Week 28

Well since it's almost August....just about a year ago was the time I decided to serve a mission...weird! Has it seriously been a year?! Well pretty soon I'll be at seven months so that's crazy! 

Well last week I was sick on Tuesday so we stayed home all day and I got to sleep which was nice because I was just not feeling the greatest. Doing better now, still a little off though but oh well! We have been in the process of trying to find new investigators and it's been tough. Especially out in this heat. I have tan lines everywhere! Well we had district meeting on Wednesday and it was awesome to be able to talk on charity and love. Everyone got a lot out of it so I was pretty proud! It's important to pray for charity daily so we can develop Christlike attributes. Most of our week was spent visiting less actives and finding new people. We had alot of planning as well because we are trying to clean up this area. We had interviews last week with our mission President and that was nice to just be able to have that time with him. I always look forward to it! He's the best! 

There's this investigator Chelsey and her and I are alot alike. At the beginning of the lesson we had with her we were talking about giving up smoking, drinking and coffee. She said she can't and that she has tried. So she said she wouldn't be willing to give those things up to be baptized. We went on in the lesson because we didn't want to push her. We showed her the Mormon message "daily bread: change." When we brought it up again she was more calm. She said "someday" when before she said she would smoke until the day she died. Hearts change through the power of the spirit. I told her that I would be here when she threw away her first pack of cigarettes. Those words just came out of my mouth. I had not put any thought into it so that's how I know that it was the spirit dwelling within me. Faith needs to be exercised. I may only stay here for two months or three. That's not a lot of time but I have to have faith that Christ will change Chelsey. 

Another cool thing that happened was we went to dinner with the Shaw family the day I was sick. We were highly thinking about staying home because I didn't feel the best. Well...I'm glad I sucked it up and went. Mary Shaw is the daughter and she reports to the MTC Wednesday. After dinner we always share a spiritual thought and we shared scriptures about missionary work. During one of my personal studies I had been reading this scripture and as I was I was changing words around. I have never been smart enough to do that so the spirit was definitely doing all the work. I picked the scripture Alma 56:47. 

"Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them." And I changed it to..

"Now they never had taught, yet they did not fear rejection; and they did think more upon the salvation of their brothers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them."

The spirit had the whole room crying. In that moment I knew what they had been feeling. When Mary gave her farewell talk yesterday I cried the whole time because I remember standing up there scared as heck not knowing what to expect. I was thinking back the other day when I first entered the MTC. You walk right in and someone grabs your name tag and puts it on you...in that moment everything was quiet. I don't even remember what the lady said to me or what was going on. It was crazy how one minute I was Austin and then the next I became Sister Miles. I gave Mary a letter and my email so we will be keeping in touch. She's going to Seattle! 

Other than that things are moving along. Still have my struggles of course but what's life without trial. 

I love you all and I hope you have a wonderful week! Keep the faith. 

Love,
Sister Austin Miles ♡

1557 COLORADO GULCH
HELENA, MT 59601

Week 27

Good morning! Well I'm here in Helena with Sister Packer! It's pretty dang hot up here but it's cooled down just a bit. Definitely getting the shoe tan line as well as the farmers and watch tan line. So fun! I live here in a little separate apartment technically still with members named the Neilson's! We are currently having a mice problem so we have been setting up traps and the cats kill quite a few as well. We walked into the house the other night and it just smelt so bad because of the dead mice haha. We have also killed about 30 flies so you can say there's a lot of bugs and fun things out here. We live literally in the forest surrounded by mountains. There isn't even cell service up here. We have a bunch of deer in our front yard though so that's cool. Last week consisted of unpacking, meeting ward members and investigators. Nothing crazy happened, I'm just in the adjustment part trying to get to know everyone. Yesterday was a little tough for me in a new ward. It's so different from where I was before so I'm a little homesick for great falls right now. Since I'm the new one everyone asks me to do the prayers and all that good stuff. I will be giving a discussion in district meeting on charity and love. This will just be a short email today since not much to report on but I miss you all very much. Of course as we all know I am struggling but I am doing the best that I can. I love you all and I hope you have an amazing week! Keep the faith.

Week 26

Good morming!
How was every one's fourth of July? Well it's transfer week! I am sadly leaving Great Falls after being here for almost five months. I'm super sad but honestly I need something new. Last night with the Mathews we cried saying goodbyes and it hurt but I'm glad that I was able to make an impact on their lives. As I was bearing my testimony I was just flooded with tears. My testimony has grown so much from so many people here and my heart aches to leave but I know that great falls will always have a special place in my heart. Today and tomorrow will be tough because I have more goodbyes to do! Today consists of packing :) I am getting transferred to Helena 4th ward with Sister Packer. I've met Sister Packer a few times and I've sent pictures with her! She was trained by Sister Decker and she served in my first area with my other trainer Sister Robertson. So there we have something in common! I'm nervous for the change but know that the Lord has much in store.

The two baptisms were great and successful! I am super excited for them to continue on their journeys. It's been extremely cool to go through the process with both Bonnie and Shanelle. Greg our other investigator is planning for baptism in August! He would do it now but since he is reliant on his oxygen he is scared to take it out to go under the water. But August is his month! I'm sad I won't be here but I will have the opportunity to Skype into the baptism! Greg got a priesthood blessing last night and the emotions in the room were incredible. Looking back at who is was and who he is now blows my mind. I feel extremely privileged and blessed to have taught Greg. He's the elect. 

Fourth of July was fun! We got to stay out until 10:30 only if we were with members and we went over to the Gilchers home for a BBQ with some of the other ward members! It was fun! We also got to go to the parade that day and we went with our investigators and it was a blast! It's been super hot here so we are dying but I'm getting some sun! Whoop whoop!

 Update yes there was an earthquake here...couple of after shocks too that were just as big. It was 12 in the morning and I'm a heavy sleeper so I'm surprised I woke up but I guess I was woken up to be apart of listening to Sister Cannons reaction to the earthquake. Sister Cannon has never been in an earthquake and since the second grade she has had s fear of them. Well sure enough I experienced Sister Cannons first encounter with an earthquake. She woke up and asked me "What the heck is going on?" I said "it's just an earthquake...." JUST. Being from California I didn't mind it and plus I was so dang tired I could care less if the roof was going to collapse on me or not. Since the earthquake, everyday Sister Cannon says "Guess what? There was an earthquake." Haha she can't get over it it's hilarious. All is well here though. It was a 5.8! Also to go along with a crazy week someone drove into the mission home. Not on purpose! The lady in the car had a heartache and drove into the mission home and a crazy miracle happened...her seat belt (you know when it locks?) locked so tight that it was the thing that was able to pound on her chest and restart her heart. Crazy! Nobody was hurt in the mission home. I guess this lady just really wanted the gospel so she had to make herself known! 

That's my update!

Last week was hard as it has been but I have been extremely comforted by the words of our apostles today. Whenever I'm stressed I either go straight to music or listen to a conference talk. I know these men are inspired. When you may have your struggles turn to the leaders of the church today. We are so blessed. I have a strong testimony of this gospel. I have seen so many blessings that the gospel has given me. Everything I have in my life that is good is because of Jesus Christ, my family, and my God...our eternal Father in heaven. There is a talk by Elder Holland and I invite you all to watch it. It's an amazing testimony or the Book of Mormon. It's called "Testimony of the Book of Mormon" and it's in The gospel library app. The church is true! 

I love you all and I hope you have an amazing week! 

Keep the faith. 

(New address attached) 

Love,

Sister Austin Miles ♡

2765 Thunder Rd 

Helena, MT 59601

Week 25

Hello! I've missed you! Man it's been a long week but I'm grateful it's finally Monday! How has everyone been? 

Well this week we have two baptisms. One is a convert baptism and one is a excommunicated member getting re-baptized and we are super excited! We have been in the process of finding new investigators and we are working hard! We have found about six so far these past couple of weeks! Well one of our investigators who is getting baptized this week was having a black tea issue. So she agreed to quit so we were pretty pumped! One day when we went over to teach her she showed up with a drink and I was nervous it was tea. Well....me being the weird person I am...when she wasn't looking I drank out of her drink to make sure it wasn't tea....and it wasn't! The things you do for your investigators haha. 

Well I just want to bear my testimony on the love that God has for each and every one of you. I was thinking about those who have children and I wanted to share a scripture. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6 

This scripture specifically says that you as parents have the divine role of teaching hour children which way they should go. Though at times they may turn astray, they come back because they remember the things they were taught. 

I love you all and pray for you constantly. Have strength and keep the faith. 

When life gets bad, try looking up. 

Heads up! Transfers are next week so don't send anything. If you do just to let you know it has to be here before the 11th :) 

Also just a request from me..from now on I would like every one to just call me Austin. (Not sister miles please) I had a hard week and someone asked me who is Austin and honestly I've forgotten. I've been struggling a lot with some things and I would just like to be called Austin from now on. I love you all, thank you. 

Our investigator Shanelle whose getting baptized tomorrow! 

Love,

Sister Miles ♡

Week 24

Hello! Well this week was pretty slow and not too exciting. The work has been slowing down a bit and a lot of things have been decreasing in the area. More than normal so we are pretty drained and beat up! This week was pretty rough for me. One day I took a two hour nap and cried for the day. Things have been hard since Sister Decker left. I grew extremely close to her and put all of my trust in her. I miss her a lot. She helped me through a lot of my bad times when I had no one else. Fourth of July will be my six month mark which is insane. We have plans to watch fireworks with Kirby. Our curfew was pushed back to 10:30 so we get to stay out for a little longer! What a better way then to celebrate six months. 

lot this week on what I could bear my testimony to you today and it's this, If you aren't reading, praying and going to church, life won't change. You shy yourself from so many blessings that Heavenly Father wants to give you. Just act. No more excuses! I love you all so I'm going to give you some tough love since you always did to me haha. Get your butts to church or you'll be miserable when I have to drag you there when I come home! Mom and dad....I challenge you every Monday night to gather everyone together for family home evenings. We need to be united as a family. Whether you believe in the church or not, you can't go wrong with family time and feeling the spirit. Life gets busy and things come up, but when are we going to take charge of our lives and say today is the day? It's like saying you're going to exercising..."I'll start tomorrow" tomorrow comes..."I'll start next week". Now is the time. We say we will do these things and next thing we know it's been years. I used to say that with praying and reading daily. "I'll start to build that habit next week." Next week turned into months then years. No matter how painful and annoying it may be to take the next few steps, I promise its worth it. I can't go a day without praying and reading. Just like us as humans we need food to survive physically. What about surviving spiritually? Feed your soul. 

Do you know what has been keeping me out this whole time? You. Everyday is hard and I struggle but I love my family and friends so much that I dare not to take away the blessings you will receive as I serve. I don't know if you have noticed the difference in your lives since I have left but I have. Now I'm not saying it's all because of me because it isn't...its all because of Jesus Christ. I was promised that if I served my family would be extremely blessed for it. I could care less the benefits for myself. Jesus Christ has changed me, you have changed me, the people have changed me. I want you to every morning right when you wake up to get down on your knees. Don't even take another step in the day before you pray. I promise you your days and your life will change as you make time for God and Jesus Christ in your life. One day when I get married (yikes) I dream of my whole family being there with me in the temple. Now I'm not here to take away your agency I'm here to tell you that you can amount to anything if you just trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Quit saying you can't because you can. One of the hardest things I have had to adjust to since being out here is changing my nature. It's a hard thing. If you're used to drinking or smoking or using bad language and so on...it can be a hard thing to change. Let me ask you this, who do you want to be when the Savior comes? I think of this question everyday. I am not a perfect missionary but I am trying my best to follow in the Saviors footsteps. Take it day by day. 

Are you all keeping up to date on my Facebook? If not go and watch or read some of the things I have posted. I have posted them because I have felt inspired and know you can all benefit from the messages.

"....for a man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7

I testify that the Lord knows each and every one of you personally. He looks at your heart and your desires. If no one in the world may understand you I know that Jesus Christ does. I know that in order to survive spiritually we have to involve the gospel in our lives. How excited do your children get for church? The Lord said: "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:4 

Though they may be little, the children of this generation are so wise. They are our examples. What's my favorite part about attending church here? Seeing the children and how innocent they are. They keep me going. I know that God loves each and every one of His children. 

Ward Carnival

If you are struggling with something please open up to me and I'm sure I can find something that can help and uplift you. Remember you don't have to do this life alone. "God does notice us and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs." - President Kimball 

You all amaze me. I love you deeply and miss you terribly. I know the Lord will strengthen me and my weaknesses. I promise he can do the same for you. 

Sister Austin Miles

Week 23

 

How is everyone doing? Today is going to be a short email just because nothing crazy happened this week...just the usual. We went to cafe rio twice because sister cannon LOVES it. Yesterday I ate frog legs and it wasn't too bad. I just couldn't get passed the thought of eating a frog leg haha. Greg our amazing investigator is making huge progress! He's praying about July 8th for his baptism date! Shanelle is on date for July 4th and Bonnie on date for July 5th so a lot of exciting things are happening! I'll be sad once I leave great falls. I have seen so much progress in this area since the time I got here. The blatters are getting sealed on July 1st so that's even more exciting! Kirby also said he will go to the temple for baptisms if we go with him so we are pumped! Can't believe that July 4th is officially my six month mark...time is starting to fly by. Hope everyone had a great fathers day! Love you all! Keep the faith.

Love,

Sister Miles ♡

107 19th Street N
Great Falls, MT 59401

Week 22

Good morning! Hope everyone had a great time last week! How are we all doing? This transfer is off to a rough start but I am keeping as positive as possible! Sister Cannon has been sick most of the week so we haven't been as busy as usual but the work cannot go on if us as missionaries aren't well! 

what...I'VE GAINED 15 POUNDS since being on my mission. I hate Montana(jk ). So in the mornings we are going more hardcore and eating less snacks which is smart haha. What was not smart or us last week was eating a almost two pound burger. Yes about two pounds...why? Well Brother Bailey said that the elders weren't able to finish the burger and gave up so we accepted the challenge to beat them. It took us an hour to eat it and we were force feeding ourselves to a point of almost vomiting. The rest of the day was downhill. We were bloated all day and I couldn't even eat dinner. Have you ever seen the movie whitechicks? Well we were having our own whitechicks moment with the bathroom scene. Tmi sorry but you know me! Honest! Last Monday we played chair soccer and wrecked the elders. I have bruises all over my body but it's cool. WE'RE BEASTS. Sister Cannon and I are so much alike it's kinda scary. She's interested in law enforcement because her dad is a sheriff so we share interests in some things! She's a lot of fun and very down to earth, I love it. I gave my discussion last week on accountability and it wasn't bad! Responsibility is so important. Last week was pretty hard. We had the sister training leaders show up Saturday unexpectedly. Sister Wadsworth has been worried about me so the sisters drove down for a day exchange. I had sister Keezlee and she's amazing. I admire her a lot. It was nice to have someone to talk to. I get to have exchanges with her at the end of June so I'm excited! 

Last week we saw a less active that Sister Decker and I had visited twice or so and it was very touching. The first time I met her she looked much healthier and was so much more mobile. Now she is completely immobile and has lost a lot of weight. She had open heart surgery recently to help with her cancer. The doctors finally told her that there was no more that they could do and that her time was coming. When we showed up we had asked her how she was doing because I hadn't seen her in two months. She looked me in the eyes and said "I'm dying and I'm scared". Tears filled both her eyes and mine. I immediately grabbed her hand and hugged her. In that moment my testimony of the plan of salvation has never been stronger. In that moment I was also angry at myself that I had lacked the visits with her when she could have needed me most. I then thought I can't look back, I can only look forward. We brought her flowers, cookies and a card the next day and she loved it. Though I wasn't there then I'm here now and I hope I can have her leave this world with knowing that someone loved her and knew of her worries. I bore testimony to her that the Lord loves her and that we have somewhere to go and that everything will be okay. I cried the whole day after that experience. Don't ever deny a prompting you receive. If the spirit is telling you that you need to go and see someone...go. I bare testimony that you all have a purpose in this life. Serve others. Love them. You are all leaders. I have seen so much joy in those that have found the gospel and have an opportunity to change. Share that great news to people. In the adjusting to missionary life book it reads:" Remember, Heavenly Father loves you. Trust in Him and in the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to heal and redeem you. God has a perfect plan for His imperfect children; this is the good news you carry to the world." 

I have a testimony of this gospel. It has changed my life. Though I may struggle, I am the happiest I have ever been. I promise you that as you give your whole heart into this great work and this amazing gospel, you will never be led astray. Keep on keeping on. I love you all! Keep the faith.

Love,
Sister Miles ♡

107 19th Street N
Great Falls, MT 59401