Miracles!

Dearest friends and family,

This week has been full of miracles. Thank you for the letters, and I got my package.

The members are awesome. Love our ward.

We went to the Oakland temple this week. Wow. So needed. We rode down with Sister Stockton, the institute director's wife. She told us her story where she battled breast cancer. Every one has their fights. Sometimes all you can do is rely upon the atonement.

So sorry about last week. The internet wasn't working. It really is just that technology hates me. Lat week was really good too. You can find it on my blog. (which I can't remember the address for, sorry.... just ask Meg or my mom...)

This week was awesome. 

A quick breakdown because we're trying to finally go to the beach this P-day... hopefully. All we ever have time for is cleaning, it seems like. The woes of the mission mansion, I tell you.

We picked up so many new investigators

Rhett.---- we don't know what to do for him. He's not really meeting with us.

Rene--- we're going to try a different approach, with some of the older members, in their home. We need to get to know him better, so we're not going to be teaching him with the other sisters in our ward, who teach his friend Tevin.

Elliott---- talks so much. Philosophy gets way to complicated. The gospel is simple. He came to church yesterday with Jessica, and he said that he thinks that the bishop and Bro Stockton are philosophical geniuses. (I sure am not). I guess that means he liked it :) hoping to committ him to baptism. I think he's starting to believe in God.

Pam---- older lady in Rohnert Park. She aches, so she has a hard time living. We did dishes for her, and she just curled up in her chair and devoured the Book of Mormon. She said that she'd be baptized if she finds that it is true. seeing her again this week, then passing her off to the family ward missionaries.

Benjamin---- we had met him a few weeks ago on the street. So cool for me as a new missionary to recite the first vision to him on the side of a busy college street, because you could totally tell that he felt it. He has family that is LDS, but he doesn't know anything about our church, etc. We had tried to call him multiple times, but we had moved on because he wasn't responding. Then, he texted us this week! We met with him, and we had an amazing amazing lesson! :) the spirit was so strong! we taught him the Restoration lesson, and he even said that he felt the spirit so strong. he was out of town, but we will see him again this week. So excited!

Seva--- from Fiji (is that how you spell it?) we met his aunt on the street while trying to contact another potential... who wouldn't answer the door. awkard. oh well. then Seva came out. we met him at the public library, and went through the restoration. He held the Book of Mormon like it was precious. He felt the spirit so strong. We meet with him again. Please pray that he will come to church. He takes his family to church, and they love going. This might be a struggle for him to try out ours.

Daniel------- passed off from other elders. so awesome. Knows it all. Wants to be baptized, but is on parole. so sad. He's almost done with smoking, and it's only been a week. wow. Pray for him to keep strong, and to read the Book of Mormon. That's all he wants to do when he is with us. It's great. He came to church, fit right in. He walked straight up to the front and sat down. He didn't even need us to help him with anything. He made friends, and loved it!

Kameron---- let's just say Sister Z and I are the YSA sisters for a reason. He's really flirty, and the Brushcreek sisters found him, and then passed him off to us. Pray that we can have a real lesson with him! He is really open, but to what.... Just pray that he will read the Book of Mormon.

Joseph--- Pray that we will be able to get a hold of him. He wanted a BOM, so we took him one. Let's pray that he is free to hear more soon. 

Janelle---- called us last night. Searching online, and called the Rohnert Park elders, who referred her to us because she is younger and is going to SSU. She seems really excited to learn. Pray that she will be touched by the spirit, and that we will be able to meet with her. this is so good because we are not allowed to proselyte on campus, so it's hard when we go there to find specific people and they aren't home, because we really can't talk to anyone, and we feel like it's not very effective. So pray that she keeps that interest, and that she feels the spirit when she thinks of us and our message about Jesus Christ.

I feel like there are more people. Wow. 

It's not because of us. It's because the Lord orchestrates everything. 

I've realized that not one companionship baptizes someone. It's a community. 

Renee Blair, our district leader's investigator got baptized Saturday. Wow. I felt so grateful to be a part of years and years of missionary efforts. I've grown to love her, and she's not even "ours" but we would go over and help her clean etc. She is a single mom.

I love being in Santa Rosa. 

This week is week 6, and then it is tranfers! So the mission home address would be a good place to send letters for the week after next. 

Mom, I got my package. finally. wow. What can I say. I'm still Darby.

I love you all, and am grateful for all that you do. I really wish I had more time, but know that I love you all. :) You are in my prayers.

The Lord is always there. We really can't do this without Him. Nothing works without Him. His Atonement is the center of the Plan of Salvation. It is ESSENTIAL. We can trust Him. We must trust Him. He loves us. Truly.

Let us love Him.

Let us trust Him.

Valentine

Hey family and friends!

So.... Funny story.....

My internet isn't working, and the internet at the church isn't working. And today is a half p-day, so this is going to be extremely short. :) I'm writing it in the note section of my iPad, and then sending it to my comp, who will send it from her iPad Internet that is in fact working. Oh we'll. e tech elders eat dinner with us in a few nights at the stake president's house, so we'll get it figures out by next week.

 I'll just give you a what I send to President Alba... :) and then the rest next week :)

 Dearest President,

I hope you'll forgive me for being brief, but today is half p-day, and I'm emailing on my iPad for the first time, so I'm rather slow. This week has been wonderful. Friday was the best Valentines Day I've ever had, I think, just because I focused so much on loving others, instead of worrying about myself. Our YSA ward did a chocolate testing, and we had three investigators and a LA attend. 

We cut out little valentine hearts, and that's how we did our contacting Friday. We'd then give them a picture of Christ, and tell them about the  best expression of Heavenly Father's love for us. It was splendid to see people's reaction when they made the connection. I also had the joy of talking to many more children, and I loved that! A common theme so far for me has been "become as a little child." I am so grateful for having that small part in the musical fireside last night. I will remember that forever. It was a sweet tender mercy for me to be part of this group of missionaries here in Santa Rosa. I look forward to going to the temple on Thursday! 

May your week be wonderful, and thank you for all your efforts of love!

Sister Miller

So yup. Basically, I love all of you. Lots of fun stories and pictures to (hopefully) come next week. Also.... Our investigators Tevin and Rene (both guys and best friends that we team teach with the other YSA sisters in our ward) are doing awesome!

Reason for half P-day.... We are going to the Oakland temple at 10 In the morning this Thursday. So excited. Also.... Last night we had a wonderful musical fireside.... It was huge! So awesome.

Thanks for the letters. 

Tell Jane I love her... And when I come home, she can for sure come live with me! (Cuz I'll probably be back in the basement for a while.... ) Haha :) it's such a simple life here. I love it! You really don't need much to be happy!

Also... My companion is pretty much amazing. The more exchange we do, the more I realize that she is heaven sent. Sister Zenger has a few more weeks, and hen only one more transfer, so sad :( she is such a sweetheart. Totally Mary Poppins! And she wrote home that I am Anne of Green gables. Don't know if I've already written that, but it's so true! :) love all the people here! 

Gotta go :)

STT

Speak the truth.

Like a boss. No......

Like the Holy Ghost..... (Nod head and smile.... Oh yeah.... I've gotten a lot more awkward.)

And yes I did just make that up. No one else here is that weird. ;) lol

 

LOVE FROM SANTA ROSA,

And love from me :)

Sister Darby Eleyce Miller

Servant of Jesus Christ

One Month Mark---lovin' the life of a sister missionary

Dearest Peoples,

 

I love it here.

I love the people here. (although they are... different. ;)

I love the weather. It's spazzy, but warm enough that it's not a problem. 

 

So this past week in a very short and brief way:

 

Monday-P-day...

we did not go to the beach. we took too long cleaning our mission mansion. it's huge.

instead, sister Zenger and I walked a very pretty trail and chatted it up.

Tuesday----

Zone Conference. we watched a movie about Christ. I bawled harder than I have in a long, long, long time. wow. the things that the spirit can do. wow. HE LOVE US. trust in that. He gave us all that He could give us. Now it's our turn.

also.... exchanges. 

Sister Z. is an STL. she's a leader ;) so Sister Falute from Samoa came and stayed the night. I basically became Senior Companion for the day... driving, scheduling, everything. wow. it was crazy, but I learned a lot. I forgot my camera, but next week I'll try to remember. we got some pretty legit pics, Sister Falute and I did. Also, she like my "TA-LO-FA!" just like Dad says it. Lol. Also, there was a Samoan investigator at church yesterday. He liked that also. :) Then he found out it's all that I knew how to say, and he laughed even harder, because I guess I said it really well. :) I'm my father's daughter, what can I say ;) I get along with Polynesians :)

Wednesday---

I really can't remember. Lots of teaching. All week, people have been cancelling on us. It's been frustrating. I hate to say this, but I'll never ignore a phone call again. I'm getting punished :P

Lol. and yet i'm still here laughing.

oh well. :) you do what you can. It's not about me, it's about the Savior. 

Oh. Had someone yell at me for the first time. 

I was mad.

but as I walked away, I had a flash-forward, almost. It was really cool, what the spirit did to soften my heart towards her. I might be missionary number one, or two, or three, or seven. Did you know that people usually come in contact with the missionaries on an average of 8 times before they'll let them into their home... I keep throwing numbers out to Sister Zenger everytime someone blows us off. I think it's funny. She, on the other hand... idk :) oh well.

 

well. I really can't remember the rest of the week. Lots of teaching. Crazy stuff with Rhett. Elliott is coming to church. It's good. We bumped into Jessica, and she said that she knows that this is what he and she needs in their life. She's reading and praying. 

also...

funny story.

One night we had to have dinner at SSU. no visitors parking, whatsoever. really. 

raining like crazy, ALL DAY LONG NO EXAGGERATION. so.... we ran through the rain. by the time we reached her door for dinner, Sister Zenger started laughing. I looked like I had just walked out of the shower, but had showered in my pros. clothes. wow. I ate dinner at the table, wringing my hair out in big gushes of water. we all just laughed. moral of the story.... fasting works, and I need an umbrella sent to me please :)

LOVE YOU ALL.

THE BOOK IS BLUE, THE GOSPEL IS TRUE, AND GOD LOVES YOU!

~SISTER MILLER, SIGNING OUT! :)

 

p.s. Book of Mormon stories are the best..... :) watch "For God So Loved The World" and "To This End Was I Born" I cried and cried.

 

p.s. happy valentines. love you all.

p.s. again. I get to go to the Oakland temple next week!

 

Week 4: SANTA ROSA IS EXPLODING?!

That's what my Mission President said. One of the AP's told him that the mission was exploding. Didn't specify what kind of exploding he meant. LOL.

well. really.

I guess this mission really is exploding. Sister Zenger keeps telling me that all the miracles that are happening are not normal. We are being blessed. Keep those prayers coming. I'm afraid that this is setting up my viewpoint on HIGH EXPECTATIONS. That's something that keeps coming up in our mission meetings. HIGH EXPECTATIONS.

Well.

I'm all in. 

I know that you are all protected. I love you all. Miss you all. Truly. But i'm letting go, giving you all to the Lord. Giving myself to the Lord. Wow. It feels good.

Running is painful. I've gained a little weight. I love the members out here. Sweet, kind, and they are good cooks :) Needless to say, I've stopped eating so much. Started to love/hate our morning run. It's good.

 

I'm sitting here laughing at myself.

Quick story on our investigators:

 

Carolina was passed off to the Spanish Sisters in Santa Rosa. We met with her one last time. She loves us. Wow. She will do amazing things. I know that. Her daughter, Elizabeth 8, jumped up and gave me a hug. If there's one thing that I really miss about home, it's the children. Because we are in a single's ward, I don't get to see a lot of children. I talk to them every chance I get. Elizabeth's hug made me start tearing up. Children are so precious. I'm crying and laughing right now. :) I love little children. That's how the Savior loves and sees us. :) 

 

Rhett, we visited last night, after he didn't show up to church. some sketchy stuff in His life. Wow. I really learned that the Spirit can speak through me, promising blessings and warning of the dangers of not living to the light and knowledge that you have. Because of some conversations I've had about the power of agency and God's power and love, I think I was able to support my companion and the member that was there with us. Rhett wants to be baptized. He just needs the faith to follow God and trust that He will protect him. Baptism is a covenant. Christ's name holds power. Wow. I felt that. Amazing. To speak the words Christ would speak. I am His servant. That's how we introduce ourselves almost everytime we contact on the street. It's meaning so much. 

 

Pearla is avoiding us. We're hopefully gonna meet with her sometime this week.

 

Elliott and Jessica came to sacrament meeting. Jessica was touched. She's coming to RS party this week with us. We are teaching Elliott again this week. Wow. The Lord is working in their life. Elliott is still not sure, but it will come. Time. The Lord's timing. and Agency.

I love it here. I really don't know what else to say. I'm already afraid of the day I get transferred. It amazes me the variety of people here. Some people hate us, scorn us, swear and curse us (not very many, and most are drunk) and some people are kind, but they don't care. Then there are the people that hear what we say. They recognize something in it. They listen. 

I got to meet Benjamin the other day on the street. Wow. I shared the first vision with him. First time I've done that. The look on his face... wow. I was amazed... surprised that he actually was believing, and he felt it. I could tell. The spirit was so strong. People walking by, loud cars, music, etc... and we were in this little bubble of peace. I hope we get to meet with Him this week. Come to find out, his family is LDS, but he really doesn't know much about it. Sister Zenger and I are the instruments through with that families prayers might begin to be answered about their uncle Ben.

 

wow. 

Well. I love you all.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK

READ YOUR SCRIPTURES! 

HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.

GO RENEW YOUR COVENANTS WITH THE SAVIOR AND HIS FATHER.

that's really all we try to get people to understand... that is how you begin to show your faith in them. by obedience.

then they begin to trust you with more light, spirit, and knowledge. then you can begin to help others :)

LOVE YOU,

Sister Darby Eleyce Miller

FROM MY MISSION PRESIDENT. SO GOOD. THERE'S SOMETHING HERE FOR ALL YOU I THINK :)

President Alba

Mission Letter 2-2-14

Adversity

As part of Heavenly Father's plan of redemption, we all experience adversity during our lifetime. Trials, disappointments, sadness, sickness, and heartache are a difficult part of life, but with the help of the Lord they can lead to spiritual growth, refinement, and progress.

Each person's success and happiness, both now and in the eternities, depend largely on our responses to the difficulties of life.

Adversity comes from different sources. Trials may come as a consequence of a person's own pride and disobedience. These trials can be avoided through righteous living. Other trials are simply a natural part of life and may come at times when people are living righteously. For example, we may experience trials in times of sickness or uncertainty or at the deaths of loved ones. Adversity may sometimes come because of others' poor choices and hurtful words and actions. Suffering may also come through a loving Heavenly Father as a tutoring experience.

Different kinds of adversity require different responses. For example, if we are stricken with illness we may simply need to be patient and faithful. If we suffer because of others' words or actions we should work toward forgiving those who have offended us. If a person's trials come because of disobedience, we should correct the behavior and humbly seek forgiveness. We must also realize that if we make wrong choices, trials will come our way as we try to change our behavior and become more like our Savior.

We may ask the question: If God is all powerful and knows all why does he put us through the agony of continual suffering when He already knows what the outcome will be? The answer is very simple. The Lord does not test us to measure us, but these are tests and trials for us to measure ourselves. It is important that we know the strengths we have been blessed with during our adversities and the growth that we will experience as we work through adversity.

When some people face adversity, they complain and become bitter. They ask questions like “Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this now? What have I done to deserve this?” But these questions have the power to dominate our thoughts. Such questions can overtake our vision, absorb our energy, and deprive us of the experiences the Lord wants us to receive. Rather than responding in this way, we should consider asking questions such as, “What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial?”

I personally have experienced adversity in my life, we all have, and at times I thought that it would break me. At times I wanted to give up as nothing seemed worth fighting for. I can testify that in the end it's all worth it! I was able to understand my own abilities to overcome and become victorious. I was able to gain a greater understanding as to why I was being tried and tested. I have been able to know God's purpose for me. I know that I will yet have many opportunities to learn more - learn things that will refine me and help me to know my Heavenly Father's mission for me. For this I am eternally grateful.

President David O. McKay said: “There are those who have met disaster, which almost seems defeat, who have become somewhat soured in their natures; but if they stop to think, even the adversity which has come to them may prove a means of spiritual uplift. Adversity itself may lead toward and not away from God and spiritual enlightenment; and privation may prove a source of strength if we can but keep the sweetness of mind and spirit” (Treasures of Life, comp. Clare Middlemiss [1962], 107–8).

I also know that each of you has gone through much and may continue to go through much more, how much more, only the Lord knows. Missions are a place to store spiritual strength so that when the trials come, we will be able to meet them head on and embrace them to our advantage. These reservoirs of strength will allow us to overcome come what may. Remember the 10 virgins? The five wise ones kept their lamps full and were prepared to meet the bridegroom.

Lets not ever give up and as you become victorious you will forever be grateful for the things you will learn if you allow adversity to shape you in the Lord's way. We must avoid becoming bitter and negative but we must learn to embrace adversity. It will be much easier to endure and we'll be blessed for overcoming it like the Savior overcame all. As we do, we will have a place next to our Heavenly Father and His Righteous Son, even Jesus Christ.

I testify that ours is our lot to overcome and be great in his sight. We will truly measure ourselves to belong with the great men and women who have overcome the world and be joint heirs with our Christ.

During tough times, we will overcome through Christ Jesus if we allow ourselves to let Him and stop fighting him or asking why? or why me?

All my love,

President Alba