Coming to an End!

 Hello Friends!

Time is absolutely flying. I cannot believe that I am starting my last full week as a missionary. I don’t think it has really set in…I am not sure if it ever will.

This week was a magical week.

My favorite Family, the Caliguiran family from Tumauini, came and visited me at church. It was absolutely magical. I love them so much and I am so happy I got to see them one last time before I go home. They had told me that they did not think they would be able to come. Brother Caliguiran’s back had been in pain and the tricycle would make it difficult for him to come all that way. When they walked into church I felt so much love and appreciation. I truly believe I came to the Philippines for this family. I will always love them. And their love for me has blessed my life!

Last P-day, we had Sister’s Conference. It was an absolute blast.

I loved the activities, but for me, the best part was seeing all of the missionaries. It was the last time I would ever see a lot of them, so it was special to spend time with them. I especially loved seeing Sister Bacot again. She is the missionary I trained, and I love her so much. Saying goodbye at the end of the conference was so hard. I hope that I will be able to see her again one day.

We also had exchanges this week! I got to be companions with Sister Ballon! She is brand-new from the MTC! It was so much fun! It was her first exchange and my last. She is the cutest! I loved working with her and feeling her energy and enthusiasm for the work.

For P-day this week, the missionaries leaving the mission are given the experience to go to Banaue. Banaue are rice terraces that are carved into the mountain. Banaue is considered to be the 8^th wonder of the World by many Filipinos. The rice terraces are a national cultural treasure. The views are stunning. It was my last time with some of my best friends in the mission. So many things are becoming “my last”. My heart feels torn between two worlds. My world here in the Philippines and my world in the USA. I have grown to love the people of the Philippines, and a part of my heart will always be here—with them.

This week in my personal study, I felt prompted to study the talk “Hear Him” by President Nelson. It is an amazing talk, and you should all go read it! In it, he said:

“God gives us the pattern for success, happiness, and joy in this life. We are to hear the words of the Lord, hearken to them, and heed what He has told us!”

I love this. If we want to find true happiness, we need to hear the Lord. No matter what we are facing, we can choose to hear the voice of our Savior. We can find clarity, peace, and love in our lives.

My mission has been a place where I have learned to hear the Lord. He has become a very personal friend to me. I have learned to trust in Him and His ways. I love my Savior with my whole heart. I want to always feel Him in my life and remember how to access His power. For this reason alone, my mission has been the greatest experience of my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to wear His name on my chest and to proclaim His gospel.

My mission is coming to an end. I am so excited to see all of you again, but a little heartbroken to be leaving the Philippines. I have learned so much in the last 18 months. I have been changed, molded, and stretched in ways that I never imagined.

God took my little efforts and made them enough. I love my mission. I love the Philippines. I love the people here. It is almost time to close my chapter here in the Philippines, but I cannot wait to work and serve the Lord for 1 more week. 

I know that God loves all of his children. I know that He wants us to find true joy, through his son–Jesus Christ. I know that as we listen to the promptings of the spirit, we will find true joy. I have seen it on my mission over and over again. God is so good. 

Thank you all for being a part of my mission here in the Philippines! I love you all and I love your support! See you soon!

I will be reporting my mission on Sunday, November 24 at noon at the church building by my parent’s home. You are all invited.

The Church is true, God loves you!
Be happy, Be brave, Be smart!
Love,
Sister Miller