Hello, My Name is Elder ________

Hey Family! What happened to the update?? AMANDA CAME HOME! Whhhatt the!!  I feel like I am probably freaking out more than you guys! haha. LETS SEE SOME PICTURES!!  That was so cool that Brad and little old Carson went. I remember when those little guys came to my mission call opening. 

I liked that package that I got from the primary children! Thanks for that!

well, I am at a loss of words, so I am going to tag my companion Elder Cooper to finish this for me

Hello, this is Elder Cooper!  I am honored at the opportunity to address Elder Burr's family!  I am not sure what information Elder Burr wanted me to include, but I'll just let my feelings flow.  Here is a story about an investigator named Rambo (Chinese people choose strange English names).  We met him on USC campus the other day.  He was carrying one of those huge blow-up hammers that you get from amusement parks.  We stopped him and he got scared because he thought we were going to ask for his passport or something.  He didn't speak much English, so when we switched to Chinese he calmed down a little.  He said didn't have much to do that afternoon, so we invited him back to the institute, and we were planning on teaching a lesson, but when we arrived, he noticed that we were "Mormons".  He got a little worried, because apparently a friend had warned him that we were cannibals. He started running, but Elder Burr runs very fast.  We caught him before he could get away, tied him up, carried him into the church, and taught him the first three lessons and the Law of Tithing!  Golden!

He will be getting baptized this Saturday.

Other than this story, it has been a particularly average week.  Good conversations on the street, good lessons, and many new things learned. 

With mountains of love,

Elder Cooper

RIP Robin Williams

NOOOOO!!! Such a sad day, I was so shocked when I was told about that happening, but hey, at least now he is getting taught the Restored Gospel in the Spirit World.

Wild Week!! I exchanged twice back down to my old area. I had the chance to visit Regina! She is doing alright. She has not been to church in like a month because of the kids. But her faith is still really strong. Because I did not have the chance to go to her baptism and confirmation, the last time I saw her was when she was still a non-member and man, was the difference huge!! She just glowed. She really did. I could not believe how different she was. It was palpable!! The Gospel brings hope and light into a world that is lacking these things.

Also, another testimony of the Holy Ghost to me. Near and Bo Yi taught out Gospel Principles class this Sunday! They did so good! They too were also so different. As they spoke and shared their testimonies and taught us, they were just such different people. They were not the people that we had taught the missionary lessons to. When we make that promise with God, he really does bless us! God keeps all his promises! We should not fear or shirk from keeping the commandments or fulfilling our duties as a member of the Church. God will bless us right after for it! And if we let our love for the Savior be the motivating factor behind all our actions, then we will be so happy while we labor. This is something I am trying to learn on my mission. To let my love for the Savior be my reason for all the things I do and say.

Ahhh my District Leader got into a crash on our exchange, which means he might get his driving privileges revoked, which means that our companionships could get mixed up.

AMANDA!!!! Whhhaaaa!!! It is hard to believe that missions end, it seems impossible, but I guess it happens. I feel so nervous for her! Give Amanda a big ol' hug for me!!! ahh man, I miss all you guys! I can’t believe school is starting!

Regina and Baby Bob

GAO!!! He was so golden, but moved to Texas, he is in the Blue, and Shi Sui (recent convert of 5 months) is in the suit

Hair cuts from the Spanish Elders

Shred the Word

Oh no! It came! I can’t believe I have hit a year mark already, so much had happened in this year I can’t even believe it! And I still have so much more to go!

It was pretty interesting on my year mark. I had the opportunity to drive a missionary to the mission home. He was going home after 2 years. It made me think about how many more things I want to accomplish! He just kept saying 'I can’t believe it’s here, I can’t believe this is real life!!" He was such an awesome missionary, we street contacted together up until he had to go. He really helped me have a love for preaching, not just talking to people but PREACHING!! Teaching people the Gospel! It really is just so much fun doing this, it has been a blast doing this for the past year and I have no idea for what is in store for me.

Near and Bo Yi man!!! I performed my first saving ordinance of my mission. I confirmed Near a member and gave him the Holy Ghost. It was pretty sweet because I got to do it in Chinese, which was totally scary (wait Elder Burr, you have been out a year, you aren't fluent, whaaaa...(*o*)   ) hahaha anyways....yeah, the most important parts are the first three parts so I didn't mess that up. It says "And we say unto you receive the holy ghost." ahh man that was super intense!! But it was a really cool experience, and after the confirmation, they both gave talks and they were so good! Near said "before I came to the church my favorite character on 'Lost' was Sawyer, the bad boy, but now that I have come to the church, my favorite character is Jack, the man that helps others!!

It was sick! I am running out of time love you all !

It's coming up!!

Near and Bo Yi!!! It was so awesome! I am so sorry! I don't really have time to write, somethings weird came up. haha But that's mission life! I found a funny mask on the ground and now our comp studies are pretty interesting! Lets just say Near and Bo Yi's baptism was the funniest and one of the most spiritual I have ever had the privilege of going too. I am so thankful for the letters you guys send me! Your testimonies build mine every day!

I love you all

Elder Burr 

Bumblebee my favorite

V for vacuum