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