Monday, April 28, 2014

Ok you ready for this week! Haha, well we had our baptism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whoa!!!!! It was so awesome and spiritual and amazing! as usual! Our ward actually had 3 baptisms!  So amazing! I love this gospel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So this week we had interviews! With the president! It was really good! I bawled in my interview! President Lovell is seriously amazing! He said the perfect things and it was exactly what I needed!!!!

Funny experience this week! Ok so we went to this inactive members house, his name is Claudio. He's around 60 years old, he's really nice and is really progressing! He actually attended church yesterday! I like him! Anyway we went to his house and the member that was with us went to go knock on his door and we waited outside the house. His house is behind another house so we couldn't see anything, but time was going by and after 10 minutes Hermana Morales walked in. Claudio's face is covered in blood and his friend is there bawling. I'm thinking something bad happened like Claudio is dying or something right. I find out that his friend is drunk and was crying because he needs God. He's singing evangelic songs and still bawling. Waving his hand in my face and laughing. Hahahah it was so weird. He's said I look like his daughter. It was weird. Oh and Claudio fell asleep with a wound on his head that dripped down his face while he was sleeping. So ya it was weird, the spirit was not present haha even though we tried! 

Oh and this week all the missionaries have like 0 money. Haha it sucks! It's so expensive here! We live off of $80 a month, so 800 pesos. It's kinda funny. It's so hard to exchange my american money here too. I won't do it in a bank because they gip you so much! But there's a member here who I changed 100 dollars with so now I have lots of money for the week! haha

My companion went to Barijoche for the day to do visa stuff so I was with the Heremana leaders! It was fun! They're crazy! But I love them! The missionaries here are so bomb! I'm finally starting to open up and make friends. I'm so shy it's stupid. It's really hard for me to be myself, maybe because I can't even talk, but it's coming.

The other day we went to Chacras, the Fronterra and we had a lesson with a reference. I was sharing my testimony about how the gospel has blessed my family and he does like a T for timeout only 2 sentences in and he's like I don't understand anything she says. Well thank you. I did everything in my power not to bawl my face off in that moment! =( so rude

Also this week we had a FABULOUS lesson with this family whose baby had died. Remember when I told you we went to the funeral. Ya it's this family! We taught about the plan of salvation and I shared my story about Jorden in my broken Spanish. But the spirit was so strong, my companion was crying, I was almost crying, and after when the mom was talking she was crying. I think I was crying because I just want them to have the Gospel so much, because I know that it will change their lives. They kept saying how they don't understand anything. Why their baby died, they just didn't understand! We have all the answers! We have anther lesson with them this Saturday! I hope they feel the Spirit in their lives telling them this is the right thing for them! 

I have so much more to write, but I'm already over my time! Hope you guys liked the pictures! So happy you made it back home safe and sound dad and Keat! What an amazing experience! 

LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!!XOXOXOXO

Hermana Miller!

Family Melo

Paloma Melo

Monday, April 21, 2014

Hola familia, I don't have a lot of time this week, so this letter will be a short one.

We didn´t have our baptism... it was terrible. No water in the church. Nothing like working with an investigator for a month and then the day of the baptism it couldn't happen. It was really disappointing, so we planned for the next day, Sunday. No water that day either, so we're planning for this Saturday! Her name is Paloma, she's 12 years old. She's actually a member but doesn't have any papers or proof she was baptized so we've been working with her. I love that family. Family Melo. They're awesome! They're so caring and loving, kinda reminds me of my family! =) 

This week was good. I kinda can't remember what we did, I'm feeling a little rushed. We went to Paso Cordova one day to our investigators house. Also 2 of our investigators this week want nothing more to do with us. So that was fun, not! One investigators brother (who is a member) called us and said she doesn't want any more lessons. She thought it was only 3 lessons and that's it, she's done. It makes me sad when people give up like that but what can you do, we tried. Maybe we touched her life enough that one day in the future she'll want to learn more.

All is good here though. The members are great! The life is great. The people are great. The mission is great, sometimes. I miss you guys so much! Can't wait to skypeee on Mother's Day!

Love you all!

Hermana Miller

xoxoxo

P.S. I bought 2 skirts today! Thank you for the birthday presents! =)

Monday, April 14, 2014

So on Saturday night we had the opportunity to have a Capilla Abierta ("open chapel") and it was so amazing! I loved it so much! I was actually able to step out of my comfort zone and talk and actually be myself! It was awesome! I'm actually making friends and I'm not being the shy grengo who doesn't understand anything and doesn't talk. Yay me. But actually the Capilla Abierta amazing. The ward here is incredible. They put so much work into this event and it was a HUGE SUCCESS!!!! We had 53 new people walk through the event! Which was the most a Capilla Abierta has had! The missionary couple in charge of it, the Emhkes, they said it was the most successful one they've had! ROCA 2! WHOOO! So amazing! I felt the spirit so strong there! It was amazing!

This past Friday we went to Paso Cordova. It's an area in our mission. We need to take the bus to get there. Then we walk an hour and a half to our investigators house. It's like a desert. They're cacti, a river, and trees. No houses. No people. No nothing. It freaked me out the first time we went there. I'm like where are we, where are we going, dying. Haha but now that I know where it is I don't feel completely abandoned like my first time. Haha, I couldn't have even communicated with them to ask where we were going my first time. But it's really pretty there. I like it! Then after we went to a members house and she had homemade bread and tea for us. She also gave us like 10 apples and we just hung out until our bus came! Love the members here! =)

Also we have a baptism date for the 19 of April. So this Saturday! Her name is Paloma Melo, she's actually a member, but doesn't have the papers to prove she was baptized. So we've been working with her and preparing her for her baptism! The Melo family is so nice! Hermano Melo is always talking to me in what English he knows and it's so funny! Makes me laugh every time!

The language is coming along. I'm able to have a conversation now. But when it comes to teaching the lessons I still struggle. I just bear my testimony when my companion tells me to. Haha, everyone says I'm learning it really fast, which helps me but I feel like I know nothing still. Whatever, it'll come. I keep telling myself it'll come.

ALSO COOL FACT.
So I sent a picture of me and an older lady. I don't remember her name but she was in the temple the last day I was in Buenos Aries, the day I left for Neuquén. I found out at the temple that her and her husband were called to the Neuquén mission. She told me they'd enter on March 27, anyways,they were at the Capilla Abierta. I gave her the biggest hug and asked her if she remembered me. Then she kept kissing my cheek and it was so good to see her! I was so happy! Ahhh so happy. She's the nicest, happiest, sweetest lady. Andddd she was in Tyler's ward back in Buenos Aires. I was freaking out, I'm like he's my ¨mejor amigo¨ best friend! I showed them a picture I have of him and myself and she's like ya that's him. This made my life! Cool eh!

Anyway overall this week was cold. Lots of rain. We couldn't leave the pension all day Monday, and on Tuesday we couldn't leave unless we had a meeting. The rain is somewhat gone now but it's still really cold. In the morning you can see your breath. I wear gloves and a toque, and my green coat. It's not freeeezing. Just chilly. My companion is dying though, she's never experienced the cold. She gets headaches and her bones hurt. I help her stay nice and warm. Give her my scarfs to wear and what not. We've been helping each other get through the difficulties that missions bring. Yay missions.

Love Hermana Miller

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

I was super excited to send you all pictures of this week! Took some sweet ones! We made salsa and torta frita with a family last Monday. Took some sweet pics with the flag and a whole bunch of fun stuff...but all my photos have been deleted. For the 5 min I left my camera to eat pizza after spending 4 hours cleaning the church. Guh I was so mad, but what can I do.

Also yesterday we couldn't leave our pensions. There be lots of rain and storms and stuff. It was fun, I actually loved it, just slept and ate all day. Haha, we made torta frita 2 times that day and a family brought us torta frita. Torta frita is so good, it's like scones, but like airy in the middle and delicious. If course with dulce de leche. Mmmm, I love!

Also I got a lot of letters last week so thank you to everyone who sent me letters! Like seriously 9 or something! Love you all! The "fotos cuidado" that that you sent made me laugh mom. Haha nice Spanish! =)

Well I hit 3 months on Wednesday! Too bad it was the crappiest day ever. The day my photos got deleted, the day we waited 1.5 hours in the freezing rain for the bus to chacras, that didn't even come. The day that our taxi broke down and we still had to pay. Serious bad day. The challenges you face. Haha. It really has been freezing here! I know now what it is like to experience a change of season. Boom, fall hits, it definitely isn't summer anymore. So crazy.

This week has been good though! I think the biggest thing I learnt this week is to love others. We are teaching a lot of investigators that I seriously just love. I want the best for them and love when I see them progress. They're amazing! Also I've felt so much love for the members here too! They're so willing to help us. Last week we had 11 lessons with members! Which is a lot! They're amazing!

Also conference was amazing! I loved M. Russell Ballard's talk about following up. That every member should obtain a 'Preach My Gospel' and study it. And tell your missionary children what you learnt! So I'll be expecting that from the both of you!

Also this week, Wednesday, the bad day. Hahaha, I FINISHED THE BOM! Seriously such an amazing experience to say, "I read the Book of Mormon". Took me 20 years to finally read the whole thing, but I did it! I know that Joseph Smith translated the book, that it is true, that we can find so many truths in it! I love it so much! I love this gospel so much! I love love love it! It is true and only through this Gospel can we live happily with our family and Heavenly Father FOREVER! The whole reason we're on the earth our "4 minutes" like Gary E. Stevenson taught! Ugh such good conference! If you didn't hear those talks listen to them, study them. They're so good! Love love. Have a good week!

Love Kenz

April 7, 2014 - No letter today, because of flooding!!!

You may not hear from your missionary today

We were told it never rains in Neuquén!  Well....it is raining!  We have had rain for most of the week.  Today it is predicted that we will receive 1 to 2 inches  more!  There is high wind predicted in the afternoon.  They have anticipated this well and have closed schools and most public and commercial venues will be closed today.  For that reason you may not hear from your missionary today if they live in the Neuquén area.  We have heard from all of the missionaries.  There are a few water leaks in their pensions but all of them are fine.  They are to stay in their pensions unless they are doing service.  They will have another chance to write to you later this week.

 

These photos were taken of the street in front of the Mission Home.  The Mission Home is set up a little off the street.  Since the water is to the top of the step...it is quite deep!

Elder Ehmke just sent me this photo.  This person is making the most of the rain and has pulled out his canoe.  President Lovell just saw two guys in a kayak float down the street in front of the Mission Home.   It is probably one of the best ways to get around today!

These are some photos that were taken by a member in Rincon de los sauces about three hours North West from Neuquén!  

Update:  Monday night 

It has stopped raining but the water level is about the same in the street in front of the Mission Home.  It has been quite windy this afternoon.  All the missionaries are safe.  It has been a very different kind of day!