Week 43

"I've never had a bad day in my life, just some are better than others." -Dad

Goodmorning! How was everyone's week? Finally hit 10 months! This quote above is one of my all time favorite quotes from my Dad. I've been sharing it with everyone! They love it! Next week is another transfer week so we will be finding out our news this coming Sunday! I hope to stay with Sister Phillips! We have so many goals and plans for this area so I'm not ready to leave! 

This week was a little more of a challenge for us than the previous weeks. Winter is getting to us! Being a missionary in the winter is not my stuff. We've been having some challenges here and there but each day we just make the most of what we've got! We found five people this past week so we are hoping to get both of our two areas rolling again! Our two converts, Shane and Keith, are progressing quickly to the temple! Keith received the priesthood Sunday and interviewed for his recommend! Shane has started family history work and is as well receiving the priesthood this coming Sunday and getting his temple recommend! Shane is super excited because the first person he will be taking to the temple is his dad's name. I am so pumped! This is the beauty of missionary work, I love it.

We had lots of service this week, more than usual! I love service! Sister Phillips and I also got our hair cut and we regret it haha. She got four inches cut off and I'm a wimp and only did two. Our past district meeting was awesome. I really had never felt so grateful to be a missionary. I've been thinking alot on how fast time goes by and how it's important to treasure the time we have here on earth. Life really is just but a small moment. This is our time to work hard, grow in faith and so much more. Remember that everyday is precious! 

Yesterday during relief society we did this activity where there were 50 things on the list and by the end of the list we were only allowed to have one thing left. On this list were things we have like: running water, food, cars, etc. Other things on the list were more spiritual things such as: church, temple, priesthood, testimony, etc. By the end of the list most of us had the word testimony left. Something that was touching to me was Moroni's story. Near the end of Moroni's life all he had left was the brass plates, which he was asked to bury. When he had nothing left, no family, no plates, he had his testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel and Jesus Christ. When we may think we have nothing left we have one of the most prized possessions and that is our testimony. Work daily to strengthen your testimony and to keep building your faith. It is not enough to be satisfied with what your testimony is like now. We need to constantly be nourishing our testimony. 

I am grateful to be a missionary. As much as I love and adore my family, I want to stay forever. It's hard work and there are disappointing days but missionary work affects the ETERNITIES. This month I invite you to daily gives thanks for the blessings God has given you. Look for ways you can express your gratitude. Serving God's children is always a good way to go! 

~"Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust."-2 Nephi 1:23 ~

Be righteous! I love you all with every bit of me! 

Lastly I share with you these scriptures:

"And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague...Be not afraid, only believe." -Mark 5:25-36

We must have faith. If we but have faith in the Only Begotten Son, we can be made whole. Keep the faith! 

Love,

Sister Austin Miles ♡

PO Box 284 Deer Lodge MT 59722

Montana Billings Mission