Choices and Priorities

Well another week, another email! As usual I am going through a stupor of thought as to what to write. I can only remember the most recent events in my week so I will share with you a little story of how I butchered a pig this morning! 

It all started when the new senior couple moved in next door. They are only part time and live on their farm for half of the week. So they told us that they would be slaughtering pigs last weekend and asked if we might want some of the meat. I mean sure, why not right? I don't know if this is unrealistic but I was expecting pork chops or nicely cut pieces for us. Instead we got half of the pig... chopped into two huge pieces! How the heck was that going to fit into our freezer? Well it wasn't, and the responsibility fell to me and Sister Hart to chop it up. We both took the chunks and just started whacking away! It was all fine and dandy until I came to the heart. I was't sure what it was, seeing as I had never had the opportunity to butcher a pig before, so I poked it a little. BIG mistake! Next thing I knew, blood was everywhere. Now I do know you're suppose to drain the blood before you chop it up so I'm not sure why I was suddenly covered in pig's blood. I got a little taste of what Carrie must have felt like at the prom. Sister Hart and I just started laughing, and maybe gagging a little! Sister Hart and I always find a way to have a laugh. She is my house mate from Australia. We have the same taste in music and movies so we became pretty close the first week I was here.

We had the opportunity to attend a broadcast specifically for the Philippines yesterday. I loved it! Elder Quentin L. Cook spoke and said one thing that really stuck out to me. While speaking of our choices and priorities in life he said, "If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God, in the end it won't matter what you chose instead," How true that is! I always remember people telling me in high school that it doesn't matter how popular you are or what kind of clothes you wear or blah de blah. I usually just brushed it off because I personally didn't think any of that was relevant anyway. But I never caught the true message behind it...nothing really matters that isn't beneficial in bringing you closer to the Savior and helping you on your path to salvation. It's like the sprinkles on a Krispy Kreme donut. It's a nice perk but the best donut, as everyone knows, is the original glazed! Sometimes we get so distracted with all the colorful sprinkles that we forget our true love is for the donut itself. (I'm really trying to make this analogy work but I'm getting a little distracted by how much I miss Krispy Kreme!) I love how Elder Cook put it. In the end, if you didn't put your pursuit for the Kingdom of God over any other pursuit, then no matter how high your social status or how much money you have in your bank account, nothing will really matter. 

I am so happy to be here helping people realize the correct path they should be on, or helping others find their way back. I know that as we put our priorities in order then we will be blessed with our temporal  and spiritual needs.

I love you all so much!

-Sister Miller 

The rainy season has begun!!!

Pursued!

What it do my family, friends,loved ones, and any total stranger who may be reading this?!?

Well, today's email is going to be a short one. We are having another mission activity on Monday as a sort of farewell to President Querido. I am coming from our last Mission President interviews with him, which means I am totally unprepared with no pre-written email or my camera... sorry, Mom! It's so weird to think President Querido won't just be around anymore. I'm excited to meet the new President but sad to see the old one go. 

Anyways I'm not sure what to write about... so I guess I will just share a funny thing that happened to me and my companion. One day we were walking from one appointment to the next when we saw this old guy watching us. This man is known as "the guy who eats rubbish" because, well, he eats trash off the street. I guess he is not all there mentally and is always trying to talk to and harass the sister missionaries. So we see him one day and he is just watching us as we pass him. Then he starts to follow us! I, of course, quicken my pace. My poor Filipina companion has the shortest little legs and was struggling to keep up! As we start walking faster, we hear him start walking faster. I guess for the sake of my mother I should mention that we didn't feel like we were in danger, we just didn't want to get stuck talking to him and trying to explain who we were and answer all his questions that would just lead nowhere. Anyways so as we start walking faster and faster, we hear him behind us break into a jog, well, like a limping jog. I glanced back and he looked just like a zombie! His clothes were all dirty and torn. His hair was a mess and he was covered in dirt. He was even groaning a little as he was doing his best to run. I felt like I was in the freaking Walking Dead! I just started laughing at the thought of the sight of two sister missionaries running away from a zombie! Now that would make a good movie. Forget about the RM or the Singles Ward, mix missionary work with zombies and you've got yourself the next big Mormon movie hit! 

I quickly realized that this jog of ours was going no where and this guy was going to follow us all the way to our next appointment and maybe scare our investigators away. I said a prayer in my heart and decided to stop at a little store on the side of the path to get a soda and see what he would do. My poor companion was so out of breath and needed to take a break. Luckily, the store was full of people and the guy just kept walking. I guess it was the protecting hand of the Lord. We had a good laugh about it for the rest of the day!

I love being a missionary! I love all the silly things that happen to us everyday! But most of all I love helping others feel the Saviors love for them through His Gospel. 

I love you all!

-Sister Miller

This is a beautiful country!

I love Zambales!

Fully Filipino!

What a week! I love it here in Masinloc! My new companion is awesome and we are really getting work done! Last week we got the most lessons as a companionship out of the WHOLE mission!! We set a goal to get the most member present lessons, most new investigators, most investigators at sacrament, and most total lessons for this week! I know we can do it if we really focus and give it our all! I know when we give it our all, Heavenly Father is there to fill up the rest!

Man I had the weirdest experience ever this week. So we went to a less-active members house and they really, REALLY wanted me to pray in English. So I did. Well I tried. It was so dang hard!! I don't know what happened to me! I hadn't said a prayer in English in about 10 months! I just kept slipping back into Tagalog. It's like I've gone fully Filipino!!

Speaking of being fully Filipino, I proved just how Filipino I am with one of my investigators. To get to their house, we have to cross a long hanging bridge over the water. Now this bridge is not what I would call sturdy. It is falling down on one side and VERY shaky. It is about 35 meters long. Anyways when we were about to cross it, we saw a little boy running across it. I was shocked! That boy was cray! Then my investigator dared me to do it. HECK NO! Then he started saying how I was scared and how I probably couldn't do it anyway. Wait a minute......I'm Sister Miller....I do what I want.... Nobody talks about me like that! Well the next thing I know, I'm running like a banshee across this shaky bridge, screaming the whole time, with a whole group of Filipinos on the other side cheering me on! IT WAS AWESOME!! My heart was racing but I did it! Then I dared my investigator to do it. He wouldn't. Chicken! :)

This is the hanging bridge....

....and me walking sedately across it next time.  No more running!

I think there is something here that can be applied in all of our lives. One, never turn down a dare! Two, when we come across long, scary bridges in our lives, maybe a big decision or a hard trial we are going through, we just have to take a deep breath and do it! Not just slowly or grudgingly but RUN! Put your trust in the Lord and all things will be possible! 

I love it here in the Philippines. I love teaching and getting to know the people. I feel of their sweet, humble spirits everyday. I love being able to share this Gospel with them and help them grow and progress in their testimonies of Christ. I can't believe that I'm already over half way finished with my mission. Next thing I know, I'll be on an airplane headed home. I am going to make the most of every second here and run across every bridge I come to, literally and figuratively. 

I love you all so much!

-Sister "Daredevil" Miller

Trying to get some fresh mangos...yummy!!!

Transferred!

Well another transfer has come and gone and I guess it was my time to leave good ol' Orion! I got transferred from the furthest south zone to one of the northernmost zones! Transfer day was full of fun with only one hour of sleep (waking up at 4 am) and about 10 hours of travel time!  I finally arrived in Masinloc and got my first glimpse at my new companion, Sister Gonzales! For those of you who have been keeping track, this is a different Sister Gonzales than my previous companion. There are only two Sister Gonzales' and I just may kill them both, in missionspeak, of course. To kill a missionary means that you are their last companion before they go home. The current Sister Gonzales goes home after next transfer so if neither of us get transferred, I will be her last companion and figuratively "kill her"! 

Before I go on about my new area, I'll give a shout our to my old area, Orion! On our last day there, all four of us housemates went to a recent convert's house to pick up the jerseys we ordered from her. It was so dang fun! We all put on our jerseys, took lots of pictures, ate food, laughed, and even cried a little. Later, a huge thunder storm hit so Sister Snow and I went out and danced in the rain one last time before we both got transferred! Then it was off to the apartment to pack! I have become such a packrat on the mission! I hate getting rid of anything! I was up packing until about 3 in the morning. I woke up at about 4 to shower and be at the bus station by 6:30. I went from Orion to Balanga, where I got to see my mission mom, Sister Leakehe, and my mission child, Sister Jayaweera. Sister Jayaweera is actually assigned in my old area with my old companion, Sister Saleshi. Like mother, like daughter!! Then it was on to Olongapo where I saw some more missionary friends and enjoyed catching up! From Olongapo I hopped onto a bus headed to Santa Cruz. About two and a half hours later, we stopped in Iba where I saw some of my batch and some more friends! In another 3 hours, I arrived in Santa Cruz and met my new companion! After that, it was another hour bus ride to our area! Throughout the day, I literally saw the entire mission, and boy, was I pooped!  But being the dedicated missionaries that we are, we went straight to work after dropping off my suitcases in the apartment! 

I love my new area. It is all right along the coastline and beautiful! I love my new companion, too! She is always happy and motivated to do the work! We have already laughted so much! I know that this will be a good transfer and I am so excited to get to work and help the people here in Masinloc! 

I know that this is the Lord's work here on Earth and I am so blessed to be a part of it! I know that we all play a part in Heavenly Father's plan and we need to do our best everyday to be obedient to His commandments to recieve the greatest reward of eternal life. 

I love you all and am thankful for your support!

-Sister Miller

A Filipino fishing boat

Land ho!

Transfer Letter

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRISTOF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Philippine Olongapo Mission

Km. 140 National Highway, Manga-Vaca

2209 Subic Zambales

Philippines

23 May 2014                                                        

 

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Mark Miller

10420 S Millbrook Lane

Olathe, KS 66061

United States

 

Dear Brother and Sister Miller,

 

I am very pleased to inform you that your daughter, Sister Marissa Noelle Miller, has been assigned to a new area. Her new area will be in Masinloc Area, which belongs to the Masinloc District, Candelaria Zone and she will be serving with her companion, Sister Zariah Cion Perez Gonzales, who is also an outstanding missionary. You can be assured that your daughter will be in good hands and will learn much from her companion. We express our confidence that the two of them will enjoy the companionship of each other and will support each other as they prayerfully strive to do the Lord’s work. We encourage you to be a part of her missionary effort by praying always for their success.

 

Masinloc is a wonderful place, the people are loving and kind, and you will also find the people to be hospitable and teachable. The members there are supportive with regards to missionary work and they are always excited to work with the Missionaries and involve themselves to the work.

 

We encourage you to write your daughter each week and please include encouraging news of family events, achievements, spiritual experiences and other matters which will bring joy and deeper commitment. We also encourage you to be a part of your daughter’s missionary service by writing to your daughter’s investigators and new converts, and express your love and your testimony of the Gospel.

 

Sister Miller is a great missionary.  She does what is expected of her as a full-time missionary.  You can be very pleased with your daughter. We thank you for raising a wonderful daughter and we appreciate the opportunity to work with her. We assure you that we will do all we can do to see that she will have a fulfilling mission. We love your missionary and want this mission to be the greatest experience for her and for your family.  May God bless you.

 

Sincerely;

 

Roberto Bayobo Querido

Philippines Olongapo Mission                                                

Mission President

RBQ/mfg

 

 

Time Flies!

Have I mentioned that time really flies here on the mission? I feel like it was just yesterday that I was chatting with the fam over skype! 

We had Zone Conference this week! It was amazing as usual! It was President Querido's last zone conference so we all got a little emotional. I am really going to miss President Querido! He always knows how to bring the spirit and when to be funny! It's like I'm crying from laughing one second and then all of the sudden there are tears of the spirit flowing from my eyes! He started talking about marriage which I'm not ready for! He is a self declared match-maker and told us of all the matches he has made among missionaries or his old students! It was funny to hear him talk about it. He just had the biggest smile on his face! 

I love it here on the mission and having overwhelming spiritual moment! I know that this is the true church and that I'm right where I need to be, helping others come unto Christ!

I love you all!

Sister Miller

This is US!!!

Thumbs up!

Some of my faves!

More of my faves!

When in the 'Peens.....

Alllllllllohhhhaaa!! I'm feelin in the Hawaiian spirit today! :)

So here's a funny story. The other night we were walking along this path to a member's house and there were like 100 frogs right in our way. It was so weird! The branch missionary who was working with us was scared to death of frogs so she was hiding behind me was we tried to walk through. Now I don't mind frogs... as long as they are staying still and not hopping around unpredictably. Let's just say there were a lot of hoppers that night. It was quite a sight to see three girls in skirts squealing and jumping to avoid these silly frogs that, I'm telling you, wanted nothing more than to make a mockery of us! Luckily there were a whole bunch of kids to witness the scene. They were laughing at us and then wanted to show us the frogs... up close! At first I was NOT down with that! I guess I had lost some of my edge because I didn't even want to touch one! Then I got myself together and said, "When in the "Peens...!!" The frog was pretty mellow after I had a good grip on it! Many pictures were taken to commemorate the experience. By this time we were right by the member's house and the dad had come outside. If this whole experience wasn't enough to make my heart rate accelerate, the dad tells us that the frog's skin was POISONOUS!! We gave the frogs back immediately and dosed our hands in alcohol and hand sanitizer for like 15 minutes! I was worried that I would wake up with a gross rash but nothing happened! 

I'm not afraid of you!

Hand sanitizer to the rescue!

It has started raining here again! One particular night it was raining especially hard after a scorching hot day. If there is one thing I learned from girls camp,  it's to never pass up an opportunity to go singing in the rain!! Sister Snow, Sister Salelesi, and I all went out and danced and sang in the rain for a good 20 minutes. Then, being the resourceful missionaries that we are, we decided to put the rainfall to good use. Someone grabbed their shampoo and conditioner and the next thing you know we're all showering in the rain!! It was fun and a nice stress release! Well, it was until we spotted our old man neighbor creeping on us through his window... so we decided it was about time to go inside! :) 

Making good use of a rain shower!

On Thursday night we had a cultural presentation with the whole branch. Everyone participated. The Relief Society, the Elders Quorum, the youth, the Primary... and the missionaries! We didn't know any Filipino traditions or cultural stuff so we did a Hawaiian hula dance to a song from Lelo & Stich. It went really well and everyone loved it! 

Hula girls!

Thursday day I went to the mission home for Mission Leadership Council. I always love going to MLC because I get to see my trainer and all my Sister Training Leader friends and old Zone Leaders. It's also a super spiritual day where we talk about how we can lead the mission both in our stats and in our spirituality. I have learned so much on  this mission about becoming closer and more like our Savior. While serving, we need to strive to be a Christlike missionary, no just do missionary things. I think that can be applied in everyone's lives. We all need to follow Christ's example and strive to be Christlike in all of our actions, not just do nice things because that is what we are suppose to do. In the end it's really the WHY of our actions that we will be judged on. I know that as we strive to exemplify Christ in our daily actions that we will not only help others but we will help ourselves grow closer to our Father in Heaven! 

Love these Sisters!

I love you all so much!

Sister Miller