♥ from Hermana Miller week 13 (12/29/2019)

Hello!  

It's been a few hard weeks because this time of year it seems like people are traveling, have family in town, or are simply too busy to meet with us right now.  "Call in January" is something I've heard a few too many times.  :) But that's okay, we just keep trucking along and we know the Lord will put the people He needs us to help in our path.  

One of those this week was a woman named Sandra.  She's a 38 year old paraplegic because of a car accident she suffered four years ago.  In this car accident she lost her mom and her baby boy who were riding in the back seat.  She was in the front passenger seat and her husband was driving.  He survived but abandoned her because of her disability that resulted from the accident.  That kind of story kind of makes you do a double-take, doesn't it?  Here I am, sometimes complaining about things that are "hard."  I don't know the first thing about having it hard, but Sandra sure does.  What's amazing is her faith.  She is always telling us how grateful she is to be alive and how good God is.  She has an incredible talent for sewing and has had her home adapted into a giant sewing space.  Her machines have been adapted for her so she can pdeal them with her hands.  She sews and sells things online to support herself.  Last week we bought some fabric and she is going to make my companion and I each a skirt.  We spent a few hours with her this week at her home helping her with things.  I don't know if she'll be baptized, but that isn't the point.  Of course, I want that for her because I know nothing can make a person happier or bring more purpose to life than the gospel of Jesus Christ... but service doesn't have to result in a baptism to have been the Lord's will.  We are His hands on Earth, each one of us, and every smile, every kind world, every bit of light we leave in our wake is and can be life changing. Do we sometimes let small opportunities pass us by because they seem insignificant or because we're tired or busy?  I think sometimes I am guilty of that- but I'm going to work on it.

I read this quote by Elder D. Todd Christofferson:" Even in times of discouragement or stress we can minister patiently if we are focused on the joy of pleasing God and bringing light, relief, and happiness to His children, our brothers and sisters."  Isn't that awesome?!  As missionaries we don't just want to teach about Christ, we want to be like Him. But of course, that's the journey of a lifetime, becoming as He is. Some of our greatest opportunities to resemble Him come to us in between the things that we have planned or in the middle of a busy day. LIke a hand that reached out to touch His robe, as the Savior walked by, or a blind man that he stopped to heal on the wayside... As in all things, He's our exemplar and He always noticed the needs of others, even if it was "inconvenient" or He might have had other seemingly "more important" things to do.  As my companion and I focused on that this week, we found that we were happier- even in a week,  that by all outside appearances, and by the numbers wasn't our most productive- 

 I hope the coming week is a good one for all of you.  I've always loved New Year's, it's such a fun fresh start.  We'll be in our house for the 31st and 1st because of safety- but that's okay, because we've got a great view for fireworks!

 (This is a fruit that is prepared with sugar and milk)

Thank you for all your prayers and for your emails- they are a strength and a light for me.

All my love, 

Hermana Miller

Mosiah 2:17 "And behold I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

FELIZ Navidad

Today was Christmas day- and like all Christmas days, I tried to remember that the Savior is the real gift.  It was beautiful, all the decorations, joy over gifts, kids together, reading in Luke 2, just enjoying the day with the people I love most- but oh how I felt the sacrifice of having a missionary today.  All day long I wiped back tears and missed you.  Your first Christmas away from home, your first as a missionary, our first without you- everything from your stocking not being filled, to having an empty laundry basket without your loot in it- missing the lightness and fun you bring to everything.  It's hard.  I miss you. We didn't get to talk to you today because your mission president felt that with all the alcohol and celeratin in the streets- missionaries would be safer at home- so you got to call yesterday instead.  You told us you and your companion had some fun plans- but I know it will be a long day.  You found an English copy of JESUS THE CHRIST and you said you were looking forward to starting and finishing it tomorrow--- only you could do that, you power reader, you!  you saved some mac and cheese I'd sent you in a ziplock bag package and that'll be your Christmas feast.  Oh sweet girl, the first Christmas was so simple, it's okay if yours is too.  I know the focus it'll give you with love for the Savior will be a gift-- but my heart hurts because we are feeling your absence today.  I know the Lord will bless and comfort you and us.  I'm leaning on that so heavily right now.   I read this poem and it made me feel a little better- because really I don't feel like I have more to offer my savior than my daughter.  You are the the most I can possibly give...

 A Missionary Christmas

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving, the thrill just wasn't there.

No pictures taken with Santa Claus, my decorating has no flair.

His presents are shoes, shirts and ties, two suits and socks...no fun.

I've bought him all white clothes because….This year, I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.

I've reread November’s Ensign, felt strength come from His words.

I pray more frequently. My tears are quick to run.

Abraham seems closer because, this year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers gave their sons to war.

Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more.

My loss will be his presence. I'll miss his smile a ton.

For two years I will pray for him, I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.

He's always hungered for the part of him that makes his soul divine.

The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.

I'll put my faith in God's hand, this year, I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter; I think I finally understand.

Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.

It's because I know Christ lives and reigns, that all his packing's done.

My gift has taken years to make, this year...I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there’s One who understands, the sacrifice I’m making.

Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking.

For He has done it all before. Greater love—there could be none.

For years ago God gave to me, His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray;

Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he’ll say.

Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering’s done.

My gift has taken years to make. This year…I’m giving Christ my son.

And then I read this- and I loved it too- I thought a lot about the line "A shepard leaves his flock, and so can I" and I see you doing that- leaving behind what you know and what you love to share Christ's light and promises with Ecuador and that is so so beautiful...

“Missionary Christmas is so different.

No snow.

Our makeshift tree in the corner.

Twinkle lights from a thrift store.

My “Christmas Sunday dress” I wore last week.

And the week before.

And the week before that.

Family miles and miles away.

No silly Christmas songs.

Or movies.

Holiday parties are at the church building, but we just pop in and back to work.

Work..

Knocking on doors.

Walking the streets.

Inviting others to come

Come and see

Come and worship

Come and stay

Sharing scriptures and testimony.

Bringing good tidings.

And peace

-Joy-

Caroling to the lonely

Feeding the homeless

Clothing the needy

Service to our brothers and sisters

The Christmas spirit is overwhelming.

-Joy-

The shepherds left their flock, so can I.

Beholding the Christ.

Coming closer to Him.

Lighting the World with His Spirit and truth.

-Joy-

A Missionary Christmas is so different.”

♥ from Hermana Miller week 12 (12/24/2019)

Feliz Navidad!   I think I have watched the Christ Child video over 30 times-- and I get goosebumps (not sure how that translates in Spanish)  every single time.... I just love it.  I hope you've seen it a time or two... 

 This week wasn't as busy as some others- people aren't as interested in what we'd like to share with the holidays.  I did, however, get proposed to-- don't worry, I said, no- thanks.  Haha... it's just because I'm a rubia  with blue eyes, and that's different for around here.  At some point, it'd be nice to just blend in with the rest of the Ecuadorians. I sure love them.  

All missionaries in our mission will be spending Christmas day in their apartments, because it's safer. There's lots of drinking and stuff going on with the holiday, so the mission president has asked us to stay in.   I plan to read and study and maybe I'll take a nice, cozy Christmas nap. 

Love to each of you-- and Merry Christmas! I'll attach some pictures of my area, Ibarra.  The volcano backdrop is pretty sweet! I am so grateful to be a missionary.  (and I rely and feel strengthened by your prayers, thank you!)

WEEK 11 (12-17-2019)

This week was wonderful.  I am so blessed to have a great trainer in Hermana Anibarro.  We had a baptism this week  and it was a really joyous occasion, because, Israel (the guy that got baptized) lost his dad the day I arrived in Ecuador (in November), so this week he and the rest of his family (who were already members) are taking the 12 hour bus ride to the temple in Guayacil and he is going to be baptized on behalf of his father, who wasn't a member.  Isn't the gospel plan beautiful?  I'm so lucky to be a missionary!  I thought that while filling up the baptismal font-- a few hours before the baptism.  There I was, in the middle of South America, as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, literally called to be HIS representative!  It's so legit! 

I had an interview with my mission president (my first since meeting him when I arrived) this week and he said, "Your life was far easier- far more comfortable before your life as a missionary- but right here, now in Ecuador, you are living your dream!'  And it's true.  All my life in primary I would sing, "I Hope they Call Me on a Mission"... and here I am.  I'm not saying it's easy being out of my comfort zone pretty much all the time, but I am grateful to be a missionary.

(regular landscape in my area)

One thing I've learned is that as missionaries, usually our best experiences, and ultimately baptisms, come from referrals.  So we've got a little more than a week before Christmas- and I've got a challenge for you and your family. If you haven't watched The Christ Child video, could you please, please do it?  Invite your family or friends to watch it- (and invite the missionaries, too!)  It's powerful and beautiful- and is such a perfect (and normal and natural) way to reflect on and celebrate what this Christmas Season is all about.  Let's just gather as Christians and express love for our Savior together.  I just love Elder Holland's quote, "Share what you believe."  That's what friends do, isn't it? They share the things they love and the things that make them the most happy.  I get goosebumps every time I watch this amazing video that depicts the Savior's birth and we've had so many wonderful experiences with people (of all religions) and we've yet to regret sharing it ;) 

I pass by this shop and it reminds me of Mama

I can't think of anything really interesting this week.  I did some exchanges (intercambios) this week   and traveled by bus to another area.  There were these two little boys on the bus and they just giggled at me the whole time-- eventually I felt them touching the back of my hair- light hair isn't common here- anyway it was cute because they kept touching it.  The food is becoming more normal, but I will always hate sardines- even if I eat them every day on my mission.  The Spanish is coming along (I think :) 

(the town where I did exchanges)

One night we stopped in the middle of a dark dirt road surrounded by palm trees and aI just looked up at the stars for a minute-- how surreal this experience is.  I hope all is well with each of you and your families during this Christmas Season.  Thank you for your love, prayers, &  support, it means everything!

All my love,
Hermana Miller

wood carving

Sister Missionary intercambios

WEEK 10 (Christmas Zone Conference in Quito)

This was a hard one because you didn't get your usual time and then we had technical difficulties and your microphone didn't work-  so we did some charades and tried to read lips-- mostly it was just amazing, as usual, to see your beautiful face.  Our video chats usually bring tears, but that's okay- it's an emotional release and at the end of the chat- we are both reassured and refocused about how vital this work is- and that YOU are called to do it!  We love our missionary!!