"Consecrated" -Email 03/25/2013

his week was amazing. We spent time for 2 full days being trained, doing role plays, and receiving revelation as we were taught by President Jeppson, the Assistants, and other missionaries about the most important aspects of missionary work.

Can I just say that I have so far to go? As a missionary there is always something more you can be doing to be exactly obedient, always something you can perfect about the things you think and say, always more you can be doing to be working hard. The Lord taught me through revelation this week that I have been called of Him, and that I must give myself to Him in order to become the missionary He needs in Bayonne. 

We had the opportunity to teach a few less active families/individuals this week. We met with Ashley, a 13 year old girl who has had an insanely difficult year beginning with the loss of her mom and other things. We got to spend time in her home helping her use the Personal Progress manual. We finally had another appointment with the Familia Robles, who have a non member son and who don't ever come to church. We walked in and were bold- we made it clear that we were not there to bring them happy fuzzies and go on with their lives. We made it clear that we were there to guide them to become an eternal family who is unified in the gospel, renewing covenants weekly, and who has a strong knowledge of their purpose as daughters and sons of God.

We also met with the familia Tepoz, another less active family who is going through a very difficult time. We ate their delicious homemade Mexican food and taught them about Family Prayer. There is a scripture in 3 Nephi 18:21... did you know praying as a family is a commandment? Now you do. Do it! I am just now realizing how unified my family was because of family prayer- we left the day having begun it as a family with God, and knowing every single person's difficult things that day and having a prayer in our heart that we could all get through okay.

We are praying for a miracle for Tommy. The Lord answered our prayers and we were able to meet his father, briefly, because he was basically running away from us as we tried to make small talk. But we knelt in prayer with Tommy and as he prayed for help to be brave and talk to his father about baptism, the spirit was present. In Moroni 7:33-34 it says that with Faith, God will do all that is expedient in him... let's face it, Tommy getting baptized is expedient unto the Father. So it's going to happen. I know it. Plus Tommy is a rockstar in the faith department.

We finally contacted a street contact given to us by the Elders in Bayonne- her name is Nelly. She is going through a very difficult time with her family right now. We know that she has been prepared by God to receive us. It is incredible that those that are prepared recognize us as servants of the Lord and immediately open up their hearts and homes to receive us and the message we bring.

We also got a phone call from Erika, a door contact from a couple of weeks ago, saying that she had just gotten her wisdom teeth out and couldn't see us for our appointment. I was amazed that she was coherent enough to talk to us because in my experience (REBEKAH) people don't usually sound like themselves right after that surgery. But she was so desperate to see us- she began to cry saying she knew we were the real thing and that she knew this was a sign from God. She has told us a little about her faith and she tries so hard with the truths that she has been given but I know that she will feel so much joy from having the full gospel of Jesus Christ in her life! How beautiful this message is, that God lives, and is the same yesterday, today and forever!

I love the work. I am trying my very hardest to be better and to be the missionary that I would want to be teaching my dearest friends. I am studying hard and I am seeking the Spirit when I testify. It's such an incredible thing to become the mouthpiece of the Lord when He has a message to get across- I know I have been called by Him and I know this is His work, not only spreading tidings of gladness about some of the wonderful things that other churches have to offer too but helping people realize that the full gospel is united in one church, just as it was always meant to be and has been in every dispensation since the beginning of time!

Do I need to say it? The gospel is true, and I love it.

Love Sister Millward <3

We found the mouse that was running around the apartment :0)

And then I found one outside on the sidewalk :0(

Me and Hermano Juarez, a member who fed us dinner Monday night after we got to fear bust the new incoming missioanries! Loved that, I could see my  improvement at street contacting and teaching lessons. It was so fun! And SO SNOWY AND FREEZING! Anyways, Hermano Juarez let me take home this mini banana after they fed us Tostadas and Horchata. I am in love with Mexican food and will never eat chicken without hot sauce again. The mini banana was delicious, by the way.