Pink Hats and Hospitals. September 23, 2013

Helo todo mundo!

Well, this week was good! We had 7 investigators at church and marked two baptismal dates for this Sunday!! And hopefully G will get baptized this Sunday, too!! Woo!

Elder Eulogio is doing really well with everything. His training is going really well and it’s nice. He really wants to be here! ha. 

Mom, don’t freak out but I went to the hospital this week haha. I ripped a muscle in my back ha. IDK [I don’t know] how . . . on Wednesday I woke up with a cramp in my back (I thought it was a cramp) but we worked all day. Then on Thursday I woke up and I couldn’t sit up haha... Literally: I couldn’t get out of bed. I sleep on the top bunk so I rolled over and fell out of bed and onto the floor ha. It was weird and hurt a ton. I felt like an old crippled grandpa. But our neighbors, who are members, took us to the hospital. And they took an x-ray and gave me some drugs. The doctor said I ripped a muscle (I didn’t really understand what he was saying, actually, because he was using a bunch of medical terms. ha) but I’m taking some medicine three times a day to help with the pain and everything and it’s fine now.

I can’t believe I’m at the year mark. It’s gone by fast. It’s weird to think I still have a year left ha . . . but I’m enjoying the mission and can’t complain about anything :)

Dad, I liked that quote* [From our stake conference. See bottom of page.] so much I’m printing it out. I printed out your talk, too BTW [by the way]. Congrats with the progress in the garage and with the Miata ha. I’m stoked to see it all here in another year :)

Mom, that’s awesome Brad is gunna stay with you guys. I wish our family was closer and did stuff like that more often.

Ryan, I can’t believe your graduating here soon. Mom told me they bought tickets already to see your graduation . . . I can’t believe it ha it will be weird going to school without you, Bro!!

Remington . . . WAKE UP FOR SEMINARY YOU BUM!!! You need to learn about this stuff! It’s important! ha!

Well, I love you all. I'm going to send some pics here in a sec too.

Elder Miller

 

 

 

Pics:

From the hospital . . . they gave me an IV with medicine ha, and I ended up teaching the nurse. ha

 

I like to read with pink hats sometimes.

 

My comp is really tall, so it looks really funny when we wait at the bus stop. ha

 

It hailed this week. There were some the size of golf balls almost. I took the pic after they had almost completely melted, but it was crazy.

 

*The quote mentioned was President Gordon B. Hinckley quoting Jenkins Lloyd Jones:

 

“[The fact is] most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. …

“Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.

“The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride” (“Big Rock Candy Mountains,” Deseret News, 12 June 1973, A4).

Opa! Tudo bem? September 16, 2013

A P-day Hike

Elder Miller saw cows, but did not sit on them!

(See the picture from Dec. 10, 2012)

 

Opa! Tudo bem? [Hi! Is everything good?]

This week was ok.... We didn’t baptize :((((( But we’re going to work our bums off to baptize this coming Sunday. We kind of had problems with our investigators. We spent a lot of time helping a few people this week... Monday through Saturday.... and then on Sunday they . . . and didn’t go to church. :( As a missionary, people’s free agency is annoying. haha I’m sure it’s annoying for God too sometimes. Ha But I have faith that this week will be better.

We spent a lot of time finding new families this week and we found 4! I feel like two of them have a lot of potential and we're excited to keep working with them.

I went on divisions with my district and had a lot of success helping them in their areas.

 

It’s been interesting getting used to the trio... but I think we’ve hit our stride now with the teaching and living in a small house. We joke around a lot and have a lot of fun, and I’m really enjoying having 2 comps. ha Last night when Elder Eulogio was in the bathroom Elder Bedford and I took the wood out from underneath Elder Eulogio's bed... so when he came in he jumped on his bed and the mattress fell through haha. It was hilarious and I filmed it to show you... but it won’t let me attach it on here... so you will have to wait another year to see it ha

To answer qs. [questions] Yes, everyone stares at us. Before Elder Bedford got here I was the tallest white guy in Tamandaré I think... but he's huge ha

Mom, if you haven’t sent my package yet can you put Velveeta shells and cheese in there? What classes are you going to take now?? I’m confused on what’s going on.

Dad, how big is the dent?? [First time he takes the new car to church someone--probably a kid--threw a door into it! :( ] Send some pics of the work in the garage next week... I want to see.

Ryan! I wish I could go on a vacation like that. It looks like you went all over the West Coast!

Remington, way to mow the lawn bud. Keep up the good work! Are you excited for the puppy?

I love you all and miss you. I can’t believe it’s almost one year I’ve been out. Time flies!

Elder Miller

 

He has now left his mark on Brazil.

Opa September 9, 2013

Três Amigos

Hellloooo

Another good week :)

My second son’s name is Elder Eulogio . . . from Peru! He is awesome!! He has a powerful testimony and a strong desire to serve!! I’m stoked to train him this transfer and learn from him too! (Hopefully, I can learn a little Spanish :))

Elder Bedford’s doing well. He’s huge ha. I think before he got here I was the tallest person in Tamandaré. He’s a hard worker and excited to be here too.

We didn’t baptize . . . but we found some awesome investigators and we will for sure baptize again this month! We did confirm C. and T. though! And A. helped! It was awesome!! (Speaking of A. . . .  A. and D. made a Facebook and added you, Mom and Dad!) ha

Remi.. I hope you’re doing well buddy. It sounds like you’re working hard and making money. If I was you, next time I would chose the Miata ride and rocket launch over garbage trucks... but that’s just me. ha

Ryan . . . I’m jealous you got to go back to Visalia. Did you see Vincent by chance? I doubt it ha. Are you still in Santa Cruz or are you back in Rexburg? Has the campus changed a lot since I left?

Mom . . . I’m excited for my package!!! That’s crazy he [our dentist] ripped his bicep... I don’t think that’s normal.. ha. Yes, I did get a pair of good boots from Elder Cruz! :) ha . . . I’m sure you got an A on your test though. You always do. :) ha

Dad . . . I’m jealous of the Miata rides and Outback. I miss American food. Your talk was awesome. I read it all . . .  and maybe I will print it out. Your understanding of the gospel is impressive and your ability to teach it even more so.

Well, I love you all. You’re in my prayers and thoughts always. I’m not trunky, though ha. I’ll attach some pics.

Love,

Elder Miller

Will he stay, or will he go? September 2, 2013

R. gave me and Elder Cruz these sweet jackets from Peru! ha

Oi todo mundo,

Wow, there is a lot to write this time. This week was a weird one, I knew I was leaving Tamandaré so I packed a little here and there during the week, and by Sunday morning I was already to leave this morning . . . but I didn’t . . . Elder Cruz did! ha Yes, I’m staying another transfer in Tamandaré. I feel like I’ve been here forever ha. But I guess it means there is something else to do here in Tamandaré and more people to baptize.

I will be training again . . . tomorrow I’ll go pick up my second son ha. But . . . we will be in a threesome. Elder Bedford is my comp from Jacksonville, Florida and he will be working with us this transfer! He just got done being trained and he’s way excited to get to work here. I think President Monteiro is wanting to split the area, so he’s putting us in three so that when I leave two more can come. IDK [I don't know] though, but we will see ha.

Elder Cruz was sad to leave, and I was shocked that it wasn’t me, but I can handle 6 more weeks here ha. I’m still district leader so I get to continue doing baptismal interviews, which I really enjoy.

This Sunday, we had stake conference and it was super spiritual! President and Sister Montiero went and gave talks and the Temple president and his wife too. Afterward, A. received the Melchizedek priesthood, and asked me if I could ordain him an Elder. Wow. It was a spiritual moment. To have played a part in his returning to church and baptizing D. and helping them both get married has been incredible, and giving him the Melchizedek Priesthood was icing on the cake. I’m so happy for him and his family. I love them!

I’ve been enjoying the blessing of the package you sent. Last night we got together with A., D, E, and G. (They will be getting married on the 26th, and I will be here to see it!!) and C, and made pancakes and used the syrup you sent. Half of them didn’t like it . . . but I loved it ha!

Remington bud, I’m sorry you hurt your hand. Be careful!!

Ryan, say hi to everyone in Visalia for me. What was the longest you stayed in an area on the mish?

Mom, to answer your qs. [questions] Yes, Mom, C. gave me the toe socks, ha that's why I was wearing them. And yes I know Elder Turley . . . he’s pretty cool. I haven’t talked with him a whole lot, but I know who he is. I’ll let him know next time I see him that you are friends with his mom.

Dad, way to get back into shape ha. And good luck with the workbench. Did you every stay in an area on the mish for more than 6 months?

Well I love you all, but I’m tired and I want to take a nap before P-day is over. ha

Love Elder Miller

C's baptism

 

 

My next planner cover I made from the candy boxes you sent :)