Hey!

Dear Family,

     Thank you so much for you email yesterday! It was nice to get updated on how things are going back home, and that your life still is full of fun events even though I am not there! :) Hopefully everything "behind the scenes" is going well too with the family, as well as all the extended family. I pray that you are enjoying the time that you have together, creating memories, and living life to the fullest at every moment!

     With Memorial Day yesterday, there was a lack of things to do in Rapid City for Pday, so we ended up playing basketball for 6 or so hours! It was a lot of fun; but I sure was tired by the end of it. I am, however, loosing weight rapidly and enjoying the toning muscle :) We run  1 1/2 - 2 miles everyday except Sunday, and I am doing my best to eat more healthy. I have not had any soda for 3 weeks, and I am feeling great! Now if I could just lay of the Candy...or even the .45 cent wings at Buffalo Wild Wings on Tuesdays...;) That's to much to ask from a growing young adult male though! :)

     Missionary work is going well here in the Canyon Lake Ward. We have a young 9 year old that is being baptized on Saturday at 11am. The Rapid Area has had a baptism just about every week since I arrived here between the Sisters, and 3 sets of Elders. It makes me joyful to know that yet another brother of mine is entering into the waters of baptism and accepting the covenants that will allow him to progress towards exaltation! Pray that everything goes well this week; we have many many appointments!

     Thanks again for the love and support! I look forward to hearing from you next week! :)

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Pictures!

Ok, here are a few pictures :)

A nice photo of me in a park. Figured Mom would like this one :) This was while I was in Pipestone last September.

Me as an astronaut!

The family from Fresno in Brandon.

The plan of salvation that I drew. BASK IN ITS AWESOMENESS!

The Senior couples I work with in the Office

 Me at my very "own desk!" :) Got to love President Uchtdorf.

Oh my...

Dear Family,

 

     There is but one thing to write this week. Rumors have been flying around the mission and I, of course, was one of the first to confirm said rumor because I work in the Office with President Layton. I might as well break the news to you now, instead of waitng and you going crazy! My favorite Apostle, yes, Elder Holland, will be arriving in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission for a special conference June 12, 2011! I am so exctited for the opportunity I have to meet him. I am also quite nervous because we all know of his reputation of being quite...bold. He has quite the reputation of being one who "cleans places up" if you know what I mean. I just hope that nothing to drastic will be happening. We will also be having a baptism on the 11th of June so, what Apostle would bypass that opportunity to see that? He may attend. I look forward to being able to tell you of all the neat experience and guidance he will have for us. Love you lots!

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion

Letter from Elder Burnett

Dear Family,                                                                       

     Wow! Time sure does fly so fast! I feels just like yesterday I was making my phone call home for Christmas; and now it’s almost Mother's Day! I cannot wait to call and hear your voice for the last time before I see you face to face. It makes me feel loved and cared for knowing that you continue to support me; that no matter what, my family is always to my side. I don't exactly know when I will be calling because we have church at 11, it ends at 2, and we might have dinner after wards so...we shall see! I also get to give a talk on Mother's Day so I feel quite blessed. I wish there was some way that you could hear it Mom; it would be very special. Speaking of which, when I send my Mother's Day card and such this year, it is to NOT BE OPENED until Mother's Day! :)

     Well, these last couple weeks sure have been crazy Just keep me in your prayers like usual and I shall continue to do the same! It gives me strength knowing that each night, those I care about get on their knees and specifically mention me to Our Father in Heaven. Just like my scripture states in D&C 84:88, I truly feel the Lord and His Angels round about me every day!

     So, I just got me a wonderfully GREY suit ;) It was a $400 designer suit, and I got it for $79 brand new! Halberdstads (sp?) is having a huge sale right now for some reason at the mall! Both my companion and I, as well as several other missionaries have picked some up! We found the sale ourselves though, so we are getting tons of props for helping everyone find nice suits for cheap! When I get the suit this week, I will have to send pictures to you so you can see it. I hope that you will all like it, and that dad will be glad to see me in something he wanted me to get; its way nice! 

    A recent cool/crazy experience made me miss home quite much; not in a bad way, just brought back many memories. Elder Holmes and I are sharing the Rapid City Ward with the Assistants. Because of there being four missionaries in the same Ward, it’s hard to feed us all the time. So, most members I guess have been dropping off gift cards to restaurants or shopping centers so we can buy some good food. Well, Sister Goodwin brought us $100 to Safeway to get some food because she lives alone and way out in the Black Hills, so it’s hard to get over there. Elder Holmes and I took some time to go take a look around and pick up a few items. When I walked in the door, it seemed that California kicked me in the face! It looked JUST LIKE VONS!! I looked on the card to check my suspicions; and yes, it is the exact same company! Everything looked the same, and all in the same areas. They even had the Starbucks in the same place! :) So, when we checked out, I surprised my companion by entering our Home phone number and got us a discount! ;) Looks like the money will be stretched just a little further! :)

     I do love you all so much! I thank you every day for your continuing love and support and I cannot wait to hear your voice! Have a great week!

      PS. Did I mention that we get to Skype? :) President has alloted us 1 hour at his house to use his computer so we can talk via a webcam! ;) You better answer if you want to do that or not before Sunday so we can set something up! :) Love you!!!!

--
Elder Burnett
Soldier of Zion