Thursday, November 27, 2014

Homecoming

Hermana Millet is home! Come hear her speak Sunday Nomvember 30th at 11:00. 4505 S. Brian's Way (3420 W.). You are also welcome to stop by the house afterward to visit, 4415 S. 3234 W. 

Monday, November 17, 2014

What does one say in the last letter home?


What does one say in the last letter home? 

First of all I would like to send a big thank you to my mom, Pam Millet, for all she has done to help with my blog.

When it first began, I just wanted to have a way to share with friends and family my experiences from the mission. As I have written, my thoughts have really just been directed toward my family and it has been a way to personally process what I am experiencing and learning. At times I worry about if what I'm writing in this crazy hour we have to email makes sense or really expresses what I would want to share with the whole world, but it really has come to be a completely candid view of my experience in the mission. The good, the bad, and the beautiful.

Through all of the work that my mom has put in I have seen even more miracles than the ones that are seen in my letters. I have made friends that are now close to my heart and now serving their own missions, I have been able to share advice and feel connected to new missionaries coming into the mission, I have found querido amigos (dear friends) here in Argentina, and I hope I have been able to share my testimony with all. I hope that some of the experiences that I have had have been able to affect the lives of others and that the spirit has been able to testify of the truthfulness of this work and of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

All this is thanks to my best friend and my mom. She, my dad and my sister have written me every week of my mission without fail and it has been what has gotten me through the hard times and given me extra needed strength. I want to publically thank them for their love and support, for being such a big part of my mission and the opportunity I have had to bear my testimony to numerous others.

Thank you!

Second, big news for the week. On Thursday during companionship study I received a call from President Robertson indicating that there was a possibility that he would need to shut down my area. He asked about our progressing investigators and what my opinion was. My stomach sank as I stood from my chair and looked out the window at this beautiful city. My eyes went to the map on our wall marked with all of our menos activos (less actives), conversos (converts) and investigators, and as tears began to fill my eyes I told him the truth. Although I love this area and I love these people, they will be okay. They are not ready to be baptized in the coming weeks and if my companion is needed elsewhere, we could shut down Ramos. The next few days were a haze.

That night we got the confirming call that we would be shut down and leave to our new areas on Saturday. Friday morning we packed and then spent the day preparing our members, converts and investigators for the change and saying our goodbyes. Most of them didn't believe us or understand at first. They had been prepared for my departure on Thursday but we had assured them my companion would be staying. There were lots of tears and hugs, or really firm handshakes in some cases, and then we left.

Saturday morning after our devotional with Elder Christofferson, we headed to the church to receive our assignments. Hermana Urbanawiz is opening up Junin (CAMPO-YES!) with Hermana Leiva. She deserves it. She will love it. And Hermana Leiva will be soo great for her. I am in a trio with Hermana Medeyro and Hermana Durfee in Atalaya. They are wonderful, I already know them and I already know Atalaya. It's a weird feeling to be in middle land, not leaving quite yet, but not really part of the area; however, I know this is what the mission and the Lord needed. I am learning so much from these hermanas and know that I can still see miracles in these last few days. As I thought with sadness on the farewells I wasn't able to make and the asados that were not to be eaten I was reminded once again of my purpose. I am here to serve the Lord wherever I am called. I am so excited to give my all in these last few days and keep growing and learning.

Third, devotional with Elder Christofferson. It was amazing! I got to sit on the front row and eat up all of his wonderful words of advice. He gave us so much great insight into the atonement, teaching etc. but what touched me personally was his apostolic promise he pronounced upon us. It was incredible. It's impossible to describe the spirit that we felt as we listened to his words. As you know, I had a few weeks this transfer in which I really doubted whether I really had done all I could, if I had really accomplished what the Lord wanted of me. Some of Elder Christofferson's final words were, "The Lord accepts your offering. He is pleased with your efforts. You will be blessed to receive this testimony if it is what you desire." I couldn't stop the tears from streaming down my face as I felt the spirit testify to me personally that the Lord has accepted my efforts. They were not perfect, I am not perfect, but He accepts what I have been able to give.  It was an incredible experience, one for which I will forever be grateful.

Finally, I would like to share a few thoughts I have learned throughout the mission. I have done a lot of contemplating during personal study this week and I think it boils down to a few lessons learned:

1. God is merciful, patient and loving.
2. Fullness of joy in the gospel comes in families.
3. There is ALWAYS room for more faith.
4. True conversion, true happiness, requires constant repentance and change.
5. It all comes down to the Book of Mormon.
6. There is only one true church. This is it.
7. Nothing replaces prayer.
8. The greatest anecdote to disanimo (discouragement) is service. The greatest act of service is sharing the gospel.
9. God has a perfect plan. It is so big yet so small.
10. Jesus Christ is my Savior.

I am so incredibly grateful to my Heavenly Father for this chance to serve Him. But he has given me so much more. My testimony is so much deeper, my conviction to live his gospel so much stronger and my love for the savior so much more profound. I know without a doubt that this is the true church and the only way to receive all that our father has to offer. I know He loves me and has a plan for me. The mission has been the best experience of my life so far. I am so sad to leave this work, this country and these people but I know it keeps going. That's the best part.

I can't wait to see you all on Friday and hug you! Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Hermana Millet

Final picture with my beautiful companion Hermana Urbanawitz.


Throwing away the mission shoes!!! Hooray!


My three angels.  Hermanas Alley, Robinson and Gardner.
I started this amazing journey with them and have
 looked to them for support, understanding and love
 in every opportunity. I love them more than words
 can express. Aren't they beautiful!?



Saying Goodbye.



Rafaela.  Saying goodbye to her was super hard.
She's been my second mom in Argentina.



Alfredo may have been one of the most difficult.  I don't have
time to explain now, but just know that people are
not always what they seem.



Oscar.  I'll tell you about him later.  Oh, Oscar. 


Paola and Amir.  They are the sunshine of Ramos.



Luz Martinez. This woman is menos activo (less active)
 and is dying of cancer. We try to call or visit often.
 She and her family are amazing.







Final zone meeting.


My favorite wall in Ramos.


Accion Poetica.  So, in Ramos, and really all over Buenos Aires
 there is this thing called poetic action. It's the coolest.
 People just write cute little poetic phrases on random walls
 and it's like a little surprise to find them.  I'm definitely finding out how to institute it in Utah when I get back.



P-Day food.


Pepitas with Alfredo








Monday, November 10, 2014

Never stop learning.

Dear Familia:

Well, I guess it's time I get the email going. I just have too much fun reading all of yours. Totally not the way it should be done, I know.

Anyway, remember how last week I was a little complainy and down. Sorry about that...

This week has been amazing. I was still really struggling personally up until Thursday. Being sort of a pastora on Wednesday (FYI transfers were Wednesday and the elders got all confused thinking I should be a part of the final activities maybe and reunion with the converts etc. so it was a super weird middle ground day which was great for my already emotionally weak state) made me do a lot of thinking, and after such a difficult week I started working myself up with all sorts of negative thoughts. Satan really got a hold of me and I began wondering whether or not I had accomplished what the Lord wants and if my whole mission had been a failure.

The Lord, however, is so merciful and began the healing process through prayer and my personal study. Toward the beginning of my mission one of my friends serving in another mission sent me a BYU speech by President Holland titled "Remember Lot's Wife". When he sent it to me I enjoyed it but didn't really understand why this elder loved it enough to suggest it to me. Thursday morning I had the impression to pull it out and received so much personal revelation. It talks about not looking back into the past of mistakes or sin etc. I felt a huge load off my shoulders as the Lord began to help me direct my thoughts to the awesome opportunities I have left. I once again set new goals and that day set to work on them with hope and faith.

If there is anyone who has been there throughout the whole mission it's this girl. Paula went with us to soo many lessons in Lujan and helped me so much when I had to direct the area for the first time as a newbie not speaking any Spanish. I'm sure she thought I was crazy. She watched me grow so much in my 7 months there. She has just been such a huge support and luckily I have been able to see her at various times throughout the mission. She is amazing example to me in her faith and perseverance. I LOVE HER!

And everything began to change.

1. bautizar mas (baptizing more): Last week our teaching pool was down to about nothing. Thanks to the mercy of Heavenly Father this week we were able to find many new investigators.

One of these families was a man named Christian. He was just arriving home as we walked by and I almost didn't stop but for some reason turned around and began a conversation with him. We basically taught the first two lessons in about 20 minutes there in his doorstep. We walked away in awe. I couldn't believe how completely prepared he was. He is probably one of the most intelligent, and well off people I have talked to in Argentina but was so humble and interested.

We then returned back Saturday night and taught him, his wife and two daughters. Although, as he mentioned, they were a little more skeptical I still have faith. I can just feel that the Lord is preparing them. They may not progress quickly, but I know if we can persevere they will accept the gospel and be the kind of members the ward needs.

We also returned to Rafaela and her family after giving them a slight break and evaluating what we need to do differently to help them progress.

In our first lesson back with Rafaela we decided to read the introduction to the Book of Mormon with her. In the middle of the invitation from Moroni she paused and began to cry. She told us "I know. I don't doubt anymore." I couldn't believe what was happening. We then had a dicussion about what she needs to do to be baptized.

In our next lesson with Daniel he prayed out loud for the first time. His mom is definitely more "religious" but he just gets the gospel in a way that she doesn't. I can't wait to see how his life is going to turn out once he gets converted. He's going to be something awesome.

We also had an amazing experience Saturday afternoon. We walked away from a house and I saw a dad and his son walking toward us. I stopped and contacted them and it turns out they were talking to the elders in another area! They were disappointed because they couldn't go to church and are stoked to find us!

Therefore, this week we are starting out with many more people to teach who have great potential to progress and be baptized in the coming months.

3. Retener mas (retain more): We have met with each of the most recent converts this week; however, none of them came to church on Sunday. Sunday evening, we visited with Alfredo to see why he didn't come to church (he was sick with the flu) and instead of our planned lesson the spirit lead us to talk about forgiveness. It was one of the most spirit directed and focused lessons I have had with Alfredo. He understood more than he ever has. I realize, here now as I am writing this, that maybe this was a sign to me that I need to focus a little more on the needs of our recent converts. Not just teach them the required lessons a second time but really search for the deeper issues to help them personally so they can strengthen their testimonies and remain active.

Do you recognize them!? It's a long story but I was at the church on Wednesday when Suni and her family from Lujan walked up! I LOVE them sooo much! It was a wonderful little reunion. Don't mind my red face. I was kind of crying right before haha.

4. Reactivar mas (reactivate more): My greatest focus in reactivation my whole time here has been on Paola and Jaqueline. There are many families we have been working with, just like our investigators, with whom my focus has been on those who are really progressing. At this point Paola could be considered active. We still continue to visit her, to keep her active, however. One thing I have noticed is that many missionaries see a less active go to church one or two times and think they are reactivated, however, we must continue to help them until they are fully incorporated into the ward.

To be completely honest, I'm not quite sure what the secret was this week but in my efforts to humble myself before the Lord, work to improve each day and put more trust in Him I have felt the spirit guiding us. After each of our experiences this week we said a prayer of gratitude because we literally did nothing. Each of the miracles was a direct result of the spirit working in us and in our investigators, and I am so grateful.

This has been an incredible learning experience for me over the past two weeks and I look forward for what the Lord has left to teach me.

Sincerely,

Hermana Millet

Our last district meeting together. This last transfer the zone switched our districts all around and put us in a district with all elders. To be honest I was not super excited about the change, but it ended up being really great and the district leader was super helpful and patient throughout all of our difficulties this last transfer.

Monday, November 3, 2014

I LOVE being a missionary, even if I'm wet!

Hello my wonderful family!

Ramos District
I hope you have all had a wonderful week! We are loving serving the Lord here in Ramos and learning every day. It's been somewhat of a trying week, but one in which I have learned a lot and been strengthened a lot in my testimony of our Savior.

By Thursday night this week we had taught one lesson to a non-member and had zero new investigators. Every night, and many times as we were walking during the day, I was praying and searching and pondering for what it is I'm not doing, or what I am doing that is impeding the progress of our work.

And to be completely honest, I'm still not sure if I've found the answer. I've done a lot of reading about purification, faith to find investigators, and prayer. My greatest desire in these last few weeks I have left is to accomplish the will of the Lord. I have been so incredibly blessed in my mission with spiritual experiences, wonderful friends, opportunities to learn and to grow and now I just want to do whatever the Lord needs of me to bless others.

But here rises my greatest question. I've done a lot of searching about faith and prayer. In 3 Nephi 18:20 we learn that the Lord will always grant our righteous desires.

"And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you."

But I know to pray in the name of Christ means I must be asking what he would ask. I know that the Lord wants me to find his children and help them come unto him through baptism but what if that is not his desire right now at this time for us in this area? I know that Christ, the apostles, many of the prophets in the Book of Mormon had to preach and teach to many who didn´t listen and they didn´t always have the success they wanted. How do I know when the Lord just wants me to keep being patient, diligent, keep knocking on doors and talking to people in the street (because I have been blessed to be able to bear my testimony to everyone I see) or when there is something distinct that I need to change to find los escogidos (the elect)?

I've talked to my district leader, and thought about calling President Robertson multiple times, but I'm also practicing trying to receive personal revelation. Yesterday I came to a point where I really just wasn't sure what to do. I couldn't even feel the spirit I was so distraught about wanting so badly to help my companion and those people who are waiting for us. But, I found that the atonement really works for everything. Through Him I was able to find the strength to keep going.

I don't know if I will receive an epiphany from the Lord or if His answer will just be to keep going, keep trying and keep searching. So that is my plan. We sat down and made more goals today. I pray every day for the Lord to help me overcome my weaknesses and focus more on His work and then I just keep going. Maybe we will begin to see great miracles, and maybe we will just have to be grateful for the little ones each day.

I am so grateful for the way the Lord strengthens us through every moment. I know He is our Savior. Without Him we are nothing but with Him all things are possible. I LOVE serving Him, whether that means teaching lessons or walking in the rain all day. I am eternaly indebted to him and am happy to do what he asks. I know this is His church and can't wait to share this message with everyone I meet.

The church is true!

Sincerely, your favorite wet hermana, Jen Millet

PS. Can I also just brag for a minute about my companion? Hermana Urbanawiz has been such a support and ray of light and animo. I wasn't sure how we would get along at the beginning of this transfer but I love her with all my heart and am so grateful for the opportunity to work with her. She is, and will continue to grow into, an amazing missionary.