Thank you for forwarding that email to me that Elder Bond Wrote. He is such an awsome Elder. Those were some of the best weeks of my mission serving with him in Troy. Thats really cool of him to write you guys.
So i was pretty suprised about transfer information. I am getting tranferred for my last six weeks. I am actually really excited. I am going to Crawfordville which is pretty close to Tallahassee and is as back woods as you can get. This will be the first area of my mission where i can legitimetely say that i am out in the stix. I am going to be serving with Elder Jenkins which is also really cool. I served around him in the beginning of my mission and he is a great guy. We are really good friends. At first i was a little bit confused at why i was getting tranfered, but President Summerhays called me and told me the reason why. I guess recently he sat in on a lesson recently with the Elders in Crawfordville with a nice couple who are having some difficulties overcoming some problems and preparing for baptism. President told me that he recieved a very specific witness from the Lord telling him that he needed to send me to that area and that there were people in Crawfordville that i needed to help. I cant really be upset with that answer, so i guess i am going to Crawfordville haha.
So this got me thinking, maybe we dont even need to come out to Mobile. There is only one family out here that would be worth seeing (the Schloemers) but is that worth coming all the way out to the end of the mission for? If Troy is the furthest up we go, then we could just fly right back out of Tallahassee, I think. Would it be cheaper and easier that way? There really isnt too much to see here in Mobile except for tthe Schloemers. I would be fine with that. What are your thoughts?
Anyways, this week was good. We had a good lesson with Desiree. We explained to her that we had taught her everything that she needed to know to find her own testimony. She hasnt really been praying and doesnt seem to have too strong of a desire, so we just bore our testimonies and kind of left it in her hands, so hopefully she will come through.
We also went on Trade-offs this week with a few different missionaries in the Zone. I was able to go on one with an awsome Elder who i will probably be really good friends with after the mission. He is serving in Atmore which is also in the middle of nowhere. It was a good trade-off. We taught a couple lessons and knocked on some doors out on some dirt trails. It was fun.
The last couple of days have been hectic. We are moving apartments because there has been so many problems with these ones. So we have just been moving furniture and cleaning and packing for the last couple days. I am going to be sending some stuff home so that i dont have tons to fly home with in 6 weeks.
I am so wierded out that i am in the last tranfer of my mission. It doesnt seem like it has been two years, but at the same time, it seems like forever ago that i was being trained by Elder Honzic and scared out of my mind. My mission has been the greatest experience of my life. I am so excited to talk to you guys about everything and to show you at least a few places and people that have made an impact on me. I think i am mostly excited for you to meet President Summerhays. He has been my best friend out here and is one of the greatest leaders i have ever known. I cant belive its happening soon! Am i supposed to be sad or happy?! I dont know!! ahhhh!!
So anyways, i love you guys. I am glad you had a good week. Ill talk to you next week and tell you all about my new area.
Love, Elder Burnham
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Feb 22, 2010 More focus onto less-active work
It sounds like you guys are having so much fun making all of these plans for the place out in Dammeron. I am so excited for you. That is going to be so much fun out there. Have they started building yet, or is that not going to start for another couple months?
Our week has been good. We have been finding alot more people lately while knocking on doors. Most of the appointments are falling through, but there is still more signs of life then there was a few weeks ago, so we are happy about that. We found one guy last week who told is that our Spirits didn't have a gender. He had all sorts of crazy ideas. We had a lesson with Desiree last week that went really well. Normally she doesn't say much, but this time, she was speaking her mind the whole time and said that she actually felt the Spirit while she was reading the Book of Mormon. We were really excited about that because up up until then, she wasnt really progressing at all.
I had an interview with President a couple of weeks ago and we were talking about what we need to do to get the work picked back up in the Theodore ward. We have been working hard and doing alot of tracting, but we just arent seeing very much success. President recommended that we start putting alot more focus into less-active work, so that is what we have been doing lately. We are trying to get into homes of the members and teach them the Restoration. We have had alot more success lately since we have started doing this so we will see how it goes. We got President Summerhays to come down and speak to the ward in a few weeks. The Bishop in our ward got really excited when we told him that so he invited the Stake President to come down to speak that sunday as well, so it will be a really good sunday for our ward and hopefully they will start to pick things up again.
Transers are coming up next monday. I will officially have one transfer left after that. I cant beleive it is almost March already! This will be my last full month. I really am a little worried. Its going to be nice to have everyone home for the summer. I just hopeI'm not ridiculously awkward.
I really need to start calling people from my old areas to see if they are going to be around when we are traveling through. Your right though, even if there arent very many people home, it will still be fun just touring back through and visiting the areas. Do you want me to give you a list of the areas i have served in so that you can map figure out the fastest route to go through, or do you want me to figure all that out?
Well, i am getting excited to see you guys. I am loving every moment of what i am doing out here though and i am so grateful for everything that i have experienced over the past two years. It will be a fun drive when we tour back through. I will get to tell you all of the details of each area. I am so excited for you to meet Ed. Hes the man. I still call him every other week. He is doing so good right now.
Anyways, i love you guys. See yall soon:)
Love, Elder Burnham
Our week has been good. We have been finding alot more people lately while knocking on doors. Most of the appointments are falling through, but there is still more signs of life then there was a few weeks ago, so we are happy about that. We found one guy last week who told is that our Spirits didn't have a gender. He had all sorts of crazy ideas. We had a lesson with Desiree last week that went really well. Normally she doesn't say much, but this time, she was speaking her mind the whole time and said that she actually felt the Spirit while she was reading the Book of Mormon. We were really excited about that because up up until then, she wasnt really progressing at all.
I had an interview with President a couple of weeks ago and we were talking about what we need to do to get the work picked back up in the Theodore ward. We have been working hard and doing alot of tracting, but we just arent seeing very much success. President recommended that we start putting alot more focus into less-active work, so that is what we have been doing lately. We are trying to get into homes of the members and teach them the Restoration. We have had alot more success lately since we have started doing this so we will see how it goes. We got President Summerhays to come down and speak to the ward in a few weeks. The Bishop in our ward got really excited when we told him that so he invited the Stake President to come down to speak that sunday as well, so it will be a really good sunday for our ward and hopefully they will start to pick things up again.
Transers are coming up next monday. I will officially have one transfer left after that. I cant beleive it is almost March already! This will be my last full month. I really am a little worried. Its going to be nice to have everyone home for the summer. I just hopeI'm not ridiculously awkward.
I really need to start calling people from my old areas to see if they are going to be around when we are traveling through. Your right though, even if there arent very many people home, it will still be fun just touring back through and visiting the areas. Do you want me to give you a list of the areas i have served in so that you can map figure out the fastest route to go through, or do you want me to figure all that out?
Well, i am getting excited to see you guys. I am loving every moment of what i am doing out here though and i am so grateful for everything that i have experienced over the past two years. It will be a fun drive when we tour back through. I will get to tell you all of the details of each area. I am so excited for you to meet Ed. Hes the man. I still call him every other week. He is doing so good right now.
Anyways, i love you guys. See yall soon:)
Love, Elder Burnham
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Letter from Elder Bond Feb 20, 2010
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Burnham,
My name is Kyle Bond, those here in the mission field know me better as Elder Bond. I had the privilege of serving with one of the greatest missionaries I've ever known, Elder Burnham. Elder Burnham is very highly spoken of by our mission president and missionaries in the Florida Tallahassee Mission, but he is more than a good missionary (as you already know) to me. Elder Burnham is my best friend and brother. It would be safe to say that he helped me love others by his example, and that he helped change my life.
The Lord blessed me with the opportunity to serve 2 transfers with Elder Burnham. During those 2 transfers I saw miracles and felt humbled to serve with, in my opinion, the greatest leader and person this mission has ever seen. During our short time serving together we met a man by the name of Ed Stevens who changed both of our lives and all 3 of us became very close. I have many journal entries about Elder Burmham of which I still draw strength from. I want you to know that my love for Elder Josh Burnham is great. He helped me to better see the good in everything. He helped me to not stress the unimportant things. He listened to me as I inquired of him for advice. He made me know I could trust him by his example. Then he patiently listened as I shared with him things that I haven't with anyone else, things that I'd thought about my whole life. Sounds like a pretty cool guy huh? I know he is, He is the hardest working missionary I know and one of the most fun people to be around. He spoke very highly of the both of you, and I have no doubt in my mind that you are great people. I hope one day well get to meet. I am so thankful that Elder Burnham chose to serve.
Love, someone who highly respects and looks up to your son,
Elder Kyle Steven Bond
My name is Kyle Bond, those here in the mission field know me better as Elder Bond. I had the privilege of serving with one of the greatest missionaries I've ever known, Elder Burnham. Elder Burnham is very highly spoken of by our mission president and missionaries in the Florida Tallahassee Mission, but he is more than a good missionary (as you already know) to me. Elder Burnham is my best friend and brother. It would be safe to say that he helped me love others by his example, and that he helped change my life.
The Lord blessed me with the opportunity to serve 2 transfers with Elder Burnham. During those 2 transfers I saw miracles and felt humbled to serve with, in my opinion, the greatest leader and person this mission has ever seen. During our short time serving together we met a man by the name of Ed Stevens who changed both of our lives and all 3 of us became very close. I have many journal entries about Elder Burmham of which I still draw strength from. I want you to know that my love for Elder Josh Burnham is great. He helped me to better see the good in everything. He helped me to not stress the unimportant things. He listened to me as I inquired of him for advice. He made me know I could trust him by his example. Then he patiently listened as I shared with him things that I haven't with anyone else, things that I'd thought about my whole life. Sounds like a pretty cool guy huh? I know he is, He is the hardest working missionary I know and one of the most fun people to be around. He spoke very highly of the both of you, and I have no doubt in my mind that you are great people. I hope one day well get to meet. I am so thankful that Elder Burnham chose to serve.
Love, someone who highly respects and looks up to your son,
Elder Kyle Steven Bond
Monday, February 15, 2010
Feb 15, 2010 Learning alot from Elder Tolley
Mom and Dad-
Thats funny that sister Schloemer sent those pictures off so quickly to you guys. The Schloemers really are so good to us. They are the most solid family in the ward. They are constantly inviting their friends and neighbors to hear the lessons. We really love them.
Donnie looks so skinny. Wow, i cant believe he is already home. I cant believe this is all happening so fast. I talked to President Summerhays about schooling, and he said he felt good about me being in California for the first little bit of school. He actually suggested that i stay in California until i get my associates degree, but i dont know about that. There are a couple missionaies from this mission that are going to LDS business college. Sister Summerhays actually really wants me to go there. I love my interviews with her. She is so funny. She has all of these ideas of what she wants me to do when i get home and she gets really excited about it. She is our mission mom. That is really cool that Brett and Ray are doing so well. Brett is running for president? Thats pretty random, but so Brett at the same time.
I dont think you guys will be at the dinner, but you better call and make sure. I am pretty sure that the interview with President Summerhays will be from 9-930pm, and then after that, i am off with you guys:) I am still a little bit worries that noone will be home when we go through to see everybody, but even if most of them arent, it will still be really fun to have stop in some of the areas and show you around. If we have a little extra time maybe we can even go see some of Destin beach which is right next to Fort Walton.
That is pretty awsome that The Daltons got called to Honnolulu. They are going to have so much fun. I was kind of hoping that they would get called here, but i am sure they are just fine with their call.
This week has been good. Elder Tolley was sick for a couple days, but he worked hard through it and is feeling alot better now. Did you here about the freak weather that we had out here? It snowed on Friday Morning for about 4 or 5 hours! I guess there were some parts of our mission that got 3-5 inches of snow on the ground. Pretty crazy huh? It was really fun to knock on doors during that time because most people invited us in to get us out of the cold. We ended up finding 3 new investigators that day which was a miracle, especially for this area. Elder Tolley and i are working hard tgether. I am so happy to be ending my mission with a good companion, in a good area. I have learned so much here and i am learning so much from Elder Tolley. We were able to get into alot of doors this week and teach the restoration, but not to many people wanted us back. We still only really have one progressing investigator and that is Desiree, who we teach every week at the Schloemers house. She needs prayers. She is really trying to find answers.
So, just for future reference, you guys should check out a type of dog called Habaneese. The Schloemers have one and they are the coolest dogs ever. They look like a miniature Murphy, only with the personality of Max (our old cat.) They are bread to not bark and to be really calm. I know Sadie has a long time to live, but just keep that in mind.
Anyways, sorry for that random tangent. I am so happy right now. I am so grateful for your prayers. I know that they are helping me so much. Thank you. I love it so much out here. It feels so good to open your mouth and bear witness of the Savior and His restored Gospel. I dont know what i am going to do when i get home and that isnt my sole purpose all day every day anymore. I love you guys so much. Tell the family That i will be writing them Tomorrow. Elder Tolley and i set goals to write letters, so i am going to do it. Tomorrow is actually our p-day, but President told us to email today because it is Fat Tuesday tomorrow and everything will be closed.
K, well thank you again for everything!I love you!
Elder Burnham
Thats funny that sister Schloemer sent those pictures off so quickly to you guys. The Schloemers really are so good to us. They are the most solid family in the ward. They are constantly inviting their friends and neighbors to hear the lessons. We really love them.
Donnie looks so skinny. Wow, i cant believe he is already home. I cant believe this is all happening so fast. I talked to President Summerhays about schooling, and he said he felt good about me being in California for the first little bit of school. He actually suggested that i stay in California until i get my associates degree, but i dont know about that. There are a couple missionaies from this mission that are going to LDS business college. Sister Summerhays actually really wants me to go there. I love my interviews with her. She is so funny. She has all of these ideas of what she wants me to do when i get home and she gets really excited about it. She is our mission mom. That is really cool that Brett and Ray are doing so well. Brett is running for president? Thats pretty random, but so Brett at the same time.
I dont think you guys will be at the dinner, but you better call and make sure. I am pretty sure that the interview with President Summerhays will be from 9-930pm, and then after that, i am off with you guys:) I am still a little bit worries that noone will be home when we go through to see everybody, but even if most of them arent, it will still be really fun to have stop in some of the areas and show you around. If we have a little extra time maybe we can even go see some of Destin beach which is right next to Fort Walton.
That is pretty awsome that The Daltons got called to Honnolulu. They are going to have so much fun. I was kind of hoping that they would get called here, but i am sure they are just fine with their call.
This week has been good. Elder Tolley was sick for a couple days, but he worked hard through it and is feeling alot better now. Did you here about the freak weather that we had out here? It snowed on Friday Morning for about 4 or 5 hours! I guess there were some parts of our mission that got 3-5 inches of snow on the ground. Pretty crazy huh? It was really fun to knock on doors during that time because most people invited us in to get us out of the cold. We ended up finding 3 new investigators that day which was a miracle, especially for this area. Elder Tolley and i are working hard tgether. I am so happy to be ending my mission with a good companion, in a good area. I have learned so much here and i am learning so much from Elder Tolley. We were able to get into alot of doors this week and teach the restoration, but not to many people wanted us back. We still only really have one progressing investigator and that is Desiree, who we teach every week at the Schloemers house. She needs prayers. She is really trying to find answers.
So, just for future reference, you guys should check out a type of dog called Habaneese. The Schloemers have one and they are the coolest dogs ever. They look like a miniature Murphy, only with the personality of Max (our old cat.) They are bread to not bark and to be really calm. I know Sadie has a long time to live, but just keep that in mind.
Anyways, sorry for that random tangent. I am so happy right now. I am so grateful for your prayers. I know that they are helping me so much. Thank you. I love it so much out here. It feels so good to open your mouth and bear witness of the Savior and His restored Gospel. I dont know what i am going to do when i get home and that isnt my sole purpose all day every day anymore. I love you guys so much. Tell the family That i will be writing them Tomorrow. Elder Tolley and i set goals to write letters, so i am going to do it. Tomorrow is actually our p-day, but President told us to email today because it is Fat Tuesday tomorrow and everything will be closed.
K, well thank you again for everything!I love you!
Elder Burnham
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