Glenneith Burgess

Today is Christmas, but it doesn't feel like I should be celebrating. I miss you.  I was going through pictures today, and found some of myself, echo and you. I instantly remembered past christmas with you as I was growing up. First one came to mind, was the Christmas I found out about my real mom. I told you I had asked " Santa " to bring my mom to my house, I was quite young. Christmas came and she wasn't there. I always would stay Christmas Eve night with you and MawMaw. So as I went to go to bed, I was upset. You came and held me, and told me that if God wanted me to he would allow me to meet her. Well Pawpaw I met her, Santa didn't bring her, but God allowed me to meet her. I'am thankful today for you always loving me even when I wasn't not so loving, I meant well. :)

I also remember the Christmas morning, I decided I was to old to sit on your lap. You told me I needed to go pray for my attitude. I disagreed. So you told me then I just must be to old for a stocking, well instantly I changed my mind. Today I wish I could sit on your lap, and you love on me like you used to once do.


Many nights, weeks I stayed with you and Mawmaw. Long talks, mostly about my attitude. ( Which the Lord has fixed alot). As you would say its about time! When I go to make a choice, I think of you every single time. You told me no matter how much it hurts, choose what is best in God's eyes. Well I made a very hard choice lately, but I think it was best in God's eyes.


One time you told me you understood me, but you couldn't understand why. Well you had me confused, I thought since you understood me, you would understand why. Well today I understand what you meant. I am glad you understood me, but never excused my actions. You taught me more than you know, you installed something in me I will never forget.
I will never forget those times when I was young, you scared the boogey man away. Prayed with me, read the Bible to me. I could come anytime, and you would answer any question I had. Many nights I went to the church with you as you would prepare for Sunday morning. Times you seemed like you just couldn't get what you wanted to preach, and I thought he always knows what to preach so what is wrong today.



You always held my hand, although I didn't want anyone to. I miss that today.  I miss most is you telling me, no matter how hard it is, live for God. I'm not doing as well as I should, but I'm trying the best I can. One day I will be where I need to be. It seemed as if growing up I was more with you than my own parents. You loved me unconditionally, and prayed for me often, thank God I was blessed with a grandfather like you. I miss you getting upset with mawmaw, and just saying " Rose, you girls need to go fix both of your attitudes." You used to tell me girls were full of Caca and doodoo, and i'd say no pawpaw you are, you would just laugh because you knew you were trying to upset Mawmaw.


I miss the nights, You sitting in your chair and reading the newspaper. As I would be sitting there thinking of how I could ask you about life, because I knew you would be hard on me. It makes me smile to think of how you would come and ask me to turn the computer on, or show you how to text. Material things were nothing to you. Family was everything. I am so happy that you got to see Logan get the Holy- Ghost. I am glad you were there to baptize me.


I'll never forget. I was so nervous to have my open-heart surgery. You took me out to eat, and you were the last person I seen before going into surgery. It made me feel safe, your prayers and your past experience you had with it.  You told me I would be okay, and that you loved me. Well pawpaw today I know the feeling of undergoing the surgeries, I share that experience with you and I don't regret it , I do wish I could have held your hand, told you it was going to be allright. God had other plans, and I believe you knew that. I know your at peace, and you feel no more pain. I am still sad though. I find myself completely quiet. I try to find something to occupy myself every second of the day, so I don't think. I hate night time, memories seem to flood me. I sleep with my Bible, something you told me to do as a young child, because I would feel safe. I miss and love you and hope Heaven treats you like royalty, because the life you lived you more than deserve it.

It's Christmas. It's Sunday. It's getting close to 1 AM.

I've never been big on holidays being anything too special. Christmas, my birthday, anniversaries, other holidays; they've never meant too much more than any other day. The specific day really doesn't mean too much at all. But I miss you with an incredible aching.

Earlier, Chrismas Eve night, we got together. Tim, Carla, Tyrell, Mandy, Britt, Mom, and the kids. Shamra was here too. We pretty much did the normal routine.

I'm going to get up in the morning and preach like other Sundays. I will then travel to the inlaws and go through the normal routine. But right now I can't believe how I feel. I miss you so utterly.

I went to Bartels today and thought of you.
I went to Starbucks and thought of you.
I went to the church after that and thought of you.

I'm driving your truck now. It was parked at my house today when I got home. When I drove up, my heart momentarily leapt as I thought of the times I've driven home  and you were there. For a a split second I thought it was the same.

I just preached at Avalanche in Oregon. Mom went. We had a good time. I wish I could talk to you personally about it. It would be nice if you were here to experience my forties. I just hit the fortieth year this December as you would have known. Of course there is much opportunity in the next few years. I trust I can make the maximum use of those opportunities.

I've been busy. I've been exercising like mad. Something I haven't done much at all in my life. I hate exercise as you knew. But it has kept me busy. I've not been thinking much. Just acting.

I haven't been to this site much. Not sure why. Maybe it's too painful. I am happy to see that the number of vistors is reaching near 5000. It makes me feel good. Of course I wouldn't mind if it were more, and I know that unfortunately it will continue to taper off and eventually there will be almost no visits to it rather than visits by those closest to you.

Love you, miss you. Wish with all my heart I could see you tomorrow at church.

Shannon.

Elder and Sis. Burgess






Elder Burgess dedicating my daughter Melody Allen 1989






Elder Burgess dedicating my daughter Jessica Allen 1992



Elder Burgess with my daugters Melody & Jessica Allen when we moved in the new building (Santuary)


I Love you Elder.... Thank you for giving to the Lord for me & my family.

I  wanted to give honor to my Elder Burgess.... for all his years of being my Pastor and the last few years of being that "grandfather figure" :) I was excited the first time he gave me a hug and I said wow, I get hugs now? and he said Yeah now Im old and not the pastor so it dont matter :) I miss his hugs & I love yous :(

My first memory of Elder was when I was a young teenager. I was attending another church at the time and he blew in there and preached "Wild Fire" He did somersaults across the platform! Everyone was just looking at him, I thought it was awesome and I wanted what he had!
Years later I started attending his church & it was all I hoped it would be, I lived about 45min away but I would tell people who asked me why I drove so far to church that a church ALIVE was worth the drive! I'm happy to say it's STILL alive and on fire for God!

I spent a little time in his home when Id go stay with his daughter Carla and he was the same @ home as he was @ church. He just had a more laid back sence of humor. I remember I had told a joke to Carla and she begged me to tell him & I was so embarressed to tell him the joke and he just smiled and chuckled about it.

There was a few things he told me as a teenager that stuck with me that I hadnt been taught and Im thankful for his guideance.
Elder dedicated my 2 girls when they were babies. It was something I hadnt heard of until I attended his church and it is still being practiced today. He believed you should give your children back to God and train them in the way they should go. I wasnt perfect but I'm glad I taught them what was right and wrong according to Gods word.

I've had what I consider a few major trials in my life and he walked through them all with me. He held my hand when all I could do is stand there and cry when he asked me how I was doing  he told me "Dont worry about it, All things work together for the good to them who love God. No matter how bad the situation seems at the time something good will come out of it if you trust in God." I've always clung to that in my times of trouble I know its in the word of God but sometimes you dont think things pertain to your situation and he assured me that it did. He prayed and wept with me and prayed for my situation specificly when I was so far down and it felt like no one else cared or understood and he was there to pray with me and let me know he was on my side praying for me. I will always hold his words dear in my heart...he told me a few times that I deserved to be happy that some times life deals you a bad hand and theres no real reason but God wants me to be happy.... that meant a lot to me as well because sometimes you get to the point in life where you feel like you've made too many mistakes and you just have to live the rest of your life in misery but he wanted to see me happy. He made me feel like I had hope. Im glad to say I think he saw me happy for the first time in many years before he left :) and I am so thankful that God allowed me to hug him & tell him I loved him several times before he left because I wouldve wanted him to know that. He smiled and said "I love you too."

One last thing I will always remember is once in awhile hed request the song Battle Hymn of the Republic and we'd get to the chours and before we were done the whole church would be marching around the ailes! Glory Glory Hallelujah.....His TRUTH is marching on!
Thank you Elder for the TRUTH you instilled in my heart I will cling to the Old Rugged Cross and I hope I'm strong enough to make it and be able to see you again and "Wear a Robe and Crown" with you :)

My favorite Elder quote: Its HARD to live for God EASY, but its EASY to live for God HARD!

Love you always!
Mona Gall

My Darling, the day the surgeon painted us such a dark picture of what was to come, we left the hospital and went back to the Sunshine House to wait until surgery. I remember crying as you wrapping your arms around me, and you held me tight. You tried to comfort me. You said to me, " Hon, don't cry, we have had a wonderful life together. "  You said to me. " We have good kids, good grand-kids, great grand-kids, and a good church. " I'am so glad for that, God has been really good to us. We had such fun together these fourty-seven years. We have laughed together, and we have cried together. I' am gonna miss those times we had together. I'll always have my memories. When you left me that day, my world crumbled, and my heart is broken in a million pieces. I have reason to think you knew what was to come. I remember going to the chapel to pray, that God would see you through this surgery. I felt peace that day when I came out of the chapel. I thought it meant you were going to be fine, and my hope soared. I think the Lord gave me peace for what was to come. Every day I can picture you walking into the house, wrapping your arms around me, or saying something funny to make me laugh. Sometimes my sorrow is more than I can bear. I know the Lord can take me through if I trust in Him. You always told me to trust the Lord and that is what I am doing. We have always had such a happy marriage. I love and miss you so dearly today, but I know someday we will meet again. Wait for me inside the gate My Dear Husband, Your loving wife Rose.