Week 16

Hey! Well my week was pretty boring so I don't have a ton to report on! I won't lie this week went by pretty slow! How has everyone else been? 

This week we have been having a spider problem so our landlord has to come spray our house today because it's bad! I've killed about 50 spiders since I've been here. Its insane! 

We'll this week we set a goal for three baptisms this transfer so we are working hard! We have about five potential people for baptism so we have been praying like crazy!  Transfers happened last week! We went down to Helena to pick up Sister Ashcrofts companion (Sister Mounteer my MTC companion). Sister Lewis also showed up so I was screaming! All us Sisters from the mtc were reunited except Sister Lystrup so she wasn't able to be apart of the pictures. Sad day. In one of the pictures below is with Sister Packer! Sister Decker trained Sister Packer and I so we all got a picture together! We had our transfer meeting Thursday and it was so amazing. One of the most spiritual meetings I have ever been apart of. We talked a lot about what we have learned so far on our missions and my response was this: I have learned the importance of changing nature. Being more godly than worldly. This life is about becoming who the Savior wants us to be and knows we can be. I have learned how infinite our influences are to those around us. I have had to learn and accept that my family is better off without me when I am doing the Lords work. I thought back to the day I had to let go of my loved ones and take a huge step forward. I let go of my loved ones because of the love I have for the Lord. Looking back it's crazy...I have almost been out 4 months! I remember back in my first week saying I'll never make it to May but it's already here!

 I have discovered a new fear of mine this past week and it's........nursing homes. Yes I know, random. Sister Decker and I went to go visit a member for the first time in the nursing home and I was sweating the whole time in there and freaking out! We went back a second time with the elders and they were just laughing at me but it's a real fear of mine! Haha so fun fact for ya! This week Sister Decker and I are making appointments for the dentist because I'm pretty sure I have a cavity! All that candy! Well yesterday we had ward council for almost four hours and I was falling asleep! It was rough but this ward is so awesome! We have so much work to do! It can be overwhelming at times but I love being busy! I think I'm starting to get the hang of this whole missionary thing haha. Today we just have the usual errands and tons of cleaning! Sorry my week was kind of boring! This week about four people dropped us so it was pretty sad and shocking. Just means we gotta go out and find more people! 

I love you all so much and miss you more than ever. Yesterday in Sacrament the topic was missionary work. It's so important to get involved in missionary work. Especially with the missionaries! They need you! Most of our referrals have come from members and it's amazing. I know that this Gospel is true. I love seeing the light in others when they realize they were missing something so great and finally found it. Go out and find the one. I know that everyday we need to be reading our scriptures and praying because that's how we strengthen our faith and our relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

Love,
Sister Miles ♡

week 15

Happy Monday! Wow...last week was great. I have never been so happy in my life. Times are hard here and there but I would not want to be anywhere else! Hope you all had a wonderful Easter as well! Sad I missed it with you but I thought about you tons! I have the best family and friends in the world! 

So our investigator that we had on date for baptism who moved all of the sudden is moving back to Great Falls! We are pretty excited because she is so ready! We got four referrals in one day so the work in our area is starting to grow so much! We have so many people close to baptism so this next transfer is going to be golden I just know it. Transfer news...I'm staying with Sister Decker! We are both pretty pumped. If I could I would stay in Great Falls for forever. I would live here! Since Friday we have been in a trio with Sister Ashcroft and it has been so much fun. TRIPAN! Tomorrow we drive down to Helena to pick up her new companion which guess who it is...SISTER MOUNTEER! My mtc companion! I'm so unbelievably excited to see her again! This week we also had inspections so that went great. We had stake conference and our mission presidents came and it was the best! We had some great lessons this week as well! The work is moving along. We had a Easter party at a members and two of our investigators families came and they loved it! It was so good for them and we were just so pumped! Funny story of the week...so I woke up at exactly 2:47 in the morning...I woke myself up as I was sleep TESTIFYING. I said "I know this Gospel is true and it can bring you so much happiness...wait what is happening I'm so confused...did you ask me a question?... Sister Decker: NO ITS SLEEP TIME GO TO BED." It was great. I was so confused but I testify so much during the day it makes sense I would be doing it in my sleep haha. Two of the greatest lessons were this week that I've had on my whole mission so far. We saw Al and Judy and they are golden! They want to know everything so I am so hopeful for them! Our lesson with Kirby Saturday was amazing. I cried most of the lesson and Kirby got up to get me tissues. He's just the best. We were doing this Easter lesson with these eggs. Each egg represents something different that happened before Christ was crucified. There are 12 eggs and on the last egg Kirby opened it and it was empty. The note said "He is not here, He is risen." I started to ball my eyes out immediately and bore my testimony on the Savior. That same day I finished training and after I closed my training I cried. I cried because I thought I would never make it. I cried because I had overcome something that I never thought I could accomplish. I cried because I thought of how could someone love me that much to do something so extreme for me? "Isn't it amazing what you can do when you believe in yourself and the person who knows what they are doing?" I know that when we trust in the Savior with ALL our heart, he will make it all possible. I am so grateful. I'm grateful for the Atonement  and the opportunity we have to repent. We have a chance because of the Savior. God knew we would make mistakes so He sent the Savior because he loves us that much. For all those who are thinking about serving a mission or preparing to...I'm here to tell you that serving a mission will be one of the best things that will ever happen to you. "Come as you are but don't expect to stay the way that you were." A mission will change you, but for the good. I am so grateful that I am here today serving in the Montana Billings Mission. I am grateful for the mercy that has been extended to me from my Heavenly Father. I love my life so much more because of the new perspective I have from serving. I lose sleep so they can find rest. I cry more so they can cry less. I gave up 18 months with my family so that other people's families can be together forever. I promise to all of you that as you keep the commandments you will be so much more free. I know that my Savior lives. I know this church is true. I can't thank all of you enough for all of the support you have given me. I would have never been able to make it this far without you and Christ. I challenge you all to ponder this week just on some things you personally feel you need to improve on to strengthen your relationship with your Heavenly Father whatever that may be. I love you all and miss you! Keep going strong. Keep the faith. 

~Thoughts of the week:" If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world..." -John 15:19. You are all at unique. Dont be in the world. 

~Strive to turn outward instead of inward. That's the character of Christ. Completely selfless. 

week 14

Wow its already Monday again?! Crazy to think that I've been in Great Falls for over a month! Transfers are coming up quick! I'll find out if I'll be staying or going this coming Easter Sunday. I hope I get to stay! 

This week...Tuesdays are always slow days for Sister Decker and I. This week has been pretty hard for us so Tuesday we were so anxious; we took a 10 minute break and decided to go get ice cream because we really needed it! We both have spent a lot of this week crying due to the life as a missionary and other issues. Wednesday was district meeting and I gave my discussion which I didn't think I did too great on. I didn't have a ton of time to study since things have been pretty crazy for Sister Decker and I. We have been dead tired the majority of our time due to a full schedule. This week is probably going to be slow. We don't have very many lessons and need to find new investigators. So we will be knocking on a ton of doors this week! After a while your knuckles start to hurt. Not a ton to report on this week...it's snowed a couple of times! Crazy how overnight so much snow can come about! We saw Kirby quite a few times this week and he just cracks me up. Yesterday he said "Tomorrow's fast and furious huh?" (He means fast Sunday) He's hilarious. Sister Decker and I started our fast at 1 o'clock Saturday and ended our fast at 1 o'clock Sunday. So a full 24 hours no water, food, gum, nothing! We did it! It was hard but when you are fasting with a purpose you forget how hungry you are. Sister Decker forgot we were fasting Saturday night and she was about to drink her water and I smacked it out of her hand. Water spilt all over her and I said "WAIT WE'RE FASTING!" We both started cracking up but all is well. 

We saw a lady Sister Jones who is just absolutely adorable and she said "Oh honey, you're nice looking" and sister Decker and I were just laughing. She's the sweetest. We had dinner with the elders and a member, Sister Darnell, and she paused twice while we were all talking and said to everyone, "Isn't she just adorable?" pointing to me haha. Self esteem boost for me! The drivers here are interesting so every time we have road rage and slip something out of our mouth we try to bring it back positively. For example, the other day someone was not being a good driver and I said "You're stupid". Then paused...and said "I mean you're a child of God." Haha so Sister Decker and I do that now. Overall my week was hectic and overwhelming but I have my hopes high for this week to be a good one. 

I have a testimony of this gospel. It is not easy to stand alone at times or to repent. I know that as we remain faithful God will provide us with the things we need. Hold on. As a missionary I thought of this scripture that can apply to all of us. "And to what were ye ordained?....to preach my gospel." My mission president shared this in zone conference and it was completely silent in the room as he said it. Tears filled my eyes as he said it looking at me directly. I have had struggles lately with my purpose as a missionary but when I heard that I remembered that by the power of the priesthood, I was set apart to do this and to proclaim the word of God. Life is not easy but with Christ it can be. I love you all and I miss you so much. Challenge for the week. Read one verse a night and say your prayers. Make this a daily habit. I promise you as you do so it will all become easier and you will receive so many blessings by doing so. If you've been keeping this challenge already I encourage you this week to make it a goal to not complain. I'm working on this challenge so we can all do it together! Be grateful for all that you have and know that someone out there always has it worse than you. You all inspire me and are amazing. Keep up your hard work. I know as you keep the commandments and really strive to be 100% dedicated to church you will find so much happiness. 

I am now in Alma in the Book of Mormon so I am making progress! My goal is to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of next transfer or before! I wanted to bring up someone that gives such awesome talks and I encourage you all to look up Hank Smith. Listen to his talks! They are so inspiring! 

"One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so." I would like you all to watch the video on gospel library titled "None were with Him". The Savior walked alone, suffered for us, loves us, forgives us, and so much more. With Easter coming up I invite you all to think of the meaning of Easter. Think of the Atonement and what Jesus Christ did for you. God knew we would mess up and face trials...so He sent the Savior. I hope you all got a chance to watch the new Easter video the church released and were able to recognize the way the Savior was described. He took no money, he didn't complain, he wore a crown of thorns, He heals broken bonds, broken souls, and so much more. He loves you. Heavenly Father loves you. I know that. You are the children of the most high. How amazing is that? I want you all to remember that YOU are the creative force in your life. YOU have the power to change and to take control of your life. YOU can do all things. Wake up every morning and look in the mirror and love what you see because our Heavenly Father created us in his own image. God doesn't create ugly. YOU are a child of God. 

Ps...I love love hand written letters so anyone who writes one I will write back! I would love to hear from everyone! Shout out to the young woman for all the wonderful things they have sent me. I love you all so much! 

107 19th st N

Great Falls, Montana

59401

Thought of the day: How have I seen God's hand in my life? Who is Jesus Christ to me? 

Keep the faith. 

Love,
Sister Miles

Week 13

Well howdy! This week has been filled with ups and downs but I'm glad I'm on to a new week! Yes I hit 3 months on Tuesday! I only have two weeks left of training as well! Hope you all had a great conference week and got to listen to all the inspiring talks! 

This week...Tuesday we went out with one of the ward Missionaries Sister Davison and she's awesome. We went around to the new move ins and welcomed them into the ward and it was fun getting to know more people. When we were driving we had looked over and saw this older man fall straight on his head! We freaked out and pulled over and it took us about 30 minutes to get him inside his house. Don't worry he's okay! We got to talk with him and his wife for a little and they are just the nicest people. They kept saying God was watching out for them because we came to help. We are planning to go to visit them and share more about the gospel with them! Tuesday we also had interviews with President Wadsworth! I love my mission presidents so much. Tuesday was some what of a rough day and I ended up getting a blessing from one of the elders in my district. I felt so much better after and I'm grateful for the power that the priesthood has to help us in times of need. Wednesday was zone conference until three so it was all day for the most part. The rest of the week we had lessons and tracted! It was so funny. Sister Decker and I were walking the streets and talking to people and this one lady was about to walk into her house. Sister Decker was like "Go talk to her!" I was like no way that's so awkward we are half way across the street. It ended up Sister Decker and I pushing and shoving each other in the street fighting over who was going to talk to this lady. It was hilarious. Yes even people who have been out for 14 months get nervous to talk to people. Anyone who saw us probably thought we were crazy missionaries haha. I love Sister Decker. One day we were having a deep conversation and she said "one of the reasons I love you so much is because you remind me of my sister." And then we both started to cry. We are so alike it's crazy. The other day we were sitting in the car and were watching a squirrel kid you not for ten minutes and just kept saying how cute it was. Yup that's sometimes what missionaries do on their break times. Nothing to crazy happened this week to report on! Saturday (April fools) we went to the Wilda's and they played a little funny joke on us. So they weren't really cupcakes...it was meatballs and mashed potatoes. And they were like "we have brownies"...get it BROWN E'S haha. Pictures below! Also this Wednesday I was asked to give another discussion so I'll be working on that! Sad thing to share..the one person we had on date out of no where moved to Helena so now she's not our investigator so yesterday was a sad day for us! Anyways today we have a ton of errands to run and we decided to treat ourselves to pizza and baskin robbins ice cream so we are pretty happy. Its supposed to snow today too. Good ol Montana weather! Below are a bunch of random pictures. Yes I am doing push ups in one picture. I dropped my book of Mormon..when we do that or drop our garments on the floor we have to do push ups as punishment haha. 

Now onto the spiritual side of the email...

A few days ago the new Easter video came out on Mormon.org called the "Prince of Peace"(also on the gospel library app). Go watch it it's amazing! The video really strengthened my testimony on the Atonement and all the Savior has done for us. We love him because he first loved us. Throughout my mission I have had to really learn to rely on the Atonement for strength and comfort. I hope you all got a chance to watch conference because it was so amazing. I would list off everything I liked but it would take days for me to write it all out. I will not lie this week has been extremely hard for me. Due to a lot of exhaustion, rejection, homesickness, etc. Prayer has been my saving grace. The scriptures have been my saving grace. I know that as we learn to rely on the Savior he will lift us up and carry our burdens on his shoulders. "Look up to heaven. Look up to Christ."- Yoon Hwan Choi 

My challenge for you this week is to watch the Easter video and "Learn principles of peace from the Prince of Peace." I invite you to share the video with a friend on Facebook. I'm sure you will make some one's day and you could be an answer to some one's prayer.

Heads up- The rules for my Facebook is that I am only allowed to friend family from home. I am not allowed to friend ward members, friends from home and so on. I think I made my page public to all so those who I can't friend can stay updated. I am not allowed to use messenger with family as well. Just for those who think I'm ignoring their request! I just cant friend others besides family. 

Thought of the day: Have I done any good in the world today? 

I love you all and miss you dearly. I care for you. I think of you. I pray for you. I love hearing from you and your pictures you send as well as your letters. They comfort me and strengthen me when at times when I think I cannot go on. I really do miss you all and hope you all have a great week and enjoy yourselves. Keep the faith. 

Love,
Sister Miles