The Homecoming we've been waiting for...

 

The long awaited Milk Jug Milestone

 Today at the store I spied this!! Sadie's return date on a milk jug.  This is a noted and well known milestone amongst missionary mamas!  I get to hug my girl before the milk expires!!!

FLIGHT PLANS (T MINUS 27 DAYS)

 

There are a bunch of emotions for our missionary and for us about receiving this information. She's trying to stay focused but this makes it very real.  I've tried to not count down the days...  So excited to hug her, anxious over what's next, being helpful in a transition, so many things she's excited for, worried about, unsure of- but my mama heart is so grateful that she's so close to the finish line and coming in so so strong! She's learned how to receive personal revelation and knows where to find peace- so we'll just all navigate this together with a lot of love and prayer and hope for what's next and see what wonderful blessings unfold... 

On Mar 8, 2021, at 12:08 PM, Arizona Mesa Mission Referral Secretary <387983-REF@churchofjesuschrist.org> wrote:

Attached is a copy of your daughter’s April 6^th flight itinerary which I just received from Church Travel.  She’ll arrive plenty early which will be nice for your long drive home.  I’ll let you know if the airline makes flight changes between now and the time of the scheduled flight, and if necessary I’ll send you a final itinerary several days before her departure.   Thank you for raising such a wonderful young woman and missionary!  I’ll sure miss that sweet smile of hers.  I’ll be back in touch closer to her release date but don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely, Sister Pierce, Arizona Mesa Mission

REPLY to Sister Pierce, Arizona Travel secretary, Mission office

Oh wow

and just like that- there it is 

Thank you so much for all of your love for her -she thinks so much of both of you

 and especially gets a kick out of Elder Pierce ;)

Thank you for getting this all situated for her.

♥ Sister Miller

The "Travel Email" (6 weeks to go)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Original Email

On Friday, February 12, 2021, 02:37:15 PM MST, Arizona Mesa Mission Referral Secretary <387983-ref@churchofjesuschrist.org> wrote:

Dear Brother and Sister Miller,

 

Sister Miller will be released from her mission on Tuesday, April 6^th.  The Church Travel Department will arrange for her flight home.  Please reply to this email and let me know to which airport you would like her to fly.  One month prior to her departure, and after I receive the airport information from parents of all the missionaries traveling on that date, I will request her travel.   When I receive the itinerary, I will email it to you. 

If you are considering picking her up at the Mission Office, please let me know and I will send you the “Parent pick-up” instruction letter from President Andrews.  I will still need the name of your closest major airport because the Church Travel Department will give her a check in the amount of what the flight would cost. 

I’m sure you are anxiously anticipating your daughter’s return home.  We have been very blessed to have Sister Miller serving here in the Arizona Mesa Mission, even for just this short while.  She is such a special young woman and missionary and we’ll really miss her. 

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Sister Pierce- 

Arizona Mesa Mission Travel & Referral Secretary (480) 500-5422

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~RESPONSE

Hi Sister Pierce

This email makes my heart sing and sink at the same time.  I know that Sadie is feeling the same mixed emotions as April approaches.  What a blessing this experience has been for her- Thank you for your watchfulness over her.  

As far as her flight home, if she could please fly to the BOISE AIRPORT in IDAHO, that is where we will pick her up.  Thank you for coordinating all fo this.  It's hard to believe it's time to start figuring out these details.  I'll watch for more details from you in my email.

Many prayers!

Sister Holly Miller

♥ from Hermana Miller skipping to week 32 (5-5-2020)

....And I'm off! I received my new temporary assignment only days ago, I've been called to serve in the Arizona Mesa Mission. Although my heart is still aching for Ecuador, I feel really blessed to have the opportunity to go out and continue my mission. The unexpected transfer at home and time with my most favorite people ever (the Miller family:) was a bonus blessing that I can't thank the Lord enough for. I have learned things I don't think I could have any other way, but of course, He knew that. It won't be any easier to leave this time, in fact, I think it will be even harder, so I'm counting on Him to help me! It will be a trial of faith for sure, but I know that this next part of my adventure has some custom made blessings and special people to meet waiting, and I can't wait to find out what He has in store for me in Mesa. (If the heat doesn't kill me first,  haha!) Wishing you all health, safety, peace and happiness in these crazy times! Thank you for your love, support, and prayers, you'll never know the strength they've been for me. 

Love, Hermana Miller 

Saying goodbye...again.... on her way to Arizona

With just four days notice, the time came too fast.... what a gift this month together has been.

So, Monday night, Sadie was set apart (by Roarke as the Stake President had delgated that to him) 

With such an early flight the next morning, we told the kids not to get up, and so they hugged it out, we had family prayer and we went to bed.  (not to sleep, but to bed-- it was really hard to fall asleep)

Tuesday morning, May 5th, Roarke found out he had a patient that couldn't move in his schedule, so this daddy daughter love and send off happened bright and early at home.

 Em came with Sadie and I to the airport for some very sweet sister goodbyes~

 knowing they'll still overlap on their missions

It's hard to do a real smile when you are the verge of the "ugly cry"

People kept asking me if it's harder or easier this time.  It's neither. It's just hard- it's very own kind of hard.  But that's okay- we know whose hands she's in and we trust Him!

masks required at airport for Covid-19

"Hurrah for Israel"

I hope Mesa Arizona loves you as much as we do ♥

Waiting on the Lord... but not as patiently as I should be....

You've arrived in Quito.  I only know that because the American Airlines flight tracker says so.  Your flight was delayed so I waited up, by my phone for an email or call- nothing.  I tried to sleep but I couldn't very well. I was sure I'd wake up to a call or text but nothing.  Quito is two hours ahead of us.  I justified it with maybe they got in so late- and then had  a breakfast-- and then as the day has gone on I've just wondered why-- why wouldn't they be allowed to just make a quick call- I need to know she is okay.

A member in one of the airports took this picture and texted it to me- I was so grateful!

I am not the missionary mama that calls the mission office.  (not yet anyway).  I want to be the missionary mama that waits on the Lord-- and I'm really trying- but as I texted Roarke and said, "I really need to know she's okay and she's there" I put down the phone and burst into tears and I felt this surge of love that I have for her-- it was like Mama bear mode and I JUST NEED TO KNOW.  I know the Lord will look out for her-- so I need to trust that.  I know there is so much going on with transitions and getting settled and the late flight- and I think there's a general authority coming to their mission this weekend-- but this mama right here needs to know that Hermana Miller is all right and happy. I think I just need to pray to get some peace.  So I'll go do that right now.

The next day (that's an eternity in a worried mama's heart!) we got a very short email from her and I was so so grateful! So much peace flooded into me with just one little email....

We have a travel itinerary!

Sadie got the news that she has flight plans for Ecuador for November 11th as planned.  There have been a lot of issues in Ecuador as of late though with regard to the government and transportation disputes, striking etc. 

The government officials had to be moved south to Guayaquil for a time to avoid danger with fires and raids.  All of the unrest made it so missionaries in the Quito North mission had to stay in their apartments.  It also meant that the group of missionaries right before Sadie's transfer had to be transferred stateside for a transfer until things settle down.

Sadie isn't really sure if she will get to go to Ecuador on the 11th as planned or not.  There has been some talk of her group also having a stateside transfer.  So we'll see.  We all got excited when we saw this itinerary thinking she was good to go, but she told us everyone gets an itinerary with best case scenario, and then they adjust as needed when it gets close.  She's ready to go-- and excited and scared- all normal- but one thing we do know- is whether she ends up with a stateside transfer  or she goes right to Quito, she's going to go where the Lord can use her. (and we want her to be safe)

This flight plan will mean that she reports to travel office at 2:30am Monday morning and is at the airport around 4 am, to fly out at 6 and travel all day, arriving in Quito at 10 at night... long day!!

And she's off.....

Be still my heart-- the day that felt so far away when she got her mission call finally came. My heart sang and it wept- I watched part of it walk away from me towards a security gate and airplane line.  I've been leaning on the faithful examples of so many missionary mamas who have already done this, many of them several times over, and it has strengthened me to know that if they can, I can.  I can make that kind of sacrifice, I can love my Savior enough to let go....Literally the greatest faith leap of my life-  and while I ache-- I am so so grateful-- because it's right, it's time, she's ready and mostly- I have absolute trust in the Lord because I KNOW HE TAKES CARE OF HIS MISSIONARIES.  She is His- well, she's always been his, on loan to me- but today it felt like I passed the baton back to Him- just for 18 months-- and I trust Him.  I know it will challenge her, humble her, change her, grow her testimony and let her spread her wings.  She will come back to us older, wise, more mature in her understanding of the gospel and the workings of the Holy Ghost.  She'll learn to lead out, and how to follow the spirit.  She will have companions who will be a blessing and some who will stretch her and teach her about compassion and patience.  She's going to return so independent- those amazing blue eyes that will have seen a continent and a people I may never see-- and she will love them dearly.  She will speak Spanish like it's her own language and bear testimony of God's love and the redemptive power,  offered to us by His begotten Son, Jesus Christ.   She will learn to lean on heaven like never before and she'll truly discover the amazing gift that her membership in the church is- and how sharing the truth of the restored gospel, by the power of the spirit will change hearts and draw others to Christ.  This is His work.  This is His hastening and it is an measurable privilege to have a child who wants to please Him, to serve Him, to be His instrument. What  a blessing to send a missionary off-- a beautiful heartbreak, a sweet opportunity -- and so it begins....

Ready to take on Ecuador-- or at least Provo for the next 6 weeks

I wanted to take a picture of her missionary shoes... so shiny- I know they won't come back looking like this

It was actually really hard for us to all smile for this picture-- no one really felt like smiling....

Sadie and Lainey (the bookends)

Sadie and Graham 

Sadie and Avery (the twins)

Sadie and Miles

Sadie and Emma-This one is a tough separation especially not only have they been a duo their entire life, share a room, do everything together- but Emma wants to  go on a mission too- and because they are just 12 months apart in age, they'll  overlap in missionary service-- so this goodbye is a lot longer than 18 months...and I think it was just hard to let go of things that won't ever be the same-- like late night talks, and everything else that growing up with your sister as your very best friend means.

same hug, two angles....

Sadie and Dad

Sadie and Mama

It felt like she was breathing me in and I didn't want to let go....I asked her if it would embarrass her if I came running up to the doors for arriving passengers when she gets home... because I don't think I'll be able to help it. 

But then it was time-- and Sadie is a sunshine always, so she made light of it somehow-- I think by saying "hurrah for Israel" 

and tried to gather herself- and so did we--

and then she was off...

Hermana Miller-

 there goes our heart all wrapped up in a whole lot of faith until April 2021