Staying with Elder Doane

March 10th, 2014

So this week has been crazy! So we didn't drive through any trees at Yosemite. I think you might be thinking of Redwoods near San Fran. 

Transfers: 

The new Hmong missionary isn't going to arrive until next transfer. So East and West side are going to be combined for 1 transfer. Me and Elder Doane are staying the same! Best ever! One of the sister areas is being doubled out and elders will be serving there now. 

What's new: 

We found the coolest person ever! She is related to one of our members and she totally loves reading the Book of Mormon. She has had tons of golden questions etc. and she came to church last week! Super awesome. 

This past sacrament meeting was very spiritual. One of the YSA members talked about the importance of doing the vicarious work for our kindred dead. She talked about how her father struggled with doing the ordinance of baptism for his deceased father, but after he finally decided to do so, his father appeared to him in a dream in white robes and basically told him that they would be a family together forever. Made me want to cry! 

Also, two of our investigators walked in an hour late into Sacrament...forgot to change the clocks...classic. I don't think people understand the emotional roller coaster they put missionaries on when they don't come to church on time. 

Anyways, ask me some questions, I'd love to fill you in! 

Also, I'm not a stick...and I'm definitely eating. We are eating healthier though and we do a 4 mile run every morning so I'm thinning out, but am still big. I have tons of muscle etc. I do a workout after our run as well. But we eat tons of more veggies and fruits than before. 

But anyways...

Love ya all lots! 

Elder Tseem Fwv Leem Vaj

BiggY NewsY

March 3rd, 2014

So I got permission a month ago to go online and apply to BYU-Provo. Turns out, I got in. So...surprise...

I will be writing a longer letter after my haircut, but suffice to say: Go COUGARS and I'm going to be livin' with Elder Doane...in Provo. 

Spiritual thought: 

God is a God of miracles. 

<3 Ya 

Shortest 'Letter' Ever & Sequoia Visit

February 24th, 2014

So we're headed to Sequoia. I will be sending pics of everything next week. I love y'all! 
xoxox

Elder Burdick

Presidential Visit

February 17th, 2014

Weekly Highlights: 

Our running route next to a small drainage canal is a fave. We call it Bridge to Terabithia because of its' cool bridges. However, it's been renamed Dead Man's Ditch because they found two dead bodies in it last week. So now when we run, we always scan the water very carefully. 

President Obama visited Fresno. Totally saw Air Force One parked right across the street from the apartment complex at the airport. Pretty cool. 

Next Monday, we are going to Sequoia to see the giant trees! 

I went on an exchange with Elder Rector. He joined the church while I was a missionary and is now serving here in the CFM. He is an awesome missionary! Super genuine and sincere. I love 'em. He plays hockey and such so that's a plus. 

Two of our investigators came to church. Always a good Sunday with investigators. 

We met a member's non-member mother and she is a saint. We went to go visit her grandkids and she totally whipped up a meal out of nowhere for us. She's awesome! 

Spiritual Thought: 

This is a thought from the essentialism training from Greg McKeown... 

He talked about how very little attention and focus we give the here and now. So often we are consumed in the past or in the future, but there is such satisfaction in the "here and now" of life. As we focus on the MOST important things now, we will have joy in fulfilling our essential mission. 

xoxox 

Well I love you all! Don't stay sick, get better soon! 

Love, 

Elder Burdick (Tseem Fwv Leem) 

Running & Losing Weight in the CFM

February 10th, 2014

Hi Everyone,

This is my week in a nutshell: 

Tuesday- Got my best time running our usual route. Its somewhere between 2 and half to 3 miles. 17 min 40 sec. Getting skinny.

Also, we had district meetings. I attended Elder Rasmussen's training. He did a suggested activity out of the back of PMG chapter 2. It turned out to be really good. Elder Bone also gave a short training on the Holy Ghost. Also, Elder Xiong gave a mini-training on Being Hmong 101 (helping us internalize the culture more). Elder Rasmussen did a great job. He's a leader that teaches by example.

Wednesday- Leadership training. I've been thinking a great deal about how I can better fulfill my potential as a missionary. I want to make sure that at the end of every day that I've completely exhausted myself and pushed myself to my outer-limits. Quote: 
"There is no passion to be found in playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."

Thursday President's Interviews. I've been thinking about how I can use my time most effectively so I can squeeze everything out of my mission. President mentioned that 30 extra minutes each day, that are essentially 46 extra days of one's mission. I want more time as a missionary, so I'm going to use every little bit of time the best I can.

Friday- Weekly Planning. Start of exchange with Elder Rasmussen. 

 
Sunday- 3 Investigators at church. Awesome! Also, bishop brought a whole family to church in response to our FMP visit. MIRACLE CENTRAL!

 
Today- Crazy preparation day as usual. Not enough time to do everything. 

LOVE YA! 

Thanks for the awesome package! <3 Happy Valentine's Day.

Elder Burdick

Super Short Letter and Meeting Sister Doane

February 3rd, 2014

Hello Everyone,

Mom--Please contact Elder Doane's mom since she will be in DC*  

Today was our deep clean of the apartment. It took 3 hours and our home is now beautiful. 

But I'm running behind the power curve...however, I have some good stories to tell you next week! 

Our investigators came to church! It was the best! 

Anyways, I love you mama bear. Sorry for being lame and not writing. But I will get more info to you next week. 

Love,

Elder Tseem Fwv Leem Vaj 

*NOTE:  Sister Doane and I had dinner and it was so nice to meet her and we had a great time. 

Fresno Days: Zone Leadership Meeting and Soccer

January 27th, 2014

Hello Everyone,

This was our week--

Monday: Played intense frisbee and soccer...tore up my leg pretty good. Lots of fun! 

Tuesday: We had a zone leadership meeting. We identified a vision for the zone: "Being more committed to our missionary purpose." That evening we went with a team up to go visit a potential and the potential wasn't there so I awkwardly at the door step say "...well...ummm...could we teach you?" And they said yes. So that was awesome in spite of my fail. 

Wednesday: District Meeting. Lots of fun. After we went and ate a pizza buffet. Our 'not eating out goal' is not going well right now, but I will prevail. Then that evening we went with another member to go visit a couple. Lesson was all over the place, but in the end it all worked out. They set a date for baptism. Conversion sure is crazy and messy but awesome. 

Thursday: Exchange with Fresno West Zone Leaders. We had a great day. We did a baptismal interview in the afternoon and then followed up on Hmong New Years potentials the rest of the day. Crazy story: We look for this one house and can't find it. We call the people and they tell us the correct address and so we eventually find it. Then when we're inside, there is this little girl (maybe 2 or 3) who has an open 7-up can and is spilling it everywhere...but she was adorable. Then half way through our conversation, random people show up for a therapeutic massage. So we decided to just pray for them, then the husband that had a stroke recently, came into the room. He now uncontrollably laughs so during the prayer, he was breaking out into laughing fits. So pretty crazy. 

Saturday: More baptismal interviews...super awesome! 

Sunday: Miracle. 2 of our investigators came to church! Yay! 

Monday: Emailed you! Love you guys!