Elder Burch π: “It’s my own advice I need...”

After a long dearth of any kind of pictures from my end, I present to you the week of MLC. Photo ops, man. Photo ops.

“Op” stands for opportunity, by the way. You know who you are.

This week I was able to go on exchanges to my old stomping grounds, Greybull Wyoming. We got to visit some people that I had worked with previously, and I also treated myself to a conversation with Sister Tolman, as well as Brother and Sister Cheatham. I’m sure I’ll be back on exchanges there again, so it’ll be good. Turns out that Brother Cheatham found the thing I left for him long ago. It took him a while to find it after I left, but he did. (It was a dinosaur book that I got from the Basin library while doing service there many moons ago, and on the front was a T-Rex skeleton. I put a sticky note that said, “Look Brother Cheatham! It’s you!” and an arrow to the skeleton. Good times. It’s been a while.) So much changes, but it is good to know that the Cheathams are still the same Cheathams I knew and loved. I’ll be back post-mission. Brother Cheatham is intent on teaching me how to shoot. Also, Vector and Radian, their adorable Yorkies, are hopefully going to have puppies one of these days, and I’m going to adopt one. Because adorable. Also, I have been tossing around being a pilot? (That’s first news to a lot of people. And I’ll probably decide I want to do something else just as fast as I thought I might want to do this. *shrug* Happens.) So Brother Cheatham and I could go flying. That would be fun. Man. Good times.

After dinner, we headed to Billings to begin the monthly process of revelation and lack of sleep that is MLC. We didn’t get to Billings until 10:25 that night, slept in the mission home, woke up at 3, and went to Helena. Cool experiences there. There is a lot of power when a group is unified in faith and petitions the Lord for knowledge. We set a goal, and we discussed it. Honestly, I was a bit apprehensive about it at first. But, then we knelt down in humble prayer, having faith, and one of the missionaries acted as voice as we asked the Lord if the goal we had set was worthy and attainable. The confirmation of the Spirit was palpable, and I am sure that this is what the Lord wants for us and the mission. I felt like that kind of an experience would be cool for everyone in the mission to have, not just the leadership, so we have talked to all our district leaders and asked if they would have a similar prayer in their next district meeting to allow all the missionaries to experience the confirmation that this is the goal the Lord would like us to work towards. That way, (hopefully) all of the missionaries will be on board, and there is power in unity towards a goal.

“If Star Trek has taught me anything, it is that we can’t function on half engine power.” - Elder Burch π

I think I forgot to mention this a while back, but it is important enough to mention now: Billings has only one record store, and it is really super lame.

I like Montana, and I like Wyoming, too. Funny throwback to the Elder Campbell days in Buffalo, Wyoming:

Me: “We’re tracting!”

Elder Campbell: “In the wind!”

Me: “In the strong wind.”

Elder Campbell: “Wyoming has little else but sales tax!”

Yes, Montana doesn’t have sales tax. What you buy actually costs what it says. I mean, property tax is real, but still. Missionaries don’t care about property tax.

Member missionary work is fantastic. It is the most effective way to find solid new investigators. Invitations to learn more about the truth of the restored gospel means more from a friend than a random stranger who is dressed funny. And, I know the Lord will give you opportunities that you wouldn’t ever normally consider if you pray to Him in faith with a promise and commitment to act on promptings you receive to share the gospel. That is what a family in our area did this last month. About four weeks ago, we visited them and shared a message with them about missionary work, complete with some role plays with the kids on how to talk with their friends. Then, the mother asked, “Can we set a goal to have someone taught in our home by the next transfer?” And so, they set the goal, applying the things they know, and this last Sunday, we were able to teach two new investigators in this family’s home. The Work is true, and it blesses us all when we chose to be a part of it.

Last thing: Transfer calls were yesterday. Elder Bly is being transferred to the Gillette 2nd Ward, being reassigned from zone leader to district leader / trainer, and he is stoked. He’s been a zone leader for more than 15 months, and is ready to be done with dealing with all the junk zone leaders often have to deal with. So, he takes off Tuesday night, and Wednesday evening I will be blessed to receive Elder Craig as my new companion. I know Elder Craig a little, and he is awesome! This will be his first transfer as a zone leader, so I hope to do a good job at not just being a good companion, but a good trainer in the ways of a zone leader.

Elders! Pray for me!

Elders! ... Pray for me!

Alright, I will close this thing up. Thanks for reading.

Rock and roll ~

-Elder Stephen Burch π

“Living trapped inside the chase...”