Hermana Miller: Week 11: GREATEST CHRISTMAS EVER (Oh and PS I am basically a pro wedding planner now....)

12/30/13

Hermana Miller:  Week 11:  GREATEST CHRISTMAS EVER

(Oh and PS I am basically a pro wedding planner now.)

  

Ahhhhhhhh what the heck it is already P-Day?! Time goes TOO FAST. It is so weird that this year and transfer is almost over. Time really does fly on the mission. I have so many new goals and I am so excited and motivated to work even harder than ever. Man, I can't tell you guys how useful writing goals and planning is. It really gives you a purpose every single day-I love that! I will never be able to live without a planner or goals again. I challenge all of you to prayerfully set some goals this year, write them down, and then assess them with someone every week so you are accountable. My goal in my future marriage is to kind of set aside time each week for like a "goal assessment and companionship inventory" sort of deal. Those two things really do make all the difference. Anyways, enough of the boring stuff!

Christmas was AWESOME. I can't tell you how much I loved it. We went and sang to the old folks in the Skilled Care part of one of the hospital's out here-they sure loved it! (And it was sooo funny! We went to the Lutheran hospital and we told them all we were missionaries so this tiny old lady asked us which church we were from. We said "The Mormon one!!!" and she got really quiet and her face went white and she just said "Well I'll be darned." I seriously almost lost it you guys, I was holding in so much laughter. It took all I could to keep from leaping at her and growling or something haha. GET THE HOLY WATER! Is that Catholic? I dunno. But the point is that by the end she loved us.) I really enjoy serving others on Christmas, that is definitely going to be a tradition in my future home. It really brings Christ back into Christmas! It was good to see everyone! You guys all look great. Family of models, I swear. Good news-I didn't even get homesick! I just more excited to go out and work! Yesss! I love this work, and I love to work hard. That really is the cure for any illness.

Sooooo we had a wedding this week! We're basically pros at planning a wedding in one day now. so if anyone needs help with that.......you should probably call someone else. Haha I never want to do that again. I was so stressed. But for my sweet Esthela, it was totally worth it. She looked beautiful and so happy. (Plus I got tres leches cake and a hug out of the deal so not a bad payback.) It went really well, I am so happy for them. We will not be able to get her baptized before she leaves for Mexico, but that's okay. She's basically a dry Mormon right now anyways, and she is excited to get back and get baptized so that is good. I just don't like not having a date. We'll figure it out.

Ummmm okay so remember that one time I saw that Sudanese family when we were trying to contact a member who had moved, and then we randomly decided to go back and visit them and they were GREAT?! Well we had the Restoration lesson with them last night and one of their family friends and they are AMAZING! I love them with all my heart. They told me all about the African Christmas traditions and it just made me want to go there all the more. (And I already have crazy dreams to go there, you know that.) But anyways, at the end of the lesson, all they older ones wanted their own Books of Mormon (the little kids did too, but we made them share.) So we ended up leaving them 5 copies and a Finding Faith in Christ video. (Which they turned on before we even left!) AND, get this! We asked at the end if they would be baptized and they all said YES! (But we better make sure they know we mean into our church haha.) But holy of all holies, guess what?! Turns out her sister is a member and they are in the other ward in our building! YES! And something else great, we are going to do a church swap with them, so I will get to go to their Sudanese church and they will come to ours! I am so excited. (But, heartbroken to turn them over to the English sisters. But they really love us so we are going to keep visiting and checking up on them.) I will send a picture. The guy on the end with the Cool Runnings hair is their awesome friend, Jacques. they might be my favorite people. I love them with all my heart. Almost as much as you guys!

 Good luck to Brynne and Grandma this week! I am soooo proud of both of you and praying for you like crazy. You will do amazing and you are both so well-equipped for your respective adventures! Grandma-don't be nervous! Being a missionary is the greatest thing ever. Brynne-get out there, work hard, and date a lot! You will love college life, if you manage your time well. If you don't you will just be stressed haha. I love you both and am so excited for you!

Something I noticed this week is how much I am learning and changing. Something big is how bold I am about this work! I thought I was going to be really nervous, but not even close!!! (And that is a big deal because I was the girl in high school who was so nervous to talk about the church when people said "Are you a Mormon?" I would get so sick about it, I distinctly remember trying to avoid that question.) Something I thought about is why in the world do we have fear about sharing a message of hope and love?!  That's ridiculous. I challenge every one who reads this to create a family mission plan this year, and assess it and tweak it at least once a month with your families for FHE. Members truly are the key to this work. Other changes I have noticed is that I am becoming more patient, better at letting things go and compromising, (mildly) less prideful hahaha, and way more compassionate. A mission truly was irreplaceable for me.

I want you guys to enjoy some verses I loved as I did my studies this week. Go read 1 Nephi 19:9. After that, go read Moroni 7:45-48 and substitute the word "Atonement" for where it says "Charity." Then go read Alma 7:11-13 and put your own name in where it says "my people." It is amazing.

I love you all! Happy New Year!

Hermanita Miller

PS- I saw a man accidentally rip his pants from belt line to knee this week. This representative of Christ had tears in her eyes from holding in laughter and then laughing so hard. And almost getting mooned. Nice. I love Nebraska.