4th Floor, Last Door
HEY HEY HEY EVERYONE!
I hope you all are doing great! I am just loving it out here in LYNBROOK! I am pretty sure this is God's promised land because instead of getting the usual Manhattan dirty looks from strangers and getting flipped off--people here smile and wave. At first, I thought I had been translated. But no, I am still here on earth (don't worry mom!!)
I truly do love it here. It is very different than Manhattan but I know I have been sent here for a reason!
Honestly, this week we had a lesson after lesson cancel and potential after potential not pick up the phone. On Thursday, I was feeling a little sad about it all but we had a morning devotional that fixed my perspective. The previous mission president and his wife joined to share some thoughts with the New York City missionaries! In President Smith's talk, he shared something I love. He said, "The Almighty can open doors that the adversary cannot keep shut." Although we are not out here knocking on doors as missionaries in the past have done, God is still opening doors. He is still providing a way for His work to roll forward to every nation, corner, and part of the world. Even Covid-19 cannot stop it. I know the same is true in our lives. Whatever door you face, that you feel has perhaps been slammed in your face, I promise you that God can open that door. He can lead you gently to your own promised land.
I don't know how many of you have read the talk, "4th Floor Last Door" by Elder Uchtdorf, but recently I feel like I have been living that talk. Time after time the adversary will whisper that "nothing is happening here, you are wasting your time" and immediately as I have pressed forward, we have seen a miracle occur. Twice this week we were calling formers, and twice we wanted to quit after 20 contacts. Both of those times, we prayerfully chose one last person to reach out to, and we were able to set up a lesson with both of those individuals for the coming week. It was such a testament to me that God does know His children and He can lead us to those who are ready. The Lord can and will lead us to those who need the gospel if we keep walking. If we keep trying, and if we figuratively keep knocking.
I wanted to share a miracle that happened this week. Clear back in August, Sister Lines and I had to pass off someone we were teaching to the Puerto Rico elders. When we called them and told them we were serving in New York, one of them mentioned that they had a grandma on Long Island who had not yet accepted the gospel. He asked us tentatively if we covered Long Island. We responded that we did not, but we could have other missionaries reach out. He told us that he would rather not have other missionaries reach out, but if we ever got transferred to Long Island to reach out again. This experience was buried so deep in my memories that when I got transferred to Long Island I didn't even think anything of it. However this week as I knelt in prayer asking the Lord to lead me to His children, this experience came with a flash across my mind. I decided to reach out to this missionary, keeping in mind that Long Island is very large and covered by several zones, and there was very little chance his grandmother would live in my area. However, I followed the prompting. When he responded I was shocked to find that she really did live in our area, and I was mesmerized by God's power. When I think about all the things that were so coordinated by God to be able to help me find this missionary's grandmother I am struck with awe. We plan on going over this week, and so I will update you all on how that goes next week!
Our people are doing great. The work goes forward. Nikki is preparing for baptism on the 30th and could use all the prayers in the world. Our sweet Arlie is also preparing for baptism at the beginning of February and we are so excited for her. And please pray for John as he progresses towards baptism as well.
I have now been a missionary for 7 months, and I just want to say I LOVE THE LORD! I LOVE my mission. This was the greatest gift God could've given me.
MY SPIRITUAL THOUGHT comes from Patricia Holland in a new favorite talk of mine called "One Thing is Needful" from back in the '80s, haha! She gave the talk to the women of the church and I loved what she shared. She said, "If I were Satan and wanted to destroy a society, I think I would stage a full-blown blitz on women. I would keep them so distraught and distracted that they would never find the calming strength and serenity for which their sex has always been known." What a powerful reminder to us women. Satan knows what power we hold, and he will continue to do all that he can to tear us down. We simply cannot let him do so. The best armor that we have against him is our focused sight on the Son of God. Sister Holland goes on to explain that as women of God we are to discover our true selves: the queen within. It is only then that we can discover our beauty that God can see!! I felt that beauty when I stood in the temple last week. For a moment in the celestial room, I had a moment to pause and to reflect. I looked into the mirror and saw someone beautiful. I saw myself. In that moment I felt the love of my Savior wash over me. I felt the natural man peel back, and the inner princess comes out. I saw a glimpse of what I really can be one day--I saw a queen. I am so grateful for that moment because I know that we all have that beauty. After all, we were born of a King.
The church is true my friends.
Be happy. Be brave. Be smart.
LOVE ALWAYS,
Sister Miller
1) Me & the cutest Sister Barnum
Hey there!
This week has been super fast. I wrote a list of all I had to do and accomplish and I’ve been a mad woman trying to get it all done. I still have more on my list.
One of the things I worked on was preparing doe building. We found out today that the prices raised again for houses. So, our house is not 100,000 more to build. At first, I was discouraged and I am still a bit worried, but I felt so directed about buying the lot that I feel the Lord will guide us in some way. I’m not sure how. Who knows? We might not build, and that is okay too. But, maybe another door will open that I am not expecting. I trust it will work out.
Jake earned his Eagle this week. I saw your cute post and your comment. He was super happy. He was having a complete off day on the day of his review. I have heard of boys failing their reviews so I was super nervous. I prayed ALL day. Seriously, kept sending prayers. When he got in the interview, he was amazing. He was making jokes and totally relaxed. He was completely confident and knew his stuff. He has the interviewers laughing through the interview. It was so funny. I couldn’t hear it all, but one of his jokes went something like this:
“My favorite campout was the Klondike. My dad hates the Klondike, but I thought it was awesome. The only downer was they didn’t give me a Klondike Bar.”
He told about how the family life merit badge was harder than he expected. He talked about what went good and what went bad with his project.
He did a good job. I was super proud.
He has to have 5 recommendations for his Eagle. I loved reading what people said. The theme in all the letters was that Jake was so kind. He really does have the kindest heart.
Amber is in full swing with DYW. I forgot to tell the people that I bought the dress from to line the top part of her dress. I hope they will exchange. I’m still waiting for a reply.
Amber is also starting a hotdog business with Sami. It’s kinda cute and funny. She can do anything she sets her mind to though so I think she’ll do it if she really wants to.
Dad and I went on a date tonight. I forgot I had a goal to not eat sugar for a month. How did I forget? It seems weird that I did, but after dinner, I did the usual—I convinced dad to drive me to cookies.
I love you. We pray for you every day. We are so proud of you!
2) Also us
3) So we can't knock doors, but who's to say we can't go to a coffee shop and order hot chocolate and talk to all the baristas about the gospel???:))))))
4) Lynbrook !!
5) Arlie, the cutest 9-year-old & Emma, the cutest 11-year-old
6) Driving around town!
This week has been super fast. I wrote a list of all I had to do and accomplish and I’ve been a mad woman trying to get it all done. I still have more on my list.
One of the things I worked on was preparing doe building. We found out today that the prices raised again for houses. So, our house is not 100,000 more to build. At first, I was discouraged and I am still a bit worried, but I felt so directed about buying the lot that I feel the Lord will guide us in some way. I’m not sure how. Who knows? We might not build, and that is okay too. But, maybe another door will open that I am not expecting. I trust it will work out.
Jake earned his Eagle this week. I saw your cute post and your comment. He was super happy. He was having a complete off day on the day of his review. I have heard of boys failing their reviews so I was super nervous. I prayed ALL day. Seriously, kept sending prayers. When he got in the interview, he was amazing. He was making jokes and totally relaxed. He was completely confident and knew his stuff. He has the interviewers laughing through the interview. It was so funny. I couldn’t hear it all, but one of his jokes went something like this:
“My favorite campout was the Klondike. My dad hates the Klondike, but I thought it was awesome. The only downer was they didn’t give me a Klondike Bar.”
He told about how the family life merit badge was harder than he expected. He talked about what went good and what went bad with his project.
He did a good job. I was super proud.
He has to have 5 recommendations for his Eagle. I loved reading what people said. The theme in all the letters was that Jake was so kind. He really does have the kindest heart.
Amber is in full swing with DYW. I forgot to tell the people that I bought the dress from to line the top part of her dress. I hope they will exchange. I’m still waiting for a reply.
Amber is also starting a hotdog business with Sami. It’s kinda cute and funny. She can do anything she sets her mind to though so I think she’ll do it if she really wants to.
Dad and I went on a date tonight. I forgot I had a goal to not eat sugar for a month. How did I forget? It seems weird that I did, but after dinner, I did the usual—I convinced dad to drive me to cookies.
I love you. We pray for you every day. We are so proud of you!
Love, Mom
Hailey,
Ok. I know this is late. And it’s kinda short, but I didn’t want to miss a week!
In math, we are learning logarithms. Man. I’m really really lost. I’ve never been so confused in my life
. It’s kinda funny. The good news is that it’s going to be a take-home test so I’ll probably be able to pass.
So...Trek got canceled. I’m really disappointed. I really wanted to go and this was my last year to do it. I also won’t go on FSY so...you know... It blows. But it’s whatever. I’ll survive.
Sami and I are starting a business. We are doing a hot dog food truck!! Her car looks like a hot dog and we figured that it might be fun. We are making a sauce that is kinda like the ones in Hawaii. Do that will be good. I’m excited but nervous because I don’t want it to fail. It’s weird.
I have a bowling tournament this week. It will decide if I make state or not. Lol. They take this bowling thing pretty seriously. I bowled a 175 the other day and that was awesome!!!
Anyways. I love you!!! You are super cool. I miss you and I can’t wait to talk to you tomorrow!!!!
Love you goodnight,
Amber
Ok. I know this is late. And it’s kinda short, but I didn’t want to miss a week!
In math, we are learning logarithms. Man. I’m really really lost. I’ve never been so confused in my life
So...Trek got canceled. I’m really disappointed. I really wanted to go and this was my last year to do it. I also won’t go on FSY so...you know... It blows. But it’s whatever. I’ll survive.
Sami and I are starting a business. We are doing a hot dog food truck!! Her car looks like a hot dog and we figured that it might be fun. We are making a sauce that is kinda like the ones in Hawaii. Do that will be good. I’m excited but nervous because I don’t want it to fail. It’s weird.
I have a bowling tournament this week. It will decide if I make state or not. Lol. They take this bowling thing pretty seriously. I bowled a 175 the other day and that was awesome!!!
Anyways. I love you!!! You are super cool. I miss you and I can’t wait to talk to you tomorrow!!!!
Love you goodnight,
Amber
Hailey,
It has been a crazy month. I got my Eagle this week. And I still need to set up a date to get my Court of Honor so I can get awarded. I had to have an interview. It was over zoom. I was nervous because I didn't know the exact questions they were going to ask me and I had to prepare blindly. I think I did a good job in answering. So, they told me that I am eligible to become an Eagle Scout.
School has been great. There has been no bullies or anything. I have to do a few tests this month though. I've had a fun time hanging out with my friends during lunch. They have decided to play four-square again. And I love it. I like hanging out with them, but they play in teams and I don't. I don't like that they team up. I am the only one not on a team, and when everyone else is on a team they get me out, so I went to a different group to play. And the boys in that group is Garren Lowry, Caden Nash, David Nokelby, Sam Moore, and that's it. I like both groups. I think it is good to go to two different groups sometimes too.
I went ice fishing with grandpa. I earned my fishing merit badge. I caught a fish in almost 10 seconds, and grandpa then caught a fish and we kept two fish and brought them home and cooked them. He taught me how to flay a fish and clean it. I cooked it too. It was delicious. We put flour and garlic on it and lemon pepper and then we cooked it in oil in a frying pan. And it was divine.
I love you. Mom is yelling at me to go to bed.
Goodnight.
Love, Jacob
Happy P day!!!
First things first! Manchester United beat Liverpool today in a FA cup game. Awesome! I know! I harassed Forsberg for a few minutes. Manchester United is still in first place (or “top of the table”, as they say in the UK). Lots of good news.
Things are really busy with work, so maybe not all good news. I am also way behind in stuff for Jeff and Shaura. I don’t have time for everything. I guess I will make it.
How goes the mission work. Did your 9 year old come to church? I have been praying for you (and her). You still kicking butt in the village. I like the pictures you post on Instagram. I don’t have Facebook, so I don’t always get to see “Lighting Lynbrook,” but I like the stories and invites to have a scripture shared with me. You are really doing a great job. Keep up the good work. Just one item of feedback though. I ate at the Panda Express in the airport on the way home from seeing you in Connecticut. It was not a miracle. Far from it.
We closed on the lot in the keep. Your mom is getting excited/losing her mind. I am hoping we will still be in this house when you get home, but no promises. Once your mom gets something in her head, good luck. I am sure it will be beautiful. I am sure I will be in debt for eternity. I guess it is just money. Well, that and her happiness. I would just be happy if Texas would not suck in football, but there is nothing I can do about that. Texas is ranked 5th in basketball, but I don’t really care about basketball. I did watch some BYU basketball Saturday night. They were beating up Pepperdine. Not too exciting.
Right now, your mom is tormenting Amber. Amber probably wants you to come home so she will torment you instead. Amber also is doing DYW stuff. More things for me to be grumpy about. Jake passed his Eagle Scout board of review this week. That was exciting. The troop is planning a winter camping trip. That is not. I went on hiking in the Sawtooth Mountains in the summer, I don’t have to sleep in the snow. That’s the rules. Maybe the summer after you get home, we will have to hike the Sawtooths again and take you and mom and Amber.
Love you lots. Keep up the good work.
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