21 August 2018 - Why is it already cold?

Hello people whom Jesus loves,

It's been a good week here in Cheyenne, Wyoming! Last Tuesday after I sent my email it started storming! There was lightning and hail and rain. Fun fact:the rain here doesn't fall from the sky, it falls sideways. Elder Killian had to go get mail and stepped outside of the car for like 10 seconds and came back DRENCHED. We were with two other elders from our district(Elder Stockwell and Elder Savage) , driving to Walmart. I couldn't see a thing and I was driving like an old lady it was terrifying. We sprinted from our car to Walmart for shelter. By the time we were done shopping the rain stopped it was crazy.

Last Thursday was a GREAT day. An answer to my prayers. I've been praying that people will be put in my path that I can help...and Heavenly Father heard that prayer and did just that. We went to the retirement home again and I went around talking to people, taking their plates, refilling coffee and stuff. It was fun. The nickname for Elder Stockwell is "ungrateful, blue eyed, tuna butt". I'm sure there is a story behind that, but we were dying when we read that written on his food. Elder Stockwell and Elder savage got a call while we were there from some people who needed help, so me and Elder Killian decided to give them a ride and tag along. (they are bike missionaries BTW they love getting rides from us). We helped these people lift and relocate an entire shed! Then helped build a ramp. While we were there I found a snake that reminded of a story my brother had of playing with a poisonous snake on his mission, I decided not to touch it. I'm the smarter Elder Milius :). The neighbors of these people had a bunch of animals but most unique was EMUS!! I decided I'm getting an emu when I get home, it'll be friends with my dog Katy. Not too much time afer we got back we received a call from a member who has a friend who needed some help. This ladys basement got flooded when it rained and needed help taking stuff upstairs, then taking out her soaked carpet and bringing it upstairs and outside. The whole day was dedicated to doing stuff for other people it was GREAT. I am so greatful for the knowledge I have to see people as they really are. We are all children of our Heavenly Father. So we are All brothers and sisters! That makes it easy to want to be there for others. I love each of the people I met that day, including the old man who swore at me because I couldn't understand him, because I know who they are. They are my spirit family. They are the children of my Heavenly father who I know loves and cares about them. The spirit testifies to you that what you're doing is good, as you serve. In case you haven't heard yet, if you want to feel good, go serve someone! Heavenly Father will Reward you for being there for your brothers and sisters.

I had a cool experience Friday. We didn't have much to do that night, no dinner appointments or anything. Elder Killian apparently went to culinary school or something so he made awesome chicken. We decided to walk to someones house who had shown interest in the missionaries in the past. After walking all the way to his address we realized it was a camping park and he definitely no longer lives there *face-palm*. I was kinda bummed and felt like we were wasting our time, but then a man responded to a text we sent earlier and asked if we were busy. We said no and went over and had a great conversation with this guy. He asked us if we ate, we told him yes, then he asked us if we wanted food and we said no, then he said "you're Elders of course you want food", and next thing you know he was cooking us a steak on his grill!! I'm gonna have to start working out more. Anyway, point of the story. Good thing the spirit guided me an Elder Killian to go walk 30 minutes aimlessly to someone's non-existant address so that we wouldn't make plans, and we could go meet with this guy. (also he asked us for a blessing) I need to work on my humility and trust that the Lord has a bigger plan.

Saturday was a good day. We helped these members build a chicken coop, then they invited us to have dinner with them. They are super cool!! They have a son who reported to the MTC the same day as me, and so they knew that the 18th was my 1 month mark of my mission. So they texted and asked what my favorite dessert was, and instead of saying "all of it" I told them mint ice cream. After dinner they had cupcakes and put a number "1" candle in my cupcake and their 3 year old starting singing happy bday, then everyone sang happy birthday, it was hilarious. Then they got out a pint of mint ice cream they bought for me. I think I'm living better here than I did at home....people feeding me steak, members celebrating my 1 month of my mission. Man I feel bad for my friends out in and going to Costa Rica, Argentina, Peru, etc. Colorado Fort Collins is definetly the best mission.

Sunday our car was dead...someome left on a light....definetly wasn't me. I said a prayer that we would be able to make it to church. Although I should've been worried and stressed especially because church was in 20 minutes and it would take a hour to walk to our building, I was filled with peace. I LOVE the spirit. He can give you peace in times when it is difficult to feel. I know that as we do all we can and turn to our Heavenly father in prayer he will be there for us. Our zone leaders were able to save us and we made it to church a little late, but still had a great time. Me and Elder Killian ended up teaching gospel principles. A member drove us home afterwards and gave us a jump and all is well!

We had a good lesson with some members last night. They're a young family so we taught them the 10 commandments in a fun way. Funny story, their second child is 6 and his name is Brigham! And when they told me I like laughed, but they were confused-i forgot they didn't even know my first name I was just Elder Milius to them *face-palm*. But it was good I love this ward and all the members. Even the less active people that we've visited are SUPER friendly to us.

Spiritual thought: The knowledge of who you are can give you confidence to do anything. You are sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father and he loves you. If He loves YOU, with all your imperfections-Then you can love yourself. I know he loves us because as it says in John 3:16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. Jesus Christ suffered unimaginable pain for each of you-and heavenly father allowed it to happen, because he loves YOU. Jesus Christ, the perfect son of God, asked if there was any other way because what he was doing was so hard, but there wasn't, so he endured because of His love for YOU. Don't forget who you are, and how much our savior and our father loves you. The knowledge that you are important to them is so important.

Fun stuff

-the highs here don't even get to the lows in Gilbert-i didn't know it was possible to get in the 40s in August. It's nice when it warms up to 60 degrees!!

-kinda cracked my phone screen....it got tossed to me and my ctr ring hit the screen hehehe

-apparently the members who gave me ice cream are known to pull pranks on elders and put butter in the ice cream....but I ate all of it maybe there was butter that I just devoured

-our neighbors have the cutest husky puppy named Maya

- apparently dog bites have been a problem-an email titled "dog bite training" got sent out to everyone.

-there's a stash of nerf guns in our apartment

Pictures:

-Emus!!

-Awkward picture sister McMurray took of me and Elder Killian

-picture I drew. None of you are in a place where the light of Christ's Atonement cannot shine :)

-building a ramp (Elder savage taking the pictures, me and Elder Stockwell holding the wood, not sure what Elder Killian is doing)