It's the final countdown!!

Hello to you all!!!

This week has been grand! and busy! I can't believe how much has happened and how fast it went!! let's start off then!!

The week's excitement all started Wednesday when we had Zone Conference! It was a right good day full of spiritual things. It was wonderful to study the scriptures as a zone and to discuss what we were learning. It was sadly cut a bit short because of the number of things that needed to be done and President had to drive back down to Pretoria for Zone Conference that side. But in all it was fantastic!

Happy Thanksgiving on Thursday!! Sorry I didn't say it last week... It's not celebrated here so yeah... I hope you all enjoyed it though!!

Friday brought some more excitement, but also anxiety... Black Friday was a buzz and people were everywhere!! Trying to drive through town was a nightmare!!

Saturday was the much awaited day! So in the morning we had an activity and played soccer! It was so fun, and, my team won... not bragging, just stating a fact. It was also great because we got a couple new guys to teach! Activity = successful! We then got cleaned up and went about our day, but we were just anxious for transfer news. It took a while though but it eventually came through...... Transfer news is.... I'M LEAVING!! I'm going to Pretoria East to finish my mission with my good friend, Elder Gohnert!! I'm so excited!! I finally get to serve in Pretoria and now with a friend! I'll also be celebrating my birthday, his birthday, Christmas, and New Year's!! Oh what an adventure!! 

Well tomorrow we drive down bright and early. But I hope you all have a great week and stay tuned, because adventures to come!!

- Elder Burgess

Last District meeting.

Soccer! Representing the Albanian flag for Elder Coka. (it's pronounced, Choka)

Zone Conference, Elder Darley is leaving!

More than a book.

Hello! 

Long time, eh? Honestly, I wouldn't say so. This week has flown by!! Actually this month! It's the 20th of November already!

Well the week was good. It was the usual days of appointments and what not, the same old stuff really. Then came Friday. Friday was a great day. We were helping the senior couple that work in the office, Elder and Sister Owens, to clean out a flat. The flat's lease is up and the owners won't renew, so au revoir to that flat. 

But what was really fun was lunch afterwards. Sister Owens made lunch for us and it was a trip to the past because she made tacos! We had tacos, guacamole, salsa, bean dip, really a Mexican treat! It was so nice! She had made it because it's Elder Owens' favorite meal. And, apparently leading up to that whenever she would ask him what he wanted for dinner his reply was always, "I don't care, I'm getting tacos on Friday!" Haha!

Then Saturday we had an activity and played soccer; we actually had a good turnout. But the greatest news is I was able to play! That's right, I'm actually getting better! My health has been improving steadily but still it's improving.

Sunday was the highlight though. We had a special conference where we watched a broadcast for the South East Africa Area. We had the pleasure to hear from Elder Tad R. Callister, Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, Elder Carl B. Cook and Elder Neil L. Anderson. All of their talks were wonderful and directed to help the people of the area. I especially loved Elder Cook's message about the Book of Mormon. He shared again President Monson's invitation and also the blessings that come from heeding it. I know the Book of Mormon to be more than a book. Its inspired words are from God and can bless your life, heal your heart, sooth your soul and bring you everlasting joy. 

So yes, it was a good week. This coming week has a lot in store. I have Zone Conference and on Saturday I find out where I'm finishing my mission. It's so weird to say that but it's true... Stay tuned!

- Elder Burgess

Flashback for the Americans!

Elder Yosi and Elder Khupiso enjoying tacos.

Saying goodbye to Sister Lebo (the one in the red cardigan) who's going back to Johannesburg to see her husband... she was very excited.

Reflecting

Hello to everyone! I hope you've had a great week. 

For myself, I've had a decent week, but can you believe it's almost half way through November?!

But anyways, "Monday" you already know from last week, so I'll start with Tuesday. It was a great day. We visited the Repatse Family and played a game called "30 seconds" after sharing a message. It's a game like Taboo where you describe the word on the card and your team has to guess but it's the latest things and has also South African trivia. It was a lot of fun! We played it a lot this week actually! On Wednesday our neighbor prepared a wonderful meal for us and the Polokwane Elders (who are teaching her). Her name is Louise and She's this sweet 76 year old lady who just loves what we're doing here and what we share with her. Thursday has officially become a not so favorite day here in Seshego because it's always the day that no one wants to see us!

But then came Friday. Friday we had exchanges and guess where I got to go? If you haven't guessed Mokopane then you're wrong. That's right, I got to go to my first area. It was great fun. I got to see some old faces and catch up briefly. No one really remembered my name but they remembered my face. It was fun but weird! Especially because either them or the elder I was on exchanges with, Elder Spencer, kept saying it's almost been 2 years since I was there.... It hit after about the 5th time that yes, it had been a long time since I'd been there. But I guess that's how a mission is. It's gone fast but has been wonderful.

The remainder of the week wasn't the best because I was sick again, But! I'm still smiling! I hope you all are too! I know this work I'm a part of is the Lord's work. I know He loves us. I know we are God's children, and I know He loves us more than we know. He wants us to be happy and that's my goal in life!

Love you all!

- Elder Burgess

Sister Mantome and her daughter Mpho from Mokopane.

The Ledwaba Family, also from Mokopane.

Elder Spencer and I.

And the amazing set up Louise made for dinner!

It's lovely being here!

Hi everyone! Sorry this is going to be short. There's not a lot to tell you though. The week was good, except for being a bit sick. Simply I can say it's lovely being here!

I sure love serving my mission, even with the setbacks. I know that this work is special and I'm so happy to be a part of it!

We went to a snake park, that's why this is short, but here's a couple photos. 

I'm doing well and we're working on getting some new investigators this week.

I do have some wonderful recent converts though! They're so fun! I'll try to send pictures of them later on!

Love you all keep on pressing through life!

Regards,

- Elder Burgess