Last Week in Tumauini

 Last week in Tumauini!

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

First, I want to say thank you all so much for making my birthday special. I actually woke up on my birthday a little sad…but then I opened our phone and found 20+ emails from all of you wishing me a happy birthday! It made my whole day. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for taking the time to email me and make my day special. I wish that I could respond to each and every one of you, but please know that I am so grateful for you.

 

This week was really special! We didn’t know how long I would be in Tumauini, so every day was an adventure. I loved working with Sister Dela Cruz and Sister Nacar. They are both amazing missionaries and it was fun to learn and adapt.

 

This week, as previously mentioned, was my birthday. Not only did all of you email me, but the people here in Tumauini made it a very special day too. 

 

I did not tell a lot of people that my birthday was coming, but I did tell the Caliguiran family. We were scheduled to teach them on the evening of my birthday. When we arrived, they had prepared a whole feast! There was so much food to celebrate my birthday. They kept saying “Happy birthday” over and over again. I felt so loved! It was so sweet!! I am grateful for this family in my life. They always call us (my companion and I) their kids and they treat us like we are part of their family, I will miss them dearly.

 

Overall, my Birthday was amazing. Your emails, the Caliguiran family, and many other people here on the mission truly made it memorable. It will always be a birthday I will remember and cherish!

 

A miracle from this week: I was in Tumaiuini for the FHE at the Caliguiran family’s house.

 

A while ago, we had planned to have an FHE with the Caliguiran family. When transfers indicated my leaving, we thought that I would be gone before my birthday and before the FHE. The Caliguiran family was sooooo disappointed. They told me that they were planning a birthday surprise, plus they wanted me here for the FHE and asked if I could just extend it one more week. I, of course, expressed my disappointment and not being with them, but I then explained that transfer dates were not in my control. Well, they decided to pray for me to stay, and…God answered their prayers! 

 

The day before the FHE, I got the news that I would travel to my new area on Sunday. The FHE was scheduled for Saturday. It was a miracle for sure. Their faith is amazing. I know that it is something simple, but I also know that God was answering prayers. There were many times this week when we thought I would be leaving sooner, but God held me in Tumauini through the celebrations, and not only am I so grateful, but it was an answer to a prayer from a family that I love so much! And… how cute is it that they were praying that I would be here? I love them so much! I will be forever grateful I got to teach them.

 

The FHE was amazing. We had a lot of interested friends who were able to attend, and the ward members all came. It was like one big last hurrah for me. It was beautiful to see everything that we had worked so hard for come together. To see our people happy and growing in their testimony of Christ. I am so grateful for this area. Truly it has been a blessing in my life. 

 

Other than that, we just worked hard this week. We found a lot of people and taught a lot of lessons. It was a great week of missionary work. I head to my new area today and I am so excited, but a little nervous. We are opening an area. They created a new area by splitting it into an old area. It will be a challenge, but I am excited about the work in Solano!

 

This week I got to learn a lot about God. Let me explain: I was a bit disappointed that I was not going to be transferring when expected. I prayed a lot that the apartment would be ready so that I could get to work. Don’t get me wrong—I knew I would miss everyone here, but I was somewhat at a standstill. Sister Nacar had a new companion, and my heart was ready to get to work with my new companion as well. But… God needed me to learn something first… (and the Caliguiran family was praying for me to stay:)). I learned a lot about patience…

 

I want to share a quick thought from Elder Uchtdorf. He said:

 

“Patience means actively waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!”

 

I love this quote. I had to wait a little bit before I got to transfer. I have been in Tumauini for 7 months, and I was ready to have new experiences. But I was reminded to trust that God has a plan, and His timing is perfect. I learned a lot about letting go, and I was also privileged to help a wonderful new missionary as she started her adventure here in Tumauini.

 

We all must go through times in our lives where we must wait, and waiting is sometimes difficult. I am the least patient person. I was feeling a little impatient. I mean, I have been here for 7 months…, but it should not have been that hard to wait one more week! This experience taught me that as we are patient with the Lord and trust His timing, we receive better blessings. I got to be here for my birthday and FHE. Being here was better than being away, and God knew that—it was a blessing! Sometimes it is hard to see God’s plan, but His plan is always better than ours.

 

I testify that as we put our trust in God and His timing, our lives will become more full, more happy, and we will receive greater blessings. I know that God has a perfect plan. Even if it is something as simple as waiting one week, it is part of God’s plan.

 

I love you all!! Thank you all again for the wonderful emails. I truly cannot say thank you enough! It was the perfect Birthday present! 

 

Have a wonderful week!

 

The Church is true, God loves you

Be happy, Be brave, Be smart,

Love,

Sister Miller