Burns Boys + 1: Kristi's Mission Reunion

I haven't really been to a mission reunion for the first half of my mission to Manaus, Brazil. Don't know if it's because I really only served in 2 places and didn't know that many people or if it is because I haven't used my Portuguese in years and am afraid to open my mouth. But this time my mission president was in town and I felt like I should go. I have to mention that I don't like to do these things without my better more social half. But without my Michael shield I set off. It turned out to be a wonderful experience.

I only knew a few people, but the spirit was wonderful. I also learned a lot about what I had learned in the Amazon and why it was so beneficial in my life. It really prepared me to do hard things! Wendy (Sis. Gunnerson) shared a really neat experience about a terrible day with terrible conditions on her mission. She talked about learning how she as a representative of Jesus Christ shouldn't have to live in such terrible conditions and then realizing where Christ was born and what circumstances he endured. It really struck a chord with me. I felt that way many times in Manaus and Boa Vista. I really couldn't believe the conditions which I lived in and which all of these children of God live in every day in 3rd world parts of the world.

I also carried a lot of guilt for having to go home before my time was up - for medical reasons - somehow being with all these people who shared the same experiences I had made all that okay.

I wrote and shared it with Michael who was also dealing with hard conditions at basic training with Drill Sergeants in the heatwave of South Carolina.