The Last One (Ones) August 18 & 19

War Party!!! They fought the good fight on!!!
We love you guys!--President and Sister Montiero

Wow. Last email.

I’m drained . . . ha It’s been hard to sleep this past week, because I’m nervous/sad/excited, but mostly excited to see you all.

Yesterday we baptized!! M. . . . is the daughter of an older couple in the ward. The parents are recent converts and were less active three weeks ago when we found them. But we have successfully re-activated the family and now baptized the oldest daughter (M.) I’ll send pics. She is pregnant, and it’s a high risk pregnancy, so the baptism was a little awkward. ha I kneeled down and she sat and I had to like hug her . . . but it worked out, and it was a spiritual moment. :)

We’re going to work our butts off this week. And hopefully I’ll get to see 2 more baptisms before I head home. The man we were going to baptize two weeks ago, has been coming to church by himself for four weeks now, and he is so ready to be baptized. Hopefully, President will see that, too and we can baptize him this Sunday.

F., a man I taught in my last area (the one who gave me the Brasil jacket) was an “eternal investigator” (someone that goes to church forever, but never wants to get baptized). I told him I wanted to see his baptism, before I left and he said ok. So it’s going to be this Saturday!!! He is awesome . . . and he is for sure going to be Bishop someday!!! I’m stoked!!!

  

It’s going to bitter-sweet, going home. It’s so good to be an "Elder."  The mission has truly changed my life and I am so grateful I served. Thank you Mom, Dad, Ryan and Remi, for all the support, emails, letters, packages and love. You are the best. I love you all.

ELDER Miller

PS My comp is letting me hook my camera up, but I’ll show the pics of the baptism next week.

  

Trunky Scripture

John 1:13-14

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face.

[Sadly, we had to contact Elder Miller again on Tuesday to let him know of the passing of his last grandparent. Scott's mother, Gail Miller, passed away on Monday evening. She was the one who opened the door and her heart to the missionaries many years ago, setting the Miller family in motion towards living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.] 

Well I was extremely sad to learn this morning that Grandma passed away. I really was looking forward to seeing her next week. She almost made it two years and right at the end she passed away.

If you want me to call, president said that I can. Personally, I felt like it would be better to email and talk next week in person.

I will miss Grandma a lot, especially as she was my last grandparent alive. She was so sweet. I miss hearing her soft voice and Southern accent on Sunday afternoon phone calls.

As sad as I am, I’m comforted to know we will all see her again. During the past two years my testimony of the plan of salvation has grown, and I know with certainty that we will see our loved ones who have passed away again. I look forward to seeing Grandma, healthy and happy in the next life.

I´ve learned in my mission that a scripture is worth a thousand words so I’d like to share a couple that bring me comfort.

Alma 28:12 “While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness.”

Alma 11: 42 “Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.”

Mosiah 16:8 “But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.”

I love you all so much. You are all in my prayers. Can’t wait to see you next week.

Love,

Elder Miller

What are the funeral arrangements?

[Wednesday evening Memorial Service in Grandma’s home ward. And Friday morning Graveside Service in Birmingham.]

The Next to Last Email from Curititba

Oi fam,

Well, time is flying by. Seeing my flight itinerary made me trunky... ha 

I can’t believe there is only two weeks left. Crazy.

We were supposed to have a baptism this week, but President said he needed to wait a little but more to be baptized. It was sad, because he really wants to starts over and become a member of the church, but it’s probably the right thing to do.

His name is J., and since we have been teaching him we have flushed his weed and alcohol down the toilet, and this Sunday he showed up by himself at church at 7:30 . . . because he wanted to get there early "to talk to God." He’s a great guy . . . and hopefully before I go home I get to see his baptism.

We also have another lady that we are teaching named M., that came to church this Sunday and liked it. Hopefully, I get to see her baptism as well. ha She’s been reading the Book of Mormon a lot and already has a testimony, I think.

Mom, stop falling. ha That looks like it hurt.

Dad, Looks like I’ll be getting in at 9 on the 26^th. ha

Ryan, when are you going out to Provo?

Remi, only two days left of summer? It goes by fast, huh?!!

Love you all,

Elder Miller

From the back-and-forth with Dad:

Dad: Hey, bud! Just called the library to tell Mom you’re on, but it’s busy. I’ll keep trying.

So how are you set for money? Did you call BOA, or decide not to worry about extending your card?

Glad to hear about J. I think the president is right, and if J. really is repentant he’ll wait. And good for M.! I hope you get to see them both baptized.

Elder Miller: I wasn’t able to call Bank of America . . . I don’t think I need to, though. There shouldn’t be any fees. I just will have two bags and my guitar which I think counts as a carry on.

And yeah hopefully he keeps going strong! He’s a great guy.

Dad: Will you be allowed to visit any previous areas or do any sightseeing before you leave?

Elder Miller: I think next Monday we are going to go to Park Tanguá. But other than that, no. I’d like to go visit a man I baptized in Tamandaré that’s less active now and try and help him.

I’m excited to date again. :) haha. You need to see the cover I made for my planner . . . It’s a tradition in the mission here to make a "trunky" cover for your last planner . . . mine’s about marriage. Haha

From Mom, at the last minute Elder Miller was on:

Mom: Love you, Reecer! Only 2 more. Make ‘em count!

Elder: Love you, too, Mom!!! I will!!!

Where in Brazil is Elder Miller?

Beleza minha familia??? 

I can’t believe how quickly the time is going by. 

The map of where Elder Miller is! Thanks Mariliana!

Well, I’m here in São Lourenço . . . I’m still zone leader, and my comp Elder Barroso came to the field in the same group as me! He’s way chill and were working well together. Elder Barroso came to the field with me, but I was in the CTM for a whole transfer before him. President will just leave Elder Barroso as Z.L. by himself. I was Z.L. by myself for a transfer. It’s normal here. ha

We’re also training . . . Elder Lindsey ha. Remember him? He’s only got 2 weeks left of training, but its super funny that he’s back with me . . . the prodigal son returned. LOL

We joke around a lot and it’s been a fun week. I think the best thing about the transfer though, is that I’m the ZL of the Elders in Tamandaré, and I already got to go back and do an interview. There was a ward activity and I did the interview there, so I got to see a ton of people. It was awesome. I love that ward! It’s def a fav from the mish.

Yesterday, we had two investigators at church, and I think one has potential for baptism this Sunday. :) I bore my testimony and got a little emotional as I realized it probably was the last time I’d bear my testimony at the pulpit as an Elder :(

I’m going to  miss the mission. Wow. Its be sad. [?]

But I’m stoked to see you all. I miss you guys so much and can’t wait to be with you again.

Mom, your article was good. I only read the first little bit, but I liked it. And the changes to the school system sound good to me. It would have been cool to customize my diploma when I was in high school. Your bike is sweet, too. 31 miles!!! Congrats, Mom. Keep it up!

Dad, the rack looks sweet. Professional. Thanks so much for fixing up the car, Dad. I’m excited to drive again . . .  if I remember how. haha It’s like riding a bike, right?? The AAA is great, too, Pops. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Remi, you stud. I miss you. Way to keep the yard in ship shape and help dad with the power cage. I liked the glasses . . . It’s a distinguished look for you. I bought you a present today!  It’s a Barbie!!! JK ha 

Love you all,

Elder Miller