WEEK 84, JANUARY 30TH, 2016

Transfer calls came and I ammmmm...... 

OUTTI FIVE THOU!! 

After two in Forst I'm headed for a bigg change! HAMBURG:) The city is called Bergedorf and I have heard good things about it so I'm way excited.

Plus yeah it is Hamburg sooo. My new comp is Elder Hickenlooper. Yeah, took me a few days to get his name down.. Hickendocker, Hickendooper,

Hickepoo...er  Anyways, he is in his fourth transfer so he's still pretty fresh. Heard he's a good kid and a hard worker so it should be good.

Other than that news, not much this week! Wednesday we went down to Freiberg to watch the worldwide missionary training conference. Way, way good. As a lot of you know, there has been some big schedule changes allowing us to be a lot more flexible with our time and choosing when we do things. It's going to be so much more efficient - I love it. We overnighted and then on Thursday went to the Temple and did baptisms. Always a good time in the Temple.

Sunday goodbye day was sad as always. It's always sad to leave some of your favorite members. We have a couple more appointments before we head out on Wednesday though. Thank you all for the continued support!

See y'all in Hambuuurrrggggg!

Tschüß!

Elder Miller

Bruder Bentke

The why do I gotta get transferred pose

Lena

Elder Illum goes home this week so we held his funeral.

 

Bye Forst!!!

WEEK 83, JANUARY 25TH, 2016

What's goooood!

It was a quick week this past one. Seemed like we were pretty busy looking for something to be busy with.. hahah

Tuesday was the first really good zone training meeting I have had in a long time. They gave some assignments to some older missionaries this time and they all killed it. Lots of motivational stuff and words of encouragement towards having a good attitude, positive mindset, and being confident. God qualifies whom he calls. We all have the ability when we're worthy, especially as missionaries, to get through tough times and to not fear. 

Thursday we went to eat at Familie Woites. They are probably my favorite family here in Forst. They are so real and honest and I feel like we can talk to them about anything. They respect us as missionaries but also treat us like normal people and not church robots like a lot of people think we are. The wife is American and she married a German. He speaks better English then I do though, it's crazy. They have three kids. The oldest daughter is maybe 6 or 7 and speaks fluent English and German and she speaks to us in English. But the other two are about 4 and 5 and they try to speak English but halfway through they always switch to German - it's so funny. I love going over there, it's always a good time. 

Friday we drove to a little Dorf outside of Forst called Döbern. We doored that place for about three hours till I couldn't feel anymore it was so so cold. We only really had luck at one door. She was super nice and said we could come back except there was no way she is coming to church ever. It was nice to get a change of scenery though. We came back and weekly planned and that was about it.

Saturdayyy we went to the temple:) Elder Fritz doesn't like to go which makes no sense to me, but I make him because it's not an opportunity you get often. Takes 4 hours to get there which really blows but it's all good. I printed out like 8 names for baptisms and we got there and they didn't have enough workers so we couldn't do it!! Our fault we should have called so that was kind of a bummer. Anyway, we did initiators instead, which aren't as fun but still necessary so whatevsss. 

Mannoh. It is the last week of the transfer. It's been a tough past little while. Probably the toughest of my mission. I've been thinking a lot about what Eyring said some General Conferences back. If the foundation of faith is not embedded in our hearts, then the power to endure will crumble. It has echoed in my head. Sometimes faith is the only thing that keeps us going and that's why it is so important not to lose it. I know we are the children of a living God who loves us. Everything he gives us and lets us experience, the good and the bad, is meant to shape us into the people he knows we can become. Just gotta let it. Fight the good fight, keep the faith.

Love you guys

Elder Miller

WEEK 82 JANUARY 17TH, 2017

Hey!

So it was actually a really good week this week can you believe that? Absolutely flew. Probably cause I got to go to Berlin for a couple days... But I still feel like I'm going insane. Not in a terrible way or anything. I catch myself sometimes talking to myself and I think, “ Elder Miller you weirdo why are you talking to yourself? It's so lonely out here on the border of Poland, can you blame me??? 

Anyways Tuesday I went on exchange with Elder Illum here in Forst. I don't even know how to explain Elder Illum. He is the weirdest, funniest, most mysterious kid I've met on the mission. Never know what he's going to say or what he is thinking and he always has this smirk look on his face.. Anyways we went by some members and then it started blizzarding so we went in and tried calling some people. Nothing too eventful. 

Wednesday after district meeting Fritz and I took off to Berlin. We exchanged Thursday with the AP's. I got to be with my boy Elder Nearon:) Known him for a long time now. It was a way good time. Taught some awesome lessons, had some snowball fights, and deep talks. I needed it. Good pick me up exchange. 

Friday and Saturday we weekly planned and tried making out appointments with people but didn't have a great amount of luck. I ran into some old friends this week! I hadn't seen them in a while and to one of them I said "Du siehst alter aus!" Which is.. you look older! And everyone all of a sudden was like "WOOAHHH" and I was so confused and then I realized what I said was not taken the right way and it was definitely one of the more embarrassing moments on my mission. Die wissen aber doch, dass es nicht so gemeint war;) 

We're going to try and hit finding hard this week. Forst is absolutely dead and we've got no one right now. Really sad. I'm gonna change that around asap though. So we good:)

I love you all and hope you have the best week! 

Don't forget to pray:) 

Elder Miller

SO. MUCH. SNOW!!!!

WEEK 81 JANUARY 9TH, 2017

It was definitely a roller coaster week this week. Highest of highs

and lowest of lows. Pretty much a mission in a nutshell for you.

Tuesday we headed down to Dresden for interviews with President. I was

the last interview and probably the shortest. Frustrating but what can

ya do. We still got to talk about some things that needed to be

addressed. On our way home he called us while waiting for our train in

Cottbus! Basically what he said was that the Temple President needed

help and he needs us in Freiberg tomorrow and we will be set apart as

official Temple workers for the rest of the month! We would live in a

4 man with the Freiberg Elders and work in the Temple everyday!! I was

freakin out, so we hurry to get home and started packing immediately!

Wednesday we took off and had the prettiest train ride of my life.

Dresden to Freiberg, mountains, rivers, little houses - everything

covered in snow. I was trying to take pics the whole time but there

was a stupid glare on the window so nothing turned out. We got to

Freiberg late, it was blizzarding, so we had to wait to be set apart

until the next day.

Thursdeeee, the Temple is a 30 minute walk from the apartment and we

needed to be there at 6:30am everyday. So as an AZ boy walking in a 0

degree blizzard at 6am... definitely new. But we got set apart and the

Temple work began! Took part in witnessing baptisms for the dead,

Confirming (that was kinda hard), sealings and sessions! It was the

best, I was loving every second. Everyone was so nice there and all

of the Temple workers were so grateful for our help.

Friday the Temple Pres called us in his office and let us know he

found out that as full time missionaries, you are actually not allowed

to be set apart as Temple workers.. we had to turn in our white coats

and name tags and it was really sad. He still said we could stay and

there are things we could help with the rest of the month so it was

okay but still, I didn't wanna give my things back! Later that evening

after we had been home we went to the store real quick to grab a

couple ingredients for food. What do ya know, we forgot the keys…

We called the Freiberg elders and they made calls but nobody knew where the

spares were. I called my homie Sister Garrett and she suggested I try

the credit card thing. I laughed and told her that doesn't work, but a

little desperate here I whipped out my credit card and 30 seconds

later *CLICK* I couldn't believe it! I got in with a credit card! The

things you learn on the mission..

Saturday was the usual Temple work but a little slow because there was

a big conference going on in Dresden. Something really cool though

about Freiberg is that it's an international Temple, meaning people

come from Switzerland, Austria, The Netherlands and some other

countries. Got to meet a lot of people from different places. We got a

call from President Fingerle a little while later, actually Elder

Fritz did, and then he told me we were going to go back to Forst. I was

upset. President said we could go back to the Temple once a week

though so it's better than nothing. Later the Freiberg Elders called

us and told us to let them in cause the door to get into the apartment

building was locked. Well what do ya know WE LEFT THE KEYS INSIDE

AGAIN. Except this time I was in a hoodie and flip flops. So

we were outside our apartment trying to get in for about 2 hours. We

called the sisters to see if their bobby pins would get us in, nope.

We called members and we tried Elder Moody's crappy card but it was too

flimsy. So finally one of the members just told us they would prepare

a room in the hostel for us and just to walk there. Great. Except

don't forget it's 0 degrees outside and I'm in one of the Elders flip

flops that have holes in the bottom and a light hoodie. So we walk

first a little ways to the sisters apartment and they just cover me

with blankets. It actually worked and I was warm other then my soaking

wet freezing feet. Finally got to the hostel at midnight and were

able to get some sleep.

Sundayyy you guessed it church in my flip flops and Element hoodie:)

Luckily we finally got ahold of a spare key and only had to walk 30

minutes in snow with flip flops one more time. Got back, packed and

took off back to Forst.

The week started so well and ended pretty rough with some other things

happening as well. Been a long transfer. It's all good though things look

bright ahead.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I had to work in the Temple for

those few days. Really felt the love of God. Everytime I am in there

regardless of whatever is going on I am reminded everything is gonna

be fine. It's such a peaceful feeling you just can't get anywhere

else.

Love you guys

Elder Miller

The Freiberg Temple!

me doing area book work while Fritz sleeps in his natural habitat

WEEK 80 JANUARY 3, 2017

WHATS GOOD 2017!! I hope everyone had a great New Year!

I thought I would die before this year got here but look at me ehh ;)  I am exhausted. One of my New Years goals is to get more exhausted though, if thats possible. Gotta absolutely milk everything I can out of the short time I have left in the mish. 

On New Year's Eve we were by family Bode. It was a lot of fun. We just hung out and played games until we had to bounce. At midnight unfortunately, it wasn't as cool as Berlin last year. It's a little different. Instead of fireworks shooting in the sky (they still had some of that though) they just use legit bombs from Poland. So the sky doesn't light up, but it is LOUD. Till about 4am. Now Germany doesn't top America in many things, but in New Years they most definitely do.

Because of the holidays it hasn't been the busiest week for us! Lots of people out of town and/or busy which is understandable. We did have an eating appointment with a less active though! I think it went well. But other than that, Elder Fritz and I had lots of cleaning to do anyway. It was unreal - I go into the kitchen this week and I see, I kid you not, seven different drinking glasses. SEVEN! All Elder Fritz. Not the first time he has done this. So I took the liberty of hiding the majority of the glasses. I have a water bottle so I don't use cups. So I have left him with 2 cups, plenty! and if he wants a 3rd cup he's gonna have to wash one of his 2:) Kinda funny cause it reminded me of all my water bottles I would leave strewn around the house at home all the time and it would drive mom crazy

We head to Dresden tomorrow for interviews with President. I'm excited, I'm going to have a good interview. Hopefully the work picks up this week now that the holidays are over! Sorry for the short email but I'm out of time. 

Love you guys have a good week!

Elder Miller

WEEK 79 DECEMBER 27th, 2016

It was so good to see the fam on Sunday!! You all look so good. I hope everyone had the merriest Christmas! It was a great way to end the last one for me out in the field. Now I can listen to I'll be home for Christmas next year hehahaheheh

On Monday we got to go to Dresden for pday and overnight there because of ztm. Best Weihnachtsmarkt ever. It was so dang cool! I got some rad German Christmas items. 

Tuesday early morning we took off to catch the early temple session. I haven't been in the temple for like 18 months so I felt like I was going through for the first time again. It was fun to see it all in German. Afterwards was ztm and President showed up and gave a really good first lesson. The theme was fear not. He had to leave right after though and from there unfortunately everything just kinda went down hill. It's all good though. We went to the city center afterwards as a zone and "Christmas Caroled” except it was so cold anytime you would try to open your mouth and sing it would just freeze your throat and you would start coughing hahah. 

The rest of the week was quiet until Christmas Eve. In Germany the families open all their presents on Christmas Eve. So all the families, even the ones who don't normally go to church, go to church for an hour. While the family is at church, that's when Santa comes. 

Lots of member appointments kinda came up at of nowhere just before Christmas so that was nice. Lots of member time, lots of games. President even let us watch Disney movies for the 3 days of Christmas. Fritzy and I watched Inside Out, How to Train your Dragon, Monsters Inc, and I watched tangled by myself;) so good. Felt so so good to watch a movie again - wow. Hopefully that's not all I do when I get home cause it was honestly incredible. 

Hard to believe we're coming up on 2017. I can't wait. It's going to be a great year - I know it. 

I am outta time! But I love you guys like always and I'll write sometime next year:) Happy New year!!

WEEK 78 DECEMBER 19TH, 2016

Heyyy

It was an interesting week.. it does not feel like Christmas in the slightest. I cannot believe I get to see your faces on Sunday! I cannot wait. I have tried to have a positive attitude since I have been here in Forst. I have always tried to have a positive attitude in everything I have done my entire life. But I've discovered recently for myself, sometimes it's okay to be real about things, even if it's not so good. So I'm gonna be real, and I don't know, maybe just try and laugh it off. Forst is honestly terrible. It is bad. Not the ward, the ward is fine. But everything outside of that. Sooo words of encouragement especially now around Christmas would be super appreciated:)

Fast forward to dope Thursday and my bike was stolen. We had been doing some contacting and then we decided to take a break at the church and do a short language study. 45 minutes later we came back outside and I thought, welllll I ain't no mathematician buttt I think we got one less bike here then we had when we walked in! Yes my bike was locked and no I don't know how the person took it. We went to the police station after with a member to file a report. They asked for a picture and the one I sent was the only one I had so I gave it to them hahah. Luckily Bruder Bentke made, I kid you not, the best schnitzel I have ever had since coming here. So at least the night ended good:) 

Friday we went to institute cause one of our investigators wanted to come. Actually I don't even know if I'm allowed to call him that because I have actually never taught him.. but we ended up watching the CHEESIEST short religious film. You could not add more cheese. I really enjoyed it though actually if I'm honest. 

Saturday the ward had a little Christmas gathering. Santa Clause was suppose to come and he had presents for all the little kids who came. But when he walked in 50% of the kids started bawling, it was so funny... Santa would call all the kids' names and those who weren't scared, would come up and do a little performance whether it was sing a little song, read a poem, etc. etc. and then they would get their present. At the end Santa called Elder Fritz and I up to the stage and we had to sing 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' in front of everyone. I was surprised and lucky I remembered all the words..

We get to go to Dresden tomorrow for Pday and then overnight there because we have zone training meeting on Tuesday! And even better, we get to go to the Temple as a zone before hand and do a session! That's pretty much unheard of because Pres does NOT like when missionaries gather. So it's a nice treat! I love being around other missionaries! That means it's a realllyyy good start to Christmas week and I hope it stays good. I will make it stay good. 

I hope everyone has the best week and Christmas! It's really easy to get over stressed and overworked this time of year but just take a step back and enjoy everything. Enjoy the lights, enjoy the music, enjoy being with the family. That's what Christmas is all about, Love.. God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son so that we could have eternal life. There is no greater gift. I'm so grateful for that. I'm so grateful for my family, my friends, and the life I have been blessed with. I love you guys. 

Frohe Weihnachten

Elder Miller

Week 77 December 12, 2016

Dear family and friends,

Another transfer finished! 3 LEFT - WHAT? Slowly starting to freak out. Elder Fritz and I will be staying another one together here in Forst. I'm excited. We're starting to get rolling. 

Tuesday we took some pday time out because Monday we painted the entire day. We pretty much just slept and sat around cause we were so tired and there is 0 to do in Forst anyways. But that night we had a lesson with Mike. I don't know if I explained already who Mike is? But he has had a really rough past and has completely turned his life around. He has come to church the entire past year and has stayed out of trouble. I asked him why has he not been baptized yet or why does he not have a date and he said because the previous Elders told him he wasn't allowed. Elder Fritz and I said umm actually no…. that is not their decision and I texted President and he called me 10 minutes later and wanted to talk to Mike! They talked for a while and President said he wanted to come meet Mike and interview him. Fritz and I were pretty pumped afterwards.

We had a ping pong tournament this week as well. I have not lost a match in 2016;) I was pretty nervous going in because I did NOT want my streak broken and this old fart named Wolfgang is pretty dang good, bringing his own german hand carved paddle while I have this terrible walmart wood. I won my first 4 matches and I was with Wolfgang in the championship. Took care of him no prob tho, just like I have taken care of Rhett Rasmussen, Rigden Brinkerhoff, Tanner Erickson, Nick of course, and anyone else who thought they could contest ;) hahahah

Thursday I was not feeling good. We went to service anyways like we do every Thursday at a place called the Water Mill. I love to serve and help people, but when we go there I don't even know who we're serving or why. Not that there has to be a specific reason but this guy just tells us what to do and then leaves and that's that. They usually have us stack wood or something. Not to mention it's like 30 degrees outside. But one of the guys there kept giving us a hard time because we don't drink coffee. He kept telling us it was healthy because it prevents him from getting headaches, while he was drinking his cup and smoking a cigarette. I don't know what the guy was doing working at the water mill… he should be a nutritionist!! But after an hour and a half I had about enough of that so I was like alright Elder Fritz let's go. Then he threw another fit about how we weren't there long enough blah blah blah. So if it's up to me, Elder Fritz and I will not be going back to that. 

The rest of the week was spent going by some members and preparing for President to come. We also went Christmas caroling with the young men which was a good and funny time. 

Sunday rolled around, President came and then after sacrament meeting we drove to Cottbus to see Mike in the hospital! On the way there he says" You guys are literally in the boonies!" Haha were like thanks Prez - we know! Mike had an operation on his ear for something so that's why he was there. To make a long story short Mike is not quite ready for baptism yet. We made a plan together to prepare him so that when the time comes he can be baptized and he will be ready. Mike is fully willing to do what it takes to get to the next step and that is something really cool to see. 

I gotta bounce but I love you all and hope you have a good week! 

Love,

Elder Miller

WEEK 76 DECEMBER 4TH, 2016

Howdy folks

To be honest this week was just eh....its ok, it happens. We didn't really get a pday because we helped Monday morning with building a stage for the primary program. They had a play they would be performing throughout the week in the church. It was hilarious. Every time at the end, all of them would come back on stage, which was about 8 of them, and they would sing a song. Out of the 5 times I saw the play, including the last performance, they forgot the words halfway through, and all just started mumbling and laughing. Never got old. Cracked up every time. Hahah but Monday night when it was time to write emails the wifi decided to stop working:) Still doesn't work:) Elder Fritz and I just feel kinda awkward about going to a members house and emailing for 2 hours.. maybe we are just overthinking it? But yeah, pretty much got nothing done on Monday that needed to get done. 

Tuesday we ate at Familie Bode. It was good. Sister Bode made enchiladas and then the three sons were there and we all just chatted. One of them leaves for his mission to England on the 13th. After, we got a call from an exterminator. Prior to me coming here the apartment had maggots:) he wanted to come spray our apartment with poison one more time to be safe. So we pretty much had to trash the rest of the day and prepare everything and move furniture and things so he could spray. Luckily we still had time to meet with Mike that night. We are hoping we can make a baptismal date out with him very very soon. We just have to wait and work out some information to see if he is ready and able to be baptized. 

Wednesday was the best day of my life. We were locked out of our apartment in a blizzard:) 

Woke up on Thursday and wondered why I was sick:)

Ferrriday. Ate with familie Gäbler and had enchiladas again hahah. We headed over to Landry's afterward (The dude who just really wants to know if Jesus was black or white) and had a lesson. I learn something new every time I go over there. This time he told us that Satan does good things..? He was like "yeah Satan can heal the sick! That's good! all they gotta do is give him their soul!" He was 100% serious. I wish everyone could sit in with us on a lesson with Landry. The stuff he comes up with kills me. We decided we are just going to start completely over with him from the top. 

Saturday we got another call and were told we are getting a dryer on Monday!!!! We were goin insane! But then they said they wanted to repaint our entire apartment and they need our help and it's going to take about 7-8 hours:))) So we simmered down. That also meant everything we just put back after the exterminator came we had to rearrange all again for painting. Yap so we painted today and had pretty much a VERY deep clean. It was funny the lady that cleaned our kitchen reminded me of mom. She kept telling us "Elders come here I just wanna show you something real quick!" And she would show us, and 5 minutes later she would call us back. Did that like 5 times hahah. But our apartment is so nice now. We got a bunch of new accessories outside of a dryer too, like a trash can and towel hooks:) 

And there ya have it. Elder Miller's week in a nutshell. Oh also, I bought a box to send you guys your Christmas presents. Stuff didn't fit inside though. So I bought a bigger one that I thought would for sure fit this time. Still didn't. Only have myself to blame for that one. 

I have been having the gnarliest dreams lately. Too much Gummi bears before bed so ima take it down a notch. Sometimes I feel like I haven't slept in days.

Love you all!

Elder Miller 

WEEK 75 NOVEMBER 30TH, 2016

Friends and Fam!

Sorry this is late.. the Church wifi has been out so we have been mooching off the wifi in the grocery store. It's slow so we only have time to load the emails we get, then we bounce out of there or else the workers get suspicious. I am writing this email in my notes so I will just send it whenever the next time I get wifi is and then I will write some emails on the computer when the wifi at the church feels like coming back up. Hopefully Thursday night.. But yeah I hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving! I sure did 2 days later on Saturday when we celebrated it, so all is good. But on the real Thanksgiving I had some terrible off brand of cheerios and then a not good at all Maggi pack.. Do we have Maggi packs in America?

Anyways Friday we had our hoho ZoKo yayyyy! Got to see some familiar faces. Got a couple good friends going home this transfer. It's so sad, but I'm not far behind them ayyyy:) We saw the new Christmas video, it's so so good. SO much better than last years video with the creepy background music was... Overall it was a good zone conference. President even held almost the entire thing in English for us as a Christmas present :,) Afterwards of course we had to stop at a Christmas Market... Berlin is so unreal during Christmas time. Everything is covered in lights. I might have already said that 1000 times but I can't get over it. I only have one more Zone Conference... crazy stuff. 

Saturday was the Thanksgiving ahhhhhhhh:)) A half American family cooked so tears of joy were shed from Elder Fritz and I. A turkey, stuffing, MASHED potatoes, it ALMOST felt like I was in the states for a couple hours. It was hilarious... They had root beer there, and that's not a thing in Germany so everyone was making a big deal out of it. For about 30 minutes, one small glass of root beer was passed around the room slowly. Every single person did the exact same thing: took a quick sniff of it, grimaced, giggled, took a tiny sip, went "ACH BLEHHHH" and then they would all look at each other and die of laughter. Literally every time. It was like a bunch of cavemen who just discovered something new that was terrible. 

I haven't laughed as much as I did this week in a long time. Elder Fritz and I were by institute this week and there is a handicapped guy in our ward. Super sweet guy. I love him - he is hilarious. He is probably my age, 20 or so, and he comes to class as well. But we were in there and the lady was teaching and during the lesson he kept calling elder Fritz a pig. "Du Schweeiinn, du Schweinnn!" And I was having a hard enough time keeping in my laughing at this point. All of a sudden the topic of the class somehow gets on gay marriage, and from there he kept calling Elder Fritz gay. After that I was done, I couldn't hold it. I was trying so hard to hold it in, I ended up just making weird noises. I got all sweaty and there were tears in my eyes. I tried to leave the room a couple times but I was blockaded in.

This week should be a good week. We have a lot of things planned so the time should fly by. Been feeling really grateful for my mission lately. Sure hasn't been easy, but the more the days pass the more I'm realizing that I am going to miss so many things about it. Thank you to those who have shown constant support to me throughout my mission so far, it means a ton. Even if it is just a quick 2 sentences. December here we come. 

Ich hab' euch so viel lieb 🇩🇪️🇺🇸

Elder Miller