Weekly Letter - 04 Jan 2021 Sent Date: Monday, January 4, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Hello President, I'm sorry I have yet to write one of these- I will be better in sending one each week. How am I doing as a missionary? I am loving being in Hawaii and this opportunity to serve the Lord but I am still adjusting to missionary life but I know that as I am completely obedient the Lord will bless me. I just feel so incapable of all that is required of me as a missionary. I trust heavenly father to make me enough and am up for the challenge even though some days I find myself on my knees a lot more than I thought I would. I am struggling being away from my family and specifically the overwhelming impossible feeling of the long road ahead. However, I am grateful to be here, and promised the Lord 18 months, so that is what I'm going to give. Trying to take everything one day at a time. My health/ emotional well-being is good. I am healthy and able to push through what feels really hard right now- just new missionary struggles. Sister Hart is a blessing. She is really patient with me and let's me work through these things on my knees while still being there to comfort and give advice. We get along really well. Our area is doing well! Our teaching pool is a good size although sometimes it feels like no one is progressing- kind of at a stand still. We have a guy we are teaching named Steve and he didn't accept our last baptismal invite, so we are trying to work with him. We are teaching a mom & daughter names Lisa and Melissa and- we taught the first discussion and Melissa joined the church zoom call which was a tiny miracle! We have some other investigators and Bry who is on date for February!! Thank you for all that you and Sister Walker do for us missionaries! I can feel of your love and support and it is so needed!
Sorella Miller Weekly Letter - 11 Jan 2021 Sent Date: Monday, January 11, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Hey President Walker, This week has been a good one. Especially since interviews, I always leave feeling motivated and ready to tackle the upcoming transfer. Confidential - For Church Use Only Thank you for your priesthood blessing, I needed that and I needed to hear all of the counsel that you gave me. I reached out to sister foster and got a counseling appointment set up for the beginning of February. My mental health is good but I'm grateful for another resource to be able to open up about how I'm feeling and have help adjusting! Our teaching pool continues to grow and I'm looking forward to seeing miracles in the next six weeks! Sister Hart and I get along great and have made some plans and companionship goals to improve this transfer. We had an awesome lesson with our investigator named Steve, last Tuesday and challenged him to pray and ask specifically if baptism was right for him. We are anxious & excited to hear about his experiences! Melissa is another investigator we have, she joined church via zoom and we were super pumped! We have a couple of investigators that are just getting back from holiday vacations to the mainland so we are working on setting up appointments with them. The work is going really well, and that is a huge blessing! Sorella Miller Page
Weekly Letter - 18 Jan 2021 Sent Date: Monday, January 18, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Aloha president walker, This week has been good. We strived as a companionship to extend as many baptismal invitations as we could while being directed by the Spirit. We had one lesson on Wednesday with out investigator named Melissa- we had finished teaching her the plan of salvation and the spirit was so strong! I totally felt prompted to extend a soft invite, but I struggled with it because I have never done that before and I was SO nervous! But I kept getting the feeling, so with my shaky voice, I asked, " if you prayed and found these things to be true, would you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized?" And she said, " Yes, definitely" All 4 of us sisters were so pumped!! Along side of Melissa and Lisa, we have about 5 other progressing investigators and we are so grateful for that!! The work in Kaneohe is going strong! My emotional health and well-being is good! I love the people and am feeling motivated for the upcoming week. I continue to find strength from my prayers and my studies and that is a tender mercy in every single day. Sister Hart and I are doing well. We both have our own individual struggles but work really well together and I am grateful for her. I finally bit the bullet and signed up for in-field tutoring for Italian. It is way outside of my comfort zone and I have been putting it off, but I have been praying for help learning Italian and I think that this is a tender mercy from the Lord. So I'm both nervous and excited for that. Looking forward to mission conference, and an eventful week! Thank you so much for all that you and sister walker do for us! We have the best mission parents! I feel of your love and support and am so grateful for it. Sorella Miller
Weekly Letter - 25 Jan 2021 Sent Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Hello President Walker, This week has had its fair share of ups and downs. We had our one with-date fall through this week when we invited her to Sacrament meeting so that was really discouraging- but we bounced back and are looking forward to some awesome lessons this week. We took up the challenge to invite 50 people to sacrament meeting; we successfully contacted about 35 and 6 non members joined the service, and some less-active members! We have a lesson this week on Wednesday with Melisa- we are teaching her the Word of Wisdom. I am kind of nervous because I haven't taught the commandments yet, but she is so prepared from Heavenly Father and can overcome all of her addictions through faith in Jesus Christ. I was able to do on-field tutoring with my MTC teacher and that was a tender mercy. I am able to do weekly appointments with her and it is helping me to make my language study more effective and holding me accountable to my Italian progress. I loved mission conference this week and am recommitting to strive to be exactly obedient and diligent. I want to lose myself in the work! I also loved all of your insights from serving in Europe! My mental and emotional health is good! I have a counseling appointment scheduled for February 2nd and am praying that I will receive some added strength to overcome my homesickness and find more motivation for the work. But I have tried to be more sincere in my prayers and have noticed a big difference as I turn to the Lord for that peace. Sister Hart and I get along well. President, I love kaneohe and the three sisters I live with and we are working hard to see miracles in our area this transfer; I am hoping for some change to learn and grow separate from my trainer. I have learned so much (and still have loads to learn) & am happy wherever I'm needed but am hoping for a mix-up in the coming months. Thank you for everything! Sorella Miller
Weekly Letter - 01 Feb 2021 Sent Date: Monday, February 1, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Hi President Walker, This week started with a tender mercy, our investigator Steve said that he is "advancing to the point of baptism" sooner than he thought he would. I'm not quite sure what that means, but we're praying to know-and it is progress from the past couple weeks so we are grateful. We had a lesson on the Word of Wisdom with our investigator Melisa and unfortunately she said she wasn't ready to commit to that- we will keep finding ways to invite the Spirit and hopefully one day she will recognize that she wants the Holy Ghost as a constant in her life. Including Steve, we have three investigators that are close to having with dates (Anna & Terry) and so they have been in my prayers! Every week we've been meeting with the Kaui family in our ward, as they've been preparing to go through the temple. They're temple date is this Saturday! We couldn't be prouder of them, or more happy, they have worked so hard to get here. They invited us four sisters to go through with them because we've been so involved and they've invited us to share that experience with them (they are allowed 14, and they just have 4, other than us (4) , we need to reach out to our Bishop still and talk with you about it, but if that is at all possible, we would LOVE to support them in that and experience the temple. I know it would be a blessing for me personally, as I was only able to go once before my mission. President, I am hoping for a change this upcoming transfer, but of course, only if that is what the Lord needs and you feel it is right. I love the three sisters I am with, but am ready for a new challenge. I am doing my best to stay positive and continue to connect with the members- oh how I love them. Emotionally I am ready to handle the change, and it would be healthy for me (and I feel like also for my companions) to move beyond the trainer/trainee phase. She has taught me so much, and I feel ready to grow from the next step;but I fully trust and support whatever you feel inspired to do. I LOVED hearing from the speakers on Saturday and especially Elder Andersen. I loved Confidential - For Church Use Only when he said that we are assigned to our fields of labor but also to our mission president and his wife. It gave me a lot of peace in my reassignment when I look back on the past couple months and think of all that you and Sister Walker have done for me. I have needed each and every priesthood blessing and you both have made me feel completely loved. Recently several of my friends have gotten word that they are headed back to their original call and it makes me really want to get to Italy, but hearing that from Elder Andersen helped me step back and see that I am so lucky to get to serve in the Hawaii Honolulu mission. It will always have a special place in my heart and I'm so grateful to be here. Sorella Miller
Weekly Letter - 08 Feb 2021 Sent Date: Monday, February 8, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Aloha President, This weekend was full of miracles! The temple was so special and such an amazing experience as a missionary to see the Kaui family take that next step! For sure a highlight of my entire mission! Thank you so much for letting us go! I didn't think the weekend could be any better, but on sunday after sacrament meeting in our YSA ward, one of our investigators, Anna, asked if she could talk with us. I got really worried that it would be bad news but instead she told us that the last three sundays she has felt the spirit so strongly prompting her to be baptized! So she asked of she could be! It was another great reminder that we are just the instruments, but this is 100% God's work! We are looking forward to tomorrow, Steve has been praying and fasted yesterday to know about baptism- I have a good feeling about it! My emotional and mental health is good! Sister Hart and I are doing well, I am still feeling ready to launch when transfers come. I'm so grateful to have felt and seen the Lord's hand in this area- but I'm ready for a new companion and a new area. I know it will bring it's own challenges and opportunities- but I'm prayerful and hopeful for the growth that comes with new experiences- and excited to see what the Lord has in store. He loves the Hawaiian people and so do I. Thank you for everything! I'm so grateful to be serving in the HHM !! Sorella Miller
Weekly Letter - 15 Feb 2021 Sent Date: Monday, February 15, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Aloha President! This past weekend was full of miracles and it kick-started a great week! STEVE FINALLY SAID YES TO INVITATION TO BE BAPTIZED- he has been investigating for years and he finally believes Joseph Smith is a prophet! Hallelujah! Anna also decided to be baptized !! The tricky part about Hawaii ( and even more so w/ covid) is the travel; they want their families to come but that could be months, so we are trying to jump that hurdle in our area right now! It is a good problem to have though :). I have told you in other emails this transfer- I love kaneohe and the people here and I feel so blessed to have gotten to serve in Olomana and YSA, but I feel like I need a change. I feel stuck in my role as a "trainee". Sister Hart and I will always be good friends but I think we are both needing a mix up in the companionship. I think change would be healthy and it would stretch me in a way that I think I am finally ready to handle. But at the end of the day, it is up to to the Lord and I completely trust your inspiration and revelation. I am excited for interviews tomorrow- I always look forward to and learn so much from both you and sister Walker's trainings! Sorella Miller Weekly Letter - 05 Mar 2021 Sent Date: Friday, March 5, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Aloha president, I just wanted to email you and let you know that I received an email this morning from the missionary department about my Visa and stating that process. I don't know what that means exactly, other than I am getting some documents ready to send to salt lake. I just wanted to let you know :). Sorella Miller Weekly Letter - 29 Mar 2021 Sent Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Aloha president Walker, I am doing really well! We were blessed and humbled to be a part of Theresa's baptism this Confidential - For Church Use Only Saturday! It was such an amazing experience that I will never forget! The work in Manoa is really good! Sister Lamprey and I have had a blast coming in new together this transfer and are excited to work hard this next transfer ( assuming we stay together, fingers crossed:). I absolutely love her and am learning so much from her! My emotional health is good- I am anticipating a tough day/week with my sister going home from her mission next Tuesday, but am going to work hard and keep busy! I am grateful to be serving right now and specifically in the HHM! I'm all in here until the Lord says otherwise! Thank you for everything you do for us missionaries and this work! I love you both so much. Sorella Miller
Weekly Letter - 03 May 2021 Sent Date: Monday, May 3, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole President I feel like we are making great progress in our area. I feel like, we as missionaries, have earned the trust of our ward. They are wonderful. I felt like I didn't have an opportunity to really share how I am feeling about my companion situation in our last interview. Part of that was likely because I went after my companion and so what she shared may have suggested that things are wonderful. I have been so prayerful and have tried to downplay any drama in my navigating this or even in bringing it up to you, but I would love some counsel. I have pondered on the training we had with the stewardships that are ours, and the smallest hammer being the first tool, and I have fasted and prayed to try to address some concerns I have. I love my companion but I am concerned about some things that are going on. I realize that all companionships have growing pains and there is so much learning in the process of it, but I feel like a change this next transfer would be very healthy for both of us. I feel like we are not on the same page with missionary appropriate interaction with the elders or how often we should be communicating via video calls and in person. I know we each have different gauges of what that kind of interaction should be, but I am striving to be loving, and aware and yet when I've brought it up, there is so much defensiveness and denial. My heart aches worrying if I am being too petty, or if I shouldn't bring this up to you, but it has become more prevalent and I am just not sure how to navigate it in a missionary appropriate way. Honestly it's exhausting. I understand what companionship loyalty is, which is also why I haven't brought it up before, but the in person and phone interactions do not make me feel comfortable. I am trying to lead out and be sensitive. I know I certainly have many things to work on and no companionship is perfect- but I don't know how to navigate this. While I feel like it is instigated by my companion, I have failed to reign it in. I don't want Sister Lamprey to feel that I have betrayed her trust or have gone around her- but I keep feeling like something needs to change. Maybe it's just our companionship, that after already 2 transfers together, a change would be healthy and/or maybe some clarification on how when and the content of our messages with Elders should be brought up again ( in a non -implicating way, pretty please) I take every minute of our day as accountable to the Lord. I think this is why this weighs on my heart so much- because I know the bar is higher. I want to report to him at the end of the day that we as a companionship have been totally consecrated-- and we are working hard but I think there are obstacles right now that shouldn't be there and I am unable to hammer them out... even though I keep trying. I know the Lord needs me to love and to lead and to motivate, - and I'm up for all of that, with His help. Thank you for letting me trust you with this insight. I am prayerful for more charity and am trying to focus on the good, which there is a LOT of . I just wanted to share this with you as transfers are approaching- and as I didn't really get the chance to ask for your counsel on these things during our interview. While I do love my companion, I'd really welcome change, too., and I think my heart needs it. Sorella Miller
Weekly Letter - 10 May 2021 Sent Date: Monday, May 10, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Aloha president The work in Manoa is popping! We are prepping for a baptism this Sunday for our sweet auntie, Gaylyn. We are so excited! Our teaching pool is pretty steady and we feel so blessed to be a part of all the miracles here Sister Lamprey and I were able to have a good comp inventory this week and work out some differences- both Lamprey and I would be okay to leave or happy to stay- wherever the Lord needs us, but I think change in our companionship would be a positive thing on both ends. Other than that, I am doing really well! Anticipating transfer news & excited to see what the next 6 weeks will bring. It is exciting to see so many baptisms mission wide for the miracle month of May! Such a neat time to be missionaries! Sorella Miller
May 31, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Aloha president I need to be better at writing weekly, I normally remember on Wednesday but obviously by then it is too late- anyways, I am doing so well in Maui! It is gorgeous here but very different than Honolulu for sure. The work is different and that is taking some adjusting to. I was SO excited when I found out I would get to whitewash again! It is the coolest thing because you know nothing so everyone starts w a clean slate! I assumed whitewashing here would be similar to Manoa but I am constantly reminded that that is not the case :) the whole pace here is so much slower and layed back (good but different). I am so grateful for Sister Wilson and being in this together. If has only been like 2 weeks and I have already learned so much! I look up to her a lot! Mentally and emotionally I am doing really well- happy to be here and ready to see miracles in Pukalani! Mission tour was excellent and I learned a ton, feeling fired up for the next couple weeks! Grateful for all of the trainings, they were much needed, so thank you! Sorella Miller
16 Jun 2021 Sent Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Aloha president I'm not sure if you received the same email as I did, but I got flight plans to go to the Consulate in SLC Friday the 18th. I messaged elder Hicken and he told me to reach out and let you know. I fly out of Honolulu at 8:35pm Thursday night and am scheduled to land back in Honolulu at 8:51pm on Friday night. Just wanted to make sure you knew Sorella Miller
Sent Date: Thursday, June 17, 2021 Author: President Walker Please be safe! We love you!
Weekly Letter - 21 Jun 2021 Sent Date: Tuesday, June 22, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Aloha president This week was an eventful one! I made it to the consulate and they said 2-3 weeks before my visa is processed. They said the usual is 6-8 weeks and the church gave me a tentative date for August 1st to Italy. Obviously nothing is nailed down and I am all in here until the day comes, but I have been thinking about the Pukalani ward. If the timing lines up with August, both Wilson and I will be leaving around the same time and that will leave our ward to be whitewashed all over. As always, I trust in the transfer process and the revelation involved there. Missionary work here is honestly kind of slow. We are working really hard and have made good progress with the members but as far as progressing investigators we have had a rough go. We are continuing to put out head down and working hard and are prayerful/optimistic that miracles will follow in His timing. Sorella Miller
Weekly Letter - 30 Jun 2021 Sent Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Aloha president Sorry my email is a day late- I have been busy packing and cleaning, I wasn't anticipating a change so it caught both Wilson and I off guard. Honestly president, I am struggling with this transfer news. Whitewashing into Pukalani was hard work, and we were finally starting to see progress this last week, I have no doubt that the Makawao sisters will work miracles here but it was hard to leave. I am trying to be positive and saying extra prayers going into Hon west- I just feel overwhelmed and anxious about all of this change especially knowing that there is a lot more change headed my way. One step at a time. I am excited to see what this transfer brings and am going to give all that I can while I am here. Thank you for everything. Sorella Miller
Weekly Letter - 05 Jul 2021 Sent Date: Tuesday, July 6, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Hey President ! One week in & learning a lot. I have seen a lot of tender mercies in the new wards I get to serve in- the Moanalua 1sr ward covers a lot of military and I have been able to meet 3 people that were stationed/served in Italy, so I have been able to practice my Italian and connect that way, which has been fun! And the Kalihi ward seems amazing, it is a different dynamic than I have ever served in before, very humble and lots of culture, I feel really blessed to be here. President, honestly, these last 2 weeks I have felt like I am in a rut. I constantly feel this drag that I am not doing enough & it is driving me crazy! I am striving to be obedient and trying to work hard. I just have struggled to find the motivation because I feel so overwhelmed with all of the recent change. I constantly wonder if I did what He needed me to on Maui, being there for such a short amount of time and then the pressure to do what He needs here in Hon West with not very long again. I so want to be the missionary He expects me to be and the missionary I want to be for Him, but just especially in the past little while have felt really exhausted and inadequate. I am continuing to be prayerful about it and doing my best to make the time count! I know it will pass and I am going to give it my all in the meantime. Sister Sanders is a sweetheart, we are VERY different and that has its good and bad but I am excited to serve w her and learn from her as we tackle this new area together. As always, thank you for everything both you and sister walker do for me and this mission. Most of it probably goes unnoticed but we are BEYOND blessed to have you as our mission parents. Aloha, Sorella Miller
Page 13 of 19 Weekly Letter - 25 Aug 2021 Sent Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Ciao Presidente Browning Sorry I have yet to write one of these, I will commit to being better! This week was a good one. We are focusing our efforts on the ward members, trying to meet all of them and let them know that Lodi now has missionaries! It has been hard with transportation, most of the members live too far to bike so we have tried to get creative with busses and with technology! The work has been pretty slow recently, but we are blaming it on August and ready to get after it this month! As far as adjusting goes, I'm just trying to be present. This whole change has been really hard & I know I am in the same boat with a lot of other reassigned missionaries, so im trying to take it day by day. This whole transfer has been really humbling for me in a lot of ways & has been a HUGE opportunity for me to strengthen my relationship with my Savior; I have found myself on my knees so much more and really relying on His strength and grace. Only uphill from here, I'm grateful to be here! Sorella Miller
Weekly Letter - 25 Aug 2021 Sent Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2021 Author: President Browning Page 14 of 19 Discipleship is a great way to grow and progress. Focus on patience, hope and diligence and gratitude!
22 Sep 2021 Sent Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole President Browning, I need to apologize for Sunday. I promise I am doing better than you might think based on that meeting. I was not at all anticipating your visit and was caught completely off guard. Saturday was a harder day for me and so your questions and your visit hit deeper than they might have otherwise. So I'm sorry for all the tears and making all of that more dramatic than it needed to be. I have a tendency to make mountains out of molehills and it is something I am working on. That being said, I met with sister turner, the mission counselor and it was good to put things into perspective. She gave me some good strategies to keep my thoughts in check and to be more aware of when hit the low points. Counseling is new to me (I am open to it but really think I just need a few more weeks to settle in) but I am confident I will be fine and start loving the work the way I learned to in Hawaii. I realize that 6 weeks is a normal adjusting period, but I am trying not to compare myself to other missionaries, trying to add grace to all of this and for this experience to grow me independent of "normal" situations/ comparisons. I realize that I haven't been the best companion to sorella demeure and I have apologized and am actively working on it. I'm so grateful she is so patient & kind w me as I am transitioning. That being said, we are both striving to be obedient and while neither of us are perfect, exact obedience is the goal, I felt like that was unclear on Sunday. Coming to Italy has provided a lot of things that I cannot control, but my obedience is something I can, so it has been my focus. Although, I'm finding that some things/standards vary depending on the mission so I'm trying to learn what is expected here. Sorella Demeure and I came up with a detailed language study plan together this week and I am going to be more of an agent in my prayers allowing the Savior to work in me. Thank you for all you do for this mission and for being so aware of me. I am fine and don't want to be another thing added to your plate. Everyday is a new day and I have faith it will continue to get better, I just need some time and space to figure all of this out. Sorella Miller
Sent Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2021 Author: President Browning Thank you for the update. Spending so much time on the phone on pdays and not having comp study and not participating in lessons concerned me a lot so I am glad to hear you are correcting those and refocusing. Counseling with Sister Tanner is a great thing and should be a blessing to you. Whatever homework she gives you take it seriously and it will bless you greatly. Follow the schedule and do what we do and you will figure things out. We love you and look forward to the contributions you can make.
Weekly Letter - 29 Sep 2021 Sent Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Ciao presidente, I am doing well. We have seen a lot of success with the meno-attivi and part-member families this week. They all seem willing to do zoom calls which is great. My personal study continues to be one of my favorite parts of the day, this week I studied a lot about how this truly is His work and how lucky we are that He uses the weak and simple to do it! I'm grateful He has given me this opportunity to grow and become regardless of how hard that is sometimes. Thank you for everything you do. Sorella Miller
Weekly Letter - 29 Sep 2021 Sent Date: Sunday, October 3, 2021 Author: President Browning Glad to hear about your success with meno-attivi and part member families and your personal study. Hit your comp language study hard too!!
Weekly Letter - 20 Oct 2021 Sent Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Ciao presidente! This week we saw a miracle! We had been praying to find someone to start teaching here in Lodi. We had been trying different things and honestly, despite our best effort, we only found kinda strange men. We were pretty frustrated. But then out of the blue we got a phone call from a potential that neither of us knew. Her name is Adriana and she met with missionaries pre-covid and then with the shutdown, she lost contact. She saw that we had posted free service on a Facebook group and invited us to come over on Sunday. She seems so prepared, she is 35, and going through some hard things and looking for peace. And the Confidential - For Church Use Only best part is, SHE SPEAKS ENGLISH! we are both really grateful and excited to start teaching her! We are going over again on Sunday! Exciting! We have been working on spending more time w Facebook. Social media finding is new to me, we didn't do much of it in my past mission. Sorella demeure and I have been working together for language study & it has been a blessing to have her. I think both of us are ready for a change, but that also makes me pretty anxious. My Italian isn't where I wish it was, I'm struggling with the language. But God prevails, whatever transfers looks like He will help me through it. I'm adjusting much better than last month. I still miss Hawaii SO much, but trying to plant roots here. Getting excited for Christmas & the holiday season Thank you for all you do Sorella Miller
Sent Date: Saturday, October 23, 2021 Author: President Browning I miss Hawaii too!! So glad to hear you two have been blessed with a omp you can really help and with whom you can share a message that will lift and bless her. Keep doing the social media work and language study with your great collega. We are proud of the great progress you are making!!
Weekly Letter - 17 Nov 2021 Sent Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Buongiorno Presidente, Another transfer halfway gone! Crazy! I am so thankful for this time I've had in Lodi, my little corner of Italy. One of the best parts of serving in this area is the large number of GANS/youth to engage. For the past 3 transfers every Friday we have come up with an activity (with a spiritual thought tied in of course :) to do with the youth after seminary. It has been awesome because it has both upped the seminary attendance and helped us to interact and get to know each of the youth personally. President, I love Lodi, I love the members and feel really connected with the youth. It has been an amazing area to come into Italy, but I really need some change. I feel stagnant/stuck in my progression with the language and with the work. Sorella McEachern has brought so many new ideas and a fresh lens to this area, but I think we will both need change in a couple weeks. My christlike attribute last transfer was humility which was timely becuase this transfer has had a humbling start. In my personal study I was studying humility and came across a talk about being "pliable in the hands of the Master Potter" and what that looks like. My mission, and recently coming to Italy, has been the greatest experience for me to learn how to put my trust in Him. I can feel Him strengthening and refining me through this process, and while that is often painful, it is such a blessing. I really just need the crutch to be kicked out from under me. That scares me a lot, but I really want to maximize the time I have left as a representative of the Savior and specifically here in Italy, which is going fast. I feel like I have backed myself into a corner a little bit and I just am ready to reinvent myself, specifically with the language. I won't know what I'm able to do until I am forced to do it. I need a BIG primo giorno :). I have worked hard here and will always love Lodi, I also respect the revelation and your insight with transfer changes. But I wanted to be upfront and honest with you about needing a change (area, companion, dynamic..) because "good revelation comes from good information" :) Thank you for all you and Sorella Browning do for us, so much of which is behind the scenes. Grazie miller per tutto, veramente! Sorella Miller
Page 17 of 19 Weekly Letter - 17 Nov 2021 Sent Date: Sunday, November 21, 2021 Author: President Browning Thank you for the great work in Lodi and for your willingness to refocus and rededicate yourself with faith to this great work!! Humility and gratitude and courage are what you are talking about and those three together will make all the difference!!
Weekly Letter - 24 Nov 2021 Sent Date: Wednesday, November 24, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Ciao presidente! It was a week! We had exchanges on Saturday with the Lecco sorelle, sono bravissime! I learned a lot and it was a good time to self reflect on both the things I'm doing well and all the areas I can make 1% improvements. Sunday I was able to play the piano for the ward and now am in charge of the primary program next Sunday haha. I'm grateful for another way to serve, especially when I feel like I can't be everything I want to be YET in this language. I'm looking forward to transfers and honestly just to this upcoming week. Thanksgiving is a Beautiful reminder to be grateful, life is never as bleak as sometimes we feel it is and I just feel so blessed. Grazie mille per tutto, Sorella Miller
Your Letters to your Mission President Sent Date: Friday, November 26, 2021 Author: President Browning For all of you who wrote me a letter this week thank you. I read them all and want you to know that your insights and inspiration and the miracles you share truly help me receive the insights and inspiration that I need as I strive to do my best on your behalf and on behalf of the mission. Hope you all had a great thanksgiving and thank you again for being such great missionaries!
Weekly Letter - 09 Dec 2021 Sent Date: Thursday, December 9, 2021 Author: Miller, Emma Nicole Ciao presidente! I meant to send this off yesterday, better lat than never? Sorry about that! One week down in Vicenza. This transfer is going to really stretch me, I'm feeling overwhelmed with all that is expected in this area but it is exactly what I needed. I feel blessed to have both the American and Italian ward, the best of both worlds! I have missed peanut butter haha. I am feeling frustrated with the language, but trying to take it a day at a time and lots of roleplay and repetition. I just feel overwhelmed with comprehension and speaking but there is no better way to learn than in the middle of it! I'm learning a lot from sorella McIntyre, and we are trying to navigate this together, I'm taking on a role different than I had in Lodi, and the change has been A LOT but a blessing. Overall, I'm doing well. Trying not to have unrealistic expectations for myself and to really rely on the Lord. My christlike attribute this transfer is faith, and this transfer is requiring my a lot of it.
Sent Date: Friday, December 10, 2021 Author: President Browning Faith and hard work and working closely with your great companion and positivity-this will be a great transfer!!
New Missionary Letters Sent Date: Friday, December 31, 2021 Author: President Browning The Missionary department has, as you know, changed the format of the weekly letters that you send to me. One major change for me is that there is no way for me now to respond directly through the Missionary Portal. Here is what that new change says: "While your mission president will read each letter, he may not respond every week. When responding, he will call, text, email, or use other channels to contact you directly instead of replying through Missionary Portal." I enjoy reading all of your letters each week!! I also like the new format which is being used by every mission worldwide!! Now if I do respond I will do so as indicated. We love you!! Avanti!!
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