"Chillin" and Not Because it is Summer.

Week of February 1-7, 2015 

I spent most of the week chilllin' (literally) because I got the flu bug. It started Sunday night when we were supporting the Anderson's in their calling by attending a Stake training meeting in Maraños for self sufficiency.  I had Mike bring me back to our apartment before the meeting was over.  I was back to almost full strength by Friday.
I finished my medical book for the missionaries and all my capilla abierta emails and I did get to study some Spanish.  So my time was well spent even though it was low-key time.
Because I felt fine Sunday morning, we did our capacitacion in Prosperidad. Elder Anderson was kind enough to do a small video and take some photos.

Our typical gear. One suitcase has our projector and
sound speakers and Mike hauls that. I have my computer bag.

Prosperidad is a small branch.

This young man is another "piano guy" in the making.
This is an old piano that is in need of a major tuning, yet he
played it beautifully. The violinist is also very talented but
also using an old violin.  I think they could be the next generation,
"piano guys". 

After our morning meeting, we came home and got food ready for the "break the fast" meal with the temple group.  Everyone asked me how I was doing, because they had obviously either been there yesterday when I almost passed out, or they heard about it.  At that time, I was totally fine. It wasn't until Sunday evening that the flu hit me.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Capilla Abierta in Progreso.
Even though this was a small branch, they worked very hard at having a good event. I was impressed that those that did come, were people they brought themselves. Those are the best!
YouTube: Capilla Abierta Progreso
(If you want to view any of the past Capilla Abiertas go to YouTube and search: Debbie and Mike Burnett.

Hermana Hickman and Hermana Silva

I love to watch the children.

Our sister missionaries are not afraid to go out and find people and
invite them to the capilla abierta.

I End January with a Grand Exit!

Saturday, January 31, 2015

We went to the temple today. We did a session, then did some sealings. After we were almost done, I was at the altar and suddenly started feeling like I was going to faint.  I walked over to a chair and Mike immediately knew I was not feeling well.  I tried to get up and walk down the hall to the dressing room, because I was feeling nauseas, but I kneeled straight down on the floor because my world was spinning.  Now I have everyone, in a panic and the helpful sisters all telling me in Spanish what to do.  You must get up, they kept saying. Hold your head up!  Mike went to get me a piece of candy because I had not had lunch and he thought maybe that would help. Someone else brought me water.  By this time, I WAS NOT DOING WELL at all because instead of throwing up it seemed my body wanted to use the other direction!  Great, I thought. I will pass out and then there what will my body do.  I am in full panic mode and the sisters keep telling me I must sit up as they are wheeling me into the bathroom. I keep telling them, NO, NO, NO!  I need my head down.  I heard Hermana Anderson tell me that I had a nurse right next to me.  So, I am sitting on the throne and finally could put my head down. Meanwhile, I am sweating and disoriented a bit. The sisters are trying to remove my temple robes, but one of them is pinned on so it doesn't fall off my shoulder! What a circus!   Hermana Anderson said I was as white as a ghost.  After the sister all left, except the nurse, I was eventually able to sit long enough with my head down, that I felt fine.  Of course, they wanted to take my blood pressure and it was a little low, but I am always low.  Hermana Anderson said my color was back too. The sweet angels brought me juice and a granola bar. I sat for about a half hour and then returned to normal activity, feeling just fine.
So I put Mike in a real panic mode.  He has never seen me faint.  I used to faint when I was a little girl but only when it was hot.
This time I think it was just kneeling at the altar too long.
So, Hermana Harris called me tonight to ask how I was. She must have come in the temple on the last shift.  And my did the temple workers have a story to tell.
I was so embarrased to be laying in the middle of hall and drawing all that attention to myself.  I told the sisters, Lo siento and Mi stupido, but they just said, Tranquilo, Hermana, Tranquilo.
So I ended January with a grand exit.
But, here are some sunsets that we have enjoyed. Can you find the wind surfers?

And the Emergency Food Supplies Begin

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Toledo Capilla Abierta:
The Toledo branch did an excellent job. They had more member references than any other branch that I have seen.  There were also some golden investigators that came as well as a couple of less actives.  The youth participated as well. This was a very successful event for everyone.

YouTube: Toledo Branch Capilla Abierta

Teaching the younger boys how to raise the flag.

A house we hope to rent for the hermanas. It is very nice and just
around the corner from the church.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

We started filling our bottles with rice this evening. It took 2 hours to fill 50 bottles.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Montevideo 14 Ward YouTube: Montevideo 14

The members of Montevideo 14 did a wonderful presentation to their community. All their rooms were well prepared. I noticed that one reference card was marked by the missionaries as being GOLD!  The event was very successful.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Capacitacion in Progreso.

We give our presentation in all kinds of different rooms.

Youth doing selfies. They just came back from EFY.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Wow! I actually saw a fire! It was a ways off, but I think it may have been a boat.

The Spirit is "Catching Fire!"

Monday, January 12-15, 2015

President Cook asked us last week if we could take an hour at the multi-zone conferences and talk about MI FAVORITO topic, FAMILYSEARCH!  I am so excited to bring this missionary tool to the forefront.  There was an excellent article online in the Ensign and Liahona from October 2014. It even has video links.
English: Elder Bednar's Talk Spirit of Elijah
Español: Elder Bednar Espiritu de Elias

I created a powerpoint presentation around this talk and I have a poorer flash version of it just to give you an idea. The sound is a bit off.  I also did not include the videos that I showed. If you want to watch the videos too, then click the link(s) above.

Google Drive Link: Missionary Conference FH Presentation

I ended with the following testimony:

El espíritu de Elías ha sido una parte de mi vida desde que tenía diecisiete años.
No puedo contar las bendiciones este espíritu especial trae a mi vida. 
Comencé con una máquina de escribir y ahora puedo usar el internet. En otras palabras,

Comencé con un handcart de los pioneros y ahora puedo usar mi auto!
Es mucho más fácil y termino más cosas.
La obra del Señor esta acelerando aquí y somos los participantes pero, la obra esta acelerando en el otro lado también.          ¿ Somos  participantes?
Elder Bednar dice que debemos ser.
Comparto este desafío con ustedes en el nombre de Jesucristo Amén.

Ahora, Elder Burnett puede hablar con ustedes.
He hablado con todas las palabras en español que conozco.

The Spirit of Elijah has been a part of my life since I was 17 years old. I

I cannot count the blessings the special spirit brings to my life.

I started with a typewriter and now I can use the internet. In other words,

I started with a pioneer handcart and now I can use my car. 

It is so much easier and I complete more things.

The work of the Lord is hastening here and we are all participants but, the work of

the Lord is hastening on the other side also.  Are we participants?

Elder Bednar says we should be.

I share this challenge with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Now Elder Burnett can talk with you.

I have talked to you with all the words that I know in Spanish.

We then moved into using FamilySearch and had a Latin missionary come and enter his grandparents or great grandparents into the system.  It was so great!  We did four area conference this week and next week we do one out in Melo.

In Melo we spent the night at our favorite hotel and ended up in a room with a BATHTUB!  Why did I not know this room existed before?  Well I do now and will request it whenever we go to Melo (which unfortunately is not too often).

We spent the night in Melo and had a visitor
waiting for us.

 Melo Conference: Elder Gallagher did a great and fun job of 

providing the lunch after the conference.

Melo is the city of motos. He is carrying a weed whip and a rake.