Title: You wanted a blog post...

So my mom informs me that my friends like my blog and that I need to write another one. I have like 5 minutes to write this one. Here it goes...

- November is here, and that means that the snowbirds are back. I see more and more North Dakota license plates every day and I'd like to think that my driving is better than the average snowbird.

- The weather is awesome...still in the 80s

- Quails are awesome. Pigeons are gross.

- I have another Polynesian companion. His name is Elder Fuiava and he's from Samoa. I traded him two ties for a lava lava.

- I look really good in that lava lava

- I love talking to people about the gospel! We've talked about 2012 and aliens a lot.

- I'm voting for a Mormon for President. Me.

- Alma 44:4

- Jesus is our Savior :)

Love,

Ammon!

Title: In the Desert on a Horse with No Name

Well, I've been ridiculously bad at writing these blog posts. I hope that what I do write is interesting enough for the people who read!

Let's see, where did I last leave off? Probably with Elder Kawano? Okay, so after the whole appendix fiasco, I got better. Getting to drive a car has been really nice, and I don't think I've done too many things that would make my mom uncomfortable with that. Elder Kawano got transferred to Scottsdale, and so I got an American companion for the first time in 6 months. Elder Francis from Portland, Oregon, came to my area, and we had a great transfer together. In our time in the Mesa Central Stake we saw a ton of miracles. Many people came out of nowhere who wanted to learn about the gospel, and it was exciting to see them and learn from them. Everything seemed to go incredibly fast, and we always had somebody new to teach or to help out.

Fast forward to two weeks ago. I finally got transferred out of Mesa! (That sounds like being in Mesa was a bad thing, but I just had been in the same area of town for a year or so...longer than most missionaries!) I went way out to the eastern border of the mission to a town called Apache Junction. This place is awesome! It's everything you think of when you think of Arizona. The sunsets are unreal, there's cacti everywhere, and lots of desert wildlife. I have a black light that I use to hunt for scorpions. (If anybody wants one, just write me and I'll send one to you :) People here are really nice. Not quite as nice as North Dakotans, but those folks are pretty hard to beat.

My new companion is another foreigner! Elder Moala is from Aukland, New Zealand. He loves to play rugby, and has a dream of one day playing for the All Blacks. He's also about a foot taller than me. This guy is huge. I guess he's Tongan, so what can you expect? We're both new to the area, so we're having to work extra hard. But it's been so much fun. God has blessed us very much. One of the great people who we get to work with is named Lee. He's an incredibly nice guy. He cooked us a humongous Texas BBQ the other night, and it was amazing. Anyway, Lee's a great example of sacrifice. He wants to get baptized, and in order to do that, he needs to live the word of wisdom, which is the health code that members of the church follow. We don't drink coffee, which has been something that Lee has wanted to stop doing for a while. He's tried lots of times, and has't been able to. But last week, he tried one more time and just gave it all up. He still hasn't had any coffee, and he's struggled a bit from withdrawals, but has pressed through. It helps me realize how important sacrifice is and how all of us have something that we can give up that'll make us a little stronger and will help us get a little closer to God.

So that's pretty much what's cooking right now. This whole mission thing was a really good idea. I was excited as I'm sure many of you were, at the news that the minumum age of missionaries has dropped. I for one, have loved my mission, and it's been the best thing for me. I hope that the additional groups of men and women who decide to go on missions are as blessed as I've been.

Peace out!

Ammon

Elder Moala and Elder Miller

Title: The Miller Diet: How to Lose 20 Pounds (And Your Appendix) In Two Weeks

Well, the month of June was interesting for several reasons. First off, I was transferred to a new area with a new companion named Elder Kawano. He's from a city called Miyazaki in southern Japan. Things started off great! Fun area, fun companion, and all the wasabi a man could dream of. I had a blast for the first half of the week, when, on the night of June 1st, I went to bed with a stomachache. I didn't think anything of it until I woke up an hour later and the pain had intensified. I usually just try to sleep off any pain that I have, but this just felt awful. Finally, at about 2:30 in the morning, I called the zone leaders and the mission president, and we decided that I needed to go to the ER.

When I arrived, everyone started asking me the same questions over and over, and started looking really confused. They drew blood, and eventually told me they had no idea what was wrong with me. They gave me some morphine and sent me home, speculating that I might have acid reflux. I spent the next couple days in bed, trying to get some rest. After about three days, the pain became manageable, and I got back out to work. I found that I had no appetite and got dehydrated really easily. That week I lost about 10 pounds. All the while the pain persisted, and I had a lot of trouble standing for long periods of time.

That Saturday, the pain increased again, and on Tuesday morning I went to the doctor. I was going crazy, just wanting to know what was wrong with me. After doing some poking around, the doctor told me that it was probably my appendix, and sent me to get a CT scan. After drinking about a gallon of some really, really disgusting liquid that the nurses gave me, I got the scan done and, lo and behold: I had appendicitis!

The first thing that went through my mind was overwhelming relief. I was so happy to actually know what was wrong with me! They sent me to the ER, which was about two blocks away. We had gotten dropped off and didn't have a car, so we had to walk over to the hospital. When they checked me in to the ER, one of the nurses that helped me out was someone that I had the opportunity to teach several months ago. Her name was Megan, and she walked me through everything that was wrong with me. Apparently they would not operate on the appendix that day, as my appendix had burst several days earlier and there was a huge risk of infection. Basically, I had walked around with a burst appendix for a week (I have to admit, that made me feel pretty manly). Fortunately, my body had walled off the infection in an abscess. They doctors would drain that out for a few days and then operate. The exact same thing had happened to Megan, so she was able to let me know what I was in for. The next day I got the drain put in me.
(Here's where we get the fun, juicy details. If you get sick easily, stop reading)
Basically it was this tube that came out of my stomach that went into a little water ballon-looking thing. I got to watch the pus come out of me every day and that was pretty close. When I went to surgery about five days later I was pretty calm, because things had gone pretty well so far. What they had hoped would be a quick labroscopic surgery ended up being an open appendectomy. They found that there really wasn't much of the appendix left. There was a hole in my colon where the appendix used to be, and so they cut off part of the colon and reattached it to the other intestine. The first thing I remember after the surgery was pain. Crazy pain. If you want to know what it felt like, read Breaking Dawn.
The doctors gave me a little button that I could press every six minutes when I wanted more pain meds. I pressed it a lot. It was certainly the most under the influence I've ever been in my life. Also, there were other tubes and things stuck in very uncomfortable places. But all the while, things were still pretty good. I'd like to think of myself as a positive person, and I determined to keep that attitude during this whole thing. I think the thing that helped me the most was keeping a sense of humor throughout the whole thing. It actually became really entertaining...I had a great time with the nurses and everybody who came to visit me. I can honestly say that being in the hospital was one of the most fun experiences of my whole mission.
Things are going well now. The recovery has been going quickly, and I'm finally back to work. I can't lift anything above 20 pounds for another month, and then I'll be totally back to normal. Plus I got a car, which isn't half bad :)
I've pondered a lot upon what I was supposed to have learned from this experience. I don't know if I can sum it up in anything profound, or if I even should. But I am certainly grateful for the experience that I had. After all, is that what life is all about? We gain experience that forms our character, and then we act upon what we have learned. My belief and faith in God has been solidified, and my love for life is stronger than ever. Life is so awesome! I love being a missionary. It's great to be back to work!
Thank you all SO MUCH for your thoughts and prayers for me during this time. I felt those thoughts and prayers, and they have helped me heal quickly and keep a positive attitude. I love you all!
- Elder Miller

Title: Bring it on!

Well, the infamous Arizona summer is upon me. From the time I've come on my mission everybody has asked, "So, have you been here for a summer yet?" I've answer no, which is then followed by a villanous laugh by the person asking me the question. "Well, you're in for a treat!" (I then inform the people that I've experienced 114 degrees in North Dakota, but that's besides the point.) I guess it doesn't get really bad until July, but we've had a couple of days that have been over 100 degrees already. At this point I've gotten used to the whole white shirt and tie thing, so it's not as uncomfortable as it used to be. Elder Hernandez keeps things entertaining while we're biking. At this point my Spanish comprehension has improved dramatically. I have to admit, funny stories are twice as funny when Elder Hernandez tells them in Spanish.

The work has been great! Every day I feel very humbled to be where I am, serving the Lord. I'm very grateful that I've been able to recognize my faults, because that's given me an opportunity to improve. I've had to sacrifice more, which has given me a greater opportunity to look to the needs of others. I'm not sure who reads this blog, but there may be many that have been wronged by me somehow. I look back at my life and see the ways that I have been immature and selfish. I've made my own interests a greater priority than that of my loved ones. I haven't shown very much love to my fellow men. But I am sincerely trying to improve. My relationship with God has increased and I know what I need to do to be better. I just need to do it. Because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, my faults can be changed.

I'm so grateful for the support of everyone. I wrote on my Facebook page before I left that everybody in my life has taught me something, and that's true. How many times I have been grateful on my mission for friends who took the time to listen, teachers who were so much more than teachers, and others who were an example of excellence even though I may not have known them very well. I know that there are challenges ahead, but with the strength that I've received from all of you, and most importantly the strength I receive from God, I know that I can do greater things.

"And if men come unto me, I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27, Book of Mormon)

Ammon

Title: Bienvenidos! (That's Spanish, right?)
Well, things have definitely gotten a little more colorful in my life since I've been paired up with Elder Hernandez! He's from Playa del Carmen, Mexico, which is about 20 minutes from Cancun, and we've been together a month now. Elder Hernandez has been Spanish speaking for his whole mission (He's been out 19 months) but just switched to being English when he came to my area. And he's been doing awesome! Of course, now when I walk around with him, everybody assumes that I can speak Spanish as well...I just smile and nod.
We've been having a lot of fun talking to all the different people around here. Interestingly enough, we've been learning a lot about Judaism lately, which has been pretty interesting. Perhaps I'll pick up a little Hebrew as well. I think that's always been my favorite thing about missionary work - being able to meet so many people and hear their stories. (It's certainly given me some movie ideas) I think there would be a lot fewer problems in the world if more people took the time to just listen to each other. It's always nice to be able to sit and talk to somebody about their beliefs, even when we differ on some things. I think that when we get the chance to sit down and really communicate with someone, sharing what matters most to each other, we always leave feeling a little bit better.
I've had the great opportunity on my mission to simply share what I know with everyone that I meet. It's been the hardest thing I've ever done. There are some weeks where I come home exhausted every day, and when I wake up it feels like I just slept for 10 minutes. Sometimes it's hard when people yell things at us from their cars, but we just keep smiling and riding our bikes. It's great knowing that I love what I'm doing enough to keep at it, especially when it gets hard. I don't know that I've ever put more effort into anything in my life. And I think it's only right that I try to serve God after all He's done for me.
Over the past week, we had General Conference for the church, where we heard from our leaders. This was one of the talks I really enjoyed. I hope you do too!
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/04?lang=eng&vid=1542112418001&cid=3
- Ammon

Title: (Really) Quick Update

So, it's been a while since I wrote a blog, and things have still been going pretty well. It took a little while to get adjusted to my new area, but things are really starting to turn out awesome. I happen to live near some of the nicer trailer parks, so I'm running into more and more snowbirds. It seems like every other day I see a North Dakota license plate, which makes me a little homesick, but it's fun to see. It's starting to warm up and everybody keeps warning me about the summer. "You're from North Dakota?! You'll go home by June!" I keep telling them that it gets hot in North Dakota too, but I guess I'll find out how bad it is in a few months. But I've been enjoying the weather and the citrus. I just made homemade lemonade out of lemons I picked myself the other day. It actually wasn't that great, but it was homemade.

Things are really, really good. Really hard, but really good. I think that most of the reason that I'm enjoying my mission so much is the satisfaction of knowing that God is giving me the opportunity to work harder than I ever have, and be more than I have ever been. I've never had to put in the kind of effort into anything else in my life that I've put into my mission. In placing me in difficult and uncomfortable situations, God has helped me love his children more and see more in them and myself than I ever have.

I'll just share this scripture quickly before I finish up:

"But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things." (Alma 26:11-12)

 

Title: Hagona' Shikiss

This Friday I received a sad phone call from my former companion Elder Wadman. He's currently serving in Taylor, and he called to let me know that on Wednesday, January 18, Bennie Tsaipi passed away.

We're not sure about the details of what happened, but he had a history of health problems and it could have been anything. Fortunately he died peacefully in his sleep.

Bennie, Patty, and their son Stetson were the first people that I taught on my mission. I remember my first real day in the mission field and the anticipation for my first lesson as Elder Lyon and I drove the four hours from Scottsdale to Taylor. When I stepped into Patty and Bennie's house I immediately knew I was home. I was delighted to find out that they knew how to speak Navajo and I jumped at the chance to learn as many words as I could. Bennie was always excited to teach me new words. I would get after him for not reading the Book of Mormon, and he would get after me for not practicing my numbers in Navajo. Eventually, with his help, I could successfully count to one hundred.

I went through a lot of ups and downs with Bennie. He and his family have a lot of struggles, and I felt like everytime they were struggling, I was too. When they were happy, I was happy. We saw them almost daily and it became the highlight of the afternoon to go and visit them. Every day we would show up and greet Bennie with "Yaateeh, shikiss!", which means "Hello, brother!" and he would reply with "Yaateeh Gamalees!" (Gamalee means Mormon or Elder). We would laugh, and laugh and laugh. The Tsaipi family had a strong desire to be together forever, and did whatever it took to strengthen their family and come closer to Christ. Although there were some differences and struggles, I feel like I came to love that family in a way that I don't know that I've loved anyone before.

Saying goodbye to them on Halloween night was one of the hardest things I've had to do. After we talked for a while, they asked me to say a prayer. I only got a few words in before I started sobbing. I wasn't the only one. We all embraced, and we gave Bennie one last goodbye, or "hagona' ", obviously having no idea that it would be the last time that we'd see him.

When I got the news that Bennie had passed away, however, there were no tears. Strange as it seems, I'm very happy. I think it's because I've spent so many hours in Bennie's home testifying to him that he would be with his family forever, that death would not separate him from his loved ones. Although I do feel a sense of loss, I know that the time that I'll be separated from Bennie is very short in the grand scheme of things. It's not a fairy tale. It's not just something that makes me feel better. I will see Bennie again, and we'll both be a lot happier that we ever were in this life. His family will be together forever, and we'll be able to walk together again in the presence of God.

Hagona' shikiss, ayoneshneh.

- Gamalee Miller

Elder Miller’s companion featured in this video

https://lds.org/youth/video/priesthood-duty?lang=eng