"I don't mind the weather..."

All creatures of our God and King,

This week was marvelous! It was actually really, really good.

I did an exchange in Polson, about an hour and fifteen minutes north
of Missoula. We had some good visits, helped a random woman rake her
lawn, and spent Halloween night with some recent converts handing out
candy. I didn't realize it until right before we got there, but I knew
the recent convert, because I had interviewed him for baptism a couple
months ago! It was cool.

We put two investigators on date for the 18th! Transfers are on the
14th, so we'll hope that I'm still around... I love Missoula.

Bible bashes are awful, even (especially?) when you feel like they're
going well. They are just always awful. That is all.

Overall, things are going well. I am really seeing myself improve more
and more each day. Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Rock and roll ~

-Elder Stephen Burch π

First real snow of the winter

We all got CPR certified at the Missoula Preparedness Fair!

The district

Painted power box

Winter Wonderland

Absconding with I'm A Mormon cards

"Dancing in the limelight, the universal green..."

Greetings to all,

This week was cool! I have recently felt a little down because I feel
like Elder Ash and I work hard, but we never seem to get any
investigators or see much progress. When the rest of the district is
flourishing, putting up big numbers, and seeing a lot of success, my
own area is kind of depressing, especially since the district leader
area is supposed to be an example of sorts. But, we found one - count
it: one! - new investigator this week, and he came to church! We're so
excited.

His name is Wade, and he has had a lot of struggles, but has kept his
optimism present. We are probably meeting with him tomorrow, and we
will be sharing the third lesson: The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for
Wade! He's a cool dude.

We gave service at the bishop's storehouse, which was fun but also
hard. Lots of large things to move. Worth it.

If there is one thing I have felt this week, it is that the Lord
loveth His children. In the most recent general conference, President
Eyring shares an experience rom when he was a bishop, and a recent
member of his ward had crashed his car through the glass windows of a
bank. As the security guards approached, weapons drawn, this man cried
out, "Don't shoot! I'm a Mormon!" Eyring recounts the rest of the
story:

"The inebriated driver was discovered to be a member of my ward,
baptized only recently. As I waited to speak to him in the bishop’s
office, I planned what I would say to make him feel remorseful for the
way he had broken his covenants and embarrassed the Church. But as I
sat looking at him, I heard a voice in my mind say, just as clearly as
if someone were speaking to me, “I’m going to let you see him as I see
him.” And then, for a brief moment, his whole appearance changed to
me. I saw not a dazed young man but a bright, noble son of God. I
suddenly felt the Lord’s love for him. That vision changed our
conversation. It also changed me."

Sometimes, people are jerks. They treat missionaries like we aren't
people, like we're wasting our time, like we are ignorant, or
brainwashed, or bigoted, or annoying, or any other manner of trash.
And, when I meet people like that, I sometimes play a line from Taylor
Swift's "Mean" in my head, trying to make myself feel better by
saying, "Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me, and all
you're ever gonna be is mean." But, I feel better when I stop, think
about them, sympathize with whatever may be going on in their life,
and remember that it isn't about me - it's about them, because they
are children of God, too. Children of God with infinite potential and
infinite worth. Christ died for them just as much as He died for me,
and God loves them without end.

Thank you for all that you do. Keep being awesome! Coming up on a year
now... Good times.

Rock and roll ~

-Elder Burch π

So proud of this one

94 degrees Fahrenheit! That's crazy!

Biking!

Matchers

Normal,

Normal,

Sad,

and... Missoula. "Act like a Missoulian!"
"So, you want me to act totally stoned?"

District Fun!

"Now the lights go low in the avenue..."

"... And the cars pass by in the rain ..."


Good morning, acolytes!

This week saw even more rain. The last two days, specifically. Also, we woke up today to find that the rain on our car has turned to frost overnight. So, that means that this week had a day with a high of 86, and also a night where it froze. Great. Montana and her darned inconsistency. The warm day was nice, though. It felt downright hot after the weather we have been getting, but it was welcomed anyway.

Earlier this week, we had exchanges with the zone leaders. Of note from the exchange: Friendly less active family, puppies, and I GOT SUNBURNT. I thought that was a thing that didn't exist here! (Not really, but seriously.) I can't believe I got sunburnt.

We were called upon by a member of the ward to help them paint the home of one of their relatives who had just passed, in preparation for the selling of the home. We spent quite a bit of time on that on Thursday and Friday. It was good, though! There were some older gentlemen working with us, and I am not sure... well, I just don't know if the lights are on and nobody is home or what. It was fun. 

We decided that we needed a mix-up of the finding techniques. We bounced around a few ideas, and we have plans to use some of them in the upcoming days, but we settled on one for this week. So, Saturday, we did some service tracting, which yielded some solid results. We put on the regular clothes and went door to door, letting people know that we are part of a service-oriented church, and that we were looking for service opportunities. We were able to rake the leaves of a former investigator and was given a return appointment before even asking. It was awesome! 

Justine's baptism is set for the 27th of May. Bishop is looking to get Joel the Aaronic Priesthood so that he can baptize her. How rad is that? We're excited for them.

Spiritual thought: I was listening to a talk given by McConkie called "The Teacher's Divine Commission." He describes that, as teachers, "We are appointed 1) To teach the principles of the gospel 2) out of the standard works 3) by the power of the Holy Ghost, 4) always applying the teachings to our needs, and 5) to testify that what we have taught is true." As such, I've begun to evaluate my teaching methods and what I can improve. Instead of answering questions off of the top of my head, with vague references to scripture and having some moments of flipping my tie back to signify speculative doctrine, I should instead take questions, expound relevant verses from the scriptures, apply that doctrine to the life and needs of the investigator; and bear my personal testimony of the truthfulness of the principle just explained. As a crutch to help me with this, I have begun studying by topic on various common questions, and creating a quick reference guide to lead me to the scriptures, and explaining the relevance of the doctrine to us, and then writing a short testimony on the matter. Here is an example:

Faith, concerning works (see also: Grace)
James 2: 14-26 Faith without works expounded
Mat 7:21 "Doeth the will of my Father"
Mat 19: 16-17 Keep the commandments to inherit eternal life
Romans 3: 22-31 Salvation by grace through the Law Faith
Alma 34: 32-36 This life is for men to prepare to meet God
2 Nephi 25:23 By grace we are saved after all we can do
       The truth that salvation is achieved through the grace of God and by following His commandments is important to us because 1) our works are how we truly "accept Christ" and allow His sacrifice to save us, 2) following God's law prepares us to abide under heaven's law and in the presence of the Lord, and 3) our works confirm the reality of our faith in Christ.

       I have a testimony that Christ died for me, and that because He died for me, I have the ability to follow Him, better myself, and reach my potential. I am grateful for His sacrifice that will allow me to return to His presence if I prepare myself, follow His commandments, walk in His ways, and strive to be like Him.

I really think that this method, which is referenced in the handbook "Teaching In The Savior's Way," will help to make me a more effective teacher, and someday I'll know the scriptures well enough to not need a quick reference guide. Teaching is such a joy! 

Thank you all for your continued support and love! Keep being awesome. 

Rock and roll ~

-Elder Burch π

"... The university boys and the girls fill the bars while I'm just waitin' on the light to change." 

You can't really tell, but that  is a police car behind us.
I was going way too fast. There is only one speed limit sign,
and it's almost hid! I got off with a warning.
Elder Ray: "I leave you alone with the car for five minutes!..."

Arrow'd!

Candid Puppy Shot

Elder Smith blessed both district meetings with doughnuts

Missoula is hilarious

Kambale family selfie, per usual

A Lotus Elise!

Oh, the world 😝

Breakfast this morning at Paul's Pancake Parlor, feat. YSA Elders

Relaxing in our room like ballers

District greatness. Missoula District, best district.