Hey!

Dear Family,

Well, it was just wonderful to hear your voices again! It has most definitely given me the strength and support I need for the downhill slope of the mission! I love you all so much and am grateful everyday for you and your sacrifices.

Needless to say, Christmas was amazing. The members took very good care of us and we got some ties from many members. It was good :) Things haven't really changed much since Saturday, so I don't know what to fill you in on. But transfers are coming up this week, we shall see what happens! Love you always!

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Very important info!

Dear Family,

I got my Christmas package today! Thank you so much! I can't wait to open it! Also, regards to phone calls. My companion and I decided that he will go first calling around 10 our time. Depending on how long he talks, it could be about 1 here. SO, I will be calling sometime after 10-11 your time :) LOVE YOU LOTS!!!!!

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Ugh, aggrivation :(

Dear Family,

So I planned this huge present idea for you to get your letters from me and I just can't pull it together in time. :( I'll have to just send everything via mail and hope it gets there by Saturday; if not, I apologize! I do think about you often and have been busting my rear trying to get everything to come together. Alas, some things just were not meant to be. I'll get it in the mail probably tomorrow. I love you all so much! Cant wait to talk to you!!!!!!

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

What's up? You surprised?

Dear Family,

Let me guess; you are wondering why its Saturday and you are getting an email? Well, check the weather! We have some natural freak weather storm right now! Its some crazy north polar "new lake effect" that's sweeping from the north pole, across Canada, and through the upper right side of the United States! The snow is so bad, we cant go anywhere. So, we came here because there is nothing else to do! We cant go tracting due to weather restrictions we have, and we don't have much to do at home. So, instead of writing you a letter and letting you know that everything is ok, we decided that we would email you and let you know that everything is still just wonderful! Christmas songs are truly the best fitting music at the moment :) Anyways, just wanted you to know that is 5 degrees with 30+ mph wind. That brings us down to -15 or so. Love you lots! Enjoy your 50-60 degree weather! ;)

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

Wow, things are crazy over here! Snow and wind DO NOT make a great combo! The snow is hard out here so, I feel like I am in a sandstorm on Tatooine or something. SERIOUSLY! I have been cut by snow already. That’s not normal...

So, the first thing I must address before I forget! Leah, what an amazing talk you gave at Stake Conference! I felt the Spirit just reading it; I know that you have a gift that allows you to touch the hearts of those you come in contact with; something I am jealous of. Also, you quoted Larry L. Gibbons of the Seventy. Did you know, that one week before your talk, I was shaking hand with him and have a conversation with him over lunch? :) Its true, being a missionary means you get to meet GAs every now and then. Which goes right into my next topic, kind of. We are going to the Bismarck Temple this week! I am so excited to finally step foot into one of the Lord's Houses again. I have a lot on my mind, and a lot that I need to converse with the Lord on. Please, keep our travels in your prayers...its a LONG drive.

The next thing on my mind is college. We are advised to spend some time thinking about it as we fly over our hump day...(YAY!!! That’s me now xD) and to consider where we are going, and when. I have this feeling (and feelings aren’t "just feelings", its the Spirit) that I need to go to BYU-I. Several reasons: 1) They accept ALL return missionaries and I would get a dorm room :) So, that would be nice seeing I didn’t get the best grades to attend someplace else. 2) I might as well continue the streak I am on and attend the college that Mom attended, as well as Dad. I mean, come on, I left Clark, and CHS like Mom did...I practically live Blue and Gold, which also, is BYU! So, tell me what you think? I am going to look up classes for next winter/fall semester in a minute. I’ll see what’s going on. LOVE YOU LOTS! Have a great week and things are going well here!

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

Things are going well here in Brandon! The members are awesome, and I have officially been inducted into the Missionary Ninja Society! With my awesome ninja like powers I can turn anything I have into an instrument and destroy them with the fiery blasts of musical awesomeness! Haha. It’s a ten-year-old member girl that put this society together. Kinda funny that we all have powers pertaining to our names and our favorite things to do.

Anyways, not much to talk about this week, unless you want to hear about unpacking; which wasn’t very fun. However, it was my first Thanksgiving in the mission! I remember all those stories that dad told about 3-4 meals and guess what? It’s TRUE! We had 2...but again, guess what? Do to the horrid humor of cold weather and freezing rain, we COULDN'T GET TO THEIR HOUSES! So, we ended up going down to Sioux Falls after they coated the I-90 with salt and dirt. We had chicken scraps there and a wonderful time. Got to love those mission stories!

Love you all so much! Tell me about your Holiday and what went down!

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family and Friends!

The forecast for this week? SNOW 31 degrees, SNOW 28 degrees, SNOW 21 degrees, SNOW 18 degrees! What will this poor California boy do when it gets below ZERO this year? Not stay inside; but keep working in the freezing cold!

Things are going well, with not much to report here in Pipestone, seeing I am leaving. However, I look forward to being able to update you next week with everything that is going down in Brandon, SD. I look forward to being under the District Leader, Elder Flannery. We have been good friend back since Gillette and we like all the same things! Exchanges with him this transfer will be awesome!

I feel like I can never say this enough, but thank you so much for you love and support. Christmas is just around the corner! xD Talk to you then!

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

It as been several moons since I have written to you concerning the thing of which I am to tell you. I received a transfer call today and am being sent to Brandon, SD; it the area just south of Pipestone! Many of the members any Pipestone actually work there, so I may still see them! It was very nice, but hard to get the call. I loved being here in Pipestone, especially with the great Native American culture that is here. Pipestone is holy ground to the natives, and out of respect, when I went to the monument, did treat it with the same respect and reverence I do while in church. You should check out the Monument online and see how they feel about Pipestone; it might bring you that much closer to me.

As for my address in Brandon, it will be the following:

Elder Burnett
1109 Teatwood #4
Brandon, SD 57005

I do love you lots and will write to you more on Monday! Keep everyone updated for me so the Elders here don't have to send off to much mail to me.

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

Well, as most of you know, we started yet another trip up to Fargo Sunday evening for a second Tri-Zone Conference. Due to the fact that we arrived on P-day, I had free reign of whatever I so desired to do! My first choice of events? Stroll the mall while I waited for the time to go by. Then, at the appointed time, my companion and I had Chinese food! The best part? We ate with Holly and Steve :) Getting to see her again was like walking into a dream that’s been gone for 10 years; we picked up again real well and had a blast reliving the past and trying to explain the events we were talking about to two very confused listeners. What a blast! The next event? 7 hours of basketball at the church! (And I was playing pretty well! Scored about 30 points in all and had several steals and rebounds). Again, made better with the fact that Steve, who is a non-member, came to play with us when I invited him! You know that missionaries are doing a good job when they all start introducing themselves, and doing some fellowship action. Holly stood on the side as Steven and I battled it out on the court; 5 games against each other, 2 on the same team. Needless to say, Steve had a blast and really enjoyed hanging out with the missionaries (w00t!). It was awesome to see the both of them.

As for the actual Zone Conference itself, we talked a lot about how the Book of Mormon can bring personal revelation. We learned a lot and I shared my testimony on how I gained my own testimony of the Book of Mormon that year at EFY. Many Elders also bore their testimonies of their own experiences and the Spirit just filled the room. Getting 60 missionaries bearing testimony (whether vocal or silently) in the same place? It was a powerful experience!

I love you all so much! Thank you for the awesome support and the love that you show when I hear from you; it honestly makes all of the difference on a cold day. I look forward to transfer calls; many Elders are trying to pull strings to get me up to Fargo 1st Ward, which would actually put me in charge of visiting the best Part Member couple up there; Holly and Steve :)

Anyways, the Lord will send me where He wills it; and I will go without questions and without reservations. Keep the faith and remember; you are never alone!

Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Holly and I saying our goodbyes for the time being outside her apartment complex.


Some Elders and I saying goodbye to Elder Olsen who is going home next week.

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

Once again, the fall leaves are hitting the floor and the sun is leaving us. Rain is coming to us to replenish the dry ground and although I loved it back home, it has become the enemy of my efforts of work! But also over here… It just gets COLD, COLD, COLD...and then SNOWS!!! And I am not talking like, fun snow. It’s the wet, dreary, nasty snow. Also it’s not 50 degrees cold...like -50 degrees cold WITHOUT WINDCHILL. But alas, winter is a different season, a time to look at the world in a different point of view!

I’m glad to hear that things are going well! The yard looks absolutely beautiful; I just wish I was there putting it in as well. Don’t mind me though; we do plenty of service out here to make up for it. :) Keep me updated, and I would love to have pictures to hold and look at when it’s done. (I.E. Save the pictures to the comp. Save pictures on comp to CD. Take CD to Walgreens and get some hard copies. Send them off to a very happy boy in a distant land! ^^) I’m also glad to hear that things are going well with the kids.

Things are going well out here! We have some actual promising investigators and look forward to being an instrument myself. I look forward to my birthday, even though turning 20 is going to be a new stone for me; not exactly 21, but no longer a teenager! Looks like there goes some of my excuses ;) Love you all so much and keep in touch! The gospel brings forth the blessings of heaven! Adieu!

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Pictures from Elder Burnett

Pipestone National Monument is dedicated to the Lakota Sioux and the land that they consider Sacred. Pipestone is harvested to make the peace pipes.


This contains the Oracle. Can you see the face in the rock?

The ribbon around the tree holds tobacco. It is a offering to the Great Creator and to Earth Mother.


The Bueaty of Minesotta. The Three Maidens are also in this picture.

"Old Stone Face". This stone pillar rises about 25ft up. Around it is about 6 feet of space. In order for many native women to accept a man, they had to jump to this pillar and place and arrow in the top.

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

I apologize for the lack of email last Monday and Mom, for the birthday card that I was just able to send out today. Here is how last week went...

If you have been watching the national weather news, you would have seen that Pipestone made it! We were HEAVILY rained on for 26 hours straight. The pipestone creek, which floods at 16 feet, was at an all time high of 21 feet! The North East side of town had been evacuated and we were busy saving members stuff and sandbagging! I know that this is not a real excuse, but as you can see, we were quite busy!

As for investigators, things just hit a wall. We have some promising call-backs and will keep you informed on those when I have more information! I sure do miss you lots and hope that you are nice and warm in Sunny CA. It’s September here...and they are talking snow! O.o

Love you all and thank you for your support! Please keep my visit with Holly in Fargo at the end of next month in your prayers! I want it to work out so I can talk with her face to face. Thank you!

Would you like to know what storm made us flood? Hurricane Carl! :) That’s right...I got hit by a HURRICANE in the MIDDLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! Lol. It was supposed to hit Mexico I guess? Well, it caught the air stream and whipped to Minnesota and South Dakota. Love you :)

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

Things are going well here in Pipestone. We are hitting a rough patch though. However, that is what faith is for right? :) We push forward every day with a strong faith that things will get better. I sure am loving serving the Lord. It’s strange though. I am at that point in my mission now where everyone I know is going home. I am starting to become one of the older ones already. My good friend, Elder (Jonathon) Badten goes home this transfer to New Hampshire. He is planning on moving to Irvine about a year after I get home for work and can’t wait to see him again.

Thank you for all of the support that you bring me every day. I look forward to every letter that I receive and apologize that I am not the best at returning letters. It’s something I need to work on. I love and miss you all so much! I know the day will be glorious when I get to see you again! Keep the faith!

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

Things are going surreal here in Pipestone, MN. How grateful I am for the power of prayer, and for the love that our Lord shows us all every day. Elder Loder and I are working very hard and very well together. Recently, we have invited a unmarried (soon to be married!) couple to be baptized on Nov. 6! They accepted and we are now working on their smoking habits. They were heavy drinkers as well; drinking a case and a half a day! We knew that we wouldn’t get anywhere while that happened, so that was our first step! They have now been sober for 31 days and I am grateful for the blessings that the Word of Wisdom brings.

For some time, the area has been dying due to a lack of new investigators and a slew of them dropping us. However, as we have "pressed forward with a steadfast faith in Christ," we have seen a complete turnaround. We now teach the message of the Restoration on the door step and are having more people let us in. Sometimes, it takes a little blind faith to take that first step; knowing that it’s what needs to be done, but not knowing what will happen.

I love this gospel. I love the you that support me. I love those that I have come to serve. But most of all, I love my Lord and my Savior; He who leads me and guides me through the rough times to the good times. I look forward to the day that I can meet Him and those that I love, at the Gates of Heaven. Remember, the Lord has said "I will lead thee withersoever thou goest." Keep the faith and share the gospel. That is my message for you. I close this, in the name of Jesus Christ, He who supports this work, and invites all to partake of His fruit. Amen.

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Pictures from Elder Burnett

Hey, hey, hey! Here are the pictures that you have all been waiting for! :)

Elder Burnett doing service! :) FYI...thats the same amount of room that I sleep in at night. You think I am kidding?


My current best friend :) I found this in the middle of the street one night while Elder Johnson and I were out and about. Needless to say, I took it home and colored it! :) It now holds my change that I am collecting...


Me holding my "Stingray!" Disc. Believe it or not...Elder Burnett loves playing Frisbee Golf and even has a set.

MY SWORN ENEMY IN THE APARTMENT... ANTS!

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

All was quiet on the eastern front this morning. An early rise and a wonderful study session led into no phone calls...until we started to get ready to go that is! :) My companion, Elder Johnson, got transferred to Alliance, Nebraska. My new companion that I will get on Tuesday will be Elder Loder. I am so stoked! Elder Loder was in my district when I first came out and we get along well. It’s going to be nice to already have a head start when the area is about to make a big jump! Love you all and I will be sending pictures shortly! :)

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

Things are going super well here in Pipestone! Our investigators seem to be progressing really well now with the new 8 Pillars that we are implementing. R & D are back into our pool and are reading and praying together every day! It makes my heart happy to know that they are actually applying the gospel, not just listening to what we bring them.

This Sunday I get to give a 20 minute talk in Sacrament meeting and for the 3rd Hour, Elder Johnson and I are going to train the members on how to better help us as missionaries, and how to better share the gospel with those around them. There is a twist to this whole thing though...President and Sister Layton are attending the Branch this Sunday! It sure will be nerve racking to know that I will evaluated by the Mission President :) However, I have full faith that everything is going to go really well. Transfer calls are this week and things are always crazy!

I love you so much! Thanks for the support that you all bring me! Have a wonderful week!

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

My Commission:

I am called of God. My authority is above that of the kings of the earth. By revelation, I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ. He is my Master and He has chosen me to represent him. To stand in His place, to say and do what He himself would say and do if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice, and my acts are His acts. My words are His words, and my doctrine is His doctrine. My commission is to do what He wants done; to say what He wants said, to be a living modern witness - in word and deed - of the divinity of His great and marvelous latter-day work.
How GREAT is my CALLING!

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear family,

"God has brought us together as families to bring to pass His eternal purposes. We are part of this plan in this marriage relationship. let us love and respect and honor one another. We can do it, and we will be the better for it."

— Gordon B. Hinckley

My dear family, what a special time in our lives that we live in. A time in which the fullness of the gospel has been restored. A time in which we have the promised blessing of eternal families, and as partakers of that blessing, the joy that we have therein. Families are truly ordained of God. We understand that we were a family together with Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother; why would we be sent to a place with anything different? We work together, we cry together, and we grow together.

Remember always the feelings that you have experienced. They will help you to always do "What Jesus Would Do", not just "Choose the Right". This gospel is to precious, to sacred, and to perfect to be taken for granted and overlooked. Its a lot easier to share the gospel than you think. We are all missionaries, everyone within this room. Although my physical body is not there, I know, that at this moment, my Spirit walks the halls of the home. I never leave you, because you have not left me. As an ordained minister, I will tell you this: THE GOSPEL IS TRUE!

I love you all so much and pray for you often. My heart is full when my thoughts turn to you in the lonely hours of the night. Always remember, never back down, and fight the good fight. Have a wonderful evening together pondering the Lord.

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Letter from Elder Burnett

Greetings from the dangerous land of; floods, tornadoes, west nile virus, hail storms, lightning, and crazy farmers! ;)‏

Dear Family,

Things are going very well here in Pipestone, MN. I am having a wonderful time sharing the glad message that we are able to share everyday. My testimony has grown the few weeks that I have been here, and I am trying everyday to learn to forget myself. I am doing much better now with the constant striving my companion and I are exerting to have the Holy Ghost with us.

I have only one problem with Minnesota. Seeing it is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes", it is also the land of MILLIONS OF MOSQUITOES! We deal with them everyday as we bike and have to be careful we don't bike into a swarm of them :/ They even permeate the apartment and I got bit 42 times last night alone! It seems to be a trial that the Lord is extending to me that I welcome with open arms; no mosquito is going to stop me!

Well, the day is getting old and we need to get to work! The Lord is requiring of us to get 1 new investigator a day...and we are determined to get it! With our faith last week, we got 3!

I love you all so much! Thank you for your support and I look forward to hearing from you again!

--
Elder Burnett

Pictures!

Dear Family,

I have safely made it to Pipestone, MN. It was a long trip crammed in a van like our old one full of missionaries and their belongings. However, I had a blast and we all got a little crazy! ;) The mission is going great and gets faster and faster with every transfer call I receive. Elder Johnson is awesome so far and we are getting along well. I keep you all in my prayers and hope things are going incredible :)

With love,
Elder Burnett

Me saying good bye at the Carter's. A family in Lead that I got really close to. Obviously, the girls are a little crazy :) We were always a jungle gym in their house, and Dayne, the older girl, is a wonderful dancer who is going to Nationals in her age group.

Me saying goodbye to Elder Pugmire, my uncle. He is the current AP and is going home :( However, I am fairly sure that he will have a blast in the Land of Eternal P-days!

When I was in Gillette waiting for the train to arrive, the Otts came and took me and another Elder out to lunch. We then had a farewell and took some pictures. I am so grateful for everything that they have done for me.

Me saying goodbye to the Sisters :) The far left one is Sister Crandall. She and I get along so well, both total dorks and she drew me a picture I will show later. Sister Bennion (Onion) is going home now. The one to the right of me is Sister Merrill. She was in my district in Sturgis and her companion, Sister Dierenfeldt came out with me.

Those same Sisters trying to get my to break a mission rule by touching me. Just so you all know... "Girls are UNAPPROVED!" :)

"Do you see what I see? ... Yeah, nothing."

Missouri River

Only 1/3 of the Elders in the train to Sioux Falls.

The picture that Sister Crandall drew for me.

Transfer Time!

Just got word from Cameron...he is being transferred again..Six months in one location is now catching up to him. Two transfers in two months. The mission President wants him to train a "greenie" so as Cameron put it he now has a "kid," so that makes him a "Dad".

Here is his new address as of Monday, June 7th:

Elder Cameron Burnett
418 7th St SW Apt 4
Pipestone MN, 56164

Pictures!

A few pictures with some notes from Elder Burnett...

My first manga drawing! (I am working on my drawing skills cause it's free and a great way to relax.)

We took a trip to Devils Tower. Read up about it; its got great lore!

(Aunt Michelle here -
For those that are unfamiliar with Devils Tower, it is a volcanic neck located in the Black Hills of northeastern Wyoming. It rises dramatically 1,267 feet above the surrounding terrain and the summit is 5,112 feet above sea level. Devils Tower was the first declared United States National Monument, established on September 24, 1906, by President Theodore Roosevelt.

There are several Native American folklore's that describe the formation of the rock. Here is one of them...

American Indian legends tell of six Lakota Sioux girls who were picking flowers when they were chased by bears. Feeling sorry for them, the Great Spirit raised the ground beneath the girls. The bears tried to climb the rock, but fell off, leaving their scratch marks on the sides.

For more information, including the other folklore tales, CLICK HERE.)

In this picture is a old wood ladder people would use to get to the top. See if you can find it.

Elder Burnett in front of the Wyoming State sign...

Little Update

Elder Burnett didn't send a big letter this week, just that there is no washer or dryer in his apartment and he isn't getting any DA's, but that he made pumpkin pies and was the hit at his district meeting!! He does enjoy his district despite his small trials.

6-Month Tie Burning!

Apparently, there is a tradition among missionaries to burn their tie at their 6 month mark. Here is Elder Burnett's tie-burning ceremony! Be patient... there are some technical difficulties. :)

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

So, on Saturday morning Elder Wagstaff and I were having a perfect morning. We had done everything we needed to that morning and we had just sat down to our studies when...*ring ring!*; President Layton called!

We chatted for several minutes and then he asked us how Wright was going. We informed him of the issues we were having with increasing our pool just like he and I had talked about during our interview. He told me how he was planning on closing Wright for several months.

He asked us to then close all of our contracts, clean up the apartment and get up to Sturgis because we were part of the ET (Emergency Transfer). We now are serving in Sturgis and will most likely be staying here for several months. We cover Sturgis, Deadwood, Vale, Eddington, Whitewood, and Lead. Crazy eh?

Because of the change, we now have a new address!

Elder Burnett
2009 Lazzele St. Apt A
Sturgis, SD 57785

We have an awesome district! Not only do we have Sister D. from my MTC district, but we also have the Zone Leaders, the Assistants, the Seniors (Elder and Sister Rich who are also in our ward), and President and Sister Layton! I will have a blast tomorrow at District Meeting. Oh, and about the ward we are in? Take a guess as to how old the youngest person is? It’s a ward like I have never been in before. I will put the answer at the bottom of the email. :)

I don't have much to relate with investigators seeing we don’t have any...yet. I love this gospel so much! I am honored and blessed to be serving my Savior. I still have faults and weaknesses and I work on them everyday. Thank you so much for your support that you give me. I look forward to the day that we meet again! All my love.

The youngest person in my ward retires in 2 weeks. :)

Pictures!

These photos are from Elder Burnett whille in Wright, Wyoming. I've also included some of his commentary!

---------------------------------

An ugly monster Elder Wagstaff found behind our pots and pans near the end of last month. Kind of disgusting eh?

This is a picture of my love on pdays :) Both Elder Wagstaff and I can do the three, but only I can do the four and five!

The next several pictures are of the mine tour we got from Lance Mower. He is a Less-Active we have been working with and he is a great friend!

The board outside the mine explaining the stats it holds on no accidents. FYI, just days ago 3 people got ran over by a haul truck at night...and lived!

The smallest haul truck!

Me standing by the wheel of the BIGGEST haul truck!

The engine of the above mentioned truck. Mind you, I am still about 10feet away from the engine trying to take this!

The mine is home to the largest operating piece of heavy equipment! THE BEAST...the dragline!

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

I have not written any letters in awhile; things sure have been hectic these last couple weeks. Investigators have been dropping like flies but we still have a couple strong ones.

I am doing well! I am still loving my mission and my new companion is awesome. We get along WAY TO WELL to last :( We will have to see.

I will try my best to implement your suggestion in writing you letters! It’s been hard for me for some reason, but I will get it done for sure! I really do love and miss you all! The Lord has blessed me with no homesickness; so to be honest, during the day I forget all about you because I am focused on the work. :)

Well, this is the close to my letter this week. I will send pictures sometime this week because I don’t have the stuff to send them to you; I left them in Wright last night! :( I keep you in my prayers and know that the Lord is watching over you all! Keep the faith and rely on the Lord for everything that you do!

Elder Burnett

Letter from Elder Burnett

Greetings from a Wonderful snowing land in the Middle of nowhere when it is supposed to be Summer soon! :)

Dear Family,

How is everything going? Conference sure was amazing this yesterday and Saturday; the Lord truly inspired them to speak upon the subject that they did, allowing us to be uplifted and brought to a higher law. Do not think that the Lord is not preparing us for the Second Coming; He prepares and raises the standard at which we live every time His servants speak. I cannot wait to hear what they have to say in October!

The mission sure is going amazing! I have been taking pictures lately and my companion and I are getting along great! I recently had to drive down to Casper for Zone Conference. It was a one and a half hour drive with winds blowing the car and some rain and snow on the return trip! It was insane! Due to my amazing driving skills and the ability I have to foretell the future, I was able to avoid any and all obstacles :)

We have several amazing investigators! We have one on date right now with 3 more to come this week! I feel so honored and blessed to be in the Lord's field! It amazes me everyday the power and influence He has over His children’s lives. I have recently been reading M. Russell Ballard’s "Our Search for Happiness". I encourage you all to include this as part of your scriptural reading! It sets for the mission of the church and has many amazing stories and insight given to us by an Apostle of the Lord. Include it in your FHE lessons as well as your daily scripture study, which I really hope you are doing. Nothing can bring us more joy than studying the Restored gospel that has been given to us in this dispensation than studying it with someone you love and care about; more so your family!

I will be sending music and pictures home next week! I am sure some of them you will enjoy to hear the stuff that we listen too and create while on p-days :) It’s quite entertaining as we get together and try and make fun songs.

I really miss receiving your weekly handwritten letters! Please continue that tradition; they mean more to me than you will ever know! And yes, I do receive the packages that are sent to me, thank you!

Remember the Lord in everything that you do! He loves you so much; we learned this and can recognize the mass amount of love our Savior has for us due to his Atonement. Never take it for granted; USE IT!!!! I love you all, until next time!

Elder Burnett

--------------------------------

Elder Burnett & Elder Wagstaff, his new companion, painting eggs before teaching a spiritual Easter Lesson to a Ward Family.

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

I don’t have a whole lot of time today due to getting the car fixed. However, I do want you to know I love you and I am ok. I may need to tap into my home fund a little this month for food because I needed to do some bike repair as well. We are riding them a lot and the gravel south of town isn’t being very kind to them. Just to let you know! I love you!

Elder Burnett

--------------------------------

Elder Burnett & Elder Wagstaff asleep in the car, waiting for rescue on the side of the road. The fender to their car was loose and dragging, they were in the middle of NO WHERE. They waited an hour for help seeing Antelope and field mice are not good mechanics!! :)

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

I apologize, I must keep this short. It’s the middle of the week and we need to get some work done and prepare for our lesson tonight. However, I am allowed to let you know how things are going.

I got my new companion, Elder Wagstaff. He is a pretty legit kid and I already see us getting along. We both enjoy games and the Rubik’s cube! Not that it’s important, cause its not; but it helps the companionship if we have SOMETHING in common. We have huge plans for Wright and I can’t wait to let you know about the up coming baptisms we have! One on date and three more to come! :)

I love and miss you all so much! Know that I am always thinking of you! Keep the faith!

Elder Burnett

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family and Friends,

This last week has been amazing. Everything is going so well here in Wright! We had several beautiful days and then we had snow, thunder, and lightning for Friday and Saturday. It was so awesome; the whole town was covered in white puffballs! (It was more of soft hail rather than snow...it was 44 degrees. Wyoming seems to defy all natural laws...like the snow and ice melts when its 23 degrees!)

So, we had Stake Conference yesterday and my companion and I had so many people there! An inactive family that as recently been activated (like 3 weeks ago) came. We are teaching their son who is 9 so technically we had an investigator there also. We tricked two less actives into driving us so they were there also! We also had an in-active guy named Courtney.

Courtney was one of the members of the church that went because his parents told him to. He lived in Utah so it was kind of a "requirement"; it really turned him off when he was 14 when he started doing a lot of drugs. He moved out and we don’t know quite what happened. My first transfer we tracked into him and we started talking. He said he didn’t want to learn anything or talk about church, but he would love having us over because he said he won’t deny the spirit. So, that was a first step. We have been just visiting every now and then since. Well, he has made some mistakes these last couple weeks; enough to have the cops looking at him. He all of the sudden realized he was not going down the path he wanted. He said his first prayer in YEARS and asked for the strength to change and become better. MINUTES LATER...guess who showed up to the door? Yes, we did. He told us of how amazing that was. We chatted for a bit about how he was feeling and the power of forgiveness. He shared his desire to change then he asked for a blessing! He asked me to give it. I have never been so close to the spirit or to the Lord! I couldn’t believe how the Lord was using me as his mouthpiece; it really strengthened me!

Thank you all so much for the wonderful support! I know I say this a ton but I really mean it. I receive more strength every time I read the words that are sent my way! Remember to keep the Lord in your heart and be willing and desirous to do what He would have you do! Keep the faith always!

Elder Burnett

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

Well, everything sure is going well here in Wright. This is week 5/6 for this transfer then I will be going into my 3rd. The time is flying by so quickly! I can’t wait to run the area once Elder Bringhurst leaves; I honestly feel like I know what I am doing here!

We have a couple good investigators. Beth is always busy because she is working TWO full time jobs! That is so insane! Whenever we get in with her, it’s always a good lesson. She strives to come to church so at least she is making progress. Sean is doing awesome as well. We have dinner over at his house on Sunday and he is by far the most excellent cook I have met since being here! Of course, he doesn’t even compare to you Mom :) He is actually a professional cook up at the only nice restaurant here.

I had a pretty awesome encounter the other day while we were tracting. We met a real gypsy! Kinda strange, but it was really cool just talking to her. We have met a couple of other really cool people as well, but that is the best one yet!

Well, we committed AJ to baptism on last night. He agreed and can’t wait to be baptized! He knows the gospel is true and he loves having us over. We are doing lunch at his house on Saturday so we can talk to him a little more about some stuff. I can’t wait to see his Dad baptize him once he stops smoking so he can be ordained a Priest. It’s going to be awesome!

Well, I love and miss you all! I can’t wait to see you again! Keep up the support; it really helps!

Elder Burnett

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

Well, today has already been a great day! Elder Bringhurst and I woke up and went to seminary because they were doing some scripture trivia; we thought it would be fun and it was!

I am going on exchanges tomorrow to Moorcroft with the District Leader, Elder Smith. I can’t wait to see what is going on over there and get a glimpse of what a new area is going to feel like when I get transferred. I hit my 3-month mark in a week! I can’t believe I have already been out that long and that I only have 21 months left.

Thank you so much for your wonderful e-mails! I do enjoy reading everything that is going on back home! It makes me so glad to hear that you are saving some trips and fun things to do until I get home. Maybe one of those trips can be out-here to tour my mission when I am done! :) I have been considering having you all out here for the close of my mission. We will be going to Mount Rushmore and that is not something I want to do without all of you! Then we can go and visit all the awesome families I will have met. Take a good ol' road trip back to CA :)

I can’t wait to keep you updated on all the good work that is going on! Thank you all for your support and kind love. It really warms up a cold day, which we will be having more of here soon! Remember the Lord in all you do and continue to walk in faith; there is always for you can do!

Until next time,

Elder Burnett

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Elder Burnett & Elder Bringhurst at the Ott's a Ward Family after a Dinner Appt.

First Baptism Photo!

Here is a picture of Cameron from his first mission baptism: Stephanie!

Random Pics from our Favorite Missionary!

One of Elder Burnett's favorite scriptures:

A totally awesome night sky:

Seems Elder Burnett's current area is a tad politically conservative, huh? Ya think??? Yikes!

The one you have been waiting for! Antelope run free in Wright. Although you can't see them all, there were 13!

Elder Burnett with his companion:

An awesome sunset in Wright, WY:

A stuffed figure of Timone Cameron got from a friend:

Elder Burnett's daily breakfast :) He thought his mother would be glad to know he eats well every morning!

Family photo at his last zone conference! His 'dad', 'uncle', 'cousins' and 'grandpa'! :)

Elder Cooper from the MTC! :) Elder Burnett was so glad they were able to see each other at BI-Zone.

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

Stephanie’s baptism went great! I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost; I never knew I had such a powerful testimony of the Spirit. It completely enveloped the room and I almost started to cry as I spoke directly to Stephanie (through the talk) after her baptism. On Sunday, I got to confirm her a member of the Church and be the vessel to help her receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. My entire body was shaking...I felt like Ammon after running into Alma after so many years; I almost fainted.

Mom, I have grown so much already, it’s amazing. I am so grateful for the way that you and dad have raised me; to know of the things that I must do.

I miss you all so much! I have been playing Racquetball so much lately I even bought myself a racket and am getting quite good. Tell Bro. Swinney to watch out when I get home ;) Also, I received your package and the amazing watch that was inside. Please give my thanks to Bro. Kennington for that; I was speechless.

Well, I hope school is going well for everyone! It’s cool to think that I wake up with the girls (they get up at 5:30 for seminary, which is 6:30 here). It makes me sad on some mornings to think I would be driving them, but then it goes away as I realize that I get to have a whole lot more fun than them that day as I teach the Gospel of Christ! :) It’s strange to think though, the things I miss the most: arguing over who ate someone else’s Panda, racing to get to the best seat on the couch. Ah...good times.

I have been in touch with Blake and he is doing great! He has a baptism this week! :) We both enjoy the work so much. I can’t wait to see him in two years (22 months!!!!) Haha. We are able to share our growing testimonies, and give each other help with tough investigators. You should write him and let him know you care! He misses you all a bunch; you are his second family after all!

Well, I am so grateful everyday for the support and love that you all give me. I love getting letters and cards from the ward, it makes me feel so loved. I miss everyone so dearly. Please, keep in touch and remember the Lord; my God, and your God. As you walk in faith, blessings will be poured down upon you from Heaven! Love you all!

Elder Burnett

Cousin Visit

Just prior to checking into the MTC, Elder Burnett spent some time with our cousins and their families: Jon Latimer and Joy (Latimer) Wallace. Joy sent along a few pictures of their visit for the Mission Blog!

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

Everything is going well here in Wright! We have a baptism on Saturday and I am so excited for Stephanie. Elder Bringhurst and I cannot wait to see her enter the waters of baptism.

I am trying out a ton of new food. I had antelope just the other day and that was good. Well, no one out here eats their eggs scrambled, so I am now eating them over easy and its really good! :) You should all try it back home if you haven’t already. We also eat Mexican food at this guy's house a lot and we eat with torn tortillas! We rip them and use them as "grippers" to pick up the food.

Speaking of food, I am gaining a ton of weight! I am currently at 182; 15 lbs more than when I left. However, I am very confused! My pants don’t fit me anymore; they fall off even with my belt as tight as it can go! So, if possible, I need some smaller pants and/or a new smaller belt so I can stop worrying if they are about to slip off. You may also feel free to send those sweet pants from JC Penny's mom ;)

Dad- I am so grateful for the support that you give me. It’s something that you can do more than any of the family because you know of the ups and downs that I go through. Please, continue to write as often as you can!

Mom- Thank you for your letter again this week, it really means a lot to me.

Leah - I don’t have much to say here because this week was your turn for a special letter and I pretty much said everything I wanted to in there. I will say that I miss hanging out with you. You were pretty much my best friend and we were almost unable to be separated this last summer when it came to Beauty and the Beast; we were always doing something together. I can’t wait to see how much more of a wonderful young woman you will have become when I get home.

Rachel - I am so glad to hear that you had a great birthday! I sure hope mom and dad spoiled you up the wazoo with gifts; I sure would have had I been home. I am excited to get your inspired picture and I have one for you as well. I hope you enjoy it because it is for you and you should hang it up on your wall! As for the piano, that’s so cool that you are trying to pick it up! Writing music is very hard; it shows your inner most desires and the pure depth of your soul. Don’t try and have yourself make music; make the music become you! That’s the best advice I have.

Jacob - I am so glad that you are taking advantage of your education and trying to learn everything you can. Remember to have fun in class and in school, but stay focused and keep on turning in that work! I love and miss you so much buddy; you have no idea. I miss seeing you all the time and hanging out with you. Take care of the family for me when dad is gone and make sure to exercise your priesthood responsibilities righteously! Love you buddy!

I will close this like I do all my other letters; with an exhortation to become better. Alma left his position as chief judge in Zarahemla so he could help the citizens become better! He traveled for many years to all the surrounding areas to help them strengthen their testimonies and try to walk by faith. Faith is so important; if we can walk without a pure knowledge, how blessed we will be when Heavenly Father "opens the windows of Heaven"! I know this Church is true! I wish you could just come and view all the good that is going on here in Wright.

Thank you again for all of your support! It really means a lot to me to get letters of encouragement; it lifts my spirits so much! :) I love and miss all my family and friends back home! Remember that no matter where I am, we all still look at the same sun and the same moon! :)

Elder Burnett

Letter from Elder Burnett

* Cameron has asked that I share this part of a personal letter with you, to bear witness of his unwavering testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ!


Dear Mom,

Thank you so much for your letter; it really moved me. I believe this is the first time I have actually accepted the fact that I will be gone from you for two years. Mom, I want you to know I won’t give up! The Gospel is too precious, too sacred, and too important to not proclaim and cry it out to all in my path. How grateful I am for this knowledge; It has changed me! I am not the same person. My soul has found the love and desire that Alma taught to the 250 at the waters of Mormon, and they “clapped their hands and exclaimed; yea, this is the desire of our hearts!”
How strong my testimony is becoming! As Ammon, “I boast not of myself, but of the Lord God who is our Redeemer.” As Nephi said, “I am a sinner,” I am also. How incredible the Atonement has become as I accepted this. As the Apostle Paul states in his Epistle to the Romans, “ I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ!”

I cannot even continue to write as the Spirit enters me even at this time! My whole body shakes with the witness that I am currently bearing! There is no doubt in my mind about the truthfulness of this Gospel! I have seen it’s everlasting effects already! The joy, the love, and the hope! How important Faith is as well! The Savior performed miracles “according to (their) faith.” It is so important that we each develop this!

You have no idea how much the scripture on the program (from Clovis 2nd Ward Sacrament meeting) means to me! “O that I were an Angel, and could have the wish of mine heart. That I might go forth with the trump of God, with a voice to shake this Earth, and cry repentance unto every people!” How noble and a pure expression of the desire to serve our Savior that Alma has proclaimed and that we have record of, the same Alma who sought to destroy the Church of God in Zarahemla. How powerful and amazing the conversion of Alma and Paul!

Just this morning I finished again the book of Mosiah. This record that Joseph Smith translated is so special. How simple yet profoundly it proclaims the existence of our Savior and our Father in Heaven. There is no other book like this on this Earth. How important it is to the salvation of our souls!

As Nememiah said as he received perfection while rebuilding Jerusalem, I proclaim, “I am about a Good work and cannot come down.”

I close this letter with my testimony. God lives! We have a prophet that lives on this Earth! How Glorious is the plan that is set before us, that as sinners we are able to repent and be cleaned. How sacred and powerful are the applications of Faith and the power of the Priesthood when used righteously! My soul burns with the passion of our Savior’s love.

May we all learn and love Him is my souls desire, in the sacred name of Him, Our Brother, Our Redeemer and Friend, Jesus the Christ, Amen.

Elder Burnett

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,

Let me begin like I always do; starting with the things that I have been written to by you :)

I sent you an email about the whole freezing thing weeks ago. Yes, I am doing quite fine! It was fixed the day after and the pipes we thawed out with a lighter and running water. Everything that is broken is now fixed! We are so grateful everyday for the warm "love" that our home greets us with after a long day.

As for the weather, it has been an absolute HEAT WAVE! 40 degrees with no wind sure makes you begin to sweat when you are so used to 5 degrees and 35mph wind! It’s crazy at how warm 40 degrees feels when I wouldn’t go outside without a coat in the 60 degree weather back home.

How is everything going with the kids back home? I didn’t get a single email from them this week and it makes me sad! However, those hand-written letters mean more than you can ever know. I responded only to Mom's so far; it had a huge impact on me and you will see when you get the letters in a couple days if you haven’t already gotten them (included in that day was Rachel's Birthday letter that I wrote last week.) Please continue to do that in Sacrament! However, please also send me e-mails with more details of things going on. I know how much of a pain it can be to want to write so much in a letter but your hand hurts after the first page and you just end it there without saying everything that you wanted to say in the first place.

Now, for the stuff that is going on here. Donny is coming along great! We will be swinging by his house tonight to set up an appointment with him for Friday. I am currently on splits with the District Leader; I get to show him the work that is going on in Wright. I feel so honored to be the one showing him around as a "greenie". Anyways, we hope to commit Donny to baptism and have his family come to church seeing he was the only one who knew anything about our beliefs in the first place.

Speaking of baptism, I need you to ship out those white pants ASAP! :) We have one coming up on the 30th of January with Stephanie! We are so excited and I feel so blessed to be a witness to the power of the gospel as it takes hold of her life and she begins to change and prepare to enter into the waters of baptism! :)

Besides that, not much is going on here in Wright. However, there are transfer calls on the 30th, but I have a feeling I will be staying in the area again; this pleases me greatly!

To all my "blog-going" fans out there, thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement and support! It means a great deal to me! Remember the Savior who gave his life so that we might live. Also, never forget the people of Ammonihah who gave their lives because they knew what Alma and Amulek taught were true! We should strive to emulate their example and dedicate everything we have been given to our Lord and Savior!

Love you all!

Elder Burnett

Letter from Elder Burnett

We got our first letter from Cameron this week in the mail. In the Christmas package Ryan and I sent last month, we included lots of stationary, envelopes, and stamps. I was fishing for a letter and it looks like it worked!

Elder Burnett gave me permission to share some of his letter on here. Things are going well when it comes to the Lord's work, but when it comes to material things, it has all been falling apart... literally! They came home one night to a broken heater with a -9 degree night ahead of them. Somehow they made it through the night, but woke up the next morning to find their pipes partially frozen! Cameron writes, "I guess we were just meant to endure many trials this winter. As President Uchtdorf said we just need to 'hold on a little longer' until summer hits in June!"

When Cameron and I talked on Christmas, he told me about an investigator we'll call "D". They had been working with "D" for a little while. In his letter, Cameron mentioned things continue to go well with him. "D" was almost baptised in 2002, but went through a divorce and relocated. He was so glad that the missionaries knocked on his door and found him again. Remember to keep Elder Burnett, his companion, and their new friend "D" in your prayers!

Cameron ended his letter to us with a great quote, "A goal not written down and in plain sight is only a wish." A wonderful reminder.

Thanks so much for writing, Elder Burnett. I loved opening the mailbox and finding your letter there!

Love you,
Aunt Michelle

Pictures from Elder Burnett - Wright, WY

A few pictures of Cameron's home away from home in Wright, Wyoming...

Home, Sweet Home

Where the culinary magic happens...

There's a story behind this pic, I just know it!