LAST WEEK, SUVA - Week 11

All Good Things Come to an End...

Bula vinaka everyone!!

My very last letter home!

Man.... My emotions are indescribable right now. A mixture of excitement, anxiety, sadness, courage.... it goes on and on. I am so very grateful for these 2 years that I've had to serve my Lord in the beautiful islands of Fiji. 

My homecoming address is this coming Sunday, the 30th at 9 a.m. The address is 165 Monarch Drive, Bountiful Ut. 84010. I'd love to see you all! Afterwards we will have refreshments at our house at 3773 S 250 W . All are invited!

I am grateful for the beautiful, humble, sincere people of the islands. This is a God-loving country. Only ONCE my entire time here did I meet a Fijian that didn't believe in Jesus Christ. These people live in humble circumstances, yet give SO much. They love to joke around, feed you, show you the ways of the islander. They respect the Elders like kings. Whenever we sat down to eat, we ALWAYS sat at the "top" of the table, where the honored guests sit. I will forever love the island people, especially the islanders of "Viti".

I am also grateful for all of you, my family and friends. Your emails and packages always bring a bit of skip to my step! I could literally feel your prayers and thoughts on my behalf, they pushed me forward. I love you all!

I'm grateful for all my mission friends that I have made while out here. There's a special bond you create when you are engaged in the Lord's work. I have made friends for life that I will never forget. 

Most of all, I'm grateful for our Savior. Over these 2 years, He has shaped me, molded me into something new. Though I still have much to do and learn, my mission has taught me how to have a real, close relationship with my Redeemer. The many hours walking, knocking on doors, studying, sharing the gospel, and inviting all to come unto Christ have changed my life. This time will be held precious to me for my entire life. 

I KNOW that the He lives. I know that He is our Savior, and that He has payed the price for our sins. I know that He leads this Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know that He loves me, and all of us. If we but come unto Him and give our whole souls unto Him, He will show you a happiness and peace that you never thought possible. No power on the entire earth can convince me otherwise. He is real. I will devote my life to His service, just as I have devoted these 2 years. 

Now I take a new step in life. I'm excited to see what else the Lord has in store! If it's anything like these past 2 years.... I'm in for an amazing ride! I love you all. Thank you again for your support! See you soon! Keep on keepin' on.... until we reach the eternities!

Au lomani kemuni kece!

Sota tale!

-Elder Jaxson Jeremy Miller

{Some of our favorite photos.....} 

SUVA - Week 10

Purity and Peace

Bula vinaka everyone!

This weeks was awesome! Super busy and super spiritual. Gosh, time is just too fast! I cannot believe that this is my last full week proselyting... ever! I am making the most of every second.

Highlight of the week: Eta & Elia's baptism!!! It went great!!! Perfect, actually. They are a husband and wife. Their baptism completes the family! The children have all been members for a while, they're the only ones left. And they decided it's time for them to join the church! It was amazing. They were emotional. It's so great to see them, knowing that they are completely clean and starting a new life in Jesus Christ. Man, if only all could see the purity and peace in giving our lives to Jesus Christ! If everyone really knew just what it brings... There'd be constant lines out the baptismal font! I just truly love this gospel. 

This week we also got to meet Elder Taniela Wakolo, a general authority 70. Also, the VERY FIRST Fijian to be called to the quorum. He's a way nice man. It was like meeting a celebrity I was so excited! Haha. 

Another cool story is about a woman named Miri. She's the one that we met last week, who has always wanted to learn about our religion. Whenever we meet with her, the spirit is so strong. She's so humble and wanting to learn the Father's will for her. It seems like she has a "eureka" moment every time we share a new principle. She LOVES the lessons. She even fed us a full lunch one day! She's such an amazing lady. She told us that she wants her family of 6 to all be baptized. We're working towards it. Unfortunately I won't be here in Fiji to see it, but I hope that our paths may cross one day!

Well that's about it for today! I love you all! Make the most of every single day! Until next week, keep on keepin' on! 

Au lomani kemuni kece!

-Elder Jaxson Jeremy Miller

SUVA - Week 9

New Mission President!

Bula Vinaka Everyone!

Well, time is still blowing by! It's been a great week. This week we had Zone Conference with the new Mission President! HE'S AWESOME! Haha, I already love President & Sister Higgins. You can feel their excitement to serve the Lord and to meet all of us. It's been a great week! Also, shout out to Aunt Melissa! I'm so excited to meet little Evelyn!!!!

Our Zone Conference was on Tuesday. It lasted most of the day. It was great! Elder Roberts and I had to give a training that welcomed President & Sister Higgins to the zone, so that was fun! We all introduced ourselves to them. It was a way fun and uplifting zone conference! They definitely have the "Greenie Fire" as we call it. It comes with all new missionaries coming in, they just have an excitement and fire to kill the work! I love it. They radiate love, excitement, and hard work. They are definitely called and chosen specifically for this mission, and for us missionaries. I love them!

This week we had a cool experience knocking on doors! We've been doing a LOT of finding every week. One day we knocked on a door and a lady looked through the door. She was VERY surprised to see us (pretty common.... I'm a "kai valagi" or white person). She told us to please come in and sit down. She then later explained that she is a very religious person and loves to learn about different faiths. She said that she knows lots of the beliefs of most religions, but has never had the chance to learn about the LDS church. She said she was always impressed that young adults would leave their homes so young to come preach the gospel. She always wanted to talk to them, but felt too shy to stop them when she saw them on the street. So she was very excited to see us on her doorstep! After a very spiritual lesson with her about Joseph Smith and the Restoration, she began to get emotional. She told us that she "feels something inside" every time we talk to her. We invited her to be baptized, and she said YES! So she's reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it. She's such a sweet lady and so sincere. The Lord is truly preparing the hearts of people before our way!

This week I've been studying a lot about the Priesthood. Man, it is a lot deeper topic than I ever imagined! I love it. To think that we have the true power of God on Earth today... It's amazing. The church is so organized. A really good chapter on this is D&C Chapter 107. How could a boy with very little schooling come up with any of this?? It is the Lord's church. He leads it, and gives authority to his chosen servants on earth. I know this without a doubt. I love this gospel!

Thanks for tuning in again this week! That's about it for me! I love you all! Until next week, keep on keepin' on!

Au lomani kemuni kece!

-Elder Jaxson Jeremy Miller

(YES! That's my Mission President and his wife with my parents and littlest brothers! They got to meet him the night before they went into the MTC when the President stayed with friends up the street from my house!)

SUVA - Week 8

Still Going!

Bula Vinaka Everyone!

Another great week to report on! But first...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

It was my mom's birthday this past week. Just so you all know. She's the awesomest, kindest, cheesiest, most embarrassing mom anyone could ask for. I love her so much. I hope you had a great birthday mama! 

Also, thanks for all the birthday wishes! It was good to hear from you guys! I had a great birthday. Members made me a WAY nice dinner, complete with a delicious birthday cake! Birthdays don't feel super different from any other day on the mission, but people made me feel special this time! Thanks for the love!

My week was great! Another week of busyness! We have been working as hard as we can, teaching as many people as we can! It's been great. Lot's of people are so open and willing to hear the message! When we go knocking on doors, I would say we get in to at least 7 out of 10 houses. And then I would say that at least 4 of those say yes to baptism our first time meeting them! It's wonderful. The Lord is preparing people's hearts.

A miracle we saw this was a couple's news that they are going to be able to get married! The Elders have been teaching them for about a year now, and they are SO excited to be baptized, but they aren't married yet. There have been some complications that have had them waiting for this whole year. But this week they told us that everything is all ready!!! In the next couple weeks will be their marriage and baptism! We are so so so excited. They're ready to be baptized, they have such strong testimonies! 

Well that's about it for me today! I gotta go! I love you guys! Until next week, keep on keepin' on!

Au lomani kemuni kece!

-Elder Jaxson Jeremy Miller