23 November 2025
VOLUME 13 – NUMBER 632
Gloria with her mission call
These past couple of weeks have been really special because I got my mission call. I received it on Monday around 3:00pm. I had just woken up from a nap when I saw that my mission call was ready.
I started to cry because it was becoming so real to me. Then I went and told my family that I had received my call. After that, I went to the temple by myself to read it. It was such a sacred and emotional moment for me.
Once I read it, I called Mom and Dad and read it to them. Later that night, I announced it to the whole family. I’m so grateful that I’m going to be serving the Lord and giving my time to Him. This is something I truly love—I love the Church, Jesus Christ, and learning about Him.
Nelson’s Thanksgiving dinner
On Tuesday, I shared the news with all my friends. I’m going to be serving in Riverside, California, starting January 26, and I’ll be serving in the Spanish language.
On Wednesday, Tucker Grappendorf and I went on a date. I don’t know if you remember, but he was my first date a few years ago, and he has just returned from a mission.
We went to Nielsen’s for ice cream and stayed there for about an hour. Then we went to Smith’s to do some shopping, and afterward, we went back to his house and built a Lego set together.
Family at BYU game
On Saturday, I went down to Provo to hang out with Ashton. We were planning to go to the BYU game, but Ashton said I needed some merch to represent BYU. So I went to the BYU store and bought a hoodie. The game was actually really fun. It was a little confusing at first, but by the end I understood most of what was happening.
I also stayed a couple of days with London Keaton, which I really enjoyed. I learned some new games, and London and I went shopping for mission clothes. I was able to find a few things I’ll need.
On Sunday, we went to Amy’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. It was nice seeing everyone on the Miller side of the family. Veidi and I also started a little project making doll clothes. It was actually really fun measuring, cutting, and sewing the pieces.
Disney puzzle and movie marathon
Endia planned a Disney movie and puzzle marathon where we worked on puzzles while watching the movies. It was very calm, but also mentally draining, since I’m not the best at puzzles and don’t last very long doing them. Still, because so many of us were working on the puzzles together, it ended up being a lot of fun.
This past week, Mom had us rake leaves outside, and we also did a little trimming of the bushes. It felt good to get everything cleaned up around the house. The yard looked much better afterward.
Dad and I took the leaves and branches to the dump. On the way home, we drove by where the new West Jordan Temple is going to be built. They were starting to put in the surrounding neighborhood. It was really cool to see that we’re going to have a temple so close to our house.
Family shoveling leaves
Endia did a Disney movie and puzzle marathon, and it was amazing—two of my favorite things at the same time! I loved doing the puzzles, even though some of them were kind of hard because the pieces looked so similar. It was still a lot of fun.
We went to Aunt Amy’s house for Thanksgiving. We watched the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special and then ate, and the food was so delicious. We played Codenames and a bunch of other games, and I had a great time spending time with the family.
It was also Joanna’s birthday on November 16. We celebrated the next night by having Joanna’s choice for cake— strawberry shortcakes. We also watched a couple episodes of Modern Family. It was a really fun way to end the day.
Disney puzzle and movie marathon
Transfers went crazy last week, and I’m currently in Tizimín. It’s so cool here! Our ward is split into two areas, so we share it with two other elders.
My new companion’s name is Elder Allred, and he is just so awesome. We’re already having a blast together. I’m really excited to see what this transfer has in store for us.
Here in Tizimín, we’ve found a great tool to help teach the gospel called trompos. They’re so fun! It’s a game you play with these really cool spinning tops. It’s practically a missionary essential here to have one clipped to your belt.
Monte and Elder Allred
Not much else really happened last week. We’ve mostly been getting to know the area a bit better. We also have a previous fecha from the Elders who were here before us, which is exciting.
I also got to see Elder Lemon after four and a half months! It was awesome to catch up with him. We are both training this transfer, so that’s really cool.
Last Monday we went to a crocodile sanctuary and learned a lot of cool facts about crocodiles. Then we got to hold one! It was wild—definitely a little scary, but totally worth it. We also bought a small Christmas tree for our house since it’s about that time of year.
Family shoveling leaves
This week we had multi-zonas, and this one was especially special because Elder Brik Eyre was there. It was such a cool, revelatory experience. I took so many notes and came away with lots of ideas on how to adjust the way I work as a missionary and as a representative of Jesus Christ.
It was also Elder Allred’s first Multi-Zonas. I remember my first one like it was yesterday, and it’s crazy how fast time flies. I keep assuring Elder Allred that if he keeps working at it, his Spanish is going to improve rapidly. Even in just his first two weeks, his Spanish has already gotten so much better.
I remember being in his shoes and how hard it was not being able to express what I wanted to say, so being a newer missionary myself helps me stay patient since all my training is still fresh.
Monte and Elder Allred at baptism
Okay—Bryan got baptized! It was definitely an adventure getting him there. He went back and forth all week, and the night before his baptism we went over to talk with him. He told us he wasn’t ready and wanted to grow a little more. I felt prompted to ask him what he wanted to grow in, and he said he didn’t know.
We spent some time explaining that he had grown all that he could and that the next step to grow closer to Christ is through baptism. Then his brother, who is a recent convert, arrived and immediately said Bryan wasn’t ready.
We turned back to Bryan and asked him what he wanted to do. After one last prayer, Bryan looked at his mom and she gave him a big smile. Then he said he was going to get baptized. Wow—¡fue un milagro!
Elders Hill and Allred in Tizimin
Last night, we had dinner with some recent converts. Afterward, for some reason, Elder Allred, Elder Chapman, and I decided to eat a full habanero pepper. This wasn’t my first time, but it was their first.
They were Yucatecan orange habaneros, and if you know anything about habaneros, you know they are fiery. Mine had just been plucked off the bush, so it was the hottest of the three. It burned a lot, but we survived, and it was totally worth it.
Well y’all, that was my super week. I hope you all have a great week!
Charlie, Joanna, and Ellie
Endia planned a Disney marathon where we watched movies while doing puzzles. We watched Hercules first, then Tangled, then Winnie the Pooh, and finished with Fantasia. It was such a fun lineup and made the time fly by.
I loved the Hercules puzzle the most because it was so fun and cool. Everybody was helping each other with the puzzles, and there was lots of laughter going around. It made the whole night even more enjoyable.
Winnie the Pooh was really funny, and even Isaac stayed for it. Fantasia had beautiful music and was really fun to watch. The whole marathon lasted about five to six hours. After that, everybody headed off to bed.
Disney puzzle and movie marathon
On Saturday, Endia set up a puzzle marathon. It was Disney-themed, and while we worked on each puzzle, we watched the corresponding Disney movie.
The four types of puzzles we worked on were Winnie the Pooh, Encanto, Fantasia, Hercules, and Lady & the Tramp. I spent the most time on the Fantasia puzzle, though I also completed a few pieces in Hercules. I really liked this activity. It was new, relaxing, and a lot of fun. It did take all day, but it was worth it.
A couple of weeks ago, I convinced the iPhone users in the family to start something new. Dad ordered an iPhone unplug box, and every evening at 7:00pm, we all put our phones in the box and we don’t pull them out until morning. I know this has helped me to get away from screens at the end of the day.
New iPhone unplug box
This week we went to the Nelson’s for Thanksgiving, and it was super fun. It was nice to see people I haven’t seen in a while since I’ve been up at school. The food was delicious, and I ate so many deviled eggs.
Endia made about three full cookie trays of them, so people could have as much as they wanted. They were definitely one of my favorite parts of the meal. I may have eaten more than my fair share!
After we ate dinner, we played some games. We got a good group together to play Codenames, and it was a ton of fun. We played a couple of rounds before I went home, played a little bit of video games, and then went to bed.
Hiking with Keaton’s family
Keaton’s sister Josie was in town from Michigan this week. She really wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family, so we had the Morris family Thanksgiving a couple of weeks early. It was great having everyone together.
The day after, we went down with some of Keaton’s other sisters to visit their cousin in St. George. We wanted to go canyoneering and somehow convinced all of them to do a quick canyon with us. It ended up being a ton of fun.
Of course, we played a bunch of board games while we were down there. It was really nice to go canyoneering and be able to spend the whole weekend down south instead of driving back up right away.
Joanna’s birthday celebration
On my birthday, we got strawberry shortcakes and watched a show. I got new pajamas, a sleep mask, a ballerina outfit, and a dollhouse. It was a really fun and special day.
For Thanksgiving, I played at Aunt Amy’s house. We played games, watched a show, and then ate dinner together. It was a great time with everyone.
On another day, we also did another Disney puzzle with the family. While we worked on the puzzle, we watched the Disney movie Encanto. It was fun to do both at the same time.
Eva’s first birthday celebration
BYU football has had a lot of success over the last two seasons, and it has quickly become my favorite sport to watch. In the past, the Jazz were my go-to, but with their recent struggles, I’ve been drawn more to the Cougars.
A month or so ago, I realized it had been over eight years since I last went to a game at LaVell Edwards Stadium. I really wanted to go back, so we bought tickets for the BYU vs. TCU game this week.Brooke and I dropped the girls off at Mom and Dad’s and basically had the whole afternoon and evening to ourselves.
Brooke had never been to a BYU game before, so it was fun for me to be back and to introduce the experience to her. She mostly loved all the food we got, since she’s not really a football fan, but she was still a great sport the whole time.
Braden and Brooke at TCU game
BYU played a great game and ended up winning 44–13. While we were walking around Provo, I kept thinking about how grateful I am for my time at BYU. It’s a special place for me, and the longer I am removed from my time there as a student, the more pride I feel for my alma mater.
I loved being able to spend the whole day with Brooke. We hadn’t had an extended date like that, just the two of us, in quite a while, and it was so much fun.
The fact that she was such a great sport about coming with me to enjoy something that isn’t really her thing but means a lot to me made me feel incredibly grateful. I love her so much!
Mom washing Misha
On Friday, Ashton and I went out to eat and to the movies. We watched Truth and Treason which was a good movie. It tells the story about Helmuth Hübener, a teen-age member of the church who fought against Nazi Germany during World War II.
Then the next Friday after going to an MTC resume workshop I went to the Provo temple. The family also went to the temple in Saratoga Springs, but I wasn't able to join them.
I love being in the temple, it always seems to strengthen me and help me feel peace and feel like I can continue to progress.
Dad watching Emmett at Nelson’s
Dad / Arkin
Gloria, Mom and I are so proud that you have received your mission call! We know you have been looking forward to this for a couple years, ever since you received your patriarchal blessing, and I bet you can’t believe it is finally here.
This will be a great opportunity for you. Not only will you grow in maturity and independence, and become more prepared to be a successful adult, but you will also have a great opportunity to strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Congratulations!
Nelson’s Thanksgiving dinner