8/11/2014
Well, I
finally got voted off the island. I've been transferred to Omaha! It's going to
be a massive change. I'm the Senior Companion and my sweet little comp is
pretty fresh in the field-this is only her third month in Nebraska. Her name is
Sister Carlson, and we are like the same person! It's wild. We literally have
all the same interests! Food, culture, music, outdoors, fitness, animals, art,
shopping, etc, etc, etc. She's so beautiful and stylish and talented! She was a
food blogger at home! Umm, can you say cool? I am working very hard to gain her
trust and help her feel comfortable with me. She must be under a lot of stress!
It's such a big change to get a new companion, just getting out of training! We
are living in a church-owned home next to the Institute building-we are in the
basement and there are two Trail Center sisters living up top (Sister Hodges
and Sister Trusty.) It's the strangest feeling to be the oldest sister
missionary in the entire home. I out-age all the other sisters by AT LEAST 6 months.
I recognize that this is a big responsibility. It's a lot of stress and I am
pretty overwhelmed, but I know that through the grace of the Atonement, that
enabling power, I will be sustained and strengthened. Heavenly Father knows
what He is doing....always.
The
work out here is so different. I was "raised" working in a small
branch where I had super personal relationships with every member. I knew
everyone. This is a ward! And when we sat down to weekly planning on
Friday and we were going through the ward list, the sisters had only met
about a third of the members! So that is one of our goals- we are going to go
visit and serve EVERY member this transfer. It's going to take a lot of
coordination-the area is enormous. (Thank goodness we have a car.) But I know
it will be worth it. As we unify the members, we will have greater retention
rates and the Lord will bless us. It's been interesting- as I have been here
and learning of the challenges and strengths of this area, I am realizing that
the Lord used Grand Island as a microcosm to teach and train me on how to
resolve each of these needs before I got here. Literally each concern that has
been expressed, I experienced and was able to see resolved in Grand Island.
Just more proof that the Lord is good, and so wise. I am the ONLY Spanish
Hermana who hasn't been to Omaha yet, so it's a little intimidating, but I feel
capable and confident that we will see miracles this transfer with the Lord on
our side.
Leaving
Grand Island was so hard. It nearly ripped my heart out. I have come to love
those people SO dearly. And I know they love me too. There were so many tears
and so many people just POURED out their love to me. It was so touching. And so hard. But I can't deny the witness of
the Spirit I felt as we received the transfer call-I KNOW this is where I am
supposed to be. And I'm not the best missionary ever, nor am I even a very good
one, but I just hope and pray that in some way the Lord can use my gifts and
talents to bless the sweet people here in Omaha like He did in Grand Island. I
already love them all dearly. The ward received me pretty well in general-I
think some of them were a little uncomfortable to get a new missionary after
such a short time with the other companionship, but I'll win them over. Love
all around! Extra helpings! Their mug-o-love shall run over with
Hermana-Miller-affection! I'll charm the sombreros off of 'em, haha. (Saddest
thing ever-there are ZERO Cubans out here... whaaaaaa!!!!! They have to be
hiding somewhere-I'll find them!) The good news is that everyone we have
actually had personal time with has really seemed to like me a lot-we have
laughed and felt the Spirit very strongly. Hopefully they will share those good
feelings with their friends.
We
already found a really neat family to teach-it's a family of 6! The Huizars!
They are pretty stubborn, but the Spirit has been really strong, so pray for
them. We have seen so many miracles so far. As we have been making an effort to
reach out to key members of the ward-Ward Mission Leader, Bishop, Relief
Society President, etc, we have gotten some really good reactions. I'm excited
to see that pattern continue. I predict some opposition, but the Lord always
wins in the end.
I'm
so grateful for my new home-Omaha. I will finally get to go to the temple soon
for the first time since Mexico. I can't wait. I have missed that beautiful
place so much. I know the Lord lives and loves me. He strengthens us always.
Remember that in your moments of adversities-the Lord is our very present help
in trials. He WILL help us and strengthen us so that we can bear up our burdens
with ease.
I
love you all, have an amazing week. I know I will.
Con
Carino,
Hermana
Miller
PS -
Omaha is loco. There is a part we sisters are not allowed to go into because of
daily murders and drug/gang violence. There are even multiple billboards saying
things like "Do you know who killed our dad?" with pictures of the
victims, looking for information. Toto, we're not in Grand Island anymore. Have
fun in your area, Elders....
