Letters from Dad January 2024-

PART 2

January 2024-

On Jan 8, 2024, at 10:59 AM, Miles Miller <miles.miller@missionary.org> wrote:



Emissaries to the Church

 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/emissaries-to-the-church?lang=eng

 

 

As I continue to go through these Elder Holland talks I continue to find more reasons that I am so thankful for your example dad.

 

This one is about good ol Home teaching. If you get a second this week I think you would like listening to it...

 

I have been able to serve in 3 different branches now on my mission and have been able to rub shoulders (or have tried to rub shoulders) with several different Elders Quorum groups. It is always pretty easy to point out the few who follow through with ministering assignments. For awhile I thought maybe just here in the islands it is different because everything is lazy, but as I listened to Elder Hollands talk I realized it is a church-wide struggle to "minister".

 

Even with callings that took up a lot of time you always made home teaching important. We definitely weren't perfect about it, but I have very vivid memories of home teaching visits with you at specific houses like the Baileys, the Pages, and the one young couple in our Bainbridge ward by the Elementary school. It often took place on sunday afternoons and usually meant interupting sunday 'quiet time' playing with my toys and meant I would need to stay in my church attire through the afternoon. So all this often would lead to a not very enthusiastic companion for you but we would go, it would be neat, and I always counted it as a special time with you.

 

I think from some of those experiences teaching with you got me excited for a mission and today makes me wish we could be comps out here.

 

So thanks dad, for being an example to me of fulfilling your priesthood responsibilities and teaching me how to do the same.

 

One other thing in this talk is Elder Holland refers to a tragic experience almost identical to the Squires family. I don't remember everything that went down, but I remember the role you and mom played for them. I cannot imagine going through something like that but you were both their for them the night of and many days after. You didn't have to be his home teacher to drop everything and go running.

 

Love you dad, thanks for making time in the mornings to talk to me. Hope work at the new building goes well this week.

-Elder Miller

Here is a sweet email Miles sent me this week… makes me miss him!

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: Roarke Miller <drmillerdmd@yahoo.com>
Date: January 11, 2024 at 9:18:49 AM MST
To: Miles Miller <miles.miller@missionary.org>
Subject: Re: Home Teaching

 Good Morning Elder Miller,

 

I hope you are having a great day today, we are praying for you in each of our prayers. 

 

Thank you for your email this week, it meant a lot to me. I will listen to this talk by Elder Holland on my way home from work today.

 

Ministering is not only an inspired program, it is the heart of the plan. If we are to understand and keep our covenants, they will lead us in the Savior’s footsteps of ministering. I definitely have fallen short of being great at this, but it is something that is always on my mind. From missionary work, and finding opportunities to share the message of peace, joy, and salvation, to specific Priesthood assignments to look after the one or two families, to presiding in righteousness over your family, there are countless opportunities to minister as the Savior would. 

I wish we could be companions out there in Aruba as well. That gets me pumped even to think about. There is nothing like being a missionary. When you can block out all the other distractions, and focus on the reaching one person at a time, giving them the opportunity to hear the message you carry, it is hard to beat that feeling.

I love you so much. I’m thankful for all those times we had together to grow and to learn together, and just to be together. I was always so proud to have you by my side going all those homes. I’m so proud of you and the young man you are becoming. Keep after it son, I love you. 

 

Dad

****************************************************************

To Dad from Miles 4-15-24

Fun to get to talk for a sec this morning! I know it wasnt very long today so I wanted to shoot you a quick email.

My area is doing well. I have noticed since being here in Guyana that it is easier to stay busy. People are willing to meet more and Im not completely sure why else but the stress of not knowing how to fill my day isnt too bad at all. Thats a blessing having a new missionary too.

Having said that, there is definitely a difference between being busy and being effective. So we are trying to stay on top of friends who are progressing and being quick to sift. The focus from conference on member work has helped me take a look at more ways to do missionary work better.

But we have a few young males that are progressing that I can get excited about during the week and we are always trying to find new people.

Training is going well. He does a good job. I forget how strong the church is around the world. Especially Mexico. He wants to do it the right way which makes him easy to get along with. We are pretty different but we are making it work. I think the hardest thing is keeping energy high and things fun.

I guess one of my big stresses right now is what might happen next transfer. I wish it wouldnt bit it definitely does. Its just up in the air if I get to go back to the islands in three weeks and if I dont then it will only be six weeks at the end of my mission. I know it shouldnt matter but its on my mind. I love it here in Guyana, but want some time back in the islands before it is all over. So the battle right now is getting in the mindset of letting it go, and working hard these next weeks and then bein fine with whatever comes next. So much easier said then done though..

I really cant believe I have 3½ months left. In some ways I feel like its been every minute of it but in a lot of ways it blows me away that its winding down. Thats another thing Im trying not to worry about. I really want to be locked in down the stretch and I think Ill be able to. I only have so much more time to be able to do this in this way for the rest of my life so I am trying to soak it in.

I would love to hear your thoughts and tips on it. Or how it was towards the end of your mission. 

In my studies lately Ive been focused on come follow me and talks from this last conference. I know its easy to get out in the weeds with it but I have dove into the gospel of Abraham a little bit and learning about the 12 tribes and their roles. The prophet talked about that covenant and it has been interesting reading up on it a little more.

Anyway, there is my update. Thanks for taking time monday mornings to talk with me. I always look forward to the group email you send. 

Hope work is going well. Dentistry seems mkre exciting to me as I think about it longer. Maybe I could shadow you a day or two this summer. Wild.

Love you dad! 

elder Miller

**********************

4/19/24

Good morning son,
 I hope your day has started off great. Thank you for your email, I love to hear what is going through your mind.
I’m grateful that for the most part you have had companions who have wanted to work. There is no substitute to having a desire to do His work. We can always work with desire.
In thinking back to the last months of my mission I remember fighting the same feelings and thoughts. It is hard to block out all the things that will be just around the corner. I think the best thought you can keep forefront in your mind is the one you are having. There will never be a time in your life where you can devote 100% of your time and thoughts to building up His kingdom. You have a special call, set apart to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My advice, finish strong. Give it your full attention. All the other stuff will have its time. I think the easiest way to do this is to follow the prophet, and when your mind begins to wander about the next chapter of your life, “think celestial”, think that this is what the people you have been called to find are seeking as well.

There is nothing wrong with preparing for the next steps mentally, just don’t let them take your focus to the point of losing the desire to work hard. I never wanted to push you into dentistry. I love the idea of possibly working together, but I want you to choose your path and passion. If you can get excited about dentistry, I think you would be great at it. But I think you would be great at whatever you decide to do. You have a lot of years to work, so find something you can be excited about. Shadowing for a little bit when you get home is a great idea.

I love you so much. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to coming home, but at the same time I love you are out in the mission field doing what God has asked you to do. Keep up the great work.

Love,

Dad

*************************************