Letter #32

Bon Jour!

I was able to use a little bit of the french I know this week.  A ward from France  had a temple trip and they are always at the church.

It is crazy how much change is going on at home while I am gone. It feels like the world is spinning a mile a minute with how fast time is flying. I was able to do intercambios with one of my zone leaders and he told me ''Don´t worry it only gets faster.'' Josh applying to the U, Jenna being in High School, Jonny going to a new middle school!  There is a kid in a differenct stage of life right now! Exciting times for the family .

I am jealous to hear that you had a great time at the Taylor's! It is always so fun to go down there and be with them, not to mention the guns, four wheelers, and waffle cookies. That is really cool that Heather has decided to serve a mission. 

¿Que Lo que? Espero que toda esta hevi y tranquilo. Dominican slang :) I love the Dominicans, they are really nice and cook the best food. 

Me suena que tuviste una buena semana si tomas en cuenta que trabajaste todo los días. Estoy disfrutando el campo misional y mi llamamiento de ser líder de distrito. Por cierto hay mucho responsabilidad pero me gusta. Me ayuda a enfocarme en la obra mejor. Me siento un amor mas fuerte por los misioneros en mi distrito por que estoy serviendoles. Estoy pensando en las maneras que pueda ayudarles a progresar y mejorar. He recibido un poquito mas como siente la amor puro de Cristo, que es la caridad.  

I am not quite missing the freezing cold of Utah but it is getting a bit more fresquito here in Madrid. I am wearing my sweater every day to keep a little more warm. My mission clothes are holding up great! There are not many signs yet of the wear and tear. I am so used to wearing the missionary clothes now. Whenever I get into Pday clothes to play fútbol I feel like I am getting into the wrong clothes.

The Halloween party was a smash! Tons of people showed up and they even brought friends and family. It started off pretty slow and it was a little awkward but about an hour later (like we planned) it started to really get going. We were able to schedule a couple lessons with some non-members which was great. There was normal music which I couldn't help dancing but, I had to resist of course. Spain celebrates the Día de los Santos. I am not quite sure what the difference is between that and Día de los muerte. I baked about 75 of those little no-bake cookies for that thing and it seems like everyone enjoyed them.  All in all it turned out great.  We were all really excited on that success. One of the member told us that they hadn´t seen a party like that in Barrio 8 in a long time. 

It was a little strange having a normal day on Halloween, especially for my companion because he loves Halloween! He makes a crazy awesome costume for it every year and this year. We ended up switching sweaters and ties and we were eachother. 

The ward is doing well. Elder Anderson and I are trying to get the ward more involved with the missionary work. Last night we visited a family that cooked up a cake and hot chocolate which was delicious, very nice family needless to say :) Tonight we are going to a recent converts house for hamburgers and fries. He is from Honduras and the food there is muy paracido to the U.S.

I have my first babtismal interview to give this Thursday night. I am a little nervous but I am excited aswell. It is a 14 year girl that the hermanas are teaching, I will let you know how that goes.

Answers of the week:

What rule is the hardest to keep?

As of right now my companion and I have been doing really good on obedience. Sometimes it requires some running to get home on time but other than that obedience hasn´t been too much of a challenge.

When should Josh go on a mission? 

I think that Josh could handle the mission right after High School. I think the sooner he gets out the less destractions he can avoid. If he does stay home for anytime I think a semester would be sufficient. Intitute helped me a lot.

Can you buy some soccer shirts for the family?

I can buy some soccer shirts this next week for Pday. They are pretty pricey for the jerseys so I would probably find some Real Madrid brand t-shirts or of the sort. There are really cool Soccer Real Madrid Stores here.

How has your testimony grown since being on a mission?

I feel like my testimony has grown all around in every aspect. Josheph Smith, The Book of Mormon, Christ being my Savior. I don´t know if I can quite narrow it down. I have grown in testimony a lot being out here. 

I love you and pray for you.

LOVE you all!

Elder Jayden

Letter #31

Thanks for your words of support and love. I always look forward to getting emails. 

Elder Anderson & Elder Miles - companions

I had a pretty good week. I had an exchange with one of the zone leaders this week and I really learned a lot. I got to know a little more about their companionship and how the work is going in their area. He came to my area since I am his District Leader. I am going to do another exchage this week with the other zone leader who is not in my area. I was able to observe and learn more from his great example. It is hard being the Señor Companion all the time because I can´t always rely as much on my Jr. Companion. Elder Anderson is an awesome companion and really hard working, don´t get me wrong, it was just nice to learn again by example from someone that only has 3 weeks left in his mission. 

I have been trying to think of ways that I can show my love to my district and how to encourage them to work even harder then they are. I have been kind of stumped on what District Meetings should consist but I have just been praying and waiting for an answer. 

I had some good lessons this past week that were pretty powerful and spiritual. Sometimes I feel like just standing up and commanding people to do things because either they are stuborn or I just feel like I am full enough with the spirit that they would do it. I will let you know how that goes if I ever follow through on that. :)

That is exciting to hear that Jonny is going to the new Draper Jr, High! I am sure that that school is absolutly amazing. I am excited to hear all about his wrestling and how he is enjoying the public school life :) No more uniforms... dun dun dun! How much longer do you plan on working at APA then since there is nobody going there anymore. I am sure that they would miss you dearly since you have done so much for that school. Proud of you MOM

Well another week has flown by and I am getting prepared for another week. I am basically the only Elder in my piso that has any money left to buy food. The other 3 are going to be living on rice and sandwiches.. I don´t understand how they run out of money. I always end the month with extra money that just adds on the the next month. I know how to manage my money I guess.

A delicious Spanish pastry

What is something that has changed in you Elder Miles?

The biggest change that I have seen so far is the fact of humility. I have learned to think of others before my needs. At home I just did what ever the heck I wanted to but now I am dedicating all my time to other people. It has been a long process and not a very fun one at times but it has been worth it. 

What is something that you have learned? 

I have learned that I really do have a good singing voice. I thought that most people just had a decent singing voice but that is not the case with the majority of Elders that I have met... haha

Do you remember what your family looks like?

Of couse I remember what you all look like. Pictures definitely help :)

Do you miss our pets?

I have missed our pets. Everyone has a dog here and it is definitly more fun to come home to a big mutt that is happy to see you. Madrid is pretty dirty with the amount of dog poop and pee all over the place though...

What American meal would you have right now?

If I could eat any American meal right now at this moment it would probably be a big nice slice of pizza. Fold it in half and down a whole box! The pizza is not the same here. Hardly any sauce and the toppings are kind of strange like bacon and tuna..

I love you all and I hope that you have a great week! 

Love Elder Miles

P.S. I made the no-bake oatmeal cookies for a Family Home Evening with a non-member family and they turned out great! They enjoyed them :)

Letter #30 - 7 months

The weeks are still flying by and they continue to speed up! I feel like it hasn't even been a few days since I was sitting in the same locotorio writing emails. Seven months have already gone by and I can´t even believe it! 

I had a good week this week. I had my first district meeting and it went smooth and everyone seemed to enjoy it. I am learning a lot more about serving others with this new responsibility. I am working hard to be a good example and to have an area that others can look up to. I can feel the respossibility as DL. I pray for my district and I try my best to organize distcrict meetings the most inspired way that I can. I talked with the Zone Leader this morning and told him about everyone's baptismal dates and how their areas are doing. I have a lot to learn since I am still brand new but I am excited to learn. 

Several people were unable to meet with us this past week which was tough but we were able to contact them and encourage them. This week is going to be much better! I have been fasting since yesterday and I have had a couple things made clear to me that will help me during this week. We have an investigator who was going to be baptized this past Satuday but it didn´t end up happening. He'll be ready soon! He is an awesome guy and he likes to give us lots of food whether he cooks it himself or he buys us Burger King Whoppers or pizza! Can´t get any better than that:)  

To answer your question about the food. Every week we buy our own groceries and we make our own meals. Elder Anderson is a good cook so I am lucky if he makes me a little something. This week he made some delicious Guacamole and we enjoyed that with some doritos chips! I have become a really big fan of Guacamole since the mission! 

A few of us missionaries are organizing a big ward Halloween Party for the 1st of November. We are hoping to have a good turn out. We are hoping that people will bring their friends and we will be able to meet them and eventually teach them. It should help the ward grow closer together as well which is always good. 

The Spanish is going well. I need to speak it more with my companion because I am forgetting things since being with Elder Barragán. One of our investigators did tell me that I sound like I have been here for years, accent and all :) That was a serious boost of confidence! I am able to communicate with people on the streets and they can understand me! I still feel like I have a lot to study and learn. I can´t wait until it feels natural! That 501 verbs book did actually help a lot and I wish that I brought it with me! 

It is funny that you mentioned the missionaries that used to come and visit our family.  Elder Shumway knew Elder Spencer and Elder Summers, the ones that would always come over! While Elder Shumway was waiting for his visa he served in our neck of the woods for a transfer or 2. I think of Elder Spencer and Summers every time I go visit members. They were really good examples to me. 

Congrats dad on becoming a High Priest. The big Sumo Sacerdote! Que guay es eso! My piso companion says that all the high priests tend to not match suit jackets with their pants. Black suit coat with gray pants etc, you´ll learn the ways I guess... haha. That is exciting though! Mucho Felicidades¡

Thanks for the pictures from bear lake. You guys are seriously a cool family, I am so grateful for you guys and that I am able to be apart of your crazy crew :) Bear Lake sounded fun and delicious! I wish that I could have gone with you guys and enjoyed all those raspberries. I loved the last time that we went to Bear Lake and how we brought our bikes and rode around town and by the lake. I would definitly love to do that all over again. 

I am replenished to work another good hard week! I will return and report next week. Thanks so much for you love and your support! 

LOVE,

Elder Miles

Letter #29

I Love my Mission!

I can´t believe that it is already transfer 5 in the mission field! There were some changes in my district. A couple of the Hermanas were transfered which was a little sad. My companion is the same, Elder Anderson!! I am glad that we have another transfer together. There was also a little change in the leadership. You are reading a letter from the new District Leader of Barrio 8. I am actually very excited! The old district leader is now a zone leader and he only has one transfer left on his mission. He lives in my piso so I will be able to have any questions answered easily. I get to do baptismal interviews, organize district meetings every week, and get all the numbers from the missionaries to the Zone Leaders. I know that it is a lot of resposibility but I am happy for this new opportunity to serve those in my district! 

Me & my companion, Elder Anderson

Elder Anderson and I saw a miracle this week. Our investigator Miguel, the one who plays flamanco guitar, had been off of our radar for the past month.  We sadly thought  we had lost him. He felt the spirit and liked the lessons and everything but he disappeared. But this past Tuesday we ran into him in the middle of the street and we were able ask what happened! We talked about all his current worries which was about all the wickedness in the world and all the catastrophes but we helped him to understand that everything will be okay. He told us that he read the Book of Mormon and prayed to know if it was true just like we asked him to.  He said that he felt a voice in his heart tell him that it was true! We are now meeting with him regulary again :) We are so happy to be teaching him again!

I was able to go through the temple the other week. It was amazing. I could feel the spirit so strongly. I get to go every transfer as long as I am in Madrid. 

It is finally fall here in Mardid. The colors are changing and the leaves are falling. I am able to wear my sweater that I bought in A Corña. There were some missionary dress code changes which are a little more lenient and casual which I am happy about. My suits should be lasting a lot longer now since I don't have to wear them everyday.

I am keeping a balanced healthy diet. My "cook book" consists of; Rice, Pasta, Chicken Breast, Green beans, potatoes and eggs. Pretty basic stuff... but I am learning. I also make sure to get in my fruits and vegetables. I usually try to keep my grocery shopping under 20 Euros a week but sometimes I splurg a little bit and get a nice treat ;) I have to carry all my groceries home so it helps to keep the amount of food that I buy down. I am full every meal though. I think I may have gained a few pounds, I am not sure. I have also heard that I may have gotten a little taller. Eat your green beans kids!

My piso is a lot bigger than the little one that I had in A Coruña. We have two showers and two fridges which is a total luxury. We don´t have as cool of a view as I did in A Coruña but Madrid gets some pretty beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

I think Spain celebrates something like Halloween I am not completely sure though. Nevertheless, we are having a Halloween party with the Ward... created by the missionaries!

I hope that you all take care and have a great week! 

Love you all!

Elder Miles

Letter #28

Segovia Spain

It was so good to hear from you guys this week! I am excited each week to hear about everything that is going on at home. I hope that everyone had an awesome conference weekend and really got a lot out of General Conference. 
Glad you had fun at lagoon.  I have a picture of Frightmares last year with the Hawk family. I can´t believe that it was a year ago already. El tiempo esta volando! I am glad that you all had a good week and are doing well. You are such a big support to me Mom, Dad, Josh, Jenna, and Jonny.  More than you'll ever know. I am always completely refreshed from the tough and sometimes long weeks in the mission field. I am enjoying every minute of it though. I am getting along well with the other Elders and I am really starting to lose myself in the work. 

This week we received 3 new investigators.  One is from the Area Book who was an antiguo investigador and 2 from a less active member. They all seem to have great potential in growing in the gosple. I am really excited to meet with them this week!  My comp and I have really been trying hard to have lessons with a members. It finally happened this week! It ended up that those were the best lessons that I think that I have had so far on my mission. I knew that it was important to include members in lessons because it says in Predicad mi Evangelio but now I truly know how important they are. If you ever get a chance to go on to a lesson with the missionaries (especially Josh) GO! The missionaries everywhere are in need of the testimonies of members. As a missionary, I realized that I was not able to really share testimony about certain things that I have not yet experienced in life such as having a family of my own or having trials with finding employment. There are so many ways that you guys as members can help someone to come unto Christ. That was something that stuck out to me this week and in Conference, Elder Ballards Talk.

I was able to see conference at the church building and in English. They show it mainly in Spanish, claro, in the chaple but I watched it in another room with all the other English speaking missionaries. I felt the spirit so strongly throughout the entire conference. There were so many things that became clear in my mind and things that I personally need to do to become a better missionary and a better witness of Jesus Christ. I love what President Thomas S. Monson said when he told us that this Conference was the most inspired conference that he had ever attended. That was very powerful coming straight from the Prophet. I noticed a very common theme throughout conference.  I was not able to see the Sunday session since it would be playing at 10 pm at night.  But, throughout the conference this is what I felt the messages were:  Trust in faith and humility through trials and Christ will help us.  Be compassionate to others and have charity.  Missionary work, home teaching, have a christ centered home.  All of these topics were talked about at leaset two or more times throughout conference.  My favorite talks were Elder Eyring's talk about compassion and Elder Holland's about trials.  I think my absolute favorite thing that was said was "If the bitter cup does not pass...DRINK IT"- Elder Holland.

The Prophet and his Apostles are all men called of God. Take heed to their council. We can learn so many things from what they spoke about. I am excited for the Liahona to come out so I can read over all the talks again.

We were able to get one of our investigators to come to one of the sessions which was really cool. Pedro is planning on being baptized on 19 of October! He has some doubts but as long as he follows through with all the things we tell him to do then he will be on track to be baptized! He is a super nice guy and he loves to feed us lots of food. The only problem is that he likes to have the TV on while we are over because past missionaries allowed that to happen. We have been trying to get him to turn it off and keep it off while we come over so that we can have the spirit! It has been a challenge. He is a good guy and he really understands what we teach him.I had a really good week this week.  I am learning to work with the spirit and how to know what the Lord wants me to do.  Act in faith and trust in the Lord and everything is possible!Love you all and hope that you have a great week!Elder Jayden Miles