Uhhh...

Words are eluding me as I try to describe the last week of my life.

The phrase "ups and downs" would be appropriate I think. 

We'll start with the Institute. WE SAVED IT! We doubled the enrollment in the Thursday night class and the Friday day class (their only two classes) and so... the building stays! You are right about that assignment being tailor made for me. I have never in my life felt the spirit so strong and felt so inspired in my every footstep. As we worked on the institute we randomly fell into teaching situations where people were SO READY to hear The Gospel. 

One of those people was a married woman in her late 20's named "Desiree." She has been going through a lot lately with her husband having some addiction issues (some is an understatement) and pretty much having to raise her kids alone. She keeps telling us she never thought she would be in this situation, but that she KNEW once it happened that something had to give. Well her husband's aunt has been a member of "our church" for 50 years and suggested they start coming. So. On their own. Her and her husband have started attending one of the wards. Well we happen to be at church the 3rd Sunday they attended and none of the missionaries had met them or set up a time to meet with them yet. We met with Desiree on Wednesday of this last week and taught her about the Restoration of the Gospel. She immediately says, "Well God spoke to Moses, so why wouldn't he speak to any other Prophet?" FOR REALS. Golden. So we extend the baptismal invite and her baptism is set for the 7th of December. We went back and taught about God's Plan for us on Friday and she just SOAKED IT UP. She started tearing up when we talked about the resurrection and how we can one day be perfected. 

STOKED.

My first baptism that I will finally get to teach all the way through and see right? 

FALSE.

The Lord has bigger plans for us, and though we don't always understand- we always receive a witness after the trial of our faith.

So President comes to do interviews (I had one last Tuesday so I was just waiting for Sister Gold to get hers). When President was done interviewing everyone he shakes my hand and goes- "Did you hear?" 

.... hear what?

He pulls me into a room and tells me he is SO PROUD of me and sees so much maturity in me since I've been back (probably because I'm not fighting stomach pains every second of every day). He wants me to finish a Sister's training and sort of... liven up an area. Sister Gold told me later, during their interview he looks at her and just starts laughing. He got an impression that I should go help this area he had been worried about. Then he tells Sister Gold it is because I "get stuff done." 

PRESSSSURE.

So I pack my bags and head over to Missoula 3rd ward. I am with Sister Armknecht (arm-connect) (let the jokes commence). The area is what I consider a... fixer-upper, but I love the people already. Since I've been here (for a day and a half) we have found 2 new people to teach, and I can see the potential of the area. The current struggle is we are out of miles. I know that the Lord will provide a way for this area to progress. I know that the Lord has prepared people to hear The Gospel here, I just hope those people live within walking distance?

Also, stop with the weather jokes, it is 25 degrees today. I'm also not wearing a jacket? 

So glad to hear that Aaron and Chelli and Jess are having a good time. Where are Aaron and Chelli staying? Tell everyone I love them. Especially the whole Thanksgiving crew! I'll pray for sun-sun-sun over there! 

Love and miss you so much!

Sister Haley Kristina Mills

Back and better than ever

HEYYY!

So I'm back! And holy cow did I miss it. Not the weather though... we can definitely count that out. It's been snowing for days here in Missoula and I am freezing like a little fritter. (I will buy a coat if I really need too, but I'm going to try to hold out for as long as I can, coats are expensive!) But really. I love Missoula. I love my assignment too. Being the Sisters over the institute is so amazing because we get to pick and chose lessons we teach and we get to share two wards with the Zone Leaders, it's sort of EPIC.

Our assignment is to save the institute building here. Although President hates that term, I don't know what else to say. We enroll more than 50 people by Friday- we get to keep it. We don't- well... let's just say the world might end. It is the most unique missionary work I have ever participated in. It is the work of salvation, just a different work of salvation, you know? 

My companion is Sister Jordan Gold. She is from Jacksonville, Florida! She is sort of quiet, but then also not? I can't even describe her really. She is a sass. That's all you need to know! We are hoping after this assignment is done we will get to stay here, but we aren't sure, so I would send all the mail through the mission office for now!

Now for the miracles of the week. We went from 28 people enrolled in institute to 36 in our first 3 days. We taught a lesson for the Elders our first night here and got them a solid new investigator. There was a family that started showing up to church by themselves and now they want to get baptized. It seems as though the more we try to focus on institute the more people we accidentally find to teach. I know this is God's work, and that he is sending us those who are prepared to hear his word. What a wonderful blessing it is to be a part of. 

I love you so much, and miss you already!

Sister Haley K. Mills

Finally - An Update...

So - for anyone who doesn't know - Haley was forced to return home due to her health concerns.  The Church wanted to make sure she was completely well before she could return to her temporary assignment in the Billings, Montana Mission.  She was home for 3 weeks - but her Dad was out of the country during that entire time and did not update the blog...

She has returned to Montana and here is her current letter...

I'm in MISSOULA!

And it is cold. So cold. Frigid actually. If I come home again it'll be for frost bite.

I'm serious.

Anyway, I love being back! It is sort of weird, but my health has been amazing and I have just been embracing life as it comes! And it came on Tuesday when I returned to the field and got a "special assignment." That's code for - we are trying something new, but we don't want you to feel like a guinea pig. That something new is we are not over a ward. We don't have investigators, or less-actives. But instead, we share two wards with the Zone Leaders (aka take their overflow) but really we are over the INSTITUTE! It is the weirdest assignment ever, but we love it! The Institute here in Missoula is going to be shut down if they don't have 50 people signed up in... less than a month. They are currently at 28. SO.... if you can imagine my life right now. STRESSSS.

My companion is Sister Gold by the way. Aaaaand we have to leave right now, but I will write you on MONDAY!

LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!

SISTER HALEY K. MILLS