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 ;)