April 27, 2009

Foto

Well, Thank you everybody for writing me this week. I also want to thank specifically mom for the package, as I received it Tuesday, and after that I had to wait until Monday to open it. It arrived nine days after it was sent. Rapido....

Well, I am really happy to hear that all the niños are safe and sound. Niños are children, in case their were any doubts. Well, things are going really well here in Lima, and I am really excited to work in this new ward of Balconcillo, as it is full of members that want to help in the work, and a Mission Leader who is really excited and willing to work. I feel that we are going to see some miraculous things happen here.

I received some sad news yesterday from my old companion in Ica. A month ago we baptized a sister named Marselina, and her husband Virgilio has been a member faithful for almost four years. I was informed yesterday that he had passed away Friday. I really have a special love for this family, and this brother really was a great man and friend to me. But I am very glad that he was able to see his wife be baptized, and that now they will in the future have the opportunity to be united for eternity. That is what really matters.

I am not going to write much more, because today I found a USB cable, and I am going to send some photos of the mission.

I know this church is true. I know that this really is a special time, a wonderful blessing that I have now to serve the Lord 100 percent of the time and effort. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I know He lives.

Love, Elder Milner

And Lima is actually one hour behind Floriday. so I am thinking that on Mother´s day you can call me at the number 0051-421-4728. And this would be fine probably at about 3:00 time here in Perú, which will be four oclock in Florida. And you can coordinate that with Carli and Kristi. I will confirm this next week.

It was really slow this week. I will send more next week.

April 20, 2009

Limatambo

I really love that name, Limatambo. It makes me think of a sort of Latino dance, although I can not even try it out now, as I am a missionary. But I am sure that later in life we will have plenty of time to do that type of thing. I am writing to inform that my dìa de preparaciòn, or Preparation day, will continue to be Monday. We only had this preparation day in the Office Saturday, because they had to work on transfers for all the week. Well, I am still in training here from the old Secretary to the President, but that is going to end here this Thursday. And then I am on my own. But thats okay, I suppose it will make me learn a lot faster. What I do as Secretary to the President is just like a regular Secretary to a business person. Well, sort of. I deal with the correo, or the email for the mission, and I deal with the new missionaries that come, and the missionaries that finish, with their plane tickets and all that stuff. I also help the President plan his schedule, and I book his hotels. But the best part of all this is that I still get to be a missionary, and I get to leave and proselyte for the afternoons. In this week I was really missing being out in the field, as I was in the office almost the whole time. But now it is getting better, and I was out all day yesterday. Los dìas Domingos (Sundays) we don`t go into the office. Tampoco los Sabados (Saturdays) o los Lunes (Mondays).

Mom wanted me to write my ten favorite memories of Ica. Well, I will try and think of ten, as there are many, but I can`t remember them at the moment. Just kidding.

In no apparent order of preference
1. The first day when I left to proselyte in Ica with my companion Elder Velasquez. My companion measured in at a crisp 5 feet tall I believe, and in each of the District councils, the Zone leaders would say, ¨Okay, the Aaronic Priesthood with Elder Velasquez.´¨ I should have felt bad, but it was funny.
2. Definitely unforgettable is the River of Garbage. Definitely unforgettable. And I believe that I sent a photo, so I can always remember.
3. The Reyes Family. We baptized Angelica, and her son Leonardo in January. The husband Eduardo is a member, and we had the chance to help them be a family complete in the Gospel.
4. The Eternal Sun that is Ica. Wow.
5. Feliciana Aguilar Salazar. Wow, this sister is amazing. I love her a lot, as she is like my grandma. Well, my third grandma. We contacted her and we taught her right away, and she just progressed incredibly. She was baptized, and I was really really a happy Elder. She hasn`t missed a Sunday since.

Well, my time is running out, so I will have to write the others next week. I love you all, and I love this gospel. I know that this Church is really the Church of Jesus Christ, restored to the Earth, and the He leads it. And I know that He lives.

Love, Elder Milner

April 18, 2009

niños

Hey everybody, I am sorry that this probably isn{t going to be as long as usual, but I had a lot of picutres and emails to look at this week, as this week was pretty important. Uncle Elder Milner.... has a nice ring to it, don´t you think?

Well I am most happy to hear that Angie and the babies are all doing alright. I was thinking that it was very likely that they were going to be born in this time that I have not written, so I was pretty anxious to hear about it. I am sure you weren´t all that worried about this email being late for this week, because you were all pretty preocupied.

Well, the reason that I am writing this letter late, is because............. drum roll.......

I have had a transfer. I am now in Lima, and I am in the Zone Limatambo. I am actually in the Office now, and I am Secretary to the President. There are four Secretaries with me here in the office, and the Assistents. I know that secretaries are usually women, but it doesn{t work that way in the mission. I still get to leave and proselyte each day, although not really in this past week. We are in the office until four oclock each day, and then we can leave and proselyte for the afternoon. I feel a little bit overwhelmed, but it is coming along, and I have been helped a lot by the Lord.

It has been a great opportunity as well to get to know a lot better President Fierro. He is really an inspired leader, called of God to lead this mission. It is interesting as well, because in two changes, a new President, President Manning, will be coming in. We will be sad to see President Fierro go, but excited to see a new President as well.

I now live with 10 people in our Apartment. Ten! But it is pretty big, so it isn´t two much of a problem. As shown before, in Mom and Dad´s house we have been known to fit 60 some people.

I was very happy this week to receive two packages, one from Carli and one from Stacey. Thank you so much for these, and for the letters I receive from you all each week.

I was sad to leave Ica when they phoned and told me I had a change. I have really come to love the people that I have met there, and the people with whom I have had the priviledge to share the good news of the Gospel. But I will never forget them. I know that this Church is true. I know that it is guided by living revelation. Jesus Christ is guiding this church. What a great blessing it is to know that our Savior, the only perfect man to walk the Earth, lives, and still is showering His love among his brothers and sisters. I love my Savior, and pray each day that I may serve Him better.

Well, I have to go now, but I will write again next week.

Love, Elder Milner (Uncle)

April 6, 2009

Pierre and Francisco‏

Hello everyone from the eternal sun that is Ica. It is alright, I am happy to be here, even if I am now a permanent tomato. I hope you will all still love me, if I come back like that.Well, thank you everyone for writing me this week. And I mean everyone. I haven{t heard from so many people in all my mission. It was great to hear that everyone is still happy and busy, and that from everyones comments that your personalities are just like i remember them.

Well, we listened to the conference this past weekend. Well, I don´t know what to say. IT was a completely different experience than before. Even in the CCM in Lima, it wasn´t quite like this. It was incredible to see that the sessions kept finishing so fast. It was as though two hours was two minutes. And i am not just saying it. I liked it when Elder Holland spoke of the Atonement, and how Our Savior had to have this experience completely alone, even for a brief moment where He was separated from the presence of the Spirit as He took our sins upon Him. But even in the midst of this lonely road, this time of anguish with no one to support and be there with Him, His goodness perservered, and His love for us sustained Him, and His faith kept Him faithful to His purpose, and He overcame the death, Spiritual and Temporal for us.

I also loved the talk President Monson gave following Elder Holland, about the power of faith in the midst of Trial. every talk was incredible, and I am so grateful to have a Living Prophet, and leaders who guide us with inspiration from God.

Well, I need to go now, but I am going to leave my testimony, as I know that this Gospel is in reality of Jesus Christ. He guides His living Church, and we are all a part of this great, amazing reality. What a blessing to have a plan for our Salvation. What a blessing to have a Savior, even Jesus Christ. I know He lives.

Love, Elder Milner.

March 30, 2009

pequeñas y sencillas cosas‏

Hey everyone thank you for you emails. It is always a great support and fun time to hear from each and everyone of your lives. It is always nice to hear that you are all progressing and living life to the fullest.

So the biggest news that I seemed to hear this week was that of the Greater than us all concert. When is Easter this month. I think that Easter is one of the holidays most misunderstood really throughout the year. When we think of Easter, we think of chocolate, eggs, candy. But what we don´t put enough emphasis in is that really we celebrate one of the days most important throughout the history of the world. The day that our Savior overcame the grave, the physical and spiritual death. the day that we really received the great gift to be able to once again go and be in the presence of our Father in Heaven. We were a lost people before this great moment, hopelessly lost in our imperfections. but our Savior Jesus Christ made it possible to overcome all of our weaknesses, all of our faults. And now He Lives.

It is kind of funny to write with these keyboards here, because they have some different letters. In the Spanish alphabet, there are 30 letters. Interesting, eh? The extras are CH, which is pronounced chay; ñ, which is pronounced enyay; ll, which is pronounced ayyay; and rr, which is pronounced errrray, with a roll of the tongue. It is pretty interesting to see the differences even in the alphabet.

THings are going well as always here, and we had our multizone conference this past Friday and interviews this past Monday. So we had a pretty full week. Well, it is always full, but this week especially. WE are teaching a family, the Olivera Family, and they are so great. Hermano José and Hermana Ingrid are the parent, and Katya and Angela are the daughters. We are really excited for them, Hermana Ingrid has said that she wants to be baptized this 11 of April. We are preparing for this date now, and we hope to help the whole family be baptized for this date. REally it is amazing how much these people feel like my own family, and how in the mission really Ï have come to understand that we really are all brothers and sisters.

We will be watching the Conference this weekend, and I am really looking forward to it. Of course we will be watching it in Spanish, and that is alright, because I can understand a little better now than i could six months ago. :)

Well, I was going to say something else, but I can´t remember. ANd I only have three minutes. I love this Gospel, and I love My Savior Jesus Christ. I know that My Reedemer Lives, and is ready to guide us in all aspects of life. But we need to let Him do so. So much depends on our own decisions. But all things depend on His grace.

I love you, y ustedes son la mejor familia de todo el mundo!

Elder Kenneth Milner

March 23, 2009

un día van a entender mis sujetos‏

hey everyone thanks for all the emails. It really means a lot to hear from all of you, as I always feel your support and it helps me always to keep remembering the importance of this work. I like to hear and learn from all of your testimonies, and I feel my own strengthen each time I read yours.the heat is actually starting to tone down a little bit here. It is still hot like none other, but now its more like a really hot day in Canada. We are starting winter soon here, and I heard that during the day it doesn´t really change a whole lot. Oh well, I am pretty acostumbrado a esta clima, or so they say.

I bought some shoes in this past week, that are a little bit small, but what can you do in a world where all the people have small feet. But I am now playing futbol again, and happy to be doing so. I wish that they played more soccer in Canada...

in this week we had the opportunity to baptize two single adults. They are named Alvaro and Ruth. We have taught them for almost four months, and we had the great privilidge to help them prepare for this ordinance that is so important. At the baptism we had a lot of support from the single adults, and i feel like they are really going to be a great support for Alvaro and Ruth. Here in Peru we don´t have single adult wards, the single adults all congregate in the family wards, but have their classes and actividades normales. I had the opportunity to baptize Alvaro, and although he is a pretty big guy, it was very easy. Maybe I have just become really strong, or something...

THis week i don{t have a whole lot of time, so I am going to have to end a little bit early. I know that this church is true, and I know that our Father in Heaven is guiding it. It is really so amazing to consider thta really this is a living church, that really we are receiving, through a prophet, revelation and help in how we can return home to a Father who is waiting anxiously. I love you all, and I will talk to you this next week.}

Elder Kenneth Milner

March 16, 2009

`Arroz y pollo‏

hey thank you everyone for writing me. I got a letter from all of you and it was great to hear from each and everyone of you. You all have these distinct lives, but still are connected so much. I guess that is how the family works. Always connected, for eternity.
I am still eating rice and chicken everyday. I just stopped talking about it because I started to think that you all were probably getting tired of hearing about it all the time. For breakfast i always eat these buns, though they are nothing like the buns from home, and a lot of the time yogurt. THe yogurt es lo màximo! Which means the best. They even have apple flavored yogurt. So good. I also eat mangoes, apples, oranges, and whatever I can find usually. I can´t eat the grapes here, because I always get sick when I eat them. It is a shame, because they are pretty good.
I am excited to see these new pictures of Angie and The Pfeiffer Family. Kristi has sent me some pictures, and Angie also has sent some, but I haven´t seen anything from anyone else. I would love to see how you all look now. Because I bet I won´t even recognize the family! I really would love to send the pictures that I have, but I can´t because I left the cord in Canada. But I will try to send some in the mail again.
We are having a great time teaching and learning here in Ica. THis week we had the baptism of Marselina. We have been teaching her for more than four months, and she overcame her challenges and was baptized this Saturday. IT was a great opportunity, and i was pleased to be able to baptize her. IT was kind of funny, because she didn´t really remember how the baptism would go, so I kind of had to teach her while I was doing it. Before she was baptized, she said,´So thats where you are going to dunk me.¨ It was really funny coming from her. I am so grateful for the blessings of the Lord in our lives, and in the live of each one of his children in the earth here. Marselina is 70 years old, and we love this woman mucho. It is amazing the love that I feel for each and everyone of our investigators, and especially those who we help pass through the door of baptism and the confirmation. I love them all, but it is a special feeling for those who have accepted Christ in their lives.
I know that this church is true, and I am so glad to be here. I know that Our Father in Heaven listens to everyone of us, and that he is guiding this Church.

Love, Elder Milner
P.s. Yes, Carli can call me on Mothers day apart.

March 9, 2009, Elder Milner

Responsibilidad‏

Hey everyone thank you for the emails. I am happy to hear that everyone else but dad is healthy and happy, but I am sure dad is still happy. I am also healthy and happy, aparte of the fact that I am without running shoes. I have lost my shoes. I can no longer admire my shoes, and I would like to be in them right now. We'll see if you can all remember the movie.
So you want to hear about my personal life. I am Elder Milner, and I am working in the area of Ica Central. I am companions with an Elder Rua, also from Ecuador, and we are one of three companionships here in the District Ica Central. I have had a baptismal interview, to answer dad's question, and each week we have a council, where I need to speak for two hours to the district, it is a training i guess you could say. I live in Las Torres de San Joaquin with two other Elders, Elder Fredericksen from Chile, and Elder Lazo from here in Peru. They are the zone leaders. We eat in the pension for lunch and supper everyday, and we eat breakfast in our house. I really don't cook anything, so sorry mom, it will have to wait til I get home.
My mission president, President Francisco Fierro, is a man of grand faith, and a powerful man in the Gospel. I have had the opportunity to get to know him better in the past seven weeks, and I have a lot of respect for him. I have not left Ica for four months and some, and I have not been able to go to the temple in a while. But I love Ica, and I am happy to be here still. My clothing is holding out just fine, but I lost my shoes. I am very sad for this, but oh well, what can one do?
This week we had a great blessing. We had what one calls a Surprise baptism, and we had the opportunity to baptize a really great sister named Merly Lopez. She has been investigating the church for more than nine months, and she really wanted to become a member of the church. She has been preparing and planning for a long time, and we had an interview to see if she had prepared sufficiently, and she had! So that day, Saturday, we had her baptismal service. It was really amazing, and I am so happy for the great blessings of the Lord.
I know that this church is true. It is something I have always said, and I really know that it really is. I know that Our Heavenly Father is guiding a prophet today, and that Our Savior Jesus Christ has restored his Church through His prophet Joseph Smith.

Love you all, Elder Milner

March 2, 2009, Elder Milner

cambios.‏

hey everyone! I can´t believe Carli´s going to England. It just isn´t fair. She´s supposed to speak spanish! just kidding, really I am sitting here, happy and content as can be. well, we´ll have to see who can learn spanish so I can speak with them.
So in a lesser note of excitement, we had our transfers this Saturday. And you will never guess where i am now. In Ica! Yep, thats right i am still in Ica, and I am going to have at least 6 months here. I am happy about it, as Ica has been my home for a while, and I feel like this is where the Lord needs me. i am happy to be serving the Lord´s children here in Ica.
We are having fun, teaching and inviting people to come to Christ here in Ica. We are teaching a woman named Marselina, and she is really a funny, special lady. We were planning to have her baptism this Saturday, but we went to her house to bring her to her interview, and we hit a road block. Her sister had spoken with her and her sister is very catholic. She told Marselina that she had to have a lot of knowledge, that she needed to know practically everything about the gospel before she could be baptized. Marselina is a woman who has never learned how to read, and for this she felt very weak at this time. She spoke with us, and told us she wanted to postpone her baptism until the 14 of March. so here we are. And she came to church, just as happy as normal, and really all of this is alright. It is a decision that each person has to make, and in their own time. The importance is that we know that she will have so much joy and understanding for this decision to be baptized, and we are excited to be a part of this great gospel with her.I can´t think of much to say. once i get on the computer, i forget all the stories and things that i want to share. THis week was pretty mellow, and so not too many crazy things happened. but we will see what we can do to change that for this next week.i know that shis church is true. I know that as we draw ourselves closer to the Savior each day, a new light will enter into our lives. I know that if we desire to serve our Savior, he will show us how, and what we can do. I know that this work is essential, really, that this world needs the gospel. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and that through him, Jesus Christ has restored his church.

Love, Elder milner

February 23, 2009, Elder Milner

Hey everyone, sorry about last week, but it wasn´t my fault. I had a nice long email all written out, but when I had one minute of time, i sent it, and it said, Error, your email couldn´t be sent. So nothing was sent, and I didn´t have time to write a new one. Oh well, I will make sure this one gets through.
I am still here in Ica, and we are in our sixth and final week of this transfer. Things are going well, and we are working with a lot of new, really great people.
It was nice to hear from all of you, and thanks for the support. I am still waiting to hear news about Carli´s call, but it sounds like all of you are as well. Peru lima Central. Thats my guess. Or Boise Idaho. But wherever she goes, its where she is needed. And she is needed in Boise. Just joking.
We had the baptism of Feliciana on the 14 of Febrero, and it was really something amazing. During her whole time as an investigator, she always fulfilled her commitments, and always read a little bit each day from the Book of Mormon. And she was a little bit afraid of the whole baptism idea, but she put her faith in the Lord, and she is now happy and faithful in the church. It was kind of funny, because my companion had the opportunity to baptize her, and it took three tries to finally get her totally under the water. The first two times, her foot sprung out of the water. But the third time she kneeled on the ground, and it worked. I had the opportunity to confirm her and confer the Holy Ghost the next day in church. It was really a great experience, and I know the heavens rejoiced as another child of God entered into His outstretched arms.
I heard that Carli had to speak in church this Sunday. It is funny, because I had to speak in my ward as well a week ago, and it was for 15 minutes as well. In Spanish! Oh well, throughout my Spanglish talk, I got the message out. The language is coming, and I am still learning bastante (a lot) more everyday. I know this will be a process really for all of my life, and I am excited to stay with it.
I know that this gospel is true. I know that the work most important in this world is when we bring the lost children of God into His house, and invite them to repent and accept the sacrifice that our Savior made for everyone of us. Share your testimonies. REally I have come to see the power of faith and the willingness to share it. I love being here, and I love serving the Lord.

It is so great to have a family like you all, and to have friends that always have supported me. I will talk to you all next week.

Elder Milner

February 10, 2009, Elder Milner

Guànatama‏

Hey everybody, it is so great so hear from you, and thank you Carli and mom and dad for the inspiring words. I am excited to hear that Carli has her papers in already, and i can´t believe how fast time flies when you are having fun and working hard. You all have always had that philosphy in life, work hard and play hard. But more work...I am happy to hear that the ward will now have three missionaries out in the field, or preparing for it. I can´t really imagine a better place to be. Elder Pomerleau and Sister Milner will be missionaries that I am know are going to bless and change many lives. And also importantly, their own lives and that of their families. I have a real testimony of this work. I have a really testimony of the power of conversion, as I have seen it shape and bless the lives of the people here in Peru.
We are doing well here in Peru. The zone and districts are doing well, and we are excited to do the work of the Lord.
I forgot the last week to share a funny experience that we had. We almost every morning don´t have water until about 9 oclock. And also during the day the water frequently shuts off and we are left waterless. That is a horribly created word, but that is okay. Words are starting to become more difficult to exchange between the languages. Thats alright, I still have a long way to go. But anyways, the other elders in our cuarto had tried to turn on the water earlier that day, but there wasn´t water. So by accident they left the tap in the on position, ready to shoot out water. And so me and my compañero returned to the cuarto, and as we were putting in the key, we noticed a puddle of water forming under the door. Confused and a little worried, we opened the door, and our fears were confirmed. Throughout the entire cuarto (apartment) there was an inch of water flooding across the floor. Throughout the whole cuarto. It was awful, and we entered to find the tap faithfully shooting water, and the sink overflowing. So we worked for more than two hours, cleaning up this mess, our 6 missionaries ringing out towels, shirts, and whatever we could get our hands on. It was funny, because we are on the fifth floor, and the water was falling down the stairwell, and we saw people coming out, wondering what was going on, and having water shoot down outside their rooms.
Well, on the more spiritual side we have a sister Feliciana who is preparing for baptism this week, and she is doing great. She is a very humbled lady, who has seen a lot of pain in her life and struggle. But she has found finally a message of peace, a way of life to know that she is not alone. That her Savior has always been there, every step of the way. The Savior has descended below all sin, pain and sorrow, so that we may be free to escape the pain and sorrow.No more time!

Love, Elder Milner

February 2, 2009, Elder Milner

Gringo‏

Hey everyone, thanks for all the emails. And photos, thanks to kristi, a little strange, but thats alright. Well, it was nice to hear from each one of you.
It seems like everyone is pretty content in their everyday life, and that always it is essential to have a little fun. I find that we do much of the same things each day, but still each day is a whole lot different. I always have new opportunities to learn and grow, and serve the Lord better and His children here in the earth.
It is crazy to hear how close Carli is to going on her mission. I just know that she is going to be sent to the Peru Lima North, East or Central missions. Not south, because that would be really strange. Especially if she was in my zone or district. Just kidding. Wherever she goes it will be exactly where the Lord needs her.
Things are going well here. We had the baptism of a young boy named Juan Avalos, and his brother Roger. Juan is 9, and Roger is 8. Their parents are less active members, and they haven´t attended the Capilla in a long time. They are now reactivating in the Iglesia steadily, and for the example of their children I hope to see them fully active and participating in the church. The baptism was really great, and I had the chance to baptize Juan, while my companion Elder Rua had the opportunity to baptize Roger.
The river of garbage is once again refilling, and I am happy to see that. It, apparently, will raise in level a lot durante this month. I am hoping that all of the basura(garbage) will be wiped out soon, and that por fin (finally) we will have a normal river.
We had kind of a funny but sad story this Sunday. We have an investigator, Marselina, who is progressing really well, and her husband, Virgilio, is really a great support for her. She agreed to be baptized this 14 de Febrero. However, she said that this week she probably wouldn´t be able to go to church, because her family was coming from Lima for her birthday (cumpleaños). But we told her she should make this a priority to come, and so she said she would. Well, all things certain, she didn´t come to church this Sunday, and we went to visit her in her house and we saw her and her husband walking in the street with a large group of family members. Her husband turned around and saw us, and then in a panicked glance, started hustling his family away, and his wife too. It was kind of funny, because they are both hitting about seventy, and so it was kind of funny to see them shuffle off. Oh well. It was sad to see them miss church, but we have faith that the Lord is with us, and that we will be able to help them in their weaknesses.
I love so much the scripture in Ether 12:27, that says if we come unto the Lord, he will show us our weakness. We have these weaknesses so that with faith we can become even stronger than before. That we can overcome all weakness with the help and strength of the Lord.
I know this church is true. I know I have weaknesses, but I know that with the help of the Lord I can overcome all things. I know that this work is real, living, and life saving. Soul saving. I am so grateful to be here.I love you all and I will talk to you next week.

Love Elder Milner

january 26, 2009, Elder Milner

Carta‏

¿Còmo estan todos ustedes? I am doing just swell here in Ica. Its hot, like always, and the river dried up again. Oh well.
It is great to hear that all of you are doing so good. It seems like really Dad should start a business, with all this practice that he is getting.
My new companion, Elder Rua, and I working hard, and learning a lot each day. I am learning a lot from him, as he has been in the mission for 11 months. He is different than Elder Velasquez, but always it is nice to learn to work with different types of people.
We are still working with a bunch of our investigators that I was teaching before with Elder Velasquez. Marselina, an elderly lady, is progressing very well, and we are excited to help her along the way. She is preparing to be baptized here in February, and we are excited for that. She has come a long way in the two months that we have been teaching her.
We are also teaching still Patricia, but we couldn´t reach her this last week to teach her. She came to church, like always, and she is like a member already, pero falta (but lacks) the ordinances esenciàl for her life and salvation. We are going to continue working with her.I don´t know if I told you about our investigator Feliciana, but she is really great. We were contacting before lunch, and we weren´t finding anyone to teach. It was really hot. We were thinking, we really need to find a new investigator who is really ready to listen and change, and we were praying hard. We arrived at the last door of the the street, and Feliciana opened the door. I started to introduce myself and our message, when immediately she said (Pasen, Pasen!) which means enter, or pass by. We walked in, a little shocked, but very grateful, and we began to teach her and her daughter and grandson. They listened intently, and were very receptive. They received a Book of Mormon, and promised to read it. And Hermana (Sister) Feliciana did just that. She also came to church that week, to our great surprise, and this week as well, at sacrifice of her work, came for the Sacrament Meeting. When we asked her why she let us in, she simply said, ´It was hot outside´. Well, it was a little funny, but the Lord definitely blessed us that day to find Feliciana.
We have an almost completely different zone now, and there is only one sister missionary here that has been in Ica longer than I have. Its a little strange, as I have only been here three months. But the new zone leaders and missionaries here are really great, and we are going to see some progress here in Ica, I am sure of it.I know this church is true, and I know that Jesus Christ leads it. I am so grateful for the chance I have to be here, and for the opportunity I have to grow and help others accept Jesus Christ in their lives. This really is the greatest work we can do.

Love you all, Elder Milner

January 19, 2009, Elder Milner

Todavia‏

Hey everyone, thanks for all the emails. I heard from everyone this week as well as a little email from the Jeanotte family. Be sure to thank them for me. It´s always been like they were family, so it was nice to hear from them as well.
I am still in Ica, and I am not sure for how much longer. My father, Elder Velasquez, left this morning for Lima, and my new companion will be coming tonight late. I am now an orphaned (adult) missionary now, and I am finished training. Sorry for the weird backwards ways of writing sentences, Spanish really is backwards in a lot of ways from English, and I don´t want to erase.
Things are going well here, and the climate is acting a lot more strangely now. At about ten oclock in the morning until about two oclock in the daytime, it is hot like you wouldn´t believe. But strangely there seems to be a cloud cover that comes everyday at two oclock, so it is not as hot when it should be the hottest. Strange.We are teaching and preparing several investigators for baptism within the next few weeks, and I am very glad that I am still here to help them in the process. Marselina is doing okay, as she had a rough time with some things, but she still wants to be baptized, and we are here to help her along the way. Her husband is a member, so he is patiently waiting as well. We had a less active family, the Familia Alvalos, come to Church this week, which was great. They have been struggling with coming to church for several years, but they made it yesterday, and we were thrilled. We also are teaching a joven (teenager) named Patricia, and we were having troubles in getting permission from her parents. The real trouble was that we couldn´t find her parents, and so it was really tough for her to progress. But yesterday, we found her father, and had the chance to talk to him. He said that he would like to see Patricia investigate the church for a while longer, but that he would allow her to make the decision if she wants to be baptized. we were really excited for this, and we are going to continue working with Patricia towards the ordenances of baptism and confirmation. We also had an new investigator named Feliciana surprise us yesterday at church, as we didn´t think she would be able to make it. Oh nosotros de poco fe (Oh us of little faith). It was a great blessing to see them all there at church yesterday, and we are excited for what this time will behold for the work of the Lord.
I saw for the first time since i left a picture of Tristan today. I hadn´t seen any of the other pictures, because they hadn´t been able to open, but today they did. I was completely shocked. ¡He is so different now, I could barely recognize him! He is so grown up, it is amazing. Well, it was really great to see how my nephew is growing up to look like his handsome uncle Elder Milner. :)
Well, I don´t have too much more for now, so I will end here. I know this church is true. I know this work is the most important that we can do in this life. Iam so grateful for the chance I have to be here, to help others come unto Christ, and accept his love.

Love you all, Elder Milner

January 12, 2009, Elder Milner

Helado‏

Hi everyone, thanks for writing. I didn´t have too many to read, what happened? No, just kidding, it was great to hear from you. So Kristi and Dave set off for New Brunswick? I think that this will be quite the adventure for them, almost like another country. Wow, I wonder how that feels...
Things are going really well here. We had the Baptism of Angelica and Leonardo this other week and I will try and send some pictures along with this email, so it may be a little shorter. But we will see what happens. It was really a great experience. They are doing really well, and this week we knew that they were ready for this step so important in their lives. Angelica had been listening to missionary lessons for over two years, and up until now she had shown little interest. But for this time, she was prepared to receive us, and because of this the Lord blessed her with increased understanding and willingness to change. The Lord wrought a change in her heart that no one else could. It was so wonderful to see them all dressed and white, and to know that they have the opportunity now to be an eternal family. I know what a blessing this is in my life, and so I am very happy for them. Angelica´s husband, Eduardo, is a member, and so is her daughter, Lucero. And now they are a family complete in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Leonardo is 9 years old, and thanks to the great blessings of the Lord was able to understand and listen to all the lessons. I had the great opportunity to baptize Angelica, and I am so grateful to the Lord. Angelica is a very serious person, but I saw her smile more Saturday than in all the times we taught her combined before. What a blessing from the Lord.
I received a package with Decorations for Christmas and letters from Grandma and Grandpa. Thank you all so much, this really means a lot to me. Thank you to all the cousins who wrote the notes, and aunts and uncles. You really are the best family in the world, as juvenile as it sounds.
Well, it looks like I won´t be able to send the pictures this week, but I will see what I can do for the next week. And I will send some more pictures in letters. Mom, Dad, did you get my letter from December?It surprising has been a little less extreme the temperatures this week, which is strange, as this is not normal for this time of year. Something that is a little strange is that the River of Garbage now is actually starting to be a river. We crossed through it this Saturday, and there was nothing, and so we went back Sunday to cross to the other part of our area, and it was two feet deep of water. It was strange, within one day the river was actually a river. A very brown river. It will be interesting to see how it is in a few days. I will keep you posted.
Well, this is the last week of this change, so it will be interesting to see how things change within a week. We had interviews this last week, and it was my first interview with the President in the mission field. It was really good to talk with him, and to feel of the powerful spirit that follows him. Really he is called of God. Really, this life is not easy. We see this everyday in the lives of our investigators, and see the difficulties they face. It cant be easy. We are here to learn and grow, and our trials help us along the way. It is not easy, but its possible. I love this gospel and know its true. I Love you all, and will talk to you next week.

Elder Milner

January 5, 2009, Elder Milner

Cambio‏

Hey everybody, thanks for writing once again.We are working as always here, and I know that you are all keeping busy there as well. It is nice that everyone had the opportunity to be together for the holidays, and that everyone had a great time. It will be a little while until the next time when we are all together, but that is alright, we will be all be doing things that are pretty important.
It has started to change a little bit in Ica, it is getting a little bit hotter. These months are the hottest months, January and February, and this is the time when really the sun is at its power. The real problem is not the heat, although it is pretty nasty, it is that at these temperatures we sweat like none other. It is really feo (gross, awful) but we cant do a whole lot about it. Oh well. We had the opportunity this week to have four of our investigators come to the church. And what was really great was that Angelica and Leonardo came to the church, and that they really are progressing well. We taught them last night, and they really felt good about the message, and they know that they need this change. We are working a lot with them, and praying for them a whole lot. I know that these people were prepared of the Lord to hear this message, and I am grateful for the opportunity that we have to teach them.
I received the Dear Elder package this Saturday, and was very pleased to read the little note, and to open to some good old fashioned candy from north america. Especially the Starburst. I am still waiting for the other packages, but hoping they will come soon. It means a lot that they were sent , and thank you all very much for that.
To answer the question of Carli, we are having our next changes in two weeks. I am finished my training at the end of this change, and so it will be interesting to see what happens. I hope I have the opportunity to stay here for a little while longer, but all this is in the will of the Lord. More important is that wherever I go, I will be teaching. And this is really what I desire.
I saw for the first time a picture of Angie, and she is getting pretty pregnant. Don´t take this the wrong way, it is a good thing. I can´t wait to hear the news in a few months, and to receive some pictures of the new family members.
We are working hard, learning a whole lot of new things each day, and serving the Lord. I realize more and more each day my dependence on the Lord, and I am grateful for the confidence he has placed in me. I know that if all of us really get involved in this work, really thrust in with all our might, the miracles of the Lord will follow. I know this, I have seen them here. I know the Priesthood is real, and that this church is the Kingdom of God on the Earth.
I am grateful for all of you, and for your examples for me. It is because of you that I am here. I love you all, and I am grateful for your prayers. I feel them being answered everyday. I pray for you all each day as well. Talk to you next week.

Elder Milner

January 1 2009, Elder Milner

Prospero Año‏

Hey Everyone thanks for writing this week. It was great to hear from you all, and thank You Bishop Smith and Brother Sands for the messages as well. It is nice to hear from members of the ward, and to remember how blessed I was to be a part of it for so many years.
That is great to hear that you all came out on top in the Basketball tournament. I have only played basketball really one time in this four months, and that was a couple of days ago. And believe me, it wasn´t pretty. But I will definitely be apart of the family team in the future.
Things are going well here, and we are teaching a lot of people right now, thanks to the great blessings of the Lord. We are hoping to have a mother and son, Angelica and Leonardo, be baptized this next Saturday, but we are still working with them, and all is in the time of the Lord. They are progressing really well, and they came to church this last week. It was really a great thing, because we were not sure if they would make it, because Angelica works on Sundays. We taught her the other day about Keeping the Sabbath day Holy, and she realized and accepted that she needed to quit working on Sundays. But this was Saturday, and so she couldn´t really change anything about the following day. Or so we thought. She, along with all her family, came to church for all of the meetings. What a great blessing from the Lord!
We also had another experience with an investigator, that is really a sign of the power and divinity of this work. We were contacting in an area of Ica, when we knocked on the first door of the area. A middle-aged woman named Susana came to the door, and we could tell that she was tired, or down, and so when she let us in, we asked her if we could help. She told us that she had a tumor, and that the doctors were checking it out, to see if it was cancerous. We taught her about the Restoration, and offered to give her a blessing. We did so, and then we left.
We returned a few days later, and we came to her door, and she answered, looking a lot different than when we had last seen her. We then listened as she told us what occured with her sickness. She had gone to see the doctor, and to their surprise and shock, the tumor was (from what I could understand) either decreasing, or not existent. In all cases, the tumor was not malignant, and she is perfectly fine now. We were so greatful for the power of the priesthood.
She told us later, of how she was in a depression when we had first come to the door, and she hadn´t been answering the door for anyone. But in her mind, something told her that she needed to answer the door for us, and before she did, that she needed to listen to what we would say. She followed this prompting, and after the lesson, she told us of a peace that entered into her heart, and that allowed her the much needed comfort that she so desired. It was a miracle in every way possible. We are so grateful to the Lord, for allowing us to be worthy to serve in this marvelous work.
I know this church is True. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior, and that His Atonement is real. I know that miracles do exist.

I love you all, and I will talk to you next week.

Elder Milner.
P.S. We are working on the package situation. I will keep you posted

December 22, 2008, Elder Milner

005356326489 ' 4:00p.m.‏

Well, it was nice to hear from everyone again. This email isn´t going to be too long, as I don´t have a whole lot of time, and I can´t tell you everything, because I am going to tell you in voice this Thursday. Wow, how time flies.
It is nice to know that the land line is finally in, and I am excited that we won´t get cut off for any reason. So the time that I have to talk is at 5:00 time in Peru here, which I am pretty sure is 4 in Canada. But there is the slightest chance that is 3:00, but I am 97 percent sure it is only one hour ahead here. And we figured out that it will be easier if you call here in Peru, to our cuarto. The number for the cuarto is 005356326489. It will be much better economically, as the mission does not pay for it. I understand you are probably a little worried that someone will answer that doesn´t speak English, and you might be right, but all you need to do is say ´Elder Milner?` And they will understand. And most of my companions here speak a little bit of English. If you don´t call by 5:30, then I will call you. It will just make things easier if you call.
Things are going well here. We had a little bit of a sad experience with our investigators preparing for Baptism this week. They all said they didn´t think they are ready for this yet, and they want more knowledge first about the Gospel. We know that really Baptism is a step in the process, but we respect their feelings. So we are still working really hard with them, and they are all still preparing for Baptism. We will just follow the Spirit, and let Him guide our work. We are working hard, having fun, and really I am coming to understand more and more each day the goodness of this work. The love of our Savior for each and everyone of us. I am so grateful to be here.We had a mixup here yesterday for our lunch appointment, and we had to eat two times, full meals, for lunch. When we went to the second dinner appointment, we had to pretend like we didn´t eat, to avoid hurting any feelings. I have never felt so full in my life.
Well, I don´t have too much more to say in this email. I know that this church is true, and I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He loves us, and He offers us all the blessings He has, we just need to accept His Sacrifice.
Love you all, and I will talk to you soon.

Elder Milner
P,S I have a package in the office, and it will arrive here this Saturday.

December 15, 2008, Elder Milner

Paneton‏

Hey, I can´t believe that mom, dad, Bryan and Carli are all going to Utah. Didn´t you guys just get back from Hawaii? Man alive, its like you guys can´t sit still! No, that is really great that you get to go to Utah and temple square at Christmas time. I think that would be one of the most magnificent sights.
And to answer your question, no I have not as of yet received the package yet for Christmas. I am praying that it comes this Saturday, as it is the last chance, but if not, then it will still be okay. It means a lot that you sent one (sentimental moment), and that is really all that matters. But I will still be a happy camper if it comes this Saturday.
Things are going well as always here. Its also above thirty degrees here, surreal to think that it is below thirty degrees in Canada! Oh well, I will be having a brown Christmas, and you will be having a white one. But it is still Christmas, and we still celebrate the day that the world received it´s light, Jesus Christ.
We are working really hard this month to reach our goal in the ward of eight baptisms. We have another set of missionaries in the Ward, and our Bishop and President Fierro set the goal of 8. We know that this goal is inspired, and that if we do all we can, miracles can happen. Especially during this time of year when the Savior is so close to the hearts of the people. We are hoping to have Victoria Torres and her daughter Stephanie, Felipe Huallanca, Marcelina de Vega, Patricia Quispe be baptized this 27, and we are praying really hard for them. Yes, we have started doing a little bit of cooking of our food now, but in the microwave. Ha! But we will probably have to start making our own suppers now, so we will work on that. I can´t believe how time is flying here! We are only ten days away from Christmas!
We had an interesting lesson with a less active member named Juan Alvalos the other day, and we received a little bit of a inspiration for this work in total. We were having a hard time reaching into the reasons for why he was not coming to church, why he really didn´t have a desire to change, and why he didn´t care to live like a member of the church. We were teaching the message of the restoration, and he was pensive, and listening pretty well. Then we taught about the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was really strong at this moment, and we realized that he had a need in this. We asked him about the Book of Mormon, and listened. It turned out that he did not really have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and really never had. We committed him to read and pray about it, and he accepted. What a blessing from the Lord! We were able to discern his need, and teach with the Spirit. It was a grand experience.
I know this church is true. I know that the Priesthood really is the power and authority of God on the earth. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and all this is possible, only through Him. Love you all, and have a great week.

Elder Milner

December 8 2008, Elder Milner

Navidad‏

Hey, Everybody, thank you so much for all of the emails. I got one from everyone I this week, and it was really great to hear that you are all doing well. I think that everyone is keeping pretty busy as usual, and enjoying life.
We had a bit of a shock the other day. We had a truck arrive at the cuarto the other day, carrying goods of which we were involved. We have six missionaries living in our house, and we received for each of the three companionships a fridge, a microwave, a blender, a table, pots a stove and chairs. It was crazy. We have absolutely no room in our house now, but we will work on it. I am thinking that we will have to start cooking our own suppers and possibly lunches, and so mom should be happy about that.
We had a baptism set up for this Saturday with a sister who we are teaching, Olga Pisconte. We had a entrevista on Friday, and things were going really well. She has a fear of water, and actually two times before this, she tried to get baptized, but with her fear she wouldn´t go under the whole way. But this time she agreed to do it, and we were all set. But Saturday during the morning and afternoon we had a hard time finding her, and when we finally found her, she said she couldn´t do it. We talked to her at her work for about fifteen minutes, and then asked if we could go to the capilla (church) and talk with her there. We said a prayer, and we opened the Book of Mormon, and taught her what her Father in Heaven desired of Her, and how he had the power to help her overcome her fears. THe Spirit was strong, and we really felt the Love of Our Savior for this woman. We gave her a blessing, and then left it up to her to decide. Olga Pisconte was not baptized this saturday, but an Elder Milner received another confirming witness and testimony of the love of Our Savior, and the importance of His work. The rest of the day went by so well, and we taught and found many of our investigators, and it was just a good day.We had our first change this Saturday night, and one of the Elders from my cuarto (our appartment), Elder Silvestre, was changed.
Most of our days we have about eight appointments or so during the day, and we usually have about five or so of them occur. We contact a lot of people in the street, and we occasionally knock on doors. The members here are really good to help us out, and we are really blessed with this.
About my companion, so that Kristi can forward this to Brett Fitzner.
Ernesto Velasquez, and he lives in Otabalo, Ecuador. He was baptized five years ago. His family is the family Moreta. And the companion of Brett Fitzner baptized him.
I have no time left, but I know this church is True.

Love you all.

Elder Milner

December 1 2008, Elder Milner

Navidad‏

Hey, Everyone, it is Monday here, and still as hot as ever. I think I probably have all of you beat for heatwise, but really that isnt that much of a good thing. My poor north american body is going to be toast in Enero (January). Oh well, the Lord will prepare the way. :)
I can´t believe that Brady is going to Japan. THat is pretty amazing, and I am a little sad that he is not going spanish speaking. When does he leave? It is going to be funny to see how things have changed after two years. He is also going to have the same thing of being a giant among the people that i am experiencing here, but I am sure even more.
Is gas really 2.04? I can not believe it! When I left it was 1.30 and we thought we were going to die. Oh my goodness. I still can´t tell how the whole gas system works here, as we are always just taking mototaxis every day, and we don´t have a car.
We had interviews the last thursday, and my compañero y yo estuvimos esperando for more than three hours, when we were told that President Fierro wouldn´t be able to do anymore interviews, that he would be coming to our house. So we ended up leaving, and when we got back to our house, there was a half inch of water quickly spreading from the bano to the other areas of the house. Because casi cada dìa we have time without water, my compañero forgot to turn back the shower knob, and it had started spreading. It was funny, but sad, as we had to clean it up for casi 30 minutos. And then President Fierro didn´t actually end up being able to make it to our house anyways. We did have a baptism this last Saturday with our Investigator Arturo, and he is now an ordained priest and member of our Barrio, Ica Central. It was really a great experience, as his wife is a member, and now they are preparing to go to the templo to be sealed for time and all eternity. We ended up starting an hour late, because the Stake President, who baptized him, showed up an hour late. But all went well. We also went to another Baptism of the sister missionaries, and I actually baptized a jovena named Yojahira. It was a good experience, the first person that I have baptized.
We have another Sister who is being baptized this Saturday, named Olga Pisconte. It really is a miracle, as she has a fear of water, and she didn´t think she would be able to do it. But we taught her, and she said she knows it is right. So this Saturday we are going to baptize her. Really this work is marvelous.
So I was reading my companions cover of his scriptures the other day, and there was a note from an Elder Brett Fitzner, from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I was shocked, because I know that name, and he was from Edmonton. So I promised I would let you know about it, and see if any of you knew him, or his address, or could contact him in any way. He would have been in an Ecuador mission. If you can, that would be great.
I know this church is true. I know that the Lord answers our prayers, and that He is always listening. I love how we all have the opportunity to choose eternal life for ourselves, everyone one of us has this great gift. I love you all, and I will talk to you next week.

Elder Milner

P.S. I dont´know yet about the phone call, so I will let you know.

November 24 2008, Elder Milner

Plátano‏

Hey Everyone, thanks for all of the emails. It was great to hear from all of you. And dad, don´t worry one bit about the sports news, I enjoy hearing all these things, but I forget about it always until I read it every week.So I never heard, did Brady ever get his mission call? Whenever someone gets the news, just let me know. The dear elder letters didn´t come this last week, so I am hoping that they come with the ones for this week. I am not just hoping that I got one and trying to make everyone feel bad, I just know that mom wrote me one, because it was here on the internet también.
I can´t believe that tomorrow is a month from Christmas. My and my companion decided that for Christmas we are going to buy a giant cake, and eat it all in one day. Oh man, its going to be good. The food here is pretty much the same, but every Saturday and Sunday, we are treated like royalty when we go to member´s houses. It is so good! I know I am going to be gaining some weight here, but me and the other five missionaries in mi cuarto have started waking up a little earlier each day to play soccer, so we are excercising. Oh, and there is also all the walking we do each day, so we should be okay.
We had a little bit of a sad turnout for our investigators at the church yesterday, as only two were there. But they are two with baptismal dates, and one of them, Arturo, is getting baptized this Saturday. We are really excited for this. We are working hard, and it seems like everytime we have a missed appointment, or something happens that brings us down a little, the Lord is always there with a great lesson or contact to follow. We are so blessed in this work, and I am grateful for it.
Our investigators Jesús y Bernabe Rueda, the ones who are really golden, had to go to Lima this week, because Jesús is sick with something. I couldn´t quite tell what it was, because of the language barrier, but we are hoping things turn out alright, and that they can return soon and receive a spiritual cure.
It is amazing, I have never had so many things to pray for at once. We have so much to be grateful for, and we have so much that we need, as inadequate as we are for the work of the Lord. But really, we are not inadequate, because we have the Spirit of the Lord with us, and with this we can not fail. We just need to do our best. This is how it is with all of us in our lives. Really, our Father in Heaven has made this perfect plan for each of us. It is not impossible, not even improbable. The Lord´s work and His Glory is to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life. We just need to trust in Him.
Well, it is getting really hot here, everyday now. It is so strange, my body is used to preparing for the winter at this time of year, not used to preparing for more direct heat. Oh well, I can handle it. :)
Well, I don´t have a whole lot else to say write now that I have much time for. I will tell you all about the baptism next week. I love you all, and I know this church is true. I truly know, and I am so grateful for the support that you have all given me.

Elder Milner

November 17 2008, Elder Milner

Torta‏

hey Everyone, thanks again for all the messages and Dear elders this week. It is really great, i get your dearelders usually within six days or so of when you send them. Really it means a lot.
We are keeping really busy here, the time is always occupied. i am sure learning a lot more each day, and I definitely have changed in my perceptions over this past twelve weeks.
I actually ate the peruvian equivalent of lemon meringue pie yesterday in the house of a member. It wasn´t quite the same, but i still nearly had a heart attack when I saw it. it was so good, probably just because Ihavent had it in so long, but still, incredible. We eat at the members houses every Sunday and Saturday for lunch, and it is a good thing that it is not more, because do they ever feed us. I can barely move each time we visit afterwards, which doesn´t do so well for this work, but we seem to manage. For this reason, I don´t think i am going to lose a lot of weight here on the mission. might even gain some.
To answer Carli´s question, we walk. We walk a lot. We have to take what is called a moto taxi (I really can´t explain it, I will have to send a picture) to our area each day, and then we walk all day. It is tiring, but satisfying también.
It is funny to think that you are all preparando para winter, because aquí we are entering into summer. and Ica is in the desert, so it gets hot. Already it is really hot, so maybe i will come back looking like a peruvian. Or a tomato.
i have a couple questions. first of all, did Brady ever get his mission call? y John Spencer? i know that ambos of them were preparing for it, so i am just curious to see what exactly is going on.
We had ten investigators come to church yesterday. the Lord blessed us so much, to have these wonderful people come and feel the Spirit of the Lord in His Kingdom on the Earth.
We have this one couple, Jesùs y Bernabe Rueda, who came with us to church yesterday. We found them when we just decided to knock on their door, and automatically, this being about a week ago, they let us in. We gave Bernabe una bendición, and they were absolutely astounded. We left them a pamphlet of the restoration, and the very next day, they had read it and explained the Restoration in their own words. We left them a Book of Mormon, and the next day we visited them, and they had both read it. Jesús said that when he read it, involuntary the Book started physically moving towards his heart, and his heart filled with peace and joy. They are truly a miracle. We are working hard, laughing, and enjoying serving the Lord. There is much work to do, and I am excited to be a part of it.
I love this work. I love how the Lord expects all we can do, and then He makes up for our inadequacies. I know this church is true, and this work is real.
I love you all, and I will talk to you next week.

Love, Elder milner

November 10 2008, Elder Milner

rio de basura‏

hey everyone, it is once again my great priviledge to sit hear and hear from all of you what is happening in your ever busy lives. My life is pretty busy as well.
So i get the impression that you all want to hear some more about what my regular daily life is like as a missionary in Ica. First of all I must talk of the river of garbage. I probably told you about it last week, but if that is the case, too bad. So the mayor here told the people they can just dump their garbage in this gigantic river bed that runs through central ica. so there are gigantic mounds of Garbage, and Imean mounds of garbage in this dry river. My companion and I have the wonderful opportunity to cross this river everyday, about six times a day. Apparently in the Summer here, so in about a month or so, this river fills up and takes all the garbage to the ocean. ¡How is that for toxic waste!
so my companion is from Ecuador, Elder Velasquez. He is about five foot 2 maybe, and so we make for quite the companionship. he is one of the most diligent and driven people I have ever met, so it is quite a blessing for me to have him as my companion. He wants me to teach him english, so we have been practicing some different things, and it is pretty funny to hear some of the things that come out of his mouth.
We have six missionaries living in our cuarto, and there is one other norteamericano from Utah living here, Elder Thurgood. He has about twenty one and a half months in the mission, so he is pretty much just one of the Latinos. It really helps having him there, as he remembers much of the frustration of having to learn a new language. So my companion and Ifigured that on average we walk close to ten kilometers each day. We also get to ride these little mototaxi things, that are really funny looking. I will send pictures of these things soon, as soon as I can figure out the whole mail system here.
The people here are really great. Most of these people are really humble, and are quite poor. They listen to our message, and we can tell that they feel it. A regular problem that we run into is that they work on Sunday. It is really tough to convince them to trust enough in the Lord to act on their faith, but this is where the Spirit steps in. We are never alone in this work.
Well, I don´t have a whole lot of time to say much more. I am so glad to be here, and to have received so many blessings of the Lord in this work. It is tough, as you all know, but that is why it is so amazing. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and His Gospel is once again on the earth, never to be taken away again. I love you all, and and I am so glad to be apart of this family, and friends.

Elder Milner

November 3 2008, Elder Milner

Ica.‏

Hello everybody! It is so great to hear from you all. I am sorry i didnt get the chance to write last week, but we were not allowed to write in the Mtc last week, and they said we would be able to write once we arrived in our missions, but that didn´t exactly happen.
In case you didn´t get it from the title, I am in the city of Ica. It is a city about five hours south of Lima, and we had to take a bus to get there Wednesday night. My new companion is Elder Velasquez from Ecuador, and he is a great, diligent, obedient trainer. I am blessed to have him as my companion.
It is a whole different experience than what I could have ever imagined, as I am sure all of those who are returned missionaries can agree with. We have been working really hard, and trying to be exactly obedient, and the Lord has been blessing us. It is a little tough here, because we talk to a lot of people, and they set up appointments, but then they are not usually home for them. I think it has something to do with the culture, but it is all good.
I can`t help but laugh at some of the differences here in my living situations than in Canada, the U.S. or even the Peru MTC. We don`t have a refrigerator or stove or anything, but that is okay because we have a pensionista who cooks for us. Sorry mom, I guess I am going to have to learn to do all that stuff after.
The language is coming along alright, and I definitely understand a lot more now than i did. It was funny, the other day we were at the house of a lady named Olga who is preparing for baptism, and we talked for about three minutes before she responded. She then embarked on about a ten or fifteen minute long tangent, and I had absolutely no idea what was going on. I later learned that my companion had dozed off for a couple of seconds during the lesson. Probably not the best things to do, but it was funny.
We do get to email out every Monday here, at about this time or a little earlier. And yes, the dearelder letters have been working out great. I heard that the best way to send out mail is through the Mission Office directly, so the pouch apparently is not great for time.
And packages are actually just fine to send. Yeah! So I hope that is incentive... If i happen to find a package loaded with starburst and letters, I won´t mind so much. :) And thank you mom for sending a package for Christmas for me.
Thank you all so much for your letters. They mean so much to me.
Well, I don`t have a whole lot of time, as it is still 30 minutes. I am so grateful for this opportunity I have to be here, and to preach of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our Savior and He loves us and knows us. Our Father in Heaven loves us and answers our prayers. We just need to have faith. I love you all, and I will talk to you next week.

Elder Milner

October 22 2008, Elder Milner

Adentro‏

Hey everyone, it was great to hear from you, and I am always very excited to come down here every Tuesday.So lets see, whats new with me. Not a whole lot has changed this week, but something that is exciting is that we have a devociónal tonight with many general authorities, including Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It was funny, the other day we ended up being a little bit late for Dinner, so we were all a little enojado (angry, upset) but it ended up being for the better, because as we were waiting in line, Elder Christofferson, with the entire Area Presidency and many of the Mission Presidents walked into the courtyard. Elder Christofferson came over to us and shook all the hands of those people who were outside the cafeteria, so it ended up being a blessing in disguise that we were late. It seems like always when you meet an apostle they just have this huge smile on, and you can just feel their love for people. I haven´t met a whole lot of apostles, but from those I have met, it is the same. Unfortunately, however, I didn´t end up seeing my mission president among the others. Oh well, I am sure I will get to see him tonight.
I do not, to answer any questions, know where my first area I am going to be assigned to is. I could really be in many different cities. I would have guessed Lima almost for sure several weeks ago, but now they are sending all the missionaries from Bolivia into the city, so it is a little bit more up in the air.
I can´t believe I only have one more week here in the CCM. It has been a great experience, but I am excited to get out and spread the good news of the Gospel with all who will hear. It is a great experience here in Lima to be able to know all your leaders well, even our CCM presidency. It was a little bit different in Provo, with 2200 missionaries.
So there was another earthquake the other night, at about 10:45 in the night. I went to bed at 10:30, and I fell asleep, and sadly I slept through the entire earthquake. I couldn´t believe it! The other missionaries made sure to make me feel just that much better about it, as they rubbed it a little bit in my face. Its okay, I hear they have several of them every year here, so I am not too afraid of missing another one. That probably doesn´t make Mom feel much better...
Lots of rice, lots of chicken. Not much else has changed and I am happy to be here. I know this church is true, and that Jesus Christ is the answer to all of our questions, troubles and pains. I know Christ suffered for our sins, and I know that through the prophet Joseph Smith, His church is once again on the Earth.

I love you all very much, and I will talk to you again next week.

Elder Milner

October 14 2008, Elder Milner

Anzianos‏

Hey everybody!

It was once again a great pleasure to receive the emails from you. It is always one of the highlights of the week.
So I forgot to tell you all last week, unbelievably, that we had a small earthquake last week when we were in a meeting with the President. It was really kind of a cool experience, because we didn´t quite know what it was at first. It felt like a machine was just doing work outside our building, but then we realized that it couldn´t be. And our President informed us that it was indeed an earthquake. Don´t worry, no one was hurt, nothing shook off tables and broke, it was just an interesting experience.
It is kind of a shock to think that in two weeks we will be out proselyting in the field. I had the opportunity to go out proselyting again on Saturday, and it was great. We were able to teach a couple of less active families, and we had the opportunity to do some more street contacting. The Lord blessed us missionaries so much with the gift of tongues that day, it was incredible and humbling. I am so grateful for the love and support the Lord has shown me throughout my mission and my entire life.
And to answer mom´s questions, we do indeed have Latino companions, mine is actually from La Paz, Bolivia, and his name is Elder Mahey. I can´t remember if I said that, but I will say it again, just to make sure.We went to Immigration this morning, and received our Peruvian IDs. It was really cool to think we are official residents of Peru now, and that we are welcome here. When we were waiting at the center, we had the opportunity to teach and talk with a man from New York who was working down here. He actually has Elephantitis, or so his doctors told him, and he has been having a rough time. He was really a nice man, and he had some questions that we were able to help him with I think. And we bore testimony of the Gospel and Our Father in Heaven´s love for us in sending His Son Jesus Christ to the earth to live and die and live again for us. I really felt the Spirit as we talked to him, and got another little glimpse of why we are here. There are truly some magnificient missionaries here.
Well, I don´t really have too much else to say here, each day is pretty much the same. Thank you all for everything you have done for me, and I hope that you all understand what each and everyone of you means to me. I know this Church is true, and I know Our Father in Heaven knows and loves us. Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and Savior, and only through Him can we be saved. Love, Elder Milner

October 9 2008, Elder Milner

Pizza!‏

Hola todos!
It is nice to hear that everyone is doing so well, and I am glad to hear that things seem to be going smoothly all around. Sorry about not being able to write Tuesday, the old missionaries all left on Tuesday and Wednesday, and we received new companions today, as well as all of the new norte americanos. It was so crazy to see them all, and realize that we are all the old elders here now. And it is crazy to think that I am more than two thirds done my MTC stay! Wow, time is a fickle thing.
We got pizza yesterday! It was incredible! We had the morning yesterday as a tour of the city of Lima, and it was incredible. I loved hearing about the culture and history a little bit, and it made me really want to learn more and experience more about it. We also had the opportunity to go to some of the little stores around the main Plaza in Lima, and I bought a toque like the one Bryan has but with llamas on it, so better. :) I also got a Lima soccer Jersey, and it cost twenty soles, which is the same as about $7. I thought it was a pretty nice bargain. and the toque was only 10 soles.
General Conference was a whole different experience than I have ever experienced before. Incredible. It felt as though each speaker was speaking directly to me. I am sure you all felt a little of that yourselves. It was funny how much of the conference actually spoke of or made reference to south America, and especially peru. We had all three of our Area Authorities speak or give a prayer in the last session. The one generel authority who spoke, Elder Podoy, spoke in the MTC here in Lima two weeks ago. It was so great. We had the 10 year anniversary here last night, and my district actually sang a song in the program, and it was a great experience. We tried to play a night game of soccer, because the lights were on, but there was a man there who wouldn´t have anything of it, so we were pretty sad.
Things are going well, and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be here. I really want to serve the Lord with all of my heart, might, mind and strength. I love how the Lord knows each of us personally, better than we know ourselves, and I pray for His Spirit to guide each of us always. This Gospel is true, and Jesus Christ is without any doubt, our only chance. Our Savior.

Thanks for everything, and I love you all!! Elder Milner

September 30 2008, Elder Milner

Hey Everyone, it was so great to hear from all of you. It sounds like everyone is keeping busy, but having a good time while you are at it. I am also keeping pretty busy here as you might imagine.
Things are going really good down here. We had the opportunity to go out and proselyte on Saturday for most of the day, and it was a great experience. I have never seen anything before like what I saw Saturday, as we went out to a very poor section of Lima. The people have almost nothing, yet they are really kind, loving people. If only us in North America could understand and comprehend life like these amazing people. We were able to teach five lessons on Saturday, and though I didn´t understand a whole lot of what the people were saying, it was a great opportunity to be an instrument in the hand of the Lord.
We are still eating rice and chicken, but the other day they switched things up a little bit, and made hamburger patties and fries with rice. Though it wasn´t quite the same, I was still very greatful for the guesture. They do every once in a while make soft serve ice cream here, which is really good. But this last Sunday I was fasting, so i missed it. This morning we went to an immigration place, and afterwards we were allowed to stop at a gas station, and oh my goodness, I have never been so happy to see starburst in my life. I nearly passed out. We don´t have any candy here, and so I was pretty much dying. One of God´s tender mercies, I really believe.So I figured out the other day that our CCM president here, President Groberg, is actually the brother of Elder Groberg from the Quorum of the Seventy. Interesting, eh? It is really nice being here, I really enjoy almost everything about this place.
I just can´t seem to say enough about the soccer here. I love it, and after a whole day of classes, you need that break in the middle. Really great.
As of tomorrow I have hit my five week mark here on my mission. I have four more weeks here at the CCM, and then I am out in el campo. I really do understand the need for the training here, and do really apreciate it, but I know I am really going to be dying to get out there in four weeks.
The language learning is tough, but it is coming. I can understand a lot of what the people here say when they speak slowly, but really have a tough time understanding them when they are speaking as fast as many of them do. What a difference though here than in the Provo MTC. I think I learned more spanish here in the first week than in all three at Provo.
Well, I don´t have too much to say for this week, just lots of classes, and chicken and rice. I love you all, and I know this work is inspired. Whom the Lord calls the Lord qualifies. I love that saying. Our Savior is with us always, and when we open our mouths to share His truths, our mouths we be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Love, Elder Milner

September 23 2008, Elder Milner

Rice

Hello everyone, I am really quite sad to say I have only a few short minute=s to write this time. I was late for my email time, because we saw that =the lab was full, and the supervisor got really mad at me and my companio=n, and said we only had fifteen minutes. I was not happy, but because I =can=C2=B4t think fast enough to translate my conversation and have it mea=n anything, I didn=C2=B4t say anything.
=20Anyways, we went to the Lima Peru temple today. It was really nice, and lu=ckily we got to go to a english session. The temple seemed kind of nosta=lgic, and rustic almost.
I have counted it up, and I figure that for 11 straight lunches I have eate=n rice and chicken. Actually, one of the meals had beef, but every meal =has had rice. It is starting to wear on me a little bit.
The futbal here is really awesome. The Latinos are pretty good, but us nor=teamericanos can keep up alright with them. They do tend to pass a lot m=ore than we do, I guess.
=20On Saturday we get to go out and go tracting, and I am really excited. I a=m really starting to enjoy this MTC, and I can=C2=B4t wait to be doing th=e work the Lord has called me to do after I am prepared.
The Spanish is tough. I feel like we are learning lots, but I also feel li=ke I can=C2=B4t translate fast enough in my head to speak very well with =others. But I know the Lord has called me and asked me to learn spanish,=so I will do my best.
I love all of you, and I hope you are doing well. This Gospel is so true. =I know that the Lord does answer prayers. I can=C2=B4t say it enough. =Our Savior paid for our sins, and overcame death for us, and as we learn =of Him we can=C2=B4t help but want to spread His gospel. If we read the =scriptures always, and keep a prayer in our hearts, He will be able to us=e us as tools to do His mighty work.

Well, I will definitely write more next week, and I am really sorry for the=short email. I will be more punctual next Tuesday.

Love, Elder Kenneth Milner

September 18 2008, Elder Milner

Hola de Peru!‏

Hola mi familia y mis amigos! I arrived this morning in the city of Kings, Lima. What an eyeopener. I can not even begin to describe what Lima is like. It is so different than anything I have ever seen before. I was kind of sick on the bus ride to the MTC, so I couldn´t look outside for the whole time, but I did see enough to get an idea. I wish I could send you pictures directly through the email, but alas, it will not work. On the airplane here I met a man named Carlos from Bolivia who was in the seat right next to me. I was happy to see someone who would be so similar to the type of people I will be teaching for the next two years, and true to form, he didn´t speak English. But, even though I made countless mistakes, I was able to speak to him in spanish for a while, and understand most of what he said. It was really awesome. I still have so much to learn in the language though, it is not even funny. Luckily, Carlos spoke slowly and clearly, a trait I have not seen be passed onto anyone here yet. At the end of the flight, I asked Carlos if I could share a little bit of the message we carry, and he was very nice about it and agreed. I made a lot of mistakes, but he understood the idea I think, and he excepted a pass along card, although it was in English. I hope he follows through on calling the numero or visiting the website, and I hope the spirit was able to work through me. It was a great experience.

More about Lima. Lima is interesting, from what little I saw. We went down streets and streets of closed down shops, looking like the shops from one of those nostalgic towns in Alberta, but even more run down. The funny thing about those shops is that they are all connected in big two story almost mall type things, and then we realized people are living in them. There are closelines visible on the top floor of the building, and there is no roof on top! It is really a strange site. from what I can see it seems as if there truly is a lot of poverty in the city. Well, we as missionaries bring something so much more fulfilling and wonderful than wealth, I hope that these people will come to feel of our desire to serve them and love them. I hope that as I come to know them, I will really come to build that love of the Savior for them, to see them as He sees them. I love this gospel, I know that God answers prayers, and I pray that I will always be able, as well as all of you, to truly be worthy to have the companionship of the Spirit. It is through the Spirit that we can truly come to love, teach and have that happiness that does not end, but is life eternal. I hope with all my heart that I may become the Lord´s instrument for good among this people, and that I may be able to say, ¨I am glad I did¨, instead of ¨I wish I did.¨

I love you all, and I hope to be able to hear from you soon.
Love, Elder Milner

September 15 2008, Elder Milner

Dos Dias‏

Hola mi familla! Como estan! Muchos gracias por los cartes y por serando el mejore familia en la tierra! Anyways, I do have a little bit more time this week, I am grateful to say. We still don't have nearly so much time as I would like. 30 minutes really is not very much! I don't know what the whole situation will be like for email down in Peru, but we can always hope for the best. I think that dearelder.com does actually work for out of country, but I am not quite sure. I definitely hope that you will check it out though, as I am afraid for how long the mail may take to get back and forth from Lima. I got three letters today at lunch!! It was so amazing. Thank you, I think I got letters from every one in the family, and Carli, I did get your letters. You truly do not understand the help they have been to me, unless you have served a mission yourself. And thank you Stacey for the letters, and Lydia for the post card. I think there was supposed to be a picture on the front of it, but it must have fallen off. Trust me, you can never get too much mail.
Well, I have come to recognize that the unanimous decision is that you want more actual MTC experiences. I don't have too many, because it is pretty much the same thing everyday, but I will see what I can do.
Well, I have had one kind of bad gym experience. I realized that the talent level for many of the missionaries is not quite competitive, especially in Volleyball, so I had kind of toned it down a little bit. But as time moved on, people were hitting hard, and things were heating up, so i decided I could let loose a little. I guess I needed a little humbling, because I hit a sister square in the face, and I felt awful. She was fine, but it wasn't quite the same after that. I actually have no more gym days, as we are not allowed to play on the day before we leave, so I am finished.
The food here is really quite good. I had chicken cordon bleu the other sunday, and it was pretty great. I really like how they have so many varieties of everything.
My district is really great, and I am sad to be leaving all of them shortly. I have come to appreciate them very much, and I think they will all make great missionaries.
We had the opportunity to hear from President Uchtdorf this last Tuesday here at the gym. It was so good. I love the amazing feelings I get from going to these great firesides and devotionals.
Well, I am short on time once again, but I don't really have all that much else to say.
I know that our Father in Heaven loves us, and that if we are patient, humble, and prayerful, He will lift us up much higher than we ever dreamed. Our Savior Jesus Christ has ransomed us from death, and if we ever call on His name, we can receive that great reward reserved for us in the Kingdom of our Father.

Love you all, Elder Milner

September 8 2008, Elder Milner

Well, I have less than fifteen minutes left to write you all after I checked all the mail I got. I truly am so grateful for all the emails that were sent to me. It was great to hear from all of you, and see that you are all doing great. Even Super Kitty. Well, Another week gone by, where some days of it did feel like weeks, and some days felt like minutes. I truly have come to realize that you really undergo the entire range of emotions when you come on a Mission. This is the greatest work that the Lord has for us, and more blessings are promised for all involved than in any other work. It is the greatest work because it is the work of the salvation of souls. But Satan really knows this, so he fights with all his might to stop that work. It is comforting to know that the reason times are tough sometimes is that this work is so important. I am grateful for the prayers and faith that you all have for me, and I look forward to seeing you all in two years, but not a minute earlier. We had Elder Quentin L. Cook speak to us last Tuesday, and it was fabulous. Truly, in every meeting I have been here at, the Spirit has been so strong, and the talks felt as though they were directed straight at me.
I received my flight plans to Peru a couple of days ago. I will be leaving on the 17 of September at 11:00 in the morning, stopping in Atlanta first, then Miami, and then flying to Peru and arriving there at 6:15 a.m. the next day. Its funny, I didn't realize I would be so close to where Mom and Dad will be three days later. So, that is the plan.
Well, I do not have too much time left, and I have laundry waiting. I love you all very much, and wouldn't be here without everyone of you being there for me. This gospel is true, the Spirit does manifest itself unto men and women in this day. I know that this spirit is a manifestation of the Savior's love for us. I would speak some spanish, but I have too little time to think it up. May God fill all our hearts with the desire to serve Him with our whole hearts, and fill us with His love for all mankind.

Elder Milner

P.S. Thank you Stacey for your letters, and mom for your package. I hope there are more letters on the way. :) By the way, a great way to send me letters within a couple ways is dearelder.com. It is a great way to write. Stacey Asked me to send the email to her, but as I can't do that, her address is burgess.stacey@yahoo.ca Thank, and love you all!

September 1 2008, Elder Milner

Hola!

Well, I can not remember anyone's email for sure here except for Carli's and maybe Bryan's. So, Carli, if no one else gets this, it's up to you to do the spreading. Well, I had three guesses for mom's email, so hopefully one of them works.
Hola from the MTC! I arrived here last Wednesday, and got in at about 12:30. There were about 450 or so missionaries that came in the same day as I did. They had us and all of the family members come into the chapel room, and then after some words from a counselor in the MTC presidency, we watched the famous movie we all hear about, and then came the dreaded goodbye. I couldn't help but almost laugh as tears flowed and missionaries bawled. Thank you so much again mom and dad for sending me on the plane. Well, this is sounding more and more like my first letter to mom and dad and the siblings, but for the sake of those not viewing that letter, or not being able to read it, I will persevere. I was one of Seven missionaries to come from Canada, and one of the others was actually my friend from Edmonton, Elder Skinner.The food here is actually really good! I can't believe how many choices we get, and I like all the different drinks we can get. I was lucky enough to run into Elder Robbie Low and Sister Katie Burgess during my first meal at the MTC. I later would run into Elder Dave Champion as well. It was great to see them all again, well and happy.I do not think I was quite expecting the MTC to be like this. I have never worked so hard before in my life. Or prayed so much. It was really tough for the first couple days, but as I continue to grow it is getting easier and easier. Still hard work, but I am getting used to it and enjoying it more.
Today we were supposed to go to the temple, but it was closed for Labour Day. I was really disappointed.
Yesterday was by far the best day I have had at the MTC. We had District meeting, Priesthood meeting, and Sacrament meeting in the morning. The speakers and lessons were just amazing yesterday! It was so faith promoting to me, and it was a boost for me in my stay here at the MTC. My branch president gave a talk that I swear must have been directed exactly at me. It was incredible.
We had a fireside last night in the gym with all of the missionaries. What a sight. The speaker, Brother Robert P. Swenson, was really great. His testimony was unbelievable. We then had a night with the MTC president, President Boone. He truly is a funny man, with a firm testimony.
The Spanish is coming along. I really enjoy speaking the language, and we have been taught how to pray in spanish, greet someone in spanish and introduce the gospel, and how to give our testimonies in Spanish.
My companion at the MTC is Elder Yeates, from Utah. He is a companion who can feel the spirit, and is easy to talk with. My other roomates are Elder McBride from Arizona, and Elder Watkins from Las Vegas.Well, my time is running to a close. I really enjoy teaching and learning about the gospel. I testify that Jesus Christ really is our Savior, and that he really does love us. I know through experience of this. I have felt his Atonement work in my life, and it is real. I love this gospel, and the Book of Mormon. I know Joseph Smith is a true prophet. This gospel is true. Yo se que de Dios nos ama, y nosotros somos sus hijos.

I love you all, and hope to hear from you soon.

Elder Milner