it's not easy but it's worth it...

Im soooooo sorry I couldn't right you yesterday. It was memorial day so we had to work and now its our P-day today. I hope you wernt waiting all day yesterday for an email. But anyways, I got soo many emails today! I was way excited. I got a couple from you guys and then I got one from Chad, Shawna, and Brett. I love reading about whats going on back at home. I cant believe there were tornado touchdowns in lake elsinore!!! That's awesome! Theres been a few tornado touchdowns in my mission since ive been here. They mainly happen in mobile but I guess there pretty common here too. I didn't know florida even gets tornados but the members in my ward say that they are common whenever there is a thunderstorm. There was a huge storm the other night. I have never seen so much lightning in my life. I love it out here. Its really starting to grow on me. This week has been the best week ive had so far. Me and my comp are getting along way better but I think he might be getting transferred. Transfers are in 2 weeks so im actually really excited for that. Not too much has happened this week as far as missionary work. Don't get me wrong, were working our butts off, but the results are pretty much the same. We have a couple new investigators that came from member referrals though so that's nice. Oh yeah, we went on trade offs about 5 days ago and I got to spend a couple of days with our zone leader. Hes an awesome guy. We had so much fun and it was way cool getting to see what other missionaries are like and how they work. This week is gonna go by fast because Thursday we have another zone conference in Pensacola which is like 45 minutes away. Then Saturday were going back to Pensacola again to have a choir practice. All the missionaries in the zone are singing called to serve at stake conference so yeah were just practicing for that. Then Sunday were going back to Pensacola for stake conference. Good thing we don't pay for gas because that's a lot of driving at 4 dollars a gallon! I cant believe how hi the prices are getting! Are they the same in California? Anyways, that's pretty much it for this week. Im sorry I haven't sent you any pictures yet. I really am. Im just waiting because I want to send you a bunch Ill take a lot of good ones this week at zone conference I promise. Im stumped on what to write about right now. Ummm, oh yeah we live right next to a zoo so on fradays we go down and do service with the other missionaries in our district. Its way fun. The other missionaries are pretty nerdy but they are way cool. That's so crazy that sean and casey and all them are coming home already. Wow that blows my mind. Time is flying by out here. Can you believe next Wednesday will be my 2 month mark already? I cant believe my first transfer is close to being done with. Its been a tough one but I have gotten so much out of it its unbelievable. The Lord has strengthened me in so many ways. I don't really have the doctrine down yet because we don't have too many people to teach, just different parts of my personality and weaknesses that I had have just become so much stronger since I first got out here. Its not easy but its definitely worth it. By the way, how are the lakers doing? Haha that's the only wordly question im going to ask because I already know the answer for American idol. LoL. Anything else you wanna know? Im trying to think of details. I think starting tomorrow im gonna start making a list of things that's happen during the week so that when P-day comes around ill have a lot more stuff to write. By the way I saw an alligator this week! Just kidding. But I did se a shnapping turtle that almost bit my finger off a couple weeks ago. Not quite as cool but whatever. Im getting pretty sun burned out here. I might start buying some sunscreen because my skin is starting to hurt. Im so excited to spend my birthday in 105 degree humidity. NOT! Haha. Ya the heat is already unbearably and were only in may. How's the weather in Yorba Linda? Im trying to think of things I need. Samoa girl scout cookies would be nice but I don't there they are being sold right now. Im looking everywhere for them! What I would kill for for Christmas is a cheap GPS system. Like a 99 dollar one. Every missionary ive talked to says that they wish they would have bought one before they came out. But I don't really need that. If you could find an ipod charger that plugs into the wall though that would be really nice. And some of those comfy headphones we have at home or cheap ones. Cheap ones might be better cuz they would take up less room. Anyways, I gotta go. I love you guys so much. Thank you for everything. You're the best parents anyone could ask for. Like I said, Im gonna write down things during the week so my emails will be more detailed. Send pictures.. I promise ill send some soon. Im glad to hear everything is going good at home. I miss you guys but but I love the work that im doing so don't worry about me k? tell everyone im sorry I havnt written them yet. These past 2 p-days have been kinda hectic so ive just barely even had enough time to write you guys. I love you with all my heart. Keep reminding the kids about me. I don't want to be a stranger when I get back. Mom- I love You!!!!! I miss your cooking!!!!Dad- I love you too!!! I miss beating you at ping pong!!!! I LOVE YOU BOTH!!!!!

pray for me...

Sorry you will probably get this a little later in the day than normal. As you know its p-day today and so we drove down to hang out with some other missionaries in the zone. My companion (Elder Honzic) went golfing with one of the missionaries and I went and hung out with the other one. And yes that is allowed But were back now. It was a relief spending some time with another missionary haha. This week has actually been a very good week. Its still way slow and we have maybe one investigator, but weve been stying busy and im starting to have more fun. Im kinda getting the hang of it. I still have a tough time with trackting and door approaches and stuff like that but oh well. Ill get used to it. We were all excited this last week to go to Navarres FUN FEST. I guess they do it every year on Navarre beach and everyone was saying its awesome. It sounded like the October fest thats in yorba Linda so we were getting excited to go and advertise there. But it turned out to be pretty lame. There wasn't very many people and not really anything to do. So that kinda stunk because we walked 2 miles to get there. Then we went and played games with the old people at an old people home so that day was really fun haha. That was this last Saturday. It was probably the slowest day of the week cuz none of our appointments showed up. But the rest of the week went smoothly. We had our zone conference and that was a blast. I got to meet all of the elders in our zone and they all seemed way cool. We just watched some videos and then we went around and boar our testimonies. It was an extremely powerful meeting. I swear President Summerhays could easily be a general authority. Hes so cool. Last night we went over to this families house for dinner and they were a pretty cool family. The dad asked me where I was from and I told him Orange County and he was like, "me to." Then he asked me where in OC and I said yorba Linda. And he said, "Me Too!" So he showed me on map quest where he lived and I guess he said he went to the bastanchery building. There names are the Sheets? Maybe you know them? I dunno. But ya so that was fun. Then we went over to The Bryants house. Brother Bryant is possibly the coolest person ever. He totally reminds me of andy. Hes way funny. So ya that's pretty much the most exciting stuff I have to tell yah haha. Like I said, the work is pretty slow in this area. In my interview with the president he told me that this is a test for me cuz this is one of the hardest areas in the mission and I have one of the hardest companions in the mission as well. It has been a test for me. The Lord has been twisting and tugging and stretching me to see what im made of. And the truth is, ive realized im not made of much haha. Im serious though. With out the Lord, I could not do this. But with the Lords help in the passed 2 weeks, ive been able to fill in so many of my week areas and im so excited to see what the lord can shape me into over the next two years. Ya my companion isn't the best to be around, but so what. The Lord is on my side and im not gonna let that get to me. Besides, transfers are in another 3 weeks and I think hes getting transferred so ya its all good. Good week this week that's all I gotta say. I love this church and I know its true with all my heart. I know this is where im supposed to be and I wouldn't give it up for the world. So anyways, New couch at the lake huh? That's cool. Get it nice and worn in for me That's cool that shwana and andey got a new house. Its not that one huge one that I saw is it? The one that you can see from there this last house? Thanks for those pictures by the way. I really enjoyed them. Take more!!! Send more!!!! I wat some of you guys and the kids Sorry I never sent a letter like I said I would in my last email. Last p-day got kinda busy. So hows dads business going. Still srong I hope? And how is Yor business doing mom? Hopefully everythings still goin good. You guys are in my prayers evry night and day. I love you so much. Im satying safe so don't worry about me. I wear my seat belt when im driving and my helmet when im biking so no worries. Im still at 145lbs. im shotting for 150 by the end of the transfer tho. Pray for me Anything else you wanna know? I love your letters and thank you so much for for the pants. I just got em yesterday. Im workin on taking more pictures. Sorry its taking so long to get more. I promise ill send some soon. Well im gonna go write President. Hope all is well. Mom- I love you sooooooo much. Im so grateful for everything you have done for me. Dad-you're the best I love you with all my heart. Thank you for putting up with me. I love you both. Have a good week! Love Elder Joshua Burnham

stronger and stronger...

Hey guys! So it took me like 20 minutes to read all those emails. I didn't get the one from last week until now and katey, andey, and brett all wrote me too. It was so good talking to you guys yesterday. I was looking forward to it for the past few days because I wasn't sure if you had been getting my letters and I wanted to get confirmation. I thought it would be hard after getting off the phone but it actually cheered me up quite a bit just because I was glad to here that your both doing alright. Theres not a whole lot to say cuz I said almost all of it yesterday. I just hope you know how much I love you guys. Im where I am at right now because of the you guys and your parenting. I cant express in words how grateful I am for you. So Yeah is Monday today so we don't really have much planned other than dinner tonight at 6 at The Davids. This is the craziest family I have ever seen haha. I ate there for my first dinner appointment and was so worn out by the end of it. They are members, kind of. Its hard to explain so ill just leave it at they are crazy. But until then, we will probably play some basketball at the church and ill probably finish reading my book. Im reading our search for happiness and its pretty good. Zone conference is this coming Thursday and Im way excited for that. I guess theres like 24 missionaries in our zone and I hear zone conferences are pretty cool. Is there anything else goin on in yorba Linda? Did you sell my truck yet? Haha. Sorry I never did that. I actually feel really bad about that. Im bummed about dreads but whatever. Buy his album when it comes out and save it for me I only have like 10 more minutes to write so sorry if this email is kinda short. Ill write a letter later today and send it off probably tomorrow so you can have something to tread in the middle of the week. I wash you could see some of these areas that ive been to. Some of these areas are so beautiful. I love it. Sometimes well go contacting near the beach and it is so nice to see the sunset. Im still hoping for that hurricane. Hurricane season starts in a couple weeks I guess so that's good haha. I guess if one comes they tell us to go to the church building because theyre built to stand 200 mph winds. So you can feel comfortable knowing that we are in a safe place if one happens to hit here. My testimony has growing stronger and stronger every day out here. Like I was saying, this is the hardest thing that I have ever done, but the experiences that I have had just in the past 11 days have shaped and formed me and ways I didn't know were possible. The first few days were tough, but the Lord dosnt throw anything in our path that we cant overcome. We just need to have faith that he will help us. I love my Savior and Im grateful for these hard experiences because I know that have eternal significance to them. Thank you so much for supporting me guys. Your emails make me really happy. Mom- I love you so much it hurts. I couldn't ask for a better mom. And believe me, you're an AWSOME cook! Just trust me on that one. I love you.Dad- You're the best dad ever. I love you with all my heart. Thank you both for everything. Im gonna go now, but just know I love you and Im glad to here all is well at home. I LOVE YOU!
Love, Elder Joshua Burnham

Words can't even describe...

I only have like 30 minutes to write so sorry if I don’t get everything down that I want to say. I wrote another letter this morning and im sending it out after im done here at the library. So how are u? I don’t know if you have gotten my last letter yet. Im sorry about that. I was kinda depressed the first few days. This has been the hardest experience I have ever had to go through. For the first time in my life ive been getting severe home sickness. Ive felt much better the last day or two though. I just need a letter from you telling me that your all right. I think satan has been trying to make me feel like you guys are all sad and depressed. Don’t get the wrong impression though, Im still way excited to be here and I love the area that im in. The food here has been pretty normal so far. Just your basic chicken dinners and what not. I did try color greens or whatever you call them the other night and they were the worste thing ive ever tasted. Ive already told you enough about my companion so ill skip him haha. Just pray for me to have patience with him. So ya our place is pretty tiny. Ill send you some pictures soon. President Summerhays is so awesome. Hes really funny but at the same time hes the most spititual man ive ever met. The members out here are really cool too. Some are normal and some are pretty back country. The work is pretty slow around here. We have 3 investigators; Bobby, James, aaaaaaaannnd, mmmmmm, ok maybe just two investigators haha. But they are really cool. James is a kickboxer and he just won this really cool champ. Belt. And Bobby is some kid about my age who seems pretty interested in what we have to say. We did a lot of trackting on Saturday but we didn’t have any luck. I guess trackting isn’t very effective in out mission. So yeah just pray for me that ill have the strength to keep going. Like I said this is really hard but I know that it’s a refining process and the Lord is just trying to shape me into a more effective tool. I love what ive been learning from him. Im starting to learn that you don’t really learn that much when your just moving along easily. Its these difficult times where the Lord can show you your weaknesses, then we rely on him to help us make those weak areas stronger. I don’t even know if that made sence haha. But ya I miss my companion from the MTC. I think things will go a lot smoother when I get another companion. Dang it im really sorry im making him sound really bad. Hes really not that bad. Hes just really closed off and I think its because hes leaving soon. Ill learn to love him im sure. But seriously, please just write me and tell me how you guys are doing. Mom I keep thinking that when dads at work that your just all lonely and bored. Are you? I love you sooooo much. Words cant even describe. And dad I hope work is going ok and I hope Your ok too. I really love u! I love both of you guys. I wish I had tome to write more but I have to write the president… I hope you get this. Write back asap. Oh yeah, don’t write to the Navar address, send your letters through the mission home. It only takes a day longer and its safer. I love you guys sooooooo much! Like I said, im sending another letter in the mail so you will probably get it in a few days. I have to go. I love you!