NABUA - Week 14

Edwina!

Bula Vinaka!

Another great week in Nabua! It's been beautiful weather! So sunny and beautiful in fact that we ran out of water! Haha. We're not sure why but the water tank ran out of water.... Again. So Friday and Saturday we had no running water. Hand-washing our clothes in the creek was a great experience! We also had a baptism this week! It was AMAZING!

Good news is that I got the new camera! Thanks mom and dad! Unfortunately I just got it last night so I wasn't able to get pictures of the baptism or anything. Luckily a senior couple came to the baptism and took pictures so sooner or later I should be able to get a few from them. But I took TONS of pictures the past couple days so I hope you enjoy them. Did I mention the screen can flip so I can take selfies?? (Thanks mom and dad!) Haha.

Like I said, the baptism was AMAZING. The day was just so happy, spiritual, and full of light! It was really cool because my ponderizing scripture this week was about light, and it was perfect to just witness it! She was SO happy. What makes it even greater is the story behind her baptism.

Edwina, a 13 year-old girl, lives with and grew up with her grandparents while her parents live in Suva (on another island). The Saturday before the baptism she received a call from her parents telling her that she'll be moving out to Suva the following Thursday (2 days before the baptism) and stay there for schooling. Her friends told me that she cried and cried when she got off the phone, saying that she wanted to get baptized. We received the bad news last Sunday(I'm pretty sure I mentioned it lat week), and it put a damper on our spirits. But then this young girl called her mother back on Monday and told her that the baptism was more important to her and that she wanted to stay. So her parents cancelled it! The baptism proceeded! It was yet another booster to my faith from the amazing people of Fiji.

Other than the lack of running water and perfect baptism, it was a pretty normal week! I love this area so much. These next few weeks my companion and I will be focusing on finding more people to teach. We're going to go to a new village that we've never been before to see if people want to hear the Good News! Wish us luck. 

For my spiritual thought I would like to continue on the thought of light. I have 2 quotes I would like to share:

"Your success in life depends upon how much light you gain while you are here." -Elder Larry R. Lawrence (my ponderizing quote last week - shoutout to Siri for the idea of ponderizing a quote!)

"Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet." -Unknown

I love these quotes. One of our main purposes in this life is to gain light. We all have patches of darkness inside of us, but the more we study the scriptures, the words of the prophets, and the teachings of Jesus Christ, the more darkness we expel from inside us with light! And the BEST place to do that, is in places of peace and quiet. Search for your place of peace and quiet, and illuminate!

Alright, that's about it on this end. Thanks again for reading! I love you all! Until next week, keep on keepin' on!

Au lomani kemuni!

-Elder Jaxson Jeremy Miller

Baptism photo credit Senior Couple (Jaxson will you give us their name?) 

NABUA - Week 13

New companion!

Bula vinaka!

Thank you for tuning in to Fiji Suva Mission FM, this is Elder Miller, your host. There've been a few changes since the last program! So this past week was transfer week, meaning we received a call on Tuesday to find out whether or not either me or my companion would be transferred to another area. And........*drum roll*........... I'm staying! But my companion got transferred out and I got a new companion! I was way sad when we found out that Elder McLean would be leaving me. But way stoked when I found out who would replace him!

My new companion's name is Elder Levasa. We actually are in the same intake, which means that we were in the MTC together and came to Fiji at the same time! I was way excited when I heard we'd serve together! It's not very often that our Mission President puts people that are in the same intake together, so I was surprised. But it's gonna be way fun. His family is from Samoa but he was raised in New Zealand, and then moved to Australia a couple years before he left on his mission. He's 20 years old and is WAYY musical. Amazing at guitar, piano, and singing. He's great!

Because of transfer week this week it has been pretty hectic. We had to travel a long ways to get to the airport and back to our area. But when Elder Levasa and I finally got settled it felt so nice. Our area is one the most "bush" in the whole mission, and Elder Levasa is what you would call a "city Elder". So it has been a huge adjustment for him. Haha. He went from being in the dead center of Suva, the capital city, to having no light, fridge, fans, or warm water. It's been fun helping him adjust. Haha!

As far as the work, it's moving! We have a baptism planned for this Saturday! A 13 year-old girl that is SO ready. It's been just so fun teaching her. She's so smart, and remembers pretty much every little thing we teach her. She's excited to be baptized. We actually had a little scare! So yesterday she came to church kinda sad, and told us that her parents called (who live on a different island while the little girl lives with her grandparents near us) and told her that she'd be moving back to them on this Thursday. So the baptism was cancelled. I was SO disappointed. But then this morning she came running to our house and told us that she called her parents and told them she didn't want to go. So they cancelled that, and the baptism is back on! Isn't she just great?!

For a spiritual thought this week I would just like to emphasize the importance of the Book of Mormon. As the Prophet Joseph Smith said "The Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." I would just like to testify that it truly is the word of God. Since I've been on my mission, reading the Book of Mormon has become the time I most look forward to in my day. I have grown to LOVE the Book of Mormon. Do you have a firm testimony of it's truth? If not, READ IT and ask God for a testimony! If yes, then READ IT AGAIN because I promise you will learn more each time you read it! It's such an amazing book!

Ok, well thank you so much again for tuning in to ElderMiller.FM! That concludes this week's installation. Until next week, keep on keepin' on!

Au lomani kemuni!

-Elder Jaxson Jeremy Miller

No pictures this week. Jaxson should have a new camera we sent him soon!

NABUA - Week 12

When in Fiji

Bula Vinaka!

Well hello everyone! Another week has come and gone. Unfortunately due to a stomach virus, it wasn't a very eventful one. But I'll update you on what I can!

So like I said, this week I got pretty sick. It kinda started on Wednesday, hit me hard on Thursday and Friday, I felt great on Saturday, then all of the sudden came back on Sunday, yesterday. Gosh it's no fun being sick. Even more so as a missionary because you just imagine all the times you were sick back home, with mommy there to take care of you. Thank you momma! Haha. But I'm doing better today! So let's hope I'm back to 100% so I can battle Satan full-time again.

Also, this week has been RAINY. Gosh I feel like I haven't seen the sun in forever. Saturday and Sunday there were actually really strong winds, I think we got hit by a smaller cyclone. As a result, our village ran out of water. Haha. We think the pipe got clogged or something up in the mountains where the village water tank is. So we went without water all day Sunday. There were also tons of mudslides after the rain. One actually blocked the road just past our village, so no buses were able to drive on it. We had to call some missionaries to come pick us up from the other direction just so we could come into Savusavu today. The things we sacrifice to email you! Haha.

On a positive note, we met a new way cool 16 year-old kid! Really promising investigator. He walked with us all the way to the middle of the forest where the old couple lives that just got baptized. We shared the message of the Restoration, and he loved it! He told us he'd come to church, but never ended up showing up. So... we'll work on that. But he's awesome. 

This week I've been thinking a lot about the Priesthood and my responsibility as a holder. We have been given the authority to act in God's name and use His power. This is a MASSIVE responsibility. All you Elders and High Priests and even priests or teachers or deacons reading this, USE THE PRIESTHOOD. When used righteously, it can heal the sick, give comfort to those who need comfort, and provide the saving ordinance of the sacrament to willing souls. Never forget the power we hold!

Ok. Well that's all for me. I love you all so much! Thank you so much for writing me and encouraging me! Even if I can't get around to personally responding, know that it is appreciated and that I love you! Well, until next week.... Stay strong!

Au lomani kemuni!

-Elder Jaxson Jeremy Miller 

The church gave a water tank to a village in need and this was the little meeting we had the day it was given

Getting to Samu & Nani's house

Bikin' through the flood!

NABUA - Week 11

National Virus

Bula Vinaka!

Hello again! Another week has come and gone already! I suffered through a LOT to get here this morning so you better appreciate my email! Haha. Just kidding. But I do kinda want to tell you about the morning I had.

So the village I live in is pretty deep into the jungles of Fiji. So as can be expected, the bus system isn't exactly the most reliable. We take a bus into the city every P-Day morning, which is Monday. The bus usually arrives at the village at 7, so we usually get up at around 5:30 just in case and go wait for it at 6:30. Well, I was a little slow getting up this morning, and by that I mean I got up at 6:20. So I start getting ready and right at 6:30 we hear the bus rolling into the village. We FREAK OUT. I hurry and throw my clothes on and put everything I could see in a bag and book it out to the bus. As we were running to the bus I realized that I didn't have a tie on, but it was too late. There was no time. So we barely make it to the bus as it's driving away. We finally get onto the bus, having made a fool of ourselves of the whole village. 

But that's not all! There's more. As can also be expected, the buses aren't exactly the nicest, newest, or best running buses in the world. So here I was, sitting on the 2.5 hour bumpy bus ride trying to fall asleep. Then just as I'm almost out: *CHING CHING CHING CHING*. The bus makes this way loud rattling sound. It starts to slow down and then come to a stop. The bus driver kept trying to shove it into gear but it just wouldn't do anything. Ugggghh. Haha. My companion was a mechanic before the mission so he hops out to see what's wrong. It literally took him no longer than 30 seconds before he looked up at me and said, "Yeah... This bus isn't going ANYWHERE anytime soon." A rock had blown a hole in the transmission, so all of the transmission fluid had leaked out. So my companion and I walked for an hour before some other missionaries were finally able to come pick us up. Haha.

So yeah, that's what I did this morning. Haha. It was fun. But ANYWAYS, it's been a great week! We had Zone Conference on the other side of the island this week, where we all get together and have a training from our Mission President. It was amazing. I always come away from those feeling ready to try to convert anyone in the world. Haha.

Other than that, not super eventful week! A couple random things. For one, the ENTIRE NATION OF FIJI HAS PINK EYE. Gosh, it's ridiculous. They said it happens a lot after a cyclone, some sickness just spreads around. So I've been dealing with that this week. And then we got to watch General Conference! The sent the dvd's here to Fiji so we were able to watch it. It was awesome! Shout-out to Fiji! Haha. 

Ok well, I hope all is well! Shoot me an email to say hi! I love you all! That's about all for me! Until next week, keep on keepin' on!

Au lomani kemuni!

- Elder Jaxson Miller

Taveuni Zone Conference

My District

 A helicopter swoopin' in. This is like a once in a lifetime occurrence for Fijians

General Conference surround sound 

NABUA - Week 10

*loading*

Bula Vinaka!

I actually forgot about writing this until the last second so it'll be quick!

It was a great week! Things are starting to really move in our area! It feels great! It really was the closest thing to a normal week as you can get here in Fiji. Just good ol' missionary work. We are working with a 13-year old girl that wants to be baptized! She is way smart, and memorizes like everything we teach her. It's way fun to teach her. We plan to have her baptized by the end of the month! 

One crazy thing is that there is an INSANE outbreak of Red Eye here in Fiji. It literally feels like half the nation has it. It's crazy. Luckily I don't. Yet. *knock on wood*

Another random fact: Fiji is due for another cyclone either today or tomorrow. Let's hope and pray it won't be as strong as the last one!

Other than that, all is well in the life of Elder Miller! I know you are all watching General Conference back in the states, but we don't get it for another week! I am so so excited. It's literally like a Missionary's Christmas (minus the skyping home). How blessed we are to hear from living prophets and apostles! Take in their words and make small steps to becoming better! Don't leave conference weekend having wasted 10 hours. Use them!

I love you all! Thanks for checking in on the life of.. Me! I miss you tons. Until next week, keep on keepin' on!

Au lomani kemuni!

-Elder Miller

Bikin in the rain!

My mom's name - .... hahahahahahaha [Very Funny JAX!, from: "elephantiasis" (hahaha)]

NABUA - Week 9

Papitaiso

Bula Vinaka!!

This week was amazing!! I guess I might as well say it right away - We had our baptisms! They're names are Samu & Nanise. They are an old couple that live a 1-hour walk into the forest... Alone. And they are the best people ever.

This whole past weekend has just filled with light and the spirit. This couple was so ready for baptism. It felt so so good to see them get into the water knowing that they were truly ready. With the Easter weekend and the baptism, I have felt so much appreciation for this gospel and our savior Jesus Christ. 

Here in Fiji, Easter weekend lasts Friday through Monday. Some of you may have noticed that I'm emailing a day late. All the stores were closed yesterday for P-day so I wasn't able to email. Easter weekend was amazing! I dunno, I guess being a missionary just gives you a whole new appreciation on the Savior's life. I feel so blessed! 

There's not many other noteworthy things to report besides a couple random things. 1- I developed a sty in my eye. Super gross, I don't recommend it. I had about 20 Fijians tell me of different ways to heal it. 2- I LOST MY CAMERA. I am so bummed. Luckily I've been pretty good at uploading pictures so that's ok, but I lost all of my videos. Lots of fun memories gone. But all is well, stuff happens, eh?

Ok, well thank you for reading my letter this week! Obviously with Easter weekend just passing us by I would like to reiterate my appreciation for the Savior. Because of Him, I am happy. I have hope. I have an eternal life with my family to look forward to. I am ever in his debt! If you haven't yet, I encourage you to go to this website:

https://www.mormon.org/easter/hallelujah

Find new ways to serve the Savior! Think of Him and His sacrifice every day. Easter is just a REMINDER for us to think of Christ ALL the time.

I love you all so much! I hope all is well! Until next week, keep on keepin' on!

Au lomani kemuni na noqu matavuvale!

-Elder Jaxson Jeremy Miller

Baptism of Samu & Nanise

The baptism!

"Dr. Samu" working some Fijian remedies on my eye

Samu & Nani

Our branch president (left) and new baptism

NABUA - Week 8

Bikin' for dayz

Bula Si'a!

This week has been great! As the subject says, we biked a TON. The bikes are nice! Shipped from America. *see pictures below* Literally every person we go by just STARES at us. Haha. The tires are massive. They just roll over any rock or anything in the road, it's so handy. There is one problem though... There are no gears. And Fiji is a very mountainous country. So hills are no fun. That's ok, I'll just come home with super strong legs!

Not a ton of things to report on this week! It was a pretty normal week (for the Fiji Suva Mission). One cool did is we decided to visit a village we haven't been to yet, that's about an hour bus ride, and then a 30 minute walk away! But... we accidentally got out of the bus WAY too early. So we ended up walking for about 2 hours. Oops. But that's alright. In the village we had a list of about 10 members we wanted to see, that hadn't been to church in years. It turns out that 9 of them have moved off island, and the last one has gone back to a different church. So that was a huge bummer. But it's all chill, at least we got to see more of Fiji!

The disappointment in that village we went to was made up by the next village we visited. Some of the members told us about a little girl that might want to take lessons so we went to see her. Turns out she REALLY wants to take lessons! So we got permission from her Grandparents, who she's living with, and our first lesson went really well! The Lord truly does prepare people's hearts for us.

That's about it for this week for me! As far as a spiritual thought, I would just like to share a quote:

"Your success in life depends upon how much light you gain while you are here." -Elder Larry R. Lawrence

I love this idea. Our purpose in life is truly just to gain light. Look for any way you can do that! Serve others, read the scriptures, look to improve... Just do good! 

I love you all so much! Shout out to Jon & Amy with the new baby!! Congrats!! I can't wait to meet him. Well, until next week, keep on keepin' on!

Au lomani kemuni!

-Elder Jaxson Jeremy Miller

(no pictures of bikes unfortunately… Jaxson’s computer froze during download)