11-17-2015

Hey all!!!

So this last week was pretty wonderful, but a the same time a little bit of a bummer!!!

So we will start with the bad, and then get to the good!!!

To start off we pretty much had to drop all of out investigators, because they stopped progressing!!! It is always such a bummer to do that, but that is part of the mission. We as missionaries aren't able to force anyone to do anything. We are only here to teach and invite. If they don't want to take the step of faith, we just have to let them be for a while, and try again later.

So now for the cool things!!! 

Starting last week. So you all have heard about my convert Cristian. Well, like 4 weeks ago he got the priesthood, and last Tuesday, he got his temple recommend. So that means that we will be going to do baptisms the end of this month!!!! I am so excited!!!

The next cool thing that happened this week was that we had stake conference. Well it was actually really boring, but I played the piano for the choir. So that was fun!!! It was really good, and we got a new stake president!!!

And the last thing that happened was that today we had the chance to go to the temple, and to the Museum of Anthropology!!! That was fun!!! The temple is such a wonderful place!!! I cant wait to go back in like 3 months!!! Take advantage if you have a temple close!!! Use it. make them close if for cleaning because you are going so much!!! There is so much to be learned in the temples!!!

So that is all. Sorry the letter is short, but my brain is fried!!! I have been up since 5:30, and it is almost 9!!! I am tired!!! 

Love you all!!!

Elder Mason Millar

The one with my comps tie on his face is because we got in a super big water fight with some members on Sunday night!!! It was Epic!!! 

11-09-2105

Howdy Y'all!!!

Yup, I am not from Texas!!!

So this week was a pretty normal week. I don't want to be that boring missionary, but I guess I am going to be!!!

Really the only thing that happened this week was that I went to Polanco to sign my visa for the second time because I hit a year in Mexico on Tuesday. Hoot Hoot. One year in Mexico!!! But we went all the way there, and then I go up to do my fingerprints, and what do you know. My papers don't exist!!! Haha. just kidding. They just weren't ready for me to come in yet so I have to go in this next week again!!!

We have also had the opportunity to start teaching in a clinic for drug addicts, and alcoholics. It is owned by a member, and we have so far taught 2 lessons. They are so awesome!!! So there are 80 people in the group, and we have taught about the atonement and plan of salvation. They are really liking it, and there are several of them that are actually reading The Book of Mormon!!! It is so so cool!!! Not that any of them can come to church or even be baptized at the moment, but they have already asked about how to get in contact with the missionaries after they leave!!

Today we went to Central, and walked through the cathedral. It was really cool, and kind of crazy. It is actually leaning several meters to one side because it is slowly sinking. The ground here is kind of like that it Salt Lake. We are in a valley that used to be a lake. The ground is not very sturdy. But it was really cool. I am sorry. I didn't take any pictures, but it was very cool!!! I will take pictures when I go back again!!!

That is about all that I have for this week. 

I will inform all of you that I will not be writing until next Tuesday, because we will be taking out P day then. We are going to be going to the temple, so we have to change out Pday because it is not open on Mondays. 

So that is about all!!! 

Love you all so so much!!!

Elder Mason Millar

11-04-2015

Hola a todos!!!

So this last week was awesome!!! 

Being in this mission we have gotten absolutely spoiled!!! 

This last week we had the opportunity once again to have a general authority come and visit us. Elder Nielson of the first quorum of the 70 came and talked to us for 3 days. Well, technically he only talked to us for one day, but he was in the mission for three days and talked to different zones. It was so cool!!! He talked to us on Wednesday, and we were with him for 8 hours. It was a long day, but it was awesome!!! 

So firstly he talked about the importance of members, and the way that we should really be looking for new instigators. He talked about us having a gold mine here in Mexico that is just waiting for us, and the way we are going to get to it is through the less active members. I am super excited. I absolutely love working with the less active members. I don't know why, but I just feel that I have a special connection with them. I am just able to connect, and help them to realize the blessing that they could be receiving, and that really they are missing it in their lives!  

We also had a really kind of boring weekend. So it was the weekend of the Day of the Dead. Super huge holiday here in Mexico, and we were stuck inside. But I will admit it was super cool to see all of the preparation, and the beautiful chocolate skulls, and offerings that were prepared for the day!! It is such a beautiful thing to see all the the rich culture that is here in Mexico. I will for sure have to come back after the mission to be able to experience all of the culture. I cant wait. I will have a green card, and will never have to worry about getting back!! I am so happy! 

So other that than, all is well. 

My comp is awesome!!! He is such a blessing, and is such an amazing missionary!!! He is learning really quick, and just wants to be here and work!!!

So that is all that I have to say for this week!!! 

Love you all so much!!! 

Elder Mason Millar

10-27-2015

Hey all, 

So what a wonderful week it was!! I got the opportunity to see several really cool things. 

The first change that we saw was with a less active member who has been on and off with his church attendance for his whole life. We have been visiting with him for about a month now, and just this last week on Saturday night we saw a huge change. We were teaching about in Deuteronomy chapter 7:11-13. I really like these verses because you can use them to talk about any commandment. He reads the scriptures, and prays, but didn't want or feel that he needed to come to church. 

So we were talking about that, and about how if we only follow some of the commandments, we will only see and receive some of the blessing that God has for us. I like to explain it as walking, or looking through a doorway. when we are one step out of the doorway we can only see part of the room, the part that can be seen through the door. But if we put forth our part, and take the first step, then we will be in the doorway, and then are able to see the whole room, (or all the blessings that are waiting for us on the other side), and then can continue to progress forward, and collect, and chase after all of them. It was really cool. He did come to church on Sunday too for the first time in several years!

So the other cool experience that I had actually took place last week, and then continued through to yesterday. So last week I had the chance to give Cristian the Priesthood. He is my convert back from August. He is 13, so he is a Deacon. So he asked me last week if I could do that for him. It was the first time that I had done it, but it was really cool.He got a blessing that he would be an example for his family, and that he should prepare to serve a mission. 

So that is what happened last week, and then yesterday. We got to church, and he was sitting up front waiting to pass the sacrament. And then, while he was passing. he passed it to me. It was a very special experience. Just to be able to see the change that he has made. That was really just a wonderful thing to see!!! 

So as many of you know, there was a hurricane that hit the coast of mexico last weekend. At the beginning of the warnings, we were told that we were going to be getting serious amounts of rain. But at last minute the hurricane turned and hit a mountain range, and died out really quickly. I am not going to lie, I was pretty bummed. I was really looking forward to just a tone of rain, but I guess it is better to be dry, and not have to worry. 

So that was pretty much my week. Pretty normal with a couple of cool experiences. 

Hope you all are well. love you!!! 

Elder Mason Millar

 Yes, those are crickets, and they are really really good!!!  

And that is my desk with my new rose plant on it!!!

10-19-2015

Hey all!!!

So this last week was an absolute joy!!! 

I got my new companion on Tuesday morning. His name is Elder Wolford, and he is from Pleasant Grove Utah. He is 18, and has been in the mission for 3 months because he had visa problems, and was in St. George. He is super excited to be in Mexico though!!!

So in the last week, I have truly had a humbling experience to truly see the difference that has occurred in my life! To see how far I have some in this year that I have been here in the mission. With not only my Spanish, but also with my patience, humility, willingness to learn from others, ability to love. I have truly just enjoyed the last week that I have had. I have learned that the Lord truly does know us, and that he hears and answers our prayers. He gave me a companion that is just perfect for me. 

So other than that we didn't do a whole lot this week. It was just getting him settled in, and getting him started. It was really fun though. We were up until like 11 every night just talking about everything. He is so awesome!!!

Other than that, we found out that we will be getting to go to the temple on the 10th of November. I am so excited!!!! 

I love you all, and can't wait to hear from you all next week!!!

Love, 

Elder Mason Millar

Sorry I don't have any pictures with my comp yet. I will send them next week!

10-12-2015

Hey all,

So tomorrow is the big day!!! I will be getting my kid!!! (otherwise known as the Elder I will be training)

It is hard, I am not going to lie. I am so excited to get my new comp, but at the same time, I don't want my old one to leave. We have had a wonderful three months together, and have enjoyed the last 9 months in the same district. We have grown a lot together, and learned too many wonderful things!!!

So this last week was a pretty uneventful week, I am not going to lie. We had interviews with Pres, I had a meeting for all the new trainers, and then we knew my comp was leaving so we spent quite a bit of time passing with members to say goodbye.

I had a very very strong testimony building experience on Saturday night. 

So my comp and I were asleep, and then at like 4 in the morning we hear a big bang! (No it was not a gun) It sounded like a cabinet or something in our neighbor's house fell. Then about 30 minutes later we heard some yelling, and some pounding on our neighbor's door. The pounding then moved to our door, and he started yelling "Neighbors help me!" I asked my comp what he thought we should do, and he said he was drunk. 

So then I asked if we should say a prayer, and we did. 

Immediately as we started the prayer and asked for protection the banging stopped, and he left the building. 

The Lord answers prayers, if we will ask him with faith. He loves us, and wants us to be safe. Don't ever be afraid to pray and ask for the help that you need!!! 

I love you all, and hope you have a wonderful week!!!

Love,

Elder Mason Millar 

10-05-2015

Hello all,

So this last week was a wonderful week!!!

So honestly this week was not much of a week for working. We worked a full three days!! Not only due to conference, but also because I had the opportunity to go and get my teeth cleaned!

So on Thursday we got the opportunity spend the second half of our day with the President. It is always so wonderful to be with that man!! He has such a wonderful spirit, and loves this work so much. At times I feel bad for him, because I know how hard of a job he has. Two weeks ago he had to send three elders home for doing some things as the First Presidency described as "a little out of the ordinary". 

I don't know how many of you know, but the mission that I am in before President Stutzneggar got here was on the point of being completely shut down for all of the apostasy and bad things that were happening, But President Stutz has come in and turned it around!! It has taken about 15 months, but he is such a wonderful man, and leans so much on the Lord to do his will!!! 

This weekend was also the General Conference. I hope you all got a chance to watch it. It was absolutely wonderful conference. 

One of my favorite talks was by Russel M. Nelson, when he talked about the importance of strong women. Yeah, I know I am like 4 years away from when I would like to be married, but this talk just made my want to make sure to be the greatest husband in the entire world. There honestly is nothing more important to me than finding an eternal companion who is strong in the gospel, dresses modestly, and lives a life centered in our Heavenly Father. I Know I will not be the perfect husband, but I know that if I can find, and somehow trick an incredible young lady to get married with me, even with all of my dorkiness, and quirks. That we will be able to live a wonderful life because we will both be based in the Lord. 

I know my future wife is out there somewhere, and I pray for her safety and protection from the Lord. I pray that I can be prepared to meet her, and that I can be the man I need to be when the time comes!!! 

I invite all of you, if you didn't get the chance to watch conference to do so. You can find it on LDS.org, or any of the sites of the church. You can and will receive answers to prays and questions if you do!!!

I love you all, and hope you all have a wonderful week!!!!

Love Elder Mason Millar

First Picture: We had a funeral for an Elder who leaves on Tuesday this morning!!!

Second Picture: Conference with the whites streaming in English and making waffles.

Third Picture: We made brownie waffles!!!