1/26/15 Half Mission Conference with Elder Nielson from the Quorum of the Seventy

Dear Family and Friends,

I love being out on the Lord's errand!

It has been a wonderful week. I am filled with love for the work and love for all those here in the California Santa Rosa Mission. I realize that I haven't gone in depth is some of my latest letters to you, and so I am going to take some time to share some of the things that have been on my mind lately.

We are seeing so many miracles in the work currently. We keep meeting so many people, and seeing so many miracles. This possibly has been one of the best transfers of my mission. When we first arrived in Arcata, we started from ground zero. We had no clue what we were doing, but somehow we made it through. We started with faith and obedience, and then we started to pick up family after family. This is the first time on my mission that we have picked up more families than single individuals, and it truly has taught me that families are so important. Just this past week have had two miracles families. First, during a zone car-detailing activity/church tours, a young single mother named Hana and her 5 year-old triplets walked in. Right when she walked into the church she began to cry. As we showed her around the church, her tears of sorrow fell freely. She told us of her horrible past of childhood and marital abuse, and how she finally escaped. Her ex-husband is now trying to take away her beautiful children, and she is trying to support herself and them by a flower-shop that she owns. She was very upset and she literally has no one; no family or friends. Hana then told us how she was searching for support through a church was going to, but how she feels like she hasn't been getting it. We took her into the chapel, and shared "Mountains to Climb" with her, and taught her about the Book of Mormon. We picked her up as an investigator, and we will be going to see her this coming week. She is a miracle. She literally came to us, thanks to the elders doing crazy-sign dancing for our car-wash.

Our other miracle was the Youravish Family. The hermanas said a harvest blessing with them a couple weeks ago, and then we stopped by yesterday afternoon. The mom let us right in, gathered in all her children that had been playing outside, and had them sit and listen to our message. Come to find out, they have met with missionaries before in Eureka and also in Mexico... apparently very regularly for about five months. She doesn't remember very much because it was about nine years ago, but she is very interested in having us come over and teach them as a family. She understood our Book of Mormon intro, and said that she would read it WITH her family. It was amazing how she understood clearly what we were saying. We are excited to teach that family. They are another miracle family.

We have had many miracles with some less-actives that we are working with. The Sonato family is being more open with us, and without being prompted to, one of their daughters asked us to come over this past week.

Another miracle is that Sister Kautzer, who has been less-active since she was a teen, has been coming to church every week. She is determined to gain a testimony, although she says she isn't sure if the church is true or not. She just wants a forever family so much. We visit her at least once a week on her own, and then eat with her and her husband every Friday night. Brother Kautzer is a recent convert who has gone off the deep end. The miracle with them is that this past week, at the end of one of our lessons, Sister Kautzer looked over at us and signaled for us to ask her husband to pray. He has previously politely refused, but this time he did. He thanked Heavenly Father for sending the sister missionaries and giving him another chance to do it right.

Anther less-active we have been working with is Bethany. She has read all the way to Helaman in the Book of Mormon since the begining of January when we first found her. She has been reading every and any church material that she can get her hands on. Every time she hears or reads about a commandment she begins to live it. For example, she read on a Tuesday night that we usually have FHE on Mondays. Without even waiting for the next Monday to come around, she held a Tuesday night FHE with her 3 year-old Naomi. She is working on the Word of Wisdom, and she got rid of her cable box a couple days ago so she could pay tithing, and she has been asking about fast offerings. We get texts from her all the time about where she is in the Book of Mormon, what she is reading in the gospel principles book, and even one time she sent us a text that said "my piercing is coming out for good." She has been pushing and pushing for us to find her records and move them into the ward, and finally now they are.

I have learned so much from Sister Whimpey. I love being her companion. I have been working on being consecrated and she has helped so much. She is patient, and she tries really really hard. We teach in unity, and we are constantly striving to be better teachers and to be more righteous servants of Jesus Christ. I love her so much, and I want to be like her. If it is the Lord's will, I would love to stay with her. But I know that whatever the Lord wants is best. I am willing to follow His plan for me.

I am amazed at how much more I understand the Atonement.

Also, we went out to Hoopa, a Native American Reservation about an hour away from Arcata, and held a sacrament meeting there. My companion and I gave talks on faith and commandments (her talk) and on faith and service (my talk) It was really amazing to feel the Spirit there. These people... their ancestors were the descendants of Nephi and Lehi... wow. To hear them say the sacrament prayers.... wow. They are trying to start a branch out there. We held the services in a little rented church. It was the most humble sacrament meeting I have ever been to. Bishop Floyd got special permission to take us sisters out because he felt like we would add to the spirit, and then an hour later, they asked us to speak. So we had a total of five minutes to prepare after stake conference with Elder Evans (which was amazing! He talked about having FHE and going back to the basics... praying, studying the scriptures, and attending church.) And we also prepped in the car on the way there. All in all, it was an amazing week.

Elder Nielson from the Quorum of the Seventy also spoke to our mission this past week. He taught us more about the Atonement. We literally sat in meetings from 7:30 in the morning until 7:00 at night.... I will send a picture of an overview of what I learned. I wish I had time to go into detail.

Also, I wish I could explain more, but my testimony was tested this week. But I can say that now I know I can make it. I know that my Savior and Redeemer lives. I have not seen it, but I know that He is there. I know that when we COME unto Him, when we Pray, when we SEEK and ASK and KNOCK and FOLLOW and HUMBLY SUBMIT OUR WILLS, then we will feel peace.

This is a gospel of action. When we step forward with even a mustard seed of faith, we will see miracles. It just all depends on whether we are WILLING to do so.

"And if ye know these things, see that ye do them."

IF YE KNOW THAT THE GOSPEL IS TRUE, SEE THAT YE LIVE IT.

If you aren't sure, I extend an invitation from the Savior Himself,
Come, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.

Only the Savior can do that.
Only the Savior can help us be who we really want to be.

I know that He lives. I know that this gospel is true.

If you, my dear reader, have any doubts, I say come. I will talk with you. I will listen to you. I will love you no matter what. I know that this will bless you if you will but COME.

Love,
Sister Miller