On His Fifth Pair of Shoes February 24, 2014

Oiii,

Well, I am still district leader... of 8 sisters... but I am also ZONE LEADER too. ha It’s a lot of responsibility. I’m probably gunna go bald this transfer.... President changed the mission up quite a bit and now every zone only has one zone leader... our zone if the highest baptizing zone (Zone Tarumâ) in the mission.. I’ll attach the newsletter from the mission to prove it. ha I’ve been a little stressed, but I feel like I got the hang of it now.

My new comp is Elder Cesar da Silva... He just finished being trained and he is a way nice guy. I think we are going to have lots of success together. 

We didn’t baptize Th... But he will be baptized but in another ward.

Mom... thanks for putting money in my account. I still have the boots from Elder Cruz's dad... but they are a little small and gave me two ingrown toenails so I stopped using them. [I have trashed] 4 pair of shoes already haha ... We walk a lot. I will [go buy some shoes] thanks for the money!!!  That’s awesome Aunt Lana is going to visit... Of course Remi can stay in my room. ha He cannot use my clothes... but anything else he can! I’m doing fine on the necessities... so in the package it can be just food ha... and maybe one more Axe messy hair paste wouldn’t hurt. And thank you so much for sending flowers [to Kent’s funeral], Mom. Did Herman talk to you about the funeral? He didn’t write me, yet. I love you.

Dad, every time I get on here your goal is lower and lower ha... you have to stop at some point. At this rate you will be under 100 pounds by the time I’m home. 

Ryan... I’m now with my 5th comp here in this area... Ryan... you need to stop impressing 8-year-olds and start going after women your age... I want to be an uncle someday ha. JK... But you do look like a Ken doll. I loved the iHop experience... I want to do stuff like that after the mish. Loved the Cake song lyric poem* with the spiritual adaptation. ha I think I'm going to use it for my planner cover!

Remington you stud! That’s sweet you made some friends that live close by our house and go to your school. Did you get your Echo edger fixed?? That’s good you’re helping dad out a lot.... and that Aunt Lana is going to visit you guys! What did you cook on cook day???

Well, I love you all.... thanks for all the love and support.

Elder Miller

* The Cake song re-write Elder Miller referred to, and great advice from his older brother:

Endure to the end, Elder. You are running out of time to be in the full time service of the Lord and you will look back on these two years as some of the most fulfilling of your life. You have trials and difficulties yes, but you will miss the days you were able to focus solely on the work of the Lord. I love you, bro. You're in my prayers and I pray for your success as well as my own in our missionary efforts. Finish strong. In the words of a famous Cake song:

    As they speed through the finish, the flags go down.

    The fans get up and they get out of town.

    The arena is empty except for one man,

    Still driving and striving as fast as he can.

    The sun has gone down and the moon has come up,

    And long ago somebody left with the cup.

    But he's driving and striving and hugging the turns.

    And thinking of someone (Christ) for whom he still burns. 

Love,

Ryan

It's Raining Sisters February 17, 2014

With a borrowed umbrella.

Well, this week wasn’t the best I have had on the mish. I was pretty bummed still from Kent... but we worked hard and I’m feeling better now. I did 8 baptismal interviews for a bunch of elders in the zones so we weren’t in our area as much as we should have been.

Our baptism... The 16 year old named Th. (who is the nephew of the 1st counselor) [went] to live with his mom who lives on the other side of Curitiba. :( So he wasn’t baptized...

But on Sunday at church... he showed up! And told us his grandma felt bad and she told him to come back. He’s a good kid... and he is changing a lot. He is going to be baptized this Saturday!

Unfortunately, Elder Paz won’t be here to see it. He is getting transferred. I have had so many comps in this area! It’s crazy!! It should be a good transfer. I think I can handle one more here... but it’s a small area and I have literally knocked every door... but I guess I’ll start knocking them all again. ha

Mom and Dad... do you think I still have a chance at BYU Provo? I’m glad I got into Idaho and I filled out the track questionnaire... but I want to go to PROVO! I’m glad they sent something about housing... I hope I get in.

If you could put money in my account I would be grateful... I want to buy new shoes. ha

The sweetheart dance looks fun. You two are good looking people... Dad you are such a stud. I hope I’m as cool as you when I’m 50. I can’t believe Shaun White didn’t medal... that’s disappointing... but at least I didn’t miss much haha.

  

Also, I think I have a wisdom tooth growing in... And it hurts... fortunately dental work is way cheaper here. ha

Ryan... How’s work, Bro? I hope you sold and that you’re enjoying it. Have you and your Elders baptized yet??? How was Gospel Principles this Sunday? [Ryan is Mission Leader in his Singles Branch, and teaches Gospel Principles Sunday School class.] Our teacher was released. 

Remi! Sounds like you have been having fun with Nick... and the dance [Regional Youth Dance] sounds cool, too... did you dance with some cute girls? Way to help Mom out being a server/bus boy [at the stake Sweetheart Ball]. You got a taste of what I did at Mimi's Cafe [restaurant where Reece worked since he was 16] I bet. ha

I sent some pics of me and my district... I told them all we had to take a pic without smiling... Also, I borrowed sister Lewis' umbrella when I was interviewing in her area. haha

Love you all,

Elder Miller

P.S. 

Did you find the pic of Kent from the golfing trip?

The District Pic

 Serious.

Smiling.

Sad News February 10, 2014

Well, my week was going well ... until if found out Kent died, this morning. If you could get me the address of his parents I’d like to write them a letter. I can’t believe he is gone.

Four handsome young men ready for the formal-Vincent, Herman, Reece & Kent.

Our hearts and prayers are with Kent and his family.

We baptized T. and F. this week, it was awesome. And we will for sure be baptizing again next Sunday. Th. is the nephew of the second counselor in the bishopric and he has been to church twice and loves it. He recently moved here to Pinhais because he was involved with the "wrong crowd" on the other side of Curitiba and now he wants to change his life. It’s been fun teaching him, and once again if feel like my personal experiences from before the mission are helping me to help him.

It’s been incredibly hot here. It was hotter this past week than it has been in the past 30 years. 38 Celsius or like 100 Fahrenheit. I made the mistake of using shoes with a hole in the bottom of them and burnt my foot... I attached a pic.

Mom, I’m jealous of the 40-degree weather. It’s about 40 degrees here too... Celsius. If can’t wait to see snow. Any BYU news? Dad, I’m glad you went to see Grandma. 

Ryan. Loved the pic of you dancing by yourself... and the poem. Tell me about the Olympics and Sean White! I hope the sale goes through with the ionizers. Oh, and way to worm it up ha. You seem like you’re happy there in Florida :) I’m happy for you too, Bro.

Remington... thanks for letting me know that Gidget is your puppy... I almost forgot ha. Glad you got to go see Grandma and hang out with Rodney. I love you buddy.

Well, I love you all,

Elder Miller

Jibber Jabber February 3, 2014

Well, I’ll start off by saying I loved the Jib Jab... [Valentine eCard with Mom and Dad’s faces pasted on the bodies of dancers doing the Brazilian samba.] Dad, I didn’t know you could dance like that... and Mom... modest is the hottest. haha

This week was pretty good. We found a lot of new investigators and a family of five that I think has a lot of potential. We confirmed the family of three and I ... the other J. had to work so won’t be confirmed until next Sunday. :( Hopefully this coming sin day [Sunday!] we baptize F. and T.... I's kids. We wanted to baptize them this Sunday but F. had to work and T. was traveling.... so hopefully this coming Sunday  they will take the plunge!!

A. [from Elder Miller's previous area of Almirante Tamandaré] told me this week that in like three more weeks he will be taking out his endowment and wants me to be there to help him out... I can’t wait to go with him!!

He’s gunner [going to] go first and then D. [his wife] will go in a few more months when they are sealed!!! It’s awesome how much they have changed.

Mom... thanks for the Jib Jab... When is Valentine’s Day?? Any news from BYU... And thanks for the Super Bowl info haha sound like you’re up to date on sports! [I didn’t know who was playing.] The Relief Society president of our ward was called as Stake Relief Society pres this Sunday and I thought of you...

Dad, I can’t believe you wake up at 4:00 in the morning... I would happily sleep more for you if I could. I liked that poem by President Monson... Don’t worry... I’ll def be finishing what I started ha... and yes they get home teachers right away... but that doesn’t mean they get visited right away... ha

I really hope Grandma makes it through... I want to see her again. She is in my prayers... Did she ever comment on my letters? I sent her two and I really hope she got them. [She did!]

 

Ryan... I loved the video. [Of Ryan's band in the Battle of the Bands.] It’s way higher quality and I could hear you way better.... I think had you chosen a song that people know a little better you would have won.... loved “Going the Distance”... you nailed the solo... especially at the start!!! You’re a stud... and I was stoked to find out you're lma [??? Ryan is branch mission leader]... I know you will be a good one!

Remington... your trip to Publix sounds fun... way to buy stuff by yourself!!! I miss root beer... they don’t have it here... an ice cold IBC would be so nice right now!!!

Well, I love you all... You’re in my prayers,

Elder Miller

Batismos January 27, 2014

This week we BAPTIZED! Not one! Not two! Not three! Not four! But FIVE!!!! Ate que em fim!!! [Until that in order. ?] We baptized I., the lady we have been working with for a while and J. an investigator we found two weeks ago... and we found a family of three who had been to church several times, but were never baptized. A month ago they tied the knot and they wanted to change their lives. We showed up and re-taught them the lessons... invited them to be baptized and they happily accepted. Our Bishop is a good friend of the husband’s and he baptized him! It was sweet!!

Also, I.'s son F. who is 22 and daughter T. who is 25 went to church... They loved it and we are going to start working with them now.

This week I did 14 baptismal interviews!!! I ran around like crazy and we had 15 baptisms in total in my district... as far as I know it’s a record in the mission for baptism is one district in one week... Só milagres! [Only miracles!]

A few annoying things happened this week: Elder Perez was transferred this morning IDK [I don’t know] why! My new comp is elder Paz... it means peace... he should be pretty chill haha. He’s from Espirito Santo (a state in Brasil... it means Holy Ghost haha).

Mom... I think I get home September 7th as it is... but they told there are lots of missionaries wanting to go to school in the fall and President will let us go a few week early if need be... please let the scholarship people at BYUI know that... I didn’t think they understood ha. I finished the essay questions and I’ll type them up here in a sec... The answers aren't very good. I didn’t have much time or inspiration this week. ha

Dad! Congrats on the weight loss! You shed the weight! And the work bench sounds like it’s coming along well.

Ryan, it’s good that you’re bored... it means you will write me more ha. Good idea with the gym membership... that’s what I did when I was bored... And art... for you I think saxophone would be the equivalent.

Remington, you bike-riding stud!! You are a trooper. And I bet your legs are strong as an ox by now. Keep up the hard work.

I love you all and I will send pics!
 

Elder Miller

From the back and forth:

Dad: How was lunch?

Elder Miller: It was good. Chicken stroganof (I have no idea how to spell that.) beans and rice and salad and mashed potatoes...

The owner of the Lan house (where we use the computers) is a member of the church and she makes lunch for us on p-day!

Pics:

Elder Perez was pooped

The view from our house.

Coffee we took from the family we baptized… We traded them for juice. ha

Doodles January 20, 2014

So this week was good. I. accepted the invitation to be baptized . . . not for this Sunday but the next . . . I think she was a little scared by the invitation and it didn’t go as well as we had hoped . . . But this next Sunday she will be baptized! And we took a guy to church named J.! He’s elect . . . and hopefully he will be getting baptized this next Sunday too!

I think my district is going to baptize a ton this week! Everyone has someone to baptize! I’m probably going to interview a ton of people this week aha but I’m excited and I want to get started already!

Mom, I finished up the essays and will send them today... and President should finish his part this week as well. He said, "If you’re worthy to be out here in the mission, you’re worthy to be at BYU." haha And yes you could probably use the bull, [Painting of a rodeo rider Reece did for Scott’s office.] but I didn’t like it very much . . . I think I can do way better.

Dad, the work bench looks great . . . now I can make more sense of the pics from last week. Congrats on losing weight! You weigh less than me! ha

Ryan, where are my pics of Universal??? That is sweet you can just drive home now and surprise the family. I want to hear more about work though . . . like sales and stuff. Fill me in bro!

Remington . . . that’s sweet you don’t have school! Enjoy your bike ride and time at the mall . . . buy some Vans for me!! Ha

I’m going to send some pics of drawings I did this week. I don’t have much time to draw but some of them are cool.

I love you all!
Elder Miller

Interesting Transfer Jan 13, 2014

So this week was interesting...

Elder Lima was transferred and my new companion is Elder Peres from Chile! He still doesn’t speak much Portuguese so it gives me more time to practice Spanish. haha I was his district leader in Almirante Tamandare and I have already been on several divisions with him. He is way cool and a nice guy! It’s gunna be a good transfer.

Also... I’m now in my 6th transfer as district leader... and up until now I have never had sisters in my district... but this transfer they changed the areas around in the zone... so my new district is me… Elder Perez... and 8 sisters. haha. It’s gunna be interesting.

The couple that stopped us in the street went to church and liked it... We went by during the week and explained the Book of Mormon (they had lots of questions about it) and we invited them to read and pray... Unfortunately, instead of praying and asking God... the husband asked the internet... and now they don’t want anything to do with the church :(

BUT we do have an investigator named I. who will hopefully be baptized this week. It’s going really well with her.

We are working like crazy here... and having little success... But it’s going to be a good transfer and I’m going to stay positive regardless of what happens.

[NOTE: With application deadlines looming, we are having to re-apply to college on behalf of Elder Miller, so we had asked him a lot of questions to get it right. And we had encouraged him to send home pictures of any artwork he’s done to re-apply for his art scholarship--thus, the photos.]

Mom, I prefer an exercise physiology major if they have it. And an art minor... basically my focus is dental school and when I was at BYU Idaho, they said an exercise physiology major covers most of the pre-dental courses needed. (Also I like the idea of learning more about fitness... I love working out.)

I just found out that this fall BYU will be opening a DENTAL SCHOOL!!! [This may have been bad information from a spoof.] That’s convenient! ha Please look into that and what I need to do to go there. I think a health since [science?!] major would allow me to fulfill pre-dental requisites but I’m not sure. Also...in Rexburg I was the Sacrament coordinator for a semester. I’ll get working on the essays today.

Oh, and in respect to the art scholarship... I don’t think you can use the owl painting or the painting I did for Dad's office because basically I copied other artists' styles. You probably could use the golf course painting and peacock painting though... they were painted from photos.

Also, I took and edited some pics here on the mish that you might be able to use... I’ll send them in an email and you and Dad can see what you think... I’m also drawing a few things... They are a little random, but next p-day I will send a pic of those as well.

Dad... I didn’t get any pics the workstation... can you send them again? And please help Mom with my art scholarship stuff. I trust your artistic eye ha. I hope that I get one again!

Ryan... it sounds like you are having fun out there! Have you made a sale yet? How does the sales process work now? It sounds like you have a lot of responsibilities now.... and I wish I was there to enjoy your car as well... and Dad’s car ha.

Remington. I love you, Bud. I miss you a bunch. I’m sorry you were bummed about going back to school. Keep your head up buddy. You’re almost done already. Make sure you keep going to seminary because you need to graduate!!!
I love you all,
Elder Miller

From the back and forth:

Yep, I got them now. [Pics Scott sent of the workbench he’s building.] It looks cool. I can’t quite understand everything you are going to do, but it sounds sweet. Are you going to stain or paint the wood? Did you use the router a lot?

Right now those were just pics I took on the mish. I might draw one with pastel today... 

I just messed with the tone curves in a simple program.