Email November 23, 2015

Email November 23, 2015 – Elder Kenneth Wm. Burton

Bunch of Burtons

...................................I'm at a loss for words. Right now I'm just trying not to go into shock that I'm on to the last week. Seven days.

"I am like a man on a sea voyage nearing his destination. When I embarked I worried about having a cabin with a porthole, whether I should be asked to sit at the captain's table, who were the more attractive and important passengers. All such considerations become pointless when I shall soon be disembarking." -Ian Hunter

Time is so interesting. I found a quote from Neal A. Maxwell that I really like, he said, "let us make allowance for the rapidity with which time seems to pass, especially when we are happy. Jacob found it so: 'And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days. for the love he had for her.'(Gen. 29:20)"

These last two years have flown by. Until now I never really tied that to the love I have for the Lord. In my time here I've come to learn what Jacob did. That that which you give your heart to, you come to love. And that which you come to love you give your heart to.

To throw in another quote, "Love is the most costly of commodities. The more your willing to pay, the more valuable the price. The question is, are you willing to pay the price?" -Johnny Lingo

When I left on my mission two years seemed like quite a gift. Now my only desire is to give more. I wish to dedicate my life to the Lord. It is him who has given it to me. It is him who has been teaching me and guiding me. It is him who has blessed me and surrounded me with so many incredible people that have helped me to change and become a bit more like Christ. And it is him that strengthens me that I may be able to learn the lessons I'm being taught.

I do not know where the Lord will take me in the future. But I look forward with hope. With an excitement to see what will come. My mission is incredible, and I would not trade it for anything. I would also not trade anything for the blessings that will come with the future. 

Email November 16, 2015

Email November 16, 2015 – Elder Kenneth William Burton

Bunch of Burtons

Well time flies. Feels like just yesterday I was sitting here sending an email home. Where did the week go?

I want to say, I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to extend. The Lord has been blessing me with so many opportunities to do good, and at the same time I've been learning so much.

The Lord qualifies the called. He lifts us up to more than we could be on our own, to the blessing of those around us.

We found a new investigator through our friend Martin this week. We showed up to our appointment with him and he immediately cut us off saying he wanted to introduce us to his friend. He then lead us a few blocks away to a laundromat where we met Kyle. Turns out a while back he had been given a Book of Mormon by some missionaries who had used the laundromat, and he kept it on a shelf with all the magazines and things that customers could read. He told us about a woman who would come in every week and read 15 to 20 pages from the Book of Mormon and leave a book mark for the next time she was there. Then one day she came again and found it had been taken out by another customer. Talk about flooding the earth with the Book of Mormon. Who would have expected a bunch of laundromat customers to be spending so much time reading it. We gave him another book which he put on the same shelf and promised that he would  begin reading it himself. He also knows one of the members fairly well and would like to come visit the church some time. We have an appointment with him and Martin on Tuesday.  

Email November 9, 2015

Email November 9, 2015 – Elder Kenneth William Burton

Bunch of Burtons

I love it when you get to the beginning of a new week and just feel ready. No idea what it will bring, but you feel happy with the way things are going and look to the future with hope. Isn't the gospel great!

The scripture I'm ponderizing this week is Moroni 10:32 "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind, and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."

My purpose has been on my mind recently. "To invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end." To invite others to come unto Christ.

I believe its the same purpose everywhere. As a missionary. As a district leader. Sister training leader. Zone leader. Assistant. President. Bishop. Primary teacher. Deacons quorum councilor. Parent. Child. There are many things outside of our control, all we can do is come unto Christ and invite those around us to do the same.

Photo from Horsens

Email November 2, 2015

Email November 2, 2015 – Elder Kenneth William Burton

Happy Halloween!

Bunch of Burtons

Halloween isn't huge in Denmark, there are a few that celebrate it though. Rafael invited us over and we carved pumpkins with a friend of his who was visiting from Copenhagen.

This last weekend was... interesting. I don't know quite what it was, maybe just the overall Halloween feel. Not necessarily that I had forgotten, but it hit me more this last week that there is an adversary out there who indeed does want us to be miserable like unto himself. And it is essential that we rely upon and trust in the Savior Jesus Christ that we might be able to overcome the temptations and resist the fiery darts being thrown at us. I received a new perspective of what it means to use the atonement in ones life. It is a gift to help us overcome weakness, as well as a protection from outside forces.

There is opposition in all things..... I'm grateful for that knowledge, and the knowledge of good and evil that I can choose the good.

I find the Holy Ghost prompts everything that leadeth to good. This change of perspective has helped me find a stronger desire to do specific things that help me act in faith when tempted.

There was a day recently when I had irrational fears come over me of talking with people on the street. I couldn't do it. All of a sudden excuses were filling my mind for why I shouldn't stop the person coming my way. But I've found certain things that help bring the spirit in times of temptation, that help me move forward with faith. Such as prayer, reciting a scripture or singing a hymn, expressing gratitude or love for the Lord and those around me, turning to others rather than looking inward on myself, writing down my thoughts and feelings, and acting immediately on the things I know to be promptings from the Spirit. Each of these is something that has brought my mind back to Christ in a time of fear or temptation. And now I'm back to talking with everyone I can.

Homecoming!

Photos from Horsens

Email October 26, 2015

Email October 26, 2015 – Elder Kenneth William Burton

Bunch of Burtons

Some weeks I sit down at the keyboard excited to report on the great week that we had and my mind goes blank. Ahh well, I'll just start typing and see what comes.

The scripture I'm ponderizing this week is Moroni 7:45&47, "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever;and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him".

Its my hope that I might be able to recognize opportunities this week that I can act to be blessed with the gift of charity. That I might be kind, long suffering, be pure in heart and mind. That I may develop through the gift of Christ the attributes that he himself so perfectly applies.

There was a verse in Ether 12:36 that reads, "And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity."

Only through Gods gift and grace do we receive charity. 

Email October 19, 2015

Email October 19, 2015 – Elder Kenneth William Burton

Bunch of Burtons

I get to stay here in Horsens with Elder Curnow! I was getting worried that I might transfer because we were told there would need to be a lot of changes made with a large group of new missionaries coming in. This means I'll have been in Horsens almost 8 months. Even longer than I was in Randers, its not too common that a missionary is in an area here for 5 transfers. I'm excited though, I love it here, and I love the members! Last night we were passing by the Bishops house and thought we would stop by to say hi. He was right in the middle of an "experiment". Making a new pancake recipe with protein powder. So he invited us in to test it out. I thought it tasted good, he seemed a bit disappointed in how it turned out though.

So my scripture this week that I'm ponderizing is in Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith."  My hope is that this week I'll be able to better recognize the Holy Ghost and his influence by pondering his fruits. That should come as I better understand them. One fruit that has been standing out to me the last day is "faith". I remember a zone training we had a few months ago where the Sister Training Leaders asked everyone to take a minute and write down the ways the Holy Ghost speaks to us. I wrote down, and had the Spirit confirm that his promptings almost always require an act of faith to follow. They require stepping outside of my comfort zone. Rebelling against the natural man. And acting in faith leads to an increase of faith. An increased trust in the Holy Ghost.  

Photos from Denmark

P Day!

Email October 12, 2015

Bunch of Burtons

Great week.... as always. "The miracles and angels are still here". Its amazing to see the Lord preparing His children to accept His gospel. We've found a few new people this last week who are wanting to learn more! We have a few first lessons set up for later today that we're excited for. 

I'm so grateful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Without his help none of this would be possible. We were able to have a great district meeting this last week that I feel was needed. Focusing on those talents and abilities that the Lord has given us. To often we focus on just what we need to do, what we need to change, where we need to be. All of which is important. But we forget about the gifts we do have, and what we have become. We are in specific areas at specific times for a reason. The talents we have are to be used to bless those around us. We have so many amazing missionaries in our district right now, and we're all so different! Rather than striving all after applying the same thing we need to be applying the gifts we have been given by God. "Beginning where we're at", I believe is how it was said in Conference. Starting with the testimony we have now and building upon it. Starting with the things we already know how to do, or that we already to well. 

Photo from Denmark

Email October 5, 2015

Email October 5, 2015 – Elder Kenneth William Burton

Bunch of Burtons

There was such a great feeling about this week. I know God is looking after us here. It was so nice to have conference this last weekend. Those are inspired men, and I am so grateful for the lives they have lived that they can be in such a position as to receive revelation from God for His church. I feel like I was more prepared for this conference than I have been before. Thoughts and feelings had been coming together for a while, piecing together the desires of my heart. Bringing to mind questions I have and inspiration I desired to seek after. You know your on the right track when the prophet quotes a scripture that has been on your mind for a week, and then helps you come to understand it a bit better. I do not know the details to Gods plans, but I do feel the direction he is wanting me to go.

Isn't faith incredible? A power of action. So many good things were taught this weekend, I haven't yet been able to piece them all together. 

September 28, 2015

Email September 28, 2015 – Elder Kenneth William Burton

Bunch of Burtons

This weeks been crazy for some reason. We've just been all over the place. Having a solid weekly planning certainly makes a difference.

We traveled down to Copenhagen Thursday evening for Elder Curnow's One Month Meeting. And we had the opportunity of going through the temple. Something I haven't been able to do in almost a year. It was a great experience, its amazing the spirit that is in that holy place.

On the long train ride back we started a conversation with a woman sitting across from us who is an actor in Odense. I've had a lot of rejections, but it had been a while sense someone had really tried to challenge my faith. It caught me off guard at first, I would try and answer a question only to realize she had no knowledge or belief in God. Zero. And because of it I could not explain to her in a way she would understand why I felt the way I did. All I could do in the end was testify what I believed. She was friendly enough, and the conversation stayed on a good course, I was just taken aback by how bold she was. I believe in the end we did cause her to think, to ponder, I love inspired questions that bring about a searching heart. She promised us she would look up General Conference this next weekend. I hope she does, it may open her heart a little more. 

Photos from Horsens

Email September 21, 2015

Email September 21, 2015 – Elder Kenneth William Burton

Bunch of Burtons

I love the feeling that is present when one is on the right path. A feeling of excitement and peace, a feeling of urgency and assurance. A feeling of nervousness and hope. God is great and God is good. He is guiding this work. The smallest of hints are all around us, and when their seen a pure love is felt. It requires patience though. I love one description Elder Bednar gave of walking on a foggy day. Its bright, but the fog limits how far you can see. You need to move carefully as to not run into anything, but you have somewhere to be, so you cant go to slowly. One step at a time. Lesson upon lesson. Event upon event. I don't understand all the promptings received and I cant see past the next step, but I feel an assurance that the direction is correct.

I've been asked a question that I haven't been able to answer yet... "If you could change the world, what would you change?" Its been on my mind off and on recently. The following question adds to it... "How can you apply this to your current circumstances?" The world obviously wont be changed over night. That change will only come through changing our smaller, more specific circumstances. My purpose is to help others come unto Christ. I may not change the world, but the world can be changed by my purpose.

Photos from Denmark

Presiden O'Bryant, Ken, Elder Curnow, Sister O'Bryant

 

September 14, 2015

Email September 14, 2015 - Elder Kenneth William Burton

Bunch of Burtons

Well, we found a family this last week. For a bit. The Elders in Sønderborg gave us a referral for a man from Syria who they contacted on a train. We met with him on Tuesday and one of his first questions was if there was a church here he could bring his family to. We gave him the church address and time and he excitedly told us he would see us on Sunday. Ten minutes before church we got a text from him telling us that he had moved and wouldn't be able to come or meet anymore. I guess its difficult for refugees to get settled down in a specific area.

We've finally gotten back with Mitch! We had an appointment with him Saturday morning. And he's going to try to get to church this next Sunday. At the moment though he is focusing a lot on both his health witch is still down, and his kids. So he doesn't have a lot of time to meet. Baptism is still something he plans to work for in the future, but right now he has other priorities. We're going to start doing a bit of family history with him this next week.

Oh, and Rafael is back! He's been in Poland for the last month.  

Photos from Horsens

Email September 7, 2015

Email September 7, 2015 – Elder Kenneth William Burton

Bunch of Burtons

Well.. crazy week! We've only been in our area sense Wednesday evening and then have been way busy with getting Elder Curnow settled in... buying a bike took forever. We went to a store where Elder Curnow picked out his new bike and all the other things needed for it such as lights and locks. And then his card didn't work. We walked out to two different ATM's with no luck. The next morning after checking him into the commune we tried one more ATM, just hoping it would work... and it did! He was able to pull some money out and we walked all the way back out to the bike shop place.. its actually slightly more like a Homedepot, where we were able to get the bike. Then within 48 hours he ran over a small rock, puncturing the tire. The problem is we didn't know the rock was still in the tire so we just pumped it up to get to an appointment on time, it went flat again... so we pumped it up again, and I believe there was one more round of pumping. Turned out every time the tire went flat it moved slightly inside the tire and so when we pumped it up we would puncture a new hole. We were then sitting there fixing the tire and couldn't figure out why we could still feel air coming out after patching the whole. Well, we had four different holes! They were all just too far apart from each other to be able to cover them with the same patch so we ended up not having enough time to fix it and were back to walking to our eating appointment that night. The next morning though we found a brand new tire in the apartment that was the exact size as Elder Curnow's tire, so we were able to just replace the tube.

Now we're up and running though... or should I say biking, so that's good. We'll be able to make it to appointments on time now.

Elder Curnow is great! He comes from Colorado, and is the oldest of seven. He's great at Danish for only having been through the MTC. He has a much broader vocabulary than I did when I came out.