Monday was started off by a decent P-day, and an amazing Joint teach. With a Kazaky investigator, and a member whose dad currently has cancer--diagnosed a month or so ago. Unknown to us, the investigators step-father also had cancer, and they really spend significant time discussing that and reading scriptures about the atonement. Way cool. I say had cancer, because the step-father died 2 days later, and though we do not know if the talk with the member helped him or not, I have the Feeling that it did.
Tuesday we had the opportunity to overnight in Altona, an area in Hamburg, and I got to know Elder Despain from my MTC Group a Little better. interesting character. He has served in some pretty cool places already, and had some really cool experiences. I really liked his companion, Elder Bingham, as well. He seemed like a very humble, sincere missionary. Exactly the missionary I am hoping to become.
Wednesday we had the fabulous 6 hour conference with Elder Kopischke, of the first quorom of the 70, in which I feel I learned as much as any Meeting I have had the opportunity to attend since arriving in Germany.
(Elder Burton is near the back on the right-hand side.)
Except maybe for the New Missionary Conference, and the Elder Bednar Mission Conference. Still an amazing experience. The questions that I recorded and attempted to answer, as he asked us to do, were: ''What is the difference between a good missionary, and a teacher come from God?'' Also: ''How do I become a teacher come from God?'' Some thoughts about that that I recorded in my Study Journal:
A TFG(Teacher from God) does not use tricks, they are authentic.
Authentic Testimony is sometimes better than formal testimony.
In Alma 38, Alma is encouraging Shiblon to be a TFG.
A TFG wants is also a learner from God. They want to know, they are not just curious.
A TFG Lives in Crescendo.
A TFG has a child-like, pure testimony, and a child-like excited to share it--just with better vocabulary.
Skipping over a few days and several great experiences, we come to Saturday, where I am literally sitting with Investigators, explaining to them that I do not know where I am going yet, and the phone rings. Conversation goes something like this:
Assistent to the President Elder Schaal: 'How are you doing today?
Trainer and lowly missionary, Elder Burton: 'We are doing great, thank you.'
ES: 'Good. This Transfer call will be in English, to make sure everyone understands. Are you ready?''
EB: Yeah we are.
ES: Okay, Elder Burton, you will be transferred. Your next area will be Dresden.
EB: Sweet! I am excited.
ES: Your companion will be Elder Gerhardt, and you will be Distrikt Leader.
EB:.............................................what?''
So that was interesting.
I am just awfully surprised by this. Transfers, I expected. A really really cool City, I hoped for. A larger district, I prayed for, and the Chance to learn from experienced missionaries, I begged for. District leader? Unexpected, not truly considered.
I am also looking Forward for the opportunity to serve with Elder Gerhardt. I spent some time with him before the Elder Bednar Conference, and already know what a great missionary he is.
I do seem to recall something about our Family, and a Connection to Dresden...will someone remind me please?
Anyways. Oh, after Transfer calls Comes a day and a half of painful goodbyes, slight tears, and lots of German chocolate. I still have one more beloved Family to say goodbye to, but as the Picture I will send will Show you, me and my girlfriends have already had our last date.
Nora, Aurelia and Emma
Looking Forward to serving in Dresden, and the opportuntiy to learn and grow. I will let you know next week how my first week as district leader went, along with my first few experiences calling sisters on a nightly Basis and in a 4-man Apartment. Oh dear...
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