Welcome Home, Elder DeMille!!

We just received this beautiful video of Elder DeMille's first moments back home in Salt Lake City. They were beautiful and unforgettable. Thank you to the Korea Seoul South Mission for taking such good care of our son as he faithfully served his mission with you. It has been a life altering experience for us and we will forever be grateful for the countless blessings we have received.

It's been a ride, huh?

...Well, everyone. I want to say thank you. Thanks for doing these two years with me, and for listening to all of the crazy stories and random pieces of advice my 20 year old brain came up with throughout this whole experience. Thank you for all of your love, and support, and for giving me the confidence and courage countless times when I thought I might fail, or couldn't believe in myself. Thank you for sending letters, spiritual thoughts, and emails.. I promise I've read every single one of them, even if I may not have ever gotten back to writing you. I've kept almost every single letter I've received on my mission-- and hold them near and dear to me. YOU have all really helped me so much. ..Just by watching. By reading. By being a part of this ride.. this experience we could have together. I can't say I've grown into this incredible man who can grow a super handsome beard or anything, but I can say that.. ...I'm way better than I used to be, and I think that's important. I've learned how much one life can impact another, and have grown in ways I never expected to. I've been humbled, tested, tried, and shaped into an instrument that I know both the Lord and those around me will be able to use just a little bit better. ..And I know that this church is true. I know that faith isn't just a principle of the gospel.. it's not just a word we use to describe why we feel the way we do about our religion. I've learned that it's our lifestyle. Every decision we make is because of the faith we have in those promised blessings. I've learned over my two years in Korea that I kneel and pray to my Father in Heaven with faith that he will answer me. ..Why would I kneel and pray in the first place if I didn't have any faith? 

Of all the blessings I could promise.. of all the things I could testify of, I want to leave with you one simple testimony of something I know to be true-- with all of my heart. 

In one sentence, my testimony is this.

I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers every child's prayer. 

Before I sign off, I want to share an experience I had with prayer, that I shared with my trainer a few weeks ago. 

 ..I was having a really hard night. I was stressed out my mind, got a call to speak in church with the Stake Presidency out of nowhere the night before, was worried about my life and future, who I'd marry, what I was doing as a missionary, if I'd done enough.. if I had made a difference, and was seriously just drowning. I tried my best to just throw it all down in my journal and walk away with a positive attitude like I usually try to do but, nothing was working.

I went into a different room, and knelt in prayer -- saying what I'd probably call an angry and frustrated prayer with my Father in Heaven. I was frustrated, and didn't feel like there were answers to anything. I cried my eyes out, and was just so upset. ..As I prayed, I remembered that all who have the Aaronic Priesthood are entitled to something called "the ministering of angels", and though I didn't really and still don't really understand what that fully entails, I plead with God to send me one. Someone, some angel, to help me through it all. Be it the Holy Ghost or anyone else to just.. help me get a grip on things.

It was after that-- pleading and struggling, that I felt the Holy Ghost, and was comforted enough to walk back into my room. I was thankful, and felt that that was the answer to my wrestle of a prayer.

..But that night, I fell asleep, and had a dream that I was in a field. A huge, golden brown field-- where I was supposed to work. But, the amount of work I had to do was SO immense. Wayy more than I could do by myself, and I knew it. There were huge weeds, and stocks of wheat all around me, and I was so overwhelmed. I looked around and saw others in the field, harvesting and plowing and working -- all in groups, in teams, and with partners. Happily, whole-heartedly, and diligently. They were confident and making incredible progress. ..I stuck my shovel in the dirt. And spaced out. Totally overwhelmed, not even willing to start, when I felt a hand on my right shoulder. 

I turned around, to see my trainer, Elder Chow.

I was surprised, to say the least, and asked what he was doing here. He looked at me and said, "Hey. I'm here to help you. ..What's wrong?" ..I started to explain how frustrated I was and that I just couldn't do it, when he interrupted me with a soft voice and said, "Hey.. come on. We can do this together. It's not just you. Now come on, let's work hard." ..And man, we worked. We worked all night. We worked and talked about everything that I was stressed about, and he just listened to me talk about … well, ..everything. 

I woke up, comforted, confident, and capable, and the next day was a major success. 

I just wanted to thank you --all of you for having that kind of impact in my life. For teaching me that I can work hard. That I can do my own work, but that I can also have help from others, and that there are always others there to help me out. 

Thank you for being there for me.

And a special thank you to the man who made me the missionary I am, Elder Chow. 

I hope all is well, and I hope each and every one of you remembers how special you are -- that there is no one else in the WHOLE WORLD that has the same influence you do,

and that you remember how great life is.

..Whatever stress you may be holding onto, I promise that if you give it to our Father in Heaven, just like you would a loving parent, you can let it go and be truly happy.

Remember that you're never alone.

..and continue always to choose to be great.

Be good. Walk Tall.

Be you. Keep the Faith.

Be True. Finish the Fight!

All the love,

ELDER TRUE ANTHONY DEMILLE!

Invictus.

This week, I had the opportunity of teaching our Gospel Doctrine class the "Law of Chastity". ..As we all know, it's by far the funnest, easiest, and least awkward lesson to teach. 

..Haha.. Okay. I lied, I'm sorry.

But! This week, as I stressed over how I could teach it comfortably, entertainingly, and well, well- I reflected on a lesson I taught about the "Armor of God" back when I was a Deacon. My mom helped me prepare the lesson, and I used the same object lesson that I used back then, in class this week. It was super effective. I wish I had more time to explain it to you -- but time is pressing, and I want to share with you the more important part of the lesson. I decided to --rather than talking about the Law of Chastity itself-- talk about how we can overcome it, avoid breaking it, and keep it more effectively.  

When I was 14 or so years old, my Young Men's Counselor, Jared Hackett, invited all of the young men to memorize a poem. In doing so, we'd get 5 bucks! ..To be honest, I don't really remember what other reasons or benefits there were to memorizing the poem at the time, but I liked poems and figured I'd give it a try. One week later, I had 5 dollars in my hand, and a tool that I would use for the rest of my life.

To this day, every time a bad thought enters my head, I recite this poem to help me be more focused, to help me stay strong, and to give me encouragement to press forward. There were times in my mission where I would even count the times I had to recite the poem each day -- some a little depressing, and others encouraging-- but regardless, I'm so thankful that the challenge was issued. I guess, in saying that, I'm issuing a challenge to you. 

Memorize this poem, or another one that you hold dear and that gives you strength, to use as a tool against the adversary in times of need. I promise it will always help you!

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever Gods may be,

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance,

I have not winced, not cried aloud

Under the bludgeonings of chance,

My head is bloody- but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears,

Looms but the horror of the shade;

And yet the menace of the years

Finds - and shall find- me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll-

I am the master of my fate.

I am the captain of my soul.

-William Ernest Henley.

And that's a wrap, folks!

I'll see you next week, for the grand finale!

Special shoutout to my baby brother, who's officially a teenager today!! Haha rock on Landon!

All the love,

Elder DeMille

What A Week.

Well, I'm not really sure how to put this week into words, but.. I want to tell you that this week was a week filled with faith. Like, man oh man, was it filled with faith.

I honestly don't know what to say. From an incredible interview with President, to a long night on my knees in prayer, to a dream filled with revelation, to our Sisters' investigator (and long-time, dedicated friend) being baptized this Saturday, things have just been overflowing with blessings, lessons, and growth. It's been amazing. I wish I had more to say. Advice to give, stories to tell, but, I really just want to share this with you today. 

This is what we call the Faith Project.

I promise that if you read the scriptures below individually (or with a companion, if you're serving) several times a day, your faith will sky-rocket. Read and think about these scriptures. Ponder them. Contemplate them. I've been doing it this past week, and have seen my faith grow in incredible ways. 

“Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:11–14)

“… If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:20)

“… faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17)

“… I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:7)

“… the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him.” (1 Nephi 7:12)

“… I am able to do mine own work.” (2 Nephi 27:21)

“For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.” (2 Nephi 27:23)

“… if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.” (Alma 22:16)

“And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.” (Alma 23:6)

“And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” (Alma 32:21)

“For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; … Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth. Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost. Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites. Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after.” (Ether 12:12–16)

“… Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.” (Moroni 7:26)

“Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith.” (D&C 8:10)

Walk tall.

Keep the faith.

Finish the fight!

All the love,

Elder DeMille!!

I Fig'd It Out.

So, we went to the zoo this week. And it was SO fun.

Plus, we made homemade Pepero! 

AND I saw my aunt on the street, AGAIN!! Outside of her Kindergarten this time. My cousin was there, and her 6 year old friend asked me for my autograph. 

Score.

Hahahaha anyway… I don't have tons of time to write today, but I wanted to share something really rad I learned in personal study this week.

In Mark, Chapter 11 Jesus is riding back into Jerusalem after a long day of proselyting with his twelve apostles. They were probably healing tons of people, handing out Book of Mormons (Or is it Books of Mormon?), and innumerable pass-along cards to everyone they passed. Needless to say they were starving. And lo and behold, in front of them stood a fig tree.

 11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

 12 ¶And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:

 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

So here's Jesus, the creator of Earth, hungry for some fruit, and him --not seeing any-- does something much of us deem drastic. 

14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Matthew, in his account, tells how the tree "presently withered away" -- but Mark tells how they come upon it the next day, seeing it in an incredibly surprising condition. Withered, dead, and definitely not bearing any fruit nor leaves.

..But, I always thought to myself, and this week Sister Lee asked me, "Why did Jesus curse the tree for not having any fruit? ..Like.. come on?? It's just a tree. And it wasn't the season to bear fruit!" 

So, I decided I'd research it. 

I found the majority of the answer in Jesus the Christ, written by James E. Talmage. Apparently, I was lacking a huge knowledge of fig trees. Did you know that fig trees bear fruit buds, BEFORE budding leaves? So, here was this tree, not in the fruit season yet -- but flaunting it's leaves all around like, "Heyy~ What's up guys! Yo, I got some TASTY fruit over here. See all my leaves? You've just gotta come see what I've got for you. I know it's not time yet, but I budded early. BOY do I have some sweet fruit." So naturally, Jesus goes with his apostles to check it out. If there are leaves, there should be fruit, right?

Wrong.

This tree was 1. a symbol of faith, as Jesus showed his disciples the power to control nature/elements with only words and faith, and 2. a more abstract symbol of the current religion, Judaism at it's finest. Judaism was spreading rapidly, but was just what the fig tree was. A tree, with leaves, and no fruit. Our church is the only one with fruit of it's kind -- Judaism was simply a trick -- a trap. To get people to come and see, and believe, when there was nothing there for them to begin with. So Jesus put a stop to it.

Cool, right? 

Anyway, with that in mind my mom sent me a cool quote that falls right into place.

God has a plan for your life.

The enemy has a plan for your life.

Be ready for both.

Just be wise enough to know

which one to battle and

which one to embrace.

-author unknown-

Walk towards the right trees, embrace the right fruit. Indulge in it and share it with others so they can enjoy it too!!

Have a wonderful week!

All the love,

Elder DeMille

Sweet and Condensed.. My Week. Not Milk.

Alright, I'm gonna give you the sweet and condensed version of my week this week! 

1. I ran into my aunt while tracking in Go Deuk Dong.. Hahaha. She pulled up right next to us as we had just come from knocking on a less-active's door -- her head out the window yelling, "True! True!!" and my cute little cousins doing the same thing from the van window, hahaha. How in the world does that happen?? We met up, they drove us home, and then took us out to some Ddukbokki and such like 30 minutes later, after they picked up my grandma and grandpa.

2. I had Silk-worm pupae for the first time this week! And, it wasn't near as bad as it sounds. It just tastes like.. a mix of a tie.. and lima beans? Haha but, my comp Elder Kim cooked them up and made them wayy better. Granted, I still didn't eat a ton, but -- not so bad. Larvae. Check!

3. District meeting! And.. now, I officially teach my English class by myself. Since.. well.. my companion doesn't speak english, haha. Don't worry, it's fun.

4. We had Zone Training, which was super fun -- and will have Temple week this week -- it was super fun to catch up with Elder Watts and Ethington. Later that night the sisters lost their phone and it ended up at a Fire-station, so, I got to go inside a Korean fire-station for the first time. That was pretty sweet.

5. We had dinner at President's house this week, ... and had CHICKEN POT PIE. It was amazing. I've forgotten how much American meals consist of salt, pepper, meat and bread, haha. But seriously, it was SO good. There were a few little kids we brought and President was a tiger most of the night. Great guy.

6. Had a wicked nightmare just two nights ago -- still pretty shaken-- it's the first in about a year, but it was the first time I actually died in my dream. The details would take a little too long but, it was crazy. 

7.And then.. church on Sunday! -- The fam came over later and dropped off some Jajjang and Curry. They're the bomb. We're planning one last big get together/dinner on the 21st of this month! Should be fun!

Love you all and hope you have a wonderful week. I hope you remember to tell those around you how much you love them too!!

All the love,

Elder DeMille!

Hallowherever You Want! I Choose Korea!

This week.. what to say about this week..

Well, folks. Let's get the obvious part out there -- I'm almost done. Which is craaaazy. And, I've realized also makes time move a lot slower. So, for those of you who are dreading the end of your mission -- have hope! Haha this week went by longer than probably any other week in the history of my mission. It was awesome!

Before our beloved ones left Gangdong, we all got together at the Han River and played some silly games -- soccer with our hands, frisbee, and whatnot, and had a blast. To finish it off we got some bubble tea, and met up with a member the next night for a giant dinner appointment at a restaurant called "In The Kitchen". ...Soo.. delicious..

After transfers at Yeongdeungpo we spent a solid 3-4 days straight preparing for our small little Halloween party where I got to paint faces and help lead the whole thing out. Not to mention I got to make some funny ghosts, decorations, and devil wings. Haha it took some different creativity! We didn't have too many people show, but those who did were super fun, and great participants. It's pretty weird to be the oldest missionary in the mission.. haha. Makes you think a lot about your capabilities.. let me tell ya.

However! The Sisters also had the privilege of seeing one of our Recent Convert's wife baptized this sunday!! Too awesome. It was a hilarious experience, but I don't think I could talk about it here. It'll have to wait to be told in person, hahaha.

On the flip side, things here are great. Of course, it's the daily grind and a little extra every now and then, but things are still moving forward! We love the work, I love my new Korean companion, and Elder Helms is having a blast training Elder Santana. The funniest part is that Elder Santana looks more Korean than Elder Kim does!! Haha!

The ward members get them mixed up all the time~~ It kills me. But hey, if there's anything I learned this week it's simply: Be happy.

If you can do this you can rule the universe. I'm convinced.

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude. But nothing on Earth can help the man with the wrong one.

Get your head in the game!! Love you all!

Enjoy the pics!

Elder DeMille!