Meet Elder Burgess

Brian Alma Burgess was born and raised in Cache Valley, Utah. He is the son of Alma and Cheryl Cannell Burgess. Brian has two brothers, Tim and Cameron, and one sister, Kimberli. He also has a brother-in-law, Brad; a nephew, Simon; and a sister-in-law, Shelynn.

In 2012, Brian graduated from Skyview High School in Smithfield, Utah, and the LDS Seminary program. Following high school graduation, Brian worked for Logan Lanes. He plans to major is Business at Utah State University upon completion of his mission. He enjoys tennis, bowling, good friends, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In January 2013, Brian received a call to serve in the Mexico Puebla North Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, preaching the Gospel in the Spanish language. He reported to the Provo Missionary Training Center on May 29, 2013.

Elder Burgess's First Week in the Provo MTC

Mexico...Arriba!

Elder Burgess's Parents
Alma Burgess and Cheryl Cannell Burgess

Elder Burgess's siblings
Left to right: Tim, Kimberli, Elder Brian Burgess, Cameron

Elder Madsen's First Week in Fresno

Written by Elder Kolby Madsen

My P-day is Monday, but we couldn't email because the library was closed (for Memorial Day). To start off, first day we get off the plane and we are bombarded with missionaries. They all gave us hugs and gave a spiritual thought. They were all the missionaries going home right after we got here.

Then we went out back to go to the cars and saw President Gelwix. He is awesome. Then we went to the mission office and got started with some paper work and stuff. Then we went out and started tracting (walking through neighborhoods, knocking on doors, and talking to people). Pretty scary stuff, but it's easier now. Then we spent the night with the Assistants to the President.

The next morning we got our companions. I lucked out. My companions are the zone leaders over the zone we are in. Our area is pretty big because we are over the YSA (Young Single Adult) Ward. So all of our lessons are to YSAs. It's so much fun.

My companions are Elder Larson from Arizona, and Elder Elkington from NEW ZEALAND! He is so funny. I love them both. They are amazing missionaries and it's just a ton of fun.

So my first day with my kammerats (Danish for companions) we went to teach Conrad (name changed for privacy). Now Conrad is a recovering anything you can think of that involves the Word of Wisdom, so his brain is fried. But he is gaining back his memory and his ability to learn everyday. He has been clean for five weeks. His baptism date is August 3. We are trying to tell him that he is ready sooner, but it's between him the Lord. I have taught over six lessons to investigators. I was prompted to invite Olivia and Monica to be baptized, so I manned up and did it. Their baptism date is tentatively scheduled for June 22.

The work is pressing hard here and the people are ready. It's amazing! I learn so much. Both my companions played football or rugby in high school. Elder Elkington actually has a scholarship to BYU next season to play rugby for them. Crazy stuff. He leaves after this transfer.

All is well. I have learned a ton and have the opportunity to teach investigators daily. I love it. All of what I thought it would be (on the mission) is not true. It's so much fun. I love teaching. Because my trainers are zone leaders and over the YSA Ward, we drive a car everywhere, which is very nice because I kinda, well, tweeked my knee again. I am giving up on all sports for a little while. But don't worry. I am good. I can still run. I will just watch others have fun on preparation day.

We are also teaching two girls right now. They are both 19 years old and very outgoing girls. They both just wait at the door to see us, and can't wait to learn about the Gospel. It's amazing how prepared the people are here in Fresno. We have three lessons planned today, along with some finding to do. I can't wait. I am super excited to just teach more and more.

I am sorry to say, but the hand written letters are going to slow down. It takes three days for mail to get there, and three days back. But I will still write, so you can go ahead and put my email on Facebook. Luckily, here we get 1 hour and 30 minutes to email. We just have to write to the Mission President first, then family, then friends.

It's weird...I thought that because I would not be speaking Danish all the time that I would start to loose it, but I feel like I am still learning. The Lord is blessing me so much. I love it. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be out here. To serve the YSA Ward is so much fun. I get to talk to, teach, and learn from people in college that are around my age. It's a blast because preparation day is on Monday. When everyone else goes out to start proselyting at 6:00 p.m., we have FHE (Family Home Evening). So we get to bring investigators to FHE where they can learn in a better and more applicable environment. It's so much fun.

Well, I love you. I have a letter coming to you soon. I have much to do, people to serve, and this is the Lord's time, so I will talk and write next week.

P. S. Yes, that address is for mail and packages.

Elder Madsen's Second Week in Fresno

Elder Madsen Leaves for Denmark!

Elder Elkington, Elder Larsen, Elder Madsen

Our apartment in Fresno

Our kitchen in the closet of our apartment

Elder Madsen's desk in the apartment in Fresno

Since a wheelchair was available, we had to attempt some wheelies!

Success!

Elder Madsen is Re-assigned to California

Written by Elder Kolby Madsen

So this week we got reassigned. I am not going to lie, it has been hard to know that we will not be going to Denmark right now. But this has only made me realize, more and more, that we are called to serve a mission for the Lord, on his time and where He will need us. I don’t know why he needs us in California and Oregon, and Denver, Colorado and Missouri, but there are reasons. Maybe I will find out in the near future, but I know that there is a reason.

Today we woke up at 3:35 a.m. to drop off our Sisters at the curb so they could go to Missouri. Then we went back to bed. I woke back up at 5 a.m. to drop off my companion, who will be serving in Carlsbad, California, for a bit. Then I got up at 6:30 a.m. (normal time), got breakfast, and at 7:45 a.m., we dropped off the remaining two Sisters left from both districts. They will be serving in the Salt Lake City West Mission. So today has been full of, “I'll see you in Denmark.” Tomorrow I will be waking up at 4 a.m. to send off three Elders to Oregon, and I will be going to Fresno, California, leaving the MTC at 7 a.m.

Last night, as I thought about what my first day in the mission field was going to be like, I started to go through some contacting scenarios. Half way through, I realized I was speaking Danish. This is going to be weird because we have drilled and drilled contacting in Danish, and now I don’t even think I can do it in English. My biggest fear throughout this whole thing (being re-assigned) is forgetting Danish. But every time I start to have doubts about what is going to happen, and the negative things that could go wrong, I am comforted by the Spirit and reassured that everything will be alright. The Lord has a plan for me, and for all of us. Even though we may not know at the time what to expect, we just have to have faith...just as I was told to have faith when I first tore my ACL. I was told it would take anywhere from four months to a year to get out in the mission field, and I just had to have faith that the Lord would allow me to heal in His time, and in His way.

Well, I am out here and doing well. Yesterday I ran a mile for the first time in four months, and I feel great. I have a testimony that through faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and exact obedience, that miracles can and will happen. We have to be willing to do our part. I love the Gospel, and I love the Savior and what He did for me. I know that through Him all things are made possible. And through faith, miracles can be made, even in this day and forever.

With love,

Elder Madsen

****This is a little additional information from an email Kolby sent me today****


It's been a blast here. I can't believe I leave tomorrow. One of the really cool things about going to the Fresno Mission is that the Mission President is Larry Gelwix (the coach featured in the movie "Forever Strong" about the Highland Rugby Team). So that is way awesome!

I forget that it's almost graduation time. It is not the same here in the MTC. Everything is way slow, but super fast. Tomorrow will be seven Wednesdays in the MTC. Crazy stuff!

I said farewell to my companion today. We also said goodbye to all of our Sisters this morning. It's weird to think that District Meeting tonight will be with only five Elders.

The Danish is coming along really well. While I'm in California, I am going to have to re-translate my teaching back into English. I know the Lord will provide.

Jeg elsker dig. Tak for ale den du har give mig.
I love you. Thank you for all you have given me.

Elder Madsen's First Week in Fresno (May 28, 2013)

Surprise Call from Elder Madsen  (May 16, 2013)

Elder Madsen's Danish District at the Provo MTC

Joel Fuell returned home from his mission two weeks after  Kolby left for the MTC, so they saw each other at the airport before Kolby left for California.

Checking in for his flight to Fresno

Time to go!!

A Surprise Call from Elder Madsen

This evening, Elder Madsen's mom received a surprise when she answered the phone. On the other end of the line, she heard, "Hi, Mom!"

Kolby was given five minutes to call home and let his mom know that none of the visas had been approved for any of the missionaries in his MTC (Missionary Training Center) district. The Elders and Sisters will all be sent to different missions until their visas come through. The Elders will be sent to various California missions and to Oregon. All the Sisters will be sent to Missouri.

Marianne (Kolby's mom) said the conversation ended as abruptly as it started, "Oh, hey, Mom, I've gotta go. I love you."

Click......

Elder Madsen is Re-Assigned to Fresno, California (May 21, 2013)

Don't Jump in a Loose Elevator  (May 7, 2013)

Hamburgers and Double Fries...Anytime! (May 5, 2013)

No More Double Fries for Elder Madsen

Written by Elder Kolby Madsen

Hey, all!

Well, everything is great here in the MTC (Missionary Training Center). I am sorry to report that we did not get stuck in the elevator this week. We try to stay away from it now.

I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day, and that we can all remember what our mothers do for us.

Wednesday morning I had a scare. I tweaked my knee a little bit because I started to get confident with volleyball. I am happy to report that I went to the doctor here in staff and he said I was fine. It feels great, so no worries.

I have also made a pact (as of last week) that I am not going to eat fries in the MTC until we leave. I am happy to report that I have gone a solid nine days without fries. That is a new personal best, and rising. I also have given up on some things I love in life for the MTC because it is too scary to have a little pain in my knee. It gives me flash backs.

We got our travel plans. Denmark bound....hopefully it stays that way! No news is good news when it comes to visas. I am so ready to get out in the field and serve the people of Denmark. I know that the first couple of months we will be serving them by making them laugh. As much as we think we know Danish, we don’t, and the Danes will get a kick out of that, I hope.

I have learned this week that missions are forever. I intend to keep it that way and serve at all times and in all places, forever. I know this church is true, and that through prayer and faith in and to our Heavenly Father, we can have blessings beyond measure. We just have to have faith and do our part. I love this Gospel and the opportunity I have to serve the Lord and the people of Denmark.

 Love,

Elder Madsen


*******The following is from Elder Wawro's blog (Kolby's MTC companion) *************


Customs in Denmark is pretty funny. On any package you send to Denmark just write, "GIFT." If you say you sent medication and write "MEDICATION" on the customs box (or whatever), they will just pull it out and then tax me. Also, Cheetos and Beef Jerky are illegal in Denmark so don't send me those...I know, weird.

Ok, time to give you all a heads up. As of right now, our VISAs have not come in. That may delay when we leave the MTC, or they may reassign us for a transfer if we don't receive them in time. If anything happens or changes I'll be allowed to call home for 5 minutes to tell you about it. It doesn't really look like we are going to get our VISAs in time, but for some reason all of us have this feeling that we will. Maybe it's just a feeling of peace. I don't know for sure. We fasted on Sunday that we would receive them in time, and we've been praying hard. If you can pray for us as well, that we will receive our VISAs, that would be amazing.

Don't Jump in a Loose Elevator  (May 7, 2013)

Surprise Call from Elder Madsen (May 17, 2013)

Don't Jump in a Loose Elevator...Elder Kolby Madsen

Written by Elder Kolby Madsen

May 7, 2013

Hey everyone! Everything is going well. I have been humbled this week as the language and the stress starts to build up. We leave in 13 days!!!

Funny story!...So, me and my companion were assigned to teach some Danish members over Skype yesterday. It was on the third floor of the building, so we decided to take the elevator...just to have fun, I guess. Right as we got on, I noticed that the the elevator was really loose. I thought it would be funny to jump and scare my companion. After three bounces, the elevator stopped and turned off. That's when I noticed a sign that said, "ANY MISSIONARIES CAUGHT JUMPING ON THE ELEVATOR, CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION, WILL BE FINED $50."

Well, I started to laugh because we were just joking about what we would do if we got it stuck. After reading the sign, I started to feel like a real idiot, and I could not stop laughing because we were stuck in an elevator in the MTC. My companion laid down on the ground and began to just yell jokingly, "My air is fading...I can't breath! I can't breathe!"

I tried to open the door on the elevator (all the while thinking of Tom Cruise in the movie Mission Impossible). When I got the door open, to my surprise, there was a solid concrete wall! There went my Mission Impossible dream! So we were just stuck.

I really didn't want to have to pay $50, so I asked my companion if he would join me in prayer. We knelt down right there and prayed. I asked that we would be able to get out of the elevator and get to our appointment with the Danish people on Skype. I also asked, "If it be Thy will, wilt Thou let us out without getting in trouble...only if it be Thy will."

Twenty minutes later, the elevator turned on and went back to the floor where we started. When the door opened, we saw our teacher. He just looked at us with the goofiest smile and asked what happened. When we told him, he laughed.

I share this story for two reasons. First, never jump on a loose elevator, especially without reading the signs! Second, always pray when you are in need. The Lord is willing to teach us valuable lessons (even as he is probably laughing at us!). He will answer in His time and according to His will. He blessed us with a caring teacher, and He helped us get out of the elevator.

Everything turned out okay with the appointment too. Even though we were late, there were only four Danes on Skype, so we would have been waiting anyway.

The Church is true! Hold strong! Stay in!

Love,

Elder Madsen

Hamburgers and Double Fries...Anytime!  (May 5, 2013)

No More Double Fries for Elder Madsen (May 15, 2013)

Never jump in a loose elevator!

Inside the MTC with Elder Madsen

Elder Madsen's MTC Branch and Zone

MTC Laundry Room

Our MTC Family

Creepy Bathroom Stall at the MTC

Hamburgers and Double Fries...Anytime! (May 5, 2013)

Don't Jump in a Loose Elevator (May 7, 2013)

Hamburgers and Double Fries...Anytime! - Elder Kolby Madsen

Written by Elder Kolby Madsen

May 5, 2013

Family,

This week has been kinda crazy!  We had our schedule moved all around because our branch/zone is moving to Y View, the new section of the MTC. But, the change doesn't go into effect until after we leave. That said, because we are expected to move (our branch), our schedule is really late. For example, we used to have breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Now we eat at 8:45 a.m., so sometimes they run out of hash browns. We used to have gym right after dinner, which was way nice because we could go on the field and play softball or kickball. But now our gym time is at 6:45 a.m. So yeah, it is way different.

I have come to know more about Denmark. Something exciting I learned is that Denmark is the highest consumer of meat in the world. The Lord knows me and loves me!

Thank you for the packages. The Jerky was great! I haven’t been doing my exercises, but I do squats and different things. I don’t have time to do a ton of things, but my legs are becoming even again!

I do not need anything. I'm good for now. Thanks for putting my address on Facebook.

Ok, so this week as we have been teaching, things have been going great. We have gone full lessons without reading any notes, which is a good thing. The language is coming along very well, considering the short amount of time we have been here. I thank Heavenly Father for the gift of tongues. I know it’s real!

When me and Elder Wawro teach, it is kind of difficult sometimes because we don’t quite agree on how to do it. Elder Wawro is very smart when it comes to doctrine, and he knows it very well. So when we teach, he feels we need to teach lessons and let them know of the Gospel. I, on the other hand, feel like we should relate the story to the investigator, make it personal, and teach them through their life experiences. We are both seeing each other's side and working on it. He is really great and we rarely disagree, so this is just a small thing that we have been, and will continue, to fix.

Because of the schedule change, our P-days are broken. We have service and devotional on those days, so we can write letters in the mornings now.

I hope all is well. Let me know if Braden got his birthday card from me. It was the funniest one I could find. Keep in mind it’s the MTC, so it’s not always as funny as out there in the real world.

Well, I love you and hope that all is well.

Love,

Ӕldste Madsen

After a Little Blog Stalking...  (April 30, 2013)

Don't Jump in a Loose Elevator! (May 7, 2013)

No More Double Fries for Elder Madsen (May 15, 2013)

Mmmm...Hamburgers and double fries...anytime!