Week 18

Good morning!
Wow....this week so many great things happened!

Well, May 2nd was one of the best days I've had on my mission so far. We had two great lessons that day! We have two new investigators! One of the lessons we taught that day was to a less active couple. One was a return missionary and the other was not. He has been off of his mission for about six years. They are a new couple in our ward so we set up a time to get to know them and share a message. After an hour of talking with them we finally shared the "Prince of Peace" video. There were tears...The return missionary talked with us and said he has never connected with a set of sisters. When him and his wife were new the first people that talked to him were the missionaries. He began to cry and said that he considers himself less active and that he would like for us to come and to teach the lessons to him and his wife. He said to us "I can tell you're prepared". He said "I haven't felt this way in a long time". Of course I cried! In that moment I felt purpose. That was the first time since I've been on my mission that I felt purpose. Purpose being in Montana. Purpose being a missionary. Purpose that I was sent here to help them. I instantly loved them. I had been praying to find my purpose on my mission and the Mathews family gave me that.  That same day we had a lesson with our new investigator Jason. For a whole hour he told us about himself and his story. My heart hurt for him. He asked the questions "What is my purpose?" "I'm doing everything right why is God punishing me?" Jason has had struggles with family his whole life. He has never been married nor does he have kids. He is the sweetest most loyal person I have ever met. He said when he was in the military out serving; he said if another man needed to be saved, I would give my life for him because someone will miss him. He said everyone else had a family to go home too so no one would care if I was dead or not. After we left that lesson I cried for 20 minutes. I know that I was sent here to help Jason feel of his purpose and that God does love him. May 2nd was just an emotional day! It doesn't stop there....as I was pondering on that day, all of a sudden I thought back to the first person I ever asked to be baptized. Kelvin. The feeling of failure and rejection terrified me. My heart was pounding and I was asking a question that could change some one's salvation. I believe it's the most sincere question ever to be asked "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone who holds that priesthood authority of God?" I asked Kelvin to enter into the waters of baptism, into a new life. Though in that moment he said he wasn't ready I knew I could overcome something that I thought was terrifying. This goes for life. Getting outside of our comfort zone can be terrifying. "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." Well what am I getting into? MISSIONARY WORK! "Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor." -D&C 88:81. A ward and a family who centers their lives around missionary work has a strong foundation in the gospel. I promise you so many blessings will come of it. A crazy miracle that happened last week was Gregory. At 8:55 at night we decided to knock on one more house. The best thing is when Gregory opened the door he was in boxers and I couldn't help but laugh. Cracks me up. Well it was late so he said it wasn't a good time but that we could come back that next morning. So we came back and brought Sister Marshall with us and the lesson was amazing. Gregory's hold up is coffee. When we explained to him why we don't drink coffee he began to cry. I know in that moment he felt the spirit testifying to him. I felt the prompting to be brave and invite him to church the next day and guess what...he came! When he walked into the church I could feel my face light up and his did too. He is the most happy person ever and so humble. He sat right next to me and it was a perfect Sunday because testimony meeting! During one of the testimonies Gregory looked over at me with tears in his eyes and said, "There are still are good people on this earth ." Welp duh I cried! It really touched me because he saw a different world and it gave him such hope. 

The rest of the week went like this...

Both set of elders in our zone got sick. One with salmonella poisoning and another has an pneumonia . We brought "sicky sacks" to both of them and had to break into one of the elders apartments to get stuff for them. Then we had to go to the ER to visit them and give them the things they needed. The sisters are still going strong! 

Well last week got hot. Up in the 80's and it was the worst! Summer is beginning...The weather in Montana is so random. One day it was 80 degrees then we had a crazy thunder/hail storm. There was so much water coming down that the sewers were overflowing and spraying out. Yeah...nasty. It was pretty entertaining though. We were super busy all week! I'm definitely exhausted!

 Sister Darnell is the cutest. She was like "You look like a cute Mother Theresa!" Haha at least Sister Darnell thinks I'm cute. Yesterday we had our first lesson with two girls 8 and 10. We are teaching them the lessons and preparing them for baptism. They were adopted not too long ago and their family is part of the church. One of the girls is deaf so we had to have someone come that knows sign language and I guess this is a good opportunity for me to pick up on my sign language again! Sister Decker and I fasted 24 hours again and let me tell ya...way harder this time! I was seriously struggling! I was hangry haha. Yesterday was an emotional day for me. I stormed out of Sunday school because I just needed to cry. A mission is hard and people will let you down. We were supposed to have six investigators at church yesterday and two showed up. I was grateful for those two but I was just so disappointed. Devoting all of your time into those who say they will come to church and commit and don't show is so dang frustrating! In that moment I took a step back and tried to think of their reasons and their perspective. The Savior is patient with us so why can't I be with these people? Something to think about. We had another great lesson with the Mathews family yesterday and I shared my story with them. I bore my testimony on the love that God has for us. Everyone was crying and it was such a powerful moment. Back when I was 12 and greatly battling depression and suicidal thoughts, I thought God had abandoned me. I felt so alone but realized it was me that was blocking out God. I related my story to Joseph Smith and when he knelt down in humble prayer in a grove of trees. And this is his account of his experience-"After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light"-Joseph Smith history 15-16. At the time Joseph Smith was ready to sink into despair and give up...God and Jesus Christ appeared. In the moment and even now when I am just ready to give up, God hears me. He does answer prayers and He does hear you. I bare witness of that. 

I would just like to bare my testimony on God's love for us. He loves you, never doubt that. Look to God. When you pray, if it's really sincere, God will send an answer. I owe it all to the gospel. I love my Savior and I love this church. I would like to bare my testimony on the Atonement that it is there for us. The Savior already suffered so that you may have eternal life. "And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words. For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." -Moses 1:38-39 I love you all and I pray for you. Look up. 

"Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints...." -Elder Bednar

"Even if I need to stand alone God expects me to stand" - Hank Smith

I hope you all have a great week! You're amazing! Less than a week until I get to talk to you! Keep the faith. 

Love,

Sister Miles

Week 17

Well hello and good morning! Hope everyone had a good week! Mine was crazy busy but so many miracles happened this week! I just love Great Falls! This is my place! I can't believe it's already May! Where has the time gone...

Below I will attach some screenshots of what our weeks are like...notice you won't see any blank spots...always busy! So last week we were told they are putting tiwi boxes in the cars. Not cool! So a little about these boxes, they monitor our driving. It has our location, speed, how long we were in the car..everything! We were all pretty devastated when we heard those were coming into the mission in a few weeks. Yikes! Speaking of driving, I might have to drive within the next couple of weeks so I'm freaking out! I haven't driven for four months! 

Well last week I gave another discussion and it went pretty well! We did a lot of finding and tracting. We got about six return appointments with investigators so we are pumped!  There really have been so many miracles this week and I am so grateful for the blessings that come from being obedient. God truly has people prepared here and we have been out looking for them! Everyone here is so nice, even the ones who aren't interested. We met an atheist and he said we could come back and teach him! We were totally shocked but I truly believe the spirit was softening his heart. The gospel is for everyone! Never judge a book by its cover! The ward here is so on top of missionary work I love it! We have a busy week this week with lots of lessons! So excited. Now that I'm used to being on the go I can't stand not doing something! Shocking I know since I used to nap all the time and was super lazy haha. Missions change you! 

I encourage you this week to look for every opportunity given to serve. I know that true happiness comes from serving those around you and being in the service of your God. One night we saw this man walking and he looked pretty down. We kept driving but then I felt this prompting to turn around and to go talk to him. I definitely fought the prompting because I just wanted to keep going and to be honest he looked a little scary to talk to. We turned around and got out of the car. We walked up to him and were just chatting with him and he said that we had contacted him about a month ago. I was wondering why he looked so familiar! He was super nice and we got to talk with him a little and we invited him to learn. Turns out he has been taking care of his sick grandma who has cancer. At first when I received that prompting I had no idea why we had to go talk to this man but after meeting with him, I knew why. We have no idea what goes on in other people's lives at times but I promise you as you stay worthy to have the holy ghost dwell within you, you will hear those promptings. My testimony grew after this experience as I sat and pondered about this life and those around us. Serve. Love. Give. I testify that this is the true church that Jesus Christ himself once established on the earth. I have studied, I have prayed and I know. If you doubt, pray. We all have doubts in this life and I sure had mine but once I prayed and asked Heavenly Father....he give me surety. Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and loves you. It is hard to comprehend how much love Heavenly Father and the Son of God have for us because it is so much. I love hearing those words...the Son of God. They don't care about your past and who you were. They care about who you are becoming and what you will be. Forgive yourself because they already have. Forgive others. Bless those that curse you and do wrong against you. 

I would just like to share some words from my favorite talk from this last conference:

"One day, a few months after my baptism, I heard some members criticizing each other in church. I was very disappointed. I went home and told my father that maybe I should not go to church anymore. It was difficult to see members criticize others like that. After listening, my father taught me that the gospel had been restored and it is perfect but members are not yet, neither himself nor me. He firmly said, “Do not lose your faith because of the people around you, but build a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. Don’t look around, look up! Look up to Jesus Christ—the wise advice of my father—strengthens my faith whenever I face challenges in life. He taught me how to apply the teachings of Christ, as in these words: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” -Elder Yoon Hwan Choi 

President Thomas S. Monson encouraged us, “May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.” It is never too late to look up to Jesus Christ. 

Thought of the day: What is my purpose in this life? (Hints of how you can find out and learn a little more...The Restoration Pamphlet in the gospel library app) 

Keep reading! Keep attending church! Keep growing! Look up and keep the faith. 

Love,

Sister Miles

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

week 12

Well hello again! So much has happened this week! Welp...here I go...

So Tuesday! Our neighbor has this black cat and she had gotten out and was missing for about three days. Prior to all of this we had gotten a phone call from an investigator saying he wants to be baptized! So after the call I put his name in (so I thought I did) and that was that. The next day we planned to call him back to talk more with him so we called him and it ended up being another lady that we had helped move into her home a week or so ago from the overlook ward. (By the way I'm in portage ward) It was a super awkward phone call because we didn't mean to call her but we ended up being an answer to her prayers. She was very short on food and money so we brought her some of our food. While we were in that area we had seen a black cat and the cat looked familiar. Long story short it ended up being our neighbors cat! Basically all because I put the wrong name on a number it led us to two acts of service. We answered two prayers! It wasn't anything extreme but it was cool to see how the Lord works in mysterious ways. So that happened! 

We also saw a less active member and his girlfriend whose an investigator. We taught them the plan of salvation and Lucas (whose a member) has been struggling for a really long time. He has only been to church once this whole year and he came yesterday! I don't know what me or Sister Decker did that helped him get to church but I do know that all the love we gave to him saved his depressed soul. He came to church and was just so happy. We sat next to him and when he walked into the chapel I could feel my face just light up. I love this work! Also this week was exchanges! I went to Helena with Sister Miller for a day and stayed the night there and it was fun! There was a super cool view from the members home in the morning! Sister Miller and I did tracting (knocked on doors) and found two new investigators! We had a few lessons that day as well and it was cool to see a different area for a day and meet new people! 

Sister Decker and I also taught the overlook wards young women about money management as missionaries and we both laughed when they asked us to teach. We are the last people on earth that know much about managing money but it was great! 

This week we also found two new potential investigators and one of them is a girl named Ally. Right when we opened the door she said "I don't have much time but do you have a pamphlet or a Book of Mormon I can have?" I've never met anyone that made it that easy for us! We are planning to go back this week to see her! Guess what...we have someone on date for baptism! Her name is Shanelle and her set baptism date is May 13th so I really hope I'm here! She's so awesome and is so ready! Exciting stuff! Overall we are working with a lot of people to get their Patriarchal Blessings and endowments! Saturday was Women's General Conference and it was so awesome being able to have that down time and to hear uplifting messages. I needed it. That pretty much sums up my week! 

Also Sister Decker and I are now obsessed with otter pops. We eat about two a day It's bad...and a lot of chocolate from Kirby haha. My nickname is now "Blackie" because my hair turned out black after I dyed it. It's okay because one of the elders said it looked beautiful so I guess it looks great! This week is zone conference where my mission presidents come to speak to us and I'm so excited! Best time of the transfer! Also guess what....THREE MORE WEEKS OF TRAINING THEN I'M DONE! I'm almost to my three month mark too! Milestones! This has been a long hard road already. I'm doing this because I love my Savior and my family. I was told today that your mission is not the best 18-24 months of your life...but that it is the best 18-24 months FOR YOUR LIFE. 

Some notes from Women's General Conference that can apply to all of us: 

BONNIE H. CORDON:
•Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding. This is a warning and a blessing.
•Lean on the Savior, not thyself.
•How do I cultivate trust in the Savior? Feast upon the words of Christ because the words of Christ will tell us all things which we should do.
•More scriptures nourishes our minds. Search them diligently.
•We can come to know the lord through prayer. Pray unto the lord with all thy heart.
•We will come to know the Savior and trust him as we pray.
•Heavenly Father is ready to give if we ask.
•Service can save us.
•When we turn our focus to others there is light, hope, and joy. When we turn our focus to ourselves there is darkness because the natural man is selfish. Charity!
•Jesus Christ has overcome the world. Through the Atonement we can know that all will be well.
•Though storm clouds may form, our knowledge of the gospel and love from our Savior will help us if we will just trust him.

CAROL F. MCCONKIE:
•Holiness is what keeps our choices pure.
•Holiness is what helps the spirit reside and what helps us throughout temptations.
•We must stay Holy in order to be true saints.
•Behold I am God and my name is Holiness.
•With faith in Jesus Christ we can be made clean.
•We become partakers of the Father the Son and the holy ghost as we seek their divine nature.
•We need to be worthy to take of the Sacrament and keep the Sabbath day holy.
•We need to forsake the ways of the world.
•Submissive, meek, humble, and full of love.
•Jesus Christ is the beauty of Holiness.
•Heavenly Father has given us the capacity to be holy.

LINDA K. BURTON:
•I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.
•Hold on, for the lord will provide.
•Do ye not want the highest glory?
•We must make sacrifices to be holy disciples of Christ.
•Keep our covenants that we made with God.
•Drink of the living water.
•May we remember the certain women who refused to leave the Savior while on the cross. And stayed to witness him risen from the dead. He lives.
•Infinite Atonement

PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING:
•The Lord promises us peace.
•Heavenly Father sends the holy ghost. Peace I give unto you. Not like the world. Be not afraid.
•Be comforted.
•Ether 12:27
•Those who do not see their weaknesses do not progress.
•Weak things become strong.
•The holy ghost will bring all things unto remembrance.
•Put your trust in the Spirit that leadeth to do good.
•We can invite a lamb back to the flock. We need to welcome the lost sheep back to the flock.
•Having love towards another and unity.
•Let the holy ghost temper our feelings.
•The spirit sees the pure love of Christ.
•If ye have not charity, ye are nothing. Charity never faileth. Charity is the pure love of Christ.
•His beloved Son is inviting you to come unto him. 

Christ has rescued me. As I read more in my scriptures, pray, serve, and go to church; I truly see how divine Heavenly Father really is. I am grateful for the mercy and grace that has been extended to me from my Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ has rescued my soul, that I may not perish but truly have everlasting life. We are given everything we need to return back to our Heavenly Father. We just need to follow and trust in the Lord. He will provide and I know that. I would like to bare my testimony on tithing today and the importance of it. We are promised so many blessings as we pay our tithing and give fast offerings. "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." -Malachi 3:8. We have been blessed with so much and the smallest thing like giving 10% of all of our income to God shows our appreciation of all that we have been given and truly how much we love God. We rob ourselves of blessings by not paying our tithing. I know that the Lord will provide always if we do our part. I have a testimony on temple work and the importance of it. I've never been happier in my life than when I am in the temple. You feel the closest to God there. With conference coming up I challenge you all to write down at least three solid questions that you are seeking an answer for. While watching conference, have those questions in mind. I promise you that those questions will be answered. I love you all so much. The church is true. Strive to live in righteousness. 

Follow up: 

How's scripture study? Prayers? Temple work? Patriarchal Blessings? Service? Lessons with missionaries? Church? Etc..I wanna hear all about it! 

Thought of the day: If the Savior stood beside you, would you do the things you do? 

 I attached one of my favorite pictures. At the beginning of my mission I felt like I was drowning and wasn't anywhere near the surface. As time went on, I slowly felt myself rising to the surface but just barely holding myself above water. When I truly turned everything over to the Lord, that is when he fully lifted me out of the water and saved me from drowning. His arm is always extended out towards us, we just have to take it and hold on. I never thought I would make it out of training let alone almost three months. I said I couldn't and believed it was impossible, that is when Satan had his hold on me. Turn to the Savior and he will rescue you in times where you thought you could never make it through. I hope you all have a great week and a great general conference weekend! Love you all! Keep the faith.