Internal Peace Despite External Turbulence

First order of business... NO MORE CANDY.  PLEASE don't send me sweets!! I have gained way too much weight and I am trying to be more healthy and that is hard enough only being in control of what I eat for breakfast and lunch. So thank you for your love, but just don't do that to me haha.

Interesting week this time around. We were asked to help with a rosary this week... I've never even owned a rosary so that was a little interesting. Needless to say we politely declined. 

We also had the most unique dinner experience this week. We went to a part-member less active family's home. Her son is a gang member and well that pretty much summarizes it. He was very rude and we all felt uncomfortable. He was calling everyone a fool and just being so obnoxious. Then as we sat there one of the Elder's has his bag stolen by another brother of the family. No worries though we recovered the bag and there was no fights. I just was so surprised that in spite of the external worry that I had I felt such a surreal internal peace.  It is so wonderful the calm that the gospel can bring into our lives as we move closer and closer to the Savior. 

The most fun I have had on my mission was playing JENGA with another less active family. Their two children were so good! haha. WE managed to stack that tower pretty high before I time was out and we had to go. 

I've also been really loving the John Tanner story this week. I think we watched it twice with members. Faith is so crucial to everything else. We have to have faith before we can see and receive ANY miracle. We must have the faith which we act on to then receive the promised blessings we so need and desire. (If we want strong muscles to dig a ditch... dig the ditch and the Lord will bless you with strong muscles!) 

We also had the most blatant direct rejection on my mission this week. A very nice older woman told us "I reject your teachings". I just thought to myself wow... I mean I was appreciative of her direct truthful manner but I was also caught off-guard. People will reject your teachings, they will reject your invitations, but really they aren't rejecting you... they are rejecting the Savior. As I thought about that while we walked away I felt sad for her. 

Gross moment of the week? Laughing so hard last night that pizza throw-up came out my nose.... I'm sorry that is disgusting, but truly it happened just like that. (Someone will appreciate the humor of it I hope haha).

One of my favorite dinner experiences was last night at the Billikopf's. I may have already told you how they have us each prepare two doctrinal questions from the scriptures that we can ask each other during dinner (you must know where the answer is before you ask the question), but truly that is the BEST dinner conversations I've ever had. I always come away feeling so uplifted and enlightened. 

I hope all is well!! 

Love and Miss You!! 

Ezek. 36:26

Love,

Hermana Miller 

Enabling Power Lifts the Duet

Hello Family and Friends!!

 

It has been another full week already. They seem to come and go so quickly now.

 

This week we had a Specialized Training in Merced. The "highlight" of that experience for me has to have been a duet that Hermana Parra and I preformed. For every conference we have every zone puts together a special musical number. I've been a part of a few of those when the whole zone sings but this time was a little different. Our zone had not put together a presentation and so the day before when my companion asks about it the zone leaders put her in charge of it. (I should also note that we are the only sisters in the most northern two zones right now). So with that she decided that we should sing... we as in her and I. I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my whole life. We climb the steps to the podium and I can't even look out to see the 100 something missionaries that are sitting there. My heart is pounding so hard that it feels like it is going to break through my chest. But I told myself that I could do it, the worse thing that could happen was it would sound horrible and everyone would make fun of us (which in reality wouldn't happen knowing the audience was mostly all missionaries). I said a silent prayer before we went up and just asked that angels replace our voices or alter the hearing of everyone in the room, because I didn't think that it was going to turn out without that divine help. So there we are and the piano starts playing... I clench my hands and lock one knee, and we start singing. That divine assistance didn't come through the way I had prayed for it haha. So, we sounded alright with my quavering voice. I didn't die and no one made fun of us so I think that it was alright in the end. Really though there is truly nothing like singing with joy about the love that we have for the Savior. I was grateful for the opportunity and by the end of the fourth verse I had calmed down enough that I could feel myself bearing testimony of the truth to the words we sang. I love how the Atonement can really give us an enabling power to do things that we otherwise would not be able to accomplish alone. (In case anyone is wondering we sang the lyrics of #197 O Savior Thou Who Wearest a Crown to the tune of If You Could Hie to Kolob).

 

Sopes are my new found favorite Mexican Food. DELISH!!!  So yummy.

 

Highlight of the week was when little Erika a not even 2 year old who NEVER talks told me "bye Hermana" as we left an appointment.

 

I love you! And I miss you all! Have a great week! 

 

Jeremiah 29:13 "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

 

Love,

Hermana Miller

Running After Corn Man

Hello Family and Friends!!

 

How is life?! Things are going great here! I've included pictures of Sister Parra and I out in front of a Walnut grove/field, and one of her with her "Elote" (mayonaise covered corn then drenched in cheese and chili powder). That Elote story was pretty funny. We were driving down and we see the man with his bike cart, so I pull over and we get out. Sister Parra then runs down the street to catch up with him hahaha. It was great. She also bought tamales out of the back of a trunk from a man we met while contacting people the other day haha.

 

Miracle this week was us NOT getting in a car accident. (No I wasn't driving erratically!!) We were stopped at a light and were the 1st car in the line up on the right hand lane. The light turns green and we and the minivan in the left lane start going at the same time... when all of the sudden this blue cube car makes an illegal left hand turn. I couldn't see that car till I should have been smashing into it, BUT somehow (miracle) my foot was on the brake and there was no accident. I could literally feel the wall of angels standing in front of our car bumper as a buffer between us and the cube car. It sounds crazy but I swear that is exactly how it went. I am so grateful for prayers and for a loving Heavenly Father, as well as a special blessing of protection from President Gelwix last Zone Conference to all of us if we were being obedient and following the rules.

 

We had one of the BEST Zone Meetings of my whole mission this past week. I love the Atonement and studying it with a room full of missionaries just brought it that much more to life for me.

 

I got to go on exchanges with Sister VanWagoner this week in Turlock!! I love her! It was just like we were companions again. I can't believe it has been so long already. We have both grown so much, but still it felt like picking up right where we left off. We are just the best of friends. While on that exchange we were out offering prayers to people when we met Louisa. She was very adamant that ONLY the Bible is true. Thing is as I read and study the Bible more and more it just confirms to me how true the Book of Mormon is. I LOVE how the two books really compliment each other and work TOGETHER to testify of the Savior and His divinity. Both reaffirm my faith and strengthen my resolve to always strive and be more Christlike.

 

I also gave a talk in Sacrament yesterday... in Spanish. That was a little nerve racking still because my Spanish still isn't where I'd like it to be, but all in all I think that I did alright. And truth be told I think my language skills are slowly improving. haha.

 

Keep smiling and know that I love you!!

 

Isa. 26:3

 

Love,

Hermana Miller

How is it already October?!

Time is flying by and it is scary how the days and weeks are just suddenly gone and used up. I cannot believe that it is now October and already time for me to write this email again.

 

Modesto is wonderful. I truly love it here. I love my companion and I love this branch. Our goal is to help them become a ward and so we are going to focus on teaching the importance and blessings of tithing. I cannot wait to get my hands on a Spanish copy of President Bednars talk from this last weekend to do it too haha.

 

I wanted to just make a small comment about good leadership this week. I have been so privledged to see excellent leadership in my mission. All the way from the top down to the bottom. From the Prophet and my Mission President, to the Assistants, to the Zone and District Leaders. These men are some of my new found heros. They know how to sense concern and then discover its roots and respond accordingly. If only men and women in power everywhere could have such genuine love for those that they serve this world would be a better place.

 

A special miracle I witnessed this week was also a result of worthy priesthood holders. A young boy in our branch has had surgery on his legs to help fix his clubbed feet. As a result of these surgeries, Javier is now in double leg casts and has to ride in a wheelchair to get around. We were over having dinner with his family after Saturday Conference before the Elders had to go to priesthood session. As we finished our meal and prepared to leave little Javier was shaking on the couch from the extreme pain. His humble mother asked for him to recieve a priesthood blessing. The Elders made no mention of their need to leave, no comment about the time, nor did they hint at any slightest inconvenience. They willingly took out their oil and knelt down around Javier and pronounced upon him one of the strongest blessings I have ever felt. I could not hear the words of that blessing, but I did not need to. I know that Heavenly Father was very aware of Javier; that he provided a way, through four Elders being a conduit to the Spirit, for him to feel relief.  Sister Parra and I stayed to share a message with their family and so we were able to see that after the Elders left Javier recovered from his pain and was smiling almost minutes after that blessing. These are the moments that I live for as a missionary. I am sure those four unassuming Elders have no idea how much they helped to strengthen my faith that night, but I am so grateful for them.

 

Another neat experience was a Less Active Member having a dream about Sister Parra and I before we ever met her. She told us upon our first visit that she had seen us in a dream before we came and that in that dream she was with us back at church. Heavenly Father truly does prepare each of his children to recieve the truth in the way that they or we need it.

 

I love you all and am grateful for your continued support and love.

 

Deuteronomy 4:9 ... keep thy soul diligently...

 

Love,

Hermana Miller

Milagros y Chonies! (Miracles and Chonies!)

Hello!

 

It has been another wonderful and crazy week as a CFM missionary. I finished out my transfer in Hanford with some more wonderful experiences.  Brother Austin took Hermana Gneiting and I to Superior Dairy for a farewell "lunch". I mistakenly ordered a double scoop hoping to have two different flavors, not really thinking about how huge the scoops there are. That goblet was as big as my head... I felt sooo sick by the time that I finished that icecream. I couldn't even taste those last bites haha. Then our last night in Hanford we had a church tour with the Maldonados. It was crazy because it was youth activity night, but it was also great. When we finished the tour Brother Maldonado (Abuelito) and I made a deal: I will come back and teach him all the lessons in Spanish so he can be baptized and before I return he will read the whole Book of Mormon. I LOVE that family. I can't wait to come back and visit with them all again.

 

Transfers were a little crazy this time and somehow I spent a whole day running errands in Fresno with Sister Melling. So I missed the baptism that I was supposed to do the halftime show for (it was "our" baptism that the sisters before us had set up & taught). So I didn't make it to Modesto until 9:00 wed. night. The members (the Grimes) that we live with are amazing! And I am also glad to report that Modesto water does not stink of sulfur. There are 6 missionaries in our little branch. That is a LOT, but there is enough work it seems for everone and the branch is fantastic. The sisters before us developed such strong trust with the members that they have welcomed us with open arms and complete trust. All in all Modesto 12 East doesn't feel like just another place, it really feels like another home.

 

We have had a lot of paperwork here the last few days. However we were also able to help out with another half-time show for one of the English Wards here. (We sang three songs in Spanish.) My funny moment of the week was language related. During the Relief Society Broadcast Dinner discussing the needs of a family I thought the sisters in the branch were saying chonies but they were saying colchon. So basically I thought they were saying underwear, but they were saying mattress. Needless to say my Spanish still needs a LOT of work. But the broadcast was wonderful, and I even got to listen to it in English.

 

MIRACLE of the week was Julio's Baptism!! When we got here he had a tentative date set for Saturday but it wasn't very solid at all. So when we went over with the Davila's to teach him and Raul he said that he would let us know next weekend how he felt about baptism. Then after sacrament he came up and told us that he had a dream the night before and that he need to be baptized and it was now or never. Thing is it was already 2pm and he had to be somewhere at 4. So basically we filled the font while he got his interview. Then we got permission for him to be confirmed early so he wouldn't have to wait two weeks for the gift of the Holy Ghost. And in the end Julio was baptized and confirmed with just moments to spare. What a great way to start a transfer!

 

Ecclesiastes 7:3 "Sorrow is better than laughter: for by sadness of the countenance the heart is made better."

 

Love,

Hermana Miller

Northward

I have so many wonderful experiences and much exciting news to share with you all again this week! 

One day while visiting with Julie and Kent their youngest daughter called from Nevada and we were able to give a harvesting blessing over the phone. It was such a touching moment. I never would have thought that on my mission I would help unite families through the gospel by praying long-distance over speakerphone. We are so lucky to always have a way to communicate with the ultimate source of power, our loving Heavenly Father, no matter what type of situations we might be in. 

Favorite moment of the week: Grace (a seven year old) telling us that "Sisters (sister missionaries) are like Milk and Cookies!" 

I just have experienced so much happiness, true joy, and satisfaction this week. I know that this is where my Heavenly Father wants me right now. This is hard work and requires so many encounters with disappointment, sorrow, and rejection... but I know that I am being polished and refined and I am grateful for it. There truly is no greater calling than to be a representative of the Savior of the world. Some highlight moments of the week were receiving sweet texts of gratitude in the form of heartsongs, and drinking rootbeer milk. [I know it sounds strange but rootbeer flavored milk seriously is the BEST! If you have ever had a good blended rootbeer float then you would be able to appreciate the cool refreshing smooth flavor of this divine milk. Thank you Hanford local dairy.]

Abuelito (Little Grandpa) had his birthday this week. (He is the non-member father of our ward mission leader). I made him a card in Spanish (all he speaks) and it said he was the greatest, but asked why he was not baptized haha. Luckily he took it as funny and wasn't offended so it was good. We so love their family. 

We had lunch one day this week at Sizzler with the Gunns (Senior Missionary couple that work in the prisons). I was happy to be able to pair their phones for them and sync their contacts (blessings from growing up in a tech world haha). I LOVE working with and being around the senior missionaries. They are such loving sweet people and have such dynamic Christlike perspective on all types of people and life. They all make me want to serve a senior couples mission. 

Some super glue attacked me this week. I was trying to fix my shoe which had a tear in it, and managed to spill on my dress (which is now spotted in a few places with super glue stains). Then it seeped through past my garments onto my leg and managed to singe me just a little bit, but I'm glad it was just a little drop and my leg is fine.  

Sad news of the week: Danny moved to Albuquerque. Hopefully he finds the church there. 

We were able to introduce Zaldy to the Pagan family this week and hopefully that connection helps them to see members of the church are normal people. 

Well with the first day of Fall also came a wind of change in the cooling air. Big News of the Week: TRANSFER CALLS! I'm headed north again! Up to Modesto 12th East. I'll be companions with Hermana Parra-Ortega (Hopefully I'll spelled that right). So yes it is apparently time that I really learn Spanish! We are being doubled into that area. AND Sister Gneiting and I are being doubled out of this area (she is headed to Barrio 15 in Fresno; so we'll both be in Spanish areas again). The audible gasp and incredulous "what?!" of our ward upon hearing the news during sacrament was reassuring to us that they do love us here. I'm nervous but excited for the change (and I'm not going to miss Hanford Water). 

I hope you are all enjoying yourselves and having a great week! Closing thought: turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.

Psalms 100:3 "Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of his pasture." 

Love,

Hermana Miller

PS Pictures of the Maldonado Family (standing) and The Burns (sitting on the couch)

Lifting Spirits

It has been another full week here. I was on exchanges for two days leading our Hanford area with the Leemore Sisters while Sister Gneiting switched with them there in Leemore for those days. We went and visited with Logan again and his reading and comprehension is still is so amazing to me. I wish all of our investigators could knock it out like that little nine year old. 

We tried to go and see Zaldy and Ethel again. Their daughter answered the door and then went and got her Dad. We caught them both at home but Ethel wouldn't let us step in to even say hello to her. So we left their family with a Restoration DVD and they said they would call us once they had watched it. It truly is the hardest, most heart breaking thing to see someone who has been touched by the Spirit then say no. Hopefully they watch the DVD and give us a call. If not I am sure we will try by again sometime this week anyhow. 

We also had a Zone Conference this week so that was pretty awesome. The best part? It was in Porterville! AND 6th Branch provided lunch!! That meant that I got to see all the ladies from Porterville 6th Branch that I haven't seen since my first transfer at the very beginning of the mission!!! It was the best. I truly learned so much in that little branch about loving and enduring. They are so strong and faithful and constantly giving despite how little they have. (I might mention that we had the MOST food I've ever had at a conference due to their fine cooking skills). I just love them and was so happy to get to see so many of them. Unexpected blessing for sure. 

Then we had a lesson with Danny. He is an investigator who faithfully attends church and wants to be baptized. The problem is that he doesn't understand the concept of one TRUE church. He thinks that this is the best church that he has found, but his testimony of it's divinity just isn't there yet. He doesn't really grasp the concept of the Word of Wisdom and sees no problem in only stopping drinking of alcohol and coffee for two weeks (long enough to be baptized in theory) but then won't commit to living it the rest of his life. Tentatively we set a date for October 8th, but unless he gains a testimony I don't know if we really should baptize him just yet. Which is frustrating because he does come to church and pay tithing, and from the sounds of it has made huge leaps of improvement from where his life was at before he started investigating the church. Maybe a spiritual experience like baptism would help him, but then again we don't want to commit people to something they aren't ready for either. 

Eston came to church!! That was one of the coolest things that happened this week. We have been working a lot with his step-mom Marissa. Shannon (Eston's dad & Marissa's husband) is a less active member. We committed Eston to coming to church probably three weeks ago because he is gone a lot visiting his mom, but you know what he kept his word! Even though Shannon and Marissa didn't make it this week, Eston got up and drove himself to church. Integrity at its finest. Member support is so crucial to this work and I know that if Eston gets involved with the Young Men that will help Shannon come back to church and Marissa to gain a testimony even more than she already is. I am so excited for their family. 

It was also wonderful to see a few of the other less actives we have been visiting make it to church this week! Just an example of how sweet these experiences are I will tell you about Lexi. She is a young single mother who lives in Armona and apparently became less active not to long after her conversion when she got pregnant. Her son is now three. We just saw her name on the directory and went and knocked on her door. She didn't have time then to visit with us, but we invited her to church and found her a ride for the next day. Lexi came with her son and when I asked her how it was after church she said she didn't know why she had ever left! 

Another great missionary experience happened as we were leaving church. We saw these two young men sitting out on the curb in the parking lot. So we went over and talked to them. we found out that one of them was a young man baptized about 6 months ago and the other was a friend he had brought to church (both from the other ward). Oh it brought back memories of all the times I skipped Sunday School as we talked to them. It was so grateful that I was able to talk with them and relate how important those classes can be even though they may seem boring; that I had been in their shoes. We then taught them the Plan of Salvation sitting right there on the dirty parking lot ground in our Sunday best. At the end as I asked Richard how would he would feel about other missionaries coming and teaching him more he said that he would feel grateful. Truly a moment that makes all of the "work" worth it. 

I love you!! Make it a great week! 

Psalms 31:7 "I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;" 

Love,

Hermana Miller