Elder Michael Milius: January 3, 2017

Hello!

Happy New Year to y’all! I hope that you’ve all made your Resolutions and intend to keep them until at least February this year! I’m excited for 2017 though, our Mission is just going to blow up because right now just here in Fort Payne (which just weeks ago was a “dying” area) has about 11 potential baptisms and it is only January 3rd!

Our week started off very well. On Tuesday we got to meet with Michael again-the guy who originally was very frustrating to both Elder Morley and I. He has definitely come a long way and whether he realizes it or not he enjoys and is interested in the messages that we are sharing. Tuesday we were able to do a Book of Mormon read with him in which we read the overview and the first twelve verses of 1 Nephi. This concept was taught to us by Brother Donaldson the week previous and it was all about being a guide through the Book and making the story and the scriptures relate to the investigator and their circumstances. We’ll be able to meet with him again this week and I hope that we were able to get him interested enough to begin reading on his own.

The Ivey Family is another focus family of ours in which we did the same thing. We read through the overview and first twelve verses and basically introduce and got them started reading. Sometimes that’s all it takes with some people and then after they receive that witness for themselves then the rest is a breeze. So prayers for them as they search for their own answer and witness.

We are also working with and contact many referrals from mormon.org. Lindsey, whose husband’s family is LDS is looking for a church better than her experience growing up in which she can introduce her children into. One night this week we went to contact Felicia who isn’t too interested right now but, as we were getting in the car to leave her apartment complex, we met Alex. We were leaving but as I got into the car I felt like I should talk to him and so not thinking anything of it I asked “Did you have a good Christmas?” With no hesitation, the Spirit took control of the conversation and it lead to him telling us he was at a point of his life where he wanted to turn around and we are now teaching him about the church and where he can find the Joy he is looking for. That was a huge testimony to me that we are supposed to be finding everywhere we go, and the Lord places people in your path for a reason. We were supposed to go to that apartment complex not to meet Felicia but to meet Alex, and Felicia’s referral was the means to get us there! It’s amazing how the Lord does his work.

Virginia did not get baptized...but we are still hopeful in the near future. This week we set up meetings to begin teaching Emily who is the 10-year-old daughter to a less-active in the Branch who started asking her Mom about getting baptized so we are looking forward to that. There is a girl who we began teaching as well who is the girlfriend of a less-active family and she has nothing wrong with getting baptized so we are working towards the 28th of January with her. Also, Lauren who has been taught for a while is now ready to be on date as her and her husband (less-active) work towards a date together-her for her baptism and him being worthy to baptize her. In addition to all of that (see I told y’all like 11 already set up…) the Serabia who is in a situation where circumstances are keeping the mother from being baptized is all ready which yields the Mother and four kids, plus possibly the Mother’s Aunt and her Aunt’s grandson. Prayers for all those who are working towards making those sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father that are renewed every week!!

A few short blips of funny stories that I hope y’all can laugh at:

I smoked a ball in whiffle ball on Monday. Went about 700ft.

We pranked President and his Wife and told them that Elder Morley messed up his knee during interviews on Wednesday.

I stole an e-cig from a Less-Active and wanted to see if it worked with water….it works, ask Elder Morley who was coughing all morning Thursday.

We had band practice for District Meeting; I blew through a stop sign; and our team-up farted at the door Friday night.

Alabama won and is going to the NAtional Championship. Roll Tide!!

I almost had to give a talk on Sunday in lieu of someone else who didn’t show up, but he finally came in at 10 til.

A member gave us an alcoholic Christmas present Monday night.

We went to the US Space and Rocket Center this morning and Elder Morley and I went to war.

I love my Mission and I love y’all! Happy 2017!!

Much Love,

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