The mission life is where it's at!!

Sawaadiikha!!

I am loving my life right now. You have no idea how happy I am to be on a mission and not in school! The mission life is where it's at!! This last week has been one of the hardest and best weeks of my life! As we continue to learn more and more Thai our lessons just keep getting better and better. Brother Yuen says that he doesn't even know what advice to give us because my khuu and I have already set the goals for everything we need to improve on. We are very efficient with that. As my understanding grows, my love for my mission just continues to increase. 

Language

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The language is still coming! I just keep getting better and better everyday! I finally translated Rowland's letter he sent me in Thai back in June when I opened my mission call. So I can actually read script now! I am not fast by any means, but we sing out of the Thai Hymn book everyday in class and every day it just gets faster and faster. I can hardly believe in. Funny story about Rowland's letter he sent me in June though. So as some of you know....my Thai nickname is kradtai, which means rabbit, because I'm pretty much a rabbit lets be honest. Anyway, in the letter Rowland wrote kaansiiasala khccng kradtai...., which translates directing to 'Sacrificing of rabbit....', referring to me and my sacrifice to go on a mission. Well my teacher, B. Chamberlain, didn't understand that my chxx len is kradtai, so he thought that someone was literally wanting to sacrifice a rabbit. I started laughing at him and explained and then he started laughing. It was one of those, you had to be there moments, but it honestly just made my day. ''It's the little things.'' As Sister Remington and I always say, because it's so true.

Spiritual

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Something that I had the opportunity of doing last Monday was memorize my purpose as a missionary in Thai. I hadn't up to this point and I realized that I should probably get on that. So last Monday I made a goal to have it completely memorized by the end of the day. That was a great accomplishment to me because I was feeling really off when class started on Monday evening and it just felt like I couldn't do anything right. I ended up just going into a room by myself (still in sight of my khuu...don't worry), and memorize the purpose. As I recited it over and over and over again, I started to realize exactly what I was saying, and how amazing it was that I was actually quoting our entire purpose as missionaries in Thai. In a language that I have barely been studying for a month. Not only was I quoting it, but I actually understood it with absolute clarity. I could feel of its truth, and it reminded me of the amazing power of the Holy Ghost. In D&C 8 verse 2 it says, ''Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.'' I realized how profound that scripture is. The Holy Ghost testifies straight to our soul. It can teach things that we as humans can't teach each other. I always know when I am feeling the Holy Ghost testify to me because it feels as if my heart is teaching me something my mind didn't know. It sounds far fetched in theory, and is impossible to explain, but when you have experienced it for yourself it becomes something you seek after. I decided to start reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning with that mind set since I came to the MTC, and EVERY SINGLE TIME, without fail, I have that experience. I start with a prayer, then I begin to read, and almost instantaneously I feel of the truth of everything I am reading. I learn something every time I study the Book of Mormon, and not just from the verses I read, but from the Holy Ghost testifying to me in thoughts.

Challenge of the Week....

       1. Write down a question you have about life or about God or about anything.

       2. Pray and ask God that exact question, and ask Him to help you receive an answer.

       3. Read a few chapters out of the Book of Mormon. (Ex. I love Alma 36 or 2 Nephi 31)

I promise you that if you do this. You will invite the Holy Ghost into your heart to testify of things you NEED to know. You will also feel of God's love for you, and begin to understand what true peace in this life feels like.

One last thought. I finally got the lyrics to ''Savior, Redeemer of My Soul'' and I just wanted to type them out because I love them so much. This is my testimony in a nutshell.

Savior, Redeemer of my soul,

Whose mighty hand hath made me whole,

Whose wondrous power hath raised me up.

And filled with sweet my bitter cup.

What tongue my gratitude can tell,

O gracious God of Israel. 

Never can I repay thee Lord,

But I can love thee.

Thy pure word

Hath it not been my one delight,

My joy by day, my dream by night?

Then let my lips proclaim it still,

And all my life reflect thy will. 

O'er-rule mine acts to serve thine ends,

Change frowning foes to smiling friends,

Chasten my soul 'till I shall be

In perfect harmony with thee.

Make me more worthy of thy love,

And fit me for the life above.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pslLsWRPaIk (I found this song on youtube. Listen to it while reading and following the words. It's more powerful that way. 
from Wade)

 

I am eternally indebted to my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration, and that he was a virtuous man of God. He restored the true church, even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and it is the same church that Christ established during his mortal ministry. It is ONLY through Christ that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven. And I say this is the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all so much.

Rakmaag,

Sister Burbank