White Christmas

YES it was fantastic to hear from everyone! I'm glad that I was able to talk with most everyone, except for two people I wont mention that sold my call for a CHRISTMAS PLAY! haha its all good I probably would have done the same if someone offered me basketball tickets but Ryan come on man a play?! Any who it ended up being a terrific week with the white Christmas that we had, we were able to baptized Blas, Liz, and then Janette on Sunday so I cant complain! I hope that everyone was able to do something nice for someone this month. The elders from Zeballos all delivered a few things to some people who don't have much in the ward. It was great seeing the facial expressions of those that received their gifts. I'm so grateful for what the Savior has done in my life. I hope all is well! not much to say I pretty much said it all over the phone. I will talk to you guys next week! love ya Elder Burr. PS I will try and find a way to send the sleeping bag home.

HOLY INFIERNO ITS SO DANG HOT HERE! its getting pretty toasty here so as you all no its beginning to look alot like Christmas sweating from head to toe. Its so crazy you take a shower and write when the water is turned off you are sweating haha kind of insane but hey it beats being cold so I cant complain. My comp and I just got done playing a mean march madness tournament with the zone it was sick! My comp and I were the phoenix mercury I was Diana Turasi. It was pretty dang hot playing but it was worth it. Every Monday wed. and Friday we go running to our church and then we play two on two basketball against Elder Roeller and Anderson its a great time. I am having a blast with my comp and he for sure is one of my favorite comps! He is teaching me how to do the Hakka haha its pretty nuts. This week was pretty good for us, so I cant complain, we were able to take 7 to church and tomorrow we are planning on have a hay down or a hootenanny as I like to call them. Blas and Liz are planning on getting baptized and married tomorrow afternoon. Please pray for them and pray that Blas doesn't relapse with his cigarettes. They are doing so dang well though!! I love visiting them they are sooooooooooo poor but they are the humblest people. The other day I took some winter clothes that I don't use over to their house. They collect plastic for a living and all the stuff that they wear is what they have found on the street its crazy. But yesterday they totally caught us by surprise! We are so used to them going to church in basketball shorts and with sandals but yesterday Liz went with a dress and Blas went with a white shirt and tie! What a blessing! I am so happy with them! Its so crazy because after so much time in my mission I have finally realized how to have alot of success. If you can get you investigators to realize of the blessings that they receive for keep their commitments they will agree to any commit like baptism. All is well with Elder Burr said my love to everyone! haha funny story at church. So yesterday we brought good old Nini again to church haha its always super hectic trying to get her to church because she cant walk at all haha but she was telling us about how her water line got cut and how she hasn't showered in 2 weeks haha its was pretty....... interesting I guess would be the only word I could say. but then when I got to church the president of the branch gave me the gospel doctrine manual to teach out of no where haha it went well but the funny part is before that my comp and i were helping nini get to relief society and I was kind of pushing her to make her go faster and she yells at me and says I cant walk you need to be patient hahaha in front of all the women. I felt pretty dumb but oh well. She is an extremely grumpy lady but she loves when we visit so its a little weird. So a note of advice before I bounce be patient. I love you all have a great Christmas everyone and don't forget the true meaning. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT1 later! Elder Burr

Hey-O

WHAT UP! MAN THIS WEEK WAS PRETTY INSANE! I have my comp and I think it just might be one of my favorite comps. His name is elder manu, he is from California but he is originally from AZ! He even went to Gilbert high and we had the same seminary teacher!! haha we know the exact same people so everyday we will talk about how this person did this back in the day or we will be walking and be like hey do you know this person haha its hilarious. He was in the val vista ward, also he is a huge Samoan haha hes teaching me some Samoan haha. Today we played American football and it was way fun playing! This week was pretty insane without Lucas we had been together for who knows how long. On Sunday it was really hard getting people to church because we usually do a division with people in the ward to get investigators but elder manu doesn't know the area yet so its kind of hard but i am teaching him the area the best that I can. We brought probably the oldest person on earth to church Sunday haha her name is Nini and she can barely walk, but she is a sweet heart. Also we are working with a couple named Blas and Liz who are looking really good for the 23 of December to be baptized and married, please pray for them. Blas is still smoking but he doesn't smoke to bad. We are trying to visit them everyday because I know Satan will be really working with them so that they don't get baptized. Everything is getting well here we are working super hard and we are having fun. Please keep praying for my area and for my zone its kind of struggling but we have good elders in our zone. Also about Christmas here in Paraguay AZ is 4 hours behind Paraguay and Paraguay is 4 hours ahead. Right now it is 240 so in AZ its 1040. Please if you can let me know when you guys want to call on Christmas i will set it all up with my comp. Just please let me know by tonight what time you are going to call. I think the cell phone is alot better than a land line because everyone will be trying to call their families in Paraguay. Ill email you guys a little bit later in the day. I love you guys alot also dad let me know if you want a scripture case I want to get you one they are way cool! I hope all is well! Peace and love from the dirty south. Love Elder Burr

Elder Lucas and I saying our goodbyes

My zone made Dear John shirts!

My zone with Elder and Sister Foster

My new companion Elder Manu

Corner Pocket

How goes it! Well well crazy news down here in the dirty south. We had our zone leader meeting in the morning and I was told that I will be a zone leader still in Zeballos but I will be training a greenie at the same time haha it is going to be tough because there are all Americans coming in and I am going to be doing all of the teaching and giving all of the meetings in my zone and getting every ones numbers every night haha it will be a little bit of a hassle but I'm up for the challenge. I know that the Lord will hear and answer my prayers if I come to him, and boy will I need my prayers answered haha. Any who other than that good stuff I'm doing well and I'm feeling fatter which is pretty cool, I've always been a twig so now I'm getting some meat to back up my guns just kidding but seriously ha. This week was pretty nuts, on wed night I went to a place called San Jorge to do a division with an elder named Elder Chatalein. While doing contacts I felt impressed to contact a certain house. As we arrived to the door a younger lady came out and welcomed us in her home. While preparing to sing her a Christmas song she called her grandma and her aunt to listen to us. We ended up finding out that the aunt had Parkinson disease. During the song and the prayer this lady was yelling and calling us liars haha it was pretty spiritual as you can imagine. Then we began teaching about the book of Mormon and again she began yelling. The girl then asked us if there was anything we could do for her aunt. We then asked her what exactly was wrong with her. She then began to tell me the craziest story about how her and a few other ladies were doing like an open casket thing and they were dancing around the baby chanting stuff . She then went on to tell us that the ladies then left and that the aunt of this girl sat there staring at the baby, and while she was staring at the baby, the baby smiled and she fell down as if she were dead.! After explaining about the priesthood and about giving blessing we gave her a blessing and I began to say that if there was a devil it had to leave her alone. It was insane! the next day Elder Chatalein said that she had been doing alot better and that she had been recuperating ! what a miracle! It was so incredible to be able to have an experience like that and to be able to see the faith of this family and for them to believe that their family member would do better. then later that night when I got back to my area I was telling my comp about the story and while I was telling the story our lights started to flicker on and off and then out of no where the lights went out hahaha I ALMOST PEEPED MY PANTS! Any who that night we had to sleep on our ruff because it was an oven in our house. We got bit by like a million mosquitoes that night. Other than that it was a pretty great week! about the whole Christmas call, I still haven't got any info but they should give it to us in a week or two. Also about the scriptures I wanted you to take the pics of them because I want to make you a scripture case like I did. Dad do you want one as well? They are pretty cheap and I want to get you guys something for Christmas, but I'm not sure if I will send them home because its a little expensive. Just let me know what is both of your guys favorite pictures of anything of the church and like a favorite scripture or something. The guy that does the cases can carve pictures of like the second coming and stuff like that. Just let me know by next week so that he can get started! PS I got the testaments and I wanted to send it to you guys for Christmas. Do we own it? I hope all is well I loved the pictures! It looks like everyone is looking beautiful. Stay happy and please keeping praying for my area! Love you guys peace! Elder Burr

To my Fan Club!

Well chest nuts are not roasting on an open fire and jack frost isn't nipping at my nose but this sunburn is. Each day is getting hotter haha just imagine Christmas being 115 degrees. Any who so how was thanksgiving? Mine was pretty rad, my comp and two other Elders made tacos, mashed potatoes, garlic bread and chocolate chip cookies. I made the garlic bread and mashed potatoes, I know you are all thinking right now. but Elder Burr doesn't know how to cook. Surprise surprise I have the evidence with my pics haha they turned out great! Other than thanksgiving, we had a baptism of a youth named Rolando. It was way cool, This whole change my comp and I have felt that we had contacted all of our area but we decided to start over again and contact. We found Rolo and he has been golden ever since. Also I forgot to mention about when Elder Foster came to Asuncion for the huge conference we had. His wife and him talked about how each and every missionary was born for that purpose to serve as a missionary. Then they showed us this video of the universe and about how there are billions and billions of galaxies and about how there is eternal life and ya it was incredible! Also yesterday it started raining like crazy as usual so it was hard to get people to church. We brought a new family that we found to church and I carried there 3 year old daughter on my shoulders about 4 miles through the rain and mud, and snow up hill, OK so maybe not snow and hills but rain and mud yes ha. We found this family one day and we asked if we could do service for them. I'm sure everyone is thinking of service such as moving furniture or mowing the lawn Right? wrong. She told us how she just moved in and she still hadn't put in her toilet. For those of you that have served a mission in Paraguay you know how the toilet works here. We dug a huge hole in the wrong and then we put in a big barrel. and ya that's how the bathroom works and then when they fill it they find a new spot and dig another hole haha. They are a super poor family but they knew of the blessing that they would receive for walking in the rain to church. After that we had our primary presentation and boy was it interesting. When it rains here no one leaves their house, not even the members so we didn't have to many members. The primary president had two of our investigators memorize two scriptures to read when they showed up to church for there first time in the presentation haha I have just become used to weird things like that happening. but it ended up working out great and yes of course I played the piano to some primary songs which they sang just lovely haha. Hey by the way I have a few questions. Have you seen the movie the testaments? and also Mom please take a picture of your scriptures and send it to me in the email when you can. Your quad scriptures you always use. I pulled out 20 dollars to send a little something home for your birthday mom I doubt it will make it for your bday haha sorry. Everything is going just dandy here in Zeballos. I hope all is well. I love you guys please keep praying for my area! Tell Tyson I loved his pics of the family he took to the temple! As of right now Miguel the guy that is the branch president that my comp and I baptized is preparing to go to the temple but he still needs an interview with the stake president. kisses and hugs for everyone. Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight! chau! Elder Burr

To my Fans!

HEYO! Hows it going folks! Lets just start off by saying I loved every ones letters haha I didn't know it was for Christmas but asI read I was a little confused because everyone was wishing me a merry Christmas ha. I couldn't stop laughing after I had read every ones letters they were hilarious! I am glad that everyone is doing awesome and to hear that life really still is moving at home. I can not believe all the people that are married it blows my mind! haha man its crazy. This week was a tough one for my comp and I. My comp was sick the whole week pretty much and might need to get his nose operated on haha I told him that if he had it done here he would look just like Michael Jackson haha he resented that. This week was the hottest and coldest I have ever been in my life. Here in Paraguay when it is beginning to rain it is so unbearably hot also the day after it rains. and when it begins raining and you are out in it, it is freezing cold! We had alot of rain this week which was crazy, it seems like I either fall in the mud every week or get close to it haha this week I did good. On Friday it was so hot that my comp and I couldn't even sleep, it was like an oven! Then Saturday I was sleeping with a blanket haha I swear it really is like camping but I would trade nothing for these experiences I love all the misery and joy that I get here! This week was a really tough one with investigators as well. We had a total of 5 GOLD FAMILY'S AND ONE BUY ONE THEY FELL! my comp and I started being alot more direct with our inv and they all were direct with us and said thousands of lame excuses. I asked one of our family's if they knew that the church was true, If they thought that God wanted them to be baptized and married. They agreed and after I said if you receive an answer from God will you get baptized. They then replied no. I was absolutely, shocked that someone can have a clear perfect knowledge that these things are true but not be baptized. It makes you so sad because we know that these things are true but sometimes the people we love don't. I loved how brother Andes said its amazing how we go into the mission as knuckleheads I think he said it haha and we come out as polished priesthood holders. its so true! I have seen a complete change in my life and it is amazing. Thank you for all the support and love! I hope all is well. I cant wait to talk for Christmas! PS ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS! not. Love Elder Burr!

Elder Foster {Seventy}

Not going to lie this week was a tough one for us, We didn't have our baptisms. One family is now working super late at night and it is hard to get a hold of them, and the other one went to church again but we found out that Liz had done the funky monkey with some other guy before and they are having alot of trust issues so we are really focusing with them on the blessing of the Savior and how he can bless there life if they will just be obedient to what the Lord asks. Right now in my area there is like 500 Americans ripping off the Paraguayans building them houses for alot of money but for horrible quality its really sad. They are pretty useless when it comes to using Paraguayan tools and trying to work during the burning hot sun haha its pretty funny. As of right now we aren't doing terrible we are working with alot of people but it is just so hard for people them to break their traditions of the Catholic church. Tomorrow is going to be awesome! We get to see Elder Foster!! Also our zone will be singing A Light That's Pure haha you guessed it I will be playing the piano for it. It sounds like everyone is doing really well which makes me happy! I cant believe how fast the time is flying, I was reading in a book that Ryan gave me about what I should do in my mission or something and whats even funnier is that it says is that when you have 138 days left you should read D&C backwards haha any who so I was curious and I found out that on the 29th of this month everyone can start reading D&C backwards haha I know Dad will be up for that! Also today we went to this little china town market place to buy a few things and I made myself super trunky by buying a swimsuit hahaha horrible idea but I couldn't let it pass. Also I was thinking about college and all that jazz and I am trying to think if it would be better that I look for work and work all summer when I get back or if I should go straight to Chandler Gilbert doing summer school and just trying to find work to do. I have no idea but if anyone has any great ideas I would love to here them! I hope all is well at home, PS Tell Jared not to be scared to write me haha just kidding I don't think I ever wrote him on his mission. I hope everyone can give me a shout out when you have the time. I will send a few pics. I love you all! Dreams without action stay dreams! Tell big T Bone I say hi! deuces! Elder Burr

Beautiful Asuncion

My companion and I eating a cow huff!

Pray for these two couples

How goes it! I loved the pictures you guys sent hahaha I have no idea what mom was supposed to be for Halloween a 70´s lady maybe? haha Who knows. Any who everything is going well I am 100% better so Mom don't worry the bronchitis is all good and gone. I'm guessing it was the lighting from the camera that made my skin look green and red haha also I have plenty of vitamins at the house so its all good. I cant believe today hits 5 months left in the mission, I'm really giving it my all now with the heat that has just arrived, lets just say its unbearable but all you can do is smile and work. Yesterday at church we brought 11 and we brought two families that now have been to church twice. They are having a hard time deciding to be married because they are both young couples but they are so cool. Please be praying for Blas & Liz and also for Francisco & Liz. They both are really poor couples that have close to nothing, but there faith that they both have is incredible. Every time we teach them it is so amazing how they are able to move on. Its really sad because there is an extremely poor neighborhood in Zeballos where Blas and Liz live where there neighbors laugh at them when they go to church and have been saying that we only want money from them. They told us yesterday that they don't care and that they love going to church so that made me really happy! Yesterday at church almost nobody showed up because everyone was voting for the new Governor of Asuncion it was really lame haha any way I walk into the gospel principle class with our investigators and our wonderful members hand me the manual to teach the class which was on the law of chastity haha talk about awkward questions haha it was pretty funny though. We were able to talk alot about the importance of marriage so hopefully our investigators were able to understand more about why they should be married. They are getting ready to be married and baptized for next week if everything works out well. Please pray for them. Not to much else going on here in the dirty south just working trying to bring happiness to everyone here in Paraguay through baptism. Thank you for all of the support and for all the love that you guys bring me. Here is a cool quote before I bounce. Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees. I know God loves us and that he has a plan for us, stay happy everyone your future is as bright as your faith! Love Elder Burr para siempre dios este con vos. chauu!

Happy Late Halloween!

HELLO SWEET FAMILY OF MINE! I'm glad the weather is nice for you guys because it is so dang hot here and it is only getting worse haha it beats the winter though. Well not to much going on this week, it wasn't that great because I was on the DL for 3 days with bronchitis haha it seems like every year I get this nasty old cough. The people think it is hilarious when I laugh because sound like an old car that wont start haha I'm doing great now though I'm not sick anymore so no worries! I went to the hospital and they gave me an inhaler and some nasty cough medicine that tastes like prune juice. The people that went to church last week didn't go this week because I had been resting all weekend so that sucked but they will be getting baptized in 2 weeks, They have to go at least 3 times before they can be baptized. It sounds like Halloween was pretty fun this year, I carved another pumpkin hahaha it looks great you will all have to guess who it is haha. I hope all is well at home and I hope you all know that I'm praying for each one of you. Side note NO PACKAGES, NO CANDY, NO GARMENTS, NO NOTHING JUST LETTERS!! Don't for get that after Christmas I have only like 4 months or so. I'm going to buy garments here in Paraguay because they are extremely cheap, Also I don't want candy from the U. S. because they make me sick haha an Elder got a whole bag of skittles and after about 10 I was ready to throw up. I'm happy that everyone wants to send packages and what not but all I want is letters please. Also on the 15,16,17 of this month we are going to have a huge conference and Elder Foster from the seventy is coming! The guy that gave my favorite talk last year on the cows and their mothers woooooooooo! Any who it will be on a Monday so if i don't write I will write on Tues but I'm not sure but I will keep you all informed. Well stay graceful Arizona! Across the painted desert where the mountains touch the sky, something something I cant remember the news song about Arizona hahaha any who toodles! para siempre dios este con vos. Elder Burro segun los paraguayos

Zeballos

What up! yes that's right I am staying in Zeballos with E Lucas! SICK! Yesterday at church we brought 10 people and 2 family's!! The Lord has really blessed and helped us here in Zeballos. As for right now we haven't had any baptisms but we now have quite a few getting ready to make the wonderful compromiso con dios! (commitment with god) being a missionary is just great! It is also amazing being able to have the priesthood in my life. We had two amazing experiences with blessings this week. We first gave a blessing to a 8 year kid who was extremely sick. The problem in Zeballos is that the people are so ridiculously poor that they cant afford anything when they are sick. Any who my comp gave this little kid who had been sick in bed for days. The next day when we went to go teach this family we saw the kid running around. It was incredible to see how the power of the priesthood had cured this kid. Then the next day we gave one of our investigators a blessing and the next day he said" now I know that you two are truly messengers of God and that your message is true". It is so amazing to see things like this everyday! I love being a missionary! Not to much else going on, It's getting alot hotter but hey what can you do its Paraguay and I've only got one more summer. PS about Christmas, I want to tell you early before you guys try and send anything. Please don't send anything! What I would love is letters from everyone and that's it! Thanks! I hope everyone knows that I'm praying for them and that I miss all of you guys. The time is flying! Stay happy and stay positive! The future is as bright as your faith! Love Elder Burr

What's Up!

YO YO YO What up! Well I cant believe how pday just keeps flying by. Every time its time to write it seems like just yesterday that I wrote haha not to much going on here just chillin like a villain. Today we had a sweet BBQ at our house with the zone, then we played some soccer. This week we had only two baptisms because the little daughter of the mom freaked out about the water and didn't want to get baptized because she was scared haha I guess we will see what happens with her later on. It was tight we brought a family to church Sunday and then President Madariaga came to our branch with his wife haha our branch is awesome though I love it. Our president is a hard working guy and we are having alot of success. I know that the Lord is really helping us in the work and that the success comes little by little. How is everything going on at home? Anything new? Not to much here, we have changes on Friday so we will see what goes down. I really feel like I am staying. As for my comp he is doing extremely well! Thank you for the prayers on behalf of him. Not much else going on, before I bounce I want to share a funny story haha. On Saturday we rebuilt this members house and while we were building it there was a pony that got stuck in this guys yard and he couldn't get out because it was surround by barbed wire. Any who there was two dogs that were biting at the horses feet so Elder Anderson and I started throwing rocks to scare the dogs away. Long story short is that I threw a rock and it hit this guys wooden window and Elder Anderson hit the roof haha. We thought it was an abandoned house but then this old guy came out yelling in Guarani. After we got done laughing, he came back out with a BB gun hahahaha it was hilarious. Then this drunk guy that was helping us went to go calm him down. He told the old guy that the horse had kicked his window hahah. I hope all is well! Stay classy Burr family y Los demas! Chauu1 Elder Burr

"Our pony ride" haha.

The crazy guy with his gun and some drunk guy.

Wow!

Hello dear sweet family of mine. What a crazy week, on Friday while we were working my comp and I got a phone call from president madariaga. His stake president had called and said that Elder Lucas dad had passed away. I don't think I would be able to explain what these past few days have been like. It was crazy. a short summary about Elder Lucas. He is a convert of the church, he was the first to be baptized in his family. he was baptized when he was 20 and when he was preparing for the mission he baptized his girlfriend, and while in the mission his mom was baptized. his parents were divorced and his dad has been extremely sick. he had diabetes and he was 80 yrs old. his dad and all 23 aren't members of the church except for his younger sister. we went to the office Friday night and he called his mom. He said it was crazy how calm and relaxed she was but how crazy his brothers and sisters were, he said that they were screaming and crying but his mom and sister who were members were just fine. he was telling me how grateful he was for the gospel and how the gospel had prepared himself and his family for this.after we came back from church he was pretty bummed out and i gave him a blessing. hes doing alot better but of course it is a huge trial that he has been going through. I'm so grateful for a plan of salvation that answers questions like what is my purpose here? where are we going after this life? and where did we come from? other than that news, we will have a few baptisms on wed, so we are pretty excited! also i got my suit and it is SICK! it fits perfect and looks bomb. not much else going on, PS momma i decided to keep your letters because i know you will regret it if i burn them haha and besides iv only got 6 months left or how dad tells me 6 fast Sundays haha thanks for always making me trunky pops. hey is it true that there was a tornado in AZ? I here nothing here only random news from members here haha. not much else going on here I love you guys, thank you so much for everything your doing for me! One more thing we had a cool experience with one of the ladies that is getting baptized on wed. This lady has told us that she hadn't had an answer yet that this is the true church but a few days ago, there was a HUGE storm here and it was raining like crazy. She lives in a tiny little house and she said that her house felt like it was going to fall over. she began praying and then opened the BOM and started reading in nephi, the part where nephi and his family are in the boat and there is a huge storm. she said that the verses had answered her prayers and helped her to be calm. It was so cool hearing that! well i hope all is groovy! love ya lots peace! PS will you send me pics of my friends and i and just old pics of stuff like that when i was 16 17 or so. THANKS CHAU! ELDER BURR

It is a beautiful day!

What Up! TENGO SUEÑOS! I am so tired we had our monthly meeting at President madariagas house again as ZLs. We talked about how we can help out our zones to be more excited to work and to love the work also to have the attitude of knowing that we will have success just like Elder Mcconkie said in his talk. We must have a good attitude if we want to see results. I hope everyone loved the conference! I loved it! I was reminded of a few things that Mom would say during the general conferences when I was home. "Jacob wake up your sleeping¨, ¨Next year I am going to be in the choir"¨and my favorite was when the nieces and nephews would come over mom sitting inches away from the TV to hear the talks hahahaha those were the days! Any who before I keep blabbing I want to give a big THANK YOU!! to everyone for everything you guys have done for me I am so grateful to have such an amazing family. You come to realize that when they aren't always with you and when you see the people here with no parents or their parents are drug addicts and don't want them. Elder Hollands talk made me think alot about the many sacrifices that you guys have made for me and I just want to let you know that I am really grateful. We didn't have any baptisms this week but we should have a few in about 2 weeks or so. Also I got the package you guys sent and I almost cried when I saw that there was POP TARTS! HAHA Wow were they extremely sugary. I gave one to my comp and he almost spit it out haha it was pretty funny. I hope all is well and that everyone is doing great, as usual I am doing fantastic! We also went to the temple this week it was amazing as usual. Not to much going on here in Z cue. I'll send a few pics, PS I think I'm going to keep all the letters you have sent you might want to keep them mom. Hope all is well. Stay happy folks and stay positive we are living in a wonderful time! Elder Burr

Paraguay Temple

Paraguay had a random holiday about some war

so they decorated the streets in newspaper strips?!

HAHA!

Marcelo was baptized!

Another week that has flew by holy cow. Sounds like everyone is doing terrific. Before I start writing my email no mother I'm not sick or anything I think I was just tired or something, but I am healthy as a horse I eat and apple a day to keep the doctor away and I floss and change my underwear every night no worries! Thank you thank you for the money I'm going to pull out like 100$ The guy is going to do all the measurements today for my suit he is a member in our ward. I talked to him yesterday and ya it will be great. Haha I will for sure take home my missionary shoes that I have ( my old ones that I don't use). Also I still play the piano every Sunday and I teach on Wednesday nights a few youth. We are learning the D major scale this week ha. Again thank you for all of the sacrifices that you guys have done for me and do for me! This week we had a huge service project just like last year that they did all around the world. We went to an old people place and painted, cut stuff and cleaned. We also had the baptism of Marcelo who I baptized 5 times and never got baptized. We ended up only having to do it once this time haha thank goodness. The zone leader life is good, it helps me work hard and stay focused, besides not sleeping as much it is great. Not much else going on, the time is flying and I cant believe it. I hope everyone is excited for conference!Also this week our zone is going to the temple whooooo!!! Well I hope every ones doing great, I am out talk to you next week!! Love ya peace! Tell Rocko congrats on homecoming king! Elder Burr

You are the Best

Hey sorry I'm writing a little bit late it was a crazy day! Pdays always fly but hey what can you do. How is everything going at home? Sounds like everyone is doing pretty great and that all is terrific. This week we had a baptism of a little girl named Laura, her sister is a member but her mom isn't yet, we are trying to work with her alot more but she is a tough cookie. Lucas and I are working really hard, we brought 8 to church on Sunday so now we are working more with them. I haven't bought the suit yet because I wasn't sure about the money. I am planning on buying it the first week of October because I think the guy is out of town and he has to measure me, Elder Brown also bought a suit from the same guy. Haha random thing before I forget I ate what seemed to be bloody big intestines yesterday hahaha it was nasty! Also about the stuff you want to send please just send letters and pics of everyone and maybe a little dough to buy everyone something. I hope all is going well it sounds like everyone is doing great. Oh yeah we got permission to go to the south mission of Paraguay because 2 missionaries from our zone wanted to buy a cameras and we got permission to wear normal clothes so that they wouldn't rip us off knowing we are Americans haha i will send the pictures we were all undercover. I'll send a few pictures. love you all stay fly! PEACE! Elder Burr PS yes the kid of Ramon that we baptized is a member

Marcelo's Baptism

Everyone who participated in our service project.

Salty Senorita!

Hello Father Mother family friends conocidos y todos que me conocen! Well we got the changes and big Lu and I are staying together in Zeballos so I'm pretty excited! Also the whole baptism didn't go down Sunday it was crazy. I had to baptize him like 5 times but he kept kicking his feet out of the water and he wouldn't put his head in the water haha it was crazy but ya he never got his whole body under the water so we will see what happens. Other than that not much else is going on, all of our converts are doing sick here in Zeballos. I'm very happy that I am staying, I have a really good feeling that we will have alot of success this change. Not to much else going on, sorry I haven't been answering to many of your questions lately. About shoes and everything please don't send me any, and I don't need any when I get home I have my crocodile shoes haha I think this week or next I will buy the suit. How much do I have to take out? Also with packages for Christmas please don't send anything! I will have like 3 months left after Christmas, if you want you can send money, i want to buy a few things for everyone but seriously I don't want any candy or anything I can wait three months. Also I don't need an ipod, Tracie has my ipod. Again please don't send anything, you can send like pictures and letters but I will need nothing for Christmas. Also I got the letters and pics from the cabin they were tight!I loved them! I hope all is well and that everyone is doing great. You are all in my prayers. Stay happy stay safe! peace! Elder Burr also tell Salty Señorita to write! That's way sick that you talked to her!

"No throwing away trash??"

Ramon and his family!

Big B

Hello sweet family of mine,
Well we had the baptism of dear sweet Ramon on Friday, which was rad. This guy has been an inv for a few years and just has never wanted to get baptized. His wife and two kids are also members. After we got to know him better and we were more direct with him he began to listen more. They are now preparing to go to the temple in one year. It was crazy though because two other missionary's baptized this girl in our zone and while they baptized her 3 little member kids took her clothes that she wore to the baptism and put the in the toilet haha it really wasn't funny but now that I look back on it it really was haha. Any who today we had another one of those council things for zone leaders and then we played some soccer. Not going to lie iv got soccer just about down and I am ready to play in the bigs. I'll have to check and see if I can sign up for a coach kick kind of like coach pitch for baseball. Also please don't send me shoes, my shoes I have are pretty much brand new and the work perfect! About the whole suit, I have 50 dollars here and the suit costs about 100 dollars. As for everything else here not to much is going on, I'm just working like crazy and trying to build the Lords kingdom like usual. I hope all is well at home and everyone is happy and what not. Tell Sarah and Gloria I'm praying for them! PS we have another baptism this Sunday, the guys name is Marcelo, please pray for him. Also this next Tues is changes but I think we are staying together. Well I hope all is well, I am out! I have to go grocery shopping haha that sounds random. para siempre dios esta con vos Elder Burr

Congrats Sarah and Justin!

What up fam! this was a pretty crazy week with the four day capitation that I went to, my comp was in another area. I learned about these 8 lessons in preach my gospel that helped us to be able to put stronger commitments with the people, invite others to church, follow the spirit and a few other things. It was pretty rad! Any who it was a pretty sweet week, Friday we baptized this kid Alcides who is 21 and is preparing to go on a mission! He is one of the funniest kids I've ever met haha then on Sunday he was confirmed and next week he will receive his priesthood. We have a really great president in our branch who will help Alcides get ready to go on a mission. Other awesome news is that I talked with two different missionaries from my old areas. The first one from Pedro Juan told me that Sullie and her husband the girl Peterson and I baptized is getting ready for the temple in March and that they are super active! The second missionary I talked to was an elder who is in Ysapy my old area with Elder Alarcon. He said that the old lady we baptized is leaving with them to work and that she gives them referrals and gives them food haha she is so cool! Any who its been a great week. By the way yes I always get your letters every week with out fail haha you are a heck of a girlfriend the missionaries in my zone say haha I don't mind I love getting your letters sorry I haven't written to many I have just been really busy lately! Also don't worry about sending me packages for Christmas I will only have 3 months left haha how crazy. But ya if you want you can just send money because I want to buy some things to remember Paraguay and to get everyone something. Thank you for everything you guys do for me, Everyone is in my prayers. PS The suit I want to buy will be hand made buy a member don't worry it wont be ugly or rip in two days haha all the missionaries buy them Elder Curtis bought one, they are way fancy! Love you all again thanks for everything! PS Nicole our American inv went to the baptism on Friday!!! I will send pics later today this cyber doesn't work. The girl we baptized last week is doing really well by the way and her name is Adriana. We will be looking at another one hopefully this week so pray for Ramon! para siempre dios este con vos! THE GREATEST MISSIONARY WORK THAT WE WILL EVER DO WILL BE WITHIN OUR OWN HOMES. CHUASITO! ELDER BURRO

How is G Town?

Hello family, how is everyone doing?how is Gloria doing? Tell her she will be in my prayers, let her know everything will work out and that she doesn't need to worry the Lord will guide her and comfort her. Sometimes we have trials and things that come our way in life so that we can grow spiritually. Send her my love from PG please. Well this week was a little crazy we only had one baptism which was pretty depressing but the other girl that got baptized is way cool she was confirmed on Sunday and ya it was great like all baptisms are haha. This week was another insane full week of no sleep and thinking about others before yourself. Something I learned as a zone leader is that you have to love everyone! Its pretty sad but before the mission and during the start of my mission I judged people like crazy and instantly decided if I liked them or not haha sad I know but now I love everyone and ya its alot better haha anyway like I said this week was crazy we did a division with two elders on wed to help them out and then my comp and I went to the hermanas area to help them out so it didn't leave us much time to work. Tomorrow until Friday I will also be in training meetings with other missionaries so we will lose more time haha its crazy! Tell we had another tight zone activity, we went to Tobati again to rock climb just like last year it was way fun! Not much else going on here I loved the pics of Kenz and Blake that Court sent Kenz is going to be a way pretty girl it made me miss her so much seeing that pic haha I'm glad everyone loved the bracelets and the key chains haha I didn't have much money but hey its better then nothing. I hope all is well and I hope everyone is doing great! Give my love to the gtown! para siempre dios este con vos. ps I am savimg up to buy a suit because mine is super small haha Love Ya Boy Elder Burr

Pray for Adriana and Norma

What up hey I'm glad everyone got their gifts haha I know they weren't amazing or anything but hey its something. Not much is going on, my comp and I are working like crazy and we are looking at 2 baptisms for this week. Please pray for Adriana and Norma. Norma needs a little bit of permission from her grandma but we had an amazing experience with her. We asked if she wanted to do a fast, she agreed and didn't eat for two days haha I swear we only told her two meals haha it ended up turning out amazing. Wefasted with her and we came back and her grandma is super catholic but she told her that it is her dads call now so the big problem was the grandma so we will see what happens on Friday. Adriana is way cool she is a 22 year old girl who has a really strong testimony and is more than ready for this Friday. We have a couple more planned for next week. Today we did a zone activity playing baseball haha it was sick! I have never had so much fun I forgot how much I miss playing.I decided I'm going to play in one of those old people leagues over at freestone haha and then after that we went to the Paraguayan river to go fish haha. Any who so you are probably wondering where did we get the gloves and everything to play baseball? Well long story short is that we found and American named Nichole who is 24 from new Hampshire. She is doing one of those Peace Core things with some college. Anyway we were walking and I heard her speaking on the phone in English so I told my comp that we should follow her and talk with her. We ended up chasing her for like 10 blocks haha but we got a hold of her and set up a date to talk to her. Last night we went and taught her in English! It was insanely hard hahaha I felt so dumb teaching in English but it was an amazing experience. When we left she invited us and our zone to go play baseball with her Paraguayan group of teenagers! It was great! Se is super interested and wanted to know more but she said with the whole peace core thing it kind of gets in the way because the people will start thinking bad if she was baptized because the people here would stop participating in what she is doing here. I hope that all made since, I cant even speak in English or write well anymore ha. We will see what happens with her, she has her bom in English. Well I hope all is well and peachy love you all thanks for the support! para siempre dios este con vos! Elder Burr

Huge News!!

WHAT UP! HOLY FREAK HUGE NEWS! Welp lets just say I am out of Salados and I am now in the heart or b-crack as the people say here of Asuncion haha I am in Zeballos cue with one of my really good friends Elder Lucas. President Madariaga called me to be a zone leader!! Crazy! I am extremely excited! We are in a really really really poor area right now but the people are very humble. I am writing kind of late because we just got back from a meeting with all of the zone leaders to talk about ideas for this change with president in Asuncion. It's cool being a zone leader but it is alot more work but its all good I am excited to work! Not much else going on, we are going to move houses right now because we are pretty much living in a parking garage, no I'm not joking. We found a sweet house! It looks over all of Asuncion and the Paraguay river! We have alot of people getting ready for baptism this coming week and we will be finding alot more with my boy lucas. I am teaching him English haha hes from Ecuador. Well not much going on, I loved the pictures of the cabin haha I cant wait for next year! I love you guys and I am grateful for all the support. Stay happy!! chauusito! Elder Burr

News News News

MBA'E LA PORTE CHE FAMILIA KUERA! WELLLL news news news we had the most amazing day at church!!!! We had 9 inv and a family! It was sick!! wiiiiiiiiiiiiii! the only problem is that we have changes this week and I have no idea what is going to happen. I'm not really ready to leave here and I don't want to leave my kid he is way cool. This week was really good for us because through our fast and diligence we were blessed with a family of 5 that we found Saturday night that went to church and then the Mom and sister of my favorite less active family went to church with them and they are planning on moving in for a month so we will see what happens. Also that less active family is getting ready to go to the TEMPLE!! When I got here with Sperry we found them and we started sharing scriptures and then a song and prayer but it would do nothing because they would not go to church. After that I started to think about how we as a family would do morning scriptures so I put it into practice with this family haha when Eder Sperry and I had started beckoning the bom with them they hated it hahaha now they are all the way in Alma loving it and for 3 months straight they have not missed a single Sunday!!! They will have their interview with the Bishop tomorrow to get recommends! How cool!! We went to their house late last night to visit them and the Mom was saying how grateful she was for the Book of Mormon and how happy they are now and how when they read they never have problems and that when they forget she says they argue. Its incredible how the bom works. Mama Burr thanks for always reading every morning even though I was usually in the fetle position with my head slammed in the pillow trying to sleep hahaha oh man. also more news we are looking at 3 baptisms this week their names are milder William And Jorge if you can pray for them I would appreciate it! Milder and William are brothers and Jorge is their friend who speaks pure Guarani because he is from the boonies haha its pretty fun trying to communicate. I'm trying to think of anything else that happened this week. Tomorrow I will know about changes I feel like I am training again but I want to stay with Cerpa.I hope all is well and everyone had a blast at the cabin. Who won the race? Elder Burrs gym get big or die trying has got me already for next year!!! LETS GO! Love ya all! Pops I hope ya had a great bday! PS TIME IS GOING TO FAST! para siempre dios este con vos! by the way I have a new hobby, reading ha who would have ever thought. chauu for now! Elder Burr

Our shirts we bought at the expo, they say

vaca instead of puma!

Some bananas a member gave to us!

Perfect Pics

I loved the pics of my baptism and of Briant's haha everyone looks great! Tell Briant congrats for me! This week we only were able to have one baptism because two of them I have no idea where they went and the other one was cold Sunday morning and didn't want to go. IT WAS FREEZING COLD THIS WEEK!!!! the water in the font was like ice haha when Elder Cerpa baptized Cesar he shot out of the water and yelled haha it was pretty funny. This week was pretty crazy with all the rain and just freezing cold whether. I want my Arizona heat! This week I also had my interview with Pres Madariaga, it was all in Spanish so i still don't know if he speaks English or not I didn't ask. I'm glad everyone is doing great and I hope everyone has a great time at the cabin! I cant wait for next year when I can go. I cant write to much because we are going to go to the Expo. I pulled out about 60, I'm going to try and get everyone a little somethin. I love ya all I hope everyone is looking for opportunities to share the gospel because how great will be your joy if you can bring one soul unto Christ! Stay happy everyone para siempre dios este con vos. Elder Burr

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

WHAT THE LEBRON JAMES HAHAHA WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello my family! how goes everything out in big AZ? I am doing pretty good here with my boy Cerpa. Not much going on out here we are looking at 4 baptisms for this Sunday but nothing is for sure but we will keep praying that we can resolve any doubts or problems that these people have. If everyone can pray for Vanessa, Eli, Cesar, and Maricela I would be extremely grateful! I just got a letter from Miguel Elder Brown and my convert. He told me that he was called to be THE PRESIDENT IN THIS NEW AREA!! he wrote me a letter telling me thank you for finding him and teaching him and bringing him to the gospel with Brown. That is the whole reason I am out here in the mission. I know this church and that thanks to this gospel we can all live as families forever. I know that its not easy living in a world so wicked but nothing is impossible with the Lord. This week we also met the new president Madariaga. Him and his wife are great people but I was pretty bummed seeing Pres Wade and his wife leave. I know the new Pres will do great though. I hope all is well! Briant congrats on the baptism big guy!!!! ps Can you send me some lacrosse pics and a pic of me at my baptism so I can show the people here. Just scan it and send it through email.I love you all!! Stay happy and have a great week!!!! Elder Burr

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A burro with Elder Burr

They got Jipted!

PARAGUAY GOT JIPTED!!! CHUPAAAAAAAAAA! Oh well what can you do Paraguay lost but the people are finally back to normal haha it was crazy trying to work after Paraguay lost they were way mad! I haven't gotten any letters from Gloria but like last week I got one from Cameron. Also thank you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for the package!!! It came today and I cannot wait to start working out with my ab roller!! I almost cried when I saw the snickers by the way ha. How was 4th of July? I ended up singing Star Spangle Banner in front of my inv haha they were so confused. Any who this week was a little slow because we ended up dropping alot of people that weren't progressing but what can you do. I know the Lord will bless us for our work that we are doing because my kid and I are working like crazy! I love this work and I love being out here and knowing that I am not only changing my life but the lives of everyone here in Paraguay. Hey question when is your bday again dad haha I am going to buy you a gift. I hope everyone is doing great! Also I am going to meet the new president this wed and have my first interview. Keep rolling everyone and remember if your not smiling your not happy. -Elder Burr PS Yes I have gotten into a habit of flossing EVERY NIGHT!

VIVA PARAGUAY

Hows everything going in the U S of A everything is just peachy down here in the dirtiest south. We did have changes and I am with my new comp Elder Cerpa from Chile who speaks perfect English haha its pretty sweet! I am actually training by the way so I am with a greenie haha its great! I miss Sperry alot though he was a really really good comp! I am still here in Salado, and we had a cool experience with this German lady that we found in our area that speaks 6 languages including English. She knows the bible by heart so we had to teach her about the apostasy but she already knows that all churches are wrong. We then taught her about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and she absolutely loved it. She told us that she could tell that when we taught we were telling the truth. We then invited her to church and to our surprise she went to church with us and loved it! We will be visiting her tomorrow so I can't wait to see what happens! I hope everything is going well I love you all keep me posted on all the news. ps VIVA PARAGUAY!!!!

The Wade's and my new companion Elder Cerpa

Paraguay!

Well what a crazy week hahaha we had so much adversity Sunday trying to get people to church!! First it was raining and freezing! Then Paraguay started playing at 7:30 during our ward and then it was fathers day. However through it all we ended up having 2 baptisms. It wasn't the Mom and the daughter but it was two little cute girls Maria and Carmin. It was a really nice baptism and we were able to have alot of inv see it which helps them gain their own testimony of baptism and the importance of it. Dad I hope you had a great great day yesterday!! I missed you alot. That's so lame that the Lakers won but who cares haha its soccer season!! Paraguay will play again on Thursday so we will see what happens!! I hope all is well at home today we played soccer and basketball and believe it or not I've still got my shot not ha. Saturday we also did service and we had to toss out all this dirt from this ladys house that was infested by huge ants!! After that we sat to rest and this catholic lady taught me how to crochet hahaha I am making a scarf right now. Man whoever I marry is going to be one lucky girl I can make French toast and crochet what else is there in life. Tomorrow are changes and we will see what happens!! The package I send should get there in a few weeks they sent it late. I still haven't gotten my package but it will come. Stay happy and stay pretty everyone. Elder Burr out!! Love ya all

Maria and Carmin on their

baptism day.

Crocheting a scarf!

Fuerza Paraguay Paraguay!!!

WOW!!! It is insane here in Paraguay you would think it was the second coming but its just the world cup!!! We have permission to watch it today for pday hahaha I'm so excited!! woo! The people here are going crazy and I'm sure something or someone will be lit on fire ha. Any who this week Selva and her daughter were supposed to be married and baptized but she is scared to get married, We tried to explain to her the blessings of marriage but she has gone through alot of crappy past boyfriends and she is scared. We are going to keep working with her and her fam. I am doing great and working my tush off before these changes come up on the 23 of this month. I had my last interview with Pres Wade and boy was it insane. He did a huge long prayer kind of like a P blessing. He told me I would be married to a beautiful young lady in the temple, good work and then he said something about me i couldn't here very well, something like when I grow up I will look even more like David Beckem no just kidding. Anyway I hope all is peachy and you kids and especially Dad have a GREAT FATHERS day!!! I wish I could send some diet Pepsi and whoppers. I love ya dad have a great day on Sunday I'll be thinking about you! I'll send some pics after the game later today. I hope everyone is doing great and looking for opportunities to share the gospel!! MBARATE CHE PARAGUAY!!!!!! DEUCES ELDER BURR P.S. Mine and Elder Browns convert Miguel emailed me today and told me that he will be the first counselor in this new branch, and he had an interview with Pres Wade. Pres. Wade said that he needs to look for a girl to marry because he has a bright future becoming a president of a ward in Prirbebuy!! I'm so proud of him!! THE CHURCH IS TRUE!!

All the hootenanny!

Hello family and those who are tuned in on my wild adventure in the jungles of the dirty south Paraguay ROHAYHU! Yes all the hootenanny is true we were able to baptize dear sweet Carlos aka bicho. It was insane trying to convince him why he needed to be baptize and resolve his doubts. After talking to him Saturday everything looked great and then Sunday came and he was still in bed haha. We went over and woke him up and got him excited again to be baptized. He was mad at me because when we were getting ready for the Baptism he said in Guarani hey after you baptize me I get to baptize you haha he was pretty upset when I told him I had already been baptized. Not much else going on we played soccer today and ya just kicked it. This coming Sunday we are looking at 2 more baptisms but they are not for sure but anything can happen. They are Selva and her daughter Camila. If you can pray for them I would appreciate it alot! They are two way awesome people. One of our members was supposed to go get them but being Paraguayan she never did but they came to church walking from all the way out in the boonies to church! I'm doing great and loving everyday! I hope all you kids are doing great! Also I can not believe Joey got married! haha That blew my mind. Tell him congrats! Also after reading about the sons of Mosiah I started laughing because they were like my friends and I and then just like the sons of Mosiah went on missions so did we hahahaha, Any who stay classy Gilbert and keep me posted on any chismes that hits the streets! Love you all lots! Para siempre dios este con vos! ps Did you find an ab roller? Also I think they sent the other nativity set or it should be arriving soon. Hope all is great and everyone is looking for opportunities to share the gospel. EVERYONE IS A MISSIONARY! Elder Burr toodles!

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Elder Sperry and I walking down the

dusty streets of Paraguay!

Carlos (aka bicho) and I.

Well I'm bummed the Suns got knocked out but they for sure could not have won without their biggest fan! This week was pretty crazy it was the last conference of President and Hermana Wade. Its was extremely sad and we watched this PowerPoint of the new President. None of the missionaries are excited to see him but no matter what he will be our President so there is nothing we can do. After the conference Hermana Wade gave all the elders hugs and I told Hermana Wade I couldn't because we had rules haha it was pretty funny but I eventually mustard up the courage to hug a girl after a year haha it was pretty difficult haha. Any who I still have my last interview with him so I am really excited about that. They have been like parents to me and I cant believe they are leaving! A

lso with my trainer Elder Brown. This week is the baptism of Carlos, please be praying that everything turns out well and that he will have the courage and desires to go through with it. I'm really glad you got the nativity set haha sorry it broke a little I tried to pack it as well as I could with all the Liahona magazines haha also tomorrow I will send yours Mom. Thanks for everything and for the support time is flying and I am working like crazy as an instrument in the hands of the Lord. Love ya boy Elder Burr ps Thanks for getting me the ab roller I'm pretty excited about that haha I feel like I'm getting a little chubby

~

The Wades and I at Zone Conference

Soccer Confederation

My Zone!

WHATS SHAKIN BACON! hahahe Oh I kill myself with my jokes I'll just quit while im ahead. Well this week was fantastic! We had the baptism of a Joven named Victor. It was great and it was awesome to bring our inv and show them what a baptism looks like and feels like. Right now we are teaching a kid named Carlos,or Bicho as we call him haha. Heres a little background on him, he is a 13 year old kid who was living in a parking lot bathroom for a year and a half. Then he got kicked out and started living on the street, after that one of our members found him and he is living with him working with him all day. He doesnt speak alot of spanish but speaks alot more Guarni. Also he has no idea where his parents are or his brothers and sisters. We have been teaching him lately but its been difficult because we have to teach him slow and simple. That was when my primary days came in hand and we started teaching with pictures and actions of how it was when Christ came to the Americas haha he ended up going to church which was awesome as well. We have had alot of support from the members this week and they have gone out and worked with us everyday this past week. Also this week I taught piano and wanted to kill myself haha we had some inv go though which was alot of success! Not much else going on here in Paraguay besides its raining like crazy and I have no idea when its planning on letting up. Also I sent the other nativity set with a cd of pics like I did that one time. One of the cds is nothing and the other is of the pics I didnt know which was which so I sent them both haha hope all is well enjoy the heat because I AM FREEZING HAHA ps if you would like to send me something I wouldnt mind an ab roller haha no I'm not kidding. toodles Elder Burr

Dumb Duncan!!

Of course the spurs couldn't lose without throwing Nash into the scores table or giving him a black eye. They should have started playing start spreading the news like the dbacks did when they beat the Yankees. Well not to much news going on yes we got changes and Elder Sperry and I are staying and again I am the district leader over Elder Villalon and his new comp Elder Shirk from UT. This week was pretty insane with all of the rain and drunks out for Mothers Day because here Mothers day is the 15 of May. I loved the pics you all sent it was great seeing everyone and Mason is so tall! haha This last change and going into this change has been tough. I feel like every time we find someone to teach they are gold and incredible and then the next day they have moved or dont want to talk to us or whatever other Paraguayan reason they have. I know the Lord has people out there for us and it depends on our willingness and diligence to go out working in the rain and having a good attitude. I know maybe right now it seems like the area is dead but I know this is a growing experience for me and I just need to give it 10 more percent of the 100 I'm giving. I hope everyone is doing great at home and that they are always looking for opportunities to help the missionaries or talk to a neighbor like mom and the Mexican guy hahaha I love you all please pray for the people here and especially for the members in Salados and pray that they will have inspiration on people that we can go visit and bring to church. Love ya´ll alot deuces! Elder Burr

Wow what a wonderful day!!!

Why is it when I'm not home the suns sweep the spurs?? Any who it was awesome talking to everyone as well yesterday! Its been a while haha but it is flying by super fast its insane! Not much else to say haha changes are this week and I will keep you posted for next week on what happens. I'm going to send a bunch of pics because there is not much to say. love ya all!!

ps The prayer was really awesome you did but I had to laugh because it reminded me of when Ben Ty and I used to call the prayer line haha
Elder Burr

Me in front of a Paraguayin Jungle.

Elder Villalon and I with our

ward mission leader.

A week of Service and Miracles

This week was very interesting. It wasn't filled with alot of success or anything to incredible but this week my comp and I decided to do service. We went to a less active member who doesn't really like us or anything in the church because of something that had happened a few years back. We showed up at her house with normal clothes and with our machetes to cut her lawn.She said she didn't want service but that she wanted to help another member out so we went and planted and fixed her garden, out door toilet haha and cut her lawn. That less active ended up being really grateful for what we had done and is now helping us out with references so we will see what happens. I got the idea from in the book of Mormon with Ammon and how he only wanted to do service and love the people. Then something else that was amazing was we have an inv named Mariana who when we first started teaching her she had no work. We told her that if she had faith and went to the g conference that she would receive work. Anyway she ended up going and she found work however it was on Sundays as well so this past 3 weeks we have been teaching to her and telling her if she gave up her work the Lord would bless her but she was scared because she had found good work. On Saturday night we went to her house and told her we had nothing else to teach her but that she needed to pray and ask god if she had to keep her work or to not do it anymore and go to church. Long story short is we went to her house early Sunday morning to get her and she came out already to go and that she had called her boss and said SHE QUIT!! It was the coolest thing ever haha she went to church and she loved it. This week we are trying to get her ready to be baptized for this Sunday so pray that everything will work out!! also I got the email about call home for mothers day but you guys have to call me again. It will be for the 9th may on Sunday and it has to be in between like 1pm to 5pm we are going to go to a members house again after church but I will get the number of them this week and then I will send it to you guys this coming Monday. We cant call the day before to verify but its all good. Please figure out the time change of Paraguay and the u.s when you will call me between the time of 1 to 5 Paraguay time. I will get the number and send it to you and how to call and everything. I love you guys thanks for everything ps I loved the pics haha Ill send a few more chauuuuu! Elder Burr

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Me with my blood chicken soup!

My comp and I studying with a

million fans because it is SO hot!!

I'm doing fine!

Yes I am doing perfectly fine mother deary. the test came back splendid and I've got no more headaches or anything and I wont be turning into an elephant. This week was pretty eh as you might call it. My comp and I like usual have been working hard teaching, finding and listening to the drunks say annoying stuff and ya its a war out here, having to teach the people to repent and to come unto Christ giving up the things of the world and being baptized. This Sunday I was pretty down not in the efforts of my comp and I but just in the people and how wicked the world is getting. Compared to the u.s its like May berry from Andy Griffith, but here in Paraguay its like the war in Iraq. Wow horrible analogy but you get what I'm trying to say. Yesterday night we were talking with a member outside just about when Christ will come and save his children. while talking to him all I could here was drunks singing and yelling and girls screaming and ya just a nightmare. Sundays are now a joke in the world but its just insane to really see what the heck is going on in the world and its really depressing. I know there are people who are thinking the same stuff that I am thinking but aren't members and that they are praying for my comp and I to come looking for them. We have a few inv getting ready to be baptized but they have to give up a few things so that they can progress but its all good they will progress. We should have had a baptism on Sunday but our inv who didn't have work when we first taught her now has work and is working on Sundays so now we are trying to teach her that God will bless her with work for other days just like how he blessed her with work on Sundays haha it kinda sucks but its a blessing at the same time. I love what I am doing here and I am working like crazy because I know I've only got a year left and I want no regrets.I know this church is true and that its through the book of Mormon that we can know it! I know that this book is often kept under our beds or balances a table so that its sturdy or thrown places we don't know where, but we must be reading and praying and going to church so that we can fight against Satan and his temptations. Not to much else going on please pray for this area and our inv. Gerald and his 3 kids, Mariana, and Elizabeth and her 2 girls. Thank you for the love and support hugs and kisses from Paraguay Salado. love ya boy Elder Burr ps Pres Wade and Hermana Wade are going to our house tomorrow like they did that one time to see if our house is clean haha it sucks but I'm excited. any who CHAUU!

~

Beautiful Paraguay!

Here I am lifting 450 on our homemade

workout bench!

Thanks for your prayers!

Hello family! well I'm glad everyone is nice and worried about me haha I'll have to remember never to say when I get sick or held up by guns or knives haha I am doing alot better and I kinda just worked it off so I am doing good and ya I'm doing great now thanks for the prayers. Everything is going great here in Salados I love my area and my comp and I just got back from tgi fridays in Asuncion with our zone. This past week I also went to the temple which was GREAT!! I love the temple so much. my comp and I are working like crazy and we are having success bringing people to church. This area was dead and hasnt baptized in some times but we have the faith and desires so we know we will baptize as long as we keep working hard and praying. I love it out here and I still can not believe I have one year, It went way to fast, I feel like I just barely left the air port haha. Also this next month I will be calling home but I dont have the info yet. I send anymore! I love you guys I hope all is well and hope you know I am working my hardest and I am feeling the spirit and really loving being a missionary and messenger from God. I love you all and I will talk to you all next week! chauuu

One Year mark!

Getting ready to burn my shirt...

"Don't Worry Mom! Its an old ripped shirt!"

One other thing!

I don't think I've got the package yet. Any who well lots of crazy news first off you know how blondness runs in the family, I found my debit card haha sorry about that I felt pretty sheepish. Also I am now in another new area close to Asuncion called Salado with my new comp Elder Sperry from Idaho. We are living with two other missionaries who are from Chile and Mexico. This area is another tough one and the missionary that was last here left us with a big fat 0 for inv so we have been looking and looking but we will have success I know it. Any who G conference was way sweet and we were able to bring a few people to see it that aren't members so we were blessed. My comp and I are working like crazy trying to get the members involved with us. This area has a beautiful brand new church that is bigger than the u.s churches its incredible.I really like this area though and I know that if we work as hard as we can we will have the help of the lord and we will baptized. I love how you said you just got your blood taken because so did I haha my comp and I just got back from the doctor in Asuncion. I might have Dagny not really sure how to say it in English or if that even is English. You get it from mosquito's. Anyway during the Saturday session of GC my head was throbbing and last night I never fell asleep so I called hermana Wade to see what she thought and ya long story short I'm waiting until 330 to here what my results are. I don't want to write to much because i want to try and send you some pics tonight and ya so any who I hope all is well! I'm pretty pumped to hit a year and I still cant believe I'm doing it! PS my trainer Elder Brown got called to be assistant! love always Elder Burr

~

My ward in PJC

A sweet Paraguayan house!

Here's a picture of me teaching a primary

class and playing hang man.

Lets just the guy died before they could

guess Jesus!! ;)

This is what I like to call

"junk in trunk!" ;)

Whats up family!

Wellllll not to much pretty going on here in the PJC but my comp and I were able to finally get dear sweet Sully confirmed and we will be helping her and her hubby get ready for the temple in one year. This week we have been really working alot with our awesome brazilian family and helping them getting ready to be baptized. They are amazing wonderful people and it is just so amazing to me how the Spirit can touch peoples lives and how the people can give up things they are so used to doing like drinking and smoking. I'm lovin this work and as hard and stressful as it is I couldnt ask for anything else. We are really trying to get the members involved but they are just not having it. We did however find the coolest members from Brazil that live in our area and the husband Juliano served his mission in Brazil. He has gone out with us just about everyday to work so we will see what will happen. I loved the story about Riley and Brennan it was incredible how they both did that and it made me extremely happy hearing that. Sorry J didnt write to much I want to send a bunch of pics. Love ya lots pray for our area and that their hearts will be softened. ps changes are tomorrow and I have no idea what is going to happen. love Elder Burr

Water Falls in Paraguay

HEY FAM how goes it! Not to much going on here just chillin like a villain on my pday! We just barely got back from this place where we went and saw a waterfall as a zone which was pretty rad, and then we hit up shopping china and had a little BK! This week my comp and I have been really working hard trying to contact houses and find new people. Don't get me wrong I love the Paraguayan people but alot of them are liars and ya they say they will go to church and then Sunday morning you go to talk to them and they aren't there. I swear when I get home I'm going to think everyone is lying to me ha ha I really cant stand liars now. Any who my comp and I have been teaching more in portg. more than Spanish because we are teaching this Brazilian fam that don't speak any Spanish at all! We showed them the restoration vid of Joseph Smith in portg and they loved it! They also went with us to church yesterday which was a blessing and truly only came to us through our fasting and prayer! I hope all is well at home and everyone is doing great! Love you all chauuuuu Elder Burr para siempre dios este con vos

HelloooooooooAz.

HELLOOOOOOOOO AZ. well its another day in the hood of PJC, and ya big pdiddy and I just got done playing some soccer, which was just great. Not to much happened this week we were supposed to have baptism but the girls dad wouldn't sign the permission paper for her to be baptized. My comp and I were at his house all night saying everything that we possibly could and sharing scripture after scripture but he is just so ridiculously catholic and ya that's what happened.Not much else happened my comp and I are working like crazy and we are doing great together I love the kid. Cool fact about my comp he is a great uncle hahaha his niece had a baby!! I laugh everyday about his storys of how his family is like the one from the RM. He is also a twin and his bro is in Argentina, also they were both adopted from Romania as babies pretty crazy. Any who to answer your questions yes I got the pics and the letters from the Anglins and I get everyone one of your emails and dearelders every single week and they are great! i sent Tracie a birthday package with a bunch of letters that i wrote for everyone that has written me so not sure when that will come. ALSO MY SHOES ARE PERFECT! once you see a Paraguayans shoes you will come to realize that yours are brand new. I hope all is going well at home and that you are all doing really great! thank you for all of our prayers for our success we need them every single day so that we can have success. Also let me know if you have questions about anything or whatever sometimes I feel like my letters aren't the greatest so let me know if you want me to change it up a bit. Love you all lots peace chauu and jajatopata elder burr!!