None of Us Saw this Coming! One Last Transfer! July 28, 2014

J's Baptism!

Well, this week we baptized!!! Again! Her name is J. She’s a young woman that’s been going to church for a while now and seminary, too. We taught her a few times off-and-on, but her mom is really strong in another church and she didn’t want to let her be baptized . . . But Thursday, we did a division with a member. Elder Bell went with the member, and me and Elder Frame (our new comp) went to talk to J’s mom. When we got there they were a little closed off, but we got them to warm up to us. ha We found [out] that the pastor of the other church had said a ton of bad stuff about our church and so we explained a ton of things and then talked about baptism. After about an hour the mom signed the "ficha batismal" [permission?] (I don’t know how to say it in English) and said she would be happy to support her daughter! :) 

On Sunday the whole family went to watch J’s baptism and they loved church, too. And now we have an appointment to teach them on Wednesday! 

Elder Frame? And???

As you probably noticed . . . Elder Jones went home :( But me and Elder Bell got a new greeny . . . Elder Frame, from Texas . . . he’s a cool guy. But he is already being transferred . . . and I’M BEING TRANSFERED TOO. How lame! ha I only have 4 weeks left and there sending me to another area. IDK [I don’t know] where yet, but they told me I’ll be zone leader and I’ll train another new ZL.  

Mom, your activity sounds good, Mom. It’s nice that the ward [stake] that functions so well. haha Oh, and its “tchau” not “ciao.” haha Do you know how much money I have in my bank, Mom? Wow, that’s weird [Weird that Bank of America is cancelling his debit card--due to possible compromise of some of their accounts. Cancelling it two weeks before he comes home!]. ha. But, yeah, I don’t like Bank of America. ha. And no, I won’t have extra bags. Ha

Dad, your rack looks like it’s coming along . . . IDK really what I’m seeing, but it looks like progress. I like how you rounded off the corners! It looks professional! It’s going to have a bench for like bench press, too, right? The cage will be sweet!!! Are you going to by an Olympic bar and weights? IDK how much [money he will need to last and get him home], Pops. Well, I think 200 should be fine. The only weird "bag" I’m bringing home is my guitar. And I know lots of missionaries have done the same. Apparently, you just take it on the plane with you and there isn’t any fee.

Ryan, your resume is awesome. You have a good amount of experience and talent. I’m sure it will get you the job! What is the job by the way? ha It’s a company in Scottsdale, but what do they do? I remember knocking doors in Scottsdale [summer sales] . . . it’s a rich area. ha 

Remi, sounds like you’ve been working hard. The yard looks good in the pic Mom sent. I couldn’t really see your glasses very well in the pic you sent, but from what I could see, they look good! Zack’s Court of Honor looks fun! Before you know it, that will be you!!! How’s the project coming along BTW [by the way]?? 

Well, I love you all!!  Thanks so much!!!!!!!!! Love you guys!!!

Elder Miller

The Highlight of My Mission July 21, 2014

Well, this week was incredible. 

Of course I’ll start with the temple. It was the highlight of my mission . . .

Words can’t explain the feeling I had as I watched A., D. and their two little boys, all in white, kneel at the altar and be sealed for time and all eternity. Everyone cried. ha After the ceremony, I hugged them before leaving the sealing room, and A. and D. whispered "thank you" in my ear. Wow.

I was one of the testimonies [witnesses?] for the sealing, and as I watched I couldn’t help but think back to their condition when we started teaching. They were so lost in the world, and the gospel completely transformed their lives. I feel so blessed to have participated in their conversion.

Also, we baptized!!!! R.! He was an elect that fell from heaven. We were on our way to an appointment and we passed a store. A lady came out and told us, "My friend lives in that house and her son wanted to talk to you . . . I think he said something about wanting to be baptized in your church." We three looked at each other and smiled ha. We went there immediately and R. let us right in and said, "How great you guys are here, I’ve been waiting to get baptized for a while now." ha

He used to go to church, but never was baptized because he smoked . . . but now it’s been three years that he hasn’t smoked, so we taught him this week and he was baptized on Sunday!!! ha Miracle!

Mom, I’m glad the foot’s better. Your clay lamps look good. What’s the article for the Ledger about? Next time a patron yells at you punch them in the face. That’s what I do when people are rude here. ha JK [Just kidding]

Pops, sounds like the power cage is coming along. You think you’ll be done by the time I’m home?? Thanks so much for getting the Corolla fixed up. I’m so excited to have a car. If you paint it whatever color is fine . . . I guess the original would be the easiest right? But if I had a request I’d love to have some good speakers. As long as it runs and I have music to listen to I’ll be set. ha

Ryan, Niagra Falls? How did you make it up there??? It looks awesome . . . I want to see it, too . . .  They say Iguaçu Falls dwarfs it though. :) ha And the pageant looks cool. I didn’t know that many people participated. Do they do it every week or what?

Remi, send a pic in your new glasses, Bro!!! I bet you look like a stud!! Can’t wait to beat you up when I get home!

Love you all, I’ll send lots of pics! (That I took at the Temple.)

Elder Miller

Exciting Temple Trips! July 15, 2014

Oi,

D’s  endowment was so special. The feeling I had in the Celestial Room was incredible! Looking at A. and D. all dressed in white. One short year ago, they were [baptized] and now they are on track toward the Celestial Kingdom. This gospel is incredible and without a doubt this is Christ’s church.

Their plan was to wait for C. (D’s mom) to take out her endowment and then get sealed in December . . . but after D’s endowment they decided they wanted to be sealed the quickest possible. TOMORROW at 3 o’clock they are going to be sealed, and I am so stoked!! (And yes, I get to go!)

This week we had 6 investigators at church and we are going to invite all of them to be baptized this week. ha We need to baptize more. This month has been poopy so far in the zone. Tuesday we are going to have to burn the zone for slacking off. ha But hopefully this week we have a lot of success.

Mom, I’m not sick anymore. ha How do the Elders eat there if the members don’t have investigators?? They probably starve if the members there are anything like the members here. [We are.] ha I thought about the reception thing and I think it be fine to just have it at home . . . I don’t really think many people will come, so it would be weird to have it at the chapel. [I hope our ward and stake prove him wrong!]

Dad, I am fine. ha I feel great. 100 percent. I’m excited to see your power cage, Dad. I’m excited to work out, too. This morning I did 20 pull-ups without an extreme amount of effort.

Ryan, send me a pic of your surgery. That’s crazy it severed the nerve. Were the sales good this week? I wanted to set you up on a date with Elder Jones' (my comp’s) sister. She’s [beautiful] and she’s studying in Ohio (She’s a doctor. ha), but she kind of has a bf [boy friend]. ha But if they break up you need to take her out.

Remi, it sounds like you’re making the most out of your summer! That’s awesome you know how to fix the lawn mower and trimmer. How many yards are you mowing?

Well, I love you all. I’ll send pics next week.

Elder Miller

A Missionary Fourth of July July 7, 2014

Fourth of July . . . Domino’s Pizza . . . and we sang the national anthem before eating! ha

So this week was pretty good. 

Last Saturday night we baptized Ga. and then on Sunday we confirmed her. She’s going strong and she’s already started singing in the choir.

We had 8 investigators at church. And all of them are progressing well. We should baptize this Sunday . . . I’m not sure who, but I have faith that we will have a baptism! ha 

Our family of three (G’s parents and sister) are progressing well. Tonight we are going to have another family home evening with them and hopefully this Sunday we can baptize the three of them :))

Also, I just got an email from A. and D. D. is taking out her endowments tomorrow!!! And President said I can go! I’m stoked. I can’t believe it’s been a year since her baptism already. 

Mom, Remi’s burger comment made me laugh. ha And it doesn’t matter to me when the open house is . . . or where ha . . .  either one would be fine. And I’m glad your foot is healing up. You’re getting laser treatments for your foot to heal faster? ha We are so blessed. 

Dad, the weight rack looks sweet! You’re very creative, you know. You drew it up on Google Sketch?? Is that a pulley system in the back?

Ryan, where is my email, Bro? I want to hear about your sales and your dating. Ha [Ryan did email back and forth this morning.]

Remi! You got glasses? Were you having a hard time reading? I’m glad you’ll be able to see better. Keep up the good work on the Eagle project, Bud . . . you need to finish!!!

I love you all . . . and I’m sending some pics of Ga.’s baptism. And . . . we found an owl that’s living close by the chapel and I got some sweet pics of her. Look what’s in her hand :)

Write me back!

Elder Miller

Mom: Any fun plans for the day?

Elder Miller: Yes.. sleep. Ha

[Postscript: Last week we were worried when Elder Miller had another high fever and vomiting and a third trip to the hospital. So I sent a message to the sweet Mom of his Mission. She followed up and sent me the picture above. I know he is in good hands. Today I asked him if he was angry about my asking the Sister Montiero to check up on him. He said no. But I did notice that he NEVER answered my question—I only asked him three times if he was feeling well!]

Not Just World Cup Fever Saturday, June 28, 2014

Yep, today is P-day . . . and, yep, it’s because of the game. Brasil plays today against Chile. We can’t watch it though :( It’s just pointless to work when Brasil is playing . . . because everyone is watching the game . . . and drinking. ha

The bad news: Well, I’m sick again . . . for the third time . . . I woke up on Tuesday with a fever of 102. And when it went up to 103 I went to the hospital AGAIN. Three times this month. IDK [I don't know] what’s wrong with me . . . But I feel a little better and hopefully after this week I’ll be back to ship shape.

But the good news: We are going to baptize today. G. (the cousin of a member) is 17 and she has been going to church off and on for a year. The missionaries had never taught her, but when she came to church three weeks ago we marked an appointment and we’ve been teaching her ever since. And this week we invited her to be baptized and she accepted . . . And Thursday we had a long lesson with the mom, because she didn’t want to let her be baptized. It was probably the hardest lesson of my mission . . . because it was a battle . . . and I had a fever of 102. ha At one point I told her, "Your daughter isn’t asking if she can use drugs . . . she’s not asking if she can go to some sketchy party and get drunk . . . she asking if she can follow Christ . . . and you don’t want to let her???" ha Fortunately, she understood and said she would support G. (If she was just a year older she wouldn’t have to ask. ha) But her cousin and aunts and uncles will take good care of her (They are all members of the church . . . and one is a bishop.).

Also, I got an email from A. and M. [Of chicken-cooking fame in Autodromo!] this week. ha I love them. Dad, try and translate this:

Oi meu amigo! Nos te amamos, e somos gratos a DEUS por telo conhecido, que DEUS conceda tudo que  teu coração desejar, somos gratos e presto meu testemunho que tua fé e verdadeira no senhor JESUS CRISTO.  E temos visto o amor de  JESUS CRISTO em minha familha. Thank you, thank you, thank you  . . . As palavras são poucas p/agradecer.

Hello my friend, we love you.

That email made my day. Ha It’s been a rough week . . . actually a rough month. I’ve been sick three times, and I’ve been feeling a lot of weight on my shoulders, too . . . there have been lots of problems in the zone. And training two Americans back-to-back (My Portuguese is suffering. haha). IDK It’s just been a rough month . . . but I know it will get better. We’re going to baptize tonight . . . so that will help!

Mom, congrats on driving again and getting out of the house! And thank you for emailing today . . I was worried I wouldn’t have an email. Ha [Thanks to Sister Montiero letting parents know on Facebook!]

Remi, way to do those chores. ha How’s your yard business been doing? You making some money still??

Dad, looks like you passed out ha, send me an email from work if you have time. [Dad did, of course!]

Ryan, how are the sales???  

Well, I love you all. If you have time to send an email—back I’ve got about 45 minutes left. 

Love you!!!!

[We were all able to email him back a few times. But I don't know if he saw my emails or not...]

Hey, Pops and Remi. Remi, yes, I read our email, Bud.

And Dad I forgot you don’t work today . . . If I get sick again I will def[initely] want to see a doctor when I get home.

The U.S. will play Belgium here in a few days . . . They made it past the first phase and apparently are playing well.

Temple and Toast Days June 23, 2014

                                                                 The Curitiba Temple                                                              

So this week was ok . . . Our new comp is Elder Jones, from California!! He’s way cool and super chill. He is already speaking the language well and we’re working well together. 

Our baptism fell through this week, but he still went to church on Sunday. We don’t really understand why he doesn’t want to be baptized, and we tried our best to help him.  We are going to invite him this Sunday to watch our other baptism and hopefully that helps. 

The "other baptism’s" name is G. and she is great.  She is 17 and has been to church several times. Two weeks ago, her cousin who is a member presented us to her and we have been teaching her ever since. She is progressing well and yesterday she accepted the invitation to be baptized the coming Sunday. We have been to teaching her mom, too, and hopefully she will be baptized as well next next Sunday.

Elders Jones, Miller and Bell with E. and L. 

at the Curitiba Temple.

Also, we went to the temple this week with E. and L. (Ga’s parents) we have been teaching them for a while now and they are progressing well. L. is very Catholic and we have been working to help her gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon. She still hasn’t quite got one. E. believes it true but still has the mindset that every church is good and that you just need to do your best to be a good person and you will be saved. Ha But, I know they will be baptized and when they are, they will never leave the church!! And probably will be great leaders, too.

And to answer questions – Elder  Jones is my 6th son [trainee].

Mom, your foot looks pretty nasty. But I’m glad it’s getting better. So did you find a bike yet?? What kind of bike do you want? Like a road bike with skinny tires? I forgot you are still doing your classes online. Are they going well?? Don’t worry mom, I’m feeling great, and I still have plenty of money, too. ha And yes mom, there are three comps [computers] here so we all can email at the same time.

Dad, I’m glad Grandma and Rodney are doing well. They are always in my prayers. Is Rodney enjoying his group home?

Ryan, I’m sorry you were attacked by a dog . . . you should have kicked it in the face . . . you get good practice at kicking dogs here in Brasil. ha It looks like you got stitches? Three? And did the people at least buy from you??? That’s sweet you voice-texted that email. Your phone must be pretty legit.

Remi, what’s The Lego Movie about? I haven’t heard of it yet?? That’s sweet you went to youth conference! Where were your dorms at??? Who were your roommates?

hahaha You fell in the pool, Remi?? hahaha Remi, you’re hilarious!

Love you all,

Elder Miller

We made French toast . . . and lots of it!

                                                    Araucaria tree. They are way cool.                                            

World Cup Missionaries June 16, 2014

The "Honey Moon" from Curitiba.

Well, this week was good. We worked hard and got a lot done. We had six investigators at church, and we marked a baptismal date with a Haitian man we are teaching. His name is D. and he doesn’t speak any Portuguese, but he speaks English pretty well. It’s been weird teaching in English. ha Quite challenging. ha

We have been teaching G’s family for a while now and they are progressing really well. We had a family home evening with them last Monday night and it went really well. They had asked us what it means to be Mormon . . .  and so we put together an awesome lesson with videos and lots of examples and it went really well. The wife made us apple pie the other day!!! It was so good. So, to thank them we made cookies. ha They all went to church yesterday and liked it a lot. We’re going by again tonight to teach them :) I’m stoked.

All my "sons" in our zone.

 Our zone.

We got transfer calls. Me and Elder Bell are staying and will continue being zone leaders . . . but Elder Linzey is being transferred. :( He’s way cool and will be missed . . . Me and Elder Bell are going to get another greenie to train. ha We already have three “kids” together! haha

Oh! The World Cup started finally and it’s been crazy. The first time Brasil played the whole city stopped. We tried working (They said we could try if we wanted or we could study inside). We were out trying to do street contacts and there was nobody in the street . . . then Brasil scored the first goal . . . and we heard the crescendo (IDK how to spell that) of screams. It was weird . . . I’ve never seen anything like it. ha The whole neighborhood went nuts and after everyone screamed for a minute everyone started throwing fireworks out the windows. Ha So we went home and studied . . . but by the end of the game we knew Brasil had scored three goals. ha It was easy to tell every time.

"Sad to be stuck inside during the Brasil game, instead of out teaching."

The states will play today. I hope they do well. I’ve told several people they are going to beat Brasil . . . even though I know it’s not likely. ha I have faith, though.

Mom, how’s the foot? [Foot surgery.] I’ll let Elder Linzey know you said happy b-day. We are going to buy him a cake. Thanks, BTW, for putting money in my account! ha I  loved the pics. The wall’s [summer reading program decorations at the library] very creative. I thought it was hilarious that Remi was in the fridge the background- ha -just where I left him. [In Remi’s defense he was making his poor, gimpy Mom lunch!]

Dad, I sent you an email for Father’s Day. But I’ll say it again here. I love you, Pops! You are the best dad in the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

 Ryan, how are the sales, Bro? And the dates?

 Remi, congrats on the merit badge . . . You're almost done!!!!

 Love you all,

 Elder Miller

Dad,

Happy Father’s Day. If you have a minute, watch this video. I saw it this week and it made me think of you. Watch it before reading the rest of the email.

Earthly Father, Heavenly Father

There is a quote I love right at the start by James E. Faust that says, "Noble fatherhood gives us a glimpse of the divine."

I am so blessed to have you for a father. You always provided for me and loved me unconditionally. You have taught me with patience and kindness. Thank you, Dad for all that you do. Because of your wonderful example as a father, I feel like I better comprehend my Father in Heaven’s love for me. I hope to be a father as good as you one day.

Love you, Pops,

Elder Miller