It was a good one:
Well, you can never complain as a missionary and especially not this week. We didn't have too much success in finding, a few potentials, but we had some great lessons and saw some major progress in those we are working with. Along with that technology is full-fledged and everyone in the mission will have it by the end of this week. It works; we've had several situations where it's been so much easier to connect with people and stay in touch over Facebook as well as do some lessons over video chat. The Lord has inspired all the inventions available to us and it's all for the purpose of building His kingdom on the earth!
On Monday we had a great meeting with Theresa. The boys were in there as well but during the lesson we were able to talk to Theresa a little more one-to-one and ask her what she feels like the boys need in order to be ready for baptism. She explain that she wants them to understand it enough and want it enough for themselves. It was really intelligent what she shared, she compared her saying "No" to them being baptized and her saying "No" to a video game-they would fight for the game but if they aren't willing to argue and stand up for it then they aren't ready. All in all it was great. She is growing and progressing, loves church, loves the foundations, and she loves studying it out. That lesson showed us light at the end of the tunnel and will help us moving forward. Later in the week Elders Canty and Hastings went with Brother Huff had an amazing lesson with Theresa and Jabori and Javon. It was all about Testimony and how they can gain a testimony (which is ultimately what Mom wants before they get baptized). Contrary to our lesson theirs went exactly to plan and the boys were spot on. Javon said something along the lines of, "I feel like what they are saying they believe and know to be true. And that makes me want to believe them too." in regards to a video about the Prophets bearing testimony. Theresa is studying and making great steps as well which is cool. It's fun to watch the progression... Now it's just time to get them in the Sainsburys home for dinner because everyone that eats there gets baptized! To top off Theresa's huge progression steps for the week we taught her over Facebook and she was so much more open and even expressed that she is "close" to making the decision to be baptized. We talked to her a lot about her feelings about the Book of Mormon and she loves them. When we asked her what her life would be like without the Book of Mormon Javon, her younger boy, shouted from the background, "It would mean we would be in the wrong church!" It's become a miracle to see their progression and to see how technology has been so beneficial on teaching Theresa and helping her receive the restore gospel!
This week we did find DeVaughn and Cynthia. They recently moved from Texas. I was out making some follow ups with Elder Briggs.who is serving in Huntsville and we saw DeVaughn opening the back of their moving van one night and asked if they needed help. He gratefully said yes and then invited us over the next day. We taught them the Restoration with Brother Haney and they received it well. Cynthia was raised more religiously but they were both feeling the spirit and we are hoping to work with them towards the 21st if April. Selfless Service Softens Stoney Souls.
We had an exchange with Birmingham YSA this week and Elder Davis and I got to go teach Clinton. He's been non-consistent lately and so we were trying to figure out where he was at and what we really needed to teach him. Our plan was to start the Plan of Salvation because he's gotten the Restoration the past three times and he had started reading from the Book of Mormon. So when we stopped by he asked us to come back in a little bit which worked out well because Brother Hansen was able to take us over after dinner. When we get there he is running around busy with stuff but finally we are able to talk with him. He hadn't read 3 Nephi 27, the chapter we assigned him, but I figured we would go on into the Plan anyways. However, I didn't really know where we needed to go so we started with a prayer and went from there. The Spirit kinda took over and we read the first 12 verses from 3 Nephi 27 and his "roadblocks" you could say we're brought up and discussed. We mentioned the Restoration again but focused on praying specifically to get the answer that Christ's church is back. Brother Hansen bore a great testimony and it felt right the whole time. The moral of the story is that when we plan for things and put forth our effort the Lord is then able to direct us with the Spirit. That afternoon we talked about the Plan of Salvation and even role played it; and I know that even though we planned for something else, had we not put forth that effort I don't think our lesson would've gone as smooth.
On Saturday evening we met with Alandus again. He wasn't real sure he wanted to let us in because he had been drinking and smoking. He was just super run ragged from work and said he was trying to get some rest from it all. For the most part it was just us sitting there listening to him vent and talk about his struggles and his desires and dreams and how he was working so hard for his daughter and all this stuff about his situation. When it came our turn to talk I didn't really know what to say but as we went we brought up prayer and how God wants to hear from us. He loves us so much that He wants to listen to our struggles and trials and dreams and desires and frustrations. As we shared that with Alandus and showed him the Peace in Christ music video the Spirit was present and he recognized it. I recognized it and it was a tender moment to sit and know that you are fulfilling your purpose as a representative of the Lord.
The other parts of the week were filled with meetings, basketball, coordination, and two Technology Trainings; one over in Tuscaloosa and one here in Inverness. We got a couple pictures over by the stadium and laughed at the idea of going to be in college soon. Oh yeah, me, Elder Canty, Sister Birch, and Sister Johanson (the Hoover Missionaries) sang a musical number at Tech Training so that was fun! Also, I met this guy named Larry Parks who knows Dr. Matt Woods fairly well... How small world is that?! And I am officially converter to a smartphone; I thought that I was going to use the planner anyways but it became too much of a hastle. Oh well. Church was awesome on Sunday, we had three investigators at church: Jabori, Javon, and Vivian! Vivian came to church and then she didn't stay to say Hello. She rushed off and we only found out because we got a text that said: "Hello and thank you for inviting us to church! I really enjoyed the Elder from Colorado who spoke about daily prayer and repentance. Excellent. Had to leave for another Sunday meeting. Blessings to you! Vivian"
- Elder Canty and I also got very creative and initiated what we are calling it is #ABMEggHunt. This is the text we sent out to everyone:
"Fwd: Alright everyone, please pay special attention as to what we need y'all to do…
We want to start our own little ABM Easter Initiative called "#ABMEggHunt". In order for this to work we need each of you as well as your ward members (talk to them all about it today at church) to come together and organize yourselves fairly quickly in the week leading up to Easter.
The plan is to hide Easter eggs all around town where ever you might be serving (in the parking lots of stores, parks, neighborhoods, apartment complexes, etc.) with a piece of paper inside that says:
"Without Christ there would be no Easter. Post a picture of you with the Easter egg and comment your favorite scripture about Christ, your testimony of Christ, a special Easter memory, or anything else you can think of to share the true meaning of the season! End the post with "#ABMEggHunt" and then go rehide your egg for someone else to find! Thanks for helping us share Christ this Easter!" (mormon.org will also be somewhere visible).
We will plan on sending out a template with the little cards so you will get them on P-Day. What we ask of you is that you go to Wal-Mart or the Dollar Tree to acquire 50 or so eggs (or as many as you feel necessary; they run about $2.00/48 eggs) and print off the correct number of cards for the eggs. Then, go hide them! Get members involved too and let's use the tools we have to help others feel the love of their Savior and His Atonement.
We will be posting an initial #ABMEggHunt post if you'd like to share that via Facebook or you can make your own to get the word out. Let us know if you have any questions and be creative!
Thanks again, let's get eggin' and go baptize!!"
We'll see how it work but we have high hopes considering everyone has been calling asking questions about it!
- Playing gator ball last week I jokingly kicked the ball at Sister Birch after she said something sassy to me. Accidently almost nailed her in the face... Imagine one of those apple on the head tricks, because that's what happened only with the bun she had her hair done up in. Oops, don't worry though I repented!
- I found Elder Canty outside sitting by the pool in our apartment complex one morning and he said that it was the most peaceful time listening to the sounds. "This must be what it is like in Arizona--to relax out by your pool."
- Clinton left us and Brother Hansen in his apartment alone for like five minutes or so. Awkward.
- Brother Huff went off on a tangent about how much he loves rocks in Gospel Principles class. Isn't the Earth a beautiful thing--especially the rocks?! "Did you know that rocks had baby rocks?"
- We knocked on this guys door and he answered, "Oh hey guys!" *shuts door and locks it* But, that's not the funny part. A few minutes later his girlfriend or wife walks up to the door and we said hello to her and started talking to her. Then the guy opened the door and said, "Oh I thought you were the Mormons!" She then tries to "Shh" him and says embarrassed, "Quiet, they are right there." :)
- If you don't look once, you're not a man. If you look twice you're not a missionary.
- We need a Red Print (Words of Christ) Book of Mormon for the South. Do you agree??
It being Easter I want to leave a short thought about our Savior and His Atonement. There are three things that are involved when we talk about the Atonement of Jesus Christ: His suffering in the garden of Gethsemane, His death in the cross, and His resurrection. All three of these events make up the opportunity we have to gain eternal joy and eternal life. Through Him we can overcome spiritual death, or sin, and physical death. We can and will conquer death and the adversary because of Him. But, how do we know that joy now? How can we feel the peace He has to offer today? The answer is daily, joyful, consistent repentance. When we repent daily we don't necessarily pay Him back for what He's done, but we are able to show Him our love and appreciation. Easter is a time to remember Him. Remember that it's not our suffering and our death and our resurrection, it's His, and what a glorious time to give Him the recognition He deserves but never begs for.
I'm grateful for Him and for a loving Heavenly Father willing to sacrifice His son so that we may live. I hope y'all have a great week of remembering! Don't forget to watch General Conference in between Egg Hunts this weekend either: conference.lds.org.
Much Love,
Elder Milius
“The doctrine of the Atonement is the most supernal, mind-expanding, passionate doctrine this world or universe will ever know. It is this doctrine that gives life and breath and substance to every gospel principle and ordinance. It is the spiritual reservoir that feeds the streams of faith, provides the cleansing powers to the waters of baptism, and supplies the healing balm to the wounded soul. It is the focal point of the sacrament, temple, and other gospel ordinances. It is the rock foundation upon which all hope in this life and eternity is predicated.”-Elder Callister
“He is not here, but is risen.” (Luke 24:6).
PS: My Dad sent the new and improved picture from last week
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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
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