NABUA - Week 22

National Sports Day

Bula Vinaka!

It's been another great week here on the mission! Today I only have a few minutes to email though so this'll be quick, I'm sorry! We're just about to leave to Labasa, on the other side of the island for a combined Zone p-day, and for Zone Conference with the Mission President. But I'm keeping to the promise that I will never miss another week of emailing my family. And thanks for all the birthday wishes!! It means so much to me. If I don't get the chance to respond this week, I will for sure next week!!

One cool thing that happened this week was National Sports Day. The entire nation gets out of school just to play sports. Elementary schools play rugby and netball against each other, high schools play all sorts of sports against each other, and even the army/police/wardens/government officials have a tournament that's televised! It was a blast! In my area literally every member of every village went to this one field where all the elementary schools have a massive tournament. And HOLY COW do they take rugby seriously. It's literally 3-4th graders smashing each other and the parents going crazy. Haha. But it was a good weekend for us because in all 3 age groups for Netball and for the oldest age group in Rugby, Nabua Primary School won:). So we've been bragging to all our investigators in the other villages. 

Another neat thing that happened this week was the combined church service, with all the villages around us, and all denominations. And guess what. They asked US, the missionaries, to give the sermon. So we preached inside a methodist synagogue (or whatever it's called in english)! We didn't tell each other what we were going to speak about, but we both spoke about ways we can all become more Christ-like! It went great, and it was a good experience. The mission is a crazy thing, where they put us 18-21 year olds in the same group as the old preachers that have studied the bible their whole lives. The Lord really does qualify those called to the work!

This week I've been thinking a lot about families. The Family: A Proclamation to the World is an amazing tool in reminding you what your specific role is in your family. Read it again and try to apply its principles to your home!

Well, that's about it for this week! I'm sorry that I'm short on time and that I forgot my camera... I love you all! Until next week, keep on keepin' on!

Au lomani kemuni!

-Elder Miller

{No pictures this week. The above picture is Elder Jaxson Miller at the Salt Lake temple before he left for Fiji} 

NABUA - Week 21

Walking... and walking... and walking!

Bula Vinaka!

Time for another blog update! Haha. It's been a great week. Another great week filled with ups and downs! It seems things can never just be easy.... But who would want it like that anyways? That's so boring!

Like I said, it was a great week! It's been a grind the past few weeks, just working our hardest to find people to teach, and to help the ones we are teaching to progress towards baptism! It's definitely hard work, but there's nothing more satisfying. It feels so good to get home at night, lay down on my pillow and just know that the entire day was spent in the service of God. Let me tell you, there's nothing quite like the feeling. 

One cool thing that happened this week was when our Branch President took us to see some of his personal investigators. It was great!! But here's the catch... it's a 3-hour walk from our house. Haha. It's literally like an all-day thing to get to their house. But it's so worth it. It's the best family ever. Luke (the father, pronounced luke-ay), Tia (the mother), Laisani (4 year-old daughter), and Meme (7 month-old daughter). Our Branch President has already been talking to them about the gospel, and has already given them a Book of Mormon. They've been reading it and love the message. Hopefully they'll be baptized in the coming month or so!!

I want to tell another story that will tie into my spiritual thought for the week. So the village our house is in, Nabua, is about a 30 minute walk from the main road where 3 buses per day drive on. The closest village from there, Tabia, is another 30 minute walk. So we're an hour away from the nearest village. While walking on the road from our village to the main road, the road winds and turns around hills and forests. As we walk, you can see a MASSIVE mango tree, which is right next to Tabia. I've always wanted to try to walk there as the crow flies - it looks so much closer if you just walk straight! So on Saturday we finally decided to do it. We went off the road. Oh boy was that the worst idea ever. Not only did we get covered in spider webs, mud, and scratches, we were in that forest for about an hour. Just wandering around, trying to find the way out. Our members have had a good hearty laugh about that adventure. 

Now to connect that to my spiritual thought. STAY ON THE PATH! The way to your destination is clearly marked. Though it may bend and turn in ways that we don't understand or agree with, there's a reason it's that way! No matter how enticing the surroundings may be around you, or how much you think another way is better, do not stray. Read your scriptures, go to church, pray every day, and listen to the prophets and apostles! The Lord knows what you need more than you do. 

Well, there's another week come and gone! Thanks for reading! Thanks for emailing me! Thanks for the prayers, I definitely feel them! I love you all and hope for the best! Until next week, keep on keepin' on!

Au lomani kemuni!

-Elder Jaxson Jeremy Miller

NABUA - Week 20

To Bring the World His Truth

Bula Vinaka!

Hello again! This past week good! It was definitely one of the harder weeks of my mission. But that's what makes it so great. You go through a tough few weeks that really test your endurance and faith, but when you come out of it, you're all the stronger!

The main reason why this week was tough was the fact that we couldn't find very many people to teach. I don't know what happened but all of the sudden everyone decided to be too busy to let us teach them. Haha. We'd spend whole days in villages and get only a couple lessons. It's super disappointing sometimes to know you worked as hard as you could, and not see any results in your numbers. But again, as long as you just have a good attitude about everything, it doesn't matter what comes! 

Some good news is that we have a some people people progressing towards baptism! They should be ready next month. They're awesome and we'll keep working our hardest to make sure they're ready to enter the waters. 

Some more good news is that our District is really getting along! We are so close. It's a blast to be around them. On P-Days we play rugby, soccer, volleyball, ping pong, and anything else we can think of. And it's that kind of bond where you go 100% competitive mode while playing and still have a BLAST. There's 1 missionary from Samoa, 1 from Marshall Islands, 4 from the US, 2 from New Zealand, 1 from Kiribati, and 1 from Hawaii. I've been able to meet so many new people from all over the world on my mission and have formed awesome friendships. Missions bless you in more ways than just spiritually!

This week I've been thinking a lot about the power of the scriptures. I've left mine in Savusavu for 2 weeks so I've been ACHING to read them. I've only been able to use my companion's when he's not. It made me realize just how much they really mean to me, and how important they are in our lives. PLEASE never forget the power of the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. If you don't have a good habit of reading every single day, adjust and make it a habit! Even if only for 5-10 minutes! Make personal goals and set a time you're going to review them and see how you're doing! It will bless you IMMENSELY.

Ok well that's about it for this week! Thanks again for turning in! I hope you all are happy and staying strong in the gospel! Feel free to email me if you have questions or just want to say hi! I love you all! Until next week, keep on keepin' on!

Au lomani kemuni!

-Elder Jaxson Jeremy Miller

Trying to be artsy....

A nice pathway to an investigator's house

Getting ready to weave a mat

I spy with my little eye ... a fijian 

List of investigators and rough plan for the week

I always have your guys' picture up!