Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Mine including a ton of biking (as did the whole week), so needless to say I'm glad it's our week to use the car. We were invited to three homes for dinner. The first one was a less active member. We went over there and he ended up being sick; the rest of his family wasn't members and didn't really know who we were, so it would have been weird for us to stick around. We just filled the time by giving quick visits to a few members and making them aware of the #LighttheWorld initiative (go to mormon.org to learn more - share it with your friends!). That ended up making us a little late to the other two places, so our dinner was a little cold, but still pretty good. We just about had to roll ourselves home by the end of the day. We also got a little bit of football in that morning, too, so that was fun.
I was on exchanges with our district leader on Saturday and that morning during studies we came up with a wonderful idea for contacting people this December. We memorized the story of Christ's birth in Luke 2:7-14 and practiced retelling it during lunch. We also saved some photos on our iPads that went along with the story. We then went out a tried to share it with the people we met. Most people only took cards from us and didn't want to hear our story. We got to the end of the street and decided to start walking back to the car, when we saw an old man in a wheelchair checking his mail. We offered to help wheel him back into the house, and once we were in we offered to share the story of Christ's birth with him; he told us to go right on ahead (our first customer!). Once we were done reciting the scriptures, he was just staring at the picture of the Savior on our tablet. He then asked "How can I get closer to God?" We about fell over; we told him about how to follow Christ's gospel and about how his Church is restored. We set up an appointment for the next day (I just wish it was my area it happened in). My companion and I are definitely going to try to do this this December!
I really love and miss you guys. I appreciate the emails as well. It's always wonderful to hear from you.
Elder Miller
Monday, November 27, 2017
Monday, November 20, 2017
Lakeside Week 1
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m back in the Tucson Rincon Stake. My second area on the mission was part of a “car share” with another ward and now I’m in that other ward. Luckily, this week was our week to have the car. Saturday, however, we did have to be bikes for a good part of the day. It hadn’t ridden on one since April, and we had to go all the way out to the other ward we cover. Did I mention the hills out here are ridiculously huge? We think the hill down the road from Riverview huge, but that’s a pretty regular occurrence down here. Needless to say, I couldn’t feel my legs by the end of the day; it’s going to take some adjusting - once again.
We have some wonderful investigators in this area (if only they’d come to church). We met with a guy named Matt who said Christ was supposed to be the last prophet according to the Bible, I showed him a fun verse in Acts 11 the talks about “prophets coming out of Jerusalem” - one of which was named Agibus. Here as Matt’s response: “Well, you got me on that one.” Aren’t the scriptures great? After that he said he will look more into the Book of Mormon.
I was also blessed to walk into a baptism this Saturday. It was a nine year old girl who’s parents are currently inactive (they did come on Sunday for the confirmation, though). Although it wasn’t what you typically think of being a “convert baptism,” it was still one more person making those sacred covenants with the Lord, which is a wonderful thing to witness.
Yesterday night we had a great experience. It was late at night and we had no appointments (the typical set up for a miracle). Elder Terry decided to try this less active he saw only once. We knocked and he answered and received us joyfully. He was in the middle of hosting his annual “Friendsgiving” party and invited us to join in. I took a seat with a little food when a young man named Zarick sat down next to me and asked me what I want to be when I grow up. This led to a long discussion that ended with - of course - me giving him a Book of Mormon and testifying of its truth. He said he’d take it only if I could promise him it’d change his current beliefs. Whiteout hesitation I said it would change not only that but his life. It’s uncertain if I’ll ever see him again, but I’m satisfied with the great things he allowed me to share with him that evening. It was a good ending to the week.
Love you guys and hope you have a great holiday. It’s a good time to reflect on the many great things the Lord has given us and the opportunities He may have put in our paths this year. I know for one, that I’ve seen hundreds thus far on my mission, and I know there are so many to come for the remainder of it and the many years to come after.
Elder Miller.
We have some wonderful investigators in this area (if only they’d come to church). We met with a guy named Matt who said Christ was supposed to be the last prophet according to the Bible, I showed him a fun verse in Acts 11 the talks about “prophets coming out of Jerusalem” - one of which was named Agibus. Here as Matt’s response: “Well, you got me on that one.” Aren’t the scriptures great? After that he said he will look more into the Book of Mormon.
I was also blessed to walk into a baptism this Saturday. It was a nine year old girl who’s parents are currently inactive (they did come on Sunday for the confirmation, though). Although it wasn’t what you typically think of being a “convert baptism,” it was still one more person making those sacred covenants with the Lord, which is a wonderful thing to witness.
Yesterday night we had a great experience. It was late at night and we had no appointments (the typical set up for a miracle). Elder Terry decided to try this less active he saw only once. We knocked and he answered and received us joyfully. He was in the middle of hosting his annual “Friendsgiving” party and invited us to join in. I took a seat with a little food when a young man named Zarick sat down next to me and asked me what I want to be when I grow up. This led to a long discussion that ended with - of course - me giving him a Book of Mormon and testifying of its truth. He said he’d take it only if I could promise him it’d change his current beliefs. Whiteout hesitation I said it would change not only that but his life. It’s uncertain if I’ll ever see him again, but I’m satisfied with the great things he allowed me to share with him that evening. It was a good ending to the week.
Love you guys and hope you have a great holiday. It’s a good time to reflect on the many great things the Lord has given us and the opportunities He may have put in our paths this year. I know for one, that I’ve seen hundreds thus far on my mission, and I know there are so many to come for the remainder of it and the many years to come after.
Elder Miller.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Got Transferred
On Saturday I found out I’m going back to my old district in Southeast. It’s Lakeside and Suagro Park Wards. I’ll be on Bike part time and I’ll be with Elder Terry, who just got done being trained.
I’m a little sad about leaving La Canada and Rancho Vistoso Wards. I put in a lot of good work here and have taught a lot of great people. I’m so grateful to have seen a great baptism here, too. My companions and I tracted almost all the houses in La Canada boundaries as well. It was hard, but I will look back on my time here with fondness.
We had our lesson with Frank that went pretty well; he’s a funny guy. When we invited him to read the Book of Mormon, but he said he’d read the Gospel Principles Manuel instead and pray on it since it teaches the same stuff as the Book of Mormon. Can’t say I’ve had someone say they’d do that before. I supposed that’d work, too.
I’ll be turning 20 tomorrow. I can hardly believe I’m so old now. Time seriously goes so fast out here. You first come out here and wonder how in the world you’re to do this for two years, then before you know it it’s almost been a year and a half.
Love and miss you guys!!
Elder Miller
I’m a little sad about leaving La Canada and Rancho Vistoso Wards. I put in a lot of good work here and have taught a lot of great people. I’m so grateful to have seen a great baptism here, too. My companions and I tracted almost all the houses in La Canada boundaries as well. It was hard, but I will look back on my time here with fondness.
We had our lesson with Frank that went pretty well; he’s a funny guy. When we invited him to read the Book of Mormon, but he said he’d read the Gospel Principles Manuel instead and pray on it since it teaches the same stuff as the Book of Mormon. Can’t say I’ve had someone say they’d do that before. I supposed that’d work, too.
I’ll be turning 20 tomorrow. I can hardly believe I’m so old now. Time seriously goes so fast out here. You first come out here and wonder how in the world you’re to do this for two years, then before you know it it’s almost been a year and a half.
Love and miss you guys!!
Elder Miller
Monday, November 6, 2017
It was a little bit of a slow week. The Bonilla family was a cruise, so we couldn't teach them and they didn't make it to church! We got straight zeros on our key indicators (the numbers we report to our leaders: people on date for baptism, people at church, and new investigators). That's okay though, it doesn't happen very often (this was perhaps only the second or third time on my mission it's happened and the first time in this area), and it won't happen this week!
On Halloween, we had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Tucson Temple for a session, since we couldn't really proselyte that evening. It's the first time I've been since its dedication; it was a long overdue visit and it was so recharging to be in that sacred place. I truly do feel renewed after that visit.
Saturday I was on exchanges with our district leader's trainee in his ward. It took back to when I was in Central Ward (because this ward was also in the hood). The people there are so receptive; it's like night and day compared to the area I'm in now, with all of its big houses and not an apartment complex in sight!
I am excited for this week though, because we get to go on a teaching visit with one of our bishops to go teach a man named Frank. His daughter is already baptized, and his wife wants to be baptized but only if he commits to do it as well. He just finished studying the Bible with the Jehovah's Witnesses and now he's curious as to how the Book of Mormon fits in with the Bible and he has a lot of question about our understanding of the Bible (the the Jehovahs understand it a little differently than we do).
I love and miss you guys! I hope you all have a good week!
Elder Miller
On Halloween, we had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Tucson Temple for a session, since we couldn't really proselyte that evening. It's the first time I've been since its dedication; it was a long overdue visit and it was so recharging to be in that sacred place. I truly do feel renewed after that visit.
Saturday I was on exchanges with our district leader's trainee in his ward. It took back to when I was in Central Ward (because this ward was also in the hood). The people there are so receptive; it's like night and day compared to the area I'm in now, with all of its big houses and not an apartment complex in sight!
I am excited for this week though, because we get to go on a teaching visit with one of our bishops to go teach a man named Frank. His daughter is already baptized, and his wife wants to be baptized but only if he commits to do it as well. He just finished studying the Bible with the Jehovah's Witnesses and now he's curious as to how the Book of Mormon fits in with the Bible and he has a lot of question about our understanding of the Bible (the the Jehovahs understand it a little differently than we do).
I love and miss you guys! I hope you all have a good week!
Elder Miller
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