♥ from Arizona week 36 (6-1-2020)

Hola! 

Not much to report this week.  Quarantine life is hard- especially as a missionary.  But I'm grateful for the little and big ways I see the Lord's hand in my life and in HIS work.  We went on a hike (which was more like a 5 mile loop through a lot of cool cactus.)  It's starting to get really hot-- but being inside so much, I don't really mind it. This week I became an official driver after doing some training and a driving test- so I'm excited to drive a little bit on Arizona roads.  Also, when I was at the mission home for the test, I saw a picture of former Mission President Jenkins and his wife (They are from Nampa &  served as Mesa Arizona Mission Presidents before their current assignment in Boise Temple Presidency)  that just made my day because I it reminded me of  when I was a temple worker in the Boise Temple  before my mission--seeing their picture was like a piece of home and a piece of the temple- two things dear to my heart. I'll end with a scripture from the Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi 9:6 “But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.”

-- Much Love from Arizona

Hermana Miller

 My District

♥ from Arizona week 35 (5-25-20)

Well hello from Arizona.  Still in quarantine- but doing our best.  We did have contact with a real live person this week-- which was awesome (and I miss that so much) It happened as one of my companions and I were backing out our other companion who was driving. Everyone in our area pretty much lives in a trailer park, and they have these tiny narrow lanes in between. If you don't know, missionaries cannot move cars in reverse unless their companion is behind the car backing them up. (I didn't till I got here:) It's silly and really embarrassing in busy places, but it's a rule and so we follow it! So if you ever see a sheepish looking kid motioning to a car in reverse, give them a thumbs up. Anyways, one guy was sitting in front of his trailer drinking and we started to talk to him. Long story short, he was super nice and it was like an adrenaline rush to get to talk to a real live person haha. 

This week also we went on a scorpion hunt with our neighbors and that was SO COOL. They came into our backyard with a blacklight and shined it all over the place, until a neon yellow scorpion appeared in the flash light's circle. It's really tan, but for some reason the blacklight makes it crazy bright. So the neighbor guy killed it with a hammer, cut the stinger off, and put it in a ziploc bag to feed to his bearded dragon named Blue. Pretty cool stuff. Then I borrowed his blacklight and conducted a very thorough scorpion hunt in my house and garage. Luckily we didn't find any, but we will have to continue to check throughout the summer. 

Other than that, it's been pretty uneventful, but I'd be hard pressed to try to remember the hundreds of moments where I felt the Spirit or recognized that the Lord is aware of me. It's hard to explain, but I know He is there. 

This week I'd like to challenge you to read Mormon chapter 9. I read it this week and was struck by the power of that chapter like I'd never read it before. It gives me confidence that the Lord is in charge, and that's a beautiful reassurance in these crazy times. 

Lots of love from Apache Junction, 

Hermana Miller  

♥ from Hermana Miller Week 34 (5-18-20)

   

Hola a todos!

It is still hot, but more like in high 90s so it is cooling down! Although you have to take shelter in the afternoons, the mornings and evenings are so beautiful, and the sunsets here are to die for. I like our area a lot too, Apache Junction is the legit desert, and that's kinda fun.. We had a great lesson last night, it was so fun to be talking face to face with people again, although I felt a little rusty with both my Spanish and my teaching skills! But I can see the Lord helping and blessing me everyday to be able to be and do more than I ever could on my own, with the language, the companions, the change in pace and style of working, all of it. I think it's funny how with almost everything in the gospel, at first we don't want to do something, for example: spend a long time reading the scriptures, or go to church, or talk to a stranger, or talk about the gospel with a close nonmember friend, or whatever else it may be that is "inconvenient" or puts us out of our comfort zone. Then as soon as we humble ourselves enough to trust the Lord, and to give Him our all no matter the situation, then we see him work miracles through us and in us. And the best part is that we always find ourselves pleasantly surprised by the way doing that makes us feel and the abilities that we have (or are blessed with) to accomplish whatever He has asked of us. I've been trying my best to remember that as I'm faced with situations that I can either label as blockades stopping me from what I want or an opportunity to submit my will to the Lord's and realize that His plan is always better than mine. So I challenge you this week to ponder that when you're faced with trials or "problems" of any nature, and I can promise you that God will truly take you by the hand and lead you to where He wants you to go and turn you into what he wants you to be. Trust him. 

Thank you for your love and prayer!

Love from Mesa, 

Hermana Miller 

♥ from hermana Miller week 33 (5-12-20)

Hello everyone, 

I made it to Mesa and the heat hasn't killed me yet haha, although it's been a gnarly 110 degrees all week. My area is in Apache Junction, basically the "boonies", but even though I joke that they must have filmed the ugly planets of Star Wars here, it has its own unique kind of beauty. The cacti are pretty legit, some of them are taller than phone poles! My companions (I'm in a trio) are both very sweet Canadians. They've had their own rough go having been in quarantine for nearly two months now, so although welcoming a bunch of reassigned foreign missionaries has been a big adjustment for everyone involved, it's also going to be a great opportunity and challenge to be creative and learn how to do the Lord's work even in this worldwide pandemic. Thank you for your love and support and prayers, you are in mine. When all is said and done, it is a blessed day to be a missionary. 

Much love from Mesa, 

Hermana 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 ♥

Letter to President Chacon, Ecuador Quito North

5-1-2020

Presidente,

I think I waited so long to write this because it makes me very emotional, so please forgive me. I can't find the words to tell you how grateful I am for you and your sweet family, and the impact that you've had on my life, even in what felt like a very short six months. You taught me to become the missionary that I wanted to be, and reading through the notes that I took during conferences or after interviews has been a strength like no other to me in this time. On the really hard days I imagine you singing, "I'm dancing in the rain..." or pretending to do a hip bump with Elder Holland. :) This is the hardest thing that has ever happened to me; some days it's like a physical ache in my chest. I guess that means I lead a pretty easy and blessed life, but really, I've never faced something that has broken my heart like leaving behind the country and the people that I'd come to love so much on such a whim. I can't imagine the stress and pressure you must have been under those last few weeks. But all you had for us at the airport was smiles and positivity, and even though I didn't feeling like a photo-shoot at the time haha, some pictures I'm very grateful to have now. Thank you for taking such good care of all of us. I always felt safe and looked after and I knew that you were always going to do what was best for me. I can imagine that it's been its own unique trial of faith to lose so much of the mission, and I hope you know you and the mission are in my every prayer. They've said it to me time and time again since I've been home, that the Lord knew who His missionaries would be when this pandemic would change the world and change missionary work, and that He knew, as President Eyring so eloquently said in conference, that we were the ones who "could do hard things well". Well, I'm sure that that must be doubly true of mission presidents. Please also thank sweet Mama Chacon, she's such a light, and I love her. Also Esther, she was a blessing to me from the start, and one of my very first friends, and I wish her all the best. I received my new temporary reassignment just days ago and I leave early tomorrow. I'll be serving in the Arizona Mesa Mission. And while it isn't Ecuador Quito Norte, I'm going to try to learn to love it like I loved Ecuador, although that's quite the challenge. And while I'm sure my next mission president will be fantastic, it'll also be a challenge to learn to love him like I loved you. Thank you for being such a role model and strength for me always, you'll never know in this life, I think, the lasting impact that you've had on us missionaries. It's pretty incredible. So, I have eleven months left on my mission. I don't know if you'll see me back in Ecuador as one of your missionaries, but look for me, because if the opportunity is ever extended to me, I'll be on a flight to Quito ASAP. :) Meanwhile, I'm off to Mesa, telling myself over and over again, "Miedo no."  Thank you for your service to me, to all of us missionaries, and to the Lord.  

Love, Hermana Sadie Miller

HIS RESPONSE:

From: Jorge A Chacon <jchacon@churchofjesuschrist.org>
Date: Tue, May 5, 2020, 6:42 AM
Subject: RE: Le extraño Presidente!
To: Sadie Miller <miller.sadie@missionary.org>

Nuestra muy querida Hermana Miller,

Nos ha llenado de gran felicidad saber de usted – también la extrañamos y muchooooo!!!. He intentado llamarla al teléfono que tengo en el sistema pero siempre cae en la contestadora. Quiero que sepa que la amamos y estamos muy felices de saber que continuará sirviendo al Señor. Yo no tenía la menor duda que usted seguiría sirviendo y sé que lo hará con todo su corazón, alma mente y fuerza, de la misma manera como sirvió en su misión Ecuador Quito Norte.

Le escribo en Español porque quiero que siga practicando para cuando regrese a Ecuador. Sepa que el Señor le acompañará y también estará cada día nuestras oraciones por usted. Nunca olvide que usted está Viviendo su Sueño y gracias a eso usted está dando la oportunidad que otros vivan su sueño también.

Cuando tenga un tiempo por favor lea en la biblia Joshua capitulo 1. Josué iba a comenzar su ministerio como líder del pueblo de Israel después de la partida de Moisés y se sentía incapaz de lograrlo. El Señor le da a Josué la misma instrucción 4 veces. Lea con detenimiento cual es esa instrucción y haga lo mismo. Sé que usted tendrá gran éxito en todo lo que haga en su vida. Usted es una princesa hija de nuestro Padre Celestial, y aún mejor, es una princesa valiente.

La amamos y estaremos orando por usted siempre. Usted es nuestra hija y nunca lo dejará de ser. En nuestros corazones quedará siempre las hermosas impresiones que aprendimos de usted, su buen ánimo, su esfuerzo por aprender, su determinación de servir al Señor, su compromiso como mujer virtuosa, su generosidad con sus compañeras y las personas que enseñaba, su sonrisa que testifica del gozo que tiene por vivir el evangelio, su conversión que nos mueve a todos a ser mejores personas. Gracias por haber servido en Ecuador, por haber atesorado las enseñanzas que le dimos, gracias por sus oraciones y por su amor autentico y gracias por ser una misionera EXTRAORDINARIA.

Esta es su misión y siempre será así.

Hasta que nos veamos otra vez, con todo nuestro amor.

Presidente y Hermana Chacon

Jorge A Chacon
President
Ecuador Quito North Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Cel: +593-98-481-2371

jchacon@ChurchOfJesusChrist.org

Another Mission Call... temporary Reassignment

Reading her call....Temporary reassignment to the ARIZONA MESA MISSION

And just like that Arizona becomes a part of her story and a part of her heart.

 So super exciting for all of us to find out her news.... she said she had some mixed emotions because for sure her heart is still in Ecuador.  She wanted this reassignment call to make everything that's been unsettling feel right, but it didn't.  Still a faith leap.  She is thrilled with her new assignment and on board and ready to fall in love with everything but the crazy heat, but it's still not easy... I guess it wasn't designed to be.  The trick is believe that it is God's design and He is in the details and will bless this sweet hermana.  Oh Mesa, you are so so lucky to get this one!

Mission Intermission April 2020

 

♥ from Hermana Miller week 26 (4-2-2020) & the beginning of my MISSION INTERMISSION

Hello to all, Sorry it's been awhile, needless to say, things have been really crazy. 

Today is my 6th month mark as a missionary and I wish I was writing from Ecuador, but 'm home now. After 11 long days of intense quarantine in Ecuador, (no opening the front door and police on the streets all night picking up people outside) a willing member came in the middle of the night to get us out of our house. We left in gloves, masks, and goggles. It took me about 48 hours to get home, but after quite the adventure I'm safely here and very grateful for that. I don't understand a lot right now about what is going to happen, but what I do know is that I'm at home in "self-isolation quarantine" (meaning that I can't leave my house) for two weeks. I will be receiving a reassignment as soon as possible- but not really sure what timeframe that really means. Originally, the new assignments were going to be more systematic and logistic, but President Nelson has said that he wants each reassignment to come directly from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I think that's pretty neat, and I know that I will be reassigned based on revelation to another place that the Lord needs me (in the states most likely)- although I would LOVE to return to Ecuador.... (and that's an understatement)

I already miss Ecuador like crazy. That place and the people there will always have a piece of my heart. It was so hard to  leave. It hadn't even really sunk in yet-  probably because when I left, we were just so focused on getting out. I think this may be one of the hardest things that's ever happened to me.

 One thought that's really brought me a lot of comfort in this time is that Heavenly Father loves me, has a plan for me, and will take care of me. That's a principle I've always taught and always believed, but now I've got to really trust it, because it is a lifeline for me right now. If He loves me, and always has my best interests in mind, and has a perfect plan for me that can't be foiled, then what am I worried about? It's of course easier said than done, especially when your heart feels broken, but I know that to be true. The Lord is in the details and if I am faithful to Him and to His commandments, I cannot fail. It's a pretty incredible truth. 

This week is going to be an exciting one! It is the two hundredth anniversary of Joseph Smith's incredible First Vision, when God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to a boy in a grove of trees in answer to his prayer. Through Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ established His gospel again, the same gospel that He established when he lived here on Earth. Can we just pause a moment and consider the magnitude of that truth? God the Father and Jesus Christ have established their Church, and, since the time of Joseph, we have had a living prophet to lead and guide us. How grateful I am for that! It is not coincidence that before the world went upside down, we were focusing on home-centered gospel learning. It is not a coincidence that for years we've been doing our best to have home food storage. It isn't coincidence that this generation of young adults are technology wizzes and thus our ability to share the gospel isn't limited. It isn't coincidence that the Lord's priesthood power isn't limited to the church buildings, but to all worthy men to administer the sacrament to their families and those around them. It isn't coincidence that in recent years we have been taught to minister in higher and holier ways and have learned how to better take care of each other. It isn't coincidence because God is speaking to His prophet, Russell M. Nelson, and He is leading and guiding the affairs of His church. How blessed we are! So I would invite you, each of you, member or otherwise to tune in this coming weekend April 4 and 5, and listen to God's prophet, because he is going to speak to the world. He will be sharing with you what God would like you to know. It's an opportunity that is both collective for the Church, and individual as we prepare ourselves to hear His voice. I can PROMISE YOU, and I feel really strongly about it because if you take me up on this invitation you really will receive blessings, that if you will listen to what President Nelson has to say this weekend, and just come and see, you will feel the love God has for you personally, you will recognize him to be a prophet of God, and that as you follow his counsel, you will be blessed and protected and so will your families. I KNOW that is true, and if you're open and willing He will change your life. I've seen it time and time again in my own life, in the life of my family, and in the lives of those I had the blessing to come to know and love in Ecuador. 

I'm so grateful for each and every one of you and your love, support, and prayers, and emails. You are the Lord's hands to lift and strengthen me when I need it most. I'll send out another email when I have a reassignment to share-- hope it's soon!

Lots of love from Nampa, 

Hermana Miller