Letter from Elder Burns 9/12/2010

Dear family


This week has been amazing. I can't Believe that Jake is leaving on a mission It's something that He really needed in his life and he will surely be blessed. Last Friday, we found 2 investigators. Their names are Christland and Francis. They are African Refugees from TOGO!!! I thought that was really cool because both grandma and grandpa served there.

Well, we set a baptismal date with both of them for the 9th of October, and they came to church yesterday. It's amazing that they know everything is true and are very, very excited to bring their families with them to church next week, so we are looking forward to that.

I did get the memory card back, so thank you for sending it to me. I should be sending another one back soon with some music cd's that are no longer approved. I thought I would tell you that president Simmons allows people to have guitars, so I have gotten one and am learning how to play it. I am practicing during the extra time we have at lunch and getting really good. I took the initiative to cut my own hair today. It looks really good because Elder Radovanovic has a nice pair of WHAL clippers. So I will take some pictures so that you can see how good it looks...LOL. I think that is really funny that a chipmunk crawled up onto his hand and stole the nut. I have always wanted to go to Timpanogos caves. I thought it would be really cool. I haven't gotten a fish yet, but I will soon. Is Jared still doing well with his schooling? How is his karate doing? Does Breanna have a BF? How about Crystal?...NOT she is too young:).

well I am out of time for now, but I love you guys heaps and look forward to the ever approaching Christmas call...LOL It seems far away but it will come soon.

That's all for now,

Love your son ,

ELDER BURNS

Some Pictures

From Elder Burns, 09/05/2010

Dear Family,

This week has been an eventful one. We had a zone meeting on Friday, and then afterwards we went on a hike. it was so much fun and it lasted three hours. surprisingly, I led the group the whole way. It was up and down mountains and everything. I was soooooooooo tired but it was fun. We found 2 new investigators this week. Their names are Rose and Christland...LOL. They are both African and really want to come to church and learn. As for being out a year, it doesn't really feel like it has been that long. the time just flies by so quickly when you are doing the Lord's work and keeping busy. With the new training, they are still using preach my gospel, but they are focusing on the teaching by the spirit part. We always try to practice teaching every time we go there because they critique us and tell us ways we can improve . But the lesson outlines are still the same.

Fishing was heaps of fun. There were just a ton of little fish though. My hook was too big and I didn't really catch anything. I don't actually have a fishing pole. I just have a side reel for fishing off the jetty. Do you guys have the planetarium passes again? That was always heaps of fun and the dinosaur museum, that would have been awesome. Bree is still moving towards baptism. she has such a strong spirit and I enjoy spending time teaching her. I might have worded it wrong. Me and elder Radovanovic go on opposite sides of the street of the city center. There is just a tiny road, and we always stay within sight and hearing of each other. We asked for permission from president Simmons and he said it was ok. Just as long as we can still see/hear each other. I am really trying my very very best to improve myself as a missionary. My testimony has continued to grow so drastically, and I know more fully that this is the one true church again on the earth I love you guys so much. Mom you have always been there when I needed anything and I love you for that. And Dad, you have always been my friend even though I may have treated you like a Dork. I love you both so much.

Thanks for your love. Still working hard and loving it .

Your son,
(ZACHARY) ELDER BURNS

From Elder Burns, 08/29/2010

Dear mom and Dad,



This week has been really great. we got a lot done. I am so glad to hear that Jared is doing really well with his school and having fun with that. I finally got the package. there was a mix-up and it got sent to another elder. I got it on Friday. I should be getting a fish soon for the fish tank. I think that present is way awesome. I loved all of the goodies and the shirts. they were really cool and funny. I am a Stripling warrior. I should still be here for Bree's baptism. President Simmons told me that he is going to keep me up here for a while, but we will see what the Lord has in store. Friday we had a chance to go down to Newcastle for a zone conference. It was heaps of fun we learned how we shouldn't be afraid of silence when we are teaching. so we had a lot of practice and it has really changed the missionary work in the area. President Simmons sent me an email. I'll show you what he said.



"Hi Elder Burns and Elder Radovanovic, Elder Daji said that he felt the spirit very strongly while you two were practice teaching. Congratulations and thank you for trying so hard to implement these new principles. It was great to see you both!!! "



It was a really great experience and it brought me and elder Radovanovic closer together. Elder Daji is the assistant to president Simmons. We traveled down to Newcastle on Thursday night, and then we tried to go and visit Michael and Shireen, but they weren't there...Darn... :( But it was heaps of fun. We tried to visit them again when we left, but they still weren't there. Bree came to church again on Sunday but there was something extremely different about her... She wasn't in a Wheelchair!!! It was so exciting. she wants to be baptized in October because she is going to be competing in a triathlon. Well today is preparation day and I will be going fishing today so I need to buy some bait so if you could put an extra 10 dollars in my account just to be safe, that would be awesome. I love you Guys tons thank you so much for being my parents and dealing with me. I know that it hasn't been easy but that is ok.

Mom I love you so much, I couldn't have better. thanks for everything.



OUT OF TIME,

YOUR SON,

ELDER BURNS