January 21

Hey everyone thanks for the emails this week! First off, Grandma Judy wanted to know what I wanted for Valentines Day, and all I can think of is the cherry cookies with the Hershey’s kisses on them. That’s all I can think of though. Also, I just wanted to tell Grandma Linda thanks for the awesome letters she has sent the last two weeks, as she says by "snail mail". Thanks Grandma Linda and Grandma Judy for staying in touch. Thanks for all you guys do for me.
Just to fill you in on some things, I bought a sweater for 15 euros and a brown suit for 80 euros since it is discount time, or in Spanish - rebajas. I just wanted to let you know on those things.
Zone Conference went well, and we taught about baptismal challenges and how we can better them by being more specific and cutting to the chase. We learned about spiritual gifts, having more faith, doing things now and not procrastinating, being bold and not overbearing, about prayers using Elder Bednar’s last talk, among other things. It was just great. Also, interviews went weird due to the snow they were cancelled, but the elders from Castilla were down here anyway, and so they received the training but weren’t interviewed until Wednesday and Thursday night. The rest of the zone received the training and interviews Friday morning. So it was split up into 4 days, which was kind of a hassle.
It was great to have the elders from Valladolid come on exchanges in our area, and then we went on exchanges here with the Salamanca elders (I went with both Elders Stearns from Oregon, and Elder Sewell, my old companion the next day. It was great to see him again and teach with him on Wednesday night and Thursday night. It was great to have basically 3 extra nights in our area. Due to that, and lots of things going right, and lessons not falling through, we had the best statistical week of my mission, with meeting all but one goal. We were able to teach a ton, and involve the members in 12 lessons with investigators.
The members are really stepping it up, and the Lord is providing people to teach. Dora and Quirico came to church, and are still on track for the 7th of February. They loved coming to church and they get along well with the members. We had a lesson where we took over recent converts, Daniel and Iris and there son and daughter, who Elder Ott actually started teaching, and they talk about him all the time. Then they were baptized after he left. It was a great lesson, and then we set to have the member family pick up Dora and Quirico, but the reverse happened. Dora and Quirico went to Daniel’s house and waited while they finished getting ready. So they are doing well. Also Elder Haynie’s Zone Leaders told me Monday, that Tak and Rei are just doing way good. They are just super ready, so I am excited for them, and the “Gospel Principles” books that you sent can be a sweet baptism gift for them.
Yesterday I went on exchange with Elder Goldhardt in the other Barrio 5 area, and it went great. We taught the Word of Wisdom to a way great couple, and the law of chastity to a way great family. Also, we were able to teach a man from Romania about the Restoration. This Gospel is amazing and the commandments are just so great. I love to teach them and really sound like a missionary robot right now talking about lessons and conferences and exchanges.
I got to see Presidente Jabonero from Mostoles. We used to eat at his house bi-weekly and on Sundays. He is a counselor in the Stake Presidency and came to help us reorganize a little bit here. They re-organized the Elders Quorum. They called a replacement executive secretary for the guy that moved to America to go to school, and finally organized the English Sunday School for the 10 or so Filipinos and the 8 or so Americans. They also organized a preparation class to become elders and receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. They also gave Andres the priesthood. So things are just going great here in Barrio 5. The work is just going great, and the ward is just really doing better. One thing that has just been way awesome is member referrals. We are teaching 6 member referrals right now from our Paraguayan recent converts. They have just caught fire and want to help us a ton.
My companion and I are eating well. We have made enchiladas, fajitas and meaty spaghetti sauce this last week. Also, the members have been feeding us as well. We ate at a big barbeque at the Paraguayan’s house. Their names are Bernardo and Lorenza Ortiz. They had all their family over for their anniversary, and we were able to teach a lesson to their family. We ate steak, bratwurst, sausages, potatoes, sweet potatoes, salad, Spanish bread, and then Paraguayan corn bread called sopa (we had it before I think I mentioned it, but instead of being like a dessert it is cheesy). We ate at another Paraguayan home and had what was like a chicken cordon bleu with beef instead of chicken and eggs inside as well, and then Spanish tortilla, which is like an omelet with potatoes.
I sure love you all. The spiritual thought for the week, which I am not very good at remembering to put in my emails, is from the last conference in October, Elder Bednar’s amazing talk on prayer. It was kind of a part 2 continuation to his Spring conference talk, but this one is just awesome. It is about praying always and just always praying (Alma 37:36-37). Well we are off to do some food shopping, and maybe get my companion some new running shoes. Thanks for all you do, and much love from España.
Love, Elder Miller