Sister Burton's One Month Mark

Can you believe it's been a whole month? Wow! It's been a good week here in Canada.We got to watch the CES Fireside at the church one night, that was really fun it was like a movie night! The talk was amazing too! It's fun to get to know those that we're serving with a little better. The members here are amazing! Have I mentioned that before? :) We are at a members house eating like 4 nights a week, and they always have dessert. Their stories are incredible and they have such strong testimonies.Today is Remembrance Day and so everything is closed, and I mean EVERYTHING. Even Walmart. I thought Walmart didn't close for anything. Which is a bummer because we had lots of shopping that needed to get done today, but there's always next week! 

Anyway, we are working our tails off here in New Glasgow trying to find people to teach. Lots of knocking, lots of street contacting.. if people only knew what they were missing out on! We have gotten a few less-actives to come back to church, Janette and Harley are an amazing couple we've had the opportunity to teach. Janette is going back to school to get her grade 12 and she was really struggling in her math class and so as part of our service hours each week I'll get to tutor her. Isn't that fun? I love it so much and she has really been improving!! We also get to serve at a senior home and we help with BINGO every Wednesday. They have the cutest elderly people there! Street Hockey went a little better this week.. I actually figured out how to hold the stick and everything. It's cool because they have so many non-members coming out to play and to have the missionaries there talking with them is a great way to reach out to them. 

I am still amazed at how involved missionaries are in the Branch. Just my luck, there is only one pianist in the whole branch and she isn't always able to attend sacrament meeting.. so guess where that leaves me? Yup, playing the piano. haha I told them they'll regret asking me to play but they don't believe me yet. I will be playing for a baptism this week too. Which I am really excited about!! JESSIE! She is so amazing and Sister Starkie and I just love her to death! She is so ready to be baptized and I am so grateful I have had the opportunity to teach her. It's really fun to be involved because you get to know people really well, which helps you know how to serve them. 

I've learned a lot in the one month I've been on my mission. I've learned to be so grateful for what you have. Your home, your family, and most importantly, the gospel! I've learned that missions are different for everyone because God expects you to use your talents to build the kingdom in the area you were assigned. No two missions, or missionaries are alike, it's all part of the plan. I've learned the Holy Ghost is real. He leads and guides and comforts me everyday as I am striving to do God's will. I love it here so much and can feel the spirit so strong. As I taught primary this week, it really touched me to hear the children sing:

I'm trying to be like Jesus, I'm following in his way.

I'm trying to love as he did, In all that I do and say. 

At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice, 

But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers:

Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do. 

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought...For these are the things Jesus taught. 

It's just amazing to me to see how much my love for others, the Savior, and my Heavenly Father has grown in the last month. I'm striving to follow the example of Christ and bring the gospel to those in need. I love being a missionary!! :)