“Burn Baby Burn”
October 21, 2013
This week, we burned our
area. Right to the ground. I feel like I should be depressed or discouraged
about this, but I feel remarkably calm. Allow me to further explain.
This week we dropped, passed off, or got dropped by
nearly all of our investigators. We went from 11 to 1 solid investigator and 3
we are giving a little more time to progress before dropping them. That's a
missionary "Ouch" if I ever heard one. It was all extremely sudden
too. Thursday night, we were planning a baptism. By Saturday night, we sat
staring at an almost empty white board. And yet, I feel totally ok. I'm sad for
these people because I loved them and they weren't ready to accept the
blessings of the gospel, but at the same time I have a firm faith that there
are great miracles in store for us. The Savior is in the struggle. And so we
press on and start fresh. How exciting! It's an adventure.
There were plenty of miracles this week and a few
experiences stood out to me.
We've been working with a less active family, the X-Men’s,
and getting them back to church. We meet and teach them once a week and they
have been at church every week for the past month. It has been a miracle
watching them remember why they love the gospel, to see their testimonies grow
and their questions get answered. I missed their appointment this week because
I was on exchanges. When they came on Sunday they said, "We missed you
this week! But we knew we would see you on Sunday. We just love church."
(Insert Sister Burchett's heart exploding with joy)
My favorite part of church (besides the Sacrament of
course) is what I like to call "Grinning and Gripping". It's when we
greet everyone at the door as they enter the chapel. Nothing makes my day
brighter than welcoming my brothers and sisters into the chapel where they will
be able to renew their covenants and rejoice together! I get to follow up on
their weeks, their lives, their families, and at this point I know almost
everyone by name. I love helping create a love for the badge in the wards I
serve in. Without our members, we are nothing! We are useless. With them on our
side, we are strong! It was bittersweet looking at all of them singing the
opening hymn and knowing my time here is most likely short. Transfers....they're
coming :(
I went on exchanges across the border in East Sac and
we went to visit a member there. This woman has been taking care of her 98 year
old mother. Her mother is fading every day and is ready to peacefully slip into
eternity. We got to visit with both of them and leave the Savior's Peace and
Blessing on their home. It made me so grateful for the knowledge that death is
a gift from God, that it is only the beginning of a glorious forever of
happiness for those who accept the fullness of the gospel. Here lay this woman
- 98 years old, a survivor of wars and the Great Depression, a singer in the
1930s, who married the boy next door and loved him so much - no longer able to
care for herself and knowing that the end of her mortal life is near, and she was
so happy. She was ready to see her sweetheart again. She was ready to see her
family and friends. She was excited to experience the world after this one. I
can't imagine not understanding death the way members of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints do. We know it's just the beginning of good things
to come. I know life continues after this one, and it continues
marvelously!
Also on exchanges we talked with a woman who hadn't
been active in the church for over 50 years. We asked her why. She told us how
her mother had passed away when she was a teenager, and she couldn't believe
that if God was real and loved her, that He would allow that to happen. And so
she stopped believing in God altogether. We testified to her of the reality of
a loving Heavenly Father and a Savior who gave everything for us.
She said, "I admire you for your faith. I envy it.
But I do not believe."
My heart broke for her! Here sat a woman who didn't
believe in anything more than the here and now. I can't imagine how hard that
kind of life would be. I just wanted to hug her and then shake her and say,
"Look around you! Look at yourself! Look at the miracles that happen to
you every single day. There is a God, and He DOES love you! Don't close your
heart to the perfect love that your Heavenly Father and Savior have to
give."
No one gets through this life unscathed, untouched by
heartache, mistakes, and regrets, tragedy, and conflict. We all must pass
through "fiery trials". But the struggle IS what brings us closer to
who we are meant to be. The fire burns away all the junk and leaves us as
perfect ashes, ready to be pressurized into a diamond. Sometimes, we are ash
and think we are done, but God wouldn't leave us as dust. He pushes us a little
bit farther so we can be gems. When the road seems too long we MUST ask
ourselves, "Shall I falter, or shall I finish?"
And so, Let Us All Press On In The Work Of The Lord! If
faltering and finishing are our options, I would much rather finish. Wouldn't
you?
Have a wonderful week! Smile on your face, a song in
your heart!
Love,
Sister Burchett
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