3/23/15

In my well stacked deck of insane experiences of my missionary journey thus far, I'm not sure I have met someone as downright intimidating, frightening, and aggressive in a sit down teaching situation as Sazaar. He was a referral from a neighbor down the street with dreads down to his waist and probably 250 pounds. That was the guy who referred us to Sazaar, and also told us Sazaar was the army base's Brazilian Jiu Jutsu Instructor. Warning sign number one. We traveled down the dimly lit street, Elder Willis stumbling and mumbling on his clunky bike and over-sized helmet while I struggled to dodge a full litter of pit bull puppies that rushed me form a near-by yard. Yeah that happened. Anyways, we finally arrived to the seemingly ordinary doorstep, knocked my signature missionary knock, and patiently waited for the door to answer. Suddenly the door swings open, revealing the six foot five Brazilian shirtless ripped bald man with crazy eyes that made me want to tuck in a corner and wrap myself with a blanket of lava.

 

He looked at our name tags, invited us in, and told us to sit down. The first things he asked us were, "Where did the giants in the old Testament originate," and, "How will heaven emerge from the earth as a pyramid with a dome on top?" Imagine my face with a burrowed brow and squinted eyes, Elder Willis's anxious sway and head bob he does when he's uncomfortable, and the longest, incredibly intense yet awkward silence, all mashed together with Sazaar's  sweaty shirtlessness and crazy eyes.

 

Not fun.

 

He actually answered himself before I could comprehend how nonsensical his questions were, telling us quite loudly how our church is of the devil and Angel Moroni was a giant spawn of Satan. I pulled out a Book of Mormon and he flipped out. Big. mistake. Instead of pushing us out, he actually pinned us in with a plethora of ridiculous and offensive rhetorical questions and claims. In the end we decided to stand up and walk out.

 

I "forgot" my book of Mormon on his couch.

 

hehehe

 

Besides Sazaar, we also overheard the tattoo guys underneath our apartment rant on and on about how idiotic Elder Willis and I am, using some of the strongest language I think I've ever heard. they hate us, so that's cool.

 

Despite the adversity we've been facing, Elder Willis and I have also had success left and right! A random family we invited to church on the church two weeks ago strolled into Sacrament Meeting yesterday in their Sundayfinest, the two parents and their three high school kids. They had a great time from what it sounded like, we're going by to teach them Wednesday, and they're going to the Temple Visitor's Center this Friday with some of the members in our ward for the Easter Concert. All of this from two hours at church. WOOOHOOOOOO.

 

I've been spending a lot of my time plunging head first into the Book of Mormon. I share a scripture every street contact, every door approach, and every sit down lesson possible. Don't follow the example of Sazaar. He hadn't even read a single verse from the Book of Mormon in his life and yet he denies all possibility of its truth to the point of hatred. If the Book of Mormon is true, Joseph Smith was divinely appointed by God the Father and Jesus Christ. If the Book of Mormon is true, God's authority and power is here upon the Earth. If the Book of Mormon is true, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's true church upon the Earth. All you have to do to find if its true is simply read it with an open heart and an open mind. If you read it, ponder it, and pray sincerely, I promise your life will be filled with more happiness than you could ever imagine. Throw away all other opinions, all other experiences, all outside biases, for and against, and read the Book of Mormon for the first time, regardless of how many times you may have read it before.

 

There's no way I could ever explain the emotions that accompany the Book of Mormon. Take a leap of faith and try it!!

 

Now that my rant is over, I am ready to bike a good ten miles :) it's sunny over here woohooo!

 

xoxo

Elder Burgess

3/16/15

When you return from a 48 hour exchange outside of your area, the last thing you want to see is the passenger mirror of your car missing. Gone. Completely. Elder Willis in his exceptional driving skills drove into a mailbox at 30 mph, obliterating the mailbox and the mirror. All while I was away in the crazy town of Damascus. Even though I had nothing to do with the wreck in any way, our car's been grounded for the next three weeks, leaving us to bike 20 miles out to the different country towns in our area every other day. Gee wiz is that fun.

 

oops, trying not to be that sarcastic anymore. eek :) As you hopefully can see from the Elder Willis picture of the century, the Omar, Aisa, Aisiah, Asia, and Amari were baptized Saturday! Before my mission, baptism seemed to slip my mind. All the way up to the baptism I still had the idea that baptism is just a small step towards a better life. It was when Omar, the guy closest to me in the picture, went first before his family in the water, head bowed, that an indescribable feeling washed over me. No one could ever argue the emotions I felt, the tangible Spirit of God witnessing to my soul of the important, enveloping miracle being performed in front of me. There's now way to explain what it was like literally seeing God's work and glory in the flesh. Omar came out of that font with his tattoo covered arms and fight scars, the brightest smile I think I've ever seen spread across his face. I'm not sure what the happiest moment of my life has been, but that moment may take the cake for now.

 

Yesterday in Sacrament meeting each of them was confirmed into the church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. What better gift could there be than to feel god's love and direction every day? Man, witnessing God's power through my fingertips in confirming the Espiritus was something purely unreal. God lives. His miracles unfold everyday. For one, me even being on a mission at all is a miracle in itself. Knowing each of you from all corners of the U.S. and beyond is miraculous. Above all else, it is the miracle of our never ending potential to change through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that pushes me onward in faith.

 

Now I'm getting all preachy ah naww

 

Exchanges in the town of Damascus can be described with three Media references (look them up and you'll see what I mean): Krusty the Clown's laugh from the Simpsons, A Leprechaun in Mobil, Alabama, and Whistle Tips. If my memory serves me well, watching each of those on Youtube will describe Damascus. All of this went down with Elder Mum, a 250 pound Line backer who will tell you he hates you to your face. That's what he did in the first minute of our exchange :) luckily, my undeniable charm and obvious humility warmed him up and now we're actually best friends. Maybe it was the 30 minute discussion on a door knock with a brother on the Law of Chastity and why we think he should take down the mammoth sized portrait of Sodom and Gomorrah-like activities from his wall, which was adjacent to his much smaller picture of Jesus. That was an interesting contact.

 

You never know what's going to happen in a day as a missionary.

 

xoxo

Elder Burgess 

 Cheesiest baptismal picture ever. This is the Espiritu family! Elder Willis is on the left next to me, he's my companion. And the one who looks like Michael Scott on the right is Elder Hall, one of my zone leaders. Ahh yes

​

You'd think that the snow would have eased up even a tiny bit now that we're in March.

 

 

NOPE.

 

Thursday had 12 inches of despicable snow. To think I once had an affinity for the stuff...disgusting. I need some good ol' dirt and sand in my life. Get this: It's 65 degrees outside right now and there is still sheet on sheet of snow covering every patch of ground in sight. Maryland is whack. On top of the now storm we had another ice rain phenomenon while I was on exchanges with Elder Hall, one of the Zone Leaders with the driest sense of humor I think I've ever come across (Even drier than yours, Brother Ron). We slipped and slid up driveways 50 yards long. I'd be lying if I said I didn't fly three feet in the air as a door opened up with a stranger. That definitely didn't happen. ...

 

I also had my first District meeting as District Leader in which the mission president, President Richards, decided to attend for the three hours. That was stressful but everything turned out A ok as usual when I'm around >:) heh heh heh

The responsibility that accompanies stewardship over seven other missionaries can be quite intimidating. I've found that the secret to dealing with high stress scenarios is to be yourself, nothing held back. If you know me well, you know that that can be explosive sometimes with me :)) Even if you fail a task, if you were true to yourself you will always win in my book.

 

This Saturday the Espiritu family of five will be baptized here in Urbana ward. WOOOOOOOOO. Omar, Aisa, Aisaiah, Amari, and Asia are all from the Philippines. Omar is the father, 35, has seen hardship on hardship in his life, was Angelina Jolie's personal bodyguard, and knows how to fight. Like he reallllly knows how to fight. Take my word for it. :) We sparred with Escrima sticks and I got my behind whooped. He's hilarious and has a testimony of the healing hands of God that no one could ever argue. The emotions that stem in conversations with him humble me to my knees. He's had two brain surgeries, ran away and got married at 16, and hasn't talked to his family since. His story itself testifies of the truth of miracles. Being friends with him in person is an experience I could never give justice to through typing in a crowded library.

 

Time and time again I find myself relying on my own intuition instead of God's. Sure, that's a fairly complicated statement, but the relationship within is a simple, basic, yet life-long tried endeavor. Even as a missionary I tip over into my opinion, going back to the natural Truman's rebellious state of mind. It's in those times that God checks me to humility in his plethora of blessings, most of the time in disguise. This past week we came across at least five people who denied the thought of a loving God due to the question why bad things happen to good people. I wish I had time to expound on this, MAN. Something tells me I really couldn't through simple words in an email. What I can testify is the undeniable relationship of perfect, pure, unconditional love that God has for all of us. I can say that with all the surety of my heart because he has saved me. Simply put, he is why I live. Every breath I take, every word I speak, every person I've met is divinely inspired to motivate me to love others. The connection of absolute emotion formed in humble prayer is evidence of how much God cares. Don't take my word for it. Go somewhere quiet and alone and pour out your soul to God in utmost sincerity. I promise you that he will answer.

 

That much I can spew onto a key board and that much I leave with you this week. Oh man I love you all GAAH

 

xoxo

Elder Burgess

Yo- family

The amount of craziness that has occurred in the past week is mind boggling. Here I am sitting in a four story library in the middle of nowhere as a District Leader in Urbana, Maryland. Who would have thought I'd be living in the countryside of Maryland anytime of my life? Gee Wiz my life is insane!

For starters, our apartment is above Black Dragon Tattoo, a hip tattoo crazy loud kind of scary actually terrifying establishment. This means at least we never have a dull moment music wise, seemingly every minute we're in the apartment. Babylon incarnate down there, holy cow :D The apartment itself is wonderful though, making life better one bity at a time.

Elder Willis is a Bountiful, Utah native, born and raised, and has been in the mission three months. He's a bit shorter than me, is incredibly, sometimes too much so, nice, quite timid, and sometimes not too sure of himself. By all means he is a pleasant companion to have around, especially with all of these new responsibilities as a District Leader.

Oh boy. The joys of being a District Leader. Pretty much I'm the person they report their goals and actuals in key indicators(.....numbers......) and carry them over top the Zone Leaders. I'm not sure you could pick up my enthusiasm there...probably because there isn't any :) For that! The other part of being a District Leader is more of the Leader part. Having responsibility with leading others to literally become better human beings in the sight of God is kind of an enormous task. I love it though! Talking with people is and always will be one of my strong suits, and I guess leadership fits right in! Hopefully as time goes on I'll become greater friends with them all. Of course they'll never be better friends than all of you ;)

For the first time in my life, I witnessed an all out freezing rain storm. Actually, I was in the freezing rain storm. For those not familiar with these, I wasn't until it was too late, rain falls down, immediately becomes ice wherever it lands, and stays ice until you go inside. I walked into a member's house yesterday a literal popsicle. With every creak and hinge of an arm, ice sheets cracked apart showering the perfected wood floor around me. Church was cancelled, but the Harris family got permission from the Bishop to have Sacrament Meeting in their home. I'd never experienced partaking the Sacrament and having Church with a few families in a home before. There is definitely a different feel to it. Luckily, the empowering reality of partaking of the Savior's Atonement lost no savor, nor renewal.

I find that even as a missionary who's sole purpose is to invite and testify of Christ, I still forget about what he has done for me. There are no dead ends, there are no last chances. Only through Jesus Christ can we be made whole. Forgiveness and salvation are right at our doorstep. All we need to do is open our hearts to the healing power of Jesus Christ.

I love you all and thank God everyday for the effect you've all had on my life (shout out to Broadneck family <3)

xoxo

Elder Burgess

ATTENTION! I'm getting transferred this Wednesday to Urbana Ward near Frederick, Maryland as District Leader. It's on the other side of Maryland, out in the hilly Western part, fairly close to West Virginia I think. It'll be a big change for me since Broadneck Ward here in Arnold has been all I've known on my mission. Poor Elder Hinkle will be lost in the poorly mapped roads here hehehehe

Elder Van De Graaff (remember him?) will be my Zone Leader that I'll be reporting to.   .....there is no escape

:)

The snow came and the snow destrooyyyed us here! All week the ground was covered in inches on inches of either slush or pure ice, there really wasn't any normal snow. Friday was nine degrees. That was great.

Because of the snow, our transportation was very limited. We ended up trekking to the close neighborhoods around us, shoveling all the drive ways we came across, which was no easy task. A few people thanked us, but, for the most part, our service went unnoticed. For me, unnoticed acts of service stand out far brighter than those that are praised and recognized. There's something about pure, selfless acts of kindness that warms the soul even in nine degree weather. I think that's how the Savior was able to wade through the unimaginable muck of adversity he faced. He literally helped ever person who will, has, or does live on the Earth. If he could do that much, the least I can do is get my giant ears a little frosty :)

I went on my last exchange in the Annapolis Zone over in good ol' Severna Park one last time with Elder Saunders. Every appointment fell through and every house we went to yielded no response. We traveled by way of bus all over the place, which was full of a wide variety of Maryland hoodlums and street dwellers (I fit into that category too hehe). The ground breaking and eye-opening conversations I have with those far less privileged with things of the world than me shocks me, despite having those experiences everyday. One guy we met had traveled down from the Canadian border through hitch hiking and buses. He had no home, no family, no money, and no idea where to go in life. We attempted to point him in a good direction, but he replied, "God's leading me in his direction."

I'll let the irony simmer there for a bit.

A Book of Mormon and prayer later, Frank was back on his way. He really was a pleasant man. Also the closest look alike to a Viking I think I'll ever see.

Broadneck Ward has been my home away from home. I'll truly miss this place and the friendships I've made. The Lord has placed a new Season of the Elder Burgess Show on the Horizon, just waiting for me to grab it.

xoxo

Elder Burgess

P.S. I'll let you know my new address next week. PLEASE DON'T SEND ANYTHING TO MY ARNOLD ADDRESS. <3

The amount of craziness that has occurred in the past week is mind boggling. Here I am sitting in a four story library in the middle of nowhere as a District Leader in Urbana, Maryland. Who would have thought I'd be living in the countryside of Maryland anytime of my life? Gee Wiz my life is insane!

For starters, our apartment is above Black Dragon Tattoo, a hip tattoo crazy loud kind of scary actually terrifying establishment. This means at least we never have a dull moment music wise, seemingly every minute we're in the apartment. Babylon incarnate down there, holy cow :D The apartment itself is wonderful though, making life better one bity at a time.

Elder Willis is a Bountiful, Utah native, born and raised, and has been in the mission three months. He's a bit shorter than me, is incredibly, sometimes too much so, nice, quite timid, and sometimes not too sure of himself. By all means he is a pleasant companion to have around, especially with all of these new responsibilities as a District Leader.

Oh boy. The joys of being a District Leader. Pretty much I'm the person they report their goals and actuals in key indicators(.....numbers......) and carry them over top the Zone Leaders. I'm not sure you could pick up my enthusiasm there...probably because there isn't any :) For that! The other part of being a District Leader is more of the Leader part. Having responsibility with leading others to literally become better human beings in the sight of God is kind of an enormous task. I love it though! Talking with people is and always will be one of my strong suits, and I guess leadership fits right in! Hopefully as time goes on I'll become greater friends with them all. Of course they'll never be better friends than all of you ;)

For the first time in my life, I witnessed an all out freezing rain storm. Actually, I was in the freezing rain storm. For those not familiar with these, I wasn't until it was too late, rain falls down, immediately becomes ice wherever it lands, and stays ice until you go inside. I walked into a member's house yesterday a literal popsicle. With every creak and hinge of an arm, ice sheets cracked apart showering the perfected wood floor around me. Church was cancelled, but the Harris family got permission from the Bishop to have Sacrament Meeting in their home. I'd never experienced partaking the Sacrament and having Church with a few families in a home before. There is definitely a different feel to it. Luckily, the empowering reality of partaking of the Savior's Atonement lost no savor, nor renewal.

I find that even as a missionary who's sole purpose is to invite and testify of Christ, I still forget about what he has done for me. There are no dead ends, there are no last chances. Only through Jesus Christ can we be made whole. Forgiveness and salvation are right at our doorstep. All we need to do is open our hearts to the healing power of Jesus Christ.

I love you all and thank God everyday for the effect you've all had on my life (shout out to Broadneck family <3)

xoxo

Elder Burgess