Farewell Santa Rosa! Hello Rio Vista!

President Alba

Mission Letter – May 26, 2014

What we learn from the Book of Mormon – He that is righteous is favored of God.

First of all, I love the Book of Mormon! It contains the fullness of the gospel but most importantly, it contains the account of a family in turmoil, how they deal with their challenges and how the Lord in the end will protect and favor those who are valiant and are desirous to obey His commandments and to follow Him. I testify to all that it is true and that it contains the word of God.

Can you imagine being in the ship that the Lord commanded Nephi to build? They had cast out into the unknown except for a promise that was given to a prophet that it would be a land of promise – now this is pretty amazing to me that Lehi and some of his family believed and banked everything to this promise because they knew that the Lord would not lie to them. All that was required was to have faith in Him and to obey His commandments. Yet there were others who did not believe in the promise God had made but murmured for the rest of their lives.

“The sea roared with new fury as the fourth day of the storm broke over the ship carrying the family of Lehi. Driven by the gale, wave after wave crashed against the vessel with deadly force. All aboard greatly feared. How much longer could the craft keep from breaking up under the severe pressure of the storm at sea.” (Book of Mormon Religion Manual, p 41)

There was a greater storm that had greater significance that was brewing in the ship. A greater storm that had greater consequences to all those involved. This was the storm of rebellion against God. Laman and Lemuel and those who followed them were being tossed to and from by Satan, the master manipulator whose only desire is to thwart the plan of God. He had planted in the hearts of Lehi’s rebellious sons something greater – to disobey God and not follow those who had been chosen to lead them into the promised land.

How often do we think and say, “Why was he/she called to that position? There are certainly others more qualified or capable.” When we refuse to follow those whom God has called, we are in open rebellion against God. Because God is in charge of everything that happens, He will not allow anything to interfere with His purposes. We may think we can change the course of the eternities but we err in this this.

Nephi boldly declares to Laman and Lemuel their designs and warns them that unless they repent, they will be under the power and influence of Satan. Nephi tells his rebellious brothers the type of people they have become:

“Wherefore, the Lord commanded my father that he should depart into the wilderness; and the Jews also sought to take away his life; yean, and ye also have sought to take away his life; wherefore, ye are murderers in your hearts and ye are like unto them.

“Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your God. Ye have seen an angel, and he spake unto you; yea, ye have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words; wherefore, he has spoken unto you like unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as if it were to divide asunder.” (1 Nephi 17:44-45)

Nephi outlines in these verses a brief character sketch of Laman and Lemuel:

1. They were murderers in their hearts.
2. They were swift to do iniquity.
3. They were slow to remember God.
4. They ignored direct evidence of God’s power, including the visitation of angels.
5. They were past feeling, their hearts were hard, and they rejected the Spirit of God.
6. They had knowledge of God’s power, but still refused to believe.

“Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God.” (1 Nephi 17:35).

I pray that we may always be like the righteous Nephi. He was blessed because he murmured not, he was obedient, he had great faith and hope and he wanted to believe all things his father had seen. He was faithful and the Lord in His mercy blessed Him in his afflictions and thus he was able preserve his faith and love for the Savior.

I invite all of us to be righteous that we too may be favored of God.

Love,

President Alba

Dear President Alba,

This week has been a wonderful week. I've found myself reflecting on my work here in Santa Rosa. I've learned a lot. I'm glad to say that I am not who I once was, yet I still see that I am not yet who I want to be. Being a trainer has helped me understand my weaknesses and things that I need to push hard against, yet it has also help me overcome some of the things that I was struggling with before Sister Murphy came. She has helped me grow closer to my mission goals of being exactly obedient, loving others with the pure love of Christ, and following the Spirit. Thank you so much for that wonderful opportunity. It was completely priceless. I've found that those really are the things that I want. I can see the night and day difference that small decisions make.

One of the most important things that I think I have learned while I've been here Sister Murphy is that I can make the decision to try. I may not be able to do everything perfectly quite yet as a missionary, but that doesn't excuse me from trying my very best to do so. God always expects us to try. If we give up on something, saying that there's no point because we don't feel like we can achieve it, then we have failed automatically. But if we pour all our effort into something, even if we don't feel like it is possible, at least we will grow. We may not always reach our goals, but we will be that much closer to it. It's a continual process.

One amazing thing that has happened this week though, is that every time I'm about to give up, lose hope, or slow down, I'm reminded of who I want to be. I've prayed throughout the week at specific moments for Heavenly Father to help. It's amazing what it has done. Every time I turn it all over to Him, not knowing how it will turn out, and then try my very best, He works a miracle and things turn out. It just starts with trying my very best, not once, but every time I feel that hope is lost. Hope is never lost. And that's how I feel about all the people I've learned to love here in Santa Rosa. I feel like I made a difference. No one was baptized that I taught, but look at how many people I've reached out to. Look at how many people I've tried to help. It's not over yet. And I know that this hope that I feel isn't in vain. God must have hope for each of us, His children. He knows that at any point in time, they can turn around. They can come to Him. Everyone is capable of that.

We fasted for Elliott this past week. That night, we had a very short lesson because he said he was busy. But he told us that he was open to not drinking coffee. I can tell when he has read his scriptures or not. Even though we follow up every time, I can tell. He is so much more open and happy and excited about the gospel when he reads the Book of Mormon. His heart wants those things to be true. Jessica told me as I was leaving that we would truly be friends for life, and I know that it's true. I can feel it. I know that they are one of the reasons that I was here in Santa Rosa. I can't imagine that I didn't know about Jessica and Elliott before! They are my friends! I'm so excited for them to get married, Elliott to get baptized, and the blessings to start pouring down on them! I'm so blessed to have been a part of that! It's truly amazing!

I love missionary work. I love Santa Rosa. I could see myself moving back here after the mission. I absolutely love everything about it. I love the members, the feel, and I even now love the people. I feel like this is home. It's hard to leave, but I'm excited to go to Rio Vista. Sister Henry said it was her favorite place to serve. Right when I heard it, I knew that it was a new adventure, with new opportunities. But the truth is, I feel like a piece of me will always be here in Santa Rosa. It's the place where it all started for me.

I am not who I once used to be.

I am not yet who I will one day be.

And I am so very excited!

"I'll go where you want me to go, Dear Lord!"

Sister Darby Eleyce Miller

P.S. You and Sister Alba are in my prayers. We truly love you both. We hope you know that. Thank you for all that you do, and thanks for always putting up with my long letters. :)

Dear Family and Friends,

There we go. Now that the bold is off....

I'm leaving Santa Rosa. I definitely have mixed feelings on that. Oh well. It's the way that it goes. I'm done here though, and I can feel it. Even if I were to stay, things would never be the same. Change happens so fast, and I've never liked change, but I will say that I am glad for the adventure ahead. Sister Murphy and I set up everything by having other missionaries help "blitz" our area (our whole zone works in our area for 2 hrs) and so hopefully that will create a boom for the Redwoods YSA South area. I'm trying to leave it better than I found it, but idk. Only time will tell. Sister Clawson is going to be an STL in Vacaville (any referrals? ;) and Sister Heinrichson is going to Middletown, which is where Sister Zenger and Sister Henry were companions together their second time. To put it lightly, the gang is finally being split apart. We are so sad, but it's time. We've been together in the same house for 3 transfers, which is a long time for a sister missionary.  

I'm off to Rio Vista... which is a tiny windy little town from what I hear. Have I mentioned I need short sleeve shirts? If not, I probably will again, because they say it is super hot there, especially in the summer. Bring it on! If the sweating helps me keep the weight off, then bring it on! :) 

I truly am excited. In Rio Vista, I'm going to be in another trio, which will probably be a good thing because it will only be our one companionship in our apartment. Rumor is that we will have to drive 30 mins to get to district meeting. Sweet Mormon Tabernacle Choir all the way! :) Can I just say that Sister Murphy will be happy to never have to hear me sing Deep River ever again :) For me, it never gets old. 

Also, I'm going to be in a "zebra" companionship. This means that Sister Bryant (who I knew in Santa Rosa my first 2 transfers) will be my new companion. Except, her name isn't really Sister Bryant. It's Hermana Bryant. So hopefully I'll learn to teach in Espanol as well. :) So excited. We also will have another sister with us. I can't remember her name. I've never met her before, though.

Well. Packing today was nuts. I've still got to go home and finish. Then we have dinner at the Peirce's with the Brushcreek Sisters, the other Redwoods Sisters, and the AP's. It'll be pretty fun. Then, we have FHE, and hopefully we are having Arthur Chaney come. He's a former that I helped find. Now that school is out, hopefully things will get rolling along. :) So excited for the Redwoods area... and then I remember that I'm not going to be here. Oh well. :) It still excites me.

Well, I love  you all. I don't know what else to say. I am a little scared to move. I'm afraid that I've become accustomed to the city, and to being able to walk up to people. We've never really done knocking doors too much, but in Rio Vista, I'm pretty sure that will happen a lot. Bring on the challenge though. I'm ready for it. 

I'm a little sad to leave Sister Murphy, but I still miss Sister Zenger and Sister Henry, funny enough. I still feel like they left just yesterday. It'll be good to have a change of scenery, I tell myself. :)  It really is bittersweet.

I'm definitely coming back here to visit :) Mom, you would love it out here. 

Oh, and happy Memorial Day. I've actually been thinking of my Grandpas a lot lately. I don't know why, but many times I will have thoughts of the people I love that are far away or gone just pop into my head. It's a comfort thing, not a missing thing. A tender mercy from the Lord when it comes. 

WELL,

I LOVE YOU ALL.

I know that the church is true. I know it. I know that the gospel brings such peace and happiness. My heart is just swollen with joy for the opportunities that I have had everyday to share that happiness with people. Just last night, we walked up to this couple in a park that were having a quiet argument. The lady had dry eyes, but it looked like she had been crying. I looked into her eyes and told her that the Savior loves her, and that when no one else understands, He does. I told her that relationships and family are so important to God, more important than what you have, what you do for fun, where you work, etc. If you don't have that, none of that other stuff matters. When we walked away, they were no longer fighting, and the feeling we left was completely different than what we had walked into. I was so grateful to the Savior for letting me feel that. Usually we don't notice.

I miss all you, my family and friends, but I know that I am supported. I went through a rough patch there with missing all of you so much, but Heavenly Father is holding my heart, and I have found renewed strength.

He is there. I know He is. Even when I feel so alone, He is there. I know He is. I know that when I leave these my newfound Sisters here in Santa Rosa, I will be walking into the unknown again, but I KNOW with ALL MY HEART that I will NEVER REALLY BE ALONE. I know that He will be there with me.

I love you all. I want you to know that I know that Jesus Christ is real. We are real. We are not just ideas floating around in God's head. We are His literal children. As for the human condition, yes we are sinful creatures. But only if we choose to be. We were first children of God, and no matter what else happens to us, we will always be children of God. He is our Loving Heavenly Father. He sent His Son to die for us for one reason only: to bring us back to live with Him again. Why? Because He loves us and misses us. Does He need us? No. Does He want us to live with Him again? A most resounding YES!!! 

Is it possible for you as an individual to be the person He created you to be? Y

yes.

But you have to choose it.

I love you all. 

Jesus Christ is real, and He lives and He loves you.

Love,

Sister Darby Eleyce Miller

P.S. please send all mail to the 5301 Badger Road Santa Rosa, CA 95409.  :) I love you all.