26 June 2017 - Elder Milius Week 52

Dear Family and Friends,

The bugs were kind of down in number this week but that’s because the rain was up and more consistent. So instead of swatting a loads or mosquitoes while knocking on doors we tracted in the rain for a couple days in a row for an hour plus or so each day. Yay!! But that’s the only thing to complain about! ...That’s a lie, I’m going to miss my best friend! This transfer is already over and Elder Matthews is being transferred to his mom in Utah! I’ll be staying here in Prattville and me new companion is going to be Elder Foudy! I am looking forward to another six weeks here in the Prattville Ward (which is changing a lot right now because of Military). 

This past week was pretty normal, still finding all the time but the work is going good as always! Monday was a typical p-day which was good! Not too much went on. But Tuesday we had a few lessons set up with some investigators and members to come! Unfortunately the first couple fell through but all was well and we were able to see Kerri with Jasher! Kerri we found after tracting into her Mom. We went to follow up with Dona (her mom) and met Kerri who had had neck surgery the week prior. Kerri told us to come by another time and when we did her daughter answered the door and after some miscommunication we came back a little later that night with Jasher. She had both her kids in the front room and we had a great lesson about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon! It was a miracle to us because it had been raining all day, but nonetheless we still got the three new investigators we had set a goal for that morning! That evening we also went out with Micah, Jasher’s brother, and taught Kimberly. She was one of the girls we passed and went back to talk to next to the lawn mower last week. It was funny because our relationship with Kimberly is weird. She told us she hadn’t read the Book of Mormon because her aunt who is an evangelist told her it wasn’t true. We were, as Elder Holland says you should be in Preach My Gospel, “devastated!” (I think Micah was confused at the whole thing). Luckily we convinced Kimberly that she had to receive an answer for herself in a variety of different analogies and such. Wednesday was a rough day with a lot of rain and “that’s all I have to say about that.” (Forrest Gump).

Thursday it rained again and we still found a couple investigators. One was Becca, who is the daughter of Ann the older lady we have been teaching for the past couple weeks. She seemed interested simply because she wanted to get her mom back into church! Ann is the source of cool experiences so keep her in your mind. Friday we had our final District Meeting where we all bore testimonies and it was very sad and emotional. (*Sidenote: Half our Zone is changing so that’s kinda sad). We took an awesome picture though because Elder Matthews and Sister Chavez are both going home or, “dying.” We tracted in the rain later that day though for an hour and met Rachel and her boyfriend Matt! They are 18 and 20 or so and she was super open, him not as much. But it was cool because if we had given up and gone home or even waited a little longer they would’ve been gone! Saturday was pretty much the same and then we got transfer news. Sunday was great though!

We had a miracle Sunday!! The Sisters have been teaching this deaf man named James and last time he came to church they just had someone sit and type for him the things that were being said so he could read it. Then yesterday he came to church and someone was visiting who had served an ASL mission! She came out and told us that she met him and was wondering if he needed an interpreter. So for the entire Sacrament Meeting she sat up front and interpreted for him! Then to top it all off she invited him to sing with her at the end and he was signing the closing hymn with her!! Crazy cool story! Then we went to see Ann (here she is again) because after telling us she wanted to come to church she didn’t make it. While we were over there a guy came out named Freddy who he was helping. He was homeless and had been struggling for a while. But apparently he went to our church 5-7 years ago! He then proceeded to talk about Nephi, Moroni, Joseph Smith, the Golden Plates, etc., etc. He said somewhere during the meeting that he loved going to our church because he felt the spirit and he said it felt like the “Lord’s kingdom on earth! Heaven on earth!” I don’t know if this guy was crazy or a genius or what we gave him a fresh copy of the Book of Mormon and invited both of them to read the first chapter and come to church! They accepted and as we were leaving Freddy was telling Ann all about the Book of Mormon, it was crazy! Better than having a member at a lesson! 

This week was another good one, but it’s always good when you’re serving the Lord! I’ve learned a lot over this past transfer about how to teach better, how to be a better disciple, and most importantly I’ve learned what it means to love your companion. I’ve been holding to the scripture in Alma 27 about how the Lord gives us success. And that “success” is really determined by you, at least where you find that success. Often times it’s not in baptisms or in teaching or in finding, but in our own self conversion. I love this Church and I love my mission! I’ve loved the relationships I’ve been able to make and for the life-long friendships I’ll have in Alabama and around! 

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers! Make it a good week, I love y’all!

Much Love,

Elder Milius

PS: Stories:

• Kerri was wearing the weirdest clothes when we went to visit with her and her family and she got all “dolled” up to see us. Weird.
• We tracted into a guy who said “Thanks, but I’m not interested in what you’re selling.” Elder Matthews responded, “Oh, we actually aren’t selling anything we’re going around talking about Jesus Christ today!” The guy says, “Not interested!” in a pretty rude manor to which Elder Matthews says, “So you’re not interested in Jesus?” As he was closing the door he said, “Nope!!” 
• Another day we tracted into a guy who was motioning for us to be quiet as to not wake the baby. We continued to try and talk to him through the storm door and he said, or motioned, or whatever, “I’m a part of your Faith.” “You’re a member?” *nodds* We have never seen or heard of his name before and don’t think he’s on the records.
• Patricia the lady we found last week by telling our native american story texted us and told us she had to check with her wife to see when a good time would be to do bible study.

Enjoy the pictures!!

-- 

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

We had Kimberly initial that she was going to be at our appointment 

with her in Elder Matthews’ planner. She bailed anyways. 

Elder Milius and Elder Matthews

 Elder Matthews and Sister Chavez are both going home 

or “dying” as we refer to it in the mission field.

19 June 2017 - Elder Milius Week 51

Happy Summer World!

I know some of you are in places where it’s snowing right now but be grateful. Alabama humidity is just amazing and it brings out all the wonderful mosquitos and gnats! Loving life and I can’t wait for summer to be in full force! But that’s all the complaining I really can do! We had another good week this week and like the last it went by super fast! We are still doing a lot of finding but some more people are starting to stick! We had two different exchanges this past week, one in Hoover and one in Prattville so that we didn’t have to do them this last week. Can’t believe time, what a concept.

Monday we had dinner with an awesome family but it was still a kinda awkward appointment. I’ve had all sorts of crazy weird dinner appointments since being here so it’s just continuing the way it started! Tuesday we were in our own area and we found Patricia! She was super open to us at the door and our opening line (for a lot of people down here) was “Are you native american! A lot of people have Indian sculptures or dream catchers and it’s usually because they have some of it in their blood. After asking her that we told her that we had a “Cool story about the Native Americans!” and then we knew we had her hooked. “What’s the story?” she asked. :) Then we taught her about the Book of Mormon and are going back this coming week! That day we also were tired of tracting and contacting people so we sat on a bench and offer people free copies of the Book of Mormon! It worked, once. About as successful as tracting! 

Wednesday we went to Hoover with APs and did some work there. We met a girl who graduated with my class. Which was weird, but it’s just this growing older thing I guess...I don’t know. We taught this awesome kid named Nathan whose Mom is a member and Dad is a Recent Convert.

Thursday our exchange with the APs ended and we came home and started an exchange with the Millbrook Elders! Yay us! To add to it a storm hit and so we were kinda stuck all day because between the four of us we only had one car! So we did a lot of store contacting but we did teach Ann, the lady we met tracting with Jasher not too long ago! She’s awesome and brought up the fact that she wanted to come to church with us-which is cool because when we first met her she said she hadn’t been to church in a long time because of reasons she chooses not to share. Also a side-note: Ann is cousins with Elvis Presley. 

Friday we had District Meeting and ended our exchange with Millbrook. We did our planning and found another awesome lady named Haley! We tracted into her and she goes to the Church of the Highlands which is pretty big down here! It’s a “pick-and-choose” church and has different campuses all over that tailor to how you want your church meetings to be like! We answered a lot of questions that she has and we gave her a Book of Mormon! Going back this week!

Saturday we found 4 new investigators! One, Shantae was after we had just gotten bashed by a former Baptist Preacher, and he lost! Another one, Susan, set a return appointment for us to come back the next morning and again for Wednesday this week. The other two, Kimberly and Raven probably thought we were weirdos but we taught them and convinced them to read the Book of Mormon! Sunday was as always a good day and we were ready to wind down by the end of the night! 

• I haven’t drank soda over the past year, but when we went to Hoover their “exchange tradition” is root beer floats. My stomach almost killed me but I drank it anyways to be polite! 
• Elder Matthews and I are best friends.
• He thinks we’re never going to see each other again.
• Especially if I don’t go to BYU for school.
• My life….good thing I know where I’ll be for the next year.
• I cried this week and I blame Elder Matthews. It was the first time I’ve actually had tears come out of my eyes my entire mission!

It was another fantastic week in Prattville and our finding efforts will hopefully come to fruition as the weeks go on! I But even if they don’t I love this work, I love this ward, I love my companion, and I love the Lord! Make it a great week y’all! Love you!

Much Love,

Elder Milius

PS: Enjoy the pictures again! We had a breakfast party and volleyball/dodgeball zone activity today! Good times! 

-- 

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 Matthews

 

Missionary Dodge Ball

12 June 2017 - Elder Milius Week 50

Family and Friends!!

This week was fantastic!! Full of more finding people to teach and trying to help people make the covenant of baptism!! This week started out splendid. We spent time eating with the Fenn family who invited us over for FHE all about the Family Proclamation. 

Tuesday we had to go up to Birmingham for an MLC meeting-fun! We spent almost all day in that meeting and Elder Matthews and I bought matching crab ties. Comp. Unity!  That night after we got home we were trying to follow-up and find more people to teach! We have gotten to be very bold and weed out the weak individuals fast with the approach “Hey, have you been baptized?!” It lets us talk to more people about the gospel believe it or not. We found Nikeia (18) and Quentin (15) and started teaching Quentin. (Nikeia ended up living in Montgomery). He was a super bright kid with tons of potential and from that first contact we put them on date to be baptized on June 24! Miracle!!! But we got a phone call a couple days later and his mom told him to tell us that they are baptist. So they dropped us.

Wednesday we went out with a youth in the Ward, Jasher! We took him tracting-because we needed more company-not really but he wanted to come with us-and got to teach two new investigators the Restoration in Elder Matthews “story telling” way. They were both pretty open to the gospel and it seemed to be the right place at the right time for both of them! We haven’t been able to teach either of them again but we are hoping to make better contact this coming week!

Thursday we had an exchange in Prattville with the Clanton Elders that went pretty well. Both of us were finding basically all day but we didn't necessarily find any success. Elder Wamsley likes to use magic as an approach so we went to the park and talked to quite a few people about the gospel after Elder Wamsley found their card. It was something different and unique which made it very easy to talk to people. Also, earlier that day we had a lesson and when we came out just one street over there were tons of cops showing up and blocking off the street and there was a helicopter circling. Apparently there was a drug bust and a cop was shot. Yay!:) Exciting stuff, huh Mom!

Friday was District Meeting and our wonderful weekly planning session that I love. It’s the one thing I won’t be sad to leave in a year. Cool experience that day though, we were at McDonalds and Elder Matthews was using the bathroom (funny story explained later). And so I was sitting at a table watching this worker who looked kinda sad and I felt like I should give him the copy of the Book of Mormon I had. I fought it for a little bit but then wrote in it so that I’d have to give it to him. He was mopping out the Women’s restroom when Elder Matthews was done and we were headed out so I went up to him, asked him his name, and told him that for some reason I felt I needed to give him this book, I promised him that it would bring him joy as it‘s brought me and told him to smile a bit! :) I told him to call us and we could explain more, which he hasn’t yet, but I do know that I did my part. It was the oddest feeling in the most random circumstances but I realized how much I cared about and how much I had learned in the past year to love those around me. I honestly can say that it’s been easy feeling God’s love for His children, even when I don’t know them. Huge testimony builder for me. By the way his name was Jonathan! 

 Saturday we found all day! Meet with Lee who we determined just doesn’t have the desire or real intent to get baptized at the moment so she’ll be on the back burner. We also sat and talked to her boyfriend, Vince, who came and sat right next to us. We answered some questions about religion that no one had been able to answer before. He might not have accepted the answers but nonetheless, we tried! We prayer tracted that evening and got taken all over the city to different streets! That was interesting because I knew that we had received revelation and where we needed to go each time, but only were able to teach maybe one or two people. I think that it goes to show that God is preparing people who we might even come in contact with, but agency still exists.

I gave a talk on Sunday about Elder Robert D. Hales’ talk this past general conference on “Becoming a Disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I thought it went well and was told that I was a great public speaker and that I should think about going into law. What do you think Grandpa Shumway and all you others who took that route? We also found Patricia who was the typical “last door” on the street story! When she answered we asked her about her native american statue and told her we had a cool story about Native Americans (the Book of Mormon). She asked what our story was, not knowing what she was getting into, but she still invited us back on Friday! 

• Now for the story to be explained later. Friday was a rough day because we had just ended our exchange and we were getting tired of finding and all those feelings that are brought about by missionary work. The STLs in Millbrook were so kind and brought us this box of Sonic chicken and two shakes! It brightened up our day and almost made us cry! About an hour later we were tracting before a couple appointments we had and both of our stomachs weren’t feeling great. Then, right after we knocked on this one door it all hit the bottom of Elder Matthews’ stomach at once and he walked off the porch and started back towards the McDonalds where we parked. He was terrified that he was going to explode out his back end and as I was walking next to him, laughing in shock that he was serious he told me to run and go get the car because he couldn’t walk. When I got to the car I looked back to see Elder Matthews coming as fast as he can, clearly pinching and holding what was soon to be a disaster in. We got to McDonalds without an emergency and all was good after that. Luckily we had found a “Watchtower,” Jehovah Witness’ literature at a door that we took so Elder Matthews had something to read as demons were being cast out of his body. Never will I eat at Sonic again. 

It was another great week in Alabama and I wouldn’t trade it for the world! Hope the summer is beginning to treat y’all well! I love y’all!

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