April 11, 2016

Traveling on exchanges in our zone is far different that the other areas in the mission. A one-way trip to Petersburg, WV from Woodstock is a two hour trip over cascading cliffs and rolling forest waves. The occasional moonshine distillery or massive mansion dot the thick landscape that even from the highway your jaw drops. Needless to say, the West side of the mission is an untamed wilderness. I went to team up with an Elder In Romney, WV on Tuesday to Wednesday, not really knowing what to expect. I discovered myself feeling very similar to my Hancock days, though Romney has even less people living in an agreeable distance. 

Before the exchange I had an impression to ask God and ponder on what I needed to focus on to help this Elder out. I had known him previously, but never served around him before, and had no idea what his personal struggles or goals were to improve. As an answer to my prayer, the distant message of, "Pray with him," popped in my head (pretty cliche, huh?). Well, I thought, I better believe this is the case and keep my eyes open. This was Monday night.

The exchange on Tuesday opened by cleaning a struggling lady's pile of dishes for a solid 2 1/2 hours, getting lost in the backwoods, discussing the similarities and differences between a loving God and a rogue black bear that eats a lady's mountain of trash in her back yard, and passing out a few Books of Mormon to some high schoolers. That night we were deep in conversation, said our nightly prayers, and went to sleep. Our companionship study began with the Elder telling me about a repetitive thought that had been crossing his mind over and over again since Monday afternoon, "Cry unto the Lord." He told me how he has felt lately that he's grown so much as a persona nd missionary, yet feels like a lack of spiritually is found in his prayers. I told him of the revelation God had told me Monday nightand this Elder's mind was blown (mine as well!). Our thoughts and minds were opened to each other as we discussed ways to improve the sincerity of our prayers, how to keep a prayer as a constant presence in the heart, and how to seek answers. The Elder closed with a fervent prayer that I will always remember.

Little connections like those are the experiences that build my excitement and help me see the glimpses of small and simple miracles our Father places along our travels. He really is aware of our individual needs and desires, and honestly loves us. The world is massive, West Virginia is always an adventure, and God is only a breath away.

xoxo

Elder Burgess

That's a pet monitor lizard I befriended. I guess Elder Abraham fits in that category too ;)

April 4, 2016

April 4, 2016

I'm at the point now that the week is so packed with experiences that it's terribly difficult to recall any specific experiences. The days blur by with constant fatigue paired with constant stress, but always rewarded with satisfying resolutions. For example, our investigators Sam and Christina have investigated the Church off and on for three years, leading their journeys to marriage and an adorable little girl, Izzy. Sam's a car repo man and the hillbillies of the land have taken an emotional and spiritual toll on him over the past years. However, the past four months for them have been incredible ones. The Gospel has clicked into their lives as a lifestyle. Optimism has blossomed in his ordinarily pessimistic job, allowing him calm and collected encounters with ordinarily unfortunate people. It's always an incredible adventure being the guide along the path of light and redemption for people in this mission, no matter what walk of life they're from. Sam and Christina were baptized Saturday morning with genuine giddiness and smiles from ear to ear. Little Izzy even sat in the front and center chair, watching their parents burst into a fresh new life, setting the way for their little family's future happiness unparalleled.

The miraculous joy of baptism never ceases to amaze me :)

I also received word that my mission has been extended another transfer, making my return home date November 25, a.k.a. Thanksgiving! pretty cool!! Have a blessed week-

xoxo

Elder Burgess

Sam and Christina are the two on the right!

March 28, 2016

Lately it feels like time is streaming by in blurred days of exhaustion and rewarding lessons. Normally it's pretty easy to recall memories and experiences from the past week, but today I feel like my brain has taken a well-earned nap.

 I received word that a good friend of mine from a past area was killed in a shooting last week. I hadn't really experienced what it felt like to have someone you talked to and laughed with on a regular basis suddenly die before this mission. 

Now I've had eight different friends pass away in different ways in the past year and a half, none of which from a gradual decline in health. All sudden and immediate, though I was never present at the time of their passing. In concept, death seems like it shouldn't create an emotional crater when faith of life after death through Christ's Resurrection resides in my heart, but it still does. I was wondering about the relationship death, sorrow, hope, and life have with each other throughout the entire week, crowning on Easter Sunday during my lunch break. I was reading different accounts of the Resurrection and how "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death", of how "the grave will have no victory", and how "all shall be made alive in Christ", yet despite the power of the promises, there still was no direct answer as to why sorrow is needed to accompany death, regardless of faith. 

It was here that I stumbled on the earlier account of Lazarus's death and rising even before Christ had died. It struck me as clear as day in the shortest scripture in the bible that read, "Jesus wept."  The whole story of Lazarus is riddled with weeping, but the two word verse of the creator of death, life, and love itself actually breaking down in tears hit me home. The two-turned power of sorrow is essential to feel in order to experience the full capacities of joy and relief. It's good to feel pain. It's good to feel sorrow. It's good to cry in tear after tear and feel deep holes of sadness open up in your heart because those holes are made to be filled.  You can never taste the sweet solution of Christ's grace when your cup hasn't been emptied in agony. 

Following Christ's honest tears came the world-changing miracle of Lazarus's rise from death, the pinnacle of faith-building experiences for Christ's following disciples that had to feel the anguish in order to feel the relief of not only seeing their friend and brother again, but knowing without a doubt that Jesus Christ is in actuality "the way, the truth, and the life". Storms of emotions will always pass, no matter how much damage they seem to wreck on us. It's the beauty that follows a passed black cloud that streams in the real tears of joy, letting us know in our hearts that hope will always be above the storm, just waiting to radiate warmth back down to us. It's no coincidence that we celebrate the Resurrection at the dawn of Spring. :)

xoxo

Elder Burgess  

​Bet you've never seen a pit-bull eat goat food next to a baby goat and lamb before.

Woodstock, baby >:)

March 14, 2016

March 14, 2016:

When you think of river people, what comes to mind? Banjos, lack of shirts, broken grammar, maybe a pitbull or two? In my first day here in Woodstock we took a long country route through the valley's hills until it dropped into a down slope under a long bridge. The address we were seeking from the GPS was absolutely bogus, so we decided to turn around at the end of the road. No trespassing signs bordered the spotted trees that kept our car in a  narrow path, making it impossible to turn around until we reached the bottom. Low and behold, a large shack lay in wait for us at the bottom under the bridge and aside the slow river, three pitbulls chilling on the door step and a shirtless teenager staring at as with a vacuum in his hands like a club. Great. What a wonderful place to turn around. Yet E Abraham led the example by rolling down his window and hollering out to ask him for directions. The pits came down with him and, after we reassured him we weren't the cops, he started talking to us about his religious background and feelings. I made quick work of the dogs with my animal compassion skills, and together we taught Mark about God's plan for each of His children. Mark reassured us that his parents would run us out if they saw us down here, but he would love to walk through the hills to have discussions with us. We'll be seeing him this week again. :)

Elder Abraham and Elder Vander Veur have been teaching the Dennison family the past month or so. The two boys, 12 and 8, are basically our little brothers and love learning about the Book of Mormon and how there's an actual Prophet living on the Earth. Their mom is always busy with work and caring for the kids as a single mom, but sat in with us and their grandpa while we read a chapter from the Book of Mormon. IT's amazing how a simple stack of papers with organized ink on it can be the transmitter for life-changing direction and revelation from God. In a simple 30 minute reading she was committed to finding the truthfulness of what we teach and wants to fill the void of love she feels in her heart. Their Grandpa has a similar situation, though he has the difficulty of understanding why he needs to come to Church. John 6 is where it's at. Still, his wife seems to be the largest difficulty, as she takes everything we say to her pastor to "prove" it wrong. He hasn't been able to accomplish that ;). Persistence and patience are the two edged coin of success. Woodstock is full of adventures on the horizon and I cannot wait to feel and see what the Lord has in store for me!

xoxo

Elder Burgess

March 7, 2016

March 7, 2016:

I'm getting transferred to Woodstock, Virginia tomorrow, the very same area that my uncle, dad, grandma, and aunt live in. I've been visiting my mission and my next area for the past 11 years. wow. Not only do I get to serve in this next chapter of the Elder Burgess adventures in Woodstock, but I get to serve with one of my best friends that I was in the MTC with, Elder Abraham! This will be an exciting path ahead, but part of me will always miss Hancock. Every area I've served in has been difficult to leave. It's almost like I have to leave home to a new life every few months.

Along our roads here in Hancock we met a random old lady who stopped cut us off in her car as we were walking, asking if we were Mormon missionaries. She continued to tell us that while she was 7th Day Adventist, her brother and sister in Indianapolis are Mormon. This lady's name was Jennifer, and wonderful Jennifer lit up two cold Elder's hearts by inviting us over for dinner in a couple of nights. Long story short, Jennifer and her husband Daryl are incredible people, brilliant in multiple scholastic fields and, above all else, the Bible. We've met with them twice now, and the mega stumbling block of progression in the lessons revolves around the necessity of understanding through your heart, as well as your mind. They have the unfortunate belief that knowledge from god and form our lives can only be received through the mind, since the heart can lie through emotions.

'sigh'

As incredible as they are playing instruments, cooking, and carrying on beautiful conversations, they miss an essential part of living life to its fullest. Similar to how Christ gave both his flesh and his blood, we receive in two different aspects: our heart and our mind. The two revolve around each other and establish each other. Learning in word and in spirit balance our progression like a right foot following the left. 

Understanding through your heart is a difficult to describe. Elder Flandro said it right, "There's a difference between your heart and hormones." It's the difference between lust and love, pride and honor, zealous and jealous, charity and entitlement. I suppose poets, song writers, painters, and sculptors have spent ages attempting to display what it means to connect with the heart. I've found that there's a direct reason why the Savior chose to describe the Holy Spirit of all truth, knowledge, and wisdom, as "the Comforter". In my opinion the difference between an emotion and a feeling is the presence of divinity. It's impossible to adequately describe the experience of discipleship. It's a path that deserves to be walked individually. It's a path that deserves a personal witness. If you feel you are missing a puzzle piece of your heart, look to Christ and follow Him. He has and always will be my source of hope for a better world. :)

The MTC District, 17 months later. 

The Elder who's head I'm stroking here is my new companion. who knows what the future holds. <3

February 29, 2016

​Not much time! 

The gist of the week revolved around teaching simply to the most complex people. It still amazes me to see when the understanding of a doctrine increases, the ability to teach it simply is magnified. Before the mission if you would have asked me, "Teach me the Gospel of Jesus Christ," I would have been uhhhhhh go to church, keep the commandments. 

Now I can honestly say that by living the Gospel to the fullest of my capabilities, teaching the Gospel comes sometimes without even using words! And when words are required I often don't need to think a word of what to say because the Gospel is as much a part of me as my heart. I've been studying the Book of Job recently and his life and thoughts exemplify the conviction a follower of Jesus Christ needs, even in the presence of pain and pestilence:

 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. -Job 19:25-27

Whether they be hillbillies, hippies, or horse masters, man or women, black or white, old or young, our Savior Jesus Christ can appear to our hearts individually. Like Job, who had never physically seen the Savior yet, I can still declare, "I know that my redeemer liveth." Elder Teh of the quorum of the 70 told me a couple months ago, "If all you know is what you see and what you hear, you will not know much." Sometimes the best way to know is to feel in your heart.

xoxo

Elder Burgess

February 22, 2016

Current Address:

Elder Truman Burgess

140 Pheasant Lane Apt # D2

Woodstock, VA  22664

Feb. 22, 2016:

A lot of people who have been out west, specifically Utah or Idaho, come into Pennsylvania and West Virginia, glance at the Appalachian Mountains, and say, "Those aren't mountains. Those are hills." While they don't maintain the same rocky altitude cliffs peaked with snow, the mountains out here hold a serenity I've never seen or felt before. They reach just high enough to graze into the clouds overhead while rolling endlessly like waves tipping and dipping across the sea. It's for this reason that this email will be a little shorter since Elder Flandro and I will be climbing another mountain :)) hehehe

We came across a man who lives tucked away in the woods named Brother King. He hadn't been to church in a while due to some grudges formed with members, hurt feelings, etc. Despite his absence he still holds in a firm belief that Jesus is our Savior, this is His church, the Book of Mormon and the Bible contain His word; all that good stuff. His fiance, though, did not share the same beliefs. Elaine Park is 74 years old, looks at most 60, was the first woman to be on the chief board of executives for Hilton Hotels, has basically traveled the world in journalism, and is the head of a non-profit organization that's sole purpose is to lay waste to drugs found in West Virginian and Pennsylvanian elementary and middle schools. Elaine is one of the smartest, sharpest, and most devout Christians I have ever met in my life. Christ isn't only a far reached king to her, but rather a stalwart, steadfast friend that knows the way to live happily in any circumstance. Missionaries in the past have gone over to her house to teach her the restored Gospel before, but have left after the first lesson due to concerns raised that are honest questions in Elaine's heart. A common occurrence I've seen with many missionaries is the decision to mistake a concern as a reason to find someone else to teach, rather than a lifeline rope thrown to see if someone can grab the end. They leave at the first sign of push back or difficulty, rather then sitting down and walking with the person to find the answers God has promised to give. 

Christ says, "Seek and ye shall find," not "look and ye shall find". The difference is effort. Work is a godly principle. The human body, for example, only stays healthy and balanced when it is put to walking, exercising, and physically laboring. Muscles have to tear to reform stronger than before. This is how it is with mental strength as well. Pushing intellectual capacities is the only way to increase them. Pain is part of the plan. Spirituality is similar and related, only a tad bit larger in my opinion. Spiritual development requires active work and seeking, pushing the boundaries of past limits in the quest to find newness in life. The major difference is that spiritual development cannot be built alone. Friends and guides are needed to accompany us on our spiritual paths, Christ as the foremost friend, the Holy Ghost as our compass, and God our Father as the hope of the destination. So when an investigator is seeking for answers to heart swirling questions, missionaries NEED to be there, regardless of if they know how to answer the question, if the question offends their past beliefs, or if they think the question has already been answered. There's a reason why patience is a virtue. Hope as a saving principle is absent without the divine characteristic of patience.

 22 ¶It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed,because his compassions fail not.

 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

 24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

 25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:22-26)

 Elaine has found her answers to doctrinal questions that previously dammed her progress and is now determined to open the gates through Baptism, simply because we walked with her as she found the answers for herself. There is never a question that will go unanswered from God. All it takes is patience.

This email was as long as normal. Oh well. Mt. Cacapon peak here I come >:)

xoxo

Elder Burgess