The Last Council . . .

Elder Burnham's email from May 15, 2010 . . .

Well, I was sitting in a meeting with Presidente and Sister a week or so ago and I received the terrible news that this was to be my last council. President Ribeiro [Editor's Note: the new Mission President, starting July 1, 2010] is not going to have any time to do one in my last transfer, so I entered into this council that we had on Monday and Tuesday very solemnly. It was awesome; such a great experience. My last could not have been better. I also can't believe that I am already talking about my lasts.

Anyway, Elder Reis and I gave a training about "Talking with Everyone". Our mission isn't a mission of doing contacts or talking with people enough, and we want to change that. We did an activity where everyone left Presidente's house to buy a gift for one of the other Zone Leaders. We did it only to see who would make at least one contact. Few did--which showed the attitude of the mission. There have been good results, as it seems as though at least the Zone Leaders now are changing and doing more contacts with people. Now we just have to see if the other companionships start doing it.

The Council finished with a testimony meeting, which was incredible. I have 5 old companions in the council, and hearing their testimonies and experiences, and those of my other friends was so great and the Spirit was so strong. I was the last to talk, and it was probably one of the most heartfelt testimonies I have ever borne, if not THE most. I shared an experience which few know of, and I could see the tears in the others' eyes. My age of the mission is dying, haha. I looked and when my group leaves, half the Council that was there will be gone. All of the leadership will change - even Presidente and Sister. It is strange to think about that - my dispensation is about to end, the dispensation of Myrrha, haha...

After the Council I did a division with Elder Botelho, my old comp, and Elder Rafael in Parque Pinheiro. It was cool to work with E. Botelho again after all this time and see how we have both improved and changed over the last year and few months. He is a great missionary and great friend. I love doing divisions and having days to be able to be in the field working the whole day and being a missionary. It is also good because I am a new face and teaching people who I do not know and will probably never see again, so I have no fear in how I teach or invite. It helped us mark 3 dates on the division.

In my area, all is well. We are going to baptize Claudia today a 4:30 my time. It is going to be awesome. We have now completed the family. After there is a Talent Show, and I think we are going to do Improv, but I don't know. We didn't practice anything.

Mom, I don't have an accent. That it just a psycological thing in your minds. And, yes, I cannot lie, I am tired. In every way, but mostly mentally. I think I have about 10 weeks left in my body, and then it won't go any further.

I love you all so much. It was so great to be able to speak with you. Alivia sounds just like Kirstin. It is ridiculous. I still don't know if I really talked to Alivia or if it was Kirstin saying she was Alivia. You are in my prayers. Say hi to all the kids for Uncle Zack!

Com Amor,
Elder Burnham