Elder Ethan Stephen Miles - California Carlsbad Mission 2015-2017

SEND MOOLA!!!😂

So I got a text from a sweet sister in Vista, CA 9th ward telling me that our Elder Miles is wondering if we could deposit $ so he could buy some new shirts. I sent her back a message, "Thanks so much for being our modern day telegraph operator😃 I'll get money put in his account tomorrow. Maybe I should tell him (if he's by you) that for my banking services I require a photo of him flashing me an I LOVE YOU sign!!😂😂😂".......then I got......"THE PIC"!! I kinda, sorta, LOVE MODERN TECHNOLOGY!!👍😃😂 Elder Mangus, his companion, is helping him sport the bunny ears:)

San Diego Temple....AWESOME!!

June 27, 2016 We will still do all we can!!

Temple week!!!

Yes we were able to go to the temple this week. Tuesday we got a call from the AP's telling us that we had a last minute temple trip on Friday. So we had to find members to take us and it was kinda stressful but we did it! We got to the temple a little early so we did some initiatories for about 35 minutes before our session. That was a pretty cool experience because I haven't done those since I did my own. So something cool about the San Diego temple is that there are kind of 2 celestial rooms. The main one with a awesome staircase and chandeliers. And you are in one of the towers and when you look up it just looks like it goes on and on and on. When you go upstairs you go into the atrium room. It's shaped like the sign of Melchizedek with a glass room with all of these flowers and stuff. Super neat. That is also where the sealing rooms are, and while we were standing there a temple sealer came out and asked us to be witnesses for a sealing. I dont know if that is against the rules... but we were able to watch a temple sealing! That was a neat experience as well! There is no way that you can say that the church isn't true if you have felt the spirit like we did during the temple trip. Undeniable.

Even though we had an awesome day Friday, this week has been a real struggle. We still haven't found anybody to teach. It is pretty frustrating. But we've talked to the other missionaries and looked at some of the mission numbers and it looks like the whole mission is down. That still isn't an excuse but it's weird. We will still do all we can though!

President and Sister Kendrick leave this week. It's going to be a big change. They have done such a great job with our mission. I'm going to miss the Texas accent but I am excited to see what President and Sister Thomas have in store. They will be coming in on the 1st.

Well I've gotta get going, but I love you all and will talk to you next week!

Elder Miles

Hope...with a capital "H"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrNqGqy5kbQ&sns=em

Sweet MEAT PIES!!!...or pork?...chicken??

Sister Mercier is so sweet to take these hungry missionaries to HAWAIIAN BBQ this past week! The smell alone may just be too much for our Elder Miles!!😄

June 20, 2016 "I would just like to challenge you to have FHE once a week!"

11 months! Dang! No words .. no words.

This week has been great! We actually had a couple dinners with some members. Well they were drop-offs but we are getting there! We texted Lexi on Wednesday and she said that when she turns 18 she will start taking the lessons again. Unfortunately that is at the end of the year, and I won't be able to teach her, but that will be awesome!

We still haven't found anybody to currently teach, but we are trying! The area we have has a lot of hills and this last week was especially hard. It got really hot. But we knew that if we just kept pushing that something good would come from it. And we were able to get into some less-active member's houses. Then we got a call from some missionaries from a mission in Washington State telling us that their recent convert moved to our ward. So we get to teach her the new member lessons. So it payed off. Heavenly Father really does bless those that do the hard thing.

This week I was reading from Teaching of the Prophets: Joseph Smith. And it was talking about eternal families. And I was pondering how great of a blessing that is. We are sent to this battle ground with only a couple tools. Scripture, prophets, prayer, the church, and families. The family plays such a huge roll in this life. It is so important that we do all we can to strengthen it. One of the biggest things I've learned on my mission is that family home evening is such a critical thing. We can go to church and we learn things. But when when we are taught in the home it means so much more. The home, if we do what we have been commanded to do, can be as spiritual and as peaceful as the celestial room in the temple. Especially when gospel principles are being taught by our parents and siblings during family home evening. So I would just like to challenge you to have FHE once a week. If you already are, great! Keep doing it! If not, start now. The blessings of having a close family and having the spirit in your home are huge.

Well I gotta get going. But I will talk to you next week!

Love,
Elder Miles

Taking a quick break & a load off:)

Pretty sure those long 'ol legs have s..t..r..e..t..c..h..e..d a bit longer!!

We were trying to determine if they came across a yard sale or if lazyboys are the preferred patio furniture in California?!😊

This flower is BEAUTIFUL!!

No idea what kind of flower or plant this is, but it is SO COOL!!....update here!! Found out that this is a flower from a passion fruit vine!! Thanks for the info Missionary Mommas!!😍

Bucking Bronco "Tina the Triceratops":)

Elder Miles did always like the Land Before Time movies when he was little!!😃

We've found out that "Tina the Triceratops" has made the rounds in the California, Carlsbad Mission. One of Elder Miles MTC Companions, Elder Groesbeck, found the stuffed animal in his first apartment in Vista & she's traveled around the mission & ended up in Oceanside where Elder Miles is serving currently.

Birds of a feather....

The smaller photo is a quail, but not sure what kind of bird Elder Miles is holding...thank goodness it doesn't have a rattle on it's tail though!!😆

June 13, 2016 "Still looking for people to teach..." (we're praying for you Elder!!)

Hello

This week was just another regular week in Vista!

Last Monday we did end up having a lesson with the 17 year old girl. It was super spiritual and she wanted us to come back today. However, even though her mom was ok with us meeting, when her dad found out, he was not ok with it. So we won't be meeting with her anymore. And the other referals from last week haven't worked out either. So we are still looking for people to teach.

This week I also went on exchanges with the Vista 1st ward. About 90% of it is Hispanic that don't speak any English. Or at least that's what they claim. Butttt it was a very interesting exchange. California has a lot of legit crazy people:) As we were walking around talking to people we ran into a girl in her late 20's outside of a house yelling and screaming at a guy inside the house. She was obviously mad at him. So she started beating the crap out of his truck and the house. We've been told to stay out of these situations & stand back just in case something violent happens. Somebody had already called the police, but we just wanted to stay until they got there. But we did end up leaving early. Because of the heat and her intense anger she started taking off all of her clothes. So we were pretty FAST to leave when she started that. But that was an interesting few minutes.

Then later that night another crazy homeless guy started talking to us and told us how he used to be a millionaire. And played in the NFL for the Raiders. And that he beat up Jerry Rice. Good guy hahaha.

Anyways we are gonna go play football now, but hope you all have a good week!

Love,
Elder Miles

Exchanges
Elder Martinez with Elder Miles

Elder Miles has some new THREADS:)

Yep! Elder Miles is looking SUPER pumped about running!!😂😄 hee hee!

Ta Da!!! More animal photos!!😄

June 6, 2016 Football, funny jokes & REFERRALS!!!

Hello hello!

This week we were able to see some awesome things happen!

1. There was a family that referred themselves on our online system that needed help moving into their new home in our ward. So we went and they asked for a Book of Mormon and we set up a time to come back and teach them this week. They seem like a super cool family. They only have one kid that is about 1 1/2 old.
2. The YSA missionaries were in our area this week and contacted 2 teenage girls that happened to have LDS friends. So they gave them all of their info and we have an appointment with them tonight. Hopefully their parents are ok with it, and that they are actually at their house.... because usually teenagers are pretty flaky:)
3. We were able to get a couple referrals from our members yesterday.

So things are looking up! We still don't have any actual investigators yet but we are working hard to get some. The weather here is a lot cooler than Murrieta. We have the marine layer (foggy clouds that come from the evaporating ocean) every day until about 1pm. So that keeps it fairly cool throughout the morning. And we have the nice ocean breeze throughout the day.

I think I said this last week, but Elder Mangus is such a funny guy. This week it was his "...just like my ex-wife" jokes. For instance, we were walking and there was this awful stench. So I said, "Man it stinks." And Elder Mangus said, "Yeah, just like my ex-wife." Or we were riding bikes and went into our apartment. And it was still warm in our apartment and I continued to sweat for about 10 minutes. So I said, "Holy crap I'm never going to stop sweating!" And he said, "Reminds me of my ex-wife." Haha he's just funny.

Anyways we are gonna go play football now so I will talk to you all next week!

Love,
Elder Miles

Fishermen....or FISHERS OF MEN:) this is so cute

https://youtu.be/NSPOkcsUwQ4

May 31, 2016 "...a pretty fantastic week!"

Hello!

This week was a pretty fantastic week! Elder Mangus is awesome! Has a positive attitude and always making hilarious jokes! The ward is fairly friendly. There are some things that we are going to start so that the missionary work can progress. But everything has been pretty good. We don't have any investigators right now but have set some goals to work with some part member families in our ward. So it is looking promising. I forgot how many hills Oceanside and Vista have. We biked almost all day every day this week and the hills are killing me. Along with running. So we have been super tired. As soon as we get done running we go to bed. And our apartment is super hot at night so it's really uncomfortable. But we ordered some fans from the mission office so we should be good from now on. We also have some new sisters in our zone. And they are from Whales and Canada. It is super funny to tease them about tea and maple syrup. But the are super cool and have cool accents.

This week during studies I was reading a talk given by President Monson in 2012. And I ran across this line and I thought it was worthy of sharing. "So much in this life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference." And yeah haha I just liked that.

Anyways I gotta get running but I will talk to you all next week!

Love,

Elder Miles

We received this sweet note & photo this past week..."Hi! My name is Wendy Goshai and I have the honor of meeting your Missionary. The elders are at my home right now. It'll be fun to have your son in the ward. We will take good care of him and his companion. Hope you're doing well. Have a great night!"

Thanks so much Sister Goshai!!💓

May 26, 2016 First pic of NEW COMPANIONSHIP!!

Sister Mercier from Vista 9th Ward was so sweet to take a quick photo of Elder Miles & Elder Mangus! We learned that most of the 9th Ward is in Oceanside & they are in the Vista Stake! Thanks so much Sister Mercier!!😄👍

SO-LONG Sushi!!

Brother & Sister Weineger took Elder Miles & Elder Trounce to a farewell lunch😊

MTC comps "Together Again"!!

Last Zone Conference Elder Miles was able to catch up with MTC Companion Elder Raddon (on his right) & their "roomies" Elders Groesbeck & Higginson!!

More WONDERFUL members of Winchester Ward!!

Members of Winchester Ward, Murrieta - Craig & Christine Weineger & their son Reed along with Elder Miles. Brother Weineger has been a great friend to the missionaries helping TAXI them around & go on splits.

Of course we need a silly one!!😄

Elder Miles with "newly" recognized convert Shannon along with his son & girlfriend. (Refer to May 9, 2016 post for the "Shannon Story")

Reptiles R-Us

Elder Miles is once again loving the CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE😄...bearded dragon...I think is what he called the thing getting ready to lick his ear😕 Then there's a tortoise in there & a leopard gecko!!

Dance move? Checking if deodorant working?? Not sure...

Elder Miles & Elder Trounce with Alana Miller. Alana is a member in the Winchester Ward & sent these fun pics of their TRIO "photo shoot"😃

May 23, 2016 Elder Miles is headed BACK TO VISTA!

Hello Hello!

Well yes I am being transferred this Tuesday. And I am going back to Vista! Not in the YSA but into the 9th ward. My companion will be Elder Mangus. He has been in Vista for 6 months now. He is from Montana and it will be fun. The ward sounds pretty fun from what I've heard throughout my mission. So I am looking forward to it!

This week we were able to see some awesome stuff happen. We received a referral from some of the sisters in our zone. Her name is Peggie. We were able to teach her and gave her a Book of Mormon. She said that she would pray about it and is trying to get work off so that she can come to church this next week. She has a friend in one of the other wards so that has helped out a lot. We also were able to get a inactive family to come back to church yesterday. They are Phillipino (I think thats how you spell it?) and get so excited about everything! And then last night we gave a Book of Mormon to a family that was on a walk. And said that we could come back this week. So things are starting to pick up just as I am leaving. What the heck! haha but it has been a pretty good week.

We have been stopping by some of my favorite families as well, and they don't want me to go because "I am so dang amazing". Haha no, but it is hard leaving areas. Even though there are hard times, you are able to love the people here. The gospel truly does allow everything that is good to grow. And I have had some awesome friendships here.

Well I gotta go now so I will see you all next week!

Love,

Elder Miles

May 19, 2016 LOVE technology!!😄

Received a little treat yesterday from a wonderful member of Murrieta Stake where they held a Zone Conference luncheon...Elder Miles was able to see his MTC comps Elders Raddon & Groesbeck! Marleen Connors was helping at the luncheon & thoughtfully snapped some pics of the missionaries & sent them on to their families!! Thanks Marleen!!😃

So glad to see Elder "HangLoose" Miles singing with the masses!!👍

REMEMBER, REMEMBER....

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."
Helaman 5:12
@sharehopehealingpeace (IG)

Seriously??? MORE SNAKES!!!

This looks HUGE!!

The Murrieta Zone P-day hike had a special guest that WAS NOT invited!!

"Dear Elder Miles,

You are going to get a real

talking to when you get home mister!!"

Love, Mom

Oh my word if Elder Miles gives me one more "ALMOST HEART ATTACKS"...he is in BIG trouble!!😝 at least this is just a little garter!

May 16, 2016 Transfer calls coming Saturday...bitter-sweet

This week was another good week. Saw some more snakes, found a couple really awesome potential investigators and just nice weather.

We talked to a guy named Mike on the street a couple days ago. He is super open to the gospel. And has a family. We haven't been able to meet with him yet but should here in the next few days.

We were also able to teach a couple lessons to the families in our ward. They still aren't really willing to do anything missionary wise, but we are getting there. Transfer calls will be this Saturday. I will probably be transferred. But other than that not a whole lot is going on.

Well I gotta go now and hopefully we are able to get into more houses this week!

Love,

Elder Miles

Sprained ankle😒 ouch!