Elder Michael Milius: 20 February 2018

Another Week Down,

And with that, there goes another week! It was a long one, which just added the opportunity for ups and downs, but it’s been good! We finished up all of our zone conferences introducing technology and then got our smartphones up and running so we can figure them out in order to train in the next zone conference! We finished the week with back-to-back exchanges on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday so I didn’t get to proselyte with my companion until about Saturday afternoon. Wahoo!

To start though, Crystal and Oscar are gone at least for now. That was the lowest point of the week and it happened again on Saturday. We finally got in touch with her and were texting back and forth and she mentioned some “reservations” she had. Turns out she has a problem with the Word of Wisdom because she believes that the church doesn’t have an official “why” to it (at least good enough to her standards). We think she did some research online considering the conversation led to women and the priesthood. It was just sad and that blew up our Saturday. It was saved though by Dylan and Lindsey coming down!! I haven’t seen Dylan since leaving Florence and so that was a neat experience. One day Dylan will get baptized and I will be there for it that’s for sure; then I’ll be able to go to the temple with Dylan and Lindsey when they get sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. My relationship with Dylan is like the relationship we had with Ryan Cash and, shout-out to them, they’re sealed now and have been for a while!

On another note, Monday night we had a cool experience. We had to drive to Tupelo that night but we had a little bit of time to visit some people. After deciding who to follow-up with we went and no one was home. At this point it was time for us to leave but we both felt impressed to follow-up with one more person around the same area. As we walked over to their apartment we knocked and met Tanisha. We were trying to contact her husband but she seemed interested so we scheduled to meet with the whole family. We didn’t make that return appointment but it was a good experience right before we left for our road trip!

Some other cool experiences with people: Garry was a lady that we met a couple of weeks ago but didn’t get back to visit until this past week. She seemed interested in reading the Book of Mormon so we will see how those things go! Derrick was a guy who is just trying to do good things but is struggling. He opened up to us a lot and we share some sweet, simple testimonies. We gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and it really meant a lot to him. The same day as Derrick we talked to Chris who is in the same situation and this time we had a member with us. He was working to get a job but it all fell through and he was in a low place. That morning though when we texted him he said that he saw it and said to himself, “It’s going to be okay.” Those experiences testified to me of what we as missionaries are really here to do. We’re here to help people and that’s what I will miss the most about being a missionary. Coaly was a guy that Elder Egbert and I contacted a couple weeks ago in the parking lot at Wal-Mart and then never were able to find his house. Then, I found out where it was and took Elder Featherstone back on exchanges and we re-contacted him! He told us that it was amazing that he was actually home, he usually isn’t on Fridays. He said that the two Fridays we’ve caught him have been the only two Fridays he’s actually been off. We’ve also had some success in asking people for others that they know who can benefit from our message right after we made a goal to ask for more referrals so that was a miny miracle! Jabori came to church!! Javon and Teressa weren’t able to make it, but Jabori came and loved it. It was sad, Elder Egbert said that Javon was crying as we were walking out so apparently he wanted to come but for some reason couldn’t. It was sad but hopefully that means they are both good to go for March 10th.

Basketball finally worked out this week and we had some people there.Then, Elder Hastings who was down on exchanges got nailed in the face. When we went to dinner with the Fuller’s this past Sunday their son, who was at basketball, caught it on video!
A lady named Carolyn was walking up the stairs to an apartment while we were coming down and we stopped and talked to her. She said, “You want to know something amazing?” “Sure,” we said. “I am in love with Jesus!!” She then proceeded to ask if she could pray for us to which we graciously accepted. “Please bless these two young men that they may be bombarded with evidences of your love….”
We’ve tracted a lot in the last little bit.
You can find weird things in your laundry some days...
We went to follow-up with a potential investigator and as we knocked on his door he answered and said that it wasn’t a good time. His wife's water had just broke and they were about to be on their way to the hospital. Most legit reason to not let us in I’ve heard yet!

It was another great week in the city of Hoover, AL. I’m so grateful to be here, to serve with such great missionaries and to become closer to my Savior. I wouldn’t give anything for all of the relationships I’ve made and all of the people I’ve been able to simply talk to and share my testimony with. It’s amazing how the Lord uses us in his work.

D&C 124:1, “...for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.”

Hope y’all have a very blessed week!

Much Love,

Elder Milius

PS: Elder Lewis made it home! After a two-month extension he finally was reunited with his family and new baby sister! Love that Jamaican.

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