I'm 21!

Hey everyone-

I love you all so, so much and appreciated so very much the birthday package that was oh “so beautifully simple, and simply beautiful, like the gospel”. I am going to make the caramel brownies soon. I just got the package yesterday, and haven't had time yet.

We just had an awesome day in Segovia. It was just splendid to go back and remember times with Elder Peterson and Elder Jensen, and the members contacts, people and places. I wish I could take it all home with me in my bags. It was awesome because we were able to go out on the balcony off the front of the castle - the far point of the cliff where it has never been open before when I was there. It must be a summer thing. We were going to go with our district, the six of us, plus Elder Karren and his companion. It almost worked out, but Elders Read and Gerrbo didn't come, and the Barrio 9 hermanas, who live with the hermanas in our district decided to come with us.

So that rotten old Elder Ott can stop giving me beef about preparation days with hermanas. The elders are just flaky on our plans sometimes, and wouldn't it be funny if I had to flake on the Toledo plans with him for next week.

I got 23 wonderful birthday emails! I think that's a new record for me. Jackson wrote me an email. Can you thank him? The letter he sent me a month and a half a go got lost, or is hopefully on the way. I hope it comes before I leave. Also, I want to do a general thank-you to Rusty, Ike, Sophie, Tess, Susie, Mike Manning, Yasmin and her family, Elder Ott (even though it was a half shout out, half stab in the back), Eliza, Dad, Mom, Merky and Gary, Grandma and Grandpa, Nancy, Ashley and Evan. Thanks so much for taking the time to shoot me a line. It was all well received and super appreciated.

I just wanted to check that my new home email address is morganmiller88@gmail.com. If that isn't it, can you please get in touch with Hermana Farnsworth through Facebook or email to tell her what it is. We have Zone Conference next Wednesday, and I haven't used that email ever, so I'm not sure if I remember it. I have to tell the mission office my home email, so they can put it in the newsletter they are going to give out on Tuesday at the first-last Zone Conference. I want to make sure I give them the right email, so everyone can stay in contact with me if they want to.

So, this week I will start off with talking up the members of Barrio 3 again, because they are the best I have seen on my mission. We taught 11 less active member or recent convert lessons last week to great people who are coming back to church. Every week this transfer, at least once, we have had an encounter with a new less active member that just found us on the street and contacted us and didn't know where the church was, or we contacted them thinking they weren't members. There are 4 that I can recall right now, and one that came to church last week is doing great. We found another one yesterday, and I hope he and his family get reactivated soon. A lot of the work Elder Jeppson and I have been offered by the Lord this transfer, has been teaching members and asking for referrals, working with less active members, and helping them back to church, and then working with amazing recent converts like Alex and helping other recent converts be more like Alex.

We do have a sweet investigator now, though. He is Bolivian and about 25 years old. He is oh so nice, and oh such an amazing person. He was a referral from Elder Read and is just awesome. In this district, more than any other, we have a great unity and just an awesome passing of investigators, referrals and we work together as a team. The hermanas have a baptismal date with Narcissa, who had stopped progressing and her husband wouldn't listen or participate. They both are just doing awesome now and have baptismal dates for the 4th of July to be baptized. The other elders have a date with Israel, who moved from our area to their area. The referrals just flow through from one to another. Its great, and we are all just working “one for all and all for one”.

We had an awesome lesson with Johnny on Saturday, and it was just amazing. Afterwords, he read 3rd Nephi 11 and prayed, and felt the confirmation that it is a true book and that Joseph Smith is a prophet. So we have a great stepping stone with him, and will work towards baptism with him.

We have weekly Family Night at the chapel for the ward members, and the missionaries can come if we take investigators. This week, the missionaries put it on, and I gave the lesson on the Book of Mormon. It went really well, and then we had brownies from the hermanas and cowboy cookies from me. (Elder Read's mom's recipe with chocolate chips or in Spain, chocolate chunks, coconut, oatmeal, and corn flakes.) They're great, and the noche de hogar went awesome. Both of the members we asked for referrals on Thursday brought them to the noche de hogar on Friday. The hermanas are going to teach them, seeing as they are all women, but it was awesome to see the members just being great missionaries.

I love this gospel and I love this missionary work, and I hope to be a missionary my whole life as a member, if I can't stay on a full time mission for the rest of my life.

I love you so much.

Love, Elder Miller

6-10-09

From: elder.miller@myldsmail.net
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009

Well, another week has flown by too fast! I need to slow down time. Thanks Ginny and Joe Shaw, Becky, Abbie, Grandma, Mom and Dad for the awesome emails. I loved seeing the photos. It was sweet to see Evan's hair so long. It will be interesting to see it short again. Also, I liked the ones of the little cousins. Please thank Grandma Linda and Doug for the birthday card and the letter. It was so very much appreciated. I especially was touched by Grandma's comments on Memorial Day and the specialness of it. Thanks to all the grandparents for their support financially as well.

As far as President and Hermana Farnsworth, they are headed out between the 1st and the 4th of July, and we have one last Zone Conference with them on week 4 of this transfer, and then a Zone Conference week 5 with the new Mission President the week after that I think. We have interviews on June 18th at the mission home with a bbq, which should be just delightful and awesome. Hopefully the birthday package comes by next Monday and if not, it will come eventually.

By the way, Elder Matthews is living in a piso with the other Elder Miller.

So last week, I didn't give details about the District. Elder Murga the Peruvian, left to go to Valladolid, and Hermana Cachari (p.s. Hermana Cachari told me I look like Oscar de la Hoya. Correct her if she is wrong. I can't remember what he looks like, so you will have to be the judge.) left to go to the Barcelona Mission. The new-comers are Hermana Ball, a trainee with Hermana Lester, and then Elder Gerrbo from Sweden is with Elder Read. Elder Gerrbo is 6´4, and blond, and looks way Swedish. He knows tons of languages and is a Taekwondo black belt. He is way funny and off the wall. One interesting fact about him is that the Cammans live in his Ward in Sweden. Brother Cammans and Elder Gerrbo were both Ward Missionaries together. Brother Cammans is way close to Elder Gerrbo's sick dad, and visits him all the time. Also, Patrick Cammans was in Young Men's with him and they switched from doing it in Swedish to English when Patrick arrived. We are going to send over a letter with a picture to the Cammans with the two of us together. What a small world.

Like I told you last week, I am now with Elder Jeppson. He is way interesting. He is struggling with the language, but we work on it daily and we are teaching a ton of members, and practicing the missionary lessons which is helping him open-up. I´ve decided he is a mix between Sean McPharlin that went to Olympus with me and is in our Stake, and Diego, the kid that was Evan's age and came to our ward for awhile. Elder Jeppson played football in high school and at Dixie State. He also did drama and lots of stage crew stuff. He is big into computer games, but bigger into Halo and video games. He is from a way little town in California, and is the youngest of 8 children. He´s the only red head. His family is spread all over from Missouri, North Carolina, Idaho, California, Arizona, and none in Utah. He´s a way big country music fan, and I only know one Rascal Flatts song, and one Garth Brooks song. Our common ground is football and missonary work. So we just work our tails off. Elder Jeppson has had some interesting moments, and often looses his train of thought during lessons, always leading to funny moments. After his first lesson, he fell down the stairs while a member and I both watched helplessly. I love Elder Jeppson. He keeps me happy and having a great time.
Well, we will keep making funny memories and working hard. Have a great week.

I love you all so much.

Much love from Spain.


Love, Elder Miller

Last transfer

Hey everybody!

With transfers first off, I´m still in Barrio 3, but not with Elder Karren, sadly. I am with a new missionary in his first transfer. It's way cool because Elder Peterson, that I trained, is training as well, and we got a picture with him and me and his trainee. So my new companion is Elder Jeppson from Blythe, California, near the Arizona border. He is way nice and I'm excited to be with him. He has big desires and so we are just going to work our guts out.

Alex´s baptism went great! Actually, it was amazing! Elder Karren ended up doing the baptism when the member who was going to do it couldn't come, but other than that change, it went flawless. Alex´s mom came! She loved it and just was crying a lot, a lot. She loved it, and is really opening up to the hermanas. I gave a talk at the baptism, and then the rest was members singing to Alex and talking and bearing testimony. The young single adults did amazing for him. This was the second young single adult baptism in Barrio 3 in the transfer, so they are just awesome members to help us with our investigators of those ages. Wow, confusing sentence, sorry.

I got a great email from Hadley a few weeks ago, and I just loved it soo much, and then forgot to mention it. Thanks Had!

That is crazy about the swine flu at the Provo MTC.

Thanks for the emails and all the updates. Now, to let you in on what's going on here. We have Carlos and Elma still, but they haven't come to church, sadly. Also, we have Randy, and things are going really well with him. He came to Alex's baptism, and it went way well to have him there.

Thanks for everything you do.

Love, Elder Miller

5-27-09

Hey how are things? Tell Tiffany thanks for the email, Tiffany formerly Evans that is... weird. Today we went to the temple at 8:00 and now we are emailing and we are going to go hang out at the capilla with the district and some other elders in the mission. We are going to cook up some good grub as well. It should be a relaxing preparation day as apposed to the traveling ones we have been having. That's so great that Becky Swim, Kathy Jones and Emily Bourne are going on missions. Elder Karren is actually friends with Emily's cousin from Skyline, Lizzy Bourne.
Our address, I'm not sure which building it is, but it is on Calle Juan Francisco, and I would guess it's number 1. It's on the very end nearest the Plaza Oporto we live by.
As a birthday request, I would just like some hard copy pictures of me with long hair and Evan with long hair, however many you want to send, I think that would be a fun present. Other than that, you don't need to send any banners or birthday stuff. I kept the ones from last year to use throughout the year for other elders, and then for my birthday next month, and Elder Karren just got a bunch of party hats and stuff that we saved. But, a box cake mix of sorts would be neat. I don't really need anything though.
So as far as this last week in church, Robert, the 28-year-old Austrian who was in Barrio 5, came to Barrio 3 this week. I think to see a girl he likes who is in our young single adults. He is so awesome and it was fun to see him. Also we saw Thomas, who lives right next to the border between Barrios 3 and 5. We were on our way to Alex's and we got to talk to him and catch up a bit and have a nice laugh. He is so funny and just a dynamite recent convert. At church, tons of less active members came this week, which was awesome. We had quite a few lessons with less active members the week before and were able to light the fire under them a little and get them to church. Carlos and Elma couldn't come to church because he works until 4 or 5 every day, and so we need him to be able to get off at 4:00 at the latest so he can come for Sacrament Meeting at 4:45. I hope it works out this week. We are teaching them tonight and their little girls are as nice as ever, and their parents are great investigators.
So the big transfer news comes next week, and I sure hope Elder Karren stays here with me next transfer. That would be by far my number one choice. He is helping me with my workout plan. It involves getting up early, the 20 minute "repentance run" as I have named it, due to the fact that you just give it all you've got down hill for 8:30 seconds and then back up is exactly that - UP the whole way and a real leg work out.
The even cooler part is that the destination is the Athletico Madrid Stadium Vincente Calderon, right on the Rio Manzanares. The freeway goes under the stadium. It's a great sight right before we trek back up the hill. When we get back, we just do a general piso work out. Elder Karren and I just get along amazing! We have a fun companionship and work well together.
The best news of all is about Alex. ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡HE PASSED HIS BAPTISMAL INTERVIEW!!!!!!!! I am sooooo excited for him. He is so changed to a man of God from a man of the world. He came to church 40 minutes early to watch Kenny, the teacher who always sets up the sacrament, and learn how for after his baptism, and he didn't want to be late. He told us he made food on Saturday so he didn't have to even cook Sunday, but rather he could just focus on keeping the Sabbath day holy. He is so excited for home teaching you would think he was going to get a Ferrari if he does it, but he just wants to visit the members and share the First Presidency message with them. He has been really integrated with the young single adults who are going to do a special musical number at his baptism and then lots are participating in the program. His baptism is going to be Saturday at 10:00, so we will see what crazy thing decides to go wrong, and try to think on our feet to fix them. I hope all will go well. Elder Karren hasn't given a blessing in Spanish or English yet, let alone a confirmation, but I helped Alex choose him so he could have the opportunity. He will do great, but he is pretty nervous. Alex's mom is coming along super slowly, and we still haven't been able to teach her a sit down lesson, but she is reading the Book of Mormon. Alex is in 2 Nephi: 23, and just eating up the Book of Mormon. I just can't say enough amazing things about him. He is the most changed and prepared investigator I have taught on my mission.
I love this work. The Lord prepares his elect. His sheep are numbered and he knows their names. He wants us all to come unto him and is always extending his hand to us and wants us in his fold or to come back to the fold.
Have an amazingly awesome week wherever you may be. I love you all. Much love from Spain.

Love Elder Miller

Oh yeah, Mom, can you send this email to Elder Karren's mom again. Thanks!

Consuegra, Spain

Hi from Consuegra!

From: elder.miller@myldsmail.net
Date: Wed, 20 May 2009

Today we are in Consuegra, where there are sweet windmills and a castle. It is in La Mancha near Toledo and Ciudad Real. Last week we went to Ventas the Plaza de Toros, the bullring of Madrid, which is spectacular. We took a tour, and it was awesome. The month of May is the biggest month for bullfights and they have one every day with 4-6 bulls fought at each one. We didn't see a fight, but just being there was fun and we got to take pictures the torero's cape, which is pink and yellow. Then the red cloth that he uses at the end when he has the finishing sword at the end of the fight. It was great. Next week we are probably going to go to Tony Roma's with Elder Sewell and his companion as a goodbye. He has plans to visit for 1 or 2 weeks during Thanksgiving later this year, so hopefully that works out, and you all can meet him then.
Last night we taught an awesome mother and father who are actually legally married. They are just way nice and had amazing questions. Their answers to our questions showed that they were really applying themselves to learn what the spirit was whispering to them. They are Carlos and Elma from Peru, and they are about 30 and have 2 little girls - Fiorela (5) and Mirella (9). They are a referral from Elder Murga and Elder Read. They are just great. They were sad when the first cita didn't work out, and we were worried that it wouldn't work out the second time or ever. But then last night it went great and they ate our message up. They are way excited to have the next lesson with the girls there, who were out playing at the park with a friend and the friend's mom. The littlest girl, Fiorela, ran to the door when we were leaving and was like, "Wait- I want to give you a chuche. (A little candy, usually soft and delicious but sometimes rock hard because the stores have had them on the shelf so long, but this was a good one). So it has been rough only having Alex to teach, but he is amazing, and now we have 4 investigators so its great. The members are awesome though, and so we have 1-5 member lessons depending on the day. Its great, and we are just following "Preach My Gospel" teaching the missionary lessons and getting referrals. I love teaching the members because they almost always put a lot into the lesson, and when people really want to learn they do from the spirit. But also you get out of it what you put into the learning experience and so that's why we have to find the elect. Alex is golden. We found out one rough part in his past from Ukraine, where he grew up until 12 years old and then came here. President Farnsworth will be doing his interview and it should go well because Alex understands repentance, wants with all his heart to be baptized, recognizes what's gone wrong, wants to make it better. We will see how it goes on Sunday, but pray for Alex. He accepted tithing, offerings, fasting, word of wisdom, chastity, and its like he would have lived them his whole life if he only knew about it all. He got frustrated when we contacted a person in the street on the way to the fireside this week The fireside was with the 2 former mission presidents of the Madrid Mission, tons of former missionaries, current missionaries, and members. It was a great experience. They rejected us really hard, and Alex was just like "How could the people do that to you? This message is true, and if I had known this stuff all along, I would have been living it. I just had to wait to finally receive it." He is really excited to prepare for a mission, and oh, he is just amazing.
Also some old investigators that I taught in Barrio 5 got baptized. Alcides and his wife got baptized by Elder Moreno in Barrio 8. They are family of Bernardo and Lorenza, recent converts who gave us tons of referrals in Barrio 5. Alcides is the one who waited to pick up his wife from Paraguay to get baptized, and his son was already baptized in Paraguay. That's awesome. Also, Eva and Juan Carlos, who were also referrals from Bernardo, were baptized in Paraguay. They are the ones who moved back the week before Elder McBride left Barrio 5. They got married and baptized. Its just wonderful the blessings the gospel brings to families. Miguel Angel from Mostoles was sealed in the temple, and I just found out today. I was so sad to not have found out before because I would have been able to attend, since Elder Brown and I taught him, and then he was baptized while we were there. But the important part is that they are an eternal family with their 2 boys. This gospel is so amazing.
We had Zone Conference yesterday, and it went really well. We learned about the atonement, and practiced contacting. The main focus was creating Zion in companionships, then districts, then zones, and just being a team. It was kind of like a "one for all and all for one" theme. It went well, and I learned a ton. Elder Sewell gave his final testimony at the Zone Conference, and I was way sad to see him up there for two reasons. He is going home to England, and I am next. It is really surreal. It scares me and makes me sad more than anything.
I have been able to cut a lot of hair here in Barrio 3. I have cut Elder Read's and Elder Murga's hair twice now, and then Elder Karren's once and my own once. I'm getting pretty proficient with a missionary cut tapered, and just long enough to part. So, have a great week, have fun in Lake Powell and at Tiffany's reception. Tell everyone I say "Hi".
Thanks for all you do for me and your support and love. I love you all so much.
Much love from Spain.
Love, Elder Miller

5-13-09

From: elder.miller@myldsmail.net

The fireside with Elder Bednar on Sunday night was very interesting. We took Alex, our investigator from the Ukraine with us, and he really liked it. He told us how much he could tell that Elder Bednar knew the problems of these days and the needs of teens and young people. It was great, and afterwards we had a temple tour with Hermana Salas and Hermana Toone. Alex loved it and gave amazing answers to their questions. He says he is counting the days to go to the temple grounds again for the next charla foganera or fireside.
The Madrid Open started last Friday and goes until this Sunday. The arena it takes place in is very near us. You will have to check out some of the matches.
Elder McBride's dad is doing amazing. He did have to get a pacemaker, but it all went well and life is going good for him.
Jose is doing all right but he works like a mad man. He accepts everything, but doesn't have time to come to church or hardly ever can he meet. Alex, as I said, is doing great. He has quit the occasional social cigarette he would smoke, drinking, and coffee, his real addiction. He works at their restaurant that has a bar where he prepares all of those things and sells them to others, and is able to resist them. He is amazing. He hasn't missed a single lesson out of the 4 a week that we have had. He has been to church 3 times now. He is coming to the baptism of Diana (20 from Ecuador) an investigator of the hermanas'. Alex's mom isn't a believer in religions, but does believe in God. She was raised in the Ukraine in a time when they weren't aloud to practice religion I think, and so it just made things hard for her. Besides, the Orthodox Church has some interesting beliefs.
We ate at the restaurant that Alex and his mom own, and it was way good. They served us a catfish that was about 10 inches long with its tail in its mouth, so it was in a circle. Then it was battered with the skin and all and deep-fried. It was way interesting. Alex studied to be a chef/bar tender/waiter for 4 years so he is just a way good cook. I love the people here. They are amazing! I love being in Barrio 3 and I love the mission.
Much love from the happiest place on earth, not Disneyland, Spain.
Love, Elder Miller