17 January 2017 - Elder Milius Week 29

Hello from Wetumpka, AL!

So, for those of you who don’t know...Elder Milius was Emergency Transferred out of Fort Payne on Friday and is now serving in Wetumpka, AL, which is down by Montgomery. And yes I do enjoy talking about myself in third person. Just a short story concerning this ET:

On Thursday night around 5:00, the day after transfers (after we had arranged our entire apartment to accommodate three Elders) I received a call from President. He first had called using the Anniston cell phone-I think he was worried that we wouldn’t answer if we knew it was him. But he opened the conversation by telling me “Elder Milius, you know how you are always saying that if I need anything to call you?” Mind you, I hadn’t put that in my email since the first ET and then a couple weeks ago started doing it again. I responded, “”Now President, last time you said that you ET me out of Florence.” “Well,” he said, “I’m going to do it again…” And that was that. SO now, I am serving in Wetumpka, training a brand new awesome Missionary named Elder Harris, and I am also serving as the District Leader for the Wetumpka District. I don’t know how President is going to one-up this one.

All joking aside however, I am excited to be here and to basically start the work here from scratch. Fortunately there is a trio of Sister also in Wetumpka so we aren’t necessarily alone. But we are in a car share-meaning the Sisters have the car. 

As you can imagine this week has been crazy, like about every other week in the Mission thus far. It started off on a bad note as our good ole Roll Tide Defense gave up in the fourth quarter and not very many people are happy about the turnout on Monday.

Surprisingly though, Tuesday-which is usually our slow day-went very well. WE went in to see Paul, the owner of an interesting shop in Downtown Fort Payne and we met Heather. Heather was very interested it seemed in the things we were telling her as missionaries and invited us over to her home that next Friday. I’ve enjoyed Paul’s store because he is a very adamant follower of Christ and loves to talk religion and God with people all the time. He also sold me a guitar so now I have a new instrument to learn how to play. After Paul’s we went to Aaron’s home and met with him. He took two hours to tell us his entire life story and really opened up. As far as I know he is now working to turn his life around and has a baptismal date for March 3rd. 

Now, this experience demands for its own paragraph. While we were in Aaron’s we missed three phone calls from Michael. Michael is the investigator who Elder Morley and I got very frustrated with the first time we met with him and then he called and asked us to come back. But we returned these three calls and he asked if we could stop by not later that week, but that night and he sounded...I guess excited to meet with us. When we got there, he introduced us to his friend Dawn and told us that he had started reading the Book of Mormon, that he loved it and was trying to get her to begin it as well so he wanted us to come teach her about it. We were taken back. And as we began the lesson, Michael varied his comments from testifying that what we were saying was true and that he believed everything we had to say to totally disagreeing with us. Wierd. He called me aside during the middle of the lesson and explained that the reason he was going off on tangents and such was apparently in order to get Dawn to ask questions...I didn’t understand but we went on and had a good lesson...I think. Michael though, to me has made a complete turn around, and I hope that he can continue reading and progressing.

The rest of this week was taken up by Transfers, getting Elder Porter the third guy in Fort Payne, getting a phone call and making Elder Porter only the second guy, moving down to Wetumpka, and walking around trying to figure out the area. We weren’t left with a whole lot of solid people to work with on the Elders side of things, but the Ward is awesome and we hope to soon find consistent people to work with. This area reminds me a lot like Florence in the way that we do Missionary Work, but it is a little further South than Florence...and a little closer to Montgomery if you catch my drift. 

A dog peed all over my leg and shoe.

We saw two Elder stopped, picking up a bike on the Interstate on our way to Transfers.

The tires of our car squealed as we came around a corner a little too fast.

We meet and talked to two different gay dudes in a period of two hours. 

The Elders in Wetumpka sang as they walked, and walked, and walked, and walked….

I do want to close with a scripture from Alma 22: 3-4;

“....And the king said unto them: Arise, for I will grant unto you your lives, and I will not suffer that ye shall be my servants; but I will insist that ye shall administer unto me; for I have been somewhat troubled in mind because of the generosity and the greatness of the words of thy brother Ammon; and I desire to know the cause why he has not come up out of Middoni with thee.

 4 And Aaron said unto the king: Behold, the Spirit of the Lord has called him another way; he has gone to the land of Ishmael, to teach the people of Lamoni.”

I know that Missionary Work is not easy, and transfers, especially like I’ve experienced, don’t make it any easier. But I do know that I am where the Lord needs me to be. I know that I was called by Him to serve in the Alabama Birmingham Mission and I know that at this point in time He has called me to labor in the Wetumpka area. I know that because He has issued that call and because I’ve been called another way by the Spirit, that that same Spirit is guiding and directing our work here. We will begin to have great success here as we press forward and continue to show our diligence to the Lord and to His Work. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, our Leader, Amen.

I love y’all and I hope each of you has a great week this week! And if you need anything let me know...unless it’s getting Emergency Transferred! Take care.

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

9 January 2016 - Elder Milius Week 28

Hello Friends and Family,

I hope everyone had a safe and happy new year! 2017 is going to be a good one! Elder Morley and I will be staying together for another Transfer in FORT PAYNE!!! We might be getting another Elder in a trio, but both of us are staying here and we couldn’t be more satisfied! I’m going to jump right in and share some awesome experiences we’ve had this week in both Finding and Teaching.

First, on Wednesday we went back to go visit Lindsey who was a referral and was “thinking about converting” (the Referral text). We didn’t get to teach Lindsey because she was asleep but Allen was there. Allen is apparently Lindsey’s best friend who came up to help her out with her kids and he had previously had discussions with Missionaries. We were able to answer some questions revolving around the Book of Mormon and why it is such an emphasis as us as missionaries and we’ll be able to continue to teach him as well as Lindsey. Another testimony that as we make plans, the Lord is then able to place people in our path-whether those people were the “plans” or not.

Thursday was another great day and we had a couple lesson in which the Spirit was almost tangible. Typically every Thursday we go to BIlly’s who is a Recent Convert since about August. On several occasions he invites friends and people he knows to these meetings and then based on who attends we teach what is appropriate. This Thursday there were two non-members there and we taught the Restoration lesson. Along with the Restoration we showed the DVD that talks about Joseph Smith and his life leading up to the First Vision. I have come to love that video more than any other because I know that I can’t deny what that video portrays is a true story and a true experience. After the video was over we briefly covered the last few points of the lesson and extended a soft baptismal invite (meaning we don’t necessarily set a date, but we say something along the lines of “If you come to know these things are true, will you be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God?”) to which both Amie and Sue accepted. Lately Elder Morley and I have been teaching the Restoration a lot more and we have been able to extend those soft invitations which I have found very appropriate and in most cases necessary. Those invitations make the investigator have what we like to call “real intent” in discovering the answer for themselves and then knowing what they have to do next after receiving their answer. After that lesson we taught Emily who is our 10-year-old girl on a baptismal date for February 4th. She is a very smart girl and will progress very smoothly so we are looking forward to that with her. 

Friday morning we contacted another referral for Aaron. His friend Ben is a Ward Mission Leader in NY and he contacted mormon.org to get missionaries over to see Aaron. When we went to see him he expressed to us his desire to change and noticed how the church blessed Ben’s life so he got interested and then it’s turned over to us. He told us he does drink coffee and smoke but that he is willing to give all of that up in order to have a better relationship with God and be a member of the church. The future is bright for him as well and hopefully we’ll be able to put him on date this coming week.  That night we also saw an investigator of over a year named Jeff. I don’t know if I’ve talked about Jeff before but he is a studier of many religions and all different beliefs interest him. Our Branch Mission Leader came with us and we had a simple discussion with him and tried to determine where he really is as far as his views on joining the church. He had some personal things going on and some health issues so he’s in a weird place right now, but before we left Brother Kanouff offered for us to give Jeff a Priesthood Blessing. At first neither of us were excited and I didn’t know what I was going to say in that blessing. I knew I couldn’t preach to him in it-which is what I really wanted to do-but we went ahead and I can’t tell you what I said but I know I said the right things. I don’t know how Jeff took it, I don’t remember anything other than it was one of the weirdest blessings I’ve ever given, but I know it was right. Interesting how the Spirit works.

Saturday we met with a Referral and her family. She told us she didn’t remember orderign a Bible from mormon.org but she invited us in and we taught her, her best friend and her son who all seemed interested in the Restoration. If we hadn’t given out all our copies of the Book of Mormon we would’ve left one of those with them as well but we will stop by again later this week and hopefully have one to give. We also taught Lynn the last of her recent convert lessons and she is solid. She’s looking forward to going to the temple to do baptisms on the 14th of this month and we’re excited for her to progress in the gospel and in the church. She’s awesome. 

Then to top off our great week in church on Sunday Elder Morley and I found out that we “Did it!” As missionaries all you hear and all you try to do with the unit you’re serving in is getting them to trust you so that they will bring you their friends and allow us to teach them in their homes. Well, at the beginning of priesthood Brother Youngblood (who goes out with us every Thursday now) told the Priesthood: “These are some of the two best young men and they are the best missionaries we’ve ever had serving in this unit. They are great missionaries and if you have friends get them into your home and then invite these guys over because they are wonderful teachers and are just great missionaries.” I paraphrased from what I remember but essentially that is exactly what he said about us. I couldn’t have been more happier to hear anything else. That is going to be one of the best experiences of my mission without a doubt. 

This week…

I was talked into learning how to play the guitar.

Our members in a great lesson started going off on a tangent right after the Restoration video played and destroyed the Spirit….but we brought it back and it was all good.

The entire town shut down because of less than ¼ inch of snow. School had a snow day, businesses closed early that night, roads were closed, and the bread and milk were gone from the stores.

A house we were in had mice running around the room behind me the entire lesson.

In our meeting Friday night our Branch Mission Leader answered the door in a towel.

When talking with an older guy Sunday night he had snot stringing from his nose for a solid minute and Elder Morley and I couldn’t hold in our laughter.

Thank y’all for your prayers and support! I love you and hope you continue to stay safe! If you have any questions or if I can do anything for you let me know! Looking forward to another Transfer here in Fort Payne!

Waffle House Waitress: “Are y’all fixin’ to watch the game tonight?” 

Me: “Yes ma’am I reckon the whole state of Alabama is fixin’ to watch the game; Roll Tide!”

#rolltide #nationalchamps2016

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

 SNOW in Fort Payne, Alabama!

January 3, 2017 - Elder Milius Week 27

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

 Elder Milius, Elder Morley, and President Sainsbury

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

 A member gave us an alcoholic Christmas present on Monday night

 I stole an e-Cig from a Less-Active and wanted to see if it would work with water...it does!

 We went to the US Space and Rocket Center and Elder Morley and I went to WAR!

26 December 2016 - Elder Milius Week 26

Family and Friends,

I want to first again wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I hope your day yesterday was as great as mine out here! We got to visit several member’s homes, get feed, call family, get feed, and eat food! I’m so grateful for our Savior and for this week that we’ve had! I’m even more so thankful for the gifts, thoughts, and prayers that were directed toward me. They are truly felt and appreciated daily! May we never forget this season and more importantly never forget our Savior Jesus Christ.

On Monday we went on another hike, but it was the same one we went on several weeks ago when Elder Morley and I first got to Fort Payne. However, because of all the rain that we had received, there was actually water in the river! Tuesday was a basic day except we attended a Sign Language Group meeting that evening. Because we are teaching Virginia (who is not getting baptized on the 31st anymore but we are still hopeful for the near future) we decided to go to learn some basic signs that we can use to communicate to her. It was a very cool experience and all the people who were there were accommodating and loved to help us learn. How about that? English called, un poquito espanol, and sign language! 

Thursday was a big day and a highlight of probably my mission so far! Brother Lee Donaldson, former President of the San Diego Mission during the filming of The District 2, and current paid trainer and teacher for The Church came to our mission to help train us on how to better teach. He went over our mission specifically and stressed the importance of prayer. Prayer is something we would consider basic as far as teaching and most people in the South are knowledgeable on the concept. However, most people pray to Jesus instead of to our Heavenly Father. Brother Donaldson explained that if we want them, the investigators, to receive and answer to a prayer I don’t know such as “Is the Book of Mormon true?” then they need to be asking who-God. Our Heavenly Father is the person they need to address. He also went on to help us learn how to better teach the first lesson-The Restoration. He pointed out that The Restoration is all focused on how the investigator can receive personal revelation. Revelation is the theme. So, as we emphasize that we will better accomplish the purpose of that lesson. The last thing Brother Donaldson talked about was the importance of the Book of Mormon, of using the Book of Mormon as a tool. He read the first twelve verses with us, showing us how to make the Book applicable to the individual and how to be more of a “guide” than a “narrator.” When we as missionaries teach people we aren’t simply telling them stuff, or giving them information. We are helping them understand the material in order to prepare them for baptism because if we do it correctly and if they are sincere in listening to our message they will want to be baptized into Christ’s true church and make further covenants with the Father. That meeting was amazing for me to participate in especially so close to the beginning of my mission. I hope and pray I never lose the teaching skills I’m developing on the mission, it’s amazing. Young Men and Sisters who are preparing to serve, if you think you are a bad teacher just wait, the Spirit will use your willingness to minister to whoever you talk to, I promise you that!

Friday we met a LA/PM family who is in an interesting situation. But, there are several people in that home that are ready for baptism, it’s just a matter of time. So prayers going out to the Serabia Family! Also, we went over to another Less-Active’s home to do a Christmas Lesson in which we were asking the kids about the Nativity and the story of Christ’s Birth. We established that Jesus was there, Mary was there, and we were trying to get other answers to people who were there as well. It was a struggle (and just for background information we are very close to this family). But, the 12-year-old when asked “Who else was there?” said excitedly “JOSEPH….SMITH!!!” The response to that was I am sorry to say laughter on our part with my companion stating through his breathes “You guys are Terrible at this!” It was a fun night, and although it was kinda rough, the focus was on the true meaning of Christmas so I think we got our point across! 

Saturday, Christmas Eve, basically all of our plans fell through-life of a missionary. But we were able to go to a family’s home and participate in blowing up 1000 balloons and playing in them. My fingers have a couple blisters from tying balloons, but it was a good time being there with the other missionaries from our District and spending Christmas Eve in a Family setting. Sunday was Christmas, and one of the most interesting Christmas mornings I’ve had. But it was also one of the best Christmas Days, being able to talk to my family, those closest to me, and see how wonderful they are all doing! I’m so thankful for Family and for my knowledge that Families can be together forever! 

Have a good week everyone and I will be emailing on Tuesday next week because our P-Day got changed due to New Year’s. Take care, and if you need anything from Elder Milius let me know! Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Godspeed, and 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

19 December 2016 - Elder Milius Week 25

Family and Friends,

First I would like to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS! I can’t believe that Christmas is in a week, and I’m so glad for the time we are given to celebrate our Savior’s birth! The ABM is having much success in our efforts of having a White Christmas and the Lord is definitely blessing His work and His Missionaries, of which I am blessed to be! 

The Work in the Fort Payne Branch is moving forward. Yesterday I was so glad to see several families and individuals who are less-actives come to the block of church meetings. Several things tend to make a missionary happy: baptisms, investigators that "get it," food, and for me less-actives at church. I can't tell you how excited I was and how excited I am for the future of the Fort Payne Branch.

This week was full as always. We are currently trying to work our hardest to get Virginia-our deaf investigator-prepared for baptism on the 31st. She is ready, the trick will be making sure she understands and everything she needs to. We are also working with several others who could be prepared for baptism in the coming month and it’s awesome to see this area grow! I can’t wait to see the Fort Payne Ward! 

Also this week, we met a man named Paul who owns a shop in Fort Payne. I share this with you because it was a testimony to me of how much of an impact we have as missionaries, whether it be for the positive or the negative. This story fortunately was positive and allowed us to have a meaningful conversation with Paul in which he related to us this experience (paraphrasing from my memory):

"I (Paul) play music at different churches around the County and help many different religious groups in their worship services. A couple of years ago my brother was diagnosed with cancer and was very weak and ill. One day my brother turned to me and asked, "Paul, where are all the church people? You play at several places around this area, so why hasn't anyone come to pray with me?" This bothered me and when I got home that night I knelt down and told God that whomever He sent to me and to my brother, whatever religion they were I would accept them." 

The story then goes where you would expect it; two Elders went and found Paul and his brother. They prayed with them, taught them, and eventually offered Paul's brother a blessing of healing. Paul's brother was healed of cancer. And from that experience on, Paul has loved the Missionaries and loved the LDS church. He doesn't agree with everything he says, but his image and view on the Church is with respect and honor because of two missionaries, two boys. 

We represent and stand for more than we think we do. And the way that people see us is going to be the way they see the Church.

I will also share an experience that for me wasn't the greatest...and then the Lord humbled me. Long story short, Elder Morley and I went to contact a referral one night. Michael had requested a Bible and when we got there and started talking to him he told us that he didn't believe in the Bible because it was "written by man" and he believed in God. So, as we couldn't use scriptures from the Bible now let alone the Book of Mormon, we resorted to testimony. Elder Morley shared his testimony of the church, I shared (or attempted to share) the Restoration story and bore my testimony of the First Vision. Without hesitation both our testimonies and Joseph's experience of seeing God the Father and Jesus Christ was shot down. Finding ourselves caught in a hole and being buried with every word we share, we decided to leave with a prayer-which we asked Michael to give because if I had done it the things I would have asked for might not have been the best things for Michael to hear. And out the door we went, frustrated, defeated, and confused. Murmuring like Laman and Lemuel we were saying things like "We just got Bible bashed without the Bible," and "You can't beat an idiot," etc. Recognizing this was wrong for us to think, and that our feelings were only coming from the sorrow we felt for Michael not accepting the things we were teaching and the things that God wanted him to hear we quickly said a prayer for forgiveness. However, we didn't stop our complaining all together. About twenty minutes later we got a phone call from Michael in which he told me that he was sorry we left the way we did, he enjoyed talking to us, and he would like us to come over again to talk with him. I know that Michael felt the Spirit that was there when we were bearing testimony, he just didn't know what it was. I feel terrible for acting the way I did afterwards and I am thankful to our Father for humbling me because you can't be a prideful messenger. 

This past week we were able to attend the Christmas Party/Zone Conference for the North half of the mission which was awesome. We were gifted with the opportunity to watch Zootopia and I’ll never be able to watch that movie again the same way...there’s just nothing like watching a movie with a ton of missionaries! Our Branch also had a Christmas party, I saw Santa, and there was a great turn-out of members, non-members, less-actives, etc. I’m more happy that they all made it back for church the next day but exciting stuff nonetheless. 

I love Christmas and I can’t believe it’s here! This will definitely be a Christmas for the books and I hope y’all have a wonderful time celebrating! Take care.

“God bless us, everyone!”

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

 Elder Milius and Elder Morley's stockings

Elder Morley's Christmas Tree

 Elder Milius's Christmas Tree (25 Days of Christ)

 Zone Conference Christmas Party

 Santa remembers the missionaries :)

12 December 2016 - Elder Milius Week 24

People,

Hello from Fort Payne, AL. Hope y’all are finally getting into the Spirit of Christmas! The ABM is and we are determined to have ourselves a White Christmas.

This week was one of the busiest weeks, and we barely had anytime to spend proselyting in our own area; but it’s been a good one. It rained for a couple days straight, but it isn’t cold enough for there to be snow-thank goodness. I’m a warm blooded creature. On Wednesday we were blessed with the opportunity to attend the temple as a Huntsville Zone and it gets better and better every time. I can’t wait until I can get back into going to the temple regularly. Being there with a group of Missionaries though, there is a special spirit. I will miss those trips for that reason. But, after going through our session Elder Morley and I were asked to help clean the temple before we left (which is why I don’t have a Zone picture on the steps). All I was assigned to do was vacuum the Men’s Dressing Room, but being able to spend that time alone in the temple was amazing. It definitely is the house of the Lord. Thursday we drove to Huntsville for Zone Training which was good as always. And Friday we drove to Scottsboro for District Meeting. After DM we went straight to our church building for Lynn’s baptismal interview. Wahoo! She passed, like I knew she would and all was well. Saturday we spent getting ready for the Baptism, having the Baptism and then driving to Huntsville again. But before I move on:

Lynn’s baptism was amazing. There weren’t a lot of people there. It wasn’t long. But the Spirit was just the same. I was able to participate in seeing the fruits of the labors of so many missionaries before me who sowed and sowed and sowed the seeds for Lynn. She was ready and she had been ready. She will be the first to tell you it was long overdue, but I am so blessed that I was able to be here for her decision. The road she traveled was long and hard but she made it here, and the best part of the whole thing was not the baptism itself, it was seeing her face and seeing how excited she was to make sacred covenants with our Father in Heaven. Elder Morley and I successfully had ourselves a White Christmas. (A brief explanation of White Christmas: Our goal as a Mission is that every companionship-all 86-baptize or take a recent convert to the temple. So that each companionship can participate in helping one of God’s children get dressed in white). 

After her Baptism we drove back over to Huntsville to see the Christmas Concert that they put on every year and it was amazing. They may not be able to do Christmas Lights in Alabama, but they sure do have something that matches it pretty close. 

Sunday was another fun day. Lynn was confirmed a member of the church, and then that afternoon we set someone else on date to be baptized...for later this month...which may move but it’s still going to be sooner than later. Virginia was a referral we received after the soup kitchen a couple weeks ago. She is deaf. So, not knowing how we are going to communicate we just went for it anyways and I made sure I had a pad of paper. She apparently had a friend who she would go to church with in Oklahoma when she lived there. Her friend was deaf as well so they attended a deaf Ward. Well, when she moved here there wasn’t one, however she contacted the missionaries earlier this year and was being taught. Once the missionaries changed and because of the language barrier, Virginia kinda feel to the wayside. When we got there she had a triple combination, the pamphlets, a bible, the Restoration DVD, etc. that she studied from. After asking her a couple questions about what she had been taught and if she believed it was true we finally asked her to be baptized. She joyfully accepted and so we will be put to the test to see how we are going to help this deaf daughter come closer to Jesus Christ. It was weird planning a lesson in the middle of the lesson, but it was such a miracle that we 1) found her and 2) were able to communicate even a little bit. In our District our vision for this transfer is “Faith to find the one.” Along with that we are all praying for the Faith that everyday we go out we are going to find the elect, the prepared of God. We found her. And I’m excited to see where it goes!

Christmas is almost here, keep spreading the Light, we are getting tons of media referrals from the Christmas Initiative and I know the missionaries in your areas appreciate it as well! Keep up the goods work and home and keep having a wonderful holiday season! Hope your Christmas is as white as the ABM! If you need anything from me let me know!

Much Love, and Godspeed,

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

 Alabama Birmingham Temple

 Elder Morley, Lynn, Elder Milius

5 December 2016 - Elder Milius Week 23

Amigos y familia,

Hola! How are y’all doing this fine Monday? I hope well! Looking forward to Christmas coming up as much as I am! This week was pretty normal but there were a few fun stories that I will share with you!

On Tuesday we were able to go serve at the Bread of Life soup kitchen that they have here in Fort Payne and what an amazing experience that was. As a missionary you have this weird ability to talk to people on the street and so when they were all blocked in a room it made it that much easier. Within the first moments of being there we participated in giving a lady a Priesthood Blessing. After which there were several people who pulled me to the side and confided in me the feelings that they were having and the struggles they were going through. I love to be in that position, because I felt as if I was standing where our Savior stands for all of us. And, as the Savior points all the glory to His Father-our Father, I directed all those conversations to Jesus Christ. Along with that, we were able to show the #LIGHTtheWORLD video as people were eating and it brought such a sweet Spirit into that crowded room (like it always does). I always get emotional because I’m a cry baby but I know that we are all Lights pointing one way or the other, and as we follow the Savior we can beckon others “Come, Follow Him.” We’ve received several mormon.org referrals from this campaign and it’s amazing to see how the work is hastening and to be a part of it.

Later that night, as some of you might know, a tornado came through the Northeastern corner of Alabama and hit 30-45 minutes west of Fort Payne. The damage was unbelievable and on Saturday we drove through it to see if anyone needed help as far as clean-up went. I have seen destruction like this on the news before, and I’ve lived in the Mid-West long enough to know what a Tornado does, but driving through a ghost town with foundations of buildings left was an interesting feeling to say the least. It made me so grateful for what I have and I hope we can all recognize the blessings that we have before they are all taken from us in a matter of seconds. 

One last story happened on Sunday afternoon. We were out contacting and went up to a house where there was a guy outside working. When we walked up we realized that this man spoke very little English...and Elder Morley speaks zero. So as I called upon the powers of my High School Spanish education I walked back to the car to grab a copy of El Libro de Mormon and a REstoration pamphlet I had in Spanish. I tried to the best of my abilities to speak and teach this man about the Book of Mormon and the Restoration. We left him with the libro and the pamphlet and will be going back on domingo (sunday) afternoon. I better get studying my Spanish….we’ll see how far I can take it! 

Also, as I remember, we were able to watch the Worldwide First Presidency Christmas Devotional! I loved the progression of the talks and I love how the messages shared were not aimed towards The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; they were for the world, and the things that were shared went right along with the campaign to #LIGHTtheWORLD and focus on Christ and the gift He gave all of God’s children. May we remember our Savior during the Christmas season and always! 

Wow, the work is true! I’m excited for this upcoming month because it is packed full of trainings and temple trips and Christmas parties and Baptisms! We will be having our baptism for Lynn on Saturday and we are super excited for her and the covenants she is making with our Heavenly Father. What a Christmas present that is! Y’all stay safe and have a wonderful season celebrating Christ’s birth!

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