“I pictured it just right...”

This week was really, really good. Three main things: 1. Kathy, 2. Baptism, and 3. Testimony. Bueno.

First: Kathy. There is a family in one of our wards that has been taught on and off by the missionaries for years. The husband is a long time less active member, and the wife is not a member. It seems like there is a slight lack of commitment, but the biggest issue has been divorce logistics. As we contemplated how to help this family, Elder Craig and I both felt like perhaps focusing on the wife’s mother, who also lives with them, would be the route to take. We show up for the first lesson after that decision, and it must’ve been inspired. Not too far into the conversation, Kathy (the mom) started talking to us about how she has been trying to quit smoking, and the positive feelings she has had toward the LDS church, and how she feels drawn to the Book of Mormon. We testified of the truth of the Book of Mormon, and the restoration, and the power of commitment and action, and she was down to act. Thus far, she has kept all her reading commitments (though, she needs to come to church with the family, those little punks). We have another lesson with them tonight, and we are excited for that. Pray for us and Kathy, please.

Second, we had the baptism of Amber! It was a good experience, and I felt good about it. Also, she bought a 2016 Subaru WRX STi. Midlife crises, and stuff. Anyway, we felt really good about it all after we had an interview with her beforehand. It was good. Impromptu talk on the Holy Ghost. Also, cool stuff happening with her son. Ask about that more later, or when I get home. But know that it is cool. Pray for him (Kyle).

Lastly, I wanted to bear to you all my testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I’ve had far too many experiences and seen far too many lives changed for the good to have reason to doubt that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the World. I testify that He is the promised Messiah, the Holy One of Israel, and that we can become the best people we can be if we turn to Him and abide by his precepts. His gospel is one of self-improvement and service, and getting strength beyond our own to overcome weaknesses through the grace of Jesus Christ. He has restored that gospel to the earth, along with all the blessings and miracles from God, in these Latter-Days through a prophet of God. God seeks to bless us, and He does so through giving us guidance on how to live and power to do it. I testify of Him who is mighty to save, and invite all to experiment upon the Word. 

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts.” - Jacob 6:5

Until next time. Rock and roll ~

-Elder Stephen Burch π

Baptism of water and of fire

A Chameleon!

Picture with the Bly guy

The king and I

Eat drink and be merry

“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...”

The Worland District
(Greybull/Basin, Worland 1&2, Worland 3, and Thermopolis)
plus us, feat. heavy photo editing

The Worland District plus us

Sister Tolman and her adorable adopted child

MLC pictures

Farewell, Sister Hymas. 

Sami, Kaili, myself, Logan, and Elder Bly

"Late night drives all alone in my car..."

Just kidding, we can't be all alone in a car. We always have our companion. Ah, well.

I'm going to write a really short email because I had to do some ASU learning modules today so I can retake my math placement test. Man, I am just thrilled to come back to the real world. (I hope the sarcasm there was noted.) 

So, we got snowed in Cody on Monday night. We went to a Chinese buffet for dinner and spent the night with the other elders. We limped our way back to Powell the following morning. 

Wednesday was zone conference. It was really good to get revelation and see people that I hadn't seen in a long time. The drive was extremely long, though. We got up at 4am so that we could leave with the elders staying with us at 5:30, so we could arrive in Sheridan around 8:30, through the Greybull/Shell mountain pass because the Lovell one was closed with all the snow from the same snow storm that kept us in Cody. We got back from conference around 6:30pm, had dinner, and crashed. The day was shot. Ah, well. Worth it for the zone conference. 

Miracles are real! Member missionary work is the best thing ever! We had a member bring a friend to church, and we had a lesson with her after church, and we have a return appointment on Wednesday! So good. She's cool. We're cool. Most importantly, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is cool. So, it will be cool. 

The YSA is awesome at member missionary work as well and super fun. 

I... think that is all for now.

Rock and roll ~

Elder Burch π

"... I hope that all is well in heaven..."

Zone Conference, feat. The Wyoming West Zone

The morning mountain pass

A map

"Beagles love blueberries"
Fantastic Mr. Fox

An OG Book of Mormon

 Elder Bly and I on our way
back from the Zone Conference

“No sunlight, no sunlight...”

This week included a trip to Helena for MLC. Going to MLC from Powell is way worse than going to MLC from Great Falls or Missoula. A fun time, for sure, but far more stressful and time-consuming. Let me lay it out for you in steps.

Going To MLC in Wyoming West: A How-To Guide

1. Monday night, drive from Powell to Billings

2. Stay the night in the mission home with the Wyoming East Elders

3. Wake up at 3 to get ready to go

4. Depart the mission home in Wyoming East’s man-van (SaVANna) at 4:15

5. Stop in Bozeman to pick up those Zone Leaders

6. Arrive in Helena for MLC at 8:00

7. Enjoy MLC

8. Drive back to Bozeman to drop of those elders

9. Drive to Billings, arrive around 7:30

10. Get dinner in Billings (we went to Outback Steakhouse)

11. Sleep in the mission home again

12. Drive to Cody in the morning for district meeting

13. Drive back to Powell

14. Have a wrecked day because we’re dead tired

Good times. It actually was really good, though. MLC was great, and we really enjoyed the time with the other Elders.

Besides that, we have set some finding goals and have been striving to succeed. The recent weather (WHY IS THERE MORE SNOW) might hurt that a bit, but we will remain committed. 

Conference was awesome. Just, straight up. I loved it. Revelation is strong. Miracles await in the near future.

I feel that the next decade and beyond are going to be years marked with many miracles, much sacrifice, and a powerful surge of the furthering of the Work of the Lord. I feel that, through the inspiration of the Lord through our living prophets and apostles, the Lord will accelerate His Work as never before seen among the children of men as the world begins to draw nigh to the Second Coming of the Messiah. I feel that the coming years will provide opportunity for the saints to definitively declare “Who’s on the Lord’s side, who?” as the lines between the teachings of the world and the teachings of God are drawn more clearly than ever. Satan is a very real being bent on the misery and destruction of the souls of men, and as the battles of the last day intensify, we will face increasing trials and temptations that are ever more subtle and ensnaring. The evil one will seek to bind us with addiction, doubt, and complacency. While these things are intimidating, the blessing that will come from them is more opportunity to become the firm and steadfast disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ that we were created to be. As the heat intensifies, so does our refinement if we keep our hands firmly on the rod of iron and our gaze always towards the Mountain of the Lord. Grand opportunity is before us, more than ever before, and ours is the commission to lift up the hands which hang down and build the Lord’s kingdom in these last days. As President Nelson said, the grandest miracles of the Lord are to occur in the time between now and the Second Coming. I feel strongly to echo the admonition of Joshua: “Sanctify yourselves​: for tomorrow the ​​Lord​​ will do wonders among you.”

Thank you all for all you do. Rock and roll ~

-Elder Burch π

“...It disappeared at the same speed, the idealistic things I believed...”

WHY IS THERE MORE SNOW?!?

Watching General Conference

With Elder Bly

“A place they say glistens gold...”

Brigham Young must’ve been mistaken when he declared the Salt Lake Valley as the new Zion for the saints, because arriving here in Powell, Wyoming, I have never been more sure that “This is the right place.” 

Similarly, I’ve been blessed to not only be in a beautiful land humming with the potential of the gospel, but to be here with Elder Bly, who I am confident will swiftly become one of my best friends.

If that wasn’t enough, I also get the chance here to serve in the first Young Single Adult ward of my mission, along with two other blessed family wards, Powell 2nd and Powell 4th. True, it makes for a long Sunday worth of church services, along with way too many names for me to learn, but it will all be worth it. I love Powell, I love my companion, and I love the Work in which we are engaged. The Lord has suffered me to come at this time to a land of promise, and I can only hope that I will do Him proud while I am here.

To put a topper on it, this might be my last area of my mission. That isn’t doctrine, but it could very well be a reality. Time will tell...

Until that time, though, let’s talk about some things from this week!

Transfers were successful. I was blessed to see many people at the transfer site in Helena, including Elder Ash, who I haven’t seen in almost six months! I didn’t snap a picture, unfortunately, but I did get a picture of the magnificent quad of Elder Brown, Elder Lester, Elder Campbell, and myself, so look for that at the end. The ride was uneventful, primarily consisting of myself and Elder Carter reminiscing about the MTC, until we got a call that the mission Silverado lugging the trailer full of our luggage had ran out of gas merely three miles out of Columbus, Montana. So, we rushed back and rescued them from their predicament.

We arrived in Powell on Wednesday night, and have done good work in the days since arriving here. Elder Bly is a man of many duck noises, from the land of Henderson, Nevada, and he likes hunting. He’s super easy to get along with, we have already developed several inside jokes, and he is a hard working missionary. I really like him.

Some of the week’s highlights include:

- Attending institute and trying to memorize the names of the YSA
- Having dinner with some wonderful member families
- Receiving a myriad of referrals, include three for people who are likely to become solid new investigators.
- Weekly planning in which we set dates for exchanges with the district leaders, which includes me getting to go to my first area, Greybull / Basin, for a day! (I am psyched for that.)
- Having a convert baptism of one of the best people I’ve met on the mission

... What was that, Elder Burch? Did you say a baptism?

Why, yes, careful readers, I did.

Kaili has a crazy story that I won’t go too far into, but the short of it is that while living in Thermopolis, she connected with a woman named Kelly who had similar trials to her, and yet seemed joyful in all her doings. Kaili told Kelly that she wanted to be just like her, and Kelly responded, “Then you should look into the Book of Mormon.” Flash forward to Kaili attending the Northwest College here in Powell, Wyoming, and she does, indeed look into the Book of Mormon. She attended institute, and was quickly befriended by the wonderful members of the magnificent Powell YSA. That was back in January. Back to today, Kaili is now a baptized and confirmed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and she has already insistently inquired as to when she can receive a calling to serve in the church. She was baptized by her friend Logan, who has also decided to seal the whole thing by getting down on one knee and asking Kaili if she’d like to be with him for time and all eternity.

Family and friends, the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was described as a “marvelous work and a wonder,” and how true does that statement ring in my first five days serving our Father in Heaven in the blessed land of Powell, Wyoming.

It will only get better from here.

Rock and roll ~

-Elder Stephen Burch π

“... I want to go there and never come back home.”

The Quad Of Power

Saying goodbye to Anna

Kaili and Logan

I wasn’t ready for the picture,
but that is what Elder Bly looks like!

Wyoming has a unique beauty to it.
This is a picture out the window
on the road from Powell to Cody.