Week 24, Cooks Inlet YSA, Anchorage

Hello,

This week I actually have time to draft an email. Last week on p day
we were playing a very intense game of Settlers of Ktan so I ran out
of time. I won, if that's any consolation. I know it is for me.

The last two weeks have been crazy busy, and since I don't remember
what happened two weeks ago, it looks like I'm only giving an update
on this week. Sorry, but that's my long term memory for you. Weak.

Last Monday was crazy. The whole zone went hiking, but because Elder
Crawford doesn't produce body heat we didn't go because we didn't want
him to freeze to death. So we ran around all day doing random service
projects, shopping, and then playing settlers. It was a crazy day of
many adventures.

Tuesday was legit. We were tracting all day because we had no
appointments and we met this man named Adam. He's from Alaska, but he
was a ski bum who bounced around for years and then got his masters
from George Fox University. So he knew where Newberg was because he
lived there for seven years. He had a masters in religion, one in
philosophy, and one in psychology. So naturally he was very poor, but
talking to him was awesome. We taught him the whole plan of Salvation,
and he loved it. He's not a YSA so we passed him off, but he's one of
the coolest guys ever. He used big words. It was nice to hear someone
use big words again. Sometimes I miss big words.

Wednesday we met with this awesome person we're teaching named
Whitney. She's trying really hard to come back to the church so she's
super fun to work with. Plus, she's a returned missionary so she tells
us hilarious mission stories. Then we had a lesson with another man
named Adam, but it's a different Adam. This one was a referral from a
YSA's dad, which was strange, but he's super into learning more. He's
reading the Book of Mormon and loves missionaries. It's awesome.

Thursday we helped Adam move. He gifted us some sweet fishing poles.
I'm not talking week river fishing poles, I'm talking halibut fishing
poles. He just gave them to us. He also wanted to give us his skis but
we couldn't take them. I was upset because they were nice skis. Then
we had dinner with Rhiannon. We've run out of things to teach her at
this point because she's had all the lessons, so we just make sure
she's doing okay and help her with any questions. She is pumped to get
baptized.

Friday we tracted some more, and we actually found a potential YSA out
of it. Who'd a thunk it. His name is Joe. We also went around and met
a ton of people on our ward roster who we don't know. That's been one
of our goals this week, is meet everyone in the ward. YSA wards have
so many people in them because people leave and never have their
records transferred. So we have married people, people who work on the
slope, and people who go to college in Tennessee on our records. So
going through the list has proven pretty fun.

Saturday we tracted for four hours. We found five potential
investigators for other wards. It was awesome. I've come to greatly
appreciate knocking on doors. Some seriously crazy people answer the
door. That's probably just because it's Alaska, but still. I've met
gang members, satanists, cross dressers, hippies, overly protective
moms, and even combos of those. And they all have such interesting
stories to tell. I could write a book. I think I might. They'd all
probably sue me though.

Sunday at 1 30 am we got hit by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. It hit
across the Inlet in Kenai, but we got it in Anchorage. We were
shaking, I almost fell out of my bed, things fell off the tables, and
suddenly our water pressure in our shower improved. So that was a
plus. All the missionaries are okay, no one is hurt. Then we had a
really good Sunday. Erin Fleener (Rhiannon's best friend) gave one of
the best talks I've ever heard. Then we had to teach Gospel
Principles, which wasn't super fun, but it was a good class. So church
was good and then we had a bunch of lessons that night. Score.

So this week was busy and I'm exhausted, but it's a good feeling. This
was a great week. Hopefully all you peoples had good weeks too. This
week the zone is hiking again, if we go this time hopefully I'll get
some pictures. Alright, I'll talk to you next week!

John

Week 23, Cooks Inlet YSA, Anchorage

(How are you this week?  It looks like Anchorage has been cold this week with maybe some snow?  It has been raining here.  And then it rained some more.  We had such a dry summer though that it is hard to complain about the rain.  It hasn't been that cold so that it kind of nice.)

Global warming man. Global warming. It's been chilly here and we did get some snow, but I miss the cold. I wanted that true Alaskan experience with the winters but that's how it goes. 

(The Seahawks lost today so they are now done for the year.  They do not get to go to the Super Bowl this year.  Dad wore his Seahawks tie to church today and Max tells me he did not wear his so I am not sure whose fault this loss was.  Did you wear your socks?  You can probably only wear those on P days anyway.) 

I did wear my socks. I heard they got stomped in the first half. Maybe my faith just wasn't sufficient to help them win. At least the Packers also lost. Those guys suck. Now we just have to hope the Patriots lose too.

(I spoke in the YSA branch today.  Wow.  That is a small branch.  I don't think there were more than 25 people there.  I was thinking that my seminary class is almost that size.  I think my talk went pretty well though.  We talked about missionary work.)  

Yeah, out YSA is kind of tiny. But the one here is pretty big. A lot of people left for college but it's all good because we still have plenty of people to work with. It's really nice actually.

(Alenka got baptized yesterday.  Dad and I went.  It was really great.  She looked so happy.  Brother Southwick baptized her.  Then today she was confirmed.)

I heard about Alenka's baptism, she emailed me. That was really exciting.

(How is Marc doing?  How is the quitting smoking going?  Has he made it to church?  Is he still on target for baptism this month?  How about Rhiannon?  Is she still getting baptized Feb 6?  Do you have anyone else that you are teaching?) 

Our investigators are doing good. Marc is working really hard on quitting smoking and coming to church and Rhiannon is as solid as ever and is getting baptized here in a few weeks. So it's all good in the neighborhood. The ward is still awesome. 

(How is your ward?  Still loving it?  And your companion?  All good there?)

Elder Crawford is still Elder Crawford. Everything's good I think

RED = portions from mom's letter

BLACK = John's answers from his letter back to mom

Week 22, Cooks Inlet YSA, Anchorage

Hello,

This week has been pretty interesting. It was filled with ups and
downs and all arounds like any good story should. Today though, is a
sad day. My best mission friend, Elder Reading, my last companion, is
getting sent home today. He flew out this morning actually. He didn't
do anything wrong, but his companion did, and as a missionary anything
your companion does is on you too. He's doing good, but I'm sure he
could use some prayers.

Tuesday was the best day of my mission. We had a zone conference
because we had Elder Daniel Johnson of the Seventy came up. So it was
our zone combined with the North Anchorage zone cramped into a room
getting wrecked with spiritual knowledge. It was pretty awesome. I
learned a lot from that. Then we taught three member present lessons
and two less active members who actually came to church on Sunday. We
were rolling that day. It was the best.

Then Wednesday happened. Wednesday was rough. We pushed through all
our plans for the day by 2 o'clock so we tracked for hours. I've
actually come to really enjoy tracting. You meet all sorts of
interesting people. But no one was interested. Then that night we
ended up teaching two lessons which made the day feel worth it. They
both came to church Sunday as well. Apparently, this ward has a lot of
reactivation to do.

Then Thursday we again tracted all day. It makes for long days when
all you see is closed doors. But it was fun because we met some really
crazy people. Worth it. Then we again taught two lessons that night.
There's something about teaching two lessons every night this week.
Patterns are funny.

Friday we went on exchanges. I went to the Sand Lake ward with Elder
Loften. He's my district leader, but he was also in my first district
up in Fairbanks. I thought it was funny I got to go on exchange with
him again. We had really good enchiladas that night for dinner. It was
great. We didn't get much done because Elder Loften was sick and they
have almost no work in there area, but it was nice to work in a family
ward again for a little bit. I love the YSA, but it gets tiring to not
hear screaming children all the time. What's wrong with me?

Saturday morning I had to go to a leadership thing with the zone
leaders and district leaders in our zone. So it was just me and a
bunch of high powered missionaries. It was intimidating, but I
definitely learned a lot from them. I love the guys here. They're the
best people. Elder Bradshaw is one of the zone leaders and he's like a
more manly, better looking version of Tate. And he's nicer. I don't
even think that's possible, but that's what he is. So I got to hang
out with them at a meeting. Then we exchanged back and tracted more. I
think we did 12 hours of tracting this week. Oofta.

Then Sunday was ward conference. No one told us that ward council was
cancelled so we showed up to church two hours early. So we listened to
a bunch of general conference talks before going out and trying to
teach a lesson. Then at church we had 7 less active members and
Rhiannon. It was awesome. Everyone was feeling it because all the
talks were sweet, then we had a great priesthood meeting. Then we had
a much and mingle after church and ate nachos. Then we taught two
lessons. What the heck!

So this week was rough. But it was also really good. The funny thing
about missionary work is that it's easy to see the bad and the good,
you just got to pick which one to focus on. So I try and focus on the
good. It usually ends better that way. Alright, that's the update. Try
not to die on all that "ice" back home.

John

Week 21, Cooks Inlet YSA, Anchorage

Hello my peoples

So I don't have a lot of time to formulate this email because we've
been busy today, so I'm gonna cut the kiddie crap and show you the
poop your pants move. Yes, that's from hot rod.

Tuesday was terrible. Straight up. All we did was tract and I had to
give a training at district meeting. I don't know why I keep getting
asked to do trainings. Why haven't people realized that 99% of the
time I have no idea what I'm doing?

Wednesday we got to teach Marc again. We got to bring Lucas, a guy who
was baptized last month, and it was really good for both of them. So
that was really fun. Then we got to volunteer at Hope, an organization
that helps mentally handicapped adults, which was super fun because we
just painted the whole time. I made a chair. Pretty good, if I do say
so.

Thursday was sweet. We met with Rhiannon in the morning and had a
lesson with her. We invited her to be baptized and she accepted. So
she's on date for the 6th of February. So that's awesome. Finally,
people are accepting. Gotta love it. Then we helped some nice foolish
people jump there car. I have no idea why that nice lady bought that
car, that was a terrible decision. It's the worst car. Worse than
Richard.

Friday and Saturday were days of more tracting. We tracked 10 hours
this week. I've actually come to really enjoy it. We aren't finding
people for us to teach, but everyone else is getting people, so the
work goes forward.

Sunday was also good. Our Bishop is awesome, and he throws down on the
ward council like every week. This is a really good ward, they're the
most missionary minded people ever. Then we went out and taught a
couple lessons.

And that brings us to now. Today I got a hair cut. Great Clips does
not do it for me. I need to go back to Tracy. Oofta.

And that's the week! Hope you guys have a great one! Sorry this was so late.

Love,
Elder Miller

Week 20, Cooks Inlet YSA, Anchorage

Wuzzup

The ball in New York will drop at 8 here, so I should be able to watch
it. Sweet.

This week has been pretty crazy. It's my first full week in the area,
and it's been super hectic. That's Christmas for you. Because it's so
dark all the time people put up tons of Christmas decorations. It's
been hard to get into the Christmas season, but it was a lot of fun.
We carolled a lot as a district and zone so that was fun. I finally
got to sing again. It's been a pretty relaxing week, a little hard to
work because of the holidays, but relaxing nonetheless. This week will
probably be the same. All the YSA people are home from college right
now for break, so our ward is mondo. They'll all leave again next
week, but that's okay. We'll keep going without them.

Monday night was probably one of the hardest days of my mission. We
texted one of our investigators, Marc, to see if we could meet with
him. He responded by telling us he was feeling suicidal. Then he told
us he was going to shoot himself. So we had a suicidal investigator on
our hands. At this point Elder Crawford had no idea what to do and
went into full panic mode, so I was basically left alone to handle the
situation. After trying several times to contact him and failing, we
contacted as many of his friends as we could to try and get them to
contact him. They also failed. So we called the mission president who
gave us the number to a suicide hotline who told us to call the
police. So we called the police, who also couldn't contact him because
it turns out the address he gave us was his work, not his home. So at
this point I have no idea what to do. We had already been praying a
lot, but at this point I think I was praying harder than I have ever
prayed in my life. And then, thankfully, one of his friends finally
got in contact with him. He never responded to us that night, but he
was okay. He ended up taking his gun and firing it into the air
repeatedly, Hot Fuzz style I guess. I was just relieved he was okay.

We weren't able to do much Tuesday, but we did drop off a gift for
Marc, which helped him out. We finally got him to contact us that
night and we set up an appointment for Wednesday. His mom died last
Saturday and he was really struggling with depression. He told us that
it was because of us that he was still alive. No pressure.

Wednesday we had a very long service project. We helped a woman set up
her new house. It's been so long since I've had to set up an x box,
but it comes back to you I guess. We were movers for a little while.
So many couches. Then we had our meeting with Marc. It went really
well. We taught him about the plan of salvation and then he committed
to baptism! So we now have an investigator on date, which is awesome.
Sometimes things just go right, through no fault of our own. It was a
good day.

Christmas eve was sweet. We basically just did a bunch of service
projects. We helped another person move in to their house, and we
dropped off a bunch of random Christmas gifts. It was a lot of fun
seeing people get excited about it. Then for dinner we were fed moose
steak. It was delicious. John Petijohn, the guy who signed up to feed
us, is leaving on his mission in three weeks. The family gave us ties,
mine is pretty cool. It was a good day.

Christmas was awesome. I got to open presents and everything. My haul
was pretty good this year, mostly clothes, but hey that's being a
missionary for ya. We basically get the day off, because nobody wants
you to come by, so in the morning we had a brunch with the senior
couples and in the afternoon we partied with the mission president.
That's how we do it up here in Alaska. Then I got to Skype home, I'm
sure mom recorded the whole thing, and that was really nice. Made me
miss home a little bit, but good none the less. Then there was dinner.
It was glorious. We went to the Fleeners and they made prime rib. And
it was so good. So much meat. I can say that it wasn't as good as
mom's, but it was delicious anyways. Either could eat that meal
everyday till I die. It was a heavenly day.

Saturday we went back to work, which was nice because that's why I'm
here. We taught a lesson in the morning to our investigator Rhiannon,
which was good. She was feeling it, we were feeling it, the building
was feeling it. Then we went to Marc's mom's funeral. I can tell you,
you don't know weeping until you go to a Filipino funeral. Then Marc
got up and gave the best eulogy I've ever heard and literally dropped
the mic. It was an accident, but he still dropped the mic. It was nice
to be able to be there for him, and he's really looking forward to a
brighter future now instead of focusing so much on the darkness.

Then Sunday I had perhaps one of the funniest dinners of my mission.
We went to our Bishop's house, and he and his wife are both very
straightforward people. Sister McCarrey starts in on fixing Elder
Crawford's hair because he has no hairstyle. And then Bishop starts.
And then their son starts. And Elder Crawford is just sitting there
refusing to let them fix his hair. I was dying. They were about ready
to tie him down and style it for him, but we got out in time. This has
been a pretty awesome week.

It's much warmer here than I'd think it'd be. It's kind of sad. I
liked freezing to death everyday. But that's just how it goes. The
mountains here in Anchorage are beautiful. Ocean, mountains, forests,
city, what more can you need? Alaska is the best. I wouldn't ever live
here, but it certainly is a fascinating place to be.

Have a happy new year! Make some resolutions, drink some egg nog, try
not to get smashed by the ball.

Elder Miller

This is a hat John's dad got him for Christmas.  He loves it but unfortunately it may not be mission approved attire.

Week 19, Cooks Inlet YSA, Anchorage

Merry Christmas! 

 This week was pretty good I think. Transfers happened, which was
pretty crazy. Elder Crawford is an interesting guy. This could either
be a really good transfer, or the longest 7 weeks of my life. Only
time will tell I suppose. Either way, I'm pumped to be in this area.
We have work for days. Sort of. 

 Tuesday was crazy day. We had transfer meeting, so we were running
around all day. I went on exchanges in the morning with Elder
Christensen who came out with me, he was in my group in the MTC, and
neither of us really know Anchorage at all. So that was an adventure.
Then we had transfer meeting, which was actually really good this
time. All the departing testimonies were powerful, plus I actually
knew some of the people so it had more effect. Then the craziness
resumed because we had to unpack and pick up the Elders serving in
Barrow, so I got to hang out with Elder Rogers, my MTC companion for a
day. That was fun. 

 Wednesday was just as hectic. We had the Barrow elders with us till 2
so we lost a lot of time. Then we lost got our car towed at the
airport. It was funny. Then we had a service project for homeless
people for hours. It was pretty fun. 

 Thursday we had a dinner party for foster care families in the area.
It was super busy, but it was a lot of fun. I was the juice guy. I
made a lot of juice. So much juice. It was ridiculous. Apparently we
do a lot of service in Anchorage, but it's really good stuff so it's
ll good. 

 Friday was filled with meetings and caroling. But we picked up a new
investigator named Mark, who is the most excited I've ever seen
someone be for meeting with the missionaries. He's super cool and it's
exciting to teach people that are super pumped about it. He's had a
cray life and he's trying to change, so we're helping him out. He came
to church with us Sunday, it was cool. 

Saturday we had a lesson with a girl named Rhiannon. She's super cool
as well. This ward has a lot of work to do. She was crying like the
whole time from how much she was feeling it. Both of her best friends
just got back from their missions, and they both came and it was
probably the best lesson I've ever been to. It was nuts. After a long
week it was really nice to be able to have a lesson like that. 

 Sunday was also awesome. This ward meets at 1 which is so late. So we
have meetings all day. Then both Mark and Rhiannon came to church
which was cool. We had a fireside that night where all the new
converts in the area bore there testimonies which was also really
powerful. It was a rough, busy week, but it ended really well. 

 Have a merry Christmas everyone! I don't know if I'll be able to reply
to everyone this week, because today will be crazy, but next week I
will! So everyone have a good week and an excellent tool holiday! 

Love, 

Elder Miller

This is the little tree I sent John so he would have a Christmas tree and the gifts he has received.  Apparently he doesn't realize he can straighten the tree  out a bit.  (note from mom)

Week 18, Cooks Inlet YSA, Anchorage

People of the universe,

This week has been nuts. I finally got transferred out of Fairbanks.
I'm a little sad, but it's going to be good. I'm serving in Cook Inlet
YSA, which is the YSA ward for the South Anchorage stake. So I cover
all of South Anchorage. Apparently like 60 people come to this YSA, so
it's big enough to be a ward. According to Elder Crawford, my new
companion, it's the best YSA in the mission. So I'm excited. I've been
out 4 and a half months. Elder Crawford has been out for 3, he just
finished getting trained. So I'm greenie breaking him. I just got
greenie broke, now I'm greenie breaking. So neither of us know what's
happening. It's going to be an interesting 7 week transfer.

Monday we went sledding for our p day activity. I have videos and
stuff, but I have no idea how to compress them, so hopefully you get
them.

Tuesday I had my final visit with the Andersons. They're still crazy.
Apparently at one point Glenn was a professional Ultimate Frisbee
player. Who knew? I didn't even know pro Frisbee was a thing until he
showed us a tournament. Then we helped a member with a science
experiment for his science fair and I got to wreck a bunch of other
missionaries with peanut butter.

Wednesday we were on exchanges and we found a new investigator who
isn't actually a new investigator because he's a member. But he agreed
to come to church next week. I'll never get to teach him, but it was
gold that we could find new people. Elder Reading will be training in
Fairbanks and I couldn't leave him with no work.

Thursday we taught Adrian, our new member guy that we found, and
Henry, who's one of our progressing investigators. It's funny, because
while I was in Fairbanks I couldn't get anyone to keep or make
commitments, but the week I leave all our investigators started
actually doing stuff. So I'm hoping that next transfer there's a lot
of success there, even if I couldn't make it happen while I was there.

Friday is transfer call day, but both Elder Reading and I forgot about
it. So when President called we thought we were in trouble. But then
we got transfer calls. We also handed out a Book of Mormon at dinner
again, which was fun. We gave one to a cook at my favorite Mexican
joint in Fairbanks, Tacos Azteca Dos. It was fun.

Saturday I had to go out and by luggage, because I needed an extra bag
for the obscene number of Christmas presents I have. I got all of
them, for any interested parties. I also ate a pound of fudge. It was
delicious. Thanks Grandma. Then we taught our nerd friend Mike Tally,
which was a lot of fun. That was my last lesson in Fairbanks.  (In our defense, most of his obscene amount of Christmas presents were wool socks, glove liners, hats and so forth.  I just wrapped everything separately so he would have more to open.)

Sunday was a day of running around. In ward council we started
formulating the new ward mission plan. Then we went to six hours of
church because we were babysitting another Elder. And then there was a
lot of packing. Packing is very stressful. And now I'm in Anchorage.
We flew in this morning.

I loved Fairbanks, but change should be good. Apparently YSA wards are
the best, so I'm excited. Maybe I'll finally get something done. So
I'm excited. Plus I'll probably get shot at less, so that's an added
bonus.

Elder Miller

The missionaries in Elder Miller's district.