Sacramento - Week 16

Due to the new security measures requested by the Mission leaders, the names of all investigators and people that Sarah comes into contact with will be replaced with the name of a well-known character from a children’s movie. This will keep the identities of people safe as well as make it easier to keep everyone straight. The name given is in NO WAY intended to reflect the personality, looks, or circumstances of the individual(s).

“ He cut off people’s arms ya’ll ”

Monday May 13. 2013 

Happy Day After Mother's Day to everyone! 

It was awesome talking to my family yesterday. I love y'all! Your faces made me smile. But now, onto missionary work. 

In case you were wondering what the title of this email is supposed to mean, no I did not get attacked by a crazy person cutting off arms. It's a reference to the story of Ammon from the Book of Mormon. Ammon was a missionary sent to preach the gospel to the Lamanites, the estranged brethren of Ammon's people, the Nephites. The Lamanites didn't really like Nephites, and tended to kill them. But Ammon went on his mission anyways. He was captured and taken before the king. Ammon told the king that all he wanted to do was to serve him. He was made the king's servant and put in charge of his flocks. Robbers came to steal the flocks and through the power of God Ammon was able to defeat this huge group of men all by himself. When they raised their clubs to smite him, Ammon cut off their arms. Because of this display of strength through the power of God, the king agreed to let Ammon teach him about who God was. The king repented and became a follower of Christ and so did many of his people. 

Well, we had Zone Conference this week and we talked about Ammon. We compared his style of missionary work to another example from the Book of Mormon: the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s. These people made a covenant with God to never shed blood again. They buried their weapons of war and when the Lamanites came upon them in war, they let themselves be slaughtered instead of breaking their promise to God. When the Lamanites saw this, they wanted to know what made these people so willingly give up their lives. They were taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and were converted. 

These are two very different methods of missionary work. Ammon was a warrior while the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s were peaceable even when it meant death, but both were effective missionary tools that brought thousands to repentance. These examples are extreme and missionary work today is VERY different (no arm cutting or massive slaughter) but the principle is that we are all individuals. We all have different ways of doing things. If God wanted all missionaries to be the same, He would have robots, not real people. So, when you feel like you aren't "The missionary type" remember that everyone is the missionary type! 

Me and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves!
These were in the backyard of someone we were doing
service for. Weird....but awesome!!!

I have a testimony of the power of service and love. We have been meeting with the Oompa-Loompa family for a while now. We never push them. We just love them and invite them to church and serve them whenever we can. The ward has done the same. Because of this, Brother Oompa-Loompa is becoming more interested in the church and he and his family have been to church the past 3 weeks in a row! He is reading the Book of Mormon and you can visibly see the change taking place in his life. It is such a blessing to be able to see him progress and grow closer to his Heavenly Father and to his Savior, Jesus Christ. It's only a matter of time before he agrees to let us teach him, and then he can prepare to be baptized and make those promises with God. 

I also have a testimony of the power of music. I've been able to use music SO much on my mission. Music is powerful. Good music brings the spirit instantaneously. President Willy-Wonka, the El Dorado Stake President, spoke at Zone Conference. First off, I love this guy! He is the best kind of Stake President for missionaries to work with. I know I can call him up any time and get help or guidance for the work here in Green Valley. He was talking to the missionaries at Zone Conference about the idea of "When someone sees you walking down the street, what song do they hear your heart singing? Even when you aren't actually singing out loud?" I turned to Sister Loli and said, "I think my heart is always singing 'There is Sunshine in My Soul Today!'" We laughed and then President Weston said, "I know our Sisters in Green Valley and Bass Lake, and I think their hearts are singing, 'There is Sunshine in My Soul Today!'" I gasped and said, "Wow, he is good!" haha It's true! When you are serving the Lord, it is hard not to have sunshine in your soul. 

Another funny story from Zone Conference. President Willy-Wonka asked the missionaries how to gain member's trust. I stood up and said, "You actually need to listen to what they are saying and then remember it and talk to them about it next time. If they tell you about their grandson's baptism, follow up with them the next time you see them and ask how the baptism went. And learn the names of their pets. If you remember their dog's name, they'll love you forever." Everybody busted up laughing, but it's true! President Willy-Wonka then said, "That is a VERY good point, Sister Burchett. What are Sister Kuzco’s dogs' names?" I said, "Mozzy and Sophie!" And everyone laughed again. This isn't missionary work. This is missionary fun! (but it's definitely work too haha) 

This is Moe, Larry, and Curly from my singles ward in the
conference issue of the Ensign. I was flipping through and
thought, wait a minute, I KNOW THOSE GUYS!

Well, that's about it for this week. Things are busy busy. I guess that's what happens when the Lord hastens His work. I have a testimony of missionary work and this restored gospel. It changes lives and it is the only way we can return to our Father in Heaven. 

Do Good Things! 

Love, 

Sister Burchett