We did it!!

Anziano Kessler and I had one of the craziest and most amazing weeks of my entire mission so far.  What a way to start his.  First of all, he is AWESOME.  I love him with all my heart.  The best trainee I could possibly imagine.  He's funny, goes with the flow, is simple and sincere and eager to learn, and he loves life.  He also loves bread and little children.  So, clearly, I love him.

Anziano Petterborg (who I also love) was a trickster on his bike.  So, not surprisingly, it broke with Anziano Kessler before long.  We happened to be really, really far from home when the wheel seized up and the back brake broke.  We left both our bikes there, tied up to a pole, and walked home in the freezing dark.  The next morning we went back, mounted his bike on top of my bike, and carefully led it home.  It was hilarious, a great bonding experience, and I get the feeling I'll be able to use it in a talk or something one day.  There's gotta be a parable in there.


Then we went and taught TWENTY ONE LESSONS!  President challenged us trainers to teach 21 lessons in our new missionaries' first weeks, and we DID IT!  We worked hard, we had fun, we talked to everyone, we saw SO MANY miracles knocking on doors and just doing our best, and we did it.  We did it!!  We taught 21 lessons, and what a way to start out 1) his mission, 2) our two transfers together, and 3) our friendship.

I'm going to learn so much from him, and he'll learn a lot from me.  We are an inspired companionship without doubt, and I will forever treasure my time with Anziano Kessler.  It's going to be an awesome ride, starting here in the most beautiful time of the year, and I'm excited I get to share an experience or two with you all.

Have a wonderful end of Fall (even if it feels like Winter already) and enjoy the approach of Natale!  We've been singing Christmas hymns at the top of our lungs for days.  I'm in the spirit, and with the Spirit we'll help others feel the love of Christ.  Do the same!

Buon Natale,
Anziano Burton