need to better understand the importance of the gospel. This is their eternal salvation we're talking about! It's not a joke! When we understand the doctrine and the teachings of Christ clearly that is what brings changes because it brings understanding! I feel the mantle of the Lord so much. I feel the responsibility I have to teach and do it boldly, but it's not scary. Not at all! Because I know that this is God's work. I know that as long as I seek for the spirit and live worthy of it I will have it and he will help me! I know this so strongly because over and over again I have felt the Spirit guide me in lessons, in finding, in preparing lessons, and basically in every aspect of the work. He is there. I love the Holy Ghost so much. I felt like I didn't really appreciate the true gift it is until now. He protects, enlightens, comforts, and is God's messenger. Oh man oh man family. We are so lucky to know what we know. I'm a sap whenever I recite the first vision I just tear up. I'm so grateful for the Restoration. It happened. And it happened so we can have Christ's church on the earth again. His complete and FULL gospel! We know truths that will bring us guidance in this life and pure bliss in the life to come!

Alex, missions are so hard, but honestly I've learned diligence is the best thing. Work and diligence. The days I wake up and feel so anxious I want to puke and just don't know what to do or am so sad an investigator just won’t accept this gospel that can help them and their family, I just pray to the Lord and forge ahead and as I work and trust in the Lord I feel 100000 times better and have that skip in my step. You'll love it. Just fall in love. It's the little moments that have made my mission.

I love you all so much!

Sister Burr

" It's true. I can feel it"

Fambly Matters,

Wow! So, last week we didn't really find monkey mountain. We got lost and ended up just riding bikes UP a mountain and then ending the day by heading to the beach, BUT we saw monkeys on the side of the road! God was being nice to us.

I have 2 weeks of training left! Then I'm basically an ol’ veteran right? Might as well make flight plans and pack my bags. Just kidding. I’m a missionary right now so sorry, hug and kiss you all when I get home.

I'm becoming a missionary. I want to say all the things missionaries say like 1. time is just flying by 2. I love my mission 3. I can't think of any life but this life! 4. I'm so grateful for this week.. etc. and it's because that is what I feel. I never thought I'd love this life as much as I do. I can hardly think of any life but being a missionary. I was trying to quote LOTR to Sister Christensen, but I couldn't REMEMBER! That was actually the worst but that's fine. I was told every transfer seems to have a "theme" on your mission or something that God really wants you to learn. I think with training, it has been patience and humility. God knows me and my weaknesses and he has hit me hard in the beginning to help strengthen my weaknesses and I'm sososo grateful for that.

Our investigators have moved really slow BUT they are moving so that is good! Sherri isn't going to hit her baptismal date because she still has questions and she has boy problems. BOY PROBLEMS! She wants to marry a guy in another church but if she joins ours, he'll leave her. Boy problems are everywhere and interfering with the Lord's work of salvation. C'mon!

Let me tell you about what's melting my heart. It isn't the Taiwan heat, but the person that is really melting my heart right now. Her name is Ling. We met her through English class (which is taking off! and we have a great CLUE themed party planed!) and started teaching her two weeks ago. She was the one that I taught with my recent convert as my companion. She believes the Book of Mormon and that this is God's church and what's better is she believes Christ is her savior. Last Friday we went over to her house and it's always so much joy! She has 3 younger sisters and they bicker! I love it! I love sisters. And I love you brother don't you worry, but it's so fun to see sisters bickering and just teasing. She likes to call us family then tells us to eat like family and wants us to eat so much food. So we do. So we taught her the second lesson which is the plan of salvation and we were just at the part where we are talking about the Atonement and testifying of Christ when she holds up her hand so we stop talking and she says "it's true. I can feel it" The Spirit was very much there and just so THICK like a fog but a fog that gives enlightenment and truth. Whoa. Nothing brings the spirit like testifying of Christ! She is so good, but her dad is against it so we need a little miracle to overcome that. She is such a good person! She reminds me of you mom. I imagine that she is how you were when the missionaries taught you.

A less active who is now active yay! said that the gospel gives us a goal in life and that is so very true. With the gospel we can live life based on eternal truths and not the changing truths of this and that of the world. It’s so good! Family I love this life! It has almost been 5 months! Yikes! 2 missionaries out! Ready to be showered by blessings? The Lord is the kindest. Christ is our Savior I love Him. i love you all!

Have a Christ filled day!

xoxoxoxo

Love Sister Burr!

Just on the side of the road

Grumpy Monkeys

Jing Ping and me

Taiwan xoxo

A member in the ward drew this of me when I gave a talk xoxo

Taifong Laile!

Family!

A quick one please. Sorry. I'm off to Monkey Mountain with a less-active/recent convert so it'll be short but let me tell you about this week.

I don't know if you know but it's typhoon season which means no one is outside and there is lot of rain and cars end up in trees and things like that. Taipei got hit bad but Gangshan was fine with just some rain!

We have a new President! President Blickenstaff. I met him Thrusday and he can do no wrong in my eyes. I love the Blickenstaffs. (A toy/candy store in Provo)   He really has a great vision for this mission.

The gospel is for everyone. The other day I taught a family who said that there life was basically perfect then right after went to a family that's broken with a drinking boyfriend who is not the greatest and arguing and sadness. It was such a contrast but just proved that no matter who you are or the circumstances the gospel can help you.

The less actives are coming back! There were 3 at church last Sunday and miracles are happening with them. Finding has been a little rough, but we are working with a couple of great people. This investigator I love (Ling) wants to be baptized but her parents object. Golden to the G

I love you all so much. Thanks for the updates and love. I want to put food in my hair so the monkeys will come to me so I’ll let you know how that goes.

xoxo

Sista Burr

The Dawn of the Chuan

Apples Of My Eye (I taught this to a member and she loved this phrase),

Wow. What a week. Sosososo exhausting and sososo good. Imagine this. Imagine the most excited little 16 year old Taiwanese girl with the thickest hair and the happiest smile and the biggest personality. Now imagine her with the greatest testimony and love for people. Image her hanging out and teaching with two sister missionaries for a week. Imagine them speaking so much Chinese their mouths were about to fall off. Imagine her getting SICK! And then imagine the Elders giving her a blessing. Imagine her leaving tissues everywhere too. And imagine her being an American flag while we said the pledge of Allegiance. This was my week. This was my Duan chuan, Zhang JM. (editor’s note – JM is Amanda’s Chinese abbreviation for “Sister” and it comes after the surname, you’re just going to have to remember this) A duan chuan is a temporary missionary. They usually serve for a week to a month or just how long needed. She came because it was a ward activity and wow I'm so exhausted. It was like babysitting, being a missionary, and being a sister/mom. The crazy life, but it was great. I felt like how Sister C must've felt when I came on. Just watch the Best Two Years and that greenie is me. Always asking questions and just forging ahead and so excited about everything in life. The worst but best. Errand of Angels 101. She reminded me how important it is to really express your love to those you teach. The first night she tickle-attacked me. It was kind of crazy strange because missionaries don't really tickle attack so I was a little shocked.

The week, well I got a flat tire on the road but don't you worry. The people of Taiwan came to the rescue. We were going to meet with a less active and we just walked the rest of the way to her house (we were really in the middle of nowhere) and she ended up not being there BUT her husband was and he was 100% kind and put my bike in his car and gave me a bike to ride and we followed him to a shop!

Sunday was a miracle day! This week just felt like a miracle week. Three investigators at church! Our progressing investigator Sherri was there and Qiu JM (she's the one that thought we become angels)! I had to stop Qiu JM from calling her son in the middle of the sacrament, but she was there!

Let me tell you about Saturday the best day. Our recent convert Avril, taught the lesson with us that day so she was a missionary for the day. We had Sister C, Avril, Zhang JM (the duan chuan. she was with us a week), and me riding on down the road talking to everyone in our path. So many heads turned and so many people talked to. We split up and I was with our Avril and Sister C went with the Duan chuan. I was on my own and off to meet with the investigator we set up with. It was a first visit and I set up with her and she seemed good. We got to her house and we ended up having to go to a 7-11 (that's where you go if you can't meet at their house). I taught her a first and she is the most prepared person I have taught thus far on this island. She wants to know which church is true and wants peace in life. She is just looking for answers and we got em! We really have them! She is coming to FHE tonight and this week we are meeting at her house with her family. sososo excited! Pray for her please? Chen JM.

This week was so exhausting in so many ways, but it was a beautiful week of miracles. So many miracles of less actives coming to church, investigators coming to church, and of finding prepared people. The Lord is so aware of His children. Do something for me family. Read Alma 37:40 to the end of the chapter. It's as simple as the gospel says.

Family! The best life! Thanks for the updates! The 4th sounded so fun and really Tori and that dog...

I love you all so much! Your support means so much to me. When it gets hard I think of you and your love and your support. I can't even express how much it helps me.

xoxo

Love you the moon and back,

Sister Burr

My uv sleeves, all the grannies (ahmas) wear them

 

My bike

 

Good morning Gangshan!

 
 

Zhang JM our Duan Chuan

Our fireworks show

Happy 4th of July

4th of July outfits