Sunday, September 3, 2017
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Monday, August 28, 2017
August 28, 2017
_______________________ Final Letter __________________________________________________________
Well .... what can I say.... Its been two long years and now I understand the prophet Jacob when he says that life passed away as if it were a dream. This last week I have asked myself many times if I am ready to go home... If I have made the changes that I needded to make.... I certainly am not the same young man I used to be. I remember so clearly when I got here in the mission unable to say what I really felt and just being lost in this city that somehow owned my heart. Those were the months that my testimony and my faith were put to the test. Many times in these last two years I was tempted to take the "easy" way out or just be good enough and not extraordiary. As I have strived to become closer to my Savior I could feel him walking with me and holding me strong. On the hardest weeks of my mission I gained my strongest testimony of the Lord. I have been blessed to serve these last two years in São Paulo East. This land has my heart.
I will be eternaly grateful for the many blessings and miracles I have seen. I have been able to help many people come unto Christ and feel of his love. As I have done this I have felt his love for me grow. I may never really understand how much he loves me, but I will show my faith by my works.
Trying to explain what I feel right now is like trying to explain the flavor of salt. I know very well what it tastes like and I can try for hours to explain what it is but you will never understand me unless you taste it for yourself. I know that God and his son Jesus Christ live. I do not know that through my own knowledge, but certainly through the manifestations of the spirit that has confirmed unto me that they live and love me. My testimony no longer depends on other people, it is between the Lord and I. He has given me blessings, miracles, and answers that I cannot, and will not, ever be able to deny. My mission has strengthend and blessed me like I never would have been able to imagine. I will cherish these two sacred years for the rest of my life.
Thank you my dear Mom and Dad for helping me get to this point. Without you two I certainly would not be who I am today.. I have grown and become a better man. Thanks to the Atonement of Christ we can all repent and feel of his love. He lives, and he is our Savior. God loves us. He has restored his Gospel here on earth and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is his Kingdom. The Prophet has been called of God. The Book of Mormon is true. I know these things and shall be witness of them for ever. These 2 years have been amazing and I wouldnt trade them for the world. Thanks mom and dad and anyone else who may recieve this email for all the love and support you have given me on my mision. May God be with you till we meet again.
God Speed
Elder Millard
Monday, August 14, 2017
August 14, 2017
Hey All -
Yet another week has come and gone.
It was a pretty good week. We still have some really sweet miracles in potential for this transfer. We have been teaching this couple, their names are Helder and Emmanuele. They are doing pretty good, they are both doctors. He is a brain surgen and she works in the ambulance. I know that I am a pretty smart guy, but next to them I feel like a little fish because they really are both very intelligent people.
Things really are going pretty well and I am way happy. I don't know if I have ever felt as much stress as I have felt in this week but I also feel like God is preparing some really sweet miracles for us at the end of the transfer.
Our biggest miracle that I get all emotional just thinking about it has been Benê and Andresa. Talk about a real miracle and some living answers to a LOT of prayers. So last week we had marked with them to go to the registry and mark their weeding. Everything was good and seemed like it was all perfect. However last Monday when we had marked to go their in the morning and get their wedding marked early in the morning when I called them Benê said they weren't going anymore and they didn't want to get married any time soon. So even being our P day we ran over there to try and see what had happened and give it one more try. A wedding in the registry usually takes about a month so we were really out of time and needing a miracle. So we had been praying a lot and when we went over there we had an amazing visit and were able to get them rededicated. They were just really worried about the money and getting everything ready in time, so we just promised them that everything would turn out alright and that everyone in the ward would help. So on Tuesday morning we went to the registry and begged the lady to help us. So we were able to mark their wedding for the 26th and the baptism for the 27th.
So this week we have just trying to get everything ready for the big day! Also we have just been really busy with Assistant stuff. We have had conferences and splits this whole week. Also we are going to have a mission tour this week so we are have a lot of meetings to get everything ready.
I really cant explain how I am. Life is just great and I am really happy. God has blessed us so much and we are working really hard. I can really feel the Lord on our side, a great and marvelous work is about to come to pass. I am excited to finish my mission strong doing what I most love. BAPTIZING!
Love you so much mom, can't wait to give you a great big hug here in a few weeks!!!!!
Elder Millard
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
August 8, 2017
Justin Bart Millard - 2:29 PM
haha your so funny mom
remember that it is going to be a great week or two, but after that you are going to want to kick me out again. kkkk
Justin
yeah, just doing well and loving life
haha everything is good.
Justin Bart Millard - 2:34 PM
We are going to have zone conferences starting this week and next week we have zone conferences and a mission tour with Elder Lima of the seventy. So things are going to be really busy these last few weeks
Also today we had to go teach Bené and Andresa today to try and get everything ready for their wedding
Justin Bart Millard - 2:36 PM
You have no idea all that we have been through with this family. I am almost crazy trying to get them excited and get it all ready. Its going to be pretty hard as they arent really able to do a wedding so I we are trying to get everyone to pitch in a little to do something nice for them.
Justin Bart Millard - 2:39 PM
I am sure they would love that
I already told them that I will help with their wedding rings that will be about 300 reais
Travel plans are here!
| . | ||||||||||||||||||||
Your trip
| Booking ref: | MMZ8VB | ||||||||||||||||||
| Issued date: | 28 July 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| . | ||||||||||||||||||||
| . | ||||||||||||||||||||
| . | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Traveler | Justin Bart Millard (502867-R) | Agency |
CHURCH TRAVEL CWT
| |||||||||||||||||
50 East North Temple St
| ||||||||||||||||||||
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Telephone | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fax | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Agent initial | MD | |||||||||||||||||||
| . | ||||||||||||||||||||
| . | ||||||||||||||||||||
| . | ||||||||||||||||||||
.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| . | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Wednesday 30 August 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Delta Air Lines DL 052 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Departure
|
30 August 09:40 PM
|
Sao Paulo, (Guarulhos Intl) (+)
|
Terminal: 2
| |||||||||||||||||
 |
Arrival
|
31 August 07:00 AM
|
Detroit, (Metropolitan Wayne Co) (+)
|
Terminal: EM - E.H. Mcnamara Terminal
| ||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 10:20 (Non stop) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Distance | 5,105 Miles | |||||||||||||||||||
| Booking status | Confirmed | |||||||||||||||||||
| Class | Economy (L) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Baggage allowance | 2 Piece(s) for Justin Bart Millard | |||||||||||||||||||
| Seat | 28G (No smoking seat) requested for Justin Bart Millard | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment | AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-200 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Flight meal | Dinner | |||||||||||||||||||
| . | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Thursday 31 August 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Delta Air Lines DL 2113 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Departure
|
31 August 08:20 AM
|
Detroit, (Metropolitan Wayne Co) (+)
|
Terminal: EM - E.H. Mcnamara Terminal
| |||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Arrival
|
31 August 10:19 AM
|
Salt Lake City, (Salt Lake City Intl) (+)
|
Terminal: 2 - Terminal Unit 2
| |||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 03:59 (Non stop) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Distance | 1,476 Miles | |||||||||||||||||||
| Booking status | Confirmed | |||||||||||||||||||
| Class | Economy (L) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Baggage allowance | 2 Piece(s) for Justin Bart Millard | |||||||||||||||||||
| Seat | 26C (No smoking seat) requested for Justin Bart Millard | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment | BOEING 737-900 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Flight meal | Food for purchase | |||||||||||||||||||
| . | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Thursday 31 August 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Delta Air Lines DL 7394 (Operated by Skywest Dba Delta Connection) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Departure
|
31 August 01:45 PM
|
Salt Lake City, (Salt Lake City Intl) (+)
|
Terminal: 2 - Terminal Unit 2
| ||||||||||||||||
Arrival
|
31 August 02:51 PM
|
Saint George, (Municipal) (+)
| ||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 01:06 (Non stop) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Distance | 269 Miles | |||||||||||||||||||
| Booking status | Confirmed | |||||||||||||||||||
| Class | Economy (L) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Baggage allowance | 2 Piece(s) for Justin Bart Millard | |||||||||||||||||||
| Seat | 09B (No smoking seat) confirmed for Justin Bart Millard | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment | CANADAIR REGIONAL JET | |||||||||||||||||||
| Flight meal | No meal service | |||||||||||||||||||
July 10, 2017- Maturity comes when you stop making excuses and start making changes
Well what a week.....
This whole week we have been going to zone conferences. It is really a good time. I know that I am not the BEST missionary but I have gained a strong testimony about the Holy Ghost. Although I may be unqualified, I know that the spirit has helped me so much during the conferences. I could really feel guided by the spirit in every training. It is a great opportunity to be able to help the missionaries here in São Paulo Leste. The mission is doing really well and I really feel like I am in the best mission in the world. It is great that the Lord trusts me enough to be an example here in the mission and I am very grateful for the opportunity and I know that the Lord is helping me do his work here in the mission. I was able to see a lot of old friends and have some good laughs so that is always good to meet up with the mission buddies.
Here in our mission we have a few zones that are in the interior and it is such a good time to get out in the country and see farms, animals, and mountains. It is about a 3 hour drive out to the last zone of the mission so the whole time I was just talking with President about my little home town. He also grew up on a farm and he has been all over Utah so it was so great talking with him for hours about all that stuff. President is such a great guy, I would love to see him after the mission. He lives in Spanish Fork so it is pretty close.
Also this week we were able to visit Larissa, Bené, and Andresa. They are doing really well. Bené committed to stop drinking and he is reading the Book of Mormon every day. They are going to the North East this week and will get back at the end of the month. When they get back we will get everything ready for the wedding and baptism. We also have another young woman marked for baptism she is yet another referral from our recent convert Val. Her name is Layla, she and her friend Atina are marked for the 22nd.
We also had some pretty sweet miracles show up in church this week. People that just said they saw the church and felt a strong desire to come in so they just showed up. I am sure we will see a lot of miracles in the coming weeks. I am feeling really good with where I am at right now in my mission, as the last weeks are winding down I really feel like the Lord is by my side. We are working hard and the miracles are awaiting us.
Elder Millard
June 24, 2017
What a week it has been! Yet again things have been extremely busy with meetings, training, appointments, BAPTISMS, activities, and many other things.
As you know last Monday was transfers so that was way busy running all over the place getting everyone where they need to be. Then we went with President to get some things ready for the testimony meeting for all the missionaries going home. Then at night all the trainers got to the mission office where we gave them a training and ate pizza.
Then on Tuesday morning all the newbies got here, so we had to sit and talk with all of them for a while. It is really great to see the greenies because it makes me think back to when I got in the mission and it helps me remember all that I have passed through. Its really good to see that sparkle in their eyes and try and remember what it was like when I first got in the mission. Then all afternoon we gave them trainings and we went out to do some street contacting with them for a while. It was a great day. Then we got everyone out to their areas and had another meeting with President.
On Wednesday and Thursday we were able to work in our area which is really what I love. Hahaha President and Sister Silcox are always teasing me because they know that I don't like having meetings or being in the office but its really true. Whenever I am in the office I just get fire in my eyes because I just want to WORK in my area. My favorite thing is Baptize and I need to teach to do that. We spent the week really focusing on Laila and Atina. Laila is doing really well and has received many answers from God, however Atina is not coming along so fast. Laila was baptized this Saturday and Confirmed on Sunday!!! It was a great meeting, very spiritual and really special.
On Friday we had leadership council which is always great. We gave some great trainings and it is always nice to see the big studs of the mission. It is pretty sweet because I remember when I was Zone Leader I saw a lot of them in my zone and now they are all the top dogs of the mission. The mission is really going so good. Nobody will ever convince me that there is a better mission in the world. Seriously things are just great! I LOVE SÃO PAULO LESTE!!!! Saturday we had Laila´s baptism and at night we had a ward party, so it was just a great day!
Anyways, things are going really well. I feel like I am doing good. I know that I still have a few more weeks of hard work, but I am loving it. We are just working like mad men trying to finish off my mission strong. I still have a lot of things to tell you, but I will leave it for next week.
Love you,
Elder Millard
Saturday, June 24, 2017
June 19, 2017
Well mom what shall I say this week....? One more week has come and gone, I am one week closer to the best/worst day I can imagine. I am working really hard and I am extremly focused on the work. Sometimes I think about how close I am to getting home and I get a little sick to the stomach, but also I am really excited to be home and start my big kid life. I cannot believe that Coleman is getting home!! That is so crazy! I really am on the last stretch. It really doesnt seem true that someday I will finish my mission in a few short months. But I am excited. Anyways thats enough talking about home.
This week was pretty good, all is going super well. My comp is a real stud and I really like him a lot. I really am loving this time in my mission, I feel like my whole mission I was always looking up to the older guys and just thinking some day I will get there. Now I realize that everywhere I go people are looking at me and thinking the same thing. I still have a lot to better every day, but I know that I am an experienced missionary and I am very confident with the man that God is helping me become.
We are working a lot in our area giving the best example for the mission. This week we had some really smack down lessons. We were able to mark 4 people for baptism!!!! We taught a family that was not wanting to let their daughter be baptized and it was such a good lesson, that we went in with them just trying to argue and find anything wrong with us to when we left they committed to go to church and they didnt want us to leave. So yesterday the whole familly went to church and they loved it. They are now very excited about their daughters baptism that will be this saturday!!
Anyways we are seeing a lot of miracles, and I am sure that God will continue blessing us as we work diligently in this marvilous work.
That is so great that the family reunion is this week, I would have loved so much to be there and see everyone. It will be so great to see everyone again, but I know that I am where I need to be.
"I may not be where I want to be, but thank God I am not where I used to be."
Elder Millard
June 12, 2017
Well where did I leave off?
So I am sorry my dearest mother.... last week was transfers so I was extremly busy running all over the place trying to get everything in order. We had a meeting with everyone going home on sunday night. We moved transfer day to Monday which is our p day and as I am unable to start my p day until everyone gets to where they need to be I ended up without even having a p day. Elder Chalampuento was transfered and my new comp who was a zone leader had to run around the subway helping everyone, so basically I spent the whole day running around by myself. Trying to get everyone to their new areas and preparing a training for the trainers on monday night, also for the greenies on Tuesday morning. Needless to say more it was a week very busy for us, full of meetings, trainings, transfers, interviews, and best of all we did what we do best and marked 2 baptisms for next week!!!
Everything is going great I am loving my area and my calling. My new companion is Elder Ewerton he is from maranhão. He is way sweet, such a stud! He only has 1 year and 3 months in the mission so he still has a lot to learn. Everything is going really great, I cant believe that I am on the final stretch time is flying by. I am very excited to get home and see everyone again.
The Lord is blessing us more we might deserve, but I know that I am a only a tool in his hands. I really feel Gods love for each of us. I think if I had to sum all that I have learned in my mission it would be self sufficiency. I have really gained a strong testimony of the Savior and how much he loves me, and all that he has done and is still doing for me. He is my true friend and I know that he will never let me down. I dont depend on anybody but him. I just want to be faithful to him and I know that I will get to where I need to be in my life. Everything is great mom, I am loving life, and looking foward to the day that I can give you a great bif hug again.
Elder Millard
God be with you till we meet again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)