Catching Up!!

 I am going to use this one post to catch up with Elder Milne's awesome emails and experiences. Despite still being under restrictions on contacting people directly, Ty and his companions are finding ways to teach members and nonmembers alike. I love to hear Ty talk about how awesome it is to teach and feel the Spirit testify to the truthfulness of what they are teaching. He shared this past week that he had an incredible experience teaching an investigator friend about Alma the Younger and his conversion story, and how Ty felt the Spirit so strong that it felt someone had their arm around him the entire time. He said it was equal to the feeling he had experienced in the MTC to know if the Book of Mormon was true. He was on cloud nine, and he said he would be in Heaven if they could spend every hour of their days teaching about Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Another super exciting thing is they have a baptism scheduled for August 29th, and everything with that is going as planned. They are also teaching a woman who's husband is a less active member that is very interested and progressing, and the young woman who came to the church and found the missionaries they had to give to the missionaries in the singles ward, but as soon as they did that, some other missionaries called with another referral for them. This referral is a man from Morocco. Ty has loved meeting with this man and teaching him. He has so many questions and keeps them on their toes. They are also meeting with a brand new member of the church every Sunday afternoon, and he brings his 16 year old daughter who is not a member. Ty and his companions have also had some wonderful experiences in members homes as they share spiritual messages and sometimes a meal. The members are only allowed to feed them on weekends, so this is a bit disheartening, however, they do schedule visits to share member messages throughout the week. Ty has realized how important it is to strengthen the members, especially during this time that attending church is not possible. He has been surprised at the number of members who are not regularly partaking of the sacrament in their homes, and he and his companions have been strengthening the members by sharing their testimonies concerning the importance of partaking of the Sacrament as often as possible. He has shared with several members the example of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane with His apostles whom he asked to wait with him and they all fell asleep, and he asks them, "could you not wait with me one hour?" Ty compares this hour to spending an hour each week renewing our covenants and reflecting upon the Savior and His atonement while participating in the ordinance of the Sacrament. He said that as he shares this the Spirit is so strong and the members are really touched by this. He said he learned this example from an experience I shared on Dallin's mission blog. It was when Blaine and I were visiting Laguna Beach and we attended sacrament meeting there, and someone talked about this while sharing their testimony.

Elder Milne also received a new companion this past week. He is still with Elder Provencio, but Ty has been called to be a trainer by his mission president. His new companion is straight out of home MTC. We will find out more about him tomorrow. He is from Ogden, Utah. Here are some of the letters from the past few weeks:

Letter from Blaine:

Hello Elder Milne,

I hope this email finds you well.  I hope you have been able to find purpose for you being there.  I hope you have discovered the Lord’s reason for you being in the Newport Beach mission and how you can be of service to Him there.  If you haven’t yet, I am sure it is more than just giving you an assignment to serve. 
I hope you can get into the work and find joy in the journey.....this is the key to life...

I am positive this same thing holds true for missionary service even though I wasn’t wise enough to serve myself.

I started a story in your family search file for you.
I will have to write in it every so often so it can have some content.

Love you Ty and God bless you

Dad

Letter from Ty:

Hey, thanks for the message Dad. There is a purpose for me to be here. It's a good feeling teaching others the gospel. Just tough when we have days when we don't have anyone to teach. Just trying to stay positive and treating my companions like they're my brothers in battle. And that's nice of you to do that on family search. Love you dad - have a good week!

Letter from Blaine:

Buenas Dias TY,

I thought I better write you an email today.  I hope you are doing well.  You have now returned to the mission field for 1 full month.  

Congratulations!

I hope you can get recharged to do the next month in the Newport Beach California mission.  You are so blessed to get this opportunity to bless people's lives.

I watched a cool movie last night.  At the end they put a scripture up.

Psalms 82: 3-4

3  Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

4  Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

It was a movie about a black woman and her daughter whose husband who was black died fighting for the Union in the Civil War and his soldier friend who was white promised him he would take care of his family when the war was over.  The black soldier died in this white Union soldier's arms on the battlefield.  

The movie is about this white soldier and how he went home and took care of this man's widowed wife and daughter and the struggle he had with the people around him keeping his promise.

It was a triumph in the end.

I think your mission has been full of struggles and disappointments, but you must have faith that in the end you will triumph.

"Keep your chin up" 

Love

 Dad

I thought of you and what you are doing at this time.

 

Letter from Ty:

Buenos dias mi padre

It's been a month, and I have learned a lot. It's been really good for me. I believe I've seen that movie, I don't remember the title, but it is great. Appreciate you writing dad, I always love hearing from you. This past week was good - we had a lot of success. Hope it continues. I've just kept in mind what our Prophet said to the youth about the gathering of Israel. How this is the mission I was sent to earth for and how this gathering should mean everything to us. That has been a motivator. Hope you have a good work week dad, sure appreciate all that you do. I hope you are taking time to pray and read your scriptures. If not, I invite you to apply that this week .

Love you Father, 

Elder Ty Adams Milne

Letter from Home:

Good Morning Ty,

I hope this finds you happy and well rested. I've been thinking a lot about our conversation on Saturday, and it reminded me of the many struggles I experienced as a missionary thirty years ago. So, then my mind went to "what helped me get through the more challenging times?" and I think it was this: During our premortal existence, our Heavenly Father presented His plan, and 1/3 of His children rejected it and chose to follow Satan. I know that He wept, and perhaps even we wept. Surely, we knew many of them. He also weeps when His children here on earth choose to not follow His plan. Our job here, just as it was there, is to make sure we do our part in sharing His plan with all of His children in hopes of reminding them of the choice they made long ago to follow our Heavenly Father's plan, which of course includes following our Savior Jesus Christ. In Jacob 5 we read about gathering scattered Israel, and so many times, when the Father witnesses His children not choosing his plan, He weeps. But within that chapter there are a few powerful verses that always kept me motivated: 

70 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant (YOU); and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few.

71 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.

72 And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things. (Always remember that the Lord is laboring alongside of you - This is His work and He will help you succeed)

73 And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof.

74 And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit; and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.

75 And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants, and said unto them: Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; and I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard.

I also like these verses from the Doctrine and Covenants: D&C 81

3 Therefore, verily I acknowledge him and will bless him (YOU), and also thee, inasmuch as thou art faithful in counsel, in the office which I have appointed unto you (MISSIONARY), in prayer always, vocally and in thy heart, in public and in private, also in thy ministry in proclaiming the gospel in the land of the living, and among thy brethren.

4 And in doing these things thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings, and wilt promote the glory of him who is your Lord.

5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.

6 And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father.

7 Behold, and lo, these are the words of Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

I hope these verses help you TY! I love you and pray for you every morning and night! Press forward with faith and courage, and I promise you that miracles will follow! Take care of yourself and I'm looking forward to speaking with you later today!

All my Love, 

MOM

 

Letter from Ty:

I loved all of this mom - thank you so much. Was much needed. We had a successful day yesterday, and yes, I will tell you about it later. Love you so much I'll be calling around 2 or 3 my time.

Letter from Blaine:

Hello Elder Milne,

We are here in New Mexico this weekend together. Carley and Carter came with your mom and Millie Friday night. I came down from Bloomfield after working there Thursday and Friday of last week. They didn’t get to Albuquerque until after 2am. I woke up at that time after hearing some noise in the lower floor of the house but figured it was them getting here.
I decided to go see them because the noises kept up.  I got downstairs to find Carley and Carter but no momma.  Millie was even there. They said your mom was at the ER after getting the fishing pole’s hook stuck in her foot. I was completely upended in disbelief. How could that happen? Well long story short, Carter and Carley went and got her at the ER around 4:30 am after the hook was removed.  She will send you a picture of that frightful injury.  What a trip for her.

Last night we went down to my practice at Celebrate dental and put Carley’s implant crown in.  It was nice to see her tooth go in. Your mom will send a picture of that too.

How are you doing?  I hope you are doing well. I hope you have been able to find meaning to your call to Newport Beach. I remember some of the most important words that have ever been spoken to me. Some of those words came from you. The time was when I walked into our home in Minnetonka, Minnesota in late January of 2011 after having totaled my car on that iced winter day being pushed up the interstate highway by a semi-tractor diesel truck.  There was no explanation why I escaped that horrific car accident without a scratch. I walked in the door with your mom after she came and got me at the car repair shop. You said these famous words, “Heavenly Father has a plan for you.” You were but 10 years old and in primary. Those were incredible words spoken to me.

You were right. God did have a plan for me. After all the effort to form a dental career it seemed at that time everything was a failure. I now had totaled two vehicles while living in Minnesota and now was never going to be an Oral Surgeon. I thought I had paid enough price to get the support from the staff there I needed to finish Oral Surgery, but I was wrong. I was going to now create a new life for my family. We ended up moving to St George and life changed for us all.

I bring this up because “Heavenly Father has a plan for you too.” I think perseverance on your mission is maybe Heavenly Father’s plan for you.  I think this might be the experience that can give you some identity and value to your life going forward.  I hope you feel the same way.

Got to go for now. Carter is doing home sacrament for us right now.

Love,

Dad

Letter from Ty:

Dad, thank you for thinking of me and reaching out. That's crazy on what happened to Mom - sure hope she’s okay! I am glad they were able to come down and spend some time with you! Happy that you are all having the sacrament. Dad i invite you to reflect on all that our savior has done for you. And make time this week for scripture study so you can be strengthened spiritually. It's awesome how you brought up the time in Minnesota, I was looking over my baptism picture today and saw my big grin with us dressed in white. I too thought about when I told you God had a plan for you. I'm so blessed to have you and our family. I am learning more everyday, and I've had some great spiritual experiences that have strengthened my testimony on that I need to be here. I will be training this upcoming transfer which is in 2 days, so I'm excited for that. Love you and appreciate your love and hard work. Have a great week!

Letter from Home:

Greetings Elder Milne!

How’s my favorite missionary today? I hope this finds you happy and well! I  on the road this morning with Carter, Carley, and Millie, heading back to Utah! We stayed in flagstaff last night. We had a fun weekend with dad, despite the fishhook incident- LOL! We had the Sacrament Sunday afternoon then had a nice Sunday dinner and dessert - chicken fettuccine Alfredo, salad, corn on the cob, watermelon, and garlic bread. We had that peach dessert you like with the ice cream, peaches, Carmel sauce, and biscotti cookies. We FaceTimed Dallin and Hayley and visited with them. They are doing really well. Kobe got a haircut. He looks so cute. We then headed to Flagstaff as dad gave Buster a bath.

Well, it looks like you’ve made it to your first transfer in your new mission, and it sounds like you’re staying in a threesome, but getting a brand new missionary that you’ll get to train. That is exciting. We will look forward to hearing all about it. It also sounds like you e got a lot of good things happening in your area - a baptism coming up and other people to teach; that is so awesome!

This past week I had a lot of therapy clients. I am learning so much, and I hope I’m helping my clients at least a little. Two things have stood out to me as I have encountered different people with different problems: 1. There is safety and happiness in keeping the commandments, and 2. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real, and it provides hope and healing for all who will accept it. Many of the problems I witness are a direct result of not keeping the commandments. All choices, good and bad, have consequences. Many of my clients are dealing with the consequences that come from a series of poor choices either they or their loved ones have made. The saddest thing I see is how Innocent children are affected by the poor choices of their parents. However, there is healing that can occur. Bottom line is, we all are in need of the effects of Christ’s Atonement, and there is safety and happiness found in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Everyone needs to know this - this is why missionary work is so important. So much suffering can be erased by choosing to accept Christ and His gospel and by keeping His commandments!

We are so very blessed to have the knowledge we have and to be part of this great gathering of Israel. Enjoy the time you have to do this full-time.

Love you Ty! I can’t wait to talk to you today!

Mom

Letter from Ty:

Thank you for another great letter mom! I love you dearly, and I'm sure your clients love you and the spirit you bring. I'm glad everyone is doing well and y'all were able to spend time w dad! I am loving spreading the good word of the atonement to everyone and am looking forward for this upcoming transfer. Keep these coming - love it!

Photos from Home this week:

 

A Change of Heart

What a difference a week makes, and what a difference prayer makes. We have all been praying for Ty and the frustrating circumstances he is trying to do missionary work under. The Lord has heard and answered our prayers. I could see it on his face the minute we started our phone call. His missionary glow had returned - he had once again caught the vision! He shared that as he visited with different members this week he began realizing that they too needed service and blessings from the missionaries. He shared that many of them had confided that they were struggling staying on track spiritually since attending church has not been an option. He and his companions are now seeking to strengthen the members in their "Come Follow Me" studies, and in any other way they can. Elder Milne has realized that whether we are already a member of Christ's church or if we are a stranger on the street, we all need to come unto Christ. I shared with Ty that his number one responsibility as a missionary is to bring souls to Christ - whether it be his, his companions', the members' or anyone they meet. If this is his goal, the Lord will take care of the rest. Elder Milne shared how he had enjoyed spending time doing service projects, strengthening the members, and even teaching a few discussions this week. They do have one lady who has committed to being baptized, so they are super excited to help get ready for that. She has set a date for August 26th. She fed the missionaries the other night - soup like from Olive Garden, so Elder Milne was in Heaven.

Letter from Home:

Dear Elder Milne!

How's my favorite missionary doing today? I hope you are doing well and that you are happy! I am here in New Mexico for this week, and I am enjoying my time here with dad and Buster. Dad and I attended Sacrament Meeting yesterday with Bishop Caton and a few members of his ward. A member of the stake presidency spoke for a few minutes and then Bishop Caton spoke. It was so wonderful to sit in a sacrament meeting and partake of the sacrament while reflecting upon the significance of the Sacrament and how vital Jesus Christ is in our lives. It is so important to always remember Him so that His Spirit will always be with us. It is equally as important to remember His atoning sacrifice and the price He paid so we can successfully navigate through this mortal existence and return to our Heavenly Parents. I am so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ and all that he has done for me. He has not only made it possible to be cleansed from my many sins and to be strengthened in my weaknesses, but to also be enabled to become my very best self - to become all that my Heavenly Father created me to be. 

One thing that really stood out during the meeting yesterday was that "Change is inevitable, but misery is a choice." There are a lot of changes going on for all of us right now, especially due to this stupid virus, but, how we respond to it, and all the changes surrounding it, is a choice. We can choose misery, or we can choose to learn and grow from it. One of the greatest gifts our Heavenly Father has given us is the gift of agency or our freedom to choose. Regardless of what life hands to us, we still have that power to choose how we will respond to it and if we will choose to includue Christ in the details of our lives. Happiness, just like misery, is a choice. For me, I am choosing happiness - I am choosing Christ. When we choose Christ, we also choose peace. Peace can be our constant companion when we choose Christ to help us through whatever trials may come our way. Most often, our Heavenly Father will not remove the obstacles causing us pain and frustration, because there is something to be gained or learned from this adversity, however, as we choose to include Christ in our day to day life, we will have peace, comfort, strength, and guidance through even the darkest of times. I was so happy to hear you relate to me how you had experienced this very same thing recently. I am so proud of you and your decision to see things in a better light and to stay the course. Our perceptions are powerful, but what is even more powerful is we have the ability to change our perceptions! When we rely upon our Savior and the Holy Ghost, our perceptions can become Their perceptions, and we are able to see adversity for what it really is, and we are able to more clearly see the love as well as the plan our Heavenly Father has for us. Keep up the good work Ty! Allow your perceptions to be shaped by the Savior and His love for you and all His children.

I forgot to grab your mitt before I left for New Mexico. I am so sorry. As soon as I get back next Monday, I will find it and put it in the mail. Is there anything else you can think of that you need or want? Also, Mike Tornow texted dad and me yesterday and told us he had met an older couple that was on their way to serve in the office of your mission - Elder and Sister Hobley. He told them to look for you! I think they are going to be over the finances and apartments in your mission.

Take care of yourself Ty, and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers every day! And always remember, your primary purpose as a missionary is to bring souls to Christ, whether it is your own soul, your companions soul, the ward members' souls, and the stranger on the street. Your Heavenly Father has blessed you with some amazing gifts to do this. Recognize these gifts and use them in the way He intended you to. Love you to the moon and back!

Mom

Letter from Elder Milne:

Mom, I needed this more than you know! love you so so much and love these letters. I will look for Elder and Sister Hobley. Keep theses coming - have an amazing week!

This week was actually a really great week - with exception of being stung by hornets as we completed a service project LOL! We met with more members this week. One even knew dad. She went to Pine View High School and is three years younger than dad. She remembers dad. We also have been able to meet with the lady that wants to be baptized on the 26th of August. She is doing really well, and we have also been teaching another lady that is interested in learning more. Her husband is a less-active member. He doesn't really want anything to do with the church, but she is progressing well. We also had an interesting experience happen the other day while we were at the stake center. The doors were locked while we were doing some family history work inside. We heard a knock on the door so we answered it. It was a girl, probably around the age of 20, and she asked if we were the missionaries. She recognized our car out front. We told her yes, and she was so happy. She said she was taking the lessons from some missionaries awhile back, but she moved to Missouri and lost track of them. She has now returned to California and wants to continue with the lessons. We reviewed the first discussion with her and she was so interested. The only bad thing for us if we may have to turn her over to the single adult ward missionaries, but oh well, it was still a cool experience. I have really noticed how God has changed my heart this week, and I am able to see His tender mercies and miracles in my life each day. I do recognize that everyone needs the Savior, so I will continue to do my best to uplift those around me. I have been very happy this week, even when I was stung by the hornets - I was like, "this is no big deal." I think I had for sting marks - LOL! Have a great week mom!

Elder Provencio Picking-Up Chicks!

Smiles even after being stung by hornets!

Sporting the Masks...

Another Difficult Week...

Elder Milne is still feeling a little down and frustrated about the current circumstances for missionaries in California. He says he is trying hard to hang in there, and he is trying to see the positive in each day. He says he sometimes he gets frustrated because he feels his time could be so much better spent back home in school or working. He misses Peru because they were always busy there, and he was able to feel a sense of accomplishment each day. He vowed to hang in there. He said he is determined to not come home until he has completed his mission! I admire him for this. I have been saying extra prayers for him - I pray if the circumstances can't change, that the Lord will change his heart and the way he sees things. One thing I have learned in life is that it is all based on perception - our perceptions of any given situation will determine our feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. 

Letter from Home:

Dear Elder Milne!

I hope this finds you happy, well, and surviving the restrictions placed on your missionary work. I know these restrictions make life as a missionary somewhat miserable, and I know you feel at times that your time could be must better spent, but I also know that Heavenly Father will bless your efforts, and one way or another, His work will progress. 

Dad and I didn’t get to go to see the Lewis’ because the day before we were supposed to go, dad received word that one of his assistants has the corona virus, and dad had to wait six hours in line to be tested starting Sunday morning at 6:30. He will know in a few days if he has it. Hopefully he doesn’t, because that would make both of our worlds difficult.

This coming week I get to see eight different therapy clients. I’m nervous but excited! I’ll also be getting more clients because I’ve finally been approved as a Medicaid provider. Thankfully, I only have nine months left of school and as an intern, then hopefully life can normalize a little for me and dad!

Buster has been enjoying his time in New Mexico! It’s definitely cooler there and he has more room to roam. Carter says Millie is doing well in Cedar City. I wonder if they miss each other! 

I’m sitting on an airplane back to Utah right now! I left the truck for dad and Buster. I hate wearing these stupid masks. I seriously can’t breathe!!! I am so sick of this stupid COVID virus! I’m slowly enjoying my snack and water so I don’t have to feel so claustrophobic! 

Everything else is about the same. You’re definitely not missing much back home! Dallin and Hayley are loving Florida! We will need to visit them soon! Another beach vacation is just what I need!!! Carter and Carley are staying busy with school, work, and Millie. Dad is working like crazy as usual. I don’t know where he gets his energy from!

I pray every day you will witness the Lord’s tender mercies as you do your best to do His work! Look for them each day. They are always there. I also pray you will be kept safe from harm and the evils of this world! Use the extra time you have due to quarantining to really study and understand the scriptures, and to recognize how the Lord speaks to you. This is a time in your life, like no other, where you can really work on strengthening your relationship with your Heavenly Father, your Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. By doing so, you can move forward with a sure foundation of love, light, and knowledge, and the courage and confidence to face whatever may lie ahead. Your Heavenly Father loves you very much, and he is pleased with your desire to serve Him and His Son. 

Gain an unshakable testimony of the Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith. There will be many trials and even persecutions ahead that will try and test your testimony. The world is quickly ripening in iniquity, and only those who have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel can weather the storm. We now live in a day where good is considered evil and evil good. We require the Holy Ghost’s companionship to rightly discern truth from error and good from evil. Our prophet President Nelson has promised us that if we read and study the Book of Mormon each day we will not be deceived. This is a great promise! Use what extra time you have on your mission to really study this magnificent book! As you do, you will come to realize that it was written for our day, and that it not only testifies that Jesus is the Christ, but that it shows us the things we need to do in our day to be preserved as children of God, as a church, and as a nation. Notice the many patterns that are so applicable today! I love the Book of Mormon with all my heart, and I know that it is true!!! 

Hang in there my precious son! I know your struggle is real, but I also know you have a heart filled with courage, faith, and love!! You can do this! I love you to the moon and back!!!

All My Love,

Mom

Letter from Elder Milne:

Hi Mom!

Loved reading this! Thank you so much - keep this coming. I've loved reading the Book of Mormon here and, I've definitely noticed the things that were written for our day today. Love you so much! Tell Dad he's amazing and that I love and appreciate him!