Friday, January 22, 2016
1.18.15
Dear Friends & Family,
Another week down haha. This week has breezed by as we worked hard with a man named Francisco. Francisco is 76 yrs old, and has never wanted anything to do with the church. His wife is a member, but has been in active for over 40 yrs. About a month ago we started working with his wife, Maria, to get her to come back. We invited Francisco to join us multiple times, but never would. Then one day he had already been sitting at the table when we arrived, and decided it was easier to stay and sit, then try to get up and leave haha. But that lesson, he said he felt something that he'd never felt before, and that he wanted it again. From then on, he came and listened to us, taking notes and being super attentive. We invited him to be baptized but told us that it would take time, months even, to learn and decide if this is what he should do. Well last week, we invited him again, expecting him to choose one in Feb. even March., and he chose the 23 of Jan! We were super excited. He still needed to be taught some things, but said he felt it was time. So this week we've been teaching him the commandments, at first he seemed confused and surprised they were commandments, but immediately after learning what they were, every time he would tell us, "Hermanos, if its from God, then of course ill follow it!" It was pretty awesome. Because he is kinda old, he forgets a little, and needs a little reminder sometimes when we are asking him questions, but his faith is awesome, and is super ready to get baptized! Now we just have to get everything set up and ready for him this Saturday!!!
We have that big meeting coming up on wed. about all the changes. Not too excited for some of the rumors I've heard haha, but when they are coming from an apostle I guess their important right? haha. We'll see. I hope their not too big of changes.
So we got our new roommate. His name is elder Diamonate (jamante). He is from the Philippians. He is a super nice kid, but definitely is a foreigner haha. It'll be fun having him around, and his happiness he brings.
Well that's it for this week 🤗haha
Love u guys
Elder miller
Another week down haha. This week has breezed by as we worked hard with a man named Francisco. Francisco is 76 yrs old, and has never wanted anything to do with the church. His wife is a member, but has been in active for over 40 yrs. About a month ago we started working with his wife, Maria, to get her to come back. We invited Francisco to join us multiple times, but never would. Then one day he had already been sitting at the table when we arrived, and decided it was easier to stay and sit, then try to get up and leave haha. But that lesson, he said he felt something that he'd never felt before, and that he wanted it again. From then on, he came and listened to us, taking notes and being super attentive. We invited him to be baptized but told us that it would take time, months even, to learn and decide if this is what he should do. Well last week, we invited him again, expecting him to choose one in Feb. even March., and he chose the 23 of Jan! We were super excited. He still needed to be taught some things, but said he felt it was time. So this week we've been teaching him the commandments, at first he seemed confused and surprised they were commandments, but immediately after learning what they were, every time he would tell us, "Hermanos, if its from God, then of course ill follow it!" It was pretty awesome. Because he is kinda old, he forgets a little, and needs a little reminder sometimes when we are asking him questions, but his faith is awesome, and is super ready to get baptized! Now we just have to get everything set up and ready for him this Saturday!!!
We have that big meeting coming up on wed. about all the changes. Not too excited for some of the rumors I've heard haha, but when they are coming from an apostle I guess their important right? haha. We'll see. I hope their not too big of changes.
So we got our new roommate. His name is elder Diamonate (jamante). He is from the Philippians. He is a super nice kid, but definitely is a foreigner haha. It'll be fun having him around, and his happiness he brings.
Well that's it for this week 🤗haha
Love u guys
Elder miller
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
1.12.16
Hi world,
I have had such an emotional roller coaster of a week haha
So we started well with another exchange with the district leader. This time I was with elder Bryan. There were no ghost peppers, or having a amazing experience with the gift of tounges, but we had the spirit the whole time. That is one thing I have learned while being out here is, if you are worthy and seeking for the spirit, your day is so so much better. That was our goal of the transfer, was to have the spirit with us as very very much as possible. That should be our goal everyday, especially as missionaries, but that day was special. I was able to learn so much through the spirit, that I want his presence that strong everyday. It was just a really cool experience.
Then we go to a lesson with a girl named Lesly. She just turned 17, and we have been working hard with her, and she has been so excited to be baptized. We go over and start making plans for her baptism for the 16th! The spirit is there, and she is happy, and then her mom walks in. And for the second time, with a girl that is 17, the parent denies permission to be baptized until she is 18. and it crushed me. I was so sad. The rest of the day I was pretty down. She is so ready, and now has to wait for another year. I just know how hard high school can be, and to wait a whole year to be baptized just seems so long. Ya, it was sad, but she has some good friends in the ward, and hopefully the plan is to just act like shes a member just not be baptized haha.
Thankfully the next day we were able to go to the temple again!! President Griffin gave us a goal of hitting 1500 contacts in the month of December as a zone. Each companionship had to get 200 each to go, and everyone in the zone did it! It was awesome. I love the temple soo much. It was another amazing experience, and while we were there, I received a lot of comfort, especially with Lesly. I was reminded that everyone has there time, and everything is part of the His plan. After the temple, President also took us to breakfast, it was super fun.
So with the passing of the 3 apostles, and different apostles moving in to new positions, elder oaks is now over the mission department, and there are apparently going to be a lot of changes. Sadly from the ones ive heard, it just sounds like we cant have fun anymore. haha not really but there is going to be a lot of change, and we are going to have a big mission wide meeting all about it.
Then with it being transfers, the nervousness of being transferred or staying or just all the change. Our district is changing a ton but I will be staying with elder Cespedes for another 6 weeks. we also found out we will be getting a new roommate. we also had a lot of little things trying to throw us off throughout the whole week. Some of them definitely through me off the tracks for a bit, but the temple was at the perfect time.
Ya kinda a weird week, but we are ready to hit this new transfer hard, and do awesome haha.
Love you guys
talk to you next week :D
Elder Miller
I have had such an emotional roller coaster of a week haha
So we started well with another exchange with the district leader. This time I was with elder Bryan. There were no ghost peppers, or having a amazing experience with the gift of tounges, but we had the spirit the whole time. That is one thing I have learned while being out here is, if you are worthy and seeking for the spirit, your day is so so much better. That was our goal of the transfer, was to have the spirit with us as very very much as possible. That should be our goal everyday, especially as missionaries, but that day was special. I was able to learn so much through the spirit, that I want his presence that strong everyday. It was just a really cool experience.
Then we go to a lesson with a girl named Lesly. She just turned 17, and we have been working hard with her, and she has been so excited to be baptized. We go over and start making plans for her baptism for the 16th! The spirit is there, and she is happy, and then her mom walks in. And for the second time, with a girl that is 17, the parent denies permission to be baptized until she is 18. and it crushed me. I was so sad. The rest of the day I was pretty down. She is so ready, and now has to wait for another year. I just know how hard high school can be, and to wait a whole year to be baptized just seems so long. Ya, it was sad, but she has some good friends in the ward, and hopefully the plan is to just act like shes a member just not be baptized haha.
Thankfully the next day we were able to go to the temple again!! President Griffin gave us a goal of hitting 1500 contacts in the month of December as a zone. Each companionship had to get 200 each to go, and everyone in the zone did it! It was awesome. I love the temple soo much. It was another amazing experience, and while we were there, I received a lot of comfort, especially with Lesly. I was reminded that everyone has there time, and everything is part of the His plan. After the temple, President also took us to breakfast, it was super fun.
So with the passing of the 3 apostles, and different apostles moving in to new positions, elder oaks is now over the mission department, and there are apparently going to be a lot of changes. Sadly from the ones ive heard, it just sounds like we cant have fun anymore. haha not really but there is going to be a lot of change, and we are going to have a big mission wide meeting all about it.
Then with it being transfers, the nervousness of being transferred or staying or just all the change. Our district is changing a ton but I will be staying with elder Cespedes for another 6 weeks. we also found out we will be getting a new roommate. we also had a lot of little things trying to throw us off throughout the whole week. Some of them definitely through me off the tracks for a bit, but the temple was at the perfect time.
Ya kinda a weird week, but we are ready to hit this new transfer hard, and do awesome haha.
Love you guys
talk to you next week :D
Elder Miller
Friday, January 8, 2016
1.4.16
What another crazy week. So we had two more days off for New Year's
Eve because everyone getting ready/ partying, and New Year's Day
because their all hung over haha. This week has gone so fast.
Wednesday, we had our first exchanges since I've been in this area. I
got to go with elder clough and we were in his area. We had a super
fun day with some awesome lessons, and just great day. We found a
couple that let us in and they started asking us tons of questions.
Elder Clough has only been out 1 more transfer than I have, and has
been struggling with Spanish. So as this couple is spouting off
questions, elder Clough look very confused. I kept waiting for him to
answer, but he didn't understand. That's when I realized I understood
everything they were saying. And as I began to answer I spoke with a
clearness and fluidity that I never have before. It was so cool. The
spirit was helping me, bringing words, phrases,and scriptures to my
mind, as if I were almost reading it all from a paper. The power and
gifts of the spirit are so amazing. With these few days off, I spent a
lot of time reading talks and scriptures about listening for, and
receiving revelation and inspiration from the Lord. It has been
incredible how different the day goes when you are truly seeking for
His guidance. I have learned a lot, and it has become a one of my
main goals throughout the day. Sadly I feel like I should have been
doing this all along, but better 5 months in that 2 yrs in right?
Haha. It is crazy how much I feel like I have learned and grown in
such a small time, and I am excited to see how much farther I can go.
So anyway, back to the exchange. So after we have this awesome lesson,
(Food section: I know it's early in the email for that but ya know
it's part of the day, haha) We end up going to a members house who
actually goes to Monte vista (my old ward) but lives in our area. So
we stopped in and we're talking, and my little chile hunt comes up and
how we ate this little no name chile and how hot it was. He chuckles
and goes over to the fridge. Turns out he has some ghost peppers.
(Dang I totally just realized that I've been calling peppers, chiles
because that's what they are in Spanish haha.) but anyway ya he pulls
out a container of Ghost Peppers! And of course elder Clough and I
being the stupid 1 9and 18 yrs olds we are, said sure lets do it. So
we start off with half in a delicious taco she made. She actually had
spent 6 hrs preparing this lamb, that they had gone to a farm thing,
killed it and prepared it themselves, and then took another 12 hrs to
cook it. It was one of the best meats I've ever had. It was Devine.( I
was told I needed to change up my vocabulary haha). So ya the taco
delicious, the pepper, really not too bad. So we go ok we'll eat half
alone. So we split a little one, really not that bad. We ate another
taco after, but I expected so much worse. I totally thought the little
nameless pepper was hotter. So Hermano was impressed and goes, your
not down to eat a whole one alone, totally jokingly. Haha once again
we not fully processing our actions proceeded to each choose a ghost
pepper, the hottest pepper in the world, and each chewed about ten
times...... Worst mistake ever.😵 I thought I was dying. Round 1 I
began to sweat so badly I took off my jacket. Rnd2: My mouth Hurts so
bad I felt like a had a hot coal in my mouth. Rnd3 My nose felt like
Niagara Falls, as I used 10 napkins to hold back the flow, and to
really seal the deal Rnd4: I began to cry. My tears burned my face. It
was the most painful food related experience I have ever had in my
life. 10 min pass nothing changes we are dying. We have been chugging
milk, and eating ice. Together we drank about a half a gallon. Then it
slowly, slowly begins to fade. And then begins round 6 The monster
that has been dormant in my stomach has been awoken and is far from
happy. I began to feel one of the worst stomach pains in my life. It
hurt so bad I thought I was going to throw up then and there. Luckily
it didn't happen.... Until I got home. (I think part of the problem
was that was a ton of milk plus tacos plus the pepper, plus a dinner
only an hr prior.) Rnd7: the toilet. It became my new friend that
night, as what felt like boiling liquid, was projected from my insides
into/on my porcelain friend. I have decided that it burned worse
coming out then going in. Just as I began to feel better and thought I
may be able to sleep, the monster inside read my thoughts, and decided
coming up wasn't enough, and so it went down. Rnd 8: back to the white
Throne . Rnd 9: I died 💀
Now with this fun tale having been completed, could it have been
prevented if two boys had merely waited a short few seconds to ponder
the consequences, yes I believe so, but the true question, if those
boys were to know the consequences prior and had taken time to ponder
the out come would they have still have taken on the mighty ghost
pepper? Ya probably hahaha.
It was pretty awful as you can see, but I bet I would have done it
even knowing how bad it was going to be, because I can now say I HAVE
EATEN THE HOTTEST PEPPER IN THE WORLD!😂😜👻🌶 haha. So there goes my
chille/ pepper quest. Looks like I'm back to what's the weirdest food
I can try haha.
So then Thursday and Friday we had off, and we just chilled slept,
read, played to games, and slept some more haha. It was fun.
Saturday we had some meetings and did some planning.
Sunday was an awesome day. With it being the first Sunday of the year
as well as fast Sunday, the chapel was full. This has been the first
time since I have been here that the chapel wasn't half empty, it was
Awesome! Then what seemed like almost everyone stood up and sat in the
front to bear their testimony. It was kind of funny to see almost more
people up by the stand then there were sitting in the congregation
haha. It was a super powerful testimony meeting. Then after we were
able to talk to many members that have been less active, and set up
some times to go visit with them, and hopefully help them start to
come back.
And then the next thing I know I'm writing this letter today, and
realizing I have 1 week left in the transfer!?! what, where did this
transfer go. I feel like I've been in this area for maybe 2 weeks.
It's been crazy. So next week I could possibly be transferred or just
stay right here. I have no clue. At least last time I new for the most
part one of us was leaving, because I was done with training. This
time I have no idea. So I'll know by the next time I talk to you guys.
Hope you all had a fun New Years, and have some solid goals and
resolutions to make this year awesome, and better than the last .😎😄
[i can't believe it's already 2016. I was thinking about how that
whole big2012 end of the world thing felt like maybe a yr ago haha]
Love all you guys so much
Elder Miller
Eve because everyone getting ready/ partying, and New Year's Day
because their all hung over haha. This week has gone so fast.
Wednesday, we had our first exchanges since I've been in this area. I
got to go with elder clough and we were in his area. We had a super
fun day with some awesome lessons, and just great day. We found a
couple that let us in and they started asking us tons of questions.
Elder Clough has only been out 1 more transfer than I have, and has
been struggling with Spanish. So as this couple is spouting off
questions, elder Clough look very confused. I kept waiting for him to
answer, but he didn't understand. That's when I realized I understood
everything they were saying. And as I began to answer I spoke with a
clearness and fluidity that I never have before. It was so cool. The
spirit was helping me, bringing words, phrases,and scriptures to my
mind, as if I were almost reading it all from a paper. The power and
gifts of the spirit are so amazing. With these few days off, I spent a
lot of time reading talks and scriptures about listening for, and
receiving revelation and inspiration from the Lord. It has been
incredible how different the day goes when you are truly seeking for
His guidance. I have learned a lot, and it has become a one of my
main goals throughout the day. Sadly I feel like I should have been
doing this all along, but better 5 months in that 2 yrs in right?
Haha. It is crazy how much I feel like I have learned and grown in
such a small time, and I am excited to see how much farther I can go.
So anyway, back to the exchange. So after we have this awesome lesson,
(Food section: I know it's early in the email for that but ya know
it's part of the day, haha) We end up going to a members house who
actually goes to Monte vista (my old ward) but lives in our area. So
we stopped in and we're talking, and my little chile hunt comes up and
how we ate this little no name chile and how hot it was. He chuckles
and goes over to the fridge. Turns out he has some ghost peppers.
(Dang I totally just realized that I've been calling peppers, chiles
because that's what they are in Spanish haha.) but anyway ya he pulls
out a container of Ghost Peppers! And of course elder Clough and I
being the stupid 1 9and 18 yrs olds we are, said sure lets do it. So
we start off with half in a delicious taco she made. She actually had
spent 6 hrs preparing this lamb, that they had gone to a farm thing,
killed it and prepared it themselves, and then took another 12 hrs to
cook it. It was one of the best meats I've ever had. It was Devine.( I
was told I needed to change up my vocabulary haha). So ya the taco
delicious, the pepper, really not too bad. So we go ok we'll eat half
alone. So we split a little one, really not that bad. We ate another
taco after, but I expected so much worse. I totally thought the little
nameless pepper was hotter. So Hermano was impressed and goes, your
not down to eat a whole one alone, totally jokingly. Haha once again
we not fully processing our actions proceeded to each choose a ghost
pepper, the hottest pepper in the world, and each chewed about ten
times...... Worst mistake ever.😵 I thought I was dying. Round 1 I
began to sweat so badly I took off my jacket. Rnd2: My mouth Hurts so
bad I felt like a had a hot coal in my mouth. Rnd3 My nose felt like
Niagara Falls, as I used 10 napkins to hold back the flow, and to
really seal the deal Rnd4: I began to cry. My tears burned my face. It
was the most painful food related experience I have ever had in my
life. 10 min pass nothing changes we are dying. We have been chugging
milk, and eating ice. Together we drank about a half a gallon. Then it
slowly, slowly begins to fade. And then begins round 6 The monster
that has been dormant in my stomach has been awoken and is far from
happy. I began to feel one of the worst stomach pains in my life. It
hurt so bad I thought I was going to throw up then and there. Luckily
it didn't happen.... Until I got home. (I think part of the problem
was that was a ton of milk plus tacos plus the pepper, plus a dinner
only an hr prior.) Rnd7: the toilet. It became my new friend that
night, as what felt like boiling liquid, was projected from my insides
into/on my porcelain friend. I have decided that it burned worse
coming out then going in. Just as I began to feel better and thought I
may be able to sleep, the monster inside read my thoughts, and decided
coming up wasn't enough, and so it went down. Rnd 8: back to the white
Throne . Rnd 9: I died 💀
Now with this fun tale having been completed, could it have been
prevented if two boys had merely waited a short few seconds to ponder
the consequences, yes I believe so, but the true question, if those
boys were to know the consequences prior and had taken time to ponder
the out come would they have still have taken on the mighty ghost
pepper? Ya probably hahaha.
It was pretty awful as you can see, but I bet I would have done it
even knowing how bad it was going to be, because I can now say I HAVE
EATEN THE HOTTEST PEPPER IN THE WORLD!😂😜👻🌶 haha. So there goes my
chille/ pepper quest. Looks like I'm back to what's the weirdest food
I can try haha.
So then Thursday and Friday we had off, and we just chilled slept,
read, played to games, and slept some more haha. It was fun.
Saturday we had some meetings and did some planning.
Sunday was an awesome day. With it being the first Sunday of the year
as well as fast Sunday, the chapel was full. This has been the first
time since I have been here that the chapel wasn't half empty, it was
Awesome! Then what seemed like almost everyone stood up and sat in the
front to bear their testimony. It was kind of funny to see almost more
people up by the stand then there were sitting in the congregation
haha. It was a super powerful testimony meeting. Then after we were
able to talk to many members that have been less active, and set up
some times to go visit with them, and hopefully help them start to
come back.
And then the next thing I know I'm writing this letter today, and
realizing I have 1 week left in the transfer!?! what, where did this
transfer go. I feel like I've been in this area for maybe 2 weeks.
It's been crazy. So next week I could possibly be transferred or just
stay right here. I have no clue. At least last time I new for the most
part one of us was leaving, because I was done with training. This
time I have no idea. So I'll know by the next time I talk to you guys.
Hope you all had a fun New Years, and have some solid goals and
resolutions to make this year awesome, and better than the last .😎😄
[i can't believe it's already 2016. I was thinking about how that
whole big2012 end of the world thing felt like maybe a yr ago haha]
Love all you guys so much
Elder Miller
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