Hey Mom,
I know you were freaking out to not get an e-mail from me yesterday, but we
recieved permission to e-mail today so taht we could use a library, and not
have to pay for an internet cafe. So that is why you didn't get an email
until today.
Nothing is set in stone as far as transfers go. It is guided by the spirit.
I know of one change, it was several transfers ago, that was changed during
the transfer meeting. President had to grab the list and change the names
on it before the names were read out.
There are parts of New York that are bad, and there are parts that aren't.
You can choose not to go to those parts and you are fine. And like I've
said before, in broad day light nothing happens. And then is when
missionaries are out, so it is nothing to worry about.
I have got all the supplies that I am supposed to have been expecting I
believe. I have like 10 pods, insulin, got my strips, and my goodie
package. Thank you so much.
I know of a Rite Aid, I will get the address for you as soon as I can.
I have had a very interesting mission so far, Sister Heininge was talking to
me about it the other day when I saw her. I hadn't even really realized it
until she started talking about it. I am on my 6th transfer, 5th companion,
and 3rd area. I know a couple missionaries who have only had 3 areas their
whole mission. It will be interesting to see how it keeps going, but I am
enjoying it none the less. I just know all of this is happening because it
is supposed to be, and I am needed to be in these areas and with these
companions.
It was great to be able to play a guitar. I didn't realize how much I
really missed it until I had it back. But oh well, there are a lot of
things that I miss, that I have learned I can live with out. But that
doesn't mean I will live without them when I get back. :)
It sounds like everyone is doing pretty well. That makes me happy. As for
the Heidee Quilter thing, her not competing this year probably hurt her a
lot, but also Quilter is a little different. It is sad to see how down hill
the HOSA program has gone since she has been the advisor. My sophmore year
we were 3 members off of the biggest HOSA group in America, and then up to
my senior year we only had like 15 or some joke like that. But what can you
do?
Which Young Women do you work with again?
I hope that the missionaries in the area are good. It is almost weird to be
on a mission, I will never look at missionaries the same when I get home. I
know how they act, think, which ones are good, which are less good (didn't
want to call them bad haha.) and so on. It would be cool to find someone to
teach in our home with them though. That really is the best way to do
missionary work. Member referals are gold.
It was a little weird having President bring me my package. I usually only
see him a couple times a transfer, let alone have him bring something for
me, haha. But is was great, he didn't mind at all, he was going to be there
anyways.
This week was pretty normal. Just working hard, still trying to get to know
the area and get used to the swing of things. I went to church for the
first time in this are, since last time was conference. Our church is
actually on the second floor of a food market. It is really different.
Very small. But it was good. There are some really cool members.
Well, I better get going pretty soon. Have a bunch of work to do. I love
you very much. Put the word out that I am always willing to have cute girls
write me. ;) So if anybody knows any, you have my address. Haha.
Well I love you bunches, and I will talk to you next week.
-Elder Miller
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
May 18, 2009
Hey Mom,
Okay, so this will really be interesting since it has been a week since I
have talked to you last, but I have a crazy story that you will not
believe.
On Monday I enjoyed Coney, and yes, I did grab a hot dog, we just got it to
go. It was really good, but very expensive. Haha. But that's how it goes.
Volleyball and soccer and the beach were great, it was maybe my favorite
P-Day so far, I really enjoyed it.
Okay, so now for the story. Tuesday morning we are in the apartment, moving
things around to get ready for the new comers. We are going to leave in
about 30 minutes to take the train to the mission office to go to transfer
meeting. Then we get a phone call from the AP's (assistants to the
president). Elder Heiner answers it, and all I hear is Elder McLean say,
"We made a horrible mistake." At this point both me and Elder Heiner are
thinking that we are both splitting and that we will just both get a new
companion, that is how they are going to add a companionship. But that was
not it. So Elder Heiner finishes the phone call, and gets off, and turns to
me and says, "Elder Miller, you are getting transfered. You are going to be
step-poppsing (mission lingo, explain later) in Jamaica." It took me a
couple seconds to realize what he said, and then it was off to packing. I
had to pack all of my stuff in about 20 minutes, and then off to the mission
office for the meeting. So I did get transferred, to Jamaica. Oh yeah, and
step poppsing just means that I am my companions second companion, so he
just had his trainer, and now me. So I am senior companion and such now, it
is really weird. So that is my crazy story. I heard from the AP's that
what happened is when they made transfer calls on Sunday, the were looking
at the list from Thursday, but a few changes were made by Sunday, but they
didn't have the updated list with them. So remember how you said you were
scared I would go to Jamaica at one point in my mission, well, it just
happened, and I have been here for about a week.
My new companion's name is Elder Zimmerman, he is from West Valley. He is
pretty cool, we actually share a lot of the same interests, so that is nice.
He is in his 3rd transfer, actaully just hit his 5 month mark yesterday. So
it has been a weird adjustment for me having to be the senior companion,
when he doesn't understand what somebody is saying on the phone he hands it
to me, as in a lesson. It is really weird. I guess it has been nice
knowing I am capable of it though. His spanish is not very good yet, but it
is progressing. So taht is all that matters.
This week I have just been getting used to the area and trying to work hard.
We met a guy on Wednesday that the English sisters had found, and we
commited him to be baptized on the 31st, so it will be great to keep working
with him. There was also an existing commit when I came for the 31st, the
husband of member, and we went over this week and had a lesson with him and
talked about temples. We set a plan for them to get sealed in the temple in
a year. It is awesome that he isn't even baptized yet and he already has
the goal of going to the temple. Other than those two there aren't many
investigators that I came in to. It will be fun to try to build it up. It
will be hard though, Jamaica is all black, there are about 5 white people in
Jamaica, and they are all missionaries.
It was weird to not be able to say bye to anybody down in Dyker. Even the
Sister Missionaires didn't even know I was leaving unitl after I was gone.
One funny thing is that I was going to be giving a talk down there on the
31st. Guess I am not doing that anymore. Haha.
I am sorry I have not got you the serial number yet, this week has been a
little crazy, as you can see, but I will send it today, as well as find a
Rite Aid or somethign that you can get my perscription to.
I am going to see if Pods came today. If not I will be on shots until they
do, because my last Pod expires tonight. But that will be fine, I had to go
on shots in the MTC too. I could use some more syringes. You can talk to
anybody in the office about contacting me, I am not sure who the office
elders are right now, but one of the office couples should answer the phone,
and then will contact me if you ask them.
The guitar belongs to a member, her name is Catherine Tolentino, she is like
21 I think. It was fun to play. A lot of people told me how cool they
thought it was that I played, that they had never had anyone play the guitar
as part of a talent before. I might get to play a sax or clarinet if a
member has one and if the situation arise, but we will see.
I will start taking more pictures, i have set a goal.
Yesterday was stake conference, it was actually a regional conference, so it
was telecast from Salt Lake. Elder Hales and Elder Eyring spoke, so it was
way good. It was weird being back in Queens, at a Queens stake conference,
because I saw a lot of members from Flushing. It was cool.
So you are going to find out soon enough, so I might as well tell you, don't
get scared or freaked out, but you know how 50 Cent got shot in Jamaica? He
got shot on the corner of Parsons and Hillside. You want to know where my
pad is? The corner of Parsons and Hillside. The exact same place. I sleep
seconds away from where he got shot. It is kind of crazy. I will take a
picture of the corner and send it to you. hey, you said you wanted
picutres. :)
Well, I love you mom. It has been a crazy week, but good. I will talk to
you next week. Try not to freak out too much that I am in Jamaica.
I love you.
-Elder Miller
PS for everyone that does not know. Jamaica is a city in new york that is
umm kind of tough, Keep Bradon in your prayers. I am his mommy and worry!
Okay, so this will really be interesting since it has been a week since I
have talked to you last, but I have a crazy story that you will not
believe.
On Monday I enjoyed Coney, and yes, I did grab a hot dog, we just got it to
go. It was really good, but very expensive. Haha. But that's how it goes.
Volleyball and soccer and the beach were great, it was maybe my favorite
P-Day so far, I really enjoyed it.
Okay, so now for the story. Tuesday morning we are in the apartment, moving
things around to get ready for the new comers. We are going to leave in
about 30 minutes to take the train to the mission office to go to transfer
meeting. Then we get a phone call from the AP's (assistants to the
president). Elder Heiner answers it, and all I hear is Elder McLean say,
"We made a horrible mistake." At this point both me and Elder Heiner are
thinking that we are both splitting and that we will just both get a new
companion, that is how they are going to add a companionship. But that was
not it. So Elder Heiner finishes the phone call, and gets off, and turns to
me and says, "Elder Miller, you are getting transfered. You are going to be
step-poppsing (mission lingo, explain later) in Jamaica." It took me a
couple seconds to realize what he said, and then it was off to packing. I
had to pack all of my stuff in about 20 minutes, and then off to the mission
office for the meeting. So I did get transferred, to Jamaica. Oh yeah, and
step poppsing just means that I am my companions second companion, so he
just had his trainer, and now me. So I am senior companion and such now, it
is really weird. So that is my crazy story. I heard from the AP's that
what happened is when they made transfer calls on Sunday, the were looking
at the list from Thursday, but a few changes were made by Sunday, but they
didn't have the updated list with them. So remember how you said you were
scared I would go to Jamaica at one point in my mission, well, it just
happened, and I have been here for about a week.
My new companion's name is Elder Zimmerman, he is from West Valley. He is
pretty cool, we actually share a lot of the same interests, so that is nice.
He is in his 3rd transfer, actaully just hit his 5 month mark yesterday. So
it has been a weird adjustment for me having to be the senior companion,
when he doesn't understand what somebody is saying on the phone he hands it
to me, as in a lesson. It is really weird. I guess it has been nice
knowing I am capable of it though. His spanish is not very good yet, but it
is progressing. So taht is all that matters.
This week I have just been getting used to the area and trying to work hard.
We met a guy on Wednesday that the English sisters had found, and we
commited him to be baptized on the 31st, so it will be great to keep working
with him. There was also an existing commit when I came for the 31st, the
husband of member, and we went over this week and had a lesson with him and
talked about temples. We set a plan for them to get sealed in the temple in
a year. It is awesome that he isn't even baptized yet and he already has
the goal of going to the temple. Other than those two there aren't many
investigators that I came in to. It will be fun to try to build it up. It
will be hard though, Jamaica is all black, there are about 5 white people in
Jamaica, and they are all missionaries.
It was weird to not be able to say bye to anybody down in Dyker. Even the
Sister Missionaires didn't even know I was leaving unitl after I was gone.
One funny thing is that I was going to be giving a talk down there on the
31st. Guess I am not doing that anymore. Haha.
I am sorry I have not got you the serial number yet, this week has been a
little crazy, as you can see, but I will send it today, as well as find a
Rite Aid or somethign that you can get my perscription to.
I am going to see if Pods came today. If not I will be on shots until they
do, because my last Pod expires tonight. But that will be fine, I had to go
on shots in the MTC too. I could use some more syringes. You can talk to
anybody in the office about contacting me, I am not sure who the office
elders are right now, but one of the office couples should answer the phone,
and then will contact me if you ask them.
The guitar belongs to a member, her name is Catherine Tolentino, she is like
21 I think. It was fun to play. A lot of people told me how cool they
thought it was that I played, that they had never had anyone play the guitar
as part of a talent before. I might get to play a sax or clarinet if a
member has one and if the situation arise, but we will see.
I will start taking more pictures, i have set a goal.
Yesterday was stake conference, it was actually a regional conference, so it
was telecast from Salt Lake. Elder Hales and Elder Eyring spoke, so it was
way good. It was weird being back in Queens, at a Queens stake conference,
because I saw a lot of members from Flushing. It was cool.
So you are going to find out soon enough, so I might as well tell you, don't
get scared or freaked out, but you know how 50 Cent got shot in Jamaica? He
got shot on the corner of Parsons and Hillside. You want to know where my
pad is? The corner of Parsons and Hillside. The exact same place. I sleep
seconds away from where he got shot. It is kind of crazy. I will take a
picture of the corner and send it to you. hey, you said you wanted
picutres. :)
Well, I love you mom. It has been a crazy week, but good. I will talk to
you next week. Try not to freak out too much that I am in Jamaica.
I love you.
-Elder Miller
PS for everyone that does not know. Jamaica is a city in new york that is
umm kind of tough, Keep Bradon in your prayers. I am his mommy and worry!
Monday, May 11, 2009
May 11, 2009
Hey Mom,
Happy Mother's Day Again! It is weird that I just got to talk to you and
such. It was great. I was excited for it. I have heard the two middle
calls are the best because they are just relaxed and everyone is happy and
content, and it totally was. I loved it.
So are you ready to hear about what happened in the transfers calls. . . .
. . I am going to Bermuda!!!! Crazy, Huh?
Okay, just kidding, I am not going to Bermuda, sorry for yanking your chain.
What is really happening is I am staying with my comp, Elder Heiner, in
Dyker, and the sisters are also staying together. But there is one twist.
They are adding a companionship to the area, so there will be two more
Elders in the area and living in my apartment. So that will be weird to get
used to. Haha. So I finally get to serve in an area with more Elders then
my companion. My reign has ended of just serving in the Districts of 4.
BUt it should be really good, but it will be really interesting to see who
they bring in and what happens next transfer based on that. But anyways, I
am excited.
As for the serial number, I totally wrote it down and left it in my
aparment, but I promise I will send a little today with the information in
it, does that sound like a deal? I will see if there is any way I can get
on and send another e-mail, but I can't promise that, but I can promise to
send a letter, so that will get to you in a couple days.
Okay, one other cool thing that happened this week, that I realized I didn't
even mention in the phone call. On Saturday our ward had an activity for
Mother's Day, and they asked the missionaries to share some sort of talent
or something. We thought about it for a while, and what we ended up doing
was singing Love Is Spoken Here, in Spanish, and I played the guitar to
accompany. I think I know a couple people that have a recording of it, so I
will try to get it to you as a Happy Mother's Day present. It went pretty
well. Another one of the talents these two kids that were probably about 8
or 9 did a Peruvian ball room dance thing, and it was amazing. It was some
of the best dancing I have ever seen in real life, kid or adult. It was so
cool. Their footwork and stuff was amazing.
So that's about it, I talked to you about most everything I believe. Today
we are going go down and play volleyball on the beach of Coney Island, so
maybe I will stop and get a hotdog, but now it isn't a hurry anymore,
because I will probably be here for 3 more months. What I am really excited
for is the 4th of July, from the roof of our apartment building you can see
Manhattan perfect, so we will have to go up there and watch the fireworks.
It will be really exciting. But that is still pretty far away.
I have found out the area and Babalon is in, now it is just a matter of
finding out which missionaries work in that area, so I am working to find
that out.
Let's see what else. Elder Wahl, my trainer, will be training another
missionary this transfer, and Elder Powell, my second companion, is training
his second also this transfer, which is almost unheard of in this mission.
Other missions missionaries train more than once, but this one it is usually
just once, if that. So that just shows how blessed I really was with my
first two companions and how great they really are. I am excited for them.
I love you a lot. It was great to talk to you yesterday. Love you again.
Talk to you next week.
-Elder Miller
Happy Mother's Day Again! It is weird that I just got to talk to you and
such. It was great. I was excited for it. I have heard the two middle
calls are the best because they are just relaxed and everyone is happy and
content, and it totally was. I loved it.
So are you ready to hear about what happened in the transfers calls. . . .
. . I am going to Bermuda!!!! Crazy, Huh?
Okay, just kidding, I am not going to Bermuda, sorry for yanking your chain.
What is really happening is I am staying with my comp, Elder Heiner, in
Dyker, and the sisters are also staying together. But there is one twist.
They are adding a companionship to the area, so there will be two more
Elders in the area and living in my apartment. So that will be weird to get
used to. Haha. So I finally get to serve in an area with more Elders then
my companion. My reign has ended of just serving in the Districts of 4.
BUt it should be really good, but it will be really interesting to see who
they bring in and what happens next transfer based on that. But anyways, I
am excited.
As for the serial number, I totally wrote it down and left it in my
aparment, but I promise I will send a little today with the information in
it, does that sound like a deal? I will see if there is any way I can get
on and send another e-mail, but I can't promise that, but I can promise to
send a letter, so that will get to you in a couple days.
Okay, one other cool thing that happened this week, that I realized I didn't
even mention in the phone call. On Saturday our ward had an activity for
Mother's Day, and they asked the missionaries to share some sort of talent
or something. We thought about it for a while, and what we ended up doing
was singing Love Is Spoken Here, in Spanish, and I played the guitar to
accompany. I think I know a couple people that have a recording of it, so I
will try to get it to you as a Happy Mother's Day present. It went pretty
well. Another one of the talents these two kids that were probably about 8
or 9 did a Peruvian ball room dance thing, and it was amazing. It was some
of the best dancing I have ever seen in real life, kid or adult. It was so
cool. Their footwork and stuff was amazing.
So that's about it, I talked to you about most everything I believe. Today
we are going go down and play volleyball on the beach of Coney Island, so
maybe I will stop and get a hotdog, but now it isn't a hurry anymore,
because I will probably be here for 3 more months. What I am really excited
for is the 4th of July, from the roof of our apartment building you can see
Manhattan perfect, so we will have to go up there and watch the fireworks.
It will be really exciting. But that is still pretty far away.
I have found out the area and Babalon is in, now it is just a matter of
finding out which missionaries work in that area, so I am working to find
that out.
Let's see what else. Elder Wahl, my trainer, will be training another
missionary this transfer, and Elder Powell, my second companion, is training
his second also this transfer, which is almost unheard of in this mission.
Other missions missionaries train more than once, but this one it is usually
just once, if that. So that just shows how blessed I really was with my
first two companions and how great they really are. I am excited for them.
I love you a lot. It was great to talk to you yesterday. Love you again.
Talk to you next week.
-Elder Miller
Monday, May 4, 2009
May 4, 2009
Hey Mom,
That is cool that she lives in Manhattan. It is weird to tell people that I
have never been to Manhattan, but that I live in New York. It really
confuses people at first, and it still confuses them a bit after you explain
why you can't. I can see Manhattan from my appartment, and I'm no allowed
to go there. Haha. It is pretty funny.
I know it may not be possible, but if the Pods could be done in the next
week, that would be great, because I will probably get the chance to go to
the mission office next week, but just let me know. I am down to like 6
left, because I had a few duds. So taht it just about 2 weeks worth.
Insulin, I realized I still have the pens, I totally forgot about them.
Also, I have another favor to ask. You rememebr when I was first on the
pump, back when I was like 15, and I got those like, pads, that I put on
under the actuall pump site, could you look in to those. I am having a few
problems with when i get sweaty, the pump trying to fall off, and I think
those would help. For now I am just putting normal like ace bandage on to
hold it on, and it is working well, but I think those pads would work great.
I got the card and I will be calling in a few days. :) If for some reason
I can not call on Saturday, I will probably be calling around 1 there time,
hopefully. It will all work out.
I am still working on the Jon Thomas thing, there is actually limited
communication between missionaries and things, but I will find out for sure
next week, because I will probably be at the mission office for transfers.
Oh yeah, it is transfers. Haha. Crazy.
Just the other day we ran into a guy who talked to us a bit, was very nice,
in Spanish, he was homeless, and we gave him a pass a long card, and then we
asked him what his name was, and he said, "Leonardo DiVinci". Pretty good,
huh? Within two weeks I have met Christ and DiVinci. Crazy.
Well, it sounds like everyone is doing pretty good. It is always a relief
to me when you are all doing well. It is hard for me to no be able to help
first hand, you know? Anyways.
So some cool things that have been happening. After english class we have
been trying a new thing, we tell everyone that in 5 or 10 minutes we are
going to start a lesson on Christ and if they want to stay they can, but
they are not obligated. Usually only about 4 people stay, but this one guy
has been staying everytime, he took a book of mormon, has read most of 1st
nephi, came to church on Sunday, and we asked him if he would like to be
baptized, and he said yes, so we are going to set a specific date with him
on Tuesday. It is really interesting how the prepared people really convert
themselves. It is almost makes you feel worthless as a missionary. Haha.
Just kidding. But it is awesome how when they are ready, they are ready.
The weather has been horrible, it has been raining for litteraly 5 days
straight, and it is supposed to continue raining until Saturday. I really
love rain, as a normal person, back home, it is probably my favorite
weather, but as a missionary it is horrible. So i am hoping for it to stop,
but oh well.
Everything else is going pretty good. Work is always there. We have a
couple people that could be really good that we are working with. So we'll
see. But transfers are next week too, so I very well could be up and gone
in a new area, or not, we will just have to wait and see on Sunday night
when I get the call. It will be interesting. I am having a feeling that I
will be leaving.
I love you very much. Talk to you Sunday. :)
-Elder Miller
That is cool that she lives in Manhattan. It is weird to tell people that I
have never been to Manhattan, but that I live in New York. It really
confuses people at first, and it still confuses them a bit after you explain
why you can't. I can see Manhattan from my appartment, and I'm no allowed
to go there. Haha. It is pretty funny.
I know it may not be possible, but if the Pods could be done in the next
week, that would be great, because I will probably get the chance to go to
the mission office next week, but just let me know. I am down to like 6
left, because I had a few duds. So taht it just about 2 weeks worth.
Insulin, I realized I still have the pens, I totally forgot about them.
Also, I have another favor to ask. You rememebr when I was first on the
pump, back when I was like 15, and I got those like, pads, that I put on
under the actuall pump site, could you look in to those. I am having a few
problems with when i get sweaty, the pump trying to fall off, and I think
those would help. For now I am just putting normal like ace bandage on to
hold it on, and it is working well, but I think those pads would work great.
I got the card and I will be calling in a few days. :) If for some reason
I can not call on Saturday, I will probably be calling around 1 there time,
hopefully. It will all work out.
I am still working on the Jon Thomas thing, there is actually limited
communication between missionaries and things, but I will find out for sure
next week, because I will probably be at the mission office for transfers.
Oh yeah, it is transfers. Haha. Crazy.
Just the other day we ran into a guy who talked to us a bit, was very nice,
in Spanish, he was homeless, and we gave him a pass a long card, and then we
asked him what his name was, and he said, "Leonardo DiVinci". Pretty good,
huh? Within two weeks I have met Christ and DiVinci. Crazy.
Well, it sounds like everyone is doing pretty good. It is always a relief
to me when you are all doing well. It is hard for me to no be able to help
first hand, you know? Anyways.
So some cool things that have been happening. After english class we have
been trying a new thing, we tell everyone that in 5 or 10 minutes we are
going to start a lesson on Christ and if they want to stay they can, but
they are not obligated. Usually only about 4 people stay, but this one guy
has been staying everytime, he took a book of mormon, has read most of 1st
nephi, came to church on Sunday, and we asked him if he would like to be
baptized, and he said yes, so we are going to set a specific date with him
on Tuesday. It is really interesting how the prepared people really convert
themselves. It is almost makes you feel worthless as a missionary. Haha.
Just kidding. But it is awesome how when they are ready, they are ready.
The weather has been horrible, it has been raining for litteraly 5 days
straight, and it is supposed to continue raining until Saturday. I really
love rain, as a normal person, back home, it is probably my favorite
weather, but as a missionary it is horrible. So i am hoping for it to stop,
but oh well.
Everything else is going pretty good. Work is always there. We have a
couple people that could be really good that we are working with. So we'll
see. But transfers are next week too, so I very well could be up and gone
in a new area, or not, we will just have to wait and see on Sunday night
when I get the call. It will be interesting. I am having a feeling that I
will be leaving.
I love you very much. Talk to you Sunday. :)
-Elder Miller
Monday, April 27, 2009
April 27, 2009
Hey Mom,
Things are going pretty well for me. I hope you don't miss me too much,
because that is no good. But a little bit I guess isn't that bad. We have
9 full time missionaries? Who are they all? Me, Chris, Brian, The Hansens,
that's like all I can think of. It is still weird to me that I am gone, it
has been such a blur. The other day we were walking over this hilly area
and you can see the Manhattan Landspace, and I was like, Woe, I am in New
York City. I forget it sometimes. Haha.
Missionary Lingo is not important. It is just easier for me to use it
sometimes, because it is how my brain works now. There is a lot (and I mean
a lot) that I haven't even told you yet. And it is pretty weird and
confusing, so. Haha. Okay, I will be expecting the Phone Card, that will
be sweet. Okay, just let me know on the doctor thing.
Okay, update on my supplies, I have about 2 1/2 bottles of insulin left,
maybe more like 3, but 2 1/2, and I have 10 pods left I believe, the boxes
are of ten right? If they are, I have ten. One whole box left.
I heard about the Jazz, it does sound like they are going to lose, but that
is okay, I wouldn't want them to do to well while I am on my mission and
can't see it.
I will be sure to find out about the Babylon guy.
As far as the Christ guy, I am certain he was on some sort of drugs. You
can tell that he was. BUt it is nothing new. It is rare to go a day
without someone on drugs or a drunk come up and talk to you. It is usually
just drunks though. It is really sad to see how people live there lives.
It is hard too, because we would love to teach them, but it is almost
impossible to find them when they aren't drunk, and they can't except it
when drunk. They just can't feel the spirit.
Okay, normal day, I'm sorry I haven't told you this before.
6:30, wake up, pray, exercise for 30 minutes.
7:00, get ready for the day.
7:30, breakfast.
8:00, personal study.
9:00, companionship study.
10:00, language study.
11:00, leave and work.
3:00, dinner and prepare for the night.
5:00, work again.
9:00 or 9:30, come back to the appartment and plan the next day for 30
minutes.
10:30 go to bed.
We do a little bit of everything, we plan every day and everyone is a little
different. We will tract, have set appointment, talk to people on the
street, all sorts of things, whatever we think wil lbe the most effective
use of our time.
My comp is Elder Matthew Heiner from Alpine, UT. He is a little bit of a
Peter Priesthood kind of guy. He is a golfer. We don't have too much in
common, but he is really nice and a really hard worker. It has been really
good being with him.
My pad is pretty ghetto. I will send you some pictures, and I am working on
seeing if I can get a video and give you a tour. I am going to see if I can
e-mail it to you, and if not i will just send you a memory card with it on
it. Then you can see me, hear my voice, and get a tour of my pad.
Last monday my companion had a sweater and a coat on, and yesterday it was
90 degrees. The weather in New York is beyond crazy.
It sounds like everyone is doing pretty good.
Jose is going to get confirmed this Sunday, as the plan goes. I am very
excited. It really was a miracle. He is really cool.
I haven't gone to Nathan's yet. I have bought some Nathan's hot dogs from
the grocery store, whenever they are on sale, but as far as getting one from
the actual original stand, I haven't yet. Proabably next monday.
Teach the Young Women to be member missionaries. I know people in Utah
already do a really good job at it, but it can always be better. The
importance of members is more than anyone can imagine until they become a
full time missionary. It is like in Elder Perry's talk in conference, the
missionaries should be full time teachers and members should be full time
finders. If I didn't have to spend time finding and got to spend it all
teaching, baptisims would explode. So start with that. I'll try to come up
with other stuff for you to share them.
Nothing too exciting happened this week. We had a lot of appointments
cancel and a lot of people not there when we showed up when they told us to.
But that is alright. That is how it goes. This week should be really good.
We are probably (depending on the spirit) going to invite a couple to be
baptized tonight, so keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Their names
are Ana and Arturo.
We have a really good plan going into this week, and it should go very well.
Okay, Mother's Day your will be home by 12:15, um that is 2:15 here, right?
I will let you know better next week when I can call. And I think I should
be able to call for like 5 minutes the day before to set up an appointment.
Anyways. That will be nice to talk to the family again. It seems like it
was just yesterday that I talked to all of you.
So I heard that a video put up by the church of Elder Holland's talk was the
highest viewed video on the internet on Easter. That is so awesome. That
made me very excited.
Espero que Dios te bendiga. Te amo muchisimo. Hasta Lunes.
(I hope that God blesses you. I love you, lets see, best way to translate
this. . . bunches. Until Monday.)
I love you.
-Elder Miller
Things are going pretty well for me. I hope you don't miss me too much,
because that is no good. But a little bit I guess isn't that bad. We have
9 full time missionaries? Who are they all? Me, Chris, Brian, The Hansens,
that's like all I can think of. It is still weird to me that I am gone, it
has been such a blur. The other day we were walking over this hilly area
and you can see the Manhattan Landspace, and I was like, Woe, I am in New
York City. I forget it sometimes. Haha.
Missionary Lingo is not important. It is just easier for me to use it
sometimes, because it is how my brain works now. There is a lot (and I mean
a lot) that I haven't even told you yet. And it is pretty weird and
confusing, so. Haha. Okay, I will be expecting the Phone Card, that will
be sweet. Okay, just let me know on the doctor thing.
Okay, update on my supplies, I have about 2 1/2 bottles of insulin left,
maybe more like 3, but 2 1/2, and I have 10 pods left I believe, the boxes
are of ten right? If they are, I have ten. One whole box left.
I heard about the Jazz, it does sound like they are going to lose, but that
is okay, I wouldn't want them to do to well while I am on my mission and
can't see it.
I will be sure to find out about the Babylon guy.
As far as the Christ guy, I am certain he was on some sort of drugs. You
can tell that he was. BUt it is nothing new. It is rare to go a day
without someone on drugs or a drunk come up and talk to you. It is usually
just drunks though. It is really sad to see how people live there lives.
It is hard too, because we would love to teach them, but it is almost
impossible to find them when they aren't drunk, and they can't except it
when drunk. They just can't feel the spirit.
Okay, normal day, I'm sorry I haven't told you this before.
6:30, wake up, pray, exercise for 30 minutes.
7:00, get ready for the day.
7:30, breakfast.
8:00, personal study.
9:00, companionship study.
10:00, language study.
11:00, leave and work.
3:00, dinner and prepare for the night.
5:00, work again.
9:00 or 9:30, come back to the appartment and plan the next day for 30
minutes.
10:30 go to bed.
We do a little bit of everything, we plan every day and everyone is a little
different. We will tract, have set appointment, talk to people on the
street, all sorts of things, whatever we think wil lbe the most effective
use of our time.
My comp is Elder Matthew Heiner from Alpine, UT. He is a little bit of a
Peter Priesthood kind of guy. He is a golfer. We don't have too much in
common, but he is really nice and a really hard worker. It has been really
good being with him.
My pad is pretty ghetto. I will send you some pictures, and I am working on
seeing if I can get a video and give you a tour. I am going to see if I can
e-mail it to you, and if not i will just send you a memory card with it on
it. Then you can see me, hear my voice, and get a tour of my pad.
Last monday my companion had a sweater and a coat on, and yesterday it was
90 degrees. The weather in New York is beyond crazy.
It sounds like everyone is doing pretty good.
Jose is going to get confirmed this Sunday, as the plan goes. I am very
excited. It really was a miracle. He is really cool.
I haven't gone to Nathan's yet. I have bought some Nathan's hot dogs from
the grocery store, whenever they are on sale, but as far as getting one from
the actual original stand, I haven't yet. Proabably next monday.
Teach the Young Women to be member missionaries. I know people in Utah
already do a really good job at it, but it can always be better. The
importance of members is more than anyone can imagine until they become a
full time missionary. It is like in Elder Perry's talk in conference, the
missionaries should be full time teachers and members should be full time
finders. If I didn't have to spend time finding and got to spend it all
teaching, baptisims would explode. So start with that. I'll try to come up
with other stuff for you to share them.
Nothing too exciting happened this week. We had a lot of appointments
cancel and a lot of people not there when we showed up when they told us to.
But that is alright. That is how it goes. This week should be really good.
We are probably (depending on the spirit) going to invite a couple to be
baptized tonight, so keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Their names
are Ana and Arturo.
We have a really good plan going into this week, and it should go very well.
Okay, Mother's Day your will be home by 12:15, um that is 2:15 here, right?
I will let you know better next week when I can call. And I think I should
be able to call for like 5 minutes the day before to set up an appointment.
Anyways. That will be nice to talk to the family again. It seems like it
was just yesterday that I talked to all of you.
So I heard that a video put up by the church of Elder Holland's talk was the
highest viewed video on the internet on Easter. That is so awesome. That
made me very excited.
Espero que Dios te bendiga. Te amo muchisimo. Hasta Lunes.
(I hope that God blesses you. I love you, lets see, best way to translate
this. . . bunches. Until Monday.)
I love you.
-Elder Miller
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
April 21, 2009
So last week a few days it was up to the 70's, very hot when you are outside
all day walking around. And since every is all concrete, and humid, hot
here is a lot different then hot back home. Today it is back to pretty
cold. It is very breazy and is supposed to rain, so we will see how that
goes. If it was about 60 every day all day long I would be a happy fella,
but it just isn't that way in New York, there isn't a Spring, it goes from
Winter to Summer.
This week we started to see success coming, which is very exciting. We have
a few investigators that look very promising, so that is awesome.
We has one "miracle" happen this week. Well, obviously several miralces
happened this week, but one big one that stood out. There was a guy who got
baptized in January, before I was in this area obviously, that got baptized
on a Sunday, and after that he disappeared off the face of the earth
apparently, so he never got confirmed. He was completely gone, his phone
was disconnected, and he was never home. He also had a friend that got
baptized that same day as him, and is strong member now, that didn't know
where he went. Well anyways, we were at that members house the other day
teaching him a lesson and while we were there he got a phone call from the
guy who disappeared, Jose. Jose came over right then to visit and stuff.
He had been in like California or something, just kind of taking a break
from life I guess, but he is now back. We talked to him, had a lesson about
the gospel, and we invited him to church obviously, and asked him if he was
still interested in following the church and being confirmed. He said yes.
On Sunday, he came to church, which is amazing, because tons of people will
say yes, but when they come through, wow. So we are not working with him,
reteaching some stuff, and getting him ready to be confirmed. It has been
so awesome. It is such a miracle.
This last week we taught as many lessons as we had taught in the last 2
weeks combined. It is amazing how things are finally starting to happen. I
am very excited for them.
So another not so miracle story that happened the other day that I would
like to share. haha. The other day me and my comp were standing on the
subway platform waiting for the train, and a young man came up to my
companion, in his mid 20's probably, darker skinned, and he shook my
companions hand and said, "God Bless You, I am Jesus Christ." My companion
kinda laughed and said, "Great, want to come to church on Sunday?" At this
point "Christ" kind of got upset and said how dare you invite to Church, I
am Christ, then he explained how he was invisible and how only my companion
could see him, interesting, since I could see him, and stated that he was
back from the dead after 33 years, which is also intereseting, since I think
he died a lot longer ago then that. He then started trembling and said, "I
will destroy you and everything in you." Then he rain off yelling some
profanities and said, "Quit doing that Mormon &#%^, ok!" It was very
interesting. Just for your information, I was standing directly behind the
guy, ready to do what I had to in case he tried to get violent with my
companion. But luckily he didn't. So that was kind of interesting.
Other than that I am doing pretty good. I think I am putting on a few
pounds, so I have been working on trying to eat less. That is really hard.
Haha.
Well, I guess i had better get going soon. I love you so much. Talk to you
later.
-Elder Miller
all day walking around. And since every is all concrete, and humid, hot
here is a lot different then hot back home. Today it is back to pretty
cold. It is very breazy and is supposed to rain, so we will see how that
goes. If it was about 60 every day all day long I would be a happy fella,
but it just isn't that way in New York, there isn't a Spring, it goes from
Winter to Summer.
This week we started to see success coming, which is very exciting. We have
a few investigators that look very promising, so that is awesome.
We has one "miracle" happen this week. Well, obviously several miralces
happened this week, but one big one that stood out. There was a guy who got
baptized in January, before I was in this area obviously, that got baptized
on a Sunday, and after that he disappeared off the face of the earth
apparently, so he never got confirmed. He was completely gone, his phone
was disconnected, and he was never home. He also had a friend that got
baptized that same day as him, and is strong member now, that didn't know
where he went. Well anyways, we were at that members house the other day
teaching him a lesson and while we were there he got a phone call from the
guy who disappeared, Jose. Jose came over right then to visit and stuff.
He had been in like California or something, just kind of taking a break
from life I guess, but he is now back. We talked to him, had a lesson about
the gospel, and we invited him to church obviously, and asked him if he was
still interested in following the church and being confirmed. He said yes.
On Sunday, he came to church, which is amazing, because tons of people will
say yes, but when they come through, wow. So we are not working with him,
reteaching some stuff, and getting him ready to be confirmed. It has been
so awesome. It is such a miracle.
This last week we taught as many lessons as we had taught in the last 2
weeks combined. It is amazing how things are finally starting to happen. I
am very excited for them.
So another not so miracle story that happened the other day that I would
like to share. haha. The other day me and my comp were standing on the
subway platform waiting for the train, and a young man came up to my
companion, in his mid 20's probably, darker skinned, and he shook my
companions hand and said, "God Bless You, I am Jesus Christ." My companion
kinda laughed and said, "Great, want to come to church on Sunday?" At this
point "Christ" kind of got upset and said how dare you invite to Church, I
am Christ, then he explained how he was invisible and how only my companion
could see him, interesting, since I could see him, and stated that he was
back from the dead after 33 years, which is also intereseting, since I think
he died a lot longer ago then that. He then started trembling and said, "I
will destroy you and everything in you." Then he rain off yelling some
profanities and said, "Quit doing that Mormon &#%^, ok!" It was very
interesting. Just for your information, I was standing directly behind the
guy, ready to do what I had to in case he tried to get violent with my
companion. But luckily he didn't. So that was kind of interesting.
Other than that I am doing pretty good. I think I am putting on a few
pounds, so I have been working on trying to eat less. That is really hard.
Haha.
Well, I guess i had better get going soon. I love you so much. Talk to you
later.
-Elder Miller
Monday, April 13, 2009
April 13, 2009
Hey Mom,
Zone Leaders are just missionaries assigned to be leaders over the zone.
There are districts, and several districts make up a zone, and all the zones
make up the mission. So each district has a District leader, each Zone has
a Zone Leader, and then there are the Assistants to the President.
That is wonderful that she got the letter. It was a wonderful package from
her. It was all sorts of food that I love, but would never spend the money
on, with my limited budget. So it was awesome.
I did get your and Sandee's packages. Thank you so much. They were great.
How was Easter without me? It is weird having holidays here, because they
basically feel like normal days. The Herrera Family did have us over for
dinner. He is the 2nd counseler in the stake presidency. They are the same
ones that made us the crazy tacos. They made vegetables, potatoes and ham.
It was so good. I felt like i was eating right at home. It was so nice. I
love hispanic food, but my body has been craving some normal american food,
and they made us some, and it was great. So easter was pretty good.
Conference was great for me too. The emphasis on the temple was kind of
weird for all of us missionaries, because we all love the temple, but we
only get to go twice in two years. When it was mentioned about people that
haven't been in a long time, Elder Baker, a chinese missionary, went, oh
man, I haven't been in almost a year. It was pretty funny.
Having someone telling me I was going to hell just makes me laugh. It is
the attitude you have to have, or else you would get so broke down. I have
had much worse things said to me, so you just have to learn to laugh.
I do not believe I need anything else right now. Anything that pops in your
mind is fine by me though. :) Maybe some vienna sasuages??? :)
That is awesome that you get to go to the Jazz game. Are you using Dan's
tickets? You are so lucky. But oh well, I'll get to enjoy all of that
stuff in a couple years.
So this week me and my companion worked so hard. I have been exhausted all
week, to the point where I just go home and can't even move. We aren't
seeing too much success right now, but we are seeing progress, which is all
that matters, because success will come. So I am very excited to see things
change.
So yesterday I realized that today was going to be the 13th. (I rarely know
what day it is) And realized also that that is a month mark for me. I
commented on it, and my companion added it up and said it was 8 months.
That seemed like a lot longer than it has been, but I was still okay with
it, but then he said, hey, that means you are a third of the way done with
your mission. Can you believe that? That really freaked me out. A third
it a lot. It has gone by so fast. It almost scared me. Oh well.
So this is a story that happens a lot, but it happened again, and i think it
is funny, so I will share. We knocked a door and they said, Quien? (Who?)
And we said, "Los Elderes de la Iglesia" (The elders of the church) again
Quien?, "Los Elderes de la Iglesia, estamos en el edificio compartiendo un
mensaje acerca de Jesucristo (we are in the building sharing a message about
Jesus Christ.) "I dont speak English" (In english) Pero, estamos hablando
en espanol (But we are speaking in spanish) "I dont speak English!!!!" And
she wouldn't answer after that. People will use anything as an excuse not
to talk to us.
Well, I better get going. I love you so much. You are in my prayers.
-Elder Miller
Zone Leaders are just missionaries assigned to be leaders over the zone.
There are districts, and several districts make up a zone, and all the zones
make up the mission. So each district has a District leader, each Zone has
a Zone Leader, and then there are the Assistants to the President.
That is wonderful that she got the letter. It was a wonderful package from
her. It was all sorts of food that I love, but would never spend the money
on, with my limited budget. So it was awesome.
I did get your and Sandee's packages. Thank you so much. They were great.
How was Easter without me? It is weird having holidays here, because they
basically feel like normal days. The Herrera Family did have us over for
dinner. He is the 2nd counseler in the stake presidency. They are the same
ones that made us the crazy tacos. They made vegetables, potatoes and ham.
It was so good. I felt like i was eating right at home. It was so nice. I
love hispanic food, but my body has been craving some normal american food,
and they made us some, and it was great. So easter was pretty good.
Conference was great for me too. The emphasis on the temple was kind of
weird for all of us missionaries, because we all love the temple, but we
only get to go twice in two years. When it was mentioned about people that
haven't been in a long time, Elder Baker, a chinese missionary, went, oh
man, I haven't been in almost a year. It was pretty funny.
Having someone telling me I was going to hell just makes me laugh. It is
the attitude you have to have, or else you would get so broke down. I have
had much worse things said to me, so you just have to learn to laugh.
I do not believe I need anything else right now. Anything that pops in your
mind is fine by me though. :) Maybe some vienna sasuages??? :)
That is awesome that you get to go to the Jazz game. Are you using Dan's
tickets? You are so lucky. But oh well, I'll get to enjoy all of that
stuff in a couple years.
So this week me and my companion worked so hard. I have been exhausted all
week, to the point where I just go home and can't even move. We aren't
seeing too much success right now, but we are seeing progress, which is all
that matters, because success will come. So I am very excited to see things
change.
So yesterday I realized that today was going to be the 13th. (I rarely know
what day it is) And realized also that that is a month mark for me. I
commented on it, and my companion added it up and said it was 8 months.
That seemed like a lot longer than it has been, but I was still okay with
it, but then he said, hey, that means you are a third of the way done with
your mission. Can you believe that? That really freaked me out. A third
it a lot. It has gone by so fast. It almost scared me. Oh well.
So this is a story that happens a lot, but it happened again, and i think it
is funny, so I will share. We knocked a door and they said, Quien? (Who?)
And we said, "Los Elderes de la Iglesia" (The elders of the church) again
Quien?, "Los Elderes de la Iglesia, estamos en el edificio compartiendo un
mensaje acerca de Jesucristo (we are in the building sharing a message about
Jesus Christ.) "I dont speak English" (In english) Pero, estamos hablando
en espanol (But we are speaking in spanish) "I dont speak English!!!!" And
she wouldn't answer after that. People will use anything as an excuse not
to talk to us.
Well, I better get going. I love you so much. You are in my prayers.
-Elder Miller
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