Feliz Navidad?

 Feliz Navidad?

Merry Christmas from Virginia!

First Christmas as a missionary was awesome and we spent the day doing service and talking to people in the streets. Most of the people here in Woodbridge celebrate on the 24th so it was fun to have Christmas one day earlier! We ate lots of pan con pollo!! We got to help a random man wash his car! 

I'm getting to the point in this area where I'm starting to run into a lot of people I've already met before which has actually been really special! There have been some joyous reunions in Wendy's parking lots and public parks across Woodbridge. 

My Spanish is really starting to improve which has been a huge blessing considering Hermana Bell and I are both new so we're starting to stay afloat. The gift of tongues is real and  God really does qualify us for the work He asks us to do!!

And Christmas miracle!! We ran into a recent convert German at the park and it was a huge tender mercy!

This week we taught our friend Oscar about the Word of Wisdom as he prepares for his baptism and we broke the news about coffee, that if he wanted to get baptized he would need to stop drinking coffee. He was quiet for a minute and we were terrified but he finally responded telling us "How beautiful is it that I get to sacrifice something for God?" Woah!! And he is so right!! When we see commandments and responsibilities as an opportunity that we have to show our love for Heavenly Father, it changes EVERYTHING!! Mission life and regular life comes with a lot of responsibilities and guidelines that can feel restricting or exclusive, but Oscar's perspective has helped me so much to see those moments as opportunities to sacrifice!! I don't know if that makes sense but it was a really tender moment for me and I love him. 

Other than that I was really sick and we couldn't leave the house for a couple days so that was pretty sad BUT we still got some missionary work done!

Notable Things!

-Olven bought us McDonalds

-a lady knocked on our car window in the pitch black and we screamed so loud

-saw a parks officer do a trick on his motorcycle that also had a sidecar

-helped make food with a member (turned out it got fed to the elders #jealous)

-was literally healed for church 

-made a charcuterie board

-ate my first full crab

Love you!

Hermana Miller

Rubber Ducks and Jabon Zote

 Hello all! Merry Christmas! The new transfers started and I am out of training and now training a new missionary! Hermana Bell is AWESOME! She's eager to learn and super committed and a super mega athlete so I'm getting back into shape which is good.I am still in the Potomic River Ward in Woodbridge which is awesome the members are great so I'm really happy about that!

Tuesday I saw World Peace in action in the morning and then the most opposite of world peace I've ever seen. It was insane. Then I had to say goodbye to Hermana Morales and Hermana McGee which was painful because I love them so much. Truly some of my best friends. BUT it's ok and God needs us in other places right now. 

This week we had so many member meals (per usual) but even more because of transfers and so we had 4 member meals in one day!! I thought I might die!! It was wonderful though and I love the members and they are so kind. They bought me presents for Christmas and these women know me so well they got me my favorite Jabon Zote! I promise you this stuff will change your life forever, it is incredible, amazing, and a game changer!! I love it. We sang lots of carols and did lots of service!

I've been feeling a lot of guidance from the Spirit about how I can do the missionary work- where to go, who to visit, where to study and that has been awesome! We knocked a door and it turned out it was someone Hermana Bell knew! He had just gotten heart surgery and needed lots of help lifting stuff into his truck so we got to do that and have a delicious meal and lesson together!

On Saturday we had pancakes with the Stake President which is always a fun morning because I LOVE PRESIDENT AND SISTER BLAIR!!! For my fun fact I talked about my rubber duck collection and they gave me duck!! It was awesome. And for a little Sisters Activity we did a White Elephant and I got two more rubber ducks today so that is a win.  

ALSO two recent converts went to the temple for the first time this week and my soul shattered into a million pieces because that is incredible and I'm so happy for them. 

 Last week of the transfer!! I am officially graduated from training!! It feels crazy to think I'm not going to live in Woodbridge forever but we are just learning to love change and we'll see what happens!!

This week we met lots of people! Lots of lessons! Lots fell through! And church got cancelled!! Crazy!

We had some great lessons with our friend Angel before he left for Guatemala. Tragic. But I love him and I wish him so well!

Because church was cancelled we weren't going to be able to take the Sacrament which we were really disapointed about BUT members save the day per usual and we got to go to a members house and have a little Sacrament meeting. It was SO meaningful to take the Sacrament in such an individual way. Just three pieces of bread on a plate and three cups of water. And how true is that!!! The Atonement is so personal! I'm so grateful for the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for me so he could know me personally and individually!! He is there master healer and the reason we can have new beginnings! So inspiring. So beautiful.

We had Zone Conference and it was so so good. All focused on the Savior and I learned how to daily plan wayyyy better! I'm a new woman. We talked a lot about courage and what we can do to be more courageous. Food for thought! 

Other notable things:

-filmed more content. yikes. 

-showed my friend Edwin lacrosse and he loved it. #spreadthegame

-met Scrappy. one of my favorite dogs here so far. 

-JOYS - Jesus Offers You Smiles

- Webster (our neighbor) was HILARIOUS i can't explain but I'm dead. 

- exchange with Sister Wallin! fun!

- went to historic Occoquan! 

I love you!! God loves you!! 

Hermana Miller

Strongbad do you have a virus?

 A great week per usual but not a ton to report!

I contracted a little virus and we had to spend 2 days inside just making hundreds of phone calls. Literally hundreds. BUT it was good because we actually made a lot of new friends and had a few lessons over video calls! The work goes on!

An Elder in my zone had a sweater that I've had my eyes on for many weeks. It has a little  Salt Lake City emblem on it and he thrifted it HERE IN VIRGINIA. It's beautiful. And this very Tuesday he gifted it to me!!!!! I'm still beaming about it because I'm so happy. It's huge and it's perfect and it has brought so much sunshine to my soul!!

The work has been a little crazy this week. We have a lot of friends working towards baptism who weren't abel to come to church which is always kind of stressful but I'm letting God take control of it all and putting all my stress and fear on the alter. And since then I've felt awesome. 

We went out last night with some of the youth from the ward and that was so so fun!! I was with Rony who is also 19 and got baptized just 6 months ago and he is an ICON his testimony is inspirational and Iearned a lot from him about how to be a good missionary!!

This week as a mission we've focused on how we can be better disciples DAILY. We talk about the importance of daily prayer and sctripture study and Ilove the phrase we use that "Daily Disciplines Determine Destiny" How true is that!! The efforts that we do each day are what determine the growth of our testimony, personaility, and skills!! I'm working on being better at the little daily stuff!!

That's mostly all. God's aware of you!! I love you!! Look out for small tender mercies every day because they are there!!

 Another good week!! They're flying by but also going slow. I can't explain it accurately but it's so fun!!

It's starting to get really really cold here but we had one last warm day where we did all our studies outside at the River and it was BEAUTIFUL! Highlight for sure!! God took his time with Virginia because it's so pretty!!

Thanksgiving was really fun! We made so many hand turkeys and left them on cars! In the morning we also learned a little authentic Mexican dance and that was really fun. It got me excited to see the Christmas dance this year #rip We also filmed Spanish content for social media for 3 hours and that was slightly dehumanizing but we survived and at the end of it all my video had no volume because the mic was muted the whole time. Rough.️

Elder Goesche (a senior missionary in our ward) taught a class about the priesthood for our recent converts which was awesome!! He's awesome and it was fun to help our friends learn more about how important the priesthood really is. So fun. 

We had a cool.experience this week where we felt prompted to talk to someone and turns out we were his THIRD contact with missionaries THREE DAYS IN A ROW! He said "wow I guess God's trying to tell me something?" So true Luis!! And I know he's trying to tell you something too!! Sometimes through the still small impressions of the spirit and sometimes through people! He is in relentless pursuif of you! So cool!

Our friends are progressing really well which is so incredible to watch! We have three friends on date for December 14th so please pray for David, Oscar, y Andherzon!

Other notable things:

-got some incredible finds at Black Friday Deals and it was Wednesday so they were $1!

-played Lotería which was so fun!

-watched part of Brother Bear out of the corner of my eye!

-dogs and cats have been popping off so cute per usual

-our friend Angel has been stalking the blog HAHAHAHA

-met a woman with the most defined 6-pack I've ever seen ever. No words

I know that gratitude softens our hearts!! Im so grateful for so much and especially for my Savior Jesus Christ!!

I love you! God loves you! 

Hermana Miller

ilovemyselfandmom

 This week was so fun!! Every week is fun but this week especially! 

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were probably my favorite days of my mission so far! On Thursday night we went to a referrals house but it turned out we didn't have her exact apartment number so we decided to try knocking a few doors! The first 3 didn't answer but (classic missionary story) I was feeling real good about the last door so we knocked and the kindest family ever answered! They are from Afghanistan and welcomed us out of the cold and fed us and let us sit with them! We visited and they told us that their mom was really struggling because she didn't have any friends who spoke her language here in Virginia. They invited us to come back in two weeks for a big holiday celebration where we'll get to be with their whole family! I'm so excited! But the story gets better!!!! Then on Saturday we were doing some studies in the park and a cute couple was having a picnic near us and we started talking and they invited us to eat with them and we ate by hand all the food they had prepared and guess what!! They are from Afghanistan and speak the same language!!!! Crazy miracle!! We invited their family to an interfaith event we had that night and they came with their ENTIRE FAMILY like 22+ people! So tender. BUT THEN the miracle continues! Another family from Afghanistan invited us to eat lunch with them in the same park and we had pizza together and THEY SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE TOO!! God is aware of His children. All walks of life. All people. He cares. So beautiful. So inspiring. 

Friday we got to go to the D.C. Temple AGAIN and go to the visitor's center and hear from Elder Rasband with the Washington D.C. North Mission! It was a really cool opportunity!! He talked a lot about the new change with sister missionaries being able to go at 18 and what a blessing it will be for the church. I love it. He said "Now you understand why we had to open 55 new missions!! We are about to have thousands more amazing sister missionaries!" YAYAY!! 

Lots of new members came to sacrament this week!! Seeing our friend Belardy come in with his mom Norma and his three little cousins I actually thought my heart was going to explode. 

Oh also we helped a woman carry her groceries home a couple miles away and then she let us in and we helped her with lots of stuff around the house and we made tortillas and in the end we gave a little spiritual thought and it was such a spiritual experience. She confided a lot in us about the things that she is facing right now and they are SO difficult. It is so hard. But we were able to minister to her and cry with her and have someone come to give her a priesthood blessing and I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father trusts me with his so precious children, especially in times of crisis. That's something I've been reflecting on a lot this week is the trust that Heavenly Father has in each of us. He gives us assignments, responsibility, stewardships, and even friendships to show his trust in us! That is empowering! 

This may be common knowledge but I have a big problem that I truly can not focus on anything else if there is a TV anywhere around me. It's becoming a severe problem because we have a lot of lessons in restaurants with massive TVs that are also playing sports and I can not function. Pray that I can be less of Mike TV. 

We had lots of great lessons this week with a lot of different friends which is always a highlight! We went to Hibachi Grill and stuffed our faces perusal. Hibachi is not for the faint of heart because the members expect you to eat at least 4 or 5 plates. It's hard work but we got it done. Also PSA: If anyone is thinking about quitting playing the piano, it is not worth it. I am appalled at my lack of skill these days and it haunts me slightly.  

This week and transfer and the majority of my life I've tried to study hearts because that's something mentioned in the scriptures, by the Savior, and by living prophets all the time! I'm trying to learn how to make my heart a little softer everyday. I think I have a tendency to be a little hard hearted and I can feel that it pulls me away from Christ and from the people I teach so it's something I've really been wanting to work on. I'd love your prayers that I can keep making some progress. And, if you have any good insight I'm all ears!

Other notable things!

- ate delicious breadsticks 

- Hermana Morales puked in her water bottle

- was exceedingly sore for like 6 days

- HELD KOI FISH

- discovered my unknown love for pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, truly any seed

-went to the library!

-got to see Kathya! 

That's pretty much all. God is so good. Virginia is so good. The people here are SO good. My companions are so good. Life is good. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission. Love you all!

Hermana Miller

EDIT Best week ever!!

 [transcribed from an audio message]

Okay this is probably the most inconvenient thing I could send but I just don't have time to type so but I would rather send something than nothing because this week was sooo good! We had Santo’s baptism which was incredible and amazing and was my first baptism on the mission Of someone that like we taught all the way through and it was literally so good and so spiritual and probably the best day of my life that was so so beautifulWe yes it was just amazing and he bore his testimony and it was so touching and it's like my happiest memory  so that was amazing and we have another friend David who’s also on date to be baptized, his date is December 7th, and we met him this week And he's amazing and so I'm so excited to keep we'll see you later tonight and later this week so keep David in your prayers cause he's awesome. This week We've just been running Trio life which is so fun we went to the marina to go look at the Potomac a couple of times this week So fun we went to the marina to go look at the Potomac a couple of times this week and that was so fun, we’ll do our calls as we walk along it  really awesome my companions are literally amazing so that has been so fun Virginia is kind of like Utah in that some days it’s like freezing and the next day it’s really hot and sometimes you’re so cold but then at night you’re sweating…So we've been trying to navigate that  because we'll leave in the morning with our huge coats on and then it's like so hot but then when we wear short sleeves then it’s freezing so just try to see that. Our friend on her he brought us to get like ice cream this week which was so so fun I had a delicious banana split it was so good. Our other friend bolari he gave me a little haircut! Helped kinda shave the back of my head,  I love it it's been super nice. He also shaved my eyebrows up, he's a really good barber, I’m so grateful. Obviously ate some amazing meals this week per usual, saw some of my favorite cats which is always a big highlight, the members here are just so so nice and they are so kind to us and so gracious and they feed us so much which is so kind of them and honestly a sacrifice for a lot of them. A low light of this week is that they discontinued the penny, and hermana mcgee had a generational crash-out about it and fair And fair because it was quite sad but I was laughing so hard about it. I got to use a bathroom at a gas station that was like outside. I can't even explain it but it was like the most intriguing event of my life. I was like what is happening where am I. They gave me a key that was attached to like a numchuck which was crazy, but it saved me so that’s valid. What else happened this week, this upcoming week we get to go to the temple to have a combined Fireside with the DC North Mission which will be so awesome I'm so excited, even just to see the temple grounds is always a pleasure. This week has been so good, so many miracles every single day; it's so fun I feel so happy which is so exciting and I was like…surprised cuz I thought I was going to be a little bit more scared and sad, but no it's been so fun and there's good to find in every day, even when it’s hard. So my little spiritual thought for all of you today is honestly just based on the members of my ward, they are incredible missionaries and it's made me think a lot about how we can be better just as member missionaries or full-time missionaries, whatever that looks like in your life right now, but how can we just be better examples of Jesus Christ and all the things that we do? I had a lot of interactions this week with people of different faiths and they had so many insightful things to share, and it grew my testimony a lot to hear Savior or the way that they can be more like him and the way that they treat others and especially those that are not of the same Faith as us of the same thing as you just making sure that we have that respect that Curiosity that genuine kindness for people it changes everything and I have been so blessed by the people here in Virginia and especially here in Woodbridge who are just so considerate and so kind people whenever they reject us are so nice and they always tell us that they're so grateful for our message they're so grateful for the work that we're doing in that I don't know everyone here's life just like really is focused on God and on the Savior and that's something that I'm trying to work on too it's just how can I have that focus in my life that can keep me a little bit more grounded and humble and diligent the things that I'm doing so let me know your thoughts I'm so sorry that this is an audio message that's annoying but it is what it is for this week and I will send a better one I swear but I hope y'all have a great week I love you all so much if you want to just keep a few folks in your prayers we would love prayers for Santos, the newest member of the Church, and ANHIL, our friend Rosa, our friend David, and Balardi – he’s trying to pass his driver’s license test. I love you all and hope you have a great week, ok byeeee.

3>2

 Such a good week out here!! Life is crazy but it's full of good!!

There's a lot of times when it's easy to feel pretty down when so many people here are living such challenging lives but whenever I feel that way God always provides! I got to see a video of a corgi in a wheelchair doing a race and it changed my heart. It was so incredibly touching. That is humanity. I love it. 

In other news WE'RE STAYING IN POTOMIC!!!! I am stoked out of my mind!!! And WITH HERMANA MORALES??? So fun. We get to train a new Sister as well!! Hermana McGee is awesome and I can already tell this transfer is going to be SO FUN! Our whole district is the same too!! I love it. 

Our friend Santos is getting baptized on Sunday!!! He is incredible and inspires me everyday. He has sacrificed so much for the gospel and it is so beautiful. Good reminder to me of what's important! 

It's been fun bringing Hermana McGee to all our favorite places and people in Woodbridge!! I love it here! 

This week I've been thinking a lot about simplicity. A lot of people we talk to everyday have extremely complicated lives and situations, and I think that is what makes the gospel so appealing! We can find simplicity!! I've kind of boiled it down to 4 steps

1. Prepare!

2. Show up!

3. Act!

4. Review and Evaluate!

At the end of the day this is what God asks of me as a missionary and of all of us as disciples of Jesus Christ! We prepare our best but then we just show up and act! After we review and evaluate where we can improve! Showing gratitude for Gods help and repenting for the places we fall short! So simple! I love it!

-got my tooth fixed!!

-Hermana McGee has great clothes. Big blessing

-went to Dennys!

-watched an amazing soccer game. officially a Barcelona fan. 

-had fun member meals!

-know a little more Spanish everyday!

I love you all so so dearly!! God's got you!! Have a good week! Lmk if you have any soccer footage I'm a big fan now apparently!

Hermana Miller

You must be God's Princess!

Hope you all had a good week!! Having lots of fun and laughing SO hard out here!!

It'll be so brief today because I don't have very much time but alas!! 

This week we saw so many miracles!! Our friend Santos is on date to be baptized!! He is amazing and iconic!! 

We had SUPER MEGA REJECTION this week which was crazy! Doors slammed and yelled at the whole 9 yards and it was crazy! I laughed so hard though I have been so blessed and it's getting easier to just laugh and feel light hearted so that's good! 

We had a mission tour from Elder Holland and Elder Cuvuliar and they taught us a lot!! I was reminded of how important using the Book of Mormon is and how relatable is can be to all of us! We are all experiencing things that the Book of Mormon can help with!! I know its true!! It has helped me so much to feel peace!! I got to sit next to Elder Cuvuliar at lunch and we hyped up my bff Elder Schmitt. Love it. 

We have transfers tomorrow so we'll see what happens over here!! 

-bought matching skirts!!

-crazy savers hauls!

-so many cats!!

-Freddys again!!

-went ice skating!

-led the music in church!!

-celebrated dia de los muertos! 

-saw the most beautiful baby I've ever seen ever

-wore a jean trench coat!

- ran in a crazy rain storm

-was a biking missionary for the day!!

-go dodgers!!

Please pray for Santos and Rosa!! They are such lights to me!!

Love you all!! God loves you!!

Hermana Miller

Ok gift of tongues!!

Holy cow crazy week here in Virginia!! Every week is honestly crazy but this week was really fun!! 

We had exchanges which was really fun! I was slightly nervous because with Hermana Morales gone, I was now the only Spanish speaking missionary in my area which was terrifying. We also had three lessons planned that day that I was now going to have to do by myself BUT God provides as always. I was truly mezmorized by the gift of tongues this week because my mouth was FILLED with words! I was able to understand people that I've never been able to understand and teach principles I've never taught about! It was a much needed confidence boost and reminder that God's will is always going to prevail, even if that is through the gringa Spanish of a 19 year old girl. So cool. 

We got to go to a baptism for Elder Fetzer and Elder Clarke (our bffs and also district leader) and it was SO cool! It was the first baptism I've been to as a missionary and it was so so emotional! I was so excited for Katia! She is a consistent student at English class and is one of the people I've connected to the most in this transfer. I love her and it was awesome that we got to be part of this day for her. She also was such a boss and wore this sweet like pantsuit with a cape afterwards. It was iconic I wish there was documentation of it! Also Elder Fetzer and Elder Clarke sang an amazing musical number so love to see that. 

I'll keep it brief but I had one of the most life changing experiences EVER this week! We were headed somewhere else but we had to stop at McDonalds because I had to go to the bathroom SO bad and I was running in there and waved hello to a group of people at a table and then went on my way. When I came out they were all staring at me so I started to introduce myself and one of the men interrupted and just told me that he knew I had something to tell them. He saw a light in my face and in my eyes that he had never seen anywhere else and he wanted to hear what I had to say. I was crestfallen obviously and kind of turned to my companion so she could share in her fluent Spanish but he said no, I want to hear from you. I was shocked because that is the first time in the history of ever that anyone here has said that so I shared my simple but very sincere testimony and he started to cry, I was crying, Hermana Morales was crying, all around just so spiritual and so good. It was a much needed reminder that this is where I need to be. That even with my jumbled Spanish I have something to give here and there are people who can be blessed from the expereince that are unique to me!! The same principle applies to all of us!! You have something to offer in the work of God and He gave you skills, talents, opportunities, and experienes to help you to connect with others!! I hope this week you can find someone who you can connect with!! (this story does not sound as cool typed out but it means everything to me) 

Other notable things from the week

-we go to MOD Pizza a lot to make calls and the owner started giving us free pizzas all the time because she thinks we are so nice. I love Stephanie she is the greatest

-got blocked on WhatsApp 3 more times. SOS

-saw the most circular dog I've ever met in my entire life named ANDREW cmon now

-3 strangers let me use their bathroom this week

-held a chameleon!!

-saw an eel. yuck.

-shoutout Natalie Walsman. I made cesear salad with pasta this week. miss you queen. 

-H. Morales sneezed I'm not joking over 65 times last night. She was not well.

-chipped my tooth. bummer.

-interviews with President Mac Pherson were SO fun. I love to chat.

I love you!! God loves you!! Seek him out this week I promise He is there and He cares about you!!

Please pray for our friends Carlos, Joycelyn, Luis, and Yoseph!

Hermana Miller

P.s If anyone sends me any clips of literally any sport of any kind I will watch them with so much excitement! 

1. Taking pics of my teeth for the dentist 

2. Exchanges!

3. Virginia in the fall is insane

4. Ok rapunzel moment!

5. Ok lizard!

6. Ah!

7. A young man in my ward gave me jorts and wow. big highlight. feel like myself again.