From Elder Burns, 08/22/2010

G'Day family ,


This week has been awesome! I would like to start off by telling you a story of someone that I found to teach this week Her name is Amanda. Elder Radovanovic and I were out street-contacting, and we decided to split and go on opposite sides of the road because we could still see each other, and it would be more effective to do it that way. So, I, being the man I am, saw that there were 2 very attractive young women sitting on a bench. I decided to go and offer them a card and then I sat down next to them and asked them a really random question. I asked them why there was a tree next to us...and then they started laughing. Then I asked them , "Why am I here?", and Amber answered, "to give me a card." Then I asked them why they were here, and they didn't know, and then I told them that the tree was here because God put it here. I'm here to teach you about god and you are here to prepare yourself to meet God. Again, it shocked them and then I asked them if they would be willing to learn more about how they can prepare themselves to meet God again and they said yes. We should be teaching them this week. As for me, I have learned to like both street-contacting and tracting equally, although I am much better at street contacting. One of my favorite things to do is to ask people to repent, or to just invite them to church. I am always trying to find funny ways to do things.

A lot of the families that we visit are the Manuels, the Kings, and the Johnsons. These are the most frequent ones. Since working with the Manuels(they are less active), their son, Allister, came to church yesterday and wants to prepare to go on a mission. He is 17 and he hadn't been to church for 5 years since his baptism. He tells us that he wants to be an example to the rest of his family so that they will come back to church. We are still teaching the African family, the Georges. They are coming along. Their biggest problem is finding a ride to church. There are 6 people in the family, so they are working on getting a car. We found the Georges through a service opportunity. We are still working with Bree. Her legs are healing really well. We found Her out of randomness. We went to visit her mom, who is less active, and found her. That is really the main people that we are working with.

I wish that I could go on a "Mancation"...LOL

I guess that I kind of am on a 2 Year one...LOL

I am always praying for Jared to do well with his anger and as well That the online schooling will go well for him as well. He will Come around I know it will happen.

Me and elder Radovanovic have been able to become really good friends. So far, this transfer, He has been my longest companion and I think that I will be very sad when transfers happen. The work in Coffs Harbour is going great. We are starting to see more and more blessings from the hard work that we are putting In.

I have been studying more and more about the Atonement so than I can more fully understand what my Savior went through. I know that this is the one and only true church on the earth. I love you guys so much.

I haven't got the package yet but hopefully I will soon!

Keep the faith,

Love your son ,

ELDER BURNS

Letter from Elder Burns 8/15/2010

Dear family,

This week has been awesome.  On Monday, for preparation day, we went and played tennis, and then I went back and took a long nap...LOL and after 6 we always visit a family to do FHE with them.  Their name is the Johnsons.  Sister Johnson is single and she has 2 kids name Jen and Charles.  We always have a lesson and then we have a treat - it's way fun.  Tuesdays are usually really busy.  We went and visited Liam in the morning.  He is a recent convert.  He is the one that set up the fireside, and then after lunch we went and visited Eric.  Eric is the African fellow who is preparing to be baptized, and then we did street contacting and tracting for the rest of the day.  Wednesday was pretty good.  We visited some less active members during the day, and then we had a dinner with the Manuels.  We go to them every week.  They are a really nice family.  We had a curried chicken with rice; They are a Fijian family.  Thursday was filled with finding and then we visited Drew at The Big Bananna.  He was just recently baptized and is heaps of fun. Friday, we did a public opinion poll that we wrote up.  I will have to send you a Copy of it.  It seemed to work out really good.  We had a rehersal for the fireside and that was fun. Saturday night was the fireside it was heaps of fun.  [I sang Nearer My God on pg. 100. It went awesome everyone loved it. They want us to do the fireside again its way funny. ] We got called out of the middle of the fireside because a member from Brisbane was visiting Coffs Harbour, and she found a stray dog.  So she brought it to the chapel and we had to take it to the vet.  It was really funny - we had a pet dog for a few hours. Saturday was a special day it was the day we got ready for Sunday.  Sunday, we had church and then we visited with some members.  It was heaps of fun, and then we called in numbers at the end of the night.  Bree is still progressing towards baptism, and still loves the church. Me and Elder Radovanovic are getting along really, really well, and we are learning to be better friends. It sounds like things are going good at home and I am still having an amazing time. Just for fun on Monday, I made homeade pizza it was really good...LOL Well, it wasn't as good as mom's for sure, but it was ok. My testimony is increasing every day.

LOVE YOU GUYS HEAPS
YOUR SON
ELDER BURNS

Letter from Elder Burns 8/9/2010

Gday from the land down under...lol

Transfers where this last week, and I can't say that my prayers were answered...JK LOL I'm still with Elder Radovanovic.  Well I guess a companionship is as good as you make it LOL.  Well Coffs Harbour is going awesome, and this week we have a fireside and I will be singing a solo in it so that should be fun.  We have 3 people progressing to baptism - their names are Charlie, Rhianne and Bryanne.  They are way cool. That sucks that you didnt catch any fish...lol.  I am glad that you guys had fun though. I've been wanting to go fishing but Elder Radovanovic doesnt like to fish.  That will be really good for jared to do the internet schooling...Oreo Cookies [cows] LOL. That is way funny!  Well I was at the store yesterday and saw that they finally came out with World of Warcraft Cataclysm. I don't think I am planning on playing it, but it looks really cool. They also Finally Came out with Starcraft 2.  Have you had a chance to play it yet dad?.  Well Thats all for now love you guys heaps.

Your son

ELDER BURNS (zach)

Letter from Elder Burns 8/1/2010

Dear mom and dad,

I cant believe that I am starting my 12th month it is so awesome and exciting. Thats way awesome that mom and Crystal went fishing up in the Uintahs. Did they catch anything?!!!?

This week in Coffs was a little slower but at the end the blessings came on Sunday.  We had 2 member referrals telling us that their granddaughters want to be baptized.  It was awesome, so we will be teaching them this week.  One of them is 11 and the other is 16, and guess what happened?  Bree got out of her wheelchair from the back of the chapel and walked up and bore her testimony in sacrament meeting.   It was awesome! She isnt even a member and she has a testimony of the gospel!!!!!  We're setting another baptismal date with her this week for the first week in september. Transfers are happening next monday, so I might not be able to Email you until Tuesday just so you know.  Well I am so thankfull for your love and concern.  I still havent gotten the package.  I hope that Quarantine didnt take it because their was a fish in there.

Well I love ya heaps,

YOUR SON
ELDER BURNS

Letter from Elder Burns 7/25/2010

Dear mom dad and jared.


This week has been awesome we had zone conference so we went down to sydney for 3 days and had heaps of fun. President Simmons told me that I will probably be Leaving coffs harbour after this transfer :( but thats ok...:) I had an awesome birthday and got lots of presents from the ward/branch. I really love the watch I was able to buy, did you guys see the pictures of it? Everything here in Coffs is going great. I cant believe how much time has passed since I have seen you last. I have not yet recieved the package from you guys but I hope I get It soon well Im sorry but I am out of time....:( sorry about that I want you guys to know how much I love you and that I have a testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ which has grown so much on my mission.  I know that this work is great and I love you guys heaps.

Dear Jared,

I loved the pictures you are so awesome!  Keep being a great kid.

LOVE ALWAYS

Your son  [and brother],

Elder Burns