Just Before the Break of Day

President Alba

Dear California Santa Rosa Missionaries,

I want to thank you for all you do. Each of you is a son and daughter of God. He lives! His Holy Son, Jesus Christ is the only name given by which we all can return to the presence of the Father.

What a glorious weekend this was for me. I learned so much and was moved by the Holy Spirit as to the areas I need to improve. I have so much to improve upon and I'm grateful that I learned this now. I know that each of you had at least one or two spiritual moments and many had a feast of spiritual energy that came as you partook of this great spiritual feast of knowledge, wisdom and counsel from our Heavenly Father through His servants.

I will make more remarks with my favorite quotes from this weekend in next week's letter. Golden nuggets that will help each of us be better Servants of the Lord.

I asked Elder Eaton to share some parting thoughts with us and here is his message. Ponder these things and let us all determine to be diligent in this our Heavenly charge.

My love to all and let us remember that we are building up for the 101 later this year. Thank you for your goodness and the love you have for the Savior.

Love,

President Alba

Elder Eaton's parting thoughts:

Dear California Santa Rosa Mission,

I am honored I have the opportunity to share with you a few things that changed my mission that might provide those seeking with greater joy as they serve. I pray that those seeking revelation will receive it and my thoughts might be clear and simple to apply.

As a servant of Jesus Christ, you have the responsibility to astonish all those you talk to. You have been called to be bold and teach the truth. When you teach pure doctrine and teach so a child might understand, you will astonish those with which you will interact. Let me refer you to a few scriptures which show what I mean. Matthew 7:28 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:” Another example is Matthew 22:33 “And when the multitude hear this, they were astonished at his doctrine.” Elders and Sisters, when you talk with your brothers and sisters on the street, astonish them. Love them enough to be bold and testify with love of the truthfulness of your message.

ASTONISH PEOPLE WITH THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST

As a new missionary I had heard many stories about missionaries receiving impressions to knock on a door or talk to a man they saw sitting on the side of the road. After doing so almost every story ended as an answer to a prayer of that individual. So, I took this idea to heart and I strived to be sensitive to the spirit so I might have my own special moments. I recall many times where Elder Hatch and I would be driving and I would see someone on the street. After driving past them, I would suddenly blurt out “Elder Hatch, we have to go back and talk to them!” He would give me a smile and turn around and we would pull over and follow the impression I received. This gave me confidence and helped me understand how the spirit speaks to me. As I look back at the end of my mission, I notice a vast difference about this approach to the work. I don’t believe that I received the same simple impressions as often. I believe this might be because I thought I knew how to do missionary work and I didn't depend on the spirit as I did as a new missionary. Don’t let this be the case for your mission. Those simple impressions will come as you strive to receive them.

USE YOUR SPIRITUAL EYES AND SEE THE MIRACLES AROUND YOU

Finally, I wish to explain the impact your mission can have for generations to come. I heard the quote at the beginning of my mission “You can count the seeds in an apple, but you can’t count the apples in a seed.” This is the case for your mission. You can count how many contacts you have, you can count how many people you baptize, but you can’t count the impact your mission will have on generations to come from your efforts. Don’t spend your energy trying to count the seeds you think you have planted. But rather be constantly planting seeds by reaching the twenty contacts and in a few years you will be able to enjoy the fruit of your labors. This fruit may include study habits you acquired as a missionary that will bless your family. It may include a convert family sending their own missionary out thanks to your service. You and your family will be blessed for generations to come as you faithfully strive to reach the High Expectations set by the Lord. Reach them. And become who the Lord sees you will become.

DON'T COUNT THE SEEDS, BUT ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABORS

I love you all and leave you with my testimony that Christ lives and he directs this work. He wants all to come back to the Father, and through this wonderful work we can fulfill his holy purposes. I know the gospel blesses families and that we are all apart of Gods family. I pray my thoughts helped those who were open to the spirit while reading. I send you my love and support, and know that I care about your success.

-Elder Christian Eaton

Dear President Alba,

This week has been interesting. I feel like this week all we did was push really hard, and have all our appointments flake on us. Nonetheless, I feel that Heavenly Father continually showed us small beautiful miracles everyday. Nothing too flashy, nor grand enough to share here, but they meant all the world to me at the time. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and is there for me. General Conference always comes right when I need it. The first session I sat glued to the screen, jotting notes as fast as I possibly could. That was probably the shortest two hours of my life!

Elliott came to watch the last session at a member's house for the YSA conference BBQ. He said that the things that he understood best about what the apostles were saying were the things that we had taught him so far. Another tender mercy from my Heavenly Father.

I think that I've learned a lot about missionary work. It's not what I expected at all. It's harder. It's so much more beautiful. It's not really getting easier, but I think that I'm learning to choose to love it more. It's becoming my life. I woke up Sunday morning just full of light. Usually I am not a morning person, but this feeling was just so overwhelming. I felt so happy to get up for the coming day, but I also had this moment of peace. I felt that that moment was frozen in time, and I was just breathing, and I could feel that Heavenly Father was very aware that I was feeling that peace that He had sent to me. Such a tender mercy. I am so grateful to be here, that He would send me here, with these companions and sisters and elders that are my family out here.

One thing that really dawned on me during the singing practice yesterday when Sister Alba had (your grandchildren?) on facetime... We are all a big family. All of us are siblings, children of the same God. This week I am going to see the contacts as my brothers and sisters. I feel like that is a struggle for me sometimes, because I want to guard my heart, but they need to feel that love, just as I feel it when I am around all the other missionaries. I feel so loved here in this mission. Thank you for leading everyone in that way.

I want to share a few stanzas from my favorite poem with you.

Near the Dawn

Round the way we travel here

When the hope the glad heart lightens

No voice speaks a word of cheer

Then the thought the shadow scatters

Giving us a cheering ray

When the night appears the darkest

Morning is not far away

Pain cannot affect us always

Brighter days will soon be here

Sorrow may oppress us often

Yet a happier time is here

All along our earthly journey

This reflection lights the way

Nature's darkest hour is always

Just before the break of day.

One day I'll share the whole poem with you.

I know that this is true. Heavenly Father lets us go through hard things. He lets us feel this way so that we can choose His Son; so that we can recognize the blessings when they do come. I loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk. It is so true. Even in times of trial, He still blesses us. Jesus Christ is an eternal blessing whose light cannot be dimmed by trials. He is ever constant. He is always there.

We love you and your dear wife.

Sister Darby Eleyce Miller

Aright, now what else would I like to share with all of you?

I am so sad. Sister Zenger and Sister Henry are both leaving next week. They go home. I love them so much. Sister Clawson thinks that she is leaving as well, so that makes me sad because I feel like she is my big sister. Oh well. We'll see what happens. One comfort I have found is that all the sisters that I have met thus far I wouldn't mind being companions with. Whoever is stuck with me will be loved by me!

This week was hard, and good. We have been pushing hard, trying to teach. No one wants to meet with us, or they are busy. Almost all of our appointments fell through, or the people didn't show. Always frustrating, but good for growing patience, I guess.

Elliott came to conference, and brought a room-mate because Jessica is up north visiting her family. (which is really awesome! Her grandpa is a bishop!) Our ward had a BBQ for the last session. I love this ward. I never liked singles ward until I came out on my mission. (might have something to do with the fact that I am not open to date right now ;) but nonetheless I have repented. When I go home, I will be fully involved. I can see the difference in the members who serve and those who don't care. Those that are willing to come out with us to lessons, serve one another, and come to church every Sunday have testimonies that just glow. It's amazing. They have truly shown me love. 

We missionaries need the members so much.

We are struggling to find people who want to hear the gospel. 

You members know them. They are your friends and loved ones. Why are you more concerned with how it could be awkward? You should be concerned about them. You have something that will bless them; why are you keeping it to yourself?

I understand it is hard. I love you members. You are faithful and kind. You are tolerant. You don't want to stir up any hard feelings.

Trust God. Pray to have opportunities. Pray to have the eyes to see those that need the peace and blessings of the gospel. 

We missionaries need you. We cannot do this without you. Thank you for being willing to feed us, but what we really need are referrals. So invite a few friends over when you have missionaries over for dinner. 

If your friends are less-active, invite them back. Love them. That's what they really need. A true friend. You.

I loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk. That's basically summing up my whole experience out here. Feeling so much sorrow, yet being blessed by so many tender mercies. I wouldn't be anywhere else. This is my home away from home. 

I love you all. All of you.

Sorry my letters are really quite scattered. I don't know how to say all the things that I want to say. I'm not to that stage yet. My only goal is to uplift you, not perfect my writing style. I don't have time to reread and correct. Just know that I love all of you. I know that some of you are going through a hard time. I may not know what that is, but I do know this: 

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the way to be happy.

My life is a witness of that right now. 

I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, and as His servant, that He lives. He loves us. When we feel like it is impossible for us to go onward with our willpower and grit alone, we are correct. We cannot go on alone. We need His load. We need His gospel, covenants, Spirit, blessings, and we need His love. 

All things must fail, but charity, which is the pure love of Christ, will never fail.

He will never fail us.

I leave this with you as my special testimony. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sister Darby Eleyce Miller