28 November 2016 - Elder Milius Week 22

Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas!!! I hope y’all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are all ready for Christmas! I am personally excited for the #LIGHTtheWORLD initiative that the Church is putting out this year! It is just a different excitement as a missionary I guess, but it makes sharing the Gospel so much easier! We’ve already been able to share the video with a few families, and the Spirit that it brings is undeniable! I love how this year, they are using the word “Light” and a verb, rather than a noun. We all understand what the Light of Christ is (noun) but do we realize how we as God’s children can Light another’s day (verb) during this season especially. I testify that even the smallest actions of smiling and waving at someone walking down the street is what Christ is talking about when He says “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). I am attaching the video at the end of all my pictures and I challenge all y’all to share it with one other person, and bear your testimony to them of our Savior. Let’s all LIGHTtheWOROLD!

Transfer calls came this week on Saturday-I had already felt like Transfers had happened but we got called and fortunately Elder Morley and I are safe here in Fort Payne for another six weeks. We were both pretty glad that we didn’t have to pack up again. 

This week we’ve finally been able to organize Lynn’s baptism. We are going to be holding it on the 10th of December so no worries, I’ll be having a “White” Christmas. I’m excited for her and I think she would be the first to tell you that this is long overdue (like Noah’s baptism). Which reminds me, on Saturday I was blessed with the opportunity to return to Florence and witness Noah make sacred covenants! I loved being able to see the fruits of not only my labors, but the labors of so many other missionaries-as you can see in the picture. It was a blessing to be a part of it, and I know that even though I won’t be able to see that result for everyone I teach, it doesn’t mean that a year, two years, or even ten years down the road another missionary won’t get to see it. 

Thanksgiving was a good day. It was hard to try and talk to people that morning but we found a way to get a couple New Investigators that we will be able to follow-up with this week! Thursday night we went to President Lee’s home for dinner and we are less than a mile from the Georgia border. So, like typical missionaries, we drove to the border and I was in Georgia for two minutes taking a picture of the “Welcome to” signs on both sides. Now, I have officially been in the three states that our mission covers! :) The Friday after we also went to a member’s home for lunch with their family and that was great! I got to play wiffle ball with a few younger kids and my swing was off….and I’m sore now….but it was so worth it! Then we went to visit the Littlefields and we were taken to a friend’s home where we found a Christmas tree Roll Tide style. 

The Holidays make everything in a mission crazy and they are only going to get crazier! I love it, and I love the people we are working with! The work is hastening. I’m thankful for all y’all and your support! I love y’all, and as always if I can do anything for you let me know! 

#LIGHTtheWORLD

PS: We went on another hike with a member from where Elder Morley came from who came up to see us...he took a lot of pictures!

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Godspeed,

ELDER MICHAEL S. MILIUS

ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM MISSION

"Behold I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life." ~3 Nephi 5:13

 Elder Milius, Noah, Elder Wheatley

 Noah's Baptism Day

 Elder Morley and Elder Milius

21 November 2016 - Elder Milius Week 21

People at Home,

Hello people! How are y’all?! Happy Thanksgiving!! This week has literally been one of the most tiring, exciting, and rewarding weeks of my mission thus far! 

Last Monday we went hiking through a river that is supposed to be running and full but we haven’t gotten rain here in a long time so there goes that. Fortunately the forest fires are dying down and we haven’t been evacuated. We also went to visit Jamie, a less-active member and her nephew is a month old and of course me being my father’s son I had to hold him. So those are the pictures that I’m sending! Northern Alabama is beautiful this time of year. It also starts to get colder this time of year and I am going to freeze I know it. My Arizona blood isn’t used to it. 

Our numbers this week have been astounding and it is a testimony to me that the Lord is directing His work and I am merely an instrument! I have 100% Faith that the Lord is putting me in places and situations that I need to be in. A couple of my favorites for this week happened when we were simply going through the Ward List to see who we could visit whom we hadn’t already met in church. (We have been doing a lot of that because we are trying to figure out our 2,000+ square mile area and there are all these little towns everywhere).

On Wednesday we met the Littlefield/Maddox Families. They live out in Centre Alabama which is right on the Georgia border. We were out there and had some appointment fall through and so we again decided to go through the ward list. It was crazy that we caught them at home because Sister Littlefield travels with her husband Monday-Friday for their job, they are truckers and are always on the road. Her daughter, Sister Maddox, lives with her to kind of take care of the home when they are out of town. Both of them are married to non-members of the church and both have been less-active for quite some time. It doesn’t help that the church building is an hour away. But, anyways meeting them on a Wednesday night was unbelievable and we found out that the only reason she was home was because she had hit a deer at 2:30am that morning. She expressed her desire to come back to church and hopefully we will be able to work with them but as we were driving away we realized that God works in mysterious ways. And I fully believe that the deer God used had fulfilled his time on Earth and is now living happily in the Celestial Kingdom. We met a Less-Active, Part-Member family because of a deer.

Then, on Sunday we were doing the same thing and met the Ivey Family. They weren’t going to let us in at first but because of our odd persistence waiting at the door we were able to get in and talk with them. The wife grew up in the church and has been less-active for a while now. Her husband and daughter aren’t members but we were invited back to teach them more about what Mormons believe, including the Mom. She has a couple questions that we hope we will be able to answer and help all of them come back to the church. But I failed to mention that before meeting them we tried to find a couple other families of which we couldn’t find their address. So, because all we wanted to do was see one more family, God lead us to the family that we needed to see!

Another miracle was on Saturday. We also met with an Investigator Lynn, who apparently has been investigating on and off for a few years now. She's been taught everything and when we met with her on Saturday I asked her, "Have you read the Book of Mormon?" "Yes," she responded. "Have you had the opportunity to pray about it?" "Yes." "And if I were to ask you if you believed it was true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet what would you tell me?" "I do." "Well....will you get baptized?" Lynn was on a date back in August that fell through because of a member making her upset or something of that nature, but she is now committed to be baptized on December 17th and we will be working with her to receive the lessons again and prepare for that special day. 

The Lord is in charge and I love this Work! The Church is True, I know that with everything I have and I know that God and Jesus Christ care for each of us individually! I hope y’all have a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING and if you need anything shoot me an email! Take care y’all!

Godspeed,

Elder Milius

Godspeed,

ELDER MICHAEL S. MILIUS

ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM MISSION

"Behold I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life." ~3 Nephi 5:13

 Elder Milius and Elder Morley

 Elder Milius and Elder Morley

21 November 2016 - Elder Milius Week 21

People at Home,

Hello people! How are y’all?! Happy Thanksgiving!! This week has literally been one of the most tiring, exciting, and rewarding weeks of my mission thus far! 

Last Monday we went hiking through a river that is supposed to be running and full but we haven’t gotten rain here in a long time so there goes that. Fortunately the forest fires are dying down and we haven’t been evacuated. We also went to visit Jamie, a less-active member and her nephew is a month old and of course me being my father’s son I had to hold him. So those are the pictures that I’m sending! Northern Alabama is beautiful this time of year. It also starts to get colder this time of year and I am going to freeze I know it. My Arizona blood isn’t used to it. 

Our numbers this week have been astounding and it is a testimony to me that the Lord is directing His work and I am merely an instrument! I have 100% Faith that the Lord is putting me in places and situations that I need to be in. A couple of my favorites for this week happened when we were simply going through the Ward List to see who we could visit whom we hadn’t already met in church. (We have been doing a lot of that because we are trying to figure out our 2,000+ square mile area and there are all these little towns everywhere).

On Wednesday we met the Littlefield/Maddox Families. They live out in Centre Alabama which is right on the Georgia border. We were out there and had some appointment fall through and so we again decided to go through the ward list. It was crazy that we caught them at home because Sister Littlefield travels with her husband Monday-Friday for their job, they are truckers and are always on the road. Her daughter, Sister Maddox, lives with her to kind of take care of the home when they are out of town. Both of them are married to non-members of the church and both have been less-active for quite some time. It doesn’t help that the church building is an hour away. But, anyways meeting them on a Wednesday night was unbelievable and we found out that the only reason she was home was because she had hit a deer at 2:30am that morning. She expressed her desire to come back to church and hopefully we will be able to work with them but as we were driving away we realized that God works in mysterious ways. And I fully believe that the deer God used had fulfilled his time on Earth and is now living happily in the Celestial Kingdom. We met a Less-Active, Part-Member family because of a deer.

Then, on Sunday we were doing the same thing and met the Ivey Family. They weren’t going to let us in at first but because of our odd persistence waiting at the door we were able to get in and talk with them. The wife grew up in the church and has been less-active for a while now. Her husband and daughter aren’t members but we were invited back to teach them more about what Mormons believe, including the Mom. She has a couple questions that we hope we will be able to answer and help all of them come back to the church. But I failed to mention that before meeting them we tried to find a couple other families of which we couldn’t find their address. So, because all we wanted to do was see one more family, God lead us to the family that we needed to see!

Another miracle was on Saturday. We also met with an Investigator Lynn, who apparently has been investigating on and off for a few years now. She's been taught everything and when we met with her on Saturday I asked her, "Have you read the Book of Mormon?" "Yes," she responded. "Have you had the opportunity to pray about it?" "Yes." "And if I were to ask you if you believed it was true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet what would you tell me?" "I do." "Well....will you get baptized?" Lynn was on a date back in August that fell through because of a member making her upset or something of that nature, but she is now committed to be baptized on December 17th and we will be working with her to receive the lessons again and prepare for that special day. 

The Lord is in charge and I love this Work! The Church is True, I know that with everything I have and I know that God and Jesus Christ care for each of us individually! I hope y’all have a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING and if you need anything shoot me an email! Take care y’all!

Godspeed,

Elder Milius

Godspeed,

ELDER MICHAEL S. MILIUS

ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM MISSION

"Behold I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life." ~3 Nephi 5:13

 Elder Milius and Elder Morley

 Elder Milius and Elder Morley

13 November 2016 - Elder Milius Week 20

HELLO!!!

ATTENTION: First I have to note that I am no longer serving in the wonderful area of Florence, AL. On Saturday there was a huge Emergency Transfer with around seven different Elders and I am now in the Northeast corner of Alabama in an amazing place called Fort Payne! 

So this week has been crazy...to lighten up the shocked mood I’m sure my Mom is in, on Monday Elder Areno and I went to get our Flu shots. While I was signing for my shot the computer thing wouldn’t let me sign and it turns out it is because I am 18 and in the state of Alabama I am considered a minor still and can’t sign for myself….wahoo! I thought it was a funny story. We then made the Physician giving us our shots cry because she felt the Spirit so that was a cherry on top of that experience! 

On Tuesday we talked with a guy named Ray (if you remember back Ray is a guy Elder Wheatley and I tried to teach who is intoxicated more than he is sober). Ray-who was sober-asked us for some help in his life. He then told us that every time we walked down his street and shouted “Hello” or something along those lines at him we made his day. That was amazing for me to hear and it was a testimony that we can’t take anything for granted; because even something so simple like waving and saying hello to someone sitting on their porch helps that person feel the Spirit and feel Christ’s love for them. 

We also went “Spirit Tracting” a couple times this week and that was unbelievable. When you are actively looking for the Spirit and trying to find those people who the Lord has prepared to receive the Gospel, you find it. We were definitely lead to a few people who all have potential. One lady in particular was Janice. We saw her as we were coming down a street and she went inside before we could catch her. So, when we knocked on her door she finally came up and said that she wasn’t going to answer the door, but the Spirit prompted her otherwise. At the end of the Restoration/Book of Mormon lesson she shared with us that earlier that morning she had prayed that God would send her something more, more truth. Well He answered that prayer! 

I love my Mission and I love being the answer to prayers! Even though this whole crazy situation happened and I am going to miss the wonderful people in Florence, I am ready to answer the prayers of those who are here in Fort Payne. I love this Branch and I love how excited they were when we showed up on Sunday Morning. I love Elder Morely and I’m excited to see how we work together (he came out with me by the way-side note.). Most importantly I love my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ and I know this is His work. I am merely an instrument! 

I hope everyone has a good week and if y’all need anything else from me let me know!

Godspeed,

Elder Milius

PS: The picture is showing the smoke that is in our area due to the wildfires that are going on less than 20 miles from us because of the drought AL is in. Exciting stuff!

PPS: This is Elder Wheatley (my Father) with his two sons. Elder Buhrley (sp) had to go home and now he is back out. We will be going home at the same time so Wheatley has "Twins" (If you don't understand Missionary Family trees I apologize for the confusion. This is me with my trainer and another Elder who he trained previous to me.).

-- 

Godspeed,

ELDER MICHAEL S. MILIUS

ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM MISSION

"Behold I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life." ~3 Nephi 5:13

Elder Milius, Elder Wheatley, Elder Buhrley

7 November 2016 - Elder Milius Week 19

PEOPLE,

I have to start getting more creative with my Greetings because it’s getting boring...but how are all y’all? Alabama is still doing great! The weather is supposed to start cooling down but no one really knows. Also, I miss Arizona because they do not participate in this little thing called Daylight Savings. Ask Elder Areno, I’ve been murmuring about it probably more than I should. But it gets dark at like 5:00 now and everyone in the South believes in rising and setting with the sun. You want to go tracting or contacting at 6? Sike, it now is “too late to be out.” But there is my rant for the week and I’ll try not to say anything else about it.

    

This week has been crazy and busy just like every other week! It flew by as far as time goes but on Sunday I felt so exhausted! We are doing so much work and I couldn’t love it any more than I already do. On Halloween we went to a members house and basically hung out at a party they were having which was awesome. And then on Tuesday I went on another exchange with Elder Causey here in Florence. On Tuesday night we had Ball night and I was able to share my experiences about my friend Dayton. He’s a beast, I’ll be the first to tell you. I shared his story and then his favorite scripture in Romans 5:3-5;

“3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

I then tied that scripture to Alma 7:11-12 about Christ and His Atonement and it was one of the best thoughts after basketball that we’ve had! I love the SPIRIT!

    

Then I got to hear the best news on Wednesday, Noah is getting baptized on the 26th of November! I’m so excited for him, and he has much more Faith than I do. His family is very against the church and so keep praying for him!

    

Last week we meet a guy named Jesse who is a pile. He’s got some straightening out to do, but we saw him this week and he was able to take us to the church and we gave him a very short church tour. (Funny story interjection: Jesse has a breathalyzer in his car to keep him from drinking and driving...so in order to start his car and periodically through the drive over to the church he was blowing in this thing that allowed him to drive or not...I love my mission!) Anyways, we invited him to church-and I had my doubts as to whether or not he was going to be able to make it-but he came! He was at church yesterday and he seemed to really enjoy it. He was much more calm than when we had previously talked with him and I’m hoping he will be back next week.

    

Along with Jesse, Cameron came to church. Cameron is a Less-Active member who referred himself to us because he knew where he was and he knew it wasn’t where he wanted to be. Us or the sisters are going to see him everyday in order for him to be accountable and in order to help him in coming back to Christ and the church. Talking with Sister Anderl I mentioned something along the lines as a Reactivation is just as good as a baptism! I can’t tell you how great a feeling it is when someone says that they need your help, that they want to change, and that they know where you can help take them.

    

I am so grateful for moments like that, and for my mission as a whole. I know that this church is true and I know that this is where we can find the most Joy, in Jesus Christ. My purpose, and the purpose of Latter-Day Saints as a whole are to help others feel that Joy. I hope all y’all have a fantastic week filled with the Spirit and the Light of Christ! I love y’all!

Godspeed,

Elder Milius

PS: Northwestern Alabama is pretty famous as far as the music industry goes...who knew? :)

-- 

Godspeed,

ELDER MICHAEL S. MILIUS

ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM MISSION

"Behold I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life." ~3 Nephi 5:13