Hey guys!
It's been a week full of emotions and miracles. To start out, everyone seems to be home now and people are answering their doors!! It's has been sooooo nice haha. School has started and I feel like we proselyte in a completely different city. We have a lot of people to try to come back to this week and should be able to have some pretty solid people for elder Lewis to continue help progress!
One day we were going around and I kept having a lady's name and face pop into my mind. I couldn't figure out why. She was active awesome lady, but that's all that was in my mind. So I ask elder Lewis to look up where she lived and that we needed to go to her. So we go over and knock on the door, and answers a lady I met about 6months ago at a party. But she lets us in, all excited that we are there, and we come in and sit down. I have no idea where we are, so I pull out my iPad trying to figure out who she is, and I see we made a little mistake. Well, the hispanics all have multiple last names, and this lady did have the last name I was thinking of, but it was her maiden name haha. So we are there and we are talking and end up having a super awesome lesson. We find out she obviously is inactive because I don't know her, but was just super happy we were there. It was super cool for me to see how Heavenly Father lead us there in such a way. I had no idea who she was, but he has ways to help us out🙂 She then came to church this Sunday for this first time in a long long time.
Another miracle for me was to see the fulfillment yet again of D&C 84:88 "for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." One day we are on a main pretty busy road needing to turn left into a parking lot. So I change lanes to the middle lane, yellow lane, and waited for a opening to turn left. Everything was normal to here. Then there is a big enough space for me to turn easily, without having to rush, but as I begin to turn the wheel, I push the gas, and we move five feet into the oncoming traffics lanes, and then there is no more power. I hit the gas 5-6 times with nothing happening. Traffic was definitely still coming and we were about to be hit. And then without anything from my or the trucks part we started moving and made it into the parking lot moments before the next car came flying by. There had to have been angels pushing us out of the road. We were completely stopped in the middle of three lanes, and then with my foot on the floor not the gas, because we were about to get out, we moved forward into the parking lot. It was super scary, but I know Heavenly Father was taking care of us.
This whole mission coming to an end thing has been pretty hard for me this week. One of the nights we went to help with a mission prep class, and there are some awesome kids who come. But at the end they were asking me why I came out and how had it been. And as I was answering I felt the spirit so strong, and to realize that it was just about over was so hard. It has easily been the best two years of my life, and God has blessed me so much while being here, and has allowed me to serve him and his children with a capacity far beyond my own. It is incredible to me how much he accomplishes with what seems so little of a group, but with an indescribable power.
I was able to say goodbye to some of my favorite people this week. One of the nights a member named Maura came and took us to dinner. She was so cool. She was the primary president in my third area. I was so happy to see her and her kids. It was fun to talk to her and see how she has been. It's so hard to say goodbye tho. I hate it! And I had to do it early because of this week. My last Sunday we won't have normal church, for the temple dedication of the Tucson temple. So that meant that this last week was my last real church, and I had to say goodbye to a lot of people. I still want to try to say goodbye to a few, but there won't be enough time to say goodbye to all. It's been kinda rough saying goodbye a week early. Especially saying goodbye to Luz.
Luz is probably one of my best friends on the mission. I was able to work with her and her husband back in my third area. They were crazy back then haha. They partied all the time and really didn't want anything to do with the church haha. But we kept pushing and pushing, until we broke through just a few weeks before I was transferred. Well I was able to see her too the other day! I love them sooooo much, and they have grown more than I would have ever imagined! The first major thing is she is 6 months pregnant with a boy! They are both now fully active, and strong in the gospel, she being in the relief society presidency, and he being ward mission leader! But the greatest of all, they are taking the temple classes right now so that they can be sealed in the temple!!!!!! I was sooo happy. I couldn't stop smiling all day long! It has been such a miracle to see them progress so much. I have so been blessed on my mission, when god has allowed be apart of these people's lives, and let me to feel and see him just hugging these people and lifting them out of these dark places and bringing them up to the incredible heights. It was so hard for me to say goodbye.
I love these people and can't even begin to think about saying goodbye without feeling sad. I didn't know I could love strangers like this haha. I didn't know I could feel like this for so many people. I love these people , I love the Latin and Mexican cultures, and to think I just have to leave it all after two years, it's something very hard for me to even try to put into words. And hen put on top the gospel, and the incredible things you feel and see with these people, the literal miracles God has let me see and being apart of their lives, has changed mine forever. I don't want this to end. I love the mission, and I love this gospel! I have been blessed with an incredible opportunity to share the good news for two years and through it have learned so much.
I know he Book of Mormon is true. I can't deny the feelings I feel when I read it and the power that it gives me each day. I love my savior, and am eternally grateful for what he did and does for me and each and everyone of us. I know he appeared to a 14 year old boy, and restored his priesthood keys, and doctrine to that prophet. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that this is the one and only path home. Heavenly Father wants us to come back home, and this is the way. He is always there, trying to guide us home, we just need to listen to the still small voice and heed it's promptings.
I love you guys so much. I really hope you know that. I am so grateful for your support and love, and have undoubtedly felt your prayers. I couldn't have done it without you guys.
I am so excited to see you all. One more week to give the lord everything!
See you soon
Elder Miller
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
8.1.17
Hey hey!
We had a super week. We finally found s e new investigators! The are a
super nice couple named Maira and Andy. Maira is from El Salvador and
Andy is from Guatemala. Maira was in California a month ago and went
to the temple and visitors center in Oakland. And that's how we got
her information. She seems pretty interested and really wants us to
keep coming by. Andy is also a super friendly funny guy, but he is
also very very honest. He told us it would take quite a lot to get him
to go to church because he says he doesn't believe in any of that
stuff, but said he would listen and be there for his wife is she wants
it. So we'll see how that goes. We have a lesson with them this week
and are excited to teach. They only had a few minuets last time but
she asked us to please come back 😊 I'm excited
We've been able to get to know the new mission president and his wife
a little more, and they are so cool. I'm pretty sad I don't get to be
with them more. They are awesome. We had a little zone conference
with them and I just love how the teach, and how they do everything.
And they are young and are just ready to go full steam. He definitely
knows how to be successful in what he does and is really doing his
absolute best for the mission. They are from alpine Utah, and I guess
they helped start the clothing modbod, they help start the fatcats
franchise, and I guess now owns the costa vida franchise as well. They
have a family of 5 kids I believe, oldest three are all married, then
a daughter is just about to put her passer in for a mission, and then
a son that is 12 I believe. So ya super cool family, they have a
different perspective than the old president, obviously, but I'm happy
I have been able to meet them.
A family from my third area just randomly showed up this week. The
mesa came to church on Sunday. They were a inactive family that I got
to help come back when I was there. I really like them, kinda crazy
but you gotta love the crazy. It was super cool to see them,a en that
they cared enough to come find me😊
We got a ton of new referrals again this week so we are praying the
are good. There is gonna be a lot of work soon tho. Now with summer
just about to finish up, there are like six awesome families I was
teaching that were just on vacations and what not but we should be
able to find them now!!
We'll talk to ya next week
Love ya
Elder Miller
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
7.24.17
Hey guys,
It's been a really weird week. Anything from our investigators, to the
wards, to the weather.
I feel like I'm really being tested right now and it stinks because
I'm down to the end and I want the dream last couple weeks and these
aren't it haha. The weather has been oddly humid for Arizona so that
been weird. I sweat enough as it is hahaha. A lot of people think it's
funny or feel bad, so I think their gonna let us in, but instead they
give us water and shut the door 😋
I feel really bad for elder Lewis because I think he thinks it's him,
because coincidentally ever since he's come we haven't had anyone
to teach. But he's a great guy and a good worker. I'm shocked at how
hard he studies and knows Spanish. He's only been out 7 months and does
great.
We got a lot of referrals this week so we were pumped but they turned
out to be fake or not interested. We think elder Lewis will train and
then they can have the greenie magic pick it back up haha.
That's kinda it for work, but I've loved my studies lately. Ive gone
back to reading the New Testament and always enjoy learning more about
Christ and having my love for my savior grow each time. The scriptures
are the only thing that gets me through some of these rough days and
I'm so grateful for them. The scriptures are incredible and bring the
Spirit into my life like almost nothing else can.
Well I can't believe I'm almost here. In a week it will have been 2
full years since I went into the mtc. Blows my mind.
Love you guys,
Elder Miller
It's been a really weird week. Anything from our investigators, to the
wards, to the weather.
I feel like I'm really being tested right now and it stinks because
I'm down to the end and I want the dream last couple weeks and these
aren't it haha. The weather has been oddly humid for Arizona so that
been weird. I sweat enough as it is hahaha. A lot of people think it's
funny or feel bad, so I think their gonna let us in, but instead they
give us water and shut the door 😋
I feel really bad for elder Lewis because I think he thinks it's him,
because coincidentally ever since he's come we haven't had anyone
to teach. But he's a great guy and a good worker. I'm shocked at how
hard he studies and knows Spanish. He's only been out 7 months and does
great.
We got a lot of referrals this week so we were pumped but they turned
out to be fake or not interested. We think elder Lewis will train and
then they can have the greenie magic pick it back up haha.
That's kinda it for work, but I've loved my studies lately. Ive gone
back to reading the New Testament and always enjoy learning more about
Christ and having my love for my savior grow each time. The scriptures
are the only thing that gets me through some of these rough days and
I'm so grateful for them. The scriptures are incredible and bring the
Spirit into my life like almost nothing else can.
Well I can't believe I'm almost here. In a week it will have been 2
full years since I went into the mtc. Blows my mind.
Love you guys,
Elder Miller
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
7.18.17
What's up guys!
I'm pretty sad no one got my email last week. I was pretty pumped last
week. We had a Blessing out of thin air. So as we know we've had no
one to teach for some time and then we get a phone call from a really
old lady in our ward. Super nice but doesn't talk to us much so we
were surprised. As we are talking she tells us about her little niece
that just moved in With her. She's 8 and so cute. Grandma says that
one of the first things she asked her grandma when she moved in was if
she could get baptized now! So we came over and started teaching her.
She's super funny and loves learning. So the first time we asked her
if she wants to be baptized at the end of July, and she seemed sad. I
asked her why she was sad, and she told me that seemed to far away
haha, and asked if she could get baptized this week!
So that's a big part of what last weeks email was about!
Then this week we went over every single day and she just soaked
everything up! She was happy 😄 we talked to the ward and got it all
set up for Saturday!
Saturday comes around everything's going perfect, too perfect...
especially for a baptism. So I'm just waiting triple checking
everything and it was going good. They show up on time they shave
everything the speakers are there. Wow alright maybe we're good. Then
I check the font. It's brown! Ahhhhhh. So we drain it a scrub it out
try again. It's yellow!! What's going on. I figure out it's the hot
water that's all nasty 😷 so I let them all know what's going on, and
we decide to use cold water haha. It wasn't that big of a deal, she
was kinda worried Hana, but it was fine. Her grandpa baptized her and
it was super special. I love her o ya her name is Xitlaly, pretty cool
name.
It's also transfers week and I'm gonna stay here for my last little
bit in la joya, and the ysa. I will be with the same companion elder
Lewis from Alaska. He's a good kid. We've been together for 6 now and
it's been fun. This would have been a really hard transfer with just
about anyone else, but we've continued to work hard iPad give it all
and the lord is blessing us. I think it's the greatest feeling ever to
work so hard at something for a space of time, and then hit that goal
you've been working towards. Ive been so blessed these few weeks, and
have seen how much Heavenly Father cares about what we care about.
Even the tiny things, if you are doing good what he asks of you then
he will help you with anything you ask. Sometimes in a completlty
different way than we think but he always comes through😊
I love this work and I love this gospel. I can't believe my cousin
Seli is already done with her mission and I'm in the final stretch. It
really really makes me sad. But can't do this forever I guess.
I love you guys!
Shout out to marissa getting engaged. I miss the wedding by just a few
days😩 you guys look like models!
I hope you all know how much I love you guys
Elder Miller
I'm pretty sad no one got my email last week. I was pretty pumped last
week. We had a Blessing out of thin air. So as we know we've had no
one to teach for some time and then we get a phone call from a really
old lady in our ward. Super nice but doesn't talk to us much so we
were surprised. As we are talking she tells us about her little niece
that just moved in With her. She's 8 and so cute. Grandma says that
one of the first things she asked her grandma when she moved in was if
she could get baptized now! So we came over and started teaching her.
She's super funny and loves learning. So the first time we asked her
if she wants to be baptized at the end of July, and she seemed sad. I
asked her why she was sad, and she told me that seemed to far away
haha, and asked if she could get baptized this week!
So that's a big part of what last weeks email was about!
Then this week we went over every single day and she just soaked
everything up! She was happy 😄 we talked to the ward and got it all
set up for Saturday!
Saturday comes around everything's going perfect, too perfect...
especially for a baptism. So I'm just waiting triple checking
everything and it was going good. They show up on time they shave
everything the speakers are there. Wow alright maybe we're good. Then
I check the font. It's brown! Ahhhhhh. So we drain it a scrub it out
try again. It's yellow!! What's going on. I figure out it's the hot
water that's all nasty 😷 so I let them all know what's going on, and
we decide to use cold water haha. It wasn't that big of a deal, she
was kinda worried Hana, but it was fine. Her grandpa baptized her and
it was super special. I love her o ya her name is Xitlaly, pretty cool
name.
It's also transfers week and I'm gonna stay here for my last little
bit in la joya, and the ysa. I will be with the same companion elder
Lewis from Alaska. He's a good kid. We've been together for 6 now and
it's been fun. This would have been a really hard transfer with just
about anyone else, but we've continued to work hard iPad give it all
and the lord is blessing us. I think it's the greatest feeling ever to
work so hard at something for a space of time, and then hit that goal
you've been working towards. Ive been so blessed these few weeks, and
have seen how much Heavenly Father cares about what we care about.
Even the tiny things, if you are doing good what he asks of you then
he will help you with anything you ask. Sometimes in a completlty
different way than we think but he always comes through😊
I love this work and I love this gospel. I can't believe my cousin
Seli is already done with her mission and I'm in the final stretch. It
really really makes me sad. But can't do this forever I guess.
I love you guys!
Shout out to marissa getting engaged. I miss the wedding by just a few
days😩 you guys look like models!
I hope you all know how much I love you guys
Elder Miller
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
7.4.17
Hey guys!!
Happy 4th of July!! How's everyone doing! Not too much to report this
week, except that it's been pretty warm as Arizona normally is this
time. It's been quite the experience of having no one to teach and so
we are outside trying to talk to people. The problem is no one else
wants to be outside so we knock doors and people answer then tell us
it's too hot so they shut it haha. I'm trying to convince my self
that's its one of those things that the old people tell you "it builds
character" haha. It's been fun tho. The people that do talk to us
though are super nice and we've heard some great stories. Sadly none
want to hear much of our message but it'll come soon.
We got a new mission president on Saturday. His name is president
Collins. I actually haven't met him yet but from the few people that
have they say he is really cool. If he is as awesome as they say I'm a
little sad I won't really get to be around him much, but I loved
president griffin so I think I'm good with only having 1 president.
Since we haven't had people to teach we have really tried to push with
service, and there are plenty of people that love that. We have
cleaned 3 yards this week, helped with broken cars, carding things
into house it's been fun. Who doesn't like when someone else does
their work haha. It always feels great to help and serve, and I think
that's the only we are beating the heat right now haha, it makes you
forget about it a bit when you are helping out.
Well that's kinda it from down here in the oven
Love you guys!
Have an awesome 4th!!!
Elder Miller
Friday, June 30, 2017
6.26.17
Hey guys!
What a week. The oven has turned back on and we sit in it all day 😅😐
haha it's pretty hot.
We have had absolutely no one to teach but we've kept going and
Heavenly Father is helping us out. Finally Friday we went over to an
inactive house. She asked us to come over because she wants to come
back. When we arrived we were greeted by her nonmember husband. As he
let us in he asked if he could sit and listen! I looked at elder Lewis
and we switched gears real quick. We focused all on him and in the
middle of the lesson the spirit hit me really strong and the he filled
my mouth with his words. I stopped Jose (the husband) and asked him,
if this church were true, and what we teach is of god, what would you
be willing to do? He paused and thought for a second and said, I'd
change everything. My inside and outside. Did become a better man,
husband and father. I'd become what god wants me to be....... 😊
He then asked us about the Book of Mormon and how he'd tried to read
it, but wasn't sure quite what it meant or where to start. We taught
him of it, the church, and prayer, and how those are the ways we
receive our answers. He committed to doing all three and the spirit
once again came in so strong. I then asked him when he revived a
confirmation of our words would he be baptized? He couldn't reply as
tears came to his eyes. He then looked up and said yes, when I know
it's true I will be baptized. It was super cool. On top of it all, he
also has a 8 year old daughter who is super sweet named Catherine. She
is super fun and we want to focus more on her next time 🙂
Then Saturday night we went back to Peoria for elder Lewis. His
convert was baptized and I got to see some of my favorite people!! I
was in that ward exactly one year ago! It was so fun, that was my
favorite ward. They are awesome it was so much fun.
Then Sunday Jose and his wife sujey came! He is a awesome dude. elder
Lewis and I also spoke in sacrament trying to pump up to start working
with us more. They are kind of a dying ward and we are trying to see
what we can do to bring them back together. Then as if all the sudden
something clicked, we had like three members come up to us after and
tell us about some friends that came to mind that they are going to
talk to and want us to come try talking to them!
Just make the day better as we walk into the ysa ward three more
people told us about their friends and how they are bringing them to
institute and fhe! This has been a hard couple hit long weeks but
Heavenly Father didn't forget about us. He has blessed us a ton, and
now we just have to keep it going.
I love this work and waging people's lives change through the grace
and love of Jesus Christ.
I love you guys so much and am pray no for you all. It's when we take
a leap of faith and do the small things he blesses us. Do them
consistently and he will give you miracles.
Love you guys
Elder Miller
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
6.12.17
Hey guys!
So this last week was transfers and I got elder Lewis. He was in the
district the transfer before so I already know him, and he's awesome
he's a hard worker who has really studied his Spanish so it's fun.
He's from Alaska and everybody loves it haha. They thinks it so cool.
It makes him happy 😊
We've been working hard this week. We've really trying to talk to
everyone and it's been pretty cool. It's been a lot of just finding
but its been cool we've talked some cool people.
Idk why but I can't think of really anything. Just kinda a slow week
but that's okay. Its already been super fun with elder Lewis.
That's kinda it haha sorry
I'll have more next week, I'm feeling like it'll be a good one 🙂
Love you guys
Elder Miller
6.7.17
Hey everyone!
Crazy week this week. It's helped me see once again that everything depends on you and not the situation around you. I'll give you guys a little glimpse into the week.
Tuesday I had the big zone leader meeting. It was weird because it was sort of presidents last teaching and everything. All he's doing now is preparing for the new president. so we learned some pretty cool things. Something that I really liked was sort of his last line to us he said- "There is no other way to measure your love for god then how you treat others around you." I thought it was cool. God says if you love me keep my commandments. When you think of the 10 commandments it's all about others around you, and then the second greatest commandment is love your neighbor as you love yourself. Idk it all kinda clicked for me so I thought it was cool!
Then later that day I met with two men from salt lake and the mission president about a service project that the 12 apostles were behind and pushing for it you could say. My zone was to go help and be apart of a "prayer breakfast" for police and fire men, where there would be leaders from 5different churches and each talk and pray for these service men. So it was pretty cool to be apart of. It was held in the Grand Canyon university basketball stadium with over 800 people in attendance.
The catch was we were to be there ready to go at 5 am... so we were up Wednesday morning at 4. Wow I was tired haha. So we have now all been up since 4 so we are all a little on edge, and we receive the news that our friend elder Wyatt was going home that day. He hadn't told anyone but he wrecked his hand on his bike and was going home for surgery. The worst part is he might not be able to come back because of his medical history. He is 7 feet tall and has had some really big struggles with his health. Anywho we were all just so sad it was awful. So ya he went home.
Then Thursday was elder wyatts companions birthday and he was really down so we tried to do something fun. I ended up making a pretty sweet piñata (if I do say so myself haha) and that was fun. In spite of the sadness, we also had Jesus's baptismal interview and prepared his program and everything so that was awesome! He was so excited!!!
Then Friday during district meeting, we held a funeral for elder clough, who went home this morning. It was pretty funny I'll send pics.
Saturday tho was awesome. It was Jesus baptism!!!! IT WAS THE BOMB. He was so ready. He couldn't stop smiling. And the whole ward showed up! It was beautiful 😊 He worked so hard to find his answer, and the lord has blessed him so much. He knows so much and has truly begun his path to conversion.
Sunday, he was then confirmed as well as received the aaronic priesthood! Then to just put the cherry on top without anyone saying anything, he went up and bore such a sweet pure testimony of the Book of Mormon and his feelings of the church. He's such a cool kid. June will be one of the biggest months of his life haha. He was baptized and confirmed, it's his birthday, and he began boot camp. That was hard tho to say goodbye to him. He started boot camp yesterday in Oklahoma.
Then we learned that a great lady in our wards daughter died. She had been battling cancer, and she was pretty sad. Her husband isn't a member and it was super hard on him. They asked us to come to the funeral Friday, and I kinda feel bad that we were joking about the "else's funeral" and now we have a real one. But it was very special to see the hope the sister had and the way she talked about how she was happy for her, no longer suffering and being in a better place.
Then Monday comes around and elder clough actually leaves and that was hard too. I have been around him for over 9 months of my mission. He's a super cool dude.
And now today is transfers and we've had to figure out a ton of stuff that went wrong with transfers and I'm now district leader because ZL don't really exist anymore in our mission, but it's whatever. I'll now being doing a lot more, and hopefully be able to help the missionaries more, doing exchanges and what not. But I am staying to finish off in la Joya and the ysa so I'm pretty happy about that.
So ya pretty different week, lots of ups and downs, but then I listened to a talk that just brought the whole week into perspective.
It was elder Holland and he said "trouble and discouragement have no relationship to each other. Discouragement is a germ of its own."
I liked that line. We control our outcome. How we feel each day is truly up to us. Do we get up and be positive and smile or do we whine to ourselves that we are tired. Do we look at the bad and wonder why we aren't happier or do we go on an what sometimes feels like an excursion, (but one worthwhile none the less), to find the positives. Not only that, but when we turn to the lord, he will bless us, and help us through the hard times.
Keep being amazing. Heavenly fathers purpose for us is to be happy! So smile
My aunt taught me to S.M.I.L.E
S.ee M.iracles I.n L.ife E.vereyday
Love you guys!
Elder Miller
Crazy week this week. It's helped me see once again that everything depends on you and not the situation around you. I'll give you guys a little glimpse into the week.
Tuesday I had the big zone leader meeting. It was weird because it was sort of presidents last teaching and everything. All he's doing now is preparing for the new president. so we learned some pretty cool things. Something that I really liked was sort of his last line to us he said- "There is no other way to measure your love for god then how you treat others around you." I thought it was cool. God says if you love me keep my commandments. When you think of the 10 commandments it's all about others around you, and then the second greatest commandment is love your neighbor as you love yourself. Idk it all kinda clicked for me so I thought it was cool!
Then later that day I met with two men from salt lake and the mission president about a service project that the 12 apostles were behind and pushing for it you could say. My zone was to go help and be apart of a "prayer breakfast" for police and fire men, where there would be leaders from 5different churches and each talk and pray for these service men. So it was pretty cool to be apart of. It was held in the Grand Canyon university basketball stadium with over 800 people in attendance.
The catch was we were to be there ready to go at 5 am... so we were up Wednesday morning at 4. Wow I was tired haha. So we have now all been up since 4 so we are all a little on edge, and we receive the news that our friend elder Wyatt was going home that day. He hadn't told anyone but he wrecked his hand on his bike and was going home for surgery. The worst part is he might not be able to come back because of his medical history. He is 7 feet tall and has had some really big struggles with his health. Anywho we were all just so sad it was awful. So ya he went home.
Then Thursday was elder wyatts companions birthday and he was really down so we tried to do something fun. I ended up making a pretty sweet piñata (if I do say so myself haha) and that was fun. In spite of the sadness, we also had Jesus's baptismal interview and prepared his program and everything so that was awesome! He was so excited!!!
Then Friday during district meeting, we held a funeral for elder clough, who went home this morning. It was pretty funny I'll send pics.
Saturday tho was awesome. It was Jesus baptism!!!! IT WAS THE BOMB. He was so ready. He couldn't stop smiling. And the whole ward showed up! It was beautiful 😊 He worked so hard to find his answer, and the lord has blessed him so much. He knows so much and has truly begun his path to conversion.
Sunday, he was then confirmed as well as received the aaronic priesthood! Then to just put the cherry on top without anyone saying anything, he went up and bore such a sweet pure testimony of the Book of Mormon and his feelings of the church. He's such a cool kid. June will be one of the biggest months of his life haha. He was baptized and confirmed, it's his birthday, and he began boot camp. That was hard tho to say goodbye to him. He started boot camp yesterday in Oklahoma.
Then we learned that a great lady in our wards daughter died. She had been battling cancer, and she was pretty sad. Her husband isn't a member and it was super hard on him. They asked us to come to the funeral Friday, and I kinda feel bad that we were joking about the "else's funeral" and now we have a real one. But it was very special to see the hope the sister had and the way she talked about how she was happy for her, no longer suffering and being in a better place.
Then Monday comes around and elder clough actually leaves and that was hard too. I have been around him for over 9 months of my mission. He's a super cool dude.
And now today is transfers and we've had to figure out a ton of stuff that went wrong with transfers and I'm now district leader because ZL don't really exist anymore in our mission, but it's whatever. I'll now being doing a lot more, and hopefully be able to help the missionaries more, doing exchanges and what not. But I am staying to finish off in la Joya and the ysa so I'm pretty happy about that.
So ya pretty different week, lots of ups and downs, but then I listened to a talk that just brought the whole week into perspective.
It was elder Holland and he said "trouble and discouragement have no relationship to each other. Discouragement is a germ of its own."
I liked that line. We control our outcome. How we feel each day is truly up to us. Do we get up and be positive and smile or do we whine to ourselves that we are tired. Do we look at the bad and wonder why we aren't happier or do we go on an what sometimes feels like an excursion, (but one worthwhile none the less), to find the positives. Not only that, but when we turn to the lord, he will bless us, and help us through the hard times.
Keep being amazing. Heavenly fathers purpose for us is to be happy! So smile
My aunt taught me to S.M.I.L.E
S.ee M.iracles I.n L.ife E.vereyday
Love you guys!
Elder Miller
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
5.29.17
Hey guys!
Great week this week! We've reset ourselves and got back to really
trying to talk to everyone we see, and we've talked to some awesome
people, and got a lot of return appointments this week.
We've really been pushing with Jesus this week trying to get him all
ready for his baptism his Saturday!! Heavenly father has truly blessed
him to open his mind and learn so much so quickly. This is the fastest
I've ever taught anyone and he is one of the most converted! It's been
such a blessing because we were worried to baptize him and him just
leave to boot camp. But he's great! He came to another wards baptism
last night and he's just so pumped!
We had a really special lesson with him this week where we taught the
law of tithing. During the lesson I felt really be able to promise him
huge specific blessing if he would pay his tithing for the rest of his
life. I love teaching and having the spirit be with us. It's the
coolest feeling ever then be worthy to be a tool in he lords hand and
help others come closer to him.
We also had a cool lesson with Jordan on Saturday and taught the plan
of salvation. As I've said before that's probably my favorite lesson
to teach and it was awesome. We focused the plan this time in helping
understand the "whys" of life, and he really enjoyed that. It helped
him understand why the gospel is so important if it is true. He is a
very logical guy and the spirit is helping everything click. It's so
cool to see that the spirit works in such different ways to
individualize everything for each person.
Transfers are next week, and no one has any idea what's going to
happen, all we know is elder clough, our roommate and old companion,
is finishing his mission, and we'll be sad to see him go.😩
Well, that's kinda it from here. O we did es changes and I was back on
bike and it was fun, but it was 110 and I was a bit wet by the end of
the day 😋😷
Love you guys!
Elder Miller
Great week this week! We've reset ourselves and got back to really
trying to talk to everyone we see, and we've talked to some awesome
people, and got a lot of return appointments this week.
We've really been pushing with Jesus this week trying to get him all
ready for his baptism his Saturday!! Heavenly father has truly blessed
him to open his mind and learn so much so quickly. This is the fastest
I've ever taught anyone and he is one of the most converted! It's been
such a blessing because we were worried to baptize him and him just
leave to boot camp. But he's great! He came to another wards baptism
last night and he's just so pumped!
We had a really special lesson with him this week where we taught the
law of tithing. During the lesson I felt really be able to promise him
huge specific blessing if he would pay his tithing for the rest of his
life. I love teaching and having the spirit be with us. It's the
coolest feeling ever then be worthy to be a tool in he lords hand and
help others come closer to him.
We also had a cool lesson with Jordan on Saturday and taught the plan
of salvation. As I've said before that's probably my favorite lesson
to teach and it was awesome. We focused the plan this time in helping
understand the "whys" of life, and he really enjoyed that. It helped
him understand why the gospel is so important if it is true. He is a
very logical guy and the spirit is helping everything click. It's so
cool to see that the spirit works in such different ways to
individualize everything for each person.
Transfers are next week, and no one has any idea what's going to
happen, all we know is elder clough, our roommate and old companion,
is finishing his mission, and we'll be sad to see him go.😩
Well, that's kinda it from here. O we did es changes and I was back on
bike and it was fun, but it was 110 and I was a bit wet by the end of
the day 😋😷
Love you guys!
Elder Miller
Monday, May 29, 2017
5.22.17
Hey guys,
Sorry I didn't write last week. We went hiking and my companion forgot
to mention we took a different rout than I though and it was a 8.5
mile hike rather than a 4 like I had anticipated. But we're back this
week, and wow were we blessed. In they last two weeks we have had 7
new investigators! It's been super cool. 2 in the Spanish and 5 in the
ysa!! And the ysa hasn't had investigators in forever, they have only
had 2 baptized in the last 2 years, so we are all super excited. I
cant remember if I talked about Jesus, but he is an awesome kid. One
day he just decided to text a friend that is a member here, and asked
if he could come to church. He cam and he loved it! We have now had 3
lessons with him, and he came up to us after church and said he guys,
i don't know how to say his, but I mean I think I'm ready to be
baptized!! So he is going to be baptized Saturday the third! Idk if
he's more excited or the ward, they both are pumped!
We also had stake conference this weekend and it was very powerful.
There were two different 70s with us, and they were great! Elder
hallstrom is from the presidency of he 70 and elder Macoon just was
called this past conference.The two big themes were Sabah day
observance and truly keeping it holy. We don't need the list of what
we can and can't do, but we need to ask our selves is this what I want
Heavenly Father to see me doing on his holy day. " our Sabbath day
observance is and outward showing of our inner faith"- elder hallstrom
The other teme was truly becoming converted to the lord. We should be
able to ask our selves is here absolutely anything that would push us
out or away from the church. And if we really are converted we can
answer, with 100% certainty, no there is not. And the way we become
converted is through consistency in the small things. Reading the Book
of Mormon going to church saying prayers going to the temple. And when
we do is when we see miracles.
Sorry not too much more.
Love you guys!
Elder Miller
Sorry I didn't write last week. We went hiking and my companion forgot
to mention we took a different rout than I though and it was a 8.5
mile hike rather than a 4 like I had anticipated. But we're back this
week, and wow were we blessed. In they last two weeks we have had 7
new investigators! It's been super cool. 2 in the Spanish and 5 in the
ysa!! And the ysa hasn't had investigators in forever, they have only
had 2 baptized in the last 2 years, so we are all super excited. I
cant remember if I talked about Jesus, but he is an awesome kid. One
day he just decided to text a friend that is a member here, and asked
if he could come to church. He cam and he loved it! We have now had 3
lessons with him, and he came up to us after church and said he guys,
i don't know how to say his, but I mean I think I'm ready to be
baptized!! So he is going to be baptized Saturday the third! Idk if
he's more excited or the ward, they both are pumped!
We also had stake conference this weekend and it was very powerful.
There were two different 70s with us, and they were great! Elder
hallstrom is from the presidency of he 70 and elder Macoon just was
called this past conference.The two big themes were Sabah day
observance and truly keeping it holy. We don't need the list of what
we can and can't do, but we need to ask our selves is this what I want
Heavenly Father to see me doing on his holy day. " our Sabbath day
observance is and outward showing of our inner faith"- elder hallstrom
The other teme was truly becoming converted to the lord. We should be
able to ask our selves is here absolutely anything that would push us
out or away from the church. And if we really are converted we can
answer, with 100% certainty, no there is not. And the way we become
converted is through consistency in the small things. Reading the Book
of Mormon going to church saying prayers going to the temple. And when
we do is when we see miracles.
Sorry not too much more.
Love you guys!
Elder Miller
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
5.8.17
Hey everybody!
We had a pretty awesome week!
Once again tuesday we had our big training together as a mission and
it was very interesting. Because the mission president goes home the
first week of july he is sort of just pouring all of his love and
wisdom on us and it is really cool. As i feel most are, mission
president are so in tune with the spirit and have so much wisdom that
just being around them you feel great. We sadly don't get to take back
our training as we used to in our zones, because they have asked the
missions to stop doing zone meetings, so I'm not sure what we truly do
as zone leaders anymore haha. But it's fun to be with president.
Then throughout the week we have been blessed with miracles. Sometimes
i can't understand why he blesses us when sometimes we haven't really
done anything to deserve it. On Wednesday we were going around trying
to find new people to teach because we sadly just dropped everyone
because no one would come to church. So as we are getting back into
the car, this old lady yells at us asking us to come over. So we jump
out excitedly and start talking to her. Her name is Dominga and she is
68 years old she said she had talked to missionaries is 70's in
Nicaragua but nothing really came of it. She asked us if she could
learn more about joseph smith and his story again! I was pumped, she
invited us to come back Friday. So Friday rolls around and she talked
about how she is just excited to learn more, and how she wants to come
to church and all these awesome things, and lo and behold she came to
church! It was awesome. We didn't really get to talk to her about her
experience because we had to run to the ysa ward. But we have a
lesson tonight with her at 6!
Sunday morning we also received a text from a random number asking
where and when church was. This woman shows up and says her name is
Griselda. She tells us how she has been a jehovah's wittiness her whole
life, but then she lost her faith in it. She then said she lost her
husband and her job. At first she thought it was a sign but didn't
want to go back to the church. So she said she prayed and prayed and
prayed, and wanted to know what path God wanted her to go on and all
the sudden she found a job, working for a Mormon bishop, and she said
she then took it as that was her answer and was now going on faith
and came to try it out and said she really enjoyed it. We are going to
her house on Friday!!!
Then even more in the ysa a kid brought a friend to church and is open
to talking to us and learning more! Don't know much more about him
than that but this all happened so quickly and it is incredible to see
how much Heavenly Father is taking care of us. I think in the past I
would be sad because we would struggle to find people to teach, but I
was sad because we just didn't have much to do, now I feel down when
we do, because I love teaching so much and to not being able to share
it with someone now is what is hard. I love this gospel and am amazed
everyday at how much the Lord loves us and wants to bless us.
Thanks for everyone last week for the birthday wishes they were really
special!😊
Love you guys! Have a great week!
Elder Miller
We had a pretty awesome week!
Once again tuesday we had our big training together as a mission and
it was very interesting. Because the mission president goes home the
first week of july he is sort of just pouring all of his love and
wisdom on us and it is really cool. As i feel most are, mission
president are so in tune with the spirit and have so much wisdom that
just being around them you feel great. We sadly don't get to take back
our training as we used to in our zones, because they have asked the
missions to stop doing zone meetings, so I'm not sure what we truly do
as zone leaders anymore haha. But it's fun to be with president.
Then throughout the week we have been blessed with miracles. Sometimes
i can't understand why he blesses us when sometimes we haven't really
done anything to deserve it. On Wednesday we were going around trying
to find new people to teach because we sadly just dropped everyone
because no one would come to church. So as we are getting back into
the car, this old lady yells at us asking us to come over. So we jump
out excitedly and start talking to her. Her name is Dominga and she is
68 years old she said she had talked to missionaries is 70's in
Nicaragua but nothing really came of it. She asked us if she could
learn more about joseph smith and his story again! I was pumped, she
invited us to come back Friday. So Friday rolls around and she talked
about how she is just excited to learn more, and how she wants to come
to church and all these awesome things, and lo and behold she came to
church! It was awesome. We didn't really get to talk to her about her
experience because we had to run to the ysa ward. But we have a
lesson tonight with her at 6!
Sunday morning we also received a text from a random number asking
where and when church was. This woman shows up and says her name is
Griselda. She tells us how she has been a jehovah's wittiness her whole
life, but then she lost her faith in it. She then said she lost her
husband and her job. At first she thought it was a sign but didn't
want to go back to the church. So she said she prayed and prayed and
prayed, and wanted to know what path God wanted her to go on and all
the sudden she found a job, working for a Mormon bishop, and she said
she then took it as that was her answer and was now going on faith
and came to try it out and said she really enjoyed it. We are going to
her house on Friday!!!
Then even more in the ysa a kid brought a friend to church and is open
to talking to us and learning more! Don't know much more about him
than that but this all happened so quickly and it is incredible to see
how much Heavenly Father is taking care of us. I think in the past I
would be sad because we would struggle to find people to teach, but I
was sad because we just didn't have much to do, now I feel down when
we do, because I love teaching so much and to not being able to share
it with someone now is what is hard. I love this gospel and am amazed
everyday at how much the Lord loves us and wants to bless us.
Thanks for everyone last week for the birthday wishes they were really
special!😊
Love you guys! Have a great week!
Elder Miller
Thursday, April 27, 2017
4.25.17
So it's pretty crazy day as a zone leader trying to figure transfers
and helping people know where to go and how to get there. And probably
wasn't the best day to get haircuts at a members where they also had a
big lunch for us that lasted almost 2 hours haha. Havnt had anytime
today.
I had an interview with the mission president on Friday and he asked
me to stay with my companion 1 more transfer. So I'll be with him for
6 more weeks and then I'll have someone else for about 9. This will be
the second time I've been in an area longer than 3 months haha.
But not much happened this week. Its been a really slow week
actually😕 And we don't have anyone to teach. We have the couple I
talked about last week, but they are out of town, and then everyone
else we've dropped 😕 definitely the hardest thing for our mission.
Finding people to teach.
Actually but we did have a awesome baptism on Saturday! Little metzly
got baptized and it was super special. People actually came this time.
I called so many people trying to come support. We really hope all of
this will help her parents soon get married and baptized 😊
Sorry this has been probably my worst letter of the mission.
I'll do a better one next week.
Love you guys!
Elder Miller
and helping people know where to go and how to get there. And probably
wasn't the best day to get haircuts at a members where they also had a
big lunch for us that lasted almost 2 hours haha. Havnt had anytime
today.
I had an interview with the mission president on Friday and he asked
me to stay with my companion 1 more transfer. So I'll be with him for
6 more weeks and then I'll have someone else for about 9. This will be
the second time I've been in an area longer than 3 months haha.
But not much happened this week. Its been a really slow week
actually😕 And we don't have anyone to teach. We have the couple I
talked about last week, but they are out of town, and then everyone
else we've dropped 😕 definitely the hardest thing for our mission.
Finding people to teach.
Actually but we did have a awesome baptism on Saturday! Little metzly
got baptized and it was super special. People actually came this time.
I called so many people trying to come support. We really hope all of
this will help her parents soon get married and baptized 😊
Sorry this has been probably my worst letter of the mission.
I'll do a better one next week.
Love you guys!
Elder Miller
Friday, April 21, 2017
4.18.17
Hey guys!
Crazy day today. his morning we went to a members house from the English ward, and he does a hot wings challenge and it was super hot and fun. Then we did a zone activity where we did a massive water balloon fight with over 1,500 gallons. It was in the parking lot of the church and we set up an arena with our cars, we had tables up as walls and garbage cans full placed all across the arena it was awesome! We were all soaked.
Here are a couple awesome highlights this week.
To start, we had another awesome lesson with David and Rosalina. They are great. Rosalina was struggling with reading little so we talked about faith and how we really need to show our faith through our actions. Do we really have the confidence in Heavenly Father that if we do the things he's asked, then he'll do his part and bless us. David loves the Book of Mormon though and he told us several times to come back, to please not leave them. He knows there's something here and it's really cool to have someone that has this desire to figure out what we have and watching him apply it in his life. It is through those acts of our faith when we receive our answers and blessings. It's so cool.
Then Saturday we had Metzlis baptismal interview. She is the little girl we have been teaching. She is so smart, and its been very fun. Her parents have been investigating for a few years now, and just havnt made the push to get married, but I think with Metzli being baptized it going to be huge for them. This is going to be the push they need. The baptism is going to be next Saturday and we are pumped!
Then Sunday was perfect. To have the whole day solely focused on Christ and his beautiful love for us was amazing. And because we get to be in two wards we got double. It was a great Easter, but to make it just that much better, Brenda and Ernesto, from the Estrella area, were baptized! I found them with elder jones in dec and taught them the first three lessons and fell in love with them. I don't think I have ever felt the kind of joy I felt at their baptism. I was so happy for them. They have had such a hard life and now they have made this incredible covenant with God and it will change their life forever.
I love being a missionary! His gospel is what brings happiness in this life and I've been filled with the joy of helping others come unto Christ this week!
I hope you all had a special Easter and I pray you all have a great week!
Love you guys so much.
Elder Miller
Crazy day today. his morning we went to a members house from the English ward, and he does a hot wings challenge and it was super hot and fun. Then we did a zone activity where we did a massive water balloon fight with over 1,500 gallons. It was in the parking lot of the church and we set up an arena with our cars, we had tables up as walls and garbage cans full placed all across the arena it was awesome! We were all soaked.
Here are a couple awesome highlights this week.
To start, we had another awesome lesson with David and Rosalina. They are great. Rosalina was struggling with reading little so we talked about faith and how we really need to show our faith through our actions. Do we really have the confidence in Heavenly Father that if we do the things he's asked, then he'll do his part and bless us. David loves the Book of Mormon though and he told us several times to come back, to please not leave them. He knows there's something here and it's really cool to have someone that has this desire to figure out what we have and watching him apply it in his life. It is through those acts of our faith when we receive our answers and blessings. It's so cool.
Then Saturday we had Metzlis baptismal interview. She is the little girl we have been teaching. She is so smart, and its been very fun. Her parents have been investigating for a few years now, and just havnt made the push to get married, but I think with Metzli being baptized it going to be huge for them. This is going to be the push they need. The baptism is going to be next Saturday and we are pumped!
Then Sunday was perfect. To have the whole day solely focused on Christ and his beautiful love for us was amazing. And because we get to be in two wards we got double. It was a great Easter, but to make it just that much better, Brenda and Ernesto, from the Estrella area, were baptized! I found them with elder jones in dec and taught them the first three lessons and fell in love with them. I don't think I have ever felt the kind of joy I felt at their baptism. I was so happy for them. They have had such a hard life and now they have made this incredible covenant with God and it will change their life forever.
I love being a missionary! His gospel is what brings happiness in this life and I've been filled with the joy of helping others come unto Christ this week!
I hope you all had a special Easter and I pray you all have a great week!
Love you guys so much.
Elder Miller
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
4.10.17
Hey guys,
We have had so much this week its been awesome. Our mission president
tried to get a big push going for people to find ysa age people and
refer them to the ysa missionaries. Which means more people for us!
This week we have had 7 referrals and its been sweet.
Then we found some amazing people for spanish. 1 was a family of
three, where the dads coworker is a member and invited him to listen
and their sons who is 10 is super pumped. He loves the kids Book of
Mormon and the parents want to find a church that they can all go to
as a family. They are pretty cool, they are the Leon family. Then
yesterday we found a woman and her husband who have been super
prepared. They were raised catholic, but they said through their
personal studies of the Bible, feel that it is not true according to
the teaching of the New Testament. Then they tried 1 or two others
that they really liked, but then struggled with the people being very
hypocritical. And they said they just haven't felt any of them have
been right yet. It was an amazing first lesson and i really hope that
they can progress. David is form Puerto Rico and Rosalina is from
Guadalajara. They should be awesome.
This week we had exchanges with the APs and it was so cool. One of my
favorite exchanges of my mission. I was with elder walker and he is
so cool. I learned so much and had a ton of fun. He is from Idaho and
is a great guy. I would really like to stay in contact with him after
the mission.
On Thursday we got to go to the temple again! Its was super fun. As a
zone last transfer we had 1 baptism for companionship, and so the
reward is going to the temple! The phoenix temple is a pretty cool
temple.
I found out that a family that I taught in an old area is going to be
baptized next Sunday, and im so excited. Our stakes share a stake
center and that's where the baptism will be, so I get to go to it! Its
Brenda and Ernesto. They are so cool. I'm so happy for them.
On Sunday the young couple were baptized and it was perfect. I was sad
for them tho, because none of the ward showed up, which reflects what
kind of ward this is, but other than that it went perfect, and they
have been super ready. I didn't really get to teach them anything
before, because they have been ready for a while now, but for the
first time in my mission do I get to be with someone that I was there
for their baptism and I get to stay after to help them to continue to
grow their testimony and become converted, so im pretty happy about
that. Everywhere else I've been, I've moved every three months so I
never got to be with people after their baptism.
We have a lot of work this week so we should have a great one coming up.
You all will too 😄
Talk to you next week!
Elder Miller
We have had so much this week its been awesome. Our mission president
tried to get a big push going for people to find ysa age people and
refer them to the ysa missionaries. Which means more people for us!
This week we have had 7 referrals and its been sweet.
Then we found some amazing people for spanish. 1 was a family of
three, where the dads coworker is a member and invited him to listen
and their sons who is 10 is super pumped. He loves the kids Book of
Mormon and the parents want to find a church that they can all go to
as a family. They are pretty cool, they are the Leon family. Then
yesterday we found a woman and her husband who have been super
prepared. They were raised catholic, but they said through their
personal studies of the Bible, feel that it is not true according to
the teaching of the New Testament. Then they tried 1 or two others
that they really liked, but then struggled with the people being very
hypocritical. And they said they just haven't felt any of them have
been right yet. It was an amazing first lesson and i really hope that
they can progress. David is form Puerto Rico and Rosalina is from
Guadalajara. They should be awesome.
This week we had exchanges with the APs and it was so cool. One of my
favorite exchanges of my mission. I was with elder walker and he is
so cool. I learned so much and had a ton of fun. He is from Idaho and
is a great guy. I would really like to stay in contact with him after
the mission.
On Thursday we got to go to the temple again! Its was super fun. As a
zone last transfer we had 1 baptism for companionship, and so the
reward is going to the temple! The phoenix temple is a pretty cool
temple.
I found out that a family that I taught in an old area is going to be
baptized next Sunday, and im so excited. Our stakes share a stake
center and that's where the baptism will be, so I get to go to it! Its
Brenda and Ernesto. They are so cool. I'm so happy for them.
On Sunday the young couple were baptized and it was perfect. I was sad
for them tho, because none of the ward showed up, which reflects what
kind of ward this is, but other than that it went perfect, and they
have been super ready. I didn't really get to teach them anything
before, because they have been ready for a while now, but for the
first time in my mission do I get to be with someone that I was there
for their baptism and I get to stay after to help them to continue to
grow their testimony and become converted, so im pretty happy about
that. Everywhere else I've been, I've moved every three months so I
never got to be with people after their baptism.
We have a lot of work this week so we should have a great one coming up.
You all will too 😄
Talk to you next week!
Elder Miller
4.3.17
What's up everybody, sorry I didn't write last week it's been kinda crazy around here.
So last week I was transferred, and I'm in the same zone, even the same district, just different area. I am also zone leader so that kinda fun to be with the mission president a little more, and be able to help the new missionaries out. Just about 80% of the missionaries are 9 months or less, so it's a very different mission now, and we are trying to help build a awesome culture, especially getting ready for the new mission president in 3 months. With being zone leader, I went to a training on Tuesday and it was really cool, it was for the zone leaders and we then needed to take back all that we learned about to zone meeting and train there. It was fun, the other zone leader is elder Campbell and he's an awesome guy. He's from Canada, and he's actually a French speaking elder here. So it's fun to be with him and working with him to fire up the zone and keep it going strong. We are the top baptizing zone in the mission right now, so we definitely want to keep that up!
Speaking of baptisms, we have three coming up soon! One is with a young couple that they had been teaching for quite a while, and that will be next Sunday. The other is an awesome little girl we started teaching. Her parents have taken he lessons and really like church, they go all the time, but they are not married yet sooo, we are now teaching their 8 year old daughter and she is so cool. She is super smart and understands everything. Right now she has a goal for the 22 of april.
We have a ton to do here. Its pretty crazy actually, we have so many referrals for ysa because its basically everyone 18 to 30 in the whole zone so we have 10 sets of missionaries finding for us haha. Its really fun tho.
General Conference was super awesome this weekend! There were so many amazing talks. I am so grateful for the love ive gained for conference, it makes it so much better haha. I feel like with every conference, i get more and more out of it. Especially as a a missionary I received some awesome revelation for not only myself but as well for how to help investigators, my area, and our companionship.
The prophets are such an incredible gift. The fact that in today we have men that speak with God to know how to help us y guide us is so special.
I love you guys, and hope you enjoyed and got as much out of conference as I felt I was blessed with.
Love yall,
Elder Miller
So last week I was transferred, and I'm in the same zone, even the same district, just different area. I am also zone leader so that kinda fun to be with the mission president a little more, and be able to help the new missionaries out. Just about 80% of the missionaries are 9 months or less, so it's a very different mission now, and we are trying to help build a awesome culture, especially getting ready for the new mission president in 3 months. With being zone leader, I went to a training on Tuesday and it was really cool, it was for the zone leaders and we then needed to take back all that we learned about to zone meeting and train there. It was fun, the other zone leader is elder Campbell and he's an awesome guy. He's from Canada, and he's actually a French speaking elder here. So it's fun to be with him and working with him to fire up the zone and keep it going strong. We are the top baptizing zone in the mission right now, so we definitely want to keep that up!
Speaking of baptisms, we have three coming up soon! One is with a young couple that they had been teaching for quite a while, and that will be next Sunday. The other is an awesome little girl we started teaching. Her parents have taken he lessons and really like church, they go all the time, but they are not married yet sooo, we are now teaching their 8 year old daughter and she is so cool. She is super smart and understands everything. Right now she has a goal for the 22 of april.
We have a ton to do here. Its pretty crazy actually, we have so many referrals for ysa because its basically everyone 18 to 30 in the whole zone so we have 10 sets of missionaries finding for us haha. Its really fun tho.
General Conference was super awesome this weekend! There were so many amazing talks. I am so grateful for the love ive gained for conference, it makes it so much better haha. I feel like with every conference, i get more and more out of it. Especially as a a missionary I received some awesome revelation for not only myself but as well for how to help investigators, my area, and our companionship.
The prophets are such an incredible gift. The fact that in today we have men that speak with God to know how to help us y guide us is so special.
I love you guys, and hope you enjoyed and got as much out of conference as I felt I was blessed with.
Love yall,
Elder Miller
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
3.20.17
Hey guys
Crazy week here in arizona. So we started off the week making sure everything was getting ready for Nancy and Hannys baptism. We got a lot done and it was good. We taught a few lessons and found a few promising people. Then Wednesday comes around and transfers come and go and there's no changes so we just kept working. Well at about 2 that day I get a phone call from the mission president telling me I have a few hours to pack and leave because I was being transferred. That was hard. Especially because he had previously told me that i would be staying there the rest of my mission. I really loved that ward, and area, and we had so much going on it was great. Im now in a area a little west of my old area called La Joya. It's definitely different from the last ward so well see how it goes.My companions name is elder johnson from Georgia. He has been out 3 months and doesn't seem to want to be here, so itll be the goal to help him want to learn Spanish and be a missionary. We also cover a ysa in english so thats a pretty big change too haha. So well see how this transfer goes.
I am in the same zone and district so that's kinda fun.
Saturday and sunday were really good tho. Saturday morning Nancy and Haney were baptized and it was perfect! It was the first time ive had a bpatism were something major did not go wrong. It was pretty cool. Then on sunday i was able to go back and do the confirmation for Nancy. It was a really special experience to be a part of.
Sunday was packed with stuff. So we had a meeting at 7 and we had to go pick up some other elders so we were up at 530 to do everything. Then we ran to Cielito at 9 to do the confirmation. Then we ran to la joya for another meeting at 10 then had church at 11. Then we left mid way, and ran to he ysa ward at 1. Its super weird and quiet haha. I felt weird haha. The we had dinner at 5, some finding with a ysa member and then a lesson at 8. It was a long day haha. Luckily we were able to do this because i am no longer on a bike haha, which im surprisingly sad about. I had just accepted my fate of being on bike and was enjoying it.
I guess that's how the mission goes. As soon as you feel good and are getting comfortable it means its time to change.
Hope you guys are all doing good!
Love ya'll,
Elder Miller
Crazy week here in arizona. So we started off the week making sure everything was getting ready for Nancy and Hannys baptism. We got a lot done and it was good. We taught a few lessons and found a few promising people. Then Wednesday comes around and transfers come and go and there's no changes so we just kept working. Well at about 2 that day I get a phone call from the mission president telling me I have a few hours to pack and leave because I was being transferred. That was hard. Especially because he had previously told me that i would be staying there the rest of my mission. I really loved that ward, and area, and we had so much going on it was great. Im now in a area a little west of my old area called La Joya. It's definitely different from the last ward so well see how it goes.My companions name is elder johnson from Georgia. He has been out 3 months and doesn't seem to want to be here, so itll be the goal to help him want to learn Spanish and be a missionary. We also cover a ysa in english so thats a pretty big change too haha. So well see how this transfer goes.
I am in the same zone and district so that's kinda fun.
Saturday and sunday were really good tho. Saturday morning Nancy and Haney were baptized and it was perfect! It was the first time ive had a bpatism were something major did not go wrong. It was pretty cool. Then on sunday i was able to go back and do the confirmation for Nancy. It was a really special experience to be a part of.
Sunday was packed with stuff. So we had a meeting at 7 and we had to go pick up some other elders so we were up at 530 to do everything. Then we ran to Cielito at 9 to do the confirmation. Then we ran to la joya for another meeting at 10 then had church at 11. Then we left mid way, and ran to he ysa ward at 1. Its super weird and quiet haha. I felt weird haha. The we had dinner at 5, some finding with a ysa member and then a lesson at 8. It was a long day haha. Luckily we were able to do this because i am no longer on a bike haha, which im surprisingly sad about. I had just accepted my fate of being on bike and was enjoying it.
I guess that's how the mission goes. As soon as you feel good and are getting comfortable it means its time to change.
Hope you guys are all doing good!
Love ya'll,
Elder Miller
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
3.14.17
Hey guys,
Kinda a crazy day trying to figure out transfers. A bunch of different stuff was going on but I will be staying in Phoenix with elder Lewis.
Its been a little harder week, but we had an awesome weekend! Especially saturday, we didn't stop all day. we got and exercised and went over to a members and had breakfast and helped take down their Christmas lights haha. It was really yummy. Then we brought a change of cloths and biked over to Hermana espinozas house. She was the inactive that moved here from Mexico but wanted to become active again, and then her daughter who is 17 had a baby like two weeks ago, and the ward did a amazing job loving them and bringing them in by throwing a baby shower. It was great. Anywho come to find out the babies father is named Daniel and he is super pumped about the gospel and learning! We taught him the first lesson, and he told us about how he knows he is going to be baptized, he just wants to learn more, but that baptism is already a goal for him! That's pretty sweet. He is very prepared, and really wants to learn more. He said he was not only willing, but excited to search for an answer to the the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon! It's awesome.
Then we rode on over to nancys house where we starting figuring out her baptismal program. She seemed so happy talking about it. It was a special gift to see her so happy. Haney decided that she wanted elder Lewis to baptize her, and im super happy for him, not only is this his first baptism in the mission, but he gets to do the ordinance as well. It's going to be great! Nancy asked her cousin who is a recent return missionary to baptize her, it was really cool to see.
Then we went over to have a lesson with Nuvia and hna correa. It was really good, and Nuvia seemed to pay attention a lot more when hna correa was there. It was probably our first lessons where she got a large part out of it haha. It was good tho. Hna Correa is probably the best missionary member ive worked with in my whole mission. I got to be with her at the very begging of my mission as well so it's super fun to be back working with her. She is the relief society president and she is fantastic.
Then we biked up to dinner with the familia cid. Hna cid was in California, so Hno took us out to eat. But to get there he drove us in his big 12 seater van, that instead of seats he had big lazy boys 😂 haha it was great. We had some fun at a Chinese restaurant, but then had to keep goin. We then spent a large part of the night looking for more people, until we finally came home, and took an hr or so to do some personal study. We really worked hard, and it felt awesome.
Then on Sunday we had 7 people come to church including Rylan the little 10 year old, and his mom who also isn't a member. It was really cool. then that night we found this guy named Julio and he is from cuba. He is a really nice guy. We only got to be with him for a little but after our short little lesson, he asked if we could come back. He also told us he wanted to be baptized! The only problem is that he works on sundays. Ugh nothing is that easy haha. But itll be good, were excited to go back.
So we finished off well 😊 Heavenly Father really helped us in the lessons, and we have some amazing people we get to teach and be apart of their growth. I love seeing them grow and learn of the hope Christ brings. I love this gospel and can't imagine living without it. I truly have a testimony of it, and the blessings it brings, now my goal these last 5 months it that I really am trying to work on is becoming converted to the lord. Ive been studying about it, and thanks to some advise from some amazing people, i think a big key is consistency. Consistently doing the things Heavenly Father has asked us to do like prayer and scriptures. Every single day, and then adding upon it. Trying to be like christ, do the little things too. There is so much power and blessings we receive when we do these things. so as missionaries do all day, i want to give you an invitation. I invite you guys to try it, if youre not already, to read and pray everyday for a week and see if you feel a difference. One of my favorite parts of being a missionary is promising blessing too. So as a representative of Jesus Christ I can promise you if you try it for a week, you will see some incredible blessings in you life.
I love you guys, and I want you guys to know how much i love this Gospel.
Have a great week!
Elder Miller
Kinda a crazy day trying to figure out transfers. A bunch of different stuff was going on but I will be staying in Phoenix with elder Lewis.
Its been a little harder week, but we had an awesome weekend! Especially saturday, we didn't stop all day. we got and exercised and went over to a members and had breakfast and helped take down their Christmas lights haha. It was really yummy. Then we brought a change of cloths and biked over to Hermana espinozas house. She was the inactive that moved here from Mexico but wanted to become active again, and then her daughter who is 17 had a baby like two weeks ago, and the ward did a amazing job loving them and bringing them in by throwing a baby shower. It was great. Anywho come to find out the babies father is named Daniel and he is super pumped about the gospel and learning! We taught him the first lesson, and he told us about how he knows he is going to be baptized, he just wants to learn more, but that baptism is already a goal for him! That's pretty sweet. He is very prepared, and really wants to learn more. He said he was not only willing, but excited to search for an answer to the the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon! It's awesome.
Then we rode on over to nancys house where we starting figuring out her baptismal program. She seemed so happy talking about it. It was a special gift to see her so happy. Haney decided that she wanted elder Lewis to baptize her, and im super happy for him, not only is this his first baptism in the mission, but he gets to do the ordinance as well. It's going to be great! Nancy asked her cousin who is a recent return missionary to baptize her, it was really cool to see.
Then we went over to have a lesson with Nuvia and hna correa. It was really good, and Nuvia seemed to pay attention a lot more when hna correa was there. It was probably our first lessons where she got a large part out of it haha. It was good tho. Hna Correa is probably the best missionary member ive worked with in my whole mission. I got to be with her at the very begging of my mission as well so it's super fun to be back working with her. She is the relief society president and she is fantastic.
Then we biked up to dinner with the familia cid. Hna cid was in California, so Hno took us out to eat. But to get there he drove us in his big 12 seater van, that instead of seats he had big lazy boys 😂 haha it was great. We had some fun at a Chinese restaurant, but then had to keep goin. We then spent a large part of the night looking for more people, until we finally came home, and took an hr or so to do some personal study. We really worked hard, and it felt awesome.
Then on Sunday we had 7 people come to church including Rylan the little 10 year old, and his mom who also isn't a member. It was really cool. then that night we found this guy named Julio and he is from cuba. He is a really nice guy. We only got to be with him for a little but after our short little lesson, he asked if we could come back. He also told us he wanted to be baptized! The only problem is that he works on sundays. Ugh nothing is that easy haha. But itll be good, were excited to go back.
So we finished off well 😊 Heavenly Father really helped us in the lessons, and we have some amazing people we get to teach and be apart of their growth. I love seeing them grow and learn of the hope Christ brings. I love this gospel and can't imagine living without it. I truly have a testimony of it, and the blessings it brings, now my goal these last 5 months it that I really am trying to work on is becoming converted to the lord. Ive been studying about it, and thanks to some advise from some amazing people, i think a big key is consistency. Consistently doing the things Heavenly Father has asked us to do like prayer and scriptures. Every single day, and then adding upon it. Trying to be like christ, do the little things too. There is so much power and blessings we receive when we do these things. so as missionaries do all day, i want to give you an invitation. I invite you guys to try it, if youre not already, to read and pray everyday for a week and see if you feel a difference. One of my favorite parts of being a missionary is promising blessing too. So as a representative of Jesus Christ I can promise you if you try it for a week, you will see some incredible blessings in you life.
I love you guys, and I want you guys to know how much i love this Gospel.
Have a great week!
Elder Miller
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