week 11

 Can't believe it's already preparation day! Time is flying by now! It's starting to warm up which I'm not happy about because I love winter! We are due to get another snow storm here soon so it's not spring yet! So many great things have happened this week that I don't have enough time to explain it all. There's too much! One thing cool that happened was I was picked by my zone leaders to give a discussion during zone training and I actually did well! The night before I was freaking out and was so nervous but once I got up to talk all of my fear went away. It is very rare for a missionary in training to be asked to give a discussion. So I feel pretty cool! 

I don't even know where to start with this week! A dog peed on me so that happened :) We have been so busy. Back to back appointments and no break time! It's been bittersweet. I have been pretty exhausted since starting some medication that makes me drowsy sometimes so it's been tough but all is well! I really love this area! There is so much work to be done! Its really sad how mean people are to us at times. Its rough getting doors shut on you all the time. PEOPLE THIS IS THE TRUE CHURCH I'M TRYING TO SAVE YOU LISTEN TO ME! ...Since being on my mission I have developed a fear of dogs and cats haha. Of course every person HAS to own a cat or a dog in this town. It's kind of a missionary thing being afraid or just hating dogs because they always attack us! The big dogs drive me nuts! I would say the only part I don't enjoy about visiting people houses is if they own animals. We leave houses with dog and cat hair all over us and it's just bleh haha. 

Anyways...the topic of this week has been a lot on Patriarchal Blessings, the priesthood, temples, and the birth of Jesus. A lot of our lessons this week revolved around these topics! It is seriously such a blessing to be able to get a Patriarchal blessing and it's so unique to you. Each week read your own. If you have not yet received yours yet, make that your next goal. I just love the members here. They have been so helpful to us and so caring. The members need to stop feeding us so good because I'm gonna come back 100 pounds heavier! Haha, but seriously it's bad. Kirby gives us a lot of chocolate too so that's even worse! Yesterday we had dinner with the Bulbulians (my favorite family) for the third time in two weeks. They just love us and it's so nice to see how appreciated missionaries really are. When we showed up yesterday they had opened the back of their car with a ton of groceries that they got for us. It was the nicest thing. After dinner we shared with them the children's bible video "the birth of Jesus Christ" and we asked them what it means to them that Jesus was born. It was such a powerful lesson that me and sister Bulbulian were crying. The Savior lives and because of Him we can too. What does the birth of Jesus mean to you? If Jesus wasn't born, life would have no meaning. We would have no purpose, no plan. I'm so grateful that I have the privilege to wear the name Jesus Christ over my heart everyday. And that I have the opportunity to testify of Him everyday. We talked a lot about temples this week and how special it is. I wish everyone around the world could go inside the temple, but because they are so sacred we must be worthy and active to enter them. Baptism, endowments, and sealings are saving ordinances to enter into the Celestial kingdom of God. Reach high and you will accomplish these goals which will lead you to eternal life. Who is Jesus Christ to you? 

I want to share one of the general conference talks I read this week called "Abide in My love" by Elder Chrisofferson. "God's love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply there." How comforting is that? His love is so extreme we cannot comprehend it. "The final judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts- what we have done. It is an acknowledgement of the final effect of our acts and thoughts- what we have become." - Elder Oaks. I invite you to stop looking back on all of the mistakes you've made in your life and start looking forward and changing. We cannot change our past but we can change our future. 

I testify that Jesus is the Christ. That we all have a purpose on this earth. I know there is a reason why you are here now. I know that there is a reason for every trial; to mold us into stronger people. Read your scriptures and pray everyday, that's how we change and improve. Go to church and take of the Sacrament. Work your way towards the temple because it truly is the most amazing building you will ever step foot in in your life. God loves you. I love you. Jesus died for YOU so that you may return to heaven once again. As long as you're trying and striving to improve, that is all the Lord asks. But you have to really try. Press forward with faith in Christ and you are promised eternal life. 

Sorry this email is short and no pictures this week but I love each and every one of you. Families can be together forever and I know that. This week I want you all to watch the children's bible video "the birth of Jesus" also the holiday video "because of Him". And guess what's coming up! GENERAL CONFERENCE! I challenge you to watch it all and write down your thoughts. It truly is a blessing to be able to have a living prophet here today on earth to help and guide us. I invite you to make getting your Patriarchal blessing the next step for you. It is so amazing. If you already have yours great! Your challenge is to take names to the temple and get the work done! There are family members just waiting for us to do their work. They are turning to you! 

Thought of the day: don't send your kids to church....take your kids to church. 

I love you all and I hope you have the best week. I love reading your emails and seeing your faces. You are all amazing. Look for the positives everyday. Wise words from the Anthony Miles "I've never had a bad day in my life, just some are better than others." Keep the faith. 

week 10

Hi All!

New Companion

So this week was transfers! Tuesday night I got into Billings and stayed with our sister training leaders and then the next morning we got up at five o'clock and left the mission home by seven off to our new areas! I didn't get to Great Falls until two so it was a long day in the car! Wednesday I met my new companion/trainer Sister Decker and she is one of my favorite people! I love this new area and her so much! We live in an apartment all to ourselves which is really rare for missionaries but hey we got lucky! Not lucky...BLESSED haha. When I arrived Wednesday I almost had an anxiety attack because there were people and houses everywhere which is not what I'm used to! That's just sad haha...I'm well adjusted now and never want to leave this area! I cover one ward which is a huge step down from covering three wards and a branch in Wyoming! But I love it! We have been doing some door approaches and I was able to do it without getting nervous! I was shocked! It's so easy now! It's awkward...but easy! I have been teaching lessons like crazy! It's become so natural for me that I don't even stress anymore about appointments. Mainly because I have such a good trainer. Sister Decker is the happiest person and is just overall amazing! She's been out for 13 months so she doesn't have much left which makes me sad because I don't want her to leave me haha. We are literally the same person and clicked from the beginning. My first night here we did some door approaches and we went to one house and the man asked who we were. Right when we told him he slammed the door in our face and we barely got one sentence out. Another man we saw we said "have you ever met Sister missionaries before?" And he said "I don't know and I don't care" then slammed the door. So people just love us! Haha. At that point you just have to learn to shake it off and laugh because there's no good in being down about it forever. Sister Decker and I realized they weren't saying no to us...they were saying no to God and that made us sad for them. At that point all you can do is pray for their hearts to be softened and maybe one day they will be. The ward members are so dang funny I love them! Okay...I gotta talk about my favorite member ever! His name is Kirby and he's just the best. We go and see him twice a week and he's a less active but he's really trying! He's such a goof. I wish I could just record him because everything he does is so funny. Sister Decker gave Kirby one of her scarfs and we made him put it on and we were just dying. He bought us flowers too and we were just like AW KIRBY! I never realized how much people really do love and care for the missionaries. It's amazing. People have been so good to us it's just overwhelms my heart with gratitude. I've never loved people as much as I do now being on my mission because I'm able to look at them the way God does. On the first visit with someone who I have never met I am able to say that I love them and mean it because I really do care for these people and know how much Heavenly Father loves them. It's the best feeling. We went to see a less active family who has been struggling and the dad was just so upset with God for all of his trials that he was facing. I cried after that lesson because I was sad that his heart was so hard. At that point all I knew I could do was pray and just love him. That's what we all need to do. Just love people regardless of things they may have done to us or disagreed with us. Welp... Not too much happened this week but hopefully next week I'll have more interesting things to write about!  

Today in church the topic was on Patriarchal Blessings and I never realized just how special a Patriarchal blessing really is. If you don't already have your blessing I encourage you to make that as your next goal. It truly is such an amazing blessing and such a great tool for us in our lives. Whenever I struggle recognizing my purpose, I read my blessing and I am reminded of my blessings and talents that I need it have been given. Meet with your bishop if you are interested but I highly recommend it! I invite you to pray. Pray to Heavenly Father for assurance that this is the right decision because I know it is. He hears every prayer, every word.

General conference talks:

(These are just some points that stood out to me! You'll have to read them for yourselves and see what inspires you!)

•"The souls sincere desire" by Carol F. McConkie- Prayer is essential to developing faith. A loving God is as close as a prayer away. How cool is that? "Let your hearts be comforted; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God." Prayer is a gift from God. We need never feel lost or alone. 

•"And choice seer will I raise up" by Elder Craig C. Christensen- Because Joseph was a prophet, we have more than a window into heaven- the very doorway to the eternity especially is open to us. It is through the holy ghost that we can know the truth of all things. Heavenly Father promises us that. Pray! 

•"The Lord Jesus Christ teaches us to pray" by Elder Juan A. Uceda- When you pray, are you up really praying or just saying a prayer? Heavenly Father pays attention to our voice but we need to pay attention to his. Read Alma 26:20, Luke 22:42, 2 Corinthians 1:3, & D&C 10:5! Love and mercy are with Him the very moment you say, "Father, in Heaven." Let us all pray as Jesus taught us to pray with real intent, an opened mind and a sincere heart. 

•"Am I good enough? Will I make it?" By Elder Dern Cornish- If you really try and will not rationalize or rebel- repenting often and pleading for grace- you positively are going to be "good enough". Heavenly Father guides us an blesses us because He wants us to come home. Our Heavenly Father intends for us to make it. That is His work and His glory. He gave His only begotten Son that we might not perish but have everlasting life. "However many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made...I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ's Atonement shines." -Elder Holland 

I want you all to recognize your role as a member. Now is the time that we all come together to spread the word of the gospel. I can't express enough how crucial members are in someones conversion. "The responsibility does not only rest upon full time missionaries but upon all of us." You don't have to wear a name tag to testify of Christ. You don't have to wear a name tag to hand out Books of Mormon. We all play a huge role in this gospel! I love the quote that says, "It is not by chance that you live in Africa, Asia, Europe, north, central or South America; the Pacific or another place in God's world, because the gospel must go to "every nation, kindred, tongue, and people." Though some people may not be ready to hear the gospel now, pray for their hearts to soften that one day they will listen. We cannot force someone else's conversion but only let the spirit testify to them what is true. 

General conference is coming up soon so I invite EVERYONE to watch it. I want you all to take notes and then when the time comes to email me something that you liked and touched your heart. How is every one's scripture reading and prayers going? Have you made repentance part of your daily prayers? Invitation for the week! I invite you to stay all 3 hours of church this coming Sunday. If you aren't already having daily scripture and prayers as a family, do that! I promise you so many blessings come from it! I invite you to pray to be an answer to somebody's prayer. Seek for opportunities to serve people in your neighborhood or your ward. I would like you all to watch the Restoration movie as a family. It's amazing. I can't help but cry when I watch it. Did anyone get a chance to listen to the general conference talks I shared last week or the week before? It's good stuff! I invite you as well to come up with three goals per week and work together as a family on them. Help each other accomplish those goals. At the end of the week evaluate if you accomplished your simple goals or not. If not no worries! Keep working at it! 

I love you all so much and I'm happy that my letters made it! Hope you all enjoyed them! I pray for you everyday and think of you often. I see so much change in you already and it warms my heart and strengthens my testimony. I have a testimony of this Gospel. That I have truly seen it change lives and soften peoples heart. That if Joseph Smith wasn't a prophet we wouldn't be here today if it weren't for his faith. Strive to be obedient because you are promised so many blessings if you do. Recognize that each of us play a huge role in this Gospel. We are each a piece of the puzzle. I love you more than ever and I hope you all have a great week! Keep the faith. 

I'll send pictures later! 

Week 9

HOLA! 
Well...I'm getting transferred! I'm heading back to Montana! Great Falls Montana! My new companion is Sister Decker! I don't know anything about her yet but I'm sure she's great! I'm sad I will be leaving the people here and Wyoming. There's this thing with Wyoming missionaries that they are bound to come back sometime again in their mission, so I'm sure I'll be back! I leave tomorrow night and it's about a seven hour drive but we usually will stop and spend the night somewhere then finish the rest of the drive the next morning. Anyways...

Last week...it was a crazy week! 

So Tuesday we went out to see this lady who we have been visiting for a couple of weeks and she's an investigator...well used to be...We have never talked doctrine with her until this last visit and let me tell you...it was traumatizing almost. When we had brought up the Book of Mormon she had immediately went off saying Joseph Smith was a murderer and the Book of Mormon is from the devil and it was just awful! As we stood there taken back we stood our ground and defended what we knew to be true. It made me so sad for her. After that experience Sister Robertson and I had sat in the car for about 30 minutes silent. It was a slow day and we were definitely down I will not lie. My testimony grew in that moment though. I have never in my life felt so passionate about my beliefs and I was not going to back down. On to more happy thoughts...we visited Carla Saturday and she's 93 years old and just has the sweetest spirit. We shared with her the general conference talk from 1985 tilted "The purifying power of Gethsemane". Everyone needs to watch that! We shared with her the story of a man who had been standing in a long line and couldn't see what was going on far ahead of him. He had seen all these people entering into a door past a man but that's as much as he knew. When he got closer in line he had heard the man ask to each person "Who is Jesus Christ?" Everyone answered by saying "He's the Savior and a man who died for the world's sins" and so on. By the time this man had approached this other man he asked to him "Who is Jesus Christ?" The man then began to weep and fell to the man's feet and said "Lord, it is thee." After sharing that story I thought to myself do I really know who Jesus Christ is? Will I be able to stand before him and deny not that he is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world? That is a question for all of us to ponder about. The other night we went to go drop off popcorn to the Gormley family and I got attacked by their cat! I looked down and saw this cat eyeballing me and I said "That cat is going to jump on me". Brother Gormley was like no way! Well...it did and pounced on my face! So that's how life is going right now haha. Saturday we decided to go out biking and let me tell ya it was a bad idea. Our tailbones are so bruised. We biked about six miles on a dirt path and it was so hard! We were sweating bullets by the time we showed up to every one's houses. Let's just say I am not a huge fan of biking. I named my bike Andy and we've already been through a lot. Saturday as well we went over to the Cards house to watch them open their third mission call as as couple! Crazy! There are headed to Canada in May! We had dinner with the Wardells a couple nights ago and Sister Wardell said she was surprised when I started to sing high notes because I have such a deep talking voice haha. It's so true I sound like a boy. District meeting was Wednesday and the Elders just love to pick on me! We had gotten food and it was like sloppy Joe's and I was like no way I'm eating this in front of the Elders. Well they made fun of me and gave me a hard time and said "You're giving California a bad reputation eat like a big girl!" They love to pick on me, they are like brothers to me. We had a lesson with Kelvin again and he's just my favorite  (not only because he's from peru). He just has such a sweet heart and I loved being able to share the same interests as someone! It makes for a fun conversation! Every home we go into for a lesson they always have deers and moose hanging on the wall and it's distracting because I'm trying to teach a lesson and this deer is just staring at me haha. So we saw Kathy last night and she said she doesn't like to come to church because she can smell every one's breath haha. We were just dying she is such and stubborn little lady but she is softening up. It's great! My companion is so funny. We were driving past like thousands of sheep and she just looks at them and says "you're all going to be food one day". We are terrible people haha. So there's this thing with a gag reflex and basically you hold your left thumb whenever you are eating something terrible and don't want to throw up. Yeah...my companion and I were doing that under the table as we were eating at this members home haha. It was an interesting dinner. There are my funny and weird stories of the week!

Yesterday after I had bore my testimony I had just teared up and had felt such a warm feeling. This is a gospel that I live for but if it came down to it I would die for it. This has been the hardest two months and there have been so many times where my companion and I have sat down together and she has just let me cry for hours. Learning to rely on the Lord in times of need when feeling lonely is so important. No doubt I miss being normal but I can't imagine leaving this all behind. Reading conference talks everyday has strengthened my testimony and I encourage you to do that as well. I would like you all to watch the talks: "The purifying power of Gethsemane", " The first great commandment",and for all you mothers out there please watch "Behold thy mother." And lastly "O how great the plan of our God". These talks have changed my life! Continue to read your scriptures and to pray because that is the best way for us to come to know who Jesus Christ is. Your faith will increase as you do so. Never give up hope and endure to the end. You are promised great blessings if you endure to the end and keep the commandments always. My challenge of the week for you is to make repentance a daily thing for you. Learn how to use the  Atonement in your lives. The Savior after being beaten had to carry the cross that He would soon be crucified on. If you ever feel alone, think of the Savior. After the whole world had rejected Him and spit upon Him, He still made the greatest sacrifice for us. That is the Atonement. The Savior was alone. But because of Him and everything He has done for us, we never have to go about this life alone. I have a testimony of my Savior that he truly has healed me in times when I thought all was lost. He has saved my soul. Turn to Him. Always remember Him and always be worthy to have the holy ghost as a constant companion to you. I love you all and I miss you so much. I have seen great change in you all and I can see that everyday you are striving to be better. That is awesome! Don't give up on church! The church is true. Jesus Christ did die for you and for me that we may be clean again. I hope you all have a great week and watch those talks as as family! Have scripture study as a family as well as family prayer! Each week I want you all to email me and send me a miracle or how you have seen the Lords hand in your week. Keep the faith. 

Love,

Sister Austin Miles

week 8

Love the Mud.  Gross!

Well howdy!

Seems like this week has gone by so slow but hey its finally preparation day! I'm sorry I didn't get to write everyone back last week I didn't have much time! I hope you all had a great week and I can't wait to hear all about it! Guess what....this week I'll hit my 2 month mark! Whoop whoop! 

Next week are transfers so I will know by this Sunday if I will be staying in my area or going to a new area! I have grown to love these people so much. It has not been an easy last 5 weeks but I'm growing to love this. So....Saturday was the baptism and I spoke at it. Two little girls named Hannah and Jaycee got baptized. I couldn't hold back my tears. It was such a special day for them and they are just the cutest little things. The spirit was so strong! Baptism is a saving ordinance to enter into the kingdom of God. By being baptized you choose to follow Jesus Christ and his example. How amazing. Sunday I sang in Sacrament and of course I woke up yesterday morning with a scratchy throat! I was going to back out but then I said whelp....Guess I'm going to do this haha. It was rough and it wasn't my best but other people thought it was good but oh well! Last week we taught Kelvin. We have been teaching him for the past 4 weeks and he has grown so much. He used to be very shy around us but he has opened up so much! He cracks jokes with us and he's just the best. Even though I can only understand some of what he says I can read his face and he has changed. The other day we were teaching him about the 3 kingdoms and he was like "oh my neighbor is going to the third kingdom" and we were just dying haha. Hes pretty sassy. 

 I am starting to understand spanish a lot more. I can somewhat understand when people are talking but I just cant produce much. I'm working on it! We got up early the other day to go running and it was so cold outside I got a brain freeze. We are trying to exercise more because in this mission people say "the Montana 30 is a real thing" because the members feed you so well, so I'm not about to gain 30 pounds! I haven't tried any weird meats yet but I'm hoping I will get too! I have really had to learn not to be picky with my food. One night we had some ham, green beans, peppers, and cottage cheese and let me tell ya.....I was screaming inside. Haha it was painful. Since I haven't had any soda or juice in 2 months whenever people give us juice I cry inside. It makes me so sick now! One night we had to sit in the car for a few before a lesson because I thought I was going to throw up haha. I guess it's a good thing? Less calories and sugar! Friday night we had pizza night with the Gormley's and as everyone knows, I just love them! Brother Gormley was telling us how him and Sister Gormley decided to get married and he said his mission president said "marry that thing" (his mission president didn't really say that but he's a jokester). It was hilarious to us but you had to be there. Anyways...we saw Kathy and she is just too much for me. We walked in Thursday and she had the funniest kitten shirt on and she was so proud of it. It's impossible to be sad around Kathy. One of the saddest things about this area are all of the stories from the women here. 70% of the women here have been sexually abused, cheated on, beat, and more. They are all amazing women and I wonder to myself....how could anyone hurt such beautiful people? Last night we saw Alicia who is a returning less active. She shared with us her story of how she was sexually abused by her cousin and had fallen away from the church because of him. She said for years she had blamed God for everything that had happened. In December the missionaries before us had showed up to Alicia's house one night when she had felt completely lost. She said "It was so weird that they had shown up that night after everything". We cried together and the spirit was so strong. I don't believe in coincidences. I know that those missionaries received a prompting to see Alicia and that it was the holy ghost speaking the to them. God knew Alicia was struggling, so he sent those missionaries. It was in no way a coincidence, it was a miracle. The other night we played uno with the wright's and it was the most fun I have had in awhile! Jaden whose 13 has been struggling to open up and so thought uno would be a fun time. We wanted to show Jaden that we are normal people and we can have fun. It was nice to just have fun with that family instead of talking gospel. Jaden is softening a little so there is progress! Update on Scottie...Scottie has been struggling a little with quiting smoking but we have so much faith in him. Everyday we have dropped off treats to him and have checked up on him. He is so close to baptism it's so awesome. Two weeks ago I extended my first ever baptismal question in the field. My companion had looked over at me and told me to do it and I said no I can't do it. I paused for a few seconds as my heart was pounding. I finally asked Kelvin if he would be baptized and even though he said he wasn't ready, I made that step. It was terrifying but after all was said and done I knew that I could do this. I was called to do this. It has not been easy but at the end of it all it will be worth it.

To my siblings: 

Yesterday when I had seen the pictures mom had sent me of you at church I began to cry. I couldn't contain my happiness and my emotions. Seeing the kids there as well warmed my heart. Matt I know you were out of town so no worries! I know you would have gone if you could've. I want to share with you something. For as long as I can remember, I have been praying since my freshman year in high school for you all to come back your church. Six years. It took 6 years for my prayers to be answered but yesterday was one of the best days in my life. I cried most of the day because I have never been so proud of you. The fact that you set aside your day to come and to take of the Sacrament gives me so much hope in my heart. It will not be easy to make this a habit but if you learn to rely on the Lord, all things are possible. Your prayers may take days, weeks, months, or even years to be answered. Never give up, because I knew this day would come. Have faith and hope. I promise you that this is the way. We call it the plan of happiness. Heavenly Father created this plan for us so that we can one day return back to him. Study your scriptures. Your faith with increase and I know that. I know that because it happened to me. Being out here alone without you all I have had to learn to rely on the Lord for my strength. I have had to learn to trust Him. Turn your life over to the Lord and he will do nothing but bless and heal you. That is the truth. 

With my own personal goal of reading a conference talk a day I want to share with you all some things I have learned. 

First is the talk "I will bring the light of the gospel into my home" by Jean Bingham. The prophet Moroni tells us that charity is an essential characteristic of those who will live with Heavenly Father in the Celestial kingdom. "Except ye have charity ye can no wise be saved in the kingdom of God." The greatest commandment Jesus said," Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."...."And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." The greatest form of charity may be to withhold judgement. We sometimes look at others with an incomplete or inaccurate understanding. We may focus on the differences and perceived flaws in those around us whereas our Heavenly Father sees His children, created in His eternal image, with magnificent and glorious potential. "Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." We all need to recognize that those around us are doing their best to deal with any challenges they may have. "May we strive to do our best to help out."- President Monson 

Second talk: " The Master Healer" by Carole Stephens. Jesus Christ is at the heart of the "great plan of happiness". Regardless of perceived differences, all of us are in need of the same infinite Atonement. "The rock of our Redeemer, a sure foundation....where on if (we) build (we) cannot fall."...."With unshaken faith in Christ, relying wholly upon the merits of Him who is mighty to save."- Nephi. He knows us and meets us where we are. And because of who He is and what He has done for us, He understands. A daughter who had been struggling with a bipolar disorder and been in overwhelming pain. Her mother had said "I wish I could take this from you". When she had felt hopeless, a feeling of relief had overcame her. She then looked at her mom and responded "You don't have to, someone already has." Rely on the Savior and he will heal you. Use the Atonement in your lives daily. You don't have to do this life alone. The Savior pleads: "Will ye not now return, unto me, and repent for your sins, and be converted  that I may heal you?"..."If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come...will I receive." 

Third talk: "Rise up in strength, sisters in zion" by Bonnie Oscarson. "For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and needy, the sick and the afflicted." -Mormon 8:37. The world today as we know treasures their belongings and themselves more than others. We all do this at times. I'm sure we have all maybe at one point felt either ashamed or taken back to share our beliefs. "Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ?" Always stand true of what you believe. The Savior was mocked and spit upon but NEVER backed down from what he knew was true. "It would be easy to throw our hands up in despair, but as covenant people we need never despair." 

Last talk: "Fourth floor, Last door" by President Uchtdorf. God rewards those who earnestly seek him, so we need to keep knocking. We have been promised "knock and it shall be opened unto you". Faith is more of believing in something rather than seeing, right? "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." The scriptures teach us that through faith the worlds were framed, waters were parted, dead were raised, and rivers and mountains were moved from their course. Faith cannot be forced. Heavenly Father will not force anyone to choose the path of righteousness. He will reach with love but He will never compel. Faith is trust -trust that God sees what we cannot and He knows what we do not. Never give up. At times when you feel that God seems to not be listening to you, He is. "He has not abandoned you. He will not forsake you."

I have a testimony of these things. One my mission the spirit has touched me as well as the people. I know that forgiveness is such a important thing. On the cross the Savior said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." I am always taken back in amazement of how someone can forgive thousands of people for the things they have done and the torture the Savior faced. Love your enemies. Pray for them and serve them. Love the Lord with all your heart and all your mind. Find joy in your adversity. I know Joseph Smith saw what he claims to have seen and that is God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE. THIS CHURCH IS TRUE. 

Challenges of the week: Pray every morning and every night. Read your scriptures every night as a family. If you only get around to each reading one verse a night then that's okay! Baby steps! It's better than nothing! Attend church every Sunday! When you feel comfortable enough stay for all three hours! I want you all to pray to know for yourself if Joseph Smith truly was a prophet of God and if the Book of Mormon is true. How is every one's scripture study going? Prayers? Temple attendance? Handed out any Book of Mormons? 

I love you all and have a great week! Stay positive! Strive to be more like the Savior! Have the missionaries in your home! Go with the missionaries to teach lessons! You are all so amazing and I have seen so much growth in you. I promise you that you will forever be blessed if you follow the example of Jesus Christ. 

I love you all. Keep the faith. 

3 Attachments

Songs I want you to look up! Listening to them makes me feel so much better! They are efy songs! Share these on my blog everyone should listen to them they rock! 

Still small voice by Jena woods 

Listen by colten avery 

My story by kaity whitcomb 

Good friends by Nik day 

It's a good start by Joseph swain 

I can do all things by Tanner Townsend 

Good to be alive by Reagan Rindlisbacher 

Wonderful people by Catelin Lundell 

You are called by Christian love 

Light of the world by Ryan innes 

Daughters by Jenny Reynolds 

Arise (Don't know the artist but it's an efy song) 

Week 7

Hey yall!

Hope you all had a good week. Thank you for all of your emails and your uplifting words. As you know things have been tough but I have decided to stay out another transfer to give it a chance. It will not be easy but with your support I can do anything. Update on my health...I am working with missionary medical and my mission presidents to get the help I need to succeed. I have a doctors appointment coming up soon to be prescribed some medication to help with my anxiety and depression. I am now signed up for counseling so I will be doing that as well to help me through the whole process. Anyways....

Last week! 

So we saw this investigator and his name is Robert. Funny thing about Robert is he doesn't remember his birthday or if he has ever been baptized so we are trying to work with that haha. Hes hilarious. People here use the word "critters" and he always says "I gotta go feed the critters." Since this is all very new to me I can't help but be a little immature and laugh. The ice is starting to melt so it's so muddy everywhere. If I had my car here I would be off roading like crazy. Our car looks like we've been mudding so basically people are going to think the sisters missionaries off road and mess around haha. I guess you can say we are pretty hardcore. Since the ice is starting to melt it's super slippery so of course I have almost ate it a million times. I fear for my tailbone every time I slip because I'm like oh no this is the end. My tailbone finally healed so I don't have to say "Ow my tailbone" every 2 seconds (Inside joke). Last week we visited one of our investigators Glenda, and honestly I was like get me out of here. So she let's her farm animals roam around and this goat and pig were literally chasing after me and I was about to scream. The goat was trying to eat my clothes and everyone was laughing because I'm such a city girl. This is all brand new to me. I haven't gotten to milk a cow yet but when I do there will be pictures. We went to another farm to visit a man named carol. He is a less active we have been working with. He's a sheep herder so we went over there to see if he needed any help but he ended up being finished with his chores that day so we plan to go back. We did get to see the new baby lambs and they were cute to look at but I was like I ain't picking that thing up. I don't know how people stand the smell here. It smells everywhere we go but sadly I'm starting to be immune to it. Oh my goodness..so we went to visit this investigator Mike and his house is about a mile out from the road. There was no way our car was going to make it down his driveway because it was snowed in. So we decided we would walk. We trekked in 3 foot snow drifts for a mile and at this point we are sweating and dying. It took us 2 and a half hours to get there and back. Yes...2 miles took us almost 3 hours but we were literally trekking through the snow! We finally made it to his doorstep and he wasn't even home..we are like dead at this point and I'm just standing there saying whyyy. Haha we were extremely sore the next day. We ended up calling him and talked with him for about 20 minutes and we are planning to see him soon! Two nights ago we were dropping off treats to a bunch of families and of course we go to brother wright's house. Every time we go there he has a new story for us. This time his story was about his kidney stones and me and my companion are just dying inside trying to hold in our laughter. He is the most interesting person I have ever met in my life haha. Saturday night I got a little sick so we came in early and watched the Restoration movie and Thomas S Monson's documentary and it's awesome. Watch them both!

We think we have mold growing in our apartment so we are a literally concerned about that. This Sunday I'm singing in one of the sacraments so I've been practicing with one of the youth whose playing the piano for me. Her name is Maddie :) this Saturday I was asked to speak at a baptism and I'm actually really excited because one of the girls that is getting baptized I adore so much. Here name is Jaycee. In church we sang "Families can be together forever" and of course I cried because I miss you all so much. Last night we went to see Scottie and taught a great lesson. Scottie has some problems with the word of wisdom but he is so willing to give up everything. He gave up smoking as of yesterday and we are so proud of him. He wants to change. His baptismal date needed to be pushed back a little so I'm hoping I'm here for that. Last night I also realized that I am starting to become an awkward missionary. Scottie shook my hand but then went in for a hug and hugged me and I was freaking out inside haha. It was the most awkward thing and made me cringe. It was so funny too because my companion saw my face and in my head I was like I haven't hugged a boy in 2 months this is so uncomfortable haha. Well I can't think of everything. This week was kind of slow so not too much to report on....

Now...if you haven't gone to church yet this month you're lucky that another Sunday is coming up for this month! I challenge you to go to church this Sunday and all you have to do is stay for sacrament. Take of the sacrament and I want you to really think of what the sacrament means to you. Without the Atonement we wouldn't have access to repent and a way we repent is taking of the sacrament every Sunday. Will you do that? Don't do this for me...do this for you and for Christ. How has every one's scripture study and prayers been going? Each week I will be following up to see if you are keeping commitments! That is the only way we can change. If you don't pray, don't read the scriptures, go to church, you can't expect to see things change in your life. I challenge you sometime within the next 2 months to have missionaries in your home to have dinner with you and teach you a lesson. Give it a chance. Missionaries love doing service as well so maybe contact them and ask for their help! I want you all the downloaded the gospel library app and watch some Mormon messages or read some conference talks. A goal I have set is for each day to read a conference talk and write my thoughts down. If you feel confident enough hand out a Book of Mormon and write your testimony in it. Keep some book of Mormons in your car. You never know when the opportunity will arise for you to share a message. If you are struggling with negative thoughts throughout the day I challenge you each night to write down three things good that happened that day. Three things you are grateful for. It can be anything! For those that do temple work I challenge you to go to the temple as often as you can and bring your own names. Get involved with family history! There are people on the other side waiting for you to do their work. Make it a goal. For all you coffee drinkers, there are two things that you can try..post em and paro I believe is how you spell them. Apparently it tastes just like coffee and a lot of lds members drink it and can still follow the word of wisdom. These challenges don't need to all be mastered in one month. Each month maybe try something new. First month read your scriptures and pray. The next do family history work on top of praying and reading your scriptures. I'm not asking for you to be perfect at anything, I'm asking you to try. Will you do that? These invitations are meant for everyone! So no one is off the hook! I love you all so much and I leave you with my testimony that this is the most true church on the earth. Heavenly Father does hear you and listens to your prayers. Don't ever give up. Your prayers may take weeks to be answered, be patient. Cry your heart out to him. I know that the book of Mormon is true. Read it with you families. It will change your life and your faith will grow I promise you that. Check my missionary Facebook for inspirational quotes and talks. You are all in my prayers and I love you very much. Have a good week! Stay tuned for another email with more pictures! ​

Sister Austin Miles

​

Love the mud. NOT!!!

"For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." -Deuteronomy 20:4 

week 5

February 4th I finally hit my one month mark. Took forever!  Thank you for all of the birthday wishes! I wasn't able to light the candles because we aren't allowed to handle fire but I loved everything in the box! Thanks Matt and Michelle for the little bell for my bike. I was laughing so hard. I loved the "20 things we love about you". I was having a really rough day and that made everything better. It really didn't even feel like my birthday, I honestly forgot it was. My birthday was spent in the hospital with my companion. She has a few chronic diseases and wasn't doing so well so we had to drive about an hour to the nearest hospital.  I received the birthday package the next day and wasn't expecting something so big! But I loved it, it definitely brought me to tears. Last week consisted of two trips to the hospital and being snowed in!  Our car got stuck again and it took about an hour to get it out. Brother Parker (who we stay with) had to hook us up to his truck and pull us out. The snow drifts here go from 4 feet to 10 feet high honestly. We cant pull into our driveway anymore because it pretty much doesn't exist due to all the snow. There was pretty bad wind as well hitting us so hard it felt like shards of glass coming at us. Not fun haha! Pretty sure I almost got frostbite too my hands looked so bad after digging out the snow under the tires I was afraid to look at them. The past couple of days its been around the 30s and that's warm for us, so we're happy! This week we also lost our phone so we wont be getting a new one until Wednesday. Its probably buried in the snow somewhere. RIP. The snow here goes to my knees sometimes and I'm literally trekking in snow to get to peoples houses. Friday we went on exchanges and I went with Sister Jacoby and we spent about an hour hitting ice off of the bottom of our car because it was so bad the tires wouldn't turn. I was literally hammering at the car haha. Just to explain...exchanges are when you switch with another companionship and have a new companion for the day. It gives us a chance to get to know the other sisters and just to try something new. So I had packed clothes that had logos on them and that's actually a rule in this mission. You cant wear anything that has a logo on it that's bigger than your name tag. So guess what? Ive been wearing a lot of my clothes inside out haha.  Oh well! Another rule is that we aren't allowed to use any slang. For example, we cant say "PDAY" we have to say "preparation day".  Also no referring to the elders as dude or the sisters as well. Everyone here as big dogs and I get attacked everyday and my companion is so funny she was like "If that dog kills you, I'm going to take a picture with it." haha. I think Saturday was one of the better day I have had in the field so far. Sister Robertson and I spent most of the day laughing and things were looking up.  We saw this horse scratching his butt on this pole and it was the funniest thing I have seen in forever. Made my day, but that's how I am the dumbest things make me laugh.  Last week it was so cold early in the morning my hair froze. I was running late and didn't have time to dry my hair and right when I stepped outside my hair went stiff. Apparently your hair can break off if its that stiff so basically I almost lost some of my hair. So this week we have an appointment to milk cows and possibly feed baby caves! Since I never grew up on a farm everyone makes fun of me for being so fascinated by cows and horses all around me.My companion always says "whoa there California." haha. On Saturday we went and saw Carla Loveland and she is the cutest little lady.  She asked us if we could sing to her so we sang a few hymns to her.  The look on her face was so peaceful I just love her.  We also saw Kathy and she cracks me up.  In her prayer she said "thank you Heavenly Father for bringing me these ornery girls". Haha shes the best. Shes so stubborn. We have to go over to her house to read the Book of Mormon with her because she wont do it on her own. We also met with Hilda and her mom and Hilda asked if I could give the prayer in Spanish and I did! I'm picking up words here and there but I was so nervous. Yesterday I fasted until 5 and I was dying. I bore my testimony 3 times yesterday and took of the sacrament 4 times. Perks of being in charge of 4 wards! I obviously didn't bare my testimony in the Spanish ward because I'm not that confident yet! I was asked to sing in church so now I'm singing February 26th. I'm singing "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul." Thought I was keeping myself on the down low!  This little boy Bennett Gormley came up to me yesterday in church and was like "HI MRS MILES". Hes seriously the cutest, I love that whole family. There's also this little girl names Sharon and we went to her house because her mom is a returning less active, so we have been teaching her mom. Anyways, with barely knowing me at all she gave me the sweetest look and the most sincere hug I have ever gotten.  That reminded me when I got set apart..It was said "That the children will be attracted to me and I will attract the children." Its so weird..the kids here for some reason love me haha. The kids are what make me happiest and help me get through all the sadness. They are just so innocent and pure. Its sad that we aren't allowed to pick up kids because they are just so cute! I forgot! Also on Saturdaywe went by to see Brother Wright and his family. Brother Wright is seriously one of the funniest guys I have met. Hes about 50 but acts like hes 15 and just the things he says cracks me up. His son in law Ricardo was there and he was so anxious to hear of what we had to say. We sat down and barely taught him. The spirit taught him. With barely teaching any doctrine he says "I know this is true". We gave him a Book of Mormon and after we walked out Sister Roberston and I looked at each other and were like what just happened...It was awesome.  Guess what dad? My companions sister served in the San Fernando mission and said "I know Sister Miles's family! Her dad is so funny! He took us missionaries out to Costco general conference week!" What a small world... So in other news of this week my companion has to be on antibiotics for three days before going outside. So for the next three days we cant go outside because her sickness is contagious at the moment. We have to deep clean our apartment because I'm in the zone of getting it as well. I have been good so far but hopefully I don't get it either. I have no idea what its called but basically we cant get to close to each other or share anything or go out.  Yesterday was a really hard day for me. I cried the majority of the day. Everyone I meet asks me about my family and honestly I hate it. It hurts to talk about you guys because I cant get through one sentence without crying.  In my testimony yesterday I shared your quote dad "I've never had a bad day in my life, just some are better than others." I got alot of compliments on that quote. I have to put on a fake smile the majority of the time and its hard. I have been sleep deprived since I got here.  I'm mentally and emotionally exhausted.  I have been having nightmares here and there. I have bruises on my knees from kneeling so much and praying for comfort/help. Every night I look up the stars and just cry. Its so beautiful. The stars here are so visible. It's one of my favorite things about Wyoming. Well that's pretty much this week. Its a rule that I'm not able to email back and forth (I had no idea) and I would like to be obedient. I can look at emails until 6 today so I'll still see them. If you want to stalk me on Facebook its Sister-Austin Miles. I just can't add you. Also I met a girl whose name is Austin! I've never met another girl named Austin, pretty cool. Hope you all have a good week. I think of you everyday and how lucky I am to have the family that I do. Love you all so much. I challenge you this week to read in the Book of Mormon. Its changed my life. It is the most true book ever. I'm not kidding. Read it, your life will never be the same. 

-- 

Love,

Sister Miles

week 4

HOLA.

Yup you heard that right. I have to learn Spanish! Sister Robertson and I are in charge of four wards! So that means every Sunday we partake of the Sacrament four times haha. Its great. So I was the only sister that got sent off to Wyoming. I stayed at the mission home for one night and then the next day they announced where we our first areas were and only two of us got sent out to Wyoming. I had a feeling my first area was going to be Wyoming so I wasn't shocked at all! It was a bit of an emotional time saying goodbye to the sisters in my old district because they only gave me literally an hour after telling me where I was going. Then off I was! My companion has really been helping me get out of my comfort zone. This first week has been extremely hard and awkward. There is literally nothing out here. We have to drive an hour to get to a grocery store and there is only one gas station in the whole town. The population here is 288. We have five people on date for baptism so we are hoping all goes well! Saturday our car got stuck because there is just so much snow! In the mornings its about -1. The snow boots are coming in handy! Its so cold that your nose freezes up and you literally can't breathe. Good thing I love the cold! My first night here we had dinner with this couple in the ward, the Preators. Guess what? They served their mission together in Addias Ababa, Ethiopia! They know Diana Bingham too, so we had a lot to talk about! It was nice to have that in common with them and be able to bond with them on that subject.  I have yet to teach an actual lesson because all of our investigators keep backing out. Most of the time knocking on doors people don't answer. Its sad and its hard to keep positive when things aren't working out. Brother Jones in one of the wards actually served his mission in Valencia! He was the first person that knew where Valencia was. I will be honest I have never cried so much in my life. Ive been praying more than ever before and I'm relying on the lord more than ever. 

         Love,
         Sister Miles