Hey everyone! Lots happening here in the England London South Mission. The work is hastening on here in Redruth and It's going great! The past week started out with Sister Schmidt and I traveling to Plymouth. In Plymouth, we met up with Sister de Plessis and Sister Valaskova from the Exeter area. We did what is called an exchange and that meant Sister Schmidt would go with Sister Valaskova and I would be with Sister du Plessis. Since Sister Schmidt was going to Exeter, I would be leading the area and doing missionary work with Sister du Plessis in Redruth. I thought it would be scary to lead the area but it wasn't. I was surprised at how confident I was and I quite enjoyed going finding and teaching with Sister du Plessis. She is from South Africa and has been out for about 6 months now. We were suppose to teach some lessons that day that she was with me in Redruth but the appointments fell through/got canceled so we ended up finding and street contacting for quite a while. It was raining throughout that day too so we got soaked. We found someone named Daryl and some other people as well who were interested in what we had to say. We were excited about that. By the time that Sister Schmidt and I exchanged back together, we had many new teaching appointments for the week. Sister Schmidt was happy about that. We ended up teaching Daryl and he is now one of our new investigators. As the weeks progress, we have come to find that we have a lot more teaching appointments and a lot more people that we are finding. It's amazing how the Lord provides tender mercies each and every day as we continue to humble ourselves, become more diligent, and strive to become better. One of the days last week was really exciting for Sister Schmidt and I. We had some investigators who canceled on us and so we went finding. It's discouraging when appointments fall through but we had to really have faith that we could spend that time finding and have faith that the Lord would help us if we truly seek for those waiting to hear our message. We went street contacting and as we listened to the spiritual promptings that were given to us, we were able to find people. We ended up finding three new people that we can start teaching! One of them was a lady named Sheila. Sheila was working in her garden and we had passed her as we went looking for a certain house to knock at. I was looking down at the map and trying to figure out where we were at and Sister Schmidt was looking around. Sister Schmidt suddenly had this urge to talk to his lady. Sheila was a bit farther back in her garden but we backtracked and introduced ourselves to her. It turns out that she had heard of our church and she was interested to know more. She also mentioned that it was hard for her because her son has cancer and she felt a bit troubled by that. It's amazing to see how the Lord will help his children by placing us in their paths. At that time, we didn't know that Sheila would be the one we need to help but as we prepare ourselves diligently, the Lord places those people in our way if we truly listen for and heed the spiritual promptings that we receive.
By the end of that night, Sister Schmidt and I were so filled with joy and so excited because we had such a great day. Well it didn't end there....we got a call from our mission president, President Gubler. Being close to the end of transfers, missionaries usually get calls to know if they are moving or if they are getting assigned a leadership position, etc. Well President Gubler called and asked both Sister Schmidt and I if we would be willing to serve as Sister Training Leaders for next transfer for the Plymouth zone! Crazy huh? Only 6 weeks in too! That's a bit scary! Usually we would only have one sister training leader but President Gubler (Being a new mission president) felt best if there were two in each zone and he told us that he prayerfully considered having us as sister training leaders and that it felt right to him. He was excited as we accepted the calling and we will be told later this week or sometime soon what we will be doing and receiving more instructions. Usually sister training leaders make a conference call each week to the other sisters in the zone. We also will be doing exchanges with them to see how they are doing and how their area is doing. I can't believe I have a calling such as this one. I'm truly humbled and truly grateful. I know that the Lord has given Sister Schmidt and I this calling to help us to learn and to grow as well as to help the other sisters. This upcoming transfer will be Sister Schmidt's last one before she goes home so I think it will be good for the both of us to have that calling to be able to focus on the work, etc. :)
As for the week, everything has gone really well! We did have a frustrating time however with an investigator that we have. He has struggled to keep the commitments that we ask him to do and everytime we schedule an appointment to teach him, he ends up canceling it or delays it for some time. Sister Schmidt and I did get to teach him this week but it wasn't as long of a lesson and it was really hard because we found out that he had been drinking right before our lesson. I think about how we can fulfill his needs as does Sister Schmidt but we can only do so much and then it's the investigators that have to choose if they want to act or not. We hope we can continue meeting with him and get him on the right track and emphasize the importance of keeping his commitments. I have faith that it'll become better and know that If I continue to study, be obedient, and strive to do my best-then the Lord will help me and my companion. Everyone has their agency to choose as well and it's hard to remember that sometimes. I think of Nephi and the scripture in 2 Nephi 33:3 (Look it up if you have the chance). I've come to realize my love for these people has increased, especially the ones that we teach, and I would just do anything for them to understand the gospel and their potential that they have.
I hope all is well for you guys and love you all! :) :) :)
With Love,
Sister Burtis
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