#21

Dear Mom,

I had a great week this week. I am doing great and working hard.  Mom, I loved hearing about the dream that you had :) I have dreams all the time where I come home and get to see all of you.  A lot of the time I try to speak Spanish with Dad and I can understand him! Something that I always pray for is that you all have the spirit with you and that you know that I am doing all right and that you are not worrying too much about me. I feel that dream that you had was an answer to my prayers :)

I got the package that you sent me this morning!! Thank you so much! Everything in there was absolutely perfect! The other Elders get jealous of me because I have gotten a couple of packages from you and from Carly. They claim that I get one every week, but that is not true... haha.

This past week was great! I was able to witness a couple of milagros (miracles) which was something that I have been praying for as well. For one, yesterday the chapel was absolutely packed! Normally we have around 80 people that attend church but yesterday we had 115! The people that we have been inviting to come are actually coming! :) There were not enough seats so we had to go grab more. That was super cool to see. 

Also a man stopped us on the street and asked us if we could visit him and if he could come to church with us. He was completely sober and seemed like a nice guy! The work is going fine out here. Although, all of the people that Elder Bird and I started teaching have stopped answering their phones and doors. That has been pretty annoying!  I will not stop calling them and trying to get a hold of them until they tell me to stop or tell me that they are not interested! 

I got my new companion today!! President just shipped him up here after giving him a days notice, haha. His name is Elder Barrigán and he is from Mexico! I have a native speaking companion! I am way stoked about him! I am going to learn so much Spanish! He has 19 months in the mission and he seems like a great guy! We have a lot of work to do to find new people.

Thanks so much for all that you do Mom.  I love you so much and miss you. I am doing just great! 

I love you!

Elder Jayden Miles 

#20

Things are pretty much back to normal here in A Coruña. The madness from the train crash last week has died down. I am still in a trio and I am expecting to be in one until at least the end of the transfer. We all get along really well and we have learned to teach in unity with three of us. Contacting in the streets with three is still a little tough, we all just have our own initiative to contact and find people. I was so determined to have a better week. I continued to pray for charity, love and patience. I have felt pretty at ease with everything and I have been able to love the people here a lot more. Prayer is amazing! I hardly ever see instant results but things always seem to work out. God is always there for us and we just have to trust in His will.

Monday:

Pday was alright. We had a lot of things that we had to do, such as clean the piso. Wood floors are the worst! They get so dusty and they are impossible to keep clean. At least with carpets it appears clean. The Hermanas gave us a recipe so we could make some cookies. We have an investigator who I will explain in more depth in a minute, but he was insistant on giving us wine, It was a nice jesture but he just didn´t understand that we can´t drink alcohol. Instead he gave us some apple cider... 4.1% alcohol. He gave it to us so we could take it home. We were all excited for a nice cold glass of liquid gold until I found out that there was alcohol in it. Elder Williams just poured it down the drain. We felt bad that we couldn't drink his gift so we were going to make him cookies to say thanks. Yeah.. those cookies did not turn out. We don´t know what went wrong with those. They just were terrible. We couldnt insult him like that.

Tuesday: So this investigators name is Juan Carlos, just like every other person that live here. Excuse me for the comparison, but he reminds me a little bit like Lenny in the book "Of Mice and Men". He has the best of intentions and he has a big heart but he is just a hard guy to listen to. He absolutly adores the United States. He is from Cuba and he hates that country. We can´t have a conversation without his mentioning how bless the United States is. The problem we have with this guy is that he won´t let us get a word in edgewise. He will just ramble on and on and on and on..... It is so frustrating and it is next to impossible to leave the guys house! We tried to have english classes with him but he ended up telling us his grave sin or cursing a man with black african vudoo! He told us that 2 weeks later that man died of cancer! We have some work to do with him..

Those two days were the only ones that were really making note of. We have been crazy busy, literally running to get to buses and make it to lessons. I always wonder what it looks like to the people on the streets when they see 3 American boys sprinting through the streets with white shirts and ties on. I guarantee that they think that those Testigos are crazy ;)

I got a reference from some other elders for a man named Sheriff John Brown! Awesome name. I called him up the other day and he was so glad to here that I was a missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He told me that Jesus was his holy coffee and his holy sugar! I can´t wait to meet with this guy this Saturday. He also told me that he has been shot 3 times and his family was killed and that he believes that Jesus is why he is still alive. He has got some real potential.

This past week has flown by! It was so much faster than the last. I had a lot more animo and was not so concentrated in if I was working hard enough. My stress level has gone way down and I have been working harder. 

Thank you so much for all of your prayers :) Your support for me in this work means the most! I know that I am on the Lord's errand and that I am called to serve. I know this church is true and that this is the way to eternal happiness!!

I love you so much and I hope that you have an awesome week :) 

Elder Miles

PS.  Thanks so much mom for the advice and comfort you have given me! It has helped me a ton. I am so glad that you  served a mission!

#19

Train Wreck with Elder Ward:

I don´t even know where to begin with this email from the past week... It has been a challenging one.

Monday: Elder Bird left early in the morning to Madrid. I did Pday, nothing too exciting. An Elder from El Ferrol, Elder Alverez, came down to A Coruña because his companion left as well, so I was with him.  The new Sister Missionaries arrived that night. Elder Ward was supposed to be on that train with the hermanas but he somehow got the wrong ticket and had to take the train the next day. I met my new companion, Elder Kunz. He is from Texas and seems like a pretty cool guy. I really haven´t been able to get to know him because he has been with Elder Alverez in Ferrol for the past week now. Elder Ward was going to take the train to A Coruña and then a bus to Ferrol. Monday I was with Elder Kunz and Alverez for the night. 

Tuesday: Pretty usual day. I was still in the trio with Kunz and Alverez. Tuesday night was when Elder Ward was supposed to arrive to A Coruña. There was another change and that night I was with Elderes Williams and Kunz. We were the ones that were supposed to pick Elder Ward up at the train station. We waited and noticed that his train was late. The time changed and we almost decided to go back to the piso and then come back an hour later to pick him up. After waiting and talking to other people waiting for the train to arrive we found out that the train had wrecked. The train station claimed that they didn´t know anything other than the train had wrecked. People in the train station were crying and freaking out trying to call their loved ones that were on the train but nobody would answer. We contacted President Jackson and all the APs and our zone leaders and notified them what had happened. We stayed at the train station and waiting for news of this train. We gave all the information we knew about this Elder that was on the train and then all we could do was wait. After about 2 hours of waiting and calling people we finally were informed that Elder Ward was found on the train and that he was on his way to A Coruña by Ambulance. We rushed over to the hospital where he was and met people from our branch there and waited again for time to see how he was doing. I never got to meet Elder Ward, he sounded like a great guy though. The president sent him back to Madrid to watch over him so he will no longer be in our area. That was an insane night. I didn't get back to the piso until 4am. The next day was impossible to wake up.   
Mormon missionary survives Spain train wreck

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A young Mormon missionary and cancer survivor from Utah who lived through the Spain train crash that left 80 dead said Thursday he remembers the train lifting off the tracks "like a roller coaster" before he blacked out and awoke to a "gruesome" scene.

Stephen Ward, 18, was one of at least five Americans hurt Wednesday when the train hurtled off the rails and smashed into a security wall. One American died, the U.S. State Department said.

Letter #18

To start off, I am still in A Coruña, same address & everything. Elder Bird has been transfered to the office in Madrid. I am really going to miss him.  He was an awesome trainer! My new companion is Elder Kunz. He is coming tonight por el tren.

This week we had a Zone Conference in Vigo :) It was a good time and I learned some good things from the presidente. We were able to have a p-day together which was a good time.

The rest of the week was pretty usual. We did contacting and met with investigators. The work up in A Coruña is definitely hard. I don't have anything to compare it to because I have never served anywhere else- pero bueno, todo esta bien. My goal this week is to really work hard on contacting in the streets. It has been my goal many times before but I am going to seriously focus on that. I am going to be in charge of the area for a couple weeks until Elder Kunz feels comfortable so I am really going to work hard on getting lessons and staying in tune with the spirit. I have been nervous all day to see how this week goes but I know that through the Lords power anything is possible. God is all powerful and if I am willing to do His will, He will be with me all the way. 

We had the baptism of Kenia this Sunday!! It was exciting to see her get babtized. She has had a baptismal date the whole time that I've here and it finally happened. She was so excited :) I was able to be a witness.  I also lead the hymns during the program. Her husband, Javier, Is a recent convert and he was able to baptize her which was super special. When he put her in the water he did it pretty hard...and I got wet.. Not too wet but it was really funny :) 

Yesterday was mainly despeidos for Elder Bird since he is leaving. We were able to meet with some members and eat a lot of food. I was able to play a little guitar as well :) 

Another change this week... We have two more Elder's moving into our piso this week.  That will make 4 of us in this small apartment. The Hermana's are moving in their old apartment. How nice ;) I am excited to see how this transfer goes! It is going to be tough living with all four of us in one piso but we are going to make it work. Our hot water heater broke this week but we got it fixed today. 

I hope that everything is fine at home and that everyone is safe and happy! :) 

I love and miss you all. I know that the church is true and I am so happy to be able to serve! 

Love Elder Miles

Letter #17

St. Sebastian Castle, Vigo, Spain (1600's)

I am in Vigo right now for a Zone Conference. The President and the APs are here along the whole rest of the Zone. We had a picnic in a castle on a hill and we played some fútbol as always. It has been kind of hectic but fun nonetheless.
My week was awesome! Our numbers of lessons and contacts didn´t really show it but we have had some success with progressing investigators. We have a babtism all set up with a program and everything for a woman named Kenia. She is married to a very recent member, really nice. I am so stoked to see a babtism that I got to help a little bit with. She could have been babtized a while ago but she just wanted to wait until her birthday. Next out inverstigators Pablo and Estefraní came to church yesterday!! I was super excited to see them there. Pablo has had a hard time believing if there is a God. He follows through with all the commitments that we ask of him and he continues to meet with us. So, how can he not believe? I was fasting really hard for him this week. 

My Spanish has improved a lot this week. It is coming slowly but surely. Even Pablo told me that my Spanish has improved while I was at their house! I was really glad to hear that. As I look back on these 4 months I have learned so much!! Gospel Wise and Spanish Wise! :) It is really exciting. 

Transfer calls are this next Saturday. The four of us Elders in A Coruña are trying to predict what will happen. I am pretty sure that Elder Bird is leaving and that I am going to get a new companion. It really is all up in the air right now. I am excited to see what happens. It is weird to me that living my mission life seems like it will be forever.  But, then at the same time it feels SO temporary. There are so many changes and it is not good to get too comfortable. The time has really been flying by!

Thanks everyone that has sent me an email. I really love you all :)

I am doing great physically, mentally and spiritually so it's all good.

Love Elder Miles

Letter #16

Too many cooks in the kitchen!

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was pretty hot. It got up to 32 degrees Celcius which I think is around 85 or so. It doesn´t sound too hot but when you are trekking all around town in a white shirt and tie it gets pretty exhausting. Since it was so hot there were hardly any people in the streets to contact because they were either at the beach or trying to cool down in thier pisos.

Tuesday: We had classes de Ingles. It went pretty well considering the fact that only one person showed up. It was a member of our word that already knew quite a bit of english so we just practiced with her.

Wednesday: There was another mudanza that we helped with. We have this whole moving from piso to piso thing down to an art. We form a fireman line and just pass stuff down or up the stairs and we are finished in no time.

Thursday: 4th of July! The 4 of us American Elders all hung out during Medio Dia and cooked a delicious lunch that consisted of; Hamburgers, pizza, watermelon, french fries, corn on the cob, bacon and chips. We all wore mustaches that Carly sent me which made it a real party :) It was a good time! Later that night we finished with some icecream for dessert! We wanted to shoot bottle rockets off from out piso window but we decided that it probably would not be the best idea, nor did we have bottle rockets :) All in all a good day.

Bon Appetite!

Friday: Started off really well. Elder Bird and I had a good lesson on Temples with a man named Heller. He is Cuban and is a pastor for the Church of England. He already has a testimony of our church and he reads the Doctrine and Covenants but he doesn't want to convert because he is a Pastor. I was able to bare my testimony to him about the power and importance of Temples. I felt the spirit strongly as I testified to him that through Temples our families can be together forever. What comfort that sweet message gives.  Not only that there is life after this life but that we can be in a true state of happiness after this life with our families. It was especially good for Heller because he is getting married pretty soon.

Our 4th of July Celebration!

Next, during the day we started off our session of contacting in the streets. There was nobody. We decided to pray to find those who would accept our message and would want to meet with us again to learn more. We began to walk with faith and decided to knock doors. We found an open door and we recieved two references, next another door and another reference. Not only did we have an answer to our prayers but God literally opened doors for us to find people to talk too! We prayed with faith and then we acted. that is always the pattern that we should follow to recieve an answer to our prayers. I know it´s true becuase it works! I though that was a good experience to share. 

Saturday: There was another mudanza. But this time is was a lot hotter and there were less people to help out so that left Elder Bird and I with a lot of work to do. Both of just about died from sweating so much. It gets hot walking all the way up and down those piso stairs! It was a mudanza for an investigator which makes it extra great that we got to serve them a little bit. Afterwards we were rewarded with a nice bit plate of arroz y carne :) Hit the spot! Rememver that when you are in the service of your fellow men you are only in the service of your God.

Elder Bird - My Companion

Later that Saturday the other Elders had a Babtism!! Super exciting! It was a girl that had been going to church with her friend for a long time but she never wanted to really commit and get babtized. Elder Anderson and Williams were able to change that. It was a lot of work and she had her doubts but she went through it.  She shared a strong testimony after everything was said and done. It was really special to see her baptized. She already felt like a member before she was baptized but there was definitly a new spirit about her. She seemed more happy and relieved. Baptism is such an important step in our lives. And we must always remember the covenant that we make with our Heavenly Father to keep the commandments and live in a way that Jesus Christ would be pleased with us. Study the scriptures, Pray, Partake of the Sacrament.

Sunday: A nonactive member that Elder Bird and I have been teaching and trying to reactivate came to church for the first time in 40 years. It was so good to see her there and she was so welcomed by the branch. I was kinda worried if it was a little too welcomed but it was good. 

A lesson that elder Bird and I have made about Amor y Caridad ( Love and Charity)

Mateo 22: 36-39

1 Nephi 19:9

Mosiah 2:17

Moroni 7:45-48

I hope everything is going well at home! I love the emails from everyone and the updates I get! 

Love, 

Elder Miles

Letter #15

Hello Family,

I don´t have much time to respond to all of you like Ï usually do Mom, Dad, Josh, Jenna & Jonny... It sounds like you had an awesome week, apart from Dad :( I hope you are healing fast Dad.) Thank you so much for your love & support!

Me enjoying the view

This week was pretty good. We had great lessons with all of our investigators. Summer is here now and it is a little more difficult to get people to meet with us because of vacations and what not. The work is still going on though. The weather is pretty mild for summer which I love. I am so glad that it is not that 100+ that is in Utah haha. It's a nice 19-23 degrees Celcias. 

Me & my Comp. Elder Bird

Elder Bird and I are doing great & our investigators are doing fine as well. We had a good lesson with Pablo & Estefaní this week. Pablo had great questions that we were able to answer. I think that they are progressing really well. They aren't married yet but I think we can help encourage that :) 

This week we had a pure Spanish meal for lunch at a member's house. We started off with an authentic Spanish tortia and after that they brought out a huge pig leg! It was delicious. Almost too much meat though, I was llenisimo!  

We kind of had a roller coaster with one of our investigators. We encouraged a baptismal date with one of our investigators so that she could be baptized as soon as possible.   We prayed about it and everything but I don´t know if we jumped the gun or not. She is definitly ready and she has had baptismal dates before but her mom does not support her with the desicion to get baptized. She will get baptized eventually but it is just a matter of time. I wished her mom knew of the many great blessings in store for her daughter when she gets baptized.

P-day was awesome today! We got to go to Cedeira again :) The coast of Northern Spain is absolutely beautiful!  Clear blue waters and private little cove beaches. Today we went on a little hike to an old castle.  We saw some mountain goats, and played beach fútbol. It was a great pday and I definitely needed it because last week we couldn't do anything because all the stores were closed due to the festival. 

I got to watch the missionary conference this week. It was great and it made me excited for the times that are coming. I luckily got to listen to it in english so I could understand everything. My mission president is considering implimenting facebook and blogs and mormon.org in the mission in the next year or so! Super excited to witness more great changes in my mission. First the age change, now this. 

Goats on the Coast

This past sunday I recognized a little miracle. It was Sunday evening and Elder Bird and I did not know what to do after making our calls. It was about 5 pm and we had a while until we could go watch the conference. Ön Sunday evenings there is nobody on the streets, which makes it super hard to contact people. If we don´t have lessons it's really hard to stay busy. I was wondering what we should do in my head and I got the thought to just wait and go with the flow.  Soon we decided to go ahead & try to make contacts on the street. After a little bit a man stopped us on the streets and adressed us as "The Brothers of Christ!" We answered him and talked to him for a litle bit. He said that he has talked to missionaries before and that he wanted to meet with us so that he could learn again. We got his reference and hopefully we will be able to meet with him this week. If we wouldn't have acted or if I didn´t follow the prompting that I had, I don´t know if we would have met that guy or not. I didn´t recognize it at the time but I take that as a little miracle.  Listen to the spirit and never be afraid to act on it. Nothing but good can come from acting on the whispers of the spirit.

I can´t believe that it has already been another week. Time is flying out here. Sometimes I feel like I am never going to be able to return back to my comfortable life but at other times I feel like I am not going to have enough time out here. I love this Gosple and I am so grateful that I have the knowlege of the Restoration and the Gosple of Jesus Christ. Take heed to the words of the Prophet and his Apostles because they truly are men called of God to guide and watch over the Church.

I hope you all have a great week and I can´t wait to hear from you again this next week :) 

Lots of Love, Elder JJ

Beautiful Coastline