An end of an era...

So I'll start off by saying that I love South Port with all my heart, and I am so greatful to have spent 7+ months of my mission here. I have learned so much and have felt much joy serving here. I am now going to be serving in the Stretford ward in the Manchester Stake! It's the highest populated area in the mission and has Piccadilly square in it. I will be serving with Sister Dunn from the cook islands (I'll let you know for sure next week). This next transfer is only 4 weeks, so it'll go too quick, but I am SOOO excited!

This past week was just wonderful despite the weather and colds! You know what? I'm actually really starting to love the weather. It's funny because sometimes there will be just a spot of blue sky within a sky of gray, and I'll just be SO happy! I'll say "look Sister Hall, it's sunny!" And I feel for me it's that little ounce of weird optimism that makes missionary work great for me. I find so much joy in all of missionary works miracles. I even find joy when person after person shoots us down because I know we're that much closer to finding the one. The savior set the example for us to go after the one, and I intend to follow that example.

The best thing this week I think was Saturday night after we were coming home from conference, we were walking back from the train station. It being close to 9, we were walking quickly. But ahead of us I saw Michelle, who is a former investigator we lost touch with. I've been looking for her for months on end. I love her! I felt the spirit so strong during her lessons and she was so prepared. But we lost contact because she skipped our appointment and she never answered her phone. So for months, basically since sister hunter left, I've been praying and praying to see her again. I never saw her though until this Saturday! But she was so far ahead of us and I didn't want to scare her so I just decided to brush it off. Meanwhile though I was praying that somehow we'd be able to speak to her. Then out of no where, she turned around in our direction!!! I was shocked. We then discussed many things, and she admitted that she needs to come closer to God and that she would like our help again. I have a firm testimony that I was supposed to be in south port for 7+ months, and that again, I know that Heavenly Father watches over each and every one of us and that we really are looking for the one.


If you haven't seen it yet, make sure to watch the Easter video, it's absolutely wonderful!

I love you all, and you're always in my prayers,
Sister Miller

Back To Long Beach!...

Hello Everybody!!

So a lot has happened since my last email. Let me just go ahead and say that I won't be staying in Cypress for another 6 weeks. I'm going back to Long Beach, in fact the same zone I was in at the start, just in a different ward. I'll be serving in the Long Beach 4th Ward with Elder Henry. He's from Micronesia!!!!! I'm so excited to be with him, he actually was serving in the Cypress 5th ward last transfer, but he left and now I'm gonna be going to join him in Long Beach. I can't believe I spent 6 months of my mission here in Cypress, there's been some really good things that have happened here for me, for the area and the ward over the past little while. I have really come to love the people here, the area, and the companions I've been with. It's true you really do build life long relationships while you're out here. It's sad to leave, especially some of our investigators, but I know the Lord will take care of them and everything will work out for the best.

Speaking of, Mike did come to general conference!!! I sat right next to him! He loved it and took a lot of good notes throughout the session. He wasn't feeling well after the first one so he had to go home, but he really did enjoy it. Crazy stuff has happened with him over the past week. So, we met with him on Tuesday and we read 2 Nephi 31 with him, when we got to Baptism we kinda just laid it all out and asked him what was holding him back from being baptized. He has admitted multiple times he knows the church is true, the book of Mormon, Joseph smith, the whole shebang. So what we got wasn't what we expected. We thought it has been his mom this entire time, but turns out his mom has been fully aware he's been meeting with us and he just tells her that he loves meeting with us too much to stop and that the gospel has really helped him, so she really hasn't been the problem. Anyway, it ended up being something even smaller of an issue, and the second we resolved it he said that was the only thing keeping him from joining the church. Out of nowhere he shared an experience that he had when he was a teenager where a friend gave him a Book of Mormon and he read it and said that if he were to ever join another church it would be The Mormon Church!!! We had no idea! I can't express over email, how excited I am for Mike, I know that I have talked a lot about him for really the entire time I've been here in Cypress, but I really have come to care about him and I've done all I could to help him except the gospel. So things are looking really Good for Mike, hopefully over the next month or so Elder Adams and his new companion can continue working with him, helping him to set a specific baptismal date. If it is sometime over the next 3 months I'll be able to come back for it.

This whole experience really has helped me see that everybody progresses at there own pace and that patience, love, and many opportunities to feel the spirit can really change people, no matter how long it takes. The Lord Knows what all of us need, when and how. Sorry this was such a long explanation, I'll quickly say a few more things. Kirk, unfortunately out of the blue called and said he wasn't interested anymore, but we're not gonna give up that easy. Elder adams plans on going by tomorrow to try and re-kindle the spirit he felt when we met with him before.

And one more crazy cool story. We were out with a member on saturday, we didnt really have any solid appointments, so we decided to go by this potential investigator we've had for forever! Her name is Mariam. We've tried so many times and shes never been home, but we had the feeling to go by again so we did. She was there, we watched the "Because He Lives" video with her and then she invited us in to share more with her. We simply shared the message of the restoration and helped her throughout to recognize the spirit. She said that she kept having the same feeling she had while watching the video. It was a really simple but powerful lesson with her, we invited her to be baptized on the 3rd of may and she said Yes! We couldnt believe it! It was such a blessing from the lord to be put in the right place at the right time, and be given the words to say. I know that when we put our trust and confidence in the lord he blesses us and looks after us. So Some really good things happening for the new missionary coming in. Hopefully I'll be able to bring what I have to offer to my new area and help those people there receive the gospel so Heavenly Father can bless them even more.

I'm really excited to share more missionary experiences with yall over the next few weeks. I know this work is true! I Love it, and I Love you. Never loose faith. Till next time!

Love, Elder Page

Matthew 28:6...

Hey Y'all!

So this has been a super fast week its unreal! I can't believe conference is This Week! I'm overly excited about conference, especially being Easter weekend. But really, anyone in the family can testify that conference was always a struggle for me. Some sessions I would be awake and alert and others I would be passed out on the floor. Luckily on a mission you only have option one. But Honestly I am just ready and excited! As a missionary conference is so much better for some reason, hopefully I keep this kind of excitement going even after I get home.

I want to go ahead and say how much I love the Easter Initiative the church is going hard on. The Christmas one was So Good and this one is just as good if not better cause we can use this year round really. The website, the video, the cards we're getting to hand out to people are so good and so effective. Me an Elder Adams made a commitment this past week to do something different in order to feel a positive change and a sense of growth for ourselves, as a companionship and our area too. And as we've consciously done things to be better we have just felt so much happier, we are working harder, we are finding and teaching so many more people, and this "Because He Lives" Initiative has just helped us out so much. People are so willing to just stop and talk about Christ it seems this time of year. And everybody got time to watch a 2 minute video! It's been great!

I just want to tell you guys about one Investigator in particular, his name is Kirk. We passed by him on the street about a week or so ago and we talked to him. He is the nicest guy I might have ever met. He was so open with us. He has a pretty bad stuttering problem, so sometimes it's hard for him to get his words out, but it doesn't stop him. It has helped me and Elder Adams teach simply, be patient, and just let the Holy Ghost take the reigns in lessons. We've met with him 3 times. Once being a church tour. He is just really in tune with the spirit and excepting of the gospel. We've asked him a couple of times during lessons to pray right then and there to find out for example if Joseph Smith is a prophet of God or if that the Book of Mormon is true. And both times he has been really sincere and real with his prayers and he has received an answer both times! We invited him to be baptized on May 3rd during the first lesson and surprisingly he wasn't shocked. All he said is that he would have to pray about it. So Kirk is a really awesome person, he has a lot of faith, he is kind and definitely prepared to accept the gospel. He should be going to general conference and tonight we are going over to his home to teach him, hopefully it will be another spiritual experience.

I Know I've said it before, but it really is cool to see the gospel change people, people that may not have even gone to church in there lives before, changing, coming closer to the Savior. And I've definitely felt some of that change over the past 9 months, and in the last week even. I know this is all true, I know that the tomb is empty and that Christ is Risen! He Lives! I Love You All and hope to hear what you thought of General conference. I can't wait to share an insight or two. Have a great week!

Love, Elder Page

It's Spring?...

Well supposedly, it's spring time! I highly disagree with the weather, but you know, I'm greatful that it has been more sunny and I no longer have to wear gloves every day!


So I want to talk about two different types of missionary work today, member work and nonmember work.

First, nonmember; Rob is progressing! It may not be as fast and smooth as I would like, but he's countenance is happier and he's reading and praying consistently! Renata is also doing well! Yesterday we had a lesson where we kind of laid it all out on the table (with the help of Hana, who translated into Czech for us). We tried to help her see the importance of doing certain things in this life (like having a faith in Christ, repenting, baptism, receiving the holy ghost, and enduring to the end) and we then invited her to baptism. Shockingly she said YES! But just not on April 25th. She is progressing and it is SO exciting. As for Justyna, we're seeing her tomorrow and she is as equally excited as we are.

Second, member; I just want to brag about South Port ward for a minute. I absolutely LOVE this ward. I love every single member and they have always made me feel at home and comfortable. They are all so great when we bring people to church, and every single person has a kind heart. This week, well, it was hard. But on Thursday morning I woke up and thought we should maybe visit an Elderly woman who we don't typically visit, but I knew we didn't have time, so I brushed it off. Then later on that day, things just kept falling through (I wonder why...) so I told Sister Hall about the impression I received and we decided to visit her. Turns out that she had a horrible week, and was close to the breaking point. She just was able to tell us all about it and then we were able to have the Elders come and give her a blessing. She later bore her testimony at church yesterday and said that in the morning on the day we visited her, she pleaded with Heavenly Father for help. She said that she didn't expect much, but instead ended up having four missionaries brighten her day.

I really do feel as though I'm learning something new every single day, and I am SO grateful for that! I am grateful to be in the service of my fellow beings, because this really is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done. I never feel empty! I swear, there's always at least a drop of joy in every minute! I'm sorry if I'm so cheesy, but this is just how happy I am, even if this work is hard!

I love you all, and I hope you remember to say your prayers :)

Sister Miller

Temple Trip...

Elder Page received his Birthday Package, and I believe he loved it!!!!


Hey Everybody,

So I don't have a whole heck of a lot of time, cause we just got back from our temple trip and I've had a bunch of emails to respond to other than writing this one (Thank You All by the way who sent me emails, I Like em'), so I will try and sum up this week the best I can.

So it's been a week of many ups and downs, mostly ups though which is good. To go ahead and get the bad news out of the way, we had a couple of investigators tell us they were no longer interested in meeting with us, which was kinda hard, because we thought they had a lot of potential. We know that we did all we could to share the gospel with them, and hey, maybe one day in the future they will decide they are ready, but for now our jobs as missionaries is to find those that are ready. Which leads me into the fact that we found a new investigator this week, his name is Lynn, he's a really cool guy who has no problem talking to us, he is really cool. He said he actually plans on moving to South Carolina within the next three months so we'll see, but for now we are trying to get him excited and motivated to read from the Book of Mormon, we talked a lot about Christ's ministry with him, and then taught him about apostasy and the restoration and how the Book of Mormon is a blessing that God has given to us now today. We plan on going by Lynn tomorrow so hopefully it goes well.

Elder Page had a day at the temple...

Things with other people have been going pretty well too, Mike plans on going to General Conference! He's really excited to actually hear from the apostles and President Monson because we've been giving him a lot of conference talks to read. It has been a slow progression with Mike, a lot of patience and love, but he is doing well. I don't know if I told y'all before but we're now teaching a guy from Iran, his name is Mehdi and he is the nicest, funniest, coolest guy you've ever met! He is reading the scriptures everyday, we read with him a lot too, to help him understand. He is reading both in English and in Farsi. He is over here in the U.S. on a student Visa so he plans on going back to Iran. He wants more than Anything to be Baptized, he knows everything is true and has the greatest desire to learn, but as long as he plans on going back he's not able to be baptized, for his own safety as well as his families. But we will keep helping him none the less grow in faith and understanding.

We've also been doing a lot of Less active work here in this ward. The ward is pretty small and a lot of people are moving out so we are really trying to work with them bishop and members to bring a few back. The daily routine as a missionary is a really special thing. I will be the first one to say that sometimes its hard, and often discouraging, but its been hitting me lately that I am doing nothing but serving and reaching out to people around me and the happiness and fulfillment I feel is unlike anything I've ever felt. I'm far far from a perfect missionary, but trying my best everyday to help people come closer to Christ and feel what God wants them to feel is a good thing. It makes me happy, and that's as simple as I can put it. I know the Lord is happy when we look to serve those around us and as we are doing that we are serving him. I want to really thank all of you who have influenced me in anyway, whether it seemed small at the time I realize I have always been surrounded by good examples. So Thank You.

I hope this next week goes as good if not better than this week did, I'll have to let y'all know. Anyways, be safe, pray, enjoy the gospel and dot worry, be happy.
Until Next week, Godspeed!

Love, Elder Page

Elder Page with his companion and he ran into Elder Nanto

Europe was simply beautiful...

Feeling so sick on the day we left...well we missed our flight to Paris from DC which ended up being a good thing another nights rest and more meds helped get me to Paris the next night.(tender mercies)

Paris was our first stop where we met up with Sharma & Hailey Shumate. Thanks to Sharma we just had to say where to next. She was so kind to plan our visit there. I had no idea where to begin, so thank you again so much Sharma!

Paris is a bit dirty but so beautiful at the same time. There was so much to see so we had our heads up the whole time. The Architecture and the food...oh my goodness
Left the airport and jumped right on the Metro and we were off...

Notre Dame was one of the many churches that we enter while in Europe

This was a bridge where people go and "Lock up their heart" they say the bridge is getting damaged from the weight of the locks.
We did A LOT of walking!

Hotel De Ville was our next quick stop, so much to see and so little time!

The Effiel Tower was soooo much larger than I had imagined. We did not have time to go up in it, but it was a beautiful sight.

It was also where we experienced our first French Crepe, OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! sooooo good! Thank goodness Sharma made some a few nights later because I could not stop thinking about them.

Next stop Sacre Coeur another beautiful church that over looks Paris it was a beautiful sight to behold. It was also the time of day the sun came out and warmed us up a bit.

We rode the Metro everywhere, and then got off and walked everywhere :) loved every minute
Arc de Triomphe was next. right in the middle of the city, you look straight down the street, there is shopping on both sides and straight ahead is the Louvre!!!

Did I mention how delicious the food is in France!!!! it was hard not to be distracted by it all, good thing we did all that walking!

The Louvre...what can I say about that place...first off we could have stayed in there a week and still not have seen it all. It was a grand place, Majestic...it is hared to believe that a small little family of three lived there...no wonder there was a French Revolution!!!! "Let them eat cake"

Its filled with amazing treasures from all over the world

Yogurt was also on those amazing foods...not at all like here in the states, so yummy, plus you get it in these adorable clay pots! Back on the Metro to the train station and a night time ride to Germany, Paris you were wonderful!

Germany was simply beautiful! Green, rolling hills, small villages, windmills and Castles galore!

Heidelberger Schloss, it was like a fairy tale castle, right from Beauty and the Beast

US Military Grave sight largest outside of the US. It was a very reverent place to be. We thought about those in our family who have served our country, how grateful I am to those who gave their lives!

Luxembourg, Trier & Cochem...Castles, churches, and yummy food! Green rolling hills and did I mention Castles!!!

More churches...gelato! Also Birth Place of Carl Marxx

Cool Story...these little plagues are found all over Europe, they were made to those Jews who were taken and killed in Camps. The markers were placed the exact spot where they were taken and sent to concentration camps.

Germany you were amazing and so beautiful...Sunday we boarded a plane and headed to London England!

This was the most diverse place I have ever been, so many languages from so many countries...Old and New
The National Historical Museum...how is it that England has everything from all over the world, shouldn't it be where it came from...just a thought...

The Tower of London and The White Castle(the Castle where many of Englands Kings and Queens lived including Henry the VIII) This place has some pretty gorey history...you should look it up some time.

Ben Franklin's home, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery

Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir...

The Royal Calvary. We were just walking down the street and there they were! The horses were beautiful, and they did not kick or bite :)


There was Big Ben, The London Eye, Westminster Abbey, and of coarse the double decker bus.


There was Buckingham Palace...and the Queen was in, see the flag up :)

There was Picadilly Circus, its like New York's time square, lots of food and shopping found here :)and a night time ride on the double decker bus! London is beautiful at night.

From the double decker to the Metro and then up again for our last day in London.
We saw St. Paul's Cathedral and crossed the water to Shakespear's Globe Theater

Forgot about our visit to Sherlock Holmes place
We stored our luggage while we went about sight seeing, and then picked it up on our way back to Germany.
We went to the National Library and saw some rare sights like Jane Austin manuscripts, Leonardo Di Vinchi's journal, Beatles original song writing pieces, lots of cools stuff.

One of my favorite places of the whole trip Bourough Market, it was amazing! I wish there were places to eat and shop here like that. One of the best experiences EVER!

Our very last stop we got off the Metro to head to the Science Museum and there it was...Love that the church is everywhere! We enjoyed visiting with the Sister Missionaries from Switzerland & Cambodia

The bus ride back to the airport we saw the London Olympics sight...

My feet made it thru Europe :) We got on a train from Germany and rode back to Paris, got on the Metro and then a train to the airport to Catch our flight, and we made it all by ourselves (Abigail did great!) So glad that we came. It is a trip I will always remember with Abigail, a time we will probably never have again! Great Memories!