Wednesday, November 1, 2017

31 October 2017 - Elder Milius Week 70

Happy Halloween!

    Hey y’all, hope things are going good wherever you’re at and hope that the weather is nice like it’s been here the last little bit! First things first...I WILL BE LEAVING SMITHVILLE AFTER SIX SHORT WEEKS! I know, it’s crazy. I’ve been hopping around lately but I guess it’s where I need to be. I don’t know where I’ll be going yet, I will find out at Transfer Meeting tomorrow morning so be anticipating my new home and address next week!
    Other than that this week has pretty much been great! We went on an exchange with the New Albany Elders over Wednesday and Thursday and we drove down to Gardendale for a follow-ups trainers meeting. We located a baseball bat last week and went to play baseball. And we went to some parties and found some new people to teach.
    Kim and David are new, we were sent to them by Sister Scoleri who served here about a year ago. They had just gotten busy and stuff so things with the missionaries seemed to have faded but we had a good time meeting them and inviting them to pick up the Book of Mormon again! We also contacted another former investigator named Kelly. Man does this guy have a medical history and he is only 55. He’s had five heart attacks in the last two years and his pancreas and liver have both failed because of medicine. When we met him he had just gotten back from the Doctor’s and his blood pressure was 310/156 or something outrageous. He basically could’ve had an aneurysm right in front of us but luckily he didn’t. As far as we know he is doing okay and has an appointment with the Doctor next week. He met the missionaries about two years ago and they found him at Wal-Mart. His question to them was “I just don’t understand why God would stop talking to His children for 2,000 years?!” Since then he has read the Book of Mormon three times or so, and if his health would improve he would get baptized.
    Michelle and Greg are still pretty high potentials still. We are trying to plan to read the Book of Mormon with Michelle and we just met Greg’s whole family this past week so hopefully we’ll be able to find time to go teach them! Oh, and Brother “Sweatin’ for Jesus?” Van! He came to church on Sunday. Wahoo! That was a very pleasant surprise and he enjoyed it a lot. It was the primary program and he just loves kids so it was right up his alley! They all did great too. I think they should have a program every few months or so, because bringing investigators to that is just the greatest thing. Brother Van told us “Your kids run circles around all them other kids in other denominations!”
    Not too much to report on this week but I’ll jot down some stories:
  • Michelles’ daughter, Mac, texted us on Tuesday and invited us to their Halloween party Saturday. We showed up to say hi and crashed some pictures. It was funny.
  • Our neighbor, Frank, went into the hospital this past week. He’s doing better though, especially since the Voyles went to visit them. Mrs. Avery told us that Brother Voyles prayed for Frank (could’ve been a blessing...not sure) and since then he’s been improving.
  • With the New Albany Elders we went to a Baptist Fall Festival in Smithville that we were invited to! When we were walking up we went to ask someone where the people were who invited us and they said, “Nope! Not interested!” right off the bat. It was kinda awkward the rest of the night walking around but we live for that as missionaries. They had good chilli and cotton candy!
  • At the Smithville Baptist thing apparently Elder Braithwaite heard someone say, “Oh look they’re on a double date tonight.”
  • Elder Nielsen and Elder Braithwaite talked for 20 minutes in a Chinese accent.

    Things are going well! As I am finishing up I’m remembering some people that we got back in contact with: Raven and Harely came to the Branch Social on Saturday and then church on Sunday so we were able to teach them. Bob is doing alright for a lonely old man. Ms. Joyce is awesome and gave us her debit card information so that we can take it out to eat dinner one night. I’m going to miss the Smithville Branch, and I hope it continues to grow! I love the people here and I love Elder Nielsen! I’m getting separated from my “son” but he’s going to continue to do great things! Thank y’all for everything and I hope you have a blessed week!

Much Love,
Elder Milius

PS: Yesterday we went to contact a lady named Bernita. She responded to our Daily Scripture and we set up a time to come and meet her. Almost two years ago she met the Sisters in Amory and in about that time she had learned so much and loved so much about the church. We were able to catch back up on where she was and invite her to the new building in Smithville on Sunday! If that wasn't enough, we were prompted to challenge her to be baptized on November 25th and she accepted. I hope Elder Nielsen will be able to see he baptized. That was a sweet experience for me, to know that as we work hard and as we are obedient we have to do it with the Faith that we may not see the rewards come. We may not see rapid success, but to be able to be given that opportunity from the Lord was a tender mercy, something small, to know that ALL our work is much appreciated. NEVER give up in the service of the Lord! Don’t stop.

-- 
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













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