Yo yo what's up! Another hectic week but welcome to the life
of missionary work! Last Monday we went up to Butte and hung out with the other
missionaires as well getting our oil changed in our car. We love getting out of
Deer Lodge and exploring other places just because Deer Lodge is hecka quiet
but we still love it. (Called deer lodge because there is literally only deer
here #wherethepeopleat)
We found a ton of people last week so we are super excited
to go back and to teach them more. We still have managed to teach 30+ lessons
with some of the changes in the mission that have thrown us off but we are
starting to get the hang of it. Thirty lessons a week is for chumps so we need
to step it up next week.
District meeting was the bomb. I was asked to give a
discussion and we did a super fun role play with teaching the restoration and
it was just poppin. We do alot of driving in this area because it's spread out
and our meetings end up in Butte alot so we are kinda stressing on miles this
month. Pray for us so I don't have to look all janky riding my bike around. The
rest of that day we spent in Philipsburg which is a branch we cover about 20-30
people. We met alot of people and got some great return appointments! We ate at
this amazing bbq place and went to the famous candy store there and I regretted
every bit of it. Now only having less than nine months left I need to lose the
15 pounds I gained in Great Falls :) what a joy. Okay best part of that
night...we went to a Baptist church service. So the back story to this is we
were invited to come help with their youth and we thought it would be a great
service opportunity. Well we showed up and none of the kids could make it since
the flu was going around. SO, we got preached to by the preacher for an hour
and it was so awkward and we were sitting in the front so we didn't want to be
rude and just stand up and walk out so we stuck it out. They were amazing and
such kind people though. We have kept in touch with some of them since then!
Thursday's and Fridays are always great because we get to do
service at the senior center as well as the food pantry and it's a blast. They
give us free food so I'd say it's a plus. Thursdays of course are slower with
weekly planning but we think we are starting to get the hang of the new area
book! Friday we had great lessons. One was with Shane one of our investigators
who is set for baptism on the 28th of this month! He's a tough cookie! Shane
used to be one of those people that would chase the missionaires off because he
used to practice I guess "Satanism". It's crazy now seeing who he is
and his desire to change. This is what I love about missionary work. I love
seeing the growth and the light in their eyes, it's priceless. The other lesson
was with Will and he's a trooper. Will has been waiting on a kidney transplant
for a while now and was told four years ago that he wouldn't make it this far.
But hey he did because he's awesome! The greatest thing of that lesson was
hearing Will laugh and just being grateful for the life he has been given. He's
such an inspiration! There are alot of great people here that are being
prepared and I'm pumped! We need to always be thankful! "Happy people are
thankful but thankful people are happy."
HOLD THE PHONE. So remember Kristy Vandeberg from Great
Falls? She was a member I taught there and I just love her to pieces! We got to
go up and see her and she's just a crack up. She's wild but I love her. She
said she wanted to come to church and surprise the bishop so we were like yes
you should come! She was kinda on the fence about it but when we walked into
sacrament yesterday morning there was Kristy sitting down. I ran over to her
and was so excited. This was her first time to church in 20 years. I am so
proud of her! She looked over at the bishop and I and said she came because of
us and my heart was full. I was like wow someone actually likes me haha! Little
miracles.
Yesterday we also had a convert baptism! His name is Keith!
Keith has been taught back and forth by missionaires for over a year I believe
both here and in Kalispell. I didn't get to know Keith very well but just by
the few times I have met him I just always knew there was something special
about him. Every baptism is amazing because you get to witness seeing God's
children come back into His fold.
I just have to say...my companion is awesome. One day we sat
down and had a deep talk that left us both crying. She inspires me and I am
grateful that I have this opportunity to learn from her. I've often been
reflecting back on my first couple months out on the mission and how lost I
felt. I couldn't teach for anything! Sister Phillips is so prepared and a
rockstar!
I have a strong testimony of this gospel. Happiness is found
in the gospel of Jesus Christ. A quote from the movie "The Otherside of
Heaven" says: (forgive me if I mess up the words) "How do you know
it's true?"...."I believe you and I know it is true otherwise you
have come an awful long way to tell a lie." I know that this church is
true and that I am here serving because I love the Lord and because I know that
he lives. I am grateful for his atoning sacrifice and to know someone loved me
enough to do that. Jesus Christ didn't just pick a few of us to die for, he
died for all of us. I love you all dearly! Keep the faith.
"We owe God the same faithfulness that He gives to
us"
Pictures:
1) The amazing Sister Shaw who I miss so much!
2) Former BOMB missionaires from this mission (they are so
cute) Sister Fronk, Sister Dayes and Sister Shoemaker!
3) Keith! (I'm so awkward)
4) Me being me
5) HOT MESS
6) My cute companion
7) Just waving to my friends
8) Bbq place HOLLA (I didn't realize the nachos were this
big)
Love,
Sister Austin Miles ♡
PO Box 284 Deer Lodge MT 59722
Montana Billings Mission
PO Box 284 Deer Lodge MT 59722
Montana Billings Mission
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