Christmas E-Mail December 22, 2008

Ryan wearing David S's Moon Boots on Christmas Day!

Dear Family,

It's been in the mid 80's last week, so it is definitely the warmest Christmas I have ever had!

So how are you doing? I'm sorry there are pranksters bothering you. Is it one of Reece's friends just having fun or do you think it is someone who is just out to get you? If that's the case then you might want to report it to the authorities. [Teenagers were "Power-housing" us -- turning off our power right when we were writing our weekly e-mail to Ryan. After the second time I did call the police and Scott put a padlock on our fuse box.]

So how is everything going? I hope you are all having a merry Christmas! Don't worry about the package, it will most likely get here, and even if it were not able to get here just the thought that you guys sent me something makes me happy. : ) I hope the package I sent you will get there today, too! I bought a tracking number for it as well and insurance in case it got lost or stolen. But I sent my package to you out early Friday morning so it should get there today or tomorrow. : )

My companion is doing better. He has been feeling much better. Earlier this week Elder Carlisle and I went on an exchange to share the LDS version of Green Eggs and Ham with David S. It was a lot of fun!

We have a LOT of plans for Christmas now: We already had one Christmas dinner at the D's (Bro. D. is the Elder's quorum pres.) last night and it was very tasty! I had homemade egg nog and pumpkin pie!! It was very nice of them to have us over. On Tuesday we might be spending the night in Apopka, Florida with the other elders in our district. On Christmas Eve we are going with the Clermont Elders (Carlisle and Sprague) to one of their members' houses for a special dinner. That day is also our P-day this week (we just get to e-mail today). Then on Christmas day we will go to the Lowe's house in the morning for a Christmas breakfast, the S's at 2 for "dinner" and the T. family later in the evening. In between we will most likely go caroling and visiting investigators. Sounds busy huh? (and very fun!)

We have a new investigator, is name is Will H. and he is 18. We met him last night tracting and shared with him the first lesson. We have a return appointment on Tuesday. The M. family is doing well: we went to their church with them on Saturday (a 7th day Adventist church ) and we were the only white people in the entire building. : ) The service was nice and they shared a good message about Christ. Then as part of our agreement Jude and Marie M. came to Sacrament with us yesterday. Well, they missed the sacrament, but were there for the talks and for me singing in the choir. Our choir sang "Still, Still, Still" and I think Jude really liked it. He is a committee leader at his church and he invited our choir to come sing at his church sometime. What a great missionary opportunity! On Saturday night I visited with AJ R. for a long time (18 yr. old who was in a car accident and his wife died). It was the most spiritual experience I had had all week and we talked a lot about the plan of salvation and the temple. Heather's dad, who is not a member was there and we taught him about the plan of salvation. AJ has such a strong testimony and he is an amazing example of faith and courage at this time of struggle in his life!

One experience when we were tracting this week was we knocked on a lady's door who said she already had Christ. Then as we were leaving she said, "Wait, come back!" So went back and she asked if we would pray with her. So on her front porch we all grabbed hands and she asked me if I would pray. As I prayed I felt prompted to ask for strength in trials for this lady. After the prayer she went immediately back into her house. We felt prompted again later to go back to her house and she ended up explaining to us that she was having a really hard time, because she is bipolar, her husband just lost his job, and she had gotten in trouble for overdosing on her medication. She told us that we had come just at the right time. It felt good to help someone out in need!

Well, my time is up but I hope you are all having a merry Christmas! I love you and wish you the best as you share the message of Christ's birth this Christmas season with all our friends and family.

Merry Christmas!

Love,Elder Miller

Mission Newsletter

We got this photo and newsletter from the Mission Office. Loved the fun information!

December 10, 2008

Dear Florida Mission Parents,

We are grateful to be spending this Christmas Season in the mission field with your sons and daughters. Thank you for sending us such faithful and courageous missionaries. The Spirit is strong here in Florida as they go about "doing good to all men."

2008 has been a good year and the work is moving forward. We have 150 young elders and sisters who love the Lord and are diligent in finding those who are prepared to receive the message of the restored gospel.

We have six Creole speaking missionaries who work with the Haitians. There are six missionaries from Brazil, some who teach in Portuguese and others who are assigned to teach in English. There are about 36 Spanish speaking missionaries, a few of which are native speakers. We have two Korean sisters, and three missionaries from Canada, the rest hail from the USA.

We have had three appendectomies this past year and one hernia surgery. We can't even count the knee, shoulder and ankle injuries sustained during preparation day activities, and the Lord sustains them and the work goes on.

Eight of our missionaries are converts and joined the Church between the ages of 16 and 21. We have two concert pianists, numerous outstanding vocalists, artists and instrumentalists. We have three music majors and abundant scholars and athletes.

We have missionaries who are discovering their great potential and realize the world is full of unlimited opportunities for those who know how to work and sacrifice for a goal. They are also learning that where much is given, much is expected. This mission is preparing them for a life of service to the Lord and their fellowmen.

These faithful missionaries have a great responsibility and we are humbled as we see them measure up as dedicated servants of the Lord. We are truly blest to serve with them. We see them grow into adulthood right before our eyes. Within a few short weeks, the new missionaries lose their "deer in the headlights" look and take their places shoulder to shoulder with their seasoned fellow missionaries.

How wonderful it is to wear ourselves out in His service. We are truly in debt to our Father in Heaven for this amazing opportunity. We pray he will continue to bear each of us up and make us equal to the tasks before us.

God lives. Jesus is the Christ. This is His work an we are His grateful servants.

Best wishes to you and your families. We know the Lord is blessing you as your missionary blesses the lives of others.

Merry Christmas,

The Florida Orlando Mission

!Feliz Navidad, Mi Familia!

Hello Mom, Dad, Reece, and Remi!

I can't believe Christmas is almost here. It hasn't really hit me yet, because one, we're so busy with the work, and two, it is still warm outside and has even rained a few times. So it doesn't quite feel like Christmas season yet, especially because this is my first one away from home.

So how are you doing? I wonder what Christmas traditions you have done so far this year? It will be awesome to get your package; I'm really looking forward to it! : ) I'm sending my Christmas package on Wednesday the 17th and it should get there to you a few days before Christmas. : ) I hope you enjoy it!

Well to answer some of your questions Mom: I have a 300 minute phone card (so I won't run out), I will most likely open presents at our apartment and then go to the S's for a Christmas dinner. I will call either from the apartment or the S's. I can call whenever you would like me to (I could call after you guys have finished opening presents if you want me to). Just e-mail me the time you want me to call (in your time) and I will get it in my next email. : ) thanks
do have a few little Christmas trees in the apartment. They're pretty small, but they are festive. : ) Dad, I've been singing in the choir too. : ) We've had practices after the block the past two Sundays and on Sunday I will be singing, "Still, Still, Still") with the choir. As usual there are only about four guys (me included) and 12 women. I think it will go well, though! I wish I could hear your duet, dad, with Brother C. I wish you luck and I know it will sound great. : )

We extended the Baptismal commitment to Caesar P., and he said he would have to pray about it and then tell us what he felt. We still haven't talked with him since but we will go by tonight or tomorrow to find out.

I'm going to send this email ....

OK, I'm back.

And the Jude and Marie M. family are progressing because they are reading and praying and they are coming to church this Sunday and we are going to theirs on Saturday. They are currently 7th day Adventists. There are a total of 7 in their family. We had to drop the McI's because they weren't keeping commitments. But its good that we have a new family.

Elder Bradford says hi too. He is actually not doing so well. Most of my day today will be spent in the doctor's office waiting on him to get checked out. He's had blessings so he will be fine. But keep him in your prayers.

Our members are still dutifully feeding us and we even went to Cracker Barrel with Brother S. this week. Haven't been there in a while!

On Saturday we ended up tracting the same area as some Jehovah's Witnesses. We just waved and said hi. It was funny. : ) Saturday night was our Christmas party for the ward and guess what I did . . . played saxophone! I got permission from the AP's [Assistants to the President] to play some Christmas hymns for the program and I ended up playing the "dinner music," too. It went really well. I borrowed one of Maura C's saxophones (She's in the Clermont ward) and she and I played many duets of the Christmas hymns. I think you guys would have enjoyed it especially if you like Reece and I playing "If I Could to Hie to Kolob. We also went Christmas caroling at a rest home in Leesburg. It was a good opportunity for service. Well that about sums it all up.

I love you all and look forward to my call!

Stay Strong!

Elder Miller

Just for Fun

Light Saber Wars for P-Day (bet you're wondering how they did that! Clever Elder Holland taught them!)

Ping and Pong

The dreaded Florida Gator

A pretty sunset and a handsome missionary

Good-bye MTC -- Hello Florida!

With Elder DeLucchi (Their moms got to be friends on LDSMissionaryMoms.com before they even entered the MTC!)

One wild and crazy MTC district.

One and the same not so crazy MTC district.

The group of missionaries with President and Sister Darrington when they arrived in Orlando.

Reuniting with MTC friends at a Zone Conference.

Halloween Fun October 2008

Elder Miller had fun carving pumpkins with Elder Holland and the Diaz family for family home evening!

More MTC Temple P-day!

Something OLD . . .

Some older photos from the MTC:

Temple P-Day

And Ryan's MTC District posing with a favorite instructor and in front of the big MTC map. Look out Florida, here they come!

Someone NEW!

Elder Miller's new companion: Elder Bradford. Ryan calls him "a crazy and fun guy." Ryan's family wants to know if he'll ever have a companion that's less than 6'4"s tall!

Before and After Pics

Ryan sent us these "before and after" photos.

The first photo Ryan called, "Before haircut -- messy hair." The second, "After haircut -- Much better!"

The second set are of his "P-day lunch at Chilis." Only young men would think to take a before and after of their lunch plate!

Merry Christmas from Florida 8 December 2008

Hi Mom, Dad, Reece, and Remi!

Wow! There was a lot of information packed into your e-mail. The only thing I didn't hear about was if you got my package or not??? I really hope you did because I sent Priority (3 days) a week ago today. So I really hope you got it. : )

Reece- yeah, Tracy is one of my good friends, I'm glad she gave you her e-mail. You'll have to send it to me in a letter or something (hint hint I'd love a letter). : ) I will love snowboarding with you when get back! Make sure you where a helmet at all times--that way you CAN actually snowboard. : ) I want to come back to a brother all in one piece. Keep up the good work with your Eagle! You're almost done! And then you can drive the Pilot. : ) I have wrestled my 270 lbs companion. : ) Well, I love you and I'll talk to you soon. :)

Remi- I love you buddy. It's good to hear that you put up more Christmas lights. I can always count on you for that. : ) We have been teaching lots of people the gospel and we have some new investigators. One of them is a Haitian family (the M. family) and it is hard to understand them with their accent. Another is from Jamaica (David) and he is very curious about religion. I hope you have an amazing Christmas! love you!

Mom- that's awesome that Elder Holland called! Tell him I said hi! I am going to write him today if i can. And I'm sorry about your eye, I hope it cleared up! mmm... stuff for Christmas: I would love some more music. listening to the same 6 CDs gets boring sometimes. I love Mormon Tabernacle, any LDS musicians who you'll find in Zion's or similar stores, and of course Christmas music. : ) I hope everything is well for you! Love you!

Dad- I helped teach a lesson in Español this week to Ceasar P. (talk about the gift of tongues) I know Heavenly Father helped me with that one. Thanks for all you do for our family!! I love you!

Well, I will write more in a letter today and send it asap cause I have a lot more to tell you!

I love you all, merry Christmas!!

Love, Elder Miller

I got a little more time from the librarian so I thought I 'd mention a few of the weeks events for me. : ) I made this book that I have been using as a tool for missionary work, specifically to get referrals from families. It's the LDS version of "Green Eggs and Ham" and the kids love it in our ward! I told you about teaching Ceasar P. in Spanish. I went on an exchange with Morgan S., a guy my age, who was out in Peru for six months but got sick. So he taught a majority of the lesson and I helped, but the part I did help with was definitely inspiration because I don't recall a whole lot of high school Spanish. : )

We had zone conference on Wednesday and it went really well. Elder Carlisle gave his departing testimony. It's sad to see him go, but I know he's served a full mission with his heart, might, mind and strength. Thursday I went to a funeral for Heather R., an 18 yr. old girl in our ward. She, her husband and her sister were hit by a drunk driver. There were over 300 people at the Church for the funeral, most of them non members. Friday we did a service project as a zone pulling weeds in a swamp (nature reserve) in Eustis, Florida. I didn't see any gators though. : )Well, that's some of my week. Like I said I will write and tell you more. : )

Love you all!

Talk to you soon!

Love, Elder Miller

Hello, Happy December, too! 1 December 2008

Hi Family!

It is so good to hear from you! I can't believe another week is past and gone.

So that package I promised you will arrive on Wednesday of Thursday. (finally) It took me a few p-days to put it together. : ) It is chalk full of mementos and pictures (and a letter) so I hope you enjoy it!!

Remi: I love you buddy. it is so good to hear that you put up our Christmas lights! I knew I could count on you. I put up Brother and Sister G's lights on Friday. They are an elderly couple in our ward and are so sweet. We gave Brother G a blessing when my companion got here and in the blessing he was told that Heavenly Father is awaiting to receive him, so we know he doesn't have much time left. He reminds me of Grandpa with his fun personality and sense of humor. He can no longer take chemo for his cancer, but he is in good spirits. It was fun putting up the lights!

Reece: Definitely California oranges are better, but Florida are really good for juice. : ) How are you doing bro? I miss you every time I think about all the fun stuff we have done together. : ) In the package that is arriving this week for you guys there are pictures taken inside and outside my apartment so you can see my living quarters. : ) Keep working on the Eagle paper work and finish soon, OK? I know you can do it, and I have faith in you that you will finish soon. Keep up the good work! Love you.

Dad: That's awesome that you had the elders over. It makes me feel really good to know that my family is one of the families that takes care of the missionaries! (like the S's here) : ) I will do my best to serve the Lord, Dad, and I truly appreciate all the advice you share with me. You are definitely not too full of advice or preachy. I enjoy you insights and knowledge that you share with me. :) I'm praying for your interviews and i wish you luck! Love you.

Mom: The pistachio pudding was a big hit at our Thanksgiving dinner with the S's (even with the chef!). Thanks for sending that, it really made me feel at home. I'm so happy that you are taking care of the missionaries there. Tell them I said hi! And tell everyone I know in the ward and our family and friends that I said hi and that things are going well! I love you mom and wish you the best in your efforts at work as well as with our family!

A little about my week: We have a new investigator family, a Haitian family who is really receptive. The McI family is still progressing. We extended the baptismal commitment last night and they said they weren't sure if they were ready yet, but that they would pray and fast about it. (Good answer : ) ) Kayla can't get baptised because her mom read anti stuff and now won't let her, but I think she will still come to church. A good friend of mine from our ward (AJ, 18yrs old) is in the hospital due to a car crash with a drunk driver. His wife died at the crash and his sister-in-law and he are in critical condition. Please keep the families in your prayers.

This week went well other than that. I made an LDS version of "Green Eggs and Ham" and it is a really good missionary tool. We read it to the S family last night and encouraged them to be persistent with their missionary work.Well, I'll write a little more in my letter but everything is going well.

I love you all and you are all in my prayers. I miss you and look forward to talking to you soon.

Love, Ryan

Happy Thanksgiving Week from Florida! Nov. 24, 2008

Hola mi Familia!

I did some contacting in Spanish this week, thus the greeting. : ) So how is everyone? Holding up ok? Staying Strong? (as our Ward mission leader says.) I certainly hope all is going well.

Reece I will definitely miss snowboarding with you, too! And I will be sending some pictures of the apartment soon, so you can be expecting it! Florida is amazing!!! To answer your questions it is amazing because the weather is in the 70's and there is a nice cool breeze blowing. Just the right amount of humidity and the weather has been perfect!! It will stay that way for a while (thats why so many people vaccation in florida)

And as far as investigators go we have had some new investigators this week: Don and Trisha P. who have invited us for an after Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday. They are a nice couple, recently married. Nikki dropped of the face of the earth and I personally haven't heard from her for weeks. I guess she just decided against it. I am definitely not discouraged, though. We have some other great investigators and they are progressing well. I will tell you about them in my next e-mail . . . So I'll sign off and get back on. Talk to you in a sec . . .

I'm actually going to send you all a nice package full of mementos for scrapbooking or saving and and a picture CD starting where the last one left off and going till now. (In other words lots of pictures on it!!) I'm making it today at the store and I am so excited to send it to you!

So yes . . . our investigators . . . We just finished teaching Kayla the final lesson before baptism. Now we are just waiting on her mom's approval for the baptism. Hopefully she will be baptized this Saturday or next week at the latest! I'm definitely excited for her! Kathy S. -- we just taught her on Saturday and she said that everything about the plan of salvation made sense to her and that she believed it. We will invite her to be baptized this weekend. The Mc. family is doing great, just busy as usual. We stop by their restaraunt regularly and yesterday three of the kids all got a ride to church with Brother L. from our ward. They stayed for all three hours and really had fun in their classes! Sister Mc., Brother Mc. and Adolf all had to stay and run the resteraunt so they didn't come. We set up an appointment last night to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and then commit them all to baptism, but when we got there with our ward mission leader only the three kids who came to church were there. So we have to reschedule, probably for Thanksgiving. So that's the investigators.

Let me tell you about my new companion. His name is Elder Jordan Kline Bradford; he is fresh out of the MTC, 6' 4 1/2'', plays football, and is excited for missionary work. We get along great and no, Reece, he is not like the guy in "The Best Two Years," haha. Right when I got back from picking him up I took him out tracting and we talked to a lot of people. Training him has been a really good experience for me, and a learning experience at that. I have learned in life that many times I learn the best when I teach and that has really been true here. I felt humbled as I was given this call to serve and I know that the only way I have been able to handle this new responsibility is through fervent prayer and divine guidance and help from my Heavenly Father.

Dad, I had my first egg nog and pumpkin pie of the season and it really brings back some memories. I miss drinking that first glass of the season with you and Mom, Reece and Remi. But I'm glad that I have good memories to think of as we start this holiday season. I'll be at the S's this Thanksgiving and they are planning to make many of the dishes that we traditionally have together as a family, so that I can feel closer to home. They said they need to get the recipe from you for the pistacio pudding, : ) Sister D. from our ward made some homemade pumpkin pie and it was delicious. She is also making me some homemade egg nog!! Yea! But nothing will be able to compare to my memories of Moms cooking on Thanksgiving [Awe, isn't he a diplomat!] and spending time with my family whom I love so much!

I recovered from my illness just so you know, the doctor never told me the result of my test but the antibiotics worked so I must be fine. : )

This week I had some real neat spiritual experiences: We were tracting with an exchange in some apartments and I felt the spirit tell me to pray for guidance. So I stopped everyone and told them we needed to say a prayer and we said one right on the steps of the apartment building . I prayed for guidance and for Heavenly Father to lead us to someone who was ready to be taught. As soon as I said "amen" a large man downstairs (must have been a manager) said "Hey, you guys can't be knocking doors here, you need to leave." Although it was not the answer I expected it was still an immediate answer to my prayer and so we left and went to a appointment. I know that God answers our prayers even if it isn't always what we expect, He still hears and answers our prayers.

Mom, I hope all is well and your job is going good for you!

Remi, I love you and I'm glad you have the Priesthood, now!

I love you guys and look forward to my phone call. Have a happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful week!

Elder Miller

Hellooo Family!! 17 November, 2008

Hellooo Family!!

Well, this morning we sent Elder Holland off to Disney World with the D. family. It was sad to see him go!

Guess what? When transfer calls happened Saturday morning the AP [Assistant to the President] told me that President wanted to talk to me. I thought (What does that mean? or better yet: What did I do? haha), but he asked me if I would train a new Elder and I said absolutely. I hope I can be there for him like Elder Holland was there for me.

WoW! I definitely wasn't expecting that of all things. But I'm really excited for it. I do not know who my new greenie is yet and neither does President. He has to interview them before he can decide which of the new Elders coming in is my companion. And right now President is hospitalized with a fever and some sort of virus. Please keep him in your prayers. I'm sure he will be out soon.

So I was looking for some addresses to write people with and I don't have President Smith's [home Stake President] address. Will you please send it to me? Thanks. And thank you for all the pictures. Reece you did an amazing job on the pumpkin! And dad great job on the cake! [see photos] It was great to see all the pictures! And mom, no I haven't gotten the silly FHE [Family Home Evening -- with the Peterson family] pics, but I will look for them in the mail.

Well, I'm going to sign off and sign back on talk to you again in a bit...

Reece you're a very talented artist and when you get famous someday I hope you'll use your art skills to the max. : ) I appreciate you writing me and I look forward to getting your letter! Go El D!!! Battle for the Saddle... I miss it, but I love being a missionary! So have you seen High School Musical 3, yet? Was Stan in it at the end or something? I have other friends in it too.

Whats up with me? mmm... Well, this week has been a big week! Like I said, on Saturday I was told by President Darrington that I will be training. So tomorrow at 9:45 I will pick my greenie up from the mission office and get to work. : ) I hope I can be a good example for him. I have a lot of new responsibility on my shoulders now and will appreciate your prayers on my behalf.

Adam L. is still hospitalized. He hasn't made a whole lot of progress but you can see how he is doing on his website. Ask the S. family for it and they will send it to you. So remember how I was sick. Well I guess I had some sort of stomach infection in the intestines, but I'm definitely feeling better now. So yes, I'm doing well, but I had an interesting week though from being sick. I lost the 10 pounds I had gained here . . . but I feel healthy. On Friday I was at the doctors all day. I had to have blood drawn and do tests. So the doctor gave me these nasty pills that I have to take and they have been doing the job, they just taste horrible!

So guess what?? Today is the first day of my 3rd transfer! And this transfer I get to call you guys!!! (Christmas Day) For Thanksgiving I will be going to the S. family's, of course. And by the way we helped them with a really cool benefit dinner for the fireman on Saturday night. We served drinks and talked to the couple hundred people there. It was a great dinner and it raised some money for the cook book to be published to support the fireman. Bro. S. is a great man! I will be sending you a picture CD soon chalk full of pictures!

Well that was my week. Pretty eventful, huh?? I did receive the package and your letter mom, thanks. : ) and I will be writing soon. : ) I love you all and look forward to this week and meeting my new companion!

Love,

Elder Miller

Greetings from a sick Elder 11-10-08

Hi Family,

Man, right after the S.'s house on Saturday and after we finished washing their cars (service is a great missionary opportunity!) I got really ill. I caught some sort of 24 hour flu and am still recovering from it. It was really bad Saturday night and into Sunday morning, but I'm doing a little better now, thank goodness. Now I just have to recover so I can give my 100% to the work.

Brother S. is such a character. He has been saying he was going to call you guys for a long time but he kept on loosing your number. So Saturday he told me to just give him your number and that he would call you right there and then. And he really did, ha ha. I was outside washing the car but he told me to wave at the phone so I did. It is really weird to think that in a little over a month I get to make my first mission phone call home. Wow, that's not that far away is it?

Well, happy birthday, Remi! I know I told you in my letter with the present, but I'm so excited for you for receiving the priesthood. And I'm glad you and Reece had fun birthdays. How was the Spongebob cake? What did you do for your b-day? I'm glad you like the hat! So will you pass the Sacrament this coming Sunday then? That's really exciting, Remi; I'm really proud of you. : ) Keep up the good work!

Well, I'm going to go ahead and send this and then sign back on for the rest of my time. I will email again in a bit...

Hello again!
Well, I'm back on.

Reece, I'm glad you liked the shirt! It sounds like you had a good time with your friends. So how does it feel to be 17? I can't believe that when I get home you will be 18 going on 19 getting ready for your mission! I have almost been out for 4 months now. things seem to get faster the longer you have been out. I look forward to talking to you at Christmastime! So any snowboarding plans yet? Let me know how everything is going. : )

Dad, I know your birthday is coming up soon! (this Sunday) I hope you enjoyed the present I sent you. I thought about getting you gator stuff too but I thought you might enjoy this a bit more. : ) So are you turning xx or xx? I think it's xx [parental censorship!], but I know you'd rather me think of you turning 35, so I will just think of it that way. : ) I'm glad you enjoyed the S.'s phone call, they are a great family!

Mom, I'm glad you enjoyed the phone call from the S.'s. They said they enjoyed talking to you and that they would love to stay in touch with you guys. I hope you enjoyed the pictures that I sent and the little mementos that I sent too. It will be fun to look back on all the memories after my mission. So have you heard about Andy or Josh or Justin lately? I need to write Andy and Josh. hopefully I will get it done today. And Justin I wrote about 3 weeks ago so hopefully he writes back soon. : )

Well, my week was another week of missionary work. It went well overall just towards the tail end of it I got sick. But I am feeling better and will hopefully continue to recover! Right now our progressing investigators remain the McI. family (who came to church on Sunday, but I wasn't there cause I was sick. But Elder Holland was there) and Kayla M. who now has a baptismal date set for the 23rd. She is really excited for her baptism and hopefully we will get a date set with the McI. family as well. : )

Sometime in the next couple of weeks I will be sending another picture CD. Oh and on Monday I will get my new companion. I don't know who yet, but I look forward to meeting him. I will miss Elder Holland, but he has served for over two years now and needs to get a start on his Air Force career. He will do well I'm sure.

Well, I love you all and look forward to telling you the new news next week. I love you hearing from you and hope your week goes well. I love you guys. keep the faith!

Love,

Elder Miller

The Nicest Phone Call and E-mail Ever! 11-08-08

This morning Elder Miller's happy parents received a sweet phone call from Florida. Brother and Sister S. (the famous DAVID's parents) from the Minneola Ward called to tell us that Elder Miller is doing a great job and that they love him and are taking care of him. And that he will be at their house for Thanksgiving. Lucky Ryan -- Brother S. is a chef!

The call was followed by an e-mail of photos including the two above, which I believe were taken this morning when Elder Holland and Elder Miller were at their house helping wash their car.

What a fun surprise and what a blessing. God Bless you David's family!

Elder Miller and his Trusty Trek 820

More Pics from P-day! 11-3-08

Going to the top of the Citrus Tower on P-day!

TOP: Elder Miller in front of the elevator.

2ND PIC: Elders Miller and Carlisle, and Elders Holland and Sprague at the top of the tower looking East towards Orlando.

3RD PIC: Elder Miller and Elder Holland

4TH PIC: "I'm going to Disney World!" Elder Miller pointing South towards it, at least!

Newest Photos! Bowling on P-day

P-Day Bowling at Clermont Lanes: Elders Miller, Holland, Sprague and Carlisle.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY REECE 11-3-08

Dear Family,

I wanted to write something along with this package, because I take every chance I get!

Well, happy birthday, Reece! 17 years old!? I can't believe how old you're getting. It seems like just yesterday we were making cookies for the firemen, watching you walk around in envelope slippers and playing tickle monster with Dad. Well, time flies and now you're 17! So what are you doing for your b-day?

And a happy early birthday to Remington and Dad!

Remi, I can't believe you're about to turn 12 and receive the Priesthood! Dad I can't believe you're about to turn 35! : ) J/K.

So I'm sending all your gifts at the same time because that's all I can afford. I hope you enjoy them! And Mom, I'm sending scrapbook items and pictures for you, so you can have something, too!

Reece, I got you the Florida Gators shirt, because I thought you would enjoy a college shirt. The Florida Gators are the biggest college team down here and everyone likes them.

Remi, I'm sending you the Florida Gators hat, because I know how much you love hats and I like the Gator emblem on the front.

Dad, I'm sending you this framed picture of the Orlando Temple. I'm going there on Saturday (11-8-08) for an investigator temple tour where we walk around the temple and explain all we are allowed to about the temple and its special purpose. Nikki is coming and she is really looking forward to it! The picture was taken by Brother E. of the Clermont Ward and I just got a simple frame from the store. Please feel free to put it in a nicer frame, so you can hang it up in the house somewhere. I hope you all enjoy the gifts and pictures!

Well, I'm doing great out here and I love you all. I will tell you all about my week in my e-mail, plus I'll be sending some more pics your way. I love you all! Keep the faith!

Love,

Elder Miller (Ryan)

Hello From Florida #1 & #2

Hello Family!

It was great to hear from you and hear about your week. It's amazing to think that I have already been out 1/8 of my mission. (13 weeks approximately).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY REECE!!!!!!!!

I can't believe you're already 17!! I hope you have an awesome birthday. I sent your present out earlier this morning along with Remi's and Dad's presents and it will get there on Wednesday of Thursday. Sorry it's a little late but I did send it out on your birthday so that counts right?? : ) Along with the presents there are pictures and mementos and a brief letter explaining everything. Hope you enjoy!!

Well let me tell you about my week . . . Adam L., an eight year old boy in Minneola Ward awoke with a painful headache a few weeks ago and they since have found that he had a large malignant brain tumor in the center of his head. It was right next to the optical nerve which made operation difficult but they operated on half of it and removed it. Right now he is in critical condition in the hospital and they are debating what to do with the other part of the tumor. The whole L. family has been with him at the hospital for the past few weeks and definitely are there to comfort him. Please keep this boy and his family in your prayers. He is currently in an induced coma but his brain is still responsive so they are slowly bringing him out of it. I fasted for him this week and I know that everyone's prayers and fasting will help.

On a lighter side of things we have had very cold weather lately, but it feels great to me! But the past two days it went back up into the 70's and it feels even better! Halloween was a lot of fun! We helped pass out candy in front of the D. home with both D. families, the C.'s, the C.'s and some others from our ward. We got a lot of goodies as well. Of course I dressed up like a missionary for Halloween. : ) But when it got cold I dressed up like Brother D. (I borrowed his sweater.) On Monday ( a week ago ) we carved some really cool pumpkins so I'll send you pictures in the mail today. I want to see your Halloween pics too, especially Reece's pumpkin (the miner).

On Monday we also went to Citrus Tower and went to the top of it! It was a lot of fun and I sent pictures in the package that I sent to you. Enjoy!

Our investigators are all doing well. We had 7 investigators at church on Sunday!! Our investigators are: Kalya (15, a friend of Katelyn B. in our ward), Nikki (23), Kathy T. (Bro. S's sister), and the McI. Family (8 of them total, but only 6 of them are investigators). The work is going great and I love the people here! I never thought I would be able to love another ward as much as I love 6th ward but I really love it here!

Lately I've been trying to brush up on my high school Spanish with members and investigators. I'm learning a little each day.

I'm going to get off the computer and then sign back on so I can finish the rest of this letter. Talk to you in a bit . . .

Hello again!

So on Saturday we had an amazing exchange with the K. brothers (David, 19, and John, 16) are from a Tongan family in our ward and they are really great kids!) I took John with me and we did some amazing missionary work. We started off with them bringing dinner to our apartment. Then we went to some apartments where we had tried coming in contact with Diamond and Hector from E. R. high school for about a month after our first lesson. The spirit told me to try yet again even though I had tried many times before, so John and I knocked on her door and sure enough she was there as with her mother! We set a return appointment for yesterday. And we taught her and Hector another lesson yesterday during another exchange!

Then john and I had time for a few minutes of tracting before the next appointment and the very first door that we knocked on was opened and it was Carlos (16 and at E. R. high) who is the same age as John and goes to the same school. We taught him the message of the restoration and went to our next appointment. What a miracle! Then we visited with Pablo (16) who was baptized when he met the missionaries many years ago, but his parents got divorced and he fell away from the church. but now he wants to turn his life around and come back to church and he are helping him along the way. Then we "commitment-yarned" the entire smith family of 7 to have someone in their home for FHE. After that I introduced John to the McI. family and he got a long great with Ramone who is also 16. What an amazing night of missionary work!!

Reece, you should go on some exchanges with the Elders. It is such a great experience to have and you get to witness many miracles that take place in missionary work. Will you commit to going on an exchange? ; )

I taught gospel principles class on Sunday and 5 members of the McI. family were there!! It was a lesson on chpt. 27 of the manual (work and personal responsibility) which applied directly to the McI. family's business and their hard work. It went really well! Last night was Weston W's baptism (the family is in our ward and he just turned eight). I led the music and Elder Holland played piano. The service was really special and I felt the spirit strongly. All throughout the Baptism and sacrament meeting earlier that day I kept on thinking about my future family. I thought about meeting my wife and being married in God's Temple. I thought about having children and then being able to baptize them when they reached the age of accountability. I had some very powerful witnesses of the spirit yesterday as I was fasting and praying and looking forward to these things in my future. I love the Gospel!

I will be singing in church on Sunday or the next Sunday a duet with Elder Holland (because he is leaving) so I am looking forward to that.

Oh, and tell Megan I said CONGRATULATIONS!

Well, that was my week and it was another amazing week of missionary service. I pray for each of you every day and am so glad I am a part of our family and that we can be together forever. I love you all and wish you a month of Happy Birthdays! : )

Hope to hear from you soon. Keep the faith! Stay strong!

Love,

Your son and brother,

Elder Miller

HeLlo FrOm FlOrIdA!

Hello Family!

It was great to hear from each of you! And I loved the pictures of Reece! I hope you will send me some more pics in the mail sometime. : ) I am going to print off the pictures you sent me but I would always love to see more pictures. : )

So let me first tell you about my week and maybe that will answer some questions: Well
I am starting the beginning of week four of the transfer and after this week there will only be two left (six weeks to a transfer). I do not think I will be transferred.

And yes, everyone else besides Elder Holland is counting down his days left (three weeks). It was even announced in church, ha, ha. : ) He loves the mission so he's sad to go but excited to start the next part of his life.

We have a LOT of new investigators now: Nikki Y. is back on board and has changed her mind about us "not teaching her anymore." A week ago she told us that she wasn't going to read and pray. But she said that the week that followed was horrible and everything went wrong. She said she knew she had made the wrong decision and that she wanted to be baptized in a month. Her husband was surprised at her choice but I think he will want to be baptized, too.

On Tuesday the Lord blessed us with nine new investigators! Four of them were Anthony, Marcus, Richard, and Jesse, all friends from their neighborhood and students at E. R. High. We taught them the first lesson as they were "chilling" outside in Richard's front yard and we set a return appointment. The rest of our new investigators is a family of eight!! The Mc. family is from Jamaica or somewhere like that and they are a great family: The mom and dad, the grandma, the oldest son(21), Adolf(18), Ramone(16), Naomie(11) and Harmonie(8?) (We taught five of them on Tues. and one on Sunday). They are great individuals. We taught them all the second lesson on the plan of salvation last night. what a wonderful experience! This will be a big baptismal service! They don't have dates ...yet, but they will soon. : ) Then there is Kathy T. (Brother S's sister) and she is taking the lessons because of David's primary program. She has been coming to church every Sunday ever since! I love teaching the gospel!

On Friday it rained and Saturday, too, pretty hard. But it cleared up later that day and ever since it has been BEAUTIFUL weather!

We had FHE on Monday with the D. family and will again tonight with them, the R's, and Marcy and Christine (members). We are carving pumpkins tonight!! Reece I can't wait to see those of pictures of your pumpkin and everything else. I will send pics of ours and some other things I have been up to. Like going to the top of Citrus Tower later today!

Our ward's Fall Festival was on Saturday and we really had fun! We ran the three-legged race and the kids and adults loved it! We won one of the costume contests (dressed as missionaries : ) Ha, ha. And we were given a giant pumpkin cake (shaped like one). I thought of you guys going to the Sixth Ward fall festival and I missed going with you. On Sunday we taught Primary about missionary work and encouraged them all to invite their friends to the upcoming Primary activity: Children all over the world.

Well, that was my week in a nutshell. I continue to pray for all of you each and everyday.
I wish you the best dad, you're in my prayers! Mom, I am glad you enjoy being a librarian and hope that you continue to grow in your new job. Remi, I am glad your birthday is coming up and you should be expecting something in the mail soon. ;-) You too, Reece. And Reece, I'm glad you had fun at Harvest and look forward to getting some more pics! I love you all and hope to hear from you soon!!

Love,

Elder Miller

From Florida with Love! Oct. 20, 2008

TOP PHOTO: Leesburg Zone Development Meeting! Practice for Zone Conference Choir. (Elders: Harris, ?, Chittock, Miller, Sprague and Barnes).

SECOND PHOTO: District Meeting! Left to right, Elders: Bell, Adams, Le Bel, Peterson, Burdick, O'Brien, Parker, Miller, Carlisle & Holland.

BOTTOM PHOTO: My first Apartment Group: Me, Elders: Holland, Carlisli and Le Bel.

Hello Family!

It is so good to hear from you! We had a lesson on Sunday about Joseph smith and how he would write his family when he was gone for so long doing the work of the Lord. It made me think of writing you each week and how much love I feel for each and everyone of you.

Reece you almost made me cry right here in the library, ha, ha, but I held back the tears. : ) I miss you, too, Bro! I miss our planning for snowboarding and warthog wars and going to the mall with you and everything, but I know I am doing the right thing as well in sharing the gospel out here in Florida. :) Congrats on nearing the completion of your Eagle project! I can't wait till we have another Eagle in the Family! I know, I can't believe how fast time passes and yet how much time is left. My companion goes home Nov. 19th and he is having a hard time thinking about it because he loves being a missionary. I’m glad I still have a lot of time to fully serve the Lord as a missionary. Halloween birthdays and dances, WOW. Sorry I am missing all of them but I will be with you in spirit. : ) I love you, Reece!

Remi, I love you bud. It is so good to hear about your week. I am glad you are having fun with church, school and mom and dad. : ) I wish I could be there with you to play Legos but I know you know that I am serving a mission for the Lord. I love you, Remi!

Mom, I'm glad your job just keeps getting better and better! I continue to keep you in my prayers with your new responsibilities and I’m so happy for your success. : ) I am glad you love the pictures (I knew you would!) Mmm... about Nikki, she still needs to read and pray about the book of Mormon and she hasn't yet, but we will keep working with her. She is supposed to come to Sacrament for the first time this week so we'll see. : ) I LOVED THE PACKAGE! It was a big surprise and my roommates love the candy. : ) (And the scriptures). I sent my voting stuff already so it is in the mail and will arrive there on Wed., Thurs. at the latest. I hope that is ok. : ) Voting is not till the 12th of Nov. or something I think. But regardless it is already on its way along with some other stuff. : ) Thanks for the CDs! I only have like 5 so it gets boring sometimes to listen to the same music over and over, so I appreciate the new music. : ) Yes my debit card works, I just have a missionary card that I buy all my food and personal items with, : ) but thank you for watching out for me. :) And yep, I bought stamps so I can send more letters. : ) The new elder is Elder Sprague (no relation to Mr. Sprague as far as he knows) and he is a funny guy. Well, I am going to send this portion of the email now and send the second in a second. Bye . . . Hello again!!

So thank you for the pumpkin! It really made my day! It makes me think of Halloween with you guys. : )

GO EL D!!!!!!!! I am so happy for them with the sweepstakes for BOTH competitions! I miss band a lot.

Dad, I’m glad you didn't fall asleep again. : ) I got your letter (e-mail) though in the mail a few days ago so I was happy. : ) I am amazed at all the support from the Ward, but not surprised. I know we have an awesome ward. : ) I am glad you are finding such friendship in the ward. The Best Two Years is a wonderful movie. : ) That play sounds pretty neat too. It sounds like your doing some wonderful things both inside and outside of the ward. : ) Keep it up. And thank you for all you do for me. : ) I know the Lord will bless you and that everything will work out.

Well, my week was awesome. We had another Zone conference and I got to see all my friends from the MTC. : ) Elder Johnson from the Seventy came to our conference and he really inspired us! I have been directing the music in each conference and will probably continue to do so for a while.

Oh, and at the start of this transfer I became the driver for my companionship; it's fun. I like driving the new Corrolla.

This Sunday I spoke in church along with Elder Holland. I also conducted the music and taught gospel principals class. It was an eventful Sunday! : ) I enjoyed it a lot and the members said they could really feel the spirit. I was glad to vote for Prop 8 and I have some advice for you as you go door to door: Just tell the people who aren’t sure which way they are voting (if they read the Bible) that it was Adam and Eve NOT Adam and Steve! Ha, ha. I got that from my companion.

We have has a little bit of rain in the past few weeks but not much. Right now the weather is perfect!!

I had the thought for you to contact Elder Bobo and Elder Woodhouse and tell them the impact that their missionary work has had on our lives. I spoke about it on Sunday in my talk on Sister Silvia H. Allred's conference talk. I could really relate to her because of how important missionary work is to me. : )

My friend Valerie Harris from BYU-I is in High School Musical 3. (We have a mutual missionary friend out here serving with me).

Well, everything is great out here and we have 8 new investigators! I continue to grow each day and love the work. I love each of you and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Love, Elder Miller

First Baptism Photos!

10-13-08

Hi, Dad, Mom, Reece and Remi,

How are you doing? Dad, I hope everything is going well with you. I pray for you every day. Mom, I have been praying for you also, about your new job and I know Heavenly Father is helping you with your new responsibility at Golden West. Congratulations again! I am so happy for you to be working there! : ) Reece, I really hop everything works out with your Eagle project and I will pray for you, too. I commend you for working so hard on your project and I’m excited to get some pictures in the near future of you all dressed up in Eagle attire! Remi, good job singing in the Stake Primary Choir! I just know that the spirit was strong in that meeting!

I want each one of you to know how much I love you!

So, I’m really excited to send you these pictures, mainly because of David S’s baptism pictures! I wrote on the back of some of them to explain who is in the pictures. The first one is my favorite! [Elder Miller with a smiling David S.!] I hope you enjoy the pictures and are able to feel a part of what is going on out here with missionary work. I had the opportunity to teach David the lessons and hope to have the opportunity to teach many more people the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for all your support! Love you!
Love,
Elder Miller
(Ryan)