In "The Zone" March 24, 3014

And here’s a pic of my zone and me... I’m in the corner with Elder Bartmess. and President and the assistants were there. too (There are 33 missionaries in my zone... It’s stressful ha) I think next transfer I’ll get a companion that will be Zone Leader too... so that will help. ha

Love you!

Soooo, this week was a good week for our area and a bad week for the zone. We had 6 investigators at church and all of them are progressing well...

We are teaching a family of four that is really special and they are progressing really well. The husband is a returned missionary that fell away from the church and was inactive for about two years. He is coming with his girlfriend and her two daughters. They have been to church three times now and last night we went and taught them with the first counselor in the bishopric and his wife who is the Relief Society presidente. The lesson went really well, and A., the Mom, cried a lot. She prayed about the Book of Mormon and got an answer! And at the end of the lesson we all knelt down and A. said a prayer and the spirit was super strong. Everyone was crying ha. They are going to be baptized for sure... but they need to get married first. They already marked a date though (I think the third weekend in April). so it’s going really well with them!

Mom, tell Bob [Cousin who is visiting Florida] to go to Big Pine Key and snorkel at Lou Key if he can... It was unreal!

Thanks for signing me up to room with Sam! Can you give me an idea of what classes I’ll be taking? And can you sign me up to take that Portuguese class so I can "test out" please!? Love you mom :)

Dad, I loved your email ha. I think it’s great how much you and Remi visited Sister Stockton. You truly are a great example! Benadryl has a gnarly effect on you ha I don’t think it ever knocked me out like it does you. ha

Ryan! Where is my email, Bro!! Hope you’re doing well... I want to know more about you internship and what’s going on in your life! Have you and the missionaries baptized those people you were helping?

Remi!! It’s weird to think you are going to go swimming this week! It’s starting to get cold here ha. That is awesome you get to hang out with Lana and Bob [Aunt and cousin visiting from Illinois.] a little. Give them a hug for me!

Well, I love you all

Um Abraço

SPRING BREAK BACK-AND-FORTH EMAILS:

 Remi:

So I will give Lana a huge for you we are going of fun with Lana well work hard this week bro love you take care.

Dad: “We are going of fun with Lana”??Your mother has been drinking again.

Dad: Oh, wait—REMI has.

Elder Miller: love you too Remi roo!!!!

Mom: That was from Remi and spell check’s fault. Lana says hi! It's chaos here with crazy pup plus Peanut and Scooter. Roxy is not amused.
Mom

Dad: I know. I caught that later. I hope Gidget gets used to them soon so she isn’t scared.

Mom’s unwritten reply: Gidget scared of them? Hahahahaha!

On hearing what classes we planned to sign him up for--G.E. and basic required exercise classes, 

Elder Miller replied: Exercise classes? Like for my health science major or like PE in high school? ha

Mom: For your major - but probably like P.E., too!

Elder Miller: Sweet!!! ill like those classes I think! ha
if there is math classes try an ease me back in if possible... i feel like i dont remeber anything about math ha

Mom: I was tempted to sign you up for the same class I'm about to take. Writing about Literature. But I think we'd better ease you back into English, too. LOL

Elder Miller: ha IDK [I don't know] I was always good at English... do what you think is right though... i trust your judgment!

Mom's unwritten reply: I rest my case.

Elder Miller: Good job on the painting mom!! I’m glad the conference went well!! And the b-day din looks fun! you all look so young! haha How many glasses of root beer did Remi drink? LOL

Mom: 7 to 9 I think! He can hold his soda!

Elder Miller: haha He’s crazy...  I miss root beer so much!!!

After seeing a photo of his Aunt Lana and brother holding all three dogs

Elder Miller replied: ha Gidget is getting hairy!!! Remi is a goober. haha

Mom: After that comment Lana, Peanut and Scooter do NOT want to know what you think of them!

We love you and hope you have a fantastic week!

Mom

Elder Miller: Love you too, Mom! and Lana and Remi!

Tchau!

HAPPY ANNIVERSA-PATRICKS-DAY! March 17, 2014

HAPPY ANNIVERSA-PATRICKS-DAY MOM AND DAD!!!

The beach trip looks fun. You two are a good looking couple... and Dad I like the hat.... and you’re looking way skinny!

My week was interesting... But it wasn’t all bad. We found some good investigators and had three people at church. We have lots of appointments this week too and we are starting to work with the members which makes me happy!

Also, lunch yesterday was awesome! I’m gunner get fat! ha

MOM. HAPPY B-DAY! let me know when you get your letter... It’s probably gunna get there late... Sorry :( I am 100 percent sure BYU is where I need to be... I prayed about it and I feel good about it. thanks for taking care of everything, Mom! You guys are the best.... please let BYU Idaho know that I said "no thanks." ha

DAD. Happy anniversary! As I sad you are looking skinny and surprisingly young. I had a dream this week that you left the Miata in the rain with the top down and I woke up really sad for you haha... so please don’t do that.

RYAN... I want more details about Latin dancing ha Next...  if you moved to Utah what would you do? Study? You’re a great example, Bro, with the missionary work you are doing... if you want to move to Brasil you can be our ward missionary.

REMI... I miss smoothies and Dad’s milkshakes... enjoy it while you can, Bud!!! Way to help out the Talbots too... you always serve others buds. You’re awesome! What’s “Austenland”? I’ve never heard of it? And what’s your favorite movie that you have watched since I left?

Baptismal and Temple Blessings March 10, 2014

Well, this week was great. Our numbers weren’t good but it was a very spiritual week and I witnessed miracles!

First off... we baptized M.... When we invited him to be baptized... he said, “You mean I don’t have to wait more?” We explained the importance of the baptism with some scriptures... and invited him to be baptized this Sunday… and he accepted without hesitation. All of the youth have welcomed him into the ward and I feel like there is a chance he might serve a mission one day. :)

Elder Miller, M. and Elder Ceasar de Silva

Also, the highlight of my week was going with A. to take out his endowments. We went on Saturday and when we got there Ri. and Ro. saw me and started screaming TIO MILLER!!! ha They ran up and gave me a huge hug... I love those kids! Then we talked for a while with A. and D. They are so strong in the church now!!! A., as you know, is the ward mission leader and D. is the first counselor in the primary presidency.

After about an hour we went in (D. still hasn’t been a member for a year... She will take her endowments out in June) ((and they will be sealed in July :))). Anyway, the session was great. Adriano loved it too... and was well prepared. In the temple we talked a lot... he thanked me for everything I had done to help him and I had to hold back tears ha. (Mom I’m sending you a letter for your bay and I’ll explain more about it)

It was an incredible day, and it feels so good to see this beautiful family progressing so well. The gospel completyley [completely] changed their lives for the better and I feel so blessed to have played a part in their conversion.

A., D., Ri. and Ro. with Tio Miller--a beautiful day for a beautiful family at the Curitiba Temple.

MOM! It’s almost your b-day and your and Dad’s anniversary!! I asked Ma.... one of our recent converts to make you your present... It turned out great and I think you will like it! You’re gunna have to wait five more months to get it though.

About BYU, I talked to President and it was great! He said there is no problem leaving a little early to study, he actually encourages it... but I don’t need to leave a transfer early. I think I’ll just go home about 10 days before school starts. (Like the 22 of August) I think it’s the best way to go about it.

I def want to go straight to Provo....and I want all my classes 10:00 or later haha… 7:00 is way to early... I’d like to just finish my associates as fast as I can so please sign me up for what I need. And please let me know what the 8 classes I need to take are...

And Sam said the big bedroom is 400 a month? That the prices are off. But if that’s too much IDK what to do ha... I have a few friends that are gunna go there but IDK where they are going to live.

Please tell Sally I love her and she is in my prayers. I want to go visit her as soon as I can. 

Dad... you’re pulling a mom haha usually she’s the open that tries to set us up on dates. If she is cute I will take her on a date though... ha You need to just take some steroids and get shredded ha. 165 is really skinny though. I haven’t weighed that much since I was a sophomore in high school I think ha. 

Oh ,and you said I can have the Corolla, right? You think I could drive it up to Provo?

Ryan... I loved the email... I think I have the same perspective as far as little efforts go. Our president always says... the field is white... already to harvest... you are here to harvest (baptize) not to plant seeds...  buuutttt, I always try to be a good example and do what Christ would do... this week we helped a couple push their car like a mile because it broke down in the middle of the street… I like to think that next time they talk to Elders they will remember what we did and will accept their message. What do you mean car accident?????? [New car, bad fender-bender in the rain. Everyone is okay.] And friends that are getting baptized... I want to hear more about that too!

Remington what do you mean you advertised your lawn care business? Did you wear your shirt? And what is MPA? Like a band competition right? ha What instrument did you play? Triangle? Symbols? 

Well I love you all... I’ll send pics!

Um bijou!
Elder Miller

Bonus pictures from the last week's Carnival Celebration 

courtesy of Sister Nicole Becker, soon to leave on her own mission!

Carnival March 5, 2014

Well, Carnival here in Pinhais isn’t anything like it is in Rio. ha Nobody really celebrates . . . but the ward had  a sweet activity in Colombo (another city) and President let me and Elder Ceasar da Silva go. We took M., an investigator we have been teaching for about a week now . . . He is way cool. He went to church last week and loved it. He’s 18 and the youth really welcomed him and made him feel good. Tonight he is going to go with us to an activity at the chapel and hopefully we can baptize him here soon.

We worked really hard this past week and found a lot of people . . . but none that are serious. It’s been a little frustrating, but I’m working on being patient and trying to find the "elects" here in my small area.

All of my recent converts are doing well. A., M., F. and J. went to the activity and loved it. We played pool and caught a fish. (I’ll send pics)

 Elder Miller trying to look cool on a hot day. 

When asked if that was a snow cone at his feet he said, no, it was fish bait.

Elder Miller and Elder Ceasar da Silva and ???

Dad, Brasilians don’t throw water during carnival [like Scott saw in Ecuador] . . . they throw eggs and flour. ha But here in Pinhais no one really celebrates. They just travel and visit family. Way to go on the weight loss!!! You skinny now!
Mom”

Mom, my zone is good. This last week was hard because of Carnival . . . but this week I think we will have a lot of baptisms.

Also, I loved the comment on Ryan’s email*. I was really confused and I’m glad you cleared that up, Mom. [That was Dad who “cleared” it up. See conversation at the bottom.]

Ryan, the Nikes are sweet dude! I’m jealous you have been hitting up the gym. I want to go so bad! ha I’m weak and out of shape. Sorry [that] the cute girl left your branch... but at least you got to go air boating . . . that looks sweet!!

Remington . . . I loved the pics of you working on the trimmer . . . You’re an expert now. Why did you take the basketball hoop down? Or was it the wind? [The wind.] That’s awesome you get to see Ryan a lot now. It’s good that he lives close by.

Well, I love you all!

Elder Miller

The conversation of pure silliness Elder Miller referred to above:

*

Ryan to Elder Miller about his dinner at home on Sunday evening:

“I got home after midnight Sunday from having some din din with the fam bam (thus I'm writing my email now, ironically at  3 am, so worse than Sunday would have been). IT was delish. In the Mom-Dad duo fashion there were some mouth-watering burgers made and devoured. Remi had two, did I tell you what he's having for dessert tomorrow? (Shout out to my homie, Remi, for always thinking one step ahead when it comes to food preparation.) 

“Gidget [puppy] has gotten huge really fast. She is now as big as Truman was (I think). From her size you'd think I hadn't been home to visit in three months instead of one. Mom would still say it was three. She still goes berserk when I come home to visit and when she meets you I am sure she will pee herself with excitement. And then you can clean it up, yay!”

From Dad to Elder Miller about the above quote:

“Reece, I don’t usually comment on Ryan’s emails, but I have to mention one thing regarding this: ‘From her size you'd think I hadn't been home to visit in three months instead of one. Mom would still say it was three. She still goes berserk when I come home to visit and when she meets you I am sure she will pee herself with excitement.’

 “Ryan was talking about Gidget, not Mom.”

From Mom to everyone:

“Actually, it probably works either way!

From Dad to Mom (and everyone else, too):

“And your size is just fine. But the peeing has to stop.”

From Elder Miller to everyone:

“I loved the comment on Ryan’s email. I was really confused and I’m glad you cleared that up.”

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