♥ 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!!