Hello Everybody,
This past week was pretty good. There wasn't very much progress with our investigators but I really think that the ward is building up to the point where we will start seeing a lot of success from the members referring people for us to teach. We have one investigator who I think I've already written about but he's a Vietnam Veteran and is pretty disabled and so his house is a mess. The carpet is just filthy and he was referred to us by a member who merely wanted us to offer him some service. So we went and offered some service but he was more interested in hearing our message. It wasn't until Saturday when we were teaching him the plan of salvation that his land lord came and the Veteran was planning on kicking us out so he could talk to his land lord and we were going to leave but instead offered our service and the land lord I don't think had a very high opinion of us but he was fine with our cleaning offer. So I raked up huge piles of dog fur out of this guys carpet so that we could vacuum without it getting all clogged up. We straightened out a messy corner and moved some furniture to clean under and after we were finished it looked better. Nothing fancy but I felt pretty good that we were able to help and the land lord commented on our hard work and thanked us so I felt like a possible seed was planted or at least a heart was softened. The family that we were most excited about has cancelled a bunch of appointments so it isn't looking likely that they'll be baptized anytime soon. They are very cool and have said they want to be baptized but something always comes up.
We just got over a headache yesterday, at least for now. A man who has been taught several times in the past was seeking to have us okay him for baptism but he wanted to be baptized in Florida. It was a doable thing and we were almost clear for getting him the necessary paper work but he was kind of an odd duck and both my companion and I didn't feel right about him. Still he was interviewed by us and our district leader and he has a perfect knowledge of all the principles we teach but we never saw him at church and as one of the elders here put it "he's dodgy". Anyway, we were prepared to help him be baptized but he still hadn't met with our bishop which is a requirement and so we tried to set up a time for him to meet but the guy refused to meet with him and he wouldn't return any of our bishops calls to him. We talked to him and he said that he and his wife had a personal issue with our bishop and so wouldn't talk to him. I guess they'll either have to get over their issues or go through another bishop in order to get baptized, so until that happens we don't have to deal with him and I'm kind of glad.
Well that's about it from me. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying summer.
Sincerely, Elder Miller
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Pictures from Fletch!
I guess Elder Miller has been spending a lot of time enjoying the outdoors on his p-days:
First Baptism!!!
Elder Miller and Elder Orgill:
Fletcher has turned to vandalism:
I'm not sure what this is, but it makes me laugh:
First Baptism!!!
Elder Miller and Elder Orgill:
Fletcher has turned to vandalism:
I'm not sure what this is, but it makes me laugh:
Monday, June 20, 2011
Hello Everyone,
Elder Miller here reporting on a pretty good week. Let's see what have we been up to. In my new area there is a great guy who is waiting to put his mission papers in so we drag him along with us to appointments all the time and he is fun to have around. He has a strange way of speaking where he laughs as he talks sometimes and so it's pretty fun to talk to him. We took him along with us to visit a lady that hasn't been a member too long but struggles coming to church. The best part about going to this ladies house is her elderly mother who I think suffers from dementia and so never really remembers who we are unfortunately but she is really very nice and always compliments our smiles and our attire, "Well would you look at those fine smiles, you are some handsome nice young men!" She always make us feel good about ourselves so we like visiting there. Unfortunately it is the mother and her need for constant care and attention that causes our less active member to miss church. She came last week but when we visited with her she said that she almost didn't because she felt the influence of the adversary very intensely and the problem that arose was that her mother had lost her dentures and so she had to search everywhere for them and would have missed church but she eventually found them in the trash can wrapped up in a napkin. I thought the story kind of amusing but serious of course at the same time but then the guy that we brought with us said, "Oh, yeah I did the exact same thing with my retainer one time, you got to be careful about wrapping them in nakins." So then I felt free to laugh at the situation. If I had ever had braces and retainers then I'm sure I would probably have done the same thing.
The family that we were most excited about cause they really had the desire to be baptized flaked out on a lesson that we scheduled along with a dinner at the bishops house. Our investigators' sister is a member of our ward and is the families primary fellowshipper and they were supposed to be at the dinner as well but they apparently had a disagreement over some plane tickets to Hawaii and so that made neither family come to dinner and the lesson. But we were able to provide some fun service at the Bishops house. He was trying to install a rope swing for his kids and got the rope completely tangled and stuck in the high tree branches. So using a variety of methods we eventually got the rope down. My companion had an erector set type thing of pvc pipes and that knocked the rope mostly loose and then I threw a smaller rope with a baseball tied to the end through a loop in the bigger rope swing rope and pulled it down. Then we tied it in place and my companion tested it for safetys' sake before we could okay it for the kids. Anyway, back to family, as sad as it sounds we are now trying to isolate our investigators church experience from her sister and kind of transplant in new fellowshippers.
Then we are teaching a Vietnam Vet who is a little kooky and gruff but wants to be baptized. Word of Wisdom is going to be his biggest challenge. He drinks in place of part of his prescribed pain killers cause he doesn't like how they affect him.
That's about all that is going on here. Hope everyone has a wonderful week and enjoyed Father's day. I got a candy bar at church cause they had extras after they gave them out to all the Fathers, and it was pretty fantastic.
Sincerely, Elder Miller
Elder Miller here reporting on a pretty good week. Let's see what have we been up to. In my new area there is a great guy who is waiting to put his mission papers in so we drag him along with us to appointments all the time and he is fun to have around. He has a strange way of speaking where he laughs as he talks sometimes and so it's pretty fun to talk to him. We took him along with us to visit a lady that hasn't been a member too long but struggles coming to church. The best part about going to this ladies house is her elderly mother who I think suffers from dementia and so never really remembers who we are unfortunately but she is really very nice and always compliments our smiles and our attire, "Well would you look at those fine smiles, you are some handsome nice young men!" She always make us feel good about ourselves so we like visiting there. Unfortunately it is the mother and her need for constant care and attention that causes our less active member to miss church. She came last week but when we visited with her she said that she almost didn't because she felt the influence of the adversary very intensely and the problem that arose was that her mother had lost her dentures and so she had to search everywhere for them and would have missed church but she eventually found them in the trash can wrapped up in a napkin. I thought the story kind of amusing but serious of course at the same time but then the guy that we brought with us said, "Oh, yeah I did the exact same thing with my retainer one time, you got to be careful about wrapping them in nakins." So then I felt free to laugh at the situation. If I had ever had braces and retainers then I'm sure I would probably have done the same thing.
The family that we were most excited about cause they really had the desire to be baptized flaked out on a lesson that we scheduled along with a dinner at the bishops house. Our investigators' sister is a member of our ward and is the families primary fellowshipper and they were supposed to be at the dinner as well but they apparently had a disagreement over some plane tickets to Hawaii and so that made neither family come to dinner and the lesson. But we were able to provide some fun service at the Bishops house. He was trying to install a rope swing for his kids and got the rope completely tangled and stuck in the high tree branches. So using a variety of methods we eventually got the rope down. My companion had an erector set type thing of pvc pipes and that knocked the rope mostly loose and then I threw a smaller rope with a baseball tied to the end through a loop in the bigger rope swing rope and pulled it down. Then we tied it in place and my companion tested it for safetys' sake before we could okay it for the kids. Anyway, back to family, as sad as it sounds we are now trying to isolate our investigators church experience from her sister and kind of transplant in new fellowshippers.
Then we are teaching a Vietnam Vet who is a little kooky and gruff but wants to be baptized. Word of Wisdom is going to be his biggest challenge. He drinks in place of part of his prescribed pain killers cause he doesn't like how they affect him.
That's about all that is going on here. Hope everyone has a wonderful week and enjoyed Father's day. I got a candy bar at church cause they had extras after they gave them out to all the Fathers, and it was pretty fantastic.
Sincerely, Elder Miller
Monday, June 13, 2011
Hello Everyone,
My new area is fantastic. As is my new companion. The transfer meetings we have are always super confusing for me when I'm getting a new companion. Our mission President just stands at the microphone and lists off the new companionships but he does it fast enough that I'm never certain whether the name he says after mine is my new companion or the name he says before mine. Often times I'm not expecting my name to be called. I mean I know I am being transferred and I'm waiting for my name to be listed but I never am fully prepared for it. I of course notice when my name is called and then I really pay attention and catch the name directly after my own. So that is probably my problem. My name is probably usually said last within the new companionship. So this past transfer meeting I again wasn't expecting my name to be said but when it was I only heard the name that came after mine and assumed that that was my companion. "Elder Blahblahblah and Elder Blahblahblah, Elder F. Miller, Elder C. Miller". So I thought that my new companion was Elder C. Miller and I thought to myself, "this will be interesting". I think there are now 4 different Elder Millers in the mission. I sat down and Elder C. Miller even kind of did the whole pat the seat beside him thing to indicate where I should sit. So I sat beside him and just pictured the confusion that was about to ensue whenever we meet new people. "Which Elder Miller?" But then I realized the other Elder I was sitting next to was totally confused as well and asked who my new companion was. I pointed to Elder C. Miller and he said "What? I thought he was training a new missionary." So I asked Elder C. Miller and he confirmed that he was indeed training and that the confused Elder and I were companions. Everything is fine now. I am with Elder Orgill but despite the name differences a few members have already gotten us confused, but they're old and senile so it's not a big deal. I guess that's the biggest news, I am in a new area and it's great. My new companion likes to work out so I'm acutally starting to as well which I'm supposed to do and it's been feeling good. My companion was super bummed cause he had one of those pull up bars which kind of wedges itself in the doorway and is prevented from falling down by the door molding, but the molding was really weak and my companion cracked it. But there were conveniently a couple of eye bolts in a ceiling beam so we strapped the pull up bar up there with a couple of old ties that I no longer wear. It's pretty sturdy but just in case I let my companion go before me each morning, so hopefully I don't lose any teeth.
We picked up a new investigator cause a member referred him to us which was fantastic. He is a Vietnam veteran but suffers from PTSD. During our first lesson with him he actually told us that he had already been baptized a mormon but was "discommunicated" because the ward members didn't agree with the Vietnam war. So we are potentially dealing with someone who is a little unstable but we'll look up to see if he's ever been baptized and if not then he's perfectly willing to be it seems. We'll have to get him to stop drinking and smoking which I've never had luck with getting investigators to really do. And there is the chance that he won't be worthy to be baptized. I'm not sure what the whole stance is on the shedding of blood during military service, but he says that that is why he was "discommunicated". Other than him we have a family of three that seem pretty solid in their desire to be baptized so hopefully they'll come to church more so we can help them be baptized. And then we are trying to work with a guy who my companion was super excited for me to meet. I have a calendar that gives me a new Jeopardy question each day and I had a can of tennis balls visible when my companion picked me up and he was geeking out about how much I have in common with an investigator and he was certain that it was meant to be. So I have met the guy once and he's tall and skinny and loves tennis and trivial facts and it was kind of creepy how much we were alike. Twilight Zone. But we'll see where that goes.
Have a wonderful week everyone.
Sincerely, Elder Miller
My new area is fantastic. As is my new companion. The transfer meetings we have are always super confusing for me when I'm getting a new companion. Our mission President just stands at the microphone and lists off the new companionships but he does it fast enough that I'm never certain whether the name he says after mine is my new companion or the name he says before mine. Often times I'm not expecting my name to be called. I mean I know I am being transferred and I'm waiting for my name to be listed but I never am fully prepared for it. I of course notice when my name is called and then I really pay attention and catch the name directly after my own. So that is probably my problem. My name is probably usually said last within the new companionship. So this past transfer meeting I again wasn't expecting my name to be said but when it was I only heard the name that came after mine and assumed that that was my companion. "Elder Blahblahblah and Elder Blahblahblah, Elder F. Miller, Elder C. Miller". So I thought that my new companion was Elder C. Miller and I thought to myself, "this will be interesting". I think there are now 4 different Elder Millers in the mission. I sat down and Elder C. Miller even kind of did the whole pat the seat beside him thing to indicate where I should sit. So I sat beside him and just pictured the confusion that was about to ensue whenever we meet new people. "Which Elder Miller?" But then I realized the other Elder I was sitting next to was totally confused as well and asked who my new companion was. I pointed to Elder C. Miller and he said "What? I thought he was training a new missionary." So I asked Elder C. Miller and he confirmed that he was indeed training and that the confused Elder and I were companions. Everything is fine now. I am with Elder Orgill but despite the name differences a few members have already gotten us confused, but they're old and senile so it's not a big deal. I guess that's the biggest news, I am in a new area and it's great. My new companion likes to work out so I'm acutally starting to as well which I'm supposed to do and it's been feeling good. My companion was super bummed cause he had one of those pull up bars which kind of wedges itself in the doorway and is prevented from falling down by the door molding, but the molding was really weak and my companion cracked it. But there were conveniently a couple of eye bolts in a ceiling beam so we strapped the pull up bar up there with a couple of old ties that I no longer wear. It's pretty sturdy but just in case I let my companion go before me each morning, so hopefully I don't lose any teeth.
We picked up a new investigator cause a member referred him to us which was fantastic. He is a Vietnam veteran but suffers from PTSD. During our first lesson with him he actually told us that he had already been baptized a mormon but was "discommunicated" because the ward members didn't agree with the Vietnam war. So we are potentially dealing with someone who is a little unstable but we'll look up to see if he's ever been baptized and if not then he's perfectly willing to be it seems. We'll have to get him to stop drinking and smoking which I've never had luck with getting investigators to really do. And there is the chance that he won't be worthy to be baptized. I'm not sure what the whole stance is on the shedding of blood during military service, but he says that that is why he was "discommunicated". Other than him we have a family of three that seem pretty solid in their desire to be baptized so hopefully they'll come to church more so we can help them be baptized. And then we are trying to work with a guy who my companion was super excited for me to meet. I have a calendar that gives me a new Jeopardy question each day and I had a can of tennis balls visible when my companion picked me up and he was geeking out about how much I have in common with an investigator and he was certain that it was meant to be. So I have met the guy once and he's tall and skinny and loves tennis and trivial facts and it was kind of creepy how much we were alike. Twilight Zone. But we'll see where that goes.
Have a wonderful week everyone.
Sincerely, Elder Miller
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Tranferred!
Hello Everyone,
Well, I was transferred again. That makes three companions in a row that I have only served with for one transfer. This time both my companion and I were moved out of Greenfield because my Mission President has been meaning to put only spanish Elders down there for the longest time and chose his last few weeks in the mission to do it. I am now in Redwood City and my new companion is really cool and easy going. This area is definitly much more ritzy than Greenfield and there seems to be a pretty big Tongan population here which means that I'm going to get fat feasting all the time. I'm still in a car so it's looking like I'm going to spend another probable 6 months at least in a car. I wouldn't favor riding a bike in the dead heat of summer but then again I could probably use the exercise.
After my companion and I found out that we were both leaving we couldn't resist leaving a few things for the new Elders that would be coming. I had the idea to unravel some toilet paper and write a message later on in it welcoming them to Greenfield and then we re-rolled it and put it back on the dispenser for them to eventually come across. And then I also rigged a cardboard robot to swing towards them from the ceiling once they crossed a trip wire. It was actually a home made pinata that we stuffed full of random things around our apartment. Mostly candy canes from who knows when. Hopefully they appreciate that kind of thing and don't think that I'm trying to be mean or something. I would be delighted if someone went to the trouble spending their whole P-Day making me a pinata. It was pretty warm here and I no longer have the southern winds rushing through the valley to cool off the town I'm working in. Some adjustments will need to be made but I'm sure I will love it here in Redwood City.
Have a wonderful week everyone.
Sincerely, Elder Miller
Well, I was transferred again. That makes three companions in a row that I have only served with for one transfer. This time both my companion and I were moved out of Greenfield because my Mission President has been meaning to put only spanish Elders down there for the longest time and chose his last few weeks in the mission to do it. I am now in Redwood City and my new companion is really cool and easy going. This area is definitly much more ritzy than Greenfield and there seems to be a pretty big Tongan population here which means that I'm going to get fat feasting all the time. I'm still in a car so it's looking like I'm going to spend another probable 6 months at least in a car. I wouldn't favor riding a bike in the dead heat of summer but then again I could probably use the exercise.
After my companion and I found out that we were both leaving we couldn't resist leaving a few things for the new Elders that would be coming. I had the idea to unravel some toilet paper and write a message later on in it welcoming them to Greenfield and then we re-rolled it and put it back on the dispenser for them to eventually come across. And then I also rigged a cardboard robot to swing towards them from the ceiling once they crossed a trip wire. It was actually a home made pinata that we stuffed full of random things around our apartment. Mostly candy canes from who knows when. Hopefully they appreciate that kind of thing and don't think that I'm trying to be mean or something. I would be delighted if someone went to the trouble spending their whole P-Day making me a pinata. It was pretty warm here and I no longer have the southern winds rushing through the valley to cool off the town I'm working in. Some adjustments will need to be made but I'm sure I will love it here in Redwood City.
Have a wonderful week everyone.
Sincerely, Elder Miller
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