Negative Eleven

That's the temperature. I wish I was kidding. The worst part is, we've gotten used to it. Did you know that when you walk on snow after -20 it sound like burnt popcorn? And that if you run out to the car without putting on your gloves you get these purple rashes on the backs of your hands and they start to bleed? AND when you get out of the car your shoes melt into the snow and you get stuck and trip in front of strangers?

I do. Now.

I've got to say though, things here are pretty plush. I was so concerned about this area at first. I'll admit. I was in the "red zone" for a while. BUUUT the Lord has been POURING OUT HIS BLESSINGS on this area. We got 5 new investigators this week. We should have 3 baptisms in December. AND I got to see an investigator of mine get BAPTIZED! Best feeling in the world! Desiree. Do you remember 3 weeks ago when we met the most GOLDEN investigator of all times? Well she got baptized on December 7th. AND SURPRISE I did a special musical number and played the piano? I'm not sure what is happening out here... HAHAHA. But seriously it was so amazing to watch Desiree learn and grow in the gospel. She has such a solid testimony and I was SO blessed to be a part of it! Although I got transferred out of the area, I was still close enough to participate in her baptism! 

Speaking of transfers.... I'M STAYING! And so is Sister Armknecht! The whole rest of the District got shaken up, but we are here to stay. Thank goodness. This area can't stop. Won't stop.

Uhh I'm sure tons of other great things have happened, but life is a little bit of a whirlwind! Or should I say blizzard?

AAAAANYWAY. 

I love you muito! 

I miss you muito! 

AND stop complaining about 40 degrees!

Sister Haley K. Mills

 

Sisters Armknecht and Mills

Sisters Mills and Gold with Desiree and her family

 

 

 

 

The Fruits of our Labor

This week was amazing. I don't know how it got so turned around but I am thankful fo DAYS. We got a mormon.org referral. (Those never work out). And so Sister Armknecht is STOKED like... WE ARE GOING TO MEET HIM AND HAVE HIM BAPTIZED IN 3 WEEKS. So I try to dampen her spirits with a couple of mormon.org failure stories- involving punk teenagers and some illegal drugs- before we meet up with this guy, so she doesn't cry or something when it was his friends playing a joke on him. We show up and guess what? He AGREED to be baptized in 3 weeks! Holy cow he is amazing. We teach him about the priesthood and he goes- well that makes sense, like Melchizedek in the Bible? Then he shows up to all three hours of church and participates in the lesson about the "scattering of Israel." He goes- WOW. The Mormon church is the gathering isn't it? Then he sends the whole class on a little scripture chase of all these references on it. THEN we asked him to read like 6 chapters and he goes- I read them all (in one day) and the one that really touched me was the one where my faith is a seed. So I need to plant it. HAAAA! Golden!!! So he is on date for December 21st and Sister Armknecht is glowing. She keeps making fun of me for doubting, but the last one I got the man wouldn't even talk to us!

I'm happy everyone missed me... uhhh... I mean had a good time over Thanksgiving! We went to a member's house who held us hostage to play BINGO for prizes? It was the best. Also, I think we should start that tradition? Presents on Thanksgiving. AND 15 rolls for me. The gifts that keep giving. Like a washer and dryer?! Holy cow I hope they realize how amazing you are! I am so thankful for all the hard work you put into raising Andrew and I and the hard work you continue to put into maintaining relationships with us! You are my favorite parents! Like how I am your favorite daughter? LOVE YOU.

Update on Desiree (my little miracle from the 4th ward a couple of weeks ago.) She is still on date for December 7th. She wants me to sing at her baptism? With Sister Gold... I hope. The spirit must really make my voice sound better than it is because people here love it when I sing? One woman started to cry when Sister Armknecht and I sang "Let the Holy Spirit Guide." Not kidding. 

It's amazing to see so much happening here that I got to be a part of! We talk a ton out here about being "successful" missionaries. Success is measured on our commitment to teach, not our results when we do. That's why seeing the "Fruits of our Labor" is so amazing. Sometimes you just need that little boost when you get to see the difference you have made in peoples' lives! We had another investigator on date for December 21st "Laurie" , but she got scared and called it off. She has been investigating for 22 months. She knows it's true. And with a little faith and fasting I know we can help her to take this great step towards living with her Father in Heaven again.

Eu te amo. MUITO. Sento suas faltas.

Tchau tchau por agora!

SISTER HALEY K. MILLS

PS I am going to buy some winter stuff today. I can't survive on only cardigans and nylons anymore!

 

Sisters Mills and Gold

Sisters Armknecht and Mills and a llama

 

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

WTMI

Oiiii! It's been a long week! BUTTT we made it! And that's a blessing.It looks like we have reached the end of the "health probs" rope! I spent the whole weekend twiddling my thumbs{slash}taking 3 bottles of laxatives and not eating in prep for my colonoscopy on Monday! Don't worry though, I kept the missionary work up and made best friends with all the nurses and doctors. They want me to come back? What they don't realize is they'll be getting a gospel lesson next time.

The results for my colonoscopy aren't all in, BUTTT he said it was healing great and I'm so excited I ran out of their and danced in the snow. In only a v-neck. And Sister Taylor (who came with us and is maybe my favorite person in the whole world right now. Sorry not sorry.) was worried I was going to catch a cold and die... or fall over. I was still a little loopy from the anesthetic! Ohhh well! Yolo! Sort of...

I have to tell you about "Brian." This Less Active who is in LOVE with me. Wish I was kidding. He is 60 years old, and hadn't been to church in a long time, but the missionaries came and visited him every week. Welllll, we go visit him my first week here, and he has been to church ever since. Never missed a Sunday. On Friday we were meeting with him and he goes, "Now, what if God sent me a younger woman to get me to heaven. I mean way younger. But God wanted us together, so we would have to get married right?" Silence. Me, "wellll you always have your agency." Brian, "But we could even have children, like Abraham and Sarah." Silence. Brian, "She would be in her twenties, and have Sister Mills' personality.... and looks."BAHAHAHA. We booked it out of there. I just kept thinking. He is a child of God, he is a child of God, he is a child of God. We told the Elders and they wanted to come with us next time and protect me? I assured them I was in no danger, but if they wanted an invite to the wedding they better not joke about it! HAHAHA.

Also, sorry, you start to realize how much you talk when you write letters. desculpNAOdesculp. We got a new investigator this week, "Heather." When they talk about golden investigators they mean her! Remember that inn we have been painting? Welllll we were helping for the 3rd week in a row when I meet the owner's daughter (recent divorcee) inside cleaning paintbrushes. She tells me that she had been looking into the church in Montana before her and her husband got divorced, but he was anti, and the elders couldn't come in when she was alone. So she moved to Cody and starting praying one night that something would happen to let her know what to do and the next day one of those Elders messaged her on Fbook and said he was thinking about her and wanted to send the Cody Elders over (he didn't know WE were here!) So she was considering it when we showed up to paint the first time. Then her mom tried to talk her out of talking to us. Then the second time she KNEW it was a sign. Then the third time she was trying to decide how to approach us when chatty kathy (me, obviously) struck up a conversation. I sincerely hope this all works out, but it was a miracle and we are so blessed despite all the health stuff we have had to deal with lately.

LOVE!

Sister Mills

Sisters Helm and Mills

Blizzards bring Miracles - and not the Dairy Queen Kind

Things I'm still waiting on... my VISA, mom's Pumpkin Bread recipe, and now her crepe recipe... BUTTT all is good in Cody this week! Someone in the ward (who knew of my fervent love for reading) informed me that Tom Clancy died?! Whaaat?! Saddest event of my mission so far! He will be missed by all of us true fans who consider his books classics! Hahaha.

This week was PRETTY amazing, despite my... sickness. (I'm worried it won't be gone after the anti-biotics, because it's still going strong! But we'll exercise some faith and go get tested again on Thursday. Get tested... boy does that sound awful! Haha.) It snowed! Like... 8 inches. SNOWED. And different members of the ward called us over to pick out some winter clothes because they know I was in no way prepared for this! And in October of all things! It's a running joke though, because I LOVED it, and I ran straight outside to take pictures and chuck snowballs at Sister Helm. She loved it. I hit her with one outside of an investigators house and she goes, "AND SHE'S GOT AN ARMMMMM!"

My favorite miracle of the week is Mary Kay. Her friend formerly lived in our ward, and moved the DAY we arrived. She had been praying for sisters as SHE served a mission herself and knew some of her friends would be PERFECT for the sisters! Well she met us at a wedding and gave us a ton of referrals, but didn't have their addresses, so it was like getting to peak at your Christmas presents, only to find out you have to wait til Santa gets home to South Wyoming and looks up the addresses to open them... wait. I think that metaphor might have just gotten real. Hahaha. So I get on Facebook last week and in my inbox is Mary Kay's address!

We were so excited! It was snowing hard core outside and she lived up like 10 miles on the South Fork (aka in the mountains), but we know we receive blessings from contacting referrals right away so we took a chance! HA! As we drive up the hill, the snow is getting worse and worse til it is practically a blizzard (I say practically because it was, but I don't want to freak you out). We get to her house and thank GOODNESS she was home.

We knock and wait a while, and then she finally opens the door but not the screen and goes- " WHO IS IT?!" "OH MY GOODNESS YOU GIRLS! GET INSIDE RIGHT NOW YOU ARE GOING TO FREEZE!" Then she proceeds to show us the gun she had pulled out when someone knocked on her door in a blizzard. Ohh the life of a missionary. Anyway she let us in and we talked for about 2 hours. We answered her questions about caffeine and taught her about the Restoration of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Then she tells us- "I just don't think it's right that if you are raised Muslim or something that you would be punished for not knowing the truth! When you never knew any better!" I answer- "You won't be, everyone will have an opportunity to accept the true gospel of Jesus Christ, buuuut, if you had an opportunity and you didn't take it..." She goes- "OH MY GOODNESS WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE THEN! OH NOOO, LEAVE!" Hahaha. First person I have ever taught that has ever made that connection. That this is her opportunity. Anyway, she promised to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and said we could come back and visit with her husband too next time (who was hunting. Like everyone. In the whole state of Wyoming.) Then her son goes, "we should let them spend the night! Now, Sister Helm, I don't care if people behind you are going HONK HONK, you drive as slow as you need okay?!" ... he's 9.

I just love the people here. I love them so much, I never knew I could feel this way about everyone in a certain geographical area despite their troubles and pains. I can feel the Savior's love so deeply, and I know this is his gospel.

Oh, I almost forgot conference! WHAT THE BEST CONFERENCE EVER! Not kidding, I can't pick a favorite talk! I LOVED THEM ALL! We had the opportunity to watch Elder Holland's talk with our member who has had MS for 25 years and is just so amazing about it. By the end we were in tears and I gave her a big hug and said, "NORMA, YOU'LL BE WHOLE!" We laughed for a good 5 minutes after that.

I also LOVED President Uchtdorf's talk. I want everyone in the entire world to hear that talk. Everyone. Because we've all have doubts. We've all wondered why. And here we are, getting the answers through our loving Heavenly Father.

"Whether by mine own voice, or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." D&C 1:38

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2013/10?lang=eng&vid=2721983168001&cid=12

I've included it so everyone can watch it again. Because WOW. This church is true. I love you very much and am so appreciative of all the prayers. I can feel their influence and impact on my life!

LOVEYOUMISSYOUMUITOMUITOMUITO!

 

Sister Haley K. Mills