3/23/15 iPads and Personalities

So, so dear family and friends,

Things are so different. Good, but different. It's weird going back to the same stake as Woodland. Seriously. Woodland is a 15 min drive away. Sister Comer and I drove up there he other day to speak at an 8 year old's baptism and it was the weirdest feeling in the world. It seriously felt like coming home. It has been very interesting. Even Sister Comer made the comment that she could see me living here. It just feels like home. Arcata and Woodland both. I am still adjusting to Davis. It is a college town and there are a lot of Asians here, and it is WAY different than Arcata, which was full of very colorful and varied people, but a The people here are a lot higher class and very smart, but dress like a bunch of college kids.

So Sister Comer is a greenie. I am follow up training her... Which means that she has only been out for a month and a half. She is 22 and she speaks her mind. It's been fun already. She is very different than me, but I guess it's going to be a good thing.  I think it is so interesting two missionaries that are so completely different and that they could come to an agreement and do missionary work. It has just build my testimony that my personality is important, and same with her personality.

I'm sure next week I will have more to write about. Currently we are trying to find some more investigators, and to meet with the ones we have. So, next week, I am sure I will have more to talk about.

In the mean time, I want to tell you a story about the Noriega family from Arcata. I don't know if I ever shared it in full.

So we met the Noriegas on Christmas Eve. We had only been there less than a week, and Sister Whimpey and I didn't know anyone. We had only picked up a couple investigators, and so we went with the YSA elders to go caroling to our investigators who lived on the third floor. On the way up, we saw some people on the second floor, so we decided, why not? Let's go carol to them! We did, and we met the father, who was not completely himself. While we were singing, he brought his 11 year old son out to talk to us because apparently he was interested in a lot of different religions. His father told us that he wasn't interested, but that he really really wanted us to come and teach his son. We didn't really take him seriously, just because of his circumstance, but we had a good little chat, sang another sing or something, and then went on our way. Well, about a week or so later, our investigators cancelled, and we stopped by and taught them. They let us right in, and ever since then they started listening to the lessons, fully participating. Then, they started reading the Book of Mormon. They started praying. They started to really understand what we were sharing. They came to church, accepted s baptismal invite, and then really meant it and were excited to be baptized. They are scheduled to be baptized this Saturday, hopefully. I might be able to skype in, but I don't know.

My whole mission, I had never taught people like the Noriegas. I know they are the elect, there are people out there like them. I know it. It's all just an exercise in faith.

I know the gospel is true, I know the Church is true. There are so many blessings that come from living the gospel. Heavenly Father doesn't expect us to be perfect all at once. He knows us, and loves us, and BELIEVES IN US. He trusts us. That is why He sent us here.

I know that the spirit is so essential. That is how you can know what you should do, by reading the Book of Mormon and the other scriptures, by pondering, and by praying to know what you should do. The answer comes by the power of the Spirit. If you are wondering how to help someone, or to help yourself, this is the spiritual method for finding out what Heavenly Father wants us to know.

So yeah.

Know that I love all of you and believe in all of you. Thank you for all of your support. It means the world to me.

Something I said a few days ago to an atheist: "I don't think science and religion are opposed to each other, but rather I see that God is the Greatest Scientist." I then pulled out the Lord's iPad that I carry. "Hand this to someone 3,000 years ago and what would they think? How would they describe it? They wouldn't have the words to. That is how it is with us and understanding God and all creation."

Sincerely,
Sister Miller

P.S. Watch "Because He Lives" this Saturday, then share it!

3/16/15 We Too, Like Redwoods

I am getting tranferred to Davis... which is 10-15 mins away from Woodland. :)

I'm am so sad to be leaving Arcata, but I felt peaceful the day I knew we were getting the tranfer doctrine sent out to us. I seriously thought I was staying. I have laughed, cried, and everything else. Sister Whimpey is staying and will be training (pretty cool... that was our goal... to get this area to AWESOME!) and yeah. I will be follow up training and STL in Davis. Pretty cool.

I am so sad to leave Arcata, though. Here I have learned so much about who I am, the nature of God, about the purpose of missionary work.

We have two really solid progressing families that are amazing. The Noriegas... who are getting baptized in two weeks. Seriously, so cool. A father and a son that we found caroling on Christmas. They were the last people we thought were going to let us come back. They are unlike anyone else I have ever taught because they are so willing to read their scriptures everyday and pray and come to church, and they are humble. We have really grown to love them, and they have progressed so fast. They basically teach themselves in lessons. I love them. :) I'm just happy they are getting baptized. They really really understand what it means, and they want it so bad. It's really cool.

The other family is the Youravish family. We met with them last night for my last time. My heart just broke. I teared up a little at the beginning and we taught them about the Atonement. One of the family members is going through something really hard, and so it really meant a lot. They too are so cool. Every member of the family comes in, sits down, participates, asks questions, and all of them are so willing to follow the spirit. They are amazing. So committed. We invited them to pray about a date to be baptized last night, and they said they will. So cool.

Also, we are going to be saying goodbye to the Sonatos tonight. That will be the hardest I think. I love them so much. We have gone over there every few days and they are like family.

Here, I have learned that I, like a redwood tree, must start out small. There must be rain. There must be fog. There must be other redwood trees greater than I am all around me, so that I too can build off of their strength. There must be all these things so that I may grow.

I have absolutely loved serving here in Arcata with Sister Whimpey for these past transfers. I can honestly say that these have been the best two transfers of my whole mission. I feel like I finally get it now, and that it is all falling into place. I feel like everything that I have learned is coming into one great whole. I think the key to being a great missionary is two things... and then everything else will fall into place. 1) Having a Christlike love for EVERYONE! and 2) Being completely focused on the missionary purpose. I feel like this transfer has been a fusion of these two aspects of missionary work, over and over. I have found myself more patient with people as I have been more genuine with them and have learned to love them, and also, I have found that I listen better, and I have a stronger desire to help them and address what they really need. As we have done this together, ways have been opened up for Sister Whimpey and I to teach amazing lessons to amazing people. Truly, the families that we are teaching are miracles. They are unlike anyone else we have ever taught. They just get it. They read and pray, and they are progressing towards baptism. They live what they learn to understand.

I will forever be grateful to have been put with Sister Whimpey. She is an amazing missionary. I feel like she is my older sister. I have learned to truly be unified, and because of how we have learned to work together, I have a better understanding of companionships. I feel like I have learned the "why" to all of it.

I really don't want to leave, but I have learned to trust the will of the Lord and I felt calm all Friday before the transfer call. That was also confirmation. I have truly loved it up here, and I feel like I have connected to the people like never before. I am excited to take what I have learned up here in Arcata and apply it to Davis. I am excited to meet my new companion and love her!

It's amazing to think that when I first arrived here, we had no one. No investigators. We were both new. We've done great things, but in all reality, it is the Lord that has done these greats things in us.

We too, like redwoods, must start out small, with the rain and with the fog, so that we may become like the Greatest of them all....

Sincerely,
Sister Miller

3/9/15 Prayers Yelled Out Loud

Every time I go to email, my mind goes blank.

Go ahead. Laugh. It's okay. I'm laughing too.

I've realized that life is a lot harder without humor. Now. Don't be worried. My email last week was not meant to be sad. You'd have to be a missionary to understand. It's sad and happy at the same time. :) Promise.

Okay. So I see the need to include some humor. So, I will begin with a funny story.

Sister Whimpey and I went to see a home bound less-active member. She could not hear anything. We literally had to yell everything. And she had a dog. A cute one. A hairy one. (I realized that wearing black is not the best thing around dogs.) So we sit down to share a message with her, and we started with a prayer. She said it. We then attempted to share a message with her about Jesus Christ, but she kept yelling "WHAT?" at us. Sister Whimpey wasn't helping because she was trying so hard not to laugh because we make fun of me all day about asking what a lot. So then I start trying not to die laughing. Not a good situation when the sister can't hear, and both of us can't talk because we are trying to hold in our laughter. It's a good thing we love her and she is a good sport, because then we gave up and decided to show her because of him. Well, right before we show it to her, she tells us that she hates movies that show Jesus Christ being beaten because it gives her nightmares. So then I panicked, because "Because of Him" has a little bit of that in it. Then we attempt to share a scripture. That went well. While this is all happening, her little dog is laying across my lap, and wouldn't let me stop rubbing it's belly or it would lick my face. Still, Sister Whimpey is trying not to die laughing. She did a good job of holding it all in, I will give her that.
Finally we come to the closing prayer. The sister asks one of us to pray, and so I do. Well, I stop scratching the dog's tummy to fold my arms, and the dog goes balistic, licking my face and jumping all over me, with me trying to hold the dog down while folding my arms. The member starts to yell at the dog, trying to call it over, and Sister Whimpey is trying to control her laughing, and I am trying to quiet the dog, half laughing, half frustrated. Finally, I get so fed up that I grab the dog, set it next to me, and while holding it down, I yell "SIT down and FOLD YOUR ARMS! NOW!" At this point, Sister Whimpey loses it, but the member is already folding her arms, eyes closed. I then attempt to pray, and the member looks up and tells me to pray louder. I try, and then she asks me again. At this point, Sister Whimpey is clenching her sides, shaking is silent fits of laughter and I am yelling, literally yelling a pray. "DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER...."
Good thing the member was deaf and couldn't hear Sister Whimpey dying, but one thing is for sure: Heavenly Father heard that prayer.

:) Things like that happen everyday. If only I had the time to write them all down.

On a more spiritual note, we had really spiritual lessons this week with the families that we are teaching.

Arcata truly is an amazing place to be. It is not only beautiful, but the people here are really humble for the most part. Sister Whimpey and I again met with Anthony and Steven, a father and son, and we taught them the plan of salvation this week. I've never seen investigators just grasp it as well as they do. The past couple weeks we have shared the Restoration and the Word of Wisdom with them.This week, we started off with a doorstep lesson on Monday, and we taught the creation, and somehow the spirit worked it's way in to a baptismal invite, and they accepted for April 4th. At the time, Sister Whimpey and I didn't realize that that is general conference weekend, but we informed them and they are praying about if they should have it the week before or the week after that weekend. Steven is 12 and is so excited about it all. He even ran from playing with His friends the other night, all the way up the apartment staircase, and burst in the door, excited to meet with us. Steven always has really deep questions that bring the spirit, and oftentimes he explains the answers to his father without even having heard it for himself first. Really cool. Anthony too loves it. He is a single dad, who is working hard. We asked him last time we met what this plan of salvation means to him, and he said second chances. They both love what we are sharing with them.  I am just amazed at how much they have progressed from when we first met them outside their front door. They truly have a desire to live the gospel, and they have so many good questions and things.

The lessons we shared with them were really cool because we talked about our purpose here on earth. It's been good for me. I've learned so much about the Plan of Savaltion, and how when people understand it, they have more hope. A reacurring theme that I testify of to them lately is that we don't have to be perfect, we just have to do our best in following Jesus Christ. I think that is one of the biggest things I have learned on my mission. Heavenly Father definitely lets me feel my weaknesses, but that is all what the gospel is about: being forgiven and strengthened despite your weaknesses. Did you know that in PREACH MY GOSPEL, it says that a qualification for the Exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom is that we are freed from sin and suffering through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Ether 12:27  has become one of my favorite scriptures, because I know it is so true. I am so far from perfect, but I have hope because of Jesus Christ. When we come unto Him, He will show us our weaknesses and then teach us to turn them into strengths by using His Atonement.

We are teaching another family, the Youravish family, that is pretty much the same way. We also taught them the Plan of Salvation as well this week. The mom told us recently that she keeps coming back to this, again and again. It was really cool. At the end of the last lesson, they had lots of really good questions, and they were excited about the answers. They really understood. The 10 year old boy asked about how if we are all brothers and sisters, even with Jesus Christ, then who is Satan? It was really cool because the spirit had been strong throughout the whole lesson, and when he sincerely asked that question, I paused, trying to think of how to phrase an answer. Before I could reply, the 14 year old daughter looked at her brother, and explained to him that before, when we lived with Heavenly Father, we all were able to choose, even Satan, but the difference is that he chose to rebel. The Spirit was really strong as she said that. I've never had anyone teach themselves the Plan of Salvation before. They all really loved the idea that we chose to follow Jesus Christ, and that is what we are trying to choose on earth too. This family too is really amazing.

Thank you for all the love and outreach. We find out who stays and who goes this week. I really really REALLY want to stay, but I don't know if I will or not. Pray for me to have strength, but more for the Noriega family that they will continue and have strength against temptation and continue to read and pray, and also for the Youravish Family that we can meet with them more, and that they will continue to read and pray.

Also, sometimes, you just need to yell your prayers out loud. I do that a lot, both temporally and spiritually. :) You are all in my prayers. :) Love you!

“We have to have faith. We have to have faith in God. We have to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And oh, how desperately we have to have faith in ourselves!"
~Elder Ballard

"Don't look back... you're not going that way!" ~Unknown

I know the Church is true! Love you all! You must read and ponder the Book of Mormon WITH A SINCERE HEART AND REAL INTENT to know that it is true. :)

Love,
Sister Miller

3/2/15

Hello Family and Friends!

So first off, I would like to start with an apology. I have not been as good at emailing as I would have liked. To tell you the honest truth, I really struggle to get my feelings into words sometimes. I get really nervous every time I go to write. So today, I am going to just sit and write, and what comes out, comes out.

First thing that I would like to say is that I have never been happier. A mission is hard. I struggle a lot, but not in the way that I used to. I have a hard time explaining how I am feeling, again, but the feeling is like happy crying. Once upon a time, we were watching a movie in a zone meeting about how it must have felt like for Heavenly Father to willingly sacrifice His only Begotten Son, and I just felt so weak. I cried through the whole thing, but it wasn't just touching tears, but a deep aching within me that lasted hours, and still throbbed a little later into the rest of the week. Even now, looking back on that experience, my heart is plucked a little bit, like a key note on a piano. But although it weakened me, it also filled me with a renewed strength that I know did not come from myself. That's what it feels like. Not just merely emotion, but rather, a physical, emotional, and spiritual motion deep inside. So there's my attempt to explain this pained happiness. It is a joy beyond belief, like when an investigator finally understands that the strength that they receive that fills them and helps them as they are pouring the alcohol down the drain is connected and will forever be connected to those precious moments in the Garden, where the Savior poured His own blood out. Somehow, words will not do. Do you understand the feeling? It is full of sorrow, but a sorrow that makes your heart soar higher than birds or even clouds. It is a feeling that goes deep, like the feeling you get when you look down from a great height, and see the majesty and beauty beneath. It's deeper than that. This feeling of happiness is so hard for me to explain. It's the feeling you get when your heart is pounding, and you really have a hard time believing that the moment you are in is really happening, yet, you know that it is happening, and that it is real. It is scary, and exciting, and waaaay  out of your comfort zone, but it is exhilarating, and somehow in it, in that single moment, you find comfort. Yet, there is a sadness, because you know that it is only a single moment, and that it is precious. It only happens once, and you will never again be in that moment again.

Do you understand? My joy is full, and I am happier than I have ever been, but I can also say that this has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Not even physically. I mean mentally, and emotionally, and spiritually. Every day is the hardest, but not in the way you think. When I first came out on my mission, I expected certain things to be my struggles, like the schedule, or like talking to people, or like knowing and teaching the gospel, or missing your family. In reality, those things are hard, but Heavenly Father takes care of those things. He holds all those things in His control, and comforts you. It's not even a struggle to find people to teach. I would have thought that that would be the hardest. Whenever I try to do it on my own, it is, but whenever I rely on Him, it is easy. People just come out of the woodwork. I truly do believe in miracles. I do not believe in coincidences. Not one bit. I have seen it time and time again, because every person I have ever taught on my mission has been a miracles that has unfolded in front of me. God does His work. He doesn't need me. I am the one who needs Him, my Heavenly Father. He lets me help because He loves me.

So what is the biggest struggle of my mission?

I have learned that the biggest struggle is fear.

Worrying about what others think.
Fearing failure.
Fearing the future.
Fearing about what will happen to my investigators... worrying that they will reject the gospel.
Fearing about my family and friends.

A while ago, a member of the quorum of the Seventy looked me straight in the eyes and told me "I challenge you to never fear again." He wasn't rebuking me. I had only made a comment about how faith and fear cannot exist in the same place. His words have come to me every single day since.

Quickly, A recap of the past couple of weeks.....

So a couple of weeks ago, I was sick. Not fun. Stayed in for the first time because I had a raging fever. It started on a Monday. I just worked through it. Then the next day, I felt like my head was going to explode. I was scared that I wasn't going to be able to go to the temple the next day. I called the mission nurse and asked her how I could fix it. She told me that if it was 100.3 or lower, I could go, because I wouldn't be as contagious, but to be careful, because I would be more susceptible to get sick. Miracles. I woke up the morning of the temple trip at 4 in the morning. 102 degrees. Snap. I prayed, got up, got ready, and by the time we were ready to leave, it had shot back down to 99 degrees. I didn't catch anything, and slowly over the past week, it has subsided to just a random cough and now it is completely gone. I know that that was a blessing from Heavenly Father. We went to the Medford Oregon temple. So cool. I have now been to all the temples that the missionaries in the California Santa Rosa Mission go to. YAY! :)

Also, we went to a funeral for a member in our ward. Our ward boundaries are huge. The elders that serve in our ward go out to Hoopa, an Indian Reservation. They aren't allowed to contact, and so they do most of their work with a member named Brother Joseph, who takes them to see random people that he knows. Well, sadly, Brother Joseph died a few weeks ago. Bishop Floyd insisted on having us come to the funeral, because of the missionary opportunities, so President Alba gave us permission to go. The drive there was beautiful, and the spirit was really strong. The funeral went longer than we thought it would, and so we left early before we really got to talk to people because the traditions were going on and on... which was cool to see, but we needed to get back, but that's what the pictures of me on the hillside are of... the drive was incredible. Shoutout to Magnus and Harv.... they filmed parts of Star Wars up here. The trees are incredible. Everyday is beautiful. It is like fairyland up here.

Another cool story....
So our entire mission is striving to teach 3 lessons everyday, on top of contacting at least 20 souls, and also inviting one person to be baptized every day. We have been scrambling to find those three lessons. Some days it is easy. Other days, it is really really hard. So if it comes down to 8:00 at night and all of our lessons have fallen down, we call members to let us come and teach them and practice on them. So we called the Richards, and elderly couple. The wife joined the church back in the 80's. The husband joined three years or so ago. They are so cute, and so active. We love them. We called them, and they told us to come over. When we got there, we taught them, and the spirit was really strong. Then they shared with us how a family member of theirs is struggling, and they really needed to meet with us. Miracles. Heavenly Father always has a plan. We would not have been able to reach out to the Richards if we hadn't had had all of our lessons fall through, and if we weren't trying to teach three lessons every day. Miracles.

Last Sunday Feb 22nd, the Noriegas came to sacrament meeting. That was really cool. More on them later. :)

This week.
Monday: craziness. Pday. That's all I'll say.
Tuesday: Exchanges with Sister Harmer. So because Sister Whimpey and I are both STL's, we go on double exchanges, which is where we both leave our area and we both go into the other companionship's area, and they plan for double the lessons and things.

While with Sister Harmer, we had an experience I've never really had on my mission yet.

We went to see this random member that she hadn't yet met, and assumed was less-active. We knock on the front door, and she lets us right in. She seemed rather bubbly and excited to have us, almost like she expected us, even though we were trying her with no notice. She brings us into her living room, talking to us a little bit about how they were just sitting down to dinner. She sat down at the table, in front of a computer, he husband there as well, in front of his computer, both of them eating dinner. I began to feel uncomfortable, and I didn't know why. Looking back, it was because she never actually invited us to sit down, even though we were standing there, glancing over at the couch every now and again. So I do what I normally do when I feel awkward... talk about the gospel. :) Naturally. I asked her about if she has been a member of the church her whole life or not, and then she told us of when her brother "convinced" her to join, and it was the worst decision of her life, and how her husband and her were fully active in their own church. She began to tell us of how she doesn't believe that she is less than her husband in any way, and she doesn't think that we can "own our own star" when we die. By this time, I felt this sick feeling come over me, and my heart sunk, yet, I felt a strength surge in. Looking back, I realized that every question and every struggle I have ever had trying to find the answers to my questions had prepared my soul for this moment. I listened with patience, even though her voice was going from loud to just plain yelling. She told me of how any book that said those things is true, and that only the Bible is true, and she just kept going on about the Book of Mormon. Gladly, the spirit takes away from my mind the specifics, but I remember how it made me feel.

I knew that what she was saying wasn't true, because of the feeling that came into the room. That feeling was not from God. I felt the Spirit reject what she was saying by leaving. I knew we needed to leave as well, and so I looked over at Sister Harmer, who was silent, but I also felt her shock, and also her determined and strong spirit next to mine.
Quietly, I interrupted her. My voice was calm and even, even though I felt a little physically shaken by what she had said. I bore my testimony, pure and simple. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that it is of God, and that it's sole purpose is to testify of the truth of Jesus Christ.
She started yelling over top of me... I said it again, quietly, yet firmly, and started walking towards the door. She followed, quite furious, but then I walked out the door, I turned back.
"I'm sorry for upsetting you, but I am not sorry. I know the Book of Mormon is true, and if you ever decide you want missionaries to come by, you can just go to mormon.org and request them to come by."
She was still yelling and I closed the door behind myself.  We walked down the steps, and I exhaled deeply, trying to get fresh air in. I patted Sister Harmer on the back, we both bore our testimonies simply to each other, and we said a prayer on the sidewalk and kept walking.

Later that night, we found out that the less-active had called the other sister's phone, thinking it was us. She apologized and invited them back, on condition that they won't try to push the Book of Mormon on them.

I will never forget that It didn't turn out the way I thought it would in the moment. She kept yelling, but I bore my testimony, and I knew that what I said was true.

And I love missionary work.

I have so much more to write, but I am out of time.

We have two progressing families! We have shared the restoration with both of them and both of the families said that they feel like this is the path that they need to take. If you would like to pray for them they are the Youravish (like a radish) and the Noriega Family.

Love,
Sister Miller

2/17/15

Thank you for all the email love! I cried and cried. I have had emails upon emails from everyone, and from past areas about miracles that have been happening with people that I have taught. Such tender mercies, that I know Heavenly Father sent me this morning.

I love being on a mission. I love this gospel.

Thank you for all your support. I miss all of you, but I am grateful for the advice and patience and care you all take for me!

Arcata.

The 20-3-1 is 20 contacts every day, 3 lessons every day, and one baptismal invite every day. Our whole mission is trying to get it every day. We have been seeing more miracles then ever!

Sigh.

We have seen so many miracles, Sister Whimpey and I have. I have learned to really love people, and I really do. We both whitewashed in, and so we were both brand new to the area. We knew no one.
The Sonato family is the family we met first. They are less active. The Dad is hispanic and a non-member and can only speak a little english, which is fine because I understand spanish a little, so it works out. He reminds me a lot of Mark. He walks around without a shirt on, kind of quiet, but he always has some sarcastic teasing remark to make. He is a hard worker, and likes to cook food, but never likes to get into deep conversations, but it always kind of in the background. Miguel is really cool because lately he has been more and more interested, and he is warming up to us. We have just been trying to love and fellowship the mom and the daughters in because we think that is the only reason they don't come. Right now they are semi-active, but they have testimonies. They love us so much, and we love them.

We are also teaching Sister Kautzer, a less-active. Her husband was baptized in another part of California earlier this year, and when they moved up here, they went less active. I dearly love her. He is getting better though. He is praying with us there. That is huge for him.

We also taught the Welicka's. We showed them the Restoration video. It didn't go as we had planned. It only brought up more questions (respectful, but still nerve-racking). They definitely are reading anti. They have a problem with the fact that we can pray and get answers for ourselves. They say we can believe, but not really KNOW. In a huge round-about-way, they said that they dont' really know, but they believe and would take a bullet for what they believe.
Cameron turned to us, and asked us, "So... after hearing that, would you say that you believe, or would you still say that you know?"

Never in my life has my heart beat inside my chest. I thought I was having a heart-attack. I had a moment where I really thought about it, and then the answer surged up inside of me. I knew what I would say to them, but I turned to Sister Whimpey to let her answer, because I didn't know what she would say, and I wanted to make sure that I would be able to say what I did last.

She paused, like I had. Afterwards, she explained she had the same thing happen as I had.

"I KNOW."

Then they looked at me.

I paused, and with the most steady voice I have ever heard myself speak in, I heard my words clearly.

"I testify in the name of Jesus Christ that I KNOW."

I have never felt the spirit like that before. I know.

Do I know everything about the gospel?

No! Of course not.

BUT ...

I know that it is true. That much I do know.

It was an amazing night. I will never forget that moment. If there is a moment to define my mission and what has happened and what is happening and what will happen, it was that moment.

I love Sister Whimpey. I never doubted her. :) She is my sister.

I am not perfect, but I am perfect in trying.

I love you, Dad, Mom, Mark, Darah, Alyssa, Megan, Brooke, Magnus, Harvey, Jane, Amanda, Allred's, and Spencer, and everyone else on this email list. :) I love you all!

Love,

Sister Darby Eleyce Miller

2/9/15

Thank you all so much for all of your letters. I ran out of time again. I am sorry. But I just want to share that I know that the Church is true. I know that what I am doing as a missionary is important. I have seen it work in so many people's lives. I know that this gospel is so precious. It truly is the Church of Jesus Christ Restored.

Here is a quote from President Alba that I really really like. Once again, it was clear to me that we must give up all to become like Christ, our Savior. The Prophet Joseph Smith said the following: “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.”
It is so true. It is not about what you can gain, but what you can give. That is what life is about. That's what being like the Savior is all about.

I love being a missionary! Truly! The more I think about it, the more I realize that my whole life has been pointing to this precious year and a half. It's gone by so fast. This week I learned a lot about humility. I learned that I really cannot do this on my own. I need Heavenly Father every step of the way. I have learned that I don't have to be perfect to be loved by Him. I don't have to be perfect to be worthy to be one of His missionaries. All that He asks is that I try. As long as I am truly giving up my will to Him and really trying to be the best I can be, then it will all turn out the way it is supposed to. l feel like I keep learning the same lessons over and over on "my" mission. One thought that came to me this past week is that I need to treat everyday like I am still a greenie. Never get comfortable! Soak it all in! Learn as much as you can! That's something that I going to push harder on this week.

I love Arcata. It's really blossomed. We are teaching Less-Actives like crazy. Our ward mission leader is on board. We are just trying to meet with our investigators more often, so that they can progress.

You know, when I first came out, my idea of what my mission would turn out to be was nothing like it has actually turned out to be. Each area, each companion, each person taught is so unique, and each has such a different feel, and you just learn to take the good out of all of it. I have learned a lot about my weaknesses from Sister Whimpey. It has been humbling. She is amazing. She is so kind. She is always in a good mood. She never gets upset or angry, even if she is having a bad day. She is such an example. I am working on being as good a person as she is.

The sisters (Sister Harmer and Hermana Steiner) seem to be adjusting well. They are definitely two wonderful sisters and I am looking forward to getting to know them and learn from them.

As far as the 20-3-1 goes, our zone has not given up. It is a struggle, but we are still working hard everyday to try. The zone has only missed it for the past few days by only one companionship, but we are not upset, but still trying to work in unity. We will do it though. Sister Whimpey and I are both very excited for it. It really helped us last week.

Love,
Sister Darby Milller

2/2/15 Out of Time

I'm out of time, but we had an awesome week. I am just going to copy and paste a little bit about what I have emailed others. Sorry. 

Isn't it funny how the best weeks are also the hardest and the longest on the mission?

This week I learned that the Atonement is for me. I think as a missionary you get so focused on everyone else's spiritual health, that you forget about yourself soemtimes. I had to remember that even though I am a missionary, I still need the enabling power and the redeeming power of the Atonement so much.

Please take some time to read "The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality" By Elder David A Bednar.

Sister Whimpey and I are staying for another transfer, and we are both delighted.

We almost got eaten by dogs. Sister WHimpey almost died from allergies because she touched a bunny rabbit. And we have a lot of less-active people coming back. All miracles from the Lord. 

Ya'll should serve a mission. Love you!

The church is so true!

Love, Sister Miller