January 30, 2012 Email

Hi everyone. This week has been pretty sweet but super crazy at the same time. It's been hard to understand others in the branch when they speak because they speak so fast I can't understand them at all. But over all it's been good. 

This week has been a little rough though because alot of the investigators have cancelled on us. But we finally got an appointment with Carlos and Abby. They're both super awesome people. Carlos is crazy. They have a 4 year old son named Johnathan. He's super funny too. He's very much like his dad. They're going to get married really soon and after that we have to wait four weeks and they can be baptized. They really want to be so hopefully it all works out for us and they'll get baptized. Ya the first lesson I had with an investigator was with them... and we talked about the law of chastity which was a little awkward I'm not going to lie but it's all good. It turned out how it was supposed to. That doesn't mean it's not awkward though. The members of the branch are crazy but awesome. We go visit Toledo, Pongo and Alvero a few times a week because Alvero is a recent convert. We call them the 3 Lamanites. Also we have a lesson with Diego Rodriguez tonight. He wants to be baptized but he also needs to start working on reading in the Book of Mormon.

I'll send my memory card home sometime soon that way you can see where I'm living. North Carolina is so beautiful I'm loving it here so far. I'm serving in Garner... isn't that where Lucile is from? How's everyone else doing at home? And how's work doing? Tell me if theres anything I can do for y'all ha. I need to get my southern accent on because that's how everyone talks down here and they're as hard to understand as the Spanish is. That's awesome to hear about everyone else and their mission calls. You'll have to go to Ryan's farewell for me and tell him I love him. Ya the other Elder Miller is super sweet. He's very funny and he reminds me a lot of Kadan/Elder Gramps. I'll send my address in a letter to everyone because I'm not exactly sure what it is right now. 

Elder Cartwright, my companion, is pretty funny. He's a great guy. He told me how to tell if they're Hispanic or not by looking for the "lights" Christmas lights year around and then also the bud lights. That's very true though we mostly serve in trailer parks. There's not a lot of places that we tract outside of the trailer parks. It's very humbling to see some of the circumstances of the people here but even then they give and give and give it's been an inspiration for me do do more. Also the food here is the bomb!! The members make some fantastic food for us... I'm worried about gaining a lot of wait but hopefully a bike will help. Don't worry about getting me gloves for right now the temperature has been in the 50's all week. I've been loving it. I'm good with everything else except would you possible send me the belt from Grandpa Erickson? I miss that belt and could use it on preparation day. Also I found out we can go fishing on preparation days but I don't think I will very often because we're always super busy.. Well if there's anything yall need just let me know. I gotta go but I love you and will talk to you next week.
love, Elder Miller
p.s. Sister Cottrell said that if we want to get out packages forwarded from the mission home they need to be sent priority or first class so if you'd tell people who were gonna send me a package that'd be great.

Elder Miller meets....well, Elder Miller

A little back story first.  When a good friend of ours (Teri McMurtrey) found out Brett was going to that mission she was so excited because her nephew is serving there as well.  If I'm not mistaken I think he is an A.P.  Teri told him that Brett was coming and to take good care of him.  The following are some emails and picture of Elder Miller and Elder Miller!

I'm really really excited to meet Elder Miller.  I saw his picture the other day and he just looks like a good american fork boy no... elder!I'ill give him a big hug for sure when he gets off the plane!  I'll be sure to send a picture of him and I in a couple weeks.  Thanks for all your support and love!

loves

elder marc

I’m sure you’ve seen the list of new missionaries coming next week.  One of Kadan’s best friend is Elder Miller from American Fork.  You’ve probably met him before.  He’s a good kid and he’s overcome some challenges to be a missionary.  He’s loving the MTC and experiences he’s had in there.

You’ll love him because he’s a lot like Kadan.  He has the biggest smile and you’ll hardly ever see him without a smile on his face.  Treat him good because he’s like one of my sons!

Love you!

 Aunt Terri

Elder B. Miller is awesome.  I love him a lot already.  He has a awesome trainer!  I'm really excited to see him in a couple weeks and see the change in him!  

love ya

elder miller

Email on Brett's arrival

We received an email with details on Brett's arrival and a few pictures!  One with his companion, and the other with the mission president and his wife!  He looks SO good, and SO happy! 

Dear families of missionaries in the North Carolina Raleigh Mission,

We are thrilled to have welcomed your missionary to our mission!  We received 13 new missionaries so it has been a very exciting time!

After they all arrived on Monday we took them to the mission home for dinner, interviews with President Cotterell, a testimony meeting and dessert.  After that everyone was ready for bed.  They elders all slept in the basement, here at the mission home.

After breakfast on Tuesday morning, all of the missionaries were taken to the mission office to meet the office staff and to be oriented in some of the things they need to know to be a missionary.  From there everyone traveled to the Raleigh Stake Center to meet their trainers.  This is a wonderful experience for them to meet the missionary who has been specially picked to train them and to set the course for them to have a successful mission.   Everyone had pictures taken with President Cotterell and I, and then with their trainer.  They learned about the new 12 week training for new missionaries and then I fed them lunch. 

Our transfer meeting was also held at the Stake Center.  At this meeting all of the missionaries in the mission who are being transferred (about 1/4 of the mission this time) come to find out where they are going.  They then leave for their new areas.  Many of our new missionaries asked me what they would be doing when they got to their area on Tuesday night.  I assured them that they would get right to work with either teaching appointments or contacting.

It is a pleasure to serve with your missionary.  We felt a great strength from each one of them and we look forward to get to know them individually, working and learning with them.  

These are the missionaries, their companions and the area they are assigned to:

Elder Adams is serving with Elder Ratto of Hansen, CA in Wallace

Elder Alaguretnam is serving with Elder Wilding of Denver CO in Lumberton

Elder Alleman is serving with Elder Peck of Highland, UT in Greenville

Elder Balaich is serving with Elder Christiansen of Orem UT in Durham

Elder Benson is serving with Elder Schank of Kaysville UT in Fayetteville

Elder Blackwell is serving with Elder Rider of St. George UT in Leland

Elder Burham is serving with Elder Carlisle of Logan UT in Cary

Elder Eastin is serving with Elder Humble of Monterrey CA in Raleigh

Elder Fogle is serving with Elder Morrison of Las Vegas NV in Hope Mills

Elder Goodrich is serving with Elder Jenkins of Lynnwood WA in Hope Mills

Elder Mayberry is serving with Elder Dalrymple of Centerville UT in Cameron/Sanford

Elder Miller is serving with Elder Cartwright of Kimberly ID in Cary

Elder Perkins is serving with Elder Haws of Lehi UT in Durham

Your missionary will fill in more details in their next email to you.  Our preparation days are on Monday.  They will look forward to an email from you at that time.  They will use the same "myldsmail.net" address that they used in the MTC.  Emailing privileges are for family only.  Missionaries have a limited time to read and respond to emails.  Be aware that most use computers at the public libraries.  On holidays those libraries are usually closed so the missionaries aren’t able to email until later in the week.  We encourage you to write uplifting and positive letters that will help them to keep focused on the important work they are doing here.

All other mail should come through the US Postal system and be mailed to the mission office using this address:  

Missionary’s Full Name  (we have several with the same last name)

North Carolina Raleigh Mission

6508 Falls of Neuse

Suite 100

Raleigh, NC 27615

The day the mail is received it is forwarded on to your missionary.  This can only be done if the mail is sent by First Class, Priority or Express mail.  If you choose to use UPS, Federal Express or parcel post mail it cannot be forwarded.  Those items will get to your missionary, but they must wait at the office until someone travels to your missionary, which could be 3-6 weeks.

Once again, it is a pleasure serving the Lord in the North Carolina Raleigh Mission with your missionary. 

January 20, 2012 Email

Dear Dad,

 I'll email you this week for you and mom. Please forward this on to her.

This week has been an awesome week and now I''m so excited to go out to the field. I just want to be able to go out there and work. This week I've been learning about teaching people not lessons a lot... I never really understood what that means before I taught my investigator for the last time. When we where sitting there and asking him about why it's important to follow the Savior, we had the feeling to read part of 2nd Nephi 31 with him and then asked him to be baptized. When he answered that he already had, we asked him if he had prayed and had received an answer that it was true. Then we bore witness of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I've never felt the spirit so strong. It was like the spirit was punching us all in the face. It's amazing how much the Lord will bless you with the things that you must say if you do your part and really seek and ponder out the needs of the investigator.

It's great to hear everyone else is doing well. I'm kind of sorry I missed moving Brittani and Sean in. But at the same time I'm not really-ha! You'll have to send me some pictures of their house. It sounds like Brandon and Melissa and Max are doing great and same with Brooke and Zac and Lizzie. It sounds like work is going very well to. That's exciting to have stake conference you'll have to give me a summary of what President Welch says because it always makes a huge impact on my life.

I'm so excited to go out to NC. I'll send you the memory card like a week after I get there when I've taken some pictures of it out there. Thank you for the package to it was very nice to get some mail. A scripture that has really helped me turn to the Lord when I'm struggling is Alma 7 11-12 i think... it talks about the atonement and how it's there for our pains and afflictions as well as our sins. It brings great comfort to me and I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to bring that same comfort to others. I love you all.

love, Elder Miller.

January 13, 2012 Email

Hi everyone, how's everything going? Hopefully good. 

This week has been pretty awesome. This Sunday I was made Zone Leader and also on Tuesday Elder Nelson of the 12 came and spoke to us. It was a pretty awesome talk.
 I got to greet the new missionaries twice now but this week I won't be able to. But that's ok it's better that I study anyways. That and I need to give the new missionaries in my zone a tour later on that night so it doesn't really matter. I did get all of the twelve packages and I also got the package that had all the addresses in it but I never found a tape? Maybe you could send me a new one because I don't know where it is. 

That's awesome about Brittani and Sean being able to close on their house. It's always nice to hear about the little ones. It's sad that Lizzie is sick and that Mara and Logan are struggling a little bit with all the moving too. That's also way sweet to hear about Kadan. He's a funny kid. I need to write him sometime soon. When did Brooke and Zac buy a new couch? That's exciting,and so is the fact that Melissa has almost got the nursery done. Tell Brandon to send me picks of the fish he is catching.  I'm having a few withdrawals from not being about to go fishin. It's all good though in two years I'll be able to.

How are you and dad feeling? Any better? Hopefully he can get at least most of the shed too so that he can clean out the garage.

I got my travel plans this week. I leave at 7:30 from Salt Lake and fly through Detroit. I'm going to try and give you a call in the morning before I fly out because I only have and hour layover in Detroit. I think I still got enough money to travel. I haven't spent any of what you gave me.

Is there any chance that you could send me my black sweater that has the red and white on the front? And maybe my sweater vest as well that'll go well under my suit? And also a bottle of sparkling cider? Me and my district are definitely going to have some fun before we leave. Everything here is going well. It's still super busy but it's definitely worth it. If you have anything you need to ask me through out the week please dear elder me that'll make it alot easy to get back to you before next Friday. I'll write you a letter home some time this week probably sending you a copy of the congratulations letter I got for being a Zone Leader so if you dear elder me before then I'll be able to reply fast. Tell everyone thanks for their support and tell them sorry it's taking me forever to write them back. I have no free time at night anymore because I have stuff I've gotta do at night so I'm sorry. I'm hoping to be able to send them all a letter before I leave here. I'm just super super busy. But I do love being out here, it's so amazing.

Me and my district had an experience yesterday where we got to teach each other and me and Elder Vincent taught Elder Vincents companion Elder Robinson. As me and Elder Vincent talked we both felt the spirit telling us what to do and what to ask. By the end when me and Elder Vincent bore testimony, there wasn't a person in our class that wasn't crying and honestly I've never felt the spirit that strong. Elder Robinson didn't know what to do. He was crying hard and he gave us both a hug and then collapsed. The spirit was so thick in the room you honestly could barely walk in it. It just go to show that this church is true. I know that our Father in Heaven loves us and want's us to be happy and I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. the more I learn about him, the more I can't even doubt that he Atoned for all of my sins. I love this work. It's true because I feel the support of the Lord everyday I'm in here.

I love all of you and can't wait to hear from you all sometime soon hopefully.
 love Elder Miller.

January 6, 2012 Email

Hi mom,
 I´m sorry you´re sick that's never fun. I was sick, I threw up a few times but it was not a big deal because it didn't really slow me down.
My teachers are the ´´investigators´´ so they aren't real but it´s still a very stressful lesson to teach them.  Brittani told me they were moving in with you for a bit.  What was that about Sean having an internship and they won´t see him for 4 months?
Kelsey sent me a recorder but I haven´t got your tape yet but I should pretty soon.
This week has probably been my most difficult week here. I just want to leave and start working. But every time I have the thought that I want to leave the Lord quickly reminds me that I've still got a lot to learn. I've been studying about receiving a change of heart lately. Its usually my study starts with Alma the younger. I've been sleeping alright it depends on the day. Overall it's been great in here and a life changing experience for me. I love having the spirit teach me constantly and I love how much the Lord looks after me. This gospel is truly a huge blessing in our lives and I know without a doubt in my mind that it's true.
The Spanish is still coming along. I can understand what my teachers are saying to me and I have grammar down, I just need to work on my vocabulary. So ya pretty much I know better grammar in Spanish than in English but it's all good. At least I can speak English right? How's everyone doing? Sorry I'm running out of time cause one of my comps has an interview in like two minutes so I gotta go... tell Dad happy birthday for me. and tell everyone I love them. I love you mom and dad thanks for everything you've done for me.
 love,
 Elder Miller.

Dec. 30, 2011 Email

Wow it sounds like everyone back at home had an awesome Christmas.  That's
great to hear.  I'm working on writing everyone back too, but lost a few
peoples addresses.  Will you send me the Bahoravitch's address?  

I have my first baptism for our investigators tomorrow and then in a week I'll have
the other baptism. 

Yes I'd like a few of those cookies if you'd send some to me, and I'm trying to think of anything else I need.  I think I'm good for right now.  Thanks for the Christmas packages, I got I think 6 or 7 packages from everyone it was very nice. 

How was temple square this year?  I did miss going and seeing the lights.  

I heard about Ryan that's so sweet I gotta write him back as well. 

What'd you get Dad for Christmas?  More fishing stuff to add to collection when I get home? ;) It's been so busy in here the last few days it seems like all I do is study and have class.  It
seems like I just barely left.  I wish I had more time to study.  I prepare my lesson and then read the book of Mormon for about 30 minutes before I'm out of time to study.  It's rough some days cause all I want to do is read the Book of Mormon and study more.  Ya that's definitely not something you thought would come out of my mouth. 

Hows everything going back home? It's great that dad can actually see the ground of the garage now and it's also great that Brittani and Sean will be moving  soon.  Brandon got a smoker?  What smoker did he get or is he making it?  Hopefully when I get home I'll know a little more about BBQ.  Ya we'll have some awesome family BBQ's in two years. 

What else is going on at home?  I know I can't really do much in here but is there anything you all need from me?  I finished through 2nd Nephi in Spanish today it's so much harder to read right now than it is in English but it's been so rewarding for me. 

Well I've gotta go do my laundry so I'll email you all next week and hopefully get everyone a letter.

love Elder Miller

Christmas 2011 Email

Hi family, Merry Christmas! 

They let us email our families on Christmas because we can't call home.  I hope you've all had an amazing Christmas. We had Elder Bednar come and visit us and speak to us. It was an amazing talk about the characteristics of Christ.  Also he talked about having a testimony and what being fully converted means. Is was sweet!  He said having a testimony is knowing that there is a God, that it's knowing that only through Christ we can be perfected.  But conversion is following those truths we have a testimony of and consistently striving to live those truths we know.  

The mtc has been great this week it's been a little harder because it's Christmas time but there's no other place I'd rather be.  Thank you so much for all your gifts.  I got way too many from you all.  Thank you so much.  I loved the packages and letters.  It's been an amazing day to read all of them.  But how was every one's Christmas back at home?  Hopefully pretty good. 

Sorry the computer is freezing up on me every five or six words so I don't know how long I'll be typing before I get angry and just stop, so if it's super short I'm sorry.  

My one wish for this Christmas season is that we look at the attributes of Christ and specific occasions where he shows them and then we'll look for ways to apply them to our lives.  It's such a blessing to be so close to the spirit all the time. I'm not sure if I've told you this but I am now in a tri companionship.  Still with Elder Burnham, but also with Elder Adams (who's companion went home). Well I'm gonna go now but I love you and I'm so grateful to be able to serve a mission.  I love you all and will look forward to hearing from you all soon.  After I write everyone back ;)

love,
Elder Miller

P.S. mom and dad have you got my letter that had the memory card in it yet?