Week 34

Good morning friends! How are we all doing? Well last week was crazy! Definitely one of the most stressful/strangest weeks in my mission. Monday was crazy. We had service and got to help pour concrete which I was super excited about because it reminded me of the things I got to do in Peru and it just felt like home. Monday morning we got a call from our investigator Tiffany who I've told you about. Out of the blue she called us and said she didn't want to be baptized anymore and that she was going to find another church. Sister Labrum and I were completely silent on the phone and didn't know what to say. It was heartbreaking. That day was by far the most heartbreaking day I've had on my mission. I was pretty much in shock all day so I didn't have time to cry. Later on that night we had dinner with the Stake President and his family and I lost it. The next day I was so sick and sad from what had happened we stayed home most of the day because I just couldn't get out of bed. We later had lessons that day and the craziness just continued. One day we decided to go into these apartments that everyone told us not to go into but Sister Labrum and I are rebels so we did it anyways. They are called the guardian apartments. After being in there for 30 minutes we came out so sick. We had a headache for two days straight and later came to find out that they cook meth there! I WAS ON METH! We didn't realize what was going on but we were so hungry and dizzy we realized that we were second hand high. It was awful. The next morning we were both so sick we stayed home for a little and it was rough. Lots of sick days last week! Our week just gets better. So at this point we are still sick and not feeling good but we went to our lessons anyways. We show up to this appointment thinking we were going to teach a new investigator but it all went a different direction. The lady we met started to give us directions on how to take care of her mother. Her mother is 80+ years old and has Alzheimer's. She then didn't give us time to speak then was out the door and said thank you for us staying with her mom. Sister Labrum and I looked at each other and were like wow we are babysitting a 80+ year old right now who barely talks. Her name is Myrl and Myrl loves stories so we told her stories for and hour and now she probably thinks we are crazy. 

On the bright side of everything we found so many new investigators! We found five people just by calling them and asking if they wanted to take the missionary discussions again! It was awesome! Heavenly Father really has been placing people in our path. 

The smoke here is pretty crazy so a member gave us masks and told us to wear them so below there's a cool picture of us. 

This week I studied a little in Moroni 7 and read about charity. Something that I have never noticed before was the answer to everyone's question at times. How can we have and feel every good thing? 

20 And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?

21 And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing.

22 For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing.

23 And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come.

24 And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them. 

In Christ everything can be made good. Trust in him. This time around I am studying christlike attributes in the Book of Mormon and it's amazing all the things you can discover. I have a testimony of this church that it can do everything to make one happy. Have faith and trust in God. Keep the faith. 

I invite you all to read 1 Nephi 8. This chapter is so applicable to today. Be the person that goes towards the tree of life and is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I love you all! 

Love,
Sister Austin Miles ♡

1557 COLORADO GULCH 
HELENA, MT 59601

Montana Billings Mission 🇧🇿

Week 33

Good morning friends! Wow what a week! Obviously transfers happened and I'm with Sister Labrum! She's from Kansas! Shocker right, not Utah! She's the best! We have so much in common and get along great, I just love her! Shes so dang funny. Her alarm in the morning says "You're beautiful and you don't deserve this." Haha, shes a blast! With transfer week it's been pretty stressful since I am leading out the Helena 4th area. Poor Sister Labrum has to direct me everywhere because I don't know where I'm going here! I'm slowly starting to get the hang of it though! 

Guess what? I'm coming up on 8 months! How crazy is that? This transfer ends on my half way mark...time is starting to fly by! Anyways...

This week we found five new investigators and this whole transfer we are shooting for 50 more! The Lord truly is preparing people and putting them in our path. One of the families we met is so dang cute! The moms name is Jolene and she has two cute daughters! They were just chatting up a storm with us! It was cool at first because Jolene was really unsure about us but by the end of our conversation she had said that we could come back and share more with her. The spirit truly does soften people's hearts it's amazing. 

We had quite a bit of lessons this week so we have been super busy! Today I am so excited because we are helping the Lay family pour concrete in their backyard! I'm excited because it reminds me of Peru and I actually know how to do it! Pictures to come later! 

So Tiffany one of our investigators is getting baptized September 9th so it's coming up and we are excited! Meeting Tiffany really was a miracle when Sister Packer and I met her. Saturday we taught the word of wisdom. Right when she opened up the pamphlet and saw that we couldn't drink coffee she yelled out "WHAT NO COFFEE?" She was saying how she has coffee every morning and how she didn't think she could give that up. I shared with her Greg's story (investigator from great falls) and she felt more comforted knowing that if someone like him could give up something so big in his life, she would be willing to. After she cried and shared with us how hard it would be she then got up and gave us all of her coffee and told us to throw it out. She didn't even think twice! Tiffany is truly the elect. I had asked her one day what made her so interested in the church and she said "I was just tired of living in sin in my old life." Now here's the scare that Sister Labrum and I had. Sunday morning Tiffany called us out of the blue and said "This is too hard. I don't understand why coffee is a sin. I won't be coming to church or be baptized." I was silent. It was the most heartbreaking feeling that I had ever felt on my mission. I felt Gods sorrow through me for Tiffany. We worked out to come over to her house and talk with her about what she was feeling. After my tears and hers she got up and immediately got ready for church. I had no idea what I was going to say to help Tiffany. I just let the spirit guide me and surely enough the spirit never fails. We had told Tiffany that the adversary will get to her approaching her baptism. This goes for all of us. Satan likes to bring us down to a place we never could imagine. 

I have a testimony that this church is so true. That the spirit truly does soften the hearts of men. I am grateful for my mission experience. Even after all the tears, anger, disappointment, and trials I know that this is the Lords work and he will always prepare a way for those who stand in need of it. 

I finished the Book of Mormon for the first time in my life last week. I started it in the MTC and read it on and off until now. After I finished it and closed the book, I starred at it for a good five minutes with tears in my eyes. I had finished the most true book ever. I began in the MTC not having a testimony of my own and not knowing if the church was true or not. I then read the Book of Mormon and it filled the missing piece in my life. I never knew that there was more to my purpose on this earth. I didn't think a book could change my life but it did. This is where I invite you to study the Book of Mormon each day. I promise it will enrich your life and give you so much peace. Keep the faith! 

I love you all so much! I hope every one has an amazing week! 

My facebook: Sister-Austin Miles 

My blog: http://sisteraustinmiles.blogspot.com/

Funny story of the week: We knocked on some one's door and they were like "Are you from CPS (Child protective services), what's going on?" I've never gotten that one before! 

Below are some pictures of me with our investigator Libby, the Bromlies throwing their couch over the railing after we moved it and more fun stuff! Libby is the one who gave us the flowers! Tiffany is the one with me and Sister Packer! And our good ol mouse problem :) 

Love,
Sister Austin Miles ♡

1557 COLORADO GULCH HELENA, MT 59601

Montana Billings Mission 🇧🇿

Week 32

Good morning! This week is transfer week! I will be staying in my area and getting a new companion! Her name is Sister Labrum (I think that's how you spell her name). I've met her a couple of times and she seems fun! I'll be leading out the area and driving the truck! Whoop whoop! I'm nervous because I be only been in this area for six weeks and I don't know my way around at all but it's okay! Well last week...

Missionary feet.  ouch!

Lots of miracles! You know the investigator Tiffany we met? She accepted to be baptized September 9th! We are so stoked! We found a lot of investigators last week that seem very promising so good things are happening here! Saturday night we tracted for two hours and let me tell ya...we were so sore the next day. We were literally hiking haha. It was good exercise though! After tracting for two hours we hadn't found a single person. Most people weren't home but the ones that were weren't interested. At first I was disappointed but the realized that the Lord sees our efforts. If we do our part, he promises to make up the difference. With this next story it shows that he really does provide. Last night after receiving transfer calls honestly I was whining. I was thinking more about myself than others and worrying about how I was going to handle this area. Well turns out it was a good thing Sister Packer pulled off to the side to listen to me vent. We pulled off in front of this house not even paying attention that we were blocking the person's parking spot. A car pulled up and we looked for a second but then kept talking. We were both hesitant to talk to this woman because we were distracted but talking about our own problems. Well finally it became awkward just sitting side by side with her so we got out and asked if she needed any help with bringing her stuff inside. We then began to chat with her and she noticed that we were Mormons. Most people run away at this point...well she stayed. She was telling us how she has yet to find a church so we shared with her our message. She set up a time to meet with us so we will be seeing her tomorrow! When we were saying bye to her we apologized for being in her spot and said said "Well I guess it was meant to be". (yes I am crying right now)

The Lord truly has been placing people in our path and it's been the most wonderful thing. Andrea and Isaiah who we met a week or two back have been going through some things. We were set up for a lesson but it wasn't able to happen because Andrea had told us that she had just found out that her cousin had passed away in a car accident. As she was standing there sobbing to us I then realized why this gospel is so important. It says in the scriptures to come to the Lord with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and he will heal us. Andrea had exactly that. I saw the hurt in her eyes and I poured out my testimony of the plan of salvation. I testified to her that she will see her cousin again and t hay we believe that families can be together forever. She then responded "I hope so." She said I hope so...there are so many people out there in this world that hope for this great news, but I am glad to say that this church has that great news. Families are eternal. I cried after that visit just so happy but broken that not everyone has that knowledge. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope that comes from it. I have a testimony that this life is just but a small moment but that there is more to after this life. I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. That book changed my life. The Book of Mormon is how I know this church is true. This week I will be finishing the Book of Mormon for the first time in my life. As I have come towards the end I have been so emotional at the power that comes from one book. My heart is so full from the message that the Book of Mormon contains. It filled my missing piece in my life that I didn't know I was missing. 

Today I invite you to look up the words to the hymn 219 "Because I Have Been Given Much" and to ask yourself: What have I given today? 

I love you all. Have a wonderful week and HAPPY ECLIPSE DAY! (Montana gets to see 90% of it) 

Part 1 of pictures! 

Love,

Sister Austin Miles ♡

1557 COLORADO GULCH
HELENA, MT 59601

Montana Billings Mission 🇧🇿

Week 31

Well hello! Wow last week was just amazing! We found so many new investigators! The work is moving along! Transfers are next week! Just a heads up! I suspect I will be staying but who knows! Today is deep clean Monday so we get to clean the heck out of our apartment! It's also starting to cool down here. Today's a bit gloomy so it'll probably rain! Can you believe it's august? A year ago this month I decided to serve a mission...wow time flies. In another six weeks I will be halfway through my mission y'all! THIS CALLS FOR A CELEBRATION. Well let me tell you about all the miracles...

Tuesday we were on exchanges and I led out the area. It was my first time driving a truck but I did it! I was with Sister Medley and I was actually the one who took her place in Great Falls. She was companions with Sister Decker as well and knew all of the people in Great Falls so it was nice sharing something like that in common. She is such an amazing missionary. I look up to her. We had a great day that day. It was full of finding new people, getting sunburnt, sweating, having a creepy man take pictures of us, and a crazy women preach to us. It was great haha! By the end of the night we were going to visit a less active. We knocked on her door a few times but no answer. She always answers her door so I was very surprised that she didn't come out. Well as we were heading back to the car I stopped and said "We should go try the neighbor." The neighbor happened to be a former investigator who I remember trying my first week here but was always so busy. He usually talks to us for about a minute and then goes on his way but this time he stayed. We ended up teaching him for 45 minutes on his porch. He opened up to us and shared his life story. He was more open than he ever has been and asked us to share something with him. We started to share some scriptures from the Book of Mormon and he asked if we could mark them for him. He went inside and came out with his book and we began to start highlighting some of our favorite scriptures. Towards the end of the lesson I asked if we could say a prayer...well I have never prayed on a doorstep but the spirit was prompting me to. As I closed our prayer Jerome looks at us and says "Wow I've got chills. I've never had this before." We said "that's the spirit!" We invited him to church and he said "well if I felt something as strong as that I'll go to church everyday." It was a miracle. From being super bummed our lesson had fallen through we then knew that it was a blessing because Jerome was then prepared to hear the great message that the truth has been restored. So pumped! 

Miracle number two: 

Saturday evening we had just gotten out of a lesson with a less active and we were running late for our next appointment. As we were walking (speed walking) down the hall a girl stopped us and asked us when the farmers market was. We had no clue but we got to chat with her for a little. She then asked us "who are you with?" Well we jumped right into it and shared with her the message of the Book of Mormon and the power behind it. She said "I'm actually looking for a church!" We asked if we could come back and share more with her and she said that she wasn't interested in the lessons but said she would love to come to church. Sure enough next day she came to church. We sat down for sacrament and all was well. Thirty minutes into the hour she looks over to us and says "Do you think I can go home? I don't know if I fit in here." We then didn't want to push her so we agreed we would find someone to take her home after the first hour. Ten minutes after that conversation she looked over again and said "I actually think I'm okay. How am I ever going to know what it's like if I don't try?" Inside we were screaming! She later than shared with us that because she will now be attending our church she wanted to learn more. We are know teaching Tiffany! We bare testimony that we know that the spirit can change the hearts of the people here today. We were all worried about being late to our next lesson but realized what a blessing that was. If we had not been late, we wouldn't have met the sweetest of them all...Tiffany. The church is true! 

Our week was full of amazing things so I am super excited what is to come of this area! How has everyone been? School season is here! Have fun! 

I love you all very much and leave you with my testimony that I truly know that this church is true. I plead with you as Heavenly Father does to read the Book of Mormon, go to church, pray as a family, and strive to go to the temple. It's true. The church is true. 

"The work is demanding, the impact is everlasting." -President Monson

"Satan is really good...but the good news about the gospel is that we are better."

"Stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight."

"Have as much faith in yourself as you do in the Savior."

"If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets. Take heart. So it has been with the best people who ever lived."- Elder Holland

"Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved."-President Monson 

Have an amazing week! 

Keep the faith! 

I will send more pictures later! 

Love,
Sister Austin Miles ♡

1557 COLORADO GULCH
HELENA, MT 59601

Montana Billings Mission 🇧🇿

Week 30

In n out hats from Dad

Well last week wasn't the most eventual except for zone conference and tiwi boxes! I was sick on Wednesday so we stayed home the majority of the day. I had a doctor's appointment as well and we had to get our truck fixed. We had some lessons with investigators and less actives as well. We found another investigator Libby and she has no belief in Christ or God but said she wanted us to come back every week and teach her because she's curious. It's pretty much a miracle! 

So with the tiwi boxes we were the last mission in the United States to get them so we are pretty darn lucky. We have to log in every time we get into the car with our tiwi cards so it identifies whose in the car and whose driving. If you're going too fast it'll say "check your speed" or driving over bumps too fast "aggressive driving" so it talks to us haha. All of the reports go back to the mission home and there's a camera so they can see where we are, how long we were there for and how many miles we went. If you're doing something wrong the light will go red and it notifies the mission. It's pretty intense! 

Anyways...zone conference! It's always great seeing President and sister Wadsworth. They go home the first week of July and apparently my group goes home July 23rd or so so I will have a new mission President for my departing interview which is sad! I'm bummed! Zone conference was so amazing. I cried pretty much the whole time. The spirit was so strong and every one's inspiring words. We had departing testimonies for the missionaries going home and one of the elders bore the most amazing testimony. He explained the Atonement throughout his mission and how it has affected him. Just recently he got a call from home with some sort of devastating news regarding his family with only a few weeks to go until he is home. He bore his testimony on how sometimes we have to go through Gethsemane to realize how much the Savior loves us. He stood in our place. Because of him we don't have to suffer, IF we come unto him. That is the most important part. I have such a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God. Everything is possible because of him. 

Let this gospel change you. I know families can be together forever. This is the true church which we can return to live with our Heavenly Father again. Jesus is the Christ. 

"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." - Alma 34:32 

I love you all  

Keep the faith! 

Love,
Sister Austin Miles ♡

1557 COLORADO GULCH
HELENA, MT 59601

Montana Billings Mission 🇧🇿

Week 29

Hello friends! Can you believe that this week is already August? Sorry that summer is coming to and end for y'all. No summer for missionaries so it doesn't bother me haha. I'm pretty happy because that means fall is coming around! It's sad that I'm used to the 90-100 degree weather here. I don't really notice the difference except for the nice sunburn on my arms! I'm going to come home so tan! (Tan in my eyes) 

So....last week! 

Definitely wiped out but it was great we got a lot of work done! Exciting news we have a new family that is investigating the church and they came to church yesterday! We had dinner with them last Friday with some members and the lesson we had was so amazing, it left some of us crying (aka me). They are so awesome. They stayed for all three hours plus the dinner the ward provided and I'm just so excited! Update on Chelsey! I love this girl so much. She has been progressing so much since I got here. She went from the stubborn Chelsey that I love to a Chelsey that wants to change. Whenever she says "I'm gonna go have a smoke" I punch her and tell her how bad it is and she just laughs. We have a very close relationship and I just have so much faith in her. We are just working hard right now helping less actives return to church and finding new investigators! We have so many people that are so close to baptism so we are super excited. 

If y'all didn't know Montana is having some crazy fires so pretty much the whole state of Montana fasted and prayed for the fires to stay under control. 

This week we have zone conference and it is one of my favorite parts of the transfer because we get to see President and Sister Wadsworth! I also get to see Sister Cannon this week so I'm excited! I miss her! 

Lately I have been thinking about what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Everyday I think of ways I can improve by one being more like the Savior and two being his disciple. A disciple devotes all their time to the Lord, thinks not of them self and more. Being a disciple of Christ we then realize that our lives will never be ours again. That is being completely selfless and putting all of your efforts and time towards the Lord. This is something that I have struggled with throughout my mission. Dedicating it all to the Lord and becoming completely selfless throughout the work. We learn from the Savior to love and to serve others. Developing Christlike attributes is something I have been striving to obtain as well lately. In Nephi 27:27 it says "...therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am." This scripture hit me pretty hard last week when I was thinking about being more like Christ. We all struggle with devoting all of our energy and time to the Lord because the natural man is selfish. It is promised to us in Matthew 16:25 that "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." 

I have a testimony of this gospel that I know it is true and it will improve the quality of your lives. I have a testimony that the book of Mormon is true and by reading it daily you will discover who Christ is in your lives. Keep the faith. 

The gospel changes lives...so share it! 

I love you all 

Love,
Sister Austin Miles ♡

1557 COLORADO GULCH
HELENA, MT 59601

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