♥ from Hermana Miller week 58 (11-2-20)

 It was a good week in Mesa, aside from the fact that it got hot again haha, pero allí vamos. :) 

Angelique was baptized on Saturday, that was a happy day, and her family is doing well. The other people we had on date have kinda flaked out, but we are gonna go out and round them back up this week! So more on them coming soon.

 I wish I had something more interesting to say.... one miracle this week was that an Elder from my mission in Ecuador showed up in Mesa this transfer! It was so fun to see him and talk to him... he was at home for 6 months. Super neat, and we got so hyped about our area there, Ibarra. :)

 I've been thinking a lot this week about making habits stick...it's something that's always been hard for me! But it's like we learn in Mosiah, right, overcoming the natural man is a long, hard fight. So with that in mind, I'd invite you to consider this week president Nelson's definition of repentance: "change". Okay, think about it for a sec, and now go do something about it! Don't quit it when it doesn't work the first or second or even tenth time. Adjust and pray for help and step back into the ring- go at it some more. I know it isn't easy, that we get tired, busy, bored, distracted, frustrated, lazy, etc. But that process, that tenacity to fight for change that in this moment you might not even be able to believe will ever come about, is applying Christ's blood, his Atonement, on the daily. And it is important and doable (with Him) and it brings so much joy. I'm in the middle of a few natural man fights myself at the moment (well, we always are) and I can promise you that even when it's hard to understand (because right now I don't feel successful either, and the change really is imperceptible) it is absolutely the purpose of this life and exactly what Heavenly Father wants for you. So get on your knees...again...and reset. That's the word for me this week, I'm just going to try my very best and everyday, or hour if need be, I'm going to RESET and give it my next best effort. Hope you'll join with me this week and focus on how we can CHANGE to be more like Christ. 

Lots of love from Mesa, 

Hermana Miller 

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