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
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
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
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
Friday, January 15, 2010
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
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...
Home, Sweet HomeWhere the culinary magic happens...
There's a story behind this pic, I just know it!
Pictures from Elder Burnett - MTC
Cameron recently sent some pictures from his 3 weeks at the MTC...
Artwork of Lehi's Dream...
Mission reminder...
MTC Christmas Tree...
Artwork of Lehi's Dream...Mission reminder...
MTC Christmas Tree...Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Farewell Pictures are Posted
Click HERE to see pictures from Elder Burnett's Farewell (November 2009)!
Letter from Elder Burnett
Dear Family and Friends!
Greetings from the land of frozen snow! All is going well. It has warmed up to 35 degrees and I am not kidding...I wish I could go out in shorts and a t-shirt! It went up almost 40 degrees in the last week and without the wind-chill, 35 degrees feels like its 70 degrees warmer and it’s cooking outside!
Some news from the mission status real quick! Baptism number one is coming soon! I was so stoked when we talked to Stephanie and she told us that her mom said she could get baptized! A date hasn’t been set yet but everything is going so incredibly well!
Hope all is going well with all of you back home. Remember to cherish the time that you have with whoever you are with; time moves to fast to go back. (Unless you leave Japan on Tuesday morning...you arrive back in the USA on Tuesday morning! Haha...felt like throwing that in there). Have fun and remember the things that are important in life!
Life is going well here in Wright. Transfers are in 12 days...I can’t believe that is already here almost! I get the call on the 23? I think that’s Saturday’s date. Anyways, I am so excited. I work out every morning and play tons of racquetball on p-days. I am getting stronger! :)
I can wait to call in May and I look forward to hearing about everything that is going on. Keep up the good work. Remember the story of the 2006 stripling warriors they were blessed because they learned righteousness from their parents. Then they followed it with EXACT OBEDIENCE. They didn’t toe the line at all! :) I love you so much! Until next time!
PS. Please say thank you to all those that have sent me those wonderful gifts. I am so grateful. Also, send the ward my love.
Elder Burnett
Greetings from the land of frozen snow! All is going well. It has warmed up to 35 degrees and I am not kidding...I wish I could go out in shorts and a t-shirt! It went up almost 40 degrees in the last week and without the wind-chill, 35 degrees feels like its 70 degrees warmer and it’s cooking outside!
Some news from the mission status real quick! Baptism number one is coming soon! I was so stoked when we talked to Stephanie and she told us that her mom said she could get baptized! A date hasn’t been set yet but everything is going so incredibly well!
Hope all is going well with all of you back home. Remember to cherish the time that you have with whoever you are with; time moves to fast to go back. (Unless you leave Japan on Tuesday morning...you arrive back in the USA on Tuesday morning! Haha...felt like throwing that in there). Have fun and remember the things that are important in life!
Life is going well here in Wright. Transfers are in 12 days...I can’t believe that is already here almost! I get the call on the 23? I think that’s Saturday’s date. Anyways, I am so excited. I work out every morning and play tons of racquetball on p-days. I am getting stronger! :)
I can wait to call in May and I look forward to hearing about everything that is going on. Keep up the good work. Remember the story of the 2006 stripling warriors they were blessed because they learned righteousness from their parents. Then they followed it with EXACT OBEDIENCE. They didn’t toe the line at all! :) I love you so much! Until next time!
PS. Please say thank you to all those that have sent me those wonderful gifts. I am so grateful. Also, send the ward my love.
Elder Burnett
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Emails with Elder Burnett
This week’s correspondence with Cameron was wonderful!! He was actually on the computer the same time we were. :) We were able to send emails back and forth. For our little family who is very close to one another it was a joyous occasion!!!
Here are a few of the exchanges…
Before I get into anything...RUSSELL WON!!!! WOOT WOOT! Haha. How come I had to find out from a friend? Not cool guys, not cool! :) How did Survivor go?
Alright, looks like I have a HUGE quota to fill when it comes to this Email :) Makes me happy to know I have a family who still remembers me back home! ;) And oh, these are personal. No one reads anyone else’s unless they so desire to share it. Thanks for following my rules.
I miss you all so much! I wish I had more time to tell you about the contemplation that I wanted to share. Maybe I will get it in next week or I might actually write it to you, I don’t know yet. My time is running short. Remember, those who obey with exact obedience are blessed. I love and miss you all so much. Keep strong in the faith.
Elder Burnett
I don't know who told you Russell won...he didn't...He was upset and practically cried about it!!
Jeannie Burnett
Love you lots and thanks for the recipe my time is up now :(
Elder Burnett
Here are a few of the exchanges…
Before I get into anything...RUSSELL WON!!!! WOOT WOOT! Haha. How come I had to find out from a friend? Not cool guys, not cool! :) How did Survivor go?
Alright, looks like I have a HUGE quota to fill when it comes to this Email :) Makes me happy to know I have a family who still remembers me back home! ;) And oh, these are personal. No one reads anyone else’s unless they so desire to share it. Thanks for following my rules.
I miss you all so much! I wish I had more time to tell you about the contemplation that I wanted to share. Maybe I will get it in next week or I might actually write it to you, I don’t know yet. My time is running short. Remember, those who obey with exact obedience are blessed. I love and miss you all so much. Keep strong in the faith.
Elder Burnett
I don't know who told you Russell won...he didn't...He was upset and practically cried about it!!
Jeannie Burnett
Love you lots and thanks for the recipe my time is up now :(
Elder Burnett
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