This mama is grateful at 17 weeks in....

Oh my heart.   It feels like a big balloon-- so big and full it might pop.  I just talked with Sadie on her pday and I feel so immeasurably full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father-- it's so amazing to hear her and see her-- the powerful testimony she has, the insight for life she's gaining, the application of every sweet and spiritual prompting and how that is a pattern for her life.  I am just so grateful that she is having this experience, that she's open to it, and all in and purposeful in intention and effort and obedient.  She is full of His light and His love.  It is the most reassuring and uplifting thing-- all the faith it took to send her-- and there she is- soaring-- taking it all in- having a marvelous refining experience, constantly resetting her focus and building her relationship with her Savior.  It is so apparent that she is on His errand-- and I know HE will match her effort, and the desires of her heart with HIS tender mercies to move mountains big and small in Ecuador while He has her there.  The continuing miracle is that this is a beginning that will continue to shape her life and her service in the church-  it will cement things in her heart that are most important- It is teaching her about love and service and doing things willingly and cheerfully, (like my mom used to always say).  I am humbled by her commitment and her ability to see the good, persevere, BE the joy, hope in good things to come and trust that the Lord is in charge.   I am so grateful for these wings she's growing- in testimony, faith and dedication to the Lord.  It is the happiest and safest feeling I've ever known as a parent and I am just so thankful and overwhelmed with love-- for her, and for my Heavenly Father-- never before have I known exactly just how much she is HIS until now.  She is becoming like Him in small and simple ways, and my heart is full.

♥ From Hermana Miller week 16 (1-21-2020)

January is almost over!  Crazy!  I had another wonderful week.  I love Ibarra!  I love my companion, my district, I love my ward-- I've been really blessed.  Some interesting happenings this week: unending plates of rice (hahaha- I'll take it over fish- though that often comes right after it), visiting Mirador Arcangel San Miguel,  where I could see for miles, met a Colombian Mafia member (really)- but got away with a wink (him) and a free ice cream (kind of a sketchy situation), cleaned the church floors after the toilets flooded, caught up on the super cool Book of Mormon videos, got a billion bug bites (well, I didn't count that high, but it's prob not an exaggeration because my feet and legs swelled up from it so that my shoes wouldn't fit for a day. And, yes,  I had repellent on (two kinds) but these are some sort of vigilante biting gnats/black flies...anyway- my legs might look like they won, but I'm still standing!  I'd show you a picture, but you don't want to see it- haha.  My companion and I got our handmade skirt/dress by Sandra- (we match!) So, so  sweet of her! 

 I got up close and personal with a llama while hiking up to a waterfall on our preparation day.  In a shallow area, I was trying to balance on a rock and slipped.  Nice.  Everyone had a good laugh about that-so I got to wade in a waterfall, by default.  My district may or may not have waded, too.  But it was short and sweet and I was really trying to get back to dry ground-- being wet and hiking back down the mountain was no bueno.  This week we also had a baptism scheduled, but when we went to visit with her  a few days before, no one was there-- no people, empty house, neighbors don't know anything-- so for some reason they up and moved.   I'm pretty sure they weren't running from us (we're not that intimidating, I don't think...hahaha)  I hope everything is okay. Major Bummer though because we were all so excited about her baptism. I hope the missionaries find her wherever she's gone.

This week in my personal study I've been focusing on the challenge issued by the prophet. Do you remember what it was?  It's to prepare ourselves for this "unforgettable conference coming up in April by doing the following: reading Joseph Smith's account of the first vision (for the first time, or the fiftieth time, whichever applies to you) and to ask yourself questions like "How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away?  or "How have the events of the first vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?" These are pretty profound questions, don't you think?

I recognize that not everyone on my email list is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but the Book of Mormon was written with ALL people in mind, from a loving Heavenly Father to HIS children.  If you know the Book of Mormon is true, read it, pray about it, and ask again...that confirmation can come again and again. This email list is full of family and friends that I love with all my heart (YES, YOU!) and I want this joy and peace that comes from my testimony of this book for everyone I love.  I testify that it is the word of God and contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and together with the Bible it testifies of Him and His role as our Savior.  Read it, Pray about it, apply its teachings and I can PROMISE you, as a representative of Jesus Christ, that blessings like you've never seen before will POUR into you life, beginning with feeling known by God and closer to Him.

All my love, 

Hermana Miller

Pictures with Sandra and new outfits she sewed for them

 Sandras work

 Hermana anibarro y hermana miller

Hermana Anibarro

La casada

In our apartment...

 Elder Canon (district leader )

♥ from hermana Miller week 15 (1-14-2020)

  We had a fun week.  I couldn't even tell you why exactly, but Hermana Anibarro and I just had a blast together. We have transfers in two weeks and I'm really hoping we can have one more together...we'll see how it works out.

Interesting things this week: I found SPIDER GIGANTE #2 in my house (I'm about to move out! Ha)  I was served an entire fish for one lunch, scales, eyes, everything-- and I even took a picture for you.  I got a flu shot and hiked to a statue and a lake and up the volcano near my house.  (It was a busy prep day!)  

This week for a spiritual thought I just want to remind you all that God is our loving Heavenly Father.  That isn't just a pretty quote or a nice idea for somebody else.  As we teach, I've found it' the #1 thing we need to understand- that we are HIS-- and if we do understand that, everything else falls into place. Take the time to talk to Him-about EVERYTHING!  He wants to hear from you. 

One person we're teaching says he just feels like a hypocrite when he prays, because he isn't as faithful in his prayers as he'd like to be.  So what?  We don't wait to go to the doctor until after we're not sick anymore- Talk to Him.  We told this guy, if all you can think of to pray about is explaining those feelings you have, that's okay.  He loves you and it will make Him happy to hear more than "please bless this food" or "we're grateful for this day." My invitation to you this week is to set aside time to have a CONVERSATION with you Heavenly Father.  He loves you more than anyone else and has the power to help and bless you in a very personal way.  See what happens....

xoxo, 

Hermana Miller

My district at the volcano

intercambios with Hermana Wood

 Lunch!

 My companion, Hermana Andrea Anibarro

 I reached my 100 day mark!