9/22/14

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was awesome, and hard, and everything in between.We taught most of our investigators and there were so many miracles. I can't even begin to write them all. You'll just have to wait until I get back :)

This week we worked really hard. We taught a lot, and we learned a lot. We had interviews this past week, and I learned a lot. I'm always really nervous for interviews because you hear those stories about missionaries getting rebuked and I'm always scared I'll be next :) But with interviews I always walk out better than I went in. I always learn so much. Sister Alba also taught our whole zone about how to work with the Ward Council. I also learned a lot. It's all in the attitude. I'm going to help them realize that I am here to help rescue their little lambies, and in return, they've got to help make my little lambies a priority. Did you know that the missionaries are supposed to be the first ones to speak in ward council? Neither did I. And now it's our turn to go and to be the "I want to help and serve" attitude in the ward. They love us missionaries. We love them. But what we really want our ward to do is love our investigators and recent converts. Our ward is great. The best I have been in yet... but there is always room for growth... in the church, in the ward, and in the missionary.

We also had a wonderful stake conference this weekend. We heard from the recent converts of the stake. I'm learning that all it does is one little invite, and then someone has the opportunity. They aren't going to invite themselves.
One of the sisters that joined is younger... teens or early twenties. She talked about a friend of hers she had online. One day she asked her.... "Why are you always so happy. Like ALWAYS happy. I don't get it."
Her friend answered with one question. "Do you believe in God?"
And that was that.
So if someone in Kansas can invite someone in California to learn from the missionaries, anyone can.
Also, there was a story of an 8 year old who was able to find names for his family to take to the temple. Anyone can do family history. :)

So the challenge that was extended to our stake I extend to you:
I invite you to find one name and if you are 12 years or older, be worthy of and receive a temple recommend, and take that name to the temple. Our ancestors were people too. Do not deny them of the blessing that we so often take for granted. They need us to do that. If we procrastinate, God will hold us accountable, but also our ancestors will let us know that we made them wait. They so desperately want to have those blessings, to make covenants through the priesthood, and to share it with others there on that side. They warned us against the evil of sacrificing the essential for the non-essentials. It's also a type of idol-worship, when we sacrifice the things that God has commanded us to do for those things that the world demands we do. Do not idol worship. Everyone can find one name between now and Christmas.
:) The blessings are spiritual protection and added strength. That's from Elder Bednar, and apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I will never forget the example that my mom was to me. The morning I went to the MTC, she sacrificed so that I could go and do the endowment for a name of an ancestor that I had found.

If my mom has time, everyone has time.

The other invitation was that we invite someone to attend sacrament meeting with us. They don't have to say yes. That is their choice. Still love them. But invite them. EVERYONE IS INVITED. well. invite them :)

I will ask before Christmas if you have done this :) I promise that if you do, you will have the blessings.

Also, Sister Alba said something yesterday to us sisters after taking a picture with all of us. "Someone asked me today what they could do for me." Sister Alba announced. "And do you know what I told them?"
We all paused... holding our breath.
"Find a family." She said with emphasis. "That's what you can do for me. Today, find a family!"

And what a day yesterday was. There were a lot of rejections, but Sister Carter and I fought the doubt, holding on to our faith. We battled the temptation to despair and lose hope. Finally, at the end of the night, we went to the house of a Catholic contact we had had a few weeks ago. To make a very long story short, the son opened the door and introduced himself as Kevin, and went to go see if his elderly father would like us to come in. His father, Bill, returned to the door. He remembered us, and immediately let us in. Then we spent about 10 minutes listened to the whole family (Kevin, and both his parents) talk about Mormons that they have known and how much they like them. We had another appointment that we had to get to, but we taught them very simply about the Book of Mormon and they said that they would read it. Kevin immediately accepted a soft baptismal invite, saying that he was definitely open, and Bill, even though he seemed a little more hesitant, was very positive and said that although he probably wouldn't change, he was willing to learn and to see if the things that we teach are true. They set up an appointment for next Sunday evening.

Leaving that lesson, I realized that it was all Heavenly Father. All I had to do was go out, work, be happy, have hope and faith, and the Lord would lead us to where we need to be.

I've also learned this week to invite, invite, invite. I'm learning that rejection really isn't that bad, although it is sad. But one thing is for sure: It is much better to walk away having been rejected than to walk away not having tried your best.

Rejection is always better than disappointment in yourself.

This week I have another goal: to invite more boldly. Not just to tell people how much God loves them, but to invite them to show God how much they love Him!

This past week was good. I learned a lot from interviews. I love being here, and I'm excited for the future. I think these past few transfers I have really learned a lot about the Spirit, about how to be bold, about loving people no matter what, about obedience, and about my weaknesses and strengths.

I'm looking forward to the future. I'm hoping to build my faith.

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. I know that The Book of Mormon is  the word of God, and I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I know it.
I know because of the Spirit, and also through experience.

I love all of you and hope you have a wonderful week! I know that Heavenly Father loves you all so much!

Sincerely,

Sister Miller

Moroni 7:13
Moroni 7:33